Unless you’ve been living under (or on) the Hellmouth, you’re probably aware that this week marks the 20th anniversary of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This little TV show that could, born from an ill-received flop of a movie, reemerged as an expected to fail mid-season replacement. What followed, though, was seven seasons of some of the best storytelling that ever graced the small screen. And although not every season was equally beloved, each one still had more than a handful of standout episodes that, like Buffy herself, were destined to become legend.
Read on to find out what I think were the single best episodes from every season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
I mentioned before how one of Buffy’s strengths was giving each character a moment. Like “The Zeppo”, “Storyteller” uses humor to add incredible dimension to a supporting player, in this case, redemption-seeking supervillain nerd Andrew. Filled with great moments of self-reference and also very honest pathos, “Storyteller” was a welcome break in pace for the very dour and urgent final season. It was almost like a calm before the storm, and it made Andrew, already a fan-favorite, a truly tragic and flawed human permanently taking his place as a true member of the “Scooby Gang” family. You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, and you may even cry.
A new Wonder Woman trailer has hit the web. Watch it below, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures on Youtube.
What are your thoughts on the action-packed new trailer? Are you looking forward to the film? Comment below!
“Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.”
Wonder Woman stars Gal Gadot as the title character, Chris Pine, Robin Wright as Antiope, David Thewlis, Danny Huston, Elena Anaya, Connie Nielsen, Ewen Bremner, and Lucy Davis.
The Kickstarter for Namesake: Book 3 has been funded almost three times over, in a tremendous success for independent comic artists Isabella Melançon and Megan Lavey-Heaton. Namesake has been running since 2010, and updates Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
“Namesake is the story of Emma Crewe, a woman who discovers she is a Namesake, a person with the power to travel to other worlds, places we know on Earth as fantasy and fairy tale lands. This power has rules, Alices always go to Wonderland, Wendies always go to Neverland. Each Namesake has a specific destination and mission, in order to keep the multiverse balanced. But Emma goes to Oz in the stead of the expected Dorothy, unveiling a magical conspiracy plot that’s more than 100 years in the making, with Emma and her unique powers at it’s core.” (Kickstarter)
The first and second Namesake books were also funded by Kickstarter. Namesake: Book 1 was funded by 432 backers in 2012. Namesake: Book 2 was funded by 664 backers in 2013. In sharp contrast, Book 3 has 904 backers, four days before the campaign closes. Not only that, but the campaign has surpassed its final stretch goal of $50,000, which unlocks a secret reward. The previous stretch goals were 20,000 (a bookmark added to all tiers), and 40,000 (reprints of the first two books in both softcover and hardcover).
It’s likely the wait has something to do with it. It’s been four years since their last Kickstarter, and the comic’s readership has been rising with the story’s stakes. The sheer amount of new readers is also obvious when looking at the Kickstarter pledges. An amazing 229 backers pledged to receive all three current print books in softcover, which is probably the most efficient way to get caught up!
Namesake deserves its success, too. It’s a beautifully crafted comic, and the books have just as much love poured into them as the digital art.
Questionable Content by Jeph Jacques has always been a strange chimera of a webcomic – it’s a slice of life story, detailing the ins and outs of an indie group of friends somewhere in New England, with artificial intelligences and high-tech robots as an unquestioned, unremarkable part of its setting. Over the last few years, QC has explored its sci-fi side more and more with a trip to a space station and an ex-convict AI character. Then, on February 15th, it wrapped up one of its strangest arcs yet.
RECAP (Spoilers Below!)
Questionable Content, Strip 3311, September 18 2016
The arc began on September 18th with the appearance of Roko Basilisk, an AI cop. She’s investigating the robot-fighting ring that Faye does repairs for, and plants the idea in Faye’s head that somebody might be taken advantage of. That “somebody”, clearly, is Bubbles, by her anti-human, passive-aggressive boss Corpse Witch.
It takes a little while for things to come to a head, and it’s May – everybody’s favorite foul-mouthed ex-con – who sets things off. She comes to Faye and Bubbles with payment for their work, and to fix up her face. While she’s there, Roko Basilisk springs a badly-thought-out raid on the shop. Corpse Witch manages to scare her away with smooth talk and a heavy implication that she’s been paying off members of the force and government officials. Then afterward, she turns to May, and attempts to blackmail her –
Questionable Content, Strip 3365, December 2nd 2016
-with predictable results. Go Faye. Just as predictably, Faye is fired, and Bubbles refuses to speak to her or come with her. Faye takes it pretty personally, but it’s May (genre-savvy and world-weary as always) who puts it together for her that Bubbles is being blackmailed.
Questionable Content, Strip 3374, December 15th 2016
It’s here that matters finally come clear. After the loss of her military squad, Bubbles began to develop severe PTSD, and Corpse Witch offered – under the table and illegally – to partition the offending memories away. However, it turns out that CW had also encrypted them – and demanded 10 years of servitude in exchange.
It seems like an impossible situation. The encryption is too strong, and there is no option that doesn’t give CW time to delete Bubbles’s memories. Then, a new figure presents themselves.
Questionable Content, Strip 3391, January 9th 2017
Yes, that’s how they introduce themselves. It’s possibly the scariest line in the comic to date. Turns out they’re an AI, far more powerful than any ever encountered in comic before, and they’re offering to help Bubbles recover her memories, with no strings attached. Suspicious? Suspicious.
Spookysuit (as dubbed by the fandom) sends Emily into Bubbles’s mind to get her memories. She does so with gusto, but there’s a problem…
Questionable Content, Strip 3400, January 20th 2017
Turns out Corpse Witch deleted the memories anyway. However, this makes things a little easier. There’s no longer anything tying Bubbles to CW, and Bubbles makes this very, very clear, before walking away forever. She’s free.
Corpse Witch, however, hasn’t escaped justice. Spookysuit apparently has some very strong opinions on people like her, and after getting the truth out of her – that deleting Bubbles’ memories was an accident – they give her a choice. An eternity with them, or the cops. CW chooses the cops, rather reasonably.
Then, it’s just a matter of cleaning up loose ends. Spookysuit signs the building over to Jeremy, hands over the evidence to Roko Basilisk, and tips Emily off to further research into AI mindspace. CW is arrested, Faye and Bubbles are cleared, and all is well. And the only answer we get – so far – about Spookysuit’s origins is the final comic of the arc.
Questionable Content, Strip 3418, February 15th 2017
Questions, questions and more questions! All else aside, three things are now certain: Bubbles isn’t going anywhere as a cast member, Spookysuit is bound to return, and the QC universe has just gotten a lot more frightening.
What were your thoughts on this arc, and what do you think is going to happen next? Comment below.
The DCEU Makes A Fierce Comeback With This ‘Wonder Woman’ Trailer
How can someone not be excited for this? ‘Wonder Woman‘, directed by Patty Jenkins, is shaping up to be a masterpiece with each look. Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman is going to be this generation’s Ellen Ripley; mark my words.
The newest trailer shows so much more than we’ve seen before but still doesn’t give too much away. I’m impressed with the marketing route DC has taken this year after their polarizing 2016. It seems like they’ve taken a few notes from what the public wants.
But what does this mean for the ‘Wonder Woman‘ film? This new trailer feels has serious ‘Game of Thrones‘ meets World War 1 vibes going on. The third trailer shows we are going to spend some time with a young Diana as she trains to become Wonder Woman. More time on Themyscira is good, as the land of the Amazons looks gorgeous. How much time we will spend on this origin story is unknown.
Also, the trailer still doesn’t give away much about the villain. It’s been leaked due to some toys at the 2017 Toy Fair so you can easily find it but I won’t spoil it for fans here. Maybe this mysterious bad guy will explain some of Diana’s backstory as well? It’s hinted that her mother Hippolyta is hiding something from her; how long till that is revealed?
Kong: Skull Island director Jordan Vogt-Roberts spoke to Cinemablend about that amazing post-credits scene, and revealed that it nearly didn’t make it into the film.
“We shot that during production, and it was actually one of those things that they had taken off the movie at one point. For some reason, there was concern about it, and I was really happy when everyone decided let’s bring this back. I think that’s what people want to know is happening.”
Story-wise, it’ll be interesting to see how Mothra, Rodan, King Ghidorah, Godzilla, and King Kong all come together. What were your thoughts on the scene? Are you looking forward to the Warner Bros. “monsterverse”? Comment below!
Yuengling fans rejoice, especially the ones in Indiana. After 188 years, this highly rated beer brand is available in the Hoosier state.
March 8th marked the release of Yuengling draft lines, some even starting a bit early on the 7th (Looking at you Gerst Haus in Evansville). Walking into any place with alcohol around town, you know what the first question is going to be.
The brewery itself has two locations, the main in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. It’s family owned and operated, and has been since the very beginning. They are known as America’s oldest brewery, and their core values have not changed even with all the new breweries popping up everyday.
Yuengling brought the three core beers over with them, so they can become staples in every bar and restaurant. Lager, Black&Tan, and the Light.
Lager– Traditional lager, being a bold amber color. With rich body, cascade and cluster hops. ABV 4.5%
Black&Tan– Traditional English half and half. Porter style, dark brown in color, hints of Carmel and coffee. ABV of 4.6%
Light– Also made with the cascade and cluster hops, this is the lager, but just toned down. Less calories, a golden color and crisp taste. ABV of 3.6%.
So far, the buzz for the Lager has been the most vocalized. The big deal with the light is the 99 calories, and only 8.5 carbs. All beer palettes love it, especially because it doesn’t taste like your average light beer. Not to mention, you don’t feel as guilty for drinking one.
The next few weeks in Indiana will be full of Yuengling fever, but after that? Time will tell. Have you gotten in to get your sample on yet?
Go to Yuengling.com for more info, and where you can find the beers, maybe even close to home!
Get out there and drink something new this weekend.
Lionsgate has released four new looks at the upcoming Power Rangers film. First, we have a couple clips, followed by two TV spots. Watch them all below.
“Saban’s Power Rangers follows five ordinary high school kids who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove – and the world – is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover that they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so they will have to overcome their real-life issues and band together as the Power Rangers before it is too late.”
What are your thoughts on the new pieces of Power Rangers marketing? Comment below!
This piece of news is not surprising. Every Marvel Cinematic Universe film has an end-credits scene of some sort, and they weren’t going to buck that trend with GotG Vol. 2.
“Set to the backdrop of ‘Awesome Mixtape #2,’ Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand.”
The film stars Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Kurt Russel, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, and Michael Rooker.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 hits theaters on May 5.
John Barrowman is a well known actor, author and singer. He appeared on a few American programs, but first became well known here as Captain Jack Harkness on Doctor Who and Torchwood. These days he’s Malcolm Merlyn on Arrow and the other CW shows. He’s also a mainstay at cons all over the country, and always wildly entertaining. Barrowman has a tireless social media presence. His professional career stretches back to 1989 and West End in London.
Born in Scotland, the youngest of three children, Barrowman moved to the US as a child. He primarily lives in the US now, with his English husband, Scott Gill, but maintains close ties to the UK. He still appears on British television and spends Christmas almost every year doing panto in Glasgow.
Barrowman got his first big break in 1989. According to his biography, he was visiting family in Scotland when a cousin told him about an open audition for Anything Goes, staring Elaine Paige and Bernard Cribbins. They were looking for a man who could “sing, dance and do an American accent.” Since he knew a guy very well who could do those things, he auditioned and was almost immediately offered the part.
Over the next fifteen years Barrowman appeared in a variety of musical productions, including Miss Saigon,Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, Company and Sunset Boulevard. In the early 2000s he participated in a revival of Anything Goes. But his life was about to change dramatically.
As a lifelong Doctor Who fan, Barrowman jumped at the chance when he was asked to audition for the show in 2005. He was cast as Captain Jack Harkness, a former Time Agent who’s primary skills were charm, flirting and quick thinking. After spending half a season as a companion of the Doctor, his character was killed. However, in Doctor Who things aren’t always as they seem and he was brought back to life. Now immortal, his character was left behind by the Doctor and went off to star in his own spinoff.
Torchwood is a more adult show then it’s family-friendly parent. Barrowman returned as Jack Harkness, leading a group in Cardiff as they watched over the city and dealt with various aliens, humans and one ex-boyfriend of Jack’s. The show went for two regular seasons and one mini-series. In addition, Showtime produced one series for American audiences.
Barrowman kept plenty busy over the next years, staring in his own variety show Tonight’s the Night and appearing in more productions, including La Cage Aux Folles. He hosted several British shows and appeared in Desperate Housewives. Barrowman released a few music albums and toured the UK in support of them.
In 2012 John Barrowman began appearing on Arrow as Malcolm Merlyn and the Dark Archer. What started off as a few appearances became a regular role, not only on Arrow but on the other CW shows.
In 2014 he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for his charity work.
In addition to all of that, he has cowritten a number of books with his sister, Carole. They have collaborated on two autobiographies of his life and an award-winning children’s series. They’ve also written comic books, including the most recent Torchwood series that launched last August.
And Torchwood seems to have as much life in it as it’s Captain, now as audiobooks produced by Big Finish.
Barrowman is a mainstay on the convention circuit, tirelessly going out to meet his fans. His Q and A’s are always highly entertaining. He keeps very busy with his Twitter and Facebook and he’s very involved in LGBT rights. John Barrowman has had an amazing career, and, as he celebrates his fiftieth birthday we can all look forward to whatever he does next.
