Injustice: Ground Zero #8 - A Review

Bored out of her crazy little skull, Harley Quinn and her new gang of resistance fighters were reduced to asking the GCPD if there was anything they could do to help them. This led to the sewers and their accidental uncovering of a Regime plot to draft the few free heroes and villains still free in Gotham. Can Harley and company overcome an enraged Bane and Killer Croc?!


Pop Mhan's artwork proves a perfect vehicle for this erratic tale. Mhan shifts his style expertly to fit the needs of the scene. His action sequences make use of a more traditional style that well-suits the kinetic nature of the conflict. By contrast, the flashbacks in which Harley remembers better days (well, relatively speaking) with The Joker are rendered with a softer, more exaggerated appearance that would look cartoonish even without the inclusion of singing birds circling a romanced Harley's head. Mark Roberts does an equally fantastic job finishing the art with his colors.


The story is the equal of the art. It is worth noting that Chris Sabela does not romanticize The Joker and Harley's relationship at all. The plot by Brian Buccellato makes no bones about the fact that Harley is being abused. This is not the least bit preachy, however, but serves to drive home the central conflict of Harley's character. Intellectually, she knows The Joker is bad but that doesn't matter when the bad feels good. The rest of the issue outside the flashbacks, however, confirm Harley's status as a capable anti-hero and a true icon of the DC Universe.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #7 - A Review

The fight continues as Batman and his inner circle face off against Superman, Wonder Woman, Killer Frost and Bane while Batgirl tries to rescue Catwoman. Meanwhile, on another world, Katar Hol returns home to find his wife is missing. And he is not pleased.


There's a lot of action in this issue. Yet Brian Buccellato takes the time to slow things down and allows for the kind of conversations he's famous for writing. The final scene between Bruce and Selina is particularly touching.


The artwork seems a little off this week. Mike S. Miller's pencils are uncharacteristically sloppy and some of his poses (particularly in the fight scene between Killer Croc and Batgirl) seem unnaturally forced. The inks by J. Nanjan are also far too thin in some panels, barely enhancing the original pencils at all.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #6 - A Review

Bane and Killer Frost have captured Catwoman and are using her as bait to lure out Batman on Superman's behalf.  It's an obvious trap but it's also an opportunity for The Resistance. So while Batgirl rescues Selina, the rest of Batman's inner circle move to turn the tables on Bane.


This issue is a riveting read, despite being relatively light on humor and action compared to what is typical for this series. That being said, Brian Buccellato's script entertains while setting up bigger battles in the future. Besides, it's hard not to like any comic where Harley Quinn calls Killer Frost "Ugly Elsa".


The art team have truly outdone themselves on this issue. Bruno Redondo turns in some truly intricate and amazing backgrounds this time around and Juan Albarran's atmospheric inking enhances everything perfectly. The colors by Rex Lokus are also noteworthy, stark greys and blues being utilized heavily to depict the urban hellscape of Gotham.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #5 - A Review

Normally, I start my reviews off with a set-up of the action of the issue. This time, however, I feel compelled to do something different. This time, I'm going to start off singing praises of Bruno Redondo.


I can't recall Redondo indulging in a variety of visual gags before but there's quite a few clever ones in this issue.  From the Lex-Us car adverts to the way Batgirl rolls her eyes as Penguin blatantly lies over how completely innocent he is, there is hilarity aplenty to match Brian Buccellato's script.


It's not all laughs, however. Indeed, the sequence in which Damian Wayne - now officially going by Nightwing - is confronted by League of Assassins members in need of a new leader - may be the most brutal in the series' history. Comedy or drama, the whole issue is one great read and well-paced.


I can't neglect the rest of the art team in all this praise.  Juan Albarran does his usual stellar job on the inks. Rex Lokus continues to impress with his well-chosen colors. And the lettering by Wes Abbott is clear and easily read.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #4 - A Review

As Catwoman begins to approach the super-criminals with codes regarding an alliance with Batman, so too does Superman begin to allow willing villains to work for his Regime. Meanwhile, a Bizzaro clone of Lex Luthor's design is on the loose and confused in Germany, with no clue of who he is or the power he possesses...


Even at this late point in the series, Brian Buccellato still finds ways to surprise the readers. The introduction of Bizzaro in this issue was brilliantly foreshadowed. One wonders where they will go next with the revelation that there is someone who can match Superman physically in play. The cliffhanger at this issue's end proves equally stunning.


What can I say about the art of Mike S. Miller and J. Nanjan that hasn't been said already? Not much, without pulling out a thesaurus to find even more synonyms for 'stupendous', 'wonderful' and 'amazing'. So I think I'll simply say that this book looks as great as ever and leave it at that.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #3 - A Review

Superman receives some unexpected help in his fight against Doomsday from the criminal mastermind known as Bane. It seems The Man Who Broke The Bat wishes to prove his worth to The Man of Steel and proposes an alliance to deal with their mutual enemy. It is an offer Superman has little time to consider, however, because The Parasite is also on the loose and about to destroy Hal Jordan and Cyborg!


This issue will probably be the one that marks the turning point for Injustice. Both as the moment when Superman passed the point of no redemption and the point where the series itself became more focused on serious drama with little comedic contrast. In any case, while there's little of the humor that has made this series a fan favorite in this chapter, Brian Buccellato's writing remains as strong as ever.


The artwork this time around proves serviceable but not quite outstanding. Tom Derenick's inks are a little too heavy at times, though his character designs as well as his command of visual storytelling and panel placement remain excellent. And Rex Lokus' colors are as well-chosen and as skillfully applied as ever.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #2 - A Review

The sudden escape of every captive super-villain on Earth has led to wide-spread chaos and new opportunities for Batman's Resistance. So as Catwoman and Batman discuss the organization of their new army in a Parisian cafe, Superman faces Doomsday. At the same time, a desperate Hal Jordan calls for back-up in fighting an out-of-control Parasite and only Cyborg is free to help him.


As I noted in my review of the first issue of this series on Kabooooom.com, it seemed certain that this issue would make up for the lack of action in Part One. My prediction proved accurate. Apart from the opening scene with Batman and Catwoman, this issue is all action. And it is great, well-paced action with an honestly surprising final page. Well done, Brian Buccellato!

This is Iban Coello's first issue on Injustice and it's a promising start. Coello's character designs are wonderful, with clear pencils and think inks that enhance the artwork perfectly. The colors by J. Nanjan are up to the usual high level of quality, with the final artwork looking amazing.

Batgirl: Future's End #1 - A Review

Two Years From Now... Barbara Gordon - who has faced tragedies and triumphs beyond imagining - will face one tragedy too many.  But surrender is not an option!  It never was for Barbara Gordon.  That which does not kill her makes her stronger and she will become stronger still.

Five Years From Now... Barbara Gordon is now known as Bête Noire - The Black Beast.  And a trio of Batgirls protect the streets of Gotham under her command.  Until one fateful night when a group of thieves proves to be something more.  And Barbara Gordon knows she must finally confront the man who turned Batgirl into Bête Noire.


This comic has little, if anything, to do with the overarching story of Future's End.  That is to its benefit.  What we have here is not a simple tie-in one-shot but the capstone on the pyramid of Gail Simone's Batgirl run and indeed the very concept of Batgirl as a whole.

I dare say there are a number of fans who will be glad to see Stephanie Brown as Batgirl again, as well as Cassandra Cain, in what I believe is her first appearance in the New 52 universe.  And it is a joy to see Gail Simone writing Bane again.  But this issue runs deeper than simple fan-service or Simone indulging her strengths as a writer.

This comic does for Barbara Gordon what Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns did for Bruce Wayne. I would, however, say that this story is better than The Dark Knight Returns in that it accomplishes its goals in a single issue rather than four. Simone's story distills Barbara down to her core elements and showcases who she is, no matter what mask she wears, in the face of her final battle.



The artwork by Javier Garron justifies the faith I placed in him after his turn on half of Batgirl Anniual #2.  It would have been nice to see Fernando Pasarin and Jonathan Glapion come back for one last hurrah for the sake of visual continuity but Garron's work is not bad by any stretch of the imagination.  The action scenes are handled well and there's a number of good sight-gags in the backgrounds, such as the trophy room of Barbara's "Bat-cave".

The bottom line is this - buy this comic.  If you're a fan of Bane or any version of Batgirl, you should read it.  If you're a fan of Gail Simone's writing, you should read it.  And if you think you might enjoy a story that balances light humor and dark tragedy in perfect harmony, well... just read it!

A-KON 25 Cosplay Pictures - Part One

Captain Planet and a Planeteer.


Lara Croft from Tomb Raider and Samus from Metroid.


Vega from Street Fighter.


Tina and Bob from Bob's Burgers.


Violent Lavender as Playboy Bunny Poison Ivy.
Big Ass Dice provided by Big Ass Dice.


Kinetic Ash as Playboy Bunny Harley Quinn.
Big Ass Dice provided by Big Ass Dice.


Classic Bane.


Kitana from Mortal Kombat


Superman Freddie Mercury


Static Shock.


John Constantine.


Anna and Elsa from Frozen as Hogwarts Students.


Mia Moore as Daenerys Tagaryen from A Game Of Thrones


Lara Croft


Superman

Dallas Fan Days 2013 - Sunday, Part One

Sundays at Fan Days are usually slower and more leisurely than Saturdays. I didn't get as many pictures but there weren't as many people in costume to take pictures of. I spent most of the day wandering around with my pal Jeremy. I was once again Green Arrow. He was dressed as Buddy Christ.



I spent my time in the line waiting with my friend Daniel and his son, here portraying Cable and Deadpool.   

The Fifth Doctor.



This photo is a bit blurry but considering I was taking a picture of The Flash, it's amazing I got him at all!   

Tony Stark with a TARDIS. What a frightening thought!   

A little Luke Skywalker, giving Yoda a ride.  

SPOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!  It is The Tick!  

 Barnacle Boy and Mermaid Man from SpongeBob SquarePants.
Yes, I'm as ashamed as you are for getting the reference.  

I chased after this Gryffindor girl for a minute, thinking she was my friend Anna.  It was only after I caught up with her that I realized the goof and remembered that Luna (who Anna was dressed as) was a Ravenclaw.  Still a good costume and well worth the running for.  I think that's the same Scarlet Witch from yesterday.


I think that's the same Hawkeye from yesterday, too. 
That's definitely a new Poison Ivy and Bane though and much better than in Batman and Robin.


Trinity from The Matrix.


 Once again I failed to recognize CAJ Cosplay.  She's a chameleon, I swear!
In fairness, I've only seen a few episodes of Angel, so I didn't recognize her as Illyria anyway.  

Spawn was a lot nicer than you'd think about having his picture taken.

Dallas Comic Con 2013 - Sunday, Part Two

And the pictures continue...



 With all due respect to Glitzy Geek Girl, she's too cheerful to be convincing as an evil Mary Marvel.
 
Does anyone else have trouble seeing Dark Knight Rises Bane without hearing this?


 The Incredible Hulk, of course.    
Odd quartet this: Zatanna's rabbit, The Penguin from Batman Returns, Catwoman and Zatanna.


Bad Horse from Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.



Another relatively obscure character - Adam Warlock.    
Amy Pond, Rose Tyler and The Tenth Doctor from Doctor Who.


Batman vs. Deathstroke.


I don't know what the heck this is, but I am impressed and terrified in equal measure.


Novel design this: Classic Peter Parker, as his Spider-Sense goes off.