‘Justice League’ (review) at Forces Of Geek

Have we broken through? Have the rough drafts been scrapped and the iterations of the Batmobile reached a point where it won’t loose a wheel?

Folks, I think we’re there, and Justice League and the DC cinematic universe has figured itself out. Is it perfect?

Far from it, but my prep for the film came in the form of watching Avengers: Age of Ultron and Wonder Woman.

My logic being, let’s take what we have to build on and look forward from there. Zack Snyder’s Justice Leaguehad the advantage (through very shitty circumstances) of being punched up by Joss Whedon and also the distinct pleasure of being the next chapter to Gal Gadot’s and Patty Jenkins’s incredible Wonder Womanmovie from earlier this year.

Sure, I’ve been a Man of Steel apologist, and perhaps you might judge me for going against the grain by also championing Suicide Squad so take my ringing Justice League endorsement with a grain of salt, certainly. I can’t blame you for that. I’ve also spent a few Sunday afternoons with Batman v Superman: Ultimate Edition because I wanted to. You aren’t the boss of me!

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast Comic Book Picks of The Week for Wed. November 14, 2017

COMICS

Forbush Man Returns in Not Brand Echh #14 written by your boy Nick Spencer! … Matthew Rosenberg takes over on Punisher Legacy with issue #218. … Don’t miss part 2 of Death of The Mighty Thor #701 with guest artist Jason Harren. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast Comic Book Picks of The Week for Wed. November 8, 2017

COMICS

Kieron Gillen moves over to the main Star Wars book in issue #38 bringing The Rebel Alliance to Jedha. … Orion and Mister Miracle #4 from The Visions writer Tom King. Check out his take on the classic Kirby hero. … First Strike expands to Cybertron with Optimus Prime in Transformers: First Strike #1. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

Brain Candy Live! With Adam Savage and Michael Stevens - placeholder

Adam Savage (Mythbusters) and Michael Stevens (Vsauce) joined us to talk Brain Candy Live!, actual candy and the horrors of mansplaining. But more importantly, science! This two part interview caused a riff in the space-time continuum. First we asked Adam Savage about Brain Candy Live! and working with Michael Stevens.

DO617: WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT BRAIN CANDY LIVE!

ADAM SAVAGE: Me Too!

WHAT IS THE MOST SURPRISING THING THAT HAS HAPPENED WITH A GUEST ON STAGE AT BRAIN CANDY LIVE?

We have some wonderful, wonderful audience interactions. We bring a young person up on stage every night to build a machine with us. It is really, really fun to get their help, they don’t quite realize what kind of machine they are making and then they get to drive it.

[Read more at DO617.com]

‘Batman vs. Two-Face’ (review) at FORCES OF GEEK

Adam West’s final film puts him back in the cowl facing off against ’60s television hero William Shatner in Batman vs. Two-Face.

With co-star Burt Ward by his side, West and company reunite with other cast members of the ’66 series, most notably Julie Newmar as Catwoman and an appearance by Lee Meriwether as Lucilee Diamond.

Shatner plays a Batman ’66 version of Harvey Dent / Two-Face, a character that unusually never appeared in the show. The Dynamic Duo faces the entirety of Gotham’s rogue gallery that includes Hugo Strange, The Joker, The Riddler, Penguin and even King Tut and this reviewer’s personal favorite, Bookworm.

The story kicks off with Strange and assistant Harley Quinn extracting evil from all of Gotham’s bad guys.

When the machine goes Ka-Blam!, the essence wipes out star district attorney Harvey Dent and transforms him into Two-Face.

Batman and Bruce Wayne are naturally disturbed by this turn of events. Wayne uses his resources to restore Dent’s face to its natural look, but the evil Two-Face could very well be lurking below the visage.

The pace and tempo of West’s dialogue, long ingrained into our collective consciousness, is slapped right up against Shatner’s staccato delivery, making you wonder if we haven’t been missing Shatner in the Batman Universe for our entire lives!

In 2014, “The Two-Way Crimes of Two-Face,” an episode written by sci-fi and Star Trek writer Harlan Ellison was released in comic book form from Len Wein (RIP) and artist José Luis Garcia-Lopez as Batman ’66: The Lost Episode #1. After seeing these pages, we’d love to build a time machine and persuade the network to make this happen with William Shatner in the role.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for Wed., November 1, 2017

COMICS

The Joes take on Cobra in an ongoing mission that has results that will change the future of both organizations in G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero #245. …The Joker takes over as the defender of Gotham in Batman: White Knight #2! …Don’t miss Neal Adam’s Deadman #1 and learn more about Boston Brand’s secrets! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for Wed. October 25, 2017

COMICS

Thor goes back to Nifleheim in Thor Where Walk The Frost Giants #1! … Jughead has become lupine! Archie’s pal becomes a werewolf in Jughead The Hunger #1. Just in time for Halloween is the return of Hack/Slash Resurrection #1 written by new series writer Tini Howard! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

NYCC: ‘Marvel Contest of Champions’: Gameplay and New Character Reveal

This year at New York Comic Con we stopped by the Kabam booth to try our hands at the latest from Contest of Champions. The mobile game features Marvel characters in head to head fighting action and has the distinction of adding new heroes and villains into the Marvel Universe. Have you been following the adventures of Venompool, Civil Warrior and Guillotine?

No, you, haven’t because these are brand new properties introduced exclusively for Contest of Champions.

We spoke with Contest of Champions design director Tim Molyneux on the New York Comic Con floor and he talked us through his job and what we can expect from the future, including the introduction of mystic character Morningstar and other new characters soon to be unlocked on a tablet or phone near you.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for Wed. October 18, 2017

COMICS

Marvel numbering is back in a big way with Mighty Thor #700! Jane’s cancer takes a turn for the worse. Captain Jack himself John Barrowman picks up a new Torchwood series in Torchwood #1 right after an alien invasion was just thwarted! … The new Karen Berger imprint at IDW is called Black Crown, kicking off with an all-star lineup of creepy comic creators Peter Milligan and Tess Fowler give us Kid Lobotomy #1. For fans of Peter’s work on Shade, The Changing Man! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

eague Podcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for Wed. October 4, 2017

COMICS

Fan favorite writer Paul Jenkins tells the story of a futuristic digital forensics investigator in God Complex #1. … Eggsy is back in Kingsman: The Red Diamond #2 - a perfect companion comic to Kingsman: The Golden Circle! … The Enterprise D is a warship in Star Trek: The Next Generation Mirror Broken #4 as Evil Picard holds on to his secret weapon at all costs! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for Wed. October 4, 2017

COMICS

Turning the table on this classic teamup, The Shadow/Batman #1 from Steve Orlando continues this pulp masterpiece. … Dan Panosian’s talks about his new book Slots #1 over at Forces of Geek. … Sean Murphy returns to Batman and The Joker with Batman: White Knight #1. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

Dan Panosian Talks ‘Slots’ at FORCES OF GEEK

Artist Dan Panosian is best known for his work on Marvel and Image books as penciller and inker. Remember those sweet fake X-Men books in the movie Logan? Yup, Dan did those too. Dan joins us today to talk about his bold new crime redemption story from Skybound, Slots. He also reminisces about the early days of Image Comics, why he decided to break into storytelling with Slots at Skybound/Image, and what the future holds for his hero, Stanley Dance.

* * * * *

FOG!:  What can you tell us about Slots and your lead character Stanley Dance?

Dan Panosian: Stanley is the guy who made every selfish decision that most normal people would deem far too indulgent . We can all look back and wonder what our lives would be like if we took some left turns here and there. But generally we’re reasonable and responsible.

Stanley always listened to the devil on his shoulder and brushed off the angel. Consequently, he doesn’t have many friends or family left. Or chances for that matter.  He’s pretty much done.  That’s where we start off.

We’ve been a fan of your art for a long time, what made you want to tell this particular story as the writer and artist?

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for Wed. September 27, 2017

COMICS

Frank faces off against a drug fueled monster in Punisher #16! … The age old battle of Cobra vs. the Joes continues in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #244 by Larry Hama! … Portsmouth PD detective and witch Rowan Black’s adventures and investigations continue in Black Magick #8 by Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for Wed. September 20, 2017

COMICS

Valiant’s Bloodshot returns in an all new ongoing written by Jeff Lemire, Bloodshot Salvation #1. … Gasolina #1 comes from Skybound editor Sean Mackiewicz, telling the story of one couple taking on a cartel in Mexico. … G.I. Joe First Strike #1 has it all—Cybertron, Scarlett, V.E.N.O.M. and M.A.S.K.! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

FOG! Chats With Sean Mackiewicz, About His New Image Comics Series, ‘Gasolina’ at FORCES OF GEEK

Skybound editor Sean Mackiewicz joins us today to talk about his latest writing project, Gasolina, from Image Comics. The desert drug lord adventure comic is already off into some interesting and somewhat scary places. Sean tells us what makes Gasolina burn so bright before the first issue hits the shelves later this month on September 20th.

 * * * * *

FOG!: Sean, you’re known for your Skybound editorial position. What inspired you to shift gears and get behind the writer’s chair?

Sean Mackiewicz: Finding the right idea.

Skybound’s been very encouraging in allowing employees to pursue creative projects outside of their main job, and I just couldn’t shake this idea. Doing a modern-day western with incredible vistas and gun fights against cartels armed with some truly gnarly “weapons”… and balancing it with newlyweds just trying to navigate and survive this messed up situation? I like challenging myself.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast Comic Book Picks of The Week Wed. September 12, 2017

COMICS

Learn the chilling secret of the lighthouse in Duck Tales #1 from IDW from the hit new Disney reboot! Woo-oo! …Kirby’s greatest creation Mister Miracle is given the Tom King treatment in Mister Miracle #2. Is this all a dream for Scott Free? … The reboot of a comic series that’s never existed lands in Retcon #1. One of the coolest concepts we’ve seen in a while. Back to basics before it even gets too out of control! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

League Podcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for Wed. September 6, 2017

COMICS

Stray #1 is back in a new ongoing series from the pages of Actionverse! … Riri and Tony are helmet to helmet in Generations Iron Man & Ironheart #1. … Oxfords, not brogues old chap! In anticipation of the new movie is Kingsman: The Red Diamond #1 hits shelves today from new writer Rob Williams! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

‘Batman and Harley Quinn’ (review) at Forces of Geek

In a world without Mr. J, Harley Quinn has teamed up with Batman and Nightwing in the latest animated DC movie. Confirmed by writer and producer Bruce Timm as part of the DC Animated Universe aka Timmverse,Batman and Harley Quinn is the first PG-13 installment in the universe.

Cussin’, fartin’, raunchy boudoir humor and a bizarre Batusi musical segment complete with a 70s rarity “Don’t Pull Your Love” followed by Harley Quinn blasting out Blondie’s “Hanging on the Telephone” puts a little spike in the punch of your typical Batman: The Animated Series adventure. Batman & Harley face off against Poison Ivy and Jason Woodrue a.k.a. The Floronic Man. Batman Kevin Conroy and Nightwing Loren Lester reprise their roles from the original series with Melissa Rauch voicing Harley. Even Mr. Timm gets in an off-camera cameo as Booster Gold!

Those familiar with recent New 52 lore will recognize the force of The Green as the supernatural swamp energy running the world. Poison Ivy and Plant Master are going all in to combat the destruction of the Earth and The Green by putting a plan in to place that will turn all living creatures into plants. An Inconvenient Truthindeed! In order to sway Pam from making this green-thumbed gaffe, Nightwing and Batman track down Harley who has gone off the grid for a bit. Not only that, but also in line with current DC continuity, she has gone straight. I mean, Joker’s dead, right?

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

League Podcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for Wed August 30, 2017

COMICS

I sense a plot to destroy the Jedi, and your wallet! Get every variant of the Star Wars Jedi Republic Mace Windu #1 today! … Continue the Jack Kirby 100th Birthday Celebration with Kirby biographer Mark Evanier’s Darkseid Special #1. … Supergirl’s powers are out of control in Supergirl Annual #1. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

Boston Comic Con’s Journey To FanExpo Boston is Not Without Growing Pains at FORCES OF GEEK

This year’s FanExpo Boston takeover of Boston Comic Con came with not only a change of venue, but an entirely different experience for BostonCon fans. The change in venue from Seaport World Trade Center to the much larger Boston Convention and Exhibition Center was a welcome to accommodate more fans. It did seem a bit odd that Fan Expo had nearly an entire room dedicated to a line queue when some vendors and artist alley tables were on top of each other with not much room for people to ‘squeak by’.

I’m familiar with well-run conventions in the same space, most notably PAX East, so I don’t think my overall iffy experience at FanExpo was a unique one. First time convention volunteers and ushers gave wrong or poor information. The Guidebook App was difficult to track down. Signage was messed at a major floor entryway that said EXIT. Instead of fixing the sign on day 2, they just posted two guards there to send people in the opposite direction.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]