Friday, July 11, 2025

Review: James Gunn's "SUPERMAN" Starts a New Era

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 31 of 2025 (No. 2037) by Leroy Douresseaux

Superman (2025)
Running time:  129 minutes (2 hours, 9 minutes)
Rating: MPA – PG for violence, action and language
DIRECTOR:  James Gunn
WRITER:  James Gunn (based characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster)
PRODUCERS:  James Gunn and Peter Safran
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Henry Braham (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  Craig Alpert and William Hoy
COMPOSERS:  David Fleming and John Murphy

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/ACTION

Starring:  David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Skyler Gisondo, Maria Gabriela de Faria, Sara Sampaio, Wendell Pierce, Beck Bennett, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Neva Howell, Bradley Cooper, Angela Sarafyan, and Sean Gunn

SUMMARY OF REVIEW:
-- I am not crazy about the plot and narrative of the James Gunn's new Superman film, but I really like its cast and its interpretation of the characters, especially David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman.

-- I heartily recommend that fans of Superman movies get in on the ground floor of this new beginning


Superman is a 2025 American superhero, fantasy, and action film from writer-director James Gunn.  It is the first film in the new DC Comics cinematic universe known as the “DC Universe.”  The character, Superman, first appeared in the comic book, Action Comics #1 (on-sale date of April 18, 1938), and was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, who also created other characters and situations related to Superman.  In Superman, the embodiment of truth, justice, and the human way must reconcile his desire to help humanity with a shocking revelation about his alien heritage.

Superman opens threes years after the metahuman, Superman (David Corenswet), revealed himself to the people of Metropolis.  His alter-ego, Clark Kent (David Corenswet), works as a reporter for “The Daily Planet,” where he has a relationship with fellow reporter, Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan).  Lois knows that Clark is Superman.  She knows that he is Kal-El, a baby sent from the planet, Krypton, by rocket ship to Earth.  Lois also knows that Clark was raised in Smallville, Kansas by his adoptive parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent (Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell), a fact he has kept secrets from others.

Superman recently stopped the country of Boravia, an ally of the United States, from invading its neighboring country, Jarhanpur.  As the film begins, Superman has just received a beat-down from Boravia's own metahuman, the Hammer of Boravia.  Things are not as they seem, however, as brilliant billionaire Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) has launched a secret plot to destroy Superman, whom he sees not as a superhero, but as an existential alien threat to mankind.  With the help of his lackeys, Ultraman and The Engineer (Maria Gabriela de Faria), Luthor believes that he has the science and technology – the brain power – to beat Superman.

But Superman is not the only metahuman who is a superhero.  He occasionally gets help from the “Justice Gang”:  Michael Holt/Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Guy Gardner/Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), and Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced).  And Clark Kent will need all the friends he can get; a complete version of the broken message his Kryptonian parents, Jor-El (Bradley Cooper) and Lara Lor-Van (Angela Sarafyan), sent with him has come to light.  Now, some of the people of the world are starting to feel differently about Superman just when they need him the most.

Superman is a good film, but not a great film.  Overall, I like it, but I found myself rather cool to it as I watched it in a local theater last night.  I must admit that I felt the same way about the previous two attempts to reboot the Superman film franchise, director Bryan Singer's Superman Returns (2006) and director Zack Snyder's Man of Steel (2013).  Like Superman (2025), the plot and narratives of these earlier films are over-stuffed with subplots, settings, and characters that make the overall plot and narrative struggle to come together.  The over-stuffings are like roadblocks that force the central plot and narrative to veer off their most obvious and productive path.  I don't think the new Superman is as awkward in these areas as the aforementioned Superman reboots, but I do believe that the new film spends its first half bouncing around ideas, subplots, themes, relationships and conflicts.  To me, it is obvious that Superman 2025 borrows the big action set pieces of Man of Steel and also follows Superman Return's veneration of director Richard Donner and star Christopher Reeve's respective work on the Superman film franchise (1978-87).

There are things about the new Superman film that I really like.  I think the actors and the way they play the characters, for the most part, are nearly perfect.  The best thing about David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman is that he is the first actor that I have accepted as a true heir to the late Christopher Reeve (1952-2004), who is the gold standard when it comes to a cinematic Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman.  In a way, Superman 2025 offers its audience a vision of Superman as the quintessential nice guy the way Christopher Reeve and Superman: The Movie (1978) did.

Also, Rachel Brosnahan is a true heir to my favorite cinematic Lois Lane, the late Margot Kidder (1948-2018), Christopher Reeve's co-star.  I also got a kick out of Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific.  I liked him in his early roles in such films as Twilight (2008) and X-Men: First Class (2011), and I'd like to see him play Mister Terrific as a lead in either film or television.  I like Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, but the character is played way too over-the-top, but I think Hoult as Luther will be a huge benefit to future DC Universe films.

I obviously don't like James Gunn's Superman as much as I enjoyed his work on Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, which ended with the fantastic Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023).  Still, the new Superman is both a fresh start and a start in the right direction.

6 of 10
B
★★★ out of 4 stars

Friday, July 11, 2025


The text is copyright © 2025 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 6th to 12th, 2025 - UPDATE #10

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

STREAMING - From Variety:  HBO Max has greenlit "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe," a spinoff of CBS's former hit sitcom, "The Big Bang Theory."  The series was first announced as being in development in 2023.  The new series will focus on comic book store owner, Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman).

MOVIES - From Variety:  The third film in director Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" series will not be entitled "Dune: Messiah."  The title is "Dune: Part Three."

STREAMING - From THRHBO Max has decided to cancel the retro-action comedy series, "Duster," from showrunners J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan and starring Josh Holloway.  The new series had excellent critics and audience reviews, but it apparently did not make the Nielsen streaming Top 10.

MOVIES - From TheGuardian:  Discussing the difference in how male directors are treated after they direct a hit and female directors after they direct a hit film, Catherine Hardwicke says that she got a mini-cupcake after her 2008 film, "Twilight," became a blockbuster hit.

DC STUDIOS - From VarietyJames Gunn's "Superman" premiere just happened.  The early reactions to the film are very good.

AMAZON - From THRDanai Gurira ("Black Panther," "The Walking Dead") is joining director-star Michael B. Jordan in Amazon MGM Studios' re-imagining of "The Thomas Crown Affair."

From Deadline:  Oscar-nominee Lily Gladstone ("Killers of the Flower Moon") will join Michael B. Jordan in Amazon MGM Studios' re-imagining of "The Thomas Crown Affair."  Jordan will star in and direct the film.

From DeadlineKenneth Branagh has joined the cast of director Michael B. Jordan's re-imagining of "The Thomas Crown Affair" for Amazon MGM StudiosCharles Roven ("Oppenheimer") will produce the film with Jordan and Elizabeth Raposo via their Outlier Society banner.
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MOVIES - From DeadlineJohn M. Chu will direct a movie based on the "Hot Wheels" toy line for Mattel, Bad Robot, and Warner Bros. Pictures.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 7/4 to 7/6/2025 weekend box office is Universal Studios' "Jurassic World Rebirth" with an estimated take of 91.5 million dollars.

From Variety:  "Jurassic World Rebirth" has won the five-day Fourth of July holiday weekend with an estimated take of 147.3 million dollars.


Thursday, July 10, 2025

WaterTower Music Announces the Release of the Soundtrack from James Gunn's "SUPERMAN"

SUPERMAN (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Available Now

MUSIC BY JOHN MURPHY AND DAVID FLEMING 

ORIGINAL SUPERMAN THEME BY JOHN WILLIAMS

AVAILABLE NOW DIGITALLY

2XLP VINYL PRE-ORDER – 7/11

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WaterTower Music has released the highly anticipated Superman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), featuring music from composers John Murphy and David Fleming as featured in Superman from director/writer/producer James Gunn and DC Studios, which opens in US theaters July 11, 2025. Mondoshop.com will be starting pre-order of the 2x LP vinyl on July 11th with 2 different color options: - Blue/ Red / White Spinner and - Solid Red / Blue

To meet the scale of Superman, James Gunn turned to longtime collaborator John Murphy, who introduced sweeping new themes for Lois and Clark and Lex Luthor, while reimagining John Williams' iconic Superman melody with a striking electric guitar arrangement. Emmy-winning composer David Fleming later joined the project, contributing bold new orchestral arrangements of the Williams theme alongside fresh, character-driven motifs for the Justice Gang, the Daily Planet, and Krypto. Together, their dynamic score ensures Superman soars for a new generation.

Murphy shares, "From the start, James and I knew we wanted to honor Superman’s legacy while creating something bold and new. There’s such purity in the character, and I wanted that reflected in the music - noble, orchestral, timeless, while still finding moments to experiment and push the boundaries."

Fleming adds, "There’s a deep emotional core to this Superman, and musically it was about tapping into that humanity. Reimagining the iconic theme while building new ones. From The Daily Planet to the Justice Gang, it was a chance to explore his world in a way that felt classic and completely fresh."

Superman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Tracklisting:

1. Home - David Fleming
2. Last Son - David Fleming
3. Hammer of Boravia - David Fleming
4. LuthorCorp - John Murphy
5. The Daily Planet - David Fleming
6. Lois & Clark - John Murphy
7. Eyes Up Here - David Fleming
8. Justice Gang vs. Kaiju - David Fleming
9. Intruders - David Fleming
10. The Message - David Fleming & John Murphy
11. Secret Harem - David Fleming & John Murphy
12. The Real Punk Rock - John Murphy
13. Pocket Universe - David Fleming
14. 5 Years Time - Noah And The Whale
15. Something Like a Sun - David Fleming & John Murphy
16. Jailbreak - David Fleming
17. The River Pi - David Fleming
18. Take the T-Craft - David Fleming & John Murphy
19. Your Choices, Your Actions - David Fleming
20. Raising the Flag - John Murphy
21. The Rift - David Fleming
22. Bases Loaded - David Fleming
23. Speeding Bullet - David Fleming
24. Remote Control - David Fleming & John Murphy
25. Upgrade - David Fleming & John Murphy
26. Driven by Envy - David Fleming & John Murphy
27. Look Up - David Fleming
28. Being Human - David Fleming
29. Luthor the Traitor - John Murphy
30. Metropolis - David Fleming & John Murphy
31. Walking on Air - John Murphy
32. Punkrocker (feat. Iggy Pop) - Teddybears
33. The Mighty Crabjoys Theme - The Mighty Crabjoys

Soundtrack is also available via Amazon Music.


ABOUT SUPERMAN:
Superman, DC Studios’ first feature film to hit the big screen, soars into theaters worldwide this summer from Warner Bros. Pictures. In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original Super Hero in the newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind. DC Studios heads Peter Safran and Gunn are producing the film, which Gunn directs from his own screenplay, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

When Superman is drawn into conflicts both abroad and at home, his actions to protect humankind are questioned, and his vulnerability allows tech billionaire and master deceiver Lex Luthor to leverage the opportunity to get Superman out of the way for good. Will the Daily Planet’s intrepid reporter Lois Lane, together with the aid of Metropolis’s other metahumans and Superman’s own four-legged companion, Krypto, be able to help Superman before Luthor can completely destroy him?

DC Studios Presents a Troll Court Entertainment/The Safran Company Production, A James Gunn Film, Superman will be in theaters and IMAX® nationwide on July 11, 2025, and internationally beginning July 9, 2025, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

ABOUT JOHN MURPHY:
Liverpool born John Murphy began scoring movies at the age of 25. In 2001, following the success of Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, he moved to Los Angeles.

Since then he has worked with some of the industry's most respected and luminary filmmakers, including James Gunn, Michael Mann, Danny Boyle, and Guy Ritchie, producing film scores as prominent and diverse as 28 Days Later, Sunshine, Kick-Ass, The Suicide Squad, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

His movie trailers include Captain America, X-Men, Ready Player One, and Avatar, and his music has been featured in advertising campaigns for Nike, Microsoft, Google, and Apple.

After Kick-Ass Murphy set up the record label Taped Noise and began work on several non-movie projects. His latest film, Superman, released on July 11, is his fourth collaboration with James Gunn.

ABOUT DAVID FLEMING:
David Fleming is an Emmy-winning American composer who has written music for film and television including most recently, Season 2 of HBO’s The Last of Us, collaborating once again with Gustavo Santaolalla, and James Gunn’s upcoming DC film Superman.

David's score for Ron Howard’s Jim Henson: Idea Man earned him a Primetime Emmy Award as well as the ASCAP Composer’s Choice Award for Documentary Score of the Year, with his work on Amazon’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith bringing him a second Emmy nomination. David composed the score for the BBC's acclaimed Blue Planet II alongside Hans Zimmer, which marked the start of a collaborative relationship with the Academy Award-winning composer, encompassing scores for both Dune films and Top Gun: Maverick. David's sweeping orchestral fantasy score for Netflix's Damsel marked his first solo feature, while his dark electronic work alongside Gustavo Santaolla on HBO's The Last of Us won ASCAP's Composer's Choice Award for Television Score of the Year.

In addition, David recently composed the score for A24's Eternity and the neo-western Americana, both of which are slated for 2025 releases.

ABOUT WATERTOWER MUSIC:
WaterTower Music, the in-house label for the Warner Bros Discovery companies, releases recorded music as rich and diverse as the companies themselves. It has been the soundtrack home to many of the world’s most iconic films, television shows and games since 2001.

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Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Review: "SUPERMAN III" is Good, Bad and Ugly

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 30 of 2025 (No. 2036) by Leroy Douresseaux

Superman III (1983)
Running time:  125 minutes (2 hours, 5 minutes)
MPAA – PG
DIRECTOR:  Richard Lester
WRITERS:  David Newman and Leslie Newman (based characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and on characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics)
PRODUCER:  Pierre Spengler
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Robert Paynter (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  John Victor Smith
COMPOSER:  Ken Thorne

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/COMEDY

Starring:  Christopher Reeve, Richard Pryor, Jackie Cooper, Marc McClure, Annette O'Toole, Robert Vaughn, Annie Ross, Pamela Stephenson, Gavan O'Herlihy, Paul Kaethler, and Margot Kidder

Superman III is a 1983 American superhero film and comic-fantasy from director Richard Lester.  The film is the third in the “Superman” film series, which began with 1978's Superman (also known as Superman: The Movie).  The character, Superman, first appeared in the comic book, Action Comics #1 (on-sale date of April 18, 1938) and was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, who also created other characters and situations related to Superman.  In Superman III, Superman becomes the target of a greedy entrepreneur and a computer genius when they realize that he will obstruct their plans for wealth and world domination.

Superman III opens at an unemployment office in MetropolisAugust “Gus” Gorman (Richard Pryor) has discovered that his employment checks have run out, but by chance he discovers information about a school where he can learn to be a computer programmer.  Soon, Gus is working for the conglomerate, Webscoe Industries, where he uses his amazing computer skills to secretly embezzle over $85,000 from the company payroll.

However, Gus' activities do draw the attention of Webscoe's boss, Ross Webster (Robert Vaughn), and his sister and partner, Vera Webster (Annie Ross).  Ross is obsessed with the idea of using technology in order to gain financial domination over the world.  With the help of Annie and his tawdry mistress, Lorelei Ambrosia (Pamela Stephenson), Ross blackmails Gus into using his fantastic computer skills to begin a series of evil tech schemes.

Meanwhile, over at “The Daily Planet,” Metropolis' top newspaper, Clark Kent/Superman (Christopher Reeve) is preparing to return to his hometown of Smallville for his high school reunion, the Class of 1965.  He wants to use the reunion as the subject of a feature article, so he takes Daily Planet photographer, Jimmy Olsen (Marc McClure), with him.  At the reunion, Clark reconnects with his childhood friend, Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole), much to the chagrin of Clark's former high school bully, Brad Wilson (Gavan O'Herlihy).

While Clark enjoys his time with Lana and also bonds with her young son, Ricky (Paul Kaethler), Ross and Gus have launched their diabolical plans.  Even the Daily Planet's star reporter, Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), ends up being a victim of their moves.  When Ross discovers that Superman be an obstruction to his schemes, he forces Gus to find a way to destroy Superman, and those methods of destruction may come very close defeating the Man of Steel.

Superman III was not nearly the box office success that its predecessors, Superman: The Movie and Superman II (1980) were.  Some fans and critics blamed the film's shortcomings on having Richard Pryor as a cast member.  Some people may remember that Paramount Pictures was considering adding Eddie Murphy as a star of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.  Many of the science fiction and comic book fans that I knew at the time insisted that because Richard Pryor “ruined” Superman III, a science fiction film could not have a “Black comedian” in it or it would be similarly ruined.  They predicted doom and gloom for the fourth Star Trek feature film, but Murphy eventually passed on it to star in The Golden Child (1986).  These early fans that I met were racist and stupid, and, at the time, I thought their opinions about “Blacks” in genre films were racist and stupid.  I am glad that my association with them was short-lived.

Anyway, Pryor, one of the most influential American stand-up comedians of all-time, was known for his raunchy, adult-oriented act during the 1970s.  Into the 1980s, however, he became a more cuddly figure, appearing in a number of mainstream and even family-friendly films.  Although I was surprised that Pryor was cast in Superman III, I thought he was one of the few good things about the film when I first saw it in a theater back in 1983.  I still think that.

Superman III is mediocre because the screenplay by David Newman and Leslie Newman, or at least what made it to screen, is awkward and sometimes illogical.  Superman III's director, Richard Lester, was a very capable director during his active career; I am still a fan of his 1973 film, The Three Musketeers.  Lester is controversial a figure in the annals of Superman cinema because of the production of Superman II, which I don't feel like getting into right this moment.  Speaking strictly of Superman III, Lester and the Newmans did get one thing right.

When Superman III focuses on the jovial and genial nature of the film's characters, it is quite lovable.  Clark, Lois, Lana, Ricky, Gus, Jimmy, the Daily Planet editor Perry White (Jackie Cooper), and even the film's ostensible villains:  Brad, Ross, Vera, and Lorelei all come across as endearing.  I enjoyed getting to know them as eccentric characters and character types.  When the focus moves to Superman III's conflict/plot, the film turns simply ridiculous.

Almost a day after watching the entirety of Superman III for the first time in 32 years, I'm still thinking about it.  And yes, I like Richard Pryor in this film as much as I like Christopher Reeve, the star of four Superman films from 1978 to 1987, returning to play his signature role.  I don't mind the comic nature of Superman III, especially as some modern superhero movies are too damn dark.  However, it has too many ideas, and too many of them are handled in the most nonsensical manner.  Still, I can't help but kind of like Superman III because it is full of nice people.

5 of 10
B-
★★½ out of 4 stars


The text is copyright © 2025 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, July 7, 2025

Advanced Comics Review: "THE MAGIC ORDER 5 #6" - Death Becomes Her

THE MAGIC ORDER V #6 (OF 6)
DARK HORSE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar
ART: Matteo Buffagni
COLORS: Giovanna Niro with Laura Ciondolini
LETTERS: Clem Robins
EDITOR: Daniel Chabon
EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin
COVER: Matteo Buffagni with Giovanna Niro
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Matteo Buffagni
32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (July 2025)

Rating: 18+

The Magic Order created by Mark Millar at Netflix

“The Death of Cordelia Moonstone”

The Magic Order 5 is a six-issue miniseries from writer Mark Millar and artist Matteo Buffagni.  This is the fifth installment of The Magic Order series, which began with the 2018-19 miniseries written by Millar and drawn by Olivier Coipel.  The Magic Order is a band of sorcerers, magicians, and wizards – with a focus on the Moonstone family and its leader, Cordelia Moonstone – that live ordinary lives by day, but protect humanity from darkness and monsters of impossible sizes by night.  Colorist Giovanna Niro and letterer Clem Robins complete the series creative team.

The Magic Order 5 finds Cordelia preparing for her death – the punishment for using black magic (back in Volume 1).  However, a new case has dropped itself in front of her, but it all may be a front for some really bad people trying to collect the price on Cordelia's head.  Cordelia Moonstone is going to die soon... and there's nothing she can do about it.  The end is coming in a matter of days.

The Magic Order 5 #6 opens in New Jersey where Cordelia battles Grandmaster Samuel Mott, leader of “the Fellowship of the Bell.”  Mott is just a-wringing that “Bell,” which has summoned the Fellowship's ancient gods, a group of Lovecraftian monsters.  And they are almost here.

The saga of The Magic Order concludes, and everything has been building towards “the death of Cordelia Moonstone.”  When she goes, however, there won't be anyone left to protect the world from the forces of darkness that want to consume us.  Can she bring The Magic Order together in time to save the world if not save herself?

THE LOWDOWN:  This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics.  The latest received is The Magic Order V #6.

It is possible for each issue of The Magic Order 5 to be crazier than the previous issue, but the sixth and final issue of this series is not about the possibilities of craziness, but it is about the destination.  Perhaps, all previous issues of this franchise were about the journey, so now Issue #6 is about the grand finale and the big goodbye.  The Magic Order is Mark Millar's best and most imaginative work, as far as I'm concerned, and along the way, his scripts became glorious comic book storytelling thanks to some really talented artists who brought The Magic Order to life.

Concerning The Magic Order V's brilliant artist-storyteller, Matteo Buffagni, I said the following in my review of Issue #5 of the series:  “Line by line, artist Matteo Buffagni has created in The Magic Order V a world of such fearsome darkness, treacherous magic, and magical treachery that mesmerizes the reader.”  That is true to the end.  Buffagni unleashes the power and the glory, and the gorgeous hues of Giovanna Niro helps with the glory.  As always, Clem Robins uses his lettering to create a soundtrack of destruction, but this time, he adds the sounds of resolution for this outro.

So this is the end of The Magic Order.  Thanks to Mark Millar for this comic book that should serve as a model for DC Comics' Dr. Fate and Marvel Comics' Doctor Strange.  Thanks to Matteo, Giovanna, and Clem for the super-graphics.  Dear readers, if you have not read The Magic Order yet, I suggest do so now.  Or you can invest in Dark Horse Comics' library editions of this series – one of the best comic books about magic ever.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and of The Magic Order will want to read The Magic Order V.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can preorder THE MAGIC ORDER V trade paperback collection at Amazon.


https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/
https://x.com/mrmarkmillar
https://x.com/netflix
https://x.com/themagicorder
http://www.millarworld.tv/
https://www.darkhorse.com/


The text is copyright © 2025 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).


BOOM! Studios Comics Shipping for July 9, 2025

BOOM! STUDIOS

Hello Darkness #12 (Cover A Miguel Mercado), $5.99
Hello Darkness #12 (Cover B Jenny Frison), $5.99
Hello Darkness #12 (Cover C Martin Morazzo Full Art Variant), $5.99
Hello Darkness #12 (Cover D Dan Panosian BOOM 20th Anniversary Variant), $5.99
Hello Darkness #12 (Cover E Dan Panosian BOOM 20th Anniversary Full Art Variant), AR
Uncanny Valley #10 (Of 10)(Cover A Dave Wachter), $4.99
Uncanny Valley #10 (Of 10)(Cover B Tony Fleecs), $4.99
Uncanny Valley #10 (Of 10)(Cover C Dave Wachter Full Art Variant), AR
Zombie Tales Complete Collection TP, $19.99

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DC Comics Shipping from for July 9, 2025

DC COMICS:

Absolute Batman #3 (4th Printing Cover A Nick Dragotta), $4.99
Absolute Superman #3 (2nd Printing Cover A Rafa Sandoval), $4.99
Absolute Superman #9 (Cover A Rafa Sandoval), $4.99
Absolute Superman #9 (Cover B Lesley Leirix Li Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Absolute Superman #9 (Cover C Gerald Parel Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Absolute Superman #9 (Cover D Dustin Nguyen Card Stock Variant), AR
Absolute Superman #9 (Cover E Lesley Leirix Li Full Art Card Stock Variant), AR
Absolute Wonder Woman #3 (3rd Printing Cover A Hayden Sherman), $4.99
Absolute Wonder Woman #4 (2nd Printing Cover A Hayden Sherman), $4.99
Action Comics #1088 (Cover A Ryan Sook), $4.99
Action Comics #1088 (Cover B Leonardo Romero Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Action Comics #1088 (Cover C Karl Kerschl Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Action Comics #1088 (Cover D Skylar Patridge Card Stock Variant), AR
Aquaman #7 (Cover A Gleb Melnikov), $3.99
Aquaman #7 (Cover B Edwin Galmon Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Aquaman #7 (Cover C Lesley Leirix Li Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Aquaman #7 (Cover D Ozgur Yildirim Card Stock Variant), AR
Aquaman #7 (Cover E Mark Spears Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman And Robin #23 (Cover A Carmine Di Giandomenico), $4.99
Batman And Robin #23 (Cover B Juan Ferreyra Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Batman And Robin #23 (Cover C Rafael De Latorre Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Batman And Robin #23 (Cover D Jay Anacleto Gotham City Sirens Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Batman And Robin #23 (Cover E John McCrea Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman And Robin (2024) Volume 1 Memento TP, $19.99
Batman Dark Patterns #8 (Of 12)(Cover A Hayden Sherman), $4.99
Batman Dark Patterns #8 (Of 12)(Cover B Martin Simmonds Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Batman Gotham By Gaslight A League For Justice #1 (Of 6)(Cover A Leandro Fernandez), $4.99
Batman Gotham By Gaslight A League For Justice #1 (Of 6)(Cover B Sebastian Fiumara Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Batman Gotham By Gaslight A League For Justice #1 (Of 6)(Cover C Bill Sienkiewicz Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Batman Gotham By Gaslight A League For Justice #1 (Of 6)(Cover D Christopher Mitten Card Stock Variant), AR
DC Finest Justice Society Of America The Plunder Of The Psycho-Pirate TP, $39.99
DC W.I.P. All Star Superman #1 (Cover A Frank Quitely), $14.99
Fire And Ice When Hell Freezes Over #4 (Of 6)(Cover A Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson), $3.99
Fire And Ice When Hell Freezes Over #4 (Of 6)(Cover B Jessica Fong Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Flex Mentallo Man Of Muscle Mystery Deluxe HC (2025 Edition), $29.99
Gotham City Sirens Unfit For Orbit #2 (Of 5)(Cover A Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson), $3.99
Gotham City Sirens Unfit For Orbit #2 (Of 5)(Cover B Noobovich Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Gotham City Sirens Unfit For Orbit #2 (Of 5)(Cover C Guillem March Connecting Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Gotham City Sirens Unfit For Orbit #2 (Of 5)(Cover D Guillem March Connecting Kalanorian Foil Variant), $6.99
Gotham City Sirens Unfit For Orbit #2 (Of 5)(Cover E Helen Mask Card Stock Variant), AR
Green Lantern Corps #6 (Cover A Fernando Pasarin & Oclair Albert), $3.99
Green Lantern Corps #6 (Cover B Edwin Galmon Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Green Lantern Corps #6 (Cover C Rian Gonzales Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Green Lantern Corps #6 (Cover D Natacha Bustos Card Stock Variant), AR
John Constantine Hellblazer By Jamie Delano Omnibus Volume 2 HC, $99.99
League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume 1 HC The Absolute Edition (2025 Edition), $100.00
Poison Ivy Volume 5 Human Botany HC, $24.99
Poison Ivy Volume 5 Human Botany TP, $19.99
Supergirl #3 (Cover A Sophie Campbell), $3.99
Supergirl #3 (Cover B Stanley Artgerm Lau Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Supergirl #3 (Cover C Lesley Leirix Li Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Supergirl #3 (Cover D Joelle Jones Card Stock Variant), AR
Supergirl The New 52 Omnibus Volume 1 HC, $125.00
Superman The Last Days Of Lex Luthor HC, $29.99
Superman Treasury 2025 Hero For All #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Bruno Redondo), $14.99
Superman Treasury 2025 Hero For All #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Dan Jurgens), $14.99
Superman Treasury 2025 Hero For All #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Scott Koblish Wraparound Variant), $14.99
Superman Treasury 2025 Hero For All #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Superman Movie Photo Variant), $14.99
Superman Treasury 2025 Hero For All #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Bruno Rendondo Foil Variant), $19.99
Trinity Daughter Of Wonder Woman #2 (Of 6)(Cover A Belen Ortega), $3.99
Trinity Daughter Of Wonder Woman #2 (Of 6)(Cover B Ben Oliver Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Trinity Daughter Of Wonder Woman #2 (Of 6)(Cover C Ejikure Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Trinity Daughter Of Wonder Woman #2 (Of 6)(Cover D Tula Lotay Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Trinity Daughter Of Wonder Woman #2 (Of 6)(Cover E W. Scott Forbes Card Stock Variant), AR
Trinity Daughter Of Wonder Woman #2 (Of 6)(Cover F Paulina Ganucheau Card Stock Variant), AR

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Image Comics Shipping for July 9, 2025

IMAGE COMICS

Blood Squad Seven #9 (Cover A Paul Fry), $3.99
Blood Squad Seven #9 (Cover B Jim Rugg), AR
Farmhand #23 (Cover A Rob Guillory), $3.99
Free Planet #3 (Cover A Jed Dougherty), $3.99
Free Planet #3 (Cover B Jed Dougherty Ladder Variant), $3.99
Free Planet #3 (Cover C Jed Dougherty Foil Variant), AR
I Hate Fairyland #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover A Skottie Young), $3.99
I Hate Fairyland #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover B Skottie Young Foil Variant), $4.99
I Hate Fairyland #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover C Blank Variant), $3.99
I Hate Fairyland #42 (Cover A Derek Laufman & Jean Francois Beaulieu), $3.99
I Hate Fairyland #42 (Cover B Derek Laufman Black & White Variant), $3.99
I Hate Fairyland #42 (Cover C Skottie Young), AR
Invincible Universe Battle Beast #1 (3rd Printing Cover A Tom Reilly), $3.99
Madi Once Upon A Time In The Future TP, $19.99
Power Fantasy #10 (Cover A Caspar Wijngaard), $3.99
Power Fantasy #10 (Cover B Luana Vecchio), $3.99
Radiant Black #35 (Cover A Marcelo Costa), $3.99
Radiant Black #35 (Cover B Riccardo Robaldo), $3.99
Radiant Black #35 (Cover C Rose Besch Foil Variant), AR
Revival #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover A Jenny Frisson), $3.99
Revival #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover B Jenny Frisson Foil Variant), $4.99
Revival #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover C Blank Variant), $3.99
Savage Dragon #277 (Cover A Erik Larsen), $3.99
Savage Dragon #277 (Cover B Erik Larsen 70s Trade Dress Variant), $3.99
Transformers #22 (Cover A Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer), $3.99
Transformers #22 (Cover B Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer), $3.99
Transformers #22 (Cover C David Nakayama Connecting Variant), AR
Transformers #22 (Cover D Manabu Yashiro), AR
Transformers #22 (Cover E Pye Parr), AR
Transformers Worst Bot Ever Meet Ballpoint GN, $12.99
Unchosen #1 (Of 4)(Cover A David Marquez), $3.99
Unchosen #1 (Of 4)(Cover B David Marquez Aida Variant), $3.99
Unchosen #1 (Of 4)(Cover C Peach Momoko), AR
Unchosen #1 (Of 4)(Cover D Peach Momoko Full Art Variant), AR
Unchosen #1 (Of 4)(Cover E Blank Variant), $3.99
Witchblade #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover A Michael Turner), $3.99
Witchblade #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover B Michael Turner Foil Variant), $4.99
Witchblade #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover C Blank Variant), $3.99

-----------------


Marvel Comics Shipping for July 9, 2025

MARVEL COMICS

Amazing Spider-Man #4 (2nd Printing Cover A Pepe Larraz), $4.99
Amazing Spider-Man #4 (2nd Printing Cover B Mark Chiarello Full Art Variant), AR
Conquest 2099 TP, $17.99
Daredevil Cold Day In Hell #2 (Of 3)(2nd Printing Cover A Steve McNiven), $6.99
Daredevil Cold Day In Hell #2 (Of 3)(2nd Printing Cover B Frank Miller Full Art Variant), AR
Deadpool Epic Collection Volume 7 TP Agent X TP, $54.99
Doctor Strange Of Asgard #5 (Of 5)(Cover A Geoff Shaw)(One World Under Doom), $3.99
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover A Humberto Ramos), $4.99
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover B Alan Davis), $4.99
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover C Lorenzo Pastrovicchio Disney What If? Fantastic Four Homage Variant), $4.99
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover D Alex Ross), $4.99
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover E Jeehyung Lee), $4.99
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover F Cliff Chiang), $4.99
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover G Blank Variant), $4.99
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover H Ryan Meinerding Marvel Studios Variant), $4.99
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover I Mahmud Asrar Foil Variant), AR
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover J John Buscema Remastered Variant), AR
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover K Lorenzo Pastrovicchio Disney What If? Fantastic Four Homage Black & White Variant), AR
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover L Jerome Opena), AR
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover M Jeehyung Lee Full Art Variant), AR
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover N Leonardo Romero Retrovision Variant), $4.99
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover O NetEase Games Marvel Rivals 2-Part Connecting Variant), $4.99
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover P Claudio Castellini Wraparound Variant), AR
Fantastic Four #1 (Cover Q Skottie Young 5-Part Connecting Variant), $4.99
Fantastic Four #7 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover A Jack Kirby), $4.99
Fantastic Four #7 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover B Jack Kirby Foil Variant), AR
Fantastic Four #7 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover C David Yardin), $4.99
Fantastic Four First Steps #1 (Cover A Phil Noto Movie Costumes Variant), $4.99
Fantastic Four First Steps #1 (Cover B Phil Noto Classic Costumes Variant), $4.99
Fantastic Four First Steps #1 (Cover C Mark Buckingham), $4.99
It's Jeff Infinity Paws #1 (Cover A Nao Fuji), $6.99
It's Jeff Infinity Paws #1 (Cover B Chrissie Zullo), $6.99
Laura Kinney Wolverine #8 (Cover A Elena Casagrande), $3.99
Laura Kinney Wolverine #8 (Cover B Nogi San), $3.99
Laura Kinney Wolverine #8 (Cover C Stephen Segovia), AR
Magik #7 (Cover A Pablo Villalobos), $3.99
Magik #7 (Cover B Joe Quinones RetroVision Variant), $3.99
Magik #7 (Cover C Yasmine Putri), AR
Marvel Knights The World To Come #1 (Of 6)(2nd Printing Cover A Dan Panosian), $5.99
Marvel Knights The World To Come #1 (Of 6)(2nd Printing Cover B Joe Quesada Black & White Full Art Variant), AR
Marvel Studios' Captain America Brave New World The Art Of The Movie Slipcase HC, $100.00
Marvel Swimsuit Special Friends Foes And Rivals #1 (Cover A Adam Hughes Wraparound Variant), $5.99
Marvel Swimsuit Special Friends Foes And Rivals #1 (Cover B Russell Dauterman Wraparound Variant), $5.99
Marvel Swimsuit Special Friends Foes And Rivals #1 (Cover C Taurin Clarke), $5.99
Marvel Swimsuit Special Friends Foes And Rivals #1 (Cover D Pablo Villalobos), $5.99
Marvel Swimsuit Special Friends Foes And Rivals #1 (Cover E Terry Dodson), $5.99
Marvel Swimsuit Special Friends Foes And Rivals #1 (Cover F Lucas Werneck), $5.99
Marvel Swimsuit Special Friends Foes And Rivals #1 (Cover G Mark Brooks Wraparound Variant), $5.99
Marvel Swimsuit Special Friends Foes And Rivals #1 (Cover H Russell Dauterman Full Art Variant), AR
Marvel Swimsuit Special Friends Foes And Rivals #1 (Cover I Pablo Villalobos Full Art Variant), AR
Micronauts Epic Collection The Original Marvel Years Volume 1 They Came From Inner Space TP, $49.99
Miles Morales Spider-Man #35 (Cover A Federico Vicentini), $3.99
Miles Morales Spider-Man #35 (Cover B Logan Lubera 5-Part Connecting Variant), $3.99
Miles Morales Spider-Man #35 (Cover C Pere Perez Retrovision Variant), $3.99
Miles Morales Spider-Man #35 (Cover D Paco Medina), $3.99
Miles Morales Spider-Man #35 (Cover E Simone Di Meo), AR
Predator Black White And Blood #1 (Of 4)(Cover A Simone Di Meo), $5.99
Predator Black White And Blood #1 (Of 4)(Cover B Mahmud Asrar), $5.99
Predator Black White And Blood #1 (Of 4)(Cover C Paolo Villanelli), $5.99
Predator Black White And Blood #1 (Of 4)(Cover D Federico Vicentini), AR
Predator Black White And Blood #1 (Of 4)(Cover E Simone Di Meo Full Art Variant), AR
Predator Vs. Spider-Man #2 (Of 4)(2nd Printing Cover A Paulo Siqueira), $4.99
Predator Vs. Spider-Man #2 (Of 4)(2nd Printing Cover B Ed McGuinness Full Art Variant), AR
Psylocke Volume 1 Guardian TP, $17.99
Red Hulk #6 (Cover A Paulo Siqueira)(One World Under Doom), $3.99
Red Hulk #6 (Cover B Mike Allred Retrovision Variant)(One World Under Doom), $3.99
Red Hulk #6 (Cover C Dan Panosian)(One World Under Doom), AR
Sentinels Necessary Monsters TP, $17.99
Spider-Man By Michelinie And Bagley Omnibus Volume 2 HC (Cover A Mark Bagley Hulk Book Market Variant), $125.00
Spider-Man By Michelinie And Bagley Omnibus Volume 2 HC (Cover B Mark Bagley Enemies Direct Market Variant), $125.00
Star Wars Ewoks TP, $17.99
Star Wars Legacy Of Vader #6 (Cover A Derrick Chew), $3.99
Star Wars Legacy Of Vader #6 (Cover B Chris Sprouse The Force Awakens 10th Anniversary Variant), $3.99
Star Wars Legacy Of Vader #6 (Cover C Simone Di Meo), $3.99
Star Wars Legacy Of Vader #6 (Cover D Josemaria Casanovas), AR
Superior Avengers #4 (Of 6)(Cover A R. B. Silva)(One World Under Doom), $3.99
Superior Avengers #4 (Of 6)(Cover B Kyle Hotz)(One World Under Doom), $3.99
Ultimate Spider-Man Incursion #2 (Of 5)(Cover A Sara Pichelli), $4.99
Ultimate Spider-Man Incursion #2 (Of 5)(Cover B Cafu), $4.99
Ultimate Spider-Man Incursion #2 (Of 5)(Cover C Sanford Greene), $4.99
Ultimate Spider-Man Incursion #2 (Of 5)(Cover D Giuseppe Camuncoli), AR
Ultimate Spider-Man Incursion #2 (Of 5)(Cover E Cafu Full Art Variant), AR
Uncanny X-Men #17 (Cover A David Marquez), $4.99
Uncanny X-Men #17 (Cover B Ron Frenz Retrovision Variant), $4.99
Uncanny X-Men #17 (Cover C Ejikure Mutina), $4.99
Uncanny X-Men #17 (Cover D Ejikure Mutina Full Art Variant), AR
Uncanny X-Men #17 (Cover E Rod Reis), AR
Wolverine And Kitty Pryde #4 (Of 5)(Cover A Alan Davis), $3.99
Wolverine And Kitty Pryde #4 (Of 5)(Cover B Jan Bazaldua), $3.99
X-Men Onslaught Aftermath Omnibus HC (Cover A Adam Kubert Book Market Variant), $100.00
X-Men Onslaught Aftermath Omnibus HC (Cover B Steve Epting Direct Market Variant), $100.00

---------------------


Comic Books, Magazines and Books Shipping for July 9, 2025

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

MAY251556 ADVENTURE TIME (2025) #4 CVR A NICK WINN $4.99
MAY251557 ADVENTURE TIME (2025) #4 CVR B HICKEY $4.99
MAY251558 ADVENTURE TIME (2025) #4 CVR C MARCELINE GRAY SKETCH $4.99
MAY251060 ARCHIE MEETS JAY & BOB ONESHOT CVR A RUIZ & KOSLOWSKI (MR) $7.99
MAY251061 ARCHIE MEETS JAY & BOB ONESHOT CVR B RUIZ GREYSCALE (MR) $7.99
MAY251062 ARCHIE MEETS JAY & BOB ONESHOT CVR C FRANCAVILLA (MR) $7.99
MAY251063 ARCHIE MEETS JAY & BOB ONESHOT CVR D PHIL HESTER (MR) $7.99
MAY251064 ARCHIE MEETS JAY & BOB ONESHOT CVR E DAN PARENT (MR) $7.99
MAY251065 ARCHIE MEETS JAY & BOB ONESHOT CVR F TY TEMPLETON (MR) $7.99
MAY251068 ARCHIE MEETS JAY & BOB ONESHOT CVR I RUIZ FOIL (MR) $11.99
MAY251069 ARCHIE MEETS JAY & BOB ONESHOT CVR J FRANCAVILLA FOIL (MR) $11.99
APR251317 BLOWTORCH BURY THE PAST SPECIAL COLLECTORS ED CVR B (C: 0-1- $19.99
FEB251891 MEAT EATERS GN (C: 0-1-2) $24.99
APR250837 NEVERLAND SANDS OF ETERNITY CVR A VITORINO $5.99
APR250838 NEVERLAND SANDS OF ETERNITY CVR B TARRAGONA $5.99
APR250839 NEVERLAND SANDS OF ETERNITY CVR C RIVEIRO $5.99
MAY251562 PLAGUE HOUSE #4 (OF 4) CVR A CHISHOLM $4.99
MAY251563 PLAGUE HOUSE #4 (OF 4) CVR B ASH JON $4.99
MAY251292 SIX SHOTS #1 (OF 2) (C: 0-1-1) $4.99

DARK HORSE COMICS
Assassin's Apprentice III #6 (Of 6)(Cover A Anna Steinbauer), $3.99
Blue Book Library Edition Volume 1 HC, $49.99
FML #5 (Of 8)(Cover A David Lopez), $4.99
FML #5 (Of 8)(Cover B Jill Thompson), $4.99
God Of War 20th Anniversary Retrospective, $99.99
God Of War 20th Anniversary Retrospective (Deluxe Edition), $199.00
GWENT Art Of The Witcher Card Game Volume 2 HC, $54.99
Magic Order 5 #6 (Cover A Matteo Buffagni), $4.99
Magic Order 5 #6 (Cover B Matteo Buffagni Black & White Variant), $4.99
Real Ghostbusters A Visual History HC, $54.99
Real Ghostbusters A Visual History HC (Deluxe Edition), $109.99

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
Lilo And Stitch Volume 2 Ohana HC (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $19.99
Lilo And Stitch Volume 2 Ohana TP, $14.99

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS
Hate Revisited TP (per Lunar Distribution), $19.99

IDW PUBLISHING
Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees Rite Of Spring #1 (Cover A Patrick Horvath), $4.99
Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees Rite Of Spring #1 (Cover B Tony Fleecs Movie Homage Variant), $4.99
Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees Rite Of Spring #1 (Cover C Riley Rossmo Storybook Variant), $4.99
Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees Rite Of Spring #1 (Cover D Skottie Young), $4.99
Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees Rite Of Spring #1 (Cover E Patrick Horvath Full Art Variant), AR
Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees Rite Of Spring #1 (Cover F Tony Fleecs Movie Homage Full Art Variant), AR
Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees Rite Of Spring #1 (Cover G Riley Rossmo Storybook Black & White Variant), AR
Godzilla Here There Be Aliens #2 (Cover A Fero Pe), $4.99
Godzilla Here There Be Aliens #2 (Cover B Angel Hernandez), $4.99
Godzilla Here There Be Aliens #2 (Cover C Fero Pe Ful Art Variant), AR
Neal Adams' Classic DC Artist's Edtion HC (Cover A Neal Adams Batman Variant), $150.00
Neal Adams' Classic DC Artist's Edtion HC (Cover B Neal Adams Green Lantern Variant), $150.00
Star Trek Lower Decks #9 (Cover A Vernon Smith), $4.99
Star Trek Lower Decks #9 (Cover B Jack Lawrence), $4.99
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Nation #8 (Cover A Fero Pe), $5.99
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Nation #8 (Cover B Max Dunbar), $5.99
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Nation #8 (Cover C Patricio Delpeche), AR
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Last Ronin II Re-Evolution HC, $34.99

KODANSHA COMICS
A Sign Of Affection Omnibus 3 TP (Volumes 7-9)(per Penguin Random House), $22.99
Medalist Volume 9 GN (per Penguin Random House), $13.99
My Noisy Roommate The Roof Over My Head Comes With Monsters And A Hottie Volume 3 GN (per Penguin Random House), $13.99

ONI PRESS
Blood Type #2 (Of 4)(EC Comics)(Cover A Miguel Mercado), $4.99
Blood Type #2 (Of 4)(EC Comics)(Cover B Andrea Sorrentino), $4.99
Blood Type #2 (Of 4)(EC Comics)(Cover C Albert Monteys EC Homage Variant), AR
Blood Type #2 (Of 4)(EC Comics)(Cover D Andrea Sorrentino Black & White Artist Edition Variant), AR
Blood Type #2 (Of 4)(EC Comics)(Cover E Patricia Martin EC Archive Edition Variant), AR
Dark Regards #3 (Of 4)(Cover A Artyom Topilin), $4.99
Dark Regards #3 (Of 4)(Cover B Noah Bailey), $4.99
Dark Regards #3 (Of 4)(Cover C Noah Bailey Full Art Variant), AR
Dark Regards #3 (Of 4)(Cover D Brian Level Album Cover Variant), AR
Meat Eaters GN, $24.99
Rick And Morty Vs. The Universe #1 (Of 4)(Cover A Dave Bardin), $4.99
Rick And Morty Vs. The Universe #1 (Of 4)(Cover B Juan Gedeon), $4.99
Rick And Morty Vs. The Universe #1 (Of 4)(Cover C Troy Little), $4.99
Rick And Morty Vs. The Universe #1 (Of 4)(Cover D Blank Variant), $4.99
Rick And Morty Vs. The Universe #1 (Of 4)(Cover E Flops Interlocking Variant), AR
Rick And Morty Vs. The Universe #1 (Of 4)(Cover F Tom Fowler Event Variant), AR
Rick And Morty Vs. The Universe #1 (Of 4)(Cover G Jarrett Williams Prime Variant), AR
Rick And Morty Vs. The Universe #1 (Of 4)(Cover H Rian Gonzales Wedding Variant), AR

SUBLIME
Ask And You Will Receive Volume 2 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $12.99
Therapy Game Restart Volume 5 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $12.99

TITAN BOOKS
Black Panther Panther's Rage Prose Novel HC (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $18.99
Conan City Of The Dead Prose Novel HC (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $18.99
Fantastic Four The Coming Of Galactus Prose Novel SC (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $18.99
Ultraman Ultraseven The Official Novel Of The Series SC (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $18.99

TITAN COMICS
Conan The Barbarian #22 (Cover A Dan Panosian), $3.99
Conan The Barbarian #22 (Cover B Riccardo Federici), $3.99
Conan The Barbarian #22 (Cover C Valerio Giangiordano), $3.99
Conan The Barbarian #22 (Cover D Jason Shawn Alexander), $3.99
Conan The Barbarian #22 (Cover F Dan Panosian Full Art Variant), $3.99
Death Sentence The Complete Collection TP (Cover A Martin Simmonds Book Market Variant), $49.99
Minky Woodcock The Girl Called Cthulhu HC, $24.99
Return To Skull Island #1 (Of 4)(Cover A InHyuk Lee), $4.99
Return To Skull Island #1 (Of 4)(Cover B Christopher Jones), $4.99
Return To Skull Island #1 (Of 4)(Cover C Christopher Jones Kong Headshot Variant), $4.99
Return To Skull Island #1 (Of 4)(Cover D Logo Full Art Variant), $4.99
Return To Skull Island #1 (Of 4)(Cover E InHyuk Lee Foil Variant), $14.99
Return To Skull Island #1 (Of 4)(Cover F Color Blank Variant), $5.99
Return To Skull Island #1 (Of 4)(Cover G InHyuk Lee Full Art Variant), $4.99
Savage Sword Of Conan #9 (Cover A Neal Adams), $6.99
Savage Sword Of Conan #9 (Cover B Alex Horley), $6.99
Savage Sword Of Conan #9 (Cover C Neal Adams Full Art Variant), $6.99
Solomon Kane The Serpent Ring #4 (Of 4)(Cover A Jessica Fong), $4.99
Solomon Kane The Serpent Ring #4 (Of 4)(Cover B James Castillo), $4.99
Solomon Kane The Serpent Ring #4 (Of 4)(Cover C Patrick Zircher), $4.99
Solomon Kane The Serpent Ring #4 (Of 4)(Cover D Jessica Fong Full Art Variant), $4.99

TITAN MANGA
Atom The Beginning Volume 11 TP, $12.99
Cosmic Censorship Volume 1 GN, $12.99
Dopeman Volume 2 GN, $12.99
Outsiders Volume 1 GN, $12.99

TOKYOPOP
Emma And Capucine Volume 2 GN (per Penguin Random House), $14.99

TOKYOPOP - LOVE X LOVE
You Can't Live All On Your Own Volume 1 GN (per Penguin Random House), $13.99

VIZ MEDIA
Beyblade X Volume 3 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99
Case Closed Volume 94 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99
Destroy All Humans They Can't Be Regenerated A Magic The Gathering Manga Volume 4 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $14.99
Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Manga Book Of Octavinelle Volume 1 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $14.99
Firefly Wedding Volume 3 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99
Kirby Manga Mania Volume 8 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99
Sleepy Princess In Demon Castle Volume 28 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99
Spider-Man Kizuna Volume 1 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99
Tsumiki Ogami's Not-So-Ordinary Life Volume 1 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99
Ultraman Along Came A Spider-Man Volume 1 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99
Yaiba Samurai Legend Volume 1 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $16.99

MAGAZINES

MAR251276 COMIC SHOP NEWS (100CT BUNDLE) #1977 (NET) $18.99
APR251336 G FAN #147 (C: 0-1-2) $8.95

MERCHANDISE

OCT247765 BEETLEJUICE 2 TOONY TERRORS BEETLEJUICE & DELORES 2PK 6IN AF $34.99
OCT247766 BEETLEJUICE 2 TOONY TERRORS LYDIA AND ASTRID 2PK 6IN AF (NET $34.99
JUL249042 POP VINYL MONSTER HIGH S3 ABBEY FIG (C: 1-1-2) $11.99
JAN257589 SIMPSONS TREEHOUSE OF HORROR KANG PLUSH (NET) (C: 1-1-2) $34.99
JAN257795 TMNT ARCHIE COMICS BELLYBOMB 7IN AF (NET) (C: 1-1-2) $36.99
JAN257072 TMNT LAST RONIN GRAMMY APRIL W/ BABY YI & MOJA 7IN AF (NET) $49.99
JAN257119 TMNT MIRAGE COMICS DLX LEATHERHEAD 7IN AF (NET) (C: 1-1-2) $54.99
JAN257793 TMNT MIRAGE COMICS RED AND BLACK FOOT ASSASSIN 7IN AF (NET) $36.99
JAN257796 TMNT MIRAGE COMICS RED AND BLACK FOOT ENFORCER 7IN AF (NET) $36.99

-----------------------


Sunday, July 6, 2025

Review: Tyler Perry's "STRAW" Gets the Best of Taraji P. Henson

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 29 of 2025 (No. 2035) by Leroy Douresseaux

Straw (2025)
Running time:  105 minutes (1 hour, 45 minutes)
Rating: not rated by the MPA / TV-MA
WRITER/DIRECTOR:  Tyler Perry
PRODUCERS:  Tyler Perry, Angi Bones, and Tony L. Strickland 
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Justyn Moro (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Nick Coker
COMPOSER:  Dara Taylor

DRAMA/CRIME

Starring:  Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor, Sinbad, Rockmond Dunbar, Ashley Versher, Mike Merrill, Glynn Turman, Shalet Monique, Diva Tyler, Derek Phillips, Tilky Jones, Katrina Nelson, Justin James Boykin, and Gabby Jackson

SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW:
-- Taraji P. Henson gives a tour-de-force performance in Straw, the third Tyler Perry film in which she has been the lead and her fourth Perry film, overall. It is a treat to watch so skilled and talented an actress in this film

-- However, as good as it is, Straw is very sad and mournful. Straw is not a tear-jerkier. It is a python of sadness that will squeeze the tears out of you, dear readers.


Straw is a 2025 psychological drama and crime film from writer-director Tyler Perry.  The film is a “Netflix Original,” and it began streaming on the service June 6, 2025.  Straw focuses on an African-American single mother who is forced by a series of unfortunate events into inadvertently taking hostages at a local bank branch.

Straw introduces Janiyah Wiltkinson (Taraji P. Henson).  She is a single mother living in a dilapidated apartment with her frequently ill daughter, Aria (Gabby Jackson).  Janiyah has been able to hold things together, but one particular day, everything starts to fall apart.  Aria's school is demanding $40 for lunch money, and the landlord at her apartment complex is threatening to evict Janiyah if she does not come up with the rent money.

Janiyah's mean boss, Richard (Glynn Turman), at the “Super Center” grocery store is also threatening to fire her over being late for work and for often having to leave work early.  Then, the unthinkable happens, and Janiyah finds herself at “Benevolent Bank & Trust,” where a misunderstanding becomes a major incident.  Now, the bank's manager, Nicole Parker (Sherri Shepherd), and a female police detective, Detective Kay Raymond (Teyana Taylor), may be the only ones who can save Janiyah from more tragedy.

Straw is the fourth Tyler Perry in which actress Taraji P. Henson has appeared, and the third one in which she has been the lead.  I have seen 2009's I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Henson's first starring role in a Perry film, but I have yet to see her second Perry lead, 2018's Acrimony.  Straw is very different from I Can Do Bad All By Myself, which also has Henson play a desperate single mother, but that film was nowhere near as heavyhearted as Straw.

Straw is so gloomy and mournful that it would not be much of an exaggeration to say that I could cut the sadness with a knife and make sandwiches out of it.  I don't want to spoil the film because as crazy as it seems that everything starts to fall apart for Janiyah on the same day, an even crazier or perhaps surreal ending to the film is in the works the entire time.

For all that is unbelievable about his film's plot, Tyler Perry has made Straw into a statement about and indictment of a system that makes it really expensive for poor African-American women to be poor.  Henson, in another sterling performance, makes Perry's eccentricities in Straw convey both his melodramatic goals and socioeconomic messages.  If people think a film like Straw is beneath Henson's talents, they would be wrong.  The very least one can say is that Tyler Perry is not under-utilizing Taraji P. Henson's talents the way the broader... film industry is.

Once again, I can say of a Tyler Perry movie that there is nothing like Straw.  It is one of Perry's better directorial efforts because for all its intensity, Straw's is less melodrama and more cinema verite-ish.  Perry and Henson make me feel that Straw is reality and that its possibilities and speculations are realistic.  Sure, the film doesn't so much as jerk the tears out of the viewer as it squeezes the tears out of the viewer.  Still, Straw reveals that in the lives of certain Americans, the last straw really has many other straws coming behind it.

7 of 10
B+
★★★½ out of 4 stars

Sunday, July 6, 2025


The text is copyright © 2025 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Saturday, July 5, 2025

Review: Ken Colley's "GREETINGS" is Small, But Big on Chills (R.I.P. Ken Colley)

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 28 of 2025 (No. 2034) by Leroy Douresseaux

Greetings (2007)
Running time:  72 minutes (1 hour, 12 minutes:
Rating: Not rated by the MPAA / TV-MA
WRITER/DIRECTOR:  Ken Colley
PRODUCER:  Ken Colley
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Denis Cullem
EDITOR: Andy Coughlan
COMPOSER: Darren Miller

HORROR

Starring:  Mel Stephenson, Matthew Reynolds, Kirsty Cox, Ben Shockley, John Rackham, Henry Dunn, Maria Long, and Kenneth Colley

Greetings is a 2007 British supernatural horror film from writer, producer, and director, Ken Colley.  The film apparently received some kind of limited theatrical release in the United Kingdom because the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) does not list it as a television movie.  In the United States and Canada, the film was released on DVD.  Greetings focuses on a group of friends who gather for a birthday party and find strange things starting to happen after they play with a Ouija board.

Greetings opens in a English flat where a group of eight friends and acquaintances have gathered for a special occasion.  It is the one-year anniversary of the couple, Cathy (Mel Stephenson) and Matt (Matthew Reynolds), and it is also Cathy's birthday.  Cathy and Matt have been in the flat for about a year.  Also in attendance are another couple, Kirsty (Kirsty Cox) and David (Ben Shockley), and friends Alan (John Rackham), Henry (Henry Dunn), Maria (Maria Long), and Ken (Kenneth Colley).

At some point during the festivities, one of the guys realizes that a small end table in the apartment is actually part Ouija board.  Four of the friends start playing with it, and right from the start, they get a message.  The friends all think that one of the group is playing a prank.  The boys are out for some harmless fun, but when strange things start to happen, they blame each other.  Soon, however, it all starts to seem like a joke that has gone too far.  Then, they realize this isn't a joke because something is with them in the flat.

Recently, the English film and television actor, Kenneth “Ken” Colley (1937-2025), died at the age of 87, Monday, June 30, 2025.  He was part of the repertory of actors who appeared regularly in the works of the late English director, Ken Russell (1927-2011), such as 1971's The Music Lovers.  Colley also played “Jesus” in Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979).  Colley may be best known for the role of “Admiral Piett” in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983).  Piett is the only “Imperial officer” to appear in two films in the original Star Wars trilogy and be played by the same actor.

While recently reading Colley biography and filmography, I learned that he directed three films, two short films and one feature film, 2007's Greetings.  I became curious enough to want to see the feature.  I found that Greetings was available via the “Tubi” streaming service, so I gave it a viewing.  The few viewer reviews of the film that I came across on the Internet generally panned the film, but I like it a lot.  Greetings is a micro-budget film – reportedly produced for about ten thousand pounds, but it scares and thrills are not at all small and insignificant.

The setting, apparently a flat, gives the sense of claustrophobia.  Even when the focus is down to four characters, the flat seems too small to hold even a quartet and the unseen menace that is harassing them.

I don't find Greetings as talky as some do because I think the the conversations are what make the actors seem like real friends.  The performances are tight so that the conflicts between the friends have a sense of genuineness; their feelings of offense have a bite to them.  Conversely, their various bonds of friendship also come across as bona fide.  Also, I really like both the cast and the characters they play.  I could watch them all again in another production.

I'm impressed that Mr. Colley got so much out of his small budget.  The film is good, but not great while still managing to be quite entertaining.  I think Colley's screenplay for Greetings could easily be adapted into a larger and pricier horror film.  I generally avoid movies about Ouija boards and seances, because they scare me and make me uncomfortable.  Greetings did exactly that, so I will recommend it to fans of spirit boards and spirit mediums.

6 of 10
B
★★★ out of 4 stars

Saturday, July 5, 2025


The text is copyright © 2025 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site or blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 1st to 5th, 2025 - UPDATE #7

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.

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NEWS:

BOX OFFICE - From THR:  Why did Blumhouse's horror film sequel, "M3GAN 2.0" bomb?  The answer is likely that fewer people who saw the original film in theaters wanted to go to a theater to see a sequel. I'm sure it will do well on streaming.

CELEBRITY - From YahooCanada:  Veteran film and television actor and Emmy-winning voice performer, Keith David ("The Thing," Disney's "The Princess and the Frog"), will receive a star on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame."  The actor, who has over 300 credits on his resume, will receive the star in 2026.

SCANDAL - From Deadline:  Grammy-winning recording artist and music business mogul, Sean "Diddy" Combs, was found guilty of two of the five sex-trafficking counts.  Combs was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges.  He was found guilty on two lesser charges of transportation of former girlfriends for prostitution.  The verdict is seen as a victory for Combs, who was cleared of the most serious charges against him.  The prostitution charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years each.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Oscar-winner Viola Davis and Emmy-winner Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will star in and produce a re-imagining of David Mamet's 1987 film, "House of Games."  MGM released the original, which was Mamet's directorial debut, and Amazon MGM Studios is developing the new version.

OBITS:

From Variety:  American film and television composer, Mark Snow, has died at the age of 78, Friday, July 4, 2025.  A prolific composer, Snow is best known for composing the theme for Fox's former science fiction detective series, "The X-Files," and for composing the music for over 200 episodes of the series.  He also composed almost 300 episodes of the former CBS police drama, "Blue Bloods." Snow also composed the film score for both entries in "The X-Files" films series, "The X-Files" (1998) and "The X-Files: I Want to Believe" (2008).  For his work in TV, Snow received 15 Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

From Variety:  Film and television actor, Michael Madsen, has died at the age of 67, Thursday, July 3, 2025.  Madsen is best known for his roles in several Quentin Tarantino films, "Reservoir Dogs" (1992), "Pulp Fiction" (1994), "Kill Bill, Vol. 1" (2003), "Kill Bill, Vol. 2" (2004), "The Hateful Eight" (2015), and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" (2019). He also appeared in such films as "Thelma & Louise" (1991), "Species" (1995), and "Sin City."  Madsen was a series regular or recurring actor in such TV series as, "St. Elsewhere," "Crime Story," "Tilt," "24," and "Powers," to name a few.

From Deadline:  Australian film and television actor, Julian McMahon, has died at the age of 56, Wednesday, July 2, 2025 of cancer.  He had roles in prominent films based on comic books.  He was "Victor Von Doom/Dr. Doom" in director Tim Story's "Fantastic Four" duology, "Fantastic Four" (2005) and "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" (2007).  He appeared in the 2010 comic book-based film, "RED" and in both a recurring and regular character in Hulu/Marvel Television series, Runaways (2017-18).  McMahon's most prominent work came via TV.  He was "Christian Troy" in the FX medical drama, "Nip/Tuck" (2003-10).  He had a lead role in CBS's "FBI: Most Wanted" from 2020 to 2022, and he appeared in a few episodes of "FBI" and "FBI: International."  McMahon was also the only son of Sir William McMahon, the 20th prime minister of Australia (1971-72).

From Deadline:  Character actor, Peter-Henry Schroeder, has died at the age of 90, Monday, June 7, 2025.  He appeared in such films as "The Seduction of Joe Tynan" (1979) and the Oscar-winning, "Argo" (2012), as a film producer.  He appeared in two episodes of "Star Trek: Enterprise" in 2001 as the "Klingon Chancellor."


Friday, July 4, 2025

A "Star Wars" Link-O-Rama 2025 by Negromancer - UPDATE #21

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like this, MOVIES PAGE, and BUY something(s).

TREATS: From AnotherCookie?:  There is a new online cookie retailer, "AnotherCookie?" The cookies are delicious.
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NEWS AND RUMORS:

OBIT - From TheWrap:  English film and television actor, Kenneth Colley, has died at the age of 87, Monday, June 30, 2025.  Colley may be best known to fans for playing the role of Admiral Piett in "The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) and in "Return of the Jedi" (1983).  He also played "Jesus" in "Monty Python's Life of Bryan" (1979).  He belonged to director Ken Russell's repertory of actors from the 1970s to the 1990s, appearing in such Russell's films as "The Music Lovers" (1971), "The Devils" (1971), and "The Rainbow" (1989), to name a few.  He also appeared in Russell's TV films, "Prisoner of Honor" (1991) and "The Secret Life of Arnold Bax" (1992).

A NEW HOPE - From Variety:   Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy made a surprise appearance on opening night (Thursday, June 12, 2025) of the BFI Film on Film Festival in London, where the ultra-rare, original first print of George Lucas' “Star Wars” was being screened. The BFI’s shocking discovery of the print and the announcement that it would be screened publicly caused a stir among “Star Wars” fans earlier this year, as Lucas has always been vocal about his dislike of the print and famously went on to tinker with the movie. 

COMICS - From Here:  Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You" reviews the new "Star Wars #2."

ANDOR - From ComicBookMovie:  "Andor" showrunner Tony Gilroy talks about struggling to get the budgets he needed to produce Andor, which apparently cost 650 million dollars over two seasons.  Also, he said Disney execs told him "streaming is dead."

OBITUARY - From Deadline:  Welsh art director and production designer for films, Leslie "Les" Dilley, has died at the age of 84, Monday, May 20th, 2025.  Dilley won the Oscar for "Best Art Direction" for "Star Wars" (1977) and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981), sharing both honors with the late Norman Reynolds.  He also received "Best Art Direction" Oscar nominations for his work on "Alien" (1979). "The Empire Strikes Back" (1980), and "The Abyss" (1989). 

DARTH VADER - From THRSAG-AFTRA files unfair labor practice charge over "Darth Vader" AI voice in the game, "Fortnite."  The union claims that Llama Productions failed to notify the labor group and negotiate when it began employing a "James Earl Jones" voice that replaced the work of members. Jones, who died last year, granted Disney rights to use his voice posthumously.

ANDOR - From IGN:  The website explains the ending of the Disney+/Lucasfilm series, "Andor" Season 2.

COMICS - From HereLeroy Douresseaux has reviewed Marvel's new "Star Wars #1."

PRINCESS LEIA - From MensJournal:  "Star Wars" actress, Billie Lourd, offers a touching post of her children watching Lourd's late mother, actress Carrie Fisher, in her iconic Princess Leia role in the film, "Return of the Jedi."

GEORGE LUCAS - From Variety:  At a 45th anniversary event for "The Empire Strikes," George Lucas explains why "Yoda" speaks backward.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Marvel has released solicitation information concerning the "Star Wars" titles that it will publish in July 2025.

STARFIGHTER - From StarWars:  The "Star Wars" film to be directed by "Deadpool & Wolverine" director Shawn Levy and to star Ryan Gosling has a title, "Star Wars: Starfighter."  The film, which is set five years after the events of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," the film will go into production this fall with an anticipated theatrical release date of Memorial Day 2027.

PUBLICATIONS - From StarWars:  "Star Wars Celebration Japan" offered fans a look at covers for upcoming "Star Wars" comic books, manga, novels, artbooks and reference books.

RUMORS - From Variety:  Oscar-winner Mikey Madison ("Anora") has reportedly past on a reported offer to appear in director Shawn Levy's rumored "Star Wars" project starring Ryan Gosling.

EPISODE III - From WorldofReel:  The 20th anniversary release of "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" is on April 25th. The opening weekend at the domestic box office looks to be around 15+ million dollars.

JOHN BOYEGA - From VarietyJohn Boyega addresses the Sith elephant in the "Star Wars" room.  To racist white fans of "Star Wars," there is no room for a black heroes

OBIT - From Variety:  New Zealand actor of the stage, musical theater, and film and television, Clive Revill, died at the age of 94, Tuesday, March 11, 2025.  He provided the voice of "The Emperor" in the original theatrical release of 1980s' "The Empire Strikes Back."  Revill was twice nominated for a Tony Award, "Best Featured Actor for a Musical" for his role in the original 1961 Broadway production of "Irma La Douce" and "Best Actor in a Musical" for his role in the original 1963 Broadway production of "Oliver!"

ANDOR - From THR:  The acclaimed Disney+ "Star Wars" drama, "Andor," is now also available on Hulu.  The first three episodes are free on the Disney+ "YouTube" channel.  The 12-episode second season debuts exclusively on Disney+ April 22nd.

REY SKYWALKER - From Variety:  The planned "Rey Skywalker" movie now has a writer, George Nolfi, ("The Bourne Ultimatum").  Daisey Ridley will reprise her role as Rey.

FUTURE - From THRRyan Gosling is reportedly in talks to be the star of director Shawn Levy's ("Deadpool & Wolverine") planned "Star Wars" movie.

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Marvel is launching a new flagship "Star Wars" comic book series in May 2025.  This new "Star Wars #1" will debut stories set after the events depicted in the 1983 film, "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi."  It will be written by Alex Segura and drawn by Phil Noto.  According to the press information:  "It's the dawn of the New Republic, and as the dust settles after the Battle of Jakku our rebel heroes — Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, and Han Solo — find themselves forging a new order as pirates and thieves swarm to fill the power vacuum left behind by the fallen Empire." The series will reintroduce characters like Mon Mothma and Beilert Valance, among others.

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  To celebrate "Black History Month," Marvel Comics will celebrate Black "Star Wars" characters with variant covers featuring them on four "Star Wars" titles published in February 2025.

NEW TRILOGY - From Deadline:  Lucasfilm has hired writer-producer-director Simon Kinberg to develop a new "Star Wars" trilogy - Episodes 10, 11, and 12.

From THR:  Related to the Simon Kinberg news, the new trilogy will supposedly focus on the the sequel trilogy star, "Rey Skywalker."

MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Marvel will publish a "Star Wars" one-shot comic book, "Star Wars: A New Legacy," in 2025.  It will set up the relaunch of Marvel's ongoing "Star Wars" flagship comic book and also celebrate the tenth anniversary of Marvel regaining the license to publish "Star Wars" titles from Dark Horse Comics. Since then, however, Dark Horse gained a new license to publish "Star Wars" comics for juvenile readers.


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STAR WARS Movie Reviews:

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars"
From Negromancer:  "The Empire Strikes Back"
From Negromancer:  "Return of the Jedi"

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"
From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones"

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Force Awakens
From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"
From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"

From Negromancer:  "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2008 animated film)
From Negromancer:  "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"
From Negromancer:  "Solo: A Star Wars Story" 

I Reads You "Star Wars Central" comics and graphic novel review page is here.

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