It occured to me approximately a quarter of the way through last night’s episode that this is the first season of Agents of SHIELD with a pitch that would compel me to pick up the comic. “A new spirit of vengeance is developing a reputation as a serial killer on the west coast. It’s up to rogue SHIELD agents to track down Ghost Rider and bring him to justice.” [Read more…] about Agents of SHIELD Season Four Episode 2 Review!
Comic Book TV
Agents of SHIELD Season 4 Episode 1: “The Ghost” Review!
To its undying credit, Agents of SHIELD has always known how to open a season. Whether it was Nick Fury and Maria Hill cameos, Absorbing Man intros, or the Inhumans, first episodes tantalize with new direction and Marvel Cinematic Universe exploration. [Read more…] about Agents of SHIELD Season 4 Episode 1: “The Ghost” Review!
The Audacity of Hope: Daredevil Season Two Review!
Among the many conflicts left in the wake of Batman v Superman (critics vs audience, fans vs “true” fans, Zack Snyder vs the Kent family), the greatest battle is almost shockingly simple: light vs. dark.
I’ve described it as grim, dour, and self-serious to the point of parody, but the less wordy summary of Batman v Superman is “dark.” Those who would deem Batman v Superman a bad movie (I’m partially among them) simultaneously have turned their noses at dark comic book stories. Give us joy, they say, celebrating the camp of Supergirl x Flash. Gives us smiles, they say, retweeting gifs of Spider-Man underoos from the upcoming Civil War. Give us hope, they say, waving a copy of All Star Superman
What has frequently been lost in all the declarations of DC’s failure (or success depending on your point of view) is the recognition that there are many shades of dark, and not all of them are flawed.
Which brings us, finally, to the second season of Netflix Daredevil. Daredevil season two looks at the great war of light and dark and echolocates a third option:
Why not both?
[Read more…] about The Audacity of Hope: Daredevil Season Two Review!
DC v Flash v Supergirl v Batman v Superman
In the wake of Batman v Superman’s dark night, how can you avoid comparing the stark contrast of CBS and the CW’s unprecedented cross network comic book TV crossover between Supergirl and Flash? While it’s easy to walk away from the absolutely delightful Supergirl x Flash and say THAT is how DC Comics should be done, I think it’s more true that there’s room for both approaches in the DC Universe. [Read more…] about DC v Flash v Supergirl v Batman v Superman
Marvel vs. DC TV: Agents of SHIELD and The Flash
It’s no secret, but we are lucky enough to have more comic book TV than ever before. I wouldn’t quite call it a golden age, but it’s certainly a budgetary surplus, and with gems like iZombie, Daredevil, and, suddenly, The Walking Dead, there’s a lot of genuinely great TV based on comics. [Read more…] about Marvel vs. DC TV: Agents of SHIELD and The Flash