Coming in February, Marvel Comics and Lucasfilm are bringing you STAR WARS: DARTH MAUL #1 – the next new Star Wars limited series. Blockbuster writer Cullen Bunn (Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe, Monsters Unleashed) and artist Luke Ross (Star Wars: The Force Awakens Adaptation) are going to take readers inside the mind of prequel fan-favorite Darth Maul as he goes on a personal quest with deadly consequences!
Bred on hate, fear, and anger. Steeped in the ways of darkness…trained to kill. Darth Maul’s time as an apprentice to Darth Sidious has long been cloaked in shadows, but at last we will reveal his tale of revenge. His master tells him to embrace his anger, but to stay hidden and bide his time. Maul has waited long enough – his patience growing ever thinner. His moment to step into the light has finally come. Prepare for a tale of unbridled rage as Darth Maul readies one of his first encounters with his mortal enemy…with the Jedi.
On Darth Maul, writer Cullen Bunn had this to say,
Maul is one of the coolest characters in the Star Wars galaxy. Star Wars is blessed with a wealth of characters that you want to know more about. I mean, every background character in every cantina in every hive of scum and villainy is ripe for further exploration. But Maul ranks right at the top. We’ve seen a few different sides of Maul: obedient killing machine, madman, crime lord, cunning strategist. I was excited to write a story that might show off all of those aspects of the character. I also find it fascinating that the Sith are taught to embrace their anger, but Maul—because of his master’s planning—has to keep his in check.
In a recent Facebook post, Black Adam actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson talked about the recent meeting he had with DC Comics.
“Had a very cool and strategic meeting with the heads of DC Comics about their entire universe. As a hard core DC fan, to get a real sense of the tonal shifts and developments coming in these future movies has me fired up. Something we, as DC fans have all been waiting for. Hope, optimism & FUN. I’m excited about our future together and you should be to.
Even when talking about the the most ruthless villain/anti-hero of all time finally coming to life. Prepare yourselves DC Universe.
Although it’s been three years since Johnson was cast as Black Adam in the Shazam film, no details have yet been revealed. However, looking at his recent meeting with Henry Cavill and this new update, it seems as though we’ll be getting some Shazam news very soon.
How do you feel about Johnson playing Black Adam in the DC Extended Universe? Let us know in the comments below!
Marvel Studio’s and Sony are setting up a different kind ofsuperhero movie with Spider-Man: Homecoming. The upcoming reboot will introduce a new style to the genre, with director Jon Watts implementing a coming of age technique. Michael Keaton will portray The Vulture in Homecoming and the actor recently discussed the role with Variety.
“But not to give too much away, but interestingly, he is and he isn’t, that character. He’s a really interesting — and more interesting than I thought — villain because there’s parts of him that you go, ‘You know what? I might see his point.’ Really, really. It makes it interesting to play.”
Marvel has gained a bad reputation recently for their villains. While we’ve seen some great bad guys in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there have been some real doozies too. From what Keaton has told Variety his interpretation of The Vulture will create a new relationship between the audience and the villain, perhaps we will see both sides of the coin and maybe relate with Vulture more than past Marvel and Spider-Man villains.
Spider-Man: Homecoming is directed by Jon Watts and will star Tom Holland as our new web-slinger. The film also stars Zendaya, Robert Downey Jr, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Donald Glover, and Jacob Batalon. Spider-Man: Homecoming will land in theaters on July 7, 2017.
Two of comics greatest teams team up for the very first time! Something terrible has happened in Angel Grove! When the Command Center is breached and the teleporters are damaged, Zack is flung into another universe, where he’s mistaken for a villain by a mysterious masked vigilante. Can the other Power Rangers get to their friend in time to save him from Batman? Co-published with BOOM! Studios.
Writing
It’s easy to ask, “Why exactly do a crossover like this?” The short answer is that the Justice League movie is coming out and everyone gets to meet the team. They’re also still taking on the Suicide Squad in another series right now. Still, seeing the Power Rangers go against them feels similar to the League facing the Suicide Squad. The superior force is obvious from the start. The Justice League has been known to fight several gigantic monsters at one time, were the readers actually supposed to believe they would have problems against the Megazord?
Writer Tom Tyler utilizes the standard “Jump to conclusions resulting in heroes fighting” story done in many crossovers before. It’s serviceable, and interesting to see how the two teams would fight against one another. Unfortunately, this story oversteps itself a bit in the opening. It clearly shows Superman and the Power Rangers getting along before launching into its flashback. Sure, the reason they are together is interesting but only just enough to pick up the rest of the issues.
Artwork
Stephen Byrne’s art is the saving grace of this issue. The color and drawings mimics the impressive effect work shown in BOOM’s Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series. The element of the Power Rangers costumes forming around them like force fields is an excellent detail and really helps to present the fine work which went into making this issue so visually pleasing.
Conclusion
It’s a serviceable crossover and is already proving to be enjoyable. Unfortunately, it’s feeling a bit to by the numbers with its set up. A crossover with a more inexperienced team without gods and goddesses on it – like the Titans – would have been a much better idea. It would even make more of an impact. The Titans are mostly made up of heroes who were sidekicks and have spent their adult lives understanding what it’s like to live in their predecessor’s shadow. After the brief misunderstanding fight which would happen and the Titans could have passed on sage like wisdom about what it’s like to grow up after spending their teenage years in battle. Here, sure the older Justice League members can look down on the team and say “Keep up the good work kids,” but it just won’t have the same weight behind it.
The Coens aren’t necessarily strangers to television. Their iconic 1996 Oscar winner Fargo inspired FX’s excellent anthology series of the same name, which they executive produce. And though they’ve never written nor directed anything outside the cinema, that’s going to change soon. They’re jumping into the world of peak TV with The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, a limited Western series which they’ll write and direct.
Details are limited otherwise, but Variety (via Vulture) reports it’s an “anthology event” set in the Old West, obviously, and it’ll intertwine six different storylines. Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Television is involved, and they intend to approach the project in a way that’ll combine TV with the theatrical. Whether that’s literal or simply metaphorical is unclear.
The scope of the project was considered “too challenging” to put inside one film, which is how it became the genesis of a mini-series. They intend to shoot it as a mini-series, though theatrical distribution is apparently not out of the question right now. Festival run, maybe? If it’s from the Coens, it’s sure to look beautiful. It would be nice to see it on the big screen, if in some form or another. Hopefully, Ellison and her team figure something out. They apparently having something similar to the original conception of The Dark Tower in mind, which will find different installments both on television and in theaters. Good luck.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs serves as the Coens’ follow-up to last year’s Hail, Caesar! They also wrote the screenplay for George Clooney’s upcoming directorial effort Suburbicon, which should hit theaters this year. It’s unclear how far along they are with this project, but they’re moving forward full speed ahead. All the best. Here’s hoping the world of television treats them as kindly as the cinema has these past few decades.
After Jughead and Sabrina had a disaster of a date (it was bad, guys, like, really bad. Like, think of the last time you ordered a double cheeseburger but inste—oh wait, I’ve already used that analogy? Dang. Well just trust me—it was bad) Sabrina pulled some devilishly good pranks on Jughead—unfortunately they all backfired and made Jughead even more likeable to everyone! Also Sabrina’s pranks were actually MAGIC TRICKS because she’s a TEENAGE WITCH and her powers were almost revealed to mortals. This caused a MUSCLY HORSE MAN monster to wreak havoc on Riverdale. Once he was defeated, she had a heart-to heart with Jughead and he convinced her to drop back in to high school, helping her out and saving their friendship in the process, before returning to his life of being Riverdale’s crowned prince of video games! And now, here’s Reggie.
Jughead #12 Written by Ryan North Art by Derek Charm Published by Archie Comics 2017
Writing
Jughead continues to be one of the most fun and enjoyable comics for anyone, and this issue is perhaps the best example that I have read. After the last couple of issues focusing on just Jughead and Sabrina, Ryan North brings in the whole cast for a fun video game centered tale that really showcases how great this cast of characters is when they are all together. The plot is simple; Jughead and friends are all playing a Mario Kart inspired racing game, with the winner being crowned “King/Queen” for a day. And of course, said crown just happens to be Jughead’s very famous piece of headwear. And the winner, of course, is the last person anyone would want to win. Seeing Reggie Mantle with Jughead’s crown is a great gag, and brings with it all manner of hilarity.
The characterization here is on point, as everyone has a great moment or bit of dialogue that not only rings true to them, but is also funny. Reggie is boastful, Archie is a bit clueless, Dilton is scientific, Betty is feminist, Kevin Keller is the voice of reason, and Veronica is rich. As for out titular hero, he means well, as always, but IS the one that puts things in motion for Reggie to win. It’s a classic Archie scenario with a modern twist and feel.
North even finds a way to sneak in some social issues, as there is a funny, yet relevant, bit about social media picture posting and how it could backfire. It feels like a quick one-off, but the epilogue makes it clear this will play out later.
And I can’t talk about the writing without mentioning the always great and now constant footnotes directed at the reader. Besides giving the comic a nice metafictional feel, these asides also help form a sort of conversation with the writer that makes it unique among all the Archie books. I hope those will always be a part of the book.
Art
Derek Charm’s art is perfect for this title (I’m sure I have said that before!). But with the video game sequences in this issue, Charm is able to get really playful. The race scenes are all composed of thick-lined, more cartoony renditions of the characters. And the color palate is a nice range of pastel colors with great icons and bursts of colors that actually make it feel like a moving video game. I even see a clear homage to Speed Racer in these scenes. Great stuff.
Also, Charm continues to draw the best Jughead in ages, with the denim vest with pins starting to become almost as iconic as the crown. It’s a great new design that has become, for me at least, an instant classic.
Conclusion
If you loved Archie as a kid, and have been wanting to check out his new universe, Jughead is the best book to do so. It’s not as “teen drama” as the regular new Archie title; it feels more classic. Yet it still has very distinctly modern touches and relevant issues to make it fresh and new. This issue specifically is a great new starting point, so go ahead and dig in!
Silence, like so many modern film masterworks, is not an easy film to watch or digest.
It puts human suffering and privation front and center. It questions the very nature of religious faith, and the universality of “truths” beyond specific social contexts.
Technically speaking, Silence is almost beyond reproach. Director Martin Scorsese approaches the material with reverence and a keen eye for detail. The actors, in particular Andrew Garfield, deliver unforgettable work characterized by compassion and palpable anguish.
Put simply, it’s the very definition of a “heavy” film. At least it should prove to be, for audience members for whom faith is a thought provoking or personal issue.
What’s it about?
In the early 17th Century, the Tokugawa shogun of Japan expelled Christian missionaries from the country, and outlawed the practice of Christianity. An inquisition across the land compelled commoners and Christian priests to apostatize — publicly renounce the faith — or face death by crucifixion or worse.
In Portugal, two Jesuit priests, Father Rodrigues (Garfield) and Father Garupe (Adam Driver), are informed of the unthinkable. Their mentor, Father Christovao Ferreira (Liam Neeson), has reportedly apostatized.
Unwilling to believe the report, the two young priests travel to Japan to discover the truth. Once there, they find villages full of “hidden Christians” — poor commoners devout in their belief and practicing in secret.
Rodrigues and Garupe do what they can, but it’s not long before the inquisition comes looking for them. In horror, they watch the land’s Samurai lords torture and kill Christians for not apostatizing, the very Christians the two tried to help by ministering to them.
Though shaken time and again in their resolve, the two cling to their faith and their mission. After all, Jesus himself was tested, according to scripture. How can they possibly do less for the faithful who need them?
But the horrors they witness continue to mount, and they find little sign of Ferreira. Once the Samurai make it clear that Rodrigues and Garupe have the power to end the villagers’ suffering, a hard question becomes unavoidable.
Whose glory does all that suffering and death truly serve? God’s, or their own?
Scorsese’s passion project
Reportedly, Martin Scorsese committed to making Silence as early as 1988, when he first read the 1966 Shusaku Endo novel upon which the film is based. Watching the final product, it’s clear the film was a labor of love.
The evidence of his vision for bringing the novel to life is everywhere, from staging to production design to the film’s expansive running time. Scorsese even earns a screenwriting credit for Silence, only the second of his career, alongside screenwriter Jay Cocks.
What results is a very patient, deliberately paced and meticulously crafted film. Scorsese provides an utterly immersive and compelling narrative, one that demands the very best from the performers bringing it to life.
Garfield, Japanese cast stand out
Andrew Garfield delivers yet another powerful performance, following his Golden Globe-nominated turn in Hacksaw Ridge. He seems determined to make the world forget those mediocre Spider-Man films that helped him break out, and it’s working.
However, Garfield’s is just one of many memorable turns in Silence. Neeson brings his trademark gravity in limited screen time. Driver, on the other hand, might be unrecognizable to those who only know him from his recent Star Wars work. His physical transformation alone is startling — add to that the emotion in his performance and you get career benchmark work.
Surrounding this talented trio is an equally talented ensemble of Japanese actors. Watch for a memorably silver-tongued turn by Tadanobu Asano, who plays Hogun the Grim in Marvel’s Thor films. Acclaimed actor and cyberpunk film director Shinya Tsukamoto also shines in Silence as Mokichi, a devout villager who helps hide the Jesuits and inspires them with his courage.
Worth seeing?
For fans of Scorsese’s long filmography, Silence is a must-see. Scorsese himself is on the record saying there’s a little bit of every film he’s ever done here. That alone should be incentive enough for any ardent devotee to give it a go.
Beyond even that enticement, however, Silence should prove rewarding as an exploration of how people internalize and practice faith. The film examines how different cultures interpret dogmatic practices and beliefs, and poses hard questions about devotion to abstract principle in the face of very real pain and death.
Again, it’s heavy stuff. To that end, if you prefer your Scorsese more gangster and F-bomb centric, Silence might be one of his films you skip.
Be advised, though. You may just be skipping out on what he considers his best.
Silence
Starring Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Tadanobu Asano, Ciarán Hinds, and Liam Neeson. Directed by Martin Scorsese.
Running Time: 161 minutes
Rated R for some disturbing violent content.
1, 2, Freddie’s Coming for You… 3, 4 Better Lock Your Door…
In 1984, the world watched in horror as a new villain appeared on the scene. This was no ordinary monster, it was the terrifying Freddy Krueger. Horror movies had never fully explored the nightmare concept quite as brilliantly as Wes Craven’s ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’. This flick – the first in a series of hugely successful Hollywood box office horrors – rocked the horror genre like never before.
The movie starred Johnny Depp, Mimi Craven, John Saxon, Robert England and Heather Langenkamp, among others. The premise of the movie is simple: a demonic, tormented entity infiltrates the minds of a group of teenagers on Elm Street. He’s hell-bent on brutalizing his victims in the cruelest and inhumane ways possible. The only way his victims can escape his wrath is to confront him within their own minds. But on Freddie’s turf, you’re never safe as that’s where this ghoulish, razor-clad villain guts his victims to death.
The premise of the movie is brilliant, and audiences around the world agreed: A Nightmare on Elm Street generated $25,504,513. Other sequels and prequels followed, and the total take of all Nightmare on Elm Street movies amounted to $370,495,086 – stunning for the horror genre. The most popular film in the series became Freddy versus Jason with takings of $82,622,655.
The runaway success of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies soon found a niche audience in the casino industry. A Nightmare on Elm Street slots is arguably the most terrifying slot game on the market, and it is available in a free-play mode at 888casino. This slots game is based on the latest Nightmare on Elm Street movie from 2010. It features 5 spinning reels, authentic video clips from the movie, bloodcurdling screams, and all the hapless characters too.
A caveat is in order: This is the most chilling slot game that I’ve ever encountered, and I’ve played them all. I found myself turning off the volume, much like I would during a tense scene in a horror movie, just to be able to get through the spins. Purists of the horror genre will be absolutely gobsmacked by the attention to detail and the eerie nature of this slot machine game.
From Horror to Comedy – Hollywood Inspires a Breakthrough Slot Machine Game
In 1998, Hollywood came up with a winner in The Big Lebowski. This R-rated comedy/crime mystery is rated at 8.2/10 on IMDb. It starred John Goodman, Jeff Bridges, and Julianne Moore. The Big Lebowski was directed by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen. The movie tells the story of The Dude – Mr. Lebowski – who was mistaken for a millionaire. The characters in this bowling-inspired flick offer zingers galore, fantastic jokes, drama and so much more.
Jeff Bridges stars as The Dude, John Goodman stars as Walter Sobchak, and Julianne Moore was Maude Lebowski. The movie grossed just $17,451,873 at the box office in 1998, but it has acquired cult-like status among fans the world over. As fate would have it, this Hollywood flick would also find its way to the online casino arena.
Within no time at all, 888casino was hosting The Big Lebowski slot machine game. It features the Dude, Donnie, Jesus, Maude and Walter. It also features free spins (spares), wild symbols, expanding wild symbols and a fabulous Goodnight Sweet Prince Bonus Game. The Big Lebowski has 5 spinning reels, 25 fixed lines and lots of added extras to keep you bowling strikes.
An Epic Blockbuster Comes to Life at the Casino – Clash of the Titans
Once word got out that Hollywood movies were making the transition to online casino-themed slots games, there was no stopping them. The next big hit on the scene was Clash of the Titans slot. This adrenaline-fueled slot game tells the story of Perseus – an ancient Greek hero who is tasked with saving the world from cataclysm. This 5-reel, 20-line slot machine game offers adrenaline-loaded entertainment from inception to cash out. All those mythical Greek heroes in Zeus, Perseus, and the iconic Mount Olympus will feature in the Clash of the Titans. This is one not to be missed, and it makes the transition from film to slot game beautifully.
Tom Hardy’s James Keziah Delaney is a man seeking revenge in Taboo, the new FX series Hardy produced along with his father, “Chips,” and Ridley Scott. When he arrives back in London, 1814, after being in Africa for a decade and presumed dead in a shipwreck, Delaney knows his very existence is going to throw some best laid plans into a tailspin.
But he doesn’t care. He’s seen some shit.
Taboo is a vehicle for Tom Hardy to show off his always captivating crazy side. Delaney lumbers about town in a top coat and hat, scars telling the stories of his past. He makes his presence well known in town for good reason. His father has recently died, leaving him a shipping empire and a piece of land in the United States that is vital for the success of the rival East India shipping. The company, headed by Stuart Strange (Jonathan Pryce), thought that had all of their ducks in a row; they didn’t account for this duck coming back from the dead.
Delaney discovers just how upsetting his appearance is at every turn. His father’s servant is happy to see him, but apprehensive about his desire to dig into his father’s death. His half sister, married to a monster, may very well be happy to see him, but cannot express such emotions. He shows up at his family offices to discover they have been turned into a brothel by Helga, played by an unrecognizable Franka Potente. Then, a late night autopsy tells him what he probably already knew: his father was poisoned. And so the stage is set for a great deal of conflict over the next seven episodes.
While the madness Delaney experienced in Africa has not yet been fully explored, certain terrifying visions and ghosts of the ship he presumably died aboard have reared their head. Taboo is a series heavy in style. 1814 London is incredibly detailed, textured, sometimes beautiful amid the pollution and grime. It’s a fascinating show to simply observe, and Tom Hardy has such an animal magnetism to his every movement, I could watch him read the phone book for an hour. His Delaney is all menace and small twitches, a man on a mission with no time for platitudes or courtesy. He sees through the bullshit, and he has a plan.
It’s great to realize we will get at least seven more weeks of Hardy in this character and this setting.
In 2011, comic fans were introduced to Loose Ends, a Southern crime story told in four parts. However, only the first three issues were published, and the final chapter has been hanging in limbo ever since. Now, Loose Ends returns with a new home at Image Comics, and the creators promise to give the story its long awaited finale.
Sonny Gibson is a military vet living in his home state of North Carolina. He’s fallen on hard times, and gets roped into running drugs by an old Army friend. But before embarking on the trip to Florida, Sonny stops off at an old watering hole to make some amends. Things go south quick, and Sonny finds himself on the run with a waitress named Cheri.
This may sound like a familiar story, and it is. But it’s a familiar story with a strong twist from the creative team that makes it feel funky fresh.
Jason Latour writes an intelligent script. A lot happens in this first issue of Loose Ends, and some important details are revealed in cutaways and flashbacks. Latour doesn’t hold the readers’ hands through these moments, and he doesn’t use clunky expository dialogue. He simply tells his story and trusts that the reader will follow along. This trust is what sets Latour’s work above the rest.
However, as gripping as the script is, the art is the what makes Loose Ends #1 worth your $3.99. Chris Brunner’s pencils are raw and gritty like a crime comic should look, and Rico Renzi’s colors crank things up a notch. Renzi adds a vibrancy to the scene. Certain scenes, like Sonny’s drunken stupor, become all the more intoxicating. It’s a style that can only be described as “funky,” and it’s what keeps Loose Ends from being just another crime story.
Loose Ends #1 – The Bottom Line
Loose Ends is back and better than ever. Be sure to pick up issue one when it rereleases on January 25, even if you already gave it a shot the first time around. You’ll get the finale that you’ve been waiting six years for, along with a new format, new covers, and a few other updates. “But don’t worry,” said Latour in a recent Image+ interview, “Han still shoots first.”
STAR WARS: DARTH MAUL #1 will be available February 1st!
Jughead #12
