Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
Old Ares Had a Farm – Director: Charles Siebert/Writer: R.J. Stewart
This one starts with Xena and Gabi running into a bunch of scumbags in a tavern. After beating the crap out of them, Xena uses the Pinch to find out that they’ve come together under the leadership of Gascar the Terrible to kill Ares. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 6, Episode 10”
Batman #441 – “Parallel Lines” – Marv Wolfman/Jim Aparo/Mike DeCarlo
This is part three of the “Lonely Place of Dying” storyline, which takes place after New Titans #60 even though they came out in the same month. Last issue, Batman realized Two-Face was behind the strange crimes he’d been dealing with. This issue gives us a look at how closely matched Batman and Two-Face are (almost like opposite sides of the same coin, if that’s not stretching things too much) and how their thought processes work almost in tandem. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 441, Detective 608, Legends of the Dark Knight 1”
Wonder Woman #35 – “Journey’s End” – George Perez/Chris Marrinan/Steve Montano
Last issue, Wonder Woman was attacked by Shim’tar, who considers herself the new queen of the Amazons in Bana-Mighdal (an ancient city hidden inside a mystical sandstorm in the Egyptian desert). A faction led by the rebellious Amazon Faruka wants the Amazons to reclaim their glory and make war against the outside world instead of hiding from it. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Wonder Woman 35, Firestorm 90”
Return of the Valkyrie – Director: John Fawcett/Writer: Emily Skopov
This one starts one year after last episode ended. A contingent of Norsemen arrives to rescue Gabi from the ring of fire, despite Beowulf’s warnings that only Gabi’s soulmate can pass the fire safely. (And it looks like Beowulf tried it himself, since one of his hands is burnt.) Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 6, Episode 9”
Green Arrow #25 – “Witch Hunt Part 1” – Mike Grell/Trevor von Eeden, J.J. Birch/Michael Bair
This one starts at a graveyard in a forest, where a woman is enacting some kind of ritual with a baby. An Owl warns her that some men with guns and dogs are coming, so she gives the baby back to its mother and takes off. The dogs run her down, but she calms them with her witchcraft and heads home to a large manor house. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Green Arrow 25, Young All-Stars 30, Suicide Squad 34”
Justice League America #31 – “Crossed Wires” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Adam Hughes/Joe Rubinstein
This one starts with the Spectre arriving at a devastated village in Eastern Europe. He was drawn there by mystic forces, but he can’t figure out why since there are no human souls left in the village … not even the souls of the dead. The Gray Man shows up and we’re reminded of his mission: collecting dream essence from the recently dead on behalf of the Lords of Order. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League America 31, Justice League Europe 7, New Titans 59”
The Ring – Director: Rick Jacobson/Writer: Joel Metzger
This one starts with Gabi, Brunnhilde, and Beowulf following Grendel’s trail after it dragged Xena off at the end of last episode. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 6, Episode 8”
Batman #440 – “Suspects” – Marv Wolfman, George Perez/Jim Aparo/Mike DeCarlo
This is the beginning of the “Lonely Place of Dying” storyline that crosses over with New Titans and introduces the new Robin, Tim Drake. This issue starts with Batman on top of a dam fighting a guy called Ravager, who has killed numerous people (including a couple of cops) in the last few weeks. Batman knows he was led here by someone who wanted him to find Ravager, but his opponent turns out to be a pretty tough customer. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 440, Detective 606, Detective 607”
Wonder Woman #34 – “The Tournament of the Crown” – George Perez/Chris Marrinan/Will Blyberg
This one starts where last issue left off, with Hermes attacking the hidden Amazon city of Bana-Mighdal. The Amazons start fighting back, but Diana intervenes before things go too far, calming Hermes down. He tells her he received a plea from Gaea herself to come here and retrieve the Golden Girdle. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Wonder Woman 34, Firestorm 89”
The Rheingold – Director: John Fawcett/Writer: R.J. Stewart
This one starts 35 years ago, with the still-evil Xena forging a ring out of gold. She’s attacked by a monster, who she forces into an old mine. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 6, Episode 7”