Fellowship Reviews: November 2011

For What It’s Worth: Gotham City’s Soul

A question popped into my head while we were doing the webcast last Monday. Les and I discussed it a little bit (here’s a link to the episode), but it has lingered since then.

Was Gotham City EVER good, or was it always corrupt? What made me think about that was the current story arc in ALL STAR WESTERN starring JonahHex. He is recruited to find a serial killer in Gotham, but finds out that there is more evil here than the killer.

I’ve been wondering, was there ever a point when Gotham was a good city? According to Wikipedia, some of the supernatural or occultish aspects of city can be attributed to a being that lies underneath the city forover 40,000 years. In addition, a Norwegian mercenary founded the city. Lord knows that if anything bad is going to happen, it will happen in Gotham(although Coast City and Bludhaven may have something to say about that).

So apparently Gotham has always been corrupt or evil. I just hatethe hopelessness about it. That is the reason I’ve never watched TERMINATOR 3.The filmmakers are telling me ALL the sacrifices that were made in the first two films were for nothing – Skynet would still take over Earth. Is this the same hopelessness that Hex faces and what the Bat-family will continue to face? Granted, get rid of all the villains and corruption might make for a boring comic, but you know what I’m getting at.

So is there anything good about the city? Yes, thereare the city’s heroes, but just about all were created from the evil that surrounds them. I mean think about it –

Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson lost their parents to criminals

Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain have evil parentage

Helena Bertinelli was born into (and lost her parents to)the mob

Damian Wayne's mother and grandfather lead (or have led) The League of Assassins

Now Jonah Hex is a part of the lore, which I feel is appropriate. I guess the city was destined to be evil and that there will always be a knight (wearing either a gun belt or a utility belt) to save its soul.

A Review: LOOSE ENDS #3

The Fellowship was fortunate enough to obtain advance copyof LOOSE ENDS #3 from 12-Gauge Comics. This is the third chapter of a four-issue mini-series. Jason Latour (The Expatriate, Daredevil Black and White) wrote thestory, with Chris Brunner (Nola, Boondock Saints: Mob War) handling the artworkand colors by Rico Renzi (Perhapanauts, Frenemy of the State).

Sonny and Cheri are in Miami trying to forget the events at Bobbis Hideaway bar which lead to his ex-Kim being shot and killed during afight. Rej shows up there with an offer from the two crooked cops – turn over Batista and you are free. Sonny and Cheri try to escape. There are flashbacksto Rej and Sonny’s tour in Baghdad intersperse throughout the issue mirroringthe danger the lead characters are facing now.

The art in this book is just incredible. Brunner’s pencils walk the fine line between cartoon and realism. Renzi’s use of color is unusual, but in a great way. Thecomic is so visually stunning and unique. Latour’s writing is solid and real,but this not my cup of tea. I don’t go for the shows like THE WIRE and BREAKINGBAD, but if you do this is the book for you. LOOSE ENDS #3 is in stores now orcan be ordered at their website www.12gaugecomics.com.

A Review: HELLBOY: HOUSE OF THE LIVING DEAD

The Fellowship was fortunate enough to obtain an advancecopy of HELLBOY: THE HOUSE OF THE LIVING DEAD hardcover graphic novel from DarkHorse Comics. Mike Mignola wrote the story, with Richard Corben (HELLBOY: BEING HUMAN, B.P.R.D.: BEING HUMAN) handling the artwork.

It is 1955 and Hellboy is in Mexico spending time betweenwrestling and getting drunk trying to numb the pain of losing a fellow monster hunter to vampires. He is blackmailed into fighting a Frankenstein type monsteror else a young woman being held hostage will be killed. The mad scientist found out he would gain favor with the lords of Hell if his creation would defeat Hellboy. Throw in a werewolf, a hunchback assistant, and more vampires -just another day at the office for Hellboy.

The team of Mike Mignola and Richard Corben work verywell together. To me, the only other penciller that could capture the world ofHellboy just as well is…well, Mike Mignola. I like the grittiness of the Corben’slook. Mingola’s story is straightforward and there is no real surprises, but is a fun ride and one I would take again. HELLBOY AND THE HOUSE OF THE LIVING DEAD is in stores now.

For What It's Worth: To Use Khan Or Not To Use Khan...

As we reported earlier, Benicio Del Toro is being sought to play the villain for the next STAR TREK film. Initial speculation is that the role is Khan Noonien Singh, originally portrayed by Ricardo Montalban in the classic episode "Space Seed" and in STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN. At first, I was against the idea. I still am, but I'm also curious on how J.J. Abrams would handle the character. I have a few other choices that I would like to see in the new "Classic Trek" ....

1. Harcourt Fenton (Harry) Mudd - This is one I've mentioned to others before and have been mentioned to me. I'm not talking about the Harry Mudd of the episode "I, Mudd," but more of the version that appeared in "Mudd's Women." Not that I'm against a little humorous aspect of the character, but he's a con man who can be very dangerous. This is not a character I see Del Toro playing, but I could be wrong.

2. Trelane - The "child" with unlimited powers that appeared in the classic episode "The Squire of Gothos." It's been established in the novel Q-SQUARED (written by Peter David) that Trelane is a member of the Q Continuum. We haven't seen an entity such as this on the big screen in a STAR TREK movie. Personally I don't see them going this route either, but wish they would.

3. Klingon Captain - Whether it's Kang, Kor, Koloth, or someone new, we need the Klingons to be badasses again! They truly haven't been since STAR TREK VI and THE NEXT GENERATION series (with all due respect to Worf). To be quite honest, I'm tired of seeing the Romulans as the bad guys. It's a new day so BRING BACK THE BAD GUYS!!!!

4. Other - I wouldn't mind seeing a new villain. Preferably one that doesn't get killed at the end of the movie so we might have a reoccurring villain (that may be too much to ask). In my opinion this is the most likely option.

Who will Del Toro play in the next film (assuming he signs on), who knows. Not even he knows at this point if the reports are true. Production on STAR TREK XII starts in early 2012.

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A Review: STAR WARS: VADER AND THE LOST COMMAND

The Fellowship was fortunate enough to obtain advance copyof STAR WARS: VADER AND THE LOST COMMAND from Dark Horse Comics. This is theHardcover Edition collects the five-issue mini-series. Haden Blackman (JangoFett: Open Seasons, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed) wrote the story, with Rick Leonardi (Spider-Man 2099, Star Wars: General Grievous) handling the artwork.

Taking place roughly a year after the events of REVENGEOF THE SITH, we see a still novice Darth Vader. Emperor Palpatine tests his newapprentice by sending him to locate the son of Vader’s emerging nemesis, GrandMoff Tarkin. Tarkin, who isn’t impressed with the new Dark Lord sends Captain Shale, a friend and competitor to his son to ensure success of the mission.Based on what little information they had they head to the Ghost Nebula wherethey encounter the mysterious Lady Saro. She will lead them to Tarkin, for aprice. However, can Vader trust her or anyone else?

Haden Blackman paints an interesting version of Vaderhere. He’s not the Darth Vader we know in the classic trilogy. His dreams of his life he would have had withPadme and his offspring made him more sympathetic to me. However, you see himtake the steps to become the Vader we know and love/hate. I am a big fan of Rick Leonardi since his Cloakand Dagger days and he did not disappoint with his work here. He was able tohandle the fast pace action with a fluidness that was incredible. STAR WARS: VADER AND THE LOST COMMAND will bein stores November 30, 2011.