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Astonishing X-Men #8 (2005)

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Writer: Joss Whedon Artist: John Cassaday We open with confusion. Meanwhile, it appears that a couple of hicks have somehow inadvertently activated a Sentinel beneath their barn. The X-Men aren’t sure whether they are under attack. Is Emma Frost collaborating with a potential enemy? I love how cinematic Cassaday’s take is on this material. It becomes clear that they are in danger when they realize that they have been isolated. Lockheed alerts the team to peril. What a great reveal. While sheltering from the attack in the Danger Room, Kitty and the students discover Wing's body from last issue. The Sentinel makes cryptic pronouncements as Wolverine moves in for the kill. And things get even weirder inside as the door of the Danger Room vanishes and Kitty considers phasing out to investigate the situation. Emma Frost regains consciousness and reveals the true identity of their foe. John Cassaday’s art is polished and cinematic, and Joss Whedon’s pacing keeps the issue moving with rea...
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I, the Jury (Mike Hammer #1) (1947)

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by Mickey Spillane A hard-boiled private investigator vows to avenge the murder of a friend, a decorated war veteran, relentlessly pursuing the killer with the goal of ending the perpetrator in the same painful manner that his friend died.  This is one of those books that may be more important historically than it is impressive literarily.  Mike Hammer acts as investigator, judge, jury, and executioner, and author Mickey Spillane Spillane offers no suggestion that Hammer regrets bypassing the legal system.  Mickey Spillane The book is hard-hitting, pulpy, direct, and highly readable, with short chapters, a rapid investigation, little introspection, and few digressions.  It lacks the psychological complexity and literary style of Hammett or Chandler, but it is brisk, streamlined, and compelling.  It is so hard-boiled that it sometimes feels like a parody of the genre rather than a seminal work in it.  Still, it is interesting to think about Hammer’s violence...
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Ranked: The 1970s

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A ranking of all the films released during the 1970s that have been reviewed on my blog. #48 Time to Run (1973) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2020/12/time-to-run-1973.html #47 Female Vampire (AKA Erotikill AKA Bare Breasted Countess) (1973) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2021/10/female-vampire-aka-erotikill-aka-bare.html #46 Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2025/09/terror-of-mechagodzilla-1975.htm]. #45 Frogs (1972) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2020/10/frogs-1972.html #44 Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2024/03/lupin-iii-castle-of-cagliostro-1979.html #43 Shivers (AKA They Came from Within AKA The Parasite Murders) (1975) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2021/10/shivers-aka-they-came-from-within-aka.html #42 Deep Red (1975) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2024/09/deep-red-1975.html #41 Suspiria (1977) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2020/...
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