Author Archives: Doc

Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021)

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June 5th, Movie 6

The June Swoon continues today diving into the world of comedy with Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. Barb and Star felt like characters that had been from another source, such as SNL or British TV, but, as far as I can tell from my research, they are originating in this movie.

Star is played by the wonderful Kristen Wiig and Barb is played by Annie Mumolo, who I was unaware of before this. Barb and Star are a pair of middle aged women who are friends and who spend their lives together, both widowed, talking and exchanging an almost non-stop banter with each other.

And it is exceptionally funny.

Poor Star and Barb lost their jobs and were kicked out of their discussion club for lying about it so they were at their wits end. They finally decided that they needed a vacation from their regular life, and they packed their bags for a place in Florida called Vista De Mar.

Coincidentally enough, an international terrorist named Sharon Gordon Fisherman (also played by Kristen Wiig), a white skinned woman, and her boy toy assistant Edgar (Jamie Dornan), were targeting Vista Del Mar for a complicated plan of revenge over its treatment of Sharon Gordon Fisherman when she lived in the community as a youth.

Fisherman sent Edgar ahead to set up her revenge. Unfortunately, he lost an important piece after a night of drunken debauchery with Barb and Star. Edgar, who had been in an unrequited loving relationship with Fisherman, started spending more time with Star. Star hid the relationship from Barb because she did not want to have Barb feel bad leading to a potential rift between the ladies.

The movie is utterly silly and has plenty of ridiculous scenes and moments, but it works because they are really funny. There were times when I could feel that if certain scenes were in different movies, I might hate them, but since I had drawn such a love for these characters, I accepted it as okay (I’m specifically thinking about parachute pants).

Jamir Dornan was great here too. He had solid comedic timing and he sang. Yes, there are a couple of moments when the film broke into songs. I would not consider the whole movie a musical, but there are at least two scene where it could make sense in a musical.

I’ve said this before… the most important part of a comedy is…does it make you laugh? Barb and Star made me laugh. I found it to be extremely charming and fun.

Interview with the Vampire (1994)

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Do Over: EYG Sunday Morning Revisit Week 6

When I first saw Interview with the Vampire, it was on a rental (probably VHS). I found it boring. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it was not what I was looking for at the time: a gothic horror period piece.

Today, for the Do Over, I watched Interview with the Vampire. It was one of the first films I thought of when coming up with concept. I would have done this earlier, but since I already had done Blade 2, I did not want to typecast the Do Over as a vampire topic.

According to IMDB: “Against the backdrop of a gloomy San Francisco, the nearly two-century-old vampire, Louis de Pointe du Lac [Brad Pitt], recounts the unbelievable story of his eternal transformation and a life worse than death to the sceptic reporter, Daniel Molloy [Christian Slater]. Spanning two hundred years of cruel betrayals, extreme solitude, and unquenched thirst, Louis’ grimly fascinating tale pivots around his perpetually regrettable decision to embrace the dictatorship of blood, and, above all, his maker: the seductive blonde aristocrat of death, Lestat de Lioncourt [Tom Cruise]. Is Louis’ mystical epic of bloodshed genuine? Is this, indeed, an interview with a vampire?”

The moody, atmospheric film is considerably more interesting to me today than when I saw it for the first time back in the 1990s. The film is much more a character piece than what I wanted back then, focusing on Lestat, Louis and Claudia (Kirsten Dunst). Claudia, in particular, was a fascinating character and Kirsten Dunst, without a doubt, gave one of the best performances of the movie. Such a young girl who was able to bring such menace and, dare I say, evil was revolutionary and amazingly believable. She showed how powerful of an actress she was going to become with this early performance.

The story itself was fine, though a little too strung together for my tastes. I did not enjoy the very last scene in the car because it made the entire film feel too cheesy. I did not find any of Interview with the Vampire to ever cross into camp until the very end, and that tonal switch felt like a betrayal to what had come before.

Both Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt were excellent in this movie as Louis spent his vampire existence longing for a change and Cruise wishing that he would just embrace what he was.

Based upon the book by Anne Rice, Interview with the Vampire had a slow burn but it created an amazing atmosphere and built a sense of tension and suspense as these vampire characters tried to find answers for their unhappy existence.

Coming Home in the Dark (2021)

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June 4th, Movie 5

Today’s June Swoon entry is a New Zealand psychological horror film entitled Coming Home in the Dark, which I found on Netflix. I do not remember where I had heard of this film or why I included it on my list for the June Swoon, but I am glad I did.

A family was out together on a camping trip when a pair of strangers came along and abducted them at gunpoint. They forced the, to go on a road trip with them, looking to bring out a terrible tragedy from the past.

This was a simple story of vengeance and cruelty, but it was filled with several unexpected and surprising shocks that I did not see coming. Daniel Gillies as Mandrake was menacing and terrifying, showing that you do not have to be screaming in order to create an anxiety among the audience. Mandrake was so full of rage and anger, but he kept it suppressed just beneath the surface of the character.

Erik Thomson, who played the father of the family, a schoolteacher, seemed to be the target of Mandrake’s venom and it became obvious that there was something in the past that led to this violence. At least, something in the head of Mandrake. The film does lean toward Mandrake as the damaged party here, but it never excuses the behavior or the violence from him. He is not shown as anything but a brutal killer, which despite any travesties in his past, is exactly what he was.

The performances are excellent throughout the film. Daniel Gillies takes the script to another level with his portrayal of Mandrake. And, though Erik Thomson was great, I found Miriama McDowell as his wife Jill matched him with every scene she was in. She brought such an anguish and loss to the role while still revealing the fierceness of a damaged fighter with her back to the wall.

The look of the film is sensational too. Mostly shot at night, the choreography and the imagery of the film built such a tense feeling in every scene. You are never sure what is going to be the end results of the night, but you are anxiously hoping for the best.

Coming Home in the Dark is a strong and anxiety-filled thriller that should not slip under your radar.

Friday Night Titans #14

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SPOILERS

How can Friday Night Titans go even more WWE? Two words: Contract Signing.

The final scene of the show was a contract signing between Ben Bateman and Mike Kalinowski and it was just like a contract signing in the WWE except the table did not get flipped. Bateman made some snide remarks toward Shannon and Mike responded by trying to strangle Ben. Just like the contract signings from pro wrestling.

There have been a bunch of new teams forming this season, but I have to say that I am unsure about some of the team names. Tonight we had the Movement vs the System and The Next Chapter vs. Pure Energy. However, I am not sure I know any of those names. Sure they are new teams, but they do not tell me much about these players/teams. There is also The Appointment and Coast 2 Coast. Coast 2 Coast is probably the one new team where their name works to give some info on the players.

The Movement is JTE and The Paul Preston and they won a tough match with The System, who is Jeanine the Machine and The Database. There was a controversial challenge over one of JTE’s spelling errors, but it became a moot point because the System missed their 5-point question and the Movement answered theirs.

The opening match was fun, with Rachel Silvestrini and Moose winning against Beth May and Rick Hahn. The match was well done, but definitely down the list of teams in the Schmoedown. I ask myself do either of these teams have a chance to dethrone Shazam? No. However, they could provide entertaining matches.

The Movement vs. Shazam would be an interesting match, though I still see Shazam as the favorites. It sounds as if we might be getting a Movement vs. Coast 2 Coast match first and that will go a long way to showing what kind of teams these are. Then there is still Danger Zone who is owed a number one contender match. By the way, somebody is missing a chance if they do not call The Movement, The [Bowel] Movement.

Friday Night Titans was fun this week. It may not have been as powerful as some weeks, but it helps to develop these teams so that maybe some day I’ll recognize their team names.

Flee (2021)

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June 3rd, Movie 4

At the Oscars this past nominations, one film received nominations in Best Animated Film, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Documentary, which, although it did not win any of them, was an amazing feat for Flee and the first time any film had been nominated for all three in a single year. So I found the film on Vudu and placed it squarely in The June Swoon.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, “FLEE tells the story of Amin Nawabi as he grapples with a painful secret he has kept hidden for 20 years, one that threatens to derail the life he has built for himself and his soon to be husband. Recounted mostly through animation to director Jonas Poher Rasmussen, he tells for the first time the story of his extraordinary journey as a child refugee from Afghanistan.”

The story of Flee is a true one, though the name Nawabi has been changed to protect the identity of the main subject. It is told beautifully through an interview with Amin, who reflected back on his childhood and his attempts to flee the country of Afghanistan and the country of Russia. It showed amazing specifics of the immigrant experience that has been so controversial over the last several years.

The animation style is beautiful and the creators also use many real life videos to help illustrate the story around Amin.

The situations that Amin had to face were harrowing and told brilliantly. It was absolutely deserving of the three Oscar noms.

The Boys S3 E3

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SPOILERS

“Barbary Coast”

The third episode of The Boys Season 3 was released on Amazon Prime along with episode 1 & 2 and just like every episode has plenty of amazing moments and shocks.

“The bold and the batshit” was a line dropped by MM in this episode and it absolutely feels like a perfect description of what we get.

Highlander’s crazy rant at his birthday party last episode has made him MORE popular among the people (particularly white males). I should have seen that coming. Highlander is our Trump in this series where the worse he gets, the more his base loves him. Suddenly now, Highlander has a new upswing in his attitude as he is filled with confidence and bravado. So much so that Highlander announced on the decision show for the reality show American Hero, that he and Starlight were in love … #Homelight.

We get our first look at Jensen Ackles’s Soldier Boy in a flashback to a mission where the original super team, Payback, was involved in Ronald Reagan’s Iran-Contra situation. Soldier Boy was believed to have been killed and taken by the Russians. Meanwhile, several of Payback were killed or injured. Black Noir was there and we get a little bit about how he was scarred. I have wanted more about Black Noir the whole series and I love that we are getting info on him.

Butcher is still suffering from using the V-23 last episode. Continually puking green vomit, Butcher tried to keep Ryan safe by turning on the kid and making him hate Billy. Butcher made himself look like a real asshole.

The Deep is back in the Seven, thanks to Highlander’s mind games and attempts to show Starlight who had the real power. However, the scene later where Highlander forces The Deep to eat a living squid (who was begging for his life, to Deep who was the only person to hear it) was horrible. His name was Timothy, and Highlander forcing him to eat Timothy to prove his loyalty was absolutely rotten.

Highlander is really feeling himself as the master manipulator and is taking his newly found leverage a whirl. He had even dared Starlight to release the tape of him on the plane. He believed it would not matter any more and that the public would still love him.

Next week the show will continue as there are 5 more episodes of season 3 coming.

The Boys S3 E2

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SPOILERS

“The Only Man in the Sky“

Episode two of season three really built on the fallout of the first episode… in a big way.

The knowledge that Victoria Neuman was the “head-popper” sent Hughie into an existential crisis, doubting everything he had done in the last year of his life and sending him into a spiral.

The insecurities and grief drove Butcher to continue his investigation into the death of Soldier Boy by confronting Soldier Boy’s former teen sidekick, Gunpowder, and using the V-23 to give him powers. Those powers leading Butcher into murdering Gunpowder in the typically gruesome manner that we have become accustomed to.

MM is having his issues as well as the talk around Soldier Boy apparently is triggering for him. He realized that he had to do something after losing control in front of his daughter.

But this was the combination of everything that has been going on in Highlander’s life that was the real highlight of “The Only Man in the Sky.” Highlander’s birthday special was being planned and he continued to get crazier and crazier. News of Stormfront’s suicide (by biting off her own tongue, ewww) hit him hard as did the constant pressure from the crowd, his dwindling numbers, Starlight’s continual rise in the ranks, Stan’s disrespect all blurred together to finally send the “hero” off the deep end and spew his vitriol live on television during his birthday celebration. It was a shocking moment that has been building truly for all three seasons.

You could almost hear the Vought P.R. department bouncing off the walls. It was a stunning monologue from a man whose image has meant more to him than just about anything. This was finally the true Homelander coming out for the world to see… not the processed, managed hero that had been carefully crafted for public consumption.

I am anxious to see where the show goes from here.

Also, the show felt extremely topical this episode because the fact that Gunpowder was speaking at a gun show/convention, proclaiming the far right ideas of gun ownership and gun rights and promoting for the Vaught Rifle Association. It felt way too real with the tragic occurrences we have been facing over the last month with the barrage of mass shootings and the desire of many for this to be the time that changes the culture. That scene with Payback was difficult to watch, but placed the character into our understanding right away.

Episode three is also dropped on Amazon Prime today and then it will go into a weekly release schedule.

The Boys S3 E1

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SPOILERS

I checked in at Amazon Prime tonight, knowing that some times they drop premiere early and there was The Boys Season 3, Episode 1 waiting to be watched.

The streaming site were scheduled to drop the first three episodes of the new season of The Boys on June 3rd and then go weekly after that. I loved getting a chance to see the first episode early (to be honest, I could go on to two, but I’m saving that until tomorrow).

What a wild beginning.

Do you all remember around the time of Avengers: Endgame when there was such an outcry on social media and the internet wanting Paul Rudd’s Ant Man to fight Thanos by climbing inside his butt and then going full size? Well, it may not be Thanos, but we do get an idea of what it might have been like in the opening sequence of The Boys.

The Boys has not lost its crude and graphic nature since season two is all I will say about the arrival of the super named Terminte.

After picking my jaw up off the ground of that opening, The Boys settled into the concept that appeared to be the throughline for season three, and that is the fact that Highlander is cray cray.

They kept poking the mean puppy too as Stan Edgar appointed Starlight as Co-Captain of the Seven and he did not care what Highlander thought. Add that to the fact that he has lost his son, he is having his decision making ability questioned for having fallen in love with a Nazi (in season two) and having to go around to all of the talk shows to constantly explain himself… well, you can see how the stress might be getting to him. Heck, it is not like Highlander was the cover boy for sanity in the first place.

Billy Butcher has had a rough year too. He has been playing by all the rules and having to answer to Hugh in Hugh’s new position with the Federal Bureau of Superhuman Affairs’ (FBSA). Of course, Hugh works for Victoria Neuman, who makes people’s head explode. A secret that she does not keep from Hugh for long. I’m curious to see what Hugh does now that he was being showered with blood and guts from Victoria’s latest kill. Unbeknownst to her, Hugh saw everything.

Going back to Butcher, he has a few vials of the new temporary drug that gives someone super powers for 24 hours. He may have found his key to taking on Highlander without dying.

The Deep wrote a book…sort of… well, ghost writers wrote it. Then, A-Train came into conflict with Highlander, showing us all that you should never mumble insults under your breath about a man with super hearing.

And we will soon be getting.. Soldier Boy!

Excited to see the next couple of episodes tomorrow.

John and the Hole (2021)

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June 2nd, Movie 3

The June Swoon took a weird nose dive this evening as I watched a film called John and the Hole on Amazon Prime.

I’m not sure how to review this one.

John (Charlie Shotwell) is a 13-year old boy who lives with his father Brad (Michael C. Hall), mother Anna (Jennifer Ehle) and sister Laurie (Taissa Farmiga) in a house isolated in the woods. John discovered an old bunker in the woods and he decided to drug his family and imprison them in the hole.

That is your general plot. By the way, about 30 minutes into the movie, we came upon a little girl (Samantha LeBretton) and her mother (Georgia Lyman). The girl asked her to tell her the story about “John and the Hole” and we get the title card. Later on, the mother tells the girl that she is leaving and she gives the little girl money to live on.

Wha?

Okay, SPOILERS from now on because I am not sure how else to talk about this otherwise.

We never learn a reason why John dumps his family in the hole. He does seem to be an odd child, and he is not much of a communicator with his family, but there is really no reason that I could see why he trapped his family in that hole.

In the end, John lowered a ladder down and let them out of the hole. They find John floating in the pool, but Brad jumped in and makes sure that John survived. Then, we see the family eating together as if nothing had happened.

I don’t know. I mean, performances were excellent. Charlie Shotwell was sufficiently weird and eccentric and he seemed to be extremely lonely once he dumped them down the hole. He talked his friend (Ivy O’Brien) to come over and later he wants one of his mom’s friends (Tamara Hickey) to stay with him.

He then cooks prosciutto and takes some in containers for his family.

You believe Shotwell the entire time, even though you do not understand why he is doing this.

The movie completely destroyed the narrative structure. I’m not sure how things fit together or why things are happening as they are. John is taking tennis lessons. Apparently he is really good at tennis. He drugs the gardener (I think) early on. Was he testing the drug on him before using it on his family?

There are a lot of ways to interpret what happened in John and the Hole, and I think that is the purpose from director Pascual Sisto. The viewer is allowed to determine exactly what is going on and what the different scenes mean.

It is a strange one. Very intriguing, but strange.

2022 Eisner Award Nominees

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The Eisner Award nominees were announced last week and here is a list of the nominees. They will be given out on July 22nd at San Diego Comic-Con

Best Short Story

“Funeral in Foam,” by Casey Gilly and Raina Telgemeier, in You Died: An Anthology of the Afterlife (Iron Circus)

“Generations,” by Daniel Warren Johnson, in Superman: Red & Blue #5 (DC)

“I Wanna Be a Slob,” by Michael Kamison and Steven Arnold, in Too Tough to Die (Birdcage Bottom Books)

“Tap, Tap, Tap,” by Larry O’Neil and Jorge Fornés, in Green Arrow 80th Anniversary (DC)

“Trickster, Traitor, Dummy, Doll,” by Triple Dream (Mel Hilario, Katie Longua, and Lauren Davis), in The Nib Vol 9: Secrets (The Nib)

Best Single Issue/One-Shot (must be able to stand alone)

Marvel’s Voices: Identity #1, edited by Darren Shan (Marvel)

Mouse Guard: The Owlhen Caregiver and Other Tales, by David Petersen (BOOM!/Archaia)

Nightwing #87: “Get Grayson,” by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo (DC)

Wolvendaughter, by Ver (Quindrie Press)

Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons, by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Phil Jimenez (DC)

Best Continuing Series

Bitter Root, by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, and Sanford Greene (Image)

The Department of Truth, by James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds (Image)

Immortal Hulk, by Al Ewing, Joe Bennett, et al. (Marvel)

Nightwing, by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo (DC)

Something Is Killing the Children, by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera (BOOM! Studios)

Best Limited Series

Beta Ray Bill: Argent Star, by Daniel Warren Johnson (Marvel)

The Good Asian, by Pornsak Pichetshote and Alexandre Tefenkgi (Image)

Hocus Pocus, by Rik Worth and Jordan Collver, hocuspocuscomic.squarespace.com

The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, by Ram V and Filipe Andrade (BOOM! Studios)

Stray Dogs, by Tony Fleecs and Trish Forstner (Image)

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, by Tom King and Bilquis Evely (DC)

Best New Series

The Human Target, by Tom King and Greg Smallwood (DC)

The Nice House on the Lake, by James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martínez Bueno (DC Black Label)

Not All Robots, by Mark Russell and Mike Deodato Jr. (AWA Upshot)

Radiant Black, by Kyle Higgins and Marcelo Costa (Image)

Ultramega, by James Harren (Image Skybound)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8)

Arlo & Pips #2: Join the Crow Crowd!, by Elise Gravel (HarperAlley)

Chibi Usagi: Attack of the Heebie Chibis, by Julie and Stan Sakai (IDW)

I Am Oprah Winfrey, by Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos (Dial Books for Young Readers)

Monster Friends, by Kaeti Vandorn (Random House Graphic)

Tiny Tales: Shell Quest, by Steph Waldo (HarperAlley)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 9-12)

Allergic, by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter (Scholastic)

Four-Fisted Tales: Animals in Combat, by Ben Towle (Dead Reckoning)

Rainbow Bridge, by Steve Orlando, Steve Foxe, and Valentina Brancati (AfterShock)

Salt Magic, by Hope Larson and Rebecca Mock (Margaret Ferguson Books/Holiday House)

Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear, by Trang Nguyen and Jeet Zdung (Dial Books for Young Readers)

The Science of Surfing: A Surfside Girls Guide to the Ocean, by Kim Dwinell (Top Shelf)

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17)

Adora and the Distance, by Marc Bernardin and Ariela Kristantina (Comixology Originals)

Clockwork Curandera, vol. 1: The Witch Owl Parliament, by David Bowles and Raul the Third (Tu Books/Lee & Low Books)

The Legend of Auntie Po, by Shing Yin Khor (Kokila/Penguin Random House)

Strange Academy, by Skottie Young and Humberto Ramos (Marvel)

Wynd, by James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas (BOOM! Box)

Best Humor Publication

Bubble, by Jordan Morris, Sarah Morgan, and Tony Cliff (First Second/Macmillan)

Cyclopedia Exotica, by Aminder Dhaliwal (Drawn & Quarterly)

Not All Robots, by Mark Russell and Mike Deodato Jr. (AWA Upshot)

The Scumbag, by Rick Remender and various (Image)

Thirsty Mermaids, by Kat Leyh (Gallery 13/Simon and Schuster)

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, by Haro Aso and Kotaro Takata, translation by Nova Skipper (VIZ Media)

Best Anthology

Flash Forward: An Illustrated Guide to Possible (And Not So Possible) Tomorrows, by Rose Eveleth and various, edited by Laura Dozier (Abrams ComicArts)

My Only Child, by Wang Ning and various, edited by Wang Saili, translation by Emma Massara (LICAF/Fanfare Presents)

The Silver Coin, by Michael Walsh and various (Image)

Superman: Red & Blue, edited by Jamie S. Rich, Brittany Holzherr, and Diegs Lopez (DC)

You Died: An Anthology of the Afterlife, edited by Kel McDonald and Andrea Purcell (Iron Circus)

Best Reality-Based Work

The Black Panther Party: A Graphic History, by David F. Walker and Marcus Kwame Anderson (Ten Speed Press)

Hakim’s Odyssey, Book 1: From Syria to Turkey, by Fabien Toulmé, translation by Hannah Chute (Graphic Mundi/Penn State University Press)

Lugosi: The Rise and Fall of Hollywood’s Dracula, by Koren Shadmi (Humanoids)

Orwell, by Pierre Christin and Sébastien Verdier, translation by Edward Gauvin (SelfMadeHero)

Seek You: A Journey Through American Loneliness, by Kristen Radtke (Pantheon/Penguin Random House)

The Strange Death of Alex Raymond, by Dave Sim and Carson Grubaugh (Living the Line)

Best Graphic Memoir

Factory Summers, by Guy Delisle, translated by Helge Dascher and Rob Aspinall (Drawn & Quarterly)

Parenthesis, by Élodie Durand, translation by Edward Gauvin (Top Shelf)

Run: Book One, by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, L. Fury, and Nate Powell (Abrams ComicArts)

Save It for Later: Promises, Parenthood, and the Urgency of Protest, by Nate Powell (Abrams ComicArts)

The Secret to Superhuman Strength, by Alison Bechdel (Mariner Books)

Best Graphic Album—New

Ballad For Sophie, by Filipe Melo and Juan Cavia, translation by Gabriela Soares (Top Shelf)

Destroy All Monsters (A Reckless Book), by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Image)

In., by Will McPhail (Mariner Books)

Meadowlark: A Coming-of-Age Crime Story, by Ethan Hawke and Greg Ruth (Grand Central Publishing)

Monsters, by Barry Windsor-Smith (Fantagraphics)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint

The Complete American Gods, by Neil Gaiman, P. Craig Russell, and Scott Hampton (Dark Horse)

Locke & Key: Keyhouse Compendium, by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez (IDW)

Middlewest: The Complete Tale, by Skottie Young and Jorge Corona (Image)

Rick and Morty vs Dungeons and Dragons Deluxe Edition, by Patrick Rothfuss, Jim Zub, and Troy Little (Oni)

The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: California Deluxe Edition, by Gerard Way, Shaun Simon, and Becky Cloonan (Dark Horse)

Best Adaptation from Another Medium

After the Rain, by Nnedi Okorafor, adapted by John Jennings and David Brame (Megascope/Abrams ComicArts)

Bubble by Jordan Morris, Sarah Morgan, and Tony Cliff (First Second/Macmillan)

Disney Cruella, adapted by Hachi Ishie (VIZ Media)

George Orwell’s 1984: The Graphic Novel, adapted by Fido Nesti (Mariner Books)

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, by Robert Tressell, adapted by Sophie and Scarlett Rickard (SelfMadeHero)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material

Ballad For Sophie, by Filipe Melo and Juan Cavia, translation by Gabriela Soares (Top Shelf)

Between Snow and Wolf, by Agnes Domergue and Helene Canac, translation by Maria Vahrenhorst (Magnetic)

Love: The Mastiff, by Frederic Brrémaud and Federico Bertolucci (Magnetic)

The Parakeet, by Espé, translation by Hannah Chute ((Graphic Mundi/Penn State University Press)

The Shadow of a Man, by Benoît Peeters and François Schuiten, translation by Stephen D. Smith (IDW)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia

Chainsaw Man, by Tatsuki Fujimoto, translation by Amanda Haley (VIZ Media)

Kaiju No. 8, by Naoya Matsumoto, translation by David Evelyn (VIZ Media)

Lovesickness: Junji Ito Story Collection, by Junji Ito, translation by Jocelyne Allen (VIZ Media)

Robo Sapiens: Tales of Tomorrow (Omnibus), by Toranosuke Shimada, translation by Adrienne Beck (Seven Seas)

Spy x Family, by Tatsuya Endo, translation by Casey Loe (VIZ Media)

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, by Haro Aso and Kotaro Takata, translation by Nova Skipper (VIZ Media)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips (at least 20 years old)

Friday Foster: The Sunday Strips, by Jim Lawrence and Jorge Longarón, edited by Christopher Marlon, Rich Young, and Kevin Ketner (Ablaze)

Popeye: The E.C. Segar Sundays, vol. 1 by E.C. Segar, edited by Gary Groth and Conrad Groth (Fantagraphics)

Trots and Bonnie, by Shary Flenniken, edited by Norman Hathaway (New York Review Comics)

The Way of Zen, adapted and illustrated by C. C. Tsai, translated by Brian Bruya (Princeton University Press)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books (at least 20 Years Old)

EC Covers Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)

Farewell, Brindavoine, by Tardi, translation by Jenna Allen, edited by Conrad Groth (Fantagraphics)

Marvel Comics Library: Spider-Man vol. 1: 1962–1964, by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, edidted by Steve Korté (TASCHEN)

Spain Rodriguez: My Life and Times, vol. 3, edited by Patrick Rosenkranz (Fantagraphics)

Steranko Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Artisan Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)

Uncle Scrooge: “Island in the Sky,” by Carl Barks, edited by J. Michael Catron (Fantagraphics)

Best Writer

Ed Brubaker, Destroy All Monsters, Friend of the Devil (Image)

Kelly Sue DeConnick, Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons Book One (DC)

Filipe Melo, Ballad for Sophie (Top Shelf)

Ram V, The Many Deaths of Laila Starr (BOOM! Studios); The Swamp Thing (DC); Carnage: Black, White & Blood, Venom (Marvel)

James Tynion IV, House of Slaughter, Something Is Killing the Children, Wynd (BOOM! Studios); The Nice House on the Lake, The Joker, Batman, DC Pride 2021 (DC); The Department of Truth (Image); Blue Book, Razorblades (Tiny Onion Studios)

Best Writer/Artist

Alison Bechdel, The Secret to Superhuman Strength (Mariner Books)

Junji Ito, Deserter: Junji Ito Story Collection, Lovesickness: Junji Ito Story Collection, Sensor (VIZ Media)

Daniel Warren Johnson, Superman: Red & Blue (DC); Beta Ray Bill (Marvel)

Will McPhail, In: A Graphic Novel (Mariner Books)

Barry Windsor-Smith, Monsters (Fantagraphics)

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team

Filipe Andrade, The Many Deaths of Laila Starr (BOOM! Studios)

Phil Jimenez, Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons (DC)

Bruno Redondo, Nightwing (DC)

Esad Ribic, Eternals (Marvel)

P. Craig Russell, Norse Mythology (Dark Horse)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)

Federico Bertolucci, Brindille, Love: The Mastiff (Magnetic)

John Bolton, Hell’s Flaw (Renegade Arts Entertainment)

Juan Cavia, Ballad for Sophie (Top Shelf)

Frank Pe, Little Nemo (Magnetic)

Ileana Surducan, The Lost Sunday (Pronoia AB)

Sana Takeda, Monstress (Image)

Best Cover Artist

Jen Bartel, Future State Immortal Wonder Woman #1 & 2, Wonder Woman Black & Gold #1, Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary (DC); Women’s History Month variant covers (Marvel)

David Mack, Norse Mythology (Dark Horse)

Bruno Redondo, Nightwing (DC)

Alex Ross, Black Panther, Captain America, Captain America/Iron Man #2, Immortal Hulk, Iron Man, The U.S. of The Marvels (Marvel)

Julian Totino Tedesco, Just Beyond: Monstrosity (BOOM!/KaBoom!); Dune: House Atreides (BOOM! Studios); Action Comics (DC); The Walking Dead Deluxe (Image Skybound)

Yoshi Yoshitani, I Am Not Starfire (DC); The Blue Flame, Giga, Witchblood (Vault)

Best Coloring

Filipe Andrade/Inês Amaro, The Many Deaths of Laila Starr (BOOM! Studios)

Terry Dodson, Adventureman (Image Comics)

K. O’Neill, The Tea Dragon Tapestry (Oni)

Jacob Phillips, Destroy All Monsters, Friend of the Devil (Image)

Matt Wilson, Undiscovered Country (Image); Fire Power (Image Skybound); Eternals, Thor, Wolverine (Marvel); Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters (Oni)

Best Lettering

Wes Abbott, Future State, Nightwing, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman Black & Gold (DC)

Clayton Cowles, The Amazons, Batman, Batman/Catwoman, Strange Adventures, Wonder Woman Historia (DC); Adventureman (Image); Daredevil, Eternals, King in Black, Strange Academy, Venom, X-Men Hickman, X-Men Duggan (Marvel)

Crank!, Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters, The Tea Dragon Tapestry (Oni); Money Shot (Vault)

Ed Dukeshire, Once & Future, Seven Secrets (BOOM Studios)

Barry Windsor-Smith, Monsters (Fantagraphics)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism

Alter Ego, edited by Roy Thomas (TwoMorrows)

The Columbus Scribbler, edited by Brian Canini, Jack Wallace, and Steve Steiner, columbusscribbler.com

Fanbase Press, edited by Barbra Dillon, fanbasepress.com

tcj.com, edited by Tucker Stone and Joe McCulloch (Fantagraphics)

WomenWriteAboutComics.com, edited by Wendy Browne and Nola Pfau (WWAC)

Best Comics-Related Book

All of the Marvels, by Douglas Wolk (Penguin Press)

The Art of Thai Comics: A Century of Strips and Stripes, by Nicolas Verstappen (River Books)

Fantastic Four No. 1: Panel by Panel, by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Chip Kidd, and Geoff Spear (Abrams ComicArts)

Old Gods & New: A Companion to Jack Kirby’s Fourth World, by John Morrow, with Jon B. Cooke (TwoMorrows)

True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee, by Abraham Riesman (Crown)

Best Academic/Scholarly Work

Comics and the Origins of Manga: A Revisionist History, by Eike Exner (Rutgers University Press)

The Life and Comics of Howard Cruse: Taking Risks in the Service of Truth, by Andrew J. Kunka (Rutgers University Press)

Mysterious Travelers: Steve Ditko and the Search for a New Liberal Identity, by Zack Kruse (University Press of Mississippi)

Pulp Empire: The Secret History of Comics Imperialism, by Paul S. Hirsch (University of Chicao Press)

Rebirth of the English Comic Strip: A Kaleidoscope, 1847–1870, by David Kunzle (University Press of Mississippi)

Best Publication Design

The Complete American Gods, designed by Ethan Kimberling (Dark Horse)

The Complete Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck Deluxe Edition, designed by Justin Allan-Spencer (Fantagraphics)

Crashpad, designed by Gary Panter and Justin Allan-Spencer (Fantagraphics)

Machine Gun Kelly’s Hotel Diablo, designed by Tyler Boss (Z2)

Marvel Comics Library: Spider-Man vol. 1: 1962–1964 (TASCHEN)

Popeye Vol. 1 by E.C. Segar, designed by Jacob Covey (Fantagraphics)

Best Webcomic

Batman: Wayne Family Adventures, by CRC Payne and StarBrite (DC/WEBTOON), https://www.webtoons.com/en/slice-of-life/batman-wayne-family-adventures/list?title_no=3180&page=1

Isle of Elsi, by Alec Longstreth, https://www.isleofelsi.com/comics/ioe6/page-259/

Lore Olympus, by Rachel Smythe (WEBTOON), https://www.webtoons.com/en/romance/lore-olympus/list?title_no=1320&page=1

Navillera: Like a Butterfly, by Hun and Jimmy, translation by Kristianna Lee (Tapas Medie/Kakao Entertainment), https://tapas.io/series/navillera-like-a-butterfly

Unmasked, by Breri and Nuitt (WebToon Factory/Europe Comics), https://www.webtoonfactory.com/en/serie/unmasked/

Best Digital Comic

Days of Sand, by Aimée de Jongh, translation by Christopher Bradley (Europe Comics)

Everyone Is Tulip, by Dave Baker and Nicole Goux, everyoneistulip.com

It’s Jeff, by Kelly Thompson and Gurihiru (Marvel)

Love After World Domination 1-3, by Hiroshi Noda and Takahiro Wakamatsu, translation by Steven LeCroy (Kodansha)

Snow Angels, by Jeff Lemire and Jock (Comixology Originals

Rumble (2021)

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June 2nd, Movie 2

The next installment of The June Swoon binge is here with an animated movie that I have had on my queue for quite a long time. As a fan of professional wrestling, Rumble looked interesting to me. And as an animated movie, it was, at best, okay.

The film was very formulaic and predictable. It raised some themes of father issues that were never quite touched on enough to make it worthwhile.

According to IMDB, “In a world where giant monsters and humans collide, the monsters are superstar athletes and compete in a popular professional wrestling global sport called Monster Wrestling. A young girl named Winnie [Geraldine Viswanathan] seeks to follow in her father’s footsteps as a manager by coaching a lovable underdog yet-inexperienced monster named Steve [Will Arnett]. Winnie plans to turn Steve into a champion so that he can go up against the reigning champion Tentacular [Terrey Crews].”

The animation was fine. The monster designs were mostly fun. The voice cast was fine. There is nothing that really makes this one stand out, but nothing that dings it that badly either.

Rumble is harmless and is probably a good film for the kids who enjoy WWE or other wrestling organizations. However, it it light and fluffy and will not stick with you for long after viewing.

Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 3

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SPOILERS

“Part III”

So…. this happened.

Darth Vader, with James Earl Jones’s voice and (potentially) Hayden Christensen in the suit, made much more impact in this episode than I thought he would, but we are now half way through the series. Vader cements himself as one of, if not the, best movie villains ever. He dominates every scene and he shows his anger with every breath. His very presence is amazing.

This episode was a big step back. I loved episode 1 and I found episode 2 to be a big step backwards. While I still think episode 1 is the best of the series, episode three made some huge strides.

There were so many great things in Part III. Everything with Vader was awesome. The Vader vs. Obi-Wan confrontation was epic and showed how low Obi-Wan had fallen. Vader’s stroll through town, breaking the necks of random people, was intense and frightening.

The interactions between Obi-Wan and Leia were absolutely enjoyable. The dialogue was well written and heart-felt. The entire scene in the back of the truck with the Stormtroopers was gold. When Leia asked if he was her real dad, my heart broke. You can see how different the two of them were, with Obi-Wan broken and pessimistic and Leia positive and full of life. It creates a great contradiction between them.

Then, Leia is a great improv partner. The young actress playing Leia is named Vivien Lyra Blair and she has been doing an incredible job, especially in this episode. She really reminds you of Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher).

This episode though is not a slam dunk. There are a few problems I had with Part III. I did not like some of the choices made. When Leia sent Talia back to help Obi-Wan, I thought that was ridiculous. Sure, she wound up helping, but she promised to get Leia back to her father and she dumped that quickly. Then, how did Reva get to the end of that tunnel? I rolled my eyes big time when she showed up. That should not have happened.

What is wrong with these Stormtroopers? They are supposed to be hunting Jedis and they get into a truck with a guy that couldn’t be dressed more like a Jedi if he tried. This is starting to be a running joke.

Finally, the episode seemed to have all kinds of barriers that seemed to prevent people from moving forward that could easily be WALKED AROUND in just a few seconds. Then, how did the fire caused by Talia stop Vader and the Stormtroopers when, one- it was not that huge and two-Vader just used the Force to put out the other fire. Why couldn’t he do that again? (I think he may just be letting him go). It’s little things like that which brings the episode down a little.

Things did get much better this episode. We saw a Stormtrooper cut in half.

By the way, people on the internet who are spending their days tormenting and leaving racist and hatred toward Moses Ingram (Reva) need to stop. You are the worst. She has every right to not be harassed just because she is playing a role you do not like. Morgan Ingram is not the problem. You are. Stop it.

On the Trail of Bigfoot: The Discovery (2021)

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June 1, Movie 1

The first film of The June Swoon is a film that is contained in a series that I am returning to after watching several of the earlier films of the series in the DailyView. Seth Breedlove directed these documentaries dealing with the phenomenon of the Sasquatch, aka Bigfoot. The film that kicks off The June Swoon is On the Trail of Bigfoot: The Discovery.

This doc finds Seth Breedlove joining up with The Olympic Project. According to their website, The Olympic Project is “association of dedicated researchers, investigators, biologists and trackers committed to documenting the existence of Sasquatch through science and education. Through comprehensive habitat study, DNA analysis and game camera deployment, our goal is to obtain as much information and empirical evidence as we can, with hopes of being as prepared as possible when and if species verification comes to fruition. Our studies are conducted in a non-invasive manor with respect and sensitivity to probable habitat we believe this amazing species inhabits.”

The focus of this documentary, and the topic of the “discovery” of the film is an investigation in an area in Washington called the Olympic peninsula where several “nests” were found. Nesting is a known trait of gorillas, where they bust up branches and twigs in certain manners to build these nests for bedding and/or birth.

They spoke about the almost militaristic style of building these nests, how it is built to give the best possible cover and protection and the manner in which the branches are broken indicate a creature with an opposable thumb.

The doc heads out and seems to discover a nest that may have been in the process of being built when they came across it. This whole nest section of the doc was interesting and gave the viewers some definite questions to ponder.

There are more than just nests included in this doc. They spend some time on the vocalization of the Bigfoot and the attempt to capture the sounds of the Sasquatch. They played some intriguing recordings during the doc. They also included a bunch of really compelling stories from eye witnesses and from the members of the Olympic Project for why they joined up in this scientific organization that may not be perceived as very realistic.

I think I enjoyed this doc more than the other films in this series. This felt more compelling and offered some potential progress. It was also a better produced version of the film than the previous ones were.

The EYG 30 Days of…The June Swoon: Unseen Movies of 2021/DailyView Binge

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It has been just over a month since the end of the DailyView, the 365 day binge where I watched a movie that I had never seen before that was made some time from 2020 or before. It started just as a summer activity in the summer of 2021 and then it expanded twice and went for a full year. This was a proud accomplishment for me here at EYG.

As the DailyView was coming to an end, I began planning some of the next projects for movie watching. One turned out to be the Do Over: The EYG Sunday Morning Revisit that has been running since May 1st. A second project was the Saturday Shorts, where I take a Saturday randomly through the year and watch a day full of short movies.

The third project that I created The EYG 30 Days of…The June Swoon: Unseen Movies of 2021/DailyView Binge. Yes, it is a gangly name, but it covered everything that I wanted. To be called The June Swoon for now on, I will be watching a movie released during the year 2021 that I have not seen yet on every day of June. I have a list of around 45-50 movies to watch that I did not watch during 2021. Some are very well known, some are Oscar winners or nominees, some are lesser known. All are from 2021. I may do more than one a day, but there will at least one every day for 30 days. It should be a fun activity.

I will record the names of the movies I watch here:

The EYG 30 Days of…The June Swoon: Unseen Movies of 2021/DailyView Binge

June 01, 2022: On the Trail of Bigfoot: The Discovery

June 02, 2022: Rumble

……………………… John and the Hole

June 03, 2022: Flee

June 04, 2022: Coming Home in the Dark

June 05, 2022: Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar

June 06, 2022: Summer of Soul

June 07, 2022: American Underdog

June 08, 2022: Vivo

June 09, 2022: The Humans

June 10, 2022: The Card Counter

June 11, 2022: Drive My Car

June 12, 2022: Censor

June 13, 2022: Annette

June 14, 2022: The Worst Person in the World

June 15, 2022: The Electrical Life of Louis Wain

June 16, 2022: The Protégé

June 17, 2022: Shiva Baby

June 18, 2022: Happily

June 19, 2022: Red Rocket

June 20, 2022: Encounter

June 21, 2022: Justice Society: World War II

June 22, 2022: Old Henry

June 23, 2022: Bo Burnham: Inside

June 24, 2022: Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It

June 25, 2022: House of Gucci

June 26, 2022: Home Sweet Home Alone

June 27, 2022: Here Today

June 28, 2022: Best Sellers

June 29, 2022: Beckett

June 30, 2022: National Champions

Stranger Things S4 E7

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SPOILERS

“Chapter 7: The Massacre at Hawkins Lab”

Okay, that was the end of Volume One of Season 4 of Stranger Things and it was fantastic.

The final two episodes, including the oversized 2 1/2 hour 9th episode, drop on July 1st. Thankfully, though, there was no horrific cliffhanger making me yell at the screen when it went to black,

Of course, it went to black several times so I had that terrible feeling multiple times.

The biggest reveal in this episode is how they connect Vecna to the orderly at Hawkins Lab and to Victor Creel. I did not see it coming and I really liked how it all developed. Of course, the orderly that had been approaching Eleven in the flashbacks turned out to be Henry Creel, son of Victor, who turned out to be the mysterious One from Hawkins Lab. He also was the one who slaughtered all of the kids in the lab. I said last write-up that I thought there was going to be a twist coming and that Eleven did not turn out to be the person who killed the kids, despite that is what the show wanted you to think, and I was right.

However, I never guessed that Eleven would open a door to the Down Under and that would cause the creation of Vecna. I like that a lot because it gives Eleven an even deeper reason to be involved in the upcoming final struggle with Vecna besides the fact that she needs to help her Hawkins friends.

No Mike crew in this episode. I very much expect them to arrive at Nina Project near the beginning of episode 8.

Hopper threw down with the Demogorgon in the Russian prison camp while Joyce watched on. The intensity of the confrontation was cool and the reunion of Hopper and Joyce was great, but I am ready for them to be out of Russia.

Dustin truly is a rock star. His theories have been 100% on target all season long and he has to be considered one of the MVP of the Haskins group. It is Dustin or Nancy.

When Vecna stepped in and took over Nancy, I was literally yelling at my screen.

Now that the first 7 episodes are in the book and we have a month to wait for the last two episodes, I can look at the first part as a whole. I found it somewhat uneven and I was not a fan of several of the storylines that took place. It definitely built to a strong final few episodes.

Favorite Episode: I’m torn between “Dear Billy” and “The Monster and the Superhero”. It is one of those. I would lean toward “Dear Billy.”

Least Favorite Episode: Still Chapter 1: The Hellfire Club” by far.

Best Actor: It is Millie Bobby Brown for the whole season, but I would say that the best single performance was Sadie Sink in episode four.

Most Underused: Will Myers. Why can’t Noah Schapp get his own storyline. He is a great actor, but it seems as if this show constantly sticks him in the background.

Best New Character: There are a bunch, but I have grown to like Eddie. I was not a fan of him in episode one, but he has become a much more enjoyable character so far.

Worst new character: I have no interest in Argyle.

Favorite Storyline: The Vecna investigations in Hawkins.

Worst Storyline: Hopper in Russian prison camp

Other Pros

  • Dustin. He has been awesome this season.
  • Paul Reiser. Always good to see him.
  • Jason as the charismatic leader of the Hawkins flash mob.
  • Victor Creel. Great cameo from Robert Englund
  • The special effects and look of the show is brilliant.
  • Vecna. Great villain. Absolutely menacing.
  • Murray. And then Murray as Yuri.
  • Characters interacting. This show does individual conversations extremely well.

Other Cons

  • The group all split up. I want them all back together.
  • Dumb ass parents.
  • The government led by Lt. Colonel Sullivan
  • Not enough Erica Sinclair
  • Lack of Jonathan. I’m fine with Jonathan and Nancy seemingly growing apart. I always liked her with Steven more anyway. But that does not mean that we have to turn Jonathan into a stoner waste.

July 1st should be a big day for Netflix.