“Gauntlet of the Geek” is a new featured article where two of our writers debate on hot button issues in today’s nerd industry. We’re not paid to kiss ass, so see what happens when the white gloves come off and we let you all know how we really feel. Let us know whom you agree with.
Sherif’s opinion:
For the last 30-40 years in pop culture, one thing has remained constant – franchises survive. Think of your favorite fandoms – how many of them are new to the last twenty years? Star Wars, Transformers, G.I. Joe, Doctor Who, Disney…all of them have survived generations because of the way they replicate onto different mediums of consumption. Sure, tribal upbringing accounts for a fair amount of the influence, but these franchises, now corporations built off the blood money of thousands of parents desperate to immerse their offspring in the same stuff. And those blessed corporations care enough about we the consumer to keep putting out fresh material to relate one generation to the next, keeping these beloved fandoms alive. Where would TMNT be without the new Nickelodeon series? I’ll tell you where. In the retro section of a fucking Hot Topic, that’s where. Let’s not forget that the stuff kids find cool is only cool because television, movies, and toy stores tell them it’s cool. We’re just more accepting of it because we find it cool, too.
This is the blood price we have to pay to keep TMNT relevant.
One of the best side effects of licensed comic books is the amount of pull and resources that it gives the creators. For example, the mountains of merchandising money that Disney and WB give Marvel and DC, respectively, have opened up the doors for them to take chances on titles for the lesser-known titles (like Squirrel Girl and Ms. Marvel – both of which have had HUGE success). It’s not so much making people who watch Iron Man want to pick up Extremis, but using the resources that the Iron Man movie’s exposure brings in to reallocate and try something new (which I admit is a doey-eyed way to look at the world. We all know these corporations don’t give a crap about us). Think of it as drug dealers buying winter clothing for local school children with their drug money.
I look at licensed comic books the same way I look at the honorary torch carrier at the Olympics. They shouldn’t be regarded with the elite status they once were. X-Files and Star Trek comic books should not be competing with Saga and D4VE, nor should they be marketed as such. Licensed comic books should be designed to engage readers to narrow the gaps between fandoms. One fan who loves comics but doesn’t know anything about Ghostbusters now has input to a conversation about those who love the movies but aren’t into comic books. It’s a beautiful thing when it happens.
How can you not be excited for this?? And how is Batman not impressed??
However, the key is knowing when and how to bring some of the lesser-known books back into the spotlight. Unfortunately for us, there are some publishers out there who are filling nearly their entire catalog with 80’s franchises that just don’t fit in today, let alone in the comic book format. If you’re immediately thinking of IDW Publishing and Dynamite Entertainment, you’d be correct. A Django/Zorro crossover? A Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure 3? Escape From New York? Angry Birds?? You get the point. Since Image’s recent explosion of actual content in creator-owned titles, the smaller guys (BOOM!, IDW, Dynamite, Titan) have all resorted to making these kind of unnecessary branded titles part of their flagship titles, which can only end up giving the industry creative constipation.
Was it popular once? IDW will give it a miniseries!
With the successful integration of comic books into mainstream media, it’s only natural that these corporations would try to capitalize on the success of these franchises. Each of your favorite franchises began as a lowly “hopeful,” and while some of the crappier ones might be here for now, only the great ones remain. It’s how Buffyverse is still running. It’s how A Song of Ice and Fire will likely continue after George R. R. Martin ends the saga. Licensed comic books let creators continue telling stories even when they think nobody is listening anymore.
by Sherif Elkhatib
Montgomery’s opinion:
Let me get this out in the open right off the bat: licensed comics are terrible. It’s hard to pin down exactly why, but I’m going to see if I can narrow it down to a few easily observed facts. And before you get all uppity with me and shriek in your halting bat language, “But Montgomery! Don’t you semi-regularly gush about one or more Transformers comics?” I do. But that doesn’t mean the genre is redeemed, and it doesn’t make me a hero: it just means I’m weak, along with everyone else who bought Super Pro.
The Properties
Perhaps the most glaring issue right from the start is the properties they insist on convincing us are worth reading. I referenced Super Pro, but have you ever actually seen it? This is taking up space on Marvel’s hard drives as we speak.I mean, as someone who takes football very seriously (read: I don’t take it seriously at all), this is the thing I buy to reassure myself that I can be taken seriously as a human who breathes air on this planet. I mean, check out those cute Puritan-influenced cleats he’s wearing. This is a man’s comic, no doubt. But seriously folks, more often than not, a licensed comic is nothing but a cynical cash grab from one giant corporation to another. There’s no love of either art going into it, and then you’re forced to ask: “Who’s supposed to want to buy this?” I mean, the love fans of football have for comics is legendary, and the stereotype of the football playing comic nerd is so old it’s almost worn out (not to editor: forgot my sarcasm tags). But it doesn’t stop there. Love the music of Kiss? Well now you can enjoy their nuanced aesthetic with none of their complicated rhyme scheme.
The Writing
A misguided relative actually bought me Super Pro #1. I read it because what, am I actually going to play football? Hell to the no. It’s a story that’s nearly impossible to resurrect from the graveyard of my prepubescent memory, but one thing was painfully clear even to my eight year-old brain: this was a comic written neither for fans of football, nor fans of comics. And that’s a problem deeply inherent to the genre. Because, more often than not, the cross polinization of properties is just an attempt to capitalize on something that’s already profitable, the resultant product cannot be something the violates the spirit of either thing. It cannot offend the sensibilities of either fan base, but that almost curses it to appealing to neither fan base. Super Pro, if you care (which you almost certainly don’t) is the tragic story of a football player who gets injured nearly to death. He’s brought back from the brink courtesy of a mechanical football uniform so that he can continue… to… play football? But then realizes he’s more than just feetsballs throw man, and fights… crime? I mean, apart from about fifteen moments where I have to stop and ask, “Uh, why?”, that premise sounds like it comes straight from the mouth of that uncle we all have who hates comics and doesn’t respect us for our love. Because the end result shits on the heads of anyone who might possibly want it, every step toward that end result is just as insulting and just as steamy.Oh so, I guess I’ll just buy an adaptation of the thing I already have?!
Perhaps the most prevalent reason for licensed comics is the disease like pervasive presence of the “based on the hit movie” comic.Oh good, now I can be irritated, frustrated, and repulsed by one thing in two mediums.This is the point where I also have to stipulate that just because something sells, it does not mean it’s qualitatively good. I mean, everyone’s mom has a copy of Fifty Shades of Grey stashed under their mattress, but it’s not winning any awards any time soon. Right? God I hope not. I have to make that clear because comics are experiencing a sort of rebirth thanks to the herpes-like proliferation of comic book movies.
“Marvel: the herpes of comic books, but for movies.”
I guess on one hand I have to be thankful for terrible ideas like the Avengers movie tie-in comic, but why does such a thing exist in the first place? “Duh, Montgomery,” you might start, “because people who saw the movie might want to get into comics, and this is their way in, you dumb sack of crap,” you might finish. And very rudely, I might add. And in your very rude retort (seriously, guy), you’ve proven my point: they’ve already seen the movie. Who needs to buy this comic? Apart from the compulsive collector, is there really an audience of people who like the idea of an Avengers movie enough to buy a comic based on the movie, but not enough to buy the actual comics that have been running for 50 years or to spend the $10 to see the movie in the theater? It’s a bizarre monster we’ve lived with all our lives but haven’t really noticed.
There are other reasons why licensed comics are terrible. The fact that tie-ins are often made before the movie knows what they’re doing, so you wind up with weird anachronisms; the art is just the worst, like really, do they even care; the fact that the licensed property is fenced-in so fiercely that even if it were a good idea in the first place, they don’t have much space to play around in. Really, we could talk until all the oxygen is gone, but just these three reasons should be enough to convince you to put down that comic book prequel to Transformers 5: Planet of The Earth and invest in some stocks. Or something.
The re-hatched Transformers universe of new sequels, TV shows, toys and all sorts of other money making gimmicks has finished assembling the great minds tasked with bring the brainchild of more sequels to life.
The final addition to the writer’s rom is Steven DeKnight, of Spartacus and Daredevil fame.
Paramount Pictures, Michael Bay, Steven Spielberg and Hasbro are the driving forces behind the creation of a Transformers extended universe.
There are limited details at this point of what we should expect and when, but we’ll keep you posted as the updates come in.
While the deal is not completely done, the new writers room for the next Transformers movie will include The Walking Dead daddy Robert Kirkman. Also included are Zak Penn, writer of Pacific Rim 2, and Jeff Pinker, Lost and The Amazing Spider-Man 2writer.
Suddenly, the new Transformers movies just got a hell of a lot better. Maybe there will be strong women in the upcoming films? A girl can dream.
Big news! Spider-Man is FOR SURE going to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Straight from the big wigs themselves. Source: Marvel
This news has already caused a ripple in the release dates for four major films in the next couple years. Source: Marvel
If you know Hush, you know we love all things Breaking Bad. That’s why we jumped for joy when we found out that Better Call Saul had the highest ratings EVER for a series debut on cable television. You can read our reviews here. Source: EW
You knew the Joker was coming to Gotham, but now there’s a trailer to confirm it. Source: Comicbook.com
A trailer for the upcoming animated series, Batman Unlimited, has hit the web. Source: Cosmic Book News
Don’t cry, Walking Dead fans, Beth (highlight text for SPOILER) may be gone from the show but you can see Emily Kinney again on The Flash, where she will play the Bug-Eyed Bandit. I hope we see more of Kinney in the Nerd Verse. Source: Instagram
IDW Publishing and Hasbro have rekindled the fire and extended their contract, allowing IDW to create books based on the Transformers, My Little Pony, G.I. Joe, Dungeons and Dragons franchises, and more! Source: IDW
Looking for a much darker incarnation of Daredevil to appear on the Netflix series? You’re in luck! The series’ homepage shows that it will be rated TV-MA. Source: Netflix
Remember when Patrick Stewart said he wouldn’t be in X-Men: Apocalypse? Well, there was a catch. Seems that his best bro Ian McKellen will be in the movie. Yaaaay! Source: Oregon Live
Transformers have existed nearly 30 years, providing us with cartoons, comics and toys. The Transformers began with the 1980’s Japanese toy lines Microman and Diaclone. Hasbro bought the Diaclone toy line and partnered with Takara Tomy to produce and distribute Transformers. Transformers went through a period of low popularity in the early 2000’s, but were brought to the forefront of action entertainment with Michael Bay’s live action Transformers movie franchise. After the first live action movie was released, Transformers became more popular than ever. With this new popularity, the older Generation One toys have increased in value.
Item
1984 Transformers Jetfire by Hasbro
What it is:
The Transformer known as Jetfire is an airplane that transforms into a robot. Jetfire, as a character, is known for his intellect and dedication to science. He is compassionate and believes he’s the smartest among his fellow Autobots. He is an Autobot, a good guy, but started out as a Decepticon and friends with the evil Starscream. The other Autobots don’t always trust him, because he can be cold and calculating. Here is an interesting side note: this particular toy was also made for Takatoku Toys and sold as the VF-1 Valkyrie. The VF-1 was a fictional mech/fighter jet in a popular Japanese Anime series named “The Super Dimension Fortress Macross”, also known as “Robotech” in the US. You can read more about it here.
“ I don’t believe in destiny ”
—Jetfire
How Much it Costs:
The price can vary quite a bit depending on the version for which you are looking. If you are going for “vintage”, like the one in the video, prices can range from $40-$4000. If you are looking for the 1984/85 Jetfire to just play with for fun, I have seen a few Jetfires without the box and missing accessories going for $40-80 on eBay. If you are looking for a mint condition Jetfire sealed, graded by an appraiser, and for display only those are the ones that sell for thousands. There are newer versions and you can go today to Toys R Us to purchase Jetfire for about $40.
Is It Worth It?:
I love the original Generation One Transformers, like this Jetfire. The Generation One Transformers were made of substantial materials and stand up well over time. As you can see from the video, for a 30-year-old toy, it still looks pretty good! It’s cool looking and fun to play with. Unfortunately, it’s a rare 30-year-old toy and I’m so afraid of breaking it. The newer version looks similar; Jetfire is still a plane, but a more modern design. I also believe the newer Transformers I’ve played with were designed better. Even though the new ones are more sophisticated, they are made out of cheaper materials. The 1984 toy is worth owning, but if you want one to play with, I highly recommend just buying the 2014 version. The vintage one makes a pretty awesome display piece that you can look at and play with gently.
Lyric: “Rippin shit up at prime time, I’m Optimus Prime-time material/Imperial wizard of vocabularic havoc, I eat MC’s like cereal!”
Character Reference/Meaning:
DTCers, ROLL OUT! After a bit of a hiatus that I was on for grad school, we’re back at it again, ready to bring you all another ridiculously nerdy lyric that’ll probably make you want to transform into a rapper AND a nerd. Wait, that doesn’t make sense, because in Prince Poetry’s case, they are the same thing, AND I’VE BEEN SAYING IT SINCE DAY ONE!
Organized Konfusion, the dynamic rap duo out of Queens combines the awesome power of Prince Poetry, and DTC hall of famer, Pharoahe Monch. You would think that Pharoahe’s multiple appearances on DTC mean that he’s due for another spotlight, but today the honor goes to his counter part, Prince Poetry! These two individuals have ON (Original Nerd) status, seeing that they’ve been pushing bars since 1987. Need proof? Look no further than their 1994 hit, “Bring It On.”
With Transformers: Age of Extinction currently in theaters, it seems only right that we pay homage to two leaders of their respective packs – Prince Poetry and Optimus Prime. Shall we check the resumés? Prince Poetry a.k.a Prince Po has been rapping since before I was born, and is the founder of Nasty Habits Entertainment. He has four solo albums and EP’s apiece, in addition to the three Organized Konfusion alums. Impressive stats from an underground rapper. Now onto Optimus Prime. Prime is the leader of the Autobots, originates from the planet of Cybertron, sword enemy of the Decepticons, has saved planet Earth several times, while headlining countless cartoon episodes, movies and comic books. If you ask me, they’re pretty much one in the same.
On this DTC track, Prince Po is, without a doubt, letting you know this. Po is at the top of his game, and all the others dragging behind him, either need to figure out how to keep up, or learn how to step off. What he is saying is that if the rap game was planet Earth, and all the other rappers in the world were Autobots, he is pretty much Optimus Prime in comparison. After hearing his verse on this track, it’s kind of hard to refute that statement. Don’t believe me? Check the play on words. “I’m Optimus Prime-time material.” He is Optimus Prime and Prime Time, the nickname of Leon Sandcastle (That joke is funny). This lyrical ability demonstrates a great transformation in itself. Often times, young black men growing up in disadvantaged neighborhoods are seen as useless, and unable to contribute to anything productive in society. Knowing that one in three black men eventually end up in prison, it’s hard to keep the faith. However, Transformers is given the same treatment. To the untrained eye, that hunk of junk truck that’s always sitting in that lot across the street is completely useless. It’s rusted, run down, and it only belongs in a scrapyard somewhere. What if I told you that piece of junk was a Transformer? Does your perspective change? All it takes is one fluid move, and all of the sudden, that uselessness turns into something extraordinary. See, these young black kids growing up trying to be rappers, or even rappers today may seem like pieces of junk to the outside world, but to those who are paying attention, they are greatness. Hip-hop is more than just music to some, it is a way of life, it creates change inside of us that is unstoppable. So, that kid on the corner may seem like a piece of junk now, but who knows when he will transform into something powerful beyond measure.
Basically, Po is nothing short of hall of fame material. When he goes hard on tracks like this one, all the Decepticons suddenly have something to worry about. See, Optimus and hip-hop have many things in common. Probably one of the biggest factors the two share is the their influence on the youth of the 80s and 90s. Growing up in the hood, black community, or any community where hip-hop was a way of life, being an MC’s with dope lyrics was something to strive for. Having a lyrical ability was somethings people admired, it gave you status and an overall sense of purpose despite your upbringing. Growing up in the hood, you are given more opportunities to fail rather than succeed, and it’s much easier to stay up, than to try and climb your way out. Optimus could be viewed in the same light. Despite Optimus being the very last prime, his commitment to his cause and craft never wavered. To the audience, Optimus made it cool to be a good guy. Similar to Captain Planet and G.I. Joe, his courage and willingness to sacrifice everything for what he believed in was admirable. Hip-hop and Optimus are strong, righteous, and dedicated to what matters in life. For Optimus, that meant saving Earth through the way of the sword, maintaining what was honorable and good. Hip-hop does the same thing for planet Earth, only rather than the sword, hip-hop uses the mind and the spirit. Both fight evil, and both create a better way of life, both inspire hope.
Po dropped a transformers reference back in 1994, when hip-hop, nerds, rappers and transformers were all prime indicators of greatness. Knowing that transformers originated as a popular toy line only 10 years earlier, and then expanded into a cartoon television show, and then blew up to what we know it as today, it’s obvious the product hasn’t lost traction. When the toy line dropped, right off the bat, Optimus was the one to have. Little kids on the block were saving up what they have, folding bills in their socks, and begging their parents to go down to the toy store. If you were one of the lucky ones, and actually got that money, or that ride, if you left with anything other than Optimus Prime it just didn’t feel right. If you aren’t Optimus Prime, you might as well be a Decepticon.
FUN FACT: Optimus Prime was created by Denny O’Neil, legendary Batman writer who had a long career alongside artist Neal Adams.
May was full of comic book movies, but June is about to get the summer poppin’ with a variety of family and comedy films. There are some pretty cool independent films out, too. Here’s the skinny on this upcoming months’ movies:
June 6 – Edge of Tomorrow
Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt
Another year, another Tom Cruise action flick. It’s not that I don’t think he does a poor job at being an action star, but every idea he’s in feels completely recycled. Even though the premise of the film is nothing like Oblivion, the ambiance of the films feel exactly the same, and there is absolutely nothing to convince me there is something new and exciting to see here. Actually, the plot reminds me of 2011’s Source Code; in Edge of Tomorrow, Tom Cruise is forced to repeat the same day of war against the Mimic aliens over and over again, trying to find the point in all of it. The film is borrowed from the Japanese novel All You Need is Kill. It’s a really cool concept, and looks worth seeing if you like the genre. – Sherif
June 6 – The Fault in Our Stars
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort
“Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley) is an atypical teenager living with cancer, oxygen tank trailing forever behind her. While medication and frequent doctors visits have extended her life quite a bit, she is very much aware that she is dying. After being deemed depressed by both her mother and doctor, Hazel begins attending a cancer support group. It is here that she meets Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort), a charismatic, sly, metaphoric loving cancer survivor determined to make his mark on the world. Together they find “a forever within the numbered days,” a love that transcends their illness, and an adventure that makes them both feel infinitely alive whilst on the border of death.” – Charlotte (an excerpt from her full spoiler-free review here)
June 13 – How to Train Your Dragon 2
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Djimon Hounsou, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig
How To Train Your Dragon was an incredibly well done movie about a boy that brings peace to his viking village and the dragons who inhabit the area. There’s several different dragon types shown in the movie (and even more are presented in the TV show spin off, The Riders of Burk). However, the spotlight shines brightest on Hiccup and his Night Fury Dragon named Toothless.The pair make an amazing team, ending a war and saving lifes, all while Hiccup learns to accept himself and discover his unique calling in life. The first movie is phenomenal, and a must see, full of moments that will make you laugh, cry, and leave you on the edge of your seat. The second movie introduced a character previously alluded to be dead, Hiccup’s mom (can’t wait to hear that explanation); it turns out that dragon training is in his blood. This reunion comes just in time as an enemy force, composed of more dragon-riding vikings, threatens to strip Hiccup and his friends of their beloved dragons. The trailers give me high hopes that this sequel can be held to the same standards as the first. The imagery is stunning (makes me sad I don’t have a dragon of my own) and there appears to be more of the same adorable dragon humor as the original. I look forward to seeing all the new dragon types and Hiccup all grown up. – Sara
June 13 – 22 Jump Street
Starring: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube
Ever since the first modern 21 Jump Street, starring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, I have loved seeing this combo on the big screen. And now that the sequel is being released, I am absolutely excited. This movie better hold up to my expectations because if it doesn’t, I might just have to go back to either high school or college and start selling drugs, and they don’t want that. In this action-packed comedy the police duo are stepping out of the little leagues and heading into the majors as they tackle college. That’s right! The big give-me-a-C-O-L-L-E-G-E, and what does that spell? It spells nothing but chaos and comedy rolled into one movie. With returning characters such as Captain Dickson, played by Ice Cube, Deputy Chief Hardy, played by Nick Offerman, and Mr. Walters, played by Rob Riggle, I believe that this will be a great movie. And if you go see this movie for anything, anything at all, you must go see it to see Channing Tatum’s flawless Hispanic accent. And I do mean flawless. So go see this movie. It will be amazing; it will be your worst…I mean best nightmare (see what I did there?). – Evan
June 20 – The Rover
Starring: Guy Pearce, Robert Pattinson
A huge economic collapse happened 10 years ago in the West and now all hell breaks loose in the new drama, The Rover. This film takes place in Australia where we meet Eric (Guy Pearce), a man whom, after the collapse, has nothing left but one possession and a gang breaks in and steals it and in the process of them trying to get away one of the gang members is injured and left behind for dead. The gang member, Rey (Robert Pattinson), teams up with Eric to catch the gang since they left him for dead. The film seems like a good drama but it also seems like a movie that may not hit certain audiences too well. It seems like a lot of the post apocalyptic sort of drama action films like Children of Men, I Am Legend, and Book of Eli. I tend to like this genre and I will not pass any Twilight hate onto Robert Pattinson and not see the film which may end up being a performance that shows he is more than just sparkly Edward to a lot of people. If you like intense dramas definitely check this out as well as if you enjoy the end of the world with no zombies but lots of action and thrills type of film. – Jacob
June 20 – Coherence
Starring: NIcholas Brendon, Elizabeth Gracen
Honestly, the plot of Coherence is a little befuddling. However, that won’t stop me from seeing it. Coherence takes place in one night at a dinner party of eight close friends. When a comet passes Earth, weird stuff starts to happen, and the friends find out about each other, them selves, and their relationships. Every review has touted it as being incredibly well written and acted. I will go see it purely off the cast, though. Elizabeth Gracen, who played Amanda in The Highlander TV series is a seller. But the winner is to Nicholas Brendon, who played Xander Harris on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Not only have his roles since Buffy ended been sparse, but this role doesn’t make him seem like the “nerd” he has so often portrayed. I am excited to see him break out of his typecast shell and explore other roles. -Adrian
June 27 – Transformers: Age of Extinction
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci
Say what you will about Michael Bay, but he has made some damn good Transformers movies. The fourth installment, Age of Extinction, finally lets go of the formerly famous Shia LaBeouf and choosing a more adept action hero. Marky Mark himself takes the reigns on this one; giant robots are already the fail-safe summer blockbuster, but now that Mark Wahlberg is starring instead of LaBeouf, I’m much more interested in seeing it. Since Dark of the Moon pretty much wrapped up the trilogy with Optimus Prime pretty much going Sub-Zero on Megtron, I’m not too sure where Age of Extinction is going, but it almost looks to be LEGO Movie type of thing going on, inspiring kids to pick up their Robots in Disguise one more time. The world has recovered from the Decepticons’ attack and the Transformers have officially been rendered obsolete. Somewhere along the line, the stupid, puny humans reactivate the Decepticons and create DINOBOTS! Don’t expect this to blow you away, but it’s a necessary summer action movie carried by a vetted action hero. Plus, DINOBOTS! – Sherif
June 27 – WHITEY: United States of America v. James J. Bulger
Starring: Various
Okay, I admit it. I’m a total sucker for crime documentaries; there’s just something alluring about organized crime that I love watching stories about. That being said, James Bulger’s story is straight-up frightening. There is nothing entertaining about mass murder and dealing; Bulger reign in Boston ranks up there with some of the most gruesome. It also opens up eyes in the way that he was able to stay out of prison. He had the FBI on pay-roll for decades. He was just convicted in 2011, at 81 years old. Bulger is such a bad man that he was used as the inspiration for Jack Nicholson’s Frank Costello in The Departed, as well as Showtime’s Brotherhood, and an upcoming film titled Black Mass starring Johnny Depp. This won’t be for the faint of heart, or for people who are bored by the genre, but it will make for a captivating and horrifying documentary about one of America’s most notorious gangsters. – Sherif
In this consumer-based industry, it can be easy to forget the years of hard work that the people in the business put in. Behind every panel, it takes a skilled writer, artist, inker and colorist to make the product complete. Behind each scene goes hours of preparation. Hush Comics’ weekly article “Respect My Craft” will dive into the history of these comic book and pop culture greats that will hopefully give a new perspective on how the men and women behind the pen (or stylus) contribute to the collective awesome-ness of the nerd world, or at least give you a reason to invest in their work.
Click on the link to view all our Denver Comic Con articles!
Name: LeVar Burton
Profession: Actor
NotableWork: Roots, Reading Rainbow, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and recently raising nearly 3 million dollars to bring back Reading Rainbow in 2 days.
The “Roots” experience was one where I really was schooled on the power of the medium: television. My life was changed in two nights of television. I watched a nation be transformed around the idea of slavery and our relationship to that part of the American story. It was like ‘Wow.’ The opportunity to do “Reading Rainbow,” to do half an hour of television in the summer when kids are spending most of their time in front of the TV and try and steer them back in the direction of literature made all the sense in the world to me. My mother was an English teacher, so it was really a no-brainer. ” -LeVar Burton in an interview with the HeroComplex at the L.A. Times
Levar Burton shares the joy of reading on Reading Rainbow.
LeVar Burton has been a household name since the ’70’s. However, depending on your generation, you may know him from something different than your parents. You may know him as Kunta Kinte from Roots, or if you were born in the ’80’s, you may know him as the host of the children’s literacy show Reading Rainbow, or as Geordi La Forge in Gene Rodenberry’s Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Burton was born on an Army Base in Germany in 1957. His mother, an English teacher, moved to Sacramento when Burton was a child. When he was 13, he decided to join a seminary to become a priest. Yeah, Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge was almost a priest. After some soul-searching and reading different philosophies, Burton decided not to be a priest and enrolled in the Theater Program at University of Southern California. Burton began his acting career when he was a sophomore in college.
Burton auditioned for Roots, his first Hollywood audition, and got the part of Kunta Kinte, a name now synonymous with slavery and race relations in America. Roots was the first mainstream slavery story to be told through the eyes of the enslaved man. Kunta Kinte was a man from Gambia and a slave who never forgot where he came from. Kunta was badly abused. At one point, after trying to escape, part of his right foot was cut off. The visual images that came with Burton’s role as Kunta are still prevalent in American culture today. Roots is highly regarded as a turning point in how black people and white people viewed each other. Burton can be quoted as saying, “Roots wasn’t just art for art’s sake. It was art as a way of moving the culture forward” in an interview last year with Vulture. Burton’s portrayal of Kunta in Roots earned him an Emmy nomination for Best Actor in 1977.
LeVar Burton in Roots as Kunta Kinte.
His groundbreaking role garnered a lot of attention. Burton hosted the last season of the children’s show Rebop. He starred in the TV movie One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story as Ron LeFlore, the baseball player who was recruited to the MLB out of prison. Burton was in a myriad of other movies and had a guest spot on Fantasy Island once. Then, in 1983, LeVar Burton became of the host of Reading Rainbow on PBS. It was from that moment on that children across America learned to read. Ok, ok, I am exaggerating. I really hope (and on some level, I know) kids could read before Reading Rainbow was on the air. The show took kids on “field trips” to different places in America and then an awesome celebrity guest would read a book to us as the pages were shown on screen. Then kids would recommend books they liked. I can honestly say that Reading Rainbow was one of my favorite shows growing up. I was, and still am, a bookworm, and I truly believe Reading Rainbow and LeVar Burton were major catalysts in my love of reading (my grandmother and father were huge roles, too, just in case they read this). Reading Rainbow‘s original run was from 1983 to 2006. Now, LeVar is bringing Reading Rainbow online to the kids of the digital age. He famously launched a Kickstarter campaign, raising over 1 million dollars in 11 hours. In the last day, the campaign’s goal has expanded to 5 million dollars. The plan for Reading Rainbow is to not only be a full-fledged website, set up similarly to the television show, but a tool for teachers, particularly in underfunded schools, and to provide it all for free. If you would like to contribute to the cause for literacy, click HERE.
LeVar Burton meets Kermit in the “Pig” aisle on Reading Rainbow.
In 1986, Burton was cast as Geordi La Forge, a blind pilot, in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Burton grew up watching Star Trek, so working on the show was a dream come true. Geordi was a character who inspired many fans. Because of his “disability”, he wore a VISOR, which gave him the ability to see things even the human eye couldn’t. That prop wasn’t the best thing though, according to Burton. He has stated it obscured 80 percent or more of his vision while filming, causing him to trip or lose balance often. He also felt that without the audience being able to see his eyes, a large part of his acting skill was limited. He has also stated that he hopes that the technology of the future would be more advanced than the VISOR for blind people to be able to see. Since the series ended, Burton has been fairly vocal about the lack of a love life La Forge had. He has noted that Star Trek is generally better than to stereotype people, but that La Forge was stereotyped because he was a nerd and a black man. He says that everyone has a sexual identity, but that was denied to his character, something he would have changed. Burton was eventually able to direct an episode of TNG, and continued to do so, even beyond the TNG franchise and on to Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise. To date, Burton has directed the most Star Trek episodes than any other actor from the show. His career as Geordi La Forge lasted 7 television seasons and continued in 4 Star Trek movies. You may wonder if Geordi La Forge inspired me, the way Reading Rainbow did. I do admit to being a Trekkie when I was a kid. I had a Geordi action figure and often walked around my house with a headband over my eyes. I was an odd child, but it has made me a pretty cool adult, and I’d like to think Burton and Star Trek had something to do with it.
LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation. And the best reason for him to appear at Denver Comic Con.
Most recently, Burton has been a staple, whether on screen or not, in Community. Burton was Troy’s idol and caused him to go catatonic at one point because of his presence. LeVar Burton also happened to be the man who took Troy away from the study group and on Pierce’s boat the “Childish Tycoon.” However, the boat was then taken by pirates, so who knows what happened to LeVar and Troy? He has also appeared in The Big Bang Theory as himself. Burton is the voice of Doc Greene in the Hub Network series Transformers: Rescue Bots. He has said he believes it was one of the few children’s shows that portrays pro-social behavior. Burton believes all television is educational, but wonders what we are trying to teach our children. Currently, Burton is a regular on TNT’s Perception as Paul Haley, anthropologist best friend to Eric McCormack’s character who is a paranoid schizophrenic who helps the FBI investigate difficult cases. In addition to all his acting endeavors, Burton has been working as the “Curator In-Chief” for the Reading Rainbow website and campaign with business parter Mark Wolfe and revolutionizing how kids learn to love reading. I’d say, LeVar Burton is a pretty big deal. Live long and prosper, folks.
Troy Barnes (Donald Glover) meets LeVar Burton on Community.
None of the media in this article belongs to Hush Comics; it all belongs to their respective properties. Join us tomorrow as we continue our countdown to Denver Comic Con as we spotlight author Kevin J. Anderson!
The mythical A+: Classic comic book material. Belongs next to your copy of The Notebookand The Joy of Cooking.
A: Would definitely recommend to all comic book readers. Even more so to fans of the genre or characters
B: Enjoyable read. Fans of the genre or characters will especially like.
C: Non-essential read. Can be enjoyable for fans of the genre or characters, but likely for only one or two events in the books.
D: Unenjoyable book. Read at your own risk. Might find satisfaction if major flaws are overlooked.
F: Please don’t buy this book. Donate your money to a local comic book writer’s workshop instead to inspire future generations to write something better than this trash.
Pick of the Week:
Deadly Class (Image Comics) #2 – A
This book is awesome, it’s a classic high school scene like Harry Potter or Freaks and Greeks, except the children are there to learn how to be assassins. I just love the story behind this book and what it is going to develop into. At first, when Sherif told me about Deadly Class, I honestly thought it was going to be stupid and not very entertaining, but I have been proven wrong. With so many cool characters, and an interesting concept, Deadly Class has tickled, no, molested my fancy and I cannot wait to continue to see what comes out of this comic. In issue #2, we get our very first look into the school it’s amazing to see where everyone comes from and how everyone there plans to become an assassin. Even though there isn’t a ton of action in this issue, the writing is enough to keep the reader engaged and interested through the entire book. I can truly appreciate a comic that doesn’t need action to make the story great. If you have not started reading Deadly Class yet, I highly recommend it. – E
Other Reviews:
DC/Vertigo:
Superman: Lois Lane #1 – B
Lois Lane hasn’t been a major part of Superman’s life like she has in the past thanks to the reboot of the New 52 and Superman knocking boots with a goddess now. This story proves that Lois Lane is still a badass reporter that doesn’t need to be rescued by the Man of Steel. The plot revolves around Lois’ sister and some sort of trouble that she got into with drugs that have crazy side-effects. Lois of course sets off to investigate and get into all sorts of hijinks related to the investigation. The story overall isn’t too bad and the art is great, which also matches the artwork from the new 52 superman book. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a one-shot like this but I can say that Lois didn’t disappoint. She is still the only woman I can see Superman ending up with. – R
Batman Superman #8 – B-
I’ve finally woken up from the bad dream that has been the past couple months of Batman/Superman and found myself back in the real world. I’m not sure what kind of hell was happening with the last few issues, but we are back in the Greg Pak/Jae Lee universe that we signed up for in the first place. Issue #8 saw an alternate universe’s Robin and Supergirl (now Huntress and Power Girl) meeting Batman and Superman for the first time. Seeing Batman’s estranged daughter interact with him for the first time is worth a laugh, and Superman’s attempt to protect Power Girl from himself is exactly what you’d expect. The plot is just a transition to what will happen in the next issue of World’s Finest, so don’t get too attached to the story. Really, though, the art is what will save the book. It’s just beautiful, and it’s reason enough to invest in the series going forward. – S
Dark Horse Comics:
Tomb Raider #1 – B+
This issue is about what I expected it to be when I heard there was a new series coming out. This issue is an introduction to a few key characters and the buildup for the first arc. What I didn’t expect was that it is a continuation of the story from the latest Tomb Raider game that came out. I absolutely loved the game and if you haven’t played it yet, I would highly recommend it – you owe it to yourself. This continuation has me especially excited because I was left with a sense of wanting to know what happens next after the game. If the writing is as good as it was in the game, then I expect there to be great potential in this story. This is still a very young Lara and that leaves tons of room for development beyond anything we have seen before in games or film. – R
Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #2 – C+
If the debut issue of Serenity: Leaves on the Wind was the honeymoon, issue #2 is like the awkward first week back. The Serenity crew is forced with a tough decision regarding Zoë’s condition, and they pick up an old pal in Jayne Cobb. With Jayne on board, things should feel back to normal, but the identity just isn’t there in this book… yet. There are many moving pieces in Leaves on the Wind: the new revolution, Zoë, River, and an unwelcome visitor by the name of Jubal Early (last episode of Firefly). So far, nothing has been established to make me feel part of the experience. Hopefully the next issue will make me feel the magic. – S
IDW Comics:
Teenage Mutant Nina Turtles #31 – A-
As the turtles regroup in Northampton from the events of City Fall, we’re finally getting to see our heroes in their familiar light: joking, training and feeling like family again. There are some really awesome moments with Casey and Donatello (very nostalgic of the first TMNT film) and Raphael and Alopex. Even Leonardo and Splinter iron out some issues. This issue isn’t all feels though, as a new mutant assassin of the foot emerges. What really sets TMNT apart from other books is that even in the lulls, there is always something to push the story along. The dialog may seem lengthy at times, but it’s heavily tied to the story and character development. The art of Ross Campbell is beautiful, and is greatly complemented by it’s bright colors. Enjoy it while it lasts, as after issue 32, Mateus Santolouco takes over. Regardless of who is drawing, with Tom Waltz at the held, TMNT can do no wrong. – S
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Utrom Empire #2 – B
In this Krang-centric book, we get a look at the bigger picture. Krang, although ruthless and power-hungry, cares deeply for the fate of his people. It’s almost admirable, in a creepy kind of way. As he battles extinction from all angles, Krang proves he is willing to do whatever is necessary to save the Utrom people, even at the cost of his own life. The 80’s action flick vibe is still in full effect, here. Vog, the triceratops mutant, is quickly becoming one of my favorite villains in the book, and I just hope that the turtles never have to face such a foe. I’m not nearly as interested in this side-story as I have been in the past TMNT mini-series (the best among them being Secret of the Foot Clan), but Utrom Empire has managed to take the turtles most dangerous foe and make him the protagonist… sort of. – S
Samurai Jack #5 – B
BOSS FIGHT! We were just saying in our review of issue #4 that it’s time for the story to pick up steam and progress the story. Like the top of a roller-coaster ride, all this issue needed was a light push and the story went from 0-epic in one page. In fact, it might move too quick, as the art and dialog is all over the place, and a bit jumbled. That being said, Jack confronts Aku, and it’s every bit the showdown we were waiting for. The Threads of Time play a big part in his strategy, but the turn-around from start to end is so fast, it seemed a bit rushed. Pace aside, Jack is still a great pick-up for those raised on the series and genre. – S
X-Files Conspiracy: Transformers #1 – B-
Above most other aspects in creative media and storytelling, I appreciate creativity and new ideas. IDW supplies in X-Files Conspiracy. The fourth installment of this series merges the adventures of Scully, Mulder and their cohorts with the infamous robots in disguise – Transformers! Being one of my favorite childhood interests it was great to see Optimus and others in still panel form. The premise is simple; the X-Files team is out to unravel a conspiracy and in the process, save the world. Continuing on from the previous issues featuring the Ghostbuster’s crew as well as our favorite heroes in half-shells (TMNT!!), the Autobots assemble in support of the cause. There were a lot of humorous moments in the pages of this issue that really add to the enjoyment factor. It wasn’t the most action packed comic, but all in all this was a fun read. I recommend it if you’re looking to add a little bit of light-hearted variety to your comic stack. – T
Image Comics:
Black Science #4 – A
Of the numerous volumes of comic books I’m reading right now, very few come close to Image’s Black Science. This series tops even the Star War issues in my current stack (and that’s saying something). Don’t sleep on this one, people. Rick Remender’s (writer) creative genius has brought us a story with depth, intrigue, adventure, conflict/plot variety and everything that makes the Hush Comics family giddy! An issue hasn’t passed where I wasn’t left anxious after at the very last page and panel! Issue #4 plays out is similar fashion as the debut issue – a race against time before our dimensionaughts are forced to jump again to another dimension. The intensity is juxtaposed with powerful character monologue and gorgeous art work. I give, yet again, another big round of applause to Matteo Scalera (artist) and Dean White (painter). What they put on the page…it’s like love-making for eyeballs. By the conclusion of the issue, the plot has taken on a completely different pace and tone. This beautiful evolution opens up vast possibilities for the continuation of Black Science. I hope Remender and team keep this unique adventure engaging and exciting. – T
The Revenge #1 – B
Uhhhh, I’m not entirely sure what I just read, but it was good! This is definitely unlike other comic books that I have read in a long time. With lots of blood and boobs, The Revenge is a comic for a mature audience. This story is pretty clear and laid out, but I still have no idea where it is going to go. Some points in this comic and just demented and gruesome, yet I can’t find fault in it because that is the identity that the book has found for itself. Honestly, I found the book strange but a good strange, not like a “this is so weird and stupid I don’t even know what is going on strange.” So if you are in the search for a comic book unlike the rest, and are up for some boobs and blood, then I would recommend The Revenge. – E
Sex #11 – B-
After last issue’s tease at what a world with the Armored Saint looked like, we are back to the foreplay of the other nine issues. While the tension is certainly rising in Saturn City, I can’t honestly see the Saint making a comeback for at least another five issues if they continue at this pace. All the major characters and motives (or lack thereof) have been established and the only logical next step this story can take is to introduce the Armored Saint to save the city. They show us in the beginning that Simon clearly still has the skill but he just doesn’t have the proper motivation to break his vow yet. Simon is reminiscent of how Oliver Queen was behaving in the beginning of his New 52 run; they both desire to be something else yet neither one quite knows how to make it happen. I’m sure that wrinkly old ball sac called the Old Man will help him out with that. Speaking of ball sac, there has been a marked increase in the amount of penis that they started showing since its first introduction a few issues back – perhaps we could tone that down a bit. This isn’t Game of Thrones or Spartacus, after all. – R
The Walking Dead #122 – C-
Uggghh! If you’re wondering whether I’m disappointed or practicing my walker impression, know that it is the former… Chalk another one up for an uneventful TWD issue. As various members of the Alexandria and Hilltop communities cope and adjust to the aftermath of the savage battles the plot remains in a state of limbo. Minor developments and hints as to what will happen next pepper the page, but I’ve already lost track of the number of times an issue has lead me to believe, “oh the next issue is gonna be crazy!”… And I can count pretty high. Kirkman’s focus on the All Out War arch is far too centralized war rhetoric and how it affects everyone. I don’t know about you, but the impacts of war are lost on me in this post-apocalyptic time frame. The world has already gone to shit and a series of skirmishes termed as “war” adds little to the series. Only four issues remain until the All Out War story ends. I hope for the sake of continued TWD support that the conclusion is epic. It may not be long before this TWD fan is walking away from this dead series. – T
Marvel:
Hawkeye #15 – B+
It feels so good to be back in New York with Hawk-guy. I’ve had enough of Kate as Hawkeye, with her disastrous exploits living on her own. I really enjoy Clint Barton’s everyday adventures: the guns, the butt-kicking, and most especially, the Bros. The Russian (?) Bro Mafia is hilarious. They are one building away from owning the whole neighborhood – a building illegally owned by Hawkeye. Sometimes, it’s the most humane stories in the Avengers’ world that make for the most clever and entertaining books. Throw in a legitamite villain to the mix, and you have plenty of gas in the tank for Matt Fraction’s best book out. – S
Fantastic Four #1 – B
After an exciting first few pages, I was actually pretty excited to continue reading to see what was coming next. It started on such a serious and mysterious note that it grabs the reader attention right away. Yet, the rest of the book didn’t really carry that same mood and tone up until the end. Seeing that it is a first issue, I can understand the need to set up plot lines and background story, I just wish all that middle stuff was a bit more interesting. However, I am still interested to see how this story is going to play out. It seems like it is going to be more of a somber comic than a typical superhero book. And by getting a glimpse at that somber tone, it allows the reader to want to know how it got there. What went down in order to bring these people to the places they are at now? I guess only time will tell, but I would enjoy finding out. – E
Origin II #3 – B
Three issues in out of five and I’m still not sure what the purpose of this book is. I have enjoyed the art immensely but there hasn’t been any actual character development. So far Logan hasn’t actually said a single word, unless of course you count onamotapeia as language. I get the feeling that given the direction some of Wolverines other books are taking that this will perhaps be an origin for how his feud with Sabertooth ultimately began. Somehow, Sinister also fits into the picture, too. Being a major fan of Wolverine, I can’t help but continue to read this but I also can’t help but as why is there a sequel. – R
Indestructible Hulk #19 – B-
As of right now, there is a lot going on in the Indestructible Hulk series; yet with this particular comic, I felt like not much was happening. We got to see the effects of another one of Banner’s solutions to a problem and the consequences that happened because of it, but a majority of the comic was just uneventful. We did get to see some pretty cool action toward the beginning of the comic; however, it wasn’t able to carry the book by itself. I’m hoping the next issue can bring more excitement following the events that have transpired over the last couple issues. – E
Deadpool #24 – C+
Issue #24 ends the long saga of Agent Preston being stuck in Deadpool’s body. It’s drawn out, and uncharacteristically emotional, but it’s still the same Deadpool you know and love. There are a couple moments in the mush-fest that stick, though, as Deadpool is truly alone now – excluding the cacophony of voices in his head. It’s a decent transition issue, but it’s not much more than that. With all the hoopla at Marvel over a Deadpool wedding, I can see the need to explore those feelings, but #24 really forces the issue. Overall, I’m happy with the direction the book is taking, but turning Deadpool into a soft-hearted murderer won’t sit well with me. – S
Wolverine #2 – C
Heroes and villains have a way of dying or having a major crisis that somehow majorly affects them all the time. It’s the comic book industries way of reminding us that we should appreciate what we have because at any minute it could be taken away. Just look at Peter Parker; not only did they kill the Amazing Peter but they also killed the Ultimate universe’s version of Peter, too. Logan has a run-in with Superior Spider-Man‘s “Peter Parker” that shows a side of Logan that I don’t really think we have experienced before. This is a Wolverine that is de-powered, broken and, for the first time ever, afraid. I can’t help but think that this is just some plot to bring him back better than ever, or maybe change him in some major way kind of like what they did to Jubilee. That being said, this depiction of Logan pretty much shits on the whole idea of the character. I hope that Paul Cornell knows what he is doing. Too much of this Wolverine is definitely a bad thing. – R
Superior Spider-Man #28 – C-
After such a stellar display in issue #27, Superior Spider-Man feels like an awkwardly-long continuation instead of an expansion upon the Goblin Nation story. Some secrets were revealed, and it still feels like this is going somewhere, but I had gotten my hopes up after the last issue that things were finally turning around. While Otto is dumb-founded that the Green Goblin has out-smarted him, the subconscious of Peter Parker is getting sucked further and further into Otto Octavius’ psyche. Maybe Superior is trying to avoid taking the easy way out (segueing into April’s re-emergence of Amazing Spider-Man), but it just seems now that it is stalling for time until Parker returns. I’ll still keep reading, but I wouldn’t recommend this to new readers. – S
George Romero’s Empire of the Dead #2 – D
This issue is pretty much nothing but buildup for the inevitable plot arc involving some ridiculous rise of the zombies with consciences, or perhaps some type of battle between zombie and vampires with humans caught in the middle. The story remains vigilant that there is a way to domesticate zombies and that they have some feeling or memory of their former selves. I know that George Romero is considered one of the greats but I think he has crossed over that fine line of innovative into ridiculousness. This doesn’t even feel like fresh material after watching his last few subpar films. He has already explored many of these ideas in his earlier work and it didn’t pan out very well there either. I am left wondering how he thought it could pan out better in short spurts that don’t really have any coherent ideas so far. And as a bit of a personal gripe, the art is a bit all over the place. It is hard to determine who is who sometimes when the art doesn’t even match from one panel to the next. – R
GPA by Publisher:
DC Comics: 2 B’s, averaging out to a 3.00
Marvel Comics: and 4 B’s, 3 C’s and 1 D, averaging out to a 2.38
Independents: 3 A’s, 6 B’s and 2 C’s, averaging out to a 3.09
Funniest Panel of the Week:
Epic Panel of the Week:
Cover Art of the Week:
Fantastic Four #1 Alex Ross variant
That about wraps it up for our reviews this week! Look for next week’s previews coming soon. Any comic books you didn’t see reviewed that you want reviewed? Any grades you didn’t agree on? Let us know in the comments!
All images taken from ComiXology app and the credit for them goes to the respective publishers; thanks to IDW Comics, image Comics, Dark Horse, Boom! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, DC and Marvel for putting out great books.
The Olympics are finally over, and all I could think about was that NBC’s Community, Arrow, and Scandal are coming back to the air!
To christen Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show debut, Justin Timberlake hooked back up with the formal SNL comedian for the fifth installment of “The History of Rap” and it was epic! This came after an incredible “Evolution of Hip-Hop Dancing” skit with Will Smith.
There’s trouble in paradise here in Denver, as Denver Comic Con is having some internal issues, low-lighted by accusations of fraud and embezzlement. The two accusers are holding a town meeting to elaborate. We’ll give you guys the full scoop as it unfolds. Remember, there are two sides to every story.
Heroes will be making a comeback, by way of a 13-episode event. While the director, Tim Kring, will make a return, there will be an entirely new cast of heroes – hopefully with new powers. It’s not the Heroes we need right now, but it’s the Heroes we deserve.
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics have been fairly lackluster according to resident Buffy expert Adrian Puryear, but there will be 3 issues of season 10 written by Nicholas Brendan himself. Perhaps those issues will be more noteworthy than all the other comics? In addition, James Marsters will be penning a graphic novel set during the final televised season. Will in be Spike-centric? Let’s hope!
Space Jam 2 is a real thing, regardless of whether or not LeBron James is going to be in it. To say that I’m skeptical about this would be a massive under-statement, but I know I’ll go see it anyway.
The hilarious independent comic book Burn the Orphanage, inspired from 90’s video-games and pulp style, will have a sequel out this May entitled Reign of Terror. We’ll be lucky enough to meet Sina Grace at ECCC, but I suggest you all download the first two issues of Burn the Orphanage and keep up
Vince Gilligan’s (you know, the guy who created Breaking Bad) upcoming crime drama, Battle Creek, has found itself its first cast member in Kal Penn (House, Harold & Kumar). He’s a very entertaining actor, and I think he’d be great for the detective role.
The Green Goblin has reared his ugly head in thisAmazing Spider-Man 2 still. What do you guys think? I kind of miss the purple hood, personally.
Matt Ryan, who voiced the main character in the Assassin’s Creed IV video-game, will be playing the title role in the upcoming Constantine TV series. He definitely looks the part, and I was a big fan of his voice work in AC4.
Will Smith is in the talks to start in Brilliance, based off the sci-fi novel that was released last year. The concept sounds goo enough that we will be reading the book. Another Will Smith sci-fi? Well, we kinda think the man can do no wrong, so we’re looking forward to it.
The Suicide Squad will be joiningArrow on March 19th. The Suicide Squad (as it is now, a group of criminals offered to go on suicide missions for reprieve) is over 25 years old, but hasn’t been able to catch on. But, I mean, Michael Jai White and Sean Maher together?! Geek. Out.
The Walking Dead continues with “Claimed” tonight. If you’re not caught up, check out our most recent reviews. Abraham, Eugene and Rosita have made their debut, and Rick is recovering from the ass-whoopin’ that the Governor put on him, so I expect much of the screen-time will be given to them. Predictions, questions, gripes? We want to hear them all.
Hush Comics 