Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 1st to 9th, 2025 - UPDATE #6

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:

WRITERS - From Variety:   The Writers Guild of America announced Friday, Aug. 8th that it has expelled two members, Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar, for writing on their HBO miniseries “The Sympathizer” during the 2023 strike.  The seven-episode series, which starred Hoa Xuande and Robert Downey, Jr. aired in 2024.  According to the guild, Park and McKellar did not appeal their expulsions. 

CELEBRITY - From USAToday:  Actor Dean Cain, who played Clark Kent/Superman in the former ABC drama, "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," says that he has joined U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

BUSINESS - From Deadline:  Skydance Media announced the future executive team for its pending merger with Paramount Global, which will close Aug. 7. Skydance Media will apparently also restructe the company into three primary business segments: 1. Studios; 2. Direct-to-Consumer (DTC); and 3. TV Media.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner at the 8/1 to 8/3/2025 weekend box office is Disney/Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps with an estimated total of 40 million dollars.

MOVIES - From WorldofReel:  Aaron Sorkin is eyeing Oscar-winner Mikey Madison (“Anora”) and Emmy-winner Jeremy Allen White (“The Bear”) as his top choices to lead "The Social Network II," the sequel to his Oscar-winning hit, “The Social Network.”

OBITS:

From Variety:  American actress, Loni Anderson, has died at the age of 79, Sunday, August 3, 2025.  Anderson was best known for her work in television, especially the former CBS sitcom, "WKRP in Cincinnati (1978-81), playing the smart and resourceful secretary, "Jennifer Marlowe."  Her performance in the series earned her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations in the category of "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series."  Anderson also appeared in such TV movies as "The Jayne Mansfield Story" (1980), "Sorry, Wrong Number" (1989), and "White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd (1991).  Anderson also starred in the short-lived NBC crime drama, "Partners in Crime" (1984-85) with Lynda Carter of "Wonder Woman" fame.

From Deadline:  American film and television actor, Alfie Wise, has died at the age of 82, Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Wise is known for his friendship and profession collaborations with late movie star, Burt Reynolds, beginning with the 1974 film, "The Longest Yard."  This would continue in such films as "Smokey and the Bandit" (1977), "Hooper" (1978), and "Cannonball Run" (1981), to name a few.  Wise also-starred with Reynolds in the short-lived ABC detective drama, "B.L. Stryker" )1989-90).  Wise also starred in series without Reynolds.  This includes the former ABC medical drama, "Trauma Center" (1983), and in various TV series starring the British pop group, "S Club 7," over a period covering 1999 to 2002.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 27th to 31st, 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.

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

NEWS:

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Oscar-nominee and Emmy-winner, Jeremy Strong, is in consideration to play Meta CEO and Facebook co-founder, Mark Zuckerberg, in "The Social Network II," Aaron Sorkin's sequel to his Oscar-winning hit film, "The Social Network."

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Rosalind Eleazar has landed the lead role of "Misty Green" in Chris Rock‘s first feature for A24, a currently untitled project that Rock is starring in and directing from his own script.  Others aboard to star include Adam Driver, Daniel Kaluuya, and Anna Kendrick.

MOVIES - From CBSNews:  "CBS Sunday Morning" had a report that The Wizard of Oz has received a high-tech transformation at Sphere Las Vegas, using cutting-edge AI to enhance the original film in stunning 16K detail.  

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner at the 7/25 to 7/27/2025 weekend box office is Disney/Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" with an estimated total of 118 million dollars.

From Deadline:  Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" debuts with 218 million dollars at the global box office, which includes 100 million dollars in international sales.

ANIMATION - From Deadline:  The live-action/animation hybrid film, "Coyote vs. Acme," is currently scheduled to get a global release August 28, 2026.  The film was abandoned by Warner Bros Pictures, but saved by Ketchup Entertainment.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American film editor, Don Zimmerman, has died at the age of 81, Thursday, July 24, 2025.  Zimmerman edited six films by director Hal Ashby, including "Coming Home," for which he received a "Best Film Editing" Oscar nomination. The prolific Zimmerman also edited such films as "Rocky III" (1982), "Staying Alive" (1983), "Rocky IV" (1985), "The Prince of Tides" (1991), "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" (1994), and "Night at the Museum" (2006), to name a few.

From Deadline:  American film and television editor, Chris Willingham, has died at the age of 74, June 28, 2025.  Willingham received 5 Primetime Emmy Award nominations for editing the former Fox TV action-drama, "24," and won three of them.  He edited many TV series, with "The A-Team," "Millenium," "24," and "Grimm" being the ones in which he edited the most episodes.  He also edited the films, "Final Destination 3" and "Black Christmas" (2006).

Review: "THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS" Focuses on Family

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 32 of 2025 (No. 2038) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

Running time:  115 minutes (1 hour, 55 minutes)

Rating:  MPA – PG-13 for action/violence and some language

DIRECTOR:  Matt Shakman

WRITERS:  Josh Friedman, Eric Person, and Jeff Kaplan & Ian Springer; from a story by Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan & Ian Springer, and Kat Wood (based on the Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby)

PRODUCER:  Kevin Feige

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Jess Hall (D.o.P.)

EDITORS:  Nona Khodai and Tim Roche

COMPOSER:  Michael Giacchino

SUPERHERO/SCI-FI/ACTION and FANTASY/DRAMA

Starring:  Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser, Sarah Niles, Mark Gatiss, and Matthew Wood (voice)

SUMMARY OF REVIEW:

-- I found the lead characters, “The Fantastic Four” to be a bit too mild-mannered, and things do seem to come too easily for them. However, this quartet is quite lovable and adorable, and when he comes along, the baby starts to steal the show.

-- “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” has two great villains in Galactus and the Silver Surfer, with the Surfer dominating most scenes in which she appears. In fact, the action scenes are hyper-intense and breathtaking. I was riveted to the screen while watching them.

-- Overall, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is by far the best “Fantastic Four” movie to date, and I put it ahead of the recent “Superman” and “Thunderbolts*”

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a 2025 American superhero movie and science fiction film from director Matt Shakman and Marvel Studios.  The film is based on Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, which was created by artist Jack Kirby and writer Stan Lee and first appeared in the comic book, The Fantastic Four #1 (cover dated: November 1961).  It is also the 37th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the second reboot of the Fantastic Four film franchise.  In First Steps, the Fantastic Four is forced to balance their family life and their superhero life as never before when a god-like space being and his enigmatic herald arrive and mark Earth for destruction.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens on Earth-828  in the year 1960.  It introduces “The Fantastic Four,” a quartet of astronauts turned superheroes.  First is the highly intelligent scientist, Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), who as “Mr. Fantastic” can stretch any part of his body to great lengths.  Next is Reed's wife, Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), the founder of the “Future Foundation,” a global demilitarization and world peace organization.  As the “Invisible Woman” Sue can generate force fields and turn invisible.  Then, there is the brilliant pilot, former astronaut, and Reed's best friend, Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), a.k.a. “The Thing,” whose skin has been transformed into a layer of orange rock, which grants him super-human strength and durability.  Finally, there is Sue's younger brother, Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), who as the “Human Torch,” can engulf his body in flames, control fire, and fly.

The world honors The Fantastic Four for what they have given humanity, so when Reed and Sue reveal that they are expecting a child, the world celebrates and prepares for the new arrival, while also wondering if the child will also have super-powers.  However, the celebrating is short-lived.  A metallic-skinned, seemingly-female alien arrives from space, riding a surfboard.  This “Silver Surfer” (Julia Garner) is the herald of Galactus (Ralph Ineson), a planet-devouring cosmic being, and he is coming to devour Earth.  Now, the members of The Fantastic Four face their toughest test ever, and the price they must pay to save the Earth may be too high for even them to pay.

I actually enjoyed Tim Story's two Fantastic Four films the aughts, Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007).  Director Josh Trank's 2015 reboot of the franchise, Fantastic Four, had a lot of good ideas, but alleged studio interference turned the film into a wreck.  The Fantastic Four: First Steps is not at all a wreck.  Its intense action sequences had me gripping the armrests of my seat at the local movie theater.  The villains are great.  Galactus is awesome and even scarier than the gargantuan “Celestials” of Marvel Studios' 2021 epic, Eternals; he seemed unbeatable.  Julia Garner's Silver Surfer is 10 times the herald the one in Rise of the Silver Surfer is.  This Silver Surfer, whose original name was “Shalla Bal,” is like a velociraptor on a surfboard.  She chases our heroes with the unrelenting hellish fury of the “Headless Horseman” that chases Ichabod Crane in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” segment of Disney's The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949).

On the other hand, the heroes of The Fantastic Four: First Steps come across as too mild-mannered.  They are so accomplished that everything seems to come too easy for them.  Even when they are angry with one another, that anger lacks passion.  In fact, I'd call the cast and characters dispassionate.  It is as if the film's director, Matt Shakman, who does an excellent job overall, wants his leads to be inoffensive.  I like the casting of the leads, but they need to breath a little more fire.

In the end, I like that Disney and Marvel Studios finally take the opportunity to honor the late Jack Kirby (1917-1994), the comic book writer-artist who created the Fantastic Four with the late Stan Lee (1922-2018).  There are several nods to Kirby, and this is long overdue.  That makes me love First Steps even more.  It is almost a great film, and its special effects and inventive and imaginative retro-futuristic elements endlessly fascinate me.  The Fantastic Four: First Steps is hugely entertaining, and these are the right first steps to bring the Fantastic Four into the cinematic prominence they deserve.

8 of 10

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

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

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Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama 2025 - UPDATE #23

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

Support Leroy 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: Looking for a delicious treat? Try AnotherCookie.

NEWS:

FANTASTIC FOUR - From IGN:  The website lists all the "Easter eggs" the staff caught in "The Fantastic Four" First Steps."

From Variety:  Oscar-nominated actor, John Malkovich, plays the "Red Ghost" in "The Fantastic Four: First Steps."  According to the film's director, Matt Shakman, Malkovich's part in the film has been edited out.

SPIDER-MAN - From THR:  Jon Bernthal will reportedly reprise his role as Frank Castle/The Punisher in the fourth Tom Holland Spider-Man film, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day."

X-MEN - From Variety:  In an article about a fourth Marvel Studios release for 2028 (specifically December 15th), comes some kind of official confirmation that "Thunderbolts*" director Jake Schreier will helm Marvel's "X-Men" reboot movie.

FANTASTIC FOUR - From Fox8:  Pop Tarts is joining Marvel Studios to promote the latter's upcoming film, "Fantastic Four: First Steps," and in doing so, Pop Tarts is bring back "Frosted Blue Raspberry" after a six-year hiatus.

AVENGERS - From Variety:  Disney has announced that "Avengers: Doomsday" is moving from May 2026 to December 2026. Consequently, "Avengers: Secret Wars" is moving from May 2027 to December 2027.  As of now, after "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" debuts this July, there won't be another Marvel Cinematic Universe film until July 2026's "Spider-Man: Brand New Day."

DAREDEVIL - From Variety:  Actress Krysten Ritter, who played the character "Jessica Jones" in several Netflix/Marvel Television series, will return as the character for Season 2 for the Disney+/Marvel Studios series, "Daredevil: Born Again."

THUNDERBOLTS* - From Here:  Leroy Douresseaux reviews "Thunderbolts*"

From Variety:  Marvel Studios' "Thunderbolts*" tops the 5/2 to 5/4/2025 weekend box office with an estimated total of 76 million dollars domestically and 86.1 million dollars internationally for a global total of 162.1 million dollars.

FANTASTIC FOUR - From Marvel:  Marvel Studios has released the first full trailer for "Fantastic Four: First Steps," which is due in theaters, July 25, 2025.

AVENGERS - From Variety:  Halle Berry says fans should not expect to see her name among the actors appearing in "Avengers: Doomsday."

SPIDER-MAN - From THR:  "Spider-Man 4" is untitled no longer.  The fourth "Spider-Man" film starring Tom Holland has a title, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day."  It is set to hit theaters July 31, 2026 and will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton ("Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings").

IRON FIST - From Variety:  At a recent anime convention, actor Finn Jones, let the world know that he wants a second chance to play the Marvel Comics' character, Danny Rand/Iron Fist, although the character has come under heavy criticism in recent times.  Finn played Iron Fist in two seasons of the Netflix/Marvel series, "Iron Fist" (2017, 2018) and in the Netflix miniseries, "The Defenders" (2017), and one episode of Netflix's "Luke Cage" Season 2. 

BLADE - From WorldofReel:  According to a well-placed source, Marvel Studios has cancelled its plans for a "Blade" movie.  Apparently, Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali will appear as Blade in a supporting or costarring role in other planned Marvel films.

AVENGERS - From THR:  In a four-hour long livestream, Marvel Studios' revealed the cast of "Avengers: Doomsday," although the names revealed are reportedly not the only stars who will appear in the film.

From ComicBookMovie:  The site has the full cast list of the 27 actors set to star in Marvel's 2026 Avengers event movie, "Avengers: Doomsday."

THUNDERBOLTS - EmpireOnline:  The website, "Empire Online" previews "Empire" magazine's "May 2025" issue, which goes in depth on Marvel Studios' next film, "Thunderbolts" (May 2nd).  The film's director, Jake Schreier, sits "Toy Story 3" as an influence.

DOOMSDAY - From Variety:  Brothers Joe and Anthony Russo, the directors of "Avengers: Doomsday," had some news about Oscar-winning actor Robert Downey Jr.'s intense preparation for the film.  They said that Downey, who is playing Doctor Doom, is already writing backstory for the character and is coming up with costume ideas. Downey previously played Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

BLACK PANTHER - From Variety:  Angela Bassett says that she was deserving of winning the "Best Supporting Actress" Oscar for her performance in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." Although she was nominated, she lost to Jamie Lee Curtis.

CAPTAIN AMERICA - From Variety:  "Captain America: Brave New World" tops the 2/14 to 2/16/2025 weekend box office with an estimated total of 88.5 million dollars. The film is estimated to gross 100 million dollars over the four-day Presidents Day weekend (2/14 to 2/17/2025).

THE FANTASTIC FOUR - From Deadline:  Disney/Marvel Studios has released the first teaser trailer (Feb. 4th) for "The Fantastic Four: First Steps."  There's a glimpse of Galactus, and "H.E.R.B.I.E." the robot is featured.  The film is due in theaters July 25th, 2025.

AVENGERS: - From Variety:  In a candid interview, Benedict Cumberbatch says that he will not appear as "Doctor Strange" in Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Doomsday" (2026), but that he will be all over "Avengers: Secret Wars" (2027).  He also says that there will be a third stand-alone Doctor Strange film.

SPIDER-MAN 4 - From Deadline:  Anderw Garfield, "Spider-Man" in "The Amazing Spider-Man" and in "Spider-Man: No Way Home," denies that he has been cast in Sony/Marvel's "Spider-Man 4."

THUNDERBOLTS - From EW:  "Entertainment Weekly" has an exclusive preview of Marvel Studios' "Thunderbolts," including new images from the film.  Also, in the article, actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus says that all the schemes of her character, Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, will be revealed.

GOLDEN GLOBES - From CBR:  Kathryn Hahn has been nominated for her role of "Agatha Harkness" in the Disney+ series, "Agatha All Along."  Hahn received a nomiation in the category of "Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy" at the 2025 / 82nd Annual Golden Globes.  Hahn is the fourth actor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to received a Golden Globe nomination following Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen in the Disney+ miniseries, "WandaVision," and Angela Bassett in the 2022 film, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."  Hahn's nomination that "Agatha All Along" received.

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MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU):

Review: Iron Man (2008)

Review: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Review: Iron Man 2 (2010)

Review: Thor (2011)

Review:  Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Review:  Marvel's The Avengers (2012)

Review: Iron Man 3 (2013)

Review: Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Review:  Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Review: Ant-Man (2015)

Review: Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Review: Doctor Strange (2016)

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

Review:  Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Review: Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Review:  Black Panther (2018)

Review:  Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Review: Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Review:  Captain Marvel (2019)

Review: Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Review:  Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Review: Black Widow (2021)

Review: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Review: Eternals (2021)

Review: Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Review: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Review: Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Review: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Review: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 (2023)

Review: The Marvels (2023)

Review: Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

Review: Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

Review: Thunderbolts* (2025)

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Click here for the 2024 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama"

Click here for the 2023 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama"

Click here for the 2022 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama"

Click here for the 2021 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

Click here for the 2020 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

Click here for the 2019 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

Click here for the 2018 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from July 20th to 26th, 2025 - UPDATE #11

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.

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

NEWS:

SCANDAL - From WorldofReel:  27-year-old actor, Michael Ward, is a rising star, having appeared in such films as "Old Guard" (2020), "Empire of Light" (2022), and "Eddington" (2025), to name a few.  Now, the Jamaican-born, British actor has been arrested by the London Metropolitan Police and charged with two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault.

BOX OFFICE - From Deadline:  Disney/Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" grosses an estimated 24+ million dollars in Thursday preview shows.

MOVIES - From WorldofReel:  Margot Robbie will star in and produce director Tim Burton's remake of the 1958 film, "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman."

STREAMING/ANIMATION - From Variety:  As part of the 1.5 billion dollar deal that Trey Parker and Matt Stone signed with Paramount+, they will produce 50 new episodes of "South Park," the long-running animated series they created.  All episodes of the series will stream on Paramount+

From YahooLATimes:  "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have reached a deal with Paramount+ that will brings the long-running animated series to the U.S. version of the streaming service for the first time.  The five-year deal is worth 1.5 billion dollars in total.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 7/18 to 7/20/2025 weekend box office is Warner Bros/DC Studios' Superman with an estimated take of 57.25 million dollars.

STREAMING - From Deadline:    Peacock is filling out the cast of its "Friday the 13th" prequel series, "Crystal Lake," from A24.  Young actor Callum Vinson ("Chucky") will play future killer, Jason Voorhees. Brad Caleb Kane serves as creator, writer, showrunner and executive producer of the series.

OBITS:

From Variety:  American professional wrestler, film and television actor, and media personality, Hulk Hogan, has died at the age of 71, Thursday, July 24, 2025.  Born Terry Gene Bollea, Hogan was best known for his professional wrestling career, which ran from 1977 to 2012, and for his flamboyant personality and massive physique, as well as his blond horseshoe mustache and bandanas.  As an actor, he appeared in such films as "Rocky III" (1982) and "No Holds Barred" (1989) and in such TV series as "The A-Team," "Walker, Texas Ranger," and in his own reality series, "Hogan Knows Best" (2005-07), for the cable network VH1.

From Deadline:  English singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist, and media personality, Ozzy Osbourne, has died at the age of 76, Tuesday, July 22, 2025.  Osbourne was best known as a pioneer in the "heavy metal" genre of rock music, first as a founding member of the seminal rock band, "Black Sabbath," in 1968.  In 1980, Osbourne released "Blizzard of Ozz," the first of 13 solo albums.  He was inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" in 2006 as a member of Black Sabbath and in 2024 as a solo artist.  Osbourne received 12 Grammy Awards nominations and won five of them, and he received the Grammy "Lifetime Achievement Award" in 2019.  Osbourne also achieved even more fame and notoriety when he and his wife, Sharon, and their daughter, Kelly, and their son, Jack, became stars of the MTV reality television series, "The Osbournes," which originally aired from 2002 to 2005.

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From Variety:  The film and television actor and recording artist, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, has died at the age of 54, Sunday, July 20, 2025 of an accidental drowning while swimming in Costa Rica.  Warner was best known for the role of "Theodore 'Theo' Huxtable" on NBC's former sitcom, "The Cosby Show" (1984-92). He received a 1986 Primetime Emmy nomination for the role.  He co-starred with Eddie Griffin in the former UPN sitcom, "Malcolm & Eddie" (1996-2000). He co-starred with "Seinfeld's" Jason Alexander in the short-lived CBS sitcom, "Listen Up" (2004-05).  Warner was part of the main cast of the former Fox medical drama "The Resident" (2018-23).  In 2015, Warner received the Grammy Award in the category of "Best Traditional R&B Peformance" for the song, "Jesus Children," with Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway.

From Deadline:  Deadline offers "Malcolm-Jamal Warner, a career in photos"

From Deadline:  Bill Cosby remembers his TV son, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, with CBS News' Jericka Duncan.

Comic Books, Magazines and Books from Lunar and Diamond Distributors for June 18, 2025

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APR251329 GHOST AGENTS CRIMSON APOCALYPSE GN (C: 0-1-2) $20.00

APR251330 GHOST AGENTS LANDGRAF MEESIMO (ONE SHOT) $10.00

APR251811 GHOST IN THE SHELL HUMAN ALGORITHM VOL 05 (C: 0-1-1) $12.99

APR251518 GNOME & RAT GN (C: 0-1-2) $7.99

MAR250838 GREAT BRITISH BUMP OFF KILL OR BE QUILT #3 $4.99

APR250849 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #97 CVR A IGOR VITORINO $4.99

APR250850 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #97 CVR B GUILLERMO FAJARDO $4.99

APR250851 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #97 CVR C IGOR LOMOV $4.99

APR250852 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #97 CVR D JOSH BURNS $4.99

APR251619 GRUMPY MONKEY SCHOOL STINKS GN (C: 0-1-2) $10.99

APR251331 HALF OF THE CROWN GN VOL 01 (OF 4) REDUX (C: 0-1-2) $15.00

APR251332 HALF OF THE CROWN GN VOL 02 (OF 4) (C: 0-1-2) $15.00

APR250905 I HEART SKULL-CRUSHER #10 CVR A ZONNO $4.99

APR250906 I HEART SKULL-CRUSHER #10 CVR B ORTIZ $4.99

APR250908 I HEART SKULL-CRUSHER #10 CVR D UNLOCKABLE ORTIZ VIR $4.99

APR251415 IDRIS FILE HC (C: 0-1-2) $24.99

JAN252107 ISHURA TP VOL 09 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $16.00

APR251519 KICKTURN HC (C: 0-1-2) $17.99

JAN251865 KILL THEM ALL HC (C: 0-1-2) $24.99

MAR251869 LAST GAME GN VOL 09 (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

APR250919 LAST WITCH BLOOD AND BETRAYAL #1 CVR A $5.99

APR250920 LAST WITCH BLOOD AND BETRAYAL #1 CVR B $5.99

APR250922 LAST WITCH BLOOD AND BETRAYAL #1 CVR D UNLOCKABLE VIR $5.99

JAN257389 LOS MONSTRUOS #2 $4.99

JAN251866 LOST SUNDAY HC (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

MAR251871 LOVE IS AN ILLUSION GN VOL 07 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $29.99

FEB258726 METAL HURLANT TP VOL 01 OLD DREAMS YOUNG VISIONS (MR) (C: $29.99

JAN251417 MONKEY PEAK GN VOL 04 (C: 0-1-1) $24.99

APR251017 MONSTER HIGH LOCKETNESS MONSTER ONE SHOT $3.99

APR251494 MOON GODDESS #1 (OF 2) $4.99

APR250930 MOUSE GUARD DAWN OF THE BLACK AXE #3 (OF 3) CVR A RODRIGUEZ $4.99

APR250931 MOUSE GUARD DAWN OF THE BLACK AXE #3 (OF 3) CVR B PETERSEN $4.99

APR251967 MY ADORABLE BETROTHED GN (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

FEB252243 MY CONTRACT WITH THE APOTHECARY MONSTER GN VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

MAR251875 MY STEPMOTHER & STEPSISTERS ARENT WICKED GN VOL 06 (C: 0-1-1 $14.99

MAR251876 NAKAMURA SAN UNINVITED GYARU GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

MAR251877 NEW RECRUIT GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-2) $21.99

JAN251732 ONYX THE FORTUITOUS AND THE TALISMAN OF SOULS HC (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

SEP241776 PUNCH COLLECTED ED HC (MR) $49.99

APR251949 RAGNA CRIMSON GN VOL 14 (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

APR251817 RENT A GIRLFRIEND GN VOL 31 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

APR251265 REVOLUTION OF CASSANDRA #1 (OF 3) (C: 0-1-1) $5.99

APR251513 ROBOT + GIRL #8 CVR A RUN FOR THEIR LIVES $5.99

APR251514 ROBOT + GIRL #8 CVR B NOTIFICATION $5.99

APR251515 ROBOT + GIRL #8 CVR C HOLOFOIL FLIPBOOK $29.99

MAR257444 ROBOT + GIRL #8 CVR D GEOFFREY GWIN $5.99

APR251819 SAVING 80K GOLD IN ANOTHER WORLD GN VOL 11 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

APR251820 SENPAI IS AN OTOKONOKO GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $15.99

DEC241467 SHI HAIKYO #1 (OF 2) CVR A BILLY TUCCI (MR) $5.99

DEC241468 SHI HAIKYO #1 (OF 2) CVR B JEFF CHAPMAN (MR) $5.99

DEC241469 SHI HAIKYO #1 (OF 2) CVR C MARIA LAURA SANAP PEARL ED (MR) $30.00

APR251823 SHOUT LOUD MY HEART GN (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

FEB258852 SHWD COMPLETE YURI COLL GN (C: 0-1-2) $29.99

APR251022 STAR TREK OMEGA #1 CVR A WARD $5.99

APR251023 STAR TREK OMEGA #1 CVR B ROSANAS $5.99

MAR250861 STRANGER THINGS D&D RISE OF HELLFIRE #4 CVR A WOHL $4.99

MAR250862 STRANGER THINGS D&D RISE OF HELLFIRE #4 CVR B PIRIZ $4.99

MAR250863 STRANGER THINGS D&D RISE OF HELLFIRE #4 CVR C IRIZARRI $4.99

MAR250864 STRANGER THINGS D&D RISE OF HELLFIRE #4 CVR D WILSON $4.99

APR251238 THEY CHOOSE VIOLENCE #1 (OF 5) CVR A RAHZZAH (MR) $4.99

APR251239 THEY CHOOSE VIOLENCE #1 (OF 5) CVR B BAKER (MR) $4.99

FEB252197 TOO MANY LOSING HEROINES GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

APR251060 TOXIE TEAM UP #1 (OF 5) CVR A HARPER (MR) $3.99

APR251062 TOXIE TEAM UP #1 (OF 5) CVR C HARPER BAGGED W TC CARD (MR) $4.99

MAR251888 TRAPPED IN DATING SIM WORLD OTOME GAMES GN VOL 12 (C: 0-1-1) $13.99

APR251244 TRIDENT OF AURELIA CORAZON #2 (OF 4) CVR A OXENUK $4.99

FEB251183 TRIGUN MAXIMUM DLX ED HC VOL 05 (C: 0-1-2) $49.99

APR251975 TWILIGHT OUT OF FOCUS BOX SET (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $54.95

MAR250880 USAGI YOJIMBO TEN THOUSAND PLUMS #4 CVR A SAKAI $4.99

MAR250881 USAGI YOJIMBO TEN THOUSAND PLUMS #4 CVR B ARIGA $4.99

MAR250883 VATICAN CITY #3 CVR A BERG (MR) $5.99

MAR250884 VATICAN CITY #3 CVR B BERG B&W (MR) $5.99

FEB252228 WASH IT ALL AWAY GN VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

FEB251184 WHERE MONSTERS LIE TP VOL 02 CULL DE SAC (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

APR251418 WRESTLER HC (C: 0-1-2) $22.99

APR251433 YELP YETI CHAOS IN KATHMANDU GN (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

MAR251891 YOU LIKE ME NOT MY DAUGHTER GN VOL 06 (C: 0-1-1) $13.99

MAR250887 YOU NEVER HEARD OF ME #5 $3.99

DEC241413 YOUNG NOMADDS TP VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $9.99

APR251424 ZAGOR FOREST OF CROSSED DESTINIES SIGNATURE ED (C: 0-1-1) $15.99

APR251425 ZAGOR NORTHWEST PASSAGE SIGNATURE ED (C: 0-1-1) $33.99

APR250832 ZENESCOPE LEGENDS SUMMER 2025 CVR A MARCO SANTUCCI $6.99

APR250833 ZENESCOPE LEGENDS SUMMER 2025 CVR B IGOR VITORINO $6.99

APR250834 ZENESCOPE LEGENDS SUMMER 2025 CVR C FAJARDO $6.99

APR250835 ZENESCOPE LEGENDS SUMMER 2025 CVR D JOHN ROYLE $6.99

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

Caravaggio The Palette And The Sword Volume 2 GN (per Lunar Distribution), $19.99

Devil's Grin Volume 1 GN (per Lunar Distribution), $29.99

VIZ MEDIA

Choujin X Volume 9 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $16.99

Dogsred Volume 2 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $14.99

Fool Night Volume 5 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $14.99

Haikyu 3-In-1 Edition Volume 5 TP (Volumes 13-15)(not verified by Diamond Distribution), $16.99

Heart Gear Volume 5 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $14.99

Insomniacs After School Volume 10 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $14.99

Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc. 8 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $14.99

Mission Yozakura Family Volume 17 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99

Undead Unluck Volume 20 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99

Zom 100 Bucket List Of The Dead Volume 17 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $14.99

MAGAZINES

FEB251510 COMIC SHOP NEWS (100CT BUNDLE) #1974 (NET) $18.99

APR251524 LOCUS MAGAZINE #773 VOL 94 NO 6 (C: 0-1-1) $12.50

MAR258533 MONSTER BASH MAGAZINE #56 (RES) (C: 0-1-1) $9.99

JAN258613 RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE #225 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $14.95

MAR251604 SCREEM #43 CREECH PX ED (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

BOOKS

APR251464 BIRTHDAY SURPRISE STITCH LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK HC (C: 1-1-2) $5.99

JAN252104 DETECTIVE IS ALREADY DEAD NOVEL SC VOL 10 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $16.00

JAN252105 KEPT PRESSING 100-MILLION YEAR BUTTON LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 10 $16.00

MAR250305 MARVEL STUDIOS INFINITY SAGA DOCTOR STRANGE ART OF MOVIE HC $50.00

MAR251900 MIMOSA CONFESSIONS SC NOVEL VOL 04 (C: 0-1-2) $15.99

JAN251818 PALADINS THE BLUE DEATH PROSE NOVEL SC (C: 0-1-2) $9.99

MAR251901 REBORN AS A SPACE MERCENARY LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 12 (C: 0-1-2) $15.99

APR251341 STAR WARS ACOLYTE VISUAL GUIDE HC (C: 1-1-2) $25.00

APR251343 SUPERMAN MAN OF STEEL ULTIMATE VISUAL GUIDE HC (C: 0-1-2) $29.99

MAR251916 VILLAINESS & DEMON KNIGHT L NOVEL SC VOL 03 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $15.99

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

Comic Books, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for May 28, 2025

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

MAR251159 27 RUN CRASH TP VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $9.99

MAR251808 A CONDITION OF LOVE GN VOL 13 (C: 0-1-1) $10.99

MAR250773 ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #361 $9.99

SEP242135 ASCENCIA #28 (MR) $4.99

SEP241091 ASSASSINS CREED VISIONARIES TP VOL 01 (MR) $17.99

SEP241092 ASSASSINS CREED VISIONARIES TP VOL 01 1ST PRINT ED (MR) $19.99

MAR251807 AYAKASHI HUNTERS TAINTED BRIDE GN VOL 02 (C: 0-1-1) $13.99

FEB252112 AYAKASHI TRIANGLE GN VOL 15 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $13.99

MAR251377 BADGER MAD MONKEY SHOCK N ROLL #5 (OF 5) (C: 0-0-1) $6.99

DEC240998 BARSTOW #4 $4.99

FEB251127 BLACK HAMMER SPIRAL CITY #6 CVR A KRISTIANSEN $3.99

FEB251128 BLACK HAMMER SPIRAL CITY #6 CVR B YARSKY $3.99

MAR251285 BONE GRINDER #1 (OF 2) (C: 0-1-2) $7.00

FEB252160 CHILLIN ANOTHER WORLD LEVEL 2 SUPER CHEAT POWERS GN VOL 10 ( $13.99

SEP241180 CRITICAL ROLE VOX MACHINA ORIGINS IV #6 (RES) $3.99

FEB252163 CUTIE & BEAST GN VOL 04 (RES) (C: 0-1-1) $12.99

FEB251443 DEAD DETECTIVE #1 (OF 5) SPECIAL VIRGIN SILVA (C: 0-1-0) $9.99

FEB251444 DEAD DETECTIVE #2 (OF 5) SPECIAL VIRGIN JANSEN (C: 0-1-0) $9.99

NOV241887 DEAD SAMURAI #2 CVR A BILL SIENKIEWICZ (MR) $5.99

NOV241888 DEAD SAMURAI #2 CVR B TIM VIGIL (MR) $5.99

FEB257425 DETECTIVE KAIJU #1 (OF 4) CVR A WALLIS (RES) (MR) $4.99

FEB257426 DETECTIVE KAIJU #1 (OF 4) CVR B JAKE SMITH (RES) (MR) $4.99

FEB257427 DETECTIVE KAIJU #1 (OF 4) CVR C CALERO HOMAGE (RES) (MR) $4.99

FEB257428 DETECTIVE KAIJU #1 (OF 4) CVR D JON SOMMARIVA (RES) (MR) $4.99

FEB257672 DETECTIVE KAIJU #1 (OF 4) CVR E BLANK SKETCH VAR (LTD 1000) $6.99

NOV241755 DOCTOR WHO MONSTROUS BEAUTY TP (C: 0-1-2) $29.99

FEB252114 ELF SISTERS CANT WAIT FOR NIGHT GN VOL 02 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

JAN251217 ELFQUEST ORIGINAL QUEST HC VOL 02 FORBIDDEN GROVE (C: 0-1-2) $29.99

MAR251480 FACE MEAT GN (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $19.95

FEB252166 FAIRY CAT GN VOL 01 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $14.99

JAN257824 FREE FOR ALL #1 CVR 3RD PRT $7.99

FEB252167 FREE LIFE FANTASY ONLINE IMMORTAL PRINCESS GN VOL 10 (MR) (C $13.99

MAR251508 GODDAMN TRAGEDY #1 CVR A KURUNERU (MR) $6.99

MAR251509 GODDAMN TRAGEDY #1 CVR B LOTAY (MR) $6.99

MAR251510 GODDAMN TRAGEDY #1 CVR C PHILLIPS (MR) $6.99

MAR251511 GODDAMN TRAGEDY #1 CVR D CHA (MR) $6.99

MAR251512 GODDAMN TRAGEDY #1 CVR E DOMINGUEZ (MR) $6.99

MAR251010 HEAVEN OFFICIALS BLESSING HC VOL 04 (OF 6) (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $22.99

MAR251011 HEAVEN OFFICIALS BLESSING HC VOL 05 (OF 6) (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $22.99

MAR251811 HONEKO AKABANES BODYGUARDS GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

MAR250978 HOWL #5 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99

MAR251924 I CANT GET THROUGH NIGHT ALONE GN (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $14.99

FEB252172 I QUIT MY APPRENTICESHIP AS A ROYAL COURT WIZARD GN VOL 03 ( $13.99

MAR251841 I WANT YOUR MOTHER TO BE WITH ME GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-1) $14.95

FEB252175 IDATEN DEITIES KNOW ONLY PEACE GN VOL 08 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

FEB252176 ILL FORGET YOU STARTING TODAY GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-1) $15.99

FEB252177 IM EVIL LORD OF AN INTERGALACTIC EMPIRE GN VOL 06 (MR) (C: 0 $13.99

MAR251014 IRVING THE EVIL WIZARD #4 (OF 4) (MR) (C: 1-1-2) $5.99

FEB251373 KAMEN AMERICA PATRIOT DREAM CVR A TIMOTHY LIM (C: 0-0-1) $9.99

FEB251374 KAMEN AMERICA PATRIOT DREAM CVR B FISHINE CHEN (C: 0-0-1) $14.99

MAR250749 KILLER KOBRA HUNT BEGINS #2 (OF 3) CVR A JORDI TARRAGONA $4.99

MAR250750 KILLER KOBRA HUNT BEGINS #2 (OF 3) CVR B AL BARRIONUEVO $4.99

MAR250751 KILLER KOBRA HUNT BEGINS #2 (OF 3) CVR C RIVEIRO $4.99

MAR250807 LAST BOY #3 (OF 5) CVR A PANOSIAN (MR) $4.99

MAR250808 LAST BOY #3 (OF 5) CVR B HARDING (MR) $4.99

MAR250811 LAST BOY #3 (OF 5) CVR E FOC REVEAL (MR) $4.99

MAR250812 LAST BOY #3 (OF 5) CVR F UNLOCKABLE PANOSIAN VIR (MR) $4.99

MAR251816 MAGUS OF LIBRARY GN VOL 08 (C: 0-1-1) $13.99

DEC240402 MICHAEL MOORCOCK LIBRARY ELRIC BALANCE LOST HC VOL 01 (MR) ( $29.99

MAR250813 MINOR ARCANA #7 CVR A LEMIRE $4.99

MAR250814 MINOR ARCANA #7 CVR B SIMEONE $4.99

MAR250815 MINOR ARCANA #7 CVR C ANNIVERSARY VAR LEE & CHUNG $4.99

MAR250819 MINOR ARCANA #7 CVR G UNLOCKABLE SIMEONE VIR $4.99

FEB252184 MISSING O GN VOL 02 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $21.99

MAR250915 MONSTER HIGH PRIDE 2025 ONESHOT CVR A FORTUNA $5.99

MAR250916 MONSTER HIGH PRIDE 2025 ONESHOT CVR B MCCURDY $5.99

MAR250917 MONSTER HIGH PRIDE 2025 ONESHOT CVR C FOIL $12.99

MAR250922 MY LITTLE PONY GENERATION 5 GREATEST HITS ONESHOT CVR A $7.99

APR251600 PALACE OF GOLDEN PRINCESS #2 CVR A EDIANO SILVA (C: 0-1-1) $5.50

APR251601 PALACE OF GOLDEN PRINCESS #2 CVR B KEITH GARVEY (C: 0-1-1) $7.50

APR251602 PALACE OF GOLDEN PRINCESS #2 CVR C GARVEY NUDE GOLD FOIL (C: $14.50

APR251603 PALACE OF GOLDEN PRINCESS #2 CVR D SCOTT HARBEN GOLD FOIL (C $7.50

MAR251286 PARAFRENIC #2 (OF 4) SOME FOLLOW & SOME CHASE (C: 0-1-2) $7.00

MAR251819 PASS MONSTER MEAT MILADY GN VOL 08 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $12.99

NOV240363 PEANUTS SNOOPY AND THE RED BARON TP (C: 0-1-2) $9.99

JAN251085 PINUPOCALYPSE #3 (OF 6) CVR A TARUSOV (MR) $4.99

JAN251086 PINUPOCALYPSE #3 (OF 6) CVR B KAZANINA (MR) $4.99

JAN251087 PINUPOCALYPSE #3 (OF 6) CVR C PIN UP HOMAGE (MR) $4.99

FEB258654 PRINCE IS IN THE VILLAINESS WAY GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

MAR251287 RED GN VOL 01 (OF 4) (C: 0-1-2) $15.00

FEB252193 REINCARNATED INTO A GAME AS HEROS FRIEND GN VOL 04 (MR) (C: $13.99

FEB251317 RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD #4 CVR A SPEARS PAINTED $4.99

FEB251318 RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD #4 CVR B MAITLAND PAINTED $4.99

FEB251319 RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD #4 CVR C MARTINEZ $4.99

FEB251320 RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD #4 CVR D ARCARI $4.99

FEB251321 RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD #4 CVR E B&W MARTINEZ LTD ED $9.99

FEB251322 RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD #4 CVR F AM EXCLUSIVE HASSON $9.99

MAR257238 RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD #4 CVR G SPARACIO TARMAN FOC $9.99

APR251534 RETURN TO THE SNAKEPIT COMICS 2022 -2024 TP (C: 0-1-1) $19.99

MAR251541 RICK AND MORTY RICKLEMANIA #4 CVR A ELLERBY $4.99

MAR251542 RICK AND MORTY RICKLEMANIA #4 CVR B STRESING $4.99

FEB251370 SCREAM QUEENS SKETCHBOOK ONESHOT (C: 0-0-1) $4.99

MAR251438 SHERLOCK HOLMES DARK DETECTIVE VOL 2 #1 (OF 5) (MR) $4.99

MAR251935 SHIMAZAKI IN THE LAND OF PEACE GN VOL 04 (C: 0-1-2) $13.95

MAR251458 SLAUGHTER OTTER #3 CVR A MATT RODGERS $5.99

MAR251459 SLAUGHTER OTTER #3 CVR B J HAMMOND GI JOE HOMAGE $5.99

MAR251460 SLAUGHTER OTTER #3 CVR C DONGARRA ASM #328 HOMAGE $5.99

MAR251461 SLAUGHTER OTTER #3 CVR D MATT RODGERS SPOT FOIL $9.99

MAR251462 SLAUGHTER OTTER #3 CVR E FIGHT POSTER MATT RODGERS $9.99

DEC242153 SLOW LIFE IN ANOTHER WORLD I WISH GN VOL 08 (C: 0-1-1) $12.99

APR251632 SNOW MONKEY #2 $4.95

JAN251205 SPACE USAGI WHITE STAR RISING SPEC ED HC (C: 0-1-2) $59.99

JAN251204 SPACE USAGI WHITE STAR RISING TP (C: 0-1-2) $17.99

MAR251822 SPACEWALKING WITH YOU GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

MAR250935 STAR TREK DEFIANT HC VOL 04 STARS OF HOME $24.99

MAR250931 STAR TREK LORE WAR SHAXS WORST DAY #1 CVR A CHARM $5.99

MAR250932 STAR TREK LORE WAR SHAXS WORST DAY #1 CVR B COOK $5.99

JAN251195 STRANGER THINGS D&D RISE OF HELLFIRE #3 CVR A WOHL $4.99

JAN251196 STRANGER THINGS D&D RISE OF HELLFIRE #3 CVR B BEALS $4.99

JAN251197 STRANGER THINGS D&D RISE OF HELLFIRE #3 CVR C UZURI $4.99

JAN251198 STRANGER THINGS D&D RISE OF HELLFIRE #3 CVR D WILSON $4.99

JAN251869 SUBZERO TP VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $24.99

MAR251823 THAT TIME I GOT REINCARNATED AS A SLIME GN VOL 26 (MR) (C: 0 $12.99

APR241234 THE GUNHAND #2 CVR A PLOG (RES) (C: 0-0-1) $4.99

APR241235 THE GUNHAND #2 CVR B MCCLAIN JR (RES) (C: 0-0-1) $4.99

FEB251372 TIFANNY & CHARLOTTE ON ANOTHER WORLD #1 (OF 4) (C: 0-0-1) $4.99

FEB252196 TIME STOP HERO GN VOL 12 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

MAR250955 TMNT SATURDAY MORNING ADV #25 CVR A SCHOENING $3.99

MAR250956 TMNT SATURDAY MORNING ADV #25 CVR B LEWIS $3.99

FEB258829 TMNT SATURDAY MORNING ADV #25 CVR C NIELI $3.99

MAR251288 TURBO HAWK #2 (OF 4) (C: 0-1-2) $8.00

APR251535 UNF CK YOUR BRAIN GRAPHIC GUIDE USING SCIENCE GN (C: 0-1-1) $16.99

MAR251825 VAMPIRE DORMITORY GN VOL 13 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

JAN251221 VAMPIRE HUNTER D OMNIBUS TP VOL 08 (C: 0-1-2) $24.99

FEB251626 VENDETTA HOLY VINDICATOR #6 (OF 6) (MR) $4.99

MAR251827 VINLAND SAGA HC VOL 14 (C: 0-1-2) $22.99

DEC241754 WET MOON 20TH ANNIV OMNIBUS GN VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $34.99

FEB251163 WHO ARE THE POWER PALS #3 CVR A RAAFAT $4.99

FEB251164 WHO ARE THE POWER PALS #3 CVR B LONERGAN $4.99

MAR251554 WHO IS WILLIE NELSON SC (C: 0-1-0) $6.99

MAR251830 WISTORIA WAND & SWORD GN VOL 09 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

MAR251153 YOUNG MEN IN LOVE GN VOL 02 NEW ROMANCE (C: 0-1-1) $19.99

JAN251222 YUCATAN 1512 TP (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

VIZ MEDIA

Art Of The Boy And The Heron HC (not verified by Diamond Distribution) , $40.00

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7 Steel Ball Run Volume 1 HC (not verified by Diamond Distribution) , $25.00

BOOKS

FEB252199 BALLAD OF SWORD & WINE SC NOVEL VOL 04 (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

DEC231492 DISNEY PIXAR ELIO LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK HC (C: 1-1-1) $5.99

FEB250436 MARVEL INFINITY SAGA CAPTAIN AMERICAL CIVIL WAR ART MOVIE HC $50.00

MAR251936 MY UNIQUE SKILL MAKES ME OP LIGHT NOVEL VOL 08 (C: 0-1-2) $14.95

FEB252213 TOO MANY LOSING HEROINES L NOVEL VOL 04 (C: 0-1-2) $15.99

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

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 1st to 10th, 2025 - UPDATE #12

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.

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

NEWS:

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Fox Entertainment has tapped actor Josh Charles as the star of "Best Medicine," its remake of the popular British television series, "Doc Martin."

From Variety:  NBC has cancelled its new legal drama, "Suits LA," the second spinoff of the former USA Network legal drama, "Suits" (2011-19).

RELIGION - From CNN:  69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, Illinois has been elected the 267th pope of the Catholic Church. Cardinal Prevost has taken the name "Pope Leo XIV."  He is the first pope from the United States.

POLITICS - From Variety:  Actor Jon Voight talks in broad terms about the plan he is spearheading with President Donald Trump to "save Hollywood."

NETFLIX - From YahooEndgadget:  Netflix is undergoing its first major redesign in a major overhaul of its television interface.

APPLE - From Variety:  Spike Lee has released the first trailer for his A24 and Apple-backed crime thriller, “Highest 2 Lowest.”  The film stars Denzel Washington, A$AP Rocky, Jeffrey Wright, and more.  The movie will be released in theaters August 22, 2025 and then, stream on Apple TV+ starting September 5, 2025.  “Highest 2 Lowest” is loosely based on Akira Kurosawa’s film, “High and Low” (1963).  Both films are reinterpretations of Ed McBain’s 1959 mystery novel “King’s Ransom” (which was part of his "87th Precinct" series).

BOX OFFICE - BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/2 to 5/4/2025 weekend box office is Disney/Marvel Studios' "Thunderbolts*" with an estimated take of 76 million dollars.

From Deadline:  The advanced ticket sales for Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" film, which is set for a May 23rd release, seem to be quite high.

TELEVISON - From THR:  Queen Latifah responds to the recent announcement that it was cancelling her CBS action series, "The Equalizer," after five seasons by teasing her next project.  The last episode of the series is scheduled to air tonight, Sunday, May 4th, 2025.

From Deadline:  The Comcast-owned NBCUniversal recently went through two major changes.  First, there is "SpinCo," the new spinoff standalone company that will house cable networks such as E!, Syfy, Oxygen and USA Network.  Then, there is the restructure that saw new roles for top executives including Pearlena Igbokwe and Frances Berwick.  Now, news site "Deadline" is reporting that NBCUniversal is now starting a process of layoffs tied to these moves. 

OBITS:

From CartoonBrew:  American animator and musician, Jim Smith, has died at the age of 70, Friday, May 2, 2025.  Smith is best known for co-founding the American animation studio, "Spumco," with John Kricfalusi, Bob Camp, and Lynne Naylor.  His best known work was on such animated television series as "Tiny Toon Adventures," "The Ren & Stimpy Show," and "Samurai Jack."

From Deadline:  The American actor, Charley Scalies, has died at the age of 84, Thursday, May 1, 2025.  Scalies was best known for his character roles on such television series as "Homicide: Life on the Streets" and "The Wire."

From Variety:  American actor, comedian, and voice performer, Ruth Buzzi, has died at the age of 88, Thursday, May 1, 2025.  Buzzi is best known for her work on the former NBC sketch comedy series, "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" (1968-73).  Buzzi also had a long stint on PBS' "Sesame Street" (1993-2008).  As a voice actor, Buzzi has roles on such animated series as "Pound Puppies," "Darkwing Duck," and "Cro," to name a few.  Buzzi received five Primetime Emmy nominations for her work on "Laugh-In."

Review: Marvel's "THUNDERBOLTS*" Wants to Be "The New Avengers" So Badly

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 21 of 2025 (No. 2027) by Leroy Douresseaux

Thunderbolts* (2025)

Running time: 126 minutes (2 hours, 6 minutes)

MPA – PG-13 for strong violence, language, thematic elements, and some suggestive and drug references

DIRECTOR: Jake Schreier

WRITERS:  Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo (based upon the Marvel Comics)

PRODUCER: Kevin Feige

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Andrew Droz Palermo (D.o.P.)

EDITORS:  Angela M. Catanzaro and Harry Yoon

COMPOSER:  Son Lux (Ryan Lott, Rafiq Bhatia, Ian Chang)

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/ACTION and DRAMA

Starring:  Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, Geraldine Viswanathan, Olga Kurylenko, and Wendell Pierce

SUMMARY OF REVIEW:

--Thunderbolts* is very entertaining.  It fights a lot and talks a lot.

--The film's main character is really Yelena Belova. It would have been a better film with Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier as the lead, but Florence Pugh is quite good as Yelena

--Entertainment value aside, Thunderbolts* is Marvel Studios' least interesting team movie

Thunderbolts* is a 2025 American superhero fantasy film and action movie directed by Jake Schreier and produced by Marvel Studios.  It is the 36th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).  The film features Marvel Comics' “Thunderbolts,” an antihero and super-villain superhero team created by writer Kurt Busiek and artist Mark Bagley that first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #449 (cover dated: January 1997).  Thunderbolts* the movie focuses on an unconventional team of antiheroes that takes on a conniving CIA official and a dangerous super-being while confronting their own dark pasts.

Thunderbolts* opens in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  There, Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) destroys an O.X.E. Group laboratory on behalf of CIA director, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).  Valentina is facing a Congressional committee that wants to impeach her in order to have her removed as CIA director, so she is having to conceal all her illicit programs.  One of those programs in need of concealment is the O.X.E. Group's “Sentry” project, which involves experimentation on humans in order to develop a superhuman.

Valentina dispatches Yelena to a remote O.X.E. facility on a mission to destroy sensitive materials.  After entering the facility, however, Yelena discovers that she is not alone.  John Walker/U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), Ava Starr/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) are also there, under the pretense of a mission.  The real reason all of them are in the facility is so that Valentina can have them and any incriminating evidence against her be destroyed simultaneously.  Another of this mission's surprises is the sudden appearance of a mysterious man named “Bob” (Lewis Pullman).

Now, Yelena and this bunch of reprobates embark on mission to punish Valentina, and they are joined by Yelena's father, Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), and Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan).  They gather in New York City for a showdown, but there are wildcards.  Who is “Sentry?”  And what is “Void?”

Thunderbolts* is like a sequel, of sorts, to the 2021 Marvel Studios film, Black Widow.  It also references such previous Marvel Studios films as Marvel's The Avengers (2012) and the recent Captain America: Brave New World (2025), and also the Disney+ television series, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” (2021), to name a few.

At the center of Thunderbolts* is Yelena Belova, and the good thing is that the actress playing the character, Florence Pugh, is quite good.  Pugh gives Yelena gravitas, and I find myself believing almost everything about the character.  That said I would have preferred Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes a.k.a. “The Winter Soldier” as the “magnetic center” of Thunderbolts*, but I guess the character has already had plenty of time to showcase himself in previous Marvel Studios productions.

Beyond those two characters, I found myself bored with Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina, although I am a long time fan of Louis-Dreyfus because of her role in the former NBC sitcom, “Seinfeld.”  I like actor David Harbour as “Red Guardian,” but the character is a bit overwrought, while Hannah John-Kamen is overly wasted as “Ghost.”  Geraldine Viswanathan is very nice in the supporting role of Mel, Valentina's assistant.  Lewis Pullman, who seems very skilled at creating a new personality for each acting role he takes on, is very, very good as “Bob.”  Marvel Studios would do well not to waste the potential of what Pullman can bring to the MCU.

All that said, Thunderbolts* is my least favorite MCU team movie.  Don't get me wrong.  It is a very entertaining film because director Jake Schreier makes the most of an offbeat screenplay and of the work of the film editors, cinematographers, and other collaborators.  The result is that they deliver a movie that is surprisingly humorous and is often laugh-out-loud funny.

I don't buy all the depression and battling-personal-demons melodrama of the film's story.  It is often overdone, contrived, and tedious enough to drag down the moments when that does feel genuine.  There is enough enjoyment in Thunderbolts* to make me give it a relatively high rating.  If this movie were made by most other film studios, however, I would give it a lower rating.

[Thunderbolts* has an extra scene in the middle of the credits and one at the end of the credits.]

7 of 10

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Friday, May 9, 2025

THUNDERBOLTS* is currently available in various DVD and Blu-ray format at Amazon.

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

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