Tag: High School

The Final Word on Rise of the Pink Ladies is that the Story Can’t End on that Cliffhanger!

Although the music in Rise of the Pink Ladies doesn’t hit the same high notes as the cinematic musical, it’s still a fun look at the pressures one can find in high school life set in California.

Grease Rise of the Pink Ladies Season One
Available to stream or purchase on home video (Amazon link)

Spoiler Alert

There are many reasons I believe Rise of the Pink Ladies (RotPL) works as a prequel to the world known as Grease. Although the time takes place about two years before the cinematic musical, it’s easy to see how it ties all together. The two tweens who eventually become the supporting leads in the story that shaped the IP are recognizable, and yay for Rizzo! Although I didn’t catch the series when it was streaming, I’m thankful Paramount sent me the home video release to evaluate this series.

Because of internal shuffling of the company’s assets and perhaps also low ratings, the decision to cancel and remove the series was not out of malice. It’s now on Apple TV and Amazon, but as for whether there’s more story to tell, I’ll answer that at the end.

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Revel Guts Web Comic is Getting a Dark Horse Treatment with a Trade Paperback!

Fans of the anime subgenre of magical girls will get to enjoy Sparks as its collected into a trade paperback for all to enjoy in print!

Revel Guts Sparks Volume 1 Portals Original CoverClass is in session in this new magical school series, beginning with Sparks Volume 1: Portals! This fresh LGBTQ+ coming-of-age fantasy tale began as a webcomic by Revel Guts, and will be available in a print edition from Dark Horse Books in July 2024.

In a world rising from the ashes of destruction, Human society thrives only through their complex alliance with the magical Satyr. Philo has always been the worst student in his class at the academy, with powerful magic he can barely control. His lack of ambition and discipline is about to catch up with him as graduation day looms. When he’s paired to train together with the aloof star student Atlas, Philo’s magic backfires, teleporting them both far from home. Now, their futures depend on them working together to make it back to their school in time.

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When All You Need is Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken to Save the Day!

When Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken goes from being a zero to hero, this classic Hero’s Journey is appropriate.

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Movie PosterRuby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, is definitely going to be expanded upon following its theatrical run. Whether one goes to see it on the big screen or after it’s run on streaming services, the room left for growing this world is certainly evident.

In what I loved from this coming of age tale is that the hero finds her self-worth. It’s an enjoyable film. Although what’s presented is no different from Turning Red, the legends to which this story borrows from is not limited to one legendary monster. There may be more hiding in plain sight, and we’re not just seeing it. Hopefully a television series is considered since this world is ripe for expansion!

What’s introduced is but a start for the title character (voiced by Lana Condor). She’s a very socially awkward teen who later learns she can command respect when she wants to make it so. But before she can become that hero, she has to learn about her heritage. That’s because when her parents left the sea life behind, they decided that it’s best not to tell her anything. Thankfully, it’s all disclosed later in the story.

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Don’t You Forget About Me in Fearbook Club

Marco Matrone’s art gives Fearbook Club a feel of an Archie comic. School’s out for some, but for others, they’re trapped. He portrays these ghosts The Sixth Sense-style.

NOV211082 - FEARBOOK CLUB OGN - Previews WorldAftershock Comics
Available to order on Amazon USA

Fortunately, nobodyis serving detention in Richard A. Hamilton’s graphic novel Fearbook Club. Whit Garcia is the new kid in middle school. He doesn’t gave friends. His concerned principal offershim a place at Yearbook club sincehe loves takingphotos. This lad has a talent for gettingsnaps of ghostly figures too, something he tries to rationalise as dirt or anomalies of light.

It’s a detail I appreciate is in how careful Whit is with his “paranormal investigation.”  He goes digging and discovers this school’s history says it all. For decades, youths have been disappearing. The reason they’re hiding is that they’ve been chased there, bullied by their peers (from various eras), and all of that has created a Freddy Krueger-like character who dampens their spirits. It doesn’t allow them to leave, and it’s the type of traditional horror trope which makes those tales truly terrifying!

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