Avengers: Age of Ultron: The Non-Spoiler Review

Now showing in international territories and bringing back the hype generated by having recognizable heroes in one superhero film, Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron is pretty much the culmination of efforts that Marvel Studios and Disney have put all their resources into to bring Earth's Mightiest Heroes together once more. It's a film built on the foundation of a strong Marvel Cinematic Universe that has continues to grow and expand with each passing year and movie released, and it is also the final movie in "Phase 2" of the studios plans to bring an EPIC payoff that will ultimately show itself with "Phase 3" and the already announced two-part Avengers sequels in "Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 and Part 2".

But here we are getting ahead of ourselves and not tackling the sequel at hand: the follow-up to the 2012 superhero blockbuster film that united heroes like Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and the Hulk together, and it's given the team a new threat that hits closer to home than any of them could have expected in the form of Ultron - an Artificial Intelligence program that was created by Tony Stark to be a peacekeeping tool for humanity, but tragically becomes warped and sets its sights on wiping humans from the face of the Earth.

Since this post will not delve into spoiler territory, the review will be short, streamlined, and sweet.

In a nutshell, Avengers: Age of Ultron is a DAMN GOOD sequel. Everything that fans wanted for a follow-up is here, with a film that gives more action, special effects, and teamwork than what the first film could provide. The mainstays in Cap, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye return, and are joined by new faces in the form of Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and the android known as The Vision. Other special guest stars and familiar faces also appear in the movie that should give longtime Marvel Cinematic Universe viewers and comic fans a sight for sore eyes, and this film does a good job of bridging story elements and bringing things together full circle. Fight scenes are pretty much EVERYWHERE, and while the destruction and explosions take a page too much from Transformers and Michael Bay, there are moments that make it shine like the practical fights and the Hulk vs Hulkbuster as teased in the numerous trailers seen. Finally, Ultron as voiced by James Spader delivers his intended threat and goal with sinister detail. He's not exactly in the same level as Tom Hiddleston's Loki from the first film, but it's still creepy to see a villain who's not only a symbolic dark reflection of Iron Man and his friends, but also a representation of tampering with stuff you're not supposed to be messing around with, and becoming the living consequence of it as a result.

After watching it twice, I'd say this film delivers a SOLID. It's a bang up way of reuniting the entire roster of heroes we've come to know and love through the MCU, and expand their adventure into something that will certainly make fans new and old happy. This is director Joss Whedon's last hurrah before turning the reigns over to Captain America: The Winter Soldier directors The Russo Brothers, and I can honestly say his tenure was wrapped up nicely. I'm also happy that Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye gets a BETTER ROLE in the sequel, so that's a PLUS for Clint Barton fans.

Avengers: Age of Ultron is now open in international territories, and will arrive in the US on May 1.

Iron Man 3: The Non-Spoiler Review

Officially opening in international theaters yesterday and ushering in Phase 2 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe early for some countries like The Philippines, Iron Man 3 opened and brought Robert Downey Jr. back into the superhero summer blockbuster fold as Tony Stark/ Iron Man. After the significant impact and repercussions felt from last year's superhero team-up movie success that was The Avengers, how can the brilliant yet eccentric hero hope to cope with the new experiences and insight he's gained from that adventure? This is what that movie talks about, as well as continuing the exploits of the armored avenger as he faces a new threat that tests his limits to the very core.

With the movie coming out in US theaters on May 3rd, this review will be careful to dodge SPOILERS, and stick to simple truths and facts of what you can expect from the film as another installment in an already multi-billion earning franchise. If you haven't seen any of the films by Marvel Studios or what makes up the Marvel Cinematic Universe for that matter, do a little back tracking first before watching this movie. Iron Man 3 takes the route back to Tony's world, and it's a whole new ballgame for Mr. Stark to learn and overcome.

I've seen it twice on Opening day in the RP in 2D and 3D, so for the sake of audiences who have yet to see it, I'll keep this review short and SPOILER FREE... with another "more detailed" review to come when May 4 hits.

Review: The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 1: "Seed"

Premiering last night at AMC, the fantastic television series that is The Walking Dead returns for another season of gore and survival. Reuniting the surviving cast members after what went down at the previous season's finale, Rick Grimes and his group venture forth in search of a safe haven in Season 3. The Pilot episode, aptly titled "Seed", holds many meanings in what lies in store for our heroes... And the dangers that lurk ahead because of the undead apocalypse and more. With the new season on the rise, it's time to "Fight The Dead" and "Fear The Living" as the slogan of the series implies.

SPOILER ALERT for this review, so read at your own risk!

Mini-Review: "Arrow" Pilot

Those looking for a reason to get on board Warner Bros. newest TV series "Arrow" can rest easy... It's DAMN GOOD so far as the Pilot episode is concerned! Following in the footsteps of Superman in "Smallville", this is latest superhero to get the small screen adaptation. If you needed a little insight on things, here's a mini-review for the first episode, which brings this heroic Battling Bowman to primetime television.

Comic Book Review: DC The New 52 #1

Technically this isn't a "comic book" per se, but with all the hype and buzz building up, plus the fact that it has a #1 numbering attached to it, I have every reason to believe that DC Comics may start producing a series of "preview books" each month that are similar to the competition (i.e Marvel Previews). So without further ado, let's begin the review proper.

Since the big announcement last month that they were going to revamp the universe and relaunch majority of their books, DC Comics has earned both the ire and admiration of its entire fanbase. After over 70 years of publishing comics and characters that have remained mostly true and unchanged in structure, the publisher (under the direction of co-publishers Dan Didio and Jim Lee) has decided to give a complete makeover to their titles and heroes, paving the way for a bold and new direction which they have dubbed "The New 52".

Movie Review: Transformers: Dark of the Moon

When the first Transformers film was released in 2007, I was flabbergasted and ranting ravely like a kid again, amazed at the prospect that one of the cartoons/ toy franchises I grew up with finally made the leap into the big screen. It wasn't a perfect adaptation of course, but the initial concept remained the same, and apparently Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg delivered on their promise to make the "Robots in Disguise" a kick ass movie and spawn it into a lucrative franchise. However, when 2009's Revenge of the Fallen came along, it was met with mixed to almost downright negative reactions from critics and audiences alike, which is understandable considering the presence of eyesore characters and a plot that was clustered around like crazy. Simply put, the movie universe wasn't exactly cut from the same cloth as Generation 1, but it fared well enough in the box office to make millions of dollars in ticket sales, coming to the point that another sequel would be made, and it would be Bay's last foray in the franchise.

When it was first announced, Transformers: Dark of the Moon certainly sounded like a strange way to name a movie (why not "Dark Side of the Moon"?), but after watching the final product, it all makes sense why it was given the title. Without going much into spoilers this early, I can say that the third "Bayformers" was aptly named, and lives up to the director's promise that it will be a lot "darker" than his previous two outings with the Autobots and Decepticons. After the jump, take note that it will be SPOILERVILLE from here on out, so if you plan to watch the movie with a clean conscience, come back and read this review after you've seen it.

Movie Review: Green Lantern

After honoring an oath of silence and seeing advanced screenings of film twice in two distinguished premieres earlier this week, words can be said about DC Comics and Warner Bros. latest superhero movie, Green Lantern. Being a fan of the character and comics myself, my initial reactions to the film adaptation of one of the world's most beloved comic book heroes can now be told, and it will certainly be a very detailed and biased review. SPOILERS are here obviously, so if you're looking to shy away from them, best turn away now. Otherwise, step into the world of green energy and harness as much willpower as you can to read through my analysis of this new hero flick and get an idea of just who the man with the power ring is. Thanks again goes to Warner Bros. PH for the movie screenings!

"In Brightest Day. In Blackest Night.

No Evil Shall Escape My Sight.

Let Those Who Worship Evil's Might...

Beware My Power... Green Lantern's Light!"

- The Green Lantern Oath

Movie Reviews: Kung Fu Panda 2

Wow, this is the first serious movie review post I'm actually doing in months. Try as I might, I could never really find a good reason to properly review the previous movie I watched in theaters; that being Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Everything about that film just left me utterly disappointed, and while Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) did try to use his charismatic charms to win over audiences, it paled in comparison to the previous Pirate films, especially in terms of story cohesion and action. All things considered, I really felt the movie was forced and dragged on too much before we got anything decent to enjoy about it. This sequel had little to no redeeming qualities to it, and it surprises me why it HAD to be made at all. Not all sequels are bad, but this one takes the cake for "most disappointing" I've seen so far this year.

On the other hand, Kung Fu Panda 2 shines out like a diamond, and Jack Black and his ensemble cast of costars do more than make this fantastic sequel. They made this a fantastic sequel of AWESOMENESS!

Movie: Kung Fu Panda 2

Starring: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jacky Chan, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Seth Rogen, Michelle Yeoh, James Hong

Directed By: Jennifer Yuh Nelson

Certainly another instant classic for the caravan of people looking for some well-rounded family movie goodness, Kung Fu Panda 2 is definitely a must see for fans of the first film and newbies who have yet to experience the "Skadoosh" that Po the Panda (Jack Black) and his mighty Kung Fu friends share in the big screen. The sequel explores more of the fat Dragon Warrior's origins, and introduces him to a new threat in the form of Lord Shen (voiced by Gary Oldman), a the heir peacock prince of China who was cast out from his home due to an unforgivable incident that ties directly to Po's past. When Shen returns and wrecks havoc in the Valley of Peace and Gongmen City, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) sends Po and the Furious Five to the rescue, only for Po to freeze at certain instances when he recognizes a symbol belonging to Lord Shen that causes his repressed memories to surface. Confused and determined to find out the truth about his past, Po joins the Five in a race to save the capital, as Lord Shen holds a mysterious powerful weapon that could spell the end of Kung Fu.

Kung Fu Panda 2 Theatrical Trailer

Without giving away too much, all I can say is it's been a damn good wait to see this movie and I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it. Back in 2008, Kung Fu Panda blew me away with its dynamic 3D animation and superbly written story that it was hard not to count it as one of my favorite movies for that year (next to Iron Man, Tropic Thunder, and The Dark Knight). This sequel proves no different in expectations, and delivers much more excitement, intensity, and hilarious moments from the cast at hand. Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jacky Chan, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen, David Cross, Michelle Yeoh, and James Hong return to their respective roles in the movie, and they shine out as completely as they did before (especially Jolie's rle as Master Tigress, who gets more screen time as Po's closest confidant in the Five). Gary Oldman plays the role of villain once more as Lord Shen, and given how audacious and intimidating he can be on those types of roles, I wouldn't expect anything less but perfection from him, and he deliver alright. It was also a surprise to see Jean-Claude Van Damme among the line up for this movie, as he lends his voice to Master Croc of the Kung Fu Council. This all star power adds credence to what is already a fantastically animated film, and while majority of it is in 3D, there are stellar 2D animated sequences to that highlight Po's past with beauty. Oh, and the writing is simply cohesive and brilliant. Never have I felt laughter, sadness, and kung pow fury roll into an animated film so smoothly as this. I am impressed, DreamWorks Animation!

With all that said and needed to be said, Kung Fu Panda 2 is certainly the family-oriented animated treat kids and adults alike deserve and definitely need to see. I may get repetitious with my praising for this sequel, but I was highly impressed by the production values and time given to make this movie as awesome if not better than the first. Another sequel will certainly be in line after this, and I can't see why the studio wouldn't allow it either. Awesomeness is here, and the Panda and his posse deliver!

Rating - 5/5

Movie Review: Thor

The age of summer blockbuster movies for the year 2011 is finally here, and it starts off neatly with the release of a much anticipated comic book movie that most fans of Marvel Comics have been waiting for - "Thor". Yes, the God of Thunder's live action movie adaptation is finally ready to hit cinemas in the next few days, and I was fortunate enough to get invited to an advanced 3D screening of the movie, which literally blew my socks off my shoes thanks to the ENORMOUS IMAX screen and huge glasses everyone in attendance had to wear as we gazed on Asgard in all its mighty glory. Before getting on with the review proper, I will be considerate enough to point out that SPOILERS will fill the remainder of this post, so turn away now if you want to remain oblivious and a virgin for your own viewing pleasure. Thanks again goes to Solar UIP and SM Cinema for bringing this premiere to us! With that, here's the review!

Movie: Thor

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Kat Dennings, Stellan Skarsgård, Anthony Hopkins, Rene Russo

Directed By: Kenneth Branagh

First and foremost, Thor is not your average superhero film. Unlike Iron Man, he was born a God and raised to become one of the finest warriors that defend the legendary city of Asgard and the Nine Realms, which includes our own planet Earth. Unfortunately, his destiny as a great warrior is tested when an attack on his kingdom provokes him to retaliate, causing great unrest and the proposition of war reigniting with their hated enemies, the Frost Giants. As a result of his carelessness, Thor's King and Father Odin is forced to banish his son to Earth as consequence for his actions and to teach him a lesson in humility. Stranded, the former God of Thunder learns firsthand what it means to be powerless, and as he takes in his new surroundings, he comes to learn the true meaning of humility when he befriends and nurtures a pivotal relationship with a mortal girl scientist named Jane Foster. Meanwhile, Thor's brother Loki discovers a hidden secret about his past, and sets into motion plans that will secure his own future as the new king of Asgard, but will jeopardize all the realms in the process. With both worlds in danger because of his brother's actions, Thor must reclaim his power once more to make things right and redeem himself worthy of being a true hero and warrior.

Thor Update: First review via IGN makes it online

This may be considered a SPOILER to some, but IGN has posted up an early review of "Thor". Reviewed by Jim Vejvoda, read this article at your own risk if you want a first hand opinion at Marvel's first superhero blockbuster film hitting this year. The movie hits international theaters on April 29 and a\in US Theaters the following week on May 6, so it's literally just a few more days wait until the God of Thunder brings the hammer down in cinemas! Read at your own risk via this link!

Movie Review: Sucker Punch

It's hard to imagine that I finally got to watch this, but now that the curtain has been drawn and I have seen the premiere, I can officially sum up Warner Bros. latest action flick offering, Sucker Punch, in only a handful of words - Intense. Nauseating. Wild. Fun. Fanservice. That's just a poultry selection of what a chum like me can say after walking out of the film in one piece, and believe me, there's a lot going for this crazy chick action flick that's directed by Zack Snyder, the guy who gave us the Dawn of the Dead remake, 300, and Watchmen. Before I get into my review proper, let me just warn all of those peeps out there prone to seizures - there's TONS of flashy lights and shaky camera work that'll either leave you mesmerized or barfing away, so be on the safe side and heed the warning I give you today.

Movie: Sucker Punch

Starring: Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, and Jamie Chung

Directed By: Zack Snyder

Sucker Punch is ambitious; Possibly one of the most ambitious films I have ever seen to date in my history of movie watching. There's a ton of references, both sub contextual and intentional, that will make the average viewer giddy or annoyed, depending on their stand towards various pop culture genres like Anime, Comic Book stories, Video Games and Movies. The film clearly is an amalgamation of these three, and it happens to be Zack Snyder's latest offering on the Hollywood plate; An original one at that that takes his style of film making and meshes it with a bizarre storyline that can be perceived as both senseless fun or visual artistry. Set in a 1950's styled era, the movie focuses on a young girl named Baby Doll, who is sent to a mental institution by her cruel and manipulative stepfather. Losing everyone she loved to tragedy, Baby is forced to rely on her imagination, which carries her away from the pain and into a world she can manipulate and move freely in. After befriending some fellow inmates and meeting an old man inside her dream who has shown her a way to get out, Baby and her new friends must channel their minds and act within the boundaries of reality and fantasy in order to set themselves free.

Video Game Review: Marvel Vs Capcom 3: Fate Of Two Worlds

After much teasing, planning, and a long wait to endure... Marvel Vs Capcom 3: Fate Of Two Worlds FINALLY arrives in consoles the world over for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 entertainment systems. After 11 years since Marvel Vs Capcom 2 hit arcades and caused a stir, a true sequel has finally been released, and people are definitely playing this one and talking about it. The question however stirring in everyone's mind now though is "Did it meet expectations"? Well, the short answer is a resounding "YES", but we'll get into that a little bit later. I bought the PS3 Collector's Edition version of this game yesterday, and I'm enjoying everything as I write this review. Do take a moment to simmer down, relax, and read this article as cautiously as possible. I've been a fighting game player for most of my life, and what I say in this review serves up only to my opinions regarding the game's performance based on my expectations, nothing more, nothing less. With that, let's take things for a ride and get the show on the road!

Movie Review: The Green Hornet

Honestly, I wasn't expecting the film adaptation of "The Green Hornet" to be any good. In fact, with such a history of diversity and experimentation the franchise has had over several mediums over the years, it's hard to keep track of what truly was the definite "background story" to follow based on the character's initial origins. As a kid, I grew up watching the 60's TV series starring Van Williams as The Green Hornet. It aired parallel to the Adam West and Burt Ward starring Batman Live Action series, and the show also featured a then unknown Bruce Lee displaying his martial arts prowess as the Hornet's sidekick, Kato. In Hong Kong, The Green Hornet was better known as "The Kato Show", and Lee's actions in the series added justification to why the show's name was changed in that territory, foreshadowing his inevitable rise to fame as an action movie star. After one season, the show faded into limbo, and what was once a straight superhero franchise slowly took off from the radar...

Movie: The Green Hornet

Starring: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Christoph Waltz, Cameron Diaz

Directed By: Michel Grondry

Movie Review: The Fighter

Movie: The Fighter

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams

Directed By: David O. Russell

Before I dig into the hype and nostalgia that goes with TRON: Legacy, I'd like to distance myself first and talk about the other movie around the corner... the one that's bound to be the "underdog hit" of 2010. I say this not because a lot of people are talking about it; I say it because I literally enjoyed the heck out of this movie, and it wasn't just the action and presentation. Oh no, David O. Russell's "The Fighter" was a dramatic tale that was both brilliant and satisfying, based on a true story that follows two brothers' sworn dedication to boxing and the ring that takes them on an unprecedented journey of courage, sacrifice, and determination to overcome all odds and emerge victorious in the end. Naturally, it is that kind of setting that you see in every dramatization of a story inspired by real life events, but this one has heart and emotion all over it - the kind that is well meaning and supplemented by brilliant acting courtesy of A-List talent that cannot be underestimated by the audience.

Comic Book Review: Batman: The Return #1

It's a great week for Bat fans, and I say this without any exaggeration in mind. A new beginning has dawned over the saga of The Dark Knight, and it involves escalating his war against crime by taking it to a new level. As witnessed at the end of Batman and Robin #16, Batman will take his fight worldwide, and he's going to expand his reach by recruiting some of the best and brightest to become Batmen of their respective countries.

If that concept doesn't sound enticing enough, then blame writer Grant Morrison for it. He's the brains behind the Caped Crusader's adventures ever since he introduced his biological son, Damian Wayne, into mainstream DC continuity, and so far that idea has been embraced and accepted by fans worldwide. As I've said many times before, if there's one thing to be said about the Scotsman, it's his tenacity to make the unexpected WORK and inevitably PAYOFF by the end, and he's pretty much accomplished what he set forth to do when he wrangled Bruce Wayne through time and brought him back to the present day. Now that the original Dark Knight is back, the focus can now shift to his spotlight, which now has room for more than his lone shadow apparently.


Batman : The Return #1
Written By: Grant Morrison
Illustrated By: David Finch
Cover By: David Finch

Comic Book Review: Batman and Robin #16

I'll come into this review with a simple reaction to the issue itself -WOAH!

By all accounts, Grant Morrison has fashioned quite the reputation for himself as writer and plot master behind all things Batman these past few years. He's put Bruce Wayne's alter ego through the ringer, stacked him with insurmountable odds to face, and orchestrated a journey through time that brings him full circle with his origins and being. If that sounds like a bunch of confusing hokey-pokey, then I don't blame you, it's a long story to follow. However, the payoff has been sweet, and there have been drastic changes to the Bat universe that most fans have embraced and accepted over time. The book I'm reviewing here, Batman and Robin, is the primary title of said change "Batman: Reborn", which showcases the adventures of a new Dynamic Duo protecting Gotham, namely the pairing of Wayne's first ward Dick Grayson and his biological son Damian. The series has run for 16 issues so far, and with the final one written by Morrison in place this week, Grant has once again brought something unexpected to the table, through what many people have summed up as a "game changer". I promise not to mention any reveals or spoilers... that's what the internet is for if you're impatient, haha.

Batman and Robin #16

Written By: Grant MorrisonIllustrated By: Cameron Stewart and Frazer Irving

Cover By: Frank Quitely

Video Game Review: Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode I

Sonic The Hedgehog is one of the characters in games I grew up loving and admiring, thanks in part to the simple side-scrolling gameplay and "Mario like" mechanics that accompanied his brash yet charming appearance in the games. Add to the fact that there were cartoons and comics starring the furry blue creature, and you have one hell of an iconic mascot for SEGA that continued to run in the forefront well until the gaming company decided to switch gears and cease console production, becoming a third part game developer instead. It was around that transition period that Sonic started to lose steam in the new adventures he starred in. The fanbase he garnered in the 2D games slowly whittled down in numbers, as his 3D adventures did little to bring back the "Sonic Flava" fans loved and adored through the 16-bit Genesis/ Mega Drive days. Fans desperately wanted a good Sonic game again, and it appears SEGA may have finally heard our cries, as the blue hedgehog returns with old school gameplay intact in his new and 4th official adventure!

Video Game Review: Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow

Castlevania... That word alone evokes pleasant and frustrating memories from my videogame childhood that I dare not get into lest I provoke a lengthy nostalgic discussion. No, I come before you now to review the latest chapter in the saga that has redefined gaming time and again, and this time, the adventure sets itself up with ambitious goals via the power of next gen technology. That's right, the new game, Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow, is a new 3D adventure that departs from the traditional and establishes a new direction for the series. Does it falter, or does it manage to prove itself worthy of the mantle?

Movie Review: Resident Evil: Afterlife

As a longtime follower of the Bio Hazard/ Resident Evil series, I wasn't the biggest fan of Paul W.S Anderson's movie adaptations. Right from the start of the first movie, the plot strayed away greatly from what was established by the games, instead giving moviegoer folks a shoddy "Hollywood treatment" of the game that was more survival action than survival horror. Yes, I didn't think of it as a true Resident Evil movie, and I'm still waiting for the day Capcom will actually commission a true adaptation to made.


Resident Evil: Afterlife Trailer

However, I must point out that despite all its inconsistencies and discrepancies, the universe Paul W.S Anderson has crafted for his vision of Resident Evil has remained remarkably consistent with each and every sequel chugged out in the market. His wife, actress Milla Jovovich, has remained the central figure throughout the movies, and although it's an original character put together for the movie, she does interact with the primary figures headlining the games, such as the Redfield siblings, Jill Valentine, and even main antagonist Albert Wesker. Their characterizations in the film universe are barely similar to their video game counterparts though, and I won't go into details on how they differ. All that I can say is that they're pretty unique for the movies, so they can be considered "alternate universe" counterparts to the ones fans know and love in the games, and that even includes the zombies and monstrosities created by the Umbrella Corporation, who continue to be pests and targets for a bullet regardless.

Comic Book Review: Batman #702

More than a month after I last touched on Batman, the second and last part of the chapter that explains the gap between Batman R.I.P and Final Crisis is finally here! What lies in store for Bruce Wayne before he finds himself displaced in time? Plenty, and every reason for me to give this short but sweet review of this latest issue of Batman, which is a must read again for fans who have resigned themselves to everything and anything about the Dark Knight under writer Grant Morrison's watch.

Batman #702
Written By: Grant Morrison
Illustrated By: Tony Daniels

The second and final part of "The Missing Chapter" picks up right where things left off - Batman investigating the death of the New God Orion and reporting his findings to Superman and the rest of his Justice League teammates. As I mentioned in the previous issue's review, things won't be immediately accessible to the average reader here. Keep in mind that the narrative follows the flow of the events chronicled in 2008's "Final Crisis", so it may be confusing to anyone jumping in and reading the story as is. Even before touching this book, I'd strongly recommend reading that miniseries first, and/or R.I.P for that matter just to get an inkling of what is going on. Morrison already assumes that the readers here are those who have already familiarized themselves with his run on both books, so this is just the clincher to fill in any other pieces missing in the puzzle. That said, this tale now proceeds with explaining just what happened to Batman before meeting his ultimate fate with destiny at the hands of Darkseid. What could be a fate worse than death? Well, this explains just what that is, and without giving away spoilers, it certainly feels a lot more burdening than the Dark Knight is accustomed to. His thoughts, feelings, and last moments before and after "Omega Day" are conveyed spectacularly by Morrison, and it's already a given the writer knows what he's doing with his material since it's just a matter of laying out the cards and explaining the interim period between his two crossovers.

I'll admit, I was very reserved with how he treated Batman during that time, but the fruits of his labor proved effective in the end when he introduced the new status quo reflected under the Batman: Reborn banner. Fans loved the changes, and so did I, but we all knew Bruce Wayne would return someday, and that's currently happening as we speak. Right now, questions surrounding his disappearance have been answered. The matter of appreciating how it went down, however, is left to the reader entirely, and in my own opinion, things went smoothly alright... at least where the entire event is concerned. Magic, time travel, and all that stuff not really associated with Batman have been the most frustrating things to gradually take in and accept, and Morrison's writing does take time to digest and appreciate. At least he's clear on his intent on the direction he wants to bring Bruce in. All we'll have to see is how that journey ends... and begins again once Batman Inc. comes into play come November. Also, art by Tony Daniels is still top notch as ever. I've come to appreciate the guy's pencils more and more as he chugs out his works for the caped crusader's exploits, and his tenure as writer isn't bad either. He and Morrison make a great pair though, and heavy writing plus inspiring artwork make for an awesome comic book package.

Now that it's gone and done, the two-part tale that brings Bruce Wayne back to the spotlight in the main Bat-book is over. Next month will see Dick Grayson back in the saddle, returning back to the present and preparing for the return of Mr. Wayne himself in a few months time. This issue didn't really blow my mind away after reading it the first time, but it certainly explained and supplemented to me material that compliments "The Return Of Bruce Wayne" storyline, leaving me anticipating his return and the impact that comeback will have on the future of the Bat-family. In all fairness, The Missing Chapter is a must read tale for fans who have followed Morrison's run on Batman, so pick this up if you are of that circle. I certainly am and did just that.

Rating - 9/10