Monday, September 11, 2023

Comic Books, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for September 13, 2023

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUL230438 ALMIGHTY TP (MR) $16.99
JUL232222 ANIMAL CROSSING NEW HORIZONS GN VOL 05 (C: 0-1-2) $9.99
JUL231383 ART OF THE ZOMBIE MOVIE HC (C: 0-1-1) $45.00
MAY232161 ASTROBOTS #5 (OF 5) CVR A KNOTT $3.99
MAY232162 ASTROBOTS #5 (OF 5) CVR B BURCHAM FIGHTING GAME VAR (MR) $3.99
MAY232163 ASTROBOTS #5 (OF 5) CVR C ARGUS ACTION FIGURE (MR) $3.99
MAY232164 ASTROBOTS #5 (OF 5) CVR D KNOTT VIRGIN VAR $9.99
JUL232309 BATTLE ANGEL ALITA GN VOL 09 (C: 0-1-1) $10.99
JUL230439 BLACK CLOAK TP VOL 01 $14.99
JUL230917 BLOODBORNE BLEAK DOMINION #1 (OF 4) CVR A DELL EDERA (MR) $3.99
JUL230918 BLOODBORNE BLEAK DOMINION #1 (OF 4) CVR B QUAH (MR) $3.99
JUL230919 BLOODBORNE BLEAK DOMINION #1 (OF 4) CVR C HARDING (MR) $3.99
JUL230920 BLOODBORNE BLEAK DOMINION #1 (OF 4) CVR D YOSHIOKA (MR) $3.99
JUL230921 BLOODBORNE BLEAK DOMINION #1 (OF 4) CVR E KNOTT (MR) $3.99
JUL238000 BLOODBORNE BLEAK DOMINION #1 (OF 4) FOC QUAH B&W INKS VIRGIN $3.99
JUL232214 CALL OF THE NIGHT GN VOL 13 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $9.99
JUN231376 CAT FIGHT #3 CVR A KYRIAZIS $3.99
JUN231377 CAT FIGHT #3 CVR B SHERMAN $3.99
JUL231947 CISSY #1 CVR A  HUGO PETRUS $5.99
JUL231948 CISSY #1 CVR B VICTOR SANTOS $5.99
JUL231692 CLUB KICK OUT GN VOL 01 INTO THE RING (C: 0-1-0) $15.99
JUL231693 CLUB KICK OUT HC GN VOL 01 INTO THE RING (C: 0-1-0) $24.99
JUL232336 COUNTRY WITHOUT HUMANS GN VOL 04 (C: 0-1-0) $12.99
JUL231356 CRABGRASS COMIC ADVENTURES GN UNSUPERVISED (C: 0-1-1) $12.99
JUL230434 CREEPSHOW VOL 2 #1 (OF 5) CVR A MARCH (MR) $3.99
JUL230435 CREEPSHOW VOL 2 #1 (OF 5) CVR B CLOONAN (MR) $3.99
JUL231694 CRYPTID CLUB GN VOL 03 CHUPACABRA HOOPLA (C: 0-1-0) $8.99
JUL232379 DAEMONS OF SHADOW REALM GN VOL 02 (C: 0-1-1) $12.99
JUL231868 DANCE CLASS HC VOL 13 SWAN LAKE (C: 0-1-1) $10.99
JUL231600 DF ROM #1 BLANK VAR COMISSIONED CVR ART HAESER SGN & RMRK (C $99.99
JUL231593 DF WARLOCK #12 STARLIN PERSONAL FILE COPY SGN (C: 0-1-2) $400.00
MAY232312 DO-OVER DAMSEL SETS TO CONQUER EMPEROR GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $13.00
JUL231696 DRAWN TO CHANGE THE WORLD GN (C: 0-1-1) $15.99
JUL232338 DUKE OF DEATH & HIS MAID GN VOL 08 (C: 0-1-1) $12.99
JUL232340 ECCENTRIC DOCTOR OF MOON FLOWER KINGDOM GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-2) $14.99
JUL230472 ENFIELD GANG MASSACRE #2 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99
JUL231783 ENLIGHTEN ME GN (C: 0-1-0) $12.99
JUL231784 ENLIGHTEN ME HC GN (C: 0-1-0) $24.99
NOV221923 EVE GN (C: 1-1-0) $24.99
JUL232217 FLY ME TO THE MOON GN VOL 19 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $9.99
JUL230441 FORGED TP VOL 01 (MR) $19.99
JUL231093 FROM WORLD OF MINOR THREATS ALTERNATES #1 CVR A HEPBURN $4.99
JUL231094 FROM WORLD OF MINOR THREATS ALTERNATES #1 CVR B SEELEY $4.99
JUL231095 FROM WORLD OF MINOR THREATS ALTERNATES #1 CVR C MOON $4.99
JUL231096 FROM WORLD OF MINOR THREATS ALTERNATES #1 CVR D HEPBURN FOIL $4.99
JUL231098 FROM WORLD OF MINOR THREATS ALTERNATES #1 CVR F FOC FLEECS $4.99
JUN232013 GERONIMO STILTON 4IN1 GN VOL 06 (C: 0-1-1) $17.99
MAY230409 GIANT DAYS LIBRARY ED HC VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $29.99
FEB232081 GLEIPNIR GN VOL 13 (MR) (C: 1-1-1) $12.99
JUL231187 GODZILLA STOKOE DLX ED HC $39.99
JUN231672 GRIT N GEARS #5 (OF 6) CVR A NAHUEL SB $3.99
JUN231673 GRIT N GEARS #5 (OF 6) CVR B LUIS S RAMOS $3.99
JUL231059 HARRIET TUBMAN DEMON SLAYER #1 CVR A ELLIS (MR) $4.99
JUL231060 HARRIET TUBMAN DEMON SLAYER #1 CVR B DESJARDINS (MR) $4.99
JUL231061 HARRIET TUBMAN DEMON SLAYER #1 CVR C WHITE (MR) $4.99
JUL231062 HARRIET TUBMAN DEMON SLAYER #1 CVR D RANDOLPH (MR) $4.99
JUL231063 HARRIET TUBMAN DEMON SLAYER #1 CVR E LAUFMAN (MR) $4.99
JUL231066 HARRIET TUBMAN DEMON SLAYER #1 CVR H BLANK SKETCH VAR (MR) $9.99
JUN238546 HARRIET TUBMAN DEMON SLAYER #1 CVR I FOC KIRBY HOMAGE (MR) $4.99
JUL232215 HELCK GN VOL 05 (C: 0-1-2) $9.99
JUL232184 HIS FAVORITE GN VOL 12 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $12.99
JUL231781 HOUR OF NEED GN (C: 1-1-0) $14.99
JUL231782 HOUR OF NEED HC GN (C: 1-1-0) $24.99
JUL238015 I AM STAN GN (C: 0-1-2) $22.99
JUL230481 I HATE FAIRYLAND #9 CVR A BEAN (MR) $3.99
JUL230482 I HATE FAIRYLAND #9 CVR B BEAN (MR) $3.99
JUL238016 JACK KIRBY GN (C: 0-1-2) $22.99
JUL232301 JK HARU IS SEX WORKER IN ANOTHER WORLD GN VOL 06 (MR) (C: 1- $13.99
JAN231078 KAMEN RIDER ZERO ONE GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $17.99
JUL231188 KILL MORE #1 CVR A FUCHS (MR) $3.99
JUL231189 KILL MORE #1 CVR B SUDZUKA (MR) $3.99
JUL232350 KIRURU KILL ME GN VOL 05 (C: 0-1-1) $12.99
JUL232386 LADIES ON TOP GN VOL 04 (MR) (C: 1-1-1) $14.99
JUL232352 LIFE WITH ORDINARY GUY REINCARNATED KNOCKOUT GN VOL 01 (MR) $13.99
JUL231273 LISA CHEESE & GHOST GUITAR GN VOL 01 ATTACK OF SNACK $19.99
JUL232216 MAO GN VOL 13 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $9.99
JUL232200 MASHLE MAGIC & MUSCLES GN VOL 13 (C: 0-1-2) $9.99
JUL231650 MATCH POINT GN (C: 0-1-0) $14.99
JUL231651 MATCH POINT HC GN (C: 0-1-0) $22.99
JUL231994 MATCHMAKER GN (MR) (C: 0-1-0) $22.99
JUN231976 MINGUS HC (C: 0-1-0) $29.99
MAY230349 MMPR TMNT II TP (C: 1-1-2) $19.99
JUL231105 MURDER INC JAGGER ROSE #5 (OF 6) $3.99
JUL232114 MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS GN (C: 0-1-1) $25.99
JUL232383 MY HAPPY MARRIAGE GN VOL 04 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99
APR232166 NANA & KAORU GN VOL 03 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $29.95
MAY232174 NECRONOMICON ONESHOT CVR A CACAU $8.99
MAY232175 NECRONOMICON ONESHOT CVR B TARRAGONA $8.99
MAY232176 NECRONOMICON ONESHOT CVR C NOE $8.99
JUL232183 OLD FASHIONED CUPCAKE & CAPPUCINO GN (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $12.99
JUL232326 OLIVIA WOLF & MOLDY SANDWICH GN (C: 0-1-0) $14.99
JUL232327 OLIVIA WOLF & NIGHT OF GIANT MONSTERS GN (C: 0-1-0) $14.99
JUN232076 OMEGA GANG #2 $4.99
APR231724 PARALLEL TP (MR) $29.99
JUL231734 PARENTING IS WEIRD TAILS FROM THE LITTERBOX BOOK (C: 0-1-1) $16.99
APR231513 PHANTOM GOLD KEY YEARS HC VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $60.00
APR231514 PHANTOM GOLD KEY YEARS HC VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $60.00
JUL232225 POKEMON ADVENTURES X Y GN VOL 05 (C: 0-1-2) $9.99
JUL231882 PRH MARVEL CLASSICS AVENGERS GN (C: 0-1-1) $28.00
JUL231883 PRH MARVEL CLASSICS AVENGERS HC (C: 0-1-1) $50.00
JUL231884 PRH MARVEL CLASSICS FANTASTIC FOUR GN (C: 0-1-1) $28.00
JUL231885 PRH MARVEL CLASSICS FANTASTIC FOUR HC (C: 0-1-1) $50.00
JUL231886 PRH MARVEL CLASSICS XMEN GN (C: 0-1-1) $28.00
JUL231887 PRH MARVEL CLASSICS XMEN HC (C: 0-1-1) $50.00
JUL231798 PROJECT RIESE #2 (OF 6) $4.99
JUN232014 QUEENS FAVORITE WITCH GN VOL 02 LOST KING $9.99
JUN232015 QUEENS FAVORITE WITCH HC VOL 02 LOST KING (C: 0-1-0) $14.99
JUL231972 RED X-MAS TP REMASTERED ED (C: 0-1-0) $19.99
JUN232140 RESTLESS GN (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $19.99
JUL231830 RICK & MORTY DLX DOUBLE FEATURE HC VOL 02 (MR) (C: 0-0-1) $59.99
JUN231779 ROAMING GN (MR) (C: 0-0-1) $34.95
JUL231111 SAINT JOHN #1 CVR A SCHKADE $4.99
JUL231112 SAINT JOHN #1 CVR B WAGNER $4.99
JUL230937 SCARLETT COUTURE MUNICH FILE #2 (OF 5) CVR A CHEW (MR) $3.99
JUL230938 SCARLETT COUTURE MUNICH FILE #2 (OF 5) CVR B TAYLOR (MR) $3.99
JUL230940 SCARLETT COUTURE MUNICH FILE #2 (OF 5) CVR D PHOTO (MR) $3.99
JUN239421 SCARLETT COUTURE MUNICH FILE #2 (OF 5) FOC CHEW COPIC VIRGIN $3.99
DEC221932 SHONEN NOTE BOY SOPRANO GN VOL 05 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99
JUL231975 SIDEQUEST #2 $4.99
JUL232001 SILVERWING GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-1) $13.99
JUL232002 SILVERWING HC GN (C: 0-1-1) $23.99
JUL231428 SINS OF THE SALTON SEA #4 (OF 5) CVR A BRADSTREET (MR) $3.99
JUL231429 SINS OF THE SALTON SEA #4 (OF 5) CVR B PHILLIPS (MR) $3.99
JUL231430 SINS OF THE SALTON SEA #4 (OF 5) CVR C FILM NOIR HOMAGE (MR) $3.99
JUL232360 SOLOIST IN A CAGE GN VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $14.99
JUL230521 SOMETHING EPIC #5 CVR A KUDRANSKI $3.99
JUL230522 SOMETHING EPIC #5 CVR B KUDRANSKI $3.99
JUL230523 SOMETHING EPIC #5 CVR C KUDRANSKI $3.99
JUL230524 SOMETHING EPIC #5 CVR D KUDRANSKI $3.99
JUN231445 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #64 CVR A LAWRENCE $3.99
JUN231446 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #64 CVR B HERNANDEZ $3.99
JUN231449 SONIC THE HEDGEHOGS 900TH ADVENTURE CVR A YARDLEY $7.99
JUN231450 SONIC THE HEDGEHOGS 900TH ADVENTURE CVR B SEGA OF JAPAN $7.99
JUN231451 SONIC THE HEDGEHOGS 900TH ADVENTURE CVR C STANLEY $7.99
JUN231452 SONIC THE HEDGEHOGS 900TH ADVENTURE CVR D THOMAS $7.99
JUL230454 SPAWN COMPENDIUM VOL 05 $59.99
JUL231231 STAR TREK ECHOES #5 CVR A BARTOK $4.99
JUL231232 STAR TREK ECHOES #5 CVR B BEGUEZ $4.99
JUL231238 STAR TREK PICARDS ACADEMY #1 CVR A BOO $3.99
JUL231239 STAR TREK PICARDS ACADEMY #1 CVR B TAYLOR $3.99
JUL231249 STAR TREK RESURGENCE TP $19.99
JUL232194 STAR WARS MANDALORIAN MANGA GN (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $14.99
JUL232384 STRONGEST SAGE WITH THE WEAKEST CREST GN VOL 14 (C: 0-1-1) $12.99
JUN232134 TALES OF ASUNDA #3 CVR A COSENTINO $3.99
JUN232135 TALES OF ASUNDA #3 CVR B JAE LEE $3.99
JUL230467 THE CULL #2 (OF 5) CVR A DE IULIS $3.99
JUL230468 THE CULL #2 (OF 5) CVR B LOTAY $3.99
JUL230469 THE CULL #2 (OF 5) CVR C SELES $3.99
APR231967 THE EXILED #6 (OF 6) CVR A ASEVEDO (MR) $3.99
APR231968 THE EXILED #6 (OF 6) CVR B ESKIVO (MR) $3.99
APR231969 THE EXILED #6 (OF 6) CVR C KENT MIB HOMAGE (MR) $3.99
APR231970 THE EXILED #6 (OF 6) CVR D ASEVEDO VIRGIN (MR) $9.99
APR231971 THE EXILED #6 (OF 6) CVR E FOC REVEAL VAR (MR) $3.99
JUL231420 THE MADNESS #2 (OF 6) CVR A ACO (MR) $3.99
JUL231421 THE MADNESS #2 (OF 6) CVR B GIANGIORDANO (MR) $3.99
JUL231422 THE MADNESS #2 (OF 6) CVR C OTRAKJI PUNK ROCK HOMAGE (MR) $3.99
JUL232332 TITAN KING GN VOL 02 FLAME PRINCESS (C: 0-1-1) $13.99
JUL230450 TORRENT TP $16.99
JUL231632 TOTEM HC (C: 0-1-2) $24.99
JUN231677 TOXX #2 CVR A BRIAN DEMAREST $4.99
JUN231678 TOXX #2 CVR B SKYLAR PATRIDGE $4.99
JUN231679 TOXX #2 CVR C ALESSANDRO (ALEX) AMORUSO $4.99
JUN231680 TOXX #2 CVR D JEZREEL ROJALES $4.99
JUL232106 TWO HEADED CHICKEN BEAK TO FUTURE GN (C: 0-1-1) $12.99
MAY231857 UNKNOWN CALLER GN (MR) (C: 0-0-1) $14.99
JUL232410 UNOFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE WORLD OF STUDIO GHIBLI (C: 0-1-0) $14.95
APR231223 VAMPIRE MACABRE NOSFERATU SP ONE SHOT CVR A SGN (MR) $14.99
APR231224 VAMPIRE MACABRE NOSFERATU SP ONE SHOT CVR B SGN (MR) $14.99
APR231227 VAMPIRE MACABRE NOSFERATU SP ONE SHOT CVR E SGN (MR) $34.99
DEC221145 VAMPIRE VERSES SGN ED #4 (OF 12) (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $9.99
JUL230545 WALKING DEAD DLX #70 C HUGHES CONNECTING (MR) $3.99
JUL230543 WALKING DEAD DLX #70 CVR A FINCH & MCCAIG (MR) $3.99
JUL230544 WALKING DEAD DLX #70 CVR B ADLARD & MCCAIG (MR) $3.99
JUL230546 WALKING DEAD DLX #70 CVR D TEDESCO (MR) $3.99
JUL230547 WALKING DEAD DLX #70 CVR E ADAMS & MCCAIG (MR) $3.99
JUL231288 WE ARE NOT STRANGERS HC GN (C: 0-1-1) $24.99
JUL231981 WE WICKED ONES #4 $4.99
JUL232409 WELCOME BACK ALICE GN VOL 05 (RES) (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $12.95
JUL232366 WHO MADE ME A PRINCESS GN VOL 02 (RES) (C: 1-1-1) $19.99
JUL231785 WILDFIRE GN (C: 0-1-0) $12.99
JUL231786 WILDFIRE HC GN (C: 0-1-0) $24.99
JUL232212 WOLF GIRL BLACK PRINCE GN VOL 03 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $9.99
JUL231391 WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #133 (C: 0-1-1) $9.99
JUL232224 WORLD PIECE GN VOL 03 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $16.99
JUL232209 YAKUZA LOVER GN VOL 10 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $9.99
JUL232367 YAKUZA REINCARNATION GN VOL 07 (C: 0-1-1) $12.99
JUL231800 YOUVE BEEN CANCELLED #4 (OF 4) (MR) $4.99
JUL232142 ZENESCOPE ENTERTAINMENT HORROR COMIC BOOK BOX (MR) $59.99

MAGAZINES

JUL231521 COMIC SHOP NEWS (100CT BUNDLE) #1882 (NET) $PI

BOOKS

JUL231283 ALEX ROSS MARVEL COMICS SUPER VILLAINS POSTER BOOK SC (C: 0- $29.99
MAY232358 ASTERISK WAR LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 17 (C: 0-1-2) $15.00
MAY232353 CHEAT SKILL WORLD BECAME UNRIVALED REAL NOVEL VOL 03 (MR) (C $15.00
MAY232099 CHILLINGLY WEIRD ART OF MATT FOX HC (C: 0-1-2) $29.95
JUL231939 GAME OF THRONES CATSPAW COLLECTIBLE DAGGER (C: 0-1-0) $12.95
DEC221990 HEAVEN OFFICIALS BLESSING TIAN GUAN CI FU NOVEL VOL 07 (MR) $19.99
JUL231434 I WANT YOU AROUND RAMONES MAKING OF ROCK N ROLL HIGH SCHOOL $22.95
JUL232369 KUMA KUMA KUMA BEAR NOVEL SC VOL 15 (C: 0-1-1) $13.99
JUL230963 MARVELS SECRET INVASION PROSE NOVEL HC (C: 0-1-2) $25.95
JUL231732 MY POKEMON BAKING BOOK BAKES INSPIRED BY WORLD OF POKEMON (C $27.99
JUN232486 MY UNIQUE SKILL MAKES ME OP LIGHT NOVEL VOL 03 (RES) (C: 0-1 $14.95
JUL232377 NIER REPLICANT VER.1.22474487139 HC (RES) (C: 1-1-2) $27.99
JUL231543 PERIODIC TABLE OF DC HC (C: 0-1-0) $20.00
MAY232364 SWORD ART ONLINE NOVEL SC VOL 27 (C: 0-1-2) $15.00
JUL232020 TITILLATING TALES OF DOLLY SC (MR) (C: 1-1-1) $14.95
MAY232100 WORKING WITH DITKO SC (C: 0-1-2) $24.95

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DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for September 12, 2023

DC COMICS:

Batman #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover A Bob Kane & Jerry Robinson), $6.99
Batman #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover B Bob Kane & Jerry Robinson Foil Variant), $8.99
Batman #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover C Blank Variant), $7.99
Batman And Robin #1 (Cover A Simone Di Meo), $4.99
Batman And Robin #1 (Cover B Stanley Artgerm Lau Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Batman And Robin #1 (Cover C Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Batman And Robin #1 (Cover D Blank Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Batman And Robin #1 (Cover E Clay Mann Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman And Robin #1 (Cover F Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman And Robin #1 (Cover G Simone Di Meo Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman And Robin #1 (Cover H Stanley Artgerm Lau Foil Variant), AR
Batman And Scooby-Doo Mysteries #12 (Cover A Dario Brizuela), $2.99
Batman And The Joker The Deadly Duo Deluxe Edition HC, $29.99
Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham #1 (Of 4)(Cover A Rafael Grampa), $6.99
Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham #1 (Of 4)(Cover B Jim Lee), $6.99
Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham #1 (Of 4)(Cover C Frank Miller), $6.99
Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham #1 (Of 4)(Cover D David Finch), $6.99
Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham #1 (Of 4)(Cover E Jim Lee), AR
Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham #1 (Of 4)(Cover F Priscilla Petraites), AR
Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham #1 (Of 4)(Cover G Paul Pope), AR
Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham #1 (Of 4)(Cover H Frank Miller), AR
Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham Noir Edition #1 (Cover A Rafael Grampa), $6.99
Batman Incorporated #12 (Cover A John Timms), $3.99
Batman Incorporated #12 (Cover B Michele Bandini Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman Incorporated #12 (Cover C Stephen Segovia Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Incorporated Volume 1 No More Teachers HC (2022), $24.99
Danger Street #9 (Of 12)(Cover A Jorge Fornes), $4.99
Danger Street #9 (Of 12)(Cover B Walter Simonson Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Dark Knights Of Steel Volume 1 TP, $16.99
GCPD The Blue Wall HC, $24.99
Green Lantern #3 (Cover A Xermanico), $4.99
Green Lantern #3 (Cover B Evan Doc Shaner Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Green Lantern #3 (Cover C Rose Besch Creator Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Green Lantern #3 (Cover D Pablo Villalobos Hispanic Heritage Month Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Green Lantern #3 (Cover E Jack Herbert Card Stock Variant), AR
Green Lantern #3 (Cover F Gabriel Rodriguez Card Stock Variant), AR
Harley Quinn The Animated Series Legion Of Bats HC, $24.99
Looney Tunes #274 (Cover A Robert Pope), $2.99
Shazam Power Of Hope HC, $19.99
Superman Lost #6 (Of 10)(Cover A Carlo Pagulayan & Jason Paz), $4.99
Superman Lost #6 (Of 10)(Cover B Lee Weeks Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Superman Lost #6 (Of 10)(Cover C Gary Frank Card Stock Variant), AR
Waller Vs. Wildstorm #3 (Of 4)(Cover A Jorge Fornes), $5.99
Waller Vs. Wildstorm #3 (Of 4)(Cover B Eric Battle), $5.99
Waller Vs. Wildstorm #3 (Of 4)(Cover C Aaron Campbell), AR
WildC.A.T.s #11 (Cover A Stephen Segovia), $3.99
WildC.A.T.s #11 (Cover B Lesley Leirix Li Card Stock Variant), $4.99
WildC.A.T.s #11 (Cover C Rose Besch Creator Card Stock Variant), $4.99
WildC.A.T.s #11 (Cover D Mike Bowden Card Stock Variant), AR
Wonder Woman War Of The Gods Special Edition #3 (Of 4)(Cover A George Perez), $4.99
Worlds Finest Teen Titans #3 (Of 6)(Cover A Chris Samnee & Mat Lopes), $3.99
Worlds Finest Teen Titans #3 (Of 6)(Cover B Evan Doc Shaner Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Worlds Finest Teen Titans #3 (Of 6)(Cover C Daniel Bayliss Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Worlds Finest Teen Titans #3 (Of 6)(Cover D Dan Panosian Card Stock Variant), AR
Worlds Finest Teen Titans #3 (Of 6)(Cover E Luciano Vecchio Card Stock Variant), AR

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Sunday, September 10, 2023

Comics Review: "ELVIRA in Monsterland Volume 1 #4"

ELVIRA IN MONSTERLAND VOLUME 1 #4
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Avallone
ART: Kewber Baal
COLORS: Walter Pereya
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt
COVER: Dave Acosta with Walter Pereya
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2023)

Rated Teen+

Chapter Four: “You Don't Look Kaiju-ish”

In 1981, actress and model Cassandra Peterson created the “horror hostess character,” known as “Elvira.”  Elvira gradually grew in popularity and eventually became a brand name.  As Elvira, Peterson endorsed many products and became a pitch-woman, appearing in numerous television commercials throughout the 1980s.

Elvira also appeared in comic books, beginning in 1986 with the short-lived series from DC Comics, Elvira's House of Mystery.  In 2018, Elvira returned to comic books via Dynamite Entertainment.  Elvira's latest comic book series is Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1.  The series is written by David Avallone; drawn by Kewber Baal; colored by Walter Pereyra; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.  The series finds Elvira returning to the Multiverse of Movies (a bunch of “pocket dimensions” created by the existence of movies) in order to stop Vlad the Impaler and the creation of a monster army.

Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1 #4 (“You Don't Look Kaiju-ish”) opens at that pivotal moment when the Mistress of the Dark discovers that she has arrived in “Monsterland.”  Of course, it's filled with the giant monsters that have come to define the Japanese genre known as “kaiju.”

Elvira stands no chance against such big baddies as “Kingzilla” (a surrogate for Godzilla), “Crowdan” (Rodan), and “Maripothra” (Mothra), to name a few.  But what about “Mecha-Elvira?”  Can she rise up and k-o the kaiju? 

THE LOWDOWN:  Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1 #4, one of many Dynamite/David Avallone Elvira comic books that I have read and enjoyed.

I am a huge fan of werewolf movies, so I looked forward to Elvira in Monsterland #3.  I'm not that big of a fan of Japanese kaiju movies (although I am a big fan of kaiju comic books like the ones produced by writer-artist, Carter Allen, including the Ectyron Omnibus Vol. 1).  However, I am a big fan of writer David Avallone's sparkling dialogue, so I knew he would make big monsters big fun.  My favorite wit in this issue is the following bit, “Going down! And not in the fun way...”  Avallone's witty repartee has made his various Elvira comic books series some of the best humor comic books of the past decade, and Monsterland is not the exception.

Artist Kewber Baal is an excellent match for Avallone's humor.  Baal's storytelling has a breezy pace, as if the story were dancing across the pop culture and entertainment space-time continuum and finding all the humorous soft spots.  Walter Pereya's colors ground the story so that it doesn't become fanciful.  Avallone's Elvira stories punch and kick, so Elvira in Monsterland should not look like a colorful kids' humor comic. Thus, Pereya's colors set the proper surreal tone.

Elvira in Monsterland is a romp through monster movie history, and because we aren't getting an Elvira television or streaming series, this comic book is perfect.  Don't call it a substitute, however; it's the real deal in comic book comedy.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Elvira and of David Avallone's Elvira comic books will want to read Elvira in Monsterland Volume 1.

A

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


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Saturday, September 9, 2023

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from September 1st to 9th, 2023 - Update #18

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

SCANDAL - From CNN:  47-year-old actor Danny Masterson ("That '70s Show") was sentenced on Thursday, September 7th to 30 years to life in prison after he was convicted on two counts of rape earlier this year in a Los Angeles courtroom, according to Deputy D.A. Reinhold Mueller of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.

From THR:  Actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have apologized for writing "character letters" for their former "That '70s Show" castmate, Danny Masterson, who was recently sentenced to prison after being convicted on two counts of rape.

TELEVISION - From DeadlineWarner Bros. Television continues to suspend the "overall deals" it made with some of its top creators. The latest round includes Greg Berlanti, Bill Lawrence, and Mindy Kaling.

DISNEY - From Deadline:  The Disney-Charter Communications carriage fees battle seems like the death knell for cable TV and the pay-TV bundle.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  At the Venice Film Festival, Deadline site conducted an interview with Oscar-nominated filmmaker, Ava DuVernay, who talks about her new film "Origin" and the state of her career.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  "NCIS: Sydney," the first international spinoff for a CBS Studios global drama franchise, will debut exclusively on Paramount+ Australia on Nov. 10th, followed by its U.S. premiere on CBS on Nov. 13th, with weekly rollout of new episodes on both.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 9/1 to 9/3/2023 weekend box office is Sony Pictures' "The Equalizer 3" with an estimated take of 34.5 million dollars.

From Variety:  "The Equalizer 3" leads the Labor Day weekend box office frame.

From Deadline:  The site examines the career trajectory of Oscar-winner Denzel Washington in "Denzel Washington: Deadline's How They Reached the Top."

MOVIES - From Variety:  The site talks to 87-year-old director, Woody Allen, about his new film, "Coup de Chance," and the sexual abuse allegations made by his daughter, Dylan Farrow.

STREAMING - From Variety:  Hulu has cancelled "How I Met Your Father" after two-seasons.  The series was spinoff of the long-running CBS sitcom, "How I Met Your Mother" (2005-2014).

TELEVISION - From DeadlineESPN and 18 other Disney networks as well as ABC stations have gone dark across Spectrum, the No. 2 cable TV service in the U.S.  Charter Communications, which runs Spectrum, and Disney had been locked in a distribution dispute for at least for a few weeks.

From DeadlineCharter Communications executives say Disney rejected their proposed “New Model” distribution deal for Charter's Spectrum cable service.  And Charter says it's ready to move on...

From Deadline:  Disney hits back at Charter Communications over Spectrum cable service, saying that it offered "the most favorable terms."

MUSIC/MOVIES - From Deadline:  First day pre-sales on Taylor Swift's concert film, "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" surpass 37 million dollars.  The film looks to have an opening weekend of more than 70 million dollars. It opens Oct. 13th.

From VarietyOctober, Friday the 13th will be the release date for Taylor Swift's concert film, "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour."

From THR:  "The Exorcist" sequel/reboot thingie, entitled "The Exorcist: Believer," has moved up its release date to Oct. 6th.  It's original release date was Oct. 13th, which is now the parking spot of the concert film, "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour."

WRITERS/ACTORS STRIKE:

From Deadline:  The WGA (Writers Guild of America) told its members Friday (Sept. 8th) that despite the united front the streamers and studios (via the AMPTP) have shown in public during the guild’s 130-day strike, several of the legacy companies privately have expressed “both the desire and willingness to negotiate an agreement that adequately addresses writers’ issues.”

From Deadline:  Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav says the industry must focus and fight to resolve the writers and actors strikes.

From Deadline:  The writers of MTV’s "Ridiculousness" are coming closer to being unionized. The show’s writing team, which was behind over 230 episodes last year, has been going through the process to unionize over the last few months, hoping to join the WGA.

From THR:  As talks with the Writers Guild of America stall, the studio trade association, AMPTP, has retained D.C.-based firm, The Levinson Group, to pursue a fresh messaging strategy.

From Deadline:  Regarding the Hollywood writers strike, the AMPTP (representing the studios) released the details of a proposed labor agreement that it made to the WGA (the Writers Guild) on August 11th.

From Deadline:  A pair of former production assistants-turned-assistant directors have created a nonprofit in hopes of providing financial aid to PAs (production assistants) who’ve been put out of work due to the strike.

From Deadline:  Writers Guild (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) will resume strike talks today, Fri., Aug. 11th.

From Deadline:  Meeting for the first time in more than three months, the Writers Guild and the AMPTP on Friday failed to reach an agreement to resume contract negotiations. The Writers Strike will go on indefinitely.

From Deadline:  Hollywood’s superstars are answering the call from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, donating $1 million or more each to help their fellow performers during the ongoing actors and writers strikes.  Among the big donors are Leonardo DiCaprioMeryl StreepOprah Winfrey, and Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.

From Deadline:  If you are interested, here is a list of the film and TV productions SAG-AFTRA has granted waivers to continue filming.

From Variety:  International superstar, Dwayne Johnson, makes a seven-figure contribution to the "SAG-AFTRA Foundation Relief Fund." Foundation president, actor Courtney B. Vance, says the amount will remain confidential.

From Variety:  Why haven't A-list stars joined the SAG-AFTRA picket line?, asks "Variety."

From Deadline:  Author George R.R. Martin, whose works were the basis for HBO's "Game of Thrones," says the strikes will be long and bitter.

From THR:  Production works at Warner Bros. Animation (66) and at Cartoon Network (22) have gone public with their attempt to unionize via The Animation Guild.

From Variety:  Halted film productions due to the writers and actors strikes are costing each Hollywood studio at least 600,000 dollars per week.

From Variety:  Said at a strike meeting: “Without a transformative change in SAG-AFTRA’s current contract with the AMPTP, the acting profession will no longer be an option for future generations of performers, and actors already working in the industry will need to pursue other careers in order to survive.”

From Deadline:  If you are a "social media influencer" who is NOT  a member of SAG-AFTRA, you can be barred from future membership for promoting a film or television series during the actors' strike.

From Variety:  The SAG/AFTRA strike begins in New York and Los Angeles.  Hollywood actors began striking today, Fri., July 14th.

From Deadline:  The site has the video of the powerful strike speech given by SAG-AFTRA president, Fran Drescher, the actress best known for CBS' former sitcom, "The Nanny."

From Deadline:  Concerning the Hollywood writers strike (via the WGA), the Hollywood Studios (as represented by the AMPTP) is to let the writers go broke before resuming talks deep into the Fall.

From Deadline: SAG-AFTRA is already preparing strike picket signs in case the actors' strike begins next week.

From Deadline:  WGA is picketing the New York City filming location of the 12th series of FX's "American Horror Story" (entitled "Delicate") after series co-creator Ryan Murphy threaten litigation against an east coast strike captain.

From THR:  TV super-producer, Ryan Murphy, in a letter from his attorney to the leadership of the Writers Guild of America, threatened litigation against Warren Leight, an East Coast strike captain and Strike Rules Compliance Committee member who has subsequently forfeited those positions.

From Deadline:  The Hollywood studios via the AMPTP has given Canadian actors a new contract, including a 5 percent raise.

From Deadline:  Writers Strike puts the spotlight back on the challenge from writers for animation productions to be covered by the WGA.

From THR:  Studios won't give writers better pay, and now, are laying off janitors.

From Deadline:  The Directors Guild of America (DGA) has reached a tentative new three-year deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). So what does the Writers Guild (WGA), currently on strike and negotiating with the AMPTP, think of that deal.

From Deadline:  Netflix shareholders declined to support the 2023 pay packages of top executives during a non-binding vote at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on Thursday.  The vote won't prevent these execs from getting their loot (an total of $166 million), but this is a rare public rebuke.  The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has urged shareholders to vote "No" because the pay was "inappropriate" at this time.

From Deadline:  Warner Bros Discovery chief David Zaslav gave the commencement address at Boston University. There he was met with jeers and also chants of "pay your writers" from picketers and from some in the audience.

From Deadline:   President Joe Biden speaks on the Writers Guild of America strike.

From Deadline:  Retaliation! The studios have starting informing writer-producers who have "overall" and "first-look" deals that such deals are being suspended.

From Deadline:  Retaliation!  Prolific HBO creator, David Simon, who is best known for "The Wire," is one of the many writers who have had their overall deals suspended the studios due to the WGA strike.  Simon has been with HBO for 25 years.

From Deadline:  The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is on strike.

From Deadline:  Disney, HBO/HBO Max, and CBS have sent letters to showrunners (the TV equivalent of film directors) instructing them to return to work, inspite of the writer's strike.

From Deadline:  The WGA's chief negotiator, Ellen Stutzman, talks about the state of the writers' strike, including the lack of engagement on the part of the strike's other party, AMPTP.

From Deadline:  What went wrong between the WGA and AMPTP? What could they not agree on that led to a strike?

From Deadline:  The site explains the WGA strike: the issues, the stakes, movies and TV shows affected, and how long it might last.

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Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Review: "JOHN WICK: Chapter 4" is Too Long, But Keanu is Still Hot

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 42 of 2023 (No. 1931) by Leroy Douresseaux

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
Running time:  169 minutes (2 hours, 49 minutes)
MPA – R for pervasive strong violence and some language
DIRECTOR:  Chad Stahelski
WRITERS:  Shay Hatten and Michael Finch (based on characters created by Derek Kolstad)
PRODUCERS:  Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Dan Lausten (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Nathan Orloff
COMPOSERS:  Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard

ACTION/THRILLER/CRIME

Starring:  Keanu Reeves, Bill Skarsgard, Donnie Yen, Shamier Anderson, Ian McShane, Clancy Brown, Marko Zaror, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, Aimée Kwan, George Georgiou, and Laurence Fishburne and Lance Reddick

John Wick: Chapter 4 is a 2023 action and crime-thriller starring Keanu Reeves and directed by Chad Stahelski.  It is a direct sequel to 2019's John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and is the fourth film in the John Wick film series.  Chapter 4 finds John Wick facing off against a new enemy who has powerful alliances around the world and who can turn John's friends into John enemies.

John Wick: Chapter 4 finds the legendary assassin and hitman, John Wick (Keanu Reeves), hiding in the underground lair of the crime lord known as “The Bowery King” (Laurence Fishburne).  Wick prepares to unleash his revenge against the High Table (the entity that rules the assassins guild) and its current “Elder.”  In response, the High Table tasks one of its members, the Marquis Vincent Bisset de Gramont (Bill Skarsgard), to kill John Wick.  The Table gives the Marquis unlimited resources to kill John, and the first thing he does is punish Winston (Ian McShane), the manager of the New York Continental hotel, for failing to kill Wick.

The Marquis puts a twenty-million dollar bounty on John Wick's head, and then, enlists Caine (Donnie Yen), a blind, retired High Table assassin, to kill his Wick, who is an old friend of John's.  Despite all the Marquis' machinations, John Wick has devised a plan to defeat him and to be freed of the High Table.  To do that, John will need help from a number of erstwhile friends and allies and also from one strange new friend or enemy, The Tracker a.k.a. “Mr. Nobody” (Shamier Anderson), and his resourceful dog.

I have been a long time fan of actor Keanu Reeves.  I have enjoyed and even loved Reeves in films like the original Point Break (1991) and in The Matrix film trilogy, beginning with The Matrix (1999).

Thus, I was very interested in seeing the original John Wick (2014), but I didn't see it in a theater.  I was interested in John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) and John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019), but I didn't see those in a theater, either.  I was very interested in seeing John Wick: Chapter 4, but I was put off by its runtime.  So I didn't see it in a movie theater.

Now, I've seen it, and I'm glad I waited.  I would have been pissed to sit in an uncomfortable movie theater seat for almost three hours for the way-too-long John Wick: Chapter 4.  Most of the film's narrative is story padding, and the filmmakers could have easily shaved an hour from this film's runtime without really changing the story.  I will say that Chapter 4 is a beautiful-looking film.  The cinematography, production design, locations, and lighting are museum quality.  Yes, the action and fight scenes are spectacular, but some of them, like the entire “Arc de Triomphe” car chase and fight, went on for far too long – for all their inventiveness.

But I love me some Keanu Reeves, and because he dominates this film, I can enjoy it.  I couldn't stop watching him.  If just about anyone else were the star, I would have stopped watching John Wick: Chapter 4 after an hour.  The supporting cast also helped me enjoy a movie that I basically did not find as enjoyable as the series' previous entries.  I can never get enough of the great Hong Kong actor and martial artist, Donnie Yen, and I'm always down for more Laurence Fishburne.  Shamier Anderson and the dog that is his co-star add some nice new flavors to this series.  Bill Skarsgard is magnetic as the Marquis, and a spoonful of Clancy Brown (as “the Harbinger”) helps the average movie go down.  Also, it was great to see the late Lance Reddick (1962-2023) as Charon one last time.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a fifth John Wick movie down the line, and I won't see it in a theater either – if the runtime is around three hours.  But for John Wick fans, John Wick: Chapter 4 is a must-see for the main reason to see all of them – Keanu Reeves.

6 of 10
B
★★★ out of 4 stars

Wednesday, September 6, 2023


The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Review: "LAPUTA: CASTLE IN THE SKY" is in the Sky with Diamonds

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 41 of 2023 (No. 1930) by Leroy Douresseaux

Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986)
TenkÅ« no Shiro Rapyuta – original Japanese title
Running time:  125 minutes (2 hours, 5 minutes)
MPAA – PG
DIRECTOR:  Hayao Miyazaki
WRITER:  Hayao Miyazaki
PRODUCER:  Isao Takahata
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Hirokata Takahashi
EDITORS:  Hayao Miyazaki, Yoshihiro Kasahara, and Takeshi Seyama
COMPOSER:  Joe Hisaishi

ANIMATION/FANTASY and ACTION/ADVENTURE

Starring:  (voices) Mayumi Tanaka, Keiko Yokozawa, Kotoe Hatsui, Minori Terada, Fujio Tokita, Ichiro Nagai, and Hiroshi Ito

Laputa: Castle in the Sky is a 1986 Japanese animated, action-adventure fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki.  Laputa is also the first film fully produced by the Japanese animation studio, Studio Ghibli.  In North America, the film is known simply as Castle in the Sky, the title by which I will refer to it in this review.  Castle in the Sky follows the adventures of a young boy and girl who must race against time, pirates, and foreign agents in a bid to find a legendary island that floats in the sky.

Castle in the Sky opens on an airship.  Aboard the aircraft is a young girl, Sheeta (Mayumi Tanaka), an orphan girl abducted by the government agent, Colonel Muska (Minori Terada).  The airship is attacked by Captain Dola (Kotoe Hatsui) and her gang, “the Dola Pirates” (all of whom are apparently her sons).  Dola is seeking Sheeta's necklace, which holds a small orb made of pure “etherium” crystal.  Attempting to escape, Sheeta falls from the airship, but is saved by the magic of etherium in the now-glowing crystal, which lowers her slowly to the ground.

On the ground, Sheeta is caught by a young boy, Pazu (Keiko Yokozawa).  Soon, Pazu is on a mission to protect Sheeta from both Dola and Muska.  Pazu and Sheeta's goal is to reach the mythical flying island, “Laputa,” which is connected to both children's past, but in different ways.  The mystery of Laputa is what exactly is it – a paradise, a treasure trove, or something dangerous.

I have previously reviewed the following Miyazaki-directed films:  The Castle of Cagliostro (1979), Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Princess Mononoke (1997), Spirited Away (2001), Howl's Moving Castle (2004), Ponyo (2008), and The Wind Rises (2013).  As Netflix is shutting down its DVD-by-mail division, I am hoping to get to the Miyazaki films that I have not previously watched.  This is the first time I've watched Castle in the Sky.

For me, the most wonderful thing about Castle in the Sky is that it is steeped in Hayao Miyazaki's affinity for flight, a theme that dominates many of his films.  He fills this film with wonderful flying contraptions, such as the government's flying fortress, “Goliath,” and the Dola pirates' airship, “Tiger Moth.”  Even the robots of Laputa can become wonderful flying machines.  As with many of Miyazaki's films, Castle in the Sky is breathtaking, visually stunning, and mind-blowing, especially when the narrative takes to the air.

One of the film's most dominant themes is the innocence of children, as seen through the eyes of Pazu and Sheeta.  That shows in the two characters' resilience and determination in the face of constant turmoil and ceaseless obstacles.  Their relationship is the counterbalance to the film's darker elements, especially its focus on on humanity's relationship with nature and with technology.  Most of the film displays technology in harmony with nature, taking place in a fantasy version of the nineteenth century.  There is a “retro-future” aesthetic that finds a balance between mankind's technological creations and the natural world at large.  Castle in the Sky would go on to have a strong influence on the then emerging science fiction sub-genre known as “steampunk.”

I believe that if you, dear readers, have never seen a Miyazaki film, the first one you watch will validate the great things you may have heard about him.  When you see your second Miyazaki, you will certainly become a true believer.  Castle in the Sky is the kind of animated film that will make just about any movie fan a true believer in Hayao Miyazaki.  It is one of the greatest adventure films ever made, and one of the greatest animated films of all time.  Castle in the Sky mixes vivid imagination, eye-popping inventiveness, and stunning beauty in a way only the best animated films do.  Every frame of this film belongs on a wall in a museum.  If it were a Disney animated feature, Disney would call Laputa: Castle in the Sky an instant classic.  It certainly is a classic.

10 of 10

Tuesday, September 5, 2023


The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, September 4, 2023

Review: "THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS" is a Masterpiece

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 125 (of 2004) by Leroy Douresseaux

Les Invasion Barbares (2003)
The Barbarian Invasions (2003) – U.S. title
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:  Canada/France; Language:  French/English
Running time:  99 minutes (1 hour, 33 minutes)
MPAA – R for language, sexual dialogue, and content
WRITER/DIRECTOR:  Denys Arcand
PRODUCERS: Daniel Louis and Denise Robert
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Guy Dufaux
EDITOR: Isabelle Dedieu
COMPOSER: Pierre Aviat
Academy Award winner

DRAMA/COMEDY

Starring:  Rémy Girard, Stéphane Rousseau, Dorothée Berryman, Louise Portal, Dominique Michel, Yves Jacques, Pierre Curzi, Marie-Josée Croze, Marina Hands, Toni Cecchinato, and Mitsou Gélinas

Les Invasions barbares is a 2003 comedy and drama written and directed by Denys Arcand.  A Canadian and French co-production, the film was released in the U.S. under the title, The Barbarian Invasions, the title I will used for this review.  The Barbarian Invasions focuses on a dying man, who during his final days, is reunited with old friends, former lovers, his ex-wife, and his estranged son.

Arcand’s The Barbarian Invasion won the Academy Award for “Best Foreign Language Film” at the 76th Academy Awards in 2004.  A sequel to Arcand's 1986 film, The Decline of the American Empire, The Barbarian Invasions received only one other Oscar nomination, which was for best original screenplay (written by Arcand), and that was and still is ridiculous.  Considering the performances and Arcand’s direction, the film should have received at least a few more.

The Barbarian Invasions is the story of 50-ish Rémy (Rémy Girard) and his family.  He is dying of cancer and is laid up in a Montreal hospital.  His ex-wife, Louise (Dorothée Berryman), summons home their son, Sébastien (Stéphane Rousseau), who is estranged from his father and is living in London.  Sébastien, a rich oil trader for a huge British firm, is, in a sense, a disappointment to his father.  The son is a wealthy capitalist and the father was an arm chair, leftist, radical type.

Soon after he arrives, Sébastien uses his money and connections to fight the entrenched Canadian nationalized health system, and he gets Rémy a private room and other amenities.  But the most difficult part of the prodigal son’s return home is the reconciliation between father and son.

The most amazing thing about this thoroughly beautiful film is that Arcand is able to tell the story of a father trying to redeem himself, of a son trying to put aside his anger at this father, and of a man trying to find meaning in a life he believes that he lazily kept so modest and have still more sub-plots, philosophies, and ideas.  The film also deals with mother/daughter relationships, the drug war, drug addiction, personal and professional failure, the Canadian health system, socialism, infidelity, friendship, politics, religion, genocide, and barbarian invasions of civilization.  Arcand does all of this without losing the central, human focus of his lovely movie.  Filled with rich performances, subtle humor, and endearing characters, The Barbarian Invasions is the best film of the year.

10 of 10

Re-edited:  Saturday, September 2, 2023

NOTES:
2004 Academy Awards, USA:  1 win: “Best Foreign Language Film” (Canada); 1 nomination: “Best Writing, Original Screenplay” (Denys Arcand)

2004 BAFTA Awards:  2 nominations: “Best Screenplay-Original” (Denys Arcand) and “Best Film not in the English Language” (Denise Robert, Daniel Louis, and Denys Arcand)

2004 Golden Globes, USA:  1 nomination: “Best Foreign Language Film” (Canada)


The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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