Movie Review: SPY X FAMILY: Code White (Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures)
Brian Isaacs - Executive Editor / Publisher (more…)
OFFICIAL TRAILER RELEASED FOR STARZ’ ORIGINAL SERIES OUTLANDER
Newsdesk We invite you to disappear to the 18th century Scottish Highlands with British Army nurse Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), through three new photos and the new official series trailer for STARZ Original series “Outlander,” premiering Summer 2014.
The “Outlander” series spans the genres of romance, science fiction, history, and adventure in one epic tale. The series, adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international best-selling books by Ronald D. Moore (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation”), is currently filming on location in Scotland and is set to premiere on STARZ this Summer. It follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945, who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743. Upon her arrival, she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. But when she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate relationship is ignited. Now, Claire’s heart is torn between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
For more information go to OutlanderCommunity.com, our Facebook Page, Follow @Outlander_Starz on Twitter and Instagram. Join the conversation with #Outlander and #STARZ.
Crime Has A New Enemy When ROBOCOP Arrives on Blu-ray and DVD June 3
THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN JUSTICE
COMES HOME THIS JUNE
ROBOCOP
Arriving on Digital HD May 20 and on Blu-ray,
DVD and VOD June 3
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment present ROBOCOP, arriving on Digital HD May 20 and on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD June 3.
Directed by José Padilha, ROBOCOP stars Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Abbie Cornish, Jackie Earle Haley and Samuel L. Jackson. In ROBOCOP, the year is 2028 and OmniCorp – the world’s leader in robot technology – sees a golden opportunity to reap billions for their company. When Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) – a loving husband, father and good cop doing his best to stem the tide of crime and corruption in Detroit – is critically injured, OmniCorp grabs their chance to build a part-man, part-robot police officer. OmniCorp envisions a RoboCop in every city and will stop at nothing – no matter the cost to Alex – to make sure the program succeeds. But OmniCorp never counted on one thing: there is still a man fighting inside the machine. The film is written by Joshua Zetumer and Edward Neumeier & Michael Miner, and produced by Marc Abraham and Eric Newman. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Columbia Pictures’ released ROBOCOP theatrically on February 12, 2014.
The ROBOCOP Blu-ray is charged with nearly an hour of extra features and featurettes, taking fans behind-the-scenes of OmniCorp to witness the future of law enforcement, learn the secrets of director Jose Padilha, and explore the making of the film.
ROBOCOP Blu-ray Special Features
● Deleted Scenes
● OmniCorp Product Announcement
● Robocop: Engineered for the 21st Century
○ The Illusion of Free Will: A New Vision
○ To Serve and Protect: Robocop’s Weapons
○ The Robocop Suit: Form and Function
ROBOCOP Blu-ray
Street Date: June 3, 2014
Pre-book Date: April 30, 2014
Screen Format: Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English DTS-HD-MA 5.1
Spanish 5.1 DTS
French 5.1 DD
Subtitles: English / Spanish / French
U.S. Rating: PG-13
Feature Run Time: 120 minutes
Total Run Time: 184 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes
ROBOCOP DVD
Street Date: June 3, 2014
Pre-book Date: April 30, 2014
Screen Format: Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English DD 5.1
Spanish 2.0 Surround DD
French 2.0 Surround DD
Subtitles: English / Spanish / French
U.S. Rating: PG-13
Feature Run Time: 120 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes
DARK HORSE DECLASSIFIES PROJECT BLACK SKY!
Extensive Web Comic Launches Timed with Free Comic Book Day Story
While many comics fans are headed to their local comic shop to get their free goodies this weekend, Dark Horse launches the hottest web comic of the year at ProjectBlackSky.net!
Intrigued by the investigations of the conspiracy blog IWatchTheSky.com, Dark Horse Comics has done some digging and uncovered some of the mysterious Project Black Sky’s secret files.
Fred Van Lente (Brain Boy, Conan) is set to script these secret files, assisted by the award-winning team of colorist Dan Jackson and letterer Nate Piekos.
Project Black Sky will run through September with a new panel almost every day! Three series artists with top-level security clearance will provide illustrations for the stunning story line.
Project Black Sky Part 1: The Field, featuring art by Steve Ellis, goes live on May 2 with eight screens!
Project Black Sky Part 2: The Launch features art by Michael Broussard and will post weekdays with forty screens beginning May 5.
Project Black Sky Part 3: The Ring features art by Steve Ellis and will post weekdays with forty screens beginning June 26.
Project Black Sky Part 4: The Base features art by Guiu Vilanova and will post every day of the week with thirty-two screens beginning August 21.
Project Black Sky Part 5: Michael Broussard will illustrate a final, top-secret, twelve-screen story, presented in its entirety on September 24.
Fans can head to their local comic shop to pick up the Free Comic Book Day 2014 issue of Project Black Sky! Meanwhile, head to ProjectBlackSky.net every day for a new piece of the puzzle!
Check out the exclusive interview with Fred Van Lente only on Comic Book Resources!
HIKARI FRIDAY!
INTRODUCING HIKARI & HIKARI FRIDAYS!
What is Hikari?
Hikari, meaning ‘light’, is a highly collectible line of clear Sofubi Vinyl Figures.
These will be ultra-limited and piece runs will range from 500pcs-5000pcs depending on the treatment.
Each Hikari piece will include a hand numbered card to prove authenticity and rarity.
What are Hikari Fridays?
Each Friday Funko will be announcing a new Hikari Japanese Vinyl Figure!
GIVEAWAY
We will be holding a giveaway via our social media channels each week!
The winner will receive one piece of the announced Hikari – Piece #1 in the limited run!!
The giveaway is live now!
When:
Hmmm…Every Friday, of course!
Where:
Remember to check Funko’s social media channels every Friday for the announcement!
TIME FOR OUR FIRST EVER HIKARI FRIDAY ANNOUNCEMENT!!
The Metal Mix Leonardo Hikari Vinyl Figure is limited to 500 PIECES WORLD WIDE!
If you aren’t the lucky winner of the giveaway, visit a Funko retailer in July to purchase your Limited Edition Metal Mix Leonardo Hikari Vinyl Figure!
Darwyn Cooke Takes Aim At The Hunter In A New Way
The First Of Donald E. Westlake’s Acclaimed Parker Novels At IDW
It’s no secret that Darwyn Cooke has garnered wide acclaim, including multiple Eisner and Harvey awards, adapting Donald E. Westlake’s world of Parker into graphic novels. But what should catch your attention today is that the acclaimed writer/artist is providing all-new illustrations for the classic Parker novels by Richard Stark (Westlake’s pen name), presented for the first time in a deluxe format. The series will be released in chronological order, and launch with The Hunter, the inaugural Parker story. Each book will contain 10 gorgeous paintings by Cooke, and, with the design and typography overseen by the renowned artist, this series promises to be a stylish tour-de-force.
Parker: The Hunter, will be available everywhere this June. But the debut of the book will come earlier as it makes a special advance unveiling on May 10th & 11th
at the Toronto Comic Arts Festival. Cooke, a special guest of the show, will be appearing both days to the sign the book, which features a unique dust jacket and signature plate. For more information please visit the TCAF website: http://torontocomics.com.
“Adapting Donald Westlake’s novels into graphic novel form has been incredible, a dream come true,” said Cooke, “and providing paintings that illustrate this seminal crime classic…well, it scratches a completely different kind of itch, but one just as creatively fulfilling.”
The Hunter debuted in 1962. Stark’s resilient creation would become one of the most influential American literary characters of the 20th century. The crime-infested world of Parker has been translated to the screen multiple times feature films like Point Blank, Payback, The Outfit and, most recently, One of the paintings in Parker: The Hunter Parker. Darwyn Cooke and IDW Publishing have teamed up to release four graphic novel adaptations thus far: The Hunter, The Outfit and The Score. The fourth, Slayground was released in December 2013 to high praise and critical acclaim.
“I’m always amazed by Darwyn’s versatility as an artist,” said editor Scott Dunbier, “he brings something new to everything he does. His work on the Parker graphic novels is phenomenal, and so are the paintings he has created here for the prose novels, but they are also completely different from one another—which is a big part of the fun!”
Lauded as a classic of the genre, The Hunter follows Parker on a cold-blooded mission of revenge. Betrayed by those closest to him, Parker sets out for retribution in a world of corruption, violence, and retribution. Whether you’re a fan of Stark, Cooke, or both, Parker: The Hunter will be an essential addition to any library this June.
Comic Review: Hip Hop Family Tree Two-In-One: FCBD Special (Fantagraphics)
I love indie publishers, and I’m always excited to see what their offerings for Free Comic Book Day will be. This year, Fantagraphics is sharing one of my favorite comics Hip Hop Family Tree. If you’re not familiar with this title, it’s Ed Piskor’s history of hip hop. First published online at Cory Doctorow’s boingboing.net, Piskor lovingly shares a comprehensive, well-researched, and always fun narrative about the early days of hip hop.
The cover is fantastic, mimicking the Marvel 30th anniversary covers of my youth, but replacing Marvel heroes with the titans of hip hop. It’s fun to peruse the cover and try to name everyone depicted. It has a very DIY feel, with the word “FREE” seemingly written in marker across the cover. It looks so real, in fact, that I thought it was just my copy. It’s a neat detail.
Once you get inside the book, though, the real magic happens. Piskor’s style is at once retro and modern, and his likenesses, while cartoonish, are spot-on. The stories are interesting, and he depicts each spot in the timeline with dynamic dialogue.
Also included are pin-ups of hip hop artists by Toby Cypress, Natalie Andrewson, Jasen Lex, Johnny Negron, and Alexis Ziritt. Each one is a different style. My favorite is Ziritt’s depiction of the Soulsonic Force. I’m a fan of Ziritt’s work and of Ziritt himself, having crossed paths with him at HeroesCon and sharing booth space with him at C2E2 this year.
This one’s not for the kiddies, but if you’re in the comic shop picking up comics for them, grab this one for yourself. While you’re at it, pick up Fantagraphics’ collection of Hip Hop Family Tree. It’s a gorgeous comic perfect for anyone who’s interested in how this genre of music came into being.
Comic Review: Defend Comics : FCBD Special (CBLDF)
As you head to your comic shop for Free Comic Book Day, remember the guys and gals of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. They are a huge part of the modern comics experience, defending comics-related freedom of speech cases. They publish Liberty Comics periodically, which are sampler comics with artists and writers from around the comicsphere. This year, they’re putting out a couple of books for Free Comic Book Day, one of which is Defend Comics.
Similar in structure to Liberty Comics, the comic contains six standalone stories, each one related to freedom of speech, censorship, and the like. It opens with a statement from Allison Baker and Chris Roberson, co-publishers from Monkeybrain Comics.
The first story, “The Amendment That Made a Right Out of ‘Wrong’,” features Roberson’s character, Edison Rex. It’s structured like an old advertisement and a message about freedom of speech and the First Amendment. This is a fun way to share the message and educate the reader.
My favorite story in the bunch is also the longest: a history of the Comics Code by Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey that originally appeared in their seminal work, Comic Book Comics. (If you’re not familiar with this work, while you’re checking out free comics on Saturday, ask your local comic proprietor to get you a copy. It’s a well-researched, tongue-in-cheek, and highly educational history of comics.)
The book also contains an Amelia Cole story, “Strange Truths”, and a few one-page stories by Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier. It closes with a comic about Banned Books Week by Gene Luen Yang, author of American Born Chinese. It’s a poignant observation about the difference between banning books and allowing people to make their own decisions about what’s appropriate for kids to read.
This would be a lot of comic for 5 bucks, but this Saturday you can get it for free! You can learn about the CBLDF and the importance of their work in our little comics world.
Comic Review: Sherwood, Texas/Boondock Saints: FCBD Special (12-Gauge Comics)
Staff Writer 
SHERWOOD, TEXAS/BOONDOCK SAINTS
12-Gauge Comics
SHERWOOD, TEXAS
STORY:
SHERWOOD, TEXAS is a retelling of the Robin Hood legend set in the world of biker gangs in rural Texas.
Rob Hood has returned home for the funeral of his father only to find his town is being harassed by a biker gang called The Nobles. Their leader, Gisburn, hatches a plan to kill Rob.
The issue “cliffhangs” with Rob getting shot in the chest. (more…)
Emma Rios Joins Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The Art of Level 7
Acclaimed Artist Reveals Agent Grant Ward’s Secret History
Marvel Television is proud to announce Eisner-nominated artist Emma Rios (Osborn, Pretty Deadly) as the newest recruit for Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: The Art of Level 7, a new initiative uniting top artists from around the world to celebrate the final six episodes of the series’ inaugural season (airing Tuesdays, 8|7c on the ABC Television Network).
The artwork is meant to be seen as “Ward & Buddy: it’s impossible not to love a lonely guy with a dog,” said artist Emma Rios.
In the final episode before the epic season finale, viewers will get a glimpse of Agent Grant Ward’s troubled past and learn what made him turn against S.H.I.E.L.D. and his closest friends! Meanwhile, Coulson’s team infiltrates Cybertek in order to learn the secrets behind Hydra, but this is one mission that leaves no one unscathed as Garrett accelerates his deadly endgame.
“Every villain in the Marvel Universe has a reason for what they do and this is the episode where you learn just what makes Ward tick – and then go boom,” said Jeph Loeb, Head of Marvel TV. “We knew this job required someone special to bring this tragic and brutal backstory to life and Emma Rios was our first choice to interpret the hardships of Grant’s past and what is to come.”
Due to popular demand, the first three posters in this exclusive art series have sold out. Emma Rios’ “Ragtag” will be available at http://www.marvelstore.com/ArtOfLevel7 beginning Friday, May 2 at 1:00am PST. These individually numbered prints are strictly limited to 100 copies and once they’re sold out – they won’t be available again from Marvel.
“Ragtag,” airs Tuesday, May 6 at 8/7c on the ABC network, leading up to the explosive season finale on Tuesday, May 13.
For more information on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., please visit marvel.com or www.abc.com. Join the conversation on Twitter and get all the latest updates with @AgentsOfSHIELD and @Marvel.
About “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”
“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” stars Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson, Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda May, Brett Dalton as Agent Grant Ward, Chloe Bennet as Skye, Iain De Caestecker as Agent Leo Fitz and Elizabeth Henstridge as Agent Jemma Simmons.
“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” Marvel’s first television series, was co-created by Joss Whedon & Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen (“Dollhouse,” “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog”), who also serve as executive producers along with Jeph Loeb (“Smallville,” “Lost,” “Heroes”) and Jeffrey Bell (“Angel,” “Alias”). “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” is produced by ABC Studios and Marvel Television.
“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound.
Don’t miss Nickelodeon’s Crime-Fighting Turtles In A New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Debuting Sunday, May 4, at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT)
The heroes in a half-shell return in an all-new episode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles this Sunday, May 4, at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. In the episode, “The Lonely Mutation of Baxter Stockman,” the Turtles feel guilty for turning April’s father into a mutant bat so they perfect a retro-mutagen to help him. Unfortunately, things get worse when Baxter Stockman threatens to mutate April.
For all the Turtles gamers, don’t miss the latest app update for Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rooftop Run as it adds masked vigilante, Casey Jones giving players the ability to jump into action by playing the game as Jones himself. Whether riding in style on the new Casey Jones Chopper, engaging in new original challenges, choosing from a variety of new weapons or amping up with unique power boosts, this new update is sure to captivate Turtle gamers.