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Portsmouth Comic Con Announces More Big Names For May 2018 Event!

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Joining an already impressive array of the most renowned and exceptional comic writers and artists in the industry are five more international talents who will be joining the line-up of creators for panels, signings and sketches at the South Coast’s premier comic convention.

With Thor: Ragnarok currently cleaning up in cinemas around the world, it is only fitting that we are bringing the man who was the creative dynamo behind the character’s early 80s renaissance. In his illustrious five decades long career, Walt Simonson has drawn many of the most iconic superheroes of all time including Fantastic Four, Batman and Superman. In recent years he has turned his attention to the creator-owned Norse fantasy epic Ragnarok, for which he has been winning plaudits.

Joining him is his wife Louise Simonson, a comic writer and editor of the same stature as her husband. A major figure at Marvel and DC in the eighties, she has worked on and written for many of their major titles, including Star Wars, New Mutants, X-Factor and Superman: Man of Steel. This will be the first time the pair have been over to the U.K. in over a decade.

From Los Angeles comes comic creator Tess Fowler, whose work has garnered a considerable following. Describing herself as an artist in blood and trade, Fowler is best known for Rat Queens, Heathen for Vault, Heavy Metal and currently Kid Lobotomy with Peter Milligan.

Another extraordinary artist from the U.S is Shawn Martinbrough. This classic illustrator has drawn Captain America, Black Panther and Hellboy. His work outside comics has involved co-creating the supporting characters in Marvel’s Deadpool movie. His most recent work has been Thief of Thieves – the new crime series from The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman.

Last but by no means least in this latest raft of guests is Tim Bradstreet , a comic illustrator who counts Star Wars in his long list of credits, as well as over 70 covers for Marvel’s The Punisher and DC’s Hellblazer. His work also includes movie posters and gaming, and he was also the artist behind the highly controversial Iron Maiden album cover a Matter of Life and Death and the Punisher movie posters.

With the prestigious names already on board and the extensive selection of activities this convention has to offer, Portsmouth Comic Con promises to be one of the largest regional events of its kind, celebrating the art of comics, illustration and the worlds of TV and film.

The event is the brainchild of Portsmouth Guildhall and Tripwire Magazine. Tripwire has been, for over 25 years, the pre-eminent comic and genre publication read by some of the biggest names in the film, TV and comic industry.

There is still time to take advantage of Early Bird tickets.
Visit www.portsmouthcomiccon.co.uk or phone the ticket line on 0844 847 2362 .

 


‘Groovy: When Flower Power Bloomed in Pop Culture’ (review)

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Groovy: When Flower Power Bloomed in Pop Culture
Written by Mark Voger
Published by TwoMorrows Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-1605490809
Released 11/15/17 / $39.95

In 1968, I really, really wanted to be groovy like all the hip TV characters.

I would turn off the lights in my room and lie in bed listening to my 45 of the Monkees’ Take a Giant Step over and over while waving a flashlight rapidly up on the ceiling for an ersatz strobe effect.

I started wearing turtlenecks, a fringed vest, and bellbottoms as well as candy love beads or a peace symbol medallion.

Eventually, I bought a black light bulb and some incense.

My efforts were all for naught, however, undermined by the fact that my parents continued to insist on nine-year-old me getting buzz cut hairstyles.

One simply cannot be groovy with a buzz cut.

So I admired the psychedelic world of the ‘60s from afar until it faded into the hedonistic, disco ball-lit ‘70s and have maintained an affection for it ever since, much like author Mark Voger.

Mark recognizes that being groovy wasn’t just about being a hippie. In fact, grooviness could stem from all different corners of pop culture, even crass commercial bandwagon jumping on the part of corporate America!

Sure, Monterey and Woodstock were groovy, as were Dylan and Ringo! But so was Tiny Tim. So were cereal box singles, TV sitcoms, Jesus, and even Bob Hope movies sometimes!

So, yeah, Mark’s new book from TwoMorrows, Groovy, hit me right where I live—where I’ve lived now for the past 50 years, in fact!

With no definite starting point or cut-off point, and with so much grooviness back in the day, there’s no rigid structure to the book. Instead, it’s loosely grouped by medium and just acts as a celebration. Of course, there are tons of groovy things not mentioned at all! That was the grooviest PART of the ‘60s, the fact that so much of everything that just kept assaulting our senses was original and cool!

As a pop culture journalist of long standing, Mark has interviewed many of his own personal heroes over the years and quite a number of those interviews appear here, offering insights and humanizing the icons of that uniquely creative era. Brian Wilson, Tommy James, Susan Cowsill, Ginger Baker, Lily Tomlin, Peter Max, and Florence Henderson are literally only a few of the folks whose thoughts appear here, many of whom have left us since going on record with Mr. Voger.

Some of the sections included in the book are Top 40, Album Bands, Television, Film, Art, Festivals, Messiahs, Family Fare, and Getting Real. That last section is particularly interesting because history has tended to try and separate ‘60s pop culture from the real world when, in fact, nearly all of that pop culture existed in one way or another as a direct reaction to that real world.

Behind everything, of course, was Vietnam—the Asian elephant in the room—but there were also civil rights demonstrations, riots, pollution, assassinations, serial killers, a population explosion, the sexual revolution, black power, crooked politicians, and radical revolutionaries. It was a lot for a kid to have to endure and try and make sense of, so we were happy to have cool comic books, hip cartoons, psychedelic music, and, later, underground comix (Shh! Must be 18!).

Mark’s Groovy is told in part from his own personal experiences as just that kid and since I, too, was “that kid,” it’s relatable on multiple levels. The nostalgia factor is way over the top, with the bright colors that only our pasts can ever show us. The pure entertainment factor of the book is equally high, with behind the scenes stories and legends told that even an old pop culture maven like myself had never heard.

The flower power cover by the late Archie comics legend Stan Goldberg sets you up perfectly for everything to follow—Mad, H.R. Pufnstuf, the Beatles, the Stones, the Turtles, the Monkees, Mod Squad, Wild in the Streets, Barbarella, Wonder Woman, Zap!, Cheech and Chong, the Partridge Family, the Brady Bunch, and Jesus Christ Superstar! All of that and all the rest of the delights in this book were on my radar back then, too.

Every one of them.

I doubt that Mark Voger and I alone had all these shared experiences. I’m betting that if you’re of the right age, you did, too, or know someone who did. “Groovy” may be a rather nebulous word, as the book itself tries to explain, and flower power pop might be hard to define, but if you feel this book grabbing at you at all, in any way, grab it right back and hold onto it. You won’t be disappointed.

 

Booksteve Recommends Highly!

 

Fall Fail: Primetime Shows We Lost Thus Far

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The Halloween season might be behind us, but a horror show bloodbath still rages for the poor, poor Tesla-driving TV execs as low ratings claim more victims in the battle for primetime supremacy.

And because not every show can be a mediocre spin-off of The Big Bang Theory (“…But with children,” said the hotshot suit to his fellow executives), new shows are doomed to fall off the fall schedule like foot soldiers in a Lannister army.

The honor of first loss of the season goes to Me, Myself & I, the Bobby Moynihan laffer that brought John Larroquette, aka Dan “The Man” Fielding back to primetime.

Me, Myself & I (September 25-October 30, 2017)

Briefly.

This is just the start. One by one, the primetime schedule will eventually lose its  dramas and comedies alike as the fight for traditional TV viewing habits continues. These youngsters lost their run not because they were bad (well, not all of them), but because they failed to make a splash upon first entry. And really? Who has the time to nurture a potential hit anymore?

So far, notable cancellations for the season include CBS drama American Gothic and BrainDead, NBC’s I Can Do That (Note to editor: insert “No, you can’t” joke here. I don’t care if it’s not funny, just do it.) and Fox gameshow Boom!

American Gothic

ABC’s fall fail includes Still Star Crossed, a show I only know about because my friend’s daughter locked herself in my room in a moment of tween angst for about an hour, and next thing I know this milquetoast drek has been added to my Hulu Watchlist.

Still Star Crossed

This is just the beginning folks. We have a long ride ahead of us and the road is littered with the corpses of TV’s good intentions. Buckle up.

I’m looking at you, Inhumans.

On the bright side, The Trixie & Katya Show debuted on Viceland on Nov. 15. See? You can have nice things.

To Be Continued…

 

Morrissey Biopic ‘England Is Mine’ Arrives on DVD, Blu & Digital HD December 12th

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ENGLAND IS MINE is a new drama about the early days of Morrissey, the iconic pop star and original front man for the seminal band, The Smiths. Directed by Academy Award® and BAFTA-nominee Mark Gill, the film stars Jack Lowden as the artist formerly known as Steven Patrick Morrissey and Jessica Brown Findlay of “Downton Abbey” fame as his soul mate and muse.

Set in Thatcher’s Britain of the 70’s and 80’s, a time when working class Manchester was beset by unemployment and riots, the film tells the story of 17 year-old Steven (Lowden), a painfully shy, intellectually precocious loner who lives for, and writes about, the burgeoning local music scene-a surprisingly vibrant subculture in an otherwise drab industrial city. Too intimidated to join that scene, he writes reviews from the sidelines, imagining what he would do if he were on stage. When one of his write-ups is noticed by kindred spirit Linder Sterling (Brown Findlay), an aspiring painter, the two become fast friends, and she pushes him to form a band and take to the stage. Steven finally works up the courage to book a club date, and performs a dazzling cover of an old girl-group standard. This is the first time the world gets to hear the distinctive, emotion-filled voice that would eventually propel him to stardom.

That very night, a manager reaches out with an offer. Unfortunately, it’s only for guitarist Billy, not the lead singer, meaning Steven will be left behind. His dreams of a musical career vanish and he’s left with nothing but wasted days at a soul-crushing civil servant job, and lonely nights holed up in the same bedroom he’s slept in his whole life. Only his mother’s unwavering belief in his talent, and Linder’s constant reminder-“be yourself, everyone else is taken”-give him the strength to keep trying to become the artist he was always meant to be.

Brian Perera, founder of Cleopatra Entertainment, says “Our company has deep roots in music, so we couldn’t more excited to bring this film over here to US audiences and to Morrissey’s enormous fan base.”

Director Gill, who also wrote the screenplay (with William Thacker), burst onto the international film scene with his 2011 short film, “The Voorman Problem,” which earned him an Academy Award-nomination for Best Live Action short, as well as a BAFTA nomination. Lowden’s stage work (which has already earned him the UK’s highest honor, the Olivier Award) was recently featured in Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk,” and films such as “A United Kingdom” and “’71.”

Since capturing, and breaking, hearts as Lady Sybil in the smash success “Downton Abbey,” Brown Findlay has also been seen in “Winter’s Tale,” “The Riot Club” and “Victor Frankenstein.”

Baldwin Li, Gill’s producer and fellow “Voorman” Oscar-nominee, produced ENGLAND IS MINE along with Orian Williams, producer of Anton Corbijn’s “Control,” the multi-award-winning biopic of Ian Curtis and the band Joy Division.

 

Win ‘The Fall: Complete Collection’ on Blu-ray!

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Emmy and Golden Globe winner Gillian Anderson (The X-Files) delivers a masterful performance as steely DS Stella Gibson in this heart-pounding psychological thriller. Called to Belfast to investigate a high-profile murder, Gibson quickly realizes that a serial killer prowls the city. The culprit is Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan, Fifty Shades of Grey), a grief counselor and family man driven by vicious compulsions. As Gibson closes in on Spector, both the hunter and the hunted outmaneuver each other in a sinister game of cat and mouse. Will Gibson make Spector pay for his crimes before the death toll rises?

And we’re giving away a copy on Blu-ray!

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

With the exception of Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan, who is the
only other cast member to appear in every episode?

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 December 3rd, 2017.

 

‘The LEGO Ninjago Movie’ Arrives on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray Combo and DVD on 12/19; Digital HD 12/12!

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Laugh it up when “The LEGO® NINJAGO Movie” arrives onto 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital. “The LEGO NINJAGO Movie” stars Dave Franco, Justin Theroux, Fred Armisen, Abbi Jacobson, Olivia Munn, Kumail Nanjiani, Michael Peña, Zach Woods and the legendary Jackie Chan.

In the battle for NINJAGO City, Lloyd (Dave Franco), high school student by day and Green Ninja by night, gets thrown into the ultimate adventure with his secret ninja warrior friends! Led by the wise and wisecracking Master Wu (Jackie Chan), they must defeat evil warlord Garmadon (Justin Theroux), The Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be Lloyd’s dad. On their courageous journey, they learn to band together to unleash their inner power in an epic showdown to save the city.

The LEGO NINJAGO Movie” was directed by Charlie Bean, Paul Fisher and Bob Logan.  The screenplay was by Bob Logan & Paul Fisher & William Wheeler & Tom Wheeler and Jared Stern & John Whittington, story by Hilary Winston & Bob Logan & Paul Fisher & William Wheeler & Tom Wheeler and Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman, based on LEGO Construction Toys. 

Jackie Chan (“Kung Fu Panda,” The Karate Kid”) stars as Master Wu; Justin Theroux (“Megamind,” “The Leftovers”) is Garmadon; Dave Franco (“Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising”) plays Lloyd; and Olivia Munn (“X-Men: Apocalypse”) is Lloyd’s mom, Koko.  Making up the secret ninja crew, Michael Peña (“Ant-Man,” “The Martian”) is Kai; Fred Armisen (“Portlandia,” “SNL”) voices Cole; Kumail Nanjiani (“Silicon Valley,” “The Big Sick”) is Jay; Abbi Jacobson (“Broad City”) plays Nya and Zach Woods (“Silicon Valley,” “The Office”) voices Zane.

Dan Lin, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Maryann Garger, Roy Lee and Chris McKay served as producers.  Executive producers were Jill Wilfert, Keith Malone and Seth Grahame-Smith.  The creative filmmaking team included production designers Kim Taylor and Simon Whiteley.  Music was composed by Mark Mothersbaugh. Feature animation was provided by Animal Logic.

The LEGO NINJAGO Movie” will be available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack for $44.95, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack for $44.95, Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99 and DVD for $28.98. The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack features an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with the theatrical version in 4K with HDR and a Blu-ray disc also featuring the theatrical version. The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack features the theatrical version of the film in 3D hi-definition, hi-definition and standard definition; the Blu-ray Combo Pack features the theatrical version of the film in hi-definition on Blu-ray; and the DVD features the theatrical version in standard definition. The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack include a digital version of the movie in HD.  Fans can also own “The LEGO NINJAGO Movie via purchase from digital retailers beginning December 12.

4K Ultra HD showcases 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (HDR) and a wider color spectrum, offering consumers brighter, deeper, more lifelike colors for a home entertainment viewing experience like never before.   

The LEGO NINJAGO Movie” will also be available on Movies Anywhere. Using the free Movies Anywhere app and website, consumers can access all their eligible movies by connecting their Movies Anywhere account with their participating digital retailer accounts. Movies Anywhere syncs users’ libraries across their connected accounts, so consumers can watch their purchased and redeemed digital movies on an array of platforms including Amazon Fire devices; Android devices and Android TV; Apple TV; Chromecast; iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; Roku devices and popular browsers, with more platforms and retailers to come.

 

BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS

The LEGO NINJAGO Movie 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray and Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following special features:

  • Team Supreme: Building NINJAGO – featurette
  • Rumble in the Bricks- featurette
  • Rebrick Contest Winners- featurette
  • Which Way to the Ocean – mini-movie
  • Zane’s Stand Up Promo – mini-movie
  • The Master: A LEGO NINJAGO Short – mini-movie
  • LEGO NINJAGO TV Series Sneak Peek
  • Oh, Hush! & Jeff Lewis Found My Place – Music Video
  • Everybody Have a Ninja Day – Music Video
  • Rocktagon – Music Video
  • Warlord Ballad – Music Video
  • Animation Bridge Test – Deleted Scene
  • Baby Fight– Deleted Scene
  • Dock Scene– Deleted Scene
  • Gimme Some Outtakes!
  • Commentary by Director Charlie Bean and Crew
  • 13 Promotional Videos


The LEGO NINJAGO MovieStandard Definition DVD contains the following special features:

  • LEGO NINJAGO TV Series Sneak Peek
  • Animation Bridge Test – Deleted Scene
  • Baby Fight– Deleted Scene
  • Dock Scene– Deleted Scene

For more details, visit Facebook.com/LEGONINJAGOMovie

 

Graphic Breakdown: AfterShock, Image and Top Shelf Books All Worth Your Time

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Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown, the Friday edition!

Here’s a look at some comics to get your weekend started!

Spacebat and the Fugitives (Book One):
Tacos at the End of the World

Written and Illustrated by Chris Sheridan
Published by Top Shelf Productions

This is truly a delightful book to read. The artwork is bold and fast and the writing is quite quirky. I was surprised by just how much I liked it. This is worth a look if you have never heard of it before.

Three children find Spacebat and they pressure him into doing a job for them. The job is to stop one of those crazy mad scientists. He has a bunch of robots, and physics and he is quite angry! He also has one of those machines that can bend reality. Can Spacebat stop him?

The characters are wonderfully quirky on this series. You’ll find yourself caught up in the story and laughing your head off. Pick this up. It’s well worth the read!

RATING: A-

 

Monstro Mechanica #1
Written by Paul Allor
Illustrated by Chris Evenhuis
Published by Aftershock Comics

Aftershock had been putting out some excellent titles. They are smartly done and unique. I wasn’t excited to read this from the description, but it won me over with creativity and ingenuity. It’s a good time and I’ll be reading this on a regular basis.

This series has Leonardo Da Vinci as it’s lead character.

Wait! Don’t run away! It’s actually really sharp.

Set during The Renaissance, it features a bunch of baddies trying to get Da Vinci’s deadly arsenal.

However, they weren’t figuring on having to face a young apprentice nor a nine foot tall mechanical bodyguard!

This leads to the two trying to save Da Vinci himself.

Allor writes a compelling story here and it’s quite enjoyable. The art is decent too. Pick this up. Expand your mind. It’s quite good.

RATING: A-

Rough Riders Volume 2: Riders on the Storm
Written by Adam L. Glass
Illustrated by Pat Olliffe
Published by Aftershock Comics

This book is awesome! This picks up three years after the last volume ended, but the creative team hasn’t missed a beat.

This tale is about Roosevelt gathering a team of historical characters to form a super team. The results are smart and engaging and action packed.

So again, three years have passed. And assassination has been made on President McKinley. Roosevelt must become the President and track down who that assassin is.

He enlists his compatriots Harry Houdini, Jack Johnson, Thomas Edison and Annie Oakley to band together again. But time has strained the bonds that once united them. It leads to some of the best storytelling I’ve seen this year.

The writing is superb. Glass is one of my favorite writers out there. The art is excellent as well. Olliffe has always been great and here he just shines. Pick this up. It’s a sharp title. It deserves as big as an audience as it can get.

RATING: A

 

World Reader: Volume 1
Written by Jeff Loveness
Illustrated by Juan Doe
Published by Aftershock Comics

This book is a beautifully illustrated comic from start to finish. I really love Juan Doe. He knows how to make a comic book visually Interesting in a way we haven’t seen before. The story isn’t half bad either on this one as well.

This story focuses on Sarah, an astronaut who goes from dead planet to dead planet.

Why is she doing this?

Well, she is talking to the ghosts of these planets trying to figure out who the heck is trying to kill the entire universe! Her crew think she’s nuts.

And Death?

Well, Death might be tracking her down.

The writing by Loveness is very good. It’s an interesting concept and he follows through well. The art is the real star here. Doe just knocks it out of the park and the art shines. A very good book overall and it’s full of plenty of twists.

RATING: B+

 

Evolution #1, #2, & #3

Written by James Asmus, Joseph Keatinge,
Christopher Sebela, Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Joe Infurnari
Published by Image Comics

This is one hell of a freaky comic book. It’s also extremely well written. It should be though: it’s got four amazing writers working together. They work amazing as a unit too, and the story is fluid as well as slow building. When the dramatic twists happen, they are earned.

Each writer brings something to the stage with each new plot thread.

In one story, a doctor sees that evolution is coming an society must be warned. In another, a nun in Rome has to figure out her faith for the coming storm. There are more but you should read it. It all leads to something great.

The art by Joe Infurnari is incredibly awesome. He keeps the series consistent and level. It’s an exciting book, especially for the readers who like Cronenberg films. It’s a slow build book that leads to something truly great indeed.

RATING : A-

 

Image Expo Returns in February 2018

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Image Comics has announced that IMAGE EXPO will return and for the first time ever and will be held in Portland, Oregon on Wednesday, February 21st, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Leftbank Annex. Tickets are now available for purchase here.

IMAGE EXPO is an all-day event for fans, the retailer community, and the press to experience a showcase of exciting Image Comics announcements. IMAGE EXPO 2018 will feature a line-up of some of the hottest names in comics and offers a unique experience for fans to have unprecedented access to the writers and artists behind their favorite comic books at exclusive autograph sessions and comic-focused programming. The event is open to all fans, comics retailers, librarians, and media.

IMAGE EXPO will be an all-day event featuring some of the hottest names in comics soon to be announced, as well as special surprise guests.

Tickets to the event are now available for sale. Image Comics is pleased to offer General Admission tickets available for $25, Premium Admission tickets available for $100.

A General Admission Ticket will grant one (1) person entry to IMAGE EXPO and includes a program guide book and access to EXPO programming.

A Premium Admission Ticket will grant one (1) entry to IMAGE EXPO and includes admission to EXPO programming, program guide book, an Image Comics branded canvas tote bag, boxed lunch (valued at approximately $17), three (3) exclusive IMAGE EXPO variants, an Image Comics branded 25th anniversary commemorative pint glass, an Image Comics branded 25th anniversary commemorative enamel lapel pin, and access to priority seating.

The official IMAGE EXPO After Party will be held from 7-10 p.m, location and further details to be announced. No ticket necessary, swing by and mingle with other members of the comics community, fans, industry professionals, and creators at this fun get-together.

Seating at IMAGE EXPO is limited.

Image Comics fans can follow the latest
IMAGE EXPO updates at imagecomics.com

 


Celebrate Turkey Day with the 2017 ‘MST3K’ Turkey Day Marathon on Shout! Factory TV!

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It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without turkey—cinematic turkey, that is! This Thanksgiving, grab a heaping helping of Mexican three-layer dip and pureed giblets and join your fellow MSTies for the beloved traditional Mystery Science Theater 3000 Turkey Day Marathon. Hosted by show creator Joel Hodgson and MST3K stars Felicia Day and Jonah Ray, this year’s marathon features six classic episodes of MST3K never before included in a Shout! Factory Turkey Day Marathon.

Starting at 12 pm ET / 9 am PT on Thursday, November 23rd, the holiday marathon will showcase six classic MST3K episodes, as well as brand-new episode intros featuring Joel, Jonah and Felicia as they celebrate the momentous past year in MST3K history. Visit ShoutFactoryTV.com or use the Shout Factory TV app on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and select smart TVs to partake in the Turkey Day festivities, and participate in the event on Twitter by using the hashtag #mst3k.

Nearly 18 years after the classic series ended, the return of Mystery Science Theater 3000 debuted on Netflix on April 14th, 2017 and is currently streaming on the service. With a Certified 100 % Fresh critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the new season has been a hit with critics and fans alike. Season 11 features comedian Jonah Ray as the host (“Jonah Heston”), actress and comedian Felicia Day as the Mad (“Kinga Forrester”), actor and comedian Patton Oswalt as the evil henchman (“TV’s Son of TV’s Frank”), comedians Baron Vaughn and Hampton Yount as the newest voices of “Tom Servo” and “Crow T. Robot,” respectively, and of course, more cheesy movies to riff.

For updates on the Turkey Day Marathon and Mystery Science Theater 3000, follow @MST3K, @JoelGHodgson and @ShoutFactory on Twitter, “Like”  MST3K on Facebook, and follow @MST3K on Instagram. To keep up to date on all MST3K news, visit MST3K.com

 

She-Hulk’s Trauma and Recovery Fit Our Troubled Times

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I’m tired. Spent.

Sure, many of us are. The nation appears awash in chaos coming from the scandal-ridden White House on down. When, ever in life before now, did your hackles rise in dread at a breaking news alert on your smartphone?

We’ve got Nazis marching in the streets. Hurricanes devastating the Caribbean. ICE agents detaining domestic abuse victims outside courthouses and cerebral palsy patients at children’s hospitals. Suspected creeping of Russia in the presidency. Rage-filled men turning schools, workplaces, churches and casinos into target ranges. Masses turning their anti-black hostility upon NFL players who dare speak to social injustice — the same NFL players they crow about “owning” in fantasy football.

Oh, and a catty war of words with North Korea that people fear could end in nuclear fire.

What bandwidth am I supposed to have left?

Add to all of this the ever-growing, much-needed bloodletting on sexual harassment and assault. By the day, it seems, more and more public giants in all industries are being revealed as the private terrors they are. Hollywood, politics, tech, coal, academia, journalism, comedy – it’s everywhere.

From Harvey Weinstein and #MeToo onward, I have seen (mostly) men tremble at the commonplace horrors of it all, and (mostly) women pour out the worst moments of their lives in righteous rage that now, finally, they may be believed.

I’ve seen the head-shaking heartbreak at how, as Kevin Spacey’s career is being erased, Mel Gibson returns in family comedy. I’ve seen years of rumors and open secrets placed on the record, and powerful careers wrecked (for now), while others fear when just one false accusation will spark every backlash.

The professional geek world is not immune, as many of us already knew and continue to fight. Devin Feraci, Harry Knowles, DC Comics group editor Eddie Berganza, The Flash showrunner Andrew Kreisberg, George Takei.

I’m sure names more are coming. Why should I assume otherwise?

I’ve seen the general fed-up-with-it-allness as an admitted harasser still gets to be leader of the free world.

These are traumatic times, indeed. Within this maelstrom, I turn to She-Hulk. Or, rather, what She-Hulk has become.

She-Hulk is no more. There is only Hulk.

It was been fascinating to read the latest Hulk series, which has turned the titular monster from a figure of hyper-masculine rage and Jekyll-and-Hyde repression, into an avatar of post-traumatic stress and the processing of painful events.

Hulk picks up after the events of last year’s Civil War II crossover. Bruce Banner, aka the Incredible Hulk, is killed by Hawkeye. She-Hulk is critically injured in a fight with Thanos, but Jennifer Walters survives.

However, Walters, permanently green and tall even when not fully hulked out, wakes from her coma looking as she did before the fateful day she received a transfusion of her cousin’s blood. White skin, brown hair, short and small.

Even worse, Jen has lost control of her Hulk persona.

Jen tries to put her life back together after her cousin’s death and her own near-death experience. She returns to work as an attorney. She hears from bestie Patsy Walker, aka Hellcat. And she has good days and bad, and at first tries to convinces herself that she’s doing better by stuffing down her anxiety, her pain.

But the Hulk lies just under the surface. Hulk literally appears as cracks in Jennifer’s façade whenever she has a panic attack. The Hulk is triggered episode made gamma-radiated flesh.

There’s no getting rid of Hulk. There’s no curing Hulk. It’s in Jennifer’s blood.

This depiction of Hulk as trauma also is represented in the change in look from Jennifer Walters’ traditional She-Hulk to this new Hulk. She’s no longer an articulate, fully conscious, emerald Amazon. The new Hulk is giant, gray, scarred, her thoughts muddied by rage.

In the wake of trauma and abuse, there often is a loss of self. As if the abuser has possessed a part of you. For Jennifer Walters, she nearly died at the hands of death-loving galactic tyrant Thanos. On the other side of that trauma, she’s no longer the Sensational She-Hulk, which went largely unchanged since John Byrne’s landmark reimagining of the character in the 1980s as a super-confident, sexy career woman.

Look at how all-this-and-brains-too, early ’90s glam she was. Simultaneously making fun of and totally giving into the sexist standards of what sells a comic book.

But now, Jen’s sense of self as She-Hulk is taken from her. She’s no longer a fashion plate. No longer sexy, with a long history of superpowered lovers. Jen is no longer having it all, and having a ball while having it all. After Thanos, that’s all gone. She’s even beyond her days as the Savage She-Hulk, the character’s original construction.

The plots of the series so far have leaned into Jen’s narrative. Dealing with her own grief and trauma, Jen comes into conflict with mirrored versions of herself.

Jen’s first client upon returning to work is Maise Brewn, a woman on the verge of eviction and a nervous breakdown. Maise is the survivor of a brutal attack that involved her male business partner at her yoga studio. As she retreats into isolation, Maise seeks protection from a creature that essentially is her fear.

By embracing the Hulk and (reluctantly) attending group counseling, Jen is able to defeat Maise’s fear monster and starts gaining control over her new, quiet-rage Hulk persona by finally accepting it.

In another story, Jen’s favorite Internet-famous cooking show host, Oliver, is transformed when his cake is spiked with a so-called monster drug. Oliver, a gay man depicted in a loving relationship as his show is about to go live on set, is victimized by two dudebro studio crewmen who have delusions of shooting “reality horror.”

Once he is transformed into a giant, green beast, Oliver acts in a combination of fear and rage. Sadly, those feelings push him toward finding the drug dealer and impulsively taking another drug in an attempt to cure himself, but it also makes him worse.

Oliver is confronted by his boyfriend, but instead of standing down and accepting help, he sees only everything he has lost, and begs for Hulk to kill him or he will kill her. At the last moment, her hands around Oliver’s neck, Hulk stops.

We later see Jen at Oliver’s bedside in the hospital, telling him about Frankenstein and offering emotional support whenever he emerges from his coma still as a giant green rage monster. The pain shrinks when shared honestly, and when the affected know they are not suffering alone.

But in Mariko Tamaki’s hands, it isn’t enough to see a traumatized Jen grieving Bruce’s death and processing her own near-death transformation. This isn’t Tom King’s suicidal Batman, guys. (Or his suicidal Mister Miracle.)

We have to see how Jen deals, how she recovers and starts putting things together again. In Hulk #7, Jen uses a client’s construction site to hulk out after counseling because, as she says, “Breaking things is nice.”

She and best friend Patsy Walker, aka the superhero Hellcat, reconnect. In Patsy, Jen shares her fears about losing total control as Hulk while also admitting to how Hulk and herself are changed.

“We’re going to figure this out, okay?” Patsy tells Jen in Hulk #10, her hand on her shoulder in reassurance.

I wonder where the series ultimately will go. But I do know this much: I can’t remember a woman ever writing a She-Hulk series before. Changing the players definitely changed the game, bringing out shades to Jen Walters that I haven’t seen before, and taking the Hulk to this fascinating study of trauma and recovery.

While I do look forward to my Sensational She-Hulk, whenever she returns, gray suits Jen just fine if I keep getting stories such as these.

 

‘The Foreigner’ Arrives Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand on 1/9; Digital HD on 12/26

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Global superstar Jackie Chan (Rush Hour trilogy) returns to the big screen like you’ve never seen him before in the action-packed film, The Foreigner, arriving on Digital on December 26, 2017 and on Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand on January 9, 2018 from STXfilms and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale), the film also stars Pierce Brosnan (Tomorrow Never Dies), Katie Leung (Harry Potter franchise), Orla Brady (Wuthering Heights), Charlie Murphy (Philomena), and Michael McElhatton (“Game of Thrones”). With impressive action sequences and edge-of-your-seat twists and turns, The Foreigner, from STXfilms (Bad Moms franchise), tells a compelling and emotional story of justice, redemption, and retribution. Filled with gripping and explosive scenes, the film also comes with special bonus features including a behind-the-scenes look into the making of the film and interviews with the cast.

Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan star in The Foreigner, a timely action thriller from the director of Casino Royale and Goldeneye.  Chan stars as humble London businessman Quan, whose long-buried past erupts in a revenge-fueled vendetta when the only person left for him to love — his teenage daughter — is taken from him in a senseless act of politically-motivated terrorism. In his relentless search for the identity of the terrorists, Quan is forced into a cat- and-mouse conflict with a British government official (Brosnan), whose own past may hold clues to the identities of the elusive killers.

 

BONUS FEATURES on BLU-RAY, DVD AND DIGITAL

  • The Making of The Foreigner
  • Interviews
  • Trailer #1
  • Trailer #2

 

The Foreigner  will be available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital.

  • Blu-ray unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
  • Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.

 

For more details visit Facebook.com/ForeignerMovie

 

‘Jack Benny and the Golden Age of Radio Comedy’ (book review)

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Jack Benny and the Golden Age of Radio Comedy
Written by Kathryn H. Fuller-Seeley
Published by UC Press
ISBN-13: 978-0520295056
Released 10/17/17 / $34.95

 

Jack Benny, one of America’s most beloved and respected entertainers, died at the end of 1974.

Perhaps surprisingly, in spite of thousands of articles in magazines and newspapers over his half century plus career, there were no actual books exclusively about Jack up to that point.

We found out more than a decade later that Jack himself had attempted an autobiography but never completed it. It was later incorporated into his daughter’s book. His wife also put out a book, as did his longtime agent, and a major writer for his radio and TV series.

The first book my own non-fiction writing ever appeared in was, in fact, a book on Jack — Well! Reflections on the Life and Career of Jack Benny. The Museum of Television and Radio and the International Jack Benny Fan Club also published books more of interest to the hardcore Jack Benny fans.

And there really ARE still hardcore Jack Benny fans! The rise of the Internet has made hundreds of Benny’s shows from both radio and television more accessible than ever and new fans are popping up all the time.

The problem with introducing anyone today to Jack Benny, though, is that they have to be willing to make a commitment. Jack Benny in and of himself is not amazingly funny. He plays the violin poorly, he’s vain, stingy, cheap, has a mincing walk, and can go for long period just standing there. What’s funny about that?

Well, it depends on the context.

You see, Jack Benny is, in a way, the world’s longest running gag. He and his writers built up the “character” described above—by all accounts nothing like the real-life performer—and surrounded him with other characters who would be funny at their host’s expense.

This was an outlandish concept in its day but the ultimate thinking was that listeners would laugh like crazy at Jack’s co-stars, but the next day at the water cooler at work, it would be, “Say, didja hear Jack Benny last night?”

Jack got all the credit.

And according to the brand-new volume, Jack Benny and the Golden Age of Radio Comedy, written by Professor Kathryn Fuller-Seeley of the University of Texas at Austin, he deserved it!

Putting to rest the fears that this book would simply revisit the same ground now covered in the many Benny books that popped up after his passing, the author gives us a much more complete and well-rounded look at the man behind the character, a man who surrounded himself with brilliant writers and performers who understood his humor but who himself contributed a lot more to his success than he’s sometimes been given credit for.

Jack always seemed easygoing in real life, but Dr. Fuller-Seeley digs through papers, files, and other private sources to reveal the behind the scenes struggles with critics, civil rights activists, and even his sponsors!

My favorite parts of the book are the sections dealing with the sponsors. From Canada Dry to Jell-O to the American Tobacco Company, there were always problems!

Traditionally, Jack is cited as a sponsor’s dream because of the often brilliantly clever uses of product placement and the integrated commercials.

But behind the scenes, the sponsors weren’t always happy. In the early days, Jack is shown to have had every radio star’s dread of unhappy sponsors but by the end of his radio run, he was powerful enough, and knew it, that he could stand up to them and dictate the terms rather than the other way around.

Wife and co-star Mary Livingstone gets better and more detailed coverage here than even in her own book, at least as far as her emergence, popularity, and eventual issues on Jack’s series. Likewise, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, forever remembered as Jack’s sidekick, is made more real than ever here, with detailed coverage of both his rapid rise and the issues his continued presence eventually caused the show. At one point, he was the highest paid and most popular African-American performer in the country.

Both Rochester and Mary became known exclusively by their character names. Both deservedly receive multiple chapters here. There’s a bit of a disparity with some of the other co-stars getting little to no mention by comparison, though. The rise of Phil Harris as a comedian in his own right—and star of his own long-running series with wife Alice Faye—is kind of just there.

Similarly, Dennis Day’s emergence as the standout tenor out of a rapidly changing group of boy singers is rather glossed over. Other performers so integral to the series such as Andy Devine, Benny Rubin, Frank Nelson, Mel Blanc, Bob Crosby, and Mahlon Merrick, seem to just be mentioned in passing by comparison, if mentioned at all.

Also, Jack’s writers, whom he always credited with being such a major part of his success, get the in-depth coverage early on but by the time the more familiar, long-term names are in place, they just got brought up occasionally.

The author’s writing style is quite readable but she has the unfortunate (to me) habit of announcing what we’re about to be reading. You’re six pages into a chapter when you’re suddenly told, “In this chapter we will be…” or three pages from the end of the chapter, you read, “In the next chapter we will be dealing with…”

A matter of personal taste perhaps, but I’d rather just go right into the chapter itself.

It’s like arguing semantics, though. The way you present your work isn’t as important as its content! And Kathryn Fuller-Seeley’s book, Jack Benny and the Golden Age of Radio Comedy, offers up new info in every single chapter on a man and a series I would have sworn I knew all there was to know about already.

If you’re a fan, it’s a must! If you’re not a fan, it’s still a fascinating story that will lead you to trying some of Jack’s radio or TV shows!

 

Booksteve Recommends!

 

Graphic Breakdown: ‘Doomsday Clock #1’ (spoiler free review)

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Doomsday Clock #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Illustrated by Gary Frank
Published by DC Comics
In stores Nov 22, 2017 / $4.99

 

It’s finally here! The book that will reveal what the hell is going on in the DC Universe Rebirth! This has a lot of hype behind it. And does it live up to it?

Yes. Absolutely. Without a doubt. It just doesn’t do it in the way you might expect. There’s no question, Doomsday Clock is one of the finest books of the year.

So what can I tell you that’s already been revealed?

Well, this book takes place a few years after Watchmen. Rorsharch is checking out another mystery.

The problem is Rorsharch died at the end of Watchmen.

Hurm.

So, is this a new Rorsharch or is Kovacs back from the dead?

What is the deal with Dr. Manhattan?

How does Superman or the rest of the DC characters fit in?

What universe are we even in?

That’s about as much as I can tell you.

It’s thrilling. Johns doesn’t go for spectacle, he goes for story. I’m still asking questions. The art is great. Frank doesn’t ape Dave Gibbons. He just does his own thing. He’s the perfect artist for this series.

Johns and Frank have utilized Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ nine panel grid. The storytelling is clean and precise, and like it’s predecessor, will leave you with as many questions as it does answers.

Many will ask: “Is it as good as Watchmen?” That question is actually irrelevant.

Johns and Frank have made something completely unique unto itself. I have no idea where it’s going but I read this with my eyes wide open smiling the whole time. The only thing that it might have in common, if Johns and Frank pull it off, is the book’s afterlife.

Like Watchmen, this may end up being a book that can attract readers outside of comic books. We will see.

You need this book. It’s one of the only comic books in recent memory that requires a second (or third) reading after you’ve finished it. That alone is well worth your time and your money.

A must read.

RATING: A+

 

Hazard: Who Is The Flash’s Lucky New Supervillain?

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It has been over a month now since The Flash returned to our TV screens after a season that ended with a major cliff-hanger – Barry getting trapped inside the Speed Force. The new season came back with a bang and introduced interesting plot twists and plenty of new amazing villains for Team Flash to battle with. So if you haven’t caught up yet, better stop reading now: spoilers ahead!

Season 4 Introduces New Characters – Including Villain Hazard

Despite the fact that Season 3 left fans with many unanswered questions and huge moments to look forward to (anyone hear the wedding bells in the background?), the premiere of Season 4 on October 10th did not go as well as planned in terms of viewership: on average, it managed to score a 1.0 rating among viewers aged 18-49 and its total viewership rose to 2.8 million. That means a drop of roughly 10% in viewers when compared to The Flash‘s Season 3 which premiered with an average of 1.3 rating and a total of 3.2 million viewers. Yet despite the rocky start, the new season of the series seems to have found its pace and also introduced a villain that is a fan favorite in the DC Universe – Hazard.

Let’s not forget that The Flash TV series were originally a spin-off from Arrow, which also airs on CW, but the show has quickly evolved to stand on its own – and even produced another spin-off, along with characters featured on Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow. In this season, The Flash is continuing to function as a pillar of the fictional universe that all three series belong to, by introducing a number of new allies and foes, including the Elongated Man, one of Allen’s most iconic allies, the Breacher (a bounty hunter from Earth-19 and played by Mr Danny Trejo himself!) and of course, Hazard, whom the Flash encounters and later confronts inside a casino in Episode 3, Luck Be a Lady.

Gambler’s Granddaughter and Perpetually Lucky – Who Is Becky Sharpe?

Hazard is one of the most interesting and complicated villains in the Flash universe. It was revealed last August that actress Sugar Lyn Beard was cast as Becky (Rebecca) Sharpe/Hazard and she does an excellent job of bringing a fun and relatable element to the character. Originally, Hazard was a woman constantly out of luck, until a freak accident – as so often happens in a superhero’s world – changes her into a mutant. Now her superpower is, well, good luck – and she tosses her special dice around in order to influence the probabilities of something happening to bring about the outcome she favors.

In the show, her powers get a scientific explanation that differs from the original story and that feels a bit forced but, otherwise, the first images of Hazard’s portrayal seem like a fresh take on the character that respects her core personality features. In the comics, she was involved in the Injustice society, as was her grandfather, The Gambler – a Green Lantern villain who also had a knack for games of luck.

Out of Luck? Not Quite

Ever since she first appeared in Infinity Inc. # 34 in 1988, Hazard has been bringing a casino vibe into the DC Universe. Dressed in her iconic outfit that sports two giant dice on her blouse and resembles the look of a casino card dealer, she has been playing with luck and managing to get away with it. She is not the only DC villain who brings a bit of the glamor and mystery of casinos into their nemesis’ universe – last year, we saw Veronica Sinclair, a.k.a. Roulette make her debut on Supergirl, running her casino/gladiator games pit called “The House”.

Image via Dark Horizons

And the Marvel Universe has its share of them, too: Marvel has been teasing us for a while now on a solo movie about Gambit (Channing Tatum has been cast for the role), an X-Men villain who uses a deck of playing cards charged with kinetic energy as his trademark weapon. Gambit, Roulette, and Hazard all join the long tradition of the casino world’s appeal in branding and nostalgia, which spans over many TV shows and films, including the Ocean’s Eleven movies, iconic characters like James Bond, and even Oscar-winning films like Rain Man or Leaving Las Vegas. Ultimately, it is no surprise that Hazard was the one picked to bring some fun into a notoriously geeky character like DC’s The Flash – the dorky scientist who gains super-speed abilities and decides to fight evil.

Could Hazard Bring out the Hidden Mischievous Side in Barry Allen?

Hazard is a marvelous addition to the DC Universe, particularly because her character is so complex in terms of her morals. In the comic books, she has a well-developed code of honor and despises violence. She is even known to sabotage other villains’ plans when they are working together in order to protect innocents from harm. But she is also sneaky and avoids direct confrontation – and she is not exactly a team player.

In spite of last season’s serious finale, Hazard’s appearance so far on The Flash series seems to bring out the humorous side of things; she is an entertaining antagonist to geeky Barry Allen and she seems to have a very mischievous approach to her criminal lifestyle. Whether she will be able to keep on confusing Team Flash and give them a run for their money, it remains to be seen.

 

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FOG! Chats With Phil LaMarr, Matt King and Creator Tarol Hunt About the ‘Goblins Animated’ Indiegogo Campaign!

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In 2007 Tarol Hunt was working a desk job and not loving life. He had a dream to be a comic book artist full time. He went out and pursued that dream and ten years later we have the genius of Goblins Comic for all to see.

In 2012 Matt King began pestering Tarol about creating an animated version of Goblins, bringing the violence, hilarity and touching comic to the screen.

In 2016 the inimitable Phil LaMarr got on board and the whole endeavor took off.

With the assistance of Tarol’s secret weapon, Danielle Stephens, the team has launched an Indiegogo campaign to produce a fully animated 5 minute Goblins mega trailer to introduce the characters to a larger audience and stay true to to the tone, humor, depth and quality of the comic.

Tarol, Matt and Phil took some time to discuss the project with FOG!

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FOG!: Tarol, for those unfamiliar with the property, tell me about Goblins.

Tarol Hunt: Goblins is the story of a D & D realm told from the point of view of the little guys, the “monsters,” that normally get slaughtered by low-level characters for a little bit of Experience Points (XP). In our story the Goblins change the rules and form an adventuring party of their own. The group normally considered evil and weak gets to be the heroes. It’s sort of like Smurfs meets Game of Thrones.

Matt, how did you discover Goblins and who’s idea was it to turn it into an animated project?

Matt King: I met Tarol about 10 years ago through a show I used to do, GeeksOn. I started reading the comic and fell in love with it. For about the last 5 years I’ve been trying to convince Tarol to turn Goblins into an animated series and finally he agreed.

All three of you are producers on the project. Tell me a bit about the crowdfunding campaign.

Matt: The Indiegogo campaign is to raise the funds for a 5 minute Mega-Trailer showing the best of Goblins.

Because Goblins is such a unique and FGBG (For Geeks, By Geeks) project, we want to make sure any investors, producers or studios we go to “get” it. We’ll show glimpses of the characters, the action the number and the style of animation we’re aiming for.

We can tell them about its popularity (60,000 unique hits to the site daily at its peak) and the passionate fan base but we think the best way to stay true to the tone of the comic is to let them see what makes it great.

Phil and Matt, both of you have extensive credits as voice artists. Matt, you are the creator/writer/director of The World of Steam. Phil, audiences also know you from Mad TV and countless tv and film appearances. What challenges have you had thus far as producers and who are some of your friends that are participating in the project?

Phil LaMarr: The biggest challenge has been the greatly increased level of responsibility, which Matt is more used to than me. As actors, we come in, we give it our all, then we can let it go. As producers, once you finish writing, then you start budgeting, then you crowd fund, after that we’ll start pre-production – your job never ends.

But fortunately, when your job is creating a vehicle for Billy West, Tara Strong, Steve Blum, Jennifer Hale, Maurice LaMarche and Matthew Mercer to tell Tarol’s story, you kind of don’t mind when it doesn’t end. We think it’s a fantastic marriage of talent and material. And we actually have a few more amazing people who have agreed to be part of Goblins Animated who we will announce when the time is right.

Matt: As Ron Howard said, (and I’m paraphrasing), “there is no creative endeavor that does not break you and make you at the same time.”

Goblins has been amazing front to back, despite the challenges of production and budgeting and really learning the functional ins and outs of a different aspect of animation than I have ever explored.

However, every time that I’ve felt like the challenges were too much, Phil, Dani, or Tarol has been there picking up the other end of the proverbial table and making this thing happen. I’m impressed with this team every day, and especially of the amazing depths of my co-creators.

Tarol, what’s it been like for you to see the animatics and hear the characters come to life?

Tarol: It’s really exciting to see the characters come to life. I’m surprised at how quickly those voices are becoming the default in my own mind. When I read/write these characters now, I actually “hear” their dialogue in those voices. It’s a welcomed evolution to the mythos but one, I suspect, that can’t be undone.

Tarol Hunt and Danielle Stephens

In addition to the Indiegogo, what else do you all have coming up?

Phil: Well, the Goblins campaign is taking up most of my time and energy these days but I’m very excited about The Jellies, running now on Adult Swim and my recurring role on Paramount TV’s reimagining of Heathers. It has one of the darkest scenes I’ve ever been part of – and I got my brains splattered all over Sam Jackson and John Travolta.

Phil LaMarr and Matt King

Matt: The World of Steam has been my baby for 6 years now and started as it’s own crowdfunding campaign. It’s been an incredibly long haul that’s taught me way more than I ever thought about producing, writing and directing. This year we are finaling the over 200 CGI shots of the original webseries, and now have The Jim Henson Company and John Hyde as Executive Producer partnering with us to bring The World of Steam to TV.

What are you currently geeking out over?

Matt: I’m geeking out over Stranger Things, Starstuff by Ira Heinichen, which is a fantastic new book, as well as turning my kids into Star Wars nerds.

I’ve been hugely focused on Goblins Animated and The World of Steam which means I haven’t had as much time to geek around in other people’s worlds as I would normally like because I’ve been spending so much time in Tarol’s, Phil’s and my own.

I’m also geeking out over the “bigatures” in the new Blade Runner. They blow my geeky mind.

Phil: I’ve been into Greg Rucka’s Lazarus for a while now and more recently I’ve been loving Crosswinds by Gail Simone and Cat Staggs

 

To support the Goblins Animated Indiegogo Campaign, Click HERE

 

 


‘Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story’ (review)

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Produced by Adam Haggiag,
Alexandra Dean, Katherine Drew
Executive Produced by Susan Sarandon
Regina K. Scully Michael Kantor

Written and Directed by Alexandra Dean
Featuring Hedy Lamarr, Peter Bogdanovich,
Mel Brooks, Diane Kruger, Robert Osborne,
Jan-Christopher Horak, Stephen Michael Shearer

 

If you have never heard of the actress/ inventor Hedy Lamarr, you would not be alone.

In her time, though, she was known as the most beautiful woman in the world.

Unfortunately this title and the conventions of the time period made it so the asset that gave her so much opportunity also pigeonholed her later as Lamarr’s talent as an inventor was generally disregarded.

The importance placed on a woman’s looks and how they tied to her worth became a mentality that Lamarr kept till she passed, not because she believed in it outright but because the situations of her life continuously reinforced it.

This documentary directed by Alexandra Dean and co-executive produced by Susan Sarandon does an excellent job of educating without sounding too preachy about the hazards of fame for beautiful women. Seamlessly blending stock forage from hits like Cecil B. DeMile’s Samson and Delilah with photos from later in life and some of the last phone interviews Lamarr gave before passing show an intimate portrait of the Hollywood legend. It covers the time from her birth to Jewish parents in Vienna and her first marriage at 19 (to an arms dealer that later supplied the likes of Hitler and Mussolini) through her escape out of the country and into Hollywood.

The latter half focuses on her inventions and her struggles with addiction, reclusiveness, and being valued more for beauty than brains. Indeed, I doubt there are many people who know that technology we use today like Wi-Fi utilizes her frequency hopping invention as a foundational element.

This is given more attention than in previous tellings, using animations to describe the intricacies in detail so that we can better appreciate the engineering prowess (and most likely, unrealized potential) shown by Lamarr during World War II.

The film is cut beautifully and follows a progression that feels engaging and makes us deeply sympathize with Lamarr. Having new firsthand accounts significantly adds to the interest, as so many times documentaries referencing this time period depend mostly on historians’ take.

Hearing from her children, now well into their 70s, also provides a rounded view into how her turmoil affected those around her. With that said, the coverage of her years after leaving the public eye are treated with respect, and it is clear that first-time filmmaker Dean wants nothing more than to make sure this case study of beauty as the beast is taken to heart.

Bombshell will surely lead to a newfound appreciation for Hedy Lamarr, the Austrian beauty that could not escape her face to truly pursue the potential of her brain.

It gives a critique of the shallow box that woman of that time period were forced to exist in, and celebrates the resilience of one who refused as often as she could to let it define her.

Because as Hedy Lamarr herself once said, “Any girl can look glamorous. All she has to do is stand still and look stupid.”

 

For screening information, click HERE!

 

Win ‘Logan Lucky’ on Blu-ray!

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Hoping to reverse a ‘curse’ that’s hung over his family for generations, Jimmy Logan (Channing Tatum) hatches a plan to rob the Charlotte Motor Speedway during the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’S biggest race of the year. He convinces his bartender brother Clyde (Adam Driver) and hairdresser sister Mellie (Riley Keough) to help him pull everything off–but first they have to break the bomb-maker Joe Bang (Daniel Craig) out of jail in broad daylight. Academy Award winner Hilary Swank plays a no-nonsense FBI agent determined to bring the Logans to justice and keep them from racing away with the loot in this high speed caper from director Steven Soderbergh.  Logan Lucky also stars Seth MacFarlane, Katie Holmes, Katherine Waterston, Dwight Yoakam, Sebastian Stan, Brian Gleeson, and Jack Quaid.

And we’re giving away two copies!

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

With Logan Lucky, how many films has Channing Tatum made with director Steven Soderbergh?

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 December 10th, 2017.

 

FOG! Exclusive: Cover and Solicitation Reveal for ‘G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero’ #249!

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The Penultimate chapter leading to the oversized issue #250 blockbuster extravaganza, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #249 features the birth (and rebirth) of an all-new Snake Eyes!

G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #249
Larry Hama (w) • Netho Diaz (a)
Cover A: Netho Diaz
Cover B: John Royle
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Expected in-store date: 2/28/18

“Dawn of the Arashikage,” Part 4! Dawn Moreno’s journey into her own mind—and that of the original Snake Eyes—continues as past and present collide like the violent clash of two deadly swords! What does the future hold for the haunted ninja girl… and G.I. JOE?!

Retailer incentives: Order 10 copies, get one free variant cover by Harvey Tolibao! See your order form for incentive information.

Dawn of the Arashikage begins in G.I. Joe #246 and arrives in stores 11/29!

 

 

Boston Cinegeeks! We’ve Got Passes For The History Channel’s ‘Knightfall’

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The closer they are to the grail, the further they are from God. Before HISTORY’s new drama series Knightfall premieres on December 6th, we’re giving away tickets to a special screening of the first episode of their new series on November 30th!

Knightfall begins after the fall of the city of Acre, the Templar’s last stronghold in the Holy Land, where the Holy Grail is lost. Years later, a clue emerges suggesting the whereabouts of the Grail and sends the Templars, led by the noble, courageous and headstrong Templar Knight Landry (Tom Cullen, “Downton Abbey,” “Gunpowder”), on a life or death mission to find the lost Cup of Christ. From their battles in the Holy Land, to their clash with the King of France, to the dark events leading to the demise of the Templar Order on Friday the 13th, 1307 —a date which became synonymous with bad luck—the story of the Knights Templar has never been fully told until now. Focusing on themes such as belief, sacrifice, politics, love, power and revenge – Knightfall goes deep into the clandestine world of this legendary brotherhood of warrior monks to find out who these knights were, how they lived, and what they died believing.

In addition to Cullen, the drama series also stars Pádraic Delaney (The Wind That Shakes the Barley, “The Tudors”) as Gawain, once the greatest swordsman of the Templar Order who was crippled at Acre, and Simon Merrells (“Spartacus”, “Dominion”) as Tancrede, a steadfast, brave, and resolute knight who venerates his Templar vows above all else.

Knightfall’s cast is replete with historical figures, representing the most powerful forces in Medieval Europe. Completing the cast is Jim Carter (“Downton Abbey”) as Pope Boniface VIII, the Holy Leader of the Templar Knights and a stabilizing, incorruptible force within a chaotic medieval world; Olivia Ross (“War and Peace”) as Queen Joan of Navarre, wife to King Philip IV of France and a powerful Queen in her own right; a devoted mother, formidable diplomat and keen strategist; Ed Stoppard (“The Crown”) as King Philip IV of France, the most powerful monarch in Europe who seeks to consolidate his power with the help of his Machiavellian right-hand man and pragmatic lawyer, William De Nogaret, played by Julian Ovenden (“Downton Abbey”); and Sabrina Bartlett (“DaVinci’s Demons”) as Princess Isabella, Queen Joan and King Philip’s daughter who would come to dominate the Kingdom of England as the She-Wolf of France.

Knightfall also stars Bobby Schofield (Black Sea, Our World War) as Parsifal; a young peasant farmer who seeks to become a part of the Templar Order; and Sarah-Sofie Boussnina (The Bridge, The Absent One) as Adelina, a Jewish refugee from the Holy Land who finds herself the victim of new persecution in Paris.

Knightfall joins HISTORY’s original scripted roster, which includes anchor hit series Vikings, renewed for a 20 episode sixth season; military drama SIX, currently in production on season two; and the recently announced series Blue Book, executive produced by Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Robert Zemeckis, and The Breach: Inside The Impeachment of Bill Clinton from Emmy Award winning producer R.J. Cutler.

For your chance to download passes to the advance screening of KNIGHTFALL on Thursday, November 30 at 7pm at AMC Boston Common, click HERE.

Remember seating is first come, first served and not guaranteed so arrive early!

 

 

‘Wonder Woman ’77 Meets The Bionic Woman’ TP (review)

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Wonder Woman ’77 Meets The Bionic Woman TP
Written by Andy Mangels
Illustrated by Judit Tondora
Cover by Alex Ross
Published by Dynamite Entertainment
ISBN-13: 978-1524103729
Released 10/31/17 / $19.99

 

These days, comics fans are used to odd inter-franchise teamups: Archie/Predator, Scooby-Doo/Hawkman, Wonder Woman/Conan, Vampirella/Barnabas Collins, etc. Before one even reads a word or sees any artwork from it, though, the teamup of ‘70s TV’s Bionic Woman and DC’s Wonder Woman ’77 seems the most natural thing in the world.

And the most natural writer for this historic meeting was Andy Mangels, well-known for decades for his great affection for pop culture in general and for superheroines in particular!

Both comics and television fans in the ‘70s loved both shows for several seasons. Lindsay Wagner brought a quiet strength to the role of cyborg Jaime Sommers on her ABC (and later NBC) series with her slow motion super speed (so we could see it), super-strength and super-hearing. Diana Prince was portrayed on ABC (and later CBS) by the gorgeous and commanding Lynda Carter, who looked like she had been born to wear her red, white, blue, and gold super outfit!

Essential to the success of a project such as this is that the characters as drawn evoke their original performers and the artist here, one Judit Tondora, from Hungary, does an excellent job despite of what she has said was her limited exposure to the TV heroines growing up. Lots of admitted photo reference but nothing looks just traced like in the old Dell TV comics. Besides the two series’ regulars, the artist’s supporting characters even bring to mind recognizable TV character actors of the late ‘70s including, among others, Fritz Weaver, Lynda Day George, and Lloyd Bochner. Wonder Girl and Max the bionic dog even show up with substantial roles!

Similarly, the photo-influenced cover art from Cat Staggs is perfect for the mood of the series and the times and the collected volume offers up all the nifty, stylized variant covers as well, ranging from the ultra-realistic Alex Ross to Archie Comics stalwart Dan Parent.

Mangels’ story deftly ties together plot threads from both series, referencing which episodes as he goes along while never making it mandatory to have seen them before reading any further. A tricky task, indeed, but he accomplishes it with great flair and style.

The important thing, though, above the plot and the art, and some great in-jokes and references for fans of both the comics and the shows, is that the characters really ARE the characters—not JUST Jaime and Diana but Jaime and Diana specifically as portrayed by Lindsay and Lynda four decades ago. That is, I’m happy to report, where Andy really shines. He has a great ear for dialogue and I could literally hear the actresses’ voices in the panels, speaking words that they could have said back in the day. The difference is that this actually has more depth than any of their respective TV scripts had and an even more enlightened and empowering attitude toward women than American TV would have allowed at that time. There’s even a nod to same sex marriage.

The plot deals with a group of former enemies of both characters working together to discover computer secrets, the importance of which is made clear to us from our own future vantage point as readers. There are some twists and unexpected turns as well as lots of well-depicted action sequences, but the best part of the book, to my mind, deals with the interactions of the main characters as they bond in both their friendship and their mission. Thus, I was a tad disappointed when Diana is wounded and taken out of action for a long period toward the middle of the story. That particular plot development does, at least, give her the impetus for one of several cool costume changes throughout, as well as a great comeback moment.

I don’t know that I’d want another series featuring Wonder Woman and the Bionic Woman because this one answered most (non-X-rated) fanboy wishes for the characters in a most enjoyable and true to the originals manner. Kudos to Andy Mangels and Judit Tondora and all involved on behalf of myself and all the teen boys and girls who had Lindsay and Lynda on their walls in 1977 right next to Farrah!

 

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