Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Review

This review is super, super late. That thing called life kept getting in the way. Plus, I’ve only seen the movie twice…TWICE!!! I could lose my street credit for being so lazy.

Star Wars takes its first steps into a larger world by going backwards in its mythology. Rogue One is the first standalone film to occur outside of the cherished episodic saga and for the most part exchanged fantasy for pragmatism.

The sheen of fantasy that’s exhibited in The Force Awakens is replaced with a tattered, war-torn luster that beautifully coincides with the narrative of how the Rebels stole the plans to the Death Star. Continue reading “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Review” →

Manchester by the Sea (Mini-Review)

My wife and I, along with two of our good friends, recently saw the critically acclaimed film Manchester by the Sea in one of those deluxe movie theaters with reclining leather seats and a bar. While I prefer to be sober when watching a movie, perhaps I should have made an exception and go to my friend, Samuel Adams. Continue reading “Manchester by the Sea (Mini-Review)” →

The Journey to Star Wars: Rogue One Begins with Catalyst

“Where’s Poe Dameron?” “Why did they recast Rey?” “How is Darth Vader alive?” These are the questions that Lucasfilm’s super weapon, the Disney marketing machine, haven’t been able to quell or answer for a fair amount of moviegoers as we’re now under thirty days away from the release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

While the title’s subheading takes the place of confusing and detested words such as anthology, companion, or…prequel, acclaimed author James Luceno once again brings elegant cohesion to the political climate of the Star Wars universe by examining the passion and desire of two of the upcoming film’s main characters.

Catalyst tells the story of the connection between Imperial Commander Orson Krenic and energy scientist Galen Erso, played by Ben Mendelsohn and Mads Mikkelsen in the upcoming film, and how came together to create the first Death Star. Krenic’s manipulation of Erso spans from the Clone Wars and stops well into the Empire’s grip on the galaxy.

Krenic marvels himself as a clever over-achiever while those around him feel he’s talented but short-sighted and arrogant. While that may prove to be true in the movie, here, he has no qualms about playing the long game of deception as he desperately vies for a seat at the table…The Emperor’s table. Krenic is in charge of the project to construct a certain technological terror and needs Galen to make the super laser operational.

You read my full review here at Forces of Geek.com

Alvarez fell into the Trap at UFC 205

Featherweight champion Conor McGregor made history last Saturday when he walloped Eddie Alvarez to become the Lightweight Champion, making him the first fighter in UFC history to hold two titles in two weight classes simultaneously.

The fight capped off a monumental night of fights as UFC 205 was the first event in New York since the statewide ban was lifted after a nearly 20-year political battle.

Eddie Alvarez was the test to prove once and for all whether Conor McGregor was fact or fiction. McGregor aced the exam with relative ease, but Alvarez didn’t execute the best game plan. Continue reading “Alvarez fell into the Trap at UFC 205” →

Ortiz vs. Sonnen Announced for Bellator 170

If you ever wondered what it would look like if two professional wrestlers fought each other in an MMA bout, Bellator will deliver the closest thing to it on January 21 when Tito Ortiz squares off against Chael Sonnen in a light heavyweight main event. They both grew up as wrestling fans and have nicknames that firmly pronounce their colorful personalities.

The bravado of Ortiz’s fiery clad “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” is the perfect foil to the boisterous Midwesterner in Sonnen aka “The American Gangster.” If that’s not enough, the nucleus of their combative arsenal is a grinding wrestling style to punish their opponents against the cage. Continue reading “Ortiz vs. Sonnen Announced for Bellator 170” →

Boom Studios Unleashes ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ Vol. 1

Normally, a comic book series based a popular television show delivers more of the same at best while often providing a watered down version of the source material.

Kyle Higgins makes BOOM! Studios’ run of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers a compelling exception to the rule by using familiar elements to serve the narrative in a fashion that triggers nostalgia while touching on things that the kid-friendly show ignored.

Here, Higgins and company sprinkle in safety concerns and protocols that remind, or perhaps, enlightens the reader that no sane person would want to live in Angel Grove due to the amount of monster activity that plagues the city.

Also, how come no one ever attacked the Rangers at home? Why is it that only Jason and Tommy’s Zords saw one on one combat? All of these things and more come into play throughout the book.

Click here to read the entire review at Forces of Geek.com

He-Man and She-Ra Guide Channels the Power of Greyskull

Last year, Dark Horse unleashed the Power of Greyskull with the release the He-Man art book and a collection of the old mini comic books. Now, writer, animator and He-Man expert James Eatock has assembled the ultimate companion guide for the original animated series that was a capstone of the 80’s cartoon era.

Did you know that He-Man started off as angry and impatient before he gained his good humored personality? What about the fact that Orko was originally going to be named Gorpo? He-Man and She-Ra: A Complete Guide To The Classic Animated Adventures is a near 600 page hard cover juggernaut that will require some prime real estate on your bookshelf.

Every single episode of the Filmation animated series starring He-Man & She-Ra, the movies The Secret of the Sword and A Christmas Special are summarized with a wealth of information that is beautifully laid out in a cohesive manner that is easy on the eyes and super fun to explore.

Click here to read the entire review at Forces of Geek.com

Thank You, Scott Snyder

I’ve lost confidence in my writing as of late. I second guess every word and rewrite every sentence more times than I would like to admit. My friends tell me not to worry and that I’m my own worst critic. Last weekend, I learned that a critically acclaimed writer goes through something similar.

I covered a panel at Boston Comic Con, where Batman writer Scott Snyder and artist Gregg Capullo shared their experience crafting such an iconic superhero. Snyder is arguably the definitive narrative voice of the caped crusader and the love and admiration he has for the character is clear with every turn of the page.

Snyder was extremely open with some of the trials and tribulations he’s endured since he took on Batman’s ongoing series in 2011. “That sentence sucks” is a constant voice of creative doubt that is interlined in his thoughts.

In many respects, Scott Snyder’s work is the perfect example of everything I aspire to be as a writer. It was refreshingly honest to hear that he has fears, doubts and anxiety when he writes, just like me.

I wrote a review of Scott Snyder’s panel, and to avoid getting paralysis by analysis, I focused, found my direction, typed it up, and stayed the course in spite of the urge to highlight, right-click, and press delete.

Click here for my review of the panel at Forces of Geek.com

Superman vs. Aliens

The year is 1995 and like many teenagers entering high school, football practice, parties, social status, pro wrestling, (which didn’t bode well for my social status) and that pesky thing called homework occupied my time and took me out of the comic book game.

That didn’t stop me from noticing the onslaught of promotional material, whenever I would walk by my local comic book shop for the first DC/Dark Horse crossover featuring the Man of Steel and the Alien Xenomorphs from the film series.

For the first time, the Dark Horse Comics/DC: Superman, a 400-page trade paperback version of this intergalactic smackdown as well as other cross company collaborations featuring Superman, has been released just in time for the 30^th anniversary of the sci-fi blockbuster Aliens.

Featuring a cover promoting Superman fighting Aliens seems a little misleading, as I was surprised that the second half of the book has nothing to do with the Alien franchise. The stories of Superman/Tarzan: Son of the Jungle and Superman/Madman Hullabaloo do little to augment the event advertised on the cover. Superman vs. Aliens and the 2002 sequel Superman vs. Aliens: God War spearheads this collection.

Click here to read the entire review at Forces of Geek.com

Exploring the Origins of Suicide Squad: A Comic Retrospective

With Suicide Squad’s theatrical release this week, it’s only fitting that we go a little retro and explore the comic book origins of the murderous band of thieves and rogues.

I saw the movie last night, and it was interesting to see the differences between what director David Ayer produced on screen and what writer John Ostrander presented on the printed page.

Everyone knows the story by now, but here’s a quick review for the ill-informed. While held in captivity, some of the world’s most notorious supervillains are forced into the ultimate ultimatum by taking part in missions that are nearly impossible to survive. If one agrees, good. If one does not, they go anyway, and if you try to run…BOOM, your head explodes.

Sadly, there will be no mention of Harley Quinn since these stories take place prior to her first appearance in Batman: The Animated Series (1992).

Amanda Waller is front and center as the shrew and vindictive puppet master pulling the strings. While Waller doesn’t smile in the movie, she puts on a happy face while manipulating President Ronald Regan into approving the assembly of Task Force X.

The film gives audiences one big mission, while Trial By Fire sets the reader up with several missions over the eight issues it collects. Ostrander takes full advantage of the political climate in the 1980s with monstrous jihad terrorists and super-powered Russian soldiers that threaten the good name of democracy like never before.

Heck, even the Female Furies of Apokolips get in on the action, which immediately increases the stakes.

Doing the government’s dirty work in order for time to be taken off of their sentences entices some of the world’s most dangerous criminals who are forced into this virtual no-win situation is standard fare in DC Comics lore.

When we see the team in the comics for the first time, the roster and some of their circumstances are a little different from the film. Deadshot is more of a prison trustee who operates in the field without an explosive device attached to his body.

Captain Boomerang is a conniving cutthroat who uses deadly boomerangs to get the job done…yes, it sounds silly, but it works. There is no code among thieves with this Aussie as he is always looking for a way to escape from the clutches of Amanda Waller and his forced commitment to her expendable soldiers. In fact, the good captain sabotages missions to serve his own needs, and if that’s not enough, he’s a little racist, too.

U.S. Commando Rick Flag is charged with keeping the squad of criminals in check, which comes with a lot of headaches. Flag’s motivations for agreeing to shepherd such devious souls stems from a sense of duty to his country, along with trying to live up to his father’s legacy. A generation earlier, Flag’s father led the first, and much different, incarnation of the Suicide Squad that was not comprised of villains. Flag’s romantic interests come into play in the film and in the comic, which brings about some interesting situations, considering he is so gung-ho about following orders.

Movie trailers have revealed that the sword-wielding heroine known as Katana helps Flag keep the baddies in line. However, in 1987, the comics went with Bronze Tiger to be second in command. While he doesn’t appear on screen, he is the world’s greatest martial artist who is looking to atone for the vile acts he committed while being brainwashed by the League of Assassins.

Enchantress’ story/origin is pretty much the same, but giving any more notes and comparisons might give away more about the film than I want to spoil for our readers. Ostrander makes great use of her throughout the narrative, while Luke McDonnell’s illustrations bring a sense of wonder and danger when she uses her powers to mess with people’s minds.

This collection is essential for any Suicide Squad fan.

The first adventures of the team’s modern incarnation and the secret origin of the group’s ancestral roots, will leave readers with a deeper appreciation for the characters and the overall mythos presented.

During several missions, the team experiences a wide array of situations that test the characters’ physical and mental limits. Some can only take so much, while others will fight until the bitter end to escape the confines of Louisiana’s Bell Reve Penitentiary.

War Wheels, time travel, an eclectic group of characters, and watching Amanda Waller lay the smackdown on anyone who gets in her way is more than worth the price of admission.

Originally written for Forces of Geek.com on 8/5/16