Category: Crime

TRUTH TO POWER: A LUKE CAGE MARVEL CRIME NOVEL by S.A. Cosby!

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One of my favorite authors is S.A. Cosby.  I highly recommend everything he’s written.  Anyway, I was doing a search to see if Cosby’s next book had been announced.  It has.  I was surprised to find out it’s the third book in the Marvel Crime novel series.  I wasn’t even aware that there was a Marvel Crime novel series. 

Ah, but there is.

Here’s the lowdown on S.A. Cosby’s TRUTH TO POWER: A LUKE CAGE MARVEL CRIME NOVEL…

Luke Cage plays detective and super hero when he uncovers a conspiracy turning vulnerable Americans into unwitting pawns of a madman.

New York Times bestselling author S. A. Cosby (KING OF ASHES) writes an original crime novel starring Harlem’s unbreakable hero for the Marvel Crime thriller series for adult readers.

With advanced cybernetics showing up in the possession of low-level criminals, Luke Cage is hired to investigate a factory manufacturing medical devices in rural Virginia. Leaving Jessica Jones during a delicate moment in their relationship, he makes plans to travel south but is devastated to learn that a cousin who scoped out the plant for him has been found dead. The police report states it was an accident. But Luke has long known that official words are just that: words.

Fueled by guilt and vengeance, Luke arrives in Virginia and promises his aunt he’ll get to the bottom of things. But danger lurks in every living room, barroom, and country road of Majestic, and the local sheriff’s barely concealed prejudices are ready to boil to the surface. Even ordinary people seem to have no qualms about testing their might against the hero from New York City.

As Luke uncovers a conspiracy reaching to the county line and beyond, an persistent evil begins to take hold of the town, leaving Luke to hope that his unbreakable skin will protect him long enough to protect others and bring an end to the hate threatening to engulf the nation.

TRUTH TO POWER continues the Marvel Crime series that began with Lisa Jewell’s BREAKING THE DARK and Alex Segura’s ENEMY OF MY ENEMY. Bringing fans into a grittier, street-level side of the Marvel Universe, Marvel Crime novels build on one another but can be enjoyed as stand-alone reads and will thrill even those new to the Marvel Universe.

TRUTH TO POWER: A LUKE CAGE MARVEL CRIME NOVEL  Hardcover

TRUTH TO POWER: A LUKE CAGE MARVEL CRIME NOVEL  Kindle

TRUTH TO POWER drops on September 22, 2026.

“Cross” Season 2 (2026) starring Aldis Hodge / Z-View

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Cross: Season 2 (2026)

Created by: Ben Watkins; based on the ALEX CROSS novels by James Patterson

Director:

  • Craig Siebels (Eps. 9-10)
  • Stacey Muhammad  (Eps. 11-12)
  • R.T. Thorne (Eps. 13-14)
  • Tiffany K. Guillen (Ep. 15)
  • Edward Ornelas (Ep. 16)

Teleplay:

  • Ben Watkins & Marissa Lee (Ep. 9)
  • Jim Dunn  (Ep. 10)
  • J. David Shanks (Ep. 11)
  • Sonja Perryman (Ep. 12)
  • Alexandra Salerno (Ep. 13)
  • Ron McCants (Ep. 14)
  • Sam Ernst (Ep. 15)
  • Ben Watkins & Aiyana White (Ep. 16)

Stars: Aldis Hodge, Isaiah Mustafa, Juanita Jennings, Alona Tal, Samantha Walkes, Caleb Elijah, Melody Hurd, Jennifer Wigmore, Eloise Mumford, Ryan Eggold, Stacie Greenwell, Sharon Taylor, Karen Robinson, Mercedes de la Zerda, Siobhan Murphy and Johnny Ray Gill.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

D.C. Detective Alex Cross (Hodge) and (his best friend since childhood) Detective John Sampson (Mustafa) are placed on a task force to find a serial killer who has threatened to kill billionaire Lance Durand and is systematically murdering Durand’s business associates.  The killer leaves clues and collects fingers of the victims.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Cross benefits from a great cast.  Standouts are Aldis Hodge, Isaiah Mustafa (who plays my favorite character), Ryan Eggold and Johnny Ray Gill (who is a scene-stealer).

I am looking forward to season 3.

Cross: Season 2 (2026) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Brother Orchid” (1940) starring Edward G. Robinson, Ann Southern and Humphrey Bogart / Z-View

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Brother Orchid (1940)

Director: Lloyd Bacon

Screenplay: Earl Baldwin; Jerry Wald (uncredited); Richard Macaulay (uncredited); based on Brother Orchid by Richard Connell

Stars: Edward G. Robinson, Ann Sothern, Humphrey Bogart, Donald Crisp, Ralph Bellamy, Cecil Kellaway, John Ridgely and Tom Tyler.

Tagline: Not Since “A Slight Case of Murder” has there been such a hysterical homicide, such mad mirth!

The Plot…

Little John Sarto rose from the streets to become head of a crime syndicate.  He’s rich.  People fear him, but he doesn’t want that.  Sarto craves to be respected.  To have… class.

So Sarto suddenly decides to give up his life of crime and become a gentleman of leisure.  Sarto turns his syndicate over to his second in command, John Buck.  He tells his girlfriend, Flo that he’s going to Europe and he’ll see her when he returns.

Things don’t go as planned in Europe.  Every move Sarto makes is a bad one.  He loses money on every deal.  Five years pass and Sarto is broke.  So he heads back to the states where he plans to regain control of his syndicate, and hook back up with Flo.

But it’s been five years.

Flo still loves Sarto, but thought he’d left for good.  So she has a new man.  John Buck and the crew felt abandoned when Sarto left.  Buck isn’t going to give up control of the gang.  So he puts out a hit on Sarto.

Sarto is caught off-guard and barely escapes with his life.  He finds himself injured and outside of a monastery.  The monks don’t recognize the infamous crime boss and take him in.  Sarto plans to stay there until he heals…

… then he will get his revenge.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Brother Orchid is one of five films that Robinson and Bogart made together.  It is the only one where neither of them is killed.

Brother Orchid (1940) rates 4 of 5 stars.

O.G. (2018) starring Jeffrey Wright, William Fichtner and Boyd Holbrook / Z-View

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O.G. (2018)

Director: Madeleine Sackler

Screenplay: Stephen Belber

Stars: Jeffrey Wright, William Fichtner, Boyd Holbrook, Mare Winningham, Yul Vazquez, Ryan Cutrona, Ato Essandoh, Kevin Jackson and David Patrick Kelly.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Louis has spent the last 24 years in prison for murder.  Over time, Louis turned his life around.  He distanced himself from prison gangs.  He worked to make his life a positive contribution.  Louis’ good behavior and true rehabilitation has earned him parole in the next few weeks…

… if nothing changes.

Gang tensions are rising.  When a new young inmate is brought into the prison, Louis sees the kid being set up to take a fall.  If Louis intervenes he risks his own release.  If he does nothing, the kid could be killed or worse.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jeffrey Wright is an amazing actor.

O.G. was filmed at the Indiana Pendleton Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison.  Many of the prisoners and guards were actual prisoners and guards.

O.G. (2018) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Vincent N Roxxy” (2016) written & directed by Gary Michael Schultz, starring Emile Hirsch & Zoë Kravitz / Z-View

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Vincent N Roxxy (2016)

Director: Gary Michael Schultz

Screenplay: Gary Michael Schultz

Stars: Emile Hirsch, Zoë Kravitz, Emory Cohen, Kid Cudi, Jason Mitchell, Jeff Gum, Jared Bankens, Lance Tafelski, Hunter Burke  and Beau Knapp.

Tagline: Love is a Crime

The Plot…

Vincent is driving through a small town when he sees a man beating a woman.  Vincent rams the man with his car.  Then the woman jumps in Vincent’s car and they speed away.

Vincent learns the young woman’s name is Roxxy.  He says that he is returning home for the first time in a while and offers her a place to stay until she gets on her feet.  Vincent’s brother is happily surprised at Vincent’s return.  He is getting ready to open a garage and offers Vincent a partnership.  Vincent agrees.

Things are going well with the garage, and Roxxy’s job as a bartender.  Vincent and Roxxy are falling in love.

And then a secret from Vincent’s past surfaces… and the man who beat Roxxy learns where she’s at.

Things are about to take a turn for the very worst.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I’m a Zoë Kravitz fan.

Beau Knapp is very good as the jealous ex-boyfriend of Roxxy’s friend.

Vincent N Roxxy (2016) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Psycho” Alt Poster by by Sahin Düzgün!

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I dig how creepy this Psycho alt poster is.  Not only does it showcase the two very different sides of Norman Bates, but it also includes mother’s house.  This beauty was created by Sahin Düzgün. Sahin is a graphic designer, poster artist  and movie lover from Berlin, Germany.

Here is what Sahin had to say about his design:🔪 A shadow, a scream, a moment that redefined suspense. A personal design tribute to Hitchcock’s chilling masterpiece.

Norman Bates: I think I must have one of those faces you can’t help believing.

Alex Ogle Gets Carter!

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Alex Ogle’s riff on Sly Stallone as Jack Carter is a banger.

Alex Ogle is a freelance artist and storyteller.  I love Ogle’s use of stark contrast and negative space.  He says, “My favorite part of my illustrations are the sections I don’t draw.”  That reminds me of Alex Toth’s famous quote: “Strip it all down to essentials and draw the hell out of what’s left.”  That’s not easy to do, but Ogle has mastered it.

You can see more of Alex Ogle’s art at his website and his Instagram page.

“Who Killed Teddy Bear? (1965) starring Sal Mineo, Juliet Prowse, Jan Murray and Elaine Stritch / Z-View

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Who Killed Teddy Bear? (1965)

Director: Joseph Cates

Screenplay: Arnold Drake, Leon Tokatyan; story by Arnold Drake

Stars: Sal Mineo, Juliet Prowse, Jan Murray, Elaine Stritch, Frank Campanella, Bruce Glover, Tom Aldredge, Rex Everhart  and Daniel J. Travanti.

Tagline: Recommended for Mature Audiences

The Plot…

Norah Dain dreams of being an actress.  In the meantime she works as a nightclub dj.  Norah’s life is turned upside down, when she begins receiving obscene phone calls.  The caller knows what she is doing daily.  It’s frightening to think that he’s stalking her.  Norah gets the police involved when a decapitated teddy bear is left in her apartment.

Detective Dave Madden is assigned to the case.  When Madden suggests that anyone, including himself could be the caller, Norah becomes concerned.  She learns that Madden is still dealing with the loss of his wife who was raped and murdered.

Could Detective Madden be Norah’s stalker?  Or someone even worse?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Arnold Drake who came up with the story and co-wrote the screenplay for Who Killed Teddy Bear had a career writing comic book stories.  Drake was the co-creator of many characters including The Guardians of the Galaxy, Deadman, The Doom Patrol, Havok, Polaris and others.

 The camera loves Juliet Prowse. Sadly Who Killed Teddy Bear? would be the last time she would appear in a feature film.  For the remainer of her career she performed on television and stage.

The film straddles the line between noir and exploitation.  And features some suprising scenes for its time.

Watch for a young Daniel J. Travanti, who would in 16 years gain fame for his role as Captain Frank Furillo on Hill Street Blues.

Who Killed Teddy Bear? (1965) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Dirty Hands” – starring Patrick Muldoon, Denise Richards, Michael Beach and Kevin Interdonato – The Poster and Trailer is Here!  

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The poster and trailer for Dirty Hands, starring Patrick Muldoon, Denise Richards, Michael Beach and Kevin Interdonato is here!

Deal me in!

When a routine drug deal goes sideways a kingpin’s son is murdered. The Denton Brothers, Richie (Patrick Muldoon) & Danny (Kevin Interdonato) find themselves in a fight for their lives just to survive the night.

Richie’s girlfriend, Sheila (Denise Richards), struggles between her loyalties to Richie and his boss (Michael Beach) as rival leader, Rodney (Guy Nardulli), and his gang are out for blood.

Dirty Hands is written and directed by American actor/filmmaker Kevin (The Bastard Sons) Interdonato.

Dirty Hands is produced by Peter Dobson, Kevin Interdonato, Nicholas Larrabure and Guy Nardulli. With action scenes by fight coordinator Jason Mello.

“Black Tuesday” (1954) written by Sydney Boehm, starring Edward G. Robinson, Peter Graves & Jean Parker / Z-View

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Black Tuesday (1954)

Director: Hugo Fregonese

Screenplay: Sydney Boehm

Stars: Edward G. Robinson, Peter Graves, Jean Parker, Warren Stevens, Jack Kelly, Hal Baylor, James Bell, Vic Perrin, Russell Johnson, Lee Aaker, James Bacon, Harry Bartell, Arthur Batanides, David Bond  and Milburn Stone.

Tagline: Rough… ruthless… real!

The Plot…

Vincent Canelli sits on death row.  In just a few minutes he will walk his last mile.

At least that was what was supposed to happen.

It didn’t.  Canelli with the help of his crime partners, pulled off an exciting, clever and deadly escape.  From death row!

Now Canelli is on the lam with five hostages, the prison priest, the prison doctor, one of the guards who made Canelli’s time in prison miserable and a young reporter covering the execution.  Caneilli has also brought along Peter Manning, another con on death row.

With the entire police force on alert, Canelli and his crew’s odds of escape are low.  Therefore they are willing to kill anyone who tries to stop them.  The police are also ready to shoot to kill.

What chance do the hostages have?

Sound the alarm, there’s been a prison break!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Black Tuesday is surprisingly dark even for noir movies of the era.  It was banned by the Memphis Censor Board because of its brutality.

Black Tuesday, along with Key Largo and Double Indemnity, are my three favorite films starring Edward G. Robinson.

Lee Aaker of Hondo and Rin Tin Tin fame appears uncredited.  Also look for Russell Johnson (best know as The Professor on Gilligan’s Island) as one of the convicts.

Milburn Stone co-stars along with Peter Graves in Black Tuesday.  Graves would go on to fame in the television series Mission Impossible.  Milburn Stone would get his most famous role as Doc on Gunsmoke which starred James Arness.  Arness is brother to Peter Graves.

Hats off to Sydney Boehm for writing such a bold, brutal noir.  Boehm also wrote The Big Heat (one of my all-time favorite films).

Black Tuesday (1954) rates 5 of 5 stars.