This Weekend in the Nerdverse – August 15th-16th

This weekend at the box office the N.W.A. biopic proved to be a hot commodity, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. made a decent while perhaps surprising showing, and Fantastic Four was almost entirely erased from the hearts and minds of the human race.

1. Straight Outta Compton with $56.1 million
2. Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation with $17 million
3. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. with $13.5 million
4. Fantastic Four with $8 million
5. The Gift with $6.5 million

Also, the D23 expo happened over the weekend. You may have heard of it, or you may not have to be honest. It is an expo for Disney super fans and has really taken off now that Disney owns Marvel and Star Wars. While Star Wars was allowed to be at SDCC 2015, many fans noticed an unbelievable lack of a Marvel presence. Disney wanted them to save all of their big announcements and stars for their own convention. And that they did over the weekend.

Benedict Cumberbatch appeared via video at the Doctor Strange panel to talk about what he plans to bring to the role and then he oozed enigmatic charm all over the damn place. God dammit I love that man. The panel also revealed and talked about plans for the film as well as concept art. Comicbook.com

Chris Evans and Anthony Mackie flew all the way from Germany to attend the Captain America: Civil War presentation and panel, where the first ever footage from the highly anticipated film was released. Comicbook.com

Kingdom Hearts will be teaming up with Disney Infinity in the third version of them game where you will have the chance to use none other than The Keyblade during combat. Comicbook.com

The Star Wars presentation is where it was really at for D23. The cast of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens was there, including Harrison Ford, and the cast of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was announced as well as the news that Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World) will be directing Star Wars Episode IX. Boom. Comicbook.com

In other news, Donald Trump, that lying sack of racist misogynistic psychotic shit, claimed he was Batman. I get it, if a little boy asks you if you’re Batman you say yes because it’s cute and all but Trump really sullied the name of a good man and hero by keeping that kid’s dreams alive. Twitter

‘Star Wars’ Saga to get Little Golden Book Series

As a parent, I am often caught asking myself how to introduce my children to my favorite fandoms. Many of the things I like can seem dark and scary to young eyes, and while I was exposed to all things terrifying at a very young age and turned out fine (sure I did), I find myself afraid of warping my kids.

The Little Golden Books series has now come up with the best thing I’ve ever heard of as a mom and a Star Warsfan. The entire Star Wars saga has been transformed into Little Golden Books and is already available for pre-sale.

The series will have one book for each movie and is available as a box set. The artwork is bright and retro to play a proper homage to the original films. All of the material will be addressed, but in a way that will work best for children. Translation – no nightmares about the Rancor, which I totally had as a kid.

Source and Photos: Geek Tyrant

SDCC 2015 – ‘Star Wars’ Comics to Have Crossover Event with ‘Vader Down’

We’ve all been reading the unbelievable good Darth Vader and Star Wars comics that Disney/Marvel rebooted to promote The Force Awakens because they’re awesome. Now Kieron Gillen’s Darth Vader and Jason Aaron’s Star Wars are going to collide in a major way. You know you’re excited.

Spoiler Alert: if you haven’t been reading Darth Vader, do not continue.

So Vader has been operating outside of the Emperor’s circle and definitely without his approval. Now he’s going to face off with more rebels than he can really handle, but he can’t exactly call for Imperial backup. Vader’s on the outside and now he has to handle things from there.

Aaron and Gillen describe Vader Down as their Avengers movie. “Let’s put in Marvel Cinematic Universe terms. [Laughs] We’ve been doing Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor and this is The Avengers. Everything that we’ve been doing goes on the screen at the same time and you get watch all of those characters interact for the first time. It’s a mammoth story,” says Jason Aaron. We’ll get to see C-3PO and R2-D2 come face to face with their evil counter parts, I can’t wait for that. This encounter is going to affect the story lines of both series in major ways.

Jason and Kieron will be working together on Vader Down which is a good thing for all of us. Vader Down will be a six-issue miniseries with art by Salvador Larroca & Mike Deodato.

Look for this series in November.

Source: CBR

SDCC 2015 – ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Comic Con 2015 Reel

Nothing makes me feel like a giddy child again like Star Wars.

I’m 30 years old which means, if you can do math, that I was not yet born to appreciate the original theatrical release of the original trilogy. I did however grow up watching them thanks to the power of our VCR and some blank tapes.

I remember the digitally enhanced versions being released to theaters and I was excited because I got to experience my favorite films as I was meant to experience them, and I didn’t care about the dumb CG monsters or the extra explodey Death Star.

I remember when they announced the creation of the prequels. I had just finished my 8^th grade year when Phantom Menance was released to theaters, and I was blown away. Episode I, II, and III is my, our, generation’s Star Wars films. Whether you like it or not, you and I own Jar Jar Binks, and he’s the single most important character in the Star Wars universe. I know the prequels don’t hold a candle to the original films, but damn it they’re mine and yours!

All that being said, the combination of the most recent trailer and the just released behind the scenes reel from SDCC, I feel like a child again. Watching the actors I grew up on together again to continue the story I love literally makes my heart beat faster and my eyes well up. You can tell that this is a supremely important project to both the original cast and all of the new cast. Seeing just extras as Stormtroopers say that they can die now because they’re in this film warms my heart because it’s how I would feel.

Star Wars is an emotional experience for me.

Star Wars is important.

Probably the most important thing to take away from the SDCC Reel is the return to practical effects. J.J. Abrams understands the value in how things used to be done. Miniatures, animatronics, full-scale structures and freaking film! That’s how you make movies ladies and gentlemen. There is a certain something about watching an actor interact with a physical person or object or an actual something. CG can rob us of some importance of the film. Don’t ask me to explain that. Oh yeah, and Simon Pegg plays an alien! Is it December yet?

BREAKING – Han Solo Will Have His Own Film in the Star Wars Anthology

I shot first…

Lucasfilm just announced today that Han Solo will have his own film in the Star Wars anthology.

As we all know, there will be three companion films that will come out on the years in between Star Wars Episodes VII, VIII, and IX. We now know that one will belong to Han Solo, and it will be an origin story, focusing on his roots and how he became the dangerous smuggler and wanted man we all loved in A New Hope.

Lawrence and Jon Kasden will be writing the script. You may recognize Lawrence Kasden’s name as he has written The Force Awakens, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. The movie already has directors attached as well, Phil Lord and Chris Miller (The Lego Movie) will be at the helm. So far there is no word on any casting choices, and I wish them the best of luck. Whoever they cast as Han has some pretty iconic and badass shoes to fill.

Who do you think would make a good young Han Solo? Let us know in the comments!

The Han Solo movie will hit theaters May 25, 2018.

Source: LucasFilm

Yesterday in the Nerd Verse… April 16th, 2015

Okay, let’s talk about the BIG news from yesterday! The first trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens has arrived. Episode VII is coming to theaters this December and it will undoubtedly be the biggest movie release of the decade (century? EVER??). With the Star Wars Celebration happening this weekend, Disney has just made a lot of nerds happy.

On that note, Japanese airliner ANA announced their plan to launch a Star Wars joint project – beginning with the R2-D2 jet. Talk about a reliable aircraft! This jet will kick off a five-year partnership with Disney to bring even cooler stuff to customers. I can predict that at least a few people will plan a destination just so they can find the droid they are looking for and take the new 787-9 Dreamliner. Source: ANA

More Star Wars news? Hell yeah. Joining the new Marvel Comics SW spin-offs will be Lando Calrissian in a five-part mini-series due July of this year. The story will focus on how he became such a baller in the first place. If it’s anywhere as good as Darth Vader, then we’ll be in for a treat. Source: StarWars.com

Whether or not the upcoming Suicide Squad movie is going to be good, we cannot say. A Snapchat video of Jared Leto revealing his Joker face surfaced, and I’m getting a bit apprehensive. He’s more punk rocker than mass murderer. I’ll reserve judgment until I see him act. Source: EW

Wikileaks has published all the hacked documents from the whole Sony affair “in the interest of transparency.” Eye roll. If you still care about it, it’s out there. The whole debacle didn’t do much other than get a bunch of people in trouble, but if you find something interesting, let us know. Source: WikiLeaks

If you have been stubborn enough to hold onto your old Rock Band and Guitar Hero crap, boy do I have a treat for you! The upcoming sequels to the famed games from our glory days will be compatible with the original gear. It’s gonna take something pretty special to make these games appealing again. Source: Business Insider

Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming Hateful Eight finally has a bit of news to keep the hungry fans at bay. A leaked teaser trailer offered little more than photos of the landscape and a description of each of the Eight. The movie is gonna be bananas, but it won’t come out until late 2015, so no sense in spoiling the fun just yet. Source: The Film Stage

 

 

 

 

Bigtop Collectibles 1138 | Star Wars Superstore

Item/Place:

Bigtop Collectibles 1138 | Star Wars Superstore

 12650 West 64th Avenue, Arvada, CO 80004

(303) 431-3757

http://www.bigtopcollectibles1138.com/

What it is:

I had the pleasure of meeting Carlos Lopez, the owner, and talk with him about Bigtop Collectibles 1138. He has a sincere love for Star Wars and started collecting in 1991 when the Timothy Zahn books came out. He started buying and selling Star Wars collectibles in 1992 and has continued to this day. Hard core George Lucas fans will recognize the “1138” in their name – Bigtop Collectibles 1138.

Bigtop is the most amazing Star Wars Collectors store ever with the added bonus of having thousands of other collectible toys. They have an impressive collection of Hot Toys figures from some of the most popular current movies. From the video you can see the Avengers, Star Wars, Walking Dead, Star Trek and LEGOs!. This store opened on 12.12.12 but Bigtop Collectibles has been around since 1992.

How Much it Costs:

They have figures from $5 to $300. I found many things very affordable and for the the discerning high end collector, very fair prices. I didn’t see any of the higher end items that were that were overpriced.

Is It Worth It?:

For the Star Wars collector, this is a must-visit store if you are in Colorado. There were items I haven’t seen anywhere else, except maybe online for outrageous prices. If you are into vintage Star Wars, they have a large assortment of pristine or nearly pristine still in the box play-sets and starships. It was simply amazing to see so much of it all in one place and in such great condition.

Bottom Line:

The thing I loved about Bigtop was how easy it was to find everything. The store is meticulously arranged in perfectly straight rows and perfectly organised. The display cases beautifully showed the higher end action figures.

Carlos, the owner,  told me that they are receiving something HUGE this week that no one in the state will have. He said it was Star Wars related and was such a cool big item that people from all around will come to check it out. He didn’t want to tell me exactly what it was, but we will cover it right here on Hush Comics for next month’s “Shut Up and Take My Money.” We can’t wait to find out what this item is!

Thank you to Carlos for the tour and the interview.

Bigtop Collectibles 1138 | Star Wars Superstore

 12650 West 64th Avenue, Arvada, CO 80004

(303) 431-3757

http://www.bigtopcollectibles1138.com/

Bigtop Collectibles

Yesterday in the Nerd Verse… Mar. 17th, 2015

What a better way to celebrate St. Patty’s Day than with some Boondock Saints-related news. Looks like the two bad brothers are getting a very adorable make-over with their own Pop! Funko Vinyls. Source: Entertainment Earth

Once again, Science-fiction technology has bred scientific technology. In the realm of 3D printing, a Terminator 2 style pool of resin is used to raise a product from the ground up. Slightly less effective than a T-1000, but much less terrifying. Source: Non-sciency Washington Post article and Sciency mumbo jumbo from Science magazine

There’s been a lot of underlining issues coming to light with the cancellation of a Batgirl #41 variant from Rafael Albuquerque, which pays homage to The Killing Joke. Amazingly-done cover, but Albuquerque was a great guy and understood the controversy, requesting that DC not publish the issue. Source: Newsarama

Dominic Purcell, who plays Heatwave in the CW Arrowverse (as wel as John Doe in Prison Break and The First in Blade: Trinity), will be joining Caity Lotz (Canary), Brandon Routh (ATOM), Wentworth Miller (Captain Cold) and others in the upcoming spin-off spin-off. Source: Deadline

There really isn’t anything that can whet my appetite for more Game of Thrones, but this short story about the Doom, narrated by our very own Viserys Targaryen (Danaerys’ late brother), will suffice. Source: Making G.o.T.

Because the industry dummies couldn’t give a f*** less about Hip-Hop, they released Kendrick Lamar’s new album, To Pimp A Butterfly, a week early. Could you imagine this situation happening to a Katy Perry or a Mumford and Sons? I can’t… Anyway, Kendrick’s camp decided to just release the album. Source: Billboard

If Luke Skywalker himself can’t convince you to celebrate Free Comic Book Day with his Jedi mind tricks, then I suppose nobody can.

James Bond sure can keep a secret; I guess he is a master of espionage. Some teaser posters for Spectre can be found around the web… and they give absolutely nothing away. Source: 007.com

Greedo from Star Wars has been given the highest honor. He has been forever immortalized as a species of catfish. There’s your restitution. Sorry Han killed you. Source: CNN

 

Comic Book Power Rankings – February 2015

Nobody here at Hush Comics loves sports metrics more than I do. A die-hard NBA fan, I frequently rank players, teams and track stats every night to see who I should be picking up on the waiver wire (a term I know, but still do not understand at all) in our fantasy basketball league. It’s not really to be the best, but largely because I love the processes behind it; I love spreadsheets and systemic processes in how I arrive at these decisions. I even made a House of Quality together in order to break down which qualities I value in comic book series. This was all inspired by the creation of our Best of 2014 Comic Books collection of articles (which you should check out! A lot of hard work from our team went into those articles), when I realized that we had not been keeping track of which books were the best throughout the year.

Below is a list of what I consider the Top 20 comic books of the previous month. The opinions of these rankings is solely mine, although it is influenced by the weekly review grades that our team doles out. I’m no expert on the ins and outs of the comic book industry, and I admittedly can’t read every book out there, but as long as I have this awesome platform to force my opinion on readers, why not use it? As always, we LOVE sparking conversations about the things we love, or even the things we don’t, so commentary is encouraged!

Rank	Book Title	Publisher	Issues In	Previous	Movement
1	Saga	Image	25	–	–
	There is a whole new danger afoot. I like the direction that this already-stellar series is taking our protagonists, even if it is head-first into danger.
2	Batman	DC	39	1	-1
	Joker has been playing with his food up to this point. With Batman up against the ropes, the Caped Crusader is getting desperate, and the Clown Prince of Crime is getting brutal.
3	Spider-Gwen	Marvel	1	–	–
	Who would have thought that one issue of a mini-series would launch such a cult following? Marvel really Hit the Jackpot with this one.
4	The Walking Dead	Image	137	4	–
	I’m as enthralled as I am disgusting with the eyeball-licking love session at the end of the last issue. I’m excited to see Carl grow, no matter the nasty cost.
5	Deadly Class	Image	11	6	+1
	Marcus isn’t out of the doghouse just yet. The last thrill-ride of an issue keeps the adrenaline flowing.
6	Suiciders	Vertigo	1	–	–
	There’s no better way to spend your time in a post-apocalyptic world than to see drugged up gladiators with cybernetic enhancements pummel each other to death.
7	Batman and Robin	DC	39	5	-2
	While it wasn’t as emotionally pleasing as the last issue, Robin getting a spot at the table with Batman and Superman is a big deal.
8	Superman	DC	38	16	+8
	The end of the last issue was so explosive that I’m surprised I was able to hold onto the page. In just six issues, Geoff Johns and John Romita Jr created history.
9	Amazing Spider-Man	Marvel	15	–	–
	Even though Spider-Verse winded down this month, Spider-Man has left behind a wake of Spider-lore that will continue to effect the Marvel U… until they reboot it all, anyway.
10	Bitch Planet	Image	3	–	–
	This book is extremely polarizing, but it has resonated with women in ways that no super-powered chick has. It’s very real and very original.
11	Postal	Top Cow	1	–	–
	I’ve got a fever for creepy mystery books, and this Norman Bates-ish post boy is the cowbell of creepers. After one issue, this is already among my favorites.
12	Detective Comics	DC	39	14	+2
	Anarky is afoot in Gotham, bringing an aspect to Bat-books that has been sorely missing. Add in amazing artwork and a Harvey Bullock back-story, and I’m sold.
13	Mortal Kombat X	DC	3	10	-3
	MKX is trying to build a cohesive backstory to the upcoming video game, and its doing a commendable job. Due to it being a digital first, the issues are a bit short, though.
14	TMNT: Mutanimals	IDW	1	–	–
	How can one mutant be on the same level of wicked awesomeness as Mikey? Mondo Gecko, along with Hob and the gang, are just as interesting as the TMNT – if not more.
15	Wonder Woman	DC	39	–	–
	David and Meredith Finch have done a fine job with Wonder Woman since taking over, but what has me geeked out is an inevitable showdown between Diana and Donna Troy.
16	Nailbiter	Image	10	18	+2
	Like this series could get any creepier… Finch is done doing the Hannibal Lecter dance with Nailbiter, and we are going to have quite an interesting arc coming up.
17	EI8HT	Dark Horse	1	–	–
	Time travel and dinosaurs have never NOT been a winning combination, and this new series is no exception. I haven’t enjoyed a new sci-fi series this much since Black Science.
18	TMNT	IDW	43	8	-10
	Everything is coming to a head with Shredder and Krang, but the confrontation between the two factions left more to be desired. A great book, but I wish it would stop teasing us.
19	Shutter	Image	10	17	-2
	Kate’s world has practically exploded in the last few episodes, and the epiphanies just keep on coming. I could do with some more Alarm Cat, but I’m still enjoying the ride.
20	Magneto	Marvel	15	–	–
	The Master of Magnetism got his mojo back, and he has a new scary focus that is all about his business. I bet Sabretooth is wishing he got the memo earlier.

 

Notably absent:

Birthright: Daaad! There’s something weird going on with Mikey! This fantasy book about a long-lost brother is really just now getting juicy, but there’s a dark secret lurking in here somewhere, and I’m not sure I like the path that Birthright is taking just yet.

Nameless: This book almost made the list this month if not just for the fact that two of my favorite creators are working on it (Grant Morrison, Chris Burnham). That being said, I have no idea what the hell is going on. Not even a little bit

Hawkeye: Bittersweet that one of the most underrated books in the whole industry is moving on after this month, but Matt Fraction and David Aja had such great chemistry. I can only hope we will be that lucky again.

Deathstroke: The Expendables of comic books, right here. I mean, maybe not really at all. The explosions and punny retorts are there, but this isn’t your father’s Slade Wilson. Beautiful panels by Tony Daniels don’t hurt, either.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: The first book swallowed me up so wholly that I was feeling let down by the second book. There weren’t nearly as many jokes, and the set-up for the next arc felt kind of boring. I don’t expect that to last.

 

 

Comic Book Power Rankings – January 2015

Nobody here at Hush Comics loves sports metrics more than I do. A die-hard NBA fan, I frequently rank players, teams and track stats every night to see who I should be picking up on the waiver wire (a term I know, but still do not understand at all) in our fantasy basketball league. It’s not really to be the best, but largely because I love the processes behind it; I love spreadsheets and systemic processes in how I arrive at these decisions. I even made a House of Quality together in order to break down which qualities I value in comic book series. This was all inspired by the creation of our Best of 2014 Comic Books collection of articles (which you should check out! A lot of hard work from our team went into those articles), when I realized that we had not been keeping track of which books were the best throughout the year.

Below is a list of what I consider the Top 20 comic books of the previous month. The opinions of these rankings is solely mine, although it is influenced by the weekly review grades that our team doles out. I’m no expert on the ins and outs of the comic book industry, and I admittedly can’t read every book out there, but as long as I have this awesome platform to force my opinion on readers, why not use it? As always, we LOVE sparking conversations about the things we love, or even the things we don’t, so commentary is encouraged!

Rank	Book Title	Publisher	Issues In	Previous	Movement
1	Batman	DC	38	–	–
	There just isn’t a better book out there, and starting off Joker’s 75th birthday with Endgame is a great way to ensure the top spot.
2	Sex Criminals	Image	10	–	–
	Unabashed sexuality and humor make this the most honest book on the shelves. And the freezing time with orgasms thing is great, too.
3	Unbeatable Squirrel Girl	Marvel	1	–	–
	Plenty of silly to go around, Squirrel Girl isn’t just a great new book, but has potential to bridge gaps between comic book readers of all creeds.
4	The Walking Dead	Image	136	–	–
	Carl is both a lover AND a fighter, as new dangers loom on the horizon (as always). Kudos for making this small world into a bigger, scarier place.
5	Batman and Robin	DC	38	–	–
	Damian is back from the dead – with superpowers; he may be bulletproof, but he is not immune to the human condition as he deals with his own mortality. Beautifully done.
6	Deadly Class	Image	10	–	–
	Sure, there’s the teenage angst of the 80’s, the murder, drug trips and the love triangles. But really, “That was no fart” is why this book is so high on the list.
7	Justice League	DC	38	–	–
	How could Lex Luthor create more havoc as a good guy than as a villain… In any case, a zombie Batman JL vs. Supes and WW? Get the popcorn.
8	TMNT	IDW	42	–	–
	Mutanimals attack! There is so much going on in TMNT right now, but the mounting war with Hob and Splinter interests me most.
9	Superior Iron Man	Marvel	4	–	–
	Ever think to yourself, “self, Tony Stark sure straddles the line between good guy a-hole and bad guy a-hole.” Well, self, you’re right, and this book is why.
10	Mortal Kombat	DC	4	–	–
	I’ve been waiting for a legitimate MK comic book for years. This is just as bloody and fun as the game, and will get me over til its April release.
11	SHIELD	Marvel	2	–	–
	It’s like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., but worth the time investment. We still get the strategic genius of Agent Coulson, now with superheroes!
12	Star Wars	Marvel	1	–	–
	Who would I be if this on the list? In what was the most anticipated book this month, I’m already more into this run than I ever was with Dark Horse’s.
13	Multiversity	DC	?	–	–
	Seemlessly poking fun at the Multiverse while creating a cohesive story, Grant Morrison does what Grant Morrison wants. Good for us.
14	Detective Comics	DC	38	–	–
	I would never have guessed that Anarky would be the next great Batman villain. This book puts the “detective” back in Detective Comics.
15	Birthright	Image	4	–	–
	What child doesn’t wish they could go on a Jumanji-style demon-slaying adventure with their family? A really lame one, that’s for sure.
16	Superman	DC	38	–	–
	A new creative team introduced a new character, and really revived a series which has since been oerwhemingly underwhelming.
17	Shutter	Image	8	–	–
	Shutter has been suffering recently from the necessary lull of storytelling, but it’s so unique and gorgeous that I won’t dare remove it from the Top 20.
18	Nailbiter	Image	9	–	–
	Each issue has increasingly given me the heeby-jeebies. In a good way. I am not a horror comic fan but I am most definitely a fan of this book.
19	Moon Knight	Marvel	11	–	–
	Shuffle around the creative team, take away his armor, Mark Spector is still one BAMF. Moon Knight is my new underground favorite at Marvel.
20	Tooth and Claw	Image	3	–	–
	Making the list solely on the principle of curiosity, Tooth & Claw is a fantastical book of magic, anthropomorphic animals, and other ill s***.

 

Notably absent:

Saga: “What have you done for me lately” is the name of the game here. Expect Saga to knock one of these series off its high horse when the series returns from its three-month hiatus this week.

Wonder Woman: Barely missed the cut. Great panels and intriguing characters keep me coming back each month.

Spider-Verse: Another Marvel “event” has worn out its welcome and left me pining for the end. I’m done buying six books to understand one story.

Powers: Brian Michael Bendis’ soon-to-be streaming series is a whole new world (to me), but I think I need to learn more before I can really dive in.

Shaft: I expected this to read more like the comic book embodiment of Public Enemy, but it’s got more bark than bite at this point.

Injustice: Gods Among Us: I love this book, even more so since Brian Buccaletto took over, but there is just too much emphasis on “The Dark” recently for my taste.