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Independent

Invincible Season 2: Worth the Wait? (Spoiler Alert: Heck Yeah!)

by hutchm January 27, 2025

written by hutchm

Okay, fellow Invincible fans, let’s be real. That wait for Season 2 was BRUTAL. I mean, come on! Leaving us hanging like that after Season 1’s explosive finale? And then splitting the season into two parts? It was a definite buzzkill. But you know what? Now that I’ve devoured every last episode, I can confidently say it was worth the wait. Mostly.

Picking Up the Pieces (and Punching Some Faces)

Season 2 picks up right where we left off, with Mark reeling from that earth-shattering battle with Omni-Man. The dude just went toe-to-toe with his own dad, who also happens to be the world’s most powerful superhero-turned-planet-conquering-villain. Talk about family drama!

Mark’s dealing with a whole lot of trauma, guilt, and the ever-present threat of the Viltrumite Empire breathing down his neck. But hey, at least he’s got his awesome powers, right? Except, those powers are kinda terrifying, especially when you’ve seen what your dad can do with them. Mark’s constantly struggling to control his strength, his anger, and the fear that he might turn into his father.

New Faces, Familiar Threats

This season throws some new challenges Mark’s way. We’ve got Angstrom Levy, this creepy dimension-hopping dude with a serious grudge and the power to make Mark’s life a living hell. Levy’s not just some power-hungry villain; he’s got a personal vendetta against Mark, and their battles are some of the most intense and brutal in the entire series.

But it’s not all doom and gloom! We get to see more of the awesome supporting characters we fell in love with in Season 1. Atom Eve is back and more powerful than ever, grappling with her own insecurities and finding her place in the world. Robot’s got some seriously shady stuff going on (no spoilers!), and the Teen Team is trying to hold it together while facing threats that would make even the Guardians of the Globe nervous.

And let’s not forget the return of Omni-Man! Seeing him imprisoned by the Viltrumites, stripped of his power and forced to confront his actions, adds a whole new layer of complexity to his character. The scenes between him and Mark are emotionally charged, and you can’t help but feel for both of them, even though Omni-Man, you know, tried to destroy the planet and all.

Expanding the Invincible Universe

One of the things I love about Invincible is how it keeps expanding the universe. We get glimpses of other planets, alien races, and intergalactic conflicts that make the stakes feel even higher. The Coalition of Planets is a fascinating addition, and it’s awesome to see how different species are coming together to fight against the Viltrumite threat. It’s like Star Wars meets The Boys, but with more heart (and way more blood).

Personal Struggles and Epic Battles

Season 2 doesn’t just focus on the big, cosmic battles. It also delves into the personal struggles of the characters. Mark’s relationship with his mom, Debbie, is strained as she tries to cope with the betrayal of her husband and the danger her son faces every day. We see Mark struggling to balance his superhero life with his personal life, and the toll it takes on his relationships.

But let’s be honest, we’re all here for the action, right? And Invincible delivers in spades. The fight scenes are even more brutal and intense than in Season 1. The animation is top-notch, capturing every bone-crunching blow and visceral detail. Remember that fight between Invincible and the Sequids? Or that epic showdown with the Viltrumite warrior, Thragg? Holy moly! It’s like watching The God of High School and Parasyte -the maxim- cranked up to eleven.

A Shocking Twist and a Cliffhanger Ending

Just when you think you’ve got Season 2 figured out, it throws you a curveball. The final episodes are packed with twists and turns, culminating in a shocking confrontation that leaves you reeling. And that cliffhanger ending? Man, I’m already counting down the days until Season 3!

Overall Thoughts

Invincible Season 2 is a wild ride that builds upon the foundation of the first season and takes it to new heights. It’s a must-watch for fans of superhero stories, animated series, and anyone who enjoys a healthy dose of action, drama, and emotional gut punches. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go rewatch that fight scene with Thragg. Again. And again. And maybe just one more time…

January 27, 2025 0 comments

Amazon Anime Independent

Holy Viltrumite, Batman! Invincible Season 1 Was Brutal (and I Loved It)

by hutchm January 24, 2025

written by hutchm

Okay, folks, let’s talk about Invincible. You know, that Amazon Prime show that absolutely blew everyone’s minds back in 2021? Yeah, that one. With Season 3 just around the corner (Feb 2025, mark your calendars!), I figured it was time to revisit the glorious carnage that was Season 1.

From Zero to Hero (With a Side of Alien Bloodshed)

Invincible starts off innocently enough. We meet Mark Grayson, your average teenager juggling school, a part-time job, and a budding romance with Amber. Oh, and his dad just happens to be Omni-Man, the world’s greatest superhero. No biggie, right?

Things take a turn when Mark finally develops his own powers, inheriting his father’s Viltrumite strength, flight, and invulnerability. He starts training with Omni-Man, gets himself a sweet superhero suit (thanks, Art!), and takes on the mantle of Invincible.

But this isn’t your typical coming-of-age superhero story. Right off the bat, Invincible throws us a curveball with the shocking murder of the Guardians of the Globe. I mean, who saw THAT coming?! It was a brutal, bloody massacre that instantly established the show’s darker, more mature tone.

Now, I’m a big fan of superhero stories. Give me capes, give me superpowers, give me epic battles that level entire cities. But Invincible… this show took everything I thought I knew about the genre and threw it out the window.

For starters, the animation. It’s got that classic comic book vibe, but with a level of detail and fluidity that’s just stunning. Seriously, go back and watch the fight scenes. The way they choreographed those brutal, bone-crunching battles? It’s like watching the best parts of Attack on Titan and Superman rolled into one gloriously violent package.

And speaking of violence, let’s be real, this show doesn’t pull any punches. Remember that first episode? Yeah, that train scene. Or that entirely unexpected twist with Omni-Man and the Guardians of the Globe? I was sitting there with my jaw on the floor, thinking, “Did they really just do that?!” It was shocking, it was brutal, and it set the tone for the entire season.

Family Drama, Alien Invasions, and Teenage Angst

From there, things just get crazier. We’ve got:

Alien invasions: The Flaxans, a race of time-warping warriors, launch a series of attacks on Earth, leading to some epic battles with Invincible and the Teen Team (Atom Eve, Rex Splode, Dupli-Kate, and Robot).
Intergalactic diplomacy: Mark encounters Allen the Alien, a hilarious and surprisingly insightful cosmic traveler who mistakes Earth for “Urath.” (Side note: Seth Rogen as Allen is pure gold.)
Supervillain shenanigans: Mark faces off against a rogue’s gallery of villains, including the cyborg Machine Head, the monstrous Mauler Twins, and the terrifyingly powerful Battle Beast.
Oh, and did I mention the Martian invasion? Yeah, that happened too.

But amidst all the chaos and carnage, Invincible also delves into some surprisingly deep themes. We see Mark grappling with the responsibility of his powers, the challenges of balancing his superhero life with his personal life, and the moral dilemmas that come with being a hero in a world where the lines between good and evil are often blurred.

But what really makes Invincible special is the characters. Mark Grayson, our titular hero, is instantly relatable. He’s just a kid trying to figure out his powers, navigate high school, and deal with the fact that his dad is basically Superman. Speaking of which, J.K. Simmons as Omni-Man? Absolute perfection. He brings this gravitas and complexity to the role that just sends chills down your spine.

And let’s not forget the supporting cast! Atom Eve, with her kickass powers and relatable struggles. Allen the Alien, providing some much-needed comic relief. And Amber, Mark’s girlfriend, who gets caught in the middle of all this superhero chaos.

Of course, I can’t talk about Invincible without mentioning the source material. Robert Kirkman’s comic book series is legendary, and the show does an amazing job of adapting it while still adding its own unique flavor. For fans of the comics, it’s a thrill to see these iconic moments brought to life on screen. And for newcomers, it’s a perfect gateway into this incredible world.

The Ultimate Betrayal

And then, of course, there’s the big twist. The revelation that Omni-Man, Mark’s beloved father, is actually a Viltrumite agent sent to conquer Earth. It’s a gut-wrenching betrayal that culminates in a devastating father-son battle that leaves entire cities in ruins.

The final showdown between Invincible and Omni-Man is one for the ages. It’s brutal, emotional, and ultimately heartbreaking. And that ending, with Omni-Man abandoning his mission and flying off into space? Man, that left me reeling.

Looking Ahead to Season 3

So, what can we expect from Season 3? Well, based on where things left off in Season 2 (no spoilers here!), we’re in for a wild ride. More epic battles, more shocking twists, and more of that signature Invincible blend of action, humor, and heart. I, for one, can’t wait.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go practice my best Omni-Man glare in the mirror. “Think, Mark! Think!”

January 24, 2025 1 comment

Action/Adventure Comic Book Comics DC Fantasy Independent Marvel Movies SciFi Uncategorized

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 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

Comics DC DC Universe Independent Marvel

Comic Creator Tribute: Darwyn Cooke (R.I.P)

by Admin May 20, 2016

written by Admin

Sadly, comic legend Darwyn Cooke passed away on May 14th of this year. He was only 53 years old. Cooke, no doubt had more stories to tell, and with his impressive track record you know that we will be missing out on fantastic pieces of work.

Cooke was a Toronto born creator who started fairly late in the comics game at the age of 38 or so. Despite this, he quickly made a name for himself. Nearly everything he put out became seminal work. I mean this in the best way possible because I feel that he was almost the ultimate opportunist, in the fact that he didn’t need a lot of chances to hit one out of the park. He took whatever he worked on and ran with it at full speed. Cooke was of a rare breed, proving he could be both an excellent artist AND writer. Cooke always claimed he hated writing but damn, he was good at it, and he had distinctive styles for both. Cooke made a name for himself working on Batman The Animated Series and Batman Beyond, and his own art style reflected that but his style still had it’s own unique flavor. His penchant for lighting and drama really stick out in my mind. His art was detailed, but simple enough to increase efficiency. Cooke stated on a few occasions that he developed his art style in this way in order to work quickly without having to sacrifice quality, and he never missed a deadline. His writing style was also as unique. He manged to tell complex and nuanced work without delving into excessive violence or gore thus making it accessible for . He was a major advocate for all age comics. In fact, he was quite critical of mainstream comic companies not tailoring enough of their modern material for younger readers.

His first work was the excellent Batman: Ego one shot ,which he wrote and drew. It was a psychologically complex look at Batman’s worst enemy, Himself. I find that it’s still criminally underrated. Certainly one of my favorite Batman stories of all time. It wasn’t until Justice League: New Frontier that the public really started paying attention and critical acclaim soon followed.

Cooke was as much a teacher as he was a creator. He was vocal about sharing tips and advise to any aspiring artist or writer. Fans always wanted to see him do more creator owned work but it was not to be.

If you’ve never heard of Darwyn Cooke, do yourself a favor and check out a few of these recommendations.

DC:The New Frontier: 6 issue miniseries

Probably what he will most be remembered for is the re imagining and reweaving of the origin of the Justice League, in many ways, the heart of the DC universe. Tackling both art & writing duties, Cooke manged to showcase a tale that could appeal to anyone at a time where grim and gritty seemed the norm. His idealistic view of a better hope for tomorrow never came through quite so poignantly as it did with New Frontier. The limited series manged to win an Eisner, Harvey and Joe Shuster Award for best limited series, High accolades indeed.

Richard Stark’s: Parker- Vol 1 -4

Cooke often said that Parker was the story he was born to do and if you look at the end result, it’s hard to disagree. Sure, it’s an adaptation of various novels by Richard Stark but Cooke really brought the stories to life and managed to make Parker a household name. I’ve written about my love for the Parker books before so I won’t go on too long but if you’re looking for bad ass crime noir, look no further than Parker. I’d say the finest art Darwyn Cooke ever did. So simple, yet so complex. Feast your eyes on this spread.

The Spirit: #1–6, 8–12

The only ongoing, monthly series Darwyn Cooke ever had but it was an instant classic. Also regarded as the only successful revival of The Spirit to match the quality of Will Eisner’s work. That is huge praise considering how well regarded Eisner’s Spirit work is. Much in the tradition of Eisner’s work, Cooke focused on one and done stories. Every issue had something unique about it. Be it a point of view or just the way to tell the story itself. The tones were as varied as they come. You had straight up detective stories and other times you had light hearted comedies. It seemed like the sky was the limit when it came to Cooke crafting The Spirit. He was only on the title for 11 issues but, as Darwyn Cooke always did, made his mark. Forget the horrible movie, read this instead.If you can track down the trade, vol 1 contains the excellent Batman/Spirit crossover that Jeph Loeb and him worked on. It’s a wonderful story and winner of the Eisner award for best single issue.

Batman: Ego

I have to mention Batman: Ego again. It’s such a complete and satisfying read and it’s only one issue, 64 pages long! It’s more concerned in exploring the dark psyche of Batman/ Bruce Wayne rather than focusing on fisticuffs. When we are self dive into self anyliss the results can be… interesting. Imagine what the analysis would be like for someone who puts on a Bat suit and beats up criminals in order to avenge his parents death? Let me give you a preview.

Just look at that monstrous image along with that sharp dialogue and tell me it wasn’t cool. The actual one shot is a bit difficult to locate but thankfully it was collected in trade paperback( Batman: Ego and other tales) along with some excellent Catwoman stories Cooke worked on. Not as action packed as a story like Dark Knight Returns but just as meaty.

Watchmen: The Minute Men: 6 issue mini series

Comic fans know how massive Alan Moore’s Watchmen was and still is. Imagine the idea of having a prequel without his involvement… Sacrilege, right? DC took a big gamble and decided to give a few select creators the keys to the kingdom, one of those creators was luckily Cooke. He initially passed on the offer from DC but came up with a story that didn’t step all over Alan Moore’s story and manged to provide further insight into something that hadn’t been explored to it’s fullest yet. In came the Minute Men. It tells the story of Hollis Mason recounting his days with the Minute Men in the 40’s. But writing his autobiography provides to be more challenging as he faces various sources trying to silence his story. It’s a thoroughly engaging story that was regarded as one of the better prequels to come out of the Before Watchmen stories.

I have to give a shout out to the brief stint Cooke had drawing Jonah Hex with writers, Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti. Cooke’s art sensibilities fit surprisingly well within the western motif and his art only helped elevate the excellent writing that series already had.

These and many more stories should be discovered and consumed by the reading public. A talent such as Darwyn Cooke’s deserves wider recognition than just a comics guy. He was a true artist and visionary, certainly one of the most influential ones of his generation. I’ll leave you with the classic opening for Batman Beyond, which he animated. Farewell Daryn Cooke. The world has lost you but you are not forgotten.

May 20, 2016 0 comments

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