DICK TRACY Is Returning To The World Of Comics In A New On-Going Series

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December 12, 2017

Dick Tracy, one of America’s oldest and beloved comic strip heroes, is once again returning to the printed page. The series will be co-written by Alex Segura (The Archies/Archie Meets The Ramones) and Michael Moreci (Hoax Hunters/Burning Fields) with art by Thomas Pitilli, colors by Dee Cunniffe along and letters by Jack Morelli. The book, an on-going, is described as “the earliest investigations of one of pop culture’s most iconic detectives” and “promises to blend the classic Dick Tracy style that readers know and love with a modern and dark noir feel.”

Co-writer Michael Moreci had this to say:

Dick Tracy has always been a character that stands shoulder to shoulder amongst the best–Superman, The Shadow, Conan the Barbarian, Spider-Man, you name it. There’s been so many great Dick Tracy stories over the past 75 years, and that’s such a testament to his versatility, his amazing–unbeatable–rogues gallery, and what he represents.

Alex Segura added:

The first arc of the series is going back to square one – as we explore the very early days of Dick Tracy’s time in The City, soon after the Second World War. While everyone is familiar with the established, confident and heroic Tracy, we wanted to give readers a chance to see how all that came to be, and how his Rogues first reared their ugly mugs.

Artist Thomas Pitilli is also excited:

I’m so psyched to be working on such an iconic character. Alex and Mike have dreamed up a version of Dick Tracy that will surely excite new readers and lifelong fans alike! This gritty crime drama is a new genre for me and I’m already having fun stretching my artistic abilities.

The new adventures begin April 11, 2018, when the Dick Tracy investigates a deadly shooting that bears the fingerprints of a menacing killer known only as ‘Flattop.’

Are you excited to join Dick Tracy in his newest case? Check out the cover and solicitation below and leave us a comment!

DICK TRACY #1

Written by: Michael Moreci and Alex Segura
Art: Thomas Pitilli
Colors by: Dee Cunniffe
Lettered by: Jack Morelli

The legendary detective returns in a dark, noir tale that takes readers back to the very beginning, as we learn about the early days of a man named Dick Tracy, and join his investigation of a deadly shooting that bears the fingerprints of a menacing killer named Flattop! Buckle up for a high-stakes crime adventure in classic Dick Tracy fashion!

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Woody Harrelson Reportedly Joins Sony’s VENOM Movie

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Aric Sweeny

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December 12, 2017

Woody Harrelson has joined the Venom movie, according to Variety.

The veteran actor joins Tom Hardy as the lead, along with Riz Ahmed, Jenny Slate, and Michelle Williams.

According to the outlet, Harrelson will play a henchman in the film.

Venom is the beginning of a villain-centric universe from Sony. Following this movie is a project centered around Silver Sable and Black Cat; the universe is utilizing villains from Spider-Man lore, however, it’s seperate from that of the Marvel cinematic universe, which stars Tom Holland’s Peter Parker.

Though many are skeptical about Sony leading Venom, its cast is top notch. Only time will tell if the studio can craft a cohesive story that fans will enjoy.

Ruben Fleischer is the director on Venom, which lands in theaters on October 5, 2018.

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THE PUNISHER Gets Confirmed For Season Two

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Aric Sweeny

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December 12, 2017

Frank Castle is coming back.

Netflix has announced that The Punisher will be getting a second season.

Time to reload. #ThePunisher Season 2 is coming. pic.twitter.com/J76ksLfDqx

— The Punisher (@ThePunisher) December 12, 2017

“After exacting revenge on those responsible for the death of his wife and children, Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) uncovers a conspiracy that runs far deeper than New York’s criminal underworld. Now known throughout the city as The Punisher, he must discover the truth about injustices that affect more than his family alone.”

Season one of The Punisher released on Netflix on November 17 and was a hit. The show received stellar feedback from critics and fans alike, so a second season is no surprise.

How did you feel about The Punisher? Are you looking forward to season two? Comment below, let us know.

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Guillermo Del Toro Will Direct Noir Remake NIGHTMARE ALLEY

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Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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December 12, 2017

Guillermo Del Toro, who’s right in the middle of a victory lap on his horror romance The Shape of Water, has decided to tackle a noir remake, 1947’s Nightmare Alley, for his next project.

Aside from this remake, Variety also reports that Del Toro is also going to produce Scott Cooper’s next project, Antlers, a supernatural thriller. But, more importantly, Guillermo Del Toro is doing a NOIR FILM. For those unfamiliar with the original Nightmare Alley, here’s a brief synopsis from the same Variety report:

[T]he original movie starred Tyrone Power as an ambitious young con-man who hooks up with a female psychiatrist who is even more corrupt than he is. At first, they enjoy success fleecing people with their mentalist act, but then she turns the table on him, out-manipulating the manipulator.

It should be fascinating to see Del Toro tackle a straight noir thriller. He clearly has the DNA to tell such a tale; The Shape of Water flirts with those tropes, and certainly looks the part.

There’s no news as to a production or release date for Nightmare Alley. Also, Guillermo Del Toro projects have been known to appear and disappear without ever being made. Let’s hope this isn’t another rumor casualty.

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Marvel Strips Down in Digital Series AVENGERS: BACK TO BASICS

By

Jen Schiller

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December 12, 2017

The lead-up to Infinity War has begun. However, among projects with sprawling collections of superheroes, a new series from Marvel/ComiXology has a much smaller cast. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Avengers: Back To Basics is headed to ComiXology next March.

Avengers: Back to Basics

The six-issue series will launch over the course of 12 weeks. It will also be available in print once it has concluded in the digital format. ComiXology’s head of content and senior director of communications Chip Mosher believes Back to Basics fits well in the Infinity War hype. He explains: “With buzz over the Avengers reaching a fever pitch, we’re thrilled to help bring fans — new and old — a brand-new Avengers story featuring Thor, The Hulk, Iron Man and other favorites sure to capture the imagination of all readers.”

Avengers: Back to Basics, written by Peter David, features Thor, Hulk, and Iron Man. The heroes try to save Earth from an apocalypse caused by a solar eclipse. The series will include art by Brian Level and Juanan Ramirez.

Marvel and ComiXology

Marvel and ComiXology announced their partnership at San Diego Comic-Con this summer. Following The Immortal Iron Fists, Thor vs. Hulk: Champions of the Universe and Black Panther: Long Live the King, Avengers: Back to Basics is the fourth Marvel title to premiere on ComiXology.

You can access the comic when it releases on March 7th with a ComiXology Unlimited subscription, or buy it through the digital service.

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Hugh Jackman Says “Ship Has Sailed” On Returning To Wolverine In The MCU

By

Jackson Hayes

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December 12, 2017

When news came that Disney was preparing to purchase a large sum of 21st Century Fox’s assets, likely including the film rights to both the X-Men and Fantastic Four, fans began to rejoice. Many remembered comments that Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman once made regarding his interest in returning to the role if it involved an MCU crossover. This week, rumors began swirling that Jackman’s Wolverine may appear in the currently filming Avengers 4 pending the finalization of the deal but Jackman has since shot down the reports.

In an interview with Collider, Jackman discussed the potential deal and what his initial thoughts were when he saw the headline:

“It’s interesting because for the whole 17 years I kept thinking that would be so great, like I would love to see, particularly, Iron Man and the Hulk and Wolverine together. And every time I saw an Avengers movie I could just see Wolverine in the middle of all of them like punching them all on the head. But it was like, “Oh well, that’s not gonna happen,” and it was interesting just when I first saw that headline — it was just the possibility of it and who knows what’s gonna happen, obviously — I was like, “Hang on!” But I think, unfortunately, the ship has sailed for me, but for someone else I would like to see Wolverine in there.”

Jackman wrapped up his take on the iconic Marvel Comics character this year with Logan. The swan song to the character was met with critical acclaim and potential Oscar buzz. Many felt it was the perfect sendoff to the character and Jackman seems to agree.

It’s unknown at this point what Disney and Marvel Studio’s plans are with the X-Men. With X-Men: Dark Phoneix, Deadpool 2 and New Mutants all set to release next year, it’s unlikely any of them will be affected by the deal. However, films like Gambit, Multiple Man, and X-Force are all in early stages of development and could easily be scrapped. Only time will tell what will happen to the current X-Men universe but don’t count on Jackman returning in any facet.

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Review: STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI an Ambitious Plot That Suffers In Execution

By

Matthew Sardo

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Rian Johnson attempts to tell a bold, ambitious story with Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but the film suffers from an overstuffed narrative that could have used some editing and wasted and/or pointless storylines. At two hours and 32 minutes, Star Wars: The Last Jedi desperately needed to trim the fat as the extra time begins exposing weaknesses in story and characters.

Despite those ominous trailers, Episode VIII is not all doom and gloom. The space battles are brilliant, Oscar Isaac leads the way as Poe Dameron, and there are three epic sequences in the film that will make every Star Wars fan quite literally squeal. Plus, anytime I hear the roar of the Millennium Falcon followed by Chewbacca’s guttural bellow, my heart just melts.

To Johnson’s credit, this is a film that requires multiple viewings to absorb every detail.

The two major disappoints in the film are Mark Hamill’s portrayal of Luke Skywalker and the development of John Boyega’s character, Finn. With The Force Awakens, Harrison Ford makes you feel like Han Solo never missed a beat, and he walked right back into the character with ease. That is not the case with Hamill. From the wonky dialogue, to strange plot choices, Hamill is not able to stir the same emotion as Ford did in the previous film. The flaws become glaring in a moment of magic, when R2-D2 and Luke reunite; and then, it is gone in an instant.

Finn’s storyline is incredibly uninspired. The character takes an unnatural step back; his arc is pointless, and the CGI reminds you of Anakin and Padme riding through the fields of Naboo in the prequels. At the same time, and in the same thread, Kelly Marie Tran’s character Rose Tico, who is paired with Finn, has an emotional weight that plants your feet firmly in this world. This is what is confusing about Star Wars: The Last Jedi: two characters on the same path, but one storyline works and the other does not.

The movie feels more like a kid playing with toys than a cohesive film. The way characters come in and out of the story is jarring, as the viewer has to put together the plot on the fly. A Star Wars film should suck you into the universe and never let go. Johnson grabs you visually, but lets go during other elements of the film and the question of ‘Why?’ starts to creep into your mind.

The Last Jedi is frustrating. There is a masterpiece in there, but it appears Johnson couldn’t find his refined vision through the CGI field of toys. With that said, this episode will be the most talked about film of the year because of the risks Johnson takes with a major franchise, and I applaud him for his effort.

Come back here after you see Star Wars: The Last Jedi opening night, and give us your thoughts.

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Review: THE LAST JEDI Proves That Rian Johnson Deserves His Own STAR WARS Trilogy

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Anthony Composto - EIC

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Star Wars: The Last Jedi finally hits theaters this weekend, and damn if it wasn’t worth the wait. It’s not a perfect film – no Star Wars movie is – but it’s at least proof that writer/director Rian Johnson is the right guy to helm his own trilogy in the galaxy far, far away.

The Last Jedi shows that Johnson and Lucasfilm aren’t afraid to take chances with this franchise. Where Force Awakens felt safe and familiar, Last Jedi feels bold and unpredictable. The filmmakers knew exactly what fans were expecting and flipped the script on them, making this the most shocking Star Wars episode since Empire Strikes Back. Johnson uses characters in risky ways and explores the Force in new directions, but he never loses sight of the heart and fun inherent in Star Wars. He clearly loves and understands this saga, and if this is the kind of storytelling he brings to his own trilogy, we’re in for a treat.

As promised and teased for many months, this is a very dark film. As much as Star Wars is a story about hope, there’s a persistent sense of fear and despair throughout this installment. And it’s to the movie’s benefit. It keeps the audience on its toes, like anything could happen to any character at any time. There’s actual weight to what’s happening, which is something many fans and critics felt the previous film lacked.

Admittedly, Last Jedi suffers from pacing issues and a slow second act. The story starts like a jet engine, but once all the characters are off on their respective adventures, things seem to hit a wall and it takes some time to recover. A lot could have been trimmed from this section, and from Finn and Rose’s story in particular, to tell a tighter, more cohesive story. However, once plots begin to merge, the movie really takes off again and delivers one hell of a third act. Which honestly is the same thing that can be said for even the “best” Star Wars films like Empire and Return of the Jedi.

Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac all settle into their respective roles, maintaining their charm from Force Awakens but gaining strength and confidence. Mark Hamill has a ton of fun returning to his role as Luke Skywalker, and it shows. This isn’t the same Luke you know from the original trilogy. He’s grizzled and jaded, which brings out a lot of the story’s depth, but Hamill also displays some of his patented panache, making for some of the film’s more memorable and humorous moments. As far as the newcomers go, Benicio del Toro is probably the most fun to watch, but he feels less like a character and more like a plot device. A few characters actually go to waste like this, but it honestly never takes away from the film as a whole.

The Bottom Line

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a total game-changer; take your predictions and throw them out the window. It’s thoughtful, exciting, and surprising enough to outweigh whatever flaws it may have. Fans have been waiting a long time for a Star Wars film that lives up to Empire, and Rian Johnson has finally delivered it.

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Ernie Cline Working on READY PLAYER ONE Sequel With a Steven Spielberg Assist

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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December 12, 2017

Ernest Cline, author of Ready Player One, which Steven Spielberg is bringing to the screen early next year, is penning a sequel to his pop culture potpourri story. And he’s getting an assist from Spielberg himself.

The teaser for Ready Player One raised a few eyebrows, but this past weekend a full-length trailer re-instilled at least a sliver of hope. The book itself is divisive; it’s on the nose, it throws literally every nostalgic 80s pop-culture reference imaginable at the reader, and it has a few issues with its female characters and our hero, Wade (Tye Sheridan in the film adaptation), basically turning into a stalker. Other than that, it’s great.

Cline shoe to a panel at a trailer launch event (groan) and confirmed the two were working on a follow up:

“[News of the sequel] is true… I can’t talk about it too much, but I can tell you there’s no better inspiration for a writer returning to a world they’ve already worked on when they’re seeing Steven Spielberg bringing that world to life… It would have been a different story if I had not grown up watching Steven’s movies. So to get to not only collaborate with him to bring the first story to life but to bounce ideas off of him for the sequel is the most gratifying thing that’s ever happened to me in my life.”

I’m sure it’s cool to collaborate with Spielberg on the sequel, but I also wonder if Cline has any references left to throw at the page for a sequel. Maybe it will focus more on the 90s?

Ready Player One opens March 30.

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Here’s a New BRIGHT Trailer, Now With More BLM Jokes

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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December 12, 2017

Netflix’s upcoming action flick Bright, starring Will Smith as a cop and Joel Edgerton as uh (checks synopsis) as an orc, looks pretty ridiculous. It also appears to be offensive but, ya know, for laughs.

Offensive material doesn’t upset this reporter, who can’t wait to see what Mel Gibson, Vince Vaughn, and S. Craig Zahler have to say about police brutality in their upcoming thriller Dragged Across Concrete. That being said, this Black Lives Matter stinger at the end of the trailer sure feels weird. See for yourself:

Set in an alternate present-day, this action-thriller directed by David Ayer follows two cops from very different backgrounds (Ward, a human, and Jakoby, an orc) who embark on a routine patrol night that will ultimately alter the future as their world knows it. Battling both their own personal differences as well as an onslaught of enemies, they must work together to protect a thought-to-be-forgotten relic, which in the wrong hands could destroy everything.

David Ayer, whose clearly been ruined by Suicide Squad, teaming up with noted garbage human and nepotism advocate Max Landis sounds like a match made in the eighth circle of hell. It’s not that the BLM joke is offensive quite as much as it’s horribly unfunny. Just like every “joke” or “quip” in this trailer. Awful, awful writing.

At least Edgerton is unrecognizable under his BLUE ORC MAKEUP. Bright will drop on Netflix December 22, just in time to watch it with the family.

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