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

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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

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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

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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

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Review: "MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING" is a Long Goodbye

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 23 of 2025 (No. 2029) by Leroy Douresseaux

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025)

Running time: 169 minutes (2 hours, 49 minutes)

MPA – PG-13 for sequences of strong violence and action, bloody images, and brief language

DIRECTOR:  Christopher McQuarrie

WRITERS:  Christopher McQuarrie and Erik Jendresen (based upon the television series created by Bruce Geller)

PRODUCERS: Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Fraser Taggart (D.o.P.)

EDITOR:  Eddie Hamilton

COMPOSERS:  Max Aruj and Alfie Godfey

ACTION/ADVENTURE/SPY/THRILLER

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Shea Whigham, Greg Tarzan Davis, Holt McCallany, Janet McTeer, Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, Tramell Tillman, Rolf Saxon, Lucy Tulugarjuk, Charles Parnell, Mark Gatiss, and Henry Czerny and Angela Bassett

SUMMARY OF REVIEW:

-- Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is a Mission: Impossible film, and fans of the franchise will like it to one extent or another

-- However, even as a fan, I find it to be too long and not as good as the previous film, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

-- I think that the possibility of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning being Tom Cruise's final Mission: Impossible film (at least as a lead) added to my desire to like it more than I probably should

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is a 2025 action-thriller and espionage film directed by Christopher McQuarrie and starring Tom Cruise.  It is the eighth film in the Mission: Impossible film series which began with the 1996 film, Mission: Impossible, and is based on the American television series, “Mission: Impossible” (CBS, 1966-73), that was created by Bruce Geller.  This film is also a direct sequel to 2013's Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.  In The Final Reckoning, Ethan Hunt learns that our lives are the sum of our choices as he and his IMF team race to stop an assassin from gaining control of a rogue AI that wants to destroy humanity.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning opens in the wake of the events depicted in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.  The IMF (Impossible Mission Force) has failed to put an end to the machinations of either “The Entity,” the most powerful ever AI (artificial intelligence), or the assassin, Gabriel (Esai Morales), who wants to control The Entity.  The Entity is plotting global nuclear annihilation against humanity.

IMF agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) turns himself over to authorities and is brought before President of the United States Erika Sloane (Angela Bassett), who was once the Director of the CIA.  He asks her for the resources to find the sunken advanced Russian submarine, the “Sevastopol.”  There, he hopes to obtain the “the Rabbit's Foot,” the core module that contains the original source code for The Entity.  IMF computer technician, Luther Stickwell (Ving Rhames), has created malware in the form of a kind of flash drive that when inserted into the core module will help imprison The Entity where it can no longer be a threat to humanity.

President Sloane gives Ethan permission to act independently, and he brings together a new ragtag IMF team that includes technical field agent, Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg); a professional thief, Grace (Hayley Atwell), a French assassin, Paris (Pom Klementieff), a U.S. intelligence agent, Theo Degas (Greg Tarzan Davis); CIA agent William Donloe (Rolf Saxon); and Rolf's wife, Tapeesa (Lucy Tulugarjuk).  Ethan and his IMF team head to South Africa for an epic showdown while the world's nuclear powers await nuclear Armageddon.

I divide the six Mission: Impossible movies into two trilogies.  Mission: Impossible (1996), Mission: Impossible 2 (2000), and Mission: Impossible III (2006) make up the first trilogy.  Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011),  Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), and Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) form the second trilogy.  Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning are, for the time being, the two-part conclusion to Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible franchise.

And let's be honest, unlike the original “Mission: Impossible” TV series, which was an ensemble espionage drama, the Mission: Impossible films are a Tom Cruise vehicle / espionage action movies.  The Final Reckoning is all about Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt.  Heck, the theme of this film is that Ethan's life is the sum of his choices.  Yes, the other characters all get their moment or, in some cases, moments to shine, but this film is about Tom/Ethan.

Like Dead Reckoning Part One, The Final Reckoning is a non-stop thrill machine full of heart-pounding races, chases, standoffs, last-second escapes, and near death experiences with Tom Cruise running more than he ever has.  I initially balked at Dead Reckoning's runtime of two hours and forty-three minutes, but the film didn't feel that long.  The Final Reckoning feels too long at two hours and forty-nine minutes.

I don't really have anything else to say.  Like all the previous films, The Final Reckoning is a perpetual thrill-machine.  If it were any other film, I'd give it a grade of “B.”  However, I am a sucker for both Tom Cruise and for his Mission: Impossible films, which I still, for the most part, re-watch.  I will watch Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning again – many times, so it gets a preferential grade.

7 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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Comics Review: "VATICAN CITY #2" - Fear of a Vampire Planet

VATICAN CITY #2 (OF 3)

DARK HORSE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Per Berg

COLORS: Per Berg

LETTERS: Per Berg

EDITOR: Daniel Chabon

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Per Berg

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Per Berg

32pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (May 2025)

Rating: 18+

Vatican City created by Mark Millar at Netflix

Vatican City is a new three-issue Millarworld miniseries from Dark Horse Comics.  It is created and written by Mark Millar and drawn, colored, and lettered by Per Berg.  Vatican City is set in a world overrun by vampires, except for Vatican City, which is the main target of the vampires.

Vatican City finds the vampire race revealing itself for the first time in ages.  Their goal is “Vatican City,” the independent city-state within Rome, Italy that is the government of the “Holy See” (the Pope and the Papacy).  Now, Guido Cavelti, recently of the Swiss Air Force, leads the human resistance to an invasion of monsters determined to get something that is buried deep beneath Vatican City.

Vatican City #2 opens in Russia and China, which seem to be among the last strongholds of human resistance against a vampire takeover of the world.  Meanwhile, the siege of Vatican City continues as legions of vampires wait outside, afraid of the holy relics with the city.

This is something buried beneath the Vatican itself, and the vampires want it more than they want the human blood inside.  What they don't know is that Guido Cavelti has decided that the humans inside need to make a last stand, and he is going to use the vampire's prize to make that stand.

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 Vatican City #2.

Millar continues to throw his readers right into the action with this second issue.  As always, Millar's action is a bracing action – filled with equal parts thrills and chills.  I don't want to spoil anything, but, of course, there was a shocking surprise to close out the first issue, and Millar also offers the shocking retaliation that defines this second issue.

The art, colors, and letters by Per Berg (also known as Per Darwin Berg or by the pen name, “Narwhal”) are both representational and impressionistic, possibly because Berg is depicting a world that is rapidly shifting from the natural to the supernatural.  One thing that Berg's storytelling certainly does is create the sense of rapid breakdown and hopelessness, which are perfect modes for apocalyptic fiction.  Berg wants the reader to guess at what is happening more than know what is happening.  In this second issue, Berg's impressionistic and psychological storytelling wants readers to feel humanity's struggle and resistance.

Millar and Berg gave readers a reason to come back for the second issue, and now, they've given us a reason to come back for the bloody third and final issue.  I suggest that you do so, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar, of vampire comic books, and of horror apocalypse will want to read Vatican City.

A

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

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://x.com/mrmarkmillar

https://x.com/netflix

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.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 18th to 24th, 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.

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NEWS:

CANNES 2025:

From Variety:  Iranian director, Jafar Panahi, won the top prize at the 2025 / 78th Cannes Film Festival, the "Palme d'Or," for his film, "It Was Just an Accident."  This is the sixth consecutive year that U.S. distributor, Neon, has the distribution rights to the "Palme d'Or" winner.

From Deadline:  Oscar-winner Denzel Washington arrived at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 for the premiere of his collaboration with director, Spike Lee, the upcoming film, "Highest 2 Lowest."  There, he was surprised with an "Honorary Palme d'Or."

MOVIES - From Deadline:  There are updates on the third "Downton Abbey" feature film.

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Prime Video will not be renewing its fantasy series, "The Wheel of Time" for a fourth season. This announcement comes over a month after the Season 3 finale debuted April 17th, 2025.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Andrew Koji, Jason Momoa, Noah Centineo, and Roman Reigns are in talks to star in Legendary Entertainment’s live-action "Street Fighter" movie, based on the Capcom video games, sources tell Deadline.  There have been three previous live-action "Street Fighter" films, including the infamous 1994 movie starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:   Shemar Moore addressed the fact that he is the only actor from CBS' recently ended series, "S.W.A.T." (2017-25), that will be moving over to the new series, "S.W.A.T. Exiles." Moore says, "I'm the quarterback."

SCANDAL -  From Deadline: Stunt performer, Casey Michaels, was working on the final season of "Game of Thrones" when she shattered her left ankle performing a stunt she argues was not designed competently by the coordinators on-set.  Her career ended, Michaels sued HBO, claiming she had been robbed of a promising career.  HBO eventually paid her $9.3 million, including legal costs, as part of a settlement in 2023, with the company’s lawyers apologizing. Michaels has given an interview to "Deadline" because she believes her experience exposes everything that’s wrong with her profession.

DISNEY/ANIMATION - From ComicBook:  The Cartoon Network's former animated series, "The Amazing World of Gumball," is returning in a new animated series, "The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball."  It will debut on Disney+ and Hulu later this year and on Cartoon Network internationally.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/16 to 5/18/2025 weekend box office is Warner Bros./New Line Cinema's "Final Destination: Bloodlines" with an estimated take of 51 million dollars.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  A new Tom Cruise project with director Doug Liman and costar Ana De Armas looks to be pricey.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American television producer and director, Jeff Margolis, has died at the age of 78, Friday, May 23, 2025.  He was a prolific producer and/or director of numerous award shows, live events, specials, and variety show.  His career as a TV director began in the mid-70s and including directing two episodes of the former CBS variety series, "Tony Orlando and Dawn."  Margolis was nominated for eight "Primetime Emmy Awards," and won twice: "Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special" for "Sammy Davis, Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration" and "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing for a Music or Variety Program" for "The 67th Annual Academy Awards."

From Deadline:  American film and television actor, George Wendt, has died at the age of 76, Tuesday, May 20, 2025.  Wendt was best known for the role of "Norm Peterson" on the former NBC sitcom, "Cheers" (1982-93).  He was nominated six times in the Primetime Emmy Awards category, "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series."  Wendt's passing reportedly coincides with the 32nd anniversary of the "Cheers" finale episode.

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Comics Review: Disney's "DARKWING DUCK #3" Unveils a Secret History

DARKWING DUCK VOLUME 2 #3

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Daniel Kibblesmith

ART: Ted Brandt & Ro Stein

COLORS: Dearbhla Kelly

LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry

EDITOR: Nate Cosby

COVER: Tad Stones

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Ted Brandt & Ro Stein; Ciro Cangialosi; Nicoletta Baldari; Tad Stones

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (April 2025)

Rated “All Ages”

“Year One” Part Three of Twelve: “Where Did Darkwing Learn Martial Arts?”

“Darkwing Duck” was an animated superhero comedy television series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation.  It originally aired for three seasons (for a total of 91 episodes) from 1991 to 1992, both as part of the syndicated programming block, “The Disney Afternoon,” and as part of ABC's Saturday morning lineup.  “Darkwing Duck” focused on a suburban duck, Drake Mallard, and his superhero alter-ego, “Darkwing Duck.”  The character was a parody of the pulp fiction vigilante character, The Shadow, and his alter-ego, Kent Allard.

A little over two years ago, Dynamite Entertainment launched a new Darkwing Duck comic book series.  Now, it has recently relaunched the series with Darkwing Duck Volume 2.  It is written by Daniel Kibblesmith; drawn by Ted Brandt & Ro Stein; and colored by Dearbhla Kelly; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.  The new series revisits Darkwing Duck's first year as a superhero.

Darkwing Duck Volume 2 #3 (“Where Did Darkwing Learn Martial Arts?”) opens as Darkwing Duck (“DW”) decides to share with his adopted daughter, Gosalyn, the first chapter of his book, “The Secret History of Darkwing Duck!”  As a costumed crimefighter with years of experience safeguarding the streets of St. Canard, Darkwing Duck is, of course, a seasoned master of hand-to-hand (or wing-to-wing) combat.  So how did DW become proficient in the exquisite arts of combat?

Now, Darkwing Duck is transporting (or will attempt to transport) Gosalyn back to his earliest days at the Training Temple of the Venerable One, an old master who imparts wisdom and verbal take-downs in equal measure.  Will DW learned the value of patience or self-control?  Or will standing up to bullies cause the Venerable One to expel him?  “The Ancient Book of Ancientness” may have those answers and more.

THE LOWDOWN:  Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Darkwing Duck Volume 2, Issue #3, one of a few Darkwing Duck comic books that I have ever read.

I continue to find myself drawn to the work of the new Darkwing Duck comic book's creative team.  Writer Daniel Kibblesmith continues to spin delightful, imaginative yarns, this time featuring a glimpse into Darkwing's formative years.  Kibblesmith offers enjoyable characters while operating the mechanics of a superhero's past in an even earlier time than a “Year One” story arc.

The art team of illustrators Ted Brandt & Ro Stein and colorist Dearbhla Kelly once again offer a spry chapter of storytelling that sparks on the page with adventure and humor.  Brandt & Stein continue to capture the Disney graphical aesthetic via genuinely entertaining storytelling.  Kelly's coloring hints at the faraway nature of this chapter's setting.  Letterer Jeff Eckleberry keeps the energy going with battery-charged sound effects, captions, and word balloons.

I hope that Dynamite can find continued success with its Darkwing Duck comic books.  There is an audience for this title, and it could be you, dear readers.  It is pure comic book fun.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Darkwing Duck will want to try Dynamite's new Darkwing Duck Volume 2 comic book series.

A

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

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

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Comics Review: "SPACE GHOST #12" Ragnaroks to the End

SPACE GHOST VOL. 1 #12

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Pepose

ART: Jonathan Lau

COLORS: Andrew Dalhouse

LETTERS: Taylor Esposito

EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt

COVER: Francesco Mattina

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jae Lee with June Chung; Bjorn Barends; Anthony Marques

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (May 2025)

Rated “Teen”

“The Siege of Ghost Planet!”

Space Ghost is a superhero character created by the American animation studio and production company, Hanna-Barbera Productions.  The character first appeared in the Saturday morning cartoon series, “Space Ghost,” which was originally broadcast on CBS from September 1966 to September 1967 for 20 episodes.

In his original incarnation, Space Ghost was a superhero whose base of operations was a small world known as “Ghost Planet.”  He fought super-villains in outer space with his teen sidekicks, Jan and Jace, and their monkey, Blip.  His main weapons were power bands he wore around his wrists and lower arms; the bands fired off multiple energy beam-based attacks, including heat, cold, and force, to name a few.  Space Ghost could also fly, survive in space, and turn invisible (his “Inviso Power”).  He also had a space ship known as “the Phantom Cruiser.”

Space Ghost sporadically appeared in various comic book publications over a fifty year period.  Dynamite Entertainment has just launched a new Space Ghost comic book as part of its licensing agreement with Warner Bros.  Entitled Space Ghost Volume 1, it is written by David Pepose; drawn by Jonathan Lau; colored by Andrew Dalhouse; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.  In the new series, twins Jan and Jace Keplar and their pet monkey, Blip, meet that legendary cosmic vigilante known as “the Space Ghost.”

Space Ghost Volume One #12 (“The Siege of Ghost Planet!”) opens at Robo Corp.  Doctor Xander Ibal, the CEO OF Robo Corp, has finally obtained Blip because he is the “Binary Language Integrated Prototype.”  Now, Ibal can use this to initiate the “Ultima Protocols”  What is that, and how will it affect the galaxy... and even the universe?

Meanwhile, Ghost Planet lies in ruins and on the verge of total collapse.  The “Council of Doom”:  Zorak, Moltar, General Metallus, the Creature King, the Widow, and Brak, stands triumphant, while Space Ghost clings to life and the very edge of oblivion.  Can Jan and Jace find a way to get Space Ghost back on his feet?  Or is this the end of our heroes?

THE LOWDOWN:  Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  Space Ghost #12, Volume One is a recent issue that I have received.

This twelfth issue of the 2024-launched Space Ghost comic book series brings the series to a close.  There is a new relaunch scheduled for July 2025.

Meanwhile, I can give this series a review send-off by simply saying that writer David Pepose and artist Jonathan Lau have ended it the way they began it – on fire.  They have liberated their Space Ghost from every previous iteration.  It is as if Pepose and Lau have gone back to the beginning and forged their own path.  Can I also the blazed that own path?

Andrew Dalhouse's lovely colors are still a raging inferno, matching Lau flame for flame.  He deserves some award notice for his work here.  Letterer Taylor Esposito brings the sounds of battle to life with more of his strong lettering.  As he closes this issue out, I'm sure Esposito is ready to bring the noise again for the next series.

I had a blast reading Space Ghost Volume One, dear readers.  I want you to enjoy this, too, and you can via current and future trade paperback editions.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Dynamite Entertainment's Warner Bros. comic book series will want to read Space Ghost Volume One.

A

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

https://x.com/DynamiteComics

https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/

https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment

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

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