Thursday Rants- One Piece: The Truth Behind Devil Fruits

Another chapter of One Piece, and it turns out that Luffy really wants the Flame-Flame Fruit.  We also got a verbal explanation of what exactly happens to a Devil Fruit user after he died- even though any hardcore One Piece fan should know already.

Anyway,  I want to talk about Devil Fruits today.  Let's do this:

Comics Reviews 3-27-2013

Sorry guys, I just got my copy of Bioshock Infinite Ultimate Songbird Edition yesterday, and I'm really into it right now.  Juggling with both works and BioShock, I forgot to read the comics this week, and I wasn't prepare for it.  However, it doesn't mean I'm not going to do a comic review this week.  I'm just going to do a short one.

Anyway, here's the cover of the week:

It's funny to see the six of them got stranded on a broken little raft.  I wonder what's going on here?  Anyway, if Franky, Sanji and Robin don't come to rescue them soon, things will be bad for our heroes.  There are 3 people here who couldn't swim at all.

Thursday Rants- One Piece: The Toy People in Dressrosa

Yeah, there's a new chapter of One Piece this week!  However, there isn't a lot to talk about in this chapter, so I decided to rant about the toy people in Dressrosa.

One Piece Figuarts Zero Chopper & Dr. Hiluluk

Bandai's Figuarts Zero is releasing Chopper & Dr. Hiluluk combo pack.  

Comics Reviews 3-20-2013

Sorry for the absent yesterday guys.  It has been a hectic week, and it's difficult for me to update regularly.  But now I'm back, and I have this week's comic reviews ready.

This week I will review comics from DC, Marvel and One Piece.  First, Cover of the week:        

A perfect cover that shows Nightwing's pain for Damian's death.  Not to mention this issue is one of the few that actually deal with Damian's death, instead of just misleading.  Onward with the reviews:

Thursday Rants- One Piece: Black Beard's Unique Body Type

There's no One Piece this week  :(  Let's hope Eiichiro Oda Sensei feels better soon. 

Well, since we don't have new chapter this week, how about let's talk about a problem we have from a while back?

In a world where each person can only eat one Devil Fruit, how did Blackbeard get 2 Devil Fruit powers?  I think the answer is hidden in his Jolly Roger.

Thursday Rants- One Piece: Who's Fujitora?

Last week's One Piece chapter 700 introduces us to a new character- Fujitora.  Apparently, Fujitora is a Marine officer strong enough for Sakazuki to trust him to take care of the Law and Luffy alliance.

Sakazuki sending Fujitora to take care of business

So who the heck is this Fujitora?  From past experiences and hints on the name, this Fujitora guy is most likely the newest Admiral.

Comics Reviews 3-06-2013

Another week of wonderful comic books!  This week I'm reviewing All-New X-Men, One Piece and The Superior Spider-Man.

Cover of the week:

All-New X-Men issue 8

An awesome cover with a sexy Black Window that steals away the attention.  Anyway, let's start away with the reviews.

One Piece Figuarts Zero Film Z Nami (8 year-old ver.) & Kuzan

Tamashii Web of Japan is accepting pre-order for Figuarts Zero figures of Nami and Kuzan (Aokiji) based on their Film Z appearances.

One Piece Portrait Of Pirates Neo-DX Red-Haired Shanks

MegaHouse is releasing a new figure for the Portrait of Pirates series!  The flagship toy for One Piece is releasing Shanks again as part of the NEO-DX line.

One Piece Super Styling: Smokers Chambers & Tashigi Chambers Set

Bandai's Super Styling is releasing a set of special, limited edition figures- Smoker Chambers & Tashigi Chambers.

One Piece Super Styling: Punk Hazard

Bandai's famous One Piece figures series- One Piece Super Styling is releasing figures based on the Punk Hazard saga this May.

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 confirmed for U.S.!!!!

Update 3-01-2013: The newest trailer for the game is out today!

This video confirms that all the previous playable characters such as Whitebeard, Ace, Hancock and Jinbe are all going to be playable again.  It also seems like Buggy the Clown, Mihawk and Crocodile are going to playable as well.  I kind of lost count of how many characters there are now, but it's safe to say that there's easily about 30 playable characters.  This totally puts the first game to shame, and we should agree to called that game a "beta" now.

The trailer also shows the game mode where all the Straw Hats are controlled by a mysterious dial.  Enjoy.

***

Update 2-19-2013: It was announced that all three Admirals and Garp are going to be playable characters as well!

This put the total confirmed playable character to 18!  It also reveals some of the new characters attacks:

There's also going to be an extra mode in the game where the Straw Hats Pirates are controlled by a mysterious Dial.  To rescue his crew members, Luffy has to team-up with some past enemies.  

***

Update 2-05-2013: The newest image for the game reveals that both Trafalgar Law and Smoker are going to be playable characters in the game as well.

This game really is a lot better than the previous game already.  I still remember how disappointed I was when I found out that the only playable characters are the  Straw Hat Crew plus Ace, Whitebeard, Jinbe and Hancock only. 

*** 

Update 1-31-2013: A new trailer for the game just got released in Japan.

A lot of information is revealed.  All the Straw Hats have new attacks, Chopper uses Monster Point, Robin uses her cone technique, Franky uses General Franky (and Franky nipple lights) and Usopp uses Pop Green.  I'm really looking forward to this game now.

The trailer also shows that Hancock, Magellan, and Mihawk are going to be in the game as well.  Jinbe is going to be in the game as well, but in his two years later outfit.  Hopefully everyone in the previous game will be in this game, and as playable characters.

*** 

Update 1-25-2013: It just confirmed that Gekko Moriah and Perona (2 years later ver.) are both going to make appearances in this game.

It is also confirmed that Perona is going to be a playable character, but Moriah is just going to be a boss so far.

There's also an image showing General Franky, and all different types of Haki plays in the game.  This is going to be epic.

***

Namco Bandai announces that One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 is coming to U.S. this summer!
Late last year, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 was announced for Japan for March 2013 for PS3 and PS Vita.  Now it's really exciting that American One Piece fans are going to get this sequel too.  However, it is unknown that if the game is going to be a digital download only, or the game is going to get the Vita counterpart as well.
For the sequel, Namco Bandai confirms that both Enel and Bartholomew Kuma are going to be playable characters alongside the nine Straw Hat Pirates.  Also, both Kuzan (Aokiji) and Blackbeard is on the game box, so they're most likely going to make an appearance as well.

I'm getting a Japanese physical copy no matter what.  And I will also get US version physically or digitally.  That's how much I love One Piece.
At the end, here's the announcement trailer.  Enjoy.

Comics Reviews 2-27-2013

Hello blog readers, due to time management, I decided to only review the comics that I really want to review.  Also, it's a way to guarantee quality reviews.  Here goes:

Batman Incorporated issue 8

So DC gone and one it- the first major death in New 52.  There was a  rumor for the longest time that Damian Wayne was going to die in The Death of The Family event, and when no one died people thought  Damian was safe.  Little do they know that he's going die a few weeks later in Batman Incorporated instead.  To be honest, I already know that Damian can't die in Death of The Family event, because Grant Morrison always says that he has things planned for Damian.  So it would be really screw-up if someone other writer killed him off instead.

This is actually not a very strong issue despite the eventful death.  The fight between our heroes and the enemies is a rushed one, and it feels like that Morrison just wants to force the story to the final confrontation between Robin and his evil clone.  The confrontation is of course, a sad and tearful one with Robin pleading his mother to stop the evil clone.  Not to overlook that the only reason Robin would die is because he tries to save the girl from being killed in the first place.  This character really comes a long from a troubled assassin boy to a kind-heart superhero.  Especially in the recent issues of both Batman Incorporated and Batman and Robin, we get to see how much he is trying, and how much he just wants his father's approval and love- something he can't get from his mother.

Let's not forget that Nightwings also shares a moment with Damian as well.  Remembering the days when Damian was the Robin to Nightwing's Batman.  It really was a time when Damian first started to grow in many readers' hearts.

From 2006-2013, we will always remember you, Damian Wayne.  And hope you make a return one day.

8/10

One Piece Chapter 700

The big 700!  With past experiences, One Piece usually has big revelation in their "hundreds" titles.  "His Own Pace" is no different than others.  While the revelation might not be as strong as past ones, this is still a superb chapter.

We learn a lot of things this chapter.  First of all, there's a freelance reporter named Absa in the series.  And from the little Easter egg in the panel, we can guess that Absa is actually Absalom.  it seems like he's finally using his fruit power to good use.

Second, the confirmation that Buggy the Clown is a Shichibukai.  Well, it's not too much a revelation to most people, because all the good One Piece fans already guessed Buggy is a Shichibukai now.  It would be a surprise if Buggy is not.  Anyway, Doflamingo's epithet is also revealed to be Ten Yasha- Sky Demon.  It's probably referred to the fact that Doflamingo can "walk" in the air.  One Shichibukai is still remain unknown, and there're rumors that Wapol will be the final Shichibukai.  While I'm not a fan at all to this theory, it would be kinda fun to see that happen.  But still, I'm not a fan at all.

Last, it's revealed that Doflamingo is in possession of Ace's Devil Fruit- The Flame-Flame Fruit.  We already know that once a Devil Fruit User died, the closet fruit next to him/her will become the Devil Fruit with the same power.  However, there's still the possibility that the Devil Fruit is synthetic.  A point I have to make clear is that I don't believe Luffy will be affected by this at all.  He will feel something at first of course, but he will not break the alliance with Law.  He's man like that.

Now Straw Hat Crew and friends arrived the next island, I can't wait to see what's in store for them next.  Can't wait for next week.

8/10

Uncanny Avengers issue 4

I'm actually very disappointed with this series.  This is the flagship title for the entire Marvel Now moments, and it can't keep itself being interesting.  While New 52's flagship Justice League is still strong as ever.  I really don't see how Marvel gets to make fun of DC at all sore loser.  

The fight between our heroes and Red Skull feels like a lazy one with too many repeated actions.  Red Skull is killing Rogue, so Havok comes out to stop him.  Now Havok is being controlled by Red Skull just to have Captain America to come out and stop him again?  The final speech Havok gives to the brain-washed civilians are lazy as well.  Shouldn't a speech like this make people feel like "yeah, thing are going to be alright."  I don't feel that at all.  All I feel is "hey, this guy is running away from his problems."

The art is getting really bad, too.  I do not like the way he draws his characters, and the little homage to Days of Future Past is just a desperate cry for me.  We all know that the next X-Men movie is based on Days, so to me this is an unnecessary way this title tries to milk the money out of it.  Next month is a brand-new story, so I will give that a try.  But if things don't pick up by then, I will stop reading this series.

5/10 

***

While I'm going to review other titles, there are some interesting things in them.  The Flash issue 17 finally shows a glimpse of Reverse Flash in the final panel.  Also, Uncanny X-Men issue 2 is setting up a big fight between the Avengers and Cyclops' X-Men.  It seems like the Avengers is getting busy with X-Men, cause they're set to appear in next week's All New X-Men as well.              

One Piece Figuarts Zero Luffy (Battle Ver.) and Hody Jones

It is announced that for Bandai's Figuarts Zero series, they're releasing One Piece's main character Monkey D. Luffy's Battle Ver. with him recreating his signature move- Gum-Gum Fire Pistol- Red Hawk.

At the same month, Bandai is also releasing another figure- Hody Jones!

It's always good to see a new character got figure treatments.  It makes sense that Luffy with his Red Hawk attack would be pair up with Hody.  Luffy first revealed this attack when facing off Hody.  Both this figures will be release in June.  A great considerations for One Piece fans out there. 

Comics Reviews 2-20-2013

I review comic books every week!  This week I review comics from DC, Marvel and Shonen Jump's One Piece .  In alphabetical order.

Action Comics issue 17

After two extra weeks of waiting, Action Comics issue 17 is finally comes out and it does not disappoint.  This issue continues to tie up loose ends in Grant Morrison's run on the series, and some confusing plots are begin to have answers.  However, while question are answered, the issue lack story progress.  It's a good touch to have the citizens of Metropolis to help out Superman, but overall the story is not enough to make this a strong issue.  It's might also be because the story was split into two issues, so all the juicy stories are in the next issue.

The strongest part of this issue is the back-up.  The back-up is a cute story between Superman and his father.  While the narration method of the story is questionable, it is still a very cute, very heartwarming story.  It's funny how Action Comics usually has stronger back-ups than the main story.  Can't wait for the epic (I hope) conclusion next week

7/10

      

Birds of Prey issue 17

Whoa, so other than the obvious, no one else notice that Black Canary is the one losing control?  It is really annoying that Strix is the only one found out about this, but she cannot talk!  To make things worst, no one notices when she writes thing down on the ground.  Come on, it's like one of those children in horror movies that no one believes.  Strix attempt to kill Black Canary is just stupid.  And Black Canary's lame excuse?  Yeah, I'm sure Strix just dropped the killer robot thingy, girl.  While I always like Superhero team stories, I can really say this is one of the dumbest, and most untrustworthy team ever.  The final panel where Black Canary has a stupid smile on her face makes me want to puke.  What's she smiling about after she looses control like that?

4/10- if this series don't pick up soon, I'm going to stop buying it.  

Green Lantern issue 17

So after the epic conclusion of Rise of the Third Army, Wrath of the First Lantern begins.  And it already deliver some promising story line.  First Lantern turns out to be a strong character with strong desire- he want the Guardians to return to their emotional-selves.  To me, it seems like DC is trying to clean up some mistakes Johns done on the Green Lantern series-  like taking away Ganthet's emotion.  Meanwhile, The First Lantern is running low on energy and he is going to steal energy from one of the active Green Lanterns.  While it seems like the First Lantern will visit Guy Gardner and Kyle Rayner in their own titles, but I doubt anything will really happen.  It's been a thing in DC these days that nothing really major happens anyway so while it's intriguing to pick up those titles, but I'm going to save my money for now.  Now that Simon Baz is stuck in the Black Ring as well, can't wait to see what's going to happen next.

8/10      

Injustice: Gods Among us issue 6

Ha ha, so it turns out that there's going to be more Injustice comics.  I really don't know why last issue has an END at the last panel then.  But it doesn't matter because I really like this series, and I'm glad there's more going.  This issue has Superman making public declare that he is not going to allow bad things to happen anymore... This issue might be as eventful as the past ones, but it's an important stepping stone to where Superman is going to become.  It gives me chills to see Superman this way.

7/10

Justice League issue 17

This issue concludes the cross-over event.  While this might not be the strongest cross-over event, it is a great story with many things comes out of it.  1). Aquaman is the king of Atlantis again.  2). Orm is arrested and dubbed Ocean Master.  3). Justice League is officially opening their ranks for new member.  4). A villain is also forming a team as well.  This is why Justice League is the flagship title of New 52- every time an event happens, something awesome always comes up of it.  This issue might not have the strongest story, but it's the final pages that make this once again another strong issue.

8.4/10

 

Justice League of  America issue 1

A long awaited, highly anticipated title.  And I'm glad to see that the wait does not go to waste.  The core concept of the series is simple- the U.S. Government wants a team of heroes that will answer to them, so they decide to group some B list heroes together whom they can easily control.  The issue might be a little slow though, since this is the first issue Johns wants to establish who's joining the team, and why they're joining the team.  While the issue might not have enough space to include why most of the heroes are joining the team, it does focus on some of the most trouble characters such as Vibe, Catwoman and Martian Manhunter.  

This is also the first introduction of Star Girl to the New 52 world.  While it not be enough of her yet for me to determine, but she seems like an interesting character.  The issue also shines some light on the Secret Society, and it seems like a war is just around the corner.  Also, the revelation at the end of the issue is a shocking one.  Does this mean that Trevor and Green Arrow are secretly working together?  We shall find out.

8.4/10      

Justice League of America's Vibe issue 1

So along with the Justice League of America, Vibe also released this week.  While Vibe was a joke character before New 52, this Vibe is actually interesting and fun to read.  In fact, I think I enjoy this title more than Justice League of America.  The origin might be a typical one, but it certainly allows me to "feel" for the character.  His vibration power is no longer limited to shock people (maybe pleasure himself?), he can also vibrate through different dimensions!  The possibility of this is just vast.  Maybe a chance for the old DC universe to return?  Nah, I'm just kidding, but I do hope DC set the new world a lot better though.  Anyway, the final panel revels that Darkseid has a daughter, and he will be back for her soon.

8.6/10 

One Piece Chapter 699

After a week of absent, One Piece is finally back!  "Morning paper" is a chapter that takes the story one giant step forward, and shakes the world of One Piece.  Doflamingo is no longer a Shichibukai, which they can never complete that magical number 7, and Law's alliance with Luffy is heard by the government.  This is a big deal because if Law is not careful, his alliance with Luffy might cause him his Shichibukai title as well.  I think most people are angry with the fact that Momonosuke gets to bath with Robin, right?  I actually don't really care cause only thing that matter to me with One Piece these days are the plots.  The chapter ends with Law giving Doflamingo another phone call, can't wait to see what's in store next.

7.8/10       

Supergirl issue 17

Whoa, I though I was reading a Wonder Woman title, and I notice the story isn't as good, so it has to be a Supergirl title.  Anyway, this issue has Wonder Woman fighting Supergirl.  While both my be equally match in strength, it was Wonder Woman's victory as she's more experience.  I'm glad that Supergirl is coming to her sense, because this entire thing with H'el is getting annoying.  Just when I was thinking about that, H'el has to come out of no where and ruins things for everyone.  I really like the Supergirl title, and I can't wait the cross-over event to be over so I can go back to enjoy this title the way it is.  

7.2/10  

The Superior Spider-Man issue 4

This is a fun issue with Doc Ock going crazy that Peter Parker is not a doctor.  It is funny how much it bothers him, and it possible that when Parker returns he might have a doctor degree waiting for him.  Massacre's return to the series is cool.  He's always been an interesting character to explore on.  While the villains of the city are afraid of the newly improved Spider-Man, only one villain can take him down and that's Green Goblin.  

8/10

Wonder Woman issue 17

This issue has Wonder Woman teams up with her former teacher- War.  While our heroes are closer to finding Zola's daughter, Wonder Woman is further away from discovering herself.  I'm kind of tired with the fact that they're under using Orion.  He is such an interesting character, but DC really needs to make him more important than he is right now.  This issue ends with Wonder Woman comes face to face with the baby's kidnapper and I can't wait to see what they've store next.

8.2/ 10

One Piece Franky Arm Cushion

I don't know what else to say about this product but I want it!  You can put them on your arms, you can use them as pillows, you can move the fingers, you can do the SUPER~! pose, and you can be FRANKY!  What more can I say but I want it!  Whoever knows where to get this product please contact me!

One Piece Logbox Wave 6 "Chapter of Growth"

MegaHouse is releasing the newest addition to the Logbox series.  Like the previous releases, it comes with six different figures, and each one comes with a hidden piece.  Once all six pieces are collected, it forms the classic scene where Jinbe is giving  blood to Luffy.  The theme for this set is everyone's improvements after their two-year training.  The scenes take place where they finished off their individual opponents in the Fish-Men Island.

The set is set to release sometime in May this year.

Franky P.O.P 2 Years Later Ver.

Update 2-07-2013: The official website just released detail photos of the figure.  Enjoy.

***

Following yesterday's news, MegaHouse also announced the newest addition to the Portrait of Pirates, Sailing Again series- Franky.  This Franky comes with many gimmicks and spare parts, so it can reenacts all the classic moments in the series.  The different heads allow Franky to show himself with different hairstyles, and the hatch on its arm allows him to store his tools.  It also comes with different weapons to fully express Franky's awesomeness.  Also, with this figure, collectors can finally complete the Straw Hat Crew P.O.Ps with their two years later appearances.  It's not sure of how much this figure is, but get ready to spend about 300 something bucks.  As of now I'm strongly considering this figure, but we shall see when time comes.