Check out the brand new trailer for Marvel Studios’ “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”! Shang-Chi must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and written by Daniel Callaham, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings stars Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Tony Leung as Wenwu/The Mandarin, Awkwafina as Katy, Michelle Yeoh as Jiang Nan, Meng’er Zhang as Xialing, Ronny Chieng as Jon Jon, Fala Chen as Jiang Li and Florian Munteanu as Razor Fist. The film arrives in theaters Sept. 3..
Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook
A bold new era for Spawn and Image Comics begins with Spawn’s Universe #1, an epic 68 page one-shot written by Todd McFarlane, that sees the official introduction to the hotly anticipated expansion of the Spawn Universe. The world and mythology of Spawn is about to be changed forever. Spawn’s Universe #1 answers age old questions, introduce new heroes, new villains, and paves the way for three brand new ongoing Spawn titles: King Spawn, Gunslinger Spawn, and The Scorched!
From the ominous opening moments through to the action-packed set-pieces, Spawn’s Universe #1 doesn’t hold back, and Todd McFarlane’s tautly plotted script hardly lets up the pace for a moment. Hell’s Throne is empty, and with all the Dead Zone portals in lockdown, Demons and Angels cannot enter or leave the world of man. Those creatures who remain, most of them disguised in human form, are now trapped, and Spawn isn’t pulling any punches in his search for answers from them! With the seismic shock waves spreading around the globe, the narrative becomes interwoven with a thinly veiled social-political commentary as the worlds media debate the crisis, and with Marc’s help Spawn is able to ascertain that Omega Spawn didn’t die after all.
Spawn decides to go on the offensive and strikes back at the demonic factions that have united and now reside on the island where he defeated Omega Spawn. McFarlane uses Spawn’s World #1’s huge scope to send the plot and numerous character into overdrive as Angels and Demons vie for power, new villains Jericho and the Disruptor enter the fray, and Gunslinger Spawn joins forces with Spawn against their mutual enemies!
The three excellent back-up stories by Todd McFarlane in Spawn’s Universe #1 all feed into the narrative of main the storyline. Of them all, Medieval Spawn’s tale is the one that ties-in closest to the central plot of the issue. There is of course plenty of bombastic action as Medieval Spawn confronts a powerful sorcerer, but it’s also a showdown that hints at a far darker connection between past and present than we could’ve possibly imagined. The second story explores the character of She-Spawn and the secret which motivates her to be perhaps the most dedicated Spawn of all. This actually turns out to be the most moving and emotional story of this double-sized issue. Finally we have a brooding interlude with Gunslinger Spawn, a grisly tale which unfolds across four seasons, where the fearsome Gunslinger Spawn must claw his way back from a face-off (quite literally) with his arch enemies. Each of these stories bring something fresh to the table and collectively forge a place of their own in the new Spawn Universe.
McFarlane has assembled some fantastic artistic talent for Spawn Universe #1, with Jim Cheunng (main story), Brett Booth (Gunslinger), Stephen Segovia (Medieval), and Marcio Takara (She-Spawn), with inks by Adelso Corona and Tod McFarlane, and colors by FCO Plascencia, Andrew Dalhouse, and Peter Steigerwald. While I’m not usually a fan of multiple artist on a single issue, artistically their styles differ very slightly, and overall they complement each other really well. The main story is a fantastic showcase for Jim Cheunng, with chilling intrigue brewing from the outset, Spawn at his ruthless best as his quest for information intensifies, and Spawn and Cy-Gor charging into battle on the island are all just a few of the many highlights of the primary story-arc. Stephen Segovia turns in some fittingly titanic battle scenes between Medieval Spawn and a dragon riding sorcerer, while Marcio Takara’s She-Spawn faces an emotive tale of sacrifice and devotion, but its is Brett Booth’s richly atmospheric Gunslinger Spawn that almost totally steals the show out from everyone with a powerful flashback to Gunslinger’s shattering defeat and terrifying rebirth.
Spawn Universe #1 is a momentous historical landmark in the mythology of the Spawn saga. With a plethora of ongoing mysteries, a key piece of Cogliostro’s puzzle falling into place, the fate and roles of friends and foes alike are all caught up the swirling maelstrom of an unholy baptism at sea, and the impact of these events will no doubt reverberate for years to come. With three back-up stories accentuating the action Spawn Universe #1 is both a fan-pleasing extravaganza and the perfect jumping on point for newcomers. The world of Spawn just got a whole lot bigger and it certainly looks like we are in for one Hell of a ride!
Writer Todd McFarlane
Artists Jim Cheunng / Brett Booth / Stephen Segovia / Marcio Takara
Inks Adelso Corona & Tod McFarlane
Colors FCO Plascencia / Andrew Dalhouse / Peter Steigerwald.
Lettering Tom Orzechowski / Andworld Design
Cover Artists J. Scott CaTodmpbell / Brett Booth / Todd McFarlane
Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook
A terrifying new monster stalks the darkest monsters of Gotham in Batman Reptilian #1, DC Comics chilling new six-part Black Label series from the all-star team of writer Gareth Ennis and artist Liam Sharp. Batman used to be the most frightening thing in Gotham. Now something less than human lurks in the shadows, inflicting fear, and blood-curdling violence against the Dark Knight’s infamous Rogues gallery…
In this bone-chilling first chapter of Batman Reptilian: Quick and Dirty, writer Gareth Ennis crafts a bleak and gritty tale interwoven with an almost palpable sense of dread. The opening scenes with Batman meeting out his own brand of justice to a boxing champion who is just as handy with his fists outside the ring as he is in it, immediately sets the tone for this more downtrodden and uglier take on Gotham to what we are used to seeing in the mainstream Batman books. From here Ennis sets the Dark Knight on a path that will see him investigating a horrific attack that spilled out from of a clandestine gathering of some of Batman’s most nefarious foes. The low-tech means Batman employs to uncover what happened during the ensuing bloodbath which followed this gathering is refreshing, to say the least, and the graphic account of events is genuinely stomach churning.
Every brooding, creepy moment of Batman Reptilian is impressively relayed by the gorgeous painted artwork by Liam Sharp. If you thought his work on Green Lantern Season 1 & 2 was out of this world, then you are in for a real treat here is well! Sharp’s depiction of the Dark Knight’s world is truly stunning, Gotham is a noirish rainswept metropolis of ebony shadows and Gothic menace. Batman’s presence is as indistinguishable as the night itself, brutally in-your-face, unflinching and striking dread into the hearts of criminals wherever he appears — quite literally in most instances. Horror is splattered with liberal abandon by Sharp throughout, brining a psychedelic quality to the Rogues gallery of villains, and the gruesome carnage they endure is visceral in the extreme.
The simple premise of having someone, or something, that’s able to strike more fear than. Batman into the hearts of those who terrorise the upper echelons of Gotham’s villains is brilliantly effective — both narratively and visually. Yet for all this issues heady mix of brutality and gore, its the things you don’t see that actually ends up being more terrifying, and none perhaps more so than that sublime final jump moment! If you like your Batman dark and grim, well, Batman doesn’t get much darker than this! Batman Reptilian has taken a long journey to reach the page, originally being written more than five years ago for the late Steve Dillon. Gareth Ennis eventually brought the story to life with the help of Dillon’s friend, artist Liam Sharp, and now this highly anticipated project has finally come to fruition. With its eerily macabre writing from Gareth Ennis and hauntingly stylish art by Liam Sharp, Batman Reptilian #1 is everything we could’ve hoped for, and it sets up a compelling mystery that’s sure to keep us all guessing every grisly step of the way.
Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook
Jason Todd vows to carry out justice in Future State Gotham #2, no matter what the cost! As Gotham reels from a devastating tragedy Red Hood finds himself newly promoted to the rank of Peacekeeper Red in the Magistrate’s regime. With the Next Batman seemingly responsible for the attack, Jason must bring down this new Dark Knight, but he’s got to get past Nightwing and the rest of the Bat-Family first!
Writers Joshua Williamson and Demis Culver have taken the dark concept of a Gotham City run by the Magistrate’s cybernetically enhanced Peacekeepers, established during DC Comics Future State event, and elevated it to a whole new level with this Future State Gotham series. Having sided with the Magistrate to hunt down outlawed superheroes, Future State Gotham #2 has Jason Todd struggling with a crisis of conscience as his role as Peacekeeper Red brings his betrayal of the Bat-Family to the fore and forces him to fight his former allies.
Battle lines are drawn, emotions run high, and not everything is as black-and white as we’ve been led to believe by Williamson and Culver. Jason Todd’s methods and actions have always made him something of a divisive character, and never more so than here in Death by the Family. Jason seems at loggerheads with everyone and everything in this issue. Theres a brooding sense of cross and double cross as the narrative unfolds, which in turn leads to some great character beats, and even a surprise revelation when Red Hood’s secret ally finally emerges from the shadows.
The Akiria themed artwork by Giannis Milonogiannis stylishly captures the frenetic action and pace of the issue. Action flows seamlessly from one scene to the next, with the with roof-top face-off between Jason and the rest of the Bat-Family and a high-octane dash to Blackgate which culminates in a showdown with the Next Batman all just some of the many visual highlights in this issue. I’ve always been a fan of black and white artwork like this in comics, and I think it suits the Cyberpunk tone of Future State Gotham perfectly.
Along with the major plot elements that begin slotting into place during this issue, which in turn gives a whole new context to Jason’s mission and indeed the series as a whole, there’s also a great back up story The Cavalry featuring the Next Batman by writer John Ridley and artist Oliver Coipel to enjoy. With its intricate storyline, strong characterisation and great art Future State Gotham #2 continues to impress with a striking Neo-futuristic take on the Dark Knight’s world and legacy.
Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook
Finding themselves still trapped in the realm of the Green, Levi’s and Jennifer’s psychedelic voyage continues in The Swamp Thing #4 as DC Comics ten-part maxi-series from writer Ram V and artist Mike Perkins delves further into Levi Kamei’s origins as the new Swamp Thing.
It is with Swamp Thing #4 that writer Ram V finally begins to hint at the events surrounding Levi’s transformation into Swamp Thing and what happened on his trip to India to visit his dying father. Separated after the MRI scan Levi underwent to better understand his mysterious transformations into the Swamp Thing, Jenifer’s journey through the darker depths of the Green with the Floronic Man begin to take a sinister turn, while as Swamp Thing, Levi receives some unexpected help from a former avatar of the Green, Alec Holland. After the bizarre interactions with the dual aspects of Poison Ivy last issue, Levi gains far greater insight into the Green with Holland’s guidance, with his role as the new Swamp Thing, along with the cause of the contagion ravaging the Green, and the uncanny schism in which it entwines Levi’s origin as the new avatar of the Green all beginning to fall into place. Ram V cultivates an intricate balance of plot and dialogue throughout the issue. The meeting between Levi and Alec Holland is a masterclass in writing, and the revelations it brings will have you hanging on every word.
Likewise, the gorgeous artwork by Mike Perkins and luscious colors by Mike Spicer are every bit as enchanting as the narrative. We are treated to some truly spectacular vistas as Levi and Jenifer explore the Green, encountering denizens that prove to be both friend and foe, along with startling depictions of the magical and terrifying power which Swamp Thing must learn to embrace lest this seed of contagion spread to our world. This veritable tour de force of wonder and horror Perkins and Spicer craft is absolutely spellbinding, its peppered with memories from across the ages, glimmers of Levi’s past become juxtaposed with the pollination of life and consciousness, and there’s even an epic face-off with the proto-myth of first avatar which Swamp Thing has to confront as well to obtain his evergreen Nirvana.
My Green Amaranthine Part 2 sows seeds of knowledge and foresight as Levi’s quest of self discovery comes full circle. Not everything in this issue is quite as it seems either as reality, memory and myth collide as one. Poison Ivy’s role this issue, though fleeting, is still crucial to the plot. There’s a reckoning with an old foe as well, and Jennifer’s frightening first encounter with Alex as Swamp Thing leaves Levi pondering over the terrible cost it might have on their friendship. There’s also an atmospheric coda to round off the issue that sets the stage for the two-part crossover event between Swamp Thing and Suicide Squad in August. This maxi-seres continues to go from strength to strength. With the brilliant writing and scripting from Ram V and the incredible art by Mike Perkins, Swamp Thing #4 is another enthralling chapter in this new era of Swamp Thing!
Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook
Publisher Image Comics
Writer Tod McFarlane
Art Carlo Barber / Colors Jay David Ramos & Andrew Dalhouse
Lettering Tom Orzechowski
Cover Artists Tod McFarlane, Bjorn Barends, Tonton Revolver
Sci-Fi Jubilee 