Boomb Tube, The Month in Comic Book Television: 12/31/2023-1/6/2024 – Multiversity Comics

Welcome back to Boomb Tube! Here, we will be catching you up on the week in comics TV, both through micro-reviews, as well as links to our full-length TV reviews. We also tend to review series that are dropped all at once weekly so there are a few ‘older’ shows mixed in for good measure. Are we missing your favorite show? Let us know in the comments!

And if you missed our final Boomb Tube before our holiday break, we’ve got you covered.

Doctor Who – “The Church on Ruby Road” (2023 Specials E4, BBC One/Disney+)

Read our full review by Kate Kosturski.

Hilda – “The Giantslayer” (S3E3, Netflix)

“The Giantslayer” ranks as one of the more action-packed episodes of Hilda, a series big on wonder, unafraid of threat, happy with a good chase, but rarely much for violence. Here we have sword duels and animal combat (Twig faces off against a malevolent boar and an evil squirrel); calvary assaults and a massive devouring fire; daring escapes and prison breaks and giants leaping into the sky. The pace is frantic and frenetic.

Many elements in “The Giantslayer” felt odd to Hilda. The combat feels like it comes from a different show, and the time-travel/dimension-hopping magical tree makes for an awkward plant. Nevertheless, the animators bring their themes and ideas together as Hilda tries to broker a treaty between the giants and the people of a nearby village whose houses keep getting crushed. Humans are inclined to be afraid of something, the show says, often the result of some hurt; yet, they have the capability to understand and empathize and, eventually, change, even if those working feel too small to have made a true impact. “Change takes time,” The Woodman assures her. “And we’re not always around to see the outcomes of our good deeds.”

So far, this season has felt like a trip through Hilda’s greatest hits. The time travel setup may feel like it belongs in a ’90s WB series, but I was happy to see the giants again. The animators portray them as living mountains, and their creativity shines in scenes like when the giants lay down to sleep or explode into the sky. The Woodman also returns, offering wisdom and context, cracking a few of the personality quirks you might remember from throughout the series.

Hilda wants to leave the world in a better place, wants to assure its audience any attempt at understanding and empathy is a worthy endeavor. It’s fumbled for a purpose this season, trying out approaches that feel off and awkward, introducing new characters left and right like the child soldier leading the charge against the giants (I honestly thought we were going to see an alternate reality version of Erik Ahlberg, since the episode replaces trolls with giants for its metaphor), but I don’t think it’s lost its heart. – Matthew Garcia

Quantum Leap – “Nomads” (S2E8, NBC)

The primary concern that I’ve had through a season and a half of Quantum Leap round two has been the negative chemistry between Addison and Ben. With the introduction of Anna, Ben’s star-crossed lover he keeps running into in various leaps, that issue has been resolved. However, giving Ben a seemingly always tragic love interest in return for a boring one isn’t exactly a balm for our feelings for the show’s protagonist, but it at least gives Addison something to do.

With the end of episode reveal of a ‘way to bring Ben home,’ the show seems to be preparing for a possible two and done lifespan, or a red herring that will take the show potentially in different areas. That’s a downside of the less leap-centric format, there always has to be plot on both fronts; it can’t be enough for the home team to just support Ben; their stories have to move forward too.

My only real issue with this episode, except from Addison and Ben not mentioning that his leap to OUTER SPACE was a bigger deal than one to Egypy, is that it didn’t full utilize Lou Diamond Philips, one of the great guest stars in this show’s run. Lou deserved more. – Brian Salvatore

Continued below

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off – “Lights. Camera. Sparks?” (E5, Netflix)

Read our full review by James Dowling.

What If…? – Season 2 (S2, Disney+)

In case you missed it, read our full review by Corrina Lawson.