As the third season of Attack On Titan carries on, there continues to be an absence of actual titans. Instead, the focus seems to be on a human based conspiracy. Does it cause a decrease in enjoyment? Not in the slightest.
Summary
The search for Eren and Historia forces the Scout Regiment to get creative with their counterattack.
Review
The main theme of this episode seems to be the manipulation of the truth and how it affects the world within the walls. The normal citizens help to frame the sense of control the government has on the populus. Everyone is willing to believe the newspapers and gossip without much of a thought otherwise. The news of the Scouts being behind the murder is believed for the most part, except by those in the service who actually understand their motivation. This power the higher ups have over the citizens really helps to frame them as evil and devious.
Speaking of these characters in the service, Hitch and Mario, the show reminds us Hitch was Annie’s roommate. Apparently, despite the manipulation of information and covering all their bases, the higher ups didn’t think to provide any kind of backstory to where Annie went or even officially state she had been killed. The assumption many have is she was killed in battle but from the conversation the characters are having it almost feels like they still assume she is out there and is going to be back any minute. This seems like the type of loose end you would want to nail down to make sure it doesn’t come back to haunt you later.
Though the lack of Titan killing is apparent, the conspiracy drama is very interesting and intense. This season of Attack On Titan has a different feel than previous season but it is still a cut above other shows out there.
Dismissing a film just based on the cast is foolish.
Sometimes the most pleasant stories on screen are also the most simplistically structured. If anyone were to take a glance at either the trailer or synopsis for Ken Marino’s Dog Days, it would be easy to dismiss the film as another rom-com involving dogs. However, there is more to this release than a couple of touching scenes involving a Shih Tzu’s comforting someone as their heart has been broken. Dog Days highlights the power of companionship and the various forms of love which can originate from the furriest of our friends. This film is far from a walk in the park. Moviegoers will walk in expecting a story full of frivolity and end up with a touching tale. Bring tissues for everyone in your row.
Jon Bass stars as “Garrett” in Ken Marino’s DOG DAYS, an LD Entertainment release. Credit: Jacob Yakob / LD Entertainment
Dog Days is written by Elissa Matsueda and Erica Oyama. Matsueda and Oyama carefully wove in multiple storylines highlighting individuals who are in various stages of their lives. Elizabeth (Nina Dobrev) is a morning show host who just became newly single and is forced to team up former NFL sensation Jimmy Johnson (Tone Bell). The only thing these two have in common is a love for animals. Tara (Vanessa Hudgens) works at a coffee shop across the road from this vets office which is run by Dr. Michael (Michael Cassidy). While Tara lusts over this hunky doctor, Garret (Jon bass) secretly wishes they were together. Dax (Adam Pally) is an overstimulated thirty-something who has his sister’s dog thrust onto him when she has to go into the hospital (to have a baby). Grace (Eva Longoria), Kurt (Rob Cordory), and their adoptive daughter Amelia (Elizabeth Caro) find a dog while playing at a splash pad which they took home to keep safe. Little did they know it was one thing which would unite them. However, the dog’s original owner Walter (Ron Cephas Jones) is looking and appears close to retrieving her.
(L to R) Eva Longoria as “Grace,” Elizabeth Caro as “Amelia” and Rob Corddry as “Kurt” in Ken Marino’s DOG DAYS, an LD Entertainment release. Credit: Jacob Yakob / LD Entertainment
Marino’s pacing in the film was brisk yet effective. Not everything needs to be drawn out! The narrative had struck an appropriate balance between plausibility and implausible moments. My favorite portions of the film were during Amelia and Walter’s tales. Elizabeth’s story was indeed touching, but it seems like the only purpose for the storyline was to give Dog Days and emotional backbone.
Adam Pally (left) stars as “Dax” and Jessica St. Clair (right) stars as “Ruth” in Ken Marino’s DOG DAYS, an LD Entertainment release.
Dax undergoes the most significant transformation during Dog Days. While at first, he’s not sure what to make of his sister’s dog, now he can’t imagine a world without her. Companionship, love, and just being happy can open ones’ eyes as to what truly matters. Tara would never have given Garrett a second glance if it weren’t for the love she felt for animals (which drew her to volunteer at the shelter which he runs).
Adam Pally stars as “Dax” in Ken Marino’s DOG DAYS, an LD Entertainment release. Credit: Jacob Yakob / LD Entertainment
Dog Days might not have performed in a way most expected at the box-office, but that’s because word of mouth hasn’t spread about it. The film is touching, funny, and has a message which will resonate with everyone. Quite a combination of attributes for quite a lovely tale.
The second to last season of the highly popular Netflix series Voltron: Legendary Defender has arrived. How does it compare to previous seasons? Will it give fans exactly what they want? Only one way to find out.
SPOILER ALERT
Summary
After the battle with Lotor, the Paladins of Voltron find they must return to Earth if they have any hope of moving forward.
Writing
This season felt like a rollercoaster but one where the low parts of the ride really seemed to drag. After the intense battle with Lotor, the team finds themselves out of gas, in the middle of nowhere, and left with the only choice being taking the long, slow way back to Earth. Unfortunately this long journey drags on the characters as well as the audience.
There are good moments in this extended road trip, including a fantastic flashback into Shiro and Keith’s relationship. Yet there is an episode which is the equivalent of a “Bottle Episode” as the team has to stay together drifting in space. They start to go mad from fear and isolation which forces them to finally come to terms with the feelings which have been building up. It feels necessary but at the same time awkward as it appears like the team only got around to discussing their feelings and are able to bond afterward because they are the verge of death. Haven’t they been through enough already to show how close they are as a team?
A lot of world building takes place which helps to show what happened to Earth since the team’s departure. It does help to explain changes Earth went to prepare for the Galra invasion but at the same time it feels like it goes on for a bit too long. It does give some back characters some time to shine. Hunk also finally gets to some time show some character development. Also, Shiro, despite not piloting a lion anymore finds a way to be an incredible force of inspiration and in combat. These character moments are the best parts of the entire season.
Animation
The animation also feels like it has decreased in quality. There are scenes of gorgeous animation which are breathtaking to behold. The final battle of the season is especially incredible thanks to the over the top action which plays out through some of the best animation yet.
Unfortunately, there are moments which just feel off in terms of presentation. Almost like another layer needed to added. This is more noticeable usually when the camera zooms in on the characters and their facial details. There isn’t a total decline in presentation but there moments which aren’t as good the audience has come to expect.
Conclusion
This season of Voltron: Legendary Defender isn’t bad, but it isn’t fantastic. Considering this show has been known for being over the top with its quality, seeing so many flaws at once is disconcerting. Hopefully the team will learn from their mistake and the final season will blow everyone away. For now though, season 7 was entertaining but it was far from legendary.
The OVA boom of the 80s was an exciting time for Anime, a new influx of talent and money began to flood the market. Whilst this boom created unwatchable trash like Angel Cop and Genocyber, it also created diamonds in the rough. As such, I feel the need to talk about them. So, let’s kick off this series with the Devilman OVAs.
I got into this series because Bennett the Sage did a review of the first two OVAs and panned them. Yet I liked what I saw and was convinced part of the problem was the atrocious dubbing.
“The real” Ryo Asuka & Akira Fudo
I was, proven correct. The original Japanese version was great. If nothing else, Devilman should have been given one of those Trojan horse dubs in the late 90s with Steve Blum, Wendee Lee, and the entire Animaze dubbing studio behind it (Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star and Trigun are three series dubbed by the studio).
Staff
Even before we start we need to look at the talent behind the scenes, because there is a lot to talk about. The animation was produced by Oh! Production, a contractor studio who worked on Nausicaa, Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro & Kiki’s Delivery Service. The Ghibli connections do not stop there however, as the character designer was the late Kazuo Komatsubara, a venerable character designer whose name you might not know, yet if you’re a fan of 70s-80s anime. You know his work from Galaxy Express 999, Space Pirate Captain Harlock, Nausicaa, and in a bizarre twist: the original 1972 Devilman TV series. Finally, the director of the project: the late Tsutomu (aka Umanosuke) Iida, was an assistant director on Castle in the Sky (and Miyazaki protégé) who would later direct the last half of Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, and the 2001 adaptation of Hellsing. One other note, Iida co-wrote the script for the first two OVAs with Devilman’s original mangaka, Go Nagai. So, on paper at the very least, this sounds like a slam-dunk, one of my favorite manga, made by people with deep ties to one of my favorite directors of all-time (anime or otherwise). Let’s dig in.
Summary
Now do you believe me about the Studio Ghibli ties? Akira even has the expressive hair!
Now since no one has talked about Devilman: Crybaby, on the site. I’ll do a comparison between this and the more well-known (and frustrating) Devilman: Crybaby.
We open with a three or four-minute sequence of the birth of Demons, with pseudo-classical music playing in the background as demons get torn apart in a visceral way. Right away, it’s clear the OVA is moving on the right foot, because it gives us a reason to know what these demons are, and why we (as an audience) should care.
Couldn’t find a sequence that could be shown without black bars. So here’s a sequence from later in the OVA.
The backstory remains the same. Akira’s parents are dead, Miki is his friend, and Akira was adapted by Miki’s family. However, Akira is portrayed differently in the OVA, while he was technically a wimp, he is morally strong. This is shown in the first OVA where he defends the life of a bunny, from a group of 1950s greasers. He gets beaten up and has blood spilling down his face, yet his resolve is firm, and the greasers let him go. (I know it’s what Japanese delinquents looked like back then, but I shouldn’t be thinking of Grease or Squiggy from Laverne & Shirley, when I see these guys).
This lead to a wonderful scene, where Miki is placing the bandage on Akira, and the scene is almost silent. Why is this wonderful? Simple, Iida is using actions and silence to convey a mood. Meanwhile, Crybaby just wants to blast you with music and hypnotic colors.
Meanwhile in Devilman: Crybaby: Aah! My eyes!!! Too bright!! Too bright!!
This must have been something Iida and the team picked up from Miyazaki, the power of action and silence, instead of speaking. After all, actions speak louder than words. In film (and by extension Anime) it’s hard to create quiet moments, and yet the first Devilman OVA finds a way to utilize this concept in many of its scenes, which creates this lingering feeling of dread, as you’re watching the proceedings. As any horror expert will tell you (if they know what they’re talking about), tension and mood building are a thousand times scarier than jump scares or torturing people, (and requires a thousand times more work).
After bandaging Akira up, Miki and Akira are heading back home when Akira meets an old friend: Ryo Asuka, clad in a giant long coat, huge aviator sunglasses, and Char Aznable hair. Akira immediately recognizes him, Ryo brandishes a knife, and says Miki shouldn’t come with them, in his mid-80s red Audi. Are we sure Char Aznable & Ryo Asuka aren’t the same person?.
Char?
I’ll say this straight up, I love this characterization of Ryo, over Crybaby’s. Why? Well it goes to audience perception: in Crybaby, the reading I got was Ryo was a psychopath, seemingly distant from Akira from day one, instead of starting off cordial, and then growing icy (which was how Nagai seemed to characterize him). The 80s version adheres more to the Nagai version, so while he is mysterious, and does have axe-crazy moments, however he is also a more interesting character, who told Akira that he was the only one he trusts and seemed to mean it. I have a feeling, if the series had been completed, we would have seen him go from trustworthy to the villain, in a unique and subtle way. They were even hinting toward this direction in the second OVA with Ryo taking a reduced role, due to him being injured, yet still provided the save when he needed to, yet something was off about him.
Anyway, Ryo gives his backstory. His father went crazy, presumably under the influence of the demons he was studying, and after his father’s death, Ryo was given a large inheritance. After they arrive at Ryo’s estate, demons attack them but make their escape with the help of Ryo’s sawed-off shotgun (aren’t guns illegal in Japan?). These action scenes were phenomenal and gave me flashbacks to the action-packed extravaganza that was Castle in the Sky. Plus, guns and violence have the actual effect of having visceral impact, and not seeming like background noise (looking at you Crybaby).
How effective were the action scenes in the OVA? Here’s an explosion shot.
So, the plan is set up, Akira will merge with a demon to kill them, and the mode of introducing this? Well, in the original manga: it was a 70s acid rock party. In Crybaby: a gigantic rave, here it’s an 80s hair metal party. The transformation sequence is the same for both versions, except Crybaby’s seemed completely ridiculous, with Tron Legacy style design (don’t remind me of such an abomination), and ridiculous oversexualization, which I don’t think was satire.
Thus, ends the first OVA. Right away, you can see why I like the first two OVAs over Crybaby, yet there’s one other thing to bring up. Pacing, the OVA paces itself, knows when to reveal, let’s the story and moments happen. Instead of trying to summarize a 2 year/5 volume manga in ten episodes. This resulted in a problem, Crybaby was cramming too much plot into its short runtime, so the show couldn’t sit still and develop character moments that make a remarkable story.
One other aspect that was terrible in Devilman: Crybaby: characterization. Here’s Johan Liebert from Monster extracting information from some hapless goon.
Onto the second episode and I’ll try to be quicker.
The second OVA is split into two plots, the A plot featuring Sirene, and the B plot featuring Jinmen. In a surprising development, the B plot is first.
Akira Fudo embracing his inner Spider-Man.
Devilman is confronted by Jinmen, the turtle creature with his victim’s faces on his shell. Like the Crybaby episode he was in, he doesn’t last long. Unlike Crybaby, however, he leaves an impression, because he torments Akira with his dead mother.
The main plot involves another famous Devilman villain named Sirene. One of the positives of Crybaby, was how they updated some of the characters backstory. I liked how Sirene was now a businesswoman, unfortunately they didn’t really do anything with it. We’re not talking about the scumbag reporter, she sent him out, she didn’t do anything like trying to buy Ryo’s corporation, so again wasted a good opportunity.
And Ryo Asuka makes the save! (Marv Albert voice) Yes!
She is trying to get back/kill/do something to Amon. First, she tries killing Miki, which Akira prevents but unfortunately Akira is captured by Sirene and her psychotic lust for him. Eventually Ryo, comes in to save the day with a well-timed (and well shot) assist from a sniper rifle. The rest of the OVA is a fight between Sirene and Devilman. There’s another wonderful moment when Sirene is low on energy. So, she merges with another demon named Kaim, and we find out that Kaim and Sirene are one in their goal of killing, it’s simultaneously sweet and horrifying, and it’s portrayed as sweet, which was probably for the best. The second OVA ended decently enough. Sirene doesn’t defeat Devilman and was frozen in place.
In conclusion, the first two Devilman OVAs, are forgotten gems of the OVA boom. Two excellently animated, perfectly plotted, wonderfully characterized series and shouldn’t be remembered for a bad English dub. Devilman: Crybaby, despite my ragging on the show, isn’t terrible. However, look too much into it and you’ll hate it when you finish analyzing it.
At last, the first part of the Provisional Hero License Exam is over. MY HERO ACADEMIA delivers a happy ending for the 1-A class. While the exam comes down to the wire, every student manages to come together and win. The excitement and high stakes that fuel “RUSH!” makes it an awesome watch. “RUSH!” is perhaps the most well-named episode of MY HERO ACADEMIA yet.
Much like last week, what makes this episode especially strong is teamwork. The only reason all of the students pass is because they work together. Each part of the episode focuses on a different team-up between students. This kinship and fierce loyalty is what makes the show so strong. The series is as much about the entire class as it is about Midoriya. MY HERO ACADEMIA is such a strong show that it can create strong narratives that don’t really include Midoriya. The focus on all the characters in the class makes the series a smash.
Along with the spectacular focus on the whole team, there is some great standalone development. Several of the other students get great moments of maturity and change. Kaminari’s takedown of Shishikura was great, as the character has mostly been a joke through the series. Likewise, Aoyama goes from goofy coward to brave hero, putting his passing grade on the line. Even students like Sero and Ashido get solid beats of heroism. Class 1-A is filled with cool heroes who have grown since MY HERO ACADEMIA began. “RUSH!” is an awesome showcase for just how great they are.
Along with the great focus on the 1-A students, there’s also a great focus on the other schools. Several students from Ketsubutsu and Shiketsu got recognition in “RUSH!” as well. Yo Shindo and his Ketsubutsu Academy squad were like a creepy inverse of Midoriya’s team-ups. Meanwhile, Shiketsu High School has several students who struck out on their own as antagonists. While Shishikura was taken down, both Inasa Yoarashi and Camie Utsushimi are still threats. How they will continue to plague Class 1-A will be exciting to watch.
The fact everyone from Class 1-A passed the first test is a bit surprising. However, “RUSH!” does not promise that every student will pass overall. MY HERO ACADEMIA provides a great episode where the students are strong enough to pass… for now. What the next part of the test holds for Class 1-A will surely lead to an even more intense rush.
Uncanny X-Men returns in November with a 10-part weekly story titled X-MEN DISASSEMBLED, and according to Marvel, it could very well be the X-Men’s FINAL mission!
Wait for a second, did Marvel announce a new ongoing series and then overhype the new series to the point that all the X-Men die at the end of the story? Let’s look through this press release one more time.
From Marvel – This November, UNCANNY X-MEN returns with a new ongoing series, and it all kicks off with a massive 10-part weekly story! X-MEN DISASSEMBLED brings together nearly every mutant left on earth in a story that threatens to destroy them – an epic tale of mystery and tragic disappearance, with an adventure so earth-shattering, it could very well be the X-Men’s FINAL mission!
Yeah, they did. Apparently, whoever survives the first ten issues will be part of the ongoing series. Now we have to wait and see if X-MEN DISASSEMBLED is HYPE or OVERHYPE.
This is the type of press release that comic book fans are tired of. Every story arc doesn’t need to be a massive event that changes the face of Marvel Comics. Readers want good stories drawn by good artists. Overhyping an event leads to disappointment. In my head, if five X-Men don’t die in the first ten issues, then I think X-MEN DISASSEMBLED is OVERHYPED.
The creative team on the book is impressive. The Uncanny X-Men writing team features Ed Brisson, Kelly Thompson, and Matthew Rosenberg, with art by Mahmud Asrar, R.B. Silva, Yildiray Cinar and Pere Pérez. Leinil Francis Yu is in charge of covers.
Uncanny X-Men hits your local comic book store on November 14.
Are you excited for the return of Uncanny X-Men? Comment below with your thoughts.
Baby Jedi’s, more Wedding proposals, doppelgangers, and the touch of Man-Thing all in this week’s Marvel Comics Rapid FireRecap as Dan Slott kicks off FANTASTIC FOUR #1, Peter Parker and Spider-Man are splitsville in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #3, and Matt Murdock starts to see double in DAREDEVIL#606. Let’s jump into this week’s Marvel Comics!
Almost every Marvel Comic, cliffhanger, and plot twist released the week of August 8, 2018, is going to get SPOILED ROTTEN! Turn back now, unless you’re done reading for the week OR you simply just don’t care. Too read our full reviews click on the title of each issue.
At the end of the last issue, Peter Parker was hit by the Isotope Genome Accelerator AGAIN! For reader’s that don’t know, the Isotope Genome Accelerator is how Peter became Spider-man. Well, once Pete got hit a second time, the Accelerator split him in two. One Peter is Spider-Man with all of his abilities and intelligence. The other Peter has all the memories but absolutely no spider abilities and no super intelligence.
However, as the issue ends, readers find out from Doctor Conner’s that the split can sometimes pull emotions, mannerisms, and responsibilities apart too. Meaning, the Peter with the intelligence and spider powers doesn’t have the same compassion and sense of responsibility as the other Peter. Can Spider-Man still be the same hero without his sense of duty and responsibility?
CHAMPIONS #23
The Champions simply couldn’t escape the touch of the Man-Thing. Viv and Amko went to Mbali to investigate a series of Earthquakes only to find the Man-Thing waiting with a burning desire. Viv gets touched and fried because the Man-Thing sensed fear deep inside of her. So, the rest of the Champions manage to capture the Man-Thing until he breaks loose again. A portal opens, and Nova and Wasp get sucked in, along with the Man-Thing, and lost forever. Well, at least until next issue.
After uncovering that Wilson Fisk fixed the Mayoral Election, Daredevil forms a secret team composed of McGee, Cypher, and the Reader to help track down evidence to take down Kingpin once and for all. Meanwhile, Daredevil stops Hammerhead from robbing a bank and ends the issue by stopping a barroom brawl that was started by Matt’s twin brother Mike Murdock!
They’re baaaaaack! Kind of… Ben asks Alicia to marry him and wants Johnny to be his best man, but Johnny says no. Still feeling depressed about his families absence, Johnny looks to the sky for a sign that Reed and Sue are still alive. From across the multiverse, Reed sends a huge, blue four across the sky for the entire world to see. And if that wasn’t enough, Doom is back too! Victor’s face is re-scarred, he’s angry, and Doom is ready to take back Latveria.
Miles fights Morbius on his birthday and remembers one of the first times he tried to be a hero and failed. He remembers going to a show when some Skrulls attacked. Miles put on a hoodie and was able to use his abilities to stop the Skrulls. However, his friend Brent died. Since then, Miles began to realize that he’s never going to be an Avenge but he’ll never quit, never give up, and will always do what’s right. Just like Peter Parker, Miles Morales understands responsibility.
Darth Vader tracks down Eeth Koth who was a Jedi once upon a time before he went into hiding as a priest. Why? Well, Vader’s mission has been to track down every last Jedi across the galaxy and slaughter them all. However, when the Sith Lord arrives, he finds Koth and his newborn baby girl.
Koth and Vader fight while the baby and its mother tried to flee. As the two make it to their escape vessel, they are met by the Inquisitors who take the baby alive. The issue concludes with Darth Vader impaling Eeth Koth from behind as he notices the Inquisitors have his baby.
Well, that’s a wrap for this week. What books did you enjoy this week? Comment below or hit me up on Twitter @dispatchdcu. If you would like to read more of my reviews, click HERE!
Spike Lee spoke at the New York and LA premiere of BLACKkKLANSMAN this week, check out what he had to say.
About the film:
From visionary filmmaker, Spike Lee comes the incredible true story of an American hero. It’s the early 1970s, and Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) is the first African-American detective to serve in the Colorado Springs Police Department. Determined to make a name for himself, Stallworth bravely sets out on a dangerous mission: infiltrate and expose the Ku Klux Klan. The young detective soon recruits a more seasoned colleague, Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), into the undercover investigation of a lifetime. Together, they team up to take down the extremist hate group as the organization aims to sanitize its violent rhetoric to appeal to the mainstream.
Amazon Studios dropped the teaser to season two of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Thursday night.
The mad divorcee of the Upper West Side is back!
The Golden Globe-winning and Emmy-nominated series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, returns for another season with Golden Globe winner Rachel Brosnahan as Midge Maisel, Golden Globe winner and three-time Emmy winner Tony Shalhoub as Midge’s father Abe Weissman, Alex Borstein as Susie Myerson, Michael Zegen as Midge’s husband Joel Maisel, Marin Hinkle as Midge’s mother Rose Weissman.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is written and executive produced by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino.
The second season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel will premiere later this year on Amazon Prime Video.
SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE, Dungeons and Dragons, and a multiversal Speedsters Reunion all in this week’s DC Comics Rapid Fire Recap as Batman battles Jason Todd in RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #25, someone finds the Strength Force in FLASH #52, and Robert Venditti ends his 50 issue run on HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS.
Almost all DC Comics, cliffhangers, and plot twists released the week of August 8, 2018, are going to get SPOILED ROTTEN! Turn back now, unless you’re done reading for the week OR you simply just don’t care. Too read our full reviews click on the title of each issue.
FROM THE WEEK OF AUGUST 8, 2018
CATWOMAN #2
Selena confusingly fights a dozen or more of her copycats and figures out that they were all hired by Governor Creel. Why? Well, that’s what Selena wants to find out. Meanwhile, the Governor resigns during a breaking news conference because he has developed Stage 2 Prostate Cancer. So, is the Governor really up to something fishy? It turns out that the Governor’s wife and kids appear to be the ones up to something shady. The issue ends with Selena going to a club and meeting with Raymond Creel, the Governor’s sons. What’s this kitty cat up to now?
Batman and Orphan head in to stop Karma before he blows up all the kids he kidnapped. While Orphan tries to disarm the bomb and save the kids, Batman takes on Karma and fails miserably due to his mind reading abilities. Realizing she has no freakin’ idea how to disarm the explosive, Black Lightning jumps in and holds off the explosion just long enough for Batman, Orphan, and the kids to all escape safe and sound. The issue ends with Bruce giving Barbara an earful for disobeying Jefferson, and the new Bat team appears to be looking “outside” for some more help with Katana.
Flash conducts a meeting at the House of Heroes with the other Speedsters across the multiverse to explain to them that he broke the Speed Force Barrier, his multiverses Source Wall is broken, and two other Forces have been discovered in his universe. However, none of the other Speedsters have encountered any of these ”force” issues before.
Later, Barry heads back to his multiverse and stops the Para-Angels from kidnapping Trickster for Warden Wolfe. Commander Cold pops in to help out, manages to freeze the Para-Angles, but forgets about Trickster as he escapes. The issue ends with Commander Cold and Flash finding the Trickster with Strength Force abilities!
Hal continues to fight Tomar-Tu into a stalemate while outside in space, John tries to hold off Zod from killing all the Darkstars where they stand. Using his willpower, Hal Jordan channels everything he has into the Darkstar’s central power battery and somehow overrides their programming tearing the Darkstar suits apart and magically showing them the error in their ways.
Zod flies in at the end to kill Tomar-Tu and get his vengeance for his father Tomar-Re letting Krypton explode. However, Tomar-Tu kills himself before Zod could act. The issue ends with John sending out hundreds of new Green Lantern rings while Hal leaves to find Carol Ferris to give her a big smoosh.
HAWKMAN #3
Hawkman heads to Dinosaur Island with his Hawk-headed scepter and mace in search of the answers to the mysteries that make up his past lives and the visions of the great cataclysmic event to come. He battles a T-Rex and what appears to be at least 100 Avian Humanoids named Feitherans who have guarded the ancient secrets of the Hawkman for generations.
After hours of fighting, Hawkman finds an alien planetarium showing constellations of seven brothers and seven sisters. However, the issue ends with our hero being transported through time to Thanagar and confronted by Katar Hol who happens to be a past version of himself!
The Outlaws’ secret, floating, hideout above Gotham City is coming down, and the one person smart enough to help is back to being an idiot again. So, without smart Bizarro, Jason and Artemis have to come up with an idea to stop this city from killing over 12,000 people. Lucky for Red Hood, Bizarro opens up a quantum door and saves the day. The super-sized Superman clone manages to get the floating base sucked through the door before it crashes.
Jason manages to jump to safety only to get his butt kicked by Batman. However, today seems to be Red Hood’s lucky day. Why? Well, before Batman can take Jason away and lock him up for killing Penguin, Arsenal jumps in to help out. I can’t wait for the next issue to see what happens!
Derek’s mother died after she found some files at her work that showed her son as Sideways. The implication is that Derek’s mom got too close to the truth and was murdered. So, Derek started working on a plan to find his mother’s killer. However, Sideways got into a little bit of a fight and accidentally showed his powers to the student body.
Luckily for Derek, the Seven Soldiers show up and stop time. So, Zatanna offers a deal. If Sideways helps them rescue their friend, Zatanna will remove the memories of the events that happened at his school.
SUPERGIRL #21
Supergirl wants to find out who is truly responsible for destroying Krypton. Kara knows Rogol Zaar couldn’t have acted alone. So, Kara heads to Coast City to find Hal Jordan. She hopes that his Green Lantern ring can scan Zaar’s ax and figure out its origin. Well, as Hal scans the ax, some little alien named Hakmon intercepted the rings signal.
Hakmon tells his master that Supergirl and the Green Lanterns were looking into Rogol Zaar. Meanwhile, Kara and Krypto head off to Mogo for more answers. Why? Well, Hal’s ring told him that the information about the ax was classified. So, Kara’s going to look into it herself.
Planet Earth has been sucked into the Phantom Zone, and even the Justice League isn’t reacting well to the Zone’s effects. Batman and the Flash both appear to somehow be out of commission. And, only time will tell until Superman loses his abilities without being in direct proximity to a yellow sun.
In addition to this madness, Rogol Zaar is also stuck in the Phantom Zone. He appears to be fully powered after slaughtering the Nuclear Man from SUPERMAN 4: THE QUEST FOR PEACE with ease! How will Superman get Earth out of this one and how did the entire planet get stuck in there, to begin with?
TITANS #24
A Dark Matter Universal Source Wall Energy threat emerged inside an old man’s brain! Well, this old man was once a writer for a Dungeons and Dragons series of stories called UNEARTH. So, the Dark Matter threat recreated the old man’s entire fictional universe making it real.
The Titans hold off the invasion from the fictional world while Miss Martian and Raven telepathically disconnect the link between the two worlds. However, after cutting the link, Prince Travesty, ruler of Unearth, posed as Raven and trapped her on Unearth. How are the Titans going to get Raven back?
Wonder Woman, Artemis, and the new Aztek head to Tezcatlipoca to free Atalanta whose been trapped in the Tezcatlipocan labyrinth for “many Solstices.” After making their way through the ancient maze, Diana, Artemis, and Aztek free Atalanta but also release the Shadow God’s Soldiers into the world. So, it’s up to Diana and her crew to stop the ancient menacing threat they released.T
hat’s a wrap for this week’s DC Comics Rapid Fire Recap. What books did you enjoy this week? Comment below or hit me up on Twitter @dispatchdcu. If you would like to read more of my reviews, click HERE!
