AfterShock announced a new series Tuesday morning, Eleanor & The Egret written by John Layman with art by Sam Kieth will hit the shelves on April 5.
A slightly surreal tale of an art thief and her sidekick, a talking egret who gets just a bit bigger after each successful caper, as they embark on an escalating series of daring thefts of world-famous paintings, and dodge pursuers in an increasingly weirdly dangerous game of cat-and-mouse.
Layman and Kieth are excited to join the AfterShock family.
“As far as I’m concerned, Mike Marts is the very best editor in comics, and a great guy too, so I’m always looking for opportunities to work with him. When he landed at AfterShock I knew very quickly it would be a company that would produce excellent comics –and they are!—so I jumped at the chance to work with them. I’m proud to be part of the AfterShock family, and grateful they are getting behind Sam and I for this very unique and off-kilter book. I would describe Eleanor & the Egret as a fable, and a surrealist romance, but it’s probably more easily described as something NOT easily describable. It’s a melding of two unique voices to comics. It’s also just an excuse for me to give Sam cool stuff to draw, and, in that, he’s exceeding all expectations—some of the pages he’s turning in are absolutely breathtaking,” sadi Layman.
Ronda Pattison is the colorist on the series, and Elizabeth Torque has a 1 in 10 variant cover for the first issue as well.
THE REVOLUTION MAY BE OVER–but the future is just beginning! Ripped from the pages of the hottest crossover of the year, the REVOLUTION team of John Barber and Fico Ossio continue the action! KUP is a CYBERTRONIAN literally older than the universe; ACTION MAN is the ultimate special agent trying to live up to an impossible legacy; MAYDAY is a G.I. JOE leader trying to rescue her first command; and BLACKROCK is a CYBERTRONIAN that thinks he’s a human. It takes the mind-bending clash of ROM versus MAJOR BLUDD and the OKTOBER GUARD to bring this unlikely team together… and the secret they learn threatens to unravel the entire universe.
Writing
Introduction pages can often be unnecessary for diligent readers as they are already aware of what’s happening. Still, this one has three pages worth of introduction and even then it almost feels like it’s not enough introduction to what’s going on. This comic is far too busy and wants to do too much all at once.
Writer John Barber really tries to shove a lot into this comic. The first issue should serve to introduce the team of Kup, Action Man, MayDay, and Blackrock, as it’s made clear by the roll call page, different covers, and the general description of the series they will eventually be a team. They will work together to solve problems created through this new crossover continuity. This should be enough of a mission for a single issue to undertake, but it also decides to have them deal with a device turning people into Dire Wraiths and has Rom The SpaceKnight and the Oktober guard guest star. Even with being up to date on a majority of IDW titles this book can still lose its readers with the pace it sets. A slower more simple team recruitment story would have been better. Yes, Revolution was a rush, but Revolutionaries is supposed to be the comic which will correct these mistakes. It’s okay to take things one step at a time.
Artwork
The incredible artwork by Fico Ossio is the best part of this issue. The facial expressions do get a bit too overly expressive at times but the detail work on the different panel makes them recognizable and at times striking. Hopefully he’ll be on this series for a while and it can be the saving grace while the book in its infancy.
Conclusion
This issue feels like a breakneck rollercoaster, but in a very bad way. There still is a lot of potential for exploration of different stories with the combined elements of the Transformers, G.I. Joe, Action Man, and Rom the Space Knight mythologies behind it. Hopefully later issues will help get this series on track but for now it’s not the best foot forward in exploring this new world.
Gone are the days of relying on the major networks to produce the most worthwhile comedies. Now, we have to seek out different shows whether it be on cable or streaming and hope that we strike gold with our selection. Well, let me save all of you some trouble and give you the scoop on a show many of you might not give the time of day, Teachers. The hit show (found on TV-Land) is in its second season and happens to be one of the best-written comedies on television.
Teachers is the brainchild of the improv troupe, the Katydids (named because of each actress having names that sound like some form of the word Kate). What began as an ambitious jump from web series to television series ended paying off majorly for TV-Land as the show develop quite the cult following. The show takes place at a fictitious elementary school (Fillmore Elementary), and each member of the improv troupe plays a different type of teacher at the school.
Caitlin Barlow, Katy Colloton, Cate Freedman, Kate Lambert, Katie O’Brien, and Kathryn Renee Thomas all star in the show and take an active role in writing the show as well. This is the secret to shows success, the actresses come from an improv background and know how to keep the show light, loose, and fun. Tim Bagley is cast as the principal but also comes from an improv background as well.
In the first season, they tackled such things as picture day, bullying, and field day. In the second season, they begin by assigning Ms. Snap (Katy Colloton) a brand new class that affectionally referred to as “Hell” class. Ms. Watson (Kate Lambert) is trying out an online dating service the yields quite the surprising results. Finally, Mrs. Adler (Kathryn Renee Thomas) get’s moved to a portable, and the kids experience quite the change.
What I love about this show is how tightly written the scenes are. There is little “fluff.” It’s setup, and it always leads to a great laugh. The show is incredibly balanced. There isn’t a single cast member who outshines the other one as they are equally important to the show’s success (even down to the kids they cast to be in each of their classrooms). Teachers is the definition of a great television comedy. Two moments that stood out to me where when Ms. Snap was trying to show how cool she was to her new class be doing a handstand while twerking on her board (It didn’t end well). However, snagging the guest star in the Season Premiere was the biggest stroke of genius (won’t spoil it).
One of my biggest fears was this season of Teachers was going to hit a wall of creativity. It’s often hard to recapture the magic of your first season, and many shows start strong and fizzle. Well, lucky for us that Season two is off to a great start and it appears we have a lot to look forward to.
In the run up to the Academy Awards, Ryan Reynolds spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about his rollercoaster career and the prospects of Deadpool amidst Oscars buzz.
Reynolds produced and starred in Deadpool, the comic book adaptation which was released last February (2016). The film reportedly underwent eleven years of development at several different studios before it was finally made by Fox for a modest $58million (for a comic book movie). The film went on to become one of the biggest hits of 2016 and gained positive reviews. Against all odds, it is now scooping a massive amount of attention in anticipation of imminent Academy Awards nominations, specifically in the ‘Best Picture’ category. We’ll have to wait until January 24th to find out!
Some people will know Canadian-born Reynolds best for his comedy roles, such as the bashful and reluctant character in deportation-dodging rom-com, The Proposal. Others will remember his comic book baptism in Blade: Trinity, or the titular role in the ill-fated Green Lantern. Deadpool was a concept that first crossed his path in 2004, but the labor-of-love took a long time to get going. However, it proved more than worth the wait.
In the interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Reynolds described his unconventional superhero movie:
“The movie is groundbreaking in a lot of ways. It usurps certain tropes of the superhero genre that were well-ready to be usurped…We were kind of at peak superhero, in terms of tone, and it just offered something completely different in that respect.”
Then, in response to the recent rumors around Deadpool’s shot at the biggest price in town, he said:
“We had no idea we would ever get anything beyond an MTV Movie Award best kiss nomination. If it does end up in that category, I think that’s kind of a cool moment, for not just us, but for everybody — for the people that went to see the movie, the people that made the movie, the studio, even the Academy. I don’t think that any superhero film has ever really broken that glass ceiling, so it would be nice to see one like Deadpool do it.”
In true Reynolds/Deadpool fashion, he promised us a unique response in the event of a nomination, one which we would love to see:
“And I can certainly promise one f—ing crazy reaction video online. In the Deadpool suit. Guaranteed.”
The full and final list of nominations is due to land on January 24th and the 89th Academy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will take place on February 26th at the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles, broadcast live on ABC, 8.30pm ET.
What are your thoughts on the prospect of Deadpool as ‘Best Picture’? Is it about time a comic book movie got some recognition? Let us know in the comments.
The Battle Lines Are Redrawn With This ‘Injustice 2’ Trailer
NetherRealm’s newest game ‘Injustice 2′ just got a new story trailer and the hype for the upcoming game got so much bigger.
Following the events of ‘Injustice: Gods Among Men‘, Batman is keeping Superman prisoner after the murder of Joker following death of Lois Lane and her unborn baby. Now with a new threat, the entire DC line-up is shaken up when the evil Brainiac arrives.
The trailer shows many familiar faces battling each other. Supergirl takes on Wonder Woman, Batman fights Robin, and Superman is ready to take revenge. Is this all because of Brainiac pulling the strings? We will find out upon the game’s release.
‘Injustice 2’ features playable characters as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Supergirl, Harley Quinn, and Gorilla Grodd, with arenas in DC Universe locations like Gotham City, Metropolis and Atlantis.
The game is set to be released on May 16th for Playstation 4 and Xbox One
“Power up and build the ultimate version of your favorite DC legends in INJUSTICE 2. With a massive selection of DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains, INJUSTICE 2 allows you to equip every iconic character with unique and powerful gear earned throughout the game. Experience an unprecedented level of control over how your favorite characters look, how they fight, and how they develop across a huge variety of game modes. This is your super Hero. Your Journey. Your Injustice.”
Today we celebrate Civil Rights Leader Doctor Martin Luther King. I can do no justice to Dr. King’s career with a sentence or two in an intro. Suffice it to say; King played the lead role in the 1950s and 60s helping African-Americans make a giant leap towards equal rights. King’s famous “I have a dream” speech is the stuff of legend. Martin Luther King not only led a movement but changed the course of history for an entire genre of humans.
In honor of Martin Luther King here are seven great films with civil rights as a unifying theme.
If Rotten Tomato scores mean anything to you, then Selma’s 99% should mean a lot. Director Ava DuVernay crafted an elegant film based on a script by Paul Webb. The inspiration radiated by Martin Luther King enriches this movie. At the same time, the film allows the specter of the truth — how far we’ve got to go — haunt us from reality. Selma won Best Picture at the Oscars and is must-watch for fans of historical dramas.
Thanks for the dream, Dr. Martin Luther King.
We’ll keep working at making it more real.
Last month we heard rumors that the final Logan trailer would be coming at some point in January. Now, Trailer-Track is reporting that said trailer is coming soon, on Thursday, January 19.
Additionally, 20th Century Fox of Taiwan has posted an update on their Facebook page. After translating, the post read:
“The Wolf of the wolves this time, how much? 1/19 will the new trailer be disclosed more? Ah, it is so hard to wait. 3/3 goodbye wolf global sync perfect Leading Notice: https://goo.gl/GwW8R0 #Those always stay with our golden steel wolf #Xmen#Logan#Wolverine#x#marvel“
While admittedly not the greatest translation to English, we do seemingly get confirmation of the new trailer’s release in the middle of the post.
Additionally, Trailer-Track claims the trailer should be released at 6 a.m. PST, which is 2 p.m. in the UK.
The first footage from this film got everyone ecstatic. Showing tones of a classic western mixed in with a comic-book movie filled with our favorite characters, Logan made its mark with one of the best trailers of 2016. The question is, will this new one be better than the first?
What could be shown in this final trailer? Do you have any guesses? Let us know in the comments section down below.
“In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.”
Logan stars Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/ Logan, Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier, Dafnee Keen as Laura Kinney/X-23, Boyd Holbrook as Donald Pierce, Doris Morgado as Maria, Richard E. Grant as Dr. Zander Rice, Stephen Merchant as Caliban, Elizabeth Rodriguez as Gabriela, and others. Click here for the full cast list.
Three new photos from The Defenders have been released by Netflix, via Comicbook.com. Check them out below.
In the first image we see Iron Fist dealing with a gas-masked criminal; the second photo highlights Jessica Jones and Trish Walker enjoying a stroll in New York City; and the third image gives us a look at the team’s primary antagonist, played by Sigourney Weaver.
The latest Netflix original series may be billed as unfortunate, but it hardly feels unfortunate to watch. A Series of Unfortunate Events, based off the popular books by Lemony Snicket, have gotten a second chance on screen. It’s a fairly good adaptation, and certainly an amusing one. It often feels repetitive, as each story tends to follow the same formula. However, each one is done well enough to feel compelling nonetheless.
A Series of Unfortunate Events follows the events of the Baudelaire children, who become orphans early into the series. At first, the children are dropped at the doorstep of their very removed relative, the villainous Count Olaf. The series, containing many unfortunate events, follows the children desperately trying to escape the crazy Count’s clutches. Several family members seek to intervene, and all the adventures are narrated by the author himself (as played by Patrick Warburton).
The series is an interesting blend of creepy and funny. The series frequently juxtaposes bright, beautiful colors with the dull, bleak tones that Count Olaf brings with him. It feels like Wes Anderson and Tim Burton worked together for the project. A Series of Unfortunate Events juggles several tones, and does so with high marks. Oftentimes, the reliance on tone makes the substance feel a bit weaker. But it is nice to see a series show enough finesse of what makes it unique.
The season is eight episodes long, covering four of Snicket’s books. The action moves at a reasonable clip, feeling more like several seasons crammed into one. It’s surprising to imagine how much material is covered over the course of the show’s first season. Each two-episode arc feels a lot like a movie – an rather identical ones at that. They’re all written structurally well, and have nice humor associated with each new alliterative adventure. The series also tries to apply Snicket’s stories to the modern day. It makes for some one-off amusing jokes, but it does upset the reality the show seems intent on applying. It’s not the greatest television ever, but it is consistently delightful.
Neil Patrick Harris, who plays the villainous Count Olaf, is full of personality. Olaf spends the series scheming, switching costumes, and a great deal of singing. The performance is a much better take on the character than Jim Carrey’s take in the 2004 film. As talented and humorous as Harris is, however, his performance leaves a bit to be desired. The performance shows off Harris’ skills as an actor, but doesn’t make Count Olaf feel all that sinister. Olaf isn’t evil enough to feel like a serious villain, but rather an antagonist more in line with his henchmen. It may not be as grating as Carrey’s Olaf, but it still feels like Barney Stinson’s back in old man make-up (and seeing Robin running around doesn’t help).
While the humor of the series softens Olaf, it makes the surrounding cast delightful. Patrick Warburton, who plays the stoic Lemony Snicket, narrates the children’s struggles with their lives. A Series of Unfortunate Events pulls several phenomenal performers to fill out the Baudelaire lineage. The cast of side characters includes many talented actors, including Joan Cusack, Aasif Mandvi, Alfre Woodard, and Rhys Darby. Not to mention the surprising reveal of cameos at the end of episode one. It’s a shame that each side character only gets so much screen time, but that’s what happens with lives as chaotic as the Baudelaire children.
The performances of the child actors, playing said Baudelaire sibling, also impress. While Klaus and Sunny are played by new actors, Violet (Malina Weissman) may be familiar to some as young Supergirl on the CW, and she does a great job leading the siblings as the eldest daughter.Violet and Klaus (Louis Hynes) are compelling leads, though still have some room to grow. It’s a bit harder to judge the performance of literal baby, but the choice of subtitles, along with frequent CG-moments, is off-putting. It’s nice to see appropriately aged actors for the parts. It makes the series feel reminiscent of early Harry Potter films. It will be interesting to see how these children evolve in the series, depending on how many more unfortunate events they have to go through.
Overall, the series does a good job at building its world, creating just enough intrigue to keep viewers invested. Each story may feel like much of the same, but consistency isn’t all that bad. A Series of Unfortunate Events could use a bit more variation, relying less on repetitive jokes and singing (yes, Neil Patrick Harris sings a lot in this too). But it’s demonstrated a strong grasp on its style and tone, along with compelling mysteries. It will be interesting to see how the series builds off the intrigue it’s already build up, and see exactly how the story goes from here.
STAND-OUT PERFORMANCES: Patrick Warburton,Malina Weissman, K. Todd Freeman, Usman Ally, Joan Cusack
STAND-OUT STORY ARC: “The Bad Beginning: Parts 1 and 2”
After two seasons, ABC canceled Agent Carter last year.
The news upset many fans who started petitions to get the series renewed.
Agent Carter, a 1940s-set drama, starred Hayley Atwell as fan-favorite Peggy Carter.
Since the cancellation, Atwell and Marvel TV head Jeph Loeb have talked about continuing the series in another format.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Loeb explained why Agent Carter wasn’t renewed.
“Unlike the movie studio they can say, ‘In 2019 we’re making Captain Marvel,’ the television division doesn’t have that ability,” Loeb said. “We are, at the end of the day, beholden to the network that we’re on. So for all you Agent Carter fans out there, we didn’t cancel the show.”
It seems ABC made the final call to ax the show.
The network also passed on picking up Agents of SHIELD spinoff Marvel’s Most Wanted, which would have followed the adventures of Mockingbird and Lance Hunter.
At one point, Netflix was looking into taking on Agent Carter, but ultimately passed on it.
ABC and Marvel TV are moving forward with Inhumans, which is set to debut this fall.
