So far I haven’t cared much for this series. This is DC’s big event book for 2008 and the big completion to their “Crisis Trilogy” started with Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1986 and continued with Infinite Crisis in 2006. This one has been a little hard to follow and frankly, a bit boring, but thankfully this issue kicks it up several notches.

I’m not going to go into how overrated I think writer Grant Morrison is. He’s got some fantastic ideas at times but often his storytelling isn’t my cup of tea. This issue is the first thing I’ve liked from him since his days writing Justice League in the Nineties. As far as art goes on this book, J.G. Jones rocks! His visuals always deliver even if the story isn’t really there. Issue 4 here picks up a month after issue 3 when the Anti-Life Equation has been broadcast across the globe by the evil minions of the god-like Darkseid. His soldiers have enslaved much of the world’s population and the superheroes, Green Arrow, The Ray, Hawkgirl, Oracle, etc., are the last bit of resistance. It looks like evil has won. But the heroes have a hail mary pass that will hopefully turn the tide. Since the last 3 issues of this book really left a lot to be desired I have to give credit and say that this issue did entertain me and didn’t leave me scratching my head. Grade: B

IDW Publishing: G.I. Joe #0

IDW Publishing has taken over the comic side of this beloved 80’s franchise and here we are with a zero issue priced at 1 dollar that gives you a taste at where they are headed with the further adventures of G.I. Joe. You get three stories here previewing three Joe titles coming to your comic shop very soon and all three stories center on the popular character of Duke. I’m enthused to see what will be done with this and this issue is definitely worth picking up…the thing is only a buck! That’s great for these recession laden times!! Grade: B+

DC Comics: Superman – New Krypton Special one-shot

The last issue of Action Comics tied up the storyline that had Superman meeting the real Brainiac (not his robotic probes) for the first time and had a final page that was a punch in the gut….the apparent death of Pa Kent. I really thought that he was just injured and we’d see him recovering in the next few issues. Well, he’s gone. This one-shot begins with the funeral of Pa Kent and it is incredibly moving and beautifully rendered by master artist Gary Frank. You feel the pain of loss to Clark and Ma Kent as well as the rage felt towards Brainiac, who had launched a missile at the Kent farm in the final moments of the battle with Superman in Action Comics. Along with the family tragedy, Superman also has the issue of the Kryptonian city of Kandor. The city was a minituarized captive of Brainiac but during the battle was liberated by Superman and placed near the Fortress of Solitude before it expanded to normal size. Now, there are thousands of Kryptonians on Earth and Superman and some military types are wondering how to handle this new world-changing situation. Writers Geoff Johns, James Robinson and Sterling Gates and artists Gary Frank, Pete Woods and Renato Guedes give us a hell of a tale that lays the groundwork for where the Superman mythos is headed for issues to come. Very well done! RIP Johnathan “Pa” Kent. Grade: A+

Cover of the Week: DC Comics: The Family Dynamic #3 ( of 3 )

I know nothing about this comic but this cover caught my eye with it’s beautiful animated style!

Until next time– Peace…

Hollywood, why must you keep going into the depths of my childhood and making movies out of my cartoon memories?

A little while ago CpC brought you guys pics of a one Ray Park dressed up as Snake Eyes from the new GI Joe movie. Well thanks to the folks at NS4W.org I can bring you guys the pics of the chicks from the movie.

Enjoy the gallery.

Ray Park (played Darth Maul in Star Wars Episode 1)  as Snake Eyes, the deadly mute ninja of G.I. Joe.

The flick is not due in theaters till August 7, 2009 but the current trend in Hollywood seems to tease you with film related imagery over a year before the release. I really hope this movie doesn’t suck since this is a beloved part of my childhood but it is being done by the same director who did Van Helsing. Fortunately, he also did The Mummy which wasn’t too bad although the sequel to that sucked…a lot.

Fingers crossed!!!