Category: Comic Books

There’s No Need to Run to See Flash in Theatres. Wait for Streaming.

It’s hard not to want to compare which presentation of DC Comic’s Flash is best after watching this cinematic take.

The Flash Theatrical Release PosterSpoiler Alert

Even without the publicity surrounding Ezra Miller before the release of The Flash, I wasn’t keen on the story. Turning back time and more multiverse stories is not a good idea to regurgitate. This character is well known because of his involvement in Flashpoint, any version, and he’s just as important to help end the Crisis on Infinite Earths. In the latter, he saves the omniverse from full implosion, and what’s teased for the movie says enough. 

It’s also unlikely writers John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein and Joby Harold planned a full wipe prior to the hire of James Gunn. The only parts of the film I liked was a look at what was talked about but never executed: From giving Nick Cage the cape to show Chris Reeve and Helen Slater together, the homage generally worked. 

Continue reading “There’s No Need to Run to See Flash in Theatres. Wait for Streaming.”

Trigun Maximum! Continues to Ride On at Dark Horse! Deluxe Format News

Can’t get enough of Vash the Stampede? For newcomers and anyone wanting an upgrade, Trigun has a new printing and following that will be Trigun Maximum!

Trigun Maximum! Vol One Temp CoverFollowing the release of the Deluxe Edition of Trigun single volume collection arriving in December 2023, the next manga series to be released in Deluxe Edition hardcover format will be Trigun Maximum! Volume 1 will be available in April 2024.

This Deluxe Edition of Volume 1 gathers the first three volumes in a deluxe hardcover edition featuring nearly 600 pages of Yasuhiro  Nightow’s signature creation in the original oversized format!

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Should Readers Be Scared? Quinnelope and The Cookie King Catastrophe is Coming Sept 19th!

“Writing Quinnelope And The Cookie King Catastrophe was an absolute blast!” said artist Kayla Coombs, “Brownfield and I have the same goofy sense of humor, so each page was a chance to crack each other up.”

Quinnelope and the Cookie King CatastropheAvailable to preorder on Amazon USA

Oni Press, the multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comic book and graphic novel publisher, is proud to present Quinnelope And The Cookie King Catastrophe: Vol. 1, a hysterically funny and refreshingly imaginative middle grade graphic novel series from debut creators HF Brownfield and Kayla Coombs. When Quinnelope and friends discover all the cookies in the kingdom have gone missing, they must battle a series of food-inspired enemies to find the missing cookies and restore the Cookie King to his rightful place as the #1 tasty treat of Pleasant Towne. This book will hit stores on September 19, 2023.

Featuring large panels, dyslexia-friendly lettering, colourful artwork, and light text per page, the Quinnelope series is a quick and fun-filled read. “Brownfield and Coombs have created a story that’s perfect for reluctant readers and young comic readers looking for some good natured fun,” said Oni Press Senior Editor Grace Scheipeter. “Fans of InvestiGators and Dog Man will have a new favourite series, come this fall.” Continue reading “Should Readers Be Scared? Quinnelope and The Cookie King Catastrophe is Coming Sept 19th!”

It’s All About Love and Extended Family in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, A Fan Commentary and Review

Everything we love about Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 is amped up in a perfect send off. And as for the future….

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 Movie Poster
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. © 2023 MARVEL.

Light Spoiler Alert

Say it ain’t so, but James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 is most likely it for fans of this series. Controversies aside, I’ve admired what he can imagine! Without him as the storyteller, it’s doubtful that any future appearances and reasons for them to continue will be up to snuff. As for how I feel about the MCU as a whole, it hasn’t been as exciting since the build-up to a universal is multi-fold rather than unilateral. Thankfully, his series is self-contained and doesn’t allude to what else is happening in Earth-616. An article written by Ben Collins for The Collider clarifies the confusion in terms of where all the different films from Sony, Fox, and Disney/Marvel exist in.

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Camosun Comic Arts Festival 2023 Post Event Report

Only 20 seats are available in the one-year certificate program which leads up to graduating and presenting their final project at the Camosun Comic Arts Festival. They’re all talented individuals!

Camosun Comic Arts Festival 2023 PosterThe start of this decade was off to a rocky start for anyone who loves their pop culture and comic book style conventions. That’s because the health scare had some events cancelled or stopped altogether. Thankfully the Camosun Comic Arts Festival persevered. It returned in 2022, and I attended; however, there wasn’t much to report since it’s tough to resume with all engines running after a pandemic and what I have to say would be no different from past coverage.

The 2023 event is this program’s 10th Anniversary! Not only did it change to the Wilna Thomas Center, but also it was put into one room. As a result, it stopped being like a comic book convention. Gone are the massive dealer’s room, a schedule of guest lectures and the “drawing room.” What was offered yesterday is how a Comic Arts Festival should run; it’s about discovering new talents and learning about where they want to take their works to.

Legends Comics shop co-owner and Perogy Cat illustrator, Gareth Gaudin, who is now the head of this program, said he wanted to bring this event back to its roots–to celebrate the sequential art medium–and have people together in one space rather than spread out. That way, attendees can meet all the talents under one roof. This organiser wasn’t given a budget. If he was offered one, Gaudin most likely would have gone all out to recognise 10 glorious years, but that’s another story.

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When Shazam! Fury of the Gods Has Focus, What’s His Inspiration?

When we’re dealing with the classical antiquity as core concept for Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the entire Greek pantheon better show up!

Shazam! Fury of the Gods Movie PosterAll the DC movies from this year exist in a strange place. Since they’re not part of the new universe, they aren’t necessarily considered ongoing canon. That’s because of Warner Bros/Discovery wanting to revamp everything. After Black Adam (my movie review and commentary can be read here) did not invest enough into the legends and lore, I had trepidation regarding Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

I love the idea of incorporating mythology from ancient cultures into any superhero movie treatment. When done right, some heroes are just modern day updates to classical figures. For example, Horus is the spiritual predecessor of Hawkman. For the titular hero in this franchise, he embodies the best traits from six Greek divinities–Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury.

But when a sisterhood from Greek myth decides it’s time to torment Billy Batson (Asher Angel and Zachary Levi), he’s in trouble. They are targeting his surrogate family to reacquire the power bequeathed to them by Shazam (and The Wizard). The death of the gods and to resurrect them is a big theme.

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