James Tynion IV Discusses Spoiler, Harper, and More in Detective Comics |
In the DC series Detective Comics, Batman and Batwoman have teamed up with other heroes and battling the evil that lurks inside of Gotham City. At WonderCon, we talked to the writer of the book, James Tynion IV, about the comic and what we can expect for the future of the series.
ComicVine: Cassandra Cain is the center of the series right now. Is she going to have a final confrontation with Shiva?
James Tynion IV: Oh, absolutely. Each arc, I've thought a lot about who is right at the center of each arc moving forward, and right at the center of this arc is Cassandra Cain. This story is very much a big Cassandra Cain story. Trust me, at the end of the next issue, you're going to see her re-enter the fray in the biggest, most bad ass way I could think of. I am very, very excited.
This arc was very much designed to remind people or even tell people who were not familiar with Cassandra Cain from classic continuity, why she is so bad ass, and why I wanted her in this book. I'm excited for people to see that play out.
Batman always has contingency plans for everything. Does he have one if the League of Assassins decides to invade and take over Gotham?
I think he has a few things up his sleeve, but the biggest thing here is that he has been convinced for a long time that the League of Assassins is the real threat. The League of Shadows is just a thing that Ra's al Ghul made up to scare his followers into submission. The idea of this kind of death cult that is the most elite assassins out there, so this is something that Batman is struggling with right at the beginning because he did not think that any of this was real. We're going to see that there's a reason why he didn't think it was real. That's going to be a key part of the next issue as Ra's al Ghul has entered the fray. This story also sets up a lot of stories coming up further down the line for Detective Comics.
We haven't seen Spoiler since she got upset with Tim's "death," and she left. Are we going to see her come back? She is coming back, so when is that exactly going to happen?
The big thing with Spoiler... She ended the Victims Syndicate arc knowing that she wants to help people but no longer believing that being a superhero, being a costumed vigilante, is the right way to help people. We're going to see her take a new role. One of the most telling things that I stuck there at the end of the Victims Syndicate was the idea of her ripping the wiring out of the Batsignal, and the idea that the cops were able to resolve this whole big crisis one night because Batman never found out it happened. That role--the role of the Spoiler--trying to prevent these costumed figures from attacking each other, that is her new position.
We're going to see the character The Wrath, who the most recent incarnation was brought into the universe by John Layman and Jason Fabok a few years ago is one of my favorite stories from that Detective run. We're going to see him coming back onto the scene, ready to do the attack on Gotham that he believes will make him an A-lister, and we're going to see Spoiler try to spoil the whole thing so nobody ever knows that he even tried to attack. That's sort of the new position, and Spoiler is still figuring it out. She's still trying to figure out what's her role, what's her place, and also, I will say that her acting along these lines is going to attract the attention of classic Bat character who has not appeared in a long time, and I'm very excited to bring him back.
What about Harper Row? Is she still going to be working at the hospital, the hospice?
Yeah. Harper Row is still working at the Leslie Tompkins Clinic, and she'll be continuing to show up in supporting cast facility in the book. I've got bigger Harper Row stories down the line, but for the moment, we've got a pretty big cast in Detective already, and we've got Zatana right around the corner in the summer arc Intelligence.
Speaking of large casts, what about Tim Drake?
Oh, my goodness. All I can say is that I know the next time you guys are going to see Tim Drake, but I can't tell you any more than that.
Are you going to be involved with The Button, the big event coming up in Flash and Batman?
I will definitely say The Button is going to have reverberations across the entire line. It will definitely have a major effect of Detective Comics. If you are a big fan of Detective Comics, you should absolutely read The Button.
The big thing that I'm working on this summer that I set the pieces up for in Detective #950 was the Dark Days two-parter that is going to be coming out in June and July that sets up everything to come in the fall, and I can't really say more than that. You guys have seen the big, crazy cover, and I'm working with Scott Snyder, Jim Lee, John Romita, Jr., and Andy Kubert on that. You only pull that all-star cast together to do some pretty big stuff, so I'm really excited for people to read that.
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Exclusive Preview: GOTHAM ACADEMY SECOND SEMESTER #8 |
(W) Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan, Karl Kerschl (A) Adam Archer, Sandra Hope (CA) Karl Kerschl
In an epic climax to this storyline, Olive faces her true destiny as the fate of Gotham Academy hangs in the balance. Will her friends be able to reach her in time...or will the Academy be lost forever?!
RATED T
In Shops: Apr 12, 2017
SRP: $2.99
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Exclusive Preview: OLD MAN LOGAN #21 |
(W) Jeff Lemire (A) Eric Nguyen (CA) Andrea Sorrentino
THE EPIC "PAST LIVES" SAGA BEGINS HERE!
• AN INSTANT CLASSIC FOR THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SERIES! Follow LOGAN through the ages - in the 1800s as a young mutant, to his first encounter with the HULK, to his stint with the X-MEN as WOLVERINE - it's all here!
• OLD MAN LOGAN is accidentally sent spiraling through his own past, forced to relive some of his most tragic and intense moments.
• Will he be able to free himself from these living memories? And will he ever return to the WASTELANDS and the young baby Hulk he left behind?
Parental Advisory
FEB170929 In Shops: Apr 12, 2017 SRP: $3.99
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/articles/exclusive-preview-old-man-logan-21/1100-156446/
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Exclusive Preview: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN RENEW YOUR VOWS #6 |
(W) Gerry Conway (A/CA) Ryan Stegman
• And now…the X-Men!
• Annie just received an invitation to attend Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.
• Guest-Starring Wolverine, Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Professor X!
FEB170850 In Shops: Apr 12, 2017 SRP: $3.99
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Exclusive Preview: IMMORTAL BROTHERS: THE TALE OF THE GREEN KNIGHT #1 |
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Art by CARY NORD with CLAYTON HENRY
Cover A by CARY NORD (FEB172060)
Cover B (Wraparound) by MICO SUAYAN (FEB172061)
Variant Cover by MARC LAMING (FEB172062)
Variant Cover by J.M. DRAGUNAS (FEB172063)
Archer and Armstrong! The Eternal Warrior! Ivar, Timewalker! (And a very brief appearance by Faith!)
It’s winter at King Arthur’s court in Camelot! The monstrous Green Knight has appeared before the Round Table with no armor, a gigantic axe, and a challenge. He has come to insist that the weaker knights participate in a friendly “winter’s game” where anyone can strike him once with his axe, but on one condition: That the Green Knight can return the exact blow in one year’s time. King Arthur has agreed to face the mysterious knight himself, but the Round Table’s youthful and most gallant champion, Sir Gilad, takes up the challenge to protect his king. Much to the court’s surprise, the Green Knight doesn’t flinch as his head is struck clean off…only to pick it up himself and warn Gilad that he is fated to receive the same blow before the year is out. Now, Gilad – the Eternal Warrior – must solve the mystery of who the Green Knight is before his hour at the axe comes to pass! But first, he’ll need to find some help…in the form of his own immortal brothers – Armstrong and Ivar – who shall be united once more!
New York Times best-selling writer Fred Van Lente returns to Archer & Armstrong as Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord (X-O Manowar) joins in for an oversized, 48-page one shot epic!
$4.99 | 48 pgs. | T+ | ONE-SHOT | On Sale APRIL 12 (FOC - 3/20/17)
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Agents Of SHIELD: 6 Shocking Developments From Season 4, Episode 16 |
Marvel's Agents of SHIELD returned after a six-week break. In the last episode, Aida, a Life Model Decoy succeeded in replacing the top agents within SHIELD. They were replaced by LMDs and are trapped inside the Framework--a super-advanced virtual reality world. A small group of agents--including Daisy, Simmons, and Yo Yo--managed to escape. Daisy and Simmons entered the Framework in order to locate their teammates. The episode ended with a glimpse into a shocking upside-down world with Hydra in power.
Warning: Spoilers for Season 4, Episode 16 of Marvel's Agents of SHIELD, "What If...," will be discussed below.
When Daisy awoke inside the Framework, she received a text telling her to wake up her boyfriend and head into the office. She assumed it was Lincoln, who died last season. It turned out to be Grant Ward. This was a shock, and she immediately attempted to use her Quake powers on him with no success. (Daisy developed feelings for Ward in the first season before finding out he was really a part of Hydra).
In this world, Daisy is still going by "Skye" and they are both agents of Hydra. She and Ward have been together for several years, and her Framework version just asked him to move in the night before. Apparently he told her the time wasn't right and he needed some space. He also said, "There are things about me you wouldn't like if you knew." These are the exact words he said in Season 1, Episode 19.
When they arrive at the Triskelion (last seen in Captain America: The Winter Soldier), it is now Hydra's main headquarters. Daisy managed to get onto her computer at her work station to look up some friends. Lincoln died during testing, and Simmons died at the SHIELD Academy from a contamination. Before she can diver further into the file, May demanded she get into the briefing. Daisy is relieved to see her, but May had no idea the entire world is wrong.
In the briefing, May put Skye and Ward on the task to get answers from an Inhuman they've detained. It turned out to be Vijay Nadeer using a false name. In the real world, Vijay was killed by his sister--the senator--because she despised anything alien and was working with The Superior. In the Framework, Vijay managed to get a false Hydra-issued ID--which meant there's a mole inside Hydra.
Since Simmons is dead in the Framework, that meant the real Jemma awoke buried out in the woods. The dead Simmons' body was supposed to have been taken back to England, but Simmons realized she was murdered and buried by the SHIELD Academy. Her sweater had a couple bullet holes, and there were other bodies beneath her. Simmons is questioned by a couple Hydra agents in a coffee shop, but she managed to overpower them. Using the computer in their car, she found there is no record of Daisy Johnson and Fitz's file was restricted. Looking up Coulson, she learned he's a high school teacher and sought him out.
Coulson lectures his class about the evil of Inhumans. He mentioned the "Cambridge Incident" in which an Inhuman girl from Bahrain was rescued and taken there. This was the same child May was forced to kill in the real world. The child killed an untold number of people which allowed Hydra to use this and declare a war against Inhumans.
When Simmons arrived, Coulson didn't recognize her. He freaked out when she showed him the SHIELD ID card in her pocket. When Simmons saw Coulson's hula girl bobble and mentioned "Tahiti is a wonderful place," he forced her to leave. Coulson then reported her to the authorities as a possible "subversive."
Later in his office, he pulled out an old file with newspaper clippings related to key moments in the real world. He also had several sheets of paper with "It's a wonderful place" written over and over.
Fitz is referred to as The Doctor here. He's the second in command of Hydra and developed a way to painfully test potential Inhumans without them going through the Terrigenesis process. After barking orders at May, he visited Madame Hydra, who turned out to be Aida. Aida is naturally in charge of the world in the Framework. She became aware there were some subversives and disabled their escape. Fitz wanted to deal with them himself, passionately stating he wanted to protect everything they've built as well as Aida. If the world wasn't freaky enough, Fitz and Aida kiss.
Daisy found Simmons at their meeting point. The extraction device they programmed into the Framework won't allow them to leave (because Aida disabled it). Ward popped out at them with his gun drawn. Confused when Simmons called him by name, he asked Daisy if this was her contact in the resistance. They both adamantly proclaimed they were not in the resistance. A Hydra agent came upon them and Ward shot him, admitting he was working against Hydra. He saw Skye's test results that revealed she was an Inhuman so he hid them. He was the one that gave Vijay a false ID and is the mole in Hydra.
At the end, Daisy visited Coulson in the hopes he'd remember her. When he doesn't, she apologized saying because she always goes to him when she needs help. He was like family, and she thought that connection would be inside him as well. Hearing this, Coulson recalled her name was Daisy.
The show is loosely following the idea behind the What If? comics. The characters are all leading different lives from the result of one event happening differently. A lot of detail was put into fleshing out the world including the changes to the Triskelion and all the propaganda posters seen throughout. Seeing alternate versions of characters may not be a new concept, but it's fascinating to see the actors take on the changes. With most of the Framework characters pretty much all taking opposite allegiances, it shouldn't be a surprise to see this version of Grant Ward only has good intentions. It's a way to redeem the character and provide awkward and confusing moments for Daisy and Simmons. Because they're trapped in the Framework now, they'll need all the help they can get.
What is Aida's overall plan? Is she hoping to replace all of humanity with their counterparts in the Framework? We still haven't seen who the leader of the resistance is. It was mentioned at WonderCon this past weekend and is also in our interviews with the cast and showrunners. The interviews will be posted soon.
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Exclusive First Look: DEADPOOL VS PUNISHER #2 |
Deadpool and Punisher are about to cross paths. As you can imagine, it won't be a smooth meeting. The two will find themselves in a disagreement which is going to lead to a bit of violence. The first issue goes on sale April 12. If you can't wait that long, Marvel has given us an exclusive first look at the second issue along with Howard Chaykin's variant cover.
(W) Fred Van Lente (A) Pere Perez (CA) Howard Chaykin
Frank Castle has an unstoppable will - a powerful drive to punish those who do wrong, rooted in the tragic killing of his family. Wade Wilson has an unstoppable mouth - an unthinking knack for annoying everyone around him, rooted in thinking he's funny. Both men, however, are among the deadliest on the planet. When they find themselves in disagreement over the criminal known as The Bank, they're in for one of the most brutal fights of their lives! Can Frank kill Wade over and over without ever dying once himself? Or will Wade bug him until he welcomes death?
Parental Advisory
FEB170920 In Shops: Apr 26, 2017 SRP: $3.99
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/articles/exclusive-first-look-deadpool-vs-punisher-2/1100-156441/
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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Blu-ray Review |
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is available on Digital HD and coming to Blu-ray this week. Set before the events of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, the movie focused on the mission first described in the opening crawl of that movie. A small group or Rebels faced incredible odds in order to seek out the Death Star plans.
As the first stand-alone film in the franchise, the movie broke away from the traditional format. The main characters were new, and there was no connection to the Skywalkers--except for Darth Vader's small role.
The visuals in the story were fantastic. Although, given where the story takes place in the timeline, some things did seem a little too new or shiny, but not so much as to take away from the enjoyment of the film. The movie is worthy of the Star Wars name and holds up to multiple viewings. That alone is reason enough to pick up the Blu-ray.
What about the special features?
As great as the movie was, the special features aren't as spectacular. We do get a lot of extra content so it might be a matter of wanting more. We've recently heard about the reshoots and changes made to the story. Even the early trailers featured footage that wasn't seen. Unfortunately we don't get to see any of those deleted scenes. There's no doubt this is a release that needs to be in your collection if you're a Star Wars fan. The question is: Will there be a later release with more extra content?
Having seen Rogue One: A Star Wars Story more than once in theaters, seeing it in your home is a different experience. As you would expect, the visuals and audio on the Blu-ray are phenomenal. Lucasfilm and Disney would do no less. More features would have been nice, but this is a movie you'll want to own as soon as possible.
The Digital HD version is now available and the Blu-ray goes on sale April 4.
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/articles/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story-blu-ray-review/1100-156442/
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Batman Goes Metal In New Comic |
In 2011, DC Comics relaunched its line of comics with the New 52. The creative team of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's run resulted in an acclaimed 50-issue series on Batman, which ended in April 2016. DC Comics announced Snyder and Capullo are reuniting with the rest of the creative team--Jonathan Glapion on inks and FCO Plascencia on colors--this summer with Dark Nights: Metal.
The specifics of the story are being kept vague. Writer Snyder dropped some hints about the upcoming series: "I've been planning Metal for as long as I've been writing Batman," says Snyder. "But this is bigger than Batman. Greg and I started dropping clues during Court of Owls, we continued through our Joker stories and we placed our biggest hints in the run that culminated with Batman #50. And now we're back to tell a story that breaks everything apart. This will be the definitive project of our careers. Metal takes us in an entirely new direction. Greg and I will dig beneath the surface of all the stories we've told to find a place of terror and twisted nightmares."
Snyder also stated the story won't be entirely grim despite the terror and nightmares rooted in it. "Dark Nights: Metal will be celebratory, huge and crazy. I've said it before: I am going for out-of-control dinosaurs and lasers."
The first issue of Dark Nights: Metal will be on sale August 2017.
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/articles/batman-goes-metal-in-new-comic/1100-156440/
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Exclusive Cover Reveals: X-Men RessurXion Variants |
RessurXion is here. X-Men Prime #1 dropped and we got a look at the beginning of the next phase in the lives of the X-Men. Here's your first look at some upcoming variant covers.
(W) Cullen Bunn (A) Jorge Molina, Matteo Buffagni (CA) Humberto Ramos
WHAT IS MAGNETO HIDING?
MAGNETO has joined the X-MEN, but due to their long history, not everyone on the team trusts him...especially not JEAN GREY. With tensions rising between teammates, can the X-MEN come together to be a cohesive force for good? Or will ulterior motives and personal quests derail the entire enterprise? At the end of the day...who can be trusted?
Rated T+
FEB170776 In Shops: Apr 26, 2017 SRP: $3.99
(W) Greg Pak (A) Greg Land (CA) Eric Canete
With Weapon X's killer cyborgs now able to hide in plain sight, Old Man Logan and Sabretooth have formed an uneasy alliance to find the revived Weapon X program and stomp it out before it gets any stronger.
Rated T
FEB170797 In Shops: Apr 26, 2017 SRP: $3.99
(W) Jeff Lemire (A) Eric Nguyen (CA) Greg Land
HULK SMASH, OLD MAN LOGAN SNIKT!
• It's LOGAN versus a WENDIGO and THE HULK - all over again!
• And as he continues his journey through his own past, Logan is forced to relive an especially poignant and painful moment from his past...
• ...Will he try to change the outcome to save a person he loves more than anyone else?
Parental Advisory
FEB170934 In Shops: Apr 26, 2017 SRP: $3.99
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Exclusive Preview: AQUAMAN #20 |
(W) Dan Abnett (A) Philippe Briones (CA) Brad Walker, Andrew Hennessy
"H2.0" part two! Now partnered with foes including the Aquamarines and Scavenger, Aquaman and Mera's mission with the U.S. government is off to a bad start when they discover a bizarre creature that may have killed everyone at a military research lab deep beneath the sea. And it's still hungry...
RATED T
FEB170179 In Shops: Apr 05, 2017 SRP: $2.99
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/articles/exclusive-preview-aquaman-20/1100-156438/
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Exclusive Preview: IRON FIST #2 |
(W) Ed Brisson (A) Mike Perkins (CA) Jeff Dekal
"THE GAUNTLET" BEGINS!
• A mysterious island.
• Seven deadly kung fu masters.
• Danny's in for the fights of his life!
Rated T+
FEB170869 In Shops: Apr 05, 2017SRP: $3.99
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/articles/exclusive-preview-iron-fist-2/1100-156437/
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Exclusive Preview: ALL-NEW WOLVERINE #19 |
(W) Tom Taylor (A) Leonard Kirk (CA) Adam Kubert
ALL-NEW STORY STARTS HERE! "IMMUNE"!
• FROM THE STARS COMES DEATH! An alien ship! A dying passenger!
• Two words uttered that will forever change WOLVERINE's life - starting a non-stop race against a deadly transformative disease, a battle in a quarantined city and a mysterious villain with a target on her head.
Rated T+
FEB170786 In Shops: Apr 05, 2017 SRP: $3.99
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/articles/exclusive-preview-all-new-wolverine-19/1100-156436/
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Comic Vine Weekly Podcast 3-27-17 |
Tony and Mat discuss the latest movie news. Find out what they thought of the Justice League trailer plus Tony's thoughts on the Power Rangers. Then there's some discussion on the latest comics. https://comicvine.gamespot.com/podcasts/comic-vine-weekly-podcast-3-27-17/1600-541/
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Justice League Trailer Breakdown--Here's What's Going On |
This originally was posted here. The version below has been slightly abbreviated. See the original for more images.
After several teasers this past week, the new Justice League trailer is finally here. There's a lot happening, and we see the team coming together to face a deadly threat. Here's everything that's going on in the trailer.
The trailer starts out with Bruce Wayne traveling the world to find the various superheroes to recruit them for an upcoming battle. For a guy who devotes a lot of money and Bat-Vehicles to fighting crime, he takes a more subdued approach to seeking out allies.
We hear Bruce mention an attack is coming, but Wonder Woman disagrees: "It's already here."
In what appears to be Silas Stone's home, a Mother Box has been activated. Silas is Victor Stone's father. He was seen in the video footage Bruce Wayne found in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.
As Silas sees the Mother Box has been activated, a Parademon rises behind him. Parademons were seen in Bruce Wayne's future vision/dream. They are Darkseid's troopers on Apokolips.
Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman, rescues what appears to be a fisherman. We can assume he was rescued from the rough seas and Aquaman didn't sink his boat. In the previous footage shown at last year's San Diego Comic-Con, Bruce arrives at the tavern seeking Aquaman out. Perhaps that scene takes place right after this.
Cyborg is shown in action. It's not clear how long it's been since his transformation. He is using his abilities to help others. That should make him easier for Bruce Wayne to find.
The trailer shifts to showing the Flash in action. We can expect a lot of flashy visuals with the Speed Force. In a more abbreviated scene than what was shown in last year's footage, Bruce throws a Batarang at Barry Allen in order to get him to reveal he's the Flash after he tries denying it.
Batman is finally shown in action. In the middle of a battle, Batman swings into a Parademon, dodging lasers being fired at him.
Aquaman makes a giant leap in order to throw his trident at some Parademons.
During this scene, Wonder Woman tells Bruce, "They said the age of heroes would never come again." It's not clear what or who this is referring to. Were there other heroes? Were there other heroes in this cinematic universe before now? Perhaps we'll find out more in the Wonder Woman movie.
Aside from being half machine, Cyborg is also able to fly. He can also cover up the exposed parts of his face.
Some viewers have critiqued the DC movies as being too serious. There will be humor in the movie. Barry asks Bruce what his superpowers are. Bruce replies, "I'm rich." This also sets the scene to reveal Batman's new vehicles.
Lois Lane makes an appearance. From Batman v. Superman, we know Superman is unable to take part in the action--at least for now.
Mera, Aquaman's wife in the comics, is seen underwater. It's not clear how much of Atlantis we'll see in the movie.
Barry Allen is visiting his father, Henry, in prison. Similar to the comics and TV show, Henry must have been arrested when Barry's mother was killed by Reverse Flash. This is something that would be fleshed out in the solo Flash film.
A horde of Parademons is attacking. It looks like either the battle has arrived on Themyscira, Wonder Woman's home island, or the Amazons have joined in the fight elsewhere.
Batman meets up with Commissioner Gordon, who comments, "It's good to see you playing well with others again." We know Batman's been active in Gotham for years and that his partner, Robin, was killed. Aquaman arrives when Batman and the Commissioner are speaking. His comment towards Batman's outfit further shows there will be some humor. Batman and Aquaman may not be getting along too well.
Despite any differences Batman and Aquaman may have, they will be fighting side-by-side. Aquaman posed on top of the speeding Batmobile also further illustrates his brash and reckless behavior. Aquaman here is a warrior that seems to enjoy a good fight.
Justice League arrives in theaters on November 17.
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Exclusive Preview: TRANSFORMERS LOST LIGHT #4 |
(W) James Roberts (A/CA) Jack Lawrence
RODIMUS, MEGATRON and the exiled crew of the Lost Light realize that there's only one thing they need to do before they can resume their quest. Unfortunately, that thing is "save the world." Can the AUTOBOTS overcome the odds and save the day? To be honest, probably not.
JAN170494 In Shops: Mar 29, 2017 SRP: $3.99
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/articles/exclusive-preview-transformers-lost-light-4/1100-156434/
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Exclusive Preview: THE X-FILES #12 |
(W) Joe Harris (A) Andrew Currie (CA) Menton3
"Skinner," Part 1 (of 2): Assistant Director Walter Skinner finally gets the spotlight! When a face from the past resurfaces, Skinner must confront painful memories of the Vietnam War in his effort to keep a dark secret from being exposed.
JAN170451 In Shops: Mar 29, 2017 SRP: $3.99
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/articles/exclusive-preview-the-x-files-12/1100-156433/
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Power Rangers Review |
The Power Rangers are finally back on the big screen, and instead of being a camp, kiddie focused feature, this newest incarnation is like The Breakfast Club meets The Avengers, mixing a teen drama in a superhero origin story. Jason (Dacre Montgomery), the school's star football player meets Billy (RJ Cyler) and Kimberly (Naomi Scott) in Saturday detention. Billy is a technical genius, while Kimberly is a cheerleader on the outs with her squad. The ragtag group soon are joined by Zack (Ludi Lin), a reckless classmate who rarely attends school, and Trini (Becky G), the "new girl" and outsider in their their hometown of Angel Grove. The first two acts of the movie centers around the teens getting to know each other as they’re chosen to become Power Rangers in order to protect the world from the villainous Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks).
During the group's journey to become true Power Rangers, we learn more about this band of misfits and the complications they face in their lives. The movie successfully establishes the team as flawed and makes them more relatable, compared to the uninspiring versions in the original series. The same could even be said for the Power Rangers' mentor, Zordon (Bryan Cranston), who the team find trapped inside an ancient spaceship. In part due to his slightly different backstory, Zordon comes across as a little harsh to the teens due to Rita's threat to the world and a surprisingly selfish motive on his part.
While the film is less campy than the original series, it's not a completely dreary movie. The chemistry between the actors is palpable, and there are plenty of moments of levity as they interact with each other and learn how to adjust to their new Power Rangers abilities. The inclusion of the quirky robot Alpha 5 (voiced by Bill Hader) further provides comedic relief as he helps train the Rangers.
Surprisingly, there's really only a few action scenes in the film, and there's also a lack of meaningful exploration of the character of Rita Repulsa. Having less action than expected in a big blockbuster movie and not fully fleshing out a villain are risky moves, but it does offer a strong payoff in the end here. A big-action movie like this needs an over-the-top villain like Rita, but it's the characters' bonds that carry the story in the film. Rita's motives are never fully explained--other than a villain's typical lust for ultimate power. Rita's character feels closer to the original TV incarnation instead of having a deeper take similar to the teens, Zordon, and Alpha 5. Elizabeth Banks delivers a fine performance with what she has to work with, though this Rita simply isn't a compelling villain.
The fight-scene visuals are heavy with CG elements--and a big departure from the original series’ low-budget scenes. The CG scenes sometimes contain too much CG, giving an unbalanced feel when compared to those taking place in the teens' home and school. The effects to shine when the team morphs into their Power Rangers armor. Seeing the in-costume Rangers fighting Rita's Putty Patrollers does an excellent job of balancing the old-school cheesy vibe with modern movie visuals. The days of spandex clad and rubber creatures are over. The Rangers' hand-to-hand combat can also be displayed with more flare and on a grander scale compared to the past incarnations.
Despite convincing performances during the character bonding moments from the Power Rangers actors, the lack of big-action scenes are a letdown. Diehard fans will want to see the Rangers' Zords or the Megazord vehicles fighting giant monsters but that action is mostly contained in the climactic battle. The franchise is known for its over the top action, and there just isn't enough here.
Minimal gigantic Megazord action aside, Power Rangers may be just another big-budget Hollywood reboot, but unlike some such as 2001's Planet of the Apes or 2010's Clash of the Titans, it’s got plenty of charm. It's an appealing blend that captures the source material's essence while simultaneously making sure it stands on its own--and with characters you'll want to see return in a potential sequel.
If you want to know what happens next, click here.
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/articles/power-rangers-review/1100-156432/
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Exclusive Preview: ALL-NEW X-MEN #19 |
(W) Dennis Hopeless (A) Paco Diaz (CA) Mark Bagley
• Together at last!
• In the aftermath of the X-Men's war with the Inhumans, the original five X-Men are reunited once more...
• ...but will they walk into an uncertain future together or apart?
Rated T+
JAN171075 In Shops: Mar 29, 2017 SRP: $3.99
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/articles/exclusive-preview-all-new-x-men-19/1100-156430/
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Exclusive Preview: BLACK WIDOW #12 |
(W) Chris Samnee, Mark Waid (A/CA) Chris Samnee
IT ALL LEADS TO THIS!
• All the secrets...
• All the lies...
• All the vengeance...
• It all ends here.
Rated T+
JAN171029 In Shops: Mar 29, 2017 SRP: $3.99
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/articles/exclusive-preview-black-widow-12/1100-156431/
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