Comic Books, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for October 4, 2023

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

MAY231255 AMERICAN GODS TP VOL 03 MOMENT OF STORM (MR) $24.99

AUG231589 ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #344 $9.99

AUG231586 ARCHIES HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR ONESHOT $3.99

AUG231547 ARE YOU AFRAID OF DARK GN VOL 01 WITCHS WINGS $14.99

JUN239045 BALLAD OF GORDON BARLEYCORN #1 2ND PTG $4.99

JUL239379 BATTLE CHASERS #12 2ND PTG (MR) $3.99

AUG232084 BE THAT WAY HC $22.99

JUL231724 BEATLES YELLOW SUBMARINE HC (INSIGHT ED) $34.99

AUG232138 BEGIN AGAIN HC $26.99

AUG232175 BEST OF 2000 AD TP VOL 04 (OF 6) (MR) $22.99

JUL231275 BEST OF BEAUTY OF HORROR ANOTHER COLORING BOOK SC (MR) $16.99

AUG232170 BEST OF THARGS TERRORS TALES TP $24.00

AUG232158 BIG ADV BABYMOUSE GN VOL 02 BESTIES $13.99

MAY231265 BPRD OMNIBUS TP VOL 07 $29.99

MAY231266 BREATHERS TP (RES) $29.99

JUL231158 CAT FIGHT #4 CVR A KYRIAZIS $3.99

JUL231159 CAT FIGHT #4 CVR B GANUCHEAU $3.99

AUG231555 CAT NINJA GN VOL 05 CATS CLAW $12.99

JUL231989 CATRINAS CARAVAN #3 $4.99

MAR231070 CENTAURS GN VOL 01 $12.99

AUG232382 CHAINSAW MAN GN VOL 12 $11.99

JUL231743 CHOPPING BLOCK #4 CVR A BEET IT $5.99

JUL231744 CHOPPING BLOCK #4 CVR B GOOD BOY $5.99

JUL231745 CHOPPING BLOCK #4 CVR C B-MOVIE POSTER $5.99

JUL231746 CHOPPING BLOCK #4 CVR D HOLOFOIL $19.99

JUL231747 CHOPPING BLOCK #4 CVR E BLANK PANEL $9.99

AUG230446 CHOSEN ONE AMERICAN JESUS TRILOGY TP (MR) $24.99

AUG232534 CINDERELLA CLOSET GN VOL 03 $13.99

AUG232535 CITRUS PLUS GN VOL 05 (MR) $13.99

JUL231685 CITY OF DRAGONS GN VOL 02 RISE OF THE SHADOWFIRE $12.99

JUL238526 CONAN BARBARIAN #1 3RD PTG FOIL LOGO CVR PANOSIAN B&W VIRGIN $13.99

JUN239371 COOKING WITH MONSTERS FEASTIARY TRICK OR READ 2023 (BUNDLE O $PI

AUG232537 CORALS REEF GN VOL 01 $13.99

JUL230440 COSMIC DETECTIVE TP (MR) $17.99

JUN232069 COUNT DANTE #3 (OF 6) $4.99

AUG232264 CREEPOVER GN VOL 05 THERES SOMETHING OUT THERE $11.99

JUL231501 CRESTAR & KNIGHT STALLION #3 (OF 3) CVR A ROBERTSON (MR) $4.99

JUL231502 CRESTAR & KNIGHT STALLION #3 (OF 3) CVR B PHOTO (MR) $4.99

JUL231503 CRESTAR & KNIGHT STALLION #3 (OF 3) CVR C AHMAD (MR) $4.99

AUG232283 D&D LORE & LEGENDS HC $50.00

AUG232540 DANGERS IN MY HEART GN VOL 07 $12.99

JUN239372 DARK SPACES HALLOWEEN TRICK OR READ 2023 (BUNDLE OF 20) (Net $PI

MAY231179 DEAD BY DAYLIGHT #3 (OF 4) CVR A HERVAS $4.99

MAY231180 DEAD BY DAYLIGHT #3 (OF 4) CVR B SNOOK $4.99

MAY231181 DEAD BY DAYLIGHT #3 (OF 4) CVR C HERVAS COPIC $4.99

JUN238786 DEAD BY DAYLIGHT #3 (OF 4) FOC FOIL HERVAS $14.99

AUG232066 DEVIL THAT WEARS MY FACE #1 CVR A ALEX CORMACK $4.99

AUG232067 DEVIL THAT WEARS MY FACE #1 CVR B MAAN HOUSE $4.99

JUL231448 DEVIL`S DOMINION READER PACK $19.95

MAY231767 DF ACTION COMICS #1056 SILVER JOHNSON SGN $38.00

AUG231901 DF BACK TO SCHOOL COLL SET $123.40

MAY231771 DF GUNSLINGER SPAWN #18 BLUE HAESER SGN RMRK $99.99

MAY231735 DF INCREDIBLE HULK #1 JOHNSON GOLD SGN $62.00

MAY231734 DF INCREDIBLE HULK #1 JOHNSON SGN $19.62

MAY231737 DF INCREDIBLE HULK #1 PEREZ VAR GOLD JOHNSON SGN $62.00

AUG231902 DF TOP TIER TRIFECTA STARTER SET $149.99

MAY231270 DRAGON AGE MISSING TP $19.99

AUG232543 DRAGON KINGS IMPERIAL WRATH GN VOL 02 $14.99

AUG231469 DUNE DLX COLL ED GN VOL 02 MUAD DIB $50.00

APR231351 EC ARCHIVES WEIRD FANTASY TP VOL 02 $19.99

FEB230401 EERIE ARCHIVES TP VOL 01 $24.99

JUL239380 ENFIELD GANG MASSACRE #1 (OF 6) 2ND PTG (MR) $3.99

AUG230482 ENFIELD GANG MASSACRE #3 (OF 6) CVR A PHILLIPS (MR) $3.99

AUG230483 ENFIELD GANG MASSACRE #3 (OF 6) CVR B TWD 20TH ANNV (MR) $3.99

MAY231984 ETERNUS TP $24.99

AUG232095 FANTASY SPORTS GN VOL 01 COURT OF SOULS $12.99

JUN232388 FIRE FORCE GN VOL 34 (RES) $10.99

JUL231274 FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE COMP LIBRARY HC VOL 07 $49.99

JUL231956 FUNG GI #1 CVR A JM RINGUET $4.99

JUL231957 FUNG GI #1 CVR B JM RINGUET $4.99

JUL231039 GENE SIMMONS DOMINATRIX #3 (OF 4) CVR A BALENT $4.99

JUL231040 GENE SIMMONS DOMINATRIX #3 (OF 4) CVR B LOUGA $4.99

AUG231726 GEORGE RR MARTIN PRESENTS WILD CARDS SINS OF FATHER GN $28.99

MAY231190 GET SCHOOLED GN VOL 01 (MR) $19.99

JUL232059 GINSENG ROOTS #12 $9.00

AUG232166 GLASS SCIENTISTS GN VOL 01 $16.99

JUN232339 GOBLIN SLAYER SIDE STORY YEAR ONE GN VOL 09 $13.00

JUL231179 GODZILLA HERE THERE BE DRAGONS #4 CVR A MIRANDA $3.99

JUL231180 GODZILLA HERE THERE BE DRAGONS #4 CVR B KIRKHAM $3.99

JUL232130 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #76 CVR A VITORINO $3.99

JUL232131 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #76 CVR B TARRAGONA $3.99

JUL232132 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #76 CVR C IGOR LOMOV $3.99

JUL232133 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #76 CVR D MARIA LAURA SANAPO $3.99

JUL230443 HEART ATTACK TP $19.99

JUL231516 HELLWITCH FORBIDDEN #1 B&W ED $15.00

JUL231517 HELLWITCH FORBIDDEN ART #1 PREMIERE ED (MR) $15.00

AUG232096 HILDAS WORLD GUIDE TO TROLBERG HC $21.99

JAN231095 IMMORTAL REGIS OMNIBUS GN VOL 01 (MR) $19.99

JUN231814 INCREDIBLE HULK #2 SGN JOHNSON $19.62

JUL232021 JOHN CARPENTERS TALES FOR A HALLOWEENIGHT TP VOL 09 (MR) $29.99

JUL232022 JOHN CARPENTERS TALES SCIENCE FICTION THE ENVOY TP (RES) (MR $15.99

AUG230453 JUNK RABBIT TP VOL 01 (MR) $16.99

JUL230488 KING SPAWN #26 CVR A DEODATO $2.99

JUL230489 KING SPAWN #26 CVR B NGU $2.99

JUL230490 KING SPAWN #26 CVR C NGU $2.99

AUG230454 KING SPAWN TP VOL 03 $16.99

AUG232402 KINGS BEAST GN VOL 11 $9.99

MAR231693 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #308 $6.99

APR231115 LEGEND FELL #3 CVR A MARQUES $4.99

APR231116 LEGEND FELL #3 CVR B PARSON HOMAGE $4.99

JUN238818 LEGEND FELL #3 CVR C FOC LTD ED DRAGONS PAINTED $6.99

AUG232119 LET ME OUT GN (MR) $19.99

JUL230445 LOCAL MAN TP VOL 01 HEARTLAND $16.99

AUG232163 LORE OLYMPUS GN VOL 05 $21.00

AUG232164 LORE OLYMPUS HC GN VOL 05 $27.99

AUG232167 LOST TIME GN $13.99

APR232175 LOVESICK ELLIE GN VOL 12 $10.99

JUL231688 MABUHAY GN $12.99

AUG232125 MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR GN VOL 02 GREAT WALL OF CHINA $6.99

MAY231283 MAKING OF ASSASSINS CREED 15TH ANNIV DLX ED HC $99.99

MAY231282 MAKING OF ASSASSINS CREED 15TH ANNIV ED HC $49.99

AUG232554 MALEVOLENT SPIRITS MONONOGATARI GN VOL 04 (MR) $13.99

JUL231365 MANGA Z #16 $4.99

AUG231234 MASTERS OF UNIVERSE FORGE OF DESTINY #2 CVR A NUNEZ $3.99

AUG231235 MASTERS OF UNIVERSE FORGE OF DESTINY #2 CVR B SEELEY $3.99

AUG231236 MASTERS OF UNIVERSE FORGE OF DESTINY #2 CVR C HARDMAN $3.99

AUG231237 MIDNITE SHOW #1 CVR A HURTT $3.99

AUG231238 MIDNITE SHOW #1 CVR B BRERETON $3.99

AUG231239 MIDNITE SHOW #1 CVR C FRANCAVILLA $3.99

JUL230976 MIGHTY BARBARIANS #6 CVR A ALAN QUAH (MR) $3.99

JUL230977 MIGHTY BARBARIANS #6 CVR B EOIN MARRON (MR) $3.99

JUL230978 MIGHTY BARBARIANS #6 CVR C JORDAN MICHAEL JOHNSON (MR) $3.99

JUL230979 MIGHTY BARBARIANS #6 CVR D CASAS HOMAGE (MR) $3.99

FEB239037 MIRACULOUS TALES OF LADYBUG & CAT NOIR MANGA GN VOL 02 $10.99

JUL231921 MISTY 45 YEARS OF FEAR HC $52.99

JUL231302 MODEL A GN VOL 01 $19.95

JUL231964 MOM BREAKS THE INTERNET #1 CVR A LIANA KANGAS $4.99

JUL231965 MOM BREAKS THE INTERNET #1 CVR B MULHOLLAND & AUGUSTO $4.99

AUG232556 MOMO BLOOD TAKER GN VOL 06 $13.99

AUG231929 MONICA HC $30.00

AUG232097 MONSTER SUPPORT GROUP MUMMYS CURSE SC $12.99

AUG232386 MORIARTY THE PATRIOT GN VOL 13 $9.99

AUG231909 MY BRILLIANT FRIEND GN $26.00

JUL231199 MY LITTLE PONY CAMP BIGHOOF #3 CVR A SHERRON $3.99

JUL231200 MY LITTLE PONY CAMP BIGHOOF #3 CVR B HAINES $3.99

AUG232379 MY LOVE MIX UP GN VOL 09 (OF 9) $9.99

JUN231777 MY PICTURE DIARY HC (MR) $29.95

JUN231778 NEJISHIKI HC (MR) $29.95

JUL231672 NIGHT AND DANA GN $18.99

JUL231285 NIGHT EATERS GN VOL 02 HER LITTLE REAPERS $29.99

DEC221971 NIGHT OF LIVING CAT GN VOL 03 $13.99

JUL232294 NUMIVERSE ORIGINS #1 $3.99

AUG231989 ONE COOL DUCK GN VOL 02 FAR OUT FORT $8.99

JUL231049 PLOT HOLES #2 (OF 5) CVR A MURPHY (MR) $3.99

JUL231050 PLOT HOLES #2 (OF 5) CVR B HOWELL (MR) $3.99

JUL231051 PLOT HOLES #2 (OF 5) CVR C KLAUS JANSON HOMAGE (MR) $3.99

JUL231052 PLOT HOLES #2 (OF 5) CVR D WALLIS (MR) $3.99

JUL231053 PLOT HOLES #2 (OF 5) CVR E ROOSH (MR) $3.99

AUG232561 POLAR BEAR CAFE COLL ED TP VOL 03 $16.99

JUL231813 PRINCE IN COMICS HC $27.99

AUG232562 PULSE GN VOL 05 $19.99

JUL231970 QUICKSAND #3 $4.99

AUG232401 RAINBOW DAYS GN VOL 06 $9.99

AUG232130 RALPH AZHAM GN VOL 01 BLACK ARE THE STARS $14.99

JUL222413 RIVERS EDGE GN (MR) $14.95

APR231039 RIVERS OF LONDON 7-9 BOX SET (RES) $49.99

JUL231203 ROCKETEER IN THE DEN OF THIEVES #3 CVR A RODRIGUEZ $4.99

JUL231204 ROCKETEER IN THE DEN OF THIEVES #3 CVR B MESSINA $4.99

AUG230534 SACRIFICERS #3 CVR A FIUMARA $3.99

AUG230535 SACRIFICERS #3 CVR B ALI $3.99

AUG230537 SACRIFICERS #3 CVR D TWD 20TH ANNV HARREN $3.99

JAN231094 SAVAGE GARDEN OMNIBUS GN VOL 01 (MR) $19.99

AUG231842 SAVING HNON CHANG & ELEPHANT GN $13.99

AUG232159 SCAREDY SQUIRREL GETS FESTIVE HC $12.99

JUN232345 SHY GN VOL 04 $13.00

FEB231100 SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT #4 CVR B HASSON (MR) $3.99

FEB231101 SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT #4 CVR C CLASSIC PHOTO (MR) $3.99

JUN239423 SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT #4 CVR D B&W VIRGIN ART FOC (MR) $6.99

FEB231099 SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT #4 MAIN CVR A CALZADA (MR) $3.99

AUG231714 SINS OF THE SALTON SEA #5 (OF 5) CVR A BRADSTREET (MR) $3.99

AUG231715 SINS OF THE SALTON SEA #5 (OF 5) CVR B JOHNSON (MR) $3.99

AUG231716 SINS OF THE SALTON SEA #5 (OF 5) CVR C FILM NOIR HOMAGE (MR) $3.99

JUL231554 SIRE TP REVELATIONS $9.99

JUL230455 SPAWN ORIGINS TP VOL 27 $16.99

AUG232390 SPY X FAMILY OFFICIAL GUIDE EYES ONLY GN $16.99

JUL231225 STAR TREK DEFIANT #8 CVR A FEEHAN $4.99

JUL231226 STAR TREK DEFIANT #8 CVR B UNZUETA $4.99

JUL231227 STAR TREK DEFIANT #8 CVR C BRACCHI $4.99

JUL231235 STAR TREK HOLOWEEN #1 CVR A FRANCAVILLA $3.99

JUL231236 STAR TREK HOLOWEEN #1 CVR B VILCHEZ $3.99

JUL231243 STAR TREK SNW SCORPIUS RUN #2 CVR A HERNANDEZ $3.99

JUL231244 STAR TREK SNW SCORPIUS RUN #2 CVR B MASON $3.99

JUL231245 STAR TREK SNW SCORPIUS RUN #2 CVR C LEVENS $3.99

JUL231220 STAR TREK YEAR FIVE DLX ED VOL 01 $39.99

JUL231658 STEPHEN KINGS DARK TOWER BEGINNINGS OMNIBUS GN $99.99

MAY231305 STONE STAR TP VOL 02 IN SPOTLIGHT $22.99

AUG232160 SUPER MAGIC BOY I AM A DINOSAUR HC $10.99

AUG232587 SUPPOSE A KID FROM LAST DUNGEON MOVED GN VOL 10 $12.99

AUG232378 TAMONS B-SIDE GN VOL 01 $9.99

AUG231266 TEAR US APART #2 $4.99

JUL231272 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES COMPENDIUM HC VOL 02 $150.00

JUL232060 THE SICKNESS #2 CVR A JENNA CHA $6.00

JUL232061 THE SICKNESS #2 CVR B TYLER BOSS $6.00

AUG232569 THERES NO FREAKING WAY BE YOUR LOVER GN VOL 03 $13.99

JUL231432 TOWER TP VOL 01 $19.99

AUG230407 TRANSFORMERS #1 CVR A JOHNSON $4.99

AUG230408 TRANSFORMERS #1 CVR B JOHNSON & SPICER $4.99

AUG230409 TRANSFORMERS #1 CVR C JOHNSON & SPICER $4.99

AUG230410 TRANSFORMERS #1 CVR D OTTLEY $4.99

JUL231555 UNDER A BLOOD RED MOON #3 CVR A STANDARD ED (MR) $4.99

AUG230581 UNTOLD TALES OF I HATE FAIRYLAND #4 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99

JUL239378 UNTOLD TALES OF I HATE FAIRYLAND #4 (OF 5) TWD 20TH ANNV (MR $3.99

FEB232068 VAMPEERZ GN VOL 03 $12.95

JUN231683 VIOLET DESCENDS #5 (OF 5) CVR A FALCON $4.99

JUN231684 VIOLET DESCENDS #5 (OF 5) CVR B NAYLA AGUIRRE $4.99

JUN231685 VIOLET DESCENDS #5 (OF 5) CVR C ERICKA LUGO $4.99

JUL238924 VOID RIVALS #1 4TH PTG CONNECT CVR $3.99

JUL238925 VOID RIVALS #2 3RD PTG $3.99

JUL238926 VOID RIVALS #3 2ND PTG CONNECT CVR $3.99

AUG232284 VOYAGING GN VOL 01 PLAGUE STAR $19.99

AUG230443 WALKING DEAD DELUXE #1 NEWSPRINT ED (ONE-SHOT) (MR) $3.99

AUG230590 WALKING DEAD DLX #72 CVR A FINCH & MCCAIG (MR) $3.99

AUG230591 WALKING DEAD DLX #72 CVR B ADLARD & MCCAIG (MR) $3.99

AUG230592 WALKING DEAD DLX #72 CVR C HUGHES (MR) $3.99

AUG232157 WAR PARTY #5 (OF 7) (MR) $3.99

MAY231307 WHERE MONSTERS LIE TP $19.99

MAY231309 WHITE SAVIOR TP $19.99

FEB239043 WIND BREAKER GN VOL 02 $12.99

JUL232317 WISTORIA WAND & SWORD GN VOL 06 $12.99

JUN232334 WITCH & KNIGHT WILL SURVIVE GN VOL 02 $15.00

FEB232104 WITCH HAT ATELIER GN VOL 11 $12.99

MAY231310 WITCHER OMNIBUS TP VOL 02 $29.99

AUG231741 WORLD OF WARCRAFT EXPLORING AZEROTH HC $25.00

MAGAZINES

AUG232141 CARTOONS MAGAZINE #47 $8.99

AUG231828 COMIC SHOP NEWS (100CT BUNDLE) #1885 $PI

JUL230957 STAR TREK EXPLORER MAGAZINE #8 FOIL VAR $19.99

JUL230958 STAR TREK EXPLORER MAGAZINE #8 NEWSSTAND ED $9.99

JUL230959 STAR TREK EXPLORER MAGAZINE #8 PX ED $9.99

JUL230956 STAR WARS INSIDER #221 FOIL VAR $19.99

JUL230954 STAR WARS INSIDER #221 NEWSSTAND ED $9.99

JUL230955 STAR WARS INSIDER #221 PX ED $9.99

BOOKS

AUG232137 ALL OF MARVELS SC $18.00

JUN232364 ANGEL NEXT DOOR SPOILS ME ROTTEN NOVEL SC VOL 05.5 $15.00

JUL231439 BLACK PANTHER CULTURAL EXPLORATION HC $30.00

AUG232282 CHARACTER DESIGN QUARTERLY 26 SC $18.00

AUG232574 CLASSROOM OF ELITE YEAR 2 L NOVEL VOL 06 $14.99

JUN232349 DEER KING LIGHT NOVEL HC VOL 01 (MR) $26.00

AUG232006 DISNEY MAGICAL MOMENTS THROUGH THE DECADES $27.99

JUL231942 HARRY POTTER & PRISONER OF AZKABAN MINALIMA ED $39.99

AUG232086 HAWKEYE BISHOP TAKES KING HC NOVEL $17.99

JUL231514 HELLWITCH RISQUE ART BOOK HC EBAS CVR (MR) $45.00

JUL231515 HELLWITCH RISQUE ART BOOK HC SUN KHAMUNAKI CVR (MR) $45.00

JUL232205 JUJUTSU KAISEN OFFICIAL ANIME GUIDE SEASON 1 SC $17.99

JUL231541 LEGO MARVEL VISUAL DICTIONARY HC $24.99

MAY231461 ROKUGAN ART OF LEGEND OF THE FIVE RINGS HC (RES) $39.95

AUG232287 STAR WARS GALAXY OF STICKERS DARK SIDE HC $29.99

SEP222278 TALE OF THE SECRET SAINT GN VOL 04 $12.99

AUG231560 THE MYSTERIES HC $19.99

AUG232265 UNOFFICIAL COOKBOOK FOR FANS OF WILLY WONKA HC $24.99

JUL231277 WALTER SIMONSON FANTASTIC FOUR ARTISTS ED $150.00

IMAGE COMICS

MAY230179 CLEMENTINE GN BOOK 02 $14.99

MAY230112 PARASOCIAL HC (MR) $18.99

-------------------------

DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for October 3, 2023

DC COMICS:

Batgirls Volume 3 Girls To The Front TP, $19.99

Batman #138 (Cover A Jorge Jimenez)(Batman Catwoman The Gotham War), $4.99

Batman #138 (Cover B Gabriele Dell’Otto Card Stock Variant)(Batman Catwoman The Gotham War), $5.99

Batman #138 (Cover C Frank Cho Card Stock Variant)(Batman Catwoman The Gotham War), $5.99

Batman #138 (Cover D Kia Asamiya Card Stock Variant)(Batman Catwoman The Gotham War), AR

Batman #138 (Cover E Frank Cho Card Stock Variant)(Batman Catwoman The Gotham War), AR

Batman #138 (Cover F Chrissie Zullo Treat Or Treat Card Stock Variant)(Batman Catwoman The Gotham War), $5.99

Batman #138 (Cover G Pete Woods Justice League Vs. Godzilla Vs. Kong Connecting Card Stock Variant)(Batman Catwoman The Gotham War), $5.99

Batman The Adventures Continue Season Three #8 (Of 8)(Cover A Ty Templeton), $3.99

Batman The Adventures Continue Season Three #8 (Of 8)(Cover B Keron Grant Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman The Adventures Continue Season Three #8 (Of 8)(Cover C Gustavo Duarte Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman The Adventures Continue Season Three #8 (Of 8)(Cover D Hayden Sherman Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman Volume 4 The Cowardly Lot TP (2020), $16.99

Batman Wayne Family Adventures Volume 2 TP, $14.99

Birds Of Prey #2 (Cover A Leonardo Romero), $3.99

Birds Of Prey #2 (Cover B David Nakayama Connecting Variant), $4.99

Birds Of Prey #2 (Cover C David Nakayama Connecting Variant), $4.99

Birds Of Prey #2 (Cover D Chris Bachalo Card Stock Variant), AR

Birds Of Prey #2 (Cover E Otto Schmidt Card Stock Variant), AR

Birds Of Prey #2 (Cover F Chrissie Zullo Treat Or Treat Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Blue Beetle #2 (Cover A Adrian Gutierrez), $3.99

Blue Beetle #2 (Cover B Adrian Gutierrez Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Blue Beetle #2 (Cover C Diego Olortegui Card Stock Variant), AR

Blue Beetle #2 (Spanish Language Version), $3.99

DC Horror Presents Sgt. Rock Vs. The Army Of The Dead HC, $24.99

DC Horror Presents Soul Plumber TP, $16.99

DCeased The Deluxe Edition HC, $49.99

DC’s Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Alvaro Martinez Bueno), $9.99

DC’s Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Jae Lee Variant), $9.99

DC’s Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Hayden Sherman Glow-In-The-Dark Variant), $9.99

DC’s Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Keron Grant), AR

Detective Comics #140 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover A Win Mortimer, $4.99

Detective Comics #140 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover B Blank Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Detective Comics #140 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover C Win Mortimer Foil Variant), $6.99

Diana And The Hero’s Journey TP, $12.99

Fire And Ice Welcome To Smallville #2 (Of 6)(Cover A Terry Dodson), $3.99

Fire And Ice Welcome To Smallville #2 (Of 6)(Cover B Greg Smallwood Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Fire And Ice Welcome To Smallville #2 (Of 6)(Cover C Joshua Sway Swaby Card Stock Variant), AR

Ghost-Maker/Clownhunter By James Tynion IV TP, $19.99

Joker The Man Who Stopped Laughing #11 (Cover A Carmine Di Giandomenico), $5.99

Joker The Man Who Stopped Laughing #11 (Cover B Ben Oliver), $5.99

Joker The Man Who Stopped Laughing #11 (Cover C Marco Mastrazzo), $5.99

Joker The Man Who Stopped Laughing #11 (Cover D Ryan Brown), AR

Justice Society Of America Gold Edition #1 (Cover A Mikel Janin, $4.99

Justice Society Of America Gold Edition #1 (Cover B Mikel Janin Golden Age Foil Variant), $6.99

New Golden Age Special Edition #1 (Cover A Mikel Janin), $4.99

New Golden Age Special Edition #1 (Cover B Mikel Janin Golden Age Foil Variant), $6.99

Peacemaker Tries Hard #6 (Of 6)(Cover A Kris Anka), $4.99

Peacemaker Tries Hard #6 (Of 6)(Cover B Erica Henderson Variant), $4.99

Peacemaker Tries Hard #6 (Of 6)(Cover C Kris Anka Movie Poster Variant), $4.99

Peacemaker Tries Hard #6 (Of 6)(Cover D Kyle Starks), AR

Poison Ivy #15 (Cover A Jessica Fong), $3.99

Poison Ivy #15 (Cover B David Nakayama Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Poison Ivy #15 (Cover C Sozomaika Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Poison Ivy #15 (Cover D Seb Mckinnon Card Stock Variant), AR

Poison Ivy #15 (Cover E David Nakayama Card Stock Variant), AR

Poison Ivy #15 (Cover F Chrissie Zullo Treat Or Treat Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Power Girl Returns TP, $14.99

Scooby-Doo Where Are You #124 (Cover A Walter Carzon), $2.99

Shazam #4 (Cover A Dan Mora), $3.99

Shazam #4 (Cover B John Timms Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Shazam #4 (Cover C Chris Samnee Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Shazam #4 (Cover D Gabriele Dell’Otto Artist Spotlight Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Shazam #4 (Cover E Nathan Szerdy Card Stock Variant), AR

Shazam #4 (Cover F Gerald Parel Card Stock Variant), AR

Shazam #4 (Cover G Pete Woods Justice League Vs. Godzilla Vs. Kong Connecting Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Superman The Harvests Of Youth TP, $16.99

Vixen NYC Volume 2 TP, $14.99

Zatanna And The Ripper Volume 1 TP, $14.99

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Comics Review: "CONAN THE BARBARIAN #3" Unleashes the Power of Cimmeria

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #3 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Roberto de la Torre

COLORS: Dean White

LETTERS: Richard Starkings of Comicraft

EDITOR: Matt Murray

COVER: Doug Braithwaite

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Patrick Zircher; Max Von Fafner; Roberto de la Torre; Doug Braithwaite

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2023)

Suggested for mature readers

“Bound in Black Stone” Part III: “The Fortress”

Conan the Cimmerian was born in the pulp fiction of Robert E. Howard (REH), first appearing in the magazine, Weird Tales (1932).  In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books via the title, Conan the Barbarian. With only a few pauses, Conan comic books have been published for the better part of five decades.

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they start with a new Conan the Barbarian series.  It is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Roberto de la Torre; colored by José Villarrubia; and lettered by Richard Starkings.  The new series finds Conan returned to his homeland of Cimmeria just when it faces a terrible new threat.

Conan the Barbarian #3 (“The Fortress”) opens as Conan and Brissa of the Pictish Gurian Tribe enter the citadel of black stone that has risen from the frosty ground of Cimmeria.  They are following figures swathed in hooded robes that are seemingly the escorts of the band of undead Picts known as “Tribe of the Lost.”

Along the way, Conan and Brissa discover a band of Cimmerians imprisoned in a rock-hewn cell.  Now, joined by a trio of Cimmerian warriors:  Hydallan, Mago, and Tormey, Conan makes his move on a skull-clad priest and the source of the undead plague.

THE LOWDOWN:  Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now.  Conan the Barbarian #3 is the latest.

As I said in my review of the first two issues of this series, Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' revival of the Conan the Barbarian comic book series is definitely edgier than Marvel Comics' 2019 revival.  Writer Jim Zub has recalled the ass-thumpin, p***y-pounding, blood-splattering pulp storytelling that recalls Roy Thomas.  The spirit of Conan's eccentric (perhaps, mad) creator, Robert E. Howard in every word of Zub's scripts.

I'm trying to find the words to describe the storytelling of artist Roberto de la Torre.  He brings Zub's script to comic book life with fire, black magic, and mountain-leveling thunder.  De la Torre's art feels like a true inheritor to the comic book master of Conan, the late John Buscema (1927-2002).  Dean White brings out the magic in de la Torre art, while Richard Starkings' lettering gives it the thunderous soundtrack that doesn't quit.

Whew! Time for a cigarette.  Seriously, dear readers, if you love Conan comic books, you will hate yourself for denying yourself this new Conan the Barbarian.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Conan comic books will want to try Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “Robert E. Howard and His Ages Undreamed Of” Part Three, by Jeffrey Shanks.]

A+

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

https://titan-comics.com/

https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

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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A Negromancer October 2023

Welcome to October 2023. Welcome to Negromancer 2.0.  This is the rebirth of the Negromancer, the former movie review site, as a movie review and entertainment and culture news blog.

All images and text appearing on this blog are © copyright and/or trademarks of their respective owners.

--------------------------

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from September 24th to 30th, 2023 - Update #21

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

DISNEY - From APNews:  The NFL will enter the world of Toy Story tomorrow morning when the Atlanta Falcons face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars at London's Wembley Stadium.  The "animated alternate telecast" will be streamed on ESPN+ and Disney+, with the main live-action game being featured on ESPN+.

MOVIES - From Variety:  This year makes the 20th anniversary of the original theatrical release of the 2003 film, School of Rock. It turns out that many of its young stars faced bullying, physical violence, and harassment when they tried to return to their normal lives after the film's release.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From Deadline:  Marvel Studios reportedly will begin listening to writers' pitches for their "X-Men" movie later this fall with the writer to be chose early in 2024.  The first film in the franchise was 2000's X-Men.

MUSIC/CRIME - From Deadline:  A suspect named Duane "Keefe D" Davis has been arrested and charged with the 1996 killing of the late hip-hop icon, Tupac Shakur.

From Deadline:  Director Allen Hughes (Broken City) is among the filmmakers who have produced projects about Tupac Shakur who are speaking about the recent arrest of Duane Davis for the murder of Shakur.  Hughes directed FX's television miniseries, "Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur."

ACADEMY AWARDS - From Variety: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will bestow a replacement Oscar for supporting actress winner Hattie McDaniel to Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts during a ceremony titled “Hattie’s Come Home” in Washington D.C. on Oct. 1st.  McDaniel's Oscar, the first competitive Oscar received by a Black performer, has been missing for over 50 years.

From TheColoradoan:  "Inside the decades-old mystery of Hattie McDaniel's missing Oscar" by Erin Udell

MOVIES - From Variety:  Writer-director Sam Esmail was "scared the f*** out" when one of the producers of his new film, "Leave the World Behind" (starring Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke), sent him script notes.  The producer that sent the notes was none other than former President Barack Obama.

CELEBRITY - From Variety:  Actress Kerry Washington says that she stopped playing "the white girl's best friend" after playing that role in Meg Ryan's 2004 boxing drama, "Against the Ropes."

STREAMING - From Deadline:  ABC's fondly-remembered comedy-drama series, "Moonlighting" (1985-89), starring Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis, will begin streaming on Hulu, October 10, 2023,

MOVIES/MUSIC - From Deadline:  The Taylor Swift concert film, "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour," will get a global theatrical release in more than 100 countries on Oct. 13th, 2023.

VIDEO GAMES - From SAG:  SAG-AFTRA members have voted 98.32% in favor of a strike authorization on the Interactive Media Agreement that covers members’ work on video games. 34,687 members cast ballots, representing a voting percentage of 27.47% of eligible voters.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  The 2023-24 television broadcast season has been saved because the WGA and AMPTP have reached a tentative agreement to end the writer's strike.  Deadline looks at the return dates for some series.

From Variety:  Starz has announced the cancellation of four its series, including the wrestling drama, "Heels," starring scab actor, Stephen Amell.  "Run the World" and Blindspotting have also been cancelled. "The Venery of Samantha Bird" has its first season scrapped without ever being aired.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 9/22 to 9/24/2023 weekend box office is Warner Bros.'s "The Nun II" with an estimated take of 8.4 million dollars... maybe. Lionsgate's "Expend4bles" is close behind.

TELEVISION/SPORTS - From Deadline:  Grammy-winning recording artist Usher has been confirmed as the headline act at halftime of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.  Super Bowl 58 will air on CBS on Sunday, Feb. 11th, 2024.

OBITS:

From Variety:  The Irish-born British actor, Michael Gambon, has died at the age of 82, Thursday, September 28, 2023.  Gambon had a long and storied career, but in 21st century, he may be best known for playing the role of "Albus Dumbledore" in the "Harry Potter" films series, beginning with "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." Gambon replaced the late actor Richard Harris, who played Dumbledore in the first two films before passing.  Gambon's other notable roles include, "The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Love" (1989), Gosford Park (2001), and The King's Speech (2010), to name a few.

From Deadline:  Scottish film and television actor, David McCallum, has died at the age of 90, Monday, September 25, 2023.  McCallum gained fame as "Illya Kuryakin" in the former NBC spy series, "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." (1964-68).  His longest running role is that of "Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard" in the CBS series, "NCIS."  He received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations, two for his work on "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."

--------------------

WRITERS/ACTORS STRIKE:

BREAKING - From Deadline:  The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to end its strike after nearly five months. The parties finalized the framework of the deal Sunday when they were able to untangle their stalemate over AI and writing room staffing levels.

From WGAContract:  The WGA contract page has additional information on the settlement.

From WGAContract:  A summary of the new agreement.

------

From Deadline:  Television writers rooms are opening again in the wake of the end of the writers strike.  On Monday, such series as "Grey's Anatomy," "9-1-1," and "Family Guy," to name a few, go back to work.

From Variety:  The Writers Guild (WGA) and AMPTP to meet today (Sun., Sept. 24th) after the studios supposedly make their "best and final" offer to the writers.

From Deadline:  A meeting between leading television showrunners, including Kenya Barris and Noah Hawley, and WGA leadership has been cancelled.

From Deadline:   The actors’ strike is now in its 63rd day.  Now, SAG-AFTRA leaders are ramping up their rhetoric against the studio heads, accusing them in the latest issue of the "SAG-AFTRA Magazine" of “behaving like petty tyrants,” “would-be feudal lords” and “land barons in feudal times.”

From Deadline:  Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Tony Vinciquerra says that Hollywood unions need to embrace AI.

From Deadline:  The AMPTP says that the Writers Guild's claims that their is division in the ranks of the studios about the strike are false.

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 DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Oprah 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.

--------------------

Review: "American Graffiti" is Still Crusin' to Rock 'n' Roll 50 Years On

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 45 of 2023 (No. 1934) by Leroy Douresseaux

American Graffiti (1973)

Running time:  110 minutes (1 hour, 50 minutes)

MPAA – PG

DIRECTOR:  George Lucas

WRITERS:  George Lucas and Gloria Katz & Willard Huyck

PRODUCERS:  Francis Ford Coppola and Gary Kurtz

CINEMATOGRAPHERS:  Jan D'Alquen (D.o.P.) and Ron Eveslage (D.o.P.)

EDITORS:  Verna Fields and Marcia Lucas

Academy Award nominee

DRAMA/HISTORICAL/MUSIC

Starring:  Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips, Wolfman Jack, Bo Hopkins, Manuel Padilla Jr., Beau Gentry, and Harrison Ford

American Graffiti is a 1973 coming-of-age, music-driven, comedy and drama film directed by George Lucas.  Lucas, who co-wrote the screenplay with the husband and wife team of Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz, based the story on his experiences in the cruising, and street-racing, and rock 'n' roll cultures of his youth.  American Graffiti focuses on a group of teenagers and their adventures over the course of one summer night in 1962.

American Graffiti opens in the Summer 1962.  The location is California's central valley, apparently in and around the city of Modesto.  There, through a series of vignettes, we watch as a group of teenagers enjoy the last evening of their summer vacation.

For recent high school graduates and friends, Curtis “Curt” Henderson (Richard Dreyfuss) and Steve Bolander (Ronny Howard), this is their last night in town before they board a plane the next day and go “back east” for college.  Steve doesn't believe that he can achieve the goals his wants by staying home, even if leaving means parting from his girlfriend, Curt's sister, Laurie (Cindy Williams).  However, Curt, who has recently received scholarship money from a local business group, isn't sure that he wants to leave.  Besides, tonight, he wants to chase the mystery woman who has caught his eye, a blonde driving a white Ford Thunderbird.

Curt and Steve's two friends are also having a big night.  The first is John Milner (Paul Le Mat), the central valley drag-racing king.  He has just learned that someone wants to challenge him for his crown, a confident ladies' man named Bob Falfa (Harrison Ford).  Meanwhile, the second character is the unpopular, but well-meaning Terry “The Toad” Fields (Charlie Martin Smith), who has just come into possession of Steve's car.  He is supposed to protect it until Steve returns from “back east” for Christmas.  Tonight, however, Terry hopes the car will help him land a date.  Meanwhile, in the background, the popular disc jockey, Wolfman Jack (himself), plays an array of rock 'n' roll hits.

As “DVD Netflix” prepares to shutdown, I've been racing to catch up on certain films that I have never seen or have not seen in a long time.  I recently decided to sample some films in which 2023 is the fiftieth anniversary of their original theatrical releases.  That includes such films as Walt Disney's Robin Hood, (hopefully)Woody Allen's Sleeper, and the Bruce Lee classic, Enter the Dragon.

As a kid, I was aware of American Graffiti long before I ever saw it.  I was and still am a huge fan of American Graffiti director, George Lucas's most famous film, Star Wars (1977).  So, as a kid, I read every article I could find about Star Wars, and they often mentioned his two earlier feature-length films, THX-1138 (1971) and American Graffiti.  [I also vaguely remember the release of the sequel, More American Graffiti.]

I also knew that a few film and television stars that I liked had starred or appeared in American Graffiti, specifically Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, and Harrison Ford.  Besides that fact that American Graffiti was a George Lucas movie, Ford was the other reason I most wanted to see the film.

I finally first saw American Graffiti on television, and though my memory is hazy on the facts, I'm sure I saw it at least a few years after the release of the sequel.  I remember liking it, enough that I planned on watching it again.  Decades later, this recent viewing is the first time that I've seen the film since that first viewing.

I still like it a lot.  I'm still a fan of Ford, Howard, and Dreyfuss, and along the way, I became a fan of some of its other young stars, including Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, and the recently-deceased Bo Hopkins (1938-2022).  The truth is that I'm crazy about the Hollywood icon, Harrison Ford, and, as for as I'm concerned, any movie with Ron Howard and Charles Martin Smith as actors is cinematic porn.  [Both Howard and Smith are also film directors.]

Watching the film this time, I was initially annoyed by Lucas' method of telling this story in a series of vignettes that constantly moved from one character to the next.  The film essentially has four plots that revolve around one of four characters, Curt, Steve, John, or Terry.  It took me nearly half the film to realize that the vignettes allow Lucas to depict and to reveal each one of these four young men's goals, conflicts, and fears.  This depiction of their inner selves makes them more interesting to me.  Not only did I root for them, but I also wanted to know more about them.  I wanted to know what was going to happen to them, both in the immediate and far future.

American Graffiti apparently helped launch a wave of nostalgia for and interest in the culture and times of the 1950s and early 1960s or at least an idealized, trouble free, white-washed version of it.  The film apparently renewed the ABC network's interest in what would become one of its most popular sitcoms, “Happy Days” (1974-84).  That long-running and popular television series also presented an idealized, trouble free, white-washed version of the 1950s and early 1960s.

Thus, as much as I enjoyed this viewing of American Graffiti, and as much as I'm interested in its characters, I done with it.  I'm not done with its lovely soundtrack – played in the background so that both the characters and audiences can hear these early classics of rock 'n' roll.  These musical recordings make this special night in the summer of 1962 really special.  Still, American Graffiti is an ode to George Lucas' memories.  It is a cinematic dream he fashioned from the varied experiences of his privileged youth.  I don't really relate to it the way I do other films that are also far from my experiences – such as The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) or Licorice Pizza (2021).

I wouldn't call American Graffiti a great film, so much as I'd call it a unique and important American film.  Why is it important?  Well, American Graffiti is a prime example of the fantasies that the Hollywood dream factory can make of real moments in time.  It's George Lucas' story – his story – presented as a fairy tale about one unforgettable night that will never be repeated.

8 of 10

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

Thursday, September 28, 2023

You can buy the American Graffiti film and soundtrack at AMAZON.

NOTES:

1974 Academy Awards, USA:  5 nominations: “Best Picture” (Francis Ford Coppola and Gary Kurtz), “Best Actress in a Supporting Role” (Candy Clark), “Best Director” (George Lucas), “Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Factual Material or Material Not Previously Published or Produced” (George Lucas Gloria Katz, and Willard Huyck), and “Best Film Editing” (Verna Fields and Marcia Lucas)

1975 BAFTA Awards:  1 nomination: “Best Supporting Actress” (Cindy Williams)

1974 Golden Globes, USA:  2 wins:  “Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical” or “Most Promising Newcomer – Male” (Paul Le Mat); 2 nominations: “Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical” (Richard Dreyfuss) and “Best Director - Motion Picture” (George Lucas)

1995 National Film Preservation Board, USA:  “National Film Registry”

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

-------------------------------

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Comics Review: RUMPUS ROOM #1 Gets Straight to the Point

RUMPUS ROOM #1 (OF 5)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: Mark Russell

ART: Ramon Rosanas

COLORS: Ive Svorcina

LETTERS: Andworld Design

COVER: Tony Harris

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mike and Laura Allred; Mark Russell; Tony Harris

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2023)

Rated: “Mature”

Rumpus Room is a new five-issue miniseries from AWA Studios.  It is written by Mark Russell; drawn by Ramon Rosanas; colored by Ive Svorcina; and lettered by Andworld Design.  The series pits a group of prisoners against their jailer, a billionaire who needs their organs and fluids.

Rumpus Room #1 introduces Bob Schrunk.  He is a tech billionaire, collector of bad art, and sufferer of a terrible skin condition.  That condition can only be treated by a special face cream that comes from deep in the bowels of his Rumpus Room.  Enter Erica Hernandez.  She is looking for her missing sister, Olivia, who apparently worked for Schrunk's company – not that he'd care.  Erica is about to discover the awful truth.

THE LOWDOWN:  AWA Studios' marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications.  Rumpus Room #1 is the latest.

I was a huge fan of writer Mark Russell's 2015 reboot of DC Comics' decades old weird comic book series, Prez (1973-74).  Luckily, Rumpus Room is in the vein of the cleverly satirical Prez, only darker, as well as being uncomfortably plausible.  It has an accent that recalls the meanness of Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange (1971), but elements of Rumpus Room seem more Clive Barker than Anthony Burgess.

I love the work of the late English comic book artist, Steve Dillon (1962-2016).  In Rumpus Room, artist Ramon Rosanas captures the concise layouts and simplicity of composition that Dillon used to create conflict, tension, and intensity with substance rather than with sound and fury.  I find Rosanas' storytelling mesmerizing, so much so that by the end of this series, Rosanas may have me back on that crack pipe.

Recently, I found another celebrity comics creator whining about the horrid state of the American comics industry.  Maybe, if more readers stopped dry-humping the dead horse that is the Marvel/DC Comics slab of the market and focused on what a publisher like AWA Studios is doing, they'd be happy comic book readers.  So, dear readers, let's enjoy the good stuff, like Rumpus Room #1.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Russell's unique brand of comic books will want Rumpus Room.

A

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

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

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

------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).