Bottalk Reviews

Mini-Series Premiere. The Rise of Cobra begins here. In a world where the Cobra organization hasn't formed, one man's sinister plans to utilize the mysterious alien substance known as Energon sends shockwaves across the globe. Who is Cobra Commander? Where does he come from? And what horrors is he planning to unleash that will rock the world-and maybe the universe-to its core? Red-Hot writer Joshua Williamson (Superman, Duke) and artist Andrea Milana (Impact Winter: Rook) kick off the second of four action-packed miniseries that will introduce the best and worst humanity has to offer in the Energon Universe. In Shops: January 17, 2024

Zzzzzzzz, uh? What’s going on? You miserable sack-about! We’re reading Void Rivals # 4 today! It’s Robert Kirkman, Lorenzo De Felici, and Matheus Lopes’ new sci-fi comic that tells the tale of two crumbling planets linked by a “Sacred Ring” (it’s not Halo), their peoples at war for generations. When a member of each culture are stranded together, the two find they must put aside their differences if they want to survive. This story takes place in the so-called “Energon Universe”, Skybound Entertainment’s new initiative to relaunch properties like Transformers and G.I. Joe within a shared universe that also happens to include the original characters and setting of Void Rivals. Last issue, our two protagonists finally made it home after escaping the Skuxxoid’s clutches, only for Solila to betray Darak and prepare to bring him to her leaders as a prisoner! Right, right… so, what happens now? As Darak lies in captivity, Solila must appeal to her planet’s ruler- the Premier Zalilak, to reco

Hit by the energy beam and slowly beginning to unravel, Sisko hears the Prophets tell him over and over he has failed. The two starship crews work together to sever the energy beam and save Sisko. Alexander wakes up and speaks to his father. The wounds received in our last issue not fatal afterall. Kahless flees from battle. Martok also wakes up, his life saved by Dr Crusher. Sela enters the scene soon after, informing him of the toxin she used and how helpful he can be to her. Later, at a victory celebration, Sisko and Worf make amends. Finally, Kahless troops receive a message from their hijacked systems... from Lore. Day of Blood is over. the finale was... one that feels at home with DS9. Sisko is saved by teamwork and the great battle with Kahless is, in the end, no real battle at all. I still feel that certain aspects of this event don't quite work. That certain characters, namely Kahless and Alexander, have been written in a way simply to get from point a to b. b

The events of Day of Blood are told from Shaxs' point of view. mainly the surface battle against the forces of Kahless, done in the art style of Lower Decks. I'm not the biggest fan of Lower Decks. As pointed out in the Strange New Worlds crossover episode, the references are very specific. The sense of humour is a bit much IMO. Despite these feelings, this was an enjoyable comic. And, in parts, more epic and fun than most of the Day of Blood crossover event. If you enjoy Lower Decks and simply want to pick up this issue and nothing else from Day of Blood, I believe you would find it an enjoyable issue that provides some backstory with Shaxs. eight out of ten.

Wolverine, unlike Benjamin Percy, is very well versed in Predator movies. A big fan! The diminutive Canadian has streamed them all on small screens, multiple times. He also clearly read all the Dark Horse comics, even the unpublished Predator: The Original Screenplay adaptation by Jeremy Barlow and Patrick Blaine. Logan knows everything about the demons who make trophies of men, even that they are called the Yautja and Marvel's favourite son is not impressed. LOL. What I did like: Old Painless makes an appearance. Kinda. Krull (1983) homage. The Predator (1987) score by Alan Silvestri was playing in my head. Predator vs Wolverine #3 will feature art by Japanese Transformers artist superstar Kei Zama! What I did not like: A big cat would stay clear from a weird 7 foot tall alien wearing fishnet and a metal codpiece. A dead Predator still holding his own weapon? AND the weapons that killed him are still stuck to him? LOL No Peter Cullen cameo! No Anna Gonsalves! No Franco Columbu med

It's Wouzit's time to shine! Who is this Wouzit? It's actually Pierre Tissot and he's just rejuvenated his fantastically delightful and famous The Great Red (Le Grand Rouge) to mesmerize a new generation of readers. This graphic novel is also a great way to practice your French. The self-taught Mr. Tissot has been honing his craft for years now. Fans have watched him bloom into a mature craftsman and this new amended/expanded/completely redrawn edition that sports thirty extra pages, shows off his improved story telling skills on every single page. Ivan Barnave, our influenceable protagonist is a scammer that prefers to paint the town red, your typical red-headed stepchild without a red cent to his name... and now, sadly, he has blood on his hands. Sentenced to death Ivan clumsily escapes his captors... but ends up stranded on a strange island. Miles away from civilization, surrounded by a fauna that is disturbing and equally dangerous, he quickly becomes lost in the i

After a fight, alternate Uhura kills alternate Chekov, despite Kirk and Uhura's best efforts to talk her out of this action. Dr McCoy gets the blood he needs from alternate Chekov to save Chekov while on the planet surface, Sulu manages to destroy the Nightbringer. Uhura allows her counterpart to escape. Overall this entire mini-series was a disappointment. It did nothing original. The alternates of Chekov and Uhura were one note. The involvement of the Romulans was good, but ultimately was little more than a simple backdrop and foil for our heroes... and villains. five out of six.

Don't look for this Marvel Masterworks that is masquerading as an Omnibus. You may not like what you find. But, all joking aside, if you are a fan of extremely lurid colours in your comics you'll be in bronze age ape heaven. The direct market edition with the Gil Kane cover has Dr. Zaius on its spine while the standard edition with the new E.M. Gist cover has a Dr. Zira spine. Pick your spine doctor wisely for your bookshelf. The scripts, not the actual movies, of Planet of the Apes (1968) and Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) are expertly adapted by Doug Moench, George Tuska and Alfredo Alcala. This means that both adaptions feature many altered, extra and cut scenes not seen on screen. Note that you will find absolutely no physical likenesses to actors. Charlton Heston (1923-2008), Robert Gunner (1931-2001), Jeff Burton (1924-1988), James Franciscus (1934-1991), Victor Buono (1938-1982) and Linda Harrison are completely unrecognizable. The Omnibus collects the complete el

Jim Zub's Conan Zombie story progresses at a snail's pace. Conan is still plagued by The Walking Dead... sorry, my mistake: The Possessed Picts. Our favorite Cimmerian and new girlfriend follow the shambling undead back to their den. They also bicker over the ownership of a stolen blade and... have intercourse. Bow chicka witless! What I did not like: Making love outside in the open, in minus zero weather with the stench of death teasing your nostrils while zombies are poking around everywhere. Absurd and hard to swallow. Zub is a Canadian, he should know better when it comes to the cold. Brissa praises Conan way too much. Our hero has a very fragile ego, apparently. Conan is excessively fearless. Shrinking away is not a crime. This comic is turning into a bad video game. The colouring is even more atrocious! Would be so much better in black-and-white. Nice Renato Casaro homage cover! But... Renato is not credited on said cover? Faux pas for sure! Alan Quah's cover reminds

Worf confronts Alexander while Sisko talks with Kahless. a Bird of Prey arrives and sends a stream of energy around Sisko, intended to kill him. but it does not. in space the crews of Defiant and Theseus deal with the ships that pursue them. meanwhile, Worf and Alexander continue their battle and when it seems Worf's words have gotten through to him, Kahless stabs Alexander in the back. Though, like Goku, one could make the argument that Worf was an absent father it seems all Alexander can do is state this fact again and again. it is his only motivation in this story and after he shouts his rage it becomes tiresome. much like this event, as this is the penultimate installment and i am ready for it to end. six out of ten.