Fantastic Universes

“The Long Payback” – Conclusion Writer: Dan Jurgens Artists: Phil Hester & Ande Parks Review by Steve J. Ray Yes! It finally happened; Matt McGinnis is Robin. After decades of speculation and waiting, Batman Beyond finally has his own sidekick. At the end of issue #18 we left Terry and Ten at the mercy of Payback. Left with no option, Bruce Wayne sent trainee crime-fighter Matt McGinnis out to aid his brother. This issue opens with the new Boy Wonder racing to Batman’s rescue… on an all-new  flying Robin-Cycle . As Matt would no doubt say at this juncture, “Totally schway!” speculation and waiting, Batman Beyond finally has his own sidekick. At the end of  issue #18  we left Terry and Ten at the mercy of Payback. Left with no option, Bruce Wayne sent trainee crime-fighter Matt McGinnis out to aid his brother. This issue opens with the new Boy Wonder racing to Batman’s rescue… on an all-new  flying Robin-Cycle . As Matt would no doubt...

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers] Writer : Benjamin Percy Artists : Scot Eaton & Wayne Faucher Review by Steve J. Ray Summary “IT AIN’T EASY BEING GREEN” Finale. After breaking off on his own, Beast Boy has joined up with a tech start-up led by a hacker named Joran. Whilst her motives seemed altruistic, her true goals were anything but. We left  issue #18  with Joran taking over Garfield’s mind, his shape-changing abilities, and siccing him on his Teen Titans team-mates in full-on Beast Mode! Positives Action! This issue is pure adrenalin, as the four pages shown here clearly demonstrate. When Beast Boy cuts loose, Robin, Goliath, Starfire, Aqualad and Raven have their work cut out. Writer Benjamin Percy clearly shows that, without his normal code in place, Garfield Logan’s abilities are truly awesome. Robin’s leadership and arrogance are very well handled, as are the relationships and dynamics between the rest of the Teen Titans. Handl...

“The Fall Of The House Of Kane” – Part Two Writer: Marguerite Bennett Artists: Fernando Blanco & John Rauch Review by Steve J. Ray After  last month’s  shocking twist, the true architect of Batwoman’s recent woes has been revealed. Safiyah was innocent and Knife was shown to be the true instigator. To rub salt in the wound, the “Mother Of War” is none other than Kate’s sister, Beth. After months of therapy and rehabilitation have been undone, her evil alter-ego of “Alice” has once again been unleashed upon the world. Marguerite Bennett has successfully pulled the wool over readers’ eyes for well over a year now, and this fan is overjoyed. When a writer can make an old, classic plot-device feel fresh, both subtly and surprisingly, then you know that you have a great comic in your hands. It’s truly tragic that all the work Kate Kane put in to help her twin has been undone, and now her arch-nemesis is back. Alice Unchained The art te...

Article by Steve J. Ray For those who may not know, The O2 are running ‘The DC Exhibition: Dawn Of Superheroes.’ This incredible event plays host to hundreds of pieces of comics art, costumes and props from the 80 year history of DC Comics. This amazing show runs throughout Spring and Summer, all the way to September. To celebrate Super Hero Day, this coming Saturday 28th April, anyone arriving at the event in costume will make huge savings! Here’s the official press release: CALLING ALL SUPER HEROES (AND VILLAINS)! Celebrate Super Hero Day on 28 April! Dress as your favourite Hero or Villain and get 20% off exhibition entry and 10% off at the exhibition shop at the Super Savings For Supers At The DC Exhibition DC EXHIBITION: DAWN OF SUPER HEROES – THE O2, LONDON The  DC Exhibition: Dawn of Super Heroes  invites all undercover Super Heroes (and Super Villa...

Review by Steve J. Ray The Flash  Season 4 Episode 18 – “Lose Yourself” is one of the most well crafted pieces of TV that the “Arrowverse” has ever produced, and can be summed up with just three letters: O    M    G Before now I would never have believed that this much action, tension, emotion and comedy could ever be crammed into just 40 minutes. You Better Lose Yourself In The Music I’ve always been one to try and keep my reviews as free of spoilers as possible, but this episode is so chock-full of incidents, moments, antics, geek-references and soul crunching pathos that my mind is, quite literally,  blown . Heroes are made, super powers unleashed, and secrets are revealed to amazing effect. This one episode sees Cisco become Scottish, Ralph quote Marvel Comics and DeVoe become perhaps the most terrifying villain in all of T.V. Super-Speed, cosmic tuning forks, mind-enhancing thinking caps, hippie breachers and samurai sword-fights; this ...

Writers : Michael Moreci Artists : Minkyu Jung & Felipe Sobreiro Review by Steve J. Ray Summary “THE NOBLE, THE OBNOXIOUS & THE INEPT.” When you find out that this issue guest stars Robin and Arsenal, you’ll probably make your own mind up as to which sobriquet is most apt for which character. Once you see things from each hero’s perspective however, you may well change your mind. In this issue Nightwing teams up with his kid brother, and one of his best buds. Of course, chaos and hi-jinks ensue. Positives Once again we’re treated to a nice, self contained story. After the martial arts masterpiece that was  Nightwing  #42 , this issue had quite a lot to live up to. I’m glad to say that it’s a fun-filled comic, and serves as a great counterpoint to its predecessor. Last time we saw Dick Grayson as a solo warrior, out to rescue his kid brother. This time it’s Nightwing as team leader, mentor, coach, and peace-maker. There are some really great char...

“Deathstroke Vs. Batman” – Part One Writer: Priest Artists: Carlo Pagulayan & Jason Paz Review by Steve J. Ray Okay… you may all be forgiven for asking, “Hey guys! Why are you reviewing  Deathstroke ?” It’s a valid question, but a glance at the top of this review should answer it for you. Back in January I reported that veteran comics writer Priest would be penning a six-issue  “Deathstroke Vs. Batman”  arc. Here dear reader, is the very first chapter…. and what a chapter it is! Going in you could believe that you’ve started reading an issue of  Batman  by mistake. The opening 12 pages – over half the book – are almost totally Dark Knight-centric. “Foul!” you may cry, “This is a  Deathstroke  comic.” Yes, it is. Believe me when I tell you that when Mr. Wilson finally  does  make an appeareance. You will be left in no doubt as to who the star of this comic is. The beauty part of the whole scenario is though, in no way does ...