Comic Books, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for June 11, 2025

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

MAR251852 BERSERK OF GLUTTONY GN VOL 12 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

APR251045 CIH PRESENTS NARUTOBUS ONE SHOT $5.00

MAR257226 COMIC PARTY WONDER LOVE GN VOL 03 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

MAR250265 CONAN BARBARIAN #21 CVR A PANOSIAN (MR) $3.99

MAR250266 CONAN BARBARIAN #21 CVR B WOLF (MR) $3.99

MAR250267 CONAN BARBARIAN #21 CVR C KENNEY (MR) $3.99

MAR250268 CONAN BARBARIAN #21 CVR D LEE (MR) $3.99

MAR250269 CONAN BARBARIAN #21 CVR E GONZO (MR) $3.99

FEB258854 CONAN BARBARIAN #21 CVR G FOC PANOSIAN VIRGIN (MR) $3.99

MAR250830 CRITICAL ROLE VOX MACHINA ORIGINS I #1 $4.99

APR251562 DARK REGARDS #2 CVR A TOPILIN (MR) $4.99

APR251563 DARK REGARDS #2 CVR B ROSSMO (MR) $4.99

APR251972 DARWIN INCIDENT GN VOL 07 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $12.95

APR251807 DEAD ROCK GN VOL 02 (C: 0-1-1) $11.99

FEB251173 DIMWOOD HC (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $39.99

MAR251612 DIVINITY #1 CVR A  JEFF JOHNSON / BARB KAALBERG $4.99

MAR251070 DREADLOCK THE BARBARIAN #1 ONESHOT (C: 0-0-1) $4.99

APR251537 EC BLOOD TYPE #1 CVR A MERCADO (MR) $4.99

APR251538 EC BLOOD TYPE #1 CVR B SORRENTINO (MR) $4.99

APR251539 EC BLOOD TYPE #1 CVR C FOIL MERCADO (MR) $8.99

APR251544 EC BLOOD TYPE #1 CVR H BLANK SKETCH (MR) $4.99

MAR251858 ECCENTRIC DOCTOR OF MOON FLOWER KINGDOM GN VOL 10 (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

APR251808 FABLE OMNIBUS GN VOL 08 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $22.99

APR251809 FALL IN LOVE YOU FALSE ANGELS GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

FEB251132 FRANKENSTEIN NEW WORLD SEA OF FOREVER #4 $3.99

APR250845 GFT TALES OF TERROR VOL 5 #6 CVR A ERIC J (MR) $4.99

APR250846 GFT TALES OF TERROR VOL 5 #6 CVR B AL BARRIONUEVO (MR) $4.99

APR250847 GFT TALES OF TERROR VOL 5 #6 CVR C DERLIS SANTACRUZ (MR) $4.99

APR250900 HELLO DARKNESS #11 CVR A MERCADO (MR) $5.99

APR250901 HELLO DARKNESS #11 CVR B FRISON (MR) $5.99

APR250902 HELLO DARKNESS #11 CVR C ANDOLFO VIR (MR) $5.99

APR250903 HELLO DARKNESS #11 CVR D ANNIVERSARY VAR (MR) $5.99

FEB251256 HEROINE HEAVEN #8 $6.95

JUL242273 HONEY LEMON SODA GN VOL 07 (C: 0-1-2) $13.00

OCT240370 HUGE DETECTIVE #5 (OF 5) CVR A BINT (MR) $3.99

OCT240371 HUGE DETECTIVE #5 (OF 5) CVR B KING (MR) $3.99

OCT240372 HUGE DETECTIVE #5 (OF 5) CVR C WALLIS (MR) $3.99

FEB258598 I DIDNT MEAN TO FALL IN LOVE DOUBLE GN (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $16.99

APR251813 I WANT TO LOVE YOU TIL YOUR DYING DAY GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

JUL242254 ILL BECOME A VILLAINESS WHO GOES DOWN IN HISTORY GN VOL 01 ( $13.00

APR251815 ISSAK OMNIBUS GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $22.99

APR251041 IT RHYMES WITH TAKEI HC $29.99

MAR251866 KAGEKI SHOJO GN VOL 14 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

MAR251868 KING THE LAND GN VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $21.99

MAR250286 LOOSE END #4 CVR A BURNHAM (MR) $3.99

MAR250287 LOOSE END #4 CVR B HACK HOME ALONE HOMAGE (MR) $3.99

MAR250288 LOOSE END #4 CVR C HYMEL (MR) $3.99

APR251241 MARJORIE FINNEGAN TEMPORAL CRIMINAL DIRECTORS CUT TP (MR) (C $24.99

MAR251448 MARK SPEARS MONSTERS #5 CVR D NEW MUTANT #98 HOMAGE & CARD $5.99

APR251618 MARSHALL MIDDLES SCHOOL ON GUARD GN (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

MAR251873 MY DEAR DETECTIVE MITSUKOS CASE FILES GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

APR251947 MY ISEKAI LIFE GN VOL 19 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

OCT241305 NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #198 (C: 0-1-1) $4.99

MAR251878 NOW THAT WE DRAW GN VOL 02 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

APR251948 OTAKU LOVE CONNECTION GN VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

MAR251879 OTONARI COMPLEX GN VOL 04 (C: 0-1-1) $14.99

MAR251453 PAPA DUKE #3 (OF 3) CVR A RISZA A PERDHANA (MR) $5.99

MAR251454 PAPA DUKE #3 (OF 3) CVR B TODD SKULL NAOMI GRIFFIN (MR) $5.99

MAR251455 PAPA DUKE #3 (OF 3) CVR C GERSHON VILLAMOR (MR) $5.99

MAR251456 PAPA DUKE #3 (OF 3) CVR D TODD SKULL (MR) $5.99

MAR251457 PAPA DUKE #3 (OF 3) CVR E HOLOFOIL (MR) $19.99

MAR251800 PARALLEL PARADISE GN VOL 22 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $14.99

JAN251870 QUINCREDIBLE THE CATALYST COMPENDIUM TP (C: 0-1-2) $29.99

MAR251882 RE MONSTER GN VOL 11 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

MAR251885 ROZEN MAIDEN COLL ED GN VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $25.99

APR251821 SEVEN DEADLY SINS FOUR KNIGHTS OF APOCALYPSE GN VOL 17 (C: 0 $10.99

MAR250851 SISTER IMPERATOR #4 $4.99

APR251825 SKETCHY GN VOL 06 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

MAR250820 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #42 CVR A DELL EDERA $4.99

MAR250821 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #42 CVR B GLOW VAR BOSS $6.99

MAR250822 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #42 CVR C ANNIV VAR $4.99

MAR250827 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #42 CVR H FOC REVEAL $4.99

MAR250828 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #42 CVR I UNLOCKABLE DELL $4.99

APR251021 STAR TREK LOWER DECKS #8 $4.99

FEB251152 STAR WARS BAD BATCH GHOST AGENTS #4 CVR A FAVOCCIA $3.99

FEB251153 STAR WARS BAD BATCH GHOST AGENTS #4 CVR B CARLOMAGNO $3.99

MAR251469 SURGEON #6 (OF 6) (MR) $5.99

FEB251181 SURVIVAL STREET TP VOL 02 RADICAL LEFT (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

APR251969 SWEET OR BITTER LOVE GN (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

APR251826 TANK CHAIR GN VOL 04 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $13.99

FEB251213 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2024 #9 CVR A FORNES $4.99

FEB251214 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2024 #9 CVR B EASTMAN $4.99

FEB251215 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2024 #9 CVR C FERREYRA $4.99

FEB251216 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2024 #9 CVR D BYRNE $4.99

FEB251217 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2024 #9 CVR E RANDOLPH $4.99

MAR251365 THE COMICS JOURNAL TP #311 (C: 0-1-2) $22.99

MAR251886 THIS IS SCREWED UP REINCARNATED AS GIRL GN VOL 16 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

APR251035 TMNT MUTANT NATION #7 CVR A SANTOLOUCO $5.99

APR251036 TMNT MUTANT NATION #7 CVR B PE $5.99

APR251827 TYING KNOT WITH AN AMAGAMI SISTER GN VOL 10 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

MAR250870 UMBRELLA ACADEMY PLAN B #1 CVR A BA $4.99

MAR250871 UMBRELLA ACADEMY PLAN B #1 CVR B MOON $4.99

MAR250872 UMBRELLA ACADEMY PLAN B #1 CVR C ROE $4.99

MAR250873 UMBRELLA ACADEMY PLAN B #1 CVR D MUNDO $4.99

MAR250874 UMBRELLA ACADEMY PLAN B #1 CVR E FEGREDO $4.99

MAR250875 UMBRELLA ACADEMY PLAN B #1 CVR F AJA $4.99

MAR250876 UMBRELLA ACADEMY PLAN B #1 CVR G THOMPSON $4.99

MAR250877 UMBRELLA ACADEMY PLAN B #1 CVR H NGUYEN $4.99

MAR250878 UMBRELLA ACADEMY PLAN B #1 CVR I LOTAY $4.99

APR251197 WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #151 (C: 0-1-1) $9.99

VIZ MEDIA:

Akane-banashi Volume 12 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99

Call Of The Night Volume 20 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99

Girl Crush Volume 1 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99

I Wanna Do Bad Things With You Volume 6 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99

Komi Can't Communicate Volume 34 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99

Minecraft The Manga Volume 2 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99

Pokemon Scarlet And Violet Volume 2 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $5.99

Rainbows After Storms Volume 4 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99

MAGAZINES

FEB251509 COMIC SHOP NEWS (100CT BUNDLE) #1973 (NET) $18.99

MAR251507 NON SPORT UPDATE VOL 36 #3 JUN/JUL 25 (C: 0-1-1) $8.99

MAR251603 SCREEM #43 NEWSTAND ED (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

BOOKS

APR251474 96 FACTS ABOUT BEYONCE SC (C: 0-1-2) $6.99

FEB257861 ATTACK ON TITAN GN VOL 35 FLY COLL BOX SET (C: 0-1-2) $249.99

MAR251892 CASE FILES COMPENDIUM BING AN BEN L NOVEL VOL 05 (MR) (C: 0- $19.99

APR251493 FERREN TRILOGY PROSE NOVEL SC VOL 03 (OF 3) INVADERS OF HEAV $17.99

MAR251899 I ABANDONED MY ENGAGEMENT L NOVEL VOL 03 (C: 0-1-1) $15.99

APR251339 LEGO MARVEL SPIDER-MAN EXPLORE SPIDER-VERSE SC (C: 0-1-2) $16.99

APR251340 LEGO NINJAGO DRAGONS RISING ADV ATLAS SC (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

NOV247984 MAGI KNIGHTS AWAKENING HC RPG $49.99

APR251617 MARVEL STORM DAWN OF A GODDESS SC NOVEL (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

APR251646 POP MANGA CATITUDE COLORING BOOK SC (C: 0-1-2) $16.99

JAN252100 RE ZERO SLIAW SHORT STORY COLL LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 03 (C: 0-1 $16.00

MAR251896 RUN WILD SA YE SC NOVEL VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

APR251342 STAR WARS LIFE SIZE HC (C: 0-1-2) $16.99

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Comics Review: "CONAN THE BARBARIAN #12" - Conan Vs Thulsa Doom

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #12 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Roberto de la Torre

COLORS: Diego Rodriguez

LETTERS: Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith of Comicraft

EDITOR: Chris Butera

COVER: Jeffrey Alan Love

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Stuart Sayger; Greg Broadmore; Jeffrey Alan Love

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2024)

Suggested for mature readers

“The Age Unconquered” Part IV: “Terror Undreamed Of!”

Conan the Cimmerian was born in the pulp fiction of Robert E. Howard (REH), first appearing in the magazine, Weird Tales (1932).  In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books via the title, Conan the Barbarian. With only a few pauses, Conan comic books have been published for the better part of five decades.

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they launched a new Conan the Barbarian series in 2023.  The current story arc is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Roberto de la Torre; colored by Dean White and Diego Rodriguez; and lettered by Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith of Comicraft.  Entitled “The Age Unconquered,” this arc finds Conan's body and/or soul transported 80,000 years into the past

Conan the Barbarian #12 (“Terror Undreamed Of!”) opens with the horror of the Black Stone sarcophagus revealed.  Plunged tens of thousands of years in the past to the time known as the “Thurian Age,” Conan joined Kull of Atlantis (also known as “Kull the Conqueror”), Brule the Spear-slayer, and Kull's elite “Red Slayer” guards on Kull's journey to find the source of the darkness that threatens his kingdom.  Kull believed the source of the darkness to be in Atlantis, the land of his birth, but what they found first was the terrors of the abyss.

Now, Kull lies near death, and the specter of Atlantis' most hideous evil, the man who was known as “Kathulos” and is forever known as “Thulsa Doom,” emerges from his sarcophagus.  Jealous of the warrior-kings like Kull who emerged after his burial Thulsa Doom is determined to destroy Kull and once again conquer everything before him.  However, he must contend with a foe that is familiar to him, but one he did not expect to be present now.

THE LOWDOWN:  Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now.  Conan the Barbarian #12 is one of them.

I am so far behind in my reviews of Titan and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian comic book series that some of you, dear readers, already know what fate awaits Conan, Kull, and Brule.  However, I am enjoying my slow roll through the narrative wonders of writer Jim Zub.  Zub brings his third Titan Comics Conan the Barbarian story arc, “The Age Unconquered,” to a stunning close.  It is full of mystery, evil, stunning revelations, and a great duel, of course.

Artist Roberto de la Torre, with his haunted illustrations, offers storytelling that recalls the vintage wonders of weird fiction.  Roberto has made “The Age Unconquered” seem like a story out of a mysterious unknown “times past” with aesthetic elements and graphical styles that recall Frank Gazetteer, Al Williamson, and John Buscema.  It is not often that modern comics recall the hoary pulpy prose of Weird Tales, but Jim and Roberto pull that off.

Diego Rodriguez's colors enhance the Stygian and infernal wonders of this third chapter of the arc.  It is a dazzling display of comics coloring.  I love that Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith's lettering completes the classic comic book vibe because whenever I see Comicraft letting, I know that I am really experiencing the true spirit of comic books.

“The Age Unconquered” ends up being a nice change of pace for Conan the Barbarian.  I heartily recommend the third trade paperback volume of Titan's Conan, dear readers, because it collects this hugely enjoyable story.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Conan comic books absolutely must read Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “Conan, Cthulhu, and the Cosmic Horror of Robert E. Howard” the twelfth installment of Conan/Howard essays by Jeffrey Shanks.]

A

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

https://titan-comics.com/

https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

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: Disney's "ZOOTOPIA #3" is in Da Country Club

ZOOTOPIA: VOL. 1 #3

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Jeff Parker

ART: Alessandro Ranaldi

COLORS: Dearbhla Kelly

LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry

EDITOR: Nate Cosby

COVER: Trish Forstner

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Alessandro Ranaldi; Craig Rousseau

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

Rated “Teen”

Zootopia is a 2016 animated buddy-cop comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios.  Zootopia is set in a world of anthropomorphic animals (animals that talk and act like humans).  The film follows a rabbit named Judy Hopps, who is rookie police officer, and a fox named Nick Wilde, who is a con artist.  Judy and Nick end up working together to uncover a conspiracy involving the disappearance of predators.  At the end of the film, Nick graduates from the police academy and becomes Judy's partner.

Dynamite Entertainment has been producing licensed comic books based on Disney characters and IP since 2022.  The latest is a Zootopia comic book series, entitled Zootopia: Volume 1.  It is written by Jeff Parker; drawn by Alessandro Ranaldi; colored by Dearbhla Kelly; and lettered Jeff Eckleberry.  The series continues the adventures of Officers Hopps and Wilde and is set after the events of the original film.

Zootopia: Volume 1 #3 opens inside “Usedtopia,” a second hand store.  There, Judy and Nick prep a back of goodies and faux treasure for their latest case, finding out who is the mastermind behind a series of garbage heists.  Now, they just need the two thieves they caught the night before – Lou and Ross – to spill the secrets on the mastermind.  And it all leads to a posh resort.

At the country club, “Spinybrook,” there is indeed something going on with people precious jewelry.  With the furry felons' contact inside the exclusive resort still a mystery, Officers Hopps and Wilde go undercover as new members to try and catch the culprit red-handed.  The first discovery is that there are way worse places to conduct surveillance than lying poolside in a lounge chair with waiter service.

THE LOWDOWN:  Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  Zootopia: Volume 1, Issue #3 is the latest.

I passed on Walt Disney's 2016 computer-animated hit film, Zootopia, when it first played in theaters.  Later, I started hearing good things about it, so I gave it a try on DVD (via Netflix).  I loved it, and I'm excited about the sequel film, Zootopia 2, which is due November 2025.

My enjoyment of the film virtually assured that I was going to give Dynamite's new comic book adaptation a try.  I can safely tell Zootopia fans that the fun first two issues of this series were not instances of a fluke.  Issue #3 is fun to read and includes a lot of nice surprises from series writer Jeff Parker, who manages to keep intriguing his Zootopia readers with novel plots and conspiracies.  He is giving us every reason to keep reading.

The series' artists, penciler-inker Alessandro Ranaldi and colorist Dearbhla Kelly, find exciting storytelling at a country club, more so that I expected.  It seems like a dull narrative place.  Ranaldi's art hops and dashes across the pages with fast-paced storytelling.  Kelly's colors have the spark of Disney's animation magic and also make the story pop.  As usual, Jeff Eckleberry's lettering sells this story's conceit that strange things abound in strange mysteries.

I look forward to more Zootopia Volume 1.  Anyone who reads this third issue, dear readers, will feel the need to return for the fourth issue, at least.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Dynamite Entertainment's Disney comic book series will want Zootopia: Volume 1.

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.

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

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).

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

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

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

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NEWS:

ANIMATION - From Variety:  The Oscar-winning, Latvian animated film, "Flow," continues its historic global box office run with 57 million dollar gross and counting.

STREAMING - From Deadline:  Samuel L. Jackson will star in "NOLA King," a spinoff of the Paramount+ series, "Tulsa King," which stars Sylvester Stallone. "NOLA King" further expands the universe of super-producer Taylor Sheridan's universe of television series.  Jackson will appear in multiple episodes of the upcoming third season of "Tulsa King" before moving on to "NOLA King."

CELEBRITY - From Variety:  Michael B. Jordan says that Denzel Washington warning him that overexposure hurts movie stars in reference to being on social media all the time.

DISNEY - From Variety:  Disney's latest round of layoffs involving such departments as film and TV marketing, casting and development, and its corporate financial operations.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 5/30 to 6/1/2025 weekend box office is Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" with an estimated take of 63 million dollars.

MOVIES - From Variety: During an interview for his new film, "Karate Kid: Legends," Jackie Chan talks about the "Rush Hour" film trilogy, in which he starred with Chris Tucker. He talks about which film was his favorite and which is his least favorite.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American film executive, Jason Constantine, has died at the age of 55, Tuesday, June 3, 2025.  Constantine was best known for his long time association with Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.  Constantine was a big proponent of the original "Saw" (2004), which spawned a franchise.  Constantine was also involved with such Oscar-winning films as "Crash" (2005) and "Precious" (2009).

From Variety:  American actor and voice performer, Jonathan Joss, has died at the age of 59, Sunday, June 1, 2025.  Jonathan was shot to death near his home during an argument.  Joss was best known for providing the voice of the character "John Redcorn" on the former Fox Network animated television series, "King of the Hill" from Season 2 through Season 13 (1998-2009). Joss replaced the original voice of John Redcorn, "Victor Aaron," who died as the result of a car crash.  Joss also had recurring roles on such TV series as "Parks and Recreation," "Ray Donovan," and "Tulsa King."  Joss also appeared in two "Lonesome Dove" related miniseries, "Dead Man's Walk" (ABC, 1996) and "Comanche Moon" (CBS, 2008).

Review: Netflix's "HAVOC" is Stylish, Blood-Splattered Fluff

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 25 of 2025 (No. 2031) by Leroy Douresseaux

Havoc (2025)

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

Rated: TV-MA

WRITER/DIRECTOR:  Gareth Evans

PRODUCERS:  Gareth Evans, Tom Hardy, Ed Talfan, and Aram Tertzakian

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Matt Flannery (D.o.P.)

COMPOSER:  Aria Prayogi

EDITORS:  Sara Jones and Matt Platts-Mills

CRIME/ACTION/THRILLER

Starring:  Tom Hardy, Jessie Mei Li, Justin Cornwell, Quelin Sepulveda, Richard Harrington, Serhat Metin, Gordon Alexander, John Cummins, Jeremy Ang Jones, Yann Yann Yeo, Michelle Waterson, Narges Rashidi, Astrid Fox-Sahan, Luis Guzman, and Timothy Olyphant and Forest Whitaker

SUMMARY OF REVIEW:

-- Havoc is a violent action movie with so much gun play that it would be okay to mistake it for something like a first-person shooter video game

-- Havoc seems like a video game that wants to be a movie, and as a movie it will entertain people who enjoy violent crime movies and action films

-- Otherwise, Havoc is an average film

Havoc is a 2025 crime and action-thriller film from writer-director Gareth Evans.  The film is a co-production between the U.S. and the U.K.  The film is a “Netflix Original” and began streaming on the service April 25, 2025.  Havoc focuses on a beat-up detective who must rescue a politician's estranged son, after the son is implicated in the violent modern of young drug lord.

Havoc introduces Patrick Walker (Tom Hardy), a homicide detective who is estranged from his wife, Helena (Narges Rashidi), and daughter, Emily (Astrid Fox-Sahan).  Walker is also on the payroll of the powerful real estate magnate and mayoral candidate, Lawrence Beaumont (Forest Whitaker).  Beaumont's son, Charlie (Justin Cornwell), is implicated in the murder of Tsui (Jeremy Ang Jones), a young drug lord.  Tsui's mother, Clarice Fong (Yann Yann Yeo), arrives in the city and demands that her legion of henchman find Charlie.

Knowing that Walker is compromised because he has been on the take from him, Beaumont demands that Walker find Charlie before he is killed.  After insisting that this is the last job he will to do for Beaumont, Walker sets about searching for Charlie and his girlfriend, Mia (Quelin Sepulveda), who are on the run.  However, the killing of Tsui is complicated and involves people who know how dirty Walker is because they have joined him in some of his dirtiest deeds.

I am a fan of director Gareth Evan's 2011 Indonesian crime-thriller, The Raid, which was released in the U.S. under the title, The Raid: Redemption.  After that, I had not watched another of Evans films until Havoc, and I don't have a lot to say about it.

The cast is quite good.  They are mostly people I don't know, but they deliver good performances.  I am a fan of the film's star Tom Hardy and of Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland, 2006).  They also deliver good performances...

...But Havoc plays like a violent action-adventure video game that is transitioning into a violent crime and action film.  In fact, the car chase scenes in this film look like game animation.  The film's screenplay has back story and character drama, but ultimately Gareth Evans makes the drama and story take a backseat to the violent action.  The violent gun play results in gory gunshot wounds, and every shooting victim is shot way more times than it should take to kill them.

Havoc looks like a first-person shooter video game, and it might make a good one at that.  As a movie, it is average entertainment.  Havoc won't be memorable, but it will help viewers pass the time.

5 of 10

C+

★★½ out of 4 stars

Friday, June 6, 2025

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

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Review: "MICKEY 17" is Wacky, Withering and Awesome

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 24 of 2025 (No. 2030) by Leroy Douresseaux

Mickey 17 (2025)

Running time:  137 minutes (2 hours, 17 minutes)

MPA – R for violent content, language throughout, sexual content and drug material

DIRECTOR:  Bong Joon Ho

WRITER: Bong Joon Ho (based on the novel by Edward Ashton)

PRODUCERS:  Bong Joon Ho, Dooho Choi, Dede Gardner, and Jeremy Kleiner

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Darius Khondji (D.o.P.)

EDITOR:  Jinmo Yang

COMPOSER:  Jung Jae-il

SCI-FI/DRAMA/COMEDY

Starring:  Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, Steven Yeun, Daniel Henshall, Anamaria Vartolomei, Ellen Robertson, Michael Monroe, Patsy Ferran, Cameron Britton, Ian Hanmore, Jude Mack, and Stephen Park

SUMMARY OF REVIEW:

-- Mickey 17 is an imaginative science fiction film and futuristic drama that is also a savage social critique of modern times. It is one of the best films of 2025

-- The film has the aesthetics of the European science fiction films of French director, Luc Besson, and of the work of the late French comic book author, Jean “Moebius” Giraud, but it movies like an American political comedy

-- The film has some standout performances from Naomie Ackie, Mark Ruffalo, and Toni Collette, but in a dual role, Robert Pattinson, in some ways, turns Mickey 17 into his own star vehicle

Mickey 17 is a 2025 satirical science fiction drama film from director Bong Joon Ho.  The film is a U.

S. and South Korean production.  It is based on the 2022 novel, Mickey7, written by author Edward Ashton.  Mickey 17 follows a man who joins a space colony as a “disposable worker,” which means that he is reprinted every time he dies or is killed.

Mickey 17 opens in the year 2054 AD.  Down on his luck young businessman, Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson), and his partner, Timo (Steven Yeun), borrow money from Darius Blank (Ian Hanmore), a murderous loan shark.  Unable to pay back the loan and needing to get away, Mickey and Timo join a spaceship crew headed to Plant Niflheim as space colonists.  Mickey gets the worse of the deal when he signs on an “Expendable.”  It is a job filled with extremely dangerous tasks that often lead to death.

Every time Mickey dies or is killed, his body is thrown into a fiery pit.  Various biological meat matter is run through a “cycler,” and Mickey is essentially cloned in a process called “Bodyprinting.”  Mickey's memories, having been digitized, are inserted into the newly reprinted Mickey.  During the voyage, Mickey falls in love with Nasha Barridge (Naomie Ackie), an all-in-one elite security agent on the ship.  Each time, one Mickey is killed, Nasha loyally loves the next Mickey.

After arriving on Niflheim, more experimentation leads to more dead Mickey's until there is “Mickey 17.”  During some reconnaissance, there is an accident, and Mickey 17 is believed to be dead.  However, he is miraculously rescued in the most unexpected way.  Now, returning to the ship, Mickey must face off with Kenneth Marshall (Mark Ruffalo), the head of the expedition, who has sinister designs on Niflheim, and his boorish wife, Ilfa (Toni Collette).  He must also solve the mystery of the planet's inhabitants, which the humans call “creepers.”  Oh, and Mickey 17 has to deal with a surprising yet familiar newcomer.

I thought director Bong Joon Ho's 2013 South Korean film, Snowpiercer, was one of the best films released in the U.S. in 2014.  I have yet to see his Oscar-winning film, Parasite (2019), but I was determined to see Mickey 17.  Like Snowpiercer, Mickey 17 is a black comedy, but make no mistake.  Mikey 17 is also a withering social critique of our modern world.  From a society of have-nothings and have-everythings to a technocracy that uses people as disposable commodities, Mickey 17 skewers the current plutocracy and oligarchies.  Mickey 17 holds a mirror to our modern world in which people are dehumanized on the alter of the material and technological pursuits of the powerful.  

Mickey 17 reminds me of the European science fiction films of French director, Luc Besson (1997's The Fifth Element), and of the art of the late French comic book artist, Jean “Moebius” Giraud.  Still, its breezy character drama and witty comedy feel like American entertainment, especially the way it skewers the film's villain, the thoroughly American Kenneth Marshall.  As Marshall, Mark Ruffalo delivers a scathing send-up of whom else – our lumbering, drug-addled, egomaniac President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.  I don't know if Bong Joon Ho wanted Ruffalo to play the character that way, but Ruffalo portrayal of a power-mad, racist, religious fake is both breathtaking and also a testament to his skills as an actor.

I don't want to skimp on praising the film's other stars.  Naomie Ackie is a ball of energy as Nasha, and she grabs her time in the spotlight.  Toni Collette is an acting treasure, and she delivers another great character performance – of course.

Still, let's be honest.  Robert Pattinson – handsome Robert Pattinson – is a very talented actor, and he is a true movie star.  The more I watched this film, the more I realized that Mickey 17 is essentially a Robert Pattinson star vehicle.  There is nothing wrong with that, but Pattinson also delivers a performance that defines the film's themes of identity, independence, and empathy, as well as bring the story along as it delves into the nature of self and consciousness.

I can see why Mickey 17 did not perform well with theatrical audiences and with some critics.  The film requires the viewer to wait almost an hour as it establishes its characters and settings before delivering the hook in the plot that reels the viewer into the heart of this daring and sometimes absurd film.  Its mix of social sci-fi, black comedy, and satire is another example of Bong Joon Ho showing how he deftly blends genres and sub-genres into incomparable cinematic art.  Mickey 17 is one of 2025's best films, and it rewards audience patience without an outstanding entertainment experience.

9 of 10

A+

★★★★+ out of 4 stars

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

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