‘DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year’ (review) - at FORCES OF GEEK

The girls are back, or should I say, have arrived in DC Animation Studio’s latest all ages movie DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year. New versions of Batgirl, Wonder Woman, Bumblebee and even Big Barda star in this fun action adventure for everyone.

The class members of Super Hero High is gunning for the trophy of Hero of the Year, as principal Amanda Waller puts the girls in charge of finding out what is wrong with the school’s amethyst crystal.

Don’t worry, you’ll get to see Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld make an appearance because the main villain for this story is the creepy angular forehead of Dark Opal and a female version of Eclipso!

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. September 7, 2016

COMICS

Recently Rebirthed Supergirl #1 from award winning writer Steve Orlando pits Kara against her father, Cyborg Superman! … John Byrne takes photos from Star Trek:TOS and makes brand new stories from them in this week’s Star Trek: New Visions Special Swarm One-Shot. … Jim Zub is back with Glitterbomb #1, a Hollywood horror story with both glitz and gore! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

FOG! Chats with EarthQuaker Devices’ Matt Horak About ‘OctoSkull’ - at FORCES OF GEEK

Rock and Roll. Comics. Rock and Comics, our “old alma mater,” as Chuck Berry once said!

Matt Horak (The Covenant, Thundarr The Barbarian Fan Comic) joins us to talk about the fusing of guitar pedals and the comic stories that back them up.

Earthquake Devices have commissioned Matt to drum up some interesting stories to market their effects pedals, and gives us a peek at the first story, OctoSkull.

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FOG!: Thanks for joining us, Matt. I’m not a guitarist but thought this was an interesting project. Please tell me first about your guitar pedal company.

Matt Horak: EarthQuaker Devices began when our illustrious founder, Jamie Stillman, attempted to fix one of his broken pedals. This led to him building some of his own pedals and selling them online. Flash forward 10 years and EQD has a line of 30+ pedals and 30+ employees.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. Aug 31 2016

COMICS

The Legend of Wonder Woman wraps up it’s first arc with issue #9 today, written and drawn by Renae De Liz. This YA telling of the Wonder Woman story is the perfect intro to get young girls interested before the Amazonian Princess hits the big screen next year! … Sampson’s league of super-villains are taking over the planet in Mark Millar and Frank Quitely’s incredible Jupiter’s Legacy Vol. 2 #3. … The Deadite polls show a huge gap but we know who is going to take the election this year in the land of the Necronomicon Ex Mortis: Ash, baby! Don’t wait until November, check out the Army Of Darkness Ash For President today!… Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

‘James Bond Vol.1: VARGR’ (review) at FORCES OF GEEK

James Bond Vol. 1: VARGR
Written by Warren Ellis
Illustrated by Jason Masters
Published by Dynamite Entertainment
ISBN: 9781606909010 | Price $19.99
Release date: June 22, 2016

Those fans of 007 may not have gotten all they wanted from Daniel Craig’s most recent performance of the MI-6 agent in Spectre last year, but may very well be delighted at what Warren Ellis has been able to do in the comic series from Dynamite.

Ian Fleming Publications and the Fleming Estate commissioned Ellis to approach the character for comics stemming from a licensing deal with Dynamite. The first story art is collected here in one volume, VARGR. Currently on stands is Ellis’ second arc with artist Jason Masters. More writers and artists including Andy Diggle (Green Arrow) will be brought on later this year to fill out more of 007’s modern comic continuity.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. Aug 22, 2016

COMICS

Yo, Joe! Cobra is dealing with an inside agent that might bring them down in G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero #231! … A new villain is ready to take on Spawn in issue #265 written by Todd McFarlane and drawn by Erik Larsen! … Slade Wilson is back in Deathstroke #1 as he finds himself in the middle a ruthless super villain and a deadly dictator. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. Aug 17, 2016

COMICS

Supergirl is back in Supergirl Rebirth #1 written by Steve Orlando (Midnighter) featuring a lost Kryptonian werewolf! … Brian Wood is back with a gritty anti-government secessionist portrait of a small town with Briggs Land #1, in development for an AMC tv show! …The Mighty Thor #10 pits Jane Foster against S.H.I.E.L.D.! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

‘The Sheriff of Babylon Vol. 1: Bang. Bang. Bang.’ (book review) at Forces of Geek

The Sheriff of Babylon Vol. 1: Bang. Bang. Bang
Written by Tom King
Illustrated by Mitch Gerards
Cover by John Paul Leon
Published by Vertigo Comics
ISBN: 978-1401264666 | Price $14.99
Release date: July 13, 2016

Crime and war in post-9/11 Iraq is captured in Sheriff of Babylon written by Tom King (Batman, The Vision) and drawn by Mitch Gerads (The Activity, The Punisher).

King draws on his experience as a CIA officer to create a deeply personal rich reflection of the Baghdad of 2004 through the eyes of a former cop and current military contractor Christopher, his Muslim Iraqi girlfriend Sophia and former Iraqi police officer Nassir.

By being exposed to the environment, King has created, along with the carefully researched accuracy of Gerads’ artwork, a military crime fiction of the highest order—it just so happens to be in comic book form.

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. August 10, 2016

COMICS

Rebirth has been interesting, but one of the most anticipated books is Scott Snyder’s return to The Bat with All-Star Batman #1! … Supergirl? Move over, there is a new Superwoman in town written by Phil Jimenez as Lois Lane takes flight in Superwoman #1! … Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Labyrinth #1 written by Jonathan Case. This special issue is printed on some high quality paper and special holofoil! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

‘Suicide Squad’ (movie review) at Forces of Geek

Produced by Charles Roven, Richard Suckle
Based on Suicide Squad by John Ostrander
Written and Directed by David Ayer
Starring Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie,
Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney,
Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje,
Ike Barinholtz, Scott Eastwood, Cara Delevingne

One thing we can all agree on is that the DC Cinematic Universe got off to a rocky start and seemed doomed with the release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

The controversy won’t end with this film, but I can say writer/director David Ayer finally gets it. Nothing is ever perfect but this movie is more than what meets the eye from the promos.

Spanning superhero, comedy, supernatural and military genres and introducing visual elements more commonly found in video games, Suicide Squad is a wild ride.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. Aug 3, 2016

COMICS

Killer queens, dynamite with a laser beam in this week’s picks! To coincide with this summer’s deadly DC movie hit is Suicide Squad Rebirth #1! … Frank The Tank stars in Punisher #4 - Not for kids, duh! … Joelle Jones’ killer housewife is back in Lady Killer 2 #1 from Dark Horse. Be careful at this lady’s Tupperware party—of demise! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

‘Tetris: The Games People Play’ by Box Brown (graphic novel review) at Forces Of Geek

Tetris: The Games People Play
Written and Illustrated by Box Brown
Published by First Second
Release Date: October 11, 2016
EAN 9781626723153
Price: $19.99

The New York Times Bestselling author Box Brown (Andre The Giant: Life and Legend) returns for his second major release through First Second to be released in October of this year. With herds of roaming purple-eyed glow kids tripping on curbs to collect the latest Pokemon lately, we thought this a fitting time to review the origin of Tetris in Tetris: The Games People Play.

Brown illustrates the graphic novel using two color printing (yellow and black) and a simplistic but humorous style that is uniquely his.

The story of Tetris doesn’t include Man from U.N.C.L.E. espionage, but it does have a dramatic element and compelling story that is difficult to put down.

Back in my day, my family, like Brown’s, all fought over the grey screened Game Boys and this addictive Russian video game, shrunken down from the full color version on our ‘big’ TVs.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. July 27, 2016

 

COMICS Holy Bat-Rebirth books, Batman! We couldn’t help it, from the Robins to Babs, here are the sidekick picks of the week! First up is Tim Seeley’s Nightwing #1 puts Dick back in the black and blue and gives him a new mentor that might make him un-learn what Bruce put in his head! … Not to be forgotten is Jason Todd in Red Hood and the Outlaws #1 as Jason teams up with Bizarro to take down Gotham’s underground criminal element. … It’s Batgirl Beyond Burnside in a new Batgirl #1 written by Hope Larson and drawn by American Vampire’s Rafael Albuquerque. It’s Batgirl—in Japan! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

The Cloud GN (book review) at Forces Of Geek

Written by K. I. Zachopoulos
Illustrated by Vincenzo Balzano
Published by BOOM! Studios/Archaia
Pub. Date: July 20, 2016
Price: $24.99
UPC:  978160886725752499
Buy It Here

The Cloud is the latest graphic novel release from Archaia, an imprint of BOOM! Studios. This fantasy world is set far in the future as a boy and his trusty flying wolf Cloud travel to discover the secrets of his father and seek after a totem for wishes.

Come along and get lost in this beautifully delightful adventure story with pirates, defiant pachyderms, and talking statues.

This adventure story of a boy and his wolf will transport you to another world that is familiar but forever changed by the actions of our time. In the future of The Cloud we are left with mountain cities in the sky as the earth below is no longer fit from the actions occurring in “The Great Before”.

Each page of this graphic novel is beautifully painted by Vincenzo Balzano (Revenge: The Secret Origin of Emily Thorne) borrowing thoughtful stylistic elements from the likes of Dave McKean (Sandman) and Bill Sienkiewicz.

Fans of The Sandman: The Dream Hunters will most certainly enjoy this story tonally. The pitch and solicit also make sure to mention The NeverEnding Story a bit and for good reason. Cloud and Falkor have much in common. The boys in both stories are adventurers on a quest.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. July 20, 2016

COMICS

The long awaited Rom The Space Knight returns to comics in IDW’s Rom #1 as Rom faces the Dire Wraiths in ‘Earthfall’ part one. … Betty & Veronica go head to head in the re-up of the Archie-verse written and drawn by Adam Hughes in Betty & Veronica #1. … Gotham’s protectors Batgirl and the Birds of Prey Rebirth reveals to the world Bab’s time as Oracle. What will this mean to Batgirl, Huntress and Black Canary as we know them? Find out in Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #1! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. July 13, 2016

COMICS

Straight outta Townsville, it’s The Powerpuff Girls #1, previewing the new 40-episode series on The Cartoon Network! … One of our favorite writers, Cullen Bunn takes on Conan in Conan the Slayer #1, cover by Lee Bermejo! … Lilly and Eva are realizing the truth about the fallen earth in Satellite Falling #3, a great new space opera from IDW! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

Neil Gaiman: Dream Dangerously (movie review) at FORCES OF GEEK

Produced by Jordan Rennert, Patrick Meaney,
Julian Darius, Mike Phillips,
Cat Mihos, Morgan Peter Brown
Directed by Patrick Meaney
Starring Neil Gaiman, Amanda Palmer,
George R.R. Martin, Grant Morrison,
Karen Berger, Shelly Bond, Terry Prachett,
Lenny Henry, Michael Sheen, Patton Oswalt,
Chip Kid, Wil Wheaton, Jill Thompson

The living embodiment of The Sandman and literary genius Neil Gaiman (American Gods, The Ocean at the End of the Lane) is highlighted in this documentary from SeqArt, following Neil on his final book signing world tour.

That is too say, Neil will, at the end of the documentary have signed over 75,000 books and need to ice his had after every session. An artist with such class and graciousness is rare for wanting face time with all of his fans, just one last time. No one can accuse Neil of being a ‘Ringo’ about his signing tour. He wants to get back to writing. At some point he decided he wanted the final tour to happen, so he, like one of his Endless characters, planted the seed in his fan’s dreams and let this pan out one last time.

With some great interviews with celebrity fans Wil Wheaton, George R.R. Martin, Jonathan Ross, Lenny Henry, Grant Morrison, the late Terry Pratchett and so many more, this insightful documentary about Neil’s writing and life will be surely devoured by his devout followers and comics fans that recognize how works like Sandman truly changed the conversation and cultural landscape.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. July 7, 2016

COMICS

Captain Jack Harkness will get you by tonight in Torchwood #1 written by actor John Barrowman (Torchwood/Arrow). This new Titan series is sure to make you question which side you are on, as long as that side is Jack’s sexual side! This is a canonical continuation of the Torchwood saga! …Yabba Dabba Do! Pick up The Flintstones #1, the latest in the bizarre retellings of Hanna Barbera cartoons that paint our favorite Stone Age Family in a semi-realistic light. Trust us, Issue #1 will rock you! … Not to be confused with anyone else’s Avengers, Batman ‘66 Meets Steed and Mrs. Peel in a new #1. Campy sixties spy crossovers that never happened for real are happening in the comics pages and we couldn’t be happier! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

‘Hunt For The Wilderpeople’ (movie review) - at FORCES OF GEEK

Produced by Carthew Neal, Leanne Saunders,
Taika Waititi, Matt Noonan
Based on Wild Pork and Watercress by Barry Crump
Written and Directed by Taika Waititi
Starring Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rhys Darby,
Rima Te Wiata, Rachel House, Oscar Kightley,
Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Taika Waititi

A departure from the comedy of his work on Flight of the Conchords and What We Do in the Shadows, the sophomore feature from writer/director Taika Waititi crosses The Fugitive with the New Zealand bush.

Camping across over five months, Uncle Hec (Sam Neill) and young Ricky (Julian Dennison) are on the run to escape the clutches of Juvenile hall.

The wry humor of Waititi’s previous work shines through, this is a very funny movie and the touching story of bad kid Ricky being accepted into a farming family to turn himself around without losing identity.

Rima Te Wiata stars as Ricky’s adoptive aunt, Bella, that can both heat a water bottle for Ricky’s bedtime cuddling and joyfully slaughter a wild pig for dinner without caring much about the gangsta rap 10 year old’s reaction.

This is a movie about outsiders and acceptance.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast & Do617 Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. June 29, 2016

COMICS

That was fast, Steve Rogers Captain America #2 retcons the retcon, here’s to hoping he still punched Hilter in the face!… Batman and Robin are about to take on a war with The Master Race and Superman shows up! DKIII: Master Race #5 is out today. Bobbi and Hawkeye go for an under the sea adventure in Mockingbird #4! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.