This is it: the DC Universe as we knew it since 1985 (or at least 2007, if you’re really pendantic) has come to an end. In its place is a brave new world known as the DCnU – where DC starts over with a blank slate, and where everything can be told anew in a different light. 2011 marks a new era for DC, and this is where it begins: Justice League #1. Comicgasm editors Ade and RJ tell you what they think of the very first comic of the brand-new DC Universe.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Ade: So after yesterday’s Flashpoint #5 review where we saw how the DC universe ended and it’s all BARRY ALLEN’S FAULT, THAT ASSHOLE, let’s take a look at Justice League #1. DC marketed this issue as a good jumping-on point for people who find that years of continuity too confusing for casual fans, and the comic book meant to be less confusing for newbies starts… in the middle of a chase scene. This does not bode well for the comic that introduces the new universe to new and old fans alike.

RJ: They started with a classic Green Lantern and Batman can’t work with each other bit. It had a promising start; Hal showing off constructs left and right, being too cocky for his own good while setting up Batman as an urban legend. Johns can at least write Jordan well. But let’s not have him go anywhere near any of the Bat-family anytime soon.

Ade: I swear, when I was reading Batman’s lines, I seriously thought that this was the same Batman in All-Star Batman and Robin. It doesn’t help that Jim Lee’s doing the art, too.

RJ: Let it be known that while we do not dislike All-Star Batman and Robin, we do think that it’s a stupid book.

Ade: … dude, I HATE All-Star Batman and Robin.

RJ: But it’s hilariously stupid! Plus it gave us the “Goddamn Batman” scene. (continue reading…)

This is it: the DC Universe as we knew it since 1985 (or at least 2007, if you’re really pendantic) has come to an end. In its place is a brave new world known as the DCnU – where DC starts over with a blank slate, and where everything can be told anew in a different light. But before we go to the shiny brand-new universe, let us first see how it ends. Here’s Comicgasm’s review of Flashpoint #5.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Ade: Well, that wasn’t half-bad, actually. And I’m saying that as someone who’s hated Flashpoint with a passion since issue 1.

RJ: It certainly exceeded my expectations. It’s no Batman & Robin #16, but it was a good end to an otherwise terrible event.

Ade: Terrible isn’t even the word to describe the clusterfuck that is Flashpoint, man. Everything was just done so haphazardly. The idea that an Age of Apocalypse-style event leads to a universe-wide reboot was just horrible. Which leads to my first problem with Flashpoint: you’re ending a goddamn universe, do the sendoff in THAT universe you’re saying goodbye to, assholes. (continue reading…)

Comicgasm editors Ade and RJ have seen the much-anticipated movie adaptation of the fan-favorite comic book series, Green Lantern, starring Ryan Reynolds as the title character. Was it the best comic book adaptation ever or was it a steaming pile of turd? Read on to read the editors’ opinions about the movie.

As always, this review will be FULL OF SPOILERS. If you have not seen Green Lantern yet, do not read on.

Ade: Honestly, I didn’t go in the theater with high expectations. The costume sucked, Ryan Reynolds never struck me as the perfect guy to play Hal Jordan, and the movie has an embarrassing 25% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. With that, I kept my expectations low, and went in hoping for an entertaining dumb flick along the lines of Green Hornet. I can’t believe that hoping for an entertaining movie was asking too much.

RJ: To be honest, I kinda needed this movie to work. And by “work”, I mean “NOT SUCK”. The Green Lantern books have been so disappointing lately (and by “lately”, I meant ever since “Brightest Day”) that I needed something to, forgive the pun, Recharge my faith in Green Lantern. Emerald Knights helped, it helped a LOT. But then they gave us THIS? Really, DC? REALLY? I wasn’t asking for something that’ll blow my mind, just a movie that doesn’t TOTALLY SUCK DONKEY BALLS. It’s like you WANT me to be ANGRIER at you, DC!

Ade: Before anything else, though, let me just say: I FUCKING HATE PEOPLE WHO TALK IN MOVIES. Yes, I am talking about you, woman who was loudly describing everything that was happening on screen as it was happening to her boyfriend. Also, your boyfriend too, the idiot who did not put his phone on silent and talked to his mom for a good five minutes. Choke on a bag of dicks, you two.

RJ: It’s like the entire day was made just to piss us off. The weeaboo horde at Toy Con (wait for our Toy Con experience post!), 1:43 posters, assholes seated behind us, and to top it all: the Green Lantern movie. It really was a good idea that I wore my Red Lantern shirt that day.

Ade: At first glance, this movie looked like the one fanboys everywhere have been clamoring for: awesome special effects, a stellar cast, an amazing director, and a very faithful, almost reverent, adaptation of the comic book mythos. So why the hell does this movie suck? (continue reading…)

Thanks to Krispy Kreme and Discovery Channel, Comicgasm editors Ade & RJ were invited to an exclusive screening of The Green Hornet. Yes, these two idiots get invited to events now. We’re more surprised at the fact that people still actually bother to read this blog. Anyway, here’s what the Comicgasm crew thought of the Michel Gondry and Seth Rogen superhero flick.

Part 1 of the review can be found here.

WARNING: This review contains SPOILERS.

RJ: Let’s talk about the Black Beauty. Coz damn, it took the spotlight sooo many times! Most badass ride in a comic book movie. Ever.

Ade: Dude, I may be going on a limb here, but Seth Rogen’s Black Beauty just beat that other iconic superhero car, the Batmobile. Yes, I’m talking about every incarnation ever of the Batmobile –  even the flying one Dick Grayson rides nowadays. It has guns, missiles, and even a vinyl player.

RJ: If there’s one thing the Batmobile lacks, it’s a lethal arsenal. And THAT is what the Black Beauty is built for! Or rather, their usage of the weapons. You don’t see Batman firing a rocket directly at a thug. These guys went all out, massive explosions and random things landing on criminals.

Ade: I was expecting them to break out some Pabst Blue Ribbon because a retro car playing vinyl records is so hipster, dude.

RJ: I loved how they went through with the vigilante act by pretending to be criminals. It’s like anti-Adam West. It suited their “fuck it, let’s kick some ass” attitude really well. And being true to the TV series at the same time.

Ade: There’s this one part of The Green Hornet which I really loved – remember the scene when Chudnofsky put a bounty on The Green Hornet’s head? And all the thugs just spread the word and the screen just split into different pieces as each thug went off into different directions? It’s an amazing way to interpret comic book panels, and was surreal enough to remind you that yes, you’re still watching a Michel Gondry film. (continue reading…)

Grant Morrison’s run on Batman and Robin has finished, and with it, he ends the Batman: Reborn and Batman R.I.P. era. He’ll be back next month in the pages of Batman Incorporated, but before he starts the new arc in his epic Batman tale, let’s take time to review the last issue of Batman and Robin before Paul “Awesomely British” Cornell takes over.

Comicgasm editors Ade & RJ sit down and talk about what they liked and didn’t like in this issue and Morrison’s run in general, and what they expect in the so-called “Season Two” of Morrison’s Batman epic.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Ade: Before anything else, I must say I loved it. I was excited for this issue since the cliffhanger ending of Batman and Robin #15, and boy, was the wait worth it.

RJ: A BANANA PEEL? Really, Morrison? REALLY? Wait, does that count as a spoiler?

Ade: I have no idea man, but right now, Chekov’s gun is now a banana peel. Oh, before I forget, when we saw that last page from #15:

Ade: Were you hoping that it was either Joker or Alfred in the Batsuit? Because I was. It totally won’t make any sense at all, but that’s what Morrison’s good at – taking those things and making it work. (continue reading…)