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Monday, October 25, 2021
IDW Publishing Shipping from Diamond Distributors for October 27, 2021
Image Comics Shipping from Diamond Distributors for October 27, 2021
Marvel Comics Shipping from Diamond Distributors for October 27, 2021
Comic Books, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for October 27, 2021
DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for October 26, 2021
Aquaman Green Arrow Deep Target #1 (Of 7) (Cover A Marco Santucci), $3.99
Aquaman Green Arrow Deep Target #1 (Of 7) (Cover B InHyuk Lee Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Aquaman Green Arrow Deep Target #1 (Of 7) (Cover C Ivan Reis & Joe Prado Card Stock Variant), AR
Aquaman The Becoming #2 (Of 6) (Cover A David Talaski), $3.99
Aquaman The Becoming #2 (Of 6) (Cover B Khary Randolph Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman Fortnite Foundation #1 (One Shot) (Cover A Greg Capullo & Jonathan Glapion), $4.99
Batman Fortnite Foundation #1 (One Shot) (Cover B Alex Garner Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Batman Fortnite Foundation #1 (One Shot) (Cover C Donald Mustard Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman The Long Halloween Special #1 (One Shot) (Cover A Tim Sale), $7.99
Batman The Long Halloween Special #1 (One Shot) (Cover B Tim Sale), $7.99
Batman The Long Halloween Special #1 (One Shot) (Cover C Tim Sale), AR
Checkmate #5 (Of 6) (Cover A Alex Maleev), $3.99
Checkmate #5 (Of 6) (Cover B Matt Taylor Card Stock Variant), $4.99
DC Connect #18, AR
DC Vs Vampires #1 (Of 12) (Cover A Otto Schmidt), $3.99
DC Vs Vampires #1 (Of 12) (Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), $4.99
DC Vs Vampires #1 (Of 12) (Cover C Ejikure Team Glow In The Dark Card Stock Variant), AR
DC Vs Vampires #1 (Of 12) (Cover D Jorge Molina Glow In The Dark Card Stock Variant), AR
Deathstroke Inc #2 (Cover A Howard Porter), $3.99
Deathstroke Inc #2 (Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Detective Comics #1044 (Cover A Dan Mora) (Fear State), $4.99
Detective Comics #1044 (Cover B Lee Bermejo Card Stock Variant) (Fear State), $5.99
Harley Quinn #8 (Cover A Riley Rossmo) (Fear State), $3.99
Harley Quinn #8 (Cover B Derrick Chew Card Stock Variant) (Fear State), $4.99
Nubia And The Amazons #1 (Of 6) (Cover C Joshua Sway Swaby Megalustre Card Stock Variant), AR
Robin #7 (Cover A Simone Di Meo), $3.99
Robin #7 (Cover B Francis Manapul Card Stock Variant), $4.99
RWBY Justice League #7 (Of 7) (Cover A Mirka Andolfo), $3.99
RWBY Justice League #7 (Of 7) (Cover B Simone Di Meo Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Task Force Z #1 (Cover A Eddy Barrows), $3.99
Task Force Z #1 (Cover B Tyler Kirkham Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Task Force Z #1 (Cover C Rodolfo Migliari Team Card Stock Variant), AR
Task Force Z #1 (Cover E Kyle Hotz Arkham Knight Color Card Stock Variant), AR
Wonder Girl #4 (Cover A Joelle Jones & Adriana Melo), $3.99
Wonder Girl #4 (Cover B Jamal Campbell Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Wonder Woman Black And Gold #5 (Of 6) (Cover A Julian Totino Tedesco), $5.99
Wonder Woman Black And Gold #5 (Of 6) (Cover B Simone Bianchi), $5.99
Wonder Woman Black And Gold #5 (Of 6) (Cover C Rose Besch), AR
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Comics Review: "KILLADELPHIA #18" - The Revolutions Begins
KILLADELPHIA #18
IMAGE COMICS
STORY: Rodney Barnes
ART: Jason Shawn Alexander
PENCILS: Christopher Mitten (pp. 21-23)
COLORS: Luis Nct
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon
EDITOR: Greg Tumbarello
COVER: Jason Shawn Alexander
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Simon Bisley
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (October 2021)
Rated “M/ Mature”
Killadelphia and Elysium Gardens created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander
“Home is Where the Hatred Is” Part VI: “The End of Things”
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. and his father, revered Philadelphia homicide detective, James Sangster, Sr., thought to be dead. He is actually 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 (Tevin Thompkins a.k.a. “See Saw”) in a bid to save Philly from an ambitious and murderous former First Lady.
As Killadelphia #18 (“The End of Things”) opens, Abigail Adams and her vampire hordes and legions are tearing Philadelphia apart and tearing through its human citizens. Meanwhile, back at the heroes' ranch, Anansi is ready to bounce, but at least he is offering some parting words of wisdom.
James Sr. is determined that Jim Jr. and Jose's unborn child – his grandchild – have a better life than he got and than what he gave Jim Jr. So, he's off to battle … with a few friends. There's no way they can survive Abigail Adams, so they need allies... The reckoning for a city and a nation is finally at hand, but are all the players on the board?
THE LOWDOWN: Killadelphia's third story arc, “Home is Where the Hatred Is,” comes to an end. I thought that this would be the story arc that most reveals the complexities and multiple layers of Killadelphia. I thought it would be the one that reveals this series as more dark fantasy than mere vampire comic book. And it is.
I think I do need a break from the series. I have run up against a rhetorical wall. What more can I say? Every issue I read impresses me and inspires me to create my own fiction. So I need a few months breather before I take on the next glorious arc and more Rodney Barnes. I'll have extra time to mine the dictionary for new words of praise and glorification. Can you imagine what Barnes' Falcon comic book series would have been if Marvel Comics had not canceled it?
As for artist Jason Shawn Alexander: Jason’s art continues to astound me. He is just beyond talented. Isn't it crazy or coincidental that we feel the say way about Jason, Mr. Barnes? Seriously, Jason's art in this closer is like the best of elements of 1960s and 70s horror comic books, Hammer Films, and Bill Sienkiewicz – all brought together in a way only Jason can do.
Colorist Luis Nct, who has always done great work on this series, lost his mind and created a comic book coloring masterpiece in Killadelphia #18. Marshall Dillon's lettering brings peace to the story, or at least enough so that we can read through the madness. And I credit artist Chris Mitten for bringing his “A game” so that his guest art here blends in without a bump.
I'll end this review by saying that Killadelphia #18 is yet another chance for readers to get in now on the best of the best. However, even if you get far behind, dear readers, it will be such fun to catch up.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of vampire comic books and of exceptional dark fantasy will want Killadelphia.
[This issue includes an afterword by Rodney Barnes.]
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
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https://imagecomics.com/
http://rodneybarnes.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imagecomics/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Image-Comics-Inc/178643148813259
https://www.twitch.tv/imagecomics
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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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Friday, October 22, 2021
Review: 2021 "DUNE " is Both Tremendous and Tedious
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 63 of 2021 (No. 1801) by Leroy Douresseaux
Dune (2021)
Running time: 155 minutes (2 hours, 35 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, some disturbing images and suggestive material
DIRECTOR: Denis Villeneuve
WRITERS: Denis Villeneuve, Jon Spaihts, and Eric Roth (based on the novel by Frank Herbert)
PRODUCERS: Denis Villeneuve, Cale Boyter, Joseph M. Caracciolo, and Mary Parent
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Greg Fraser (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Joe Walker
COMPOSER: Hans Zimmer
SCI-FI
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Stellan Skarsgard, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Chen Chang, Dave Bautista, David Dastmalchian, Charlotte Rampling, Babs Olusanmokun, Benjamine Clementine, and Golda Rosheuvel
Dune is a 2021 science fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve. It is based on the 1965 novel, Dune, written by author Frank Herbert. This the third screen adaptation of Herbert's novel after writer-director David Lynch's 1984 film and writer-director John Harrison's 2000 television miniseries. Dune 2021 focuses on the male heir to a noble family who finds himself in the middle of conspiracy and prophecy on a desert planet where is found the most vital element in the universe.
Dune opens in the far future in the year 10,191. The most valuable substance in the universe is “Spice,” which extends human vitality and life and is absolutely necessary for space travel. Spice is only found on the desert planet, Arrakis. For over eighty years, House Harkonnen, one of the noble houses of the “Landsraad,” has mined the planet for Spice.
Now, the Emperor of the Known Universe has ordered House Harkonnen to withdraw from the planet. The Emperor has appointed Duke Leto I (Oscar Isaac) of House Atreides and ruler of the ocean planet, Caladan, as the new fief ruler of Arrakis and the one responsible for the mining of Spice.
However, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), the son of Leto and his concubine, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), is the focus of the Bene Gesserit, a powerful sisterhood who wield advance mental and physical abilities, to which Jessica belongs. The Bene Gesserit have a prophecy concerning a “superbeing,” called the “Kwisatz Haderach,” and Paul may be this superbeing because of the machinations of his mother. Meanwhile, Paul has dreams and visions, most of them set on Arrakis and involving the natives of Arrakis, the “Fremen.” And of the Fremen, Paul dreams most of a mysterious young woman (Zendaya) with blue in her eyes. Paul knows that his fate lies on Arrakis, and he will discover it if he survives the plot against his family.
Although the title of this film is “Dune,” when the movie starts the credits read “Dune: Part One.” That's right, director Denis Villeneuve refused to adapt Frank Herbert's novel as one long film when he preferred to do it as two long films. I have seen Herbert's novel referred to as “unwieldy” source material, but the truth is that like Robert A. Heinlein's novel, Starship Troopers (1959), which was adapted into a 1997 film, Dune is philosophical and thoughtful. Much of the narrative takes place in the minds of its major characters, and I don't think that big-budget, event Hollywood films are really good at internal philosophical monologues.
Denis Villeneuve's Dune is visually ambitious. It is pomp and circumstance. It focuses on the rituals of the Landsraad (the empire's noble houses) and of the Fremen – to the point of being anthropological. Dune is costumes, uniforms, makeup, hairdos, and lavish spectacle. Dune offers some of the most imaginatively designed space crafts, flying contraptions, utility machines, and personal devices outside of the Star Wars films. It leans towards opulence in its breathtaking landscapes and astonishing vistas. This visual and design aesthetic creates the kind of overwhelming cinematic sensory experience that is exactly why we need to see some films in movie theaters.
Villeneuve apparently also said that Dune has “power in details,” and his obsession with details, both in terms of visuals and narratives, is a problem for Dune, much in the way it was a problem for his acclaimed 2016 film, The Arrival … to a lesser extent. For Dune, he builds a big world in pictures and images, and then, he and his co-writers Jon Spaihts and Eric Roth (the ones who are credited onscreen), drag the movie out by drowning every key scene and sequence in detail. There is no better example of this than the scene with the “Herald of the Change” (Benjamin Clementine), when Duke Leto formerly excepts his assignment to Arrakis. It was pointless scene about the pointlessness of the Emperor and his rituals.
At one point while watching this film, I checked my phone and realized that there was still an hour to go. I wasn't sure if I could make. I could not understand how a film could be so visually dazzling as Dune is and have a story that frustratingly seems to be going somewhere … slowly. And Dune's wonderful cast goes right along with this, delivering performances that are earnest in their grimness. Still, the actors didn't make me want to connect with their characters, and Rebecca Ferguson's Lady Jessica is just fucking tiresome.
I am giving this film a B+ because of two things – the sometimes unbelievable visuals and, surprisingly, Hans Zimmer's amazing musical score, for which he supposedly created new musical instruments. Without his constantly inventive score, this film would put people to sleep. If I were focusing only on story, I'd give Dune a B- or a B, because there are some characters that are fascinating the few times they are on screen, such as Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard) and his nephew, Rabban (Dave Bautista). There are also a few scenes that resonate. I really don't know how to recommend a film that will impress you almost as much as it will tire you, but that Denis Villeneuve's Dune in a nutshell.
7 of 10
B+
Friday, October 22, 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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