American students face a ridiculous amount of testing. John Oliver explains how standardized tests impact school funding, the achievement gap, how often kids are expected to throw up.
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Standardized Testing (HBO)
What do you think Mr. J?
Sunday night David Ayer on Twitter released a cast photo in full costume from his film Suicide Squad, which revealed the first look at Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn.
Margot Robbie on the set of Suicide Squad:
On set pic of Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn #SuicideSquad pic.twitter.com/ZosJfJH5LI
— Ryan of Justice (@TheChewDefense) May 4, 2015
Harley Quinn’s more iconic look by Alex Ross.
From Warner Bros. Media
An all-star roster of actors has joined Warner Bros. Pictures’ new action adventure “Suicide Squad,” bringing DC Comics’ super villain team to the big screen under the direction of David Ayer (“Fury”). The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.
The film will star two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith (“The Pursuit of Happyness,” “Ali,” upcoming “Focus”) as Deadshot; Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises,” upcoming “Mad Max: Fury Road”) as Rick Flagg; Margot Robbie (“The Wolf of Wall Street,” upcoming “Focus,” the “Tarzan” movie) as Harley Quinn; Oscar winner Jared Leto (“Dallas Buyers Club,” “Alexander”) as the Joker; Jai Courtney (“Divergent,” upcoming “The Water Diviner”) as Boomerang; and Cara Delevingne (“Anna Karenina,” upcoming “Pan”) as Enchantress.
In making the announcement, Silverman said, “The Warner Bros. roots are deep on this one. David Ayer returns to the studio where he wrote ‘Training Day’ and brings his incredible ability to craft multidimensional villains to this iconic DC property with a cast of longtime Warner collaborators Will Smith and Tom Hardy, and other new and returning favorites: Margot, Jared, Jai and Cara. We look forward to seeing this terrific ensemble, under Ayer’s amazing guidance, give new meaning to what it means to be a villain and what it means to be a hero.”
Ayer is also writing the script for “Suicide Squad,” which is being produced by Charles Roven (“The Dark Knight” trilogy, upcoming “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”) and Richard Suckle (“American Hustle”). Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Colin Wilson and Geoff Johns are serving as executive producers.
The film is slated for release on August 5, 2016.
First look at the entire Suicide Squad cast! The photo was released on social media by director David Ayer.
Task Force X assembled and ready. #SuicideSquad pic.twitter.com/fEV7E1aPsm
— David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) May 3, 2015
Absent from the photo is The Joker, played by Jared Leto.
The Suicide Squad cast includes Jared Leto as The Joker, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Will Smith as Deadshot, Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang, Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag, Cara Delevingne as Enchantress, and Viola Davis as Amanda Waller.
What do you think? Leave a comment and let us know!
Suicide Squad will be released in theaters August 5, 2016.
Free Comic Book Day, the best day of the whole year! We’ve all waited in lines, seen great cosplays, perhaps gotten an autograph from an in-store guest, and are now settling in to devour our haul. Basically, we all won today, each and every one of us. We got up early, dedicated our day to comics, supported our favorite local business, and got free comic books. So, as we tear through what we go, let’s share our choices!
I went to G-Mart Comics in Chicago for FCBD. They had doorbusters, random giveaways, grab bags, and a great selection of free comics. Limited to five comics, I grabbed Fight Club/The Goon, The Tick, Secret Wars #0, Help The CBLDF Defend Comics, and FCBD Attack on Titan. Once I got home, it was time to gather cough drops, tea, and cats (I have a cold) and go buckwild on some FCBD comics.
1. Secret Wars #0
Let’s cut right to the chase, shall we? Secret Wars #1 comes out this week, and everyone is collectively crapping their pants about it. Naturally, just as DC did in 2009 with Blackest Night #0 on FCBD, Marvel has created a hubbub with Secret Wars #0. Odds are you got it. If you did not, you missed a fine summary of the past year of the Avengers plotline of dealing with the incursions of planets. The story of the Avengers current interplanetary woes is told by Val Richards to the other children in the Future Foundation. The book is a nice jumping on point for anyone who has not followed the Avengers and is looking to get into the upcoming crossover epic. Following the Secret Wars crash course is an unexpected and entertaining Avengers/Attack on Titan story that was commissioned for Brutus Magazine in Japan. It is published in this issue for the first time in English. Marvel revved up the hype on Free Comic Book Day, and Secret Wars #0 has only added fuel to a bonfire they cannot stop adding fuel to.
2. The Tick FCBD
I’m the type of person who just doesn’t understand why more things aren’t The Tick. The Tick is the only tick I like. While in line to get into the comic shop today, I said that I imagined Heaven is a place where you are walking along and don’t see angels, you see a Tick cosplayer daily. I will watch everything Patrick Warburton does because I want him to always have a career because he’s The Tick (and because I love Patrick Warburton). Now that you understand my complete bias toward love for The Tick, I have to say that The Tick was everything I wanted it to be. It’s fun, it’s hysterical, there’s a good jab at Lost. While everyone was going crazy for Secret Wars in the comic book store, I was elbowing my way to The Tick. It was perfect. Thank you, FCBD, for a visit from an old friend.
3. Fight Club/The Goon FCBD
Last year I picked up Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #0 on Free Comic Book Day, fell in love with it, proposed marriage, and now am thumbing through drape samples with issue #6 and dreaming about our life together. Free Comic Book Day is the perfect way to get into comics in which you may or may not want to invest your hard-earned $3.99. Luckily, Dark Horse put out a sampler of a comic I’ve been wary about picking up: Fight Club. The story is a decent set-up for the series and is an intriguing lead into what might be a good continuation of the Fight Club plot. The Narrator, Tyler, and Marla are all back, so if you’re a fan of Fight Club, be sure to pick it up.
The second story in the book is a The Goon story in which The Goon ends up crashing a cotillion for vampire Confederate zombies, which is probably a relatively normal Thursday afternoon for The Goon.
4. Help The CBLDF Defend Comics!
I will always, always, always pick up anything the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund publishes whether I have to pay for it or not. The CBLDF, for those who are not familiar with the group, works to protect the First Amendment rights of comic books, comic book writers, artists, shops, and readers. Their publications always do a great job to illustrate what their mission statement is, and this one is fantastic. The book features a collection of stories about how comic books come under fire, and my favorite one is the Archie comic starring Kevin Keller.
The story opens with Kevin throwing shade at Veronica in the library. The librarian enters and announces a new graphic novel, titled “Out and About,” has arrived. Everyone is very excited as it is a graphic novel aimed to help queer teens with coming out of the closet, and it features Kevin Keller. This joyful conversation is interrupted by a pearl-clutching woman who deems the book smut and announces her crusade to get it banned from the library. Luckily, Kevin, who is the coolest person in Riverdale, knows to contact the CBLDF and have one of their representatives appear at the town hall meeting. The day is saved thanks to the First Amendment and democracy (two of my favorite things along with Kevin Keller…and Patrick Warburton)! Whenever you seen an opportunity to support the CBLDF, please do so!
5. Attack On Titan – Chapter One
Last weekend I was contemplating purchasing the first book of Attack on Titan and did not do it. Today, this was waiting on the table for me, and I got so excited that I had to look around to make sure it had not been placed on the free comics table by accident. I am very excited to get into this book, and I will probably just end up purchasing Attack on Titan weekly, so watch out for that. Thank you, Free Comic Book Day, for the first installment of what will probably be many months of tearing through this epic manga series.
That was my free comics haul, along with some new issues I’ll be talking about on Tuesday. Free Comic Book Day was, as it always is, a big nerd Christmas.
How was your Free Comic Book Day? What was the best thing you got? What did you get that you will start picking up monthly? Do you love Patrick Warburton? Let me know how your Free Comic Book Day was in the comments section!
Free Comic Book Day Recap:
Long Island’s 4th World Comics was packed Saturday morning for Free Comic Book Day, as more than 400 fans clamored to get their hands on DC Entertainment’s Free Comic Book Day special edition, DC COMICS: DIVERGENCE.
Not only did they feast their eyes on the newest guardian of Gotham, but also got to meet the creative genius behind the storyline celebrated writer Scott Snyder, who was also joined by James Tynion IV (BATMAN ETERNAL) and Marguerite Bennett (EARTH 2: WORLD’S END) for the festivities.
#FCBD at @4thWorldComics! pic.twitter.com/GztorrsEUt
— Scott Snyder (@Ssnyder1835) May 2, 2015
Every time I think I'm done with you… #FCBD pic.twitter.com/d82nErnMlU
— Scott Snyder (@Ssnyder1835) May 2, 2015
Source: DC Comics Media
Matthew Sardo of Monkeys Fighting Robots spoke with the lead singer of the Sex Pistols, John Lydon. The focus of the conversation was on music today and Lydon’s new book Anger Is An Energy which is about the darker moments in his childhood.
Lydon on American Idol:
“It seems all Vegas-bound,” said Lydon.
ABOUT JOHN LYDON AND HIS BOOK ANGER IS AN ENERGY
From the legendary frontman of the Sex Pistols, comes the complete, unvarnished story of his life in his own words.
John Lydon is an icon—one of the most recognizable and influential cultural figures of the last forty years. As Johnny Rotten, he was the lead singer of the Sex Pistols-the world’s most notorious band. The Pistols shot to fame in the mid-1970s with songs such as “Anarchy in the UK” and “God Save the Queen.” So incendiary was their impact at the time that in their native England, the Houses of Parliament questioned whether they violated the Traitors and Treasons Act, a crime that carries the death penalty to this day. The Pistols would inspire the formation of numerous other groundbreaking groups and Lydon would become the unlikely champion of a generation clamoring for change.
Following on the heels of the Pistols, Lydon formed Public Image Ltd (PiL), expressing an equally urgent impulse in his character: the constant need to reinvent himself, to keep moving. From their beginnings in 1978 PiL set the groundbreaking template for a band that continues to challenge and thrive to this day, while also recording one of the eighties most powerful anthems, “Rise.” Lydon also found time for making innovative dance records with the likes of Afrika Bambaataa and Leftfield. By the nineties he’d broadened his reach into other media while always maintaining his trademark invective and wit, most memorably hosting Rotten TV on VH1.
John Lydon remains a captivating and dynamic figure to this day—both as a musician, and, thanks to his outspoken, controversial, and from-the-hip opinions, as a cultural commentator. In Anger is an Energy, he looks back on a life full of incident, from his beginnings as a sickly child of immigrant Irish parents growing up in post-war London to his present status as a vibrant, alternative hero.
The book includes 70 black-and-white and color photos, many which are rare or never-before-seen.
Monkeys Fighting Robots holds two weekly podcasts, the Movie Show and the Comics Show. The Comic Show goes live Wednesday with the Movie Show going live on Friday (holidays could change scheduling).
Reviews are greatly appreciated – How to Rate and Review a Podcast in iTunes
If you are looking to sponsor either podcasts email matt@popaxiom.com as well.
Thank you for listening!
A Gen Xer and a Millennial debate the latest topics in pop culture. One guy is a filmmaker and the other is a journalist, but both are nerds. We make your slowest days at work better. Hosts, Matthew Sardo and EJ Moreno.
Never heard of Matt Sardo?
For starters, he made the Kessel Run in less than 11 parsecs. Prior to that, he gave Doc Brown the idea for the flux capacitor and led the Resistance to victory over SkyNet – all while sipping a finely crafted IPA. As a radio host, he’s interviewed celebrities, athletes and everyone in between. He’s covered everything from the Super Bowl to Comic-Con.
Who’s EJ Moreno?
Is he a trained physician? No. Is he a former Miss Universe contestant? Possibly. But what we know for sure is he’s a writer, filmmaker, and pop culture enthusiast. Since film school, EJ has written & directed several short films. He’s used his passion of filmmaking to become a movie critic for MonkeysFightingRobots.com.
Places you can find the show:
iTunes
Blog Talk Radio
Stitcher
Elon Musk late Thursday night announced the Telsa Powerwall at the company’s keynote speech. This battery system can work for homes, businesses, and even utilities. The Powerwall is a home battery system, that comes in a 10 kWh version for $3,500, or a 7 kWh model for $3,000. The unit is about three feet by four feet in size and six inches thick, and comes with integrated heat management and can fit either on the inside or outside of the wall of your home.
First Lady Michelle Obama was on the Late Show with David Letterman this week and she made a quick joked about running for President.
“I’m retiring in a few weeks,” Letterman said.
“No kidding,” Obama said.
“And I know that your time at the White House, in a couple of years, same sort of thing,” Letterman said. “You won’t be retiring though. But do you ever glimpse down that far down the road?”
Obama responded, “What, like when I’m going to be running for president or anything?”
“That’s something to consider,” Letterman said.
Watch the complete clip below:
2 days, 3 states, thousands of kids and lots of dancing. Check out photos from #letsmovetour http://t.co/hGmyltV21w pic.twitter.com/5VB49GOlTG
— Let's Move! (@letsmove) March 1, 2013
This Saturday is Free Comic Book Day across North America and the world – a day where participating comic shops give away comic books to anyone coming into their stores.
Archie Comics – a Gold Sponsor of the event – will have two offerings: FCBD DARK CIRCLE COMICS and FCBD SONIC THE HEDGEHOG/MEGA MAN WORLDS UNITE PRELUDE, giving readers a look into this year’s critically acclaimed new superhero line and kicking things off for the biggest Archie Action crossover event ever!
FCBD DARK CIRCLE COMICS
THE BLACK HOOD! THE FOX! THE SHIELD! Get in on the ground floor of Dark Circle Comics and experience the cinematic and creator-driven reinventions of these iconic properties. Who is the new Shield? How did the Black Hood come to be? Can things get more unpredictable for The Fox? Learn the secrets of the Dark Circle universe from the creators themselves via sneak peeks at the new series, creator interviews and a first glance at the next Dark Circle series – all held together by an eye-popping cover from AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE artist Francesco Francavilla!
Script: Duane Swierczynski, Mark Waid, Dean Haspiel, Adam Christopher, Chuck Wendig and more
Art: Michael Gaydos, Dean Haspiel, David Williams, Rachel Deering, Kelly Fitzpatrick, John Workman, Jose Villarubia and more
Cover: Francesco Francavilla
FCBD SONIC THE HEDGEHOG/MEGA MAN: WORLDS UNITE PRELUDE
“Worlds Unite: PRELUDE” – It’s TWO free comic books in ONE! Just in time for the start of the ALL-NEW epic Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man crossover event, “Worlds Unite,” comes a primer issue exclusively for Free Comic Book Day! The road to “Unite” began in the history-making “Worlds Collide” storyline, continued in 2013’s “DAWN OF X” storyline, and once again our heroes must meet—Mega Man’s journey chronicled on one side, and Sonic the Hedgehog’s on the other! This is the must-have primer for the biggest comic book event of 2015—as two video game icons must come together… or risk dying alone! Featuring art from both Sonic and Mega Man comic book fame!
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Ryan Jampole, Jamal Peppers, Terry Austin, Gary Martin, John Workman, Evan Stanley and Matt Herms
Cover: Evan Stanley, Jamal Peppers, Gary Martin and Ben Hunzeker
The fun doesn’t stop there! Archie Comics writers and artists will be visiting comic book shops across the country! Check out the list below for the details and to see if there’s a signing near you!
Source: Archie Comics Media
This Saturday, May 2, in celebration of Free Comic Book Day, comics fans new and old will enjoy a free issue of SAVAGE DRAGON LEGACY #1 by Erik Larsen and a free issue of Top Cow/Image Comics’ TALES OF HONOR by Matt Hawkins and Linda Sejic when they visit any participating local comic book shop, while supplies last.
Paul Azaceta (OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA)
ACME 4 at Samurai Comics
1120 S. Country Club Drive #107
Mesa, AZ 85210
Jacob Semahn (GONERS)
Comic Factory
1298 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91106
Ryan Cady (WITCHBLADE CASE FILES), Ken Kristensen (TODD THE UGLIEST KID), Richard Starkings (ELEPHANTMEN), Brian Haberlin (SPAWN)
The Comic Bug
Culver City Teen Center
4153 Overland Ave
Culver City, CA 90230
Erik Larsen (SAVAGE DRAGON), Matt Hawkins (TALES OF HONOR)
Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff
Oak Grove Plaza Shopping Center
2980 Treat Blvd
Concord, CA 94518
http://www.flyingcolorscomics.com
Matt Hawkins (TALES OF HONOR)
Treasure Island Comics
5018 Mowry Ave.
Fremont, CA 94538
http://treasureislandcomics.com
Nick Dragotta (HOWTOONS)
Alameda Public Library Main Branch
1550 Oak St
Alameda, CA 94501
http://alamedaca.gov/library/events/3275
Sina Grace & Michael Stock (PENNY DORA & THE WISHING BOX)
The Pasadena Public Library
285 E Walnut St
Pasadena, CA
http://cityofpasadena.net/library/news_events/calendar/?trumbaEmbed=date%3D20150502
Megan Levans (MADAME FRANKENSTEIN)
Blastoff Comics
The Federal Bar
5303 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blastoff-Comics/225861877482304
Jimmie Robinson (THE EMPTY)
Blue Moon Comics
1560B 4th St
San Rafael, CA
Michael Moreci
Aw Yeah Comics
4933 Oakton St.
Skokie, IL 60077
Kyle Starks (SEXCASTLE)
The Book Broker
2717 Covert Ave
Evansville, IN 47714
http://www.bookbrokercollectibles.com
Alex di Campi (NO MERCY)
Aw Yeah Comics
107 North High Street
Muncie, IN 47305
Kyle Higgins & Alec Siegel (C.O.W.L.)
Daydreams Comics
21 S Dubuque St
Iowa City, IA 52240
Kyle Strahm (SPREAD)
Elite Comics
11842 Quivira Rd
Overland Park, KS 66210
Kurtis J. Wiebe (PETER PANZERFAUST, RAT QUEENS, PISCES) & Johnnie Christmas (PISCES)
Third Eye Comics
2027-A West St
Annapolis, MD
Joe Eisma (MORNING GLORIES), Rob Guillory (CHEW), Kody Chamberlain (PUNKS THE COMIC), Robert Wilson IV (BITCH PLANET)
Bombshell Comics and Stuff
2103 Hardy St
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
https://m.facebook.com/events/1037192826308177?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A98%7D&aref=98
Otis Frampton (ODDLY NORMAL)
The Source Comics & Games
2057 Snelling Ave N.
Roseville, MN 55113
Jason Latour (SOUTHERN BASTARDS)
HEROES AREN’T HARD TO FIND
1957 East 7th Street
Charlotte, NC 28204
https://www.facebook.com/events/1580439275531068
Ryan Browne (GOD HATES ASTRONAUTS), Jason Howard (TREES)
Acme Comics
2150 Lawndale Dr,
Greensboro, NC 27408
Frank Barbiere (FIVE GHOSTS)
Zapp Comics
Valley Ridge Shopping Center
574 Valley Rd
Wayne, NJ 07470
Adam McGovern (NIGHTWORLD)
Dewey’s Comic City,
13 Park Ave.
Madison, NJ 07940
https://www.facebook.com/events/1568059173474541/
Joe Kelley (BANG!TANGO)
Comic Book Depot
2847 Jerusalem Ave
Wantagh, NY 11793
https://www.facebook.com/TheComicDepot
Jim Zub (WAYWARD, SKULLKICKERS) **NOTE: This is a SUNDAY event**
Escape Pod Comics
302 Main Street,
Huntington Village, NY, 11743
Steve Orlando (UNDERTOW)
Comic Depot
514 Broadway,
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Excellent Adventures
110 Milton Ave
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
www.excellentadventurescomics.com
Hollywood for Homeless Pets: A Salute to the Hollywood Superhero
Canfield Casino, E Congress St
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
https://www.facebook.com/events/358148364378935/
Kurt Busiek (THE AUTUMNLANDS: TOOTH & CLAW)
Dragonvine Comics and Gifts
1859 Pioneer Pkwy East
Springfield, OR 97477
Shaun S. Struble (THE LI’L DEPRESSED BOY)
Comic Asylum
905 N. Jupiter Road #170
Richardson, TX 75081
Ryan Burton (DARK ENGINE)
Lyon’s Den
20 W Bolivar S
Vidor, TX 77662
https://www.facebook.com/lyonsdencomicsandgames
Greg Rucka (LAZARUS)
Gabi’s Olympic Cards and Comics
4230 Pacific Ave SE
Lacey, WA
Tim Seeley, Mike Norton, Jenny Frison (REVIVAL)
Johnny Cee’s Cards
536 Grand Ave
Schofield, WI 54476
ENGLAND:
Christian Ward (ODYC), Duncan Fegredo (MPH), Kieron Gillen (THE WICKED + THE DIVINE)
Gosh! London
1 Berwick Street, London
CANADA:
Jeff Lemire (DESCENDER)
Gotham Central Comics
Missassauga, ON
https://www.facebook.com/gothamcentral
Valentine de Landro (BITCH PLANET)
Dr. Comics
44 Kensington Avenue
Toronto, ON M5T 2J9
https://www.facebook.com/1drcomics
Ed Brisson (SHELTERED)
BIG PETE’S COLLECTIBLES
128 Lonsdale Ave
North Vancouver, BC
https://www.facebook.com/events/1417551841893785/
Source: Image Comics Media