LOVE
& ROCKETS: NEW STORIES No. 1
Los Bros Hernandez return with the third iteration of their legendary
comic book, and while it’s a kick to see Jaime doing superhero
stories, I still can’t shake the feeling that the long-peaked
Gilbert is making his shit up as he’s drawing it. I’ll
wait for Xaime’s collected editions.
WATCHMEN
An acolyte of the
source material, I loved this faithful deconstructionist superhero
flick, even preferring the movie’s altered climax to the comic’s.
But WATCHMEN relies on a dense, hyper-specific
frame of reference to fully appreciate its style and substance.
If you’re not the slightest bit geek, I’d skip it.
WATCHMEN
Music from the Motion Picture
Alan Moore did much of the movie’s music supervision when
he wrote the comic, as some of the songs on this collection were
quoted therein. Some creaky classics (Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel)
sparkle with fresh context and Nina Simone’s “Pirate
Jenny” alone makes this worth buying for Watchnerds.
TRUST
ME
This contemporary MAD MEN is entertaining, but
Tom Cavanagh’s hyperactive man-child shtick can be grating
and it is impossible to believe that Eric McCormack’s nervous,
clueless Mason could even keep his job, let alone be promoted to
creative director. Ultimately as realistic as an Axe Body Spray
ad.
BAT-MANGA!
THE SECRET HISTORY OF BATMAN IN JAPAN
Just when you think there’s nothing old that’s new in
the Batcave, along comes this amazing sampling of rare, original
Japanese Batman comics from the 1960s, beautifully designed (of
course) and enhanced by awesome and often bizarre images of toys
and art from the era when Batmania reigned even overseas.
FORGETTING
SARAH MARSHALL
Intermittently bits of hilarity (“Boosheet, boosheet, boosheet!”)
and refreshingly complex characters (Russell Brand! Who knew?) can’t
quite overcome another utterly predictable plotline in this rom-com
from the Apatow factory. Jason Segel is cuddly as the schlubby hero,
but Paul Rudd steals the show (as usual) as a wasted surf instructor.
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