April 2022 | Otaku No Culture |

Roye Okupe’s Windmaker is Simply Explosive

I recommend Roye Okupe’s Windmaker because it has everything I want to see in Black Panther 2.

Dark Horse Comics
Available to purchase on Amazon USA

The art and story in Roye Okupe‘s Windmaker looks like it’s inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender and I think the homage is intentional. Instead of a familiar tale, we have something different that draws from African lore. The Dragon Stones do more than represent the elements; they play a role in the broader universe that this author created. These jewels also grant the holder super abilities.

But some knowledge of this techno-fantasy is required: The Kingdom of Atala was invaded by the Olon Jin centuries ago, and these “false gods” weren’t helping the people at all. The citizens revolted, and these aliens were banished to an island instead of back to whence they came. Over the centuries, this country developed at a pace to perhaps even rival Wakanda from the MCU–but as for who rules this kingdom, that’s uncertain. There’s corruption in the government, and a hero needs to rise within the ranks to prevent another dictatorship from forming.

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The Bad Guys are Wild and Crazy!

Someone wants to bust out DreamWorks Animation‘s The Bad Guys from jail. This animated film continues one of this studio’s goals of adapting wildly successful children’s novels to film, and Aaron Blabey‘s original work is well worth investigating after seeing this cinematic adaptation. They may explain the finer points of why these rowdy masters of crime have turned good. There’s fifteen books to show why!

Not even Michael Jackson can sing the praises of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, maybe. That‘s due to Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell) seeing the light. This film might as well be a behavioural study of more than just one criminal. This leading character comes from the Canis genus. As most dog owners know, when their beloved pet wags their tail, they’re very appreciative of the attention they’re getting. When Mr. Wolf finds his own tail acting on its own rather than crooked, we get a wonderful look at why doing good deeds matter. No matter how hard he tries to disguise his gang’s actions as being bad, there’s a measure of good intent nestled in all their actions.

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Is Anyone Excited for the New Rescue Rangers?

The new Rescue Rangers trailer doesn’t add to what’s currently known about the film.

Coming to Disney Plus

The new Rescue Rangers trailer doesn’t add to what’s currently known about the film, and not everyone is open to seeing this fond property from their youths modernised. Some works stand the test of time and others don’t need the 21st century upgrade. The duo have gone their separate ways, and it’s tough to say if they’re better off for it. Chip (now voiced by John Mulaney) seems to be set in the past, and Dale (Andy Samberg), however new that he is (that is, he’s rendered in 3D), the fact he’s doing conventions to make ends meet suggests that not even he can move forward to doing new projects.

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The British Paranormal Society’s Dark Horse Death Defying Debut!

The British Paranormal Society is an all new comic book miniseries by Chris Roberson and Mike Mignola, and it has the makings of running like the real life Society of Paranormal Research!

The British Paranormal Society Dark Horse Comics
Available in Comic Stores Near You

The British Paranormal Society is an all new comic book miniseries by Chris Roberson and Mike Mignola, and it has the makings of running like the real life Society of Paranormal Research! The introductions on how they work are very similar and we see the comparison nicely highlighted in the very first few pages.

In this debut, Simon Bruttenholm and Honora Grant are two founding members who’ve set out to investigate the strange goings on at Noxton, England. They aren’t out to find a ghostly haunting. Instead, Honora is looking into this town’s oddball traditions–perhaps on a similar trail as in The Wicker Man–and Simon is searching for his missing assistant. He was last known to have visited this town. But there’s mysterious standing stones nearby that has the man’s attention.

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All the Heavy Metal is with the Nostalgia

Fans of Heavy Metal the Movie noiw have a remastered 4K and ATMOS presentation to thrill to.

Available to order on Amazon USA

Heavy Metal was the magazine to read during the 70s and 80s. The reason is that it was the place for talents to write or draw what they want–and not be restricted by censorship. In its original format, I was introduced to the works of Jean Giraud (a.k.a. Moebius). In the American edition, names like H. R. Giger, William Gibson and Harlan Ellison soon graced this publication.

Some of the writing and the artwork featured was once considered cutting edge; it’s very clearly a product of its time. The sexist works won’t hold up today for obvious reasons, and releasing this movie is mostly for those who are okay to the violence and adult themes portrayed. Fans of this anthology series have a remastered 4K presentation of the first movie to thrill to. An extra disc of the main and the second film on blu-ray was unusual. When comparing the prices of the Amazon USA and Canada edition, the former is the better place to order from.

In looking at the purchased physical release rather than an advanced online screener (that I had to wait to arrive by mail order), there’s plenty to like in this remaster. A bit of that soft grainy look is gone, and the better images come later in the film than earlier. Plus, for collectors, the Steelbook offering is a huge draw!

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Good News Winter Ember Fans, There’s a Comic Book Prequel!

Winter Ember covers the Artorious family’s downfall in a comic book trade paperback!

Winter Ember, the isometric stealth sandbox action game from publisher Blowfish Studios and developer Sky Machine Studios, finalizes its own prequel graphic novel series in a full physical compilation. Thanks to an all-star writing and illustration team, in partnership with comic and manga publisher eigoMANGA. The eight-part story of the Artorious family’s downfall is available in a single collection.

Author Kevin Grevioux, renowned for his writing on a collection of Marvel and DC Comics stories like Amazing Spider-Man, Young Avengers, Cyborg, among others, as well as the creator of the Underworld and I-Frankenstein film franchises, sets the backdrop for Winter Ember’s epic stealth-narrative.

Chris Awayan, previously known for the Indestructible comic series, put pen to paper as the illustrator. Iconic cover art from Ben Herrera, best known for his work on Marvel Adventures, X-Men Adventures, and Batman: Arkham Knights, rounds out the team of industry luminaries.

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