It’s Wednesday. Hump day. The weekend is closer, maybe you’re in a better mood than you were Monday. Well, here’s more news on the new and improved and totally unnecessary Terminator movie to give you a migraine and ruin your afternoon.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, who will be back as the T-800 in this new James Cameron-produced, Tim Miller-directed Terminator rebootimaginmake, spoke to Business Insider about the timeline. Not that literally anyone cares bout how the timeline will fit in with the other half dozen or so films, but here’s what Arnie had to say:
“It’s hard to come up with new ideas when you stay within that framework… I think [James] Cameron and Tim [Miller] came up with a concept where they can continue on with the T-800 but make a whole new movie… What they are doing now with this one is basically to just take a few very basic characters, like Linda Hamilton’s character and my character, and dismiss everything else. Just move away from all these rules of the timeline and other characters.”
Great, they’re ignoring everything. This should definitely make the movie feel like it has a point for existing and not like a soulless attempt to cash in on a dying brand.
This new Terminator movie will try and kickstart a new trilogy. Just like Terminator: Genisys tried and failed to do. That should give James Cameron plenty to do in between making his 346 Avatar sequels into oblivion.
Terminator Redux will hit theaters July 26, 2019, so you have time to mentally prepare.
It’s time to head back to the frontlines and see how everyone’s favorite squad is doing. Last issue, we had the Suicide Squad split up to cover different fronts when an Argent robot tries to kill Amanda Waller. Harley Quinn, Katana, Killer Croc and Boomerang are sent to space to find the source of the robot. Deadshot, Diablo, and Enchantress are sent to an abandoned Argent Airfield. Both parties encounter relics from the past, but while the Airfield team are getting attacked, the Space Squad finds something shocking: Rick Flagg Sr. and Karin Grace, the original Task Force X.
**SPOILERS BELOW**
Story:
After their arrival to the space station, the Suicide Squad finds themselves face to face with members of the original Suicide Squad. The old team explains their now retconned (or reimagined) origin story and how they were trapped in space. They then ask the Squad that they need their help in finishing their final mission to protect Earth. Meanwhile, on the Earth below, the other members of the Suicide Squad are having trouble on the abandoned airfield. Argent robots have appeared to stop them from learning Argent secrets. While all of the action takes place with the ground group, the meat of the story is towards the Squad in space.
Retconning a Classic
The way Rob Williams has altered the origin story of Task Force X worried me at first. Thankfully, he was able to make changes that worked. In fact, the retcon made the original team cool again. Essentially the original Task Force X was charged with protecting Earth from alien threats and their final mission had them trapped in orbit.
This retcon makes sense for two reasons. First, the Squad before the retcon was made to replace the Justice Society. Since that group has been taken out of the continuity, the origin of their replacements had to change. Task Force X has changed to fighting Aliens, which makes sense considering the team’s history involves them fighting giant monsters. Second, as I mentioned before, their history in battling giant monsters ended up sending the group into space. This ties into the current plot by making their first monster from their comic run the enemy that they need the current Squad to help end it.
This issue is used mostly to explain who the original team is, their history, and what they need help to fight. It’s very exposition heavy, which might turn away a few Squad readers, and I can’t blame them. This story so far has been used to establish the players, at least the space squad, but now with them finishing the issue heading to face the enemy, we might finally get that action we love. Personally, I’ve enjoyed this story. It gives a chance for people to look past the insanity of the present and honor the past of Task Force X.
Art:
This was a massive improvement from last issue in terms of art. Eleonora Carlini’s art in the Green Arrow Rebirth series has always been a personal favorite of mine. The expressions that the characters make walk the line between being realistic and comic-like. This actually benefits the story during certain moments. You can feel the pain that Harley feels when she sees Rick Flagg Sr. Then on the next page, we get a laugh of the expression she makes to try and cover it.
The color work in the book is phenomenal as well. It is used for the powers by having them more vibrant. This gives the impression of how powerful the characters’ are. A nice touch to the book was the use of grainy subdued colors for the flashback story. It gives off a classic feel that fits the post-World War II time period which helps the tone of the story.
Conclusion:
I enjoyed this issue. It may not be the action romp the Squad has been known for but continues to rebuild the history of Task Force X in an interesting way. The story grabs hold of the reader and refuses to let go until the final page. The art is beautiful and imaginative, benefitting from the strange setting. Overall, I enjoyed this book and recommend it.
‘The Walking Dead’ on AMC is TV’s highest-rated series, and 11.4 million people tuned in to the Season 8 Premiere, but the numbers were down 33% compared to last year’s Negan baseball bat swinging gorefest.
Season Six ended with a cliffhanger and Season Seven gave you the payoff, but that wasn’t the case for Season Eight. ‘The Walking Dead’ is back to building up the suspense, and as a fan of the comic, it might be hard to repeat the hype of Negan’s first swing. The ‘All Out War’ storyline may bore some viewers, and the playoff may not be what you want, but the show is still well written and remember, the series started with only 5.24 million people watching the first season. Whenever you start to doubt the creator of ‘The Walking Dead’ Robert Kirkman, he’ll start chopping heads off.
Season 8, Episode 1 ‘Mercy’ – 11.4 million viewers Rick and his group, along with the Kingdom and Hilltop, have banded together to bring the fight to Negan and the Saviors.
Watch our breakdown of the episode below?
Season 8, Episode 2 ‘The Damned’ The plan involving Alexandrians, Kingdommers and Hilltoppers unfolds. As Rick continues to fight, he encounters a familiar face.
When did you start watching ‘The Walking Dead’ on AMC? What would make you stop watching the series? Comment below.
In the Golden Age of television, Ruff and Reddy were on top of the entertainment world…until the world turned, and they were forgotten. Now, Ruff is a washed-up television actor. Reddy is a clerk in an upscale grocery store. Can a hungry young agent convince the two one-time partners to make a comeback—and convince the world that it wants to see the famously infamous dog-and-cat comedy team back in the spotlight? Don’t miss it if you can!
Writing/Story
Have you ever read a comic which you weren’t sure of, but once you started to read it you couldn’t help but get sucked in? This is the case with The Ruff and Reddy Show, a book which didn’t immediately capture attention when its preview released a few months ago. It seemed like the book would just be an unsuccessful attempt at trying to reintroduce a bunch of forgotten characters to a new audience. Then by the end of this first issue, it dawns on you that this book might just be one of the best things you have read the entire year.
There is something real and genuine in this book. Much like the Flintstones comic in 2017, this book has a lot of heart in it and seems to be telling of story of torment and redemption. It has a feel of Bojack Horseman to it with the deep drama it elicits. Much like Bojack, the two main characters are former TV stars who didn’t realize how much they needed one another until it was too late. The fact they are anthropomorphic animals shouldn’t distract from the deep emotional story writer Howard Chaykin has set up to unfold.
Artwork
Big round of applause for Mac Rey’s artwork on this one. There’s a lot of good color detail, especially when trying to replicate old movies or the sense of sadness from the sunrises or sunsets. The pencils and inks work offers a very interesting look which has hints of Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The designs are much different than they were from the preview issue we saw a few months ago and they are much better for it. The interesting aspect will be seeing the other character designs introduced in the future.
The letter work by Ken Bruzenak is of a particular note. The fonts and captions are set up to look like different movie and TVs styled used throughout the years. There is everything from a Law and Order parody to the advertisements from a movie from the 70s. Careful detail was put into making sure the letters fit the set up.
Conclusion
It will be intriguing to see where the comic goes from here. There is a lot of real emotion and depth which seems like it will tell a powerful story. As long as it doesn’t run of out steam, The Ruff and Reddy Show will be a series anyone and everyone who enjoys comics will want to check out.
The massive hit from Image Comics, Saga, reaches its forty-eighth issue. Readers have come a long way with Marko and Alana, the series has become one of the most important comic books of all-time. In this issue, Ghüs takes center stage for a touching tale about family and faith.
***SPOILERS LIE AHEAD***
It’s been a while since we’ve checked in with Ghüs and the two journalists, stranded on a planet with Prince Robot’s son waiting for Alana and Marko to return. The situation has grown bleak with everyone on the brink of starvation. Ghüs and Robot Junior set out to hunt an invisible beast.
This story is all about Ghüs, which is fantastic because he’s one of the best minor characters in the series. Our adorable and honorable hero shares fatherly insight to Robot Junior on their hunting trek. Ghüs has stepped up in a big way, taking charge of the small group, knowing full well what’s at stake with his current responsibilities.
Robot Junior fails his warrior conquest, proving his pure heart outweighs his desire to impress his father. During the conclusion to the issue, Ghüs’ faith in his allies pays off as they return to save the group. Prince Robot reunited with his son promises some interesting growth for both characters as their relationship is a particularly challenging one.
It feels great to have the gang back together. This series has accomplished so much over these forty-eight issues, it’s hard not to be in love with every character. Having this cast back together, and what they went through to reunite, will make diehard fans carry a heavy heart.
Saga is a tough series to review often. It’s been consistently astounding since its inaugural issue. Writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Fiona Staples are both top talents in the comic book industry, with the hardware to show for it. To be this far into a series, maintaining the creative team, and delivering consistently with every issue is an impressive feat. This is a truly unique comic that continues to grow and inspire.
Books like Saga are crucial to the success and growth of the comic book industry. When independent publishers can provide abstract and challenging books, it forces the big two to stay on their toes. Vaughan and Staple’s brilliant space opera also does a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to addressing social issues. This will certainly be one of the most important comic books of the 21st century as it consistently pushes the envelope, making sure everyone on this Earth is understood in Saga‘s vast galaxy.
The trailer for David Ayer’s new gritty, cop/drama/fantasy… thing… Bright, features Will Smith over-cussing and Joel Edgerton hidden beneath some ugly makeup. It also somehow manages to have no less than 47 different shoot out scenes, half of which Smith acknowledges with some truly awful dialogue.
Check this mess out:
Set in an alternate present-day where humans, orcs, elves and fairies have been coexisting since the beginning of time, this action-thriller directed by David Ayer (Suicide Squad, End of Watch, writer of Training Day) follows two cops from very different backgrounds. Ward, a human (Will Smith), and Jakoby, an orc (Joel Edgerton), embark on a routine night patrol that will alter the future of their world as they know it. Battling both their own personal differences as well as an onslaught of enemies, they must work together to protect a young female elf and a thought-to-be-forgotten relic, which in the wrong hands could destroy everything.
It’s odd that they would advertise Ayer’s role in the Suicide Squad debacle so freely. Don’t we want to forget about that one? It seems that whole endeavor may have messed up Ayer for good, who once upon a time (like three years ago or something) made some terrific and intense adult thrillers. Now, we have Will Smith making terrible jokes and elves and orcs and all manner of nonsense.
Anyway, Bright will debut on Netflix December 22. Just in time for… Christmas?
Once again Tom King shares a bit of very cool news over on his Twitter account. It seems the very busy scribe will be collaborating with Afterlife With Archie artist Francesco Francavilla on an upcoming ‘Sgt. Rock’ story! Check out the Tweet below.
As King states, the story is part of the DC Holiday Special which is due out December 6, 2017. This marks the second DC special King is involved with this winter as it was previously reported he was also penning a story for the Swamp Thing Winter Special.
What do you guys think? Are you excited to see King and Francavilla work together? Are you looking forward to King’s take on Sgt. Rock? Comment and discuss below!
Sgt. Rock was a U.S. Army officer during World War II and leader of the legendary Easy Company. They fought primarily in the European theater against the Nazi army for most of their wartime operations. Later in his career, he became a top-ranking General in the Luthor administration, although he died protecting the President during Our Worlds at War. He has also been involved with the Suicide Squad and Team 7. His grandson Joe Rock eventually becomes his successor many years later. Sgt. Rock was created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert, first appearing in Our Army at War #83. (1959)
Ben Mendelsohn, one of the best new character actors we have, will hop aboard the MCU train via Captain Marvel.
According to the report at Variety, Mendelsohn’s role isn’t exactly clear, though we do know he will play the central villain opposite Brie Larson’s title character. This will be a reunion between the actor and directors Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, who directed Ben Mendelsohn and Ryan Reynolds in the criminally underrated Mississippi Grind a few years back.
Captain Marvel is said to be set in the 90s, before the Avengers assembled in the MCU. Sam Jackson is also back in the fold as Nick Fury.
Ben Mendelssohn is becoming the villain du jour these days. After a stellar turn in Rogue One, he is also playing the Sheriff of Nottingham in the most unnecessary Robin Hood: Origins and the baddie in Steven SPielberg’s adaptation of Ready Player One. He also appears in Netflix’s Bloodline and the micro-indie flick, Una, opposite Rooney Mara. No matter what your anticipation is for those movies, the mere presence of Mendelsohn should elevate things.
Captain Marvel is still quite a ways down the road, with a March 8, 2019 release date. Stay tuned for more updates.
Welcome to the eighteenth episode of the Comic Show by Monkeys Fighting Robots! We’re talking The Mighty Thor #700 – the book at the nexus of Marvel Legacy! Then we have double the horror for you with Jughead The Hunger #1 from Archie Madhouse and Hack/Slash Resurrection #1 from Image.
Robert Guillaume passed away at the age of 89 Tuesday afternoon. Guillaume was part of ‘The Lion King,’ but before that, he was in beaming through your living room television set from 1977 to 1986 as Benson DuBois.
‘Soap’ aired from 1977 to 1979. In 1979 Guillaume became the first black actor to win an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Comedy-Variety or Music Series.
“Sad to hear of the passing of Robert Guillaume. He was a great support to me on “Soap.” Great timing, charisma, and class. Rest in Peace,” Said Billy Crystal via Twitter.
‘Benson’ aired from 1979 to 1986. In 1985 he would win another Emmy for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical.
“I had some misgivings and trepidation that perhaps taking the role of a butler was not the greatest thing I could do. But I’d been in the business for 17 or 18 years, and not a hell of lot had happened. So I said, ‘I’d better get on this train,'” said Guillaume to NPR.
Guillaume’s most formidable moment on screen came in 1989 when he debated Morgan Freeman as Dr. Frank Napier in ‘Lean on Me.’
If you were a kid in the 90s, you might not have known his face, but you recognized Guillaume’s voice. Rafiki was brought to life in 1994 with Disney’s ‘The Lion King.’
In 1998, the world wasn’t quite ready for Aaron Sorkin’s ‘Sports Night,’ but Guillaume was giving speeches that we are only now starting to listen to. Guillaume played Isaac Jaffe, the Managing Editor of Sports Night.
Guillaume could make you laugh and think at the same time, and that’s what made him an extraordinary actor. He will be missed.
