Rory and Amy's last stand

And so it ends. 2 more companions lost and the Doctor is alone once again. A very epic end to an epic journey for possibly the best companions of the Doctor Who reboot.

Rory, Amy and their dashing Dr find themselves in an angel ridden New York, where they are reunited with River Song (the AMAZING Alex Kingston) in a race again time to save Rory's future.

There are bowties, tears and a time eating Statue of Liberty. But seriously, this is definitely an episode that is not to be missed. Go watch it. Like, now.

Batman and Robin, Father and Son

The New 52 Batman and Robin, a comic book series that isn't about an awkward relationship between a grown man dressed as a bat and a young orphan in tights, but instead a rather poignant look at the relationship between father and son. A book about the Bat - family as a whole, the relationships between previous robins, the odd quest for respect and approval from the father figure all held together with violence, a murderous 10 year old and a long suffering, ever caring man named Alfred, the true hero of the Batman mythos some might say.

If you haven't picked it up yet you really should, even if its only for the odd moments in which the attempt at being a family is made, which is the true selling point. Watching a group of incredibly driven heroes, trying to function as a family, made even more difficult by the fact that each 'brotherly' fight is deadly since each of them has been trained in hand to hand combat by the Batman himself.  Especially Damien, Bruce's son, a killer, and desperate to gain his fathers approval even if his ideas of how to go about it are flawed.

We also have Bruce himself, learning that being a father is very different from just being a leader. His struggle to connect to his son after being wrapped in the shroud of the Bat for so long mixed with the need to teach him to control his power and refrain from killing, doing what he has been trained to do since birth. It is this new side to the Batman that keeps things fresh, we get a new take on an old story and a chance to relate to the Batman in a new way, to see him as human. The idea that even the Batman still struggles with life, that being a father can be far more difficult than taking on an entire city of crime, both with his fists and through his wallet.

Go read it, then tell me that being a father isn't more terrifying than the Joker holding your hand as you walk towards a fun house.

Read it, and see that Bruce Wayne has a family, that Gotham's orphans  have been drawn together by the symbol of the bat and are slowly becoming a family, with all the issues that entails.

Marvel Mania

Still on my quest to become a Carol Danvers convert (slow and steady), I finally got my hands on Captain Marvel #2 & #3, and it was definitely worth the wait.

#2 doesn't waste any time in throwing you right back into the action. Within 10 pages you witness a moment of sentimentality, a theft, a world record attempt, a failed record attempt and finally some good old fashioned girl power. Did I mention there's a little bit of 'timey wimey' (to quote Dr Who) business in there. Without giving too much away, Danvers finds herself in an unknown place and time (hint hint) fighting alongside an all female pilot squad.

Just when you think things couldn't get any-more confusing and timey-wimey, #3 plummets you right back into the warzone, and Decconick throws in another curve ball in the shape of some serious Kree armada. And once again Soy's artwork is effortless as the fight scenes have your eyes dancing across the pages. I really am enjoying Soy's work, and these issues are made even more explosive because of it.

Captain Marvel #2 / #3 definitely tick all the boxes, and Danvers gets to play both the saved and the savior. Definitely one to watch.

The New 52: Batwoman

When I finally found the time to tear myself away from the wonders of the Marvel women, I took a quick detour to sample the finest wear's of what the DC ladies had to offer. Bought after it came highly recommended Batwoman #12 was the perfect side-track.

#12 see's Kane doing what she does best, kicking some arse and looking mighty good doing it.

I'm definitely WELL behind, but the witty dialogue (J.H. Williams III) and slick art (W. Haden Blackman) work together effortlessly to fill in the gaps that I was so obviously missing.

Without running the risk of any spoilers, Kane finds herself fighting side by side with Werebeast in search of Gotham's missing children. 

After a gothic legend turned reality, an angry girlfriend and still no luck, Kate turns to the best woman in the business for help.

Batwoman #12 is definitely a good little intro to the latest Bat femme-fatale (if you're still pining after Stephanie Brown). And Kane is definitely one to watch.

Time to play catch up

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2

Eight solid hours, one bucket of chicken, two dogs, three friends, and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2. I thoroughly recommend it. No split screens, just you and your team (npc or  friends) and a screen full of superheroes, henchman and a whole lot of chaos. I can honestly say that for most of the time I had no idea what's going on, I didn't know who I was, who my friends where, I didn't even know if I was hitting anything, all I knew was that things where happening. Lots of things, big things, powers everywhere, bodies flying, and of course, barrels blowing up.

You may not know what's going on, but you know its good, and you definitely know you're enjoying it. And not its not only the gameplay that's enjoyable, there is also the array of heroes to play as, which a large selection ready from the beginning and more unlocked as you go along. Couple this huge choice with the option of swapping out characters midplay and you're spoilt for choice, with hours of re-playability packed in.

However, there is a downside, a dark, sinister downside, an obsession, an obsession that grips you in its icy embrace and refuses to let you go until you've sated it. The obsession of new costumes, each hero comes with an alternative costume for you to unlock, and pretty soon you'll be itching to see them all.

So if you'll excuse me I'm off to unlock more costumes, and generally laugh maniacally as I watch the chaos unfurl and the bodies fly. Maybe this time I'll actually be able to tell what's going on and who's doing it.

Saturday Morning Jams

I just wanted to bring to the forefront a little something that's quite dear to my heart.

A few months ago I was on a massive Avengers kick - with the upcoming film, the announcement of Avengers vs X-Men, the release of Captain America etc, who the hell wasn't! Dejected by the lack of Hank Pym action, I went in search of some Ant-Man glory, and during my travels I came across Adam WarRock's(Eugene Ahn) 'West Coast Avengers Mixtape'. Now some may say that is geekdom at its more hardcore, but I just say that it's a stroke of genius.

WarRock's a rapper spouting out some serious nerdcore lyrics and to be honest I fell in love with his music right away. Who doesn't get all bubbly at the sound of hearing some of your favourite hero's lives chronicalled through rap, rhyme and verse, sampled on some of the worlds greatest rap songs.


Whats even better is that the album is free to download HERE. It's rather addictive and a pretty sweet summary of all your favourite West Coast Avengers "doin' there thang". 'Hawkeye & Mockingbird' uses a really good sample of 2pac's "Me & My Girlfriend". Theres some Cypress Hill and Dr Dre floating around in the Mixtape too.

The Hypernaturals follow up as promised.

Right, as mentioned previously, in the post I'm sure you all read, here is the follow up post regarding 'The Hypernaturals' issue one. Which if you haven't read by now then I really don't know why I bother. Though I feel I should also say here that spoilers may possibly occur, so no complaining.

Anyway, back to the point at hand, now, if you did read the previous Hypernaturals themed post then you'll know that I left a clue as to the topic of this discussion which I can now reveal to be, 'the desire to leave a mark on the world'. Something that many people desire, and some even achieve, within The Hypernaturals we can see three different ways of leaving a mark, and three different characters.

For the first, we have Thinkwell exampling leaving a mark by way of intellect.Now this is very wide ranging, from creating a new equation to explain everything to writing a book or creating a painting. The ability to leave a mark on the world by making people think, or changing the way things are done, using creativity, imagination and intellect to be remembered and live on. Not only does Thinkwell use his intellect to fight, he also teaches, leaving a mark by sharing knowledge. He, like some of us wants to be remembered for his intellect, not his ability to fight, his ability to share knowledge to better the world through intelligence

Then we have Bewilder, who shows us the more personal way of leaving a mark, through our direct relationships with others. She builds close personal relationships ensuring she will leave a mark on others and live on in memories. She even goes as far to work in public relations, working with the media and so constantly being seen and heard. We want to be loved, thought about and remembered, which in today's world can be accomplished through appearing in reality TV. Relationships can be created with the masses through which a mark can be left, not always positive, but still left.

There is even the literal,  a mark can physically be left, perhaps through building,creating something that can live on and be seen by people. This could be something as complex as a building to something as simple as a shelf or chair. Then there is also destruction, you may be remembered for destroying something as well as creating it. Just like Sublime, literally leaving his mark on the world, ensuring that he will not be forgotten. Sublime, just as others do, just want to be remembered, they want to be able to point to something and say they did that, they need a mark of their existence to justify their lives.

We can also see what happens when you leave a negative mark, a mark that you didn't want to leave, what happens when you are remembered for something that you just want to forget. A mark that haunts you, that destroys you, a mark that was unintended, such as that left by Hatch Groman, and if you want to know what that mark is start reading 'The Hypernaturals'.

And with that I will leave you to get on with whatever it is you were doing or are meant to be doing. (Hint: Reading The Hypernaturals)

The Hypernaturals

Relatively new in the comics world, but already of great standing (and one of my new personal all time best series) is the new collaboration from the dynamic duo Andy Lanning and Dan Abnett 'The Hypernaturals' with science fiction, inky alien fingers, a smokey mouth and a mystery to say the least.

Which if you haven't picked up the first copy of yet you really should, it has gone to multiple printings. i wont give much away here since the fun is in the reading yourself, especially for the final page. Though what I will give particular mention of how DnA have expanded the universe of 'The Hypernaturals' through the very clever use of adverts, namely by not having any, or at least none that are real. Hopefully something we will see more of. The creativity and imagination of this pair continues to astound me, and whats more is they have the talent to back it up, in terms of both writing and artwork. And not only here, take a look at their run on Guardians of the Galaxy, some of the best Cosmic Marvel I've read in a long time.


And now for some homework for the next post, also regarding The Hypernaturals, read it, and have a think about what it tells us about our selves. I'll give you a hint as to my idea and hence what the post will be about, 'marking'.
I'll see you back here whenever I get round to writing the next post.

A New 'Do & A New Costume: The Not So Marvellous New Captain Marvel?

2 months later and I've finally read one of the most anticipated releases of the year – Captain Marvel #1. Although I've never been a big fan of Danvers, I was very keen to see how she takes to the mantle of the late (may I also add, Great) Mar-Vell.

With a new costume and hair style to boot, Danvers really looks the part, and thanks to some smart writing, strong artwork, and cameos from everyone’s favourite patriot and friendly neighbourhood arachnid; Captain Marvel #1 really does stand up to be a strong comic-book and not just a 'Hey! I'm a new superhero! Hear me roar!' gimmick.

Kelly Sue DeConnick really works hard to take you to the heart of the issue. We see different sides to Danver that stretch further than the hardhitter, 'take no bullshit', leader of the Avengers. DeConnick presents a much more likeable- and what I consider to be- a more 'womanly' Danvers. Not in the sense of all curves and boobs, but rather Danvers as a Friend/Mother type (to her ailing friend), a sister, a companion (to Captain America) and a daughter-figure (to the late Helen Cobb). The script is also juxtaposed with elements of humour and a good supervillian arse-kicking. This all comes together to produce a vision of a modern day woman living all aspects of her life made wise and strong through life experience.

The artwork belongs to Dexter Soy, and although it takes a little while to get used to, it is actually quite beautiful. This is the first time i've seen Dexter Soys work and it was definitely not what I expected. It is a stark contrast to the cover art of Ed McGuiness, as it presents itself as rather dark - evoking memories of Marvel Zombies. However, as the issue continues it really begins to grow on you. The dark 'muddy' tones really compliment the lighter and bolder elements of Danvers' costume, and the Cpt Marvel insignia is always at front of mind. It is strong and consistent throughout the issue, and adds a brilliance and beauty to Danvers' misgivings and later acceptance as the new Cpt. The centre pages which see her “touch the edge of space” are absolutely stunning, and provide a perfect accompaniment to DeConnick's inner monologue.

By the end of the issue Danvers looks strong, more than just your average female heroine, and pretty dame posterific!

DeConnick and Soy work together to create a seriously strong basis for the new Captain Marvel

Although it ticks a lot of boxes, I still can't help but think that there is something is missing. However it is only issue #1, and there's still a lot of ground to cover...but I can safely say that that DeConnick and Soy may make a Carol convert out of me yet.

The Importance of the Trinity

In both DC and Marvel, we have a core trinity, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman on one side, with Iron Man, Thor and Captain America on the other. It is also the case that these six heroes can be distilled into three key aspects.

Technology/Intelligence of the time - Batman and Iron Man.

Strong Morality/Principles - Captain America and Superman.

Mythological/Spiritual - Thor and Wonder Woman.

These can change somewhat depending on your choice of words but are all pretty much consistent with the above. So why do they exist? Why are these three aspects consistent in mainstream comics? Could it possibly be that these three aspects are what we connect most to, are what are a solid basis for a civilization, even person....probably not, I'm sure its just coincidence.....but still... conspiracy? Are these comics really the first stepping stones in a Marvel/DC attempt at social engineering? I feel we may be on the brink of a new civilization designed and modelled on such characters.

So lets take a quick peek behind the curtain of what such a society could be based on these three aspects.

First up we have embracing the technology of the time or intelligence which allows for progress. Through this society would grow, quality of life could improve through the use of technology and all its applications. However, science and technology unchecked could run away from us, with out a system of ethics or a positive moral code it could become monstrous (anyone else thinking of Otto Octavius?). Consider how far Batman and Iron Man would go if they weren't keep in check on occasion, so much like these techy heroes such a society would also need to be kept in check, through strong morals, Captain America and Superman in other words.

So we now have this solid moral basis that keeps us in check, prevents us and technology from going too far.  We keep in mind the ideals of good and evil, right and wrong, but is this enough? No, it could lead to a very cold and calculated society, everything is carefully measured in terms of its moral value, life would be lived according to a strict code. This is why we need the third part of the trinity, Thor and Wonder Woman, the mythological aspect.

This deeper 'spiritual' nature provides us with the realisation of there being something greater be it a god or the universe itself. Thus allowing for a more romantic view of life which prevents things becoming 'cold' or calculated which would be the consequence of having the previous two only.

You can leave now, and read the Justice League/Avengers crossover.

The drunken rambles of a comic fangirl

Definitely a less philosophical tone than the last post...awks...

Just a general lovelorn appreciation of one of the most hated men in the Marvel universe...the one and only Hank Pym. A genius and a douche at the same time. How the hell is this possible. Marvel makes us adore and despise their most important characters at the same time...Iron Man (the registration act), Scott Summers (Crazy arsed Phoenix control, but the list goes on), Magneto (the mind and metal boggles), Punisher, Tigra (turncoat...can you see the theme emerging?)...and Pym definitely sits at the top of this list in whatever costume he has chosen to wear. But yet...he evokes a sense of pride, perhaps a shameful one, but who can seriously hate a character that has spent most of his superhero career trying to redeem himself.

I still don't think that his character has been fully addressed, and he and his actions have been left in a state of limbo, as a result the readers have been unable to move on also...either way...there was wine, therefore Hank Pym is an absolute LAD.

I proper sober review to follow...

The Duality of Human Nature as Expressed Through the Batman

Just to show we here at 'What would Doom do?' are in no way guilty of favouritism, this article will be focusing on Batman.

There are two key aspects to us all, our ability and our drive. On the one hand we have what we are capable of, our ability, actions we are able to make or simply put, our bodies. On the other hand we have our will, our drive and motivation to act, or in other terms our mind. Two aspects that are shared by everyone, aspects that can be best exampled through Batman, through the Batman we can see how well these aspects can work together when taken to their highest points.
He has his drive and motivation (mind) from his parents death (and if that's a spoiler then really, what have you been doing with your life?). His mind is forcing him on, driving his actions.
Actions that come from his body, his ability to act on what his mind wants due to the extensive training of his body to increase his capabilities.
With both these aspects  we can achieve what is needed, we can act, not necessarily successfully but we at least have a chance.


An example of how crucial both these aspects are can be found in the JLA story arc Divided We Fall by Mark Waid and Bryan Hitch, in which members of the JLA find themselves quite literally split into two beings, the superhero and the secret identity. Again I suppose this could be seen as a spoiler, but considering the age of the story arc I don't think its too much trouble, but if you haven't read it, go read it now, you'll thank me.
Batman is split into two beings, the Batman (body) and Bruce Wayne (mind), and we see how neither can function to its fullest extent without the other. The capability with no drive leads to stagnation, the ability to act but with no motivation to do so. There is the Batman, with all his power and skill, but with no drive to use it, no motivation to act, what use is this skill with no drive behind it?
Then we have the drive without capability which leads to an endless struggle, the constant striving to act but without the ability to do so. Bruce Wayne with all his torment and motivation to act lacks the sufficient capability, or 'body'. No matter how driven you are, without the appropriate capability you will only struggle against your own inability to act.
And so we see that it is only through the combination of drive and capability that we can truly act, only with a balance of the two is it possible for us to escape stagnation or an eternal struggle with ones self.

The point of all this? None, I just thought it was interesting.
Now go read Divided We Fall, and if you've already read it go read it again.