Sabrina the Teenage Witch Returns to Television in New Horror Project from The CW

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September 20, 2017

Archie fans, it’s time to get excited! Hot off the success of Riverdale, Archie Comics and The CW are bringing another one of their beloved properties to the small screen; Sabrina The Teenage Witch!

Comic fans have been enjoying a new version of Sabrina in the current Archie Horror title The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (check out my review of the most recent issue here. You can also listen to me ramble on about the title in general on an episode of the MFR Comics Show Podcast.) It really is a fantastic comic/property and unlike anything on the stands.

The new show will be written by Archie Comics Chief Creative Officer and RIVERDALE Showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, directed by Lee Toland Krieger and produced by Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Brothers Studios. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schecter, Jon Goldwater, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Lee Toland Krieger serve as executive producers.

According to Archie Comics:

Sabrina will draw from the critically acclaimed ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ comic book series from Archie Comics written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and artist Robert Hack, detailing the compelling and shocking re-imagining of Sabrina the Teenage Witch’s occult origins. This dark coming-of-age story deals with horror, the occult, and witchcraft and will see Sabrina struggle to reconcile her dual nature of being half-witch and half-mortal while protecting her family and the world from the forces of evil.

Casting and additional news on the new series will be revealed in the months to come, and you can stay tuned to Monkeys Fighting Robots for all that!

What do you guys think? Personally, this is awesome news and gives me hope of something along the lines of another Buffy The Vampire Slayer because that potential IS there. Comment and discuss below!

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‘Black Hammer’ #13 Slowly Builds To Glory

By

Anthony Wendel

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It was the greatest superhero event of all time, a multiversal crisis. Black Hammer, Abraham Slam, Golden Gail, Barbalien, Colonel Weird, and even Madame Dragonfly they united to take down Anti-God, the ultimate evil, on the streets of Spiral City.
For ten years, the former heroes have been living in exile. But a new arrival from the main timeline brought new hope. And maybe, finally, its time for them to relaunch . . .

Writing/Story

This issue seems to start with a lot of random events. A character being teleported away, Abraham being brought in about the what happened to the Sheriff, and Lucy’s continued quest for answers. Everything feels a bit all over the place with when this is happening until it clicks on when these events are suppose to happen. Also, the drama between Abraham and Tammy doesn’t feel as hard hitting as it should given what plays out. Overall this seems much less intense than previous issues and unfortunately it requires a second read to really understand what all went down. Though this leaves the issue feeling less than perfect, writer Jeff Lemire finds a way to bring it all home with a final page which will leave the reader on bated breath for the next issue to come around.

Pencils/Inks

Dean Ormstron’s artwork is fantastic. He employs detailed line work to show the concern and aging of different characters. The look he gives characters when they heard depressing and shocking news helps to connect with their reaction.

Colors

The colors by Dave Stewart are on point. Vibrant when they need to be and down to earth during the less intense moments. All of it helps to set the tone the series is known for.

Lettering

The different changes in style help to show who when Lucy as the narrator takes over and when the dialogue is meant to represent a regular conversation. This impressive display is all thanks to Letterer Todd Klein.

Conclusion

This issue feels like the calm before the storm for Black Hammer. Big things are about to explode and if you haven’t taken the time to check out this series you will soon regret it.

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The First Trailer for ‘The Meyerowitz Stories’ is Here, is Great

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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September 20, 2017

The Meyerowitz Stories, Noah Baumbach’s latest dysfunctional family dramedy, has been getting tremendous buzz in the festival circuit this year. It’s even brought up the notion of (stop me if you’ve heard this one before) an Adam Sandler Oscar nomination.

Who knows about all that, but this first trailer is pretty damn great. The introduction of the actors is especially brilliant. Check it out:

From writer/director Noah Baumbach, The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) is the emotional and comic intergenerational tale of adult siblings (Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, and Elizabeth Marvel) contending with the long shadow their strong-willed father (Dustin Hoffman) has cast over their lives.

I like Noah Baumbach. His films are like acerbic, twee-less Wes Anderson films. What’s most impressive about this trailer is how it didn’t remind me of the Fockers movies at all despite Dustin Hoffman playing Ben Stiller’s dad. I promise.

As for the Sandler buzz, well, this is a road we have traveled at least twice before. He’s getting some attention, that’s for sure, but can we really see this coming to fruition.

Either way, he looks great and everyone else looks great. The Meyerowitz Stories will open in limited release and on Netflix October 13.

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Here is Netflix’s ‘The Punisher’ Trailer, With ALL the Violence… And Metallica

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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September 20, 2017

Netflix has released a full-length trailer for The Punisher, their upcoming Marvel series with Jon Bernthal in the title role. This trailer brings all the violence with it, the appropriate fetishistic glimpses of weapons, and arguably the best Metallica song of all time.

Check it out:

There’s a plot here, but it doesn’t really matter, does it? The plot to The Punisher has become an archetype in action filmmaking, the more important part of this is they absolutely nail the aesthetic of the comics. I dig the inclusion of “One” in the trailer, the look of the skull feels right, the settings are sharp light and shadow. Solid.

Jon Bernthal is perfect for Frank Castle, because he’s kinda perfect for everything he does. His appearance in the second season of Daredevil was a definite bright spot for that show (which nobody really talks about anymore, huh…), so this might be worth your time. LEt’s hope it has at least a little more than The Defenders brought to the table. Anyone remember that one?

The Punisher will drop on Netflix… some time this year? No official date yet, but expect that before long.

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Wednesday Comics: Episode 1 – An Origin Tale

By

Matthew Sardo

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September 20, 2017

Monkeys Fighting Robots has teamed up with Uncanny Heroes in Tampa for a new show – Wednesday Comics. This episode is an origin tale as we introduce our characters; Ivan Plaza the owner of Uncanny Heroes, Chuck Fenech of Big Red Vintage Toys, and Matthew Sardo the founder of Monkeys Fighting Robots.

Picks of the week:

Batman: The Red Death #1
Artist: Carmine Di Giandomenico
Cover: Jason Fabok
Writer: Joshua Williamson

As the events of DARK NIGHTS: METAL rock the DC Universe, the creatures of the Dark Multiverse stand ready to invade our world! How can even the World’s Greatest Heroes stop a horde of deadly beings that appear to be powerful, nightmare versions of familiar figures? Find out in these special tie-in issues!

ANGELIC #1
Story: Simon Spurrier
Art / Cover: Caspar Wijngaard

Humanity’s long gone. Its memory lingers only as misunderstood rituals among mankind’s leftovers: the genetically modified animals they used and abused for eons. But for one young flying monkey, QORA, the routines are unbearable. All she wants is to explore. Instead, she’s expected to settle down, to become a mother…to lose her wings.

What are you reading this week?

Uncanny Heroes – Tampa
12904 N 56th St
Tampa, FL 33617

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‘Batman’ #31 Brings All The Elements of ‘The War Of Jokes And Riddles’ Together

By

Manuel Gomez

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Batman, Kite Man and The Riddler (with a little help from Catwoman and a few other villains) make a final move to infiltrate the Joker’s hideout. But what they find is a terribly unhinged Joker who will do anything to win this war. Can a well intricate plan defeat a man of true chaos and madness? Or have Batman and his ragtag team made a horrible and fatal mistake? A mistake that seems to haunt Batman to this very day.

Batman #31
“The War Of Jokes and Riddles” Part 5
Written by: Tom King
Art by: Mikel Janin
Inks by: Mikel Janin
Colors by: June Chung
Lettered by: Clayton Cowles

We are right back into the action after last month’s interlude and we finally get to see Batman, Kite Man (who becomes more heroic by the page) and Riddler make a physical play for the Joker. This is a fast-moving issue that features a great action scene, some much needed and welcome humor, grand visuals and one truly disturbing and out of control Joker who seems to have given completely into his madness and chaos.

Writing

Tom King has really shown us all his cards in this arc. This issue is filled with not only some nice, soaring action but some of the funniest exchanges between characters I have read. The back and forth between Killer Croc and Kite Man actually made me chuckle out loud.

On the flip side of that, his Joker is certainly no joke. The entire sequence with Joker mentally, emotionally and then finally physically torturing a man is one of the most brutal things I’ve read in any recent comic.

King also continues to make Kite Man completely endearing, giving us a complete 180 from the one-page joke we had seen before. “Hell yeah!”

And although it’s brief, we also do get another great scene and exchange between Batman and Catwoman that not only adds levity but is also filled with charm. It’s a great beat that shows you how much affection King has for these two lovebirds, and just gets us even more riled up to finally see how Selina will answer Bruce’s proposal.

Art

Art-wise, this issue (the whole arc really) is a thing of beauty. The scene of the kite winged hero and villains flying into the Joker’s stronghold is a masterclass in illustration, layout, and design. It’s fluid, crisp and beautiful. In short, worthy of being framed.

But it’s not just the ‘big’ moments that are rendered well. Even the subtle moments, the slight expressions in faces and body language and movement are all great.

June Chung colors are vibrant without being overly glossy or distracting. They serve the pencils and inks by helping create a complete package and also adding atmosphere.

And it’s not often I notice or mention lettering, but Clayton Cowles creates almost audible voices and cadence with his fonts, sizing, and letter placement. It’s great to read a comic where something often overlooked stands right out with the writing and the rest of the art.

Conclusion

‘The War Of Jokes And Riddles’ has proven to be so unique, giving us so many different tones, so many variations, and pacing. This has been a hell of a ride, and this issue had a little bit of everything that has made the arc great as a whole. Next month we find out how this war ends and I can’t wait.

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Check Out The Trailer for Todd Haynes’ Latest, ‘Wonderstruck’

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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September 20, 2017

Todd Haynes has been quietly churning out brilliant films for years now, and his latest work, Wonderstruck, has been making the rounds at film festivals this year.

While it hasn’t set the world on fire the way his Dylan docudrama I’m Not There did, or the way Carol did a couple of years ago, Wonderstruck still looks like a heartwarming fantasy adventure movie about two kids in different eras.

Check out the trailer:

Based on Brian Selznick’s critically acclaimed novel Ben and Rose are children from two different eras who secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known, while Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his home and Rose reads an enticing headline in the newspaper, both children set out on quests to find what they are missing that unfold with mesmerizing symmetry.

Wonderstruck stars Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, Jaden Michael, Oakes Fegley, and it will open October 20th. Are you excited or nah?

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Linda Hamilton is Coming Back to The ‘Terminator’ Franchise

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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September 20, 2017

Whether anyone wants it or not, this new Terminator reboot thing is a real thing. James Cameron is going back to the tiredest of tired wells, and the thought of another Terminator film has sure sounded horrible, until now. Linda Hamilton, Sarah Connor herself, will return to the franchise.

The Hollywood Reporter had the story last night, and from their report it seems like the only exciting thing about Linda Hamilton returning is the fact she’s… returning. Because this explanation from Cameron is… oof:

“We’re starting a search for an 18-something woman to be the new centerpiece of the new story… We still fold time. We will have characters from the future and the present. There will be mostly new characters, but we’ll have Arnold and Linda’s characters to anchor it.”

You see? They will still “fold time.” Everything should make total sense and not be confusing and stupid at all.

Oh yeah, and Arnold Schwarzenegger is coming back as well, but that’s hardly news. Arnie can’t say no to his most iconic character, and he was pretty much the only watchable part of Genysis anyway, so… whatever.

Linda Hamilton back on board isn’t enough to excite me for another Terminator film, but it’s at least an interesting surprise. Tim Miller is directing for some reason, and David Goyer is working on a story. That’s not the most promising development, but maybe they will surprise us all.

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Episode 13: Interview With Sex Criminals Matt Fraction & Chip Zdarsky

By

Anthony Composto - EIC

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September 20, 2017

Welcome to the thirteenth episode of the Comic Show by Monkeys Fighting Robots! This week we are interviewing creators Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky about their hit series over at Image Comics, Sex Criminals. We’re also reviewing Batman #31, Batman The Red Death #1 (a book that finally gives event tie-ins a good name), and Savage Town, an Image original graphic novel from about Irish gangsters.

Buckle up, True Believers! Episode 13 of the COMIC SHOW by Monkeys Fighting Robots is here.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

03:15 – Rapid Review: Batman #31 (DC Comics)

08:55 – Batman The Red Death #1 (DC)
Anthony – 4.5 Monkeys
Matt – 4.5 Robots

23:30 – Interview with Sex Criminals‘ Matt Fraction & Chip Zdarsky

43:30 – Savage Town (Image Comics)
Anthony – 4 Monkeys
Matt – 4 Robots

Thank you for listening!

Do you want to be our FAN of the week? All you have to do is comment on this podcast to be eligible.

Do you have a question that you would like answered during the show? Email your questions to matt@popaxiom.com.

Reviews are greatly appreciated – How to Rate and Review a Podcast in iTunes

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‘Big Trouble In Little China: Old Man Jack’ Has All The Right Reflexes

By

Manuel Gomez

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The year is 2020, and hell is literally on Earth. Ching Dai, sick of relying on screw-ups like Lo Pan to do his bidding, has broken the barriers between Earth and the infinite hells and declared himself ruler of all. Sixty-year-old Jack Burton is alone in a tiny corner of Florida with only his broken radio to talk to, until one day it manages to pick up a message. Someone is out there in the hellscape, and they know a way to stop Ching Dai.

Big Trouble in Little China: Old Man Jack #1
Written by: John Carpenter & Anthony Burch
Art by: Jorge Corona
Colored by: Gabriel Cassata
Lettered by: Ed Dukeshire

Published by: BOOM! Studios

Big Trouble In Little China is one of those properties from the 1980s that will probably never die. It’s the kind of cult classic that sort of defines that very term and it’s not surprising to see it jump into other mediums. Still, not all properties translate to the comic book medium well. However BOOM! Studios have had huge creative and commercial success in expanding a lot of these classic licensed properties and I am happy to say Old Man Jack, while not groundbreaking comics, is definitely a hell of a lot of fun and a must read for Little China fans!

Writing

Story-wise the book totally captures the spirit, tone, and attitude of the movie. Anthony Burch, with help from filmmaker/creator John Carpenter, nails down the lovable sleazeball we all know as Jack Burton. He’s is exactly the kind of guy who would totally venture into Hell for some pretty young thing, and end up saving the world in the process. He is selfless yet selfish too. Brave yet kind of dense. A hero but a bit of dunce and a jerk. Jack Burton was always a humorous study in contrasts and Burch totally gets that. You can also practically hear Kurt Russell’s ‘John Wayneish’ drawl when you read the dialogue; the slightly inappropriate (but smart) humor lands well too. Being able to have all this was a huge factor in making this sequel/concept work and the writing team succeeds there.

The plot itself is actually a sequel to an earlier Big Trouble In Little China comic book but works well enough on its own that if you have only seen the movie you can jump right in with no problem. And there is some quick exposition that also helps catch you up. Its accessibility is another big factor in what I liked about it.

The one weakness for me was the story didn’t pick up the steam it needed until we get to the end where…SPOILER ALERT…we get the very welcome return of movie villain David Lo Pan! It’s going to be interesting to see an old Jack Burton take on Lo Pan since young Burton pretty much fought his way through the first movie with sheer luck and the help of way more capable friends. But who knows, perhaps Egg Shen and the Wing Kong are just around the corner!

Art

The art by Jorge Corona, with excellent colors by Gabriel Cassata, is vibrant and energetic. It has an animated feel, with cartoonish qualities that add much to the tone of the book. This is a story about action and adventure, but not dark. It’s supposed to be fun and slightly campy. The visuals accentuate this, delivering pages and layouts that move smoothly and are pleasing on the eyes. It’s well produced too, with a definite weight to the art. It looks good both on the printed page and on a screen which is a quality necessary for comic books in the digital age. There are also plenty of cool creature and demon designs. And of course, everyone’s favorite 80s big rig, the famed Pork Chop Express, is rendered nicely as well.

Conclusion

Every time I check out one of Boom! Studios licensed books they end up being entertaining, fun and easy to pick up and read. It’s nice to see comics like this, where all you need is a love of property, character, or story to get a nice piece of sequential storytelling. Big Trouble In Little China: Old Man Jack is totally worth your time. Do yourself a favor and have fun with this book.

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