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Best Films of 2017

by Admin January 2, 2018

written by Admin

Another year has flown by and like always, it’s time to reflect back on the stand out films and comics that came out. 2016 was one of the worst years for films but 2017 ended up being one of the strongest in quite a while. There was no shortage of interesting and exciting films, with some of them meeting expectations and others underwhelming.

The comic book world continued to produce quality stories, but they weren’t quite as good as last years batch of comics. Stay tuned for the list of the best comics of 2017! Nevertheless, there is plenty to talk about and recommend. Without further ado, let’s get right to it and dive in to the Best Films of 2017!

10. Dunkirk

People always seem to flock to the theaters whenever Christopher Nolan directs a new film. Whatever your opinion of his work, there’s no denying his singular and creative vision. He almost never repeats himself and he always tries to do something different with each new movie. Dunkirk had a lot of fanfare going in. It’s Nolan’s most simple film, from a story point of view. At it’s core, it’s about survival and everyday heroism. The goal is to make the viewer feel as if they are there, evading the bullets and struggling for breath. At this, the film succeeds in spades.

It’s failings lie in a lack of characterization that leads to the plot, ironically feeling TOO simple. It’s very difficult to care about the characters portrayed in Dunkirk. You might root for them, but it’s hard to care about them. Nolan does play with some interesting time changes, going from the past to the present but it still isn’t enough to elevate the film any further up this list. Still, I’ve never seen a war movie filmed quite like Dunkirk. For it’s innovation and ambition, Dunkirk deserves to be on this list.

9. Justice League

Justice League is a film that got a very bad rap and could not recover. Rotten Tomatoes were key in the bad press for Justice League. It did not deserve to be destroyed as harshly as it was. How can Justice League have a score of rotten and Spider-Man 3 have one of fresh!? Either way, it’s important to watch this movie and FORM your own opinion. Is it perfect? Not by a long shot but could you enjoy it? I’d say yes. I know I sure did.

The film greatly improves and undoes some of the damage Batman vs Superman did. Both Batman and Superman, are much better portrayed in this film. Superman especially. Batman actually feels more like the Batman from the Justice League comics, not EXACTLY the same but closer than I expected. Wonder Woman was strong and Cyborg turned out to be the best new character in the film. Aquaman was okay. He wasn’t MY Aquaman but he didn’t offend me either. Flash was probably the weakest and most annoying and yet, I saw his function in the film.

The villain was formidable, but forgettable. The story is a riff on Avengers. Just another alien invasion yada yada, but was it ever fun and entertaining. I may be a bit biased as I am a huge Justice League fan but I actually went in HATING the trailers but came out pleasantly surprised.

8. The Founder

This smaller scale film deserves more attention. Its got a great cast of actors who are led by another great performance from Michael Keaton. Keaton plays Ray Kroc, the man responsible for the mega success of McDonald’s. The movie shows just how he came to get control of an idea that was never really his to begin with. Kroc is portrayed as both someone to be admired and someone to be hated. Everyone knows McDonald’s and chances are you’ve eaten there at some point in your life. McDonald’s has always been the most popular and cheapest fast food joint while not always being the healthiest and most respected of them all. The film gives unique insight as to why that might be through the examination of the characters.

Keaton was snubbed at the Golden Globes but may very well get some attention from the Oscars. At the end of the day, The Founder is a movie that is enlightening and informative as it is entertaining and should be watched by anyone with even a remote interest of how the McDonald empire came to be.

7. Wonder Woman

DC was in dire need of a hit after the critical bashing of Batman vs Superman and Suicide Squad. Thankfully, Wonder Woman ended up being that hit and even exceeded expectations. Before Star Wars: The Last Jedi took over, Wonder Woman was the highest grossing movie of the year. It seemed to connect with both critics and fans, which is very rare for a DC film. The hype was strong with this one and for good reason. Was it the best movie of the year or the best comic movie of all time?… No. Not at all, but the movie did a lot of things right. Wonder Woman felt like she was supposed to. They didn’t shy away from what makes her the hero she is. Gal Gadot greatly improved her acting and gave Wonder Woman an undeniable charm. She still isn’t the BEST actress but kudos must be given for her performance in the movie. The supporting cast was excellent, led by Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor.

The villain (Ares) should’ve been better and the CGI heavy third act hold back the movie from being a truly excellent film. Still, it was great fun and it honored a character that deserved to have a quality film. After all, Wonder Woman is arguably the biggest female superhero of all time.

6. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Fans finally got to see Spidey in the MCU thanks to Civil War, and now they got to see him in his own film set in the same universe as Thor, Iron Man in co. Iron Man is even in the film. Many times, having a film tied too much to continuity is a bad thing but it works here. The nods to Avengers actually enrich the plot and it’s main villain. That’s right, Marvel actually had a good villain in one of their movies. Michael Keaton plays the Vulture and really made him relatable while still being a credible threat.

Tom Holland plays a younger Spider-Man, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t good. He has a good balance between humor, seriousness and earnestness. The movie has a lot of humor but it didn’t distract. The serious moments were treated with seriousness, meaning you never lost the drama and you always felt the stakes. Spider-Man also had a great character arc. You saw him grow throughout the whole film.

It also paid tribute to the comics with several homages. The movie actually replicates a rather famous scene from Amazing Spider-Man #33. It’s these little touches and more that add to the quality of Spider-Man: Homecoming, Making it dare I say, the best Spider-Man movie of all time?

5. Baby Driver

Baby Driver’s conception came from the unique mind of Edgar Wright, who brought us such films as Hot Fuzz and Shaun of The Dead. It took a lot of his effort, time and money to get this movie done, and the end product showed. Baby Driver may seem oddly similar to 2011’s Driver but it’s execution is much different. It’s certainly a much more hopeful film and has it’s own style. Perhaps not as unique looking as Driver but unique all the same.

The characters really drive this film, no pun intended. Each of them feel interesting and the actors portraying them only make them more mesmerizing. Jaime Foxx steals the movie with his portrayal of the insane Bats. Talk about an appropriate name. The music in the film is really what sets it apart. It’s not just thrown in there as background music. It’s directly tied into the narrative of the film and actually quite necessary. It even has a satisfying and less predictable ending. Baby Driver was a refreshing change of pace from the saturated CGI driven movies that dominate the box office. I urge you to check this out if you enjoy good dialogue, music, cinematography, acting and overall fun.

4. Blade Runner: 2049 & It

It turned out to be to difficult to choose between these two great films. One an exceptional sequel, and the other a very pleasant surprise.

Blade Runner is a very worthy sequel to the original Blade Runner. More than 30 years later, Harrison Ford reprises his role as Deckard but it’s Ryan Gosling who leads this film. The striking visuals and cinematography ranks right up there with the best films of the year ut above al, the most impressive thing about the film is the story. It’s an engaging and cerebral plot, which forces you to pay attention and think. It had been quite some time since I was as mentally stimulated. Perhaps a bit overlong on time for some people but, I fel that the length was justified.

It was the remake of the classic 90’s film starring Tim Curry, and it improves on nearly everything from the original. Tim Curry is still an inch better as Pennywise the clown. The remake greatly improved the characterization of it’s main cast and executed the story far better than the original. The cast of kids really did a good job. It felt like an R rated Spielberg movie. If you liked Stranger Things it’s a strong possibility that you will enjoy It. Ironically It was a surprise commercial hit while Blade Runner: 2049 under preformed.

3. Logan

Logan was my favorite film of the year for a long time, and it still may very well be. The top three are easily interchangeable in their ranking. I wrote a longer in depth review of Logan early in March which you can read for further analysis.

Logan is Hugh Jackman’s last stint as Wolverine. It’s a gut wrenching, emotionally charged performance that is easily his finest of the whole series of X-Men films. Keep in mind that Hugh Jackman has been Wolverine for more than 15 years!

Logan treats the source material with plenty of maturity, choosing to focus on a small cast and repercussions of a lifetime of violence. It felt more like a western in the vein of Unforgiven rather than another entry in the X-Men cinematic universe. Logan is not just a great comic book film, it’s a great film period.

2. The Shape of Water

Guillermo Del Toro’s The Shape of Water, may very well be his most impressive film to date. Del Toro states that it’s his most personal film that he’s most proud of. The film has been a critical success throughout the year. Getting attention at various film fests and taking in 7 Golden Globe nominations along the way.

At first glance it’s a tough sell for many movie goers. After all, we are talking about a mute woman in love with a lizard/aquatic monster. Look past your initial trepidation and you will appreciate a truly beautiful film.The Shape of Water is a very original take on the familiar tale of love & loss. Don’t be fooled, the film does have a hopeful message despite some of the tragic nature of the story. The visuals are fantastic and really take you back to America during the height of the cold war. The entire cast is outstanding, with Sally Hawkins leading the way as Elisa, a mute woman that works in a secret government laboratory where she meets the “monster”. She communicates throughout the whole film in American Sign Language. Hawkins went through careful research for her role, making sure she could accurately portray someone who only spoke Sign Language, and it shows.

Michael Shannon played the main antagonist in the film and you WILL hate him, he’s that good. Kudos must be given to Doug Jones for portraying the creature with humanity and making you care about him. The script is phenomenal, especially the dialogue but all these things have to be credited to the director Guillermo Del Toro. Without his hand at the wheel, the film would not be what it is.

1. War For The Planet of The Apes

The Planet of The Apes trilogy has to be given its due as arguably the most constant trilogy of all time. There really isn’t a weak entry in the series. Dawn of The Planet of The Apes blew my mind and set the bar high for the sequel. Like The Shape of Water, War For The Planet of The Apes is more than what it appears to be at first glance. Yes, there are Apes riding on horses and wielding machine guns but that’s not what should define your opinion of the film. There’s a deep story there with relevant and timely themes. It is determined to have a message and not just be an action movie with no brains. If you look carefully, you will find a lot of subtle commentary on various social issues that still exist today. It’s daring portrayal of the apes should also be commended. Most of Apes rely heavily on using Sign Language and physical acting to communicate their thoughts, feelings and emotions.

Any Serkis must be given credit for the incredible acting he continues to deliver as Caesar. I am continually surprised as to how much he conveys through his CGI characters. War For The Planet of The Apes can be bleak but it’s a rewarding and unforgettable viewing experience that is a fitting end to a fantastic trilogy.

There you have it! let’s hope that 2018 shapes up to be as good a year as 2017.

January 2, 2018 0 comments

Comics DC Uncategorized

DC Comics: The Best One Shot Single Issue Stories

by Admin January 25, 2017

written by Admin

Today we examine the beauty of the single issue, but for DC comics. If you enjoyed my last article exploring some of Marvel’s best one shots, then I hope you stick around for this entry. DC has no shortage of excellent one shots as well.

Much like Marvel, I’m sure I forgot to add, or simply haven’t read many other great single issues that are out there, so don’t be mad if I miss a few of your favorites.

This list will be focusing on stories that do not require a vast amount of background to be ale to enjoy. That’s what makes the one shot so easy and accessible to read. Let’s proceed.

Sandman Mystery Theatre: by Matt Wagner, Stephen T. Seagle & various artists

Many fans, and perhaps non fans, are aware of Neil Gaiman’s critically lauded series, Sandman. Too many people are not as aware of the other Sandman series that was going on for much of the same time, Sandman Mystery Theatre. It ran for 70 issues and had a small, but devoted fan base.

The series is a period piece set mainly during the depression era . It follows the exploits of Wesley Dodds, the golden age Sandman. Neil Gaiman’s Sandman had nothing to do with this version. Gaiman touched on the golden age Sandman briefly, but that’s about it. Wesley Dodds was just a mild mannered detective with a costume and a gas gun, very pulpy. The stories were always praised for its historical accuracy, mature tone and compelling characters. It’s exploration of relationships was rather interesting and unique as well.

This annual is a perfect mix of everything that made this series so good, and it’s all done on one issue. It’s about a mysterious central park attacker that is on the loose and terrorizing the citizens of New York. The other problem is that this mugger bares a striking resemblance to Sandman. Sandman is forced to try and stop this attacker while evading capture from the police himself.

It’s a great mystery story that really knows how to keep the audience engaged. It’s also notable for having a few recognizable guest artists for this issue, like Alex Ross! If you want to sink your teeth into a really good noir styled mystery, check this out. You just might crave more and jump into the actual series.

Green Lantern: Larfleeze Christmas Special: by Geoff Johns, Brett Booth & Art Baltazar

If you want something that’s a little lighter in tone than try this out. It’s one of the funniest comics I’ve ever read. It centers mostly around the Orange Lantern, Larfleeze. ( Orange Lantern’s are powered by avarice.) Larfleeze is essentially a powerful alien hoarder. He wants anything and everything, so when Christmas comes rolling around, he’s intrigued. Naturally, Larfleeze attempts to take Christmas for himself no matter what. Green Lantern must intervene and hilarity ensues thereafter. The art is dynamic and matches the chaotic tone of the comic. Not only is it funny, but it’s also endearing at times. Geoff Johns makes you care about this selfish pain in the ass of an alien. You just want to see more of him and that’s a credit to the writing.

It even comes with a recipe to bake Larfleeze cookies! My girlfriend was kind enough to try the recipe out, which put a smile on my nerdy face. Yum yum, nothing like frosty orange colored cookies.

Gotham Knights # 32- by Devin Grayson & Roger Robinson

Honestly Batman could have his own one shots list but for now, here we are. Gotham Knights # 32 is a less well known issue that really deserves more attention. This issue happens to be Devin Grayson’s last issue on the series, and it’s quite a nice send off. It really encapsulates what makes Batman who he is. Not a flashy issue, the aptly titled ” 24/7″ is just a day in the life for Bruce Wayne and Batman. In the morning Bruce Wayne takes meetings, attends dedication ceremonies, visits a friend in the hospital and has dinner with the Foxes. Bruce manages to squeeze every minute of time from these endeavors to do some good, however small it may be.

When night falls, Batman takes part in a more direct approach. He stops crimes, saves lives, keeps an eye on Robin and visits Barbara. There’s more, but you get the idea.

For me, this issue shines a light on two very important aspects of Batman/Bruce Wayne, which are his obsessively dogged determination and his unyielding desire to help people. In many ways these are the things that make Batman so special. It’s that, coupled with the fact that he’s only a man, not Superman or Green Lantern or even Spider-man. He has to work twice as hard as them and still have enough juice left in the tank to get it all done and make it to the next day and do it all again. But the Batman will never quit or complain will he?

Look out for this wonderfully character driven issue of our favorite Dark Knight.

Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year 4 Annual #1- by Tom Taylor & Bruno Redondo

Injustice takes place in an alternate reality where Superman has snapped and become a tyrant. Batman, and a small group of resistance fighters attempt to fight his tyranny and take back the world. During Superman’s quest for power he creates a super-max prison where he has imprisoned every super villain you can name. Superman has also imprisoned anybody who stands against him, like the Green Lantern Corps.

This annual marks the return of fan favorite writer, Tom Taylor’s to the series he started, and boy does he deliver. It’s a story about escaping the super-max prison, while also serving as an excellent character piece. The character on full display in this issue is Plastic Man. That’s right, Plastic Man. Usually considered the butt end of many jokes and mostly forgotten over the years, Plastic Man has not had many “great” or defining stories. He’s always been thrown in for laughs, not much else. That all changes in this thrilling tale about a father trying to save his son. Plastic Man surfaces so that he can help bust his son out the super-max prison and start a new life away from the madness around him.

The story moves so fast, simply because you can’t wait to see what happens next. The emotional component proved to be the most surprising thing throughout this issue. I really felt for Plastic Man and actually rooted for him more than ever. How many times can you say that about Plastic Man?

it’s an awesome comic that is definitely the highlight of a rather mediocre for Injustice: Year 4 . Seek it out.

Action Comics # 775 – by Joe Kelly & various artists

This issue gives us the Superman we all know and love, for better or for worse. There was a DC animated movie that was based on this issue titled “Superman vs The Elite”, which I’ve always said is the perfect movie for any Superman hater to watch. The same goes for this issue. It’s won a few awards and has been loved by many fans over the years that it was first published.

One of the best things about the comic is that it touches on many of the things Superman haters gripe most about, Superman’s unwillingness to kill. In the issue, a new superhero team called The Elite show up to Metropolis very much willing to kill bad guys and clean up the world. At first they try to get Superman on board but eventually they give him an ultimatum. ” Do it our way or be destroyed.” The funny thing is that most of the public like The Elite and even agree with their harsher stance on criminals.

This leads to many more questions like, is Superman relevant? Does the world need heroes like this? It packs a punch and does not shy away from the hard truth. Superman is faced with the decision of succumbing to public pressure and opinion or doing the right thing and staying true to himself. I love this comic because it paints the picture as to why Superman exists and what he really represents, not only in the world of the DC universe, but what he represents to the society we live in today. A society that is maybe, a bit to eager for bloodshed. A bit too quick to anger and ultimately, too quick to hate.

Superman is meant to embody an ideal and NOT succumb to the anger and fear many of us could have. This is what this comic illustrates so eloquently. Superman fans and non-fans, I urge you to read this. Just trying out this one issue may give you a respect and understanding of the character, and above all, the importance of having a Superman in a world full of antiheroes.

Nightwing (vol 2) # 25 – by Chuck Dixon & Scott McDaniel

This comic has the distinction of being ranked #67 in Wizard Magazine’s list of “100 Best Single Issue Comics Since You Were Born”. It’s a thoughtful and touching issue about legacy and brotherhood. The simple premise of this story finds Nightwing and Robin( Tim Drake) on a night out training. They go through this self made gauntlet evading obstacles, fighting crime and bonding together.

Sharing a few personal stories ends up leading to several nice moments and one big revelation. They are able to trust each other and open up in a way that they can’t with Batman. Nightwing certainly takes a big brother role in this story. He gives Robin advice and listens to Robin without needing to judge him. It’s really a treat to read these two characters just being human and dare I say, normal but without being boring, that’s the beauty of this issue. It marries text and visual well enough to really showcase what the comic medium can do when it’s at it’s best. It’s a bit of a search to find this issue but well worth it.

Final Crisis: Requiem #1 – by Peter Tomasi & Doug Mahnke

There’s two things here that are important to note. I love Martian Manhunter and he loves Oreo cookies. For those unaware, Martian Manhunter was killed off rather unceremoniously in the pages of the major event series,” Final Crisis”.

This comic book acts as a eulogy for one of the most beloved members of the Justice League. it’s really a heartfelt sendoff that really makes you feel the grief that all the characters feel for their fallen friend. Far too many times the superheroes of these stories never get to deal with death. Not really anyway. They don’t have time to mourn, reminisce or have a ceremonies for their fallen brothers and sisters in arms. Sometimes they don’t even have a body to bury at all. That’s why it’s so refreshing to read an entire issue of superheroes going through the grieving process because, let’s not forget that superheroes are ultimately people too. And we as people, will encounter death and we’ll need to deal with it too. I’m not saying that the magnitude of loss will be the same in the real world… No, not at all. I’m just saying that seeing these characters go through these complex emotions humanizes them and allows them to relate to us just a bit more. It may even help some readers cope with things, even just a bit, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Everyone deals with loss differently, which the comic touches on too. It’s a nice script with some solid and emotive art to boot.

The ending is my favorite part. Read it and you’ll find out why.

Batman Adventures ( vol 2) # 17 – by Ty Templeton & Rick Burchett

Batman Adventures #17 is a comic that has had plenty of accolades and awards thrown it’s way. It’s a fantastic issue that addresses something that hasn’t been explored too often in the Batman mythos. What happened to Joe Chill?

Joe Chill is responsible for the death of Bruce Wayne’s parents, the defining moment of Batman. This makes Joe Chill almost as important a villain as The Joker or Two Face, now just imagine a reunion between he and Batman? It’s an issue done by the creative team of Templeton & Burchett, who had been putting out quality work on Batman Adventures for a number of years already. Many fans and critics have said it’s one of the best Batman comic series of all time, and it’s hard to argue with that once you see the quality of this issue. It’s got a hell of a story and it doesn’t skimp out characterization either. It gives us a rare look at things from the view point of Joe Chill.

The story begins with Chill in the present day. He’s worn down and constantly lives in fear and regret. Fear of ever being discovered as the murderer of billionaire Bruce Wayne’s parents, and in regret of not having finished the job on Wayne himself. He can’t sleep, and it’s even gotten so bad that Chill sees Bruce Wayne’s face everywhere, on everyone. Things get worse when a detective from the GCPD, decides to reopen the Wayne’s unsolved murder case. The story only gets better from there. If that’s not enough to hook you in I don’t know what is.

It’s a masterclass in storytelling, short form or otherwise. The story is tight tight tight. Every page has a purpose and every moment ties into the next moment. It’s truly a great issue with a great payoff. There are times where you might find yourself turning pages and gasping, and then smiling quickly afterwards. We all know how Bruce Wayne dealt with his parents murder, so it was intriguing to see what life has been like for the man who actually committed the crime. Complex themes of guilt, remorse and trauma are explored in a comic that was supposed to be dismissed as a kiddie comic. That’s perspective for you.

Nightwing ( vol 2.) Annual #2 – by Marc Andreyko & Joe Bennett

Nightwing makes another appearance on my list, this time with Batgirl by his side. To be honest it’s a story about her as much as it is about him. This annual tells that tale of Nightwing and Batgirl’s rather complicated romantic relationship over the years.

The comic starts with Nightwing injured and lying in bed with Barbara Gordon at his bedside. She tends to his wounds and lets him know that he’s been in a coma for weeks. The comic then jumps from the past to the present.

We see Dick and Barbara’s rather embarrassing first encounter.( A rather awkward and hilarious way to meet) We see their first date, the reason they broke up and even the moment in time where Dick finds out that Barbara has been paralyzed. It’s equal parts sad, funny and charming. It’s even fairly romantic, but not in a sappy way. Marc Andreyko really writes the hell out of these two characters. He manages to give them a chemistry that practically leaps off the page. He also does such a masterful job of weaving the convoluted comics history of these two characters. Joe Bennett is no slouch. His artwork keeps right up with the quality of the writing.

I remember I picked this up on a whim and started reading it on the subway ride home. Before I knew it, I was completely focused in on the story and was hoping I wouldn’t get home before finishing it.

Everyone has either been, or knows someone who has been in a complicated relationship like Dick and Barbara’s. Again, moments and themes like these manage to humanize the characters and make us care and relate to them more. I found the ending surprisingly mature and realistic, for a comic especially. It’s certainly my favorite Nightwing issue of all time. Track it down.

Brave & The Bold ( vol 2.) #33 – by J. Michael Straczynski & Cliff Chiang

We end the list with, probably my favorite issue out of the bunch. It’s a story titled ” Ladies Night” and it tells the story of Wonder Woman and Zatanna deciding to take Batgirl out for one night of pure fun.

From the beginning of the story we see that doing this for Batgirl is important to both Wonder Woman and Zatanna, we find out why later. Batgirl takes some convincing, but ultimately gives in. The result is a carefree night on the town for 3 women that don’t often get that luxury. It’s really great to see these three iconic superheroes just kickback and have fun like regular women. On the surface it’s just a fun story but by the end it’s so much more than that. It’s a tale of sorrow, trauma, acceptance, consequences and most importantly friendship. Saying anything more about the story directly is a disservice to it. The art is just as good as the script. I’ve never seen Cliff Chiang eclipse the work he did on this issue. His run on Wonder Woman comes close, but this issue still reigns supreme for me.

Much like a suggestion I made on the Marvel list of one shots, if you read just one issue of all the issues on this list, make it this one. Tracking it down for a decent price will be a task, let me tell you, so I would suggest to pick up the trade.( Team-Ups of the Brave & the Bold) It’s totally worth it, plus you get a lot of other quality stories in there as well.

That does it for my DC one shot recommendations. Stay tuned for more in the future!

January 25, 2017 0 comments

Action/Adventure Comic Book DC DC Universe Movies

Suicide Squad: Movie Review

by Admin August 15, 2016

written by Admin

After sub par movies, Batman vs Superman and the divisive Man Of Steel, I was really hoping for Suicide Squad to be amazing. The critical reception thus far has not been good. Is it DC bashing? Or even more unlikely, is there a Marvel conspiracy? Well, I went to see Suicide Squad to form my own opinion and find out for sure. When I first saw the trailers I was optimistic, but the negative reviews had managed to temper my expectations . Let’s see how this turned out…

Story:

Weak. This is the movie’s biggest flaw. It has a unique concept but it relies on that to carry the bulk of the movie. A team of super powered villains that are used by the government to carry out missions the government can’t fully handle. In exchange for taking part, the villains get time off their sentences. If they fail in their mission the government has total deniability. That’s it in a nutshell. Every beat the movie has is predictable. Almost every character becomes as formulaic as the story itself. There is a lot of entertainment throughout but it’s fleeting and ultimately forgettable. Unlike Batman vs Superman, there was quite a bit of humor, sometimes it was good and sometimes not. Some scenes were obvious re-shoots in an effort to add more humor, which led to many of those scenes feeling disjointed and weirdly cut. The whole movie probably suffered from studio interference because Warner Bros. was still in panic mode from Batman vs Superman. Unfortunately the cliches and predictability left for no surprises which ultimately led to a very boring climax for me, and a few too many chessy lines didn’t help. If the characters were better written, perhaps the story wouldn’t have mattered as much. A good example is this year’s Deadpool because it only manged to pull off a weak story because the characterization was so strong. Suicide Squad has a plethora of rich characters that were not taken advantage of. Some were simply there as a plot device to prove a point ( Slipknot) The characters with the most depth are easily Deadshot and Harely Quinn, the rest are just window dressing.

There were a few cool cameos and I will say that they did add a few nice touches for fans. Pay attention to a flashback sequence that shows us Harley Quinn’s beginnings. There is a nice moment there that is sure to please any fan. They also gave a quick nod to John Ostrander ( Creator of Sucide Squand) that my girlfriend was kind enough to point out. Somehow I missed it, so pay attention!

Action:

Aside from one awesome Deadshot scene, the action was pretty forgettable. They weren’t bad by any means, just not very memorable. Harley’s fighting style can be entertaining at points but it wasn’t as dynamic as it could’ve been. I have to give the edge to Zack Snyder’s Batman vs Superman in terms of the action.

Villain:

Enchantress was easily one of the worst villains in a comic book movie thus far. Lame is the appropriate word here. She was supposed to be threatening but I didn’t feel that threat at any point. She didn’t have much charm or wit either. The Joker was technically an antagonist as well but he was in the movie for such a short time that it doesn’t really count to me.

Acting:

Middle of the road, and that’s being generous. I’ll start with the positives. Will Smith as Deadshot was very good. He was the most consistent actor in the movie and he was also one of the only ones that was successful at making me care. I felt as though I was watching Deadshot more than I was watching Will Smith play himself. Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn was also fairly good, although sometimes it looked as if I was watching her do an impression of Harley Quinn rather than playing Harley Quinn. keep in mind the type of character she played and the dialogue she had to pull off.

Viola Davis’s Amanda Waller was a bit of a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, her acting was good, on the other hand her character wasn’t handled properly. I ended up finding her pretty unlikable and even downright evil at times. ( One scene especially pissed me off and made no sense.) But if we’re talking about straight up acting then yes, she was good too.

Now for the mediocre. Jai Courtney’s Captain Boomerang was okay. Hard to understand and one note, but okay. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s Killer Croc, did what he could with all that heavy makeup and Karen Fukuhara’s Katana, did what she could with limited screen time. Jay Hernandez’s El Diablo, had a good start but there were times were his lines sounded forced. This was particularly evident in the climax of the movie and yet out of all the actors I mentioned, he was the most likable.All and all, none of these actor’s were terrible, they just weren’t that good.

And finally, the bad.

Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flagg, had his moments but for the most part, he was bad. Sometimes cringe worthy bad. Again, this could be due to having to say some pretty bad lines, but still. Not a charismatic lead for the ” good guy” of the movie. Cara Delevingne as Enchantress was very bad. She was cringe worthy on almost every ” big” occasion, and not believable in every other occasion. Watching her and Joel Kinnaman sharing scenes together wasn’t easy. The script held them back but their skills certainly did not shine here.

Jared Leto’s Joker is a hard one. I didn’t hate it and I didn’t love it. He was good in the role but it felt a bit too over the top at times. He was trying TOO hard to be crazy and intense. He was menacing enough, I’ll give him that, but he lacked… charm. He also had a very weak laugh. I expected something epic and instead I got a laugh that I could imitate instantly. I think he has potential but he’s got to stop trying to channel Heath Ledger and really own the role.

Conclusion:

Another sub par release from DC/Warner Bros. leaves me disappointed and a bit worried. I really felt that DC/Warner Bros. could not afford to let Suicide Squad be anything less than it’s version of Guardians Of The Galaxy. Not only did it not live up to the hype, it’s actually getting a lower score than Batman vs Superman on Rotten Tomatoes! In It’s defense, I have to say I don’t think it was worse that Batman vs Superman. Is it a steaming pile of horse poo? No. Is it a benchmark in superhero movies? Not even close.

The interesting thing is Suicide Squad has made it’s money Warner Bros. hopes it will continue to do so, but how long can this formula last for other releases in the future?

A key demographic for DC/ Warner Bros. is the fans, many of which were displeased with the last 3 releases DC/Warner Bros. put out. For these fans, the titles of these movies is enough to warrant buying a ticket, but many have sworn off the next DC/ Warner Bros. release if it continues it’s mediocre quality. Word of mouth is huge and lately the word of mouth has not been good for the DC cinematic universe. I do think a lot of people simply want to hate on the movies but DC/ Warner bros shouldn’t make it easy for them critics and haters to do so.

David Ayer, Zack Snyder keep using the line ” We didn’t make these movies for critics, we made them for the fans.” Let me speak as a fan…

Gentlemen, I appreciate the effort but these movies are not good enough. They touch on some positive things but ultimately they stumble. Just because I am a fan doesn’t mean I will put up with a mediocre or bad product. Don’t take us for granted.

Let’s hope Wonder Woman saves the day in 2017.

August 15, 2016 0 comments

Comic Book Comics DC Movies Uncategorized

Batman: The Killing Joke: Movie review

by Admin July 27, 2016

written by Admin

Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to watch the animated version of The Killing Joke on the big screen. There was a lot of hype surrounding this movie. What, if anything would they omit? What would they add? Most Importantly, would it live up to the quality of it’s comic book predecessor? Let’s dive in and find out.

Story:

Right off the bat I was pleased that the animation on display was reminiscent of Bruce Timm’s classic style, albeit with a modern edge. Now on to the story. The interesting thing about this adaptation is that it begins with a totally new storyline that focuses heavily on Batgirl. I know a lot of Killing Joke purists will have their strong views on this but it wasn’t too bad. I say this because it wasn’t without it’s flaws either.

Without giving away too much, the ” prologue” focuses on seeing Barbara Gordon in action as Batgirl. It also gives us a taste of the true nature of Batman and Batgirl’s relationship. The entire segment lasts about 20 mins or so. It’s very well done, production wise. It’s well paced with snappy dialogue and entertaining action, but the whole thing seems out of place to me. As a standalone prologue, I suppose it works, but as part of the movie itself I found it weird. It’s very Batgirl heavy and the things move at break neck speed. Once the more familiar aspects of The Killing Joke begin the pace slows down.

The plot, for anyone who hasn’t read the comic or seen the movie is basically a character study of The Joker and loose origin story for him. It touches on Batman’s psyche and relationship as well but it’s very much Joker centric.

Joker wants to prove that anyone, no matter how ordinary or good they are, can succumb to maddness if they have enough terrible ordeals in one day. Therefore, anyone can be like the Joker. This is something he seems dead set on proving to Batman and Jim Gordon, and he goes far to do it. Barbera Gordon/ Batgirl becomes a consequence of his horrific plan. It’s a disturbing story but the movie didn’t present it too graphically, so I give them kudos for it. As dark as it is, I was engaged throughout. There’s some great monologues in the movie. When heard on screen, The Joker’s word take on a diff rent meaning as opposed to reading them. It was an interesting experience. Ultimately I’m not sure if the comic lends itself for a cinematic translation but it is very well done nonetheless. Much like most of Alan Moore’s stuff, it works best in it’s comic book format. The movie tends to follow the comic beat for beat and thus provides a faithful adaptation, which is a good thing if you’re a fan of the comic as I am. The Batgirl story in the beginning seems to be the dividing point for many. More on that later.

The Animation/ Action:

The animation is stellar throughout the picture. The subtle expressions on Joker’s face are a treat to behold. He looks genuinely creepy on several occasions. Brian Bolland’s art was done as faithfully as possible while still remaining it’s own thing but the key moments were unmistakably Bolland’s art. The fluid animation and colors really impressed me. Again, it was a welcome come back to the Bruce Timm animaiton style!

There is quite a bit of action on display, much more than the original source material provided. It’s quite good but not the best I’ve seen from DC animated movies. To be fair the movie is not really about the action but I expected a few more exciting action sequences. I will say that the Batgirl story did deliver more on that side of things.

The Voice Acting:

Outstanding. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamil deliver as they always seem to do. Tara Strong more than holds her own among these giants. I felt she provided some excellent emotinal moments. Perhaps, some of the best in the movie. For my money, Mark Hamil stole the show. He provided the best performance of the character since his days on the Animated series. He gets every beat right and speaks every line with conviction. The Joker’s flashback sequences really showcased how diverse a range he has. I got shivers a few times I heard he spout off some of the dialogue from the original comic, great stuff. As good as Kevin Conroy was, I was hoping that a little bit more emotion would come through, not a lot just…A tiny bit more. Still the moment those two come together, everything works.

Conclusion:

The Killing Joke film is a faithful adaptation that only helps to honor the material but doesn’t surpass it. Ultimately the comic book version can’t be touched and it works best in that format. Fans of the comic will appreciate more than the first time watcher. What about the Batgirl story addition? Well, I liked it quite a lot. On it’s own it’s great, but as part of the main story it doesn’t completely work.

Does it really add anything to the Killing Joke? For me, not really, but it doesn’t take away from the story either. For the most part The Killing Joke story is an examination of The Joker and the nature of his insanity. Batman is big part of this because of the history between the two. the story tries to briefly hold up a mirror and show how similar and dissimilar they both are. What the Batgirl story does for the audience is showcase Barbara Gordon as her own person and not simply a victim of The Joker, and while that is incredibly important it feels a bit forced. Perhaps the story was done to appease the growing number of fans over the years that often complain about this story’s treatment of Batgirl, with the very argument being that she is nothing more than a victim of the Joker. For a long time I could never see it that way but DC has always gone back to that moment time and time again. It makes you wonder why they continue to bring Barbara Gordon back to that horrible time.

Victims only get on with their life if they move forward and get stronger from their ordeal, which she did. But we have been reminded of that moment in Batgirl’s life many times in many different stories far to often. That is problematic, but not totally unjustified either. It was a deeply traumatic event for Barbara Gordon/Batgirl so why shouldn’t it have left a scar on her? A scar so deep that it reverberates in her whole world, including the people around her. Batman’s traumatic past is touched on over and over. The night of the his parents murder has left an undeniable scar on him that has clearly never healed. I know, I know… Batman wasn’t the direct receipt of the crime and Barbara Gordon was. Also, Batman was never physically incapacitated after the event. He was fully abled to exact his own form of justice. But I hate the implication that once Barbera lost the use of her legs she became less of a hero or a person. For those that don’t know… She got on with her life and even went on to become Oracle. She became an integral member of the crime fighting team, The Birds Of Prey. She also became the eyes and ears for Batman, saving his ass on many occasions.

Some fans often complain about why Joker had to do this to Barbera Gordon? You hear that he went too far., that DC went too far in allowing Alan Moore to write this. Maybe they did.

Maybe they did go to a grim place that was so dark it shouldn’t of happened, but it did. That argument could lead to a further argument in regard to the direction that comics took in the late 80’s and beyond. It might mean you disapprove, which is fine. But if you continued to read on, than you must accept the fact the this is where comics went. Once DC decided to cross that dark territory no one can really be surprised about what a character like the Joker has done or will do. Over the years the Joker has become a deranged psychopath who has zero regard for the well being of anyone. He scarcely has regard for his own well being. He’s a cold blooded sadistic murderer, do you expect a murderer to be nice? If not, then why be enraged when said murderer kill’s and maims? And it’s not like Barbara was the only victim in the Joker’s wake. Jason Todd( the 2nd Robin) shared an even grislier fate. He was beat with a crowbar within an inch of his life only to be blown to bits shortly after, and that event certainly defined him. For a long long time Jason Todd was not able to enact his own justice until, of course, he was. But even after coming back from the dead, the scars of that moment remained.

At the end of the day you can’t please everyone but I think it’s best to look at both sides of an argument objectively and as fairly as possible. Perhaps this version of the Joker is not YOUR joker. Perhaps the joker you grew up with is more in line with the easier to root for version in Batman the animated series or the even goofier version of the 1966 Batman TV show. Maybe you like your Joker a bit over the top, but just menacing enough. In that case, Jack Nicholson’s version might be right up your alley. Or maybe you like your Joker grounded and a lot scarier, in which case Heath Ledger’s version is the one to go with.The one thing that they have in common is that they all have the same spirit, just done a different way. Everyone’s tastes and opinions are their own and we’re all entitled to them. The point is that Joker, like Batman, can be done in a multitude of ways. It’s very hard to have a definitive version that will please everybody so I try to remember that whenever I see any interpretation done on screen or on paper. I found something to like from all the versions of the Joker I just mentioned and the version in the Killing Joke comic or movie fits into my spectrum of what the Joker is and should be. He can be cruel, sadistic and violent but he can also be complex, engaging and even sympathetic. A lot of fans might call that wrong, I just call it a good character.

Much like Tony Soprano or Walter White, you’re not supposed to love them or even like them, they just are who they are and you kick yourselves for having developed a connection with them as you watch them do something that makes you hate them. It’s almost a betrayal to see such a thing because, let’s face it, a lot of people like the Joker. How many people weren’t rooting for him just a little bit in Heath Ledger’s Dark Knight? It just that when they go too far into a place that a we can’t follow, it offends and disappointing us. Make no mistake, the signs are there and the Joker is many things but a good person ain’t one of them.

Does what happened to Barbara offend me? No, does it anger me? Yes, I care for the character immensely. I don’t believe that The Killing Joke dismisses her worth as a chracter, that’s for sure. Fans may have an argument against that and they may have a point but I don’t let that moment define her as a victim, a defining moment, yes but not THE defining moment.

Barbara Gordon has been retconned and will have the chance to purge whatever baggage there may be left from the Killing Joke. Maybe that’s a good thing, maybe that’s what she deserves. A hero is someone who rises up against all obstacles to do right by others in times of need. That’s Barbara Gordon to me. before the Killing Joke or after, during the New 52 or DC rebirth, that’s who she is.

July 27, 2016 0 comments

Comics DC Independent Marvel

Artist Spotlight: Bill Sienkiewicz

by Admin July 20, 2016

written by Admin

Bill Sienkiewicz ( pronounced Sin-ke-vich) is a comics legend and one of my favorite artists of all time. He’s pretty much worked on every prominent comic character for DC, Marvel and more. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve picked up a book from the 80’s, 90’s, or 2000’s and found his name attached. A lot of the times I wasn’t even aware he had worked on whatever title it was I was picking up til years later. Even nowadays, I look at some of the comics I have and find myself surprised to see that Bill Sienkiewicz either drew or inked it.

Even to this day, Sienkiewicz gets steady work, although mostly as an inker. Ironically it is his extraordinary inking abilities that impress me the most. Sienkiewicz is one of the few inkers who is instantly recognizable. He always seems to be his thumbprint on whoever he inks over. So much so, that sometimes the original pencils are almost unrecognizable. Some people have a hard time understanding what an inker’s role actually is. It’s so much more than simply tracing over the pencil lines.

Then inker finishes the penciler’s thought and embellishes what is there. A good one, is able to interpret the art in his own way while honoring the spirit of the pencils. For my money, an inker like Sienkiewicz almost always elevates the source material, but not enough to overshadow it. No, he does so in a way where you come to appreciate the penciler more than you did before. Perhaps, opening your eyes to the subtle skill of the penciler you may have disregarded upon first glance. To me, this is what Sienkiewicz does best. He can make, even a mediocre penciler look good.

Sienkiewicz is also a fantastic penciler and painter. He has such a varied style that it’s hard to recognize his earlier work compared to his more free flowing style today. When he started, Sienkiewicz’s style resembled Neal Adams quite a bit. Sienkiewicz even admitted as much himself. It didn’t take long for him to eventually push his style in ways that few comic artists had done at that point. His covers for New Mutants and Moon Knight really showcased that transition. Abstract at times, and impressively defined at others, he quickly became a fan favorite and worked with notable artist’s like Frank Miller,Jim Aparo, Denys Cowan, Dan Jurgens, Sal Buscema, Kyle Baker and many more.

If you’re lucky enough to pick up one of his sketchbooks you’ll see his excellent use of mixed media on full display. I especially like his portraits. He captures the likeness of whomever he’s drawing/painting with incredible accuracy. His exaggerated art is reminiscent of artists like Sam Kieth but I feel, Sienkiewicz doesn’t go as far. Even the times when he does go too far, I still appreciate the general artistry behind the piece I’m looking at.

Here are a few examples of Bill Sienkiewicz’s most notable works…

Moon Knight( From the 80’s) # 1-30

His first foray into comics is fondly remembered by die hard Moon Knight fans. Here, you get to witness the evolution of his art style. The covers alone are worth it. # 29 is easily one of my favorites. No other artist has yet to match Sienkiewicz’s popularity on the character since his run ended. The new stuff Marvel is putting out does come close but there’s something truly special about Sienkiewicz’s Moon Knight that can’t be replicated. Here is a great example of the interesting things he was doing with his art while on his run on Moon Knight, and this was in the 80’s!

Elektra :Assassin – 1-8 Mini Series

Another chracter that Sienkiewicz put his stamp on, perhaps even more so than Moon Knight. Sienkiewicz managed to collaborate with none other than Frank Miller. Together, they were both running on all cylinders, feeding off each other. Miller’s story and dialogue would excite and motivate Sienkiewicz to produce his most daring artwork up to that point. The whole thing is done in this, sort of, painted art style that graces the cover before your eyes. Elektra:Assassin proved to be one of the most popular and definitive stories for the red clad assassin.

Superman: Day Of Doom – 1-4

Superman: Day Of Doom is an interesting read that often gets overlooked but it’s the art that really stands out to me. If there’s any reason at all to pick it up, it’s for the art. Sienkiewicz only handles inks here but he may as well have done the pencils. The finished product is so starkly diffrent than the original pencils you’d swear it was another artist. Dan Jurgens is a fine artist in his own right but he clearly has a more traditional style. Here is an example…

A nice panel for sure, but you get the point. It’s clean and fairly polished. Here’s a look at the same artists work, this time with Sienkiewicz’s inks…

Quite a change isn’t it? You may or may not like it, depending on your tastes but I find that the inks add an edginess to the work. It’s rough and dirty but it’s beautiful. There’s an urgency to it that demands more of your attention. This is especially important for this story because it’s not an action packed one with a lot of big moments. It’s more of a character piece with more dialogue and exposition. Judging from the title, you’d imagine it was a rematch between Superman and Doomsday, but it’s anything of the sort. It deals more with the consequences and collateral damage that Superman was, in part, resposbile for during his devastating battle with Doomsday. It’s a serious story that takes a few darker turns and I think the art compliments that well.

New Mutants – #17- 31

Sienkieeicz jumped on the New Mutants title on issue 17 but made his mark right away. His popularity was already on the rise thanks to his tun on Moon Knight, but New Mutants made him a star. I must confessed I was never particularly interested in reading any mutants that didn’t have X in the title. When I noticed the striking covers and realized his name was attached, I had to pick it up. It didn’t hurt that Chris Claremount’s name was attached to the project either. I’m glad I did because both creators push their artistic visions more than ever before and we ended up with one of the most interesting and original X-men comics from the 80’s.

These stories are just some of the work Bill Sienkiewicz has done. If you’re feeling very adventuros you could try picking up the Graphic Novel: Brought to Light By Alan Moore. This features classic Sienkiewicz art but is a rather grim read and not for the faint of heart. Also incredibly hard to come by these days.

Recently I heard rumblings of Sienkiewicz having a couple of projects with Mark Millar and Kelly Sue Deconnick, so I look forward to seeing that whenever it comes out. Meanwhile, dive into the back issue bins and shelves and pick up some of Bill Sienkiewicz’s seminal works. You will be impressed.

July 20, 2016 0 comments

Comics DC Independent

Dark Night: A True Batman Story: Graphic Novel Review

by Admin June 30, 2016

written by Admin

Dark Night:A True Batman Story: By Paul Dini & Eduardo Risso ( Vertigo/Dc comics)

Anyone who is a fan of Batman knows the name Paul Dini, and even if you’re a moderate fan, chances are that his work has come to your attention at some point. After all, he is the co creator of Harley Quinn, who’s popularity is at an all time high. Paul Dini was a principal figure in shaping the world of Batman: the animated series. He wrote arguably the best episodes, none the least being ” Heart Of Ice.” He went on to write more Batman while working on Batman Beyond and Justice League Unlimited.

His run on Detective Comics also ranks high on his Bat achievements and to top it off he wrote two of the most successful Batman video games of all time! ( Arkham Asylum & Arkham City.)

Clearly the man knows Batman. His latest effort ( Dark Night: A True Batman Story) dives back into the world of Batman… Sort of. It’s actually a real life account of a terrible time in Paul Dini’s own life. One night during the 90’s Paul Dini suffered a brutal attack at the hands of muggers in L.A. The attack was so bad that he was beaten to within an inch of his life.

This graphic novel tells that tale and the work it took to overcome his demons and move past his ordeal. It’s a surprisingly naked look at Paul Dini’s personal life and all the problems he had before AND after the attack. Where does Batman come in? Dini uses Batman and the world around him as a further exploration of his psyche. Sort of like the angel ( Batman) and the devil on his shoulder( Joker). Let’s dive in and dissect it a bit further.

Story:

It”s essentially a recounting of parts of his life. Right off the bat, the first panel is a full page spread of Dini lying in a hospital bed. His face and head are covered in bandages. We start with a brief glimpse into Dini’s past when he was growing up as a child. We discover that Dini had confidence issues and because of this he developed a vivid imagination to make him feel happy and safe. Perhaps it’s thanks to this imagination that Dini is able to write his characters so truthfully.

We get quick flashes forward in time and see the progression of his career. Eventually we get to the time when he was at his peak in terms of success, but even throughout this time he lacked the complete fulfillment he desired. Finding true love and companionship being his biggest hurdle.

It’s a treat to see Dini working at the Warner Bros. office and interacting with his co-workers during the height of Batman T.A.S. These moments are fleeting as the focus is always on Dini more than anything else. Even at this time Dini’s imagination would run wild. Every now and then you would get a panel of Batman popping in or an animated bird etc. These cartoons were very real to Dini. He knew they existed in his mind but they felt real in some way. He loved these characters and perhaps was guilty of using them as a safety blanket from the outside world.

Once we get to the night of the mugging we’ve sat in his skin along with him to understand the full extant of the psychological ramifications of said mugging. The attack itself is a haunting ordeal, both for him and the reader. Every moment is captured with stark realism. It’s ugly and unnerving. The viciousness of the attack was one thing, but the evilness was what really shook me. I forget how truly despicable people can be sometimes. You hear about this kind of stuff all the time but this time we saw and heard it, practically reliving it with Dini.

I suppose I felt as if I almost knew the person this happened to. Sure, I’ve never met Paul Dini but I’ve known of him for years. Not to mention the fact that he’s one of my favorite writers of all time. I respect him. To know someone I respect and admire so much got the living hell beat out of them like that saddened me, let alone seeing it. I couldn’t help be overwhelmed with anger and sadness. Imagine how Paul Dini himself felt? In actuality, we didn’t have to imagine thanks to his gut wrenching writing. The story takes you down every dark turn in his scarred psyche. Batman and Joker remain at his side throughout the whole ordeal. Batman, more of a stern father figure than a consoling shoulder to cry on. He insists that he get back up and move forward. Face the outside world and don’t let the bad guys win, that kind of thing. Joker tries to be his friend telling him to stay in the confines of his safe home. There rest of the time he simply laughs at Dini, telling him to give up.

There are times when Batman berates Dini for not being smart or strong enough to handle the situation better. There’s a poignant moment where after Batman berates him Dini tells him ” You weren’t there to save me. I don’t believe in you anymore.” How could he? And how could he be expected to write a character he doesn’t believe in? It’s important to mention that this happened in the middle of writing the animated movie, ” Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm.” The journey to take back his life is a long and painful one but it’s execution is excellent.

It’s a truly engaging story that i couldn’t put down while I was reading it.

The Art:

Full marks have to go to Eduardo Risso for this project. I believe he may have put out the finest work of his career, it’s certainly the most varied art I’ve ever seen from him. We get many different flavors from almost, panel to panel. He brings his unique gritty style, made famous while working on 100 Bullets. He also delves into a stripped down cartoon style for some of the lighter moments. During the narration scenes of past and present we get a painted water colorish style. Risso manages to pull all these styles of convincingly, as if he’s always done them.

He really nails it in the attack scene. It’s chilling but tasteful. You see just enough without going into gory detail. The words tell the rest. Even Paul Dini, stated that Risso captured the attack scene so well he couldn’t look at it for a week after. The colors also play a big part. Without a masterful use of colors, many of the surreal moments could come across wrong. Thanks to the creative effort here, everything fits very well and is easy to follow. It’s a stunning piece of work that should not be overshadowed by the rich story.

Conclusion:

Dark Night: A True Batman story is really a Paul Dini story that uses Batman in a way that has never been done before. In many ways he’s more real than ever and in other ways the opposite. As the story progresses you come to realize, as Dini did, that Batman is more about what he represents and what that means to people. At the end of the day, characters like him mean a great deal to many. They help to get people through pain, and in some instances inspire them to become greater than what they are. Paul Dini once received a letter from a Police Officer who told him that Batman T.A.S inspired him to become a cop. No, Batman isn’t real, but he can inspire real emotions and actions. It’s not just one story either. It’s the culmination of all the special ones that do that, and Paul Dini played and part in making that happen.

As we discover from the book, it took a great deal of soul searching to discover that, let alone believe it but he got there.

In it’s simplest form, this story is about trauma and how to get through it and come out okay. It’s a cathartic experience for the writer but it can also give hope to anyone going through a tough time. It can only work and seem genuine if it’s honest, and it is. In fact it’s honesty is it’s greatest strength. Dini puts it all out there for thousands of people to judge him or not. That’s an incredibly brave thing to do.

The book is a dark read but it does provide moments of levity from time to time. Even the ending is of a brighter tone. It’s not for kids but I don’t think it was intended to be.

I can’t recommend this book enough to fans and non fans alike. Survival, redemption and self worth are just some of the many themes explored in Dark Night. Does it have people in funny masks and capes? Yes. Can they be silly? Yes, but never have they felt more important. Perhaps one person’s drivel is another persons salvation. I think Paul Dini would argue the latter for himself.

As for Paul Dini, one question he asks himself is does he matter? My answer is yes, you do. Thank you for writing this and many other stories that continue to entertain and enrich lives. leave it to Paul Dini to write one of the most important stories I’ve ever had a chance to review.

June 30, 2016 0 comments

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