Image Comics Announces Book Collection of Chynna Clugston Flores' "Blue Monday"

BLUE MONDAY GROOVES ITS WAY INTO FULL-COLOR PAPERBACK

Chynna Clugston Flores (IT GIRL & THE ATOMICS, Scooter Girl) will release the fan-favorite first volume of BLUE MONDAY, with all-new colors from Jordie Bellaire, this July.

Experience the Pepsi-fueled misadventures of Bleu L. Finnegan, comics’ favorite blue-haired, Buster Keaton-obsessed, Adam Ant-worshipping teenager from the very beginning! Featuring an introduction from Kieron Gillen (THE WICKED + THE DIVINE), this collects the original first volume miniseries as well as early short stories and more.

"BLUE MONDAY in full color is like a dream come true for me, since it's always appeared in the brightest of colors in my head,” said Flores. “The whole thing has been remastered in a sense––the art's been cleaned, it's as bright and alive as it always wanted to be, and it'll be full comic size instead of digest. It'll be at full-volume, maximum obnoxiousness, and I really can't wait for everyone to see its new incarnation."

"I grew up reading BLUE MONDAY in my teenage years, and it is the foundation for exposing me to all sorts of music, comics, and films that saved my adolescence from shit-kicker suburban hell,” said editor Ian Shaughnessy. “As a fan and now a friend, I couldn’t be happier working as Chynna’s editor on these new full-color editions, as well as on the new adventures of Bleu and the gang in future BLUE MONDAY comics. Jordie Bellaire’s vibrant palette is the perfect match for Chynna’s material, and seeing it in color is like reading it all over again, for the first time."

BLUE MONDAY, VOLUME 1: THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT (ISBN 978-1-63215-704-1) hits comic book stores Wednesday, July 27, 2016 and bookstores Tuesday, August 2, 2016, and will be available for $9.99. It can be ordered by retailers with the Diamond code APR160791. It can be preordered now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, and Indigo.

PRAISE FOR CHYNNA CLUGSTON FLORES AND BLUE MONDAY:

"I think a generation owes Blue Monday. It's the missing link. You remove it, you remove huge chunks of the 00s, or at least the stuff that made the 00s worth living, and the stuff that grew from the 00s into the present scene."—Kieron Gillen (THE WICKED + THE DIVINE, PHONOGRAM)

"The art has attitude, just like the characters."—Comics Worth Reading

"I love Blue Monday. Like John Hughes before her, Chynna perfectly recreates that feeling of hanging out with your high school friends (except Chynna has way better taste in music than your high school friends). It’s a beautifully rendered time capsule of a time in your life when the stakes were so small but felt so big. The perfect blend of boredom, anxiousness, and sexual frustration that is high school."—Clark Duke (Hot Tub Time Machine, The Office, Clark and Michael)

“As charming and funny and melodramatic as anything you could want.”—Multiversity

“Her art style is always welcome: with tight, slightly angular lines defining a sleek figure, there's something about it that is just instantly appealing.”—Comic Book Resources


ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

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Marvel and "Magic Shave" Unite for Luke Cage Comic

Super Partners! Magic® Shave Teams Up with Marvel’s Luke Cage for A Close Shave…

Magic® Shave, the undisputed leader in African American men’s grooming and shaving, is pleased to announce a super collaboration with Marvel Comic’s Luke Cage, the Super Hero for hire who’s known for being rough around the edges but always clean cut.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Magic® Shave, the undisputed leader in African American men’s grooming and shaving, is pleased to announce a super collaboration with Marvel Comic’s Luke Cage, the Super Hero for hire who’s known for being rough around the edges but always clean cut.

The power team—Magic® Shave and Marvel Custom Solutions—introduces an exciting two-part original Luke Cage story titled, “Luke Cage In A Close Shave!” The comic, created by Power Man and Iron Fist writer David Walker and fan-favorite artist Dale Keown, is an innovative, integrated media program that Luke Cage fans and beyond won’t want to miss. The action-packed Part One will be on sale in the May issues of Marvel Comics. The complete comic and exciting conclusion will be available in a free digital comic, exclusively at MagicShaveApproved.com/MARVEL.

Magic® Shave has been the pioneer in men’s depilatories for over 100 years, and is everything you need to prevent razor burn and maintain smooth skin. The Magic® Shave collection is comprised of a variety of products in the grooming and shave category. It includes: Razorless Cream Shave Regular Strength, a cream shave that works in 4 minutes and lasts for 4 days, helping to stop razor bumps and give a closer shave than a razor; and new Extra Strength Bump Rescue After-Shave Gel, a clinically tested, oil-free aftershave gel formulated with Vitamin C and Caffeine, designed to visibly reduce the look of bumps, leaving skin feeling hydrated and visibly smooth.

Marvel’s Luke Cage debuted as the first African-American Super Hero to star in his own ongoing title. Between his steel hard skin, and super-dense muscles and bones, he is powerful and cannot be cut by the toughest of blades. In the event of an injury or trauma, recovery time for Cage is usually one-third of that of an ordinary human. Cage is a self-taught hand-to-hand combatant with years of street fighting experience; and he is a superb athlete, despite his great height and weight. He is also self-educated in the law and speaks several languages. He is truly Magic® Shave approved!

To shop online, or learn more about Magic® Shave, visit: MagicShaveApproved.com.


About Magic® Shave:
Magic® Shave is the razorless hair removal system for Black men. The skin-conditioning formulas feature cocoa butter and natural oils for soft, smooth, bump-free skin. The Magic® line of depilatory creams, powders and Magic® Bump Rescue is available at mass, drug and barber/beauty supply stores nationwide, and online at Amazon and MagicShaveApproved.com.

About Marvel Entertainment, LLC:
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information, visit marvel.com.© 2016 MARVEL

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Humanoids Announces "Moebius May" Art Print at San Diego Comic Con 2016

Incal Print to Debut at SDCC

Humanoids, publisher of the international bestselling Incal series, and renowned poster designer Mondo announce new Moebius inspired print available at San Diego Comic Con.

Los Angeles, CA – As part of their Moebius May celebrations, Humanoids reveals work-in-progress artwork from an upcoming Moebius-inspired print based on the worldwide bestselling graphic novel The Incal, created by Alexandro Jodorowsky and Moebius. The print will be available from Mondo at this year’s San Diego Comic Con, July 21-24, 2016.

Jean Giraud aka Moebius was born on May 8, 1938 and was one of the co-founders of Humanoids (Les Humanoïdes Associés). The multiple Eisner and Harvey award winner has been cited as an influence by filmmakers such as Ridley Scott and Hayao Miyazaki, as well as by artists the world over. The concept artist behind ground-breaking films like Alien, TRON and The Abyss, as well as a concept designer on The Fifth Element, is even more acknowledged for his works in comics and graphic novels, including: Arzach, The Eyes of the Cat, and the The Incal, among many others.

Inducted into the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame, Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame and the Science Fiction Hall of Fame amongst a lengthy list of international awards, Jean Giraud passed away in 2012, but his legacy and influence on filmmakers, designers, and artists around the world is keenly felt to this day. When asked to create a print based on the work of this legendary artist, Florian Bertmer said:

"I remember there were a few things that ran through my mind when asked to do a print based on The Incal. For one, I was obviously excited, and I have to admit felt honored to be asked to do it. Keep in mind we are talking about a comic book that was not only drawn by the godlike Jean Giraud, but also written by the one and only Alexandro Jodorowsky himself. It's kinda the comic book equivalent of the Ark of Covenant.

The other things going through my mind? Pure horror and dread. After many sleepless nights and mediocre sketches, I decided to not base my art on events from the book at all, but on what follows after John [Difool] saves the universe and gets reborn. Even though he is the savior, he is still the fool from the beginning, and his karma dooms him to be reborn and relive everything. We see him sitting confused and alone with all these key figures from his past life walking past him. Nobody recognizes him and vice versa.. The only memory he has are the creator's last words: 'Remember!'"


About Humanoids
HUMANOIDS released its first graphic novels 40 years ago in Paris, France, and has published thousands of titles since, including international bestsellers and iconic series such as The Incal and Barbarella. Based in Hollywood, California, with branches in Paris, London, and Tokyo, Humanoids is currently developing multiple film adaptations of its books, including Bouncer, Metal, I Am Legion, and The Z Word (aka The Zombies That Ate The World).

Facebook: www.facebook.com/humanoidsinc | Website: www.humanoids.com

About MONDO
Mondo is an art gallery and online store devoted to a passionate love of film, art, music and toys. The
company has received global recognition for bringing art back to movie poster design and has emerged as one of the leading curators of classic and contemporary film soundtracks on vinyl. Utilizing the talents of world class artists and designers, Mondo produces limited edition, screen printed posters based on film, television and comic properties, working with the leading entertainment brands including DC Comics, HBO, Marvel, Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, Walt Disney Studios and Warner Brothers as well as filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson, Guillermo Del Toro, Zack Snyder, Quentin Tarantino and Edgar Wright.

Based in Austin, TX, Mondo operates out of a permanent gallery space, hosting regular exhibitions featuring a blend of breathtaking original artwork and limited edition screen prints. Mondo aspires to be a creative home for artists and designers to work and have their visions realized, whether through posters, gallery shows, vinyl, apparel or toys. Their first convention in 2014, MondoCon, was a celebration of art, music, film and their creators. Mondo is also recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences with a full archive of film posters as part of their research library. The parent company of Mondo is Alamo Drafthouse.

www.mondotees.com

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Image Comics Announces New "Black Science" Story Arc

BLACK SCIENCE CHARGES BACK INTO THE BREACH

Issue #22 kicks off a new chapter in the mind-bending epic: WE SAY GOODBYE TO OURSELVES

Writer Rick Remender (LOW, DEADLY CLASS) and artist Matteo Scalera (DEAD BODY ROAD, Deadpool) will launch a new story arc in their high-concept, high-stakes science fiction series this July.

Previously in BLACK SCIENCE, the catastrophic final jump of the Pillar cast the last Dimensionaut adrift on the wreckage of his former self, stranded in the furthest reaches of space. Before he reclaiming his mantle as protector of the Eververse, he first had to overcome the demons that lurk within his own soul.

In BLACK SCIENCE #22, Grant McKay threatens to unravel a peace treaty between three godlike races, putting the entire Eververse at risk—all in a hot-headed attempt to rescue his daughter. Big changes, bigger action, and a stunning climax that will shake the world of BLACK SCIENCE to its very foundations!

"The new storyline We Say Goodbye to Ourselves (part 1 of 5) begins in BLACK SCIENCE issue 22, and is a very different new direction for the series,” said Remender. “A hard-earned optimistic appraisal might just lead to a hard-earned victory for Grant McKay. All of the pieces we've set up begin to converge. A new cast member will take the spotlight. An encounter with a strange sorceress will lead to a character defining choice that will change one Dimensionaut forever.”

“We have more exciting new worlds, illustrated masterfully by Matteo, that alone is worth the price of admission,” he added. “And finally one of our cast members returns home to Earth to discover a shocking truth. I couldn't be more excited about this story and the payouts loyal readers have to look forward to."

BLACK SCIENCE #22 (Diamond code: MAY160577) hits stores Wednesday, July 6th, 2016. Final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, June 13th, 2016.


ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

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Amazon Announces Lineup for 2016 Amazon Video "Pilot Season"

Amazon’s New Pilot Season, Featuring Award-Winning and Acclaimed Roster of Talent, Debuts June 17 on Amazon Video

Shows feature notable talent, including Matt Bomer, Kelsey Grammer, Lauren Ambrose, David Krumholtz, Jessica Pare, David Arquette, Thomas Lennon, Zoe Kravitz, Michael Pena and Erik Griffin

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NASDAQ: AMZN)— Amazon today announced the lineup for its next pilot season; a unique development process that gives all customers an opportunity to stream and review pilots in order to help choose the next Amazon Original Series that are then available to Prime Members. These new shows, including two one-hour pilots and six kids pilots, are scheduled to debut on June 17, 2016 exclusively on Amazon Video in the US, UK, Germany, Austria and Japan. New one hour-pilots, The Last Tycoon and The Interestings, which will be available in 4K Ultra HD and HDR, will be joined by new kids pilots including live-action show Sigmund and the Sea Monsters and animated pilots The Curious Kitty and Friends, Jazz Duck, Morris and the Cow, Toasty Tales and Little Big Awesome. All pilots will be available via the Amazon Video app for compatible TVs, connected devices and mobile devices, or online at Amazon.com/amazonvideo.

    “Our process has proven to work time and time again. Their feedback has helped create series that have become fan favorites among critics and customers.”

Amazon customer feedback on pilots have helped make some of the most critically-acclaimed and popular series to date, including multi Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning series Transparent, multi Golden Globe-winning series Mozart in the Jungle, and the most-streamed Amazon Original Series ever by Prime members globally, The Man in the High Castle. Feedback also helped make Amazon Original Kids Series Annedroids, Niko and the Sword of Light and Tumble Leaf that won a combined nine Daytime Emmy Awards.

“We’re focused on bringing customers compelling, must-see TV and we accomplish this by going directly to them for input,” said Roy Price, Vice President, Digital Video and Amazon Studios. “Our process has proven to work time and time again. Their feedback has helped create series that have become fan favorites among critics and customers.”

The new one hour pilots come from an accomplished roster of creative talent such as Academy Award nominee Billy Ray (Captain Phillips, The Hunger Games), Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Donnie Brasco), Academy Award nominee Michael De Luca (The Social Network), Lyn Greene and Richard Levine (Masters of Sex, Boss, Nip/Tuck) and star Golden Globe winner Matt Bomer (White Collar, The Normal Heart), five-time Emmy Award winner Kelsey Grammer (Frasier, Boss), Emmy nominee Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under), David Krumholtz (New Girl) and Jessica Pare (Mad Men).

Creative talent helming the new kids pilots include Tsuneo Goda (Godo), Jonathan Judge (The Thundermans, School of Rock), Andreas Trolf (Sanjay and Craig), Ben Gruber (Spongebob Squarepants, Super Jail), Thomas Borowski and Caroline Foley (Rick and Morty, Robot Chicken), and feature David Arquette (Scream, Jake and the Neverland Pirates) and voice talent, including Thomas Lennon (Bob’s Burgers, Dawn of the Croods), Zoë Kravitz (Divergent, Mad Max), Michael Peña (Ant Man, The Martian) and Erik Griffin (Workaholics).

Amazon’s next pilot season includes the following one hour shows:

The Interestings

Adapted from Meg Wolitzer’s critically acclaimed New York Times best-seller and a co-production with TriStar Television, The Interestings follows a group of artistic teenagers who meet at summer camp in 1974. As they transition into adulthood over the course of the next few decades, their friendships are tested by tragedy, success, failure and secrecy. At the heart is Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) as Jules Jacobson, an aspiring actress who uses her wit to compensate for what she is lacking in glamour, money and the talent her other friends seem to have in spades. BAFTA winner Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fires, Four Weddings and a Funeral) directed the pilot written by Lyn Greene and Richard Levine (Masters of Sex, Boss, Nip Tuck). In addition to Greene, Levine and Newell, Michael De Luca (The Social Network) and Lindsay Sloane (Covert Affairs) serve as executive producers. The Interestings also stars David Krumholtz (Numb3rs), Jessica Pare (Mad Men), Matt Barr (Sleepy Hallow), Gabriel Ebert (Ricki and the Flash), Jessica Collins (Rubicon) and Corey Cott (Public Morals). Wolitzer’s novel, which the series is based on, received numerous accolades from top tier press and made countless “best-of” lists, including Amazon Best Books of 2013: Top 10 Literature & Fiction, Top 100 Editors’ Picks, New York Times’ 100 Notable Books of 2013, inclusion in Oprah’s Best 10 Books of 2013, among others.

The Last Tycoon

A co-production with TriStar Television, The Last Tycoon is written and directed by Academy Award nominee Billy Ray (Captain Phillips, The Hunger Games), and executive produced by Ray and Christopher Keyser (Tyrant, Party of Five), who serve as showrunners, Joshua D. Maurer (Rosemary’s Baby), Alixandre Witlin (Rosemary’s Baby), and David A. Stern (Rosemary’s Baby). Mad Men’s Scott Hornbacher serves as co-executive producer of the pilot, along with Perri Kipperman (Billions). An adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s last work, The Last Tycoon follows Hollywood’s Golden Boy, Monroe Stahr (Matt Bomer, White Collar) as he battles father figure and boss, Pat Brady (Kelsey Grammer, Frasier) for the soul of their studio. In a world darkened by the Great Depression and the growing international influence of Hitler’s Germany, The Last Tycoon illuminates the passions, violence, and towering ambition of 1930’s Hollywood. Lily Collins (The Blind Side) stars as Cecelia Brady and noted Pulitzer-winning Fitzgerald scholar A. Scott Berg serves as consulting producer.

Amazon’s next pilot season includes the following kids shows:

Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (for children ages 6-11; live-action)

Sid & Marty Krofft present Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, a live action show for children ages 6 to 11, based on their classic Saturday morning series from the 1970s. The show is centered on two brothers, Johnny and Scotty, who discover and befriend Sigmund, a friendly young sea-monster who escapes from his old life and his comically dysfunctional brothers Slurp and Blurp. Now, using a Clubhouse as their hiding place, the boys must keep Sigmund safe from an ambitious sea-monster hunter Captain Barnabas. The show is Executive Produced by Sid & Marty Krofft (H.R. Pufnstuf, Land of the Lost) with the pilot being directed by Jonathan Judge (The Thundermans, School of Rock) and starring David Arquette (Scream, Jake and the Neverland Pirates) as Captain Barnabas. Garrett Frawley and Brian Turner (Santa Baby) wrote the new teleplay based on the classic series.

Little Big Awesome (for children ages 6-11; animated)

Little Big Awesome is a comedy for kids ages 6-11 that combines 2D animation, puppetry, and real live action footage as we explore the whimsically weird world of Ballopolis. Our show follows Gluko, a jelly giant, and Lennon, a small kid-like creature with a fuzzy hat, who are inseparable buddies. They adventure through a universe where sea turtles fly, flowers talk, and tear drops splash around on a hot summer day. Gluko and Lennon’s desire to help those around them can, at times, lead them to epically outlandish places, but at the end of the day, this show is about two best buds making their own fun and enjoying the wonderfully strange world around them. Created by Tomas Dieguez (TRONCO), written by Ben Gruber (Spongebob Squarepants and Super Jail), and animated by Emmy award winning studio Titmouse (Randy Cunningham and Metalocalypse).

Morris and the Cow (for children ages 6-11; animated)

Morris and the Cow, an animated comedy for 6 to 11 year-olds, follows Morris, a 10 year-old determined to follow his passion and become a cowboy! Wearing homemade chaps and joined by his best friend, a talking cow named Florence, the duo explores the city of South Krumpton while confronting everyday problems with a mix of grit, determination, and country wisdom. The show is created and written by Andreas Trolf (Sanjay and Craig) and Luke Watson (Memphis Beat), with production and animation by Emmy-winning Bento Box Entertainment (Bob’s Burgers). Featuring the voice talent of Jermaine Fowler (College Humor, Robot Chicken) as Morris, Riki Lindhome (The Muppets, Adventure Time) as Florence, and Thomas Lennon (Bob’s Burgers, Dawn of the Croods) as Jimmy Ray Royce. Also starring Zoë Kravitz (Divergent, Mad Max), Michael Peña (Ant Man, The Martian), and Erik Griffin (Workaholics).

Toasty Tales (for children ages 6-11; animated)

Toasty Tales in an animated comedy for kids ages 6-11, featuring Waffle, Burger and Pants-- three best friends who happen to be Marshmallows living in the long forgotten Move-Along National Park. Every day is a new adventure filled with strange creatures, perilous excursions, and epic tomfoolery, always served with a side of pancakes, hot off the griddle! Together, the trio explore the mysteries of Move-Along, and spin tall tales that maybe…just maybe…. have a hint of truth. Created by Thomas Borowski and Caroline Foley (Rick and Morty, Robot Chicken), written by Merriwether Williams (Spongebob Squarepants, Adventure Time), and animated by Stoopid Buddy Stoodios (Robot Chicken).

The Curious Kitty and Friends (for preschool-aged children)

The Curious Kitty and Friends is a preschool stop-motion animated show, where we will join the upbeat and colorful adventures of kitty cat Komaneko as she explores the wonderful world with her friends Mimmi Bear, Radibo, and Yeti. With her trusty video camera and knapsack in tow, creative and curious Komaneko makes her own movies, usually starring her two favorite dolls, Wink and Ink. This playful show is produced by Dwarf Studios and comes from the mind of Tsuneo Goda, the creator and director of the world-famous DOMO among other numerous characters and award-winning films and series. The talent also includes recognized lead animator Hiro Minegishi, music by Kevin Kiner (Star Wars Rebels, Jane the Virgin) and script by Kent Redeker (Doc McStuffins, Special Agent Oso).

Jazz Duck (for preschool-aged children)

Jazz Duck is an animated series that encourages preschoolers to listen and express themselves as they explore the sounds and musical potential of their world! Jazz Duck is part duck, part saxophone, and loads of physical fun. With the friendship of the Narrator and his animal friends, he embarks on adventures through the noisy Big City that culminate in a musical jam. Created by Tom Jobbins, co-directing with Mark Perrett, the show is animated by award-winning studio Nexus Productions and features a kid-filled voice cast including Myla Beau, Britain Dalton, Tony Espinosa, Aiden Ledowski, and Ava Priestley with saxophonist Ross Hughes as Jazz Duck.


About Amazon Video
Amazon Video is a premium on-demand entertainment service that offers customers the greatest choice in what to watch, and how to watch it. Amazon Video is the only service that provides all of the following:

    Prime Video: Thousands of movies and TV shows, including popular licensed content plus critically-acclaimed and award-winning Amazon Original Series and Movies from Amazon Studios like Transparent, The Man in the High Castle, kids series Tumble Leaf and Chi Raq, available for unlimited streaming as part of an Amazon Prime membership
    Add-on Subscriptions: Dozens of subscriptions to networks like SHOWTIME, STARZ and more, available to Amazon Prime members as add-ons to their membership
    Rent or Own: Hundreds of thousands of titles, including new-release movies and current TV shows available for on-demand rental or purchase for all Amazon customers
    Instant Access: Instantly watch anytime, anywhere through the Amazon Video app on TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and Fire tablets, or online. For a list of all compatible devices visit www.amazon.com/howtostream
    Premium Features: Top features like 4K Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and mobile downloads for offline viewing

In addition to Prime Video, the Prime membership includes unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping on millions of items across all categories, more than one million songs and thousands of playlists and stations with Prime Music, early access to select Lightning Deals all year long, free secure, unlimited photo storage in Amazon Cloud Drive with Prime Photos, access to borrow books with the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, and more. To sign-up for Prime or to find out more visit: www.amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon
Amazon.com opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995. The company is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.com/about.

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Review: "Batman: Bad Blood" Has Bad-Ass Fight Scenes

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 12 (of 2016) by Leroy Douresseaux

Batman: Bad Blood (2016) – Video
Running time:  73 minutes (1 hour, 13 minutes)
Rated MPAA – PG-13 for violence throughout and some suggestive content
DIRECTOR:  Jay Oliva
WRITERS:  J.M. DeMatteis (based on the characters created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger)
PRODUCER:  James Tucker
EDITOR:  Christopher D. Lozinsk
COMPOSER:  Frederik Wiedmann
ANIMATION STUDIO:  The Answerstudio

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY

Starring:  (voices) Jason O'Mara, Yvonne Strahovski, Stuart Allan, Sean Maher, Morena Baccarin, Steve Blum, Gaius Charles, John DiMaggio, Robin Atkin Downes, James Garret, Ernie Hudson, Vanessa Marshall, Jason Spisak, Travis Willingham, Christie Lakin,Matthew Mercer, Kari Walgren, Geoff Pierson, and Bruce Thomas

Batman: Bad Blood is a 2016 straight-to-video, animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation.  It is the 24th film in Warner's line of DC Universe original animated movies.  The film focuses on characters featured in the world of DC Comics' Dark Knight Detective, the Batman.

A sequel to 2015's Batman vs. Robin, Bad Blood finds members of Batman's family, as well as heroes inspired by him, searching for Batman after he goes missing.  This “Bat Family” however, begins to suspect that their “father” is connected to a new crime wave.

Early in Batman: Bad Blood, a new hero calling herself Batwoman (Yvonne Strahovski) battles a group of costumed supervillains:  Electrocutioner, Firefly, Killer Moth, and Tusk, in a Gotham City warehouse-type facility.  Batman (Jason O'Mara) arrives to join the fray, but the apparent leader of the criminals, a man called the Heretic (Travis Willingham), manages to donate explosives in the facility.  Although Batwoman escapes, she does not believe that Batman did.

After several weeks, Batman's disappearance has not gone unnoticed, and crime surges in Gotham City.  Meanwhile, Alfred Pennyworth (James Garret), the faithful butler of Bruce Wayne (Batman's alter-ego, of course), is trying to cover for the missing Wayne.  Alfred sends out a distress signal to the first Robin, Dick Grayson (Sean Maher), the hero now known as Nightwing.  Bruce's son, Damien Wayne (Stuart Allan), the current Robin, also returns home.

Together, Dick and Damien become the new Batman and Robin, and with the help of Batwoman and her alter-ego, Katherine Kane, begin to defend Gotham while searching for Batman.  The truth of Batman's disappearance, however, is far darker and closer to them than the Bat-allies realize.  They will need the help of a new Batman-inspired hero, Batwing (Gaius Charles), to save the day.

Batman: Bad Blood is not the best Batman straight-to-video animated film, nor is it the worst.  The first act, and the last 20 minutes of the film are excellent, so I would say that Bad Blood is on the better side of the Batman animated movies.

I also have to say that the fight scenes are probably the best that I have ever seen in an animated superhero movie.  The individual fisticuffs between pairs of adversaries are comparable to the fighting in live-action martial arts movies.  The aerial battles between characters with the power of flight (because of the costumes and super-suits they wear) are impressive, even dazzling in some places.  The action set pieces, in general, are quite good, especially the one involving that unique Wayne Tech conference building which occurs in the last acts of this movie.

I think the middle of Batman: Bad Blood sometimes comes across as padding, and a little of it does a little to advance the narrative.  Still, it is a good film, but I will say that it is time to move on from the subject matter and plot lines that have dominated the three most recent Batman animated movies, Son of Batman, Batman vs. Robin, and now Batman: Bad Blood.

7 of 10
B+

Saturday, May 21, 2016


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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J-Pop Summit 2016 Announces Song and Dance Contests

J-POP SUMMIT 2016 ANNOUNCES A FUN VARIETY OF JAPANESE POP CULTURE INSPIRED SONG AND DANCE CONTESTS

The San Francisco Bay Area’s Premiere Japanese Pop Culture Event Announces The Return Of J-POP IDOL Karaoke Contest, Odottemita Dance Contest And Popular Cosplay Masquerade; First-Ever “J-POP Queen” Drag Contest Also Announced

San Francisco, CA – J-POP SUMMIT 2016, one of the world’s biggest Japanese pop culture events, has detailed a fun and colorful variety of festival contests, open to attendees and set to be hosted and judged by notable festival Guests of Honor.

J-POP SUMMIT 2016 takes place Saturday and Sunday, July 23rd and 24th, 2016 at the historic Fort Mason Center located in San Francisco’s Marina district. This year, J-POP SUMMIT attendees will be able to experience a vibrant 2-Day celebration of Japanese pop-influenced culture including edgy fashion events, pop art exhibits, live music, interactive showcase and session, accented by ramen vendors, sake-tasting, and additional attractions also highlighted by celebrity Guests of Honor. Full details on 2016 J-POP SUMMIT are available at: www.J-POP.com.

Complementing this year’s dynamic live music program that features some of Japan’s hottest pop, rock and dance artists, J-POP SUMMIT 2016 will deliver a brand new edition of J-POP IDOL, karaoke contest with the support from The Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco. The participants are invited to pay tribute to their favorite Japanese pop stars. This year’s J-POP IDOL will be judged by featured Guest of Honor, pop stars, Silent Siren. The video submission period is from June 3rd to June 15th, 2016, and the winner will receive a special gift from Silent Siren, in person. Entry guidelines are available at: www.j-pop.com/j-pop-idol-contest-2016/.

J-POP SUMMIT 2016 is also proud to announce the launch of the festival’s first ever “J-POP Queen” Drag Contest that will feature special celebrity judge and Japanese drag royalty, Mitz Mangrove, and will be hosted by San Francisco’s most sought after gay icon D’Arcy Drollinger. Contestants are invited to empower their inner J-POP Queen and don their most extravagant costumes to compete with lip sync performances based on pop-inspired themes such as kimono, school-girl, cosplay, and Harajuku-looks. The submission period for performance videos runs from June 20th to June 30th. Full contest details and complete entry guidelines are available now at: www.j-pop.com/drag-contest.

Guest of Honor Mitz Mangrove is a celebrated Japanese TV personality and has used her gender fluidity, eloquent speech and powerful personality to help bring gay culture into the mainstream in Japan, smash stereotypes and redefine how it is perceived. Mitz Mangrive made her professional debut as a singer in 2011 through the Nippon Columbia label with the single, “Wakaitte Subarashii.” She is currently also an active member of the choral trio, Hoshikuzu Scat. Mitz Mangrove is also a star and host a variety of TV and radio shows, and has become a familiar face of everyday Japanese entertainment. For additional artist information, please visit: www.j-pop.com/guests/mitz-mangrove,

J-POP SUMMIT 2016 also celebrates the return of the Odottemita Dance Contest, an online dance phenomenon-inspired competition that has been part of the J-POP SUMMIT main stage program since 2011. This year, the competition will take the form of contestant created video submissions, with the pre-selected winners to the stage and perform as part of their prize. The contest will be judged by festival Guest of Honor and featured performers, GARNiDELiA. Join the competition now by submitting a dance video. The winner will receive an exclusive gift from GARNiDELiA in person. Entry guidelines are available at: www.j-pop.com/odottemita-dance-contest-2016/

Finally, attendees are invited to join in, or simply witness the creativity and colorful spectacle of the JPOP SUMMIT 2016 Cosplay Masquerade, hosted by leading online cosplay community, Coskami. Winners will receive special prizes from JPOP SUMMIT 2016 co-host Coskami. Pre-registration is ongoing at: www.j-pop.com/cosplay-contest-2016/


About J-POP SUMMIT
J-POP SUMMIT is one of the world’s biggest Japanese pop culture events, held every summer in San Francisco, CA. By introducing the latest in Japanese music, fashion, film, art, games, tech-innovations, anime, food, as well as niche subcultures, the festival has become a landing platform for new trends from Japan.

Official website: www.j-pop.com

Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JPOPSUMMIT/featured

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