Month: January 2022

Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics

SENSATION COMICS Featuring WONDER WOMAN # 16 (2016 DC Comics)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 4, 2022

Written by (See Below)

Art by (See Below)

Cover Art by Doug Mahnke; Christian Alamy; & Carrie Strachan

SUMMARY:

Featuring two new tales, DC Comics released this anthology issue for January 2016. The contents are:

“Echidna” (20 pages). Writer: Caitlin Kittredge, with Art by: Scott Hampton & Deron Bennett. In Gotham City for a charity gala, Wonder Woman soon probes the insidious abduction of a female monster’s two young children. Another child’s high-profile abduction/ransom suggests all isn’t what it appears. Appearing in supporting roles are Harley Quinn, Batgirl, and Batman.
“A Day in Our Lives” (10 pages). Writer/Artist: Jason Badower, with Letters by: Saida Temofonte. Accompanying Wonder Woman on a typical day’s work, Superman gets insight re: the motivations of his ‘surrogate sister.’

REVIEW:

Issue # 16 is a fresh read, as each creative team ensures that their Wonder Woman tale is both cohesive and entertaining.

Re: “Echidna,” its only off-element is the semi-chilly/bossy demeanor that Barbara Gordon’s Batgirl (her trademark red hair is inexplicably hidden) displays towards the older and more experienced Wonder Woman. Perhaps it was meant to add more contrast between their established personalities, but their dialogue exchange doesn’t make Batgirl too likable. Still, the plot twists that writer Caitlin Kittredge incorporates helps make this Gotham City caper well-played for what is. Kittredge’s storytelling is further enhanced by the art squad’s appropriately murky painting-like visuals.

Utilizing Angelina Jolie’s likeness as Wonder Woman’s facial inspiration, writer-artist Jason Badower’s glossy visuals for “A Day in Our Lives” are stellar. His scripting is almost as good, though Superman is observing from the sidelines most of the time. The last page is a gem re: the enduring kinship between Wonder Woman and the Man of Steel.

Along with its high-caliber cover image, Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman # 16 proves a welcome addition to any comics collection.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (Digital)

ONCE UPON A TIME … STORYBOOK LOVE (by Mark Knopfler: The Princess Bride movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 4, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:00 Min.

Recorded by British musician Mark Knopfler, this low-key tune is the album’s first track defining the beloved 1987 fantasy film co-starring Robin Wright & Cary Elwes.

Note: The soundtrack also includes its Academy Award-nominated version, “Storybook Love,” with vocals supplied by British singer Willy DeVille.

REVIEW:

It’s a beautifully guitar-driven track by Mark Knopfler. As an addition to any soundtrack, relaxation, sleep aid, or New Age-themed playlist, this gentle instrumental is high recommended!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Comic Books & Graphic Novels Marvel Comics

THE OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE # 11 (1983 MARVEL Comics)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 4, 2022

Written by Mark Gruenwald; Peter Sanderson; & Mark Lerer

Art by (See Below), including Josef Rubinstein; Eliot R. Brown; & Andy Yanchus

Wraparound Cover Art by Edward Hannigan; Josef Rubinstein; & Andy Yanchus

SUMMARY:

Released for November 1983, this 34-page issue (counting the inside covers) consists of character profiles consisting of a biography, a full frontal image (and occasionally supplemental images), height, weight, eyes, hair, unusual features, and a brief description of a character’s powers. This issue features these characters (with their pencillers and/or inkers):

Subterraneans (Bret Blevins)
Sunfire (Sandy Plunkett)
Sunspot (Bob McLeod)
Super-Adaptoid (Mike Zeck)
Super-Skrull (John Byrne)
Supreme Intelligence (Ron Wilson)
Surtur (Walter Simonson)
Swarm (Alan Kupperberg)
Taskmaster (Paul Becton)
Tatterdemalion (Bob Hall)
Texas Twister (Keith Pollard)
Thena (Brian Bolland)
Thing (John Byrne)
Thor (Walter Simonson)
Thor’s Hammer {Mjolnir} (Eliot R. Brown)
Thundra (John Romita, Sr.)
Tiger Shark (John Buscema)
Tigra (Will Meugniot)
Titan {Saturn’s moon} (Eliot R. Brown)
Titanium Man (Allen Milgrom)
Toad (John Byrne)
Tomorrow Man (Sal Buscema)
Trapster {Paste Pot Pete} (John Byrne)
Triton (Mike Zeck)
U-Foes (Sal Buscema)
Ulik (Walter Simonson)
Ultron (Kerry Gammill)
Umar (Josef Rubinstein)
Unicorn (Brett Breeding)
Union Jack {Joey Chapman} (Kerry Gammill)
Unus (Paul Smith)
Ursa Major (Ron Wilson)
Alien Races {Tribbitites, Tsiln, Tsyrani, Ul’lula’ns, Vegans, Vorms, Vrellnexians, & Xantareans} (Paty)

Notes: Originally billed as a twelve-part series, this Original Handbook series went on to include supplements (i.e. two issues for the dead and inactive characters). Its subsequent Deluxe Edition counterpart is Issue # 13.

REVIEW:

Issue # 11 is evidence that this first handbook series continues to improve its game. Not only are the profiles more detailed than those seen in earlier issues, but the artwork holds up surprisingly well after nearly forty years. For fans of Early ‘80s Marvel , this issue is worth picking up for its nostalgia value.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The inside front cover is the table-of-contents & credits page. The back inside cover is an appendix continuing to identify characters that didn’t make Issue # 11’s cut.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic Soundtracks (CD's)

OUT OF REACH (by Gabrielle: Bridget Jones’s Diary movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 4, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:15 Min.

British performer Gabrielle recorded and co-wrote this romantic tune for 2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary movie soundtrack.

REVIEW:

Seamlessly blending R&B and pop, Gabrielle’s engaging vocals make this tune a semi-gem. Between the spot-on instrumental work and its classy lyrics, “Out of Reach” offers a welcome addition to R&B and soundtrack playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

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Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics

SENSATION COMICS Featuring WONDER WOMAN # 14 (2015 DC Comics)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 4, 2022

Written by Karen Traviss

Art by Andres Guinaldo; Raúl Fernández; Dexter Vines; Kelly Fitzpatrick; & Deron Bennett

Cover Art by Nei Ruffino

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Nine Days,” DC Comics released this issue for November 2015. One week before Christmas, the U.S. State Department calls upon Diana, as Themyscira’s neutral ambassador, to mediate a dispute overseas between two rival countries.

Over nine days, she must concoct a treaty between the feuding San Egnatio and People’s Republic of Morota, especially when oil rights found along their shared border come into play. Further complicating Wonder Woman’s efforts are the younger and older versions of the conflicted goddess, Eris/Strife, egging on both sides. What ethical means must Diana sacrifice to justify an end result ensuring lasting peace?

REVIEW:

Though the premise is intriguing, the dry storytelling likely means a single read. The art squad’s visuals are more than sufficient, but they don’t add extra substance to make this story more entertaining. While Sensation Comics # 14 should appeal to contemporary Wonder Woman fans, it won’t likely leave any lasting impressions.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The “DC You” column briefly interviews We Are Robin scripter Lee Bermejo.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance Soundtracks (Digital)

STORYBOOK LOVE (by Mark Knopfler & Willy DeVille: The Princess Bride movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 4, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:00 Min.

This Academy Award-nominated tune is a British collaboration between musician Mark Knopfler and vocalist Willy DeVille.

REVIEW:

If any musical track defines The Princess Bride, it has to be this one. The teamwork between Mark Knopfler & Willy DeVille is superb. As an addition to any soundtrack, relaxation, or sleep aid playlist, this gentle track is highly recommended!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Comic Books & Graphic Novels Marvel Comics

SHE-HULK # 4 (2014 MARVEL Comics)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 4, 2022

Written by Charles Soule

Art by Javier Pulido; Muntsa Vicente; & VC’s Clayton Cowles

Cover Art by Kevin Wada

SUMMARY:

Released by Marvel Comics for September 2014, this issue is entitled “The Zealous Advocate.” Disturbed by her client Kristoff Vernard’s brazen courtroom abduction by his father (Doctor Doom), Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk leaves Brooklyn to consult Matt Murdock in San Francisco. After their ‘date night’ bashing punks, She-Hulk stealthily infiltrates Latveria for a face-to-face consultation with Doom and his repressed adult heir.

Back in Brooklyn, Jennifer and her staff (including Patsy “Hellcat” Walker) will next probe the enigmatic ‘Blue’ file.

REVIEW:

While Charles Soule’s script delivers some well-played moments (i.e. Jennifer & Matt’s chat atop the Golden Gate Bridge and a glimpse of their platonic ‘date night’), the rudimentary visuals are underwhelming. Conveying a hip artistic style reminiscent of on-line comics, the problem is that it gives this issue an unimpressively minor league look. Kevin Wada’s cover image is frankly Issue # 4’s best image.

Though She-Hulk fans should like Soule’s semi-comedic plot, that is really this comic’s only selling point.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Breaking the fourth wall, She-Hulk introduces the story on the first page. Also included here are the credits. The credits are also playfully included on a later page. An unusual add-on is the back cover. It’s the first-of-six segments in a Marvel cross-promotion storyline with Harley Davidson. The plot’s villains are The Wrecking Crew.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5½ Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

THE UNTOUCHABLES (by Ennio Morricone: The Untouchables movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 4, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:04 Min.

As Track #11, this instrumental helps narrate Kevin Costner’s Eliot Ness and his team charging on horseback for a Canadian border raid to intercept Al Capone’s goons. Composer-conductor Ennio Morricone’s orchestra isn’t identified.

Note: As clarification, the same-titled Track # 1 (the film’s end title) is essentially a full-length reprise of Track # 11.

REVIEW:

Bringing Eliot Ness and his squad’s quest soaring to virtuous life, Ennio Morricone is at the peak of his storytelling powers. Think of it this way: “Al Capone” (Track # 2) and this track define both sides of the movie’s battlefront. The ominous main title: “Strength of the Righteous” (Track # 8) then pits them against one other. For instrumental and soundtrack enthusiasts, this one (and/or its end title version) is absolutely worth adding to a favorite playlist.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

WAITING AT THE BORDER (by Ennio Morricone: The Untouchables movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 4, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:45 Min.

As Track # 3, this Ennio Morricone instrumental narrates how ‘The Untouchables’ quietly await to intercept an illicit liquor shipment crossing the U.S.-Canadian border. The orchestra, however, isn’t identified.

REVIEW:

Its suspenseful sound probably doesn’t merit a solo download, as “Waiting at the Border” isn’t a distinctive cue. Yet, it’s still an effective transition into one of the film’s best audience pay-off sequences.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

VICTORIOUS (by Ennio Morricone: The Untouchables movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 4, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:10 Min.

As Track # 6, this Ennio Morricone instrumental narrates how the tide has finally shifted against Robert DeNiro’s Al Capone and his army of thugs. The orchestra isn’t identified.

REVIEW:

The track isn’t remarkable, but its miscellaneous bits and pieces are cohesive building the story’s narrative. “Victorious,” in that sense, sums up the gutsy tactics Eliot Ness and his squad deploy as the so-called ‘Untouchables.’ For fans of the films, perhaps the best element of this segment is when its recurring heroic motif unmistakably soars.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars