Review: 11 Reasons ‘The Flash’ #23 Will Convince You To Keep Running With This Series

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As his friends celebrate his birthday, Barry Allen, A.K.A. The Flash, can’t shake off the mystery behind the death of his greatest enemy Eboard Thawne, The Reverse-Flash. Even an appearance by his friend and fellow superhero Hal Jordan (one of Earth’s Green Lanterns) isn’t able to draw The Flash from his thoughts. The sudden appearance supervillain Multiplex forces The Flash and Green Lantern to team up in order to save the gathered crowd, and perhaps give Barry Allen the jolt he needs to push him out of his own head. But as our heroes fight, Thawne’s corpse is doing something strange back at the morgue in S.T.A.R. Labs.

The Flash #23
“The Color of Fear’ Part 1
Written by: Joshua Williamson
Art by: Carmine Di Giandomenico
Colors by: Ivan Plascencia
Lettered by: Steve Wands
Published by: DC Comics

After the high-profile crossover of ‘The Button’, The Flash settles into its own, new storyline (though it is dealing with the fallout of ‘The Button’). This issue felt like classic Geoff Johns era Flash, with its reliance on the great supporting cast, cameos from other heroes, and sudden, violent attacks by a member of the Rogues. It has great pacing, action, and one hell of a reveal/cliffhanger ending that leaves you wanting the next issue now. Read on for 11 reasons you should run, not walk, to your local comic shop and pick up The Flash #23 this week!

That 25^th Century opening scene at The Flash Museum. A visit to the museum (especially in THIS future we see) is both telling and fun.
“Eboard Thawne The Reverse-Flash, A.K.A. Professor Zoom. He was many things to many people, but to the The Flash he was…a partner, an ally…, his best friend”. Seriously?! WTF?!
The party scene where Joshua Williamson captures the personalities to the huge supporting cast Flash fans knows so well.
Carmine Di Giandomencio’s clean, crisp and sleek art. It’s perfect for The Flash, modern and streamlined.
Ivan Plascencia’s colors give the pencils so much energy, pop and “heat”. The art team put together really creates a sense of movement here.
Subtle word balloon and narration box placing by letterer Steve Wands that emphasizes when Barry’s thoughts are overwhelming him and causing him to ignore what is being said about him.
The way Thawne, though dead, is still such a looming, terrifying and haunting figure for Barry. His corpse is also so damn eerie.
Always gotta love seeing Hal Jordan and Barry Allen team up. Their powers in tandem…talking about relationships in the middle of a battle. It’s also so good. Bring on more Lantern and Flash!
Great idea on the use of more obscure and cult Rogue Multiplex. He really comes across as unstable and creepy.
The HUGE swarm of Multiplex multiples attacking Green Lantern and The Flash is genuinely frightening, powerful and just plain cool.
That ending. “There is only one Reverse-Flash.”

If you haven’t been reading The Flash, now is a GREAT time to start. Joshua Williamson is building something here, the Rebirth origin of The Reverse-Flash! And something tells me it will be a Scarlet Speedster story for the ages. On your marks, get set, GO read this book!

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Watch: ‘Wonder Woman’ Post-Screening Reaction

By

Matthew Sardo

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May 30, 2017

This is a good week for nerds as ‘Wonder Woman’ hits theaters, but what makes the week great is how amazing the film is. Matt Sardo and EJ Moreno give their immediate reaction to the movie.

Director Patty Jenkins brings a different approach to the DC Extended Universe and Gal Gadot establishes herself as a hero everyone can look up to.

‘Wonder Woman’ is already trending well on Rotten Tomatoes with 97%. How many times will you see the film in theaters? Comment below.

About ‘Wonder Woman’

Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.

Gal Gadot returns as Wonder Woman in an epic action adventure from director Patty Jenkins. Joining Gadot in the international cast are Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Connie Nielsen, Elena Anaya, Ewen Bremner, Lucy Davis, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Eugene Brave Rock, and Saïd Taghmaoui.

The film hits theaters on June 2, 2017.

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Adam Wingard Set to Direct ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’

By

Eric Morales

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May 30, 2017

Adam Wingard, director of Netflix’s upcoming Death Note, has been tapped to direct Godzilla vs. Kong for Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros., according to Hollywood Reporter.

Legendary and Warners are building out an entire “Monsterverse,” centered around Godzilla and King Kong. Godzilla from Legendary was the first entry in the series, and released in 2014 to fairly successful financial and critical acclaim. The next entry, Kong: Skull Island, was released in March, and met incredible financial success internationally. The next film, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, is currently in production.

Godzilla vs. King Kong — These two cinematic giants have met previously in 1962’s “King Kong vs. Godzilla”

Wingard’s career has centered primarily in the horror genre. He has directed films like A Horrible way to Die, as well as segments in anthology properties like V/H/S and ABCs of Death. He has developed quite a following from smaller genre films, including Guest with Dan Stevens. His largest feature film to date was 2016’s Blair Witch, which opened to box office and critical disappointment.

A Legendary writer room led by Terry Rossio (Pirates of the Caribbean) has been at work since March. Included in the collaboration are Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne (Star Trek Beyond), Lindsey Beer, Cat Vasko, T.S. Nowlin (Maze Runner), Jack Paglen (Transcendence), and J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5).

No plot details have been revealed yet, but check back with MFR for more.

The movie is scheduled to be released on May 22, 2020.

What do you think of Wingard as director for Godzilla vs. Kong? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter, or in the comments below!

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‘Wonder Woman’ Shoots To Above 95 Percent On Rotten Tomatoes

By

Aric Sweeny

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May 30, 2017

Wonder Woman has launched to a stellar 97 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. When put up against its fellow DC coutnerparts, the Gal Gadot-led picture is far and away the highest rated film in the series. Down below I’ve compiled a sample of reviews from RT.

Mark Daniell, Toronto Sun:

“With its nods to Richard Donner’s Superman and Chris Evans’ first outing as Captain America, Wonder Woman also exceeds expectations as an origin story with its First World War setting.”

Peter Travers, Rolling Stone:

“Gal Gadot is unstoppable and spectacular to see in motion. Watch her fly.”

Alonso Duralde, The Wrap:

“It’s a film that not only improves upon many of the seemingly built-in shortcomings of superhero movies, but also mixes smarts, sentiment and adrenaline in the best Hollywood style.”

Lindsey Bahr, Associated Press:

“Like the heroine at its center, Wonder Woman the movie rises with powerful grace above the noise. It’s not perfect, but it’s often good, sometimes great and exceptionally re-watchable.”

Kelly Lawler, USA Today:

“The film’s action is explosive and engaging, and a sequence where Diana ventures into no man’s land in the middle of a trench battle is stunning to behold.”

Are you excited for Wonder Woman? Sound off in the comments below!

“Wonder Woman hits movie theaters around the world this summer when Gal Gadot returns as the title character in the epic action adventure from director Patty Jenkins. Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.”

Wonder Woman stars Gal Gadot as the title character, Chris Pine, Robin Wright as Antiope, David Thewlis, Danny Huston, Elena Anaya, Connie Nielsen, Ewen Bremner, and Lucy Davis.

The film hits theaters this Friday, June 2, 2017.

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Mitch Gerads Discusses Upcoming MISTER MIRACLE Comic

By

Anthony Composto - EIC

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May 30, 2017

Monkeys Fighting Robots had the chance to speak with artist Mitch Gerads at MegaCon this past weekend, and discussed the state of the comics industry, as well as his and Tom King’s upcoming Mister Miracle comic.

Watch the full interview here:

On “nerd rage” and whether it affects his work, Gerads said, “I think it’s just amplified because of the internet. I think there’s always been nerd rage. I think it’s healthy. It’s healthy until it gets to those personal attacks on creators, cause we’re all just making comic books. Like, there’s so much more important things in the world than comic books, and we’re all just trying to have a good time. Even the people who maybe aren’t doing the thing you want them to do, they’re just making their mark. The old stuff is always there. There will be new stuff. Everyone’s just trying to put their mark on the product.”

Gerads also has Mister Miracle coming out in August, which he’s very excited about. “There’s a lot of pressure in that… I mean it’s Kirby, and what I think is Kirby at his best, Fourth World,” the artist started. “I think [Mister Miracle’s] always been a character that’s resonated with fans, even if they weren’t incredibly sure who he was or what he was a part of. But this book especially, Tom [King] and I are taking everything Kirby did with the New Gods. The origin of it is very just the Kirby section. So really going back to the start, and at the same time we’re putting that King/Gerads spin on it. It’s a lot closer to [Sheriff of Babylon] than it is Batman.”

On what cameos fans can expect, Gerads teased, “if for some reason we couldn’t use the Mister Miracle title, we could call it New Gods. They’re all in there. It’s the whole mythos.”

Finally, when asked about his influences for the series, Gerads concluded, “All of my designs are either straight from Kirby, or maybe modernized a little, or straight from the [Justice League Unlimited] animated series. Just because I think they were such pure, classic examples. One of the themes running through the book too is, in issue one – I’ll give you a little exclusive – in issue one there’s a little scene with Scott talking to Highfather. And they’re walking in a public place and everyone is just kind of like ‘what the hell?’ Because there’s this giant dude in a robe with a staff, and he looks like God, and it’s just that kind of absurd Kirby design in the real world. Which I think is what Tom and I do best, is we tell comic book stories that take place in something you think you could touch.”

Mister Miracle hits stores in August. Keep it tuned to Monkeys Fighting Robots for more MegaCon coverage from this past weekend!

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Gina Prince-Bythewood is First Black Woman to Direct a Superhero Film: ‘Silver and Black’

By

Eric Morales

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May 30, 2017

Sony’s cinematic “Spiderverse” continues to develop with Gina Prince-Bythewood on board to direct Silver and Black, the debut film for characters Silver Sable and Black Cat, according to Hollywood Reporter.

Prince-Bythewood previously wrote and directed the critical darling Love and Basketball, as well as Secret Life of Bees and Beyond the Lights. She has also been tapped to direct the pilot for Cloak & Dagger, Freeform’s upcoming series based about teen heroes from the Marvel Comics universe.

Silver Sable was created in 1985 by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz, and debuted in The Amazing Spider-Man. She is the CEO of Silver Sable International and a mercenary to hunts war criminals. She has acted as both hero and villain to Spider-Man and other Marvel heroes.

Black Cat was created by Marv Wolfman and Keith Pollard in 1979, and also debuted in The Amazing Spider-Man. She is the daughter of a world famous cat burglar, and decided to emulate her father and adopt the identity of the Black Cat.

Matt Tolmach (The Amazing Spider-Man) and Amy Pascal (Spider-Man: Homecoming) are set to produce. Chris Yost (Thor: Ragnarok) and Lisa Joy (Westworld) are on board to write the script.

Filming is set for Fall 2017.

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Niagara Oast House Brewers: Hef’s Big Wood – An Oaken Review

By

Michael Bedford

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A trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake offered me a chance to fill my Niagara Oast House Brewers 64-oz. growler with their tasty Barn Raiser Country Ale, check out my review if you’re interested, and it also provided a chance to fill up my second growler with another brew. After some deliberation and taste-testing, I chose to make my second growler home to Hef’s Big Wood, one of the Oast House’s semi-rotational brews.

Named for the fact that this is a barrel-fermented and aged hefeweizen, not in honour of Hugh Hefner, this brew is only available at the brewery, although some of Niagara Oast House’s beers are available at the LCBO.

Niagara Oast House Brewers: Hef’s Big Wood – First Sip

I should start by saying that my experience drinking this beer three days after it was poured into a 64-oz growler will differ from that of someone drinking it at the brewery. But, the label on the jug says to drink it within five days of pouring, so I’m solidly within the brewery’s prescribed margin of enjoyment.

Hef’s Big Wood pours a cloudy straw-yellow. A layer of foam gathers at the top of my glass and quickly dissipates to a film. I smell vanilla as I enjoy this brew’s toasty flavour. With a clove-y flavour at first, Hef’s Big Wood develops a semi-sweet aftertaste. And, because of its considerably low carbonation level — especially because it’s three days old — this beer has a very smooth mouthfeel.

Niagara Oast House Brewers: Hef’s Big Wood – Last Sip

Even though it’s three days old, this is a tasty beer with a lot to offer. I’ve always been in favour of things oak-aged, and this brew is no exception to that rule. Although some may find this beer too strong — it does weigh in at a respectable 6% ABV — I say that the clove-y flavour, almost like a pumpkin pie at times, proves a great companion to salty snacks and/or moldy cheeses.

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Scott Snyder Discusses Wytches Vol. 2, American Vampire, & Dark Nights: Metal

By

Anthony Composto - EIC

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May 30, 2017

Scott Snyder is a busy, busy man. Not only is he spearheading DC’s upcoming Metal event, but he’s also bringing back his creator-owned books Wytches and American Vampire.

Monkeys Fighting Robots had the chance to speak with Scott about all of his upcoming projects at MegaCon this past weekend. Watch his full response here:

On Wytches, Snyder discussed how volume two picks up three years after volume one, and will center on protagonist Sailor joining the wytch-hunting group The Irons. Snyder and series co-creator Jock will also be working on a separate story focusing on the backstory of Sailor’s mentor. This second story will be serialized in the pages of Image+ magazine.

Another one of the writer’s creator-owned series, American Vampire, is also returning. Snyder disclosed that the team plans to bring the series back once Vertigo relaunches under new management. “I’d really like to bring American Vampire back in a big way with the new format,” he stated before going into minor plot details.

Finally, Scott closed out the interview by talking about the upcoming Dark Nights: Metal event at DC. “I was always saying it’s like if Kirby and Frazetta had a baby to like a heavy metal soundtrack,” he started. “It’s Joker dragons, and robots, and dinosaurs, and all that. It’s a personal story. It’s about things that matter to me and Greg [Capullo], about the ways in which history can fall backwards very suddenly and you can find yourself in a dark time. Batman sort of learns that lesson quickly.”

“What it’s really about is the Justice League discover the existence of a dark multiverse, which is essentially based on [my five-year-old’s love for Cosmos]. He loves Cosmos dearly. He calls Neil deGrasse Tyson ‘Cosmo,'” Snyder said. “But I became really fixated with this notion with the discovery of dark matter and dark energy … The universe being made up of 80+% things that are imperceivable to us that essentially affect our universe in ways that are actual or are detectable is terrifying, and also kind of wondrous at once.”

Metal will have Batman and the League uncovering a mystery that goes back through Snyder’s Court of Owls and beyond, through Grant Morrison’s run on Batman. “I really want people to be able to have fun this summer with it, and feel like they can release their inner rock god and celebrate the fun of comics,” Snyder concluded. “It is meant to be sort of celebratory, and out-of-control, and zany, and all of those things that I think are the best aspects of DC events, and yet hopefully people will see it has heart.”

For additional details on Wytches, American Vampire, and Metal, be sure to watch our full interview with Scott Snyder above.

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Squirrels On Cocaine And Crucified Puppies In Sarah Silverman’s ‘A Speck Of Dust’

By

Ruben Diaz

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May 30, 2017

Sarah Silverman will make you love squirrels in her new Netflix comedy special A Speck of Dust. The comedian is as fearless as ever as she lays down some hilarious sardonic law. From squirrels to martyr puppies, to real martyrs, Silverman knows few bounds, and we’re all better off for it. We should also all collectively thank Netflix for delivering an avalanche of comedy gold.

It feels like Silverman is a Lyft driver who may have
taken a few shots before picking you up.

If you’re not familiar with Sarah Silverman, then let me be the first to welcome you back to reality. She is a comedian with an impressive range of material. The funny woman can be equal parts smart and crass. Of course, the vulgar nature of her sets take most of the attention, but Silverman’s subtle way of crafting clever jokes makes her one of the best in the business.

“I love the aggressively stupid stuff as equally as anything deep I have to say. And I give them equal importance.
Equal parts artsy and fartsy.”

In the Justice League of Comedy, Silverman is Wonder Woman. Albeit, fighting for what’s right with razor-sharp sarcasm as her superpower. Her style is conversational here. It feels like Silverman is a Lyft driver who may have taken a few shots before picking you up. She’s driving fine, but you wonder how she can concentrate while jumping around topics.

The comedian’s leaps of logic aren’t jarring. When she moves from the bible to Game of Thrones, the transition is a fun slide. “I’ve never read the Bible,” admits Silverman, “It’s like bad Game of Thrones fan fiction.”

The comedian spares little for religion, particularly Christianity. Silverman unleashes a bit that chops down faith with one fell swoop. She presents an ultimate test of faith that most every “true believer” will fail, particularly the male ones.

The heartbeat of this show for Silverman is a series of brushes with death. The first few instances were of three essential people in her life: Harris Wittels, Gary Shandling, and her mother. The fourth was Silverman’s surgery for an obstruction in her throat. The comedian’s new perspective inspires her to strip away further the bullshit. As she puts it, “We’re breathing egos acting like we aren’t a speck of dust on a speck of dust on a speck of dust hurtling through space.” It’s an introspection Silverman doesn’t consider something that makes us insignificant but the same.

“Do you think Jesus would be famous if we put him down
like a household pet?”

One of the best bits in the special that exemplifies Silverman’s skill level is about squirrels who like paranoid coke-heads and are necessary parts of nature. “Squirrels can not find 80% of the nuts that they hide.” The audience laughs at the silly fact. “Hold your skulls in because you’re brain is about to explode. That’s how trees are planted.” Silverman deduces that squirrels think everyone is after their acorns.

Silverman is in top-form here. From one-liner winners to detailed stories with a huge punchline, the comedian uses all the tools at her disposal. Along the way, she builds one funny hour of comedy.

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Mind Games In ‘Transformers: Till All Are One’ #10

By

Anthony Wendel

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As Starscream faces down the encroaching machinations of Elita One, he enlists Blast Off to help him bring Bruticus back!

Writing

What makes a character more than simply a product? Usually it is when they are given a history, problems to overcome, and a personality of their own. With Transformers comics, most of the success with the stories the books have told come from giving these individuals much more depth than they ever experienced before. This issue expands on a member of the Combaticons and finds a way to keep the reader engrossed through the entire process.

As the description says, Starscream offers Blast Off a deal he cannot pass up. With the help of Airachnid (finally introduced into the comic series from the Transformer: Prime cartoon, who steals the show with her skills), Starscream paints a reality Blast Off has always wanted and can have. All Blast Off has to do is agree to Starscream’s terms. What plays out is a smart and trippy ride through a character’s hopes and dreams which becomes captivating with each turn of the page. Writer Mairghread Scott finds a way to hook the reader and truly get them invested.

Artwork

The art team of Sara Pitre-Durocher on art and Joana Lafuente on colors yields a truly visually pleasing issue. The character designs are solid with great moments of expressive art when certain individuals are being vulnerable or affectionate. The pair are ideal for every issue of Transformers from here on which focuses on character development or when the robots need to appear helpless or an emotional low.

Conclusion

Great bits of character intrigue, development, and subtle world building as Starscream works to keep his world from falling into pieces all expressed through fantastic art. This new side of Blast Off will also have a lot of fans curious how events unfold in the future. This book succeeds in showing the fascinating life of the Cybertron side of the Transformers universe. More issues of the series should strive to hit this level of performance.

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Niagara Oast House Brewers: Hef’s Big Wood – First Sip

Niagara Oast House Brewers: Hef’s Big Wood – Last Sip

It feels like Silverman is a Lyft driver who may have taken a few shots before picking you up.

“I love the aggressively stupid stuff as equally as anything deep I have to say. And I give them equal importance. Equal parts artsy and fartsy.”

“Do you think Jesus would be famous if we put him down like a household pet?”

Writing

Artwork

Conclusion

It feels like Silverman is a Lyft driver who may have
taken a few shots before picking you up.

“I love the aggressively stupid stuff as equally as anything deep I have to say. And I give them equal importance.
Equal parts artsy and fartsy.”

“Do you think Jesus would be famous if we put him down
like a household pet?”