Geek Culture Reviews

Rob reviews Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle #1... The Warhammer 40,000 Universe is quite an untapped source when it comes to comic books. Whilst there have been some forms of a Warhammer comic throughout the years, none of them has stood the test of time - or lasted long within the bloated comic book market. This time around things looks to be different as Marvel partners with Games Workshop to bring a tale of the Adepta Sororitas aka The Sisters of Battle to comic pages.  Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle tells the story of the planet Siscia that's in the midst of open rebellion against its Imperial masters. Hoping to quell this dissent before it spreads to the rest of the planetary system, a small group of Battle Sisters from the Orders Militant have been given the task. The Sisters soon face enormous odds as the Imperial's greatest enemy - the forces of Chaos - seem to be pulling the rebellions strings from deep below the planet's surface. 

Previewing Star Wars: The High Republic #9... “A NEW STORY BEGINS THIS ISSUE – THE SHADOW OF THE NIHIL! Following the terrible events of The Rising Storm, the villainous NIHIL are in retreat, hunted by THE JEDI. WAYSEEKER KNIGHT ORLA JARENI is attacked by a lone Nihil Stormship in deep space, a Stormship commanded by one of the Jedi’s own. Which of STARLIGHT BEACON’S number have joined the Nihil Horde? And how far will they turn from the Light?” Star Wars: The High Republic #9 is heading to stores this Wednesday 1st September, 2021.  Can't wait? Then check out the official preview pages below...

Rob reviews Aliens: Fireteam Elite on Xbox Series X... When it comes to video games the Alien/s franchise is more miss than hit. Where titles like Alien Isolation are a rare breed of being "quite good", there's also the terrible Aliens: Colonial Marines. With Aliens: Fireteam Elite developer Cold Iron Studios  has   attempted to bring something new to the franchise whilst also trying to remain faithful to the series' roots. It's an action-packed, frenzied third-person co-op shooter that's certainly more Colonial Marines than Isolation . But is it any good?  Aliens: Fireteam Elite  is best described as a mix between Gears of War and Left 4 Dead - two very different - yet phenomenal video games. Its swarm-based gameplay has hints of both games as you'll be defending choke points, and sprinting from cover to cover. It's certainly different to what we've seen before however, it has a very middle of the road feel to everything - even on th

Rob reviews Extreme Carnage: Riot #1... Marvel are back this week with part 5 of the Extreme Carnage summer event. This time around we're reintroduced to Riot as the Symbiote heeds the call of Carnage. Meanwhile Flash and Andi prepare themselves for their inevitable clash with Carnage.  Considering this chapter is about Riot, the Symbiote doesn't feature that much. What we do get is more insight into Senator Krane/Carnage and some bonding between Flash and Andi. The opening with the Senator is both a great way to remind us that he's still a threat (as much as Carnage) and that he's seemingly onto Flash man on the inside - Hank. It's also this suspicion that introduces us to Riot...and what an introduction!  Much like previous issues, Carnage uses the "void" to persuade Riot to take his seat at the table. This then causes quite a brutal bus journey as Riot attempts to find a new suitable host. Meanwhile back at Alchemax HQ Flash atte

Previewing Magic #6... ' How does the ancient past hold the key to the future of the entire Multiverse? Ral, Vraska, and Kaya have finally tracked down the being that can help them unravel the true nature of the threat they face – Jaya Ballard, one of the oldest living, and most experienced, Planeswalkers in existence. And the key to understanding lies in Jaya’s origins during the Age of Ice in Dominaria… and a threat that was neutralized but never truly eliminated.’  Magic #6 is heading to stores on 1st September, 2021. Can't wait? Then check out the official preview pages below...

Rob reviews Space Invaders Invincible Collection on Nintendo Switch... When the original Space Invaders burst onto the scene back in 1978 it took the arcade world by storm. Becoming an instant commercial success Space Invaders has gone on to be known as the highest-grossing video game of all time, and has been widely accepted as being the catalyst for the "golden age of the Arcade".  The Space Invaders Invincible Collection is a gatheting of the very best titles from the series' past. This collection takes you from 1978 to 2018 through ten titles that make up the definitive Space Invaders experience. It's a great nostalgic trip as you'll not only see the evolution of this gaming great, it'll also bring back plenty of memories.  The Space Invaders Invincible Collection includes:  Space Invaders (1978, Arcade) – b/w Space Invaders (1978, Arcade) – colour Space Invaders Part II (1979, Arcade) Lunar Rescue (1979, Arcade) Space Cyclone (1980, Arca

Previewing Dark Blood #2... BOOM! Studios' Dark Blood #2 heads to stores this week, and we've got a first look at what to expect.  ' Does even the kindness of strangers come with a cost? Avery has adjusted to his post-WWII life in Alabama, but when an altercation with some local boys leaves him hurt, an unlikely bystander steps in. And while Carlisle, a white university doctor, not only offers Avery immediate first aid but free ongoing medical care… nothing is truly free, not even a stranger’s generosity.’   Dark Blood #2 heads to stores on 25th August, 2021. Can't wait? Then check out the official preview pages below...

Rob reviews X-Men: The Trial Of Magneto #1... The Trial Of Magneto #1 launches this new X-Men arc into the spotlight with plenty of emotional turmoil. The death of Scarlet Witch was always going to be a tough one to bear. As such her demise will no doubt be felt across the wider Marvel Universe for a considerable time to come. The Trial Of Magneto however deals with this on a more intimate level and centres upon the X-Men.  The title of this opening issue is a bit of a red herring. Naturally, Magneto features within the issue, but he's not the stories focal point. Writer Leah Williams utilises a few fringe X-Men characters who all spend their fair time within the stories spotlight. It's an interesting way to tell the story and it doesn't rely upon epic action scenes. What we do have is a tale of loss, and it's one that's felt far and wide.  Magneto's time to shine comes from playing politics with the rest of the Krakoan leadership. As any father wou

Rob reviews Blade Runner: Origins - Volume 1... Ridley Scott's 1982 sci-fi dystopian Blade Runner is the go-to film when anyone talks about the cyberpunk genre. Scott's film introduced the world to a gorgeous sci-fi version of a 2019 Los Angeles, that was backed up by quite an intriguing story, and a colourful cast of characters.  Through Blade Runner,  we learnt about the Tyrell Corporation and their bio-engineered synthetic humans - the Replicants. As a rouge group of these Replicants - lead by the late Rutger Hauer - we follow veteran LAPD detective Rick Deckard as he attempts to track them down. What follows is a game of Cat & Mouse as Deckard deals with the rogue Replicants and subsequently falls in love with one too. The ending? Well does Blade Runner 2049 exist?  Now Titan Comics are returning to this classic franchise and are bringing a look into the worlds past. Set in 2009, Blade Runner: Origins follows grizzled veteran Detective Cal More

Rob reviews Mamo #2... Mamo is that rare breed of comic that captures the reader from its first page. Whether it be the engrossing story or its gorgeous artwork, Mamo will certainly have something within its pages that'll keep you reading. Last time out I gave Mamo #1 a resounding 10/10 and this time it's very much the same. The last time we met both Jo and Orla, Milledge began introducing us to their world. It soon turns out that this world is governed by the use of magic, and as such Orla is a powerful - if not a reclusive - witch. We join Jo as she seeks Orla's help in curing her Mother of an apparent curse. While initially reluctant Orla soon decides to help. As the two youngsters travel back to town Orla speaks of her late grandmother - the titular Mamo. Once back at Jo's home, Orla is drawn to the homes attic and comes face to face with a giant moth that she identifies as Mamo! Issue #2 picks off straight after this revelation. As Mamo'

Rob Reviews Hershey: Disease... To say Barbara Hershey had an easy time being Chief Judge of MegaCity-1 is a bit of an understatement. She's seen countless trials and tribulations that would have sent an ordinary Cit to the Kook Cubes, yet Barbara Hershey managed to see it all through with a level head and calm demeanour. She knew what it was to be Chief Judge, even if it occasionally put her at odds with her closest confidant - Judge Dredd.  Hershey has been a recurring character within the Judge Dredd strips for quite a few years now. Throughout this history, we've essentially seen the rise and subsequent fall of the character. The culmination of these ended with Hershey's death as part of the Judge Dredd: Guatemala story. This saw John Wagner bring a definite end to the character. Yet even after her "death" Hershey's tale wasn't over.  After this supposed death the character than found her way into the capable hands of seasoned 2000 AD scr