WB Reveal First Photo of Grant Gustin As The Flash

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Arrow, CW, Grant Gustin, The Flash, The Flash TV Sereis

WB Reveal First Photo of Grant Gustin As The Flash

After all the excitement and anticipation, as well as two episodes of Arrow to introduce the character, CW’s The Flash pilot is due to go into production next week, so in the run up to that, Warner Bros. Television has just released the first picture of star Grant Gustin in costume as DC Comics iconic superhero.

The image shows a side on view of Gustin’s head in what appears to be a very faithful adaptation of the scarlet speedster’s costume, although it does appear to be a slightly darker shade of red than used in the comic books. So far Gustin has appeared in two episode of Arrow in The Flash’s civilian identity, Barry Allen.

The Flash costume for the TV series has been designed by Colleen Atwood, a three-time Academy Award winner, who, incidentally, also designed Stephen Armell’s Arrow costume. The Flash pilot, currently in contention for a series on the CW’s 2014-2015 schedule, will be executive produced by Arrow’s own Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg, and David Nutter. It will also be directed by Nutter and written by Berlanti, Kriesberd, and DC chief creative officer, and Flash comic book writer Geoff Johns.

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The Walking Dead #122 Review

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All Out War, Charlie Adlard, Ezekiel, Image Comics, Michonne, Negan, Rick Grimes, Robert Kirkman, Stefano Gaudiano, The Saviors, The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead #122, Zombies

The Walking Dead #122

Review by Paul Bowler

[Contains Spoilers]

Negan and the Saviors launched a devastating attack on Alexandria. Only the arrival of Maggie and the reinforcements from the Hilltop managed to force Negan and his forces to retreat. With the town in ruins, Negan is confident this battle has just won him the war. Dr Denise Cloyd manages to save Heath’s life after his leg was blown off by a grenade, despite being bitten by a Zombie (Holly); her valiant effort to treat her boyfriend’s injuries comes at the price of her own life. Once Denise’s funeral is over Rick and the survivors leave Alexandria behind and head for the Hilltop, where they will join forces with Maggie and wait for Negan to make his next move. Amidst all the confusion during the Saviors attack on Alexandria, Eugene and his crew were captured by Negan, and now the Saviours leader is prepared to do whatever it takes to force Eugene into making ammunition for them – threatening to kill his friends and torture him if he refuses to comply.

The incredibly tense and poignant aftermath of this battle still resonates strongly, as Rick had to decide what to do next, while Heath sat with Denise at her bedside waiting for her to finally succumbs to her injuries and die; but he was unable to bring himself to act before Denise “turned” and Michonne stepped in to finish what he could not.

The Walking Dead #122 sees Negan leaving Eugene’s cell, after the Saviors leader confronted his prisoner last issue, having made it clear in no uncertain terms by getting up close and personal with Eugene in the most vile, and degrading, way imaginable, that he would take great pleasure in torturing and mutilating Eugene and his friends if they refused to help the Saviors manufacture and restock their supplies of ammunition. Robert Kirkman continues to allow the suspense to build within the walls of the Saviors base, after Dwight visits Eugene in his cell when Negan has gone. What follows is a nail bitingly tense exchange that readdresses the characters motives and loyalties, one that also inadvertently leads to the discovery of an unexpected ally.

The tone shifts markedly afterwards, with Rick and the survivors adjusting to their new home at the Hilltop. I really like how Kirkman manages to feature so many characters over the course of this issue, allowing us a greater insight into their lives, and the toll that the war is taking on them. There are some wonderful scenes during these quieter moments at the Hilltop: Andrea watches over Rick while he rests as she guards the perimeter wall, Maggie seeks advice on her new role as leader of the hilltop community from Brianna, we lean a lot more about Jesus, including his real name, and I loved the scene where Michonne pretends to be asleep while Ezekiel explained how his grief affected him. Rick also introduces himself to Earl Sutton the following day, it’s a great little scene, and it will be interesting to see what the blacksmith makes to help Rick out.

The art by Charlie Adlard is as solid as ever, with some great attention to detail. There are some very emotional scenes over the course of this issue, and the characters expressions covey their emotions perfectly. Stefano Gaudiano’s inks also give an added depth and texture to Adlard’s work as well. The moonlight view of the Hilltop looks peaceful, yet eerily haunting, the level of detail in the scene where Ezekiel’s people finally arrive at the Hilltop is stunning, illustrating the vivid contrast between this sanctuary and the stark reality of the Zombie apocalypse just outside the gates, while the lull in the action makes these somewhat introspective moments between the character seem even more intimate and personal than ever before.

Just when you think Negan couldn’t sink any lower, or get any more twisted, he manages to turn your stomach again and goes and does just that! Robert Kirkman has created such a loathsome and despicable character in Negan that you never quite know what he will come up with next. While he may be deranged, this foul-mouthed psychopath has devised a new, and utterly ingenious way  to use the Walkers infection to his advantage, even going to far as to give his beloved baseball bat Lucile a gruesome upgrade that will make her kiss even deadlier.

The eighth chapter of All Out War is a brilliant character driven issue as the survivors regroup at the Hilltop. Now that all their forces are united Rick and his allies begin to plan their next move, while Negan prepares to strike back in the most horrible way imaginable. The Walking Dead #122 will have you on the edge of your seat, especially during the closing moments, and it will leave you eagerly awaiting the next issue.

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Godzilla Official Trailer

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Godzilla

Godzilla Offical Trailer

Check out the new official trailer for Godzilla!

The Amazing Spiderman 2 International Trailer

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Marvel, The Amazing Spiderman 2

The Amazing Spiderman 2 Rise of Electro International Trailer

Check the new three minute trailer for The Amazing Spiderman 2, really looking forward to this film!

Guardians of the Galaxy Official Trailer!

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Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Trailer, James Gunn, Marvel

Guardians of the Galaxy Official Trailer!

Check out the 1st official Guardians of the Galaxy trailer that premiered last night on the late night talk show ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’, where star Chris Pratt unveiled the long awaited trailer. Wow, this move looks awesome!

 

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Guardians of the Galaxy first official Teaser Trailer

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Guardians of the Galaxy, James Gunn, Marvel

Guardians of the Galaxy first official Teaser Trailer

Check out the new  teaser trailer for James Gunn’s Marvel movie Guardians of the Galaxy!

Doctor Who Classic Series Enlightenment

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5th Doctor, Barbara Clegg, Black Guardian Trilogy, Doctor Who, Enlightenment, Eternals, Janet Fielding, Mark Strickson, Peter Davison, Season Twenty, Tegan, The Black Guardian, The White Guardian, Turlough, Valentine Dyall

Enlightenment

Review by Paul Bowler

When the Doctor (Peter Davison), Tegan (Janet Fielding), and Turlough (Mark Strickson) receive a dire warning from the White Guardian the TARDIS lands on board the SS Shadow, an Edwardian sailing yacht, which they discover is really a spaceship that is taking part in a race against other sailing vessels. The crew of the ship are Eternals, beings who exist outside of time, and they are racing each other across the Solar System to claim the most treasured prize in the universe – Enlightenment.

The Doctor tries to keep the TARDIS secret from Captain Striker (Keith Barron), but the Eternal learns of the time machine with his telepathic powers and prevents the Time Lord and his companions from escaping. When other ships in the race are mysteriously destroyed the Doctor begins to suspect foul play. Tormented by his secret pact with the Black Guardian (Valentine Dyall), Turlough jumps overboard, only to be rescued by a pirate ship, the Buccaneer, where he is taken to meet Captain Wrack (Lynda Baron).

Turlough discovers that Captain Wrack is secretly in league with the Black Guardian and has a deadly weapon on her ship that concentrates mental energy. Captain Wrack invites the crew of the SS Shadow to a dinner on board the Buccaneer, where he hypnotises Tegan, placing a focusing crystal in her tiara that will destroy Striker’s ship. Later when Captain Wrack is defeated the Doctor and Turlough steer the ship towards the gleaming crystal structure that is Enlightenment, winning the race, and defeating the Eternals.

Turlough is presented with a gleaming crystal. The White Guardian (Cyrl Luckham) offers Turlough a chance of Enlightenment while the Black Guardian offers him untold riches and demands he gives him the Doctor. Turlough chooses Enlightenment, grabbing the glowing crystal, he throws it at the Black Guardian – who bursts into flames and fades away. As the White Guardian departs the Doctor and Tegan acknowledge that Turlough is now free of the Black Guardian’s influence, and realise that Enlightenment was not the crystal, but the choice Turlough made.

Enlightenment is one of the highlights of the twentieth season. This is a great story by Barbara Clegg that brings the Black Guardian Trilogy to a satisfying conclusion. Right from the opening moments in the TARDIS, which look really spooky with the dark lighting, as the action shifts to the Edwardian yacht the claustrophobic atmosphere of the story continues to build. The attention to period detail is remarkable and the costumes are brilliant, director Fiona Cumming really makes you believe you are a on a sailing ship, perfectly building up to the astonishing reveal at the end of episode one. The model sailing ships are also of a really high standard, as are the scenes where they skim close to the planets and the final port of call at Enlightenment itself.

The Eternals are beings who exist outside linear time, dwelling within eternity itself, they fill the emptiness of their existence by feeding off the thoughts of their human crew – who they have kidnapped and brainwashed to do their bidding. Captain Striker is a cold and calculating adversary for the Doctor, but it is his first officer Mariner (Christopher Brown), who develops a creepy fixation on Tegan, that really illustrates how parasitic the Eternals really are. Janet Fielding is really good in Enlightenment, she gets plenty to do in the story, and she really conveys Tegan’s disgust when she turns on Mariner and blocks her thoughts so he cannot read them.

The Black Guardian has another ally in this story, Captain Wrack, and Lynda Baron gives a marvellously over-the-top performance as the evil Pirate Captain. It’s also good to see Valentine Dyall and Cyril Luckham return as the Guardians from the Key to Time saga, and Valentine Dyall is brilliant as the chillingly evil Black Guardian… This story also brings Turlough’s story full circle, with Mark Strickson giving one of his best performances as the character. There are some quite shocking moments in Enlightenment as Turlough has to come to terms with his actions. His deal with the Black Guardian rapidly begins to sour, sensing that he is doomed; he desperately tries to commit suicide by jumping from the deck of the SS Shadow. After being rescued by Captain Wrack his loyalty to the Doctor is challenged again, until he finally chooses Enlightenment at the end of the story – finding his own redemption and defeating the Black Guardian.

Enlightenment is one of my favourite stories from Peter Davison’s tenure as the 5^th Doctor. He gives a very understated performance in this story, often acting as a quiet observer, particularly towards the end of the story as Turlough has to make his choice. The 5^th Doctor is always right at the heart of the action, quietly guiding his companions, and always managing to stay just one set ahead of the Eternals and the Black Guardian’s plan. He even acquires a new stick of celery on the Buccaneer, which is strange as everything created by the Eternals is not actually real, but it is still on the Doctor’s lapel at the end of the story. Enlightenment is a fascinating story, full of great performances and special effects, and is a real jewel in the crown of the programmes twentieth anniversary year.

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Superior Spiderman #27 Review

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Dan Slott, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Goblin Nation, Green Goblin, Marvel Comics, Otto Octavius, Peter Parker, Spiderman, Superior Spiderman, Superior Spiderman #27

Superior Spiderman #27

Review by Paul Bowler

The Superior Spiderman’s plans to rid New York of organised crime have failed, and the Green Goblin has taken control of the criminal underworld. Having hacked into Otto’s network of Spider-Bots, the Goblin and his minions have evaded detection, preparing for this moment to strike back at the city. Otto Octavius resolves to take responsibility for the crisis and reclaim the city. Superior Spiderman tracks the Green Goblin to his underground lair, where he must face his greatest battle of all; unaware the Goblin’s cohorts have now set their sights on Spider Island itself…

Goblin Nation gets off to a terrific start in Superior Spiderman #27 as Spidey-Otto is left reeling after the Green Goblin launches his attack on New York. After seeing the Goblin’s message on the Brooklyn Bridge, it becomes clear to Otto that he has been chasing the wrong Goblin. After the fantastic smack down between the Green Goblin and Hobgoblin last issue, Superior Spiderman #27 jumps forward 30 days, as the Goblin and his forces go on a massive crime-spree. Dan Slott’s handling of the story is superb, as Otto’s fixation with uncovering the flaw in his systems means he begins to neglect his responsibilities at Parker Industries, and even his new girlfriend Anne Marie. Then we also have the subplot involving Mayor J. Jonah Jamerson, as he sets about getting his Spider-Slayer patrol up and running as soon as possible.

The scenes were Peter Parker’s consciousness explores the strange Mindscape within his shared psyche with Otto Octavius become increasingly surreal, especially when Peter watches as Otto searched through his memories about the Green Goblin. Fearing he might be detected, Peter’s attempt to find somewhere to hide inside Otto’s mind puts him in a horrifying predicament

With the help of Uatu Jackson, the Superior Spiderman is able to track the Green Goblin to a disused subway tunnel, where the two mortal enemies finally confront each other. The nail biting showdown is brilliantly handled by Slott as the Green Goblin and Superior Spiderman engage in a dangerous game of bluff and double bluff, where the line between masks and secret identities becomes increasingly blurred, and a grave error of judgement leads to disaster.

Superior Spiderman #27 is a fantastic looking issue, Giuseppe Camuncoli’s art, with inks by John Dell, and great color by Antonio Fabela, moves the story along at a brisk pace. I really liked the early scenes in the area around Brooklyn Bridge, where the Green Goblin has left a message for Superior Spiderman. The scenes in the Mindscape with Peter Parker are also really good, it’s quite unsettling too, as Peter wanders the ethereal landscape of his innermost memories that Otto regards as little more than corrupted scraps of information. The confrontation between Superior Spiderman and the Green Goblin is a real show stopper, we’ve been building up to this for a while now, and the explosive finale scenes are magnificent.

Superior Spiderman #27 is a really good issue, Goblin Nation Part 1 looks set to be a really exciting storyline, and together with the superb artwork, this series continues to impress and is always great fun to read.

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Batman #28 Review

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Batman, Batman #28, Batman Eternal, DC Comcs, Dustin Nyguyen, Harper Row, James Tynion IV, Scott Snyder, Zero Year

Batman #28

Review by Paul Bowler

So far, Batman: Zero Year has certainly lived up to all expectations. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s 11-part retelling of Bruce Wayne’s early career as Batman has offered a decidedly modern twist to the Dark Knights origin, while remaining  entirely faithful to the legacy of the character. Last month, Batman #27: Part 7 of Zero Year, ended with the Batman trapped in the catacombs beneath Gotham City, fighting for his life, and mocked by the Riddler for his apparent lack of detective skills. We take a break from Zero Year for this month with Batman #28, the flash-forward “spoilers” issue Scott Snyder, together with co-writer James Tynion IV and artist Dustin Nyguyen; have created to bring us a preview of Batman Eternal.

Batman #28 provides a fascinating glimpse into the future of what this special 75th anniversary event will hold, as we discover that  Gotham City is in lock down, and a curfew is now rigorously enforced. For reasons that strike close to home, Harper Row has chosen to break this curfew. After managing to find the “magic words” to get her past the barricade, Harper is taken to an exclusive nightclub, one of the few left in Gotham, where Harper is determined to meet the new Kingpin of Gotham, with a little help from Batman of course. However, the Dark Knights world is very different place now, and he has lost so much, even the city he is sworn to protect. Harper’s new costume as Batman’s crime fighting ally is also revealed, working together, they confront Gotham’s new Kingpin, but there is one last secret still waiting to be revealed…

My, of my, how Gotham has changed. Batman #28 gives us a good sense of what Batman Eternal will be like, completely game-changing events have transpired, the Dark Knights world has seemingly been turned on its head, and even the criminal underworld has been shaken to its core. The reasons behind the lockdown are also very surprising, bringing added emphasis to Harper Row’s return, and the new role she has assumed. This issue features the debut of Harper Row’s new costume, with an outfit that has gained much speculation, but its reveal here is clearly a defining moment for the character, as is her code name and the crime-fighting methods she employs.

Snyder and James Tynion IV also bring many surprise in the shape of Batman’s allies, clearly the Dark Knights world has suffered a major upheaval, the city, the police, even the new Kingpin of Gotham now see him in a different light. Indeed, when the new Kingpin of Gotham is revealed, its one of those rare serendipitous moment in comics where a cracking plot twist catches you completely off guard and wraps itself around your neck.

Batman Eternal is a series that Scott Snyder has developed along with his former student, James Tynion IV (Red Hood and the Outlaws), who launched Talon with Snyder, and worked with him on the Batman backup stories and annuals. Tynion brings his outstanding character work to this issue, there some fantastic flourishes, as we take this secret glimpse into the future, and see a Gotham that is even more dangerous and crazy than ever before.

Dustin Nguyen, whose art will also feature in Batman Eternal, handles the artistic duties on this issue, while Greg Cappulo works his magic on the extra pages for Batman #29. Nguyen worked with Snyder on American Vampire: Lord of Nightmares, as well as the Superman Unchained backups. Here with Batman #28, Nguyen brings a very fluid, and kinetic feel to the action, from the sweeping dark tones of the Gotham’s streets, to the gleaming and opulent interior of the nightclub, which leads to the aforementioned showdown with Gotham’s new crime boss, Nguyem’s work is perfectly suited to Gotham, and together with Derek Fridolfs inks and colorist John Kalisz, I’m pleased to say that Batman #28 is a mighty fine looking book indeed.

Batman #28 is a great sneak peek at what the rest of 2014 has in store for the Dark Knight. Snyder and Tynion deliver a sterling issue that is full of surprises, which, together with a spoiler-ific final page and Nguyen’s art, makes Batman #28 a thrilling trip into the future before Zero Year resumes in Batman #29 next month.

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Earth 2 #20 Review

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Apokolips, Barry Kitson, Batman, Darkseid, DC Comcs, Dr Fate, Earth 2, Earth 2 #20, Hawkgirl, Oclair Albert, Parademons, Red Tornado, Robson Rocha, Superman

Earth 2 #20

Review by Paul Bowler

(Contains Spoilers)

Superman’s plans for Earth 2 take a sinister turn as the forces of Apokolips invade the world. In the skies outside Gotham the Parademons are closing in on Hawkgirl as she carries Batman, Major Sato, and Aquawoman. Fortunately Aquawoman is able to help deal with the Parademons. As the Queen of the Sea returns to her people, Batman, Hawkgirl and Major Sato meet the others back at the Batcave, where the new ally they rescued from Arkham could well help them defeat Superman and alter the course of the war with Apokolips.

Ever since Tom Taylor took over Earth 2 in November the series taken a number of twists and turns, with Superman returning from the dead as the herald of Darkseid, war has engulfed this alternative world once more. Earth 2 #19 also introduced us to a new Kryptonian, a being that Terry Sloan had secretly hidden in the subbasement of Arkham. The identity of the new Batman was finally revealed in the pages of Earth 2 Annual #2; now in Earth 2 #20 we pick up the action as Hawkgirl returns to help Batman and his new allies escape.

Its was great to see Hawkgirl swoop into to airlift Batman and the others away from Arkham at the end of Earth 2 #19, I was beginning to think she’d been sidelined completely, so I’m happy to see that’s not the case. Tom Taylor keeps piling on the action as we witness them struggling to avoid being shot out of the sky by the Parademons. I also really like the way Aquawoman used her powers to help them all escape, it provided a magnificent opening to the issue, and although I was sorry to see her depart I’m sure the Queen of the Sea will be ready to answer Batman’s call when the time comes.

Batman finds that Hawkgirl has brought Dr Fate and Red Arrow to the Batcave as well, and Red Tornado has also arrived with Val and Jimmy Olsen. It will be interesting to see exactly how, or if, Dr Fate’s ramblings will be related to Alan Scottt’s return. Of course, they could point to something else entirely, so we should pay close attention to Khalid’s words – they may not be quite so incoherent as we think.

Now that we know Thomas Wayne is the new Batman, having survived being attacked by Joe Chill, we also saw how Bruce discovered his father had survived but decided to cut him out of his life completely. Thomas Wayne assumed the identity of the Batman after Bruce Wayne’s death, in order to honour the memory of his son. However, at 65 years of age, Thomas had to resort to using Miraclo, a drug he stole from Rex Mason (not Rex Tyler incidentally) which gives enhanced strength but only last for one hour at a time. The inclusion of Metamorpho’s identity, along with the Miraclo drug referencing the Tyler connection and Hourman, is most intriguing, and I’m sure Taylor will address the whole Rex Mason / Rex Tyler quandary in time. The new Batman has admitted he is addicted to this drug. Perhaps most shocking though, was the way he killed the Joker in his stasis chamber. It is clear this new Batman is a very complex character, however with hindsight; it is perhaps understandable now why Thomas Wayne would execute the man who caused such pain and suffering to his family.

We also get to learn more about Val, the young Kryptonian, who Terry Sloan kept hidden in Arkham’s subbasement, sealed away from the world and the sunlight that would charge his Kryptonian superpowers. Val has never left his room at Arkham, so he is very apprehensive of his new surroundings, but luckily Lois Lane, her mind now existing inside the andriod body of the Red Tornado, is able to get through to him. I really enjoyed this scene between Val and Red Tornado; where Lois explains what she is going through in order to help Val overcome his fear of the outside world.

Superman goes on the rampage again in Earth 2 #20, instructing the Parademons to destroy every place of worship around the globe, to show the people of Earth 2 that there is now only one God, and his name is Darkseid! The Dark Age pt 4 features pencils by Barry Kitson and Robson Rocha, as well as inks by Kitson and Oclair Albert, with Color by Peter Pantazis, and together they strike a seamless balance between the early action sequences and character driven moments, while showing the terrifying wrath of Darkseid’s herald.

Tom Taylor brings a lot of plot threads together in Earth 2 #20, time is given over to some significant character development, especially for Val and Lois (Red Tornado), and I thought the final scenes were particularly moving, especially in the light of all the havoc and destruction Superman is causing around the world. After several frenetic, action packed issues, and Batman’s origin over in the Earth 2 Annual #2, Earth 2 #20 is another excellent issue, one that brings a ray of hope into the lives the new wonders during their world’s darkest hour.

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