“WarHunt” (2022) starring Robert Knepper and Mickey Rourke / Z-View

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WarHunt (2022)

Director:  Mauro Borrelli

Screenplay: Mauro Borrelli, Reggie Keyohara III, Scott Svatos; story by Mauro Borrelli

Stars: Robert Knepper, Jackson Rathbone, Ben McKeown, Terence Maynard and Mickey Rourke.

Tagline: The war was just the beginning

The Plot…

1945.  When an American cargo plan carrying secret cargo crashes behind enemy lines, a crack squad of commandos is sent to retrieve it.  The Nazis should be the least of their worries.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Robert Knepper and Mickey Rourke deserve better.  So does the audience.  I tapped out after 34 minutes.

WarHunt (2022) rates 1 of 5 stars.

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

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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

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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

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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

“Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters” (2022) / Z-View

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Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters (2022)

Director:  Kevin Konrad Hanna, Jim Demonakos

Stars: Mike Mignola, Christine Mignola, Mike Carlin, Art Adams, Stephen Green, Duncan Fegredo, Guillermo del Toro, Patton Oswalt and Ron Perlman.

Tagline: The secret origin of Hellboy

The Plot…

Documents the life of Mike Mignola, the creator of Hellboy, from his early days trying to break into comics to the success of his Hellboy universe in comics, prose and movies.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Mignola’s relationship with Guillermo del Toro is interesting.  Especially when Mignola said, “Hellboy wouldn’t do that” and del Toro responded, “My Hellboy would.”  Mignola seemed to take it well.  He understood that the comic Hellboy and the “movie” Hellboy were not exactly the same.  But this could be what led to there not being a third del Toro Hellboy movie.

Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters (2022) rates 4 of 5 stars.

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

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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!

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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.

MARSHALL ROGERS: BRIGHTEST DAYS & DARKEST KNIGHTS is Coming!

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Marshall Rogers burst on the scene and became a fan favorite with his art for Batman and Mr. Miracle.  He branched out doing more independent comics such as Demon with a Glass Hand (with Harlan Ellison), Detectives, Inc. (with Don McGregor) and Coyote (with Steve Englehart) to name a few.  Although Marshall Rogers left us prematurely, the impact of his art lives on.

A Marshall Rogers biography is coming.  Here’s the lowdown…

From underdog to icon, Marshall Rogers helped redefine Batman for generations, inspiring readers and up-and-coming artists alike. Initially savaged by editors at DC Comics, his style was uniquely complex with vast and angular architectural design anchoring his storytelling, and it immediately caught on with fans for his depictions of the Darknight Detective, Hugo Strange, The Joker, Silver St. Cloud, Dr. Strange, Cap’n Quick and a Foozle, and more. And though his output was relatively small in comparison to many of his contemporaries, his impact outlived the artist himself, and inspired a loyal following and affection.

Now, Rogers’ story is told by friends, collaborators, and family members, delving deep into a complicated and conflicted man and his art, as we feature inker Terry Austin, friend and fellow artist Michael Netzer, Dan Greenfield’s extensive interview with writer Steve Englehart (conducted for 13thDimension.com), and others recounting their time and camaraderie with Rogers, alongside an in-depth interview with Marshall himself, and a wealth of art both familiar and rarely seen.

Written by Jeff Messer and Dewey Cassell (authors of the Eisner Award-nominated Mike Grell: Life Is Drawing Without An Eraser), this book shines a light on the fan-favorite artist’s brightest moments and darkest days.

Featuring a new cover collaboration by Marshall Rogers and Terry Austin!

MARSHALL ROGERS: BRIGHTEST DAYS & DARKEST KNIGHTS drops on July 8th.

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

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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.

“Beyond the Borders” starring Zoe Saldaña, Garret Hedlund and Adria Arjona – The Poster & Trailer are Here!

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Here we have the poster and trailer for Beyond the Borders starring Zoe (The Lioness) Saldaña, Garret (Tulsa King) Hedlund and Adria (True Detective) Arjona.

Beyond the Borders premieres March 3rd.

Deal me in.

Along the treacherous U.S.-Mexico border, private dancer Esmee (Zoe Saldaña) kills a cartel member in self-defense. Fearing for her life, she flees Mexico with a group of undocumented immigrants led by a ruthless Coyote. Before crossing, a young mother she befriended is torn from the group, forcing Esmee to safeguard the woman’s daughter—and igniting a harrowing fight for survival.