Bane Conquest #10 hits your local comic book store on March 7, but thanks to DC Comics, Monkeys Fighting Robots has an exclusive four-page preview for you.
The book is written by Chuck Dixon, with art and cover by Graham Nolan, with Gregory White on colors, and Carlos M. Mangual on letters. Dixon, Nolan, and Doug Moench created Bane back in 1993.
“The best aspect of this project is that it’s not a cameo or nostalgia tour for Graham and I. It’s more like we’re back after all this time to work on a truly epic story about Bane and we haven’t lost a step,” said Dixon before issue one, via CBR.
About the issue: To take on Kobra on its own turf, Bane will need an army. But what he needs and what he has are two different things…and what he has is twelve damned souls willing to follow him into Hell for a billion-dollar payday. But first, they must be battle-tested and Bane-approved. And what better test than the abduction of one of Kobra’s elite? The action is building to a fever pitch, and breakneck pace as this gangster epic roars toward its conclusion.
Check out the four-page preview below, click on the image to expand or scroll past to see the images as well.
Are you reading Bane Conquest? How would you update the character? Comment below.
Voice acting is at the heart of animated films and video games, and Mela Lee’s talented voice brings life to some beloved virtual characters. From the anime, SaintTail or Vampire Knight to video games like Fire Emblem and even BIGGER projects coming in 2018, Mela’s voice is known throughout the pop culture world.
In our interview with Mela, we spent a lot of time talking about a lot of things. In Part One, it’s all about the road from theatre to Wall Street to global pop culture superstar and it all includes a little bit of magic.
“I did acting when I was younger, mostly singing.”
The road to voice acting started at an early age where Mela showed an inclination for the arts “I did acting when I was younger, mostly singing. I had a degree in theatre from Pepperdine in Directing.”
However, life is an interesting path for each of us, and it leads Mela towards exciting new opportunities that most of her fans might not know about “Took a few years off from going to law school to do disaster relief and community outreach. Then I got a job as an analyst for a Wall Street mortgage firm.”
External forces beyond our control affect us every day. In 2008, the financial crash changed Wall Street and altered Mela’s course. “Growing up people said I had a nice voice and suggested I do voice over. And I thought ‘that sounds amazing but how do you do that?’”
“I did Saint Tail in 2001, and a couple of anime here
and there for Eric over at Bang Zoom.”
Making matters a little more complicated was Lee’s family “Coming from a family of scientists, lawyers, and doctors, nobody watches cartoons or anime or were into graphic novels. I used to like them. I would sort of sneak them. It was sort of as impossible to be a voice artist as it was to be an astronaut; astronaut seemed more possible to my family. Or to me.”
“I did Saint Tail in 2001, and a couple of anime here and there for Eric over at Bang Zoom. I was doing it as a hobby that I was so excited about. I got to do work in a new series called Fate/stay night. But I was working full-time as a bank analyst. I would take time off to record. And I remember thinking in 2007 or 2008 ’Well, I should probably go back to law school. I’m not going to be a voice actress. I can’t make a living like that. That’s not a real thing.”
“‘Ugh, we don’t do dubbing’”
The toll of the financial crash made life interesting for Mela. “When the crash happened, I worked for Valet of the Dolls. I worked for a catering company. It was great money. But now and then I would book a dubbing job for a lot more money.”
According to Mela, some of her acting friends scoffed at the idea “‘Ugh, we don’t do dubbing’” However, Mela saw it completely different “Are you kidding? It beats being a maid to the stars. They feed you. It was exciting.”
For Mela, like many Americans, the struggle was all too real “I had 50,000 dollars in student loans I had to pay off. I had to just hustle. I had three or four jobs.”
“I was just kind of struggling to
make ends meet and figure stuff out.”
The shift to full-time voice acting was gradual. But then “Someone recommended me for what’s called ADR or voice replacement. So I’d do that for children and teenagers. Also, sometimes for shows like CSI: New York or The Good Wife, I would specialize in replacing medical, legal, or any kind of scientific terminology. The nerd in me said ‘Oh, this is amazing!’ and it pays really well.”
The entertainment industry is a complicated realm “I didn’t realize we got residuals. I didn’t know what those were. So, come 2009 or 2010, I’m doing a few shows, I get cast in Vampire Knight, and I’m starting to get royalties.”
However, at the time, Mela was living in a one-room house behind someone’s house “I was just kind of struggling to make ends meet and figure stuff out. Before I really knew it, I started making a living. But I was focusing so much on paying off my loans that I didn’t really notice.”
“I knew [San Diego] Comic-Con was a comic book convention,
so I thought it would be really cool.”
In 2010, Comic-Con changed Lee’s perspective entirely “I knew Comic-Con was a comic book convention, so I thought it would be really cool. I’d never been. When I got to Comic-Con, there was Yuki Cross on all these banners. A friend of mine, Walter [Emanuel Jones], the early 90s black Power Ranger, said ‘You didn’t tell me you were in Vampire Knight!’”
“Why would I?” Mela responded. “I was still like; this is anime, it’s just a small corner of the pop culture universe.”
“I thought, ‘wait, what’s happening?’”
Mela didn’t understand the true scope of Vampire Knight’s reach until Walter said “‘Turn around.’” Mela listened to her friend and “There was this huge line waiting for autographs that was going out the door.”
Nerves kicked in a bit in that moment “I started shaking. I thought, ‘wait, what’s happening?’ I was happy, and I was enjoying doing this thing, but it wasn’t a real thing. You know? Pretty soon I would go to law school or something.”
“Now I’m flying all over the world in a year as Yuki Cross.”
The reality of Vampire Knight and Mela’s popularity continued to make itself known. “I got home after Comic-Con, and I had emails from New Zealand and Australia asking if I’d like to go to conventions there.” Mela was stunned. “The emails said ‘we’ll fly you out and pay for expenses’ and all I thought was ‘that’s a thing?’”
Laughing, Mela says “I was a girl coming from eating Ramen noodles in a small apartment. Now I’m flying all over the world in a year as Yuki Cross.”
Speaking with Mela, it’s easy to get a sense of her positive soul. Taking nothing about her life for granted, Mela says “The world just comes up with magic sometimes.”
Our conversation with the voice actor was epic, like a Michael Bay movie of phone interviews. Keep a Monkeys Fighting Robots tab open on your browser and an eye out for Part Two of our interview.
Are you a fan of Mela Lee? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below.
Are you an aspiring witch or wizard who is still waiting for your Hogwarts acceptance letter? Later this year your letter will be arriving in the form of a new mobile game. Warner Bros. and developer Jam City’s Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery allows you to create your own Hogwarts story. The RPG gives you the opportunity to create your own witch or wizard and attend classes at the famous school.
But before you arrive at platform 9 3/4, you can visit famous stores in Diagon Alley like Ollivander’s Wand Shop where you’re able to test out your new wand. When you arrive at Hogwarts, you are able to choose from one of the four main houses. Based on your decisions and interactions with other characters, various quests will become available as well.
If you’re wondering if you’ll rub elbows with “The Boy Who Lived” in-between your Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions classes, it’s unknown at this point in time. However, seeing cameos made by certain characters makes it a possibility. No release date has been set yet, but Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery is scheduled to be released sometime this Spring.
The game will be available on both Android and iOS devices. You can now pre-register it via Google Play. What house will you choose? What class are you most excited to attend? Comment and watch the official gameplay trailer below!
Planning on taking a trip anytime soon? Maybe swing over to Abu Dhabi to visit Warner Bros. Park to get a taste of Bruce Wayne’s Gotham or Metropolis, Clark Kent’s stomping grounds.
You can already visit Metropolis at the theme park, which features, of course, Superman, as well as fellow members of the Justice League in Wonder Woman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg and Aquaman, as well as other DC Comics characters like Supergirl, Hawkman and Sinestro. The four rides in the Man of Steel’s section of the park include a 3D attraction, ‘Superman 360: Battle for Metropolis’, ‘Justice League: Warworld Attacks’, which is an immersive 5D ride, a 4D flying theater attraction called ‘Green Lantern: Galactic Odyssey’ and a massive ‘Teen Titans Training Academy’ playground.
This summer, however, a new section of the park will launch with the addition of Batman’s Gotham City, which will come with not only a bevy of new characters, but five attractions as well! The premiere ride is called ‘Batman: Knight Flight’, where you will patrol the city in various vehicles via the Dark Knight. Other rides include an interactive fear ride, ‘Scarecrow: Scare Raid’, ‘The Riddler Revolution’ roller coaster, ‘The Joker Funhouse’, naturally, and ‘Rogues Gallery Games’. You will also be able to see some prominent Gotham favorites in Joker, Harley Quinn, Riddler, Scarecrow, Mister Freeze, Penguin, Two-Face and Catwoman.
Click HERE for more information regarding the WB Park in Abu Dhabi.
A new era in the history of Spider-Man will begin as both Nick Spencer and Ryan Ottley prepare to reimagine the character this summer.
The Amazing Spider-Man is back and this time will take on an alien invasion in New York City. Though that isn’t the only thing troubling Peter Parker, as a new revelation will put his job, relationships and whole life in jeopardy. Spidey will also have a roommate, new love interests and even a brand-new villain!
This will be Ottley’s introduction to the publisher who recently told them in an interview that the character was his gateway to comics.
“It definitely feels full circle, I’m drawing what I always dreamed of drawing when I was a teenager,” Ottley said. “And to be honest, I’ve been drawing superhero comics so long on Invincible that I thought this would be business as usual, drawing superheroes, but that kid in me is having a lot more fun drawing these characters than I thought I would have! The change to a new project was a much easier transition than I anticipated. Thank goodness!”
This new series continuesMarvel‘s ‘new beginnings’ movement in revamping, reloading and, in some cases, overhauling its characters, including with new creative teams.
Look for The Amazing Spider-Man #1 to hit shelves in July. A full list of all incoming ‘Fresh Start’ series for 2018 can be found HERE, while you can check out Ottley’s full interview with Marvel HERE.
Previously announced for May 4th, the global release for the upcoming Marvel film Avengers: Infinity War is now set for April 27th, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Infinity War: Early Strike
In the past, Marvel has staggered their film releases. A movie releases in the EU and other locations almost a week before the North American premiere. The lag, however, has led to early spoilers for North American viewers. New characters, plot twists, and, typically, a clip or two of the “post-credits” scenes make their way online before the movie comes out.
Fans are not always to blame for spoiling/leaking Avengers info, either. Both Mark Ruffalo and Tom Holland have reputations for revealing set secrets long before Marvel makes them public. Perhaps Ruffalo and Holland are the real reason for the earlier release date… [easy-tweet tweet=”Perhaps Ruffalo and Holland are the real reason for the earlier release date… ” user=”Jenisaur”]
In their first ten years, Marvel movies cornered popular release dates, typically during the summer season or holidays. Infinity War is part of the MCU’s “Phase Three”, which began with Captain America: Civil War and will end with Avengers 4 (currently untitled).
Infinity War is the next Marvel film after their current record-breaking Black Panther. It is also the third installment in the Avengers series, following 2012’s The Avengers and 2015’s Age of Ultron.
Infinity War: Never-Ending Credits
Directed by brothers Joe and Anthony Russo, Infinity War is based on Marvel Comics. The cast includes Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johannson, Chadwick Boseman, Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Chris Pratt, Karen Gillan, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson, Tom Hiddleston, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr. Paul Rudd, and Benedict Cumberbatch. The massive team of heroes is up against intergalactic baddie Thanos (Josh Brolin).
Thanos has created the infinity gauntlet using infinity stones collected from across the galaxy. The now-splintered and scattered Avengers must join forces to defeat Thanos before an intergalactic war breaks out.
Originally set for May 4th in North America, Avengers: Infinity War now has a global premiere on April 27th.
Another A-list actor has been added to Tarantino’s new film.
As previously reported, Quentin Tarantino is currently working on a film surrounding the Manson Murders. Leonardo DiCaprio is set to star and joining him is Brad Pitt.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood can be described as
“A story that takes place in Los Angeles in 1969, at the height of hippy Hollywood,” according to Sony Pictures via Deadline. “The two lead characters are Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), former star of a western TV series, and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Both are struggling to make it in a Hollywood they don’t recognize anymore… But Rick has a very famous next-door neighbor… Sharon Tate.”
Tarantino has previously worked with both actors and tapped Suicide Squad’s Margot Robbie for the role of Sharon Tate.
In a statement the famed director says, “I’ve been working on this script for five years, as well as living in Los Angeles county most of my life, including in 1969, when I was seven years old,” Tarantino said in a statement. “I’m very excited to tell this story of an LA and a Hollywood that doesn’t exist anymore. And I couldn’t be more excited about the dynamic teaming of DiCaprio and Pitt as Rick and Cliff.
The film is set to release August 9th, 2019, 50 years after Tate’s murder.
Image Comics’ The Beef #1 is a fantastically weird comic that is equal parts Silver Age fun and indie comics attitude and execution.
The Beef #1
‘Tainted Love’ part 1 Written by: Richard Starkings & Tyler Shainline Art and Coloring by: Shaky Kane Lettered by: Richard Starkings Design: John Roshell
Chuck is a mild-mannered meat factory worker who is a little in love with a strawberry picker named Mary Lynn. But everything changes when Mary Lynn falls victim to the Vodino Brothers.
Writing
It’s best to go into The Beef blind. The story that Richard Starkings and Tyler Shainline crafted seems simple enough; a small town where a slaughterhouse is the biggest thing in town. But it’s executed in such a bizarre way that it comes off as more surreal. The dialogue is often crude and blunt, especially the words ballooning out of villains the Vodino Brothers. The omniscient narration is equally harsh.
Protagonist Chuck Carter is appealing and relatable. We get to see him as both a child and an adult, a detail that creates a more developed character.
And without revealing much, there is something that happens that twists this story at the end. It really hooks you in and demands you read the second issue.
Art
Shaky Kane’s art is not only incredible, it’s integral to the success of the book. The line work and design have a definite indie comics vibe, think Daniel Clowes or The Hernandez Bros. The color palette is heavy on the primary colors but coupled with the pencils, it creates everything from the garish to the sublime. When the images depict violence, it’s also more shocking because of that ‘simplicity’.
The lettering, also by writer Starkings, is very clean and bold. It goes hand in hand with the tone of the art.
Conclusion
The Beef #1 is not going to be for everyone. It may be too off-putting for some. But if you enjoy a bite of the surreal every now and then this will taste just right for you. Give something different a try and read The Beef #1.
Disney’s Lady And The Tramp hits the home theater on Digital and Movies Anywhere February 20th and on Blu-ray a week later on the 27th. However, way you purchase Disney’s 1955 classic it will be packed with bonus features. Check out the list below.
Film Versions
Original Theatrical Edition – Enjoy this cherished Disney classic that captivates audiences of all ages.
Sing-Along Mode – Sing along with all your favorite songs as you watch the movie.
Inside Walt’s Story Meetings – As you view the film, hear reenactments of Walt’s story sessions with
animators and see how their ideas were realized on-screen.
New Signature Bonus Walt & His Dogs – Through archival recordings and photos, hear the tales of the dogs Walt Disney owned and loved over his lifetime.
Stories from Walt’s Office – Take a tour of Walt’s office suite on the Studio lot, carefully re-created to look just as it did when he occupied it.
How to Make a Meatball and Other Fun Facts About “Lady and The Tramp” – Watch a delicious lesson on how to make perfect meatballs with teen chef Amber Kelley and Oh My Disney Show Host Alexys Gabrielle.
Songs
“Peace on Earth”
“What Is a Baby/La La Lu”
“The Siamese Cat Song”
“Bella Notte”
“He’s a Tramp”
Classic Bonus Features
Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad – Walt’s daughter shares memories of her father and Disneyland’s early days, as well as a look at his apartment above the firehouse.
Never-Recorded Song – “I’m Free as the Breeze” – Take a listen to a song originally meant to be sung by Tramp.
Deleted Scenes
Introduction of Boris – Tramp wasn’t always meant to be Lady’s only suitor. Meet Boris the aristocrat
and Homer the peasant in this deleted scene.
Waiting for Baby – Lady watches as Jim Dear plans out his new son’s future in this early storyboard.
Dog Show – See the storyboards for this deleted scene in which Lady and Tramp unexpectedly find themselves in the middle of a dog show.
Classic Bonus Features on Digital Only*
Lady’s Pedigree: The Making of “Lady and the Tramp” – A behind-the- scenes look at the making of Walt Disney’s first feature-length animated film based on an original story.
Finding Lady: The Art of the Storyboard – Explore the origins of the storyboard and how they’re used by filmmakers today.
Original 1943 Storyboard Version of the Film – View a unique presentation of the original 1943 storyboards for “Lady and the Tramp.”
PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs – Wild and wacky comedian Fred Willard takes us on an outing to the dog park to learn all about dogs and their owners.
Deleted Scenes
Turning the Tables – In this story-reel presentation, Tramp dreams of a world where dogs run the show and humans are on the other end of the leash.
The Arrival of Baby – In this alternate scene re-created from original storyboards and with original voice talent, Lady makes way for a new arrival.
Baby Arrives – Lady is baffled by the strange goings-on in the house—the arrival of a squealing bundle only deepens the mystery.
Lady’s Sweater – Lady gets a new sweater for her birthday and must figure out an ingenious way to lose it for good.
Trailers
1955 Original Theatrical Trailer – More than just a trailer, this preview features several minutes of footage from the film and introduces each major character.
1972 Theatrical Re-Issue Trailer – This trailer from the 1972 rerelease heralds Disney’s “happiest motion picture.”
1986 Theatrical Re-Issue Trailer – Released theatrically for the 1986 holiday season, this trailer highlights the love story between Lady and the handsome Tramp.
*Bonus features may vary by retailer
Do you plan to add Lady And The Tramp to your families’ collection? Comment below.
Jeff Lemire’s Eisner Award winning comic book series Black Hammer has been expanding its world. Starting with the stellar Sherlock Frankenstein, we got a look at the peripherals offered in this tragic universe. Doctor Star & The Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows is the next wave of expansion.
This time, creator and writer Jeff Lemire teams up with artist Max Fiumara and regular colorist Dave Stewart. Doctor Star tells the origin story of another hero from the golden age of heroes in Spiral City. Doctor Star came into prominence in 1942, along with the likes of Abraham Slam and Golden Gail.
Doctor Star’s story is one of scientific experimentation, heroism, and – of course – tragedy. Lemire tells the story of Doctor Jim Robinson from the perspective of an old, sad man. He, like the rest of the Black Hammer crew, is well past the active days of super heroism.
Things are a bit different this time. Black Hammer is a mystery book about a team of heroes and Sherlock Frankenstein was a deep dive investigation into the world of villainy. Doctor Star is a more focused story, telling the tale of one man. In doing so, we get to see more of the history of Spiral City and Black Hammer‘s America.
Max Fiumara and Dave Stewart maintain the rustic and dusty atmosphere from the other titles. As Doctor Star makes his big discovery and officially throws his hat into the superhero ring, the book comes to life. It’s also a book full of emotion, Fiumara does wonderful work conveying the accomplishments and tragedies of Doctor Jim Robinson. He also effortlessly illustrates the young and old version of Doctor Star.
Black Hammer is one of the most refreshing corners of the comic book industry. These spin-off series have proved to be completely necessary in building this world into something bigger. Dark Horse is 2-for-2 so far with these spin-offs. As long as they keep taking us new and unique places, keep them coming.
Doctor Star & The Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows is another must-read for Black Hammer fans.
