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REVIEW: MURDERWORLD SPIDER-MAN #1 Is Web Slinging Fun

Murderworld Avengers opened up a world of madness for people trying to get rich quickly. Unfortunately, this didn’t pan out too well for many of the contestants. For those who survived, the journey and battle were not close to being over. This week gives us Murderworld Spider-Man from the same writing duo of Jim Zub and Ray Fawkes. Joining them for this issue are Farid Karami on pencils, Chris Sotomayor on colors, and Cory Petit on letters.

WRITING

With this entry into the Murderworld saga, Zub and Fawkes use everyone’s favorite web slingers instead of the Avengers. My one gripe about the writing is that we don’t really get enough of the spiders. Similar to the Avengers in the last issue, the big Marvel characters only appear on a few pages and then disappear. What Zub and Fawkes do well is they continue to develop new characters in the story. Last issue the main character was shockingly killed off, this issue they build up some of the side characters from Murderworld Avengers. Eden Abraha was used last issue, but for Murderworld Spider-Man, she is our point of view character. Zub and Fawkes build Eden up through some flashback pages. She was an MMA fighter who took things too far. This issue also introduces us to a couple of new characters who also have some good potential to become relevant later in the series. As always, Zub and Fawkes write Arcade brilliantly. The make him funny and sadistic, but you can’t help but like him. Murderworld Spider-Man is a fun issue that doesn’t let the reader feel safe as characters are picked off one by one. Another great showing for Zub and Fawkes.

ART

The pencils are done by Farid Karami for this issue. Karami’s pencils are very clear and easy to go panel to panel with. Action sequences look awesome as the survivors try to take down an A.I. Miles Morales. One of the things Karami needed to nail was the facial expressions on Arcade. He’s a character that is very excitable and visually makes a lot of different looks. Karami succeeds in giving us several looks for Arcade as he is thinking seriously at one point to smiling with glee as contestants die off at the hands of his spiders. Karami also does good work establishing the layouts of new areas. As the survivors move on, they enter a blizzard. Karami paints a gorgeous snowy backdrop with covered mountains in the background. The pencils stepped up to the plate to make this issue more enjoyable and easy on the eyes.

The colors are handled by Chris Sotomayor. An issue like this uses several different background colors as our contestants travel through the unknown. Sotomayor will use a darker blue with light whites as the survivors travel through a winter landscape. Earlier in the issue, skies were clear and blue as they were attacked by Spider-Man and his crew. The pages where the Spider-Man crew arrive are colored vibrantly by Sotomayor. The red from Spider-Woman is just the right tone, and Sotomayor also gives us excellent shading as well.

The letters by Cory Petit are good. As the spiders attack, Petit uses several well-placed “THWIP” effects. These are in the upper left-hand corner of the page, and allows the action be seen. Word balloons are placed in the perfect spot so they don’t interfere with the pencils. Petit makes effective use of sound effects as well. A “CRUNCH” is placed in between a contestant’s feet as he is yanked up by a spider web. Petit is easily one of the better letterers in the comic book industry. His work continues to evole and engage readers.

CONCLUSION

Much like this issue before it, Murderworld Spider-Man is a fun and entertaining issue. Jim Zub and Ray Fawkes continue to make this series an enjoyable one. No one knows what will happen next, and that’s the most exciting thing about this book. Murderworld Spider-Man is available at a comic shop near you!

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The Best Movies About Gambling and Poker

The Best Movies About Gambling and Poker

One thing that is almost always guaranteed in gambling and poker movies is tension. This is because writers use these elements to create high-stakes situations. So, the idea behind these gambling movies is to create a gripping story with a lot of excitement and drama and even serve as the basis for a good comedy. 

Of course, when you watch movies about casinos, you are also taking a risk. You don’t know whether your two-hour investment will be worth it. So, the goal of this post is to help you mitigate that risk. If you love casino games and poker in movies, keep on reading. Here are some of the best gambling movies you should watch. 

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Guy Ritchie has a unique style in cinematography. For some genres, this style really works, while in others, it can feel out of place. Luckily, Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is one of the best movies in general, and you should definitely watch it. Gambling doesn’t take a central stage, but it definitely has an impact on the plot. There are underground betting and poker games, and characters suffer consequences for throwing in their lot with these mobsters. 

Of course, today’s gambling scene is drastically different. Due to regulations and money laundering laws, it’s more difficult to organize gambling hubs in the underbelly of a big town. Gamers are a lot safer when they play at the best online casinos. They can even use electronic checks to make deposits directly from their bank account. There is a guide to use echeck in online casinos that helps new players who want to use this payment processor. It’s a great option for a deposit, especially if you don’t have an account with other digital payments service providers. 

Croupier

The Best Movies About Gambling and Poker

This is a great drama about financial struggles and stress that comes from interacting with others who also experience financial problems. Clive Owen plays a character who is desperate to get his hands on some extra cash. He starts working as a croupier, and since he is good with numbers he becomes really good at what he does. However, this job also takes a toll on his personal life, mainly because people aren’t that good at handling losses.

This is why all of the best online casinos heavily advise their players to gamble responsibly. A smart player should always use everything he has to his advantage but never bet with money he or she cannot afford to lose. This is why you should claim the best casino bonus Canadahas to offer and basically gamble risk-free. Some of these promotions require you to sign up or use a specific payment processor, but most of them come with wagering requirements. Make sure to read those terms before opting in because most of these are tailored toward fans of slots.  

Rounders 

If you are a big fan of poker, then for you Rounders is probably the best poker movie out there. It is filled with tense scenes, but it also has some great life lessons. It’s a story about a card-playing genius that manages to emerge victorious  That’s basically the main reason why some people dislike Rounders, it in a way sends a positive message about winning at the poker table. Other than that it is overall a great movie. 

It says that you need to do what you were meant to do, and those who are lucky enough life are able to discover their true purpose. It also has another great quote that you can shear sheep multiple times, but you can skin it only once. It’s definitely a philosophy for professional poker players who find themselves playing against the newbies.

The Card Counter

Saying that this is just a movie about gambling wouldn’t do it justice. It’s a great story about a man haunted by his past, and how the US treats its veterans. This is where a parallel with casinos can be drawn. It’s this promise of excitement and luxury, but for many, it ends up being a life of loneliness and struggle. Army recruits with promises of greatness and doing service to their countries. However, many veterans become scared by the atrocities, and they are left to pick up their pieces. 

Conclusion

These were some of the best casino movies that you should watch. Hopefully, you will get inspired to give some of them a try, after reading through the descriptions. Of course, there are many other titles out there, like 21,  Mississippi Grind,  Owning Mahowny, and Molly’s Game. So, if you have already seen the ones listed here, try giving one of these a shot. 

Mila Roy is a digital marketing expert with years of experience in the iGaming industry. She works as a content strategist, and she loves blogging about tips and tricks for new gambling enthusiasts. In her free time, Mila likes to relax by camping in state parks or watching thriller movies. 

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Exclusive Preview: FANTASTIC FOUR #3 – Read The First 4 Pages

Exclusive Preview: FANTASTIC FOUR #3

FANTASTIC FOUR #3 hits your local comic book store on January 4, but thanks to Marvel Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive four-page preview for our readers. The book is written by Ryan North, with art by Iban Coello, Jesus Aburtov drops the color, and you will read Joe Caramagna’s letter work. In addition, Alex Ross created the beautiful cover.

About FANTASTIC FOUR #3:
The Human Torch is alone in New York, trying to survive in a city that hates and fears—well, mostly him specifically. There’s just one thing for Johnny to do: Adopt an all-new secret identity and take an all-new job nobody else wants! But when things at work heat up, Johnny discovers that while you can forget the past, that doesn’t mean it’ll stay buried…and he has to decide if there’re certain things that the Human Torch can’t let himself do! Also! In this issue, Johnny Storm fights a tornado!

LEGACY #696

Enjoy the preview below.

1

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Retrospective: HAWKEYE is a Fun if Minor Offering From the MCU

marvel studios hawkeye disney+ clink barton kate bishop

Clint Barton, AKA Hawkeye, is one of the MCU’s founding Avengers, and the most grounded member of the superhero project. Last year, he finally received his first solo project and took on a young protégé in the Disney+ series Hawkeye.

Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) is a young woman who became inspired to take up archery after seeing Hawkeye fight in the Battle of New York. When Kate comes back to New York for Christmas, she suspects her mum’s fiancé is up to no good, leading her to an underground auction. Clint also happens to be in New York with his kids for a family trip. Kate’s actions force Clint to confront his past when he had acted as the murderous vigilante Ronin during The Blip.

Hawkeye was the fourth live-action Marvel series made for Disney+, and the most grounded so far. It aimed to be a series that looked at street-level crime instead of multiverse-level threats. Most of the series took place in New York City. This focus on crime, gangsters, and New York made Hawkeye more akin to the Netflix Marvel series like Daredevil or Jessica Jones, but with the MCU treatment. This meant the series had a grittier story yet was filled with jokes.

Hawkeye had an excellent opening. It opened with a prologue where Kate and her mother (Vera Farmiga) survived the Battle for New York and Kate saw Hawkeye in action. It felt cinematic; it felt like the opening to Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice where a major event from a previous movie was shown from a different perspective. The animated title sequence showed Kate training in archery, fencing, and marital arts, which quickly showed she was skilled but lacked experience. She made mistakes and got hit when fighting the Tracksuit Mafia.

Clint had the biggest emotional storyline in the series. He was suffering from the impact of The Blip and the events of Avengers: Endgame. During The Blip, Clint lost his family and he became a bloodthirsty vigilante, whilst in Avengers: Endgame he saw Natasha sacrifice herself so The Avengers could acquire the Soul Stone. All these events have taken a toll on the man because he suffered from trauma and guilt. These events also had ramifications for Clint because there were characters who (rightly or wrongly) wanted revenge.
The series had some terrific moments, but the third episode, “Echoes”, was arguably the strongest. That episode opened with Maya Lopez’s (Alaqua Cox) backstory. This prologue showed Maya’s loving relationship with her father and how she developed her martial arts skills. It was effective storytelling that showed how dangerous Maya was, whilst also evoking sympathy. The episode had the best action sequence in the series. This was the car chase which was the most inventive because of the way it was shot and the implementation of Hawkeye’s signature trick arrows.

Florence Pugh reprised her role as Yelena Belova for the series. She was a great presence and a scene-stealer like she was in Black Widow. She was hired as an assassin and had a personal grudge against Clint since she believed Clint was responsible for Natasha’s death. Whilst she had a serious mission, she was also hilarious and made the Marvel style of humor work.

Hawkeye was generally an entertaining series, but it was not without issue. First and foremost, the story felt overly extended. This was particularly evident during the second episode where the characters took a detour to a LARPing event in Central Park. It felt like the showrunners were trying to justify the six-episode run. The events of the series take place over the course of a few days which made it feel like Hawkeye could have been a film instead

Hawkeye’s action sequences felt the most televisual so far. Most of the fight scenes happened in locations like a hotel wine cellar, a warehouse, and a rooftop. It felt more like an Arrowverse show than the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The action was well executed, but it’s a departure from the big set pieces seen in other MCU projects.

Hawkeye was bogged down by the tonal shifts. Characters like Clint and Maya had emotional baggage and they were dealing with their trauma, then Kate and Yelena were cracking jokes constantly. The humor was at times cringey and didn’t fit the crime story.

Hawkeye is a breezy watch. It make for a fun festive series to watch around the holidays, and it showed the ground level of the MCU. However, it was overall inconsequential in the canon of the MCU.

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INTERVIEW: Composer Juan Carlos Enriquez On Creating Music For Peacock’s ’Til Jail Do Us Part

juan carlos-composer-interview

The Peacock Original series ‘Til Jail Do Us Part stars Kate del Castillo (La Reina del Sur), Roselyn Sanchez (Fantasy Island), Jeirmarie Osorio (Jane the Virgin), and Sylvia Saenz (Bambalina) as four wives dealing with the repercussions of their criminal husbands. Juan Carlos Enriquez created the charming, energetic, and versatile soundscapes that permeate the eight-episode first season.

Angela (Kate del Castillo), Sofia (Roselyn Sanchez), Esmeralda (Jeimy Osorio), and Viri (Sylvia Saenz) are all married to four men who handle illicit business in and around Miami, Florida. They’re big-time mobsters serving a criminal organization run by Suazo (Rodrigo Murray). When money goes missing and the husbands are put behind bars, the wives come under assault and must band together to survive. The problem is these women don’t like each other, making for one fun dramedy.

PopAxiom spoke with Juan about his road to becoming a composer and creating the music for ‘Til Jail Do Us Part.

Learned

Juan originates from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, “the land of tequila and mariachis,” he says. “Guadalajara is a very musical city. There are mariachis and street musicians everywhere. It’s also the home of the Jalisco State Philharmonic. So I used to go watch the philharmonic as a kid with my family.”

One of Juan’s great-aunts was a classical pianist and taught him as a child, which served as his introduction to playing music. “I got bored with the exercises and started to wander off on my own, getting into bass and guitar. Doing my own thing with music always grabbed my attention as a kid,” he reflects.

By the time high school came around, Juan was playing in rock bands for fun. “At that time, I learned about this career called film scoring, and there were composers like Hans Zimmer and John Williams. There was a whole world in the US of people making music for a living and working on amazing movies, so that grabbed my attention. Combined with seeing orchestras play classical pop concerts with film scores, that ignited something in me to learn everything I could about the craft.”

Juan attended Berklee College of Music in Boston to study composing for film and television. “I moved to LA and worked for nine years, going from project to project as an assistant composer, additional composer, or additional arranger. It was there that I learned the craft and about the industry.”

juan carlos-interview-peacock

About ’Til Jail Do Us Part

“I was recommended to the producers of ‘Til Jail Do Us Part to be considered for another show which I didn’t get,” he laughs, explaining his connection to the Peacock series. “But they were impressed enough with the work that they invited me to demo for ‘Til Jail. So there was a process of demoing, proposing my main title idea, and a few scenes based on the script. Then, thankfully, they chose me.”

Juan had the scripts for the first three episodes to guide him during a short window to create new music. “They gave me a week to work on the demo. I also had meetings with the production designer and sound people to get a general idea of the show’s aesthetic and how they wanted to be different from other shows set in Miami with a Latin story.”

“I tried to distill all that, like a good tequila, into a thirty-second main title and then five scenes imagining what the edits would be,” he continues. “I was happy that they loved it. The main titles never changed; they were just recorded live. A few of the scenes stayed too.”

Productions always need more time. “Once I was brought on, it was like, ‘Here’s the schedule because we’re running and have to deliver by these dates.’ The usual post-production process.”

While explaining the process, he says that he worked on more scenes based on the rough edits. “They sent me scattered scenes, and I’d send stuff back for review. After a few passes, we got the tone of the show. Then, once the final edits were in place, I did a pass to make it all more cohesive.”

Juan explained how he tried to make ‘Til Jail Do Us Part different from other shows set in South Florida by noting, “a lot of times, you see that shot of Ocean Drive, and it’s electronic music. I went differently because of the characters and the aesthetic. It’s slightly more retro, with an a-temporal vibe to make it more unique and colorful. It’s not a drama; it’s a dramedy, so I could be playful with it.”

Play It

Juan Carlos’ process depends on style. ”When you work on a certain instrument, something different comes out of you. It’s not the same composing on a piano as on a guitar. So, each style evokes a different method of approach,” he explains.

On ‘Til Jail, he says, “I started on the piano to see if I could get the main theme happening. Then I started orchestrating from there, adding percussion and guitar. The main title was the root of the style because it worked well. I wanted the main title to be a melody throughout the show so that the music appears in different variations when the main characters work together. As the season evolves, it gets more intense too, so I was able to add more instruments.”

“I’m very hands-on and like to play the instruments to see what comes out,” he shares. “You never know; it’s like a stream of consciousness writing. Some composers are effective at programming the music, working the notes directly into the computer. For some styles, it works. For me, it works to play it myself.”

Wrapping Up

As a kid in Mexico, Juan reveals what kind of movies he was exposed to. “You get the blockbusters. I had no idea about the indie world until I went to college. In Mexico, you get Bruce Wills and Keanu Reeves. So, I grew up with Hollywood blockbusters and animations, which I love. They have a special place in my heart.”

“I love the composer Harry Gregson-Williams, an English composer who did the soundtracks for Narnia and Shrek. Also, amazing thriller movies like Spy Game and The Equalizer. I love his style of blending orchestra with electronics.” Like every musician, his influences come from a wide range of sources. “Being Mexican, I was exposed to many composers from Latin America like Jose Pablo Moncayo.” His style, he says, is “a mix of classical Mexican composers and Hollywood blockbusters.”

Juan wants to work on bigger action movies or thrillers. He’s thankful to have worked on projects like Furious 7 and Narcos. “I got my feet wet, and I want more.”

‘Til Jail Do Us Part is available now on Peacock. Juan also scored the Netflix mini-series The Secret of the Greco Family. It’s set in the 80s in Mexico and is based on a true story about a rich Mexican family that starts having financial trouble. To keep up with the Joneses, they start kidnapping their kids’ friends to ask for ransom. It’s based on a true story that happened in Argentina.

There is more to come from Juan Carlos.

Is ‘Til Jail Do Us Part on your watch list?

Thanks to Juan Carlos Enriquez and Impact24 PR
for making this interview possible.

Find more interviews from Ruben R. Diaz!

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Exclusive Preview: VENOM #14 – Read The First 4 Pages

Exclusive Preview: VENOM #14

VENOM #14 doesn’t hit your local comic book shop until December 28, but thanks to Marvel Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has a four-page exclusive preview for our readers. The DARK WEB tie-in is written by Al Ewing, with art by Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie drops the inks, Alex Sinclair sets the color palette, and you will read Clayton Cowles’ letter work.

About VENOM #14:
Madeylne Pryor has plans for Eddie Brock and the symbiotes he can control – in this issue, she and her new ally CHASM bring them all to bear! SECRETS REVEALED! Unwittingly turned into a slathering and terrifying monster you might recognize, Eddie Brock’s fears from the last year and Al, Ram and Bryan’s entire saga stand fully realized in this turning point for the series!

Enjoy the preview below.

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Justin Munday’s FAVORITE COMICS OF 2022

2022 was a stellar year for quality comics from every corner of the industry. The ‘Big 2’ saw acclaimed hits in the form of Zdarsky & Co.’s work on Daredevil and Ram V & Raphael Albuquerque’s new run on Detective Comics. The indie comics scene saw dozens of brilliantly unique new books like Will Morris’s Gospel and Andrew Wheeler & Travis Moore’s Sins of the Black Flamingo. From the other side of the globe, manga continued to throw down international mega-hits like Spy x Family and the continuation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s insane masterwork with Chainsaw Man Part 2. With all the great books that landed on my desk in the past 12 months, I decided to take on the challenge of picking my 5 favorites. This is, of course, my personal opinion – see it as more of a list of recommendations rather than a definitive list of what’s the absolute best there is above all others. I couldn’t read everything that came out in 2022, either! Please comment below what some of your favorites were!

Honorable Mentions

 

5. Detective Comics #1062 – Present – Ram V & Raphael Albuquerque; DC Comics

The most exciting voice in modern comics joins forces with one of the industry’s most unmistakable artistic talents to create a Batman book. Mastery ensues. Equal parts classic Batman detective tale, existential horror, and supernatural thriller, Ram V and Raphael Albuquerque’s ongoing run on Detective Comics is the best development to come out of DC’s main publishing line in 2022. The first 4-issue arc in Overture is already one of the best Bat-stories of the last decade. If Ram and Albuquerque can keep up their momentum – and they most likely will – readers could be looking at one of the greatest Batman runs of all time.

4. Ghost Cage – Caleb Goellner & Nick Dragotta; Image Comics

A western-world love letter to great and influential cyberpunk manga, Ghost Cage is one of the cleverest comics of its kind. Silly, poignant, and stuffed with some of incredible action, it’s the best kind of societal satire. Goellner and Dragotta create characters that manage to be endearing because of how they adhere to rules set out by this comic’s forebears – the influence of Katsuhiro Otomo, Akira Toriyama, and other great mangaka is displayed in every panel across this four-issue mini-series. With giant battles between massive manifestations of Earth’s natural resources drawn by the impossible talent of Nick Dragotta all wrapped up in his and Goellner’s wit, Ghost Cage is an underrated gem of a comic series.

3. Aquaman: Andromeda – Ram V & Christian Ward; DC Comics

Ram V makes the list yet again as he teams up with the psychedelic style of Christian Ward to create an Aquaman comic unlike any before – and DC’s best comic of 2022. Ram’s signature approach with highly intelligent horror sets readers on a journey under the ocean’s waves with a science team investigating a seemingly ancient structure. As expected, mysteries and terrors await them, as well as the titular king of the sea as you’ve never seen him before. Christian Ward brings this utterly unique vision to life with a watercolor style and a design approach that focuses on making a reading experience that is as unnerving as it is wondrous. Aquaman: Andromeda is a shining example of what DC Black Label can be, and is quite possibly the best comic to come out of the publishing line.

2. It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth – Zoe Thorogood; Image Comics

Possibly the most personal project in recent comics publishing, Zoe Thorogood’s It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth is a powerful and impossibly well-constructed original graphic novel about living with embedded traumas. Thorogood’s art style constantly shifts as her self-visualizations and worldview alters across every page and panel. Centre of the Earth is an emotional fever dream, bitingly sorrowful one moment then wildly hilarious the next. In one fell swoop, Thorogood has firmly planted herself as one of the greatest cartoonists of our generation.

1. 20th Century Men – Deniz Camp & Stipan Morian; Image Comics

My favorite comic of 2022 is also the year’s most cerebral and insightful. Camp and Morian’s 20th Century Men is a brutal and intelligent examination of imperialism and warfare through an alternate history. Equal parts Watchmen, Apocalypse Now, and Barry Windsor Smith’s Monsters, Camp and Morian’s ongoing series is consistently thoughtful and exciting while asking readers to please pay attention. It’s a book that demands your full attention, and it will be remembered all the better for it. With ever-brilliant writing from Camp and rule-shattering visual work from Stipan Morian, 20th Century Men is a masterpiece in the making – and for my money, the greatest comic of 2022.

 

 

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Review: Babylon is a bombastic tribute to Hollywood’s golden era

Babylon is a primarily competent but messy tribute to Hollywood and the Roaring ’20s. It’s a chaotic three-hour extravaganza that never loses its momentum. However, the first 40 minutes or so are untouchable. The film reels you into the lives of these rising stars, and even if the intensity dies down, you’ll have reason to invest in the narrative. Some of the best filmmaking for the year can be found in Babylon’s opening sequence, which sets the stage for this great film.

My only gripe with Babylon is related to its desire to be meaningful, but the messages can seem lost along the way. The film primarily depicts Hollywood’s transition to sound after noticing that’s what the audience is looking for. Aside from that, it’s a rise-and-fall story centered on a group of actors and other industry workers. Directed and written by Damien Chazelle, Babylon stars Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Tobey Maguire, and Samara Weaving.

Babylon traces the rise and fall of multiple stars during early Hollywood and their bonds over time. The screenplay is a love letter to those that love cinema more than cinema itself. Despite the film’s intention to be a tribute to filmmaking, anyone that looks to cinema as an escape might appreciate this more than others. Chazelle depicts the struggles of filmmaking in a very comedic fashion. One moment, in particular, features several takes to get a scene right. This is a setback that many projects still face today, but this sequence was a wonderful example of how hilarious Babylon can be.

The shift in tone is handled with ease throughout the runtime, which kept the film engaging for me. Robbie stars as Nellie LaRoy, an aspiring actress who wants to leave behind her troubled youth. Given Robbie’s current star power, the film wisely utilizes her to carry the story. However, I would argue it is Calva’s character who is the main focus of the cast. Calva stars as Manny Torres, a film assistant who wants to become a star like Nellie. Manny is first introduced during a very wild opening party at Jack Conrad’s (Pitt) mansion.

His character is the easiest to connect to and it inflates the value of characters like Nellie and Jack. His work as an assistant isn’t the appeal, but his desire to be part of the lives of the bigger stars is. That desire is something members of the general public can start to feel as they watch their fan favorites live their dreams. Manny decides to help the talent during their downfalls, which can speak to portions of fandoms that put their idols before themselves. His journey to reach that opportunity in the spotlight is the heart of the story.

Chazelle provides depth to all the characters, but Manny just stands out as the most relatable. His concern and interest in Nellie and Jack help their arcs become more rewarding as the film progresses. Babylon also examines the mental anguish that celebrities go through, as their stardom begins to fade. Jack’s arc is the most compelling example, but Pitt’s shifts from overly confident to worrisome create an extra layer for Jack’s downfall. Every performance is captivating, but Robbie and Pitt are firing on all cylinders.

The immaculate set designs, stellar cinematography, and Justin Hurwitz’s vibrant score make Babylon a film that should be experienced in theaters. Pacing is another strong suit, as each scene accomplishes what it intends and moves forward without carrying on for too long. Babylon wants to be meaningful, and it is to an extent, but overall it’s just a technically strong film with messy narrative bits.

 

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Exclusive Preview: CYBERARCHY From HEAVY METAL MAGAZINE Vol. 2 #1

Exclusive Preview: CYBERARCHY From HEAVY METAL MAGAZINE Vol. 2 #1

Whatnot Publishing is relaunching HEAVY METAL MAGAZINE in February with Vol. 2 #1, and thanks to the publisher, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive five-page preview of CYBERARCHY for our readers. Kim Jung Gi passed away on October 3, and the cover below is his final contribution to HEAVY METAL.

Exclusive Preview: CYBERARCHY From HEAVY METAL MAGAZINE Vol. 2 #1

CYBERARCHY is written by Matt Hardy, with art by Clark Bint, and letter work by Rob Jones.

About CYBERARCHY:
The series is a galaxy-spanning saga that asks the question, 
“what would happen to an advanced society utterly dependent on Artificial intelligence if those AIs just…stopped?”

Societal chaos and collapse ensue, all under the watchful gaze of two mysterious robots, Rust and Ash. Is this the result of a breakdown of unquestioned reliance on technology or have events been orchestrated by an outside force? What is the promise of Cyberarchy, the nature of the truth about machine life that has resulted in the abandonment of their organic masters?

Each chapter of CYBERARCHY looks at the final days of a different technologically advanced world, all envisioned in the detailed monochrome art of Clark Bint (Killtopia). Clark’s designs for CYBERARCHY were “inspired by 1930s TV serials mixed with vintage robot toy designs, for a throwback atompunk style.”

Enjoy the preview below.

Are you going to pick up HEAVY METAL MAGAZINE Vol. 2 #!?

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REVIEW: DARK WEB X-MEN #1 Brings An Element Of Fear To Christmas

With Dark Web in full swing (lame pun alert), readers are treated to a mini crossover between Marvel’s merry mutants and it’s most popular spider. Gerry Duggan and Zeb Wells are writing this little event. The X-Men side will be handled by Duggan, while Wells does the Spider-Man issues. Joining Duggan on this journey is artist/colorist Rod Reis. and letterer Cory Petit. With all that said, let’s hope the mutants are able to stop the threat from Limbo and survive the holidays in Dark Web X-Men #1.

WRITING

It really feels like Gerry Duggan has found a good groove with his characters and his X-Men run. Dark Web X-Men #1 offers good voices for the cast and an entertaining story. Everything in New York is coming alive, from your post office drop box to the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. Duggan’s humor is on point for this issue. There’s something funny about two jackhammers coming to life, attacking civilians, and then professing their love for one another. Duggan also seems to have the mannerisms of his cast down too. As the battle begins, Cyclops, ever the professional, takes off his visor to put his skull cap on. These little moments speak to readers and reiterate that Duggan has a firm grasp on who the characters really are. Duggan also throws us some nostalgia in this issue as there is a team up with Spider-Man, Iceman and Firestar. This is a throwback to the decades old Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends show that introduced tons of little kids to Firestar and Iceman. Duggan sets us up for an exciting mini while playing on the hearts of Havok and Cyclops fans. It’s hard not to have a soft spot for Madelyn Pryor, she’s been through a lot in her existence. Duggan will look to divide fans on which side they take by making Maddie a sympathetic villain. Either way, I’m here for it.

ART

The pencils and colors are handled by Rod Reis. His style and pencils work well for an issue like this. Reis needed this issue to be creepy to some extent since inanimate objects are coming to life and attacking people; he’s successful. Seeing mannequins with grotesque faces or jackhammers with sharp teeth is actually unsettling. pages in Limbo have a sense of humor to them as well. As Cyclops and company arrive to stop the Goblin Queen, they are greeted by Sleep Demons. The Sleep Demons have pillows attached to their heads as they fight. Reis capitalizes on the mood of moments, whether it’s humor or fear, and always delivers the appropriate panel.

The colors are also done by Reis, so there is some continuity between pencils and colors. Reis gives us gorgeous color splash backgrounds to highlight the action sequences. As Spider-Man, Iceman and Firestar help stop the madness in New York, Reis lays down a vibrant yellow background to allow the heroes to leap off the page at the reader. The vibe in Limbo is a little bit different. In Limbo we get warmer reds mixed with some darker blacks. As Cyclops and Firestar use their powers, Reis makes sure to highlight the energy with bright reds or glowing yellows. Reis captures the tone and mood of this issue perfectly. Colors that pop in New York for the heroes succeeding and Darker colors in Limbo where our characters are in danger. Since Reis is on double duty of pencils and colors, the art work flows together in harmony. Another solid issue from the immensely talented Rod Reis.

The letters by Cory Petit are effective to an extent, but more sound would have enhanced the issue. As the Sleep Demons attack the X-Men, Petit does use a long trail “ZZZZZZZ” that extend to the next page. This is a great use of effects that also has great placement. Speaking of placement, Petit does a great job of where he puts his word balloons. As our heroes arrive in Limbo, Petit places a balloon next to Cyclops, Jean and Magik. The beauty of this panel is that each character has room to breathe and the page doesn’t feel overwhelmed by the dialogue. Petit is a pro with his placement. This issue is another example of his exemplary work.

CONCLUSION

Dark Web X-Men #1 is a book that is off to a promising start. If you’re a fan of Inferno, this feels like a sequel to it. Gerry Duggan has found his groove with many of these characters and writes them well. The art is a fitting style for a story line like this. If you’re looking for a book that captures one of the most memorable stories from the 80’s, Dark Web X-Men #1 is a book for you.

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