Month: December 2019

Taking Jumanji to the Next Level …

To up the ante in what Jumanji

Jumanji Movie PosterSpoiler Alert

The world of Jumanji is dangerous, and The Next Level proves just how vicious it can be. This third film of the series shows that “players” from our reality are not simply transported there for fun. It’s sentient and the reason is with how it recognizes select individuals and helps them out in crazy vicious ways.

When it was first discovered, it was a board game. But when it realizes that video games are the in thing, like a Motherbox from the DC Comic book world, it reconfigured itself so anyone finding it will try the game out. Usually those who are baited in discover for themselves how much life is better afterwards.

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Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology Rides a Dark Horse!

Neil Gaiman\'s Norse Mythology Book CoverToday, Dark Horse Comics is pleased to announce the adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology into comic book form! Featuring a pantheon of award-winning artists, including Mike Mignola, P. Craig Russell, and Jerry Ordway. Colorists Dave Stewart and Lovern Kindzierski and letterer Galen Showman round out the creative team in this amazing first issue. This new series will feature covers by P. Craig Russell with colors by Lovern Kindzierski and variant covers by David Mack. Subsequent issues of Norse Mythology (18 issues total) will feature a mix of major interior artists to be announced later.

“I fell in love with the Norse gods from reading about them in comics as a boy, so it’s only fitting that they return to the medium that started it,” said Norse Mythology creator Neil Gaiman. “I cannot wait to see P. Craig Russell and his collaborators tell the old stories for a new generation.”

After previously writing about deities in American Gods and The Sandman, Gaiman finally brings readers to follow the northern gods in their own setting in this comic book adaptation of the hit novel! Gaiman and P. Craig Russell breathe new life into the ancient Norse stories by taking readers through the creation of the Nine Worlds to the epic origin and adventures of Thor, Odin, and Loki all the way to the end of life—Ragnarök.

The first issue of Norse Mythology goes on sale May 27, 2020.

It’s The Vintage Tempest’s Hard Rock Christmas Countdown!

I’d rather have a Hard Rock Christmas and I’m not talking about wanting a piece of coal in my stocking.

Image result for trans siberian orchestraBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

When the malls are flooded with traditional music to get shoppers into the Christmas mood, I find I need heavy metal or grunge instead to start rocking it. I’d rather have a Hard Rock Christmas and I’m not talking about wanting a piece of coal in my stocking.

When considering my mood won’t always get uplifted by hearing those sleigh bells jingling, ring tingle tingling, and finding the lovely weather is colder than you like, it’s time to get the body moving to stay warm! When it’s time, I’m sure the last track is cozy enough to fall asleep to.

With only days left for that day (instead of counting down from twelve), I offer my picks to listen down to (the order is intentional) as that annual holiday draws near:

Manic Street Preachers
Ghost of Christmas

Not everyone will know of this Welsh rock band, but when I discovered them, I was hooked! Their sound brings a touch of Roy Orbison, The Clash and perhaps Sex Pistols together in a harmony which simply caught my attention. Ghost of Christmas is simply punk at its best.

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Rebuilding Cars Wars from the Chassis on Up on Kickstarter & More!

Image result for car wars kickstarterBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Those thrilling car chases in Mad Max or Cannonball Run is getting a Steve Jackson Games‘ (SJG) rebuild of their classic game Car Wars. It’s on Kickstarter to help revv production up to a higher gear before it makes its reintroduction in the retail market. After more than a week since its launch, this miniature war game hit its goal of going into production and it’s about time it’s reimagined as my friends and I have played more than a decade ago.

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25 Years of David Mack’s Kabuki and An Omnibus!

David Mack\'s Kabuki Comic Book Cover
Available for purchase on AmazonDavid Mack\'s Kabuki Omnibus Cover

Publication Date:
December 11, 2019

Released by:
Dark Horse Comics

Sony Picture‘s adaptation of David Mack’s Kabuki is coming to television and anyone not familiar with this cyberpunk treat can easily get updated with the omnibus collection! Not only is this work celebrating 25 years in publication but also the fact it continuing says something. The first volume brings “Circle of Blood” and “Dreams of the Deep” together in a perfect introduction to the seminal character. Ukiko was an innocent girl once, but as an assassin, she’s under a simple moniker.

The stories featured here are about the evolution of “The Warrior,” and no I’m not thinking of the song by Scandal featuring Patty Smyth. This music video may have inspired the artist/writer in its themes, but I feel Roxette’s “Dangerous” serves an equal amount of defining who Kabuki is. The first chapter deals with her training and how not to fail her employers. The South Asian world is dog eat dog, and she must navigate the corridors of deception and deceit if she’s to get by.

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The Ingredients That Define, instead of Get Behind Cuisine Chinoise

Cuisine Chinoise Book Cover
Preorder on Amazon USA hereCuisine Chinoise Sample Image

Plenty of Chinese cooking philosophy can be learned in the upcoming release of Zao Dao’s comic anthology Cuisine Chinoise: 5 Tales of Life and Food. Dark Horse Comics is publishing the translated edition and it is set for release June 2020.

In what’s key to this culture’s style of cuisine is in different ingredients gel together. It’s not just about the tastes, but also in how it brings people together. It’s said to bring different people of conflicting ideologies together. Just look at Voltron: Legendary Defender. In the finale. Hunk (the Yellow Paladin) believes he can bring feuding empires together at the dinner table. Peace can be made one meal at a time. Mending old wounds can be tough, and when some food has healing properties, perhaps all that’s needed is a careful time to taste that fine red wine.

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