Review: The Action and Fun are at All Time Highs in NEW SUPER-MAN AND THE JLC #23

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The finale to the “Seas of Change” arc is an explosive, fun adventure with New Super-Man and the JLC.

There is a new hero in the Far East, but unlike the titular Justice League, this one isn’t from China. A North Korean student named Ahn Kwang Jo has recently discovered he is the descendant of the legendary Dragon of the East Sea. This revelation activated his long-hidden powers over water and sea life. Before he has a chance to be a hero, however, his ancestor reveals his mission: Flood Korea to free it from corruption. The League tries to stop the newly dubbed Dragonson, but Super-Man is corrupted by his power and Bat-Man is arrested. Will the heroes be able to free themselves to save North Korea in time?

**Some Spoilers Below**

Story:

As Super-Man flies off with the Flash to stop the Dragonson, Wonder Woman seeks Bat-man. He ends up having to team up with his sister, now turned Joker, the Alpaca, to escape. The Flash continues to try and break Super-Man from his corruption, which leads them to inadvertently finding another power and personality. During all this drama, Kwang Jo realizes that he could be more than Korea’s destroyer, but its redeemer and faces off in an internal struggle with his ancestor.

This issue is a blast and shows off why this series has run for so long. The fights are the definition of comic book action. They’re over-the-top, but fun. They have high stakes, but it still turns out alright in the end. Most comics nowadays either end up trying to be taken too seriously to have fun or try to have too much fun, and it becomes boring. In this, we have exciting action as Bat-Man teams up with Alpaca, Super-Man revealing cool new powers, and much more. All the excitement with every page made me feel like a child again, watching Superheroes just saving the day.

Art:

Brent Peeples has been in charge of illustrating this arc, and while I didn’t think much of it at the start, it went above and ever since. While the Dragonson design still is one of the more amazing aspects of the book, the powers of every character are amazing to look at. Super-Man’s twin corrupted powers are amazing and creative, fitting the yin and yang dynamic he’s been working with lately. This is also shown-off with the masterful colorwork of Hi-Fi. Each character and power pop on the page from the colorwork and makes the world feel alive. It’s a great looking art for a well-written book.

Conclusion:

Overall, this is a fantastic conclusion to a fantastic arc. The story is well written and a ton of fun, capturing what it truly feels to be a comic book. The art has gone above and beyond at every turn, and this issue is no exception. I can’t recommend this issue, as well as this entire series, enough.

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Trailer For THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN Highlights Doomsday’s Arrival

By

Nick Battaglia

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May 11, 2018

When it comes to major events in comic books, many surround one major topic. Death. The most notable being the death of the “man of steel” which ran from December of that year until October of 1993. In the 26 years since the publication of Superman #75 which started the event, the story now has had a few adaptations.

Including 1994’s The Death and Return of Superman video game, and the upcoming movie from Warner Bros. Animation. On Friday, the studio released the first trailer for the The Death of Superman. The trailer spends a majority of its run time focusing on Doomsday’s arrival on Earth. As various members of the Justice League fail to defeat him and lay battered and beaten, Clark Kent steps in.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMqTbJEpxqU[/embedyt]

While it’s obvious as to how this movie ends, the story itself will not end when the final credits roll. Warner Bros. Animation is dividing the story into two parts. The Death of Superman will be released on August 7th, 2018, and part two which is titled Reign of Superman will be released in early 2019. The voice cast in the movie includes Jerry O’Connell as the last son of Krypton, Rosario Dawson as Wonder Woman, Nathan Fillion and Shemar Moore reprising their roles of Green Lantern and Cyborg respectfully, and Rainn Wilson as Lex Luthor.

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MAESTROS An Early Favorite For “Comic Of The Year”

By

Brandon J. Griffin

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May 11, 2018

Writer and artist Steve Skroce (along with colorist Dave Stewart and lettering by Fonografiks) has truly given comic book readers a series they’ll never forget with Maestros. It’s already been nominated for a 2018 Eisner Award in the “Best New Series” category, but we think it will continue to grow from there.

Maestros is a fantasy/sci-fi series that fires on all cylinders. Skroce takes us to a world of wizardry, but in a way we’ve never seen. It’s a world that’s floor is sticky with blood and love juice. A world that’s littered with betrayal, debauchery, and agendas. Maestros is like if Doctor Strange was a Heavy Metal series that got warped in a dingy washing machine in Grant Morrison’s basement.

Six issues into the story and our main hero, Will, is the most lovable asshole in all the realms. He leads a cast of well-crafted characters that constantly throw you for a loop. These people try to keep their wits about them as they navigate the most insane landscape of shit you’ve ever seen.

What you see in these pages will keep your eyes busy for much longer than the average comic. The devil is in the details; Skroce doesn’t cut any corners and fills every panel to the brim with life and insanity.

Maestros has a deeply unique style and appeal that is trashy and magnificent at the same time. It constantly plays with the rules and tropes of fantasy stories, tricking us into thinking we’re going somewhere we’ve been and completely catching us off-guard.

Skroce takes the usual concepts of magic and sorcery, amplifies the more gruesome aspects, then runs it all through a filter of brilliant sarcasm. The book is often hilarious, always brutal and perverted, and never anything less than gorgeous.

Whether your’re into the fantasy genre or not, this book will have more than enough to keep you entertained. Steve Skroce isn’t getting the level of acclaim this book warrants yet, it’s in a league of it’s own.

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DC Comics Exclusive Preview: DAMAGE #5 Don’t Mess With Ivy

By

Matthew Sardo

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May 11, 2018

Damage #5 hits your local comic book store on May 16, but thanks to DC Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive five-page preview for you.

The book is written by Robert Venditti with art by Diogenes Neves, Trevor Scott worked on inks, Allen Passalaqua on colors, letters by Tom Napolitano. Danny Miki, Tomeu Morey, and Tony S. Daniel worked on the intense cover.

About the issue:
“UNNATURAL DISASTER” part two! Ethan Avery’s journey to uncover the secrets of his power will have to wait—he’s got a brawl to survive first! If his alter ego, “Damage,” ever wants to make it out of Poison Ivy’s clutches alive, he’s going to have to fight an army of super-angry monkeys to do it. And Gorilla Grodd. That can’t be that hard, right? Remember, Damage—monkey see, monkey smash!

Check out the preview here:

Here is our review of issue one: Not Your Father’s Hero With DAMAGE #1

Are you reading Damage, what are your thoughts on the new series? Comment below.

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8 Original Films We Can’t Wait To See This Summer

By

Robert Yaniz Jr.

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May 11, 2018

The summer movie season may have peaked early with the April release of Avengers: Infinity War likely to emerge the biggest money-maker. Indeed, the Marvel Studios release is only the first in a long line of franchise entries arriving in theaters in the months to come, but while new adventures for Deadpool, Han Solo, The Incredibles and the Mission: Impossible crew are among those on the way, summer 2018 also has a stacked offering of original (i.e., non-franchise) films on the way to moviegoers everywhere. So, before you plan out your visits to the theater, let’s look at some of the most exciting original films currently scheduled for a wide release this summer.

Hereditary (June 8)

The festival buzz behind this one has been humming for a while, but the above trailer has really been piquing audience interest lately. Toni Collette stars as a mother whose family life is shaken by tragedy. At least that’s what we think is happening. Director Ari Aster’s film strikes us as the kind of horror ride that banks on little to no knowledge of the plot. With recent releases like Get Out, A Quiet Place and It riding critical praise to impressive box office returns, Hereditary seems poised to be this summer’s break out horror hit.

Tag (June 15)

Jeremy Renner may be nowhere to be found in Avengers: Infinity War, but considering he plays the all-time tag champion amongst his group of friends in director Jeff Tomsic’s film, maybe Hawkeye is just really good at outrunning Thanos’ wrath. But we digress. With films like Game Night and Blockers already in our rearview, 2018 is shaping up to be a pretty great year for comedies. With a cast that also includes Ed Helms, Jon Hamm, Hannibal Buress and Isla Fisher, Tag might be the year’s latest sleeper comedy hit.

Skyscraper (July 13)

Another season, another Dwayne Johnson film… Hot off the heels of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Rampage, the actor reunites with Central Intelligence director Rawson Marshall Thurber for this action drama about a wrongfully accused FBI agent who must save his family from a burning (you guessed it) skyscraper. There’s no telling if Skyscraper will continue Johnson’s hot streak, but considering he led the similarly themed disaster entry San Andreas to a worldwide total of $474 million, we’re betting he will.

The Darkest Minds (August 3)

Remember when films based on young adult novels were everywhere? Well, that trend is back with The Darkest Minds from director Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda 2). The film stars The Hunger Games alum Amandla Stenberg in a post-apocalyptic tale in which the only remaining children — all of whom have developed special abilities — launch a rebellion against government persecution. Its premise feels a bit familiar, but nonetheless, this one might have a stronger chance of kicking off a franchise than its recent contemporaries.

The Spy Who Dumped Me (August 3)

Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon headline this espionage comedy, which follows two women who get wrapped up in an international conspiracy when the former’s ex-boyfriend reveals he secretly works for the CIA. Director/co-writer Susanna Fogel only has one previous directorial credit — the 2014 romantic comedy Life Partners — but the winning combination of Kunis and McKinnon alone could be strong enough to propel The Spy Who Dumped Me to the top of the comedy heap this summer.

The Meg (August 10)

Between Pacific Rim, Rampage and the big-screen returns of both King Kong and Godzilla, it’s safe to say that giant monster movies are bigger than ever. So the prospect of seeing Jason Statham take on the Megalodon — a massive 75-foot shark — has quickly made The Meg one of the most talked-about action thrill rides of the summer. Chances are, if this kind of film is up your alley, you’re already counting the days. Either way, director Jon Turteltaub has to do something to keep busy until National Treasure 3 heats up.

Crazy Rich Asians (August 17)

Based on the 2013 Kevin Kwan novel, Crazy Rich Asians made headlines recently, with some heralding it as a Black Panther-level cultural event for Asian-Americans. We can’t speak to that, but the film sure does look charming as hell. Constance Wu (Fresh Off the Boat) plays an American-born professor who travels to Singapore to meet her boyfriend’s extremely wealthy family. Conflict follows, particularly in the family’s matriarch (Michelle Yeoh). Here’s hoping director Jon M. Chu can craft a satisfying comedy/drama out of it all.

The Happytime Murders (August 17)

Development on this decidedly non-family-friendly release has been an epic rollercoaster ride. Director Brian Henson’s neo-noir comedy is the first film from Henson Alternative and looks to provide a drastically more adult counterpart to the family-friendly Muppets created by Henson’s father Jim so many years ago. The story revolves around a murder mystery in a world that views puppets as second-class citizens. After so many years, it looks like the film will finally release this summer. Consider us beyond curious to see the final product.

Which of the summer movies on our list are you most looking forward to? Sound off in the comments section below with your thoughts!

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COBRA KAI Renewed for a Second Season by YouTube Red

By

Jon Barr - TV Editor

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May 11, 2018

Cobra Kai, the sequel series to The Karate Kid, is getting a second season from YouTube Red.

YouTube announced yesterday that the recent TV reboot will be returning. The series also comes from Sony Pictures Television and Overbrook Entertainment. The first season is already a massive hit on YouTube Red, with the first episode gaining around 20 million views. Cobra Kai was purchased by YouTube around a year ago. YouTube Red outbid Netflix and Amazon for the series, and it seems that has paid off for the streaming service.

COBRA KAI Review: YouTube Punches & Kicks Its Way Into The Streaming Wars

Cobra Kai is a direct follow-up to the Karate Kid films of the ’80s. William Zabka and Ralph Macchio star in the series, reprising their roles from the movies. The series follows Johnny (Zabka), who reopens the now infamous dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Danny (Macchio).

The new season will go into production in the fall, with new episodes airing in 2019.

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Interview: SOLO World Premiere Donald Glover – “Lando Calrissian”

By

Matthew Sardo

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May 11, 2018

The world premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story was held in Los Angeles Thursday night, check out what Donald Glover – “Lando Calrissian” had to say in the clip below.

About the film:

Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in Solo: A Star Wars Story, an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes.

Directed by Ron Howard, and written Jon Kasdan & Lawrence Kasdan; Solo: A Star Wars Story stars Alden Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke, Joonas Suotamo, Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton, and Paul Bettany.

The origin of the Millennium Falcon hits theaters on May 25.

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Interview: SOLO World Premiere Ewan McGregor “Obi-Wan”

By

Matthew Sardo

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May 11, 2018

The world premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story was held in Los Angeles Thursday night, check out what Ewan McGregor – “Obi-Wan” had to say in the clip below.

About the film:

Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in Solo: A Star Wars Story, an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes.

Directed by Ron Howard, and written Jon Kasdan & Lawrence Kasdan; by Solo: A Star Wars Story stars Alden Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke, Joonas Suotamo, Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton, and Paul Bettany.

The origin of the Millennium Falcon hits theaters on May 25.

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Interview: SOLO World Premiere Alden Ehrenreich – “Han Solo”

By

Matthew Sardo

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May 11, 2018

The world premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story was held in Los Angeles Thursday night, check out what Alden Ehrenreich – “Han Solo” had to say in the clip below.

About the film:
Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in Solo: A Star Wars Story, an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes.

Directed by Ron Howard, and written Jon Kasdan & Lawrence Kasdan; by Solo: A Star Wars Story stars Alden Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke, Joonas Suotamo, Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton, and Paul Bettany.

The origin of the Millennium Falcon hits theaters on May 25.

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Review: LIFE OF THE PARTY Will Shock You In A Very Good Way

By

Dewey Singleton - Film Critic

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Life of The Party is a surprising combination of a solid ensemble, a talented director and a narrative which weaves in hilarious moments with an empowering message.

Melissa McCarthy is able to sidestep the issues which have plagued her previous films and delivers a funny yet heartfelt performance. On the surface, it would be easy to dismiss a release like this, as it reminds audiences of how off-putting McCarthy’s projects can be when she dominates attention. However, the former Mike and Molly star doesn’t have to do the heavy comedic lifting here, instead relying on the supporting cast for comic relief.

The narrative centers on Deanna (McCarthy), who forgoes her dreams of graduating college to stay home and raise their new daughter. Well, twenty years have passed, and Deanna and her husband Dan (Matt Walsh) have just dropped off Maddie (Molly Gordon) for her final year of college. As they are pulling away, Dan out of nowhere asks Maddie for a divorce. Now that her life is shattered, Deanna decides she’s going to go back to school and get her degree. What she doesn’t realize is that college has vastly changed since she last attended.

The strength of this film doesn’t come from one individual performance but the collective efforts of the entire ensemble. While McCarthy gets top billing, every member of the cast plays an important role in the overall success of the film. Maya Rudolph plays Christine, Deanna’s best friend, and provides those over-the-top comedic moments which are usually reserved for McCarthy (see: Bridesmaids). Julie Bowen plays Dan’s mistress, certainly a departure from her work on Modern Family. The chemistry in the film was crucial because, even though it is at times hilarious, there’s a strong message of empowerment in Life of The Party.

Director Ben Falcone shows such savvy with both the pacing and blocking of each shot. The more sentimental moments don’t seem rushed, which is a problem plaguing some of McCarthy’s previous projects. Falcone made sure those comedic beats were up-tempo, which maximizes the humor in those scenes. My only minor critique is the writing breezes through some of the more critical moments of Deanna’s transition from married wife to a divorced student. Why wasn’t the dynamic of both her and her daughter being in school at the same time further explored?

Julio Macat’s cinematography does little to enhance the film and is incredibly lackluster. Fil Eisler attempts to strike a whimsical tone in the musical score, but comes across as an assault on the senses. Overall, Life of The Party has some minor flaws, but it’s hard to deny how much fun McCarthy’s latest release is. It’s well worth the price of admission and might be the perfect movie to watch with Mom this weekend.

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