Critical thoughts on speculative fiction & fantasy
A Jokerside Reviews site
Pop culture reviews and ratings.
In many ways, it’s the defining Batman story of the Modern Age. The shadow cast by Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns over Batman, DC Comics and comic books in general hasn’t diminished as it crosses its 40th birthday. But can an animation do it justice?
The long-fabled meeting of the two Batmen doesn’t happen in Batman of Two Worlds #1, the special one-shot to mark the Dark Knight’s special day, and that’s a good thing.
A long-brewing epic, the Knightfall saga has finally arrived in animation, taking inspiration from one of Batman’s truly epic storylines. It was the early ‘90s and, true to the decade, the glorious continuity streamlining DC Comics brought about with 1986’s Crisis on Infinite Earths had to reach a catastrophic crescendo.
Star Trek’s 60th anniversary anthology dips into the vast history of Starfleet’s finest. Trek and comic legends combine for tales stretching from the Original Series to Starfleet Academy to mark the big milestone, and as fans might expect, that means the range in tone and quality is almost as vast as the galaxy.
On Star Trek’s 60th anniversary, what could be better than watching the space saga at its finest? The fourth Star Trek film, The Voyage Home, which uncoincidentally celebrates its 40th birthday this year and is re-releasing in cinemas this month, is perhaps the franchise’s perfect mix of concept, action, humour, message, and humanity.
Supergirl, the second film of the DCU, is all about setting pieces in place with a simple tale of revenge ravaged by grief, heart, belonging and a whole load of dystopian (true) grit.
Star Wars returns to the big screen for the first time in seven years with a spin-off from the popular Disney+ series The Mandalorian. Can Grogu Force-sieze his crown as the new leader of the franchise?
Superheroes are losing their superpowers across the United States. A powerful dark trinity has emerged with a devastating plot. Could Amanda Waller be about to achieve her ultimate goal? Absolute Power sets up a new era for DC Comics.
Another solid story that revels in the show’s flexibility and heightened existence in a world of gods. Despite a weaker resolution than it deserved, the mechanism of the story and the sharpness of the concept shine through.Â
‘Lucky Day’ is another exploration of what it is to be Doctor Who the series, and continues this year’s theme of deconstructing its narrative elements. On the way, there’s a broken companion, a misguided UNIT, a furious Doctor and an uncomfortably good villain.
Fans should relish this spell of Doctor Who. It feels like the production deal that allowed the show to work well ahead of time, and the return of Russell T. Davies is finally paying dividends. Tonally different from its immediate preceding episodes, ‘The Well’ is an immaculately well-made slice of scary Who.
Lux continues Series 15’s strong start with a confident format-breaking story that has a lot to say about grief, belief and Doctor Who itself. Get ready to cry at yourself, fans.
Multiple mysteries and a challenging companion round out Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor in the Series 15 opener. timey wimeyness! Giant robots! Rebel Alliances! Jilted boyfriends! It’s ‘The Robot Revolution’.
We’re tripping the dark fantastic with the Time Lord Victorious. Here’s our first dip into the arc with *a few mild spoilers*
Eric Roberts headlines as everyone’s favourite action-zombie Master in Big Finish’s well-punctuated box set.
A new age of Multi-Doctor stories is upon us. We take a look at the first of Big Finish’s Tenth Doctor temporal mash-ups. Mild spoilers ahead.
The final days of Peter Capaldi and Steven Moffat have arrived. In their last finale, could one of the most promising writers and one of the Doctors with the most potential pull out something special from a… Old West stand-off? Spoilers here on in…
The final days of Peter Capaldi, the Twelfth Doctor and Steven Moffat have arrived. Could they possibly pull it out of the bag? Spoilers here on in…
Could this be Mark Gatiss’ last ever Doctor Who story? Should one of the series’ inordinately prolific writers have his Who career tombed up, toned back or reanimated? Spoilers ensure…
Could this be Mark Gatiss’ last ever Doctor Who story? Should one of the series’ inordinately prolific writers have his Who career tombed up, toned back or reanimated? Spoilers ensure…
The longest storyline of Series 10 grinds to a psychically boosted end. How can the Monks be defeated? Spoilers ensure…
The Monk trilogy is in full swing, and a familiar edifice has appeared out of nowhere. So, is one of the last great invasions of the Moffat era more pyramid teabag or riddling sphinx?
The Moffat masterplan returns for possibly its last hurrah, or does it..?
To space, a base in space. Under siege. A base under siege. In space…
Back to London for the third episode of Series 10, as the Bill’s grand entrance continues. Can writer Sarah Dollard’s second stab at the Time Lord do justice to the oh-so neglected Regency period? the Thames is frosted, and there’s a beast below…
Doctor Who | Series 10 | Episode: 4 | 'Knock Knock' | Duration: 50 minutes | Writer: Mike Bartlett | Director: Bill Anderson | Starring: Peter Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, David Suchet, Mariah Gale, Mandeep Dhillon, Colin Ryan, Ben Presley, Alice Hewkin, Bart Suavek Bill's...
Ah, that second episode slot of New Series Doctor Who — it’s been a patchy one. We’re still in new companion mode as we head to this series happy place — Smile, the first time in six years the second story hasn’t had Steven Moffat’s name on the writing credits…
Time Lord, it feels good to write that title! 10.1. After 12 years the new, rebooted Doctor Who has made it to 10 series. And of course, as sure as the show combines fire and ice, there’s sorrow hitching a ride with that joy.