DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for June 2, 2021

DC COMICS:

Batman #109 (Cover A Jorge Jimenez), $4.99
Batman #109 (Cover B Joshua Middleton Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Batman #109 (Cover C Jen Bartel Pride Month Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Batman #109 (Cover D Riccardo Federici Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Catwoman #5 (Of 12)(Cover A Clay Mann), $4.99
Batman Catwoman #5 (Of 12)(Cover B Jim Lee & Scott Williams), AR
Batman Catwoman #5 (Of 12)(Cover C Travis Charest), AR
Batman Fortnite Zero Point #1 (Of 6)(Mikel Janín 3rd Printing Variant Cover), 4.99
Batman Fortnite Zero Point #2 (Of 6)(Mikel Janín 2nd Printing Variant Cover), 4.99
Batman Fortnite Zero Point #3 (Of 6)(Mikel Janín 2nd Printing Variant Cover), 4.99
Batman Fortnite Zero Point #4 (Of 6)(Cover A Mikel Janin), 4.99
Batman Fortnite Zero Point #4 (Of 6)(Cover B Dan Mora Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Fortnite Zero Point #4 (Of 6)(Cover C Donald Mustard Premium Card Stock Variant D), AR
Batman The Adventures Continue Season One TP, $19.99
Batman The Adventures Continue Season Two #1 (Cover A Riley Rossmo), $3.99
Batman The Adventures Continue Season Two #1 (Cover B Andrew MacLean Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman The Adventures Continue Season Two #1 (Cover C Amanda Conner Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman The Adventures Continue Season Two #1 (Cover D Kamome Shirahama Team Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman The Golden Age Omnibus Volume 9 HC, $125.00
Catwoman Soulstealer The Graphic Novel GN, $16.99
Crime Syndicate #4 (Of 6)(Cover A Howard Porter), $3.99
Crime Syndicate #4 (Of 6)(Cover B Khary Randolph Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Crush And Lobo #1 (Of 8)(Cover A Kris Anka), $3.99
Crush And Lobo #1 (Of 8)(Cover B Yoshi Yoshitani Pride Month Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Crush And Lobo #1 (Of 8)(Cover C Christian Ward Card Stock Variant), AR
Crush And Lobo #1 (Of 8)(Cover D Dan Hipp Team Foil Card Stock Variant), AR
DC Horror Presents The Conjuring The Lover #1 (Of 5)(Cover A Bill Sienkiewicz), $3.99
DC Horror Presents The Conjuring The Lover #1 (Of 5)(Cover B Ryan Brown VHS Tribute Card Stock Variant), $4.99
DC Horror Presents The Conjuring The Lover #1 (Of 5)(Cover C Gary Brown Card Stock Variant), AR
Flash The Death Of Iris West HC, $39.99
Green Lantern #3 (Cover A Bernard Chang), $4.99
Green Lantern #3 (Cover B Bryan Hitch Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Harley Quinn Black And White And Red TP, $19.99
Justice League #62 (Cover A David Marquez), $4.99
Justice League #62 (Cover B Howard Porter Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Krypto The Superdog TP, $9.99
Man-Bat #5 (Of 5)(Cover A Sumit Kumar), $3.99
Next Batman Second Son #3 (Of 4)(Cover A Doug Braithwaite), $4.99
Next Batman Second Son #3 (Of 4)(Cover B Ryan Benjamin Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Nice House On The Lake #1 (Of 12)(Cover A Alvaro Martinez Bueno), $3.99
Nice House On The Lake #1 (Of 12)(Cover B Martin Simmonds Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Poison Ivy Thorns TP, $16.99
Sensational Wonder Woman #4 (Cover A Dani), $3.99
Sensational Wonder Woman #4 (Cover B Meghan Hetrick Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Suicide Squad #4 (Cover A Eduardo Pansica), $3.99
Suicide Squad #4 (Cover B Gerald Parel Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Superman The Man Of Steel Volume 3 HC, $49.99
Swamp Thing #4 (Of 10)(Cover A Mike Perkins & Mike Spicer), $3.99
Swamp Thing #4 (Of 10)(Cover B Gerardo Zaffino Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 23rd to 31st, 2021 - Update #22

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS: 

BOX OFFICE - From Variety:  "A Quiet Place Part II" leads the four-day Memorial Day weekend holiday (5/28 to 5/31/2021) box office with an estimated gross of 57 million dollars.

 

From Variety:  The winner of the 5/28 to 5/30/21 weekend box office is "A Quiet Place Part II" with an estimated take of 48 million dollars.  That is also the biggest three-day take of the pandemic era.

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MEMORIAL DAY - From BusinessInsider:   A soldier who photographed World War II in Europe describes 6 of his photos that reveal the "insanity of war."

TV NEWS/OBIT - From Deadline:  The television and film actor, Joe Lara (58), his wife, diet guru Gwen Shamblin Lara (66), were two of seven people killed in a plane crash near Nashville on Sat. May 29, 2021.  Joe Lara was best known for his starring role in the syndicated TV series, "Tarzan: The Epic Adventures" (1996-97).

MOVIES - From WeGotThisCovered:  Does Universal Pictures really want a "Fast & Furious"/"Jurassic World" spinoff?

MOVIES - From Deadline:   In an interview with the site, Grammy Award-winning electronic music legend, Moby, talks about making a documentary about himself, "Moby Doc."

CHADWICK BOSEMAN - From Variety:  Howard University announced today that the newly re-established college of fine arts, led by Dean Phylicia Rashad, will be named the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts for Chadwick Boseman ("Black Panther"), the late actor and distinguished alumnus.

 

From WashPost:   The renaming of Howard University's newly re-established college of arts and sciences unites Howard and Walt Disney Co.’s executive chairman, Bob Iger, who will spearhead fundraising for an endowment named after Chadwick Boseman, as well as help raise money for the construction of a state-of-the-art building on Howard’s campus. The new building will house the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, the Cathy Hughes School of Communications, the school’s TV station, WHUT, and radio station, WHUR 96.3 FM.

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AMAZON - From Deadline:  Amazon is reportedly buying movie studio, MGM, for 8.45 billion dollars.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:   The CW has announced its 2021-22 Fall television schedule.

ANIMATION - From Deadline:  Universal Pictures will release "The Boss Baby: Family Business," the sequel to DreamWorks Animation's 2017, Oscar-nominated hit, "The Boss Baby," on July 2nd in theaters and streaming on the premium tiers on the "Peacock" streaming service.

MOVIES - From Deadline:   Oscar-nominee Timothee Chalamet to play "Willy Wonda" in an origin story film from Warner Bros. and Roald Dahl Story Co.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:   CBS has announced its initial 2021-22 television season lineup and it is full of crime shows.

STREAMING - From BloodyDisgusting:   Hulu has reportedly obtained Spyglass Media's remake of the cult horror classic, "Hellraiser" (1987).  HBO Max is also working on a "Hellraiser" TV series with director David Gordon Green of the "Halloween" remake.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:   The winner of the 5/20 to 5/22/2021 weekend box office is "Spiral: From the Book of Saw" with an estimated take of 4.55 million dollars.

 

From Variety:   The "Saw" film franchise is now a billion-dollar franchise.  “Spiral,” the latest entry in the horror series, earned another $4.5 million in North America and $2.67 million overseas this weekend.  That haul pushed the property to $1,000,799,533 globally across nine films.

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

MOVIES - From Variety:   To coincide with the release of his new film, "Army of the Dead," writer William Earl of Variety ranks director Zack Snyder ("Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice") ten feature films - 10 through 1.

STREAMING - From Deadline:   Sigourney Weaver is to lead a series adaptation of Holly Ringland’s book, "The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart," for Amazon.

OBITS:

From Variety:   Noted television actor, Gavin MacLeod, has died at the age of 90, Saturday, May 29, 2021.  MacLeod appeared in the first two seasons of the former ABC sitcom, "McHale's Navy."  He was a series regular on CBS' "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (1970-77), during the entire length of the series.  However, MacLeod was best known as "Captain Merrill Stubing" on ABC's romantic comedy-drama series, "The Love Boat" (1977-86).

From Deadline:  The singer and recording artist, B.J. Thomas, has died at the age of 78, Saturday, May 29, 2021.  His biggest hits were recordings of songs written by others, including "Hooked on a Feeling" (1968), "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" (1969), and "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" (1975).  Thomas' recording of "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" appeared in the film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969) reached #1 on the "Billboard Hot 100" chart.  It also won the "Best Song" Oscar for the songwriters, Burt Bacharach and Hal David.  Thomas also won five Grammy Awards for his Christian music recordings.

From DeseretNews:   Former NBA player, Mark Eaton, has died at the age of 64, Friday, May 28, 2021.  Eaton played his entire 11 year career (1982-93) with the Utah Jazz.  At the height of 7 feet 4 inches, Eaton was known as a "gentle giant" and as a gentleman.  However, Eaton was a dominant defender winning "NBA Defensive Player of the Year" in 1985 and 1989, and he was either "NBA All-Defensive First Team" or "Second Team" from 1985 to 1989."  He was a 1989 NBA All-Star.

From Deadline:  Musician and former child star, Kevin Clark, has died at the age of 32, Wednesday, May 26, 2021.  At the age of 13, Clark played the drummer, Freddy "Spazzy" McGee, in the 2003 film, "School of Rock."

From BroadwayWorld:  The actor and singer, Samuel E. Wright, has died at the age of 74, Monday, May 24, 2021.  Wright was best known as the voice of "Sebastian the Crab" in Walt Disney's classic animated feature film, "The Littler Mermaid" (1989).  He provided the lead vocals for the film's signature hit song, "Under the Sea," which one the "Best Song" Oscar.  Wright was also an original cast member of Disney's "The Lion King" Broadway musical, playing "Mufasa."  Wright was also a two-time Tony Award nominee.

Review: "WONDER WOMAN 1984" Means Well, But is Stupid

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 37 of 2021 (No. 1775) by Leroy Douresseaux

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Running time:  151 minutes (2 hours, 31 minutes)
MPAA – PG - 13 for sequences of action and violence
DIRECTOR:  Patty Jenkins
WRITERS:  Patty Jenkins, Geoff Johns, and Dave Callahan; from a story by Patty Jenkins and Geoff Johns (based on characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and created by William Moulton Marston)
PRODUCERS:  Charles Roven, Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Patty Jenkins, Gal Gadot, and Stephen Jones
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Matthew Jensen (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Richard Pearson
COMPOSER:  Hans Zimmer

SUPERHERO/FANTASY

Starring:  Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, Kristen Wiig, Pedro Pascal, Lucian Perez, Kristoffer Polaha, Natasha Rothwell, Ravi Patel, Oliver Cotton, Lilly Aspell, and Lynda Carter

Wonder Woman 1984 is a 2020 superhero fantasy film from director Patty Jenkins.  The film stars the DC Comics superhero, Wonder Woman, who first appeared in All Star Comics #8 (1941) and was created by writer William Moulton Marston (with artist Harry George Peter).  It is a direct sequel to 2017's Wonder Woman and is also the ninth film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) film series.  In Wonder Woman 1984, our titular hero must battle a colleague and a businessman whose desire to have everything they ever wanted and much more could destroy the world.

Wonder Woman 1984 opens on the island of Themyscira, the home of the Amazons.  There, young Diana (Lilly Aspell) is trying to be the most accomplished Amazon.  In an athletic event against older Amazons, young Diana must also learn an important lesson about getting what she wants.

The story moves to 1984.  Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) works cultural anthropology and archaeology at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.  Secretly, Diana is also the superhero known as “Wonder Woman.”  At work, Diana meets and eventually befriends a new museum employee, Barbara Minerva (Kristen Wiig), a shy woman whose professions are geology, gemology, and lithology, in addition to being a cryptozoologist.  Barbara is barely seen by her co-workers, and she comes to envy Diana, whose radiance draws people to her.

One day, the FBI asks the museum to identify some stolen antiquities, and among them is a mysterious item, a “citrine” that turns out to be called the “Dreamstone.”  Also interested in this item is a failing businessman, Maxwell “Max” Lord (Pedro Pascal), who believes that the stone has “wish-granting” powers that can both save his failing oil company, “the Black Gold Cooperative,” and make him the powerful man he has always wanted to be.  No one really understands how dangerous the Dreamstone can be, even Diana, who gets her deceased lover, Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), back into her life.

I like that Wonder Woman 1984 deals with such themes as immediate gratification, getting things the easy way without working for it, cheating to get what you want, and the desire to have something before you are ready to have it.  However, it is the execution of these themes that is problematic.  For a film that beats viewers over the head with the idea that it is bad to get whatever you wish for, Wonder Woman 1984 is filled with magical thinking.  This film's story is illogical, nonsensical, silly, and full of pretty pictures while being largely empty and devoid of substance.

Having Steve Trevor's spirit possess the body of an actual living man and control it is a horrible idea.  Supposedly, co-writer/director Patty Jenkins says that the Trevor subplot is a reference to the body-switching trope found in films like Freaky Friday: The Movie (1976) and Big (1988).  If true, this explanation is lame.  Having Wonder Woman basically hold a man hostage so that she can use his body to play kissy-face with her dead lover's spirit does not seem like something Wonder Woman would actually do.  I won't go into the non-consensual element of this relationship...

However, that is just one element of the entire nonsense that is having Steve Trevor in this film.  In one sequence, it just happens to be the Fourth of July, which leads to Wonder Woman and Trevor stealing a conveniently located jet and flying through the clouds that are lit up by the holiday fireworks below.  Wonder Woman asks Trevor what makes flying as a pilot so special to him, and the dude says that it is because of the wind and the air...

I'm not even sure why this movie is called Wonder Woman 1984, as very little about that year really permeates this film.  1984 seems like nothing more than an arbitrary date, while calling this film “Wonder Woman: The Year of Schmaltz and Syrupy Sentiment” would seem more accurate.

Nothing epitomizes Wonder Woman 1984's nonsensical, trite, contrived nature than the “lead” villain, Max Lord.  Heaven knows that Pedro Pascal gives it his all in order to fill the vast emptiness that is Max, but even his acting skills can't save this bomb of a character.  Patty Jenkins and Geoff Johns' hackneyed script gives Max a child, Alistair (Lucian Perez), a pensive-faced waif who just loves his daddy no matter how much daddy ignores and minimizes him.  The presence of the child only emphasizes how lame Max Lord is.

The better villain is Kristen Wiig's Cheetah (who is not called that in the film), but the script relegates Barbara Minerva/Cheetah to side-piece status.  Minerva and Cheetah had the potential to be an excellent counter to Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, but no, the man-villain must be the center of attention.  Also, I'm pretty sure that Cheetah appears merely for licensing purposes – perhaps, as a hard-to-find, low-run, female action figure.

Just as she was the last time, Gal Gadot is gorgeous in this film, but whereas the Wonder Woman she played in the original film was so strong, independent, and fierce, the Wonder Woman of the sequel is a clueless broad who pines after the ghost of a long dead man.  Everything the heroine of this sequel does is either strange or thoughtless, and she puts herself and others in danger cause she's just gotta have her (dead) man!  Wonder Woman 1984 turns Gadot's Wonder Woman from historical in the first film to hysterical in the sequel.

The only reason that I am not giving Wonder Woman 1984 a grade of “D” or even of “F” is because I was so happy to see Lynda Carter, TV's Wonder Woman of the 1970s, in a mid end credits scene.  Yeah, that's a spoiler that I didn't warn you about, but hey, I am warning you about the rest of Wonder Woman 1984.  Now, dear readers, you can watch it while expecting much less of it than I did.

4 of 10
C

Thursday, April 8, 2021


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Keke Palmer Teams Up With Amazon Original Stories

Amazon Teams Up with Keke Palmer to Publish New Short Story Series Based on Her Original Characters

The actress, television personality, singer-songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and author will expand upon her original Instagram sketch videos with a series of bingeable short stories available free for Prime members.

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon Original Stories, an imprint of Amazon Publishing, announced that it will publish multi-hyphenate entertainer Keke Palmer’s forthcoming series of short stories, based on her popular original Instagram characters and sketch comedy videos, which have amassed over 100 million views. Readers and listeners can download the collection as a Kindle eBook or as an Audible audiobook, performed by Keke herself. Amazon Original Stories will publish the short story series in late Fall 2021.

    “The team at Amazon Original Stories and I have a shared vision and what they have already been able to accomplish pushes me to bring my best and then some. I can’t wait to together share a new side of Lady Miss, her truth, and comedy with the world!”

At the age of 27, Keke is a prolific and formidable content creator, entertainer, businesswoman, and passionate voice for her generation. Keke first had the idea for her now viral characters just over five years ago, when she wanted to experiment with new types of comedy in the digital universe. She created characters on her Instagram account that tackled issues of class, race, femininity, and culture, with her signature brand of humor. Incorporating feedback from her fans and community on social media in real time, she refined each character to be reflective of her audience and the world around her.

Keke’s most popular character, Lady Miss Jacqueline—who has gained over 60 million views on Instagram alone—is the star of the stories in the upcoming Amazon Original Stories collection. Featuring illustrations throughout, the short, bingeable stories will take readers and listeners into the hilarious and fully realized world of her beloved characters, expanding on their backstories and building a plot that answers the most asked questions from her fans. The Audible audiobook will feature Keke playing each of the characters that she has created.

“What started out as an Instagram sketch, led me to one of my most beloved characters, Lady Miss Jacqueline. She’s always been larger than life—and a huge symbol of the moment when I realized I wanted to create worlds for my audience to get lost in. In effect, she was the beginning of my producing journey. The opportunity to share what makes her not only funny, but important, is exciting!” said Keke Palmer. “The team at Amazon Original Stories and I have a shared vision and what they have already been able to accomplish pushes me to bring my best and then some. I can’t wait to together share a new side of Lady Miss, her truth, and comedy with the world!”

“We are thrilled to team up with Keke to help expand her unique vision and unforgettable cast of characters into a broader literary universe,” said Julia Sommerfeld, publisher of Amazon Original Stories. “We like to think of Amazon Original Stories as serving as a playground for an innovator like Keke, to bring her groundbreaking characters to life in new ways and to push the boundaries of storytelling.”

Like all Amazon Original Stories, Keke’s new collection will be available to read and listen free to Prime members, as well as Kindle Unlimited subscribers. Readers can download each story individually to their Kindle or Kindle app, or get the whole collection with just one click. Stories are also available for non-members for $1.99, with the option to add digital audio for free.

Julia Sommerfeld, publisher of Amazon Original Stories, acquired exclusive worldwide English rights in digital audio and eBook formats from Lacy Lynch with Dupree/Miller & Associates.

www.amazon.com/AmazonOriginalStories


About Keke Palmer:
Keke Palmer is a multi-faceted actress, singer, songwriter, producer, and television host. As a businesswoman, Keke prioritizes ownership and originality, and she created a production company for her digital content and a record label for music. She also serves as a producer in TV and film, including in her upcoming movie Alice. In 2020, she received an Emmy nomination for her work as a host on ABC’s GMA3: Strahan, Sara and Keke; released two hit EPs, Virgo Tendencies: Part 1 & 2, from her own Big Bosses Record Label; and hosted Quibi’s Singled Out based on the iconic ‘90s MTV series, as well as the MTV VMA Awards, which garnered 4.1 million social media impressions, the most impressions of any event in 2020, other than the Super Bowl.

She is currently lending her voice to “Maya” in Disney+'s revival of the The Proud Family and “Rochelle” in Netflix’s new Big Mouth spinoff Human Resources after appearing in Season 5 of Big Mouth. She can also be heard voicing the role of “Brynn” opposite Pete Davidson in Broadway Video’s new upcoming Audible scripted podcast Hit Job. Keke just wrapped filming Steel Springs Pictures' Alice opposite Common and Johnny Lee Miller from writer and director Krystin Ver Linden. She also recently starred opposite Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B, and Constance Wu in Hustlers for Gloria Sanchez & STX, directed by Lorene Scafaria, which was released to massive critical and popular acclaim. Keke will star in Jordan Peele’s next film for Universal Pictures opposite Daniel Kaluuya, she will host and executive produce Disney+’s Foodtastic, and will star in the upcoming Audible original Hit Job which releases on April 22nd.

Keke rose to prominence through her breakout role in Akeelah and the Bee at age 12, starring opposite Angela Bassett and Lawrence Fishburne. She has gone on to star in over 25 films and 30 TV shows, including the dark and gritty film Pimp, executive produced by Lee Daniels; 20th Century Fox Television and Lee Daniels Entertainment’s hit television show Star; EPIX’s Berlin Station; and FOX’s Scream Queens, produced by Ryan Murphy.

Palmer has broken barriers from a young age, becoming the youngest actress ever to receive a SAG Award nomination in a lead actor category for her work in The Wool Cap at the age of 10. She was also the youngest and first Black Cinderella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s iconic musical Cinderella on Broadway; the first Black woman to star as “Marty” in the Emmy-nominated TV movie version of Grease Live!; and the youngest talk show host in history.

About Amazon Publishing:
Amazon Publishing is a leading trade publisher of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books with a mission to empower outstanding storytellers and connect them with readers worldwide. We publish emerging, bestselling, and critically acclaimed authors in digital, print, and audio formats.

Amazon Original Stories, an imprint of Amazon Publishing, is known for its single-sitting reads from bestselling authors, acclaimed storytellers, and new voices. Launched in 2017, Amazon Original Stories brings unforgettable short fiction and nonfiction to Kindle—including stories and essays from Mindy Kaling, Dean Koontz, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Kiley Reid, David Sedaris, N.K. Jemisin, Ruth Ware, Jess Walter, Cheryl Strayed, Roxane Gay, Rainbow Rowell, Alice Hoffman, Jacqueline Woodson, and Los Angeles Laker Jared Dudley. Projects are forthcoming from notable names like Guillermo del Toro, Jessica Simpson, Susan Orlean, Lisa Unger, and more.

About Amazon:
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

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Comics Review: "THE SWAMP THING #1" Offers a Thing New and Original

THE SWAMP THING #1 (OF 10)
DC COMICS

STORY: Ram V
ART: Mike Perkins
COLORS: Mike Spicer
LETTERS: Aditya Bidikar
EDITOR: Alex R. Carr
COVER: Mike Perkins with Mike Spicer
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Francesco Mattina
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2021)

Rated: Age 13+

Swamp Thing created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson

“Becoming” Part 1

Swamp Thing is a horror comic book character from DC Comics, of which there have been different versions.  Swamp Thing is a plant elemental and a sentient, walking mass of plant matter.  Created by writer Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson, Swamp Thing first appeared in House of Secrets #92 (cover dated July 1971).

The best known version of Swamp Thing is Alec Holland (Swamp Thing #1, October/November 1972), a scientist who becomes Swamp Thing due to a complex process involving his death, a “bio-restorative formula,” and a bomb.  British comic book writer Alan Moore came to fame in the United States when he began writing the early 1980s Swamp Thing comic book, Saga of the Swamp Thing, with issue #20 (January 1984).  Moore re-invented the character with issue #21 (cover dated: February 1984) and since then everyone who has written the Swamp Thing has worked in Moore's shadow...

Swamp Thing reemerges in a new ten-issue comic book miniseries, The Swamp Thing.  It is written by Ram V; drawn by Mike Perkins; colored by Mike Spicer; and Aditya Bidikar.  The Swamp Thing introduces the next “Guardian of the Green” (what DC is calling Swamp Thing … now) as he faces a supernatural legend and a new adversary.

The Swamp Thing #1 opens in the desert (near California/Arizona border?) at a crime scene.  There, a decaying body shows sings of being eaten by something that might be human.  This grisly scene might also be the result of a grisly murder connected to a local desert legend, a supernatural being called the “Pale Wanderer.”

Elsewhere, Levi Kamei is dealing with being the Guardian of the Green, and he is unable to control his transformation into the monstrous Swamp Thing.  Returning to the United States from his home country of India, where Levi found that his problems could take root even there.  Can he truly comprehend the horrifying reality of what he is now?

THE LOWDOWN:  As far as I'm concerned, there is no Swamp Thing comic book writer that can match what Alan Moore accomplished with the character … except Swamp Thing's co-creator, the late writer and editor, Len Wein.  However, other writers have done some good work with Swamp Thing, such as the writer who succeeded Moore, the eclectic scribe, Rick Veitch.

After reading The Swamp Thing #1, I believe that Ram V could be the next great Swamp Thing scribe.  If he mixes dark magic with even darker violence, as he seems to be doing with this first issue, The Swamp Thing may be the launching point for a new era of the character that will actually last longer than a few years.  I am intrigued by the potential for international settings and for magic that originates from different traditions.

Readers will find The Swamp Thing #1 a readily accessible first issue for new readers or for readers who have not bothered with Swamp Thing for a long time (like me).  Thankfully, Ram V does not live up to his name.  He does not force or ram the reader with his new ideas.  He is a gentle and considerate, but imaginative storyteller.

I am glad to see that Mike Perkins is drawing The Swamp Thing.  He is a modern master of dark fantasy and horror comic books, and in this first issue, his compositions are powerful, resulting in graphical storytelling that grabs the reader with its action and drama.  Mike Spicer's haunting and rich color palette captures the shifting realities and grisly violence of this first issue.

The lettering by Aditya Bidikar steadies the rhythm of a story that has the potential to get out of hand with its sudden explosions of violence.  Instead, the violence keeps its place in the story.  This is all the more reason to at least try The Swamp Thing #1, if you can still find a copy in your local comic book shop.  I suggest that you try to dig one up.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of the Swamp Thing will want to try the new series, The Swamp Thing.

A

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


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The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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MTV Signs Deal with Courtney B. Vance and Angela Bassett; Deal Includes "Tulsa Race Massacre" Series

 
MTV Entertainment Studios and Bassett Vance Productions Tap Award-Winning Writer Nathan Alan Davis for Limited Series on the Tulsa Race Massacre

On the centennial anniversary of the tragedy, the dramatic adaptation will be executive produced by Courtney B. Vance and Angela Bassett as part of overall deal with MTVE

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MTV Entertainment Studios and Bassett Vance Productions today that Award-winning playwright Nathan Alan Davis will write a scripted original limited-series inspired by the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, considered the single worst incident of racial violence in American history.

    “As storytellers - together with Courtney, Angela and Nathan - we have the privilege of shining a light on a devastating event in our history that is important, necessary and still resonates 100 years later”

A century after the devastating event that left hundreds of Black people dead and entire homes and businesses destroyed, the series will be the first dramatic adaptation devoted to telling the story of Greenwood district in Tulsa which at that time was the wealthiest Black community in the United States and known as "Black Wall Street.”

“As storytellers - together with Courtney, Angela and Nathan - we have the privilege of shining a light on a devastating event in our history that is important, necessary and still resonates 100 years later,” said Nina L. Diaz, President of Content and Chief Creative Officer at MTV Entertainment Group. “This partnership underscores our shared commitment to raise diverse voices and create content our global audience is yearning for that is both timely and telling.”

“Angela and I have always had a deep appreciation for history, especially when it comes to stories that are rooted in the Black community. We look forward to working on this series with MTV Entertainment Studios that will explore an important slice of American history as we look to reflect on events that changed the lives of countless Black families in Tulsa, Oklahoma one hundred years ago,” said Courtney B. Vance, principal at Bassett Vance Productions. “We are excited to work with Nathan because his vision directly aligns with the story that Angela and I want to tell. Although the series will revisit the Black pain and tragedy that took place on May 31 and June 1, 1921, it will also importantly introduce to many the stories of the extraordinary, entrepreneurial people who built Black Wall Street and all that this community accomplished.”

Davis added, “I am honored to be partnering with Courtney, Angela, MTV Entertainment Studios and their extraordinary teams in this vital endeavor. Exploring the history of Tulsa’s Greenwood District as a limited dramatic series affords us a precious opportunity and a deep responsibility. I greatly look forward to crafting a story that will not only shed light on the people of Black Wall Street, but give fresh life to the spirit, ideas, hopes, fears, and dreams that motivated them.”

This is the first project from Bassett Vance Productions as part of the deal made with MTV Entertainment Studios in 2020. Having served as a writer for projects such as BET's American Soul and Facebook Watch's Sorry For Your Loss, this marks Davis's first run as a show creator after receiving multiple awards for his produced plays, including Nat Turner in Jerusalem, Dontrell Who Kissed the Sea and The Wind and the Breeze. He previously provided a take on the Tulsa Massacre for his play, The High Ground, which is slated to premiere at Arena Stage in Washington D.C.

Meghan Hooper White, EVP and Head of Original Movies and Limited Series and VP, Original Movies and Limited Series, Amal Baggar will oversee the project for MTV Entertainment Studios. Bassett and Vance will executive produce the series, along with Dwayne Johnson-Cochran and Lynnette Ramirez for Bassett Vance Productions.

Davis is repped by ICM and managed by Literate. Bassett Vance Productions is repped by Darrell Miller, Fox Rothschild LLP. Bahareh Kamali brokered the deal for MTV Entertainment Studios.

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Comics Review: "KILLADELPHIA #13" M.O.V.E.s Somethin'

KILLADELPHIA #13
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

STORY: Rodney Barnes
ART: Jason Shawn Alexander
COLORS: Luis Nct
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon
EDITOR: Greg Tumbarello
COVER: Jason Shawn Alexander
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: David Mack
36pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S.(May 2021)

Rated “M/ Mature”

“Home is Where the Hatred Is” Part I: “Family First”

Killadelphia is an apocalyptic vampire and dark fantasy comic book series from writer Rodney Barnes and artist Jason Shawn Alexander and is published by Image Comics.  At the center of this series is a police officer caught in a lurid conspiracy in which vampires attempt to rule Philadelphia, “the City of Brotherly Love.”  Colorist Luis Nct and letterer Marshall Dillon complete Killadelphia's creative team.

Killadelphia focuses on James “Jim” Sangster, Jr., who comes home to Philly to deal with the final affairs of his recently murdered father, revered Philadelphia homicide detective, James Sangster, Sr.  Not dead, but undead, the father joins the son, the chief medical examiner (Jose Padilla), and a rebellious vampire to lead the battle that saves Philly from the vampires.  But that was just the first battle, and this is a war.

Killadelphia #13 (“Family First”) opens in Los Angeles, where another undead former President of the United States confesses his sins, announces his plans, and re-introduces his family.  Elsewhere, John Adams, our nation's second president finds that his wife, Abigail Adams, the vampire queen in control of legions, no longer needs him.  Philadelphia will fall at her feet.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the shocking events that closed the last issue, James, Sr. seeks help from Tevin Thompkins a.k.a. “See Saw,” but the young man is busy with his own revolution.  Will he help, or will the help come form an unexpected guest?

THE LOWDOWN:  Killadelphia begins its third story arc, “Home is Where the Hatred Is.”  After the pyrotechnics of the previous story arc, “Burn Baby Burn,” this new story line looks to focus on family – damned and otherwise.

It is not beyond my imagination to see a future where a few [Negroes] who provide quality entertainment could assimilate  …

Good one, Rodney!  Seriously, Killadelphia's scribe, Rodney Barnes, has managed to keep this series extra-fresh for over a year.  Dear readers, I have rarely had a chance to doubt this series, as Barnes' imagination presents vampire fiction that offers layers, subtext, and alternative views of much of the supernatural that defy the bonds and boundaries of vampire fiction.

The art team of illustrator Jason Shawn Alexander and colorist Luis Nct keep this series pumping the warm blood.  Alexander's daring and inventive compositions and Nct's hot coloring spurts hotter arterial fluids even when a vampire isn't biting.

Killadelphia #13 is a welcomed return.  One of the best horror comic books out today is back in black and red, and I highly recommend it.  I think you will like it.  I'd stake a vampire on it.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of vampire comic books and of exceptional dark fantasy will want Killadelphia.


Killadelphia #13 has a backup feature:
“Elysium Gardens” Part 6 “The Wake of the Wind”

Created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander

Story: Rodney Barnes
Art: Chris Mitten
Design: Sherard Jackson
Letters: Marshall Dillon
Edits: Greg Tumbarello

The back-up feature, “Elysium Gardens,” opens in Philadelphia, May 1st, 1985.  Angela/Zubiya and her pack of werewolves have arrived, looking for someone.  They have found their prey, Stregherian witch, Tituba, among the Black liberation group, M.O.V.E.  And Tituba has a history, or rather, her story to tell.

As he does with Killadelphia, writer Rodney Barnes makes “Elysium Gardens” both allegorical and metaphorical in the way he uses the brutality, savagery, barbarism, greed, and sin of white supremacy, racism, white colonialism, and white settler violence in the character, setting, and plot of his stories.

It is as if the spirits of the ancestors are guiding Barnes' hands.  Just over a month ago, media reports revealed that the remains of a child of M.O.V.E. were being used in a Princeton-back online forensic anthropology course – reportedly without the permission of her relatives.  Is it a coincidence that Barnes has introduced the organization into this narrative now?  I think not; the ancestors move in mysterious ways.

The art by Chris Mitten is a nice change of pace.  Mitten captures the emotions and the spirit that resides within the characters' eyes.  His graphical storytelling is good for “Elysium Gardens.”

A+

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


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