Reviews

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Batman Eternal #4 Review

My review’s a week late, but hopefully not a dollar short.

 

Well, there’s not a whole lot of capital to spend on this issue, anyway. It’s a transition issue. There’s not a lot of new revelations, twists, or plot development. As you might imagine from reading the first three issues, it takes a pretty natural course with what was already laid down: Jim Gordon is thrown to the wolves by the authorities, Barbara goes nuts over the betrayal, Stephanie Brown is in a lot of trouble, Forbes demands the police go after Batman, and Batman unsuccessfully tries to intimidate Falcone. read more

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Ghost in the Shell: Arise Episode 1 Review

Episode 1, "Ghost Pain"
 

*****SPOILER-FREE SYNOPSIS*****

Synopsis: After the murder of her superior officer and mentor, cyborg soldier Motoko Kusanagi becomes suspicious as to the events surrounding his death. Kusanagi assists the government’s Special Section 9, led by Daisuke Aramaki, in looking into the investigation of the former Unit 501 leader for bribery. During the investigation she begins to have doubts concerning her own memories, which have clearly been tampered with, and her fellow members of 501. What’s the connection between Lt. Col. Mamoru’s supposed corruption, illegal weapons sales, and Kusanagi’s superiors? And why is her body malfunctioning and her mind playing tricks on her? Motoko Kusanagi teams up with Batou, Togusa, and Paz for the very first time in this compelling action thriller.
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Dragon Ball Kai – Episode 102 Review

Episode 102, "The Dragon Team, All Assembled! Son Goku has Returned!!"
 

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Videl’s ability to fly improves drastically after some practicing. Days pass and Goku’s friends and family gather to meet him at the Tenkaichi Budoukai. When Goku appears before them, he’s surprised to finally meet his youngest son, Goten, who looks identical to him. Trunks and Goten are both disappointed that they can only enter a children’s division of the tournament. Goku and friends try to hold back when registering on the punch test machines, but have trouble. Vegeta doesn’t bother, however, entirely destroying one.
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Batman Eternal #3 Review

 

So, yeah. A week late with this. As you might’ve noticed, I had a week’s worth of rage building up inside of me for that previous entry. Forgiveness, please.

 

I can’t imagine why I didn’t jump right on the review for this issue. It opens by highlighting a long-time supporting character for the Batman franchise that hasn’t been seen or heard from in a very long time. The anticipation for this character’s return was staggering, and I waited with baited breath to see them in the pages of this weekly series. read more

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Dragon Ball Kai – Episode 101 Review

Episode 101, "Gohan’s the Teacher! Videl’s Introduction to Flight"
 

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: After informing Kuririn, Artificial Human 18, and Piccolo about the Budoukai, Gohan tells his mother about his father returning to the living world for a day. Gohan begins training with Goten, discovering that he can also become a Super Saiyan, but asks him to keep it under wraps when Videl arrives to learn how to fly. Both Videl and Goten need to be taught to use Bukujutsu, but first Videl has to be taught how to use her ki. Eventually she manages to levitate, while Goten masters flying handily. Vegeta is aghast that Trunks can also become a Super Saiyan at his age. Videl arrives for training one day with shorter hair, as suggested by Gohan for safety during the tournament. read more

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Batman Eternal #2 Review

 

When we last left our hero, he was reeling from the apparent guilt of his friend, Comissoner Gordon, in the collision of two subway trains, which cost massive casualties. GCPD newcomer Jason Bard came into town just in time to be in on the arrest of Gordon for the crime. As we join Batman and Gordon in this issue, the former is visiting the latter in a holding cell and things are looking increasingly troubled.

 

News travels fast, and every one of the current Bat Family soon learns of the crash and the arrest of Gordon. Batgirl, Barbara Gordon, is of course the most shocked. Harper Row reads about it on the internet. Red Robin, now free of the clutches of “writer” Scott Lobdell, books a flight from New York to Gotham. Jason Todd is picking up the news in a bar as far as Hong Kong. And… Batwoman and Batwing are also in this issue (who cares?). read more

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Dragon Ball Kai – Episode 100 Review

Episode 100, "Found Out! The New Hero is Son Gohan"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Gohan is enjoying his double life as high school student and superhero Great Saiyaman, but his heroics catch the attention of Mr. Satan’s daughter, Videl. After the rescue of a baby dinosaur from a cruel circus trainer has them on opposing sides, Videl figures out who Great Saiyaman really is and blackmails Gohan into joining the Tenkaichi Budoukai, At Capsule Corporatation, Gohan replaces his helmet with a scarf and tells Bulma about his situation. Vegeta wants to compete in the tournament, as well. Surprisingly, so does Son Goku, who talks from the afterlife through Kaio. Goku says that he’ll be given a special one-day permission to return to the living world and looks forward to competing in the Budoukai. Gohan is overjoyed by the news. read more

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Batman Eternal #1 Review

 

I know this blog of mine is mostly for reviewing Japanese animation, and frankly I don’t even review Japanese comics much, but we all know how much I love Batman (don’t we?), and I figured I’d start giving reviewing some comics a chance. I bided time until I could review something Batman-related from the beginning of a story arc or a new book, but with Snyder’s Batman still on “Zero Year” and Tomasi’s book doing something I want to wait to see pan out, I was a little concerned when I would have a chance. read more

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Dragon Ball Kai – Episode 99 Review

 

 

Episode 99, "7 Years Since That Event! Starting Today, Gohan’s a High Schooler"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Seven years have passed since the defeat of Cell, a feat that was credited to Mr. Satan, whose city of residence is now named after him. Son Gohan, now sixteen years old, begins attending Orange Star High School in Satan City. There he meets Videl, Mr. Satan’s inquisitive daughter. While he tries to stay inconspicious, his habit of stopping criminals leaves him looking for a way to disguise himself to avoid attracting attention. Bulma constructs a uniform he can transform into at the push of the button and he begins a crimefighting career as Great Saiyaman. read more

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Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods Review

 "Battle of Gods"

Spoiler-Free Synopsis: After a thirty-nine year sleep, Beerus, the God of Destruction, has awoken, and is seeking the "Super Saiyan God" he saw in his dream. He and his attendant Whis sense the remaining Saiyans, first questioning Son Goku as he trains on Kaio’s planet. Goku is soundly beaten in battle with Beerus, even at Super Saiyan 3 level, and the God of Destruction goes to Earth to inquire of Vegeta. On Earth, Bulma’s birthday party is interrupted by Beerus, Whis, and the Pilaf gang (who are looking to make money). Beerus is accomodated by Vegeta, but soon loses his temper when denied pudding from Buu, and a battle breaks out. When Goku himself is no match for the God of Destruction, what chance do the others have? Beerus demands the Super Saiyan God to appear or he’ll destroy the planet Earth! read more

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