Superman is an alien, who has many incredible powers, and is pretty much perfect. That's a hard character to write, and a hard character to make appealing. I, personally, am not a fan of the man of steel because he feels so perfect, and so going into this book I thought it was going to be the same old Superman stories of him saving the day and getting the girl, but no, Grant Morrison gives us a very different Superman, he gives the Superman that actually acts like he is a real person.
Grant Morrison has created a great story. It begins with a Superman, who's whole life he has been told that he will someday save the world with his powers, and now that his father and mother are dead, he moves to Metropolis and decides to start cleaning things up. People are afraid of Superman, so he tries to win the city's respect. I enjoyed watching Superman change from an amateur unrefined vigilante, to the bold hero he is at the end.
I had one big problem with the story though: Action Comics #6. Action Comics #6 fits no where into the main story of this volume. I features Superman after the events of Action Comics #8, but it's not a flash forward. The entire time I was reading the issue, I was confused. Nothing in this story was introduced well. It felt like part of another story arc.
The supporting cast of this volume were fantastic. The characters were so different from each other, but still they all worked together well. I really enjoyed seeing Lex Luthor in a not villainous role. I liked the surprise appearance of SPOILER: Steel. Now the main villain of this story arc could have been built up a little bit longer, his eventual surprise reveal was kind of wasted.
The art of this book is typical comic book art, it isn't anything special. I dislike this style of art because it looks so realistic. I always enjoy the art from series like Batman (2011-), Spider-man & the X-Men (2014-) and The Flash (2011-) that are more on the cartoony side of things. And as I said in my Justice League Vol.1 1 review, I love the New 52 character redesigns, especially Superman and Batman because they lost the underwear on the out side of the pants look.
Action Comics Vol. 1: Superman and the Men of Steel (wordy title, eh?) is most undoubtedly not the best of the New 52. With stories like Aquaman's "The Trench" and Batman's "Court of Owls", this one pales in comparison, but it is not without redeeming moments. So I will give "Action Comics Vol.1: Superman and the Men of Steel" a 6/10.
Action Comics Vol. 1 info:
Writer: Grant Morrison
Art: Sean Parsons, Jesse Delperdang, Rick Bryant, Brent Anderson, Andy Kubert and Rags Morales
Cover: Rags Morales
Rating: T (DC Comics), 12+ (ComiXology)
Collects: Action Comics (2011-) #1-8
Thursday 12 February 2015
Sunday 8 February 2015
Film Review -- Godzilla (2014)
Godzilla is a descent film. The CGI is pretty impressive, the monsters have some pretty great designs, and despite the film being about giant 108.2 meter (355 foot) tall monster, it felt pretty realistic. I'm not sure what about the film made me believe that an ancient prehistoric monster could really exist and destroy Los Angeles, it just did. I also liked how this film was almost a sequel to the original Godzilla film. The opening sequence was easier to follow because I had seen the original.
I found that only a few cast members had good performances. Bryan Cranston and Arron Taylor-Johnson really portray the father/son dynamic well. Ken Watenabe and Sally Hawkins played some good scientists, and Elizabeth Olson does a good job with what she's given, but all the other actors and characters in this film just felt dull, and it's not because that there aren't many other characters (there are quite a few others), they other actors just weren't doing anything..
I think the film could have hurried the introduction of Godzilla a little bit more. The film spent a while setting up the supporting monsters, but not Godzilla himself, and I wish that more time was given to him. I still liked the kind of mysterious introduction to the monsters, I just wish more time was given to Godzilla during the build up to the big fight. Speaking of the "Bib Fight", it was AWESOME!!!
I can't really can't think of anything to say. The film didn't have a whole lot a negative things about it, but I didn't have a lot of great things, other than the things just mentioned. Godzilla is still worth a watch during this season of not very many movies being released, and I will give this film 65%. What did you think of Godzilla? Comment below and let me know!
Godzilla info:
Release Date: May 16th, 2014
Rating: PG-13 (USA), PG (Canada)
Director: Gareth Edwards
Starring: Arron Taylor Johnson as Ford Brody, Ken Watanabe as Dr. Ishiro Serizawa, Bryan Cranston as Joe Brody, Elizabeth Olson as Elle Brody, Carson Blode as Sam Brody, Sally Hawkins as Vivienne Graham, and Juliette Binoche as Sandra Brody
I found that only a few cast members had good performances. Bryan Cranston and Arron Taylor-Johnson really portray the father/son dynamic well. Ken Watenabe and Sally Hawkins played some good scientists, and Elizabeth Olson does a good job with what she's given, but all the other actors and characters in this film just felt dull, and it's not because that there aren't many other characters (there are quite a few others), they other actors just weren't doing anything..
I think the film could have hurried the introduction of Godzilla a little bit more. The film spent a while setting up the supporting monsters, but not Godzilla himself, and I wish that more time was given to him. I still liked the kind of mysterious introduction to the monsters, I just wish more time was given to Godzilla during the build up to the big fight. Speaking of the "Bib Fight", it was AWESOME!!!
I can't really can't think of anything to say. The film didn't have a whole lot a negative things about it, but I didn't have a lot of great things, other than the things just mentioned. Godzilla is still worth a watch during this season of not very many movies being released, and I will give this film 65%. What did you think of Godzilla? Comment below and let me know!
Godzilla info:
Release Date: May 16th, 2014
Rating: PG-13 (USA), PG (Canada)
Director: Gareth Edwards
Starring: Arron Taylor Johnson as Ford Brody, Ken Watanabe as Dr. Ishiro Serizawa, Bryan Cranston as Joe Brody, Elizabeth Olson as Elle Brody, Carson Blode as Sam Brody, Sally Hawkins as Vivienne Graham, and Juliette Binoche as Sandra Brody
Saturday 7 February 2015
The New 49
Hello everyone! DC Comics has just announced that stating in June, they will be doing some major changes to the comics they will be publishing, no, it's not a reboot. DC will continue 25 of their most popular series without a breaking the issue numbering, stopping the rest of their series and bringing in 24 new ones including a Cyborg series!!! I have listed the continuing series and new series below as well as a link to the announcement on the DC Comics website: http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2015/02/06/new-books-new-creative-teams-the-complete-list-of-new-and-continuing-dc-comics
Continuing series:
-Action Comics
-Aquaman
-Batgirl
-Batman
-Detective Comics
-Batman/Superman
-Catwoman
-Deathstroke
-The Flash
-Gotham Academy
-Gotham by Midnight
-Grayson
-Green Arrow
-Green Lantern
-Harley Quinn
-Justice League
-Justice League United
-Lobo
-Secret Six
-Sinestro
-New Suicide Squad
-Superman
-Superman/Wonder Woman
-Teen Titans
-Wonder Woman
New Series:
-Batman Beyond
-Bat-Mite
-Bizarro
-Black Canary
-Constantine: The Hellblazer
-Cyborg
-Dark Universe
-Green Lantern: Lost Army
-Doomed
-Earth 2: Society
-Dr. Fate
-Harley Quinn/Power Girl
-Justice League of America
-Justice League 3001
-Martian Manhunter
-Midnighter
-Mystic U
-Omega Men
-Prez
-Red Hood/Arsenal
-Robin, Son of Batman
-Section Eight
-Starfire
-We are Robin
I'm tempted to stop reading The Flash and pick up Cyborg. . . What do you think of these changes to the releases from DC Comics? Let me know in the comments below.
-Justice League 3001
-Martian Manhunter
-Midnighter
-Mystic U
-Omega Men
-Prez
-Red Hood/Arsenal
-Robin, Son of Batman
-Section Eight
-Starfire
-We are Robin
I'm tempted to stop reading The Flash and pick up Cyborg. . . What do you think of these changes to the releases from DC Comics? Let me know in the comments below.
Thursday 5 February 2015
My Top 10 Batman Villains That Must be Seen (Properly) in a Film
Batman has had 8 films about him over the past four decades,
Batman (1966), Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), Batman Forever (1995),
Batman and Robin (1997), Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008) and The
Dark Knight Rises (2012). With eight films out, we have seen many different
villains, but despite having eight movies, many villains have been missed or
done poorly. I have composed a list of the villains we need to see properly (So
Mr. Freeze counts) in a live-action film. I will not be including villains that
have been confirmed to appear in future movie, so Harley Quinn does not count. Here they are:
10. Man-Bat
Man-Bat is such a
great villain, because he is almost a exact opposite of Batman, even down to
his name! He could be turned into a very compelling Man/Monster type villain.
Man-Bat could be a really good side villain (like Two-Face in The Dark Knight)
to somone like Hugo Strange.
9. Clay-Face
Now you could go two
ways with Clay-Face. You could make him a down-right evil villain, or go with
the Mr. Freeze "Get Revenge my Revenge for Tragedies" style. Clay
Face could, if done right, could be the main super-villain of a film, but it
would probably be better to make him a supporting-villain.
8. Killer Croc
Just like Clay-Face
and Man-Bat, Killer Croc could be a down right evil villain, or a compelling
man/monster villain. Killer Croc would probably work best as a supporting
villain.
7. Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy is one
villain, that has surprising been only seen once in a film, and sadly, that
film was no-good. Poison Ivy could be a villain like Ra's Al Ghul, you kind of
understand her motives, but she is still a villain and you want to see her go
to jail. Poison Ivy could handle her own film, but it would be easier if she
had some sort of supporting villain to help her.
6. Black Mask
Black Mask is a
villain that has both ties to Bruce Wayne, and the Gotham underworld. He would
make for one heck of a crime drama, and a tense "Ghost of the Past"
thing for Bruce Wayne. Black Mask could easily take on his own film, without a
supporting villain to help him out.
5. Mr. Freeze
Dr. Victor Fries, aka Mr. Freeze, would make for a great villain of a more super-hero style Batman film. Freeze could be a really compelling villain. He would also be best as the lead villain in a film, but he should have some-sort of supporting-villain. Now is it just me, or should Patrick Steward play him?
4. Hugo Strange
Hugo Strange would be a great villain for a more science-bent Batman adventure. I think he would work best has the guy who is pulling all the strings. He could be like the Thanos to a new trilogy of Batman films, hiding in the shadows until the very end.
3. The Riddler
Now the Riddler can be portrayed two ways: the Jim Carrey/Batman Forever/Insane Person style or a more sinister, serious, style. I think that the next live-action portrayal should follow the latter. The Riddler could easily take on the role as a leading villain with out a supporting-villain, but if he did have a supporting villain, someone like Killer Croc could do it.
Now the Riddler can be portrayed two ways: the Jim Carrey/Batman Forever/Insane Person style or a more sinister, serious, style. I think that the next live-action portrayal should follow the latter. The Riddler could easily take on the role as a leading villain with out a supporting-villain, but if he did have a supporting villain, someone like Killer Croc could do it.
2. Court of Owls
Now the Court of Owls would make for some really amazing villains. A secret society that has most of Gotham's elite in it? What could be better? The Court of Owls could diffidently take on the leading villains role in a very exciting and intense crime drama. They diffidently do not need a support-villain, in fact, a supporting villain would take away from the sheer awesomeness of the Court of Owls.
Now the Court of Owls would make for some really amazing villains. A secret society that has most of Gotham's elite in it? What could be better? The Court of Owls could diffidently take on the leading villains role in a very exciting and intense crime drama. They diffidently do not need a support-villain, in fact, a supporting villain would take away from the sheer awesomeness of the Court of Owls.
Hush is one of Batman's greatest villains ever. Thomas Elliot was Bruce Wayne's best friend growing up, but he later turned evil in an attempt to take his family fortune. Hush diffidently deserves to be the main villain of a film, but maybe Hush could get some help from some like Riddler in his evil scheme to stop Batman.
Well that's my list. Let me know what your list is in the comments bellow. Until next time . . .
Wednesday 4 February 2015
Daredevil Teaser Trailer
The wait is over, Marvel has released the teaser for their Netflix series, and it looks great! April 10, all episodes on Netflix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC7GPdBV9WQ
Sunday 1 February 2015
Fantastic Four Trailer
Finally, the Fantastic Four trailer has been released, and it doesn't look to bad. I think the greatest thing we learnt from the trailer is that the film will be officially called "Fant4stic". Really, Fox? Really?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-BVs-KCSiA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-BVs-KCSiA
Comic Book Review -- Justice League Vol. 1 "The Origin"
Some authors write certain characters really well but don't do as well with others. Geoff Johns (the author of this graphic novel) can write an amazing everyone.
Geoff Johns writes a great story. The characters were so believable. I love the tense relation that the heroes have, they all want to save the world from evil but they don't really trust each other. I enjoyed watching Green Lantern poke fun of Batman for not having any powers. I liked the Green Lantern/The Flash buddies Easter egg that Johns threw in this story. I case you didn't know, Geoff Johns has been the writer of some of the greatest Flash and Green Lantern stories like "Flashpoint" and "Blackest Night".
The novel felt like it was happening in our world. The fact that the government was chasing the so called "Super-humans" made the story more believable. If Superman, Batman and the rest of the heroes of this story really existed, they would be feared and hunted, just like this story.
I liked the line-up of heroes on this Justice League. I was especially happy to see Cyborg thrown onto the roster. He is such a great character, but he so underrated!! Cyborg needs a comic book series! DC, in case your reading this blog post, I volunteer to write you a cyborg comic book series! Enough ranting, on to art:
Jim Lee does some pretty great art. I action scenes were well laid out, and The New 52 redesigns of the characters are awesome!!
Now on the down side, I felt like this story moves a little bit to fast. It could have been spaced out a little longer to provide space for some more character development of Cyborg and the main villain of the story. SPOILERS until the end of the paragraph: I think that Darkseid was a wasted villain. I think they should have waited for a while until they brought him into the mythos, especially because he is such a great villain.
At the end of the day, I will award Justice League Vol. 1 "The Origin" 8.5/10 stars.
Thanks everyone for reading my first ever comic book review. If you want to see more of these, let me know in the comments below!
Justice League Vol. 1 info:
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Jim Lee
Inks: Scott William
Colourist: Alex Sinclair
Rating: 12+ (ComiXology), T (DC Comics)
Released: January 30th, 2013
Collects: Justice League (2011-) #1-6
Geoff Johns writes a great story. The characters were so believable. I love the tense relation that the heroes have, they all want to save the world from evil but they don't really trust each other. I enjoyed watching Green Lantern poke fun of Batman for not having any powers. I liked the Green Lantern/The Flash buddies Easter egg that Johns threw in this story. I case you didn't know, Geoff Johns has been the writer of some of the greatest Flash and Green Lantern stories like "Flashpoint" and "Blackest Night".
The novel felt like it was happening in our world. The fact that the government was chasing the so called "Super-humans" made the story more believable. If Superman, Batman and the rest of the heroes of this story really existed, they would be feared and hunted, just like this story.
I liked the line-up of heroes on this Justice League. I was especially happy to see Cyborg thrown onto the roster. He is such a great character, but he so underrated!! Cyborg needs a comic book series! DC, in case your reading this blog post, I volunteer to write you a cyborg comic book series! Enough ranting, on to art:
Jim Lee does some pretty great art. I action scenes were well laid out, and The New 52 redesigns of the characters are awesome!!
Now on the down side, I felt like this story moves a little bit to fast. It could have been spaced out a little longer to provide space for some more character development of Cyborg and the main villain of the story. SPOILERS until the end of the paragraph: I think that Darkseid was a wasted villain. I think they should have waited for a while until they brought him into the mythos, especially because he is such a great villain.
At the end of the day, I will award Justice League Vol. 1 "The Origin" 8.5/10 stars.
Thanks everyone for reading my first ever comic book review. If you want to see more of these, let me know in the comments below!
Justice League Vol. 1 info:
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Jim Lee
Inks: Scott William
Colourist: Alex Sinclair
Rating: 12+ (ComiXology), T (DC Comics)
Released: January 30th, 2013
Collects: Justice League (2011-) #1-6
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