The Scum & Villainy Cantina, the highly-anticipated pop-up experience coming to Hollywood in Spring 2017, will begin accepting pre-sale orders on Wednesday, October 12 via the NightOut ticketing site at scumandvillainycantina.nightout.com.

Announced to frenzied fan and media response in mid-August, the Scum & Villainy Cantina will transport fans into a fully immersive environment filled with food, drink, friends and some questionable characters from throughout the galaxy. Patrons will feel as though they are in an establishment in another galaxy as they enjoy – for the price of admission – two drinks of their choice, a souvenir pint glass, an exclusive Scum & Villainy challenge coin, and nightly surprises around each corner.

“From the moment we announced our intentions, interest surrounding the Scum & Villainy Cantina has been overwhelming – we’ve been deluged with inquiries and reservation requests by people from across the globe,” says J.C. Reifenberg, proprietor of the establishment. “With the pre-sale mechanism now in place, and our design and build in full swing, we will strive to fulfill those requests and maintain a steady stream of information leading up to our grand opening next year.”

The pre-sale allows the public to purchase tickets for the experience, and be slotted into a reserved spot in the virtual line for selecting the time and date of their attendance. Actual reservations are anticipated to start in January 2017, and will be serviced based on the initial time and date of of reservation purchase. Ticket reservations are limited and seatings will be handed out on a first come, first serve basis.

Tickets are priced at $50 each (plus a $3.99 NightOut service fee) for the two-hour experience, and ticket packages include an admission-and-collectible-shirt ($65 + NightOut service fee) and an admission-plus-collectible-shirt-and-hat ($75 + NightOut service fee).

The Cantina will host two nightly seatings, a special Saturday afternoon seating, and an opportunity for first-come first-served walk-ins after 11:00pm. Food will be available for purchase at a separate cost. Menu items will be announced at a future date.

Since the initial announcement, online speculation has led to many observations that have been quoted as fact. Everyone is encouraged to access the Scum & Villainy Cantina official website and to “like” the official Facebook page for valid, up-to-date information.

“Marvel’s Daredevil” follows Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), attorney by day and vigilante by night. Blinded in an accident as a child, Murdock uses his heightened senses as Daredevil, fighting crime on the streets of New York after the sun goes down. His efforts are not welcomed by powerful businessman Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) and others whose interests collide with those of Daredevil. Though Murdock’s day job portrays a man who believes in the criminal justice system, his alter ego suggests otherwise, as he takes the law into his own hands to protect his Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood and the surrounding communities.

The complete first season of the Netflix Original Series “Marvel’s Daredevil” is available to own on Blu-ray on November 8th. Season 1 of the action-packed drama was recently honored as Best New Media TV Series at the 42^nd Annual Saturn Awards hosted by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films. The home release of Season 1 will thrill fans with all 13 episodes.

Mo’ Money
James Patterson is giving away some substantial holiday bonuses once again to deserving booksellers.

How the Internet Helps Bookstores
An interesting New York Times article about how four independent bookstore use the internet to improve their business.

Best Libraries
Elle Decor makes its picks for the 50 best libraries in the country. Time to start checking them off.

The Alchemist
The internationally bestselling short novel by Paul Coelho is being turned into a movie.

Dark Rivers of the Heart
The lengthy bestselling novel by thriller author Dean Koontz is being adapted for TV.

A Series of Unfortunate Events
A teaser clip has been released for the upcoming movie, adapting Lemony Snicket’s popular series.

Action Comics #965
“Lois Lane, Back at The Planet – Part 1”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Artist: Steven Segovia
Inker: Art Thibert
Cover: Clay Mann, Tomev Morey
& Dan Jurgens
Variant: Gary Frank & Brad Anderson

Lois Smith now masquerading as Lois Lane nervously heads into the Daily Planet. A strange sensation as everything is almost exactly the same as on her Earth only with slight tweaks, like Planeteer Jackee and no Cat Grant on staff.

Jimmy tries to fill her in on what she has missed while vanishing for a few weeks. He doesn’t confide to her that he knows Clark’s secret, but then on this earth, Lois and Clark never loved each other. Nobody seems to notice that she’s older or that her hair has changed colour but of all the people in the Planet, Perry would be the one to notice.

Smith’s mind wanders to a dream she had last night where Lois Lane of this earth is writing up something on her laptop but it is so big she needs the other Lois Lane’s help.

Lois wakes up near the secret tunnel in Hamilton County and meets Clark back from Metropolis. Clark fills his wife in on the missing Geneticron building and his doppelganger, but Lex Luthor’s arrival in the Super armour interrupted him. Between a completely human Clark Kent and Lex being a Superman, it feels to Clark Smith like his old life has been taken away.

He mourns the life they created in California but Lois tells him when Jon was young it was a good fit but now they have to step up. They were already comfortable but aspects of their life still crept in. Clark secretly did super feats and Lois wrote secret novels and articles under a pseudonym.

Lois reveals that somehow the Lois of this earth tracked her down and sent her a strange coded letter. Jon runs up to them with Kathy in tow complaining about how he too misses California and Lois tells him of her life as an army brat. Turning to Clark after the children race inside, Lois shows the note and quickly hatches a plan, one that could perhaps allow her to be an investigative reporter again. Lois theorises that the letters code is an account password and if she could just log onto her doppelgangers computer. One bullet train later and we are back to today…

Lois enters Perry’s office only to be met by an aggravated editor in chief and a new publisher, Lex Luthor. Perry’s anger prevents him from seeing Lois’s subtle differences and she uses the final days of Superman as an excuse for being absent from work. Lex steps in and fills her in on his new career as a Superman and publisher instructing Lois to get over her recent writer’s block by exposing the new Superman. Like it or not she was Lois Lane now albeit with a secret identity of sorts.

Lois heads into ‘her’ office only for ‘Clark’ to interrupt he questions Lois for vanishing, for her jeopardising the Geneticron investigation by falsely exposing him as Superman. Lois refuses to elaborate and in a rage a clumsy Clark spills his coffee all over Lois’ computer. The computer is destroyed but Lois then remembers a vision of Lois at her laptop and races to her apartment to check it. Lois is freaked out that the apartment and memories are almost identical to her own and wonders why Lois sent her the clues instead of Clark or Perry but she doesn’t have much time to ponder as Superwoman appears and she knows Lois Smith is an imposter!

To Be Continued…

STORY: 5/5

As much as Superman is a ‘super’ man, he is much less ‘super’ without Lois Lane. I’m glad that she’s back. Thank you Dan Jurgens.

The “Who is Clark Kent?” story may have ended a bit of a damp squib, with nothing really resolved but just as I mentioned Lois was being underused, here we have the Lois Lane we know and love back in the action and with a mystery to solve! Lois taking centre stage this issue proves the book is ready to embrace her character again.

I thoroughly enjoy that Dan Jurgens can weave in all the character moments, have little to no action but create a story that has a feeling of breaking new ground and is truly compelling. The Superman books haven’t been this good for years.

One more thing… Long Live Lois Lane!

ART: 5/5

Stephen Segovia and Art Thibert do for Lois Lane what Dan Jurgens is doing for the writing. The panels are clear, crisp and well constructed. Nothing is too busy and the text doesn’t feel squashed. Superman may have hardly been in the issue but it didn’t feel any less ‘Super’ to me!

COVER: 5/5

As eye catching covers go this is one of the best. Lois Lane front and centre, literally back at the Planet. The artwork is smooth, clear and eye catching with Superman faintly in the distance. This cover proves Lois is more than just a side character – she’s the lead.

VARIANT: 5/5

A fun, classic take on Lois.

Exuberant, confident and a return to action. Lois you’ve been sorely missed and here Gary Frank and Brad Anderson don’t shy away from what makes her character great. Bravo! I look forward to more of Lois in the Superman books.

It was never just a game.  Inviting audiences again into the lore of the spirit board, Ouija: Origin of Evil tells a terrifying new tale as the follow-up to 2014’s sleeper hit that opened at number one.  In 1965 Los Angeles, a widowed mother and her two daughters add a new stunt to bolster their séance scam business and unwittingly invite authentic evil into their home.  When the youngest daughter is overtaken by the merciless spirit, this small family confronts unthinkable fears to save her and send her possessor back to the other side.

And we’re giving away passes for an advance screening in both Boston and Hartford on October 18th!

For your chance to see the film in Boston, click here

For your chance to see the film in Hartford, click here

Remember, seating is first come, first serve and not guaranteed.

For more details visit www.ouijamovie.com

Wonder Woman #8
“Interlude”
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Bilquis Evely
Cover: Bilquis Evely
Variant: Jenny Frison

In Oakstone Abbey, The Minerva Cavendish residence, while a young Barbara Ann Minerva is re enacting Greek myths.

When her father discovers that she is indulging in fantasy rather than her studies he burns the child’s toys before her very eyes.

Years later Barbara Ann Minerva is an archaeologist on a dig in the Ukraine.

Her co worker, Dr. Martins is a skeptic and doesn’t believe the Amazons are real, likening them to the legends of the vampire. Barbara swears that she will prove they are real… somehow.

Later at night a storm rocks the camp and wakes Barbara exploring the camp she discovers that Dr. Martins had secretly continued digging while she had slept. Exploring further into the rubble Barbara uncovers a crypt. With the sarcophagus of an Amazonian warrior. The rain causes the cliff the dig was on to begin crumbling. Two hundred tons or rock buries the site leaving a saddened Barbara to mourn its loss.

Barba begs them not to leave, the crypt belonged to Lysippe the 12th Amazonian Queen. Dr. Martins shrugs it off as a lie and they begin packing up the site. A while later, Barbara drinking in a bar meets Viktor Yakuvic, a co worker from the dig and someone that sympathizes with her cause until he steals her phone and papers when she collapses drunk.

Barbara later reports the theft to Dr. Martins and realises if Viktor thought it worth stealing maybe her research was onto something. She travels the globe from Bulgaria to Greece, Malta to Tunisia. Her search leads her to some ruins and in some rubble she discovers Viktor dead with a strange scar on his chest. And the word ‘Sear’ on his left forearm.

An elderly lady approaches with a young child and tells Barbara that ‘The Bana had barred them’ and that they had ‘Gone the wrong way’ just as Barbara is. Later Barbara repeats the old woman’s words and realises it was a clue. Her quest has always been to find where the Amazons went instead of discovering where they came from. As Barbara races away on a motorcycle the young girl becomes an owl and the old woman smiles.

Barbara charters a small boat to take her across the Black Sea and as they venture further out Barbara sees what shouldn’t be there – a small island, not on any map. The island is real but the elation subsides when she realises the island is deserted. Was it all a lie? Was the path wrong?

As Barbara heads back to the boat the shadows part to reveal a tree identical to that which was on the chest of Viktor Yakuvic…

To Be Continued…

STORY: 3/5

Many moons ago there was a spotlight on DC’s villains called New Year’s Evil. I guess interlude is Barbara getting a shot and I’ll be honest I’ve never liked her character but it is a judgement I happily rescind having read her recent adventure with Diana in the present and getting a back story. She still isn’t a favourite of mine I just never thought of her as a villain of note, for many years she was tragic but selfish, and in my eyes, two dimensional.

This interlude into the early years of Wonder Woman gives Barbara Ann exactly what is needed, a connection to the audience. We discover she is much more than a one-note villain, she’s a tragedy, a driven career woman but largely ignored by the men in her life as a dreamer and fantasist.

Crafted by the world of man to be cursed with forever trying to prove herself.

I don’t like the flitting between two stories but this issue does enhance what is transpiring in ‘The Lies’ so it proves the format works.

ART: 5/5

A lot of the Rebirth books have moved away from the action and concentrated more on storytelling. The recent issues of Superman & Action prove it can be done and here with Barbara’s story unfolding and no Wonder Woman in sight it continues to do so. Bilquis Evely is one skillful artist!

COVER: 3/5

I like the pencilling, you really feel like you’re seeing into Barbara’s world. I’m already interested in her quest. The thing that pulls me out of the art is the colouring.

VARIANT: 5/5

A beautiful cover that embraces the mythology of the Amazons and Diana looks mysterious, alluring and dangerous.

In the mood to watch something truly spooky?

As Halloween approaches, and movie night rosters are filled up with the usual assortment of beasts, boogeymen, witches, ghosts, and ghouls, let’s celebrate some indelible geek classics that are equally scary as hell, but aren’t technically horror movies.

From Hell (2001)

Serial killer thrillers are all inherently scary because they present a human monster at its most cunning and terrifying. There are a handful of impeccable serial killer thrillers that are all equally chilling in their own respect—The Silence of the Lambs, Se7en, Zodiac—but this Jack the Ripper tale from the Hughes Brothers not only stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best of the genre but wins mention here above all others because of its sturdier geek bonafides: it’s adapted from the acclaimed graphic novel by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell, and directed by the Hughes Brothers, who by then had already established themselves to be one of the most important new voices in American cinema—black or white.

With this, their third feature film (fourth if you count the documentary American Pimp), they prove themselves to be master cine-magicians. The strikingly photographed film is part detective mystery, part forensic procedural, part conspiracy thriller, and part meticulously researched historical reenactment, but with a supernatural twist: our junky detective hero is prone to absinthe-and opium-induced premonitions.

Showcases one of Johnny Depp’s finer and subtler performances, one without all the bells and whistles that would later define his freakier turns—Willy Wonka, Sweeney Todd, Tonto, and especially Captain Jack Sparrow. The chilling ambient sound effects and menacing music help the film crawl under the skin, while grisly reenactments of the Ripper killings offer the requisite splatter factor of any good gore fest—though the true story elements lend a bit more gravitas to the proceedings than you’ll find in similar body count flicks.

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

A quartet of Coney Island junkies each takes a hard dance with their addiction of choice in Darren Aronofsky’s stunning second feature. The depths to which they’ll willingly and tragically sink for a fix makes for psychological horror far more frightening than any run-of-the-mill stalker thriller.

Saying this one is the ultimate “Just say ‘NO’” film is an understatement.

Escape from New York (1981)

At the time of the film’s release, John Carpenter’s bleak vision of the year 1997 played as demented satire. Now, the film’s nightmarish vision of a totalitarian police state is more uncomfortably prescient than ever.

The fully realized world inside the prison—with its social hierarchy among the barbarian inmates and the many familiar NYC landmarks imaginatively defaced and decayed—is a grim metaphor for the utter dissolution of civilization as we know it.

Jacob’s Ladder (1990)

A death dream dressed up as a Vietnam-era Army medical conspiracy thriller, the hallucinatory elements of this mindbender lent themselves to a misleading promotional campaign that made the film appear to be a traditional horror movie.

Granted, there are horror movie trappings galore: our hero is tormented by grotesque demons and suffers horrific visions; the sense of paranoia never eases; and there is some extremely disturbing gore—notably during a queasy “descent into hell” nightmare bit strewn with bloody mutilated viscera and deformed bodies.

Brazil (1985)

At face value, Terry Gilliam’s dystopian satire is a Python-esque riff on George Orwell, and is replete with delightful visual comedy and morbid gallows humor, but make no mistake: this dark tale of bureaucracy and technology run amok in a totalitarian surveillance state is one of the most frightening visions of the future any movie has to offer.

Note specifically what happens when a literal bug in the system results in an innocent but similarly named man being wrongly prosecuted for a wanted terrorist’s crimes. And even though our hapless hero’s final fate is intended to be some sort of triumph—he’s successfully escaped from his thought police torturers—the fact that he’s forever trapped in blissful refuge inside his own broken mind makes his end a gloomy and horrific resolution no matter which way you cut it.

In preparation for the highly-anticipated Season 7 premiere of “The Walking Dead,” AMC will air a two-hour retrospective, “The Walking Dead: Journey So Far,” on Sunday, October 16 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.  During the special, fans can get up close and personal with the cast as they tell the stories of their characters from the moment they were introduced to where they were when last season ended. Clips from the most pivotal moments in series history will be intercut between cast and executive producer interviews.

Season by season, from the moment Rick wakes up in the hospital (as told by Andrew Lincoln), all the way to the excruciating first swing of Negan’s bat (told by Jeffery Dean Morgan and others in the lineup), the story of “The Walking Dead” will be told by those who have lived it. “The Walking Dead: Journey So Far” gives viewers who have never seen an episode of “The Walking Dead” a chance to get all caught up on the plot, characters, locations, and unique terminology of the series as well as providing fans who‘ve never missed a moment with fresh interviews with the series’ producers and their favorite actors as part of an exciting refresher course that will further whet their appetite for the new season.

The first half of Season 7 sees the group fractured, broken, bereaved, and picking up the pieces while living under the thumb of oppression. Negan will have successfully brought the survivors under his will, brutally convincing them to live under his rules with a deadly and horrific example of what happens if they don’t.

“The Walking Dead” is executive produced by Robert Kirkman, Showrunner Scott M. Gimple, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert, Greg Nicotero and Tom Luse.

Superwoman #3
“Who Killed Superwoman? – Part 3
Writer: Phil Jimenez
Artist: Emanuela Lupacchino
Inker: Ray McCarthy
Cover: Phil Jimenez & Jeromy Cox
Variant: Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson

A few weeks back Lana was offered a job at The Daily Star by George Taylor. An attractive offer considering the offer of free reign to write about whatever she wanted and for a huge salary to go along with it.

With the rebuild of Steelworks in progress and Lana and John Henry Irons making a permanent move to Metropolis, Lana decides she’d be a fool to refuse it.

Now things have changed, Clark died and in doing so altered the body chemistry of Lois Lane and Lana giving them the ability to process sunlight into superpowers.

Lois and Lana started to fight the forces of evil as two Superwomen but recently Lois was killed and now Lana has to take the responsibility all on her own as the only Superwoman.

Today, during a parade in Metropolis, with the aid of the two Steels (secretly John and his niece Natasha) they take on the Atomic Skull. Lana is still new to her powers and using Atomic Skull’s output of radioactive powers she converts it into thermoelectric energy, pushing him closer and closer to death. John begs her to stop, Atomic Skull may be a dangerous villain, but he also knows secrets about John’s brother and the ever shady Lexcorp.

In the bowels of Lexcorp, Lex himself has discovered Lena has woken from her coma. She is supported by a hovering electrical cube and several Bizarro Superwomen and angry with her brother. Lex is elated to see his sister walking, alive and tells her his experiments to cure her must have worked, but Lena is adamant that all they did was cause her years of pain and she then reveals she has control over his armour.

Lex is puzzled by his sister’s anger and professes his love for family. Lena smirks that while he wears the armour he is paralyzed from the wait down like she was for so many years and she plans to cause him a lot of pain.

Lana remembers feeling fear, and how a Doctor Hausler had prescribed her medication that kept her calm, confident and focused. She kept this a secret from John, after all that was going on, a little anxiety was nothing to complain about in the scheme of things.

Some secrets need to be revealed however and listening to the protests of John and Natasha, Superwoman releases her death grip and hands him over to the authorities, but not before a grilling for information. EMP bombs targeting Lexcorp products specifically, shut down Stryker’s Island. Before the bombs life in Stryker’s was hellish. Arkham Asylum was nothing in comparison. The staff were sadistic, solitary confinement was common place. Bare-knuckle fights were regular and encouraged by guards. Torture, experiments and death were frequent all under Lexcorp’s watch. The punishments were now more excessive than the crimes.

Lana is unsympathetic, but Steel points out that no matter their crimes, this treatment is something that no Superman or woman should be ok with. Lana points out the many number of Lexcorp subsidiaries that could have perpetrated this inhuman treatment without Lex Luthor’s knowledge. John angrily retorts that Lana should still be in bed, on medication and not publicly defending Luthor.

Natasha cuts in and tells them they still need to capture the other Stryker’s inmates and repower the city and though Lana is tortured by the lies about her medication they head over to Lexcon Power Substation.

At The Daily Star, George Taylor asks around the newsroom about Lana’s safety but they are interrupted as the internet begins lighting up with stories about Lena Luthor still being alive. The stories weave more lies that Lena was being kept prisoner in Lexcorp Tower and forced to create technology that her brother then sold as his own.

At the same time in the tower basement Lena confronts her brother as delusional. She reveals she knew that when the first Superman died and Lex took on the mantle himself, that the residual solar flare energy was used by China to create Super-Man. In turn, Lex stole Dr. Omen’s technology and experimented on Lena but initially the experiment failed and the fame of becoming Superman lured him away.

Discarded, the experiment actually worked to some degree, it woke Lena from her coma but she found herself broken out of her amniotic tube and a paralyzed heap on the floor, alone and left with her mind racing now well above sixth level intelligence but unable to put it to use. Lena wasn’t the only experiment left down there and a Bizarro duplicate of Superwoman broke free to help her. Lex fiercely denies torturing his sister and abandoning her, but it falls upon deaf ears.

Elsewhere, Natasha explains her plan and with Atomic Skull’s aid they use Superwoman’s energy conversion power to supercharge the station. Lana begins to feel a connection with the city, with it’s people and the enormity of being its champion, alone, without Lois begins to Lana anxious. Natasha is suspicious and questions Lana about the whereabouts of the other Superwoman but the stress causes Lana to have a heavy nosebleed.

Back in the Luthor Corp Lab, Lex is astounded to see an army of Bizarro’s appear. Lena reveals she perfected his technology, something that he couldn’t in years. When Lex brought DNA from the Crime Syndicate Superwoman to the laboratory Lena used her technology to splice her DNA with the sample and clone it repeatedly to create an army loyal to her.

Lena’s wig drops to the floor as she mentally instructs her purple and green super armour to conform to her body. Lena smiles at her brother and tells him she is now Lena Luthor, Ultrawoman.

Lex tells Lena that the tech that she’s used is a Mother Box from Apokolips, but it is damaged, corrupted and using her, a plea that Ultrawoman shrugs off. Lena tells him she is in control and ignores his cries to help her.

In a small office, records of Lana Lang are visible on a screen.

They register her powers but also the fact that the probability of her powers killing her own body are 100%

To Be Continued…

STORY: 5/5

Wow what a story!

Phil Jimenez promised revelations and high action and he definitely delivered!

Lena reminds me very much of Rachel in the television series Orphan Black; I love her already! Lena is a complex misguided villain and I hope she lives up to maniacal levels! Lana is equally complex, to levels she hasn’t seen in a long time. She was always anxious and found strength first in Clark, then Superman, then John but as much as they inspired and supported her she found true strength in Lois Lane. A woman so similar to her in many ways but far more confident. Lois was also the woman that convinced Lana that she has the strength not just superpowers to become Superwoman with her.

Without Lois, Lana has taken a knock in confidence, turned to prescription drugs and is hiding it from those that love her.

Lena and Lana are just superb to read and that is solely because of Phil.

ART: 4/5

I loved the art in this issue; ,it was stunning and went hand in hand with the script. I usually prefer in an arc that the art or writing stays constant, but since the art shook things up in equal measure to the story I won’t complain

COVER: 3/5

Too busy, too bright. The digital colouring kills it for me. The palette is so heavy the lush artwork is overtaken.

VARIANT: 4/5

Love love love this! Still smarting a bit as the Lois cover from issue 1 was just stunning but Lana is growing on me and this cover just has an iconic feel to it.

Batman. Everywhere we look, we see him. In the comic books. The movies. T-Shirts. You name it.

For over seventy-five years, we have been told that one singular man created the Batman: Bob Kane. But recent times have proven that it is simply not so. It turns out A gentleman named Bill Finger had a hand in creating the Batman as we know him. His character. His world. His very history. It turns out, Bill Finger co-created the Batman and his universe.

A new documentary coming to Hulu next year called Batman and Bill will explore the struggle of Bill Finger. It shows how he never received credit in his lifetime. How he was forced to watch as what he helped create became part of pop culture. How he died penniless and alone. It also shows how his son, and how his granddaughter, Athena, and her family had to carry that burden through their lives.

The film also shows how author Marc Tyler Nobleman decided to write a biography of the creation of Batman. It shows how he got involved with Bill’s story. Most of all, it shows how he became determined to right a wrong that had been going on for decades.

“It was the right thing to do,” says Nobleman. A sentiment that seems almost out of a superhero comic.

Filmmakers Sheena Joyce and Don Argott  (The Art of the Steal; Rock School) are the directors of this documentary. Among the familiar faces in the film are Kevin Smith, Arlen Schumer, Michael Uslan, Todd McFarlane and Roy Thomas, along with Nobleman and Bob Kane’s Batman & Me co-author, Thomas Andrae.

Having watched a lot of it with an an audience this week in a panel at the New York  Comic Con, this reporter can tell you firsthand that it is an emotional, heart wrenching journey. It is a story that you can’t believe actually happened but did. In fact, you might even be shocked how one human being could do that to another.

Athena Finger, Bill’s granddaughter sat with reporters after the panel. For Athena and her sister, Alethia Mariotta, it seemed like a weight had been lifted off them. Perhaps it because one has. (Mariotta is the one who negotiated with DC Comics the credit for Bill) Even more amazing, neither hold any resentment towards Bob Kane.

“That’s not what this is about,” said Finger. “It’s not about any resentment toward Bob. It’s just about getting Bill’s name where it rightfully belongs.”

After more than 75 years, one of the greatest injustices in history is being corrected. It shows what humanity is capable of if people work together. It’s the stuff you’d see in comic books, except this time?

This is real life. Finally, at long last, Bill has someone in his corner: all of us.

In addition to his career writing screenplays and comic reviews for Forces of Geek, Lenny Schwartz is an award winning playwright and writer/director of the production, C0-Creator: Bill Finger – The Man Behind the Bat.

Supergirl #2
“Reign of the Cyborg Supermen – Part 2”
Writer: Steve Orlando
Artist: Brian Ching
Cover: Brian Ching & Atiyeh
Variant: Bengal

Supergirl faces off with Cyborg Superman in the Arctic Fortress.

The Cyborg reveals he is Zor El and swears to Kara he isn’t her enemy any longer, he just wants Kara to heave the life she misses so much returned to her and rebuild Argo City.

When Kara questions him further Zor reveals he heard sadness in her voice when she whispered to the stars (last issue) from space.

Her sad plea drew him to her and just wanting her to be happy he plans to use Superman’s sunstone plans of Argo to rebuild it.

When Kara tries to physically take on Zor his automated defences activate and he fights her off. He swears to keep his promise to her and self destructs.

Brushing off shrapnel Kara wonders if Cyborg really is her father and heads to The Ditch to discuss it with her earth mother Eliza.

Eliza reasons that the Sunstones recorded history tells that Zor died on Argo but if his consciousness did survive in Cyborg as he insists, she doesn’t want Kara connecting with him in case he is more villainous Cyborg than loving father. Eliza also tells Kara she isn’t meant to fly off without DEO authorisation but she covered for her. As they approach the lock up of Mastrocola, Supergirl enters his cell and offers to listen to what he has to say. He may be villain but that doesn’t mean he cannot be helped she tells him.

The next day at National City Technical High School Cat Grant is giving a lecture to the students with an offer for one of them for the Young Innovators program at Catco. Cat tells them about her life and her building of a media empire. When Cat ask the prospective applicant to answer one question Kara tries to answer but doubts herself long enough for classmate Ben Rubel to answer and snatch the application from her.

After the seminar Kara is shocked to find Cat has chased after her. She tells Kara she noticed her indecisiveness in the auditorium and that she had already spoken to Kara’s teacher and knew she was an incredibly intelligent student but overloaded with angst. Giving Kara no chance to respond Cat instructs her to attend Catco first thing the next morning.

At Catco the next day Cat talks at Kara non stop and then tells her she can leave. Kara is puzzled but Cat tells her that she had been reading her body language and had already made a decision about Kara. As Kara leaves she bumps into Ben who assumes a bemused Kara is trying to steal his place on the Young Innovator program and warns her off.

After school when Kara is alone a microscopic fragment of Cyborg Superman embedded in Kara’s skin activates. Using a mental link he projects his memories of Kara, their life on Argo and interactions that could only have come from Zor himself.

Then Zor tells her how he sought help from Brainiac to help him save Argo but the villain suspended his consciousness and made him into a soldier. When he was sent to fight Kara on Earth his mind woke up but he was unable to overcome Brainiac’s control. When Brainiac was defeated and vanished. Cyborg was reduced to scrap by Superman and Zor was able to regain control.

Kara is shocked that her father is truly alive but he has another surprise in store. He has rebuilt Argo City and wants her to come home, not only that but he reveals her mother Alura is alive as well.

Her old life is waiting for her once more.

To Be Continued…

STORY: 5/5

Steve Orlando, I have to hand it to you, you are a genius.

I’m reviewing Midnighter & Apollo and Supergirl and they are as different as two books can get. The writing quality doesn’t suffer at all, in fact the enjoyment of both is enhanced by the fact they are both so different and both excellent. As a reviewer you can’t just dish out 5/5’s all the time but right now Rebirth is just hitting the mark with every issue.

When Zor was brought back a few years ago as Cyborg Superman instead of Hank Henshaw I shared the reservations of many a reader but we are seeing the payoff in a compelling story that reaches back to the beginning of the N52 and weaves it into the new status quo.

Supergirl being a more fleshed out character is just all kinds of heart warming. Tony Bedard was the only one able to do similar in the New 52 but the show television show has gone a long way to giving Kara a new spin and offers the opportunity to Orlando to create a completely fresh take on the Supergirl mythos.

ART: 4/5

Again with the unique take of the book, the art of Brian Ching gives it a fresh feel and a uniqueness from the other comics that makes Supergirl stand on her own. I’ll be honest that initially I was put off.

On first look it felt childish but upon reading the book the art has grown on me as much as Kara herself. I wouldn’t WANT another artist on the book. Ching has made the book his own and I’m really getting used to the look and feel.

COVER: 3/5

A cool cover with a long overdue confrontation but the empty space filled with digital colouring and effects gives it a bit of an emptiness. The anger in the heat vision is lost. It really didn’t need the fancy computer work.

VARIANT: 5/5

The iconic shirt rip. Can’t say I’ll ever like this take on the El Shield but regardless this cover by Bengal is just pure brilliance.

Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” forever changed the landscape of children’s literature; Disney’s animated “Alice in Wonderland” embraced this fantasy world filled with peculiar characters; and Tim Burton directed a visually-stunning, live-action film that mesmerized audiences worldwide. On Oct. 18, 2016, the enchanting and beloved franchise that has captivated generations of adventurers continues when Disney’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass” arrives home on Digital HD, Blu-ray, Disney Movies Anywhere, DVD and On-Demand.

In “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” the all-star cast from the 2010 blockbuster is back with Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter who’s desperately searching for his family; Anne Hathaway as Mirana, the kind, mild-mannered White Queen; Helena Bonham Carter as Iracebeth, the short-tempered, big-headed Red Queen; and Mia Wasikowska as Alice, the heroine at the heart of the story. Sacha Baron Cohen joins the ensemble as Time, a magical being that is part human, part clock, and the late Alan Rickman—to whom the film is dedicated—is the voice of Absolem, the blue Monarch butterfly who metamorphosed from the blue caterpillar “Alice in Wonderland.”

Fascinating, in-depth bonus features invite in-home audiences to further explore the whimsical world of Underland. Three-time Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood reveals the creative process behind the film’s ornate costuming; P!nk provides on-set access during production of her “Just Like Fire” music video; Sacha Baron Cohen showcases his quirky new character, Time; and Director James Bobin offers insightful audio commentary and introduces five, never-before-seen deleted scenes.

And we’re giving out 15 digital codes to Forces of Geek readers!

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

With Disney’s Alice Through The Looking Glass, co-stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter have worked together how many times?

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 October 17th, 2016.

Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown! A heck of a week of new releases! Let’s get started!!

All Star Batman#3     

Written by Scott Snyder
Illustrated by John Romita Jr. and Declan Shalvey
Published by DC Comics

Man, Scott Snyder is good. He’s actually turning into another variation of Mark Miller with the types of art talent he is attracting. It’s easy to see why. Snyder writes a hell of a tale, one filled with things we haven’t seen in comics before. He doesn’t resort to cheap gimmicks. He writes a smart, well done story issue in and issue out no matter what he is doing.

This issue continues his collaboration with John Romita Jr. on Batman’s road trip with Two-Face. It starts off with a hell of a fight scene. It was great to see the KGB Beast and the fight that ensued.

Snyder turned this story arc into something like The Fugitive. It’s exciting, and bold.

Romita’s art takes a little getting used to on this. The better art is actually in the back-up with Shalvey. Still, Romita Jr. does pretty good with it. I have to admit I am on the edge of my seat for both tales.

This is a hell of a Batman book. I think it’s just getting started though. I heard through the grapevine Snyder will be working with Paul Pope on an upcoming art. If that’s the case, we are truly in store for great tales ahead.

For now though, this book is impressive. When it hits each month, I smile like an addict who just wants more and Scott Snyder is my dealer.

RATING: A-

Briggs Land #3   

Written by Brian Wood
Illustrated by Mack Chater
Published by Dark Horse Comics

This issue finishes up the first arc of the Briggs Land saga.

Man, Brian Wood can seriously write one hell of a comic book. It’s stellar. The book is so strong you can easily see why AMC picked up this title and quick. It’s smart with good storytelling and easy to get into.

The story for this issue is the following: On a quiet highway in the predawn light, Grace encounters a true test of her empathy and her strength when she comes face to face with the worst aspects of the community she’s struggling to take back.

Grace Briggs is one of the best characters in comic books right now.

Wood specializes in unique character development. He’s a writer who has been solid for years, and is now poised to break out. Likewise for the art of Chater…he’s going to be a star.

This issue may finish up the first arc of this title, but there will be more. Hopefully a lot more. This book has tons of potential. I’ll be reading excitedly every time it hits the stands

RATING: A

Deathstroke #4

Written by Christopher Priest
Illustrated by Joe Bennett
Published by DC Comics

Holy crap. This book is awesome. Christopher Priest proves month in and month out he is the best writer Slade Wilson has ever had. He has a handle on the character that respects the past. It give us something new.

This issue has Slade and his daughter, Rose, going into Gotham City for Batman’s help. Of course, being that he is Deathstroke and that she is the Ravager, you it won’t be the typical ask for help.

Priest is not afraid to be funny in these pages, and he just goes for it. I laughed quite a few times. The bit with his disguises is just genius.

And when Batman finally appears the ensuing scene is priceless.

Bennett is a great choice for this series. I liked his last issue, this one is even better. Another thumbs up for this title, the fifth issue in a row.

RATING: A-

American Vampire Anthology #2

Written by Scott Snyder and Various
Illustrated by Various
Published by DC Comics

I’ve never read American Vampire. I have heard it is good. So I decided to dip into this anthology. I found it impenetrable. It really isn’t accessible to new readers but that’s not always a bad thing (especially if you have a mythology going)

Still, I gamely dipped my toes into it! And it’s not bad at all. There are various stories all involving vampires and they are fairly well written. The two by Scott Snyder fare best and it’s a hefty book. You get a lot for your money. Some stories are better than others and the book is a good (if not totally backwards way for me) to get into a series.The same holds true with the art, but still not bad overall.

This book has been on my waiting list for quite some time to do a series read. I’m intrigued enough to pick it up as soon as I can. And I will let you know when I do.

RATING: B+

Doom Patrol #2

Written by Gerard Way
Illustrated by Nick Derington
Published by DC Comics

Gerard Way and his Young Animal imprint on DC Comics is one of the more crazy things I have seen lately.

The seeming flagship title of the bunch is Doom Patrol. I love this book. I’m just not sure what the hell is actually going on it.

Maybe if I dropped acid I would truly comprehend just the hell this book is about. It’s about the team the Doom Patrol sure, but it seems they are now stuck in a pop art world. Which isn’t a bad thing!

Way writes a strange tale that mostly gets stranger the more you think about it. I enjoy it though because it’s at least passionate.(I could do without the “whatever is going on with Niles Caulder” sections of the comic, but hey).

And Derington is a whiz at making the book pop out.

Would you like to read something that will make you see comic books differently? Well here you go. Read it and enjoy. Or let your head explode. I think Way would be happy with either.

RATING: A-

Suicide Squad #4 

Written by Rob Williams
Illustrated by Jim Lee and Gary Frank
Published by DC Comics

And now for the most schizophrenic comic book on the stands, Suicide Squad!

The first half of this book is pretty bad. Jim Lee looks like he rushed the art. It’s not dynamic at all. This saddens me as Lee used to be at the top of the field.

Now? It’s a snooze. The story is pretty bogus too. This book most likely would get an F if it wasn’t for the backup.

The backup with the art being done by Gary Frank is pretty damn good.

It focuses on Harley Quinn and Rick Flagg and it’s pretty gutsy. Why can’t Frank just do the whole book? He’s damn good at what he does. And Williams writes a better tale here than the main story.

I am sad this book isn’t better. It really could be. Maybe after a few missteps DC can get it right? Let’s get this book back on track! The backup proves it. But right now?

RATING: C

Detective Comics #942

Written by Steve Orlando
Story by Steve Orlando and James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Andy Macdonald
Published by DC Comics

The Night of the Monster Men storyline comes to it’s roaring conclusion! It’s been a good ride and it goes out with a bang!

Orlando has proven himself as a writer of quality books on this story. Now, he’s going to be everywhere as everyone will want a story from him. He’s nuts. But in a great way. As such, this story is nuts. But it’s so damn enjoyable you just don’t care.

The art is crazy too. I’ve enjoyed this crossover. As a whole it served as a nice distraction to the monthly Bat Titles. But I hope to see Orlando writing these characters soon. He’s certainly got a great take on them all.

RATING: B+

The Flash # 8

Written by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Carmine Di Giandomenico
Published by DC Comics

This issue shows the new Kid Flash in action! I enjoyed this issue very much again. Williamson once again crafts an interesting story. He’s got a solid nine issues under his belt now.

The art though…man, Carmine Di Giandomenico where have you been my entire life? Or at least in  the Flash’s life? His work is something else. He might be the breakout star of the DC universe.

Williamson is at an interesting crossroads right now though. He seems to have led the story to an interesting point. Now, he has to deliver the goods. Can he? Has this entire series been leading to something? Let’s hope.

Great groundwork has been laid out…for something.

What is it?

Let’s hope it’s as satisfactory as these last nine issues have been.

RATING: B+

The Sheriff of Babylon #11

Written by Tom King
Illustrated by Mitch Gerads
Published by DC Comics

Tom King kills it again this issue. He consistently shows what a damn fine writer he can be. This may be his masterpiece.

The story for this issue is as follows: Sofia’s meeting with the man who attacked her has taken a dangerous turn, and what was supposed to be a simple covert action has transformed into a full-blown firefight. If the battle is successful, it will put Nassir in the clear, but it could also tear the friendship between Sofia and Chris apart.

King keeps the stakes high. It is a powerful, emotional tale he is telling. Gerads kills it on the art too. Pick this series up now. People will be talking about it in the years to come.

RATING: A

The Lost Boys #1 

Written by Tim Seeley
Illustrated by Scott Godlewski
Published by DC Comics

So Tim Seeley has been making a name for himself over at DC Comics. And he’s a pretty decent talent.

So why did he sign up for this comic, a “sequel” to the 1987 film of the same name?

Maybe Seeley is a big fan of the film like me?

Or maybe he thinks he can do something creative with it. Either way, the first issue isn’t too bad. It just feels unnecessary overall.

Still, the story is a little better than you expect. Seeley has passion and that counts for something.

And it is kinda fun to see characters you remember in new situations.

And the art is pretty good too.

The biggest problem may be just who is the audience for this book? Fans of the film? It’s pretty hard to understand if you hadn’t seen it. So it’s a nice piece of nostalgia and might get away with a good arc or two but where else can it go?

But hey, at least it’s not a remake.

RATING: B-

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #3 

Written by Shawna and Julie Benson
Illustrated by Claire Roe and Roge Antonio
Published by DC Comics

This book isn’t something I would normally read but I’ve been enjoying it. The Benson’s write some really strong character and the art has been pretty decent as well.

The “Who is Oracle?” Storyline continues! The dangerous new Oracle is finding that Gotham’s mobs aren’t up to the task of keeping the Birds of Prey off the scent…so send in the Snakes!

Copperhead, The Asp, Cottonmouth, and Lady Viper are the most venomous foes the Birds have ever faced.

If you’re a fan of the book pick it up. It’s just a nicely done comic book.

And if you’re not, give it a chance. Nothing to lose.

RATING: B

And the rest….

Earth 2 Society #17
Written by Dan Annette
Illustrated by Bruno Redondo
Published by DC Comics
I have no idea what was going on in this issue and I tried three times. Still, it looked interesting enough. If you’re a reader I think you’ll enjoy it! I’ve never read this before this and the previous issue.
RATING: B

Gotham Academy: Second Semester #2
Written by Becky Cloonan, Brendan Fletcher and Karl Kersechl
Illustrated by Adam Archer
Published by DC Comics
A totally offbeat look at the DC universe. It’s an enjoyable enough comic but doesn’t have much in the way of ramifications. So it seems a bit slight.
RATING: B-

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #6
Written by Robert Venditti
llustrated by Rafe Sandoval
Published by DC Comics
Venditti’s Green Lantern books are like reading a homework assignment you are forced to read and can’t get into. He’s a fine writer but he’s just spinning his wheels at this point on this title.
RATING: C

New Super-Man #4   
Written by Gene Luen Yang
Illustrated by Viktor Bogdanovic
Published by DC Comics
Some people swear to me this is a great book. I just don’t see it. Maybe I’m missing something. Still, it’s not terrible and readers can find enjoyment in this different tale of a new Superman.
RATING: B-

Unfollow #12.
Written by Rob Williams
Illustrated by Rob Dowling
Published by DC Comics
I read all of the issues up to this as I hadn’t before. This book is totally awesome. Pick it up. Williams proves he can actually write quite well when the book isn’t Suicide Squad. A very good time!
RATING: A-

Red Hood and the Outlaws #3
Written by Scott Lobdell
Illustrated by Dexter Soy
Published by DC Comics
Not a bad book! Lobdell keeps the writing fresh and the art is very good! A good team. Solid title. What more do you need?
RATING: B

Teen Titans Go #18 
Written by Sholly Fish
Illustrated by Marcelo Di Chiara
Published by DC Comics
My daughter reviewed this comic as it was more something she really likes. So here’s the review from a seven year old’s perspective: “That was awesome!”
RATING: A

Scooby: Apocalypse #6
Written by J. M . DeMatteis and Keith Giffen
Illustrated by Howard Porter and some other poor artists
Published by DC Comics
This book continues. Dear lord. When it’s canceled, drinks are on me. I’ll give it a D because of the poor talented people involved.
RATING: D

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 80sTees, which was the first 80s memorabilia online store and has now become a prime destination for pop culture tribes everywhere to come together and share their geekery!

80sTees sells more than shirts.  Among their wares are socks, costumes, ugly Christmas sweaters, hoodies and more.

These are a few of my recent favorites:

Kenner Logo T-Shirt

If you grew up in the Seventies and Eighties, Kenner not only represented toys, but the best toys.

Among the classic toys produced by the company were Play-Doh, Baby Alive, Spirograph, Girder and Panel Building Sets, Easy Bake Oven, Hugo – Man of a Thousand Faces, and the Zoom-Loom Automatic Weaving Machine.

But they also tackled action figures where the company made their mark; launching such lines as Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, The Bionic Woman and Littlest Pet Shop aimed toward the girl’s market and The Six Million Dollar Man, Batman, M.A.S.K., Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Real Ghostbusters, Siverhawks, The Super Powers line and VR Troopers for boys.

The company is best remembered for their connection to the biggest pop culture franchise, Star Wars.

Beginning with their “Early Bird Certificate Package,” Kenner began a relationship with Star Wars that began in 1977 and ran through Kenner’s sale to Tonka in 1987 and subsequently by Hasbro in 1991 during which they released hundreds of figures and vehicles.

This shirt not only represents nostalgia, but history.

Star Wars Stay On Target T-Shirt

Speaking of Star Wars, this amazing shirt invokes not only the classic film, reproducing the X-Wing Fighter’s targeting computer as the Rebellion flies through the Death Star trench toward the exhaust port (which is just slightly smaller than the Womp Rats found in Beggar’s Canyon on Tatooine), but also, the amazing video game produced in Vector Vision, which in my opinion is still one of the best games ever produced.

Whether you’re Biggs Darklighter, Wedge Antilles, Jeb Porkins or Luke Skywalker, this shirt is a must have for every fan of the original trilogy.

So, grab one of these shirts, listen to that voice in your head, move away your targeting device, take a deep breath, and fire.

The Force will be with you.  Always.

TMNT Colors T-Shirt

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over thirty years that I first became aware of The Turtles with the release of the comic by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.  Originally released in black and white, the comic was a parody/homage to Frank Miller’s Daredevil and Ronin runs, as well as Marvel’s New Mutants and Dave Sim’s Cerebus The Aarkvark. 

There was no pizza or surfing in the original incarnation, with Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael fighting crime in the seedy streets of New York.  As a matter of fact, the characters were indistinguishable with the exception of their weapons.

When the characters came to animation, the color of their masks distinguished them from one another.  This amazing shirt features the original comic incarnations set against their individual colors as presented in the animated series.

Whether a fan of the comic, the movies, the animated series or the toys, The Turtles remain awesome .  Cowabunga, indeed.

Hong Kong Phooey and Spot T-Shirt

It might have only lasted sixteen episodes, but Hong Kong Phooey brought martial arts to Saturday morning television.

The series centered on police station “mild-mannered” janitor Penrod “Penry” Pooch (voiced by the inimitable Scatman Crothers), who would don the secret identity of Hong Kong Phooey when reports of crime came into the station.

As the phone would ring, telephone operator Rosemary would answer the call and explain the crime to Sergeant Flint, and Penry would leap into action, slipping behind the vending machine, into the bottom drawer of his filing cabinet, and with the assistance of Spot, explode out of the top drawer wearing his mask and costume ready to fight the forces of evil.

Armed with is copy of his correspondence-course martial-arts instruction handbook, The Hong Kong Book of Kung Fu and his Phooeymobile, the canine crimefighter proves time and time again that he’s not only faster than the human eye, but also the number one super guy!

Young Frankenstein It’s Alive T-Shirt

Not only is Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein one of the funniest films ever made, but with the recent passing of the great Gene Wilder, this shirt belongs in the collection of every single cinegeek.

Capturing Wilder at the great Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced “Fronken-steen”), this shirt also captures the reflections of both the Monster (Peter Boyle) and Igor (Marty Feldman).

With a color palette that literally explodes off the shirt, this design is a wonderful tribute to both the film and the legacy and talent of the magical Gene Wilder aka Frederick Frankenstein, Leo Bloom, Willy Wonka, and The Waco Kid.

For answers to the many questions Rebirth leaves the fans with, we headed to “Meet The Publishers” panel at New York Comic Con on Saturday afternoon.

The packed room full of Damian Waynes, Reys and our favorite, an older gentleman dressed as Wonder Woman, munching on some Kettle Korn.

DC Entertainment’s co-publishers, Dan DiDio and Jim Lee opened with the usual jokes and self-congratulation for the Rebirth line.  Among the tidbits mentioned during the presentation:

• Dan admitted that last year’s lukewarm NYCC panel reaction was partly the catalyst for the line wide Rebirth change.

• Respect for legacy and character relationships were two of the other main reasons for the change.

• 14 million Rebirth books have shipped, and the numbers were strong for Wave 1.

• Lee addressed the upcoming crossover Justice League vs Suicide Squad from Joshua Williamson and Jason Fabok. (Ships 12/21), promising two opposing teams will make for compelling storytelling. Perhaps this is a response to Avengers vs X-Men?

• DiDio recognizes from recent TV and movie successes that a ‘shared universe’ is the way to go to keep fans engaged.

• This seems to be the DC Comics company line going forward (at least for now).

• Lee took over for news related to Wonder Woman 75. The USPS will be releasing some special edition stamps to commemorate as well as an electrified response to the Wonder Woman movie next year. ” Wonder Woman is still a beacon of hope and justice and we are honored to be celebrating her 75th Birthday”.

• DiDio previewed the upcoming Kamandi and another celebration next year, Jack “King” Kirby’s 100th.  The forthcoming 12-part Kamandi Challenge with an all-star lineup of creators that include Neal Adams, Ivan Reis, Bruce Timm, Greg Pak and more.

• Warren Ellis is bringing back The Wildstorm universe with Lee. He is reimagining WS with an eye toward the future and a huge overarching first arc.

• John Davis Hunt (The Clean Room, Vertigo) is on art with the new ‘popup imprint’ for Wildstorm in February.

• Gerard Way (DC’s Young Animal imprint with Doom Patrol) tried to stump DiDio with a rare DC character, Cave Carson, to no avail. New books like Shade the Changing Girl will expand the Young Animal line into next year that are more experimental takes on Vertigo and DC properties.  Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye from Way ships 10/19 with Michael Avon Oeming (Powers) on art.   Mother Panic is another Young Animal book that will exist in the Batman corner of YA.

• The American Way from screenwriter John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, American Crime) with art by Georges Jeanty tackles race and superheroes in a new Vertigo series that serves as a sequel to the previously released graphic novel.

• Mad Magazine ships an hilarious Goodnight Batcave parody on 11/2.

• Amanda Conner takes on The Jetsons next year! Someone stop this crazy thing! The Hanna-Barbera comics have been causing quite a stir, especially the subversive Flintstones!

• Free to retailers, the upcoming DC trade previews ‘Direct Currents’ will be used as a selling tool to fans for solicits, preview pages and Rebirth Wave 2 news and issue #1 could spotlight the upcoming Batwoman title.

• For Q&A, Rebirth took center stage. Double-shipping is helping DiDio manage the traffic and scheduling. With more manpower making the pages, quality becomes a priority. One wonders how many books Kirby could crank out at this schedule!

• Milestone Universe talks are in the works with Reggie Hudlin (BET), nothing is final, but Jim Lee says that this could be possible as soon as next year as another popup imprint. Milestone Comics will be set apart from the DCU and set on Earth M.

• Shazam! will return soon, he maintains his spot in Rebirth as an important character in the overall story, DiDio promises.

• The push for diversity in Vertigo and Young Animal, as well as a priority for Jim and Dan as publishers.  For DC Talent Development, Bobbie Chase is curating a diverse broad spectrum of talent, Lee states.

• Someone asked about Watchmen‘s relationship with Rebirth, but DiDio and Lee remained predictably tight-lipped.

• Huntress’ ethnicity came into question and DiDio revealed she is at least part Sicilian-American, possibly she has more diverse lineage beyond that and only time will tell.

• Super Sons, by Peter Tomasi will finally shipping in February for fans of Superboy and our newest Robin in Rebirth Wave 2.

• Generally, fans were excited about Rebirth and the new directions of the company post-New 52 and are looking forward to the DC Comics 2017 offerings.

AMC’s fan favorite chilling and tension-filled original series, “FEAR THE WALKING DEAD: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON” arrives on Blu-ray + Digital HD and DVD on December 13 from Anchor Bay Entertainment.  “Fear the Walking Dead”, executive produced by showrunner Dave Erickson, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Greg Nicotero and David Alpert and starring Kim Dickens as Madison,  Cliff Curtis as Travis,  Frank Dillane as Nick, Alycia Debnam-Carey as Alicia, Rubén Blades as Daniel, Mercedes Mason as Ofelia, Lorenzo James Henrie as Chris and Colman Domingo as Strand, premiered its critically acclaimed second season on Sunday, April 10^th with the  second half of the season debuting  on Sunday, August 21^st.

Living in the same universe as “The Walking Dead,” “Fear the Walking Dead” Season 1 explored a blended family who watched a burning, dead city as they traversed a devastated Los Angeles. In Season 2, the group aboard the Abigail is unaware of the true breadth and depth of the apocalypse that surrounds them; they assume there is still a chance that some city, state, or nation might be unaffected — some place that the Infection has not reached. But as Operation Cobalt goes into full effect, the military bombs the Southland to cleanse it of the Infected, driving the Dead toward the sea. As Madison, Travis, Daniel, and their grieving families head for ports unknown, they will discover that the water may be no safer than land.

“FEAR THE WALKING DEAD: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON” introduces new cast members including Dougray Scott (“Heist”, Mission Impossible II), Arturo Del Puerto (Ride Along), Daniel Zovatto (It Follows), Veronica Diaz (“Criminal Minds”, Blaze You Out), Danay Garcia (Supernatural), Carlos Segura (The Sale of Paradise) and Alfredo Herrera (Dios, Inc.).

Featuring 15 episodes from the epic second season, as well as bonus features including audio commentaries, deleted scenes, Inside and Making of Pieces and so much more, the Blu-ray and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $79.99 and $69.98, respectively.

Bonus Features

• Audio Commentaries
• Deleted Scenes
• Flight 462 Webisodes
• Q&A with Cast and Creative Team from PaleyFest LA 2016
• Inside “Fear the Walking Dead”
• The Making of “Fear the Walking Dead”

“Fear the Walking Dead” Season 3 premieres on AMC in 2017. 

Produced by Minami Ichikawa, Yoshihiro Sato,
Masaya Shibusawa, Kazutoshi Wadakura,
Taichi Ueda, Akihiro Yamauchi
Screenplay by Hideaki Anno
Directed by Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi
Starring Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi,
Satomi Ishihara

The King Of Monsters is back after 12 of dormancy and he is bigger and better than ever before!

But wait!? What could you mean, Benn? I just saw a Godzilla film two years ago!

You might be thinking of the American Godzilla film put out by Legendary Pictures and directed by Gareth Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story).

While that is technically a Godzilla film, this is the first Japanese TOHO production of a Godzilla film since the 2004 Godzilla: Final War.

Toho has hired writer and director Hideaki Anno, the mastermind behind the critical and commercial phenomenon, Neon Genesis Evangelion, along with his long time collaborator Shinji Higuchi as co-writer/director to bring the original Kaiju back better then ever.

Not wanting to mess with the already established history proceeding this film, Anno and Shinji chose to wisely do a clean reboot of the monster as if he had never existed before.

This film is VERY Hideaki Anno and his signature shooting and editing style is prevalent throughout the film. Watching Shin Godzilla was like watching a live action Evangelion movie but with Godzilla and that isn’t terrible at all. What really worked is that it is also very much a loving throwback and homage to the original 1954 Godzilla from the shooting angles right down to the look of Godzilla itself.

Unlike the recent American Godzilla film that, I thought, did a great job at hinting at and teasing the audience with seeing the monster, this film straight up throws it in the spotlight and isn’t afraid to be like “Here you go. But this isn’t like you think!” Hideaki and Higuchi do a remarkable job at giving you what you want but not how you think it is going to happen. If that sounds cryptic it is because I don’t want to spoil the fun I had seeing it with absolutely no spoilers for you.

Fast paced and intense, Shin Godzilla does something I wasn’t expecting and that is, it shows the frustration and insane amounts of bureaucratic red tape that the Japanese government faces in not only every day decisions, but also if a truly life threatening dangerous event were to befall the country. Much like the original Godzilla and its allegories to the US’s dropping of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki this film shows the real life problems Japan must have faced dealing with the tragedy and the literal fallout from the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster. Government committee meetings and procedurals haven’t been this exciting since Michael Bay’s take on NASA in Armageddon.

These dramatic scenes of debate and bickering juxtaposed with the total carnage and destruction wrought on by Godzilla’s rampage through Japan is both harrowing and disturbing to watch. They have found a way to make this experience of watching Godzilla just as exciting and thrilling as when I first saw the black and white original on Creature Double Feature on Saturday afternoon as a kid.

Anno’s signature brand of humor is also perfectly used to relieve the wringing tension felt by the characters in the film and audience alike. I was actually thrown off and pleasantly surprised to see just how intentionally damn funny this film was. Each release of humor was strategically placed like a surgeon to not only break the monotony of the government meeting scenes but also as a breath of relief from watching the sheer terror the citizens are going through as they try to evacuate one of the most densely populated cities in the world.

Fans of Godzilla, which the sold out audience was completely comprised of on opening night, were more than satisfied as this film not only held true to the traditional Showa Godzilla films as well as the 80’s Heisei series too.

This film is insane and beautiful, exciting and heartbreaking, a real emotional rollercoaster. There are moments of true horror and moments where you will laugh your ass off. There is even have a moment of pause as you realize that when faced with a true terror, the real monsters might be mankind itself.

I expected nothing less from the man who brought the world one of the most thought provoking and introspective animations of all time. One that even 21 years later makes people think.

It is only playing for a very limited time in America thanks to the folks a Funimation and tickets for shows went on sale in early September, but if you can find tickets and you are a fan of Kaiju, Godzilla or Neon Genesis Evangelion, you owe it to yourself to go and see Shin Godzilla, also known as Godzilla Resurgence here in the states. My hope is that it get a wider release in the theaters soon because I really need to see it again and it is completely sold out around me in New England.

For Shin Godzilla theater locations and showtimes, click HERE

Produced by Zach Clark,
Daryl Pittman, Melodie Sisk
Story by Zach Clark, Melodie Sisk
Written and Directed by Zach Clark
Starring Addison Timlin, Ally Sheedy,
Keith Poulson, Peter Hedges, Molly Plunk,
Barbara Crampton, Kristin Slaysman

I really wanted to like this quirky indie about Colleen, a former Goth girl (and now novitiate nun) who returns for an awkward family reunion at Halloween, but its faint charms failed to win me over.

The film is sadly too low-key to really engage viewers on any level. A few fun scenes like the family’s spirited Halloween party are just too far and few between.

As Colleen (Addison Timlin) is very likable and recalls Mary Elizabeth Winstead in Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World, especially when she dyes her hair pink, as in the film’s poster.

The contrast of her as a demure, make-up-free nun at the beginning of the film with the resurgence of her Goth identity is moderately amusing, but the dissonance between her two identities is never really addressed.

The film has some memorable moments, such as when Colleen goes full Goth again to cheer up her reclusive, terribly scarred veteran brother (Keith Poulson) by donning a white nun outfit, white face paint and lip-syncing to what I assume is a GWAR song since the band is frequently referenced. (Although, in my Goth days, I was definitely not listening to thrash metal or heavy metal.) And when a little boy encounters the two strange-looking siblings in the woods and asks them, “Are you monsters?” to which they naturally reply, “Yes.”

Ally Sheedy goes all out as Colleen’s unreliable, pot-smoking hippie mom, but by the time she explains why she’s opted out of being a good mom in what is supposed to be an emotional scene, we don’t really care.

When Sheedy spikes her family’s Halloween cupcakes with some extra-strength pot, the results finally kick some life into the film, but it’s too little too late.

I expected a lot more depth to a film in which a Goth-turned-nun tries to reconnect with her battle-scarred brother, but the film is unfortunately stuck in Indie Lite Mode. I wish it were the “schmaltz-free, pathos-drenched, feel good movie for the little goth girl inside us all,” the PR promised.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Little Sister opens at The Metrograph in New York (and nationwide on all digital platforms) on October 14 and The Arena Cinema in Los Angeles on October 28.

Curl up by the fire and enter the sinister, supernatural world of Montague Rhodes James (1862–1936), the master of the English ghost story. Chillingly atmospheric, quietly terrifying, M. R. James’s stories explore the darkness just beyond the flicker of the candle, behind the creaking door. Ghost Stories of an Antiquary, Vol. 1 comprises graphic adaptations of four of James’s most compelling and unsettling stories, plunging readers into a world of pervasive, creeping disquiet—a world populated by vengeful phantoms, disturbing visions, and spectral works of art. Published on the 80th anniversary of James’s death, this is a graphic novel to be read on a winter’s night, a book to curl up with—but not a book for the fainthearted.

The four stories are Canon Alberic’s Scrap-book, Lost Hearts, The Mezzotint, and The Ash Tree.

Ghost Stories of an Antiquary, Vol. 1 is available now.

“I can’t tell you how much fun it is to watch this movie with this audience.”

Kurt Russell was greeting by a standing ovation by an overjoyed, extremely enthusiastic BeyondFest crowd after a screening of Big Trouble in Little China, marking the pic’s 30th anniversary debut on the big screen.

Playing to a sold out crowd at The Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, Russell took part in a Q&A hosted by helmer James Gunn to talk about Big Trouble, he lengthy career and working with John Carpenter.

“I only just recently read a few of the reviews,” admitted Russell. “It’s great to see it here because some people just did not get it.”

The icon chatted about the history of the pic, which prior to its status as the greatest movie ever made in the history of everything, was a flop at the box office and despised by suits at the studio.

“It was a strange campaign to say the least. That’s a whole story unto itself. No one could figure it out. Who cares. Ifs, ands and Peter Pans,” said Russell. “I think it was 12th on opening weekend. It think it did $11 million total.”

“It wasn’t treated with any kindness by the studio. They made noise about it at the beginning. They didn’t like it, and it was treated like an ugly sister, no doubt about it.”

“I can see where your average theater goer in 1986 would say ‘What the fuck it this?,” said Gunn.

“That didn’t happen,” Russell clarified. “When they screened it, the numbers were great from the people watching it. So the audience was loving it. But they didn’t know what do with it. And there were some people who just didn’t like it. So there were some battles.”

But that was ifs, ands and Peter Pans. Thirty years later, the movie is beloved and Russell’s Jack Burton is considered one of his great cinematic characters.

“It’s all John. If you like that movie, it’s all John. We had a great relationship,” said Russell. “When a director truly has vision of what they want to do, that’s very exciting to me to show up everyday to enhance that and make it better. And I have that relationship with John. We had a lot of that in this movie.”

“Jack Burton was a rough character. We had to figure out what he was going to do every step of the way,” said Russell. “I had to come up with stuff that was right for Jack.”

“It’s great to watch the movie and hear those lines and remember how we found them.”

Gunn, who is currently working with Russell on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, took a moment to praise the actor.

“Working with Kurt is like wrestling a playful bear. He’s so upbeat. This is true. You get a chance to work with and meet an icon like Kurt and you go out there and start prep a film and you have conversations and you start to actually film, and you get afraid that the guy who’s been acting for a while and gets a big paycheck doesn’t give a shit,” said Gunn. “But with Kurt, it’s the exact opposite of that. He gives you everything. And it’s a great honor, and fun, to work with you. And he challenged me every step of the way. In the best way.”

“(Big Trouble) was one of those movies where it was just fun. We got to do something cool everyday. I love working with John. We were great friends,” continued Russell. “When you are working, you are just trying to make something tangible that doesn’t exist by the end of the day. And I can’t imagine anything more fun, can you?”

“That’s what I remember from that movie. The fun. Just a good time. Years later it’s nice to see it still has a response.”

Before the night ended, Russell left the audience with a few final thoughts on his portrayal of Jack Burton.

“And I gotta say, he’s one of my favorite characters. He’s a great and goofy guy.”