Down-to-Earth Meets Cosmic Creation Constellation: Review of Domino: Hotshots

Review:

Domino and a double-sized crew of battle-ready ladies must bury their competing interests and loyalties, band together and bond as a team, all in time to stop a cosmic-level artifact from falling into the wrong hands.

From a minor character in the world of Cable and X-Force, Domino and her mutant power of psychic probability manipulation - the power of Luck - emerged into a handful of solo mini-series and brief ongoing ones, including this 2019 five-issue mini-series collected in these pages.

She and her sidekicks Cowgirl (with her super-strength) and Diamondback (with her explosive powers) are decidedly down-to-earth in their interests and abilities - hardly the types you would normally put into a tale with such cosmic themes and a key role played by the Celestials. But that is exactly what Gail Simone gives us here. Looking at her history as an author, cosmic stories are not her wheelhouse, but strong female heroes definitely are, as seen in some of her other work, such as on Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey and Red Sonja.

It is the interactions, tensions and bonding of the women at the centre of this story that is the real strength. Domino, Cowgirl and Diamondback are joined in their quest by Black Widow, exhibiting an on-again, off-again, love-hate relationship with her Avengers teammates, as well as White Fox and Atlas Bear. It makes for a potent mix of nationalities, continents, loyalties and secrets. As a group, they do not hit it off immediately, and Simone draws out the tension through almost the entire run.

Deadpool makes an extended appearance in a comic-relief role; Tony Stark is portrayed as a distant, arrogant billionaire Avenger who deigns to send his drones to assist / keep an eye on the women.

These low-powered, down-to-earth heroes seem far outmatched by the challenges and powers facing them. Simone never quite manages to bridge this divide. Nor does the Luck power of our title character play much of a role, despite Black Widow's insistence and mentorship. And the celestial-level threat of the "Creation Constellation" remains too under-developed. Why is this such a threat and danger? We get hints and pieces only, it never fully settles into a chilling bigger picture.

What Simone does give us is an endless run of cleverly written dialog. The relationships and fun in the midst of danger makes for plenty of smiles while reading these pages.

David Baldeon's art is uninspiring. The marketing proclaims a tale with a whole troupe of hot women, but that selling angle was never communicated to the man making the visuals. The panels lean too much on excessive inking to tell us of the growing control the Creation Constellation is exerting over different characters. And the close-up facial expressions lack punch.

The book carries a "Parental Advisory" rating, which seems excessive. There is no sex or nudity or even revealing poses and angles; even the cussing uses the classic comics code of asterisks and symbols. There is, I suppose, a little off panel canoodling between Deadpool and Diamondback, but overall, this is a pretty safe read for young eyes.

Description:

Bully, brawler, mercenary, spies! The Marvel Universe's hottest new team is on the scene! When Domino and her pals Outlaw and Diamondback find themselves caught between warring nations, they'll have to call on a whole new crew of international women of mystery - including the Black Widow - to sort it out! But can the newly minted Hotshots survive the arrival of the Merc with a Mouth? Picture it: six undercover, highly trained, armed-to-the-teeth women hunting a device from space that will change life as we know it - but when Deadpool crashes the party, more than just the mission might be blown sky high! The immense power of the Creation Constellation will soon be in reach! But the only thing standing between Domino's squad and its power is…one another! Which of these knockouts is gonna get knocked out?!

Collects: Domino: Hotshots #1-5

Authors:  Gail Simone
Artists:  David Baldeon
Published By:  Marvel Universe
Published When:  Sept. 10, 2019
Parental Rating: Parental Advisory
ISBN:  978-1302918330
Pages:  112 pages

Sleepy Science Class - a Review of The Science of Marvel: From Infinity Stones to Iron Man's Armor, the Real Science Behind the MCU Revealed!

 

Review:

In this short book, Sebastian Alvardo highlights moments in a wide variety of the many films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From these moments, he dives into the current scientific thinking and research. It is a noble endeavour, one that seeks to ground in reality some of the scientific techno-pseudo-babble explanations of these fantastic sci-fi stories.

Occasionally drawing from his own field and research career in molecular ecology and behavioural neuroscience, he tackles more than forty topics, from gadgets like exosuits and aero-rigs to Thor's lightning and Spiderman's Spidey-sense.

Brains and Neuroscience get careful coverage, looking at, for one example, what about Hawkeye's body could work together to give him perfect aim?

So, too, do exotic creatures, from Ant Man's giant ants to Groot and Rocket Racoon themselves.

Physics phenomena like wormholes and phasing get their own section, too.

And for technology, Alvardo delves into things like web shooters and Iron Man's power reactor, giving careful analysis of the comics-based claims versus the best explanations of the greatest scientific minds.

I admire Alvardo's goals in this project, seeking to map comic book and movie motifs onto our reality. And he does his readers great service by linking the topics to specific films, scenes and characters, rounding out the picture with back-story details when needed. And he gives due consideration to any explanations offered in the films themselves, before usually bursting their bubbles with the cold water of reality.

Unfortunately, it is just not a very interesting read. Whether Alvardo is slipping into dense techno-babble of his own, or just walking us through explanations, it all feels very prosaic. Rather than connecting with his readers by putting science concepts into layman's terms, the text leaves us feeling like we are in a dull high school science class.

He does wisely include a dual glossary, one of Marvel terms and one of the Science terms he uses.

Description:

Science meets fantasy in this behind-the-scenes look at the Marvel Cinematic Universe—now you can experience the magic of the movies, and learn how to replicate it in real-life.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is filled with extraordinary humans and abilities. There are teenaged geniuses swinging through the streets of New York, billionaires creating impenetrable armor in hidden caves, and aliens flying through wormholes to Earth. All of these characters seem to lie firmly in the realm of fantasy—but the technology behind them might not be as farfetched as you think…

The Science of Marvel pulls back the curtain and reveals the secrets behind Marvel movie magic, and shows us how to recreate these comic book wonders in our everyday life. Using quantum physics, a little bit of mechanical engineering, and some out-of-the-box thinking, you’ll be amazed to discover that it’s possible to create a real-life Captain America, Incredible Hulk, or Black Panther. The perfect gift or collectible for Marvel fans everywhere, The Science of Marvel brings beloved movies and characters to life like never before.

Collects: NA

Authors:  Sebastian Alvarado
Artists:  NA
Published By:  Adams Media
Published When:  April 9, 2019
Parental Rating: General
ISBN:  978-1507209981
Pages:  240 pages

Red Hot Rogues - a Review of Gotham City Sirens Book 1

 

Review:

This sleek and beautiful book is bursting its leather, spandex and leafy seams, so packed is it with brilliance. With witty banter, non-stop action, villains reformed and heroes deformed, it is a tour de force collecting the first year of the Gotham City Sirens ongoing series from 2009-10.

It all starts with a brilliant concept: three of the Batman's most persistent and popular female villains band together, not to kill the bat, but to turn over a new leaf and follow a more straight-and-narrow path - well, sort of. They wind up as partners and roommates. They promise to have each other's back and be there for one another physically, emotionally, mentally. Again, sort of.

I mean, there is Ivy's attempt to drug Selina and extract the identity of the Batman. And her gagging of Harley Quinn at inopportune moments to silence her childish chatter, even if she is the only one who sees what is really going on.

But whether it is adapting to Catwoman's weaker heart or finding and plunging a desiccated Ivy in a pond to resurrect her, or keeping Harley from bat relationship choices, there is a clear respect, bond, even affection between them.

And what a ride they give us readers! Writer Paul Dini does the heavy lifting script-wise, giving us confrontations with Hush in disguise, Joker and Gabby and Doctor Aesop. Carnage and chaos and clever, caring conversations. The Riddler is also a regular in these pages, another reformed rogue - sort of. He gets a standalone team up with a new Batman as Scott Lobdel pens a one-shot chapter and Mister Nigma gets several other more-than-cameo appearances.

Why all the "Sort of" descriptions here? These classic characters have well-known passions, motives, foibles and they are all present in these pages. But Dini uses our familiarity with their villainy to tell a richer story with more complex characters, ones whose motivations and decisions are always to be viewed through a multi-faceted lens.

Check out, for example, the sweet, if dark, Christmas special (#7) in which each of the three leading ladies marks the festive season in their own unique way. As much about death and dysfunction as peace on earth.

Guillen March's visuals are stunning. With action bursting from every page, good use of forced perspective and extreme close-up, fluid borders to panels with characters regularly overflowing. He especially shines in the darker arcs, the darkest of all being the serial killer one-shot tale that he plotted and drew, with Mark Andreyko putting his concepts into dialog.

Tony Bedard also pops in for a two-parter focused on Catwoman and her holy nun of a sister. The sister, unfortunately, is convinced that she can drive the demon from Selina. Dark, delicious if a bit more magical than the typical Batman universe fare.

There is so much to like about this collection, a highly recommended four capes.

Description:

From Emmy and Eisner Award-winning Paul Dini (DETECTIVE COMICS, Batman: The Animated Series) comes GOTHAM CITY SIRENS BOOK ONE!

Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn—they’re beautiful, they’re deadly, and for the first time in their lives, all three are trying to fly on the straight and narrow. Tired of playing by other people's rules, regardless of which side of the law they're on, these tough ladies have a new agenda that's all their own, and they'll use any means necessary to pursue it.

Only, sometimes, friends can be more trouble than they're worth. Particularly when they're unaccustomed to things like loyalty… or sanity.

With the Bat away, these sirens will play, and no one— not Hush, the Riddler, or even the Joker—knows what to expect from the bad girls of Gotham City. But life off the lam is no bed of roses. Especially when maniacs are killing innocents and making it look like the Sirens are the culprits, when Ivy’s new civilian identity proves murderously difficult to maintain, and when Catwoman’s sister comes to town to ride of the demon she believes possesses her… and rid her of her life in the process!

Featuring the gorgeous artwork of Guillem March (BATMAN), Andres Guinaldo (NIGHTWING), and more, Batman’s hottest rogues tread a new path by the along with writers Paul Dini, Tony Bedard (SUPERGIRL), Scott Lobdell (TEEN TITANS), and Marc Andreyko (BATWOMAN) in GOTHAM CITY SIRENS BOOK ONE.

Collects: issues #1-13

Authors:  Paul Dini, Tony Bedard, Mark Andreyko
Artists:  Guillem March
Published By:  DC Comics
Published When:  Oct. 28 2014
Parental Rating: Teen
ISBN:  978-1401251758
Pages:  320 pages

The Crisis Connection - Review of Green Lantern Sector 2814 book 3

 

Review:

Comics issues with big, round numbers like #200 are natural places for big celebrations, classic villains in memorable confrontations, and momentous events. And when it coincides with the end of DC's universe-reshaping Crisis on Infinite Earths, multiply the significance ten-fold!

The creative team of writer Steve Englehart and penciller Joe Staton deliver. By the end of #200, the final chapter in both this book and the three-book run of "Sector 2814" books, they have shaken the Green Lantern universe, corps and mythology to its core and sent it off in an intriguing new direction.

Issue #200 is the clear standout of the seven comics collected here. From Hal Jordan's sheer joy and exuberance at becoming Green Lantern once again, to the duplicitous sneak attacks from, first, Star Sapphire and then Sinestro, to the shocking departure of both the Guardians of the Universe and the Zamarons, the extended, double-sized issue could barely contain it all. Englehart's breakneck pace of narration, coupled with Staton's strong and emotionally rich visuals carry the reader through this emotional roller coaster. With brilliant nods to the rich history of Green Lantern, we finish the book excited to see the new developments to come.

The other six chapters here are less compelling. Englehart's storytelling shines with moments of surprise and delight - through shocking team-ups like Guy Gardner and Star Sapphire, or John Stewart and Sinestro, or the touching moments around the death of Tomar Re, a significant secondary character with a long history with the Corps.

But the Crisis tie-ins pull against these elements and ultimately fragment the tales too much. With so many threads on the go, so any cuts between scenes, sudden reversals and shifts in tone and direction, these other chapters fail to live up to the strength of #200. It is also fascinating, in today's retrospective view, to see how much more central to the Crisis storyline the Green Lanterns and the Guardians are here, in the Green Lantern title, compared to the mainline Crisis books. Like a bratty child acting up to get more attention, it feels almost undignified.

Joe Staton turns in solid work through a wide range of characters and locations - Earth, sea, air, space, Oa and a dozen other planets. Lots of angry confrontations and green energy blasts, with notably fewer light constructs in these pages. A particular favourite of Staton's work here is the spread of close-ups to show the different reactions in the audience when the Guardians announce they are leaving. The emotional range goes far beyond mere shock.

Staton's habit of switching from rectangular to more slashing, almost triangular panels gets a little out of hand here, a visual style that can be effective and shocking when well-used but that, in these stories, distracts more than it enhances.

The run-up through all three Sector 2814 books, with different Green Lanterns of Earth as the focus of each book, sets up very well the shift to the Green Lantern Corps with issue #201, giving the series a new title while continuing the numbering and doubling down on the ever-growing cast of Lanterns.

Description:

In this new collection of 1980s Green Lantern adventures, John Stewart clashes with Guy Gardner to see who will be the Green Lantern of Earth. And while Stewart battles Harbinger during the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Gardner recruits enemies of the Green Lantern Corps to stand against an evil that could destroy the entire universe--including The Shark, Hector Hammond, Sonar, Goldface and more! As the two factions fight each other--John Stewart and the Green Lantern Corps vs. Guy Gardner and the villains--a fallen Lantern's ring finds Hal Jordan, who reclaims his place in the Corps.

Collects: Green Lantern (vol 2) #194-200

Authors:  Steve Englehart
Artists:  Joe Staton, Bruce Patterson
Published By:  DC Comics
Published When:  Jan 21, 2014
Parental Rating: PG
ISBN:  978-1401243272
Pages:  200 pages