Deadpool’s luck has run out. After finding a new lease on life after receiving random letters foreshadowing events to come, Wade Wilson now finds himself at the mercy of Hammerhead. Still unsure of who has been responsible for these mysterious omens, Hammerhead has begun to torture Deadpool to try and extra the information out of him. There’s only one problem: Wade truly doesn’t know where the omens have been coming from and now, Hammerhead has Blind Al in his sights.
This review is brought to you by Nerd Initiative’s Shawn!
Creative Team
Writer: Benjamin Percy Artist: Geoff Shaw Color Artist: Alex Sinclair Letterer: Joe Sabino Cover Artists: Geoff Shaw and Alex Sinclair
Writing
Benjamin Percy continues to bring the laughs. I’ve gotta admit this is a version of Deadpool I actually like. There’s still the humor but it’s simply put much better. There’s funny moments written by Percy that make me laugh out loud but also don’t require me to feel like a juvenile boy (did that once, got the tshirt). This series has been a surprising blend of humor and heart. It’s truly something I didn’t expect when this series began.
As funny as this series has been, I didn’t expect my heart to break a little for Wade Wilson, but dang it, Benjamin Percy made me feel something for ole Wade. For all of his flaws, the people Wade actually cares about he REALLY cares about and Percy does a great job of showing that in this issue. Does love and care from Wade Wilson look like it would from anyone else? No, and it shouldn’t. That’s what makes this series so special.
Art
Wade Wilson: Deadpool #4 cover by Geoff Shaw and Alex Sinclair. Image from Marvel Comics
Ever wondered what a pressure cooker with liquid nitrogen in it sounds like? Thanks to the awesome SFX work of Joe Sabino now we know. Geoff Shaw and Alex Sinclair did a great job with this issue. The detailing and coloring on Wade when stripped down, his full damaged body on display, was honestly enough to make me read faster. Not that it was bad but that it was so well drawn and colored it makes you crawl in your own skin seeing Wade’s wounds.
There was a lot of really good art in this issue and you really get to see the range of the creative team. The artwork with Blind Al was at times so good it would make for an awesome poster. The close up facial art from Geoff Shaw was perfect and the big reveal about what happened between Deadpool and his daughter was a beautiful bit of coloring by Alex Sinclair.
Final Thoughts
This has been a solid and fun series. I find myself looking forward to each one. Percy’s background on other comics brings a depth and gravitas to this series not often seen in Deadpool comics. He does all that while elevating the humor readers have come to know Wade Wilson for. Perfectly serious and unserious at the same time.
Overall Grade: 9/10
How are you liking this Deadpool series? Let me know in the comments
Issue two of Stephanie Phillips’ Daredevil takes readers through the visible trauma of Matt Murdock’s mental health from the events that concluded issue one. Readers will feel the anguish and turmoil that consumes every thought of his. Which begs the question of how can one statement break Daredevil this bad? This issue does a magnificent job at guiding the reader through Matt’s inner narrative to figure out the pivotal riddle that plagues him.
Daredevil #2, Credit Marvel Comics. Cover by Lee Garbett.
This issue does not solely focus on Matt and his night-time activities. No, readers take part in the secondary story dealing with NYPD Detective Daniel Forte as he continues to build an investigation into the incident that took place in issue one. Readers will see Detective Forte come to terms with his moral compass as he obtains new evidence for his investigation. The creation of this character is giving me “Batman and Commissioner Gordon” vibes for future issues!
Readers will also get a taste of Matt Murdock the Professor. We got a taste of this in issue one, but within this issue the tone is more intense, and you get a more authentic classroom atmosphere. I genuinely enjoy the creativeness of Stephanie writing Matt as a professor. It is something that I personally have not seen within Daredevil, and it generates a new avenue for storytelling. Avid readers of Daredevil are accustomed to Matt hiding his identity within a courtroom or even a church, but a college campus is something completely different!
The Writing
Travis:
Stephanie Phillips has taken a popular Marvel character and given him the reboot that fans needed! The writing for this issue grabs a hold of you from the very beginning! The narration and dialogue are so intertwined it is as if they are waltzing from page to page creating a work of art for the reader. It is within this dance of words that Stephanie entices the reader to continue reading with the thrill of not knowing what is to come.
Eddie:
Stephanie Phillips is crafting a fun psychological mystery for us all. The Omen has truly thrown the man without fear off balance. Her writing makes us feel the same as Matt as we navigate this story. Her scripting works in close concert with Lee Garbett’s artwork. Her writing allows him to transform words into action and clever paneling that puts the reader into the same imbalance as our hero. It’s truly effective.
The Artwork
Travis:
Lee Garbett brings a realistic touch to the art of Daredevil. The attention to detail is out of this world! Even the subtle details surrounding Matt Murdock throughout the issue are striking! The penciling is crisp and smooth allowing readers to really take in each panel and the details that lie within.
Frank Martin brings home the tone and energy for the art. The coloration is so easy on the eyes of the reader! Bold shades of red when Daredevil graces the pages are astonishing to see! One thing I did notice and enjoy was the variant backgrounds used when Daredevil would take a punch from someone else. It felt as if readers were seeing Daredevils “sonar” glitching because of the impact! Amazing!
Ariana Maher deserves credit for this issue as well! Some overlook the importance and art within lettering comic books. But as a reader, you cannot overlook the beauty in the lettering for this issue. Ariana brings anguish, frustration, and trauma that Matt is enduring to life. Some will argue and say you can get all of that just by looking at the art. I challenge you to read this issue without looking at the art, just once! And tell me that you could not feel exactly what Matt was feeling. Amazing work on font selections, dialogue box placement as well as adding color to help separate dialogue from narrative.
Eddie:
Lee Garbett’s artwork is nothing short of gorgeous. His vision of Matt’s sensory perception is used expertly to pull the reader into the action, especially when we need to see from his perspective. A special acknowledgment needs to go to Ariana Maher for her lettering. It progresses so well between moods. It goes from simply allowing to read monologue and dialogue to actually shaping the mental environment of the story to immerse us as readers.
Variant Covers
Bill Sienkiewicz 1:100
Bill Sienkiewicz
Carlos Nieto
NetEase Games
Ryan Meinerding
Stephen Platt 1:25
Steve Rude
Final Thoughts
Travis:
Issue two is a continuation of a story that is a slow build, and I am here for it! Stephanie has a remarkable way of building and telling her stories. She gives subtle details here and there allowing things to grow into something more refined. I’m thrilled with how this new take of Daredevil is going and cannot wait to see where this series takes fans!
Grade: 10/10
Eddie:
In all, we get a meaningful and eventful second chapter in this run of Daredevil. A 10/10 issue, Stephanie Phillips, Lee Garbett and team work wonderfully together to weave a super-powered mystery that gave us a lot and is leaving us wanting more!
Following in the footsteps of Tim Burton’s underrated cult hit is the start of this new comic run by Delilah S. Dawson. Acting as a prequel of sorts, “Sleepy Hollow: The Witches of the Western Wood” shows readers the childhood of Sarah Archer, known better as Mary Van Tassel. While doing prequels can be risky, Dawson created something that’s off to a great start!
Writer: Delilah S. Dawson Artist: Jose Jaro Colorist: Xenon Honchar
Source: Luana Vecchio, IDW Publishing
Writing for the Wicked
As a woman that’s into things like witchcraft and the supernatural, but has also always liked “Sleepy Hollow”, I was fairly hesitant to see how things would be treated here. Lo and behold, I was surprised by just how accurate everything seemed. Writer Delilah S. Dawson really seemed to do her research, and it shows, as the knowledge oozes out of the pages!
On top of showing her knowledge, Dawson proves just how great she is at writing compelling characters and stories. Throughout, she does a fantastic job and making readers feel for the one-day antagonist, holding our hand tight as we see the horrors of the world. The whole book gives a dark female empowerment vibe and I absolutely love it! Already, this series is off to a great start and I’m super excited to see where this goes.
Source: Sara Richard, IDW Publishing
The Craft of Artwork
In addition to the masterclass writing are equally amazing artwork and coloring. With art from Jose Jaro and colors from Xenon Honchar, the gothic vibes are immaculate. The penciling from Jaro alone is near perfect, sucking you into the world with the facial expressions, rich detail and shading. As for the coloring, the palette makes for a book that feels truly dynamic despite the dark subject matter. The two of them together create something that fit entirely in the realm of the previously mentioned Tim Burton classic.
Source: Jose Jaro, IDW Publishing
Final Thoughts – 9/10
This inaugural issue from writer Delilah S. Dawson is an absolute standout that I can’t wait to read more of. From the dark themes to the excellent character writing and artwork, “Sleepy Hollow: The Witches of the Western Wood” is series you need to have on your radar!
Tomar Re has taken John, Hal, Guy, and Jo into space, ready to bring the fight to the Black Stars and Mogo. However, what they find may be more than they had bargained for.
Absolute Green Lantern #14. Credit DC Comics. Cover by Jahnoy Lindsay.
Creative Team: Al Ewing, Sid Kotian, Pressy, Lucas Gattoni, and Jahnoy Lindsay.
SPOILERS AHEAD
The Story:
Credit where it’s due: Al Ewing is writing Tomar Re in such a way that I absolutely loathe every time they come across a panel. The arrogance that oozes from him as he taunts Jo and discusses the plan does an incredible job at creating something and someone so hateful and loathsome. We have action happening both on Earth and in space, creating two very intriguing stories that take place simultaneously. Hammond’s crew is after Simon and his partner as they rush to escape in a hunk of junk, dodging bullets each step of the way. I can say that I am into this, as Al can weave these stories and mysteries that are becoming unveiled.
The Art and Letters:
The art is an array of beautiful colors as each Lantern shines brightly in yellow, green, or purple. There are moments with Re telling the story of the Black Stars where we see heads being split down the middle in such raw power that is detailed excellently, and the color work aids in the brutality and contrast. There are moments where the red drips from Jo’s nose, and her face is drawn in such anguish, and the art team is showing and making you feel the power struggles from the panels. The way Lucas’s lettering, especially with Re, adds to the smugness and that sense of loathing I feel is so great and exactly what I want in terms of lettering in telling the story.
Final Thoughts:
Absolute Green Lantern #14 is taking this fight to space and revealing what Tomar Re is out to accomplish. The issue is a blend of incredible art, and Al makes us hate Tomar so much that it’s beautiful storytelling. I cannot wait for what’s next.
King Shazam has been freed from his prison and is set to bring about a new era upon the Absolute Universe! As he rains destruction down upon Superman, another familiar face has entered the battle, and his allegiance remains to be seen.
Absolute Superman #19. Credit DC Comics. Cover by Rafa Sandoval and Ulises Arreola.
Creative Team: Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola, and Becca Carey.
SPOILERS AHEAD
The Story:
This issue packs a freaking punch! There is so much anger, rage, and emotion that Jason has poured into this issue from every angle. The addition of John Henry Irons is a pleasant surprise, as fans may remember his character from the show Superman & Lois! Aaron also hits us with a shocking death that isn’t just simply a death but something far more powerful and shocking, immediately setting the tone of King Shazam. He ruled for all of eight days, and there is a lot of mystery behind how he became imprisoned, leaving us hungry for answers. We are gearing up to have a four-way battle as Hawkman has entered as well, and the four are set to tear one another apart.
The Art and Letters:
I first want to say what a fantastic job Becca Carey does with the lettering in this issue. There are panels full of rage and anger, and the lettering hammers these feelings home in such an impressive way. In terms of the art, there were some awesome things Sandoval and Arreola did, such as the way both Superman’s and Shazam’s capes were more than just that. They became a part of the setting, and they flowed across the panels, taking on a life of their own as the battle raged on. The universe expands a little bit more as the trio flies across the Earth, beating one another down, and they cruise across the skies of a certain city belonging to a Dark Knight. That page alone perked me right up and made the world feel so much bigger, and I cannot wait.
Final Thoughts:
Absolute Superman #19 is a powerful issue that packs brutal blows and brings about an electric issue that expands this universe just a bit more. Teth Adam is not to be messed with, and this is a battle that may consume the world if he is not stopped. I truly am blown away by this issue and it’s an instant must pull!
“A 1400+ page trilogy that brings Space Opera to D&D 5.5e, drawing inspiration from legendary Sci-Fi Films, retro Video Games, classic Animation, pop-culture Nostalgia, and more. Launch into a space adventure with galactic GM Tools in a colorfully cosmic Campaign Setting, or suit up with an astral arsenal of Player Options to soar among the stars.”
Now this project is split between 3 different books:
Outrunner’s Handbook – The Core Character Book! Everything you need to begin your cosmic journey including reimagined sci-fi classes, subclasses, species, backgrounds, spells, and more.
Cosmic Codex – The Core Setting Book! The whole Stardust Rhapsody campaign setting at your fingertips including factions, worlds, monsters, missions, items, and more.
Overdrive Expansion – The Expansion Pack! Even more of the above to fill out an entire galaxy, plus optional and advanced systems like Professions, Racing, Stress & Entertainment, Ship Upgrading, and more.
Book Contents
Now each book has lots of content for your game in it, and you can see that below:
Outrunner’s Handbook:
All 12 Class Skins
New Class: The Machinist
20+ Subclasses
15+ Species
Starship Combat & Vehicle Rules
All 24 Backgrounds
100+ Spells & Feats
Sci-Fi Equipment & Economy
Bounty Hunting System
Cosmic Codex:
Full Setting Guide
All Realms
All 12 Factions
200+ Monsters/Enemies
20 Worlds
20 Missions
Magic Items
Overdrive Expansion:
20+ Subclasses
15+ Species
100+ Monsters/Enemies
10 Worlds
20 Missions
Vehicles & Upgrades
Magic Items
Profession System & Feats
Racing, Gambling & Entertainment System
What The Expect In The Campaign
Now the campaign’s full location is the Stardust Rhapsody, and within the world, there are:
30 Strange New Worlds
6 Interdimensional Realms
40 Missions
Now, there is a whole Space Combat System included in the campaign. The description for it reads:
“Mobilize your squadron and battle among the stars with a brand-new Starfighting System for Space Combat. Become an ace pilot of your own starfighter, man the battle stations of a transport gunship, or climb into the cockpit of an assault mech to engage in unforgettable, cinematic dogfights. Customize your craft with Ship Upgrades to fit your flying style or stay grounded with dozens of other Vehicle Options from tanks to motorcycles.”
Also includes: the new class, The Machinist. This new class allows you to:
“Build mechanical marvels and harness the power of technomancy as a Machinist, a new class for 5.5e that allows you to become an ingenious master of engineering and invention. Discover schematics to create gadgets and gear modifications that equip you for any situation. Specialize your craft to upgrade your arsenal, construct Helpful Robots, or unleash magical Hypertech.”
Now, the regular D&D classes got a Sci-Fi Upgrade, and they have gotten a mechanical upgrade. The subclasses are:
Warlock: Cryptist
Monk: Disciple
Paladin: Enforcer
Sorcerer: Esper
Wizard: Gridrunner
Bard: Icon
Barbarian: Juggernaut
Cleric: Oracle
Druid: Primalist
Rogue: Scoundrel
Fighter: Soldier
Ranger: Tracer
Some of the subclasses teased include:
Virus Gridrunner (Wizard)
Commando Soldier (Fighter)
Holostar Icon (Bard)
Scrapper Juggernaut (Barbarian)
Symmetric Disciple (Monk)
We also learned about some of the species as well, and that list includes:
Oozoid
Raizo
Clawderan
Nilari
Laika
There are going to be over 250 different monsters across this setting. Player will get to:
“Face off against Arcade Fey made of pixels and polygons, destroy Discordant Fiends from space clowns to endless bug swarms, or create endless NPCs with dozens of Sci-Fi Humanoids from bounty hunters to corpos.”
Now, if you want to live out the thrill of racing, the book has full Racing Rules to use. With these rules, you can:
“Compete for first place with new Rules for Racing compatible with vehicles, mounts, and more, complete with collectible power-ups. Find your vocation to make your way in the galaxy with a Profession System, enhance your campaign’s downtime with Stress and Entertainment, roll the dice with Gambling Rules, or increase the immersion with other New Systems to add to your game.”
There are also 12 different factions in the book, and you can pick to join one of them, or you can rise through the ranks with the Galactic Bounty Guild, and you can use the new Bounty Hunting System for that. The factions in the book are:
Argonauts
Bloodfleet
Cavalon Empire
Chemtek Revolution
Grimnir Company
Church Of Karkosa
Kuzai Syndicate
Nexus Consortium
Polaris Society
Saurok Dynasty
Solar Federation
Void Dominimum
There are also over 100+ Magic Items and Sci-Fi Equipment And Weapons that your character can use in the campaign. Also included is the Cosmic Oracle deck, which can be used to:
“Perform readings for yourself or your friends to see what’s written in the stars.”
The campaign will also have miniatures. Includes will be 9 Monster Minis, which will be massive. Also included will be 35 Starship Minis as well, and those can be used for ship racing. There is free playtest material that can be checked out right now. That material has over 50 pages, which includes Starship Combat Rules, 7 Species, A Full Mission, and much more.
Stretch Goals Galore
The campaign launched this morning, got funded in a minute, and have unlocked a multitude of Stretch Goals already, including:
6 New Subclasses:
Quickdraw (Scroundal): See You, Space Cowboy! Run And Gun With This Sharpshooter Gunslinger And Become The Fastest Blaster In The Galaxy.
Deepsworn (Cryptist): Stare Into The Abyss! Unlock The Forbidden Secrets Of The Abyssal Void and Unleash Its Disintegrating Power To Unmake Your Foes.
Anomaly (Disciple): What Is Real? Walk Between Reality And The Hypergrid And Channel Your Digital Soul To See Through Walls And Stop Bullets In Mid-Air.
Harmonious (Oracle): Find Balance! Tap Into The One-Ness Of The Harmony And Channel The Cycle Of Life And Death To Heal Friends And Harm Foes.
Riftwalker (Esper): Phenomenal Cosmic Power! Use Your Mind To Rip Open Tears In Reality And Become A Master Of Both Time And Space.
Protostalker (Tracer): Life Finds A Way! Track Huge Alien Beasts Through Primordial Wilds With Your Loyal Dinosaur Companion At Your Side.
5 New Species:
Nematoan: It’s Time To Feast! Chow Down On Your Enemies And Enhance Your Traits Based On Their Abilities As A Four-Armed Amphibian.
Jenovan: Raise Your Power Level! Go Beyond To Your Final Form And Unleash Enhanced Telekinesis As A Descendent Of Psionic Experiments.
Skettik: Undead Reigns Here! Weave Necromantic Spells And Craft Your Own Personal Minions Made from Bone As A Flightless Carrion Bird.
Zobrak: The Hunt Is On! Leap Out Of The Shadows And Cut Your Prey To Pieces With Blade-Limbs As A Mantis-Like Hunter.
Greeble: Eat Dirt! Follow Your Wonderlust And The Guidance Of The Stars As You Travel Across The Galaxy As A Worm.
2 System Upgrades:
Faction Reputation: Choose Your Allegiance! Earn Reputation And Renown With Any Of The 12 Major Galactic Factions, Unlocking New Rewards And Perks As You Advance.
Racing Power-Ups: Go For First Place! Collect Random Powerups To Gain The Edge Against Your Competitors In Races Across The Galaxy.
Top-Down Tokens- Galactic Citizens: Beautifully Illustrated Top-Down Tokens Featuring Humanoids, Constructs, And Other Antagonists In Digital And Physical Form. Get Them As An Add-On Or In Relevant Tiers.
Atmospheric Album: An Entire Album Of Atmospheric Tunes By Max Cruise To Set The Cosmic Tone As You Soar Among The Stars And Adventure Across Strange New Worlds.
Where we last off in Euphoria, Nate had his toe chopped off by Naz and Rue was being pulled over. With Rue, we start right where we picked off. The police have her in handcuffs, the drug-sniffing dog is having a go at her car, and she knows that she is absolutely screwed. Getting fingerprinted and her mug shot out of the way, she’s in the interrogation room with two investigators. The investigators are not taking it easy on Rue whatsoever, as they already have all the information they need to put her away for years. Showing their hand, they prove they have the evidence they need, which leads Rue to having two options; she can spend her time behind bars, or she can be an informant.
Euphoria season 3, episode 4. HBO Max
Out of all the ways this could’ve gone, this is the most obvious way. Clearly, the season isn’t going to continue with Rue behind bars. This does add fuel to the fire of the theory that Rue will die this season though. That, or is Rue actually already dead and she’s narrating from the great beyond? There’s no telling seeing how this season has been going.
The cops are setting Rue up for failure, with switching out the drugs for sugar pills and laxatives, so it’s only a matter of time before Rue is found out. Plus, Alamo isn’t an up and comer in the villainous underworld, but Rue is. One of them has experience in dealing with snitches and it’s not Rue. The feds also added an app on her phone to handle a bug, and Rue isn’t okay with this at all. But sidenote, we saw Rue’s wallpaper on her phone and it was a picture of her and Fez, which is another connection she has with her friend who’s in jail for 30 years.
The Toe is a Metaphor
Turns out after Nate got his toe cut off, he put the toe on ice and the hospital was able to reattach it. He’s using his toe as a metaphor, which falls flat on Cassie. It’s pretty clear that Cassie is pretty done with the marriage and more interested in making her own career work. I have to say, this version of Nate makes no sense given the last two seasons. Nate is barely recognizable with his upbeat attitude and promise to keeping the fate. Cassie, however, is the exact same person who shows selfishness and makes it clear what her priorities are. She’s intent on making herself into someone famous and she is depending on Maddy to help her reach the stars.
Jules side job
Lexie reaches out to Jules to paint a picture for the show she’s working on. She asks Jules to paint something that has the “sunday picnic at the park” vibe and Jules does not understand the assignment whatsoever. Instead, she paints something that absolutely can not be played on network television, and is actually angry that she has to change it. Not to mention, Lexie is in hot water because the studio lost money on having to wait for Jules. I cannot for the life of me understand Jules’ thought process here. She knew what Lexie asked of her and she new the show that Lexie was working on. It feels like Jules thought a little too highly of herself and assumed whatever she made would be praised.
Nate’s last chance
Nate is desperate to fix all of this mess, so he goes to a city hall meeting to get approval on keeping the endangered flowers on his land protected. After giving a well thought out presentation, his motion was denied. Over and over again, the council told him he’s denied. This leads to a crash out that I think many of us didn’t see coming. He turns to begging on his hands and knees, crying loudly yelling for the council to give him his life back. It’s a scene that’s hard to watch after seeing Nate Jacobs showing strength and confidence in the last two seasons. I’m interested to see if this crash out is what will break Nate into resorting back to his shady ways to get what he wants.
Euphoria season 3, episode 4. HBO Max
Suspicion
Rue is definitely on Alamo’s radar now as she pushes too hard to find out where the drugs will come from next. She’s even accused of being a rat, and you can cut that tension with a knife. Fortunately, she’s able to play it off as she had a relapse but that doesn’t make Alamo any less hard on her.
What’s very interesting about these scenes is that the other girls mention that Angel ran away from rehab, completely disappeared. Personally, I thought she was never going to actually partake in the rehab, but be killed off or sold into trafficking. When the woman at the desk told Rue that no paperwork was necessary when she dropped Angel off, that was the smoking gun I needed to see that Alamo isn’t in the business of strippers, but of trafficking. Coincidentally enough, a new stripper is brought in on this episode named Kitty. Rue is keeping her eye on the girl, which comes back to haunt her.
Cassie’s city persona
Maddy is taking her duties as Cassie’s new manager very seriously. She gives Cassie all the works, new hair, new look, and a new mission. The ladies head off to a party with the goal of having the famous host post on his social media of Cassie looking sexy. Now if you thought Cassie crying over her wedding dress while Nate gets roughed up behind her was annoying, just wait until you see the overly friendly and fake energy she brings to the party. Cassie knows exactly how to get the attention she needs, and she puts her skills to the test. Joined by the influencer that Maddy had taken under her wing in the first episode then had to let her go, Cassie joins the influencer in his room. With drugs added to the mix, Cassie plays her cards right to get him interested.
Euphoria season 3, episode 4. HBO Max
Maddy beats down the door, camera’s and all, and get the money shot of the influencer on top of Cassie, and Cassie smoothly drops her social media handle. What I’m curious about is what happens when Nate sees this video making the rounds on social media.
Unexpected guests
Rue is being called out for asking Kitty if someone is forcing her into this job, even though it’s Rue’s job to handle the dancers. Rue’s phone rings and the Caller ID says it’s her mom, but we all know that it’s actually the feds. The feds say that Rue is compromised and her boss has been told she’s a snitch. Rue is prepared to take this girl down and already has a plan to discredit her.
But this plan is interrupted by some unexpected guests looking to rob Alamo blind. Shots are fired, Rue’s face is covered in blood, and the thieves get away with everything in the vault. After doing some investigating, Rue finds out that it wasn’t a random robbery, but a plan sought out by Laurie’s people. Not unexpected after Alamo killed her bird, but this wasn’t the way I thought they’d go about their revenge.
There’s no telling what’s going to happen in the next episode, as this season has been hard to nail down. The characters are desperate and living out of reaction. Nate is at his lowest, Cassie has the attention she wants from the public but now she has to keep it, Rue is accused of being a rat while the feds watch her every look, Faye is in trouble as she was the getaway driver for the robbery. The show is set up to have nothing short of an explosive fifth episode. Come back here in a week to see my review for the fifth episode!
Let me know in the comments what you thought of this episode of Euphoria!
This review was written by Megan from the Vigilante Vibes Podcast! If you liked my review, be sure to check out my other reviews! Find me on my socials, and check out my Marvel podcast, Vigilante Vibes, by clicking here!
Films involving witches tend to be relatively straight forward. There’s a witch. The witch is bad and doing bad things. Scene. Damien McCarthy took this overly simple structure and made it a sidequest. Yes, at it’s core, McCarthy’s latest film, ‘Hokum’ is a horror film, but it’s so much more at the same time. The film utilizes a litany of different genres, weaving a web of different stories that hurtle towards the same end. ‘Hokum’ is a stained glass window. A million different pieces that blend to create the bigger picture. While it’s not without it’s faults, they are so few and far between they’re almost not worth mentioning, providing one of the best theater experiences of the year.
Ohm Bauman has had a complicated life, leading him to become a writer. After developing writer’s block and needing time away, he finally decides to dispose of his parent’s ashes at the Irish inn where they had gone for their honeymoon. An Irish inn that just so happens to be inhabited by a witch. While the story seems quite vanilla and run of the mill, it’s merely a sidequest for something far larger and sinister that has been going on at the inn.
Adam Scott in ‘Hokum.’ Courtesy of NEON Films.
Into the Dark
‘Hokum’ is a dark and brooding film that marinates within the darkness. The brilliance in that choice is that it never gets lost. Damien McCarthy manages to brilliantly weave every web perfectly as the film hurtles towards it’s climax. I found myself genuinely surprised at times with how effortlessly McCarthy brought each lose thread into play. Weaving a tapestry of brilliance that built the smoothest roller coaster ride I’ve ever been on. I can’t wait to ride again.
McCarthy’s use of narrative is matched by his use of genre. ‘Hokum’ presents as a horror film, but it’s also a mystery thriller with a dash of action and comedy. It’s part drama. The film is a truly a genre salad that works exceptionally well. The use of genre helps the narrative to stay on pace and on track. The complex narrative and genre bending nature of this film have provided audiences with one of the most creative films that I have seen in a long time.
Adam Scott in ‘Hokum.’ Courtesy of NEON Films.
(Un)Luck of the Irish
Setting the film in Ireland gave McCarthy the perfect palette with which to paint upon. The Irish woodland provided the appropriate amount of creepy to match the dark and witchy tone of the film. The cinematography throughout ‘Hokum’ is utterly brilliant, highlighting the beauty of the countryside. It serves just as much as a travel video as it does a narrative horror film.
Ireland lent, not only it’s beauty, but it’s folklore. The folklore serves as an accent to the story that gives the overall narrative more depth. It’s also familiar. Many people are familiar with witches and the folklore that follows them. It helps root the story with a level of reality as something darker and more sinister is afoot.
‘Hokum.’ Courtesy of NEON Films.
The Brilliance of Adam Scott
Adam Scott plays a narcissistic, jerk like no other. It’s genuinely the only role I’ve ever seen him play and yes, I know that’s more of a me problem than a him problem, but he does it so well, it only makes sense that he would continue to be cast in those roles. The thing is ‘Hokum’ pulls from so many of Scott’s other talents that this performance may very well be remembered as his finest. Simply put, Adam Scott is brilliant.
The introverted cynicism with which Scott protrays Bauman hits harder as the story unfolds. It’s clear that there is more to the tormented antagonist and as he descends into the dark the audience is brought deeper and deeper into the figurative dark that infects Bauman’s mind. Always one for a quip, Scott does flex his comedic muscles, but he also portrays some of the dramatic that many who love him in the AppleTV series, ‘Severance, know him for. Scott puts on a clinic of acting precision, keeping pace with the genre bending of his director.
Adam Scott in ‘Hokum.’ Courtesy of NEON Films.
Final Thought:
‘Hokum’ is one of those films that I’m going to be talking about for a really long time. Like a kernel shell, it’s stuck in my tooth begging me to get back to a cinema to see it again. Flawed minimally, Damien McCarthy has provided one of the truly brilliant horror thrillers of the decade.
It’s Symbie #1 Cover A By Jacob Chabot (Credit: Marvel Comics)
Marvel is releasing It’s Symbie, a new one-shot collecting his appearances from both the Symbie Infinity comic on Marvel Unlimited, and his appearances from the Marvel Mutts Infinity Comic as well. The creative teams include:
Writers: Jacob Chabot & MacKenzie Cadenhead
Artists: Jacob Chabot & Enid Balám
Colorists: Rachelle Rosenberg, Andrew Dalhouse & Fernando Sifuentes
Letterer: Joe Sabino
The comic’s official description reads:
“SYMBIE GOES SOLO!
Symbie may be a symbiote without a host, but that’s never slowed him down! Ever since Spider-Man freed him from a mad scientist’s lab, Symbie has made it his mission to unleash mischief across the Marvel Universe. His latest targets? The Fantastic Four, Thor, Scarlet Witch, Iron Man, Captain America and the Marvel Mutts!”
It’s Symbie #1 releases July 8, and you can also catch Symbie in the new season of Spidey And His Amazing Friends when it premieres on Disney Junior.
These variant covers will be celebrating Disability Pride Month. The covers will also be coming with a special story that will be told across 4 Marvel Comics titles. The story is written by comic book author and New York Times Bestselling Author Marieke Nijkamp, with art by Andrea Di Vito.
Amazing Spider-Man #32 Disability Pride Month Variant Cover By Jamie McKelvie (Credit: Marvel Comics)
The story will be following:
Daredevil
Misty Knight
Echo
Hawkeye
Silhouette
Finesse
Writer Marieke Nijkamp had this to say about the story:
“It may sound a bit cheesy to say this is a dream project, but for these stories, I got to bring together a roster of spectacular heroes and write an epic adventure that’s all about strength in community. It really is a dream come true.”
Meanwhile, Artist Andrea Di Vito said this:
“Super heroes are meant to inspire us to be better, but sometimes we forget that the greatest inspirations come from real life. People with disabilities prove to each and every one of us that the true measure of our worth is our spirit and our will, not the limitations of our bodies. I am happy to be working with Marieke Nijkamp. Their work speaks with a true voice and shines through every character they write.”
The 4 Marvel Comics, and their release dates, that will have Variant Covers and the story inside of them include:
Amazing Spider-Man #32: July 1st
Variant Covers By Jamie McKelvie & Leinil Frances Yu
