Reviews – Church of the Geek

Brian and Sam enter the Dreaming to discuss the first five episodes of the Netflix show Sandman, based on the comic written by Neil Gaiman. Setting the tale in a dream world gives Gaiman a great deal of freedom in writing. We discuss Gaiman’s brand of storytelling in relation to other Christian writers as well as the Bible, and also the value of being able to write your story into the story of Christ. We also discuss some parallels between Morpheus’ story and Jesus’. Plus, Brian’s garden is formidable, Sam finds Cain and Abel charming, and yes Morpheus is based a little bit on The Cure’s Robert Smith.

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Hello this is Sam with Church of the Geek, reviewing X-Men #12, “Controlled Demolition”.

Story by Gerry Duggan, art by Pepe Larraz and Marte Gracia, and letters by VC’s Clayton Cowles

Remember way back in House of X #1 where Magneto said “you have new gods now”? Turns out he meant it.

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Brian and Sam discuss Thor: Love & Thunder along with the hefty theological question of where is God in the face of suffering? While Love and Thunder is distinctly a comedy, it still touches on the deep topics of theodicy, suffering and meaning – though it’s less than perfect. We discuss the distinctions between the film and Jason Aaron’s source comic run, how we answer questions about suffering, and how we struggle with faith when those answers aren’t forthcoming or acceptable. Plus, we sing a little They Might Be Giants.

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Theme song by @RickRackYouTube

Review by: Samuel Blair

Hello and welcome to this episode of Church of the Geek: Off the Shelf, our periodic review of new comics. Today I’m reviewing New Mutants #25, “Best Laid Plans…”, written by Vita Ayala, art by Rod Reis and Jan Duursema, color by Ruth Redmond and lettering by Travis Lanham.

Illyana Rasputin has been through some things, but then again so has Madelyne Prior. Madelyne, if you remember, is the clone of Jean Grey created by Mr Sinister who just happened to come life as the real Jean died on the moon and tried to take over the world as the demonic Goblin Queen of Limbo. Illyana, also known by the name Magik, later was tied to the realm of Limbo as its reluctant ruler after the defeat of Madelyne. There is a whole lot more to the history of these two, but as hard as I tried to distill their complicated timelines into a few sentences I found I just couldn’t do it. Suffice it to say that both have seen some tremendous trauma in their lives, including kidnapping, abandonment, betrayal and death, never mind the whole “regent of hell” part.

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Brian and Sam discuss Dr. Strange 2 and places we have to reckon with notions of heroes and villains. We have an interesting discussion about the grounds of our moral choices, and how even heroes have things they need to repent of. Brian especially is interested in the perspective of virtue ethics versus consequentialist ethics in Dr Strange’s choice to use the Darkhold to stop Wanda, and Sam draws a parallel to the current problems in the Southern Baptist Convention.

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Step by Bloody Step #1-3
Story by Si Spurrier, art by Matias Bergara and Matheus Lopes

Reviewed by Samuel Blair

Step By Bloody Step is a challenge. It’s not only a challenge to read, it’s a challenge to the comics world overall. This wordless drama is a real masterpiece, leaving you often in the same emotional space as the female protagonist: confused, awestruck and ever curious.

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Tag: Reviews

Helm, Ruby and Sand: We Discuss Netflix’ Sandman episodes 1-5

Off The Shelf: X-Men #12, “Controlled Demolition”

Thor: Love and Thunder

Off The Shelf: New Mutants #25, “Best Laid Plans…”

Dr Strange and the Multiverse of Madness: What Makes a Villain?

Off The Shelf: Sam reviews Step By Bloody Step