Damian Wayne is Back in Robin: Son of Batman #1

DC Comics gives Damian Wayne his own series beginning with Robin: Son of Batman #1. Patrick Gleason provides both art and the story for part one of “Year of Blood.” It’s a suitable start for a title based on one of my favorite characters in the Bat-Family.

The son of a Bat and a Demon, Damian al Ghul has set out to forge his own destiny in issue #1 of Robin: Son of Batman. First he must atone for the shameful Year of Blood! Will he be aided or hindered by the behemoth Goliath? And what mysterious legacy trails behind him?

The behemoth Goliath spoken of in the previous paragraph is a giant red Man-Bat who obviously likes to eat. He’s quite chubby and assists Damian in his adventures by flying him around and chewing on the enemy. It’s as ridiculous as it sounds, yet humorous at the same time.

Issue #1 is rated T for Teen and contains violence and some disturbing and intense scenes. I would venture to say that a freshly decapitated head talking to you would be unsettling for some younger viewers.

Robin: Son of Batman Issue #1 gives us a character that is ready to put his past transgressions with the League of Assassins behind him and carry on the legacy of the Dark Knight. Although he might be more mature, he still has a lot of fight and anger left in him. The introduction of a new nemesis a little closer to his age hints at some great mental and physical battles to come. Patrick Gleason kicks off this new monthly title with a promising first chapter enhanced by his electrifying artwork.

Robin: Son of Batman #1 is available now in print and Kindle editions.

Damian Wayne is Back in Robin: Son of Batman #1

DC Comics gives Damian Wayne his own series beginning with Robin: Son of Batman #1. Patrick Gleason provides both art and the story for part one of “Year of Blood.” It’s a suitable start for a title based on one of my favorite characters in the Bat-Family.

"Star Wars Rebels: Season One" Hits Blu-ray / DVD September 1st

Fans will be able to bring home more exciting adventures from a Galaxy Far, Far Away when “Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season One” hits Blu-ray and DVD on September 1st. There are a lot of folks out there that refuse to spend money on cable or satellite programming that hasn’t even seen one episode of the series and your time has come. Let me assure you, this new animated incarnation of George Lucas’s epic space saga definitely feels like the original trilogy. get all the details below.

A Spark of Rebellion Ignites the Galaxy in "Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season One!"
   
On Blu-ray™ and DVD September 1, 2015

"Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season One" delivers all 15 action-packed episodes plus never-before-seen bonus material and cast/crew interviews revealing the magic behind the making of the hit series. Releasing on Blu-ray and DVD on September 1, this is a must-add collection to the library!

In the first groundbreaking season of "Star Wars Rebels," young hero Ezra Bridger joins the clever but motley crew of the starship Ghost in their resistance against the Empire. As the series begins, Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet, ruling with an iron fist and ruining the lives of its people. Ezra and his new rebel friends -- Hera, Kanan, Sabine, Zeb and Chopper -- embark on daring adventures in their fight against oppression across the galaxy, receiving help from familiar heroes such as Lando Calrissian, Ahsoka Tano, and Jedi Master Yoda. Pursued relentlessly by the Imperials and a Jedi hunter called the Inquisitor, this tenacious ragtag band of rebels will find itself in the crosshairs of none other than Darth Vader when season one closes in a shocking two-part finale.

"Star Wars Rebels" is created by Dave Filoni (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars”), Simon Kinberg (“X-Men: Days of Future Past,” “Sherlock Holmes”), and Carrie Beck. The Lucasfilm Animation production is also executive-produced by Filoni and Kinberg as well as Greg Weisman (“Gargoyles”).

Featuring the voices of Freddie Prinze Jr. (“I Know What You Did Last Summer”) as Kanan, Vanessa Marshall (TV’s “Young Justice”) as Hera, Steve Blum (“The Boxtrolls”) as Zeb, Tiya Sircar (“The Internship”) as Sabine, Taylor Gray (TV’s “Bucket and Skinner’s Epic Adventures”) as Ezra, David Oyelowo (“Selma”) as Agent Kallus and Jason Isaacs (“Harry Potter”) as the Inquisitor.

Bonus Features:

Blu-ray:
Rebels Infiltrates Star Wars Celebration (Exclusive to Blu-ray)
Season One shorts: “The Machine in the Ghost,” “Art Attack,” “Entanglement,” “Property of Ezra Bridger”

All DVD Bonus (see below)

DVD:
Rebels Recon: 14 behind-the-scenes featurettes
Star Wars Rebels – The Ultimate Guide
Star Wars Rebels Season 2 – A Look Ahead

Disc Specifications:
Release Date:              September 1, 2015
Format:                       Blu-ray (2-Disc) & DVD (3-Disc)
Rating:                         TV Y7 FV
Run Time:                   Approximately 330 minutes (not including bonus)
Closed Captioned:      Yes
Aspect Ratio:              1:78 (Widescreen)
Audio:                         5.1 Dolby Digital
Languages/ Subtitles:   English, French & Spanish

"Star Wars Rebels: Season One" Hits Blu-ray / DVD September 1st

Fans will be able to bring home more exciting adventures from a Galaxy Far, Far Away when “Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season One” hits Blu-ray and DVD on September 1st. There are a lot of folks out there that refuse to spend money on cable or satellite programming that hasn’t even seen one episode of the series and your time has come. Let me assure you, this new animated incarnation of George Lucas’s epic space saga definitely feels like the original trilogy. get all the details below.

"Jaws" Still the "Definitive Shark Movie"

2015 marks the 40th Anniversary of the release of “Jaws.” Talk about making a man come face-to-face with his mortality and age. I remember watching Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster as a child when they’d play it yearly on television as the Saturday Night Movie Event. I became so enthralled by the giant beast that I would go to school and draw my best version of the movie poster on my book cover and grabbed as many “Jaws 2” Topps Trading Cards as I could get my little hands on.

My obsession with “Jaws” really began as a toddler. As strange as it sounds, I remember my mother picking me up from my grandmother’s house after seeing the movie. Her face was still flush red with fear. That look of terror sparked a curiosity that consumed and drove me to see it as soon as I could.

When I finally did get to see it, a love for horror and gore was already instilled in me somehow. One of my favorite parts was when Richard Dreyfuss dives down to the boat and the rotting head floats into his view. Quint (Robert Shaw) getting eaten was another one. I still love those scenes to this day.

As soon as I saw Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies were doing a special anniversary screening of “Jaws,” I knew I wouldn’t miss it. It’s still in my Top 10 favorite films of all time and always will be. I had previously seen it at an Alamo Draft House outdoor screening which took place on Joe Pool Lake in Grand Prairie, TX. However, I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to see it in a proper theater with surround sound and digital projection.

I’m happy to report that “Jaws” still holds up just as well as it did in 1975. I’ve seen the movie dozens of times on both DVD and Blu-ray and it still made me nervous and anxious at times as the shark moved towards its intended victim and John Williams’ haunting score pulsed on. Even the humorous moments and dialogue of the movie still made me laugh.

It’s a completely different experience seeing “Jaws” in the setting it was meant for. The room is dark and you’re a captive to what you observe onscreen. There are no outside distractions to take you out of the film and you’re surrounded by all the sound of the ocean and other terrifying sound effects.

Upon reflecting on “Jaws” after taking it in again on the big screen, I realize that Steven Spielberg was right in the statement he gave producers when he turned down directing the sequel. He’s quoted as saying he had already made the “definitive shark movie.” He did… and directors have been trying for decades to one-up what he accomplished with that one trouble-plagued film which launched the summer blockbuster experience.

"Jaws" Still the "Definitive Shark Movie"

2015 marks the 40th Anniversary of the release of “Jaws.” Talk about making a man come face-to-face with his mortality and age. I remember watching Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster as a child when they’d play it yearly on television as the Saturday Night Movie Event. I became so enthralled by the giant beast that I would go to school and draw my best version of the movie poster on my book cover and grabbed as many “Jaws 2” Topps Trading Cards as I could get my little hands on.

Get My "Grimm" and Gory "Little Red Riding Hood" Book Now!

I wanted to let everyone know that the book I’ve been involved in putting together for the past year is finally published and available to purchase. I adapted two “Grimm” versions of the same story into one graphic and gory tale entitled “Little Red Riding Hood: A Deliberate Lesson of a Horrible Consequence.” My writing is far from the reason why you should get this disturbingly lovely book right away. The real star of the project is artist Dana Cline’s meticulous use of pointillism to bring the story to life through vibrant illustrations.

Here’s the product description of the book from Amazon.com:

“Adapted from the originals, this cautionary tale warning young women about the dangers of strangers is definitely not for a younger audience. Gruesome fates await the young ladies who stray from the straight and narrow, disregarding parental warnings and proceeding without thought. Eric Shirey has resurrected this intentionally horrific lesson by artfully weaving two of the earliest known versions of Little Red Riding Hood. Illustrated to deliberately detail Grandmother's and Red's hideous ordeals, be careful with smaller children who may find this too frightening.”

If you’re interested in ordering one, you can do so by clicking here.

Get My "Grimm" and Gory "Little Red Riding Hood" Book Now!

I wanted to let everyone know that the book I’ve been involved in putting together for the past year is finally published and available to purchase. I adapted two “Grimm” versions of the same story into one graphic and gory tale entitled “Little Red Riding Hood: A Deliberate Lesson of a Horrible Consequence.” My writing is far from the reason why you should get this disturbingly lovely book right away. The real star of the project is artist Dana Cline’s meticulous use of pointillism to bring the story to life through vibrant illustrations.

"The Lazarus Effect" Succeeds As Mild Horror Yarn

“The Lazarus Effect” is basically “Flatliners” for a new generation. It doesn’t get anywhere near as heavy-handed as Joel Schumacher’s film, but still treads the same waters. Toss in some telekinetic power play ala “Carrie” and a dash of “Frankenstein” and you get a mildly entertaining horror yarn that could’ve and should’ve been better.

In "The Lazarus Effect," Medical researcher Frank (Mark Duplass), his fiancee Zoe (Olivia Wilde) and their team have achieved the impossible: they have found a way to revive the dead. After a successful, but unsanctioned, experiment on a lifeless animal, they are ready to make their work public. However, when their dean learns what they've done, he shuts them down. Zoe is killed during an attempt to recreate the experiment, leading Frank to test the process on her. Zoe is revived -- but something evil is within her.

I must give props to producer Jason Blum for once again finding a way to fit in some type of surveillance and found footage into “The Lazarus Effect.” I’ve moved past the annoyance of the style’s presence in his films and now find myself astonished at how he fits it into EVERY project he works on. The method works for him and he continues to find ways to shoehorn it into his movies.

“The Lazarus Effect” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of horror violence, terror and some sexual references. What we have here is more of the same content we see in every teen horror film that’s hit theaters since “The Ring.” There’s just enough freaky imagery and gore to stay safe for the junior high and high school kiddies. That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with that, as I’m a firm believer that what you don’t see can be even scarier than what you do.

The DVD version of “The Lazarus Effect” comes with bare bones special features. It contains a featurette entitled “Creating Fear: The Making of ‘The Lazarus Effect’” that goes behind the scenes of the film.

Although it isn’t completely satisfying, I have to give “The Lazarus Effect” props for concealing much of its storyline. The movie goes in a different direction than what you would expect from viewing the trailer. Instead of it being just another possession film, it’s rooted in science fiction and doesn’t heavily rely on religious themes. That’s not to say that they don’t touch on the subject through their discussions about life after death and where the test subject went after dying.

"The Lazarus Effect" is available now on Blu-ray, DVD, and as a Digital Download.

"The Lazarus Effect" Succeeds As Mild Horror Yarn

“The Lazarus Effect” is basically “Flatliners” for a new generation. It doesn’t get anywhere near as heavy-handed as Joel Schumacher’s film, but still treads the same waters. Toss in some telekinetic power play ala “Carrie” and a dash of “Frankenstein” and you get a mildly entertaining horror yarn that could’ve and should’ve been better.

Warner Archive Gives Horror Enthusiasts Drab "Wolfen"

Warner Archive brings fans the cult classic “Wolfen” to Blu-ray in a no-frills edition without any special features. Many have been waiting for this horror / thriller to hit high-definition, but after viewing it I realize I’m not one of them. A stunning cast featuring great performances from Albert Finney, Gregory Hines, and Edward James Olmos can’t save this plodding and rather tedious film. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that it’s downright bad, but it takes a great deal of patience to wade through it.

In “Wolfen,” New York City police investigator Dewey Wilson (Albert Finney) is trying to solve a series of grisly deaths in which the victims have seemingly been maimed by feral animals. He teams up with expert criminologist Rebecca Neff (Diane Venora), and together they stumble upon a band of inner-city Native Americans, led by the streetwise Eddie Holt (Edward James Olmos), who warns Wilson and Neff about a wolf-like, mythical creature that could offer a shocking solution to this disturbing case.

I want to stress how great Edward James Olmos is in “Wolfen.” He’s always been a versatile actor, and his talent truly shines through here. It’s safe to say that if you haven’t seen the movie before, you’ll never look at him the same again.

“Wolfen” is rated R for violence and gore, sex and nudity, profanity, alcohol, drugs, smoking, and frightening and intense scenes. We see beheadings, slashings, and plenty of blood for horror hounds. Many naked cadavers are seen lying around in the morgue and Edward James Olmos bares all in one sequence.

With an interesting storyline and great practical and makeup effects, what makes “Wolfen” a challenge to get through is its pacing. It also doesn’t help that it looks like a werewolf movie from the outside, but isn’t. Whether I should have or not, I sort of felt cheated. The concept of the creatures reminded me of a less teen-oriented and more serious version of the wolf pack in the “Twilight” series.

“Wolfen” is available now on Blu-ray.

Warner Archive Gives Horror Enthusiasts Drab "Wolfen"

Warner Archive brings fans the cult classic “Wolfen” to Blu-ray in a no-frills edition without any special features. Many have been waiting for this horror / thriller to hit high-definition, but after viewing it I realize I’m not one of them. A stunning cast featuring great performances from Albert Finney, Gregory Hines, and Edward James Olmos can’t save this plodding and rather tedious film. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that it’s downright bad, but it takes a great deal of patience to wade through it.

Can Harvey Bullock Handle Gotham's New Bat Task Force?

DC Comics continues the story of James Gordon as Batman in Detective Comics #41. The new story arc is written by Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul. Art is supplied by Manupal as well. The creative combination of these two talents gives us a refreshing start and a new direction for the monthly title.

In Detective Comics #41, Harvey Bullock is leading a Bat task force. What are his duties and can he be trusted? And what kind of welcome awaits his new partner, Renee Montoya?

I really like the direction Detective Comics #41 is carrying the series. It’s really no surprise that the title is giving James Gordon the lead role after the success of the first season of “Gotham.” How long will it be before we see a relaunch of Gotham Central?

Detective Comics #41 is rated T for Teen. The “adult situations” at the very beginning of the book teeter a little too close to the edge of PG-13 and R for my tastes. The individuals are masked in shadow, but it’s more than explicitly evident what’s going on.

I was one of the first people to thumb my nose at the idea of someone else taking over as the Dark Knight, especially in a mech-suit. An engaging storyline and eye-catching illustrations turned me around to the idea, though. I do wish they would tone down on the unnecessary sexuality, but that’s really my only complaint.

Detective Comics #41 is available now in print and Kindle editions.

Can Harvey Bullock Handle Gotham's New Bat Task Force?

DC Comics continues the story of James Gordon as Batman in Detective Comics #41. The new story arc is written by Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul. Art is supplied by Manupal as well. The creative combination of these two talents gives us a refreshing start and a new direction for the monthly title.

A New Hero Dons the Cape and Cowl in Batman #41

Writer Scott Snyder continues to do what he does best for any comic book he gets involved in with Batman Issue #41. He begins a new story arc by pushing the boundaries of where the characters and title have been taken in the past and challenges readers’ comfort zones. Greg Capullo and Danny Miki provide intense artwork that adds energy to every panel.

The all-new Batman makes his debut in issue #41 of the monthly series! Who is he, and what happens next? Find out here as a new era begins in Gotham City!

Batman Issue #41 is rated T for Teen because of violence and profanity. There’s nothing here we haven’t already seen in any of Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight” films.

Although I do get tired of Bruce Wayne “dying,” I have to say that I don’t mind Jim Gordon as the Batman as much as I thought I would. It’s hard for me to say as a lifelong fan of the Dark Knight, but it’s nice to see someone else take on the cape and cowl every once in a while. Dick Grayson’s run was extremely entertaining as were the glimpses of Damian Wayne taking on the persona. Of course the mech suit constantly reminds me of a mashup between RoboCop and Batman. If you can just get past that, there’s a fun story and great artwork to take in.

Batman Issue #41 is available now in print and Kindle editions.

A New Hero Dons the Cape and Cowl in Batman #41

Writer Scott Snyder continues to do what he does best for any comic book he gets involved in with Batman Issue #41. He begins a new story arc by pushing the boundaries of where the characters and title have been taken in the past and challenges readers’ comfort zones. Greg Capullo and Danny Miki provide intense artwork that adds energy to every panel.

Futuristic "Chappie" Has Trouble Booting Up

“Chappie” falls under the category of films that should've and could've been better. It’s one of those movies that redeemed itself at the last minute… or should I say 30 minutes. It gets off to a slow start but really delivers in action and drama in the final act. I don’t want to forget to mention the special effects and CGI are top-notch. In the end, what we get is Neill Blomkamp’s versions of “Short Circuit,” “Bicentennial Man,” and “RoboCop” all rolled into one movie.

"Chappie" takes place in the near future where a mechanized police force patrols the streets and deals with lawbreakers. Now, the people are fighting back. When one police droid is stolen and given new programming, he acquires the ability to feel and think for himself. While the robot, dubbed "Chappie (Sharlto Copley)," puzzles out human behavior, the authorities begin to see him as a danger to mankind and order; they will stop at nothing to ensure that Chappie is the last of his kind.

Hugh Jackman’s character in the movie is different from what I’ve seen him portray up to now. He did a great job embracing the role of a bad guy. I wish I could say the same about Sigourney Weaver, who ends up coming off as though she’s just going through the motions. Sharlto Copley voices Chappie and does a phenomenal job injecting humanity into what boils down to a character who is visually unable to show any type of sentiment.

“Chappie” is rated R for violence, language and brief nudity. There are definitely some gory parts some viewers might have problems with. It’s a movie about a robot being trained by street thugs to pull off a heist. That description should give you an idea of what type of profanity to expect.

The DVD version of “Chappie” doesn’t have much in the way of special features. A behind-the-scenes featurette entitled “We Are Tetravaal” is all that is found.

“Chappie” is available now on Blu-ray, DVD, and as a Digital Download.

Futuristic "Chappie" Has Trouble Booting Up

“Chappie” falls under the category of films that should've and could've been better. It’s one of those movies that redeemed itself at the last minute… or should I say 30 minutes. It gets off to a slow start but really delivers in action and drama in the final act. I don’t want to forget to mention the special effects and CGI are top-notch. In the end, what we get is Neill Blomkamp’s versions of “Short Circuit,” “Bicentennial Man,” and “RoboCop” all rolled into one movie.

Batgirl Balances Crime-fighting and College in New Reboot

DC Comics reboots the Most Noble of Gotham City by sending her back to school for plenty of perilous collegiate action with “Batgirl Volume 1: The Batgirl of Burnside.” Although the hardcover graphic novel takes us back in time, it’s made up of issues #35 through #40 of the ongoing monthly series.

In “Batgirl Volume 1: The Batgirl of Burnside,” Barbara Gordon is no stranger to dusting herself off when disaster strikes. When a fire destroys everything she owns, she spots the opportunity for a new lease on life – and seizes it! Following the rest of Gotham City’s young adults to the hip border district of Burnside, Barbara sets about building an all-new Batgirl…and discovers new threats preying on her peers! As the new hero of Burnside, Batgirl gets started by facing twin sister assassins on motorcycles!

Writers Brendan Fletcher and Cameron Stewart do a wonderful job of capturing the youthful spirit and bringing Batgirl into the 21st century. The character’s use of modern vernacular and technology gives the book relevancy younger readers will easily identify with. The stories are full of excitement and drama that will keep readers entertained as well.

Artist Babs Tar uses a contemporary style blended with a golden age flair that gives “Batgirl Volume 1: The Batgirl of Burnside” a fresh look. The book will capture the imagination of new and more young at heart audiences because of its vibrant visual aspects. Did I mention her cool new costume?

“Batgirl Volume 1: The Batgirl of Burnside” is rated T for Teen. It contains violence and adult situations. The girls talk about their “encounters” with boys and refer to partying. I’m sure this will cause some parents to keep their kids from reading it.

I really enjoyed “Batgirl Volume 1: The Batgirl of Burnside” and would recommend it to anyone looking to take a fun trip back to Gotham City. It’s a great jumping-on point for new readers and won’t confuse anyone who didn’t read the first 34 issues of the series. Welcome to the Batgirl for a new generation!

“Batgirl Volume 1: The Batgirl of Burnside” is available now in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions.

Batgirl Balances Crime-fighting and College in New Reboot

DC Comics reboots the Most Noble of Gotham City by sending her back to school for plenty of perilous collegiate action with “Batgirl Volume 1: The Batgirl of Burnside.” Although the hardcover graphic novel takes us back in time, it’s made up of issues #35 through #40 of the ongoing monthly series.

The Comical Body Count Piles Up in "Sleepaway Camp III"

Scream Factory pairs its release of Part Two in the slasher franchise with “Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland.” Both films were made at the same time and carry similar styles which successfully place them in the Hall of Horror Cult Classics. However, Michael A. Simpson’s second sequel to Robert Hiltzik’s original doesn’t quite hold the charm of his first one. It ends up feeling like a simple, yet still amusing, repeat of what we’ve already witnessed.

In "Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland," psychotic Angela (Pamela Springsteen) is itching to do what she does best: slaughter dozens of teenage campers. As luck would have it, the previous site of her murders has been renamed and converted into an experimental summer camp meant to bring together privileged and lower-class teens. On the day the youths are boarding the buses to camp, Angela runs over a potential camper with a garbage truck and assumes her identity. Once she has infiltrated the camp, the real terror begins.

“Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland” is rated R for violence and gore, sex and nudity, profanity, alcohol, drugs, smoking, and frightening and intense scenes. Everything we saw in Part Two is echoed here. Of course Angela finds new and creative ways to off the naughty campers, but the level gore is about the same.

Scream Factory loads the Blu-ray / DVD combo of “Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland” with some great special features. Director Michael A. Simpson and Writer Fritz Gordon provide us with audio commentary. Interviews with the cast and crew are found in the featurette “A Tale of Two Sequels - Part Two.” A new short film entitled “Tony Lives!” lets us know the character survived the slaughter. There’s also a workprint of a longer cut of the movie with more gore that was removed. We get behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, a home video trailer, and still gallery to round out the bonus material.

Although “Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland” feels like we’re simply following a trail of dead bodies, the film still manages to give viewers enough slasher enjoyment and self-aware humor to merit more than one watch. You can tell writer Fritz Gordon couldn’t really come up with much more storywise for Angela to do except what she’s good at. That’s not surprising considering he was working on two scripts at the same time because the second and third movies were filmed back to back. However, some of her methods of killing in this one up the fun quotient a bit.

“Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland” Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack: Collector's Edition is available here.

The Comical Body Count Piles Up in "Sleepaway Camp III"

Scream Factory pairs its release of Part Two in the slasher franchise with “Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland.” Both films were made at the same time and carry similar styles which successfully place them in the Hall of Horror Cult Classics. However, Michael A. Simpson’s second sequel to Robert Hiltzik’s original doesn’t quite hold the charm of his first one. It ends up feeling like a simple, yet still amusing, repeat of what we’ve already witnessed.

Batman Lures Us Into Deplorable World of All-Star Section Eight

DC Comics gives fans of the series Hitman something to get excited about. Obviously, I am not a fan of Hitman if it was anything like All-Star Section Eight #1. It was a painful read which can only be compared to the Watchmen if they were all drunken disgusting slobs. Writer Garth Ennis seems to be slumming it as John McCrea’s art, which resembles what we get in MAD Magazine, fleshes out the story.

In All-Star Section Eight #1, befuddled hero Sixpack returns to Gotham City. He’s desperate to rebuild his team in the face of a deadly threat. He gathers old friends Bueno Excellente, Baytor and the seemingly reborn Dogwelder, along with some new faces—but he still needs that elusive eighth member. And that’s when the Dark Knight Detective gets an offer he can’t refuse.

Issue #1 is rated T+ for Teen Plus. Honestly, I can’t imagine anyone under the age of 30 wanting to read this. If you’re not familiar with MAD Magazine and its style of irreverent humor, you’re going to be lost jumping into All-Star Section Eight #1. It contains crude humor, profanity, violence, and alcohol and smoking.

All-Star Section Eight #1 left me asking myself a simple question: “Why in the world did I waste my time reading this book?” I’ll tell you why. The cover tricked me into it. That’s what I get for blindly reading anything that has Batman attached to it. If there’s a joke somewhere within the pages of this waste of time, it clearly went over my head.

All-Star Section Eight #1 is available now in print and Kindle editions.

Batman Lures Us Into Deplorable World of All-Star Section Eight

DC Comics gives fans of the series Hitman something to get excited about. Obviously, I am not a fan of Hitman if it was anything like All-Star Section Eight #1. It was a painful read which can only be compared to the Watchmen if they were all drunken disgusting slobs. Writer Garth Ennis seems to be slumming it as John McCrea’s art, which resembles what we get in MAD Magazine, fleshes out the story.

Psycho Angela is Back for "Sleepaway Camp II"

Scream Factory takes us back into the woods with the Blu-ray release of “Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers.” The follow-up to Robert Hiltzik’s shocking original had no real chance of one-upping the surprise ending of that cult classic and really didn’t even try. Instead, Director Michael A. Simpson and Writer Fritz Gordon decided to take the sequel into an entirely new direction by creating a movie that both celebrated its slasher sensibilities and satirized them as well.

In “Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers,” psychotic transsexual Angela Baker (Pamela Springsteen) escapes from a mental hospital and surfaces at a summer camp as a counselor who lectures her teenage charges on proper moral behavior. Those teens who break her strict rules -- from the camp chatterbox or a sex-obsessed girl to the boys who are peeping Toms -- are murdered by the impostor in various gruesome ways. As more campers go missing, intrepid counselor Molly (Renee Estevez) begins to piece together the truth.

“Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers” is rated R for violence and gore, sex and nudity, profanity, alcohol, drugs, smoking, and frightening and intense scenes. The killings in the film are more campy and comedic than they are gory. The sex and nudity is what we’ve all come to expect from the slasher movies of the 1980s. They are a little more ridiculous at times because everything in “Sleepaway Camp II” is amped up for the sake of parody.

Scream Factory delivers again when it comes to bonus material for “Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers.” Audio commentary is provided by Director Michael A. Simpson and Writer Fritz Gordon. A 28-minute featurette entitled “A Tale of Two Sequels - Part One” explores the making of both this film and its follow-up through new interviews with the cast and crew. “Abandoned - The Locations of ‘Sleepaway Camp II’ and ‘III’” takes viewers on a current tour of where the movie was made. The short film “Whatever Happened to Molly?” answers that very question. Special features also include behind-the-scenes footage, a home video trailer, and still gallery.

The low-budget original VHS packaging for “Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers” and franchise creator Robert Hiltzik’s insistence that it wasn’t his vision for an official sequel always steered me away from viewing this horror / comedy gem. I made a bad decision and thanks to Scream Factory have rectified the situation. What we have here is a smart and enjoyable lampoon of the slasher genre that still pays tribute to and respects its predecessors. Simply put, “Sleepaway Camp II” effectively beat “Scream” to the punch a good eight years before Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson’s blockbuster hit movie screens.

“Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers” is available now on Blu-ray.

Psycho Angela is Back for "Sleepaway Camp II"

Scream Factory takes us back into the woods with the Blu-ray release of “Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers.” The follow-up to Robert Hiltzik’s shocking original had no real chance of one-upping the surprise ending of that cult classic and really didn’t even try. Instead, Director Michael A. Simpson and Writer Fritz Gordon decided to take the sequel into an entirely new direction by creating a movie that both celebrated its slasher sensibilities and satirized them as well.

The Dinosaurs are Back in Flawed But Satisfying "Jurassic World"

I am happy to report that “Jurassic World” does a fine job of carrying on the legacy of Steven Spielberg’s original film. There’s plenty of action and intensity blended in to a story that successfully brings Michael Crichton’s novel into the 21st Century. Of course some of the acting is dodgy at times, but for the most part everyone puts their best foot forward against a backdrop of CGI creatures and green screen environments.

In “Jurassic World,” the luxury resort provides a habitat for an array of genetically engineered dinosaurs, including the vicious and intelligent Indominus Rex. When the massive creature escapes, it sets off a chain reaction that causes the other dinos to run amok. Now, it's up to a former military man (Vincent D’Onofrio) and animal expert (Chris Pratt) to use his special skills to save two young boys and the rest of the guests from an all-out, prehistoric assault.

The Indominus Rex is the main focus of "Jurassic World, as you would expect a new breed of super-dinosaur to be. The beast's appearance and "abilities" are both incredible. However, I can't help but feel like there were missed opportunities to show what it could really do.

I do have to say that the CGI was weak in a few scenes. They were mostly wide shots where a bunch of different dinosaurs were in the sequences at the same time. I just chose to look past these problem areas and enjoy the film for what it is. “Jurassic World” is a sequel truly worthy of its title as an old-fashioned summer blockbuster. The kind you remember experiencing as a wide-eyed child.

“Jurassic World” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of science-fiction violence and peril. It also contains profanity and adult innuendos. There are scenes where people are eaten onscreen and some CGI blood (very fake-looking, by the way) splashes at the camera.

The Dinosaurs are Back in Flawed But Satisfying "Jurassic World"

I am happy to report that “Jurassic World” does a fine job of carrying on the legacy of Steven Spielberg’s original film. There’s plenty of action and intensity blended in to a story that successfully brings Michael Crichton’s novel into the 21st Century. Of course some of the acting is dodgy at times, but for the most part everyone puts their best foot forward against a backdrop of CGI creatures and green screen environments.

Remembering the Great Sir Christopher Lee

Let me start off my eulogy to Sir Christopher Lee by putting my love for him in perspective for you. My wife knew the news would be so important and jarring for me that she immediately woke me from my sleep as soon as she found out by gently putting her hand on my arm and telling me softly, “Honey, Christopher Lee died.” The shock stopped me in my tracks and sent me into a whirlwind of thoughts about the legendary talent.

I know what you’re thinking: “He was 93! How could you be surprised?!?!” Let me explain how I could be surprised. Lee was Dracula and the Prince of Darkness never dies! No matter what Van Helsing or any of his distant relative threw at him, he always found a way to live on.

Words can’t even describe what he meant to me as a lover of all sorts of genre films. Here is a man who spanned decades playing Frankenstein’s Monster, a James Bond villain, a Sith Lord, and the right-hand Wizard for Sauron. Let’s not forget his battle with Captain America in the 1970s and even the devil himself in the 1960s. There wasn’t any role the man couldn’t take on and convince the viewer he was either good or bad.

Let’s not overlook Lee’s fascination with music and the heavy metal genre in particular. For the past several years, he would release a new album on his birthday. They consisted of operatic power metal that showcased his love for the dark and doomy musical sound and blended it with his passion for history as he took on subjects like Charlemagne and others. At Christmastime, he was known to deliver metal Yuletide cheer that was either dead serious and reverent or comedic and profane.

As a Christian, I would like to think that Sir Christopher Lee is in a better place now, hanging out with his old buddy Peter Cushing and discussing their joy at never having to be in another B-rate horror flick to pay the bills ever again. Although he never came right out and said it in public that I’m aware of, there were many hints to make me believe Lee might have been a religious individual. The man made it a ritual to read J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy once a year. Everyone knows that Tolkien’s epic is deeply stemmed in Biblical allegory.

A video Lee made a few years back is the main clue that made me think he was religiously inclined. He was asked about his thoughts on Satanism and warned the audience that getting involved in such dark practices will cause an individual to “not only lose your mind, you will lose your soul.” He also stated in an article when asked about his role in “The Devil Rides Out” that he “thought… people should know about the dangers of Satanism, and diabolism does exist - there's no question about it.”

We’ve lost a cinematic treasure and talented artist in Sir Christopher Lee. One could argue he was one of the hardest working men in the film world who had every intention to keep being active until the very end. He had a planned role in an upcoming film named “The 11th” that wasn’t even scheduled to be released until 2016. It’s also evident from any interview Lee ever gave that he was a respectful gentleman that loved and lived life to its fullest.

May you rest in peace, good gentleman.

Remembering the Great Sir Christopher Lee

Let me start off my eulogy to Sir Christopher Lee by putting my love for him in perspective for you. My wife knew the news would be so important and jarring for me that she immediately woke me from my sleep as soon as she found out by gently putting her hand on my arm and telling me softly, “Honey, Christopher Lee died.” The shock stopped me in my tracks and sent me into a whirlwind of thoughts about the legendary talent.

Batmite Begins His Mission to Improve the DC Superheroes

The post - “New 52” world is upon us and several new DC comic titles have arrived. One of the books fresh out of the gate is Batmite. Issue 1 gets the six part limited series off to a rather lackluster start. I was really hoping for some fun family-friendly entertainment, but left the experience feeling underwhelmed.

In “Batmite #1,” the imp is convinced that he put Batman on the map. Now he plans to spread his expertise all over the DC Universe, eager to boost the careers of heroes he thinks need his “help.”

I was also shocked at some of the unnecessary adult humor and innuendos found in the book. If you’re going to make the series for everyone, then do that. An E rating is supposed to insinuate that parents shouldn’t have to worry about the content found within the issues. That’s just not the case anymore.

I wish I could say I was more impressed with Batmite #1. I went into the comic with an open mind and expected some humorous chuckles for all ages to enjoy. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to what I consider to be average anticipations. I do think Corin Howell’s artwork is perfect for the little troublemaker’s misadventures, I feel like writer Dan Jurgens has done better work. Here’s hoping that the next few issues improve upon what we’ve already witnessed.

Batmite #1 is available now in print and Kindle editions.

Batmite Begins His Mission to Improve the DC Superheroes

The post - “New 52” world is upon us and several new DC comic titles have arrived. One of the books fresh out of the gate is Batmite. Issue 1 gets the six part limited series off to a rather lackluster start. I was really hoping for some fun family-friendly entertainment, but left the experience feeling underwhelmed.

Villains Go Ravenous in "Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts"

Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment bring us the next chapter in their family-friendly branch of straight-to-DVD movies with “Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts.” It’s no surprise the Flash and Green Arrow are included in this new adventure, since both have their own successful TV shows right now. However, the real excitement for me was getting to see Nightwing and Red Robin get some well-deserved screen time.

In “Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts,” Gotham is plagued by crimes committed by an animal-themed villain squad composed of the Penguin, Silverback, Cheetah, Killer Croc, and Man-Bat. Batman, Green Arrow, Nightwing, Red Robin, and the Flash band together to stop them and save the city.

The Blu-ray DVD Combo of “Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts” comes with some enjoyable bonus material. A 13-minute featurette entitled “The Penguin: High Society Criminal” gives us some background on the classic villain. We get ten DC Nation shorts which concentrate on Super Pets and other animal-related characters. “From the DC Comics Vault” contains two episodes of “Batman: The Brave and the Bold.” Promos and trailers for other Warner Bros. and DC releases are found as well. Both Blu-ray and DVD come with an exclusive Fire-Bat action figure.

It’s nice to have a DC Universe animated feature I can safely watch with my younger son. I don’t have to worry about his favorite costumed crime fighters spouting profanity or too much gore splashing about onscreen. My only complaint is Cheetah’s ridiculously low-cut outfit, which doesn’t leave much to the imagination and is needless in a cartoon mainly crafted for children. Besides that, “Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts” is a great combination of distinctive animation and a splendid storyline that brings together many of the animal arch nemeses of the different superheroes.

“Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts” is available now on Blu-ray, DVD, and as a Digital Download.

Villains Go Ravenous in "Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts"

Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment bring us the next chapter in their family-friendly branch of straight-to-DVD movies with “Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts.” It’s no surprise the Flash and Green Arrow are included in this new adventure, since both have their own successful TV shows right now. However, the real excitement for me was getting to see Nightwing and Red Robin get some well-deserved screen time.

Interview with Drew Powell at Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con 2015

Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con 2015 had a special red carpet event for a select few members of the press and I was invited. Actor Drew Powell was one of the guests who attended the event. He's primarily known for portraying Fish Mooney and the Penguin's bodyguard Butch in the television series "Gotham." He's also known for roles in "1408," "Straw Dogs," and "The Mentalist." Check out the interview after the jump.

Interview with Drew Powell at Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con 2015

Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con 2015 had a special red carpet event for a select few members of the press and I was invited. Actor Drew Powell was one of the guests who attended the event. He's primarily known for portraying Fish Mooney and the Penguin's bodyguard Butch in the television series "Gotham." He's also known for roles in "1408," "Straw Dogs," and "The Mentalist." Check out the interview after the jump.

Interview with Scott Wilson at Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con 2015

Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con 2015 had a special red carpet event for a select few members of the press and I was invited. Actor Scott Wilson was one of the guests who attended the event. He's known to the Comic Con crowd for his role as Hershel in "The Walking Dead." He'll next be seen in the upcoming television series "Damien," which is based on "The Omen" movies. Check out the interview after the jump.

Interview with Scott Wilson at Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con 2015

Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con 2015 had a special red carpet event for a select few members of the press and I was invited. Actor Scott Wilson was one of the guests who attended the event. He's known to the Comic Con crowd for his role as Hershel in "The Walking Dead." He'll next be seen in the upcoming television series "Damien," which is based on "The Omen" movies. Check out the interview after the jump.

Interview with Laura Vandervoort at Dallas Comic Con 2015

Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con 2015 had a special red carpet event for a select few members of the press and I was invited. Actor Laura Vandervoort was one of the guests who attended the event. She's known for her role as Supergirl in "Smallville." She's also stars in "Bitten" and made a name for herself in "V" and "Haven." Check out the interview after the jump.

Interview with Laura Vandervoort at Dallas Comic Con 2015

Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con 2015 had a special red carpet event for a select few members of the press and I was invited. Actor Laura Vandervoort was one of the guests who attended the event. She's known for her role as Supergirl in "Smallville." She's also stars in "Bitten" and made a name for herself in "V" and "Haven." Check out the interview after the jump.

Interview with Charles Martinet at Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con 2015

Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con 2015 had a special red carpet event for a select few members of the press and I was invited. Voice actor Charles Martinet was one of the guests who attended the event. He's primarily known as the voice of Mario in the Super Mario Bros. games. Martinet also helps bring Luigi and Wario to life in the games as well. Check out the interview after the jump.

Interview with Charles Martinet at Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con 2015

Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con 2015 had a special red carpet event for a select few members of the press and I was invited. Voice actor Charles Martinet was one of the guests who attended the event. He's primarily known as the voice of Mario in the Super Mario Bros. games. Martinet also helps bring Luigi and Wario to life in the games as well. Check out the interview after the jump.

Thrilling Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con Expands in Attendance

Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con grew by leaps and bounds again this year, taking up even more floor space within the massive Dallas Convention Center. Attendance for the event was at a record high as well, estimated at around 75,000 over the entire weekend. For three days, the venue was a pop culture mecca for geeks from any and every walk of life.

You would think with so many people attending (many in bulky costumes), there would be traffic jams in the aisles of the artist and vendor booths. It was crowded, but still manageable with bigger walkways. The lines for celebrities moved a lot quicker as well. Everything was better organized than ever before.

Highlights for me included meeting a couple of the talented cast of “Gotham.” I knew as soon as I saw the line-up for the convention that my main target was the Penguin himself, Robin Lord-Taylor. Here’s a guy that could’ve been just another co-star on a crime procedural but has managed to steal the spotlight. What an incredibly nice guy who genuinely appreciates his fans.

Drew Powell portrays Fish Mooney and Penguin’s heavy, Butch, on “Gotham.” In real life, he looked like a lumberjack. The actor wore a plaid button-up over a t-shirt with blue jeans rolled up over brown loafers. He also sported a beard and mustache to further separate himself from the clean-shaven and suit-sporting mafia bodyguard. Powell was the polar opposite of his character and took time to get personal with every individual who approached him.

I made it a point to tell Mitch Pileggi how sad I still was over the cancellation of “Dallas.” The actor played Harris Ryland on the cancelled TNT drama. He said he appreciated all the support and petitions fans had put together trying to keep the show going, but it just wasn’t going to happen. It was hard to hear that sad confirmation directly from one of the actors who brought the series to life for three seasons.

Another monumental moment for me was interacting with the three men who brought Godzilla to life over the course of six decades. It was through reverent nods and smiles of course, since I’m positive they didn’t speak any English. I shot a photo of the trio together with a Godzilla blow-up peering over them.

I’m a huge horror fan, so one attraction I had to take part in was the “Insidious: Chapter 3” Into the Further 4D Experience. Two semi-trailers were converted into a mini-haunted house with enough jump-scares to make an average person pee their pants. On top of that, they added oculus rift that put you directly in the center of the supernatural chaos. I have to say that it was actually unnervingly scary.

Jimmy Palmiotti is a comic book writer and artist who has become a staple of Fan Days Dallas Comic Con. I’ve made it a habit to bring the talented man my latest volume of Jonah Hex to have him sign every year and chat for a few minutes. I also collect anything Batman related I can get my hands on, so it was a pleasure to get to meet Superman / Batman writer Greg Pak and Teen Titans artist Kenneth Rocafort.

“Star Wars” was well represented by both Carrie Fisher and the 501st Garrison. Fisher’s autograph line literally never ended. They had to cut it off every single day up to the last second on Sunday. It was extremely evident George Lucas’s space saga is as popular as ever once again with the upcoming release of “Episode VII – The Force Awakens.” The 501st had multiple corner booths where every alien and species from Wookie to Mandalorian and Stormtroopers could take pictures with fans. It was all for a good cause, as the proceeds were donated to the Make-A-Wish foundation.

There is no doubt in my mind that Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con 2015 was the most successful of all the events put on since the convention’s inception. Attendance continues to increase every year by the thousands. Thankfully, there’s still plenty of room for growth inside the Dallas Convention Center.

TO see pictures from Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con 2015, you can go here.

Thrilling Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con Expands in Attendance

Fan Expo Dallas Comic Con grew by leaps and bounds again this year, taking up even more floor space within the massive Dallas Convention Center. Attendance for the event was at a record high as well, estimated at around 75,000 over the entire weekend. For three days, the venue was a pop culture mecca for geeks from any and every walk of life.