Keanu Reeves is back in action again in John Wick Chapter 4 as the series’ legendary hit man with a price on his head. So with everyone, quite literally gunning for him, John Wick raises the stakes and takes his fight against the infamous High Table to a global level, seeking out the most powerful players in the organisation in his attempt to finally earn his freedom. But first Reeves’ indestructible hit man will have to take on a myriad of rival killers, no mean feat considering the ever increasing bounty on his head, before he can take his shot at a duel with the organisation’s head honcho Marquis de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård).
The fourth instalment of a franchise can often be a major stumbling block for a franchise, no matter how established or popular it has become. Fortunately John Wick Chapter 4 manages to doge that particular bullet. Keanu Reeves is on fine form as you’d expect, indeed his role as the franchises leading assassin fits him like a glove now, and you will be left marvelling at his amazing martial arts skills.
He reunites once again with director Chad Shahelski for what is arguably one of the bloodiest and most ultra-violent chapters in the dazzling gun-fu neon-noir saga so far. Notably, this is the first John Wick movie that doesn’t have the involvement of series creator and writer Derek Kolstad. If you thought the films had been complicated so far, Shay Hatten and Michael Finch arguably elevate the series to a whole new level of bone crunching gun-fu fighting – albeit by sacrificing any real semblance of having a cohesive plot.
Not that any of that really matters as it’s virtually impossible not to get swept along with the grand scale of Chapter 4 and its episodically stylised globe trotting narrative that takes John Wick to New York, Paris, Japan and Berlin. Yes, JWC4 does get a little pretentious and ridiculously OTT at times, but those traits are as intrinsic a part of this franchise now as the gun totting mayhem. The High Table remains as slippery as ever, while Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King and Ian Mc Shane’s New York Continental Hotel manager Winston Scott also return as Wick’s key allies. As the action goes global John Wick encounters a host of different friends and foes along the way: with Donnie Yen as the blind hitman Caine, while Reeves’ 47 Ronin co-star Hiroyuki Sanada adds some samurai style as Wick’s ally Shimazu, whose deadly daughter Akira is played by Rina Sawayama, and Scott Adkins is German High Table boss Killa.
The stylishly choreographed fights and set-pieces are a balletic neon drenched spectacle and undoubtably everything we’ve come to expect from the franchise. Highlights include an astounding fight sequence in Osaka, there’s a frenetic battle in packed nightclub, a breathtaking fight as cars speed around the Arc de Triomphe, and Wick’s epic fight up the 222 steps to the Sacre-Coeur ahead of a sunrise showdown. Stahelski’s direction never falters for a moment as this rollercoaster ride of unrelenting set-pieces unfolds, with shaky camera angels and quick edits accentuating the pace throughout. John Wick Chapter 4 may be nearly three hours of wall-to-wall fighting, but Reeves’ stoic performance, and Staheski’s eye for detail ensures this instalment is one of John Wick’s most thrilling adventure yet!
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
Writer Zeb Wells continues to lift the veil on the mysterious crisis and consequence that kicked-off this new run of Amazing Spider-Man with such a compelling quandary – what exactly did Peter do that turned his fellow superheroes against him and sent MJ into the arms of another man? Well, following last issues cataclysmic return of Benjamin Rabin, The Amazing Spider-Man #22 has a lot of ground to cover as Peter and MJ find themselves teleported into an apocalyptic version of New York City and pursued by the Mayan god of mischief and death, Wayep. Essentially the issue is a flashback to events of a year ago, events which would in turn prove the catalyst for the new status-quo Zeb Wells set out for Peter and MJ at the start his Spider-Man run. What we get this issue isn’t necessarily all the answers we’d hoped for as Peter and MJ receive some unexpected help to find shelter, take stock, and form a Spider-Verse-hopping way out of their predicament.
However, newer readers may still be scratching their heads over exactly who Benjamin Rabin is and what he could possibly have to do with everything that’s been going on with Peter and MJ. Well, Rabin was last seen nearly a decade ago in Amazing Spider-Man #557, where Spider-Man thwarted his plan to become the Emissary of the Mayan god Wayep.
The crazed mathematician then spent years plotting his revenge, which in turn culminated in the devastating series of events we now see unfolding in the flashbacks of this story-arc. Phew! Once you get your head around it the narrative kind of makes sense, but it still feels pretty surprising why Wells has chosen to place such an obscure foe at the centre of whatever Peter did. Zeb Wells writing is pacy and exciting as Spider-Man valiantly goes toe-to-toe with a raging Wayep, the dialogue also feels more on point this issue than of late, but as we’re still only halfway through this massive storyline we clearly still have a long way to go before all the pieces of the puzzle can fall into place.
Now, the quality of John Romita JR.’s artwork has varied somewhat over the course of this run, although he does seem to be back on form again with this current story-arc. The action is pretty fast and furious and JRJR’s pencils strike a seamless balance between the frenetic pace and dramatic action. Likewise, Scott Hanna’s bold inks and colourist Marcio Menzy’s vivid pallet of color nicely complements JRJR’s work, and it seems that the magic themed narrative and alternative dimensional setting has enabled the art team to draw on far more creative vigour than we’ve seen of late.
You know, when this series isn’t getting bogged down in yet another Marvel Comics event, crossover, tie-in, or whatever Amazing Spider-Man can really grab your attention and run with it. As creative teams go, Zeb Wells and John Romita JR. do seem to work well together. Recent issue of ASM have seen Peter claiming he now thinks of MJ as more like a sister to him and he’s also seems to have rekindled his romance with the Black Cat, both are moves that have divided fans and critics alike. Even though I’m not fully on board with the direction the book is taking with the characters, there’s clearly a lot more behind the events that has alienated Spider-Man from his friends and is keeping Peter and MJ apart – especially where magic is concerned. So far there is a sense that we are only just scratching the surface of it all. I’m still willing to give Wells and JRRJ the benefit of the doubt for now and I think Amazing Spider-Man #22 is certainly a step in the right direction.
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
Shazam Fury of the Gods follows on from the events events of 2019’s Shazam! with great gusto and mirth as it lobs a sizeable side order of fantasy into the the DCU’s superhero movie formula. Having been bestowed with the power of the gods in the first movie, Billy Baston (Asher Angel / Zachary Levi) seems to have settled into life with his fellow foster kids and their adoptive family as they adjust to the angst of teenage life – although Billy’s super-powered alter ego seems to be struggling to catch up at times.
His foster family, who are also bestowed with powers, seem to be slowly drifting apart: Freddy (Jack Dylan Grazer/Adam Brody) likes the limelight, Mary (Grace Fulton) has set her sights on going to college, and Eugene (Ian Chen/Ross Butler), Darla (Faithe Herman/Meagan Good), and Pedro (Jovan Armand/D.J. Cotrona) each have their own trials and tribulations to deal with. Now that Billy is on the cusp of aging out the foster system he must fund a way to balance the anxiety about what the future holds while also keeping his family’s teenage superhero life on track.
The Shazam family must set aside their troubles and strife when the villains of the piece finally emerge, three banished Greed goddesses called the Daughters of Atlas – Hespera (Helen Mirren), Kalypso (Lucy Liu), and Anthea (Rachel Zegler) – who have busted out of their their supernatural prison. Now they want to take back the power stolen from them by the ancient Wizard Shazam (Djimon Hounsou) – powers which also give the Shazam kids their incredible abilities.
However, returning director David F Sandberg struggles to recapture the same quirky blend of humour and action that made the first film so charming, instead he attempts to shoehorn too much slapstick into an overstuffed script that is already juggling multiple plot threads, and the end result is unforntuatly a tad underwhelming. Zachary Levi seems to get an uneven share of the screen time in this body-swap superhero retread, while Asher Angel’s teenage Billy Baston often seems almost sidelined as an afterthought. It’s great to see more of Shazam in action but it also ends up having a detrimental effect on the fun duality of the character as a result. Everyone in the Shazam family gets their moment the spotlight, but with an ensemble cast like this it was perhaps inevitable that the film’s three screenwriters would struggle to really do them all justice.
The action sequences are brisk, exciting and pretty spectacular, with our Shazam superhero team racing to save people from a collapsing bridge, the Daughters of Atlas unleashing a world-shattering scheme that see Shazam and his family step up to save the day, and an epic battle where Billy takes on Kalypso and her dragon – there’s even a cameo by Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman and two post credit scenes to look out for as well. Right from the outset, there’s a frenetic, almost breathless pace to Shazam Fury of the Gods, and there is potential here for another sequel – if indeed James Gunn decides to bring Shazam into his new cinematic vision for the DC Universe. Even though the dorkish humour is wearing a bit thin now, Shazam Fury of the Gods is still an action packed family friendly superhero film – even if it does fall short of the first movie.
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
Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe gets off to a confident start with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, as Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) are back to continue their adventures as the diminutive super-heroes Ant-Man and the Wasp. This time Lang and his extended family get caught up in an adventure into the mysterious Quantum Realm after Scott’s 18 year old daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton) manages to send a signal into the mysterious subatomic realm.
Ant-Man and Cassie, along with his partner the Wasp, and in-laws Hank Pam (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) find themselves in a bizarre world filled with micro-fauna, luminescent wildlife, and even stranger looking lifeforms! The familiar sci-fi trappings of this CGI heavy world looks like its been cut from the same cloth as something out of Star Trek or Star Wars, and there’s even a rebellion brewing against an oppressive all-powerful regime run by Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors).
Paul Rudd impresses once again in his role as Ant-Man, its perhaps ironic really how the smallest Avenger suddenly finds himself playing such a big role in shaping the future of the MCU in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Indeed, Rudd, Lilly, and Douglas once again make an engaging trio, Kathryn Newton is also great as Lang’s daughter, Cassie, but it is Michelle Pfeiffer who really stands out as Pym’s wife and Hope’s mother, Janet Van Dyne. Having previously been trapped in the Quantum Realm, Pfeiffer’s character is often right in the thick of the action, although she clearly knows a lot more about the Quantum Ream and its despot ruler than she initially lets on.
Its when hyper-powered Kang himself, brilliantly played by Jonathan Majors, enters the fray that Ant-Man and the Wasp:Quantumania really kicks into high gear, especially when he tries to use Cassie as leverage to get Scott to help him retrieve his power core. Ant-Man must endeavour to do everything in his power to help his family return home and stop Kang’s evil scheme.
There are big action set-pieces galore and mind boggling subatomic world-building that is dazzling to behold. Franchise director Peyton Reed is an assured pair of hands that just about keeps this theequel on track, the complex narrative of Kang’s feature debut is compelling, but Ant-Man’s emotional family drama often gets lost in all the CGI mayhem. Kang’s henchman, M.O.D.O.K (Corey Stoll), is the films biggest stumbling block, and I’m sorry to say the MCU’s take on one of Marvel Comics most grotesque villains is a lamentable effort at best! The subtle charm and humour of the previous Ant-Man films is also somewhat lacking, and its a great shame fun key supporting characters from the first two films also sit this one out.
This Ant-Man movie is essentially all about setting up Kang as the MCU’s next big-bad. There is still a very heartwarming story about family underneath all the CGI spectacle, and it also does a good job of paving the way for the Kang Dynasty and the Multiverse Saga that will eventually culminate in Avengers: Secret Wars. Despite its slight flaws, Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania is still an exciting adventure, although one that’s not quite as fun as the previous Ant-Man films.
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
THE FLASH MOVIE SUPER BOWL TRAILER TEASES MULTIPLE BATMEN!
Worlds collide in our first proper look at The Flash when the first Official Trailer and Big Game TV Spot arrived during the Super Bowl – teasing multiple Batmen and an epic time twisting multiverse style adventure for the DC Universe!
Ezra Miller stars as the Scarlet Speedster in The Flash, directed by Andy Muschietti. When Barry Allen uses his superpowers to travel back in time to change the events of the past, his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future! Trapped on a world without Superheroes, Flash must coax a certain Dark Knight out of retirement and rescue a Kryptonian…. but not quite the one he was expecting! But in order to right the time line and save the universe Barry will be faced with making the ultimate sacrifice!
It seem the Flash with feature no less than two Batmen: Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck, who both back to reprise their iconic roles as the Dark Knight! Sasha Calle also debuts as Supergirl, Kiersey Clemons is back as Iris West, Ron Livingston plays Henry Allen, and Michael Shannon also returns as Zod! , and just shows how badly. Despite all the major change at DC Studios and the controversy surrounding Ezra Miller I’m still pretty excited about this movie – mostly because Keaton is back as Batman! According to James Gunn, The Flash is reportedly “one of the greatest superhero movies ever made” and will reboot the entire DCU to usher in Gunn’s new era for the DC movies.
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
Hi everyone! As you may remember in 2019 I went into hospital for an operation. Well, I’ve been in hospital for another operation, a reoccurrence of the same longstanding condition that’s been giving me a bit of trouble again. Please don’t worry. This surgery was and planed ages ago, its non urgent, but obviously the pandemic led to it being considerably delayed. As I also have a somewhat weaker lung function as well (you may recall I spent time in hospital a few years ago because of a bad chest infection), I was advised to have a spinal again for my operation as it would be safer for me than a general anaesthetic.
Even though I’ve been through this procedure before it was a still a bit of a scary experience being awake while I was being operated on, but the staff were all really nice and looked after me. It’s been a few days since my operation. I’m now home and recovering well. Obviously I’m under Doctor’s orders to take things easy for a bit. So that’ll mean plenty of binge watching box sets and movies for me while I recover over the holiday season – just what the doctor ordered!
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 titanic clash is on the cards in DC Comics Black Adam #6 as the Dark Knight squares off against the Thunder of Atom himself! Batman has had enough of Black Adam, and the feeling is clearly mutual. Having backed an uprising in Black Adam’s politically unstable nation of Khandaq, Wayne’s fiscal and moral support is something that Theo Adam refuses to tolerate any longer and he races to confront Batman – determined to let him and the Justice League know exactly what he thinks of this meddling in the affairs of his homeland.
Set just before the events of Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths, writer Christopher Priest sets the stage for this titanic face-off in Black Adam #6 by going full on with a Dawn of Justice Snyderverse style narrative as the backdrop of this no-holds barred battle between a raging Black Adam and a surprisingly ultra violent Batman. However, the exposition heavy build up is weighty mix of backstory and moral ambiguity for both characters as the motivations for their actions clash even harder than their fists do with each others jaws! It’s a tad heavy-handed, but it does highlight striking parallels of the childhood traumas which the Thunder of Atom and the Dark Knight share that have ironically also shaped their destinies.
The pencils in this issue by Eddy Barrows are really something else, vivid clarity seems to be lavished on every scene, and the use of cinematic page layouts further heighten the tension. Barrows’s work mirrors Priest’s subtext that Black Adam and Batman are dark reflections of each other, and the use of dynamic POV shots and split panels heightens this effect to the max while inker Eber Ferreira brings the issue alive with dark atmosphere and striking detail. The colors by Matt Herms enhance the moody tone even further with dramatic hues and earthy shades.
Christopher Priest’s razor sharp writing makes this issues central conflict, physical and psychological, into a stark examination of the moral duality this adventure holds. Batman and Black Adam are polar opposites, yet alike in so many ways, and this is a really standout moment for both characters. Black Adam is a dubious anti-hero at best, but the Dark Knight’s actions are equally questionable here, and the resolution sets up intriguing possibilities for the next half of this twelve part limited series.
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
The tragic loss of lead actor Chadwick Boseman, who died of cancer in August 2020 aged just 43, brings an added sense of poignancy to Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Writer-director Ryan Coogler’s sequel to his 2018 smash hit Black Panther is both a sombre tribute to the death of the Oscar nominated star and an epic-scale superhero movie that builds on the original film’s powerful themes of colonisation, vengeance and forgiveness.
Ryan Coogler’s screenplay co-written with Joe Robert Cole (who also co-wrote Black Panther with Coogler), makes the passing of Chadwick Boseman an integral part of Wakanda Forever. Opening with the heart-rending death of Chadwick’s King T’ Challa unfolding off-screen while his scientist sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) desperately seeks a cure for the unnamed malady that has struck him down, the raw emotion conveyed by Wright’s performance and Shuri mother Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) in these tragic moments are deeply heart-felt and movingly real. Following the emotive funeral sequence, events return to Wakanda a year later.
However, Wakanda is now a nation adrift without either its king or his iconic alter ego Black Panther, and the Wakandans must find a way to embrace the next chapter of their great nation. As Shuri and Queen Ranonda struggle with their grief, M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) unite as the world powers set their gaze on Wakanda for a share in the nations rights to their precious metal resource vibranium following King T’Challa’s death. With the interventions of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), Everett Ross (Martin Freeman), Dominique Thorn as MIT student Riri Williams/Ironheart and Michaela Coel as Wakandan warrior Aneka a new path slowly begins to emerge for the kingdom of Wakanda.
The political turmoil and intrigue is stoked further by the introduction a flying Mayan merman called Namor (Tenoch Huerta) who emerges from the ocean depths of his kingdom to wage war on the surface world. Much like Wakanda, Namor’s civilisation has its own rich culture and technologies built on the previous recourse vibranium. He fears the forces the surface world will seek to overthrow and colonise his people as the Spanish conquistadors did his ancestors. Namor then proposes an ultimatum for Ramonda and Shuri, to either join him in his war against the surface dwellers or Wakanda will become his enemy.
It is this moral conflict and quandary that drives the narrative of Wakanda Forever and places Shuri front and centre at the heart of the action. Given the film has a veritable plethora of main and supporting characters, Letitia Wright very much takes the lead here in Wakanda Forever and gives an outstanding performance as Shuri. The film does feel a tad overlong though, the pace drags a tad in the mid-section, but things soon pick up once Namor make his presence felt and everything builds to a satisfying showdown on barge in the Atlantic.
While not quite in the same league as the original film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever manages to respectfully address the passing of Chadwick Boseman and weave some intriguing foreshadowing into what future the MCU may hold. Amidst all the action, spectacle and world building at its core it is Basset’s and Wright’s standout performances that really ground the film and keep everything on an even keel. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever may not be the most spectacular Marvel movie, but it is certainly a deeply moving one on which to close Phase Four of the MCU.
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
Al Simmons grand design to bring Wanda back is revealed in at last in King Spawn #16 as the Deadzones become a key move in Spawn’s opening gambit. The pieces are all in place. Both friend and foe alike now face the insurmountable challenge ahead as ambition and power in the quest to claim the throne of Hell heats up! This issue of King Spawn has been touted as a great jumping on point for new readers. Indeed, it is exactly that, and the finely orchestrated narrative writer Sean Lewis has established with this series, arguably the jewel in the crown of the Spawn’s Universe of titles, ultimately comes to fruition with King Spawn #16 in a way that is both satisfying for long-term readers and easily accessible for newcomers. Multiple forces have conspired on all sides to influence Spawn: Raven said he was a pawn in his own game, the Clown deemed him a failure, a court of religious zealots call him a King, and even the goddess Gaia claimed he could bring his believed wife, Wanda, back from the dead. Even as his closest friends fell by the wayside, some even betraying him, Spawn’s actions have become more, and more ruthless as his obsession with the throne of Hell consumed him.
Now he has opened the Deadzones just enough to allow himself and his enemies a peek inside at the havoc he has wrought beyond the veil of reality itself. Sean Lewis juggles a cavalcade of plot threads and dark machinations here which have been carefully set out over the last fifteen issues. Its fascinating to learn the cosmic fury and cataclysm Spawn has unleashed since he closed the Deadzones – effectively cutting Heaven and Hell off from those they have tormented and manipulated since time began; while also trapping their minions who didn’t have time to escape back to their own realms here on Earth.
We get a startling insight into the lofty Angels that have become subservient in order to make sacrifices to themselves, demons who are suffering a twisted energy crisis of mass proportions as they no longer have fresh souls to fuel the fires of their depravity, and the dark cabals of man who impotently prostrate their faith to the forces which no longer hold sway over them. Amidst this potent smelting pot of treachery and betrayal, Al’s best friend, Terry, must make a fateful choice, while Spawn assembles those he’s chosen to do his bidding, sending them on a suicide mission with the prize of success the very throne of Hell itself.
From the moment you cast your gaze over this issues ominous looking cover by artists Puppeteer Lee and Francesco Mattina, you know you are in for something really special from this issue of King Spawn. The interior artwork by Javi Fernandez is quite literally mind-blowing. The epic scope and scale is staggering, as we peel back the veil and observe events cascading between realities, with glimpse into Heaven, Hell and the infinite beyond as Fernandez channels some classic Kirby inspired cosmic visuals. The result is one hell of a mind-trip through the worlds and times of Spawn, past and present, with each moment carefully framed and grounded in its own reality with Javi Fernandez’s distinct visual style. There’s even a subtle moment of reflection for one character that throws an unexpected curve ball into the mix. This powerful moment, darkly punctuated with shadow over a drink in a seedy backstreet bar is perhaps even more shocking than any of the eyeball popping visual spectacles of multiple realities we spiral through over the course of this issue. The color by FCO Plascencia and Color Flats by Sheila Saldana provide a sublime contrast to Fernandez’s art, balancing exuberant tone with wrath filled shadows as the voyage through the intermixed realities of Spawn’s Universe is set out with fervent detail and clarity.
King Spawn #16 is without doubt a standout issue, monumental in scope, visually stunning, and one that elevates the saga of Spawn to a whole new level. The creative team are really firing on all cylinders with this one, and with a surprise arrival of a new Monster-God providing a fittingly epic cliff-hanger, King Spawn is sure to become a must read from here on in. If you like your Spawn unflinchingly brutal, in-your-face dark and gritty, then King Spawn is the comic for you.
Publisher Image Comics
Script / Plot Sean Lewis / (Additional Script Todd McFarlane)
Art Javi Fernandez / Color FCO Plascencia / Color Flats Sheila Saldana
Lettering Andworld Design / Cover Artists Puppeteer Lee / Francesco Mattina
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
The Power of the Doctor marks the end of an era and Jodie Whittaker’s final adventure as the thirteenth Doctor. The stakes couldn’t be higher this time around either as the Doctor battles to save her very existence as she faces the Daleks, Cybermen and her arch nemesis, the Master. The Doctor and her friends must solve the mystery behind a series of bizarre happenings; including an attack by the Cyber-Masters on a speeding bullet train in a distant galaxy, the disappearances of seismologists from 21st century Earth, and the defacing of some of history’s most iconic paintings. As the Doctor is confronted with threats on multiple fronts, the Daleks are also inexplicably trying to contact with the Time Lord, and just what kind of hold does the masterful Rasputin have over Tsar Nicholas in 1916 Russia? The Doctor soon faces a battle to the death against her deadliest enemies. Friends and allies, both old and new, will unite and fight alongside her before one last heartbreaking choice seals the 13th Doctor’s fate forever…
Jodie Whittaker’s five year tenure comes full circle in The Power of the Doctor.
This feature-length episode is a time twisting epic, written by outgoing show runner Chris Chibnall, and directed by Mangus Stone (2020’s Spyfall Part One, Praxeus, Ascension of the Cybermen and the Timeless Children, along with the 2021 Flux episodes The Halloween Apocalypse, War of the Sontarans and Village of the Angels. The Doctor’s companions Yasmin Khan (Mandip Gill) and Dan Lewis (John Bishop), accompany Jodie Whittaker for her final outing as the Doctor, and Jacob Anderson also reprises his role as Vinder from Doctor Who: Flux to briefly rejoin the TARDIS team.
Indeed, a host of friends and foes make a dramatic return in The Power of the Doctor, including Classic companions Ace (Sophie Aldred) and Tegan (Janet Fielding), along with Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave) for the special, even Bradley Walsh returns as Graham… and that’s just for starters! The Master (Sacha Dhawan) is back too, as is Ashad / The Lone Cyberman (Patrick O’Kane), and classic monsters the Daleks and the Cybermen all have key roles in this blockbusting adventure which also pays tribute to past Doctor’s and the legacy of Doctor Who.
Jodie Whittaker’s five year tenure comes full circle in The Power of the Doctor. Her final bow provides a timely celebration of Doctor Who itself, and the special also nicely bookends numerous aspects of the 13th Doctor’s era. The Power of the Doctor is a veritable roller coaster ride from beginning to end. In terms of scale its certainly also one of the most spectacular to date as it features the most special effects shots ever seen in an episode of Doctor Who. Every big action set-piece is massive, even the pre-credits feels like a mini movie in itself. Writer and show runner Chris Chibnall’s era has been something of a mixed bag at times but he certainly delivers the goods here in the scripting of Whittaker’s final adventure.
Airing as part of the BBC’s centenary celebrations, this adventure is packed with action and Easter eggs galore that fans of every era of the show will enjoy. Following the frenetic opening the Doctor discovers the Cyber-Lords have a machine-like world lurking in the Earth’s shadow, one that’s tethered to the Master’s TARDIS and seemingly powered by a mysterious child-like entity. Its not long before the Master’s presence is felt in both the past and the present, leading to a reunion for the Doctor and Yaz with some old friends at UNIT, before the Daleks and Cybermen also enter the fray! There’s a wealth of emotions, action and humour woven throughout Chibnall’s overarching plot as the 13th Doctor rallies against the Master, the Cybermen and the Daleks who have joined forces for a volcanic team-up in order to spring a deadly ‘forced regeneration’ on their mortal enemy.
Jamie Magnus Stone’s stylish direction keeps everything on track, with events racing along at a cracking pace, before giving way to the emotional conclusion that beautifully leads into the 13th Doctor’s startling regeneration.
At its heart though, it is Jodie Whittaker’s outstanding performance as the Doctor that makes The Power of the Doctor into something really special.
It’s clear that Jodie Whittaker had a blast working with Who veterans Jemma Redgrave who plays Kate Stewart, and 80s-era cast members Janet Fielding and Sophie Aldred, as Tegan and Ace. Their return isn’t just window dressing either, and they each have a crucial role to play as the action unfolds. There are heartwarming moments aplenty and emotional farewells too. Mandip Gill gives a particularly standout performance as Yaz’s adventures with the Doctor draw to a close, and there are moments that are especially poignant for the Doctor and Yaz.
Past Doctor’s also show up thanks in part to the Doctor’s subconscious because of the her forced regeneration and her own emergency holographic AI programme, with: David Bradley as the 1st Doctor, Peter Davison as the 5th Doctor, Colin Baker as the 6th Doctor, Sylvester McCoy as the 7th Doctor, Paul McGann as the 8th Doctor and Jo Martin as the Fugitive Doctor! That’s not all, the same AI enables Tegan to have a heartfelt chat with the 5th Doctor, and Ace gets a reunion with the 7th Doctor as well. Both are magical, fan pleasing scenes, and genuinely heartwarming. It was also fitting to see Bradley Walsh return for the 13th Doctor’s send-off, even thought was a little bizarre to see him suddenly appear and team-up with Ace to destroy a volcano full of Daleks! Later its revealed Graham has set up a support group of sorts for ex-TARDIS travellers, where we see Dan, Yaz, Ace, Tegan and Kate Stewart are joined by three more classic Doctor Who companions of yesteryear: Melanie Bush (Bonnie Langford), Jo Jones (Katy Manning) and Ian Chesterton (William Russell) reminisce about their adventures with the Doctor. This was another wonderfully staged and unexpected moment that rounded off this episodes nods to the past in fine style.
At its heart though, it is Jodie Whittaker’s outstanding performance as the Doctor that makes The Power of the Doctor into something really special. Whittaker brilliantly channels the bright and breezy essence that has made her incarnation of the Time Lord so unique from her predecessors. Her Doctor has been a celebration of change, she built a fam of her own, boldly confronted injustice and darkness throughout time and space, and always remained compassionate even in her darkest hours. This episode, above all, perhaps delves deeper into the psyche of the Doctor than ever before.
Most notably of course The Power of the Doctor is also the first time that three classic foes of the Doctor have featured together in one storyline since the shows revival in 2005. The return of Sacha Dhawan as the Master was an inspired move by Chibnall to front the trio of major foes the Doctor must face. Sacha Dhawan brings a scenery chewing performance along with a manic intensity to his incarnation of the Master that is both charming and disturbing. He’s always been the perfect foil for the 13th Doctor, never more so than here, and at times it looks like he could actually succeed in his grand design to highjack her forced regeneration and claim her infinite regeneration cycle for himself. He’s not alone though. The Daleks are also part of his Masterplan, and Patrick O’Kane’s welcome return as the chillingly evil Lone Cyberman makes the Cybermen seem even more deadly than ever this time around.
Now it falls to incoming show runner Russell T Davies to see if he can capture lighting in a bottle for a second time!
The build up to the regeneration itself is another beautifully crafted piece of fan service. It was lovely to see the Doctor and Yaz share one last trip before going their separate ways. Jodie Whittaker is resplendent in her final moments as the 13th Doctor takes in one last sunrise as she regenerates, and in a surprise twist when that regeneration happens she done’t change into her recently announced successor, Ncuti Gatwa, instead she miraculously turns into returning Time Lord David Tennant! Yes, it seems David Tennant and Catherine Tate are indeed reprising their roles for the 60th anniversary, and it has been confirmed that they will appear in three special episodes, set to air in November 2023. The next Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, will then take control of the TARDIS, with his first episode airing over the festive period in 2023!
The Power of the Doctor was a spectacular finale for the 13th Doctor that sets the groundwork for a whole new era moving forward. Now it falls to incoming show runner Russell T Davies to see if he can capture lighting in a bottle for a second time!
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
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