With the two big comic book companies releasing their two biggest comic books, I’ve decided to give you the first of many Quick Comic Book Reviews. This week it’s all about Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo’s Batman and Jonathan Hickman & Esad Ribic’s Secret Wars. Though the reviews won’t spoil the single issues, already known facts from the series can be spoiled. Continue reading “Quick Comic Book Reviews – Week of August 12, 2015”
The first Batman v Superman teaser didn’t really interest me. Sure, yes, it was very brief – but we didn’t see anything that really gave me faith for the film. I love Batman, I’ve lost a lot of love for Superman over the years – so this trailer really had to give me a strong show of the Caped Crusader. I am happy to say that this trailer made me a believer of this project. Continue reading “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – Comic Con 2015 Trailer Review”
The following is a full written review of Batman (Vol. 2) #40 – Written by Scott Snyder, with art by Greg Capullo – Release: April 29th 2015.
This is it. Endgame’s final chapter. One of the sad things about the business of journalism is that some sites chose to reveal spoilers from the next issue online – and that sparked a debate. Some may have an idea of what’s about to happen going in, but I’m glad to say that this issue works. This comic book review is spoiler free – rejoice. Continue reading “REVIEW: Batman (Vol. 2) #40”
For the uninitiated: This is a new weekly feature on the blog wherein I, I’m Jeffrey Rex, discuss all things DC. This is a test-run, however. Meaning that if this goes well, it’ll be a permanent fixture on I’m Jeffrey Rex in 2015, like Marvelous Monday is right now.
A couple of days ago I decided to jot down my thoughts on the casting of the new Joker, as well as talk about which actors I really wanted for the role. I’d like to preface this discussion by stating that Jared Leto was one of the actors I’d like for the role, but I never thought he’d do it, seeing as he loves touring with his band. Continue reading “Detective Comics Saturday #4 – The Next Joker”
For the uninitiated: This is a new weekly feature on the blog wherein I, I’m Jeffrey Rex, discuss all things DC. This is a test-run, however. Meaning that if this goes well, it’ll be a permanent fixture on I’m Jeffrey Rex in 2015, like Marvelous Monday is right now.
Today I’ve decided to write about that one movie we deserve. That one film that DC and Warner Bros. just have to release at some point. They actually owe us this one film. So what might that one be? Well, it’s not present anywhere on the released list of films in the shared universe.
I am, of course, talking about the movie Nightwing. My first favorite DC character was the original Robin – Dick Grayson. He, of course, ended up becoming Nightwing – and he has had a number of different jobs or position since.
But why do they owe us the film? Well, in 1995 a little film called Batman Forever was released – it wasn’t very good, but it gave us a new Robin on the big screen. They followed that one up with, perhaps, the worst big-budget movie ever made. Batman and Robin – I hate that film. So yes, they owe us a proper Dick Grayson portrayal – smart, dark, late 20s/early 30s. Grayson away from Wayne. Give it to us. Continue reading “Detective Comics Saturday #3 – The Movie We Deserve!”
For the uninitiated: This is a new weekly feature on the blog wherein I, I’m Jeffrey Rex, discuss all things Marvel. Now that I’ve reached six posts on this feature, this will be the only introduction to the feature.
Enjoy it while it lasts. Superhero-Hype that is. Be prepared for somewhat of a darker post this week – it is truly grim at times.
Now, I’m not going to kick off this post by spelling doom for my fellow nerds and geeks out there, but the laymen have caught onto us. They figured out just how well it’s working, and soon people will realize how Marvel, Sony, Fox and Warner Bros. have no reason to stop pitching new ideas – they have no reason to stop creating, filming, writing new superhero films.
Sure, I’m preaching to the choir – you know how many films are coming out. And so far it hasn’t really been a problem – but do you know why? Because we’ve only had two problematic years for comic book movies. In 2013 no mainstream superhero movie was loved by all comic book readers. I liked Iron Man 3, but I’m in the minority – Man of Steel wasn’t a success and Thor: The Dark World was… Well it was Thor: The Dark World. A dark twist on a universe that was so well painted in the Branagh-Thor. Wait, I’m in the minority on that one, too? Yikes. But I digress. 2014 was extremely successful. Guardians of the Galaxy was the biggest hit of the summer, some say the year, Days of Future Past was well-liked – and critics loved Captain America: The Winter Soldier. But in 2015 and beyond, too many of our nerd dreams are coming true.
In 2015 we are seeing new iterations of Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Terminator, Avengers, Fantastic Four – heck, even Ant-Man‘s getting a film. But, sadly, this is killing the mainstream audience – we’re testing their patience. 11 beloved nerd-films are to be released in 2016 – a year that may finally burst the superhero bubble. But here are my questions – can it be avoided? Will it kill the entire genre? And which films will be the ones we’ll forever blame for this?
Continue reading “Marvelous Monday #7 – Will The Superhero Bubble Burst?”
For the uninitiated: This is a new weekly feature on the blog wherein I, I’m Jeffrey Rex, discuss all things DC. This is a test-run, however. Meaning that if this goes well, it’ll be a permanent fixture on I’m Jeffrey Rex in 2015, like Marvelous Monday is right now.
This week’s topic is fairly straight forward. Today my focus is on the Warner Bros. Production to be released in about 13 months – Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. I’m going to give you my thoughts on the first real precursor to the massive Justice League-film to be released in 2017. I have some thoughts on the development of the film, the release patterns, the announced characters and whatnot. So, this week I ask myself and my readers – Will Dawn of Justice work? Continue reading “Detective Comics Saturday #2 – Will Dawn of Justice Be A Disaster?”
The following is a full written review of Batman (Vol. 2) #39 – Written by Scott Snyder, with art by Greg Capullo – Release: February 25th 2015.
The Endgame story of the New 52 Batman-run has been extremely entertaining, and we’re almost at the very end of it. Last month’s issue was great, and today we’ll go into Endgame Part 5 – as Batman seeks out a group from his past to clear his head, and make him understand just what the Joker is up to.
Let’s talk about the cover. I really like it this month. I wasn’t a big fan of the cover in #38, but I like the Joker-centric cover for #39. The chair of victims is extremely morbid, and befitting of the situation the Joker is in. Some may argue that this is another cover that is too simplistic, with not enough going on in the background – but I think that’s a very subjective issue to have with a comic book cover.
Warning – the following plot-summary contains spoilers.
Endgame Part 5 opens with the Caped Crusader having a chat with the Court of Owls, looking for their cooperation in finding this Dionesium and finding answers. Sadly, they refuse to cooperate – and an ancient Talon attacks The Dark Knight. He asks if the Talon remembers the Pale Man being around 400 years ago. We are not explicitly told the answer at this point. At this point we learn that the Joker has infiltrated the armory, and Alfred has taken him on – but is unsuccesful and his right hand is cut off. The World’s Greatest Detective finds out that the only way to get a cure, is to retrieve it from the Joker’s spine, and he seeks out help from the Bat-family…. and the antagonists of Gotham. As Wayne’s plan is set in motion, the A-Story for Batman #39 concludes.
If there’s one thing I didn’t like about the issue, it is how suddenly it ends. Just like that. Sure, I get that there’s one more issue – but for a monthly series, this issue isn’t really chock-full of things we’ll remember, and answers we need. We don’t get the answer about the Pale Man, we don’t see Alfred following his encounter with the Joker, and the story ends just before ‘the big bang’ of Endgame. This isn’t a filler story, this is an important one, but we find no answers in Batman #39.
The artwork in Batman #39’s A-story is spot-on as always. This issue is very graphic, there’s a lot of blood – and it’s not for everyone – but darn it, Capullo and the rest of the art team just does a perfect job once again. I would like to mention how perfect the final image in the A-story is. The Joker looks very much like Two-face here. See how on one side his hair is perfect, his face is clean – but on the other side his hair is gone, and his face looks rotten. Perhaps this is a hint. Perhaps the Joker is rotting right before our eyes – and maybe, just maybe, he eyed this as his very last trick. Maybe he knows that he, the Pale Man, is about to die, maybe that’s why he’s going all out this time.
The B-Story The Last Smile by James Tynion IV & Dustin Nguyen is very interesting. The Doctor we’ve been following tells the inmates the story she’s uncovered. The man she thinks the Joker is – a mere mortal. The convicts don’t like the sound of that. Then our Doctor meets the Joker who reveals he had let her to the story – a story designed by him. Fake. As the convicts break through, she is gifted with a gun and six bullets – as the Joker wanders off. The Joker had fabricated her story. And we don’t know who he is.
The artwork of the B-story is actually very good – probably the best it’s been in the Endgame B-stories. I only thought the Joker wasn’t as scary as he should be, but all in all the artwork was great in the B-story.
Final Grade: B+ – Beautiful artwork is the key for Batman #39, and some might argue that the A-story is too secretive. We don’t learn anything new, really, and the concluding part of Endgame will reveal all. The B-story is excellent, the best B-story yet. For full list of Comic Book Review grades go here.
I’m Jeffrey Rex
For the uninitiated: This is a new weekly feature on the blog wherein I, I’m Jeffrey Rex, discuss all things DC. This is a test-run, however. Meaning that if this goes well, it’ll be a permanent fixture on I’m Jeffrey Rex in 2015, like Marvelous Monday is right now.
Here we are. Recently I asked for your opinion on whether I should start writing about DC. I’ve really enjoyed writing about Marvel every week, so this was a natural step for me. So why did I choose Saturday? I think Friday was off the table from the get-go, as was Sunday. And seeing as I wanted it late in the week, I thought Saturday was a comfortable day to place it.
To start off with I thought it would be fitting to talk about what DC means to me, and why it matters. Obviously Marvel is the most important comic book company for me – they have most of my very favorite characters – but DC holds a special place in my heart, specifically for specific characters that I love, some that I am intrigued by – and some that I’ve grown to, uhm, dislike. Continue reading “Detective Comics Saturday #1 – Why DC Matters To Me”
Hey there! One of the things I am most excited about on my blog is my weekly post on Marvel Entertainment – I’m Jeffrey Rex’ Marvelous Monday – but the thing is, while I know a lot about Marvel, I think DC will be interesting to write about. I have some very specific opinions about the films they’re releasing, I have a lot of opinions about what they’re doing with the Bat-family, and I think they need more respect on this blog.
Now here’s the thing, as it is, I don’t have a lot of readers on the blog – so while this poll probably won’t get a lot of votes – I’d like to ask you to say whether you’d like a weekly post/feature on DC Entertainment.
Care to elaborate? Sound off in the comments.
I’m Jeffrey Rex
I'm Jeffrey Rex 