Tag: Superhero

Highwater Press. From Little by Little to The Rez Doctor, This Publisher is Paving A Bright Future for Everyone!

Sometimes, reading influential books and graphic novels is enough to show how young readers can change their lives for the better, and Highwater Press is leading the way!

Highwater Press LogoHighwater Press continues to impress readers with heroes who can make a difference in everyday life. Whether this concerns a young child in Little By Little to another who desires to dream big in The Rez Doctor, just what makes these stories special is that these role models come from indigenous roots.

I’m glad this publisher has given me the opportunity to read most of their late summer and autumn catalogue of works. They opened my eyes to what anyone can be capable of. While the focus is on what these writers with First Nations upbringing can imagine up, I really enjoyed their takes on life, how to change for the better, and be more humane to one another.

For example, the Reckoner Rises (review) series shows teens coming together and learning how to use their mutant (superhero) abilities to take on the establishment. Not every graphic novel released are as simple as that. They just tackle social issues everyone should be aware of. After the discovery of a mass grave in Kamloops, the theme of how to heal and do better for a rewarding future will always be a theme. That aspect is central to what the Surviving the City series (review) is about.

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DreamWorks’ Megamind Rules Finds Its Stride After Mid-Season!

When Eric Fogel isn’t no longer remembered for his work on Celebrity Deathmatch, it seems his talent is wasted in showrunning Megamind Rules, the indirect sequel to the movie, and followup to the lamented Doom Syndicate.

Megamind Rules Promotionsl PosterDreamWorks Animation
Streaming on Peacock and Broadcasting on YTV

The second half of Megamind Rules is far better than the first because there’s a lot more of a serialised tale going on. Here, this villain turned hero (who I’ll nickname as Mega/MM) has to contend with Machiavillain (perfectly handled by the musician turned comedian Adam Lambert). This uber bad guy’s feelings got hurt when he switched, and to get him to return to his old ways is tougher than what Gru faced. This pointy nosed protagonist has a family to keep him grounded and when his brother is still up to no good, the polarity will always exist.

Here, MM has Chum/Minion (his ever so faithful number one), Roxanne who is now mayor of the city, and Keiko, a “Mega” fan, to help him fight crime. This new character was introduced in Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate, and I wasn’t aware until I did some backtracking. I tried watching this direct to video sequel, and sadly, it simply didn’t live up to what the film represents.

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When The Reckoner Rises, Just Who Are the Watchman?

God Flare is the latest volume in the Reckoner Rises series from best-selling author David A. Robertson.

The Reckoner Rises Book CoverHighwater Press

The Reckoner Rises is a graphic novel series that’s sure to turn heads. I would not advise jumping in with the latest volume, titled God Flare. I was curious because of the fantastic attention grabbing cover by Scott B. Henderson, but in order to understand what’s going on, I had to chase down the first two graphic novels. I got the feeling this work took inspiration from Alan Moore’s The Watchman, and overall, I’m not wrong!

When readers are first introduced to Cole, we find him on the verge of a breakdown and he doesn’t understand why he’s The Chosen One. He has the mutant ability which allows him to communicate with the dead, and for Eva, who has the powers of flight, they could easily become the next Alpha Flight! But when they’re living on a reserve, it seems they don’t have a lot of inspiration to go to the next level and do stuff for the good of their community. In the harsh winter world of what I assume is Northern Winnipeg, I’m sure the life there is no different from what I’ve learned in other works, like The Death Tour (documentary review link), which examines what life is like in these sleepy indigenous communities.

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Megaghost is Set to Rematerialize in 2025!

Just whether or not MegaGhost ever existed as a cartoon doesn’t matter as Dark Horse Comics have a trade paperback collecting this comic book series next year!

Megaghost Volume 1 TPBDark Horse Comics
Release Date: January 08, 2025

Albatross Funnybooks and Dark Horse Comics invite readers to join an arcane adventure that brings back the action-packed thrills of Saturday morning cartoons, blended with supernatural chills! MegaGhost, written by Gabe Soria (Midnight Arcade, Batman ‘66) and illustrated by Eisner Award-winning artist Gideon Kendall (Marley’s Ghost, Lester of the Lesser Gods), will be released in a new paperback volume in January 2025. It will feature an all-new cover by Kendall and collect issues #1-5, plus bonus content, including the previously uncollected holiday special “MegaGhost of Christmas,” and a new introduction! Die-hard believers will need to keep their eyes peeled for even more MegaGhost, coming soon!

The MegaGhost Saturday morning cartoon was legendary, if short-lived, and in what can only be described as the most fantastic case of the Mandela Effect EVER, the only two people on Earth who seem to remember it are Soria and Kendall.

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Between Duty and Obligation, Ultraman Rising Delivers DreamWorks Style Quality To This Japanese IP

The beauty that’s found in Ultraman Rising is that it’ll appeal to anyone who doesn’t know a thing about this franchise.

Ultraman Rising PosterComing to Netflix Nov 14, 2024

Just how many Ultramen exist depends on who you ask. With Netflix hosting its own series simply titled after this hero (which feels like a rehash of Iron Man Armoured Adventures) and also Ultraman Rising, the count has unofficially increased by two. Back in 2013, Tsuburaya Productions acknowledged thirty-six heroes existed since Ultra Q’s debut in 1966. As for how many more have existed since then, I believe at least eight have been added

Here, Ken Sato (Yuki Yamada) is an all American baseball star by day, and a Japanese hero by night. The only reason he’s pulling double duty is that his father, who was the previous incarnation, suffered an injury. Someone said it’s best for him to come home.

Even though everybody in Japan loves Ultraman, not everyone agrees. There are other folks who see him as a vigilante. Dr. Onda (Fumihiko Tachiki) is kind of like Harvey Bullock in the Batman universe; he’s a staunch opponent, although both protect Japan from monsters. This scientist leads the Kaiju Defence Force whereas the sports personality is solo. And that attitude won’t get him far in a sport dependent on teamwork.

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My Summer With Gatchaman and Space Ghost, Two Comics Worth Reading Anywhere! (Part One)

Fans of the classic or even new material set in the Gatchaman universe will enjoy this continuation!

Gatchaman #1 Comic Book CoverThis Summer, two cartoons from the 60s and 70s are getting a huge reboot in the comic book front. Not only is there Gatchaman from Mad Cave Studios but also Space Ghost from Dynamite Comics! The latter is now out, and I’m anxiously waiting for the release of the second issue to read before going further–that will be a separate article.

In America, the former is better known as Battle of the Planets. Although this series wasn’t the same as the Japanese broadcast because of editing out problematic elements for Western audiences, as a kid, I wasn’t aware and still enjoyed it! Even though some aspects don’t stand the test of time (namely the inclusion of the robot narrator), I fondly think back to this series because G-Force’s plane could transform into a bird of fire; I even made a LEGO model that’s loosely based on that design! (but I won’t dare set it on fire)

I can’t wait to see what this East Coast publisher is preparing. To whet fans’ appetites, the publication offered during Free Comic Book Day shows readers what to expect. There’s three stories in all, and none of these prologues are vital to know what’s coming.

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