Godzilla: World of Monsters Review

29 Wednesday Sep 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, IDW Publishing

Tags

Godzilla, Godzilla Cataclysm, Godzilla Gangsters & Goliaths, Godzilla Oblivion, Godzilla World of Monsters, IDW, IDW Publishing

Godzilla: World of Monsters

Review by Paul Bowler

IDW’s Godzilla: World of Monsters features some of the King of the Monsters greatest sagas in one massive 335 page volume that collects the three Godzilla graphic novels: Gangsters & Goliaths by John Layman and Alberto Ponticelli, Cataclysm by Cullen Bunn and Dave Wachter and Oblivion by Joshua Fialkov and Brian Churilla.

This trade collection begins with Godzilla: Gangsters and Goliaths by superstar creators John Layman (Chew) and Alberto Ponticelli (Unknown Soldier). This outstanding tale is perhaps as bizarre as it is ingeniously inventive, when Godzilla ends up classing head on with the Tokyo criminal Yakuza underworld after Detective Makoto Sato embarks on the quest to take down a notorious crime syndicate. Sato’s mission unfortunately earns him a tropical getaway to Monster Island. Here he must fight for survival against gangsters and goliaths – whilst ensiling the help of some very unusual friends along the way. Gangsters & Goliaths is a quirky and exciting spin on the usual Godzilla tropes, with a great story by John Layman, and stylish art from Alberto Ponticelli.

Next up we have Godzilla: Cataclysm by Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun) and Dave Wachter (The Guns of Shadow Valley). Bunn’s ominous Godzilla story takes place many years after a terrifying monster apocalypse that virtually wiped out all of mankind. Now that disaster is only a nightmarish memory for Hiroshi, the elder of one of the few surviving human tribes. But the apocalypse isn’t over yet, far from it, and Hiroshi’s memories of the past may end up being the only hope of saving the future of mankind. This grim tale makes for compelling reading, and the impressive artwork by Dave Wachter depicts the apocalyptic world and monster in action in vivid detail.

Godzilla: Oblivion, written by Joshua Fialkov Doctor Who, I Vampire), with art by Brian Churilla (Big Trouble in Little China), rounds off this Godzilla collection with an adventure set on an Earth where there are no monsters, until a scientist builds a machine that creates a portal to another dimension leading to an Earth-like world where monster rule and Godzilla is the mightiest of them all. When a team embarks on a voyage to explore this alternate reality, they discover what happened to that world, and their frantic return to their own Earth risks brining something very nasty back with them. Oblivion has a unique Sci-Fi unique twist in the story, although the art is a bit variable at times, and lacking in finer detail. Minor quibbles aside, Oblivion remains a fun and action packed Godzilla adventure.

Godzilla: World of Monsters showcases some of the best collections from IDW Publishing’s extensive Godzilla comics. This trade paper back features Godzilla at his best, reigning supreme no matter what world or timeline we find him in, and this excellent trilogy of epic tales has something for every Godzilla fan to enjoy.

Publisher IDW Publishing

Writers John Layman, Cullen Bunn, Joshua Fialkow

Artists Alberto Ponticelli, Dave Wachter, Brian Churilla.

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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

Matrix 4: Resurrections Trailer Released!

09 Thursday Sep 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Trailers & Posters

≈ 25 Comments

Tags

Keanu Reeves, Matrix 4, Matrix 4 Resurrections, Matrix Resurrections, New Matrix Trailer

The first trailer for THE MATRIX 4: RESURRECTIONS has been released. Keanu Reeves and Carry Ann Moss will be reprising their roles as Neo and Trinity, even though both characters died during the last Matrix movie. It would seem, the plot will centre on Neo once more, except he has returned to his regular life as Thomas Anderson and doesn’t remember the events of the previous movies. The cast also includes Priyanka Chopra, Neil Patrick Harris, Jonathan Groff, Christina Ricci, and more in new, undisclosed roles.

I loved the original film, but wasn’t that keen on its sequels.. Fingers crossed Matrix 4: Resurrections will be a return to form. The highly anticipated film will arrive in theaters & on HBO Max on December 22nd. .

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Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Film Review

07 Tuesday Sep 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Film Reviews

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and the Legend of the Ten Rings review, Martial Arts, Marvel, Marvel Comics, MCU, Phase Four, Shan-Chi, Simu Liu

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Review by Paul Bowler

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a spectacular new Asian led chapter in the next phase of Marvel’s highly anticipated wave of post Endgame movies, and also a much needed breath of fresh air for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Staring actor and stuntman Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, who post blip is using the alias of Shaun while working as a hotel valet in San Francisco, together with his best friend Katy (Awkwafina). When they are suddenly attacked by the deadly Razor Fist (Florian Munteanu) and his henchmen, Shang-Chi has no choice but to reveal his true identity and return home to face the demons of his past, including his father, Wenwu (Tony Leung), who just happens to be the centuries old super-villain leader of the Ten Rings organisation!

Director Destin Daniel Cretton stylishly blends the superhero fantasy and martial arts action. The frenetic fight sequences are beautifully choreographed, with Simu Liu performing many of his own stunts, and as origin stories go Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a great addition to the MCU line-up. The saga of the Ten Rings, the mystical weapons that grant their owner great power and immortality, is intricately woven into the narrative, and Shang-Chi’s fears his that estranged sister Xu Xialing (Meng’er Zhang) will also be targeted sees him race to Macau with Katy to find Xialing.

The plot hardly pauses for a moment from the outset. Highlights included a Jacky Chan like sequence on a skyscraper swathed in bamboo scaffolding, there’s a cage fight between Wong (Benedict Wong) and the Abomination (voice by Tim Roth), a daring Speed-style chase unfolds through the streets of San Francisco, and a bombastic finale of epic proportions round off Shang-Chi’s MCU debut in fine style.

Simu Liu effortlessly makes the role Shang-Chi his own, while Awkwafina’s scene stealing turn as Chi’s comic sidekick ensures there’s plenty of fun moments interspaced between the frenetic action. There’s some father son angst that gives the plot added depth, sacrifices are also made, and everything builds to a fittingly spectacular – if somewhat CGI heavy – climatic mystical showdown. The supporting cast is excellent as well, although I felt the addition of Sir Ben Kingsley’s character Trevor Slattery (the faux Mandarin from Iron Man 3) was a little bit superfluous.

As Marvel Studios first film with an Asian director and a predominately Asian cast, Shan-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a fine exploration and representation of Asian culture, and a visually impressive and exciting MCU film on every level. There are plenty of Easter eggs and MCU references to past movies and future Phase Four projects to enjoy as well. This film may not be as game changing as Black Panther, but it was way more fun than Black Widow! Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ring is a good all-round action-adventure film in its own right, the dazzling martial arts fight sequences will blow yu away, and the post credit scenes (featuring some fan pleasing cameos) bring the character of Shang-Chi even further into the wider mythology of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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King Spawn #1 Review

02 Thursday Sep 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Image Comics

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

Gunslinger Spawn, Haunt, Image Comics, King Soawn, King's Spawn #1, Nightmare Spawn, TODD McFARLANE

King Spawn #1 Review

Review by Paul Bowler.

King Spawn #1 is a historic comic book event for Todd McFarlane’s Spawn – namely that this hotly anticipated issue marks the launch of the first new ongoing Spawn since the character originally debuted in 1992. Nearly three decades in the making, Image Comics King Spawn #1 continues to expand on events from SPAWN’s UNIVERSE #1 as the forces of Hell, Heaven, and the Heroes all begin to assert their power and influence on Earth.

Sean Lewis and Todd McFarlane have crafted something of a horror noir themed anthology with King Spawn #1, which features a lead story and numerous back-up stories to make this giant sized issue extra special.

The main storyline is a dark, sombre affair, which opens with a shocking attack, and the grim tone and bloodletting hardly lets up from there. Its a story more akin to a supernatural detective thriller really, with Spawn investigating a gruesome trail of murderous carnage, and utilising the resources of his allies to hunt down a mysterious killer via a list that holds the name of every Shadow Player – the Demons and Angels hiding in human skins on Earth – but it seems there even darker forces waiting in the wings. This gripping opening story is beautifully illustrated by Javi Fernandez with colors by FCO Plascencia. From the ominous rainswept graveyard scene to a vengeful Spawn’s grim quest around the city to uncover answers to the heinous series of murders, Fernandez and FCO dynamically render this atmospheric saga in exquisite detail, with striking visuals, dynamic page layouts, and rich colors throughout. The cliffhanger sets up some intriguing possibilities that will no doubt shape and influence the new Spawn Universe in the months ahead.

Haunt, the first back-up story, is drawn by Stephen Segovia. Its a good little story that serves as a reminder of Haunt’s abilities, along with the dynamic with his ghostly brother, and it sets up a mission Haunt must undertake to save himself after he’s fallen in love. Marcio Takara handles the art for Nightmare, a decidedly bloody and gory interlude with Nightmare Spawn, a great looking character with a truly monstrous personality. Then we have The Hero illustrated by Philip Tan, its a nerve jangling tale of terror with a surprise twist in the tale, and it will be interesting to see where this character goes next. Finally we have Gunslinger, drawn by Brett Booth which of course focuses on Gunslinger Spawn. Its a great tale about the fate that befell the Gunslinger, how revenge consumed him, and where that same fate has inexplicably placed him now.

Rounding off this amazing first issue of King Spawn is an interview with Sean Lewis by Todd McFarlane that provides even greater insight into this new era for Spawn. The hype and anticipation around King Spawn has been phenomenal and its sure to be a huge hit. I’m pleased to say that this issue more than lived up to the hype, and its also a fairly good jumping on point for new readers as well. This reviews a tad late as I’ve been off for most of August enjoying a summer break with my family. I’ve been really looking forward to getting King Spawn #1, so I thought it’d be a good issue for me to cover and get back into my reviewing groove again. I even treated myself to a couple of the variants as well, and I’m really excited to see what the Spawn Universe will bring — especially Gunslinger Spawn in October!

Publisher Image Comics

Script / Plot Sean Lewis / Todd McFarlane (additional dialogue) King Spawn

Art Javi Fernandez (King Spawn), Stephen Segovia (Haunt),

Marcio Takara (Nightmare), Philip Tan (The Hero), Brett Booth (Gunslinger).

Inkers Adelso Corona & Danniel Henriques / Colors FCO Plascencia (King Spawn)

Additional Colors Andrew Dalhouse, Marcelo Maiolo,

Peter Steigerwald, Dave McCaig

Lettering Andworld Design (King Spawn), Tom Orzechowski

Cover Artists Todd McFarlane, Puppeteer Lee, David Finch, Sean Gordon Murphy, Brett Booth (inked by McFarlane), Greg Capullo (inked by McFarlane), Donny Cates (inked by McFarlane).

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