Video game review – Spider-Man: Web of Shadows
THE NEXT LEVEL
In the Activision game “Spider-Man: Web of Shadows,” gamers take the role of Spider-Man, as an army of alien goo-creatures attack New York.
The game starts with a lot of promise, as gamers are dropped into a chaotic cut scene. The paramilitary organization SHIELD is on hand, trying to shut down these symbiotic creatures, which have bonded with New Yorkers and are now wreaking havoc.
Spider-Man joins the battle, and the gamer discovers that former allies Luke Cage and Mary Jane Watson are upset with Spider-Man about his role in the incidents.
The game then flashes back to four days ago, as Spider-Man is in a battle with Venom. Venom is former Daily Bugle photographer Eddie Brock, who bonded with the alien symbiote that once bonded with Spider-Man. In the battle with Venom, some of the symbiote again bonds with Spider-Man.
During the game, Spider-Man can switch from the red suit to the black symbiote suit, where Spider-Man is stronger and more of a brawler. “Web of Shadows” allows the gamer to choose whether Spider-Man takes a more altruistic path, or a more selfish path. However, despite the game’s intimations to the contrary, it has more to do with decisions at specific points than how often the gamer uses the black suit.
Spider-Man meets with Luke Cage and stops various gang-related activities, until the symbiotes begin bonding with people and attacking the city. It’s up to Spider-Man to find an ally who can stop the invasion. Along the way, Spider-Man meets up with Black Cat, Moon Knight and Wolverine.
The battling is pretty fun, but repetitive. Most of the levels simply require the gamer to defeat a certain number of villains using a particular move. And while the story shows promise, it doesn’t have the impact of a storyline like “Ultimate Alliance.” The voice actor portraying Spider-Man is particularly whiny.
“Web of Shadows” shows some promising ideas and has some cool Spider-Man moments, but ultimately doesn’t deliver. It’s an improvement over the last few Spider-Man games, but Spider-Man games aren’t the innovations they once were.
– Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
Who is Superwoman? Guesses revealed
Tulsa writer Sterling Gates talks to Newsarama about the leading candidates to be the mysterious character Superwoman currently appearing in issues of Supergirl.
Ten suspects are run down in total — feel free to share your guesses here!
– Matt Price
New distributor policies claim another victim
The Beat reports another well-reviewed indy comic is going away as the new Diamond Comic Distributors policies take place. Sammy Harkham will end his well-regarded comic book “Crickets.”
Many are pontificating that the end of the indy comic is nigh. I do think that the probable consequence of this is more work on the web that eventually gets collected in graphic novel format.
Maybe that’s better for all involved — obviously, much of the artcomix crowd will “wait for the trade” as it is, and neither Harkham nor Kevin Huizenga, who announced the end of his “Or Else” comic earlier, have said they are quitting making comics as an art form. Diamond doesn’t have to lose money moving around small numbers of low-cost items, and retailers can wait until something builds an audience before taking a chance on ordering it. While those of us who enjoy periodical comic books are no doubt frustrated, these are the economic realities we’re faced with at this time.
– Matt Price
Comics have arrived
This week’s shipment of comics should now be available in most Oklahoma City metro-area stores.
– Matt Price
Comics are delayed
The inclement weather has delayed comics throughout the metro area. Check with your local store tomorrow, most likely.
– Matt Price
“Wolverine and X-Men” premiere a hit for Nicktoons
“Wolverine and the X-Men” was a ratings hit for Nicktoons, as the debut episode was the network’s highest-ever premiere with kids and boys. The premiere drew 436,000 viewers, up 808% from last year, according to a news release.
Full release after the break.
“Star Trek” toys seek new generation of fans
Toymakers are aiming for the next generation of “Star Trek” fans with a new line of toys based on the J.J. Abrams film. Gareb Shamus, publisher of Toy Wishes (www.toywishes.com), says director Abrams will bring a contemporary feel to a classic property.
“For this brand especially, by bringing in somebody like J.J. Abrams, who has been an amazing contemporary director-producer in this decade, with hits like ‘Alias’ and ‘Lost’ … he’s able to appeal to today’s core fan, and (the) masses, as somebody who’s … innovative and exciting in what he does,” Shamus said.
“What they want to do is introduce Star Trek to a whole new generation of kids, and also appeal to the core fans they’ve had all these years.”
The Playmates Toys’ products, coming to stores this spring, will be available in three different sizes – 3 ¾ inches, 6 inches and 12 inches. The company is also teaming with Mattel to offer “Star Trek” Barbies.
The 3 ¾ inch line is expected to retail at around $7 and feature the characters from the new film, including Kirk, Spock and McCoy.
“Especially in today’s economic times, there’s definitely a trend for all toy companies to offer less expensive price point items,” Shamus said. “There’s no question that especially with the ‘Star Trek’ line, they want to create an entry point that can get as many people interested in and excited about the toys as possible.”
The smaller line also makes it more affordable to build sets and accessories, like playsets for the Bridge and Transporter Room of the Enterprise.
“‘Star Trek’ has history that can be built upon, so that when you see it for the first time, you feel like it’s a very rich, exciting franchise,” Shamus said. “This is a great chance for them to introduce the movie to a lot of kids that haven’t been exposed to it.”
– By Matthew Price
From Wednesday’s The Oklahoman
Torchwood at NY ComicCon
”Torchwood” fans can see star Eve Myles and director Euros Lyn at the New York ComicCon. Lyn is the director of the entire third series of Torchwood, an adult-oriented spinoff of “Doctor Who.”
The BBC America program ” Torchwood” follows the adventures of the Torchwood Institute, the beyond-the-government secret organization formed by Queen Victoria that deals with supernatural and alien threats.
” Torchwood” stars John Barrowman as Capt. Jack Harkness and Myles as Gwen Cooper. NYCC con-goers will also get a sneak peek at the third series. See the full release after the break.
Obama-Conan humor from The Onion
The Onion has a piece of satire in which the Cabinet fails to understand President Obama’s metaphors based on “Savage Sword of Conan.” The second best line is this:
Later, the defense secretary attempted to find common ground with Obama by making casual references to the comic book Spawn. But the 44th president reportedly brushed him off with an abrupt laugh, saying, “no one in [his] administration likes Spawn.”
Click through to read the whole thing — the best line is the closer.
– Matt Price
Rip Kirby to be reprinted by IDW
Announced at The Beat, IDW is adding Alex Raymond’s “Rip Kirby” to its Library of American Comics series. The five-volume archival hardcover series will contain every daily from the strip’s inception in 1946 through Alex Raymond’s tragic death in 1956.
More info from the release, from the blog of Chris Ryall, editor in chief and publisher of IDW:
Rip Kirby was the first hip and cool detective in newspaper comics. Created by Alex Raymond when he was deactivated from the Marines after World War II, it was a fresh approach to the genre, a departure from the prevailing hard-boiled style of detective fiction. Rip Kirby was urbane and cerebral, and used scientific methods as often as he used his fists when solving crimes and mysteries. But there was still plenty of action — Kirby was an All-American athlete and decorated war hero.
Co-written with Ward Greene, Rip Kirby often addressed contemporary issues, including trafficking in black market babies and the attempt to limit the proliferation of atomic and biological weapons. The supporting cast was comprised of Rip’s valet and assistant, Desmond, and plenty of breathtaking women, particularly Rip’s girlfriend, Honey Dorian, and the raven-haired and aptly-named Pagan Lee. Highly conscious of the fashions of the day, Raymond brought post-war and early-50s chic and fashion to the comics page, dressing his female characters in ultra-chic clothes obviously inspired by Dior’s “New Look.”
Dave Sim has been pontificating on Alex Raymond quite a bit in his series “Glamourpuss,” and “Rip Kirby” has seemed to be one of the big remaining comic-strip reprint projects that no one had taken on. Dean Mullaney, formerly of Eclipse, and IDW have done a great job bringing classic strips to the fore, including recent reprint projects “Little Orphan Annie,” “Dick Tracy” and “Terry and the Pirates.”
– Matt Price
