The Best Films Of 2016 From An Outsider’s Point Of View

December 13, 2016

Here’s One Of The Most Bizarre “Best Films of 2016” Lists You’ll Ever See!

It’s the end of the year and so many “Best Of 2016” lists have been published. As one of the outsiders in the critic world, I decided to compile a list of the best films I’ve seen in 2016. From different countries and every genre, there’s something for everyone here. Don’t expect to find ‘Manchester By The Sea‘ and ‘Hell Or High Water‘ on this list. I’m throwing out for the most unusual picks you’ll ever see.

Let me know if any of your favorites make this list!

Honorable Mentions:

‘The Wailing‘
‘Tickled‘

10. ‘Blair Witch’ (Dir: Adam Wingard)

You know this is for outsiders when ‘Blair Witch‘ kicks things off. A recurring theme on my list is my views being the complete opposite of the average movie critic’s opinion. Adam Wingard’s ‘Blair Witch‘ is the first example of that. While most found it to be just another found footage film, I took it as the next step. The film pushes the genre conventions just enough but stays true to tropes we all expect. Also, that snapping in half scene is one of the year’s most brutal kills!

9. ‘The Girl On The Train’ (Dir: Tate Taylor)

Before going into this film, I had no idea what to expect. ‘The Girl On The Train‘ is another best-selling novel turned big-screen adaption. Without reading the source material, I jumped into an pulpy novella told by a drunken wife. The filmmakers and actors knew the exact tone it was going for and sold it! Other critics found this erotic thriller to be exploitive & melodramatic. Those critiques are exactly what I loved about ‘The Girl On The Train‘.

8. ‘The Shallows’ (Dir: Jaume Collet-Serra)

Is this the best shark movie since ‘Jaws‘? Who cares! ‘The Shallows‘ is just insane cinematic fun for everyone. Undeniably bonkers and very well made, it was great to see this horror film do well during the summer box office season. Not only that but it was also well received by most critics! Blake Lively handles the material well and even the seagull credited as Steven Seagull delivers a memorable performance. Welcome to 2016 in film…

7. ‘The Neon Demon’ (Dir: Nicolas Winding Refn)

Like his films, Nicolas Winding Refn has slowly been building to something bigger. ‘The Neon Demon‘ feels like a great next level for him as a filmmaker. While films like ‘Drive‘, ‘Bronson‘, and ‘Only God Forgives‘ have been very male dominated, this makes a complete 180 degree turn. Starring Elle Fanning and Jenna Malone, ‘The Neon Demon‘ tells the sad story of a model looking for fame in a world of beauty & torture. The end result feels like ‘Showgirls‘ mixed with ‘Hostel‘.

6. ‘Sausage Party’ (Dir: Conrad Vernon, Greg Tiernan)

I couldn’t ask for anything more of my animated films than an epic food orgy finale! ‘Sausage Party‘ comes at a time where many are striving for 100% political correctness and blows that idea out the water. I haven’t seen something this outwardly offensive and gleefully bizarre since early John Waters films. Coming from two directors with experience at Dreamworks and Disney, there has been no better parody of animation ever.

5. ‘Moonlight’ (Dir: Barry Jenkins)

‘Moonlight‘ could possibly be one of the most raw pieces of cinema of 2016. You will find this on many “Best Films of 2016” list and it has a place on mine. The Barry Jenkins-directed movie is a wonderful look at masculinity as well as sexuality. While 3 different actors played the lead role of Chiron, it was Ashton Sanders that carried the film to another level. He brought something unique to the screen this year and let’s hope he gets many Best Actor nominations!

4. ’10 Cloverfield Lane’ (Dir: Dan Trachtenberg)

The unexpected sequel that shocked everyone with how great it is. ‘10 Cloverfield Lane‘ was announced just months before its release and no one was ready for it. Critics and fans alike agree that this is undoubtedly one of the best films of the year. Part of that is from the great direction of Dan Trachtenberg and the other majority of the praise goes to John Goodman. Those two combined with the script’s stellar tension makes this so special.

3. ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice’ (Dir: Zack Snyder)

I’ve personally never loved a superhero movie this much since ‘Watchman‘. In a genre filled with either extremely realistic pieces or kid-friendly adventures, ‘Batman v Superman‘ is refreshingly in the middle. The amount of hate it got upon release shocked me but then it became fun to love this polarizing piece. Zack Snyder has his insane visual storytelling and heavily relied on a great cast of talented actors to carry it. I love this film so much that I can defend the infamous “Martha” line.

2. ‘Arrival’ (Dir: Denis Villeneuve)

Nothing could prepare me for how beautiful ‘Arrival‘ is. Never expected to even enjoy this film let alone consider this one of the top 2 best films from the entire year. I shouldn’t have doubted Denis Villeneuve after ‘Sicario‘ and ‘Prisoners‘ but I paid for it by having my mind melted by the sheer beauty of this piece. On top of how amazingly well-crafted this is, Amy Adams delivers the performance of her career. If there was any other time for her to win an Oscar, it’s now!

1. ‘The Handmaiden’ (Dir: Park Chan Wook)

South Korean director Park Chan-wook released one of his best films to date with ‘The Handmaiden‘. Not only do I think that this is Park Chan-wook’s best film but it’s also the most outstanding cinematic experience I had this year. From the first frame, I was engrossed into this world and never wanted it to end. Another film that deals with sexuality, this one is even darker than ‘Moonlight‘. This hyper-sexual horrifying revenge tale is what filmmakers should strive for.

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Spoiler Free Review: ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ Is Perfectly Balanced

Dewey Singleton - Film Critic

December 13, 2016

Imagine if you were given the task of creating a unique spin on a familiar narrative. On top of that, you are now being asked to take your vision and seamlessly connect to an iconic film released 39 years ago. To make matters worse, hundreds of millions of people are breathlessly waiting to see your final product with the expectation that it lives up to the highest of standards.

In many ways, Gareth Edwards took on a tougher task when he agreed to direct Rogue One: A Star Wars Story than J.J. Abrams did when he decided to direct The Force Awakens. While Abrams had the benefit of expanding a universe that is established and beloved, Edwards only had the one narrative (the rebels stealing the Death Star plans) to work from. How is it even possible to take a minor plot point and expand in such a way that’s both compelling and delightful to hardcore Star Wars fans around the globe?

Well, Edwards not only found a way to expand that narrative, he also managed to recapture the magic of the original Star Wars. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a superb blend of classic Star Wars mythology sprinkled with new elements that will leave the most stringent of fans delighted. While I was certainly a fan of The Force Awakens, in many ways Rogue One is vastly superior in my estimation.

For those who are unfamiliar with the narrative behind Rogue One, the film is set after Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and centers around the alliance acquiring plans to the Empire’s greatest weapon, The Death Star. The film centers around a bunch of rebels banding together to attempt to complete what is viewed as an impossible mission. Rogue One is the first film in the Star Wars universe that is more character driven than visually driven. Edwards did a great job casting veterans actors such as Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Forest Whitaker, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Riz Ahmed, Alan Tudyk, Mads Mikkelsen, and Ben Mendelsohn. He understood that even with an army of ILM techs at his disposal, that at its core, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is about the birth of hope, and the origin of hope is told not by an exploding Tie Fighter but through people.

This film has some tremendous performances. Felicity Jones is cast as Jyn Erso, the daughter of Galen Erso (the empire’s lead scientist/the person responsible for developing the Death Star) and she delivers a performance that reminiscent of Carrie Fisher in the original trilogy. Mads Mikkelsen plays Jyn’s father Galen (who appears to be conflicted by his choices in life) plays such a crucial role in the film (don’t want to spoil it for you) and he delivers a fantastic performance as well. Donnie Yen and Diego Luna are marvelous as each play key supporting roles in this narrative. Personally, my favorite was Alan Tudyk who plays a stop motion character named K2SO. K2S0 is an imperial droid that has been reprogrammed by the alliance and let us just say has a unique attitude problem. After this weekend, Star Wars fans worldwide will be regarding K2SO the same way they view C3PO and R2D2.

Visually, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is spectacular. The final battle sequences are some of the best that I’ve seen since The Empire Strikes Back. The dogfights in front of the communication tower will make audiences jump out of their seats. The beach assault scenes are intense, and the sight of the AT-AT Walker will make your heart stop. It’s as if Lucasfilm ripped battle scenes from a child’s imagination and brought it to life. Perhaps the greatest achievement of this film is how it whisks us from our everyday lives and takes us back to a time when life was as simple as staging battles in our back yards and an old hermit from Tatooine was our only hope.

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Episode 104: ‘Rogue One’ vs ‘The Walking Dead’

Matthew Sardo

December 13, 2016

As 2016 comes to a close we give you a powerhouse of an episode as EJ and Matt critique Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Monkeys Fighting Robots beat reporter Jon Barr stops by to discuss the mid-season finale of AMC’s The Walking Dead.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is like heroin, never going to get enough.

The Walking Dead has found its Game of Thrones groove!

Strap yourself in buckaroos! Episode 104 of the Monkeys Fighting Robots podcast is here.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is directed by Gareth Edwards, and stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen (IP Man), Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen of Hannibal fame, Alan Tudyk (as a motion capture character), and Riz Ahmed. The film is a prequel to the original 1977 Star Wars, dealing with rebel efforts to convey Death Star blueprints to Leia Organa. The screenplay is by Chris Weitz.

The Walking Dead – Hearts Still Beating
Negan’s unwelcome visit to Alexandria continues as other members scavenge for supplies; things quickly spin out of control.

Do you want to be our SUPER-FAN of the week? All you have to do is comment on this podcast to be eligible.

Do you have a question that you would like answered during the show? Email your questions to matt@popaxiom.com.

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The Best And Worst Characters From ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’

EJ Moreno

December 13, 2016

‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ Is Filled With So Many Colorful Characters. Some Great, Some Not So Great!

A new Star Wars film is upon us and it’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. ‘Rogue One‘ is a standalone movie within the franchise taking place between ‘Star Wars Episode III‘ and ‘Star Wars Episode IV‘. It tells the story of a ragtag team who come together for an impossible mission to steal the Death Star plans.

Though ‘Rogue One‘ feels different than most Star Wars films at times, the knack for memorable characters is still there. Even if I didn’t necessarily love someone in the movie, they stood out for one reason or another.

Below is a list of the best and worst characters in ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story‘!

Honorable Mention:

Darth Vader
-Darth Vader’s time in the film is fairly brief but insanely brilliant.

Shining Stars:

Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen)
-The hype for Donnie Yen appearing in a Star Wars film was too real. After wasting Asian talents like Yayan Ruhian and Iko Uwais in ‘The Force Awakens‘, it was great to see such a legendary actor shine in a major Hollywood film. This blind Force worshipping bad-ass steals the entire show with his heart & skills!
Cassian Andor (Diego Luna)
–Diego Luna takes what could have been some sidekick role for ‘Rogue One’ and adds some major depth to Cassian Andor. He struggles with morality through the film and seemingly grows the most out of anyone. Cassian is obviously Han Solo-inspired but has an extra layer of pain that makes him original.
Director Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn)
-The major complaints I’ve had with Star Wars villains is their sappy backstories. Rarely is someone just evil for the sake of being evil. Thankfully Director Orson Krennic is! He just wants fame for creating the ultimate killing machine and that drives him to be a formable foe. He also has a gang of cool Stormtroopers!

Stuck In The Middle:

Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones)
-The worst part about Jyn Erso as a character is we just don’t get to see enough action from her. She drives the narrative and plays an important part to the plot but her notability doesn’t go beyond that. Felicity Jones plays Jyn well but can’t make up for a one note character. This allowed for Cassian Andor to shine.
Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed)
-Bodhi Rook is potentially a great character but is portrayed so inconsistent throughout ‘Rogue One‘. So much so that I’m confused on how I feel about his role in the grand scheme of things. He’s introduced with a bang and gets a great heroic moment but spends most of the time in the background.
Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen)
–Mads Mikkelsen appears for a respectable amount of the movie and has an important part but doesn’t come close to anything of note. Galen Erso is the catalyst for all of this drama and for some reason, he’s sadly underutilized. He lacks the mystic that the filmmakers attempts to give him.

Stinkers:

K-2SO (Alan Tudyk)
-I applaud the great Alan Tudyk on another fantastic performance but sadly, the character of K-2SO feels out of place. Aesthetically, he looks great but his humor didn’t quite match the rest of the film’s tone. I found myself comparing him to Baymax or Johnny 5 from ‘Short Circuit‘ more than anything else.
Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker)
-The entire arc with Saw Gerrera doesn’t feel fulfilling. He’s one of the few characters that didn’t feel complete within this film and needed more explanation. Also, I can’t help but to think he’s only in this film to serve as another failed father figure for Jyn Erso. Forest Whitaker at least delivers a campy performance.

Comment below and let me know which character you are most excited for?

Synopsis: The Rebellion makes a risky move to steal the plans for the Death Star, setting up the epic saga to follow.

Genre: Space Opera
Country: USA
Director: Gareth Edwards
Starring: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Donnie Yen, and Ben Mendelsohn

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Archie Comics Expands Lineup With Wave Of One-Shots By Top Talent

Manuel Gomez

December 13, 2016

The town of Riverdale just got a little more crowded with some beloved and familiar faces.

Building off the success of blockbuster titles like ARCHIE, JUGHEAD, BETTY & VERONICA and JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS, Archie Comics is widening the scope of Riverdale stories by assembling some of the brightest stars in comics to tell four brand-new tales in a wave of oversized one-shots arriving in comic book stores and digitally this March.

The four one-shots build upon the foundation of the smash-hit ARCHIE and AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE series by exploring classic Archie Comics concepts and characters in new and ambitious ways.

Each week in March will see a new one-shot arrive from some of the brightest stars in the comic book industry.

“The worlds of Archie Horror and New Riverdale are always expanding and changing and we’re always striving to tell the best stories we can with the Archie characters,” said Archie Comics CEO/Publisher Jon Goldwater.

“These new launches give readers a wider lens with which to see the Archie characters and concepts, including perennial favorites like THE ARCHIES, SABRINA, LITTLE ARCHIE and more. I think of it as a very ambitious and top-line pilot season that showcases the successful and acclaimed New Riverdale sensibility. If these books resonate, fans might just see them greenlit as regular series.”

Kicking off the wave of one-shots will be the team of Art Baltazar and Franco (Little Archie/Tiny Titans), as they return to Riverdale for a must-have Little Archie adventure in the LITTLE ARCHIE ONE-SHOT. After a strange cat eats Archie’s homework, are these pint-size pipsqueaks ready for the wildest day ever? Aw yeah!

Alex Segura and Matt Rosenberg, the writers behind the sold-out and smash-hit ARCHIE MEETS RAMONES one-shot, team with ARCHIE artist Joe Eisma to follow Archie’s dreams of becoming a songwriter in THE ARCHIES ONE-SHOT, arriving March 15^th and featuring a rockin’ cover by comics legend Jaime Hernandez (Love and Rockets).

Sabrina the Teenage Witch begins her first journey into the real world as she heads off to college but a shocking revelation will change her life in a way she never expected. Co-writer Franco teams with the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic duo of Katie Cook and artist Andy Price to bring the magical adventures of everyone’s favorite teenage witch to life in the SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH ONE-SHOT, arriving March 22^nd.

The one-shots wrap up on March 29^th as insatiable appetite of Jughead Jones takes a sinister turn in the JUGHEAD: THE HUNGER ONE-SHOT, the newest installment of the critically acclaimed Archie Horror line. Writer Frank Tieri (Wolverine) and artist Michael Walsh (Secret Avengers) explore the dark family legacy surrounding Jughead as the lives of Riverdale’s most well-known inhabitants hang in the balance.

To pre-order these one-shots, contact your local comic book shop by using the Comic Shop Locator Service or calling 1-888-COMIC-BOOK.

LITTLE ARCHIES ONE-SHOT
BRAND NEW ONE-SHOT SPECIAL! Archie’s wildest day ever starts with a cat eating his homework—and things just get crazier from there! But this isn’t just an ordinary cat, and this certainly won’t be an ordinary day for Little Archie and his friends. Join in on the fun adventure from the superstar comics team Art Baltazar and Franco (Tiny Titans, Action Cat and Adventure Bug)!

Script: Art Baltazar and Franco
Art: Art Baltazar
Cover: Art Baltazar
On Sale Date: 3/8
48-page, full color comic
$4.99 U.S.

THE ARCHIES ONE-SHOT
BRAND NEW ONE-SHOT SPECIAL! Follow Archie’s quest to make his songwriting dreams a reality, and see what happens when the rock ‘n’ roll dream starts affecting his relationships with his closest friends. Join co-writers Alex Segura and Matthew Rosenberg (Archie Meets Ramones) and artist Joe Eisma (Archie) for a power-pop one-shot that goes loud on the music, fun and friendship.

Script: Alex Segura and Matt Rosenberg
Art: Joe Eisma
Cover: Jaime Hernandez
On Sale Date: 3/15
48-page, full color comic
$4.99 U.S.

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH ONE-SHOT
BRAND NEW ONE-SHOT SPECIAL! Sabrina is off to college for her first foray into “the real world.” After years of being protectively home schooled by her aunts, she is ready to experience friends, boys, and parties—but a shocking revelation will rock her world in a way she never expected! From writers Franco (Tiny Titans) and Katie Cook (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic) and art by Andy Price (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)!

Script: Katie Cook and Franco
Art: Andy Price
Cover: Sandra Lanz
On Sale Date: 3/22
48-page, full color comic
$4.99 U.S.

JUGHEAD: THE HUNGER ONE-SHOT
BRAND NEW ONE-SHOT SPECIAL! Jughead Jones has always had an insatiable appetite… but what if his hunger came from a sinister place? When a murderous menace is on the prowl, taking the lives of some of the most well-known and esteemed inhabitants of Riverdale, Jughead and his family’s dark legacy comes to light. Join writer Frank Tieri (Wolverine) and artist Michael Walsh (Secret Avengers) for this horrifying one-shot for TEEN+ readers.

Script: Frank Tieri
Art: Michael Walsh
Cover: Michael Walsh
On Sale Date: 3/29
48-page, full-color comic
$4.99 U.S.
Visit the official Archie Comics website for more information, follow them on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news and updates, and check out the Archie Comics Shop or download the Archie App for iOS and Android to read all your favorite Archie Comics!

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Ben Affleck Wants To Make An “Iconic” Batman Movie

Aric Sweeny

December 12, 2016

In a recent interview with The New York Times, Ben Affleck offered an update on his upcoming Batman film.

“We still have to get a screenplay and get it together. I’m a real believer in not reverse engineering projects to meet a window or a date, but rather when you get the right story, the right idea, the right thing, then you make the movie. That’s what we’re doing, and I’m hoping to get that done. I’m spending a lot of time working on that, but also working on other stuff.

If I could, there’s nothing I’d love more than to direct a stand-alone iconic, great Batman movie. But it’s been done. Chris Nolan did three really great movies. I’m really mindful of that. I’m not in any hurry to jam the mediocre movie down the pipe. I really want to make sure, if we do it, we get the great version and one that’s worthy of tradition of guys like Tim Burton, Chris Nolan, and Christian Bale.”

See Affleck as the caped crusader next in 2017’s Justice League.

Source: Batman News.

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Patrick Wilson Cast As Orm In James Wan’s ‘Aquaman’ Movie

Kieran McLean

December 12, 2016

Deadline is reporting that Patrick Wilson (Watchmen) has been cast in James Wan’s solo Aquaman movie as Orm.

Orm also known as Ocean Master is the evil half-brother of Arthur Curry and competition for the throne of Atlantis. Wilson previously worked with director James Wan on The Conjuring 2 which was a critical and financial success, so it’s great to see this partnership continue.

Aquaman will be the seventh film in the DC Extended Universe and will see Jason Momoa step back into the role. The character had a small cameo in Batman v Superman but will have a much larger role in next year’s Justice League before Wan’s solo movie.

Aquaman also stars Amber Heard (The Danish Girl) as Mera and Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man) as Nuidis Vulko. The film recently received a new release date from Warner Bros. and will land in theaters on October 5, 2018. Jason Momoa will star alongside Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Ray Fisher and Ezra Miller in Justice League.

Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

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Hanna-Barbera and DC’s Heroes Are Teaming Up in March 2017 Annuals

Wesley Messer

December 12, 2016

When DC Comics started a revamped Hanna-Barbera line, no one knew what to expect. With the success of the new line, DC Comics is now unleashing their heroes in Hanna-Barbera Land. Via The Hollywood Reporter, we learn that a series of four annuals in March 2017, you get Adam Strange/Future Quest, Green Lantern/Space Ghost, Booster Gold/The Flintstones, and Suicide Squad/Banana Splits. There will also be backup stories with Top Cat, Ruff and Ready, The Jetsons, and Snagglepuss, adding more to the world. Now let us go forth and explore these stories together, March 2017 just got a whole lot more fun with this announcement.

Hanna-Barbera and DC Collide in March 2017 in Wonderful Ways Next Year with these Annuals.

Adam Strange/Future Quest Annual No. 1

In the first annual, Marc Andreyko and Jeff Parker write a story with Adam Strange teaming up with the Future Quest characters. Adam Strange is dealing with the events following Death of Hawkman. Steve Lieber is the artist on this story and it involves Jonny Quest, Hadji, Race Bannon, and Dr. Benton Quest helping Adam Strange get back to the DCU after a trip through many dimensions. Of course, it’s never that simple, as the plan to get him back home involves going through Dino Boy’s Lost Valley. Yes, we get giant Dinosaurs and that’s awesome. Then in the backup, you get Dan Didio writing a story with Top Cat escaping prison, only to go through a portal and meet Batman, with Phil Winslade on art, this should be amazing.

Booster Gold/The Flintstones Annual No. 1

With the second annual, Booster Gold goes back in time to meet The Flinstones. Written by Mark Russell with the art team of Rick Leonardi and Scott Hanna, Booster Gold is sent to the time of our prehistoric family to save the 25th Century from alien invaders. Now Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble would be perfect to help Booster out in his quest to defeat the evil aliens, he just has to convince them to help him out. In our backup, Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti with art by Pier Brito handle The Jetsons. Think all the futuristic technology of The Jetsons, with a twisted take. When the solicitation mentions the idea of Rosie the Robot getting the imprint of Grandma’s brain, this will be fantastic.

If you’re not already excited by this, just wait till you see the next two annuals.

Green Lantern/Space Ghost Annual No. 1

With the third annual you get an amazing crossover, Space Ghost and Green Lantern. This one is written by James Tynion IV and Chris Sebela, with Ariel Olivetti on art, involving our two heroes getting stuck in a rift in time. Now they have to fight many upon many foes, even having to face each other at one point. Eventually, they’re stuck in a world that doesn’t know space travel and no idea what even aliens are. They get stripped of their weapons and it looks like Space Ghost will get the Lantern Ring and Green Lantern will get the Power Bands. In the backup, Howard Chaykin writes and draws a story for Ruff and Ready. Chaykin takes the classic animal team and shows how wonderful their life was until it gets terrible today.

Suicide Squad/Banana Splits Annual No. 1

In our final annual, The Banana Splits are mistaken for Metahumans and sent to Belle Reve Penitentiary. Written by Tony Bedard with art by Ben Caldwell, The Banana Splits get recruited by Amanda Waller to save the Suicide Squad. The musical supergroup of Hanna-Barbera meets The Suicide Squad, let the craziness begin. In the backup story written by Mark Russell with art by Dale Eaglesham, Snagglepuss is a Southern Gothic Playwright in New York City. Snagglepuss is working with many people relevant in the culture in the New York theater scene of the 1950’s. This should be interesting to see.

I’m curious what you all think of these annuals out there in the MFR Universe. Let me know in the comments below. No matter what the case may be, these are all creative and fascinating in their own way, this should make for a good time.

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Top 15 Geek TV Shows of 2016

Jon Barr - TV Editor

December 12, 2016

We’ve had an awesome year for geek and nerd culture television series. Shows have tackled zombies, cartoons, robots, and even Dungeons & Dragons. Netflix and CW have build superhero empires (the latter of which recently had an amazing crossover event). More and more, things formerly considered “geeky” are gaining the attention and respect of TV viewers. But which of these shows had the best year? Here is our list of the Top 15 geek shows currently on television.

No. 15 – The 100 (Season 3)

The young adult dystopian series has just had its third, and arguably strongest, season on the CW. The series is set in the near future, where a group of space-dwelling humans attempt to re-colonize the Earth. The third season focused on the space settler (or “Skaikru“) fighting the native Earth-dwellers, and the A.I program that decimated the Earth in the first place. Season 4 will begin airing on February 1st, 2017.

No. 14 – The Walking Dead (Seasons 6/7)

Even after six years, The Walking Dead is one of the most viewed TV shows currently on air. The show has continued with its formula of Rick Grimes, a former sherrif, leading a group of survivors against the hordes of Walkers. This past year, however, The Walking Dead has picked up new notoriety with the arrival of Negan, the show’s newest antagonist. Though the show’s ratings may be in a rut, there’s no denying that this is a big piece of pop culture. The TV series is currently airing on AMC, Sunday nights at 9PM EST.

No. 13 – The Flash (Seasons 2/3)

The CW’s scarlet speedster had a crazy second season. This season was full of time-traveling shenanigans, multiple villainous metahumans, and Team Flash dopplegangers. Season Two even featured an episode directed by the legendary Kevin Smith! The Flash has always been more fun than its gritty sister TV show Arrow, and that trend continued beautifully. The show is sandwiched in between Supergirl and Arrow, airing as part of their superhero weekly programming. The third season is currently on the air, and you can read our weekly CW reviews here!

No. 12 – Son of Zorn (Season 1)

FOX has a new TV family sitcom, but this one is unlike any other. While the network has had several animated shows, like The Simpsons and Bob’s Burgers, Son of Zorn throws its goofball father into the real world. Jason Sudeikis plays Zorn, the He-Man-esque hero that comes home to help raise his son. It takes a while to warm up, but once Son of Zorn hits its stride, it embraces the insanity of the 80s cartoons for a wonderful TV show. It is currently airing FOX, every Sunday night.

No. 11 – iZombie (Season 2)

For a series with a somewhat convoluted premise, iZombie has proven to be a phenomenal TV show. The show follows Liv Moore, a zombie who helps to solve crimes by eating the brains of murder victims. It’s not a zombie show like The Walking Dead, which focuses on the gritty world of survivors. Instead, the show is helmed by Rob Thomas, creator of comedy shows like Party Down and Veronica Mars. The blend of a police procedural set-up, supernatural characters, and a comedic tone makes iZombie a lot of fun. You can watch this past season, and S1, on Netflix right now.

No. 10 – Voltron: Legendary Defender (Season 1)

On top of their roster of superhero shows, Netflix has also brought back a classic cartoon series. Voltron: Legendary Defenders is a reboot of the classic 80’s cartoon TV series, about five teenagers who become pilots of robot lions. The new TV show is helmed by the creative team behind both Avatar: The Last Airbender, and its sequel series The Legend of Korra. Not to mention one of its stars is Steven Yeun. It makes for a light-hearted viewing experience for those going through Glenn-on-The-Walking-Dead- withdrawl. The series currently has one season available for streaming, with Season 2 due out January 20th, 2017.

No. 9 – Daredevil (Season 2)

In Daredevil’s second season, the man formerly known as The Mask has a whole lot of villains to contend with. Fisk may be in prison, but Daredevil has to fight off The Hand, the mystical ninja cult. On top of Murdock’s legal team, Daredevil also teams up with Elektra, his former girlfriend turned assassin, and Punisher, the violent vigilante. The season may not be as well-centered as the last one, which focused purely on beating Kingpin, but it was still packed with intense action and high stakes.

No. 8 – Harmonquest (Season 1)

If you haven’t checked out NBC’s streaming service Seeso, you’re missing out on a lot of quality comedy. One show of particular note is Harmonquest, the semi-animated D&D campaign. Helmed by Dan Harmon, creator of the sci-fi comedy cartoon Rick & Morty, Harmonquest features a revolving cast of well-known guest stars like Thomas Middleditch, Kumail Nanjiani, and Nathan Fillion. The first season can be streamed in its entirety on Seeso, along with additional “expanded universe” content.

No. 7 – Preacher (Season 1)

AMC has more than just The Walking Dead to appease comic book fans. Over the summer, executive producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, mostly known for their comedy films, brought the series to life. Preacher follows a small-town preacher gifted with incredible power in the vein of Jessica Jones’ Kilgrave. The show features vampires, angels, cowboys, and a character named Arseface. Not to mention the fact that Jesse Custer, the titular preacher, has a phone call with God. What more could you ask for?

No. 6 – Luke Cage (Season 1)

The latest Netflix/Marvel partnership gave us another compelling series about a street-level superhero. Set in Harlem, NY, Luke Cage follows the bulletproof hero learning to embrace his heroic side. Many have compared the show to HBO’s The Wire, which isn’t totally accurate, but it is a nice change of pace from Marvel’s movie line-up. Luke Cage fits well within the context of Netflix’s other shows, while locking down its own unique tone. Check out the season before Cage joins with The Defenders in 2017.

No. 5 – Westworld (Season 1)

HBO’s new smash-hit show is simultaneously set in the Wild West, and the near future. Westworld revolves around the robot hosts, beginning to gain sentience, and the people in charge of them. There are all sorts of mysteries built into the framework of the universe, making the show exhilarating and exciting every episode. The show has a powerful team behind its production, and has already picked up some Critic’s Choice Awards for their female actresses. You can watch the whole first season on HBO GO.

No. 4 – Supergirl (Seasons 1/2)

Folks may be on the fence about Supergirl, the newest superhero TV show the CW snagged from CBS. However, if any part of you is thinking about checking it out, then you should absolutely do so. Supergirl has the same elements that makes The Flash great – a more upbeat tone, great action scenes & CGI, and isn’t saddled with too many sidekicks (looking at you, Arrow). Since joining the CW, Supergirl has flourished on the network that knows how to make superheroes work. Not to mention that Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman is far more fun that Henry Cavill. The second season is airing on CW, but you can watch all of the first one on Netflix.

No. 3 – Black Mirror (Season 3)

The British show came out on Netflix this year, with twice the amount of episodes as past seasons. The series is part horror, part sci-fi, telling a series of different stories every season. It’s more like a movie marathon that a standard TV show. This season tackles topics like war, privacy, video games, and the afterlife. With such varied storytelling, Black Mirror builds a lot of compelling, unpredictable, phenomenal worlds. All three seasons – twelve episodes total – can be streamed on Netflix.

No. 2 – Game of Thrones (Season 6)

HBO’s current flagship show is still going strong. Game of Thrones has continued the medieval madness of seasons past, albeit with way less Dorne. The latest season corrected a lot of the problems that plagued the show before. There was more action, bigger fights, and answers to several Jon Snow mysteries. Game of Thrones used this season to prove what made it such a hit from the beginning. You can watch all six seasons on HBO, with Season Seven due out in the summer of next year.

No. 1 – Stranger Things (Season 1)

Of course, the top geek show is one of the biggest pop culture moments of the year. Stranger Things is a Netflix series that managed to capitalize off 80’s nostalgia in the best way possible. Instead of trying to reboot an old movie, the Duffer Brothers created a compelling new series about superpowers, demons, and Dungeons & Dragons. There’s so much of Stranger Things that will be considered classic in years to come.

Be sure to check out our list of Top 10 New Shows! It includes great new shows that aren’t quite as geeky, like ‘Atlanta,’ ‘The People vs O.J,’ and ‘The Crown.’ Add them to your holiday binge list as well!

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