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Showing posts from May, 2017

REVIEW: INJUSTICE 2 - THE SERIES SO FAR

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A whole new world... INTRODUCTION  With the INJUSTICE 2 video game coming out tomorrow (tonight for some), I thought it might be fun to review the first five issues of the INJUSTICE 2 prequel series which bridges the gap between games. I've been reviewing the original  INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US  comic volumes and have found myself loving every moment so I'm very happy that there is now a whole new series for fans to enjoy. I don't know if it will be as long-lived as the original, but I wanted to jump in an at least see where they'll go with it. At the time of this review, there are five individual issues out which I picked up digitally. This will be a cumulative review of those five issues that I may expand or perhaps transform into a review of the first volume when that eventually gets released.  HOW I RATED IT  4/5  I loved seeing familiar faces from the game all showing up in their brand new costumes and a totally new sort of world. There's nothing quite

REVIEW: INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR FIVE VOLUME 2

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Lines once crossed... NOTE   While this review will be relatively spoiler-free, there may be some spoilers for previous volumes in the series. INTRODUCTION  A lot has happened since the Series launched. Readers saw the sad decline of one of Earth's most cherished heroes in YEAR ONE . They watched as The Regime waged war with The Lantern Corps in YEAR TWO and were introduced to DC's magical underworld in YEAR THREE . YEAR FOUR brought forward an awe-inspiring clash between gods and heroes. In YEAR FIVE , things have started coming together. In VOLUME 1 , pieces began falling into place, but there were a lot of loose plot threads left by the end. I started in on VOLUME 2 , excited to see how those loose ends get tied.  HOW I RATED IT  5/5  This deeply emotional entry into the series cements Superman's tyrannical identity while also bringing many of the other characters to the point that players found them. This is perhaps the hardest hitting of the volumes s

REVIEW: INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR FIVE VOLUME 1

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The villains are unleashed... NOTE   While this review will be relatively spoiler-free, there may be some spoilers for previous volumes in the series.  INTRODUCTION  The final year of INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US begins. At the end of the previous volume, an entire prison's worth of supervillains was set loose upon the world. Now both sides of the Batman vs. Superman war are recruiting from this pool of new faces. With the story getting very close to the point that players found it in the game I dove into this one excited to see the different pieces fall into place.  HOW I RATED IT  5/5  Though it's a little scattered at times, there are a lot of fantastic moments in this installment that help drive the plot forward and define the characters in some brilliant ways.  CHARACTERS With the addition of all the previously shelved villains, the roster of INJUSTICE gets much bigger. While there are a lot of classic bad guys and gals that never get much time in the spotli

REVIEW: INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR FOUR VOLUME 2

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Olympus has invaded... NOTE   While this review will be relatively spoiler-free, there may be some spoilers for previous volumes in the series.  INTRODUCTION  Gods and heroes continue to clash in this second part of YEAR FOUR . Thankfully, this volume is more than just a prolonged sequence of swords and fists flying across the pages. The conflict to rid Earth of Olympus's residents brings the narrative forward in some important ways and an issue at the end introduces some new characters into the mix which will likely have a big impact on the fifth and final year of INJUSTICE . HOW I RATED IT  5/5  While this installment is still very action-packed, it also has the narrative depth that previous volumes lacked, making it feel like a far more like the kind of collection the series deserves.  CHARACTERS Batman seemingly has his way when Superman is forced to relinquish his throne. In the Man of Steel's place, a much bigger problem now arises. The gods of Olympus o

REVIEW: INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR FOUR VOLUME 1

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Olympus descends... NOTE   While this review will be relatively spoiler-free, there may be some spoilers for previous volumes in this series.  INTRODUCTION  A new year of Injustice means a new threat to Superman's Regime. This time the theme comes in the form of a different kind of magic...it comes straight from the books of Greek Mythology. The gods of Olympus turn their gaze down to earth and all sorts of discord ensues. Being a big fan of mythology, I've enjoyed the little bits of Themyscira this series shows, but never would I have guessed that it would bring in the entire Greek Pantheon. I'm thrilled that the story took this turn, but given how much I've read about Zues, Hera, Hermes, and company, this collection definitely had a lot to live up to in terms of my expectations. HOW I RATED IT  4/5  This installment follows in the pattern of becoming one gigantic battle. I do think there were some more interesting turns than the last one had, but ther

REVIEW: INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR THREE VOLUME 2

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Hellfire and impish specters... NOTE   While this review will be relatively spoiler-free, there may be some spoilers for previous volumes in this series.  INTRODUCTION  The world of magic has been introduced and there's no turning back. The Insurgency dealt some critical blows to Superman and his Regime thanks to the use of magic. Now it is the Regime's turn to make a move. This volume continues the theme of magic and intrigue, but also gets quite a bit flashier than I expected given the last one's grungier take on the conflict.  HOW I RATED IT  4/5  This volume lacks the same depth that previous installments have enjoyed. The world of magic is still fun, but things turn into one extended fight that, while epic, didn't move things forward as much which makes the pace actually feel a little slower.  CHARACTERS The cast of characters remains largely unchanged from the previous volume, albeit with a couple of Injustice 2  video games (and probably th

REVIEW: INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR THREE VOLUME 1

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A world of magic... NOTE   While this review will be relatively spoiler-free, there may be some spoilers for previous volumes in this series.  INTRODUCTION  The Green Lantern Corps has been defeated, but Batman's Insurgency managed to capture some of the key figures in Superman's Regime. The truth about Superman's cruelty is revealed to the world, but with the help of a yellow ring, he's more powerful than ever before. Things seem all but lost for the world, but in the wreckage of what's left, the series turns its gaze to a previously under-explored section of the DC Universe, the world of magic. HOW I RATED IT  5/5  YEAR THREE VOLUME 1 makes a very sharp turn away from the action-packed direction that the series has taken so far in favor of a more mysterious noir-type narrative. The changes in tone, pace, and cast help keep the series feeling fresh and I think they did a great job with opening up a new corner of this world. CHARACTERS Ushering r

REVIEW: INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR TWO VOLUME 2

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Lanterns' Light... NOTE While this review will be relatively spoiler-free, there may be some spoilers for previous volumes in this series.  INTRODUCTION  The conflict between Superman's blossoming Regime and the expansive Green Lantern Corps that started in YEAR TWO VOLUME 1 is far from over. Batman's team of resistance fighters are also far from defeated. This volume fully realizes the conflict that's been building and brings readers along for an exciting conclusion to year two of INJUSTICE . HOW I RATED IT  5/5  More amazing art, more brutal superhero combat, and more heartbreaking back and forth between the heroes that used to stand on the same side. This volume definitely follows up YEAR TWO VOLUME 1 in a way that feels every bit as satisfying as it should.  CHARACTERS Still struggling with the death of Green Arrow, Black Canary wanders into his former hideout where she finds none other than Harley Quinn squatting there. Much of this volume focu