THE FLASH - SEASON 6.17

REVIEW:  THE FLASH - SEASON 6.17:  "Liberation"


Things are speeding up!  Except for Barry---HE is SLOWING DOWN!  Eva's plan to exact revenge on her ex-husband Carver has now picked up steam, and she's removing pieces from the chess board that would be obstacles in her way.  Joe is now in Witness Protection to save himself from Carver's assassins, with the help of the Fake Singh (which was a surprise to us, so I wonder just HOW LONG he's been in the mirror universe), and with Fake Iris pushing Barry out the door, making it seem like--to HIM, anyway--that his marriage is over.  He is now tasked with looking after Cecile and Jenna while he's away.  Meanwhile, Sue Dearbon reappeared, and we got the skinny on WHY she was looking to break into various banks around Central City---her parents are being extorted by Carver for SOME reason, and now it's up to Ralph (with Cisco's help, of course), to figure out why, as the pieces have begun to fall together for this season.  

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This episode gave us some emotional stuff tonight, but we FINALLY started to see the big picture get formed before us.  We finally saw Eva exposed as the real mastermind behind all this (well...WE knew, but now Iris, Barry, Cecile, and Nash know).  We know that Camilla and Singh are SOMEWHERE in the Mirror Universe, but Iris must hunt for them.  We know fully well what Eva's motivations have been, but we know she has a weakness, and Iris and Barry exposed that tonight.  Even in different dimensions, they STILL work as a team.  Tonight, we also saw the return of Caitlin, and something is VERY off with her, and we'll get to that soon, but she needed some help from Cisco and Ralph.  And Eva's plan has a much deadlier angle to it---one that---if I'm to wager a guess--will have some SERIOUSLY BAD consequences down the road...for EVERYONE involved, Eva included.  

Iris has wised up the last couple of episodes.  The reporter in her really kicks in, and she's actually figured out a way to possibly get OUT of the Mirror Universe, even going so far as to think that if she throws an object at the mirror, they can both examine it, and see an escape plan.  Eva knows it won't be long before Iris finds out the truth, so she feigns anger, and warns her against shattering the mirror.  She takes off, and it's then we realize that Iris spots with her reporter's eye a button on the wall.  Turns out, it's to a secret room!  Iris then uncovers EXACTLY what Eva's been up to this whole time...though it causes her great pain to do so, she presses on.  She sees through the mirror images of Singh's capture, her own capture, and Camilla's disappearance.  Everything Eva has laid out as part of her master plan, Iris now knows.  Sadly, the pain is too much, and Iris passes out.  Eva stands over her, mockingly saying that "the truth hurts".  

In the real world, Fake Iris is working with Fake Camilla and Fake Singh to carry out "Mother's" plan.  But something is...different.  She seems---distracted.  Now, before we go any further, I should point out that the episode starts at the lab, where Cisco, Barry and Ralph have put together a machine, using Nora's notes, to help construct a Speed Force for Barry.  Cecile comes by to check in, and they get the machine started.  It seems like it's going to work....but doesn't.  Cisco is discouraged, and Barry is disappointed.  Cecile tries to talk to him about going to see Iris, but he refuses.  He feels he needs to work on the machine.  She's going over to the Citizen, and asks Barry if he has a message for "Iris", and he says he misses his wife.

Cecile DOES meet with Fake Iris, but Fake Iris just brushes it off.  She says she's got work to do, and Cecile gets a funny vibe.  Fake Iris asks what's up, and Cecile says she feels sadness.  She takes off, and heads home, only to discover that Barry has a board  or two in the house, much like his caseboard at the lab.  He's figured out that "Iris" isn't Iris.  At first Cecile finds this all unreal, but Barry goes over his theory, and he looks to get more proof.

Meanwhile, Ralph and Cisco pay a visit to Caitlin's, but soon as they touch the door, it's cold.  They come in, and Caitlin is covered up, but her temp is low.  Something's out of whack, and in order to get her body jump started, Cisco sets up a machine to get Cait back to normal.  Ralph offers himself up as a set up jumper cables, and it works.  Cait then says that the wound she got from Dr. Light ruptured, and it caused issues, so Frost did what she could to protect her.  She needs help, and the only one that can help her is her mother.

Fake Iris, Singh, and Camilla have set up mirrors in the Citizen awaiting Eva's arrival.  She then gives them final orders, and they are off...but Fake Iris is still a tad off.  But she brushes it off, and gets a call from Cecile, and she's heading to STAR Labs to see what's up before going ahead with the plan.

Barry, Cecile, and Nash arrive, and Barry exposes Fake Iris.  He knows she's fake, and shows her the picture Camilla actually took (after, of course, hacking into Iris' computer, which Cecile felt wrong about, but went along with it, anyway).  Fake Iris says prove it, and Barry uses a device to prove she's a Fake.  However, when he uses it, she seems fine.  She then turns it on him, and it makes HIM look like the pixilated mirror image.  Cecile puts him in meta cuffs and he's put into the Pipeline, but NOT before Fake Iris rips him a new one yet again.  Cecile gets yet another weird emotional sensation after all this, and Fake Iris asks what it is, but Cecile passes it off.  Just feels that something is off.

Fake Iris, Singh, and Camilla arrive at Iron Heights, and go to Bloowork's cell.  Turns out, Eva needs a drop of her blood in order to come out of the Mirror Universe, and back into the real world.  They agree to let him go, if he gives them a blood sample.  Fake Camilla sacrifices herself for the cause to open his cell, and he impales both Fake Singh and Iris.  He asks Fake Iris what she wants, and she says she wants to be alive.  He then leaves them the sample, and goes back into his cell---he knows that he has another way out, and he'll bide his time.  They leave.  

Cecile then let's Barry out, and she's still NOT quite sure Barry is Barry...but wants him to go and get the real Iris back anyway.  Barry races off to face down the Fake Iris.  He finally catches her in the act, as she's about to give the blood sample to Eva, as Eva says that she'll finally be liberated, and that she has her plan for the world.  Barry realizes that Eva is the mastermind, and now has to face down the Fake Iris.

While Fake Iris is battling Barry, and hurting him badly, because he can't use his speed, Eva is making Iris watch the whole ordeal in front of her.  It's then that Iris plays her trump card:  She says that Eva keeps talking about her husband, even though he abandoned her 10 years ago.  She still loves Carver, but Eva denies it and says that she hates him, and that she wants to destroy him.  But Iris knows better.  Iris also realizes that, while Eva made her mirror image, and controls her, she also emotes like her, and said that while she created her in Iris' image, that she created her from a part of Iris.  In the real world, as Eva has crashed a mirror above Barry, and wounded him.  Fake Iris goes in for the kill.  Taunting Barry, but he soon realizes that once Eva has an emotional outburst, so does Fake Iris.  He realizes that now is the chance to reach her.  He tells her that she's made from the real Iris, and says that SHE has a choice to make.  She can tell him where his wife is.  The pain is too much, and all Fake Iris wanted to be was alive.  Eva's plan with Fake Iris falls apart, as she tells Barry to find the real Iris.  She begins to crack, and as she does, Barry holding her in his arms, she says she feels alive as she shatters.

Now, before the battle began, Fake Iris had thrown Bloodwork's sample into the mirror, thus allowing Eva to escape.  She wounds Barry again, and he wonders if she'll kill him.  She says he's no threat, so there is no point---unless he gets in her way.  She's got revenge on her mind, and a much bigger plan for the world.  

In the final scene of the episode, we get what thas to be, arguably, Grant Gustin and Candice Patton's best acting on this show.  To give you the depth of just how much Barry and Iris truly love each other...and the fact that even being apart, they are still as bonded together as the day they met.  You can see them talking to each other...promising each other that no matter what...they WILL find a way to stop Eva, rescue Camilla and Singh, and find their way back to each other.  I think ALL of us realize that the chemistry these two have on screen is just pure magic.  We FEEL Barry and Iris' pain, and we know they have a love unlike anyone else.  I got the feels from this.  And this cutscene, where we seem them touching the mirror, just drives the point home as the episode ends.  Such amazing work.

I was also pleased at Iris' goading of Eva---KNOWING that no matter HOW much Eva shows hatred for Carver...deep down, she still loves him as well.  I also found it interesting that Fake Iris---through all her manipuation (due to Eva) of Barry and the rest of the team...that she actually started to FEEL.  And it was that aspect...emotion..that allowed her to want to feel alive...to be REAL.  It caused her downfall eventually, thanks to Barry playing on that one emotion.  But her eventual self destruction allowed her just a brief glimpse of sentient life....enough to see that Barry truly loved Iris, and just wanted her back.  What happens from here, it's going to be at a frenetic pace, as it now becomes a race against time for Team Flash to stop Eva and Carver from BOTH initiating their little world dominating ideas, and there's ALSO the concept now of Bloodwork.  Eva needed a sample of his blood to escape the Mirror Universe.  HE is now inside her, and can considerably manipulate HER into HIS own twisted plan for making over the world.  Three separate threats, and Barry no closer to getting his speed back.  it's making for an exciting couple of episodes (at least), will there be a cliffhanger?  We shall have to see how the next couple of episodes play out.  But one thing is for sure---we got A LOT going on before this story has reached the finish line.

And THEN there's the issue with Caitlin.  Will her mother be able to help?  And, if so, we have to remember from LAST season...that her mom is now a meta...imbued with The Icicle's powers.  Will she be able to help her daughter, or will she be yet another threat the team has to deal with.  And...we need MORE SUE!  

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That's it for this episode.  Please subscribe, leave a comment on what YOU think is going on, and share this page with yer pals---cheaper than buying the beer.

Until next time....Keep On Running!

POP FICTION RANT: THE COMIC BOOK INDUSTRY

POP FICTION RANT:  THE COMIC BOOK INDUSTRY

We are at a very difficult time in this world.  This virus has us fearful, and it has forced us indoors to protect ourselves, as well as shutting down our businesses that are not deemed "essential" in order to serve the public.  This pandemic has had an ENORMOUS effect on the comic book industry.  Comic shops around the country have had to shutter their doors because they have to adhere to government guidelines about social distancing.  Also, they're not getting ANY new product in the form of comics from the distributor, as well as the companies themselves.  It's forced publishers to even shut down any new work at the moment.  Everything has come to a screeching halt, in a sense.

But....it's MORE than that.

The comic book industry itself...has left us--shall we say---lacking and unsatisfied, in a sense.  What do I mean?  Well, I'll get to that.  But safe to say, there are some things I just wanna get off my chest when it comes to comics.  I've heard A LOT of talk from various people IN the industry through podcasts and read interviews about not only the creators and publishers, but also the vendors that are now worried that they're going to have to close up shop for good.  No new product, no customers, and no money made.  It sucks...plain and simple.  

The business model for comics is in serious need of a facelift.  Because, sometimes, comic shops get product they can't sell, and can't get money back or send unsold product back.  You have ONE distributor issuing comics to vendors, and then there's the publishers themselves, who have had product out late.  Now Diamond---who is pretty much the sole distributor of comics for pretty much EVERY major publisher in the inudstry---has had a stranglehold on the industry for many years.  And according to many vendors, have been difficult to work with.  It just doesn't help that ONE company holds the market for distribution....especially when it comes to getting product out, or being able to send unsold product BACK.  I believe that they're should be a FEW options to get product to the vendors without issues (yes, I know they'd still OCCUR, but probably not to the extent that it does now).  Some independent companies have decided to go direct to the vendor without a distributor, which is an option.  Some companies and creators are doing what they can to help the local shops across the country stay in business while this pandemic keeps us from being consumers.  That helps keep relationships between vendors AND publishers good.  It's needed.  ONE setback for vendors, though, are online comics.  Marvel and DC have gone out of their way to start putting their comics library online for people to buy and read.  The digital comic has become a huge deal for many, and some go to that source, because it's easier than going to a shop, and rummaging through the shelves or boxes to find what you need.  But, you see, THAT is the FUN of a comic shop:  To physically go inside, see what they have, go through their library that they have, and...oh I dunno...meet fellow collectors much like you.  Comic shops aren't just shops...it's a social gathering place.  Take that away...what do we have?  Not against having digital comics....I would just hate to see the actual, physical comic book disappear forever.  

Aside from that change in the business aspect, one of my major gripes is the CONTENT that is currently being published by the industry.  Relax, relax, everyone---I'm not looking for censorship if that was where you're mind was going.  No, no....I was thinking more along the lines of the LACK of creativity and originality in the industry.  Or...trying to go TOO radical in order to sell books.  It's watered down the industry, and I feel that it will turn away readers...new AND old.

For one thing---it seems the comics today are nothing more than just TOOLS....reference books for movie studios to make movies from these properties.  Sadly, that's what our heroes and favorite characters that we've spend all our lives reading about have become---properties to merchandise the shit out of.  Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, the X-Men, The Avengers, Justice League....I can go on...are nothing more than just properties to license toys, games, shirts, other apparel, trinkets, and anything else the marketing arms of the corporations that OWN them (yes, I'm mainly pointing a finger at Marvel and DC here), can think of in order to bilk money out of the public.  Now...don't get me wrong here...I LOVE the movies (well, quite a good chunk of them---there have been a few stinkers, but I digress), but often times that's the ONLY reason that the corporations that own the two major companies have found a reason to keep these comic publishers around---for reference.  I know that AT&T, which had recently purchased Warner Bros., who OWNS DC Comics, had tried to figure out WHY they need the company in the first place.  They were honestly thinking about shutting down the comics arm of their little conglomerate altogether.  What would we BE without new adventures from Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, and so on?  Those of us who LOVE comics thrive on reading about their new stories, and keeping their legend alive.  But since these characters are just now "properties"...they might feel that they can just create a new TV show or movie, and ditch the books altogether.

Another thing chapping my hide is the content.  I gotta tell you, folks---I had STOPPED collecting comics around 2010...for a few reasons.  One thing---my life was going through some changes, and I couldn't afford to go to the shop and buy new books.  When you lose your job...kinda sucks, and that means no more comics.  Two---and this is my pet peeve---the quality of the stories just left me cold.  Some of the events and stories BOTH major companies put out was just overkill and...well...stunk.  I understand wanting to pull in new readers, but there are WAYS you can do that.  To uttery change a character entirely...do a 180 on  them...and then expect readers to just "hop in", and make sure you keep your CURRENT fans...they miss the mark. 

I have also seen an awful trend in comics stemming back to about the late 1980's and WELL into the 1990's up to today:  major company-wide "events" meant to shake up their continuity.  Now, there have been one or two that have made a POSITIVE impact on their respective companies (Crisis on Infinite Earths comes to mind), but then it seems like we couldn't get through a calendar year without both of these companies tossing out some new "big event" to shake up their books, their characters, and hit the reset button.  They wanted turnover, and pull in new readers.  It's one thing to stage an event to pull in new readers, sell books, and tell a good story...but there IS such a thing as overkill---and both Marvel AND DC have been on that track for the last 30 years.  It's become a nervous tick with them---can't seem to really go through the year without shaking SOMETHING up in order to sell books.  And sadly, gang....it doesn't always work.  I know there are those out there who think that A LOT of these huge events were fantastic, but, honestly, MANY have fallen flat, and even driven AWAY readers.  There seems to be less thinking at the top, and going back to the tired crutch of an event to beef up business.  

I'm also not fond of this trope where companies will publish a book...cancel it, restart it with a new creative team, slap a HUGE "#1" on it, and put it out with about 5 different covers and make them like "collector's editions".  This is what the market was like in the 1990's...and EVERY company was suspect of this behavior....and that included the new upstart at the time, Image.  The Collector's Market of the 90's nearly bankrupted the industry as a whole.  And we're still feeling the effects of that to this day, because companies can't seem to get away from these types of gimmicks in order to sell comics.  It's not healthy.  It's hard to invest in a comic when you eventually decided to either cancel it, or to restart it with a new creative team, thus undermining the previous creative team, and the work THEY put forth into the book.  We had a flood of comics hit shelves in the 90's that centered on ONE particluar character.  Had to have MORE Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, X-Men comics because they THOUGHT that was what the demand was.  There was just ONE problem, though...more books didn't equate to better sales, and it also meant a lack of QUALITY being put forth.  I still see tinges of that today.  

Which brings me to my NEXT point:  writing.  During the 90's and up to today, one of the things I have noticed in comics has been a SEVERE lack of quality writing.  That's not to say that there haven't been some terrific stories that have been written within the last 30 or so years, but from some of what was being written back THEN to NOW...completely awful, and just flat out LAZY.  It's one thing to get assigned a book, and you pick up where a previous writer had left off, and try to put your own spin on said character, but doing so CAREFULLY as to not toy nor destroy the basics of what has made said character so popular with fans.  Writers, however, seemed to start mailing it in, because either they COULDN'T come up with anything original, or relied on gimmicks in order to either shock readers so that they'll buy the book and get invested, or they will simply turn the axis 180 degrees on the character, and do a complete teardown and build up in  a way that totally undermines the original concept of said character.  To put it simply:  writers got desperate because they couldn't come up with original ideas, so they thought that going the character assassination route was a great way to drum up readership (just look at what Dan DiDio's tenure at DC brought forth:  a more gloomy and dark universe, overturn of characters, and the complete and utter destruction of the Wally West character).  It's insulting to long time readers, but there have been several artists/writers who have been critical of longtime readers, and believe that there should be a constant turnover in readership every few years or so.  It's arrogant, because you drive away a loyal following that have invested their time and money into the comic.  To piss on the readers is an insult.  A lot of these writers and artists feel that because they are a name, they're bulletproof...they're not (ask Rob Liefeld...that man has been raked over the coals vehemently, as have people like Brian Michael Bendis, and so forth).  You are NOT above the reader.  You are a storyteller, and we rely on YOU to tell a good story, and keep us engaged in this character we've invested our lives in.  At the same time, you need US---because, without US---why are you writing or illustrating to begin with.  Like it or not, it's symbiotic relationship.

These are just some complaints I have.  And I credit a lot of independent comic companies allowing some of these writers to find other outlets to really create, tell stories they can't tell anywhere else, and actually SAY something.  These are the books that are catching my eye now moreso that superhero comics.  It's sad, because I still love my heroes---but I'm tired of how they're treated.  They are OUR modern mythology...we have expectations of those who are CUSTODIANS of these characters, to ensure WE stay invested in them for the future.  And I am all for these writers (and new writers/artists), to have other outlets to really stretch out and create...to bring something NEW to the canvas.  I appreciate those making the effort.  I want the comic book industry to survive.  I still love them.  I'm a middle aged man, and I still love comics---I have A LOT of fond memories of my youth collecting comics.  They can still reel me in with a good story, capture my imagination...if done right.  

That's all I gotta say from my soapbox, gang.  Thanks for sticking by me as I vent.  Let's hope that the industry gets back on its feet, that comic shops open back up, and give us a place to gather, explore, and meet new people.  And hoping that the creators will listen to their fans...and create something exciting and new...without destroying everything we spent years investing in.

Until next time....

COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK

COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK


Once again, my friends...welcome to my little place in cyberspace.  We are once again rummaging through the comic book archives to find a gem of a book that I feel deserves some attention.  And in this trying time of comic book shops having to shutter their doors during this crisis, I am HOPING that I do MY part...so that when this situation passes, and we're able to go back out and be consumers again...you'll find yourself once more at your local shop, looking to dive back into comics once again, and, hopefully, you'll find something that I suggested intriguing enough to give it a read.  And THIS week...we go back to 1994 to rediscover one of the more captivating superhero groups of its time:  Gen 13.  




GEN 13 #1



COVER: J. Scott Campbell, Alex Garner
WRITER: Brandon Choi, J. Scott Campbell (script)
ARTIST: J. Scott Campbell
INKS: Alex Garner, Sandra Hope
COLORS: Wendy Fouts, Joe Chiodo, Wildstorm Effects (separations)
LETTERS: Richard Starkings, Comicraft
EDITOR: Bill Kaplan, Deborah Marvin
COVER DATE: March 1994
PUBLISHER: Image Comics


STORY TITLE: "Among Friends and Enemies!"


Gen 13#1 was the brainchild of writer Brandon Choi and artist J. Scott Campbell.  They created this group of teen superheroes that became part of Jim Lee's WildStorm Universe, where such teams as WildC.A.T.S. and Next 7 operated, and--in fact--these children were the offspring of some of the members of that very team.  The book was published under the Image Comics banner, and ran for about 39 issues.  Following in the footsteps of such titles like X-Men, Teen Titans, and even Young Justice.  Choi and Campbell eventually left the series, and it was once again picked up for another run, however, Lee had decided to later sell his WildStorm Studios to DC Comics, as he ended up joining the company there (and is currently its Publisher), and they were integrated into the DC Universe at a later point.  But this team has seen a rather fascinating ride between two companies, and various editions.  Whether or not we will revisit this team at a later date in their own book is unknown at this time.  Several of the characters have made various appearances in other DC books.


THE STORY:  Fairchild, Freefall, Grunge, Burn-Out, and Rainmaker are five teenagers who were created by science, and given superhuman powers.  Now, they're a team desperate to survive in a world that doesn't seem to want them.  They are helped out by a man named Jack Lynch in their various adventures.


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This is a series that I wasn't able to dip into upon it's initial release (and being able to find collections of it have been scattered, at best), and the publishing after the original 39 issue run has been difficult at best, being between Image, anything independently done by WildStorm before it was sold to DC, and DC itself.  I've been on the hunt for this series, and again, much like the Cinder and Ashe mini I mentioned a few weeks back, if anyone has a review they'd love to give on this issue...PLEASE leave a comment below.  Plus, subscribe to this page for this part of the blog, as well as reviews of the various CW Arrowverse shows that I watch.  But any help in procuring this series, so that I may read it would be extremely helpful and grateful.  

DC'S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW - SEASON 5.8

REVIEW:  DC'S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW - SEASON 5.8:  "Zari, Not Zari"


We are on a quest!  Well...WE are following our intrepid time-travellers on their current quest to retrieve the Loom of Fate.  A godly device that can be used to change the fate and lives of everyone, and Charlie, who is a Fate herself, split it apart, because she felt people needed free will.  Well, that pissed off her sisters PLENTY, and they've been on the hunt for the pieces ever since.  Now, it's a race against time to see who gets it first:  Charlie's sisters, or her and the Legends.  Also, now that Ray and Nora are gone, the team has to figure out how to work WITHOUT them, and we also have Zari, who's trying to figure out WHY she's getting these weird visions of a previous life.  So, let's jump onto the Waverider, and see what's shakin'----it's been awhile.

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We see this episode start out in 1977 London, during the huge punk explosion that has swept the country....and we're here 3 months AFTER Charlie had left her band to join the Legends.  One of the Fates, Charlie's sister Atropose, slaughters everyone in the club looking for her, and one of her bandmates tells Atropose she bailed before he kills her.  She later winds up in Hell, where she meets up with the Coin Maker, Kasis, who just happens to be Charlie's OTHER sister.  She informs her sister that her protoge' Astra has been dealing with John Constantine, who just HAPPENS to be with Charlie, and they means they can find the pieces of the Loom.  

This episode shows us Charlie, who is still not thrilled to have to search for the pieces of the Loom, but spend the good part of the episode showing us her deep fear:  her sisters.  She gets messages from Atropose, who is the one on the hunt, saying that she is going to get the pieces, but also expect forgiveness for breaking it---and the sisters---up.  Her sister continues to tell her that the world should NOT be the way it is, and Charlie reiterates that she likes the chaos and disorder, because at least people have their own free will.  As she goes after a very rambunctious John, who is on his own personal quest to get the Loom, as save Astra before it's too late, we see her fear of not only her sisters, but of how useless she feels.  Sara props her up, and at the end, we finally see Charlie accept her role as a Legend, being able to defeat her sister, and recollect the two pieces of the Loom...which she had shaped as rings.  Very Thanos-esque.  This episode also gave us some insight as to what exactly makes Sara such an imposing character besides her abilities.  Turns out, Sara is able to survive a Fate's power.  We also get some jovial part of the show, when it turns out that the 2nd piece of the Loom is located in Vacouver, British Columbia---where they just happen to be filming Supernatural, which turns out to be a favorite show of Sara's.  While we don't get Dean and Sam, specifically (or the actors since they make it known it's the show being filmed here), Sara, John, and Charlie happen upon their car, and Sara steals some weapons used as props for the show.  Sadly, the crew got fried in the process.

One of the other major plot points we get this episode focuses on Zari, who is getting more and more visions of her past self.  We see her open up the episode in Nate's bed, and apparently hacked into Gideon to sneak in.  Although no hanky panky was involved, it's still a sign of the closeness of Nate and Zari stemming back to last season.  The team mocks her for it, but her brother decides to help her out, after he witnesses her kick his butt in a video game.  

Behrad also finds out that she's connected to the family totem, and can use it's powers.  Her brother offers her to go into the totem, and speak to the many ancestors, to find out what's going on.  She does so, and ends up finding her alternate self that she keeps remembering.  The Zari we know is in there, and tells her counterpart about how she came from a dystopian future, where their brother is dead.  Although this current version of Zari isn't so high on herself, Old Zari says she likes her---she's got spirit.  And she's happy, because her family is alive and safe.  However, things take a turn for the worse, as Charlie's sister discovers that the ring we see in the case on the ship is the other piece of the Loom...and she makes off with it, but Behrad stands up to her, and dies in the process, after she says he doesn't belong there.  Old Zari gives her counterpart a hug, and wishes her the best as she comes out of the trance...only to find out that her brother has been killed.

After much grieving, a very upset and determined Zari comes upon a wounded John Constantine at the end of the episode, and asks him if the Loom can revive people, which he says it can.  So, she says she is sticking by him through this whole journey, because he's put things in motion, and she won't rest until her brother is resurrected.  I believe that NOW we are going to get the Zari many of us had been hoping for the whole season.  She's got a purpose and a mission now.  Great stuff from Tala Ashe this episode.

This installment also saw Ava jumping to Mick's aid, as he tries to resolve is issues with this daughter, Lita, who still hates him.  Ava has a plan to go back in time, and kind of "re-program" Lita's mind with memories of her and Mick spending time together.  We get a montage of Father/Daughter memories that Mick and Ava make for him, which he puts in a scrapbook, but when he goes to deliver it, it's her Mom that isn't thrilled....mostly because Mick keeps taking off.  She knows who Mick is---a criminal...or used to be one.  And as much as Ava wishes to help more, Mick understands that it's a bad idea, and that they were right about him---he's a terrible father and a criminal.  So, the only advice Ava gives him, is for him to apologize and be honest....and go from there.  So...Mick does.  It's a bit sad, because we see Mick WANTING to make a connection with his daughter, and Ava being that good hearted to WANT him to have that family connection---considering she's a clone and didn't really have one.  So, while the plan failed in a certain aspect, hopefully, it will open a chance for Mick later down the road to have something with his daughter.

This episode, which I did enjoy, was probably the first episode in awhile that didn't really have that usual campiness and overall humor that this show is known for.  This was some pretty heavy stuff the team was dealing with.  It was more dramatic, and it sets up some MORE drama down the road.  We know there's still one piece of the Loom out there, and it's a race to grab it.  The sisters aren't done with Charlie yet, and now we have a Zari who is hellbent on getting her brother back at all costs.  Sara is going to be tested as a leader again, and Mick...well...we root for the grumpy bastard to have the love of his kid.  Heavy exposition this episode, but it sets up the rest of the stretch run of this season....however long it may be.  

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Okay, gang!  That's if for this episode----make sure you subscribe and leave a comment...tell your friends, and we'll reconvene next time.

Until then...Time Is on Our Side.


                                       

THE FLASH - SEASON 6.16

REVIEW:  THE FLASH - SEASON 6.16: "So Long and Goodnight"



We are BACK!!!  After what seemed like an ETERNITY (what were we---in the Speed Force?  Oh, my bad, THAT doesn't exist anymore), we have finally returned to Central City to pick up where we left off.  Which was:  Barry is losing his powers (as is Wally), because of his actions in CRISIS, and the Speed Force is no more.  Meanwhile, Joe is investigating Black Hole, even though it goes against protocol, and there IS a leak in the department, making things worse.  Nash has taken off after being exorcised of Eobard Thawne, Ralph is still on the hunt for Sue Dearbon, and we have a new Mirror Master in Eva McCulloch, who's got fakes of Iris and Camilla running about, collecting her items to complete her plan to escape the mirror universe, take revenge on her husband, and who knows what else.  And finally...the core of Team Flash is looking to Nora's notes to see if they can create their own Speed Force.  Are we caught up?!  Good...'cause here we go:

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Our  return to Central City, and the Scarlet Speedster's time AS a speedster is running out, and this episode, he did himself NO favors.  While trying to CONSERVE his speed, he once again had to use it in a dire situation....sadly, not all ended well for Team Flash, as Joe became the primary target of Carver, and Eva...but we'll get to her later.  

Barry and Cisco (along with a missing Caitlin this week---time off for Danielle Panabaker after giving birth, I believe), are still working on trying to find a way to create a new Speed Force, but the boys are exhausted, and Cisco gets a much needed break in helping the returning Ralph Dibny, who has been hot on the trail of Sue Dearbon.  Cisco actually meets her as he's hacking into a bank's security system--an apparent target of Sue's from what Ralph was able to figure out, and she's in disguise as January Galore---the arms dealer we met back in the James Bond-esque episode.  Sue manages to work her charm on Cisco, and she escapes, much to Ralph's dismay.  

Joe has been in deep with the Carver investigation, and is enjoying family time when he gets a call from Singh, saying that Sunshine won't crack and cough up Carver as her benefactor.  Joe wants a shot at her, but Singh wants him to back off.  Joe won't take it sitting down, and heads out to interrogate her.  Carver, meanwhile, is not happy that his plans have failed, so he's got someone else he hired to take care of Joe West...Ragdoll.

Back in the mirror universe, the real Iris has been working to figure out how to get OUT of there.  She's focusing on the mirror, and even though she gets headaches, she thinks she can find a way out---with Eva's help.  She also says that she can have Barry help, because not only is he a scientist...he's The Flash.  So, dopey as Iris is coughing up Barry's secret ID...which doesn't seem so secret now...she gives Eva exactly what she wants.  As Eva feigns fatigue, she contacts HER Iris in the real world, and tells her to drain the Flash of all his leftover speed.  

Ralph DOES catch up with Sue, as she tries to get all the bank account info from yet another bank.  After a little back and forth, Sue fesses up that her parents are being extorted, and she feels that Carver has something to do with it.  NOW the pieces begin to fit together.  Ralph offers to help, and Sue gives him the diamond she lifted from their caper...he'll find something interesting on it.  

Joe goes to interrogate Sunshine, but is attacked by Ragdoll, who hid in an evidence box.  Flash goes to save him, but his speed fades out, and Joe takes a gunshot that was re-directed at him.  He survives, but Ragdoll and Sunshine escape.  Singh offered him Witness Protection, but Joe refused.  Barry and him argue a tad, and Barry tells him to stay put until they can put Ragdoll away.  

Evil Iris comes by and says she expects Barry to take care of Joe, and Barry says he's doing the best he can.  Eva's plan is working perfectly right now.  Ragdoll then invades the Citizen, and nabs Cecile after both Nash and Allegra get taken out.  Joe goes to rescue her, and Barry goes after them.  He distracts and battles Ragdoll, while Joe goes and finds Cecile.  This is after he paid a visit to Carver, and Carver threatened him with going after his family.  Flash manages to subdue Ragdoll without using his powers, but when Ragdoll informs him there's a bomb, he goes after Joe and Cecile.  He gets Cecile out, but when he goes back for Joe, he feels he won't make it.  Joe, however, disconnected the bomb, and he was safe.  Joe then goes into witness protection, and asks Barry to watch over Cecile and Jenna.  Singh hops in his car, and says that Joe's out of the picture, looking in his rearview mirror to find Eva in it.  Somehow, she got to Singh as well.  Her revenge on Carver is for her alone...not Joe, and not The Flash.  

Barry goes home, and Evil Iris acts "upset" that Joe is gone, and wants Barry to find him.  Barry says he has no idea where they took him.  She says that he's The Flash, he can race to go find out.  Barry says that he's exhausted most all his speed.  He's in pain, and he's not much sure how much he has left.  Evil Iris lays into him, saying that everything is his fault, and then says they're done, and kicks him out.  Barry is distraught, and leaves...not saying a word. 

We then see Carver has a gift when he gets home...and it's a mirror, which shocks him.  Eva appears and she said she had a plan for humanity, and he ruined it.  He said he has a plan as well, and he's doing it.  She says she'll get her revenge, and he ends up smashing the mirror...and you can see her face in the broken pieces as the episode ends.

It was a good episode after the break, and it certainly sped things up, plot wise.  We finally see things tying together, with Carver having his hands deep everywhere, including Sue's family.  I think this spurns her teaming up with Team Flash to help bring Carver down, but Joe's out of the picture for now.  Cisco was funny this episode, but brief.  And no Caitlin (for reasons I stated earlier), and we got NO explanation as to WHERE Camilla is.  She was absent from this episode as well.  Great to see Ragdoll back...he's a fun villain.  And Singh....wow.  Eva got to him...not sure HOW, though.  But HE was the "mole" in the department.  Now I'm wondering about HIM.  Both her and Carver have big plans---just not totally sure as to what they are.  

Evil Iris kicking Barry out prompts a bad feeling for me:  Once the REAL Iris comes back...will Barry and her's marriage hit rocky shores?  I have some fears on that one.  And what of Camilla?  Where the hell is SHE?  And Singh?  All crazy stuff as we get closer to the finish line for this season.  

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That's it for this week, and I hope you guys subscribe, pass the good word along, and leave a comment, willya?  I'd love to know YOUR thoughts on these shows.

Until next time...Keep On Running!

REVIEW: THE MANDALORIAN

REVIEW:  STAR WARS - THE MANDALORIAN


I love Star Wars.  I love the universe that has been created (and yes, I still appreciate what was ONCE the Extended Universe, now no longer), but I appreciate the effort that's being made to expand on it now.  And what I just witnessed through the first season of The Mandalorian---I get the SERIOUS feels, and excitement for this show's 2nd installment. 

Jon Favreau's brainchild was spawned upon us earlier this year, and it was an amazing tale of a bounty hunter who was adopted by the Mandalorians (played brilliantly by Pedro Pascal), and grew up in their culture and code, and thus never took off his helmet in public, as per their tradition, and became a bounty hunter.  The story takes place just after the fall of the Empire at the hands of the Rebel Alliance, but well before the rise of the First Order.  "Mando", as he's called throughout the series, accepts a job from the head of the bounty hunter's guild, Greef Karga (Carl Weathers), to track a valuable asset, and to obtain it.  Along his quest, he meets up with a character named Kuiil (voiced by Nick Nolte), who helps him find the asset---which turns out, after a battle with a rival droid bounty hunter and Stormtroopers, is a baby that is of the same race as Yoda (which many outside of Luke, Obi-Wan, Vader, and the Emperor), people had never really seen before.  He shoots the droid, and takes off with the kid, looking to return him to Karga for his bounty.  However, he grows a conscious when he figures out that what the people who wanted him had planned for him, he decided to violate the rules of the Guild, and take off with the kid.  

While evading the rest of the bounty guild, Mando finds odd jobs here and there in various places to gain credits, and decide what to do with the kid---who, as we discover, possesses Jedi powers, as it had saved Mando from a very large, rhino like beast, and tried to heal him contsantly throughout the show. At one point, he winds up on one planet, where he meets a kind woman named Omera, a farmer on a world where people live pretty peacefully.  He helps them out with a problem, and seems to have a connection with her.  Baby Yoda also seems to fit in well with the locals as well.

He also meets a former Alliance shock trooper named Cara Dune (Gina Carano), whom helps him out with saving the farmers from a local threat.  But he soon parts ways with them, as he has to keep on the run to avoid capture, and keep Baby Yoda safe.  He ends up running afoul of an old mercenary named Ranzar Malk, who needs a prisoner freed from a prison ship.  Along with his motley crew, they break into the prison, but ends up being betrayed by the crew, and they plan on leaving him behind.  However, he manages to turn the tables, and screw them at the last minute.  He DOES, however, bring back Malk's quarry, and they try to screw him again.  He ends up leaving the ship, but not before he planted bombs aboard and it explodes, just as he's made his escape.  He also runs into an assassin on Tatooine (Ming-Na Wen), aiming to kill him, while trying to teach and help a young kid (Rio Hackford), get into the guild.  He ends up killing him when he gets double crossed by him.  

He once again runs into his old pal, Karga, who says he's got a deal for him, and says to bring the kid back, and he can find a way to get him back into the guild.  Mando feels it's a trap, but he decides to go anyway.  At this point, Cara has joined him, knowing it was a trap.  They meet up with Karga, and they are soon under attack from a former Imperial leader named Moff Gideon, who was the benefactor in question.  Karga is injured, and the Baby Yoda heals him.  He realizes that the child possesses Jedi like powers, and now realizes that turning the child over to their benefactor would be a mistake.  The foursome are soon trapped in an abandoned bar, under heavy artillery fire from Stormtroopers.  They make their escape below, where they find one of the few remaining Mandalorians around, known as The Armorer.  She ends up giving Mando his marking as an "official" Mandalorian, as well as him getting his jetpack.  He, Dune, and Karga...along with the rebuilt IG-11, the droid bounty hunter from the opening episode, having been given more humanitarian instructions to protect the child by Kuiil before his death at the hands of Moff Gideon, manage to stop Gideon from getting the child.  Dune and Karga stay behind on Mandalore, while Mando leaves to find the child a new home that's safe.  We DO see, however, at the end of the episode, Gideon surviving his tie-fighter crash, and wielding a black blade...knowing the fight isn't over.

I enjoyed the flow of the series, the new characters (Gina Carano's in particular...badass fighter and soldier), and the cinematography was stellar.  I enjoyed spanning different worlds...especially seeing Mos Eisley and Tatooine once again, learning more about Mando, as well as his fondness and care for the child.  The puppeteers did amazing with with Baby Yoda, and the acting was incredible.  We had a litany of guest stars such as Bill Burr, Ming-Na Wen, Amy Sedaris, Clancy Brown, and so much more.  If you have NOT seen this series, you are missing out.  It's great to see another character in the Star Wars universe to have a story being told, and seeing the fallout of the Galactic War from another set of eyes.  This series gets a big thumbs up from me, and I can't wait for the next installment this fall....with any luck...virus permitting.

What did YOU guys think of it?  Subscribe and leave me a comment!  And while you're at it...make sure you spread the word about this little blog.  

That's it from a galaxy far, far away...

COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK

COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK


Welcome once again to another installment of our dive into comic book lore, and see what the Bin of History has brought us this week---and, I gotta tell ya, it's a GREAT ONE!  This week, we focus on the beginning of one of the greatest fantasy comics of all time - ELFQUEST!  That's right, it's been awhile, be we've finally gotten around to plucking the debut issue for WaRP Graphics' elven saga that has captured the hearts and imaginations the world over.  Wendy & Richard Pini's tales from the forest have captivated audiences for the last 40 years...and have only continued to reached greater heights of popularity.  So, without further ado...let's take a peek behind the cover of this historic series.


ELFQUEST #1


COVER: Wendy Pini
WRITER: Wendy Pini (co-plotter, script), Richard Pini (plotter)
ARTIST: Wendy Pini
INKS: Wendy Pini
COLORS: Wendy Pini
EDITOR: Wendy & Richard Pini
COVER DATE: apprx. March 1978
PUBLISHER: WaRP Graphics

STORY TITLE: "Fire and Flight"

Elfquest #1 was the brainchild of artist Wendy Pini, and her husband/writer, Richard Pini.  In 1978, they had come up with the story of Cutter and his tribal band of elves, and had published the first story in a book called Fantasy Quarterly.  Along with the likes of such characters like Cerebus the Aardvark, the poor quality of the book gave the Pinis the idea to publish the book themselves, and thus, WaRP Graphics was born.  They re-did the story in a brand new book, with much better stock, and in a more magazine-style format.  The book got released around March of 1978, and it became a huge success. It became one of the many successful "underground" comics of the time, and established Wendy and Richard as credible storytellers.  The success of Elfquest spawned off into Epic line of comics, which was a subsidiary of Marvel, DC, and eventually a deal with Dark Horse Comics, with expanded on the original story and the "universe" to which Cutter and his tribe lived in.  The series has also spawned an RPG game, board game, novelizations, toys, and even a music CD. 

THE STORY: A race of elves, who have evolved from a race called the High Ones, are occupying the forests of the world known as Abode, or the World of Two Moons.  Their leader, Cutter, is forced into action when the humans come to burn the forest down, and take away their home.  Thus, Cutter must take his tribe, and find a new settlement in the woods away from the humans.  

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This issue kicks off what becomes one of the longest running sagas in comic book history.  Wendy's beautiful art and amazing characters, along with Richard's plotting and writing (shared with Wendy as well), bring the World of Two Moons to life, with lavish color, and artistic brilliance.  You can't help but be enthralled by the style and presentation.  It has a very medieval kind of feel, and I can't help but think that maybe Wendy and Richard were inspired just a tad bit by the beginning of the RPG phenomenon with Dungeons & Dragons, considering it's fantasy element.  The character of Cutter himself, has become one of THE most popular and well known characters in the history of comics.  The story itself sets the tone for the upcoming feud between Cutter's tribe and the humans.  If you've not EVER read Elfquest before, you are SORELY missing out.  Elfquest should be in EVERYONE'S library.