Monday, January 22, 2024

DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for January 23, 2024

DC COMICS:

Amazons Attack #4 (Cover A Clayton Henry), $3.99
Amazons Attack #4 (Cover B Sweeney Boo Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Amazons Attack #4 (Cover C Vasco Georgiev Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Detective Comics Volume 3 Arkham Rising TP (2021), $14.99
Batman The Brave And The Bold #9 (Cover A Simone Di Meo), $7.99
Batman The Brave And The Bold #9 (Cover B Bruno Redondo), $7.99
Batman The Brave And The Bold #9 (Cover C Francesco Mattina), $7.99
Batman The Brave And The Bold #9 (Cover D Taurin Clarke), AR
DC Power A Celebration HC, $19.99
Detective Comics #1081 (Cover A Evan Cagle), $4.99
Detective Comics #1081 (Cover B Riccardo Federici Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Detective Comics #1081 (Cover C Inhyuk Lee Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Detective Comics #1081 (Cover D Sebastian Fiumara Card Stock Variant), AR
Detective Comics #1081 (Cover E Evan Cagle Black & White Card Stock Variant), AR
Flash #123 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover A Carmine Infantino & Murphy Anderson), $3.99
Flash #123 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover B Blank Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Flash #123 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover C Carmine Infantino & Murphy Anderson Foil Variant), $5.99
Flash #5 (Cover A Mike Deodato Jr.), $3.99
Flash #5 (Cover B Mike Deodato Jr. Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Flash #5 (Cover C James Stokoe Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Flash #5 (Cover D Werther Dell’Edera Card Stock Variant), AR
Flash #5 (Cover E Matt Taylor Card Stock Variant), AR
Flash #5 (Cover F Felipe Massafera Suicide Squad Kill Arkham Asylum Captain Boomerang Card Stock Variant), AR
Flash Volume 19 The One-Minute War TP (Rebirth), $19.99
Green Arrow #8 (Of 12)(Cover A Sean Izaakse), $3.99
Green Arrow #8 (Of 12)(Cover B Alan Quah Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Green Arrow #8 (Of 12)(Cover C Howard Porter Card Stock Variant), AR
Harley Quinn #36 (Cover A Sweeney Boo), $4.99
Harley Quinn #36 (Cover B Jenny Frison Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Harley Quinn #36 (Cover C Marguerite Sauvage Card Stock Variant), AR
Harley Quinn #36 (Cover D Steve Beach Card Stock Variant), AR
Harley Quinn #36 (Cover E Derrick Chew Suicide Squad Kill Arkham Asylum Harley Quinn Card Stock Variant), AR
Penguin #6 (Cover A Carmine Di Giandomenico), $3.99
Penguin #6 (Cover B Stevan Subic Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Penguin #6 (Cover C Rafael De Latorre Card Stock Variant), AR
Power Girl #5 (Cover A Gary Frank), $3.99
Power Girl #5 (Cover B Jeff Spokes Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Power Girl #5 (Cover C Rahzzah Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Power Girl #5 (Cover D Dani Card Stock Variant), AR
Power Girl #5 (Cover E Steve Pugh Card Stock Variant), AR
Titans Beast World #5 (Of 6)(Cover A Ivan Reis), $4.99
Titans Beast World #5 (Of 6)(Cover B Bjorn Barends Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Titans Beast World #5 (Of 6)(Cover C Javier Fernandez Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Titans Beast World #5 (Of 6)(Cover D Clayton Henry Lenticular Variant), $6.99
Titans Beast World Tour Star City #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Mikel Janin), $5.99
Titans Beast World Tour Star City #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Cully Hamner Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Titans Beast World Tour Star City #1 (One Shot)(Cover C John Giang Card Stock Variant), $6.99

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Saturday, January 20, 2024

Comics Review: "WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #136" Revives Two Obscure Features

WORLD OF ARCHIE (JUMBO COMICS) DOUBLE DIGEST #136
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Ian Flynn; Daniel Kibblesmith; with Mike Pellowski; Bill Golliher; Frank Doyle; and various
PENCILS: Holly G!; Steven Butler; with Stan Goldberg; Bill Golliher; Dan DeCarlo, Jr.; and various
INKS: Jim Amash; Lily Butler; with Bob Smith; Rudy Lapick; James DeCarlo; and various
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; with Barry Grossman and various
LETTERS: Jack Morelli; with Bill Yoshida
COVER: Dan Parent with Rosario “Tito” Peña
192pp, Color, $9.99 U.S. (March 2024); on-sale January 10, 2024

Rating: All-Ages

“One Shot Worth a Million,” “The Perfect Specimen”

World of Archie (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest is part of “The Archie Digest Library” series.  Debuting in late 2010, World of Archie Double Digest is a mini-trade paperback-like series that features stories reprinted from across the publishing history of Archie Comics.  Sometimes, however, these digests offer original stories.

World of Archie (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #132 reintroduces three characters from the “Golden Age” of Archie Comics (when it was known as M.L.J. Magazines, Inc.).  These characters return in two new stories.

The first new story is “One Shot Worth a Million.”  It is written by Ian Flynn; drawn by Holly G! (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.  It introduces modern versions of two characters.

The first is “Fran Frazer,” who first appeared in MLJ'S Top Notch Comics #9 (cover dated: October 1940).  She was one of those female “roving-reporters” characters, and she roamed the world as a photo journalist.  She had a miniature camera, which she disguised as various fashion accessories, and Fran used it to collect evidence against the wicked and the corrupt.  Fran was usually accompanied by the second reintroduced character, Hal Davis.  The modernized Fran Frazer is a freelance photographer and journalist for “Strife Media.”  The modernized Hal Davis is her romantic rival and is also now an African-American character.

Fran Frazer in “One Shot Worth a Million”:
Why is Archie Andrews skulking around the docks in the dead of night?  Veronica Lodge wants to know.  Well, Archie is assisting freelance photographer and journalist, Fran Frazer, in her investigation of criminal syndicate activity at the docks.  And it involves Lodge Industry, which Veronica's father, Hiram Lodge, owns.

By the way, why is Veronica skulking around the docks?  Well, she is assisting Hal Davis, Fran's (romantic) rival.  Can Archie and Veronica stop bickering in time to help Fran and Hal unmask corruption at the docks?

The second new story is “The Perfect Specimen.”  It is written by Daniel Kibblesmith; drawn by Steven Butler (pencils) and Lily Butler (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

The story reintroduces “Young Dr. Masters,” a physician who engages in dangerous adventures and misadventures to help patients.  The character had his own comic book, The Adventures of Young Dr. Masters, which ran for two issues (cover dated: August and November 1964).  The series was apparently an adaptation of the 1962 novel, Young Doctor Masters (Belmont Books), written by Frank Haskell.  That Frank Haskell is not to be confused with Frank A. Haskell (1828-1864), the author and Union Army officer who served during the American Civil War.  The modernized Dr. Masters is a television doctor and author.

Young Dr. Masters in “The Perfect Specimen”:
During his television show, Dr. Masters announces that he is about to embark on a six-city book tour for his upcoming book, “The Perfect Specimen! Health, Beauty, and You!”  The tour will kick off in Riverdale, where Masters hopes to find the one “local teen” who “truly embodies the spirit of health and beauty.”  That person would be the “perfect specimen” to appear on the book cover and to accompany Dr. Masters on his book tour.

Betty and Veronica each believes that she is the “perfect specimen.”  Thus, begins their latest battle of the beauties, but can these two friends and rivals survive a health and beauty war of attrition?

THE LOWDOWN:  For many years now, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review.  World of Archie (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #132 is the latest.

“One Shot Worth a Million” and the “The Perfect Specimen” exemplify how Archie Comics has perfected the six-page humor story over the last several years.  Archie Comics has always been good at humor short stories and stand-alone tales, as they've been doing it for decades.  However, these new, tight, six-page tales that pepper Archie digests and single-issue anniversary specials are concise in their delivery of a beginning, middle, and end with a substantial plot.  But there is a problem...

Often, I come across six-page stories that would be better served by being at least twice their length.  That is the case with both these stories, but especially with “One Shot Worth a Million.”  Writer Ian Flynn mixes espionage, teen humor, and comic romance with flair in this story, a hybrid with potential that demands to expanded into a longer story.  The art team of Holly G! (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks) certainly have the storytelling chops to keep the humor and comic action humming along for longer than six pages.  Alas, it was not to be.

The rest of World of Archie Double Digest #132 is a mixture of winter-themed tales and high school hijinks, which Archie fans will always welcome.  I should warn you, dear readers.  I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want World of Archie Double Digest.

B+

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


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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from Jan. 14th to 20th, 2024 - Update #24

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

SCANDAL - From CNBC:  A New Mexico grand jury has indicted actor Alec Baldwin.  He is facing two separate types of "involuntary manslaughter" charges in relation to a fatal shooting on the New Mexico set of the Western film, "Rust." The charges are "Involuntary Manslaughter (Negligent Use of a Firearm)" and "Involuntary Manslaughter (Without Due Caution or Circumspection)."  On Oct. 21, 2021, Baldwin was handling a prop gun that discharged, killing Rust's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, and injuring the film's director Joel Souza. Rust has since been completed and is awaiting distribution.

From DocumentCloud:  Read the charges brought against Emmy-winning, Oscar-nominated actor, Alec Baldwin, in the accidental shooting death of cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, on the New Mexico set of the film, "Rust."

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Director Chad Stahelski will oversee the "Highlander" and "John Wick" franchises for Lionsgate.  Stahelski, who is set to direct the reboot of the 1986 fantasy film, "Highlander," has directed all four of the John Wick films, including the most recent, John Wick: Chapter 4.

MOVIES - From THR:  Oscar-nominated actor, Paul Mescal ("Aftersun"), does not want the upcoming "Gladiator 2" to make him more famous.

EMMYS - From Deadline:  The winners at the 2023 / 75th Primetime Emmy Awards were announced Monday night, January 15th, 2024.  HBO's "Succession," Hulu's "The Bear," and Netflix's "Beef" dominated the evening.

From Deadline:  Four members of the cast of the former Fox sitcom, "Martin," reunited at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony.  Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Carl Anthony Payne II, and Tichina Arnold reunited to present the "Lead Actor in a Comedy Series," which was won by Jeremy Allen White for "The Bear" (Hulu).

From USAToday:  At the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, actress Niecy Nash won "Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series" for her role as "Glenda Cleveland" in the Netflix series, "Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story."  Her Emmys speech paid tribute to "every Black and brown woman who has gone unheard," and she referenced Glenda and real-life victims of police violence, Sandra Bland and Breonna Taylor

From Variety:  With his recent Emmy win at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards for his Disney+ special, "Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium," Elton John becomes the 24th person to join the "EGOT Club."  To join the club, one must win an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  The site examines why a number of broadcast network series are ending with their seventh season, including CBS' "Young Sheldon" and "S.W.A.T." and ABC's "The Good Doctor."

DISNEY - From VarietyThe Walt Disney Company and the National Football League (NFL) are in some kind of "earnest talks."  It could lead to the NFL buying a stake in Disney-owned ESPN and put the league's "NFL Media" unit under Disney's control.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 1/12 to 1/14/2024 weekend box office is Paramount Pictures' "Mean Girls" with an estimated take of 28 million dollars.

DISNEY - From TechCrunchPixar will see a round of layoffs in 2024.  The number of people let go could be as high as 20%, seeing its team of 1300 employees fall to below 1000.

MOVIES - From THR:  Producers StudioCanal and Monumental Pictures have dropped the first international teaser trailer for the hotly anticipated "Back to Black," the upcoming music biopic on the late Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and recording artist, Amy Winehouse.  Up-and-coming British actress Marisa Abela plays Amy Winehouse.  "Back to Black" will debut in the UK and Ireland on April 12th. Focus Features will release the film in the U.S. on May 10th.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  American actress, Joyce Randolph, has died at the age of 99, Saturday, January 13, 2024.  She was best known for portray the character, "Trixie Norton," wife of the late actor Art Carney's "Ed Norton," on "The Jackie Gleason Show (1952-57, CBS) and on the classic American television sitcom, "The Honeymooners" (1955-56, CBS)

From Deadline:  Film and television actress, Lynne Marta, has died at the age of 78, Thursday, January 11, 2024. Marta appeared in such films as the Clint Eastwood/Robert Duvall Western, "Joe Kid" (1972), the music driven teen drama, "Footloose" (1984).  However, Marta was a prolific TV actress. She appeared on 18 episodes of "Love, American Style" and was a guest star on numerous TV series over a four decade career, including "Barnaby Jones," "Charlie's Angels," "Designing Women," and "ER."

AWARDS:

From THR:  Key award season dates leading up to the 2024 / 96th Academy Awards, which are Sunday, March 10th, 2024.

From Variety:  The nominations for the 2024 / 77th EE BAFTA Film Awards have been announced.  "Oppenheimer" leads with 13 nominations, and "Poor Things" follows with 11 nominations.  The winners will be announced Feb. 18th.

From VarietyThe Producers Guild of America has announced the nominees for the 2024 / 35th annual Producers Guild Awards.  For the first time in the history of the awards, two international films, "Anatomy of a Fall" and "The Zone of Interest," have made been nominated in the PGA's top category, "Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures." The winners will be announced Feb. 25th.

From Variety:   The nominees for the 2024 / 51st Annie Awards have been announced.  Netflix's "Nimona" leads the features categories with nine nominations.  The winners will be announced Sat., Feb. 17th.

From Deadline:  The Screen Actors Guild nominations for the 2024 / 30th annual SAG Awards have announced. "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" leads the film side of things with four nominations apiece.  The winners will be announced Saturday, Feb. 24th.

From Variety:  The Directors Guild of America has announced the nominations for the 2024 / 76th DGA Awards.  In the top category, "Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film of 2023," the nominees are Greta Gerwig for "Barbie," Christopher Nolan for “Oppenheimer,” Martin Scorsese for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Yorgos Lanthimos for “Poor Things,” and Alexander Payne for “The Holdovers.”  The winners will be announced Feb. 10th.

From Variety:  The Motion Picture Sound Editors has revealed the nominations for the 71st annual MPSE Golden Reel Awards in categories spanning feature film, television, animation, computer entertainment and student productions.  The winners will be announced March 3rd.

From AwardsWatch: The Iowa Film Critics Association (IFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  Alexander Payne's "The Holdovers" won four awards, including "Best Picture."

From VarietyThe Visual Effects Society has announced the nominations for the 2024 / 22nd Annual VES Awards have been announced.  The winners will be announced Feb. 21st.

From AwardsWatchThe North Dakota Film Society (NDFS) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won nine awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatchThe Music City Film Critics Association has announces it MCFCA 2023 Film Awards.  Oppenheimer won seven awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatchThe Portland Critics Association (PCA) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won nine awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From DeadlineThe African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) announced the 15th annual African-Ameri an Film Critics Awards. "American Fiction" was voted the #1 film and won four awards, including "Best Comedy." Ava DuVernay's "Origin" was voted the #2 film and won three awards, including "Best Drama." 

From Deadline:  The winners of the 2024 / 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards have been announced.  "Oppenheimer" won eight awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatchThe Hawaii Film Critics Society (HFCS) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Barbie" wins four awards, including "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatchThe Denver Film Critics Society (DFCS) has announced the winners of its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won four awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatchThe American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) revealed the nominees for the "2024 / 38th Annual ASC Awards" with categories in feature film, documentary, television and music video categories.  The winners will be announced March 3rd, 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS) announced the winners in 21 categories for the 2023 Seattle Film Critics Society Awards.  Director Celine Song’s "Past Lives" was named the "Best Picture of 2023."

From AwardsWatch:  The Cinema Audio Society (CAS) has announced the nominations for the 60th CAS Awards.  The winners will be announced March 2nd.

From AwardsWatch:  The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) has announced the nominations for the 28th Art Directors Guild Awards. The winners will be announced Feb. 10th.

From AwardsWatch:  The Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) has announced it 2024 ASTRA Film Awards.  "Barbie" won eight awards, including "Best Picture.

From AwardsWatch:  The Greater Western New York Film Critics Association (GWNYFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Past Lives" was named "Best Picture."

From NSFC:  The National Society of Film Critics announce its 58th annual NSFC Awards.  "Past Lives" was named "Best Picture of 2023."

From Deadline:  The 2024 / 81st Golden Globes Awards ceremony was held Sun. night, Jan. 7th, 2024.  "Oppenheimer" won five awards, including "Best Motion Picture-Drama," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), "Best Actor-Drama" (Cillian Murphy), and "Best Supporting Actor-Motion Pictures" (Robert Downey, Jr.). "Poor Things" won "Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy."

From Deadline:  NIGHT 2 of the 75th Creative Arts Emmys took place Sun., Jan. 7th, 2024.  (Former) President Barack Obama and Keke Palmer were among the winners.

From Deadline:  NIGHT 1 of the 75th Creative Arts Emmys took place Sat., Jan. 6th, 2024.  HBO's "The Last of Us" lead the night with 8 wins, including wins in both "Guest Actor in a Drama Series" categories: Nick Offerman (Guest Actor) and Storm Reid (Guest Actress).

From AwardsWatch:  The 5th annual DiscussingFilm Critics Awards were announced.  "Oppenheimer" won eight awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:   The Utah Film Critics Association (UFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards. "Past Lives" won three awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Celine Song).

From AwardsWatch:  The Georgia Film Critics Association (GFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Oppenheimer" won seven honors, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:  The San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Oppenheimer" was named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Columbus Film Critics Association (COFCA) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won six awards including "Best Film" and "Best Director" (Martin Scorsese).

From AwardsWatch:  The Costume Designers Guild (Local 892) announced the official nominees list for the 26th CDGA (Costume Designers Guild Awards). The annual CDGA ceremony will take place Wed., Feb. 21st, 2024.

From Variety:   The British Academy has unveiled the results of the first round of voting across all 24 categories for the 2024 / 77th BAFTA Film Awards.  These results are known as "the longlists."  "Barbie," "Killers of the Flower Moon," and "Oppenheimer" all appeared on the longlist of 15 categories.  The nominations will be announced Jan. 18th, and the winners will be announced Feb. 18th.

From AwardsWatch:  The Oklahoma Film Critics Circle (OFCC) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won five awards, including "Best Film," "Best Director" (Martin Scorsese), and "Best Actress" (Lily Gladstone).

From AwardsWatch:  The Critics Association of Central Florida (CACF) has announced the winners of its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won 10 awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan). 

From AwardsWatch:  U.K. Film Critics Association (UKFCA) has announced the winners of its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won three awards: "Best Film," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From VarietyThe Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706) has announced nominations for the 11th MUAHS Guild AwardsGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 led with five mentions in the film categories and ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" led with four in the television categories. The winners will be announced Sunday, February 18, 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The Nevada Film Critics Society has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Oppenheimer" won five awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) has announced its 2023 film awards.  Hayao's Miyazaki's anime film, "The Boy and the Heron" was named "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "American Fiction" won six awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Cord Jefferson), and Best Actor (Jeffrey Wright).

From AwardsWatch:  The San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) has announced its 2023 film awards.  Always trying to be difficult, it named "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" the "Best Picture."  It named Martin Scorsese "Best Director" for "Killers of the Flower Moon."

From AwardsWatch:  The Dublin Film Critics Circle has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Past Lives" wins "Best Film" and "Best Director" (Celine Song)"

From AwardsWatch:  The North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" wins five awards, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan).

From AwardsWatch:  The Southeaster Film Critics Association (SEFCA) has announces its 2023 films awards.  "Oppenheimer" won eight awards including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy).

From AwardsWatch:  The Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) has announced its 2023 films awards.  "Poor Things" won six awards, including "Best Pictuere," "Best Director" (Yorgos Lanthmos), "Best Actress" (Emma Stone"), and "Best Supporting Actor" (Mark Ruffalo).

From AwardsWatch:  The Philadelphia Film Critics Circle (PFCC) has announced it 2023 film awards.  "Poor Things" won four awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Yorgos Lanthimos), and "Best Actress" (Emma Stone).

From AwardsWatch:  The St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) has announced its 2023 awards.  "Oppenheimer" won seven awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Christopher Nolan), and "Best Actor" (Cillian Murphy)

From AwardsWatch:  The Phoenix Film Critics Society (PFCS) has named its 2023 film awards.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" wins "Best Picture."  Oppenheimer wins six, including "Best Director" for Christopher Nolan.

From AwardsWatch:  The Dallas-Ft. Worth Film Critics Association (DFWFCA) has named its 2023 films awards.  "The Holdovers" wins "Best Picture."  "Oppenheimer" wins four, including "Best Director" for Christopher Nolan.

From AwardsWatch:  The Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) have announced their 2023 film awards.  "The Zone of Interest" wins "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (for Jonathan Glazer).

From AwardsWatch:  The 2023 Boston Online Film Critics Association (BOFCA) awards have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" wins "Best Picture," one of two awards its won.  "Oppenheimer" wins five, including a "Best Director" for Christopher Nolan.

From AwardsWatch:  The nominations for the 2024 / 24th annual Black Reel Awards have been announced.  "The Color Purple" leads with 19 nominations.  The winners will be announced Jan. 16th, 2024.

From AwardsWatch:  The Phoenix Critics Circle (PCC) has announced its 2023 film awards.  "Past Lives" wins "Best Picture."

From AwardsWatch:  The New York Film Critics Online (NYFCO) have named "Killers of the Flower Moon" the "Best Film" of 2023.  Christopher Nolan wins "Best Director" for "Oppenheimer."

From AwardsWatch:  The Las Vegas Film Critics Society have named "Oppenheimer" the "Best Picture" of 2023, with the film's director, Christopher Nolan, winning "Best Director."

From AwardsWatch:  The winners at the 2023 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" wins "Best Picture," and Christopher Nolan wins "Best Director" for "Oppenheimer."

From THR:   The winners at the 2023 / 49th annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards have been announced.  The Holocaust historical drama, "The Zone of Interest," wins four awards, including "Best Picture," "Best Director" (Jonathan Glazer), and "Best Actress" (Sandra Huller).

From Deadline:  The nominations for the 2024 / 29th annual Critics Choice Awards have been announced. "Barbie" leads with 18 nominations.

From Deadline:  The nominations for the 2024 / 81st annual Golden Globe Awards have been announced.  The winners will be announced Jan. 7th, 2024 on CBS and Paramount Plus.

From AwardsWatch:  The Las Vegas Film Critics have announced their 2023 LVFC Awards nominations.  "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" are the leading vote getters.  The winners will be announced Wed., Dec. 13th.

From THR:  The winners at the 2023 European Film Awards have been announced.  "Anatomy of a Fall" won five awards including for "Best Film," "Best Director" (Justine Triet), and "Best Actress" (Sandra Huller).

From AwardsWatch:  The 2023 National Board of Review film honors have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won "Best Film," "Best Director" (Martin Scorsese), and "Best Actress" (Lily Gladstone).

From AwardsWatch:  The American Film Institute (AFI) names its top ten films: American Fiction, Barbie, The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, May December, Oppenheimer, Past Lives, Poor Things, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.  It also names its top ten television series: Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Beef, Jury Duty, The Last of Us, The Morning Show, Only Murders in the Building, Poker Face, Reservation Dogs, and Succession.

From AwardsWatch:  "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" lead the nominations for "Astra Film & Creative Arts Awards," which are put on by the "Hollywood Creative Alliance" (formerly known as the Hollywood Critics Association).  The winners will be announced Jan. 6th, 2024 in Los Angeles.

From Deadline:  At the 2023 / 26th British Independent Film Awards, director Andrew Haigh's "All of Us Strangers" won seven awards, including "Best British Independent Film."

From Variety:  The winners at the 2023 / 89th New York Film Critics Circle Awards have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" (directed by Martin Scorsese) was named "Best Film of 2023."  Christopher Nolan won "Best Director" for his film, "Oppenheimer."

From Variety:  The winners at the 2023 / 33rd Annual Gotham Awards were announced Mon., Nov. 27th.  Writer-director Celine Song's South Korean romantic drama, "Past Lives" won the "Best Feature" award.

BEST PICTURE COUNT:
All of Us Strangers: 1
American Fiction: 2
Barbie: 2
The Boy and the Heron: 1
The Holdovers: 2
Killers of the Flower Moon: 9
Oppenheimer: 16
Past Lives: 7
Poor Things: 3
The Zone of Interest: 2

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Thursday, January 18, 2024

Comics Review: "KONI WAVES" Crests on Cool Characters and Inventive Elements

KONI WAVES
HAUNTED PIZZA LLC/ARCANA STUDIOS

STORY: Mark Poulton
SCRIPT: Mandy Summers
ART: Renzo Rodriguez
COLORS: Dexter Weeks
LETTERS: Dexter Weeks
COVER: Renzo Rodriguez with Ink Spots
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Irene Strychalski; Chris Graves
ISBN: 979-8-987-45314-8; paperback (November 2023)
56pp, Color, $25.00 U.S.

Koni Waves created by Mark Poulton, Stephen Sistilli, and Dexter Weeks

Koni Waves is an independent supernatural horror comic book that was published as a series of miniseries and one-shots from 2006 to 2010 by Arcana Studio.  Created by Mark Poulton, Stephen Sistilli, and Dexter Weeks, Koni Waves focused on Koni Kanawai, a female detective in Honolulu, Hawaii, who specialized in supernatural cases.

Koni Kanawai returns in a new original graphic novel, entitled Koni Waves, that was crowdfunded on Indiegogo last year and was published late last year (2023). The new graphic novel is written by Mark Poulton (story) and Mandy Summers (script); drawn by Renzo Rodriguez; and colored and lettered by Dexter Weeks.  In this new story, Koni becomes involved in a complicated murder case that involves supernatural scheme and conspiracy.

Koni Waves opens with Koni Kanawai rescuing her pal, Pete, from the vampires(!) of Black Bear Cove, but that adventure is easy compared to what is coming.  Koni's father, James Kanawai, a detective with the HPD, wants Koni to try to get back on the force.  Koni, who was suspended apparently after running afoul of Internal Affairs, is willing to give that a try.

Later, at her favorite watering hole, Koni learns that District Attorney Choi believes that he has convicted the wrong man, Danny Snyder, of the murder of Felicity Andrews, an exotic dancer and former associate of Koni's.  Taking on the case, Koni contacts Krystal, another dancer and former associate of Felicity's.  After snooping around, Koni comes to believe that a local power broker, Prince Hopohopo, is connected to the Felicity Andrews case.  However, Koni will discover that this case involves Hawaii's darkest secrets and its edgiest supernatural and spiritual past.

THE LOWDOWN:  A few years ago, I came across the Twitter feed of a Mexican comic book artist named Renzo Rodriguez.  From the first of examples of his art I saw, I thought he was very talented, but because I had never heard of him previously, I assumed Renzo was a new talent.  I would later learn that Renzo was a veteran talent who had been drawing professionally for a long time, including for Zenescope Entertainment.

Last year, I learned that Renzo would be the artist for a crowdfunded project, entitled Koni Waves, so I quickly contributed.  I did not know that Koni Waves was a comics property with a history, so I did not know what to expect.  Now, having read and received this original graphic novel, I am glad that I contributed to the campaign.

Renzo is obviously influenced by legendary comic book artist Art Adams.  Some artists who were influenced by Adams (such as J. Scott Campbell and Rob Liefeld) picked up on Adams' stylish flourishes.  However, what Renzo seems to have taken from Adams is the ability to compose complex, multi-panel pages that allows a story to be told in detail without going into overdrive with decompression.  Most of Renzo's pages have at least seven panels of varying size, and Renzo composes detailed backgrounds and environments in a way that compares to the work of set decorators for film and television.  Renzo makes the world of Koni Waves feel lived-in, like a real place.

All those panels on each page allows scripter Mandy Summers to flesh out Mark Poulton's character-rich story in a way that conveys motivation and personality, plot and mythology, and action and drama.  Summers makes Koni Waves read like an actual graphic novel in a way that so-called graphic novels (trade paperbacks) three times its size do not.

Dexter Weeks' precise, rich colors capture the curves, shapes, and contours of Renzo's figure drawing.  Those colors make every character seem alive and, in the case of some, seem quite sexy, and they also make the art pop on the page.  In addition, Weeks' lettering finds plenty of space for Summers' dialogue, so that nothing is crowded out.

I like Koni Waves, and I'd like to see more of Koni and her closest allies and most dangerous adversaries.  This comic book scratches the surface of Koni Waves' supernatural skin, but the freaks want to come out.  So I say let them out with more Koni Waves.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of supernatural and occult detective comics will want Koni Waves.

A

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


https://www.hauntedpizzallc.com/
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https://twitter.com/renzo_rocomic
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The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Comics Review: "SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #125" Howls at the Moon

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (2010) #125
DC COMICS

STORY: John Rozum
PENCILS: Randy Elliot; Robert Pope
INKS: Randy Elliot; Scott McRae
COLORS: Silvana Brys; Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Randy Gentile
EDITORS: Courtney Jordan; Jeanine Schaefer (reprint)
COVER: Randy Elliot with Silvana Brys
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (February 2024)

Ages 8+

“No Laughing Matter”

Welcome, dear readers, to my continuing journey through the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series, which began publication in 2010.  I continue to renew my subscription so that I can continue to review this series for you, dear readers.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #125 opens with “No Laughing Matter,” which is written by John Rozum and drawn by Randy Elliot.  The story finds Mystery Inc.Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma opens stuck with the aftermath of their jaunt to the country.  They ended up needing a local farmer and his tractor to help with a Mystery Machine breakdown.

The farmer, however, tells them that they were lucky not to break down after dark because they might have run into the local monster, “the Hyena Man.”  The creature has been terrorizing the area outside of Coolsville for the past month or so.  As they head back into town, they encounter Katie Yoder, a local reporter who has been covering the mystery of the Hyena Man.  Mystery Inc. offers to help Katie solve the mystery, but the countryside outside Coolsville is full of places where the Hyena Man can be or will not be...

As usual, the second story, “The Boy Who Cried Werewolf,” is a reprint story.  It is written by John Rozum and drawn by Robert Pope and Scott McRae.  [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo #132 (cover date: July 2008).]  The story finds Mystery Inc. investigating a strange case.  A local youngster claims that a werewolf damaged his father's vintage muscle car, but his father believes his son damaged the car and is trying to avoid taking responsibility for his actions.  So it's back to the scene of the monster crime, but maybe the werewolf has a reason for not wanting an investigation.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #125 has as its theme “therianthropy,” which is the ability of humans to metamorphose into animals or animal hybrids via “shapeshifting.”  Perhaps, the best known form of therianthropy is “lycanthropy,” the ability to be become a wolf or wolf-like hybrid, both of which are known as the “werewolf.”

The first story, “No Laughing Matter,” is produced by two of my favorite Scooby-Doo creators, writer, John Rozum, and artist, Randy Elliot.  Rozum offers a story that feels down-home Scooby-Doo and is a comfy fit for readers' Scooby-Doo imaginations.  Elliot always captures the classic look and feel of old-school Scooby-Doo, especially of the 1969-70 Saturday morning cartoon series, “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!  And like the episodes of that beloved series, “No Laughing Matter” has some key kooky and quirky characters.

The reprint story, “The Boy Who Cried Werewolf,” is written by Rozum and is drawn by another of my favorite Scooby-Doo art teams, Robert Pope (pencils) and Scott McRae (inks).  This story is a nice morality and father-son tale about owning up to one's irresponsible actions.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #125 is a fun read, and like issues #123 and #124, it is an exceptional issue.  So grab your “Scooby Snacks” and read it, and maybe watch a Scooby-Doo movie, later.  And until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

B+

[This comic book includes a seven-page preview of the DC Comics original graphic novel, “Diana and the Hero's Journey” by Grace Ellis and Penelope Rivera Gaylord.]

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


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The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for 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).


Monday, January 15, 2024

BOOM! Studios Shipping from Diamond Distributors for January 17, 2024

BOOM! STUDIOS

SEP230078 BOOM! STUDIOS LOGO BEANIE $19.99
OCT238367 BRZRKR FALLEN EMPIRE 2ND PTG ISAACS (MR) $9.99
OCT238368 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #35 2ND PTG TOMMASSO $3.99
SEP230136 WILDS END TP $49.99

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Dynamite Entertainment Shipping from Diamond Distributors for January 17, 2024

DYNAMITE

NOV230219 AOD FOREVER #4 CVR A MATTINA $3.99
NOV230220 AOD FOREVER #4 CVR B SUYDAM $3.99
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NOV230222 AOD FOREVER #4 CVR D DRAGOTTA $3.99
NOV230134 JAMES BOND 007 (2024) #1 CVR A JOHNSON $4.99
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MAR230593 SIRENS GATE #5 CVR A MAER $3.99
OCT239107 SIRENS GATE #5 CVR E FOC MAER WINGS ORIGINAL $3.99
NOV230281 VAMPIRELLA DEAD FLOWERS #4 CVR M PARRILLO LTD VIRGIN $50.00
NOV230186 WHEEL OF TIME GREAT HUNT #3 CVR A RUBI $4.99
NOV230187 WHEEL OF TIME GREAT HUNT #3 CVR B GUNDERSON $4.99

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