For Your Consideration: A Marvel/DC Crossover Proposal

C'mon, it's time, isn't it? Here's a idea to make it a little different and possibly easy to manage.

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https://www.newsarama.com/15423-for-your-consideration-a-marvel-dc-crossover-proposal.html

HELLBOY Reboot In Talks With Lionsgate

The R-rated remake might have found a home.

via The Nerd Machine

https://www.newsarama.com/35193-hellboy-reboot-in-talks-with-lionsgate.html

MARVEL LEGACY Solicitations - Updating

Here's your updating compilation of ALL of the first round of Marvel Legacy solicitations.

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https://www.newsarama.com/35192-marvel-legacy-solicitations.html

Indie Comics Spotlight – Hot Schitt #1, Blood Brothers #1, and Zodiac Starforce: Cries of the Fire Prince #1

By: Jonathan Pilley (@omnicomic)

Hot Schitt #1

“Don’t mind him. He just got Schitt-faced.”

Being a detective in a big city isn’t for everyone. For those who can pull it off though, it can be a fun gig – especially if you’re as reckless as Jack Schitt in Hot Schitt #1. The issue is written and illustrated by Gordon Johnson.

The Schitt hits the fan in Hot Schitt, a no-holds-barred action-thriller set on the crime-ridden streets of 1980’s Los Angeles. One cop, Jack Schitt, declares war on the biggest gangs in LA. When the gangs hit back, they’re going to learn the hard way that you don’t mess with Hot Schitt.

Johnson is unapologetic and unabashed in his approach to Hot Schitt #1 as the titular character is an amalgamation of 80s cop tough guys. The entire issue plays beautifully into this narrative as well, as every page features the main character Schitt spouting one-liners perversely on the nose. Those one-liners pepper the dialogue and infuse the book with an appropriate level of nostalgia that sometimes gets a little carried away. Johnson strings together the issue with a broader, loose narrative that affords Schitt the vehicle to move from one crime scene to the next. The issue is paced pretty frenetically as Johnson manages to his all the stereotypical high notes in terms of 80s cop movies.

Johnson also handles the art duties on the book, illustrating Schitt in gritty black and white tones. There’s an extreme coarseness to the hash black lines that define the characters and settings that are made even more apparent by setting them against the stark white pages. Schitt is illustrated with a grisliness that’s expected for a cop dealing with the caliber of criminals he contends with. The artwork is also illustrated in a landscape format that’s befitting of the VHS it’s paying homage to. It’s a little curious why Johnson decided to go with black and white instead of the more “traditional” 80s neons, but the absence of color doesn’t hurt the book overall.

Hot Schitt #1 is a rough-edge trip down memory lane. Schitt is a cop who’s really good at what he does. Johnson gives him plenty of avenues for reminding characters (and the reader) that he’s not one to be trifled with. His artwork plays out like a cheesy instructional video in the sense that it guides the reader to what’s happening. Hot Schitt #1 is definitely a unique experience that may seem familiar in terms of its content, but the presentation is a breath of fresh air.

Hot Schitt #1 is available now.

Blood Brothers #1

“It’s time to get to work.”

There are plenty of things around us that go bump in the night, but not everyone can see them to investigate. That’s why it’s a good idea to have people like Diego and Gabriel Soliz of Blood Brothers #1 from Dynamite Comics available to check those things out. The issue is written by Fabian Rangel, Jr., illustrated by Javier Caba, and lettered by Ryan Ferrier.

Diego and Gabriel Soliz are two unusual brothers just trying to do their job in an even more unusual city. What’s their job? They’re detectives in a city populated by creatures from mythology and fantasy. When an Aztec skull is stolen from the museum, the Blood Brothers are assigned to the case!

The script by Rangel, Jr. in Blood Brothers #1 is very clean and effective in getting the reader up to speed on what’s happening. Diego and Gabriel are two brothers who work well together and each bring their own strengths to the table. Rangel, Jr. lays out the first issue in a way that’s really easy to follow along and know exactly what’s happening, informing the reader without holding their hand. The dialogue is pretty sharp and amusing as well, providing the characters with plenty of personality. And Rangel, Jr. paces the issue smoothly in getting the narrative from point A to point B, throwing in some scenarios that are more entertaining than you would expect from a book such as Blood Brothers #1.

Caba’s art style is a mix of drama and comedy. The way he renders characters such as Diego and Gabriel is somewhat unique in that he blends together curves and sharp angles well. Each of the two main characters look distinctly different in a way that plays into their character strengths and the characters that surround them are also illustrated in a way that’s imaginative. The way that Caba lays out the panels is pretty safe in that they’re mostly aligned to a grid, but that doesn’t take away from the flow of the story. There are some interesting colors throughout the issue as well as Caba emphasizes various panels with appropriate hues.

Hellboy has more or less cornered the market on investigating paranormal events, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be room for books like Blood Brothers #1. Diego and Gabriel are investigating the latest supernatural case in their workload and might be in over their head if the end of the first issue is any indication. Rangel, Jr. crafted a script that’s equal parts buddy comedy and supernatural detective case. Caba’s illustrations are a lot of fun and fit the personality of the book very well. Blood Brothers #1 is a very slick and easy read that brings a lot of creativity with its characters.

Blood Brothers #1 is available now.

Zodiac Starforce: Cries of the Fire Prince #1

“Do you ever look back at your life and just have a million questions?”

When faced with a threat from another dimension you can either cower in fear or deal with it. Sometimes dealing with it means relying on a team specifically put together for dealing with such threats. A team like the one in Zodiac Starforce: Cries of the Fire Prince #1 from Dark Horse Comics is a great place to start. The issue is written by Kevin Panetta, illustrated by Paulina Ganucheau, colored by Sarah Stern, and lettered by Christy Sawyer.

An elite group of teenage girls with magical powers have sworn to protect our planet against dark creatures…as long as they can get out of class! Known as the Zodiac Starforce, these high-school girls aren’t just combating math tests — they’re also battling monsters! After defeating a former ZS member and her mean-girl minions, the girls thought they’d get a little break! But a new big bad’s come out to play, and demons are starting to overrun the downtown!

Panetta picks things back up with the Zodiac Starforce team in Zodiac Starforce: Cries of the Fire Prince #1 by showing the reader what the team has been up to since their last go-round. In getting the reader up to speed, Panetta sort of reintroduces all the main players in the issue – even as some of them have slightly different roles this time around. Because of the way Panetta brings the reader up to speed on the current lives of all the members of Zodiac Starforce, the issue is paced pretty evenly as it moves from one member to the next. Some of the issue is devoted to Lily learning more about her role and powers, but the rest of the members are really just jumping right into the thick of things. The dialogue is just as snappy as it was previously as Panetta gives each character their own voice.

Ganucheau’s illustrations in Zodiac Starforce: Cries of the Fire Prince #1 are very airy. Each of the characters sport a look that’s unique to each of them and Ganucheau does a good job in rendering their looks. The “monsters” in the issue are the type of creepy alliance between technology and organic life that Fiona Staples pulls off so well in Saga. Ganucheau stacks panels in a way that keeps up with the pace of the book as it snowballs from checking in with the team to a fight downtown. And Stern’s colors lend the book plenty of vibrant flair.

Zodiac Starforce: Cries of the Fire Prince #1 is a fun return to characters who are a good team that face an array of weirdness. The Zodiac Starforce think they have a handle on the current situation, but clearly things are going to get worse before they get better. Panetta has a firm grasp on each of the character’s personalities and meshes them together seamlessly. Ganucheau’s artwork is bright and bold as it follows along with their latest confrontation. Zodiac Starforce: Cries of the Fire Prince #1 is a lot of fun and definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of team-ups.

Zodiac Starforce: Cries of the Fire Prince #1 is available now.

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http://www.nerdhq.com/indie-comics-spotlight-hot-schitt-1-blood-brothers-1-and-zodiac-starforce-cries-of-the-fire-prince-1/

Best Shots Reviews: SPIDER-MAN - MASTER PLAN #1, BLACK BOLT #3, More

As well as ZODIAC STARFORCE: CRIES OF THE FIRE PRINCE #1 and HAWKEYE #8.

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https://www.newsarama.com/35189-best-shots-reviews-spider-man-master-plan-1-black-bolt-3-more.html

MARVEL LEGACY Brings MOJO WORLDWIDE to X-MEN: BLUE & GOLD

MOJO returns in the first X-Men crossover of the "ResurrXion" era.

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https://www.newsarama.com/35191-marvel-legacy-brings-mojo-worldwide-to-x-men-blue-gold.html

MARVEL LEGACY Returns To PLANET HULK For INCREDIBLE HULK #708

Two frequent Marvel faces reunite.

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https://www.newsarama.com/35190-marvel-legacy-s-incredible-hulk-creative-team-returns-to-planet-hulk-with-708.html

The Mist: “Withdrawal” Review

By: Jaclyn Cascio (@jaclynator)

In the second episode of The Mist, the mysteries of the heavy fog remain undiscovered. When the only thing known is potential death within the mist, the unknown becomes all the more fearsome. So how did the show handle the unknown this week?

The pilot episode of The Mist covered a lot of ground in a single episode, creating tensions among the characters now trapped in the occlusive fog. While events and their resulting tensions received the lion’s share of attention, character depth was lacking. This week, “Withdrawal” did little to remedy the problem. The main characters began to fill very general archetypal roles in the story in the first episode, with potential for growth. However, “Withdrawal” mistakenly failed to live up to the potential possible. Instead, events seemed to happen to the characters, not because of the characters. Simply going through the motions, events unfolded around them, but their traits and personalities (as shallow and underdeveloped as they may be) did very little to affect any situations. In a particular case of assumptions and judgment, a lead character made a life or death choice, giving her control in a script otherwise using characters as simple tools. However, without significant development of her motivations and thoughts, the situation lacked the emotional impact it could have had.

Further perpetuating the flaw of under-developed characters, new characters were introduced throughout “Withdrawal.” Unfortunately, it means that there are more one-dimensional figures added into the mix, detracting from those the show is already struggling to adequately focus on. A new character, Clint, trapped in the mall by the mist, was perhaps the most interesting individual presented in the episode, and the mystery surrounding him and his friends felt like the first true pieces of the book and movie to make their way into the show. For the first time, I actually wanted to root for someone and get to know them! But the potential answers that might have been gleaned from such characters are now lost to the new mall residents and the audience. Another mystery come and gone before its time, it seems.

On the bright side, “Withdrawal” managed to move events forward, even if the characters are stalled. The show appears to be now focused on two distinct groups trapped within the town – one at the mall and the other at the church. Each group has interacted with the mist in different capacities, from mind-bending hallucinations (that might be more than a head trip), to tangible and frighteningly real threats maiming and killing those unlucky enough to find themselves in the mist, unsheltered. The episode gave the audience a taste of what the mist is capable of, both physically and mentally. In fact, the mist itself might be the most interesting and well-developed character so far! The on-screen personalities began to ask the right questions about the mysterious fog, loaded with a healthy dose of fear. But cooler heads have prevailed in some cases and it seems that the not-so-clear but definitely present danger are reason enough to plan to take action.

In moving events forward, this week’s episode of The Mist also managed to throw in some action and scares, which were glaringly inadequate in the pilot. Even the annoying blurring used as a special effect of the mist itself couldn’t detract from the fights, crashes, and bangs that punctuated “Withdrawal.” There was just enough action to wet the whistle for those who are fans of the book and movie, and it helped to maintain a solid pace for the episode. (Because we could get bogged down with all the simple characters right now without throwing them an action bone to sink their teeth into once in a while.) The writing in blood could really open some doors for the mall group to explore the mystery of the mist in the future (if they can just figure out that it’s definitely an attempt to spell out “Arrowhead,” not “Anna”).

Fans of the movie would likely say that humans might be their own most dangerous enemies when thrown into the mist. However, this week, “Withdrawal” did little to make the humans on screen elicit a reaction from the audience. Love or hate, anger or grief – the audience should feel something about the characters, which, disappointingly, The Mist has yet to deliver. Meanwhile, the mist itself is actually becoming increasingly interesting. The little we know about it, nearly overpowered by the total lack of knowing, is where the fun is going to be. Fear, anxiety, and uncertainty are all potential byproducts of the mist, and if nothing else, the show is keeping us in the dark – as we should be! I’m anxious to see what doom awaits some individuals at the ghostly hands of the frightening fog.

A second episode on the books, The Mist is missing some key elements to keep viewers interested, but it still feels like it has potential. Maybe the next episode will rise to the occasion!

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http://www.nerdhq.com/the-mist-withdrawal-review/

EC & DC Horror Houses Revisited In IDW's DIABLO HOUSE (With A Unique WILDSTORM Connection)

IDW Publisher Ted Adas turns writer for an original take on the evil house conceit.

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https://www.newsarama.com/35188-ted-adams-takes-us-into-diablo-house-at-idw.html

Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five Vol. 3 - Brian Buccellato, Mike S. Miller, Tom Derenick, Marco Santucci & Xermanico

Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five Vol. 3 Brian Buccellato, Mike S. Miller, Tom Derenick, Marco Santucci & Xermanico Genre: Graphic Novels Price: $16.99 Publish Date: June 13, 2017 Publisher: DC Comics Seller: DC Comics

Writer Brian Buccellato and an all-star team of artists bring the epic prequel of the hit video game to its shocking conclusion! The Man of Steel’s most implacable enemy, the Dark Knight, has teamed up with the warlord of Thanagar to bring Kryptonite-powered destruction to Superman’s regime and all of its work. But it will take more than brute force to take down the totalitarian regime of the Man of Tomorrow. As the Caped Crusader’s ally Batgirl hacks into Cyborg’s database to broadcast proof of Superman’s brutality to the world, a dimensional vortex is breached, proving that a reality in which the world’s greatest heroes work together is indeed possible. Meanwhile, lethal adversaries like Lex Luthor, Deathstroke and Raven put their own plans into play. Will Superman’s new world order crumble around him? Or will he live to rule another day? Author Brian Buccellato provides all the answers in INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US: YEAR FIVE VOL. 3! Collects INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US: YEAR FIVE #9-20 and INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US ANNUAL #1!

get it now at https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/injustice-gods-among-us-year-five-vol-3/id1238494443?mt=11&uo=2&partnerId=11&at=1010ldoE

CALIBER COMICS September 2017 Solicitations

The revived cult publisher continues on.

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https://www.newsarama.com/35184-caliber-comics-september-2017-solicitations.html

Preacher: “Damsels” Review

By: Jaclyn Cascio (@jaclynator)

The third episode of Preacher’s sophomore season laid the mystery on thick while tugging on the heartstrings this week. The darkly humorous show looking for God in jazz joints has hit all the right notes. Read on for a review of this week’s episode! (Reader beware: Some minor spoilers to follow.)

This week’s episode of Preacher, “Damsels,” opened with Eugene, (Ian Coletti), before his face became his namesake, Arseface. Sweet and thoughtful, the character proved to be a voice of truth, wisdom, and innocence in the show’s first season. “Damsels” succeeded in reinforcing that idea, telling the backstory of Eugene. Tragically humorous, that story nonetheless portrayed the essence of Eugene’s innocence. A brilliant contrast to the other jaded and cynical characters of Preacher, Eugene serves as a counterweight to the sheer chaos employed elsewhere within the series. His presence in “Damsels” was no different, displaying the predicament a vulnerable and endearing character finds himself in, and will hopefully deal with. Eugene’s story in hell is just beginning to be told in this week’s episode, and I’m incredibly excited to see how his story is going to play out, and if he’s going to somehow manage to befriend Hitler!

“Damsels” served as a brilliant reminder that Preacher will never be predictable. Can you reliably expect blood and gore alongside laughter and nonchalance in situations that should not funny or simple? Absolutely. But where one episode finds its gore with an intestine dragging behind a car, this week’s episode finds its gore in a suicide gone awry and the heartfelt efforts of a survivor. Where one episode of the show finds a vampire steeped in violence, fighting his way off a doomed airplane, “Damsels” finds its poignancy in his surprising peacekeeping efforts. This week’s episode proved that while it is expected that the search for God will not go smoothly, it will take the trio to places that the audience won’t necessarily see coming. While we may understand the “feel” of the show, what keeps us coming back for more are the sheer surprises that such a “feel” may present to us. The details are where the fun lies, and “Damsels” reminded me that there is a deep store of surprises within the stories and the characters that is yet to be explored!

On that note, “Damsels” also set up more than its fair share of mystery. I was concerned that the secret of Tulip’s (Ruth Negga) past introduced last week might prove an unnecessary distraction from the search for God, but it integrated into the material of this week without a hitch. Meanwhile, Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun) has an old pal, Dennis…well, it’s definitely a mystery, but with Cassidy, you can never tell how things are going to go. I still have about a million questions about Cassidy, so I’m hopeful that the introduction of Dennis will lead to more information about the roguish Irishman. Eugene is chilling in hell (see what I did there?) – which is bound to lead to some alarmingly funny capers, and Jesse (Dominic Cooper) is on the hunt for God, which is apparently of interest to… some people. Like I said, mysteries abound! “Damsels” set up a lot of interesting and fun directions for the remainder of the season to go, and even with reservations about creating a muddling mess of the plot, I’m properly sucked into the story.

New Orleans introduced as a setting in “Damsels” also added some spunk to the story. Placing the story in a city full of its own character adds some fun flair to season two of Preacher. New Orleans is a funky town, and that jazzy setting can only be a beautiful asset to the show. Throw in some white-suited would-be kidnappers and an impressively smooth fight sequence (to remind us that Jesse Custer is a badass, without or without Genesis), and “Damsels” sets a high standard for entertainment!

“Damsels” was a bit slower than its predecessors of season two as far as action goes, but it was no less exciting. Sharing new facets of the characters and throwing around mysteries like they’re going out of style, this week’s episode of Preacher was fun with a dash of heart coming from Eugene’s story. “Damsels” is another winner in season two!

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