Review of BATMAN JUDGE DREDD graphic novels

THE BATMAN/JUDGE DREDD FILES

Writers: Alan Grant/John Wagner

Art: Simon Bisley/Carl Critchlow/Dermot Power/Glen Fabry/Jim Murray/Jason Brashill

Collects vol 1-3 of the Batman/Judge Dredd books. You won't find too many other books as beautifully illustrated as this one. Neither character has looked much better than they do in this trilogy of stories that take place in both Gotham and Mega City One (courtesy of a trans-dimensional device) that all tie in together as Batman and Dredd join forces to fight criminals, monsters and cyborgs with a few inevitable clashes of personality along the way.

Review of BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD animated movie

BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD animated movie

From WARNER BROS. ANIMATION

Written by Judd Winnick

Directed by Brandon Vietti

Starring the voice talent of Bruce Greenwood, Jensen Ackles, John Dimaggio, Jason Isaacs and Wade Williams.

Review by Stewart Loud

It's a terrible thing when sidekicks lose the plot and start murdering lots of people but the silver lining on this particular occasion is that Warner Brothers released this blindingly good animated feature. Oh well, swings and roundabouts. Re-telling the story from DC's Batman comics of how Jason Todd, the second Robin, became the Red Hood after he was murdered by the Joker, this cartoon is everything a feature length Batman movie should be and a shit load better than the live action Dark Knight film, but don't get me started on that. “Lets not do that again.” What the hell broke your fall? The pissing ground?!

JENNIFER BLOOD by GARTH ENNIS review

JENNIFER BLOOD #1-3

Writer: Garth Ennis

Art: Adriano Batista and Marcos Marz

Published by Dynamite Entertainment

Review by Stewart Loud

Do you lament the absence of Garth Ennis' unique writing talents from the pages of The Punisher? Do you like gritty, realistic, violent crime/vengeance stories? Do you maybe just have a strange urge to see what the Punisher might be like if he were a woman who was married with two kids and living in a nice house in a quiet suburban neighbourhood? If you answered yes to any or all of the above questions then start reading Jennifer Blood!

ULTIMATE AVENGERS vs NEW ULTIMATES #1-6 review

ULTIMATE AVENGERS vs NEW ULTIMATES (DEATH OF SPIDER-MAN) #1-6

Writer: Mark Millar

Art: Lenil Yu

Published by Marvel Comics

Also available in collected edition paperback from Panini UK LTD

Review by Stewart Loud

Someone's been feeding the covert Avengers team and the Ultimates misinformation to turn them against each other and it results in one hell of a tear up! In the midst of all this confusion, someone puts a bullet in Spider-man and can you guess who pulls the trigger?

ULTIMATE AVENGERS 3 #1-6 review

ULTIMATE AVENGERS 3: BLADE vs THE AVENGERS #1-6

Writer: Mark Miller

Art: Steve Dillon

Published by Marvel Comics

Also available in collected edition paperback from Panini UK LTD

Review by Stewart Loud

All the vampires in the world have decided to get together in one massive bunch along with a few freshly bitten super heroes and go and batter Nick Fury and all of his Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D. mates at the Triscellion. Looks like Blade's the only guy who can save them all from being eaten or turned into vampires but no bastard will listen to him!

ELEPHANTMEN WAR TOYS Volume 1: NO SURRENDER review

ELEPHANTMEN WAR TOYS Vol 1: No Surrender

Collects Elephantmen War Toys #1-3

Writer: Richard Starkings

Art: Moritat

From Image Comics

Review by Stewart Loud

War Toys is a prequel to the on-going Elephantmen series set in the year 2239 during the war between China and Africa as they fight over what's left of Europe after it was devastated by a disease that reduced its population to mere thousands. If there's one thing I enjoy reading about, it's post-apocalyptic future war and chances are you'll enjoy this one too.

A look at PUNISHER #1 (2011 new ongoing series)

PUNISHER #1 (2011)

Writer: Greg Rucka

Art: Marco Checchetto

Article written by Stewart Loud

The new Punisher ongoing series written by Greg Rucka is finally here and #1 really is a very good looking book indeed. The comic opens with a shockingly violent, messy gunfight at a wedding reception resulting in a massacre and is followed by what looks like it could shape up to be every bit as good as Rick Remender and Garth Ennis' runs before it. Welcome back to the 616, Frank. It's been too long. And you seem to be sporting a hair do a bit more like mine as well!