A long, long time ago in a faraway land, there existed video game princesses who were merely damsels in distress, passive maidens much weaker than their male counterparts, albeit far prettier. Though not as prevalent today as they used to be, these hollow princess character tropes can still be found in games. However, I want to celebrate a different kind of female royalty, the kind of princesses who know how to kick ass and take names. So sorry, Princess Peach…you definitely didn’t make the cut.

In no particular order, I present my 7 badass video game princesses who can save themselves:

1. Princess Nadia/Marle (Chrono Trigger series)

Her full title is Princess Nadia of Guardia Kingdom but under the guise of Marle, she sneaks out to the Millennial Fair, rebelliously shunning the life laid out before her, ditching her royal duties to experience adventure and have fun.

Despite the fact that most princesses might not find entering a time portal to the Middle Ages as ‘fun’, Marle embraces it, picking up a crossbow with ease and throwing herself into post-apocalyptic wastelands, taking on an ancient race of parasites and dealing with whatever other dangers befall her. She is courageous and knows how to handle herself in dangerous situations, all the while remaining optimistic. A true role model for her subjects.

2. Princess Zelda (The Legend Of Zelda series)

There are various iterations of Princess Zelda but all of them are pretty remarkable. While she doesn’t actively fight or seemingly do anything in the earlier titles you can’t deny that calling for help across time and through space is a mightily impressive skill.

She’s been a pirate and has also donned a secret warrior disguise through her alter-ego Sheik, who fights off evil while Link sleeps and she often stands as the last line of defence against Ganon, Zant and other dark forces threatening Hyrule. She’s strong, will always fight for her people and represents Wisdom. She definitely earns her place as titular character of the series and on this list.

3. Sun Lian (Jade Empire)

Princess Sun Lian, the Heavenly Lily perpetuates the stereotypical rich girl and is a bit of a snob, viewing many of her allies as simple commoners. However her intentions within the game are honourable as she is determined to prove her father’s innocence and will do so by any means necessary, even if that means disguising herself as a badass assassin called Silk Fox and mingling with commoners undercover to draw out pertinent information.

Her arrogance aside, Sun Lian is not a woman to be messed with and though she has issues with privilege (I imagine being born rich must be so hard) she will stop at nothing to save the people she loves and fights for what she believes in. Her single-minded mission to prove her fathers innocence shows a strong will and determination, an admirable quality in a princess.

4. Tyris Flare (Golden Axe)

This Princess turned warrior was adopted by Amazons who trained her in magic and battle after she was orphaned when her parents were brutally slain by an evil army. Make no mistake, she is strong and wants revenge. Tyris is the most agile fighter in the game and possesses the most powerful spells.

Other incarnations of Tyris that exist in the series include a reimagining in the spin-off Golden Axe: Beast Rider where Tyris is the protagonist, a half-barbarian/half-gladiator and defender of the Axirian Priestesses, a female only sect who worship the Great Dragon who resides on their island. After they are killed by Death Adder’s forces, Tyris takes up sorcery and the sword to avenge them and halts Death Adder’s plans for world domination. Never has the phrase ‘Hell hath no fury than a woman scorned’ held more weight.

5. Empress Emily Kaldwin (Dishonored series)

Technically she’s an Empress not a Princess but semantics aside, Emily Kaldwin is another badass female royal. Even as a child in the first game she served to alter the moral choices of the protagonist, Corvo Attano. She wasn’t afforded a normal childhood and was kidnapped at the age of 10 after her mother was assassinated. These events would normally warrant many years of counseling but 15 years later, after her life of privilege was interrupted, Empress Emily is stronger than ever.

However, she is usurped by an unknown aunt and captured. Ordinarily this would be the part in a game where she is rescued but Emily makes her own escape this time, plotting her revenge and taking down those who have betrayed her and denied her reign. Her unique attacks and stealth abilities make her a formidable foe and she takes down her enemies with both grace and power.

6. Elika (Prince of Persia)

A ruler of a forbidden Arabian land who possesses the knowledge and magic necessary to defeat the god of evil. That’s pretty badass if you ask me. Elika’s role in the game will make you question why the Prince is even necessary. She can do anything he can, she can climb, leap and fight off enemies.

In fact, it would appear that the Prince needs her more than she needs him because she’s the only one who possesses the magic that he needs in order to surmount various obstacles in the game. Not to mention, some of his attacks even rely on her courageousness, as she flings herself unarmed into enemies. She definitely doesn’t need no man.

7. Princess Nina (Breath Of Fire series)

This game is one of the many excellent JRPGs out there and Princess Nina is an amazing character who is skilled in wind and fire magic. You might think that being a skilled magical combatant isn’t really enough to warrant a spot on this list but you only need to look into her backstory to understand why she is more than worthy.

For example, she defeated centaurs who tried take her hostage at the tender age of eight. Centaurs! At Eight Years Old! She is seemingly fearless, venturing into and infiltrating enemy territory to rescue her sister. It’s a true Princess rescues Princess scenario!

There you have it, looks like not all princesses are there to look pretty and be saved. The seven on this list can handle themselves and are strong, determined characters that give any silent, brooding, male protagonists a run for their money. Whether sisters are doing it for themselves and saving one another, independently fending off dark forces while their supposed hero wastes time cutting grass in search of rupees or simply avenging the deaths of their families, these princesses all have one thing in common: they’re total badasses.

What do you think? Did I miss your favourite badass princess or do you disagree with the list? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Get under the skin of clone club. This comprehensive guide to Orphan Black has an access-all-areas pass to the most innovative drama on TV. Includes interviews with the show’s creators and cast, exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, production and visual effects secrets, plus everything you need to know about the Dyad Institute, the Proletheans and Neolutionists, Projects Leda and Castor, and more. This is a must-have for all fans of Orphan Black.

And we’re giving away three copies!

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

What year did Tatiana Maslany win an Emmy for “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series”?

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 September 3rd, 2017.

Scary movies and spooky specials arrive early for Halloween enthusiasts this year as the Big Green Stream Machine gets ready for fall.

Along with chillers such as Autopsy, Carrie, The Dark Half, Fright Night, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Silence of the Lambs, as well as a few horror-comedy classics like the Addams Family franchise and The Monster Squad, Hulu is also prepping for the new fall season, as the of the month packs a monster punch with tons of new streaming content.

Will & Grace make a surprise return to primetime for a ninth season after a lifetime off the air, will comedy classics from the Friday night lineup like Perfect Strangers, Family Matters, and Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper offer their entire series for a new generation to enjoy.

Interesting new series entering their second season include The Mick, The Good Place and Great News while Grey’s Anatomy insists on existing.

Welcome to back to TV land, kids. The dragons will return in two years time.

SEPTEMBER 1

Keeping Up With the Kardashians: Complete (Season 13; E!)

A River Runs Through It (1992)

Addams’ Family Values (1993)

The Addams Family (1991)

Akeelah and the Bee (2006)

American Loser (2007)

An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

And You Thought Your Parents Were Weird (1991)

Autopsy (2008)

Barnyard (2006)

Batman (1989)

Batman Returns (1992)

Best Seller (1987)

Bio-Dome (1996)

The Black Stallion (1979)

The Blue Lagoon (1980)

Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations (2009)

Carrie (1976)

Contact (1997)

The Cove (2009)

The Cup (2012)

Dances with Wolves (1990)

Dare Not Walk Alone (2006)

The Dark Half (1993)

Disturbing Behavior (1998)

Dead Hands Dig Deep (2016)

Defiance (2008)

Down to Earth (2001)

Dr. Strange (2006)

Dying Breed (2009)

Eternity: The Movie (2014)

Fools Rush In (1997)

Fright Night (2011)

The Golden Child (1986)

Gridiron Heroes (2015)

Harriet the Spy (1996)

History of Jazz: Oxygen for the Ears (2012)

Hitch (2005)

Home Sweet Hell (2015)

Indecent Proposal (1993)

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

The Invincible Iron Man (2007)

Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1997)

Kill Me, Deadly (2015)

L.A. Twister (2004)

Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

Last Chance Harvey (2008)

The Last Godfather (2011)

The Levenger Tapes (2011)

The Loved Ones (2012)

Mad Hot Ballroom (2005)

Man About Town (2007)

The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)

Mistress (1992)

The Monster Squad (1987)

My Girl (1991)

My Girl 2 (1994)

Nacho Libre (2006)

The Neverending Story (1984)

The Object of Beauty (1991)

Offspring (2009)

Ordinary People (1980)

Outbreak (1995)

The Pelican Brief (1993)

Planet Hulk (2010)

Poseidon (2006)

Princess Kaiulani (2009)

The Rage – Carrie 2 (1999)

Red Garters (1954)

Remember the Goal (2016)

Return to the Blue Lagoon (1991)

River’s Edge (1987)

Robocop (1987)

Robocop 2 (1990)

Sanctuary (2016)

Secretary (2002)

Shooter (2007)

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Silent Hill (2006)

Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists (2000)

Sleepover (2004)

Spring Broke (2011)

Something to Talk About (1995)

Stomp the Yard (2007)

Surfer, Dude (2008)

Switchback (1997)

Tiger Raid (2016)

Thor: Tales of Asgard (2011)

Ultimate Avengers 2 (2006)

Ultimate Avengers: The Movie (2006)

Ultraviolet (2006)

Walking Tall (2004)

You Got Served (2004)

You Got Served: Beat the World (2011)

SEPTEMBER 2

Adventure Time (Season 8; Cartoon Network)

Ben-Hur (2016)

Freaky Friday (1977)

Freaky Friday (2003)

SEPTEMBER 3

The Eye (2008)

SEPTEMBER 5

The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)

Insatiable: The Homaro Cantu Story (2017)

Lilo & Stitch (2002)

The Lodge (2008)

Returning Citizens (2017)

Survivor (2015)

SEPTEMBER 6

Crash (2005)

SEPTEMBER 7

Total Bellas (Season 2 premiere; E!)

Burden (2017)

SEPTEMBER 9

The Magnificent Seven (2016)

SEPTEMBER 11

The Orville (Series premiere; Fox)

Top of the Lake: China Girl (Sundance TV)

SEPTEMBER 12

The Mindy Project (Season 6 premiere; Hulu Original)

Filth (2013)

SEPTEMBER 13

Anomaly (2014)

Once Upon a Time in Shanghai (2015)

SEPTEMBER 14

South Park (Complete season 21; Comedy Central)

Robo-Dog: Airborne (2017)

SEPTEMBER 15

Good Behavior (Season 1; TNT)

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Child of God (2013)

Endless Love (1981)

The Lookalike (2014)

The Road Within (2014)

Skating to New York (2013)

The Thaw (2009)

These Final Hours (2013)

The Women of Brewster Place (1989)

SEPTEMBER 16

Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail (2009)

SEPTEMBER 19

Straight/Curve: Challenging the Beauty (2017)

SEPTEMBER 20

Pirates (2014)

SEPTEMBER 21

The Commune (2017)

Food Evolution (2016)

SEPTEMBER 22

Doc McStuffins (Season 4; Disney Jr.)

Interview with a Hitman (2012)

Kiki (2017)

Killers (2010)

McCanick (2013)

Sword of Vengeance (2015)

Vengeance of an Assassin (2014)

SEPTEMBER 23

Grey’s Anatomy (Season 13 premiere;ABC)

Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell (Season 3; Adult Swim)

SEPTEMBER 25

Miles From Tomorrowland  (Season 2; Disney Jr.)

Power (Season 3; Starz)

The Double (2013)

SEPTEMBER 26

The Brave (Series premiere; NBC)

The Voice (Season 13 premiere;NBC)

SEPTEMBER 27

Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 5 Premiere (Fox)

Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders (Series premiere; NBC)

Lethal Weapon (Season 2 premiere; Fox)

The Mick (Season 2 premiere; Fox)

This Is Us (Season 2 premiere; NBC)

The ABC’s of Death (2012)

Frankie & Alice (2010)

Hammer of the Gods (2013)

I Saw the Devil (2010)

Kiss of the Damned (2012)

Let the Right One In (2008)

Splinter (2008)

Survival of the Dead (2009)

V/H/S (2012)

V/H/S 2 (2013)

SEPTEMBER 28

Chicago P.D. (Season 5 premiere;NBC)

Empire (Season 4 premiere; Fox)

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Season 19 premiere; NBC)

Star (Season 2 premiere; Fox)

Dance Flick (2009)

SEPTEMBER 29

Family Matters (Complete series; Warner Bros. Television)

Full House (Complete series; Warner Bros. Television)

Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper (Complete series; Warner Bros. Television)

Perfect Strangers  (Complete series; Warner Bros. Television)

Step By Step  (Complete series; Warner Bros. Television)

Chicago Fire (Season 6 premiere; NBC)

Ghosted (Series premiere; Fox)

The Good Place (Season 2 premiere; NBC)

Gotham (Season 4 premiere; Fox)

Great News (Season 2 premiere; NBC)

Superstore (Season 3 premiere; NBC)

Will & Grace (Season 9 premiere; NBC)

Shout! Factory has announced the October 17, 2017, release of a spectacular new 7-DVD box set, Ernie Kovacs: Take A Good Look – The Definitive Collection, in collaboration with Ediad Productions, Inc. With the exception of a handful of episodes, this show has been largely unseen for the last 60 years. The set is available now for pre-order on Shoutfactory.com (includes an exclusive bonus disc) and Amazon.com.

Ernie Kovacs was a consummate comedian, influencing TV funnymen such as Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Jim Henson, Pee-wee Herman, Billy Crystal, as well as Monty Python and Saturday Night Live. Take A Good Look is Ernie’s aphoristic “if a tree falls in the woods” answer to the panel quiz show. Ernie turns the secret guest show formula on its ear and almost inverts it. In Take A Good Look, it is the host who gives the panel hints about the secret guest’s identity and in the form of surreal sight gags, blackouts and sketches. The clues only really make sense if you know who the guest is, to begin with. Throughout the series’ run, different approaches were taken to address this.  Early on in season one, Ernie himself has trouble explaining the show’s formula to the home audience. Throughout the show’s two seasons, panelists periodically complain to Ernie that the clues don’t make sense; there’s one show where Hans Conried protests, “Please, Ernie … tell them it’s rigged!” 

All in all, it is Ernie who seems to be enjoying the game the most, making these crazy blackouts as well as the commercials for Dutch Masters cigars. You watch the episodes of this game show and wonder “Did this really air on network television?” 

Airing October 22, 1959 to July 21, 1960, and October 27, 1960 to March 16, 1961 on ABC, Take A Good Look hosted an eclectic mix of guest stars, such as his then wife, Performer Edie Adams, Writer/Director Carl Reiner, the glamorous Zsa Zsa Gabor, comedian Mort Sahl, Our Gang’s Jean Darling, chess world champion Bobby Fischer, Major League Baseball’s Rogers Hornsby, White House Butler Alonzo Fields, Los Angeles Dodgers Chuck Essegian and Don Drysdale, Hawaiian Congressman Daniel Inouye, Miss America 1959 Mary Ann Mobley, several Olympic athletes, and many more.

The Library of Congress, who acquired the entire collection of the Ernie Kovacs and Edie Adams in 2015, has digitized, restored and preserved the material contained within this DVD set.  In all, that is more than 20 hours of additional rare Kovacs material that fans have been clamoring for more than 60 years

The first 1,000 orders of Ernie Kovacs: Take A Good Look – The Definitive Collection from ShoutFactory.com will include an exclusive bonus disc containing Private Eye, Private Eye, a delicious sketch comedy starring Ernie Kovacs and Edie Adams lampooning the detective shows that filled the airwaves at the time. Featured are some of Kovacs’ most iconic creations, including Percy Dovetonsils as a Sherlock Holmes character and the Nairobi Trio as safecrackers. Ernie and Edie are supported by Hans Conried, Pat Carroll, and Kovacs stalwart Peter Hanley, and the show was produced by Max Liebman (Your Show of Shows). The show aired as part of the U.S. Steel Hour and hasn’t been seen by the public since its original broadcast in 1961!

Ernie Kovacs: Take A Good Look – The Definitive Collection joins Shout! Factory’s first-rate Kovacs catalog, which includes The Ernie Kovacs Collection, the first-ever comprehensive collection of Kovacs’ work–encompassing the full breadth of existing material, from his local Philadelphia morning shows in the early 1950’s and national evening shows to the ABC prime time specials in the early 1960’s that cemented his legend. It also includes The Ernie Kovacs Collection Volume 2, which includes more than 9 hours of previously unreleased & rare classic television content, and The ABC Specials, also from 1961, the final year of his life, which show Kovacs at the peak of his creative experimentation with the medium, featuring many of his comic masterpieces and iconic set pieces. Five of these programs are presented here in complete uncut form, along with many of his celebrated — and delightfully offbeat — commercials for Dutch Masters cigars.

As I entered the cavernous new home for Boston Comic Con at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on Friday, a roar went off from a far corner of the hall. One of the main events had started and the excitement was audible (if not palpable). As dazed con-goers wandered through the expanded exhibition floor it was clear to see that Boston Comic Con had changed profoundly under the management of FanExpo.

Previous years of Boston’s largest comic convention maintained a strong focus on the printed page. It would be rare to find a large fan base of other “nerd” culture such as anime or video games represented on the floor or in the schedule. That made perfect sense, though, as each of those genres have their own well-respected conventions in the spring. Yet this year saw new offerings at Comic Con including screenings of Evangelion and One Piece as well as Q&A panels with video game voice actors from Overwatch and Nintendo’s Mario Bros. franchise. While this may seem a simple expansion to some, for every panel that is created it means another may have been passed over. How much programming relating to comics could have fit into the space newly dedicated to other fandoms?

This isn’t to say that the quality of invited guests was subpar. Comic legend Stan Lee headlined main stage and special fan events, while stars of the small screen delighted with appearances from Matt Smith (Doctor Who), Charlie Cox (Daredevil), Ming-Na Wen (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and many more. Voice actors from Steven Universe, Animaniacs, and Futurama were also popular at the autograph booths, and the largest expansion of cosplayers in Boston Comic Con history gave many a fan a chance to snap photos with people they previously only knew from Instagram and Patreon.

Artists Alley saw a welcome mix of local favorites and more prominent national figures from Marvel, DC, and Image but its placement to the far side of the convention hall meant that it was quite easy to never venture over there without specific intention.

Other notable changes to the floor included a more significant corporate presence from brands like T-Mobile, Geico, Stubborn Soda, and 5 Hour Energy. Given prominent booth positions, it jolted con-goers out of the immersive fantasy world and back into the land of sponsored fandom. While these partners may have subsidized the bevy of celebrity offerings, they also reminded longtime attendees that the local feel that engendered by the Boston Comic Con of previous years was officially a fond memory.

As comics become further woven into the fabric of primetime and pop culture, it should be no surprise that conventions are heading into a more generalized format. While some may bemoan a loss of “purity”, others may rejoice at a more inclusive experience that offers items for the casual Netflix comic fan as well as the die-hard Stan Lee follower.

Future Boston Comic Cons will show us what FanExpo has learned from this first outing, but we attendees have now seen that change is not coming.

It is very much here.

Vertigo joins together veteran horror writer Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash) and artist Stephen Molnar (Star Trek) to create a spine-tingling new series, IMAGINARY FIENDS. The six-issue miniseries combines elements of both horror and sci-fi for a tale that will leave readers in shock and fear.

“IMAGINARY FIENDS is a return to horror for me…a chance to tell a story about a broken person and her monster friend,” says Seeley. “But FIENDS is darker, scarier and more fanatical than anything I’ve ever done. Stephen Molnar is providing some amazing artwork, and his Polly Peachpit is one of the creepiest monsters I’ve ever seen. I’m proud to bring this book to Vertigo and work with my friend and editor Molly Mahan—who is, fortunately, as far as I know, not imaginary.”

Years ago, a young girl named Brinke Calle was found covered in blood near the woods in the small rural town of Cannon Falls, MN, when her best friend Melba attempted to murder her. When investigators tried to understand why, Melba revealed that a spider girl named Polly Peachpit told her to. Years later, Melba is turning 18 and will begin her real sentence in federal prison. That is, until a new unit in the FBI recruits her, with an explanation for what happened so many years ago.

Another world exists beyond ours. One that is terrifying, where hungry spectral aliens stalk the minds of the weak and impressionable. And these parasites have leeched onto humanity for too long. But in order to understand them, Melba must first unleash her own monster.

Molnar adds, “It’s always exciting to have the opportunity to create a new book. Being able to work with Tim, Molly and the rest of the people at Vertigo makes it that much better. I hope our audience has as much fun reading our story as I do drawing it.”

This frightening new thriller will arrive November 15. Read at your own risk.

Paperbacks from Hell: The Twisted History
of ’70s and ’80s Horror Fiction 
Written by Grady Hendrix
Published by Quirk Books
Released September 19, 2017
ISBN-13: 978-1594749810

Review by Chris Byrnes

Paperbacks from Hell is an absolute delight. It chronicles the explosion of horror fiction following the appearance of Rosemary’s Baby on the bestseller list.

We all know about Stephen King, Anne Rice, and V.C. Andrews but Hendrix includes countless lesser known writers who created outrageous plotlines involving Satan, haunted houses, evil animals, evil plants, evil children, vampires, and assorted monsters.

Some of these authors would exploit various social and political movements of the 60s and 70s.

Feminism led scared rich men to turn their wives into robots in Ira Levin’s The Stepford Wives.

Native Americans fought for social justice and horror writers were quick to use their cause for insane novels like Graham Masterton’s The Manitou in which a young woman gives birth (on her neck) to Misquamicus, a 300 year old medicine man out for revenge.

Revenge is also the motive for animals angry at how humans have abused the environment. It started with James Herbert’s The Rats and was followed by books like Robert Calder’s The Dogs, Edward Jarvis’ The Maggots, David Anne’s The Folly (genetically engineered rat-rabbits), and Mark Washburn and Robert Webb’s The Predators in which a Kodiak bear and a great white shark battle each other on cable tv.

One reason for the success of these paperbacks was that they were sold in supermarkets, convenience stores and airports. They were a cheap thrill (most were priced under $2.00). Robin Cook’s medical thriller Coma spent 13 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Tom Tryon’s The Other was on the list for 24 weeks and William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist was on it for 55.

Another part of their success was the cover art which Hendrix explores in detail. So what happened to this glorious wave of horror? It’s the physics of waves. No matter how big a wave is, it eventually crashes on shore. Paperback publishers like Avon, Bantam, Ballantine, Pocket Books, and Tor pumped out a lot of product but when quality of the writing waned, the audience lost interest.

These small publishing houses were absorbed in to bigger ones like Random House, Macmillan, and HarperCollins and readers were less interested in horror and more interested in “thrillers” involving serial killers. Also, cheap paperbacks were being replaced with trade paperbacks that were more lucrative.

The real value of this book is the hope that these writers will not be forgotten and that adventurous readers will search the dollar bins at bookstores and conventions for these lost masterworks. Hendrix makes the case better than I could when he writes, “These stories are timeless in the way that truly matters: they will not bore you.”

Personally, I will be forever grateful to Grady Hendrix for introducing me to John Christopher’s The Little People in which an Irish castle is haunted by Gestapochauns (oh yes, NAZI LEPRECHAUNS!). Genius.

Chris Byrnes worked in theater for two decades and appeared in the Showtime series “Brotherhood”
and the Disney movie, “Underdog”. He now toils at Books on the Square bookstore in Providence.

This year’s FanExpo Boston takeover of Boston Comic Con came with not only a change of venue, but an entirely different experience for BostonCon fans. The change in venue from Seaport World Trade Center to the much larger Boston Convention and Exhibition Center was a welcome to accommodate more fans. It did seem a bit odd that Fan Expo had nearly an entire room dedicated to a line queue when some vendors and artist alley tables were on top of each other with not much room for people to ‘squeak by’.

I’m familiar with well-run conventions in the same space, most notably PAX East, so I don’t think my overall iffy experience at FanExpo was a unique one. First time convention volunteers and ushers gave wrong or poor information. The Guidebook App was difficult to track down. Signage was messed at a major floor entryway that said EXIT. Instead of fixing the sign on day 2, they just posted two guards there to send people in the opposite direction.

At PAX, major video game companies and local developers are there to showcase new talent and new games. Here, at FanExpo Boston, major publishers weren’t present. Smaller publishers like IDW, Boom and Image weren’t there either. I don’t expect these publishers to hit every show, and NYCC is coming up in October, but the lack of publishers at a big space like BCEC seemed like at the very least a missed opportunity to take advantage of the venue. Sure, Stan Lee was there, but he’s everywhere. He nearly ran me over with his Rascal scooter on his way to his panel!

To put it bluntly, my expectations of the weekend simply were not met. The history of the convention that has grown from the basement of Westin Waterfront Hotel to the Hynes and the Seaport Hotel is gone now, along with the naming, sadly. Organizers and those on staff are promising to bring back some of that history and programming for 2018, but this convention is more about photo opportunities than it is about comic books now. Such is the way of the convention world these days, I should have seen it coming. But I didn’t.

I don’t begrudge the promoter Informa for slapping a touring operational template on to a hometown show and despite my criticisms, I do welcome Informa and FanExpo to our city. This is clearly a model that works to sell the most tickets and appeals to the broadest audience. I have a lot of respect for this philosophy, however, I should have done my research and not walked in expecting what I had gotten out of the last few years at the Boston Comic Con.

I also get excited about meeting celebrities and photo ops and signings, I could have used a bit more on the comic book panel side of the programming. To say the actual comic book panel programming was light would be generous, it was barely there. That being said, I did make my way to some panels that I did enjoy, or I put my best face forward and made an effort to enjoy. This is Comic Con after all.

On the plus side, I filled in some key issues for G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero and isn’t that what conventions are supposed to be about? Comics? I just wish I had gotten a bit more substance out of the programming than to have to get my rush out of haggling over $5 books from out of state vendors. And a word of advice to those digging into the long boxes? Always haggle. They don’t want to ship this stuff back!

As far as the demographics for the panels, I personally am not that interested in steampunk, anime or cosplay at my comic conventions. I’m aged out of those things, or perhaps not ye olde enough for the brass and circumstance of the steampunk guild! I strictly avoided ticketed events, like Kevin Smith and Jay Mewes because my luck is never good at landing a spot in line for access to those things.

Late Saturday, I dropped in on Mike Zeck, Joe Rubinstein and Bob Wiacek panel. Attendance was low, so moderator and podcast host Moisés Chiullán called an audible and brought the panel to a round robin on the floor with no microphones. I’m sure that the artists had a bunch to say but I had someone eating M&Ms behind me and my ears are blown out from too many concerts. I couldn’t hear a damn thing.

Sunday, I made my way to a Q & A session with sci-fi actor Alan Tudyk about his Emmy Nominated show Con Man. Seasons 1 and 2 will be on SyFy on September 9th. The Firefly and Star Wars actor was quite generous answering questions from the audience and gave each person who asked a question a signed autograph from the panel. I walked away with a signed SDCC 2016 pass for asking why they first went to the fans to fund Con Man the series. The answer was that in order to shoot what they wanted to shoot, Hollywood wouldn’t fund it without changing the essence of the show. To get the most honest and true vision of the art, they went straight to the fans first. A great philosophy that is paying off.

Con Man guest star Felicia Day introduced the panel. Also, check out Con Man: The Game on mobile where you can make Nathan Fillion pick up trash!

Straight from the Con Man panel, I made my way to Image Comics at 25 with Jason Latour, Nate Bellegarde, Steve Lieber, Matt Hawkins, Ryan Ottley, Ivan Brendon and Meredith Finch.

It was a bit of a sleepy Sunday afternoon panel but we got news of there being some extra special treats in store for the ending of Invincible from Ryan Ottley and a tease that he has another project after the superhero book is done to be announced later.

Matt Hawkins is moving Think Tank into the prose format after concluding the comic at volume 5. Matt, Bryan Hill and artist Atilio Rojo are bringing Cyber Force back in a big way for the 25th Anniversary. Latour’s Southern Bastards continues to kick ass and is a reflection of how it is to be from the South and be prideful without being hateful. The crowd applauded his efforts, as a backdoor commentary to recent events in the media.

Though the Image people seemed to be checking their watches for flights back home late Sunday, this was the closest to the experience I was expecting out of a convention all weekend. I do recognize my needs as a fan can and will change over the years, so I will adapt to the new show and hopefully my love affair with Boston Comic Con can continue.

Regrettably I missed Greg Capullo and John Romita Jr.’s panel, but I wish I had seen at least three more legitimate comic based panels on the program in 2018.

You have the space now, use it well!

The Jedi Knight looks over the silent pairs of men and women lining the walls. He gives the signal and suddenly the room is filled with the deafening noise of 50+ people quickly asking and answering questions in order to find their potential geek love connection. This was Sci-Fi Speed Dating, and it was actually a pretty fun diversion from the usual convention offerings.

Speed dating might seem like a strange thing to try at a convention, but the knowledge that the person across from you will understand (if not share) your nerd proclivities is a significant bonus. Run by owner Ryan Glitch and featured on TLC’s Geek Love, women are stationed in a circle around the room while suitors sit across, moving to the left every three minutes to start a new “mini date”. Women are free to participate, while the men pay a fee for the opportunity. Each party wears a numbered name tag, and uses a pen and index card to keep track of the numbers of people they clicked with.

I approached the room for the event and hoped there were women inside because outside the door was a significantly long line of men stretching down the hall. Inside, the room was full of curious but anxious ladies sitting across from empty chairs. As I snagged a seat next to an attractive woman wearing an “Exhibitor” tag, I took a glance around at the other 25 or so women looking to find a panel-hopping partner. Ages ranged from 18 to late 30s, with all sorts of body types and cosplay represented. Daenerys Targaryen checked her cell while an elf chatted with another friend in plain clothes.

Glitch came out and asked for silence and attention as he explained some quick tactics for us ladies to signal him in case of an overzealous suitor. He cracked a few jokes and the tension in the room dissipated. Soon, the men came pouring in. There was no way that there were enough women for the amount of hopeful guys in the wings, as Glitch only let in a matching amount for the women present. Ladies definitely ruled the show here.

Additional rules were given once the men joined us, such as no sharing personally identifying information and limiting location to closest city. It was a little strange to have no age categories (I definitely felt like Mrs. Robinson a few times) Soon, I was chatting with a nice guy from a neighboring state and sharing what brought each of us to the convention. By the time we reached anything beyond surface level, Glitch was booming “3, 2, 1, SWITCH!!” As time went on, everyone got better at jumping to a few key questions (Are you local? Who are you seeing here? What are your fandoms?) and you could hear laughter and excited chatter as people furtively wrote down numbers before moving to the next person.

Those in cosplay had an advantage on instant talking points and affinity. I was immediately enamored with a cute guy wearing Star Trek insignia, and we quickly found that are Trekkie tendencies made for easy banter.

There simply was not enough time to have everyone meet each other, so the event came to a close after meeting about 15-20 people. We divided into groups of girls and guys, writing our contact information on the sheet corresponding with the numbers we jotted down previously. No need to wait for the organizer to see if both parties wrote down the same number. The onus is on you to reach out (and remember) who is who. There were several clear favorites for the women, who were done giving out details much quicker than the men. Afterwards, people lingered, getting last chances at face-to-face time with potential dates for later in the weekend.

After the con I met up with my Trekkie suitor and we got to hang out and chat about non-geek interests as well as a con wrap-up.

No matter how it pans out, I have to say that Sci Fi speed dating is well-worth the time away from the convention floor, especially if you are a geek girl looking for a similarly aligned guy. Who knows, you may even find the Spock to your Uhura in that loud and lively conference room.

Following the epic conclusion of its fifth and final season, Adult Swim’s four-time Emmy Award-winning series, Samurai Jack, arrives as a complete series on Blu-ray, and Digital HD October 17, 2017. Featuring all 62 heart-pounding episodes of the critically acclaimed animated show, Samurai Jack: The Complete Series also arrives with action-packed bonus content including exclusive featurettes, behind the scenes looks and special commentary. Fans will also relive the first four seasons in HD for the first time as each episode has been remastered to perfection. The box set also features a one-of-a-kind metal art print, created especially for the show’s devoted fans.

Adult Swim isn’t stopping there. In addition to the release of Samurai Jack: The Complete Series, fans can celebrate even more of their favorite Samurai with a dynamic lineup of additional releases featuring new content from the beloved series. Providing fans an entertainment experience like no other, Adult Swim’s full lineup of action-packed upcoming releases includes:

• Samurai Jack: The Complete Series – Including all five seasons of the highly-acclaimed animated series, the complete series box set showcases 1,364 minutes of high quality animation and never-before-seen bonus features, as well as a one-of-a-kind metal art print created especially for this collector’s item. Available October 17, 2017, the complete series will retail for $112.99 SRP for the Blu-ray™ and Digital box set.

• Samurai Jack: Season Five Soundtrack – Featuring 22 spellbinding tracks produced by celebrated film composer and producer Tyler Bates and composed by Joanne Higginbottom and Dieter Hartmann for the show’s explosive final season, the emotional and action-filled album awakens the spirit of the Samurai with every listen. Hand-selected to provide fans the ultimate Samurai Jack experience, each track takes listeners back to season five. Available for digital download and streaming this fall.

• Samurai Jack: Season Five – Following the conclusion of the series’ epic final season, fans can revisit season five anytime with the release of the complete fifth season on DVD and Blu-Ray. Available on October 17, 2017, Samurai Jack: Season Five will retail for $24.98 SRP and $29.98 SRP respectively.

• Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie Event – Adult Swim and Fathom Events are teaming up to provide the ultimate fan experience with an exclusive one-night cinema event. Arriving in movie theaters throughout the U.S. on October 16, 2017, Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie Event offers fans an exclusive experience including the series first season movie remastered in high-definition alongside content from the highly anticipated complete series box set. Additional surprises are anticipated; with more information, including ticketing and participating theaters, to be announced in the coming weeks.

Created by celebrated animation director Genndy Tartakovsky, Samurai Jack follows a young Samurai after he is sent to the future by the evil wizard, Aku. With the determination to defeat the wizard and undo his destruction, Jack sets off on a daring journey to return to the past and defeat Aku once and for all. Gathering allies and combatting other villains along the way, Jack battles to accomplish his mission and restore the peace of the past. The intense fifth season concludes the journey of its time displaced iconic star, as he finally completes his mission 50 years after the events of the original series.

Continuing to captivate new fans, while maintaining a loyal following of longtime viewers, Samurai Jack: The Complete Series allows audiences to join their favorite samurai time and time again as he finds his way through the five-season journey.

About Adult Swim

Adult Swim, launched in 2001, is Turner’s network offering original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults.  Airing nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET/PT), Adult Swim is basic cable’s #1 network with persons 18-34 and 18-49, and is seen in 94 million U.S. Homes.

Turner, a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, sports, animation and young adult multi-platform content for consumers around the world. Turner brands and businesses include CNN/U.S., HLN, CNN International and CNN.com, TBS, TNT, TCM, truTV, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Adult Swim, Turner Sports, Bleacher Report, FilmStruck, Super Deluxe, iStreamPlanet and ELEAGUE.

Creativity is the key this week.

Each and every book, from Scooby-Doo to Teen Titans; Nightwing to Blue Beetle tries something new.

So many changes in one go would be enough to derail a reader or reinvigorate their interest.

I found this week was the latter. I enjoyed each individual issue on its merits and there were very few downsides to scrutinize.

I think my recurring bug bear is a role call; Scooby-Doo Team-Up managed to do it but Harley Quinn did not, (full stop?) a minor thing but something that could enhance the book for a new reader.

Take off your solar eclipse specs folks it is time to see the light… this is my look into the DC Universe this week!

The Hellblazer #13
Writer: Tim Seeley
Artist: Jesus Merino

John has a lot of explaining to do.

After returning from Paris he meets a man named Marty during a drunken night out.

Marty gives John a bottle of liquor but upon drinking it Constantine begins suffering from the most graphic and violent nightmares.

The only problem is that somehow his violent nightmare came true, resulting in the death of a teenager.

The police want John for the crime, did he commit murder under the influence or was there a supernatural force at work?

I was not a big fan of The Smokeless Fire. It focused so much on Mercury and the Djinn that John took a backseat.

I was pleasantly surprised to find a change of pace in The Inspiration Game with John reluctantly thrown directly into the spotlight.

I wasn’t a fan of the colouring in the book which felt a little washed out, but perhaps it was intentionally done to mirror the dazed hangover Constantine was enduring. The art was highly detailed and the layouts were quite creative. I’ve found that Constantine is a book that has had a fast and ropey rotation of artists. I’m hoping it will find a steady creative team to change that.

The script was engaging and showed how John is interesting, yet deeply flawed. I really enjoyed that this felt like a genuine Constantine story from someone that enjoyed and understood the character.

Nightwing: The New Order #1
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Artist: Trevor McCarthy

After a massacre saw the fall of Metropolis, the world took a different look at superheroes.

In the year 2040, superpowers have been outlawed.

Commander Dick Grayson leads The Crusaders, a government sanctioned team, charged with eliminating the threat of metahumans.

Some metas take inhibitor meds to live amongst us while others form a rebellion but if caught they suffer dire consequences.

Dick and his son, Jake are visited by former butler, Alfred Pennyworth, and struggle to understand the changes in the world around them.

Commander Grayson has kept one secret from the government… the identity of Jake’s mother, but when Jake reveals a startling ‘illness’ could Dick’s life fall apart?

An Elseworlds style story which perhaps would seem more at home with the mighty mutants of the Marvel Universe.

I found myself watching X2 this week so how strange it was to feel pangs of deja vu reading this with Nightwing playing the part of William Stryker, or a reasonable facsimile… I don’t think I’m alone in drawing parallels either.

Another real world element? Tom Welling. Dick Grayson is drawn to look remarkably like him. Given Welling’s distaste for the genre that gave him a career, it is eerily poetic that McCarthy drew Dick to resemble the actor.
I might be reading too much into this story and its roots but it has me interested enough to read it through a few times.

The story was entertaining and definitely different for the Nightwing audience.

I’ll reserve any real opinion till it is a little more fleshed out but I am very curious about it.

Teen Titans #11
Writer: Benjamin Percy
Artists: Phil Hester, Khoi Pham & Trevor Scott

Jackson is understandably suspicious of his father, Black Manta, scourge of the seven seas.

Being the biological son of one of mankind’s deadliest enemies forces Aqualad to re-evaluate his choice to be one of mankind’s champions.
The teen is thrown further into turmoil when Manta reveals that Jackson has been using only a minute fraction of his powers.

As the Titans race to save their friend, Manta reveals the true reason he reunited with his son.

One shall rise, one shall fall, but whoever it is will change the Teen Titans forever.

Meanwhile Beast Boy’s future is looking bleak.

This issue was light on story but heavy on drama.

I liked that Jackson struggled with his role and his powers. Manta is as encouraging as he is manipulative so of course I did not buy his ploy of family bonding.

There was a reason why Jackson was kept apart from him but it was a necessary evolution of the character and that scene with Tempest passing on the mantle of Aqualad was very touching. I’m glad that some of the other characters in the Titans roster were given the spotlight, Damian is fun, but in small doses.

I hope Jackson takes on the role of leader, as he is a far more complex character.

Scooby-Doo! Team-Up #29
Writer: Sholly Fisch
Artist: Dave Alvarez

Top Cat, Benny, Fancy-Fancy, Spook, Choo Choo and Brain are doing their usual best to outwit Officer Dibble but when they prank the policeman with a fake haunting, they are shocked to find he has called in Mystery Inc!

Hoagy’s ghost is causing all kinds of havoc but it doesn’t take the gang long to suss out the secret.

When real estate developers arrive threatening to bulldoze the land making the poor homeless, it will take all the smarts of Scooby, T.C, Mystery Inc, the cats and even Officer Dibble to save the neighbourhood and the poorer in society.

As a kid, Laff-A-Lympics was a highlight of after-school entertainment.

Seeing T.C and Scooby together on the page was a throwback to those days, but the story was quite out of the ordinary for both parties.

Top Cat was always about comedy and Scooby all about adventure, so to see them try and outsmart one another was very entertaining.

The creative team took it one step further with a team up to save the homeless. Both teams rarely deal with such hard hitting issues and it was great to see it being tackled in a way that would educate children.

Hal Jordan And The Green Lantern Corps #27
Writer: Robert Vendetti
Artists: Rafa Sandoval & Jordi Tarragona

Slyggia is the scene of a battleground as the Golem lays waste to everything in sight to get to Orion.

The Metal Golem’s power needs time to recharge but once it does the entire space sector will be obliterated.

Hal, Kyle and Salaak do their best to defend the New God and realise there is only one solution.

Hatching a brutal plan, the heroes make it to Mogo and uncover a race to kill Lightray and Highfather.  If New Genesis falls, nothing will stand in the way of Darkseid and Apokolips.

Hal Jordan won’t let a little thing like an army of invulnerable golems stand in his way. The Green Lantern Corps are the only ones that can save the universe now.

Self induced open heart surgery.

There I said it.

I mean it was a serious ‘what the hell’ moment, but one that harkened back to the Silver Age more than it did the N52 excessive violence era. The reason for such a graphic display was to throw a gigantic robot off Orion’s trail, and it was a bizarre deus ex machina that somehow worked.

The real story and motivation for the Golems were relegated to flashbacks in favour of the shock value. The hunt was almost inconsequential, which is a shame as it was the driving force last issue. The race to save Highfather and Lightray will be interesting so I hope we have more character moments and action to look forward to, instead of shock tactics.

Harley Quinn #26
Writers: Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner
Artist: John Timms

The army of soldiers that interrupted the party turn out to be the ‘Unconquerable 25’ but this was one shindig that they should have left alone.

Harley’s partygoing friends are deadly opponents and they put up one hell of a fight.

As the night ends the Unconquerable 25 are left ‘The Very Conquerable 6’ but nobody is left unscathed.

As Chief Of Police Spoonsdale organises a clean-up crew, Harley & all her friends are regrouped to meet Mr. Rivera and hatch a plan against the corrupt forces of Mayor DePerto and Madison Berkowicz.

Nobody crosses Harley Quinn and her latest plan is her most ambitious yet!

There is really only one story development this issue.

The rest of it is insane action sequence after insane action sequence.

It was all to show that Harley is not to be trifled with and nineteen brutally killed soldiers illustrated that in extremely graphic fashion.

The art is visceral, bloodthirsty, energetic and comedic all at the same time which fits naturally with the plot which feels like a ‘Director’s cut’ of last issue. The revelation on the last page promises for big changes and like Catwoman becoming a gangster, or Lex becoming President, Harley’s creative team will definitely be mixing things up!

Blue Beetle #12
Writers: Keith Giffen & J.M DeMatteis
Artist: Scott Kolins

Ted and Teri are shocked when they find Batman has infiltrated Kord Industries.

Bruce is not happy with Ted and his creation of a new Blue Beetle nor Ted’s twice-weekly Justice League membership requests.

Teri is shocked that this Batman is so different from the one she shows in the year 3001. El Paso meanwhile comes under attack from Ghostfire, and Jaime races into action to fight the villain while being secretly monitored by Bruce.

Inexperienced in combat, Jaime gives it all he has while utilising the tech to discover Ghostfire’s secrets.  Though their methods differ greatly, Batman leaves impressed with Jaime’s ingenuity in action.

The surprises do not end there as Teri realises she needs the teenagers help to go back to the future.

After such an overlong origin story and the introduction of The Posse it is a fantastic breath of fresh air to have a new story begin and one that embraces Jaime’s new status quo as a partner to the scarab rather than just its host.

I could have done without Batman but someone must have been watching Spider-man: Homecoming and wanted to reflect the Tony Stark/Spidey relationship. One thing that is positive moving forward is that Blue Beetle is positive and happier and heading in a direction where he might just leave all that angst behind.

Action Comics #986
Writer: Rob Williams
Artist: Guillem March

As Machinist gloats, Superman and Lex fight to the finish. Superman theorizes that the mind tick was designed for human physiology and encourages Lex to use his armour to its fullest capacity.

Lex takes Superman’s advice as taunting and pours on the energy pushing his suit to its maximum. The suit burns out the mind tick and Superman takes his chance to defeat The Machinist and do something he never could in their past conflicts (as he was depowered) and uncover the tech villain’s secret identity.

As Lex and Superman share a fleeting moment of friendship and honour and admiration, Lex realises he saw something while being controlled. Racing back to Lexcorp he discovers an ‘OZ’ marking recorded by his suit.

Mr. Oz appears and strips Lex of his ‘S’ and reveals some secrets that horrify Lex to his very core.

What I had been expecting was a fight of epic proportions between Lex and Superman.

Indeed, the last issue climax promised me that but what I got was entirely different.

I’m not upset by the fact it turned out to be quite a red herring as we finally got to see The Machinist get his comeuppance.

That would normally be enough, because it forced Superman and Lex to make admissions they’d harboured and work together but then we have the final third of the issue spur things into a new direction. Mr. Oz finally making himself known, taking an active role and taking the story spiraling down the rabbit hole. I love that it was completely unexpected, in an era of spoilers it was great to read something that I was unprepared for.

While kids across the country are getting ready to crack open their textbooks, comic retailers across the country are getting ready to crack open the new Previews catalog, which is chock-full of the latest items from Diamond Select Toys!

Scheduled to ship in late 2017 and early 2018, DST’s offerings include items from Thor: Ragnarok, Kingdom Hearts, Black Panther, DC Comics, Joseph Michael Linsner, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Marvel Comics and the world of H.P. Lovecraft! Study up on the facts below, and reserve your favorites at your local comic shop, or your favorite online retailer!

Cthulhu Vinimates Vinyl Figure

A Diamond Select Toys release! It’s 2017, and Cthulhu has a new look for a new year! “Old god” and literary superstar Cthulhu is the latest 4-inch figure to join the Vinimates vinyl figure line. With an articulated neck, he can cast his gaze at the faithful and unfaithful alike, summoning all to join his shambling host! Packaged in a full-color window box, Cthulhu is the perfect addition to your Vinimates or Cthulhu collection and will tower over your Minimates mini-figures! Sculpted by Eli Livingston! (Item #AUG172648, SRP: $9.99)

DC Vinimates DC Comics Vinyl Figures Series 2

A Diamond Select Toys release! The heroes and villains of the DC Universe are back in the second series of comic-based DC Vinimates! Three new 4” vinyl figures – Superman, Joker and Wonder Woman – are sculpted in the block-figure style, each striking an iconic pose straight from the comics. Each Vinimate comes packaged in a full-color window box.

• Superman Vinimate (Item #SEP172467, SRP: $9.99)
• Joker Vinimate (Item #SEP172468, SRP: $9.99)
• Wonder Woman Vinimate (Item #SEP172469, SRP: $9.99)

DC Vinimates Flash TV Vinyl Figures

A Diamond Select Toys release! The DC Vinimates line is off to a racing start as it barrels full-speed into the world of DC TV shows! This assortment of Flash characters is based on the hit CW TV show and includes 4-inch versions of Flash, Reverse Flash and Captain Cold! Sculpted in the block-figure style, each pre-posed vinyl figure comes packaged in a full-color window box.

• Flash Vinyl Figure (Item # AUG172649, SRP: $9.99)
• Reverse Flash Vinyl Figure (Item # AUG172650, SRP: $9.99)
• Captain Cold Vinyl Figure (Item # AUG172651, SRP: $9.99)

DC Gallery Batman Beyond Batman PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! How big is your gallery? For the next entry in the hit DC Gallery PVC Diorama series, DST is leaping into the distant future of Gotham City, to capture the high-tech hero – Batman Beyond! Terry McGinnis hovers above a cloud of smoke with his wings extended and his boot-jets firing in this approximately 10” PVC sculpture. Packaged in a full-color window box, the figure and base feature detailed sculpt and paint work. Dynamically sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item #SEP172471, SRP: $45.00)

DC Gallery Batman The Animated Series Robin PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! The Boy Wonder is joining the DC Gallery PVC line, as Batman’s first sidekick, Dick Grayson, steps to the fore in his classic red yellow and green outfit! With his bolo spinning, Robin can stand on his own or pair with the previously released Batman PVC to form a larger diorama! Measuring approximately 10 inches tall, this PVC sculpture features detailed sculpting and paint applications, and is in scale to all other Gallery and Femme Fatales figures. Packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item # AUG172647,  SRP: $45.00)

Femme Fatales Gallery Sinful Suzi PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! The Femme Fatales are back! The Gallery PVC line returns to its pinup roots with this PVC Diorama of one of Joseph Linsner’s sexiest creations – Sinful Suzi! Holding her pitchfork, this devilish diva measures approximately 9 inches tall atop a black pedestal base. Packaged in a full-color window box, this seductive sculpture features detailed sculpting and paint applications. Sculpted by Sam Greenwell! Coming soon: Dawn! (Item #SEP172472, SRP: $45.00)

Kingdom Hearts Vinimates Vinyl Figures

A Diamond Select Toys release! Kingdom Hearts is back! With the 15^th anniversary in progress, and a third game on the horizon, the video-game world of Kingdom Hearts is as magical as ever! These four block-based figures take the main characters of the franchise — Sora, Donald, Mickey and Goofy — and transport them into the world of Vinimates, where each 4-inch vinyl figure has an articulated head for additional posing options! Each figure comes packaged in a full-color window box.

• Sora Vinyl Figure (Item # APR178984, SRP: $9.99)
• Donald Vinyl Figure (Item # APR178987, SRP: $9.99)
• Mickey Vinyl Figure (Item # APR178985, SRP: $9.99)
• Goofy Vinyl Figure (Item # APR178986, SRP: $9.99)

Marvel Gallery Thor: Ragnarok Movie Thor PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! Let’s get ready to thunder! The God of Thunder is ready to cut loose in his newest outing, Thor; Ragnarok, and DST has captured the Odinson at his most heroic, in the newest Marvel Gallery PVC Diorama! Standing atop a rocky outcropping, this battle-ready Thor wields Mjolnir, ready to face the hordes of Hela herself. Standing approximately 10 inches tall, this PVC sculpture features detailed sculpting and paint applications. Packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Rocco Tartamella! (Item # SEP172483, SRP: $45.00)

Marvel Gallery Thor: Ragnarok Movie Hulk PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! The highly anticipated Thor: Ragnarok movie is bringing us one of the most exciting Hulk looks ever, and this Marvel Gallery PVC Diorama captures him at his most enraged! Measuring approximately 12 inches tall, this sculpture of a fully armored Hulk wielding twin weapons is the must-have collectable from Thor: Ragnarok. Featuring detailed sculpting and paint applications, this 9-inch scale diorama comes packaged in a full-color window box and is in scale to all other Gallery and Femme Fatales figures. Sculpted by Rocco Tartamella! (Item # AUG172642, SRP: $50.00)

Marvel Gallery Thor: Ragnarok Movie Valkyrie PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! Out of the newest Marvel Cinematic Universe film comes the newest big-screen Marvel character, Valkyrie! Based on her appearance in Thor: Ragnarok, this 9-inch scale PVC diorama depicts actress Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, standing on part of the Grandmaster’s planet. . Featuring detailed sculpting and paint applications, this 9-inch scale diorama comes packaged in a full-color window box and is in scale to all other Gallery and Femme Fatales figures. Sculpted by Rocco Tartamella! PRODUCT NOT FINAL. (Item # AUG172643, SRP: $45.00)

Marvel Gallery NOW! Captain America PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! How big is your Gallery? Expand your hall of heroes with the first-ever Marvel Gallery PVC of Captain America! Depicting the star-spangled Avenger in his Marvel NOW! outfit, this PVC diorama of Steve Rogers shows him charging an opponent (or an army of them) as bullets ricochet off of his vibranium shield. Measuring approximately 9 inches tall, this PVC figure features detailed sculpting and paint work, and is in scale to all Femme Fatales and Gallery releases. Packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Jean St. Jean! (Item # AUG172640, SRP: $45.00)

Marvel Gallery Silk PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! One of the Marvel Universe’s newest Spider-people is now one of the newest Marvel Gallery PVCs! Cindy Moon, the second victim of the spider that made Peter Parker Spider-Man, leaps into action as a 9-inch-scale PVC Diorama, and spinning a web on a spider-symbol base. Measuring approximately 9 inches tall, this PVC sculpture features detailed sculpting and paint applications, and is in scale to all other Gallery and Femme Fatales figures. Packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Alejandro Pereira! (Item # AUG172646, SRP: $45.00)

Marvel Gallery Spider-Man: Homecoming PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys release! The first Marvel Cinematic Universe Spider-film is here, and we couldn’t be happier! To celebrate, we’ve created a Marvel Gallery PVC figure of Spidey in his new duds, clinging to the side of a building in typical Spider-Man fashion. Measuring approximately 10 inches tall, this diorama features detailed sculpting and paint and is in scale to all other Gallery and Femme Fatales figures. Packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios! (Item # AUG172644, SRP: $45.00)

Marvel Minimates Series 74 Greatest Stories 2-Pack Asst.

A Diamond Select Toys release! The record-setting 74^th series of Marvel Minimates is one for the ages, and it’s only available at comic shops and specialty stores! Spanning four different storylines from Marvel’s history, this assortment of four two-packs captures four of the greatest Avengers in four of their most epic battles, with four new outfits and four never-before-made opponents! From the “Surtur Saga,” Ages of Thunder Thor takes on the first-ever Surtur Minimate! From “Planet Hulk,” King Hulk takes on the first-ever Red King! From “Old Man Logan,” Logan takes on the never-made Ashley Barton Spider-Girl! And from “Secret Empire,” Agent of Hydra Captain America takes on the all-new Ironheart! Each 2” Minimates mini-figure features up to 14 points of articulation, as well as fully interchangeable parts! Each 2-pack comes packaged in a full-color window box. (Item # AUG172641, SRP: $9.99/ea.)

Marvel Minimates Black Panther Movie Box Set

A Diamond Select Toys release! It came from Wakanda! The highly anticipated Marvel Studios film Marvel’s Black Panther joins the Marvel Minimates Universe with this exclusive box set! Featuring Black Panther, M’Baku, Killmonger and Shuri, this set of four 2-inch Minimates mini-figures features 14 points of articulation on each figure, as well as fully interchangeable parts. Packaged in a full-color window box. (Item #SEP172485, SRP: $24.99)

Marvel Premier Collection Moon Knight Resin Statue

A Diamond Select Toys release! By the blessings of Khonshu, the Moon Knight walks again! The white knight of the Marvel Universe returns in this new, approximately 12” Marvel Premier Collection statue! Depicting the Fist of Khonshu slightly battle-damaged and perched on a rooftop with Egyptian architectural details, this resin statue is limited to only 3,000 pieces, and comes packaged with a certificate of authenticity in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Jean St. Jean! (Item #SEP172484, SRP: $150.00)

Marvel Premier Collection Spider-Man Resin Statue

A Diamond Select Toys release! The ultimate Spider-Man collectible is here! This large-scale resin statue of Spider-Man depicts a classically styled wall-crawler vaulting over brickwork as his webline whips around him! Dynamically hand-sculpted by the legendary Clayburn Moore, this high-end, 12-inch-scale collectible is a must-have item for any Spider-fan! Limited to only 3,000 pieces, this statue features a hand-numbered base and comes packaged in a full-color, hand-numbered box with a certificate of authenticity. (Item # AUG172645, SRP: $150.00)

Marvel Premier Collection Spider-Man Homecoming Movie Statue

A Diamond Select Toys release! Hey, you aren’t the Avengers! Relive the scene in Spider-Man: Homecoming when Spidey takes on a bank-robbing gang of Avengers impersonators with this approximately 12-inch statue based on the film! Featuring a screen-accurate Spider-Man standing atop an ATM and surrounded by discarded alien weaponry and superhero masks, this resin statue is limited to only 3,000 pieces, and comes packaged in a full-color box with a certificate of authenticity. Sculpted by Gentle Giant! (Item # SEP172487, SRP: $150.00)

Marvel Select Black Panther Movie Action Figure

A Diamond Select Toys release! The king of Wakanda joins the Marvel Select action figure line! The first Marvel Studios film of 2018 takes us deeper into the world of the Black Panther, and now you can recreate the action of the movie with this 7-inch scale action figure of T’Challa! Packaged with a diorama of the movie’s Warrior Falls, this figure comes packaged in the famous Select action figure packaging, with side-panel artwork for easy shelf reference. Sculpted by Gentle Giant! (Item #SEP172486, SRP: $24.99)

Superman Animated Darkseid Resin Bust

A Diamond Select Toys release! Who’s the next resin bust in the Superman series? DARKSEID IS! The legendary ruler of Apokolips arrives in his animated form in advance of his Justice League film appearance, with this bust based on his appearance in classic Superman: The Animated Series episodes. Posed in an intimidating fashion atop a Metropolis architectural pedestal, this approximately 6-inch Resin bust is the perfect addition to your DC Animated Universe bust collection. Limited to only 3,000 pieces, it comes packaged with a certificate of authenticity in a full-color box. Sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item #SEP172470, SRP: $59.99)

Find a store at comicshoplocator.com!

Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!

It’s nearing the end of August and summer is winding down. Here is a look at some of the DC titles that came out this week.

Batman/The Shadow #5
Written by Scott Snyder and Steve Orlando
Illustrated by Riley Rossmo

This crossover has been damn awesome.

I have loved every second of it. This issue is no different. I sat there and read this like a little kid. It’s fun, well written, and the art is just fantastic.

In this issue The Stag and the Joker have kidnapped all of the Shadow’s allies. They are ready to go into Shamba-La. Batman and The Shadow must stop them, otherwise the world will plunge into darkness.

Can they do it? Orlando and Snyder keep you on your toes throughout.

I love the story but honestly the art by Rossmo really is the best part of the book. Rossmo should be put on a Shadow book immediately after this.

His art is vibrant and just moves. This is the penultimate issue of the series.

Pick it up!

RATING: A

Kamandi Challenge #8
Written by Keith Giffen 
Illustrated by Steve Rude

The last issue of this series had a truly shocking ending.

Now this issue shows up with a new creative team (again). It’s another supercharged issue and it’s also quite wonderful.

This issue Kamandi is transported to a place where Grecian sheep and the Wolf Garibaldeks are on the eve of war. Kamandi lands and is at once mistaken for being their folk hero.

Will he bring peace or destruction? Find out here!

The team of Giffen and Rude is amazing. Giffen writes an exciting tale filled with excitement and humor.

The art by Rude is top notch. He’s one of the best this business has ever had.

Pick this up. It’s another good issue in a uniquely exciting book.

RATING: A-

Suicide Squad #24
Written by Rob Williams 
Illustrated by Agustin Padilla

This is part four to the storyline “Kill Your Darlings.”

It’s a pretty wild storyline Williams has concocted.

Amanda Waller is using a newly created Suicide Squad to take out various metahumans at her behest. This turns the book very dark and I very much enjoy that turn.

What follows is that the most dysfunctional members of the old Squad have to make a decision to stop this. They have to make some tough choices to save the world this time.

Williams actually does very well with the writing of this issue.

I believed the characters and the choices they made. The art brings it down a bit for me. It just didn’t flow as well and I think they need a stronger artistic identity for this book.

Not bad overall though.

RATING: B

The Flash #29
Written by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Carmine Di Giandomenico

This storyline about the Negative Flash is tops.

The Flash has pretty much lost his mind and it’s so damn entertaining. Williamson makes this storyline a good time and it’s fun to read and flip the pages seeing what happens next.

So basically, the Rogues gallery in prison in Iron Heights have grown up to full fledged villains.

They decide to send a new villain named Shrapnel after the Flash. That’s all well and good but this Flash is the Negative Flash. He’s not very nice and I love it.

The art is fantastic. Carmine Di Giandomenico is one of the best artists in the business.

The storytelling is awesome and I am giggling madly throughout.

Pick it up. It’s worth it.

RATING: A

Mother Panic #10
Written by Jody Houser
Illustrated by Shawn Crystal

This issue has an awesome variant cover by Sana Takeda. I wanted Takeda to illustrate the entire issue. Instead, we got Shawn Crystal. Crystal hasn’t won me over on art yet so this issue left me a little cold with the Illustration side of things.

This issue has everyone excited about something called s**t.

Everyone is loving s**t!

People can’t get enough of it!

Everyone is eating it.

It’s up to Mother Panic to solve the mystery of s**t.

Houser keeps the writing entertaining and fun. I laughed out loud a few times with this. The art is just tepid.

Ah, well. An entertaining book nonetheless!

RATING: B

Detective Comics #963
Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Carmen Nunez Carnero

Tynion has been taking these old Batman characters and giving them a revitalized look. His take on the character of Anarky starts here.

It’s a good start too. I have to say that I very much liked this issue.

This is the first part of the “Longer Chains” storyline.

The Spoiler had almost ruined herself. She has been exposing corruption with Gotham City’s vigilantes.

But not to worry! Help has arrived! Anarky is here! Is Anarky crazy though? Or is he on the side of the people.

This is a boatload of fun. Tynion keeps its interesting throughout. The art isn’t bad, though it’s not my favorite.

A good start to a new storyline overall!

RATING: B+

Batman Beyond #11
Written by Dan Jurgens
Illustrated by Bernard Chang

This has been quite awesome.

This futuristic Ra’s Al Ghul storyline has been great. There was quite a twist that happened last issue.

It sent this story into overdrive as the elder Bruce Wayne has to deal with his demons…literally!

High above a Tibetan mountaintop, Terry must battle for his very soul.

Terry has to stop the machinations Ra’s has put forward. Can he succeed?

Jurgens keeps things rocking and rolling here. The ending is so strong. It’s great comic book work.

The art by Chang is his career best. This is a nice ending to a good storyline.

I hope they can keep the quality of this series up. It’s been great.

RATING: B+

Manhunter Special #1
Written by Dan Didio and Keith Giffen
Illustrated by Nicholas Bradshaw

These comics based on Jack Kirby’s work are quite excellent. I love the way they are being handled. This issue is no exception with this issue being about the Manhunter, Paul Kirk.

Didio and Giffen have this character down, and it’s truly awesome. They take his character and it feels like old times. Crime is out of control. Things are looking dark. The only person who can’t stop this is…no, not Batman.

The Manhunter!

There are some truly great moments in this. I love how the beginning just sucks you right in. It does get a tad wonky in the middle but it finishes nicely. The art isn’t too bad in this either.

The backup by Sam Humphries and Klaus Janson is just plain awesome. I love Janson as an artist and he doesn’t disappoint here. Their take on Etrigan the Demon is well done.

Give this a shot. It’s very good.

RATING: B+

In comic shops today and in bookstores next week is Hellboy: An Assortment of Horrors, the latest prose short story anthology. Fifteen of the biggest names in weird literature come together to pay tribute to Hellboy and the characters of Mike Mignola’s award-winning line of books! Assembled by Joe Golem and Baltimore co-writer Christopher Golden and featuring illustrations by Mike Mignola and Chris Priestley, the anthology boasts fifteen original stories by the best in horror, fantasy, and science fiction, including Seanan McGuire (October Daye series), Chelsea Cain (Heartsick), Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger series), and more! The new writer of Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., iZombie co-creator Chris Roberson, pitches in as well, and Chris Priestley (Tales of Terror) provides a story and an illustration!

In Chris’ insightful introduction to the book he discusses why Hellboy’s humanity is his greatest strength.

INTRODUCTION

By Christopher Golden

The title harkens back to the sorts of late 19th and early 20th century collections of supernatural tales, but I’ll tell you a secret—it also makes me think of Whitman’s samplers. Y’know, the little boxes of various chocolates, the ones you take out and poke to see which ones have something tasty inside and which ones are nasty? Yeah. Those.

The temptation is strong to do a riff on Forrest Gump’s famous “box of chocolates” line. Mignola would roll his eyes, but the truth is that editing an anthology really is sort of like that—you never know what you’re going to get. Even when you choose all of your contributors, inviting them to play in a particular sandbox, you never really know how it’s going to turn out until the stories start coming in. This is the fourth Hellboy prose anthology I’ve edited—the first one after a long break—and it’s never been truer than now.

Honestly, it’s the very best part of the job. An email arrives in your inbox with a brand-new story from an author whose fans would commit various crimes to get an early look, but you’re the only one who gets to read it. There’s something exciting about that. Even better when you read that story and you grin, thinking you’ve got something special and dark, maybe a bit funny or a little evil, or both. Both is nice. It’s such a pleasure to get those stories and know that soon you’ll be the one presenting them to readers.

This book is full of those stories.

Curious, isn’t it, that somehow the big red guy is the perfect vehicle for so many wonderful stories? Why is that? I have my thoughts on the subject, but I’m willing to bet that all of the authors who’ve written Hellboy stories over the years, in comics and prose, have their own. His mother was a witch and his father a demon. He’s supposed to grow up to be the Beast of the Apocalypse, but he’s a reluctant Beast of the Apocalypse at best. Hellboy came into the world as a little-boy-demon in the midst of a war that included Nazis, occultists, and Rasputin. His story is full of Hollow Earth theory and Lovecraftian cosmology. His best friends are a deeply moody pyrokinetic woman and a fish-man who was once a Victorian gentleman.

That’s all cool stuff, right? I mean, Hellboy drinks with skeletons. He meets mermaids and fights Mexican wrestlers. He’s a descendant of King Arthur and thus is the rightful King of England. He meets the ghost of the actual pulp hero who starred in his favorite childhood stories. He tosses off vague anecdotes about cases that would boggle the minds of any dozen other supernatural detectives/adventurers. Let’s not forget, he’s got horns and hooves and a tail.

None of that is what makes him such a great vehicle for stories. What does that—the brilliance of Mignola’s creation—is Hellboy’s humanity. It’s how much he loves his adoptive father, Professor Trevor Bruttenholm . . . how much he wants to make the old man proud, even after the professor is gone. It’s the ordinary-Joe-ness of him, the weariness of his soul as he gets older, and the joyful innocence we see in stories about his youth.

If you asked Hellboy fans for their favorite tale, many would point to “Pancakes.” It’s only two pages long. It’s funny, even adorable. Little-kid-Hellboy is being difficult. He doesn’t want to eat the breakfast that’s been prepared for him—like millions of other kids around the world, back through the mists of time. When he finally does take a bite, he declares his love of pancakes with little-kid love familiar to us all. The story cuts to a scene in Hell, where there is much wailing in horror, because the demons there know they have lost Hellboy to the human world forever.

There are a thousand examples of Hellboy’s humanity, but “Pancakes” is perhaps the purest distillation of the idea. He’s not one of them. He’s one of us. And so despite his origins and his outer appearance, he carries us through all of the horrors and sorrows of his story as if they are our horrors and sorrows.

Which makes it very easy to fill an anthology like this one. Writers familiar with Hellboy are more than eager to take the character—and the other characters in his circle—out for a spin.

When you go to the authors in this lineup, you’re tapping into the imaginations of some of the cleverest, most talented, and most creative purveyors of fantasy, horror, and crime fiction on the planet. You’re always going to get something great. But when you go to writers as skilled and as varied as these—and then you add in Hellboy—what you get is magic. I’m honored to have worked with each and every one of them.

If you’ve picked up this volume, it won’t surprise you to learn how easy it is to find prose writers who are not only already familiar with Hellboy, but who love the big lug. The attraction for many writers is immediate. The character and world Mike Mignola has created is full of monsters, magic, and mayhem, yes . . . but it’s also filled with sorrow and friendship and humanity. All the ingredients for my favorite stories.

They’ve done their job, crafting great stories, showcasing Hellboy, Liz, Kate, and other parts of the Mignolaverse. After keeping them to myself for so long, I’m delighted that the moment has finally come for me to share these tales with you.

Now it’s time to turn the page, taste them all, and choose your favorites.

Enjoy this Assortment of Horrors.

Christopher Golden
Bradford, MA
23rd March, 2017

Celebrating its 45th anniversary, director Francis Ford Coppola’s THE GODFATHER is widely considered one of the most influential films in cinematic history.  Now the entire epic trilogy will be available on Blu-ray in a spectacular 4-disc Omertà Edition, which includes the Coppola Restoration of THE GODFATHER and THE GODFATHER, PART II, as well as the remastered version of THE GODFATHER, PART III.

A stunning gift for any fan, only 45,000 of these limited edition, numbered sets will be made available beginning November 7, 2017.   THE GODFATHER TRILOGY: OMERTÀ EDITION includes commentary by Coppola on all three films, a full disc of previously released in-depth special features, as well as exclusive new collectible Trivia Cards, Magnetic Poetry, an Anatomy of a Scene fold out and Quote Cards.

Los Angeles Anime Film Festival (LA-AFF), presented by international creative company Rydgen Inc. in partnership with L.A. based film distribution company Azoland Pictures, is proud to announce its opening and closing night films as well as their full lineup. No Game No Life Zero, the highly anticipated prequel film to the popular anime series No Game No Life, is set to kick off the festival on September 15, while Katsuhiro Otomo’s timeless cyberpunk masterpiece, AKIRA, will mark the finale of the event on September 17. The LA-AFF takes place September 15- 17, 2017 and all programs will be showcased at the Regal L.A. LIVE: A Barco Innovation Center in Downtown Los Angeles.

LA-AFF will screen a diverse slate of anime feature films, including recently popular hits in Japan and also classic titles that are fan favorites. The festival will feature a full list of events in addition to the film screenings including an opening night red carpet gala and Q&A sessions with directors, voice actors, and film creators to further excite festival-goers.

2017 marks the 100th year since animation film was born in Japan, and to mark this centennial celebration, LA-AFF will screen one of the first Japanese animated short films created in 1917 by Junichi Kouichi called Namakura Katana during the opening ceremony on September 15. In addition to the previously announced titles, the lineup will include the North American Premiere of King of Prism by PrettyRhythm which garnered major success among Japanese fans earning over 7 million dollars in Japanese box offices. One of the key features that led to this film’s major success lies in the unique “cheering screening style,” which allows the audience to engage with the movie just as they would during a live music event by bringing their own glow sticks and cheering the characters during the presentation. The lineup will also include Hayao Miyazaki’s My Neighbor Totoro and Porco Rosso, Ghost in the Shell, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, Love Live! The School Idol Movie, Metropolis, Paprika in 35 mm presentation, Red Turtle and Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day.

ANIME, also known as Japanese animation have gained worldwide popularity in the recent years, through the accessibility of the internet and with streaming sites such as Netflix and Hulu including many anime series in their programming. These days, there is a much bigger demand for Japanese anime films to be shown in theaters outside of Japan but there are still many films that do not get distributed. The goal for the LA-AFF is to further promote the appreciation of anime films abroad, and to present a place where people can enjoy anime films with full quality of image, music, and acoustics. LA-AFF has prepared a lineup that represents the full range of artistic expression, profoundness, and diversity of anime films. This is a chance for more people to get to know the world of anime like never before.

Tickets for each screening are now available and on sale at: http://la-aff.eventbrite.com

Opening Gala Screening – Friday, September 15
No Game No Life Zero, dir. Atsuko Ishizuka, Japan, 2017
*North American Premiere
Namakura Gatana (Special Presentation)

Closing Film – Sunday, September 17
Akira, dir. Katsuhiro Otomo, Japan, 1988

Festival Lineup
009 Re:Cyborg 3D, dir. Kenji Kamiyama, Japan, 2012
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, dir. Tatsuyuki Nagai, Japan 2013
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, dir. Shinichirō Watanabe, Hiroyuki Okiura, Yoshiyuki Takei, Japan, 2001
Ghost in the Shell, dir. Mamoru Oshii, Japan, 1995
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, dir. Mamoru Oshii, Japan, 2004 (35mm)
Kiki’s Delivery Service, dir. Hayao Miyazaki, Japan, 1989
King of Prism by PrettyRhythm dir. Masakazu Hishida, Japan, 2016
*North American Premiere
Love Live! The School Idol Movie, dir. Takahiko Kyogoku, Japan, 2015
Metropolis, dir. Rintaro, Japan, 2001
Miss Hokusai, dir. Keiichi Hara, Japan, 2015
My Neighbor Totoro, dir. Hayao Miyazaki, Japan, 1988
Paprika, dir. Satoshi Kon, Japan, 2006 (35mm)
Pigtails, dir. Yoshimi Itazu, Japan, 2015
Porco Rosso, dir. Hayao Miyazaki, Japan, 1992
Red Turtle, dir. Michaël Dudok de Wit, France/Belgium/Japan, 2016
Summer Wars, dir. Mamoru Hosoda, Japan, 2009

la-aff.com

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Forget those other spandex clad heroes who fight fight ridiculous rubber monsters! Mystic Cosmic Patrol is the only team is brave enough to answer the call of the Great Cosmic Algorithm and defend Earth against the Evil Overlordess Rutina.  In interstellar spoof with exciting Kaiju action, the series features a special blend of comedy, martial arts and sci-fi adventure!

We’re extremely excited to present the premiere episode of once-and-future FOG! contributor Gavin Hignight‘s amazing webseries, Mystic Cosmic Patrol, a Super Sentai Tokusatsu parody from Loners & Rebels Motion Pictures.  Gavin, a writer of Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, created and wrote the series, which was executive produced by Tom Meyer-Klipsch (Out of Print; Back in Time) and Hignight. Chris Wyatt (Napoleon Dynamite, Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man), Laura Monaco and Chris Masterson (Malcolm in the Middle) produced the series with special effects makeup was developed by Face Off: Allstars Season 11 winner Cig Neutron.

Starring Masterson (Malcolm in the Middle) as team leader, Jack the Blue Patrolman; Tim Jo (from Fox’s Pitch) as Leo the Red Patrolman , Chelsea Tavares ( from Freeform’s Unfabulous) as Emily the Green Patrolman , Chris Candy as Carl the Pink Patrolman, Laura Monaco as Candy the Yellow Patrolman and Hignight as Micky the Black Patrolman (Gavin Hignight). Also contributing their talents are Tim Russ (Star Trek Voyager) as the wise Gorgon and John Kassir (Tales from the Crypt) as the voice of their trusty Martini-Bot!

Check out the first episode below and be sure to come back next week for a special exclusive behind the scenes treat!

Mystic Cosmic Patrol cast and creators will have a panel at Japan World Heroes Convention in Pasadena California on August 27th at 12 noon. Japan World Heroes, a Kaiju and Tokusatsu Convention held in Pasadena California August 26th-27th celebrates the larger world of Japanese Kaiju and Tokusatsu culture with Special guests, Artists, Vendors, Screenings, and Panels.  japanworldheroes.com

For more details, visit:

FunnyOrDie • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter
#IWantMyMCP
#DontBeALoserTron

Forget those other spandex clad heroes who fight fight ridiculous rubber monsters! Mystic Cosmic Patrol is the only team is brave enough to answer the call of the Great Cosmic Algorithm and defend Earth against the Evil Overlordess Rutina. In interstellar spoof with exciting Kaiju action, the series features a special blend of comedy, martial arts and sci-fi adventure!

We’re extremely excited to present the premiere episode of once-and-future FOG! contributor Gavin Hignight‘s amazing webseries, Mystic Cosmic Patrol, a Super Sentai Tokusatsu parody from Loners & Rebels Motion Pictures. Gavin, a writer of Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, created and wrote the series, which was executive produced by Tom Meyer-Klipsch (Out of Print; Back in Time) and Hignight. Chris Wyatt (Napoleon Dynamite, Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man), Laura Monaco and Chris Masterson (Malcolm in the Middle) produced the series with special effects makeup was developed by Face Off: Allstars Season 11 winner Cig Neutron.

Starring Masterson (Malcolm in the Middle) as team leader, Jack the Blue Patrolman; Tim Jo (from Fox’s Pitch) as Leo the Red Patrolman , Chelsea Tavares ( from Freeform’s Unfabulous) as Emily the Green Patrolman , Chris Candy as Carl the Pink Patrolman, Laura Monaco as Candy the Yellow Patrolman and Hignight as Micky the Black Patrolman (Gavin Hignight). Also contributing their talents are Tim Russ (Star Trek Voyager) as the wise Gorgon and John Kassir (Tales from the Crypt) as the voice of their trusty Martini-Bot!

Check out the first episode below and be sure to come back next week for a special exclusive behind the scenes treat!

 
Mystic Cosmic Patrol cast and creators will have a panel at Japan World Heroes Convention in Pasadena California on August 27th at 12 noon. Japan World Heroes, a Kaiju and Tokusatsu Convention held in Pasadena California August 26th-27th celebrates the larger world of Japanese Kaiju and Tokusatsu culture with Special guests, Artists, Vendors, Screenings, and Panels. japanworldheroes.com

For more details, visit:

FunnyOrDie • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter
#IWantMyMCP
#DontBeALoserTron

Vincent Rodriguez III currently stars as Josh Chan on the critically-acclaimed Emmy and Golden Globe winning musical comedy Crazy Ex-Girlfriend on the CW. Last year Out Magazine honored the actor by naming him one of the OUT 100, which recognizes extraordinary people from the LGBTQ community.

I caught up with Vincent in New York at this past weekend’s Flame Con, where he was a special guest at the premier LGBTQ comic-con.

*  *  *  * *

FOG!: You got your start performing musical theatre on stage. What were some of your first roles?

VRIII: Well, after graduation I got an offer for the first national tour of 42nd Street. I joined the ensemble starting in Sacramento, California after working at Starbucks. After doing that show for nine months, I moved to New York. I had my equity card, a dream, and a 60 pound duffel bag. But in New York, I auditioned for everything – Wicked, Beauty and the Beast, etc.

And when you were in New York, you got work off-Broadway?

Actually, I was on a trip, and I was poor so I didn’t pay for cell-phone roaming, and while I was out of range I apparently got two calls. So when I came back, my phone started pinging me voicemails. I had two offers for shows – Thoroughly Modern Millie and White Christmas.

I took White Christmas, which was in San Francisco (my hometown), and at the same time I worked 15 hours a week at the Starbucks across the street. But, then I went back to New York and did a whole bunch of regional theatre for a long time.

But always musicals, right?

Yes, I always did musical theatre because that’s how I knew I’d make money. Plays don’t pay as much, even though there’s a perception in the business between “actors” in plays and “performers” in musicals. I was fighting that perception when I started auditioning for the screen.

So, when you auditioned for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, how confident were you?

Well, it was here in New York City and it was my “screen test.” I had heard that in Los Angeles when you do a screen test it is very intimidating because it’s you and the people you’re up against sometimes. I didn’t have to do that. It was actually in a room I had been in so many times in New York. So I go in the room, and I’m looking around, and I’m like ‘that’s a white guy’ and that is an ‘Asian guy’ but he’s not really what’s described in the breakdown [as Josh Chan]. And I’m thinking, okay, I’m the only one that looks like me. What’s going on. This is really good, isn’t it?

So, you totally knew you had the role?

I had auditioned for stuff for so long, so I was in a very specific zone when I auditioned for Josh Chan. But it’s probably the closest I’ve ever gotten to a character being close to who I am, as described in the breakdown. I read the breakdown thinking, “hmmm, well that’s me“. That never happens anywhere. When I went in, I saw Rachel Bloom and we looked across the room and both felt we knew one another.

And that was it?

Well we did three different tests, and on the third one our director Marc Webb asked Rachel and I to create improv the beginning scene from the first episode where Josh and Rebecca reconnect in New York. Make up whatever you want, bring in Rachel, then go back into the script. Rachel’s done so much improv, but I was like “um, I do musical theatre” [throws hands up] “improv?” But it was somewhere in that realm that I did think I could possibly get this role.

You shot the pilot for Showtime though? Are we talking Twin Peaks type Showtime? How different was the show from the CW version?

We did, so that’s what the screen test was originally for. And it got dropped and it was months when we had no idea what was going to happen to the pilot. Rachel and Aline once pitched it seven times in one day and got seven rejections.

Eventually, Mark Pedowitz at The CW said he liked the show and asked to extend it to an hour format per episode. But he asked to turn down the adult content a bit.

Though, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a show that pushes the envelope, at least in terms of what mainstream television represents. You have an openly gay character and now a Bi-Sexual character…

Not to sound ungrateful for that, but we need to normalize that stuff. It’s not weird. When I’m asked a question like that I want to just point out that it’s just current and what’s happening.

But there was never any pushback from anyone?

Correct. The show is reflective of what is happening today. So, the fact that we didn’t make a big deal out of White Josh being gay… if you rewatch that episode, you’ll notice he doesn’t “come out.” There’s no Gay Josh, it’s just not a big deal. It’s just a wonderful way to say [to audiences[ it’s completely normal. It’s not like finding a unicorn. But if you do find a unicorn, you better post that on Instagram.

What can we expect from Season Three of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and when does that premiere?

Friday, October 13th! Expect lots of surprises.

Green Acres is the place to be!

Green Acres: The Complete Series comes to DVD in a 24-disc set from Shout! Factory for the first time on October 17, 2017.  Revisit your favorite friends from Hooterville in 170 episodes of farm-to-table homespun hilarity together on DVD for the first time!

Oliver Douglas (Academy Award nominee* Eddie Albert) is a well-read lawyer who has had enough of the hustle and bustle of New York, so he pulls up stakes to settle down in a more pastoral setting … much to the dismay of his glamorous wife Lisa (Eva Gabor, The Rescuers), who’s more accustomed to life in The Big Apple than on a small farm. Having said “goodbye, city life”, the Douglases must contend with their new surroundings – a bucolic world of slapstick silliness…and don’t get us started on one of television’s most recognizable theme songs!

A popular TV favorite throughout its six-season run from 1965 to 1971, Green Acres brings a comical touch of class to America’s favorite country comedy.

Join transplanted New Yorkers, Oliver Wendell Douglas and his Park Avenue wife Lisa as they make a life-changing excursion to rural Hooterville, where they encounter the wackiest collection of neighbors this side of Arnold the Pig!

Bonus Features:

• Pilot Episode Commentary by Pop Culture Historian Russell Dyball
• Green Acres Is The Place To Be – Featurette with The Hooterville Handbook Author Stephen Cox
• Eva Gabor and Eddie Albert on The Merv Griffin Show (1966)
  • Original Granby’s Green Acres Radio Show:
  • Granby Quits His Job (Pilot)
  • Granby Plants a Crop
  • Granby Discovers Electricity
  • Granby Bites the Love Bug
  • Granby Lays an Egg
  • Granby Breaks Down
• Photo Gallery
• Inside the Box: The TV History Podcast: “The Rural Purge” – as an alternate audio track/commentary to the last episode of the series

For more details, visit shoutfactory.com