DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for November 8, 2022

DC COMICS:

Absolute Dark Nights Metal HC, $125.00
Batgirls #12 (Cover A Jorge Corona), $3.99
Batgirls #12 (Cover B Audrey Mok Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batgirls #12 (Cover C Paulina Ganucheau ’90s Cover Month Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batgirls #12 (Cover D Rian Gonzales Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Incorporated #2 (Cover A John Timms), $3.99
Batman Incorporated #2 (Cover B Jorge Molina Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman Incorporated #2 (Cover C Chris Burnham ’90s Cover Month Foil Multi-Level Embossed Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman Incorporated #2 (Cover D Ivan Tao Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Incorporated #2 (Cover E John Timms Design Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman Urban Legends #21 (Cover A Michael Cho), $7.99
Batman Urban Legends #21 (Cover B Jorge Fornes), $7.99
Batman Urban Legends #21 (Cover C Edwin Galmon), $7.99
Batman Vs. Robin #3 (Of 5)(Cover A Mahmud Asrar), $5.99
Batman Vs. Robin #3 (Of 5)(Cover B Alex Maleev Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Batman Vs. Robin #3 (Of 5)(Cover C Mateus Manhanini Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Batman Vs. Robin #3 (Of 5)(Cover D Carlo Barberi ’90s Cover Month Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Batman Vs. Robin #3 (Of 5)(Cover E Mario Fox Foccillo Era Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Vs. Robin #3 (Of 5)(Cover F Tony S. Daniel Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Vs. Robin #3 (Of 5)(Cover G Mario Fox Foccillo Fight Poster Batman Vs. Red Hood Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Vs. Robin #3 (Of 5)(Cover H Mario Fox Foccillo Fight Poster Batman Vs Spoiler Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Vs. Robin #3 (Of 5)(Cover I Mario Fox Foccillo Fight Poster Batman Vs Nightwing Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Vs. Robin #3 (Of 5)(Cover J Mario Fox Foccillo Fight Poster Batman Vs Robin Card Stock Variant), AR
Blood Syndicate Season One #6 (Of 6)(Cover A Dexter Soy), $3.99
Blood Syndicate Season One #6 (Of 6)(Cover B Jay Hero Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Catwoman Volume 1 Dangerous Liaisons TP, $16.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #6 (Of 7)(Cover A Daniel Sampere & Alejandro Sanchez), $4.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #6 (Of 7)(Cover B Cully Hamner Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #6 (Of 7)(Cover C Ariel Colon Infinite Crisis Homage Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #6 (Of 7)(Cover D Ben Oliver Black Adam Movie Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #6 (Of 7)(Cover E Crystal Kung Card Stock Variant), AR
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #6 (Of 7)(Cover F Rafael Sarmento Card Stock Variant), AR
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #6 (Of 7)(Cover G Daniel Sampere & Alejandro Sanchez Foil Card Stock Variant), AR
Death Of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Dan Jurgens & Brett Breeding Gatefold Variant), $10.99
Death Of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Jim Lee & Scott Williams), $10.99
Death Of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Ivan Reis & Danny Miki Funeral For A Friend Variant), $10.99
Death Of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Dan Mora Jon Kent Variant), $10.99
Death Of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Francesco Mattina Doomsday Die-Cut Variant), $10.99
Death Of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover F Dan Jurgens & Brett Breeding Gatefold Premium Polybag Variant), $10.99
Death Of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover G Francesco Mattina Doomsday Variant), AR
Death Of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover H Jim Lee & Scott Williams Black & White Variant), AR
Death Of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover I Dan Jurgens & Brett Breeding Foil Variant), AR
Death Of Superman 30th Anniversary Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover J Rafael Sarmento Doombreaker Variant), AR
Detective Comics #38 (Facsimile Edition)(2022), $6.99
Diana And Nubia Princesses Of The Amazons TP, $9.99
Flash By Mark Waid Omnibus Volume 1 HC (Book Market Edition), $150.00
Flash By Mark Waid Omnibus Volume 1 HC (Direct Market Edition), $150.00
Flash The Fastest Man Alive #3 (Of 3)(Cover A Jason Howard), $5.99
Flash The Fastest Man Alive #3 (Of 3)(Cover B Scott Kolins Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Flash The Fastest Man Alive #3 (Of 3)(Cover C Jorge Corona Pencil Card Stock Variant), AR
Flash The Fastest Man Alive #3 (Of 3)(Cover D Jorge Corona Foil Card Stock Variant), AR
I Am Batman #15 (Cover A Christian Duce)(Dark Crisis), $3.99
I Am Batman #15 (Cover B Jeff Spokes Card Stock Variant)(Dark Crisis), $4.99
I Am Batman #15 (Cover C Khary Randolph ’90s Cover Month Card Stock Variant)(Dark Crisis), $4.99
I Am Batman #15 (Cover D Canaan White Card Stock Variant)(Dark Crisis), AR
Justice League Volume 2 United Order HC, $24.99
Multiversity Teen Justice #6 (Of 6)(Cover A Robbi Rodriguez), $3.99
Multiversity Teen Justice #6 (Of 6)(Cover B Stephanie Hans Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Multiversity Teen Justice #6 (Of 6)(Cover C Eleonora Carlini Card Stock Variant), $4.99
New Golden Age #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Mikel Janin), $4.99
New Golden Age #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Gary Frank Card Stock Variant), $5.99
New Golden Age #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Todd Nauck Card Stock Variant), $5.99
New Golden Age #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Michael Allred Card Stock Variant), $5.99
New Golden Age #1 (One Shot)(Cover E David Talaski Card Stock Variant), $5.99
New Golden Age #1 (One Shot)(Cover F Dan Hipp Card Stock Variant), AR
New Golden Age #1 (One Shot)(Cover G Michael Allred Foil Card Stock Variant), AR
New Golden Age #1 (One Shot)(Cover H David Talaski Foil Card Stock Variant), AR
Nice House On The Lake #11 (Of 12)(Cover A Alvaro Martinez Bueno), $3.99
Nice House On The Lake #11 (Of 12)(Cover B Aaron Campbell Card Stock Variant), $4.99
One-Star Squadron TP, $16.99
Superman #75 (Special Edition)(Cover A Dan Jurgens), $3.99
Superman #75 (Special Edition)(Cover B Dan Jurgens Foil Cardstock Variant), AR
Superman Son Of Kal-El #17 (Cover A Travis Moore)(Kal-El Returns), $3.99
Superman Son Of Kal-El #17 (Cover B John Giang Card Stock Variant)(Kal-El Returns), $4.99
Superman Son Of Kal-El #17 (Cover C Steven Butler ’90s Cover Month Card Stock Variant)(Kal-El Returns), $4.99
Superman Son Of Kal-El #17 (Cover D Jeff Dekal Card Stock Variant (Kal-El Returns), AR
WildC.A.T.s #1 (Cover A Stephen Segovia), $3.99
WildC.A.T.s #1 (Cover B Jim Lee Card Stock Variant), $4.99
WildC.A.T.s #1 (Cover C Stanley Artgerm Lau Card Stock Variant), $4.99
WildC.A.T.s #1 (Cover D Ben Oliver Card Stock Variant), $4.99
WildC.A.T.s #1 (Cover E Brett Booth & Sandra Hope ’90s Cover Month Foil Multi-Level Embossed Card Stock Variant), $4.99
WildC.A.T.s #1 (Cover F Jeff Spokes Connecting Card Stock Variant), AR
WildC.A.T.s #1 (Cover G Alan Quah Card Stock Variant), AR
WildC.A.T.s #1 (Cover H Dan Hipp Card Stock Variant), AR
WildC.A.T.s #1 (Cover I Jim Lee Pencil Card Stock Variant), AR
Wonder Girl Homecoming HC, $39.99
Wonder Woman #793 (Cover A Yanick Paquette)(Kal-El Returns Tie-In), $4.99
Wonder Woman #793 (Cover B Clay Mann Card Stock Variant)(Kal-El Returns Tie-In), $5.99
Wonder Woman #793 (Cover C Joshua Sway Swaby Nubia 50th Anniversary Card Stock Variant)(Kal-El Returns Tie-In), $5.99
Wonder Woman #793 (Cover D Jen Bartel ’90s Cover Month Card Stock Variant)(Kal-El Returns Tie-In), $5.99
Wonder Woman #793 (Cover E Joe Quinones Card Stock Variant)(Kal-El Returns Tie-In), AR

Review: Spielberg's "1941" - Raiders of the Lost Invasion (Countdown to "The Fabelmans")

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 67 of 2022 (No. 1879) by Leroy Douresseaux

1941 (1979)

Running time:  118 minutes (1 hour, 58 minutes)

MPAA – PG

DIRECTOR:  Steven Spielberg

WRITERS:  Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale; from a story by Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, and John Milius

PRODUCER:  Buzz Feitshans

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  William A. Fraker (D.o.P.)

EDITOR:  Michael Kahn

COMPOSER:  John Williams

Academy Award nominee

COMEDY/HISTORICAL/WAR

Starring:  John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Christopher Lee, Nancy Allen, Ned Beatty, John Candy, Elisha Cook, Jr., Bobby Di Cicco, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton, Dianne Kay, John Landis, Michael McKean, Tim Matheson, Toshiro Mifune, Dick Miller, Warren Oates, Slim Pickens, Mickey Rourke, Lionel Stander, Robert Stack, Dub Taylor, Treat Williams, and Frank McRae

1941 is a 1979 comedy, war movie, and period film directed by Steven Spielberg.  Although not as popular or critically acclaimed as Spielberg's earlier films, 1941 began to gain in popularity after an expanded version of the film aired on television.  1941 is set almost a week after the Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor and finds various California residents in a state of panic about an alleged inevitable Japanese attack on the state.

1941 opens on Saturday, December 13, 1941, at 7:01 a.m. (six days after the attack on Pearl Harbor).  Surfacing off the Northern California coast is a submarine of the Imperial Japanese Fleet, commanded by Akiro Mitamura (Toshiro Mifune).  Also aboard, as an annoying advisor, is Nazi Kriegsmarine officer, Wolfgang von Kleinschmidt (Christopher Lee).  Because he did not participate in the attack on Pearl Harbor, Commander Mitamura wants to destroy something in Los Angeles, in an act or honor.  He has decided to target “Hollywood,” although he and his crew are having trouble finding the place.

Meanwhile, in Santa Monica, servicemen from the U.S. Army and Navy have overrun the town.  Wayward youth, Wally Stephens (Bobby Di Cicco), is trying to hold on to his girlfriend, Betty Douglas (Dianne Kay).  She is the target of the unwanted attentions of Corporal Chuck Sitarski (Treat Williams), a member of a 10th Armored Division tank crew.  The crew, which also consists of Sergeant Frank Tree (Dan Aykroyd) and Private First Class Foley (John Candy), is suddenly dealing with its newest member, Private Ogden Johnson Jones (Frank McRae), a Black serviceman!

In Death Valley, the cigar-chomping Captain Wild Bill Kelso (John Belushi) of the United States Army Air Forces aims his fighter plane towards L.A. where he believes he will help fight off a Japanese attack.  Everything is going crazy around everyone, and there seems to be a hundred melodramas and subplots.  Can Americans stop fighting Americans long enough prevent a real Japanese attack on Los Angeles and the surrounding area?

I recently saw 1941 for the first time in preparation for this review.  Although I am a huge fan of Steven Spielberg, 1941 was one of his films that I was not really interested in seeing.  I found a DVD copy containing a “restored version” of the film that is almost half an hour longer than the original theatrical release.  When I was a kid, 1941 was considered a “box office bomb,” which is apparently not true.  The film reportedly did make a profit, but it was not as financially or as critically well received as Spielberg's previous films, Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and Jaws (1975).

For what it is, 1941 is way too long, even at its original length (1 hour, 58 minutes).  Still, it is funny in many spots, and, in spite of a really large cast, all the individual subplots and comic melodramas do come together so that the film does not feel disjointed.  I like that 1941 gives me a chance to see some of my favorite actors:  Toshiro Mifune, Christopher Lee, Warren Oates, Ned Beatty, and character actors:  Dick Miller, Dub Taylor and Elisha Cook, Jr., all of whom are now deceased.  Another favorite, Robert Stack, practically steals the film as Major General Joseph W. Stillwell, a character that seems to center the film.  And I'm always happy to see Dan Aykroyd.

One thing that really stuck out to me is that much of 1941 seems like a dry run for the action sequences in my favorite Spielberg film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, which would be his next film after 1941.  The action in 1941 is conveyed in a humorous mood, and Raiders, more of an adventure film than an action film, features action scenes that are breath-taking, but are delivered with something like a wink and a nod.

Regardless of where it is positioned in Steven Spielberg's filmography, 1941 shows that, as the guy at the helm, Spielberg's most impressive talent may be his ability to gather a large cast and crew and very talented collaborators in order to make really spectacular films that are epic in scope, even in their quite and funny moments.  1941 is not a great film, but there are moments during this movie when it is obvious that one of the greatest filmmakers of all time is the guiding force and the main man behind it.

5 of 10

B-

★★½ out of 4 stars

Saturday, November 5, 2022

NOTES:

1980 Academy Awards:  3 nominations: “Best Cinematography” (William A. Fraker), “Best Sound” (Robert Knudson, Robert Glass, Don MacDougall, and Gene S. Cantamessa), and “Best Effects, Visual Effects” (William A. Fraker, A.D. Flowers, and Gregory Jein)

The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site or blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from November 1st to 5th, 2022 - Update #9

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  HBO will not give "Westworld" a fifth season, but it will pay the "main cast" anyway.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Sony Pictures Television has let go (fired) seven executives across different divisions of the TV studio.

MOVIES - From THR:  The magazine's feature story is on Steven Spielberg and his "origin story," his new movie, "The Fabelmans."

CRYSTAL LAKE - From EW:  Pro basketball player turned actor Dane DiLiegro plays the "Predator" in Hulu's spinoff film, "Prey."  Now, he wants to be Jason Voorhees in A24 and executive producer Bryan Fuller's "Friday the 13th" TV series, "Crystal Lake" for streamer Peacock.

From Fangoria:  Showrunner Bryan Fuller says that the "Friday the 13th prequel, "Crystal Lake," can use everything from the film franchise.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Lupita Nyong'o will star in "A Quiet Place: Day One," the first spinoff movie from the "A Quiet Place" franchise.

MOVIES - From Variety:   Streaming service, Peacock, for "Crystal Lake," a prequel to the "Friday the 13th" film service.

DISNEY - From THR:   "Avatar: The Way of Water" will run three hours and 10 minutes long.

OBITS:

From Variety:  The American rapper, recording artist, and songwriter, Takeoff, has died at the age of 28, Tuesday, November 1, 2022, shot and killed in Houston Texas.  Takeoff was best known as a member of the hip hop trio, "Migos," with an uncle and first cousin as the other members. As a member of Migos, Takeoff was best known for his work on the trio's "Culture" trilogy of albums.  He also received two Grammy Award nominations as a member of Migos.

From Deadline:  The author and blogger, Julie Powell, has died at the age of 49, Wednesday, October 26, 2022.  Her 2005 book, "Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen," was adapted into the 2009 film, "Julie & Julia."

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BRITTNEY GRINER:

From NBCNews:   Brittney Griner will enter a system of isolation, grueling labor and psychological torment when she is transferred to a penal colony, the successor to the infamous Russian gulag, to fulfill a nine-year sentence handed down Tuesday in Moscow, former prisoners and advocates said.

From NBCNews:  A Russian court has rejected Brittney Griner's appeal of her nine-year prison sentence on (fake) drug charges.

From Reuters:  Russia says that it is ready to talk prisoner swamp for Brittney Griner and U.S. Marine veteran Paul Whelan, but also scolds the U.S. Embassy.

From TheDailyBeast:   Legendary NBA bad boy and champion (Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls), Dennis Rodman claims that he has been given permission to go to Russia and help free imprisoned hostage, WNBA star, Brittney Griner.

From Vox:  Vox's Jonathan Guyer talks the Brittney Griner case with Danielle Gilbert, a Dartmouth professor who is writing a book about states and rogue actors that take hostages.

From ESPN:   A Russian court sentenced WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison Thursday, Aug. 4th.  Griner was arrested Feb. 17 for bringing cannabis into the country and pleaded guilty July 7, though the case continued under Russian law.

From ESPN:  The Biden administration has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.

From RSN:  "Will Support From LeBron James, Joe Rogan, Kim Kardashian, and Other Celebrities Help Free Brittney Griner From a Russian Prison?" by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar via Substack

From ESPN:  Detained WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty on Thursday to bringing hashish oil into Russia, telling a judge that she had done so "inadvertently" while asking the court for mercy.

From CBSSports:  The Brittney Griner situation explained.

From RSN:  According to The Washington Post Editorial Board: "Brittney Griner is a hostage, plain and simple."

Archie Comics Announces January 2023 New Releases

Archie Comics January 2023 Solicits

ARCHIE VS. THE WORLD (ONE-SHOT)

In a post-apocalyptic future, our hero Archie Andrews is cursed to walk the world alone—well, alone with his souped-up jalopy. But Archie can defend himself—in fact, he’s the master of a brutal, deadly form of martial arts and must use his skills when he comes face-to-face with his rival and evil mirror image, Reggie. This action-packed one-shot is equal parts Mad Max: Fury Road and The Fist of the North Star, and reunites the "Jughead the Burgarian" team from the smash-hit comic THE BEST ARCHIE COMIC EVER!

Script: Aubrey Sitterson
Art: Jed Dougherty
Colors: Matt Herms
Letters: Jack Morelli
Cover: Jed Dougherty
Variant Cover: Aaron Lopresti
On Sale Date: 1/18
32-page, full color comic, $3.99


ARCHIE MILESTONES JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #18: JUGHEAD’S GUIDE TO LIFE

Archie’s Milestones returns with a brand-new spotlight on everyone’s favorite burger-loving BFF: Jughead Jones! In the BRAND NEW STORY “It’s A Jug, Jug, Jug, Jug World!” Archie and the gang haven’t seen much of Jughead lately. As it turns out, he’s been spending time in a VR facility which allows him to create his own virtual reality landscape. The others are able to plug themselves into this world that Jughead has created so they decide to sample it. What will they encounter on their virtual tour of Jughead’s ideal world? From time travel to life lessons and everything in-between, this digest highlights the best and brightest Jughead moments and stories—with plenty of snacks along the way!  

Script: Craig Boldman
Art: Rex Lindsey
Colors: Glenn Whitmore
Letters: Rex Lindsey
Cover: Jeff Shultz, Bob Smith, Rosario “Tito” Peña
On Sale Date: 1/18
192-page, full color comic, $8.99


BETTY AND VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #310

THREE BRAND NEW STORIES! First, in "CHILL OUT!" a big winter storm knocks the power out in Riverdale. The Coopers end up staying at Lodge mansion, the only house in town that runs on its own generator. But as the Lodges keep hearing about all the displaced families, they open up their mansion to all of Riverdale. Will Hotel Lodge be a new business venture for Veronica’s enterprising father? Or will he be left out in the cold?

Then, in “What’s in a Name?” Kelly Brand, a.k.a. the superhero FLY GIRL, is on an important mission: she’s helping Betty come up with a better superhero name than “Superteen”! Their work is cut short, however, when an intruder comes to disrupt the peace in Riverdale. It’s up to the two um, super teens, to restore order!

Finally, in “Clowning Around,” the circus performer-superhero Frank Verrano, better known as INFERNO, has taken Veronica Lodge under his wing. Can he stop the crimes plaguing Riverdale AND dissuade Veronica from running away to join the circus?

Script: Dan Parent, Ian Flynn
Art: Dan Parent, Ryan Jampole, Bill Galvan, Ben Galvan
Colors: Glenn Whitmore
Letters: Jack Morelli
Cover: Bill Golliher, Dan Parent
On Sale Date: 1/4
192-page, full color comic, $8.99


THE ARCHIES IN INDIA (TR)

Archie and his friends from Riverdale have been globetrotting for decades… but their favorite place to visit by far is India! This special collection includes every story where Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, and yes, even Reggie, have travelled to the great country. And what would any great trip be without plenty of romance, special cameo appearances, and TONS of musical moments? Plus, a BRAND-NEW STORY! In “Stars in Their Eyes,” Bollywood star Amisha Mehta has a film lined up to shoot in India and manages to get Betty and Veronica a gig as extras. The girls arrive on the set and Amisha discovers one of the biggest teen heartthrobs, Prasad Arora, is now scheduled to be in the film as well. When she hears this, she's hopeful she will be in a scene with her crush. Betty and Veronica decide to play matchmaker to get Prasad and Amisha introduced... but will they cause more harm than good?  

Script: Bill Golliher
Art: Dan Parent, Rich Koslowski, Glenn Whitmore
Cover: Dan Parent, Rosario “Tito” Peña
978-1-64576-872-2
$14.99 US / $18.99 CAN
6 x 9”
144 pp, Full Color Trade Paperback
Direct Market On-Sale Date: 1/25


WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #126

THREE BRAND NEW STORIES! First, in “Frigid Frolic,” Jughead convinces Archie and Toni to join in a Frigid Frolic Fundraiser activity at the beach, (that’s an ocean swim in the dead of winter!) mainly because he hears there’s going to be great snacks afterwards. This gets Toni’s attention and Archie’s draw is the chance to meet some new girls. Reggie and Veronica overhear and plan to join in as well to show how tough they can be. Who will be able to withstand the cold and come out the chilly champion?

Then, in “Friendship is Magic,” superhero Darla Lang, aka DARKLING, comes face-to-face with another magically-powered teen: Sabrina the Teenage Witch! Sabrina’s got a problem; a portal has opened up in her aunts’ house and she has to get rid of it before she lets evil in. Will their combined power do the trick?

Finally, in “Vs the Sorceress Suprema," Pureheart the Powerful and Steel Sterling team up to stop the beautiful sorceress SUPREMA, whose been stealing jewels all throughout Riverdale! But will their strength be a match against her cunning charm and beauty?  

Script: Bill Golliher, Ian Flynn, Tom DeFalco  
Art: Bill Golliher, Steven Butler, Bill Galvan, Ben Galvan
Colors: Glenn Whitmore
Letters: Jack Morelli
Cover: Bill Golliher, Rosario “Tito” Peña
On Sale Date: 1/11
192-page, full color comic, $8.99 U.S.


WORLD OF BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #22

THREE BRAND NEW STORIES! First, in “Be Your Valentine!" Veronica keeps getting valentines dropped into her locker from a secret admirer. They seem very romantic, and she's intrigued. Then when she hides out to sneak a look at her admirer, she notices it's someone she’d never expect! Who is it, and what does he really want?

Then, in “The Ultimate Test,” superhero MR. JUSTICE touches down in Pembrooke. And he’s tasked with something of supreme importance: being Cheryl Blossom’s life coach! But will the job of making sure Cheryl Blossom treats others with kindness be the toughest mission Mr. Justice has ever been on?

Finally, Betty and Veronica stumble upon a super-battle between Steel Sterling and the Blue Bison, a hulking brute who possesses even greater strength than Steel. Noting that Archie is a big fan of Steel, the girls compete with each other to get an autograph during the super-battle, causing even more visual chaos. Will they get in Steel’s way of victory?

Script: Dan Parent, Ian Flynn, Tom DeFalco
Art: Dan Parent, Pat and Tim Kennedy, James Fry, Bob Smith
Colors: Glenn Whitmore
Letters: Jack Morelli
Cover: Bill Golliher, Rosario “Tito” Peña
On Sale Date: 1/25
192-page, full color comic, $8.99 U.S.

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Comics Review: "SAMURAI SONJA #5" is a Strong Finish

SAMURAI SONJA VOLUME 1 #5
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Jordan Clark
ART: Miriana Puglia
COLORS: Kike J. Diaz
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: Clayton Henry
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2022)

Rated Teen+

Based on the characters and stories created by Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Robert E. Howard

Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated: February 1973) saw the debut of a high fantasy, sword and sorcery heroine, Red Sonja.  Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith, Red Sonja was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Robert E. Howard (1906-1936), the creator of the character, Conan the Cimmerian.

Dynamite Entertainment is now the publisher of Red Sonja comic books, and it publishes a number of titles featuring alternate versions of the character.  The latest is Samurai Sonja, Volume 1.  It is written by Jordan Clark; drawn by Miriana Puglia and Pasquale Qualano; colored by Kike J. Diaz; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.  This series is set in feudal Japan and introduces a brand new Sonja, a samurai serving a sea goddess in order to slay an oni shogun – with her life and family name on the line.

Samurai Sonja, Volume 1 #5 opens in the Sengoku period of Japan.  Sonja's journey to the fortress where she will confront the demon lord, Shuten Doji, has ended.  As the stories of their separate pasts emerge, Sonja and Shuten have something in common – the cycle of the story.  Is Sonja a hero or a mere pawn?  She will have to face the oni shogun and his dragon in order to secure a victory – a victory that might not be her destiny.

THE LOWDOWN:   Since July 2021, the marketing department of Dynamite Entertainment has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Samurai Sonja, Volume 1 #5, one of many Red Sonja-related comic books that I have read.

As I have said before, Jordan Clark is writing an epic comic book that not only respects the publishing history of Red Sonja the comic book character, but also explores the possibilities of the character.  Now, it has come to an end, and I wonder if Clark realizes that he has fashioned something that begs to continue.  Samurai Sonja mission pits its star against some of the most devious creatures of Japanese folklore, and the result is a thoroughly fun read.

I think that Sonja's singular focus on a target, the so-called “oni shogun” kept the narrative focus.  Clark could weave individual chapters featuring exciting figures of Japanese myth, and he could make them more than a distraction, but they were steps that Sonja has to take on the way to her destiny.

Artist Miriana Puglia captures a mood and mythical time with absorbing storytelling.  Puglia's stylish design and lively layouts pull the reader along on this epic adventure.  Kike J. Diaz's colors make Puglia's art pop and convey the sense of action and dynamism in the story, as well as its otherworldly nature.  Jeff Eckleberry's lettering captures the darker moods behind this story.

I think that Samurai Sonja will make an excellent trade paperback collection.  I will recommend it to you, dear readers, the way I have recommended this five-issue series.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Red Sonja will definitely want to read Samurai Sonja, Volume 1.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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A Negromancer November 2022

Welcome to November 2022. Welcome to Negromancer 2.0.  This is the rebirth of Negromancer, the former movie review website as a new movie review and movie news site.

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BOOM! Studios Shipping from Diamond Distributors for November 2, 2022

BOOM! STUDIOS

SEP220355    BEHOLD BEHEMOTH #1 (OF 5) CVR A ROBLES    $4.99
SEP220356    BEHOLD BEHEMOTH #1 (OF 5) CVR B LEMIRE    $4.99
AUG228207    BEHOLD BEHEMOTH #1 (OF 5) CVR E FOC REVEAL PAQUETTE    $4.99
SEP220397    MAGIC THE GATHERING (MTG) #20 CVR A MERCADO    $4.99
SEP220398    MAGIC THE GATHERING (MTG) #20 CVR B SECRET PLANESWALKER VAR    $5.99

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