Monthly Archives: May 2012

May 18 2012

Red Hood and the Outlaws 9


Today, Patrick and Peter are discussing Red Hood and the Outlaws 9 originally released May 16th, 2012. This issue is part of the Night of the Owls crossover event. Click here for complete NotO coverage. Not caught up on Red Hood and the Outlaws? No problem! Get up to speed with our video Cram Session.

Patrick: Being that the Retcon Punchers and obsessive-nerd-completionists, we feel the need to know as much as we can about a subject. The Night of the Owls presents an interesting challenge to us – and to many comic readers: what do you read and what do you ignore? I suppose it’s a question we all face every day, and it applies to a far broader band than “what comic books should I read?” We decide which foods we eat, which concerts we attend, which causes we champion, which people we befriend. There’s literally no way to shake the nagging feeling that (no matter what choices we’re making) we’re missing something. This is compounded by the all-too-frequent experience of discovering something that you had previously blown off is really good. That has been my experience with Red Hood and the Outlaws. Continue reading →

May 18 2012

Wonder Woman 9

Today, Shelby and Drew are discussing Wonder Woman 9, originally released May 16th, 2012.

Shelby: I love weddings. I love Greek mythology. I love comic books. I think I even love Brian Azzarello. Wonder Woman 9 has all of these things: therefore, I love it.

Continue reading →

May 17 2012

Cram Session: Catwoman 1-8

It can be hard to keep up with all the comics you love. But it’s damn near impossible to keep up with all the comics you’re interested in.

Retcon Punch got you covered.

Sometimes Selina Kyle is a compelling anti-hero. But mostly, she’s a petty thief who doesn’t know when to quit. Between her inability to stop stealing and repeated poor judgement calls in her relationships, it might be hard to find Catwoman sympathetic… luckily, you don’t have to! Just watch our three-and-a-half minute video and you’ll know everything you need to know about issues 1-8.

May 17 2012

Batwoman 9

Today, Drew and Shelby are discussing Batwoman 9, originally released May 16th 2012.

Drew: Last month, I was pretty hard on Batwoman. The gambit of dividing the story into six discrete narratives necessarily forces the plot to only be advanced incrementally in each. That, I’m fine with, but when every story hit the emotional doldrums simultaneously, the result is an issue that strains to justify its existence. This month, writers J.H. Williams and W. Haden Blackman find the emotional through-line issue 8 was lacking, crafting a meaningful rumination on the nature of loyalty. Continue reading →

May 17 2012

Nightwing 9

Today, Peter and Patrick are discussing Nightwing 9, originally released May 16th, 2012. This issue is part of the Night of the Owls crossover event. Click here for complete NotO coverage.

Peter: Excepting the main Batman title, Nightwing has been involved in the Night of the Owls more than any other book. Dick Grayson plays a huge role in the story, which has been incredibly compelling and just down right cool. Dick’s large role gives a deeper understanding and widens to scope of this event. Which is why it’s safe to say I love this book, and so should you.
Continue reading →

May 16 2012

The Vault – Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year Edition

The Retcon Punchers spend an awful lot of time looking for ways to celebrate our nerdy obsessions. This means a lot of time sunk into scouring Etsy, Deviant Art, Think Geek or whatever. Sometimes we see things so great we just have to share them… and then clutch them fiercely to our collective chest. Throw it in The Vault.

Website: Amazon

Who Would Love This: People who haven’t played Arkham City yet because they were too busy with Skyrim, videogamers everywhere

Price: $50

The Batman ‘Arkham’ games have been some of the best superhero videogames I have ever played, bar none. Arkham Asylum was really good. Arkham City is FANTASTIC. If, for whatever reason you haven’t played this game yet, this Game of the Year Edition is totally worth every penny. Not only does it cost the same as the game did new, it comes with everything, and more. The included Catwoman story, while not required to beat the game adds another element to the main story to the point where you would be missing out without it. The GoY Edition also includes the Robin and Nightwing DLC, which has additional challenge maps and you get to plays as your favorite Boy Wonders. Also, for extra fun, you get the Batman Skins pack which lets you change Batman’s costume. Most fun is the Batman Beyond costume, which has no cape, but retractable wings. Continue reading →

May 16 2012

Op-Ed: In Defense of “In Defense of Pickiness”

Retcon Punch begins the long journey up its own assLast week, I wrote an Op-Ed inspired by a twitter conversation I’d had with a complete stranger about Detective Comics 8. That conversation ranged into some interesting topics including taking risks in art and how best to support comics as an industry. I disagreed with many of the arguments that twitterer had presented, so I took the opportunity to present my response in that piece. I was hoping presenting my ideas clearly and civilly would be a way to continue the conversation, both with that twitterer, my fellow Retcon Punchers, and our other readers. Needless to say, I was very excited to hear that twitterer’s thoughts on the piece, so I tweeted him the link:

last month’s twitter conversation about #DetectiveComics still has me thinking, so I wrote an Op-Ed on it: wp.me/p2a7lL-xD

Continue reading →

May 16 2012

Cram Session: Birds of Prey 1-8

It can be hard to keep up with all the comics you love. But it’s damn near impossible to keep up with all the comics you’re interested in.

Retcon Punch got you covered.

Black Canary throws together a team of Gotham City badasses and takes on a villain that can either control your brain or BLOW IT UP. Plus, the introduction of one of our favorite new New 52 characters: Starling. Birds is a great, heartfelt read, but if you just want to jump in for the Night of the Owls, check out our recap of issues 1-8 below.

May 15 2012

The Vault – Wonder Woman Heels

The Retcon Punchers spend an awful lot of time looking for ways to celebrate our nerdy obsessions. This means a lot of time sunk into scouring Etsy, Deviant Art, Think Geek or whatever. Sometimes we see things so great we just have to share them… and then clutch them fiercely to our collective chest. Throw it in The Vault.

Website: Etsy

Who Would Love This: Women (and men, I suppose) who love high heels and Wonder Woman, a super narcissistic version of Wonder Woman

Price: $125

I have to apologize to the guys here at Retcon Punch. Firstly, because I’ve been a little Wonder Woman-crazy lately, and secondly, because I have chosen an item for the Vault that probably appeals only to me. I can’t help it, though, because these shoes are the shit. I had seen these floating around the internet, but when my good pal Heath sent me a link, I knew I had to talk about them. I love these. I would love to wear these around town. I would love to pair them with a simple little black dress, so that nothing else I’m wearing can distract from how awesome these shoes are. They are pricey, which is unfortunate, but they are hand-made to order, so it’s understandable. Sadly, the Etsy seller is currently on vacation, so if you have to have these, you’re just going to have to cool your heels (ha!) until June 1 when she gets back.

May 15 2012

Cram Session: Red Hood and the Outlaws 1-8

It can be hard to keep up with all the comics you love. But it’s damn near impossible to keep up with all the comics you’re interested in.

Retcon Punch got you covered.

You may have dismissed Red Hood and the Outlaws as an overly violent pubescent sexual fantasy. But that assessment is too limited. Write Scott Lobdell mines a surprising amount of pathos from Jason Todd’s past. The characters are also really exciting and funny – Jason, Roy and Kori are essentially the Dukes of Hazard of the DC Universe. And artist Kenneth Rocafort delivers excellent, innovative layouts on literally every page. Look, it’s fun, that’s what I’m saying. We’ve got a video recap right here so you can jump right in to their Night of the Owls adventure!