2 in 1 Showcase Episode 209: DC Universe Online and More!

 

Blake and Kenny sit down, a month after the game’s release, to talk about their experiences in the new world of DC Universe Online. Afterwards, the guys start bouncing all over the world of comic book news — Flashpoint, Fear Itself, the death in Fantastic four and much more! In the picks, Blake is ecstatic to welcome back Love and Capes: Ever After #1. Contact us with comments, suggestions, or anything else at Showcase@CXPulp.com!

Music provided by Music Alley from Mevio.

Episode 209: DC Universe Online and More

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2 in 1 Showcase Episode 183: Doctor Who Postseason Report

The Showcase crew’s favorite TV show about a madman in a magic box has wrapped up its latest season, so this week they guys sit down and talk about Matt Smith‘s first 13 episodes as Doctor Who. The guys discuss the second half of the season, the questions left over at the end of the run, and toss about their theories as to the true identity of the mysterious River Song. In the picks this week, Blake applauds Roger Langridge‘s return to the art chores of The Muppet Show, Mike finds himself enjoying Time Masters: Vanishing Point #1 and Kenny branches out with Thor #611. Contact us with comments, suggestions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com!

Music provided by the Podshow Podsafe Music Network.

Episode 183: Doctor Who Postseason Report

Everything But Imaginary #355: Who’s Your Hero?

Inspired by a work from the great Mark Evanier, this week I’m taking a look at some of the most iconic renditions of our most iconic superheroes. When I say “Superman,” which image comes to mind? Batman? Spider-Man? This week I look at ten heroes and the artists that define them to me.

Everything But Imaginary #355: Who’s Your Hero?

What I’m Reading: Booster Gold #27

The Blackest Night tie-in concludes as Booster and Jamie Reyes — the current Blue Beetle — face the Black Lantern incarnation of Ted Kord, Jamie’s predecessor and Booster’s best friend. The desecration of a real hero sparks some real rage in both Booster and the Beetle, and an epic battle ensues.

This was easily one of the best of the various crossovers. While all of the Black Lantern attacks, by design, have been by people who mean something to our protagonist, none of them outside of the main titles have felt quite as personal as this one. The Booster/Beetle relationship, to many fans, is sacred, and seeing the Black Lantern Ted Kord is as infuriating to us as it is to Booster. Seeing Booster and Jamie together, taking on the enemy, is just fantastic. Both of them really get a chance to show their stuff, and the resolution pays proper tribute to Ted while still saving the day. Dan Jurgens did a masterful job with this, both on the story and the art, respecting Ted’s place in the DCU and still allowing Jamie’s true self to shine.

In fact, the last few pages are probably my favorite thing about the book. Booster and Jamie don’t have the same relationship as Booster and Ted had, but they’ve got a good one, and Booster shows the young hero the respect he deserves. Ending the book the way it does, with Blue and Gold ready to join the fray with the rest of the heroes, is a nice way to cap the whole thing off. We also have a quick epilogue that ties into an ongoing subplot of this series, the question of Booster’s missing sister. We find out where (or, more accurately, when) Michelle Carter has gotten off to, and it’s not exactly a fun-filled romp. Booster is going to have his work cut out for him next month.

Rating: 8/10

What I’m Reading: Booster Gold #26

I don’t mention it often enough, but Booster Gold is consistently one of the best comics DC is publishing. Dan Jurgens, the character’s creator, has done wonderful work since Geoff Johns and Jeff Katz left this title behind, and I had no doubt that the Blackest Night crossover would satisfy as well. While it wasn’t my favorite issue, or my favorite BN tie-in, it got the job done.

Skeets, Booster’s little robot buddy, gets worried when Booster goes off the radar, so he seeks out the help of Jaime Reyes, the current Blue Beetle. Jaime and Booster having recently shared an enemy, Skeets is hoping the teen hero will have some info. Jaime can’t find Booster, but joins the hunt.

As this is going on, a Black Lantern ring falls upon the grave of Ted Kord, the previous Blue Beetle, and the best friend Michael Carter ever had. Ted’s death back in Countdown to Infinite Crisis was one of the harshest gut-punches fans of DC Comics have felt in years, and while I’ve certainly come to appreciate Jaime, I’d be lying if I said part of me didn’t miss the old Blue and Gold dynamic almost as much as Booster himself. When Ted’s corpse rises and goes after the time-traveling Booster’s ancestor, the timeline of the greatest hero you’ve never heard of is threatened outright.

Like I said, this was a good issue, but not a favorite. It plays out a lot of the ongoing storylines in this title, which is fine, but I felt there was a bit too much buildup before we got to the Black Lantern storyline. Booster’s time-travel detour is one that makes sense for him to take, but it’s a bit coincidental that he just happened to be there (or… then, I guess) today, when Ted is busy rising. If the intention was to remind us all of just how much Ted Kord meant to Booster, we didn’t need the reminder.

It’s cool to see Daniel again, though, and I do like when we see Booster and Jaime together. There’s good stuff here, and I think that in the second part of this story, with the setup stuff out of the way, it’ll be a better issue.

Rating: 7/10