Produced by Jason James, Amber Ripley
Written by Jason Filiatrault
Directed by Jason James
Starring Thomas Middleditch, Jess Weixler,
Diana Bang, Nicole LaPlaca,
Randal Edwards, Marilyn Norry

Existential forays into the nature of humanity and the connections between all humans can be dangerous.

If the writer and director aren’t careful they can wind up masturbating all over the audience as they try and demonstrate that they are so very smart and the audience is so very dumb.

A perfect example of this is I Heart Huckabees, a movie so full of it’s own virtue it caused one of the greatest on set melt downs of all time by the skilled and professional Lily Tomlin.

Entanglement isn’t like that at all.

Entanglement asks a lot of interesting questions, but respects the audience enough to let us find our own answers as we take on a journey of heartbreak and healing with Ben (Thomas Middleditch). Ben’s wife left him and the film opens on a failed suicide attempt as he tries to end the enormous pain he is in. His survival and the ensuing revelations about his family take him on a journey. Ben explores who he is, where he has been, and most importantly where he is going as he tries to piece together the key moments of his life that created the branches on his timeline. The story touches on quantum mechanics and branching universe theory, but doesn’t beat you over the head with the existential science.

Jason Filiatrault’s script is smart without being arrogant.

As the true nature of Ben’s universe reveals itself slowly throughout the film the story is amplified by some really interesting visuals. Jason James proves himself an able story teller as the pacing of the film is excellent. The story unfolds evenly and dramatically providing the viewer enough time to experience the character’s emotions without being immediately forced into the next chapter or act.

The movie isn’t long, but allows time for reflection as you learn more about the characters. This is not a big budget film, but at no point did I feel like the filmmakers skimped. The production values are high, the sets are well lit, and the exteriors aren’t washed out at all. It is exactly the kind of attention to craft you hope for in an indie, but sometimes don’t get.

The one thing about the film I didn’t like was Ben’s parents. They seemed crammed into the plot and weren’t really necessary save one powerful scene with Ben and his mom as she talks about how she felt about his suicide attempt. It almost seems like they were supposed to be the comic relief, but they aren’t really funny and they do distract from the broader plot, albeit in a very minor way.

If all you know of Thomas Middleditch is Silicon Valley and Verizon commercials you are in for a treat.

At first Ben seems like exactly the same character MIddleditch plays in Silicon Valley. Ben is a quiet, unassuming, introspective fish out of water at first, but late in the film he shows an amazing range. He confronts himself in a mirror and that scene is a clear indicator that Middleditch is a fine actor who can play a variety of types. He is in basically every scene in the film and it isn’t overkill. The story demands it.

Jess Weixler plays the enigmatic Hanna. Hanna is a beautiful free spirit who Ben needs right at the moment she arrives in the story and Weixler does an excellent job. She is very easy and natural on the screen, delivering a powerful performance aided by Filiatrault’s excellent script. There is real chemistry between Weixler and Middleditch on the screen and it makes an already enjoyable film even better.

The last performance of note is delivered by Diana Bang, who plays Ben’s best friend, Tabby. Tabby saves Ben’s life in the beginning of the story and she takes the Chinese proverb, “You are responsible for the life you save,” very seriously. Tabby is the steadying influence on Ben’s journey and Diana Bang plays the adorable (and literal) girl next door role magnificently. She shows outstanding emotional range while trying desperately to support her friend through his difficult time. I really enjoyed watching her.

There is a lot to like here. The story and performances, combined with good writing and excellent pacing give you about 90 minutes of pleasant diversion as you take a journey of heartbreak, loss and healing with Ben, his friends and family. You’ll be glad you did.

4 out of 5 stars

February 6th

RV: Resurrected Victim

Jin-hong (KIM Rae-won) is a cold-hearted district attorney, obsessed in catching the culprit who attacked and killed his mother (KIM Hae-sook) 7 years ago. She had died right before his eyes and he’s been living with that guilt ever since. One day, Jin-hong finds his mother back home like nothing had happened. Then suddenly, she tries to stab him with a knife.

Government intelligence agencies had been hiding surreal cases all over the globe that they call ‘Resurrected Victims Phenomenon’, where victims of murder come back to life to avenge their murderers if they go unpunished, and then disappear. And based on this, Jin-hong is now a prime suspect for his mother’s murder.

Darkest Hour

Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman gives a “towering performance” (Richard Lawson, Vanity Fair) in acclaimed director Joe Wright’s soaring drama Darkest Hour. As Hitler’s forces storm across the European landscape and close in on the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill (Oldman) is elected the new Prime Minister. With his party questioning his every move, and King George VI (Ben Mendelsohn) skeptical of his new political leader, it is up to Churchill to lead his nation and protect them from the most dangerous threat ever seen. Also starring Academy Award nominee Kristin Scott Thomas (Tomb Raider, The English Patient, Only God Forgives) and Lily James (Baby Driver, Cinderella), Darkest Hour is a powerful, inspirational drama.

With outstanding filmmaker pedigree, Darkest Hour is directed by BAFTA Award winner Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride and Prejudice), written by Academy Award nominee Anthony McCarten (The Theory of Everything) and stars Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman (Harry Potter, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) in his 2018 Golden Globe Award winning role.  The critically acclaimed Darkest Hour received six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling and Best Production Design.

February 13th

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Award-winning actress Frances McDormand (Fargo) delivers a stunningly powerful performance in this darkly comic drama that has been hailed as one of the year’s best films. A murdered girl’s defiant mother (McDormand) boldly paints three local signs with a controversial message, igniting a furious battle with a volatile cop (Sam Rockwell) and the town’s revered chief of police (Woody Harrelson).

Coco

February 27th

Ferdinand

From the creators of Rio and Ice Age comes the most love-a-bull family comedy! Ferdinand, played by John Cena, is a giant bull with a big heart. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast and torn from his home, he rallies a misfit team of friends for the ultimate adventure to return to his family. Based on the classic children’s book, Ferdinand proves you can’t judge a bull by its cover!

Starring: Kate McKinnon as Lupe (SNL, Ghostbusters), Gina Rodriguez as Una (Carmen Sandiego, Jane the Virgin), Anthony Anderson as Bones (Black-ish, Grown-ish), Boris Kodjoe as Klaus (Nicole & O.J., Resident Evil: Afterlife), Daveed Diggss as Dos (Wonder, Hamilton, Zootopia), Gabriel Iglesias as Cuatro (Narcos, Magic Mike, The Book of Life), Peyton Manning as Guapo (NFL Winner of five MVP Awards and Two Super Bowls), David Tennant as Angus (DuckTales, Jessica Jones, Doctor Who), Bobby Cannavale as Valiente (Will & Grace, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle), Jerrod Carmichael as Paco (The Disaster Artist, Transformers: The Last Knight), Juanes as Juan (Grammy Award Winning Artist, Jane the Virgin) and Nick Jonas (Wrote Original Song “Home”, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle).

Produced by Kevin Feige
Written by Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole
Based on Black Panther by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
Directed by Ryan Coogler
Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan,
Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman,
Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke,
Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Andy Serkis

It is impossible to exist on social media and not see the importance that has been hoisted onto Black Panther. The first black superhero film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been hyped since the moment Chadwick Boseman appeared as T’Challa in Captain America: Civil War. With so much to cover for a character that many have only a passing familiarity with (even with the highly publicized current comic written by Ta-Nehisi Coates of The Atlantic), it would be understandable if the film fell somewhat short of its deification.

But instead, it lives up to the worship.

For those who are completely uninitiated, you will be happy to know that a clever animated tale in the beginning of the movie sets the scene for why the fictional African nation of Wakanda has never been colonized, nor seen by the eyes of the world. From there we move to California in the 90s, setting up more backstory to show that Wakanda’s problems of Vibranium theft did not occur overnight. As long as they have something so precious, the outside world will always be a threat. That need to protect their resources, so closely tied to their heritage and way of life, permeates throughout the entire film.

The trip to America is short lived though, and that is lucky for the audience. Ryan Coogler’s interpretation of a land gifted in technology but untouched by colonialism is the first time Wakanda has been truly visualized in the MCU.

As T’Challa’s aircraft swoops into his homeland, there are none of the traditional glass and metal rectangular towers of your usual superhero film. Instead, we find innovative and diverse skyscrapers reminiscent of the modern designs in South African cities. Mixed materials and curved buildings dot the downtown where residents wear bright tribal patterns and each head sports natural styles ranging from Ramonda’s (Angela Bassett) locs to Nakia’s (Lupita Nyong’o) mini bantu knots to the sleek shaved head of Dora Milaje leader Okoye (Danai Gurira). Every set piece plays the dual role of representing the future and acknowledging tradition. Even the tricked out lab of T’Challa’s younger sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) is covered in the kind of bright neon street designs you could just as easily see spray painted across a wall in Johannesburg.

As characters switch constantly from accented English to Xhosa, (one of the official languages of South Africa), it is clear that Coogler wanted to transport the audience to a completely new world that still echoed the vibrant reality of Africa. Each time the subtitles run across the screen, we are reminded how secondary the Wakandans view the English language of outsiders. All of their world is sacred, and each tradition a source of pride. There is also a deep spirituality that permeates everything in Wakanda from the chants and posturing during the challenges for the throne to the rituals that allow them to connect with ancestors. The interactions between the various tribes show a deep respect and loyalty, but also a sense of close-knit family. Daniel Kaluuya’s W’Kabi may see T’Challa as his king, but their banter makes it feel as if they are just two good friends shooting the breeze.

Black Panther further differs from modern offerings in bringing back the kind of physicality that you might see in an early DC movie. It is reminiscent of the first few in the Batman series, with a nod to gadgets but a focus on combat.

For being the most technologically advanced country on the planet, a majority of the battle scenes depend on excellently choreographed fights that elicit a visceral reaction from the audience anytime a kick connects with a jaw, or a Vibranium spear pierces flesh. Don’t fear though, there is certainly enough CGI to make a particularly high-speed car chase go down as a showcase of Shuri’s tech savvy in Wakandan weaponry, as well as the trust-based nature of their group’s fighting style.

Each member of T’Challa’s Wakandan family shows a brilliant choice in casting. The clever and scene-stealing Wright is the perfect younger foil to Boseman’s calm and collected big brother persona. The sibling dynamic between the two of them is not just believable; it’s downright fun. The switch from bickering to the sudden intense concern that you only know if you have ever seen a sibling in trouble is seamless. Lupita Nyong’o finds another powerhouse role as Nakia, Wakandan spy and T’Challa’s love interest. We all know she is an amazing actor, but now her resume includes several stunning fight scenes with both hand-to-hand and armed scenes.

With such a fierce female cast, Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger feels even more aggressively masculine in contrast. He is pure swagger and bravado, the child of a trauma-filled life that African-Americans are all too familiar with. This combination of anger and a thirst for radical justice makes him the antithesis to the level-headed regal grace of Boseman’s T’Challa, who has always had the benefit of love, resources, and the space to decide what is just and how to achieve it. They play well off each other, even if the dynamic is very familiar.

You’ll find that the thematic question at the heart of the film has also appeared in other MCU outings. We have seen it everywhere from post-conquering Asgard to always-hidden Themyscira: reverence of preservation of the old norms versus confrontation with the new world. Wakanda has survived for so long by practicing a stance of isolationism. As they watched European countries demolish and colonize others who looked exactly like them, they were able to modernize and excel in large part due to their policy of not getting involved. Yet as the world becomes smaller and smaller, there is a battle inside of Wakanda as well as in T’Challa regarding whether or not it is fair to turn away from the suffering of the world as it becomes more and more obvious each day. Certainly, they have the resources but the argument as to whether or not they have the responsibility is a central plot point that takes the film out of traditional comic movie territory and into a very current-feeling political and moral space.

There has never been a movie like Black Panther that so thoughtfully nods to the black experience while still being accessible to all audiences. From the sly jokes to the stunning costuming to the fierce fights, we can only hope that this cements Afrofuturism and diverse storytelling as indispensable to the cinematic world. If this is an idea of how Coogler envisions future films, there is nothing else to say but “Wakanda forever”.

Nominated for three Academy Awards (Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Best Film Editing), I, Tonya is a darkly funny and entertaining examination of Tonya Harding, the most controversial figure in the history of figure skating, and the headline-grabbing scandal that mesmerized a nation. I, Tonya is available on Digital and the all-new digital movie app MOVIES ANYWHERE on March 2, 2018 and on Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand on March 13, 2018 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Packed with more than 40 minutes of exclusive bonus content, the Digital, Blu-ray, and DVD showcase deleted scenes and in-depth featurettes taking viewers behind the scenes of the film and its captivating story.

Spanning from Harding’s earliest days at the ice rink to the notorious “incident”, critics call I, Tonya “a hilariously tragic story of success so entertaining you can’t look away” (Eric Kohn, Indiewire). Presenting multiple, and at times contradictory, perspectives of the events, the film explores the ways public opinion can be permanently shaped by news agendas and tabloid culture. But beyond the headlines, I, Tonya tells a complex story of resilience and perseverance, as a rebellious working-class girl pursues her dream competing in a “ladylike” sport, only to be caught up in controversy and criminal circumstances created by her involvement with those closest to her.

Based on the incredible true events, I, Tonya is a darkly comedic tale of American figure skater, Tonya Harding, and one of the most sensational scandals in sports history. Though Harding was the first American woman to complete a triple axel in competition, her legacy was forever defined by her association with the infamous attack on fellow Olympic competitor Nancy Kerrigan.

Featuring Oscar-nominated performances by actress/producer Margot Robbie (Suicide Squad) as the fiery Tonya Harding, and Allison Janney (Girl on a Train) as her acid-tongued mother (2018 Golden Globe Award-winner), I, Tonya also stars Sebastian Stan (Captain America franchise) as Tonya’s impetuous ex-husband, Bobby Cannavale (“Boardwalk Empire”) and Julianna Nicholson (August: Osage County), and is directed by Craig Gillespie (Lars and the Real Girl) from an original screenplay by Steven Rogers (P.S. I Love You).  The film offers an often absurd, at times irreverent, and always piercing portrayal of Harding’s life and career in all of its unchecked––and checkered––glory.

BONUS FEATURES on BLU-RAY, DVD and digital

• Deleted Scenes
• All Sixes: The Perfect Performances of I, Tonya
• Irony Free, Totally True: The Story Behind I, Tonya
• Working with Director Craig Gillespie
• The Visual Effects of I, Tonya
• VFX: Anatomy of the Triple Axel
• Feature Commentary with Director Craig Gillespie
• Theatrical Trailers

I, Tonya will be available on Blu-ray combo pack which includes Blu-ray, DVD and Digital, and Movies Anywhere.

• 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.
• DVD offers the flexibility and convenience of playing movies in more places, both at home and away.
• Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.
• Movies Anywhere is the digital app that simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-ray and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. MOVIES ANYWHERE is only available in the United States. For more information, visit https://moviesanywhere.com.

For more information, visit uni.pictures/ITonya

Donald Quest: Hammer of Magic
(Collects Donald Quest #1 – #5)
Written by Stefano Ambrosio,
Davide Aicardi, Chantal Pericoli
Art by Andrea Freccero, Paolo De Lorenzi,
Stefano Zanchi, Francesco D’Ippolito,
Vitale Mangiatordi
ISBN-13: 978-1631409127
Published by IDW Publishing
Released 8/8/17 / $14.99

It took many years for Disney to officially embrace steampunk.

That’s not to say you could not find hints of it in the rockets of Tomorrowland or maybe even 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Arguably, it was The Mechanical Kingdom, a 2010 book by Disney Design Group artist Mike Sulivan, that brought steampunk into company cannon, allowing it to officially squeak its way into park exhibits and collectibles.

While steampunk usually melds steam-powered contraptions with 19th-century – and sometimes more modern – tech, the Donald Quest comics go a bit more medieval in its approach.

Collecting the first five issues, Hammer of Magic features Donald, Mickey, Minnie and the nephews – and a bunch of friendly cameos on a quest to defeat the mysterious Meteormaster and his Meteorbeasts terrorizing the countryside.

Hot Under the Collar

Imagine Mickey Mouse meets DuckTales but with flying ships and magical explosions. Even the blocky money bin is a bit more craggily, though more like an artistic rock formation sitting atop a floating land mass. Likewise, Donald’s jalopy is replaced with a pirate ship on extended tank treads – an awesome concept, for sure – that converts to a flying ship when needed.

The early chapters gives us Magica DeSpell using electrical bats and the Beagle Boys causing general mayhem, while our herosome crew enlists Gyro to craft a giant hammer and anvil to defeat them.

We soon learn that a giant knight, the Meteormaster, is in charge of the baddies, enlisting his on generals to do his dirty work. His most formidable may be the evil Emil Eagle (who also adds perhaps the most steampunk feel to the book, but more on that later).

As we progress through the books, the adventure gets a bit more wacky, eventually including floating, talking rock faces (flashbacks of the Bill and Ted comics, anyone?) with the art becoming a lot more fluid and splashy.

Along the way we also get a couple new characters including Jubal Pomp, a scraggly trader who helps Donald and the nephews with intel so they can try to collect bounties posted by none other than Flintheart Glomgold.

Throughout the stories, they face electrified – read: magical – Meteorbeasts, each of which is introduced trading card style with a type, weakness and sometimes even a strength rating (clearly pandering to Pokémon-loving kids).
The books work in plenty of welcome cameos including Gyro (who seems truly at home in this world), Gus, Grandma, Pegleg Pete, uber lucky Gladstone Gander and the Phantom Blot. And, as you might expect, cleverness often trumps violence, even when the weapon of choice is a hammer.

Although Mickey does get to star in a bit of the story, this really does feature Donald, Huey, Dewey and Louie.

A Little Lost In Time

The early portions feel far more like Disney playing knights than really embracing steampunk.

We’ve seen plenty of classic Disney Comics stories featuring knights out of time and even Donald and the nephews donning suits of armor, but this puts them in medieval garb instead of steampunkian attire. Emil’s entry into the story is also the biggest and best inflection of actual steampunk aesthetic. Unfortunately, it’s a little late.

That doesn’t mean the stories are all bad. They do have a bit of fun and whimsy you’d expect from a collaborative Mickey and Donald adventure. There’s just something not quite right.

It lacks the intimate feel of older Disney stories.

Maybe it needs a little more Scrooge or a lot less fantasy. Maybe it went a bit overboard with big action spreads showing electrified animals. Maybe it needed more of Donald’s frantic fury and Mickey’s wily cleverness.
Also, the stories feel more lost in time than steampunk, lacking the mechanical cleverness I was expecting (the back cover does promise “a wild steampunk epic”). As I pondered the potential causes of the problems, I scanned through the book to see if I could figure out why these stories feel a little thinner than adventures from even a dozen or so years ago.

Simple stated: there’s less story.

I noticed that there are only three to six panels actual per page instead of the more traditional eight to 12 panels. Yes, that means we’re getting essentially half the story, half the dialog and half the space for meaningful progression.

While it does make for great looking, easy-to-read pages, it ultimately results in somewhat shallower stories.

The Disney characters are there and, very often, they do get to shine and it is an enjoyable book. You’ll certainly revisit these pages, looking for more details in the sweeping visual. Just don’t expect the intimate, intricate stories from Disney Comics past.

Meet Mija, a young girl who risks everything to prevent a powerful, multi-national company from kidnapping her best friend – a fascinating animal named Okja. This is the official art book to celebrate the beautiful new movie from director Bong Joon Ho (Snowpiercer, The Host) and Netflix. Featuring exclusive interviews with the director, Tilda Swinton, and key crew members, combined with concept artwork, candid set photography, and VFX material detailing the production process, this is a one of a kind book for a one of a kind movie.

And we’re giving away three copies!

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

Okja director Joon-ho Bong previously directed Tilda Swinton in this 2013 film?

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 February 25th, 2018.

Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams star as Max and Annie, whose weekly couples game night gets kicked up a notch when Max’s charismatic brother, Brooks (Kyle Chandler), arranges a murder mystery party, complete with fake thugs and faux federal agents. So, when Brooks gets kidnapped, it’s all part of the game…right? But as the six uber-competitive gamers set out to solve the case and win, they begin to discover that neither this “game”—nor Brooks—are what they seem to be. Over the course of one chaotic night, the friends find themselves increasingly in over their heads as each twist leads to another unexpected turn. With no rules, no points, and no idea who all the players are, this could turn out to be the most fun they’ve ever had…or game over.

BOSTON
For your chance to download passes to the advance screening of GAME NIGHT on Tuesday, February 20^th at 7:00 PM at the AMC Loews Boston Common 19, click HERE.

HARTFORD
For your chance to download passes to the advance screening of GAME NIGHT on Tuesday, February 20^th at 7:00 PM at the Bowtie Palace 17, click HERE.

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

gamenight-movie.com

No theme for you today except, happy love day.

Love yourself, love somebody else, share some good snuggles with a good pupper or kitty.

Action Comics #997
Words – Dan Jurgens
Pictures – Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund, Andrew Dalhouse, Rob Leigh

Back into the action my friends.

Supes, Booster and Skeets fight the whole Zod family. Two are captured and strung up as power-dampened trophies for everyone to see, one is left broken and sparking on the battlefield.

Back in present time on Earth, Lois continues her sneakity-sneaky mission to save her father from execution in a hostile country

. Breaking into the enemy base with AMZAZING “luck” wasn’t enough to clue her in to the stowaway help. Maybe Jon has been paying attention to his time with Damian.

But in the end how will she explain to her father how her (perfectly normal) son is out here for this A-Team level insane romp?

Batgirl and The Birds of Prey #19
Words – Julie Benson, Shawna Benson
Pictures – Roge Antonio, Marcelo Maiolo, Saida Temofonte

Barbara wants some balance.

Being Barbara and Batgirl and Oracle has left her too stretched thin to be there for everyone.

So why not use a criminal’s technology against them?

There’s a program left by a friend on her computers that almost effortlessly allows her to piggyback Calculator’s set-up.

If you had a way to overhear the dealings criminals did online before the crimes were committed wouldn’t that just be expediting their job?

Maybe they can stop crime and give Barbara a chance to show those she loves the attention they deserve.

How could such a plan go wrong?

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #38
Words – Robert Venditti
Pictures – Ethan Van Sciver, Jason Wright, Dave Sharpe

We’re back on Jekuul again, but in the present. Hal and Kyle are imprisoned in some very “Fortress of Solitude” architecture, neither have their ring and both are pretty beat up.

Zod has the natives building his dream home (I guess the holding cells went in first, nice of Zod to stay consistent).

But even without their powers, freedom, any way to call for reinforcements or even communicate with the locals Hal and Kyle want to free these people.

But how can you save a population without understanding it?

So why at this time is Zod attempting diplomacy?

Does Hal have any last ditch tricks to pull?

Justice League of America #24
Words – Steve Orlando
Pictures – Neil Edwards, Daniel Henriques, Andy Owens, Hi-Fi, Clayton Cowles

You may think a “bad” comic is the hardest thing to write a review of, but a “good” one one that pulls a trick that impresses you is much harder to write about.

I read it before you and want to scream from the rooftops “you never see it when ___ appears at ____!”, but that would just be horrid and rob you of the joy of experiencing it yourself. So I had to hold myself back last time when Holy Shnikies Promethea Burst Out The Door At The End!

Big fan of J H Williams III (as anyone who reads my reviews of Batwoman has picked up on), and I dug Promethea from her first to last issue.

This is an exciting issue with large exciting fights, good guys coming together to fight the bads with friendship, and Frost making the hard choice she’s been facing since the arc begun. All of these are great reasons to read it.

But my fangirl hat is on, my favorite single ABC (America’s Best Comics) character is officially DC cannon now, so my mind spins with all the extended questions I get to so happily speculate upon.

Mister Miracle #1 Director’s Cut
Words – Tom King
Pictures – Mitch Gerads, Clayton Cowles

I appreciate when they take the time and effort to put one of these out.

It’s a deeper dive for those that liked it the first time and a second chance for those (like me) that completely missed it.

Maybe it’s the extensive use of a stark black and white only punctuated with a splash of blood or the warm color of a television screen, but this feels arthouse theater to a regular comic’s weekly t.v. series. It’s not a story given chronologically or straightforward. There is a looming threat even Scott feels, and through repeated black panels with simple white text we feel it too.

Where can you escape when the future feels bleaker then anything you have yet survived?

Into memories? Depression?

Work?

A more drastic and final escape?

Or could you find it within to choose to do the opposite?

Scooby Apocalypse #22
Words – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, Ron Wagner
Pictures – Andy Owens, Hi-Fi, Travis Lanham, Colleen Doran

The gang has learned what scared the other mutated monsters away from the mall, the monsters inside were even more nuts!

Set somewhere between a season of “American Gladiators” and complete global annihilation is this game the mall mutants play.

Each team in nicely hand-made (or is it claw-made?) uniforms either representing “C J Nickel” or “Mears” and at an appointed time leave their chosen department store to rip apart as much of the other team as possible.

That it’s such a predictable pattern actually gives Velma hope that her plan to change the mall into their base is possible. Let’s just hope this slim thread of a plan doesn’t get complicated.

Secret Squirrel is a Bond-ian flavored parody this time. The artist du-jour (Colleen Doran) has a light fun style with almost an “Adult Swim” feel.

This is good because I could see this being the subject of a Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law episode.

The bad guy group “The Committee” who hired Loup Astucieux to kill Secret Squirrel want it to happen quickly or they’ll bill him for all the cool gadgets and death traps he failed to kill him with earlier! Oh no, what is a world famous assassin to do?

Scooby-Doo! Where Are You? #90
Words – Sholly Fisch, John Rozum
Pictures – Walter Carzon, Horacio Ottolini, Silvana Brys, Saida Temofonte, Don Perlin, Scott McRea, John Costanza

Two tales of mild terror for you tonight.

First the gang has enough of a break to wash their clothes.

Well, theoretically they do but there’s so much fighting between customers and the owner is a loud sour grump its almost a relief when a ghost crashes the party. But cleanliness is second to mystery solving and not even the fear of funk will stop them from cleaning up this case.

The second story sees the group getting yet another flat tire on a lonely spooky road. Even they’re starting to see the meta of this joke (their spare is flat from the last time this happened!).

When will they get a roadside auto emergency membership?

The nearest place is an “everything” making business with only one employee brave enough to be there. Three days ago a monster was “created’ in one of their many labs.

If only there were an intrepid group of kids to help solve the mystery.

Sideways #1
Words – Kenneth Rocafort, Dan Didio, Justin Jordan
Pictures – Kenneth Rocafort, Daniel Brown, Carlos M. Mangual

Sideways is how my head was turning while reading this.

It’s sadly a tired premise that gets it’s mystery from budding off of an event I didn’t read. But this is a #1, and those are expected to stand on their own.

The art is nice, Rocafort likes detail and if there’s a texture he will be sure you can feel it whether it’s Ernie’s kigurumi or every floor of every skyscraper in New York.

The faces feel pulled from reference, sometimes that’s fine (the sweet kiss on page 7), sometimes it feels out of place or distractingly off-model. But hey you can’t be the best at every aspect right off the bat, I look forward to seeing this artist grow.

As for writing…Teen kid gets powers from event, his best friend knows secret and made him awesome costume. Parents don’t know and are extra worried for him. People are angry at him using the powers willy-nilly and he’s already in trouble for that.

But it could get better issue 2.

Supergirl #18
Words – Jody Houser, Steve Orlando
Pictures – Carmen Carnero, Michael Atiyeh, Steve Wands

The semi-formal has been crashed! (by a glowing flying alien demanding Supergirl)

She (I judge beings based on Earth biology) claims Supergirl and other “helpful” aliens doom Earth with their very presence and she’ll solve that by “purging” her.

Kara finds the alien’s plan as sound as I do and changes into her boots and cape to pull the crazy space lady away from all the fragile innocents.

We get the alien’s sad backstory and Kara tries something unorthodox and radical – talking to her. Read to the end to see how well that turns out!

Also, it is a dance, there is awkwardness and cuteness, maybe even an awwwwhhhh! It’s good to see people becoming comfortable in their own skin.

Wonder Woman #40
Words – James Robinson
Pictures – Emanuela Lupacchino, Carmen Carnero, Ray McCarthy, Romulo Fajardo Jr., Hi-Fi, Saida Temofonte

After one page of tension, Jason isn’t dead… yaay.

Jason has the same quick healing Diana does, which you’d think he would’ve noticed by now. Diana wishes she had Steve there to help track the (now damaged) Silver Swan.

Funnily enough Steve and friends are battling the Furies protecting a relic from Darkseid, he wishes he had Wondy there to help.

Wonder Woman uses her brain; first stop is the hospital where everyone on staff has been slaughtered and all relevant data scoured from the system.

Even for a person who killed a family she saw on t.v. this seems extreme, how paranoid and in her own world has this girl gotten?

The Silver Swan won’t be stopped!

Three different big ol’ books from Archie Comics. Having worked in various capacities now on no less than six books about Archie Comics and three related magazine articles, Archie has emerged as one of my favorite comic book publishers of all time.

From the classic Archie Giant Series titles to the ever-present supermarket digests, Archie Comics has never been shy about reprinting their older material. Here, we offer three current examples, each with a somewhat different outcome.

The Magic, Music & Mischief book is just over 300 full color pages for $19.99 and divided into three sections—Little Archie, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Josie (and the Pussycats).

The Little Archie section actually brings up the rear, with a number of the somewhat more realistic adventures by Bob Bolling and Dexter Taylor that have made the strip a cult favorite for decades now. Good stuff, indeed!

The longest section is the center one which presents some lovely Dan DeCarlo work on some great Frank Doyle stories of the Pussycats but, even better, shares a nice selection of the same team’s lesser known but equally (if not more so) entertaining pre-Pussycat stories of Josie.

The book opens, though, with dear Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.

George Gladir swore to me once that he created her solely as a one-shot deal but that letters came in and he was asked to bring her back a few months later. Starting with her very first story, we’re given a nice selection of her bewitching misadventures from her first decade or so.

Each section of the book offers a succinct but rather generic introduction. There are credits given for all stories but several Archie creators have complained that the credits often get mixed up in the reprinting so I’d take them with a grain of salt. As to what actual issues any of these stories come from, we’re never told.

Still, overall, a delightful and entertaining collection of not quite Archie comics.

If anything, The Best of Josie and the Pussycats is even better!

At more than 400 pages, it’s definitely thicker! You won’t find any She’s Josie stories in this one but that’s just nitpicking. What IS here really is something akin to the best Pussycats stories through the decades, right up to and including Dan Parent’s wonderful tale of Valerie’s romance with Archie Andrews and beyond that to some of the rebooted Riverdale Pussycats (that would likely have DeCarlo rolling in his grave).

All value priced at $9.99!

The fact that Archie can and did publish these beautiful color collections makes me question their thinking on our last volume, though, as Sabrina, The Teenage Witch: The Complete Collection Vol. 1.  This comes to us with more than 500 pages, also at $9.99 but…in black and white.

The back cover tells us this but it doesn’t say why. Unlike, say, Will Eisner or Steranko or Bernie Wrightson, whose art often looks even better in black and white, the Sabrina artwork by Dan DeCarlo with Rudy Lapick, Joe Edwards, Bill Kresse (whose work Gladir told me he didn’t care for on the strip), Al Hartley and Joe Sinnott (Yes, THAT Joe Sinnott! I had no idea he had worked on Sabrina’s strip!) was designed for color and often looks unfinished without.

The stories are fun and funny and watching the strip evolve episode by episode over its first full decade of existence is great…even though some of these same stories are in the other book we talked about above. Each story here does list where it’s from and gives what appear to me to be accurate credits. But when you get up to the groovy era of the mid-sixties to the early-seventies and all the obviously hip fashions are completely colorless, well…It’s like watching The Brady Bunch on a black and white television!

So each volume has it’s good points, and each offers great value and great reading—no nostalgia necessary—for hours and hours.

But why, oh, why did they turn off the color on everybody’s favorite teenage witch?

Prepare to witness the Dark Knight, alongside many of his most famed allies and infamous foes, in an eye-popping anime display you’ve never seen before when Warner Bros. Japan, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment present Batman Ninja. The all-new, feature-length animated film arrives on Digital starting April 24, 2018, and Blu-ray Steelbook ($29.98 SRP), Blu-ray Combo Pack ($24.98 SRP) and DVD ($19.98 SRP) on May 8, 2018.

The film will be available in 4K UHD for Digital only in a release planned for Summer 2018.

Batman Ninja is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and for some suggestive material.

Batman Ninja takes a journey across the ages as Gorilla Grodd’s time displacement machine transports many of Batman’s worst enemies to feudal Japan – along with the Dark Knight and a few of his allies. The villains take over the forms of the feudal lords that rule the divided land, with the Joker taking the lead among the warring factions. As his traditional high-tech weaponry is exhausted almost immediately, Batman must rely on his intellect and his allies – including Catwoman and the extended Bat-family – to restore order to the land, and return to present-day Gotham City.

The visually stunning Batman Ninja is the creative result of a trio of anime’s finest filmmakers: director Jumpei Mizusaki (Opening animation of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure), writer Kazuki Nakashima (Gurren Lagann), and character designer Takashi Okazaki (Afro Samurai) produced the original movie with Warner Bros. Japan. The script was then reinterpreted and rewritten for English-language distribution by award-winning screenwriters Leo Chu and Eric Garcia (Supah Ninjas, Afro Samurai). Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan are Executive Producers.

Roger Craig Smith (Batman: Arkham Origins) and Tony Hale (Veep, Arrested Development) lead an impressive cast as the voices of Batman and the Joker, respectively. Grey Griffin (Scooby-Doo franchise) and Tara Strong (Batman: The Killing Joke) supply the voices of the antagonist & protagonist’s closest allies – Catwoman and Harley Quinn, respectively – while Fred Tatasciore (Family Guy) provides the gruff-yet-sophisticated tones of Gorilla Grodd, a villain who must team with Batman to achieve his own personal agenda. Other voice actors include Bat-family members Yuri Lowenthal (Ben 10: Omniverse) as Robin, Adam Croasdell (Reign) as Nightwing and Alfred, and Will Friedle (Boy Meets World) as Red Robin, and the Rogue’s gallery also features Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Penguin and Eric Bauza (The Adventures of Puss in Boots) as Two-Face. Doing double duty is Tatasciore as Deathstroke, Strong as Poison Ivy, and Friedle as Red Hood.

“Batman Ninja is an absolute feast for the senses, a stunning spectacle of anime wrapped around a thrill ride of a Batman story,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing. “Our partners at Warner Bros. Japan have conjured an impressive addition to the Dark Knight’s canon of entertainment, taking Batman and his friends and foes in an altogether new direction. We can’t wait for fans to see this film.”

Batman Ninja Enhanced Content

Blu-ray Steelbook, Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digita

• “East / West Batman” (Featurette) – Batman meets the anime medium, as this documentary looks into some of the Western tropes and archetypes, meshed into the world of feudal Japan.  East meets West, swords, samurai and giant robots, all playing into the clash between Batman and his Rogues gallery.
• “Batman: Made in Japan” (Featurette) – To make a special film about Batman requires just the right artist to bring the mix of style and energy that is unmistakably anime.  The filmmakers discuss the Japanese character models, influences and design that create a fusion experience into this hyper real world.
• “New York Comic Con Presents Batman Ninja” – Meet the talented filmmakers behind Batman Ninja as they discuss their inspirations and challenges in bringing an anime version of Batman to life during a panel discussion unveiling Batman Ninja during New York Comic Con 2017.

Since it’s not particularly easy to vacation in Wakanda (at least until Disney launches it’s tie-in resort), the next best thing is taking a piece of Wakanda with you.

The Black Panther Nalgene bottle joins Nalgene’s highly popular and growing collection of Marvel Super Heroes.  This made in the USA, BPA/BPS Free, dishwasher safe, highly durable, iconic water bottles are tougher than a bowl full of Vibranium!

And thanks to our friends at Nalgene, we’re giving away three sets, each including two clear 32 oz. wide mouth bottles featuring the Black Panther; one with movie-centric art and the other featuring an illustration by co-creator Jack “The King” Kirby!  They retail for $15.00 or less on Nalgene.com, Amazon.com, and other major retailers.

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

Black Panther was married to this African goddess/member of the X-Men?

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 February 25th, 2018.

For more details, visit Nalgene.com
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Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!

It’s Valentine’s Day! And over here at Forces of Geek, we love comics! Here are this week’s releases!

Dark Knights Rising: The Wild Hunt #1
Written by and Illustrated by Various

Scott Snyder. Joshua Williamson. James Tynion IV. Grant Morrison??? The amount of great writers on this title is superb.

So why isn’t the book itself amazing?

I think it may be time to wrap this whole thing up.

The Dark Knights are on a damn mission together! That mission is to stop the heroes that are planning to save the universe!

Meanwhile, that damn Challengers Mountain is starting to crack open! And it may be releasing a bunch of nightmares upon the world! This issue also answers the question of where the Metal Men are!

The story is crazy and unfocused. The art is the best part from the likes of Doug Mahnke and Ivan Reis.

It’s not enough. Metal feels like it tried to reinvent the wheel. None of it was grounded though.

And that’s where it lost me.

RATING: C+

Detective Comics #974
Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Jesus Merino

James Tynion IV has been writing this comic book for almost two years now. It’s had its moments.

Now however, I feel like he’s covered all of the ground that we are going to see from him.

This issue is called “Knight’s Fall.” In it, we see the follow up from recent issues.

Will the Dark Knights fall apart?

And will Tim Drake be able to patch together his recent dreams?

Find out here.

The art by Merino is pretty decent and it may be the best part of this book.

We have 25 issues until the big issue 1000. Hopefully this picks up before then.

RATING: C

Red Hood and the Outlaws #19
Written by Scott Lobdell
Illustrated by Marcio Takara

This book has been one of the best books of the DC Rebirth relaunch.

Month after month, Lobdell writes one hell of a tale. It’s full of energy and verve and I’ve love it. It has great characterization too.

So in this issue the Red Hood and Artemis go out on a date. It’s hilarious to read. These two characters who are super serious go out for a night on the town! The results are amazing.

And what does Bizarro do now that he has a night off?

Find out in this very issue!

The story is a bunch of laughs. Lobdell makes any memory of the previous series fade away and brings us a strong issue yet again. The art is damn good as well.

This will put a smile on your face. It’s really a wonderful issue.

RATING: A

Suicide Squad #35
Written by Rob Williams
Illustrated by Eduardo Pansica

Rob Williams is back writing on this title and we are back to Crazy-Town!

Hey, sometimes that is okay!

This issue is completely over the top. So why not sit back and just enjoy it!

This is the first part of the storyline entitled “Hacked.” I could make the obvious joke about that writing but I won’t.

Or maybe I just did.

Anyway, a villain has come back who knows all of the Squad’s secrets! So they have to break into prison to combat this person!

It’s pretty out there like I said before. At least it’s not boring. The art isn’t the greatest at all, but it serves the story.

Enjoy it for what it is, but don’t expect a masterpiece.

RATING: C+

The Wildstorm: Michael Cray #5
Written by Bryan Hill
Illustrated by N. Steven Harris

Well, this has been a nice surprise.

Writer Bryan Hill has picked up the reins on this spinoff from The Wildstorm title. He’s done a nice job of fleshing out the Warren Ellis version of Deathblow.

In this issue, Michael Cray starts to delve deeper into his powers he is receiving from having a tumor. He uses them to find Arthur Curry who is also known as the Aquaman.

But Cray’s power may be going out of control! Can he control them in time to stop the man from the sea?

The story is very good. Hill has a great way of making everything compelling. The art is very well done as well.

I’m enjoying this book very much. It’s been a good first arc thus far.

RATING: B+

Deadman #4
Written and Illustrated by Neal Adams

My only hope is that after this comic book limited series finished is that Neal Adams doesn’t write another comic book ever again. His art still isn’t half bad, but his writing brings it down.

This issue has Ra’s Al Ghul meeting up with Deadman.

What reason do you ask?

Deadman is still trying to figure out why he was killed. And Batman is involved for some reason or other. Probably because Adams wanted to draw him.

The art is the best part here. I just had a hard time following the story. It’s not captivating at all. I’ve checked out emotionally from this comic. Oh well.

RATING: D+

The Flash #40
Written by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Carmine Di Giandomenico

Joshua Williamson is writing one hell of a story! This whole thing is leading to The Flash Wars storyline! It looks like it’s going to be one hell of a time!

But first, the Flash has to take on one of this old foes!

Gorilla Grodd wants the Speed Force for himself and he will stop at nothing to get it!

Barry is running the hell away from him! But Grodd knows one of Barry’s secrets! What’s going to happen?

This is awesome. Williamson really structures the story well. It’s leading to something big! The art is fantastic. I’m loving where this is headed!

I can’t wait until the next issue.

RATING: A-

Shade the Changing Girl/Wonder Woman #1
Written by Cecil Castellucci 
Illustrated by Mirka Andolfo

We have here part three of the Milk Wars storyline!

This time, Shade the Changing Girl meets up with Wonder Woman. Castellucci writes this story and does a great job here as per usual.

Shade has been spilt up into multiple parts, much like the Pixar film Inside Out.

She does it all to please Wonder Woman who has now turned into Wonder Wife.

Can they get out of this crazy made up world and see the truth?

Let me just tell you: This book is weird. It may be one of the weirdest books of all time. But that’s okay! It works so why not! The art is good on this as well.

Pick his up and expand your mind!

RATING: A-

Titans #20
Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Paul Pelletier

Sometimes, a certain artist just makes a book go downhill for me.

I’ve never like Paul Pelletier’s art. He’s not a bad artist and is certainly capable enough. It just hit me wrong. Such is the case here.

This is the first part of the “Titans Apart” storyline.

In it, the Justice League decides its time the Titans took a break. Arsenal decides he’s not taking a rest. Instead he’s going to New York City to investigate the rise of a new drug hitting the street.

Cheshire decides to join him…but for what purpose does she?

The story is very well done. Abnett really knows what he is doing here. I just wish again it has a stronger artist. Still, there’s enough to enjoy overall.

RATING: B

Gotham City Garage #9
Written by Collin Kelly 
Illustrated by Lynne Yoshi and Neil Googe

This take on the DC Universe is inventive and crazy. You need to start from the beginning to really get into it. But once you are there you’re in for quite a lot of fun!

The Garage needs allies.

Luthor is bringing war to them! Barda travels to a radio station to try to recruit Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane to take down the Garage.

This causes Kendra Blackhawk to have to decide which side she might be on.

The story is good and well done. The art is pretty damn awesome. Put that together and you get a good package.

Pick it up! People need to read this!

RATING: B+

New Super-Man and the Justice League Of China #20
Written by Gene Luen Yang
Illustrated by Brent Peeples

You have got to hand it to Gene Luen Yang. He really has taken this title to bold new directions.

Here, he decides to add The Justice League of China into the mix and it adds a fun new element to the book.

This is part one of the storyline “Sea Of Change!”

The New Super-Man Of China and The Justice League of China have decided to go off on their own.

But of course trouble is stirring! Will they be able to fight off this dangerous new threat?

And just how powerful is this new challenger?

Yang clearly is having a lot of fun here. There is a really nice natural flow and it shows. The art is pretty good too. Pick this up. It’s a good starting point for new readers!

RATING: B+

Ragman #5
Written by Ray Fawkes
Illustrated by Inaki Miranda

This series has been a nice take on a forgotten character.

Ray Fawkes does an excellent job setting up the story and it’s very strong. I have enjoyed this very much thus far.

Ragman is busy trying to get to Mandy and Frank Jr.

The problem is Frank Jr. is possessed by a hell demon bent on destroying the world.

Ragman is out of time. Can he possibly save the world in time?

Or is everything going to Hell in a hand basket?

Let’s find out!

Miranda does a great job on the art. It’s fluid and works really well. The whole package is very well done. Give it a chance! You may surprise yourself.

RATING: B+

Photo by Per-Olof Forsberg

Last year was a busy one on the smartphone market.

Over the last 12 months, we’ve seen some amazing handsets released by all the biggest smartphone makers in the world, ranging from Samsung and Huawei to Apple and Nokia. Google has, once again, set the bar for Android phones (even with the fiasco involving its brand new screen), and Apple, as usual, was mocked for its brand new iPhone 8 – here’s what you need to know about it. But before we even had the chance to shake off the shock and awe caused by the myriads of amazing smartphones released in the last year, 2018 has arrived and already flooded us with new announcements and releases, including Samsung’s Galaxy S9, Razer’s first gaming phone and the dock it has just presented at CES, and others are also on their way.

Now there’s only one thing left for us to understand: how are we supposed to keep up with smartphone technology?

Let’s just look at the Galaxy S9 – after all, Samsung is the biggest name in the smartphone market today. While the phone will only be officially unveiled at this year’s Mobile World Congress (February 26), a massive leak has already confirmed that it will be equipped with Samsung’s own Exynos 9 Series (9810) mobile processor capable of amazing things (four cores running at 2.9GHz plus four more at 1.9GHz, a Mali-G72 MP18 GPU capable of handling 4K displays, a super-fast LTE modem with download speeds up to 1.2Gbps, a dual 16MP camera or two 24MP cameras capable of recording 4K UHD video at up to 120fps). Besides, it will also have at least 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, 64GB built-in storage, an iris scanner, and stereo speakers – for the first time on Samsung phones.

Looking at this configuration, it will surely be an attractive handset for many… but how about those who bought the S8 last year? Does Samsung really expect us to sell or trade in our phone and invest into a new one so soon? Do these new features justify the switch? Or should we hold on to our phones for at least another year, and wait for the Galaxy S10 to be released (which will likely only have minor improvements on this year’s flagship model)? Or simply throw away our phones, move to a tropical island, and spend the rest of our lives fishing and picking coconuts, away from this whole tech madness?

How are we supposed to keep up with all the models thrown at us each year not only by the big names but the contenders as well?

Lots of content in here, folks, so we split it over several pages. Enjoy!

DC Comics

Oversized 48-Page Superman One-Shots Coming in May

The creative talent of ACTION COMICS writer Dan Jurgens and the SUPERMAN team of Patrick Gleason and Peter J. Tomasi have brought legions of Superman fans story after story filled with action, humor, emotion and candor–traits that have continued to present Superman as an enduring symbol of hope, optimism, truth and justice. This May, the conclusions to their epic runs serve as the centerpieces of two special one-shot issues.

On sale May 2, the 48-page ACTION COMICS SPECIAL #1 features “The Last Will and Testament of Lex Luthor,” written by Jurgens with art by Will Conrad. Beginning with the events of REBIRTH, Superman’s greatest enemy became his most unexpected ally. Is Lex finally on the heroic path, or is he still hiding his true colors? When he finds himself in an adventure where Superman could be destroyed, what will he do? Save the Man of Steel, or witness his demise at the hands of an unimaginable enemy? This oversize special also includes stories from Max Landis and Francis Manapul (TRINITY, JUSTICE LEAGUE: NO JUSTICE) originally slated to appear in the DC UNIVERSE HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2017 #1, and Mark Russell (THE FLINTSTONES, EXIT STAGE LEFT: THE SNAGGLEPUSS CHRONICLES) with artist Jill Thompson (WONDER WOMAN: THE TRUE AMAZON).

Available May 16, SUPERMAN SPECIAL #1 features Tomasi and Gleason’s “The Promise,” concluding a story from REBIRTH that began in issue #8, 2016’s “Escape from Dinosaur Island.” Before Superman’s world goes through some drastic changes, he has unfinished business to attend to on Dinosaur Island. Superman and the Losers’ Captain Storm take one final trip together into the abyss of tomorrow, which brings the military man out of time into the world of today.

This 48-page extra-size special also features bonus stories by Mark Russell with art by Bryan Hitch and Ian Flynn with art by Kaare Andrews.

BOOM! Studios

BOOM! Studios and Hero Initiative Announce The Adventure Time 100 Project

BOOM! Studios, Cartoon Network and Hero Initiative, the charity that helps comic book creators in medical and financial need, are proud to announce THE ADVENTURE TIME 100 PROJECT, a new graphic novel celebrating the eponymous franchise in stores May 2018. Finn, Jake and the entire Adventure Time crew take center stage in Hero Initiative’s famous “100 Project” format, which invites 100 amazing artists from around the world to create one-of-a-kind original covers, this time on the blank variant cover editions of Adventure Time #36. The results are here, with stunning art from Jeffrey Brown (Vader’s Little Princess), John Cassaday (Star Wars), Emi Lenox (Plutona), Whilce Portacio (Uncanny X-Men), Bill Sienkiewicz (Elektra: Assassin), Walt Simonson (Thor) and more!

The original art from THE ADVENTURE TIME 100 PROJECT will be auctioned off beginning in on June 2nd, 2018 during a launch party event at Challengers Comics in Chicago, IL and continuing online.

“Adventure Time does that sublime job of appealing to kids and adults at the same time. It’s great to see artists who appeal to all ages lend their talents to this as well,” said Jim McLauchlin, Hero Initiative president. “Challengers does the same kind of job, with a separate-but-attached store for kids next door called Sidekicks. It’s a great venue to show off this wonderful art and have a great time.”

“It’s an honor to partner with Hero Initiative to celebrate the Adventure Time phenomenon and support such an important cause,” said Whitey Leopard, Editor, BOOM! Studios. “Every page of THE ADVENTURE TIME 100 PROJECT is a treat for long time fans and for anyone who wants to see their favorite artists draw the world of Adventure Time.” THE ADVENTURE TIME 100 PROJECT will be available for sale in May 2018.

Wet Hot American Summer Closes Camp…Forever?

BOOM! Studios, Enter These Dark Woods, and Creative Licensing are proud to announce the creative team behind the WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER original graphic novel (OGN), arriving in stores November 2018. Writer Christopher Hastings (Gwenpool) and artist Noah Hayes (Goldie Vance) will deliver the first-ever graphic fiction tie-in to the eponymous film, featuring your favorite characters from Camp Firewood in an all-new story. This OGN will feature a cover by Joe Quinones (America).

Camp Director Beth is relieved to have made it through week one of Camp Firewood in one piece…until the cops are called in for a surprise camp inspection! Now Beth, Coop, Katie, Andy, Susie, Gene, Nancy, Victor, Ben, McKinley, J.J., Gary, Gail, and the rest of Camp Firewood have 24 hours to – literally – clean up their act by bringing the camp up to code or this will be the last summer the camp is open! Luckily, the camp counselors are all onboard to pitch in…if they ever come back from partying in town.

“This is such a wonderful and unexpected crossing of my comedy nerdom, and my standard issue comic book nerdom, and I think it will be for readers as well,” said Chris Hastings. “I’ve watched the movie more times than I can count, and I also happen to be a comic book writer who for the life of me, cannot write a somber story. I’ve been looking out for new character interactions that we haven’t seen before, new things to do with spoofing camp movie culture, and I’m also bringing a lot to this from my own time working as a teen camp counselor. I cannot wait for Wet Hot fans to get to read this graphic novel.”

“I’m wildly excited to be a part of the Wet Hot American Summer original graphic novel,” said Noah Hayes. “Surreal, visual humor and vibrant, eccentric characters are some of my favorite things to work with in comics, and such a core part of WHAS itself. It’s a privilege and an honor to be on the team and I’m so psyched to bring Camp Firewood from screen to page for the first time. ”

Wet Hot American Summer is the renowned 2001 cult comedy classic starring Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Banks, Molly Shannon, and many others. Written by Michael Showalter (The Big Sick, Hello My Name Is Doris) and David Wain (Role Models, Wanderlust) and directed by Wain, this iconic film was the launching pad for many comedy greats.

“We’re excited to expand the world of Wet Hot American Summer,” said Chris Rosa, Associate Editor, BOOM! Studios. “Christopher, Noah, Joe and our partners at Creative Licensing and Enter These Dark Woods have created a story that will thrill longtime fans of the series but is also perfect if this is your first visit to Camp Firewood.”

“We love the BOOM! Studios guys’ work and we’re thrilled to be partnering with them on the Wet Hot graphic novel,” said Howard Bernstein, producer of the 2001 film. “ It’s exciting for us to bring to the billions of Wet Hot fans around the globe another way to enjoy the characters.”

Kate Gavino Brings Sanpaku To BOOM! Studios

BOOM! Studios is proud to announce SANPAKU, a new original graphic novel (OGN) from cartoonist Kate Gavino (Last Night’s Reading) that gives voice to the insecurities that haunt teens of all cultures. Arriving in stores August 2018, this OGN tells the story of Marcine, a woman fascinated with the Japanese idea of Sanpaku—that seeing the white around the iris of your eyes is a bad omen. But it’s everywhere Marcine looks—her grandmother has it, some classmates at Catholic school have it, JFK had it…even Marcine might suffer from this odd condition. Eating a strict macrobiotic diet and meditating is supposed to help, but no matter how much Marcine wants it to, it can’t save her grandmother’s life or make her days at school any easier.

Packaged in a deluxe hardcover format, SANPAKU deftly explores this Japanese theory through Gavino’s own Catholic, Filipino background and weaves a powerful coming-of-age story about challenging the world around you, no matter your age, to find your true self.

“SANPAKU was inspired by my childhood in the suburbs of Houston, Texas, where I was surrounded by my classmates at a small Catholic school and my religious immigrant family,” said Gavino. “Marcine is at the point in her adolescence where she is constantly questioning what she is taught, and in effort to find something of her own to believe in, she ends up clinging to the idea of sanpaku and finding its cure. I wanted to write a book about the people I know the best: the quiet girl in class whose imagination is running at hyper-speed, the old Filipino lola who is a master shoplifter, the upright Catholic who is constantly letting herself down, and the bitchy best friend who will never forgive you for seeing her crap in the sandbox in kindergarten. SANPAKU is a look into their world, told through the eyes of Marcine, a perpetually confused twelve year-old who at the end of the day, just misses her grandma.”

SANPAKU is the latest release from BOOM! Studios’ ambitious Archaia imprint, home to graphic novels such as Mouse Guard by David Petersen; Rust by Royden Lepp; Bolivar by Sean Rubin; Jane by Aline Brosh McKenna and Ramón Pérez; and licensed series like Jim Henson’s The Power of the Dark Crystal and Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Coronation.

“Cartoonist Kate Gavino is primed to be one of her generation’s most refreshing and honest voices in comics. Her worlds are tremendously fun and unabashedly insightful,” said Sierra Hahn, Senior Editor, BOOM! Studios. “We’re so honored to have this titles as part of the Archaia line, readers will be mesmerized by this seminal work.”

Shout! Studios, the multi-platform filmed entertainment distribution and production arm of Shout! Factory, has tapped Funimation Films as its U.S. theatrical partner to jointly launch artful animated feature BIG FISH & BEGONIA across U.S. cinemas starting on Friday, April 6, 2018. The announcement was made today by Melissa Boag, Senior Vice President of Family Entertainment at Shout! Studios and Gen Fukunaga, CEO and Founder of Funimation.

“BIG FISH & BEGONIA is a beautiful epic fantasy adventure, bolstered by exquisite animation and enchanting narrative. We’re incredibly excited about presenting this film to the big screen for animation enthusiasts and broad movie audiences. ” said Melissa Boag, Senior Vice President of Family Entertainment at Shout! Studios.

Twelve years in the making, BIG FISH & BEGONIA is a visually stunning cinematic adventure that captures the unique aesthetics, mystique, and rich cultural traditions of ancient China. Directed by Xuan Liang and Chun Zhang, the film entwines new storytelling, mythical legends, and lyrical characters from beloved Chinese literary classics.  Already a great box-office success overseas, BIG FISH & BEGONIA is China’s foremost animated feature film. Many animation enthusiasts, artists and critics alike have heralded BIG FISH & BEGONIA’s artistic achievement as the forefront of the burgeoning Chinese animation industry. This highly-anticipated movie premiered in competition at Annecy International Animation Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, and has been selected to screen at New York International Children’s Film Festival (February 23, 2018).

From ancient Chinese legends comes a beautiful tale of love and sacrifice.

There is a mystical race of beings that control the tide and the changing of the seasons. But one of these beings, a young girl named Chun, wants to experience the human world, not simply observe it. When she turns sixteen, Chun is allowed to transform into a dolphin and explore the human world. However, she soon learns this world is a dangerous place.  Chun is nearly killed in a vortex, but saved by a human boy at the cost of his own life. Moved by his kindness and courage, she decides to give the boy life again, but this power comes at a price. Chun will have to face adventure and sacrifice in order to protect the boy’s soul until it is ready to return to the human world.

Animated feature BIG FISH & BEGONIA opens April 6, 2018 in select U.S. cities nationwide. Movie presentation in English language, as well as its original language (Mandarin with English subtitles) will play in U.S. cinemas. The film is rated PG-13 and has a run time of 105 minutes.

Filmmaker Jordan Peele, in conjunction with Universal Pictures, today announced free screenings of Universal’sGet Out on Presidents’ Day, February 19, at 55 AMC locations nationwide.  Each guest who requests a ticket the day of the screening—at a participating location—will be given one free admission to the 7:00 p.m. showing, up to theatre capacity.

Since its release in theatres in February 2017, Get Out has been nominated for four Academy Awards, while inspiring audiences and artists worldwide.  A compilation video was also released that showcases the artwork inspired by Get Out—featuring the hashtag #GetOutOneYearLater—to encourage audiences to share more of their artwork, experiences and discussions that were influenced by the movie.

The promotion will be available at each of the 55 AMC Theatres playing the special screening of Get Out at 7:00 p.m. on February 19.  Free tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and may only be picked up at the AMC box office that day.  Each guest must present a valid ID to receive their ticket, with a limit of one free ticket for each ID presented, while supplies last.  This offer is valid for the 7:00 p.m. showing of the film on February 19, only.

Markets that will playing Get Out on Presidents’ Day include ones in Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Charlotte, NC; Chicago, IL; Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Detroit, MI; Houston, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Jacksonville, FL; Kansas City, MO; Los Angeles, CA; Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Minneapolis, MN; Nashville, TN; New Orleans, LA; New York City, NY; Oklahoma City, OK; Orlando, FL; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix, AZ; Pittsburgh, PA; Raleigh/Durham, NC; San Diego, CA; San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose, CA; Seattle/Tacoma, WA; St. Louis, MO; Tallahassee, FL; Tampa, FL; and Washington, D.C.  To find out more information, visit www.getoutoneyearlater.com.

“When Jordan approached us about a way to thank fans one year after the release of Get Out, we thought a Presidents’ Day screening during Black History Month would be a wonderful way to commemorate the film’s impact,” said Jim Orr, President, Distribution, Universal Pictures.  “The success of his stunning vision would not have been possible without the audience’s passion for both Get Out’s groundbreaking storytelling and its deft use of art as society’s mirror.”

For more information and a list of theatres offering the special screenings, please visit www.getoutoneyearlater.com.

You don’t want to miss this cast when “Father Figures” arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital. “Father Figures” marks the directorial debut of veteran cinematographer Lawrence Sher (“The Hangover” films).

In the Alcon Entertainment comedy “Father Figures,” Owen Wilson (“The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “Wedding Crashers”) and Ed Helms (“The Hangover” films, “We’re the Millers”) star as fraternal twins Kyle and Peter who accidentally discover they’ve been living with a lie all their lives.

It also stars Oscar winner J.K. Simmons (“Whiplash”), comedian Katt Williams, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback-turned-actor Terry Bradshaw, Ving Rhames (the “Mission Impossible” films), Harry Shearer (“The Simpsons”) and Oscar nominee June Squibb (“Nebraska”), with Oscar winner Christopher Walken (“The Deer Hunter”) and Oscar nominee Glenn Close (“Albert Nobbs,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”) as Kyle and Peter’s mother.

Fraternal twins Kyle and Peter accidentally discover they’ve been living with a lie all their lives. The kindly man in the photo on their mantle isn’t their father after all, but an invention their mother (Glenn Close) concocted to conceal the truth: that she actually doesn’t know who their real father is. See, it was the seventies, and things were crazy, and…well, you know.

Armed with only a handful of clues, the brothers resolve to find the mystery man in what results in a wild road trip of discovery and revelations—about their mother, themselves and each other.

Sher directed from a screenplay written by Justin Malen (“Office Christmas Party”). 

The film was produced by Academy Award nominee Ivan Reitman (“Up in the Air”), Ali Bell (“Draft Day”) and Alcon Entertainment’s Academy Award nominees Broderick Johnson and Andrew A. Kosove (“The Blind Side”). Serving as executive producers were Tom Pollock, Scott Parish, Chris Cowles, Chris Fenton and Timothy M. Bourne. 

An Alcon Entertainment presentation, a Montecito Picture Company Production in association with DMG Entertainment, “Father Figures” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company. 

“Father Figures” will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99 and DVD for $28.98. The Blu-ray Combo Pack features a Blu-ray disc with the film in hi-definition, a Blu-ray disc with the special features in hi-definition, a DVD with the film in standard definition, and a Digital version of the movie.

“Father Figures” 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.

Fans can also own “Father Figures” via purchase from digital retailers beginning March 20.

“Father Figures” Blu-ray Combo Pack contain the following special features:

• Deleted Scenes
• Hilarious Gag Reel

“Father Figures” DVD containing the following special feature:

• Deleted Scenes

Facebook.com/FatherFiguresWB

What do you say about Black Panther?

Where do you begin?

This movie, a piece of the Disney-owned Marvel Studios blockbuster machine, another cog in the wheel churning ever forward to the next one of these, may be a masterpiece.

Black Panther is so much. It says so much.

With Fruitvale Station and Creed, Ryan Coogler already has shown us his obsessions. He’s a director interested in place, in parentage and nurturing, in how circumstances forge people, and what becomes of those who dare defy them. He brings the same sensibility to Black Panther, presenting his characters generally, and T’Challa and Killmonger specifically, as people navigating the lives scripted for them.

Furthermore, it would have been so easy for Marvel to have kept this movie as its own royal drama/superhero tale and let Wakanda be as much a fantasy as Asgard. But if that’s what they wanted, they weren’t going to get that from Coogler. He imbues his films with the politics of black life, and imbues black life with operatic dignity and pathos.

It’s far more interesting to tackle the deep sociological questions of Wakanda and the world. What would it would mean for Wakanda, a centuries-ahead advanced nation in the heart of Africa, to exist while the outside world kept on ticking with centuries of horrors done to black people?

What does it mean that Wakanda, this shining city of gold and golden black people, has abandoned all other black folk to colonization and slavery? And, for Erik Killmonger, what does it mean to actually know this secret? How does he handle the tension between his American blackness and Wakandan identity?

As Killmonger, Michael B. Jordan, great actor that he is, flaunts black American vernacular when addressing Wakandans. It scans as an allusion to tensions among different black folks in the diaspora. And similar to how in different African countries, Westernized black people are called by the same name used for white foreigners, traditional Wakandans treat outsiders.

Black Panther, as the first black-headlining superhero movie of this mega-blockbuster era, has so much upon its shoulders to be more, to say more. We saw this with Wonder Woman last year, too, with all the expectations to represent vastly underserved women in this space.

However, Wonder Woman often hinted and then steered from the challenging politics of what Themyscira means via feminism, gender, or queerness, which made it less weird and interesting for me, though still entertaining. But Black Panther wades directly into its race politics by building its villain out of the hard questions. And it does that while giving us Shakespearean royal drama, Lion King feels, a black James Bond movie, and some of the sneakiest, catch-you-by-surprise humor.

Plus it’s just a movie with so much in it. I want more of it.

They throw terminology and clothes and customs around like nothing, like Wakanda has always existed and will always exist. This place is real, without much explanation. It feels fully lived in, like how Star Wars did. You know everything here has a name, and everyone has a story.

I want to know what average Wakandans are like. There’s no way T’Challa alone has an enhanced body because of the vibranium. If Wakandans have been living with vibranium for millennia, using it in their tools, wearing it, eating plants and animals in that soil, then vibranium is within them. How much is the question.

I wanted a whole section of the film that was just hairdressers and barbers. I want to know the skincare regimens, because shea butter with vibranium in it?!? Boyyyyyy …!

Who are these Wakandan spies all over the world? Can they get their own movie?

But, f’real-f’real? Do they really have hover-bikes? And can I hold one?

Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” —the story of a 12-year-old aspiring musician’s extraordinary journey to the magical land of his ancestors—won a 2018 Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Motion Picture, topped the domestic box office Thanksgiving holiday weekend, became the highest grossing film of all time in Mexico, broke records in China and earned widespread praise, receiving 96 percent from critics and 97 percent from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Now this vibrant tale filled with love and laughter arrives home Digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD and on Movies Anywhere on Feb. 13, and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on Feb. 27.

Through fresh and fascinating bonus material, adventurers of all ages will tag along with filmmakers as they soak in Día de los Muertos in Mexico; explore the essential role of music in “Coco;” and learn how the cast and crew personally connect with the film’s message. They’ll step behind the scenes to discover the inspiration behind the film’s creative costuming; Miguel’s beautifully complicated family; Dante the loyal Xolo dog; and the stunning worlds of both the dead and the living. Features also include deleted scenes, insightful filmmaker commentary, the music of Coco and more.

“Coco” is packaged several ways to ensure viewers get the most out of their in-home viewing experience. The Multi-screen Edition (formerly the Blu-ray Combo Pack) includes Blu-ray, DVD and a Digital copy, giving viewers the flexibility to watch the film on different devices. Those with 4K Ultra HD capability may opt for Digital 4K Ultra HD or the 4K UHD Combo Pack, which includes 4K UHD, Blu-ray and a Digital copy. 4K Ultra HD provides four times the resolution of HD, bringing the rich color, textures and sounds to life and immersing viewers in two fantastically animated worlds. Dolby Atmos audio heightens the memorable score created by Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino and his 83-piece orchestra, as well as original songs like “Remember Me” by the Oscar-winning team behind “Frozen,” Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.

And we’re giving away five digital codes!

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

Coco centers around Día de los Muertos.  What is the English name for that holiday?

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 March 4th, 2018.

Black Panther: The Young Prince
By Ronald L. Smith
Published by Marvel Press
ISBN-13: 978-1484787649
Released 2/2/18 / $16.99

Have you ever looked at superhero and wondered what life must have been like for them as kid?

Did they have a sense of knowing the destiny that awaits them?

In Black Panther: The Young Prince, author Ronald L. Smith tries to answer this in his young adult novel that explores the life of T’Challa before the suit, before The Avengers and before he became the king of Wakanda.

At the ripe age of twelve, T’Challa is living the easy life as the son of Black Panther in his homeland of Wakanda.

By his side is his best friend M’Baku who always has his back. Together they explore the vast lands, train and study together.

Life is comfortable and their isolated, technologically advanced African nation is thriving. When he’s not learning how to rule a kingdom from his father—the reigning Black Panther—or testing out the latest tech, he’s off breaking rules with M’Baku. But as conflict brews near Wakanda, T’Challa’s father makes a startling announcement: he’s sending T’Challa and M’Baku to school in America.

This is no prestigious private academy—they’ve been enrolled at South Side Middle School in the heart of Chicago. Despite being given a high-tech suit and a Vibranium ring to use only in case of an emergency, T’Challa realizes he might not be as equipped to handle life in America as he thought. Especially when it comes to navigating new friendships while hiding his true identity as the prince of a powerful nation, and avoiding Gemini Jones, a menacing classmate who is rumored to be involved in dark magic. When strange things begin happening around school, T’Challa sets out to uncover the source. But what he discovers in the process is far more sinister than he could ever have imagined. In order to protect his friends and stop an ancient evil, T’Challa must take on the mantle of a hero, setting him on the path to becoming the Black Panther.

Fresh off 2017’s The Mesmerist and Hoodoo, author Ronald L. Smith has spun a tale of disappointment, misdirection and questionable intentions where characters never fully develop, plots aren’t fully flesh out and conflicts are easily solved. As result, The Young Prince is where origin stories go to die. But like any other massive letdown, it starts off with such great promise that takes the reader on a journey of the possibility of adventure only to rob them of their joy.

The book opens with a race that’ll instantly transplant the reader to a land filled with power, gold and rich with black history. Smith truly shines within these fleeting pages where images of proud kings, queens fill the readers senses. There’s a sense of pride that flows through T’Challa’s veins, as he knows the older he’ll get the more he’ll have to undertake. M’Baku senses this and is often an ear and a support system for T’Challa who is determined to forge a path that’ll make his father and nation proud where he doesn’t constantly relying on his father’s services.

The title of future king bears a heavy load as he faces jealousy from his adopted white brother Hunter, who is often chastised by the people because of his race. However, because Hunter is older than him, he is often by their father’s side as a leader in times of battle; something T’Challa deeply envies. But all is not well between the two as Hunter his struggling with inner rage himself. By not being T’Chaka’s blood son, he is denied the throne and even any chance at become the next Black Panther, a title Hunter wants the most.

There is an unspoken battle brewing between the two but at the age of twelve there is only so much a child can do and while T’Challa wants to be at the forefront of battle, protecting the land he is rendered useless upon stumbling on the bloodied body unfamiliar to them in the woods.

Maybe because YA lit is only allotted a certain number of pages to tell a story, Smith’s writing soon becomes rushed, screaming with a sense of urgency, the reader is thrust into the dry boring lands of Chicago were life is dull for not only the characters but for the reader as well.

The main problem with The Young Prince is the author’s choice to take the readers away from all the potential action in Wakanda and T’Challa’s insecurities with Hunter. Pages are wasted were the reader is subjected to learn about the fight at home through phone conversations with T’Chaka. Instead, Smith focuses a lot of the story on the two attending school in Chicago (where nothing really happens), a sudden fractured friendship between T’Challa and M’Baku and battling voodoo/hoodoo.

What makes the story so frustrating as a reader, is the plot not making much sense after they arrive in Chicago. Now considered African exchange students under a new name, they enter into a world where everything from the weather to the landscape and the diet is foreign to them. While this has could be exciting, left in Smith’s hands we don’t see how they’e adjusting to life in America. No one explores the city or learns about the culture like we saw happen in Wakanda. Instead the reader is trapped in a school where both characters are getting along swimmingly (just not with each other) which is typical for any child. T’Challa becomes friends with the nerd science kids where he’s able to impress with his brainy tech knowledge while M’Baku befriends the athletic bullies of the school who give him a sense of belonging (something the reader never knew M’Baku struggled with).

Another one of Smith’s weakness is the introduction of the villain where the story quickly becomes a rushed episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer where demonic spirits try to take over the school. Without much reason or hardly any explanation, T’Challa suddenly becomes the Black Panther (even though he’s never taken up the mantle before) with limited training, we read as he takes on adults and his classmates who have fallen under the guise of a magical curse, pleading and losing their souls to a magical being.

Much like the Marvel movies, Smith’s villain aren’t threatening and as result its hard to even care about its sudden appearance or the random kids for that matter. There are moments that’s just laughable when villain’s explanation is revealed. What’s worse is the finally battle. Unlike Marie Lu’s Batman: Nightwalker (which thrives by using tech and action), the action is choppy, not well thought out and bland. While there are moments of T’Challa using stealth they are fleeting.

Black Panther: The Young Prince is a missed opportunity and a prime example why writers need to show and not tell their characters story. Rushed, laughable and just lazy at times, T’Challa is not the Black Panther we need and definitely not the hero we deserve.