NEGROMANCER 2.0

Monday, August 21, 2023

DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for August 22, 2023

DC COMICS:

Absolute Sandman Overture HC (2023 Edition), $150.00

Batman Beyond Neo-Gothic #2 (Cover A Max Dunbar), $4.99

Batman Beyond Neo-Gothic #2 (Cover B Christian Ward Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Batman Beyond Neo-Gothic #2 (Cover C Hayden Sherman Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman Detective Comics Volume 5 The Joker War TP (2018), $24.99

Batman The Adventures Continue Season Three #7 (Of 8)(Cover A Juan Ferreyra), $3.99

Batman The Adventures Continue Season Three #7 (Of 8)(Cover B Cliff Chiang Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman The Adventures Continue Season Three #7 (Of 8)(Cover C Rafael Albuquerque Villain Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman The Adventures Continue Season Three #7 (Of 8)(Cover D Hayden Sherman Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman The Brave And The Bold #4 (Cover A Simone Di Meo)(Knight Terrors), $7.99

Batman The Brave And The Bold #4 (Cover B Kael Ngu)(Knight Terrors), $7.99

Batman The Brave And The Bold #4 (Cover C Otto Schmidt)(Knight Terrors), $7.99

Batman The Brave And The Bold #4 (Cover D Mike Deodato Jr. Blue Beetle Movie Variant)(Knight Terrors), $7.99

Batman The Brave And The Bold #4 (Cover E Jay Anacleto)(Knight Terrors), AR

Dark Knights Of Steel #12 (Of 12)(Cover A Dan Mora), $3.99

Dark Knights Of Steel #12 (Of 12)(Cover B Ejikure Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Dark Knights Of Steel #12 (Of 12)(Cover C Jorge Molina Card Stock Variant), AR

DC Connect #40, AR

DC RWBY #7 (Of 7)(Cover A Meghan Hetrick), $3.99

DC RWBY #7 (Of 7)(Cover B Mirka Andolfo Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Green Lantern Corps By Peter J. Tomasi And Patrick Gleason Omnibus Volume 1 HC, $150.00

Knight Terrors #4 (Of 4)(Cover A Ivan Reis & Danny Miki), $3.99

Knight Terrors #4 (Of 4)(Cover B Caspar Wijngaard Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Knight Terrors #4 (Of 4)(Cover C Giuseppe Camuncoli Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Knight Terrors #4 (Of 4)(Cover D Ivan Reis Darkest Hour Neon Ink Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Knight Terrors #4 (Of 4)(Cover E Darick Robertson Card Stock Variant), AR

Knight Terrors #4 (Of 4)(Cover F Mico Suayan Card Stock Variant), AR

Knight Terrors #4 (Of 4)(Cover G Ivan Reis Card Stock Variant), AR

Knight Terrors Action Comics #2 (Of 2)(Cover A Rafa Sandoval), $4.99

Knight Terrors Action Comics #2 (Of 2)(Cover B Mirko Colak Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Knight Terrors Action Comics #2 (Of 2)(Cover C Tyler Kirkham Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Knight Terrors Action Comics #2 (Of 2)(Cover D Vasco Georgiev Card Stock Variant), AR

Knight Terrors Action Comics #2 (Of 2)(Cover E Crystal Kung Card Stock Variant), AR

Knight Terrors Angel Breaker #2 (Of 2)(Cover A Matteo Lolli), $3.99

Knight Terrors Angel Breaker #2 (Of 2)(Cover B Ivan Tao Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Knight Terrors Angel Breaker #2 (Of 2)(Cover C Stephen Segovia Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Knight Terrors Angel Breaker #2 (Of 2)(Cover D Chuma Hill Card Stock Variant), AR

Knight Terrors Angel Breaker #2 (Of 2)(Cover E Matteo Lolli Card Stock Variant), AR

Knight Terrors Detective Comics #2 (Of 2)(Cover A Riccardo Federici), $4.99

Knight Terrors Detective Comics #2 (Of 2)(Cover B Bernard Chang Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Knight Terrors Detective Comics #2 (Of 2)(Cover C Kyle Hotz Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Knight Terrors Detective Comics #2 (Of 2)(Cover D Marco Santucci Card Stock Variant), AR

Knight Terrors Detective Comics #2 (Of 2)(Cover E Kyle Hotz Card Stock Variant), AR

Knight Terrors Harley Quinn #2 (Of 2)(Cover A Hayden Sherman), $4.99

Knight Terrors Harley Quinn #2 (Of 2)(Cover B Jenny Frison Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Knight Terrors Harley Quinn #2 (Of 2)(Cover C Tula Lotay Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Knight Terrors Harley Quinn #2 (Of 2)(Cover D Derrick Chew Card Stock Variant), AR

Knight Terrors Harley Quinn #2 (Of 2)(Cover E Sweeney Boo Card Stock Variant), AR

Knight Terrors Titans #2 (Of 2)(Cover A Yanick Paquette), $4.99

Knight Terrors Titans #2 (Of 2)(Cover B Alvaro Martinez Bueno Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Knight Terrors Titans #2 (Of 2)(Cover C Christian Ward Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Knight Terrors Titans #2 (Of 2)(Cover D Javi Fernandez Card Stock Variant), AR

Knight Terrors Titans #2 (Of 2)(Cover E Jorge Corona Card Stock Variant), AR

Penguin #1 (Cover A Scorpio Steele & Stefano Gaudiano), $3.99

Penguin #1 (Cover B Brian Bolland Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Penguin #1 (Cover C Nathan Szerdy Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Penguin #1 (Cover D David Marquez Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Penguin #1 (Cover E Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant), AR

Penguin #1 (Cover F Nathan Szerdy Card Stock Variant), AR

Riddler Year One #6 (Of 6)(Cover A Bill Sienkiewicz), $4.99

Riddler Year One #6 (Of 6)(Cover B Stevan Subic), $4.99

Riddler Year One #6 (Of 6)(Cover C Jock), $4.99

Riddler Year One #6 (Of 6)(Cover D Martin Simmonds), AR

Robin And Batman TP, $16.99

Unstoppable Doom Patrol #5 (Of 7)(Cover A Chris Burnham), $3.99

Unstoppable Doom Patrol #5 (Of 7)(Cover B Mikel Janin Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Unstoppable Doom Patrol #5 (Of 7)(Cover C Alan Quah Card Stock Variant), AR

WildC.A.T.s Volume 1 Better Living Through Violence HC (2022), $24.99

Wonder Woman Black And Gold TP, $24.99

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Sunday, August 20, 2023

Comics Review: "THE BATMAN & SCOOBY-DOO MYSTERIES #8" and the Replacements

THE BATMAN & SCOOBY-DOO MYSTERIES (2022) #8

DC COMICS

STORY: Sholly Fisch

ART: Erich Owen

COLORS: Erich Owen

LETTERS: Saida Temofonte

EDITOR: Kristy Quinn

COVER: Erich Owen

32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (July 2023)

Ages 8+

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

“Scooby-Doo Scooby-Don't?”

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries was a 12-issue comic book limited series that DC Comics published in 2021 and 2022. The series brought the characters from both the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? and Batman comic book series together. Over the past five decades, Mystery Inc.: Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma, have joined Batman and (often) Robin to solve mysteries in various animated television series and comic books.

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries sold well enough that DC Comics began a second series in October 2022. The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #8 (“Scooby-Doo Scooby-Don't?”) is written by Sholly Fisch; drawn and colored by Erich Owen; and lettered by Saida Temofonte.

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #8 (“Scooby-Doo Scooby-Don't?”) opens at Gotham Stadium. It's the site of the latest ghostly appearance of the fearsome “Bat Spirit,” and Mystery Inc. is on the case... but not so fast, Scooby gang.

Batman has a new team of ghostbusting partners, Ranger and the Wraith Wranglers! They're like an alternate version of Mystery Inc.: Duke (Fred), Sensei (Daphne), Specs (Velma), Rondo (Shaggy), and Ranger (Scooby). So does Batman still need Scooby and company? No, and he doesn't want them around.

Still, Mystery Inc. are the quintessential meddling kids, and they never take “No!” for answer. Plus, they know that there is something strange beyond the supernatural about the “Bat Spirit” and its drive to protect “rare bats.” In the meantime, a mysterious figure is watching Mystery, Inc. This story includes appearances by Robin, Batgirl, and a formidable Teen Titans villain.

THE LOWDOWN: As a child, the most important characters in my life were Batman and Robin and Scooby-Doo and company. I am still excited about the worlds of Batman and Scooby-Doo coming together. One of my favorites is the recent animated film, Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2018). Obviously, The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries is one of those comic book series that are perfectly made for me.

The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #8 is an offbeat tale. For one thing, it is the first Scooby-Doo comic book that I have come across that references other teenage detectives that starred in 1970s Hanna-Barbera animated television productions: “The Funky Phantom” (1971-72), “The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan” (1972), and “Goober and the Ghost Chasers” (1973).

Sholly Fisch is one of my favorite writers of Scooby-Doo comic books, and “Scooby-Doo Scooby-Don't?” is inventive tale, especially in its surprising depiction of Batman. I was also delighted to see Robin in a surprising role, and the villain is a nice twist.

Erich Owen's art looks like he drew figures and later inserted computer-rendered backgrounds. That doesn't distract from the story, but it does seem odd in places. Anyway...

All in all, The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #8 is a good read with some surprises. See you next Bat-time and have a Scooby-Dooby-Doo day, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of the union of the worlds of Batman and Scooby-Doo will want The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries.

[This comic book includes a seven-page preview of the DC Comics original graphic novel, “Bruce Wayne: Not Super” by Stuart Gibbs and Berat Pekmezci.]

A-

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

https://www.dccomics.com/

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

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

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

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Saturday, August 19, 2023

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 13th to 19th, 2023 - Update #14

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From Variety: Michael Cera talks about how he was cast in director Greta Gerwig's "Barbie."

STREAMING - From Deadline: For the fourth week in a row, the former USA Network legal drama, "Suits" (2011-19), leads the streaming charts, according to tracking service, Nielsen. The series, which also featured Meghan Markle a.k.a. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex on its first seven seasons, also continues to set Nielsen records and currently streams on both Netflix and Peacock.

TELEVISION - From Deadline: "American Horror Story: Delicate" will launch Wednesday, Sept. 30th on FX. It's spinoff, "American Horror Stories," will launch a four-episode event on Hulu, starting Oct. 26th.

MOVIES - From Variety: Director Greta Gerwig's comedy, "Barbie," starring Margot Robbie, has now grossed 537.5 million dollars at the domestic box office. That makes it the highest-grossing domestic release in Warner Bros.'s history, surpassing the 536 million dollars "The Dark Knight" grossed in 2008.

From Variety: Some people wonder why its so hard to hear some dialogue in "Oppenheimer." Well, director Christopher Nolan refuses to "record ADR."

SCANDAL - From Variety: Actor-producer Alec Baldwin may once again face manslaughter charges related to the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film, "Rust."

DISNEY - From Deadline: Film financier, TSG, is suing Disney for what it claims are unpaid profits from films in which it co-financed with Disney.

MOVIES - From Variety: Tom Hanks was so concerned for Austin Butler’s mental health after his starring role in "Elvis" that he offered Butler a next role (starring in Apple TV+'s "Masters of the Air") immediately to prevent "emotional whiplash." Hanks co-starred in the 2022 Elvis Presley biopic with Butler as Elvis' manager, Col. Tom Parker.

NETFLIX - From Variety: Netflix has released the first official trailer for "Maestro." Bradley Cooper directs and stars in the film about late conductor Leonard Bernstein's 25-year marriage to Felicia Montealegre.

MOVIES - From Variety: Margot Robbie is the star and producer of Summer 2023's biggest hit, "Barbie." Now, Robbie could make as much as 50 million dollars in salary and bonuses.

CELEBRITY/ECO - From THR: A new species of snake discovered in Peru, South America has been named in honor of Hollywood icon, Harrison Ford. The snake is called "Tachymenoides harrisonfordi."

SPORTS/MOVIES - From ESPN: Former NFL player, Michael Oher, was the subject of the 2009 Oscar-winning film, "The Blind Side." Now, he's suing the real-life couple, Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, because they lied to him and stole from him.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 8/11 to 8/13/2023 weekend box office is Warner Bros.'s "Barbie" with an estimated take of 33.7 million dollars.

NETFLIX - From Variety: Adam Sandler's daughters, Sunny and Sadie, have joined their father in the Netflix film, "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah." Netflix has released a trailer for the film, which is due August 25th.

OBITS:

From THR: American music executive, business, and film producer, Clarence Avant, has died at the age of 92, Sunday, August 13, 2023. Nicknamed "the Godfather of Black Music," he was a manager, advisor, mentor, and behind-the-scenes force in so many music deals. He was the manager of jazz legend, Sarah Vaugh. Avant brokered the sale of Stax Records and co-promoted the late Michael Jackson's first solo world tour, "Bad." Avant advised countless music producers, executives, and recording artists, including Quincy Jones, David Geffen, Irving Azoff, Jay Z, Pharrell Williams, and Queen Latifah, to name a few.

From Deadline: The American rapper and recording artist, Melvin "Magoo" Barcliff, has died at the age of 50, Sunday, August 13, 2023. He was best known for his collaboration with rapper/producer, Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley. The two formed the rap duo, "Timbaland & Magoo," which released three albums, including the platinum certified, "Welcome to Our World" (1997). Magoo also made guest appearances and collaborated with several other recording artists, including Bubba Sparxxx, Ginuwine, and Missy Elliot. He also recorded on Timbaland's solo projects.

WRITERS/ACTORS STRIKE:

From Deadline: Writers Guild (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) will resume strike talks today, Fri., Aug. 11th.

From Deadline: Meeting for the first time in more than three months, the Writers Guild and the AMPTP on Friday failed to reach an agreement to resume contract negotiations. The Writers Strike will go on indefinitely.

From Deadline: Hollywood’s superstars are answering the call from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, donating $1 million or more each to help their fellow performers during the ongoing actors and writers strikes. Among the big donors are Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, and Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.

From Deadline: If you are interested, here is a list of the film and TV productions SAG-AFTRA has granted waivers to continue filming.

From Variety: International superstar, Dwayne Johnson, makes a seven-figure contribution to the "SAG-AFTRA Foundation Relief Fund." Foundation president, actor Courtney B. Vance, says the amount will remain confidential.

From Variety: Why haven't A-list stars joined the SAG-AFTRA picket line?, asks "Variety."

From Deadline: Author George R.R. Martin, whose works were the basis for HBO's "Game of Thrones," says the strikes will be long and bitter.

From THR: Production works at Warner Bros. Animation (66) and at Cartoon Network (22) have gone public with their attempt to unionize via The Animation Guild.

From Variety: Halted film productions due to the writers and actors strikes are costing each Hollywood studio at least 600,000 dollars per week.

From Variety: Said at a strike meeting: “Without a transformative change in SAG-AFTRA’s current contract with the AMPTP, the acting profession will no longer be an option for future generations of performers, and actors already working in the industry will need to pursue other careers in order to survive.”

From Deadline: If you are a "social media influencer" who is NOT a member of SAG-AFTRA, you can be barred from future membership for promoting a film or television series during the actors' strike.

From Variety: The SAG/AFTRA strike begins in New York and Los Angeles. Hollywood actors began striking today, Fri., July 14th.

From Deadline: The site has the video of the powerful strike speech given by SAG-AFTRA president, Fran Drescher, the actress best known for CBS' former sitcom, "The Nanny."

From Deadline: Concerning the Hollywood writers strike (via the WGA), the Hollywood Studios (as represented by the AMPTP) is to let the writers go broke before resuming talks deep into the Fall.

From Deadline: SAG-AFTRA is already preparing strike picket signs in case the actors' strike begins next week.

From Deadline: WGA is picketing the New York City filming location of the 12th series of FX's "American Horror Story" (entitled "Delicate") after series co-creator Ryan Murphy threaten litigation against an east coast strike captain.

From THR: TV super-producer, Ryan Murphy, in a letter from his attorney to the leadership of the Writers Guild of America, threatened litigation against Warren Leight, an East Coast strike captain and Strike Rules Compliance Committee member who has subsequently forfeited those positions.

From Deadline: The Hollywood studios via the AMPTP has given Canadian actors a new contract, including a 5 percent raise.

From Deadline: Writers Strike puts the spotlight back on the challenge from writers for animation productions to be covered by the WGA.

From THR: Studios won't give writers better pay, and now, are laying off janitors.

From Deadline: The Directors Guild of America (DGA) has reached a tentative new three-year deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). So what does the Writers Guild (WGA), currently on strike and negotiating with the AMPTP, think of that deal.

From Deadline: Netflix shareholders declined to support the 2023 pay packages of top executives during a non-binding vote at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on Thursday. The vote won't prevent these execs from getting their loot (an total of $166 million), but this is a rare public rebuke. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has urged shareholders to vote "No" because the pay was "inappropriate" at this time.

From Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery chief David Zaslav gave the commencement address at Boston University. There he was met with jeers and also chants of "pay your writers" from picketers and from some in the audience.

From Deadline: President Joe Biden speaks on the Writers Guild of America strike.

From Deadline: Retaliation! The studios have starting informing writer-producers who have "overall" and "first-look" deals that such deals are being suspended.

From Deadline: Retaliation! Prolific HBO creator, David Simon, who is best known for "The Wire," is one of the many writers who have had their overall deals suspended the studios due to the WGA strike. Simon has been with HBO for 25 years.

From Deadline: The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is on strike.

From Deadline: Disney, HBO/HBO Max, and CBS have sent letters to showrunners (the TV equivalent of film directors) instructing them to return to work, inspite of the writer's strike.

From Deadline: The WGA's chief negotiator, Ellen Stutzman, talks about the state of the writers' strike, including the lack of engagement on the part of the strike's other party, AMPTP.

From Deadline: What went wrong between the WGA and AMPTP? What could they not agree on that led to a strike?

From Deadline: The site explains the WGA strike: the issues, the stakes, movies and TV shows affected, and how long it might last.

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Friday, August 18, 2023

Review: "BLUE BEETLE" is a Family Affair

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 38 of 2023 (No. 1927) by Leroy Douresseaux

Blue Beetle (2023)

Running time: 127 minutes (2 hours, 7 minutes)

MPA – PG-13 for sequences of action and violence, language, and some suggestive references

DIRECTOR: Angel Manuel Soto

WRITER: Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer (based on characters from DC Comics)

PRODUCERS: Zev Foreman and John Rickard

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Pawel Pogorzelski (D.o.P.)

EDITOR: Craig Alpert

COMPOSER: The Haxan Cloak

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/ACTION/FAMILY

Starring: Xolo Maridueña, Bruna Marquezine, Damien Alcazar, Adriana Barraza, Belissa Escobedo, Elpidia Carrillo, Raoul Max Trujillo, Modesto Lacen, and Harvey Guillén, Susan Sarandon, George Lopez, and (voice) Becky G

Blue Beetle is a 2023 superhero and action-fantasy film directed by Ángel Manuel Soto. The film is based on the DC Comics character, Blue Beetle/Jaime Reyes, that was created by Keith Giffen, John Rogers, and Cully Hamner and first appeared in the comic book, Infinite Crisis #3 (cover dated: February 2006). Blue Beetle the movie focuses on a young man who finds himself chosen to be the symbiotic host of an alien artifact that gives him a suit of armor.

Blue Beetle introduces recent college graduate, Jaime Reyes (Xolo Mariduena), who is returning to his hometown of Palmera City. He receives a warm welcome from his family: his father, Alberto Reyes (Damian Alcazar); his mother, Rocio Reyes (Elpidia Carrillo); his Nana (Adrian Barraza), his younger sister, Milagro (Belissa Escobedo); and his uncle, Rudy Reyes (George Lopez). Jaime soon learns that his family will lose their home due to financial difficulties and to Alberto's poor health. Still, Jaime is optimistic that he will quickly get a job and make enough money for his family.

Some time later, Jaime meets Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine), the daughter of Ted Kord, the currently-missing CEO OF Kord Industries. Jenny is at odds with her aunt, Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon), the current CEO. Jenny discovers that Victoria has dark plans for her recent discovery, an alien artifact called “the Scarab.” Jenny steals the Scarab, and not knowing its true nature, she passes it on to Jaime.

As soon as Jaime touches the Scarab, it activates and attaches to him, creating a suit of armor around him. The suit gives Jaime extraordinary powers, such as flight, super-strength, and invulnerability, but those powers are unpredictable. Now, Jaime's family calls him a “superhero.” However, Jaime isn't sure that he wants to be a superhero, and Victoria Kord will do whatever she has to do – including murder – to regain possession of the Scarab.

The Blue Beetle first appeared in Fox Comics' Mystery Men Comics #1 (cover dated: August 1939) and was the secret identity of a young police officer, Dan Garrett. The second Blue Beetle first appeared in Charlton Comics' Captain Atom #83 (November 1966) and was Ted Kord, an industrialist and owner of KORD Industries. I mention this because Dan Garrett is referenced in this film. Also, Ted Kord, with a new origin, is a major subplot in this film, although the story is that he has been missing for years under mysterious circumstances.

However, this is Blue Beetle/Jaime Reyes' film. He comes across as a normal young man in his early twenties. Warner Bros. didn't even cast some muscular young android-like actor for the role. Xolo Mariduena's body is in good shape, but he looks more like a high school kid still in physical development. Everything about Xolo comes across as boy-next-door, which makes him more relatable to a larger segment of the audience. After all, Jaime seems so vulnerable that even an alien suit of armor doesn't seem capable of completely protecting him. If there is a superhero of the people – the champion next door – Xolo makes Jaime Reyes as Blue Beetle fit the role perfectly.

Like Warner Bros.'s 2019 DC Comics film, Shazam, Blue Beetle emphasizes family, and the Reyes are delightful. George Lopez's Uncle Rudy is a scene stealer, and I'm glad the story reveals that there is so much more to him than meets the eye. Of course, one can judge how good a family is by placing it in contrast with a problematic family, and that is the Kords. Susan Sarandon plays the evil aunt, Victoria Kord, with relish, although she doesn't really go over the top. The film puts Jenny Kord, smoothly played by actress Bruna Marquezine, at the center of the good family (the Reyes)-bad family (Victoria Kord) dynamic. Which will Jenny ultimately choose? Like Shazam, Blue Beetle shows how cool an extended or surrogate family can be, especially to someone in need.

I like what director Angel Manuel Soto does with his collaborators, cast, and crew. Blue Beetle is an easy-going superhero film that is fun for a family audience, even with the sometimes intense action and dark plot elements. I'm surprised that the film has as its themes, “imperialism in the name of democracy” and “militarized capitalism,” neither of which are ever portrayed as a good thing. Uncle Rudy even calls Batman a “fascist,” which has caused a stir in some Internet circles. This film definitely has an anti-authoritarian streak.

That aside, Blue Beetle is hugely and surprisingly entertaining, and it sparkles with humor. By focusing on Jaime Reyes as much as it does on the Blue Beetle armor, the film gets to center on the most winning aspect of it story, family and friends. Blue Beetle won't get the attention of bigger superhero film productions, but it has more heart than most of those other films.

[Blue Beetle has two extra scenes during the end credits.]

7 of 10

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Friday, August 18, 2023

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Thursday, August 17, 2023

Comics Review: "THE MAGIC ORDER 4 #6" Flows Like a Harpoon

THE MAGIC ORDER 4 #6 (OF 6)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Dike Ruan

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Dike Ruan with Giovanna Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Javier Fernández with Alejandro Sánchez; Dike Ruan

36pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2023)

Rated M / Mature

The Magic Order created by Mark Millar at Netflix

The Magic Order 4 is a six-issue miniseries from writer Mark Millar and artist Dike Ruan. The is the fourth installment of The Magic Order series, which began with the 2018-19 miniseries written by Millar and drawn by Olivier Coipel. The Magic Order is a band of sorcerers, magicians, and wizards – with a focus on the Moonstone family – that live ordinary lives by day, but protect humanity from darkness and monsters of impossible sizes by night. Colorist Giovanna Niro and letterer Clem Robins complete the series creative team.

The Magic Order focuses on a coup within the Order, one that has left the Moonstones defeated … seemingly … by the dark one who always wanted to rule the order – the supposedly defeated Madame Albany. Now, to save everything, Cordelia Moonstone, the now deposed leader, will have to go way down in the dirty dirty to restore order.

The Magic Order 4 #6 opens as Madame Albany prepares to face the consequences of bringing the Wizard King from the world/dimension known as “Kolthur” back to Earth. However, Albany wants to face the consequences. It's all part of her quest for revenge, even if it means she goes back to being dead. The only ones who are around to face the Wizard King are several apprentice wizards.

Madame Albany isn't the only one with a trick or two up her magical sleeves. How will Cordelia defeat a being of infinite power? And can she finally end the long-running “wizard wars?”

THE LOWDOWN: In late 2021, the Millarworld division of Netflix began providing me with PDF copies of its comic books for review. That has given me the opportunity to read many Millarworld titles, especially my favorite, The Magic Order.

Because of The Magic Order 4 #6, I can justify saying that The Magic Order series is the most interesting comic book about magic that I've read since Alan Moore and J.H. Williams' Promethea. I can also safely say that The Magic Order is the most inventive and intense comic book about magic since Steve Ditko and Marvel Comics' Strange Tales unleashed Doctor Strange on newsstands. When the Netflix series adaptation of The Magic Order arrives, I hope that it is every bit as weird as Disney and Marvel Studios 2016 film, Doctor Strange.

Writer Mark Millar never disappoints with The Magic Order. It seems that he loves his readers enough to keep throwing one surprise after another at us. Not only does he cleverly resolve this fourth volume with something he's previously referenced, but he also drops a bomb on the last page about what is coming in the next series. And the surprises certainly explode under Clem Robins' lettering.

Artist Dike Ruan turned in some fabulous graphical storytelling in this series. His every line and every brushstroke is an exercise in the intensity and insanity of dark magic. Ruan made this series feel dangerous, and colorist Giovanna Niro made it all burn before our very eyes. I hope this isn't the last we see of Ruan in this franchise.

The Magic Order 4 #6 is a delight from the first sound effect to the last caption box. Dare I say, dear readers, that The Magic Order 4 is magical?

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar and of The Magic Order will want to read The Magic Order 4.

A+

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

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

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http://www.millarworld.tv/

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Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Review: "THE FINAL COUNTDOWN" is Still Timeless Entertainment

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 37 of 2023 (No. 1926) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Final Countdown (1980)

Running time: 103 minutes (1 hour, 43 minutes)

MPAA – PG

DIRECTOR: Don Taylor

WRITERS: David Ambrose & Gerry Davis and Thomas Hunter & Peter Powell; from a story by Thomas Hunter & Peter Powell and David Ambrose

PRODUCERS: Peter Vincent Douglas

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Vincent J. Kemper (D.o.P.)

EDITOR: Robert K. Lambert

COMPOSER: John Scott

SCI-FI/MILITARY

Starring: Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, Katharine Ross, James Farentino, Ron O'Neal, Charles Durning, Victor Mohica, Soon-Teck Oh, and Alvin Ing

The Final Countdown is a 1980 science fiction war film from director Don Taylor. The film features an ensemble cast starring such Hollywood legends and icons as Kirk Douglas, Charles Durning, and Martin Sheen. The film focuses on the crew of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that is tossed back in time to the year 1941 near Hawaii, just a day before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Final Countdown opens in 1980. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Nimitz, departs Naval Station Pearl Harbor for naval exercises in the mid-Pacific Ocean. It is commanded by Captain Matt Yelland (Kirk Douglas). The ship also takes on a civilian observer, Warren Lasky (Martin Sheen), a systems analyst for Tideman Industries. Lasky is working as an efficiency expert for the U.S. Defense Department on the orders of his reclusive employer, Richard Tideman.

Once at sea, the Nimitz encounters a mysterious, electrically-charged storm that eventually becomes a vortex. While the ship passes through the mystery storm, its radar and other equipment become unresponsive, and the crew falls into agony. After the event, Capt. Yelland and the crew are initially unsure of what has happened to them. They also discover that they have lost radio contact with U.S. Pacific Fleet Command at Pearl Harbor.

Yelland wonders if there has been a nuclear strike on Hawaii, but soon Lasky and Commander, Air Group Richard T. Owens (James Farentino) begin to suspect that they been tossed back in time to December 6, 1941. That is one day before “a day which will live in infamy,” December 7, 1941 – the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. Now, comes the big questions. By itself, the Nimitz has the aircraft power to destroy the Japanese fleet. So should Yelland launch that air power and change history by stopping the attack on Pearl Harbor?

The Final Countdown is one of my all-time favorite films. I have a soft spot for time-travel movies, especially such films as Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), and of course, The Terminator (1984) and its sequels.

In spite of my intense love for this film – yes, I said intense – I can see its flaws. I think The Final Countdown's concept would work better as a television miniseries or even as an ongoing series. Its relatively short runtime is not enough time for the film to really be indulgent in revealing its most important character, the U.S.S. Nimitz. Director Don Taylor gives us several scenes of the planes, jets, fighter aircraft, etc., but every scene of the ship's interior makes it obvious that the film needs to take a deeper dive into the bowels of the Nimitz. All that military hardware demands more screen time, or at least, I'm the one demanding more of it.

Most of all, the time travel angle of the story seems to come and go so fast, and the screenplay does not really grapple with what would happen if Captain Yelland and his crew inserted themselves into the attack on Pearl Harbor. It glosses over that and over the many points of view that would result from the kind of command structure that a ship like the Nimitz has.

The wild card characters are Senator Samuel S. Chapman (Charles Durning) and his secretary, Laurel Scott (Katharine Ross). Their appearance in the narrative is a considerable development and creates conflict and complications in the decisions that the captain and crew of the Nimitz will make. Time constraints mean that the film doesn't really deal with these two characters.

I spotted so many cracks in this recent viewing of The Final Countdown, I still really love this film. I enjoyed seeing some of my favorite movies stars, such as Kirk Douglas (Out of the Past), Martin Sheen, and Charles Durning (To Be or Not to Be) in roles that called upon their usual film personalities. I don't think I remembered that Ron O'Neal (Super Fly, 1972) was in this film, but he gets his chance to emote and overact. I have seen this film at least three times, and this was the first time that James Farentino;s presence also registered with me.

Yes, The Final Countdown seems to be missing at least another half-hour of story, but the first time I saw it, when I was a teenager, it blew my mind. I saw it again years later, and I was surprised to find that I still loved it. I just watched The Final Countdown again, and guess what? I still love it, even adore it. That's why I'm being generous with the grade I'm giving The Final Countdown. I need a Blu-ray or DVD copy.

8 of 10

★★★★ out of 4 stars

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

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Comics Review: "RONIN Book II #1" is a Shadow of the Original

RONIN BOOK II #1

FRANK MILLER PRESENTS LLC

STORY: Frank Miller

LAYOUTS: Frank Miller

ART: Philip Tan and Daniel Henriques

LETTERS: John Workman

BOSSES: Frank Miller, Dan DiDio, and Silenn Thomas

COVER: Philip Tan and Daniel Henriques

VARIANT COVER: Frank Miller

56pp, B&W, 7.99 U.S. (November 2022)

Ronin created by Frank Miller

Ronin is a six-issue comic book miniseries published between 1983 and 1984 by DC Comics. The series was written and drawn by Frank Miller, with Miller's artwork painted by Lynn Varley. Ronin takes place in a near-future New York City, a dystopia in which an unnamed ronin (in Japan, a samurai without a master) and his mortal enemy, the demon “Agat,” are reincarnated. The series also features a security officer, Casey McKenna, “The Aquarius Corporation” and its artificial intelligence, “Virgo,” which may hold the true secrets of the ronin and Agat.

Late last year, Frank Miller's new publishing concern, Frank Miller Presents, launched a sequel to Ronin. Entitled Ronin Book II, the series is written by Miller; drawn by Philip Tan (pencils), Daniel Henriques (inks), and Miller (layouts); and lettered by John Workman. The new series follows Casey McKenna and her infant son, Billy, as they travel across a ravaged America.

Ronin Book II #1 finds Casey dreaming of her trials and tribulations. The world is a vampire (so to speak), and the artificial intelligence, Virgo, still haunts Casey's life. Now, she has a baby boy, and they must traverse the ravaged landscape of America. However, sinister evils and the old ghosts still abound, one in the form of the infamous Agat.

THE LOWDOWN: When the launch of Frank Miller Presents was announced to much fanfare in the spring of 2022, I was interested. After all, Frank Miller was one of the first comic book creators whose name I learned when I started reading comic books in high school. I found Daredevil #189 (cover dated: December 1982) in one of those comic book three-packs, I fell in love with Miller and his collaborator, Klaus Janson. Their union would be made rock-solid (solid as a rock!) when the duo collaborated on the 1986 miniseries, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

Between Daredevil and Batman, Frank Miller unleashed his landmark six-issue miniseries, Ronin. It blended the Japanese comics (manga) with the French comics (bande dessinée) that influenced Frank Miller. I would say that the work of French comic book creator, Jean “Moebius” Giraud, had the biggest influence on Ronin's artwork and narrative style. Ronin was essentially Miller's Moebius comic book slash graphic novel.

In its press offerings, Frank Miller Presents has stated that Ronin Book II “captures all the energy and excitement of the original series, taking the characters and world into a direction all its own.” I can accept that, but after reading Ronin Book II #1, I believe that a sequel to Ronin is at least 30 years too late. Why?

Well, Ronin Book II #1 looks and reads like a comic book drawn by either Todd McFarlane or Jim Lee in the early 1990s. That would include McFarlane's 1990-launched Spider-Man series and his Image Comics' title, Spawn (1992), and Lee's 1991-launched X-Men series and his Image title, WildC.A.T.S: Cover Action Teams (1992).

Ronin Book II #1 reads like McFarlane's “BOOM BOOM BOOM” script for Spider-Man #1 (cover dated: August 1990), and Philip Tan and Daniel Henriques' art could be a catalog of Jim Lee's pencil art inked by Scott Williams, Marc Silvestri, Whilce Portacio, and just about every art assistant in the former Homage Studios gang. There is indeed some beautiful panoramic black and white art, especially towards the end of the story, but...

What's it like to read this first issue. Well, the guy who wrote powerfully in the 1980s is not as powerful now. I wouldn't call Ronin Book II #1 incomprehensible, but I would say that it is incomprehensible that Miller thinks he can get away with a new series that seems like nothing more than a shoddy riff on the legendary manga, Lone Wolf and Cub. So Miller may be taking Ronin Book II in “a direction all its own,” but I hope that the rest of the series does not read like old Todd McFarland and Jim Lee comics.

I don't know if I will buy any more issues of this series. I may be too curious – because its Miller and Ronin – to just ignore Ronin Book II. Also, I'm being generous with the grade I'm giving it.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Frank Miller and of his Ronin comic book will want to at least sample Ronin Book II.

B-

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

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