Showing posts with label John Warner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Warner. Show all posts

Monday, June 30, 2025

I Reads You Juniors: June 2025 - UPDATE #46

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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TREATS - From AnotherCookie:  There is a new online cookie retailer. It is called "AnotherCookie?" and the cookies are delicious.

NEWS:

IMAGE COMICS - From GamesRadarRobert Kirkman, famed writer of "The Walking Dead" comic book series, will take over as writer of the "Transformers" comic book series produced by his company, Skybound.  DC Comics star artist, Dan Mora, will draw the series.  There first issue is "Transformers #25," due in October.

BRITISH COMICS - From Empire:  Empire magazine has a first-look image from the animated feature film adaptation of "Rogue Trooper," the long-running comic book series from the venerable British comics magazine, "2000 AD."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   September's "Deadpool/Batman" crossover comic book from Marvel Comics will feature the lead Deadpool & Batman story by writer Zeb Wells and artist Greg Capullo.  It will also include these other following crossover back-up stories:

-- Captain America/Wonder Woman by Chip Zdarsky and Terry Dodson
-- Daredevil/Green Arrow by Kevin Smith and Adam Kubert
-- Jeff the Land Shark/Krypto by Kelly Thompson and Gurihiru
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DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  According to "Bleeding Cool," DC Comics will move to Universal Distribution, which is essentially the Canadian version of Diamond Comic Distributors, as the distribution of its comic books in the United States.  DC Comics is currently with Lunar Distribution.

DYNAMITE - From AIPTComics:  The iconic Hanna-Barbera animated heroes are flying back into comic books.  "The Blue Falcon & Dynomutt" make their long-awaited return in September 2025 a brand-new comic book series from Dynamite Entertainment in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products.  The series will be written by long-time comic book inker and publisher, Jimmy Palmiotti, with art Pasquale Qualano.

DC STUDIOS - From Deadline:  Apparently, Warner Bros. is making a movie starring the classic Batman villain, Clayface.  Now, Welsh actor, Tom Rhys Harries, is been cast in the lead role.  The film will be directed by James Watkins and is DC Studios' next big project after "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow."

COMICS - From TheBeat:  There is trouble in the comics industry.  BOOM! Studios just initiated another round of layoffs.  Zenescope Entertainment is in turmoil because Diamond Comic Distributors owes them lots of money.

IMAGE COMICS - From CBRRobert Kirkman's comic book, "Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1," is setting sales records.

MARVEL - From GamesRadarMarvel officially renamed its new "Thunderbolts" comic book series, "New Avengers."  It will be written by Sam Humphries, drawn by Ton Lima, colored by Rain Beredo, and lettered by Joe Sabino.  The first issue arrived June 11th.

DC STUDIOS - From DeadlineWarner Bros. Animation and DC Studios have chosen acclaimed comic book writer, Tom King, to be the showrunner of the "Mister Miracle" adult animated series.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCoolWarner Bros Discover will be split into two companies by next year.  One of the two, named "Streaming and Studios," will apparently have control of DC Comics, and it has a 10-year plan for the brand.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel has announced its latest class of "superstar" artists, the eight "Stormbreakers" who have signed exclusive contracts with the publisher.  The "Stormbreakers 2025" are Alessandro Cappuccio, Netho Diaz, Simone Di Meo, Juan Frigeri, Gurihiru, Jonas Scharf, Geoff Shaw, and Luciano Vecchio.

DIAMOND - From BleedingCool:  In the ongoing saga of Diamond Comic Distributors, the new ownership group has announced that it is cancelling orders comic book publishers that are distributed through Penguin Random House.  That includes Marvel, Marvel Press, IDW Publishing, Dark Horse Comics, and BOOM! Studios, to name a few.  Diamond was a sub-distributor of these publishers through PRH.  

IDW - From BleedingCool:  TV writer and co-creator of the hit comic book, "Killadelphia," Rodney Barnes will write "30 Days of Night: Falling Sun" for IDW Publishing.  The first issue is scheduled for October 2025.

MARVEL - From GamesRadarMarvel Comics has announced a new series, "Punisher: Red Band" from writer Benjamin Percy and artist Julius Ohta that Marvel is promising will be the "most violent in Punisher history."

MARVEL/DC - From EW:  Marvel and DC Comics have announced that "Deadpool" and "Batman" will crossover in two one-shot comic books.  First, writer Zeb Wells and artist Greg Capullo will produce "Deadpool/Batman," which is due from Marvel on September 17th, 2025.  Arriving on a later date from DC Comics is "Batman/Deadpool," from writer Grant Morrison and artist Dan Mora

COMICS - From THR:  Writer Mark Millar and artist John Romita, Jr. have announced a new three-issue miniseries, "Psychic Sam."  It will be funded via Kickstarter and development on a film adaptation has already begun.

From Kickstarter:  Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr.'s new comics project, "Psychic Sam," includes a "Kickstarter" campaign.

From Vimeo:  There is a trailer for the new comic book project from the team of writer Mark Millar and artist John Romita, Jr. ("Kick-Ass").

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From BleedingCool:  The site has a list of 198 comics publishers and who is distributing them to comic book shops and other retailers.

MAY 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion Productions for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute DC" titles for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry Media for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Free Comic Book Day 2025 titles for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "One World Under Doom" titles for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Comics" titles for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Massive Publishing for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics "Conan" and "Solomon Kane" titles for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Udon Studios for May 2025
From BleedingCool:  Valiant-Alien Books for May 2025

JUNE 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dren Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry Media for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainent for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universe" titles for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" titles for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Keensport Entertainment for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "One World Under Doom" crossover titles for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Universe" for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Comics" with "Scarlet Witch" for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion #1" for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for June 202
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment for June 2025
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for June 2025

JULY 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Abrams for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Afterlight Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Bliss on Tap for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion Productions for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Superman" titles for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Devil's Due Studios for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal Magazine for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Skybound "Energon" titles for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Ghost Machine" titles for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" titles for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Bring on the Bad Guys" titles for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "One World Under Doom" tie-in titles for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Massive Publishing for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Midnight Factory for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for July
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Uncivilized Comics for July 2025
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for July 2025

AUGUST 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Afterlight Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Aspen MLT LLC for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Bad Ideas for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Cambrian Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion Productions for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute Comics" titles for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dren Productions for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon" titles for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Ghost Machine" for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" titles for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Bring on the Bad Guys" titles for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "One World Under Doom" titles for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate" titles for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Panick Entertainment for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics "Conan" and "Solomon Kane" titles for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Udon Studios for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2025
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for August 2025

SEPTEMBER 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universtiy" titles for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics' Todd McFarlane "Spawn" titles for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe" for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "One World Under Doom" titles for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "One World Under Doom #7" for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  Marvel "Ultimate Comics" titles for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  Aspen Comics for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for September 2025
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for September 2025

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Friday, August 18, 2023

#IReadsYou Movie Review: BLUE BEETLE

Blue Beetle (2023)

Running time:  127 minutes (2 hours, 7 minutes)
MPA – PG-13 for sequences of action and violence, language, and some suggestive references
DIRECTOR:  Angel Manuel Soto
WRITER:  Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer (based on characters from DC Comics)
PRODUCERS:  Zev Foreman and John Rickard
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Pawel Pogorzelski (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Craig Alpert
COMPOSER:  The Haxan Cloak

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/ACTION/FAMILY

Starring:  Xolo Maridueña, Bruna Marquezine, Damien Alcazar, Adriana Barraza, Belissa Escobedo, Elpidia Carrillo, Raoul Max Trujillo, Modesto Lacen, and Harvey Guillén, Susan Sarandon, George Lopez, and  (voice) Becky G

Blue Beetle is a 2023 superhero and action-fantasy film directed by Ángel Manuel Soto.  The film is based on the DC Comics character, Blue Beetle/Jaime Reyes, that was created by Keith Giffen, John Rogers, and Cully Hamner and first appeared in the comic book, Infinite Crisis #3 (cover dated: February 2006).  Blue Beetle the movie focuses on a young man who finds himself chosen to be the symbiotic host of an alien artifact that gives him a suit of armor.

Blue Beetle introduces recent college graduate, Jaime Reyes (Xolo Mariduena), who is returning to his hometown of Palmera City.  He receives a warm welcome from his family:  his father, Alberto Reyes (Damian Alcazar); his mother, Rocio Reyes (Elpidia Carrillo); his Nana (Adrian Barraza), his younger sister, Milagro (Belissa Escobedo); and his uncle, Rudy Reyes (George Lopez).  Jaime soon learns that his family will lose their home due to financial difficulties and to Alberto's poor health.  Still, Jaime is optimistic that he will quickly get a job and make enough money for his family.

Some time later, Jaime meets Jenny Kord (Bruna Marquezine), the daughter of Ted Kord, the currently-missing CEO OF Kord Industries.  Jenny is at odds with her aunt, Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon), the current CEO.  Jenny discovers that Victoria has dark plans for her recent discovery, an alien artifact called “the Scarab.”  Jenny steals the Scarab, and not knowing its true nature, she passes it on to Jaime.
 
As soon as Jaime touches the Scarab, it activates and attaches to him, creating a suit of armor around him.  The suit gives Jaime extraordinary powers, such as flight, super-strength, and invulnerability, but those powers are unpredictable.  Now, Jaime's family calls him a “superhero.”  However, Jaime isn't sure that he wants to be a superhero, and Victoria Kord will do whatever she has to do – including murder – to regain possession of the Scarab.

The Blue Beetle first appeared in Fox Comics' Mystery Men Comics #1 (cover dated: August 1939) and was the secret identity of a young police officer, Dan Garrett.  The second Blue Beetle first appeared in Charlton Comics' Captain Atom #83 (November 1966) and was Ted Kord, an industrialist and owner of KORD Industries.  I mention this because Dan Garrett is referenced in this film.  Also, Ted Kord, with a new origin, is a major subplot in this film, although the story is that he has been missing for years under mysterious circumstances.

However, this is Blue Beetle/Jaime Reyes' film.  He comes across as a normal young man in his early twenties.  Warner Bros. didn't even cast some muscular young android-like actor for the role.  Xolo Mariduena's body is in good shape, but he looks more like a high school kid still in physical development.  Everything about Xolo comes across as boy-next-door, which makes him more relatable to a larger segment of the audience.  After all, Jaime seems so vulnerable that even an alien suit of armor doesn't seem capable of completely protecting him.  If there is a superhero of the people – the champion next door – Xolo makes Jaime Reyes as Blue Beetle fit the role perfectly.

Like Warner Bros.'s 2019 DC Comics film, Shazam, Blue Beetle emphasizes family, and the Reyes are delightful.  George Lopez's Uncle Rudy is a scene stealer, and I'm glad the story reveals that there is so much more to him than meets the eye.  Of course, one can judge how good a family is by placing it in contrast with a problematic family, and that is the Kords.  Susan Sarandon plays the evil aunt, Victoria Kord, with relish, although she doesn't really go over the top.  The film puts Jenny Kord, smoothly played by actress Bruna Marquezine, at the center of the good family (the Reyes)-bad family (Victoria Kord) dynamic.  Which will Jenny ultimately choose?  Like Shazam, Blue Beetle shows how cool an extended or surrogate family can be, especially to someone in need.

I like what director Angel Manuel Soto does with his collaborators, cast, and crew.  Blue Beetle is an easy-going superhero film that is fun for a family audience, even with the sometimes intense action and dark plot elements.  I'm surprised that the film has as its themes, “imperialism in the name of democracy” and “militarized capitalism,” neither of which are ever portrayed as a good thing.  Uncle Rudy even calls Batman a “fascist,” which has caused a stir in some Internet circles.  This film definitely has an anti-authoritarian streak.

That aside, Blue Beetle is hugely and surprisingly entertaining, and it sparkles with humor.  By focusing on Jaime Reyes as much as it does on the Blue Beetle armor, the film gets to center on the most winning aspect of it story, family and friends.  Blue Beetle won't get the attention of bigger superhero film productions, but it has more heart than most of those other films.

[Blue Beetle has two extra scenes during the end credits.]

B+
★★★½ out of 4 stars

Friday, August 18, 2023


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Saturday, January 7, 2012

Review: Flash Gordon Comic Book Archives Volume 4

FLASH GORDON COMIC BOOK ARCHIVES, VOLUME 4

DARK HORSE BOOKS
WRITERS: John Warner, Gary Poole
ARTISTS: Carlos Garzón, Frank Bolle
INTRODUCTION: Arthur Lortie
ISBN: 978-1-59582-717-3; hardcover
224pp, Color, $49.99 U.S., $54.99 CAN

Flash Gordon and the science fiction, newspaper comic strip that shares his name debuted on January 7, 1934. Created by Alex Raymond, the strip followed the adventures of Gordon and his companions, Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov, on the planet Mongo. There, they battle the evil despot, Ming the Merciless.

The first Flash Gordon comic books were published in the 1930s and 1940s and were reprints of the comic strip. In the 1940s, Dell Comics began publishing Flash Gordon comic books with original stories from the mid-1940s to the early 1950s

Published by Dark Horse Books, Flash Gordon Comic Book Archives is reprinting Flash Gordon comic books that were produced by various publishers, including Dell Comics and Charlton Comics. Flash Gordon Comic Book Archives Volume 4 reprints Flash Gordon #19-27, which were published by Gold Key Comics from 1978 to 1980. Prior to Gold Key, there had not been a Flash Gordon comic book series since Charlton Comics’ Flash Gordon #18 hit newsstands in 1970.

According to the introduction to this volume by Arthur Lortie, Gordon’s nemesis, Ming the Merciless, was deposed as ruler of the planet, Mongo, in the 1930/40s continuity of the comics strip. Gold Key Comics staff writer, John David Warner restores Ming to power and returns Gordon, and his companions, Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov, to Mongo to battle Ming. Warner sends the three on an odyssey through Mongo’s myriad regions as they try to build a coalition of kingdoms to defeat Ming.

Warner wrote issues #19-24, and writer/editor Gary T. Poole wrote the last three issues of the Gold Key series, #25-27. Columbian-born comic book artist and comics illustrator, Carlos Garzón drew every issue of the Gold Key series, except for two issues. Garzón was also an assistant to Al Williamson, a noted Flash Gordon comic book artist who had grown up idolizing Flash Gordon creator, Alex Raymond. The two issues not drawn by Garzón were drawn by New York City-born and bred artist and illustrator, Frank Bolle.

I received a review copy of Flash Gordon Comic Book Archives Volume 4 because Dark Horse was doing some shelf cleaning, getting rid of some books to make way for review copies of newer titles. I didn’t expect to like this because I mistakenly associated Gold Key Comics with substandard material, mainly because it has been decades since I’ve read a Gold Key comic book. I was wrong to prejudge these Flash Gordon comic books because I actually had a great time reading them.

Warner and Poole stick to the pulp fiction and weird fiction roots of Flash Gordon without being hokey. These are smoothly-written sword-and-fantasy tales that recall Silver Age DC science fiction and fantasy comic book titles. Both writers build tension by spinning Flash Gordon’s fiery, man-of-action nature: never use words when fists can be just as articulate, in diverse conflict scenarios. That is contrasted against the personalities of Gordon’s co-stars. Dale Arden is quick to lay her head on Gordon’s strong chest, but she is something of a woman-of-action herself. Combine her with the eccentric Zarkov, who is also not above kicking some butt, and the Gold Key Flash Gordon is unpredictable. This is because the co-stars are not window dressing simply meant to make Gordon look like the great White hero; Arden and Zarkov are also capable of moving the story forward and resolving problems.

Plus, Warner and Poole are quite inventive when it comes to creating settings and plots. Two that stand out for me are. Flash Gordon #21’s “Wolf in the Fold” is rousing political suspense thriller and moving love story (surrogate father and son). “The Enchanted City” from issue #27 is quirky and engaging.

Both series artists produce good work. Carlos Garzón’s compositional style and design recall both Raymond and Williamson, especially the latter. In many ways, the art is Williamson-inspired or has his visual sensibilities. Garzón’s art on issues #19-20 is not good. After a two-issue break, he returns in Flash Gordon #23 and hits his stride with his best Williamson-inspired work.

However, I prefer Frank Bolle’s two-issue run (#21-22). His solid figure drawing and draftsmanship give Warner’s scripts, for those two issues, added dramatic heft. Perhaps, I like Bolle’s work here so much because it reminds me of one of my favorite artists, the late and still great, Gil Kane.

I am glad to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this collection. I think Flash Gordon fans should definitely consider either purchasing this pricey volume or finding the originals through online dealers. The “pleasant surprises,” like this one are the books that justify archive editions.

B+