Growing up, artist Creees Lee wanted to be a musician. He never dreamed he’d one day be an artist at Marvel Comics.
His parents were musicians, but around junior year in high school, he realized that wasn’t going to be his professional path. So, he pivoted to drawing and comics.
He had always dabbled in art, being a big Dragon Ball Z fan, in addition to the Batman animated series, but it wasn’t until this time in his life that he actually considered it a possible career.
“My friend introduced me to comics and to Jim Lee,” he said. “I thought it was cool that a Korean guy was an artist in comics, but also one of the best!”
After discovering comics and falling in love with the art, he attended and graduated from the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
Fast forward to just over a year ago and Creees got the email that so many artists dream of.
“When I got the email from Marvel to work with them, I thought it was a scam,” he joked. “I still think it’s crazy that I’m doing Marvel covers.”
All rights reserved – Marvel Entertainment
In the past year alone, he’s worked on titles like X-Factor, Immortal Hulk and Spider-Man 2099. He also got to work with one of his dream writers.
“The first cover i worked on was with Greg Pak, that was a dream,” he said.
The next phase of his career includes a continuation of working with Marvel of course and then possibly adding DC Comics to the mix. He’s already begun to work with them and has done a variant cover, but would love to continue this relationship.
All rights reserved – Marvel Entertainment
“I’m very happy at Marvel,” he said. “I would love to do more work for DC … I mean, the dream is Batman, he’s the character I grew up watching.”
With his talent and drive, chances are that dream will soon become a reality!
Meet Marcel, he’s a shell with shoes on. He’s got a small view of a very big world and you can catch Marcel The Shell With Shoes On later this month as his debut film opens June 24 in select theaters.
Marcel first debuted back in 2010 as a YouTube short created by Jenny Slate (Parks and Rec, Zootopia) and her Husband Dean Fleischer Camp (Fraud). The short is a series of moments where Marcel the Shell tells the cameraman a series of quips about life with such small stature. Marcel is a one-inch shell with shoes that sees life just a bit different than you or I.
And while many of Marcel’s moments are made to make you laugh, they also make you think and see things differently.
Marcel the Shell – Theatrical Release by A24
Marcel was also turned into a series of books by Slate and Camp, that made the New York Times-Bestseller list. The books are an adaptation of the short film and some continued stories about life lessons in a small world. So far there are two books in the series, but the future could bring more titles, especially with his first big-screen appearance looming.
Marcel the Shell Courtesy of A24
Marcel the movie will see Marcel living with his Grandma Connie. The pair happen to be the only shells in their village after the rest of the shells left without any explanation. A spark of luck and a little fame may just propel this little shell on a wild adventure.
Jenny Slate returns as the voice of Marcel with Camp also returning to direct and play Dean. We also get the great Isabella Rossellini as Grandma Connie. Legendary 60 Minutes Anchor Leslie Stahl is also in the film, showing Marcel’s world getting pretty big.
This movie looks like it will be endearing, funny, and will even show us what might be most important in life. The screen may be bigger, but this little shell is still learning what it means to be tiny in such a vast world. I am so excited and can’t wait to see it.
Marcel the Shell Courtesy of A24
Check out the Short for Marcel the Shell with Shoes on and the Preview for the new A24 film below.
The Original Marcel the Shell With Shoes On short film.
The franchise, which quickly became a horror classic, now has had five total installments with the fifth film having been released this past January after a ten-year hiatus. The fifth installment brought Campbell back as Sidney Prescott. however this time not as the main protagonist but rather as a brief cameo until the final act.
Instead, the film set up a new group of friends and centers the story around a new protagonist, Sam Carpenter portrayed by Melissa Barrera who’s the secret daughter of Billy Loomis (Sidney’s ex-boyfriend and one of the original Ghostface killers).
A sixth installment was greenlit after the success at the box office with the fifth ($140 million). The next movie is set to film this Summer and for the first time ever it is filming in Canada. Up until this point Campbell stated that she would return in this next film but on Monday news broke that she will no longer be reprising the role due to a pay dispute.
The actor said this in a statement to The LA Times “Sadly, I won’t be making the next Scream film. As a woman, I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to Scream. I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise.”
She added, “To all my Scream fans, I love you, I’m forever grateful to you and for what this franchise has given me over the past 25 years.”
It’s unclear what writers will do with Sidney’s character in the next movie; whether they will not mention her, kill her off-screen, or just mention her in passing, whatever it may be it won’t feel the same without Neve. While the final girl that started the franchise isn’t returning, there are already several characters that have been confirmed to be returning in the sixth installment.
See the confirmed cast and returning characters below.
Gale Weathers is the only confirmed returning character from any of the first three movies. She is a reporter, author, and ex-wife of Dewey Riley. She has had her share of flights with Ghostface and has been shot twice and stabbed once throughout the franchise.
She lost her best friend and the love of her life Dewey Riley in Scream 5. What could Ghostface have in store for her in the upcoming sixth installment?
Kirby’s fate was left unknown in Scream 4 but a hidden easter egg in the fifth installment has seemingly proved that the character survived her battle with GhostFace back in 2011.
Panettiere took a break from acting after Nashville ended in 2018 and reprising this fan favorite is a great comeback. Many speculate that Reed could be the opening kill or perhaps be behind the Ghostface mask. Whatever may come to be of Kirby Reed in this film fans are just happy to have her back, especially if we no longer have Sidney Prescott.
The main protagonist of the latest movie and who will perhaps go on to be the Final Girl of the entire Scream franchise.
Sam Carpenter found out at thirteen that her real father was one half of the original Woodsboro GhostFace, Billy Loomis. After finding out about her father she became a troubled teen and left home once she turned eighteen. After her sister was attacked she returned to Woodsboro and had to accept who she was to beat Ghostface in the end. She will return in the unarmed sequel alongside her sister Tara (Jenna Ortega).
Jenna Ortega’s Tara Carpenter was the opening kill…well attempted kill. For the first time in Scream history, the opening victim did not actually die. This must have been the way to go because Jenna Ortega just won Most Frightened Performance at the MTV Movie & TV Awards for her opening scene in the movie. Tara proved to be a strong and smart girl which is what helped her and her sister beat the people behind GhostFace and become Final Girls. Tara should be finishing High School in the next installment, will she live to see graduation day?
Mindy is the daughter of Martha, twin of Mason, and niece of the late Randy Meeks. Mindy is the first openly LGBT character in the Scream franchise and while she is single, she does love to mingle. She shares a similar taste for horror movies as her uncle once did. She defines the killer’s pattern as a “requel” (A movie that revisits the subject matter of an earlier film but is not a remake or a linear continuation of its plot).
Both she and her brother are attacked by Ghostface and the audience is briefly thought to believe that the twins had succumbed to their wounds but in the end, they are seen to be one of the handful of survivors. Will Mindy suffer the same fate as her uncle Randy did in his second Scream film or will she be the first of the Meeks to survive Ghostface (Aside from Martha) and make it to the trilogy?
Every group of friends has to have a jock and in this group that’s Chad Meeks-Martin. The polar opposite of his uncle Randy and twin Mindy, Chad is a football player and was dating Liv McKenzie before she was killed by Ghostface. Chad is seemingly killed by Ghostface while looking for Liv but is seen in the end alive in the back of an ambulance with Mindy.
Dermont Mulroney is most famously known for his roles in My Best Friend’s Wedding and the Insidious franchise. He just signed on and is said to be a cop. We all know what usually happens to cops in Scream, but who knows maybe Dermont will one of the lucky ones.
Plot details are being kept under wraps, but according to Paramount, the sixth Scream film “continues with the four survivors of the Ghostface killings as they leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter.” Lead actress Jenna Ortega said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight the following about the next installment. “Ghostface gets a lot more intimidating, It just gets more and more gory. I think that this is probably the most aggressive and violent version of Ghostface we’ve ever seen, which I think will really be fun to shoot.” Screenwriters James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick will return to compose the script. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett will return to direct. Filming is set to begin this Summer in Canada.
Scream Six is set to slash its way into theaters on March 31st, 2023.
Donavan and I were able to catch an early viewing of Netflix’s HUSTLE starring Adam Sandler before it hits streaming and select theaters. Donavan was able to experience the Red Carpet event while in LA, I was able to get an early screener. Since the Embargo has lifted, we decided to share our opinions of the movie.
It has been a long time since a sports film sparked my interest. I was given an opportunity to an early screening of the movie Hustle. I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the typical Adam Sandler film. There are of course self-deprecating jokes targeted at Sandler’s character, but not to the point that it detracts from the message of the story. This film is, sensitive, encouraging, and full of heart. Any inspirational sports film has its predictability, but the ending is still satisfying. This had the potential of being a family film but be advised that there is plenty of adult language and content. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and think that this is one of the best Netflix movies I’ve seen in a while.
Donavan’s Opinion:
Adam Sandler is one of those actors that when you see he’s in a movie you just have to watch it even if you know nothing about it or aren’t necessarily interested in what it’s about. That was originally the case for me going into Adam Sandler and Netflix’s new movie Hustle. I am not a sports fan, never have been, and probably never will be. However, I am a huge Adam Sandler fan and grew up watching his movies. I was lucky enough to attend the red carpet world premiere and got to see how much hard work went into this film and I think that made me appreciate it a lot more. Adam has loved the sport of basketball since he was a kid and learning that many involved in the NBA not only helped produce but also Star in this film (many for their first acting role) really shows the passion and dedication behind it. The movie which I originally was only excited for to see Adam and Queen, I actually thoroughly enjoyed! This movie brought emotion, comedy, action, and smoothly molded it all in one. I was fully intrigued the whole time and while it’s a sports movie it is centered around family and that aspect is going to be able to reach a lot of people. I can’t wait to watch this movie again once its streaming. I think any Adam Sandler or Queen Latifah fan needs to be sure to check out Hustle when it releases on Netflix regardless if you’re a sports fan or not.
Synopsis: Stanley Sugerman’s (Adam Sandler) love for basketball is unparalleled, but the travel weary Philadelphia 76ers scout who has higher ambitions of being a coach remains stuck on the road looking for the next unknown talent. His search around the world leads him to Spain, when he discovers Bo Cruz (NBA player Juancho Hernangómez), an incredible streetball player with a troubled past. Stanley and Bo connect on and off the court, with their passion for the game and as loving family men who want to prove they can win, in basketball and in life. With the support of Stanley’s wife, Teresa (Queen Latifah), can the underdogs come out on top? HUSTLE, an inspirational drama, co-stars Ben Foster, Kenny Smith, Anthony Edwards, and Tobias Harris, is directed by Jeremiah Zagar and is produced by Sandler, Allen Covert, Joe Roth, Jeffrey Kirschenbaum, Zack Roth, LeBron James and Maverick Carter.
Be sure to check out Hustle on Netflix on June 8th and in select theaters June 3rd, 2022
On Saturday, June 4th, during a Panel at Awesome Con in Washington, DC, Shang-Chi stars Simu Liu, Meng’er Zhang, and Florian Munteanu talked about their experiences of being casted in the Marvel blockbuster film. When asked by a fan about their interest in karaoke, Florian Munteanu who played Razor Fist in the film shared that there was an alternate karaoke scene filmed for the end of the movie where Razor Fist was to enter with a plate of nachos and join Shang-Chi and Katie in singing “I want it that way” by the Backstreet boys.
While the scene that was included in the theatrical release made more sense with the references to “Hotel California” as it was referenced throughout the film, the revelation of this alternate ending brings to question: Why was it not included in the Blu-ray Special features?
The following is an opinion piece about comments made about toxicity from Obi-Wan’s Ewan McGregor.
If you look up the definition of fandom, you may stumble across Wikipedia, which reads – “A subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of empathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest.”
And while the original root word stems from fanatic – someone devoted to a topic, subject, or passion – the core beliefs and essence in that definition is not meant in any way to embody racism, toxicity, homophobia, or any other nasty traits that have stained culture over the years.
In fact, fandom originated in friendship, support, and the outcast having a place in the world with others who also needed kindness and love.
If you are a Star Wars fan, by now you’ve probably heard about the horrible treatment Obi-Wan Kenobi actress Moses Ingram has faced online from toxic fans simply for playing a make-believe character on screen that some fans of a “galaxy far, far away” may not like.
This treatment of the actress has included death threats, comments about the color of her skin, and more absolutely abhorrent behavior that has absolutely no place in Star Wars, fandom, or anywhere in the world for that matter.
The treatment was so horrendous that Obi-Wan himself, Ewan McGregor, took to social media to post a video slamming the behavior and making his thoughts as executive producer of the show, in addition to its key star, very clear.
“You’re no Star Wars fan … in my book,” he said of those attacking Ingram. And guess what — he’s 100% right.
Over the years, Star Wars has meant so much to so many. But there have certainly been some bad apples.
Kelly Marie Tran faced similar racist backlash after the release of The Last Jedi, simply because some did not like her character’s relationship with another character … aka Finn.
Do you think this kind of behavior is what George Lucas had in mind more than 40 years ago when he decided to create this space opera? Yeah, I don’t think so either.
I’ve been to Star Wars Celebration, I’ve seen the mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, and friends who’ve gathered every year to celebrate together since “A New Hope” debuted all those years ago, and I also don’t think any of those fans would ever want someone like Moses or Kelly or Hayden or Daisy or anyone to be treated this way just because of a role they play.
We are proud to welcome Moses Ingram to the Star Wars family and excited for Reva’s story to unfold. If anyone intends to make her feel in any way unwelcome, we have only one thing to say: we resist. pic.twitter.com/lZW0yvseBk
— Star Wars | Andor Now Streaming On Disney+ (@starwars) May 31, 2022
They would want fans to embrace these characters with open arms and if they did not like what they saw on screen, discuss it, debate it, but be civil, cordial, and empathetic.
It’s ironic that those values so easily resemble the hope, the rebellion and the love we’ve seen from the light side all these years and the toxic behavior is far worse than the dark side could ever imagine.
So yeah, Ewan is dead-on when he says these so-called fans are not really fans in his book.
In fact, they’re not really fans in any book or any planet or any galaxy … either far away or more importantly, the one we live in and have to all share today.
When Stan Lee and Steve Ditko created Spider-Man in 1962, they drew him in a costume that covered his body from head to toe. That way no matter what race, gender or sexual identity someone is, they could see themselves as Spider-Man.
Over the years the comic book fanbase has been growing and with that comes more people to represent. This includes people of color, with different religions, and that are part of the LGBTQ.
Comic book companies have been using queer characters and themes for years, but were they using them correctly?
Justin Mousseau is asexual comic book TikToker with over half a million followers. Mousseau has been a fan of comic books ever since he was a kid in the 90s.
“I am grateful that we are no longer in the era like the mid-2000s. Where characters were gay as a punchline.” Mousseau said. “It rings really cheap and hollow to go back and have a character be gay or feminine, and that was the joke or the entirety of the story.”
An example of this is in Peter David’s Supergirl #79 in 2003. Superman is exposed to pink kryptonite. This kryptonite made Superman give Lois Lane the cold shoulder, and give all of his attention to his best pal Jimmy Olsen. The “joke” of this story is that Superman is flirting with a man.
But have comic books changed since then?
The LGBTQ community has grown in the comic fanbase and companies like DC and Marvel have taken notice. To represent this community DC and Marvel have been taking pre- established characters and have them come out as queer. Or they just made new characters altogether. Some examples include Iceman coming out as gay and Tim Drake (The Third Robin) coming out as bisexual. Now they have introduced characters like Jonathan Kent (Superman) who is bisexual and America Chavez who is lesbian. However, some comic book readers aren’t okay with that.
When Tim Drake came out as bisexual last year, the internet couldn’t be more divided. Fans of the character argued on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter whether this change was necessary, forced, or if it just ruined the character altogether. However, TikToker and screenwriter Danielle Silverstone says there was no change at all.
“You don’t have to necessarily say that a character is queer,” Silverstone stated, “but you can acknowledge it.”
Tim Drake has been written throughout the years as possibly being bisexual with Conner Kent (Superboy). In 2018, writer Judd Winick tweeted about the relationship between Tim and Conner in his 2003 run of Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day, stating, “I saw this as an opportunity for them to both come out of the closet.”
“If he (Tim Drake) was meant to be a straight character, then they (DC Comics) would have said that.” Silverstone said. “Straight is not the default. If you do not specify a character’s sexuality, why are people assuming they are straight?”
A common argument from fans against LGBTQ representation is that comic books are for kids, and sex shouldn’t be a topic they are exposed to.
Michael Simeon is a social media influencer that uses his platform to speak out for the LGBTQ community and for people of color. “Who said anything about sex? Being queer is more than about sex.” Simeon said. “Being queer can dictate who you choose or choose not be friends with, what your interests are, what you may gravitate towards, what spaces may feel or not feel comfortable entering, what policies you support in a politician, it determines a lot of your mindset.”
An example of this is Iceman. He was created in 1963, but in 1996 there was a storyline where Emma Frost took over his mind and she was able to do things with his powers that he couldn’t. In 2015 it would be revealed that the reason why is because he was hiding his sexuality, and that was keeping him from his full potential. The reason Iceman was in the closet for so long was because he was a mutant, and he was afraid of how his friends and family would react if he came out of the closet.
Comic book companies have made a big step since the early 2000’s when it comes to LGBTQ representation in their comics. However, some members of the LGBTQ believe there are still many steps to take. With established characters and storylines that can further be explored, the LGBTQ community can have a place in comics. Those stories just need to be told. As Simeon says, “Representation equals normalization.”
Welcome to the official comic book buying list of every title Marvel Comics has coming out this week!
This list is good for Wednesday June 1st, 2022:
Alien (2021) #12
Published:
June 01, 2022
Writer:
Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Penciler:
Salvador Larroca
Cover Artist:
Marc Aspinall
Summary:
THE END OF PARADISE! Jane and her people have been imprisoned with a group of facehuggers! Jane has one last chance to escape, but will her disease be her doom?
Avengers Forever (2021) #6
Published:
June 01, 2022
Writer:
Jason Aaron
Penciler:
James Towe
Cover Artist:
Aaron Kuder
Summary:
INTRODUCING THE INVINCIBLE VIBRANIUM MAN! On an alternate Earth where Wakanda has been crushed from existence and where the Black Panther is a forgotten legend, one man known as T’Challa will forge a new legacy for himself and perhaps even hope for a planet caught in the grips of the god-slaughtering King Killmonger.
Black Panther (2021) #6
Published:
June 01, 2022
Writer:
John Ridley
Penciler:
Stefano Landini
Summary:
Betrayal! The reveal of T’Challa’s darkest secret has the Hatut Zeraze hunting him as a traitor, with orders to kill him on sight. He needs to escape them to clear his name, but are his skills really on par for the challenge? And are Wakanda’s secret police the only force T’Challa has to reckon with for his lies?
Carnage (2022) #3
Published:
June 01, 2022
Writer:
Ram. V.
Penciler:
Roge Antonio
Cover Artist:
kunkka
Summary:
Years ago, Peter Parker spurned a puddle of black, extraterrestrial goo and inadvertently created one of the deadliest foes he’s ever encountered: VENOM. Years later, Venom’s offspring found a willing host in the form of Cletus Kasady, a dangerous serial killer, and together the two formed an even deadlier being called CARNAGE.But what will become of the Carnage symbiote now, rejected by the only loving host it’s ever known? And, like Venom before it, what new and terrifying creature will emerge on the other side?
Captain Marvel (2019) #38
Published:
June 01, 2022
Writer:
Kelly Thompson
Penciler:
Juan Frigeri, Alvaro Lopez
Cover Artist:
R.B. Silva
Summary:
CAPTAIN MARVEL NO MORE! Carol Danvers is missing! Her disappearance has left the newly sentient BINARY to fill in, but stepping into the shoes of one of Earth’s greatest heroes is no easy feat. As Binary finds herself plunged into a world she barely understands, the questions about exactly who and what Binary is grow deeper. And where IS Captain Marvel anyway?! A brand-new arc starts here as Kelly Thompson’s award-winning epic adventure continues!
Deadpool: Bad Blood (2022) #2
Published:
June 01, 2022
Writer:
Rob Liefeld, Chad Bowers
Penciler:
Rob Liefeld
Cover Artist:
Rob Liefeld
Summary:
Deadpool is on the hunt for a superweapon with ties to his past – but every time he gets close, the armored brute named Thumper kind of…kills him. Wade Wilson always gets better, but dying still sucks. Can he and Domino get to the bottom of things before Deadpool meets his maker again? Answers might lay in a secret mission from years ago that brought Deadpool and X-Force together. But what do today’s problems have to do with this firefight flashback? Garrison Kane, the cyborg called Weapon X, knows the truth about Thumper – and now it’s up to Deadpool and Domino to beat it out of him!
Ghost Rider (2022) #3
Published:
June 01, 2022
Writer:
Benjamin Percy
Penciler:
Cory Smith, Brent Peeples
Cover Artist:
Kael Ngu
Summary:
Johnny Blaze needs to know the truth behind what happened to him in Hayden Falls. But not only does he have an FBI agent tailing him, there are supernatural forces at work that want to see him off the road again, including a nightmarish trucker who stains the roads with burned rubber and roadkill.
King Conan (2021) #5
Published:
June 01, 2022
Writer:
Jason Aaron
Penciler:
Mahmud Asrar
Cover Artist:
Mahmud Asrar
Summary:
THE TERRIBLE TRIUMPH OF THOTH-AMON! For years, THOTH-AMON has attacked CONAN from afar…now, at last, they stand face-to-face on this cursed isle to enter into what may be their FINAL BATTLE! Will the showdown for the ages truly end the reign of Conan and his heirs? And — a glimpse into the never-before-revealed past of the Stygian wizard — from the boy worshipping Set to the sorcerer who will strike fear into the Hyborian Age with the utterance of the name THOTH-AMON!
Knights of X (2022) #2
Published:
June 01, 2022
Writer:
Tini Howard
Penciler:
Robert Quinn
Cover Artist:
Yanick Paquette
Summary:
THE QUEST REVEALED! Betsy Braddock has assembled her Knights of X! Their mission: to save Otherworld from Merlyn and his powerful henchmen…by finding the holy grail of mutantkind. But Otherworld is vast, and innumerable armies stand in their way. When Merlyn targets the Crooked Market, a safe haven for mutantkind, the Knights must split up. Will Captain Britain find the grail? Will Gambit lead the others into a deadly trap? Death looms over the Knights — in more ways than one.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man (2018) #38
Published:
June 01, 2022
Writer:
Saladin Ahmed
Penciler:
Alberto Foche Duarte, Christopher Allen
Cover Artist:
Taurin Clarke
Summary:
NEXT STOP…THE EMPIRE OF THE SPIDER! MILES and SHIFT’s hunt through the Multiverse lands them…back in Brooklyn?! It’s NOT the home they know, but the EMPIRE OF THE SPIDER! A timeline where Miles’ clone SELIM is victorious, and the only thing standing in the evil Spider-Man’s way is a rebellion led by General GANKE and a very grown-up and extremely badass Capitلn BILLIE!
Shang-Chi (2021) #13
Published:
June 01, 2022
Writer:
Gene Yang
Penciler:
Marcus to
Cover Artist:
Leinil Francis Yu
Summary:
SHANG-CHI – THE WORLD’S GREATEST SPY! Shang-Chi goes undercover after a brutal terrorist attack involves a Five Weapons Society agent. But he may have some competition, as a rival spy tries to beat him to the punch! Who is this woman? Who does she work for? And why does she seem like the perfect romantic fit for Shang-Chi?
Star Wars: Bounty Hunters (2020) #23
Published:
June 01, 2022
Writer:
Ethan Sacks
Penciler:
Natacha Bustos
Cover Artist:
Giuseppe Camuncoli
Summary:
“A CLEAR AND PRESENT DENGAR” The most underestimated bounty hunter in the galaxy in his greatest adventure yet! DENGAR makes his move — and the Underworld will be forever changed. Meanwhile, time is running out for T’ONGA and her crew to break VUKORAH… Will a young girl pay for their failure with her life?
Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020) #23
Published:
June 01, 2022
Writer:
Greg Pak
Penciler:
Raffaele Ienco
Cover Artist:
Paul Renaud
Summary:
“THE SHADOW’S SHADOW’S SHADOW” An epic new story begins as DARTH VADER embarks upon a new mission in partnership with a sworn enemy — but who’s leading whom to doom? And what happens when the QUEEN’S SHADOW learns the deepest secret of the Dark Lord of the Sith? Plus: the shocking return of a face from Vader’s most distant past!
Strange (2022) #3
Published:
June 01, 2022
Writer:
Jed Mackay
Penciler:
Marcelo Ferreira
Cover Artist:
Bjorn Barends
Summary:
Someone is preying on the misery and suffering of New York’s citizens. Clea Strange is all too familiar with the demons and monsters that stalk humans. But what happens when it’s the humans who are hunting the monsters?
X-Men ’92: House of XCII (2022) #2
Published:
June 01, 2022
Writer:
Steve Foxe
Penciler:
Salva Espin
Cover Artist:
David Baldeon
Summary:
DAWN OF XCII! With the nation of Krakoa established, mutantkind is ready to defend their new nation from threats of all kinds…but the X-Men have no idea about the mutant whose secret power of resurrection lies behind the entire thing! It’s the entire Krakoan age thirty years early, with everyone’s favorite ’90s X-Men team at the center of it all!
Well …
That’s a wrap on the Marvel Comics this week, wow we really got a lot of excellent titles to look forward to! I seriously hope this weekly list helps everyone out in knowing what new comics are releasing every week. Thank you for reading and see you all next week For another post of “This Week In Comics: Marvel Edition.”
The first two episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi dropped Friday morning, and I am glad to say they deliver in every way — From an excellent foundation to fascinating new worlds and characters, to reintroducing us to beloved friends and locations that we get to know even better.
By expanding the myth of a “galaxy far, far, away,” showing us the daily terrors of living between the lawless and the fascist, and diving deeper into Obi Wan and princess Leia’s back stories, this show succeeds in every way a Star Wars story should.
In 1977 we were introduced to strange old hermit living out on a dessert planet called Tatooine named Obi-Wan Kenobi. We knew little about him as a person and truth is we did not need to know. Anyone who had ever been told a story knew the role he was there to play.
Like Merlin before him, Obi Wan was there to help turn our protagonist into a hero. The author and professor Joseph Campbell would describe Obi Wan as the Mentor. An archetypal category named by the psychoanalyst Carl Jung. The mentor is the guide who will help teach our hero how to face the unknown.
As it would turn out we, due to his role as the mentor, we actually knew relatively little about the person who was Obi-Wan. All we knew about him was that he was the last (or one of the last) of a group of knights known as Jedi who used a mystical magic known as the Force. Then almost twenty years later we were given the prequels where we learned more and more about this mysterious wizard-hermit.
What we had no idea of was how deeply personal and truly tragic the trauma Obi-Wan’s psyche experienced due to Anakin turning to the dark side. There was no way, without showing us, that we could understand and comprehend the guilt, shame and doubt this teacher was carrying around with him when he said to Luke Skywalker, “You must learn the ways of the Force if you’re to come with me to Alderaan.”
When Obi-Wan remained committed to teaching Luke in a New Hope, we did not know at the time how much guilt he was carrying. This new show is clearly going to change the way we interpret every line and encounter in a New Hope.
But this new show on Disney+ is continuing the work of the prequels, the clone wars and the books, to take the person we barely knew at the beginning of this 40-plus year journey and elevate all the other media we have about him at the same time.
What struck me most after watching the first two episodes is that we often do not think about our teachers and mentors as having their own thoughts, dreams, ambitions, and fears separate from us or the role they are assigned in our lives.
The mentor is not the hero of the story. The mentor’s needs, by necessity, become secondary to that of the hero’s mission. However, the central question these episodes force us to contend with is, what happens when that mentor has given up? That simple line in a new hope where Obi-Wan eagerly pushes to Luke to train is now forced to be read with a different subtext due to this latest entry in the Star Wars mythology.
Something happens over the course of these six episodes to renew Obi-Wan’s faith in himself. Something happens to make him accept the guilt he feels over the loss of his brother Anakin. Something happens to make Obi-Wan recognize and control his fear. These are all powerful and fascinating questions that the show is tackling and exploring.
However, the central question these episodes force us to contend with is, what happens when that mentor has given up?
These first two episodes grow the universe of Star Wars while also doing what Star Wars does so well: reflect back to us our own struggles through fictional characters. Obi-Wan Kenobi is the Hero’s journey of the mentor. It is already shaping up to be a fascinating exploration of this often-mystical role in mythology. It is taking a character whose needs are always secondary to the mission and making us care even more deeply about what that sacrifice means.
The Obi-Wan we recognized but did not know in 1977 has become a character whose own compelling hero’s journey we finally get to complete. In doing so we will better understand this hermit-wizard Obi-Wan and, by virtue of that better understand, ourselves.
Episode three of Obi-Wan Kenobi is set to release Wednesday, June 1st, at 12 AM PST
It’s anime convention season, and so naturally, you want to get into anime. But there’s just one thing stopping you: Where do you start? Anime is an incredible medium of story-telling that showcases a variety of animation styles, along with several genres and subgenres with thousands of titles under each one. Naturally, it can be very intimidating, especially if you’re trying to find the perfect introduction to get you immersed. That’s where this guide comes in! In this guide, we’ll explore a couple of common genres you’ll see in the world of anime, along with some easy-to-watch titles to get you hooked. Without further ado, let’s watch some anime!
Shonen and Shojo
Two of the most common genres of anime are Shonen (pronounced show-nehn) and Shojo (pronounced show-joe). Shonen is a genre aimed typically toward “male” audiences while Shojo is the opposite, catering primarily to “female” audiences, But if we’re being honest, anyone can watch anime under either genre as they all have something to offer, regardless of the intended audience. Here are some recommended titles.
Sailor Moon Crystal (2014) – Shojo
Many of us remember the classic Sailor Moon anime that graced our tv screens in the 90s. With our titular character, Sailor Moon a.k.a. Usagi Tsukino, the anime made waves and taught young girls everywhere that we have value whether we’re strong, feminine, or the polar opposite. But did you know that a remake of the name Sailor Moon Crystal was released in 2014? This remake featured more modern animation across 3 seasons as well as a 2-part movie. Because it strictly follows the plot of the manga without any fillers, it makes for an easy binge until you feel ready to conquer the 200-episode version along with 3 additional movies.
Naruto / Naruto Shippuden – Shonen
Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, part of the original “Big 3” from the ’90s and early 2000s, is an excellent shonen anime that holds up even today and continues to increase its fanbase. We are introduced to an expansive world filled with ninjas as it discusses hard-hitting themes like the impact of war as well as grief and trauma. But it also teaches the idea of proving your resolve and persevering no matter the obstacle, as well as discussing found families. With catchy opening and ending themes, loveable characters, and comedy sprinkled all throughout, it’s no wonder it’s beloved by many. If you feel confident enough to brave the 700+ episodes that await you, I can guarantee you won’t regret it.
Fruits Basket (2019) – Shojo
Another popular Shojo manga, Fruits Basket was adapted as an anime a second time in 2019 with brand new animation, and streamlined storytelling. If you’re not familiar with the story, it follows Tohru Honda, a kind-spirited teenage girl who ends up in the care of the Sohmas, a family that is not all that it seems in this supernatural romance anime. This anime showcases not just romantic love but also familial and platonic love and succeeds in throwing you into an emotional rollercoaster. As slow as it may seem at first, I recommend sticking it through to the end because the ending is truly worth it.
My Hero Academia – Shonen
One of the most popular current running anime, My Hero Academia fuses all things Marvel and DC with classic Shonen styles. We follow Izuku Midoriya as he navigates a world where people are gifted with powers known as “quirks”, but he has none. At least not until All Might, the #1 hero in Japan, takes notice and names Midoriya as his successor. If superheroes are what you’re craving, then this action-packed anime will satisfy you. Superheroes, action, a wide range of characters and abilities, and new and intriguing villains. It’s hard to not find someone to root for, whether it’s our boy Midoriya or the most unlikely hero.
Isekai
Isekai (pronounced Ih-sih-kai), a word that translates to “different world” or “otherworld”, is also an extremely popular genre that has blown up over the last couple of years. If you’re also a gamer, then you are probably familiar with trivial and redundant tasks or big bosses that take several attempts to beat. Isekai lets you relive all of that but in anime form. The most common anime in this genre is Sword Art Online but let’s explore some other title recommendations instead.
Bofuri: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense
Don’t let the incredibly long title scare you! Bofuri is a perfect example of isekai, where we follow our main character, Kaede who begins playing a new VRMMORPG called New World, where she creates the identity of Maple. In order to avoid damage in game at all costs, she chooses to focus on building her defense stats, leading her to be an unusually strong character. Not only are our main characters insanely adorable and fun to watch, but it just makes you want to jump into a video game yourself. Bofuri tends to come off more like a mix of an action isekai and slice of life, which makes for such a strange yet entertaining watch. With only 12 episodes to go through, you don’t have to be concerned with excessive fillers (unless that’s your thing), and you’ll find yourself wishing for more.
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear
Similar to Bofuri, Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear is a simplistic isekai anime that follows Yuna, our main character, who is a longtime player of World Fantasy Online, a first-person view game. After being gifted an odd bear suit, she and her abilities are immediately bound to it, and she must proceed to complete missions and quests in said bear suit. Following the same 12-episode format, you still get the ability to connect with some of the side characters, and if you have a fondness for anything that is cute, then this anime will satisfy you. It’s isekai-style anime that doesn’t take itself too seriously but acts as a basic introduction to get you familiar with the genre so as not to overwhelm you. If anything, it’ll keep you entertained and giggling till the end.
Slice of Life & Comedy
Himouto Umaru-Chan
One of the most popular slice of life and comedy anime in recent years, Himouto Umaru-Chan follows 16-year-old Umaru, a seemingly perfect and popular girl in high school. But as soon as she gets home, she transforms into the cutest snack-obsessed gamer gremlin you’ll come across. With only 2 seasons, Umaru-Chan will own your heart and be that goofy sweet character you can relate to on so many levels. From beach episodes to gaming tournaments to chippies and cola, this anime has it all, and it’s one I recommend to anyone wanting to dive into the world of anime.
K-On
If you have a love of music, K-On might be the one for you! In a world where artsy anime is now common, this one, in particular, kick-started the genre of music anime. In two seasons, we follow a group of high school girls who form the Light Music Club and write the most catchy songs you’ll hear throughout the episodes. It follows the formula of slice of life as well as comedy, with numerous hilarious characters with their own identifiable personalities and characteristics. If you’re looking for a quick anime to binge, K-On is perfect and may even get you to want to start an anime music playlist!
Ouran High School Host Club
You’ve probably heard of Ouran High School Host Club, an anime that seamlessly blends slice of life, comedy, and romance. It follows the bizarre trials of Haruhi Fujioka, a young teenage androgynous girl who ends up having to pay off a debt by joining her prestigious high school’s host club. With each member of the host club developing a unique relationship with our lead heroine, she makes an impact on each of them, changing the course of their high school careers. It is hailed as a beloved anime from the mid-2000s that never seems to get old, and is perfect when you want to feel all the romance but still be knee-deep in laughter over cringe tropes. And yes, it indulges in every possible trope imaginable making it the perfect intro within this genre of anime.
The List Goes On…
As stated before, anime has a vast and endless amount of genres and subgenres for you to dive into as you become more accustomed to anime.
For example, Spy X Family, an ongoing anime that has everyone talking, is an action-comedy that leads its audience into a serious moment only to take a 180 turn and have you laughing unexpectedly. For sports fans, SK8 the Infinity is a colorful and upbeat anime that dives into the world of skateboarding but will encourage you to find your own style and remind us all to enjoy what we love no matter what.
But then again, maybe you’d prefer a classic space western noir like Cowboy Bebop, which leaves breadcrumb trails for us to theorize until the bitter end but will give you enough heartfelt and hilarious moments to make you love each character. And as always, for the romantics at heart, you have titles like The Quintessential Quintuplets and Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War, both of which have a different take on romance but will have you rooting for the characters every step of the way.
Whatever your style may be, check these titles and genres out, and see which one you like best. Perhaps you might end up liking them all!
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