Thursday, May 26, 2022

Paramount Debuts the First Trailer for "MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7"

Paramount Pictures released the first trailer for the film, “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One,” on Monday, May 23rd, 2022.  The stars Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Henry Czerny, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, and Frederick Schmidt, all of whom will reprise their roles from the previous films.  Newcomers include Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Shea Whigham, Esai Morales, Rob Delaney, and Cary Elwes.  The film is written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie.

The film opens in theaters on July 14, 2023.

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



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

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Comics Review: "KILLADELPHIA #22" - How Many of Us Have Them

KILLADELPHIA #22
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Rodney Barnes
ART: Jason Shawn Alexander with Germán Erramouspe and Nicole Palmquist
COLORS: Luis Nct
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon
EDITOR: Greg Tumbarello
COVER: Jason Shawn Alexander
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Elia Bonetti
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (May 2022)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Killadelphia and Elysium Gardens created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander

“The End of All” Part IV: “The Conversation”


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. and his father, revered Philadelphia homicide detective, James Sangster, Sr., thought to be dead.  He is actually a vampire.  Now father and son lead a ragtag team comprised of a medical examiner (Jose Padilla), a dead president, and a rebellious, but special young vampire (Tevin Thompkins a.k.a. “See Saw”) in a bid to save Philly from an ambitious and murderous former First Lady, Abigail Adams.

As Killadelphia #22 (“The Conversation”) opens, Abigail and her coven are having an unpleasant conversation among themselves.  It gets more unpleasant when (vampire) George Washington, See Saw, and Aelio arrive for a deeper conversation.  It seems that these different factions must come together because the one true vampire king has returned to claim his throne and to lay waste to America.

Meanwhile, Jimmy and Tituba, the Stregherian witch, are still searching for See Saw.  They may have to throw more light on the situation than they expected... and they are also due for some conversation.

THE LOWDOWN:  We have entered the second half of Killadelphia's fourth story arc, “The End of All.”  It is an outta sight arc, and individually, so is Chapter Four, which resides under Jason Shawn Alexander's sexy-back cover.

Writer Rodney Barnes is a writer and executive producer on HBO's event series, “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.”  Reading Killadelphia is also a winning time because pretty much every issue introduces something entirely new that is entirely consequential, and totally amazing.  Killadelphia #22 is a basket of dark fantasy delights, featuring characters that could carry their own series, especially Tituba.  Here, what makes the characters rich is not so much their personalities as it is what they want.

Killadelphia #22 may also be the first time that I realized how artist Jason Shawn Alexander and colorist Luis Nct have managed to create such a menagerie of vampires and individual characters.  The characters with speaking roles have a unique look, and the coloring gives each one a visual and graphic personality.  It is a feast for the eyes and for the imagination.

Killadelphia #22 makes me feel like I have rediscovered the series, in a way.  Dear readers, I want you to discover it, also.

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

A+

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


https://twitter.com/TheRodneyBarnes
https://twitter.com/jasonshawnalex
https://twitter.com/luisnct
https://twitter.com/MarshallDillon
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/
http://rodneybarnes.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imagecomics/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Image-Comics-Inc/178643148813259
https://www.twitch.tv/imagecomics
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHmaKLo0FXWIPx-3n6qs3vQ
https://www.linkedin.com/company/image-comics/


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).


Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Comics Review: "ELVIRA in Horrorland Volume 1 #1" - Elvira Showers with Hitchcock

ELVIRA IN HORRORLAND VOLUME 1 #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Avallone
ART: Silvia Califano
COLORS: Walter Pereya
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt
COVER: Dave Acosta
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Dave Acosta; John Royle; Silvia Califano
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2022)

Rated Teen+

Chapter One: Bloch Party


In 1981, actress and model Cassandra Peterson created the “horror hostess character,” known as “Elvira.”  Elvira gradually grew in popularity and eventually became a brand name.  As Elvira, Peterson endorsed many products and became a pitch-woman, appearing in numerous television commercials throughout the 1980s.

Elvira also appeared in comic books, beginning in 1986 with the short-lived series from DC Comics, Elvira's House of Mystery.  In 2018, Elvira returned to comic books via Dynamite Entertainment.  Elvira's latest comic book series is Elvira in Horrorland Volume 1.  The series is written by David Avallone; drawn by Silvia Califano; colored by Walter Pereyra; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.  The series finds Elvira trapped in the Multiverse of Movies.

Elvira in Horrorland Volume 1 #1 (“Bloch Party”) opens in the aftermath of Elvira's adventures with the ghost of the late, great film legend, Vincent Price (see Elvira Meets Vincent Price).  Part of those adventures included the discover that all movies create their own little “pocket dimensions.”

Now, Elvira finds herself in the pocket dimension belonging to one of the most famous horror films of all time, directed by one of the most influential and greatest filmmakers of all time.  That should be wonderful for Elvira, except that the movie includes an infamous and famous brutal murder in a shower.  To return to her own world, Elvira just has to find a “magical remote control” (Hello, Pleasantville), but can she really let things play out in this pocket dimension the way they are supposed to?  Well, there wouldn't be an entire comic book if she didn't.

THE LOWDOWN:  In July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Elvira in Horrorland Volume #1, one of many Dynamite Elvira comic books that I have read and enjoyed.

By now, anyone who is a regular reader of my comic book reviews know that I adore Elvira comic books written by David Avallone and published by Dynamite Entertainment.  So, it is best just to move on, although I should note that I was surprised to see David make an extended reference to the notorious and pointless remake of the film that Elvira visits this issue.

Artist Silvia Califano superbly captures the spirit of this “pocket dimension” and conveys a sense of humor that I think only the best MAD Magazine satirists and parody masters could pull off.  Califano's art even resembles Howard Chaykin's peak art from the 1980s, especially the 1986 miniseries now known as The Shadow: Blood and Judgment.  Califano's sense of style and mood are superb, with the storytelling really having a sense of movement.

Taylor Esposito's lettering stabilizes the storytelling, bring order to the madcap, and colorist Walter Pereya certainly adds a jarring note at the right time.  Of course, I expected this creative team to pull this off.  Of course, I expected Elvira in Horrorland #1 to be good.  Now, I expect you to go out and buy it and other Avallone Elvira productions.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Elvira and of David Avallone's Elvira comic books will want to read Elvira in Horrorland Volume 1.

[This comic book includes “Dynamite Dispatch” May 2022, which features an interview with writer Jordan Clark.]

A+

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


https://twitter.com/DAvallone
https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics
https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/
https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).


Comics Review: JOHN CARTER OF MARS #2

JOHN CARTER OF MARS, VOL. 1 #2
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Chuck Brown
ART: George Kambadais
COLORS: George Kambadais
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: Dave Acosta
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Joseph Michael Linsner; Jonathan Case; George Kambadais; John Royle; Dave Acosta; Rachel Hollon and David Turner (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2022)

Rated Teen+

Based on the characters and stories created by Edgar Rice Burroughs


John Carter is a character that first appeared in the serialized novel, Under the Moons of Mars (The All-Story, 1912), written by Tarzan creator, Edgar Rice Burroughs.  When it was first collected and published in hardcover, the novel was re-titled, A Princess of Mars (1917), the first of Burroughs' “Barsoom” novels, which were set on Barsoom, a fictional version of Mars.  The novel also introduced Dejah Thoris, Princess of Mars.

John Carter is a Confederate veteran of the American Civil War who is transported to Mars via “astral projection.”  There he gets a new body that is similar to the one he leaves behind on Earth.  John makes several trips back and forth between Earth (which the Martians call “Jasoom”) and Barsoom, and Dejah and John eventually marry and have two children.

John Carter first appeared in comic books in the early 1950s and continues today as a comic book character via Dynamite Entertainment.  His latest comic book series is John Carter of Mars.  The series is written by Chuck Brown; drawn and colored by George Kambadais; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.  In the new series, a re-imagining of and a sequel to the original “Barsoom” novels, John Carter is back on Earth and discovers that Martians are being transported to Earth while humans are being transported to Mars.

John Carter of Mars Volume 1 #2 opens on Barsoom.  Humans and their motor vehicles are being hurled down to the planet, and the humans are desperate.  Luckily Dejah Thoris, Princess of Barsoom is there to answer desperate pleas.

Meanwhile, John Carter continues his boogie-woogie with the Green MartiansLieutenant Fred Hines will fight with Carter in order to find his own missing wife, Thai, who is now on Barsoom.  But can Fred and his partner, Charlie, help a princess find her husband?

THE LOWDOWN:  In July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is John Carter of Mars Volume 1 #2.  It is the second solo Dynamite John Carter comic book that I have read.

Writer Chuck Brown created in John Carter of Mars #1 the kind of comic book that I could not stop reading.  I couldn't stop reading John Carter of Mars #2.  What a blast!  This series may be the freshest take on John Carter, if not ever, then, in a long time.  Brown simultaneously reinvents Burroughs influential series and revitalizes it with fast-paced cross-planet action.  He balances the action energy with strong characters, making each chapter a great read.  There are, of course, some interesting new characters that hopefully will play a larger part in the narrative.

George Kambadais's art and coloring remind me of the work of Bruce Timm and of the graphic design of the Cartoon Network series, “Samurai Jack.”  Kambadais' compositions contain an energy that seems to bounce off the walls of the panels like a careening ball of fire.  He super-charges Brown's script and transforms it into powerful and attention-grabbing storytelling.  This is also a new look for the John Carter property, and I welcome that freshness.

I hope that these first two issues are not flukes.  After only two issues, I am highly recommending John Carter of Mars.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Dynamite's Barsoom comic books will want to try John Carter of Mars.

[This comic book includes “Dynamite Dispatch” May 2022, which features an interview with writer Jordan Clark.]

A+

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


https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics
https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/
https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).


Comics Review: RED SONJA Volume 6 #9

RED SONJA VOLUME 6 #9
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Mirka Andolfo and Luca Blengino
ART: Giuseppe Cafaro
COLORS: Chiara Di Francia
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: Mirka Andolfo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Joseph Michael Linsner; Leslie “Leirex” Li; Jonathan Lau; Roberto Castro; Mirka Andolfo; Sapphire Nova and James Brock (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2022)

Rated Teen+

Based on the characters and stories created by Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Robert E. Howard

“Mother” Chapter Nine


Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated: February 1973) saw the debut of a high fantasy, sword and sorcery heroine, Red Sonja.  Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith, Red Sonja was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Robert E. Howard (1906-1936), the creator of the character, Conan the Cimmerian.

Red Sonja remained a fixture in comic books from then until about 1986.  There have been several ongoing Red Sonja comic book series, and the latest, Red Sonja Volume 6, is under the guidance of popular Italian comic book creator, Mirka Andolfo.  It is written by Andolfo and Luca Blengino; drawn by Giuseppe Cafaro; colored by Chiara Di Francia; and lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and Jeff Eckleberry.  In this new series, Red Sonja accepts the bounty to bring a girl named “Sitha” to a broker who will send her to her true home (Kithai).  The girl, however, becomes attached to Sonja and calls her mother and an adventure begins.

Red Sonja Volume 6 #9 opens on the “Sea of Vilayet,” aboard a Shahpur freighter, the “Derketo's Eye,” that is supposed to take Sonja and Sitha to Kithai.  They are betrayed, however, by the ship's captain, Beylab, who is really a slave trader.

Fate brings them salvation when a pirate ship rams the Derketo's Eye.  Now, the slaver is the sight of a battle between Sonja and the formidable Captain Eustachius Krancher … unaware that the Crimson Mists have arrived.

THE LOWDOWN:   In July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Red Sonja Volume 6 #9 which is the latest of several Dynamite Entertainment Red Sonja comic books that I have read.  This is also only the eleventh issue of a Mirka Andolfo comic book that I have read.

Andolfo and Luca Blengino have shifted this story into an old-fashioned sword and sorcery adventure, full of magic, mysticism, strange lands, and stranger creatures.  They still manage to focus and sometimes build upon the relationship between Sonja and Sitha, but they don't short readers on the wild action – especially now.

Artist Giuseppe Cafaro captures the shifting settings and rapid changes in a world full of stubborn and persistent magic.  With each issue, he makes this series more his own, capturing the character drama and the sorcery.  This Red Sonja comic book continues to be worth following.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Red Sonja and of Mirka Andolfo will want to try Red Sonja Volume 6.

[This comic book includes “Dynamite Dispatch” May 2022, which features an interview with writer Jordan Clark.]

A-

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


https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics
https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/
https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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

Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).


Monday, May 23, 2022

BOOM! Studios Shipping from Diamond Distributors for May 25, 2022

BOOM! STUDIOS

MAR220828 ALL NEW FIREFLY #4 CVR A FINDEN $4.99
MAR220829 ALL NEW FIREFLY #4 CVR B YOUNG $4.99
MAR220861 KILLER AFFAIRS OF STATE #4 (OF 6) CVR A JACAMON (MR) $4.99
MAR220834 MAGIC HIDDEN PLANESWALKER #2 (OF 4) CVR A DARBOE $4.99
MAR220835 MAGIC HIDDEN PLANESWALKER #2 (OF 4) CVR B REMENAR $4.99
MAR220836 MAGIC HIDDEN PLANESWALKER #2 (OF 4) CVR C CONNECTING VAR $4.99
MAR220794 POWER RANGERS UNIVERSE #6 (OF 6) CVR A MORA $4.99
MAR220799 POWER RANGERS UNIVERSE #6 (OF 6) CVR F FOC REVEAL VAR $4.99
MAR220779 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #23 CVR A DELL EDERA $3.99
MAR220780 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #23 CVR B DIE CUT MASK VAR $4.99
MAR220781 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #23 CVR C DIE CUT BLOODY V $4.99
MAR220821 VAMPIRE SLAYER (BUFFY) #2 CVR A MONTES $4.99
MAR220822 VAMPIRE SLAYER (BUFFY) #2 CVR B BLOOD RED FOIL STAMP VAR $5.99

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



Dark Horse Comics Shipping from Diamond Distributors for May 25, 2022

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC210388 ANDRZEJ SAPKOWSKIS THE WITCHER A GRAIN OF TRUTH HC $17.99
FEB210305 ART OF TROVER SAVES UNIVERSE HC $39.99
DEC210399 BPRD THE DEVIL YOU KNOW TP $29.99
MAR220347 BRITISH PARANORMAL SOCIETY TIME OUT OF MIND #2 (OF 4) $3.99
MAR220372 COLLECTOR UNIT 731 #2 (OF 4) $3.99
JAN220402 EC ARCHIVES VAULT OF HORROR TP VOL 02 $19.99
MAR220342 HELLBOY & BPRD NIGHT OF THE CYCLOPS ONE-SHOT CVR A $3.99
MAR220343 HELLBOY & BPRD NIGHT OF THE CYCLOPS ONE-SHOT CVR B $3.99
JAN220404 MINECRAFT WITHER WITHOUT YOU TP VOL 03 $10.99
MAR220301 PEARL III #1 (OF 6) CVR A GAYDOS $3.99
MAR220302 PEARL III #1 (OF 6) CVR B MOMOKO $3.99
JAN220381 SCARLET TP $29.99
DEC210416 TARZAN THE NEW ADVENTURES HC $24.99

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