Category: Comics

“Batman: Caped Crusader” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

Batman: Caped Crusader looks like fun.

Welcome to Gotham City, where the corrupt outnumber the good, criminals run rampant and law-abiding citizens live in a constant state of fear. Forged in the fire of tragedy, wealthy socialite Bruce Wayne becomes something both more and less than human—the BATMAN. His one-man crusade attracts unexpected allies within the GCPD and City Hall, but his heroic actions spawn deadly, unforeseen ramifications.

Starring Hamish Linklater as Batman/Bruce Wayne, and featuring a star-studded ensemble cast including: Christina Ricci, Jamie Chung, Diedrich Bader, Minnie Driver, Mckenna Grace, Eric Morgan Stuart, Michelle C. Bonilla, Krystal Joy Brown, John DiMaggio, Paul Scheer, Reid Scott, Tom Kenny, Jason Watkins, Gary Anthony Williams, Dan Donohue, David Krumholtz, Haley Joel Osment and Toby Stephens.

From the minds of executive producers J.J. Abrams, Matt Reeves, and Bruce Timm, season one of Batman: Caped Crusader arrives August 1.

“Judge Dredd” (1995) starring Sylvester Stallone, Armand Assante & Diane Lane / Z-View

Judge Dredd (1995)

Director: Danny Cannon

Screenplay: William Wisher, Jr., Steven E. de Souza, story by Michael De Luca, William Wisher, Jr., based on  Judge Dredd by John Wagner & Carlos Ezquerra

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Armand Assante, Rob Schneider, Jürgen Prochnow, Max von Sydow, Diane Lane, Joanna Miles, Joan Chen, Balthazar Getty, Maurice Roëves, Ian Dury, Christopher Adamson, Ewen Bremner, Peter Marinker, Angus MacInnes, Adrienne Barbeau (voice), Mitchell Ryan, James Remar, Scott Wilson and James Earl Jones (voice).

Tagline: In the future, one man is the law.

The Plot…

In the future the world has become a wasteland.  Most of humanity survives in megacities.  The rich live well and far above the riffraff below.  The justice system changed to meet the challenges of an overtaxed judicial system.  Now there are Judges who serve as police officers, judges and executioners.

Judge Dredd (Stallone) is legendary.  Although Dredd trains new recruits, and is respected by the Chief Justice, Dredd prefers to be a street Judge.

Judge Dredd is framed when a reporter is killed and Dredd’s DNA is found on the murder weapon. He’s arrested and sentenced to life in prison.  Unaware of the depths of the conspiracy (by those close to him) Dredd must prove his innocence.  The clock is ticking…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sly and the director had different visions for the film.  Sly wanted an action/comedy while the director wanted a darker, more serious approach.  This didn’t make for a smooth running set.

In the comics, Dredd was never seen without his helmet on.  There was no way that the producers were going to pay Stallone’s salary and not have audiences see his face.  This upset many comic “purists”.

The scene where Fergie (Schneider) imitates Dredd (Stallone) was improvised.

John Wagner, the co-creator of Judge Dredd, said, “the story (movie) had nothing to do with Judge Dredd, and Judge Dredd wasn’t really Judge Dredd even though Stallone was perfect for the part.”

This was the second time Sly Stallone and Armand Assante played brothers.  The first time was in Paradise Alley.

Both Adrienne Barbeau and James Earl Jones voices are heard in the film.  James Remar and Scott Wilson appear in the film.  None of these four actors are listed in the film’s credits.

It’s unfortunate that Sly, the director and the screenwriters weren’t on the same page in regard to the tone of the film.  There wasn’t enough comedy for it to be seen as an action/comedy.  The comedy that was there made sure it wasn’t seen as a serious/dark action film.

I’ve enjoyed each new viewing of Judge Dredd a little better as the years go by.

Judge Dredd (1995) rates 4 of 5 stars.

Creepy Archives Volume 8 is Coming! Featuring Tom Sutton, Steve Skeates, Wally Wood, T. Casey Brennan, Ernie Colón & More!

Creepy Archives Volume 8 is set to drop on September 24, 2024.  It collects Creepy issues 37–41.  Here’s some of what to expect…

Now available in a value-priced paperback edition, Creepy Archives Volume 8 features the best in gruesomely gore-geous tales of horror, fantasy, and science fiction from a capable cadre of celebrated storytellers including Tom Sutton, Steve Skeates, Wally Wood, T. Casey Brennan, Ernie Colón, and many more.

Also featured is a foreword by longtime Creepy scribe Nicola Cuti and a story starring none other than Uncle Creepy himself! Take a break from the mausoleum, hang up your mourning coat, and bury yourself in Creepy Archives!

Creepy Archives Volume 7 is Coming! Featuring Frank Frazetta, Tom Sutton, Nicola Cuti, Syd Shores, Ernie Colón, Richard Corben, Ken Kelly & More!

Creepy Archives Volume 7 is set to release on July 23, 2024.  It collects Creepy issues 33–36.  Here’s some of what to expect…

Now available in a value-priced paperback edition, Creepy Archives Volume 7 features the finest in fiendish fiction from a skilled swarm of comics luminaries, including Tom Sutton, Nicola Cuti, Syd Shores, Ernie Colón, and the inaugural Creepy contributions by industry legends Richard Corben and Ken Kelly!

Also presents a lengthy interview with master illustrator Frank Frazetta. After a hard day at the boneyard, take a nice bloodbath, pour yourself a glass of hemlock, and curl up with Creepy Archives!

Blacking Out by by Chip Mosher, Peter Krause, Giulia Brusco & Ed Dukeshire is Coming!

Blacking Out by by Chip Mosher (writer), Peter Krause (pencils/inks), Giulia Brusco (colors), Ed Dukeshire (letters) is going to hit all the sweet spots for lovers of crime fiction, mysteries and graphic novels.  Here’s the goods…

Bad people doing bad things in a tale of fire and murder in Southern California.

A disgraced ex-cop, Conrad, seeks redemption by unraveling an unsolved murder during Southern California’s fire season. Conrad follows a lone clue—a discarded crucifix—to unravel the death of Karen Littleton, whose body was found amid a blaze that scorched 10,000 acres. The search leads him to clash with the victim’s father and prime suspect, Robert Littleton, as well as hostile former colleagues on the local police force. All the while, Conrad combats his consuming alcoholism and fading faculties.

Will his “questionable” methods net him a murderer, or will the grizzled detective be brought to his knees by heartbreak and addiction? Find out, in this all-new edition of Blacking Out, a scorching crime noir comic set in a small town in the dry California desert.

From the minds of comics industry veteran and writer Chip Mosher (Left On Mission) and legendary artist Peter Krause (The Power of Shazam!, Irredeemable) with colors by the amazing Giulia Brusco (Scalped, Django Unchained), and letterers from Ed Dukeshire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Basilisk)

Blacking Out hits on October 1, 2024.