Produced by Hans W. Geissendoerfer,
Nikias Chryssos, Hana Geissendoerfer
Written and Directed by Nikias Chryssos
Starring Pit Bukowski, Daniel Fripan,
Oona von Maydell, David Scheller

For those of you who felt The Lobster was just a tad too mainstream for a Summer release, Der Bunker should strike your fancy.

This first feature length film from Germany’s Writer-Director Nikias Chryssos took home the Best Picture prize at Fantastic Fest last year, among other festival feats.

Dark, exploitive and fairly twisted, the movie sets itself up with a nightmarish Airbnb-ish worst case scenario.

A mysterious lodger claiming to be in solitude for his writing and research project quickly discovers his solitude substituted for stranger things—the rental is a bunker with little available natural light, the host is a tad creepy and pushy all at once, the host’s wife is a moody seductress, and their eight-year old “kid” a more disturbing man-child than Clifford from the 1994 Martin Short vehicle.

And then things get weird.

About 5 minutes into the film I was completely braced for things to full Human Centipede or Hostel, so I found the comedic, yet strange, direction to be a bit of a relief. Der Bunker is ultimately a John Waters film by way of David Cronenberg. A lot of the film’s charms are trashy, and perverse, but ultimately very, very funny.

Yet way beyond the bizarre, there’s something deeper going on here.

As the stranger elements of the story develop, I found myself immersed in its unfolding, right alongside the protagonist lodger. Both of us could have, and by standard measures of sanity should have, bailed on the ghoulish family much earlier.

There’s no mistaking the world Chryssos has created here for our own, but the allegorical farce includes biting critique of the world we live in today. The disasterous fallout of the nuclear family, overstructured reliance on home-schooling, and the over-reaching expectations parents place on their children are all not-so-subltly lampooned as only German cinema can. Rainer Werner Fassbinder would have been proud.

If you’re looking for something really different, not clearly defined as Horror or Comedy, yet clearly soaked in a foot bath of both, check yourself in. Der Bunker is a cinematic curiosity piece made for a crowded late-night screening, and certainly something weird for collectors of the mondo trasho to add to their shelves.

Der Bunker is available now on DVD, Blu-ray and a 90 day exclusive streaming window on Vimeo

Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment take Batman fans on a journey into the iconic past with the full-length animated Batman feature film – Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders. The film features the vocal performances of Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Robin) and Julie Newmar (Catwoman). Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders will be available November 1, 2016 on Blu-ray Combo Pack ($24.98 SRP) and DVD ($19.98 SRP).

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders will be available to own on Digital HD starting October 11, 2016.

It’s back to the 1960s as Batman and Robin spring into action when Gotham City is threatened by a quartet of Batman’s most fiendish foes – Penguin, The Joker, Riddler and Catwoman. The four Super-Villains have combined their wicked talents to hatch a plot so nefarious that the Dynamic Duo will need to go to outer space (and back) to foil their arch enemies and restore order in Gotham City. It’s a truly fantastic adventure that will pit good against evil, good against good, evil against evil … and feature two words that exponentially raise the stakes for both sides: Replicator Ray. Holy Multiplication Tables!

Adam West steps behind the microphone to bring Batman to fully animated fruition. Burt Ward joins the fun as Batman’s sidekick, Robin, giving The Boy Wonder his voice in animated form. And Julie Newmar, star of stage (Tony Award winner for The Marriage-Go-Round) and screen (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), dons her feline ears to bring Catwoman to life.

Rick Morales (LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes – Justice League: Cosmic Clash) directs from a script by Michael Jelenic (Teen Titans Go!) and James Tucker (Justice League vs. Teen Titans).. Tucker and Jelenic also serve as Supervising Producer and Producer, respectively, on the film. Sam Register is Executive Producer. Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan are Executive Producers.

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders Blu-ray Enhanced Content includes:

• “Those Dastardly Desperados” featurette – Joker, Catwoman, Penguin and Riddler are impossible not to watch! Those Dastardly Desperados explores how these fiends became more than just antagonists in a Batman story; they became icons in American pop culture.

• “A Classic Cadre of Voices” featurette – A new talented cast of actors join Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar in Batman: Return of The Caped Crusaders. Go behind the scenes and witness the vocal techniques and timing needed to deliver a classic Bat-Comedy!

DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION ELEMENTS

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders will be available to viewers for streaming and download to watch anywhere in high definition and standard definition on their favorite devices from select digital retailers including Amazon, CinemaNow, Flixster, iTunes, PlayStation, Vudu, Xbox and others. Starting October 11, 2016, Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders will also be available digitally on Video On Demand services from cable and satellite providers, and on select gaming consoles.

ABOUT DIGITAL HD

*Digital HD allows fans to watch a digital version of their movie or TV show anywhere, on their favorite devices. Digital HD is included with the purchase of specially marked Blu-ray discs. Digital HD allows consumers to instantly stream and download movies and TV shows to TVs, computers, tablets and smartphones through UltraViolet retail services like CinemaNow, Flixster, VUDU and more. For more information on compatible devices go to wb.com/ultravioletdevices. Consult an UltraViolet Retailer for details and requirements and for a list of HD-compatible devices.

Do me a favor. It’s a big favor, so I understand that most of you won’t. But if you’ll indulge me:

Go make something. Anything. Spend a week, a month, three months, or God forbid, a year, making something. Don’t deviate. Remove distraction.

Write a short story. Write a long story. Write a novel. Paint a picture. Draw 24 pages of a comic. Build a birdhouse. Build a house-house.

I don’t care what it is. Make something. ANYTHING.

When you’re done, take a minute and look over it. Find all the flaws. Look at the places where you took shortcuts because you didn’t know how to do a thing, but somehow made it work anyway.

Look at the beautiful parts. Look at the parts, then look at the whole. Take a moment to appreciate this fact: you made it.

Now, take a picture of it, copy-and-paste it, or otherwise post the work for public consumption.

Publish it. Put it out there. Then, watch the clock and wait to see how long it takes for someone to pass by, take a look, and glibly say “It’s shit.”

Now you know. Now you get it. Now you understand why your glib assessments of even the worst movies, games, books and tv shows are bullshit.

Even Batman v Superman (which I didn’t like) or Suicide Squad (which I didn’t like) or most if not all modern comics from the big publishers (which I don’t like) took work. They exist because someone made them. Sure, they could be summed up as “product” or “cash grabs” or whatever else. But they took work.

Shawn Murphy, who designed No Man’s Sky, is the latest person in a line of people getting whipped to shit because a thing he came up with didn’t live up to what CONSUMERS believed they wanted, based on what game “journalists” unfairly hyped (which by the way, they profited from each and every time, from preview to hype piece to release bulletin to review to the ultimate “Here’s why No Man’s Sky sucks” bullshit thinkpieces).

But you can fly around space. You can visit planets created on the fly. You can collect resources.

You can do all the shit he set out to let you do.

Is it shit because it’s coded poorly, or designed poorly, or one huge lie… Or is it “shit” because it’s not what you want?

How about Suicide Squad? Superman v. Batman? Avengers 2? Literally anything ever made?

Understand: if you’ve not made a thing — even a small thing — all you’re doing is consuming product and shitting out opinions. I’m sorry if you’re a frustrated writer or artist or game dev or filmmaker whose idea of what they would one day make “if only someone took a chance on me” overshadows shit actually being made by actual people. I know how it feels. I was that guy for years. Then, I fucking made something, and suddenly shit changed. I started to see what it means to pour effort into something that doesn’t live up to my standards, or someone else’s standards, or is commercially terrible, or is successful.

I started realizing — I can dislike something without flexing on it. I don’t have to piss all over it to punish it for taking my money. I can just, you know… Not consume it. It’s like going to Golden Corral and eating your weight in terrible stuff, and then complaining that the steak was chewy.

Stop eating at Golden Corral, for one. Second, MAKE YOUR OWN STEAK.

You have the right to say whatever you want. Just understand, until you make something, you’re simply expressing taste. Tastes change and are fickle. But making something lasts forever — regardless of public praise or derision.

Fucking make something.

Having already explored the archetype in both it’s source, DC’s Superman and in BOOM!’s Irredeemable, writer Mark Waid tackles it again in Legendary Comics’ new graphic novel, The Rise and Fall of Axiom, in stores this week.

Featuring art by Ed Benes and Dinei Ribeiro, the 144 original graphic novel is Legendary Comics’ first foray into superheroes.

Axiom and Thena, aliens from another world, arrive on earth and exhibit extraordinary powers. Benevolent and godlike, they cure humanity’s ills and usher in an era of peace, prosperity and complacency.
 
A series of tragic events reveals another side of Axiom: humanity’s savior becomes its worst nightmare. A Defense Department analyst, armed with only scientific knowledge and courageous spirit takes on the turned hero in a fight for mankind’s survival!

For more details visit legendary.com/comics

James Bond Vol. 1: VARGR
Written by Warren Ellis
Illustrated by Jason Masters
Published by Dynamite Entertainment
ISBN: 9781606909010 | Price $19.99
Release date: June 22, 2016

Those fans of 007 may not have gotten all they wanted from Daniel Craig’s most recent performance of the MI-6 agent in Spectre last year, but may very well be delighted at what Warren Ellis has been able to do in the comic series from Dynamite.

Ian Fleming Publications and the Fleming Estate commissioned Ellis to approach the character for comics stemming from a licensing deal with Dynamite. The first story art is collected here in one volume, VARGR. Currently on stands is Ellis’ second arc with artist Jason Masters. More writers and artists including Andy Diggle (Green Arrow) will be brought on later this year to fill out more of 007’s modern comic continuity.

This first story arc collected in the hardcover volume of VARGR reads like a good Fleming novel or Broccoli-produced film of the modern age.

No, our Bond isn’t shaking and stirring Vespers, preferring the Fleming-approved Kentucky bourbon to the martini, and the comic book James Bond is more traditional looking (read: not blonde)!. In fact, Master’s agent carries himself tall and cocksure, svelte and monotone. Ellis brings to life all we expect from a great James Bond tale, from new Q gadgets to flirting with Moneypenny.

Who better than Warren Ellis to chronicle the adventures of a 00 agent? His intricate knowledge of military history and espionage research pays off here. This is a movie, essentially, in the form of a six issue story.

When Londoner punks start dying off because their blow has been stepped on by an evil German scientists, Bond is saddled with getting to the bottom of this nasty drug trade. 008 has been murdered, and Bond is left to pick up the pieces of 008’s caseload.

In order to justify the 00 program to his higher ups, M must put Bond in harm’s way, but not without some handicaps. Bond isn’t allowed to travel with his guns because of new British regulations, but is able to meet up with his Walther P99 on his rendezvous. The tête-à-tête between the Quartermaster (Q!) is of course hilarious and full of mutual ego jabs.

After arriving in Berlin and the Berlin office, Bond quickly susses out that not everyone is as they seem and faces dangerous enemies that operate with the help of robotic enhancements.

Clues lead Bond to discovering the secrets of the tainted drugs and the cyborg hands but not without blood being shed on both sides.

You’ll see Q’s deadly bullet designed for maximum exit wounds in action, and it should be noted that a great storytelling device is used by Ellis and Masters during the fight scenes. Fight scenes are typically very broad, splash-page type affairs that can be difficult to follow. These guys zoom in on the action and the cartooning allows for the action to be read very easily.

A favorite little trick used are cutout panels showing X-ray versions of punches impacting (fist to elbow bones — yeee-ouch!) and bullets entering and exiting the body. Very cool and unique stuff. It is on par with the Samnee/Waid Daredevil storytelling for Matt’s radar sense.

Our main badman fulfills the checklist of great Bond villains. He’s got a weird thing (robot hands)!, he may have started out leaning toward the light but somewhere along the line things got tainted for him. The third act reveals of what true evil is capable of as our villain explains his plan is very cinematic and on an unexpected playing field. I don’t want to mention that the story unintentionally borrows from some story elements of Batman v Superman but that has to be chalked up to pure coincidence. (No, it isn’t Martha.)

Reading the collection was a better experience for me than it was waiting for the issues, but regardless if you can experience this book, please do. Spy fans will love it! If you can’t wait for the rumored reboot of Goldeneye for your next generation console, get your fix here with the Fleming-blessed Dynamite James Bond 007 books.

As a regular Wednesday comic store buyer, I was glad I took a chance on this and will continue to recommend this sleeper book. Hopefully with more stories and mini-series planned, the James Bond comics will be a shot in the arm for a great smaller publisher like Dynamite. With Bond and Ellis they have a perfect match of creator and content and the success of this paring should be at the top of everyone’s reading list.

Written and directed by Academy Award nominee Damien Chazelle, La La Land tells the story of Mia [Emma Stone], an aspiring actress, and Sebastian [Ryan Gosling], a dedicated jazz musician, who are struggling to make ends meet in a city known for crushing hopes and breaking hearts. Set in modern day Los Angeles, this original musical about everyday life explores the joy and pain of pursuing your dreams.

This teaser features the song, “Audition” which will be available this fall.

Summit Entertainment presents, an Imposter Pictures / Gilbert Films production, a Marc Platt production.

La La Land arrives in theaters on December 2nd

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Official Site
#LaLaLand | #Audition

Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!

The DC Rebirth rages on so I’ll start with the best of the bunch and work my way around.

Deathstroke #1

Written by Christopher Priest
Illustrated by Carlo Pagulayan
Published by DC Comics

So it’s without question that this is one of my favorite books out by DC Comics right now. The Rebirth line promised a lot but didn’t exactly deliver. This one does. And that is a testament to a strong creative team.

Priest writes one hell of a solid story. It’s passionate and new and fun. What I like best about this is that Slade Wilson is a bastard. As Deathstroke, he doesn’t apologize for what he does. He just does it. Priest moves the story along at such a great clip that you are never bored. You just sit back enjoy the ride. And that is what is happening here. It’s enjoyable. And it delivers.

The art is sharp and keeps the pace of Priest’s story moving right along. There is actually never a dull moment. And there is never a moment where I look away or have my mind wander.

This is a top notch comic book. I suggest picking it up. It’s what the DC Universe should be looking like: Sharp, well told stories that make you wanting more.

RATING: A

BATGIRL #2 

Written by Hope Larson
Illustrated by Rafael Albuquerque
Published by DC Comics

Batgirl #2 picks up where the first issue of Batgirl left off. In other words, it’s fun, fizzy, and entertaining but with not much in the way of real consequences.

But that’s okay! Larson seems to want to write a self contained story set in it’s own kind of universe. And it’s entertaining. Her characterization of Batgirl and the characters around her are fun. They are entertaining. I love the dialogue and the interactions. And the story goes along fast.

I also love the art. Albuquerque has stepped up to be one of the top artists out there. My only problem again is that it feels slight. I wish there was more things that had some real consequences to them. But hey.

This is an entertaining book and one of the better titles of the new launch. Pick it up for it’s beautiful art and a fun story to go with it.

RATING: B+

The Flash #5 

Written by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Felipe Wantanabe
Published by DC Comics

The title of the book is “Barry Allen’s Day Off.” And it’s a classic.

It’s one of the best issues of The Flash in the past few years. This is the way I would like my Flash to be for years to come.

Look, I am not going to spoil this book for you.

Williamson knows the character and knows what to do with Barry Allen. I always though of Mark Waid as the best writer of Wally West. Bar None.

However, for Barry Allen it may be Williamson.

There is such a great moment where Barry is asked about a possible new girlfriend…and suddenly, Barry Allen is interesting in a way we have never seen before.

The art truthfully was a little weak (A little too much manga for me) but it didn’t kill the story at all.

I hope Williamson keeps this up. I am excited every time there is a new issue. Also a beautiful cover. This is a great book.

RATING: A-

Blue Beetle: Rebirth  #1 

Written by Keith Giffen and Scott Kolins
Illustrated by Scott Kolins
Published by DC Comics

I love the original Blue Beetle. I was hopeful on this one. Plus it had Keith Giffen who I used to love. Yet, this one fell a bit short for me. Mostly because I really don’t recognize this Blue Beetle.

Who is he? I used to love Giffen’s take on Ted Kord. Man, was that a fun time. I was hoping for that. Or something similar. Instead, what we get is some schmucky third rate knock off of Ultimate Spider-Man. It wasn’t much fun. But it was highly annoying.

Kolins has never really impressed me with art either. He was always okay at best. If he calmed down, I might enjoy it. But this isn’t very good either. Groan. Hopefully, it’ll improve or maybe it’ll get put on the chopping block quick. One can only hope.

RATING: D

Action Comics #962 

Written by Dan Jurgens
Illustrated by Stephen Segovia and Art Thibert
Published by DC Comics

A great cover. Really. It’s a great cover. And that’s where it ends.

This story was so hard for me to get into, that I am glad that this storyline is over.

Superman fights Doomsday.

That’s it. I was so bored with this story, I have to stop here. The art is nice to look at.

The ending though made me want to vomit.

It’s supposed to be a surprise ending I suppose.

The only surprise is that I didn’t rip up the issue in my hands I suppose.

Let’s hope the next issue gives us something better. I certainly hope so.

RATING: D+

Detective Comics #939 

Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Eddy Barrows
Published by DC Comics

Well, here’s another issue of the Rise of the Batmen. And it was definitely better than the previous issues. That reason is the art of Barrows. The other artist in this storyline just can’t cut it.

But Barrows can and does repeatedly here. He makes the story and art sing. I wish all six issues of the Rebirth had his art. And that is the problem. It made the story very disjointed and not very fun.

Once you got into it, the story wasn’t bad then OOPS INTERRUPTION. And it made it hard to care or like the story. I lost interest. I regained it a bit here.

I know they want to make money but DC should rethink this fill in artist crap especially in the way of big storylines.

This is the one that suffered the most. And it’s a shame because it could have been really good. Instead:


RATING: B-

Six Pack and Dog Welder: Hard-Travelin’ Heroz #1  

Written by Garth Ennis
Illustrated by Russ Braun
Published by DC Comics

Garth Ennis used to be one of my favorite writers in comics. I think his work on Preacher and Hellblazer are some of the best comics ever written. Somewhere along the line, Ennis got obsessed with war comics. And I kind of just forgot he was still writing. He’s brilliant. But I feel he has passed his peak. This is a little evident in this title.

Branching off of the Section Eight comic that was just released, we get this comic. Six Pack and Dog Welder are both fun characters. They really are. And Ennis has a good time with writing them. Sixpack is trying to keep his team together. But they are rather crazy. But he feels he has to at all costs.

Ennis feels here like he is trying to imitate Ennis from years ago. It’s okay. I laughed once or twice. But it pales in comparison to classic Ennis (word of disclosure…I wasn’t crazy about The Boys either)

Braun does a decent job on art. It’s a pretty decent book overall. But I long for the days of classic Ennis, like True Faith, Dicks, and even Hitman. I loved those days.

RATING: B

Hal Jordan and The Green Lantern Corps #3

Written by Robert Venditti
Illustrated by Rafa Sandoval
Published by DC Comics

Besides a great last panel and getting to see Guy Gardner in action a little, this was a just not fun at all. I wish there was something more going on. There’s just nothing to grab onto.

Venditti is a fine writer. His books for Valiant are spectacular. Yet here he stumbles.

I know he can write a book. But the characters he is writing? I know nothing about them. I don’t recognize them.

And I have known them for years.

The art isn’t half bad. But I can’t tell much from it because I lost interest.

I want a stronger creative team. This book is so far away from what used to be good. Venditti had a few good issues before Rebirth. But I think it’s time to pass the Lantern.

RATING: D

The Hellblazer #1 

Written by Simon Oliver
Illustrated by Moritat.
Published by DC Comics.

Speaking of characters I don’t recognize, here comes DC Comics and their new take on John Constantine.

Man, this character used to have balls. Now he doesn’t even have baby balls.

The problem starts with Oliver’s handling of him. Constantine should be wily yet dangerous. This guy? Who is this guy? He’s barely with any edge.

The old Constantine would kick this guy in the teeth.

Secondly, the art is so light it makes me squirm. The old comic had art that felt like it was dipped in evil. This just feels like it was dipped in sugar for the masses.

The whole thing read false to me. You know what, bring back Garth Ennis. He knew what to do.

I want Vertigo Hellblazer back and not this cheap dollar store knockoff. Boo.

RATING: D-

Titans #2 

Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Brett Booth
Published by DC Comics

Yay! Titans! This is by no means a great book. In fact the story is rather bland. Yet I loved it anyway. Two words: Brett Booth.

This is part two of “The Return of Wally West” and it’s fun if just a little too predictable. Abnett is a serviceable writer and he does okay. Where the book flies off is with the art of Brett Booth.

Man, Booth has energy! He brings up the quality of any book. The layouts and the storytelling are so wild and fun. I can just flip through a book and enjoy it on the basic level. I don’t even know what is going on half the time, yet Booth makes it fun.

I’ll be reading this book as long as Booth is on it. Then, I’ll stop. Had it been anyone else this book would have been a C-. For Booth?

RATING: B

Wacky Raceland # 3 

Written by Ken Pontac
Illustrated by Leonardo Manco
Published by DC Comics

The title of the story is “Poseidon’s Toilet.”

Yet, it should have just been called crap. Because that’s what this is.

WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THESE HANNA BARBERA TITLES???

It’s like DC Comics is determined to bury them and some older creators with them. The creator taking the hit here is Manco, who is still a great artist. But here?

Wow is this bad.

Look, Manco is a talented artist. Put him on Hellblazer watch the results.

I have no words except I couldn’t finish it.

This is comics at it’s worst. And saddest.

RATING: F

Wonder Woman # 5  

Written by Greg Rucka
Illustrated by Liam Sharp
Published by DC Comics.

Well, this is the week of Wonder Woman that isn’t Year One. This is modern time Wonder Woman. And it’s back to being okay. Not great but by no means horrible. And sometimes that’s the best you can ask in a DC Comic these days.

Rucka has an okay handle on the character. He’s a good writer. The title is just schizophrenic with the two concurrent stories going on. Makes it tough to grab onto anything.

Sharp does okay with the book. I feel like he would be a better artist if he had more time to draw it. So we get the watered down version of him.

Not a bad book overall, just okay. I would like spectacular though in all my comics. Or at least some with bigger aspirations.

RATING: B-

Produced by John Corry, Edgar Hoill,
David Oropeza, Eric Schwartz
Written by John Corry, Marc Jakubowicz
Directed by Eric Schwartz
Narrated by Corey Miller
Featuring Don Ed Hardy, Freddy Negrete,
Travis Barker, Joe Bauman, Miguel Bohigues,
Chuco Caballero, Danny Trejo, Mister Cartoon

I kept putting off watching this one. I’ve had pneumonia recently, I’m working long hours and I’m getting married in a few weeks.

Also, I had very little interest in the subject matter. I came very close to getting a tattoo when I was in the Marines years ago, but had second thoughts while sitting in the parlor chair.

Otherwise, I’ve admired some art here and there over the years, but that’s the extent of my curiosity.

So the last thing I wanted to do at the end of a very busy, long, stressful day was sit down to watch a documentary on tattoos.

One of the nice things about being a critic is sometimes you’re “forced” to watch movies you’d otherwise NEVER bother to see. Granted, sometimes these movies turn out to be painful experiences that make you rethink being a critic at all. But other times you’re rewarded with a truly pleasant surprise.

Even though I would have much rather watched a mindless action movie at the end of said long day, I forged ahead and started Tattoo Nation with a big, frowny face.

Director Eric Schwartz sucked me in almost instantly despite my resistance with deft, lightning-paced handling of the material.

He offers a fast, fascinating history of tattoos in the U.S., from the pioneering parlor The Pike in Long Beach, CA, to Pachuco culture in the Latino community, to the strong role of prison culture in shaping the history of tattoos.

There is some incredible jailhouse ingenuity recounted here. Tattooing was illegal in prison, so inmates would convert cassette motors (cassette players were, at one time, distributed to the prison population) into tattooing needles. The motors provided enough juice to do the job and the motors were relatively quiet.

The inmates would also burn up pages of their bibles or other books, add some baby oil or water to the ashes, and extract usable ink.

Schwartz makes use of interviews with a lot interesting players in the tattoo world, such as Ed Hardy, Freddy Negrete, Mister Cartoon, Charlie Cartwright, Catfish Carl and others. This list may well be old hat to tattoo aficionados, but these guys were all new to me (hey, Danny Trejo is in the movie, too – I’ve heard of him!!).

But they all have quite interesting anecdotes, testimonies, back stories. And strong opinions. Schwartz does a nice job of combining the talking heads with some well-chosen archival footage.

I can’t speak for diehard tattoo folks (though I think they’d enjoy the film), but to this utter novice, Tattoo Nation did a terrific job of exploring the history of tattoos in a hugely entertaining way.

And man, there is some UNBELIEVABLE art on display here!

So, at the end of a long day, I got what I didn’t realize I wanted: I was transported to an unfamiliar world for 90 minutes, away from my worries, and by golly if I didn’t learn a thing or two as well.

Well done, Tattoo Nation.

Join the Venture family as they begin a new chapter in New York City on the sixth season of the hit animated Adult Swim series, The Venture Bros., available on Blu-ray™ and DVD October 4, 2016. Get set for more exploits with brothers Hank and Dean as Dr. Venture inherits a fortune and moves his family into a spectacular new home in the Big Apple. Fabulously wealthy and settled in their luxurious, new compound, the Venture clan embarks on an exciting new season filled with more drama and danger! The Venture Bros. Season Six features all eight episodes from the show’s sixth season and bonus material, including commentaries for every episode, deleted scenes and special All This And Gargantua-2, all of which have never been released on Blu-ray™/DVD before. The Venture Bros. Season Six will retail for $29.98 SRP for the Blu-ray™ and $24.98 SRP for the standard DVD edition.

One of the longest running series on Adult Swim, The Venture Bros. follows the adventures of the Venture family, an eclectic clan comprised of the world-renowned Dr. Venture, a pill-popping, failed super scientist and father of the fraternal, not-so-bright twin brothers Hank and Dean. Joining them is their tough-as-nails bodyguard Brock (Patrick Warburton, Seinfeld, The Tick) who was appointed by the government to protect the family from any threat or violence. Together, they embark on a series of odd misadventures that take them around the globe as they fight off villains, most notably The Monarch, the family’s arch villain.

Created by Jackson Publick (The Tick) The Venture Bros. was launched in 2004 and since then, has emerged as one of Adult Swim’s most popular and beloved shows. Praised by fans and critics for its creativity, wit and originality, The Venture Bros. is a clever spoof of popular animated science fiction/adventure shows of the 1960s. The sixth season of The Venture Bros. ranked as the number one show in its timeslot among adults and men 18-24, adults and men 18-34 and adults and men 18-49.

Special Features Include:

• Creator Commentaries for every episode
• Deleted Scenes
• All This And Gargantua-2 – A 45-minute bonus special new to Blu-ray/DVD.   

For more details visit AdultSwim.com

Continuing efforts to provide more ways to buy and watch your favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars movies at home or on the go, Disney Movies Anywhere has announced the addition of Fios by Verizon, the first multichannel video programming distributor to join its cloud-based digital movie service platform.

The launch coincides with yesterday’s digital release of Disney’s hit film The Jungle Book.

Fios by Verizon customers in the U.S. can immediately, seamlessly connect their digital movie collections across the Disney Movies Anywhere ecosystem and watch them from the living room or a wide array of mobile devices, as well as purchase directly from Fios by Verizon on supported Disney Movies Anywhere platforms.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Fios by Verizon to our Disney Movies Anywhere experience,” said Dan Cohen, Executive Vice President, Pay Television and Digital Disney/ ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution. “This is an invaluable addition as we continue to expand access and connect our customers with their digital movie collections across multiple platforms and devices.”

“Disney Movies Anywhere is the perfect fit for families on the go,” said Tricia Lynch, Executive Director, Content Strategy and Acquisitions for Verizon.  “Disney Movies Anywhere will let Fios customers watch all their great Disney movies on their home TVs with Fios on Demand and on their phones or tablets with the Fios Mobile app – anywhere they are.  We’re happy to partner with Disney on this ground-breaking innovation for our customers.”

With Disney Movies Anywhere, Fios by Verizon subscribers can enjoy an enriched home entertainment experience with easy access to family-friendly content and watch their interconnected Disney Movies Anywhere library of films through their existing set-top box.

In celebration of this partner launch, for a limited time Disney Movies Anywhere is offering a free digital copy of Disney•Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. to new and existing members who connect an iTunes, Amazon Video, VUDU, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV and now Fios by Verizon account to Disney Movies Anywhere. Offer is valid through September 7, 2016.

About Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) 

Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) is an engaging and family-friendly cloud-based digital movie service that makes it easy to buy Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars movies once and watch them anywhere. Viewers can enjoy their digital movies from the comfort of their living room and across multiple mobile platforms by simply adding the free DMA app or channel to their devices, such as iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android mobile phones and tablets, Android TV, Amazon’s Fire tablets, Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Roku, and Xbox 360, and connecting to their DMA account with participating providers including iTunes, Amazon Video, VUDU, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV and Fios by Verizon. DMA users can explore Disney’s library of over 450 digital movies, discover hours of new and exclusive short-form content, redeem Digital Movie codes found in eligible Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars product, and earn Disney Movie Rewards points with every digital purchase.

About THE JUNGLE BOOK

Disney’s live-action epic adventure “The Jungle Book,” which has earned more than $955 million at the global box office to date, will be available early on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on August 23, and on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On-Demand on August 30. The release includes in-depth bonus features that reveal the innovative filmmaking technology used to create the richly immersive jungle world and characters; takes viewers on a journey of the film’s only on-screen actor, charismatic newcomer Neel Sethi (Mowgli); provides a glimpse into a candid and humorous scene-by-scene audio commentary with director Jon Favreau and introduces viewers to the all-star voice cast who help bring the film’s colorful characters to life, as well as the musicians who accent the adventure with a majestic music score.

Directed by Jon Favreau (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2,” “Chef”) and produced by Favreau and Brigham Taylor (executive producer of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” “Tomorrowland”), “The Jungle Book” is a live-action epic adventure based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories, inspired by Disney’s classic 1967 animated film and centered on Mowgli (Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat.  For more information, visit movies.disney.com/the-jungle-book-2016

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York City, has a diverse workforce of nearly 162,700 and generated nearly $132 billion in 2015 revenues. Verizon operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with 113.2 million retail connections nationwide. The company also provides communications and entertainment services over mobile broadband and the nation’s premiere all-fiber network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers worldwide.

About The Walt Disney Studios

For over 90 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; Lucasfilm; and Touchstone Pictures. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!.

Amazon Studio’s The Neon Demon directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, is a sumptuous horror-thriller, set in the highly competitive and often vicious world of fashion modeling, where the term “eat their own” takes on a decidedly new meaning. When aspiring model Jesse moves to Los Angeles, her youth and vitality are devoured by a group of beauty-obsessed women who will use any means necessary to get what she has.  The film is co-written by Refn (Bronson, Drive, Only God Forgives, Valhalla Rising), Mary Laws (”Preacher”) and Polly Stenham; and stars Elle Fanning (Maleficent, Super 8), Karl Glusman (Love, Stonewall), Jena Malone (Inherent Vice, The Hunger Games series), Bella Heathcote (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Dark Shadows), Abbey Lee (Gods of Egypt, Max Max: Fury Road), with Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men,” Drive), and Keanu Reeves (John Wick, The Matrix series).

theneondemon.com

The modern life is fast and busy. Buried in our work, studying, or daily routine, we usually don’t have much time for handling our private life. As technologies rapidly develop, more and more men go to online dating services to meet beautiful ladies online. After you’ve been communicating with someone special remotely, it is pretty okay to arrange an offline meeting to test your compatibility on practice. Now, the question comes: what exactly should you do to impress her? Today, we would like to give you some tips on how to improve your chances for a second date.

Let’s start with the dos.

1. Do be open to new ideas

We all are familiar with the regular date scenario, when you pick her up, go to café, take a walk in a local park, and then drive her home. Don’t you find it somewhat tedious? If you really wish to awaken your lady’s enthusiasm, think of more creative options. This may be visiting a workshop or museum, renting a boat, or even playing video games. Just think what she would like.

2. Do look good

It doesn’t mean you have to put on a dinner jacket. Just a fresh and well-chosen outfit will be perfect. Take care to make a neat hairstyle and clean your shoes. You know, even the kindest girl on Earth may go mad from dirty boots. Pick the right perfume – it must attract your date and not make her sneeze.

3. Do be a gentleman

Whatever popular feminist magazines say, chivalry is not dead. Women still fall for polite and generous guys. Show your good manners through simple acts like helping her go downstairs, holding doors, and picking up the tab. If you go to a restaurant or some crowded place, remember to be nice to people around you – this also matters.

4. Do ask questions and listen

Communication creates your relationship. The main goal of the first date is to get closer, so be ready to talk and listen. Pick topics accordingly to your partner`s tastes: let her tell you more about what she is keen on. Ask her opinions and take everything you hear into account.

5. Do show your interest

You can’t respond to her words with simple “okay”, “I understand” and so on. Let her know you are excited about what she says. Tell your own stories; describe things you are interested in. Promote the dialogue, since your task is to build a connection.

Now, let’s get to the don’ts.

1. Don’t expect too much

If this is your very first live meeting, put your pink glasses off. Modern people often fall in love with just a photo in a social network and get frustrated when it comes to a real date. Before asking her out, try to get more information. Have video chats, talk by phone – e-mails and pictures aren’t always reliable.

2. Don’t drink

Buzz has never been a first date solution. Of course, it helps you loosen up and have fun. However, it is barely acceptable if you hope for a romantic evening. One or two glasses of wine are pretty enough to lead conversations and enjoy the atmosphere.

3. Don’t be a drama king

A date must be relaxing and pleasant, so this is definitely not a time for discussing your problems. Put all the troubles aside for a couple of hours. No matter how dull your day was or how depressed you feel after a breakup. Girls like positivity and self-confidence in men.

4. Don’t talk about intimate things

There are some topics inappropriate to discuss at the first time together. Avoid asking your lady about sexual preferences, past relationships, or family problems. Respect her personal space.

5. Don’t be assertive

If you feel the date was excellent, you may kiss her without hesitations. In fact, many women complain their partners are too timid to do so. But don’t ask her for a second date right after the first one is ended. Give your mate a day or two to rest

Severus Snape & the Marauders took the internet by storm with articles in Buzzfeed, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, IGN, Elite Daily and more. Talk to the cast and find out about the journey of the film, from legal scares and weather troubles, to working with a full 65 piece orchestra and artists from around the world to make the film as standout as possible! The screening will feature a LIVE commentary from the cast, a Q&A, and prize give away!

This is only one of the many events at Long Beach Comic Con, an exciting weekend full of exceptional guests and exhibitors, and engaging panels, that runs Saturday, September 17 from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm and Sunday, September 18 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm at the Long Beach Convention Center. The show opens to advance ticket holders at 9:30 AM on Saturday and 10AM on Sunday. Tickets are available now through the website: www.longbeachcomiccon.com.

Follow Long Beach Comic Con on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and information.

ABOUT LONG BEACH COMIC CON: Long Beach Comic Con is an annual event held at the Long Beach Convention Center that celebrates comic books and pop culture and showcases the exceptional works of talented writers, artists, illustrators and creators of all types of pop culture. At Long Beach Comic Con, you’ll find exhibitors promoting and selling all types of related products, as well as entertaining and educational programs for all ages, guest signings and meet & greet sessions with celebrities. Long Beach Comic Con is a MAD Event Management, LLC production. To learn more and purchase tickets, please visit www.longbeachcomiccon.com.

Make no mistake, Stranger Things is an expertly told story. It’s also yet another example of a TV show or movie that basks in the vapidness of nostalgia for the sole purposes of letting viewers, and especially critics, high five themselves for spotting not so subtle allusions and homages to 1980s pop culture.

To paraphrase Tony Soprano, “remember when” is the lowest form of filmmaking.

Despite going into great detail to recreate the early 1980s on screen, Stranger Things pretty much has nothing to say about how the popular culture from this period of time helped define childhood for American kids.

The kids constantly bring up the X-Men, for example, but there is no analysis about how the X-Men helps explain their worldview or the American experience at that point in time.

Further, the kids in Stranger Things regularly discuss the meaning of friendship — it’s one of the central themes of the series.

But nothing in the popular culture of the time — which is thrust all over the TV screen — seems to inform their understanding of the concept.

So what’s the point of all of the nostalgia?

About the only time there is a linkage between the media they consume and their perception of the world is when they reference Lando Calrissian’s betrayal of Han Solo to explain deception and treachery.

In fact, a lot of franchises referenced weren’t about friendship, such as Jaws, The Thing, and Alien/s. In all of them groups of diverse people are forced to work together. If there was one film that you’d think would influence the way kids think about friendship and sacrifice it would be Wrath of Khan; if I recall correctly, there wasn’t a single mention or allusion to Star Trek.

The plot of Stranger Things closely mirrors E.T. — to the point that I was genuinely surprised that there were no flying bicycles. The nostalgia would have had meaning and purpose if the kids recognized the similarity between their situation and E.T., and— for better or for worse — informed their decisions.

Now maybe just the oppose is the point, that as unique as the 1980s may appear, there is a universality to childhood that transcends time. But Stranger Things makes no apparent argument about the uniqueness of this point in time, and whether intentional or not, almost all of its homages are to pop-culture properties that are just as popular today as they were back then: Star Wars, Stephen King, Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit, Alien, and so on.

And even the junk food, specifically Eggo frozen waffles, are still very much around (yet they didn’t have any “L’eggo my Eggo” TV commercials).

There’s almost no introspection by creators Matt and Ross Duffer about what is was like to be a kid in the 1980s, apart from what was popular with teenage boys. The only moment I can think of was when one of the characters boasts about the 16-inch TV that his family has. That reminded me how there used to be a collectivism to entertainment in homes.

You had no choice but to watch TV shows and movies together as a family.

When I think of what defined by childhood in the 1980s vis-à-vis pop-culture, it’s that Star Trek: The Next Generation was the show the whole family watched, and that I watched a lot of movies that probably weren’t quite appropriate for my age, like Alien and Total Recall, because my father made the decisions about we rented from West Coast Video.

I can’t imagine that kids today have much ability to relate to that, or even people who grew up before the 1980s without home video.

But this was a fleeting moment in Stranger Things.

Produced by Heather Greenwood,
Andrew Orr, Danny Potts
Written by Adam Randall, Gary Young
Directed by Adam Randall
Starring Josh Bowman, Neil Maskell,
William Houston, Kulvinder Ghir,
Doc Brown, Leila Mimmack,
Christina Wolfe, Paul Reynolds,
Cameron Jack, Jonathan Arkwright

British film Level Up, from first-time feature director Adam Randall, starts off as a well-paced paranoid thriller before falling apart in its third act.

Level Up (not to be confused with a 2011 TV movie that aired on Nickelodeon with the same name) stars Josh Bowman – who American audiences may know from the ABC television series Revenge – as Matt, a young Londoner who enjoys day-drinking and video games, habits which seem to annoy his girlfriend Anna (an underused Leila Mimmack.)

Without giving too much away, Anna is kidnapped by a group with a mysterious agenda and Matt soon finds himself racing against time to perform a series of increasingly difficult tasks to ensure her safety.

In the early part of the film the set-up is a lot of fun to watch – it’s like a mash-up of North by Northwest and Run Lola Run – as a disoriented Matt tries to make sense of what is happening to him. As the details of what is happening to Matt become clearer I found my suspension of disbelief more and more difficult to maintain – thinking about the plot for more than five minutes bring massive inconsistencies to light, and too many of the stories’ twists are telegraphed to the point that they’re easy to see coming.

Since the reveals are teased out over the course of the film I feel like writing more would delve too deeply into spoiler territory, but I will say that the film ends in a completely ham-fisted attempt at social commentary that does a great disservice to the fun, gripping thriller that the film had previously been.

There’s an attempt to marry the themes of the film to a critique of video game culture and the voyeurism of social media – this attempt mostly doesn’t work because of a lack of trust in the audience to make those connections themselves’. Too often in the back half of the film you’ll be taken out of the action as a dream sequence or cutaway makes the subtext overly explicit.

Bowman does a fine job as Matt – the film is told from his point of view and there are very few scenes that he’s not in – and he’s got pretty great screen presence. I was reminded of Chris Evans on several occasions. The Matt character spends a lot of the film trying to get his bearings and reacting to the craziness around him and Bowman manages to sell this – you’re with this character and want to see him succeed.

Additionally, there is solid supporting work from Neil Maskell and William Houston, who do yeoman’s work with the scant material they’re given.

The editing in Level Up is marvelous – particularly in scenes involving Matt running from task to task or involved in some sort of altercation (which is the majority of the film) – and a huge part of why I enjoyed the first half of the film so much is a credit to editor Kate Coggins.

Ultimately, however, this is director Adam Randall’s show and his clear chops at building suspense and staging action scenes are undercut by his failure to stick the landing. If you put the issues with Level Up’s ending aside, however, this is an impressive debut.

Level Up is in limited release today and arrives on VOD September 26th.

Produced by Robert Yeremian, Jacob Tasho
Directed by Jason Mayoh
Narrated by Andrew Lake

Passion can make any project top notch. So many times, that is missing from so many things: The simple pure passion of the creators. The new documentary film called Tales of Rocky Point Park has it in spades.

Directed with a keen eye by Jason Mayoh comes this fascinating documentary. For the uninitiated, Rocky Point Amusement Park was a local amusement park that many Rhode Islanders can’t forget about since it closed it’s doors. If you live in Rhode Island, you’ve either been there or heard people talk about it to an obsessive degree.

It is a cultural touchstone, a part of every Rhode Islander’s lives in one form or another.

A few years ago, a documentary about the heyday of the park came out called You Must Be This Tall; it was a film that was fun and breezy and nostalgic.

This film however digs deeper into the mythos of Rocky Point. It explores a lot of the tragedies that occurred as well as some of it’s rich history. It succeeds on many levels. Myself, I have been to the park many times, and even was there on it’s official last day of operation. Yet, I have never looked at Rocky Point quite like this.

The film theorizes that Rocky Point may have been a cursed amusement park. It does so in such a way through research and fact that it’s very convincing on it’s points. In fact, it may just horrify you to know some of these points.

The footage and documents shown here are amazing. This team did their job and show you things you remember and things you had no idea existed. Director Mayoh and his team pace it well too and I was riveted from the moment it started. What’s great is that when you watch this it’s actual history. And it’s so horrifying some of the stories in here.

Years ago Mayoh wrote and drew a Tales of Rocky Point Park comic book. I recognized some of the stories from there. He is a great artist, however, maybe his calling was as a film director. This is engaging stuff told in a riveting way.

Kudos too to Andrew Lake on the creepy narration; he has a great voice for this and he was perfectly chosen. Producer Robert Yeremian should be commended to taking a chance and producing a hell of a great documentary that is intelligent, fascinating, and is worth watching not just for the initiated, but for those who never heard of the park and this is their first ride behind the front gates.

RATING: A

For more details and screening information visit
talesofrockypointpark.com

Be afraid of what lives in the dark when “Lights Out” arrives onto Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD. Teresa Palmer (“Triple 9,” “Warm Bodies”) stars as Rebecca; Gabriel Bateman (“Annabelle”) as Martin; Billy Burke (the “Twilight” franchise) as Martin’s father, Paul; Alexander DiPersia (“Forever”) as Rebecca’s boyfriend, Bret; and Maria Bello (“Prisoners”) as Sophie.

When Rebecca left home, she thought she left her childhood fears behind. Growing up, she was never really sure of what was and wasn’t real when the lights went out…and now her little brother, Martin, is experiencing the same unexplained and terrifying events that had once tested her sanity and threatened her safety. A frightening entity with a mysterious attachment to their mother, Sophie, has reemerged. But this time, as Rebecca gets closer to unlocking the truth, there is no denying that all their lives are in danger…once the lights go out.

“Lights Out” marks the feature film directorial debut of David F. Sandberg, who directed from a screenplay by Eric Heisserer (“Final Destination 5”), based on Sandberg’s own short film. James Wan, Lawrence Grey and Heisserer served as producers, with Walter Hamada, Dave Neustadter and Richard Brener as executive producers.

[youtube id=”6LiKKFZyhRU”]

“Lights Out” will be available on October 25^th on Blu-ray for $29.98, and includes the film in high definition on Blu-ray disc and a digital version of the movie in Digital HD with UltraViolet*. Fans can also own “Lights Out” via purchase from digital retailers beginning on October 11^th.

BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS

“Lights Out” Blu-ray contains the following special features:

• Deleted scenes

“Lights Out” Standard Definition DVD contains the following special features:

• Deleted scenes

 DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION ELEMENTS

On October 11^th, “Lights Out” will be available to own for streaming and download to watch anywhere in high definition and standard definition on favorite devices from select digital retailers including Amazon, CinemaNow, Flixster, iTunes, PlayStation, Vudu, Xbox and others. On October 25^th, “Lights Out” will be made available digitally on Video On Demand services from cable and satellite providers, and on select gaming consoles.

ABOUT DIGITAL HD WITH ULTRAVIOLET

*Digital HD with UltraViolet allows fans to watch a digital version of their movie or TV show anywhere, on their favorite devices. Digital HD with UltraViolet is included with the purchase of specially marked Blu-ray discs. Digital HD with UltraViolet allows consumers to instantly stream and download movies and TV shows to TVs, computers, tablets and smartphones through UltraViolet retail services like CinemaNow, Flixster, Vudu and more. For more information on compatible devices go to wb.com/ultravioletdevices. Consult an UltraViolet Retailer for details and requirements and for a list of HD-compatible devices.

Facebook.com/LightsOutTheMovie
#LightsOut

Axiom
Written by Mark Waid
Illustrated by Ed Benes
Published by Legendary Comics
ISBN: 9781937278731 | Price $19.99
Release date: August 23, 2016

Legendary Comics has been impressing with their line of comics in the past few years. Top creators doing top notch work.

Their titles have ranged from Frank Miller doing Holy Terror and Matt Wagner and Simon Bisley on The Tower Chronicles.

No matter which way you slice it, they produce some of the more stunning comics in recent times.

They deconstruct the genre and almost rebuild it into something new.

That is definitely apparent in the newest offering, Axiom, by legendary writer, Mark Waid.

Waid is having a mini resurgence in his comic work and I could not be happier. Between this and Archie, it’s great to see his high quality writing on the stands.

Waid writes a killer tale here too. Axiom and Thena, aliens from another world, arrive on Earth. Benevolent and godlike, they cure humanity’s ills and usher in an era of peace, prosperity and complacency.

A series of tragic events reveals another side of Axiom: humanity’s savior becomes its worst nightmare. A Defense Department analyst, armed with only scientific knowledge and courageous spirit takes on the turned hero in a fight for mankind’s survival.

The writing is sharp and well paced. Waid is one of the best writers comics ever had and he runs wild here. It’s a hell of a ride. A hell of a script. Surprisingly, thoughtful, and brutal, this is a book to read and reread again.

Ed Benes has never been one of my favorite artists. I always thought he is what editors would get if they couldn’t get Mike Deodato Jr. Yet here, he comes into his Owen and owns his art and the book. This is the best work of his career.

The production value and colors on this are amazing. This will be on my list of best books of the year. Thank you to Legendary for again showing us how comic books should be done and entertaining this reviewer once more.

RATING: A

The Marvel Universe is fractured. Heroes who once stood together now position themselves in against one another. The next generation of heroes are fed up! It’s time for a change. It’s time for a brighter tomorrow. Enter…the CHAMPIONS! Six determined young heroes out to change the world. Get ready to meet them in Marvel’s CHAMPIONS #1 – a brand-new ongoing series launching this October as the flagship title of Marvel NOW!

Eisner Award winning writer Mark Waid and Eisner Award nominated artist Humberto Ramos join forces to bring you a brand new super team for a brand new era. A teen team supreme that refuses to adhere to the outdated ways of old and is ready to change the world on their own terms. It’s time to be heroes again, and Ms. Marvel, Miles Morales, Nova, Viv Vision, Cyclops and the Totally Awesome Hulk are striking out on their own to make a new future. Not Avengers. Not Defenders. They are – Champions!

“To their mind – the reputation of super heroes has taken a very public beating and they’re very intent on proving to the world that super heroes still have value and still have relevance,” says writer Mark Waid in an interview with Marvel.com.

It doesn’t take a Tony Stark or Captain America to make a difference. All it takes is six young heroes and you can change the world. A new day is dawning – and these six are just getting started!

Be there for their first outing as Marvel NOW! shifts into high gear in CHAMPIONS #1 – coming to comic shops and digital devices everywhere on October 5^th!

CHAMPIONS #1 (AUG160733)
CHAMPIONS #1 LAUNCH PARTY OPT-IN (AUG160742)
Written by MARK WAID
Art & Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS
Party Variant by JAY FOSGITT (AUG160748)
Variant Covers by ALEX ROSS (AUG160734) & SKOTTIE YOUNG (AUG160735)
Champions Variant by MARK BROOKS (AUG160739)
Classic Ghost Rider Action Figure Variant by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER (AUG160737)
Miles & Hulk Action Figure Variant by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER (AUG160736)
Hip-Hop Variant by RAHZZAH (AUG160740)
Captain America 75^th Anniversary Variant Also Available (AUG160738)
Blank Cover Available (AUG160741)
FOC – 09/05/16, On-Sale – 10/05/16

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