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Batman & Robin Eternal #2 Review

In hindsight, Batman decided the LSD experiments were premature.

 

Cassandra attacks, The Orphan gets smacked, and Dick flashes back in this second issue of Batman’s weekly Batman event book. Our Agent 37, fresh off an encounter with deadly children, a betrayal by a cannibal (can’t trust anyone these days), and a possibly life-changing revelation, is scrambling to protect all the people on the list of names on the thumb drive he was given. He doesn’t arrive in time to help Harper from receive a beating, but fortunately our mysterious ninja Cassie is a match for the new threat. But what does all this have to do with Jonathan Crane, Scarecrow, and can Tim send me some of those videos of the Row residence? (Sure, you’re no Peeping Tom…) read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•
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Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Episode 3 – War in the Pocketbook

 

I never realized how much I needed this kind of scene in a Gundam series. Around the midway point of the episode, a small cadre of our heroes is busy crunching numbers of any and all remaining assets after their… corporate takeover. What was initially a good, pleasant; number dwindles to a pittance after factoring in expenses like severance pay, maintenance, and supplies. In a franchise where protagonists are always backed by some well-moneyed source (be it businessmen, military, or weird scientist guy), I never would expect this kind of scene to ever be shown. Granted I’m not sure if it will come up again during the series run (thanks to Kudelia), but the thought of including it is quite appreciated. read more

Juu-kuchiby Juu-kuchi•
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Batman& Robin Eternal #1 Review

Not pictured: The actual current Robin

It’s time to review Eternal 2, where Cassie debuts, does some badass kung-fu, and when things come unglued, shocking things ensue! It’s DC’s new weekly Batman saga, hot on the heels of Jim Gordon becoming Batman and Dick Grayson’s spy career’s growing complications. With Bruce Wayne out of action, Gotham’s streets are defended by a group of costumed teens and young adults that the new Caped Crusader has no patience for, and the first Robin uncovers a startling secret his mentor had kept for him for years. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•
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Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Episode 2 – G-Chekketsu yourself before you G-Rekketsu yourself.

 

Solanum Lycopersicum Callipyge

Like the lumbering skeleton-framed Gundam Barbatos, the series begins its purposeful lurch forward. You can tell by its lurch (despite the exciting, electric, “Raise Your Flag” opening), in the way the battle between the Barbatos and Gjallarhorn squad quickly concludes and focuses on world building. The more interesting thing about this is that there’s no narrator this time around (it’s kindof a thing in Gundam) to get us going about the world. Every little story element that is shown and told is done by any and all characters present, thus allowing us maximum engagement in the world and its characters. Like the mobile suit, the story is piecing itself together into a more cohesive, dynamic, whole. read more

Juu-kuchiby Juu-kuchi•
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Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Episode 01 – These Kids’re Alright…

…Except for all those things that have been done to them, never mind their place in a PMC that sees them as expendable. But let’s not dwell on that much, because there’s a lot to like in this very good first episode.

The greatest strength of this premiere is its handling of a universe that’s the result of a 300 year long reign of Mars by the Earth Sphere. The peace is frayed, calls for independence are beginning to rise, and there is an undercurrent of tension on every level. All of this is established without firing a shot given the series describing the Special Forces of Earth, Gjallarhorn, as very violent in their quelling of uprisings. The way a well-to-do Martian citizen wipes his sweating brow as he diplomatically grovels for his daughter’s independence seeking behavior, is well done and establishes how much fear can be generated if Earth is opposed. Heck, a shot won’t be fired from their elite units until near the end of the episode, and even then you can see tensions are frayed there too! I like these little touches, and hope it remains such throughout the course of the series, even if Gjallarhorn/Earth eventually goes full Titans (Zeta) or A-LAWS (00 Season 2). read more

Juu-kuchiby Juu-kuchi•
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AQUA INTEGRAL EPISODE PROJECT L FOREVER / Top 50 Aqua Teen Episodes 10 – 1

Introduction + 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11

And with these final ten episodes, thus concludes the AQUA INTEGRAL EPISODE PROJECT L. Hope you enjoyed this list, and hopefully you will enjoy these episodes if you ever get around to it. I’d leave this in the end with a funny joke like they hoped they would but… nah.

AND NOW THE TOP 10!

10. The Last Last One Forever and Ever (For Real This Time) (We Fucking Mean It)

 

“Alright lock your doors y’all. This here’s kindof a bad neighborhood. Evil villains… everywhere you turn.” read more

Juu-kuchiby Juu-kuchi•
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AQUA INTEGRAL EPISODE PROJECT L/Top 50 Something Whatever (20-11)

Introduction + 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21

20. Broodwich

 

“It is the Broodwich. Forged in darkness from wheat harvested in Hell’s half-acre. Baked by Beelzebub. Slathered with mayonnaise from the evil eggs of dark chicken forces beaten into sauce by the hands of a one-eyed madman. Cheese boiled from the rancid teat of a fanged cow. Layered with 666 separate meats from an animal, which has maggots for BLOOD!”

After going beyond the demanded 14 inches by Frylock, a digging expedition by Shake lands him in a dark pit full of skulls. There he comes face to face with a most dangerous item: the Broodwich. Whosoever eats the Broodwich will be transported to a uniquely designed nether-realm after each bite, so they can be summarily decapitated by a creature with an axe. Eat it all? Well… Good luck. read more

Juu-kuchiby Juu-kuchi•
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AQUA INTEGRAL EPISODE PROJECT L/Top 50 Aqua Teen Best Hit Episodes Forever For All Time (30-21)

AQUA INTEGRAL EPISODE PROJECT L (30-21)

Introduction + 50-41 | 40-31

30. Hands on a Hamburger

“Come on over and visit my big ankle and I’m gonna kick your ass with such force it will open a timerift to where Jesus lives!”

In this surprising finale to some trilogy of error, the Aqua Teens lock themselves in a game of wits and survival. The game? Keep one hand on a building-size bacon cheeseburger. The last person with a hand on a burger (as per the bylaws) gets the whole enchilada (an expression that may give people gas). read more

Juu-kuchiby Juu-kuchi•
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AQUA INTEGRAL EPISODE PROJECT L/Top 50 Aqua Teen Hunger Force episodes (40-31)

AQUA INTEGRAL EPISODE PROJECT L (40-31)

For introduction and 50-41 click here.

40. Balloonenstein

 

“…Do what now?”

This episode is the testbed for further endeavours by Meatwad to get back at Shake. It still remains an incredibly strong episode. After a prolonged stay in the dryer thanks to Shake, Meatwad develops a high amount of dischargeable static electricity, which he uses to remorselessly discipline the Cup.

Such a breath of fresh air this episode is if you start chronologically. I remember when I didn’t really get the show, and wondered if all that Meatwad abuse would get tiring. Thankfully with this episode, it isn’t the case, as it shows the capacity of Meatwad’s vindictiveness when goaded for the first time. Given the consistency of Shake’s character, it ought to be considered a welcome development, as it shows there are characters in this show that will take it out on him if need be. Frylock is always going to be that paper tiger wrapped in a veneer of rational civility, so it falls upon others to pick up the slack. read more

Juu-kuchiby Juu-kuchi•