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We Are So Back. Let’s Talk About Movies!

Pooja Chand
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We Are So Back. Let’s Talk About Movies!

With the writers and actors strike both finally coming to a close, all thanks to the consistent efforts of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, the door is officially open to discussing film and television once again. But if we’re being honest, four months of movies that has gone by, with some riding the blockbuster wave, while others garnered attention from smaller audiences. Nevertheless, it gives me great pleasure to go back in time, and provide a synopsis and a brief review of every movie I’ve seen then. Welcome back to Pooja’s Picks…now let’s talk about movies!

Barbie

Director: Greta Gerwig
Cast: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, and an extensive and outstanding all-star cast)
Where To Watch: Available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and YouTube

There’s no denying that Greta Gerwig’s Barbie took the world by storm upon its release. The film follows Barbie as she begins to experience changes to her everyday routine. This forces her to travel from Barbie Land to the real world, where she uncovers a startling and life-changing realization. 

Barbie stands out in a way where it appears to be a capitalistic advertisement for the Mattel name, only to do a complete 180 by being a representation of what it means to be a woman. In its own way, it is a coming of age story that serves as a spark for conversation regarding feminism, societal standards, and identity, all of which are topics to apply to everyone. With its stunning visuals, engaging and comedic dialogue, and magnetic cast, Barbie excels as one of the best movies of the year. It reminds us that existing as a woman is one of the most difficult things to do, but the existence of women is one of the most beautiful things. And for that, this Barbie approves of this film.

Samosa Rating:
Barbie receives 5 out of 5 Samosas. 

Oppenheimer

Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., and also an extensive and outstanding all-star cast
Where To Watch: Currently unavailable

Coinciding with the well-known “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer sparked much discussion. The film follows the adulthood of Robert J. Oppenheimer, a physicist who joins the infamous Manhattan Project as they attempt and succeed in creating the world’s first ever atomic bomb during World War II.

The film gives us a story that uncovers Oppenheimer’s planet-sized ego and blatant disregard for the rules, with the end result being the only priority in his mind. Much of the intrigue is brought about by Cillian Murphy’s engaging performance as well as the stunning artistic choices made throughout the film. The sound design and score are both hauntingly beautiful, with excellent cinematography. However, the big issue to be found with this film is the way it presents Oppenheimer as morally gray and fails to show the aftermath of his actions. It begs the question: Who is this movie for? It’s enough to leave a bad taste in the mouth as one walks away from the film, angrier than before.

Samosa Rating:
Oppenheimer receives 3 out of 5 Samosas. 

They Cloned Tyrone

Director: Juel Taylor
Cast: John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, Teyonah Parris
Where To Watch: Netflix

When a bizarre series of events in a predominantly Black town pushes an unlikely trio to work together, they begin to uncover a government conspiracy that is far sinister than they realized. They Cloned Tyrone is a strange mystery film that is absolutely hilarious but keeps you on your toes as the suspense builds. The chemistry between Boyega, Foxx, and Parris allow for excellent comedic timing while also adding to their quirky team dynamic. The film only suffers from its slightly dragged out runtime but it’s worth seeing a fun cast of characters interact in a unique way. While it’s not for everyone, this is a film that you have to watch for yourself to truly understand that it’s not at all what you might expect.

Samosa Rating:
They Cloned Tyrone receives 4 out of 5 Samosas. 

The Haunted Mansion

Director: Justin Simein
Cast: LaKeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Tiffany Haddish
Where To Watch: Available to stream on Disney+

After a woman and her son move into an old mansion, strange things begin to occur, leading them to believe the mansion may be haunted. It takes an unlikely crew of supernatural experts to work together and remove whatever haunts the creaky mansion. Twenty years after the original adaptation of the classic Disney ride was released, The Haunted Mansion manages to set itself apart from the stories of both the original film and the iconic attraction. Introducing brand new characters with engaging backstories, it’s an enjoyable and spooky ride all throughout. However, it takes too much extra time to reach its climax and resolve, while boring us with dialogue that feels forced and unenthusiastic, no matter how hard its cast tries to bring emotion into the picture. And no offense to Jamie Lee Curtis, no one can beat Jennifer Tilly’s performance as Madame Leota.

Samosa Rating:
The Haunted Mansion receives 3 out of 5 Samosas. 

Talk To Me

Director: Danny and Michael Phillippou
Cast: Sophia Wilde, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanji
Where To Watch: Available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video

A mysterious embalmed hand becomes all the buzz amongst a group of friends when they discover a way to use it to summon spirits. But when one summoning goes too far, the danger becomes too real too soon, and the consequences begin to pile up without end. While the film isn’t exactly a conventional horror story, Talk To Me still finds a way to use supernatural elements and startling violence to frighten the audience on a more psychological level. A montage of spiritual summoning’s with a wacky mysterious hand and strange carvings only to end in the absolute worst way possible is enough to terrify anyone the more one thinks about it. Talk To Me remains to be one of the better horror films released this autumn season and is definitely to one to watch.

Samosa Rating:
Talk To Me receives 4 out of 5 Samosas. 

Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani

Director: Karan Johar
Cast: Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh
Where To Watch: Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video

When a flamboyant and rich Punjabi boy meets an intellectual and outspoken Bengali journalist, the two begin to fall in love with one another. But to combat their disapproving families, they decide to live with the other’s family for three months before marrying, putting many relationships to the test. The way this film fuses modern times with throwbacks to the old days of Bollywood is a sight to see. The musical numbers are generally captivating and jubilant, with some taking a breath to serve as internal thoughts for our characters. Alia and Ranveer have a workable amount of chemistry but are a sight to see on screen together. And while the film can be a bit too on-the-nose when it comes to presenting modern ideals, it still pushes past boundaries within judgmental family structures,  challenges traditional thinking, and encourages new perspectives from everyone. 

Samosa Rating:
Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani receives 4.5 out of 5 Samosas. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Director: Jeff Rowe
Cast: Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Ayo Edebiri
Where To Watch: Available to stream on Paramount+

Four of the most famous Turtle brothers return in an all new animated film as we watch them cope with everyday teenage struggles while also being hidden from the human world. Desperate to be amongst the humans, they meet April O’Neil, an aspiring journalist, as they attempt to take down a mysterious crime gang. Mutant Mayhem is a blast from the past, giving fans of the TMNT franchise exactly what they’ve been wanting and with stellar animation. The film’s voice acting cast is totally star studded but it’s the voices for our favorite Turtles that steal the show with their endearing personalities and perfect comedic timing. Here’s to hoping we see more of these characters in the near future.

Samosa Rating:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem receives 4 out of 5 Samosas. 

Gran Turismo

Director: Neill Blomkamp
Cast: Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, Orlando Bloom
Where To Watch: Available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video

Gran Turismo depicts the true story of an underdog gamer-turned-racer, Jann Mardenborough, who sacrifices everything to be a professional racing car driver. Let’s start off by saying that while the performances of David Harbour and Orlando Bloom knock it out of the park, it’s Archie Madekwe that audiences need to watch out for. Not only does he capture the likeness of Jann Mardenborough, but he is able to convey the intense drive and passion of someone who is desperate to fight against the odds and make their dreams a reality. The film keeps its humor to a minimum so as not to take away from the more heartfelt or heartbreaking moments. The story does drag occasionally and ultimately, despite sharing the same name as one of Sony PlayStation’s biggest racing games of all time, it’s bound to be a forgettable film. But that shouldn’t stop any Gran Turismo fan from checking out this incredibly inspiring film.

Samosa Rating:
Gran Turismo receives 3.5 out of 5 Samosas. 

Blue Beetle

Director: Ángel Manuel Soto
Cast: Xolo Maridueña, Bruna Marquezine, Belissa Escobedo, Adriana Barraza, Raoul Max Trujillo, Susan Sarandon, George Lopez
Where To Watch: Available to stream on Max

From DC, Blue Beetle follows Jaime Reyes, a young adult who finds himself in possession of a technological scarab beetle intended for military purposes. When the suit connects to Jaime and only Jaime, his world is flipped upside down as he’s suddenly thrust into an exciting but dangerous world of superpowers and greedy, corrupt individuals. Blue Beetle by no means can carry the weight of James Gunn’s upcoming DC universe, but that doesn’t take away from its ability to be a fun comic book movie. It’s clear that it makes every attempt to connect with Mexican-American audiences and succeeds in doing so with humor specific to the demographic. Like many superhero films, Blue Beetle suffers from the curse of having a forgettable villain, regardless of their motivation. However, Xolo Maridueña knows who Jaime Reyes is and gives him heart, making him a memorable character that we hope to see going forward. And never to be forgotten are the supporting cast who make the audience feel as if we’ve been graciously welcomed into their home for an adventure.

Samosa Rating:
Blue Beetle receives 3.5 out of 5 Samosas. 

Bottoms

Director: Emma Seligman
Cast: Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edebiri, Ruby Cruz, Havana Rose Liu, Kaia Gerber, Nicholas Galitzine
Where To Watch: Available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video

Two queer high school girls decide to set up a fight club with other girls as a ploy to romance a pair of cheerleaders before graduation. When their plan begins to go awry, they must figure out a way to keep their intentions from being leaked to the whole school. Bottoms is one of those insane teen movies that brings on the comedy in the most outlandish ways. While it has a rough beginning, the film finds its footing within the first half hour and marches to the end with cliche arguments, queer plot twists, and outrageous laugh-out-loud moments. Edebiri is the star of the show, through and through, as she never misses a beat in every scene she is in.  And if anything, Bottoms is proof we need to keep bringing in more queer stories. 

Samosa Rating:
Bottoms receives 4 out of 5 Samosas. 

The Equalizer 3

Director: Antoine Fuqua
Cast: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman
Where To Watch: Available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video

Equalizer 3 serves as the hopefully final return of former assassin Robert McCall who finds himself residing in Southern Italy, attempting to live a peaceful life. But when his new neighbors and friends are under the threat of an intimidating group of crime bosses, Robert finds himself the protector of the locals and faces the mafia head on. The film itself isn’t anything new, both as a part of the Equalizer series and within the genre as a whole. The backdrop of Italy is great and all, but it is ultimately a bit boring and overused, and it just feels like the film didn’t really need to be made. But hey, if you’re into violent action films with Denzel leading the way, this might just be for you.

Samosa Rating:
The Equalizer 3 receives 2 out of 5 Samosas. 

The Nun II

Director: Michael Chaves
Cast: Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, Storm Reid, Anna Popplewell
Where To Watch: Available to stream on Max

In 1956, after a French priest is brutally murdered, Sister Irene makes a return to investigate, only to find herself facing off against evil supernatural entities once again. The film is a follow up to 2018’s The Nun as part of The Conjuring saga, but is somehow much more interesting and engaging than its predecessor. The Nun II still follows the same pattern of horror tropes and falls into the trap of showing us the big scary monster too soon for the audience to be afraid. But the story is somehow a bit elevated and far more interesting, allowing it to be a suitable watch if you want to stay caught up with the Conjuring saga. However, it is still a movie that can be skipped with a few scattered flat performances and less than frightening moments.

Samosa Rating:
The Nun II receives 2.5 out of 5 Samosas. 

A Haunting In Venice

Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Tina Fey, Kelly Reilly
Where To Watch: Available to stream on Hulu

Hercule Poirot returns in another adaptation of a classic Agatha Christie mystery. This time, we find Poirot in one of the oldest and most famous cities of all, Venice, as he has now retired from detective work and seeks to live without the chaos of murderous cases. After being convinced to attend a séance in a haunted palace, Poirot is suddenly thrust back into detective mode when a guest is murdered. A Haunting in Venice is perhaps the most fun to be had with a Poirot film since Murder on the Orient Express, making it the perfect release of the recent spooky season. The film does drag at times and can find itself in moments of absolute boredom but manages to pick itself up and move forward to the finale. Kenneth Branagh is as fun as always in his portrayal of Poirot while the cast of characters each have the audience constantly guessing. Tina Fey and Kelly Reilly have stand out performances but perhaps the most memorable of all is that from Michelle Yeoh. If you’re looking for a murder mystery, this might just be the one for you.

Samosa Rating:
A Haunting in Venice receives 3.5 out of 5 Samosas. 

Dumb Money

Director: Craig Gillespie
Cast: Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, America Ferrera, Nick Offerman, Anthony Ramos, Shailene Woodley, Seth Rogen
Where To Watch: Available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video

Dumb Money follows the real life events of Keith Gill, the man who took to social media to talk about and invest in GameStop’s stock. After inspiring others to do the same and causing mayhem on the stock market, Wall Street fires back as billionaires suffer the loss. Dumb Money is a total riot, and feels as if it took the template of David Fincher’s The Social Network and mashed it up with modern day internet memes and language. It is incredibly hilarious but also relatable in so many ways. The film explores multiple stories of individuals who followed Keith Gill by investing money into GameStop, all in the hopes of making their lives a bit better or to absolve themselves of overwhelming debt. And in a time of financial and economic uncertainty, it’s refreshing to see billionaires be taken down by underdogs who exploited an otherwise manipulative system. It can be a touch overstimulating at times, but regardless, this is an absolute must-watch.

Samosa Rating:
Dumb Money receives 4 out of 5 Samosas. 

It Lives Inside

Director: Bishal Dutta
Cast: Megan Suri, Neeru Bajwa, Mohana Krishnan
Where To Watch: Available for rent or purchase on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video

Bishal Dutta’s directorial debut, It Lives Inside, follows Samidha, a high school girl who rejects her culture in an effort to fit in. When a mythological demon that has latched onto her former best friend suddenly transfers to Samidha, she investigates the source of this demon and reconciles with her culture to defeat it. The film does an excellent job of diving into Hindu mythology and uses it as a major plot device to keep the story moving forward. The only problem with the film is that despite its clear potential, the fear factor is lost within the first half of the film, leaving little to the imagination of the audience. Regardless of this, it still maintains its ability to engage with the viewer, particularly with Megan Suri’s incredible performance which demonstrates pure fear. Overall, a decent watch if you’re looking for something unique with a few frights.

Samosa Rating:
It Lives Inside receives 3.5 out of 5 Samosas. 

The Creator

Director: Gareth Edwards
Cast: John David Washington, Madeleine Yuna Voyles, Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, Sturgill Simpson, Allison Janney
Where To Watch: Available for purchase on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video

In 2070, fifteen years after humans waged war on artificial intelligence, an ex-special forces agent, Joshua is tasked with locating and eliminating a being called, The Creator. When he discovers that the AI is only a child, Joshua’s feelings toward the conflict begins to change as he begins to question his own role in the human and AI war. The Creator has incredibly stunning camerawork which is used to build the world in which our characters inhabit. A majority of the film takes place in what is a fusion of several Asian nations who have joined forces alongside the AI beings against western society. But that is where the issue predominantly lies, because while it’s an intriguing concept with a captivating world, the use of Asian culture within  the setting feels off and inhuman, to say the least. And in a time where the mere mention of artificial intelligence can bring about complicated feelings for many, it’s hard not to have feelings about The Creator that are just as complicated.

Samosa Rating:
The Creator receives 3 out of 5 Samosas. 

The Exorcist: Believer

Director: David Gordon Green
Cast: Leslie Odom Jr., Lidya Jewett, Olivia O’Neill, Ann Dowd
Where To Watch: Available for purchase on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video

Fifty years after the release of the iconic and terrifying film, The Exorcist, comes what is intended to be a true sequel to the film. Believer follows two young girls who go missing for three days and upon returning, their families begin to notice major changes that feel supernatural and aligned with evil. It takes a community of neighbors, priests, and the legendary Chris MacNeil to rid themselves of the evil presence. If we’re being honest, Believer isn’t the most frightening film but it doesn’t have its moments where it inspires discomfort and some terror. There is just something about young kids being possessed that always feels unsettling, and this film continues that trend. At times, the intended frightening moments pulled from the trailer can feel less impactful as there isn’t much left to instill fear in us. But one of its more interesting strengths is the use of various religious beliefs and community to fight against what is plaguing the main characters which sets it apart from other possession or supernatural films.

Samosa Rating:
The Exorcist: Believer receives 3 out of 5 Samosas. 

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Movie

Director: Sam Wrench
Cast: Taylor Swift, and her amazing dancers and crew!
Where To Watch: Currently playing in theaters

If you know, you know. And if you didn’t know, now you do. Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Movie is a hit and if you’re a Swiftie, then there’s no way you could have missed out on this one. The nearly three hour film is carefully edited to spotlight iconic performances from every single era of Taylor Swift’s music, from her self-titled album to her 2022 album, Midnights. It is incredible to see a woman like Miss Swift be able to carry herself through a performance as impactful as her Eras Tour performances, and whether you’re a long-time fan or just recently became a Swiftie, this was an absolute treat to watch and dance along with other fellow fans.

Samosa Rating:
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Movie receives 5 out of 5 Samosas. 

Five Nights At Freddy’s

Director: Emma Tammi
Cast: Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Matthew Lillard, Piper Rubio
Where To Watch: Currently playing in theaters

Based on the iconic indie video game of the same name, Five Nights At Freddy’s introduces Mike, the new security guard at a local abandoned arcade-style pizzeria who is struggling to maintain a steady life to keep custody of his younger sister, Abby. When the two of them spend the night together at Mike’s job, strange things involving the animatronics begin to occur, and it’s only a matter of time before the truth about the pizzeria comes out. Five Nights At Freddy’s seems to be a hit or miss, depending on the audience member, and regardless of if you’re familiar with the games or not. However, the film’s introduction of new characters to set a story in place is genius and gives us someone to care about and root for. Josh Hutcherson never fails to give his all in any role and that includes his performance as Mike whom you can’t help but feel sympathetic towards. While there’s some confusion of the order in which the film portrays its grisly events and a question regarding who or what the darn cupcake is, it still remains a fun and horrific ride all throughout. Remind us never to go to an abandoned pizzeria, though.

Samosa Rating:
Five Nights At Freddy’s receives 3.5 out of 5 Samosas. 

Pain Hustlers

Director: David Yates
Cast: Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, Andy Garcia, Catherine O’Hara, Chloe Coleman
Where To Watch: Available to stream on Netflix

Pain Hustlers, inspired by the many stories of those affected by pharmaceutical money schemes, centers around Liza Drake, a desperate single mother who takes a job at a pharmaceutical startup company. When her partner, Pete Brenner, and the owner of the company, Jack Neel begin to go off the rails by encouraging unethical practices, all hell breaks loose. This film had immense amounts of potential and does manage to reel the viewer in, particularly in the manner that the story is told. Emily Blunt and Chris Evans exhaust their talent to bring energetic performances to make up for the unfortunately forgettable experience of the movie. One might watch this once, think about it for a moment, and forget about it until years later if they’re lucky. In general, it’s a great concept but lacks the ability to shine brighter than other films like it.

Samosa Rating:
Pain Hustlers receives 3 out of 5 Samosas. 

Quiz Lady

Director: Jessica Yu
Cast: Awkwafina, Sandra Oh, Will Ferrell
Where To Watch: Available to stream on Hulu

Anne, a reserved homebody, and her older free-spirited but irresponsible sister Jenny suddenly become responsible for handling their mother’s outrageous gambling debts. Desperate measures force them to go on a road trip across the country as Anne attempts to score a spot on her favorite game show. The comedy in Quiz Lady can be hit or miss throughout the first half of the film, but immediately picks up in the second half. It is well-supplemented by heartwarming moments and inspirational conversations among characters, with Akwafina and Sandra Oh giving us a bizarre yet endearing relationship between sisters. Meanwhile, Will Ferrell is reminiscent of Alex Trebek, which is the perfect added touch. If you need a fun adventure and some laughs, check out Quiz Lady.

Samosa Rating:
Quiz Lady receives 3.5 out of 5 Samosas. 

If you want even more film discussions, reviews, or just some good old recommendations, be sure to follow @samosasandpopcorn on TikTok!

The Gamma Killer – Iron Man’s Radiation Absorbing Armor!

Derek Hoskins
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The Gamma Killer – Iron Man’s Radiation Absorbing Armor!

Welcome to Paperweight Entertainment’s Hall of Armor! New armors, new multiversal Tony Starks, same great content! We’re still digging into Iron Man’s bag of tricks, each week you’re going to get to take a look at a new armor or version of Iron Man from across comics, film, and TV!

This week we take a look at the Iron Man Armor Model 26, The Gamma Killer! Created by Bruce Jones, Mike Deodato Jr., and Dougie Braithwaite in Hulk #71(2004), this armor was developed by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner as a way to protect the wearer from the Incredible Hulk! Check out the video below to learn more!

Check Out More From Derek HERE

Top 10 Most Anticipated Comics for the Week of 11/22/2023

comicconcierge
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Top 10 Most Anticipated Comics for the Week of 11/22/2023

With this being Thanksgiving Week in the US it is the perfect time to countdown the Top 10 Most Anticipated Comics. There are so many things to be thankful for in the world of comics, which is why I enjoy doing this list so much. So let’s get onto the countdown…

Editor note: All Description portions come directly from their respected publishers

10. Batman: Off-World #1

Writer: Jason Aaron

Artist: Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza

Publisher: DC Comics 

Description: SUPERSTAR WRITER JASON AARON TEAMS UP WITH BLOCKBUSTER ARTIST DOUG MAHNKE FOR THE FIGHT OF THE DARK KNIGHT’S LIFE! A routine night in Gotham City for a young Batman proves to be anything but routine when the crime-fighter is confronted with a sort of foe he’s never faced before—one from beyond the stars! A universe of possible alien threats leads Batman to make a daring decision—to venture alone into the far reaches of the cosmos for the very first time, where the Dark Knight will face the fight of his life! Superstar writer Jason Aaron delivers his first Batman story ever, partnered with artist Doug Mahnke for a unique, brutal tale!

Why it Made the List: Jason Aaron is coming back to DC. I think it is coming at a great time because Aaron was at a point with Marvel that there simply was not much more that he could do. I am interested in seeing what he can do with a character like Batman, and the idea of placing Batman in space has promise. Aaron loves his space stories. I do not know if it is possible to put bets on comics, but if you can I would put one on there being a space shark in this book. Doug Mahnke is a good artist to partner Aaron with and as someone not currently digging what the Batman title is doing I hope this can change things. 

9. The Sensational She-Hulk #2

Writer: Rainbow Rowell

Artist: Andrés Genolet

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Description: INCREDIBLE AND SENSATIONAL! The Incredible Hulk comes for his cousin, and it’s not a social call! Both Hulk books collide! What villain is brave enough to bait the two strongest heroes (one with way better hair) of the Marvel Universe?! PLUS: In honor of Native/Indigenous Heritage Month, the Best Friend of the Marvel Universe and She-Hulk’s ex-boyfriend WYATT WINGFOOT makes his triumphant return in a bonus story!

Why it Made the List: I feel bad for anyone who tried to start this series with the last issue thinking it was going to be the start of a new story. In fact, it was not even the start of a new arc. I get why they do it to boost sales, but I wonder if it just hurts you in the long run. Ultimately, the most important thing is if the comic is good. For me, the answer has and continues to be a very loud yes. Rainbow Rowell has a knack for writing superheroes like real people without losing any of the spectacular. Love the cast of characters that has been built with this series and enjoy just spending time with them. So if you are a person who read the last issue and was lost I would advise you to go back and go through what you missed.

8. Edenfrost #1

Writer: Amit Tishler

Artist: Bruno Frenda

Publisher: MAD CAVE STUDIOS 

Description: Amidst the snow-capped hills of war-torn Ukraine, teenage siblings Alex and Yuli have lost all but each other in the chaos of the Russian Civil War. Their journey becomes a fight for survival in the face of warfare, but when the siblings uncover the mystical powers of a Golem, will they finally find their place in the world?

Why it Made the List: I try not to just fill this list with new series. It’s tough because new books are those shiny toys with so many possibilities. Typically it’s the creative team behind the book that makes me place it on this list, but in the case of Edenfrost I am not familiar with these creators outside of letterer Taylor Esposito. (Who does great work BTW) There is just something about that cover that has garnered my attention. Mostly its aesthetic scratches the right itch for me. Plus the setting of the Russian Civil War is not something you see often in any medium, especially comics. Mad Cave has been impressing me with its consistent quality so that also gives me hope.

7. The Devil That Wears My Face #2

Writer: David Pepose

Artist: Alex Cormack

Publisher: MAD CAVE STUDIOS

Description: Now trapped in Santiago’s body, Father Vieri finds himself locked in the dungeon of the Castillo Lazarus — and at the sadistic mercies of the Inquisition. Yet as this exorcist now burns at the touch of the Cross, can Vieri escape before the demon Legion uses his body to paint the Vatican red? And when suspicion mounts over his new host’s changed demeanor, to what terrifying lengths will Legion go to avoid being discovered? As the Devil lurks in the Church’s most precious sanctum, no one will be prepared for what happens next — and in one bloody instant, the fate of Rome will be changed forever. 

Why it Made the List: As mentioned above this is a good week for Mad Cave Comics. The first issue of this series made this list a few weeks ago and as you can tell it lived up to my expectations. Alex Cormack is such a talented artist. His style fits the genre of horror perfectly as demonstrated yet again here. David Pepose is having quite the 2023 with this series and his work at Marvel. Super happy for him as I have been following his career since his work on Spencer & Locke. I know for spooky season is over for some but in the world of comics, it’s a year-round tradition. I would not have it any other way.

6. Kill Your Darlings #3

Writer: Ethan S. Parker, Griffin Sheridan

Artist: Bob Quinn

Publisher: Image Comics 

Description: Reunited with imaginary friend Wallace, Rose and Elliott journey back to save the kingdom of Rosewood. Somewhere deep within, the great and terrible evil waits for their arrival…the same one that destroyed Rose’s life all those years ago.

Why it Made the List: I am amazed that this series is the first comic Ethan S. Parker and Griffin Sheridan have done. There have been major acclaimed prose and screenwriters who have tried their hand at the comic book medium and failed miserably. They are making it look easy. Now of course any comic is a group effort and they have a strong art team with them in Bob Quinn and John J. Hill so credit should go there as well. I love the imagination of this book both literally in the story and in the craftsmanship used to create it. There’s such a delicate balance of tone that could easily go wrong. So far they have made it work. 

5. Somna #1

Writer: Becky Cloonan

Artist: Tula Lotay

Publisher: DSTLRY

Description: BECKY CLOONAN and TULA LOTAY—Both writing and drawing a creator-owned project together for the FIRST TIME! Set amidst the terrifying backdrop of the witch hunts in a quiet 1600s English village, SOMNA follows one woman’s descent into an erotic escape from the confines of her puritanical world. Ingrid is unhappily married to Roland, the town’s bailiff and chief witch hunter, who is on a single-minded quest to purge the ‘heretics’ in their midst. After a prominent town leader is found murdered, accusations fly and no one is above reproach from Roland’s deadly crusade. Ingrid has her suspicions about who the real murderer is, but even as she pursues the truth, she’s pursued herself by a shadowy figure. Ingrid finds that she’s drawn to the foreboding phantom in ways she can’t resist— does this dark and tempting stranger may hold the key to the mystery…or will he damn Ingrid’s soul to the blackest circle of Hell? 

Why it Made the List: DSTLRY has done a lot to put itself out there as a publisher to take notice. The key to everything is to put out good comics and so far that has been the case. Becky Cloonan and Tula Lotay working together is an exciting proposition. Crazy that it has never happened before. The description gives you a lot of information so you have a complete understanding of what this book is before you open the page. Hopefully, they can make that story work and leave enough room for a few surprises. 

4. Batman / Superman: World’s Finest #21

Writer: Mark Waid

Artist: Dan Mora

Publisher: DC Comics 

Description: MARK WAID CONTINUES HIS RETURN TO THE WORLD OF KINGDOM COME! Superman and Batman, having followed Boy Thunder to Kingdom Come, find themselves and that world on a path to an apocalyptic future. Can the World’s Finest team prevent the transformation of Boy Thunder into the villainous Magog, or is his fate sealed?

Why it Made the List: This book is such a joy. I am so happy we have gotten twenty-one issues of it, and it does not appear to be slowing down any time soon. I was not sure what a return to the world of Kingdom Come would exactly look like. The idea that the World’s Finest Universe would be unaware of a Multiverse is a nice little twist to this concept. It also makes sense considering I cannot think of any crossovers with that universe. This storyline is at least going into issue twenty-four so we are just getting started with this story and I am completely okay with that. 

3. Dark Spaces: Good Deeds #6

Writer: Che Grayson

Artist: Kelsey Ramsay

Publisher: IDW

Description: After saving the day at the commencement ceremony, Cheyenne and Rebecca are now heralded as town heroes. Everyone is preparing to celebrate at the diner for a town-wide party. It even seems like Jean is going to finally break her big case…but the secret she discovers will change everything.There are still deeds that have gone unpunished, but punishment is coming in the shocking conclusion.

Why it Made the List: If I was going to make a list of the most underrated series of 2023 this would be near the top. Honestly, all the Dark Spaces books have been quite good so I hope we get more of them despite some of the issues that have faced IDW this past year. This is a story about how the past haunts us and how we cannot move past it until address it directly. A theme I can get behind plus its central character is a journalist and I love stories about journalism in any form. A big reason it is so high is how the last issue ended. I let out a preverbal gasp because I did not see that twist coming. Now excited to see how this story comes to a close. 

2. Wonder Woman #3

Writer: Tom King

Artist: Daniel Sampere

Publisher: DC Comics 

Description: TRINITY, WONDER WOMAN’S DAUGHTER, MAKES HER BACKUP STORY DEBUT! The Lasso of Lies’ true power is revealed as the Sovereign continues his campaign against Wonder Woman! Could one unsuspecting soldier be the key to defeating our hero? Find out as Diana uses her own lasso in search of the truth about the Amazon massacre. Plus, the return of Trinity! Wonder Woman’s daughter makes her backup story debut in the first of many awe-inspiring adventures from the future.

Why it Made the List: I was so impressed with the last issue of this series. The structure was pristine with complimentary storylines happening at the same time on the page while occurring in different eras of Wonder Woman’s life. It cannot be understated how difficult that is to do right and this team made it look effortless. Tom King uses that structure a lot in his work and it works for me nearly every time. I doubt we would get the same with this issue, but it makes me wonder which technique will be utilized instead. A lot of press was made regarding the debut of Wonder Woman’s daughter Trinity, but so far she has not played into the story at all. Now with this issue’s backup, we should have more clues about where she comes from. I have yet to be sold on the idea yet that can change. Still I have a strong suspicion that maybe things are not as they seem. 

1. The Holy Roller #1

Writer: Rick Remender, Joe Trohman, Andy Samberg

Artist: Roland Boschi

Publisher: Image Comics 

Description: Everyone was sitting around wondering when comedy legend ANDY SAMBERG (SNL, Palm Springs) would join super-star writer RICK REMENDER (DEADLY CLASS, LOW) and Fall Out Boy’s multi-talented JOE TROHMAN to write a comic about a vigilante hero who smashes people’s faces with a bowling ball—and everyone’s dreams have come true! With art by the fan-favorite ROLAND BOSCHI (THE SCUMBAG, Wolverine)! To care for his ailing father, pro bowler Levi Coen is forced to quit his dream job and return to his hometown, which he soon discovers has been overrun by Neo-Nazis! With only his bowling ball collection to defend himself, Levi becomes THE HOLY ROLLER, a trick bowling ball-wielding Jewish superhero battling to liberate his home and bowl a perfect game against crime! Kingpin meets Inglourious Basterds meets Batman (that old chestnut) with equal parts action and humor in this special introductory issue with 42 full pages of story!

Why it Made the List: Two things I never thought would happen with this week’s number one choice. First, a comic written by Andy Samberg being on the top of this list. Second Rick Remender returning to the world of superheroes. Of course, the second is the biggest reason number one is happening. No disrespect to Samberg as I am a fan. Simply that since Remender left Marvel has done so many great books it seemed like he moved on from the world of superheroes. His return makes me think he has something special cooked up. Plus it is a story about a dude beaten up Neo-Nazis with a bowling ball. Just give me a couple of panels of that and I walk away a happy comic book reader. Roland Boschi does great work and I am sure he will construct so beautiful chaos.

Other comics I am looking forward to that did not make the list: Nightwing #108, Lunar Lodge #1, Superman #8, Quick Stops: Volume 2 #1, Void Rivals #6, Jay Garrick: The Flash #2, Conan the Barbarian #5, Hack / Slash: Back to School #2, The Sensational She-Hulk #2, Mortal Terror #1, Con & On #5, Uncanny Spider-Man #4, Universal Monsters: Dracula #2

Is Spy x Family That Hype x Worthy?

Jonathan Chou
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Is Spy x Family That Hype x Worthy?

As someone who is very peculiar of the anime that he finds enjoyable and his favourite anime for the longest time being Death Note I am thoroughly surprised by how much enjoyment there is to be found in Spy X Family. However, does Spy X Family dethrone Death Note as my favourite anime? No, at least not yet. Spy X Family currently has one season out at the moment, but in those 25 episodes it has shown an immense amount of potential with what the series can offer. Meaning one day it could happen.

What is Spy X Family though? It is the story about a master class spy (Codename: Twilight) who is sent into the opposing country of Westalis to maintain peace for his country of Ostania . In order for Twilight to maintain peace between the two nations he must play the undercover role of a family man. In order to maintain this charade he adopts a young girl named Anya who is conveniently a psychic and gets married to a woman named Yor who is hilariously an assassin. What adds to the hijinks of this family dynamic though is that Twilight is unaware of Anya’s abilities or Yor’s side career as an assassin, while Yor is unaware of Twilight’s true intentions/career or of Anya’s powers, but what makes all of it hilarious is the fact that Anya is aware of her parent’s secret lives but she is unable to tell anyone. Because if she does reveal the secrets then the mission is essentially jeopardized and Anya would be sent back to the orphanage and would lose out on two parental figures who have shown her a fair amount of love and affection whom she does love dearly. From such situations and dynamics it creates for some of some of the funniest adventures I have seen in anime and the characters truly add a fair bit to the hijinks.

Above all the comedy though there is a great deal of heart in the series that can get even some of the most jaded of viewers to feel for the situation that the characters are in and that is a great testament to the quality of the show. The capacity to balance heart and comedy is one that needs to be recognized seeing how hard the two hit.

What has to be my favourite adventure in the series so far is when Twilight has to get Anya into an elite private school so that he can establish a connection with his target. However, the barriers that the family encounters to get into the school are so odd yet hilarious I had to pause the show so that I could catch my breath and not miss a single moment of the episode. It is a good thing I did since that episode also has some of the best character work for Anya, Twilight and Yor that can really get the viewer’s emotions going. I won’t go into further details about the episode. Just know that the series is worth your time and genuinely does deserve all the attention that it was gotten from the premiere of the first season. 

The show is absolutely stellar, till the point that it got me to start checking out the manga and to watch the series a second timed subbed.

The new season of Spy X Family (subbed) began on October 7th, 2023 and Spy X Family Code: White will drop on December 22nd, 2023 in Japan.

Lotus Land #1 – What secrets does the case hold?

Janelle Holland
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Lotus Land #1 – What secrets does the case hold?

Another week, another comic book review.

This week’s review is on Lotus Land issue number one, written by Darcy Van Poelgeest and illustrated by Caio Filipe. As well as  adding to the roster for colorist, Patricio Delpeche and letterer Nate Piekos. This run follows Detective Bennie Strikeman, who is on a mission to investigate an unusual case.

He was sent to investigate “The Keeper Program” that has been existing for a long time. Detective Strikeman has been sent to track down an old colleague, and also a man who he needs to speak to about the Keeper program. There are tons of characters that Detective Strikeman interacts with, and also some personal issues that he is dealing with.

Image Credit: Boom Studios!

Like last week, I praise the illustration and the attention to detail for the illustrations. I also like there is a variety of diversity seen in this first comic. I was intrigued to read further along as to what the Keeper program is, and where will Detective Strikeman end up at. 

This comic seems a little more mature, with some violent moments at times. Detective Strikeman is intriguing, with his attitude towards his detective work, and also his son.  

Image Credit: Boom Studios!

I also love the post-apocalyptic feel to the first issue, as well as the storyline that is well structured. I am curious for the next issue if Strikeman’s son has some type of tie to the Keeper Program.

The ending once again, has me on the edge to see what the next issue will bring. Will Detective Strikeman solve the case? Will he track down any other people that he needs to help him figure the case? 

Overall, I give this comic a 7.5/10, and will be looking forward to the next issue.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM JANELLE!

Past It’s Peak? Has MARVEL Lost the Golden Touch?

Jonathan Chou
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Past It’s Peak? Has MARVEL Lost the Golden Touch?

With a budget of over $275 Million, and with opening Domestic Box Office earnings of only $47 million, many are calling “The Marvels” a “flop”, but is that true and is the future of the MCU uncertain?

Let’s be honest, the low numbers that The Marvels is yielding right now is not a true reflection of the quality of the film. So why exactly is it doing so poorly when compared to other Marvel Cinematic Universe projects? There are multiple factors at play that many news outlets are not discussing and hate mongers are unwilling to bring to light.

The WGA/SAG-AFTRA Strikes

One of the factors to consider is the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes that lead up to this film’s release. The official trailer for the film was released six days after the SAG strike had begun and the strike only ended the day of the North America premiere date. As a byproduct of this strike occurring many influencers online made the decision to stand in solidarity with the rights of actors in the entertainment industry by not providing struck studios with free advertising. While not every creator who continued discussing the release of this film is a rage-baiter, it can be seen that those who have built their platform around getting people riled up were still discussing this film and not in a good light at that. So as a repercussion, the general audience’s anticipation for The Marvels was skewed towards the negative. While it may be difficult to believe that social media is capable of influencing the general audience, it does. The social media commentary helps keep the project in eye of the public and does influence many to buy tickets. 

Then there’s the fact that the actors were unable to help advertise for this film. Without a doubt, had the actors been allowed to run the press junkets together and engage in interviews the numbers would have seen a sizeable boost. Maybe not enough to have beaten Captain Marvel’s box office numbers (especially considering that this is the 5th most expensive MCU project), but definitely better than its domestic $47 million box office weekend and probably better than Eternals’ $71.3M opening. Observing fan reactions to Iman Vellani as an example now that the film is out, had the internet gotten just a sample of how she interacts with her co-stars (Brie Larson and Teyonah Paris) in interviews like WIRED’s Most Searched Questions, then the internet would have undoubtedly gushed over her and had a larger desire to have seen the film.

Diversity

Another factor to consider is the fact that this is the first Marvel project that is directed by a black woman and on top of that it stars three women; two of which are women of color. The fact that the project not only stars three under represented minorities, but is made by one as well; it undoubtedly has unwarranted hate directed at it from bigoted individuals who can’t stand the success of women and women of color. That is not to say that anyone who disliked the film is a bigot, but it would be ignorant to refute that such people exist amongst the internet that would try to influence the failure of this project.

MCU Exhaustion

Then we have a genuine exhaustion with the MCU. Which is understandable, because of the pandemic fans were bombarded by the mass amount of backlogged new Marvel content not only in film, but in 2021 fans were given shows as well. As a result the new pacing has caught up with some fans. So if some have become somewhat disillusioned with the Marvel brand due to this exhaustion that is on Marvel for pumping out so much content with varying degrees of enjoyment. (Though personally it has stayed quite consistent in its quality from the Infinity Saga.) While comic book fans may be used to waiting for pay-offs established years in advanced it is becoming more clear than ever that a majority of the casual audience members that watch these films may not have such a level of patience when it comes to the films and shows. People want that instant gratification that comes with seeing five films that lead to a big team-up. While the current method of the MCU has for the majority now taken the time to explore new characters and story ideas independently from other projects to come. There are the obvious projects that will impact the next big team-up film (Loki, Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania and Doctor Strange into the Multiverse of Madness) and then there are the projects that continue the story of characters that people have come to know, love and adore from the phases prior (Wakanda Forever, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 and Spider-Man: No Way Home). Considering all those factors for the other projects and then applying it to The Marvels. The Marvels sadly does not carry the good will of the majority of fans from the prior phases due to how Captain Marvel was introduced to the MCU, the lack of a lasting impact in Avengers: Endgame, the only other ties for this movie being a Disney+ show that some may not have watched, another Disney+ series that ties in where one of the characters in this movie was not the focus and while the film has a good story, it is not obvious as to how the story for this movie will influence the future of the MCU. 

The Future of Entertainment

The final point to consider is the direction of how the entertainment industry is changing. With the future of how convenient streaming is becoming many are slowly beginning to no longer view Marvel films as these events that need to be seen in theaters as a byproduct of this exhaustion and that they can just be viewed at the comfort of their home on streaming when it gets added to Disney+ in four months after its premiere. This is a consistent threat that is now impacting theaters and many other films, though this does not mean that audiences are not entirely unwilling to go out to witness these projects in person. Just look at Five Nights at Freddy’s this year. It was released on Peacock the same day as the movie’s theatrical release and it made $80 million dollars in its opening weekend box office, though it did have a 75% drop off. How Marvel can earn back this form of good faith from the audience is a discussion for another day though.

The Marvels' Post-Credits Scene Includes Shocking Mutant Cameo

Considering all that this film has working against it, it is not a huge surprise but a true travesty that The Marvels is under performing when compared to other Marvel projects, because it is one of the most unapologetic comic book movies Marvel has put out. The Marvels have some of the most creative and beautiful action sequences, quality character moments, an excellent cast with a chemistry that many films would kill for and comedy that would likely leave most smiling for a solid 30 minutes through. At the end of the day, give The Marvels a try, forge your own opinions and you might actually be surprised by the joy that this film can provide you.

Marvel Studios’ The Marvels in Theaters now.

Did You Know? 2011’s Thor and The Loki Dilemma

Mickey Smith
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Did You Know? 2011’s Thor and The Loki Dilemma

Sam Raimi’s Thor

The MCU finally welcomed it’s own version of the Norse God Thor in 2011, but it could have happened WAY before that! That’s right, Sam Raimi, the director of the greatest Spider-man franchise of all time, almost made a Thor movie. He pitched the idea to Marvel Studios in the 1990s, but they turned it down, and that was with a full vote of confidence from Stan Lee! In 2004, Sony Pictures acquired the rights to Thor and hired David S. Goyer to write a script. However, Goyer left the project to help write and produce Batman Begins. In 2008, Marvel Studios regained the rights to Thor and after courting DJ Caruso and then Guillermo Del Toro, they would hire Kenneth Branagh to direct the film.

From Thor to Loki

One of the most important aspects of the film, especially seeing as how the character would effect the franchise for over a decade, was the casting of Tom Hiddleston as Loki. Of course, he wasn’t the first choice. As a matter of fact, Hiddleston was intent on portraying the title character of Thor. He even had a fantastic audition. The studio executives had their sights set on some one with some Loki experience, none other than Jim Carrey. The production team wasn’t keen on that idea though, and searched high and low for a worthy candidate. Charlie Cox, our modern Daredevil, was one such actor to put forward a strong audition for the role. The internet had other plans though. A huge campaign, with petition and all, made a huge push for the casting of Josh Hartnett. Josh had spurned superhero movies in the past, including the role of Batman on Batman Begins, but had become interested in the genre. The cyber noise was loud enough to garner a meeting with the director. Ultimately it was Tom Hiddlestons audition for Thor that peaked Kenneth Branaughs interest. It helped that the two of them had previously worked on stage together in Shakespeare productions. Branaugh new what Hiddleston was capable of and offered him the role of Loki.

A Loki in 3 parts

Now that Tom Hiddleston had the role, how would he approach it. He had spent so much time preparing for Thor. Now, he had to change directions and find a different vibe. Tom dove deep into the mythology of Loki, as well as the Marvel comics lore to find out who Loki was. After much consideration, it was clear that the multi dimensional aspect of Loki required a mix of influences. Hiddleston would pull from the edgy and reckless nature of Peter O’Toole, the unpredictable and nearly insane nature of Jack Nickolson, and the simmering anger of Clint Eastwood. It’s a true testament to the ability of Tom Hiddleston that he could pivot from Thor to Loki and put forth a performance that would endure for 14 years.

Rapid Fire Facts!

  • The movie was in development for over a decade before it was finally made.
  • Sam Raimi, David S. Goyer, Matthew Vaughn, DJ Caruso, and Guillermo del Toro were all approached to direct the movie, but turned it down.
  • Kenneth Branagh was eventually chosen to direct the movie.
  • Tom Hiddleston based his performance as Loki on three different actors: Peter O’Toole, Jack Nicholson, and Clint Eastwood.
  • Studio executives wanted Jim Carrey to play Loki, but he turned down the role.
  • Josh Hartnett and Charlie Cox were also considered for the role of Loki.
  • The movie was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $449 million worldwide.
  • It was the fourth highest-grossing movie of 2011.
  • The movie spawned two sequels, Thor: The Dark World (2013) and Thor: Ragnarok (2017).
  • Thor is set to appear in the upcoming movie Thor: Love and Thunder (2022).

Wrap It Up!

Thor (2011) is a movie that took over a decade to finally come to fruition. It’s almost serendipitous that we went through so many attempts and iterations to get to the perfect storm of director and cast. It didn’t hurt that the MCU was blooming into a franchise, allowing the movie to capitalize off of past success and the future hopes of The Avengers.

Loki Season 2 is a Beautiful Lesson on the Poetry of Life

STAR WARS: VISIONS – PEACH MOMOKO #1 – An exceptional read in a galaxy far, far away

NI Staff
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STAR WARS: VISIONS – PEACH MOMOKO #1 – An exceptional read in a galaxy far, far away
STAR WARS: VISIONS – PEACH MOMOKO #1 by PEACH MOMOKO (Credit: Marvel entertainment)

Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH Podcast!

For this edition, we are checking out an imaginative tale told in a galaxy far, far away courtesy of Marvel Comics! Since its’ debut on Disney Plus in September of 2021, Star Wars: Visions has given fans new perspectives and creativity in storytelling.

Allowing diverse creators to bring unique approaches to the mythos has been nothing but a success. With two critically praised series, it has breathed new life into an already successful franchise.

Along with the animated series, the brand has made the transition to comic form with Star Wars: Visions by Takashi Okazaki in 2022. The brand is now returning with an all new story with one of the biggest and innovative creators at the helm.

STAR WARS: VISIONS – PEACH MOMOKO #1 by the one and only PEACH MOMOKO (Ultimate X-Men, Demon Days) dives into the world of the Sith in an unforgettable story. Let’s not wait any longer and take a closer look.

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

The issue begins with a great introduction page explaining the major players of Kako (a “rebel” to Ankok and Sith descendant), Popo (a resident in Ankok’s territory), Gel (Kako’s android partner) and Tata (An Ankok advocate).

STAR WARS: VISIONS – PEACH MOMOKO #1 by PEACH MOMOKO (Credit: Marvel entertainment – cover: Stan Sakai)

In the wake of a Sith Lord’s demise, a cult has risen with hopes of a new era centered around Ankok. As the followers have grown, some question the true intentions of the powerful figure.

The story begins with mysterious followers draped in red walking towards a guarded compound. Inside a figure is sitting on a throne at the top of the altar of worship.

Once the red sun aligns itself through the compound opening, it shifts colors to black. Readers see how this fuels the figure sitting on their throne. This figure is Ankok.

With Tata serving as a guide, Ankok’s influence generates into her followers. Two in the crowd look with disbelief as the rest of the crowd disperses. They are Kako and Gel. as they head into town, the pair comes across Popo.

The interaction is brief but leads Popo to follow the pair. Once on the outskirts of town, readers see a moment with Kako that sets in motion a plan to expose Ankok’s truths once and for all.

How does the gamble pay off? The moments following show a test of will as Kako takes the plan right to Ankok’s altar. The action picks up as the struggle becomes overwhelming. The outcome is sure to leave fans on the edge of their seats. This all builds towards a final image that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

STAR WARS: VISIONS – PEACH MOMOKO #1 by PEACH MOMOKO (Credit: Marvel entertainment – cover: Giuseppe Camuncoli)

Momoko brings a vivid and unforgettable tale to life within these pages. From the initial stages, Ankok is menacing and intimidating right from the full page panel.

The followers’ rection to seeing this “god” is frightening of the power she possesses on them. This plays in contrast to Kako, who’s ever defiant of believing in what she is claiming.

The turning point in the story is the quiet moment involving Kako. Momoko gives enough insight to the readers without fully tipping her hand to what’s next. The final confrontation is set up perfectly will well-set pacing.

The visuals are breathtaking as the journey into the truth takes flight. Never does any panel lack the tension and excitement of the moments unfolding. Its’ conclusion will leave readers with many emotions but all will leave readers very pleased for this experience.

FINAL GRADE: 9 OUT OF 10

Through the innovative eyes of Peach Momoko, the world of Star Wars is gifted a story of epic proportions. With mind-blowing visuals to lift Kako’s plan of discovering truth, This is one issue not to pass on for New Comic Book Day!

Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know your thoughts of STAR WARS: VISIONS – PEACH MOMOKO #1. Thanks for reading Parlay points on Nerd initiative!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE CONTENT FROM KEN

Uncanny Avengers #4 – Unmasked Review!

Derek Hoskins
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Uncanny Avengers #4 – Unmasked Review!
Uncanny Avengers #4 Written by Gerry Duggan, Art by Javier Garron, Colors by Morry Hollowell, Letters by VC’s Travis Lanham, Cover by Javier Garron and Morry Hollowell (Credit Marvel Entertainment)

Uncanny Avengers #4

Writer- Gerry Duggan

Artist – Javier Garron

Color Artist – Morry Hollowell

Design – Tom Muller & Jay Bowen

Cover – Javier Garron & Morry Hollowell

CREDIT: MAVREL ENTERTAINMENT

Uncanny Avengers #4 Written by Gerry Duggan, Art by Javier Garron, Colors by Morry Hollowell, Letters by VC’s Travis Lanham, Cover by Javier Garron and Morry Hollowell (Credit Marvel Entertainment)

The Story:

Gerry Duggan had a high bar to clear after the fantastic third issue of Uncanny Avengers. However, that bar was cleared effortlessly with this one! The Avengers Unity Squad are perfectly written here. Each character gets a moment to shine, with the standouts being Deadpool, Quicksilver, and Black Widow.

On top of the incredible characterizations, the surprise identity of Captain Krakoa was a great way to end this issue. I am impressed with each chapter of this story and the way that I feel for each player on the board. I feel disgust for Doctor Stasis, pitty for Blob, fear for the Unity Squad, pride in Ben Urich, and terror at what Captain Krakoa is capable of. This is really a masterclass in writing an ensemble of characters.

Uncanny Avengers #4 Written by Gerry Duggan, Art by Javier Garron, Colors by Morry Hollowell, Letters by VC’s Travis Lanham, Cover by Javier Garron and Morry Hollowell (Credit Marvel Entertainment)

The Art:

The art team of this book is still doing great things. Each action scene is thrilling and cinematic. Each emotional beat is well crafted and easy to read without words. The violence and gore are just enough to give weight to the situation but not so over the top as to take the reader out of the moment.

MORE MARVEL COMCIS REVIEWS!

Uncanny Avengers #4 Written by Gerry Duggan, Art by Javier Garron, Colors by Morry Hollowell, Letters by VC’s Travis Lanham, Cover by Javier Garron and Morry Hollowell (Credit Marvel Entertainment)

Verdict: 10/10

With incredible story telling, great action, and cover to cover entertainment, Uncanny Avengers #4 is an absolute win! All of that plus a final page reveal, that I won’t spoil here, that left me excited, confused, and terrified for this new Unity Squad. This issue, as well as, this series is pure Marvel Perfection!

Check Out More From Derek HERE

Fishflies #3 – Raw Reality with a Side of Fantasy

comicconcierge
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Fishflies #3 – Raw Reality with a Side of Fantasy
Credit: Image Comics

Writer / Artist: Jeff Lemire

Lettering & Design: Greg Lockhard

Publisher: Image Comics

Have you ever seen those videos or articles that break down two separate movies or TV shows to their basic principles to show how they are exactly the same story? A common example was how Black Panther and The Lion King are the same movie. I always found that exercise to be quite disingenuous because it assumes the story is found in the generalities of the plot. When in fact it is everything between those generalities that determines what makes something work. 

I bring that up because when reading Fishflies there are a lot of past properties that it could easily be compared to both past and present. ‘A young child finds a creature of unknown origin that has immense power and is frightened by the world around them. Due to the child’s gentle empathy, they form an unbreakable bond.” Pete’s Dragon, Iron Giant, heck even Transformers could be granted that basic outline. That does not take anything away from them or this comic as originality as a fleeting concept. Execution is what matters.

Jeff Lemire is a smart storyteller and utilizes that familiarity to his favor. He opens this issue with a few pages of the countryside that present a world of vast space and stillness. One wonders if not for police officers walking through a field with their dogs would there be any movement at all as even the windmills appear dormant. This is a world that can quickly isolate, which is a rather important factor as the story unfolds. 

Credit: image Comics

There is a great bit of craftsmanship as well when Officer Daniel Laraque has a conversation with Helen Tremblay. As their conversation begins they are physically separate within the scene and panels. As their conversation continues we inch closer. The camera moves further and further in until Laraque’s face completely engulfs the panel. The intimacy increases and apparently so does their bond until they discover the goals they are focused on are vastly different. That separation becomes present once more just before we move elsewhere.

Fishflies has this running element of magical realism that has become more and more present in Lemire’s work over the years. Here for example we get this continuous motif of the fishfly. A seemingly pointless creature that appears to have some sort of mystical power that is not fully clear. Part of me wonders if that lack of clarity will persist even as this story ends.

That wonder is then juxtaposed with the rawness of reality. Franny Fox is the epitome of those opposing ideals as she deals with the horrors of her daily life while trying to hide a magic fly creature. Those two worlds come to a head within this issue in one of the most shocking scenes of this series thus far.

Credit: image Comics

I will say that Lemire may be a victim of his own success as I do not have quite the level of emotional connection to the characters in this story as I have in his past works like Essex County, Royal City, or Mazebook. The biggest glaring example is that of Lee David Simard, who sets everything in motion with his actions. He is a tragic figure of his own doing yet so much is still unknown about him that it is a challenge to fully grasp his development beyond the obvious physical change. With one issue left though that could easily transform with the right amount of context.

Fishflies #3 is not in a hurry to push the story along which is why it works as well as it does. Lemire allows real people to have real conversations about real issues but injects just the right amount of the fantastical to make things interesting. 

4/5

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