Pads & Panels

Hydrophobia (noun) – “a morbid dread of water” (also known as rabies) [Source: webster.com] Going into things, we thought this was a great way to start this post, but it turned out to be sort of an odd non sequitur. Sorry about that. But it is connected in that Hydrophobia is also a new game for Xbox Live Arcade from Microsoft and Dark Energy Digital. Microsoft was sweet enough to pass along an extra redemption code for the title to give away to one of our lucky readers, so that’s exactly what we’re going to do. Read on to learn how to enter. (more…)

Title: Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions

Platform: 360 (PC, PS3, DS, Wii)

ESRB: T

Publisher: Activision

Developer: Beenox

Rating:

Review by: Matt Peters

Since 1992, Activision has published games based on the adventures of Marvel Comics’ flagship character, Spider-Man. After several less-than-stellar games, it seemed that Activision was content to rely on the name alone to move copies. With Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, developer Beenox has offered an apology to gamers and comic fans alike. Featuring four different versions of the web-slinger with distinctive gameplay styles, this has the makings to be a true crowd pleaser. (more…)

Title: Batwoman: Elegy (Deluxe Edition)

Publisher: DC Comics

Writer: Greg Rucka

Artist: J.H. Williams III

Rating:

Review by: Eric Stuckart

DC stories don’t get much better or much more epic than this. Greg Rucka knows how to weave a thrilling tale, and his ability to walk the tightrope between boilerplate action and nuanced drama is bested only by the book’s excellent artwork. Elegy essentially tells three stories weaved into one: Batwoman’s hunt for Alice, the new leader of a crime-based religion, who already tried to kill her once;  an origin tale of how the erstwhile Kate Kane became Batwoman; and a short look back at her childhood, which ends up overlapping into the other two stories in very well-integrated fashion. While Williams’ artwork fantastically tells the story, it’s Dave Stewart’s colors that really steal the show. While most of the book is saturated in deep reds, Batwoman’s scenes with Alice are portrayed in a dreamy color palette, dominated by blues, purples and greens. Especially enjoyable is how the flashback sequences to Kate’s past look more reminiscent of the comics of old, compared to the more modern, gritty present day artwork. As a bonus, the Deluxe Edition of the book features a covers gallery and a few script pages and draft sketches, making Elegy Deluxe worth every penny. (more…)

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man “Return of the Black Cat” TPB

Publisher: Marvel

Writers: Joe Kelly, J.M. Dematteis, Marc Guggenheim

Artists: Mike McKone, Adriana Melo, Val Semeiks, Marco Checchetto, Luke Ross, Rick Magyar, Eric Canete

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Oh, that crazy Peter Parker! That’s what I find myself saying, anyways, in a mostly mocking sort of way, while reading the “Return of the Black Cat” trade paperback. Parker is already in confusing relationships with Michele Gonzales, Norah Winters and Mary Jane Watson when Black Cat strolls back into town. Of course, her usual powers to affect Spidey’s luck are wreaking havoc on his attempt to thwart New York City’s villains, but it’s not too shabby for his sex life. Sure he’s more confused than ever, but he’s seemingly getting some action behind the scenes of every page. It all amounts to nonsense, though, with cheesy writing and inconsistent art. The latter portion of the book – dealing with Kaine, Ben Reilly and Raptor – is a much better read, even if it does get back into the atrocious clone business. (more…)

I don’t like Superman. Don’t get me wrong; I like the idea of Superman. Being able to fly, having super-strength and moving at amazing speeds would all come in handy. I’m just not in love with the stories that spin out of Superman as a character.

He’s been around so long that DC has decided to celebrate Superman #700 with a giant-sized issue. The three stories contained within are meant to entertain and represent Superman throughout the ages. The book is also intended to close current storylines and introduce J. Michael Straczynski as the new creative force behind Metropolis’ favorite son. As with any anniversary issue, expectations are high. Are they met? Well…

Before reading the book, there are a couple things readers should know. First, the numbering is the result of some creativity on editorial’s part after syncing Adventures of Superman (which ended with #649) and the adjective-less Superman book, similar to “Adventure Comics” renumbering to #516 last July. (more…)

Title: Marvel Super Hero Squad Show Vol. 1 Quest for the Infinity Sword

Format: DVD

Directed by: Michael Gerard, Patty Shinagawa, Mitch Schauer

Producer: Marvel, Shout! Factory

Rating:

Review by: Jason King

Disney’s buyout of Marvel was deeply canny for both parties – Marvel gains Disney’s shadow of distribution to provide what should be a more effective core competency (selling comic books to the young) – and Disney gains some famous names that, fears aside, will probably be used effectively.

The Marvel Super Hero Squad Show, within that framework, is a very odd show that addresses none of the potential benefits, but it is a show that I love and look forward to watching more. In many ways, it is a video successor to Twisted Toyfare Theatre that Robot Chicken has never been for me. (more…)

Title: Marvel Super Hero Squad

Platform Wii (DS)

ESRB: E10+

Publisher: THQ

Developer: Blue Tongue Entertainment

Rating:

Review by: Jason King

Where the Marvel Super Hero Squad Show works well (and it never even works all that well) for children, the game fails miserably for children. And where Super Hero Squad works well for adults…well, to be honest it never works well for adults.

The premise of the video game is very similar to the premise of the show – Dr. Doom wants to recreate, from Infinity Fractals, a sword through which he can rule the world. The role of the characters – because there are never less than two characters on the screen, even in a single-player game – is to stop this from happening. The means through which the characters will stop Dr. Doom is apparently by hitting one button over and over and exploiting painfully bad AI. The main methods Dr. Doom uses to stop the characters from succeeding is a nightmarishly horrible camera and crippling lag. (more…)

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Infamous was one of 2009’s best games. Developed by Sucker Punch, it turned out to be a huge departure from their Sly Cooper series released on the PlayStation 2. The game starred Cole MacGrath as he awoke to find a crater of devastation surrounding him and new-found electricity-based powers. Now Cole is back in the sequel to last year’s game, Infamous 2. Archie got a chance to go hands-on with the game at PAX and see what new tricks Cole will have up his sleeves when the game launches sometime next year. (more…)

Title: Dead Rising: Case Zero

Platform: XBLA

Publisher: Capcom

Developer: Capcom

Rating:

Review by: Matt Peters

Since zombie survival is arguably the most popular horror genre today, it’s tempting to write off Dead Rising: Case Zero as a quick cash grab. After all, it’s published by the same company that’s brought us countless Resident Evil titles.

What differentiated the original Dead Rising from Resident Evil, however, was the sense of humor the game had about itself. The inclusion of such items as tennis rackets, a Servbot helmet and a full Mega Man costume gave some much needed hilarity to a melodramatic story.  It created one of the most enjoyable early experiences I had with my Xbox 360. (more…)

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Is it just me, or is Nintendo’s advertising getting incredibly phallic as of late? When I opened GameStop’s two-pager the other day and found the image above, I simply thought, “Hmm, odd choice in placement and decision to have the remote (w/condom) actually protruding from the banana peel,” but mostly chalked it up to my dirty mind taking me in directions Nintendo’s family-friendly focus never intended. Then I got a Nintendo newsletter email and found the below image promoting Kirby’s Epic Yarn. Even Sarah gave that one a, “Wow!” Kind of puts Nintendo’s “What would you like 93 percent bigger?” DSi XL campaign in perspective.

–Bill Jones

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