Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Political Animals - The Woman Problem


At a private family dinner Elaine (Sigourney Weaver) announces to her mother (Ellen Burstyn) and sons that she intends to run against President Garcetti (Adrian Pasdar) in the next election. To help lay the foundation of his hush-hush campaign by getting the help of an old friend and pollster (Chris Ellis), Bud (Ciarán Hinds) sets out with Douglas (James Wolk) and T.J. (Sebastian Stan) under the guise of a fishing trip.

The Flash #11

The latest issue of The Flash begins a new story arc as the Scarlet Speedster has relocated to Keystone City letting everyone back home believe Barry Allen is dead. I'm less sure about The Flash leaving Central City than Barry Allen letting his true identity die (which I'm really not in favor of), but as long as writers Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato keep this arc relatively short I'm willing to see how things play out.

Barry gets himself a job in one of Keystone City's super-villain dives where on the first day of work he has to suit up and stop a brawl between Captain Cold and Heat Wave. The Flash makes quick work of the two villains, but on the way back to prison they're surprised by a visit from the Golden Glider.

I enjoyed Barry as the Flash, but I'm still unsure of his life out of costume in this arc. It's also interesting to note that in the New 52 Keystone City is compared to Gotham in terms of in terms of high levels of crime and corruption. We'll see what the Flash has to say about that. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Cat Run

With Cat Run director John Stockwell and screenwriters Nick Ball and John Niven deliver a derivative action flick that wants so hard to be cool it's almost embarrassing. Mixing a healthy dose of nudity with brutal stylized violence (including torture scenes with a cigar cutter and dental drill), a plot that doesn't make all that much sense, and intentionally bizarre characters (such as D.L. Hughley as a one-armed, no legged, office worker) Cat Run is one mess of a film.

Our story takes place in Eastern Europe where genius introvert (Scott Mechlowicz) turned failed chef and his childhood best friend (Alphonso McAuley) decide (for no apparent reason) to start a low rent detective agency above a porno theater in Montenegro. Their first client is a prostitute named Cat (Paz Vega) who stole their car and phone and is the sole remaining witness to a series of brutal murders. Well, client is a rather strong word as no one actually hired these likable but ridiculous pair to find anyone.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #12

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, with the help of the Purple Dragons, finally arrive to save Splinter and take on The Shredder and his army of "stupid evil ninjas." Issue #12 has plenty of action including the end of Splinter's fight with The Shredder and a four-way takedown of the leader of the Foot Clan by the heroes in a half-shell.

The turtles not only manage to bust the heads of several Foot Ninja, Karai, their mutant soldier Alopex, and put a beatdown on The Shredder, but, more importantly, they get what they came for and are able to save Splinter from being killed by Oroku Saki a second time.

The issue ends with the foreshadowing of a possible Angel/Casey/April love triangle and April finally officially meeting Splinter and being able to finally thank him for saving his life. We also get the rather inglorious end to Old Hob and the news General Krang is prepared to go ahead with the ominous sounding "Plan B." Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

The Newsroom - Bullies


After a couple of on-air snafus Will (Jeff Daniels), who has been battling insomnia for several nights, shows up to a therapy season with a shrink he's been paying for regular weekly seasons for years (he just hasn't bothered to show up for the last four). When he finally shows up to his appointment he discovers Abe's son Jacob (David Krumholtz) has taken over the practice after his father passed away two years ago.

Winter Soldier #8

While Bucky and Jasper search frantically for Leo Novokov, the third Soviet sleeper agent trained by Bucky and now loose in the world, the pair keep coming up empty. And now that Novokov has the Black Widow he can put his plan into action.

And his master plan is to turn Natalia back into... a ballerina? Sorry? I know, I know, Novokov uses Professor Rodchenko and his brainwashing techniques to return the Black Widow to the Soviet assassin she once was, I just think it's funny (and a little stupid) that the one instance we see of Natalia's old self is dancing around on stage.

Meanwhile Bucky and Jasper are able to find and trace the helicopter Novokov used to make off with Natalia, but they don't know that they are far too late because Natalia has now fallen to the dark side and is... dancing. Great idea for a story, but Brubaker's choice of the final reveal makes the comic read far more humorous than ominous. Still, worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Comic Rack 185

It’s a new week so it must be time to talk about comics! Welcome to the RazorFine Comic Rack boys and girls. Pull up a bean bag and take a seat at feet of the master as we offer you this quick list of all kinds of comic book goodness set to hit comic shops and bookstores this week from all your favorite publishers including DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Archie, Dynamite, Image Comics, and others.

This week includes Alpha Girl, Animal Man, Batwing, Courtney Crumrin, Daredevil, Defenders, Detective Comics, Earth 2, Epic Kill, Garfield, Hulk, The Lone Ranger, Looney Toons, Muppets, The Punisher, The Shadow, Spawn, Stormwatch, Worlds' Finest, X-Men, the first issues of Black Kiss II, Dark Shadows/Vampirella, Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe, First X-Men, Harvest, Hawkeye, Penguins of Madagascar, Strawberry Shortcake, Think Tank, and the final issues of iZombie, Justice League International, and Mondo.

Enjoy issue #185

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Young Justice #18

The Young Justice team heads to Africa to take down another Kobra-Venom operation run by the Brain in the Bwundan Jungle. But shortly after arriving Robin, Miss Martina, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Artemis, and Superboy find themselves attacked by gorillas suped-up on Kobra-Venom and led by Grodd.

The team, with the exception of Wolf, is captured and taken to Gorilla City, but Miss Martian is separated from her teammates and gets an unexpected visit from Grodd. There's plenty of hero-on-gorilla action here along with a few lingering concerns between teammates, particularly Miss Martian's concern for Aqualad's state of mind following Tula's betrayal.

We also get a short cameo by Captain Marvel who is disappointed when he learns he won't be traveling with the team on their latest mission. I'm glad to see the goofier version of the Big Red Cheese show up in a DC Comic (and still using his appropriate moniker), but, you would think of all people, Batman be able to figure out the Captain's secret, right? Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Burn Notice - Shock Wave


Now armed with the information from Rebecca (Kristanna Loken) Michael (Jeffrey Donovan) sets off  to capture Anson (Jere Burns) as the final step to procure Fiona's (Gabrielle Anwar) release from prison. Although Agent Pearce (Lauren Stamile) agrees to give Michael the resources needed to trap Anson she does so with two conditions: 1. She, not Michael runs the show, and 2. No Sam (Bruce Campbell).

Super Dinosaur #12

With Dr. Dynamo near comatose having lost both his wife and son in a manner of minutes, and the rest of the adults struggling with what to do next, Super Dinosaur, Elliot, Erika and Erin agree to set out to bring Derek home as "Super Force Team Awesome" is born.

After waiting all his life to explore Inner-Earth Derek is a bit disappointed that he must do so as the prisoner of the Exile. But the more time he spends in the secret world deep within the Earth's core the more fascinated he becomes with what he sees including a final secret the Exile reveals.

After months of discussions of Inner Earth I was happy to see the place through Derek's eyes. I'm pretty sure the team of Super Dinosaur and three untested kids as a rescue force is a really bad idea, but I'll tip my hat for the terrific name. We'll have to wait at least one more month to see what secrets the hidden city the Exile reveals in the issue's final page have to do with Derek, Super Dinosaur, and fate of humanity. Worth a look.

[Image, $2.99]

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow #15

Despite her attempts to convince him otherwise Storm Shadow will not believe Rika that Snake Eyes will destroy the Arashikage Clan from within. And when Snake Eyes returns with news of the (apparent) death of Zartan the ninja once more feels at ease.

When Storm Shadow is contacted by the new Cobra Commander, who takes credit for Zartan's death, it is one insult too many for the ninja. Storm Shadow and Rika agree to meet the Commander, but the meeting is actually a double-cross by both sides and Snake Eyes will have to make a decision on whether to save Storm Shadow or let Cobra destroy him.

Balanced against the ongoing story are more flashbacks to Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes days as children in the clan as we are reminded again that although he has all the necessary skill, Snake Eyes doesn't have the right temperament for a ninja. And the issue gives us the first appearance of the Dreadnoks who find the wounded Zartan at the plane's crash site. I can't wait until next month! Worth a look.

[IDW $3.99]

Rookie Blue - The Girlfriend Experience


While Traci (Enuka Okuma) and Detective Barber (Noam Jenkins) plan their impending wedding, the officers find themselves assigned new partners. Andy (Missy Peregrym) and Nick (Peter Mooney) discover a missing graduate student was leading a double life as a high-end call girl. When they discover she matches the body type of another missing call girl from earlier this month after a date with the same client (Elias Toufexis) the department decides to set up a sting.

The Lone Ranger: Snake of Iron #1

The Lone Ranger, separated from Tonto, tries to ease the fears of the Kaigwa Tribe who believe the Spirit Horse has returned marking a time of great change for their people. The Ranger promises to seek the truth of the sightings of the mysterious horse but he's unprepared for what he finds - a female journalist riding a camel investigate illegal trade in the territory.

Meanwhile, Tonto is working his way south to rejoin the masked man. Aboard the train he makes the acquaintance of a young Indian boy on his way east to Pennsylvania to become "civilized." In turns both of their new acquaintances lead to trouble as the woman's refusal to let the Ranger handle a posse of Comancheros gets them surrounded and Tonto's train is derailed by the father of the young boy who has come to reclaim his son.

Writer Chuck Dixon does a good job presenting each of the separate engaging tales, and although I'm not real fond of the Ranger's fringed jacket the art of Esteve Polls compliments the story. Worth a look.

[Dynamite, $3.99]

Friday, July 27, 2012

Awesome Characters - Stephanie Brown

There are characters we fall in love with. Some characters simply leap off the page, engaging the reader and taking them for a wild ride of insane adventure and inner drama that transcends a comic panel or printed page.

Although she wasn't the first to be called Batgirl no one can deny Stephanie Brown took the mantle and ran with it. Originally introduced by writer Chuck Dixon as a minor supporting character in a three-issue arc in Detective Comics in 1992, the daughter of one of Batman's lesser foes (The Cluemaster), Stephanie managed to stick around comics for several years, but her history is certainly a rocky one.

Due to fan approval of the character, Stephanie would return to comics a year later as The Spoiler and love interest for Tim Drake in the newly launched Robin title where she became the center of a story about the troubles and tribulations of teen pregnancy.

Mirror Mirror

Directed by Tarsem Singh (The Cell, The Fall) Mirror Mirror was the first of two movies this year adapting the fairy tale of Snow White for the big screen. Mirror Mirror, much like Snow White and the Huntsman, is a bit of a mixed bag. The film definitely targets a younger audience with its PG Rating, but Lily Collins' Snow White is a pretty drab leading lady (at least until she starts her bandit career), and, despite what we're told in the film's opening narration, this is certainly Snow White's tale and not that of the Queen (Julia Roberts).

After a brief opening narration, the film opens on Snow White's 18th birthday where she ventures out into the village for the first time since the death of her father, the King (Sean Bean), years before. On her journey she will learn just how ruthless the Queen has become, meet a charming young prince (Armie Hammer) and a motley crew of dwarf thieves pretending to be giants, and find a way to live happily ever after.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Futurama - The Six Million Dollar Mon


After conducting the annual Planet Express employee performance review Hermes (Phil LaMarr) decides he's the one who needs to be fired and is replaced by a bureaucratic computer. Feeling a bit lost Hermes decides what he really needs is robotic augmentation (complete with chest harpoon, Cylon-eye, and extendo-arm).

Franklin and Bash - Last Dance


Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) get another unusual case when the widow (Anne Ramsay) of a recently deceased microbiologist asks for their help to stop her late husband's body being used as a sculpture in a human-body exhibit who plan to pose the scientist as a dancer in one of their traveling shows.

White Collar - Diminishing Returns


On Neal's (Matt Bomer) first day back Peter (Tim DeKay) reports to the evidence warehouse for his new assignment. Feeling guilty for Peter being sidelined, Neal looks into a series of high profile unsolved robberies five years apart by the same thief (Michael Weston) who is planning his latest robbery for this week. Despite advice of Hughes (James Rebhorn) to keep his head down under the humorless watch of his new supervisor (Brett Cullen) and ride out the storm, Peter agrees to help Neal with a case that's been nagging him for a decade.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Covert Affairs - The Last Thing You Should Do


While on a trip to Africa to propose Auggie (Christopher Gorham), Parker (Devin Kelley), and two of her Peace Corps co-workers (Brendan Hines, Emily Shaffer) are taken by Somali pirates. If Annie (Piper Perabo) has any chance of seeing her friend again she has to convince Joan (Kari Matchett) and Lena (Sarah Clarke) to work together long enough to negotiate with the American ex-patriot (Julianne Nicholson) in charge of the negotiations.

Daredevil #15

Daredevil #15 continues Matt Mudock's incarceration in Latveria and the experimentation on the brain of the Man Without Fear which began last month. Daredevil slowly struggles to regain enough of his senses and work to escape Dr. Doom's scientists who hope to uncover the secret of his radar sense.

Although it's an interesting idea, I wasn't real impressed with the first issue of the arc and this one is just more of the same. It's not bad, but compared to the storylines Mark Waid has been pumping out with regularity it feels a little flat. Even a last-second appearance by Iron Man and Captain Marvel (who apparently has forgotten she can fly as she stays on the Quinjet rather than help) can't save the day.

However, I am interested to see what lingering (if any) effects from this arc may show up down the line, and I am looking forward to (finally) getting the skinny on Foggy's beef with Matt that was teased but not explained months ago. Hit-and-Miss.

[Marvel, $2.99]

Red Hood and the Outlaws #11

The team's outer space adventure continues as Starfire shares with Arsenal and the Red Hood her conflicted feelings for saving a people who sentenced her to a lifetime of slavery. A little more of Kori's backstory is filled in here along with Starfire's complicated relationship with her sister (which looks to have big implications for next month's issue).

There's really nothing all that interesting about watching these three characters walk around a spaceship and have awkward conversations with one another. Arsenal and Starfire share one nice moment (and it seems apparent that writer Scott Lobdell has decided to put some distance between Jason and Kori, at least for the time being), but Jason's awkward date problems and the aftermath of a battle we aren't shown aren't enough to sell me on this issue.

We also get the continuation of the back-up story featuring Essence hunting down the Untitled (which can't finish quickly enough for me). Pass.

[DC, $2.99]

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The Newsroom - Amen


On a chaotic week the News Night crew tries to follow and report on not one but two public protests simultaneously. The first involves the forced, and violent, ejection of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and the second is a spontaneous protest of teachers angry at Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's "Budget Repair Bill" and plan to break the unions and strip their collective bargaining rights of teachers and other union members.

Justice League #11

If you were wondering who the strongest member of the New 52 version of the Justice League is this issue will answer your question. And, no, it turns out it's not Superman. Wonder Woman basically takes down all her teammates on live television... when they offer to help her save Steve Trevor? Yeah, it didn't make a lot of sense to me either, but then logic hasn't been the New 52's strong suit.

After surviving the attack from David Graves the team learns that Steve has been taken and the one-time scribe of their adventures turned crazed super-villain is now targeting Trevor's sister (who, it turns out, is far from Diana's biggest fan). The team finally gets their act together to follow Terminus' trail to Mount Sumeru and the Valley of Souls, but it may already be too late for Steve.

Although we're presented with a reason for Graves' behavior the logic is more than a little hard to follow. But hey, if you've ever wanted to see Wonder Woman beat the shit out of Hal Jordan this is your comic.

Political Animals - Second Time Around


Following up last week's Pilot, Elaine (Sigourney Weaver) sends the former President of the United States, and her ex-husband (Ciarán Hinds), to negotiate the hostage crisis in Iran, a move the current President (Adrian Pasdar) isn't all too thrilled with being bullied into making. Elaine allows Susan Berg (Carla Gugino) to make the trip as a member of the press as part of her exclusive on the First Lady, and although she doesn't change her opinion of Bud, spending some time with him on the plane does make her continue to soften her stance on Elaine.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Leverage - The Blue Line Job


The team is hired by the son of a brain-damaged minor league hockey enforcer Craig Marko (Graham Shiels) whose owner (Treat Williams) markets hockey brawls no matter the injury or long term cost to the players, even if that means having the team doctors lie to the players about their health and falsify medical test results.

Captain Atom #11

What happens when a near omnipotent being gives into his own desires and greatest wish to be human again? The latest issue of Captain Atom shows us the unforeseen consequences when Captain Atom puts his consciousness in a human form to reconnect with humanity in general, and with Renita specifically.

Once again writer J.T. Krul takes an intriguing idea, Nathaniel Atom re-experiencing life as a "normal" man, and turns the story on its side by showing us that while most of Nate's consciousness is walking around with Renita, his comatose form is also trying to make the wishes of those closest to him come true as well - whether that be the return of a dead relative, a collection of toys from childhood, or granting Dr. Megala's greatest wish.

However, it appears these unconcious gifts might actually be far more dangerous than the chance the human version of Nate gets into with Renita as the two finally give into their feelings for each other. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Man of Steel teaser


Warner Bros. released an initial teaser trailer for Man of Steel, DC's new Superman reboot starring Henry Cavill as Superman. Directed by Zack Snyder, the initial trailer gives us lots of slow moving montage, little story, and Clark Kent who apparently is working with Forest Gump and Bubba as a shrimp fisherman. I'm so confused. Amy AdamsRussell CroweKevin CostnerDiane LaneMichael ShannonLaurence Fishburne, and Tahmoh Penikett also star. Man of Steel opens in theaters next June.

White Collar - Most Wanted


Betrayed by Dobbs (Gregg Henry) and shot by Agent Collins (Mekhi Phifer), Neal (Matt Bomer) finds himself facing a one-way ticket home and back to prison. That is, unless Peter (Tim DeKay) and Mozzie (Willie Garson) can find a way to separate Neal from Collins and get the con man back to New York on their own. The only thing Peter can offer the FBI to save Neal is something they may want more than Caffrey, and Peter has a pretty good idea what that might be when he figures out who Dobbs really is.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Futurama - The Butterjunk Effect


After returning moon rocks to the moon, Fry (Billy West), Amy (Lauren Tom), and Leela (Katey Sagal) decide to check out the local Butterfly Derby. Despite being disgusted with the sport, her friendly rivalry with Amy gets both women to sign up to be a new Butterfly Derby team but in order to compete they're forced to take a performance-enhancing drug called Nectar.

Nightwing #11

After surviving an attack from Paragon and his acolytes in the Republic of Tomorrow's secret lair Nightwing continues to piece together who is framing him for murder, and why. At first he's sure Detective Nie is responsible, but a little more investigating leads him to a new conclusion.

The issue also continues the tenuous relationship between Dick and Tony Zucco's daughter Sonia. The pair have their first fight when she breaks the news that his loan was denied because of what happened when Haly Circus returned to Gotham. I'm really, really hoping writer Kyle Higgins isn't going to try to link these two romantically.

Paragon cleans house of the disloyal soldiers before looking for a new ally to take down one of Gotham's self-appointed saviors. The story continues, but doesn't really advance that much (even Nightwing's eureka moment is kept from readers) so aside from the developments in the subplot with Sonia you could probably skip this one and not miss a beat. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

Franklin and Bash - Summer Girls


Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) find themselves in unfamiliar territory when they walk into military court to defend two female officers (Kayla EwellGabrielle Dennis) charged with the assault of two male officers during a bar brawl. With their limited knowledge of military law and daming footage of the brawl that paints an entirely different picture that night than the women's story, Jared and Peter call in Hanna (Garcelle Beauvais) for back-up.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

The Dark Knight Rises

Joel Schumacher killed Batman, at least in the movies, and at least for the better part of a decade. In 2003 the Caped Crusader was still in limbo six years after the theatrical debacle known as Batman and Robin. (One word: Bat-nipples.) Enter Christopher Nolan.

Batman Begins would hit theaters two years later followed up by the critically acclaimed The Dark Knight in 2008 featuring the Oscar-winning performance of Heath Ledger as the Joker. Four years later Nolan releases the third, and final, movie of his Bat-trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, which brings the story of Nolan's version of Batman full circle.

Dark Knight Freak-Out

If you've got an hour or so and want to listen to four nerds sit down and talk about The Dark Knight Rises, well, here's your chance. Spoiler free, but with plenty of opinions about Christopher Nolan's final Bat-film, it's time for the Four Color Freak-Out.

Listen on dadsbigplan

Listen on iTunes

Covert Affairs - Sound and Vision


Annie (Piper Perabo) and Auggie (Christopher Gorham) are pulled off their respected new assignments and sent to Barcelona to pose as potential buyers for a computer virus by an anonymous hacker known only as Red Rover. Auggie has done extensive research on Red Rover, and if they can aquire the virus it would allow the CIA to reverse engineer and protect themselves from a future attack, but that's not the real reason why the pair was chosen for the assignment.

Batman and Robin #11

While Damian pays Jason Todd an unexpected visit to teach him a lesson about who the best Robin really is, Terminus has his sidekicks (the unfortunately named Scallop and Bootface) branding citizens of Gotham with the bat-symbol to get Batman's attention.

Whether intentional or not the branding the city definitely makes you think Christopher Nolan's second Bat-film (especially when buildings of Gotham start having burning bat-symbols in them - just like the posters for The Dark Knight). I doubt it's a coincidence this comic hit the stands one week before The Dark Knight Rises opens in theaters.

As to Damian, who appears to be back in full on spoiled little-shit mode despite the tease that he might grow up a bit after the failure with Nobody, it's an interesting choice for him to view Todd (the Robin he's most like) with such contempt. I'll be interested to see what action the Red Hood might take in retaliation. Although the crowbar sequence is in bad taste, it certainly fits this version of the character. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The Pirate Movie

Loosely based on Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance, 1982's The Pirate Movie starred Kristy McNichol as mousey young Mabel lost in a dream of swashbuckling, and singing, pirates. After an accident leaves her thrown overboard and washed up on a beach, Mabel's imagination creates a fantasy world casting herself as the youngest daughter of a Major-General (Bill Kerr) who falls for a young pirate named Frederic (Christopher Atkins) adamant on leaving his service of the Pirate King (Ted Hamilton) to start a new life.

The plot, which involves Fredric's attempt to leave his old life behind while trying to stay true to his word and duty, is secondary to how insanely everything is played including some memorable music numbers such as "Pumpin' and Blowin'" (you can find the video below). I'll be honest, the film doesn't work as well for me as it did when I was seven years-old, but it still provides enough enjoyment for me to classify it as a guilty pleasure.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #11

Looking for a fresh start Buffy joins Kennedy's force of high-priced Slayer bodyguards but finds it difficult to shut off her normal instincts when faced with demons and the new Zompire infestation.

I like seeing the comic continue to incorporate more of the wider Buffyverse and Kennedy is an interesting choice as, although the weren't ever enemies, she and Buffy were never exactly friends. The idea of several of the Slayers joining up for a private corporate security company also makes a lot of sense, although I'm not sure (from what we saw of her in Season Seven) I'd have picked Kennedy for the corporate head honcho. Although I do like the choice of a client fleeing from Wolfram & Hart.

A couple of other interesting tidbits: Spike's friend Eldre Koh of the Nitobe needs help in his quest for vengeance (which seems really hard to be setting something up that doesn't really fit in this issue) and Buffy learns the police under Detective Dowling have started a special task force to deal with the Zompires. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

Captain America #14

Captain America finds himself fighting the new Scourge, but long before Sharon Carter can arrive to tell him it's one of his friends under the mask Steve Rogers figures out who is trying to kill him.

Most of the comic centers around Cap's fight with Scourge and the immediate aftermath involve Sharon Carter's actions to save the man she loved. It's clear Cap can forgive her for using lethal force to take down a former friend, but the question that lingers as the issue comes to a close is whether Sharon will ever forgive herself.

The episode is a weird mix of art by Patrick Zircher and Mike Deodato, Jr. The two styles don't really mesh all that well giving the comic a somewhat unsatisfying feel. The story itself works well, setting up more conflict and guilt for Cap with the loss of another friend (although I've never been a fan of D-Man and didn't even know he was even alive somewhere in the Marvel Universe so it's not like Codename: Bravo did this to the Falcon). Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

The Newsroom - I'll Try to Fix You


On New Year's Eve Mackenzie's (Emily Mortimer) boyfriend Wade (Mackenzie MacHale), an Assistant US Attorney, comes clean with Will (Jeff Daniels) about the government's unwillingness to fund the prosecution of white-collar crime, and Maggie (Alison Pill) is mortified when Don (Thomas Sadoski) attempts to set-up Jim (John Gallagher Jr.) with Maggie's roommate Lisa (Kelen Coleman).

Batman #11

The "Court of Owls" storyline mercifully comes to an end here as Batman faces off against the head of the Court of Owls, a mad man who believes himself to be Bruce Wayne's brother. Although Snyder backtracks a bit from last month's reveal of the real identity of Lincoln March as Thomas Wayne, Jr. things are left far from settled as the issue, and arc, come to a close.

Most of the issue is little more than Batman and March (in some knock-off Iron Man armor the Court must have just had laying around) fighting around the rooftops of Gotham as March endlessly drones on about his right to the Wayne name, fortune and legacy.

Not surprisingly, the issue ends with Batman knowing that March was likely lying but unable to prove for certain. We also get scene between Bruce and Dick to smooth over the whole Batman cold cocking him thing and another chapter in the truly awful back-up story involving Alfred's father. Pass.

[DC, $3.99]

Political Animals - Pilot


USA Network's new six-part mini-series stars Sigourney Weaver as Elaine Barrish, the current Secretary of State and former First Lady and Governor, who is dealing with the fallout of her recent divorce and failed Presidential bid, trying to keep her family together (and out of tabloids), and a pain-in-the-ass journalist (Carla Gugino) who has spent her career trying to undermine Elaine but might just become a valuable ally.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Psych SDCC Panel 2012


Because I know, you know, that you want to watch the entire Pscyh panel from this year's San Diego Comic-Con. (You'll find parts 2-5 inside).

Leverage - The (Very) Big Bird Job


To take down a shipping CEO (Cary Elwes) responsible for a plane crash the Leverage team comes back together after their separate vacations to run an elaborate con involving Howard Hughes' vintage aircraft, the Spruce Goose. The team also has mixed feelings about moving into their new Portland headquarters, in the back of a microbrewery, following the events of last season's finale that left their former home base burned and staked out by several members of law enforcement.

Scarlet Spider #7

Although we don't get the appearance of Kraven (which was teased last issue) things are hardly quiet for the Scarlet Spider who saves a falling beautiful young woman from an explosion in a high rise only to find out later, while in bed with her (in a terrific opening), that she was the one responsible for the explosion.

The fact that the woman disappears without a trace and the man whose building she blew up sweeps the whole matter under the rug leads our hero to initally try and forget the matter, but (as Aracely points out) he can't. The Scarlet Spider's investigation into the company Roxxon leads to the discovery of another explosion in Galvaston which was hushed up months ago.

His attempts to get some answers from the CEO of Roxxon do lead him to the identity of the distrubed young woman but also find him squared off against the Southwest's mightiest heroes - The Rangers. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

Comic Rack

It’s a new week so it must be time to talk about comics! Welcome to the RazorFine Comic Rack boys and girls. Pull up a bean bag and take a seat at feet of the master as we offer you this quick list of all kinds of comic book goodness set to hit comic shops and bookstores this week from all your favorite publishers including DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Archie, Dynamite, Image Comics, and others.

This week includes Atomic Robo Vol. 7, AvX, Adventure Time, Batwoman, Birds of Prey, Captain Atom, Cobra, Daredevil, Fables, Glory, Hellblazer, Justice League, KISS, Mars Attacks, New Mutants, Red Hood and the Outlaws, Red Sonja, Saga, Star Trek, Supergirl, Vampirella, Wonder Woman, X-Men, the first issues of Captain Marvel, Carbon Grey, Danger Girl/G.I. JOE, Soulfire: Power, and the final issues of Baltimore: Dr. Leskovar's Remedy, Night of 1000 Wolves, and Reset.

Enjoy issue #184

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Burn Notice - Under the Gun


Michael (Jeffrey Donovan), Sam (Bruce Campbell) and Jesse (Coby Bell) head down to the Everglades to track down the dirty prison guard who wants Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) dead, but all they find is a dead body and Anson's (Jere Burns) former stooge Rebecca (Kristanna Loken) who kidnaps Sam and leaves Michael and Jesse stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Before Watchmen: Minutemen #2 (of 6)

Writer and artist Darwyn Cooke's look at the early days of the Minutemen continues as Nite Owl auditions for membership in the newly formed group. After a little training and planning the group sets out on their first mission which ends disastrously but with a few lies and the right press spin the story makes a name for the group as national heroes.

Through Hollis Mason's memories we also see the internal struggles of the group and infighting between the more publicity focused members, those with internal struggles like Hooded Justice, and those like Nite Owl and Silhouette who honestly just want to do some good.

When the others don't seem interested in helping Silhouette with her cause to end a child trafficking ring (because it's not the kind of positive prestigious case to help them make a name for themselves) Nite Owl and Mothman agree to help but they're too late to do anything but stare in horror as to what they find. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Rookie Blue - Coming Home


Called in to investigate an underground warehouse party Andy (Missy Peregrym) and Swarek (Ben Bass) come across a stabbed squatter. While taking statemtments from everyone at the scene one of the kids assaults Peck (Charlotte Sullivan) while trying to escape. The blue-haired teen turns out to be Shaw's (Matt Gordon) daughter Izzy (Chloe Rose) who knows far more about the stabbing than she initially lets on.

Firefly 10th Anniversary Panel

Has it really been 10 years? This year's San Diego Comic-Con saw the cast of Joss Whedon's Firefly 10 years after the show premiered in 2002. Here are Whedon, writer Jose Molina and writer/producer Tim MinearNathan FillionAlan TudykAdam BaldwinSummer Glau, and Sean Maher. You'll find Parts 2-5 inside.

Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures #4

The latest issue of Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures continues the ongoing stories of The Sparrow (who finds herself captured while breaking into the Nazi camp) and Atomic Robo's attempt to train with Bruce Lee (which begins in earnest), as well as giving us two new adventures and a reprint of an early Atomic Robo story originally published in the character's first series which gives us the first meeting between Robo and Jenkins.

The short adventure entitled "Most Perfect Science Division" is full of action but I felt more than a little lost and could have used some context to the events (which don't involve Robo, Tesladyne or anything more familiar than giant robots).

The most interesting story is the very personal take on today's comic industry as Atomic Robo steps into a comic book shop for the first time in 40 years only to discover the bizarre nature of reboots, retcons, variant covers, and grim and gritty comics - none of which appeal to the comics he once knew and loved. Worth a look.

[Red 5, $2.75]

Friday, July 13, 2012

There's a new Green Lantern in town

TV Guide reported yesterday that when Green Lantern: The Animated Series returns for its second season this Fall a new character will join the cast - Guy Gardner. It seems Gardner replaced Hal Jordan as Green Lantern of space sector 2814 during Hal's lengthy absence last season. Now with Hal back things should get interesting. Kudos to the show not only for using Guy but also the choice of Diedrich Bader (Batman: The Brave and the Bold) to voice him. Well played.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Live Streaming of Chuck and Psych panels from Nerd HQ


Currently live-streaming from the second annual Nerd HQ is the Chuck panel which will be followed by panels featuring the casts of Psych and Robot Chicken.

Futurama - Zapp Dingbat


After her parents 40th wedding anniversary ends in divorce, Leela (Katey Sagal) takes her mother (Tress MacNeille) out into space to cheer her up and show her the wider universe she's always dreamed of seeing. The night at a local space cantina ends with her mother making out with Zapp Brannigan (Billy West) which only leads to Leela's world spinning further out of control.

Franklin and Bash - Voir Dire


After skipping the morning partners meeting Jared (Breckin Meyer) and Peter (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) find themselves defending a chop shop mechanic (Gino Anthony Pesi) who brutally beat several other members of the crew in self-defense after the others refused to let him leave to start a new life and save a witness (Colleen Foy) to one of the crew's robberies. Besides having almost no legal merit to stand on things get even trickier when an Assistant D.A. (Brian Howe) with a grudge against Peter, and plans on running for District Attorney, takes over the high profile case.