Fantastic Universes

"Who's Laughing Now?" Writer: Marc Andreyko Artists: Eduardo Pansica and Julio Ferreira Color Artist: Chris Sotomayor Letters: Tom Napolitano Review by  Adam Ray Summary The previous issue  left Supergirl in quite the predicament. We find her as we left her, in the clutches of a new Brainiac. The "Year of the Villain" has meant many nefarious plans are starting to come together. Once she shrugs off her troubles, we see just how deep the problems outside her world go. The Batman Who Laughs has begun turning individuals to his twisted will across the DC Universe. Positives This issue drips with pulp action. Supergirl is definitely the character for it, and it shows here. We go from scene to scene with no real time to breathe: from the Fortress, to aiding Batman, to the shocking result of her change, back to the Fortress, to wherever issue takes us. It’s a roller coaster that keeps the tension and questions high. I’ve always counted on this title t...

"Darkseid And The Justice League Odyssey" Writer: Dan Abnett Artist: Will Conrad Color Artist: Rain Beredo & Pete Pantazis Letterer: AndWorld Design Review by James Stone Post Sepulkore era is in full swing in  Justice League Odyssey  #15 and the ante just keeps getting upped. Darkseid is… on the loose with his group of new New Gods: Cyborg, Starfire and Azrael. In hot pursuit is a resurrected Jessica Cruz Green Lantern, with her new team Dex-Starr, Blackfire and Orion. For those thinking that sounds very similar to  issue #14  you would be correct. In terms of progression not much transpires this week and our heroes are no closer to stopping Darkseid. That doesn’t mean nothing happens, though… quite the opposite, in fact. Some interesting events occur which could result in a much needed win for Jessica Cruz and co. Conclusion Justice League Odyssey  #15 was an action packed issue with the arrival of a new...

"Oracle Rising" - Part Five Writer: Cecil Castellucci Artist: Carmine Di Giandomenico Color Artist: Jordie Bellaire Letterer: AndWorld Design Review by Fay Clark We keep leaving Batgirl in a bind  lately … one too many punches to the soft areas in work, personal and vigilante life can really get to a girl. Batgirl has more badness coming her way, but maybe she can battle it with some bad-assery of her own in  Batgirl  #41. Has the fiery flame finally gone out? Or is there a small spark just waiting to ignite? How are you supposed to breathe with no air? Confession time, I’ve been having a hard time getting back into  Batgirl  ever since Mairghread Scott left the series. It has to be said that Scott left some big shoes to fill. Hey, Cecil Castellucci if the shoe fits, put it on and walk all over the reader. Castellucci came out swinging with  Batgirl  #41. There’s so much happening; drama, violence, romance, politics, friendship… and BATGI...

“Sins Of The Father” Writer: Adam Glass Artist: Bernard Chang Color Artist: Marcelo Maiolo Letterer: Rob Leigh Review by Steve J. Ray Summary Teen Titans  #36, “Sins Of The Father” shows us just how much of a monster Lobo is, and how much more of a hero Crush is than we ever imagined. This character has, since her introduction, gone out of her way to distance herself from her team-mates and try to put herself across as cold and deadly. The way she constantly tries to go against her father’s will in this issue, particularly when it comes to dealing with the rest of the Teen Titans, and with the lives of innocents, mark her out as a true hero. Something Lobo has never been, nor could ever claim to be. Positives Adam Glass clearly had Crush’s entire backstory and character well imagined and fleshed out in his mind, long before he ever put fingers to keyboard. Glass has proven himself to be an outstanding storyteller and creator of deep, ric...

Article by Adam Ray A few short weeks ago, Wizards gave the players of Magic a real gift: a new format. Pioneer is the newest Nonrotating format for Magic the Gathering. All standard legal sets from Return to Ravnica to now are in the Pioneer landscape. Regular bannings to help shape the format have already slain Saheeli / Cat combo and curbed Mono Green from their turn 3 Ulamog and the needed protection . The Fetch Lands from Khans of Tarkir were never legal in the format, to keep mana bases honourable in this brave new world. Decks like Izzet Phoenix , Hardened Scales 'Affinity', Nexus of Fate , and Mono Red have all risen to the top of this new format. But for me, I'm playing something a little bit different. There's little more iconic in the fantasy genre than a Dragon. The great, powerful reptiles with beating wings, bombastic personalities. In the game of Magic, Shivan Dragon has been capturing imaginations and taking names since the v...