Category: Crime

THE KNIVES: A CRIMINAL BOOK by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips!

A new CRIMINAL book from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips is coming! Titled THE KNIVES, it will drop September 9, 2025.  Here’s the lowdown…

THE FIRST NEW CRIMINAL BOOK IN FIVE YEARS!

With the Prime Video adaptation premiering soon, crime comic grandmasters Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips return to their most acclaimed series with a new standalone graphic novel: THE KNIVES.

A sprawling Criminal epic, THE KNIVES is the most ambitious tale Brubaker and Phillips have ever tackled. Three dark journeys wind around each other over a decade, like sharks hunting for a kill.

Cartoonist Jacob Kurtz goes to Hollywood in the era of peak TV to work on an adaptation of his comic strip, only to find himself caught up in the life of his aging aunt and the vultures circling her estate. Angie was raised at the Undertow, but now everything she loves has been taken from her. She’s on the streets with vengeance on her mind, her eyes set on the city’s kingpin. And finally, Tracy Lawless is home from the Special Forces, finally a civilian again, but he’s in bad shape and this city has always brought out the worst in him.

These three tales collide in THE KNIVES a breathtaking noir story about greed, ambition, heartbreak, and blood ties. A must-have for all Brubaker and Phillips fans!

  Deal me in.  Pre-Orders are available now.

“A Working Man” – The Red Band Trailer is Here!

Today we have the red band trailer for A Working Man written by Sylvester Stallone, based on a character created by Chuck Dixon.  The film stars Jason Statham, David Harbour and Michael Peña.  The working title for the film was Levon Cade.

Deal me in.

It’s time to get to work.

Watch the new red band trailer for #AWorkingMan now, and see the movie only in theaters March 28.

“Mob Cops” starring Kevin Connolly, David Arquette and Jeremy Luke – The Trailer is Here!

The trailer for Mob Cops is here.  Lookin’ good.

Deal me in.

Mob Cops – Watch the trailer! In Theaters, On Demand and On Digital April 25.

Starring David Arquette, Jeremy Luke, Danny A. Abeckaser, Joseph Russo, Nathaniel Buzolic, Kyle Stefanski, Bo Dietl, with Kevin Connolly, and Graham Sibley.

Kevin Connolly (Entourage), David Arquette (Scream) and Jeremy Luke (Sully) star in a thrilling crime drama about the darkest corruption case in the history of the New York City Police Department. When a retired NYPD detective writes a book about his family’s ties to the mob, it ignites a firestorm between the dirty cops working for the city’s brutal crime boss and the officers trying to bring them to justice.

“Havoc” starring Tom Hardy – The Poster & Trailer are Here!

The poster and trailer for Havoc is working since I want to see it.

Deal me in.

After a drug deal gone wrong, a bruised detective must fight his way through a criminal underworld to rescue a politician’s estranged son, while unravelling a deep web of corruption and conspiracy that ensnares his entire city.

HAVOC is a high octane action thriller written and directed by Gareth Evans (The Raid, Gangs of London), and starring Tom Hardy, Jessie Mei Li, Justin Cornwell, Quelin Sepulveda, Luis Guzmán, Michelle Waterson, Sunny Pang, Jim Caesar, Xelia Mendes-Jones with Yeo Yann Yann, Timothy Olyphant, and Forest Whitaker.

Coming to Netflix on April 25.

SWITCHBLADE SVENGALI by Coy Hall / Z-View

SWITCHBLADE SVENGALI by Coy Hall

First sentence…

The vamp drained me, but I couldn’t withdraw from the conversation.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

It’s been over a decade since Royce Pembrook was lured back into a world he’d left behind.  When Anna Vogel, his old crime partner, showed up needing help, Royce didn’t hesitate.

And he was nearly killed for his kindness.

But Royce Pembrook survived.  He moved to a new city.  Changed his name.  And went back to doing what he loved and did better than almost anyone.  Royce’s demeanor put folks at ease.  He was great at reading people.  With those two skills and a few others, holding séances was a breeze.  Royce couldn’t really communicate with the dead.  But his patrons didn’t know that. They always left feeling better.  Word spread and the money came easy.

Royce built up a regular clientele.  He was smart.  Royce didn’t bleed them dry.  He provided a service that they could afford.  No one was ever dissatisfied.  Two of Royce’s best patrons were a couple of old sisters.  Their brother didn’t care for Royce.  He liked his sisters’ relationship with Royce even less.  The brother didn’t believe there was a real friendship there.  Royce realized this guy could be a problem.

Then a real problem showed up.  Someone from Royce’s past had found him.  She knew Royce had changed his name.  She didn’t just want to destroy Royce’s connections with his rich patrons.  No, she wanted Royce exposed for a fraud… and then she wanted him dead.

+++++

This is Coy Hall’s second Royce Pembrook tale.  If Royce survives this one, I’d love to see more. (Yeah, I know if he does, but I’m not ruining it for those who haven’t read the story yet.)

Coy Hall is an excellent writer who isn’t afraid to create “lead” characters who are flawed.

Rating:

“The Conspiracy Show with Richard Syrett”: Season 1 (2011) / Z-View

The Conspiracy Show with Richard Syrett: Season 1 (2011)

Director:  Jalal Merhi (Eps. 1-13)

Writer: Ron Craig, Richard Syrett (Ep. 1); Richard Syrett (Eps. 2 – 13)

The Plot…

Radio host Richard Syrett explores conspiracies, paranormal and supernatural beliefs, and a variety of other topics.  Each episode presents believers and skeptics who calmly present their evidence/beliefs.

Topics in season one include:

  • UFOsThe increasing amount of UFO reports, including those from the government – what is the truth?
  • 9/11 Controlled Demolition: Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth and Firefighters for 9/11 Truth present evidence that a controlled demolition brought down the towers.
  • Past Life RegressionCan past-life regression therapy prove the theory of reincarnation?
  • Chemtrails: Evidence that chemicals are being sprayed at high altitudes for reasons unknown.
  • Are We Running Out of Oil?: Are we running out of oil or do we have an inexhaustible supply?
  • Who is the AntiChrist?: Is the AntiChrist here or coming or is there really no Biblical basis to believe the AntiChrist is coming?
  • Electronic Harassment: Victims of alleged electronic harassment discuss the use of electronic devices to harass, torture, and/or physically cause harm.  Is the government involved?
  • Demonic Possessions and Exorcisms: Can people truly become possessed by demons or the devil?
  • Time Travel: Whistleblowers claim the government has used time travel already.
  • The New World Order:  Is a secret, powerful cabal controlling world events?
  • The Rendelsham Forest UFO Incident: What many consider an event with the best evidence for an UFO encounter is explored.
  • The Central Banking Conspiracy: Does a powerful, secretive cabal of international bankers truly control world events?
  • Vampires: Do vampires really exist?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I like that the host is respectful and presents both sides of each topic.  Since he interviews guests separately we don’t get arguments and shouting.  Each person presents their “evidence”.  At the end of each episode Syrett gives us his thoughts and we are left to decide how we feel.

Each episode runs less than 30 minutes.

The Conspiracy Show with Richard Syrett: Season 1 (2011) rates 5 of 5 stars.

LOST MARVELS #1: TOWER OF SHADOWS! Featuring Jim Steranko, Neal Adams, Barry Windsor-Smith & More!

LOST MARVELS #1 contains some legendary artists and writers in stories that have seldom seen reprint.  Here’s the lowdown…

The never-collected horror anthology series featuring stories by Jim Steranko, Neal Adams, Barry Windsor-Smith, Stan Lee, John Buscema, and other Silver Age masters.

In 1969, with its revolutionary superhero line well established, Marvel took a chance on the kind of supernatural, EC-style anthology series that had been banned since the formation of the Comics Code in the 1950s. Tower of Shadows featured a staggering array of artists and writers, including Neal Adams, Jim Steranko, Barry Windsor-Smith, John Buscema, Gene Colan, Wally Wood, Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, John Romita, Johnny Craig, Marie Severin, Gerry Conway, and Bernie Wrightson, to name a few. Freed from the conventions of the superhero adventure, these creators brought their storytelling skills to a more quietly sinister genre, producing atmospheric gems of twisted suspense and sardonic horror.

Not only do these nine issues feature Marvel’s best creators working at their peak, but Tower of Shadows is one of the lost, never-collected Marvels. In the first of a new series of Lost Marvels, Fantagraphics and Marvel join forces to introduce these pages to a new generation of readers and restore this series to its rightful place in comics history. This gorgeous volume brings every Tower of Shadows story and cover to life in vivid color and features background and analysis by comics journalist Michael Dean.

Full-color illustrations throughout

“Fruitvale Station” (2013) written & directed by Ryan Coogler; starring Michael B. Jordan / Z-View

Fruitvale Station (2013)

Director:  Ryan Coogler

Screenplay: Ryan Coogler

Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Octavia Spencer, Chad Michael Murray, Ahna O’Reilly, Ariana Neal, Joey Oglesby and Kevin Durand.

Tagline: Every step brings you closer to the edge.

The Plot…

The true story of the last day of life for 22 year old Oscar Grant III (Jordan) who was shot in the back by a police officer in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day 2009.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Ryan Coogler’s first feature film is an impressive debut.  Even more so when you consider that he also wrote it.

Michael Jordan and Ocatavia Spencer are, as always, at the top of their game.

Kevin Durand is perfect in his role as one of the cops.

Fruitvale Station (2013) rates 4 of 5 stars.

DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN by Frank Miller & David Mazzucchelli Gets Marvel Premiere Collection Printing

The classic DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN story by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli is getting a new printing in the Marvel Premiere Collection.  Here’s the scoop…

Brand-new introduction by author Frank Miller
Brand-new foreword by Daredevil actor Charlie Cox
Presented in a newly designed book-format edition
Daredevil: Born Again premieres March 4th 2025 on Disney +

Visionary geniuses Frank Miller (The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City) and David Mazzucchelli (Batman: Year One) bring you this classic Daredevil story that redefined the character and created a new benchmark in graphic storytelling.

From the powerhouse pairing of Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli comes the definitive Daredevil tale. Karen Page, Matt Murdock’s former lover, sets into motion a Machiavellian chain of events by trading away his secret identity for a drug fix. Now, Daredevil must find all the strength he can muster as Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of Crime, wastes no time taking him down as low as a human can get. As he’s nursed back to health by a nun named Sister Maggie, Matt discovers a shocking secret that will change their relationship forever — but can he piece his life back together and survive a battle against the brutal super-soldier named Nuke?

COLLECTING: Daredevil #226-233

“Freaky Tales” starring Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn and Jay Ellis – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

The poster and trailer for Freaky Tales has brought me on board.

Deal me in.

Freaky Tales – in theaters April 4, 2025. Starring Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Normani, Dominique Thorne, Jack Champion, and Tom Hanks

Set in 1987 Oakland, Freaky Tales is a multi-track mixtape of colorful characters — an NBA star, a corrupt cop, a female rap duo, teen punks, neo-Nazis, and a debt collector — on a collision course in a fever dream of showdowns and battles.

Executive produced by hip-hop pioneer Too $hort, and featuring an all-star ensemble including Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Normani, Dominique Thorne, Jack Champion, Ji-young Yoo, Angus Cloud, and Tom Hanks, this pulpy blend of explosive action, edgy humor, gory kills, and sly twists and turns makes for one wild ride.

“Dope Thief” – The Trailer is Here!

The trailer for Dope Thief checks all the right boxes.

Deal me in.

It was the perfect grift until they chose the wrong mark.

Dope Thief, a new series from Ridley Scott & Peter Craig, premieres March 14 on Apple TV+ https://apple.co/_DopeThief

Two lifelong friends (Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura) in Philadelphia pose as DEA agents to rob small-time drug dealers. It’s a perfect grift—until they choose the wrong mark and become targets of a massive narcotics enterprise.

“Delia’s Gone” (2022) starring Stephan James & Marisa Tomei / Z-View

Delia’s Gone (2022)

Director:  Robert Budreau

Screenplay: Robert Budreau; based on Caged Bird Sing by Michael Hamblin

Stars: Stephan James, Travis Fimmel, Paul Walter Hauser, Marisa Tomei, Kate Moyer, Billy MacLellan and Genelle Williams.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Louis (James) is a mentally challenged young man.  He lives with his sister Delia (Williams).  One night Delia and Louis get into an argument.  Delia goes out to meet friends and Louis goes to bed.  The next morning Delia is found dead on the kitchen floor.

Louis is convicted of killing his sister.  He serves his time and is released to a halfway house.  One day a stranger visits Louis.  Before leaving the stranger says that Louis didn’t kill his sister.

Now Louis is on a mission to find his sister’s killer.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Stephan James is excellent as Louis.  Marisa Tomei shines as the gruff kick-ass Sheriff.

Delia’s Gone (2022) rates 3 of 5 stars.