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“Alice: Forever After #3” Review – A Wild, Unexpected Trip

Eda Thomas Bagwell
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“Alice: Forever After #3” Review – A Wild, Unexpected Trip

Slipping Back Into Wonderland

In this reimagining from writer and artist Dan Panosian, we see Alice in her adult years with her daughter Evelyn. The walls between the real world and Wonderland are thinning and the Cheshire Cat seeks to influence Evelyn while Alice falls under the influence of her own father. Will Alice break free and save Evelyn from the whims of the Cat? What are the plans of Alice’s villainous family? Let’s find out together in issue #3 of “Alice: Forever After”!

Writer: Dan Panosian
Artists: Dan Panosian, Giorgio Spalletta
Colorist: Francesco Segala
*POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD*

Source: Dan Panosian, BOOM! Studios

Wonderous Writing

As expected from a legend in the industry, the writing from Panosian is absolutely spellbinding. Having missed the first two issues, I was a tad bit confused going in, but it was easy enough to catch up. This is due to the expert uses of both exposition and implied intent in key scenes. One particular scene that really stood out to me was when Evelyn’s grandfather was working with her on making tea for Alice. New readers seeing this scene will get a true sense of just how wicked Alice’s father is while being given nod to his role in Wonderland. As I’m writing this, I’m still in awe by how far he went.

The other half of what makes this so great is the use of exposition. It’s so perfectly between telling what needs to be told without it feeling overbearing. As I was reading, I never once felt bogged down or that any piece of information wasn’t necessary. Every piece adds something to the story and absolutely all of it is intriguing. I really, desperately want to read more!

Source: Gian Galang, BOOM! Studios

Mixed and Matched

First, when it comes to the actual artwork from Panosian and Spalletta, I actually kind of love it. The way everything’s penciled and colored reminds me of the Disney classic animated film, but a bit darker, matching the writing’s tone. When it comes to Wonderland especially, the shading is absolutely remarkable. To top it off, all three covers are just absolutely incredible!

Second to this is my one and only drawback, the paneling. For something like “Alice in Wonderland”, and for this story especially, one might expect something topsy-turvy, but everything feels concise and normal. I feel as if this choice limits how stylistic and crazy the art could potentially be. On top of that, the art not exactly being encompassing due to the paneling limits just how much the reader can feel sucked in. The writing, while fantastic, is only half of the puzzle.

Source: Giorgio Spalletta, BOOM! Studios

Overall Thoughts – 8/10

While the panel work draws this back a bit, the writing and overall artwork from Panosian and Spalletta make this an absolutely spellbinding read! Always turning on it’s cruel heels, “Alice: Forever After #3” will leave you both speechless and with plenty of questions with future answers.

Read more from me here and be sure to follow my socials!

Comments

Are you a fan of the “Alice in Wonderland” franchise? Have you been reading “Forever After” and what are your thoughts? Let’s discuss in the comments below!

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UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL #1 – New Team of the Past

Megan Nichole
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UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL #1 – New Team of the Past

Creative Team – Gail Simone, Mikki Kendall, Francesco Mortarino, Elisabetta D’Amico, Mattia Iacono, VC’s Clayton Cowles, David Marquez, Matthew Wilson

Published by Marvel Comics

MORE FROM NERD INITIATIVE HERE!

The Story

This comic is reviewed by Nerd Initiative’s Shawn, and your truly, Megan!

Shawn – Whoo boy did Gail Simone and Mikki Kendall craft a tale. I LOVED hearing about The Regulators. Simone and Kendall put a great deal of heart into this story. Even more than the fact they put so much heart into this issue is that it didn’t come at the expense of the narrative.

Getting to see not only the history of how the Regulators came to be but their connection to the modern X-Men world was satisfying. Simone and Kendall move seamlessly between the days of yesteryear and today in this story. It’s a self-contained story that gives us a glimpse at yet another adventure in the long line of adventures in the life of one of everyone’s favorite mutants. On top of Simone and Kendall working all of that into the story, the story helps provide a little backstory on Haven, making it not just a location chosen by some of the X-Men as a home base, but a place of rich heritage steeped in the darkness and hatred of the time.

Cover art by David Marquez and Matthew Wilson. Published by Marvel Comics

Megan – I’m not even sure where to start when discussing what I loved about Uncanny X-Men Annual #1. Gail Simone and Mikki Kendall brought something genuine and beautiful to the pages that just can’t be created unless it’s pushed by passion. In Uncanny X-Men Annual, Logan asks Jubilee to accompany him on a mysterious trip. On this trip, it’s discovered that Logan is here on his own mission to keep a woman safe. Who’s the woman? You won’t know until the end and I promise it’ll warm your heart.

While Wolverine does his hero work, we’re taken back to the past of the Haven House. Introduced to new characters who are used to being hated for what they are, mutant or a person of a different skin color. Slaughter Freedman is one of our new characters that’s new to town and has a mission of his own, to bury his passed son. Upon riding into town, he comes toe to toe with some townsfolk who make their prejudices extremely well known. What they don’t know is that Slaughter has a few tricks of his own for people like this. After the battle, Freedmon happens upon a very familiar character who is in need of immediate help. They end up at the Haven House, where they find safety and people who understand what he’s been through in more ways than one.

That feeling of safety and calmness is fleeting as Slaughter’s actions come back to haunt him, and it’s up to the Regulators of Haven House to set things right.

The Art

Shawn – Franceso Mortariono, Elisabetta D’Amico, Mattia Iacono, and Clayton Cowles crafted such a beautiful issue. Everything about the art of this issue was simply spectacular. Mortariono drafts beautiful lines and beautiful character artwork for the Regulators. Elisabetta D’Amico adds perfect shades with her inks, making spanish moss that feels like it’s crawling off the trees. Mattia Iacono brings it all together by expertly jumping back and forth with color palettes, utilizing cooler, more muted colors for the older setting while contrasting them beautifully not only with the warmer, bolder colors of modern times but also with the bold colors of Jubilee.

The art feels perfect for the setting. The early-century art feels particularly impressive, expertly invoking the images of the swamps surrounding New Orleans at the turn of the century. The panels contain such depth, bringing not only faces and emotions to the front of the scene but also highlighting bark, moss, and blades of grass while other trees fade into the background.

Megan – On each and every page of Uncanny X-Men Annual #1, there’s beauty, there’s depth, and there’s power. Francesco Mortarino, Elisabetta D’Amico, Mattia Iacono, and Clayton Cowles bring so much of their own talents to the art. The characters are drawn in a way that makes you clearly see their personalities such as Slaughter Freedman or Mother Witchfire. These characters aren’t just regular citizens, but mutants, so of course their mutant abilities are on full display.

Mortarino and D’Amico bring these characters and their otherworldly powersets to life, showing how powerful they are in more ways than one. Iacono, who handles the colors, somehow achieves vibrancy in a time where everything was much more muted. Where I think Iacono’s talents absolutely thrive are when Mother Witchfire’s mutant abilities are shown. While they are incredibly beautiful to see, there’s still a mysterious energy surrounding them showing that we don’t know how powerful she truly is. Cowles is the letterer of the comic, and allows the reader to feel the emotions of the characters clearly through their dialogue. The artists all came together to make one of the best annuals I’ve read in a long time.

Final Thoughts

Shawn – 10/10. Uncanny X-Men Annual #1 is a beautiful, heartfelt story full of action, adventure, and a bit of history. I started reading, excited to learn about the Regulators and left wanting at least a limited series about those same Regulators. Easy one of the best X-Men Annuals of any of the X-Men line in a while.

Megan – 10/10. While Uncanny X-Men Annual #1 was gorgeous and full of life, there was an incredible amount of depth to the story and the characters. Gail Simone and Mikki Kendall shed light to the hatred and aggression that was felt by, not only mutants, but people who had a different skin color than those who went out of their way to destroy them. Impactful, heartwarming, beautiful, and powerful. That’s how I’d describe Uncanny X-Men Annual #1.

Overall Grade – 10/10

Let us know in the comments what you thought of Uncanny X-Men Annual #1!

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #17 – Fears Conquered

TravisComicHaven
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #17 – Fears Conquered

Master Splinter’s worst fears come to life. The Ninja Turtles attempt to help but are baffled by Splinter’s actions!

Creative Team

Gene Luen Yang (Writer), Freddie E. Williams II & Fero Pe (Artists),
Andrew Dalhouse & Luis Antonio Delgado (Colorists), Shawn Lee (Letterer)

Nathan Widick (Designer), Jake Thomas (Editor), Tommy Stella (Assistant Editor),
Ben Bates (Ujigami Designer)

Publisher: IDW Publishing

Fears Conquered

Issue seventeen of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) by Gene Luen Yang is another action-packed issue! I say that with such excitement because not every issue within this TMNT series has had action in it. Which is beautiful within itself because that shows the range of Gene Luen Yang‘s writing ability in regard to action issues and more plot-oriented issues. This issue has a ton of action as well as emotional plot dynamics.

Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #17, Credit IDW Publishing. Cover by Freddie E. Williams II & Andrew Dalhouse


This issue is a continuation from issue sixteen, and you can find my review of that issue below in the “links” section. At the end of issue sixteen we left off with Master Splinter being forced to face his worst fear in life. In this newest issue you will learn the reason for that! And the way the writing is done for this particular section of this story is absolutely devastating to the readers emotions. Especially if you are a father.

Now comes the action! The Turtles make their way to save their father from the grasp of the villains in this story. But what they see when they arrive causes them to lose focus on the task at hand because this whole scene is like nothing they’ve ever seen before. Magical elements are at play, and they are witness to their father acting in a fashion they cannot register.

As the story moves on there are things that take place that will make you stop just to gather your composure. Previous characters from this story also play a role in you losing your emotional composure. As well as one cliff hanger that you are left with on the final page of this issue…

The Writing

Gene Luen Yang continues to bring a shock & awe essence to this series with every issue. Previous issues have drawn on the emotion factor within that essence. But this issue brings the emotional with the action. Gene gives you multiple different aspects between all the characters within this issue. And that is very impressive considering he has only so many pages to complete that task in. Love this series, this story and Gene’s unapologetic way of toying with my emotions.

The Artwork

Freddie E. Williams II, Fero Pe, Andrew Dalhouse and Luis Antonio Delgado come together again after issue sixteen to continue their delivery of beautiful art. The combination of these artists brings this story to a whole new level. The art is PERFECT! The pencil work, the color choices, the shading and the details are all fantastic. Freddie has expressed recently in an interview with Nerd Initiative about having a passion for drawing for TMNT and it shows within his work.

Let’s not forget about Shawn Lee! His lettering for this issue is spot on as well! If you are an avid comic book reader you know that the way lettering and comment bubbles look adds to the telling of the story. It adds texture to the dialogue and narrative. You get more of an emotion feel based off of how the lettering is presented. Shawn does an amazing job lettering this issue!

Covers

  • Kevin Eastman & Ben Bishop
  • Mark Spears
  • Soo Lee
  • Sweeney Boo 1:50
  • Travis Mercer 1:25

My Thoughts

If you couldn’t already tell, I am a big fan on this TMNT series. This series by Gene Luen Yang is taking you down emotion tunnels that need to be explored. I will say that this series of TMNT is meant for fathers out there with early teenage kids. The emotional draw you receive from Splinter and his fears as a father are so relatable to fathers of today. This issue helps to better solidify that claim, and you will have to pick up a copy to see what I mean.

Grade: 9.5/10

Links

Comic Book Review & More: Nerd Initiative
Previous TMNT Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #16: Ujigami Pt. 4 – Fear Factor
My Nerd Initiative Reviews: TravisComicHaven – Nerd Initiative
My Personal Content: Travis’ Comic Haven

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW!

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SPACE GHOST Vol. 2 #10 – Time is of the Essence

Lauren The Hoppy Geek
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SPACE GHOST Vol. 2 #10 – Time is of the Essence

As Space Ghost continues kicking ass and taking names across the galaxy, he faces a foe with nothing but time on their hands. Things get taken to another level, as Space Ghost and his companions are left with a whole new set of problems.

Writer: David Pepose;

Artist: Jonathan Lau;

Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse;

Letterer: Taylor Esposito;

Cover: Francesco Mattina;

Editor: Joseph Rybandt.

Special Thanks to Josh Anderson, Victoria Selover, and Megan Logan.

Check out a review for SPACE GHOST Vol. 2 #8

Space Ghost Vol. 2 #10 Cover. Image by Dynamite Entertainment
Space Ghost Vol. 2 #10 Cover. Image by Dynamite Entertainment

The Story for SPACE GHOST Vol. 2 #10

With an enemy that knows Space Ghost all too well, him and his team of kids and a primate are up against an epic challenge. This enemy only wants what it needs, and nothing more. However, that doesn’t make him any less evil. While, he’s taken by surprise as to Space Ghost’s capabilities, this enemy is also not afraid to get his hands dirty to get what he wants. We wrap up with Space Ghost taken back…way back. Meanwhile, the kids come face to face with a familiar voice that signifies BIG trouble.

The Art

There isn’t a single moment that isn’t absolute gorgeous art. Space Ghost takes place (obviously) in space. However, we travel to other areas as well, and every single setting is beautiful with epic action moments and perfect coloring and lettering to tie it all together. From the emotional facial reactions to a perfectly detailed cape. I truly loved taking in the art on every page.

Some highlights this issue were Space Ghost going full rage with a beautiful close up comic book action moment, and a very serene moment from space, looking down on Earth. I love when comic book art can perfectly capture different moments and tones, and this issue nailed that.

Space Ghost Vol. 2 #10 Variant Cover. Image by Dynamite Entertainment
Space Ghost Vol. 2 #10 Variant Cover. Image by Dynamite Entertainment
Space Ghost Vol. 2 #10 Variant Cover. Image by Dynamite Entertainment
Space Ghost Vol. 2 #10 Variant Cover. Image by Dynamite Entertainment
Space Ghost Vol. 2 #10 Variant Cover. Image by Dynamite Entertainment
Space Ghost Vol. 2 #10 Variant Cover. Image by Dynamite Entertainment

Final Thoughts

The dilemma Space Ghost found himself in at the end of this issue had me smiling and worrying. However, the kids definitely got me hooked for next issue. We end with a little twist and nod to a past issue that I loved, and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out and ties together.

Overall Grade: 9/10

For more from Lauren, check out ‘Hops GEEK News.’

Have you checked out Space Ghost yet? Let us know your thoughts!

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UNCANNY X-MEN #26 – New Changes

Megan Nichole
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UNCANNY X-MEN #26 – New Changes

Creative team – Gail Simone, Luciano Vecchio, Matthew Wilson, Clayton Cowles, Edgar Delgado

Published by Marvel Comics

Catch up with Uncanny X-Men #25!

The Story

Gail Simone brings the most intriguing story to Uncanny X-Men that, by the end, you’ll be wanting more and more. What starts off innocent enough turns into something that’ll leave you with many questions. Starting off, Rogue and Gambit are on a date night with the conversation flowing about the future. Things are going beautifully until the two are interrupted with a scream. Now, it’s time for Gambit and Rogue to do what they do best and save the day.

Cover art by Luciano Vecchio and Edgar Delgado. Published by Marvel Comics

Back at Haven House, everyone is struggling in their own way. Nightcrawler’s girlfriend isn’t returning his calls after Mutina threatened to kill her. The kids are having horrible nightmares from the traumas of their pasts. With the nightmares of the young X-Men, we see exactly what kind of baggage these kids are carrying with them, which really puts it into perspective how strong they are. Building a new life while harboring these things like Ransom’s hostage situation or Jitter’s life with an abusive mother is admirable and inspiring. However, this isn’t even the part where things get weird.

We’re taken into a what appears to be a different reality, and the Outliers are all in new stories that resemble characters of the past. For example, Ransom is in a soccer game that goes negatively, which really resembles Sunspot’s origin. What’s even stranger is that the characters don’t remember each other once they’re brought together at the X-Mansion. By the last page, your mind is pretty blown by how the story ends, leaving you looking up the date for the next issue because you just HAVE to know more.

The Writing

When I tell you there’s no better time to jump into Uncanny X-Men if you haven’t already, I mean that. The things Gail Simone is doing with the Louisiana X-Men are some of the most depthful and compelling things I’ve seen done with the team. In this particular comic, the mystery is so large, that you can’t even fathom how high the stakes are. There’s a chance here to make a huge change to the X-lore, and there’s really no one better to take this on than Gail Simone.

In Uncanny X-Men #26, there’s a feeling of change with every member in the book. Rogue and Gambit are looking into the future and having their family heavy on their minds. Nightcrawler is in love and trying to figure things out with MacKenzie. The Outliers are finding themselves trapped in the past of the X-Teams and possibly having their own stories rewritten, but with the cloud of mystery surrounding the story, that’s only my assumption. Big things are happening in Uncanny X-Men and I am more than excited to see what happens next.

The Art

Luciano Vecchio handles the art of the comic alongside Matthew Wilson and Clayton Cowles. Something I love about Vecchio’s work is that he brings the emotions of the story to life in a way that is powerful. Throughout the comic, there’s many different heightened emotions felt by the different characters and each one is given their own room to grow. Whether it be the Outliers’ nightmares, or Rogue’s worry about Gambit, or Ransom’s confusion at the X-Mansion, there’s no denying the power that Vecchio put behind the drawings.

Matthew Wilson, who always delivers top quality when handling the colors, does it again with Uncanny X-Men #26. Making the mutants the vibrant focal points, Wilson lets the characters looks speak for themselves on every page. The comic is filled with bright colors juxtaposing the darker tones, but what really seals the deal is the last page we’re left on, which Wilson absolutely knocked out of the park. Clayton Cowles handles the lettering of the comic and harnesses the emotions of the characters perfectly. In the Outliers’ nightmares, Cowles allows the reader to feel every negative emotion the characters feel through the dialogue, making it easy to understand them.

Final Thoughts

The Uncanny X-Men gets better and better and at some point, I’ll sound like a broken record saying it. There are some extremely exciting things happening in this run, and it’s never too late to check it out!

Overall Grade – 10/10

Let me know in the comments what you thought of The Uncanny X-Men #26!

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This review was written by Megan from the Vigilante Vibes Podcast! If you liked my review, be sure to check out my other reviews! Let me know what you think of The Uncanny X-Men #26, or tell me what comics you’d recommend me trying out! Find me on my socials, and check out my Marvel podcast, Vigilante Vibes, by clicking here!

EMPEROR AQUAMAN #16: Follow the Yellow Lit Lighthouses.

Matthew Roth
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EMPEROR AQUAMAN #16: Follow the Yellow Lit Lighthouses.

Come for the romantic interspecies flirting and stay because Aquaman and his crew are in terrible danger from an unknown creature! Arthur has restored Mera’s power and has much to learn still as he is setting lighthouses up across the universe. As he visits a species who have pledged their help he finds that they may have bitten off more than they can chew.

Emperor Aquaman #16. Credit DC Comics. Cover by John Timms.

Creative Team: Jeremy Adams (WRITER), John Timms (ART and COVER), Rex Lokus (COLORS), and Dave Sharpe (LETTERS).

SPOILERS AHEAD

The Story:

Jeremy is continuing to build on the foundation he has built with this run of Aquaman blending action and adventure with parts of horror alike. The concept of lighthouses that Arthur has decided to build are interesting to me and feel much like checkpoints or spawn points from a video game. Every issues we find something new about Arthur’s abilities and connection to the blue. He was able to give Mera her powers back and now can even create ice.

This issue is full of unexpected alliances even with King Shark pledging himself to Aquaman whereas they would typically be battling one another. As the book hits its climax Jeremy pulls yet another trick from his sleeve with Arthur having the ability to turn water into ice. It’s a fun twist that I haven’t seen him do before and each issue we feel as though Arthur levels up in another way. The final page of this book ends very ominously as a familiar foe has returned to the pages.

The Art and Letters:

I truly feel as though I find something new or detailed with Rex and John every issue as well. The manner in which they detailed King Shark as he made his grand entrance was simply stunning. The subtle ways in which the water dripped from him and the way Rex shaded his slimy skin was intricate and I loved this page the most. The mysterious ant people were even fun to see as they turned nightmarish with tentacles coming from their mouths. It seems these two along with Dave who finds fun and exciting ways to bring the words from the various species to life are having the time of their lives with this book. I’d be hard pressed to find another run that has artwork that is to this level currently.

Final Thoughts:

Emperor Aquaman #16 has Arthur off on his sidequests leveling up as we get a taste of a familiar big bad that is soon to make his appearance. I am continuing to love the variety of species and venues we get with this run each feeling more and more adventurous!

Overall Grade: 9.5/10

Be sure to let us know what your thoughts are in the comments below and be sure to check out more reviews by Matt!

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Black Cat #9 – A Second Chance at Mistakes

ShawnFoles
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Black Cat #9 – A Second Chance at Mistakes

After a turn as a do-gooder, Felicia Hardy, The Black Cat, has found herself assisting her old friend Mary Jane Watson. As Felicia and MJ travel to the Negative Zone to chase a tape that could ruin MJ’s career, they encounter more than they bargain for. After dealing with riddles and a surprisingly easy passcode to get into the high security prison, Felicia stumbles upon the infamous Siege Perilous. The allure of the Siege Perilous is too strong as the ancient artifact sends Felicia and MJ tumbling through time and space into a world different than the one they left.

Find more reviews from Shawn and the rest of the Nerd Initiative team!

Creative Team

Writer: G Willow Wilson
Artists: Andrés Genolet and Gleb Melnikov
Colorists: Rachelle Rosenberg and Brian Reber
Letterer: Joe Caramanga
Cover Artist: Adam Hughes

Writing

This issue was an absolute treat. I loved the way G Willow Wilson used the Siege Perilous as a storytelling device. It was really enjoyable to see other versions of characters but also see that in the end, it’s never too late to make a difference. I liked the way Wilson started off Black Cat with Felicia trying to turn over a new leaf. It’s not been an easy road for Felicia since.

I think at the base, this narrative Wilson has crafted speaks to something in all of us. Who amongst us hasn’t felt at one time or another like they’ve suffered or been punished for doing the right thing? Issue #9 really lets readers see Felicia and MJ in a new and enjoyable light. This issue feels like a nice change of pace in the middle of a fairly serious arc to add a little humor and something new. This issue and the narrative choices were a bold choice for Wilson and I think she nailed it.

Art

Black Cat #9 Cover by Adam Hughes. Image from Marvel Comics

The art for this issue was absolutely stunning. Without giving anything away for the issue, there were a variety of styles and scenes to draw and color for this issue.

Andrés Genolet and Gleb Melnikov did a great job making each segment of the story feel distinct and memorable. The lines were crisp and clean, showcasing a distinct ability to draw the readers eye to the depth of each panel.

Rachelle Rosenberg and Brian Reber picked the perfect colors to highlight the work from Andrés Genolet and Gleb Melnikov. The colors help set the various distinct setting. Rosenberg and Reber do a really great job with the world of the Siege Perilous making the reader feel sucked in and part of Felicia and MJs wild ride.

Final Thoughts

I love the buddy cop style of this arc. Every arc of this Black Cat story, Wilson and the rest of the creative team have shown the readers a little more about Felicia Hardy. Felicia continues to grow and learn in a world that isn’t always kind to those learning new tricks. This version of Felicia Hardy and Black Cat feels meaningful and invigorating for the character.

Overall Grade: 9.5 /10

Until next time, may your pulls be magical, and your multiverse remain stable

What did you think about this issue? Let’s chat about it in the comments.

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BLEEDING HEARTS #3: To Eat or Not to Eat.

Matthew Roth
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BLEEDING HEARTS #3: To Eat or Not to Eat.

Poke has done what he can to save Rabbit and Mama from being eaten by a horde of blood thirsty zombies despite mama’s best efforts to the contrary. He returns to a zombie meeting feeling things he cannot explain or put words to. As the horde grows ever more hungry both Poke and Mama may have to do whatever it takes to survive.

Bleeding Hearts #3. Credit DC/Vertigo Comics. Cover by Stipan Morian.

Creative Team: Deniz Camp (WRITER), Stipan Morian (ART and COVER), Matt Hollingsworth (COLORS), and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (LETTERS).

SPOILERS AHEAD

The Story:

Deniz continues to put a crisis of humanity and doing the right thing despite the current situation at the forefront of this incredible story. He makes us question our own morales and way of life in subtle ways that I didn’t even realize it at first. Poke has an obvious language barrier as he speaks “zombie” and Mama and Rabbit don’t understand what he is trying to say. This translates to our lives and how language barriers can be an issue.

Rabbit does an excellent job at picking up on the non verbal ques but, Mama’s pre determined bias prevents her from seeing his intentions. Deniz takes this issue to an incredibly dark place as there is a point where Mama is about to do something out of desperation that had me holding my breath in pure horror. I cannot get enough of this run.

The Art and Letters:

Stipan and Hollingsworth continue to tell the story in visual and nonverbal ways. There are subtle details, such as with Poke, how, at times, they have us view him as innocent and curious. In other points of view, they grotesquely detail Poke and switch up these points of view in various panels so effortlessly. Hassan blends the language barriers in variations of words and screeches, adding to the frustrations felt on both sides. There is a one-shot page that is outlines of zombies but, tells so much story within it nonetheless. The art is marrying the story perfectly, making this run so visually gross and yet beautiful.

Final Thoughts:

Bleeding Hearts #3 continues to play out our morality and inner cultural biases. The team is bringing the heat and filling this with so much detail and real life metaphor’s. I hope that if you are not reading, you must fix that ASAP!

Overall Grade: 10/10

Be sure to let us know your thoughts below and check out more reviews by Matt!

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MERMAID Writer/Director Tyler Cornack Loves Florida, Man! – Interview

Eric mcclanahan
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MERMAID Writer/Director Tyler Cornack Loves Florida, Man! – Interview

Everybody has a Florida story. Hell, I use it as an adjective. To describe something as “Florida” is to say that it defies categorization, reason, and/or logic. Tyler Cornack, the writer/director who brought you 2019’s Butt Boy, is back with his new film Mermaid, and it is very, very Florida.

It’s likely easy, with its nonsensical plot and subject matter, to dismiss Mermaid as silly and perverse. Whereas it is not categorically not either of those things, the film carries a depth that will likely fly under the radar of many casual viewers. After spending several days with the film, I continued to find weight in unlikely areas of the film as it death-rolled around in my mind, like a gator with its prey.

In almost every frame of Mermaid there’s subtext which deepens the audience’s immersion. It’s central character, Doug, portrayed with slack-jawed awe by the ubiquitous Johnny Pemberton (Prime Video’s Fallout), is as alien to viewers as he is familiar. While the majority will shrink away from his many terrible decisions, many of us will find him tragically relatable – hopefully to an acquaintance outside our ourselves. Every time I watched Doug make another tragic misstep, I had to remind myself that the movie isn’t called “Doug,” and that’s not by accident.

Serving as both a love letter to Florida and a deeper meditation on addiction, Mermaid offers an uncomfortable, unflinching glance at worlds that exist just beyond our skin. Worlds filled with family friends that become nefarious dealers, family that become strangers, and supernatural elements that become more familiar to us than those who share our blood. Mermaid is at once familiar and perverse, taking elements of our reality that we think we understand and crackling it through the dark mirror that is Florida.

Robert Patrick is Inspired in MERMAID
Robert Patrick is Inspired in MERMAID / Image Courtesy of Utopia Pictures

Robert Patrick (HBO’s Peacemaker), the T-1000 himself, steals every scene he’s in with a flushed face of intense, drug-fueled lunacy. Kevin Nealon is measured and metered out in small doses, a far cry from his more ludicrous characters. Tom Arnold is there, too, as a nation’s analog to the aftermath of disastrous relationships across time, and finally Kevin Dunn cameos in the most subversive role I’ve seen him play to date. If you think you know where Mermaid is going at any given moment, you’re likely to be pleasantly surprised.

Well, maybe not pleasantly.

I had the chance to chat with writer/director Tyler Cornack and praise his zany vision, discuss practical effects, working with such a stellar cast, and the phenomenon of dinosaurs in our own background. And I wasn’t afraid to ask the hard questions, either. Spoiler alert: I did ask if Gator fucked the mermaid.

Mermaid made its debut at last year’s SxSW festival and has now found distribution through Utopia Pictures. The film opens in select theaters Wednesday, April 8th in North America. While Google lists the film as horror/action, this writer finds it to be neither, but rather an oddly sweet drama with a nasty streak. If you liked 2015’s Polish musical/horror The Lure and thought The Little Mermaid needed more drugs and body horror, Mermaid is the film for you. It is, in a word, Florida.

Have you checked this movie out? Let us know your thoughts.

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The Drama: A New Angle Of Knowing Someone?

Janelle Holland
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The Drama: A New Angle Of Knowing Someone?

When I heard that Robert Pattinson and Zendaya were making a movie, I was excited.  Coming from being a fan of the Twilight movies, and also Zendaya’s overall work. I immediately loved the trailer, but I was questioning what this was all about. Robert Pattinson plays Charlie, a guy who works for a historic museum, and he meets Emma, played by Zendaya. It covers the span of two years before they are formally engaged to be married. 

Credit: Zendaya in ‘The Drama’ A24

Of course, over the internet,  the biggest conversation piece is what is being discussed about what Zendaya said. Now I’m not going to put what she said, but it is detrimental to the entire film’s core. Zendaya’s casting is also detrimental to the story, as a lot of the themes softly touch on microaggressions, forgiveness, and some other topics. I also think Rachel (Alana Haim) and her husband, Mike (Mamoudou Athie). Everyone, in all honesty, plays a part in this A24 film.

My thoughts are simple: this film is something that is to be studied. It is not obvious as to what is going on at first, but then it starts to unravel. It’s like a slow-burning movie, where it’s taking its time with the information given to the audience. The pacing in the movie was one downfall, at least for me. It could’ve been more continuous instead of really choppy.  I can put this film in the category of being a dark humor film. There were some moments I audibly laughed out loud, and I felt weird laughing. It really doesn’t have a “comedy” feel, but the director, I believe, did it on purpose. 

Credit: Robert Pattinson and Zendaya in ‘The Drama” A24

As far as acting performances, Pattinson and Zendaya did a wonderful job. They portrayed an unusually mysterious couple, and then everything hit the wall. I know this up to this year, would probably be Zendaya’s first “mature” role in a film, not like how it was in television for Euphoria.  Overall, this film made a “shock” and a “buzz” around the world. A24 has a reputation for making these interesting films, and they make an overall statement.

4/5 Stars!

What did you think of The Drama? Sound off in the comments below!

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