Batman and Robin: Born To Kill Comic Review

by The Wanderer 

Authors: Peter J. Tomasi

Illustrators: Patrick Gleason and Mark Gray
Publisher: DC

Genre: Superhero

Series: Batman and Robin New 52 Volume 1

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The New 52 Batman and Robin Volume One

As part of the relaunch of DC’s New 52 relaunch agenda, Batman and Robin: Born to Kill is the first volume, and a new take, on Gotham’s legendary crime-fighting duo. The story focuses on two plot threads: a new villainous threat to Gotham and the relationship between Batman and Robin.

Alien vs. Predator Film Review

by The Wanderer

Director: Paul W. S. Anderson

Cast: Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Raoul Bova, Ewen Bremner, Colin Salmon

Series: Alien/ Predator (Crossover), Alien vs. Predator

MPAA Rating: R

Length: 101 minutes

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Alien vs. Predator

(Spoilers for the previous Alien and Predator films below).


If you thought it was possible for the Alien franchise to fall any further than it did after Alien Resurrection, think again.  Alien vs. Predator is awarded the task to ruin not one great science fiction franchise, but two.

This has nearly all the makings of a terrible film: one dimensional characters, terrible acting, a plot that undermines previous installments in both Predator and Alien franchises, and scenes that defy logic in ways that would insult any casual action film fan.

A new low for Predator, a new low for Alien – as the monsters from each tired franchise battle each other for supremacy, I find myself wanting both monsters to die so Hollywood can’t make any more of these terrible movies.  Regrettably, in AVP, you can’t always get what you want.

Princess Mononoke Film Review

by The Wanderer

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Cast: Yōji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, Yūko Tanaka, Kaoru Kobayashi, Masahiko Nishimura, Tsunehiko Kamijō, Akihiro Miwa, Mitsuko Mori, Hisaya Morishige

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Length: 133 minutes

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To See With Eyes Unclouded By Hate

Princess Mononoke is the result of many years of hard work by Studio Ghibli founder and director Hayao Miyazaki – and that hard work shows itself, especially with its animation.  Studio Ghibli has always set the bar high in terms of animation with their 2D films, but Princess Mononoke is the most visually astounding of the lot.

While the animation is brilliant, the plot also excels with a story that looks to find compromise between humans and nature.  At times though the film’s lack of subtlety with its ideologies starts to make it sound preachy, and that can be a nuisance.  Nevertheless, Princess Mononoke is another top notch film by one of Japan’s greatest animation studios.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Comic Review

by The Wanderer 

Authors: Frank Miller

Illustrators: Klaus Janson, Lynn Varley
Publisher: DC

Genre: Superhero

Series: Batman

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It was tough work, carrying 220 pounds of sociopath to the top of Gotham Towers — the highest spot in the city. The scream alone is worth it.

 
Frank Miller’s take on Batman in 1986s The Dark Knight Returns ushered in a new style and era for the long-time caped crusader.  Gone are the never ending onomatopoeia’s, the campy one-liners, and the silly humor. The darker, morally conflicted version of Batman reached its prominence with this comic, and it certainly delivers one of the most thoughtful superhero stories out there.

Batman: Knight Terrors Comic Review

by The Wanderer
 

The New 52 Dark Knight Volume One

Authors: David Finch, Joe Harris, and Ed Benes
Illustrators: David Finch, Ed Benes, and Richard Friend

Publisher: DC

Genre: Superhero

Series: Batman Dark Knight New 52 Volume 1

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The New 52 continues to disappoint, this time with DC’s greatest traditional hero, Batman. With the lack of a meaningful plot, and the absence of logic – which is kind of important for a story featuring the world’s greatest detective – Knight Terrors not only denigrates previous Batman stories, it denigrates good stories, period. It’s a shame DC can’t hire a detective to find themselves a decent writer. Or maybe it’s time they make Alan Moore or Frank Miller an offer they can’t refuse.