Reviews

Reviews of books, comics, movies, and other random stuff.

A guillotine, a Sister of Battle, and a scrapbook picture from the 2001 National Poetry Slam.

Comment: Handicapping Batman Begins

As of Tuesday, June 21, Batman Begins has made $84,928,817 at the domestic box office, already ranking it as the 20th highest-grossing comic book adaptation ever. The Top 5 on that list are:Spider-Man: $403,706,375Spider-Man 2: $373,585,825Batman: $251,188,924Men in Black: $250,690,539X2: X-Men United: $214,949,694Assuming a typical 50% dropoff this weekend, I'm guessing it'll leapfrog into the 13th spot, just behind The Hulk at #12 with $132,177,234. From there, though, it'll be interesting to see how it plays out, especially with the Fourth of July holiday next weekend which should boost its take despite War of the Worlds opening that weekend.My prediction?…

Continue ReadingComment: Handicapping Batman Begins
A guillotine, a Sister of Battle, and a scrapbook picture from the 2001 National Poetry Slam.

Pull List Review: June 2005

Here's what I'm currently buying on a regular basis, and why. What about you?100 GirlsBecause it's a great story, and Adam Gallardo's an interesting guy.15 MinutesBecause it makes C-list superheroes interesting.Action PhilosophersBecause it's smart and funny and takes more than 5 minutes to read each issue.ArañaBecause I really wanted it to be good, and have been hoping it gets there. (Though, honestly, my hope is fading fast.)The AtheistBecause it has an intriguing plot and a brother as a lead character who isn't a stereotype. (Well, not a bad one, at least, because he's definitely a bit of the stereotypical Sam…

Continue ReadingPull List Review: June 2005
A guillotine, a Sister of Battle, and a scrapbook picture from the 2001 National Poetry Slam.

Buzzscope Reviews: 6/15/05

Batman Begins: The Official Movie AdaptationWhile hitting all of the major plot points, there are several moments where Nolan must have altered the script during shooting to tighten things up that Beatty obviously wasn't privy to, completely ruining its function as an "official" adaptation of the movie and making its very existence ultimately pointless. Black Diamond On RampWhile the concept itself has potential, there's not much in this slight introduction to suggest that Young will pull it off thanks to its Marvel-style decompression and lack of any emotional connection to the lead character.GI Joe: America's Elite #0With Casey and Caselli…

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Runners: Bad Goods Graphic Novel

Retro: Runners #1-5

Atari Force was one of my favorite comics as a kid, and of course Star Wars remains one of the most influential movies I've ever seen, and Sean Wang's Runners evokes fond memories of both, with a welcome dose of humor thrown in the mix. Clever scripting and nice, clean artwork, I will be seeking out the other four issues to this series as soon as possible.

Continue ReadingRetro: Runners #1-5
A guillotine, a Sister of Battle, and a scrapbook picture from the 2001 National Poetry Slam.

Going Back to ‘ginia…

I don't think so!It is nice to get away to, though. We haven't gotten all that much more sleep than usual but we're definitely a lot more relaxed.Being here makes me want a backyard the way people without kids want their own after babysitting for a few hours. Except I know better! The kids love it, though, and have been having a blast running around outside and playing in the kiddie pool. My parents (no, I'm not doing the whole "mother and step-father" thing as he's as much my father, if not more so, than bio-dad) took them to a…

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A guillotine, a Sister of Battle, and a scrapbook picture from the 2001 National Poetry Slam.

Buzzscope Reviews: 6/8/05

Skyscrapers of the Midwest #2A cynical, emotionally resonant tour de force of poetic impressionism whose overall effect is simultaneously heart-wrenching and thought-provoking.Adventures of EBONYC #1Danny Kimanyen's earnest, hip-hop-influenced spin on the kid superhero genre is chock full of potential...Gotham Central #32Rucka borrows from the classic horror story twist ending where karma comes around to settle its tab. As fill-in issues go, it's a solid effort that new and regular readers alike can enjoy, particularly notable for being a done-in-one story.The Batman Handbook: The Ultimate Training ManualThe perfect accessory for anyone who's ever dreamed of the vigilante lifestyle and answered the…

Continue ReadingBuzzscope Reviews: 6/8/05
A guillotine, a Sister of Battle, and a scrapbook picture from the 2001 National Poetry Slam.

Comment: Synergy, A Summer Blockbuster Staple

With less than a week to go, the full court press is on to promote Batman Begins. I stated in a previous post that my Dad asked me when it comes out. The marketing gurus of DC's prized possession must be grinning ear-to-ear when they can get a 52-year old who was never into comics asking that question.2-3 weeks ago the country had only been treated to a handful of trailers promoting the release of the film, but now they're bringing out the big guns.Synergy is the name of the game, and all companies willing to pay, can play. Verizon…

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