Laid Back Comics Watches Justice League: Flashpoint Paradox

It is hard to believe it has been almost three years since the New 52 has come into the DC World starting at the very end of Flashpoint mini-series. I can still remember hanging out at my comic shop ready to pick up the final issue.  And in that short time, the mini-series has not transformed into an animated feature. This is one of the quickest turn around for an animated project of DC, and one that even though mentions in the title of Justice League, this is a Flash mystery movie.

One of the biggest tricks of taking something like the Mini-series Flashpoint and turning it into a movie is trying to fit in all of the story threads. There were several mini-series and side stories that tried to fully explore the world that Flashpoint was. In movie form it could only handle small doses of it, it give a background to the changed events that are leading up to the war currently being fought and short side pieces, but that is far as it can go story wise before dragging on for too long. The main story is with Flash and this worlds Batman, Barry having to re-connect with the speed force and the hopes of going back and changing all that has happened to the world around him.

The world of Flashpoint is a brutal in animation as in comics, while the impending war that is waging between Amazons and Atlantans is shown to be ready to destroy it, there is a lack of urgency with the story and characters as it speeds closer to the conclusion. By no means is the movie slow in any fashion, which Flash being title character would be ironic, but because of the quickness for the 80 minutes we get, characters and stories are quickly introduced and not too much longer quickly ended.  That has always been a major downfall of the direct to DVD movies DC has made, more often the time is cut so the story suffers from it. Here that same can be said as we didn't know the world as we knew it. And the mystery of who changed time is well laid out so when the reveal hits you sit and nod your head with the movie and saying, “Yeah got it.”

This is also something of a comics fan movie, anyone who may pick this up out of curiously might, no wait change that will be confused by the sudden motivations and characterization changes between timelines. But, a nice touch that is they animators threw in some cameos from Young Justice Show that was a treat to see.

There is also a big change to the animation style with this movie, a much broader and exaggerated look to

many of the characters, massive muscles to the super strong. The look is not one that many would say is pleasing to the eye, it is a distraction at times. But, there may been a reason for some, as Superman first seen (As pictured to the right) is compete opposite from the Flashpoint version it is staggering and standing next to Cyborg and Batman he seems so frail. Showing the world is harsh to even the most super of heroes. One must also bring up the CGI Flash that shows up every so often making it very noticeable at times. But, the action, the chase of Flash and Professor Zoom go through in the final battle makes up for it. The sense of speed and the way they flow back and forth though the shots is amazing to watch.

And of course I must finish on the voice work, which always a stand out on these movies and here they work out wonderfully. And while it may be sad to know Kevin Conroy only has a few lines as Batman to be replaced by his father Kevin McKidd, who brought the weathered Thomas Wayne to the screen and stole a few scenes. For the Flash Justin Chambers did a good job, but in key scenes his voice sounded more forced than I am sure he would have liked. Though he is welcome to be The Flash again at any time. I also think it is fantastic the Daily family is now passing down voice work for Superman and Sam Daily is a excellent addition to the cast.

In the end, this was a solid movie put together with only a few bumps along the way in the story and animation. This of course is the first in a two part story as the end reveals that the second pass through time changed a few more things, much in the same way the first one did. As the next movie Justice League: War is a direct sequel to this movie in the same way when Flashpoint ended the New 52 began.

OVERALL: 7.5 out of 10

Justice League: Flashpoint Paradox is available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and Digitally now.

Bryan "BAC" Clendening writes for The Broken Infinite. Follow him on Twitter @BAClend

Laid Back Comics: Green Lantern #20

Turn back the clock nine years ago, you walk into a comic shop and see an issue with a pretty simple title, Green Lantern: Rebirth.  A story that brings Hal Jordan back to life and takes center stage again for the Green Lantern mythos, the writer of this Book Geoff Johns has taken his first steps to revamping not only the character of Hal Jordan but everything we knew about Green Lantern. Now with the latest issue out, it comes to a close an end, not with a whimper but a bang.

John pulls few punches as this issue not only wraps up his run on the series but also on the Story-line “Wrath of the First Lantern”,  a long story arc that brought all of the Lantern books facing off with a reality changing villain. It showed some highs and lows as the story progressed but ended hitting every beat a conclusion like this should. This brought in a lot of the elements that Johns has added over the years, the different Crops adding on, Nekkron of Blackest Night appearing as well as the entity Parallax which was the first item Johns added to the Green Lantern books which is safe to say a perfect note to end on.

The issue in of itself wasn't a perfect issue sadly; the story did seem to move at a break neck pace with one event happening right after the other leaving some holes that really needed to be filled. Some could say that mirrors the last few stories of Green Lantern and if you title your head it works in a almost madding way. In a way that your mind trying to point out some of the flaws but once you finish the book you can’t help feel like you have enjoy yourself in some way. It also goes on to say that this isn't really an end, characters are set to go on different ventures throughout the galaxy. This is only a chapter in the stories of them and it left with more excitement to see where they might lead. 

The one small down sided to it though may be that while certain items were removed from the book, some things were added back in which feel like trying to re-shift the book backwards instead of forwards. While I feel this time was something that was the right thing to do, it does seem to retread ground we have seen once before and limits possible futures.

The Art Team on this was just amazing, and I do mean TEAM, yes Doug Manke has been the main penciller here, he is added by Christian Alamy, Keith Champagne, Mac Deering, Mark Irwun, Wade Von Grawbader, Tom Nguyen, Not to metion Patrick Gleason, Cully Hamner, Arron Kuder, Jerry Ordway, and Ivan Reis. On I am not done yet as there was also Ethan Van Sciver, Alec Sinclair, And Tony Avina.

Not done just yet as we continue with the Colorist Alex Sinclair and Tony Avina, and last by very not the least Dave Sharpe as the letter for the issue. It might seem like a long way to pad out a review to add every single name that seemed to work on the book, but they all deserved it and deserve to be mentioned and not passed over as, the artist and left at that. If I could add applause to a column I would.

In the end this was a enjoyable end to a long running work Geoff Johns has been working on, going out with a bang has never been so appropriate here. Here is hoping for the same for those talented people coming on the books now.

OVERALL: 9.0 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening Writes for Broken Infinite, follow him on Twitter @BAClend

Laid Back Comics: All-Star Western #19 Guest Staring Booster Gold

There is one thing to say about this, Jimmy Palmiotti is a man on a mission with All Star Western. When the gate-fold “WTF” covers were first announced he kick up the gears and started promotion the book to anyone and everyone he could. Why? The answer was simple, the guest star that would be joining the book of course.  A certain time traveling hero by the name Booster Gold, who hasn't been seen since Justice League International book. This was a twist to be sure.

All Star Western is honestly best be described as a cult book, the best book you may not be reading, and many others. It is mainly because while it may have be a book placed in the same DC Universe it stayed in its own corner because it took place in the past, with little connections to the bat books. Here though is a full injection to the rest of Universe as Booster now thrown into the mix. The book itself is broken down into four different sections, the meeting, the villains, Boosters arrival, and the back up Stormwatch. With the first two sections of the book flows very naturally it only feels like it trips a little when we get to the area where Booster first appears as it was a sudden shift with very little lead in.

That is not to say the story placed by Palmiotti and Grey where Jonah Hex meeting the time traveler who now sudden wearing a sheriffs badge isn't still a good read. Hex calling Booster out on his tough guy act and pretty much giving him an idea that this world he has entered is not some polished western, where violent gangs will do horrible acts just for some possible cash is done and you need a bigger bad gang to catch them. And now he has a bit of a comic foil to follow him around which has been a small staple of the series. Gray and Palmitotti though aren't pushing a pure comedy though and as much as I would love to see the Booster of the old JLI days working with this cowboy, we are seeing the slightly more serious side. It shows in how they write him and what he wants to do to criminals as to what Hex will do as well.

There has to be a lot of credit on how much one enjoys the issue thanks to Moritat on art, but also colorist Andre Szymanowicz who did something sublet with Booster as with everyone else. The world is slightly dark and at times dirty like the old west should be, but Booster comes off bright and colorful at times, he stands out and as a man from the future it makes sense. He still ‘clean’ as opposed to Hex and the world he lives in. It is this little touch that gives this book something a little more special than a small guest star.

The other item this book has been doing lately are these small backups of other western heroes and villains. Here is a story of Gun Fighter coming to the rescue of a convoy of women from raiders and werewolves. With that running around it is no wonder Hex wasn’t fazed by a time traveler.

Overall All Star Western is a great book that doesn’t get the newsworthy notes that it should. If you’re a fan of Hex or Booster than this is a perfect time to pick up this issue and the issues that follow.

OVERALL 8.5 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening writes for Broken Infinite, follow him on Twitter @BAClend

Laid Back Comics: Batman Inc. #8

To say that below my following review will be full of spoilers is pretty redundant at this point seeing as we got the new from the New York post about the big moment in it. We will get to that a little bit later as there is a good amount of story that happened as well.

Batman Inc. has seemed like a slow beast getting to this point of the Leviathan Story line but we are soon getting to the end and here is one of the, if not the darkest chapter in it. Do not be fooled by the title of the series, this is a straight Damian story from start to finish. While the rest of the Batman Inc group is struggling to fight their way to get to Batman, currently trapped, it is Robin who comes flying in to suddenly even the odds, taking the fight straight to the tower. And while this is going on, it shows how far Damian Wayne has gone as a character in the books. He might have first shown up and pushed the idea he was ‘the proper’ person to become Batman and take control of his legacy, here it is more about wanting to save his father and call off his mother in her actions.

The best scene in the whole Book is when Nightwing and Robin get to work together again even for the briefest of moments. They lay down the feelings on how much they meant to one another. It is a wonderful written scene harking back to the period of time Nightwing was Batman. Times almost forgotten now save for Morrison who wrote it. It also has this wonder action quality to it all with them sitting and talking this out while hail of gunfire is upon them, before moving out with smoke bombs and classic 60’s style fight sound affects right out of Adam West show.  But, with the knowledge we knew going into this, it was bitter sweet as we knew what would be coming very soon.

Everything this issue had leaded up to was Damian fighting against his much larger self, The Heretic. And it is a brutal one at that. It was more than really just a drawn out fight, this move was enough of a distraction for the group to grab what Heretic was holding and stop Talia if only for a brief moment. And Damian went down swinging and insulting his mother’s followers. And hopefully in this last effort try and convince her to stop this brutal fighting between this and his father, though that may have cost him his life in doing so.

The art work put forth by Chris Burnham in these last few pages is what sells this as not just some would be comic stunt, but a genuine moment in the history of Batman. Yet another tragedy in an already tragedy filled world of Bruce Wayne. And while the cynics of the world may have this off as another Robin dying, we soon forget this was a blood relative of Bruce, and the last time he lost one of these was when his parents died on that night in Crime Alley.

While the artwork though out by Burnham was all around wonderful, there is a credit to Jason Master who did a few pages as well. And while there is a moment where he tries to use the same style, it is slightly noticeable in the two change overs. It isn’t bad art work in any shape, but if you are flipping through it would be little jarring.

The whole series and death is very sad, Damian when introduced was an unlikeable character at first, but the more he was used and groomed under Alfred, Dick, and then later Bruce he was a fresh voice to the Batman Family, he was accepted as well by the fans slowly. So for him to be ‘gone’ is a sad one even it was planned for a while. Will he stay; well I don’t want to be one of the few who says it will only be a matter of time before his return happens. But, never can really say in the world of comics anymore. Though if this is the finale story of this Robin, then it would be a fitting one.

-TT-

OVERALL 8.5 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening

Twitter: BAClend

Laid Back Comics: Green Arrow #17

Green Arrow’s recent title in the New 52 has been meeting with pretty much lack luster on almost all accounts. Things were not working be it in the story or the characters and things looked bleak for the Emerald Archer. This is ironic considering his first live action debut has been meeting with recent success. But, seems the fans weren't the only one to notice this as writer Jeff Lemire takes the task of trying to shoot new energy into the title at hand.

The question how he would go about this was one in the forethought on my mind. We have seen Green Arrow deal with some challenges but nothing that really stood out for the character. So instead of just continuing of the normal, we get the start of a complete stripping down of the character. Not only the stripping of Ollie’s money and company. Many items and characters first introduced when the book debuted have been removed, at times violently.

While Lemire was stripping down the character what is impressive is that he is also trying to build something more. Hidden forces conspire against Ollie, the force responsible for the actions leading up to this. That he may not have had the chance to reach his full potential on the island he was lost on. It is a fascinating look into the system where Lemire is using the books current continuity and giving a reason behind it, while with moving the story in a new direction and in the eyes of a lot of readers trying to correct it. The question of is it working or not still won’t be answered until much further down the line of the book. But, I can no longer call it a Batman with arrows as I once did. It is completely different.

Even the art work put together by Andrea Sorrentino is a reflection of the changes the books is going through and will be going through. Inside at certain moments colors were removed save for the color green for obvious reasons, or at times just black and white. These are things you often get drawn to it, something is happening right there that is important. Times it might be something small and other very big and crucial to the story.

The end of the issue might have removed nearly all of the items from the previous arcs, it still introduces some new characters a ‘dark archer’ and a man eyes were gone only to have ‘x’ where they were. And the reveal like mentioned that Ollie had left the island too soon. There does feel like there is more life in this book than before, a new beginning to a struggling title. We can very well see people coming back to this title more. This also well get those wondering, are there other titles that could benefit from such a drastic storytelling method. A complete overall from the ground up? If this new Green Arrow continues to do as well as this issue that could be our answer.

OVERALL 8.0/10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening is a comic book reviewer and sometimes video producer, you can follow him on Twitter Here.

Laid Back Comics: Aquaman #16

The latest issue of Aquaman is the semi-finale to the ongoing story of “Throne of Atlantis” and actually gives us more than just hero vs. hero that had been the issue of Justice League before this one. Here the main plot and sub plots were divided up in a way that it didn't hinder the overall story at all.

The main section deals with Aquaman and Batman trying to escape their James Bond like death trap they were put into before, getting shot into the Mid-Atlantic trench.  Where the Trench creatures once sealed up had been freed and now on the loose. It is practically to note that while in the last issues the seems to be a major buildup of perhaps dis-trust between Batman and some of the other league member, most notable Superman and Wonder Woman. Here Batman and Aquaman are bit closer than one would guess, both in a way apologizing for their recent actions and what has led to the current situation of Ocean Master invasion even worse.  It is a quiet moment between the mystery and action that surrounds the rest of the book.

On the other side of the world this series though being mainly about Aquaman, we are finally seeing Cyborg be more than the just a background character it seems. That is really been the hidden strength of this series I hope isn't over looked by the readers. In the issues Cyborg has stepped up and made sever critical decisions that have helped against the invasion, adding in new members to slow down Ocean Master. And also sacrificing a bit more of his natural body he has left to go out and rescue the rest of the team at the most critical time. It took a bit longer than many of us would have liked, but to see Cyborg becoming more of an active role, which will only help the book and character in the future.

Also, we are getting our first look at a possible bigger roster of Justice League members, though this could easily turn into a one-time deal. But even as a one-time deal the fact they pulling in several other characters felt like there is a connected to the DCU now. Outside of Green Arrow the League felt very off on its own.  This of course also gives several more hints and teaser on certain characters not getting the okay to join and then moved over to the new JLA title. There is also a small ‘Atom’ that so far has still gone unnamed. Also it is nice to see Vixen has recovered from getting a little blown up in the Justice League International title.

This all leads to the end and twist as we find the answers to who really wanted to start this war, which honestly we should have guessed by now, but it still came as a nice little surprise but that could end up just being a massive revenge plot behind it.

The art here is just so clean and fresh, adding Paul Pelletier to the book has been a real treat, he able to lead a great deal of subtle expressions to the characters, like the sadness when Cyborg’s father has to place his mind dormant for the operation and the fear on Aquaman when it seemed like Batman might be killed by The Trench.

Overall this was another good chapter in an overall very good story-line running through both of the books. The conclusion of the story in Justice league #17 will no doubt set the stages for the future of this team, but also that of Justice League of America as well.

SCORE: 8/10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening is a comic reviewer and sometimes video producer. You can follow him on Twitter at his handle @BAClend

NYCC Comic News: A New Kind of Justice League of America

  There has been so many different things coming out of NYCC but this certainly makes one of the best announcements. As recently reported here on BI, Evan Van Schiver will be taking over as artist on Batman: The Dark Knight as of issue #16. Which left us a question of  ... where is artist David Finch going?

  And we go our answer to that all right. Finch will join Geoff Johns for the launch of the brand new Justice League of America title. The new title will join Threshold and the upcoming Superman title by Scott Synder and Jim Lee come next year. This new JLA will be spinning off the events that have transpired during the first year of Justice League, also written by Johns.

   The first inkling of this happened in this months Justice League #13 where we saw Steve Trevor meet up with Green Arrow again for a different kind of mission, as they will operate for Trevor and A. R.G.U.S. Johns quoted to Newsrama that the new JLA title:

"The book is going to have a tone that is JSA[and] the original Ostrander Suicide Squad, which was very character driven and...utilized characters we don’t necessarily see together a lot," Johns said of the new book. "Those are the two biggest influences on where the book is going."


   The new Justice League of America will definitely utilize an interesting cast as it features: Green Arrow, Hawkman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern Baz, Stargirl, Kitana, Vibe and Catwoman. Johns also promised that this group will definitely feel very different from any other incarnation of the League. Stargirl, according to Johns, will be the heart of this team much like she was on his run on JSA. Meanwhile, Catwoman's reasons for joining are personal and deals directly with Steve Trevor and something she wants while Johns stated that this title will set up Martian Manhunter as the most dangerous man on the planet.

Look for the new Justice League of America #1 by Geoff Johns and artist David Finch to hit shelves early in 2013. 

Blue Beetle, Grifter, Frankenstein and Legion Lost Join the Pit of Cancellations

    Yep. DC does it again. With their low selling performances, Legion Lost, Frankenstein  Blue Beetle and Grifter will all be cancelled as of their #17th issues. This titles, added to the other previous cancelled books that include Voodoo, Static Shock, Mr Terrific, Blackhawks,OMAC, JLI, Men at War, Hawk & Dove, the recently started GI Combat, Resurrection Man and  Captain Atom. That makes 15 titles, over 1/4th of the new 52 has been cancelled.

   While the announced new Superman title by Snyder & Lee plus Justice League of America do bring in some hope ..., that doesn't change the fact that DC is getting very used to chopping off titles.

  According to CBR though, not all the cancellation were part of the 4 lowest selling books:

Fro example, two of the cancelled books – "Grifter" and "Blue Beetle" – are definitely the lowest-selling books in the New 52 line that haven't been announced for cancellation already, so their end comes as no surprise. However, "Firestorm: The Nuclear Men" is next in lowest sales before "Frankenstein," and a number of other titles like "Hawkman," "I, Vampire" and "DC Universe Presents" mix in before "Legion Lost." Meanwhile, the next lowest series up are "Deathstroke" and "Demon Knights."


    The final issues of these books will hit stores this February. And maybe it is time to have Grifter & Voodoo on a new incarnation of WildCATS .... I'm just saying.

NYCC Comic News: Paul Pelletiers Returns to DC in the Seas of AQUAMAN

  With Ivan Reis moving over to replace Jim Lee on Justice League while Jim Lee moves to a new Superman title, many fans were wondering about the fate of the currently high selling Aquaman title being written by COO Geoff Johns. Who will now ride the waves of Arthur Curry? Former Marvel artist Paul Pelletier returns to DC to take over art chores on Aquaman starting with issue #15.

  And Pelletier hits the ground running as his first issue is part of the crossover with Justice League entitled, "The Throne of Atlantis" which will deal with the mysteries that have been hinted at since issue #1. Pelletier discussed with CBR as to why he came back and why he wanted to work with Geoff Johns.

"It wasn't anything against Marvel. I was having a great time at Marvel," the artist explained. "But I've said before the Geoff Johns and I have been ships passing in the night pretty much in the past. We've never had the chance to work together, so when this opportunity popped up, it was something I felt I had to put my foot down and go 'I want to work with Geoff.' This is my opportunity to do that, and I liked the idea of having a regular monthly assignment too. I had a blast with Marvel, but a lot of the stuff I was doing was hunting around for which project I was going to work on next. With 'Aquaman,' I'll be working on the book for a while, and that'll be very cool. But the main thing was the chance to work with Geoff . . .The biggest challenge is that since I'm just coming on the book, I'm getting thrown into the fire. Before I get a chance to really nail everything down and get comfortable with Aquaman, Mera and the other supporting cast, I'm also going to have the Justice League thrown in too. The period of adjustment is going to be pretty short. The most difficult thing will be doing justice -- no pun intended -- to the Justice League while really focusing on getting comfortable with Aquaman and his characters."

Pelletier debuts on Aquaman #15.

Opinion Piece: Injustice Gods Among Us

Special thanks to Steven Albano of Under Polaris for suggesting to write this article.

These are my opinions (and mine alone) of Injustice: Gods Among Us. With the game getting more and more reveals as we head closer to it's release next year, it seems a good as time as any to talk about what's been going on with this game.

From what I've seen in trailers, the latest being the Green Arrow reveal trailer, the game seems to harken back to Mortal Kombat 3 with it's faster, longer combos. Almost like a mix of the new Mortal Kombat with Mortal Kombat 3. If Netherrealm can find a way to make the game so it can use the faster pace of 3 but with the thought out and not as twitchy button presses as the new one this can be an extremely fun game. One thing I'm a bit concerned about however, are what appears to look like danger zones like Dead Or Alive where characters can be knocked or grappled or into environmental hazards for bonus damage. While it can be fun, I personally feel it takes away from competitive play, for instead of knowing what combos to use and when to block you might just lose someone who was just able to knock you onto a car. That isn't to say I don't see an argument where it can be competitive. You can say knowing how to keep an opponent in a certain spot and making sure you're able to go where you want to go and make sure you can't be taken where you don't want to go is a new layer of strategy. I just hope there is an option to turn those off, and that we don't see too much of it in tournaments, if this game gets picked up by major tournaments.

The character roster in this game is something else I want to look at. I believe not every character has been announced yet. So far we have:
Batman
Catwoman
Cyborg
Flash 
Green Arrow 
Green Lantern
Harley Quinn
Joker
Nightwing
Solomon Grundy
Superman
Wonder Woman 

Seeing that list I really hope this game doesn't turn out to be "Batman The Fighting Game: Featuring a couple other people" as I noticed most of the characters are mostly Batman's enemies and allies. But, again that fear of mine is probably unfounded as it's possible the Batman characters were just announced first due to their popularity and we'll see some of the rogue's galleries for the other heroes make it in the game. I'm pretty certain we'll see all the members of the Justice League make it to the game, even Aquaman. Now, here's where I make an Aquaman joke but I really don't feel I can right now since the comics are actually good right now. Seriously, I'm not kidding. Go ahead, read those you might be pleasantly surprised. Anyway, moving on, the roster still looks solid even with the current majority being Batman characters. It's great to see Green Arrow and Cyborg be in a fighting game. Solomon Grundy is a great addition and mainstays Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern are of course welcome.

Who came up with that suit for GL? 

Now on to the look of the game. The game definitely remembers to keep the feel of the comic book characters alive. For the most part (re: Green Lantern's suit) every character has most, if not all, of their iconic designs so you'll know they are what the game says they are. Though in some parts, especially in the promotional artwork, it seems that they've added the color schemes from every modern game into the game's visual style. Now, for your information I'll give you the list of the color scheme of every modern game right now:
brown
and sometimes gray

The colors of each character is never taken away but the browns do wash them out however, and I wish they'd take some of that away and let the other colors shine through even more. I know this is a modern 3d fighting game, but it's a modern 3d fighting game based off of comic book characters and these comic book characters are colorful.

Lastly, who designed Green Lantern's suit? Seriously? It looks like a suit that would be in a Joel Schumacher Green Lantern movie. What I'm getting at is the abs, why would the suit have abs? Or is that just his muscles showing through the suit? Also that looks to much like a jock strap on his pelvis, that... area... just doesn't look right. I also don't like the green lines on his legs that I'm assuming are lines made from his power. They seem out of place when looking at the rest of the suit.

My final thoughts on the game however, are that I'm looking forward to this game. Despite my over critical eye when talking about this game I actually do think this will be really fun. I'm just not overly excited right now. If I see good things with the roster and I see hands on gameplay I can go from just looking forward to it, to being very excited.

That's it for this article, if you want to follow me on twitter and suggest more articles or want to know what I think of things follow me at @ikariradio

Also listen to my podcast the Ikaricast where we talk about comics, anime, manga, technology, and video games. We even interview people, why our latest episode as of this article we interviewed a comic book creator. So check it out and subscribe on iTunes.

Exclusive Comic News: The New Action Comics Creative Team!

 Some big news was just released from DC's Office. So the following is the blog from DC's own blog, The Source, that tells us who will be the new creative team of Action Comics after Grant Morrison leaves:

2013 is shaping up to be a big year for Superman.

Next spring, ACTION COMICS will come to you from an all-new creative team. Beginning with issue #18, writer Andy Diggle (THE LOSERS; GREEN ARROW: YEAR ONE) and artist Tony Daniel (DETECTIVE COMICS; JUSTICE LEAGUE) will be bringing you the Man of Steel’s adventures in the acclaimed series.

“I’ve always had a positive experience working with DC Comics, and it’s amazing to be welcomed back into the fold in such fine style,” Diggle told THE SOURCE. “Even in an industry dominated by superheroes, Superman is THE superhero – the original and best - and I’m flattered, daunted and inspired in equal measure at being given the opportunity to build on such an incredible and historic legacy. The word ‘iconic’ is bandied around a lot in comics, but Superman defines the term. I’m excited to be working with Tony Daniel, whose artistic and storytelling skills will be bringing the world(s) of Superman to stunning visual life. Together we’ll be carving out spectacular new adventures that respect the past while redefining the future of the Man of Steel.”

“First, let me say that I am really excited to be working with Andy Diggle on ACTION COMICS,” continued Daniel. “Superman is a character I've wanted to work on for quite a while now and I'm now very fortunate to be given this tremendous opportunity to work with such an iconic character. I look forward to drawing each and every character in Superman's universe. I anticipate this being a fun ride for me and hopefully for Superman fans as well. I can't wait to get Andy's first script and sharpening my pencils! Thank you everyone for your support of my work on BATMAN and DETECTIVE COMICS over the years. I already miss the Dark Knight, but I look forward to starting anew with the Man of Steel in ACTION COMICS. I hope to see you all in Metropolis!”

ACTION COMICS #18 will land in stores this coming March. Stay tuned to THE SOURCE for more sneak peeks at the title, but in the meantime, take an exclusive first look below at Daniel’s promo art for ACTION COMICS.

Tony Daniel to Leave Detective Comics

  The writer/artist of the premiere Bat book will be leaving the book as of September's #0 issue. The book will take a look back at an interesting point in his life. Daniel has been confirmed to be only doing art chores for the zero issue while Batman:The Dark Knight writer, Gregg Hurwitz, will be writing the issue.

“It's been a long and adventurous journey for me, but there are other projects in the pipeline that I've been itching to do and I felt the need to scratch the itch,” posted Daniel.

“Next week DC will reveal some information on what one of the projects is I'm involved with. Then I'm gearing up for something I've wanted to do for a while in early 2013, a project where I hope to grow even more as an artist and a professional. It is top secret, and probably won't be revealed until the fall. I want to thank all my friends, family and fans for supporting me through these crazy last few years. Onward and Upward!”


  The September #0 issue of Detective Comics from Tony Daniel & Gregg Hurwitz.

Not A Word In Edge-wise: Superman Vs The Elite

What happens when two people happen to want to do the same thing here on Broken Infinite? WE COLLABORATE!!! So, Me and Caleb have our separate views lined up with a discussion to follow.


Mike's Review: Superman Vs. The Elite asks some pretty intriguing questions to Superman. Is he the hero that today needs? Or wants? Are any of his values still resonate with modern society? These are great questions and they are fairly well answered in the film whilst leaving enough room for discussion for the viewer. The voice work, as been the case with most of DC's DTV movies, is solid stuff all around. Everyone sounds great and in character. The action is fast and snappy but not the main focus as has been the case in other DC movies. Plenty of time is spent on presenting this ideological conflict towards Superman. Bottom Line: Another fine addition to DC's film series. I'd dare say it is to Superman what the Red Hood movie was for Batman.

Caleb's Rewiew:

Before Justice League: Doom, I was ready to throw the DCUA team under the bus. Each of their films were direct adaptations with nothing really new to add to the work. After Justice League: Doom, I was so happy to be singing the praises of DCUA again, something I hadn't really done since New Frontier, and even that wasn't quite to the level of the praises I sung for Doom. Superman vs The Elite continues this trend, even if it takes the smallest of steps back towards the end of the movie. I think my ability to like this film is attached pretty prominently to my own philosophies and ideaologies, which may or may not be the case for all people. I think if you can let go some of those, or at least look past them, you'll find a very enjoyable film that's at the quality these DCUA films have been at animation and sound wise, but also at a story telling point too. 

Now, advance warning, while our reviews above don't delve into spoilers, our discussion does. You have been warned. 

 Caleb: So, what did you think of the movie to start off with?

 Michael Flinn: I thought it was pretty good. I'm coming from a position of not having read the source material so I can only judge the film on itself. I thought that it asked some interesting questions to Superman and while I did find his final response a little out of character at first, the end result was satisfying. Also, Black Manchester was the only one of The Elite of interest. The rest felt poorly done and just there as things for Superman to punch.

Caleb: Fair warning though, I must say that What's So Funny is my least favourite Superman comic ever. Superman vs The Elite, I actually really liked on the otherhand. That is, up until the final showdown.

 I think the Final Showdown still acts out of character to such a horrific degree to make the entire point Superman was making just as much against to him as it was to the Elite too. We don't like seeing our Police Officers kill people, but we're also not fans of excessive force. Superman, most definitely, gave excessive force. What's worse, is that the film almost seemed to be leading up to no showdown. I was wholey expecting them to not have that ending and to have Superman solve the problem with words.

Michael Flinn: One thing I did like is that they really nailed how scary Superman could be if he ever decided to really lose hope.

Caleb: Yeah, but I think that concept is done much better in the pages of Irredeemable, where the Superman like Plutonian becomes, as the title suggest, irredeemable. I think Superman's action is kind of right on thet redeemability line. Would have been much better if he had just asked: "Where does it end? You're willing to kill a murderer, government officials who you see as indirect murderers, and now you're willing to kill any hero who stands in your way? What will become of the regular people who stand in your way? What will become of the children who steal so that they don't starve?" And like it was as if asking them "Why don't you just put the whole world in a bottle?" Manchester would breakdown entirely.

Michael Flinn: Still, you'd have people pissed because it wasn't "faithful" to the original story.

Caleb: And those people could cry to their mama's. They're not even a 10th of the amount of people who buy the DVD.

Michael Flinn: None the less

Caleb: But what I liked about the film more than the comic, was that up until then, it wasn't anything like the comic. It had the ideas in there, but instead of a Holier Than Thou Superman, we had an honest and sincere Superman. A Superman I didn't think lorded over his superiority to mankind and had to act like our babysitter, our big brother, feeling we NEED protecting like he's Mister Majestic, but a Superman that seemed like he just wanted to be able to do the right thing, to help people, to stop threats no one else could, and to be a hero the world to look up to and be inspired by.

Michael Flinn: Yeah. I saw that too. It contrasts well with The Elite, who are representative of 70's hyper violence or, in the movie's case, 90's anti-heroes

Caleb: Not only that, but I felt for them too. Mostly for Manchester Black. But still, by extension, the entire team. They seemed like very well meaning people who felt that their action was the right one, and had power to back that up. But they were still misguided. In the end, I wanted to see Manchester actually learn something. I wanted to see them become honest to goodness heroes who tried to attone for their sins.

Michael Flinn: That would've been a pretty cool ending

Caleb: There's a line in the comic that says that he didn't actually lobotomize him, and that he just did a psy pulse. Makes no sense, but it makes it okay for what happened. The movie lets you think Superman actually lobotomized him. As much as I can see him needing to do that, I still think it's wrong to do it. 

Michael Flinn: I did think it was kind of harsh to take away their powers. Though I do like the heat vision lobotomy. Not as bad as Doomsday's but still awesome.


So the final verdict is that Superman Vs The Elite is a pretty solid film overall that actually makes the viewer think a little bit. Go and check it out.

COVER OF THE WEEK (CoW) # 3

COVER OF THE WEEK

by Darryl "YTC" Carter

The CoW this time around is The Flash #5. I'm the first one to admit that colors are my thing, particularly bright colors... Specifically, red, yellow and purple. This Flash cover has two out of three and they're awesome together. Like seeing a McDonald's sign after you haven't eaten in three days. The blur effects really bring the speed and sense of urgency to life. The contrast of the blue/green skulls in the background help to add to the mood; "Get there in time Barry or Death." I still miss the Hermes wings on the boots though...

COMICS ON THE SCREEN #1 - BATMAN: YEAR ONE

Welcome to the first installment of Comics On The Screen, where the CBC staff takes a look at any filmed (television, movie, direct to dvd, etc.) dealing with comics. This month, for our very first review, we will feature none other than the newly released Batman: Year One.

BATMAN: YEAR ONE


Review by Frankie Rodriguez


Starring:
     Benjamin McKenzie as Bruce Wayne/Batman
     Bryan Cranston as Lt. James Gordon
     Eliza Dushku as Selina Kyle/Catwoman
     Alex Rocco as Carmine "The Roman" Falcone

Screenplay by Tab Murphy

Studio: Warner Bros. Animation/DC Entertainment

Original Story by Frank Miller


Directed by Sam Liu & Lauren Montgomery


Produced by Lauren Montgomery, Alan Burrnett & Bruce Timm


Based off the original Year One storyline that was printed in Batman 404-407.


THE RUNDOWN:

    It has been a while since I reviewed anything. Heck, this is my first movie review for CBC. But I do enjoy doing these. That said, instead of my long winded yet enjoyable retelling of all the events of the story, I am gonna keep it fairly streamlined so that you can decided if and when you watch the movie that I didn't ruin anything for you.
    Now . . . Batman: Year One. The movie starts with James Gordon just being transferred into the city with some ominous overtones of things not working out so great at his last job and we meet his partner, Detective Flass. And immediately we are proven how much of a prick Flass is. His voice, portrayed by Fred Tatasciore (best know for being the Hulk in nearly every direct to dvd Marvel animation as well as in Avengers: Earth's Mightiest) really does a great job in pushing to viewers how shady Detective Flass is with his very voice, matched by the animation. I digress. James gets himself situated in Gotham with his pregnant wife.
    Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne has just returned to Gotham after 12 years abroad which makes headlines. Alfred welcomes him back and Bruce gets settled in . . . while practicing martial arts outside where he breaks trees. And yes . . .multiple trees . . . and some rocks to. We get to see how driven Bruce is through actions more than exposition.

   Back with Gordon, he finds himself deep in police corrupted waters while trying to hammer out corruption. A job he promises Commissioner Loeb but come to find out, the good Commissioner is also just as dirty as seemingly half the force.  Back out with Flass, Gordon gets to see him beat up a kid and quickly is asked if the other guys on the squad can count on him, even as so much as calling him "Jimmy." When it appears that Gordon is not with the rest of the corrupt cops within Gotham, a bunch of masked men dressed in black jump him in a parking lot and proceed to beat him like a red headed step child. Yes, James Gordon has red hair. Yes, I just used that comment. Honestly though, it actually fits as Gordon is beaten badly then mocked with a guy with a very familiar voice who calls him "Jimmy" and threatens his pregnant wife. I wonder who it is.  Sarcasm . . . population me.
    Back with Bruce, we see that he decides to go out for a night out in the town . . . by dressing up like a hobo and giving himself a scar and bad make up job to look unrecognizable enough that he can roam freely. He does and stops a prostitute from getting beaten up. A somewhat familiar prostitute for fans of the comics. Bruce saves Holly Robinson (no, not the actress from 21 Jump Street or Hangin' with Mr. Cooper) by knocking out her pimp. And what does she do in gratitude . ..  why stab her hero. This erupts a fight between Bruce and a slew of street thugs who Bruce does fairly well against. So much so that the noise of the thugs getting their behinds whooped by Bruce gets attention from another, more recognizable character . . . Selina Kyle. She joins the fight, siding with the thugs and gives Bruce a run for his money for a bit. It looks as the two could fight all night when the police arrive . . . and shoot Bruce. Gotham's Finest Ladies and Gentlemen.
    Switch over to James Gordon where some inner monologue reveals that he's tailing Flass one night. Even being smart as to J1 Founder and CEO Jason Richardson commented " Now that's smart. Following him with his lights off."
     And Gordon proceeds to have one of the most bad*** moments of the movie . . . crashing Flass's car and proceeding to beating the crap out of Flass as both retaliation and a warning. Do Not Mess with the Gordons.
   Gordon is on his way back, sharing his inner monologue that he knows Flass won't tell anyone about what happened. As he passes drives on, he passes a car . ..  where Bruce is driving home after forcing the cops who shot him off the road, crashing their car and escaping in his car. Bruce reaches while manor with a bullet wound in his shoulder; contemplating death cause he felt he failed and see no point in living. He looks at a sculpture of his father where Bruce asks his dad for a sign and we get one. A big one. A bat, very dramatically, crashes through the window and lands on top of the sculpture of Thomas Wayne.

 There's your sign to be Batman.

   Gordon ends up getting back to work with the force, stomping out corruption the best he can. Yet, SWAT leader Branden and Commissioner Loeb seem to have other ideas. Batman sightings come in and Gordon gets orders from Loeb to take out Batman or its his job. Meanwhile, A new detective, Detective Sarah Essen enters the fray. Working with Gordon and some of the other police to catch Batman. They fail obviously cause Batman has been watching the police and anticipate their movements. Yet as time passes, Detective Essen  and Gordon become extremely close; having an affair.Gordon's loyalty to his wife and soon to be born child has him conflicted but ends his affair with Essen, who transfers out.

  Gordon corners Batman at some point into an abandon house full of homeless. Branden comes in with his SWAT team, ready to kill Batman. Yet, Batman proves his worth as he takes down the police and survives . . . even after Loeb orders helicopters to fire bomb the house . . . killing the homeless within. Batman beats down just about all of the SWAT team until he gets cornered inside the burning building with gunfire raining down on him like a monsoon. Yet, in his ingenuity, Batman uses a sonic emitter to have thousands of bats show up in one of the most breathtaking animated scenes I have ever seen. The bats break through the walks and windows and swarm the house. They follow Batman to cover his escape. This incident inspires Selina to become Catwoman and steal from Falcone; even leaving one of his men with scratches on his face. Batman later suggest that she wasted his team and goes off.

   Yet the climax of the movie deals with Gordon, who is blackmailed into hunting down Batman by Loeb who holds a picture of his affair with Essen. Gordon though tells Barbara what happened after a comical interview by Gordon and his wife with Bruce Wayne and . . . a hot woman that is just there.  Barbara Gordon gives birth to her and Jim's son, Jim Jr. (no little Barbara Gordon yet folks). Gordon is about to leave his wife after convincing Flass to testify against Loeb and Falcone. Loeb and Falcone get a bunch of men to go after Barbara Gordon. Jim leaves only to see a motorcycle with a driver dressed in black go directly to his apartment complex. Gordon immediately turns around and finds Falcone's men kidnapping his son and wife. Jim Gordon goes Commando and shoots down several of Falcone's men, freeing his wife. Yet one thug gets away with Jim Jr. Jim goes after them as another man tries to sneak up on Barbara Gordon, only to be saved by the Motorist . . . with a very familiar voice. Jim has a show down with the Thug on a bridge where he drops the baby and . . .


OH no. I'm not giving you the ending. You watch the movie for yourself for that.

THE BREAKDOWN:

   DC Animations has become well known for their high quality shows. Since Batman the Animated Series in the 90s, fans flock to these properties like water on the hottest day in the year. Batman Year One is no different.the  Of late, with certain movies, animators have been transposing the comic book artist style into animation . . . and this is no different. While there are hits of the same animators of Young Justice and Justice League Crisis on Two Earths but definite nods to the storyline artist, David Mazzuchelli. The screenplay and dialogue was very easy to follow, many of the most notable quotes from the storyline itself.

   The voice cast, as with most DC Animated projects, did not disappoint. Ben McKenzie performs a great Bruce Wayne/Batman, really learning how to be Batman and playing off all of the characters strengths and weakness to a tee. Honestly, he sounds so much like Conroy and delivers a performance as good as Conroy, voice director Andrea Romano should consider getting Ben McKenzie as her permanent second if Conroy does not want to voice Bruce.Best example of it in this movie his Batman going to a dinner with Loeb and Falcone, using theatrics to scare the living crap out of them only to later on be interviewed by Jim & Barbara Gordon being Bruce Wayne with a dandy. Dandy is manslut in 70s terms.

     Eliza Dushku's Selina Kline is sly, instinctual and agile like the cats she loves so much. The seductive yet strong tones from her performance makes me wish that there was more of her Catwoman besides the short that came with the movie & this film. Best example of her skill as Selina is when she actually goes up to fight Bruce on the street. Before Selina left she was sexy and sly. When Selina went up against Bruce, she was clearly the Lioness. Honestly DC . . . if for any reason Anne Hathway quits being Catwoman . ..  GET ELIZA DUSHKU! From now on, she should be the voice of Catwoman.


   And let me just say that Bryan Cranston's Jim Gordon was by far the most interesting, most compelling Jim Gordon that I have ever seen with the exception of Gary Olman. The material in this story really let Gordon and Bruce shine and Cranston took full advantage of it. Jim Gordon can handle his own and be tough when he needed to be yet at the same time had no problem being a bit more emotional when needed. Prime examples is his dealing with his wife being pregnant then dealing with Flass. This was a Jim Gordon we rarely saw in the movies (besides the recent Dark Knight movie) and I can honest say that Crayston's performance fits Jim Gordon like a glove.

    I already want a Year Two movie with this cast. Sam Liu and Lauren Montgomery deserve kudos for their exceptional job making these actors really dive into this material. Andrea Romano needs to be praised alongside Bruce Timm for giving such a great work. The animation was amazing. The voice cast was exquisite. The dialogue was realistic, interesting. The story was gripping and very much a tribute to its source material. And the best part was that while Jim Gordon was indeed one of the central characters, he did not outshine Batman but stayed his equal; and the movie really did a great job posing that for the viewers. All in all, Batman: Year One was a great movie that really gives a wonderful start to the Batman. This is the movie I would show to get people who want to see how Batman really began in the streets of Gotham and how important Gordon is to its mythos.

Quick explanation . . you know how I used to do the whole belts thing with my reviews of comics. Well, I am gonna be a little simplier here and go by a 1 to 5 system with 1 being ubersuck and 5 being OMG WATCH IT NOW!!!

With great animation, a Supremely exceptional cast and great story . . .I give Batman: Year One . . . A Batman Year One  5 Bats . ..  out of 5. 

Batman:Year One is in stores now . . . alongside Batman: Arkham City video game . . . both just released yesterday. Hmm . . . Great marketing move there DC.

THIS WEEKEND IS TAKII: AN ANIME CONVENTION IN PHILADELPHIA

AND AT THE CONVENTION IS . . ..EVE OF CHAMPIONS

On Sunday, October 23rd, J1 Studios in conjunction with The Asian Karaoke Idol Invitational will be hosting the Eve of Champions tournament!!! Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is the game, $10 to enter, and there's prizes in store for everyone.

 ___



And that is all for this month. See ya next month.