‘Superheroes Decoded’ (review) at Forces of Geek

Superheroes Decoded is a two-part documentary about the history of superheroes and comic books. Piggybacking on Brad Meltzer’s Decoded series title, this is in-depth look in to how American comic books and heroes have developed into a major money-maker for studios but also a reflection of over seventy-five years of pop culture.

Capped on each end by the creation of Superman by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and the invention of a Pakistani Ms. Marvel in 2013 the just under three hour documentary has a lot packed in.

Interviews with creators Stan Lee, Iron Man director Jon Favreau, creators Brad Meltzer, Joe Quesada, Mark Waid, Dan DiDio, Nicola Scott, G. Willow Wilson, Sana Amanat are poised against non-comics people and celebrities George R.R. Martin, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Clark Gregg, Anthony Mackie, T.J. Miller and many more to paint a historical perspective on comics and heroes.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. April 25, 2017

COMICS

The Shadow knows who lies behind the cowl! Batman/The Shadow #1 from Scott Snyder and Steve Orlando puts two pulp heroes together for the first time! … Yo, Joe! Cobra unleashes sinister plans in G.I.Joe #239! … Boop Bip, Boop, Bip! 24 Legacy #1 celebrating the new series is drawn by G.I.Joe Cobra’s Antonio Fuso. Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

FOG! Chats With J.T. Krul, Writer of ‘Sand+Bone’ - at Forces of Geek

Comics writer J.T. Krul is best known for his work recently on Green Arrow and Teen Titans, but cut his chops at Aspen with Fathom and Soulfire. His latest book, Sand + Bone, from Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray’s Adaptive Books, J.T. and artist Andrea Mutti tackle PTSD and an unexplained supernatural phenomenon.

Sean Hitcher has just returned from war. He didn’t die in Iraq, but part of him wishes that he did. He’s home now, back in the small Midwestern town he grew up in. But he is haunted by nightmarish visions of killing and carnage that seem to be the result of severe PTSD. But are they? Is there something he’s missing. …

As mysterious acts of violence spread throughout the town, Sean begins to wonder if there’s more going on than he originally thought. What terror did he experience on the battlefield, and what horrifying secret did he bring back with him?

J.T. took some time to discuss Sand + Bone, PTSD and working with Adaptive Books.

*   *   *   *   *

FOG!: Thanks for joining us to discuss Sand + Bone! First off, we can’t ignore the art on this book. How did you hook up with Andrea Mutti?

J.T. Krul: That was actually thanks to Jimmy and Justin. They’ve been working with Adaptive to develop their graphic novels, and as we started putting the project together, they recommended Andrea. His style works great with the tone and vibe of the story we are telling. It’s dark and brooding, with a lot of the mystery and the drama hidden in the shadows. And, Vladimir Popov really complements Andrea’s art perfectly, adding a sense of texture and grit in his colors.

[READ MORE AT FORCE OF GEEK]

‘Teen Titans: The Judas Contract’ (review) at FORCES OF GEEK

The classic Wolfman/Perez Teen Titans story, The Judas Contract has been updated and fit into the current DCAU by director Sam Liu. While there are some key elements to the story and an overall respect for the source material throughout, this is very much a 2017 DC Comics Animated movie.

The team differs from the original Titans, an additional time frame and a sinister vibe and double-cross from the movie’s villains Brother Blood (Gregg Henry) and Deathstroke (played by the late, great Miguel Ferrer) add another layer to the dense story of betrayal from inside the team. Our animated Titans are led by Starfire (Kari Wahlgren) and the red-Bat New 52 Nightwing (Sean Maher).Beast Boy (Brandon Soo Hoo) returns as a major star in this one as he faces off against his crush and newly initiated team member Terra / Tara Markov (Christina Ricci).

Noticeably absent, likely for Justice League reasons is Cyborg, but Raven (Taissa Farmiga) and Blue Beetle / Jamie Reyes (Jake T. Austin) round out the roster.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

FOG! Previews Jonathan Coulton’s Upcoming Album and Graphic Novel, ‘Solid State’ AT FORCES OF GEEK

The music business has changed so much in the past few years that there is a huge gap between what was thought of as the studio album being replaced by lyric videos and viral sensations. What happens when you’re a former programmer that wants to create music instead of being a cubical code monkey in this environment?

You get the uncanny Jonathan Coulton, a man who’s career was quite literally forged by riding the crest of the internet wave like oh-so-many primates on the cover of the original T&C Surf Designs NES cartridge.

JoCo infamously indulged in a year long quest to make a “Thing a Week” in 2005, creating memorable geek singalong numbers “Shop Vac”, “Chiron Beta Prime”, “Tom Cruise Crazy” and of course “Mr. Fancy Pants”. Alright, you might not know these songs yet, but you can listen to them for free on his site along with the unofficial “Ikea” theme song (‘plywood, brushed steel; meatballs, tasty’).

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. April 19, 2017

COMICS

If you are getting ready for this summer’s Wonder Woman movie, the Wonder Woman: Earth One trade from Grant Morrison and Yanick Paquette is the best way to twirl into a new Wonder Woman age! … Jazmine St. Cocaine returns in Sex Criminals #18! … Trouble in Rockwood in a brand new story arc for Black Hammer #8 from Jeff Lemire. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. April 12, 2017

COMICS

Weapon X is the program that created Logan, and now they’ve loaded up on Adamantium for bear in Weapon X #1 from Greg Pak and Greg Land! …The original X-team is back in X-Men Blue #1 from Cullen Bunn! … Black Panther, Storm and Luke Cage star in Black Panther and the Crew #1 debuting this week drawn by the legendary Butch Guice! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. April 5, 2017

COMICS

Jyn Erso hits the comic pages for the first time in Star Wars Rogue One Adaptation #1. Join the Rebellion! … Aw Yeah, IDW! Famous Cartoonist Art Baltazar pits G.I. Joe against The Transformers and Micronauts and Rom in Revolution Aw Yeah #1! … Batman and Robin discover secrets of the Son of Batman in Superman #20! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

‘Black Hammer Volume 1: Secret Origins’ TPB (review) at FORCES OF GEEK

Jeff Lemire’s vision of a superhero universe, rooted deep in his indie roots comes to fruition today in the release of the first volume of Black Hammer (Dark Horse Comics).

Drawn with a Mignola-esque sensibility, the art by Dean Ormston (2000 AD, Sandman Mystery Theatre) drops you into this new universe that is as much Kirby as it is Lemire’s own Sweet Tooth.

Let us back up a couple of steps. Why should you read this book about a superhero team from another dimension trapped within a 10 mile radius of a simple farm house?

The answer is simple: This book is very good.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. March 29, 2017

COMICS

X-Men Prime #1 starts RESURRXION with a new #1 with a team led by Kitty Pride. … This ain’t Riverdale, it’s Little Archie one shot from famous cartoonist and Aw Yeah Podcast’s Art Baltazar! … In Batgirl Annual #1, Supergirl and Batgirl take on Arkham Asylum! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

‘T2 Trainspotting’ (review) - at FORCES OF GEEK

“Choose life.
Choose Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and hope that someone, somewhere cares.
Choose looking up old flames, wishing you’d done it all differently.
And choose watching history repeat itself.
Choose your future.”

Danny Boyle returns 20 years later to Edinburgh, Scotland for a sequel to the highly successful Trainspotting film about addiction and friendship.

The film reunites Renton (Ewen McGregor) with Simon aka Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller), the betrayed Begbie (Robert Carlyle) and the smack-obsessed Spud (Ewen Bremner) to great effect, portraying the void felt by the absence and passage of time.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. March 22, 2017

COMICS

The Defender from K’un Lun is here in his very own new #1 to coincide with his Netflix show, Iron Fist! … From the artist of Tank Girl comes a kick ass caffeinated sci-fi adventure comic in Helena Crash #1. … Matt Kindt kicks off a new volume of X-O Manowar #1 with slick artist Tomas Giorello. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. March 14, 2017

COMICS

Star Trek takes on the ‘What If?” or Elseworlds premise in Star Trek Deviations #1 where the Romulans discovered Earth before the Vulcans! …Batwoman is back in her own ongoing series drawn by the amazing Steve Epting (Captain America) and written by Marguerite Bennett (Bombshells, X-Men). Batwoman #1 puts Kate on the mysterious island of Coryana! … Yo Joe! Destro is after the Joes in G.I.Joe #237!

Ryan Ferrier Talks All Things ‘D4VE’ at FORCES OF GEEK

In December, we previewed D4VEocracy #1 from Ryan Ferrier and Valentin Roman.

In D4VE’s first 100 days, we decided to knock on Ryan’s door to figure out what exactly is going on in the post-human robot society without a real president. We had to go all the way to Canada to get the answers and the election results we deserve.

*  *  *  *  *

FOG!: Pretty crazy election cycle, amiright? What can D4VE bring to the Presidency that, let’s just say, the current US President does not have?

Ryan Ferrier: Crazy to say the least. I am Canadian, so I maybe shouldn’t comment. Okay, fine, y’all are fucked. I mean, you’ll fight and resist and it’ll be okay, but it’s gnarly and I’m sorry. What does D4VE have that the current one doesn’t? Easy, its empathy. Makes you wonder who the real robot is.

Over the last two volumes D4VE’s shown just how emotionally connected he is to his family, his planet, and his role in society. His intent to lead the last living population seems pretty fitting.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. March 8, 2017

COMICS

A new era begins with Charmed #1 from Dynamite as the Charmed Ones balance work, life, and witchcraft! … It’s a regular sized Man-Thing #1 from Goosebumps author R.L. Stine! … Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #5 has the good doctor poking around an ancient Jedi site! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. March 1, 2017

COMICS

Ryan Ferrier’s robot future presidential race is only slightly weirder than what we have going on in the White House today. Check out forces of geek today for an interview about D4VEocracy #2 from IDW! …Our pal Ben Percy (Green Arrow) enters the James Bond world with a new #1 for an adventure in the French Alps! … It’s Batman and Robin reunited in Nightwing #16!… Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. February 22, 2017

COMICS

We have all creator-owned picks this week! Support your local comic shops! Greg Rucka is back with The Old Guard #1 from Image Comics to tell the story of old soldiers that never die. Paul Grist joins the Mignolaverse with art on The Visitor and Why He Stayed #1 for a mysterious Hellboy spinoff!… Gabriel Hardman (Star Wars, Invisible Republic) gives us the horror one-shot The Belfry #1 from Image. a Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

Geeky Reader: ‘The Official Making Of Big Trouble In Little China’ and ‘The Art Of Big Trouble In Little China’ (reviews) at FORCES OF GEEK

Written by Tara Bennett and Paul Terry
With Forewords by John Carpenter
With Afterwords by Kurt Russell and Eric Powell
Published by BOOM! Studios

“I’m a reasonable guy. But, I’ve just experienced some very unreasonable things”.

— Jack Burton

The story of Jack Burton vs. David Lo Pan is one for the ages, and one who’s thirty year legacy owes a bit to it’s huge budget and legendary director John Carpenter’s overall vision. While it wasn’t the biggest hit at the box office, in fact it only made back $11 million of it’s astounding $25 million dollar budget, Big Trouble In Little China garnered a generation of loyal fans. Those fans regard the movie as a kung fu science fiction masterpiece destined for cable reruns and cult status.

In tandem, we’d like to present to you two books that take you deep below San Francisco and the furies that lay there. BOOM! Studios has released The Official Making of Big Trouble in Little China as well as The Art Of Big Trouble In Little China to reveal on set special effects secrets and in depth interviews with Carpenter, Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall round out editions celebrating this cult classic.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast Comics Picks of the Week for Wed. February 15, 2017

COMICS

She’s back in her own series once again starting with Batwoman #1. Written by Marguerite Bennett, we start here with Katherine Kane v Monster Venom! … Warren Ellis reboots ’90s WildStorm Universe at DC with Wild Storm # 1.  … The sons of Batman and Superman star in Super Sons #1 from the Batman and Robin team of Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

‘The LEGO Batman Movie’ (review) at FORCES OF GEEK

Produced by Dan Lin, Roy Lee,
Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Screenplay by Seth Grahame-Smith,
Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers,
|Jared Stern, John Whittington
Story by Seth Grahame-Smith
Based on Batman by Bob Kane and Bill Finger,
Lego Construction Toys
Directed by Chris McKay
Starring Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis,
Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes

LEGO Batman is back and with even less parents than the last time!

That’s not exactly true, Batman (Will Arnett) has surrogate father Alfred (Ralph Fiennes) by his side and his trusty ward Robin (Michael Cera) this time around for a true Batman Family adventure.

Commissioner Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl (Rosario Dawson) rounds out the good guy cast.

Batman’s nemesis? Of course it is The Joker (Zach Galifianakis) and a slew of familiar rogues.

Robot Chicken veteran Chris McKay directs this hilarious animated feature that bridges the gap between the animated LEGO DC Universe and 2014’s The LEGO Movie.

The LEGO Batman Movie, while obviously riding the success of the first film, also sets itself apart and is more than a sequel. Primarily basing itself in DC locations Gotham and The Phantom Zone, this is a decidedly DC Comics Batman movie. When rattling off a list of super villains in his cadre: Bane, Clayface, Two-Face, Riddler, The Joker is asked if he was making some of them up! Maybe he was, but this movie does introduce Condiment Man to LEGO canon, armed with both a Ketchup and a Mustard gun! OOOH, it stains!

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]