Overall, we liked the issue but still felt that it has not lived up the potential set up by the first 3 issues of the arc. We're hoping for a full return to form with issue 47, which is out already, right on the heels of 46.
Friday, January 1, 2016
Justice League 46: Barda helps a lackluster issue
Jason Book and I discuss Justice League 46 from DC Comics, which is part six of the Darkseid War story arc, written by Geoff Johns. Art in this issue was by Francis Manapul, who also did the covers for the Darkseid War one-shots last month and has covered some other duties while Jason Fabok, the original artist, returns in issue 47.
Overall, we liked the issue but still felt that it has not lived up the potential set up by the first 3 issues of the arc. We're hoping for a full return to form with issue 47, which is out already, right on the heels of 46.
Overall, we liked the issue but still felt that it has not lived up the potential set up by the first 3 issues of the arc. We're hoping for a full return to form with issue 47, which is out already, right on the heels of 46.
Friday, December 25, 2015
Plot Hole in Star Wars The Force Awakens
The main driver of much of the plot in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens is the fact that multiple people want the map data that is carried by BB-8. Although it makes perfect sense that Poe put the map into BB-8's compartment and told the droid to get away from Kylo Ren's attack, I think there were many problems with the map tracking after that.
Several times throughout Act 1 and Act 2 of the movie, characters, especially those in the First Order, make major decisions based on getting BB-8 because the droid has the map data. But why would they assume with pretty much complete certainty that BB-8 still has the map? BB-8 could have either given the map up freely or had it forcibly removed (we see that the droid can be captured very easily). The map could have been passed on from BB-8 at several different points while still on Jakku, it could have been passed along in space around the time that Han Solo and Chewie arrive, it could have gone in any different number of directions from Maz Kanata's planet, and so forth.
True, Kylo Ren lets BB-8 go when he thinks he can get the info from Rey, who has seen the map. But even then, they're thinking that BB-8 still has the map, they just don't need it anymore. (And later, Kylo Ren sort of gets admonished for not going straight after the droid.)
Related problems are that the First Order could have accidently incinerated BB-8 and the map when they attacked on Jakku, and since the Resistance seems to have spies in quite a lot of places (and definitely at Maz Kanata's), it actually would have been much smarter for them to have BB-8 pass the map on to someone else who had not already been identified and tracked by the First Order. (For example, they could have sent off a few ships in different directions from Maz Kanata's, with only one having the map, but the First Order would have to pursue all of them.)
Here are my full discussions about The Force Awakens with Jason Book. The first video focuses a bit more on positive aspects of the film, while the second video delves into a series of criticisms.
Several times throughout Act 1 and Act 2 of the movie, characters, especially those in the First Order, make major decisions based on getting BB-8 because the droid has the map data. But why would they assume with pretty much complete certainty that BB-8 still has the map? BB-8 could have either given the map up freely or had it forcibly removed (we see that the droid can be captured very easily). The map could have been passed on from BB-8 at several different points while still on Jakku, it could have been passed along in space around the time that Han Solo and Chewie arrive, it could have gone in any different number of directions from Maz Kanata's planet, and so forth.
True, Kylo Ren lets BB-8 go when he thinks he can get the info from Rey, who has seen the map. But even then, they're thinking that BB-8 still has the map, they just don't need it anymore. (And later, Kylo Ren sort of gets admonished for not going straight after the droid.)
Related problems are that the First Order could have accidently incinerated BB-8 and the map when they attacked on Jakku, and since the Resistance seems to have spies in quite a lot of places (and definitely at Maz Kanata's), it actually would have been much smarter for them to have BB-8 pass the map on to someone else who had not already been identified and tracked by the First Order. (For example, they could have sent off a few ships in different directions from Maz Kanata's, with only one having the map, but the First Order would have to pursue all of them.)
Here are my full discussions about The Force Awakens with Jason Book. The first video focuses a bit more on positive aspects of the film, while the second video delves into a series of criticisms.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Batman 47: Duke and Many Blooms
Jason Book and I discuss the most recent issue of Batman, written by Scott Snyder with pencils by Greg Capullo.
The run continues to be strong, and this one moves things a few steps closer to what will probably be a big issue 50. It looks like they're setting up 50 to be the issue where Batman returns to the cape and cowl (and over in Superman, I think it will be when Supes regains his full powers). In Batman 47, Duke connects with Bruce and tries to inspire him to remember his Batman days, Gordon has a partial victory over Mr. Bloom, and we see the return of a surprising character on the last page.
The run continues to be strong, and this one moves things a few steps closer to what will probably be a big issue 50. It looks like they're setting up 50 to be the issue where Batman returns to the cape and cowl (and over in Superman, I think it will be when Supes regains his full powers). In Batman 47, Duke connects with Bruce and tries to inspire him to remember his Batman days, Gordon has a partial victory over Mr. Bloom, and we see the return of a surprising character on the last page.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Superman 46: Oh no, Jimmy!
Jason Book and I discuss issue 46 of Superman (DC Comics), by Gene Yang and Howard Porter. SPOILER ALERT
This issue wasn't as off track as the last one, but it still had a lot of problems and didn't seem fitting enough for the big event that happened at the end. Interestingly, the emergence of the sand-clone Superman continues with some connections back to Denny O'Neill's Superman stories in the early 1970s (see also the "Quarmers" reference with Hordr_root's energy collectors).
This issue wasn't as off track as the last one, but it still had a lot of problems and didn't seem fitting enough for the big event that happened at the end. Interestingly, the emergence of the sand-clone Superman continues with some connections back to Denny O'Neill's Superman stories in the early 1970s (see also the "Quarmers" reference with Hordr_root's energy collectors).
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Review of Batman v Superman Trailer 2
Jason Book and I breakdown the second full trailer for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (Warner Brothers).
We loved the interactions between Clark and Bruce, Wonder Woman's entrance, and we talk about why the spoiler freaks need to calm down. I also share several reasons why I am really liking this take on Lex Luthor so far.
We loved the interactions between Clark and Bruce, Wonder Woman's entrance, and we talk about why the spoiler freaks need to calm down. I also share several reasons why I am really liking this take on Lex Luthor so far.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Superman American Alien Takes Flight
Jason Book and I discuss the first issue of Max Landis's Superman: American Alien mini-series, published by DC Comics.
We both felt positively about the issue, with Jason calling it the best Superman comic he's read in years.
We both felt positively about the issue, with Jason calling it the best Superman comic he's read in years.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Batman 46: Batman v. Mr Bloom
Jason Book and I discuss the latest issue of Batman (DC Comics).
This issue began with a showdown between Jim-Bats and Mr. Bloom and also had some nice development for Bruce Wayne's relationship with Julie and for Duke. Things might be building from here on in to issue 50.
This issue began with a showdown between Jim-Bats and Mr. Bloom and also had some nice development for Bruce Wayne's relationship with Julie and for Duke. Things might be building from here on in to issue 50.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)