My wife releases her inner geek

After 2 weeks away in sunny Florida with my better half I've been itching to write a blog, but as I haven't read much in the way of comics I was unsure of what I could write about. Then a strange thing happened while we were away, I suddenly realised that Helen (my wife) had become a geek.

The realisation came while we were in Universals Island of Adventure, for anyone who doesn't know this is the area that has the Super Hero section and the world of Harry Potter amongst other things. After spending the day in Hogsmeade and riding the fabulous ride through Hogwarts, we decided to make our way back to the hotel (in truth pub) that's when the magic happened. Super Hero's Island is where they have rides such as Hulk Buster, Spiderman 3D, Doctor Dooms Tower of Terror and Storms tea cups ride, I'm sorry to any Storm fans but that's basically what it is. Adorning the buildings in this area are large images of various Marvel heroes and villains, my wife was happily taking photos of all of them while I was filming (men film).
Now most of the characters are the well know ones that even none comic readers would know, but as we were leaving the hero area Helen turned and saw the image of the Silver Surfer.

Without thinking she said look its the ''Silver Surfer I nearly missed that photo'', geeks around the park turned and punched the air in joy. As this none comic fan recognised a hero who is probably not too widely know outside of comic fandom, realising what she had just said Helen looked at me and said '' Oh my god I'm a geek''.
I put my arms around her and said ''Yes you are and I couldn't be prouder''.

Avengers Assemble

If you haven't seen the film yet it is safe to read on there will be no spoilers here, today (Bank Holiday Monday) my wife and I went to see the Juggernaut of a film that is The Avengers.

Now it does help if you have seen the films that lead into the Avengers, although it is not essential as my wife has only seen Thor and it didn't spoil her enjoyment of the film. The fact that the characters have all had their own films is a big plus, as character development has already been established and in the case of the Hulk mistakes have been addressed. The film starts of at a tremendous pace and is reminiscent of Bond films, where you get a explosive start that leads you straight into the main story of the film and what a film it is.

My one concern going into the film was that there were so many lead characters that they would simply cancel each other out, but I needn't have worried as writer and director Joss Whedon got it spot on and every one has their moment in the spotlight. All the actors / actresses give brilliant performances, but I would like to single out Tom Hiddleston for his performance as Loki. He was good in Thor he is simply fantastic in this film, I like many thought Loki was a poor choice for villain but Tom's performance in this film changed all that. He has the arrogance and cunning of the Asgardian god spot on, Loki isn't evil he just believes he knows whats best for everyone and he will do anything to achieve it.

Another big winner for me was the Hulk, this film goes along way to removing the memories of the 2003 Hulk film. Almost as much as Samuel L Jacksons has taken away the nightmare of David Hasselhoff's portrayal of Fury in the 98 film Nick Fury: Agent of Shield, I have to admit I would watch anything in those days.

Every year the summer blockbusters seem to get bigger and bigger and you come out of the cinema saying they will never top that, I said it after Terminator 2 and Aliens I said it again today and this time I think I am right. The scale of the film is simply epic and if I had been planing to go on holiday to New York this year I would be worried, because you cannot convince me that they didn't destroy half of Manhattan making this film it looked that real. I had seen all the trailers but they don't scratch the surface of the film and nothing can prepare you for the none stop roller coaster ride that is The Avengers Assemble.

So do yourself a favour don't wait for the DVD of Blu-ray go out and see it on the big screen, we saw it in normal vision as 3d gives me a headache and it didn't take anything away from the film.
Oh and one last thing if you do go to see it, stay until after the credits as its worth it.

Batman Beyond Unlimited 3

 Its not often a character who's name is the main title on a book has to settle for back up story's, but it happens in this issue of Batman Beyond Unlimited. This issue Superman takes centre stage, and it's Batman who is relegated to back up story's. Normally as a Batman fan I would be moaning about paying £2.75 for a Batman book, and getting a Superman story especially as I am not the biggest Superman fan out there. But today is not a normal day as the story of an ageing Superman, who has lost his place and seemingly purpose in this future world is simply brilliant.

Superman Beyond

The story is told is told through two characters Superman and a young girl called Lucinda Walters, we start with a down beat Superman looking back at the past in his Fortress of Solitude. A place that he remarks has become more of a museum than a home, over in Metropolis Lucinda is shutting down a tech store via a gadget she places under a table. Her reason for doing this she didn't get a job she interviewed for, not a happy bunny is Lucinda.

Superman meanwhile is breaking up a hist on the docks when a super enhanced police squad let him now that they have it covered, old supes is left pondering at the grave side of Lois that he has no reason to stay on earth no more.

Que his reason, as Lucinda finds a key in a safety deposit box, that was left to her by her deceased mother. The key opens a door to a large abandoned building in Metropolis, where she is greeted by a hologram of a farther she didn't know she had.

Writer JT Krul pens a fantastic story that really captures the heart of a lonely Superman, who is now starting to feel like an alien on the planet he grew up on. There are small little nods to the past thrown in, that even a none Superman reader like me picked up on. The end page reveal had me desperate for next months issue, and you cant ask for more than that.

Batman Beyond

The first of the Batman story's is part 3 of The Trigger Man, and is largely forgettable as Batman fights psychotic bomber Mad Stan (did his mother call him that?), Stan is upset because a group of arms dealers have stolen his dog Bom Bom. Give that Stan is psychotic and also mad it seems strange that his dog is in fact a chiwawa or maybe that's the point, it all ends up in a mess as Stan puts a bomb on Batman who is knocked out by the explosion as he throws it away.

I am normally a fan of this incarnation of Batman but this particular story has too much going on in it for me, not only do we have Mad Stan, dognapping arms dealers but we also have Terry's ex-girlfriends brother who is seeming mixed up with the Jokerz. Throw into the mix Terry's friend Max who is mixed up with network hackers, and you have quite a jumbled story that doesn't know which plot-line should be the main focus.

Justice League Beyond

The 3rd story is a step up from the previous Batman one, as Batman and the rest of the League are told of Kobra's plans for world destruction by a recovering Amanda Waller. Plans that involve awakening a giant sea serpent who will reek havoc on the world, Aqua Girls boast that anything from the sea can be handled by her farther Aquaman and his people are short lived. As we see the army's of Atlantis laid to waste as the serpent begins its attack on the world, as the league ponder on what to do Batman has a plan but he will need the help of a certain old man to execute it. Dare I hope top see Bruce in some sort of costume next issue, I do hope so.

There is a lot of dialogue in this chapter of the story and very little action, but taken in context with the rest of the story it worked perfectly. I am really enjoying the story's featuring this future version of the Justice League, and I would buy a comic that just featured them in it take note DC.

If you enjoyed the animated series then you will enjoy the comic its based on, which expands the future world even further.

Dark Knight Trailer & Statues

A new Dark Knight trailer has been released to further more wet the appetite of Batman fans everywhere, and in these weeks that seem to be all about the Avengers. It seems that Warner Bro's are just reminding fans that there will be another comic film this year, have to say it does look good.
Batman Trailer



Dark Knight Statues:

  

To coincide with the films release there will be a mountain of Batman related merchandise released all at varying prices, but at the high cost end are a set of the film character statues. They will range from a very reasonable (my wife reads this blog) £69 each for the busts to a still reasonable £116 each for the bigger statues. Several shops have them on pre-order before their July release, I can hear them calling me already.