Produced by Charles Band
Based on the work of HP Lovecraft
Written and Directed by C. Courtney Joyner
Starring Blake Bailey, Ashley Laurence,
Jon Finch, Jeffrey Combs, Vincent Schiavelli
On Blu-ray June 15th from Full Moon Features

John Martense is fresh out of prison for a crime he may not have committed when he meets up with Knaggs, a family friend and mortician who gives John half of a treasure map and the answers to John’s questions about the half that he already possessed.

It seems that John’s father had stolen some money and Knaggs helped him hide it in a body, and the completed map leads to the money’s location in the graveyard of a small town called Leffert’s Corners.

Unfortunately for John the town of Leffert’s Corners has been plagued with creature related disappearances and a small group of locals have planned a stand off with the creatures this very night in the same cemetery. To make things more complicated three criminals, who John’s father stole the money from, also show up to recover their cash only to find himself trapped in the middle of this stand off.

Lurking Fear is a competent and entertaining film that unfortunately suffers from being produced during the pre-Scream early nineties slump for horror and therefore obviously didn’t have the budget to quite capture the scope of the story. Writer/director C. Courtney Joyner has done a decent job of expanding and modernizing the Lovecraft short story into an interesting film while retaining some of it’s mood but lost most of the actual short along the way and unfortunately left many of the characters as one dimensional caricatures. Although the character’s have not been fleshed out the film has an incredible cast to give them personality and make them memorable such as Jeffrey Combs as the drunken Doctor Haggis, Ashley Laurence as a woman seeking revenge on the creatures for her sisters’ death, and John Finch as Bennett the criminal John’s father stole from.

The main stand out of the Lurking Fear is the film’s special effects as the creatures are quite good looking and unique while the kill scenes feature some excellent effects as well. Also worth noting is that this review is for the new Blu-ray release and the films transfer looks very good, especially considering that when I last saw this movie it was as a “New Release” VHS rental. The transfer has a great deal of detail and color not originally seen in home video releases yet isn’t so crisp that it cheapens the effects work which is a win-win situation all around. Although it should be stated that I reviewed this film via a streaming HD file and not the actual disc so the quality of the actual Blu-ray may be better and I cannot comment on the amount of or quality of any special features.

If you are a fan of Lovecraft films, Full Moon Entertainment films, or if this story just sounded interesting to you I would recommend checking out Lurking Fear because I have always found it to be an entertaining film that may stray from it’s source material, but has fun doing it.

2016 has not been a pleasant year thus far. We lost David Bowie. We lost Prince. We lost Muhammad Ali.

And we lost The Muppets.

Well, we didn’t lose The Muppets. We know where they are. They just don’t happen to be on ABC anymore.

Just when the half-hour laffer was beginning to pick up steam thanks to a small adjustments in the framework, the ax came down.

What The Muppets were perhaps best known for (besides teaching all of us how to read) were their star-studded collaborations on both the big and small screening. Taking A-list stars and music industry behemoths and have them sing and dance with adorable pieces of felt.

Here is a look back at some wonderfully goofy performances by those we lost, as their genius, talent and legacy is forever remembered thru these interactions with Jim Henson’s creations.

David Bowie (1946–2016) stars in Labyrinth

What can be said about the great loss of David Bowie that hasn’t already been said by every major publication and tribute concert? 2016 took a living legend from us, but YouTube allows his legacy to live on.

In 1986, Bowie donned a wig and the tightest pair of leggings imaginable to become Jareth the Goblin King.

Johnny Cash (1932–2003) sings with cows on The Muppet Show

The Man in Black performed “Ghostrider In the Sky” in the Muppet barn while Gonzo dances with bovine. It’s a wonderfully sweet and funny moment using a surprisingly dark song.

Lena Horne (1917–2010) sings “Sing A Song” with the whole Muppet crew

The American jazz icon appearing in the early days of The Muppet Show to share her talent with the entire felt cast with the upbeat tune. And adorable medley with few known Muppets, Horne was a delight and a big draw for the show, which was still trying to find its footing.

Liberace (1919–1987) hams it up on The Muppet Show

Liberace might be best remembered for his flamboyant style and sass, but remember this: above all else, the man is a piano prodigy, as he skillful reminds us during this astounding piano solo.

Ray Charles (1930–2004) on Cher with Kermit

In 1975, the sweetest collaboration you have ever seen took place on Cher’s variety show as R&B legend Ray Charles sang “Being Green” with Kermit.

The softly sung duet will bring tears to your eyes. And if it doesn’t, it is because you are probably dead inside and can never feel joy.

The great Charles also made an appearance on Sesame Street where he sung “The Alphabet Song” with a little help from celebrity friends.

Prince (1958–2016) on Muppets Tonight

In this ‘90s revamp of the Muppets, the Purple One went full hayseed as he played country songs while dressed in overalls and a straw hat in a Hee Haw parody.

Really.

He even had a country accent. It’s amazingly goofy and fantastic.

Hello! This time on Graphic Breakdown we have a few titles that popped into my view this week.

Without further adieu, here goes!

Batman: Dark Night: A True Batman Story

Written by Pau Dini and Illustrated by Eduardo Risso
Published by Vertigo Comics

Anytime Paul Dini writes a comic books it’s a cause to celebrate. And why not? Dini crafts comic book tales unlike any other. This is no exception. Team him up with Risso? And this becomes a classic.

A classic? You betcha. Dini writes a personal tale, haunting and brilliant. The story is based on Dini’s life, when he was walking home one evening and beaten to within an inch of his life. It also explores the recovery process after. I was stunned DC Comics published this. Stunned. I read it and I’m still shaken by how good it is.

Risso’s art is off the charts good. They have both always been top notch creators. They take a step beyond that here. This is graphic storytelling at it’s best. Invest in this hardcover.

Immediately.

You have to read this for yourself. It’s a  personal story mixed in with Batman characters…and the story of one man who becomes a hero in his own right. Top level stuff.

RATING: A+

Danger Wolf  #1

Written by J. Hunter Richardson and Illustrated by Tevy Khou
Co-Created by James Thornton
Published by Good Guys Comics

Here is another Kickstarter comic book that is available on Comixology. And hey, these guys DID IT. That’s huge to have a comic book out. But how is it? Did they tell a good story or did it bore me to tears? Let’s find out.

The story is about a superhero named Danger Wolf at the twilight of his career. The story is set in the early 80’s and it’s got a crime noir feel to it. And it works. It feels like an independent book from that time period as well, which I love.

Khou is a marvel with the art. She’s got a style of Rick Veitch by way of Tim Sale and I liked that very much. This is an artist who, with a little work, I can see one of the big two snatching up. I hope not though. I hope she goes with Image and creates her own stuff.

And Richardson is a decent writer. There are a few moments where I wish he would “Show me” and not “Tell me” about things. There were also a few clunky moments between the art and the writing not meshing as well as I had hoped. But I’m being nit-picky. Only because there is so much passion and heart my cold dead heart was won over. It’s a good book. They deserve the recognition.

So go forth and pick up this book. Track it down. These two creators have a future in this business. See them here first. Danger Wolf is a comic book outside the norm that deserves your attention.

RATING: B+

Scarlet #10 

Written by Brian Michael Bendis and Illustrated by Alex Maleev
Published by Marvel Comics

This is a good book.

This is a good book that I’m going to give a B- to. Why?

Because I can’t count on it. It’s been published so sporadically it actually impeded my enjoyment of it.

And that’s a damn shame.

Bendis writes a good tale with this book of Scarlet, a woman who bucks the system to become an anti-hero. Maleev is a perfect artist to work with Bendis and his art is gorgeous. The first 6 issues were extremely compelling. Then…I just forgot about it.

Plagued with delays I just grew bored. Then! Issues 8, 9, and 10 come out at a steady pace and then at the end of this issue we get a cliffhanger…to be continued next year.

I’ll be dead before this series finishes up it seems. I understand, it may not do the numbers that Marvel wants. But come on. You’ve got an A book here. Give me a little more than dribs and sprinkles.

RATING: B-

Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade 

Written by Brian Azzarello and Frank Miller and Illustrated by John Romita Jr.
Published by DC Comics.

We started with a Dark Night book and so we will end with a Dark Knight book.

This book is a shame. I really was enjoying it. And then…it felt like a rushed ending.

Set before the seminal Batman story The Dark Knight Returns, this book shows why Bruce Wayne hung up the cape. Azzarello and Miller are a great writing team…each tempering each other to hold back their bad traits. They work incredibly well together. And Romita Jr. on art is superb.

The story had me going. It was so damn enjoyable.

Then…well. That was that.

I think this should have been a graphic novel with more space to breathe and get deeper. It certainly felt deserving. Instead we are left with a good book. Not a great book. I’ll still give it a B+. It could have been an A+.

RATING: B+

Buzz, Buzz. Do you hear that sound? This week, FOG’s Summer Movie Buzz takes a deep dive into the next theatrical release from DC Comics: Suicide Squad, which arrives in theaters August 5th.

Official Synopsis:
Supervillains accept a secret government mission that will likely result in their deaths.

Suicide Squad will be the third offering from the DC Cinematic Universe.

To say that this film needs to be great is an understatement considering the mixed reaction of 2013 Man of Steel and the very negative response to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. While DC had put all of their creative eggs in the basket of director Zack Snyder, the recent restructuring behind the scenes at Warner Bros. has changed all of that.

The new DC Films unit headed by Geoff Johns and Jon Berg will allow for more creativity and a cohesive direction within its shared cinematic universe. It’s like two Kevin Feige’s for the price of one. Berg has a reputation to get things done while Johns knows these characters better than most.

Suicide Squad was filmed before the DC Film’s division was created, but David Ayer (End of Watch) is captaining the ship this time around. Ayer told Yahoo Movies that he pushed the cast members very hard during rehearsals for the sake of realism.

“I also had them fight. I had them fight each other. You learn a lot about who a person really is when you punch them in the face. It gets rid of a lot of the actor stuff.”

A statement like this expresses how badly the all-star cast wanted to work with the director since an actor having to legitimately fight their peers would have super-agent Ari Gold on the scene with a tactless verbal assault.

There is a lot that needs to be accomplished here considering the cast, characters, and narrative in the film. We’re dealing with villains here. Not anti-heroes but actual villains who have a long resume of murder, chaos, and carnage. Sure, there will be a slight twist in the good guy realm, however, the core essential values of what makes characters like Deadshot unique can’t be completely altered if we’re going to believe them to be the villains of future stories.

Perhaps Jared Leto and Margot Robbie have the hardest job of them all.

Jared Leto is the next actor to bring The Joker to life.

Since every major incarnation of the Clown Prince of Crime from Cesar Romero through Heath Ledger turned the role into something special, the pressure is on like never before for the Oscar winner to succeed. For some, this version is already fighting an uphill battle of acceptance due to the atypical punk rock motif, grilled teeth, and tattoos… oh, the tattoos.

“Paging Dr. Harleen Quinzel”

Margot Robbie in the role Harley Quinn is something fans have waited a long time for. Quinn’s popularity as the psychiatrist turned insane lunatic has skyrocketed over the last several years. Just walk into any comic book store or convention to see the Quinnsanity. True devotees will analyze Robbie’s performance with a fine tooth comb to determine if she is worthy of the mantle she is undertaking.

Now we get to Will Smith who will play Deadshot in this villainous ensemble.

While Smith was good in Focus and put on an Oscar caliber performance in Concussion, neither movie generated major box office bank. Big Willie Style needs to start making it rain Brinks trucks again. If he can put his reportedly big ego in check, Suicide Squad could be Smith’s ticket back to opening weekend glory. Smith is a great actor and seeing him in future DC films as the main antagonist could be a viewer’s delight…if all goes according to plan.

Just like Batman v. Superman tried to accomplish with its heroes, a whole crew of baddies is being introduced in one big hodgepodge so we care enough to see them in expanded roles going forward. Lex Luthor, The Joker and Harley Quinn are household names, however, rogues such as Captain Boomerang, Katana, Killer Croc, Enchantress, and Amanda Waller need to make a good first impression.

The right actors appear to be in place to make this a reality, especially with Viola Davis as political cutthroat Waller, but why cast Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang? I’m in the boat that Hollywood needs to stop trying to make Jai Courtney happen.

You never know, though, he might surprise me this time around.

If you’ve never heard the name Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaje, all you need to do is watch any episode of HBO’s critically acclaimed prison show Oz and not just watch, but experience the chaos of Adewale’s heroin fueled Simon Adebisi to realize that the role of Killer Croc fits him like a glove.

Model turned actress Cara Delevingne (Paper Towns) is on a lot of studios hot list to cast her in various projects. She’s been serviceable in her on screen performances and I trust in David Ayer that he saw something in the young starlet that makes her just right for the role.

Japanese-American newcomer Karen Fukuhara will assume the role of Katana, who will both make their feature film debut. Since Suicide Squad is currently Fukuhara’s sole acting credit, it’s impossible to say whether she will be good or not. She is a martial arts champion, which seems to match up with the character’s expert samurai warrior background. It will be interesting to see how the narrative utilizes Katana’s mystical sword, the Soultaker, which captures the ability of every person she kills with it, even her deceased husband.

What about Scott Eastwood? Well, not even IMDB knows who he is playing in the film. Rumors have been running rampant as to who Eastwood will play, with the most interesting one suggesting that he will be Agent 37 aka Dick Grayson.

I have no complaints with what little I’ve seen of Eastwood’s on screen work, but the possibility of Batman’s former protégé being in the film makes things even more intriguing. Zack Snyder revealed that it was Jason Todd, the second Robin, whose costume was spray painted by The Joker in Batman v. Superman. Batman is a grizzled veteran this time around so Task Force X could be where Grayson wound up.

Speaking of Task Force X, Joel Kinnaman will play the non-villain, badass leader of the unsanctioned black ops group, Rick Flag. Kinnaman is a good actor who has turned in some great performances, most recently being this season on House of Cards. He’s been in his fair share of movies, but hasn’t landed the one profile raising role. While being known as “that guy” from The Killing is pretty cool, Kinnaman wants that household notoriety and being an integral part of a successful comic book movie these days will do just that.

Is there anything else I’m forgetting? Oh yeah. Batman is in the movie. The trailers show him gripping the roof of The Joker’s purple Lamborghini on the streets of Toronto.

Ben Affleck probably won’t see much screen time here, but his presence will only augment the film along with a talented cast, an intense but grounded filmmaker and characters that fans have been waiting to see return and realized will hopefully make Suicide Squad the charm of DC Comics third theatrical outing.

16 strangers on a bus. An apocalyptic accident. A downtown full of people: Vanished. The newly-dead: Instantly Decaying. Ominous glimpses of men in gas masks. What’s happened to the world, and how far would you go to get your life back?

And we’re giving away three copies.

To enter, please send an email with the subject header “THE MIDNIGHT AFTER” to geekcontest @ gmail dot com and answer the following:

The Midnight After co-star Simon Yam played Chen Lo opposite Angelina Jolie in this 2003 film?

Please include your name and address (U.S. Residents only. You must be 18 years old).

Only one entry per person and a winner will be chosen at random.

Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on July 10th, 2016.

Kevin Keller is back – and this time he’s on his own in the big city!

Writer/artist Dan Parent and inker J. Bone are bringing the adventures of an older, post-college Kevin Keller to Archie Comics fans around the world as the all-new digital first series launches on digital platforms on June 22nd.

LIFE WITH KEVIN will explore Kevin’s life after high school and college as he ventures beyond the cozy confines of Riverdale and into a new world of challenges and opportunities in the big city.

Longtime KEVIN KELLER writer/artist Dan Parent will resume those duties for the much-anticipated digital-first series with Eisner Award-nominated inker J. Bone (Batman/The Spirit) to bring Kevin and his new friends to life for a whole new readership.

“The appeal of the project was to make Kevin out of his teenage years and jump a few years into the future to open up a new storyline for Kevin,” says Parent. “If you want to read a fun story about a young guy in NYC that’s mixed with laughs, drama, romance and fun, this story is for you.”

While the series promises to explore the world beyond Riverdale, Kevin’s BFF Veronica will be making her presence known along with a few new additions to Kevin’s supporting cast.

LIFE WITH KEVIN #1 will be available digitally on the Archie App for iOS and Android and other digital comics platforms starting on June 22nd!

Pre-Order LIFE WITH KEVIN #1 now on ComiXology, Google Play, Kindle, and Nook.

LIFE WITH KEVIN #1

Kevin’s made his big move to the Big Apple! He’s got his own place, he’s starting his internship on the production team at a high-profile news channel—Kevin’s really got it all together… or does he? Will his first day in NYC be a dream come true or will the big city eat him alive? Kevin will learn one thing for sure: when it comes to city living, expect the unexpected!

Script: Dan Parent
Art: Dan Parent, J. Bone, Jack Morelli
Cover: Dan Parent
On Sale: 6/22
25-page, digital comic
$3.99 U.S.

Produced by Carthew Neal
Directed by David Farrier & Dylan Reeve
Starring: David Farrier, Dylan Reeve,
David Starr, Hal Karp

David Farrier and Dylan Reeve’s bizarre and disturbing documentary Tickled starts off with Farrier (a New Zealand journalist who covers interesting slice-of-life stories for television) discovering the odd world of Competitive Endurance Tickling, where fit young men- emphasis on young- strap another man down to a mattress and proceed to tickle torture said man until…I don’t know, he pees himself? Has an orgasm? Possibly passes out?

Like most of us, Farrier was slightly consumed by the idea of such a thing and in his desire to know more, reached out to the organization that runs the Competitive Endurance Tickling competitions, Jane O’Brien Media, hoping to produce a short piece for broadcast.

Which, as any journalist can tell you is par-for-the-course…only that my friends, is where Farrier and Reeve end up falling down a rabbit hole into a world of corruption, homophobia, cyberbullying, ruination and good old-fashioned evil.

Yes, I said evil.

To say that Tickled produces some “Holy Shit!” moments is like saying the sun also rises and sets every day, meaning: this documentary has enough twists, turns and horror-filled whatthefuck? moments that even M. Night Shyamalan himself would be impressed.

I cannot emphasize this enough; Tickled is essentially Eyes Wide Shut-meets-The Manchurian Candidate-meets-All The President’s Men with just a sprinkle of To Catch a Predator mixed in for fun.

And yes, watching this documentary will haunt you for days so be prepared.

I want to give it up to both Farrier and Reeve for their crazy and brave desire to follow a trail of freakish journalistic breadcrumbs (starting with the oddity of Competitive Tickling), all leading to a sinister and grotesque microcosm which leaves virtually everyone it touches devastated. Their tenacity in seeking the truth is on par with Woodward and Bernstein and they deserve some serious slaps on the back and ‘Atta Boys for what they managed to uncover.

Tickled is a definite “Must See” for anyone who has ever ended up in a YouTube wormhole at 3am watching questionable videos and wondering “Who the Hell Made This?”…trust me, the answer may just surprise you.

Tickled is now playing in limited release
For more details visit magpictures.com/tickled/

Venture into Batman’s secret lair with the “Usual Gang Of Idiots” at MAD Magazine as they try to put the Dark Knight to rest in the all-new story, GOODNIGHT BATCAVE. Just in time for the holidays, the in(famous) comedy writers at MAD mix legendary DC Comics heroes and villains to create the 100% unauthorized Goodnight Moon parody, available November 2.

Batman may be ready for bed — but crime never sleeps! And before the Caped Crusader can turn in for the night, he’ll have to deal with villains like the Joker, Bane, Mr. Freeze, Catwoman and the Penguin. If the Dark Knight hopes to ever catch some Zs, he’ll have to catch Gotham’s most dangerous criminals first!

Written by MAD editor Dave Croatto and illustrated by MAD artist Tom Richmond, the ridiculously funny parody will be available in stores and online November 2 for the price of $14.99. For more information, please visit madmagazine.com.

This Sunday is Father’s Day, an actual holiday, dedicated to selling neckties and paperweights.

And while most dads (or paternal figures) are likely happy with an afternoon in their man cave watching Jaws or RoboCop undisturbed, or an uninterrupted bowel movement and a copy of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, here are some of our suggestions that would make the most of the day.

And no neckties.

Super Retro Gamer Crate

Send dad back to his happiest days (the time before you were born, let’s be honest here) with a crate full of videogames, candy and a portable game console. Not only will he love you forever but he might even share some of his Mike & Ikes.

Comes with RetroDuo v2.0 portable console (includes NES adapter, HD TV cables, & controller adapter), 2 classic Super Nintendo games (randomly selected from an assortment of time-honored, awesome games), Candy (Red Vines, Bottle Caps, Mike & Ike, Nerds, Now and Later, Jaw Busters, Pop Rocks and Pez) all sealed in a wooden crate with a laser-etched crowbar.

Via

Star Trek: The Original Series: The Complete Series Blu-ray

This set should be everywhere.  In every home.  Office.  Hotel (in the drawer next to the Gideon Bible).  20 Blu-ray discs holding three complete seasons of one of the most significant creations of pop culture.

This collection (newly available in this packaging) not only contains all 69 episodes (and The Cage, calm down), but also both the original version and the newer version that was released on Blu-ray several years ago with completely new and stunning special effects.

Starring the inimitable William Shatner and the great Leonard Nimoy, Trek also starred DeForest Kelley, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, James Doohan, and Walter Koening.

Star Trek: The Original Series: The Complete Series has never looked better and is a sure way to please both the paternal figure in your life and yourself , watching and savoring each and every Shatner moment.

Via

The Time Traveler’s Handbook: 18 Experiences from the Eruption of Vesuvius to Woodstock

If your pop loves history and his favorite movie is Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure then this book by authors Johnny Acton, David Goldblatt and James Wyllie will certainly perk the old man up while he’s doing his business in the bathroom.

“Filled with engaging and colorful details, The Time Traveler’s Handbook helps you make the most of your “travels,” giving you background information, insight into local customs, and advice on all aspects of period life to make your adventures authentic and help you actually live them. Forget museums and history books—The Time Traveler’s Handbook gives you unprecedented access to a wide range of milestones, including Celebrations & Exhibitions; Moments That Made History; Cultural & Sporting Spectaculars; Epic Journeys and Voyages; and Extreme Events. Observe Mount Vesuvius erupt (and survive), see the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo, boogie with the Beatles in Hamburg, accompany Marco Polo to Xanadu, attend the opening night of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, smell the cordite at the battle of Bull Run, and sit ringside at Foreman and Ali’s “Rumble in the Jungle” in Kinshasa.

Illustrated with color and black-and-white paintings and photographs of famous figures and locations, as well as detailed maps and illustrations to aid in your journey through time, The Time Traveler’s Handbook is the ultimate guide to exploring history that unlocks the wonders of the past as never before.”

Via

Star Trek: The Next Generation – The Complete Series Blu-ray

Anyone who claims lightning never strikes twice can quickly be directed to this impressive collection which features all seven seasons (178 episodes) meticulously remastered in high definition with exhaustive supplemental material.

Although the first couple of seasons are tough to get through, Star Trek:TNG becomes one of science fiction’s most thought-provoking creations tackling a number of moral and philosophical issues.

The series also  featured guest spots from original series cast members James Doohan, DeForest Kelley, Mark Lenard, and Leonard Nimoy who reprised their roles as Montgomery Scott, Leonard McCoy, Sarek, and Spock, respectively.

The original Star Trek managed to resurrect itself in movies, but it was The Next Generation that made Trek a brand, paving the way for three additional series (and another recently announced).

Via

Premium Grey Suitjamas

Help your dad look snazzy at bedtime with a pair of pjs that look swankier than a Hugh Hefner smoking jacket.

Seriously, he’s going to look so good that your mom might actually be willing to go to bed with him at the same time!

Via

DC The New Frontier

Darwyn Cooke’s acclaimed epic is back in a new title collecting the 6-issue miniseries plus JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE NEW FRONTIER SPECIAL #1!

When Cold War paranoia outlawed the heroes of the Golden Age, stalwarts such as Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman continued to fight for truth and justice.

But as the world hurtled toward an uncertain future, a new breed of hero would define the American Way!

Via

Apple iPhone 6 Plus/6S Plus KLIX Black Genuine Leather Wallet Phone Case

• Made from 100% Genuine Leather and Protective Microfiber Materials
• Credit Card Slots (3) and an Inner Hidden Pocket for Additional Storage
• Snap on, Durable Inner Protective Shell with Access to all Ports
• Secure Close Magnetic Flap for Full Device Protection.
• 1 Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty

Via

Game of Thrones Steelbook Seasons 3 & 4

Nothing says “family” like Game of Thrones, something your father would appreciate with the newly released Collector’s Edition Blu-ray sets for Seasons 3 and 4 with the revolutionary new audio technology Dolby Atmos.

The Steelbook sets feature art designed by Elastic, the agency responsible for the series’ Emmy Award-winning opening credits. Each Steelbook showcases a specific location that is significant to that season and includes usable magnets on packaging featuring Game of Thrones sigils and symbols. Season 1 packaging featured Winterfell and Season 2 the Lannisters in King’s Landing. Season 3 will feature the magnet sigil of House Frey and their ancestral seat of the Twins – the location of Season 3’s infamous Red Wedding. The icy landscape of Castle Black and the Wall–where the brothers of the Night’s Watch fend off an army of wildlings from the far north–will grace the packaging of season 4 including a crow and Jon Snow’s sword, Longclaw as the featured magnet.

In addition to all of the bonus content from the previous Blu-ray sets, the Game of Thrones Steelbook is the first TV on Blu-ray title to be released with the revolutionary new audio technology Dolby Atmos, which delivers sounds and music to specific areas in the room, including overhead, creating a captivating experience that puts the audience right in the middle of the action on screen. To experience Dolby Atmos at home, Dolby Atmos-enabled AV receivers and additional speakers are required; however, Dolby Atmos soundtracks are fully backward compatible with traditional audio configurations and legacy home entertainment equipment.

Via / Via

Recently, I’ve been thinking about the public self, and the nerdery cornerstone of social awkwardness.

I know I’ve had my share of not fitting in places, but I think being a performer (theater, choir, etc.) helped insulate me from some of that awkwardness.

It’s a practiced extraversion that helped me create a social lubrication to make me pleasant enough to know a lot of different people. It’s easier to grease the wheels by being “on.”

What I am finding out these days is something I had forgotten. To act pleasantly bold often invites said boldness upon you. I have been lucky and blessed to support bold, creative people, and to keep them close to me. And in doing so, such boldness comes back to me. The attention finds me.

I only hope that, when the attention comes, I play along ably if I like it, and stand up and object to it when I don’t.

Sometimes attention finds me while I’m cosplaying as a medieval Thor at a renaissance faire. And other times, it’s when a burlesque performer rides me like a seesaw in front of my wife and friends.

Being in the spotlight is OK, but I am apprehensive of being on display. This is less from the nerd side of my personality equation, and more from the black side.

Black people have a long history, under white-supremacist racism, of being put on display in a way that depicts us as inhuman. Whether it be as freak or fascinator, marvel or monstrosity, being on display strips us of humanity. We can be less than human, treated as objects. Or we can be made more than human, made to carry expectations and representations no one person should bear.

As a frequent black face in white spaces, I am well acquainted with both forms of that attention.

When I was 13 in a new high school – an all-boys, suburban Catholic prep school with maybe a dozen black boys in it – I sang karaoke in front of my classmates at an overnight orientation. Word spread quickly about me, and during breaks at school sometimes I would take sing songs from the radio for fun. The other boys started giving me money for this, typically the change from their pockets.

A few days into this, my homeroom teacher pulled me into an empty classroom. He didn’t like what he saw. I was having my own fun, but he saw kids degrading me. In his own coded way, he expressed his displeasure at seeing suburban white kids throw coins at the black city kid to perform a trick.

Soon, he said, those kids would be throwing the coins at me, instead of toward me. He was right. I never sang at school again unless on the theater stage or in church.

Constance Wu, who plays the mom Jessica Huang on ABC sitcom Fresh Off The Boat, won’t do Jessica’s Taiwanese-accented voice in interviews. “It’s not a party trick,” Wu says.

A couple of years ago, I was at a friend’s house party on a Saturday afternoon in June.  I’m in one of those circles of people standing on a back deck, beers in hand, talking with a bunch of folks. All white folks. So it is.

And one guy, nerdy guy, I’ve been talking with a lot, joking along and such. And then the racialized comments start happening. Jokey nudges at racial types, you know the deal.

Now, I’m pretty outspoken about my race as just being a part of me. But I get to talk about my race because it’s mine. If a white person discusses my race, given the social and power dynamics, it can get bigoty real fast, especially if it’s coming from a place of trying to show they’re “down” or “cool” with me.

After a few of these racialized comments, I said, matter-of-factly, before everyone, “Before we go any further, I want you to know that your comments about me being the only black person here just further point out how I’m the only black person here, and it’s not cool. I like you, don’t feel bad, just don’t do it.” And then I went right back to the conversation.

He apologized later. I’m used to apologies. So it goes.

Sometimes I wonder if my being different, being not white in a very white space, is what draws this attention. As my mother said to me last year, “What, they like having a cool black guy around?” Am I fully human in this situation, this relationship, this social setting?

I’m not here to be a token. I’m not that singular, or exceptional, or special. As I’ve said before in this column, I’m no Special Negro.

So it was nice that in two recent moments of my nerdly pursuits, I had that attention thrown upon me, but in a fun way that was because I’m black. No surprise, it was from other black people amid a bunch of white people.

In essence, it was a version of “the nod” – a practice born of recognition, solidarity and self-defense by black faces in predominately white spaces.

My wife and I went with a friend to a Robin Hood-themed festival in our renfair circuit a few weeks ago, attending a five-course feast and joined by festival entertainers giving us adults-only ribald songs and jokes.

We’re in full costume, too. I’m dressed as a renfair version of Thor, with my Mjolnir hammer and all, drinking a combo of mead and cider. I’m feeling bearded and rowdy. Perfect renfair attitude.

A band comes in, and they have a black man in the group. He sees me, points my way and says, “Hey! Another black guy!”

I point back and yell, “My brother! We here!”

Later that day, the festival’s director of entertainment, who is white, strolls up to us and starts chatting to me about auditioning for the festival after hearing me at the feast’s sing-alongs. He jokes about finding a black man at the renfair, based on the joke at the feast earlier.

He also says in seriousness that he’s insistent on a more diverse and inclusive cast for his productions. Having gone to his renfair shows for the past two years, and seeing people of color in his casts, I know it to be true. I wouldn’t be a token here, even if I were the only black face.

Here, I wouldn’t be on display. I’d be seen.

When a friend tells me, “It’s good to see you,” I always replay with, “It’s good to be seen.” When you do something awesome, folks say, “I see you,” to show high regard and to countenance your special presence.

To be seen is wonderful.

Sometimes, being seen turns into getting elaborately manhandled by a gorgeous, almost-naked woman in front of my wife and friends.

It was a pretty normal Sunday evening at a monthly burlesque show produced by a couple of awesome performers, Vanil LaFrappe and Vivienne LaFlamme. The wife and I got dolled up, a stunning stylish friend rode along with us.

We had fine food, good drinks, lots of laughs with good performers. I even was conscripted into a sexy dance contest, which puts my all-time record at 3-1. (Don’t ask about the other times.)

But none of that prepared me for when the Incredible, Edible Akynos took the stage as the feature performer. She arrived, fierce in her brown skin with a giant golden Afro, curvy and festooned in tiny slip of a one-strap golden dress she keeps shifting to reveal a leg out of a slit, to pull back up over one gold-pastied breast.

“Don’t give it all away yet!” I yell over the music.

I’m shouting and hollering and woof-woofing as usual. At burlesque, I love to cheer, and I like to be fun about it. When a performer removes a glove? “Whoa, there’s a hand!” When the other glove falls? “Oh my, there’s another hand!”

Akynos throws a glove at me and points for me to sit up front as she puts on a show of splits, bends and acrobatic sexy.

She points at me again and gestures to stand beside her, and I comply. “Lie down!” she commands, pointing at the floor. So I do, suit and tie and all, my arms outstretched.

Akynos straddles me facing forward and bounces several times, dropping her bottom onto my pelvis so hard I swear I can hear a boom. She turns around for reverse cowgirl, and BOOM-BOOM-BOOM.

She backs up her rear onto my face, her hands stretching down my legs. She backs up more, draping her breasts over my face and violently shaking them onto it, knocking my glasses askew. And I’ll tell you, those pasties slap hard.

She sits on my lap, leans back for a kiss and says, “You’re awesome.”

The whole time, I’m laughing my ass off. Playing along, I stumble away, shaken and in shambles.

What. The. Hell. Just. Happened?!?!?!

After the show, somehow I gathered the strength to face my lovely attacker.

Akynos and I talked about how when she got up to perform, we shared a look and point that was “the nod” par excellence.

“I saw you and thought, ‘Oh, so we in here!’” I said, the both of us laughing.

As she headed out for the night, she turned back at me.

“Good night, black man,” she said.

Good night, indeed.

As I said, it’s good to be seen.

The world’s greatest super hero faces his biggest challenge yet this October! Amidst a gauntlet of his deadliest rogues, an old foe returns to the fore. Loved ones lost are dead no more as Peter Parker plunges headlong into THE CLONE CONSPIRACY – a blockbuster 5-issue event series from A-List creators Dan Slott and Jim Cheung!

Prepare yourself for THE Spidey story of 2016 as the writer who brought you Spider-Verse, Superior Spider-Man and Spider-Island brings you the next defining chapter in the wallcrawler’s life!  The identity of the man in the red suit has been revealed. The Jackal has returned, more driven and determined than ever. He’s offered Spidey’s greatest rogues a chance to reunite with their loved ones in exchange for loyalty. But to what end? With the Rhino, the Lizard, Electro and even Doctor Octopus at his side, things are looking bleak. But who else from  Spider-Man’s past has reappeared?!

The mystery is just getting started. Can the Amazing Spider-Man stand against the Jackal and a who’s who of his greatest villains?  Be there as this blockbuster Spider-Man event kicks off this October in the explosive first issue – THE CLONE CONSPIRACY #1!

Plus – read an exciting prologue to The Clone Conspiracy from this year’s FREE COMIC BOOK DAY: CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 by Dan Slott & Javier Garron, available now in the Marvel Comics app and Marvel Digital Comics Store.

THE CLONE CONSPIRACY #1
Written by DAN SLOTT
Art by JIM CHEUNG
Cover by JIM CHEUNG
On Sale in October!

To find a comic shop near you, visit www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook. 

“Beyond Burnside” Chapter One: The Batgirl you know and love is going global with Eisner Award-winning and New York Times best-selling writer Hope Larson (A Wrinkle in Time, Goldie Vance) and all-star artist Rafael Albuquerque (AMERICAN VAMPIRE). In order to up her game, Babs travels to Japan on a quest to train with the most elite modern combat masters of the East. But when a chance meeting with an old friend puts a target on her back, Batgirl may need to use her new skills to solve a deadly mystery.

Batgirl #1 Arrives in Stores and Digital on July 27th, 2016

By Ren Warom

It’s almost inevitable that you’ll end up touching upon the subject of addiction if you write about broken worlds and people on the edges of society. Those bereft of escape routes. Some isolated by choice, others by circumstance. Some isolated even amongst friends. Foon Gung is a perfect storm of horror and hopelessness. Fail and you’re left to fall or fly on your own, Pass and you’re still enslaved, constricted, oppressed. There are very few ways to win.

Shock Pao is definitely not a winner. He’s what most people think of when they think the word addict. Someone with potential who’s pissed it all away. His entire life revolves around his next fix, and though he can’t admit it at the beginning of the book, a good deal of the worst choices he’s made arise from a need to numb. He’s smothering pain. Self-medicating against a toxic slew of mental trauma and bodily agony accrued from a childhood spent living in the wrong body, bullied and judged. Deeply wounded and failed by those who should have protected him.

He’s a bit of an anti-hero. Maybe we judge him, his bad choices, but we also have some sympathy for him once we’ve seen his pain. Seen how much he longs for peace, for healing. We tut and scoff at his choices, his stupidity, yet still we cheer for him. We don’t want him to give up. We want to see him become his better self. We can root for this addict. He’s easy to care for in so many ways. He’s even a touch endearing.
Amiga is an addict of a different stripe. Less sympathetic. Easier to judge, despite her wounds and obvious pain, because she’s not what we expect––from a woman or an addict. We gaze at her askance for her addiction to the darkness in her life. To being Twist’s bloody hands. Though it brings her horror, shames her, torments her, twists her into moral pretzels so tight she can only untangle them by dousing them in alcohol, she chooses the dark over everything. Chooses the blood on her hands over ever being clean. It makes her hard to like.

Why does she cling to what she hates, terrified she’ll be nothing without it, even as she’s petrified of being nothing because of it? It’s the nature of addiction. It is compulsive. Absolute. Lives in the pulse like a drumbeat. Hollows the head with inescapable thoughts. Like Shock, Amiga seeks to be numb, seeks oblivion––obliteration of the self. She loathed herself before she began to kill. Killing only confirmed all the bad things she believed about herself already and so she is unable to give it up, wanting to believe the worst.

She too has made some of her most awful choices from a place of needing to chase her addiction. And no one can force her to change that, not even her friends the Hornets, who genuinely care for her, who despair of her sinking ever deeper and being lost. All they can do is continue to care, continue to be there, and hope that one day she will make better choices. That’s the horror of addiction. Only the addict can choose to get clean. Or quit being a Cleaner.

Addicts are on the run: from feeling, from thinking, from having to be. It’s a form of sensory drowning, using one thing or another to plunge deep underwater where nothing can find them: no sound, no fury, only blessed quiet and the safe pressure of almost dying, of not quite ever living. Immersing themselves away from the world, from their own minds. The latter most of all.

Which is why addicts have to hit rock bottom before they find the will to fight. But the sad fact is this––some will hit it and never come back, and others hit it time and again, only to slide back down. It’s not as easy as hitting it once and clawing back out. In the end, it all depends on what they’re running from, how desperately they want to keep running, and whether or not there’s anything better to run toward. Only the addict can decide, and they may make the wrong decision time and again, because sometimes it’s easier to drown––even if you’re desperate for air.

About The Author:  Ren Warom lives in the West Midlands with her three children, innumerable cats, a very friendly corn snake, and far, far too many books. She haunts Twitter as @RenWarom, and can be found on her YouTube channel talking about mental health issues and, of course, books.

About Escapology: Shock Pao is not just any Haunt—he’s the best. There isn’t a system that he can’t crack into, no virtual lock he can’t pick, nothing he can’t steal for the right price. Outside virtual world the Slip, though, he’s a Fail—no degree, no job, no affiliations to protect him from angry ex-customers. Of which he has quite a few. So when his ex brings Shock a job which could help him escape his miserable existence, he accepts, little realizing that it will turn out to be his most impossible, illegal and incredible assignment yet.

Amiga works for Twist Calhoun, one of the toughest crime lords in the Gung, as a Cleaner—assassin. Trapped in a world of kill-or-be-killed, she wants out. But when Shock’s war comes to her, she doesn’t have a choice: it’s her job to bring him to Twist, dead or alive—or it’ll be her head in a bag in Twist’s vault.

Escapology is available now from bookstores and e-tailers