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Graphic Breakdown: High Grades For The Man of Steel, The Caped Crusader and The King of The Seven Seas

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Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!

Man, I get so excited when I get the DC books each week. They’re doing a great job. Here we go for this week’s reviews.

 

All Star Batman #11
Written by Scott Snyder
Illustrated by Rafael Albuquerque

So the rather unfortunate news came down the pike this week that All Star Batman will be ending. That’s a shame as it’s been a real amazing run thus far. Sure, Snyder said he will do the stories elsewhere in a new format. That being said, this has been a strong title from the onset and I will miss it.

Enough sadness! This is another good issue. It’s part two of the storyline “The First Ally.” Batman is in Miami and he’s in a race against time. He has to stop another murder. Snyder keeps the pace exciting. By taking Batman out of his element, Snyder has found new dimensions for the character. It’s brilliant.

Albuquerque does an amazing job on the art too. He’s truly the most underrated artists working. He illustrates Batman’s struggle and his emotions quite well. He and Snyder work so well together, its like watching a good band play.

Pick this up. I’m a sad it’s going away, but it looks to be going out on a high note.

RATING: A

 

Aquaman #25
Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Stjepan Sejic

Many longtime readers of this column will probably remember my biggest problem with the Aquaman title: the inconsistent art.

That may be coming to an end in this issue with the arrival of the excellent Stjepan Sejic. Sejic infuses the title with lively art. Finally, we are getting somewhere. I hope he sticks around for a long time.

Dan Abnett is no slouch either writing this title!

Aquaman has been removed from his throne. The people from Atlantis have gone nuts. The police in Atlantis have been taken over by terrorists! Aquaman has been relegated to the slums of Atlantis.

And he must rise to take on King Rath and take back Atlantis.

This may turn out to be the best Aquaman storyline in years, maybe ever. It’s bold and new. Everything about it is exciting. Every panel just got more and more exciting. You have to read it. If they can keep it going, it could be a classic.

RATING: A

 

The Wild Storm #5
Written by Warren Ellis
Illustrated by Jon Davis-Hunt

Man, Warren Ellis and Jon Davis-Hunt have been killing it on this title. Issue after issue, Ellis gives us the Wildstorm Universe from a completely new perspective.

His secret?

Make the characters unique and real. He does just that. It’s something you can’t take your eyes off of.

Michael Cray (remember Deathblow?) is a dying assassin. He has been put on one last job to kill Angela Spica. This leads to chaos, and a lot of destruction. This issue also shows that the ancient war may still be going on…and it may take a dark turn that nobody was expecting

Ellis does a great job writing this book. Davis-Hunt is a powerhouse of an artist. He makes the wildest idea come to life on the page. He’s brilliant.

The ending of this book makes me wish I could read the entire story right now. I’ll be patient though. It’s worth waiting for.

RATING: A

 

Nightwing #23
Written by Tim Seeley
Illustrated by Marcus To

I do enjoy Marcus To on the art on this title. He elevates the story on this issue to seem better than it is. It’s full of energy and style and I love it.

The problem for me is Tim Seeley. He’s a capable writer who I feel is phoning it in.

There is an all out gang war in this issue and it’s not very interesting. There is also a “big reveal” about Blockbuster that isn’t terribly exciting either. The writing is just Ho-hum. I wish it could be better.

That’s really the problem. I wish the whole series could be better. And it can.

Give Seeley a rest. Recharge the old batteries. And let’s get a direction going on this book with a new writer.

RATING: C

 

Superman #25
Written by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason
Illustrated by Doug Mahke and Patrick Gleason

The “Black Dawn” storyline has been truly incredible.

Bringing in Manchester Black as the villain is a stroke of genius. The writing team of Tomasi and Gleason really have pushed the storylines to be strong on this book and it’s example of making an old character feel new.
This is the extra sized finale to the storyline.

Watching Superman fight against Superboy in this issue was nuts. The whole issue was entertaining. The conclusion was even very satisfying…which doesn’t always happen.

The art by both Mahnke and Gleason is great.

It’s been a entertaining first twenty five issues in one year…let’s hope the next twenty five are as good if not better.

RATING: A-

 

Trinity #10
Written and Illustrated by Francis Manapul

This is one of the weaker titles in the DC line currently.

I think if Manapul just did that art and not the writing, it could be pretty good. That’s not the case here as much as I wish it could be.

This is part two of the storyline “All Along The Watchtower.”

The Justice League Watchtower is hurdling towards Earth. The Justice League is infected!

What choices will they make to save the Earth?

Surprisingly, it’s not as entertaining as you might think.

The story beats are rather dull and the pacing isn’t great. Maybe this will improve. I’m not very hopeful right now.

RATING: C

 

Batman #25
Written by Tom King
Illustrated by Mikel Janin

Oh, this is good. This is very, very good. Maybe Tom King finally has figured out how to crack writing Batman. This is the best issue he has done in a lackluster first twenty four issues.

Maybe it’s because King has more creative compatibility with artist Mikel Janin. Janin pencils and inks this book and it’s the best artwork this title has seen thus far. The David Finch work has grown tired for me. Put Janin on this book full time.

The opening sequence at the comedy club is priceless. Then the entire issue focuses on the Joker and the Riddler and the two challenging each other. You don’t even see Batman until the end.

King and Janin have finally given us something that could actually be great.

If they can pull it off it’d be a top tier book again. This issue feels like they might be able to.

RATING : A-

 

Super Sons #5
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Illustrated by Jorge Jimenez

I’m not the biggest fan of this title. Tomasi isn’t a bad writer but this series needs a little spark to make it work.

It doesn’t quite have that and I’m sad about that.

Superboy and Damian Robin have just finished battling Kid Amazo. The fight leaves their friendship and partnership in ruins. This leads to a fight between the two in the Batcave.

It’s not as cool as one would hope.

The art by Jimenez doesn’t help matters. It’s clunky and the storytelling isn’t so good.

This title should be more fun to read. Sadly, it’s not.

RATING: C+

 

 

Wonder Woman/Tasmanian Devil Special #1
Written by Tony Bedard
Illustrated by Barry Kitson

What in the holy hell is this?

So, I guess they decided to have two characters who have nothing to do with each other meet up. It’s totally weird.

It has some decent art, but I lost interest about a quarter of the way through.

So, Wonder Woman fights the Tasmanian Devil from the Looney Tunes universe.

That’s basically it.

The whole thing to me just felt forced and I couldn’t get into it.

The art by Kitson is decent enough. Kitson used to be better than he is presently. Maybe he’s just phoning it on or this is all he can get.

This is a lackluster effort overall I have to say.

RATING: C-

 

Lobo/Road Runner Special #1
Written by Bill Morrison
Illustrated by Kelley Jones

This comic by contrast to the last review, was completely awesome. That has to do with the creative team.

Bill Morrison is an awesomely fun writer and it shows on every page. This is a much better fit of two characters and a better use of the reader’s time.

Wile E. Coyote has had it with the Road Runner. He decides to go hire Lobo to finally rid himself of his nemesis. Lobo comes to Earth to do just that! This leads to all sorts of craziness. I enjoyed it.

I especially liked Jones on the art. It’s good to see him do something lighter. He always does these “mood pieces” that are all very good…but this time he seems to find his joy on something outside of his usual toolbox.

This is some good stuff.

RATING: B+

 


Pilot Error: A Look at ‘Chamber of Worlds’

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I promised to get back to sci-fi unaired pilots so here is one with a trove of a backstory (the making of, not the plot). Here we have another with no IMDB listing but again, there is a link below so it does indeed exist. Okay, it does have an IMDB but it’s not a real listing. It lists only one cast member (the famous one), lists the wrong director (kind of) and is barebones.

Also IMDB credits this “short film” as a 2009 production whereas it was actually shot around 2007 or early 2008. So for all intents and purposes it’s not listed.

I am talking about Chamber of Worlds.

Chamber of Worlds was meant to be a Sci-Fi Channel original series in 2009. This never made it to a real pilot just this 16 minute “test pilot”. At 16 minutes it runs very fast and covers the kind of ground that a normal hour long pilot would only without all that character stuff that normally gets in the way of the plot. That said some of the flaws herein can be excused but then again the frankly moronic plot and the babble babble hooey of exposition is inexcusable no matter the circumstances.

The plot (such as it is) as summed thusly:

A dimension/time traveler aids a teen who comes to have a psychic link with his estranged aunt after his parents death. What the teen doesn’t know is that he is gifted like his parents were prior to their death. His gift is that he can open doorways to other dimensions/planets/worlds. The doorways are everywhere if you have the ability to find and open them. He should have known something was wrong when he shows up and crows in the trees fall dead (due to the sound waves of time doors being opened). Those seeking to control these chambers use Soul Snakes to re-animate the dead and attack those world travelers who know the secret.

The teen is also threatened by bounty hunters from these other worlds as a vast conspiracy is unfurled to control the titled Chamber of Worlds. An elfin traveler as well as a grizzled human are being hunted by the Morzillians and Morzillian assassins (who happen to be invisible unless you have special goggles).

Nothing is explained and at the end our teen and Trevor (Brian Krause from Charmed) enter the Chamber of Worlds to unearth the conspiracy.

Everything I just wrote is FAR more interesting than what actually occurs in this bland boring pilot. The bulk of that plot up there is hinted and I only got all that after talking to the crew on this thing. As shot Chamber of Worlds is a boy gets a mental message, goes to a house, gets beat up, a hero arrives, beats up invisible bad guys and they all go through a glowing door. That’s it. Maybe as a full pilot this would have been explained as the plot but this is the full backstory as explained to be by Hank Carlson who did the FX for the pilot.

If it had been picked up more worlds of all types were meant to be shown and the series was meant to have a more Steampunk style rather than a traditional Science Fiction style.

Written and directed by David C. Olson (although IMDB credits a David Olson, a different person). Olson is… not very good at writing or directing. After Chamber of Worlds was not picked up Olson would write (if you can call it that) the DTV garbage that was Anaconda: The Offspring and Anacondas: Trail of Blood. That’s it. His entire career is those two pieces of shit and this.

You can really see the limitations that Olson has when as director he pulled a Michael Sarne and spent too much time on meaningless shit and almost no time actually shooting what might have sold the show.

According to the crew Olson spent the majority of the 5 day shoot setting up “artistic” shots for pointless filler such as a car driving into frame or a doll on a swing and left the fights and character interactions to the final day. Almost as if he were afraid to shoot the scenes that required people. Olson also ignored the advice given to him by his much more seasoned crew. Veteran FX man Hank Carlson for instance (FX work in movies such as Army of Darkness and Super Mario Brothers) attempted to show Olson how to make the death of the Soul Snake dynamic and interesting… Olson eschewed this and decided he knew better by shooting it in a simple centered shot. To hell with being dynamic and interesting.

Chamber of Worlds is hard to classify since it’s just a quick little test pilot but what can be explicitly said is that Olson failed to pay his crew. Shot just outside of Madison Wisconsin no one was paid despite the promise of such.

Once Chamber of Worlds was passed on by Sci-Fi, Olson moved on to Hollywood to write those two Anaconda films and left his Wisconsin crew holding the bag. Yes, David C. Olson is a cheapskate who owes his crew. Most of the crew would continue to make other productions such as House Of Purgatory (also with Brian Krause).

By the way, everyone I have spoken to that said Krause was amazing to work with and brought no “Hollywood Ego” nonsense with him. Down to earth was the most common phrase. Always nice to hear that.

There was one other weird thing about Chamber of Worlds though… the MORZILLIANS!.

As you can see (briefly) in the pilot and here with a picture of the mask the Morzillians had a distinct look to them.

Well in 2011 the New 52 Aquaman had this on it’s cover and as a new villain design.

Look remarkably similar? I have no proof of this but I know that Olson went on to attempt to work for Warner Brothers after Chamber of Worlds. Warner Brothers owns DC comics. Anyone else think Olson might have tried to sell a design he did not own (Carlson has all copyrights to that mask and design)?

Then again, there’s just pure coincidence.  It’s not like anyone but me watched this thing.

 

Whatever Happened to Video Game Manuals?

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There was once a time when reading the manual from a video game was an absolute necessity. You bought a game, unwrapped it, sat in your bedroom at the end of your bed cross-legged and leafed through each page meticulously, taking in the controller tutorials, learning inane facts about your favourite characters, copying the beautiful artwork and perhaps only then did you load up the cartridge and play the game.

This was a time before tutorials were ingrained within games themselves and there was little to no internet usage, games started up and if you hadn’t referred to the manual, it was a case of working out the controls by trial and error.

These days most games feature detailed in-game tutorials or dedicate entire levels to getting us accustomed to the controls. Now, if you purchase a physical copy of a game the manual enclosed is barely a manual, more of a flimsy booklet with boring legal stuff in it and a reminder not to have a seizure. They provide us with useful advice such as, take regular breaks and don’t sit too close to the screen, you stupid technophile!

Of course, those of you who had to wrestle with intricately folded, manual leaflets for Commodore 64 games on terrible quality paper, my heart goes out to you. Especially as I can only imagine the rage you felt when attempting to re-fold and place them back into the cassette case without ripping or damaging them.

In my opinion, some of the best put together games manuals come from Nintendo, they’re often hefty tomes in comparison to most modern titles, they consistently include full-colour artwork and are very well written. For all the criticisms Nintendo get, I commend them for their dedication to gaming manuals. The Ocarina Of Time instructional manual is superb and is everything I, as a fangirl wanted it to be.

I’ve always enjoyed the manuals for the Civilization games too, which in actuality are more like history textbooks, the level of detail in these manuals enrich our gaming experience, offering players a wider understanding of the themes and historical context of the game series.

Another great example that comes to mind is L.A. Noire, though I’ve long admired Rockstar for their manuals, which are often detailed, come with actual maps of in-game cities and have interesting visuals. There was a point in my life where the map for Grand Theft Auto 3: San Andreas adorned my bedroom wall (it took pride of place alongside a National Geographic poster of a Bengal tiger).

The original manual for the first Gears Of War was much like the games protagonists, extremely hench, especially at a time when manuals were becoming less of a priority. I remember reading the notes from Cliff Bleszinski, learning about the backstory, appreciating the artwork and even being impressed by the detailed descriptions and images of weaponry. Seeing the games signature Lancer in the manual made me all the more excited to eventually use it in-game. Even the instructional for the controls was stylised.

Jump ahead a few games later and the booklet for Gears Of War 3 was a monochrome leaflet full of legal text and an uninspired technical image of the controller. Of course, part of the reason for this is due to the rise of special or limited editions. This is when companies decided to wring more money out of us for things that should have been in the game from the start. Special weapons, character skins, notes on backstory and detailed artwork are now only available in special editions, where once they were included in a manual as standard.

Similarly, unless you had pre-ordered the special edition of Arkham City with the Batman figure, you were left with one of those 2-page inserts about game safety. It seems to be a growing trend, games that were once bastions of the gaming manual are now less concerned with putting effort into them, that’s if they’ve even included one.

Back in 2010, Ubisoft decided to eradicate manuals altogether on the grounds that it was better for the environment and I’d be a fool to disagree with that logic. I recycle what I can, I try to re-use and mend things rather than throw things out, I don’t litter and I grew up watching Captain Planet.

By all accounts I’m an environmentalist through and through and I care about the planet. However, I’d argue that a games manual is something with value, it can often add to our experience of a game, provide us with backstory, give us a better understanding of it, add to the overall aesthetic or…give us something to read on the toilet…I don’t judge.

What I think is a waste of paper are those pointless, 2-page inserts full of legal jargon that Ubisoft still include. If they were really trying to be environmentally friendly, they wouldn’t include anything other than the game or the box art. Or surely they’d streamline the packaging entirely to the size of a CD. Their actions feel to me like an excuse to produce less and charge us the same.

Of course, then there’s the labour involved. Someone had to write all those manuals, edit them or create artwork for them so I have to wonder, are these writers, editors, artists and graphic designers getting enough work now? It’s unfortunate that as the games industry grows with every year the companies within it seem more focused on profit margins and less so on those who helped make it what it is today.

Though, it’s not quite the end of days for printed media, in fact there is one example that springs to mind of a recent game that uses a manual as an integral part of gameplay. I’m referring to the multiplayer Steam title, Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes. In this game, one of the players must print off a physical copy of the 23 page manual, this is because the game itself is about diffusing a bomb (virtual, of course).

One player, without seeing the screen must read out the correct instructions, sounds easy right? Except, the whole game is dependent on the communication skills of the player who can see the in-game bomb and how well the players can listen.

The game cannot function without the manual and this makes it fairly innovative (that said, I guess a printed manual is essentially a paper peripheral). At times hilarious, Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes is fast-paced and frantic lesson in co-operation and communication but in reality it’s an intense, crash course in how to lose friends or ruin relationships.

I’d love to see a resurgence of games manuals and would like to see games companies put a bit more effort into them. I’ll even offer my services, pay me and I’ll write them because I genuinely believe they’re an art form worth keeping alive!

Let us know what you think or what your favourite game manuals are in the comments section below.

 

 

Win ‘War for the Planet of the Apes: Revelations’ From Titan Books!

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Driven from their woodland home, Caesar and his apes are still recovering from the takeover by renegade ape Koba. Caesar is desperate to avoid war with the humans, but this is a faint hope, as his enemies are about to receive military reinforcements headed by the ruthless Colonel McCullough.

While trying to hold off McCullough’s soldiers, Caesar sends his son Blue Eyes on a mission to the south to try to find a safe haven for the apes, despite rumors of terrible things happening there. Meanwhile supporters of Koba’s revolt are spreading dissent among Caesar’s ranks…

And we’re giving away three copies!

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

Who created the experimental drug that gave the simians human-like intelligence and emotions?

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

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

Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on July 2nd, 2017.

‘Samurai Jack’ Returns To Comic Books With A Quantum Twist

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Critically Acclaimed Team Behind “Helena Crash” Take On The Adult Swim Character in New Comic Series From IDW Publishing This September

 

Jack is back! Samurai Jack, that is, and he’s making his grand return to comics, courtesy of writer Fabian Rangel Jr. (‘Namwolf) and artist Warwick Johnson Cadwell (Tank Girl). Hot off the heels of the critically acclaimed Helena Crash, the pair are re-teaming for a bold new take on the iconic samurai.

The story, entitled “Quantum Jack,” sees Jack like we’ve never seen him before. After getting zapped by an experimental Quantum Ray, Jack is sent hurtling into one alternate reality after another, his memories erased, but his spirit intact. Can you imagine Jack as the leader of a ruthless biker gang of bounty hunters? Thanks to the warped minds of Rangel Jr. and Cadwell, you don’t have to. They’ve done it for you! And that’s just the beginning…

Rangel Jr. says “I’m beyond thrilled to be working on new Samurai Jack comics. Samurai Jack is a huge influence on my storytelling, and on Helena Crash especially. I think fans of the show will dig what Warwick and I have been cooking up!”

Cadwell adds, “Samurai Jack has been an inspiration and constant source of encouragement for me since I first saw it, in terms of art, narrative, and just plain enjoyment. It’s fantastic to be able to work on and I hope our love for the show will come through in what Fabian and I are doing here.”

In addition to Cadwell’s highly stylized art giving Samurai Jack fans a different, yet familiar, spin on the character, artists Michael Avon Oeming, Alexis Zirritt, and Samurai Jack creator Genndy Tartakovsky, will all be providing cover art for the debut issue.

IDW’s acclaimed history of publishing high-octane Samurai Jack comics will resume this September as a new chapter emerges from the time stream and new versions of Jack with it!

 

‘The Martial Arts Kid’ (review)

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Produced by Cheryl Wheeler Duncan,
James E. Wilson

Written by Michael Baumgarten,
Adam W. Marsh

Directed by Michael Baumgarten
Starring Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson,
Cynthia Rothrock,
Jansen Panettiere,
Kathryn Newton, Matthew Ziff,
T.J. Storm, Chuck Zito

 
A bit of a stylistic throwback, and with a lot of homage paid to The Karate Kid with some modern day tweaking, The Martial Arts Kid goes more the family-friendly route than you might expect from movies featuring Don “The Dragon” Wilson (Bloodfist) and Cynthia Rothrock (Lady Dragon).

A delinquent high school kid from Cleveland, Robbie, portrayed by Jansen Panettiere (Ice Age: Meltdown, Robots) is sent to live with his aunt Cindy (Rothrock) and uncle Glen (Wilson) to finish up the school year, encounters bullying via the film’s primary antagonist, Bo (Matthew Ziff, Kickboxer: Vengeance) after showing interest in a girl named Rina (Kathryn Newton) and finds himself interested in Glen’s Tang Soo Do dojo after witnessing Cindy neutralize an attacker with relative ease. The other side of the martial arts coin presents itself upon Robbie also visiting the MMA gym where Bo trains under Coach Kaine, played by TJ Storm (The Wrecking Crew), who teaches a more overtly aggressive style under the mantra “Assess… Assert… Dismantle!”

A love story and significant character development is intertwined with the martial arts themes, which culminate not only in a match between Robbie and Bo, but also an all out brawl between the two schools.

The pacing is a little slow at first, and the love story stuff tends to bog the film down at times, but Panettiere is able to show some solid acting chops in some places, if not a bit overdone on occasion. Panettiere is also able to show some incredible athletic ability in the fight scenes, among the best you’ll see for this kind of story and family movie in recent memory.

Wilson, Rothrock and Storm all have their opportunities to show their amazing abilities and do very well in their respective mentor characters. Ziff does a very good job of being hateful, and Storm hams it up a little as Kaine. Some of the inner conflict and redeeming qualities of Bo and Kaine, however, are only briefly touched upon and then quickly forgotten. This also works both ways for the styles themselves: while Kaine’s MMA gym fills the Cobra Kai role, hopefully the audience does not take that as a reflection of MMA in general.

One thing that sets The Martial Arts Kid apart from The Karate Kid is that, rather than the martial arts being a backdrop for character development, here you’ll see martial arts take front and center as a vital component to the film. Rather than simple philosophy and the occasional technique via household chores thrown in Miyagi-style, several of the training sequences here feature legitimate techniques, moves and principles that the audience might end up wanting to try out for themselves afterwards in a training session of their own. This is one of the more impressive movies of its type, and with a crowdfunded budget, a sequel (teased near the end of the film via Chuck Zito as Bo’s father) could prove very interesting

Filmed in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Directed by Michael Baumgarten (Pretty Obsession, The Guest House), written by Michael Baumgarten and Adam W. Marsh. Fight Choreography by the immortal James Lew (Big Trouble in Little China, Best of the Best).

The Martial Arts Kid is available exclusively at www.martialartskidmovie.com/shop

 

‘Band Aid’ Starring Band Aid’ Starring Zoe Lister-Jones, Adam Pally, and Fred Armisen Arrives on Blu 9/5!

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Shout! Factory will be releasing the new film Band Aid, starring Zoe Lister-Jones, Adam Pally, and Fred Armisen, on Blu-ray and DVD on September 5, 2017. Special features will include a music video, deleted scenes, and outtakes. Band Aid is available for pre-order on Amazon.com and Shoutfactory.com.

Band Aid, the refreshingly raw, real, and hilarious feature debut from Zoe Lister-Jones, is the story of a couple, Anna (Zoe Lister-Jones, Life In Pieces, New Girl) and Ben (Adam Pally, Happy Endings, The Mindy Project), who can’t stop fighting. Advised by their therapist to try and work through their grievances unconventionally, they are reminded of their shared love of music. In a last-ditch effort to save their marriage, they decide to turn all their fights into song, and with the help of their neighbor Dave (Fred Armisen, Saturday Night Live, Portlandia), they start a band.

In describing Band Aid, film critic Alonso Duralde of The Wrap, described Lister-Jones as “a compelling screen presence, on top of her achievements as a writer-director; her close-ups register glib resistance and genuine vulnerability, often in rapid succession. Paired with Pally — so hilarious in the canceled-too-soon TV classic ‘Happy Endings’ — the two actors make this couple’s highs and lows equally resonant.”

Band Aid also features appearances by Susie Essman (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Retta (Parks and Recreation), Brooklyn Decker (Grace and Frankie), Jamie Chung (Big Hero 6), Colin Hanks (Fargo) and more.

A story of love, loss, and rock and roll, Band Aid is a witty and perceptive view of modern love, with some seriously catchy pop hooks to boot.

Special Features:

  • Music Video
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Outtakes

 

Graphic Breakdown: 5 Can’t Miss Books You Might Not Be Aware Of

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Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!

It’s Monday, so let’s start the week talking about some comics you may not have heard of!

 

Beautiful Canvas #1 and #2
Written by Ryan K. Lindsay
Illustrated by Sami Kivela
Published by Black Mask Comics

Anytime I read a comic book by Ryan K. Lindsay I’m always blown away. Lindsay is a passionate comic book writer and a hell of a creative force. This book is another feather in his cap. It’s well plotted and is just damn beautiful.

I reviewed issue one of this series at the beginning of April. I loved it. The second issue is even better.

Lon Eisley is a hit woman who is hired to kill a small child. She chooses not to do the job, then hits the road running from her boss. It’s a dark tale and it has many twists and turns.

Kivela is one hell of an artist. The art is stunning and just gorgeous in this book.

Black Mask does it again with this comic series. A top shelf comic book in a rising company that deserves your attention.

RATING: A

Sh*t My President Says: The Illustrated Tweets of Donald J. Trump! 
Written and Illustrated by Shannon Wheeler
Published by Top Shelf Comix

This books takes Donald Trump’s tweets and has them with a cartoon drawn by Shannon Wheeler alongside them. It’s absolutely hilarious and maybe even a little bit terrifying.

It’s a simple conceit but it’s absolutely riveting.

For example “Many people have commented that my fragrance, “Success” is the best scent & lasts the longest. Try it & let me know what you think!” And then Wheeler draws up a picture of a toilet.

It’s funny, smart and painful and it may make some uncomfortable. Kudos to Wheeler for being brave again and for having the guts to do this. Recommended.

RATING: A

 

There’s Nothing There #1 and #2
Written by Patrick Kindlon
Illustrated by Maria Llovet
Published by Black Mask Comics

This book is a psychological book that is completely messed up! And I love that!

Patrick Kindlon writes one heck of a story.

I reviewed the first issue about a month ago and it was good. The second issue makes this series sing though. It’s awesome.

Reno Seletti is a bored girl who goes to a sex party in a mansion. She does it for a cheap thrill as she is completely jaded. Thing is, it’s looking like she stumbled across a ritual and now she is seeing things. Then things get really messed up!

Kindlon’s writing keeps you on your toes. It’s wonderfully deranged. The art is just beautiful. You need to pick up this book, especially if you’re into crazy stuff. This is great!

RATING: A

 

John Stanley: Giving Life to Little Lulu
Written by Bill Schelly
Published by Fantagraphics Books

This is one hell of a book. I love a good biography. This came across my desk and I couldn’t put it down. It’s such a beautiful piece of work. Buy this immediately.

John Stanley was a cartoonist. He created and drew many comic books. One of the most famous was Little Lulu. This is his biography told through his comics, interviews, rare cartoons, and many exclusive items. It shows his rise in the comic field while struggling with alcoholism and depression.

The book is wonderful. Schelly did his homework and it shows. It’s an all encompassing look at the life of one of the greats. Recommended.

RATING: A

 

Robin Hood: Outlaw of the 21st Century TPB
Written by Matt Dursin
Illustrated by Mark Louie Vuykankiat
Published by Turbo Comics

This is a collection based off a Kickstarter creator Matt Dursin came up with. Good for him. I love it when someone takes the bull by the horns and creates something they are passionate about.

And man, is Dursin passionate about this book. You can see it on every page.

This is a reimagining of the Robin Hood legend. The writing is creative and topical. Robin and Merry Men this time steal medical supplies to give to the poor. This is a nice twist on the typical Robin Hood story and Dursin has a lot of fun writing it. It’s a good time on the writing side.

The art isn’t as fully formed as I would have hoped. It feels a little amateurish. I feel there is talent in Vuykankiat. He will eventually get there if he keeps at it.

Still, this collection is worth reading for Dursin’s good writing. I hope he creates some more comics after this.

RATING: B

 


‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’ Arrives on Ultra HD Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray & DVD on 8/8; Digital HD 7/25

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Acclaimed filmmaker Guy Ritchie brings his dynamic style to the epic fantasy action adventure “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.

When the child Arthur’s father is murdered, Vortigern (Jude Law), Arthur’s uncle, seizes the crown.  Robbed of his birthright and with no idea who he truly is, Arthur comes up the hard way in the back alleys of the city.  But once he pulls the sword from the stone, his life is turned upside down and he is forced to acknowledge his true legacy…whether he likes it or not. Starring Charlie Hunnam in the title role, the film is an iconoclastic take on the classic Excalibur myth, tracing Arthur’s journey from the streets to the throne.

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Entertainment, “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” stars Hunnam (FX’s “Sons of Anarchy”) and Oscar nominee Law (“Cold Mountain,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley”), along with Astrid Bergès-Frisbey (“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”) as Mage; Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou (“Blood Diamond,” “In America”) as Bedivere; Aidan Gillen (HBO’s “Game of Thrones”) as Goosefat Bill; and Eric Bana (“Star Trek”) as Arthur’s father, King Uther Pendragon.

Guy Ritchie (“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” the “Sherlock Holmes” films) directed the film from a screenplay by Joby Harold (“Awake”) and Guy Ritchie & Lionel Wigram, story by David Dobkin (“The Judge”) and Joby Harold.  The film is produced by Oscar winner Akiva Goldsman (“A Beautiful Mind,” “I Am Legend”), Joby Harold, Tory Tunnell (“Awake,” “Holy Rollers”), and “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” and “Sherlock Holmes” producers Steve Clark-Hall, Guy Ritchie and Lionel Wigram.  David Dobkin and Bruce Berman are executive producers.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” will be available on Ultra HD Blu-ray for $44.95, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack for $44.95, Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99 and DVD for $28.98. The Ultra HD Blu-ray features an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with the theatrical version in 4K with HDR and a Blu-ray disc also featuring the theatrical version. The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack features the theatrical version of the film in 3D hi-definition and hi-definition; the Blu-ray Combo Pack features the theatrical version of the film in hi-definition on Blu-ray; and the DVD features the theatrical version in standard definition. The Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack include a digital version of the movie with UltraViolet.  Fans can also own “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” via purchase from digital retailers beginning July 25th.

Additionally, all of the special features, including interviews with filmmakers, new original shorts, featurettes, and deleted scenes, can be experienced in an entirely new, dynamic and immersive manner on tablets and mobile phones using the Warner Bros. Movies All Access App, available for both iOS and Android devices. When a Combo Pack is purchased and the digital movie is redeemed, or the digital movie is purchased from an UltraViolet retailer, the Warner Bros. Movies All Access App allows users to watch the movie and simultaneously experience synchronized content related to any scene, simply by rotating their device. Synchronized content is presented on the same screen while the movie is playing, thus enabling users to quickly learn more about any scene, such as actor biographies, scene locations, fun trivia, or image galleries. Also, users can share movie clips with friends on social media and experience other immersive content. The Movies All Access app is available for download on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.

The Blu-ray discs of “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” will feature a Dolby Atmos® soundtrack remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. To experience Dolby Atmos at home, a Dolby Atmos enabled AV receiver and additional speakers are required, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar; however, Dolby Atmos soundtracks are also fully backward compatible with traditional audio configurations and legacy home entertainment equipment.

BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” 4K, 3D and 2D Blu-ray Combo Packs contain the following special features:

  • Arthur with Swagger – Charlie Hunnam is a gentleman, a hunk and a rebel, setting new standards as king and new rules with the ladies.
  • Sword from the Stone – Director Guy Ritchie as he breathes 21st Century life and luster into England’s most iconic legend and he creates Camelot for a new audience!
  • Parry and Bleed – Charlie Hunnam and other cast members get a crash course in swordplay. Vikings versus Saxons style!
  • Building on the Past – Londinium comes to life with a new design of Medieval Urban life, built from scratch.
  • Inside the Cut: The Action of King Arthur – Join stunt choreographer Eunice Huthart as she teams with Director Guy Ritchie to create the mind-blowing action of King Arthur
  • Camelot in 93 Days – Friendships and romances strengthen and fray as the realities of a 93 day shoot set in.
  • Legend of Excalibur – The world’s most famous sword is brought to life for a new generation.
  • Scenic Scotland – Wrapping a monumental production on location in glorious Scotland.

 

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” Standard Definition DVD contains the following special features:

  • Arthur with Swagger – Charlie Hunnam is a gentleman, a hunk and a badass, setting new standards as king and new rules with the ladies.

 

For more info visit Facebook.com/KingArthurMovie
#KingArthur

SIFF: ‘Kodoku: Meatball Machine’ (review)

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Produced by Yukihiko Yamaguchi,
Tomoharu Kusunoki, Yudai Yamaguchi

Written by Sakichi Satô, Yoshihiro Nishimura
Directed by Yoshihiro Nishimura
Starring Yoji Tanaka, Yurisa, Takumi Saito,
Miyuki Torii, Yota Kawase, Seminosuke Murasugi,
Masanori Mimoto, Takashi Nishina, Tomori Abe

 

When going into a movie like Kodoku: Meatball Machine a viewer has rarely said, “I wonder if this will be a nice wholesome film?” Of course a viewer could have been lied to by a group of friends and sucked into a swirling vortex of absurdist mayhem punctuated by buckets (and buckets, and buckets, and possibly a firehose) of blood.

One view of the trailer should weed out all but the heartiest aficionados of Japanese Exploitation Gore-Horror.

Those who survived the trailer were sure to be in for a treat. Yoshihiro Nishimura, the director of Tokyo Gore Police and the special effects make-up artist behind such movies as Death Note: L Change the World, RoboGeisha, and the original Meatball Machine gave the audience both a gory spectacle and more plot and heart than one might expect from this type of movie.

While the film was very absurdist and full of gore it had a fairly straightforward plot and drove to an interesting climax. From the trailer of the film I expected that it would be far more surreal, like Tetsuo, The Iron Man, but this was an exploitation gore-fest that provided both the fan-service expected and winks at the excesses of expected fan-service. There was even a tribute to the Jackie Chan film Drunken Master that was very well received by the audience I saw the film with.

The story revolved around a sad-sack debt collector named Yuji, played by gore-horror veteran Yôji Tanaka, whose only solace was buying comedy books on tape from a cute bookstore clerk he had a crush on. The bookstore clerk Kaoru, played by idol star Yurisa, had her own dark past of abuse and had a convenient crush on Yuji.

The first third of the movie followed the various people who made Yuji’s life difficult; like his debt collector boss obsessed with boxing and hitting Yuji to his spendthrift Mom who repeatedly called and asked for money. Yuji was also enticed into a seedy bar where he was tempted by sexy waitresses only to be robbed and beaten. He can’t catch a break as all of the evil people he needed to overcome were introduced to the viewers. Interspersed with Yuji’s story were random encounters with a woman in a green and white plastic dress and hat who dragged a sports field marker around the streets and alleyways of central Tokyo and scenes of a large clear jar that tumbled through space.

The action started when the space bottle landed and an alien swarm attacked many of the people inside and turned them into “Meatball Machines.”

These alien controlled human cyborgs fought each other to the gory end and killed as many uninfected people as they could through the rest of the movie. But that wasn’t the end of the plot. For Yuji had a special quality that saved him from the parasite alien when he was only half converted to a cyborg. This gave him the will and the ability to fight his way through the other alien infested cyborgs to save his Kaoru. He almost saved her a couple of times but bad luck and the need for the movie to have more gore scenes kept her out of his reach. Yuji also had help from some martial arts police fighters who provided a good bit of comic relief between waves of blood and body parts.

One of the interesting things about the cyborg conversions was that whatever the human was obsessed with before the transformation was key to the kind of cyborg they become. This made cyborg Yuji’s battles against a car-cyborg, a scissor-cyborg, a multi-fist-cyborg, and machine-gun-breast-cyborg each unique.

In the end the aliens were but tools for other aliens that explained the reason for the whole invasion in an ending that seemed both tacked on and totally fitting with the rest of the movie. If you get a chance to dive into this movie, you’ll want to stay until the very end. As exploitation gore-horror goes this one was pretty good but probably not destined to be a “classic” of the genre. There was probably too much plot in this movie for it to be a true classic.

Kodoku: Meatball Machine showed at the Seattle International Film Festival 2017 after having it’s US premiere at SXSW. Since you can watch Tokyo Gore Police online at Amazon, I would expect this film to eventually be available there too.

 

‘My Scientology Movie’ (review)

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Produced by Simon Chinn
Written by John Dower, Louis Theroux
Directed by John Dower
Starring Louis Theroux, Mark Rathbun,
Andrew Perez, Rob Alter, Jeff Hawkins,
Tom De Vocht, Marc Headley,
Steve Mango, Catherine Fraser

It struck me, as My Scientology Movie began, how much it reminded me of the opening of a particularly spooky episode of ABC’s Once Upon a Time.

I know that sounds a little nutty, but when you think about how much the “religion” of Scientology reads like a fictional mythology, I swear it makes sense.

The incredulity of the religion/cult is prevalent throughout the film, from filmmaker John Dower and BBC Host Louis Theroux, who put a unique spin on the construction of the documentary, differentiating it from docs like Going Clear or the Leah Remini docuseries on A&E.

What do you do when you can’t go to the mountain?

You bring the mountain to you.

Theroux partners with Marty Rathburn, a former Senior Church of Scientology Exec who last held the post of Inspector General of the Religious Technology Center, the organization that is responsible for the protection and enforcement of all Dianetics and Scientology copyrights and trademarks. Together, without the ability to interview actual figures in the Church, Theroux and Rathburn hold auditions for juicy roles like “David Miscavige” and “Tom Cruise,” allowing them to set up scenarios taken right out of Rathburn’s experiences.

Sometimes it seems overly complicated but when in its best moments, the methodology brings an extremely intensity to their storytelling.

Oftentimes, the mythos of Scientology seems more tangible in this format. These are not just talking heads, these are situations that really happened. In fact, having them portrayed by actors also serves as a reminder that what seems fake, really happened. This “religion” and its seemingly insane behaviors continue to happen and have essentially been sanctioned and un-prosecuted by the government.

The entire thing is really quite stressful, even to the point where it imposes heavily on Rathburn and Theroux’s relationship itself. The two are quite contentious at times and it’s clear that the scars of his time in the Church will always torment Rathburn’s existence. It makes the viewer stop and think and sympathize for this man who’s seen the absolute worst in people, participated in it, and now lives with the ghosts of that time.

This is a documentary worth seeing, even if it lands you on the infamous “Suppressive Persons” list at the international Gold Base headquarters.

 

My Scientology Movie is now available on Digital HD.

 

‘Batman and Harley Quinn’ In Theaters For a One-Night Cinematic Event on August 14

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Following successful big screen presentations of “Batman: The Killing Joke” and “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders” in 2016, Warner Bros. Studios, DC Entertainment and Fathom Events are proud to announce a special, one-night cinema event for the latest DC Universe Original Movie, “Batman and Harley Quinn,” on August 14, 2017 in movie theaters nationwide.

One night prior to the Digital release and 15 days in advance of its arrival on Blu-ray and DVD, “Batman and Harley Quinn” will screen Monday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m. local time. In addition to seeing the film, audiences at the one-night screening will be the first to experience an exclusive featurette spotlighting the film’s star character, Harley Quinn.

Tickets for “Batman and Harley Quinn” can be purchased beginning Friday, June 30, 2017 online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in select movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network (DBN). A complete list of theater locations will be available June 30 on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation from an original story spawned by animation icon Bruce Timm, “Batman and Harley Quinn” finds Poison Ivy and Jason Woodrue (a.k.a. The Floronic Man) embarking on an ecological quest to save the planet – and, unfortunately, eliminate most of humankind along the way. To save humanity, Batman and Nightwing are forced to enlist Harley Quinn to catch Poison Ivy, Harley’s BFF and frequent partner-in-crime. But Batman’s patience is put to the test by the unpredictable and untrustworthy Harley during the twists and turns the reluctant companions face during their bumpy road trip. The result is a thrill ride of action, adventure and comedy no Batman fan has seen before.

“Fans of DC Universe Original Movies are a devoted legion, and never was that so evident than with the enthusiastic embracing of our ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’ Fathom Events presentation,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Vice President, Family and Animation Marketing. “Audiences nationwide turned the screenings into true interactive experiences, and we believe ‘Batman and Harley Quinn’ will inspire a similar night of celebration.”

The film boasts a stellar voice cast topped by The Big Bang Theory star Melissa Rauch in her first turn as the irrepressible Harley Quinn. The fan favorite voices of Batman: The Animated SeriesKevin Conroy as Batman, Loren Lester as Nightwing – take the protagonist leads, while Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds) and Kevin Michael Richardson (The Cleveland Show) provide the voices of the villainous duo of Poison Ivy & Jason Woodrue, respectively.

Sam Liu (Batman: The Killing Joke) directed the film from an original story by Bruce Timm (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) with a teleplay written by Timm & Jim Krieg (Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox). Co-Producer is Alan Burnett (The Batman). Executive Producers are Sam Register and Bruce Timm. Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan are Executive Producers.

“Seeing ‘Batman and Harley Quinn’ on the big screen and among fellow fans is truly the best way to experience it,” Fathom Events VP of Studio Relations Tom Lucas said. “There’s only one opportunity to do this and it’s on August 14. On that night, we’re expecting audiences to pack theater auditoriums just like they did for ‘Batman: The Killing Joke.’”

FOG! Chats with John Dower, Director of ‘My Scientology Movie’

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My Scientology Movie spins the traditional documentary format off its axis with a unique format and profoundly revealing content. From two-time Academy Award winning Producer Simon Chinn (Searching for Sugar Man) and in collaboration with Emmy nominated director John Dower (Thrilla in Manila), follow documentarian Louis Theroux’s (“TV Nation”) as he examines the 21st century “religion” of Scientology and the actions of its notorious leader David Miscavige.

Dower offered additional insight on some of the intricacies in making this unusual and controversial documentary.

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FOG!: Obviously this is not a normal “talking heads” documentary and I loved that. When you originally conceived this film, how did the format come into shape?

John Dower: Well Louis (Theroux) can’t do a normal talking heads documentary because he can’t do interviews sitting down (I kid you not!). Also his brilliance on screen is being in the moment of a story so it couldn’t be a retrospective talking heads style account of the church. That’s where the whole casting process came into being – not only as a way of getting into the mindset of a Scientologist but also taking characters such a Marty back into that headspace. It seemed a fitting route to go, as here was a religion founded in Hollywood, and with some of its most infamous disciples, A-List movie stars. It was also, as sometimes happens with the best ideas, a complete shot in the dark. We tried it on the first shoot day, it seemed to work, so we kept going …

With the success of documentaries and series about Scientology so prevalent in recent years, were there still things you craved to uncover in making this movie? What surprised you?

Yep, it’s like buses. You wait for one Scientology doc and then three come along at once.

As I said above our ambition was to try and give the viewer an experience of what it might be like to be a Scientologist rather than a dry account of their history.

I’m particularly proud of the scene in which our band of actors go through the church’s drills or ‘religious technology’ for themselves.

When things with Mr. Rathburn got contentious, was there ever a consideration to not show it on film or was there an immediate determination that it needed to be a part of the story?

If it felt motivated by the story then nothing was off limits. At the time, when Louis challenges Marty at the end of the film and he explodes with anger, I thought ‘blimey Louis have you gone too far?’ But when I saw the footage back we knew it had to be in the film. Marty had after all been in the church for 27 years and some of these intimidatory tactics being used on him … he had used himself.

How much cajoling did you have to do with the actors in the audition process? Wasn’t anyone worried about ending up on some scary Scientology “SP” list?

Some of them really embraced it, especially as an actor in LA you rarely get more than a few minutes in a casting call. Here they had a chance of being in a feature even by virtue of being in the documentary part of the process. One of our Tom Cruise actors raised concerns about whether it might harm his future thespian ambitions. It obviously worried him as he never came back for the recall (or maybe he was the church mole!)

Has the Church continued to intervene at all in the success and distribution of this film? Have they left you alone, personally?

No. A couple of church members were in the audience at the release in Belgium but they are obviously milder versions of their American counterparts as they didn’t partake in the Q & A afterwards. We are still waiting for their promised film on us. I’m excited to see it!

 

Read our review of My Scientology Movie HERE.

 

IDW Unleashes New ‘Jem and The Holograms’ Music Video

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Although it’s been almost thirty years since Jem and the Holograms‘ animated series ended, IDW Publishing resurrected the truly outrageous band in a new comic book series in 2015.

Today, IDW unleashed a new, modern take on the classic Jem theme song in a music video utilizing art from the comic by Sophie Campbell, M. Victoria Robado, W. Scott Forbes, M.J. Barros, Jen Bartel, Stacey Lee, Jenn St-Onge, Gisèle Lagacé, and Jason Millet, performed by Kirsten Gundel.

The video was directed by FOG! contributor and IDW’s PR Manager, our good friend, Steven Scott!

Check it out!

For more details, click HERE!

 

What’s New on Digital HD

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Now Available

 

Chris Gethard: Career Suicide

Taped at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in New York City, veteran comedian, talk-show and podcast host, and writer Chris Gethard brings his off-broadway show to HBO, highlighting his comedic and personal reflections on depression, alcoholism and the other funniest parts of life. Gethard holds nothing back in this 80-minute special, diving into his experiences with mental illness and psychiatry, finding hope in the strangest places.

 

The Beautiful Fantastic

Set against the backdrop of a beautiful London garden, this contemporary fairy tale stars Jessica Brown Findlay and Tom Wilkinson. Facing eviction in a month if she can’t resurrect the dying garden in her backyard, reclusive librarian Bella Brown (Findlay) meets her grumpy next door neighbor (Wilkinson), who happens to be a talented horticulturist. As the two form an unlikely friendship, Bella begins to wonder if she can revive both the garden and her dreams of becoming a children’s book author in this magical, witty film about life and love, also starring Andrew Scott and Jeremy Irvine.

 

Resident Evil: Vendetta

BSAA Chris Redfield enlists the help of government agent Leon S. Kennedy and Professor Rebecca Chambers from Alexander Institute of Biotechnology to stop a death merchant with a vengeance from spreading a deadly virus in New York.

Directed by Takanori Tsujimoto with a screenplay by Makoto Fukami (Psycho Pass), Resident Evil: Vendetta was produced by Hiroyasu Shinohara and executive produced by Takashi Shimizu, with music by Kenji Kawai (Ghost in the Shell).

 

Wilson

Based on Daniel Clowes’ iconic graphic novel, look at life, love, family…and one man’s wildly ambitious search for happiness. Starring Woody Harrelson, as a lonely, neurotic and hilariously honest middle-aged misanthrope who reunites with his estranged wife (Laura Dern) when he learns he has a teenage daughter (Isabella Amara) he has never met and sets out to connect with her.

 

Smurfs: The Lost Village

In this fully animated, all-new take on the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting and thrilling race through the Forbidden Forest filled with magical creatures to find a mysterious lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does.

Embarking on a rollercoaster journey full of action and danger, the Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history!

 

June 27

 

Song To Song

In this modern love story set against the Austin, Texas music scene, two entangled couples – struggling songwriters Faye (Rooney Mara) and BV (Ryan Gosling), and music mogul Cook (Michael Fassbender) and the waitress whom he ensnares (Natalie Portman) – chase success through a rock ‘n’ roll landscape of seduction and betrayal.

 

Correspondence

From director Giuseppe Tornatore comes a story of forbidden love that finds an aging astrophysics professor (Jeremy Irons) in a six-year affair with Amy (Olga Kurylenko), a beautiful PhD student. But after the professor abruptly ends their romantic trysts, Amy continues to receive his intimate gifts and messages, which leads her to question his disappearance…and come to terms with her own past.

 

Grey Lady

When Boston Police Detective James Doyle’s (Eric Dane) partner is killed in an ambush, a clue sends him to Nantucket in the lonely off-season. A murder mystery unfolds, one that draws the guilty and the innocent into its vortex. As Doyle hunts the killer and the killer hunts him, he discovers that things are not always what they seem to be on the Grey Lady.

 

Fate of The Furious

Now that Dom (Vin Diesel), and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) are married, Brian and Mia have retired from the game, and the rest of the crew has been exonerated, the globetrotting team seems to have found a semblance of a normal life. But when a mysterious woman (Charlize Theron) lures Dom back into the world of crime and convinces him to betray those closest to him, the crew faces new trials that will test them as never before.

 

Money

In this high-stakes, fast-action thriller, two pharmaceutical executives are about to get away with stealing $5 million after selling trade secrets to the highest bidder. But a charismatic con artist shows up to derail their plans and holds them hostage at gunpoint during an all-night standoff where loyalties are tested and true motives revealed. Featuring a powerful ensemble cast, including Jesse Williams, Kellan Lutz and Jess Weixler, Money is a chilling lesson in greed that will keep you guessing until the very end!

 

July 4th

Boss Baby

Seven-year-old Tim Templeton suddenly finds his share of parental love plummeting when his new baby brother (Alec Baldwin) arrives — wearing a suit and toting a briefcase — and makes it clear to everyone that he’s in charge. But when Tim discovers that Boss Baby is on a secret mission, he reluctantly agrees to team up with his pint-sized sibling for an epic adventure that might just change the world!


Dynamite Entertainment Announces Several Upcoming Releases

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If the following announcements from Dynamite Entertainment are any indication, they’re likely to have some huge news come San Diego Comic-Con.  Check out the latest news below including upcoming titles including Casino Royale, John Wick and Grumpy Cat/Garfield!

 

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES LATEST TITLE IN THEIR VIDEO GAME ICONS LINE, UNDISPUTED STREET FIGHTER: THE ART AND INNOVATION BEHIND THE GAME-CHANGING SERIES

Writer Steve Hendershot and Editor Tim Lapetino Announced as Creative Team
Behind the Artbook 30 Years in the Making!

Writer Steve Hendershot and Editor Tim Lapetino (Art of Atari) have been announced as the creative team behind Dynamite Entertainment’s latest offering in their Video Game Icons line, Undisputed Street Fighter: The Art and Innovation Behind the Game-Changing Series. The 304-page stunning hardcover artbook, now 30 years in the making, is set for release this November, just in time for the holiday season!

Since its inception 30 years ago, the Street Fighter video game series from Capcom has thrived based on a lethal combination of innovation, style and technique. From first-of-their-kind advances such as selectable characters and secret combo moves, to imagination-capturing characters such as Ryu, Chun-Li, and Akuma, Street Fighter has stayed a step ahead of the competition en route to becoming one of the most enduring and influential franchises in video game history. Undisputed Street Fighter™ features in-depth interviews and exclusive, behind-the-scenes looks into the making of the Street Fighter games, and the iconic art, design, and imagery from across the Street Fighter universe.

Writer Steve Hendershot says, “Street Fighter is a running, 30-year conversation between the series’ creators, players and fans. Its genius–the magic of shoulder-to-shoulder arcade play, and the playful, vivid style of its characters-stems from that back-and-forth. It’s been so much fun to hear all sides of that conversation from Tokyo and Osaka to San Francisco and Chicago, and I’m excited to tell the story through this book.”

Steve Hendershot is an award-winning Chicago journalist and the editorial director of MOVA, the Museum of Video Game Art. He is co-host and producer of the arts-and-culture podcast Cedar Cathedral, and has written for dozens of publications including Crain’s Chicago Business, SportsIllustrated.com, NBCSports.com, Chicago Magazine, Booth Newspapers, and Chicago Tribune.

Editor Tim Lapetino says, “It’s been an excellent adventure delving so deeply into the labyrinth of characters and people who make up Street Fighter Nation. We’ve drawn from 30 years of the best art and stories the franchise has to offer, and Steve has brought his fresh take to all things Street Fighter with a ton of new interviews and insights. The book is a love letter to those who grew up with Street Fighter and also to everyone carrying it into the future.”

Tim Lapetino is the Series Editor for Dynamite’s exclusive line of books, Video Game Icons. In a series that began with the best-selling Art of Atari, Video Game Icons will delve deeply into some of the most influential and popular video game franchises in the world. Lapetino is also the author of Dynamite’s Art of Atari (as well as unannounced projects slated for 2018), as well as the Executive Director of MOVA, the Museum of Video Game Art.

Rich Young, Director of Business Development at Dynamite, says, “I still remember watching battle after battle at the local arcade on the Street Fighter II machine, amazed not only by how awesome these characters were, and how great the game looked and played, but also how good the players were, and the amount of effort they put into winning each match. Street Fighter helped pave the way for the fighting game genre… and it’s still going very strong today. I’m thrilled to be working with Capcom on this book, and the same amazing team that put together Art of Atari!”

Undisputed Street Fighter (ISBN 978-1-5241-0466-5) will be available at major bookstore chains, online booksellers, and independent bookstores courtesy of Diamond Book Distributors, and to consumers through the comic book specialty market. Undisputed Street Fighter will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ July 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in November.

 

 

DYNAMITE ANNOUNCES CREATIVE TEAM AND LAUNCH DATE FOR THE LIBRARIANS, BASED ON THE HIT TNT ADVENTURE SERIES!

Dynamite Signs Will Pfeifer and Rodney Buchemi to Bring the Hit TNT Adventure to Comics!

Writer Will Pfeifer (Aquaman, Hellboy), and artist Rodney Buchemi (Uncanny X-Men) have been confirmed as the creative team to bring the magical and mysterious world of the hit TNT television series The Librarians to the pages of comics! Set to launch September 13th, fans of the record-breaking show will be excited to see their favorite characters tackling all new adventures as they wait for the premiere of season four!

Way back in the swinging ‘70s, movie producer Sol Schick was the guy behind such cheesy classics as “Quarry: Bigfoot!,” Noah’s Ark: Found at Last!” and “Heavenly Visitors from the Hell Above.” But when he’s murdered – at a film festival! – with a piece of Noah’s Ark! – The Librarians are drawn into the mystery. Can their combination of special skills, obsessive curiosity, and knowledge of forgotten lore figure out who – or what – spelled doom for Schick? And as they delve deeper into his past, is it possible that things are not as they seem and that all his crazy, wild movies…were actually telling the truth?

Writer Will Pfeifer says, “The thing that really attracted me to The Librarians as a concept is that they’re not just another group out to save the world. I mean, sure, they end up saving the world and seeing that mankind lives to see another day and all that, but their real focus is knowledge – getting it, keeping it and seeing that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. In this day and age, a group of smart folks trying to get smarter is the sort of role model we need, and the fact that this knowledge always seems to be of the forbidden, arcane variety is what keeps things interesting. I had a great time coming up with some bizarre mysteries for them to uncover, and the combination of curiosity, humor and good ol’ adventure made writing the series a real pleasure!”

Will Pfeifer made his comic book debut in 1999 with the creator-owned Vertigo series Finals. Since then, his credits have included Catwoman, Teen Titans, Aquaman, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Hellboy, H.E.R.O, X-Men Unlimited, The Spirit, Captain Atom, Iron Man, Supergirl, Blue Beetle and Amazons Attack. He’s also the author of the science fiction graphic novel “The Advance Team” and the writer and artist of “Late Nights at Kinkos,” a collection of his small-press work.

“The Dynamite team counts ourselves as huge fans of television series, never missing an episode,” said Nick Barrucci, Dynamite’s CEO and Publisher. “When the opportunity arose to bring the fantastical adventures to the pages of comics, we knew we would have a hit on our hands! By bringing on the incredible talents of Will Pfeifer and Rodney Buchemi, we only solidified that success!”

The Librarians, which launched in 2014, is based on a series of successful TV movie franchise originally airing in 2004 starring starred Noah Wyle, who both executive produces and has guest starred on the now hit television series. The show focuses on an ancient organization tasked with protecting an unknowing world from the secret, magical reality hidden in plan sight. The TNT television debut was the most watched cable series launch of 2014 with a combined audience of 7.3 million viewers, and was recently renewed for its fourth season!

The Librarians #1 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ July 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in September.

 

 

DYNAMITE ANNOUNCES CREATIVE TEAM AND LAUNCH DATE FOR COMIC ADAPTATION OF IAN FLEMING’S FIRST NOVEL AND JAMES BOND STORY, CASINO ROYALE

Van Jensen and Dennis Calero Will Bring the First 007 Tale to the Pages of Comics for the First Time this October!

Award-winning writer Van Jansen (The Flash/Green Lantern), and artist Dennis Calero (X-Factor) have been selected as the creative team to bring the very first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, to the pages of comics for the first time in the series’ history. Set for release in October, the 160-page graphic novel will transport 007 fans back to the 1950’s with its stylish artwork and classic story!

Ian Fleming’s literary debut of British Secret Service agent 007 is stylishly adapted to the sequential art medium by Van Jensen and Dennis Calero in the official James Bond: Casino Royale graphic novel. Sent to a French casino in Royale-les-Eaux, Bond aims to eliminate the threat of the deadly Le Chiffre by bankrupting the ruthless SMERSH operative at the baccarat table. However, when the luck of the draw favors his enemy, 007 becomes the target of assassins and torturers in a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse.

Writer Van Jansen says, “There’s a very obvious reason why I wanted to tackle the adaptation of Casino Royale: because it’s James damned Bond! Also, when I cracked open Ian Fleming’s first 007 novel (I had read it years before), it immediately appealed to me as a great creative challenge. Fleming’s prose is powered by his descriptive punch, an eye for detail that captures the post World War II time period in full color, from decadent meals to the intricacies of baccarat to the sinister machinations of Le Chiffre. It’s a heady book, diving deep into the character of Bond. Adapting it into comic book form meant creating some fun new approaches to storytelling, to recast a familiar tale as something that hasn’t been seen before. Also, it’s James damned Bond!”

A former crime reporter and magazine editor, Van Jensen is the author of the critically acclaimed graphic novels Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer and The Leg. He has also written such series as Green Lantern Corps, The Six Million Dollar Man, and The Flash.

“When we first announced Warren Ellis’ breakout original James Bond series, we teased that this would only be the beginning of our relationship with the character and the Fleming family, who have been very generous,” says Dynamite CEO and Publisher, Nick Barrucci. “It’s incredibly rewarding as it’s the treasured story that any publisher would wish to add to their library. We have been very fortunate to be granted the rights to do so. Combining Van Jensen’s storytelling talent with Dennis Calero’s stylistic artwork, the Casino Royale graphic novel will stand out to fans for years to come.”

In 2014, Dynamite Entertainment made headlines across the comics industry and beyond with the news that the New Jersey publisher had secured the license from Ian Fleming Publications Ltd to produce the first James Bond comics in 20 years. The first series, written by Transmetropolitan writer Warren Ellis, launched the following year to widespread critical acclaim, and was a breakout success in the comics specialty market. Subsequent James Bond story lines include Diggle and Casalanguida’s Hammerhead and Kill Chain, James Robinson and Aaron Campbell’s Felix Leiter, Benjamin Percy and Rapha Lobosco’s Black Box, and Kieron Gillen and Antonio Fuso’s Service Special.

James Bond: Casino Royale will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ July 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in October.

 

 

DYNAMITE ANNOUNCES CREATIVE TEAM AND LAUNCH DATE FOR COMIC BOOK SERIES BASED ON THE HIT LIONSGATE FILM FRANCHISE, JOHN WICK

Dynamite Signs Greg Pak of Planet Hulk and Weapon X Fame, Bringing The Hit Film Assassin to the Pages of Comics for the First Time Ever!

Award-winning writer Greg Pak (Planet Hulk, Code Monkey Save World), and artist Giovanni Valletta (Dark Horse Presents) have been tapped as the creative team to bring the world of the hit-film franchise John Wick to the pages of comics, thanks to a new partnership between Dynamite Entertainment and Lionsgate Films. Slated to launch on September 6th, the new series will offer fans of the massively popular character the opportunity to discover his thrilling origin story for the very first time!

When a young John Wick emerges from prison and embarks upon his first epic vendetta, he comes up against a strange, powerful community of assassins and must learn how to master the Book of Rules that guides their lethal business. What are the Three Bills? Who is Calamity? And who was John Wick before he became the Baba Yaga?

Writer Greg Pak says, “I was on board pretty much as soon as I got the call and heard ‘John Wick.’ I’m a huge Keanu Reeves fan and loved the John Wick movies, which had the kind of kinetic action and intriguing mythology that seemed like a perfect fit for comics. I’m also always happy to work with my friends at Dynamite, who are always a pleasure to make comics with. And the art I saw from Giovanni Valletta blew my mind — he’s totally nailing Keanu Reeves’ likeness while creating emotional, dynamic, exciting action. This book is going be BEAUTIFUL. But what really sealed the deal was when Dynamite Editor Anthony Marques said we had the greenlight to tell a John Wick origin story. That was astounding to me — we’re not just telling another fun adventure with the character; we’re actually going to be able to add to this character’s and world’s tremendous mythology by telling an origin story! What could be cooler than that?”

Greg Pak is a Korean-American filmmaker and comic book writer best known for his award-winning feature film Robot Stories, his blockbuster comic book series like Planet Hulk and World War Hulk, and his record-breaking Kickstarter publishing projects with Jonathan Coulton, including Code Monkey Save World, Kickstarter’s highest grossing original graphic novel of all time. Pak’s recent comics projects include the creator-owned series Kingsway West, Big Trouble in Little China, Escape from New York, and The Totally Awesome Hulk and Weapon X for Marvel. Pak’s feature film Robot Stories played in 75 festivals, won 35 awards, screened theatrically across the country, and is now available on DVD from Kino. Pak’s feature screenplay Rio Chino won the Pipedream Screenwriting Award at the IFP Market and a Rockefeller Media Arts Fellowship. Pak also wrote the screenplay for the feature film MVP, which premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.

Artist Giovanni Valletta says, “When Dynamite Editor Anthony Marques asked me if I would like to do some tryouts for this project, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. I loved the John Wick film so much, and have been a fan of Keanu Reeves and his work for as long as I can remember. I couldn’t be happier to have been picked to work on this project, and I hope the love I have for this movie shines through in my work.”

Giovanni Valletta was raised in Caracas, Venezuela and studied Illustration at the Caracas Institute of Design before continuing his studies with Jesus Pastore at the Art Center School of Design. Once Valletta decided to turn his career towards the comic book industry, he attend the Kubert School of Cartooning and Graphic Art, from which he graduated in 2010. Shortly after graduation, Valletta began working for Tell A Graphics alongside owner Joe Kubert, and became a member of the teaching staff at the Kubert School in 2012. His artwork has been featured by a number of top-tier publishers, and is best known for his work on Dark Horse Presents and Pathfinder: Worldscape.

“John Wick is an incredible character – he and the world he inhabits are mysterious, thrilling, sexy, and contagious,” says Anthony Marques, Editor for Dynamite Entertainment. “The series that we are doing develops that world even further by delving into his official origin story for the first time. We couldn’t have been more fortunate than to have Greg Pak come on board to craft this tale. He has such a great understanding of the characters, their world, and their voices. The artwork Giovanni Valletta is creating is going to leave people breathless. He’s found a way to truly immerse the readers into the world of John Wick in a way that I don’t think any other artist would have been able to. The thrills, speed, and action are all there on the page!

Marques continued, “This whole process has been an amazing ride – almost as thrilling at the films! We’ve received the blessings from all of the creators involved with the films, every step of the way. That includes the writer/creator of John Wick Derek Kolstad, as well as Thunder Road, Lionsgate, and even Keanu Reeves. This book is the real deal and people are not going to be disappointed.”

“I have been a huge fan of the John Wick franchise since it was first released in 2014,” says Dynamite CEO and Publisher, Nick Barrucci. “When I broached the idea in our editorial meeting, it was unanimously agreed upon! The entire Dynamite team is thrilled to have the opportunity to work on such a great property, and we’re excited to work with the amazing team at Lionsgate Films to make this new hit comic book series happen!”

The action-adventure film franchise John Wick launched in 2014 and follows the titular hero, a deadly hitman, as he seeks vengeance for the death of a loved one. Directed by Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, and written by Derek Kolstad, the critically-acclaimed first installment starred Keanu Reeves and grossed close to $90 million worldwide. Based on the box office success of the first film, the series was greenlit for a sequel, and John Wick 2 opened in February 2017, grossing $165 million worldwide to date. The new partnership between Dynamite Entertainment and Lionsgate Films marks the first time the series will be published in comic book form.

John Wick will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ July 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in September.

 

 

DYNAMITE ANNOUNCES CREATIVE TEAM AND LAUNCH DATE FOR COMIC STORIES OF THE HIT VIDEO GAME FRANCHISE, KILLER INSTINCT

Dynamite Signs Ian Edgington of 2000AD. Fame, to Bring the Popular Game to the Pages of Comics for the First Time Ever

New York Times best-selling author, and multi Eisner-award nominee Ian Edgington (2000AD., Batman), and artist Cam Adams (Fallout World) have been tapped as the creative team to bring the world of the hit-game franchise Killer Instinct to the pages of comics for the first time ever! Thanks to the new partnership between Dynamite Entertainment and Double Helix Studios, the new series is slated to launch on September 13th, and will provide fans of the game with epic new adventures set within the its stunning game-play universe!

The Shadow Lord Gargos has been defeated, but the battle to save humankind from his Astral invasion has taken a terrible toll on the Earth. Our world lies in ruin, and a sinister new power called the Coven has risen from the ashes, vying with the megacorporation Ultratech to rule the shattered nations. The heroes Kim Wu and Jago-their Astral powers weakened by their devastating war against Gargos-must band together with the scattered remnants of the Night Guard to forge a pathway into the Astral Plane. Here, in the birthplace of The Shadow Lord and The Guardians, festers the secret malevolence that threatens to destroy them all…and enslave the world forever.

Writer Ian Edgington said, “Killer Instinct has a colorful and diverse cast of characters, each with their own rich back-stories and with plenty more tales to tell. The Killer Instinct pantheon effectively comprises a superhero universe and it’s hard not to get overwhelmed with the wealth of riches there is to work with. I’ve taken a dozen or so characters – Kim-Wu, Jago, Aganos, Tusk, Aganos, Kan-ra, etc, and built a story around them that’s self-contained but can spring board into other series if need be. I’ve structured it to appeal to die-hard Killer Instinct fans and those coming to it cold. You won’t need any foreknowledge of the game to enjoy it. Likewise, there will be plenty of nods and easter eggs to the game for Killer Instinct fans. I’ve had a huge amount of fun writing this series. It’s a fantastic world to be permitted to play around in.”

Ian Edgington is a New York Times best-selling author and multiple Eisner Award nominee. He is the writer and creator of Stickleback, Helium, Kingmaker, Leviathan, Brass Sun, and the renowned UK science fiction comic 2000AD. He has written for Judge Dredd, Batman, Wolverine, X-Force, Uncanny X-Men,and Stormwatch, as well as Aliens, Predator, Terminator, Star Trek, Star Wars, Planet of the Apes and Doctor Who. He also wrote Scarlet Traces and Scarlet Traces: The Great Game, the Eisner Award nominated sequels to HG Wells, The War of the Worlds. In addition, he has written for the video game properties Kane and Lynch, Dead Space, The Evil Within and Assassins Creed. He lives and works in Birmingham, England.

Killer Instinct has always been a killer game, and the team at Double Helix Games have been a sheer pleasure to partner with on this property,” said Nick Barrucci, Dynamite’s CEO and Publisher. “By bringing on widely celebrated writer Ian Edgington, and the endlessly talented Cam Adams, we’re confident this is going to be a killer comic book series as well!”

Killer Instinct is based on the popular video game franchise originally released in 1994. The fighting game developed by Double Helix Games is published by Microsoft Studios. The 2013 game serves as a reboot of the franchise after a 17-year long hiatus since its last title, Killer Instinct 2, was released in 1996.

The debut issue of Killer Instinct features a wide selection of cover variants, providing fans and retailers with the freedom of choice! The cover artwork features the talents of Yildiray Cinar (Teen Titans), Jonathan Lau (Red Sonja), interior artist Cam Adams, and Udon (Streetfighter), respectively. Limited variant editions in “Black & White” and “Virgin” formats are also available as retailer incentives for comic shops that support the launch issue by achieving stocking thresholds.

Killer Instinct #1 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ July 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in September.

 

 

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT FOLLOWS UP BEST-SELLING SHEENA #0 WITH #1 IN SEPTEMBER

COVER ARTISTS J. SCOTT CAMPBELL, RYAN SOOK, CARLI IHDE PLUS COSPLAY COVER JOIN MARGUERITE BENNETT, CHRISTINA TRUJILO AND MORITAT ON ART!

Thanks to the overwhelming success of Dynamite Entertainment’s Sheena #0, the Queen of the Jungle’s latest relaunch, issue #1 is set to launch September 6th, and features a wide-swath of fantastic artwork by industry legends, including artist J. Scott Campbell!

Cover artwork for Sheena #1 spotlights the talents of not only J. Scott Campbell, but also Ryan Sook, cover artist Moritat, and Carli Ihde. Additional limited variant editions including “Black and White,” “Virgin,” and J. Scott Campbell’s “Jungle Green,” are available as retailer incentives for comic shops that support the issue by achieving stocking thresholds. Written by the creative dynamic duo including GLAAD-Nominated, NYT Best-Selling Marguerite Bennett (Batwoman, Animosity) and newcomer Christina Trujilo, with illustrations by Moritat (Hellblazer, Teen Titans), everyone’s favorite Queen of the Jungle swings back into action with ongoing series!

Writer Marguerite Bennett says, “Our story is glorious golden age pulp — high adventure, quick wit, ancient mysteries, and daring dames — clashing with the perils of two worlds: one, the modern world come to conquer, and one, a world of dark supernatural mystery long forgotten, awoken to anger once more. This is a fast paced, action packed kick off to more exciting adventures for Sheena!”

Marguerite Bennett is the New York Times Bestselling, GLAAD-Nominated writer of Bombshells, Batwoman, A-Force, and Animosity, and is proud to introduce co-writer Christina Trujillo.

Christina Trujillo adds, “Sheena is strong, brave, and willing to bend the rules in order to do her duty and keep her home safe. I think fans will enjoy having Sheena as a guide while they unravel the mysteries of the forest.”

A former student of Scott Snyder (Batman), Trujillo received an MFA in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College in 2013, has seen her works published in the literary journal Dark Phrases, and was a finalist for Galaxy Press’s Writers of the Future award.

“We are incredibly proud of this series, and fans have clearly shown their excitement based on the strength of pre-orders for issue #0,” says Dynamite CEO and Publisher Nick Barrucci. “The lush universe Moritat has brought to the page is complemented by the extraordinary cover art by some the greatest talents in the business. I can say with great certainty that J. Scott Campbell has once again crafted a breath-taking character that every collector is going to want to put on display!”

Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, was the first female character in comics to carry her own dedicated series beginning in 1937. Created by industry legends Will Eisner and S. M. “Jerry” Iger, this groundbreaking character saw 167 issues over the span of two decades. In this riveting relaunch, Sheena proves her prowess as the guardian of the jungle as she pursues a mysterious invader that has come to spy on the Amazon’s most ancient secrets. Following the path of the trespasser, she encounters a forbidden ruin in which even more deadly dangers lie in wait — and begins an adventure that will take her beyond her wildest imaginings!

Sheena #1 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ July 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in August.

 

 

MARK EVANIER AND STEVE UY ANNOUNCED AS CREATIVE TEAM FOR GRUMPY CAT/GARFIELD, THE EXCITING CROSSOVER FROM DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT AND BOOM! STUDIOS

The Epic Face-Off for Finickiest Feline Finds its Way to Stores This August!

This summer, the world’s foremost finicky felines will come face-to-face in the epic crossover, Grumpy Cat/Garfield, as three-time Emmy Award nominee Mark Evanier (Garfield and Friends) steps back into the paws of the most iconic cat in comics for this three-part mini-series worthy of more than just nine lives! Joined by artist Steve Uy (Avengers: The Initiative), Grumpy Cat/Garfield will pounce its way into stores August 2, 2017!

Thanks to an exclusive partnership between Dynamite Entertainment and BOOM! Studios’ award-winning imprint, KaBOOM!, Jim Davis’ iconic comic strip cat Garfield will meet internet sensation Grumpy Cat in a limited series with a story inspired and approved by icon Jim Davis, himself!

It’s the inevitable meeting of these two loveable sourpusses! Garfield, the reigning cynical cat of newspapers and TV will cross paths with internet sensation Grumpy Cat, whose memorable scowl endeared herself to the world. Who’s the most sarcastic? Well, he hates Mondays…and she hates any day ending in “y!” Is there enough room to accommodate both truculent tabbies within the pages of the same comic book, let alone the same universe? You’ll find out in this three-issue mini-series that will have you purring that it’s the cat’s meow!

Artist Steve Uy says, “Garfield was my favorite comic strip growing up in the ’80s. When I was doing the art for Grumpy Cat last year, there was a Halloween special where I decided to dress Grumpy up as Garfield, and her brother Pokey as Heathcliff in a panel. That didn’t make it to print, and ended up being revised to a Star Wars theme instead, so when I found out there was going to be a Grumpy/Garfield crossover, it seemed like fate had stepped in and given me another chance to draw them all together again!”

Steve Uy is the artist of such Marvel/ DC series as Uncanny X-Men, Avengers Initiative, Legion of Superheroes Animated, JSA Classified, and many more. He is the artist/creator of his very own creator-owned series, Feather and Jova’s Harvest, currently available on Comixology, and has most recently released his mobile games Oasis: Path to Redemption and Evil Brown Eggs.

Writer Mark Evanier met the legendary Jack Kirby in 1969, and began working as his assistant only one week after graduating high school, eventually going on to become his official biographer. A writer and historian, Evanier has written over 500 comics for Gold Key, DC, and Marvel Comics, several hundred hours of television (most notably Garfield and Friends and Groo the Wanderer) and is the author of several books including Mad Art. He has received three Emmy Award nominations, and received the Lifetime Achievement Award for animation from the Writers Guild of America.

“When we first began toying with the idea of a crossover between Grumpy Cat and Garfield, the entire team thought there could not be a more perfect fit,” says Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment. “As the idea grew, so did our excitement. When we reached out to our dear friends at BOOM! we were delighted to find they were as excited by the idea as we were. Once we received the blessing of Grumpy Limited, Jim Davis and his team at PAWS, we knew this would be a successful project thanks to the passion of everyone involved!”

“We’ve been honored to publish the adventures of Garfield for many years now and are excited to be partnering with our friends at Dynamite Entertainment to bring Jim Davis’ creation together with another heavyweight of the cat world – Grumpy Cat,” says Filip Sablik, President of Publishing and Marketing for BOOM! “Mark Evanier is crafting a hilarious, fun-filled story that’s sure to please fans of both of these feline franchises.”

Grumpy Cat found her adopted home with Dynamite in 2015 with her comic book debut, The Misadventures of Grumpy Cat. Selling more than a half million copies and winning the hearts of readers of all ages, the ever-griping Grumpy has become one of the world’s most recognized felines. Now, her infectious charm and witty quips come face-to-face with the original cartoon cat, Garfield!

The debut issue of Grumpy Cat/Garfield features a wide selection of exciting cover variants, providing fans and retailers with the freedom of options! The cover artwork features the talents of Andy Hirsch (Garfield, Adventure Time, Regular Show), interior artist Steve Uy, Fernando Ruiz (Animal Jam), Tony Fleecs (Postcards: True Stories That Never Happened), and Phil Murphy (Regular Show), respectively. Limited variant editions in “Black & White,” “Virgin Art,” “Coloring Book,” and “Comic Strip” formats are also available as retailer incentives for comic shops that support the launch issue by achieving stocking thresholds.

Grumpy Cat/Garfield #1 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ June 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in August.

DYNAMITE ANNOUNCES CREATIVE TEAM AND LAUNCH DATE FOR COMIC STORIES OF THE
HIT VIDEO GAME FRANCHISE, KILLER INSTINCT

Dynamite Signs Ian Edington of 2000AD. Fame, to Bring the
Popular Game to the Pages of Comics for the First Time Ever

June 19, 2017, Mt. Laurel, NJ: New York Times best-selling author, and multi Eisner-award nominee Ian Edington (2000AD., Batman), and artist Cam Adams (Fallout World) have been tapped as the creative team to bring the world of the hit-game franchise Killer Instinct to the pages of comics for the first time ever! Thanks to the new partnership between Dynamite Entertainment and Double Helix Studios, the new series is slated to launch on September 13th, and will provide fans of the game with epic new adventures set within the its stunning game-play universe!

The Shadow Lord Gargos has been defeated, but the battle to save humankind from his Astral invasion has taken a terrible toll on the Earth. Our world lies in ruin, and a sinister new power called the Coven has risen from the ashes, vying with the megacorporation Ultratech to rule the shattered nations. The heroes Kim Wu and Jago-their Astral powers weakened by their devastating war against Gargos-must band together with the scattered remnants of the Night Guard to forge a pathway into the Astral Plane. Here, in the birthplace of The Shadow Lord and The Guardians, festers the secret malevolence that threatens to destroy them all…and enslave the world forever.

Writer Ian Edington said, “Killer Instinct has a colorful and diverse cast of characters, each with their own rich back-stories and with plenty more tales to tell. The Killer Instinct pantheon effectively comprises a superhero universe and it’s hard not to get overwhelmed with the wealth of riches there is to work with. I’ve taken a dozen or so characters – Kim-Wu, Jago, Aganos, Tusk, Aganos, Kan-ra, etc, and built a story around them that’s self-contained but can spring board into other series if need be. I’ve structured it to appeal to die-hard Ki fans and those coming to it cold. You won’t need any foreknowledge of the game to enjoy it. Likewise, there will be plenty of nods and easter eggs to the game for Killer Instinct fans. I’ve had a huge amount of fun writing this series. It’s a fantastic world to be permitted to play around in.”

Ian Edginton is a New York Times best-selling author and multiple Eisner Award nominee. He is the writer and creator of Stickleback, Helium, Kingmaker, Leviathan, Brass Sun, and the renowned UK science fiction comic 2000AD. He has written for Judge Dredd, Batman, Wolverine, X-Force, Uncanny X-Men,and Stormwatch, as well as Aliens, Predator, Terminator, Star Trek, Star Wars, Planet of the Apes and Doctor Who. He also wrote Scarlet Traces and Scarlet Traces: The Great Game, the Eisner Award nominated sequels to HG Wells, The War of the Worlds. In addition, he has written for the video game properties Kane and Lynch, Dead Space, The Evil Within and Assassins Creed. He lives and works in Birmingham, England.

“Killer Instinct has always been a killer game, and the team at Double Helix Games have been a sheer pleasure to partner with on this property,” said Nick Barrucci, Dynamite’s CEO and Publisher. “By bringing on widely celebrated writer Ian Edington, and the endlessly talented Cam Adams, we’re confident this is going to be a killer comic book series as well!”

Killer Instinct is based on the popular video game franchise originally released in 1994. The fighting game developed by Double Helix Games is published by Microsoft Studios. The 2013 game serves as a reboot of the franchise after a 17-year long hiatus since its last title, Killer Instinct 2, was released in 1996.

The debut issue of Killer Instinct features a wide selection of cover variants, providing fans and retailers with the freedom of choice! The cover artwork features the talents of Yildiray Cinar (Teen Titans), Jonathan Lau (Red Sonja), interior artist Cam Adams, and Udon (Streetfighter), respectively. Limited variant editions in “Black & White” and “Virgin” formats are also available as retailer incentives for comic shops that support the launch issue by achieving stocking thresholds.
Killer Instinct #1 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ July 2017 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in September.

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Plenty to Crowe About Despite the Unraveling of ‘The Mummy’ Reboot

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Russell Crowe is perhaps best described as the Hollywood equivalent of Marmite but, love him or loathe him, there can be no doubt about the man’s acting chops.

Crowe boasts one of the most diverse filmographies of any actor currently working today and, after the panning of his most recent film, the 2017 reboot of The Mummy, it feels only appropriate to take a look back at some his most defining roles and remind ourselves how Crowe became one of only ten actors to receive three consecutive Academy Award nominations.

 

L.A. Confidential

Whilst Crowe enjoyed relative success in Australia in the early 1990s, North America’s first taste of the burly New Zealand native was in 1997’s neo-noir crime masterpiece, L.A. Confidential. The movie features an all star cast including Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito, and Kim Bassinger, company which Crowe would soon find himself becoming accustomed to due to his impressive performance alongside fellow Australian actor Guy Pierce.

L.A. Confidential centres on police corruption in and around a sleazy 1950’s Hollywood backdrop, with the focus of attention surrounding an unsolved murder at a downtown LA coffee shop. Crowe plays the somewhat ferocious but equally fragile Wendell “Bud” White, a blurred lines cop who tends to throw his weight around and ask questions later. As  lieutenant Exley, Guy Pearce perfectly balances out the hot headed unpredictability of Crowe’s character whilst Kevin Spacey oozes his usual class, bringing just the right amount of self-flagellating humour to what is otherwise a dark, gritty, yet thoroughly gripping thriller.

 

The Insider

Released in 1999, Michael Mann’s The Insider saw Crowe take on the role of Jeffrey Wigand, a tobacco industry research scientist and eventual whistleblower. Wigand is encouraged and successfully convinced by the producer of CBS’s 60 Minutes, Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino), to speak out about the harmful and addictive properties of nicotine and the film covers the subsequent battle with CBS producers to run the story and the eventual lawsuits brought against the major tobacco companies by the Attorney General, totaling around $246 billion dollars.

Whilst the movie performed poorly at the box office, it received universal critical acclaim, praising both Pacino and Crowe for their on-screen chemistry, with the latter being described by The New York Times‘ Janet Maslin as “a subtle powerhouse in his wrenching evocation of Mr. Wigand, taking on the thick, stolid look of the man he portrays.” The film earned Crowe his first Best Actor Oscar nomination and represented a real moment of arrival for the star.

 

Gladiator

If you ask someone the first word that comes to mind when you mention the name “Russell Crowe”, chances are that the answer will be Gladiator. It is is undoubtedly Crowe’s best known film and is arguably the most impressive and compelling performance of his career, winning him The Best Actor award at the 2001 Oscars. Crowe shines as the Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, who embarks on a revenge mission when Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) betrays him, killing his family and devastating his farm.

With its epic fight scenes, highly quotable lines and rousing soundtrack, Gladiator quickly achieved cult status and its impact was felt far beyond the reaches of the movie industry. It is often credited with the increased interest in Classical and Roman history throughout the United States, dubbed the “Gladiator effect” by The New York Times, and it’s no coincidence that, since its release in 2000, the historical epic genre has seen somewhat of a revival, with films such as Troy and 300 making similar waves throughout the movie industry.

Similarly, the iGaming or online casino market has also felt the same Gladiator effect, with online slot games such as Divine Fortune taking cues from the same Mediterranean mythos that influenced the film.

With 200 free spins on the game available from Oddschecker, it’s an experience that appeals to both regular gamers and the merely curious. There’s also a 300 Shields and Clash of the Titans slot playable online, both of which have obvious relevance to Ridley Scott’s Gladiator.

Fresh from the monumental success of Gladiator, Crowe proved that were more strings to his bow than perhaps previously thought, delivering a heart-warming, emotional performance in the 2001 biographical drama A Beautiful Mind.

Portraying the rise and fall of John Nash, Noble Laureate in Economics and troubled mathematical genius, Crowe was once again nominated for Best Actor at the 2002 Oscars, narrowly losing out to Denzel Washington. It’s fair to say that up until this point, Crowe was in danger of becoming typecast as a somewhat brutish, physical enforcer and, whilst he had played this role extremely successfully, A Beautiful Mind showed a more fragile side to the Australian and established him as one of the most versatile actors working in Hollywood.

With such an impressive back catalogue, the majority of Russell Crowe fans will see the reboot of The Mummy as simply a blip on what has been an extremely illustrious career so far and will take solace in more recent films such as Man of Steel, where Crowe’s cameo once again received glowing reports from both critics and fans alike. Russell Crowe will be back and you will be entertained once again.

 

‘Despicable Me 3’ (review)

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Produced by Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy
Written by Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio
Based on Characters by Sergio Pablos
Directed by Pierre Coffin, Kyle Balda
Starring Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig,
Trey Parker, Miranda Cosgrove,
Julie Andrews,  Dana Gaier,
Nev Scharrel, Russell Brand

As an adult, how many times have you sat through a seemingly endless children’s movie when killing time with a little one who was on the edge of their seat while you struggled to stay awake in yours?   While Despicable Me 3 may start slowly and leave you discreetly checking your watch, by the halfway point you will be engaged in jokes and winks that are designed to engage the 80s-aware adult in tow.

In this third outing, Gru (Steve Carell) finds out he has a twin brother Dru (also voiced by Carell) shortly after suffering a career-ending snafu chasing the Anti-Villain League’s #1 Most Wanted, a bitter ex-child actor from the 80s named Balthazar Bratt (Trey Parker).

As Gru and Dru explore their new relationship, Lucy (Kristen Wiig) struggles in her new role as “mom” to Gru’s three adopted daughters. When the opportunity arises to get back everything they lost, Gru must balance his desire to be on top with his responsibility to family old and new.

The first and second movies in the Despicable Me franchise were fun out of the gate. Audiences are used to bright and funny opening sequences heavily featuring antics from the Minions and poking fun at Gru’s grumpy but ultimately successful persona. Yet it took roughly one third of the movie to start feeling engaged in the story due to phoned-in lines that never actually earned the humor they meant to generate.

Everything seemed heavier and formulaic, which was a letdown for such a quirky series. Though there were a few early giggles from the many children in the screening, it was at least 20 minutes before the deep continued laughter from an adult came through. That said, the story arc of a secret twin brother that acts as foil to Gru (Dru is cheerful, wealthy, and well-coiffed) turns out much fresher than one would think.

Having Steve Carell voice both characters was masterful, as he created two distinct personas that were equally enjoyable. Even while Dru whined about the effort required to pull off a truly masterful caper, he was still fun and relatable.

Carell’s Gru is always a treat, the straight man to the strange and wonderful life he lives. Kristen Wiig does a serviceable job with Lucy and any of the lackluster feeling about the character is more reflective of awkward writing than her actual voicework. Her story seems more of an afterthought, as if the writers were 75% through with the story and then doubled back to give her a bit more agency.

The best performance, however, is a three way tie between the Minions, Trey Parker’s Balthazar, and the ever-loveable Agnes (Nev Scharrel). From the endearing and heartfelt innocence of Agnes as she searches for a rumored real unicorn to the always zany antics of the Minions, whose speech is cleverly peppered with words and phrases older ears will catch and chuckle at, they both do significant work to bring humor and heart while bridging scenes. Parker is pure joy as Balthazar, a villain stuck in the 80s from his shoulder-padded costume to his keytar sonic gun. The animation and attention to detail on both character and catchphrases shows a team that had as much fun creating as the audience will have watching and listening.

The soundtrack is another hit for the series, featuring everything from new music from Pharrell to classic 80s tracks from Madonna, Michael Jackson, and a-ha. And of course, a number from the Minions.

While there is nothing terribly new or novel about the third movie, it is comforting and entertaining fare that anyone will enjoy if they are already a fan of the series. Rare is the need to reinvent the wheel for a kid’s franchise so soon, especially with such a quick succession of movies (let’s just leave the independent Minions out of this). Take that niece/son/kid down the street to the theater this weekend, and they’ll thank you for it.

And eventually, you’ll have a quick laugh too.

 

‘Baby Driver’ (review)

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Produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Nira Park
Written and Directed by Edgar Wright
Starring Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey,
Lily James, Jon Bernthal,
Eiza González, Jon Hamm,
Jamie Foxx, Flea, Paul Williams

 
Has mainstream cinema become so awful that just mediocre films are lauded with universal praise?

Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver is a familiar mash-up of dozens of films that’s mildly entertaining, but not original or electric enough to carve it’s own identity.

It might seem harsh, but Wright, who launched his career with the brilliant Shaun of The Dead has slowly become less impressive with each film and ultimately, Baby Driver, which at least is a step up from 2013’s The World’s End, is a disappointing addition to the once exciting moviemaker’s filmography.

Ansel Egort delivers a wooden and ultimately charmless performance as the title character, Baby, a getaway driver indebted to mob boss Doc (Kevin Spacey) who needs to complete one last job before he’s out.  Suffering from tinnitus from a childhood accident that killed his parents, Baby spends his life listening to music through his various iPods, blocking out the ringing.  The music he’s listening to becomes the soundtrack to the movie.

Two of the film’s bigger co-stars, Jamie Foxx and Jon Hamm both seem to be trying to be interesting character actors when in reality, they’re just leading men with odd haircuts and fake tattoos.  Other cast members including Lily James as Baby’s love interest, Deborah, Jon Bernthal as criminal Griff and Paul Williams as crime boss The Butcher all deliver the best that they can with the material.

Martin Scorsese once responded to the notion that his only interest was cinema, that if that were true, “all of his movies would be about movies.”  Wright, like Quentin Tarantino and other modern directors seem to follow that path, reimagining the films, the shots, and the sequences they love into their own work.

As a result, Baby Driver is nothing more than cinematic junk food, a quick fix that’s neither satisfying or fulfilling and ultimately, forgettable.

 

A Look at Cooperative Board Games

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When it comes to board games in this house, we have a strong preference for cooperative games. While competition is not a bad thing, cooperating on the path to victory is surprisingly satisfying.

I mean really… how many bad-sport table-flippers do you have to play with before you get tired of the grind of always winning? Share the glory. Win together or fail together, it makes for a great gaming experience. One could even argue that it fosters healthier relationships with friends and family.

With that in mind, here are a few recommended cooperative board games to consider trying out for your next game night.

 

FORBIDDEN ISLAND
(2010, ADC Blackfire Entertainment)

Players join forces to recover four artifacts from a remote island that is in the process of sinking into the sea. You have to move fast to travel from card to card (the island is laid out in randomly arranged cards–making each game different!) and use your player’s special abilities to save the artifacts, avoid pitfalls and other hazards, keep parts of the island from sinking too soon, help others save the artifact, or simply save others from certain doom as the island inevitably sinks beneath the waves.

Forbidden Island is a visually stunning game with beautifully printed island tile cards and sturdy player pieces. It’s also surprisingly inexpensive–usually available for under $20 from most retailers–and comes in a sturdy tin box that’s a little smaller than typical board game boxes. Forbidden Island is an ultimately versatile game in different options for island layout, and number of players.

Highly recommended. Easy to play, hard to win. And for even greater challenges, check out its sequel game, Forbidden Desert.

For a bit of gameplay, check out this video from The Games Room:

 

PANDEMIC
(2008, Z-Man Games)

Contagion! Disease! Plague! Four highly virulent epidemics have broken out across the world. You and your fellow players take on the roles of various specialists to travel the globe, research diseases, treat the infected, move or build resources, and stop the plagues before they take over the world.

With its global game board and multitude of pieces representing outbreaks, Pandemic might look like an odd version of Risk, but Pandemic plays fast and demands more serious strategy. While it might look slightly intimidating at first, the instructions are well written and there are reference cards explaining the order of actions and turns. Drawn cards determine outbreaks and spreading of the disease, as well as advances and opportunities for the players to work together across the game board. Everyone wins or everyone dies, Pandemic is a great example of the cooperative board game genre.

The game has a high replay value and there have been a number of expansions and spin-offs that are worth checking out as well. Pandemic can be learned in mere minutes as is demonstrated in this video from The Rules Girl:

 

CASTLE PANIC
(2009, Fireside Games)

Castle Panic is a classic “tower defense” game presented as a multi-player cooperative board game. The setup is that you, the players, have built a castle in the middle of a forest which is now under siege for a horde of monsters. It’s up to the players to cooperate with one another to keep the advancing enemies from tearing down castle walls and defense towers. All stand together and win… or all fall and die… together.

Game components include the board, and stand up pieces that make up the castle, pieces representing the monsters, and cards for players to take action with. The strategies aren’t difficult to grasp, even for younger players, making this a great family group game. It’s a popular game which has, unsurprisingly, spawned a bunch of expansions.

For a great play through of Castle Panic, I recommend the Tabletop presentation featuring Wil Wheaton, Yuri Lowenthal, Tara Platt, and Andre the Black Nerd:

 

HANABI
(2010, R&R Games)

I like being able to include card games in these lists. Card games travel easily and can be played nearly anywhere. Hanabi, while also including something called “time tokens” is just such a card game–one that lends itself to versatile play space. It’s also unique as it’s a cooperative card game–not something one sees much.

In Hanabi, the goal is lay down series of fireworks using the cards in your hand. The cards come is sets of colors and designs which much be matched and in a series. The twist is that you cannot see the cards you’re holding, but the other players can. During a turn, a player can either describe a card to you by spending a time token, discard, or play a card. The game comes with additional rainbow colored cards for more advanced play.

It sounds more confusing than it is. Once you get the hang of a few hands, the strategies needed to win being to show. For this, I’d recommend watching a YouTube play through.

Of the many available, I’m recommending the one from Tech Geek Gamers. Check ’em out.

 

FLASH POINT: FIRE RESCUE
(2011, Indie Boards & Cards)

This fun, fast-paced game has players working together to rescue seven of ten victims of a building on fire.

Players have to work together in spending action points to decide whether to extinguish flames, move players/victims/vehicles, and working around structural damage and blocked passageways, opening and closing doors, checking out leads on victims, and more. Not as easy as it sounds. As with an actual raging fire, there’s a lot going on. If seven victims are saved, everyone wins. If four die or the building collapses, everyone loses.

The board is double-sided for variety of play, and their add-ons with the game to make Flash Point: Fire Rescue more challenging such as combustible materials, random setups, and varying difficulty levels.

There are several expansions available as well adding different thematic flavors to fire rescue. That’s a thing.

For a run through of the game, check out the YouTube video from Watch It Played:

These are but five cooperative games I heartily recommend, but there are many others. It’s a genre and style of game that has been growing in popularity over the years. If you’re looking for fun group games, you could also look into Shadows Over Camelot, Legends of Andor, Eldritch Horror, Legendary Encounters, Freedom: Underground Railroad, Robinson Crusoe: Adventure on the Cursed Island, Samurai Spirit, and Sentinels of the Multiverse.

Ask for recommendations at your Friendly Local Game Store. You could also just Google “cooperative games” and see what comes up.

Do it with a friend.

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