If you weren’t able to attend the American Library Association Mid-Winter conference in Denver last week, you missed DC’s presentation about our new books for young reader imprints DC Zoom (Middle Grade) and DC Ink (Young Adult).

Fortunately, DC has released a video that includes bestselling authors like Ridley Pearson, Meg Cabot, Melissa De La Cruz, Danielle Paige, Michael Northrop, Minh Le, and more, all sharing new information about their upcoming DC projects.

Be sure to check out DC’s new Resource Page created for educators and librarians which will be updated regularly.

During the Super Bowl, the new Westworld Season Two trailer dropped, and dear lord, it was glorious.

At first, there is a calming voice over and a picturesque setting featuring running cattle, rolling hills and green pastures over a piano overture seems like a Montana travelogue. However, as the ad continues, the words and images become more sinister.

Soon, the cattle run out of frame as the hazy sunset becomes a lab while the steer themselves appear unfinished, their bodies displaying their metal framework as they gauge men with guns who aim to stop them. Then, over a screeching note, Dolores Abernathy’s (Evan Rachel Wood) narration finds its focus:

“This world is a lie.”

Then we are given a peek of what is to come in the second season of the HBO sci-fier:

Maeve Millay (Thandie Newton) appears to be controlling a small stampede of robot cattle through the Mesa Hub, unfinished hosts attacking Bernard and joining the uprising, Teddy looking lost and confused while Dolores gallops on horseback picking off “the newcomers” with a rifle.

Thus, the evolution of the hosts will continue into the second season.

But before we dive into the next installment of the world’s second more dangerous theme park (after New Jersey’s own Action Park, of course), here are a few answers to a few possible lingering questions that the causal viewer might have.

How many more parks are there?

A Redditor by the name of Askin1 discovered binary code in the trailer at the 33 second mark during the running of the bulls. The sequence of 52.89.126.34 flashes on the screen for mere seconds, and when entered, resolves to a new site: Delos Destinations.

According to the site, there are six Worlds. However, the site appears to be experiencing a few “technical difficulties” right now, so only one park is clearly visible. But we know from the show that there are two finished worlds: Westworld and Samurai World.

You can also see a bit of Samurai World if you visit the “About” section of the site and scroll through the background images.

What year does the show’s “present time” take place?

Another mystery solved by the Scooby Gang over at Reddit. In the Westworld foru, a superfan discovered on the Delos admin site hidden security footage that was marked with the date “6/15/2052.” This places the events of Westworld’s “present time” events 34 years in the future, lining up perfectly with the story’s narrative. (The footage has since been taken down…or hidden.)

It was about 35 years from when Dolores killed Arnold (Jeffrey Wright) and practically everyone in the small town of Escalante. Five years from that, Dolores and William went on their little trek.

For those keeping score at home: The events with Dolores and Arnold are around 2018.

Where on Earth does the show take place?

So, you have the crazy, insane geniuses at Film Theorists to thank for this deep dig.

They did the math, the work and came up with a theory where Westworld could possibly be located: Under the sea.

In the video, it makes a point that given the amount of land needed, the fact that Delos can control the weather on a daily basis, and that Jonathan Nolan is heavily influenced by the videogame Bioshock, it makes sense that Westworld would be located under the ocean.

Want more proof? If you go to DiscoverWestworld.com and read their Entering the Park/Leaving the Park page, it states:

“Even humans need to recalibrate — Westworld is an experience like no other and we have designed the world’s finest decompression chamber: the Mesa Gold.”

The takeaway here: Decompression chamber.

If you have ever seen The Abyss, or any other movie set on a submarine, you understand what a decompression chamber is and its use: a hyperbaric treatment chamber used by divers to combat decompression sickness and ease the transition between normal and high atmospheric pressure.

Another weird fact: you can only stay in Westworld for 28 days.

Why? It isn’t clear, but In recent studies of long-term effects of living under the sea, after about a month, there might be permanent damage to a person’s circulation.

How much does it cost to visit Westworld?

This is from the Westworld Website Booking Agent:

Depending on your package level (Standard, Gold or Silver), the average stay is $40,000 a day. That’s the bare minimum with no add-ons. So, a full week (again, with no add-ons) will cost your around $280,000 a week.

The Silver Package is about $75,000/day and include entrance into the more complex narratives that surround towns like Pariah.

The Gold Package is $200,000/day and takes you directly to the fringes of the park. It is more dangerous and requires more hosts…and more levels of gameplay. Includes extreme violence.

What is Delos?

According the Delos Incorporated, Delos was founded by James Delos (Peter Mullen), who appears in an alternate version of the trailer looking a little beat up.

Since Delos has been around for a fairly long time, it is fair to assume that this image is either a flashback or a James Delos host.

As for the company, we knew at Delos Destinations was only part of a larger conglomerate, and as far as the corporation was concerned, they couldn’t care less about the park itself. It’s main focus was the core code. So with the park going rogue, Delos and its board will be forced to deal with park and all its shenanigans head on.

Westworld Season Two Premieres on HBO on April 22.

In the near future, scientist Xia Tian (Yang Mi) is on the verge of a major discovery: time travel.  After she successfully sends living tissue back in time by 110 minutes, her years of work seem to have paid off, but everything unravels when her young son is kidnapped and held for a hefty ransom – all of her research. When the drop goes sour and her son is killed, Xia Tian desperately sends herself back in time using her prototype, where she discovers multiple versions of her future self. Now, all of the Xia Tians must band together to save their son in this action-packed sci-fi thriller from producer Jackie Chan.

And we’re giving away three copies!

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

What is your favorite Time Travel 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 March 4th, 2018.

Ghost Fleet: The Whole Goddamned Thing TP
Written by Donny Cates
Art by Daniel Warren Johnson,
Lauren Affe, John J. Hill
ISBN-13: 978-1534304406
Published by Image Comics
Released 12/5/17 / $19.99

Now THAT was exciting!

Two comics creators I’ve never heard of before just took me on a ride so ridiculously fast and thrilling that I think I actually got motion sick!

The Ghost Fleet was another title I knew absolutely nothing about before jumping into it.

To say it’s explosive is a massive understatement. In fact, the word “BOOM!” appears so often that it was starting to feel like this Image publication was giving free plugs to Boom, who’ve published several other titles I’ve really enjoyed recently.

More than anything else, this book reminds me of one of those modern, bingeworthy TV series.

In fact, its apocalyptic background and extreme characters can’t help but remind the reader of the recent American Gods. Like that series, this is very much for adults only!

The storytelling from both writer Donny Cates and artist Daniel Warren Johnson has a continuous sense of speed the likes of which one doesn’t usually find outside a Flash comic!

Giant trucks zooming across double page spreads, planes soaring through the air, wind rushing by, bullets flying, torrential rains coming down, and, well, demons! You and the characters get a rare moment every once in a while to catch your breaths but, just as you do, the story zooms off ahead of you again and you have to hang on tight so you don’t get left behind.

And you really don’t want to be left behind. The story itself is intriguing enough to keep you anxious to find out just what’s going on as old friends betray each other over and over and nothing is ever really what it seems. What it seems is a pair of well-trained truck drivers hauling secret cargo cross country are beset by hijackers, but we soon learn there’s much more to it than that.

Based on this book being dedicated to Kurt Russell, I can only assume our eye-patched, long-haired protagonist is supposed to be equated to Russell’s Snake Plisken from John Carpenter’s Escape from New York and Escape from L. A. That works as good as anything else and certainly makes for some visually striking images but the writing makes him an even better character than the one-note Snake in the long run.

Johnson provides some brief but lovely quiet visuals throughout to go along with the more intense sections of the book. This works well to show he’s not just a one-note illustrator.

Like I said, I didn’t know much about this going in so I’m not going to tell you much about it either. It’s a genuinely well-written story, though, with humor, action, mystery, and unexpected twists. It’s told very well by both writer and artist (and with some brilliant uses of color by Lauren Laffe).

It’s a fast ride, a dark ride, a bloody, violent ride and, in the end, if a comic book can be loud, The Ghost Fleet is very, VERY loud! I binge-read it in one sitting and it turned out to be one HELL of a ride…in spite of the motion sickness!

Booksteve recommends!

Black Panther clobbered it’s place into cinema history both culturally and financially, earning an unexpected $202 million at the box office.

Now, to celebrate the film and the friends of Wakanda, we’ve teamed up with our friends at 4DX to give away an amazing prize package!

Advancing the movie theater experience from watching the movie to almost living it, 4DX is the ultimate in state of the art technology, delivering a fully immersive cinematic experience. Inside every dedicated 4DX auditorium, motion chairs and environmental effects like rain, fog, wind, bubbles, lightning, and scent work in perfect synchronicity to transport audiences into the story unfolding onscreen. Available in over 20 countries and now in the Unites States, 4DX takes you beyond the aural and visual limits of the theater to create the Absolute Cinema Experience.

In addition to the items shown, the prizing will include 2 4DX ticket vouchers!

To enter, send an email with the subject header “PANTHER 4DX” to geekcontest @ gmail dot com and answer the following question:

What was the name of T’Challa’s father?

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.

Produced by Julius Ramsay,
Alston Ramsay, Burke H. Ramsay
Co-Produced by Jarret Blinkhorn,
Michael Bowes
Written by Alston Ramsay
Directed by Julius Ramsay
Starring Alex Essoe, Dylan McTee,
Perla Haney-Jardine, Ward Horton

Midnighters, by TV director Julius Ramsay (with a script by Alston Ramsay) is a better-than-average example of a very specific type of independent film, often called noirish or Hitchockian, though “Blood Simpler” would be a more apt designation (in deference to the 1984 crime drama which both launched the Coen Brothers’ film career and spawned an entire modern subgenre of stylish chamber thrillers).

The “Blood Simpler” formula is…well, simple:  a small group of shady, desperate, and/or flat evil characters in a limited number of locations engage in tense conversations, ongoing power shifts, and sudden, creative bursts of violence, all rendered with conspicuous cinematic panache and an attitude of snarky post-modernism substituting for hard-boiled realism.

Moreover, films in the genre are typically less entertainments for general audiences or vehicles of self-expression than sizzle reels designed to attract financing for higher budget projects down the line (and small screen directing gigs in the meantime).

And, to be fair, Julius Ramsay aces the technical side of the equation here with images like an incongruously colorful Christmas tree framed by the doorways of an otherwise bleak, grey house, or the sight of a solitary woman in a feathery headdress wandering through a chiaroscuro New Year’s Eve soirée that seems to be set in the VIP lounge of the Overlook Hotel.

In actuality, the party’s a work event at a backwoods Rhode Island bar, and the lady in the headdress is Lindsey (Alex Essoe), who winds up with no one to kiss at midnight ’cause her washed-up never-was ballplayer husband, Jeff (Dylan McTee) is sulking over his dislike of his wife’s co-workers (even though, as she pointedly notes, her job is the only thing keeping the couple afloat).

That rocky dynamic rapidly slides into full avalanche mode on the drive home from the party, when Jeff strikes a mysterious pedestrian whose presence on a rural back road near their unfinished home may be less than coincidental.  From there, the situation grows increasingly dire as the couple loses track of one of their license plates at the accident scene and Lindsey’s ne’er-do-well sister (Perla Haney-Jardine) shows up dragging her own messy baggage into the whole bloody mess.

Still, despite competent work on both sides of the camera, Midnighters doesn’t really hit its stride until Ward Horton appears, chewing scenery like Tom Cruise in full Frank T.J. Mackey mode as an unnerving plainclothes detective, and that over-the-top infusion of energy quickly blasts the movie out of its straight-to-video rut.

Indeed, one squirm-inducing scene involving Horton’s character may earn the film a measure of cult classic status all by itself, though for all its eventual strengths, Midnighters would still need tighter plotting, sharper dialogue, and stronger character motivations to be truly ready for prime time.

Midnighters arrives in theaters, on VOD and Digital HD on March 2, 2018.

Atomic Crush Events (ACE) has unveiled a new interpretation of Jetpack Jules, the official mascot for ComicCon Revolution, by best-selling artist Dustin Nguyen. Nguyen, the best-selling artist and co-writer of Batman: Lil Gotham and the artist and co-creator of Descender, will be a guest at the second annual ComicCon Revolution, which will be held May 19 & 20 at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, CA. ComicCon Revolution’s 2018 Official Merchandise, including glasses and t-shirts featuring Nguyen’s art, is available now for a limited time at the convention’s online store and will be available at the convention while supplies last.

Guests currently scheduled to appear at ComicCon Revolution include Jason Aaron, Greg Baldwin, Sandy King Carpenter, Howard Chaykin, Ming Chen, Matthew Clark, Neo Edmund, Carlos Ferro, Derek Fridolfs, Steve Jordan, Travis Hanson, Ray-Anthony Height, Tom Hodges, Herb Jefferson Jr. Doug Jung, Scott Koblish, Jim Krueger Mike Kunkel, Shawn Martinbrough, Ron Marz, Mike Mayhew, Jonboy Meyers, Todd Nauck, Dustin Nguyen, Fabien Nicieza, Diane Pershing, Stan Sakai, Peter Shinkoda, Cat Staggs, Art Thibert, Tommy Walker, Marv Wolfman and Timothy Zahn

“We worked with Patrick Scullin to create Jetpack Jules for our first show in Ontario and our pint glasses featuring her were a big hit with the attendees,” said ACE co-owner Mike Scigliano. “Fans loved our original character and we thought it would be fun to have different artists give their spin on her each year.  Dustin’s interpretation of finds our heroine blasting off with her trusty jetpack ready for battle.”

Atomic Crush Events is also offering collectible enamel pins available individually or as a set.

Information about Comic Con Revolution is available at www.comicconrevolution.com.
For updates, follow the company on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Produced by Tom Gorai,
Bobbi Sue Luther, Mark Pellington
Written by Mark Pellington, Alex Ross Perry
Directed by Mark Pellington
Starring Jon Hamm, Nick Offerman,
Amber Tamblyn, Patton Oswalt,
Catherine Keener, Mikey Madison,
Ellen Burstyn, Bruce Dern,
John Ortiz, James LeGros

As humans we place sentimental value on objects that represent special moments in our lives.

Whether it’s a childhood toy that provided comfort during a stormy night or the wedding ring of a first love, these connections and memories help to make us feel whole and tell a story of days gone by.

But what happens to those objects when we die?

Are they tossed aside with no care?

Donated to create memories for someone else?

Or do the becomes a collection of memories left behind for families to feel the burden and guilt of a life that’s no longer here.

In Mark Pellington’s Nostalgia, we meet an array of people dealing with the burden of objects from people who has passed and the guilt we feel when we’re left alone with material items that paralyzes us with fear of disrespecting their memory.

Stretching from classic trinkets to modern-day text messages, each actor must find a way to convey hurt, pain and guilt in new and different ways. At times the film is emotionally draining and downright corny (in the most sweetest way) like Jon Hamm as a collector but there are rare moments that simply take your breath away.

Catherine Keener and James LeGros as a grieving couple who find solace in each other, while Mikey Madison delivers a performance so impactful, it’s haunting even after the film has ended. Bruce Dern, as a lonely man facing the end of his life is heartbreaking as he controls his narrative by deciding which possessions holds the most importance to him instead of allowing others to make the decision for him when he’s gone.

While Ellen Burstyn isn’t that fortunate to give careful thought about which items mean the most to her, her story is a reflection of our greatest fear. In the midst of a fire, what items would you save first? In a mad and hectic dash she must make these quick decisions while also left with the aftermath of literally picking up the pieces she decided to leave behind.

While dramatic and forceful at times, what makes Nostalgia so gripping is that we can find pieces of ourselves in each story. Written by Alex Ross Perry, he has created a script that allows for the actor to convey their story with every inch of their soul, pulling you into their lives. Yes, there are tears, but there’s also a sense of confusion, lost and reassurance delivered with just a look or a touch. Dern is a master at showcasing these quiet emotions, as he decides which item ignites a special spark in his life. While Burstyn’s emotions pour through the screen as she sifts through a lifetime of now ruined memories. You feel her soul die each time she finds a new object, yet instead of making it uncomfortable, she uses her pain to pull you in closer to her story.

Nostalgia is painful and at times not easy to watch but its rawness is filled with layers that’ll help us appreciate the ones we love while they are still alive instead of looking to inanimate objects for forgiveness for not being there for a person while they were still alive.

Nostalgia is now playing in theaters.

Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi—the next action-packed chapter of the Star Wars saga— Earned critical acclaim and the No. 1 spot atop 2017’s list of highest-grossing films. The visually stunning film welcomes the return of original characters, including Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, Yoda, R2-D2 and C-3PO and further explores the deepening journey of the saga’s new members, Rey, Finn, Poe, and Kylo Ren. Now families can bring home the movie digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD and via Movies Anywhere on March 13, two weeks before the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, and Blu-ray disc on March 27.  This release also marks Disney’s first title available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc in both Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos immersive audio, delivering consumers a transformative viewing experience.

In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.

The film stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern with Frank Oz, and Benicio Del Toro.    Star Wars: The Last Jedi is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman. J.J. Abrams, Tom Karnowski and Jason McGatlin are the executive producers.

Director Rian Johnson takes fans on an intimate journey into the creation of Star Wars: The Last Jedi in a feature-length documentary, explaining his unique interpretation of the Force, detailing the painstaking process of creating Snoke, and deconstructing action-packed scenes from the film such as the epic space battle and the final confrontation. Johnson also reveals two exclusive scenes, featuring Andy Serkis as Snoke prior to his digital makeover, as well as 14 never-before-seen deleted scenes, in addition to his audio commentary.

Bonus features include*:

• The Director and the Jedi – Go deep behind the scenes with writer-director Rian Johnson on an intimate and personal journey through the production of the movie—and experience what it’s like to helm a global franchise and cultural phenomenon.
• Balance of the Force – Explore the mythology of the Force and why Rian Johnson chose to interpret its role in such a unique way.
• Scene Breakdowns
  • Lighting the Spark: Creating the Space Battle – Get a close-up look at the epic space battle, from the sounds that help propel the action, through the practical and visual effects, to the characters who bring it all to life.
  • Snoke and Mirrors – Motion capture and Star Wars collide as the filmmakers take us through the detailed process of creating the movie’s malevolent master villain.
  • Showdown on Crait – Break down everything that went into creating the stunning world seen in the movie’s final confrontation, including the interplay between real-word locations and visual effects, reimagining the walkers, designing the crystal foxes, and much more.

• Andy Serkis Live! (One Night Only) – Writer-director Rian Johnson presents two exclusive sequences from the movie featuring Andy Serkis’ riveting, raw on-set performance before his digital makeover into Snoke.
• Deleted Scenes – With an introduction and optional commentary by writer-director Rian Johnson.
• Audio Commentary – View the movie with in-depth feature audio commentary by writer-director Rian Johnson.

* Digital bonus offerings may vary by retailer.

For more information, visit StarWars.com

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A lot of great one-liners in the issues this week, even in series you might not expect it. From an avalanche of ice-puns that would make Joel Schumacher blush, Jess’s continual befuddlement on the Caper app or Biscuits, The Bat-Unicorn.

Have fun reading your usuals and maybe dive into a new, a great investment of 10-30 minutes (depending on wordiness).

Batman Sins of the Father #1
Words – Christos Gage
Pictures – Raffaele Ienco, Guy Major, Josh Reed

Those not familiar with the Telltale Batman video games will be a little lost here.

Bruce’s dad worked with Falcone and Mayor Hill. They killed people to hold power and silenced witnesses way with one way trips to Arkham Asylum. (there’s also a cute bromance between Batman and proto-Joker if you play it right).

It’s a comic, off of the games, off of the comic – so best to look at this as an Elseworlds tale.

Batman’s helping the GCPD with a gang war caused by the absence of Falcone. He’s gaining their trust but Bruce is far behind in that department. His father’s crimes are now public knowledge and the relatives of those wronged seek justice. Wayne Enterprises is already on shaky ground (there was a thing when Penguin ran it for a bit); what can he do?

Batwoman #12
Words – Marguerite Bennett
Pictures – Scott Godlewski, John Rauch, Deron Bennett

I don’t think we can be faulted to need some time away to recollect, but it’s when we are recovering the pieces of ourselves those bits are out and vulnerable.

Choose your cabana-mate carefully.

Kate reflects on the time she took to pull herself together, and who she gave herself to during that.

Like so much of Kate’s past (even the recent) it becomes a twisted fairy tale of blood and hurt and pain.

After this is all sorted out and she’s made sure her loved ones have remained safe Kate’s gonna need a vacation- but one that won’t spin into world spanning tragedy this time.

Death Bed #1
Storytellers – Joshua Williamson, Riley Rossmo

Death Bed (not “The Bed That Eats”, that’s a 1977 movie) is a new Vertigo book that feels very grounded for one that throws zombies and monsters at you right off the bat.

It couldn’t have accomplished that if it was just a book about it’s subject – Antonio Luna, an old super adventuring explorer (think Scrooge McDuck + The Most Interesting Man in the World).

Instead our entry point is Val Richards, an honest struggling writer who’s tired as hell of paying the rent with ghostwriting credits.

She needs to be respected for her own work (she’s argues with her editor, while sitting depressed on the can). It’s not needed for the enjoyment of the book, but I KNOW this character of person, it’s a real not always seen in comics and I appreciate it.

Action starts when the two characters are thrown together, this is going to be a rip roaring, house burning R-rated Jonny Quest good time. (or Mad Bull 34 for my fellow weebs out there, there’s your hint – wink!)

The narrator isn’t her, but it’s not Antonio either, and it’s not above giving out details the characters wouldn’t want out or know about themselves. It can be cheeky and playful, and I’ll be curious to see if a face eventually matches to our unseen voice.

Green Lanterns #41
Words – Tim Seeley
Pictures – Barnaby Bagenda, Tom Derenick,
Mick Gray, Ulises Arreola, Dave Sharpe

Simon’s reflecting on the time he spent with Night Pilot during down time in their mission to save her (and all the other kidnapped super-beings).

Scrapps is being minimally helpful and pretty annoying, so it’s lucky they need her as a guide on an outlaw planet. Their conversation gets unfortunately hilarious when bringing up the law forces of the Vega system.

I might have gone with Vegatonians, Veganauts, even Vegamites.

The sentence “So unless you want the Corps to turn you over to the Vegan authorities,” will NEVER be intimidating Simon no matter how scary a face you make.

They go to scary outlaw planet in outlaw sector (it is where bad guys hang out) and do their best impressions of badasses. The continuing running joke of the dating app is still used well, and the story is going somewhere. Not a bad issue Green Lanterns.

Harley Quinn #38
Words – Frank Tieri
Pictures – Mirka Andolfo, Eleonora Carlini, Alex Sinclair, Dave Sharpe

I’m not one to assign homework, but if you missed the 60’s Batman tv show, I’d at least have it’s wiki open as you read the issue.

Just as the be-bathing suited populace is about to take a chilly February beach plunge, Mr. Freeze makes that impossible. If I was there I’d be terrified but impressed (sea water freezes at 28.4 F).

Many other B-level baddies attack Coney Island, our little egg friend is kidnapped (eggnapped?) by one that looks a lot like Vincent Price in a skullcap.

But as things are getting smashed, and frozen, and covered in mustard and ketchup, Harley’s still in New York and doesn’t even know she’s needed.

Hope her little Scooby gang of Harley-ettes can keep the place together till she gets back!

Justice League #39
Words – Priest
Pictures – Ian Churchill, Alex Sollazzo, Willie Schu

When Aquaman gets thrown to the middle of nowhere, they don’t mess around. He’s sunburnt and struggling in the middle of miles and miles of desert dunes.

Then bandits on dune buggies attack, and then it gets weird.

Cyborg represents the Justice League at the hearing (good move, not only is he respected but his identity is public) along with their lawyer – Okay, didn’t know they had one on retainer).

The chairman asks for Batman to appear, Cyborg speculates he’s there and there’s a lovely cute visual shot of outside the proceedings with Batmen of many eras united in their support (see how many you recognize!)

Everyone not lost or in front of congress is dealing with a toxic train crash, and all their actions are being scrutinized on not-Twitter in real time.

J’onn J’onzz needs the Lanterns for a mission in another book and the superfan is still out there with all their collected knowledge at his crazy command.

Something’s gonna break.

Nightwing #39
Words – Sam Humphries
Pictures – Phil Jimenez, Matt Santorelli,
Jamal Campbell, Alex Sinclair, Carlos M. Mangual

As it turns out that between the current story and back when Dick was Robin weren’t the only times he has crossed paths with the Judge.

Between Teen Titan-ing and Nightwing-ing there was college. Dick was trying to find himself, but found Jill (a classmate) at the center of a brutal murder spree. She was given a gold poker chip and the promise of a way off the drugs. But these monkey-paw promises never go the way they hope.

And the Judge remembers it too, he’ll sit present-Nightwing in a flooding room while the tale is slowly unwound (No one here is claiming the guy with eyes sewn shut is the model of sanity).

The Judge teases Nightwing, tells him other people he relies on have taken him up his poker chip promises and betrayed Dick.

He’s so much like the Judge (the Judge whispers), so determined to do right, so alone, and the water just keeps rising… can Nightwing hold his breath between issues?

Teen Titans Go! #26
Words – Sholly Fisch, Ivan Cohen
Pictures – Marcelo DiChiara, Franco Riesco, Wes Abbott, Jeremy Lawson

Today’s issue is coffee and shoes!

First, Robin learns that caffeine exists and is super effective in large doses when a coffee chain puts a store next to their base.

The whole team O.D.s to a cartoonish extent until the very act of them consuming it causes the place to explode, and we get to see them go through withdrawals – hilarity ensues.

The second story sees everyone but Robin and Raven in on a shoe trend – tight spring loaded shoes are in and everyone’s doing it.

This being Teen Titans Go, Robin doesn’t put up much of a fight before joining in.

A deus ex machina (Raven) solves the day but it’s left on a quirky cliffhanger!

The Brave & the Bold: Batman and Wonder Woman #1
Written and Illustrated by Liam Sharp

Hidden away from the world and mortal eyes is the land of Tir Na Nóg where the Faerie folk fled to when the newer god took their place. It was meant to be a safe haven, but forces that had fought each other on Earth have found their reasons to cause unrest and the guardian of them Cernunnos Cernach needs help.

He drops in on Diana’s vacation with Steve (they really tried to be unreachable. No wi-fi, no phones, in Antartica) and asks her audience. Even surprised naked in bed, Diana could not help but declare her support (after time to grab essentials) for the sad goat man.

Meanwhile Batman is having a brood. People in the Irish sector of Gotham (don’t ask me, didn’t know they had one) are wandering in sad spacey circles. Batman declares he will solve this!

And a homeless madman(?) named Patrick O’Schull seems to know more than he should. It’s a 6 issue miniseries, this’ll be a fun ride.

Trinity #18

Words – James Robinson

Pictures – Patch Zircher, Gabe Eltaeb, Carlos M. Mangual

We start back at the Law and Order-esque interrogation room, where each of the three are being questioned after the fact individually. I know with this method we get the cute overlapping running commentary through the action, and it does work a lot, but it hurts the tension considerably. None of them will turn out to be Keyser Soze, or dead, or a magic clone so even though they’re hurt and in danger I’m not worried at all for them.

The three finish their talk with Warlord who asks them to find him, he was only a magic hologram the whole time. There’s lots of fighting, our 3 heroes who are all nerfed to similar ability levels make it past waves of enemies who all helpfully yell out their employer’s name.

They do get help, Warlord’s daughter astral projects herself with advice, and the three get to ride unicorns (because that’s something you wanted to see, admit it, and it is neat). But a danger hit the ship that went in with them, the crew all… aged out. So add that to the mystery of this place, one more they will need to solve before escaping.

Wonder Woman Conan #6

Words – Gail Simone

Pictures – Aaron Lopresti, Matt Ryan, Wendy Broome, Saida Temofonte

It’s our last issue with this book, I’ll miss it.

Diana is temporarily safe of Themyscira with her mother and among her sisters, but feels she has betrayed Conan with her leaving. But having just got her back she demands Diana swear to stay near.

Conan meanwhile ravages the furthest encampments around the doomed city. He will savagely kill the monsters night after night before they have a chance to slaughter the trapped people.

Diana’s surprised by the understanding and heart of her sisters, they ride to the city’s defense (if it is not too late!)

As the appointed night of bloodshed approaches, Conan asks the Corvidae for one last wager. He will fight (with no blades) to the death any champion of theirs for the lives of all the people now endangered.

So much blood is spilled, people show who they are and what is most important to them and it is a grand ending, a good solid close to the week.

The Image Expo keynote address, given by Publisher Eric Stephenson, reflected upon soaring sales increases over the course of 2017 for Image Comics and revealed the following new creator-owned project announcements for 2018. The keynote and announcements streamed live for the first time on Twitch.tv/ImageComics.

BLACKBIRD by Sam Humphries & Jen Bartel

Sam Humphries (NIghtwing, Green Lantern) and Jen Bartel team up to co-create BLACKBIRD a modern fantasy story best described as Harry Potter meets Riverdale. It follows a young woman named Nina who discovers a neon-lit world of magic masters in Los Angeles. Now they’ve kidnapped her sister, and Nina is the only one who can save her.

“BLACKBIRD is a labor of love, a coming of age story and beautiful people doing insane things with magic,” said Humphries.

The series launches from Image Comics in October 2018.

Rob Liefeld’S BLOODSTRIKE will feature story, art, and cover by Michel Fiffe

Michel Fiffe will write, draw, and color three exciting new issues of BLOODSTRIKE. The Fiffe issues will also feature two back-up stories by Chuck Forsman and Paul Maybury with pin-ups by Ed Piskor, Benjamin Marra, Andrew Maclean, and more!

In Michel Fiffe’s BLOODSTRIKE: BRUTALISTS, the creator of the indie hit COPRA shines a light on Image’s most extreme series and its groundbreaking carnage. Whether it’s the origin of our favorite undead strikeforce or solving the trail of mysteries that plague them, this mini-series picks up where the original title left off while introducing the concept to a new audience. Celebrate Bloodstrike’s take-no-prisoners legacy by looking forward as only the new wave of comic-auteurs can! Don’t “rub the blood”…drown in it.

CROWDED by Christopher Sebela, Ted Brandt, Ro Stein & Triona Farrell

Sebela took to the stage and announced two new books today, one of which was CROWDED, which he’s co-created with Ted Brandt and Ro Stein—a cynical send-up of the app economy and online grudges.

“Josh and I have been working on this book for a few years now in secret,” said Sebela. “Just waiting for the chance to unleash it on readers and we’re kinda freaking out that this thing we’ve put so much time and sweat into is really real and really good.”

In CROWDED, a platform called Reapr allows anyone to crowdfund assassination attempts. The parody ignites when protagonist Charlie Ellison is forced to fend off a wave of hitmen with the help of a low-rate bodyguard.

The series launches in Summer 2018.

DEAD GUY FAN CLUB by Annie Wu 

Annie Wu introduced fans to the forthcoming DEAD GUY FAN CLUB. In this new series, the founders of a rock star’s fan club reunite in adulthood to investigate the suspicious death of their hero and the involvement of an unhinged member of their old flock.

“I’m thrilled to be writing and illustrating a new series,” said Wu. “I can’t wait to share this weird little black comedy with everyone.”

The series launches from Image Comics in Fall 2018.

DEAD RABBIT by Gerry Duggan & John McCrea

DEAD RABBIT is a new ongoing series from writer Gerry Duggan (Deadpool) and artist John McCrea (Hitman) team up with colorist Mike Spicer in a rackous series about MARTIN DOBBS, a hot-tempered, foul-mouthed former mercenary and gun-for-hire who’s forced out of retirement with predictably funny and violent results. With shades of UNFORGIVEN, THE EQUALIZER and ROBIN HOOD.

“Gerry Duggan! John McCrea! The peaches and cream of comics—though I’m not sure who’s the peach…,” said McCrea. “Anyway, this comic has Gerry’s and my heart and soul poured into it, pick it up, you will love yourself forever for doing so…”

The series launches from Image Comics in Summer 2018.

DEATH OR GLORY by Rick Remender & Bengal

Fan favorite Rick Remender (SEVEN TO ETERNITY, DEADLY CLASS) teams up with brilliant French superstar Bengal to bring fans a high speed convoy crime thriller rocketing across the American West that examines our dwindling freedoms and the price paid by those who fight for an untethered life on the open road.

Meet Glory, raised free in a convoy, off the grid, amid the last men and women truckers fighting automation to continue living the American mythology of the open road.

Now, in order to pay for her beloved, dying Father’s surgery, Glory has three days to pull off a four dangerous cross country heists with mob killers, crooked cops and a psycho ex-husband all out to bring her in or die trying.

“Rick and I have been preparing something for years now, it was a privilege to get to work with him, and an even greater one to take the time to develop something together,” Bengal. “I’m very proud to finally present what we’ve been cooking! I hope readers will enjoy this story as much as we loved doing those pages.”

The series launches from Image Comics in May 2018.

ECHOLANDS by J.H. Williams & Haden Blackman

J.H. Williams (Sandman: Overture, Batwoman) and Haden Blackman (Elektra, Batwoman) team up with colorist Dave Stewart and letterer Todd Klein for an all-new mythic fiction genre mash-up series in ECHOLANDS, a tale where the last war on Earth starts with Hope’s sticky fingers…

“ECHOLANDS has been in development for years, bubbling in the background as we worked on other projects,” said Blackman. “But it’s a world and a cast of characters that has always drawn us back, and we’re so grateful to be able to finally get the book out into the world.”

On a world that has forgotten its own history, the key to excavating the past is in the hands of a young thief who must escape a vengeful wizard and his unstoppable golem.

The series will be coming soon from Image Comics.

FARMHAND by Rob Guillory

Rob Guillory (CHEW) returns to both write and draw an all-new series in, FARMHAND.

FARMHAND follows Ezekiel Jenkins, a family man and new agrarian who returns to his family fields—but these nightmarish crops give a new meaning to ear of corn and fingerling potatoes.

“This is a story that’s been very near and dear to me for quite some time, and I’m absolutely thrilled to finally announce it,” said Guillory. “I can’t wait to introduce readers to the wonderful and horrific world of FARMHAND.”

FARMHAND launches from Image Comics in July 2018.

JOOK JOINT by Tee Franklin & Maria Nguyen 

Fresh off the buzz for BINGO LOVE’s release on Valentine’s Day, Franklin took to the stage to announce a new project with Image Comics—JOOK JOINT—with Maria Nguyen.

JOOK JOINT is a 5-issue time-period horror miniseries about a brothel/jazz club exposing the social evils of racism, rape, domestic violence, and inequality.

Because of its subject matter, JOOK JOINT is set to launch in October 2018, in time for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Franklin and Nguyen will work with Image Comics on coordinating special charity variants to benefit Joyful Heart, a non-profit founded by Mariska Hargitay which places focus on healing, education and advocacy.

“As a domestic violence survivor, this is a story I’ve been working on for years. It’s been extremely cathartic and therapeutic. It was important for me to have an artist who understood what JOOK JOINT meant to me, before inviting them to embark on this journey with me,” said Franklin. “I appreciate that Image Comics has allowed me to tackle this subject matter, in addition to working with us on charity variants for Mariska Hargitay’s Healing Heart foundation. I now have an opportunity to use my talents to help survivors like myself. People have helped me when I was going through a rough time in my life and now I want to give back.”

THE LAST SIEGE by Landry Q. Walker & Justin Greenwood

Bestselling creators Landry Q. Walker (DANGER CLUB, Supergirl Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade) and Justin Greenwood (THE FUSE, Stumptown) team up for an all-new, ongoing medieval war story, inspired by the storytelling structure of classic Spaghetti Westerns.

“For years I have wanted to tell a medieval war story, one that pulls away from the fantasy elements the genre is so often saddled with,” said Walker. “Swords, castles, and rage, all in a world where life is cheap. No other frills or distractions. Seeing this book come to print is a moment I have looked forward to for a long, long time.”

Greenwood added: “Fast, gritty and full of action—I’d been looking for a book to really cut loose on and this project came along at the perfect time. I haven’t drawn this much dirt or blood in a long time and loving every minute of it.”

The series launches from Image Comics in Summer 2018./]]]

LEVIATHAN by John Layman, Nick Pitarra, & Mike Garland 

Eisner-award winning, New York Times bestselling writer John Layman (CHEW) is back, teaming up with New York Times bestselling artist Nick Pitarra (THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS) and colorist extraordinaire Mike Garland in the all new, ongoing series—that’s Godzilla by way of black magic—in LEVIATHAN.

In LEVIATHAN, a group millennials try to do a black magic ritual for laughs and end up summoning a demonic giant monster determined to kill them all.

LEVIATHAN is coming this summer to Image Comics.

TODD MCFARLANE ANNOUNCES FIVE NEW PROJECTS

Todd McFarlane, President of Image Comics and creator of SPAWN, took to the stage today to announce  five new comic projects. The timing of these come on the heels of his upcoming directorial debut for the new SPAWN feature film. The movie will be in production by late spring so these comics will hit shelf just as the SPAWN movie is getting wide publicity across multiple platforms.

To help retailers take advantage of the upcoming SPAWN news buzz he announced the five projects below:

1) MEDIEVAL SPAWN and WITCHBLADE crossover miniseries

This May release is a re-teaming of two of Image’s most popular original characters.
The new mini-series is written by Brian Holguin with art by Brian Haberlin with 32 full pages of story and art will also feature a special augmented reality cover for only $2.99.

Fan favorites Spawn and Witchblade together for the first time in two decades!

2) SPAWN KILLS EVERYONE 2 (mini-series)

Due to the wonderful success of the one-shot, Todd McFarlane is creating along with Will Robson a four part mini-series that has our childish Spawn giving birth to hundreds of smaller Spawn babies who take his “kill list” and try to help out their new father.

3) MISERY (new ongoing monthly series)

In the wake of the #MeToo scandals arises a teenage hero who is tired of being pushed around and abused by the actions of others. This new character, MISERY, will help out those innocent people who have been victimized by the evil that is spread across the entire planet.

Stories will go global as Misery tries to discover exactly how to control her powers and how to make others feel her…misery.

4) SPAWN (on-going monthly title)

Comic Industry’s longest running independent title continues its march towards its 300th issue as well as tying into the upcoming movie that McFarlane is writing and directing with Jason Blum and his Blumhouse Productions.

The comic Spawn is setting the stage to flush out some of his biggest enemies that he has locked on earth. He will come face to face with the Clown, Overt-Kill and an all-new Violator.

5) SAM and TWITCH True Detectives (8 part mini-series)

Detective “Twitch” Williams will be the main focus in the new full length film about to go into production and he will be introduce to a whole new audience with his appearance in the SPAWN film.

All eight issues have already been completed and will be released close to the film’s announcement and trailers. Much like THE WALKING DEAD, new viewers will be drawn to the stories and characters they will be seeing on the big screen and also a potential new TV series.

NETFLIX’S MILLARWORLD TITLES LAUNCH WITH THE MAGIC ORDER

Comics titan Mark Millar (KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE, KICK-ASS, HIT-GIRL, JUPITER’S LEGACY) announced that Netflix’s forthcoming Millarworld titles will be published by Image Comics, beginning with his first new project, THE MAGIC ORDER. THE MAGIC ORDER will feature art by Olivier Coipel (Amazing Spider-Man, Thor) and is planned as a six-issue miniseries.

We live in a world where we’ve never seen a monster, and The Magic Order is the reason we sleep safely in our beds. Magic meets the Mob in THE MAGIC ORDER as five families of magicians—sworn to protect our world for generations—must battle an enemy who’s picking them off one by one. By day, they live among us as our neighbors, friends and co-workers, but by night they are the sorcerers, magicians and wizards that protect us from the forces of darkness…unless the darkness gets them first.

The series will launch from Image Comics in Summer 2018.

OBLIVION SONG by Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici

Image Comics partner Robert Kirkman (THE WALKING DEAD, OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA) took to the stage to show off the OBLIVION SONG #1 trailer for a sneak peek at what’s in store for fans on Wednesday, March 7th when the new series hits stores.

PROXIMA CENTAURI by Farel Dalrymple 

Farel Dalrymple returns with an all-new, six-issue miniseries full of psychedelic-science-fantasy-action drama in PROXIMA CENTAURI.

PROXIMA CENTAURI follows the teenage adventurer Sherwood Presley Breadcoat, “The Scientist” Duke Herzog, Dr. EXT the Time Traveller, M. Parasol, Shakey the Space Wizard, and Dhog Dahog. Sherwood is looking for escape from the spectral dimensional space zone and a way back to earth and his brother.

The miniseries will launch in June 2018.

THE RED HOOK, Vol 1: NEW BROOKLYN by Dean Haspiel 

Emmy and Ringo Award winner Dean Haspiel brings THE RED HOOK to print for the first time.

The Red Hook is a super-thief who is bequeathed the Omni-Fist of altruism and is transformed into a superhero against his will or he will die a year after a sentient Brooklyn’s heart is broken and physically secedes from America to form New Brooklyn.

The graphic novel will hit stores in June 2018.

SHANGHAI RED by Christopher Sebela & Joshua Hixon

Christopher Sebela and Joshua Hixson team up for a turn of the century revenge thriller SHANGHAI READ, a story that stretches from the deck of a boat outside Shanghai to the bleak streets (and the secret tunnels beneath them) of Portland, Oregon. A violent journey of vengeance, identity and family.

“Josh and I have been working on this book for a few years now in secret, just waiting for the chance to unleash it on readers and we’re kinda freaking out that this thing we’ve put so much time and sweat into is really real and really good,” said Sebela.

The series launches from Image Comics in June 2018.

SON OF HITLER OGN by Anthony Del Col & Jeff McComsey

Acclaimed writer ANTHONY DEL COL (Assassin’s Creed, Kill Shakespeare), New York Times bestselling cartoonist JEFF McCOMSEY (FUBAR), and newcomer GEOFF MOORE come together for an action-packed, original graphic novel, SON OF HITLER.

The never-before-told story of Adolf Hitler’s secret child and how this son was the key to ending World War II is now revealed in this audacious graphic novel based upon one of history’s most intriguing rumors.

“Like any top secret mission, SON OF HITLER involved meticulous planning, maps, secret meetings and the twisting of arms,” said Del Col. “So now that our mission has finally been revealed we can get around to the execution of it. And by execution, I mean the planned execution of Adolf Hitler.”

In 1943 Nazi-occupied France a rogue British S.O.E. agent recruits a young baker’s assistant for a dangerous mission by sharing with him a revelation no one would ever want to hear: he is the biological son of Adolf Hitler.

The original graphic novel will hit stores in May 2018.

UNNATURAL by Mirka Andolfo 

Mirka Andolfo brings hit Italian comic title, Contro Natura, to Image Comics in an English translated fantasy erotica title, UNNATURAL.

Leslie is a simple pig girl, she loves sushi and she is trapped in a job that she hates. She lives with Trish, her best friend. In her world, which is full of anthropomorphic creatures, the government interferes in the personal lives of its citizens, up to the point of allowing only relationships between individuals of the same race. The transgressors are punished. They are accused of being… unnatural! Leslie dreams of something different for herself. But these dreams are becoming dangerous, especially because they feature a mysterious wolf. And, when she wakes up, she thinks that she is being watched…

The series will launch in July 2018.

THE WEATHERMAN by Jody LeHeup & Nathan Fox

Writer Jody LeHeup (SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER), Eisner Award-nominated artist Nathan Fox (DMZ, HAUNT, Dark Reign: Zodiac), and Eisner Award-winning colorist Dave Stewart (Hellboy, RUMBLE) merge to form an unstoppable sci-fi tour de force with THE WEATHERMAN!

Local weatherman and fun-loving amnesiac Nathan Bright was just a normal guy living the good life on terraformed Mars. But the past Nathan didn’t know he had comes back to murder him when he’s accused of carrying out the worst terrorist attack in human history—an event that wiped out nearly the entire population of Earth.

Confused, terrified, and ill-prepared for life as the galaxy’s most wanted man, Nathan’s fate lies in the hands of Amanda Cross, the disavowed government agent assigned to his case. Together the unlikely duo will have to rely on each other as they battle their way through the solar system in search of the truth buried in Nathan’s lost memory…and the key to stopping the real enemy from carrying out a second extinction-level attack.

“Series artist Nathan Fox’s work on THE WEATHERMAN will hit you like a bolt of lightning,” said LeHeup. “Vicious and vital, it’s high energy for even higher stakes. There simply aren’t comics more beautiful than this.”

Fox added: “Before I even finished Jody’s first script  I knew I had to tell this story. THE WEATHERMAN is one of the most inspired, relevant, and human stories I’ve ever had the privilege of contributing to and I absolutely cannot wait for people to read it.”

A full-throttle, widescreen, science fiction epic about the damage we do in the name of justice and what it truly means to be redeemed…

The series will launch in June 2018.

WHAT’S THE FURTHEST PLACE FROM HERE? by Matthew Rosenberg & Tyler Boss

The critically-acclaimed, breakout creative team behind 4 KIDS WALK INTO A BANK, Tyler Boss & Matthew Rosenberg come to Image Comics for an new series, WHAT’S THE FURTHEST PLACE FROM HERE?

“I’m really excited to be making my Image Comics debut with a book that is very personal to me,” said Rosenberg. “And I’m thrilled to do it with Tyler, who I can barely tolerate as a person, but is a brilliant artist and collaborator. Together we’re working to make a book that we hope will impact people the same way so many of our favorite comics have impacted us over the years.”

WHAT’S THE FURTHEST PLACE FROM HERE? tells the story of a gang of young punks getting lost in the wasteland of America. After their youngest member disappears their quest to find her may put them in a fight to survive against the most deadly terrain, the most dangerous gangs, and maybe even each other. Or maybe not. Either way they’re going to find out how the world ended.

Boss added: “The story and world Matthew and myself have built is dense and (hopefully) exciting. I’ve never felt more creatively charged and I’ve been putting that energy into every page. I hope that old man Rosenberg can keep up.”

It launches in November 2018.

“Engrossing and provocative” (April Wolfe, L.A. Weekly) and “sensitive, surprising…and, most important, unblinking” (Matthew Gilbert, Boston Globe), the groundbreaking adaptation “13 REASONS WHY” Season One arrives on DVD April 3, 2018 from Paramount Home Media Distribution.

Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) returns home from high school to discover a box of cassette tapes, recorded by Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), his classmate and secret crush, who died by suicide only two weeks before. Hannah’s tapes reveal the 13 reasons that led to her untimely death, and the people she felt were responsible. This begins an emotional journey of suspense and heartbreak to uncover the mystery behind Hannah’s tragic end. Based on the best-selling mystery by author Jay Asher and executive produced by Oscar winner Tom McCarthy (Best Original Screenplay, Spotlight, 2015), Pulitzer Prize winner Brian Yorkey, Selena Gomez, Kristel Laiblin, Mandy Teefey, and Anonymous Content’s Steven Golin, Joy Gorman Wettels and Michael Sugar, this powerful drama also features Kate Walsh, Christian Navarro, Alisha Boe and Brandon Flynn.

Named one of the top 15 pop culture moments that defined 2017 by USA Today, “13 REASONS WHY” inspired more than 11 million tweets, becoming one of the top 10 most-tweeted about television shows and Google’s most-searched show of the year.  Season Two will debut on Netflix in 2018.

The “13 REASONS WHY” Season One 4-DVD set includes all 13 episodes, plus the “Beyond the Reasons” special, and new-to-DVD character featurettes, actor interviews, and more.

“13 REASONS WHY” Season One DVD

The four-disc DVD set is presented in 16×9 widescreen with English 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description with English and English SDH subtitles.  The set includes all 13 episodes, as well as the following:

• Hannah & Clay: An Unfinished Love Story
• Justin Foley: Not Your Typical Jock
• Discovering Jessica Davis
• Bringing the Book to Life
• 13 Things About Me: Dylan Minnette
• 13 Things About Me: Justin Prentice
• Beyond the Reasons

These episodes contain scenes that some viewers may find disturbing and/or may not be suitable for younger audiences, including graphic depictions of violence and suicide.  Viewer discretion is advised.  If you or anyone you know need help finding support and crisis resources, go to 13reasonswhy.info for more information.

On March 6th, musician and illustrator Marcellus Hall’s graphic novel debut, Kaleidoscope City, arrives from Bittersweet Editions. Hall has done illustrations for The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and many other publications. He is also a well respected musician and formed the band White Hassle.

Hall took some time to discuss the book with Forces of Geek, which has been described as, “a spellbinding, dreamy love letter to NYC.”

* * * * *

FOG!: Marcellus, thank you for taking the time to speak with us here at Forces of Geek. I just read the book and I really loved it. You’ve done comic strips like Bill Dogbreath. What was the impetus to do a longer narrative?

Marcellus Hall: The impetus for Bill Dogbreath, which I created in my late twenties, was a subversive glee I took in wordplay and the turning inside out of American tropes and icons. Kaleidoscope City was a different animal that arose from a nuanced and lyrical perspective. I sought to capture a surreal plane of existence, a certain thrum or pulse of a character’s interior life.

And the way, for example, Marcel Proust creates a mood by way of language (slowing time with undulating sentences) I wanted to employ visually using repetition and empty space.

Who or what are the biggest influences in your work?

There are zillions of influences in my work, but for Kaleidoscope City, in particular William Blake, Walt Whitman, Franz Masereel, and Raymond Petition come to mind. None of them are cartoonists. Blake and Petition combine words and pictures. And Masereel pioneered the wordless graphic novel in the 1920s or thereabouts.

How long have you been working on this book? How did you hook up with Bittersweet Editions?

The book has been in the works for years. About six years ago Marco North of Bittersweet invited me to contribute to an anthology he was compiling and I submitted pages from Kaleidoscope City. Later he offered to publish a book. His patient encouragement and tactful editing over the years has been invaluable in making Kaleidoscope City a reality.

Were you a comic book fan growing up? If the opportunity were to occur, is there any character that you would be love to take a shot at?

I never imagined myself “taking a shot” at any particular character. In fact, I never considered myself a comics fan, per se, until later when the wave of underground, independent comics were being made in the early nineties. In my younger years I was fanatical about Mad Magazine whose satiric slant undoubtably shaped me.

Was the process of making a comic similar to that of making music? Were there any unexpected challenges?

There were many similarities between making Kaleidoscope City and making music. For one, I considered the pages of the book as one would consider the tempo of a drumbeat. Getting right the crescendos and refrains was important, as was the lyricism of the text. The biggest challenge, I think, was keeping a bird’s eye view of the book from front to back. With a song you don’t have to do that per se.

What else do you have coming up?

I continue to submit cover ideas to the New Yorker and I have thoughts about a second graphic novel brewing. My band and I have begun recording new songs that we’ll finalize and make available this year.

What are you currently geeking out over?

The movies of Korean director Hong Sang-Soo recently caught my attention as I was preparing for a trip to Asia. I borrowed DVDs of his movies from the New York Public Library. There is something Woody Allen-ish about his output and autobiographical style. I’m also attempting to read David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest at the moment. Comics-wise I’ve enjoyed in recent years the work of Adrian Tomine, Gabrielle Bell, Jillian Tamaki, Guy Delisle, Peter Kuper, Riad Sattouf, and Lucy Knisley.

Below, check out an excerpt of Kaleidoscope City, available on March 6th!

Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!

We are getting closer to spring! Here are this week’s books!

The American Way: Those Above and Those Below #6
Written by John Ridley
Illustrated by Georges Jeanty

Man, this was a fantastic sequel to a fantastic series. I cannot recommend this enough. There hasn’t been a lot of press on it, but go seek it out. It’s what good comic book storytelling is made of.

The American has to make a choice!

It’s very simple: He can either fight his enemy or join him.

It’s a tough moral decision and the answer was very surprising! I never knew where this series was going and it ends on a high note.

Ridley does a fantastic job writing this comic. I enjoy that he loves the medium and it shows. The art by Jeanty is top notch. Pick this up and read it. Then read it again. It’s a comic book worth your time.

RATING: A

Batman #41
Written by Tom King
Illustrated by Mikel Janin

Mikel Janin is back! I have a great love for his art and he doesn’t disappoint on this series. I’m glad he and King still work together. They have a good synergy that just works for Batman.

In this issue, Poison Ivy has gone nuts!

She is trying to take over all of the vegetation on the entire planet!

Batman and Catwoman have decided to fight against her! But do they stand a chance?

King has a great handle on the story and characters. And the art again is great. Janin’s version of Ivy may be my favorite.

Pick this up. I can honesty say I have been enjoying this book very much as it’s now just clicking.

RATING: A

Aquaman #33
Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Riccardo Federici

This is the finale of the storyline “The Crown Comes Down!”

Dan Abnett has been cooking right along on this title and it’s been great. This issue is a satisfying conclusion to the latest storyline.

Aquaman is trying to find a way to take down the Crown of Thorns. But King Rath isn’t having any of it! In fact, he’s even more resolved than ever to make Aquaman’s life miserable.

All this, and Mera’s life is in the balance here!

The art is good on this issue as well, but I do quite miss Stjepan Sejic. He did the cover at least. Still, this book is much better than its ever been and I have been enjoying it very much.

RATING: B+

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 #4
Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Freddie Williams II

Man, is this comic book silly.

I read it each month when I am ready to shut my brain off. By god, this series REALLY makes me shut my brain off.

But that’s okay. It needs it once in a while.

Bane, Bebop, Rocksteady, and the entire Foot Clan are all hopped up on Venom. You know, the drug that makes Bane big and strong?

Then Splinter cuts in and gets captured by Bane.

Donatello forms a plan, but Batman doesn’t like it.

This issue is everywhere!

But that’s okay!

As long as you just read it for pleasure you’ll be fine.

The art is something else though. Williams has such a great take on both the Turtles and Batman. I wish he would take on one of those titles with a better writer.

Who knows what great things might come of it?

RATING: B

Future Quest Presents #7
Written by Phil Hester
Illustrated by Steve Rude

This is a great little book that nobody is really looking at.

It features a lot of the old Hanna Barbera characters and it takes them into new places. I’m enjoying it very much for sure.

This issue focuses on Birdman.

He has faced a lot of threats in his career. But now he must face the hardest thing he has ever had: being a father!

Birdman fights Mentok who is an old foe to rescue the son he never knew existed.

The writing by Hester is great. He really does push himself to new heights and it pays off here. The art is by Steve “The Dude” Rude.

What else do I need to say? It’s fantastic!

Pick this up for a good issue in a solid series.

RATING: B+

Damage #2
Written by Robert Venditti
Illustrated by Tony S. Daniel

My god, is there a lot of destruction in this book.

And that’s a good thing!

Nobody does destruction quite like Tony S. Daniel. The art in this book is massively awesome. The story isn’t half bad either.

This issue has Damage being hunted by the Suicide Squad.

He is also being hunted by Colonel Jonas.

Who will get to him first?

And what is Jonas planning to do with Damage?

The story by Venditti is a little thin, but it’s enjoyable. It does feel like its leading towards something though so I can forgive it. Overall it’s pretty good. Pick it up and give it a read!

RATING: B+

Batman and The Signal #2
Written by Scott Snyder and Tony Patrick
Illustrated by Cully Hamner

The first issue of this series was a very fun book.

I enjoy the character of The Signal so it was natural I would like it.

The second issue follows the first and its a nicely crafted issue as well.

Duke Thomas has taken over the day activities of the Batman Squad, leaving Bruce Wayne the ability to fulfill his duties at Wayne Enterprises. There is a new rogues gallery out there. A mystery has formed. The Signal is trying solve it. So he teams up with none other than the GCPD to figure it out.

I hope this series takes off for one reason only: Cully Hamner. I hope he finally becomes more popular than he is. He’s a solid artist and has been for years.

Pick this up and support a good story as well as Hamner.

RATING: B+

Injustice 2 #20
Written by Tom Taylor
Illustrated by Daniel Sampere

I love this book. It’s wacky and pretty out there, but man is it daring.

This issue is quite a good read. Tom Taylor is the best writer you never heard of and his writing is quite excellent.

In this issue, Batman rushes to help a fallen comrade!

Amazo, meanwhile, fights Zod!

A sacrifice must be made for the greater good! But both of these things can lead to another hero from the past rising up again!

The story moves at a good clip and I was never bored.

The art is pretty awesome as well and compliments the story quite nicely.

Pick this up. It’s a damn good story every time and you never quite know where it’s going to lead to.

RATING: B+

Super Sons #13
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Illustrated by Carlo Barberi

This title definitely deserves a look if you haven’t checked it out yet.

Tomasi writes consistently good stories and this issue continues that trend. I have been enjoying it very much thus far.

Talia al Ghul comes back for her son Damian in this issue.

Because of this, Superboy finds out a lot about Damian’s murderous past. It may even cause the Super Sons to break apart!

Then someone they know may be Talia’s next victim!

The stakes are high!

Things move fast in this issue and that’s a testament to Tomasi’s strong writing. The art is decent as well. Give this a shot! It’s a good series overall.

RATING: B+

Cave Carson Has A Cybernetic Eye/
Swamp Thing Special #1
Written by Jon Rivera
Illustrated by Langdon Foss

The crossover specials between Gerard Way’s curated line and the regular DC line have all been fun to read. This special continues in that trend. The “Milk Wars” storyline continues on here!

Swamp Thing has found a disturbance in the Green.

This leads him to the RetCo corporation.

At RetCo, he sees Cave Carson and his gang fighting to get out.

Can he help them? Or is everybody doomed?

Find out here!

Rivera is a good writer. He keeps the action going and the dialogue sharp. The art is pretty good here as well.

Pick this issue up and any of these specials. They really are a unique thing in this marketplace.

RATING: B+

Superman #41
Written by James Robinson
Illustrated by Ed Benes

We are in a weird spot right now on this title. Bendis is coming, so we are basically left with a fill-in storyline.

Luckily, it’s James Robinson writing it so the story is actually fairly decent.

Superman and Superboy are teamed up in this issue. They are battling against alien extremists. The alien’s world is being destroyed so the Super-team has to basically save them for themselves.

Robinson does a great job making the story hopeful and it stuck with me.

The art by Benes is pretty damn good as well. He makes it vibrant and the colors by Dinai Ribeiro are especially good.

Overall, it’s a nice story that doesn’t feel unnecessary. And that’s a good thing indeed.

RATING: B+

The critically acclaimed Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience Featuring Ramin Djawadi will bring the world of Westeros to arenas across Europe starting in May of 2018. Additionally, due to popular demand, a second North American leg of the tour has been added for the Fall of 2018, giving fans the opportunity to watch in wonder as famed composer Ramin Djawadi leads an orchestra and choir performing music from all seven seasons of the iconic, Emmy Award-winning HBO series. The new dates for the Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience Featuring Ramin Djawadi will include new music and footage from Season 7, as well a new custom stage design and mesmerizing visuals courtesy of state of the art video technology.

“Bringing the Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience to audiences earlier this year was a dream come true, dating back to an idea hatched over three years ago,” said Djawadi. “The scale and spectacle of the production brought the world of Westeros to life in a truly immersive fashion, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share the experience with fans not only in North America again, but also to cross the narrow sea for the first time and bring the show to Europe.”

The inaugural run of the Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience Featuring Ramin Djawadi kicked off in North American in February of 2017 after being conceived by Djawadi three years ago. The show was praised by fans and critics alike as a must-see spectacle for fans of the television series. The Guardian described the show as “Westeros brought to dazzling life.” Mashable called it “an epic musical journey,” while the New York Times praised it as “a symphonic spectacular.”

As rich as the stories, intrigue and world of Game of Thrones, Ramin’s celebrated music for the show has resonated with fans from the very beginning, as the meticulously constructed songs underscored the emotional weight of key moments between beloved characters, lent scale to massive battle sequences and brought to life songs referenced in George R.R. Martin’s books.  Ramin’s relentlessly popular title track alone has become an instantly recognizable pop culture phenomenon in its own right.

“Building upon the incredible response we received from the first tour earlier this year, Game of Thrones fans are in for a treat when the updated version of the Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience makes its debut in Europe and then returns to North America next year,” said Jeff Peters, Vice President of Licensing and Retail at HBO. “The Game of Thrones fan base reaches all corners of the globe, so we are excited a wider international audience will now be able to experience Ramin’s extraordinary talent.”

The tour, produced and promoted exclusively by Live Nation in partnership with HBO Global Licensing, will continue to use innovative music tour production and video technology that will recreate the various realms found throughout Westeros and Essos as well as showcase footage from the show in addition to new imagery created exclusively for the upcoming 45 tour dates. Beginning its journey on May 8th in Madrid, the tour will visit 20 European cities throughout May and June. The North American leg will kick off 25 tour dates on September 5th in Vancouver and conclude on October 14th in Toronto.

GAME OF THRONES LIVE CONCERT EXPERIENCE 2018 DATES
All dates, cities and venues below subject to change.

Europe Dates:

• 5/8 – Madrid, Spain – WiZink Center
• 5/10 – Barcelona, Spain – Palau Sant Jordi
• 5/12 – Paris, France – AccorHotel Arena
• 5/14 – Berlin, Germany – Mercedes-Benz Arena
• 5/15 – Lodz, Poland – Atlas Arena
• 5/16 – Prague, Czech Republic – O2 Arena
• 5/18 – Budapest, Hungry – Budapest Arena
• 5/19 – Vienna, Austria – Wiener Stadthalle
• 5/21 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome
• 5/22 – Antwerp, Belgium – Antwerps Sportpaleis
• 5/24 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
• 5/25 – Belfast, Northern Ireland – The SSE Arena
• 5/27 – London, UK – Wembley Arena
• 5/29 – Hamburg, Germany – Barclaycard Arena
• 5/31 – Stockholm, Sweden – Ericsson Globe
• 6/1 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena
• 6/4 – Munich, Germany – Olympiahalle
• 6/5 – Zurich, Switzerland – Hallenstadion
• 6/7 – Frankfurt, Germany – Festhalle Frankfurt
• 6/8 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena

North American Dates:

• 9/5 – Vancouver, BC – Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena
• 9/6 – Seattle, WA – KeyArena
• 9/8 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
• 9/9- Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
• 9/11 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
• 9/12 – Phoenix, AZ – Gila River Arena
• 9/14 – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
• 9/16 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
• 9/17 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
• 9/18 – Austin, TX – Frank Erwin Center
• 9/21 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
• 9/22 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – BB&T Center
• 9/25  – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
• 9/26 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
• 9/28 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
• 9/29 – Boston, MA – DCU Center
• 9/30 – University Park, PA – Bryce Jordan Center
• 10/2 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
• 10/3 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
• 10/5 – St. Louis, MO – Scottrade Center
• 10/6 – Chicago, IL – AllState Arena
• 10/9 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
• 10/10 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
• 10/12 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
• 10/14 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre

And we’re giving away four pairs of passes to any of the North American performances!

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

What was the date that A Game of Thrones was first published?

Please include your name, address and desired North American concert location.  Travel/accommodation not included.  You must be 18 years old.

Only one entry per person/address and winners will be chosen at random.

Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on March 18th, 2018.

For more information on the tour and tickets, visit http://livemu.sc/2BJj40M

Just like everything else on this planet, casinos do have the good side and the dark side. In order to attract more people to casinos, the good side is portrayed on many occasions but many people will only come face to face with the dark side when they have already sunk deep making it almost impossible to make a comeback.

However, there are some movies out there committed to exposing this dark side and the beauty of some of them is that they do so in a light way. Without any gun trotting hard men or violence-laden scenes, you get to see the dark side of casinos.

This is an added bonus to many parents who would like to educate their young ones of the dangers of the casino without having to endure scenes full of violence and strong language.

The following are two of the top comic movies that show the dark side of the casino.

The House

Image via Warner Bros.

Unlike most US gambling movies, The House is not set in Las Vegas but in an underground room cum casino of an affluent US suburb. Starring two of the most humorous actors in Hollywood, Will Ferrell (Scott) and Amy Poehler (Kate), The House explores themes of greed, deceit, betrayal, and love. Scott and his wife Kate lose their daughter’s college fund and they draft a plan to recover it. Their plan is to open an underground casino in their own backyard.

A friend and neighbour of theirs, Frank Theodokris (Jason Mantzoukas) helps them establish the casino and helps in promoting it. As soon as business starts to flourish, one of the regular gamblers is caught counting cards and in the confrontation that follows, Scott accidentally chops off the finger of the cheating gambler. This event earns him a notorious nickname but later catches up with him as a mobster with ties to the cheating gambler sets the casino on fire. In between those events, an underground taskforce confiscates all the money Scott made from the casino. Scott devises a plan to recover the money from the police, with the help of Mantzoukas, he manages to recover the money and ultimately pay his daughter’s college fee. This is a good watch keeps you on the edge of the seat throughout.

The Hangover

Image via Warner Bros.

A group of four friends, Stu Price, Phil Wenneck, Alan Garner, and Doug Billings travel to Las Vegas for Doug’s bachelor party. When they arrive in Las Vegas, they spend the day at a hotel, in the evening they decide to have a few drinks but before they go out, they decide to go to the rooftop where they get a glimpse of the beautiful city. Things take a turn while up there as they wake up the following morning totally oblivious of last night’s happenings and without the groom. In steps to retrace how the night unfolded, the three friends excluding the missing groom cross paths with a known mobster who accuses them of stealing his money.

With only 5 hours to go before the wedding, a mobster on their back and a missing groom, the three friends know the only way to make the wedding a success is by returning the mobster his money, which they had not stolen. Their plan to raise the money is to take turns on the blackjack table. While at the table, they realise Alan is quite adept in card counting, they aid him to win big card counting risking a backlash from fellow challengers. They succeed, pay off the mobster, and find the groom and the wedding goes on as planned in less than five hours. The Hangover is a suspense-filled comic movie that will leave you with a wide smile even long after watching it.

Produced by Scott Rudin, Andrew Macdonald,
Allon Reich, Eli Bush
Screenplay by Alex Garland
Based on Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
Directed by Alex Garland
Starring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh,
Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson,
Tuva Novotny, Oscar Isaac

Annihilation, the new film, written and directed by auteur film maker, Alex Garland, is so close to being a masterpiece that it actually hurts me so much that it is not.

Garland’s first film, Ex Machina, was my favorite film of 2014. His screenplays for Sunshine (2007), Dredd (2012), and Ex Machina (2014) made him one of my favorite recent screenwriters. He has now adapted the award-winning and incredibly dense novel, of Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer.

Thought to be basically “unfilmable”, Garland has done an amazing job of distilling the essence of the book into a tight, well told film that is as gripping as it is awe inspiring.

Annihiliation, the book, is the first book in the “Southern Reach Trilogy”. As to whether the movie adaptation will be the first in a film trilogy remains to be seen. The critical response has been overly positive and I must mostly agree with my fellow critics so hopefully they will continue the story especially as it feels like there is so much more to tell by the end of the film.

Annihilation follows the story of a small band of scientists as they enter and explore an extraordinary phenomenon called “Area X”.

Nicknamed “The Shimmer” by the soldiers and scientists studying it, it is an area of unknown origin where the laws of nature seem to be going haywire and nothing is as it is supposed to be. It has spread over three years engulfing a huge swarth of land, including a small town and military base. It originated at a coastal lighthouse when a meteor impacted and began the slow expansion where anything that enters it does not return.

Numerous expeditions have been sent in to examine and explore “the Shimmer” and none have come back save a single soldier, the husband of one of the scientists now about to enter the area. She is determined to find out what happened to her husband and the rest of the teams the have disappeared.

I went into this film not having read the original novel. After reading the synopsis of the book right before I began writing this review, I am convinced that Alex Garland has done an amazing job at retaining the essence of the book while altering certain parts to cater to the more visual nature of film stoyrtelling without detracting from what VanderMeers initial intentions were.

The visuals of Annihilation are breathtaking and some of the concepts throughout are staggering and sometimes shocking. Garland’s signature storytelling style are reminiscent to that of Denis Villeneuve and early Terrence Malick. He is methodical and very intentional. Every frame of the film has meaning and substance. The film becomes a stream of conscious feast of the mind that I goblet up unabashedly.

Its only the small stumbling block and the thing that, as I said at the beginning, keeps this from being a complete masterpiece is the less then amazing ending.

The film builds and builds, things keep becoming more convoluted, yet wondrous. So many questions abound in my head. What is “the shimmer”? Why is it doing what it is doing? Is it an alien lifeform? What is its purpose? What happened to everyone? What is the ultimate motivation of the characters?

So many questions. It became abundantly clear that they were not going to be answered. I was okay with that. I didn’t want them answered.

Then Garland, kinda sorta maybe started to answer them. That is where he ultimately lost me. I felt the the end fell back on old tropes and well worn devices. We have been here before. The unsatisfying ending was unsatisfying to me, because in an entire film that showed me things I had not seen before and ideas that were new and exhilarating to have it all come crashing down to something that has been done before was a let down. It definitely didn’t ruin the film it just wasn’t life altering and that is what I thought I was finally getting.

Perhaps it is the nature of telling this kind of story. The build up in our mind can never be superseded by what we are eventually shown. I don’t know. What I do know is that this film is still phenomenal despite the lackluster ending. It definitely took me places and showed me things in a way that were fresh and enjoyable to watch.

I would definitely go see this film again. There is so much that I want to see again.

In the end that is the true sign of a great movie, making the audience want to come back for another viewing. I will be returning to “The Shimmer” if for no other reason then to be wowed again by the incredible visuals and cinematography.

Any passionate board game player knows there are all different kinds of games on the market. Friends can enjoy collaborative picks like the hit Pandemic or Elder Sign or mess up their friendship with games such as Monopoly or Risk.

Among the hundreds of options, sometimes what matters the most to players is the complexity level. Enjoying Splendor or Guillotine offers fast-paced action and simple rules. In fact, such low-complexity games can easily be compared to playing video slots at Online Casinos.

On the other hand, there are complex games with huge rulebooks that can give you a headache. Nevertheless, when it comes to the games listed below, the headache is more than worth it.

Terraforming Mars

Launched in 2016, this board game was an instant hit among players worldwide. The gameplay includes resources, special player boards, tile placement and event cards. Terraforming Mars comes with quite the tick rulebook and players will need to try it at least a couple of times before they remember everything necessary for smooth action. It may be frustrating until you start understanding all the signs, tags and cards. Nonetheless, in no time you’ll fall in love with the gameplay of this amazing board game.

A Game of Thrones (The Board Game)

Based on the immensely popular TV Show Game of Thrones, A Game of Thrones by Fantasy Flight Games can be a true pain to casual players. It really takes dedication to learn all the complex rules of this games. A Game of Thrones features worker placement, event cards and several status tracks of which players must have extensive knowledge. Reading the rulebook is like reading a novel and each rule seems to come with five additional rules related to it. However, taking part in epic battles in Westeros is the best possible reward players can hope for.

Settlers of Catan

Any board game enthusiast knows Settlers of Catan, a game adored by millions of players worldwide. This game comes with different scenarios players can try, each of them with rule variations. Moreover, the game also offers lots of extensions, every single one more complicated with the previous. Even the base game itself is far from simple; players place settlements, cities and roads, which lead to them earning resources and benefits. These are later spent on expansion, fighting and purchasing of cards. It takes at least 10 games, each of at least 60 minutes, to get hold of the game. Afterwards, you’ll surely won’t stop thinking about it.

Power Grid

Try to power the biggest number of cities on Power Grid and feel the excitement of owning oil companies, wind turbines and solar plants. This game provides a wonderful two-faced playing board and several rule variations that occur depending on the number of players. The gameplay includes placement of cities, purchasing power plants and resource management. All these aspects make it too much for some players. Nonetheless, it is a fantastic game that will awaken all your senses.

Friend of the site, Matt Haley, directed this incredibly entertaining retro science fiction pilot, Blackstar Warrior, which is now being distributed online by Dust.

Dust is the first of its kind, multi-platform destination for science fiction creators, innovators and fans. Imagine the stunning visual effects and complex character explorations that currently reside in sci-fi film and TV now binge-watchable on any platform in bite size bits.

In Blackstar Warrior, following his parents’ deaths, space detective Tyson Roderick (Leonard Roberts) discovers their secret genetics lab and partners with his trusty funbot Alphie in a desperate quest to rid the galaxy of evil while searching for the secret of his origins – and his long-lost mother.

Check it out below!

Mega-action hero and Oscar nominee Liam Neeson (Best Actor, Schindler’s List, 1993) proves that no one gets hurt on his watch in The Commuter, arriving on Digital April 3 and 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital), Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital), DVD, and On Demand April 17 from Lionsgate. Time is ticking as Michael (Neeson) gets entangled in a deadly conspiracy on his daily commute that forces him to work against the clock to protect the lives of his fellow train passengers. The edge-of-your-seat action thriller also stars Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring, The Departed, TV’s “Bates Motel”), Patrick Wilson (The Conjuring, Insidious), Jonathan Banks (TV’s “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul”), with Elizabeth McGovern (TV’s Downton Abbey), and Sam Neill (Thor: Ragnarok, Daybreakers).

Michael’s (Neeson) daily commute home quickly becomes anything but routine. After being contacted by a mysterious stranger (Farmiga), Michael is forced to uncover the identity of a hidden passenger on his train before the last stop. As he works against the clock to solve the puzzle, he realizes a deadly plan is unfolding and is unwittingly caught up in a criminal conspiracy. One that carries life and death stakes, for himself and his fellow passengers.

From Jaume Collet-Serra, the director of Non-Stop and The Shallows, and written for the screen by Byron Willinger, Philip de Blasi, and Ryan Engle, The Commuter’s home entertainment release includes two never-before-seen featurettes that focus on the cast’s experience shooting the film and the technical details of shooting on a train. The 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray versions will also feature Dolby Atmos audio remixed specifically for the home-theater environment, to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. The Commuter will be available on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, and DVD for the suggested retail price of $42.99, $39.99, and $29.95, respectively.

4K ULTRA HD / BLU-RAY / DVD / DIGITAL SPECIAL FEATURES

• “End of the Line” Featurette
• “Off the Rails” Featurette

For more information, visit Facebook.com/TheCommuterFilm