Cartoon Network’s funniest and most endearing animated bear brothers are coming to DVD with the highly anticipated release of We Bare Bears: Viral Video, available October 4, 2016. Climb onto the bearstack with Grizz, Panda and Ice Bear and get set for 12 delightful episodes from the hit animated comedy series, which comes to DVD for the first time.  We Bare Bears has captivated audiences with its hilarious storylines, clever pop culture references and adorable characters. We Bare Bears: Viral Video will retail for $14.97 SRP.

We Bare Bears follows three bear siblings: Grizzly (Eric Edelstein), Panda (Bobby Moynihan) and Ice Bear (Demetri Martin), who try to fit in to society and make friends. Whether they’re looking for food, trying to make human friends, or scheming to become internet famous, it’s obvious that being a bear in the civilized, modern world is tough. They have a lot to learn about the trendy residents that surround their humble Bay Area cave, but at least they have each other. The Bears’ favorite way to get around town is by bearstack, where Grizzly stands atop Panda who stands atop Ice Bear who walks them wherever they want to go.

In We Bare Bears: Viral Video, the bear trio open up their own food truck, try to become Internet stars by making a viral video and try to save their home when it’s threatened by a construction project.  Panda develops a big crush on a woman who saves his life after he suffers a peanut allergy attack. Grizz becomes obsessed with a bear-sized burrito and takes it with him everywhere he goes. The bear brothers meet Chloe, a very smart girl who observes them for her college presentation and they also get to know Charlie, a Bigfoot who spends a weekend in their home.

We Bare Bears was created by Annie Award-winner Daniel Chong and is based on his webcomic “The Three Bare Bears.” The animated series premiered on Cartoon Network in July 2015 and since its debut, it has become enormously popular with both adults and kids. The premiere episode ranked as the #1 show for the day among kids 6-11, boys 6-11 and kids 2-11. In a rank of programs on all broadcast/cable networks, We Bare Bears was the #1 show among boys 6-11 and the #2 show among kids 6-11 on Thursday nights in the 4^th quarter in 2015. The series ranked as the #1 show in its time period among boys 6-11 and boys 9-14 during the 1^st quarter of 2016.  Additionally, during its premiere month, We Bare Bears was also one of the top three shows on the new Cartoon Network video app and contributed to a 14% increase in CartoonNetwork.com video plays over the prior four week site average. We Bare Bears ranked as television’s #1 animated series launch of 2015 among kids 2-11, kids 6-11, kids 9-14 and boys 9-14; and was the #1 series launch of 2015 among boys 2-11 and boys 6-11. The second season of We Bare Bears premiered on Cartoon Network in February 2016.

A team of Star Wars superfans today revealed the new toy line for the highly anticipated “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” movie via a series of fan-made animated shorts launching on the Star Wars YouTube channel. As part of a competition in collaboration with creative network Tongal, a team was assembled to write, direct and produce original, fan-made stop-motion shorts starring key toys from the new line to kick off a global UGC contest that asks fans to share their own “Rogue Stories.”

“These fan-created shorts are a tribute to the incredible content that the Star Wars community posts online every day,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. “The Go Rogue campaign was designed with Star Wars fans in mind – we want them to be front and center in the run up to ‘Rogue One’ by imagining and creating their own Rogue Stories.”

When Star Wars news breaks, many fans worldwide react by sharing their own videos online. According to new research¹, fans posted over 838,000 pieces of Star Wars-related content on YouTube in the past year alone, which is more than 2,296 per day and nearly 96 per hour. Star Wars fan-generated content is also incredibly popular, accruing more than 16.3 billion views in the last year – equivalent to everyone in the world viewing at least two fan-created videos.

The global contest, which kicks off September 30, invites fans to share their own short stories or skits set in a galaxy far, far away… Winning entries from around the globe will be chosen by a panel including “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” director Gareth Edwards. Beginning September 30, teen and adult fans can enter the Go Rogue contest on StarWars.com/GoRogue. In addition to the global contest on starwars.com, in the U.S. and parts of Canada, kids 8-12 can participate on Disney.com/MyRogueStory. Winners will be invited to Lucasfilm in San Francisco to attend a screening of “Rogue One,” and see their short story on the big screen.

The fan-created shorts showcasing the new line of “Rogue One” toys for the first time launches on the Star Wars YouTube channel today, with new installments rolling out through September. The team was lead by James DeJulio at Tongal, and the series was written by Kevin Ulrich and brought to life by stop-motion animators and directors Dan MacKenzie and Tucker Barrie. The stories follow the adventures of “Rogue One” toys from Hasbro, LEGO, FUNKO, JAKKS Pacific, Mattel and Disney Store as they try to track down the building instructions to the LEGO Star Wars Death Star set which have been misplaced by the Empire.

“I’ve been a Star Wars fan my whole life so this is a dream project,” says James DeJulio, co-founder of Tongal. “It’s been amazing to see what an inspiration Star Wars has been to so many members of our creative community, whether that’s coming up with their own Star Wars storylines, or playing out scenes with Star Wars toys at home with their kids. I’m excited to share this first ‘Rogue Story’ with the world and hope it inspires other fans to share theirs.”

Fans can pre-order a handful of select items seen in the “Rogue Stories” beginning September 2 at mass retailers, Disney Store locations and disneystore.com. The full range of new “Rogue One” and Star Wars products will be available globally starting on September 30. Join the global #GoRogue conversation on social.

Go Rogue Contest
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter contest between 9/30/16 at 12:00 p.m. PT and 10/21/16 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., Canada (excluding Quebec), Australia and New Zealand who are 13+ at time of entry. Limit 1 entry per person. There are 3 Grand Prizes available to be won (ARV: US $7,000 each). GRAND PRIZE WINNERS MUST TRAVEL ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 12, 2016. Visit www.StarWars.com for Official Rules including details on how to enter, eligibility requirements, prize description and limitations. Void in Quebec and where prohibited. Sponsor: Disney Online, 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521-7667.

My Rogue Story Contest (US/CAN ONLY)
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter contest between 9/30/16 at 12:00 p.m. PT and 10/21/16 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., Canada (excluding Quebec) between the ages of 8-12 at time of entry. Limit 1 entry per person. GRAND PRIZE WINNER MUST TRAVEL ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 12, 2016. Visit www.Disney.com for Official Rules including details on how to enter, eligibility requirements, prize description and limitations. Void in Quebec and where prohibited. Sponsor: Disney Online, 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521-7667.

To celebrate the grand season opening, we’re giving away ten passes (each includes admission for 4) that can be used for most weekends through the 2016 season!

On Saturday, September 24th, Forces of Geek will be among the judges of a Game of Thrones trivia/costume contest

To enter, please send an email with the subject header “KING RICHARD 2016” to geekcontest @ gmail dot com and answer the following:

Game of Thrones is the creation of this American novelist and screenwriter?

Please include your name and mailing address (New England Residents only. You must be 18 years old. Travel and Lodging not included).

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

Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on September 6th, 2016.

For more details, visit kingrichardsfaire.net

Folks, it’s early Christmas.

Zootopia! Footloose! Top Gun! Luke Cage! Jaws! Jaws 2! Jaws 3! Jaws 4! All the Jaws!

As mentioned in a previous article, the 2013 Netflix-Disney deal is beginning to bear fruit for Netflix users as goodies begin to bloom in streaming, beginning with the animated megahit Zootopia.

Keep your eyes peeled in the upcoming months for more box office hits to head over to the streaming service first from the Mouse House as part of this super sexy streaming deal.

SEPTEMBER 1

The Amityville Horror (2005)

So, before Deadpool made Ryan Reynolds the best human ever, he was forced to do dreck like this. Let’s all take a moment to thank Tim Miller, the Marvel Universe and Reynolds himself for making the Merc with a Mouth happen.

Babel (2006)

The Oscar winner featuring converging storylines that span the globe following a narrative about a couple in crisis after a woman is shot while on vacation in the Middle East. Starring everyone.

Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James Booker (2013)

Also known as the “Black Liberace”, James Booker was the piano prodigy whose students included Dr. John and Harry Connick Jr. The New Orleans native lived fast and died young, but not before leaving his mark on the music industry.

Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991)

Sequel to the one of the greatest movies ever made is just okay.

Bratz: The Movie (2007)

Based on a toy line that toes the line between fashion doll and bad influence on today’s children, film is best known for causing Paula Abdul’s meltdown on her reality show when she was kicked off the production she helped get of the ground.

Burn, Burn, Burn (2015)

Buddies head on road trip to spread the ashes of a dead friend.

Cats & Dogs (2001)

Mediocre summer kiddie pic about what happens when you leave the house. Turns out that Flurry and Fido are in a race war for global domination.

Crashing (Season 1)

Brit series about six twentysomethings living together in an abandoned hospital, which is apparently something you can do in Blighty.

Defiance (2008)

Daniel Craig, Liev Schrieber and Jamie Bell play three Jewish brothers who take refuge from the Nazis in a nearby forest, using their survival skills to outrack, outlive and outhunt their would-be killers.

Europe’s Last Great Wilderness (2015)

Nature with all sorts of cheeky accents in this National Geo show.

The Fierce Wife (2010)

Singapore drama about a woman who discovers that her husband has been cheating on her with her cousin.

Footloose (1984)

This movie has it all.  A town where dancing and music is illegal. John Lithgow as the preacher with a tragic past. Laurie Singer preacher’s daughter with a chip on her shoulder and red cowboy boots. Kevin Bacon and his amazing back-flipping double. Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Penn as the best friends. Kenny Loggins. A perfect movie with a perfect soundtrack that never gets old.

Full Out (2015)

The story of Ariana Berlin, a gymnast who almost lost her chance to compete due to a car accident, but was able to regain her chances thanks to the healing power of hip-hop music.

I want to say I didn’t NOT MAKE THAT UP. That is really the plot. It just sounds sarcastic.

Heartland (Season 7)

Canadian saga about a family who has the ability to help injured horses. Apparently, this has been going on for about seven years.

Hellevator (Season 1)

Blumhouse Productions horror game show featuring the Twisted Twins Jen and Sylvia Soska in which contestants ride a haunted elevator through an abandoned warehouse.

Hoot (2006)

Kids in Florida try to save a nest of wild owls from becoming an Applebees-esque restaurant.

Hope Floats (1998)

Sandra Bullock returns to her small Texas town after her husband’s affair is made into entertainment on daytime television.

The IT Crowd (Season 5)

You have had a rough day. Go ahead and binge this. You deserve it.

Jaws (1975)

The film that created the term “blockbuster” and is perhaps the greatest single horror film of all time. A masterpiece in both tension and terror, Jaws made Steven Spielberg the Hollywood wunderkid of the ‘70s and ‘80s and defined modern movie making. I watch it every few weeks for good measure, just to remind myself how a great move can be.

Jaws 2 (1978)

So, not as great as the original, but still, a solid movie. Good performances from Roy Scheider as Amity Island looks to be facing yet another shark problem.

Jaws 3 (1983)

Ok, so this is clearly not a good movie. HOWEVER, the combination of the terrible 3D, to over-the-top performances and the awful, awful premise makes for pure entertainment. Not to mention one of my favorite overacted scenes of all time:

“Overman was killed inside the park. The baby was caught inside the park. Its mother is inside the park.”

Jaws: The Revenge (1987)

This movie is the cinematic definition of “I can’t even.”

The only reason Michael Caine is in it is because he got to go to the Bahamas. He freely admits this in many, many interviews.

Joyful Noise (2012)

Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah in a choir movie.

Keepers of the Game (2016)

Documentary on the Salmon River High School girls Lacrosse team that struggles to keep its funding.

Last Holiday (2006)

Queen Latifah thinks she’s going to die so she lives out her bucket list.

Man on Wire (2008)

Biography on tightrope walker Philippe Petit’s famous stunt of walking between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Pic focuses on every detail of the event, from what to wear, to width of the wire to calculating the wind.

Milk Money (1994)

Man, where to start on this one.

A little boy hires a prostitute (Melanie Griffith) with his milk money, but then decides it is better if she hangs out with his dad (Ed Harris) rather than his friends because it might be a slightly bad idea.

Hey, guy who greenlit this, you should be fucking ashamed of yourself.

Practical Magic (1998)

Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are sisters who hail from a long line of witches blessed with beauty but cursed with never being able to hold onto love.

Also starring Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest, this movie is a great ‘90s guilty pleasure chick flick. From the Shania Twain soundtrack to the many choker-overall combos, this pic is a snapshot of its time. It needs to be treasured.

Road Trip (2000)

Breckin Meyer and buddies head on a cross country trip to stop an accidentally mailed sex tape from reaching his girl friend. Surprisingly not starring Seth Green.

Sam Kinison: Breaking the Rules (2000)

Originally filmed in 1987, the legendary slightly-unhinged comedian goes from 0-psychotic at the drop of a hat in this amazing HBO special.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

“…and then the Academy gave the Oscar to ‘Shakespeare in Love.’ I mean, to this day, I’m still upset about it”

“Wait. Are you kidding? Did they even see both movies?”

Yeah. Still upset.

One of the greatest war films ever made.

Scary Movie 2 (2001)

After Scary Movie but before the entire franchise was driven off a cliff but overkill, there was this mediocre entry.

Shameless (US – Season 5­-6)

Showtime series continues the saga of the Gallagher family with ex-con Fiona at the helm, Lip now in college, Ian on and off his meds, Debbie entering her teen years and Carl becoming slightly more of a threat.

Stomp the Yard (2007)

Like Stomp the musical, but with a plot. Barely.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Add all of the best creepy elements of pop culture and stir into perfection. A bit of Sondheim with a dash of Burton, add Rickman, Depp and Carter for good measure and stir in some of the best music this side of Broadway.

Top Gun (1986)

Tom Cruise plays Maverick, a volleyball-loving, shirt-hating Navy pilot makes love in silhouette. That’s all you need to know. Now go with God and watch this movie.

True Grit (1969)

John Wayne brought home Oscar gold for his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn, a retired lawman hired by a little girl to bring justice to the men who killed her father.

U­-571 (2000)

Matthew McConaughey leads a Navy mission to fetch a sunken German sub with an advanced encryption machine before the Nazis can retrieve it.

The Wicker Man (2006)

SEPTEMBER 2

Baby Daddy (Season 5)

It’s Three Men and a Baby but with hipsters

Chef’s Table: France ­ (Netflix Original)

“In this original docu-series, find out what’s inside the kitchens and minds of the international culinary stars who are redefining gourmet food.”

Kazoops! (Season 1, Netflix Original)

“Music meets imagination in this inventive animated series about thinking outside the box and having fun.”

Kulipari: An Army of Frogs ­ (Netflix Original)

“In a tale of bravery and heroism, fearless frogs go to war against the sinister scorpions and spiders that have teamed up to conquer the amphibians.”

Narcos (Season 2, Netflix Original)

“The true story of Colombia’s infamously violent and powerful drug cartels fuels this gritty gangster drama series.”

Young & Hungry (Season 4)

Food blogger is hired as a personal chef by a Silicon Valley millionaire and finds herself in a will-they-won’t-they situation with her wealthy-employer.

SEPTEMBER 6

Crash (2004)

Probably the most polarized Oscar winning movie of all time. Is this movie good? Is it bad? Was it just Oscar bait littered with race issues meant to get attention with no real substance? The argument still rages on today.

Unless you are me, and then that fight still belongs to Shakespeare in Love vs. Saving Private Ryan.

The Finest Hours (2015)

In the Netflix agreement that continues to give, the Disney dramatic thriller starring Chris Pine about the daring rescue of a set of oil tankers during a blizzard in 1952.

Hard Target 2 (2016)

Set your clocks, kids! It’s the direct-to-video sequel to the original 1993 pic starring none of the original cast!

I’ll get the popcorn!

Honey 3: Dare to Dance (2016)

In a plot borrowed straight from Footloose, a young dancer looks to break all the rules by bringing dance into her community.

If you look at the poster, everyone looks slightly embarrassed.

R.L. Stine’s Mostly Ghostly: One Night in Doom House (2016)

Max Doyle and his spirit buddies return in this kid’s starter kit to horror.

SEPTEMBER 7

The Blacklist (Season 3)

The third season of the NBC show continues to follow the exploits of the former FBI agent-turned-fugitive Raymond “Red” Reddington.

Galavant (Seasons 1­ and 2)

The ABC musical comedy set in the land of fairy tales by showrunner Dan Fogelman.

SEPTEMBER 10

Supergirl (Season 1)

So, the only place where the DC Universe isn’t a massive disappointment is on the small screen. If you want to have an actual good time where the character will not upset you with their moody, emo ways and penchant for destroying their own cities, than check out what they are doing over at the CW. It’s much, much better.

SEPTEMBER 13

Extremis (2016, Netflix Original)

“Witness the wrenching emotions that accompany end-of-life decisions as doctors, patients and families in a hospital ICU face harrowing choices.”

Hawaii Five­-0 (Season 6)

More procedural adventures with Steve and Dan-O.

London Has Fallen (2015)

The slightly bat-shit crazy sequel to Antoine Fuqua’s 2013 film Olympus Has Fallen about all of the terrorist attacks ever. Seriously. The film never lets up and barely gives you a chance to blink. A strong, highly-entertaining actioner.

SEPTEMBER 14

Goldie & Bear (Season 1)

Goldlocks and Bear are best friends in a magical forest in this Disney Channel kiddie show.

SEPTEMBER 15

Sample This (2012)

A documentary on the Incredible Bongo Band, who released one of the most sampled albums of all time.

The Walking Dead (Season 6)

More Walkers, more tough decisions, and this time, a cliffhanger!

SEPTEMBER 16

Cedric The Entertainer: Live from the Ville ­ (Netflix Original)

“Comedy icon Cedric the Entertainer brings the laughs to Nashville, taking hilarious aim at the aggressive lyrics of today’s rap artists, raising kids in the Snapchat generation, and Obama’s legacy.” – From the Netflix press release they sent me

Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made (2015)

Documentary about one of the best fan films ever made as teen spend their childhood recreating a shot for shot tribute to Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The White Helmets (2016 – Netflix Original)

“As daily airstrikes pound civilian targets in Syria, a group of indomitable first responders risk their lives to rescue victims from the rubble.”

SEPTEMBER 17

3 Days to Kill (2014)

Kevin Costner is a spy with a terminal disease who decides to give up the life to spend more time with his family. But if only it was that easy. Cue dramatic music.

Luther (Season 4)

Idris Elba.

That is all.

Penny Dreadful (Season 3)

The final, rather suddenly final, season of the Showtime series. Started strong, but ended abruptly.

SEPTEMBER 19

Call the Midwife (Series 5)

Period drama about a group of midwives working in London in the ‘50s.

Gotham (Season 2)

For those of you like me who almost gave up after the first season, HANG IN THERE! It gets great! Really.

See the DC Universe argument above…

SEPTEMBER 20

New Girl (Season 5)

Jesse and the loft gang return for more fun and games and the group find new ways to try and hide Zooey Deschanel’s pregnancy.

Zootopia (2016)

Disney’s fantastic little megahit that now makes it harder to tell the difference between Walt Disney Studios and Pixar. A little morality story about believing in yourself wrapped in a surprisingly adult whodunit mystery with complex themes of racism.

Watch it before furries destroy it even further on the Internet.

SEPTEMBER 22

Bones (Season 11)

I am always shocked when a show I don’t personally watch has been on for more than a decade. Good for you, Bones.

Easy (Season 1 ­- Netflix Original)

“With an eclectic, star-studded cast, this fresh anthology follows diverse Chicagoans fumbling through the modern maze of love, sex, tech and culture.”

Wallander (Series 4)

The Brit TV series starring Kenneth Branagh enters its fourth and final season.

SEPTEMBER 23

Audrie & Daisy (2016 – Netflix Original)

“In a wrenching documentary, two teenage girls from opposite sides of the nation are driven to suicide attempts in the wake of assaults and harassment.”

Iliza Shlesinger: Confirmed Kills ­ (Netflix Original)

“Iliza Shlesinger serves up another round of her fearlessly fresh brand of comic observation in this stand-up special filmed in Chicago.”

Longmire (Season 5 – Netflix Original)

“This contemporary crime thriller focuses on a Wyoming sheriff who’s rebuilding his life and career following the death of his wife.”

VeggieTales in the House (Season 4 – Netflix Original)

“The exciting new adventures of Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber, and all their Veggie friends as you’ve never seen them before: in the house!”

SEPTEMBER 24

Portlandia (Season 6)

Bring out the Trader Joe’s jokes and beard references! Portlandia returns for a sixth season to poke fun at hipsters, foodies, music lovers and anyone who doesn’t have a desk job.

River (2016)

An American doctor goes on the run in Laos after he intervenes during a sexual assault.

SEPTEMBER 25

Family Guy (Season 14)

That’s fourteen seasons of unfunny.

Margaret Cho: PsyCHO (2015)

Sheeeee’s back!

SEPTEMBER 28

The Imitation Game (2014)

The true story of Brit genius and hero Alan Turing, who led a team of cryptanalysts who were able to crack Nazi codes and stop attacks on British fleets. For his heroic efforts, he was rewarded with chemical castration after he was arrested on charges of homosexuality.

SEPTEMBER 30

Amanda Knox (2016 – Netflix Original)

“She was twice convicted and acquitted of murder. Hear personal accounts from the people inside the public spectacle in this documentary film.”

Marvel’s Luke Cage (Netflix Original)

“A hoodie-wearing, unbreakable ex-con fights to clear his name and save his neighborhood. He wasn’t looking for a fight, but the people need a hero.”

Scream (Season 2)

Season 2 of the MTV series picks up a few months after the last season left off, with our hero Emma trying to recover from the horror of last year and barely hanging on.

Oscar and Emmy-winning writer Julian Fellowes’s (“Gosford Park,” “Downton Abbey”) newest miniseries “Doctor Thorne” arrives on Digital HD from Starz Digital on October 17, 2016 and on DVD from Anchor Bay Entertainment on October 18, 2016. The four-part adaptation written by Julian Fellowes of Anthony Trollope’s novel depicts the inner workings of an aristocratic family in their plan to regain their lost fortunes. The mini-series stars Tom Hollander (Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, “The Night Manager”), Rebecca Front (Planet 51, The Brothers Grimsby), Richard McCabe (Notting Hill, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World), Stefanie Martini (“Emerald City”, “Endeavour”), Harry Richardson (Looking for Grace) with Alison Brie (“Mad Men”, “Community”, How to Be Single) and Ian McShane (“American Gods,” “Ray Donovan,” Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides).

Doctor Thorne (Hollander) lives a quiet life with niece Mary in Greshamsbury, home of the Gresham family. Unbeknownst to others, the Greshams have lost their fortune and the snobbish matriarch Lady Arabella (Front) has a scheme to regain it via an arranged marriage with her son and an American heiress. However, her son is in love with Mary (Martini), which complicates Lady Arabella’s plans.

“Doctor Thorne” will be available on DVD from Anchor Bay Entertainment on October 18, 2016 for the suggested retail price of $39.98 and includes all 4 episodes plus bonus features that will give viewers a behind the scenes look at this compelling series including “The Making of ‘Doctor Thorne,’” “Julian Fellowes: Adapting Anthony Trollope’s ‘Doctor Thorne,’” “Doctor Thorne’: The Gentle Hero,” “The Love Story: Mark and Frank, Lady Arabella and the Strong Women in ‘Doctor Thorne,’” and “Sir Roger and Louis Scatcherd.”

In Part Two of my column I explore Angela’s experience and their influence on her actions toward her family and the world.

Exhibit B: THE BEGINNING…. BY EXPERIENCE.

It took eighteen episodes for Angela Petrelli to be injected into the plot – or more like accelerated right into it like a shot of adrenaline. Before Episode 18, titled Parasite, the last the audience saw of Angela Petrelli she was coldly advising her son Nathan to ignore the resurrection of his long thought dead illegitimate child, over his political career. Surmising his weak heart under his facade would cause the child and her mother to bleed him dry of money.

This child, who is by the way the above mentioned cheerleader and the focus of the season one infamous tag and prophecy line, “Save the cheerleader, Save the world.”

It seems the girl, Claire, was left in the safe keeping of a “Company” operative, Mr. Bennet, or HRG (Horn Rimmed Glasses) whose own tagline became “I’m comfortable with morally grey.”

Knowing nothing of her parentage he was to report to “The Company” if she manifested an ability.

His secret agenda: Claire’s adopted father actually cares for his daughter and would give up his life for her.

He is a parallel of what we would learn about Angela herself – a parent put in impossible circumstances, caught between duty to a greater good and their child to live a better life… or to live period. Each with their own set of tactics in their arsenal.

Claire ultimately is discovered and is sent away with Bennet’s partner, the mind wiping/power blocking man known as The Haitian, who tells Claire he works for someone who “supersedes” everyone else in her life. Yes, we find out that is her grandmother Angela.  (We also find out later The Haitian feels indebted to Angela and has been with “The Company since he was a child and devoted to her like family)

But when the girl escapes to find the man who “saved” her life, Peter Petrelli, she discovers that not only is he her uncle, but that her grandmother had been trying to protect her all her life, but it hasn’t been “easy”.

“Quite stubborn, aren’t you? Just like your father.”

– Angela Petrelli

And then she smiles, lovingly. Now when this happened in the show I literally raised my hands in the air and screamed “YESS!” like Joan Cusack at the end of Working Girl… and Gross Point Blank… and well like Joan Cusack.

Now, how did Angela know that Claire would arrive on her son’s doorstep?

Sure, Claire had spoken out loud her desire to find this man because of a feeling of connection with him, something all our main characters with abilities felt upon meeting one of their own kind…

CLAIRE: He saved my life. He forgot to mention that we were related.

ANGELA PETRELLI: Oh, he didn’t know. He didn’t even know you existed.

CLAIRE: But you did?

ANGELA PETRELLI: Since you were a baby. Nathan’s folly in Texas.

Angela is stoic throughout most of this scene with Claire, but she smiles on the word baby, looking off as if she is remembering a happy memory.  The same warm smile she bestowed upon her granddaughter while speaking of her similarities with the girl’s father, but then it turns sour.

In fact, one could surmise that Angela’s family appears to be the only thing that sparks any kind of emotion in her. I believe it is her kryptonite.

And she will spend the entire series balancing it, like two plates in the air, against her need to save the world.

Yet, many would argue that Angela sees her granddaughter as a threat to her and “The Company’s” plan, and that sending her away only protects one person: Angela Petrelli.

Except for this: “The Company” still chases  the girl after she is in Angela’s hands, a company founder, and it is The Haitian, on her orders, who takes Claire from their clutches.  The clutches of people who  seemingly follow orders from Mr. Linderman himself, Angela’s cohort in this illuminati group, who himself has already tried to kidnap her son Nathan, behind Angela’s back, to test him for an ability. (Got that straight?)

It isn’t hard to believe that Angela doesn’t want her children nor “The Company” she founded to know her family has abilities or for them to join the secret family business. Otherwise, why hide the girl so extensively? Why, once she is discovered, plan to take our her out of the country, behind Angela’s own company’s back?

CLAIRE: And you kept me a secret?

ANGELA PETRELLI: I cared about you a great deal. Perhaps not in the traditional sense — oatmeal cookies and school plays — but I did what I could. My husband and I made arrangements for you.

CLAIRE: Arrangements?

ANGELA PETRELLI: Then that fire happened, and Nathan just assumed you were gone, so —

CLAIRE: So you let him.

In fact, it was another “Company” founder, and father of Hiro, one of Peter’s generation of Heroes, Katio Nakamura, and not to mention at one point Angela’s lover, who had physically handed off Claire to Mr. Bennet.  A founder who in the future (the show’s present), would be on the opposing side of that “bomb” plan, and even train his son to stop “The Company” he once helped found. Were they working together to hide the child or was Angela and her husband manipulating things from behind the scenes through their position  in “The Company”? Or through her ability to see the future. Oh, yeah did I mention, that’s her power. She can see the future – known as precognitive dreaming. That’s why her son Peter, who can take on other’s powers empathically had the dream he spoke of in the pilot.

“ I cannot change what I dreamed, but I can help push its outcome.”

– Angela Petrelli on her dreams

But what Angela sees aren’t dreams… they’re nightmares. But unlike Hiro Nakamura the time traveler or even Isaac the precognitive painter, dreams aren’t always what they appear to be and can be up for interpretation. And many times throughout the series Angela it not just flat out wrong on how to fix the future, but even often causes the outcome she was trying to stop.

A bootstrap paradox if there ever was one,  but I digress (time travel nerd, right here!)

ANGELA PETRELLI: It was the right thing to do. You needed to be protected.

CLAIRE: Trust me, I don’t need protecting.

ANGELA PETRELLI: Because you can grow back your bones and spit up bullets. You have no idea, Claire. The life your abilities would bring you … you deserve better…

Was Angela reciting events in Claire’s past because she has seen them herself or were these very good guesses based on seeing others with her same ability? Because at the time of this scene in the chronological timeline of the series  we were unaware as an audience what  Angela’s ability actually was, but in retrospect one can only surmise the former.

EXHIBIT C: A PAST…

ANGELA PETRELLI: I’ll be taking you there (Paris) myself. You’ll have a chance to grow up and develop into someone who can make her own choices. And then if you choose to come back and join this madness, like I once did, at least I will have given you the option.

What these lines implied, and was revealed seasons later, was that Angela was Claire’s age when she manifested her ability, only sixteen, when she felt forced to join what she calls the “madness”.

And can you imagine how it must have been like? It must have been actual madness.  The first season of Heroes alone is colorful like a comic book but its brightest color might well as be blood red. And most of the main characters aren’t even actively inviting it – Angela and her “Company” ran right into the hornet’s nest.

They were the Justice League that went horribly wrong. And by all accounts Angela and Arthur Petrelli were their King and Queen, or at least the leaders of the winning party.  And still, how must it have been as a woman in that world with no defensive power? In a world where people can become bombs, or change minds, or shoot lightning out of their hands. How does one protect themselves and their family in that kind of world? What coping mechanisms do they develop like a callus? One can imagine the emotional, physiological, and even physical toll it could take on a person. How many  times was her body and mind beaten into submission? How many times did she die and be resurrected? (In season two we discovered that those with abilities like her granddaughter have resurrection properties in their blood.)

Even Angela’s own husband had been a perpetrator of such atrocities on his wife.

Using his abilities, as an abilities absorber (unlike his son he actually strips a person of their ability) to acquire so much power Angela surmises he lost his soul in the process.  Erasing her memories and manipulating her mind, raping her thoughts.

So much so, that right before her husband’s death we find a similar Angela to the one who greeted Nathan in the pilot – overly emotional, loving, simple: Mom.

She is involved with the bomb plot yes, seemingly relegated to the kitchen, docile, clueless, while her husband and lackey, Mr. Linderman run things.

Even her appearance is different, gone is her all black and white motif replaced with more reds and purples.  But Angela is awakened to his abuse, much like sleeping beauty….but put a pin in that for now while we move on for a moment.  In short, you can see why Angela wouldn’t want that kind of life for her granddaughter.

“I regret a lot of the choices I’ve made in my life. You’re getting the benefit of my experience.”

– Angela Petrelli

Unlike most villains Angela is acutely aware that her actions and choices are wrong, even if at the beginning  she believes those choices were pushed on her – she still was fully aware of her actions.

“We  mortgaged our souls to protect yours. Show a little respect for that,” she later tells the character Matt Parkman,  the son of one of her ex associates and fellow “Company” founder.  Right before he does what her husband had done to her so many times over, and Matt’s father before him – enter her head without permission and take what they need.

The men in Angela’s life almost reflect the male dominated society put upon of a woman of her generation. You can just imagine a character like Angela Petrelli staying up nights reading The Feminine Mystique while watching one disastrous event after another on television, and in her dreams, throughout the tumultuous 1960s and ‘70s.

Searching for answers, just like her children’s generation would… in the future.

“Don’t do this. If you take this memory from me. You won’t be like your father. You’ll be him.”

–Angela Petrelli to Matt Parkman

We all fear we will become the parts of our parents we detest and a big theme in Heroes is the sins of the parents and “but for the grace of god go I.”  In fact, the character of Matt Parkman, who had started off as a kind soul – does eventually become his own father in a soul crushing end to his story.

What Angela is as a character is someone who is willing to take the heat for her children, stay in the burning house and close the door behind her.  Yet, she is also willing to let other people’s children die to save the planet as a whole. She believes her secrets protect others, loved ones,like the secret Matt ends up taking from her in the name of good vs evil.

Angela’s first lie of protection was to her sister, Alice, and like all of Angela’s lies in the end – they literally blew up in her face. She believes her sister died, the same as Peter in season two, after he exploded in the skies over NYC, saving the world with help from his brother Nathan – both turn out to be false. The later of which is a catalyst that leads to Angela’s confession to a murder she did not commit – that of Kaito Nakamura.

“I have done so many bad things in my life it really doesn’t matter what crime I confess to.”

Exhibit C: ORIGINS

“I was just like you (Peter). My head in the clouds, full of hope. I was gonna be a teacher. And then my power manifested and the dreams came. Visions of a bloody future, of deceit and death, the apocalypse. And when I awoke I tried to warn everyone. No one would listen. Why would they? Why should they? I was Cassandra screaming that the sky was falling, but when they looked up there wasn’t a cloud in sight. And I did it with lies, with manipulation and betrayal. And it cost me everything: my friends, my husband, my boys. But Peter, it’s the price I chose.”  

– Angela Petrelli to her son, Peter

In 1961, back when Angela Petrelli, was sixteen and named Angela Shaw she had a family – a mother, father and a little sister she took care of like a mother.  And she lost them all (as far as she knew) Murdered by the government she had looked towards for help, for a cure.  This is the event in her origins story that caused her to start “The Company” with a group of young men from the camp who all survived with her.

A “Company” to police people like themselves, under ground, away from the government’s praying eye, a government she most likely blames for her family’s death. To killing her own kind.  The other reason she calms to confess to Kaito’s murder.

“…If they keep digging, they will find out about all of us and what we can do.”

Angela’s family, and others, were taken to a camp in ‘61 under the guise of helping. Only to lose everything she held dear – family.  She would spend the rest of her life chasing this same circle, struggling to keep her family and the world from destruction. From the future she saw in her dreams.  Using this camp as a cautionary tale.

A camp run by the man, whose son would one day bring Angela the body of her supposed dead son Peter. (the first time she thought he was dead)  Angela dreamt of her family’s death at the camp and like Cassandra this man didn’t believe her. She lied to her sister to stay behind while she went for help and lost her for forty odd years.

The “proper way” hadn’t worked for Angela and her friends, the survivors, so why make the same mistake again. Why take the high road if the result doesn’t change?

“I had a dream… About the future. We’re going to form a group. A company. It’s going to protect people like us….. They’re right to be afraid of us. The things we can do… The things we’re going to do to keep this secret safe”

– Angela Petrelli

Part Three: The final analysis and closing arguments.

This October, Insight Editions is releasing World of Warcraft^®: The Official Cookbook, which presents recipes for delicacies favored by both the Horde and the Alliance. With this tasteful tome, apprentice chefs will be able to conjure foods and drinks from across the realm of Azeroth.

Featuring food pairings for each dish, ideas for creating an Azerothian feast, and tips on adapting meals to specific diets, this World of Warcraft culinary guide offers something for everyone. The aromatic Spiced Blossom Soup is perfect for plant-loving druids, and orcs will go berserk for the fall-off-the-bone Beer-Basted Boar Ribs. With alternatives to the more obscure ingredients—just in case people don’t have Chimaerok Chops lying around—this comprehensive cookbook will ensure that you have no trouble staying well fed.

Each chapter features dishes at a variety of skill levels for a total of more than one hundred easy-to-follow recipes for food and brews, including:

• Ancient Pandaren Spices
• Fel Eggs and Ham
• Mulgore Spice Bread
• Dragonbreath Chili
• Graccu’s Homemade Meat Pie
• Bloodberry Tart
• Greatfather’s Winter Ale

Whether you’re cooking for two or revitalizing your group for a late-night raid, World of Warcraft: The Official Cookbook brings the flavors of Azeroth to life like never before.

World of Warcraft: The Official Cookbook arrives on shelves October 18, 2016.

About the Contributors:

Chelsea Monroe-Cassel is the co-author of the New York Times bestseller A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Game of Thrones Companion Cookbook. A lifelong artist and fan of fantasy, Chelsea Monroe-Cassel discovered her love of interesting food during a year living abroad in Turkey. Like the literature and fictional settings she loves, Chelsea’s work is a synthesis of imagination and historical research. Applying her multifaceted creativity to that passion has led her to a career of transforming imaginary foods into reality.

About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft and the Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo franchises, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes twenty #1 games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s online-gaming service, Battle.net, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.

About Insight Editions:

Insight Editions celebrates cultural milestones in film and television, gaming, music, art, comics, and sports through immersive and imaginatively designed books, collectibles, journals, scrapbooks, and other innovative offerings. By combining the highest quality production values with the time-honored traditions of publishing rich subject matter, Insight Editions is committed to creating unique products that offer readers engaging new ways to experience their favorite films, games, or artists. Beautifully designed and informative, products from Insight allow fans to learn and use their imagination to create and expand beyond familiar worlds. For more information, visit www.insighteditions.com.

Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!

Every once in a while, a month has a fifth Wednesday, which means today was a light week for DC titles. But it’s going to make more than a freak calendar accident to slow me down.

So without further adieu here we go kids!

Suicide Squad: War Crimes# 1 

Written by John Ostrander
Illustrated by Gus Vasquez and Carlos Rodriguez
Published By DC Comics

This is the return of John Ostrander to writing Suicide Squad. And you know? The story is pretty excellent.

I have always enjoyed Ostrander’s writing. The problem with this issue isn’t the story, it’s the art.

Let’s talk about the good points I mentioned. Ostrander not only tells a good tale, he’s got the characters down pretty well.

He has never written Harley Quinn for example, but he takes to her quite quickly. He introduces us to Strikeforce: Europa and it’s done in a funny way that is also rooted in politics. I love his writing and hope he continues on.

That’s what makes the art so disappointing. Luke McDonnell on the original series was great and he and Ostrander worked together to form a great story. The art here is not very inspired and detracts from an otherwise great tale.

But pick this up. This is the Suicide Squad written right. It’s for sure superior to the other titles on the stand that bear the title “Suicide Squad.”

RATING: B

JLA #9 

Written and Illustrated by Bryan Hitch
Published by DC Comics

So, I haven’t been a fan of any JLA title Bryan Hitch has worked on.

To me, he’s not really the writer for it. His tales are predictable, obvious and most of the time just dull.

His art has also been somewhat dull too. DC handed him over the keys to the Kingdom and he hasn’t done much with it except double down on dullness.

This story continues the story that was put on hiatus a few months back. It isn’t very good HOWEVER the art is much better than Hitch has been giving us lately.

In fact, this book is BEAUTIFUL to look at. Given a good writer? This could be great. But pick it up for the art alone, the rest is just not very compelling.

RATING: C+

Earth 2 Society Annual #1  

Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Bruno Redondo and Diogenes Neves
Published by DC Comics

I have to be honest: I haven’t read any of the Earth 2 comics before reading this. So I wasn’t completely lost, but I was missing some information coming in. Still, this wasn’t terrible.

For those of you who read this column, you all know I Haven’t been too favorable to Dan Abnett. He just doesn’t do it for me. Here, he writes a decent enough tale that is actually a lot better than most of his recent writing.

This issue focuses on Dick Grayson becoming Batman and living up to the legend. Can he do it?

I actually found this story rather compelling, much more so than the recent efforts with the same themes.

The art is pretty regal on this too. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought. Again, I haven’t picked up Earth Two but maybe I should start?

RATING: B

Future Quest #4  

Written by Jeff Parker
Illustrated by Evan Shaner and Jeff Parker
Published By DC Comics

The Hanna Barbera titles for DC have been completely nuts. And I mean NUTS. The one bright spot is Future Quest written by Jeff Parker. He is a bit affectionate for the characters that he writes and it shows.

The great thing about this is that it’s a shared universe for the futuristic Hanna Barbera characters. And it’s fun! I love the story. It’s a perfectly wacky tale about a power being awakened in South Africa and how Team Quest and Birdman race to get there before F.E.A.R. does.

There’s a lot of great things here. The story moves and the art is well done. They should probably cancel all of the other Hanna Barbera titles and keep this one open. This is how they all should be.

RATING: B+

Gotham Academy Annual # 1
Harley Quinn and her Gang of Harleys#5

Written by Becky Cloonan and Brendan Fletcher
Illustrated by Various
Written by Frank Tieri and Jimmy Palmiotti
Illustrated by Mauricet
Published by DC Comics

These are both another two books I really haven’t read before this. So I gave them both a chance.

They were both very fun but just not for me. However, I am a crabby old man and these books did have a lot to offer a  different comic book fan.

The writing and art on both of these are very solid and strong enough. I enjoyed what I could of them.

I also applaud DC for making a diverse line. This is part of that diversity.

Pick these books up if you are fans of either. For me, they are decent but not really in my wheelhouse.

RATING: B

It’s New Toy Day at comic shops and specialty stores across North America, and Diamond Select Toys is delivering a ton of toy goodness! In addition to three new assortments of Minimates – Predator, Alice Through the Looking Glass and The Nightmare Before Christmas – this week also brings two new PVC figures, Superman and the Joker, as well as a resin statue of the X-Men’s Rogue! Plus, the NBX Sally Coffin Doll is back with a new face!

Read on for details, and find a comic shop near you at comicshoplocator.com!

Alice Through the Looking Glass Movie Minimates 2-Packs Asst.

A Diamond Select Toys release! It’s time to go through the looking glass! DST takes on the sequel to Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland with a new assortment of Minimates mini-figures based entirely on Alice Through the Looking Glass! Four two-packs feature the Mad Hatter with the Red Queen, Time with the White Queen, Alice with Tweedledee and a rare one-per-case set of Ribbon Fantasy Alice with Tweedledum! Each 2-inch Minimates mini-figure features up to 14 points of articulation and fully interchangeable parts. Each two-pack is packaged in a full-color blister card.  (Item #APR162615, SRP: $9.99/ea.)

Batman The Animated Series Gallery Joker 9” PVC Figure

A Diamond Select Toys release! This is no joke – the Joker is the second figure in the Batman: The Animated Series Gallery line! Joining the previously offered Batman, as well as the classic cartoon’s numerous Femme Fatales, this 9-inch scale PVC figure of The Joker depicts him wearing his famous wide-brimmed hat, with one foot on a ringmaster’s pedestal, and is sculpted with a high level of detail with exacting paint applications. Packaged in a full-color window box, he is in scale to other Gallery and Femme Fatales PVC figures. Sculpted by Sam Greenwell! (Item # MAR162250, SRP: $45.00)

Marvel Premier Collection Rogue 12” Resin Statue

A Diamond Select Toys release! This is the statue you’ve been waitin’ for, shugah! The Marvel Premier Collection continues its tour of the icons of the Marvel Universe with this statue of the X-Men’s Southern belle, Rogue! Depicted in mid-flight, the power-stealing sweetheart is wearing her fan-favorite 1990s yellow-and-green costume, with leather jacket, and measures approximately 12” tall. Limited to only 3,000 pieces, this numbered resin statue is packaged with a certificate of authenticity in a full-color box. Sculpted by Clayburn Moore! (Item # MAR162239, SRP: $150.00)

Nightmare Before Christmas Collection Sally Coffin Doll Unlimited Edition

A Diamond Select Toys release! Expand your Halloween Town doll display with this new release in the Nightmare Before Christmas Collection! Measuring 14” tall, this detailed, articulated doll of Sally the Rag Doll features a new head sculpt and a real fabric costume, and looks as if she just stepped off of the big screen. The 14-inch tall doll is in scale to all other NBX Collection and Cofficn Dolls, and comes in a coffin-shaped window box. The perfect gifts for any Halloween lover! (Item #APR162621, SRP: $49.99)

Nightmare Before Christmas Minimates Foil Bag Series 3 Asst.

A Diamond Select Toys release! What’s this? What’s this? It’s the third series of single-packed Nightmare Before Christmas Minimates, and it features a mix of new characters, new costumes and returning favorites! There are 18 foil bags in the assortment, each containing one of eight different figures – Jack, Sally, Unraveled Oogie Boogie, Pajama Jack, Melting Man, Mrs. Finkelstein, Glow Pumpkin King and a rare one-per-case Glow Easter Bunny! Each comes packaged in a full-color foil bag, arranged in a space-saving counter display with full-color artwork on all sides. (Item #APR162620, SRP: $5.99/ea.)

Predator Minimates Foil Bag Series 2 Asst.

A Diamond Select Toys release! The hunt continues! The new assortment of 18 foil-bagged Predator Minimates features eight different characters from Predator, Predator 2 and Predators — Berserker Predator, Shaman Predator, Cloaked Jungle Predator, Cloaked City Predator, Keyes, Mac, Noland and the rare, one-per-case Hawkins! Each 2-inch Minimates mini-figure features up to 14 points of articulation as well as fully interchangeable parts and accessories. Each Minimate is packaged in a sealed foil bag, in a space-saving countertop display featuring full-color artwork on all sides.  (Item #APR162618, SRP: $5.99/ea.)

Superman The Animated Series Gallery 9″ Superman PVC Figure

A Diamond Select Toys release! The last son of Krypton is the first Superman: The Animated Series Gallery figure from DST! Depicting an angry Man of Steel climbing over a crumbling statue of Darkseid, this 9-inch scale PVC figure features high-quality paint applications over high-grade plastic. In scale to all other Gallery and Femme Fatales PVC figures, Superman comes packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item #APR162619, SRP: $45.00)

Find a comic shop near you at comicshoplocator.com!

Extreme circumstances call for extreme medicine.

What if we lived in a world of antibiotic resistance and rationing, where the superbugs have won?

Sara Kenney, acclaimed documentary, factual drama and animation filmmaker makes her comics debut with SURGEON X with the all-star team of master artist John Watkiss, James Devlin, Jared K. Fletcher, and, editor Karen Berger, the award-winning founding editor of Vertigo.

Set against the backdrop of a medical apocalypse in near-future London, Kenney weaves a story of ordinary people from all walks of life striving to survive in a society constantly threatened by ever-looming disease and a government headed by the Lionheart Party.

It’s the year 2036 and there are great futuristic advancements available in medicine and surgery, yet a simple infection can kill. Rosa Scott, a brilliant and obsessive surgeon becomes Surgeon X, a vigilante doctor who uses experimental surgery and black market drugs to treat patients. As Surgeon X, Rosa develops a godlike-complex, deciding who will live and who will die. Risking everything to save lives, she believes that to survive in this compromised world her own moral code is the one she must follow, ultimately warping her Hippocratic Oath to suit her own decisions—even if it endangers those closest to her.

Sara took some time to discuss the upcoming series, how she got the legendary Karen Berger to edit the book and how she researched this potential pandemic.

###

FOG!: What was the genesis of Surgeon X?

Sara Kenney: I’ve been playing with the idea of a female surgeon character for quite a few years. I was digging through some old documents a few weeks back and I found the genesis document, which I’d totally forgotten about!

I’ve wanted to write for comics for a while and I’d written a story for 2000AD’s Future Shock. The legendary British publication, home of Judge Dredd, invites new writers to submit a 4-page story with a twist.

My story was called ‘The Medic’ – about a female surgeon who has incredible surgical abilities and uses future tech to save someone from a plane wreckage.

It’s actually a love story with a messed-up twist. I never sent the idea to 2000AD, I must have chickened out…That was 10-years ago. I’ve been tweaking and playing with the idea ever since.

You’re a first time comic creator and you get Karen Berger to edit your book.  How did that happen?

Back in 2014, I was applying to Wellcome Trust for funding to create this comic and as a first time comic writer I knew I had to have a really experienced editor to get the funding. I know a lot of people write comics in their spare time, but I was a freelancer with 1-year-old twins, so spare time was non-existent!

Having worked in TV for over 16-years I’ve learnt that it never hurts to ask – people can always say no or ignore you as a freelancer you learn to be thick-skinned.

So I contacted Karen via LinkedIn, with a brief summary of the idea. Of course I expected her to say ‘thanks but, no thanks’, but the idea piqued her interest.

We arranged to talk and next she asked to see some of my writing samples and Karen was really positive about the idea. This was an absolute dream come true. Karen said that even if I didn’t get the funding she wanted to work with me. That gave me real courage and belief in the idea. It’s also clear that Karen enjoys working with new talent, with helping them to develop and evolve.

I may not be a Jedi in the world of comics, but I feel like I’m strengthening my grip on the light-sabre and could floor a few storm troopers now. That’s thanks to Karen for sure!

Your background is in film as a writer-director-and producer.  Were you a fan of comics previously and what kind of challenges did you have in writing in a new medium?

My Dad was a massive comics fan he had a load of Eagle annuals and I particularly loved the stories about Dan Dare – Pilot of the Future. When I was at university my friend introduced me to Sandman and I started reading a lot of Vertigo stuff; V for Vendetta, Watchmen, Preacher etc. etc.

I wouldn’t say I’m a comics expert, but I’ve always loved the way that you can explore complex ideas and be extreme.

In my career in television I got to explore complex ideas, but creatively you don’t get to be experimental or extreme. And you tend to look at subjects through a single lens, so a film is either science or history or current affairs, but I wanted to combine all these facets in a story.

I think one of the main challenges is not to over-write.

In film you can clearly use a lot of words and pictures to tell a story, you’re restricted in comics. I think you really have to up your game when writing a comic because it’s harder to tell a story with fewer words and with less pictures!

There’s an art to making the characters authentic, getting excitement in a scene and having a great pay-off in just a few comic pages.

Comic writing is definitely not condensing a story it’s a totally new way of looking at and creating a story. I know I still have a lot to learn and each chapter I write I feel I ‘get it’ a bit more. Each new chapter I think I get braver with the visuals and with the storytelling.

Have I cracked it yet? I’ll let the audience be the judge of that!

How did you find John Watkiss?

Karen Berger introduced me to John. I immediately loved his work and he used to teach anatomy at the Royal College of Art, so I knew he would be great at all the surgical stuff. Karen had worked with John on Sandman and although John has more recently worked on concept art for films, he was totally up for working on a comic again. We’ve had fun discussing ideas over a beer and what I love about John is that the more I challenge him with the weird and wonderful places I take him in Surgeon X, the more he seems to enjoy it!

The concept of the book is terrifying, in no small part because it casts a light on a potentially horrifying new status quo that our world could be heading toward.  What kind of scientific research did you do prior to writing and how much is fact versus imagination?

I spent a lot of time speaking to scientists, surgeons and those from the medical humanities – so historians, ethicists, sociologists and philosophers. At the beginning of the process I actually ran a workshop where we all sat in a room and talked about the storyworld. Karen was over from the US and my Producer Duncan Copp was there too. It was amazing to be able to brainstorm like that. We talked about this future world and the set-up and it was informed by what could happen – if things got extreme.

When it got down to the nitty gritty of writing each chapter – I’d always start with the story – with what I’d like to happen in a very rough way and the arc my characters would travel. Then I’d go to the experts to see what was plausible.

Once I’d got the background research I would re-write the story, but I’d be quizzing the experts all the time. In the surgical scenes I’d get them to send references or give very good descriptions, which I’d include in the script. For the medical dialogue I’d make shit up and then go through it with a surgeon who would give me the technical – so it was as authentic as possible.

The futuristic stuff – there’s definitely been some imaginative thinking there, but a lot of the future stuff is actually in development in labs now. I can have fun with using my imagination in terms of exploring where we might be in 20-years time in terms of equipment, drugs, procedures – but all of it is plausible rather than totally made up.

Lewis, the brother of the main character Rosa Scott (aka Surgeon X) is schizophrenic; and you have two brothers that suffer from the disease that were the subject of your documentary, Angels and Ghosts.  What about the disease is the biggest misconception and what do your brothers think of your work?

Angels and Ghosts isn’t a documentary – but an animated drama, with factual elements. I guess it’s a hybrid film. You can watch it here if you haven’t already: www.angelsandghosts.co.uk

Before I made the film our family had been through decades of battling with this illness. It does profoundly affect the whole family. It’s heartbreaking to see someone you love in so much distress and you often feel powerless to help. It’s also not easy to discuss with people around you because there is such a stigma attached. For me one of the biggest misconceptions is that you should be afraid of people with mental illness or that they are weird and ‘abnormal’.

Most people who have experienced psychosis live good lives, but the stigma attached doesn’t help them in re-building their lives when what they need most is understanding from friends, family, employers etc.

I couldn’t have made the film Angels and Ghosts if my brothers were still ill – they had both been well for several years. I sat down with them and talked about the stigma and asked them if they would allow me to share our story through an animated film. The ambition was to help other families realise they weren’t alone.

Once I had their blessing I could proceed. In terms of the character Lewis in the comic, he’s got a little bit of both of my brothers in him. My older brother studied computer science at University, but was a brilliant artist too and my younger brother is studying for his Masters in architecture – so is good at both art and science! They were both skaters.

What do they think of my work – I know they are proud of it and I think it’s also opened doors to them being able to talk about the illness more with those around them. I think mental illness is all too often hidden away as a shameful thing in the family or embarrassing illness – can you be a proud survivor of schizophrenia in the same way you can be a proud survivor of cancer? I’m not so sure. But to go through what they went through and come out the other end – they are heroes in my book…

Who in comics and film have been the biggest influences on your work?

I totally admire the work of Alan Moore as do most comics fans I’m sure! He tells stories that mean something, that challenge the world we live in and questions the behaviour of our society. That’s why I wanted to work in documentaries, although it didn’t deliver in the way I hoped, if I’m honest.

I love the extreme and inventive worlds of Neil Gaiman – his characters are incredible. Brian K. Vaughan for his storytelling and humour. There was a massive gap in my comic reading from about 25-40, so I’ve had a lot of catching up to do.

In terms of film – I’m not particularly high-brow, so I love a big sci-fi or action film. The greats for me are Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, Christopher Nolan – we could do with some more women directing in these genres! I also love Spike Jonze, Lynne Ramsay, Sofia Coppola, Michel Gondry and Jonathan Glazer. I watched a hell of a lot of music videos in my 20s and many of these directors were making some very cool stuff at that time, so I followed their careers into film.

Surgeon X is funded through the Society Award from Wellcome Trust.  Who are they and what do they do?

Wellcome Trust are a unique charitable foundation. They were set up by a man called Henry Wellcome who is in fact an American who came to the UK in the 1880s. He was a businessman with a passion for pharmaceuticals, partying and collecting weird and wonderful medical objects. He invented the tablet – before that people would take medicine via tinctures or powders.

When he died Wellcome Trust were formed. They sold all their interests in his company and became an independent charitable foundation and are the second biggest charity in the world (the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation recently overtook them).

They mostly fund scientific research, but also fund a significant amount of public engagement with science work. So they fund artists, musicians, theatre, film, TV, games, museums – any sort of creative who is interested in collaborating with scientists to explore ideas around human health. They have a museum in London called Wellcome Collection, where they combine art with science in their displays. I can’t think of anyone else in the world that would have funded Surgeon X, so I am very grateful they exist.

What are you currently geeking out over?

In terms of comics, I’m loving Bitch Planet, Sex Criminals, Ms Marvel, The Wicked and The Divine. I’ve started reading Peter Milligan’s work and the writing is sublime. I’ve got a lot of comics to catch up on and I’m geeking out over Monstress just based on the covers and concept! Paper Girls looks amazing. Books, I haven’t read a book since I started writing this comic – only reading comics at the moment…

Games – I haven’t played a game since I had my twins, the last one was Heavy Rain; I did a 10-hour non-stop stint one Sunday. Stayed in my pyjamas and didn’t move until I completed it. My husband and housemate at the time brought me a roast and beer to keep me going. Glorious – I’ll probably have to wait a long time before I can do that again.

TV – like every other worthy geek on the planet I’m loving Stranger Things.

Music – there’s so much, I love my electronica, at the moment FKA Twigs, Wisp, Jackmaster Mixes and I’m getting through all that amazing Aphex Twin material that was released on Soundcloud. Going to see Goat play live soon. Weird masks and enthusiastic dancing, what’s not to love…

SURGEON X #1 arrives in stores on September 28, 2016 from Image Comics
FOC: 9/5/16 • Diamond ID: JUL160674

For more details visit www.surgeonx.co.uk

Rock and Roll. Comics. Rock and Comics, our “old alma mater,” as Chuck Berry once said!

Matt Horak (The Covenant, Thundarr The Barbarian Fan Comic ) joins us to talk about the fusing of guitar pedals and the comic stories that back them up.

Earthquake Devices have commissioned Matt to drum up some interesting stories to market their effects pedals, and gives us a peek at the first story, OctoSkull.

###

FOG!: Thanks for joining us, Matt. I’m not a guitarist but thought this was an interesting project. Please tell me first about your guitar pedal company.

Matt Horak: EarthQuaker Devices began when our illustrious founder, Jamie Stillman, attempted to fix one of his broken pedals. This led to him building some of his own pedals and selling them online. Flash forward 10 years and EQD has a line of 30+ pedals and 30+ employees.

Initially Jamie came up with the artwork for the pedals but as the company grew he needs to hand off some responsibilities and since I was already working there, I took over art duties.

What is the connection with comics and the pedals?

All of our pedals have interesting names and I had been rolling the idea around in my head of using them as characters in a comic for a while. I eventually sat down and tried to figure out a story with them and it all fell in to place. Most are just riffs on the names but some subtly refer to the effects the pedals produce.

We’ve seen your art on Rob Liefeld’s The Covenant and also some other projects. How did you break into comics?

I knew I wanted to draw comics for as long as I knew people did that for a living. From about 12 years old I went to conventions and showed my work to anyone that would look at it. I did that for about 30 years until I was at NYCC one year and I showed a Thundarr mini-comic I had done to Rob Liefeld. He liked it enough to eventually ask me to draw The Covenant. Now I am all up in the biz.

Is this your first comic as a writer? As a writer artist?

I have written and drawn some of my own projects that are in various stages but have yet to see the light of day. I also recently wrote and drew a short story featuring Dr. Crowe, I character I co-created with Corey Fryia, that will be coming out later this year from 215 Ink.

Octo Skull is the first longer book I’ve written and it’s been great. I love purposely not writing cars and buildings into the story so I don’t have to draw them.

How is the comic going to be released?

Octo Skull will be serialized on the EarthQuaker Devices website starting with a five page prologue on September 1st, followed by a new page every Tuesday and Thursday.

The first chapter is 23 pages long, once that runs online we will be putting out a print version which will be available through our website, at shows, and potentially at your local comic store. Then load up the next chapter and do it all again.

What are your most popular pedals and are there stories related to each one?

Each pedal is created by Jamie and they all start with either a dumb sound idea or backwards engineering a desired effect, often involving technical stuff that makes my eyes glaze over. Our flagship pedal is the Hoof, a muff style fuzz. The narrative of the comic kind of revolves around the power of that object. Some of our other MVPs are the Afterneath, an otherworldly reverberator, and the Rainbow Machine, a pitch shifter.

In the comic, the Afterneath is a vast underground cave system that is outside of regular time and space, and the majority of the second chapter takes place there. The Rainbow Machine’s role in the comic is a secret for now, but I will mention that the pedal does have a knob entitled “Magic”.

How are you putting personality into the effects pedals and writing the story? Are you imagining transforming sound as a parallel to transforming a character over a story arc?

Overall I am mostly using the names of the pedals to inspire the characters and objects in the comic. The sounds they produce do come into play though, the dialogue is sprinkled with references to the descriptions of the pedals in our catalog.

Our main character Octo Skull will become more powerful as he gathers more allies/objects/pedals, kind of like building a pedal board with a variety of resources to achieve a greater range of effects.

Who is your favorite guitarist of all time and who do you think is the best guitarist of all time?

I don’t know if I can pick a favorite guitarist, I secretly hate guitarists. I’m more of a rhythm section guy. I’ve been in lots of bands and used lots of pedals but I can’t play a musical instrument, I like to improvise and experiment with sound in my ignorance. That said, Yngwie is the best.

For more details visit earthquakerdevices.com/comics

To celebrate reaching the one million YouTube subscriber milestone, DC Entertainment’s original award-winning web series DC All Access will hold a must-watch live Gamestream event Friday, September 2^nd from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST!

Hosted by Tiffany Smith and Jason Inman, the 8-hour gaming marathon will showcase some of DC’s best video games including the recently released Batman: the Telltale Series. Tune in all day long to watch Tiffany and Jason hang out and play alongside special guest gamers such as fan-favorites Maude Garrett and Hector Navarro.

Plus, fans will have the chance to win prizes every hour (via Twitter @MyDCDeals) – including a brass statue of Batman from DC Collectibles worth $5,000!

Check out the full schedule for the DC All Access Gamestream below:

• 9am-10am PST – BATMAN (NES) – Loosely based on the 1989 film, the NES version contains five levels culminating in a showdown with the Joker in the bell tower of Gotham Cathedral.

• 10am-11am PST – DEATH AND RETURN OF SUPERMAN (SNES)- This 1994 game is based on “The Death of Superman” comic book storyline and features many characters from the comics including Superman himself, Superboy, Steel, Cyborg, the Eradicator (currently appearing in Superman), and Doomsday (currently appearing in Action Comics)

• 11pm-12pm PST – BATMAN: THE BRAVE & THE BOLD (Wii) – This 2010 game features characters such as Aquaman, Blue Beetle, Hal Jordan, Bat-Mite, The Flash, Green Arrow, and Black Canary.

• 12pm-1pm – BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY (PS3) – Released in 2011, this game set new standards for excellence in the next-gen console era1pm-2pm PST – INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US (PS4) – This 2013 game re-invigorated the fight genre, and set the stage for 2017’s INJUSTICE 2 combat game.

• 2pm-3pm PST – DC UNIVERSE ONLINE (PS4) – Players entered the DC Universe as part of a MMORG in 2013 and continue to have adventures as the game has expanded from PCs to consoles.

• 3pm-5pm PST – BATMAN: THE TELLTALE SERIES (PS4) – Brand new in 2016, this serialized game lets players experience another adventure in the life of Batman and Bruce Wayne.

New episodes of DC All Access can be viewed via DC Entertainment’s official YouTube page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/DCEntertainmentTV.

There’s no doubt that the boldest and most personal fashion statement anyone can make is in one’s selection of t-shirt. Personally, I love them. It’s an opportunity to show the world what pop culture I care about, a wonderful flashback to the past and a fantastic way to initiate any nerd discussion.

For this installment of Cool Shirts, I took a look at some of the shirts from Nerd Kung Fu, which might very well have the largest selection of pop culture t-shirts that I’ve ever seen. What’s even more awesome is that their nerdy wares isn’t limited to their shirt collection. They also sell a wide array of posters and a number of geek-centric ephemera including coffee mugs, shot glasses, pint glasses, blankets, wallets, buttons, magnets, playing cards, hoodies and much more.

Their selection of shirts is staggering, with some of their latest releases focusing on some of the most iconic properties in pop culture including Gilligan’s Island, Labyrinth, CHiPs, The Sandlot, The X-Files, Family Guy, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Office Space and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. They also carry shirts in sizes small through 7XL and the site is filled with lots of nerdy trivia on the history of t-shirts!

There is something for virtually any nerdcentric provocation. These are some of my recent favorites.

Back to the Future T-Shirt – Back to Japan

The entire world has fond memories of Hill Valley, California, home of Marty McFly and his mentor, Doctor Emmett Brown.

And based on the design of this shirt, the entire world includes Japan.

This shirt features to Back To The Future logo in Japanese and the DeLorean time machine zooming into the past (or is it the future?) leaving a trail of flames in it’s wake as it hits the needed 88 miles per hour!

Great Scott!

Pee Wee Herman T-Shirt – Bow Tie

Are you a loner?  A rebel?  Do you listen to reason?

Is this something you can share with the rest of us Amazing Larry?

This shirt is a must have for anyone who likes a Big Adventure or a Big Top.  Or better yet, someone who digs a playhouse.

For whatever reason you like Pee Wee, that’s reason enough to celebrate his magic with this shirt.

Meka Leka Hi Meka Hiney Ho!

Redd Foxx – Zen Arcade

Redd Fox might have been the foulest mouthed standup comedian of all time.  Which is why it still amazes me that I had a photo of him on my wall when I was three years old.

The star of Sanford and Son was a legend; from a longtime friendship with Malcolm X to his breaking down racial barriers as a comedy headliner, Foxx recorded over 50 comedy albums during his career.

On Sanford and Son, Foxx redefined black sitcoms, handling race and prejudice regularly.  He was also funny as all hell and the master of the putdown; “You’re so ugly, I could push your face in some dough and make gorilla cookies.”

Batman the Brave and the Bold Rooftop Leap

Not only was this take one of my favorites ever, capturing the magical and sometimes silly era of DC’s Silver Age, but also the character design pays homage to my favorite Bat-artist, Dick Sprang.

This shirt features the Caped Crusader leaping off of a roof, presumably into a new adventure.

All that’s missing from this perfect image is a Boy Wonder at his side.

Bruce Lee Hooowah T-Shirt

Wearing his iconic yellow jumpsuit seen in the film, Game of Death, this shirt shows one of pop culture’s biggest heroes, Bruce Lee, looking completely badass.

With only a handful of films to his name before his untimely death, Lee (like another cinematic legend, James Dean) will live forever at the magic age where his presence was indelible.

And to this day from generation to generation, he’s unrivaled and beloved.

Don’t believe me?  Get this shirt and see how many smiles and comments you receive.  I’ll give you a hint.  Many.

Mr. T T-Shirt – Cartoon T

Okay sucka!  There’s nothing that screams nostalgia more than the sight of Lawrence Tureaud aka Mr. T.

For a generation, Mr. T was as big a celebrity as you could find.  He made his debut kicking Stallone’s ass in Rocky III before conquering television as B.A. Baracus on The A-Team.

With memorable appearances on everything from Diff’erent Strokes to WrestleMania to The Chipmunks to starring in his own Saturday morning animated series, Mr. T was and ever shall be the one pitying fools. This shirt is a reminder of all things good. Stay gold, Mr. T!

For more details, visit NerdKungFu.com

Produced by Ridley Scott,
Michael Schaefer, Mark Huffam
Written by Seth Owen
Directed by Luke Scott
Starring Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy,
Toby Jones, Rose Leslie,
Boyd Holbrook, Michelle Yeoh,
Jennifer Jason Leigh, Paul Giamatti

I went into Morgan with no idea what I was seeing. I didn’t read anything because I wanted to be surprised.

I was not surprised at all. The only thing that left me sort of surprised about this action-thriller that it was only mildly predictable.

The story focuses on a young girl, Morgan, the namesake of the film, played by Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch).

A normal teenage girl, or is she?

Forty-five seconds into this movie you find out she is not at all what she seems. When there is an incident at the laboratory where she is being studied, the corporation that is funding the operation sends in a risk-management consultant to see what went wrong.

She soon discovers that there is even more to to Morgan then she was originally led to believe. When things go even more sideways she must contain the situation. Morgan escapes and The Consultant must track her down. The Consultant is brilliantly played by Kate Mara (The Martian) and one of the two good things i like about the film. The other being the performance by Taylor-Joy as Morgan.

Beautiful cinematography try to save what is, in fact, a pedestrian thriller. At moments it is almost a taught-psychological film. Director, Luke Scott, son of the producer and film maestro Ridley Scott himself, has learned well from his father about how to make a beautiful shot film despite a mediocre and predictable script. Writer Seth Owen almost has what could be a great script given one more rewrite to really flesh out the actions and motivations of the actors.

The scientists and doctors played by Michelle Yeoh, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Toby Jones, Michael Yare, Chris Sullivan, Vinette Robinson and Rose Leslie are all good.  I DO love watching Paul Giamatti at his most “Giamattiest” since San Andreas, who plays the corporation-assigned psychologist. They really try to make the words mean something and convey the gravitas I believe Owen was trying to go for but they can only do so much. Even the greatest actors in the world can be hamstrung by a “meh” script.

I left comparing this film to two other psychological thrillers, Ex Machina and Under The Skin. I love both of those films and though I kind of enjoyed this film it was missing something. I think, ironically, it was missing heart and soul. All the gloss and beautiful cinematography that I love did it’s best to distract me from the fact that the weak script made me not really care about any of the characters in the film no matter what happened to them. I found their characterizations to be annoying save the two main characters played by Mara and Taylor-Joy.

Perhaps it is because of the mostly lackluster film fare we have been served so far this summer that this film ends up looking a lot better than it actually is, but I can’t decide if the film stands out because of the crap that is surrounding it or if it is actually that good. I am left to wonder if this films came out against stronger films would I still feel the same. Perhaps I will see it again once it is actually released. We shall see.

Produced by David Heyman, Jeffrey Clifford
Directed by Derek Cianfrance
Screenplay by Derek Cianfrance
Based on the book by M. L. Stedman
Starring Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander,
Rachel Weisz, Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson

You should definitely see this film if:

1 . You loved the book

2.  You love the cast

3.  You are dying to see the movie that brought real-life couple Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander together

4.  You just love lighthouses

But if none of those reasons apply, then best skip this middling melodrama.

What you think of this film will largely depend on whether you can get past the ridiculously contrived central premise: A childless lighthouse keeper and his wife living on a remote island find a baby that miraculously washes up on shore in a rowboat. The baby is the perfect age to pass off as the woman’s own, who just lost her second child, so that when they decide to keep the child and bury the dead man in the boat with her, no one is the wiser. Eventually, the husband’s conscience gets the better of him once he learns who the real mother is, leading to heartache for everyone involved.

The novel was a New York Times best-seller and perhaps this plot works better in a book. Unfortunately, it’s a flimsy basis for a film that runs more than two hours.

The cinematography by Australian D.P. Adam Arkapaw is beautiful, with gorgeous shots of the ocean and the remote, windswept island. The actors —- Michael Fassbender as the lighthouse keeper Tom; Alicia Vikander as his wife, Isabel; and Rachel Weisz as the child’s real mother, Hannah — are all great. But the story is simply not compelling enough to sustain a feature film.

We see Tom and Isabel’s courtship, marriage and their heartbreak as they lose two babies in a row. We can understand Isabel’s desire to keep the child, who seems heaven-sent. And we also understand Tom’s reluctance to keep the child’s true identity a secret, especially once he spies Hannah grieving at the gravesite of her husband and child when Lucy (as Isabel names the child) is brought to the mainland to be christened and meet her “grandparents” for the first time.

He starts a chain of unhappy events in motion when he foolishly writes an anonymous note to Hannah that her child is “alive and well.” Eventually, Isabel’s deception is revealed and both she and Tom face jail for their crime.

The story seems to be building to a desperately tragic outcome for one or more of the players — surely someone will fling themselves off a rocky cliff or be drowned or simply die of sorrow. Instead, the story limps along with outright tragedy averted and everyone ending up more or less okay.

In the end, you might have been momentarily moved, but you’re far more likely to wish you’d spent the last two-plus-hours doing something much more worthwhile.

Lets look at a few more Pilot Errors shall we? This time, as with the last column, these all aired on TV but odds are you didn’t see them.

Black Bart

In 1974 Blazing Saddles was a real shocker of a movie and looking back at it the film was even more amazing in that you could NEVER get away with today what you could in 1974 in terms of language and racial content.

So in 1975 someone decided it might a good idea to make that into an FCC applicable TV show.

Yup, Black Bart is Blazing Saddles the series with all the raunch and style leeched out of it. Sure, they still get away with a few “ni**er” drops here and there but this was 70’s TV, you could do that but this entire thing feels so… neutered.

Directed by Robert Butler (he of the original Star Trek pilot director fame) with no flair whatsoever Black Bart feels as tame and watered down as one might suspect, even with Louis Gossett Jr. being quite charismatic as Bart the sheriff. The plot is bland and really something straight out of a sitcom simply featuring characters from the movie.

Here is the weird thing though… this may be an unsold pilot, but it’s also an unsold SERIES.

Due to a wacky clause in Mel Brooks contact (by the way, Brooks had nothing at all to do this with this show, he didn’t even know about it until the 80’s) Warner Brothers retained the right to make Blazing Saddles sequels as long as they were PRODUCING something under the banner.

They didn’t have to air something, just produce something.

So what they did was they shot 4 seasons, FOUR FUCKING SEASONS, of this show with no intention of ever airing them. Louis Gossett Jr. and others have confirmed that 20+ episodes were shot (6 per “season) and for some reason only the pilot was aired… once (not counting Trio’s reairing decades later). So while this an unsold pilot it is kind of a harbinger of an entire series of blandness that is sealed in a Warner Brothers vault somewhere.

Perhaps it’s better that way.

The Owl

Remember before Adrian Paul was a Highlander that time he thought he was The Punisher? Well that really happened and it was The Owl.

Paul plays Alex L’Hiboux, a man with a rare disorder that requires no sleep for his body and mind to function so by night he prowls the streets taking out the scum, scum like the type who murdered his wife and daughter years earlier.

While that all sounds pretty much like Frank Castle with insomnia it’s actually based on an 80’s book series from Robert Forward (who is a writer for many 80’s cartoons). This pilot was even directed by Tom Holland (yes, Fright Night Tom Holland) although you might not know that since the credit is for that stalwart of credibility Alan Smithee. Yeah, this was such a disaster that the man who took credit for The Langoliers thought this was embarrassing. That really says something.

Honestly it’s not that bad, it’s by the numbers and Paul is really playing a swordless proto-Duncan McCloud here (same attitude, same delivery style, same fighting stance) but I enjoyed The Owl for what it was except for ONE element. I guess someone at the network thought we can’t have a brutal vigilant killing up the streets and breaking thugs faces without something for kids to identify with so Erika Flores is his teenage ward/sidekick and every time she is on screen this thing stops DEAD in it’s tracks. This is almost Nikko in Robocop 3 annoying.

All in all there are worse pilots than The Owl but this has not aged well at all since it’s single 1991 TV airing.

The Strip

Who else watched all 10 episodes of this 1999 UPN series besides me? Anyone? I guess that’s why it was only on for 10 episodes. Or perhaps you confused it with the other 6 TV series called The Strip (seriously why are so many shows titled the same bland way)?

Anyway the series starred Sean Patrick Flanery and Guy Torry along with a pre-right wing nutbag Stacy Dash and was about 2 former Las Vegas cops working as hotel security for a gangster on THE STRIP.

It was a fun show and hit the right notes of late 90’s Miami Vice with “we know how cliche this all this and lets have fun with that” vibe.

The reason this is on a Pilot Error entry is that only the first 9 episodes are part of the series proper, the 10th episode was bizarre.

It was obviously the original pilot as the characters are meeting again for the first time, in a manner quite different than they do in the series and the biggest thing that sticks out is that this original pilot was clearly shot for a cable network and not for UPN. 7 instances of “shit” being bleeped out, one instance of “fuck” and a few shots of mosaiced out titties make it glaring that the episode simply titled “Episode 10” (all the shot for UPN episodes had onscreen titles) was an unsold pilot version of The Strip.

Honestly though? I liked both pilots here… the original and the retooled one. How often can you say that?

Kung-Fu: The Next Generation

Not to be confused with Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (airing from 1993-1997) or Kung Fu: The Movie (1986 TV movie) this is an actual 1987 pilot to kickstart the classic 70’s series for the 80’s generation.

David Darlow takes over as the current Kwai Chang Caine (remember, all the Kung Fu shows share continuity so there are multiple generations of Caine’s out there) and his son is Johnny Caine played by Brandon Lee.

That was a really odd choice, not so much so that it was Brandon Lee but that Lee had already played a DIFFERENT character in the 1986 TV movie, which took place in the old west setting of the original series.

Confused yet?

Anyway, in this pilot we have Caine (Kwai) living a simple life in LA, in a rundown home and communing with nature and all that other Buddhist stuff from the old show. This time though he has a son in Johnny who lives like a typical LA teen of the 80’s, listening to rock music, chasing girls and being an ace cat burglar (it was an 80’s thing). Johnny get betrayed by his best friend (Miguel Ferrer play a scumbag traitor? Get out of here with that) and as part of his probation has to live as his father wishes and must channel the old ways. Oh and lots of bad guys get beat up as Johnny and Kwai break up a burglary ring too.

Here is the thing about Kung Fu: The Next Generation, in it’s 1987 place it was not too bad, a different direction sure (and the first attempt to update the original series to a modern setting) and it might not work today but this was an average network pilot back then. Not bad, not good, just average. The biggest issue with this one today is that with the far superior The Legend Continues coming only a few years later this just pales in comparison. David Carradine declining any involvement also sticks out pretty glowingly.

Another wave of Pilot Errors has been aired in the pilot light and it’s up to you to decide of they should have remained buried.

From the producers of The Purge and Insidious, comes this terrifying supernatural thriller starring Kevin Bacon (TV’s The Following) and Radha Mitchell (Silent Hill). When their young son (David Mazouz, TV’s Gotham) brings home five mystical stones he found on their family’s camping trip to the Grand Canyon, Peter (Bacon) and Bronny (Mitchell) begin to notice strange things happening in their house. Having awakened dark forces bound to the rocks, the family fights for survival as malicious demons feed off their fears and threaten to destroy them.

And we’re giving away three copies!

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

Kevin Bacon and co-star Paul Reiser appeared together in this beloved 1982 film playing the roles of “Fenwick” and “Modell”, respectively?

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 September 18th, 2016.

The 8th annual Long Beach Comic Con will be held on September 17 and 18, 2016 at the Long Beach Convention Center, featuring an impressive array of more than 120 pop culture guests, more than 130 panels, and unique partnerships with the Columbia Memorial Space Center and Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles.

Among the guests attending Long Beach Comic Con for the first time are Kevin Conroy and Loren Lester who played Batman and Robin on BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, Summer Glau, Sean Maher, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite from Joss Whedon’s FIREFLY, Andy Park (Marvel Studios Visual Development Supervisor and Lead Concept Artist) and acclaimed comic book creators including Peter David and Colleen Doran (AMAZING FANTASTIC INCREDIBLE), Steve Epting (VELVET), Joelle Jones (LADY KILLER) and Joe Eisma and Nick Spencer (MORNING GLORIES).

“Our plans for this year’s show are expansive, with a guest list that will impress both long-time fans and first time attendees,” said Martha Donato, Long Beach Comic Con Executive Director and Co-Founder. “Long Beach Comic Con is dedicated to celebrating the world of pop culture and we’re thrilled to present some truly unique and creative programming with important local organizations like the Columbia Memorial Space Center and Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles.”

The Columbia Memorial Space Center will partner with Long Beach Comic Con for Space Expo 2016, an innovative and one-of-a-kind program that connects comic book convention attendees directly with the world of scientific discovery.  This year Long Beach Comic Con will also have more than 400 Girl Scouts in grades K–12 attending Long Beach Comic Con, with nearly 100 of them coming from underserved areas. Depending on their grade level, the girls will earn Comic Artist, Drawing, Senses, Novelist, or career exploration-related badges for meeting with talented creators and participating in interactive workshops.

As in past years, attendees will be treated to a wide array of programming. Highlights include:

• Programming spotlighting TV shows like BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, CON MAN, FIREFLY and GI JOE

• DOCTOR WHO Panels at the Long Beach Public Library

• Two fulls days of cosplay panels and a cosplay contest on Saturday night

• Panels devoted to fan favorite comic book characters including Batman, Harley Quinn and the Teen Titans and publishers Dark Horse Comics, DC Entertainment, First Comics, Image Comics and Marvel

• #MakeComics workshops where aspiring writers and artists can learn from comic book pros

• Kids programming

• The popular GeekFest Film Festival

• A screening of the popular Harry Potter fan film SEVERUS SNAPE & THE MARAUDERS

Bernina of America is the premier sponsor of Long Beach Comic Con. Associates sponsors include SGX, Sun Newspapers & Comicraft, GrubHub, EVIL DEAD 2: The Official Board Game by Space Goat Productions and SNOWDEN from Open Road Films, in theaters September 16.

Enjoy an exciting weekend full of exceptional guests and exhibitors, and engaging panels, at Long Beach Comic Con, 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.

“Long Beach Comic Con is a show that’s produced by a team who collectively have over 100 years of experience in the comics and entertainment industry,” said Donato. “We’ve worked hard over the years to create an experience that we would enjoy if we were attendees, so whether you want to meet your favorite comic artist or publisher or get a photo with a member of the FIREFLY cast, or even learn to build your own R2D2 you can do it all here.”

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

Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!

We are going to spotlight a few titles today that you maybe not have heard of (except for the first one) .

But even so these are damn well worth picking up.

Jupiter’s Legacy Volume 2 #3

Written by Mark Millar

Illustrated by Frank Quitely
Published by Image Comics

This comic book is really a great read from start to finish. If you read the first series and enjoyed it, this one continues being just as enjoyable. This might actually be a bit better however than it’s predecessor. We shall see where it ends, but it’s starting to look that way.

This issue has the gang trying to lure the world’s greatest superhuman out of retirement to help stop the super villains from taking over the planet. But if they fail they might have to face the villains alone.

Millar writes this tale like no other. His characters are sharp and relatable. The art by Quitely is simply the best of his career and that’s saying something.

Pick it’s up. It’s hell good.

RATING: A

The Tower Chronicles: Geisthawk #1-4, Dreadstalker 1-12 and Fellquest# 1-8

Written by Matt Wagner
Illustrated by Simon Bisley
Published by Legendary Comics

The MOST Underrated comic book in the history of comic books is this title.

I can’t believe how crazy good it is. I also can’t believe what a pain in the balls it is to find, never mind getting anyone to read it. But if you track it down you will be rewarded to one of the most epic, deepest comics in recent history.

The story is about a guy who has lived for centuries named John Tower.

Tower makes his living hunting down the strange, the occult, and various other craziness. When an FBI agent starts discovering him and what he is doing…well, let’s just say all hell breaks loose.

Follow that up with some general big evil following Tower around and you’ve got one fun story.

This book was written by Matt Wagner. He has proved time and again how to write a great story without resorting to gimmicks or cheap storytelling. He gives us a classic well written story always and this is no exception. Combine that with Bisley’s art which is both subdued and resonant, you have a must read.

Pick this up. This is fascinating work. The third and final series is almost over and this story will be complete. I can’t wait to see how it ends.

RATING: A+

Red Dog #1

Written by Rob Cohen and Andi Ewington
Illustrated by Rob Atkins
Published by 451 Media Group

So Rob Cohen, director of the original Fast and the Furious film and such films as Dragonheart and Daylight has co-written a comic book. How is this book? Well, it’s okay. It’s certainly more enjoyable than half of DC’s Rebirth line.

The story takes place in a distant mining colony. Young Kyle is the only non adult in the colony. His only friend is the robotic K-9 Q, a robotic dog. One day the alien natives of the colony rebel against the humans and Kyle and Q are caught in the conflict.

451 Media have produced some interesting series recently and this is no different. The writing makes it interesting enough, and the art isn’t half bad. It feels a little like it’s trying too hard to stand out and be different but overall not bad.

I do commend 451 Media for taking a chance and trying to do something different. Pick up this or any of their books. They are a company to keep an eye on.

RATING: B-

The Complete Dick Tracy by Chester Gould Volume 1

Written and Illustrated by Chester Gould.
Published by IDW Publishing

Chester Gould was a flat out genius.

This collection of comic strips from 1931-1933 are just incredible. They may be close to 100 years old but they pack a lot of punch.

Gould’s story of Dick Tracy, a cop fighting crime may not have a lot of appeal for younger audiences. But these are the strips that lays the ground to what they are currently reading.

Whether or not you enjoyed the 1990 film, you should check out this collection. The storytelling feels like it’s from another world. And maybe it is.

Join Dick, Tess, Dick Tracy Jr. and more as they fight Big Boy and his gang and more villains. Nobody really showed us the grotesque like Gould (or since!) Make no mistake, these are dark, scary strips with incredible energy. Give it a chance. You may find yourself addicted like me. This is where it starts.

RATING: A+

Retired Special Agent Ding (Sammo Hung) makes a home in a quiet village on the Russia / China border. He befriends a young girl whose father, in debt with the mob, disappears – leaving her in Ding’s care. Now he must recall his superior strategic and tactical skills to save both their lives.  

To celebrate it’s home video release on September 6th, we’re proud to debut this exclusive clip of the action-packed movie!

And thanks to our friends at Well Go USA, we’re giving away three copies to Forces of Geek readers!

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

Sammo Hung co-starred opposite Arsenio Hall on this 1998-2000 TV series?

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 September 18th, 2016.