Graphic Novel Reviews: Batman and Red Robin 019

The Story
Carrie Kelley drops off a note at the Wayne estate, with a bill for Damian, and a request to set up the next batch of what can be assumed were acting sessions. Bruce Wayne goes to her apartment, where a party is underway and Carrie is wearing a Robin costume, and leaves the note and DVDs she left behind.

Batman then proceeds to kidnap Frankenstein, and set up in the Frankenstein Castle to perform tests geared at replicating the process that brought Frankenstein to life, on Damian. Alfred sends Red Robin out to check on Batman, and once there Tim realizes what Batman is doing. He interrupts the research and Batman leaves, furious at Red Robin for interfering.

Graphic Novel Reviews: Batgirl 019

The Story
Barbara returns to her apartment, where she reveals everything that has happened to her, minus her secret identity, to Alysia. Alysia returns the favor by revealing that she is transgendered. Barbara then leaves to confront James.

At the Gotham Police Department, Gordon gets a call from James, telling him to meet down by the Aquarium. James meets with Batgirl and their mother, where he reveals that Batgirl is Barbara. Their mother shoots James, and in the ensuing fight Batgirl throws a batarang into James' face, who falls over a railing with a broken back.

Graphic Novel Reviews: Batman 019

The Story
The issue starts with Bullock and Gordon facing off against an unknown bank robber. As the criminal comes out with a hostage he is revealed to be Bruce Wayne. Gordon tries to stop him, but is shot by Wayne. Right as Wayne is escaping, Gordon sees that he is wearing his Batman armor under his suit.

Cut to six days ago, where Batman stops the villain Reaper from attacking a funeral service with poisoned flowers. Batman stops the van, and Robin enters, commenting about the ludicrousness of Reaper's plan. The scene shifts to the Bat Cave, where it is revealed that Batman has been watching recordings of old cases. Alfred reveals that Wade, an associate of Bruce Wayne's had committed suicide. Batman decides to investigate, after determining that there was no reason for Wade to commit suicide.

Anime Reviews: Fairy Tail Episode 103 - Makarov's Charge

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The Story
When Pantherlily and Charle confront Mest, he teleports away, towards Wendy. But he is revealed not to be the enemy, as he protects her against an attack by the real Grimoire Heart agent. Mest actually an agent of the magic council, undercover in search of evidence to use against Fairy Tail. Pantherlily fights against the enemy, Azuma, but he and the other three are overpowered.

Manga Bookshelf's Weekly Shonen Jump Recap: April 8, 2013

It's another week, and my column for the week went live on MangaBookshelf this morning. That's a personal best, to have it ready the day after the chapters originally come out. Now to see if I can keep that up.

I might as well use this section to put in some personal updates. Right now I'm just sitting here, trying to get podomatic to cooperate with me. I'm working on getting the iTunes version of the podcast for this week uploaded. But chrome is being a pain and the podomatic page isn't responding. I refuse to kill the page because it's practically done uploading the stupid file. But, for those of you that can't wait to know what I thought of the chapters this week, go ahead and check out my column.

In other news, I'm working on getting some more videos done. Chances are my procrastination will counteract that, but I figure the more public I make my plans, the more accountable I will have to be. Not that that's ever stopped me, but we'll see what happens. I don't have a release schedule yet, I'm seeing if I can do a video a week. I'm looking at having these done by Friday, or Saturday. Or I might work on them during the week and release new videos on Monday. I think that would work, since currently I have stuff coming out Tuesdays and Wednesdays for certain. It's a good way to start the week.

I suppose by next Monday you'll know if I actually went through with it.

Weekly Shonen Jump Recap: April 8, 2013

Episode 043 - April 8, 2013 - Tournament Arcs: Are They Worth It? | Binbo-Gami Ga!

Episode 043

Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of April 8, 2013. This week we tackle a topic that ever shonen manga reader will have to face at some point. Tournament Arcs, are they worth it? Why have them? Can they ever actually be good? We answer at least some of those questions this week. Find out which. We also discuss the surprisingly pro-feminism (if you squint) series Bino-Gami Ga!

Listen to Old Episodes Here!

Cartoon Reviews: Gravity Falls Episode 16 - Carpet Diem

The Story

When Mabel invites her friends Grenda and Candy to a sleepover, Dipper finds it unbearable to stay in the same room. Soos discovers a hidden room in the Shack, Dipper and Mabel fight over it as Grunkle Stan decides to have a contest to decide which twin gets it.

Anime Reviews: Fairy Tail Episode 102 - Soul of Iron

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The Story
Gajeel and Levy are barely able to hold against the Grimoire Heart wizards. When they reveal that their main forces are still on the way, Gajeel faces off against them alone, leaving Levy to go warn the others of the impending attack. Seriously injured, Gajeel remembers the moment when Makarov invited him to join Fairy Tail. Strengthened by his conviction as a Fairy Tail wizard, Gajeel defeats his enemies.

Anime Reviews: Fairy Tail Episode 101 - Black Wizard

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The Story
Natsu is almost killed when he is hit by the strange mage's dark magic, but somehow Igneel's scarf absorbs the dangerous magic. On a sky ship on course for the island, Grimoire Heart, the dark guild, reveals that the strange mage in question is in fact the dark wizard Zeref.

Anime Reviews: Toriko Episode 96 - Hidden Training Ingredient! Emergency Instructions From Ichiryu!

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The Story

Toriko defeats a rampaging beast, and frees the artisan village from its clutches. There he meets with Monchi, whose help he needs to find one of the training ingredients Ichiryu has assigned to him. Later, Komatsu goes to meet Toriko at Biotope 2, where the two meet to get dinner, and discuss the task Toriko has before him. He was thinking of getting some seafood from Biotope 2, for the fortune roll that Monchi would make for him. But nothing he has seen is sufficient. Right after this an IGO employee comes with a message from Ichiryu, saying that the stew pond has frozen over, and that the four kings have been called to capture the Madame Fish.