MY HERO ACADEMIA gives fans the fight they’ve been waiting for since the beginning. At long last, Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo get their all-out brawl. Both Midoriya and Bakugo show the depths of their powers, as well as their emotions. So much of what’s informed the whole series gets brought to the front. Everything a person could want from this fight gets delivered. The blend of action and emotion informs an important, large-scale episode.
The episode succeeds by focusing on the show’s primary rivalry. Midoriya and Bakugo are such strong characters, and this episode lets them shine. Midoriya has changed a lot slowly over the series, but he’s still a strong protagonist. However, the standout of the episode is absolutely Bakugo. MY HERO ACADEMIA exposes all of Bakugo’s feelings, especially as they relate to Midoriya’s relationship with All Might. Bakugo breaking down in tears, yelling about how he made All Might lose his powers, is a series highlight.
Throwing All Might into the mix was especially fitting for this duel. While the series revolves around the two young heroes, All Might is crucial to their development. All Might stopping the fight in place of Eraserhead goes to show how crucial he is to the boys’ developments. It’s important that he is the one who helps them reevaluate their rivalry (just like it’s important Eraserhead is who punishes them). It’s the iconography of All Might that makes MY HERO ACADEMIA so dynamic.
What makes the episode shine is how much the age of the two boys is clear. In many ways, it’s easy to forget that MY HERO ACADEMIA’s protagonists are kids. This episode highlights how these kids aren’t just inexperienced – they’re immature and emotional. They have to deal with so many problems that the adults in the world caused, as All Might points out to Eraserhead. The fact these kids have stayed heroes, and not reverted to the Dark Side, is incredible.
MY HERO ACADEMIA uses this episode to highlight all of its strongest elements. The dynamic fight between Midoriya and Bakugo works on so many levels. To see that catharsis and semi-resolution is so rewarding. This rivalry has fueled the series since day one, but thankfully, this fight isn’t the end of it. In many ways, it’ll be more exciting to see how their new dynamic changes them as heroes. That is, once they get off house arrest.
For the first entry in “The Complete Mecha Works of Yoshiyuki Tomino”, I’m reviewing the first 13 episodes of Tomino’s first mecha show: Brave Raideen.
In 1972, Go Nagai created Mazinger Z, a show widely considered to be the first Super Robot series, and introduced the concept of the pilot-able mecha to anime and Japan at large. It exploded onto the public scene, and like most surprisingly popular trends, it took a couple of years for studios to catch up to what Nagai had created.
Mazinger Z, this isn’t. It isn’t even Voltron, sadly.
Three years later, Sunrise would enter the arena with Brave Raideen and Tomino would direct the first 26 episodes of the series. Tomino would not do this alone, as he had a decent amount of talent behind him, including Character Designer Yoshikazu Yasuhiko (Gundam: The Origin), episode director, the late Takayuki Kanda (Vifam, Dragonar & the first six episodes of Mobile SuitGundam: The 08th MS Team), and writers Fuyunori Gobu (the head writer of G Gundam), and Masaru Igami (a Tokusatsu veteran, who wrote for the first two Kamen Rider series).
As the series is episodically driven and doesn’t have a continuity based story, this review will be split into reviewing the individual episodes.
Episodes 1 Through 13
This is Raideen’s command base. I never said this was a smart show.
Let’s start off with the basic plot synopsis. We open the show with Akira Hibiki, your typical high-school student who just happens to be the captain of the high school’s soccer team, practicing with the rest of his team. Suddenly, earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters occur all around the world. Surprisingly, he and his team survive, yet he hears a voice in his head telling him he needs to head to a giant pyramid, which just magically appeared. The voice tells him the evil Demon Empire has awoken and wants to take over the world through their giant monsters and a flying hand fortress (I’m not joking, it’s a giant floating hand). How is he going to stop them? By piloting a mystical giant mech named Raideen. Luckily, he is not alone, because he has a couple of scientists, his girlfriend (the daughter of one of the scientists) Mari, and his soccer team behind him.
This is the core setup. If it sounds generic I would inherently agree with you. The first three episodes sells the show short and isn’t good. I remember thinking these episodes felt like a combination of the 1960s Batman TV series crossed with Kikaider or Kamen Rider and Mazinger Z. It was setup like a Saturday morning cartoon, and I took it just as seriously. The core problems in the first three episodes involved a schizophrenic tone. Serious scenes would happen, (like Akira’s father dying because Akira failed to rescue him) and then cut to the annoying comic relief characters (the entire soccer team minus Akira) illustrating a tone which consistently shot itself in the foot. The only saving bright spot was the introduction of the leader of the Demon Empire, Prince Sharkin. He is the precursor to Char Aznable, in the best way possible. Similar posing, intelligent in battle plans, huge fanbase (he has nameless followers praise him), it’s Char’s distant ancestor.
Bless you, Prince Sharkin: as you are the most interesting character in Brave Raideen.
Fortunately, a couple of things happened to turn the show around in episode 4. The episode takes place mostly in Tokyo, the plot kicks off when a nun tells Mari she’s in grave danger, because of a stone they found. She is ignored and what happens, Mari is in grave danger, as the stone turns out to a beacon for the monsters. Eventually the nun reveals herself to be (brace yourself) Rei Asuka, who has a psychic connection with Raideen, she even has red hair. Somehow, I feel Hideaki Anno’s lying about where he got the names for Rei and Asuka in Evangelion, because this is clearly where the inspiration lies. So, afterwards, we learn of this mysterious stranger who had appeared in Episode 3 (who looks like Gihren Zabi from Gundam) but is an ally named Riki Jinjuki. Both Rei and Jinjuki pilot a support vehicle to helps Raideen at important times. They also now have a control center which looks like a clam.
You would think these occurrences in episode 4 would make the series better. It does but not immediately. Episodes 5, 6 & 7, were slogs to sit through and by focusing on the kids, the schizophrenic tone came back. If “Kill ‘em all” Tomino was directing episode 7, the comic relief (the kids, who had been held hostage) would have died as they are grating to endure. Yet the series wouldn’t be down for long as Episode 8 made a return to form. The plot involves a crashed airplane and a scientist’s daughter captured for ransom. Episodes 9 & 10 continued this trend with Episode 9 involving Sharkin transforming into a human and giving Akira a concussion. This episode was notable for one other thing: it made me jump out of my seat with joy when it happened. So, Akira is moping around on the soccer field as one of the comic relief’s health is directly connected to Raideen winning (Yes, it really is stupid). As he is whining over it, the elder scientist comes to Akira and gives him the “Bright Slap” (before the term was coined). Grandpa scientist tells him to train with Raideen and basically insists Akira be a man. When I saw this, I screamed for joy as if I had won the Super Bowl. Yet there is another note, I need to mention. This is the first time the “Bright Slap” occurred on a Tomino giant robot show which could have also been the reason I was so excited.
Cue the Hallelujah Chorus!
Episode 10 features Rei’s old flame, a motorcycle riding delinquent named Jagger. There’s this drama, involving Jagger and Rei. Jagger hates Akira, because he’s respectable, and Jagger’s just a street fighting man. So, the Demon Empire gives him shelter in the form of the half-man/half-monster of the week. A battle ensues at a theme park, under the cover of night, and Jagger holds the support vehicle and Rei hostage. Rei talks him out of it by telling him he’s a man of wealth and taste, and he wouldn’t do such things. He lets them go and fights with Raideen. Eventually, our delinquent realizes you can’t always get what you want, decides not to dodge Raideen’s final attack, and he dies a noble death. The episode ended with Rei missing him as she tore off three flower petals, to reveal she a fool to cry at his death. I’m out of Rolling Stones puns.
Episode 11 is where things seemingly start to get interesting, with the townspeople not happy about Raideen, because of the damage it caused. This was part of Prince Sharkin’s plan for the episode thinking the best way to defeat them was with negative publicity and an imitation of Raideen. You can see Tomino toying the edge of deconstruction, unfortunately it went right out the window in the next episode with another standard kidnapping plot, involving the bratty kids.
Clearly, Tomino is preparing for Zambot 3. You know, when the town turns against the heroes.
Our final episode, #13 is a bizarre outing. Akira discovers someone who looks likes his dead mom, who is a spy for the demon empire (another Prince Sharkin plan), and the Demon Empire loses again.
The first 13 episodes of Brave Raideen, are fun, yet inconsistent. What do I mean by inconsistent? Well, inconsistent in tone as it strives to be this serious show, yet when the comedic relief shows up, it drags down the feel immensely. Despite this, the show is still fun. When I mentioned it was a cross between the 60s Batman TV series, with Kikaider or Kamen Rider and Mazinger Z, near the top, it wasn’t in jest. It does feel like the silly series from the period, but you can see building blocks of future Tomino series in here, and this is what frustrates me. This is a show with two completely different visions of itself and they couldn’t decide on which one to pick.
If you thought television was done with vampires, demons, and witches, think again. A Discovery Of Witches, which just premiered on Sky One and Now TV (in the U.K.), promises to bring the supernatural creatures back to the forefront of pop-culture with decent performances and some truly breathtaking visuals.
Based on the best-selling series of books by Deborah Harkness, A Discovery Of Witches introduces Teresa Palmer (Hacksaw Ridge) as Diana Bishop, a reluctant witch and historian who finds herself in the centre of a feud between vampires, witches and demons when she discovers a long-lost manuscript, which could reveal how the various species were created. News of the manuscript quickly gets out, leading to multiple supernatural beings, including Matthew Goode’s charming vampire Matthew Clairemont, to take a particular interest in Diana.
In its opening episode, A Discovery Of Witches shows a lot of promise. Perhaps the most notable strength of the show is its visual style. The episode boasts some breathtaking scenery (the series is based in Oxford), which grabs your attention in the opening seconds as Goode’s mysterious vampire stares seductively over the river Isis, just in time for the fog to roll slowly across the screen.
The performances are another highlight, with both Palmer and Goode delivering compelling performances, despite some horrendously cheesy dialogue. Palmer does a great job as the shows lead, although Goode is the obvious standout. The actor perfectly balances the dark and scary side of the character with the charming side, making Matthew Clairemont your next vampire crush. While the “will-they-won’t-they” element of the series will turn a lot of viewers away (thanks, Twilight), the core relationship between Diana and Matthew will undoubtedly be what brings viewers back for more. The episode focuses heavily on introducing its two leads, but we also meet a few supporting characters (most notably Owen Teale’s Peter Knox), who promise to bring a dark and exciting dynamic to future episodes.
As with any show that is rooted in the supernatural, A Discovery Of Witches takes the time to introduce the different species and give us a taste of what these creatures are capable of. We get a few small glimpses of Diana’s powers throughout the episode, and a surprisingly gruesome scene between one of the supporting characters and his dying friend shows us what to expect from the vampires in this world. We know that demons will appear at some point in the season, but they are nowhere to be seen in the premiere.
Other than the somewhat hammy dialogue, the only thing stopping A Discovery Of Witches from being the next big thing is its inability to differentiate itself from other shows/films in the genre. It might be too early to judge, but after one episode the series has failed to display a unique identity, which could help viewers forget Twilight for at least an hour
OVERALL
The first episode of A Discovery Of Witches shows great potential and is strengthened by stellar performances and some stunning visuals. Hopefully, with more time, the series will be able to create its own identity and distance itself from Twilight and other titles within the genre. For now, I’m excited to see what the future holds.
Hotshot pilots have always played a major role in the Star Wars franchise and the upcoming Resistance series is full of them. Created from the brilliant mind of Dave Filoni and directed by Amy Beth Christenson, a new trailer for Star Wars Resistance dropped, highlighting all the famed pilots serving on Colossus.
Star Wars Resistance takes place in the far regions of the outer rim. Tucked away on a still-mysterious planet, is the base Colossus and home to The Aces. Exploring new characters and stories leading up to The Force Awakens, Filoni’s project is full of humor, wild ships, and a host of quirky Star Wars characters.
Image via Disney Channel and Lucasfilm
Resistance is a classic Lucas style story with detailed attention given to every character. “The Aces are a group of pilots among the best in the galaxy,” states Filoni. Their job on the Colossus is to protect the base. But during quieter moments, these hotshots hone their skills through good old-fashioned racing.
Meet The Aces Pilots In Star Wars Resistance
Image via Disney Channel and Lucasfilm
Surrounding himself with an extremely talented crew, Filoni introduces five new pilots into the Star Wars franchise. Each is unique and full of personality. “When you see movies like The Right Stuff, it really connects with you because you know people like that in your life,” says Filoni in an interview with USA Today.
And he’s right. From Poe Dameron to Luke Skywalker, pilots play a major role in Star Wars. Their legend status, however, isn’t just about skill but who they are as an individual.
Torra Doza
Image via Disney Channel and Lucasfilm
Daughter of Captain Doza in the Resistance, Torra Doza knows her way around a cockpit. Voiced by Myrna Velasco, Doza is the youngest of the five Aces. Filled with “a childlike wonder,” she’s faced with an overprotective father and skills comparable to Dameron.
Much like Star Wars Rebels introduced Ezra as a kid trying to find his way in the galaxy, Doza is in the same position. She’s bubbly and happy, but don’t let her kindness be mistaken for weakness.
Hype Faizon
Image via Disney Channel and Lucasfilm
Voiced by the talented Donald Faison, Filoni says, “it’s one of the few times I created a character around a person.” Known for his iconic role in the television series Scrubs, Faison brings a much-needed swagger to the Star Wars universe.
Faizon is “the best pilot on the platform,” which fuels his cockiness according to Donald. But there’s more to him than sponsors and W’s. When the heat gets turned up, Hype steps to it and delivers.
Griff Halloran
Image via Disney Channel and Lucasfilm
A team of pilots isn’t complete without a grumpy old man keeping the kids in check. Voiced by Stephon Stanton, Griff is formerly a TIE fighter pilot. He’s likely seen more than his fair share of action, however, he’s still at it. Flying a sweet modified version of his original TIE fighter, Halloran is clearly the one not to mess with.
Still wearing his old beat up gear from a long-forgotten era, Halloran wants to end his days with “one last great battle.”
Freya Fenris
Image via Disney Channel and Lucasfilm
Possibly related to Fenris from Star Wars Legends, Freya is a no-nonsense pilot. You won’t find her cracking jokes with Hype and brewing like Griff. Fenris is all about the task at hand, making her super competitive and reliable.
Most likely Freya Fenris will be the foundational glue amongst The Aces. Voiced by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, anime fans will recognize her as the voice of Major Motoko Kusanagi (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) and Queen Metalia (Sailor Moon).
Bo Keevil
Image via Disney Channel and Lucasfilm
Not much is mentioned about the mysterious Bo Keevil, which has us thinking his voice actor is a very recognizable name. His ship, on the other hand, looks super cool. Known for pushing the edge, Keevil crashes more than he finishes. Fitted with four maneuverable wings, Keevil’s ship is tight.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a bad pilot. In fact, he kind of reminds us of a young Han Solo.
Image via Disney Channel and Lucasfilm
The Aces are used to peace, but it’s about to come to an end as the threat of the First Order looms across the galaxy. Season 1 of Star Wars Resistance will likely be a healthy mix of character development, stunning races, and action.
Star Wars Resistance will air at 10 pm EST on October 7, 2018. The new animated series airs on the Disney Channel, Disney XD, and other Disney platforms.
Are you excited about the Aces and Resistance? Let us know in the comments below!
Marvel Knights is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and Marvel is rolling out brand new collections of the imprint’s greatest hits, like Daredevil: Guardian Devil.
When his girlfriend leaves him, Matt Murdock’s world is shaken. He barely has any time to get his bearings when a teenager shows up at his door, says she knows he’s Daredevil, and hands him her baby to take care of. She claims the baby is the savior, and an angel told her that Matt would be its protector. The Man Without Fear’s life only goes from bad to worse from there in this eight chapter story.
The new DAREDEVIL: GUARDIAN DEVIL trade dress for Marvel Knights’ 20th.
Daredevil was written by Kevin Smith, with pencils by Joe Quesada and inks by Jimmy Palmiotti. Colors were by Dan Kemp, Laura Depuy, Drew Yackey, and Richard Isanove. Letters were by Liz Agraphiotis with Dave Lanphear.
Writing/Story
Guardian Devil was Smith’s foray into superhero comics. The few comics he had written prior were set in his own film universe. It’s also arguably his best superhero comic. That’s no slight against his other work; Daredevil is just that enjoyable. Rereading it for this review, it reminded me of why I love the character.
This story is chock full of inner turmoil. Matt Murdock is famously Catholic, and from the first issue that’s a heavy component of this story. Smith’s also Catholic, so he writes from a very personal place. Matt’s crisis of faith is center stage, as is something that even those of us who stopped practicing years ago still suffer from – Catholic guilt. It’s in many ways (and not by accident) like Frank Miller’s Daredevil: Born Again, in that it tears down Murdock and explores who he is at his core.
But that inner conflict is balanced out with kick-ass superhero action, a captivating mystery, and an ending that’ll blow you away. Seriously, no spoilers here, but Daredevil is the book that made me realize how powerful a certain villain actually is, and turned him into one of my favorites.
Smith is admittedly pretty verbose, and that makes this something of a long read, but it’s worth it.
Art
Quesada and Palmiotti founded Marvel Knights, and they clearly put everything they had into Daredevil to make it work. And damn, does it work. Their Daredevil has become iconic since this book’s publication. Personally, I still can’t get over the erratic way Quesada draws the line connecting DD’s billy clubs.
The dense panel layouts and the way they create their settings is claustrophobic at times, adding to the intensity of the story. It suffocates you and overwhelms you the same way that Daredevil is overwhelmed. The use of darkness and shadow create the noir vibe that’s become synonymous with the character.
Marvel Knights Legacy & What The New Collection Offers
Marvel Knights launched in 1998, but Daredevil and the other MK titles didn’t feel like 90s books. Instead, they gave a sense of what would become standard in the new millennium. They weren’t superficial. They focused on story and characters, and gave readers something that would stick with them long after they put it down. Here we are twenty years later; suffice it to say, they succeeded.
The new collection comes in a sleek black trade dress that will match the rest of the Marvel Knights 20th anniversary editions. It features introductions and afterwords by Quesada, Smith, Ben Affleck, and Tom Sullivan, all of which were originally included in past collections of the story. It also includes a gallery of variant covers, as well as Quesada’s character sketches and pencils for the first issue.
Admit it, when you think “Marvel Knights”, you think Daredevil. If you’ve never read this story before, or you read it back in the day but don’t own the collection, now’s the time to pick it up with the MKXX edition of Guardian Devil.
All hail the king of Wakanda. Black Panther is now available on Blu-Ray and DVD. The film is also on Netflix for the time being- before the Disney streaming service is ready next year. But there’s one platform Disney is really pushing T’Challa towards – the Oscars.
That’s right. Marvel is making a bid for Best Picture and all the major awards.
This comes shortly after the Academy did consider a Best Popular Film category. However, the final vote on that notion was “Nay”, because a number of Academy members did not like the idea. Still, the decision does cause this writer to wonder why the Oscars won’t take superhero movies seriously.
The For Your Consideration list covers all the major categories. Kevin Feige is on the list for Best Picture, while Ryan Coogler is there for Best Director and (with co-writer Joe Robert Cole) Best Adapted Screenplay. Chadwick Boseman is there for his regal take on T’Challa. While he did give an emotional performance in Civil War, Boseman is able to show conflict and stoicism in this film.
Michael B. Jordan, Forest Whitaker, David Kaluuya, Andy Serkis are in the Best Supporting Actor category. Of all these names, Jordan is most likely to score a nomination for his take on Eric Killmonger. His work in Fruitvale Station and Creed did receive acclaim and awards, but he has yet to receive an Oscar nod. Whitaker, Kaluuya, Serkis and Sterling K. Brown also deliver solid performances.
In the Best Supporting Actress category, Black Panther has quite a few possibilities. Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, and Angela Bassett are in the running for potential Oscar campaigns. Nyong’o is an Oscar winner for Twelve Years a Slave, while Bassett has a Best Actress nomination for What’s Love Got To Do With It? Gurira and Wright could also sneak in there and clinch nominations.
The campaign includes all the technical categories. These include Best Visual Effects, Best Makeup, Best Costuming, Best Cinematography, and Best Score. Black Panther could stand a chance of scooping up several awards.
Also, “All The Stars” could be a possible Best Original Song nominee. No doubt a Kendrick Lamar and SZA duet would be a great performance at the Oscars. After all, it is not unusual for a hip hop song to score a nomination and eventually win. Remember “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp” from Hustle and Flow?
To date, no comic book movie has been able to score a Best Picture nomination. The Dark Knight won two Oscars in 2009- including Best Supporting Actor for Heath Ledger- after receiving six nominations. However, The Dark Knight‘s omission from the Best Picture category is seen as a major snub.
None of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films have won an Oscar, let alone score a nomination. Curiously, the DCEU does have them beat in that regard with a Best Makeup win for Suicide Squad.
What are your thoughts? Will Black Panther receive Oscar nominations? Can it reach that elusive Best Picture category? Sound off below.
The DC UNIVERSE Digital Subscription Service launched today and with it came more photos from the first two episodes of TITANS.
TITANS is the first original series for the DC UNIVERSE platform and will be available on October 12. The first season will be 13 episodes.
About the series: TITANS follows young heroes from across the DC Universe as they come of age and find belonging in a gritty take on the classic Teen Titans franchise. Dick Grayson and Rachel Roth, a special young girl possessed by a strange darkness, get embroiled in a conspiracy that could bring Hell on Earth. Joining them along the way are the hot-headed Starfire and loveable Beast Boy. Together they become a surrogate family and team of heroes.
TITANS Cast:
Brenton Thwaites – Dick Grayson
Teagan Croft – Raven
Anna Diop – Koriand’r (Starfire)
Lindsey Gort – Amy Rohrbach
Minka Kelly – Dawn Granger
Ryan Potter – Beast Boy
Alan Ritchson – Hank Hall
Bruno Bichir – Chief
April Bowlby – Elasti-Girl
Jake Michaels – Cliff Steele
Dwain Murphy – Negative Man
DC UNIVERSE cost $7.99 per month or $74.99 annually, membership includes exclusive original live-action and animated series, classic TV series and films, a curated selection of digital comic books, breaking news including the all-new DC Daily show, an expansive DC-centric encyclopedia, and access to exclusive merchandise, according to DC Entertainment press release.
What do you think of the above images, are you going to subscribe to DC UNIVERSE? Comment below with your thoughts.
Today marks the digital release of Solo: A Star Wars Story and to celebrate the occasion, Jon Kasdan dropped over 50 Easter eggs about the film on Twitter. Catering to the fact obsessive fans, Kasdan includes references to Star Wars movies and more. It’s a smart marketing, beating the click-bait list sites to the punch while targeting hard-core fandom.
The Kasdan List (as we’re officially dubbing it) includes more than a few treats like this one.
“One action sequence that was never filmed but survived several drafts deep into production, involved Becket’s crew leaving WITHOUT Han and Chewie.”
Kasdan then goes on to say this “forced Solo and Chewbacca to steal an Imperial garbage ship on which they could escape.” Because original trilogy fans are obsessed with Imperial garbage, obviously.
In honor of the digital release of #SoloAStarWarsStory & in lieu of a commentary, here are 53 random factoids & notes about the making & writing for anybody who's interested. If you haven't seen the movie yet… maybe watch it before reading? Anyway, enjoy the movie & #MTFBWYpic.twitter.com/wHy1seDuoL
Other Easter eggs include Jon admitting the fake thermal detonator story was put in because Han did tell Leia about it years later. Which obviously influenced her decisions in Return of the Jedi.
Will The Kasdan List Boost Home Sales?
Solo: A Star Wars Story did not perform well at the box office. Considering its massive budget, Disney is hoping to make up ground with digital and Blu-ray sales. Deleted scenes have been dropping for the last week, without much excitement. Perhaps, the Kasdan list could breathe some fresh air into what many perceive as a stale product.
Judging by the home sales of The Last Jedi, Solo should perform above average. Yet, the disappointing box office numbers still hang over the movie like a dark cloud. We’re glad to see the marketing department at Disney taking a different approach with the Kasdan list. Whether it will help with opening week sales for the digital release remains undetermined.
The digital release of Solo: A Star Wars Story is today (September 14th). September 25th marks the release of the Blu-ray and DVD.
What are some of the facts from the Kasdan list you find shocking and appealing? Are you planning on purchasing Solo? Let us know in the comments below!
The folks at DC have a special treat for you kids this Halloween. The publisher announced an expansion to their line of 100-page, Walmart-exclusive Giant titles, and first up: Swamp Thing Halloween Horror Special, according to local sources.
The 100-page Swamp Thing one-shot will ship October 4. Copies should arrive in the 3,000 Walmart stores currently stocking DC titles by October 7 and retail for $4.99. No information has yet been released about the creative teams involved or any content planned for the one-shot specials. However, we do know it will not be the only release.
The Swamp Thing Halloween anthology will be followed by an 80-page DC holiday special, which is set to hit shelves by November 11 and will also retail at $4.99. The Flash, plus another undisclosed character, will join the line sometime early next year.
Expanded Anthology Line Opens the Door for Controversy
DC’s 100-Page Giant line debuted back in July with series featuring Superman, Justice League of America, Batman, and Teen Titans. The anthology books proved to be a quick success, but they have not been without controversy.
Because the books are Walmart exclusives, many fans—and comic shop owners—argue they direct business away from traditional, independent outlets. Defenders of the exclusive anthologies respond that, because of their place at Walmart stores, the books reach a broader consumer base outside the traditional comic shop crowd. The books, most of which are targeted at the tween and young-teen market, have the potential to introduce new readers to classic characters and stories.
DC publisher Dan DiDio is a fan of the books, and is eager to expand. “I’m really excited about the program,” he says. “It’s a great way to get our books into people’s hands.” In addition to new series, DiDio hopes the books will eventually find a home in every Walmart store.
Either way, the anthology line shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. As DiDio explains, “we plan to stick with Walmart for the time being. It’s been a successful program.”
What do you think? Are you excited for the Swamp Thing Halloween Horror Special and other new titles in the 100-Page Giant line? Or do you think the line is harmful to comic shops and the industry at large? Leave your comment below and sound off!
Steve Orlando and Riley Rossmo promise “the Martian Manhunter story” this December. The 12-issue Martian Manhunter will take readers where we’ve never been before: J’onn’s past, according to a Hollywood Reporter exclusive.
The upcoming series is one-part detective story, with J’onn attempting to solve a grisly murder. However, the heart of the story is a character piece, exploring J’onn’s life before coming to Earth. This will be the first Martian Manhunter title since 2015, and the creative team promises to make it worthwhile.
According to Orlando, Martian Manhunter will focus on giving J’onn the hero’s journey he never had. “Spider-Man let the burglar go. Bruce Wayne was too afraid to save his family. This book gives J’onn that moment,” he explains. “…we finally know the why. Why he strives to be so good on Earth, why he has this journey, because he’s never really had one before. All of our favorite characters overcome their faults, and we hope he’s going to do it here, but he has to have them first.”
Orlando and Rossmo have a history together, collaborating recently on Batman: Night of the Monster Men and Batman/The Shadow. Both creators seem drawn to the same aspects of the story, as Rossmo explains: “…the present timeline story felt kind of David Lynch-y to me, and I thought that would be the piece that I could really dig into…But the Martian stuff, the family stuff, has been really emerging as the part that really grabs me.”
Rossmo went as far as to say one point in the first issue “brings a tear to my eye.”
You can pick up Martian Manhunter #1 at your local comic shop this December. In the meantime, what do you think about the new series? Are you excited to delve into J’onn’s tragic past? Let us know in the comments!
