New Comics – Week of July 28, 2010

By Paul Steven Brown

This week Cultural Wormhole takes a look at Action Comics #891, Uncanny X-Men #526, and X-Men: Legacy #238.

Mad Men - "Public Relations"

Review by Paul Steven Brown

‘Mad Men’
Season 4 – Episode 1
“Public Relations”

When we last saw ‘Mad Men’ at the end of season three, it was late 1963, Betty was leaving Don for another man and the newly formed Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce had just set up shop in a hotel suite. The first episode of season four opens almost a year later and on the verge of Thanksgiving in 1964. Don and Betty are still apart; he’s in an apartment in the city and she’s still in the house with the kids and Henry. SCDP has been successful enough to move out of the hotel and into a full-fledged office with and a pool of secretaries. Even Joan has her own office now.

True Blood - "I Got a Right to Sing the Blues"

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'True Blood'
Season 3 - Episode 6
"I Got a Right to Sing the Blues"

I can finally say that I'm more invested in Sam's arc now that the nature of Tommy's abuse has finally been revealed. I didn't see it coming, but it makes a great deal of sense, given the details that trickled out over this season. To tell you the truth, I started to warm up to Sam's little brother last episode when he extended what appeared to be genuine kindness to Jessica. While Tommy's parents have been fairly cliché rednecks, especially Joe Lee, there might be some promise in keeping the younger shapeshifter around.

Eureka - "All the Rage"

Review by Matthew Rasnake

'Eureka'
Season 4 - Episode 3
"All the Rage"

'Eureka' season four continues to burn brightly in this third episode. A touch of the steam from the first two episodes may be cooling down, but that seems weird to say considering the breakneck pace and adrenaline-filled plotting of most of this episode. There are still a ton of little threads they’re following as a result of the timeline alteration, but they’re doing a good job of it by weaving quick scenes, off-hand comments, and even subtle character interactions into the show. The number of things that are in flux would overwhelm and derail a lesser show, but 'Eureka' seems to take it all in stride, while continuing to put out entertaining and engaging stories.

Batman: Under The Red Hood

Review by James Robert Kuczun Jr.

Batman: Under The Red Hood
Directed by Brandon Vietti
Written by Judd Winick
Starring Bruce Greenwood, Jensen Ackles, John Di Maggio, & Neil Patrick Harris

Doctor Who (US) - "The Big Bang"

The fifth season of 'Doctor Who' airing in the US on BBC America is a few episodes behind those in the UK. If you are only following 'Doctor Who' in the US on BBC America and do not wish to be spoiled, read these reviews only and not those labeled "Doctor Who (UK)".

DS9 Rewind Review - "Dax"

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'
Season 1 - Episode 7
"Dax"

'DS9' bounces back in a big way with "Dax". One thing that really struck me about this episode is how much we learn about both Jadzia Dax and her predecessor, Curzon, but she hardly has any of the dialogue. When she does speak, those moments are given even more weight due to her self-imposed silence. In addition to learning more about both Daxes (Daxi?), we gain more insight into the nature of a joined Trill, plus the relationship between Dax, past and present, with Ben Sisko.

Buffy Rewind Review - "The Pack"

Review by Paul Steven Brown

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’
Season 1 – Episode 6
“The Pack”

Eureka - "A New World"

Review by Matthew Rasnake

'Eureka'
Season 4 - Episode 2
"A New World"

Ok, seriously guys, I love this show. The cast is great, the writing is pitch-perfect, the setting is interesting, and the episode plots are imaginative while sticking to an established structure or formula. If you haven’t been watching, season 4 is a great place to jump in. The main characters are well established, they have back story, they have depth, and the writers and actors are already comfortable with them.

True Blood – “Trouble”

Review by Paul Steven Brown

‘True Blood’
Season 3 – Episode 5
“Trouble”

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Review by Matthew Rasnake

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Directed by David Slade
Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner

Inception

Review by Paul Steven Brown

Inception
Written and Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanbe, Marion Cotillard, and Cillian Murphy

Doctor Who (US) - "The Pandorica Opens"

The fifth season of 'Doctor Who' airing in the US on BBC America is a few episodes behind those in the UK. If you are only following 'Doctor Who' in the US on BBC America and do not wish to be spoiled, read these reviews only and not those labeled "Doctor Who (UK)".

Eureka - "Founder's Day"

Review by Matthew Rasnake

'Eureka'
Season 4 - Episode 1
"Founder's Day"

No question about it, 'Eureka' is back in a big way. Never afraid of seriously shaking things up--Henry is from several years in an alternate future, after all--the season four opener takes our 'Eureka' and tweaks it.

First Full Cast Photo for 'The Walking Dead'

This photo has been quickly circulating around various websites. Needless to say, the cast of AMC's 'The Walking Dead' looks pretty close to their comic book counterparts. Dale and Andrea on the right end look practically perfect. I'm assuming that's Carol on the left side, followed by Shane. Glenn, Lori, and Carl in the middle. Of course Rick is in the front. I guess we'll have to wait until a second season for two of my favorite characters: Tyrese and Michonne.

Live Music: Sleigh Bells

Sleigh Bells @ Zanzabar, Louisville KY w/ Nerve City and Po Po

By Paul Steven Brown

When I go out to see a band play live, it's not to hear them sound like the actual record. I want the mistakes and the unplanned happy accidents. I want crowd interaction. I especially want to hear a different sound dynamic than what is presented on disc. I certainly don't want to see what amounts to glorified karaoke.

X-Men: Second Coming

A look back at Marvel Comics’ latest mutant event and the X-Men’s transition into the ‘Heroic Age’.

By Paul Steven Brown

Warning: This article may contain spoilers for the 'X-Men: Second Coming' crossover, Uncanny X-Men: The Heroic Age, and last weeks X-Men #1.

True Blood – “9 Crimes”

Review by Paul Steven Brown

‘True Blood’
Season 3 – Episode 4
“9 Crimes”

Harvey Pekar Dies

By Paul Steven Brown

A legend in the comic book industry died early this morning at the age of 70. Harvey Pekar was the writer of American Splendor, which was arguably one of the biggest influences on the independent/self-publishing comic book scene. Pekar was just as famous for his various appearances on 'Late Night with David Letterman' in the '80s and the film based on his life, also called American Splendor, starring Paul Giamatti.

Regrettably, I haven't read much of his work. Of what little I have read, I found very candid and revealing. It wasn't that he "had things to say", rather he wrote about what he saw and what he experienced. He didn't set out to change the world, but it is hard to deny his impact on comic books and alternative cartooning.

Avengers: The Children's Crusade #1

By Paul Steven Brown

Writer: Allan Heinberg
Art: Jim Cheung w/ Mark Morales
Colorist: Justin Ponsor
Letterer: Cory Petit
Published by Marvel Comics

When Young Avengers was originally announced back in 2005, the concept was received with a lot of skepticism. I was guilty of it, too. Was Marvel really going to attempt a Teen Titans version of the Avengers? Iron Lad? Hulkling? Really?

X-Men #1

Review by Paul Steven Brown

“Curse of the Mutants - Part One”

Writer: Victor Gischler
Penciler: Paco Medina
Inker: Juan Vlasco
Colorist: Marte Gracia
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Published by Marvel Comics

Way back in the ‘60s, Stan Lee needed a new concept on which to hang a team of teenage superheroes he had created. At the time radiation was a nice, modern excuse to empower characters with unique gifts that allowed them to fight crime. Usually this was employed though the bite of an eradiated spider, gamma bomb explosion, or cosmic rays. He took the easy way out and decided that this new team, the X-Men, were mutants and they were born with their powers that would lay dormant until adolescences. Thus, in late 1963 X-Men #1 hit the stands. The book is still around, having been renamed Uncanny X-Men at some point in the ‘80s.

Good Music: Best Coast - "Boyfriend"

Review by Paul Steven Brown

Best Coast
"Boyfriend"
Crazy for You (Album out July 27, 2010 from Mexican Summer)

A girl's desire to win the heart of another's boyfriend is not uncommon in popular music. In the last year, the most recognized interpretation of this theme has been "You Belong to Me" by Taylor Swift. A few years before her, Avril Lavigne took a more direct and less wistful approach with her single "Girlfriend". Feeling concerned that the desire to steal boyfriends away from other girls was sending a negative message to young women, Eddie Argos and his side project, Everybody Was In the French Resistance...NOW, delivered a response from the boy's perspective on "G.I.R.L.F.R.E.N. (You Know I've Got A)".

DS9 Rewind Review - "Q-Less"

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'
Season 1 - Episode 6
"Q-Less"

Cultural Wormhole Presents: X-Nation Episode 1

In the premiere installment of X-Nation, Antony Ellis and Paul Steven Brown take a look a the Month in X for the month of June 2010 and then jump through the time portal for a segment called Days of X-Men Past.

Doctor Who (US) - The Lodger

The fifth season of 'Doctor Who' airing in the US on BBC America is a few episodes behind those in the UK. If you are only following 'Doctor Who' in the US on BBC America and do not wish to be spoiled, read these reviews only and not those labeled "Doctor Who (UK)".

What is X-Nation?

X-Nation will be a podcast that will deliver a monthly review of most of the books that focus on the X-Men published by Marvel Comics. It will be hosted by Paul Steven Brown and Antony Ellis. If this sounds familiar to a few of you, that's because X-Nation picks up where X-Addiction left off. X-Nation will have all the fun commentary and discussion from Paul and Antony that our regular listeners enjoyed for over two years. We also plan on interviewing those creators connected to the X-Men books, plus we'll dig out our back issues for a look at the days of X-Men past.

The titles that we regularly talk about are Uncanny X-Men, X-Men: Legacy, New Mutants, X-Factor, X-Force, Astonishing X-Men, X-Men Forever, Wolverine: Origins, Wolverine: Weapon X, and Dark Wolverine. We'll also tackle the various one-shots, annuals, and mini-series connected to the merry mutants from time to time. If you're an X-Fan or you're just curious, please check out the first episode of Cultural Wormhole Presents: X-Nation next week.

New Comics - Week of June 30, 2010

By Paul Steven Brown

Cultural Wormhole takes a look at some of the comics that hit the stands this past Wednesday. Today we check in on Action Comics #890,  Flash #3, Invincible Iron Man Annual #1, and Secret Avengers #2.

DS9 Rewind Review – “Captive Pursuit”

Review by Paul Steven Brown

‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’
Season 1 – Episode 5
“Captive Pursuit”