Negromancer's Marvel Studios Link-o-Rama 2026 - UPDATE #5

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

Support Leroy on Patreon:

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NEWS:

ENDGAME  - From Variety:  The 2019 Marvel Studios blockbuster, "Avengers: Endgame" will get a September 25th, 2026 re-release that will include brand new footage that ties it into the upcoming "Avengers: Doomsday," which is due December 2026.

WONDER MAN - From THR:  The Disney+ Marvel Studios streaming series, "Wonder Man," will return for a second season.  Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will return as "Simon Williams/Wonder Man and Sir Ben Kingsley will return as "Trevor Slattery."

SPIDER-MAN - From ComicBookMovie:  A trailer of some sorts for the upcoming Sony/Marvel Studios film, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," may debut as soon as next week.

AVENGERS DOOMSDAY - From YouTube:  The latest "Avengers: Doomsday" (#4) teaser trailer is now on YouTube.  This one features Shuri, M'Baku, Namor and others from the world of the "Black Panther" and also Ben Grimm of the "Fantastic Four."  "Avengers: Doomsday" arrives December 18, 2026.

From YouTube:  The latest "Avengers: Doomsday" (#3) teaser trailer is now on YouTube.  This one features Professor X, Magneto, and Cyclops.  "Avengers: Doomsday" arrives December 18, 2026.

From YouTube:  The latest "Avengers: Doomsday" (#2) teaser trailer is now on YouTube. It focuses on the Avenger, "Thor."  The film arrives in theaters December 18, 2026.

From YouTube:  The first of four "Avengers: Doomsday" teaser trailers is now officially on YouTube. This one focuses on Steve Rogers/Captain America.

BLADE - From DarkHorizons:  Rumors abound that Marvel is no longer developing a solo feature film starring its vampire hunter, "Blade," who was supposed to be played by Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali. Rumors also say "Blade" will make his debut in a "Midnight Sons" feature film.

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AVENGERS - From CinemaBlend:  Rumors abound that Disney/Marvel will release four teaser trailers for "Avengers: Doomsday."  Each one will appear at the head of "Avatar: Fire and Ash" on a rotation of one week each.

From ComicBookMovies:  After joining "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," actress Sadie Sink will reportedly joining "Avengers: Secret Wars," according to various reports and rumors.

SPIDER-MAN - From Deadline:  Sources tell "Deadline" that actor Marvin Jones III has been tapped for the role of "Tombstone" in Sony/Marvel's 2026 film, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day."  He also performed the voice of Tombstone in "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" (2018) and will reprise the role in "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse" (2027).  Jones is also known as the rapper, "Krondon," a member of the rap trio, "Strong Arm Steady."

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MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU):

Review: Iron Man (2008)

Review: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Review: Iron Man 2 (2010)

Review: Thor (2011)

Review:  Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Review:  Marvel's The Avengers (2012)

Review: Iron Man 3 (2013)

Review: Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Review:  Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Review: Ant-Man (2015)

Review: Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Review: Doctor Strange (2016)

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

Review:  Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Review: Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Review:  Black Panther (2018)

Review:  Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Review: Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Review:  Captain Marvel (2019)

Review: Avengers: Endgame (2019)

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

Review: Black Widow (2021)

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

Review: Eternals (2021)

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

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

Review: Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Review: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

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

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

Review: The Marvels (2023)

Review: Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

Review: Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

Review: Thunderbolts* (2025)

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Click here for the 2025 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from April 12th to 18th, 2026 - UPDATE #6

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

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

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

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NEWS:

MOVIES - From THR:  David Harbour will join actor Noah Centineo in the latest "Rambo" film, "John Rambo."  Centineo will play John Rambo.  Harbour will apparently play "Major Trautman," Rambo's commanding officer, a role originated by the late Richard Crenna in the film, "First Blood" (1982).

AMAZON - From Deadline:  Amazon MGM Studios is developing a live-action remake of the 1992 animated film, "FernGully: The Last Rainforest."  Marielle Heller is set to direct the film from her own script.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Over 1000 Hollywood figures sign an open letter opposing the merger of Skydance Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery.  The signees include J.J. Abrams, Glenn Close, Bryan Cranston, Jane Fonda, Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, Kristen Stewart, and Ben Stiller, to name a few.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 4/10 to 4/12/2026 weekend box office is Universal/Illumination Entertainment's "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" with an estimated take of 69 million dollars.

STREAMING - From Fangoria:  HBO's popular horror anthology series, "Tales from the Crypt" (1989-96) is finally coming to streaming.  The service, "Shudder," will carry all seven seasons, beginning May 1st, 2026.

OBITS:

From THR:  Canadian television creator, writer, and puppeteer, Sid Krofft, has died at the age of 96, Friday, April 10, 2026.  With his younger brother, the late Marty Krofft (1937-2023), Sid formed the production company, Sid and Marty Krofft Pictures, through which they made numerous children's television and variety programs.  The best known were "H.R. Pufnstuf" (1969), "The Banana Splits" (1968-70), "Lidsville" (1971), "Sigmund the Sea Monsters" (1973-75), and "Land of the Lost" (1974-76), to name a few.  In 2018, both brothers received an "Lifetime Achievement" Emmy Award.  Previously, Sid shared three Daytime Emmy Award nominations with his brother and their collaborators.

From THR:  The stage, film, and television actor, Carl W. Crudup, has died at the age of 79, January 10, 2026 after a battle with prostate cancer it was recently reported.  Over a five decade career, Crudup appeared in such TV series as PBS's "Great Performances," "The Six Million Dollar Man," "The Rockford Files," "ER," and Marvel's "Agent Carter," to name a few.

Comics Review: "DC/MARVEL: SUPERGIRL/BLADE #1" vs the Mojoworld

DC/MARVEL SUPERGIRL/BLADE

DC COMICS/Marvel Comics

STORY: CRC Payne

LAYOUTS: Mikel Janin

FINISHES: Hugo Petrus

COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo

LETTERS: Pat Brosseau

EDITOR: Katie Kubert

COVER: Mikel Janin

36pp, Color, $0.00 U.S., (June 2026)

Supergirl created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino; Blade created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan

Marvel and DC Comics have been publishing crossover comic books blending their favorite heroes in all-new adventures.  Titles published by Marvel are labeled “Marvel/DC,” and DC Comics' side is “DC/Marvel.”

The latest DC/Marvel title is DC/Marvel: Supergirl/Blade, a digital-first comic book that is available to read for free at “DC Universe Infinite” website and on the “DC Go” app.  The story is written by CRC Payne; drawn by Mikel Janin (layouts) and Hugo Petrus (finishes); colored by Marcelo Maiolo; and lettered by Pat Brosseau.  In the story, the “Girl of Steel” and “the Daywalker” find themselves in clutches of Mojo, the master of the “Mojoverse,” who wants Supergirl and Blade to star in one of his new gladiator-like television series?

DC/Marvel: Supergirl/Blade opens on Mojoworld, where its ruler, Mojo, the meta television show tycoon is looking for his next TV hit.  In the hopes of entertaining the denizens of Mojoworld, Mojo has come up with a new idea.  How about a romance series starring a strong female?

He kidnaps Supergirl and pits her against a trio of vampires.  That's more than enough reason to bring in the male lead – Blade the vampire slayer.  Trapped on Mojo's sound stage, Supergirl and Blade will be forced to battle bloodsucking foes, engage in melodramatic tropes, and take on Mojo himself.  Now, this unlikely duo must team up to fight their way to freedom before the show’s final twist becomes their series finale and the end of their lives.

THE LOWDOWN:  I have been mostly ignoring the Marvel-DC Comics crossovers, but I love me some Blade.  I was excited by the recent, surprise news about Supergirl/Blade, and I became even more excited when I learned that it would be free to read.

Supergirl/Blade is a totally unexpected team-up, and while this comic book does not feature an intense struggle against evil in support of continuity, it is still a charming digital comic.  I must give writer CRC Payne credit for finding a way to create a delightful tale featuring two mismatched characters that is also an appropriate for comics readers of all ages.

The art team of Mikel Janin (layouts), Hugo Petrus (finishes), and Marcelo Maiolo (colors) delivers straightforward storytelling that grounds the weirdness of this team-up.  This is straightforward entertaining weird fiction.  Pat Brosseau's classic lettering puts the finishing touches on this comics tale that makes it seem as timeless as it is unusual.

Dear readers, I suggest taking a trip over to “DC Universe Infinite” and enjoying Supergirl/Blade.  It isn't monumental, but I had fun reading it.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of DC/Marvel crossovers will want to read DC/Marvel Supergirl/Blade.

B

Sunday, April 12, 2026

"DC/Marvel: Supergirl/Blade" will be collected in the collection, "DC/MARVEL: THE COSMIC KISS CAPER AND OTHER STORIES," which will be available in hardcover and paperback editions from Amazon in September 2026.

https://www.dcuniverseinfinite.com/

https://www.dccomics.com/

https://x.com/DCComics

https://www.facebook.com/dccomics

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

https://www.pinterest.com/dccomics/

https://www.periscope.tv/DCComics/1ZkKzezXwZdxv

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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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 April 1st to 11th, 2026 - UPDATE #13

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:

DISNEY - From WSJ:  New Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro's opening salvo is to layoff at least 1000 employees.

From WorldofReel:  The fallout of Pixar's cancelled animated film, "Be Fri," has come to include word that executives were concerned that the story would emphasize (shudder, gasp, choke)... "girl power!"

MOVIES - From THR:  Cinema United, the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, confirmed the formation of a "Filmmaker Leadership Council" that will provide “meaningful support” for theatrical exhibition of movies. It will be led by blockbuster veteran, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Oscar winning producer, Emma Thomas. as chair and vice chair respectively.  Rounding out the council will be Oscar winners Ryan Coogler and Brad Bird, and Oscar nominees Jason Reitman and Celine Song.

SCANDAL - From Variety:  Jeff Shell has exited his role as president of Paramount Skydance due to a controversy.  He stepped down as CEO of NBCUniversal in 2023 because of an inappropriate relationship.

MOVIES - From WorldofReel:  HBO Max has begun show "Alien 3: The Assembly Cut."  This is a 2 hour and 25 minute-version of director David Fincher's 1992 "Alien" sequel, "Alien 3."  It is 31 minutes longer that the original release.  Fincher chose not be involved with the new release.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 4/3 to 4/5/2026 weekend box office is Universal/Illumination's "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" with an estimated take of $130.94 million dollars.

STREAMING - From WorldofReel:  Disgraced movie star, Jonathan Majors, was injured on the set of a film for "The Daily Wire," and the Wire's response is "we don't negotiate with terrorists."

DISNEY+ - From Variety:  Disney+ has greenlit an "Animorphs" television series.  It is in early development and is executive produced by Ryan Coogler through Proximity Media. Writer Bayan Wolcott is penning the scripts. The project is an adaptation of the 1996-2001 Scholastic books series by Katherine Applegate and Michael Grant.  The books focused on kids who fight the parasitic "Yeerks" invading Earth.  The series blended action, body horror, and moral depth over its 54 volumes that sold over 35 million copies.

APPLE - From WorldofReel:  David E. Kelly is adapting Tom Wolfe's 1987, "The Bonfire of the Vanities" for Apple TV+.  Matt Reeves ("The Batman") is set to direct the series.  The novel was previously adapted in to film by director Brian De Palma. Starring Tom Hanks and released in 1990, the movie was and still is considered a disaster.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Sisters Lilla and Nora Zuckerman are writing "Scream 8."  They were recently showrunner for Peacock's streaming series, "Poker Face."

MOVIES - From Variety: Sony Pictures is developing a biopic about famed CBS anchor and journalist, the late Walter Cronkite. The film will be an adaptation of Douglas Brinkley's 2012 biography, "Cronkite."

BUSINESS - From Variety:  J.J. Abrams is downsizing his production company, "Bad Robot," and is moving it from Los Angeles to New York.

MOVIES - From WorldofReel:  The critically-acclaimed and hit horror film, "Weapons," will get a prequel film.  Entitled "Gladys," it will focus on Weapons' villain, "Aunt Gladys," who was portrayed by Amy Madigan, who, in turn, was a "Best Supporting Actress" Oscar for her performance.  Zach Cregger, creator of "Weapons," will write the screenplay with Zach Shields. There is no word as to whether or not Cregger will direct, "Gladys."

TELEVISION - From EW:  HBO's teen drama, "Euphoria," returns April 12, 2026, but it won't be about teens...

Review: "MADEA'S DESTINATION WEDDING" is the Best Netflix "Madea"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 7 of 2026 (No. 2055) by Leroy Douresseaux

Tyler Perry's Madea's Destination Wedding (2025)

Running time:  102 minutes (1 hour, 42 minutes)

Rating: MPA – PG-13 for strong language, crude/sexual material, drug material, and some violence

WRITER/DIRECTOR:  Tyler Perry

PRODUCERS:  Tyler Perry, Angi Bones, and Yolanda T. Cochran

CINEMATOGRAPHERS:  Justyn Moro (D.o.P.) and Michael Wilson (D.o.P.)

EDITOR:  Larry Sexton

COMPOSER:  Jongnic Tontemps

COMEDY/DRAMA

Starring:  Tyler Perry, Cassi Davis, David Mann, Tamela J. Mann, Taja V. Simpson, Diamond White, Jermaine Harris, Xavier Smalls,Walnette Carrington, and Brandon Sutton

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SUMMARY OF REVIEW:

Madea's Destination Wedding is a true return to form for the “Madea” film series. Everything that Madea films do well, this film does exceptionally well

The film's beautiful locations make this movie the best-looking “Madea” movie to date. Between the comedy and pretty locations, I felt like I wanted to be there

Madea's Destination Wedding is a long-deserved gift to Madea fans, but it can also work as a good introduction to this series for newcomers

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Madea's Destination Wedding is a 2025 American comedy-drama film from writer-director Tyler Perry.  It is the 14th film in the “Madea” film series.  The film is also a Netflix original and began streaming on service July 11, 2025.  In Madea's Destination Wedding, Madea travels to the Bahamas for her granddaughter's wedding, but tensions, strangeness, and suspicions abound.

Madea's Destination Wedding finds U.S. Attorney Brian Simmons (Tyler Perry) having dinner with his daughter, Tiffany (Diamond White); son, “BJ” (Jermaine Harris); and their mother, Brian's ex-wife, Debrah (Taja V. Simpson).  Tiffany and Debrah surprise Brian with the introduction of Tiffany's boyfriend, Zavier (Xavier Smalls)... and with the news that Tiffany and Zavier are getting married.  The surprises don't stop; the nuptials will happen as a “destination wedding” in the Bahamas.

Now, Brian is forced to lead a caravan of relatives to the Bahamas.  That includes his aunt, Mabel “Madea” Simmons (Tyler Perry); his father and Madea's older brother, Uncle Joe Simmons (Tyler Perry); Madea's daughter, Cora Simmons (Tamela J. Mann); Cora's supposed father, Mr. Brown (David Mann); Madea's cousin, Aunt Bam (Tamela J. Mann), and BJ.  They arrive to find that the Bahamas are beautiful and the hotel is luxurious and opulent.

However, there is more to Tiffany and Zavier's wedding than what appears on the surface, and the results may lead to disaster, heartache, and a canceled wedding.  Meanwhile, Madea and company are enjoying the idea of “put it on the room” too much.

Madea's Destination Wedding is the best Madea movie since 2019's A Madea Family Funeral (which was originally supposed to be the final film in the series).  It is certainly much better than 2022's Netflix original Madea film, A Madea Homecoming.  Madea's Destination Wedding picks up story elements from Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016) and Boo 2! A Madea Halloween (2017), which largely dealt with the melodrama surrounding Brian Simmons' daughter, Tiffany, who is engaged to be married in this new film.

I thoroughly enjoyed Madea's Destination Wedding.  I felt so good after watching it that I didn't want it to end.  It reminds me of the run of Madea films beginning in the 20-10s with Madeas Big Happy Family (2011), which all offered a delightful mix of Christian moralism, family reconciliation and forgiveness, redemption, and lots of yucks from Madea and company.  If Tyler Perry can't make future Madea movies like Madea's Destination Wedding, then, he should retire the series.

I had forgotten to watch Madea's Destination Wedding when it first arrived last year, but I recently watched it in preparation for the new “Uncle Joe” film, Joe's College Road Trip (2026).  I am happy that I got around to watching this.  Madea's Destination Wedding is true to the spirit of the best Madea films, with smatterings of Christian spirituality, faith, forgiveness, redemption, and a great deal of broad comedy and slapstick.  And Madea's Destination Wedding does it well enough to make me feel good about watching it.

7 of 10

A-

★★★½ out of 4 stars

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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Comics Review: "CABRA CINI: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman #1/2" is All Good

CABRA CINI: VOODOO JUNKIE HITWOMAN #½

(A Prelude to  Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman Vol. 1)

ACTUALITY PRESS

STORY: Sam Johnson

ART: Bruno Letizia with R.D. Ricci; Nathan Ramirez; R.D. Ricci

COLORS: Harwan Stia Yoga; Mark Dodson; D'Anthony Mathenia; Aljosa Tomic

LETTERS: Bruno Letizia; Nathan Ramirez; Chas! Pangburn; Micah Myers

COVER ARTIST: Carlos Villas

42pp, Color, (March 2026)

Suggest for mature readers

Cabra Cini created by Sam Johnson

Cabra Cini is a comics character created by writer Sam Johnson.  He is best known as the writer and creator of the sexy superhero, Geek-Girl.  Cabra Cini is a former sex worker who used “voodoo magik” to free herself of her abusive pimp/boyfriend.  Now, she is a hit woman addicted to voodoo.

Cabra Cini is about to get her first trade paperback collection, Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman Vol. 1.  Sam Johnson has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the collection.  To help promote the campaign, Johnson compiled a special digital comic book that offers some of the stories that will be found in the trade.  He sent me a copy the PDF, Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman #½.

Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman #1/2 opens with a “Prologue” written by Johnson and drawn by Bruno Letizia with R.D. Ricci.  “Prologue” asks the question, what would you do if the clumsy antics of a young werewolf interrupted your sex life.  If you're Cabra Cini, you fix him...

The next story is “White Out.”  It is set in Detroit and is written by Johnson and drawn by Nathan Ramirez.  There is a new killer in town, “White Out.”  He's dressed in white from head to toe and he likes to kill Black men; plus, he has plans for the neighborhood.  All Cabra Cini wanted to do was prepare dinner for her man, Geoff, but now she is forced to face a dangerous, enigmatic stranger.

“The Ballad of La Chica Cabra,” written by Johnson and is drawn by R.D. Ricci, opens in Detroit in Cabra's apartment.  Her lover, Geoff, has a few questions, and Cabra explains the origins of her name, “Cabra,” and the origins of her identity.  Meanwhile, White Out is looking for her.

“Sliding in the Wreckage,” written by Johnson and drawn by R.D. Ricci, opens five weeks later.  Cabra is traveling through “Limbo” and “The Infinite.”  The Infinite's ruler, “the Rook,” grows angrier with each of Cabra's intrusions, so he has planned his cruelest response yet.  But is Cabra really as vulnerable as she seems?

THE LOWDOWN:  Sam Johnson has been sending me PDF review copies of his comic books for over a decade.  In that time, he has gradually developed into one of the most original voices in superhero comic books.  Most of you, dear readers, have not heard of him because he does not write for Marvel or DC Comics.  Recently, some fans have been lamenting their relatively late discovery of Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley's superhero comic book series, Invincible (Image Comics).  Eventually, many of you will be offering the same lamentations about Johnson's Geek-Girl and also his delightfully weird Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman.

Two of the stories included in Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman #1/2 also appeared in Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman #1, which offered its delightfully weird wares back in 2022.  The two newer stories in this digital comic book, “The Ballad of La Chica Cabra” and “Sliding in the Wreckage,” are not so much weird as they are edgy and dark.  To me, Johnson is at his most self-assured in spinning tales of Cabra Cini to date.  He can shift the mood from strange and surreal to down and gritty in a seamless flow.

In the newer stories, artist R.D. Ricci takes Johnson's scripts and turns them into comic book storytelling that is both polished and potent.  We get professional chops, but the art ain't too proud to offer some enjoyable ultra-violence.  Ricci makes me feel the threat and danger of Cabra Cini's adversaries, and he left me wanting more of this fear and dread.

In the earlier stories, “Prologue” and “White Out,” five artists: Nathan Ramirez, Bruno Letizia, R.D. Ricci, Pablo Zambrano, and Jorge Oliveira use their diverse talents and approaches to graphical storytelling to pull these stories together.  The change in artists isn't jarring because they seem to share a similar aesthetic.  In fact, having several artists helps to make Cabra Cini come across more like a multifaceted character and less like a mere clever name and idea.

My opinion of Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman #1/2 is about the same as it was for the 2022 Cabra Cini one-shot.  Both are certainly excellent enough to make me heartily recommend that readers consider contributing to the crowdfunding campaign for Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman Volume 1.  However, I want to say that this new one-shot is better at declaring that Cabra Cini is something truly unique and undeniably entertaining.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of writer Sam Johnson's comic books will want to fund Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman, Vol. 1.

A+

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

Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman Vol. 1 is available on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/geekgirlcomics/cabracini. There is also a YouTube trailer for the Kickstarter campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UP-bO-UXa8

https://x.com/daSamJohnson

https://samjohnsoncomics.wixsite.com/geekgirlcomics

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

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Review: "GHOST IN THE SHELL" is Still a Stunning Feat

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 147 (of 2003) by Leroy Douresseaux

Kokaku kidotai (1995) – anime

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Japan

Ghost in the Shell (1996) – U.S. English dub release

Running time:  83 minutes (1 hour, 23 minutes)

MPAA – R

DIRECTOR:  Mamoru Oshii

WRITER:  Kazunori Ito, based upon the graphic novel by Masamune Shirow

PRODUCERS:  Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, Ken Iyadomi, Ken Matsumoto, and Yoshimasa Mizuo

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Hisao Shirai (D.o.P.)

EDITOR:  Shuichi Kakesu

COMPOSER:  Kenji Kawai

ANIME/SCI-FI/ACTION

Starring:  (English dub voices) Mimi Wood, Richard Epcar, Christopher Joyce, William Frederick, Ben Isaacson, Abe Lasser, and Hank Smith

Kokaku kidotai is a 1995 sci-fi, cyberpunk, and action-thriller anime film from director Mamoru Oshii.  It is best known by its English title, Ghost in the Shell.  This animated film is based on the manga, Ghost in the Shell, from creator, Masamune Shirow.  Ghost in the Shell the film follows a cyborg policewoman and her partner as they hunt a mysterious and powerful hacker called “the Puppet Master.”

Some aficionados consider the film, Ghost in the Shell, to be the second greatest anime (Japanese animation) film of all time behind the venerable Akira.  However, at the time of its release, Ghost in the Shell so stunned audiences with its futuristic look and dazzling blend of traditional and computer animation that some people considered it to be the future of anime and also the top achievement in the history of anime.

Ghost in the Shell opens in the year 2029.  A female cyborg cop, Major Motoko (Mimi Woods), and her partner, Batou (Richard Epcar), hunt a mysterious and powerful computer hacker called “The Puppet Master” (Abe Lasser).  In the year 2029, society is information driven, and humans are connected on a mass basis to an omnipresent interactive information network.

Sophisticated criminals are hacking into the network, so the government forms “Section 9,” which is led by powerfully advanced cyborgs like Motoko, who hunt the hackers.  But in order to discover the secrets of the Puppet Master, Motoko will have to unravel the secrets of “Project 2501.”

Ghost in the Shell's story can get a little confusing at times.  The writer of the manga upon which this movie is based put a lot of thought and research into his project.  The “ghost” of the title is a soul or psyche, and the “shell” of the title is the body of the cyborg.  I would suggest, dear readers, that you pay close attention and follow the dense social, political, and philosophical ideas of the film.  In fact, this Ghost in the Shell anime was one of the smarter, science fiction movies of its time, granted that it does occasionally get ahead of itself and spews too many ideas.

As good as the story and script are, the grand achievement of this film is its animation.  Anime filmmakers have been ahead of everyone else in animating the human figure in a dramatic context.  No one really approaches the grace and the artistry of movement in the animated humans in Disney film, but Japanese animators have done excellent work in creating animated figures that move with fantastic bursts of energy during action sequences that depict sword duels, gunfights, martial arts and hand to hand combat, and wielding great arcs of eldritch and magical energy.

The quality of Ghost in the Shell’s car chases and gunfights rival those found in big, budget live action films, which makes this film feel bracing and invigorating.  The beauty of both the hand rendered animation and computer animation totally captures the power of action and movement.  Ghost in the Shell is explosive eye candy; imagine the artistry of Disney matched with the intensity of a James Cameron action flick.

Fans of anime and of science fiction love this film, but it is something special,  So it should be enjoyed by people who love film and spectacular cinematic achievement.

8 of 10

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

EDITED:  Wednesday, April 1, 2026

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