We’re celebrating Image Comics‘ 25th anniversary all this week by breaking down the company’s all-time best 25 series. With so much diversity in its catalog, Image truly has comics for everyone. Check them out for yourself! And leave some of your own favorites in the comments.
There is no shortage of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips noir comics, butCriminal may be the best one they have done. Essentially one family’s sordid and tragic history, Criminal also plays with the comic book format and narrative by experimenting in form, time passage, and length. Individual parts are fantastic, but when it is read as a whole, a large and violent family portrait is painted that will stay with readers for ages.
It’s been a while since my last review of a beer from Toronto‘s Amsterdam Brewery. And, as far as I’m concerned, it’s been too long. Having already reviewed Amsterdam’s Boneshaker Unfiltered IPA, I’ll leave you to check out that review if you’d like to learn a bit more about the brewery. Although I frequently see Boneshaker in my local LCBO, I don’t see Amsterdam’s Cruiser All Day Pale Ale, basically a session version of Boneshaker, as often as I’d like.
Amsterdam Brewery: Cruiser All Day Pale Ale – First Sip
Cruiser pours a semi-opaque straw yellow with lots of bubbles. A thin layer of foam forms at the top of my half-pint glass, and sticks around. I smell citrus as I take my first sip, and enjoy Cruiser’s bitter but smooth flavour. Cruiser’s high level of carbonation supports its crisp taste nicely, and allows its bitterness to stand out in the finish.
Amsterdam Brewery: Cruiser All Day Pale Ale – Last Sip
Unlike Boneshaker, Cruiser’s a session ale that you can drink a few of without overloading your taste-buds. And, at 4.9% ABV in 355-mL bottles, you can also avoid overloading your liver.
For the frequent pale ale drinker, Cruiser represents a standard for sessions. Exceptionally crisp and drinkable for a pale ale, Cruiser is also a good brew to try if you’re new to the wonderfully bitter world of hops.
Its crisp taste provides Cruiser great drinkability, but if you’re typically a lager drinker then you may want to limit your intake. Because of its smooth flavour, Cruiser is a good beer to have a few of, but its balanced bitterness also makes it a good brew to have with dinner. Pale ales, as always, are great with salty food, but since it isn’t exceptionally hop-forward Cruiser’s good with just about any meal.
I previously reviewed Hockley Valley Brewing Company‘s Georgian Bay Beer, which wears the official tartan of the waters of Georgian Bay on its cans. Check out that review if you’re interested in some more information about the brewery and my thoughts on that brew. Today I’m reviewing a beer that’s quite different from Hockley Valley’s light-tasting Georgian Bay Beer. Today I’m reviewing Hockley Valley Brewing Company’s simply named Hockley Amber.
Hockley Valley Brewing Company: Hockley Amber – First Sip
Hockley Amber pours a transparent and, not surprisingly, amber colour. A very thin layer of foam develops at the top of my pint glass, and dissipates quickly. I notice an aroma of malt and bread as I take my first sip. Hockley Amber tastes a bit like burnt sugar: it has a sweet taste, but an understated current of bitterness balances its sweetness out. This beer’s relatively fizzy mouthfeel sets its complex flavour off where a thicker mouthfeel would make this brew too rich.
Hockley Valley Brewing Company: Hockley Amber – Last Sip
This is a complex beer that goes well with a variety of foods. Since Hockley Amber’s strength is in its smooth, easy-drinking quality rather than in its having a really bold flavour, this is a versatile brew. Because of its semi-sweet taste, Hockley Amber is a great winter warmer. But, its crispness also makes this a great brew to enjoy after a long day.
But its easy-drinking flavour belies its slightly high 5.2% ABV rating. Available in 473-mL cans, drinking more than one or two of these at a time might be dangerous. If you do fall prey to the smoothness of Hockley Amber and have a few of these, just make sure you don’t have anywhere to go. And, because of its complex flavour and unique aroma, I strongly suggest drinking this beer from a glass.
A lady never reveals her age. Unless, of course, she’s writing an article about the top five movies from her birth year. At which point, a gentleman should just assume that she is overestimating her maturity.
OK, fine. It’s not like I’m disappointed at being almost 39 years old. However, I admit that finding movies I knew from my birth year was difficult. Apparently, my birth was the popular culture event of the year since the majority of the movies made that year appear to no longer be in the general vernacular. A few notable exceptions, of course, would be Deer Hunter, The Wiz, Dawn of the Dead, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Unfortunately, those are only words on a page since it’s likely they weren’t movies I was allowed to watch as a kid and held no interest for me once I could choose. And no, I can’t stand Animal House. Yes, it makes me an abomination unto humanity.
The abject suburban sadness of my youth is obviously contained in the following five movies I chose. I fear the lack of coolness that emanates off of me as I write that these are the fundamental movies in my life from the year I was born.
You’re the one that I want! Do ah do wadda wahhh oooh oooh oooh HONEY! Grease comes in at #1 because it is one of my all time favorite movies and soundtracks. I love it so much that I can’t even take feminist issues with the sexist ways that the guys sing about Sandy in “Summer Lovin’.” I know that it’s terrible, but I just don’t care. My brain wants to care, my little heart just can’t. Simultaneously, it’s one of the most formative discussions of women’s rights issues from my youth. Rizzo singing “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” was my introduction to reproductive rights and almost inevitably makes me cry to this day. I’ll be honest, the reason I watched “The West Wing” the first time was because Rizzo done made good.
What is your favorite film from 1978? Comment below.
Captain Cold secrets revealed! Dominic Purcell spills details of Leonard Snart’s return.
‘Legends of Tomorrow’ returned this past week with it’s midseason premiere. Other than the ratings being down for the new to Tuesday show, it came in with a bang. Before the break, we saw Mick (Heat Wave) have conversations with Snart, played by Wentworth Miller.
As we know, Snart sacrificed himself for the others in a gut wrenching episode of season 2. How exactly was Mick communicating with him? After conversing with Dr. Martin Stein, it was revealed that the time masters put an electronic device in Mick’s head, that is making him have these visions.
It has been confirmed that Snart is returning in the flesh to the show, but when and how? Those details have not been sorted out, but we know that it is happening. Purcell gave a snip it to Entertainment Weekly:
“I don’t think Mick is a good guy,” Purcell told EW. “And there’s a lot of history there. Mick loves Cold.”
Heat Wave and Captain Cold have a bond of brothers, much like their characters In the Fox hit show Prison Break. Since the death of Snart, Mick hasn’t been the same man. He went to the dark side being Chronos, and is back to the Legends, but no one knows for exactly how long.
According to my source, Snart will return to be apart of the Legion of Doom, with Eobard Thowne, Damien Dahrk, and Malcom Merlyn.
Official synopsis for this weeks episode:
The Legends are determined to find and rescue Rip (Arthur Darvill), but first must focus on locating the Spear of Destiny. Stein (Victor Garber) thinks he has the perfect person to help but knows involving her will be risky. Meanwhile, Malcom Merlyn (guest star John Barrowman) and Damien Darhk (guest star Neal McDonough) realize that Thawne (guest star Matt Letscher) is pitting them against each other.
Can you wait for Leonard Snart and Mick Rory to be back together?
‘Legends of Tomorrow’ airs Tuesday at 9/8c on The CW.
A photo posted by David Harewood (@davidharewood) on
The caption read: “The Martian Chronicles. Coming soon.”
The poster highlights February 6’s episode, which will likely bring Martian Manhunter to the forefront of the story.
The next episode of Supergirl hits The CW on Monday January 30. Read the synopsis below.
“We Can Be Heroes” – (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) (TV-PG, LV) (HDTV)
“LIVEWIRE IS SET LOOSE UPON NATIONAL CITY – After Livewire (guest star Brit Morgan) seemingly breaks out of prison, Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) is intent on recapturing her. After training Mon-El (Chris Wood), Supergirl takes him with her when she sees Livewire attack the NCPD but things go awry when Mon-El puts Supergirl before the citizens of National City. Meanwhile, James (Mehcad Brooks) decides to come clean with Kara and M’Gann (guest star Sharon Leal), has a psychic attack and collapses into a coma. Rebecca Johnson directed the episode written by Caitlin Parrish & Katie Rose Rogers (#210). Original airdate 1/30/2017.”
What are your thoughts on this Supergirl poster? Let us know in the comments below.
‘Arrow’ had it’s return to the air this past Wednesday, but could not compete with the President.
Trump had his first interview as President on Wednesday night, blowing every other show out of the water. Oliver Queen and his team of badasses were no exception. ABC won with a massive 7.5 million viewers, clearing out the running for that night by a landslide.
The CW tried to fight on, but ‘Arrow’ only managed to have 1.68 million viewers. It’s also the second lowest numbers ever. According to my source, the first time was due to game seven of the World Series back on November 9.
While the midseason started off with the biggest rivalry on the air waves, the season has so much left. Team Arrow will be coming back in a big way. With the return of Laurel Lance, (played by Katie Cassidy) Diggle living his life in jail, Felicity dealing with loss and heartbreak, and Oliver reuniting with Talia Al Guhl, we can expect nothing but the best to round off the season.
Cliffhanger ending perhaps?
Here’s the official synopsis for this weeks new episode:
TALIA AL GHUL TAKES OLIVER UNDER HER WING — In his quest to take down Kovar, Oliver (Stephen Amell) gets help from a surprising source – Talia al Ghul (guest star Lexa Doig). However, when she reveals what she wants from him in exchange, Oliver isn’t sure he can accept her help. Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) attempts to hack the NSA to help free Diggle (David Ramsey) but when her online efforts are flagged, she faces off against an unknown adversary. Meanwhile, Curtis (Echo Kellum) tells the team about a female vigilante, Tina Boland (guest star Juliana Harkavay), he uncovered online who has been wreaking havoc all over the country.
This series will be a brief, semi-comedic review of the CW superhero shows. You can check out last week’s review post here, or see the tally of winners below. The only shows discussed will be ‘Arrow’, ‘Flash’, and ‘Supergirl’. There WILL be some spoilers discussed, so only look at the reviews you’re up to date on!
Supergirl, “Supergirl Lives” (Jan. 23)
Episode XXIX: Daxam Hosers
Kevin Smith sends the CW superheroine back into space. It’s not quite as strong as the director’s Flash entries, but it’s a solid & unique Supergirl entry. Though everyone in this episode seemed a bit too giggly, I’m glad the show’s so fun to make. The Alex/Maggie relationship is nice, but like any CW relationship, it takes up a lot of screen time that could be dedicated to action. Leaving poor Winn alone on the planet seems far too cruel, but I enjoyed the focus on his self-imposed sideline role. I guess I’m okay with Kevin putting his kid in everything? Though honestly, I liked her more than Joe the Alien, so take my opinions with a grain of space salt.
SCORE: 7/10 Yellow… Sun… Grenades?
The Flash, “Borrowing Problems from the Future” (Jan. 24)
Flash: Back to the Future Past Days
The Flash gives us a somewhat different twist on its time travel obsession. Seeing the two Flash boys take on Eyepatch Biker made for a fun return of meta-of-the-week. Caitlin trying to get Julian’s help makes sense, but gets dangerously close to flirting. Cisco went WAY too ham on HR to fix up his whole museum so quickly. Also, I’m very confused how no one notices the giant renovations and construction in the upstairs museum. Then again, no one notices that Flash & Friends hide out in the basement. Seeing that picture of Barry/Iris as kids highlights how incest-y that relationship is.
7.5/10 Future Headlines
Arrow, “Who Are You?” (Jan. 25)
Can you hear me now?
Yup, of course Laurel wasn’t back. Though they twist of the Earth-2 Black Canary was great. I also liked the reveal of the maybe new Earth-1 Black Canary, and it would be great to get another lady hero on Team Arrow. Though it’s shocking how quickly Oliver forgot about his journalist sort-of-GF and went for Laurel – sort of how he forgot Laurel and went for Sara way back when. Between Curtin and Winn, it’s not a good week for geeky boys. And looks like Cisco might be up “the creek” next week too.
SCORE: 7.5/10 Lance Sister Resurrections
WEEKLY WIN TALLY:
Arrow: 4.5 Weeks
Supergirl: 3 Weeks
The Flash: 2.5 Week
What show did you think won the week? Does Legends of Tomorrow take your vote? Is CW’s spooky Archie show Riverdale better than them all? Let us know in the comments below!
Tony Todd, the voice behind Zoom in The Flash, almost did the audio for Dormammu in 2016’s Doctor Strange film.
Comic Book Resources talked to the actor, and he revealed this interesting piece of news towards the end of the interview.
“I have to tell you about one recent disappointment. I almost did “Doctor Strange.” I went in to do a session to play Dormammu. Benedict [Cumberbatch] had already recorded it but the producers wanted another voice just as an alternative. We did a six-hour session and then two weeks before the movie came out they let me know that they went back to the original choice. I say this just to point out to everybody that you’ve got to roll and sway with all these punches and waves that come at you. Did I cry? No. I understood. I was disappointed at the value that I lost — people going, “Dude, are you Dormammu?” [Laughs] But there’ll be another Dormammu.”
Although the character’s role in Doctor Strange was limited, it was still a critical part of the film. Would you have liked to see Todd voice Dormammu instead of Benedict Cumberbatch? Let us know in the comments section below.
Doctor Strange – plot synopsis:“Marvel’s Doctor Strange follows the story of the talented neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a tragic car accident, must put ego aside and learn the secrets of a hidden world of mysticism and alternate dimensions. Based in New York City’s Greenwich Village, Doctor Strange must act as an intermediary between the real world and what lies beyond, utilizing a vast array of metaphysical abilities and artifacts to protect the Marvel cinematic universe”
Doctor Strange will be available for purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD on February 28. If you just can’t wait ’till then, it will be available for digital download starting February 14.
In Rotation, a listicle for music lovers, and seekers of new and different things to listen to. So, if you’re looking for new music, something different, or maybe music to suit your mood this week, here is the place to get a diverse offering each week.
In Rotation this week, we have a Canadian/Alternative Rock/’90s Alternative band, a hugely influencial Surf Rock/’50s-’60s Rock Instrumental artist, a rebellious Russian composer, the newest entry from the Shoegazing godfathers, a one man Indie band, the godfather of Horror Rock, and an exceptional band that sounds more than a smidgen like Brand New. Ready. Set. Spin.
1)
Band:Treble Charger
Album: Wide Awake Bored
Treble Charger is not a band you are likely to gave heard of. That’s as good of a place to start as any. Their music can be described as Canadian “’90s alternative”/pop punk, and they are probably barely known in Canada. Stand out tracks are “Brand New Low” (my personal favorite song of there’s), “funny,” “I don’t know,” and “Another dollar.”
It ranges from melodic alternative rock to a little edgier pop punk, but it’s not generic in any way, so you should give them a chance.
2)
Band:Link Wray
Album: Rumbling Guitar Sounds Of…
Link Wray is one of the most influential rock guitarists in music history, but also the most underrated and oft ignored by the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame and others. This is even despite the fact that he created the Rock chord and modern distortion. The music heard here is an exceptional offering of his Surf Rock/’50s-’60s classics. Though there are many more albums out there, this is a good starter kit, and greatest hits sampling.
If you love Rock and/or music, you must own this album.
3)
Band: My Bloody Valentine
Album: MBV
My Bloody Valentine has been in the Shoegazing music business for at least three decades, and it has taken more than half of that time to produce their most recent work MBV. Sadly, despite the time and prestige that came with the long wait for fans of their music, there is not many unique or groundbreaking pieces of music here. However, it is a nice addition to My Bloody Valentine’s already storied Shoegazing collection. They continue to be the epitome of the music genre they invented.
This would be highly recommended to fans of Shoegazing music and My Bloody Valentine fans.
4)
Band: Republic of Wolves
Album: His own branches
Republic of Wolves can easily be mistaken for Brand New, in their later records, and on this particular record. The dissonant, reverb laden, but not quite shoegazing, vocals flow from quiet doubling to screaming, as the guitars go from distortionless plucking to dirty, muddy, grungy distortion very quickly at times.
If you love artists like Brand New, Manchester Orchestra, or the alike, you should at least check this album out.
5)
Band: Say Hi
Album: Oohs and Aahs
Say Hi, or the formerly Say Hi To Your Mom, is generally a one man show and his Fender Jazzmaster. That man is Eric Elbogen, and he writes and records all the music and sounds heard on Oohs and Aahs. Say Hi’s music is a little hard to pin down to exact specificity, but Indie Rock/’80s/Acoustic/Piano Rock, and so many more things accompany Elbogen’s dissonant vocals and unified musical structure that comes from being a solo music act.
The album opens like a carnival, and ends on this dark, echo-y, somber Beatles-esque note that sandwiches this intriguing collaboration and its unique filling. You must give this one a spin.
6)
Band: Bobby ‘Boris’ Pickett & The Cryptkickers
Album: Monster Mash
Bobby ‘Boris’ Pickett (and the Cryptkickers) was the granddaddy of Horror themed rock and all the subgenres, most notably #horrorpunk . The record is certainly put together more seriously than it was taken, or that even Bobby Pickett meant it to be. Just before or around the time of another early horror musician Screaming Jay Hawkins, most people assumed the Monster Mash was a one hit wonder, but this album and his monster rap song in the ’80s proved otherwise, and obviously bands like The Misfits proved the genre would later become something bigger.
No CDs have ever been released, but YouTube has it, unless you’re lucky enough to track down and afford the record.
7)
Band: Dmitri Shostakovich
Album: Symphony No. 4
This writer isn’t exactly an authority on Opera or classical composers, but when one strikes a chord, they get added to the list. Dmitri Shostakovich, besides having a wickedly cool Russian last name, was quite the unique composer. In this piece entitled Symphony No. 4, you get the ’30s version of a rebellion tune in, defiance of Joseph Stalin. Also, perhaps, a classical music equivalent to a hardcore song. If this sounds intriguing, or you are just curious about music outside of popular radio, you should give this a spin immediately, like right now.
This concludes this week’s In Rotation music listing, and come back next week for another eclectic helping of the new, the old, and the weird in music.
[Images Courtesy Of The Respective Bands In This List]
