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‘Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Three’, Arrives on Blu-ray & DVD August 29th

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Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Three delivers all 22 action-packed episodes of the hit CG animated series’ third season, plus exclusive, never-before-seen bonus material on Blu-ray and DVD!

The story threads begin to tighten in this thrilling season of Star Wars Rebels, drawing connections to The Clone Wars, Rogue One and the original Star Wars trilogy into the series’ epic storyline. Available August 29, Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Three delivers some of the most critically-acclaimed Star Wars storytelling to date, with engaging characters, harrowing conflicts, and spectacular space battles on par with those seen in the films.

Having established a secret base on Atollon, the Ghost crew, now led by a more powerful Ezra, strengthens the Rebel fleet by acquiring new resources and recruits eager to stand against the Empire.  However, the Imperial efforts to eliminate the Rebellion are now being led by the coldly analytical Grand Admiral Thrawn, whose strategic, tactical and cultural insights make him a threat unlike any they have faced before. Ezra and Sabine must take on new roles and challenges as the Rebels prepare for their biggest mission yet – a direct assault on the Empire.

Star Wars Rebels was created by Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Simon Kinberg (“X-Men: Days of Future Past”), and Carrie Beck. The Lucasfilm Animation production is also executive-produced by Filoni and Kinberg.

Featuring the voices of Freddie Prinze Jr. (“I Know What You Did Last Summer”) as Kanan, Vanessa Marshall (TV’s “Young Justice”) as Hera, Steve Blum (“The Boxtrolls,” “Cowboy Bebop”) as Zeb, Tiya Sircar (“The Good Place,” “Master of None”) as Sabine, Taylor Gray (TV’s “Bucket and Skinner’s Epic Adventures”) as Ezra, Dee Bradley Baker (“American Dad,” “Phineas and Ferb”) as Captain Rex and David Oyelowo (“Selma” and “The Butler”) as Agent Kallus.

 

Bonus Features:

Blu-ray:

  • Return To Mandalore: Explore where Mandalore fits within the Empire’s regime – and whether Sabine can unite her people against the Imperial forces.
  • Thrawn: A Legend Reborn: Learn Thrawn’s significance in Star Wars lore, and what the future may hold for this memorable villain.
  • Apprentices to Outcasts: Kenobi And Maul: Track two adversaries who’ve clashed throughout Star Wars history, and find out why the time was right to conclude their story.
  • The Original Rebel: Saw Gerrera Returns – Extended: Meet the Original Rebel. This exclusive extended version features Forest Whitaker discussing the character he brings to life in both Rebels and Rogue One.
  • Five Audio Commentaries: Featuring Dave Filoni (Executive Producer), Justin Ridge (Supervising Director), Killian Plunkett (Art Director), Keith Kellogg (CG Supervisor) and Joel Aron (Lighting and FX Supervisor)
  • All DVD Bonus (see below)

DVD:

  • A Rebel Alliance: Discover how the formation of the Rebel Alliance in Rebels ties into the Rogue One timeline – and the exciting story possibilities that lie ahead for season 4.
  • Rebels Recon: Go behind the scenes with the cast and crew in 19 entertaining and information-packed episode recaps!

 


‘Sami Blood’ (review)

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Produced by Lars G. Lindström
Written and Directed by Amanda Kernell
Starring Lene Cecilia Sparrok,
Hanna Alström, Anders Berg

 

Imagine if Disney’s Frozen took a realistic approach about self-discovery and identity. Strip away the jolly snowman, happiness, and musical numbers; what you would get is a coming-of-age story told from the perspective of Elle-Marja (played by Lene Cecilia Sparrok) who is stuck between a isolating childhood and the longing for adventure.

Yes, like all stories about teenagers trying to find their own identity, there is a mix of doubt, heartbreak, and confusion. However, Elle-Marja has the added bonus of racism; belonging to a dying culture fighting for its place in the Scandinavian world.

Taking place in the brutal 1930’s, her kind, the Samis, are considered inferior un-Christian heathens with small brains appropriate for their nomadic lifestyle. Even the small boarding school she is forced to attend with her younger sister (Mia Erika Sparrok) is filled with hatred and discrimination instead of the kindness, acceptance, and love one may hope to receive.

So like all curious children who are told they’re not “good enough,” Ella-Marja does the opposite of what adults would do (because children have no fear) and disguises herself as a Swede to see just how different and “less than” others think she is if she’s one of their own. Instead of a word filled with hatred and judgment, she comes face to face with a life changing experience that forces her to decide whether to turn her back on her past or accept her new false identity. This a decision filled with complication, betrayal, and burdens of heritage that can forever change the course of Ella-Marja’s life.

Sami Blood is an unexpected surprise that punches you in the gut with the harsh effects of discrimination that is smart and creative enough to forge its own originality. Directed by the ingenious Amanda Kernell, the movie feels raw and authentic. Kernall has the know-how to take you on a journey reminiscent of a documentary that peeks into the life of Ella-Marja without forcing the story. Loosely based on Kernall’s grandmother, every scene and dialogue spoken is with purpose and precision. Instead of berating each character for their beliefs and actions (including Ella-Marja), you feel protective of them and understand the complexities of the characters and the story that’s filled with layers of emotion, new discoveries, and deceit.

While the Sami lifestyle is vastly different from the modern world’s, compared to the hectic environment of today, there’s a sense of longing to return to the simplicity of the Sami nomad life (minus the racism). Kernell further explores the Sami lifestyle and vastness of Sweden with picturesque cinematography that makes you long to visit. The Sami are connected to the land and filmed similar to a scene out of a National Geographic magazine. When these landscapes are replaced with Ella-Marja’s suffocating school, there’s the traditional Sami music there to ground Ella-Marja to her roots.

Despite the beauty, there are horrific moments that allow for Kernell to flourish even more as a director. During a violent dehumanizing scene, neither Kernell nor her camera flinches. She is bold and realistic with her choices; making us understand the dangers of the Sami lifestyle. There is beauty but there is also pain, injustice, and indifference.

Lene Cecilia Sparrok as Ella-Marja is a breath of fresh air. Going beyond showing her emotions in her face, Sparrok is able to act with just her eyes. Through her silence she expresses the pain and grief she’s gone through both in the past and the present. When she and the other children are treated like zoo animals by others, her eyes transform into confusion and embarrassment. Yet when she sneaks into the city, you see life slowly grow from within her. Then there are moments when she doesn’t say anything at all, yet she speak volumes with simple glances and intense stares.

Sami Blood is not perfect. The movie drags and take forever to unveil the long-term consequences of abuse and the after-effects of a violent act committed to Ella-Marja. It also lacks completion. By the second act, it becomes frustrating and starts to lose its impact. Instead of feeling satisfied, you’re just drained and confused by its ending. However, for a debut movie, these flaws are forgivable and at the end of the day. It’s filled with a talented cast and tells a powerful lesson of self discovery, hope, and what happens when we take charge of our lives — for the good and the bad.

 

Win ‘The Hike’ by Drew Magary

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Full of adventure and agony, hilarity and heartbreak, Drew Magary’s novel, THE HIKE, now available in paperback, is a wild, thrilling fantasy saga that chronicles one man’s epic life-or-death quest to return to his family after getting lost on a wooded path that leads him into an alternate, dreamlike world full of man-eating giants, garish demons, and colossal insects.

At the onset of THE HIKE, Ben, a suburban family man from Maryland, is on a business trip in suburban Pennsylvania when he decides to spend the afternoon exploring the foothills behind his motel. Once he sets out into the woods, however, he quickly comes to realize that the path he has chosen cannot be given up easily. Dreams and flashbacks from Ben’s past dominate his thoughts, showing him the most powerful and terrifying moments of his life, as real as when he first lived them. Along the way, Ben finds help in some of the most unexpected forms, including a profane crustacean and a variety of magical objects, tools, and potions. Desperate to return to his family, Ben is determined to track down the “Producer,” the creator of the world in which he is being held hostage and the only one who can free him from the path.

In the vein of Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One and Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, THE HIKE is a unique addition to the contemporary fantasy genre that could only have been spawned by the brain of Drew Magary. It takes readers on a daring odyssey away from our day-to-day grind and transports them into an enthralling world propelled by heart, imagination and survival.

And we’re giving away a copy to a Forces of Geek reader!

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

What is the name of author Drew Magary‘s memoir?

Please include your name, and address (U.S. 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 9th, 2017.

 

Stream On: What’s New To Netflix For July 2017

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Summer is here, but there are few reasons to stay inside as Netflix’s July offerings are slimmer than normal.

While there are classic comedies a plenty with fare such as Best in Show and Police Academy, and wonderful throwbacks like E.T. and new classic like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the streaming service is leaning heavily into foreign TV offerings for the summer season.

So, now is the time to go swimming, meet up with friends or have the BBQ. ‘Cause I promise you, Boat Trip ain’t gonna keep you tied to the couch.

 

JULY 1

Albion: The Enchanted Stallion (2016)
A girl and her magic horse. Basically, a movie written for and by eleven-year-olds.

Are We There Yet? (2005)
Are We Done Yet?  (2007)
While we all enjoy seeing Ice Cube achieve success and want him to enjoy his many houses and cars, let’s take a moment to pay final respects to his street credit, which sputtered a final death rattle as he cashed the check to the 2007 sequel.

Instead of a trailer, here is a link to “Good Day.” Enjoy.

The Astronaut Farmer (2007)
Billy Bob Thornton is an astronaut-turned-farmer who builds a rocket in his garage. Think Explorers meets Field of Dreams, but with Billy Bob.

Best in Show (2000)
Perhaps one of the best comedies of last 25 years to hit theaters, this masterpiece is a one of those gems you can watch a thousand times. A true modern classic from the Christopher Guest bunch.

Boat Trip (2003)
What you watch if you are trapped under a fallen credenza with the remote just inches away from your grasp. A horrible, horrible, horrible movie that should have never been made about straight men who accidentally find themselves on a gay cruise.

Instead of a clip, here Septa Unella from Game of Thrones ushering in the Walk of Shame for all those involved:

Caramel (2007)
Romantic comedy set about the lives of five women who work in a Beirut beauty salon.

Code Name: The Cleaner (2007)
Remember that time they tried to make Cedric the Entertainer an action star? And give him a romantic lead against Lucy Liu? Yeah. That happened.

Dad (1989)
Ted Danson stars in a feel good comedy with Jack Lemmon about an exec that bonds with his pops.

Deep Water (Season 1)
Aussie crime series that is only occasionally is about shark attacks.

Delicatessen (1991)
Jean-Pierre Jeunet brilliant pitch black comedy about a butch who own an apartment building in a post-apocalyptic France and the handyman he hires to “help” run the place.

Disney’s The Mighty Ducks (1992)
The Emilio Estevez starring sports comedy that spawned a Stanley Cup-winning sports club. Eat it, Bad News Bears.

El Barco (Season 1)
“Forty young crew members traveling aboard a training vessel are in for the adventure of a lifetime — especially when a storm leaves them lost at sea.” – Netflix

Emma (1996)
Before Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow earned the love of high-earning coffee-sipping hipsters everywhere by becoming the darling of Miramax in art-house pics like this.

E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Young and old, child of the ‘80s or child of the ‘00s, this is everyone’s favorite movie. The story of Elliot and his best friend, an alien name E.T. as they learn about life by getting drunk together and hiding from evil adults. The very best of Spielberg.

Free Willy (1993)
Kid and a whale are friend. After E.T., Hollywood was all about unlikely kid friendships. This one was about a boy and his orca. Makes a great double feature with Blackfish.

Here Alone (2017)
Zombie horror pic about a lone survivalist who must learn to get along with others when she meets up with a father and teen team.

Hostages  (Season 2)
Israeli drama series about a man who goes to desperate measures to help his wife find a donor.

Jackass: Number Two (2006)
Before he was a respected family man, music producer and film maker (true story), Johnny Knoxville put his penis in a lot of places you probably shouldn’t put your penis. Like a snake cage.

The Land Before Time (1988)
The Land Before Time II: The Great Valley Adventure (1994)
The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving  (1995)
The first one was cute. But the rest were just terrible cash grabs with no heart.

Last Night (2010)
Keira Knightley and Sam Worthington are a married couple who somehow are able to find people better looking than themselves to be tempted by and consider an affair. So, this apparently takes place on Earth B.

Liar’s Dice (2016)
“It’s about a young mother, Kamala and her 3-year-old daughter from a tribal community who embarks on a journey leaving their native land in search of her missing husband. Along this journey she encounters an army deserter who realizing the perils of the journey ahead for them, decides to accompany them to their destination.” – Official site

The Longest Yard (2005)
Adam Sandler attempts to take on Burt Reynolds in this shoddy remake of the classic ‘70s prison comedy.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)
DreamWorks’ toon about escaped zoo animals on the run. In this chapter, Alex the lion finds his parents. Hijinks ensue.

Matchstick Men (2003)
Nicolas Cage is a con man who is about to pull off the biggest heist of his career when his teen daughter unexpectedly shows up.

Mixed Signals (1997)
This movie is so ‘90s is practically comes with a pair of Jncos when you stream it.

Offspring (Season 6)
Aussie drama comedy about a 30-something obstetrician and her friends.

The Originals (Season 4)
“After a daring rescue, the Mikaelsons are reunited, only to find themselves faced with an even bigger threat: the revival of an ancient evil that has strong ties to their most vulnerable family member.” – Official CW site

Out of Thin Air (2017)
“Set within the stark Icelandic landscape, Out of Thin Air examines the 1976 police investigation into the disappearance of two men in the early 1970s.” – Official site

Proof of Life (2000)
Meg Ryan hires Russell Crowe to help negotiate the release of her engineer husband.

Police Academy (1984)
One of the greatest comedies of the ‘80s and why Steve “The Gutt” Guttenberg was a sex symbol for the better part of 20 years. Go ahead and spend the Saturday watching the antics of Carey Mahoney, Larvell Jones and Moses Hightower. It’s worth it.

Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
Probably one of the best movies Adam Sandler made in which he doesn’t rely on voices. Also, the best use of a song from the movie “Popeye” outside of the movie Popeye.

Spawn: The Movie (1997)
At one point, this was quite possibly one of the worse comic book movie ever made. But then Suicide Squad came out and made Spawn hold its drink…

Taking Lives (2004)
Angelina Jolie is a FBI profiler on the trailer of a serial killer in this completely forgettable movie that paid for the removal of Jolie’s final Billy Bob tattoo.

Titanic (1997)
It has been 20 years, and I’m sorry, but I’m still hung up on this: Rose could have totally shared that door with Jack. They could have spooned. Or 69’ed. Or taken turns in the water. Or just been half in/half out and still survived.

Instead of a trailer, here is a clip to the Mythbusters episode where they prove Rose is a greedy bitch.

The Truth Is in the Stars (2017)
Documentary explores Star Trek’s influence on the science community.

Witnesses (Season 2)
French television police drama that will get under your skin.

Zip & Zap and the Marble Gang (2013)
“Zip & Zap, Spain’s most beloved mischief makers, land on the big screen at last in this action-packed escapade, which pits the comic book heroes against the nefarious headmaster of a rural reform school.” – Official site

JULY 3

Diamond Cartel (2017)
Crime heist tale about a couple who rob the wrong man in a diamond deal gone sour in this Hong Kong actioner.

Extraordinary: The Stan Romanek Story (2016)
An indie doc that examines the the world’s most documented extraterrestrial contact story.

 

JULY 4

The Standups (Season 1; Netflix Original Series)
“Comedy’s freshest voices take the stage in LA for six half-hour specials packed with sly jokes, hilarious anecdotes and awkward confessions.”

 

JULY 5

iZombie (Season 3)
Liv was once a promising med student on the verge of getting married before a party gone wrong made her go zombie. Now she’s a platinum-haired cutie who spends her days in the morgue, eating the brains of crime victims and solving their murders. Brought to you by the good folks of Veronica Mars.

 

JULY 6

Speech & Debate (2017)
Adaptation of the Broadway play about a trio of misfit high schoolers who are pissed off at the system and those who run it.

The Void (2016)
Horror pic about a group of small town locals trapped in a hospital as strange, terrifying events begin to occur. A gem of a little horror pic.

Butter (2011)
A comedic look at the competitive world of butter carving.

So. That’s a thing.

 

JULY 7

Castlevania (Season 1; Netflix Original Series)
“A vampire hunter fights to save a besieged city from an army of otherworldly beasts controlled by Dracula himself. Inspired by the classic video games.”

Dawn of the Croods (Season 4; Netflix Original Series)
“The world’s first family is back for more laughs as they discover sports, sleepovers and other wonders in a world of exotic creatures and adventures.”

Degrassi: Next Class (Season 4; Netflix Original Series)
“Degrassi’s next generation of high-tech newbies and returning students navigates real-world high school drama. If you’re a teen, this is your life.”

Luna Petunia (Season 2; Netflix Original Series)
“With help from her magic toy chest, fun-loving Luna Petunia enters the fantastic land of Amazia, where adventures, friendship and learning await.”

1 Mile to You (Life At These Speeds) (2017)
Teen finds that he can connect to his dead sweetie during his runner’s high moments.

 

JULY 8

Bad Santa 2 (2016)
Thirteen years after the events of the first pic, Willie Soke returns just as miserable as ever, but now with a new charity to rip off and a somewhat distant family member to keep him going. Sorta.

The Horse Dancer (2017)
Based on the book of the same name about a gymnast who takes to horseback when her Olympic dreams of competing on the mat are dashed.

 

JULY 9

Lion (2016)
Based on the true story of an Indian man who finds his family after 25 years by using Google maps.

 

JULY 11

Gabriel Iglesias Presents The Gentleman Jerry Rocha (Netflix Original)
“Dallas-born comedian Jerry Rocha performs an irreverent comedy routine, sending up everything from scary bus trips to his super scary ex.”

 

JULY 14

Friends From College  (Season 1; Netflix Original Series)
“Twenty years after graduation, a tight-knit group of college friends reconnects and discovers that love hasn’t gotten easier with age.”

To the Bone  (Netflix Original Movie)
“Ellen, a 20-year-old with anorexia nervosa, goes on a harrowing, sometimes funny journey of self-discovery at a group home run by an unusual doctor.”

Chasing Coral (Netflix Original)
“An ad executive teams up with marine biologists and camera designers to capture evidence of how climate change is destroying breathtaking coral reefs.”

Buddy Thunderstruck: The Maybe Pile   (Netflix Original)
“Champion truck-racing dog Buddy and his best friend, ferret mechanic Darnell, paw through the “maybe pile” and test out a bunch of crazy stunts”

 

JULY 15

Rake (Season 4)
“Last seen dangling from a balloon drifting across Sydney, Cleaver Greene crashes back to earth – literally & metaphorically, through a harbourside window into the unwelcoming embrace of chaos past.” – Official site

 

JULY 17

A Cowgirl’s Story (2017)
Teen cowgirls struggle at home while their parents are deployed.

Seriously. This movie is so American is was delivered to Netflix by an eagle while a drinking a Coors.

Uncertain Glory (1944)
World War II action pic from Raoul Walsh and starring Errol Flynn and Paul Lukas.

 

JULY 18

Aditi Mittal: Things They Wouldn’t Let Me Say  (Netflix Original)
“One of the first women to perform stand-up comedy in India, Aditi Mittal opens up about life as a woman in her country in this new special.”

Ari Shaffir: Double Negative  (Netflix Original Special)

“Comedian and podcaster Ari Shaffir brings his edgy humor to two new original stand-up specials shot live in Austin, Texas.”

Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce (Season 3)
How to survive a divorce in your 40s: Be sassy, have a hairdresser on hand 24/7.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
A wonderful addition to the Star Wars universe, even if it is a multi-million dollar attempt to close a loophole.
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JULY 20

Pretty Little Liars (Season 7B)
A clique ceases to click when their leader goes missing and a blackmailer comes forth in this dark teen drama.

 

JULY 21

Last Chance U  (Season 3; Netflix Original Series)
“In a docuseries set at one of NCAA football’s most fertile recruiting grounds, guys with red flags seek to prove their worth on the field and in class.”

Ozark (Season 1; Netflix Original Series)
“In this dark, dangerous series, a family struggles after moving to an Ozarks resort community when they’re thrust into a world of dirty money.”

The Worst Witch  (Season 1; Netflix Original Series)
“After stumbling into a school for witches, a bumbling heroine comes to realize that she just might belong there. Based on Jill Murphy’s beloved books.”

 

JULY 22

Railroad Tigers (2017)
Jackie Chan action comedy about freedom fighter in the 1940s who attempts to steal back military provisions to help feed the poor. Like Robin Hood, but on a moving train and with better stunt doubles.

 

JULY 24

Victor (2016)
“Independent feature film is based on the true story of Victor Torres adapted from his inspiring autobiography Son of Evil Street, which tells the story of his experience migrating to Brooklyn as a teenager and falling victim to gangs and heroin, and his remarkable journey of faith and recovery that has lead to a lifetime of helping others in need.”

 

JULY 25

Joe Mande’s Award-Winning Comedy Special  (Netflix Original)
“Stand-up comic Joe Mande aims for critical adulation with this special that covers dating shows, Shark Tank, Jewish summer camp and much more.”

Munroe Island (2015)
“Keshu, a wayward but loving teenager, and his father come to their ancestral home in Munroe Island where the Grandfather lives with Kathu, the maid. Father wants to take Keshu for proper psychological treatment. But Grandfather, who is convinced that his son is fundamentally wrong, doesn’t support the idea.” – Official site

 

JULY 28

The Incredible Jessica James (Season 1; Netflix Original Series)
“Burned by a bad breakup, a struggling New York City playwright makes an unlikely connection with a divorced app designer she meets on a blind date.”

The Adventures of Puss in Boots (Season 5; Netflix Original Series)
“The world’s greatest feline fighter, lover and milk connoisseur takes on daring adventures in exotic locations in this family-friendly comedy series.”

 

JULY 31

After The Reality (2016)
Comedy about life after a reality show when a Bachelor-esque bro must deal with family issues

Being Mary Jane  (Season 5; Netflix Original Series)
“Ambitious single TV journalist Mary Jane attempts to balance her career with her overbearing family and an increasingly messy love life.”

Check Point (2016)
Starring Kane Hodder, Fred Williamson, William Forsythe and Tyler Mane as vagrants who defend America. You can practically feel the testosterone dripping off of the DVD cover when you see this CVS.

Dark Night (2017)
Six strangers take refuge at a local cineplex when mad man opens fire.

Taking Earth (2016)
Mediocre sci-fier about an alien invasion with above average effects and a Cannes premiere.

 

 

 

Marvel Needs a Superhero to Rival Wonder Woman – Could it be Captain Marvel?

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After a couple of below-par entries with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad, DC finally got its extended universe to gather some critical acclaim with Wonder Woman, which was released this year. The film, starring Gal Gadot as the Amazonian warrior, received a score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, and has served to bring to light how few comic book female heroines there are on the big screen. Although Marvel has led the way for some time in terms of revenue and world building, the studio may now be feeling it has missed a trick with its male-dominated line-up. Could Captain Marvel be their opportunity to rectify that?

Marvel’s 15 films that began with Iron Man in 2008 and most recently included Guardians of the Galaxy 2 have made over $11 billion worldwide, but there has never been a female playing the lead role. Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow has appeared in Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Captain America: Civil War, but for some reason the studio has never deemed the character worthy of having her own film. The Russian spy has been a mainstay in the comic book universe since 1964, which is longer than Black Panther, who first appeared in 1966. Black Panther is getting a standalone film next year, so why not Black Widow? Even Marvel products are dominated by male characters. The Marvel slot series has been discontinued by Playtech, but prior to that, the only slot featuring a female character was Elektra. There haven’t been any notable female-led console games either, with that market historically dominated by the likes of Spider-Man and the X-Men.

Captain Marvel should help Marvel solve this problem, but many people will be wondering why it’s taken the studio eleven years to put its faith in a female lead. The studio has released some information about the film, which is set for release in 2019. In the comic books, Captain Marvel has been a number of different characters, but for the films, the producers have opted for Carol Danvers, who will be played by Brie Larson. Larson most recently starred in Kong: Skull Island, but she has also excelled in a number of other roles in films including The Gambler, and Trainwreck.

As tends to be the case in the Marvel extended universe, the Captain Marvel character will be introduced in the upcoming Avengers film before she becomes the central protagonist of her own. Her role in Avengers: Infinity War is so far unknown. Originally she was supposed to appear at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron as part of a new line-up led by Captain America and Black Widow, so perhaps this will still be the case. After the success of DC’s Wonder Woman, Marvel desperately need to get this character right and make sure she can compete against the studio’s main rival. If not, then DC could gain the upper hand.

Android vs iPhone – What is The Truth About Which is Best?

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If you believe the predictions of KGI analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, it seems that the forecast premium iPhone 8 will support facial recognition. Kuo also suggested that the screen will form most of the front of the phone. This design feature is similar to that of the Samsung Galaxy S8. His other predictions for the phone are equally interesting. Meanwhile, Android developers and users have been alerted to the news that more than 300 apps being housed in Google Play have been identified as being used by hackers to make cash through virtual clicking.

There are positives and negatives associated with smartphones and their operating system (OS). In this case, the negatives are associated with Android, but this does not always apply. The truth is that, a lot of the time, choosing between iPhone and Android is a decision that people make with the heart rather than the head. So, positives and negatives do not always come into the equation, but we would advise using your head to make the choice. Here are some of the facts to help you.

Android and iOS phones – what are the differences

If you are not one of those people who has already chosen their allegiance, and is sticking to it, you should pay close attention to the following factors.

1. Choice of phone available

iOS is the Apple OS. This means that if you choose iOS you are limited to using Apple iPhones. On the flip side, there are hundreds of Android phones to choose from, these phones are produced by a range of manufacturers, including Huawei and Samsung. You can take a look at the best Android phones online, to help you make your decision. Getting your research right is important, so make sure you do not rush it.

2. Which is the best software?

In the past, iOS software development tended to be ahead of Android. Nowadays, most apps are available for both operating systems at the same time. This removes one of the main benefits of choosing an iPhone. You should have access to the same level of software, no matter which choice you make.

3. Can you customize the user experience?

Customization comes with both benefits and drawbacks. The Android OS is open source, which means that many different apps, and versions of apps, are available from many different sources. The OS itself can also be tweaked. This means that you can benefit from a varied user experience. The problem with this is that there can be security issues, which increase the incidence of malware. You only have to look at those 300+ apps that have recently been discovered, and you can see the potential dangers.

iOS is controlled by Apple. This means that if you are an iPhone user, you know exactly what to expect. Once you use one iPhone you can use them all. Many people like the stability that this provides. There is also less likelihood of malware when an OS is so controlled.

You need to decide between the benefits of an eclectic user experience and the benefits of a high level of control and security.

Of course, using all of this information to decide whether you want to be an Android or an iPhone user is just the start. You also need to look at what plans you can get, for the phone of your choice.

Deciding on a phone plan

You can research phone plans from home, by taking a look at all of the different providers, such as MetroPCS. Once you know what phones you want to look at, and what you need from a plan, look for Metro PCS store locations, and find the one closest to you. Then you can head down to the store to discuss the deals face-to-face. You want to make sure that you get the best possible result from the discussion, so here are some points you should include.

  • What functionality does a phone offer; such as screen definition and camera quality.
  • Is there a plan which closely fits with your smartphone usage?
  • Can you get a better deal based on information you have seen elsewhere; if another provider is offering the same package at a cheaper rate.
  • What are your responsibilities once you have signed up to a package?

Remember, you do not have to make a decision there and then. It’s better to take your time and make sure you are happy with your final decision.

iPhones and Android phones both have positives and negatives, as you can see just by looking at the latest news stories. If you have yet to decide which choice is best for you, consider differences such as phone options, customization

Legendary Horror Director John Carpenter Inks Overall Deal With Universal Cable Productions

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Universal Cable Productions (UCP) has announced an overall development deal with John Carpenter, the celebrated director of horror films including “Halloween,” “The Thing,” and “Escape from New York.” Under the new deal, Carpenter will executive produce scripted programming with UCP for the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment portfolio, as well as for external networks and streaming services, along with his producing partner, Sandy King, under their Storm King Productions banner. The announcement was made today by Dawn Olmstead, Executive Vice President, Development at UCP.

“John Carpenter is an incredible creator whose dark imagination has left an indelible mark in film and in our dreams,” said Olmstead. “We are thrilled to have a master of the horror genre join UCP.”

“I’m excited to partner with Universal Cable Productions on this venture into television.  On one hand it’s a return home to Universal where I have fond memories, and on the other it’s a step into the future with great new creative partners in programming,” said Carpenter.

UCP and Carpenter are already in development on “Tales for a Halloween Night” for SYFY. Based on Carpenter’s award-winning graphic novel anthology of stories where he brings together storytellers from the worlds of movies, novels, and comics for a collection of horror stories featuring graveyards, sunken ships, creepy crawlers and ghosts that will haunt your dreams long after you’ve finished reading.  A search for a writer is underway.

Additionally, UCP and Carpenter are developing “Nightside,” based on the literary series by New York Times bestselling author Simon R. Green, with Jill Blotevogel (“Scream: The TV Series”) attached to write the script. Nightside is the secret heart of London beating to its own rhythm, pumping lifeblood through the veins of its streets and alleys, hidden in eternal darkness where creatures of the night congregate and where the sun is afraid to shine. It’s the place to go if you’re looking to indulge the darker side of your nature—and to hell with the consequences.

“Tales for a Halloween Night” and “Nightside” are the latest addition to UCP’s impressive genre development slate. The award-winning studio is in various stages of production and script development on a range of series including: “Happy!” for SYFY; “The Sinner,” “Damnation,” and “Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G” for USA Network; “The Purge” for USA Network and SYFY; “All That Glitters” for Bravo; and “Impulse” for YouTube Red.

A native of Carthage, NY, Carpenter attended Western Kentucky University and the USC School of Cinema, where he began working on “Dark Star.” His breakthrough film, “Halloween,” spawned several sequels. He further cemented his reputation as a master of the genre with hits including “Escape From New York,” “The Thing,” “They Live,” and “Big Trouble in Little China.”  On the small screen, Carpenter directed the mini-series “Elvis,” and Showtime’s horror trilogy “John Carpenter Presents Body Bags” as well as two episodes of STARZ “Masters of Horror.”     On Halloween 2014, Carpenter introduced the world to the next phase of his career with “Vortex,” the first single from Lost Themes, his first album of non-soundtrack material which achieved numerous international milestones and affirmed Carpenter’s lasting influence on genre score work. Lost Themes II was released with much fanfare, April of 2016, kicking off a twenty-nine city international tour around the world.

Sandy King has produced major theatrical hits including “They Live” and “John Carpenter’s Vampires.” For television she produced “John Carpenter’s Body Bags.” She continues to expand her comic book universe by both creating and writing the award-winning “Asylum” series. King also created, edited and writes stories for “Tales for a Halloween Night” along with Carpenter.

 

Carpenter and King are represented by APA and Stankevich Law, Inc. Jill Blotevogel is represented by APA and McKuin Frankel Whitehead LLP. Simon Green is represented by APA and JABberwocky Literary Agency.

 

On ‘Blade Runner’ and the Prospects of a Worthy Sequel

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Things are getting exciting. I’ve followed the production of the forever-in-the-coming sequel to Blade Runner since it was announced a few years ago, and with bated breath as well as some tempered expectations—and as little cynicism as possible—I’m primed for the upcoming October 6 release of Blade Runner 2049.

I’m somewhat disappointed Ridley Scott is not directing, but am encouraged he had a hand in crafting the story and is executive producing. I’m a big fan of director Denis Villeneuve—both Sicario and Arrival are exceptionally well crafted and finely acted. Cinematographer Roger Deakins is a certifiable legend. Harrison Ford is back. And judging from his evocative scores for those two previous Villeneuve films, composer Jóhann Jóhannsson will answer Vangelis’ 1982 themes with new music that is contemporary and unique but also, hopefully, similar in mood to the first film. I’ll be keeping an eye on how well the picture balances traditional practical visual effects with inevitable CGI, and I trust the new story in Blade Runner 2049 will enhance and not contradict or undermine my memory of and love for the original.

Anyone who’s ever talked movies with me at length knows that Ridley Scott’s 1982 film Blade Runner is up there on my list of favorite and most influential films. But unlike other personal favorite and influential movies such as Raiders of the Lost Ark or The Godfather or Star Wars or Superman or Willy Wonka—beloved and absolutely perfect movies that stand the test of time and are utterly impervious to criticism—I don’t get my knickers in a twist when somebody tells me they watched Blade Runner but didn’t really like it for this reason or that reason.

If somebody were ever to voice to me a gripe about the films of Indiana Jones, or Darth Vader, I’d probably go cross-eyed as they tried to explain their ludicrous reason why, I’ll maybe hear them out for the sake of being polite, but that person will instantly seem substantially less cool to me no matter their silly rationale.

But it’s totally cool if you don’t like Blade Runner because there’s still a lot to talk about. I’ll listen to any intelligent criticism of Blade Runner because it’s the sort of picture that rewards closer scrutiny, presents contradictions and ambiguities, and ultimately invites discourse. It’s the sort of love/hate film that separates casual movie-goers from passionate film lovers. It’s one of those penetrating films that demands a more sophisticated viewer compared to one of those countless silly movies intended purely and solely as escapism.

In other words, there’s lots of “there” there in Blade Runner—I challenge any viewer who possibly dislikes sci-fi, or who maybe finds the movie’s pace to be lagging, or who perhaps finds the future world depicted to be just too darned oppressive, to not at least find something within the film to admire and study. In fact, love it or hate it, it’s neigh impossible to not be affected by at least one of the film’s plentiful signature elements.

To fully appreciate the vast and enduring influence of Blade Runner, one has only to consider the dozens of subsequent films, commercials, and music videos made in its wake that emulate its visual style—be it via homage to its mood and aesthetic or simply by pilfering its costumes, architecture, lighting techniques, and camera angles. Furthermore, Blade Runner’s overcrowded, corporate-logoed, and neon-splashed vision of a hellish 2019 Los Angeles has pretty much served as the template for all future dystopias, from The Fifth Element and Minority Report to Dark City and The Matrix and beyond.

Like most viewers in 1982, my initial dance with Blade Runner was not immediately gratifying, but my liaison with the film lingered stubbornly in my mind, haunted my daydreams, and infiltrated my sleep. Slowly, thanks to VHS and HBO and the Criterion Collection, the movie seeped into my blood, bore itself into my mind, and, like with all those significant and sacred films we each take personal ownership of, eventually become what it is now: a personal filmic totem that encapsulates my passion for cinema.

Yet I can appreciate why Blade Runner will leave some folks cold. It’s certainly science fiction—some movie-goers don’t particularly like sci-fi, go figure—but it’s also more of a grimy film noir detective mystery than a slick action thriller, the pacing is deliberate, its bleak vision of the future does not allow for much in the way of humor, and its contemplative themes of memory, death, artificiality, and man versus maker are heavier than your typical summer movie fare.

As for Harrison Ford, the man we all came to see because we loved him as Han Solo and as Indiana Jones, it’s unfortunate that his character Rick Deckard never gets any true audience-pleasing moments. Remember Indy’s can’t-be-bothered gun pull on the uppity swordsman in Raiders? Or Han Solo’s damn-the-torpedoes flight through an asteroid field, or his “I know” retort to Leia in The Empire Strikes Back? You won’t find any of that crowd-rousing stuff in Blade Runner. It’s admittedly a tougher nut to crack, but once penetrated the film’s rewards are myriad.

Like any decent cult classic, the film was poorly received by audiences and overlooked (or misunderstood) by critics. Blade Runner’s eternal post-cinema afterlife—from the early days of VHS, laserdisc, and cable TV, all the up to way to DVDs, Blu-rays, web streaming, and a forthcoming HD4K release—is one of the earliest textbook examples of how home video can lend renewed life to a challenging and hard-to-categorize movie that didn’t connect with audiences at the time of its initial theatrical release. Who knows how differently moviegoers would have reacted to the exact same film had it been made a year before Raiders of the Lost Ark or filmed sometime after Harrison Ford had done something else serious and Oscar-friendly like Witness or The Mosquito Coast. In any other universe without home video, our memories of Blade Runner would likely have dissolved long ago like tears in rain.

Thanks to the fan base born of the film’s popularity on home video, Sir Ridley Scott has had an opportunity to rejigger and reissue the film on two separate occasions. A 1992 “Director’s Cut” version excises the extra gore seen in the home video and International edition, drops the happy getaway ending, inserts an enigmatic unicorn dream sequence, and, most crucially, removes Ford’s leaden voiceover narration.

The 2007 “Final Cut” is essentially the same as the 1992 version with the extra bits of gore restored, but also with a gorgeously remastered soundtrack and picture. Notably, the visual effects in the 2007 edition have been subtly augmented with some effective but surprisingly restrained CGI (suspension wires have finally been removed; the iris of the giant eye in the opening sequence now reacts to the light of the erupting refinery; the horizon of the cityscape is farther away and more detailed; a few nagging lip-synching issues are tidied up; and, most crucially, Zhora’s iconic death scene has been digitally fixed so that now it’s actress Joanna Cassidy’s face we see crashing through the plates of glass instead of some butch stuntwoman wearing a terrible wig.

Through the magic of DVD/Blu-Ray, the mega-geek-out collectible edition of Blade Runner offers no fewer than five versions of the film: the spiffy 2007 “Final Cut” edition; the two 1982 theatrical releases (both with narration, one with the extra gore); the 1992 “Director’s Cut” edition (no narration, no gore); and a rare “workprint” version of the film with different main titles, alternate editing, and a temporary music track. And no gore. That five-version package also includes a terrific feature-length making-of documentary, and its assortment of extras and commentaries makes it an essential film-school-in-a-box for lovers of the movie who want to know about every aspect of its production.

I have revisited Blade Runner dozens of times and am so utterly awestruck by Ridley Scott’s immersive vision that the film never grows tiresome. Thirty-five years later, I remain dazzled by the film’s glorious and decrepit production design, its fashionable costumes, its mesmerizing cinematography, its wonderful practical effects, and its trippy dances of light. I am still easily entranced by its seething sonic textures and especially Vangelis’ ethereal score—a richly textured soundscape that, like the film’s populace, is a mélange of the synthetic and the organic.

The story’s ideas still hold my imagination. The supporting cast is a who’s-who of some of the most impressionable faces in the movies, distinctive character actors we all recognize and who lend an immediate gravitas to every film in which they appear. And then there’s Harrison Ford in his gleaming prime, starring in his first post-Lucas leading role—the first of many “serious” parts that demanded more from him as an actor than merely wiseacre swagger and a strong jawline. He acquits himself handsomely, despite his character’s relative lack of physical heroics.

For the record, my favorite version of Blade Runner is the 1982 International version, with the notorious voiceover narration intact, with the extra graphic violence, and with the sunny happy getaway ending cobbled together from Stanley Kubrick’s Shining outtakes. Though it’s not the version I saw on the big screen at the Budco Regency in Philadelphia—and heard at such full-blast volume that my father complained to the theater manager—it’s the version I grew up with on VHS, the version I played again and again, the version I slowly fell in love with it, the version I memorized from end to end.

Maybe it’s nostalgia, but I have come to love the original 1982 version’s clunky narration, and I have a soft spot for the scrappiness of its dated imperfections (those visible cables in model shots; that obvious stunt double standing in for Joanna Cassidy; the voiceover flub revealing a missing sixth Replicant who was cut from the film; and so on). I admire the 1992 “Director’s Cut” iteration because that version doesn’t clobber me over the head with the studio-mandated voiceover exposition and, without that narration, the film’s intoxicating soundscape plays out undisturbed.

The 2007 “Final Cut” version is a nice treat for the same reasons but more so for its digital corrections and because it offers the best possible visual and sonic experience.

Yet, despite the general dislike for the voiceover, whenever I view the 1992 or 2007 edition, I cannot help but hear that droning narration track playing in the back of my head.

 


Harley, Ivy, Betty, Veronica: Gotham City Meets Riverdale in New Comic Book Crossover

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DC Entertainment and Archie Comics are proud to present the adventure of a lifetime with HARLEY & IVY MEET BETTY & VERONICA. Their hijinks are brought to you by the real-life team-up of Paul Dini (HARLEY QUINN) and Marc Andreyko (WONDER WOMAN ’77), with art by Laura Braga (DC BOMBSHELLS). It all starts this October as these teams of best gal pals cross paths between Gotham and Riverdale!

“It’s the sort of offer you scream out ‘YES!’ to before your eyes reach the middle of the email,” said Dini. “I’ve always wanted the chance to play in Riverdale, and to help Harley and Ivy invade it is a dream come true.  Marc’s a great talent and a good friend. Writing this series with him has been like sitting on the lawn during summer vacation and reading a big pile of DC and Archie comics.  Except we have to stay indoors and type a lot.”

“It’s going to be a blast to bring these amazing ladies together in this once-in-a-lifetime crossover,” said Braga. “Each character is different and special. While Harley is one of my favorite characters ever, Betty and Veronica are giving her a run for her money! I love all these ladies, and this book is going to be non-stop fun. ”

“When I got the call for this, I was in disbelief!” said Andreyko. “Getting to co-write with Paul on a series bringing four of the most iconic ladies in comics together under one roof for the first time? This must be what winning the lottery feels like! I cannot wait for readers to see what mischief Paul, Laura and I have dreamed up!”

HARLEY & IVY MEET BETTY & VERONICA starts with a plan for free college tuition for all Riverdale residents. The town just needs to build a new campus by draining the wetlands that lie between Riverdale and Gotham City.

The only snag? A certain botany-obsessed super-villain.

When Poison Ivy enlists her bestie Harley to kidnap both Veronica Lodge, daughter of Riverdale’s most important citizen, and her friend Betty, she’s counting on some assistance—and mayhem. Are these two teams of BFF’s headed for disaster?

“Betty and Veronica are the most iconic friends in comic book history, and now, thanks in no small part to the success of the Riverdale TV show, in pop culture,” said Archie Comics Publisher/CEO Jon Goldwater. “It made tons of sense to have them crossover with DC’s own female powerhouses, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy. What you’ll get is a fun story that honors the history of both pairs and adds to it – which is what all great crossovers do. We’re excited by this partnership and we can’t wait for the fans to see what Paul, Marc and Laura cook up.”

“Two of comics’ coolest villains paired with two of comics’ hottest icons are what cross-publisher team-ups were made for,” said DC Entertainment Editor-in-Chief Bob Harras.

HARLEY & IVY MEET BETTY & VERONICA #1 is on sale October 4, 2017. Cover is by Amanda Conner (shown) and variant cover will be by Adam Hughes.

 

SDCC17: ‘Twin Peaks’ Merch At The Con

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That show you like is coming back in style…

With the annual gathering of the Nerd Herd just a few weeks away, attentions turn to San Diego, which means planning for parties, panels and pinching pennies for all sorts of SDCC exclusives.

In the midst other the thousands upon thousands of Harley Quinn figures and the hulking t-shirt towners on the convention floor, there are little goodies here and there for fans of the newly-returned Twin Peaks.

The showtime return of David Lynch’s brilliant contribution to ‘90s primetime schedule is a big hit amongst many a comic book crossover convention goers, so it’s only natural that there be a few goodies on the convention floor for fans to fawn over.

Here are a few of the latest offering coming out to the convention for the toy hounds, crazed collectors and Coop-loving coffee drinkers to begin to lust over:

 

Entertainment Earth’s Twin Peaks Sign Monitor Mate Bobble

A convention exclusive, this desk accessory stands 3 1/2-inches tall and can stick to the top of your monitor.

Order online or  get it at San Diego Comic-Con 2017 at the Entertainment Earth Booth #2343!

 

Funko’s Twin Peaks: Black Lodge Cooper & Laura 2-Pack

Before they make their way to a Hot Topic near you, get them first on the convention floor. Featuring Black Lodge Agent Cooper and “My Arms Bend Backward” Laura Palmer, these adorable Funko Pops! will have you craving coffee and talking backwards in no time.

Oh, did you want more Funko Pop! figures featuring more adorable versions of the crazed characters? Don’t worry. They released a whole line of them:

 

Twin Peaks Funko 4-Pack

 Now you can recreate the pilot episode on your own with this Funko four-pack. Featuring dead Laura wrapped in plastic, the Log Lady, Bob and Agent Cooper, create your own episodes.

* Owls, pie, coffee and mood music not included.

 

Twin Peaks Agent Cooper Bobble Head

Another convention exclusive from Entertainment Earth, you can now bring home the clean cut version of the by-the-book agent before his doppleganger left the Lodge. Featuring his coffee and his recorder to make notes for Diane, Agent Cooper is always ready for your statement.

 

Twin Peaks: Welcome to Twin Peaks Tin Tote

 Show your your love for the kooky little logging town with your very own lunchbox. Featuring the iconic sign from the show, this lunchbox says, “I’m not as hardcore as the kids with KISS lunchboxes…but I have my moments. And probably a cherry pie in here.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome To The Planet: ‘Injustice 2’ Rules The Week

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Injustice 2 continues to dominate in quality, but that is not to say the other books are any weaker.

The weakest stories came from Green Lanterns and Cyborg, but it is personal taste and slow storyline fatigue.

In case you haven’t picked then up Green Arrow and Savage Things both more that deserve a shot at your pull list.

This is my look into the DC Universe this week!

 

GREEN LANTERNS #26
The First Ring
Written by Sam Humphries
Art by Ronan Cliquet
Cover by Mike McKone & Jason Wright
Variant by Andrew Marino

Volthoom may be causing havoc in the here and now, fighting the newly graduated Simon Baz & Jessica Cruz but his beginnings were far back in time.

A time when before the Green Lanterns, the spectrum of colours forged a single ring, one that was pure and embodied all emotion. Volthoom wasn’t always a villain, he was corrupted by his experiences and it took all the power of the Guardians to defeat him.

Volthoom may well have been the beginnings of the Lanterns but this is his story and his beginnings could lead to the end of Simon & Jessica.

You know how people always say the Star Wars Prequels were unnecessary? That Prometheus and Covenant weakened the Alien franchise?

Well this is not the exception, The First Ring is interesting, entertaining, but ultimately it is a watered down origin story that does nothing to strengthen the mythos of the Green Lanterns. I understand Humphries wants to make Simon & Jessica have a closer bond to the Corps but I don’t feel Volthoom is the character to do it.

Still this issue was all flashback, so perhaps its just a minor bump in the road.

 

GREEN ARROW #26
Hard Travelling Hero Part 1: Speed Mountain
Written by Benjamin Percy
Art by Stephen Byrne
Cover by Otto Schmidt
Variant by Mike Grell & Lovern Kindzierinski

Ollie is a wanted man, he’s skipped bail and knowing the Ninth Circle is still out there has given him new purpose.

While chasing up leads his path crosses with some animals sporting super speed and the appearance of an old ally.

The Speed Force is leaking into our world and the evil organisation Black Hole is responsible. The Flash is more than suited for the task if it wasn’t for their partners… The Ninth Circle!

A Speed Force bomb has been created and unless Barry & Ollie cast aside their differences America will fall.

Remember the horror that was ‘Grounded’? Superman’s road trip across America? No? Good for you.

This story is happily nothing like that and the new direction for Ollie feels fresh and interesting. Despite the popularity of the television shows I had no desire to see Arrow & The Flash meet for a team up, then when it actually happens the fact it’s taken this long doesn’t bother you as it is brilliantly written and doesn’t feel like a cash in, or disjointed from the narrative of Ollie’s quest to defeat the Ninth Circle.

 

CYBORG #14
Singularity Aftermath
Written by John Semper Jr.
Art by Will Conrad
Cover by Eric Canete & Guy Major
Variant by Carlos D’Anda

Things have gotten out of control and Anomaly isn’t even in charge anymore. Going through the Boom Tube has resulted in a trip to a potential future, a dystopia where the OTAC virus has taken over the world and only Exxy, Variant and Cyborg are alive to stop it.

Vic is stunned to find Beast Boy as part of the resistance and a long lost relative may be their only hope against the mecha-humans.

The resistance reveals there is a cure to the OTAC virus but former heroes The Metal Men hold the key…

The story continues… what more can I say? This book feels just like a soap opera. I love the concept, I’ve found for the most past some brilliant stories that have formed an overall arc but it just seems neverending.

A cliche for a comic book is the never ending battle, but Vic never seems to have a moment to allow for variety or actual superheroics. I feel like a broken record here but this story really does need to end so Vic can continue in a new direction. Even traveling to a potential future offers nothing different.

The potential is there and I hope Semper Jr. will get the opportunity to move Cyborg forward.

 

SAVAGE THINGS #5
Written by Justin Jordan
Art by Ibrahim Moustafa
Cover by Jean Paul Leon

The city has succumbed to chaos.

While Kira and Abel try to fight their way to Cain not only are the villain’s henchmen out to kill them but so are the emergency services along with citizens gripped with fear.

Was this Cain’s plan all along and what does Black Forest really want?

As the truth is revealed Abel may be out of his depth on a mission that is doomed to fail if he and Kira cannot be stop his ‘brother’.

A riot is a notoriously difficult thing to write.

I cannot even begin to guess how it would be illustrated but interspersed with the flashbacks, it helps what would be quite full on time to decompress into a fully fleshed out story that doesn’t lose the storyline thread along the way.

I’m still curious as to why Kira would continue to allow herself to be enraptured by Cain & Abel’s conflict but she does add something new to the table. The human angle that anchors the storyline is Kira herself, while Cain & Abel’s conflict is the drive that moves it towards a climax.

Jordan & Moustafa deserve recognition come awards time for a complex and brilliant story to be immersed in.

 

JUSTICE LEAGUE #24
Fury
Written by Dan Abnett
Art by Ian Churchill
Cover by Paul Pelletier, Sandra Hope & HiFi
Variant by Nick Bradshaw & Alex Sinclair

The League are alerted to a superstorm focusing on the heart of Atlantis, but when they race to help they find an angry Mera, who reveals that Arthur has been overthrown.

Mera , now a Queen without a kingdom, unleashes unimaginable power against all who oppose her and even those trying to help.

The League arrives to calm her fury and in a surprising turn of events give her a place in the Watchtower and a new beginning.

The issue is one very long convoluted fight sequence.

It is, we are told, linked to goings on in Aquaman but it a pretty flimsy story.

It gives Ian Churchill an amazing opportunity to showcase some superb art skill but aside from some spectacular layouts the issue offers nothing new until the climax. Abnett is no fool, there is a reason the issue is sparse on story and big on spectacle… the climax is the curve ball and pay off that nobody was expecting.

I won’t spoil the ending of course, but suffice to say, if it sticks it offers some opportunity for some fantastic new stories.

 

INJUSTICE 2 #5
Hostile Takeover
Written by Tom Taylor
Art by Bruno Redondo & Vicente Cifuentes
Cover Bruno Redondo, Juan Albarran & Alejandro Sanchez

Ra’s versus Bruce as the two forge their armies for the coming inevitable conflict.

Meanwhile, Jaime Reyes struggles to control the power of the scarab to be the hero his mentor once was.

With fate in the balance, Ted can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is about to happen and when his old friend Booster reappears, he realises this may be the end for him.

When Ra’s attacks Kord and several other big company headquarters across the globe, Ted makes a last stand.

What does this mean for the balance of power, and now that Booster has made one last appearance, and which way will the balance shift?

Tom Taylor gives us a dual tale, both with impact, one in the long term and one in the short term but neither weaker than the other.

In point of fact, the story of Ra’s and Bruce amassing their forces for a battle royale is secondary to the story of Booster Gold and Blue Beetle knew was coming one day.

The powerful and emotional tale of this final mission is one that with be on my mind for a long time to come… For many this is just a tie in comic, but for those that have read it so far, they will tell you it is one powerful book that is strong enough by itself.

 

HARLEY QUINN #23
The Family Circles – Part 2: Manners & Other Matters
Written by Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti & Paul Dini
Art by John Timms & Brett Blevins
Cover by Amanda Conner & Alex Sinclair
Variant by Frank Cho & Sabine Rich

While Harley Quinn takes Goat Boy on a date to meet her parents, Red Tool goes to meet Poison Ivy to discover the machinations of her evil plotting.

The dinner with the folks is already uncomfortable but when you add a surprise attack by Clock King and Sportsmaster and it suddenly becomes a party…for Harley and her violent side.

Over in “Harley Loves Joker”, while the remodeling of the new base moves along a bored Joker starts to plot a new vendetta against his deadliest foe.

As uncomfortable dates go, this is right up there. This book has the most off the wall characters as cast members and bizarre series of circumstance.

Part of the books charm is its less than conventional storytelling, its warped sense of humour and comical yet deadly violent streak.

This issue doesn’t buck the trend at all and puts a spin on meet the parents that will make you cringe (in humour) and while the dinner from hell continues, Red Tool goes after Harley’s former best friend who has a plot of her own that only Red can find the answers to.

 

EVERAFTER THE PAGES OF FABLES #11
Part 11
Written by Dave Justus & Lilah Sturges
Art by Travis Moore
Cover by Tula Lotay

Kara Bass reveals more than the the team were ready for with devastation in her wake.

Peter meanwhile is on a quest but he is putting his life on the line for the hunt.

Meanwhile after the siege on the school, the Shadow Hunters barely have time to draw breath before they are faced with even deadlier threats. Can they survive?

After the siege, the gears shift in the story as we explore other characters in the Shadow Hunters roster and allies…

Peter seeking out artifacts is an interesting new direction but by far it is the Shadow Hunters themselves and their new quest that really pushes the books progression.

Unlike the siege, this story doesn’t yet feel like is a strong direction to move forward in but it is the first story following a very strong introduction and Kara Bass’ is a worthy successor in the supernatural series.

 

My Top 10 N64 Games And What They Meant To Me

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We recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Nintendo 64 here in the UK.

The N64 was groundbreaking back in 1997 (or 1996 for you lucky Americans) as it was the bridge between 2D and 3D gaming for Nintendo and many of it’s releases set a standard for the industry. For example, The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina of Time helped to bring vast, open worlds to consoles, something largely dominated by PC titles back then.

Many of the camera movements in the game as well as other core N64 titles such as Super Mario 64 were also implemented throughout the industry.

Perhaps the only thing it wasn’t at the forefront of was the use of game discs as the N64 was the only console of its time to still utilise cartridges. Secretly, I think those of us who grew up with cartridges were grateful that one console was still holding on to them.

A truly innovative games console, I want to pay homage to Nintendo’s 64-bit central procession unit and so have compiled a list of my ten favourite N64 games and what they meant to me.

 

1. The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time

Hailed by many as one of the best games of all time (and rightly so, in my opinion) this game brought Link and the land of Hyrule to life in glorious 3D. Finally I could see the character I had adored for so long in gorgeous, albeit blocky detail. When this game was released, I began drawing Link and soon my bedroom wall was adorned with my crude pencil sketches, covering up the various boybands and National Geographic tiger posters that had long decorated my room.

Riding across the vast plains of Hyrule on Epona as the sun rose in-game was one of my favourite things, the accompanying musical sting was just perfect. I couldn’t believe how big the map was and I was genuinely in awe of this game. No game since has quite replicated that feeling which is why I love this game so much.

 

2. Goldeneye 007

I didn’t even like the Bond films back then and to be honest, I still don’t but I love this game so much. You know that objective based first person shooter you’re currently playing? Well, Goldeneye 007 sort of did it first and they even had 4 player local co-op.

I still enjoy playing this game and during my university days, one of my housemates booted up his N64 and we spent entire evenings on it, reminiscing about the days when you could play multiplayer games on one console together.

 

3. Super Mario 64

One of the first titles I played on the N64, this game blew my mind. It’s worth mentioning I was 11 years old at the time and up until this point had only ever known characters in games to move from left to right or jump upward.

Multi-directional controls were confusing as hell to begin with, consistently walking diagonally by mistake or failing to think in terms akin to actual spatial awareness. It’s laughable thinking back to how difficult I found the N64 controls at first but as with all technology, I picked it up relatively quickly and was soon excitably exploring every corner of the map.

 

4. Perfect Dark

Built on the success of Goldeneye 007, this was another first person shooter and spy game from Rare with added sci-fi elements and at the time of the games release, I was really into The X-Files TV show and it appealed to me immensely.

I also enjoyed the stat system and the level of customisation in the game because this was at a time when these features were relatively new. Sure, it had some issues but I forgave it’s inconsistent frame rate because I loved the fact I was able to play a female agent. She might not have been Dana Scully but Joanna Dark was a badass operative with a flawless record. How could I not like her?

 

5. Super Smash Bros.

This game provided high-school me with many hours of cathartic adolescent rage release. I was young and hormonal, stressed out from copious amounts of homework and had nowhere to channel my emotional stress but as soon as Super Smash Bros. stepped into the ring, it all went away. The combination of various Nintendo characters across titles and addictive arcade fighting game mechanics was a thing of joy.

And who knew I longed to punch Kirby square in the face on Planet Zebes as Donkey Kong? Clearly, someone at Nintendo had picked up on something deep within my subconscious. It was also super fun and refreshing to play a version of Link that didn’t involve puzzle solving.

 

6. Banjo-Kazooie

Who needs a dumb plumber and his brother when you can play as a dynamic duo consisting of an anthropomorphic honey bear and a brightly coloured bird? It was definitely quirkier than most other platformers, even Mario games.

If you think smashing blocks with your head to find coins, eating mushrooms to change size or jumping into sewage pipes is weird, Banjo the bear and Kazooie the bird collected puzzle pieces and musical notes in order to save Banjo’s sister from a witch who wanted to steal her beauty.

The game was a great alternative to Super Mario 64 for those who might have been suffering from Mario fatigue at the time but ultimately it was the fun, endearing and memorable characters that really stuck out for me.

 

7. Mario Kart 64

This game, along with Goldeneye 007, defined my adolescent multiplayer gaming experience. It was one of the only games that you could justifiably purchase extra controllers for (unless you were that kid with the weird looking, knock-off version of the controller which always ended up with a broken button).

Mario Kart 64 will forever remain my favourite in the series and I’m well aware I’m basing this purely on nostalgia. Regardless, it taught me much about myself in my early teens, mainly that I had a mean competitive streak that I hadn’t witnessed before but still possess today.

 

8. The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

This was the second Zelda game to be released on the N64 and was an amazing follow up to Ocarina of Time. A game like no other, Majora’s Mask was like the cooler, slightly aloof older brother I never had who let me sip on a bottle of beer stolen from my parents fridge.

It had a different vibe to its predecessor with a dark storyline of impending doom, repeating timelines and an overly creepy atmosphere. It was a game that awakened my appreciation of off-the-wall, alternative games and sparked my interest in Japanese culture through use of Japanese myths, fairytales, masks and Noh theatre.

 

9. Paper Mario

I know what you’re thinking and yes, there are a lot of Mario titles on this list but er…in case you hadn’t noticed, this is a list for a Nintendo console! You might think that creating a 2D game on a brand new console capable of 3D might potentially be a bad idea but somehow, it just worked.

Perhaps it was down to the incredibly cute, paper effects or maybe it was just a really solid RPG with interesting, dynamic battles. Sure it was the same storyline as practically every other Mario game before it but isn’t familiarity kind of Nintendo’s thing?

 

10. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

Cue violins (or sombre, acoustic versions of 90s punk rock songs) because this game was the last ever cartridge produced for the N64. It was a direct port from the PlayStation version, the only real difference being a lack pixelated skaters.

This meant you could kick flip as much as you wanted and still be surrounded by good-looking environments without losing as much image quality. It definitely paved the way for skating games to come and the N64 version has long been my favourite of the genre. The soundtrack introduced me to so many awesome bands too!

Thanks for memories Nintendo and thank you for shaping my childhood. I offer my immense gratitude for bringing my beloved Link to 3D, encouraging my competitive streak and for giving me the chance to continue blowing onto cartridges well into the 2000s.

I would thank you for the innovative controller design but we all know that’s a hilarious joke and I’m totally the first person to comment on it. Seriously though…what were you thinking?

What are your favourite N64 games? Let us know in the comments!

Graphic Breakdown: Top Awards For ‘Batman’, ‘Deathstroke’ &‘Shade The Changing Girl’

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Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!

We’re in the middle of summer and things are heating up over at DC!

Here are this week’s reviews!

 

Batman #26
Written by Tom King
Illustrated by Mikel Janin

Tom King may have found his groove here on this title.

Finally.

“The War of Jokes and Riddles” storyline is, in fact, fantastic thus far.

I know they started King off with David Finch as a collaborator on this Batman title, but Mikel Janin is a much better fit working with King. They make for a good team.

What’s great about this issue, King has the villains choose their sides.

They can choose between the Joker or they can choose The Riddler.

The inner workings of who they decide is pretty damn awesome.

If they don’t decide? Well, they are dealt with pretty harshly.

King seems to be on fire all of a sudden here in making a unique Batman book. Janin is an artist who has come into his own. Pick up this storyline. It’s shaping up to be a classic.

RATING: A

 

Deathstroke #21
Written by Christopher Priest
Illustrated by Diogenes Neves

Another issue of Deathstroke hits the stands and it’s another great issue. This is the start of a new storyline and it’s a great starting point for new readers. Priest really knows how to mix it up and this issue shows us how much.

Deathstroke comes back from his little visit from the Speed Force a changed man! Slade is now on the side of justice. He’s dedicated to it too.

The world however isn’t very accepting of his new career path.

Even when he recruits some former Teen Titans to work alongside him, nobody is buying it.

It’s a brand new direction for this title. Has Slade turned to the good side? Priest keeps the reader guessing. He’s just a master of the character at this point. The art is pretty damn good as well. Neves may have found his niche here on this character.

This is a good book that is solid throughout. Pick it up. Well worth your time.

RATING: A

 

Bane: Conquest#3
Written by Chuck Dixon
Illustrated by Graham Nolan

This nutty comic book makes you feel like you’re back in the 1990’s reading Batman.

This is definitely the Chuck Dixon Batman: Full of action, light on dialogue, and a ton of fun. I’m enjoying this series very much for its simplicity.

Batman and Bane have escaped from Damocles. They had to team up to do so. There is a problem though. Batman and Bane don’t like each other! This leads to some great conflict between the two. Dixon keeps us interested throughout.

Graham Nolan does a good job on art as well. He uses clean lines that make the storytelling easy to follow.

Pick this up. It’s a fun read for sure.

RATING: B

 

Nightwing #24
Written by Tim Seeley
Illustrated by Miguel Mendonca

I’m completely bored by this title by this point. This is one of the few titles that was actually better before the Rebirth event.

I feel like every month I read this and I think about how this could be better. This month is no different.

Nightwing fights against Tiger Shark and the minions he put together.

It’s a very standard issue that may surprise you…if you’ve never read a comic book before.

Dick Grayson is a good character and I feel like this isn’t the character I grew up with.

I fault Seeley for not engaging me as a reader.

The art is perfectly fine, but without the character and the excitement we are left with a standard comic book. A boring, standard comic book.

RATING: C

 

Shade The Changing Girl #10
Written by Cecil Castellucci
Illustrated by Marley Zarcone

This wonderful comic book may be the best new series in the past year. Castellucci really knows how to write, and this is just a beautiful tale.

Putting Shade on a road trip is pretty damn spectacular and I really enjoyed every second of it thus far. It’s a joyful, emotional book from cover to cover.

Shade heads over from Gotham City to the wonderful world of New Mexico to a nuclear test site. It’s also the setting of her favorite television show call “Life With Honey.” But there are ghosts amidst this site that Shade starts noticing.

This book really is unique. The art by Zarcone is just perfect for this book. It compliments the writing perfectly and creates a world all of its own. Pick this title up. It’s one of the best currently out there.

RATING: A

 

Superman #26
Written by Michael Moreau
Illustrated by Scott Godlewski

It had to happen. The last twenty five issues of Superman have been quite excellent. It’s been one of the best titles on the market actually.

Then, we get this. The dreaded fill in issue.

Thankfully, it’s not as bad as I initially thought it might be.

Superman and Superboy hang out in this issue like a father and son should. You know, if that father and son had superpowers. They have a little vacation as it were and they get to know each other a little more.

I miss Tomasi and Gleason but this isn’t bad. It’s a decent enough issue with some pretty good art.

Yet, it doesn’t have the spark or shine that I’m used to. The best part is the alternate cover by Lee Weeks.

Still, if you’re a completist this isn’t so bad.

You won’t be angry or anything having read it.

RATING: B

 

DC Comics Bombshells #30
Written by Marguerite Bennett
Illustrated by Various

I never knew this title existed. It’s written by the ever reliable Marguerite Bennett.

But what was it I wondered. I picked up this, not having read the previous 29 issues.

So I was admittedly confused.

Still, Bennett is a good writer and I could follow it enough to make sense of it.

The original team of Bombshells fight against Killer Frost and Hugo Strange. It’s a wild issue.

Bennett handles the characters very well. She especially has a good take on Supergirl. Maybe there’s a future for her writing the title?

The art isn’t bad. I may have to track down the previous 29 issues. It’s a solid enough read to pursue the entire rest of the series.

RATING: B

 

 

The Popacalypse: An Essay of Our Dystopic Future

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Over the past decade or so, American pop culture has been overwhelmed with images of the End Times. Virtually every television network that shows scripted programming has or has had an apocalypse-themed program, from The Walking Dead on AMC to The Leftovers on HBO and The Last Man on Earth on Fox. Movies, too, have been shot through with visions of destruction, from epics like 2012 and World War Z through to smaller art films dealing with the implications of tragedy. Even literature has seen its fair share of End Times scenarios, with Cormac McCarthy’s The Road even winning awards for its nuanced and thoughtful portrayal of the complete collapse of civilization. Although apocalyptic media come in wildly different flavors, ranging from adventure to tragedy to comedy, there is an underlying theme that America is facing collapse.

Many have wondered how we arrived at this theme, and there have been a number of explanations. One of the most obvious is that apocalyptic scenarios are a reaction to the economic challenges that the country faced following the collapse of the housing bubble and the Great Recession of 2007-2008. While this may have exacerbated the theme in media, there were apocalyptic narratives before then and they have scarcely abated in popularity with the recovery of the economy.

A second suggestion is that the apocalyptic theme represents cultural anxiety about the loss of American identity in the wake of globalization. In other words, it can feel like the end of the world to some Americans when they see their traditional way of life pushed aside in favor of foreign customs and global rules. While there is something to be said for this argument, the fact is that people who live in diverse areas where they are exposed to global diversity actually have less anxiety about culture than people who live in areas where their way of life has barely changed in the wake of globalization.

Perhaps then the third choice is the one that best explains the current interest in the apocalypse: racism. In these narratives, a hearty band of mostly white heroes have to stand up for the “real” America in the face of catastrophic changes that often take the form of an invasion of American territory by foreigners, monsters, zombies, or other outside forces. These narratives reflect to an extent the same feelings that engender efforts to build a wall to keep Mexican nationals from crossing the U.S. border illegally. In both cases, the self-described heroes see themselves as representatives of a pure America that is threatened by the appearance of outsiders.

In modern zombie narratives such as The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead, these outsiders can easily be conceived as illegal immigrants and the formerly “real” Americans that their corruption converts into monstrous “takers” who literally feed off of the shrinking pool of mostly white American heroes.

In these narratives, we see the anxiety of the former American majority, who in fiction and in fact are worried that non-white people will “outbreed” them. Within the next few decades, white Americans will no longer command a majority in the United States, and already nonwhite births exceed those of white Americans. This demographic trend can appear to be an apocalypse to those who see American identity as intimately tied to white Euro-American heritage. To that end, the demographic shift to a minority-majority nation can appear to be an apocalypse, signaling the end of traditional power structures and traditional racial hierarchies.

Many argue that individuals within a culture are loathe to articulate the kinds of feelings that can appear to be politically incorrect, and in this specific case, many who enjoy apocalyptic fiction might not even realize the reasons that the stories resonate with them. But as we look deeper into the underlying meanings, we can see that fear about the demographic changes in American society might well be behind such stories. We don’t have to look far for proof. The zombie genre gives us plenty of ammunition. The zombie narrative began in the early twentieth century with movies in which white women were seduced into becoming zombies by evil Caribbean natives of mixed race, as in White Zombie (1941). In the classic Night of the Living Dead (1968), the entire narrative is undercut when white southern law enforcement officers treat the Black hero as indistinguishable from a zombie, with the clear message that the zombie uprising is meant to be an analogue for the race riots then plaguing America and threatening white power structures.

 

 

About the author: Jeremy B. is a professional essay writer who works on a freelance basis at SmartWritingService.com – online custom writing service. He has been helping students with writing academic papers since 2010.

‘Westworld: Season One’ Available on Blu-ray, DVD and 4K Ultra HD November 7, 2017

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What happens in a world free of rules, limits and consequences? From series creators Jonathan Nolan (Interstellar, The Dark Knight films) and Lisa Joy (Burn Notice, Pushing Daisies), and produced by J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Lost, Star Trek) and Kilter Films, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment brings HBO’s most-watched new series to Blu-ray, DVD and groundbreaking 4K Ultra HD on November 7, 2017. Featuring all 10 episodes from the series’ acclaimed first season, plus immersive never-before-seen special features, including three all new featurettes and a gag reel, Westworld: Season One is priced to own at $49.99 SRP for the DVD, $54.97 SRP for the Blu-ray and  $64.99 SRP for the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo-Pack.

The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack release of Westworld: Season One will contain three 4K Ultra HD discs with the episodes in 4K with HDR, three Blu-ray discs with the episodes in HD and come packaged in a special limited-edition tin. The 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray sets will also include a premium collectible booklet. Westworld: Season One will also be available on November 7, 2017 in 4K Ultra HD from select digital retailers.

Based on the film written by best-selling author Michael Crichton (ER, Jurassic Park films), Westworld is a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and evolution of sin. Set at the intersection of the near future and a reimagined past, the series explores a world in which every human appetite, no matter how noble or depraved, can be indulged.

Westworld: Season One features a star-studded cast led by Academy Award winner Sir Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs), Golden Globe winner Ed Harris (The Truman Show), Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Evan Rachel Wood (The Wrestler) and Golden Globe nominee Thandie Newton (Crash). The cast of this 10-episode phenomenon also includes Jeffrey Wright, James Marsden, Ben Barnes, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Clifton Collins, Jr., Luke Hemsworth, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Simon Quarterman, Rodrigo Santoro, Angela Sarafyan, Jimmi Simpson, Tessa Thompson and Shannon Woodward. Executive produced by Abrams, Nolan, Joy, Jerry Weintraub and Bryan Burk, Westworld is produced by Kilter Films in association with Bad Robot Productions and Warner Bros. Television.

“We are thrilled to release the first season of HBO’s critically-acclaimed and most watched new series Westworld in 4K Ultra HD with HDR, Blu-ray and DVD,” said Rosemary Markson, Senior Vice President, Television Marketing, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. “Fans will devour this beautifully crafted series – a perfect candidate to receive the fully immersive 4K HDR experience along with limited edition collectable packaging and all-new special features.”

The 4K Ultra HD discs and Blu-ray discs of Westworld: Season One will feature Dolby Atmos soundtracks 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.

4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY AND DVD SPECIAL FEATURES*

  • Inside Look with Jonah Nolan and Lisa Joy – Season One (New Featurette)
  • Imagining the Main Title (New Featurette)
  • The Key to The Chords (New Featurette)
  • 2017 Comic Con Panel (New)
  • Gag reel (New)
  • Welcome to Westworld
  • Crafting the Narrative
  • An Invitation to The Set
  • Welcome to Westworld: About the Series
  • Reality of A.I.: Westworld
  • “The Big Moment” Featurettes

 

*Special Features are subject to change


Sean Gordon Murphy Redeems The Joker in ‘Batman: White Night’

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Superstar writer and artist Sean Gordon Murphy (PUNK ROCK JESUS, THE WAKE) brings you his tale of a twisted Gotham in a seven-issue miniseries with a massive cast of heroes and villains. BATMAN: WHITE KNIGHT is told on an epic scale, but at the heart of it all is the tragic story of a hero and a villain, The Batman and The Joker. The question is, which one is the hero and which one is the villain…?

The Joker’s been called a maniac, a killer, and the “Clown Prince of Crime” but “white knight”? Never. Until now…

“We know Joker’s a genius, we know he’s relentless, and we know he can play the crowd, so why not make him a politician?” said Murphy. “Why not strip away the psychosis (the thing that’s holding him back) and let him challenge Batman unimpeded? And to make it even scarier, what if he did it legally and without breaking any rules, so that Batman couldn’t stop him?”

Set in a world where the Joker is cured of his insanity and homicidal tendencies, The Joker, now known as “Jack,” sets about trying to right his wrongs. First by reconciling with Harley Quinn and then by trying to save Gotham city from the one person who he thinks is truly Gotham’s greatest villain—the Batman.

“Seeing Gotham for the first time with clear eyes, his psychosis now cured, he starts to understand the absurdity of vigilantism and how Batman’s actions are only contributing to Gotham’s endless crime cycle,” said Murphy. “Joker sets out to beat Batman by becoming the White Knight that Gotham really needs.”

BATMAN: WHITE KNIGHT #1, written and illustrated by Sean Murphy, arrives on October 4.
Cover artwork by Murphy with color by Matt Hollingsworth.

Win ‘Ghosts of Darkness’ on DVD!

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Two paranormal investigators are unexpectedly thrown together in the hope of solving a 100-year mystery.

Locked for three nights in a house with a dark and unsettling past, the two investigators must put their differences to one side and work together. They soon discover the myths and stories are nothing compared to what actually resides within the eerie walls of Richwood Manor.

Scepticism and showmanship are soon put to one side when the two investigators realise there is more at stake than just their professional reputation. For once they have stumbled onto the real thing, but this time it’s their own lives at stake.

And we’re giving away three copies!

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

What is your favorite cinematic ghost story?

Please include your name, and address (U.S. 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 16th, 2017.

Titan Announces Official The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine Illustrated Adaptation!

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Titan Comics is excited to announce a deal with Apple Corps Ltd to publish an official illustrated adaptation of The Beatles’ iconic animated film, Yellow Submarine.  Due to hit stores in 2018 to tie-in with the 50th Anniversary of the release of the movie. The deal was brokered by Bravado International, The Beatles’ North American licensing agent.

The Beatles: Yellow Submarine movie (originally released in 1968) is an animated musical fantasy film inspired by the music of The Beatles. In the film, Paul, John, George and Ringo agree to accompany Captain Fred in his Yellow Submarine and go to Pepperland to free it from the music-hating Blue Meanies.

Directed by animation producer George Dunning, the film received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike. Since its original release, the movie has become a cornerstone of contemporary popular culture and has inspired generations of award-winning animators.

Titan’s official illustrated adaptation of The Beatles: Yellow Submarine is written and illustrated by Bill Morrison – writer and artist from The Simpsons Comics. As a huge fan of The Beatles, this has been a labor of love for Bill, twenty years in the making.

“We’re thrilled to be publishing The Beatles: Yellow Submarine for the 50th Anniversary of this fantastic movie,” said Chris Teather, Publishing Director at Titan Comics. “We can’t wait for Beatles fans to experience this official adaptation.”

The Beatles: Yellow Submarine Official illustrated adaptation from Titan is due to hit stores in 2018.

 

FOG! Exclusive!: Read ‘Cade vs. The Bloody Benders’ by Christopher Farnsworth!

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Chris Farnsworth writes some of the most entertaining books currently being published. In his Cade series, Nathaniel Cade is the President’s vampire – sworn by a blood oath to protect the President and America from their supernatural enemies. …

His latest Cade adventure, a novella called Deep State is currently only available digitally from Farnsworth, himself.  But fear not, we’ve got an exclusive short story, where Cade goes up against a family of serial killers in the Old West and the skinny on how FOG! readers can add Deep State to their summer reading list.

 

Cade vs. The Bloody Benders

 

CHERRYVALE, KANSAS, APRIL 5, 1873.

The family placed Cade at the head of the table.

He’d arrived at the Wayside Inn outside Cherryvale after sundown. The family was agitated, but not by his presence. There seemed to be a brief debate between the four of them conducted in a guttural language that sounded like German. Cade could hear every word but didn’t understand a single one. He made a mental note to himself to begin learning languages. His mind seemed to have an infinite capacity since he was changed and not all of his prey would speak English.

After a few moments, the family patriarch cut off the argument with a firm tone and a chopping motion of his hand. His iron-gray hair and beard gave him the look of an Old Testament prophet delivering the word of God. His wife — or sister, the reports were uncertain — looked unhappy, but her deeply lined face did not appear to do much smiling in any case. The son, a handsome man with slightly addled eyes, did not appear to care one way or another. But there was no mistaking the look of triumph on the fine-boned features of the daughter. Whatever decision the old man had made, it was the one she wanted.

The family was solicitous of Cade, but only she was talkative. She introduced them all around as they sat for the meal. The old man, her father, was John, she said. Her mother was Kate, who dumped stew onto a plate in front of Cade, her face still set in a frown. The younger man was John Jr. He looked up at his name and started to stand, but his father put him back in his chair with a hard glance.

And the young woman was also named Kate, after her mother. “And your name is Cade,” she laughed, putting a hand on his arm. “We’ll have to be very specific about who we ask to pass the salt tonight.”

Her touch lingered. If Cade still had any attraction to humans, he might have been charmed. She was lovely, possessing as her brother did the finer parts of both her parents without the damage of their years. Or, for that matter, their foul tempers. But it was more than that. Kate had a vitality, an awareness that was missing from the rest of the family. It was as if the younger Kate had access to a hidden spring of life and energy.

Whatever it was, it certainly wasn’t the food. Cade looked at the rancid, cold mess on his plate and was thankful he no longer ate.

“You said you were from Washington, Mr. Cade?” Kate asked. “Then you must be well-versed in Spiritualism. Have you any experience with the mysteries of the Other Side?”

“I’ve heard of it,” Cade said.

“It is my great passion,” she said. “I am not too modest to say that I have conducted séances and readings for our visitors. I’ve even lectured at the town hall on the subject. Of course, that caused quite a scandal.”

“Really?”

An impish grin came onto her face. “I believe, as many Spiritualists do, that our bodies are not meant to be chained with false morality. Some say this means I believe in wanton and slatternly behavior. Some even called me a witch. But surely we were not given these forms if we were not meant to enjoy them?”

Cade said nothing.

“Perhaps you would allow me to give you a private session?”

Her eyes danced when she said this and Cade knew how previous travelers on this route were distracted.

Without waiting for his answer, she took Cade’s hand and held it. The mother grunted and scowled and left the table, taking away plates to the kitchen. The father gave a nearly imperceptible nod to the son, and they both rose and went into another room.

“My, but your hand is cold, Mr. Cade. Perhaps we can do something about that.”

She looked at his palm. Her practiced smile faltered. “Your life-line,” she said, suddenly uncertain. Whatever she saw in Cade’s palm, it was enough to throw her off her practiced script. She recovered quickly, but the confusion was still evident when she looked in Cade’s eyes. “Your life-line. Yes. I see a long and prosperous — “

Cade jerked his hand away so quickly it sounded like whip moving through the air. Behind him, he held the large iron hammer that John Jr. had swung, almost silently, toward the back of his head. John Jr., not quite realizing what had happened, struggled mightily with the handle.

Cade kept the hammer in place, as still as a rock.

Kate’s mouth was open in shock. Cade, with barely a shift in his position, yanked on the hammer and sent John Jr. flying over the table and into the far wall.

Cade turned at the sound of a wailing banshee. Kate’s mother came at him from the kitchen, screaming and wielding a knife as long as her forearm.

Blüt und Seelen! Blüt and Seelen für Mein Meister!”

Cade flipped the hammer in his grip and threw it with pinpoint accuracy. It crushed her skull and snapped her neck in the same instant. Her body was knocked cleanly off its feet.

The patriarch of the clan was not deterred by this. But he wasn’t about to make the same mistakes as his wife and son, either. Cade heard the revolver slide free from the leather of the holster hidden under the man’s shirt. He kicked at the base of the table and sent it skidding over the wooden floor. It hit the old man at the waist and ran over him like a steam engine.

Kate was still staring, still in her chair.

Cade, still seated as well, turned his gaze back to her.

She regained enough presence of mind to begin a chant. It was not the guttural language they had spoken earlier. It was more glottal, wetter-sounding, a collection of vowels and sibilance tangled together.

Cade felt something gather in the dark with only the first word or two. He didn’t give it any more time to develop. His hand went to her throat. She choked and stopped speaking. Cade allowed her just enough air to breathe.

Pulling her along with him, he stood and kicked his chair away. He examined the floor behind him. Cade had smelled death and rot and fear from outside the front door. It was strongest here. His eyes picked out the hairline joins in the boards where the trap door was hidden.

Still holding Kate by the throat, he reached down and lifted the door open. The stink of death hit him like a garden in summer. This was where they had dumped the bodies of all the other travelers after the hammer blows. Many, many bodies. He couldn’t separate all the different scents.

John Jr. had recovered enough to gain his feet. He saw his sister — or wife, as the reports had it — in Cade’s hand and charged like a bull.

Cade threw the woman at him, sending them both to the floor in a tangle of limbs.

He faced Kate and showed his fangs. The shock, along with the pain in her throat, kept her from repeating her chant.

Das Vampir,” she breathed. “Blütsauger.” Her face was a muddle of confusion and pain. “I had hoped — had prayed — We were trying to summon you. But why this? Have we displeased you?”

Cade crossed to her. Her brother groaned. Cade tossed him away like a scrap of trash. Any answers would come from her.

“Tell me who you serve. It was never about the thefts, was it? You sold their goods, but that’s not why you killed them. Who were you serving?”

Kate looked even more baffled. “You know. You must.”

“I am not who you think I am,” Cade said.

Then Kate smiled, just a little. Arrogance shone through her eyes.

“Someone will succeed where we failed. Someone else will call him. And then — ”

She went quiet as Cade got very close to her. “Whatever you meant to summon, you brought me instead. And whoever tries the same will find me as well.”

She might have replied, but Cade broke her neck with a backhanded slap.

He made certain the men were dead before gathering the bodies and taking them out of the house. He loaded them onto his wagon. Then he hitched the Benders’ horses to their own wagon, already loaded with their stolen goods and possessions. The team needed no encouragement to run when he released them; animals feared Cade instinctively. The horses galloped away, a false lead for anyone who came looking for the family to follow.

He took the family with him in the opposite direction. He’d bury them – and himself – before sunrise, but only he would rise again. No one would ever find them. The Benders would disappear.

True, he could have left them in their gruesome little inn to await the searchers who’d come sooner or later. But his orders were to remove them completely and to give no sign that they’d died. As Kate had confirmed, there were others out there with the same goals as the Benders. Better if those people didn’t know what had happened.

Better if the hunters didn’t realize they were being hunted themselves.

© 2017 Christopher Farnsworth.

Christopher Farnsworth is a novelist, screenwriter, and journalist. His sixth novel, FLASHMOB, is available now everywhere from William Morrow. You can follow him on Twitter at @chrisfarnsworth or find out more at www.chrisfarnsworth.com.

 

Pretty awesome, huh?

Now here comes the part where you can read the whole novella.  The best part?  You get another book of Chris’ to check out!

Flashmob focuses on gifted troubleshooter John Smith (introduced in the acclaimed thriller Killfile),  who must take down a shadowy figure who has weaponized the internet, using social media to put a price on the heads of his targets in this intense, unstoppable thriller.

As a fixer for America’s one percent, John Smith cleans up the messes of those rich enough to afford him. But he’s no ordinary gun for hire. Smith is a man of rare gifts, including the ability to read minds.

Arriving at the wedding of Kira Sadeghi, a reality television celebrity he recently saved from kidnappers, Smith witnesses a group of gunmen open fire, hitting the bride and others. Though he’s unarmed, Smith cripples one of the killers and is able to pry one word from his mind: “Downvote.”

Eager to learn more, Smith hacks into the brain of an FBI agent investigating the attack to discover the Bureau has been investigating a nefarious new threat called “Downvote,” an encrypted site on the “dark net” that lists the names of celebrities and offers a hefty bounty for anyone who can kill them—unleashing an anonymous and deadly flashmob with a keystroke.

Finding a mastermind on the internet is like trying to catch air—unless you’re John Smith.

Motivated by money and revenge, he traces a series of electronic signatures to a reclusive billionaire living at sea, accompanied by a scary-smart female bodyguard who becomes Smith’s partner in his quest. The hunt for their prey will lead from Hong Kong to Reykjavik to a luxury gambling resort deep in the Laotian jungle. Yet always this criminal mastermind remains one step ahead.

The only way Downvote’s creator can stop Smith is to kill him . . . because while this diabolical genius can run, there’s no hiding from a man who can read minds.

Pretty awesome, huh?  Now, to get your copy of Deep State, buy yourself a copy of Flashmob, and send proof of purchase to flashmobpreorder@gmail.com

And then cancel your night’s plans and read until morning.

 

Graphic Breakdown: Wendy Project, The Black Sinister, Vault Comics, Centipede #1 & More!

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Another week begins, which means my weekend of binge reading is over.  This time check out some exceptional titles including at least a few that you haven’t heard of (yet).

See you back here on Wednesday at the Graphic Breakdown!

 

Alien Bounty Hunter  #1
Written by Adrian Vassel and David Booher
Illustrated by Nick Robles
Published by Vault Comics

I didn’t know what to expect when I picked up this title. It’s “produced” by Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson and created by Levinson, who brought us the television shows Entourage and Ballers as well as several high profile movies. This time they turn their attention to comic books.

But is this any good?

This turns out to be a classy comic book all around. The writing is creative and exciting. The characters are well developed.

The story follows Ben Madsen who is a bounty hunter from Arcadia. People love him. Ben has a decent life taking care of his aunt. He is offered a job that is too good to refuse. That job leads him down a dark path hunting aliens and getting into crazy trouble.

The story does a great job of world building right from the beginning. It’s fast, funny, and human. The art could stand to be a little better but it isn’t terrible. The storytelling is decent but I wish it was a bit more dynamic. Overall, it’s not a bad debut for a new property. I’ll be reading this for sure.

RATING: B+

 

The Black Sinister
Written by Troy Nixey and Kaare Andrews
Illustrated by Troy Nixey
Published by Dark Horse Comics

Man, I love Troy Nixey. I think he is a talented filmmaker for sure. However, I’ve always loved his comic book work. His art is awesome and I love the way he tells a story. Luckily, he is back writing and drawing comics. This book collects his story from Dark Horse Presents in one lovely edition and it is a must have.

Emerson Black is our superhero here. He is The Black Sinister. He is a superhero who is a little unhinged. Nixey does a great job

from the get go showing us his mental state. Each panel feels psychological and emotional. You can tell the character’s mental state just from the drawing alone.

The Mayor of Coal City decides to get rid of the city’s hero.

This leads to a hell of a fight and a conclusion that is just nuts. I loved it. Kaare Andrews helps out in writing this tale with Nixey, and they share similar sensibilities. Pick this up. It’s a gem that you may miss. You don’t want to…it’s something you’ll re-read again and again. I certainly will.

RATING: A

 

Last Song #1
Written by Holly Interlandi 
Illustrated by Sally Cantirino
Published by Black Mask Comics

I totally loved reading this comic. The writing is wonderful and the art is perfect. Black Mask has done it again with this title. They have made yet another comic book with high quality writing and art that is unique in the marketplace.

Nicky Marshall is our main character here. He thinks he was saved from his turbulent past with Rock and Roll. After a traumatic event, he forms his own band called Ecstasy and they go to Los Angeles. But are they ready? This first issue focuses on the beginnings of the band, their growing pains, and their nativity.

The writing again is great. The art by Cantirino is something else however. It’s clean, beautiful, and it captures the story perfectly. Pick this up. A great first issue. Kudos to Black Mask for producing this fine new title.

RATING: A

 

Ophelia’s Revenge #1
Written by James McGee
Illustrated by Laura Guzzo
Published by Red Stylo Media

I read this issue and the story was very decent. I have to be honest, the cartoony art wasn’t my favorite at first but it did grow on me. The gore and and the dark humor behind the writing made it work and work well.

This is another one of those Kickstarter funded projects that we all know and love.

It is the story of Jean, who is angry at one of her fellow actors after A summer fling between them goes bad. They are performing at a festival and she now feels scorn. She goes off to get some payback. In doing so, Jean unleashes the spirit of Shakespeare’s Ophelia, who is a vengeful spirit who goes and wrecks mayhem on the fair.

The concept is fantastically nuts.

I give credit to the creators for really just going for it. I have to say pick this up. I went in thinking I wouldn’t enjoy it, but they won me over. It’s a good book overall.

RATING: B+

 

Zojagan #1
Written by Collin Kelley and Jackson Lanzing
Illustrated by Nathan Gooden
Published by Vault Comics

This is another nice surprise from Vault Comics. It’s well written and extremely well illustrated. You can’t ask for more than that.

This is a great beginning to this comic book series. It is reminiscent to the Promethea series from America’s Best Comics years back.

Shannon Kind is coming back from a war. As she returns to her village, she discovers that it’s become strange. What is going on?

Well, whatever it is, these acts are being done in her name. So she has to make a decision.

That decision may haunt her forever.

The characterization of Shannon Lind is pitch perfect for a first issue. The art by Gooden is damn magical. He’s got the chops and you’ll be hearing a lot from this guy coming up. He’s like a new J.H. Williams, but has his own style to boot. Pick this up. It’s pretty damn good.

RATING: B+

 

Centipede #1
Written by Max Bemis
Illustrated by Eoin Marron
Published by Dynamite Entertainment

Dear lord. They have finally done it. We have come down to a Centipede comic book based on the old Atari game.

But wait! It’s written by Max Bemis who has been making a name for himself in comics with the very good Fookiller series amongst others.

Can this be a worthwhile read?

It turns out to be. Bemis makes it a grand horror film of a comic. A creature from beyond the stars begins an attack. It destroys the world. The only survivor, Dale, wants revenge.

It’s a last man on earth kind of comic book. It’s pretty damn good too.

Bemis keeps the energy high and the tongue planted firmly in his cheek. It works in a strange way. I very much enjoyed the writing. The art isn’t bad either and serves the story very well. Pick it up. It’s a bunch of fun.

RATING: B+

 

The Wendy Project
Written by Melissa Jane Osborne
Illustrated by Veronica Fish
Published by Super Genius Comics

This book is one of the best books to be hitting the shelves in the coming weeks. The story is phenomenal and the artwork is superb. This is a book that deserves to be read and re-read. It’s a masterpiece from start to finish.

This book is a take on the classic Peter Pan story.

A 16 year old Wendy Davies crashes her car into a lake one evening. She had two brothers in the back seat and when she wakes up in the hospital, she is told one of them has died. Wendy, however, is convinced that a flying boy has her brother hostage.

Wendy is then sent to a new school where the people there look like characters from Neverland.

She is given a sketchbook by her therapist and starts to draw. Her drawings get her into a heap load more of trouble.

The writing is sharp and bold. The artwork by Fish is astonishing. This is a book that needs to be on your shelves. Buy this immediately. And don’t look back.

RATING: A

 

 

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