Though it's been out for a few months, I've just gotten and watched Batman: Under the Red Hood. It's a 70 minute, animated movie revolving around a new villain/crime lord usurping control of Gotham: Red Hood. He rounds up the other crime lords and informs them that they're working for him now, instead of the Black Mask. This ignites a street war that, of course, get Batman involved.
It's great to see the DC animated movies taking on a more serious/mature aspect of the comics. These aren't your kids' cartoon heroes! From Joker beating Robin with a crowbar to Red Hood killing any criminal that gets in his way, this definitely earned its PG-13 rating! It in no way feels like a kids Saturday morning cartoon like some of the past comic movies (Public Enemies or the Avengers). The storyline is engrossing and not so cut-and-dry (even if you somewhat know the storyline from the comics). The voice acting could have used some work though. I've always thought of the Joker as having a whiny, crazy voice rather than the deeper voice and the Black Mask just didn't work right either. Neel Patrick-Harris was a good pick for Nightwing, though, as was Bruce Greenwood as Batman. His gruff one-liners (or no words at all) are exactly how I'd picture Batman responding.
Either way, it was an excellent, action packed movie. I would definitely recommend this movie to any comic book fan and give it an 8 out of 10. I only hope that DC continues with this trend of animation; maybe a Green Arrow movie on par with this one?

The Brave and The Bold: new heroclix set

The new set for Heroclix came out a few days ago: The Brave and The Bold! This DC set revolves around the current DC event: Blackest Night. Duo figures are in high gear here, making up 14 of the 59 figures. This is also the first set to introduce Alter Egos. Enter the game as bumbling Clark Kent and win the game as Superman! The REV style figure somewhat return (though I'm not a big fan to be honest).
Some Friends and I bought a few packs (a brick essentially) and were not disappointed! of the first 6 bought (3 for me, 2 for Mark, and 1 for the store) 5 were super rares! I managed to pull the Shazam/Black Adams duo, which is the first to let you use it as a duo (at 280 pts) or choose to play Black adams or Shazam separately (at 140 ea). I also pulled Mr Miracle and.... his dwarf friend while Mark pulled the Flashes and Booster Gold/Blue Beetle and the story pulled Poison Ivy/Harley Quinn. The figures, stat wise, seem to be amazing! though most of the sculpt seem kind of dull. I haven't had a chance to use them yet (that comes tonight!) but I'll let you know how they stack up!

Free Comic Book Day! A new holiday! Mark your calendars!

May 2nd, 2009: Free Comic Book Day

Probably the most awesome day ever.... in history. The days starts off as any other; waking up, maybe taking a shower... remember that I do in fact need to bathe, deciding I have no time for that shit! (kidding... I do infact bathe everyday [just painting a picture]), eat cookies for the breakfast, etc. But this is NOT just another day! It's free comic book day at the local comic book stores!

We went to Richard's Comics and Collectibles today for the annual event. It was pretty awesome. The weather was good, cool stuff to gather, and lots of people! There were a few artists (of course, not the names that you would find in Marvel or DC, but plenty of indie and/or local artists) They do sketches for you and sign comics and I think it's pretty cool to give back to those that are buying your stuff (I realize they're just trying to get their stuff out there but cool!) Usually the 501st would be there but they weren't this year; which is weird considering they go to everything that could in any way be dorky. Never-the-less, Vader was still present... to scare little kids... which happened a few times... stupid babies. There was also a guy decked out in the Batman suit from the 90s... which was cool and apparently hot as hell.

Anyways, amongst the teaser comics given were The Avengers, Fantastic Four (with Spiderman), Wolverine, Black Lantern (something like that), Star Wars, and plenty others. These are of course, like I said, teaser simply to get you into what going on in the now. Though admittedly, I haven't followed up on ANY of the ones I managed to get last year. Someday I might though... Obviously, I haven't had time to read them all, but they do look pretty cool.

There were also raffles to win comics, posters, and a cardboard cutouts. I'm entered in a drawing for the Wolverine wall...tarp? It's huge... It'll take up a whole wall. Wish me luck!

and in commemoration of this day I will also follow up with a review for the new X-men flick: Wolverine for which I have just returned from for Comic Book Day.

comic cross-overs

Ok, another comic book ramble. I was reading a Spider-girl comic and there was girl whom turns out to be a mutant. Of course, everybody loves Spidergirl and Spiderman, but you throw in some mutie and WHOA! No way pal! Everyone hates them. It goes back to one of my main beefs with the comic book situations. Once you start meshing them together, they start to contradict and make no sense.

I mean, if you get your powers from a radio-active spider or a radiation from space that's cool. Everyone will love you. But if you're born with a gene that gives you kick ass powers... well then you're just a freak! Is there really that big of a difference? Does it really matter how you got the powers? Not to mention, how can people tell where the abilities come from?

These lines of thinking would be ok and I could except mutants being hated if they would just stay in their own little world. I mean, once you put all the super powered what-nots in one place, it gets a bit fuzzy.

Plus, why does every villain always go for New York? If I were a super villain... I think I'd just stay away from there... go attack Boston or something. It's pretty expensive too, ya know!

On a similar not of not crossing comics: The JLA kind of annoys me too. Some of the people there (I'm not going to name any names... but Batman), well I just don't see why they're really there. Don't get me wrong, I love Batman and Green Arrow but they just don't seem epic enough. Once you get right down to it, they're just normal people with pretty cool abilities but they don't have any real powers! It just seems like they wouldn't really be that useful against Earth shattering invaders bent on the destruction of....well everything! It just seems like any other member of the Justice League could do in a night what Batman does in... always. I mean, I love Batman and I think his villains are the most thought out of them all, but they're mostly like the gangster/mobster type rather than the "If my plans succeed, the world is doomed!" types.

So back to my main point... every comic should just be left alone in my opinion. It's cool to have some mixes every now and then but I think it kind of taints some of the stories in the long run.

Save Heroclix!

So as my first real blog-thing, I thought, what better topic than saving a timeless piece of art and history: Heroclix! I mean, what is better than getting your ideal, kickass super hero team (such as the X-men, Teen Titans, or zombies) to band together and open a can of whoop ass on another team lead by your girlfriend? That's right. Nothing.

Wizkids is going under and maybe taking heroclix with it. I'm still holding out hope that some other gaming company will buy them out and continue the game (maybe fixing the game b/c it isn't without flaws). I would hate for a game with so much potential to just end! I mean, what other game can you pit the Avengers against the Justice League, Young Avengers against the Teen Titans, and Batman and Robin against Spiderman and Daredevil, not to mention the 100s of classic comic book battles you want to relive over and over?

I've played plenty of mini games, but to me, this is by far the most ingenuitive game out yet! So go buy some starter/booster sets and start battling crime! .... or your little brother... which ever is easier for you.