DC COMICS:
Batman And Scooby-Doo Mysteries Extravaganza #1, $4.99
Batman By John Ridley The Deluxe Edition HC, $17.99
Batman White Knight Presents Harley Quinn HC, $24.99
Catwoman 2021 Annual #1 (Cover A Kyle Hotz), $5.99
Catwoman 2021 Annual #1 (Cover B Liam Sharp Card Stock Variant), $6.99
DC Connect #14, AR
DC Poster Portfolio Joelle Jones TP, $24.99
Flash By Mark Waid Volume 8 TP, $34.99
Future State Superman TP, $39.99
Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (Cover A Dan Mora), $9.99
Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (Cover B Michael Cho 1940s Variant), $9.99
Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (Cover C Daniel Warren Johnson 1950s Variant), $9.99
Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (Cover D Neal Adams 1960s Variant), $9.99
Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (Cover E Derrick Chew 1970s Variant), $9.99
Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (Cover F Gary Frank 1980s Variant), $9.99
Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (Cover G Howard Porter 1990s Variant), $9.99
Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (Cover H Jen Bartel 2000s Variant), $9.99
Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 (Cover I Simone Di Meo 2010s Variant), $9.99
Infinite Frontier Secret Files #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Bryan Hitch), $9.99
Mystery Of The Meanest Teacher A Johnny Constantine Graphic Novel GN, $9.99
Space Jam A New Legacy TP, $12.99
Suicide Squad Casualties Of War TP, $29.99
Teen Titans Academy 2021 Yearbook #1 (Cover A Rafa Sandoval/Alejandro Sanchez/Jamal Campbell/Steve Blackwell), $5.99
Teen Titans Academy 2021 Yearbook #1 (Cover B Rafa Sandoval Card Stock Variant), $6.99
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Monday, June 28, 2021
DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for June 29, 2021
Kevin Hart's "Die Hart" Renewed for a Second Season
Roku Orders Second Season of Kevin Hart’s ‘Die Hart’ from Laugh Out Loud
Hart to Star and Executive Produce ‘Die Harter’ for The Roku Channel After Record-Setting Debut of Season One
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROKU) and Laugh Out Loud, the multi-platform comedy brand, today announced Kevin Hart’s comedy action series, ‘Die Hart,’ will return to The Roku Channel for a second season titled, ‘Die Harter.’ Following the series premiere on May 20, 2021 the greenlight is the first Roku Original renewal for The Roku Channel. 'Die Hart' had a spectacular weekend debut, with a record number of households streaming the series.
“‘Die Hart’ exploded out of the gate and after a spectacular debut weekend, has quickly become one of the most watched Roku Originals on The Roku Channel”
“‘Die Hart’ exploded out of the gate and after a spectacular debut weekend, has quickly become one of the most watched Roku Originals on The Roku Channel,” said Colin Davis, Roku’s Head of Original Scripted Programming. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring an equally hilarious, action-packed second season to the record number of viewers who have watched in recent days.”
‘Die Harter’ will be produced by LOL Studios - Laugh Out Loud’s in-house production division. In addition to returning to his starring role, Hart will also executive produce the second season; Laugh Out Loud CEO and Hart’s longtime business partner, Jeff Clanagan, will serve as producer on the project. Tripper Clancy, Candice Wilson, Bryan Smiley, and Thai Randolph also serve as executive producers. Eric Appel will return to direct the second season. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
“It’s been great to see the incredible response to ‘Die Hart’ on The Roku Channel,” said LOL founder and chairman, Kevin Hart. “We’re excited to be partnering with Roku to bring another season to its audience.”
“The return of ‘Die Hart’ marks a pivotal moment in the continued growth and expansion of LOL Studios,” said LOL CEO Jeff Clanagan. “We’re excited for the opportunity to team up with Roku and be the first Roku Original to get a second season. We can’t wait for fans to dive into what is sure to be an even bigger, more action-packed season two.”
The Roku Channel has seen record growth this year, reaching U.S. households with an estimated 70 million people in Q1 2021. Launched in 2017, The Roku Channel is the home of free and premium entertainment on the Roku platform. It features a diverse lineup of more than 40,000 free movies and programs and 190+ free live linear television channels. The Roku Channel licenses and distributes content from more than 175 partners. In addition to Roku devices, The Roku Channel is available on Web, iOS and Android devices, Amazon Fire TV and select Samsung TVs and can be accessed internationally in the U.S., Canada and the U.K.
For more information, visit https://therokuchannel.roku.com.
About Laugh Out Loud:
Laugh Out Loud is a comedy brand and multi-platform entertainment company dedicated to keeping the world laughing together. Founded by comedian, actor, and producer Kevin Hart, LOL delivers the best in comedic content and experiences across its multiple divisions—LOL Audio, LOL Network, LOL Studios, and LOLX. From stand-up legends to the next generation of comedic talent, LOL curates comedy’s boldest voices to produce original scripted and unscripted series, stand-up specials, radio shows and podcasts, live broadcasts, experiential activations, and more. LOL content is distributed to a diverse, global audience of more than 100 million fans across the LOL OTT Network of FAST Channel partners including Pluto, Peacock, Tubi, Roku, Xumo, Redbox, and more. LOL Audio has access to an additional 100 million listeners via our partnerships with SiriusXM, Stitcher, and Pandora. Known for content such as Cold As Balls, What the Fit, Die Hart, and more, the company has amassed more than 1 billion video views across its digital platforms, and has worked with brand partners such as AT&T, Headspace, Lyft, Old Spice, P&G, Viacom, and more. Find us online at www.laughoutloud.com or on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter, YouTube, and Snapchat via @lolnetwork.
About Roku, Inc.:
Roku pioneered streaming to the TV. We connect users to the streaming content they love, enable content publishers to build and monetize large audiences, and provide advertisers with unique capabilities to engage consumers. Roku streaming players and TV-related audio devices are available in the U.S. and in select countries through direct retail sales and licensing arrangements with service operators. Roku TV™ models are available in the U.S. and in select countries through licensing arrangements with TV brands. Roku is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. U.S.A.
This press release contains “forward-looking” statements that are based on our beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to us on the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements include but are not limited to the content, benefits, features, timing and availability of Die Harter and other Roku Originals on The Roku Channel; trends related to TV streaming; and the features, benefits, growth and reach of The Roku Channel and the Roku platform. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially are detailed from time to time in the reports Roku, Inc. files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. Copies of reports filed with the SEC are posted on Roku’s website and are available from Roku without charge.
Roku is a registered trademark of Roku, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. Trade names, trademarks and service marks of other companies appearing in this press release are the property of their respective holders.
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Friday, June 25, 2021
Review: "F9" is for the "Fast & Furious" Family of Fans
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 43 of 2021 (No. 1781) by Leroy Douresseaux
F9 (2021)
Running time: 145 minutes (2 hours, 25 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and language
DIRECTOR: Justin Lin
WRITER: Justin Lin and Daniel Casey; from a story by Justin Lin, Daniel Casey, and Alfredo Botello (based on the characters created by Gary Scott Thompson)
PRODUCERS: Vin Diesel, Neal H. Moritz, Justin Lin, Jeffrey Kirschenbaum, Joe Roth, Clatyon Townsend, and Samantha Vincent
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Stephen F. Windon (D.o.P.)
EDITORS: Greg D'Auria, Dylan Highsmith, and Kelly Matsumoto
COMPOSER: Brian Tyler
ACTION/CRIME/DRAMA
Starring: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Sung Kang, Charlize Theron, Jon Cena, Kurt Russell, Anna Sawai, Don Omar, Shea Whigham, Vinnie Bennett, Finn Cole, JD Pardo, Michael Rooker, Lucas Black, Shad Moss, Jason Tobin, Thue Ersted Rasmussen, Isaac and Immanuel Holtane, Cardi B, and Helen Mirren
F9 is a 2021 action movie from director Justin Lin and is produced by Universal Pictures. It is the ninth installment in the Fast & Furious movie franchise (now also called the “Fast Saga”). A direct sequel to 2017's The Fate of the Furious, F9 finds Dom and his racing family facing a powerful figure from Dom's birth family.
As F9 begins, Dominic “Dom” Toretto (Vin Diesel) has retired from his previous life. He is living in seclusion with his wife, Letitia “Letty” Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez), and his son, Brian (Isaac and Immanuel Holtane), the child he conceived with his former girlfriend, the late Elena Neves. Dom and Letty get a surprise visit from his team/family: Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson), Tej Parker (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges), and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel). Their sometime compatriot, covert operative Frank Petty (Kurt Russell), a.k.a. “Mr Nobody,” apparently captured cyberterrorist, Cipher (Charlize Theron). The plane in which Mr. Nobody was transporting Cipher was attacked by rogue agents, but Mr. Nobody was able to send a coded distress signal meant for Dom and his team.
The leaders behind this attack are Otto (Thue Ersted Rasmussen), the mysterious son of a very wealthy and politically powerful man, and Jakob (Jon Cena), a man who has close ties to Dom. Soon, Dom's sister, Mia (Jordana Brewster), a former member of Dom's team, returns to join the hunt for Jakob. They must stop Jakob and Otto before they can obtain and activate a device called “Aries,” which can hack into any computer system in the world. Before this mission is over, however, Dom will have to reveal his past and his past mistakes, and he will need help from a few figures from his past – including one thought to be dead.
As I write this, it is the morning after I saw F9 at a Thursday night preview show. I can say the same thing about F9 that I wrote about The Fate of the Furious in a review I wrote a few days ago. I love F9. It is the latest installment of a film franchise that has seen its over-the-top action become so … over-the-top that it is practically a kind of superhero and car chase movie series. However, F9 sends this franchise higher – literally – than it has ever gone before. The ludicrous and ridiculous, but oh-so-fun set pieces are a hallmark of this franchise, but F9 actually takes two characters into space. Gravity and physics are totally subverted, but “Fast & Furious” fans won't give a damn while watching F9 anymore than they did watching the last 12 years of this franchise.
I will give F9 credit, however, for inserting some dark and edgy family drama into the story, melodrama even darker and edgier than what The Fate of the Furious gave audiences. And, as in that film, Vin Diesel gets to show his dramatic chops, and he reveals that Dom isn't right all the time, and that sometimes his errors really cost the people close to him. I don't think F9 is quite as good as The Fate of the Furious because the new film's villains are not quite as diabolical as Fate's super-villain (the aforementioned Cipher). Still, I like how F9 puts the family in the fast and the furious.
7 of 10
B+
Friday, June 25, 2021
The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Review: THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS is Perfectly 2 Fast 2 Furious
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 42 of 2021 (No. 1780) by Leroy Douresseaux
The Fate of the Furious (2017)
Running time: 136 minutes (2 hours, 16 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for prolonged sequences of violence and destruction, suggestive content, and language
DIRECTOR: F. Gary Gray
WRITER: Chris Morgan (based on the characters created by Gary Scott Thompson)
PRODUCERS: Vin Diesel, Neal H. Moritz, Chris Morgan and Michael Fottrell
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Stephen F. Windon (D.o.P.)
EDITORS: Christian Wagner and Paul Rubell
COMPOSER: Brian Tyler
ACTION/CRIME/DRAMA
Starring: Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Charlize Theron, Kurt Russell, Nathalie Emmanuel, Scott Eastwood, Elsa Pataky, Kristopher Hivju, Patrick St. Esprit, Luke Evans, and Helen Mirren
The Fate of the Furious is a 2017 action movie from director F. Gary Gray and was released by Universal Pictures. It is the eighth installment in The Fast and the Furious movie franchise (now called the “Fast Saga”). A direct sequel to 2015's Furious 7, The Fate of the Furious introduces a mysterious woman who has the power to turn Dominic Toretto into a terrorist.
As The Fate of the Furious begins, Dominic “Dom” Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Letitia “Letty” Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez) are on their honeymoon in Havana, Cuba. While there, Dom meets a mysterious woman who turns out to be the elusive cyberterrorist, Cipher (Charlize Theron). She has obtained something that she uses to coerce Dom into working for her. Soon afterwards, Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agent, Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson), recruits Dom and his team – his family: Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson), Tej Parker (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges), and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) to retrieve an EMP device from a military outpost in Berlin. However, Dom betrays them all and steals the device for Cipher, and Hobbs and Dom's family, including Letty, are branded criminals.
Intelligence operative and leader of a covert ops team, Frank Petty (Kurt Russell), a.k.a. “Mr Nobody,” arrives with his protege, Eric Reisner (Scott Eastwood), and he has an offer. Mr. Nobody wants Hobbs and Dom's family to help him find Dom and capture the highly elusive Cipher. Mr. Nobody also has a surprise for Hobbs and company. He has recruited Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), the rogue British Special Forces assassin who was hunting Dom and his family until they defeated him and Hobbs and the DSS imprisoned him. But will even Shaw be enough? Cipher can disappear at will and with Dom at her side, she seems unbeatable. Cipher's threat to the world and Dom's betrayal will test the family as never before.
When The Fate of the Furious was initially released to theaters in April 2017, I was too mired in family troubles to bother going to a movie theater to see it. And quite frankly, after what I considered to be a barely average installment in Furious 7, I thought I was done with the franchise. In fact, I didn't even watch The Fate of the Furious when it started playing on basic cable. Recently, I saw a clip from the soon-to-be-released F9 (2021), and I was shocked to see Dominic Toretto playing with a baby. A friend informed me of the events in The Fate of the Furious, and because he and I talked about seeing F9, I decided to rent The Fate of the Furious via Netflix.
Well, I will never doubt you again, Fast & Furious / Fast Saga. I loved The Fate of the Furious. This film franchise's over-the-top action has become so … over-the-top that it is practically a kind of superhero and car chase movie series. These movies are fun, but I thought that the series had reached narrative exhaustion with Furious 7. The Fate of the Furious was the hot-shot injection of jet fuel that the series needed, as far as I'm concerned. And Vin Diesel may have given his best performance of the series in The Fate of the Furious. He really seemed like an evil terrorist, but, at the same time, his grit and determination to manage the evil in order to protect his family feels genuine.
I also want to credit Universal Pictures and The Fate of the Furious in using Havana, Cuba as the setting for the film's opening scenes. It is a love letter to a place that looks beautiful on film. And The Fate of the Furious is also a crazy, mad, insane, and beautiful action movie.
8 of 10
A
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Comics Review: RADIANT BLACK #4
RADIANT BLACK #4
IMAGE COMICS
STORY: Kyle Higgins
ART: Marcelo Costa
COLORS: Marcelo Costa with Rod Fernandes
LETTERS: Becca Carey
EDITOR/DESIGNER: Michael Busuttil
COVER: Eduardo Ferigato and Marcelo Costa
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Justin Mason with Dee Cunniffe; Doaly
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (May 2021)
Rated “T+/Teen Plus”
“Everything Changes”
Radiant Black is a superhero comic book series from writer Kyle Higgins and artist Marcelo Costa. The series focuses on a failed writer who discovers a cosmic force that changes his life. Letterer Becca Carey and designer Michael Busuttil complete the series' creative team.
Radiant Black introduces Nathan Burnett, who just turned thirty-years-old, and things are not going great. A failed writer (thus far), Nathan leaves Los Angeles and returns home to Lockport, Illinois to live with his parents. A night on the town with his old pal, Marshall, leads to Nathan unlocking an alien artifact, “Radiant Black,” that changes his life. This new thing seems totally unique, but there is more to it than Nathan can imagine, so very much more.
As Radiant Black #4 (“Everything Changes”) opens, Nathan continues to have visions of the giant black robot, but he is starting to understand … a little. These latest visions force Nathan to join Marshall for some practice and experimentation. What else can Nathan do?
However, this is also the day that Radiant Red decides that he wants that inevitable knock-down, drag-out fight across the city of Lockport against Radiant Black. The result is that nothing will ever by the same for Radiant Black.
THE LOWDOWN: I was initially interested in Radiant Black because I read (on the Internet) that it might be the first entry in a new “shared universe” of superhero titles from Image Comics. Since reading Radiant Black #1 and the subsequent issues I have come to enjoy reading it for its own sake. Also, an unusually large number of visitors to this blog want to read reviews of each issue.
I can say the same thing about Radiant Black #4 that I have said about the previous issues. Marcelo Costa's art and colors look radiant, and the graphical storytelling gives a strong focus on character development and relationships and drama. And the fight scenes also look good. Kyle Higgins unveils this narrative at an easy pace, and he makes Radiant Black is charming and sweet with tasty secrets.
However, the real treat this time is the truth that Radiant Black #4 has a shocking ending. Yeah, everything changes. Some of you have already read this issue and perhaps, also the recently released fifth issue, so you know that Radiant Black is the real deal in delivering change. So, for the rest of you, dear readers, you may want to feel the radiance.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans looking for something new with a touch of classic in a superhero comic book will want to try Radiant Black.
A
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/
https://radiant.black/
https://twitter.com/KyleDHiggins
https://twitter.com/CostaMarcelo77
https://www.instagram.com/marcelocosta1977/
The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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94th Academy Awards Set for March 27, 2022
THE ACADEMY AND ABC SET MARCH 27, 2022 AS NEW SHOW DATE FOR 94TH OSCARS®
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and ABC announced the 94th Oscars® ceremony will move to Sunday, March 27, 2022. The show, which will air live on ABC from the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, was originally scheduled for February 27, 2022.
The eligibility period for Academy Awards® consideration will return to the standard December 31 deadline: a feature film must have a qualifying release date between March 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021. This year, which is still impacted by the pandemic, eligibility requirements for the 94th Academy Awards will be consistent with the addendums made for the 93rd Awards season and can be found here. Complete 94th Awards rules and specialty category submission deadlines will be announced in June. Following this year, the Academy intends to expand the qualifying requirements for the 95th Awards.
Academy key dates for the 2021 Oscar® season are as follows:
Preliminary voting begins 9 a.m. PT Friday, December 10, 2021
Preliminary voting ends 5 p.m. PT Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Oscar Shortlists Announcement Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Eligibility period ends Friday, December 31, 2021
Governors Awards Saturday, January 15, 2022
Nominations voting begins 9 a.m. PT Thursday, January 27, 2022
Nominations voting ends 5 p.m. PT Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Oscar Nominations Announcement Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Oscar Nominees Luncheon Monday, March 7, 2022
Finals voting begins 9 a.m. PT Thursday, March 17, 2022
Finals voting ends 5 p.m. PT Tuesday, March 22, 2022
94th Oscars Sunday, March 27, 2022
All dates for the 94th Academy Awards® are subject to change.
The 94th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby® Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.
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ABOUT THE ACADEMY:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a global community of more than 10,000 of the most accomplished artists, filmmakers and executives working in film. In addition to celebrating and recognizing excellence in filmmaking through the Oscars, the Academy supports a wide range of initiatives to promote the art and science of the movies, including public programming, educational outreach and the upcoming Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
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Comics Review: ...And Then There Was ... "KILLADELPHIA #14"
KILLADELPHIA #14
IMAGE COMICS
STORY: Rodney Barnes
ART: Jason Shawn Alexander
COLORS: Luis Nct
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon
EDITOR: Greg Tumbarello
COVER: Jason Shawn Alexander
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Jonathan Wayshack
36pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S.(June 2021)
Rated “M/ Mature”
“Home is Where the Hatred Is” Part II: “...And the Sun Washed the Pain Away”
Killadelphia is an apocalyptic vampire and dark fantasy comic book series from writer Rodney Barnes and artist Jason Shawn Alexander and is published by Image Comics. At the center of this series is a police officer caught in a lurid conspiracy in which vampires attempt to rule Philadelphia, “the City of Brotherly Love.” Colorist Luis Nct and letterer Marshall Dillon complete Killadelphia's creative team.
Killadelphia focuses on James “Jim” Sangster, Jr., who comes home to Philly to deal with the final affairs of his recently murdered father, revered Philadelphia homicide detective, James Sangster, Sr. James, Sr. is not dead, but undead – a vampire. Now father and son lead a ragtag team comprised of a medical examiner, a dead president, and a rebellious, but special young vampire in a bid to save Philly from a vampire doom.
Killadelphia #14 (“...And the Sun Washed the Pain Away”) opens with Abigail Adams in full bloom. Like her husband, John Adams, the second President of the United States, she is a vampire. No longer content to be the little wifey, she is determined to be the tyrannical blood queen of Philadelphia. However, she is displeased that John has not remained … displaced.
Meanwhile, James, Sr. is trying to find a way to change James, Jr. from vampire back into a human. Young, black and talented vampire, Tevin Thompkins a.k.a. “See Saw,” might be able to do it. But first, there are complications, and Tevin has to see a man about a resurrection while another vampire man seeks him.
THE LOWDOWN: Killadelphia is in its third story arc, “Home is Where the Hatred Is.” After the pyrotechnics of the previous story arc, “Burn Baby Burn,” this new story line looks to focus on family – damned and otherwise – although this arc is also spewing forth the sounds of bloody battle.
I have said in previous reviews that writer Rodney Barnes is writing a comic book in which he is building a universe similar to what Neil Gaiman did with The Sandman. Initially, The Sandman seemed like one thing, but by the end of its first 12 issues, and certainly by its twentieth issue, The Sandman seemed like an entirely different series. At the beginning of Killadelphia, Barnes used the concept of the second POTUS being a vampire as a hook. Now, via Tevin, Barnes is taking us to a new underworld, one beyond the surface vampire conflicts. Killadelphia is a great vampire comic book because the author isn't just building a new wing in the library of vampire fiction. He is constructing a new city-state of vampire fiction.
There is a moment in Killadelphia #14 when the art team of illustrator Jason Shawn Alexander and colorist Luis Nct recall the lurid cinema of Hammer Films. It is in Alexander's dark, but painterly compositions, and in Nct's lurid colors that this series will sometimes recall previous vampire fiction. However, Alexander often tells the story of Killadelphia by ripping into the neck of vampire fiction and doing new things. When Alexander conveys the anger of Abigail Adams, it is about more than just her determination to rule. We can be sympathetic to the fact that she won't be held down anymore by a mediocre (white) man.
Killadelphia #14 is a another great chapter in this fantastic series. Yes, I am telling you to read it, dear readers.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of vampire comic books and of exceptional dark fantasy will want Killadelphia.
Killadelphia #14 has a backup feature:
“Elysium Gardens” Part 7 “All Power to the People”
Created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander
Story: Rodney Barnes
Art: Chris Mitten
Design: Sherard Jackson
Letters: Marshall Dillon
Edits: Greg Tumbarello
The back-up feature, “Elysium Gardens,” remains in Philadelphia, May 1st, 1985. Angela/Zubiya and her pack of werewolves arrived in the City of Brotherly Love and found their prey, Stregherian witch, Tituba, among the Black liberation group, M.O.V.E. Tituba is a descendant of the people who cursed Zubiya and her pack with their … condition. Now, they are ready to kill the witch, but...
Writer Rodney Barnes makes “Elysium Gardens” both allegorical and metaphorical in the way he uses the brutality, savagery, barbarism, greed, and sin of white supremacy, racism, white colonialism, and white settler violence in the character, setting, and plot of his stories. The werewolves are the angry Negroes, but as Barnes reveals in a mini prologue of real-world assassinations, sometimes, the oppressed have to direct their energies in other ways.
A+
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
https://twitter.com/TheRodneyBarnes
https://twitter.com/jasonshawnalex
https://twitter.com/luisnct
https://twitter.com/MarshallDillon
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/
http://rodneybarnes.com/
The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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