Review: "SCREAM VI" Thrills at Will

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 3 of 2026 (No. 2051) by Leroy Douresseaux

Scream VI (2023)

Running time:  122 minutes (2 hours, 2 minutes)

Rating:  MPA – R for strong bloody violence and language throughout, and brief drug use

DIRECTORS:  Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett

WRITER:  James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick (based on characters created by Kevin Williamson)

PRODUCERS:  Paul Neinstein, William Sherak, and James Vanderbilt

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Brett Jutkiewicz (D.o.P.)

EDITOR:  Jay Prychidny

COMPOSERS:  Sven Faulconer and Brian Tyler

HORROR/MYSTERY/THRILLER

Starring:  Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Courteney Cox, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Hayden Panettiere, Dermot Mulroney, Jack Champion, Josh Segarra, Liana Liberato, Devyn Nekoda, Tony Revolori, Samara Weaving, Henry Czerny, Andre Anthony, Skeet Ulrich, Max Laferriere, and Roger L. Jackson (voice)

Scream VI is a 2023 slasher horror film from directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.  It is the sixth film in the Scream film series and is a direct sequel to Scream (2022).  In Scream VI, the survivors of the most recent Woodsboro murders move to New York City for a fresh start only to find that a new Ghostface killer is stalking them.

Scream VI opens one year after the latest Woodsboro murders that were orchestrated by Richie Kirsch and Amber Freeman (as seen in the 2022 film).  The survivors of the murders:  sisters – Samantha “Sam” Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) and Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega) – and their friends, siblings Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown) and Chad Meeks-Martin (Mason Gooding), have moved to New York City for a fresh start.

Tara, Mindy, and Chad attend Blackmore University and have new roommates and friends:  Quinn Bailey (Liana Liberato), Anika Kayoko (Devyn Nekoda), and Ethan Landry (Jack Champion).  Sam attends therapy with Dr. Christopher Stone (Henry Czerny), who views her with a skeptical eye.  Sam has also become the target of public ire because of an online conspiracy theory that says that she – not Richie and Amber – is the real killer behind the last Woodsboro murders.  It doesn't help that many know that Sam is the biological daughter of one of the original Woodsboro killers, Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich).

But “the Ghostface killer” (Max Laferriere and the voice of Roger L. Jackson) has returned, more brutal and vicious than ever.  And he intends to pick up where the last Ghostface killer left off.

One then I didn't mention in my synopsis is that that two other franchise characters play a big role in Scream VI.  They are Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox), who has been with the franchise since the original Scream 1996), and Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere), a survivor of the Woodsboro murders depicted in Scream 4 (2011).

Personally, I find Scream VI to be the best Scream film since the original trilogy of films.  It feels like this film's writers (James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick) and directors (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett) had a freer hand to be wild and crazy, relentless and merciless, and imaginative and inventive in a way I don't think they did in Scream (2022).  From the opening twist killings to the last act, Scream VI is edgy and adventurous.  Only the best and most daring film franchises dig into the dysfunction of franchise characters, and Scream VI does that.  The result is a slasher film that is as much a family drama and thriller as it is a scary movie, and it is excellent as all three.

I don't want to spoil Scream VI by talking about all the scenes that held me, thrilled me, kissed me, and killed me.  Instead I will tell you, dear readers, that I highly recommend Scream VI, which easily one of the series' best entries.

7 of 10

A-

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Thursday, February 26, 2026

The text is copyright © 2026 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 February 15th to 21st, 2026 - UPDATE #9

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:

MOVIES - WorldofReel:  As Warner Bros./New Line preps for the upcoming release of "Evil Dead Burn," the third film in their "Evil Dead" reboot series, they are already about to begin production on a fourth film, "Evil Dead Wrath."

MOVIES - From WorldofReel:  Is the notorious Vincent Gallo ("Buffalo '66") the director and co-star of the upcoming film, "Golden State Killer?"  James Franco has the lead role, and Lionsgate is set to distribute the film... maybe this year (2026).

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner at the 2/13 to 2/15/2026 weekend box office is Warner Bros. Pictures' "Wuthering Heights" with an estimated take of 34.8 million dollars.

MOVIES - From Variety:  “Josephine,” a psychological thriller starring Channing Tatum, Gemma Chan, and newcomer Mason Reeves, has been acquired for U.S. distribution by Sumerian Pictures in a seven-figure deal.

OBITS:

From Variety:  Actor Eric Dane has died at the age of 53, Thursday, February 19, 2026.  Dane died after a battle with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as "Lou Gehrig's disease."  He was best known for his roles in such television series as ABC's medical drama, "Grey's Anatomy," TNT's former action drama, "The Last Ship," and HBO's teen drama, "Euphoria."

From NBCNews:  Ordained Baptist minister, American civil rights activist, and politician, Reverend Jesse Jackson, has died at the age of 84, Tuesday, February 17, 2026.  Eventually known for his booming oratory and populist message, Jackson began as a young protege of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King during the Civil Rights Movement.  Jackson would eventually run for President of the United States twice (1984, 1988).  From 1992 to 2000, he hosted the CNN political television series, "Both Sides with Jessie Jackson."  Jackson was one of the most influential American and African-American activists of the 20th and 21st century.  In August 2000, President Clinton awarded Jackson the "Presidential Medal of Freedom."

From CNN:  Luminaries and public figures offer tributes to Rev. Jesse Jackson on his passing.  Statements come from President Barack Obama, Rep. James Clyburn, and Rev. Al Sharpton, among others.

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From Variety:  American film and television actor, Robert Duvall, has died at the age of 95, Monday, February 16, 2026.  His long and storied career began with the role of "Boo Radley" in "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962).  Duvall won the "Best Actor" Oscar for "Tender Mercies" (1983).  He also received Oscar nominations for his roles in "The Godfather" (1972), Apocalypse Now" (1979), "The Great Santini" (1981), "The Apostle" (1997), "A Civil Action" (1998), and "The Judge" (2014).  Duvall's career began in television, and he won a Primetime Emmy for his role in the 2006 Western miniseries, "Broken Trail" (2006-AMC).  However, his best known work in television may be the four-part, epic Western miniseries, "Lonesome Dove" (1989, CBS).

From Deadline:  Remembering Robert Duvall, a career in photos

From Deadline:  Film and television actor, Tom Noonan, has died at the age of 74, Saturday, February 14, 2026.  Noonan's best known film performances include "Francis Dollarhyde" in "Manhunter" (1986), "Frankenstein's monster" in "The Monster Squad" (1987), and drug kingpin, "Cain," in "RoboCop 2" (1990), among others.  His top TV performances includes Reverend Nathaniel in "Hell on Wheels" (AMC, 2011-14) and "the Pallid Man" in "12 Monkeys" (Syfy, 2015-18).

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OSCARS:

From THR:  The nominations for the 2026 / 98th Academy Awards have been announced.  Director Ryan Coogler's Sinners leads with history-making 16 nominations, including for "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Coogler), and Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan).  The winners will be announced March 15, 2026.

From Truthout:  Directed by Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman, the 2025 documentary film, "The Alabama Solution," is one of five nominees in the category of "Best Documentary Feature."  The film chronicles the horrific conditions inside the state of Alabama's prisons.  The incarcerated men who produced footage for "The Alabama Solution" were abruptly transferred to solitary this month (January).

From TheGuardian:  Director Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" earned 16 Oscar nominations at the 98th Academy Awards, the most in the 98-year history of the awards.  The previous record is 14, held by "All About Eve" (1950), "Titanic" (1997), and "La La Land" (2016).

From Variety:  With her fifth Oscar nomination, for "Best Costume Designer" for "Sinners," Ruth E. Carter is now the most Oscar-nominated Black woman in the history of the Academy Awards.

From Truthout:  One of the five nominees for this year's "Best International Feature" Academy Award is "The Voice of Hind Rajab."  Representing the nation of Tunisia, the film is a mix of drama and documentary, and it tells the story of Hind Rajab, a five-year old girl who was killed January 29, 2024 by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza strip.

From YahooEntertainment:  At the age of 73, actor Delroy Lindo finally gets his first Oscar nomination - in the category of "Best Supporting Actor" for "Sinners."  The actor also talks about being "profoundly disappointed" by previous Academy snubs.

From EW:  Oscar-nominee Kirsten Dunst is not pleased that her husband, previous Oscar-nominee, Jesse Plemons, was not Oscar-nominated for his work in the recent acclaimed film, "Bugonia."

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DON LEMON, TIMOTHY BUSFIELD & OTHER SCANDALS:

From NBCNews:  A grand jury in New Mexico indicted Emmy-winning actor Timothy Busfield on child sex abuse charges, officials said Friday.  Busfield was indicted on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child, the Bernalillo County District Attorney's office said in a press release.  Busfield two young boys on the set of the former Fox series, "The Cleaning Lady," between November 2022 and spring 2024.

From EW:  Sculptor, actor, and "Home Alone" star, Daniel Stern's legal troubles are over.  He was facing one misdemeanor charge of engaging or agreeing to engage in prostitution from an event that allegedly took place in January 2026 in Camarillo, CA.  The charge has been dismissed after Stern, a first-time offender, entered a diversion program.

From APNews:  The Associated Press lets you know "What to know about the civil rights charges Don Lemon faces for covering church protest in Minnesota"  Lemon, the former CNN anchor, is among nine people, including another journalist (Georgia Fort), have been charged with violating two different federal laws in connection with the protest that interrupted a worship service at the "Cities Church" in St. Paul.

From AlbuquerqueJournal:  A judge has ordered director and Emmy-winning actor Timothy Busfield released from jail as he awaits trial on child sex abuse charges.

From CBS:  Director and Emmy-winning actor, Timothy Busfield (Thirtysomething), surrendered to New Mexico authorities in answer to an arrest warrant for child sex abuse charges.  The complaint involves twin brothers who claim that Busfield molested them on the set on the former Fox suspense drama, "The Cleaning Lady," for which Busfield was a series director.

From NBCNews:  Already facing charges related to claims that he molested twin brothers on the set of a TV series where he was a director, Emmy-winner Timothy Busfield is also facing accusations that he kissed and inappropriately touch a 16-year-old girl years ago.

From THR:   In the wake of his arrest on child sex abuse charges, Timothy Busfield finds himself without a talent agency  The Santa Monica-based agency, "Innovative Artists," has ceased working actor and director.

From Deadline:   Daniel Stern ("Home Alone") is no longer part of ABC‘s comedy pilot, "Do You Want Kids?," which is set to star Rachel Bloom and Rory Scovel.  ABC and the producing studio, 20th Television, will be recasting the series-regular role that Stern was supposed to play.  Stern was recently arrested on a misdemeanor charge of soliciting a prostitute.

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DC Comics Shipping from for February 18, 2026

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Marvel Comics Shipping for February 18, 2026

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Star Wars #10 (Cover D Carmen Carnero), AR

Star Wars Hidden Empire Omnibus HC (Cover A Paulo Siqueira Book Market Variant), $125.00

Star Wars Hidden Empire Omnibus HC (Cover B Declan Shalvey Direct Market Variant), $125.00 (find on eBay)

Superior Spider-Man Returns Omnibus (Cover A Mark Bagley Book Market Variant), $125.00

Superior Spider-Man Returns Omnibus (Cover B Mike Del Mundo Direct Market Variant), $125.00 (find on eBay)

Thunderbolts Doomstrike TP, $17.99

Ultimate Incursion TP, $17.99

Ultimate Spider-Man #24 (Cover A Marco Checchetto), $5.99

Ultimate Spider-Man #24 (Cover B David Messina Heroes Variant), $5.99 (find on eBay)

Ultimate Spider-Man #24 (Cover C Marcos Martin Ultimate Finale Variant), $5.99 (find on eBay)

Ultimate Spider-Man #24 (Cover D Elizabeth Torque), $5.99 (find on eBay)

Ultimate Spider-Man #24 (Cover E Dike Ruan Villains Variant), $5.99 (find on eBay)

Ultimate Spider-Man #24 (Cover F Stephanie Hans), AR (find on eBay)

Ultimate Spider-Man #24 (Cover G Marco Checchetto Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Ultimate Spider-Man #24 (Cover H Marco Checchetto), AR (find on eBay)

Ultimate Spider-Man #24 (Cover I Phil Noto), AR (find on eBay)

Uncanny X-Men #24 (Cover A David Marquez), $4.99

Uncanny X-Men #24 (Cover B Ario Anindito Hell's Kitchen Variant), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Uncanny X-Men #24 (Cover C Delio Diaz & Frank Alpizar), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Uncanny X-Men #24 (Cover D McFarlane Toys Variant), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Uncanny X-Men #24 (Cover E Matteo Della Fonte), AR (find on eBay)

Will Of Doom #1 (One Shot)(2nd Printing Cover A Sanford Greene), $6.99 (find on eBay)

Will Of Doom #1 (One Shot)(2nd Printing Cover B Stephen Platt Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Wolverine #16 (Cover A Dan Panosian), $4.99

Wolverine #16 (Cover B Damion Scott), $4.99

Wolverine Weapons Of Armageddon #1 (Of 4)(Cover A Leinil Francis Yu), $5.99

Wolverine Weapons Of Armageddon #1 (Of 4)(Cover B Iban Coello Foil Variant), $5.99 (find on eBay)

Wolverine Weapons Of Armageddon #1 (Of 4)(Cover C Chip Zdarsky), $5.99 (find on eBay)

Wolverine Weapons Of Armageddon #1 (Of 4)(Cover D Dave Rapoza), $5.99 (find on eBay)

Wolverine Weapons Of Armageddon #1 (Of 4)(Cover E Rose Besch), $5.99 (find on eBay)

Wolverine Weapons Of Armageddon #1 (Of 4)(Cover F InHyuk Lee), AR (find on eBay)

Wolverine Weapons Of Armageddon #1 (Of 4)(Cover G Chip Zdarsky Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Wolverine Weapons Of Armageddon #1 (Of 4)(Cover H Rose Besch Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

X-Men #25 (Cover A Tony Daniel), $5.99

X-Men #25 (Cover B David Nakayama Color Block Red Variant), $5.99 (find on eBay)

X-Men #25 (Cover C Luciano Vecchio), $5.99 (find on eBay)

X-Men #25 (Cover D Marvel Cosmic Invasion Variant, $5.99 (find on eBay)

X-Men #25 (Cover E McFarlane Toys Variant), $5.99 (find on eBay)

X-Men #25 (Cover F David Nakayama Color Block Red Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

X-Men #25 (Cover G Karen S. Darboe), AR (find on eBay)

Young Avengers Modern Era Epic Collection Volume 3 The Children's Crusade TP, $42.99

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

Comic Books, Magazines and Books Shipping for February 18, 2026

COMIC & GRAPHIC NOVELS:

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS

Archie Comics Digest 4 Spring Break, $9.99 (find on eBay)

BOOM! STUDIOS

Minor Arcana #14 (Cover A Jeff Lemire), $4.99

Minor Arcana #14 (Cover B Simon Gane), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Minor Arcana #14 (Cover C Jeff Lemire Tarot Card Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Minor Arcana #14 (Cover D SOM Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Minor Arcana #14 (Cover E Simon Gane Full Art Variant), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Something Is Killing The Children Volume 9 TP, $17.99

CSN PRESS

Comic Shop News #2009, AR

DARK HORSE BOOKS

Minecraft Heart Of Cobblestone Volume 2 GN, $10.99

Oddly Pedestrian Life Of Christopher Chaos Volume 3 TP, $24.99

DARK HORSE COMICS

American Caper #4 (Of 12)(Cover A Tyler Boss), $4.99

American Caper #4 (Of 12)(Cover B David Lapham), $4.99

Captain Henry And The Graveyard Of Time #4 (Of 4)(Cover A Bruce Zick), $4.99

Captain Henry And The Graveyard Of Time #4 (Of 4)(Cover B Michael Kaluta), $4.99

Carmen Red Claw Belly Of The Beast #2 (Of 4)(Cover A Rae Allen), $4.99

Carmen Red Claw Belly Of The Beast #2 (Of 4)(Cover B Jake Parker), $4.99

Gunsmith Cats Burst Omnibus Volume 1 TP, $29.99

Magic The Gathering Untold Stories Elspeth #3 (Of 4)(Cover A Owen Gieni), $4.99

Magic The Gathering Untold Stories Elspeth #3 (Of 4)(Cover B Tyler Crook), $4.99

Magic The Gathering Untold Stories Elspeth #3 (Of 4)(Cover C Kieran Yanner), $4.99

Powers 25 #6 (Of 12)(Cover A Michael Avon Oeming), $4.99

Powers 25 #6 (Of 12)(Cover B Stan Sakai), $4.99

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

Blue Falcon And Dynomutt #5 (Cover E Lucio Parrillo Metal Full Art Cover Variant), AR

Elvira In Monsterland HC, $24.99

Elvira In Monsterland TP, $19.99

Fire And Ice Nekron #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Blind Bag Variant), $15.00 (find on eBay)

Fire And Ice Nekron #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Dan Panosian Metal Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Gargoyles Demona #5 (Cover E Meghan Hetrick Metal Premium Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Harley Quinn x Elvira #3 (Cover E Amanda Conner Red Metal Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Muppets Noir #1 (Cover A Roger Langridge), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Muppets Noir #1 (Cover B Declan Shalvey), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Muppets Noir #1 (Cover C Blank Authentix Variant), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Muppets Noir #1 (Cover D Blind Bag Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Muppets Noir #1 (Cover F Declan Shalvey Line Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Muppets Noir #1 (Cover G Roger Langridge Line Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Muppets Noir #1 (Cover H Declan Shalvey Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Muppets Noir #1 (Cover I Roger Langridge Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Red Sonja Empire Of The Damned TP, $19.99

Red Sonja New Year's Special 2025 #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Blind Bag Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Red Sonja New Year's Special 2025 #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Shannon Maer Metal Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Space Ghost Volume 2 #7 (Cover E Francesco Mattina Metal Full Art Cover Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Stitch #6 (Cover A Edwin Galmon), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Stitch #6 (Cover B Jae Lee), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Stitch #6 (Cover C Ciro Cangialosi), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Stitch #6 (Cover D George Kambadais), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Stitch #6 (Cover E Jae Lee Line Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Stitch #6 (Cover F George Kambadais Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Stitch #6 (Cover G Ciro Cangialosi Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Stitch #6 (Cover H Jae Lee Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Stitch #6 (Cover I Edwin Galmon Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

ThunderCats #24 (Cover A Lucio Parrillo), $4.99 (find on eBay)

ThunderCats #24 (Cover B Declan Shalvey), $4.99 (find on eBay)

ThunderCats #24 (Cover C Jae Lee), $4.99 (find on eBay)

ThunderCats #24 (Cover D Emilio Pilliu), $4.99 (find on eBay)

ThunderCats #24 (Cover E Manix), $4.99 (find on eBay)

ThunderCats #24 (Cover F Action Figure Variant), $4.99 (find on eBay)

ThunderCats #24 (Cover G Action Figure Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

ThunderCats #24 (Cover H Manix Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

ThunderCats #24 (Cover I Emilio Pilliu Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

ThunderCats #24 (Cover J Jae Lee Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

ThunderCats #24 (Cover K Declan Shalvey Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

ThunderCats #24 (Cover L Lucio Parrillo Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

ThunderCats #24 (Cover M Declan Shalvey Line Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

ThunderCats #24 (Cover N Declan Shalvey Line Art Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

ThunderCats Ho!(Liday) Special 2025 #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Sebastian Piriz Metal Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas The Shiver Of Christmas Town #1 (Cover F Jae Lee Metal Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Vampirella Archives Volume 3 TP, $34.99

Vampirella Armageddon #7 (Cover E Francesco Mattina Metal Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Vampirella Armageddon #8 (Cover A Francesco Mattina), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Vampirella Armageddon #8 (Cover B Leirix Leirix Li), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Vampirella Armageddon #8 (Cover C Joseph Michael Linsner), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Vampirella Armageddon #8 (Cover D Ireland Reid Cosplay Variant), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Vampirella Armageddon #8 (Cover F Ireland Reid Cosplay Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Vampirella Armageddon #8 (Cover G Joseph Michael Linsner Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Vampirella Armageddon #8 (Cover H Leirix Leirix Li Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Vampirella Armageddon #8 (Cover I Francesco Mattina Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Vampirella Dark Reflections TP, $19.99

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

Lost Marvels Volume 3 Savage Tales Of The 1980s HC, $65.00

IDW PUBLISHING

Star Trek The Last Starship #5 (Cover A Francesco Francavilla), $4.99

Star Trek The Last Starship #5 (Cover B Michael Allred), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Star Trek The Last Starship #5 (Cover C Francesco Francavilla Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Starship Godzilla #5 (Kai-Sei Era)(Cover A Oliver Ono), $4.99

Starship Godzilla #5 (Kai-Sei Era)(Cover B Chris Gooch), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Starship Godzilla #5 (Kai-Sei Era)(Cover C Matt Frank Movie Homage Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Street Sharks #5 (Cover A Philip Murphy), $4.99

Street Sharks #5 (Cover B Fero Pe), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Street Sharks #5 (Cover C Elizabeth Beals), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Street Sharks #5 (Cover D Elizabeth Beals Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Street Sharks #5 (Cover E Fero Pe Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Battle Nexus #5 (Cover A Hendry Prasetya), $4.99

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Battle Nexus #5 (Cover B Fero Pe), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Battle Nexus #5 (Cover C Ciro Nieli & Khary Randolph), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder #5 (Cover A Mateus Santolouco), $4.99

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder #5 (Cover B Reese Hannigan), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder #5 (Cover C Sid Kotian), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder #5 (Cover D Reese Hannigan Black & White Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder #5 (Cover E Sid Kotian Black & White Variant), AR (find on eBay)

IDW PUBLISHING - IDW DARK

Smile For The Camera #1 (Cover A Skylar Patridge), $4.99

Smile For The Camera #1 (Cover B Becky Cloonan), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Smile For The Camera #1 (Cover C Mirror Foil Variant), $12.99 (find on eBay)

Smile For The Camera #1 (Cover D Kevin Wada Fashion Magazine Variant), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Smile For The Camera #1 (Cover E Martin Simmonds), AR (find on eBay)

Smile For The Camera #1 (Cover F Martin Simmonds Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Smile For The Camera #1 (Cover G Becky Cloonan Foil Full Art Variant), AR (find on eBay)

KODANSHA COMICS

Blue Lock Volume 27 GN, $12.99

Ghost In The Shell Legacy Edition Manga Box Set, $139.99

Go Go Loser Ranger Volume 16 GN, $10.99

Love At First Memory Volume 1 GN, $13.99

Parasyte Paperback Collection Volume 3 GN, $14.99

Tying The Knot With An Amagami Sister Volume 14 GN, $12.99

ONI PRESS

Adventure Time (2025) #10 (Cover A Nick Winn), $4.99

Adventure Time (2025) #10 (Cover B Corinth Boone), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Adventure Time (2025) #10 (Cover C Billy Teal Blank Variant), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Adventure Time (2025) #10 (Cover D Ren Lindroos), AR (find on eBay)

Adventure Time (2025) #10 (Cover E Ben Sears), AR (find on eBay)

Adventure Time (2025) #10 (Cover F Nick Winn Black & White Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Catacomb Of Torment #8 (EC Comics)(Cover A Ariel Olivetti), $4.99

Catacomb Of Torment #8 (EC Comics)(Cover B Tom Fowler), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Catacomb Of Torment #8 (EC Comics)(Cover C Shawn McManus EC Homage Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Catacomb Of Torment #8 (EC Comics)(Cover D Tom Fowler Black & White Artist Edition Variant), AR (find on eBay)

Catacomb Of Torment #8 (EC Comics)(Cover E Patricia Martin Archive Edition Variant), AR (find on eBay)

MFKZ Volume 5 HC (Magnetic Press), $24.99

Rick And Morty 10th Anniversary Omnibus Edition Volume 3 HC, $75.00

Skullkickers Volume 1 TP (Oni Compact Attack Edition), $17.99

TITAN BOOKS

Art Of Death Stranding 2 On The Beach HC, $50.00

Temple Fall SC, $18.99

TITAN COMICS

Doctor Who The Prison Paradox #4 (Of 4)(Cover A Sunghan Yune), $4.99

Doctor Who The Prison Paradox #4 (Of 4)(Cover B Photo Variant), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Doctor Who The Prison Paradox #4 (Of 4)(Cover C Sami Kivela), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Lenore Curse Of The Beebee Yaga #1 (Of 4)(Cover A Roman Dirge, $4.99

Lenore Curse Of The Beebee Yaga #1 (Of 4)(Cover B Kit Wallis), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Lenore Curse Of The Beebee Yaga #1 (Of 4)(Cover C Roman Dirge), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Lenore Curse Of The Beebee Yaga #1 (Of 4)(Cover D Kit Wallis Foil Variant), $14.99 (find on eBay)

Savage Sword Of Conan Reforged #3 (Of 4)(Cover A Alex Horley), $9.99

Savage Sword Of Conan Reforged #3 (Of 4)(Cover B Earl Norem), $9.99 (find on eBay)

Savage Sword Of Conan Reforged #3 (Of 4)(Cover C Alex Horley Foil Trade Variant), $19.99 (find on eBay)

Savage Sword Of Conan Reforged #3 (Of 4)(Cover D Earl Norem Full Art Variant), $9.99 (find on eBay)

TOKYOPOP - LOVELOVE

Ayaka Is In Love With Hiroko Volume 1 GN, $13.99

Destiny Paradise Night GN, $14.99

EX-Rank Lover My Doting Ex-Boyfriend Wants Toi Make Love to Me Again And Again GN, $13.99

Formerly The Fallen Daughter Of The Duke Volume 7 GN, $13.99

Reincarnated In A Mafia Dating Sim A Yakuza Heiress Becomes the Top-Ranked Villain's Romantic Target Volume 3 GN, $13.99

VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT

Valiant Beyond The X-O Manowar #6 (The God Hunt #2)(Cover A Colm Griffin), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Valiant Beyond The X-O Manowar #6 (The God Hunt #2)(Cover B Federico Mele), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Valiant Beyond The X-O Manowar #6 (The God Hunt #2)(Cover C Griffin Full Art Variant), $4.99 (find on eBay)

Valiant Beyond The X-O Manowar #6 (The God Hunt #2)(Cover D Federico Mele Full Art Variant), $4.99 (find on eBay)

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

Manga Review: "SANDA Volume 1" - Santa's Got a Brand New Bag

SANDA VOL. 1

TITAN COMICS/Titan Manga

WRITER-ARTIST: Paru Itagaki

TRANSLATION: Motoko Tamamuro and Jonathan Clements

LETTERS: Bensidi Ayoub

DESIGN: David Colderley

EDITOR: Louis Yamani

ISBN: 978-1787747241; paperback (September 9, 2025)

208pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $16.99 CAN, £9.99 UK

Rating: Age 12+

Sanda is a Japanese manga written and drawn by mangaka Paru Itagaki.  The manga was originally serialized in the Japanese shonen manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Champion, from 2021 to 2024.  It was later collected in sixteen tankobon (graphic novel) volumes.  Titan Manga began publishing an English-language graphic novel edition of the series in September 2025.

Sanda Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 6) opens in a near-future Japan where Christmas has faded into myth, and it and other traditional holidays are mere legends of the past.  Japan's birth rate has dropped so dramatically that children are now the most precious commodity.  Society has artificially extended adolescence to preserve their youth, and young people's social status is higher than that of adults.

Volume 1 introduces 14-year-old Sanda Kazushige, a middle-school student at Daikoku Welfare Academy who unexpectedly becomes entangled in a strange and dangerous mystery.  His classmate, Fuyumura Shiori, is looking for her missing friend, Ono Ichie.  Fuyumura accuses Sanda of carrying a curse that can help her find Ono.  The curse is that Sanda is a descendant of Santa Claus and also that Santa is sealed inside Sanda.

When Fuyumura breaks the seal, Sanda turns into a tall, muscular, elderly man and thus, begins an adventure of mystery and danger.  Can Sanda and his friends help society remember the true meaning of friendship, trust, and the possibility of magic in a world that has all but forgotten it. 

THE LOWDOWN:  Since October 2023, Titan Manga has provided me with print and PDF copies of their manga publications for review.  One of the latest is Sanda Volume 1.

Sanda Graphic Novel Volume 1 is not my first experience with the manga of Paru Itagaki, as I read and reviewed several volumes her 2016-20 series, Beastars (published in an English-language edition by VIZ Media).  I would say that this first volume of Sanda is as refreshingly surprising and surprisingly refreshing as Beastars Volume 1.

Itagaki's art and graphical style are a lot more formal in Sanda than they are for the loose, psychological, and surreal Beastars.  Sanda eschews surrealism for mystery and secrets, and the art and graphical storytelling delves into enigmas and perplexities.  Nothing is as it seems, and it offers a shocking reveal every chapter.

Sanda's setting may be that of a dystopian near-future, but it feels like the teen leads, Sanda and Fuyumura, are coming-of-age as they try to unravel the secrets and lies of their lives and how it ties into the society in which they live.  That this involves Santa Claus just makes things more delightfully weird and different.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of mystery manga and of unusual takes on Christmas will want to try Sanda.

A

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

"SANDA VOLUME 1" is available in a Kindle and a print edition at Amazon.

https://titan-comics.com/

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The text is copyright © 2026 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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