Who Is The Puppet Master in The Suicide Squad?

While The Suicide Squad is not likely to integrate with the rest of the DCEU anytime in the future, I’m hoping this rework proves that making more Rated R films is a must.

DC FanDome: 'The Suicide Squad' Unveils Cool Footage And New PostersSpoiler Alert

James Gunn has topped himself since he was given complete freedom to redo Suicide Squad. That 2016 film was great at introducing villains to do the dirty work that Uncle Sam doesn’t want to acknowledge, but isn’t all that memorable. This 2021 soft reboot that adds The to the title surpasses everything David Ayer attempted, and ups the ante. James‘ eccentric vision even includes a crazy build up to the finale typical for a Troma film (where this filmmaker got his start). Whether Ayer had to abide by the rules the Warner Bros and DC established with this franchise or he just did not understand the characters at all, Gunn makes the motley crew (from beginning to end instead of those who survived) rootin’, tootin’ hilarious

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Breaking Barriers with Rock Critic Confidential

But to know this man means reading his autobiography, which makes up part of why Rock Critic Confidential is essential reading. One detail I greatly appreciated is the index featuring a list of the musicians he’s photographed on stage.

Rock Critic Confidential: Morgan, Jeffrey
Released: June 28, 2021
New Haven Publishing Ltd
Available to purchase on Amazon USA

Canada’s best known rock critic Jeffrey Morgan has a secret. Not everything he’s written or published in the past can be retrieved. He’s been in the business of covering the music scene since 1964, and he has a style that many people, musicians included, like. In Rock Critic Confidential, we see how he made a name for himself and has a way of getting his interviewees to open up. It’s funny to think his first career goal was to write for comics (more on this later).

Rock Critic Confidential is a salacious tell-all lands as a hardcover coffee-table book and reading it is a wonderful trip through memory lane—especially when those big names were just getting their start. The distinguishing feature in the book is how readers get to learn something they may not have known. Was it hearsay or from someone in the know? Within this book are his “interrogations” with Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Meatloaf, Nash The Slash and many more.

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Janie’s Got A Gun in Black’s Myth by Ahoy Comics!

This world isn’t any different from the classic World of Darkness scheme in the RPG world. In the first issue alone, I get the sense there’s also demons, vampires and other spooks hiding ’round the corner. We just may see them featured in upcoming issues.

Black's Myth #1Ahoy Comics
Now Available in Comic Stores
Spoiler Alert

Who needs an American Werewolf in London when there’s an Afro-American one in the mean streets of Los Angeles. Janie “Strummer” Jones is a P.I. on the hunt for the assassin out to kill her kind in the comic titled Black’s Myth. She took one for the team, and thankfully survived. However, she has yet to identify the killer. Ben Si’lat is her assistant and a djinn to boot! He can’t grant wishes, but can help her out in other ways that she can’t. She can only do so much when in lupine form to use her enhanced senses.

This noir-style horror comic book from writer Eric Palicki and artist Wendell Cavalcanti has a lot to like. Presenting this world in B&W gives this world character. Plus, the blood splatters look better when painted in plain ol’ black.

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Who is Imogen of the Wyrding Way?

The writing is solid in this one shot. We have a very focussed tale which sees this Lady of the Wyrd take an interest in world affairs. The Hexancorps are better defined in this tale and the action is on who will live or die by the sword.

Imogen of Wyrding WayBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Available Now
Spoiler Alert

The release of the comic book, Imogen of the Wyrding Way, continues in developing the greater conflict that’s still to come in The Outerverse. My guess is that Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden are building to a grand finale instead of simply giving a bit of backstory to these supporting characters since the release of Cojacaru the Skinner and the coming (Josef) The Golem Walks Among Us.

The atmosphere found in this latest has a Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them vibe. Instead of historical New York, the narrative takes place somewhere outside the town of Copenhagen where Imogen, a good witch, is helping to save the world from evil. That is, she offers help to those find themselves against a force even worse than the Nazis.

The artwork by Peter Bergting and colours by Michelle Madsen lean on that style, and I suspect from the movie, BFG, too. The monsters have an appetite for humans…

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The Details on Zoop, A New Crowdfunding Platform for Comic Book Creators!

Zoop’s plans to open their platform to everyone in the comic book and publishing world.

Zoop LogoBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Visit the website here.

There’s a new crowdfunding platform called Zoop which is specifically tailored for comic book creators to get their works published in a timely manner. This alternative is now live and one of the first books to be featured is Slow City Blues, an Indiana Jones-style action adventure with Who Framed Roger Rabbit-esque insanity to boot! This series will run for five issues and features the talents of Samuel Haine (creator), Shawn Moll (Black Panther), John Livesay (The Flash) and David Baron (JLA) with many cover artists contributing. This title has been years in the making and many fans, myself included, is excited to see this hit the stretch!

The people behind this platform plan to start with a curated site featuring notable creators with “original” ideas they want to get published. Sometimes the big names aren’t interested for one reason or another. I’m glad the independent scene have options. It used to be with the big two–Kickstarter and Indiegogo–but sometimes these entities don’t step in when problems arise and the fans are mad. They also take a considerable cut and the creators don’t earn the money they deserve. I’m more hesitant these days because of this fact and most have delivered despite personal health or other issues preventing delivery. Tech goods are a different beast altogether as sometimes these ideas and those people disappear, taking away the money of those supporters and there’s little recourse.

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How to Bridge a Peace in Beasts of Burden: Occupied Territory #3

The first issue was merely a tease, the second dealt with tanukis and witches, the third goes deep with Kappas, Kitsune, Yamawaros and many more. This release may well be the Mononoke Hime of the franchise, as it deals with some overarching themes from the Ghibli anime in a subtler context.

Imogen of Wyrding WayBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Dark Horse Comics
Available Now

Spoiler Alert

The many yokai that Emerys has to face in Beasts of Burden: Occupied Territory shows that not even the weight of the world can stop him in his obligation to keep the humans safe. I’ve skipped looking at an issue because there’s still a lot to address in this mini-series and I knew #3 will focus on more than the rising action. This latest tale by Evan Dorkin and Sarah Dyer nicely introduces readers to the supernatural side of Japan. Benjamin Dewey’s style remains beautifully solid, and this latest shows he can bring a tear to this reader’s eye.

The first issue was merely a tease, the second dealt with tanukis and witches, the third goes deep with Kappas, Kitsune, Yamawaros and many more. This release may well be the Mononoke Hime of the franchise, as it deals with some overarching themes from the Ghibli anime in a subtler context.

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