TRASH IN MY EYE Reviews

Monday, December 2, 2024

Comic Books, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for December 4, 2024

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

AUG241460 A TINY ISLAND OVER THE KINGDOM UNDER THE SEA ONESHOT $4.99

SEP241071 ABLAZE ARTIST SPOTLIGHT ZEROCALCARE COLL SET (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $58.00

OCT241224 ARCHAIC #1 (OF 5) CVR A CANTIRINO (MR) $3.99

OCT241077 ARCHIE CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR 2024 ONESHOT $3.99

OCT241078 ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #356 $9.99

MAY248792 ART OF MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE REVOLUTION HC (C: 0-1-2) $49.99

JUN241183 ART OF RETURNAL HC (C: 0-1-2) $49.99

OCT241854 BABYMOUSE FLIP BOOK THRILLS SC (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

JUL241125 BACKFLASH TP (C: 0-1-2) $22.99

JUL241126 BIRDKING TP VOL 03 (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

AUG241200 BLACK SIGHT TP (C: 0-1-2) $22.99

OCT241303 BLANK 24 PAGE SKETCHBOOK 2 PACK (C: 0-0-1) $9.99

OCT242264 BOYFRIENDS GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-0) $19.99

OCT241795 CALAVERA PI #2 (OF 4) CVR A FINNEGAN (MR) $4.99

SEP242357 CALL GIRL IN ANOTHER WORLD GN VOL 09 (RES) (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

OCT241806 CEMETERY KIDS DONT DIE TP VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $17.99

OCT241821 CHILDREN OF THE PHOENIX GN VOL 03 TOMB PLANET (C: 0-1-1) $14.99

SEP241179 CHRISTMAS 365 #1 $3.99

JUN241169 COMPLETE HARROW COUNTY HC (C: 0-1-2) $149.99

OCT240349 CONAN BARBARIAN BATTLE BLACK STONE #4 (OF 4) CVR A NACHLIK ( $3.99

OCT240350 CONAN BARBARIAN BATTLE BLACK STONE #4 (OF 4) CVR B BELANGER $3.99

OCT240351 CONAN BARBARIAN BATTLE BLACK STONE #4 (OF 4) CVR C DEODATO ( $3.99

AUG248263 CONAN BARBARIAN BATTLE BLACK STONE #4 (OF 4) FOC DEODATO B&W $3.99

SEP242410 CONDEMNED VILLAINESS GOES BACK IN TIME GN #3 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

SEP241627 CORVUS #3 (OF 6) (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $4.99

JUL241127 CREEPY ARCHIVES TP VOL 09 (C: 0-1-2) $24.99

JUL248410 CRITICAL ROLE MIGHTY NEIN ORIGINS LIBRARY ED HC VOL 02 (C: 0 $49.99

OCT241929 CROW DEAD TIME #3 (OF 3) CVR A FRENDA (MR) $4.99

OCT241930 CROW DEAD TIME #3 (OF 3) CVR B BRAO (MR) $4.99

OCT241931 CROW DEAD TIME #3 (OF 3) CVR C BAYLISS (MR) $4.99

OCT241615 DARKWING DUCK HC MARINATED MYSTERY VOL 5 (C: 1-1-2) $34.99

OCT241908 DEMONS RISE & GRIND GN VOL 01 (OF 4) (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

OCT241732 DICK TRACY #1 CON EXC FRANCAVILLA CVR (NET) $20.00

OCT241724 DICK TRACY #6 CVR A GERALDO BORGES $4.99

OCT241725 DICK TRACY #6 CVR B FRANCAVILLA $4.99

OCT241818 DISNEY FAIRIES 4IN1 GN VOL 02 (C: 1-1-0) $9.99

OCT241817 DISNEY FAIRIES 4IN1 HC VOL 02 (C: 1-1-0) $12.99

OCT241654 DOG MAN GN VOL 13 BIG JIM BEGINS (C: 0-1-1) $14.99

OCT241655 DOG MAN HC GN VOL 13 BIG JIM BEGINS (C: 0-1-1) $24.99

AUG242556 DOUBLE GN VOL 05 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

OCT241866 DREADNOUGHTS TP BOOK 02 THE MARCH OF PROGRESS (C: 1-1-2) $17.99

AUG241206 DRIVE LIKE HELL GN (JAN248321) (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

MAY241926 DUSK #1 CVR A PETE WOODS (RES) $4.99

MAY241927 DUSK #1 CVR B DAVID HAHN (RES) $4.99

SEP241331 EARTHDIVERS TP VOL 03 1776 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $21.99

OCT241784 EC CRUEL UNIVERSE #5 (OF 5) CVR A SMALLWOOD $4.99

JUL241133 EMPOWERED TP VOL 12 (RES) (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

SEP241255 EXORCISM AT 1600 PENN #2 CVR A DEL REY (MR) $4.99

SEP241256 EXORCISM AT 1600 PENN #2 CVR B LOTAY (MR) $4.99

JUN247379 FINAL INTERVIEW #1 (OF 5) CVR A LOU PETERSON $4.99

JUN247380 FINAL INTERVIEW #1 (OF 5) CVR B LOU PETERSON $4.99

OCT242141 FIRE FORCE BOX SET VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $54.95

OCT241731 FLASH GORDON #1 CON EXC IAN CHURCHILL CVR (NET) $20.00

OCT240468 FREE AGENTS #6 CVR A MOONEY $3.99

OCT240469 FREE AGENTS #6 CVR B MAGUIRE $3.99

OCT240470 FREE AGENTS #6 CVR C LOTAY $3.99

OCT241734 GATCHAMAN #1 CON EXC ISAAC & ESAU ESCORZA CVR (NET) $20.00

OCT241733 GATCHAMAN #1 CON EXC MICHAEL CHO CVR (NET) $20.00

JUL248878 GUILTY SMILE GN VOL 01 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

OCT242262 GUNDAM ORIGIN MSD CUCURUZ DOANS ISLAND HC VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $19.95

SEP240564 GUNSLINGER SPAWN #38 CVR A AGUILLO $2.99

SEP240565 GUNSLINGER SPAWN #38 CVR B RANDAL $2.99

SEP240566 HACK SLASH BODY BAGS #2 (OF 4) CVR A HEPBURN (MR) $3.99

SEP240567 HACK SLASH BODY BAGS #2 (OF 4) CVR B ANDRASOFSZKY (MR) $3.99

MAY248809 HEAVEN OFFICIALS BLESSING TIAN GUAN CI FU DLX HC VOL 01 (C: $29.99

JUL241136 HELLBOY AND BPRD 1955 - 1957 HC (C: 0-1-2) $39.99

SEP242416 HOTERI HOTETTE FIRST KISS GN (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

OCT241737 HOUR OF THE WOLF #2 (OF 4) CVR A ANDREI BRESSAN $4.99

OCT241257 I DRAGON GN VOL 03 (OF 3) (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

OCT240489 I HATE FAIRYLAND #18 CVR A BEAN (MR) $3.99

OCT240490 I HATE FAIRYLAND #18 CVR B BEAN (MR) $3.99

OCT240491 I HATE FAIRYLAND #18 CVR C 10 COPY INCV YOUNG (MR) $3.99

AUG241809 I SHALL NEVER FALL IN LOVE GN (C: 0-1-0) $18.99

AUG241810 I SHALL NEVER FALL IN LOVE HC GN (C: 0-1-0) $26.99

OCT242143 INITIAL D OMNIBUS GN VOL 04 (C: 0-1-2) $22.99

JUN241177 INNOCENT OMNIBUS TP VOL 03 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $29.99

SEP241799 JUNGLE DRAMA SALTY BEACHES #1 CVR A ERICK MARSHALL $5.99

SEP241800 JUNGLE DRAMA SALTY BEACHES #1 CVR B JON BOGDANOVE $5.99

SEP241801 JUNGLE DRAMA SALTY BEACHES #1 CVR C DANNY HARRELL $5.99

SEP241802 JUNGLE DRAMA SALTY BEACHES #1 CVR D TROY DONGARRA $5.99

SEP241803 JUNGLE DRAMA SALTY BEACHES #1 CVR E AMY NOOMIS $5.99

SEP241804 JUNGLE DRAMA SALTY BEACHES #1 CVR F NAT SUKI $5.99

SEP241805 JUNGLE DRAMA SALTY BEACHES #1 CVR G JON BOGDANOVE METAL COVE $99.99

SEP241806 JUNGLE DRAMA SALTY BEACHES #1 CVR H HOLOFOIL FLIP MARSHALL $19.99

OCT240424 JUVENILE #1 (OF 5) CVR A ORELLANA $3.99

OCT240425 JUVENILE #1 (OF 5) CVR B ORELLANA $3.99

AUG242122 KERPOW #2 CVR A JULIO BRILHA $4.99

AUG242123 KERPOW #2 CVR B JULIO BRILHA $4.99

SEP242010 KERPOW #3 CVR A JULIO BRILHA $4.99

SEP242011 KERPOW #3 CVR B FRANCESCO MAZZOLI $4.99

AUG241210 KILL ME & OTHER CURIOSITIES GN (JAN248326) (C: 0-1-2) $17.99

MAY241918 KIVA #1 CVR A BASHAR AHMED (RES) $4.99

MAY241919 KIVA #1 CVR B BASHAR AHMED (RES) $4.99

OCT241746 KOSHER MAFIA #4 (OF 5) $4.99

SEP242425 LAST GAME GN VOL 07 (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

JUL241137 LEGEND OF LUTHER ARKWRIGHT HC (RES) (C: 0-1-2) $39.99

MAY241122 LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA WHITESTONE CHRONICLES HC VOL 01 RIPLEY $19.99

JUN241537 LONESOME GN VOL 04 SORCERERS DOMAIN (C: 0-1-0) $16.95

OCT241739 LONG COLD WINTER #1 (OF 4) CVR A STEFANO CARDOSELLI $4.99

OCT241740 LONG COLD WINTER #1 (OF 4) CVR B MARC ASPINALL $4.99

SEP241194 MAGIC ORDER V #3 CVR A BUFFAGNI (MR) $4.99

SEP241195 MAGIC ORDER V #3 CVR B B&W BUFFAGNI (MR) $4.99

JUL241138 MASTERPIECE GN (RES) (C: 0-1-2) $24.99

MAY247808 MONEY TP (C: 0-1-2) $22.99

SEP241271 MONSTER HIGH HOWLIDAY HAUNT #1 CVR A LIAO $5.99

SEP241272 MONSTER HIGH HOWLIDAY HAUNT #1 CVR B FULMORE $5.99

SEP247638 MR MAGOOS XMAS CAROL LTD ED STOCKING STUFFER BUNDLE (NET) (C $24.95

SEP248594 MY ISEKAI LIFE GN VOL 16 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

SEP242439 MY STEPMOTHER & STEPSISTERS ARENT WICKED GN VOL 05 (C: 0-1-1 $14.99

SEP241203 NIGHT CLUB II #4 CVR A RAMIREZ (MR) $4.99

SEP241204 NIGHT CLUB II #4 CVR B B&W RAMIREZ (MR) $4.99

SEP241205 ODDLY PEDESTRIAN LIFE CHRISTOPHER CHAOS #14 CVR A ROBLES $4.99

SEP241206 ODDLY PEDESTRIAN LIFE CHRISTOPHER CHAOS #14 CVR B FRANQ $4.99

AUG241212 OPERATION SUNSHINE GN VOL 02 ALREADY DEAD (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

SEP241209 PATRA #4 CVR A KOLINS $4.99

SEP241210 PATRA #4 CVR B JONES $4.99

MAY240380 PHOO ACTION COLLECTION DLX ED (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $99.99

OCT241611 POCKET FULL OF RAIN AND OTHER STORIES HC EXPANDED ED (C: 0-1 $30.00

OCT241748 PRAIRIE GODS #3 (OF 5) (MR) $4.99

JUL240385 RIVERS OF LONDON STRAY CAT BLUES TP (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $17.99

AUG241241 ROCKETEER BREAKS FREE #4 CVR A WHEATLEY $4.99

AUG241242 ROCKETEER BREAKS FREE #4 CVR B JOHNSON $4.99

SEP240391 RUNESCAPE UNTOLD TALES GOD WARS #2 CVR A UNDERWOOD (MR) $3.99

SEP240392 RUNESCAPE UNTOLD TALES GOD WARS #2 CVR B MARINKOVICH (MR) $3.99

SEP240393 RUNESCAPE UNTOLD TALES GOD WARS #2 CVR C BARKER (MR) $3.99

SEP247231 RUNESCAPE UNTOLD TALES GOD WARS #2 FOC MARINKOVICH B&W VIRGI $3.99

SEP241796 SHERLOCK HOLMES DARK DETECTIVE #2 (OF 4) (MR) $4.99

AUG241213 SLIGHTLY EXAGGERATED GN (JAN248374) (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

OCT240524 SNOTGIRL #16 CVR A HUNG $3.99

OCT240525 SNOTGIRL #16 CVR B O MALLEY & COHEN $3.99

SEP240613 SPAWN SCORCHED #36 CVR A AGUILLO $2.99

SEP240614 SPAWN SCORCHED #36 CVR B RANDAL $2.99

JUL241205 SUPERBABES STARRING FEMFORCE #19 (C: 0-0-1) $6.95

SEP241223 SURVIVAL STREET RADICAL LEFT #3 CVR A KUSSAINOV $3.99

SEP241224 SURVIVAL STREET RADICAL LEFT #3 CVR B TRAKHANOV $3.99

SEP242070 TALES OF ASUNDA VOL 2 #1 (OF 4) CVR A FARR (C: 0-1-2) $3.99

SEP242071 TALES OF ASUNDA VOL 2 #1 (OF 4) CVR B JAE LEE (C: 0-1-2) $3.99

SEP241104 TALES OF ASUNDA VOL 2 #1 (OF 4) NIOBE SHE TRIBE CVR A WHITE $19.99

SEP241774 TEAM UNIHORN & WOOLLY GN VOL 02 REVENGE OF UNICORN (C: 0-1-1 $7.99

SEP241775 TEAM UNIHORN & WOOLLY HC GN VOL 02 ATTACK OF KRILL (C: 0-1-1 $14.99

SEP241309 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES NIGHTWATCHER #4 CVR A PE $3.99

SEP241310 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES NIGHTWATCHER #4 CVR B LANKRY $3.99

SEP241330 TMNT ARMAGEDDON GAME DLX ED HC (C: 0-1-2) $79.99

OCT240423 TOP COW HOLIDAY SPECIAL ALL THROUGH HOUSE (ONE-SHOT) $3.99

OCT242152 TSUGUMI PROJECT GN VOL 06 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

OCT241249 VALIANT UNIVERSE HERO ORIGINS ETERNAL WARRIOR TP (C: 0-1-2) $24.99

AUG241009 WAKFU MANGA VOL. 1-2 COLL SET (C: 0-1-2) $20.00

OCT240564 WALKING DEAD DLX #102 CVR A FINCH & MCCAIG (MR) $3.99

OCT240565 WALKING DEAD DLX #102 CVR B ADLARD & MCCAIG (MR) $3.99

OCT240566 WALKING DEAD DLX #102 CVR C DE IULIS (MR) $3.99

OCT242263 WELCOME TO DEMON SCHOOL IRUMA KUN GN VOL 11 (C: 0-1-2) $12.95

OCT241652 WHATEVER HAPPENED TO FRANKIE KING GN (C: 0-1-1) $21.95

OCT240570 WHATS THE FURTHEST PLACE FROM HERE #20 CVR A BOSS $3.99

OCT240571 WHATS THE FURTHEST PLACE FROM HERE #20 CVR B DE SOUZA $3.99

OCT241823 WHO WAS RAISED TO BE QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE HC (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

AUG248517 WOODSTAKE #0 (OF 5) 2ND PTG (MR) $4.99

MAGAZINES

AUG242196 ALTER EGO #191 (C: 0-1-2) $10.95

AUG241601 COMIC SHOP NEWS (100CT BUNDLE) #1947 (NET) $18.99

SEP241622 MONSTER BASH MAGAZINE #55 (C: 0-1-1) $8.99

AUG242198 RETROFAN MAGAZINE #36 (C: 0-1-2) $10.95

BOOKS

JUN240997 ABLAZE MANHWA SPOTLIGHT ACTION ADV PACK (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $48.00

OCT241721 ADVENTURES IN MOOMINVALLEY (C: 0-1-0) $14.99

OCT241634 ALTER EGO HC NOVEL $28.99

JUN242032 AMERICAN COMIC BOOK CHRONICLES HC 1945-1949 (C: 0-1-2) $49.95

OCT240393 ART OF ENDLESS LEGEND HC (C: 0-1-2) $50.00

OCT242142 FRAGRANT FLOWER BLOOMS WITH DIGNITY GN VOL 04 (C: 1-1-1) $13.99

SEP242463 HUSKY & HIS WHITE CAT SHIZUN L NOVEL VOL 07 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $19.99

SEP242465 LOUT OF COUNTS FAMILY L NOVEL VOL 02 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $19.99

MAY247807 MARVELS SPIDERMAN 2 POSTER COLL SC (C: 0-1-2) $29.99

OCT241722 MORE ADVENTURES IN MOOMINVALLEY (C: 0-1-0) $14.99

OCT242138 MY LOVE STORY WITH YAMADA KUN AT LV999 GN VOL 04 (C: 1-1-1) $12.99

OCT241550 STAR WARS SOMEONE WHO LOVES YOU HC (C: 0-1-2) $17.99

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Comics Review: "ARCHIE IS MR.JUSTICE #1" Certainly Surprises

ARCHIE IS MR. JUSTICE, NO. 1 (OF 4)

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Tim Seeley

ART: Mike Norton

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore

LETTERS: Jack Morelli

EDITOR: Jamie Lee Rotante

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Reiko Murakami

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Francesco Francavilla; Matt Talbot

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2025); on sale in comic book shops November 20, 2024

Rating: Teen+

Eternal high school student and teenage boy, Archie Andrews, and his friends made their debut in M.L.J. Magazines' Pep Comics #22 (cover dated: December 1941), and before long, Archie was the publisher's headliner character. In 1946, the company changed its named to Archie Comic Publications, also known as “Archie Comics.”

Archie Comics has also published superhero comic books featuring offbeat characters. The latest is a new four-issue comic book series, entitled Archie is Mr. Justice. The first issue is written by Tim Seeley; drawn by Mike Norton; colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli. Archie is Mr. Justice focuses on teenager Archie Andrews and his superhero persona, “Mr. Justice.” With the aid of his friend, Jughead Jones, Archie battles the greedy real estate magnate, Hiram Lodge.

Archie is Mr. Justice #1 is a tale told by the dearest friend of Mr. Justice. That would be Jughead Jones. Young Archie Andrews is your typical teenager, except for the fact that he has super-powers. Archie also has an undying urge to do what’s right, which inspires him to create a superhero persona, “Mr. Justice.” Guiding Archie on the path of super-heroism is his best friend, Jughead, who provides the comic book template for Archie's alter-ego.

The pair aims to right the wrongs of Hiram Lodge, a greedy developer and real estate tycoon. Lodge has turned Archie and Jughead's tranquil hometown of Riverdale into a luxury city, forcing families out and big businesses in – creating a city of haves and have-nots. Can Archie’s brand of justice bring Riverdale into a new prosperous era, or will his need to do good ultimately be his downfall?

THE LOWDOWN: I have been reading comic books, on and off, for decades. I have sporadically read Archie Comics titles over that time. For many years now, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review. Archie is Mr. Justice No. 1 is the latest.

Archie Comics has been reviving some of the old M.L.J. “Golden Age” superheroes for several years now. The latest to rise from the grave is “Mr. Justice,” also known as “the Royal Wraith.” Created by writer Joe Blair and artist Sam Cooper, Mr. Justice was an 18th century English prince who was murdered by rebels. Chance and circumstance brought about his return to the mortal world in the 1940s in the form of Mr. Justice. Mr. Justice first appeared in Blue Ribbon Comics #9 (cover dated: February 1941; M.L.J. Magazines), which, in a bit of meta-fiction, is the comic book that appears in Archie is Mr. Justice #1 as one of Jughead's comic books. From this particular comic book, Archie takes inspiration for his “Mr. Justice” identity.

Writer Tim Seeley offers in this first issue an enjoyable comic book that captures both a superhero coming of age and also a young hero who initiates the crusade that may likely bring about his downfall. In a way, Seeley spins a comic book yarn that reads as if it came from age at least 40 years ago. It is straightforward, dramatic, melodramatic, and poignant and tragic in a way that engages the reader without unnecessary complication.

Artist Mike Norton is a veteran storyteller whose clean drawing style also recalls a classic era of comic books He conveys the light and darkness in Archie's mission, while also capturing the nuance and darkness in Jughead's narration. Glenn Whitmore's colors also captures the nuance and shifting moods of this story, and Jack Morelli's lettering provides a steady beat for a story that gets more intense with each page.

I am surprised by Archie is Mr. Justice #1. It is a powerful first issue when I expected it to be no more than mildly entertaining. I am more than mildly shocked, dear readers. Give this a try.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Archie Comics' superhero titles will want to try Archie is Mr. Justice No. 1.

[This comic book includes a two-page section on the making of Archie is Mr. Justice No. 1.]

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

https://archiecomics.com/

https://twitter.com/archiecomics

https://www.instagram.com/archiecomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ArchieComicsOfficial?ref=tn_tnmn

https://www.youtube.com/user/ArchieComicsOfficial

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics

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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).

Sunday, December 1, 2024

A Negromancer December 2024

Welcome to December 2024. Welcome to Negromancer 2.0. This is the rebirth of the Negromancer, the former movie review site, as a movie review and entertainment and culture news blog.

All images and text appearing on this blog are © copyright and/or trademarks of their respective owners.

While you're at it, have AnotherCookie.

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Also, my first original graphic novel, THE WRATH OF KARAPACE: A BIG SPIRITS EPIC, which is published by Candle Light Press. Co-created by Carter J. Allen, (Warning Comics), The Wrath of Karapace is now on sale at Amazon and Barnes and Noble online.

Other online shops that are selling "The Wrath of Karapace" include the following:

- AmazonUK;

- Bookshop.org;

- ElmStreetBooks;

- the German book shop, OrrellFussli;

- Powells.com;

- Russell Books.com;

- SuperBookDeals.com;

- Walmart online.

Of note, The Wrath of Karapace is also available on eBay from a few different sellers.

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"The Wrath of Karapace" also a "Google Books" listing.

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Saturday, November 30, 2024

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from Nov. 24th to 30th, 2024 - 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:

BOX OFFICE - From Deadline: "Moana 2," "Wicked," and "Gladiator 2" are fueling a record Thanksgiving holiday at American movie theaters, with the U.S. five-day total at 422 million dollars

From Deadline: Disney's "Moana 2" is setting records at the international box office.

SCANDAL - From Deadline: New Mexico special prosecutor, Kari Morrissey, is still trying to revive her criminal case against Emmy-winning actor, Alec Baldwin, in regards to the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film, "Rust." Judge Mary Marlow threw out the original case in July. Baldwin still faces several civil lawsuits regarding the film.

CELEBRITY - From Variety: Actress Melissa Barrera talks about her career in the wake of being fired from the "Scream" franchise by its owner, Spyglass.

DISNEY - From Variety: Emmy-winning actor, Courtney B. Vance, will replace the late Lance Reddick as "Zeus" on the Disney+ series, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians."

ANIMATION - From Deadline: The Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) has reached a tentative deal with the major Hollywood studios. With less than two weeks left until the current contract expiration and after multiple extensions, the bargaining unit announced Monday that it had finalized another three-year agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The deal goes to the Animation Guild members for a vote for ratification.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 11/22 to 11/24/2024 weekend box office is Universal Studios' "Wicked" with an estimated total 114 million dollars.

STREAMING - From Deadline: Jon Watts says he does not trust Apple enough to produce a sequel to his recent Apple TV+ film, "Wolfs" (starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney).

TELEVISION - From TheDailyBeast: Cable news host and personality, Rachel Maddow, has reportedly inked a new deal with MSNBC in which Maddow takes a cut in her salary of 5 million dollars a year to helping the ailing network. MSNBC's future, along with other Comcast cable networks, is uncertain.

OBITS:

From Deadline: American film and television actor, Earl Holliman, had died at the age of 96, Monday, November 25, 2024. Holliman came to fame for his numerous roles in Western film and drama in the 1960s, but he had numerous other notable roles. He was the alcoholic beverage-loving "Cook" in the beloved film, "Forbidden Planet" (1956). Holliman appeared on the 1959 debut episode of CBS' "The Twilight Zone" ("Where is Everyboby?"). He is also remembered for his four year run on former NBC cop drama, "Police Woman" (1974-78). From 1958 to 1963, Holliman had a brief but successful career as a singer and recording artist, releasing 7 singles and EPs. Holliman received two Golden Globe Award nominations, winning "Best Supporting Actor-Motion Picture" for "The Rainmaker" (1956).

From Deadline: Film and television writer and director, Jim Abrahams, has died at the 80, Tuesday, November 26, 2024. Abrahams was best known as part of the filming making team, "Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker," that he founded with brothers David Zucker and Jerry Zucker. The trio was best known for its "spoof movies," which including "The Kentucky Fried Movie" (1977). As a team they co-directed "Airplane" (1980), "Top Secret" (1984), "Ruthless People" (1986). Their most famous creation may be the former ABC television comedy, "Police Squad!" (1982), which the later adapted into the "The Naked Gun" film series.

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MOVIE AWARDS:

From Deadline: The 2024 / 34th Gotham Awards kick off the 2024-25 movie awards season by announcing its nominations for achievement in film. Director Sean Baker's "Anora," which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes this year, leads with four nominations. The winners will be announced Monday, December 2, 2024.

From Deadline: The nominations for the 2024 British Independent Film Awards have been announced. The Irish film, "Kneecap," leads with 14 nominations. The winners will be announced Sunday, December 8, 2024.

Thursday, November 28, 2024

Review: THE KENTUCKY FRIED MOVIE (Rembering Jim Abrahams)

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 206 (of 2004) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977)

Running time: 90 minutes (1 hour, 30 minutes)

MPAA – R

DIRECTOR: John Landis

WRITERS: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker

PRODUCER: Robert K. Weiss

CINEMATOGRAPHERS: Robert E. Collins and Stephen M. Katz (D.o.P.)

EDITOR: George Folsey Jr.

COMEDY

Starring: Marilyn Joi, Saul Kahan, Colin Male, Neil Thompson, George Lazenby, Donald Sutherland, Bill Bixby, Bob Liddle, Evan C. Kim, Master Bong Soo Han, and Tony Dow

The Kentucky Fried Movie is a 1977 American sketch comedy and anthology film from director John Landis. It was the first film written by the film-making team of Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker (abbreviated as ZAZ). That would be Jim Abrahams and brothers David Zucker and Jerry Zucker. The Kentucky Fried Movie contains a series of sketches that spoof various film genres.

Before they hit it big with Airplane! and The Naked Gun movies (based on the former ABC comedy, “Police Squad!), brothers David and Jerry Zucker and partner and childhood friend, Jim Abrahams, wrote The Kentucky Fried Movie. Directed by John Landis, The Kentucky Friend Movie is a collection of comedy skits; most are very short. All are highly irreverent, and so many are very tasteless.

The skits spoof film and television; most of the TV jokes revolve around television newscasts, commercials, and infomercials. The film features many celebrity cameos including appearances by Donald Sutherland and Bill Bixby, as well as appearances by the filmmakers themselves. The film also features an appearance by Australian actor, George Lazenby, the second actor to portray fictional British secret agent, James Bond, in Eon Productions' James Bond film series. Lazenby played Bond in the 1969 film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

The Kentucky Fried Movie is fondly remembered by those who saw it as teenagers and twenty-somethings, and it was still popular when I first attended college in the mid-1980’s. I have lost track of how many friends and acquaintances have recommended the film to me.

Personally, I find that very little of The Kentucky Fried Movie remains funny or relevant, although the racy bits are still…a bit saucy. The Bruce Lee spoof, “A Fistful of Yen,” and the skit, “Catholic School Girls in Trouble” were well done and quite sharp for its time and remain so. However, the film’s best short may be the closing segment which features a couple engaged in raw, passionate sexual intercourse on a living room sofa while a leering band of TV newscasters watch from the other side of the screen on a television set. That alone is worth the price of admission, but otherwise The Kentucky Fried Movie is uneven and hit or miss.

5 of 10

C+

★★½ out of 4 stars

EDITED: Thursday, November 28, 2024

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Comics Review: "PRODIGY: Slaves of Mars #4" Goes Into the Star Gate

PRODIGY: SLAVES OF MARS #4 (OF 5)

DARK HORSE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Stefano Landini

COLORS: Michele Assarasakorn

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Daniel Chabon

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Stefano Landini with Michele Assarasakorn

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Stefano Landini

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (November 2024)

Rated M / Mature

Prodigy created by Mark Millar at Netflix

Prodigy: Slaves of Mars is a five-issue comic book miniseries produced by writer Mark Millar. It is the third entry in the Prodigy series, following the original 2018-19 six-issue miniseries, Prodigy, and the 2022 miniseries, Prodigy: The Icarus Society. This new series' creative team is comprised of artist Stefano Landini; colorist Michele Assarasakorn; and letterer Clem Robins. Prodigy focuses on the adventures of the world's smartest man, Edison Crane.

In Prodigy: Slaves of Mars, Edison returns to New York City from an adventure in the Himalayas to find his company, Crane Solutions, in disarray. He also learns that his father, the former Senator Whitney Crane, is dead on Mars after discovering some shocking secret. Now, a wanted man, Edison only has one person left to whom he can turn. That would be his older, smarter brother, Elijah Crane.

Prodigy: Slaves of Mars #4 opens with a flashback to the day 15-year-old Elijah left the Crane family because he just couldn't take his father's antics any longer. Move to the modern day, and Elijah ascertains that their father discovered a series of “star gates” on Earth. So Edison and Elijah head to the most consequential star gate, the one in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka. Now, it is time to get down to the mystery of their father, Whitney, and his involvement with a mission to Mars. They're about to get more answers than they expected.

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 title to mark my return is Prodigy: Slaves of Mars #4.

Of course, Prodigy: Slaves of Mars #4 is a blast to read, just as the first three issues were. This being the penultimate issue (second-to-last), writer Mark Millar fills it with surprises. He also continues to tease us with more of his obsessions with “Ancient Aliens” and secret space programs. You already know about Millar's love of secrets and conspiracies if you have read Prodigy: The Icarus Society #1 or read Prodigy: The Evil Earth, the trade collection of the first miniseries.

The art team of illustrator Stefano Landini and colorist Michele Assarasakorn unveil the surprises in a steady stream of straightforward storytelling. Throwing caution to the wind, they present graphical storytelling that races from page to page in a loose drawing style and muted coloring style that captures the weird aesthetic of this franchise. As always, Clem Robins provides the perfect soundtrack to this chapter with his classic lettering.

We have been set up for a great ending, dear readers. Catch up if you need to.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar and of his comic book, Prodigy, will want to read Prodigy: Slaves of Mars.

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

The trade paperback collection of PRODIGY: SLAVES OF MARS is available at Amazon.

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

http://www.millarworld.tv/

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://www.netflix.com/

https://twitter.com/netflix

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Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Review: "MOANA" Sails on a Sea of Delights

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 53 of 2024 (No. 1997) by Leroy Douresseaux

Moana (2016)

Running time: 107 minutes (1 hour, 47 minutes)

MPAA – PG for peril, some scary images and brief thematic elements

DIRECTORS: Ron Clements and John Musker with Don Hall and Chris Williams (co-directors)

WRITERS: Jared Bush; from a story by Ron Clements, John Musker, Don Hall, Chris Williams, Pamela Ribon, and Aaron Kandell and Jordan Kandell

PRODUCER: Osnat Shurer

CINEMATOGRAPHERS: Alessandro Jacomini, Daniel Rice, and Nathan Warner

EDITOR: Jeff Draheim

ORIGINAL SONGS: Opetaia Foa'il, Mark Mancina, and Lin-Manuel Miranda

COMPOSER: Mark Mancina

Academy Award nominee

ANIMATION/FANTASY/FAMILY/DRAMA

Starring: (voices) Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk, and Troy Polamalu

Moana is a 2016 American computer-animated, fantasy-adventure, and musical film directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. It was produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios – the 56th full-length animated feature film produced by that studio, and it was released by Walt Disney Pictures. Moana follows a girl who heeds the Ocean's call that she find a lost demigod and force him to help her end the terrible curse that he incurred in the distant past.

Moana introduces Moana (Auli'i Cravalho), a girl who lives in ancient Polynesian on the island of Motunui. She is also the daughter of Motunui's Chief Tui (Temuera Morrison). The inhabitants of the island worship Te Fiti, the mother island. Long ago, Te Fiti brought life to the ocean using a stone called “the heart of Te Fiti” as the source of her power. Then, along came Maui (Dwayne Johnson). He was a demigod of the wind and sea, a warrior, a trickster, and a shape-shifter who used a huge magical fish hook to wield his shape-shifting powers. Maui stole the heart and caused Te Fiti to disintegrate, but he immediately attacked by the volcanic demon “ Te Kā.” Maui lost both the heart and his magic fish hook to the depths of the sea.

A thousand years later, blight strikes Motunui and begins to kill the vegetation and shrink the number of fish available for the islanders to catch. The Ocean gives Moana the heart of Te Fiti and chooses her to find Maui and force him to restore what he took from Te Fiti. Only then, will Motunui and other islands be saved from the destroying blight, which is apparently a curse from Te Kā. In order to do that, Moana must do something she always wanted to do, but was also afraid to do. She must cross the barrier reef that surrounds Motunui and sale far into an ocean full of danger. That danger includes the kind of waves that can destroy the small boat upon which Moana sets sail.

I always struggle with writing reviews of modern Disney computer-animated feature films. The animation is always superb. The character design consistently is imaginative and inventive, and the character animation – regardless of whether the characters are human, animals, creatures of fantasy, or machines – is flawless. The production design, art direction, set decoration, and graphic design are so good that just about every Disney movie gets its own art book – deservedly so. That said, the tattoos on Maui's body steal the show; it's like they are their own film reel of hype men and Greek choruses.

Moana offers Disney's time-tested formula, telling the story of a girl who goes on a journey of discovery about what she expects of herself after living a life of doing what others expect of her. It has popped up recently in such films as Frozen (2013) and Zootopia (2016). Of late, Disney has offered girls who are not white or European as the stars of such stories, as seen here in Moana and also in Encanto (2021), a film released several years after Moana. The visual elements of this film might say non-white girl, but the voice actors bring a universal appeal to their voice performances that emphasizes the Moana's broad themes of bravery and redemption and also of the struggle between tradition (represented by Moana's father, Tui) and progress (represented by Moana herself).

By the way, Moana's original songs, written by Opetaia Foa'il, Mark Mancina, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the film score by Mancina are some of the best Disney music produced this century. It is hard to pick a favorite song from this film, but I like Mancina and Miranda's “Shiny” as much as like Miranda's “How Far I'll Go,” which is essentially the film's theme.

I avoided Moana when it was first released to theaters in 2016, and I finally decided to see it because Moana 2 is due this month (November 2024). I would have loved to have seen it on the big screen. Although I think the film drags a little in its last act, I really enjoyed its story and its bouncy songs and soaring score. Moana is one of Disney's great recent adventure films – live-action or animation – and I think fans of animated feature films – Disney or otherwise – are denying themselves an exceptional work if they don't see it.

8 of 10

★★★★ out of 4 stars

Tuesday, November 26, 2027

NOTES:

2017 Academy Awards, USA: 2 nominations: “Best Animated Feature Film of the Year” (Ron Clements, John Musker, and Osnat Shurer) and “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures-Original Song” (Lin-Manuel Miranda for the song, “How Far I'll Go”)

2017 BAFTA Awards: 1 nomination: “Best Animated Feature Film” (Ron Clements and John Musker)

2017 Golden Globe Awards: 2 nominations: “Best Original Song-Motion Picture” (Lin-Manuel Miranda for the song, “How Far I'll Go”) and “Best Motion Picture - Animated”

2017 NAACP Image Awards: 1 nomination: “Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance-Television or Film” (Dwayne Johnson)

2017 Black Reel Awards: 1 nomination: “Outstanding Voice Performance” (Dwayne Johnson)

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