Archive for July 20th, 2012

Classic Comic Review #11 Batman: FROM THE 30s TO THE 70s 1971

Written by TaliAdina on Jul 20, 2012
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In honor of The Dark Knight Rises debuting in theaters today, this classic review is dedicated to the Batman fans around the world.

Batman: FROM THE 30s TO THE 70s 1971

Introduction by E. Nelson Bridwell Editor and Writer of Batman newspaper strip.

1971 National Periodical Publications Inc.

I learned of this cool book from my co-worker Albert who got this book as a kid. It’s such a cool book as it has comic book issues from Batman and Detective comics from the 1930’s to the 70’s! If you don’t know about Batman this is an excellent way to learn of his origin and read about some of his early adventures. The majority of the comic book stories are in black and white but that doesn’t take away from any of the stories. I haven’t finished reading the entire book but so far I’m definitely enjoying it.

Now onto something important.

As you may have heard, at the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado there was a mass shooting and 12 people were killed and 59 were injured by a lone gunman who told police that he was the Joker. Now as we go forward we’re gonna hear people blame comics and movies for the violence and even blame a gun ownership laws or a lack Christian values in our country for what happened early this morning. Let me just clarify something right now: all those reasons are bullshit. There’s a saying (from a movie I believe) which states: “Guns don’t kill people. People kill people.” and that is very true. This act was done by one person and one person alone. Don’t blame other people or industries. People were killing people way before comics and movies were around.

The question is what should we do now? If you were planning to go see The Dark Knight Rises like I am, go see it! Don’t let the actions of one individual stop you. If you would like to help the victims go here to learn how. Also I hear that the Denver Comic-Con is working on ways to help the victims.

That brings this Classic Comic Review to end. Stay safe, stay positive and I hope you enjoy the film.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #11 Review

Written by TommyZimmer on Jul 20, 2012
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Rating: 5/5
Publisher Name: DC Comics
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Pencils: Kenneth Rocafort
Number of Pages: 32 pgs.
Price: 2.99
Color: Color
Safety Content Label: T+ TEENS AND UP – Appropriate for most readers 13 and up, parents are advised that they might want to read before or with younger children.

Publisher’s Blurb:
“DEAD SPACE” continues!

STARFIRE is unleashed in an epic space battle!

THE OUTLAWS take on BLACKFIRE and her new allies, THE BLIGHT!

Reviewer’s Comments:
Red Hood, Roy Harper, and Starfire pick up their adventures in space, as they make their way to Tamaran. Our heroes must make some tough decisions: Will they protect Tamaran? Will Roy and Koriandr ever get together? What will Mr. Hood do about Isabel? Find out some of these answers and more in the review below.

Scott Lobdell handles this genre flipping comic quite well. Gone is the thought-to-be oversexed female hero, and arriving is the feminist space warrior Starfire! Coming with her on this odyssey are two people who know less about the universe than they do their own Earth. The three heroes find themselves in a fight that none of them want to be in, while they question whether or not they should be warring against the alien planet they are about to visit. These emotions play out nicely nicely in the narrative, especially when it comes down to the last splash-page.

Kenneth Rocafort plays out the panels quite well in this issue. His designs for each character have always worked, but it’s his crazy interchanging page constructions that keep the narrative pumping along nicely. His unique look takes full advantage of every narrative twist and turn the writer has given him. There’s no shortchanging him, he has a very stylized design that carries over to characters that are not quite center-stage yet.

All in all the book stays true to its core even as it shifts focus away from Jason Todd. As the series continues to evolve past its own beginnings this title in the New 52 continues to impress.

Nightwing #11 Review

Written by TommyZimmer on Jul 20, 2012
Filed in: Comic Book Reviews | No Comments »

Rating: 4/5
Publisher Name: DC Comics
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Pencils: Andres Guinaldo
Number of Pages: 32 pgs.
Price: 2.99
Color: Color
Safety Content Label: T+ TEENS AND UP – Appropriate for most readers 13 and up, parents are advised that they might want to read before or with younger children.

Publisher’s Blurb:
The Republic of Tomorrow, Today ” continues!

NIGHTWING faces off against PARAGON, the leader of an anti-GOTHAM CITY group!

Reviewer’s Comments:
Last we left Nightwing he was at the perils of Paragon, will he be able to escape in time to stop his villainous plan? Find out below.

The arc continues, and the battle is extended. This isn’t the end of Mr. Grayson’s war against the Republic of Tomorrow, and it’s a smart decision that creates suspense for the reader. You find yourself wondering when the group will strike next, as our detective finds more reasons to investigate them further.

Kyle Higgins does a fantastic job with this script. After having the hero suffer the wounds of battle (in usual fashion for Dick) he escapes just in the nick of time. Following that he moves into researching what Detective Nie has on him and later our hero’s plan for a new revitalized Amusement Mile doesn’t go so well. In the end, the puzzle pieces in the story come together in an interesting way, that honestly still leaves me guessing about what’s coming next.

Andres Guinaldo fills in for Eddy Barrows, and he does a very nice job staying true to the series design of the character while also taking his own spin on it. He should be the permanent back-up artist because he understands the Eddy Barrows mindset well enough that when he sits down and creates the world of Gotham City he nails it. A nice two-page spread comes to mind that perfectly illustrates his skills, specifically with action sequences.

As this next arc comes together, Nightwing continues to keep me on my toes as I tend to never know what will come next.