Exiled on the Tube – Highlights

What happened on TV this week….

Well the word from Michael Ausiello is that ‘Dollhouse is axed“… And word elsewhere says Fringe may not be too far behind

also Ausiello is reporting a Smallville movie event… Actually it just sounds like they are just gonna air two related episodes back to back,  the bonus is its the SOCIETY and  LEGENDS episodes penned by comic book scribe Geoff Johns.

V, ABC’s alien invasion remake ratings were of 29% from their 14million premiere, but as the press release says V  still beat Fox and NBC

BBC America announced it will air Doctor Who, the Waters of Mars, the 2nd of the 4 2009 Doctor Who specials on Saturday December 19th.  (It airs this weekend on th BBC in the UK)… on a side note, I was  geeked to see BBC America advertising Doctor Who on Saturdays this  December in major comic books released this week.

Chicago Tribune TV critic Maureen Ryan slammed  Stargate:Universe – the dark, moody (and in my opinion better than SG:Atlantis. ) in her positive review of  V.

In slightly older, but Chuck-tastic news,  NBC has already order an additional 6 episodes for season 3, (bringing the total to 19 so far for 2010)  Also it is rumored that NBC will move up the series return to TV to January (instead of March)

Chuck is also pretty famous for it’s use of Geek friendly guest star casting, and this season certainly aims to keep the tradition alive,  as both Superman (Brandon Routh, from Superman Returns)  and Lana Lang (Kristen Kruek of Smallville fame) have signed on for multiple episodes.  A Batman also pops in (Diedrich Bader, from Cartoon Network’s Batman, the Brave and the Bold, and the Drew Carey show). Also an X-Man (Vinnie Jones, the Juggernaut from  X-Men: The Last Stand) and a Terminator, (Robert Patrick also of X-Files fame) will be visiting the Buy More.

Book of the Week – 11/4/09

The Great Ten #1 Story: Tony Bedard Art: Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens Cover:Stanley “Artgerm” Lau Publisher: DC

I have been waiting for this book since the end of 52.

The Great Ten is a fascinating experiment in the DCU. Will anybody want to read about a team of heroes that are not from the Western world?

It makes sense that China would have their own meta humans. Why wouldn’t they? I mean they have 3 times the population of the US, so you would figure they would have 3 times the number of meta humans. But DC’s (and Marvel’s) books are very US – centric. (DC has had the Global Guardians, the JLE/I, The Soviet Union had the Rocket Reds, there was an attempt in the annuals a few years ago to introduce more global heroes) And of course we just got to know Japan’s newest team, the Super Young Team (from the awkwardly titled, but super fun to read, FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: DANCE)

But this is about the Great Ten, China’s official Super Heroes. Each issue in this 10 issue series will focus on a member of them, giving us their origin. Issue one spotlights the Accomplished Perfect Physician.

This first issue, written by Tony Bedard, is the first chance we have to really see how these characters are as a team, outside of any interaction with the Western DCU characters. The story telling is crisp, and the character voices are distinct(as are the characters themselves). Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens create a colorful, vibrant China, and introduction of the rival Old Gods (led by the Jade Emperor) signal for more great story to come.

Grade – A

Exiled on the Tube – V

I always intended this blog to feature more than comic book news & reviews. But there is only so much media one geek can consume ans report on.

So if you a geek for geek TV or film. And you want to blog about your favorite show. Let me know. In the meantime, I am going to try to do more starting with this…

V ABC Tuesdays at 8pm (7pm Central)

The Visitors returned to Earth on Tuesday 11/3 on ABC (8/7c). V, the series premeired after a long period of promotion. This is a “reimagining” of the 1983 miniseries starring Marc Singer ( of Beastmaster fame ), Faye Grant (from the Greastest American Hero) and former Miss New Hampshire,Jane Badler (did she do anything else?).

If you never saw the original, or you are too young to remember it clearly and you want to be surprised. Stop reading. I will be comparing the original to the new and that may mean spoilers, you have been warned.

The original miniseries played out in a long slow burn before revealing that the Visitors were not our friends. The Visitors, all beautiful, in their bright red jumpsuits and wrap around sunglasses, arriving in their huge saucers, gleaming white, are slowly revealed to be a hideous reptilian race here to rape our planet, steal our resources and turn the human race into cattle.

Intrepid journalist, Mike Donavon (Singer) stumbles on to the alien threat and their cold blooded nature, and begins to put together a resistance to save the planet from Diana and her alien armada.

In the new series the ships arrive just as dramatically. The whole world trembles at their arrive. The V’s (as they are quickly referred to as) are accepted much faster in this series (must be the Internet, they started a facebook group). Three weeks are skipped, to not have to explain the logic of the rapid rise of the Visitors. And we quickly see into the lives of cast, the priest who doubts that the V’s should be so quickly trusted. The FBI agent who much more interested in terrestrial terrorists then extra terrestrial visitors, and her neglected son. The pretty boy anchor who wants to be taken seriously as a journalist. The happy young couple, but one of whom is keeping a big secret. (I won’t spoiler that one.).

But we really don’t get to know them too well. The story hijacks the character development. It is very cinematic that way. It is an ambitious start. The original Nazi inspired Visitors, may have been a bit more dramatic but no less heavy handed than and The Visitors are as an allegory for the terrorist sleepers, the aliens among us in a post 9/11 world. They seek to subvert all aspects of our culture, to replace the objects of devotion.

The production values of this show are amazing. The cast is well I find the line “are their no ugly visitors” amusing since thisn cast is just this side of a a&f catalog. (with the exception of he goofy friend, who is there only to make the son of the FBI agent that more appealing.

The cast has several familiar faces to genre TV. Anna, the visitor leader is play by. Monera Baccarin, best remember as Inara Serra from Firefly. Also from Firefly Alan Tyduk (Wash) here is. From The 4400 and Taken is Joel Gretsch as the priest who is not as trusting as his superiors in Rome . And Laura Vandervoot as Visitor hottie, Lisa, formally Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl on Smallville.

ABC has only scheduled the first 4 episodes for 2009 before giving way to holiday progring and repeats. It’s a good start but if the ratings are not there, will it be back 2010?

Grade B

Excuse the typos. Sent via Iphone.

Comics Pull list 10/28/09

If you missed it – don’t forget to check out my featured Book of the Week – Detective Comics #858

Batman #692
DC
Story: Tony Daniels
Art: Tony Daniels
This was a hair’s breadth from being the BOTW. I am certainly no Judd Winick basher, and his run so far (I believe he is coming back to this book, in a rotating creator capacity) was a good start to the Dick Grayson tenure in the cowl. But Tony jumps out of the gate hot! This is the way I like my Batman. – Grade A

Blackest Night: #4
DC
Story: Geoff Johns
Art: Ivan Reis
For what is primarilly a Green Lantern event, we see precious few of the Corps (of any hue) in this issue. And I don’t mind it one bit. Barry Allen, the Flash, gets the lead and runs with it, if you’ll pardon the pun, and he rallies the heroes against the army of the rising dead. Another hero falls (and you know he won’t be the last) This book can’t come out fast enough for me! – Grade A

Blackest Night:Titans #3
DC
Story: JT Krul
Art: Ed Benes
The final issue of this supporting BL mini comes, and it finally gets interesting. Dove’s white light of Order is weapon against the Blackest Night, and Donna wants to keep her close, in case the bite Donna received from her Blackest Night baby brings her to the dark side. Donna Troy could actually become more interesting than she has been in 20 years, if she survives the Blackest Night- Grade B

Green Lantern #47
DC
Story: Geoff Johns
Art: Doug Mahnke
This book along just hits all the right emotional notes. I am just still confused by DC’s shipping schedule. Three Blackest Night books this week and only the Doom Patrol tie in next week? Blackest Night, GL and GLC should come out in sucessive weeks and the fouth week used for tie ins. And the BN branded minis can ship any time there’s a hole in the schedule or rotating weekly. – Grade A

Justice Society of America #32
DC
Story: Matthew Sturges & Bill Willingham
Art: Jesus Merino
Too much time on the new kids. I understand, they are the future and all, but some of us old timers like to see the old timers. Magog just moans about how the team is organized (a legitimate grip) Power Girl is just breaking the table (again) I want to see Jay, Alan, and Ted really step up with some strong leadership (this was the same problem with Gog splitting the team) I am all for a “farm team” for the JSA – isn’t that what the Infinity Inc, used to be? I know we are getting a new title splitting the team up soon, can we just get there already? Oh yeah, Mr. Terrific is dead, but maybe not for good. – Grade B-

Gotham City Sirens #5
DC
Story: Paul Dini
Art: Guillem March
This book is progressing nicely. It certainly has some strong characters to work with. Here’s looking to seeing some of these characters, ya know, develop. It’s fun, it’s sexy but as I’m still not sure where it’s going. Are the “Sirens” becoming more anti-heroes, instead of villains? Catwoman has always walked that line, and Harley is just Harley, so as long she is having fun, she’ll go along with just about anything, but Poison Ivy has always been a bit more of a baddie. So what is up Paul? Bad Girls, or just drawn that way? – Grade B

Last Days of Animal Man #6
DC
Story: Gerry Conway
Art: Chris Batista
Buddy Baker has gone through the five stages of grief over the loss of his Animal Man powers. Now there is only one thing to do. Live. (Even if that might mean dying.) – Grade A

Jack of Fables #39
DC/Vertigo
Story: Bill Willingham & Matt Sturges
Art: Russ Braun
Ah, I should not have lost faith with Jack of Fables. Clearly there is a plan, and I can’t believe I didn’t see it coming! A great turn of events for “Jack of Fables”, even if it not a great turn of events for Jack, himself. And Jack’s cool offspring, Jack Frost is shaping up to be everything his old man is not. I expect more fun is on the way for the Jacks.
Kudos to Bill and Matt. – Grade B+

Random Pick up of the week

World’s Finest #1
DC
Story: Sterling Gates
Art: Julian Lopez
It was only a matter of time before DC launch another iteration of World’s Finest (I was always puzzled why Superman/Batman is not called World’s Finest, because that is essentially what it is.) But with the successful relaunch of Brave and the Bold, and the return of Adventure Comics, it is not hard to see why DC put this title back on a book. I had not really been following the World of New Krypton storyline (Adventure being the only Super-book I am buying right now.) So there where a few surprises for me. (Mostly the identity of the new Kryptonian Nightwing and Flamebird) It will be interesting to see how this miniseries (4 issues) will tie back into the respective Bat and Super books. – Grade B+

Book of the Week 10/28/09

DETECTIVE COMICS #858 Writer: Greg Rucka Art: Art by JH Williams III Second feature: The Question Writer: Greg Rucka Art: Cully Hamner Cover by JH Williams III Publisher: DC

This was a really good week for comics for me, and picking a book of the week was not easy. And it didn’t go the way I thought it would.

This week it’s Detective Comics.

I have to admit, right up until I sat down to start writing this column, I was planning on my BotW to be Batman #692, the beginning of Tony Daniels run, but as I looked over my stack, I since Batwoman took the feature in ‘Tec, this book has been in a class by itself.

First of, let’s talk about JH Williams III’s art. If its all possible to believe, his work has improved since Promethea. His art fits perfectly for the altered states of the characters minds. From cover to the end of the feature, its just gorgeous. And of course there’s Greg Rucka, whose writing needs no more praise from me, but I will heap some more on top. Greg has taken strands of Superhero, Crime, and even fantasy elements and have blended them together to create the world of Batwoman to stunning success.

This issue is the begining of Batwoman’s origin story. We get a peak at young Kate’s childhood and meet her sister, her twin sister, Bess. We also witness the terrible trauma that Kate, and her father go through that goes to show how the deep bond between the Colonel and his daughter was forged.

The second feature in the issue, starring the Renee Montoya version of the Question, was also written by Rucka, and drawn by Cully Hamner. I loved Cully’s work, going all the way back to Green Lantern: Mosaic. His stylistic approach has become a bit more refined. His characters all have such distinct personalities and faces, which makes him an interesting choice to draw a book about a character that has no face. This issue finishes a story arc, with Renee tracking down a lost girl in a white slavery ring. I am looking forward to seeing if Rucka brings Renee back into contact with some more of her Gotham Central partners soon, and seeing how some of them react to Renee’s new role as the Question.

It’s not clear to me just how long Batwoman and the Question will be the features of Detective Comics. More so than any other book, DC can easily change the features. And I already hear that Batman will be returning to the lead story soon, which is a shame considering how many books he already has. This book is currently featuring two strong female leads, here’s hoping one of them gets their name on their own title soon.

Grade A

My Pull List – 10/21/09

My apologies, regular reader(s?), apparently I had a network issue uploading this last week.

If you missed it – don’t forget to check out my featured Book of the Week – Power Girl!

Blackest Night: Superman #3
DC
Story: James Robinson
Art: Eddy Barrows w/ Allan Goldman, Ruy José w/ Eber Ferreira
The first Blackest Night supporting minis comes to an end. It ends just the way this book should, with you wanting the next chapter of the Blackest Night core book. It deal feel a little rushed, but such is the nature of 3 issue minis. Overall my favorite of the three. – Grade A

Justice League of America #38
DC
Story: James Robinson
Art: Mark Bagley and Rob Hunter
I really, really wanted this book to be a smash out of the gate for James. Cry for Justice, while steadily improving, is not the hit it should be. This book is hampered by 3 things off the bat. 1) It’s story in part plays out of the end of C4J, which hasn’t shipped yet. 2) The high expectation of the incoming team (both the creative team and the actual League). 3) The fact that we really don’t see the new team. This issue really bridges what has cone before into a 2 part story that might as well be called Blackest Night:JLA. I have enough faith in the creative team and enough interest in (most) of the new League to stick around to see them hit their stride. – Grade B

Final Crisis Aftermath: Dance #6
DC
Story: Joe Casey
Art: Crisscorss, Rob Stull, w/ Marc Deering
I love the Super Young Team! I hope DC brings back these character soon! If you missed the oddly title mini, I am sure it will be collected in a trade. I really want to see these characters interact with the core DCU cast (particularly the Teen Titans, can’t you just see Bart talking with Big Atomic Lantern?) – Grade A

The Last Resort #3
IDW
Story: Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Art: Giancarlo Caracuzzo
i began picking up this series stricky on Palmiotti and Gray’s name. I am not a big fan of the Zombie genre. But I do enjoy the more clever and the funnier takes (28 days later, Shaun of the Dead) and I am enjoying DC’s zombie party (Blackest Night) so maybe I should rethink my stance on Zombies. This series and its large cast is a combination Comedy/thriller with a slow burn on the reveal. Giancarlo Caracuzzo’s use soft colors reminds me of a light filter on a camera, making for an a very cinematic experience. – Grade B+

Farscape – Gone and Back #4
Boom
Story: Rockne S. O’Bannon
Script: Keith R.A. Descandido
Art: Tommy Patterson, Nick Chley and Juan Castro
The series of miniseries from Boom Studios has been 5th Season of late great and sorely missed Farscape TV series so to speak (but surprisingly not billed as such, and Syfy WHERE ARE THE FARSCAPE WEBISODES?) This particular mini cleverly finds a way to bring back familiar faces D’Argo and Zhann while moving the story on from the events of the Peacekeeper Wars. Rockne’s involvement gives this series the stamp of authenticity many licensed comics lack. Until we get word of any new episodes or movies in the Scapeverse this is the official story. So Scapers better got on board and show some support! – Grade B+

Random Pick up of the week
Azreal #1
Story: Fabian Nicieza
Art: Ramon Bachs and John Stanisci
I’ll be honest, I only bought this book to complete the set of new Batbook launches, I had no intention of getting drawn into a new monthly. I will be back for issue 2, that is for sure. I already feel more emotionally vested in the character than I ever was in Jean-Paul Valley. (It does help if you have read the Battle for the Cowl and the recent Batman and ‘Tec Annuals. – Grade B+

Random Pick up BONUS BOOK
Brave and the Bold #28
DC
Story: J. Michael Straczynski
Art: Jesus Saiz
The Silver age Flash meets the original Blackhawks during the Battle of the Bulge! Straczynski certainly is using the full DCU catalog of characters for some interesting team-ups. How does Barry Allen get back to the 1940’s? Who cares? We get a great story about the horrors of war and the duty of men trying to do good in a bad world. JMS plays with the contrast of The Flash’s Silver Age lightness against the bleakness of the life of a solider in wartime to fine dramatic effect. Jesus Saiz, must have been given the wrong reference sheet, because Barry Allen never wore a mask with lensed hidden eyes, and his superspeed running is not as nice as his naturalistic wartime world. (Scott Kollins by far has always been my favorite at drawing speedsters) – Grade B+

Book of the Week – 10/21/09

Power Girl #6 Writer: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti Art: Amanda Conner Publisher: DC

Well this book has a couple things really going for it.

No not those.

This book has great writing and great art. Its fun, while action packed, and never loses it’s sense of humor. Its clever, fast, and sexy, Just like its title character.

Power Girl’s solo title has been long overdue. I always thought she was the strongest character in the old JLE/I title. She was written unevenly over the course of the title, and her rotating costume closet produced some of the most hideous looks (That horrible yellow thing? The headband?) And her origin issues – She’s Kryptonian, No she’s Atlantian, and she’s Arion the immortal’s grand daughter… and what about that pregnancy? Have we ever seen her mystical love child since?

Anyway Geoff Johns work on JSA and Infinite Crisis has “streamlined” Power Girl (if you pardon the expression)in to the lean, mean fighting machine.

I love that Power Girl is based in NY (Brooklyn, even) Gray and Palmiotti have begun to surround PG with the makings of an interesting life. She has started her own tech company, wanting to bring more good to the world than she can in her powers alone. She setting up her own life outside of JSA brownstone, getting an apartment in Brooklyn. She has even taken in a “sidekick” in Terra. (a new one, a brunette). It’s a sisterly relationship, which is interesting. We never saw PG have this kind of relationship with Stargirl, or Cyclone. I am curious to see explain her reason for it.

This issue introduces Power Girl and the world to three alien princesses who have washed ashore in NYC. Think Paris Hilton with rayguns, well maybe a little better than that. It looks like we will be seeing more of these ladies at some point.

Amanda Conner’s PeeGee is by far my favorite version of the character. Far more feminine than most artist’s, I never understood why some artists felt the need to draw her as bodybuilder. Amanda’s facial expressions are spot on, even the cat (does the cat have a name?)

If you are not reading this book, why the hell not? It’s a definitely a hit.

Big Apple Comic Con 2009

This weekend was Big Apple Comic Con, brought to you by the good folks at Wizard Entertainment.

As a life long geek, it may surprise you that this was only my 2nd Con in 14 years.

It was an interesting mix of guests (But could someone explain to me what Loretta Switt and the people from Survivor where doing there?) I think the most interesting conversation I had was with John Billingsly (Dr. Phlox from Enterprise) I found out his wife was Bonita Friedericy, Chuck’s gruff NSA superior on NBC’s Chuck. (I was there in my Nerd Herd costume) He explained, at the bigger cons, when he does panel appearences, they have an act where she heckles him from the audience. Shame she couldn’t make it out. As some of you know, I am a big Chuck fan.

The panels were actually a little weak at this con… DC didn’t even have one.

Lots of fun, mostly good folks.

The big news coming out of BACC was that next year’s con will be the same weekend as New York Comic Con. A risky choice, IMHO. NYCC is much bigger, and more established (taking place at the Javits Center) and is already booked to 60% capacity in the hall, which begs the question – who is going to be at BACC? (Not guests but vendors) I am willing to bet that some of the guests could double book, heck the venues are only about 15 blocks apart.

Below are some images from the Con Floor for you

Jon Schnieder mosying through on a Segway	Good Girl or Bad Girl.... decisions, decisions	Best costumes at the Con
This was home made - took the guy over a year to build	1.21 Gigawatts!	Even Captain America is looking for Back Issues

My Pull List – 10/14/09

As I mentioned in my Book of the Week column last week, I was amazed that I had none of my regular books coming out that week. It especially surprised me since there are currently 6 books coming out as part of Blackest Night. (The main book, two GL titles, and 3 secondary miniseries) You would think DC would schedule the books in such a way to maintain week presences on the new releases stand.

Well this week it was the opposite. I had whopping 11 titles out this week, 9 of them DC, and 2 independants.

Of course there is my BOTW -  Booster Gold. Read all about it here.

And now for the rest of the week:

It was a big BAT-week  with 5 Bat family titles out, 4 of which I picked up.  ( I passed on Batgirl)

Batman #691
Writer: Judd Winick
Art: Mark Bagley and Rob Hunter
I am not a Winick Basher, in fact I have enjoyed a lot of his work. His run on Green Lantern was one of my favorites. Maybe it’s because we are both Wolverines… maybe its because we both big lefties… I have to admit I was kinda bumped when Harvey’s two toned Bat suit just turned out to be a drug induced illusion. Judd’s approach to writing villians always makes them a worthy foe. A hero is only as good as the bad guys he beats, and Two face here is worth foe for Dick to assert his identity as Batman. – Grade B

Red Robin #5
Writer: Chris Yost
Art: Ramon Bachs
It is still not clear to me, what happened to Tim, It is nice to see him evolve as character, and his character mission is a bold one. Find a dead man. It allows a hero to go in to some pretty dark places in the Bat-verse. Tim is getting in pretty deep too, hanging with the League of Assassins and the Demon’s Head himself Ra’s Al Ghul. (Well Ra’s doesn’t actually appear in this issue). What is the story with Lucius Fox’s daughter just flying into Baghdad, to find Tim? Why on earth would Lucius send her to a warzone? And just how casual is Tim being with his identity? – Grade B-

Blackest Night: Batman #3
Writer: Peter Tomasi
Art: Ardian Syaf and Vincent Cifuentes
This has been a nice companion to the Blackest Night story. Not quiet as good as BL:Superman, but much better BL:Titans. With Dick and Tim both facing their Black Lantern parents, emotions are running high. The addition of Deadman made this a great story. The art was sufficiently creepy enough, but BL:Superman coloring is slightly better. – Grade A-

Detective Comics Annual #11
Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Art: Tom Mandrake
This was not an intended pick up – I didn’t get the Batman annual originally last week. Azrael is not my favorite character, and this was clearly the set up for his new ongoing title. But I went back and grabbed it when I saw the Question was in this one, and the art chores being done by one of my faves Tom Mandrake (loved his work on both the Spectre, and Martian Manhunter). The story still didn’t do much for me – Grade C

Green Lantern Corps #41
Writer: Peter Tomasi
Art: Patrick Gleason and others
I love the ensemble cast approach to the Corps, and nice mix of old and new characters in this book. The Corps is much more of Space Cop book now than ever, and I like it. This would be their Assault on Precient 13 issue. As part of the Blackest Night, Oa is overrun with Black Lanterns – both the Honored dead Green Lanterns, the recently executed Yellow Lanterns. All the Lanterns are faced with past failures and past friends and loved ones coming back, and its not just to say Hi. The only Lantern who, in my opinion who has been sorely underexposed is John Stewart, though I hear his story is coming soon. – Grade A

JSA vs. Kobra #5
Writer: Eric S. Trautmann
Art: Don Kramer, Neil Edwards, and Michael Babinski
I have actual enjoyed this story more than the current arc in JSA. Why is this not in the main title? The 2 page spread with the JSA airdropping has to be a villian’s worst nightmare to see. It is a fascinating recreation of Kobra as a player in the DCU. They are given a leader worthy of title of master villian. He may be the anti-Mr. Terrific. The only thing that would make this story better for me is more Checkmate. This was almost my book of the week. – Grade A

Adventure Comics #3(#506)
Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Francis Manapul
Superboy and Robin – together again. Nice to see Tim and Conner finally catch up. They both have had pretty hectic years. I was hoping to see more interaction between Tim, Conner and Bart on this title, but with Geoff’s departure to write Flash and Paul Levitz coming on, and the Legion moving to the lead story probably means it will have to wait. In the Legion second feature – I loved the pairing of Polar Boy and Sun Boy. I think we may have the Blue and Gold team of the 31st century. – Grade A-

Fables #89
Writer: Bill Willingham
Art: Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha
This book has been getting darker and darker since the Fables declared war on the Homelands and the Emperor. This is continues to get dark. A great feature of what had, until now, been minor characters, with Bumpkin, the flying monkey, showing his more than you would ever expect. I don’t see this book getting “lighter” anytime soon, but that’s ok. Grade B+

NON DC TITLES

Farscape: D’Argo’s Trial 3
Writer: Keith R.A. Decandido
Art: Caleb Cleveland
Boom Studios has been exploring the Farscape universe, with stories set during, and after the series 4 year run, D’Argo’s trial is the first attempt give us a little backstory. While seeing the courtship of D’Argo and Lo’Laan and the trials they had gone through to find happiness is dramatic, I don’t know how compelling the story is to the casual fan. So far we have not seen any great unknown reveal to D’Argo’s story. This is not my favorite Farscape Mini. – Grade – C+

Doctor Who 4
Writer: Tony Lee
Artist: Matthew Dow Smith
DOCTOR WHO – ONGOING! FROM AN AMERICAN PUBLISHER! IDW picked up this license and give Doctor Who its most prominent position on comic racks in over 20 yearsNot reprints of Doctor Who Magazine Strips… (Although recent DWM strips are very good.) It is nice combination, taking bits from both the revival and the classic series (Stephan Moffet, take note, bring back the Draconians and Ice Warriors)
I like that this series goes for its own style artistically, and not just go for character likeness. – Grade A

RANDOM  PICK UP OF THE WEEK

Titans #18
Writer: Bryan Q Miller
Art: Angel Unzueta and Wayne Faucher
I miss the Titans. Apparently so does Raven. I’m not sure why this book has had so much trouble. The Titans are all popular, powerful characters (4 of them on their way to the JLA, and 2 others have been Leaguers already) Its not clear to me, it seems like this a last issue. I can’t tell. – Grade C

Book of the Week – 10/14/09

Booster Gold Writer: Dan Jurgens Art: Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund Co feature – Blue Beetle Writer: Matt Sturges Art: Mike Norton Cover: Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund Publisher: DC

I love me some time travel. And I love my funny books when they are funny. So Booster Gold brings two of my favorite things together.

Booster Gold was always the back half of BLUE and GOLD for me, Blue Beetle was my favorite. Booster, while funny, was always more of Larry to Ted Kord’s Jack Tripper (Does that make Ice and Fire Chrissy and Janet?). He was always kinda one note, and with Beetle he was not as interesting.

I didn’t read Booster’s first solo title, which only ran 25 issues in the mid 80’s. But he appeared in many more Justice League books than he ever did in his solo titles. As a hero, his heart is always in the right place, but his motivations were often less than heroic. He had come back to the past from the 25th century, using future technology to become a hero and celebrity. He lacked a heroic purpose… now in his new title he final has found one, he has become the defender of the time stream. In the relaunch of his title out of the weekly series 52 a couple of years ago, Geoff Johns has taken Booster and given him a real mission, being Rip Hunter’s secret weapon in the war to protect history, and now back in the hands of his creator, Dan Jurgens, Booster Gold has found a real resurgence.

One of my favorite things about this title is that Booster can find himself anywhen in the DCU history, which means he could team up with just about anyone. He could go up against Per Degaton with the JSA during WWII one month, and then help the Legion in the 31st century the next, then find himself helping Bat Lash and Jonah Hex in the old West. He can be at any major DC event, giving it a new fresh look. (They have already given Booster a 0 issue tying into Zero Hour from 1994 and a 1,000,000 issue from the 1,000,000 event from 1999.)

This book’s natural co-feature is Blue Beetle. But this is not Ted Kord, it is Jamie Reyes, picking up the story from his recently canceled title. I have liked the play between the two stories in this book. (The both share a common villian, the Black Beetle, a time traveler, whose identity has not been revealed), and I love the youthful exuberance of the character, but I do miss Ted. Interestingly enough I find that Ted Kord has gotten much more respect since his death than he ever gotten since his book was canceled 20 years ago too. The art is a little more cartoony than Dan Jurgens sharp lean lines, which gives it is own distinctive look.

Booster Gold – A
Blue Beetle – A