[New post] Quick review: Batman Incorporated #1 (2012)

New post on The Daily P.O.P. Quick review: Batman Incorporated #1 (2012) by dailypop Batman Incorporated #1 is an extension of the previous series of the same name that Grant Morrison started. The basic premise is that Bruce Wayne has taken the concept of Batman and sold it as a franchise. Bat-signals across the globe inform villains that there is no escaping justice. Initially the series had a rotating roster of art teams, but Chris Burnham stood out as the strongest of them. The look and feel of Batman Incorporated has been like the 1966 Adam West TV series on acid. All of the madcap ideas and unusual criminal masterminds are there and Gotham is an oddball city-scape that is more dream-like than real, but the violence is over the top, the one-liners are brutal and the logic is almost out the window. If you can dig Morrison's view of Batman and roll with it, this series is a lot of fun. Burnham's artwork is also phenomenal and his page layouts are gorgeous. The free-flowing nature and eye-popping visuals attract me to this series, but the only real drawback for me is Morrison's determination to out-weird the audience or at least throw in as many characters as humanly possible. In this one issue of Batman Incorporated, Batman and Robin fight a gang of goat-mask-wearing crooks in a slaughter house. One of the gang members is a sniper waiting for the opportunity to bump off Robin. We gain insight into the life of this character, Goat Boy, that nearly takes over the narrative. It feels very reminiscent of 'Best Man's Fall' from the Invisibles. That's a good thing, though and makes the issue stand out a lot. Morrison is a very emotive writer and can tap into the most forgettable of background characters and make them as interesting as the star. The problem for me comes when this plot thread gets cast aside and we are suddenly in a sex shop watching a character try on an Azrael costume. He refers to it as a fetish and is taken down to a secret HQ where other people are dressed as obscure Batman-characters. Are these fans? Are they really who they appear to be? It's very confusing because Morrison is attracted to the notion of the superhero lifestyle as a fetish and these could just be background characters acting out fantasies. But when Wingman if the International Club of Batmen appears it seems that this really is a gathering of crime fighters. It was very distracting for me and kinda took me out of the comic. The central premise seems to be that Robin's mother Talia al Ghul has put out a contract on her son. Strangely, Batman welcomes it because it means that Gotham will play host to some of the most dangerous and daring killers all over the world... and he can beat them up. Despite any negative criticisms, the issue was very entertaining and the artwork is absolutely astounding. If you are a fan of Morrison's Batman, this is your lucky day. Even if you are not, you may want to flip through it in the shop. Yes, there is a Bat-Cow Robin the boy wonder, in all his acrobatic glory dailypop | June 30, 2012 at 11:36 pm | Tags: batman incorporated, batman robin, grant morrison | Categories: Batman | URL: http://wp.me/p4kUt-42b Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe or change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://dailypop.wordpress.com/2012/06/30/quick-review-batman-incorporated-1-2012/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

[New post] Guardians of the Galaxy is the next Marvel Movie

New post on The Daily P.O.P. Guardians of the Galaxy is the next Marvel Movie by dailypop Nova, Rocket Raccoon, Star Lord, Adam Warlock, Quasar and Wraith Guardians of the Galaxy was a cult monthly book from Marvel Comics developed by Arnold Drake (the genius who gave us the Doom Patrol) and Gene 'the Dean' Colan. A rag-tag group of aliens uniting forces against the Badoon who had enslaved almost all of the galaxy, they appeared throughout the late 1960's and occasionally later on. More recently, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning revived the entire Marvel Comics cosmic universe with a series of event stories (Annihilation, Annihilation: Conquest, War of Kings, Realm of Kings, Thanos Imperative and Annihilators). There were many spin-offs, but the most popular was probably the revamped Guardians of the Galaxy. Consisting of another assembly of rag-tag renegades, this team was led by the reluctant hero Peter Quill (AKA Star Lord), Rocket Raccoon, Groot!, Adam Warlock, Drax the Destroyer, Mantis, Vance Astro (the only member of the original Guardians to appear in the series as a full-time member) and others. The line-up swelled and shrunk over the years and the comic was an amazing blend of camp comedy, action, sci-fi and fantasy (no surprise there as Abnett and Lanning had worked on Doctor Who and Legion of Superheroes in the past). The series had immense potential but is currently 'resting.' Maybe Marvel has been planning a Guardians of the Galaxy movie for some time? Hence, the rest. For anyone keeping track, I called this almost a full year ago, but the formal announcement is expected at the San Diego Comic Con. But here's the word from io9 In classic Marvel continuity, the Guardians of the Galaxy are a team of superheroes from the future, where an evil race — hilariously named the Badoon — is gobbling up their worlds. Eventually, the Guardians go back in time to recruit the Avengers for help, a move that brings alien calamity in its wake. There's also a modern (and way more marketable) incarnation of the team that stars an aggregation of endearingly weird aliens like Groot the living tree and the firearm-toting Rocket Raccoon. According to Latino Review the script by Nicole Perlman is bananas good and will lead up directly to The Avengers 2 in 2015. Latino Review has also revealed that the big announcement for a Guardians movie will occur at this year's Comic-Con, although most of Marvel's time will be spent hyping up Iron Man 3. So this is what we have coming out from Marvel in the near future: - Iron Man 3 is currently shooting with a release date of May 3, 2013. - Thor 2 is the next project gearing up for a shoot and has a release date of November 8, 2013. - Captain America 2 is planned for April 14, 2014. - Guardians of the Galaxy (sometime in 2014) will lead directly into Avengers 2 in 2015. So where does that leave smaller projects like Ant-Man? Edgar Wright just admitted that he shot a test reel for the movie, and reports have lead us to believe that the script is done. We're betting that Ant-Man is slipped in between Iron Man 3 and Thor 2, especially with the rumors that the Iron Man 3 post-credits ending sets up Ant-Man. As for movies starring Dr. Strange, The Inhumans, and Black Panther, they are all still in deep development, but could easily be sprinkled throughout 2014 and 2015 should writing wrap. And yes, the Ant Man movie by Spaced, Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World director Edgar Wright is back in development. This has been in the works since 2006 at least! (click here for my Ant Man article for the skinny on that character) dailypop | June 29, 2012 at 3:13 pm | Tags: ant man, Avengers, guardians of the galaxy, marvel comics | Categories: Marvel | URL: http://wp.me/p4kUt-427 Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe or change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://dailypop.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/guardians-of-the-galaxy-is-the-next-marvel-movie/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

[New post] Doctor Who and The Emerald Tiger

New post on The Daily P.O.P. Doctor Who and The Emerald Tiger by dailypop 'The Emerald Tiger' Written and directed by Barnaby Edwards Story 159 Released April 2012 In the jungles of Calcutta, a strange curse has been passed down, the curse of the Emerald Tiger. Much like the mark of the werewolf it turns the victim into an animal, but unlike that myth, the tiger eventually solidifies into a mass of jade. Nyssa has fallen under the curse and in order to save her, the Doctor must unravel this mystery and brave the land of impossible jeweled creatures, and a gun-happy English rogue. Edwards fully admits that The Emerald Tiger is his 'big budget film' version of Doctor Who and it shows. The Doctor lands the TARDIS in Calcutta, 1926 to see an historic cricket match only to get swept up in an amazing adventure almost at once. A man is driven into throws of violence and charges through the throng of commuters at the train depot where the TARDIS has become parked. He is shot dead by the devious Major Cyril Haggard but not before marking Nyssa who immediately falls into a painful coma. The TARDIS is hoisted into a nearby train as luggage. The train has been purchased for a private trip by Lady Adela Forster. Finding an ideal opportunity to evade the police, Haggard jumps onto the train, as do Tegan and Turlough who are determined to get the TARDIS back. Unfortunately between them and the time vessel is a massive emerald tiger with jeweled eyes and claws. Close behind, the Doctor gives chase after the train via hot air balloon, turning the burner on its side to act as a makeshift jet engine, and attempts to gain access to the train and while he manages to rescue Turlough and Lady Forster, he fails to save Tegan whose car has become separated from the others and crashes into a vast crevasse. It's a very moving moment and one in which the Doctor succumbs to grief over the believed death of his friend. Of course when she re-appears, the cliffhanger is strangely a cry of 'Tegan?!' But just imagine one of those moments happening on screen! It's clearly impossible and can only be achieved in this audio format. That kind of took me out of the story at first as this adventure was such a rollicking whirlwind of action, but the writing and performances were so strong that it became lots of fun. Rather than a traditional dip into the past, this was something wholly other. The Doctor (Peter Davison) and Turlough (Mark Strickson) Along with pulling out all the stops in creating a blockbuster story, Barnaby Edwards also took inspiration from Kipling's The Jungle Book, Haggard's works and Indian folklore. It's all done with adoration and it shows. The fantastical moments are very moving and the setting is so firmly established by the sound masters at Big Finish that you'd think you were in Calcutta. As a Fifth Doctor story, this works very well as it features the Doctor unwittingly thrust into a situation where he is in over his head and separates the crew into their own stories. Beyond the first part there's sadly not much for Turlough to do and Nyssa spends a lot of time in a dream-like state, but Tegan fares the worst. Earning the ire of Major Haggard, she becomes the object of a million she-devil curses. Of all the cast members, I think that Janet Fielding's voice has changed the most, but she performs with such gusto that I can forgive it. After all, Peter Davison sounds like he goes to bed at night with a pack of Silk Cut in his mouth! Tegan (Janet Fielding) and Nyssa (Sarah Sutton) A fanciful high adventure tale, The Emerald Tiger is an unusual Doctor Who story, but in this case that makes it a lot of fun as well. I have enjoyed almost all of the Davison Big Finish installments. While not as colorfully written as the Colin Baker stories, they have an intensity and character all their own. The Emerald Tiger can be ordered directly from The Book Depository, with free worldwide shipping. dailypop | June 28, 2012 at 11:04 pm | Tags: big finish doctor who audio adventures, peter davison doctor who | Categories: Big Finish | URL: http://wp.me/p4kUt-3Yp Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe or change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://dailypop.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/doctor-who-and-the-emerald-tiger/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

[New post] This week at your comic shop – 6/27/2012

New post on The Daily P.O.P. This week at your comic shop – 6/27/2012 by dailypop For the complete list of this week's comics, click here. Not sure where your local comic shop is? Try comicshoplocator.com! (note: all information including ad copy is from the publisher) If you can't make it to the shop, just click on any of the images below to be taken to an online retailer. I don't get any referrals for these sales, I'm just doing my bit to spread the word on some neat products. Amazing Spider-Man #688 Amazing Spider-Man #688 By: Dan Slott, Stefano Caselli CLASSIFIED! ________________________________________________________ League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. 3 Century #3 2009 League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. 3 Century #3 2009 The narrative reaches its cataclysmic conclusion in London 2009. The magical child whose ominous coming has been foretold for the past century has now been born and has grown up to claim his dreadful heritage. His promised age of unending terror can commence, the world can now be ended, and there is no League, extraordinary or otherwise, to stand in his way. The bitter, intractable war in Q'umar crawls bloodily to its fifth year, away in Kashmir a Sikh terrorist wages a holy war against Islam that must push the world into a nuclear holocaust, and in a London asylum there's a patient who insists she has all the answers. ________________________________________________________ Wolverine and the X-Men #12 Wolverine and the X-Men #12 By: Jason Aaron, Chris Bachalo AVX TIE-IN! ï Kid Gladiator goes after the Avengers single-handedly! ï The X-Men from Wolverine's school see the events of AVX and have a choice to makeÖ ________________________________________________________ Aquaman #10 Aquaman #10 By: Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado ï 'THE OTHERS' part four! ï The Others are reunited when the hero called VOSTOK-X arrives on Earth. ï MERA learns more about Arthur's violent past from SHIN. ________________________________________________________ Arkham City Killer Croc Deluxe Action Figure Arkham City Killer Croc Deluxe Action Figure Welcome to Arkham City, the new maximum security 'home' for all of Gotham City's thugs, gangsters, and insane criminal masterminds. Set inside the heavily fortified walls of a sprawling district in the heart of Gotham City, it's filled with the most murderous villains from DC Comics' Batman universe. But Batman is ready to tackle it with all-new gadgets and his greatest - and most dangerous - allies. Which is good, because he'll need all the help he can get when he faces the ferocious Killer Croc and lethal Mr. Freeze! Based on the blockbuster video game published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, developed by Rocksteady Studios, and licensed by DC Entertainment. ï Mister Freeze - 7.25" h ï Killer Croc - 9.5" h ________________________________________________________ Mighty Thor #16 Mighty Thor #16 By: Matt Fraction, Pepe Larraz, Walter Simonson Transformed into the DECONSECRATOR! ï Enchantress and her Keep unleashed upon a slumbering Asgardia! ï Besieged in dreams and in waking life! When will this nightmare ever end? ________________________________________________________ Batman Incorporated #2 Batman Incorporated #2 By: Grant Morrison, Chris Burnham This is the story of a man and a woman fighting over the heart and soul of their child. Unfortunately for the world, the man is BATMAN, the woman is TALIA AL GHUL, and the child is DAMIAN. This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue. ________________________________________________________ Batman The Dark Knight #10 Batman The Dark Knight #10 By: Gregg Hurwitz, David Finch Welcome new series writer GREGG HURWITZ! ï Kicking off a major story pitting BATMAN against the most deadly version of the SCARECROW he's ever seen! ï This isn't about fear it's about TERROR! ________________________________________________________ All Star Western #10 All Star Western #10 By: Justin Gray, Moritat, Jose Ladronn, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez Part one of a story exposing the beginning of a battle for GOTHAM CITY between THE COURT OF OWLS and THE CRIME BIBLE! TALLULAH BLACK is back! Plus an all-new BAT LASH with art by comics legend JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ! ________________________________________________________ Incredible Hulk #10 Incredible Hulk #10 By: Jason Aaron, Ron Garney Hulk continues to STAY ANGRY in Jason Aaron's highly anticipated new story arc! ï To do so, the green goliath picks some fightsÖ on the ocean floor and in space!!! ï SEA MONSTERS! RUSSIAN SUPER-SOLDIERS! THE ANGRIEST HULK YET! STAY ANGRY, TRUE BELIEVERS! ________________________________________________________ Before Watchmen Nite Owl #1 (of 4) Before Watchmen Nite Owl #1 (of 4) By: J. Michael Straczynski, Andy Kubert 'The hero known to the public only as Nite Owl announced his retirement today.' Plus: Don't miss the CRIMSON CORSAIR backup story by writer LEN WEIN and artist JOHN HIGGINS! This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue. ________________________________________________________ Captain America And Iron Man #633 Captain America And Iron Man #633 By: Cullen Bunn, Alessandro Vitti, Patrick Zircher Captain America and Iron Man head to Madripoor for a technology expo! What could possibly go wrong? Everything! That's what! ï Especially when Batroc's Brigade shows up and a technological nightmare threatens to brings the world to its knees! ________________________________________________________ Flash #10 Flash #10 By: Francis Manapul THE FLASH vs. THE WEATHER WIZARD! The Flash may survive, but will BARRY ALLEN? ________________________________________________________ Back Issue #57 Back Issue #57 Back Issue focuses on Jenette Kahn, former president and publisher of DC Comics, as she tells all in a career-spanning, exclusive interview conducted by Robert Greenberger. Also: DC's Dollar Comics and unrealized kids' line (featuring an aborted Sugar and Spike revival), the Wonder Woman Foundation, and the early days of the Vertigo imprint. ________________________________________________________ Amazing Fantasy #15 Spider-Man Amazing Fantasy #15 Spider-Man By: Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby Relive the adventures that started it all! o A radioactive spider may have granted bookish young Peter Parker incredible abilities, but it was his uncle's death that truly transformed him. o Can the newly minted Spider-Man defeat the menace of the Chameleon - and face the Fantastic Four? o Thrill to Spidey's debut issues, completely remastered and beautifully recolored in modern style by Jean-Francois Beaulieu (WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ)! o Collecting material from AMAZING FANTASY (1962) #15 and AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #1. ________________________________________________________ Infinite Crisis Omnibus HC Infinite Crisis Omnibus HC By: Bill Willingham, Justiniano, Jim Lee Type: Graphic Novels Genres: Superhero Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: June 27, 2012 Availability: Released UPC: 978140123502415000This incredible omnibus hardcover collects the titles from the 2005 event that rocked the DC Universe. OMAC robots are rampaging, magic is dying, villains are uniting, and a war is raging in space. And in the middle of it all, a critical moment has divided Earth's three greatest heroes: Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. It's the DCU's darkest day, and long-lost heroes from the past have returned to make things right in the universe...at any cost. ($150!!) ________________________________________________________ New Deadwardians #4 (of 8) New Deadwardians #4 (of 8) By: Dan Abnett, I. N. J. Culbard Inspector Suttle, closing in on the perpetrator of the impossible crime, must escape the living terror of Zone B's East End if he is to chase down the remaining leads. Can the living ever let the dead go free? And if the investigation extends beyond the cordoned comfort of London, into the bleak Restless Wastes, what other horrors will he face? ________________________________________________________ FF #19 FF #19 By: Jonathan Hickman, Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Mike Choi "SAFARI" The kids take their second Field Trip -- To Africa! Meet the Science Club of Wakanda. The Future Foundation gets a brand new member. ________________________________________________________ Daredevil Born Again Artist Ed HC Daredevil Born Again Artist Ed HC By: Frank Miller, David Mazzucchelli Daredevil Born Again. That title strikes a chord with comic fans who know what it means. Fans who know that it represents two of the finest creators at the absolute peaks of their game. David Mazzucchelli's superhero work had reached an artistic apex when this series was released, and the same is true for Frank Miller's writing. Together they combined to craft a story of extraordinary impact that is still regarded as a true masterpiece. Collecting the entire storyline of Born Again, this book will feature the complete issues of Daredevil numbers 227-233, plus covers and extras. Each page was personally scanned by Mazzucchelli from his own original art. This is the largest Artist's Edition yet, weighing in at a rock solid 200 pages of beautiful Mazzucchelli art in the way you've always wanted to see it-the next bet thing to holding the actual original art! This title collects Daredevil #227-233 ________________________________________________________ Spaceman #7 (of 9) Spaceman #7 (of 9) By: Brian Azzarello, Eduardo Risso, Dave Johnson Orson is hunted down by the cops, the bounty hunter, and the gang bent on kidnapping Tara. And as he gets squeezed, something precious slips through his fingers... ________________________________________________________ Alter Ego #110 Alter Ego #110 Alter Ego is a special SHAZAM!/Fawcett issue, with an expanded FCA section! P.C. Hamerlinck presents the little-known 1940s 'Captain Marvel' Radio Show (featuring an interview with its 'Billy Batson,' Burt Boyar), commentary by PCH and co-creator C.C. Beck regarding the 1939 origin of the Big Red Cheese, Roy Thomas and Jerry Bingham on their 1980s Secret Origins 'SHAZAM!' take, and Marc Swayze's Golden Age memoirs! ________________________________________________________ dailypop | June 27, 2012 at 11:21 pm | Categories: comic books | URL: http://wp.me/p4kUt-41V Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe or change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://dailypop.wordpress.com/2012/06/27/this-week-at-your-comic-shop-6272012/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

[New post] New Doctor Who toys: Retro Dalek and Post-Regeneration 5th Doctor

New post on The Daily P.O.P. New Doctor Who toys: Retro Dalek and Post-Regeneration 5th Doctor by dailypop Just announced for exclusive release from Forbidden Planet are these two amazing Doctor Who action figures. (announcement via TardisNewsroom) When I first learned of a line of 5 inch tall toys based on the long-running series, I was somewhat baffled. Incredibly detailed and articulated, they were impressive, but as the characters on screen did little else but talk and run down corridors, wasn't an 'action figure' a bit of an odd thing to make of William Hartnell and the other actors who played the part of the time traveling man of mystery? Of course now I own them all... so... yeah. As testament to the enduring legacy of the TV program, these action figures by Character Options and Bif Bang Pow! are as much an important part of the Doctor Who mythos as the Target novelizations and the radio dramas. Not only are they replications of the characters as they appeared on screen, they capture iconic moments such as the regeneration of Tom Baker into Peter Davison in Logopolis and Castrovalva. A figure of Davison in the full coat has already been released, but this version is the new Doctor sans coat in shirt sleeves (a kit-bash of the recently released Keeper of Traken 4th Doctor with a retooled Davison head). I do like that in addition to the Master's TARDIS, they have included a shrunken Logopolitan. This marks the seventh version of the 5th Doctor in toy form by Character Options... and yet we still do not have a decent figure of the Anthony Ainley Master (the released figure features a breathtakingly accurate sculpt of Ainley's plugged onto a John Simm body). Ah well... he's surely on the way. Doctor Who Action Figure Collectors Set: 5th Doctor Castrovalva The newly regenerated Fifth Doctor escapes with his companions back to the TARDIS. Suffering from post-regeneration trauma, he only narrowly manages to save the ship from destruction as it plunges back to Event One, the hydrogen in-rush that preceded the creation of the universe. He then seeks sanctuary in the peaceful domain of Castrovalva, only to discover that it is an illusory, dimensionally paradoxical trap set for him by the Master with the unwilling aid of a kidnapped Adric. The Doctor eventually wins the day by enlisting the help of the Castrovalvan people who, although also part of the Master's creation, are nevertheless able to exercise free will. The Master's TARDIS Whilst on the planet Traken the Fourth Doctor discovers that the Master, his long time nemesis, is trying to take control of a complex Traken bio-electronic power known as 'The Source'. The Source would allow the Master unparalleled power, and the ability to regenerate his dying body. When the Master's TARDIS is destroyed by the power feedback of The Source it is revealed he has another and thus he escapes to encounter the Doctor again. Their next encounter finds the Master's TARDIS, with its fully functional Chameleon Circuit, disguised first as a Police Box and latterly on the planet Logopolis, as a sandstone Doric column. The Master's TARDIS stayed in this favoured form during several encounters with the Fifth Doctor, before changing once again. Contents: 1 x Post-regeneration Fifth Doctor action figure. 1 x Shrunken figure accessory. 1 x Master's TARDIS as a Stone Column. (click to pre-order in the UK) I'm not a big fan of the Bif Bang Pow Master, Doctor and Sontaran figures, but this Dalek looks really great. The attention to detail is impressive and the larger scale is very attractive to me as well. Doctor Who Retro Action Figures: Dalek Daddy, where do Daleks come from? Grounded in the "Genesis of the Daleks" serial of Doctor Who that marked the first appearance of Davros, the creator of these evil mutant cyborgs, this extraordinary Dalek Action Figure stands approximately 7" tall. It features wheels and "neck" articulation, along with Bif Bang Pow!'s famed retro styling that takes one back to the bestselling figures from the 1970s and 1980s. Order yours now... or face extermination! Produced by the BBC, Doctor Who is the longest-running sci-fi TV series in the world. The award-winning show presents the adventures of a time traveler known simply as "the Doctor." Along with his companions, this mysterious Time Lord journeys through time and space using his TARDIS, which appears from the outside to be an ordinary police phone booth. (click to pre-order in the UK) dailypop | June 26, 2012 at 9:39 pm | Tags: doctor who character options, doctor who daleks, peter davison doctor who | Categories: Doctor Who Toys | URL: http://wp.me/p4kUt-41X Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe or change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://dailypop.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/new-doctor-who-toys-retro-dalek-and-post-regeneration-5th-doctor/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com