Geek of Oz

Since everyone seemed to enjoy last year's write-up , here's my (admittedly belated) take on the 10 best things you should've read in 2017! If you did check any of these out, give yourself a cookie. Please keep in mind, due to work/family/travel/getting married/having a honeymoon/sleeping where possible over the past year, there are a number of great books and comics I didn't get a chance to check out; this list is spun off from the fruits of my 2017 Goodreads labours only. Please don't hate me for not including The Language of Thorns  or Secret Empire.  (but really, is that last one going to make anyone's lists for anything  celebratory?) --- 10. Slugfest: Inside the Epic, 50-Year Battle between Marvel and DC Though it lacks in flair at times, Reed Tucker delivers an insightful and rigorously researched look at the animosity between the Big Two of superhero comics. The historical narratives Tucker pens are fascinating, though the work occasionally...

Episode 58! Stu and Billy are back this week to discuss Justice League . Justice League is the 5th installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), and follows on from the events of Batman v Superman. The film is directed by Zack Snyder ( 300, Man of Steel, Batman v Superman ) and written by Chris Terrio ( Argo, Batman v Superman ) and Joss Whedon ( Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron ). Fueled by their restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman's selfless act, Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince unite new allies to face an even greater threat. The team consisting of Barry Allen, Arthur Curry, and Victor Stone must face the catastrophic threat of Steppenwolf and his army of Parademons, who are on the hunt for three Mother Boxes on Earth, while the world reflects on Superman's death. Despite this formation of an unprecedented league of heroes -- Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and the Flash -- it may be too late to save the ...

HOLY NEW PODCAST GEEK OF OZ FANS! That's right, we are back with a new episode this week discussing Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice. Joining Stu and I this week is friend of the show (and Stu's Nemesis), Tim Kwok! Spoiler Warning in Advance as we go in depth to discuss the film. Also a profanity warning as well as the discussion got very heated and emotive. As always it would make our day if you could take a couple of minutes to rate and reviews us on iTunes or drop us some feedback below! Really keen to have your input in the show. Enjoy! -Billy                                       Get it from Podomatic  here                                             Get it from Itunes  here

Photo by What a Big Camera Cosplay is such a wide and varied hobby that attracts people from all walks of life. One of my personal favourite things about it is the community aspect of the subculture. In my experience, cosplayers can be some of the most welcoming, supportive, and knowledgeable people you’ll ever meet. When I discuss the community of cosplay it’s hard for me not to think of Justin Acharacter . Justin is a Sydney based cosplayer, actor, and prop maker. Not only is he highly respected in the Australian cosplay scene for his dedication to craftsmanship and performance, but he's also a fantastic community role model thanks to his enthusiasm to teach others, his involvement in charity work and his good natured and welcoming approach to cosplay. Photo by E Photography My first memory of Justin is back in the very early days of my cosplay endeavours. I wasn’t as aware of it at the time as I am now, but my craftsmanship was not excellent. I wasn’t a confide...

Man of Steel has made a ridiculous amount of money proving that the superhero boom has still got a hell of a lot of steam left in it with Zack Snyder returning to write and direct an as yet unnamed film featuring both Superman and Batman, the world's finest. While this information may already be all over the internet following San Diego Comic Con, Warner Bros have only just released their official press release which outlines the production team and other related details.

Based on Geoff Johns' and Gary Frank's "Brainiac" story arc from Action Comics #886-870, Superman Unbound is perfectly timed to take advantage of the runaway freight train that is Zack Snyder's Man of Steel.  The 16th film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies, Superman Unbound offers a look at Superman that is sadly missed in many an adaptation. What Unbound manages to do in 70 short minutes, is show just how much Superman's adopted home means to him. This human element is what makes Superman not only relatable but also interesting. Without such a focus, he can often come across as being quite vanilla. With no real threat to his safety, it is his attachment to the things and people around him that gives importance to his exploits.

Comic book movies are a money making machine nowadays and DC/Warner Bros latest incarnation of everyone's favourite Kryptonian is no different. With an estimated budget of USD $225 million, the film has already surpassed $400 million worldwide but does financial success a quality movie make? Man of Steel is the great hope for DC and Warner Bros to cash in on the superhero craze and hopefully make enough coin to finally float that Justice League film that we've heard so much whispering about. However as a character, Superman is a surprisingly hard sell. Even when talking to my wife she said "Superman is boring. He's never really going to be in danger so where's the story in that?". Frankly, this statement is genius. The highest hurdle over which this super-alien needs to leap is giving the audience a sense of impending doom or at least some semblance of threat but instead falls short and leaves us with what is essentially a disaster movie in a cape. ...

Scott Snyder is certainly hot property at the moment. With his run on Batman wowing fanboys and critics alike, it's not surprising that he's become one of the most sought after commodities in the comic book world. Put the words "written by Scott Snyder" on just about any project and it's almost guaranteed to be a commercial success. Throw in the artistic talents of the venerable Jim Lee and you know you are in for something special. Enter Superman Unchained: what could be seen from a cynical light as DC's desperate attempt to return Superman to his former glory. And who better to do it than Scott Snyder and Jim Lee, right? Well, yes and no.

DC Universe Animated Original Movies are fantastic. This may sound like blanket statement and frankly, it is. Sure some of their movies have been better than others but overall they make a bloody good film! The latest of which is SUPERMAN: UNBOUND. Based on Geoff Johns' Superman: Brainiac, UNBOUND pits the Man of Steel against an all but unstoppable force. Follow on after the jump for more details, a look at the trailer and the low down on the awesome special features on the Blu Ray release!

For quite a while now, I've been banging on about how excited I was about the impending release of Injustice: Gods Among Us. Well, the wait is over. Released but days ago, I finally got my hands on this bad boy and one thing's certain, this is one ridiculously fun game. Ridiculous is a particularly apt word to use. After all, we're talking about a game in which you take on the godly powers of some of DC's best known heroes and villains. Powers that can see you literally punching your opponent to the centre of the earth. Sure, I'm still salivating over the awesome looking Collectors Edition, complete with Batman vs Wonder Woman statuette, but the stand alone PS3 ain't none too shabby either.

Injustice: Gods Among Us is only weeks away and the air is thick with anticipation. Add to the the pending GRAND FINAL of the Injustice Battle Arena and you have a DC smack down of epic proportions. Follow on after the jump for the semi-final matches with Batman vs The Flash and Superman vs Green Lantern PLUS some super good news regarding the impending release of the Injustice playable demo! Also, check back TOMORROW for a SUPER giveaway thanks to the good people at Warner Bros!

Hot on the heels of the highly acclaimed Warner Bros series Arrow, comes the announcement that the titular characters likeness (that of Stephen Amell) will be an unlockable skin. Also highlighted is last weeks announcement that Doomsday will be a playable character, opening up the option for an epic showdown between Superman and his killer. Also this week the quarter finals saw Superman battle Green Arrow which, unless we're talking a one armed Oliver Queen from book 4 of Dark Knight Returns, he's got no hope! Regardless, check out all of the Battle Arena videos for this week. The semi-finals are looking epic! Follow on after the jump for more information and the official press release.

On the same day that Tom Taylor's first issue of the comic book tie-in is release, we can confirm the release date of Netherealm's latest foray into the world of spine punching madness, Injustice: Gods Among Us. Also confirmed were the collectors edition bundles that will grace the shelves of JB Hi-Fi and EB Games stores here in Australia.

Warners have made some massive headway in terms of furthering the DC brand both on the screen and in terms of video games. Not only has ARROW premiered to become one of the highest rating shows on CW but news at hand states that Warner's have managed to secure the rights to use the Man of Steel in a rumoured Justice League film! So, without further ado, we present you with a behind the scenes look at the upcoming Injustice: Gods Among Us , a fighting game like no other from the people behind the absolute classic, Mortal Kombat.

The latest in the DC Universe's string of animated feature films is Justice League: Doom which is inspired by the Mark Waid penned JLA: Tower of Babel from JLA #43-46. There are a number of differences between the book and the film but none that detract from the story, the core story remains and delivers the best DC Universe Animated Film yet. "The Justice League consists of Earth’s finest super heroes and protectors of humanity. But in the mind of the Dark Knight, it contains potentially the most dangerous people on the planet. Over time, Batman has compiled top-secret contingency plans should any of them go rogue. When these files are stolen by a rising group of super villains, the Justice League embarks on a collision course that will test the very fabric of its alliance. With a stellar voice cast headed by Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly and Nathan Fillion, this thrilling DC Universe Animated Original adventure will challenge what you know about the Justice League as well as rede...

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths is the seventh in the "DC Universe Original Animated Movie" series. It sees the usual JLA crew of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and Martian Manhunter travel to a parallel Earth in order to help out an alternate Lex Luthor. The latest in the DCU:OAM is by far the best of a good bunch. The film is somewhat loosely based on "Crisis on Earth Three" from Justice League of America #29–30 published in 1964 and Grant Morrison's JLA: Earth 2. The story begins on a parallel world in which Lex Luthor and The Joker, alternatively named The Jester, are heroic figures on the run from the "Crime Syndicate". The Syndicate are a Bizarro version of the Justice League led by Ultraman (Brian Bloom), an evil doppelganger of Superman. Lex makes his way to the DCU to plead with the JLA to assist in removing the Crime Syndicate from their position of power as overlords on his home world. I won't go anymore into the st...