Nova By Abnett & Lanning: The Complete Collection Volume 1 is out now, and it is the definitive run on the character.
The paperback collects Annihilation: Nova issues 1 through 4, and Nova issues 1 through 15. It’s all written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, with various artists including Kev Walker, Sean Chen, Wellinton Alves, and Paul Pelletier.
Watch our full video review:
Abnett and Lanning’s Nova was more than just a giant, epic sci-fi adventure story. It’s a coming-of-age tale. Richard Rider becomes a leader and a hero in the darkest of circumstances. There’s so much heart and depth to this comic, and yes, it’s also a giant, epic sci-fi adventure.
Everyone loves a good underdog story. Rich is a character forced into the spotlight. He’s forced to shoulder by himself a responsibility and a power that is literally meant for hundreds. It’s inspiring.
So whether you’re looking for big space action or a deep character study, Nova by Abnett & Lanning is for you.
If you’ve never read a Nova comic before, start here. It’s a perfect jumping on point, and it will make you fall in love with a character that most people have never heard of. And it features plenty of other cosmic characters that you have heard of, like the Guardians of the Galaxy. If you like those Guardians movies, you can thank Abnett & Lanning, because their work was largely the basis for them.
Who’s your favorite Marvel cosmic character? Comment below and let us know what character you think deserves more recognition!
Some movies will bring about laughter while others cause tears of joy.
Very few releases possess the ability to bring out a wide range of emotion, but when they do, it’s indicative of a fantastic film.
Then there’s that rare instance when a movie is so captivating, it touches the soul of its audience lingering indefinitely afterward. Blindspotting is a scintillating unapologetic look at the splintering of American culture as it strips the identity of inner-city families replacing those with gross generalizations. Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs deftly crafted a tale reflective of the American experience in 2018 for minorities.
Blindspotting shines a light on what afflicts our country in hopes of sparking change which will benefit families for years to come. Children shouldn’t grow up having to learn surrendering techniques to the police just because they are an African American.
From L to R: Rafael Casal as “Miles,” Daveed Diggs as “Collin” and Jon Chaffin as “Dez” in BLINDSPOTTING.
Blindspotting centers around Collin (Daveed Diggs) and his final three days of probation. Collin is desperate for a new beginning but his best friend from childhood, Miles (Rafael Casal) and his behavior is making it extremely hard for him. While Collin is trying to stay clean, Miles is doing things like buying a handgun from Dez (Jon Chaffin). On the way home from work, Collin witnesses a police shooting which shakes him to his core. For the first time, these two friends have to grapple with their perceived identities and the impact those have. Will Collin always be just a felon? Why does Miles feel the need to be perceived as tough? How will the shifting dynamics of their neighborhood impact their struggle?
From L to R: Rafael Casal as “Miles,” Ziggy Baitinger as “Sean” and Jasmine Cephas-Jones as “Ashley” in BLINDSPOTTING.
Director Carlos López Estrada had a great feel for how best to visually get the message of Blindspotting across. Most of the settings were tightly confined areas giving the film an intimate feel. The intimacy even heightens the tension as audiences will feel so close to what is unfolding on screen. The pacing of the film was terrific. Estrada’s shining moment in the film had to the scene when Miles, Ashley, and Collin find Sean playing with the revolver his father (Miles) just bought. This is perhaps the slowest paced scene of the whole film and placing Sean dead center in the room was perfect. Miles, Ashley, Collin are overcome with fear as they slowly inch towards him, but Sean is mesmerized by the chamber of the gun. Sometimes the pacing and blocking of the scene are even more important than the actual words spoken.
Daveed Diggs as “Collin” and Janina Gavankar as “Val” in BLINDSPOTTING.
Robby Baumgartner’s cinematography highlighted both the beauty of Oakland and the ugliness stemming from the splintering of American culture. Blindspotting had numerous moments where the camera panned through the eclectic town capturing the intricate set of buildings that give the city its flavor. Baumgartner also made use of handheld cameras to get those more intimate moments. My favorite shot of the film was how they captured the initial police shooting. By placing the camera behind the truck they were able to share the action taking place outside and Collin’s reaction inside without changing perspective. We see the police shooting in the side mirror of a car, bringing the audience closer to this pivotal moment.
Diggs and Casal each give a career-defining performance full of passion that will leave theatergoers stunned. Blindspotting is the type of film audiences will be drawn to and awards voters love.
The last time I felt this confident about a film’s potential for impact was right after seeing Get Out. You need to see Blindspotting when it is playing in your area.
Seeing the WWE live and in person is a completely different experience from what you see on television. The excitement was at a whole new level as I attended WWE Extreme Rules at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The announcement of Hulk Hogan’s reinstatement into the WWE Hall of Fame comes after a three-year suspension following a racist tirade on a sex tape made in 2012.
Early-day speculations hit online of something brewing with Hogan, as he was spotted in Cleveland, which is about a 2-hour drive from Pittsburgh. Later-day rumors were confirmed that Hogan had made his way to PPG Paints Arena, and was mingling with talent and executives prior to the event. He kept his correspondence strictly behind the curtain, and he didn’t make an appearance at the event in any form. Hogan apparently made his in-person apologies then departed the arena.
Sin Cara vs Andrade Cien Almas Photo: Twitter @wwe
As a last-minute addition to the pre-show, I don’t know why this match was even on the card, especially with the lack of other notable talents featured during the night. Not sure if the WWE is trying to give a little attention the205 Live crew with having Sin Cara appearing on SmackDown Live, or if are they just trying to push Andrade Cien Almas since his arrival from NXT. Regardless, all this match proved was that Almas can’t fly like a typical Lucha, but somehow ended up with the win.
I give major props to Kofi Kingston for his arm, or maybe just the weight of the inedible pancakes, but he threw those things so far that I almost ended up with one in my lap at 21 rows from the ring.
In a tables match, the first person to put an opponent through a table wins. The brute of the men of SAnitY made me think that the biggest men will fall the hardest. Turns out, all 6 brought their A-game. They executed a 5-man double stomp that was the most impressive maneuver of the night.
After being chewed on (really?!) by Wolfe, Kingston takes the fall through the table, giving SAnitY the win.
The B Team: Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas Photo: Twitter @wwe
The B Team is undefeated since splitting from The Miz and disbanding The Miztourage. And finally, real-life brothers Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas meet in the ring one on one. The match was fairly uneventful, but entertaining none the less. The B Team’s streak continues, and they are the new RAW Tag Team Champions.
RAW General Manager Kurt Angle Photo: Twitter @wwe
RAW General Manager Kurt Angle has had enough. The Universal Champion Brock Lesnar hasn’t been seen on WWE television since the Greatest Royal Rumble in April. Angle put out the decree that Lesnar either needs to appear at Monday Night RAW in Buffalo the next night, agree to a title defense, or he will be stripped of the title belt. The crowd went nuts for this, myself included. The WWE Universe is tired of that belt not being important, simply because it’s not seen. It’s about time that something is being done about this.
Since being appointed personally by Stepanie McMahon, Baron Corbin has asserted his power like a one-man reincarnation of The Authority. Yet, according to Finn Balor, Corbin’s new choice in wardrobe is something out of TGIFriday’s.
The size difference between these two men is unmistakable. Still, the strength and experience of Balor simply outweighed the size of Corbin. Balor wins easily.
SmackDown Live Women’s Championship: Asuka vs. Carmella (c)
Carmella vs. Asuka Photo: Twitter @wwe
James Ellsworth looked like he wanted to cry while being lifted into the air in a shark tank, but there’s no sympathy for that slimeball. He tossed Carmella tools of destruction including thick chains and a can of mace. However, locksmith Ellsworth opened the cage door, got his ankle bandana caught, and was suspended upside down. Asuka took full advantage of his vulnerability, but she lost focus on the fact that the match was against Carmella, not Ellsworth. The two ladies did very little tangling together, which was disappointing considering Asuka’s recent lackluster bookings. And still, ‘Mella is money.
Jeff Hardy vs. Shinsuke Nakamura Photo: Twitter @wwe
With both of these men coming off of recent injuries, I was worried that this match would be short and uneventful. Little did I know, that the match pretty much didn’t happen. Shinsuke Nakamura hit Jeff Hardy with a low-blow, and 5 seconds after the bell rang, there was a new United States Champion.
What worries me tremendously was that the last time Hardy had a match like this was with TNA in 2011. Then, higher-ups cut his match short because he was deemed too intoxicated to compete. Tonight he seemed completely with-it, but we never truly know what goes on behind that curtain.
In the only real twist and surprise of the night, the crowd lost its mind when the Viper’s music hit. Randy Orton made his way to the ring, staring down Nakamura. He soon turned his attention to Hardy, all while Nakamura looked on in surprise.
Kevin Owens vs. Braun Strowman Photo: Twitter @wwe
Due to his constant running, RAW General Manager Kurt Angle declared that Kevin Owens’ match against Braun Strowman would take place in a steel cage. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
Owens quickly plotted his escape from the ring, all while Strowman called Owens out as a coward. Owens brought the fight, even handcuffing Stowman to the ring ropes. His escape was ill-fated, as Strowman threw Owens off the top of the cage. It was reminiscent of a similar match of 20 years ago, ironically in the same city, where The Undertaker threw Mankind from atop the Hell in a Cell. The fall wasn’t from as high, and the level of carnage wasn’t as bad, but Owens’ win didn’t come without some mangling.
SmackDown Live Tag Team Championship: Team Hell No (Daniel Bryan & Kane) vs. The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper & Rowan) (c)
Bludgeon Brothers vs. Team Hell No Photo: Twitter @wwe
It seems that the recently reunited Team Hell No may have the same fate of the reunification of The Shield from last fall. In a backstage attack, Team Hell No took a beating from The Bludgeon Brothers. Kane took the brunt of the hits, and it seemed that this match would be in limbo.
But, Daniel Bryan emerged alone and agreed to compete in the match with a handicap. It didn’t seem like a great idea, and Bryan constantly held his ribs, but he still got in a few great “Yes” kicks before his teammate Kane arrived in an ankle boot. Yet, his help wasn’t enough, and The Bludgeon Brothers retain.
Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley Photo: Twitter @wwe
Roman Reigns likes to call out those who aren’t the workhorse that he is. He did it with John Cena before last September’s No Mercy pay per view, he did it with Brock Lesnar prior to Wrestlemania, and he’s done it again with the recently re-signed Bobby Lashley. Their heated rivalry came to a head at last Monday’s RAW where it took the entire men’s locker room to keep these two apart. That ended with a swan-dive from Reigns that was impressive and unexpected.
Reign’s unfortunate relationship with the crowd and Lashley’s irrelevance since his return made this yet another pay per view match of Reigns’ that no one cared about. This time the crowd chants were “Johnny Wrestling” and “We want beach balls.” Other than the chants, the crowd was fairly quiet.
Lashley dominated, hitting Reigns with spears that he normally delivers. The match itself was slow, showing that neither man, based on their size, can throw constantly. And, apparently, it’s now Lashley’s yard.
In the only “Extreme Rules” match of the night, this match should have been plugged better, and it should have been either the main event or at least the next-to main event. With the way the match went, though, perhaps it was better this way.
Mickie James pulled tools out from under the ring like a child rooting through a toy box searching for that specific plaything. The ring was littered with trashcans and folding chairs, but they were used sparingly.
All it took was James to attack Jax’s valet Natalya for spectator Ronda Rousey to lose her cool. She unleashed on James, but it didn’t have much effect on the match. Bliss is still champion and still sneering at Rousey over it.
In his first WWE Championship match, Rusev brought strength and confidence. He’s still a brute, though, and AJ Styles simply outplayed him. While Rusev hit several great Matchka kicks, AJ Styles flew all over the ring. Summersaults galore, Pele kicks, and Phenomenal Forearms were constant, and those ultimately gave Styles the win to keep the championship belt across his waist.
Seth Rollins vs. Dolph Ziggler Photo: Twitter @wwe
With both men’s stature and physique, I was most looking forward to this match. They’re both simply entertaining and on the top of their games. Of the entire roster, these were the guys who could handle a 30-minute ironman match without breaking a sweat or losing their breath.
While the match itself was fun and exciting, the crowd killed his match. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh fans can be idiots… and tonight proved it. (Remember, I was there, I’m from the area, and it’s not a lie.) The fans started counting down every minute like it was the Royal Rumble, and it was incredibly distracting. At one point, which was seriously downplayed on television, the clock was removed from the trons to deter the chants. Nope, the fans kept up, counting and buzzing when it wasn’t time to do so. The downside of removing the clock for the fans, it also left Rollins and Ziggler without knowing where they stood in the match time. If the crowd would have actually paid attention, they’d have witnessed a great match. I’d like to personally apologize to Rollins and Ziggler, as they both deserved a better crowd. Please know that all Pittsburgh fans are not jerks.
Pittsburgh’s own Kurt Angle appears on the ramp after the tie, declaring that they would go to sudden death. That didn’t last long, as Drew McIntyre (who had previously been tossed from ringside) interfered, causing Rollins to lose to Ziggler. Shouldn’t that have been a disqualification on Ziggler’s part and Rollins should be Intercontinental Champion again? Those Shield brothers keep getting screwed by the referees lately, don’t they…
Overall, this event had a solid card, but some of the matches were weak, and there weren’t enough plot twists or surprises for a pay per view.
Right now, I’m just worried that the WWE won’t rush to have the City of Pittsburgh host another pay per view any time soon after the fans’ behavior. Although, if we get another event, I’ll be the first in line for tickets.
How did our predictions pan out? Be sure to give a listen to the Mixed Tag Mayhem podcast with me and TV Editor Tom Chang where we preview each match and discuss all things WWE.
What were your thoughts on the event? Were you surprised with any of the match outcomes?
The Invincible Iron Man: The Search For Tony Stark is out now in trade paperback, and it’s…fine?
The trade collects issues 595 through 600 of Invincible, the end of Brian Michael Bendis’ stint as writer before his move to the Distinguished Competition. It’s drawn by Stefano Caselli and Alex Maleev, with colors by Marte Garcia and Israel Silva, and letters by Clayton Cowles.
Check out our whole video review here:
In short, this story is pretty cluttered. We have three different Iron Man stories going on at once, and it costs the book its heart. Understandably, Bendis was trying to wrap up his run and all the various plot points, but it feels rushed.
That being said, it’s still worth a read for Iron Man fans. Though it’s devoid of much depth, there are still plenty of fun character moments and action scenes.
Doctor Doom’s story is actually the most interesting; who doesn’t love a good redemption story? It unfortunately gets buried beneath the “search for Tony” stuff, but Alex Maleev’s art is stellar and it should inspire fans to go pick up his and Bendis’ Infamous Iron Man if they haven’t already.
This is not the best jumping on point for new fans of the character. A better bet would be the first issue of Dan Slott’s run that picks up after Bendis’.
What did you think of Bendis’ Iron Man run? Do you like video reviews or written reviews? Comment below and let us know!
In the image, Billy Batson (in superhero form) shows off his recently acquired superhero costume to his best friend, Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer), who seems over the moon to learn that his BFF can transform into a superhero.
Check out the image below:
In the film, Billy (whose younger version is played by Disney Channel star Asher Angel) is assigned to a new foster home where he befriends comic book superfan Freddy. One day, Billy’s subway ride is interrupted by a mysterious Wizard (Djimon Hounsou) who’s been searching for ages to find the right successor to inherit his powers. He reveals the teen’s been selected to gain an assortment of abilities, and all it takes is for Billy to say “SHAZAM!”
Directed by David Sandberg, Shazam! stars Zachary Levi as the superhero version of Billy Batson, while Asher Angel will portray the 14-year-old version. The film also stars Jack Dylan Grazer, Grace Fulton, Faithe Herman, Ian Chen, Jovan Armand, Cooper Andrews, Marta Milans, and Ron Cephas Jones.
With San Diego Comic-Con right around the corner, Aquamandirector James Wan has taken it upon himself to get the hype train rolling for his upcoming project. Wan took to Twitter to reveal the first poster for Aquaman.
You can check out the poster below:
Here’s the teaser one-sheet poster for #Aquaman!! In theaters December 21. Watch the first trailer this Saturday. “Home is Calling” pic.twitter.com/dpDNL9xkr4
The image shows Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry accompanied by a plethora of sea creatures. We have yet to see Curry fully embrace his aquatic roots on the big screen other than a brief moment in Justice League when he fights Steppenwolf underwater. If there were any doubts about the majority of the film taking place underwater this poster likely put them to bed.
Wan also revealed that the first trailer for the film would be released Saturday during Warner Brothers SDCC panel. With the film set to release in December, releasing a trailer soon would help grab audiences’ attention.
Does this poster get you excited for Aquaman? Let us know in the comments below!
Stewie’s (Arian Moayed) resounding statement of the obvious was the first hint at how twisted last nights episode of Succession was going to be. Add in a protester throwing a balloon of urine at Logan (Brian Cox), and we have ourselves the start of a feast full debauchery, which would delight even the most casual fan of HBO’s hit series.
No one tunes into Succession in hopes of getting business tips. Audiences want to see how low will America’s most loathed fictional family sink to get what they want. No one is trustworthy, but everyone in the family has questionable judgment. Writer Lucy Prebble and director Miguel Arteta understood that which is what made Sunday’s episode such an enjoyable experience. Succession was able to highlight these moral failings with a tightly constructed narrative and staging pivotal moments in the combustible way possible.
Kieran Culkin and Sarah Snook, photo credit: Ursula Coyote/HBO
After the incident in front of Logan’s (Cox) office building and the berating Stewie (Moayed) gave him about the sinking stock prices, the old man agrees to a family counseling session at Connor’s (Alan Ruck) ranch in New Mexico. Logan sees this as a way to the most loyal members of the family and as a publicity stunt to boost the stock price. Kendall (Jeremy Strong) is invited to the session but resoundingly turns them down in favor of hanging out with some of New Mexico’s most exceptional meth addicts. Kendall’s sobriety is in peril. Shiv (Sarah Snook) agrees to a meeting with Nate’s (Ashley Zuckerman) candidate who happens to have his eyes set on destroying her father. The family goes through with the family therapy session with “interesting” results. Connor’s “girlfriend” Willa (Justine Lupe) is made an offer that she can’t refuse.
Jeremy Strong, photo credit: Ursula Coyote/HBO
Prebble’s narrative relied strongly on the personality traits that Logan’s children inherited from him. Shiv (Snook) inherited Logan’s desire for what he doesn’t have. While she’s happy with Tom (Matthew MacFadyen), Shiv can’t help but want the powerful job being offered to her in politics and the man proposing it.
Let’s say she’s sent out some clear signals indicating her intentions in the parking lot. Roman (Kiernan Culkin) is exceptionally self-centered. It didn’t matter to him that it was his vote which doomed Kendall (Jeremy Strong), he’s always looking out for himself above all else. Connor (Alan Ruck) is delusional. While he’s more of a free spirit than his father, both of them feel they should get what they want. Logan (Cox) wants to own everything, and Connor (Ruck) wants to own Willa (Lupe). Each man uses their wealth as a means of imposing their will. Kendall (Strong) has an addictive personality just like his father. While Logan (Cox) is addicted to acquisitions, Kendall (Strong) craves drugs and alcohol. The events of the last week have sent the former CEO in a tailspin which ends with him lighting up a meth pipe.
Matthew Macfadyen and Hiam Abbass, photo credit: Ursula Coyote/HBO
Director Miguel Arteta made great use of the set design of Connor’s (Ruck) ranch as a means of exacerbating the interactions between family members. Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) and Marcia (Hiam Abbass) quickly make Willa (Lupe) feel incredibly uncomfortable not only due to their proximity to one another but the constant pelting of questions about the future. The therapy scene with Logan and the children was amazingly staged. It was hard not to laugh at each of them sitting at the furthest point of the couch staring away from one another disgusted over going through this. Arteta and Prebble understood how emotionally stunted this family is and used it to their advantage.
Hiam Abbass, photo credit: Ursula Coyote/HBO
Overall, Succession’s seventh episode was one of the more enjoyable ones of the season. Much was revealed at the end of the episode and it seems there will be consequences for this family who has lived above reproach for far too long. They are all too caught up in their own idiosyncrasies to realize that Stewie and Marcia seem to have their ulterior motives which should be revealed in the episodes ahead.
Green Lanterns #51 hits your local comic book store on July 18, but thanks to DC Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive five-page preview for you.
The book is written by Dan Jurgens, with art by Mike Perkins, colors by HI-FI, and letters by Dave Sharpe. The cover by Perkins and Wil Quintana, and the variant cover is by Chris Stevens.
Perkins shared this splash-page from the issue on his Facebook wall.
The issue is just the second chapter of Jurgens’ run, following stints by Tim Seeley and Sam Humphries. Shockingly, it’s the legend’s first time writing a Lantern title, though he has used the Corps before in the many, many DC Comics he’s written. Jurgens is fresh off of a run on Action Comics that led into issue #1000.
Perkins is best known for his work at Marvel. He adapted Stephen King’s The Stand with writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, and was part of the art team on Ed Brubaker’s seminal Captain America run. The artist worked on the Lanterns in 2000 for Green Lantern Versus Aliens, a DC Comics/Dark Horse crossover.
About Green Lanterns #51: A murderer stands within the GLC’s ranks as tension rises between Simon and Jessica. Their rings seem to say the other committed the crime…
Check out the preview here:
Do you have Green Lanterns on your pull-list? Comment below and tell us your favorite Lantern of all-time!
Leave No Trace’s mesmerizing narrative, sublime cinematography, and powerful performances are brilliantly woven into a haunting tale of a veteran’s struggle with PTSD.
Director/writer Debra Granik (Winter Bone) and Oscar Nominee Anne Rosellini (Winter Bone) have partnered once more to adapt their film’s story-line from Peter Rock’s Novel “My Abandonment.” What stood out immediately from the movie wasn’t how the narrative was constructed, but it’s use of silence. Silence can both comfort, allow for emotional healing, or it can reflect someones internal turmoil. Granik deftly uses silence to reflect the precise tone of the moment being captured.
Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie stars as Tom in Debra Granik’s LEAVE NO TRACE, a Bleecker Street release.
Leave No Trace centers on the relationship of Tom (a teenage girl played by Thomasin Harcourt Mckenzie) and her father played by Will (Ben Foster). These two have lived undetected for a number of years in Forest Park (the woods outside of Portland, Oregon). Eventually, someone happens to spot them and contacts the authorities who put them in social services. Will is told he has to provide an actual home for Tom and they are forced to move into temporary housing. Just as they begin to assimilate with their new community, it becomes just too much for Tom’s father to deal with and he wants to go back into the wilderness, but does his daughter want that as well?
The storyline is phenomenally constructed and entirely reflective of how pain (no matter what kind) can stay with someone long after it actually occurred. Will wants to be far away from the world which drove itself to war which leads to his inevitable psychological trauma. What is fascinating was how Leave No Trace effortlessly showed the impact trauma has on a family. Tom only knows this life of camping and catching their food but is old enough to understand the way behind it all. She doesn’t have some melodramatic breakdown about their living conditions, but one has to wonder if Will is doing more harm than good for his daughter? Mckenzie’s character hangs her dad’s every word and at any moment they aren’t together is at first incredibly jarring for her.
Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie as Tom and Ben Foster as Will star in Debra Granik’s LEAVE NO TRACE,
Granik’s direction is the perfect balance of pace vs. pause. There were times in the film where a slightly elevated pace reflected what was taking place in the movie (i.e. escaping the park authorities). Other instances just pausing and allowing the actors or the surroundings reflect their pain or beauty was incredibly impactful. Michael McDonough’s Cinematography made use of several sweeping shots to capture the splendor of the wilderness and holding the camera a split second longer during those profoundly emotional moments. McDonough’s piece de resistance was how he shot the final scene in Leave No Trace. He started with just a two-shot capturing that moment of separation between father and daughter which quickly pivoted into closeup shots (held for seconds longer than usual) capturing the moment when they knew it was time to go their separate ways.
McDonough will likely receive his second Oscar nomination this year for his brilliant work in this film. Dickon Hinchliffe’s score wasn’t overpowering but was the perfect accent for the film.
Mckenzie and Foster’s performances were each a masterclass of raw emotion reflecting how families would cope given these set of circumstances. Will’s (Foster) own thoughts are his worst enemy. He knows subconciously that bringing his daughter out into the wild isn’t a long-term solution. Foster’s character rationalizes this as being the only way at first with little regard for Tom’s (Mckenzie) social development.
Mckenzie’s performance conjures up memories of Jennifer Lawrence in Winter Bone, and it wouldn’t surprise if her career took the same path. Her tour de force portrayal of Tom is a gut-wrenching menagerie of conflict and heartache. She knows the only way her dad can function is out in the woods (because he’s not well) but Tom longs for social interaction with others.
Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie as Tom and Ben Foster as Will star in Debra Granik’s LEAVE NO TRACE,
Overall, Leave No Trace is a sensational tale of understanding, acceptance, love, and letting go. It also highlights why mental health services are a necessity for all our veterans.
Between a deal with the devil, underground fighting, and a lovelife-altering decision, a lot of souls are on the line in “The Tombs”.
Preacher Feature is a weekly look into the AMC show Preacher based on the comic book of the same name by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon. In this column, Josh Versalle gives a breakdown of the events from the show, including how they relate to the comics, and speculates as to what’s going on and what might be coming up. So take heed, as SPOILERS follow.
Need to catch up on last week’s action? Look no further.
“Are you not entertained?”
In the Tombs, men fight for their lives and their pawned souls while others watch like spectators at the Colosseum (in the flashback, Gladiator is in theaters and very much on Jesse’s mind). “The Tombs show us more of the events that shaped Jesse’s life. He is pulled between the merciless, bloodthirsty, soul-stealing world of Angelville and the compassion taught to him by his parents. Neither side has won out yet, as Jesse is thrilled to be announcing the fights, but warns one potential victim away when he thinks no one is watching. It seems Jody is always watching, though.
In the present, the battle for Jesse’s soul is still not resolved. He is once again presiding over the fights, this time as Cassidy triumphs over Hal. In between fights, Jesse helps Cassidy escape, though not in the most pleasant fashion. Jesse chops Cass up with a machete and tries to mail him away from Angelville. After a hilarious discussion between Jesse and Cassidy on the various other methods of escape that could have been employed, Jesse leaves Cassidy to be shipped off. Of course, Cassidy escapes the escape, leaving a bloody mess for the unfortunate employee of the combination shipping depot/froyo store.
“The worst person I ever loved”
Tulip, who has taken Madame Sabina Boyd hostage after a shootout in last episode, hears the reason why the Boyds hate Jesse so much. When Jesse was younger, he and Sabina were a couple. This is problematic, since the Boyds and L’Angelles are rivals in the fortune-telling game. During a pause in a make-out session, Jesse remembers TC’s warning that if Grand’ma finds out about Sabina, Sabina will end up a prisoner of the Tombs. Unable to tell her the truth, but not wanting her to be damned, Jesse calls her (and the rest of the Boyds) trash and leaves. Later Sabina’s brother Kenny comes to the Tombs to fight Jesse for his sister’s honor. Jesse chokes him to death, creating an irreparable rift between the two clans.
“The Tombs are closed.”…Or Are They?
Thinking he has sent Cass away and ruined the fight, Jesse tells off the crowd, saying “The Tombs are closed. Get out!”. It is at just this moment that Cassidy returns, walking down the stairs with an improvised paper-cutter hand and looking for a fight. Jody steps up but Jesse waves him off, thinking the only way to save Cass is to fight his one-time friend himself. A ferocious battle ensues, with Cass refusing to stay down when Jesse asks him. Tulip, fresh from hearing Sabina’s tale of Jesse having killed her brother, enters in time to see Jesse put a stake through Cass’s heart and declare himself a L’Angelle. He yells in her face for them to leave him and Angelville.
Tulip drives Cassidy to the bus stop. Cassidy thinks they are leaving together, but Tulip won’t leave Jesse. Cassidy tells her he loves her, but she replies she doesn’t love him. Cass seems about to use the love potion he got from Gran’ma, but at the last moment thinks the better of it and heads off to New Orleans.
Tulip knows Jesse isn’t as mean as he has been acting and returns to call him out on it. She doesn’t need anyone to keep her safe and she gets the truth out of him: he didn’t want to fight Kenny at all and his death was an accident. Jesse knows that that being around Angelville is like being around Chernobyl: The more time you spend there, the more your insides are gonna rot.
Sabina, after spending the night in Tulip’s trunk, tells Tulip that in order to break the spell that binds Jesse to Angelville, she just has to kill the only person Sabina hates more than Jesse: his gran’ma, the evil witch Marie. Whether doing so will actually free Jesse, or help Sabina get revenge on two L’Angelles at once, is still to be determined.
“It’s time”
I was excited to see Graham McTavish’s return as the Saint of Killers, even if it was only a brief one. Even Satan himself can’t make the Saint flinch as he is called into the Fallen One’s office to be punished for his previous escape. After having the Saint flayed to the bone, Satan sends him off (albeit without his guns) to retrieve two lost souls, presumably Eugene and Hitler.
From Panels to Screen:
The visual effects and makeup artists on the show did a great job of recreating Carlos Ezquerra’s vision of Hell and Satan from the Saint of Killers comic.
Satan, shirtless and with a huge rack of horns, looks just like the books, although his personality seems to have been enlarged for the show. Jason Douglas (The Walking Dead) portrays him as a wheeler-dealer, a slick agent-type who revels in evil.
You May Have Missed:
Satan is on the phone with the (as yet unseen) Allfather of the Grail when the Saint walks into his office.
A temporarily limbless Cassidy tries to sternly wag his finger at Jesse, but has only a stump to do it with.
Jesse tries to send Cass to 3927 St. Anne Street, New Orleans LA 70119.
Boarding the bus after Cassidy is none other than Grail agent Featherstone.
