Fantastic Universes

“Fear Of The Lord” Director: Iain B. MacDonald
Writer: Wes Brown
Starring: Dominic Cooper, Ruth Negga, Joseph Gilgun, Pip Torrens, Julie Ann Emery, Noah Taylor, Tyson Ritter, Mark Harelik, Graham McTavish, Ian Colletti, Tom Brooke, Cam Goodall, Rob Brown, Adam Willson, Lachlan Martin, Karlis Zaid and Adam Rowland
Review by Steve J. Ray
Summary
Preacher 4×08 “Fear Of The Lord” is a masterpiece of modern Television, in my humble opinion. We get Monty Pythonesque humor, shocks, surprises, and so much more. In this episode Jesse Custer meets his maker, we learn the “secret origin” of Herr Starr, there’s a vintage George Romero moment, and we finally catch up with all the events shown at the start of episode 1. PositivesWhen last we saw Herr Starr, a dingo was running through the Australian outback with a mouth-full of the All-Father’s junk. As you can imagine this could well be the final straw for a man obsessed with his own physical appearance, and on a quest to restore his own “perfect beauty…

“Hidden Human History” -  Doctor Who – the 13th Doctor vol. 2 Writer: Jody Houser Artists: Roberta Ingranata and Rachael Stott Color Artist: Enrica Eren Angiolini with Viviana Spinelli Letterers: Comicraft’s Sarah Jacobs and John Roshell

Review by Steve J. Ray
Summary“Hidden Human History.” When the TARDIS arrives in 16th-century Europe, the Doctor and her companions find themselves caught up in a war between the Dutch… and “demons!” Hunted by bloodthirsty aliens, feared by superstitious locals, and entirely out of jelly babies, one question stands out above all the rest: why is the Doctor jealous of a podcast? PositivesI’m no Time Lord, but I’ve had a considerable nerd culture life-span, and most of it has involved being a fan of Doctor Who. As a Brit, and growing up in the character’s native stomping grounds, is a big help. My earliest TV memories involve giant, glowing, radioactive maggots, giant spiders, an adorable journalist, and a mysterious white haired hero… who suddenly transform…

"Trigon" Writers: Akiva Goldsman, Geoff Johns and Greg Walker Director: Carol Banker Starring: Brenton Thwaites, Anna Diop, Teagan Croft, Ryan Potter, Minka Kelly, Alan Ritchson, Curran Walters, Conor Leslie, Iain Glen and Esai MoralesReview by Adam Ray

Trigon has risen. The latest episode of this season begins right where the last one ended. Viewers are plunged back into the demonic hostage situation, and it’s an exciting and gripping way to return to the action. The original plan for the series was to have this be the season one finale, but I’m glad they decided to grab us with it as the season two opener instead. It works very effectively for drawing a viewer in after a long wait.

"The Rising Sun" Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artist: Christian Duce
Color Artist: Luis Guerrero
Letterer: Rob LeighReview by Steve J. Ray

Detective Comics #1011 delivers a thrilling conclusion to the Deadshot storyline, and is also an enticing prelude to the next blockbuster arc. Hiroshi and Clarence have become the two Batman supporting cast members I never knew I needed until I met them, and Bruce Wayne proves that, with or without his bat-suit and gadgets, he’s a true hero… and not to be messed with! Peter J. Tomasi is one of those writers who can deliver action with the best of them, but without compromising on character or charm. Tomasi’s Batman is a force of nature, but also a hero with heart. Yes, he can be scary and unyielding when it comes to crime, but to the innocent he’s a savior, with a soul as pure as you could ever imagine.

"Batman Universe #3" Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Nick Derington
Color Artist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Carlos M. MangualReview by Steve J. Ray

Batman Universe #3 continues the Dark Knight’s most fun, cosmic and mind-bending case in years. Last issue we discovered that the diabolical villain behind the intelligence stealing Faberge egg is non other than the immortal, would-be world conqueror, Vandal Savage. We left our hero stranded on Thanagar, seemingly surrounded by hostile Hawk-people, and that’s where the latest chapter begins. This series is just so much fun to read. Brian Bendis is taking us on a journey through the most weird and wonderful corners of the DC Universe. We get to see cities populated by talking gorillas, planets run by police officers with wings, dinosaur islands, and even meet up with some of Batman’s best buddies on the way. I think what we see in these pages are Mr. Bendis’ favorite aspects of the oldest, largest and richest comics multiverse… and I’…