Damian: Son of Batman Deluxe Edition
by Andy Kubert, Grand Morrison
Publisher: DC Comics
Pub. Date: July 22, 2014
ISBN: 978-1401246426
Pages: 176
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Arriving in comic book stores this Tuesday, July 22, 2014 is the hardback Damian: Son of Batman Deluxe Edition, featuring Issues #1-4 of Damian: Son of Batman and Batman #666.

In the DC Comic Universe, Batman had a son, Damian, with Talia al Ghu. At the young age of ten, Damian took on the identity of Robin, fighting side-by-side with his father and later becoming Redbird, until his death by the hands of the Heretic.

Damian returned last year in the"what if" 4-issue storyline, Damian: Son of Batman, which Damian takes up Dick Grayson's mantel as the Batman in a potential future after Batman dies. Unlike the old Batman, Damian will kill criminals if needed, despite the fact that this upsets his elderly father, Bruce Wayne. Damian decides it is best that he goes by the Batman code and not kill anyone, but his anger always gets the better of him.

In Batman #666, Damien is now adult taking over his father's legacy as the Batman, but he uses more violent approach to stopping criminals, which has upsets Commissioner Barbra Gordon, who condemns Batman's actions. In this version, Damien sold his soul to the Devil in exchange to receive the immortality he needs to protect Gotham.

While last year's Star Trek: Into Darkness was a box-office success, for most fans the film was a complete misfire with dozens of inconsistencies and plotholes, especially when a British actor, Benedict Cumberbatch, took on the role of Khan Noonien Singh.

I have to admit that I did see the film in theaters last year, but besides from a few entertaining action scenes, the movie was downright stupid thanks to a horrible script and a halfwit finale. That being said, I still have fondness for the franchise, as I grow up watching The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, which is the main reason why I gave the graphic novel Star Trek: Khan a try.

The opening takes place towards the end of Star Trek Into Darkness with Khan Noonien Singh standing trial for his crimes. This is where Khan tells his origin story during the Eugenics Wars, his time aboard Botany Bay and of course the events that lead him into the new Trek timeline. 

The X-Files: Conspiracy
by John Stanisci
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Pub. Date: July 15, 2014
ISBN: 978-1613778968
Pages: 152
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

I grew up watching FBI Agents Mulder and Scully investigating the strange and the bizarre on Friday night and then later on Sunday nights over the course of nine seasons. I even watched the short-lived spinoff, The Lone Gunmen and the two X-Files feature films. The franchise seemed to be dead until the official 10th season comic book series arrived last year, picking up where the 2nd feature film left off.

Despite dying in the final season of The X-Files, it is explained in the comic book series that The Lone Gunmen (Byers, Fronhike and Langly) faked their deaths and they are continuing their work to expose conspiracies.

In The X-Files: Conspiracy, The Lone Gunmen are sent internet files from the future, where they learn that a deadly virus will wipe out humanity. Of course the trio turn to Agents Mulder and Scully to help them, but while they are investigating one lead, it is up to the Gunmen to investigate several urban legends that might be the cause of the upcoming outbreak.

This is a crossover with other IDW Publishing titles, so these urban legends involve the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Ghostbusters, the Transformers and the Crow. Between being chased in the sewers by mutants, being scared to death by a ghost and confronting alien-changing robots, the Gunmen have their work cut out for them.

Injustice: Gods Among Us Vol. 2
by Tom Taylor, Mark S. Miller Tom Derenick, Bruno Redondo
Publisher: DC Comics
Pub. Date: July 1, 2014

ISBN: 978-1401246013
Pages: 224
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Do recall the old Mortal Combat games where you battle it out against another warrior? Well, the creators of Mortal Combat took that idea and created the video game Injustice: Gods Among Us, set in the DC Universe. In January 2013, a weekly digital comic book prequel was released, shortly followed by print versions of the issues.

Injustice: Gods Among Us Vol. 2 contains issues 7-12 and the Injustice: Gods Among US Annual #1. The overall plot details Lex Luther becoming the Justice League's new ally, pulling their strings to create his own alternate universe. A world where Lois Lane is dead and Superman takes vengeance into his own hands by killing the Joker. 

Superheroes pick sides -you are either good or evil! Green Arrow, Black Canary, Huntress, Captain Atom, and Catwoman choose to follow Batman. While Wonder Woman, the Flash, Cyborg, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Shazam, and Robin are teaming up with Superman with the idea that lives have to be lost to restore justice to the world. 

The Last Bride
Home to Hickory Hollow, book 5
by Beverly Lewis
Publisher: Bethany House
Pub. Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-0764211980
Pages: 336
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Once again, I have read another Amish fiction title, but this time it is by the author who gave birth to the genre, Bethany Lewis. I believe this is the final installment in the Home to Hickory Hollow series that started with The Fiddler, The Bridesmaid, The Guardian and The Secret Keeper.

The Last Bride centers on Tessie Miller, one of the five daughters from her Old Order parents. She is in love with Marcus King, but like Romeo and Juliet, they are denied to have a relationship. Her older sister, Mandy, advices her to leave things alone and obey her father's wishes, even though her sister is in a loveless arranged marriage.

Unknowingly to their family and friends, Tessie and Marcus travel to the English world and enlope, but instead of running away to live together as man and wife, they return home to Hickory Hollow and try to hide their marriage from everyone.

After a tragedy occurs, the true reason behind her father's disapproval is finally revealed. Tessie must have faith in the Lord and understanding of the true meaning of "grace," so she is able to survive.

While most middle-graders were joining sports teams, school marching band and other activities, I had my nose in a book during the 90s. I would keep a couple of paperbacks stored in my desk and when any free time came available, I would grab the book and read like there was no tomorrow. Of course I read the Goosebumps series during this era, but my favorite books were under the Point Horror brand. Such authors as R.L. Stine, Diane Ho, Christopher Pike, Caroline B. Cooney and Richie Tankerlsey Cusick wrote horror titles involving teenage characters in these books.

I can't pinpoint one favorite book from this genre, as there too many of them, but Teacher's Pet by Richie Tankersley Cusick is in top of my lists. I appreciate Open Road Integrated Media for releasing it to an eBook format for a new generation to read.

Originally published in November 1990, Teacher's Pet centers on an aspiring teenage horror author, Kate. Her teacher, Miss Bunceton, signs her up to attend a writing writer's conference camp, which one of the classes is being taught by her idol - horror author, William Drewe. To her disappointment, when she arrives she learns that William Drewe hardly ever attends his own classes, but instead sends his brother, Gideon, in his place.

If you grew up during the 80s and the 90s, then you probably remember the popular children book series The Baby-Sitters Club from author Ann. M. Martin. The books were so popular that a short-lived television series aired on HBO in 1990, a feature-film version in 1995 and several spinoff book series. One of the series was titled California Diaries and is now available to purchase on Kindle.

American Dad Vol. 9
Voice Cast: Seth MacFarlane, Wendy Schaal, Scott Grimes, Rachael MacFarlane, Dee Bradley Baker
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Retail: $29.95
ASIN: B00LFW6BA0
Running Time: 418 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Available to own through Amazon's manufactured on demand service (MOD) is the outrageous adult animation series American Dad Vol. 9, featuring all 19 episodes from the ninth season.

Created by Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker, and Matt Weitzman, the series centers on the CIA Agent Stan Smith (voiced by MacFarlane). When he isn't assassinating a terrorist for his boss, the Deputy Director Avery Bullock (voiced by Patrick Stewart), he tries to have a normal life with his blonde blondeshell wife Francine (voiced by Wendy Schaal), his hippie daughter Hayley (voiced by Rachael MacFarlane), his stonier son-in-law Jeff Fischer (voiced by Jeff Fischer) and his dorky son Steve Smith (voiced by Scott Grimes). Then there is also the alien named Roger living in his attic and the talking goldfish, Klaus Heissler.

Season Nine kicks off with Roger kidnapping Hayley and Stan trying to sell his black SUV. Hayley and Jeff's marriage has hit rock-bottom, especially when Jeff is abducted by aliens. Klaus Heissler steals Stan's body. Francine's childhood catches up with her in "National Treasure 4: Baby Franny:She's Doing Well The Hole Story." Steve continues his dorky life, while Roger goes even zanier.

The episodes on the 3-disc set are: