Monday, April 30, 2012

In Plain Sight - Sacrificial Lam


After her father (Stephen Lang) escapes custody and goes after his former boss Cormac “Sully” Sullivan (Steve Eastin), the man who has just killed 's son (Aaron Ashmore), Mary (Mary McCormack) finds herself under survelliance by the FBI on the authority of Agent O’Conner (Will McCormack) who wants nothing more than to hang the blame for the entire situation squarely on Mary's shoulders.

The Flash #8

Following the events of the last issue the Flash finds himself in the void of the Speed Force. Unable to find Iris or the other people plucked out of time, the Flash's only companion is Turbine, an insane WWII pilot who has been trapped in the void for 70 years.

Although the idea of Turbine is an intriguing one, how writers Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato play out the tale leaves something to be desired. We do get an explanation for the time rifts and how the Flash is connected to the Speed Force. However, everything feels rushed and not quite as well thought-out as I'd like. It doesn't quite stumble, but this is definitely the weakest issue of the title so far.

That doesn't mean the comic doesn't have its bright spots. Manapul's art is again terrific, and even if the ideas aren't as well fleshed-out as I'd like they do open the doors for further discovery down the line. I'm less pleased with the new Grodd and New 52 version of Gorilla City both of which were going to get plenty of in next month's issue. Worth a look.

[DC, $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 Action Comics, Amazing Spider-Man, Animal Man, Avengelyne, Avengers Academy, Avengers vs. X-Men, Batwing, Blue Estate, Daredevil, Defenders, Detective Comics, Green Arrow, Justice League International, The Lone Ranger, Pigs, Red Sonja, Spawn, Star Trek, Stormwatch, Supreme, Supurbia, X-Men, the first issues of Dial H, Earth 2, Epic Kill, Garfield, G.I. Combat, Hulk Smash Avengers, Mind the Gap, Smallville Season 11, The Spider, Worlds' Finest, and the final issue of Wolverine & the X-Men Alpha & Omega.

Enjoy issue #174

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Sunday with Rosario

Fairly Legal - Teenage Wasteland


Kate (Sarah Shahi) is called in by an old friend (Laura Regan) to mediate a dispute between a student (Jonna Walsh) expelled over cheating and her former high school. Lauren (Virginia Williams), getting the scent of old money, decides to tag along in hopes of signing the school as a long-term client but things get complicated when Kate sides with the girl and her working class father (Eric Keenleyside) over the institution and uncovers a far more scandalous reason why the young girl is actually being expelled.

Scandal - Enemy of the State


Following recent events surround the Amanda Tanner (Liza Weil) case Cyrus (Jeff Perry) has made Olivia (Kerry Washington) and her associates enemies of the White House starting with convening a war council and hiring a private investigator (Leland Orser) to dig up every skeleton in each of their collective closets. Thing are only going to get more interesting now that Olivia has discovered that Amanda is pregnant with the child of the President of the Untied States (Tony Goldwyn).

Missing - A Measure of a Man


Arrested and detained in by the CIA for her recent actions Becca (Ashley Judd) finds herself interrogated by Jaime Ortega (Gina McKee) who suspects Becca knows far more about the man who has kidnapped her son and the whereabouts of her husband than she is telling. Instead of continuing the search for Michael (Nick Eversman), Agent Ortega is far more interested in discussing one of Becca and Paul's final missions for the CIA.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

The Mentalist - Ruby Slippers


The CBI is called in to investigate 19 year-old (Nicholas R. Grava) locked in a car and burned to death outside a drag club. While talking to the young man's friend (Candice Afia),  the CBI learn the victim was bullied by a homophobic co-worker (Wilke Itzin) and his estranged father (William R. Moses) who was ashamed of having gay son.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro Series #4

In much the same way Marvel's ".1" comics have futhered filled in stories and focused on aspects not covered in the main title, IDW's "Micro Series" has done the same for their current Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series.

Each issue of the series has centered around one of the Turtles. With issue four we finally get to the team's leader, and my favorite TMNT, Leonardo. This issue picks up where the current series has left off with Splinter captured by Old Hob. While out on patrol alone, Leonardo finds himself ambushed by an entire army of Foot Ninjas at an abandoned construction site.

You definitely get your money's worth in terms of action as almost the entire comic showcases Leo's fight with the ninja and their mysterious leader (who may, or may not be the Shredder). In terms of writing and art I don't think it measures up to the the main title. However, if you have a favorite Ninja Turtle, this series has given you a chance to grab a comic centered solely around them. That's not too shabby, even if it is slightly overpriced. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

Person of Interest – Matsya Nyaya


Memories of Reese's (Jim Caviezel) final mission for the CIA in China with Snow (Michael Kelly) and Stanton (Annie Parisse) continue to haunt him as he goes undercover working for an armored car service while attempting to protect the Machine's latest number, an armored car guard (Pablo Schreiber) on a route that's been targeted by robbers. After his latest case takes an unexpected turn, Reese's thoughts turn back to his days in China where he was tasked by Snow to retrieve a computer virus and kill his partner only to find they've both been sent into a trap to make sure neither makes it out alive.

Friday, April 27, 2012

What If… Bruce Timm Designed the New 52?


I think we can all agree DC Comics New 52 has been a mixed success, at best. There are several reasons for this including the choice of characters and titles not included in the reboot, the vast difference in how much of each character's history was rebooted compared to others, and odd yearning to recapture the style and gritty feel of the 1990's.

No one is more responsible (or more to blame, depending on your perspective) than artist Jim Lee. Lee's redesign of each member of the Justice League set the standard for the style of the New 52. But what if DC had decided to go in a different direction? What if, instead of Lee's 90's-inspired grittiness, DC had decided to allow Bruce Timm (the man largely responsible for the look of DC Animation for the better part of two decades) to redesign the DCU? Here's what that much more vibrant, joyous, sultry, and kick-ass DCU might have looked like. I give you Bruce Timm's New 32.

Community – Basic Lupine Urology


Annie (Alison Brie) discovers the group's the study group's science project has been destroyed the group sets out to find the person responsible. In an attempt to salvage their grade the group begins an investigation and puts one of their fellow students on trial in true Law & Order style (complete with a parody opening and trademark beats).

The Big Bang Theory - The Stag Convergence


As the guys throw Howard (Simon Helberg) a bachelor party Bernadette (Melissa Rauch), Penny (Kaley Cuoco) and Amy (Mayim Bialik) gossip and put together gift bags for the wedding. Although the stripper-less party is something of a bust, things pick up when a drunk Raj (Kunal Nayyar) begins telling embarassing stories about the groom to the whole room which special guest Wil Wheaton decides to upload to YouTube.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Moon Knight #12

When comic nerds talk about B-list and C-list heroes it's characters like Moon Knight we're often referring. Sure, sometimes they make a splash and end up on one of the big teams (although usually it's the modest Secret or West-Coast version), but more often than not they find themselves without a book of their one, floating near the fringe of the bigger comic universe.

With this twelve-issue run, which ends all too soon, Brian Michael Bendis not only gave us fun stories month after month, he reminded us Moon Knight is a pretty good hero. Whacked out of his mind, sure, but also a pretty good hero.

The final issue of the series deals with Moon Knight's final confrontation with Count Nefaria (who still can't believe he was taken down by Moon Knight), an appearance by the Avengers (the real ones, not just those in the hero's head), and a rather casual conversation with Tony Stark about the impending Robot Holocaust. In other words, classic Bendis' Moon Knight. Worth a look - in fact pick up the whole series in trade paperback. You'll be glad you did.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Captain Atom #8

Captain Atom finds himself pulled into the timestream with alternate versions of himself, including a future version who warns of the impending end of the world. Unable to change their past, without possibly ending their own existence, the other versions must instead help Captain Atom alter his future in order to save the world.

Once again writer J. T. Krul gives us big ideas brought marvelously to life by Freddie E. Williams II' art. Captain Atom's tour of the future leads him to old friends and new enemies including a look forward at what his attempt to help Ranita may lead to quite a few unforeseen consequences.

Far on the outside of the DCU, and with a focus far from your usual super-heroics, Captain Atom is a title you need to be reading. However, it's by far one of the most ambitious projects of the New 52, and continues to be one of it's most pleasant surprises. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Complex Magazine’s 100 Sexiest Movie Posters of All Time


Complex Magazine has put together a Top 100 Sexiest Movie Posters of All Time list. I've got more than a few quibbles (especially with what was chosen to top the list), but it does cover a wide range of films and is worth a quick look.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Glee - Dance with Somebody


Whitney Houston hits McKinley High as Will (Matthew Morrison) and Emma (Jayma Mays) plan their wedding and the graduating members of the New Directions mourn the recent death of the pop star and begin to realize that come graduation they will be saying goodbye to several of their friends as well.

Justice League #8

The latest issue of Justice League is basically one long joke as Green Arrow keeps showing up to help the Justice League and keeps getting turned down when he asks to join. It gets old pretty quick. However, what's more infuriating is the real reason so many of the leaguers are against adding another member to the team is relegated to a single splash page that isn't even explained.

In the back-up story, "The Curse of Shazam Part 2," Billy Batson meets his new foster family which includes a bossy Mary and (for some odd reason) a blond Freddy Freeman. As we got last issue the main point of the story is for Billy to act like a little prick and be put in his place by those who know better. Yeah, he's got hero written all over him.

The main story has some nice one-liners from Batman and Green Lantern, and an intriguing offer by Steve Trevor for Ollie, but it's pretty forgettable. The only saving grace in the Shazam story is the introduction of Mary's pet rabbit and slightest glimmer of hope that someday we just might see Hoppy the Marvel Bunny. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $3.99]

Nightwing #8

"Night of the Owls" continues as Nightwing receives Alfred's call for help and sets out to save the Mayor from a Talon attack. Issue #8 is a little different from what we've seen of the title so far as most of the issue isn't presented from Nightwing's perspective, but from that of a character who will only appear on the final page.

Most of the issue is narrated flashback of William Cobb, retelling his life story including his early days with Haly's Circus and his recruitment into the Court of Owls. Nightwing is able to save the Mayor by defeating one of the Talons, but our final panel gives the arrival of another, far more deadly Talon (Cobb, who arrives to kill his descendant).

For an issue where Dick Grayson's voice is largely absent the story still works, although I'm not sure we needed this much of Cobb's backstory. I'm more surprised, however, by the continued level of smart aleck banter from the zombie-ish Talons. Who knew the undead were so talkative? Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Bones - The Warrior in the Wuss


While investigating the remains of a trucker found in the woods Booth (David Boreanaz) is distracted by the return of his son Parker (Ty Panitz) from his extended stay in Europe with his mother. Although at first unconcerned, a little snooping by Bones (Emily Deschanel) discovers evidence of Parker's jealousy of his younger sister and his father's new family.

Avengers vs. X-Men #2

For an entire issue that only covers a handful of minutes this one's full of action. Picking up right where issue #1 left off the Avengers invade Utopia and throw down with the X-Men as Captain America tries to talk some sense into Cyclops before the Phoenix Force arrives from deep space.

There are quite a few interesting match-ups as we get Cap vs. Cyclops, Iron Man vs. Magneto (which isn't as over as fast as you might assume), Colossus vs. Red Hulk, Storm vs. the Black Panther, and Wolverine sneaking into Utopia through the sewers to assassinate a teenage girl... you know, for the good of humanity.

But it's bad news for the Avengers as it seems Cyclops has bought Hope enough time as the Phoenix has indeed started to rise. The fallout of this issue, in two weeks, should be very interesting. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

Directed by Brad Bird, the latest Mission: Impossible flick puts Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) together with a new team (Paula PattonSimon PeggJeremy Renner) to stop a crazy Russian (Michael Nyqvist) from starting a nuclear war.

After an attempt to retrieve information in the Kremlin ends in disaster with the team blamed for a terrorist bombing the IMF is disbanded leaving only these four agents, and whatever they have with them, to stop the real terrorists and prove their innocence.The mission will take the team from Russia to the United Arab Emirates to India. For more on the film check out my original review of Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.

Monday, April 23, 2012

The Tale of a Madman in a Box


VG934 and LastWhovian come together for this pretty darn good Doctor Who 50th Anniversary trailer.

In Plain Sight - The Medal of Mary


The unexpected return of James Wiley Shannon (Stephen Lang), Mary's (Mary McCormack) father, brings all kinds of new trouble Mary's way including the return of Agent O'Conner (Will McCormack) who needs Mary's help to get her father to testify against his old boss Cormac "Sully" Sullivan (Steve Eastin) which might put Jinx (Lesley Ann Warren) and Brandi (Nichole Hiltz), as well as Mary's half-brother (Aaron Ashmore), in danger.

Batman #8

DC's new Bat-Family summer crossover begins here. The Court of Owls story explodes into other Bat-titles as "Night of the Owls" finds several Talons sent to assassinate Gotham's most prestigious citizens - including Bruce Wayne.

With Batman busy fending off the killers sent after his alter-ego, Alfred sends out a distress call to all members of the Bat-Family (Nightwing, Red Robin, the Red Hood, Batgirl, the Birds of Prey) with a list of the Court of Owls' targets.

Although I've been lukewarm on Scott Snyder's Court of Owls stories the past few months, now with the Talons unleashed on the city and several more Bat-folk looking to show up in the coming months, things certainly seem to have picked up in a hurry.

The structure of the book is a little odd as the first half is written by Snyder with art by regular Greg Capullo. However, the second-half of the story, drawn by Rafael Albuquerque, has a completely different look (which still works, although not quite as well). Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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 Angel & Faith, Aquaman, Archie, Bloodstrike, Daredevil, FF, The Flash, The Goon, Green Hornet, Hellraiser, Kirby: Genesis, Memorial, New Avengers, Ninjettes, Rebel Blood, Savage Hawkman, Knightingail, Secret Avengers, Snake Eyes, Spaceman, Superman, Teen Titans, Wolverine, the first issues of Mass Effect: Homeworlds, Merciless: The Rise of Ming, Popeye, Vampirella: The Red Room, and the final issues of Battle Scars, Danger Girl: Revolver, Blackhawks, King Conan: The Phoenix of the Sword, Moon Knight, and Uncharted.

Enjoy issue #173

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Sunday with Michelle

Fairly Legal - What They Seem


Ben (Ryan Johnson) asks for Kate's (Sarah Shahi) help settling a police brutality case for his client. The catch? Justin (Michael Trucco) is representing the city in the civil suit case and is counter-suing the thief for false accusations.

Super Dinosaur #10

With Derek busy trying to learn something from the mysterious Exile, Super Dinosaur returns to the volcano searching for signs of the Dino-Men, only to walkin into the middle of an ambush. To make matters worse he's got Erin along with him who decided to tag along not grasping just how dangerous SD's missions truly are.

Meanwhile Dr. Dyanmo turns Max Maximus back over to his people in order to be reunited with his wife Julianna, but that leaves the doctor and his newly rediscovered wife at the hands of his greatest enemy.

Things are even bleaker for SD, whose knockout leaves Erin completely unprotected, and Derek is shocked to learn just how powerful the Exile is as he takes control Earthcore Headquarters from his prison cell.

Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard deliver another fun issue which gives us some dinosaur-on-dinosaur action, multiple cliffhangers, and several possibilities for next month's issue. Worth a look.

[Image, $2.99]

Scandal - Hell Hath No Fury


As Olivia (Kerry Washington) readies for the storm Amanda Tanner's (Liza Weil) story will unleash Pope and Associates also has to try and turn around the negative public perception of a new client - a millionaire's son (Michael Cassidy) accused of rape who Olivia is roped into helping by an old friend (JoBeth Williams).

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Batgirl Teaches Batman a Lesson about Equal Pay


Was Batgirl the first Booster Gold? In the 60′s I guess it was appropriate to expect to get paid for saving lives and even lecture those in mortal danger about equal pay before attempting to, you know, save them from an explosion.

Missing - A Busy Solitude


Before Paul Winstone's (Sean Bean) hideaway, and all the secrets it contains, goes in flames thanks to Dax Miller’s (Cliff Curtis) assistant Violet (Laura Donnelly) setting off an explosive charge, Becca (Ashley Judd) is able to put a name to the former Russian Intelligence Officer (Karel Roden) who has kidnapped Michael (Nick Eversman).

Red Hood and the Outlaws #8

The Red Hood returns to Gotham along with Starfire and Arsenal in an issue that gives us the backstory of Suzie Su and begins to weave Jason Todd back into the Bat-Family (at least for the foreseeable future).

The Outlaws show up Gotham to take down Su who is holding the residents of the Children's Ward at Gotham General Hospital hostage in order to draw out the Red Hood and take revenge for the murder of her entire clan.

The Suzie Su story works well enough, but the issue is memorable for two other reasons. The first the Red Hood responding to Alfred's message for help with the Court of Owls unleashing their assassins across Gotham. The choice of the man Red Hood is supposed to save should make for a fun next issue.

And the second is a small scene between Todd and Tim Drake that suggests the pair have an interesting relationship that may not be sanctioned, or known about, by the Dark Knight Detective. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Community - Virtual System Analysis


After the group's Biology examination is cancelled Annie (Alison Brie) decides to try and play matchmaker by putting Troy (Donald Glover) and Britta (Gillian Jacobs) together while she spends time with Abed (Danny Pudi) in the Dreamatorium.

Friday, April 20, 2012

The Cabin in the Woods

Despite languishing in obscurity for three years (the film was completed back in 2009) Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard collaborative effort is a stunning success. Co-written by the pair, and directed by Goddard, The Cabin in the Woods pokes fun at horror movie convention before providing one of the most memorable final acts you'll see in theaters this year.

The perspective of the film is broken into two groups. On one hand we have a quintet of college kids (played by Hollywood actors in their late 20's and early 30's: Kristen ConnollyChris HemsworthAnna HutchisonJesse Williams, Fran Kranz) out for some weekend fun in the mountains. On the other hand we have a group of scientists (Bradley WhitfordRichard JenkinsAmy Acker) preparing for the most important night of the year.

Without giving two much away, the two stories are linked. Those in the secret compound are controlling the horrors that will unfold on the unsuspecting group of students whose every choice will lead to how they will meet their end.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

The Shadow #1

Dynamite Entertainment brings another old-timey public domain hero back into the spotlight with The Shadow written by Garth Ennis with art by Aaron Campbell. As first issues go it's certainly not going to knock your socks off.

The character of The Shadow has been around since his first radio show back in 1930. Set in the early days of WWII, the comic does a fair job of reintroducing Lamont Cranston and Margo Lane to both old and new readers alike.

Ennis wouldn't be my first choice to write this character and so far I'm less than impressed with Campbell's art. The comic certainly takes the character back to his darker roots (fans of the Alec Baldwin version might be surprised by the body count in the first issue).

At best the first issue of The Shadow is a mixed success with a great cover by Alex Ross. Is that enough to keep me reading the title? Maybe, but much like Dynamite's Green Hornet titles it's going to have to get better for me to plop down $4 each month. Hit-and-Miss.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

Glee - Saturday Night Glee-ver


Disco hits McKinley High in Glee's latest theme episode (complete with a disco dance floor and white polyester suits). Concerned about the lack of direction of several of the New Directions students, and jumping on the cue of Disco from Blaine (Darren Criss) and advice from Sue (Jane Lynch), Mr. Shue (Matthew Morrison) tries to inspire Finn (Cory Monteith), Mercedes (Amber Riley) and Santana (Naya Rivera) with the music of Saturday Night Fever.

Beware the Batman teaser


Premiering next year on Cartoon Network, here's a tease at Beware the Batman which it appears will look more like the CGI-heavy Green Lantern: The Animated Series than the initial artwork suggested. The cartoon will focus on "a classic-looking Batman (sans classic yellow oval Bat-logo) teaming up with a gun-toting Alfred Pennyworth and a female ninja sidekick" named Katana.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Based on the novel by Jonathan Safran Foer Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close follows the search of nine year-old with Asberger's Syndrome who finds a key in his father's (Tom Hanks) possessions and embarks on the kind of adventure his father used to create for him before his death on 9/11.

Oskar Schell's (Thomas Horn) adventure takes him all over New York in an attempt to find a man or woman with the last name of Black who may be the only person who knows what lock the key fits. Over the course of his search Oskar meets several people including the mysterious mute renter (Max von Sydow) of his grandmother's (Zoe Caldwell), who Oskar begins taking with him on his search.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is too cute for its own good. Although similar in the type of story told in Foer's Everything Is Illuminated (one of my favorite films of 2005) director Stephen Daldry struggles with framing the tale.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Bones - The Don't in the Do


When blue-stained pigeons and body parts start falling from the sky the FBI calls in its best to solve the case. While Hodgins (T.J. Thyne) attempts to discover what turned the corpse blue, Bones (Emily Deschanel) and Booth (David Boreanaz) question the dead hairdresser's three girlfriends (Kristi Clainos, Emily Nelson, Claudia Choi), his co-workers (Jai Rodriguez, Neil Hopkins), and employer (Jamie Elle Mann) about who might have wanted the man dead.

Green Lantern #8

For a storyline entitled "The Secret of the Indigo Tribe" it's sure seems like the comic would rather tease us then give us any real answers as to who the Indigo Tribe really is or explain their connection to Abin Sur.

Although the story arc continues to be intentionally vague in order to draw it out over more comics than necessary, it does have some moments including (finally!) showcasing Hal Jordan's ingenuity in how he finds away to recharge his ring without a power battery.

Hal's search for Sinestro leads him into the Indigo Tribe's sacred temple where he finds a giant statue of Abin Sur as well as altered Sinestro, who is now part of the tribe.

After months of treating him as little more than a guy who never bothered to learn what his ring could really do, writer Geoff Johns finally showcases Hal Jordan and his ability to make it through several Indigo Lanterns with only a partially charged ring. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Esquire names Sarah Underwood Hottest Woman of 2012

Only four months into the year Esquire readers have named former Playboy Playmate and current G4 Attack of the Show! co-host Sara Jean Underwood the Hottest Woman of 2012. To celebrate her win Underwood invited Esquire over for one of their Me in My Place pictorials. You'll find the pics after the jump as well as some behind-the-scenes video from the photoshoot.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Castle - Headhunters


Facing writer's block and still unable to properly deal with Beckett (Stana Katic) now that he knows she lied about hearing him confess his love, Castle (Nathan Fillion) jumps at the opportunity to shadow the gang unit's unorthodox Detective Slaughter (Firefly co-star Adam Baldwin)... until he learns the detective's last three partners have all died in the line of duty and just how many laws Slaughter will bend to get his man.

Scarlet Spider #4

Kaine's past finally catches up with him as the Assassin's Guild send several of their most skilled killers to Houston to kill the new Scarlet Spider over an old grudge. Kaine, however, has other plans.

The latest issues is high on action, but the B-story of Doctor Medlund confronting the man who put a hit on him for the death of his wife and baby girl keeps killing the momentum of the main storyline.

Kaine's unorthodox solution to stopping the assassins by offering to perform one murder for them in the future, at their convenience, certainly isn't something Peter Parker would do but it reminds us, despite his new career as a super-hero, how Kaine troubleshoots and deals with problems.

We also get yet another person (Annabelle) learning the Scarlet Spider's secret identity (geez, this guy keeps secrets worse than movie Batman) as well as getting our first glimpse at Aracely's hidden talents. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

Tron: Uprising trailer


Here's the first look at Disney's new animated ten-part Tron inspired animated series which follows the adventures of a computer programmer named Beck (Elijah Wood) who becomes a leader of a revolution in The Grid. Mandy Moore, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Bruce Boxleitner, and Paul Reubens also lend their voices to the project. Set between the events of Tron and Tron: Legacy, Tron: Uprising will premiere on Disney XD in June.

The Darkest Hour

After traveling to Moscow only to get screwed out of a lucrative business opportunity Sean (Emile Hirsch) and Ben (Max Minghella) run into an attractive American twenty-something (Olivia Thirlby) and her Australian friend (Rachael Taylor) at a swanky Russian bar just hours before the Earth finds itself invaded by aliens seeking to drain all electric conducting minerals from the planet.

The aliens appear as near invisible glowing clouds of light which can instantly burn through and disintegrate matter on contact. The foursome find themselves stuck in the storeroom of the club for days with the Swedish businessman (Joel Kinnaman) who screwed them over. With their rations exhausted finally the five journey out into a world vastly changed from the one they left only a few days before. Can they make it to safety? Will they find a way to fight back? Which ones will die? If only we cared.

Monday, April 16, 2012

In Plain Sight - Drag Me to Hell


While reeling from the news of Marshall (Frederick Weller) and Abigail's (Rachel Boston) engagement, the attentions of a handsome single dad (Josh Hopkins), and the unexpected return of Raphael (Cristián de la Fuente) and his new wife (Vanessa Lee Evigan) to town, Mary (Mary McCormack) takes on her newest witness - a drag queen (Robert Sella) whose unwillingness to give up his stage persona is likely to get him killed.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #8

The search to discover the truth behind how Buffy was replaced with a Buffybot with all of the Slayer's memories leads one-armed mechanical Buffy and Spike to the one person they know with experience in this type of thing - Andrew.

It turns out not only is Andrew responsible for downloading Buffy's brain and sticking it into a robot, but he did it to help the Slayer. Now the group has to retreive Buffy's real body (which is living out an idyllic life in the suburbs with no knowledge of who she really is) before someone else finds her. However, they may already be too late.

With the first big Season Nine twist writer Andrew Chambliss keeps going for the unexpected. This isn't some nefarious plot by a big bad to hurt the Slayer, but an ill-thought-out attempt by a friend to keep her safe. Meanwhile, with the Slayer out of action Xander and Dawn help Detective Dowling with his Zompire problem. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $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: Real Science Adventures, Avengers, Avengers vs. X-Men, Batman, Birds of Prey, Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, Defenders, Fables, Hellblazer, Irredeemable, Justice League, Near Death, Nightwing, Planet of the Apes, Prophet, The Punisher, Ragemoor, Red Sonja, Six Guns, Super Dinosaur, Vapirella, The Walking Dead, Wonder Woman, X-Factor, X-Men, Young Justice, the first issues of Reset, The Shadow, and the final issues of Batman: Odyssey, B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: The Long Death, Peanuts, and T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents.

Enjoy issue #172

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Fairly Legal - Gimme Shelter


Forced into doing mediation for 20 bankruptcy clients of Aero Bank a thoroughly depressed Kate (Sarah Shahi) is moved by an apartment owner (Esai Morales) whose building has been in the family for three generations. With a little leeway from the bank, Kate can help the man save his building, but that means solving the problem of his drug dealing client who is keeping other renters away.

Winter Soldier #4

After convincing Victor von Doom that he's not there to assassinate the Latverian dictator, Bucky and Doom set off the the United Nations where Lucia Von Bardas has unleashed her Doombot and one of the Soviet Super-Soldiers for part one of her nefarious plan.

Although the unlikely pair of Doctor Doom and the Winter Soldier are able to control the situation and the amount of damage the Doombot and Arkady are able to do at the UN, neither are happy to learn from the dying Soviet that this is only step one of Von Bardas' revenge.

As Bucky and Doom shoot up the UN the Black Widow works to track down the Red Ghost's and his machine gun totting, jetpack wearing, gorilla soldiers who (given the cover of next month's cover) we should be seeing more of very soon. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

Scandal - Dirty Little Secrets


Pope & Associates are hired to protect the a Washington D.C. madam's (Mimi Kennedy) politically explosive client list that include's the President's (Tony Goldwyn) choice (John Getz) for the Supreme Court from going public just minutes before an irate U.S. Attorney (Joshua Malina) can exercise his search warrant on the woman's home.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Missing - The Three Bears


With the priority of Dax Miller's (Cliff Curtis) investigation changing to find Paul Winstone (Sean Bean) not Michael (Nick Eversman), Becca (Ashley Judd) has no choice but to continue her own investigation with the help of Giannini (Adriano Giannini) and follow the breadcrumbs her husband has been leaving for her.

Batman and Robin #8 (New 52)

I really enjoyed the last issue of Batman and Robin but was put-off by the final panel which saw a tortured Damian kill Nobody in front of Batman. I was skeptical as to how this event would play out, but I have to admit Peter J. Tomasi gives us a thoughtful follow-up that includes a frank, and loving, conversation between estranged father and son that should lead to a fresh start for Batman and Robin.

The issues is definitely light on action but character is brought to the forefront as Batman and Damian lick their wounds and discuss Batman's desire for deadly vengeance and his promise to his parents to never let that happen.

The issue doesn't ignore Damian's actions from last issue, but it also doesn't condemn him for it (as I expected it to do, further driving a wedge between the two). Instead Bruce uses the opportunity as a lesson for his son to move both of them forward. By the end of the issue we're given a Batman and Robin I really want to see more of, and that's really all you can ask. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]