Comic Years |
- First Star Rank Tips for Pokémon Legends: Arceus
- Live Action Aang And Ozai Battle Gives Us A First Look At The Netflix Reboot
- No Way Home Oscars Chances – Could Spider-Man Win an Academy Award?
- Stephen King Billy Summers TV Show Coming From Bad Robot
- Reacher On Prime Video Is An Fun Enough Crime Thriller – Review
- An 8-Year-Old Boy Hides Self-Published Comic In Library
- Foundation On Apple TV+ Reveals Season 2 First Look And New Cast Additions
- The Afterparty Premiere Episodes Satirize The Typical Murder-Mystery With An Awesome Cast
- Al Madrigal Latino Superhero Comic Focuses On Mayan History, Culture
| First Star Rank Tips for Pokémon Legends: Arceus Posted: 04 Feb 2022 11:05 PM PST Pokémon Legends: Arceus is out now and fans are loving it. Some are voicing criticisms, but many more are saying positive things. In my eyes, this is the best progression in the Pokémon formula we've seen in over a decade. That said, the usual formula isn't here in the ways you're likely used to. For example, the new Star Rank system is how you gauge your progress as a trainer. If you're looking for some first Star Rank tips in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, then let's explore how to start strong in the new progression system. Let's talk about trainer tips and more! First Star Rank Tips for Starting Pokémon Legends: Arceus Image Credit: Nintendo If you're getting started in Pokémon Legend: Arceus, then you'll be introduced to a new progression system called the Star Rank – here are some tips. Firstly, you earn points by completing tasks in your Pokédex. These tasks are very repetitive but help you get a feel for the game. They teach you valuable skills you'll use during the duration of the campaign. If you're not sure where to start, then here's what I'd suggest. When it comes to the beginning of your journey, recommendations point to starting with Bidoof and Starly tasks. That's a great place to start to bulk up your way to First Star. I think Bidoof is the easiest because you won't see many run away from you. Even if you don't use that much stealth, you'll be able to get these tasks done quickly. Starly does have a tendency to run away if you spook them. Likewise, it might seem gratuitous, but knock out the simple tasks first. Catching the same Pokémon 12 times might seem like a buzzkill to your experience. Sure, it's not the most fun activity but it's the easiest. A similar task that takes little effort to complete is sneak captures. If you utilize the long grass, then you can get these tasks done in a heartbeat. When you start to get a little bored with this, venture out and see what's around your first area. When you venture around, you'll find resources to craft Pokéballs which are essential for these tasks. Make plenty of potions as well to tackle those "defeat" tasks as well. These tips for tackling Starly and Bidoof tasks ensure you're well on your way to a First Star rank in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Ways to Maximize Your Fun Early in the Game Image Credit: Nintendo First Rank isn't all that hard to reach in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. That said, it does look like a bit of a tutorial instead of a legitimate early game experience. Overall, this is a much better option than the typical tutorial style of games like Pokémon Sword and Shield or even Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Arceus isn't the traditional gym experience. If you like new challenges, then this game delivers on that. Much like Breath of the Wild, Legends: Arceus invites players to explore the world as they see fit. That means you're going to create a lot of the moments you'll consider fun on your own. The grand story behind the game guides you, but take these early hours in the game to really decide how you want to play. I find that not stressing too much about the tasks and just exploring feels most natural to me. Check out Pokémon Legends: Arceus available now on Nintendo Switch. If you have questions about the game, then let us know in the comments. We'll be covering more tips and tricks, as well as a full review, in the near future! Thanks for reading Comic Years for all things gaming, comics, and pop culture. Featured Image Credit: Nintendo First Star Rank Tips for Pokémon Legends: Arceus |
| Live Action Aang And Ozai Battle Gives Us A First Look At The Netflix Reboot Posted: 04 Feb 2022 05:35 PM PST The live action Avatar the Last Airbender for Netflix looks like it’s coming along nicely! When Netflix first announced that they were working on a live action reboot, fans were cautiously optimistic. The original creators of the series, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko were on board, so it seemed promising. Then, DiMartino and Konietzko announced that they were leaving due to “creative differences” and people really started to worry. However, as Netflix has shared more about the series, it actually doesn’t seem bad. The casting for the four main characters looks great and includes Gordon Cormier as Aang, Kiawentiio as Katara, Ian Ousley as Sokka, and Dallas Liu as Zuko. Cormier has been sharing pictures from the set on his social media accounts and his most recent one shows a live action Aang and Ozai battle, where both Cormier and Kim are striking fighting poses. What’s The Latest On The Reboot And What’s Going On With The Live Action Aang And Ozai Battle? Image via Nickolodeon. Besides the four main characters, we also know that Daniel Dae Kim is playing Fire Lord Ozai and Kim’s Convenience‘s Paul Sun-Hyung is cast as Uncle Iroh. Rounding out the rest of the main cast are several of the female characters: Azula, Suki, Avatar Kyoshi, Gran Gran, and Suki's mother Yukari. Elizabeth Yu (All My Love) will play Princess Azula, the daughter of Fire Lord Ozai and sister to Zuko. Maria Zhang will play Suki, the leader of an elite female fighting force known as the Kyoshi Warriors, Yvonne Chapman (Family Law) will play the legendary warrior Avatar Kyoshi, and Tamlyn Tomita (Cobra Kai) will play Suki's mother Yukari, the mayor of Kyoshi Island. Lastly, Casey Camp-Horinek (Reservation656 Dogs) will play Gran Gran, the matriarch of the Southern Water Tribe, and Katara and Sokka's grandmother. Other member of the supporting cast include Ken Leung (Lost) as Commander Zhao and Lim Kay Siu (Nightwatch) as Gyatso. Commander Zhao was the Fire Nation military officer who served as the show's first major antagonist. Gyatso was the wise Air Nomad monk who serves as Aang's teacher 100 years before the young Avatar meets Katara and Sokka. What about the aforementioned live action Aang and Ozai battle? It was shared on Cormier’s Instagram and you can check out the image below via the Netflix Geeked Twitter account:
This image depicts the final battle in the series, when Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Ozai finally face off in an epic fight of good versus evil. Avatar: The Last Airbender was an animated TV series (not considered anime, but definitely took elements of anime) that aired on Nickelodeon Animation Studios. It’s set in a world where people can manipulate one of the four classical elements (earth, fire, water, or air), also known as “bending.” Only the Avatar can bend all four elements and they’re responsible for serving as the bridge between the physical world and the spirit world. The series followed the adventures of twelve-year-old Aang, the current Avatar and last remaining member of his nation, the Air Nomads. He befriends Water Tribe siblings Katara and Sokka (the former of which is a water bender) and Toph, an Earth bender. In addition, they’re trying to escape the exiled prince of the Fire Nation, Zuko, who *SPOILER ALERT* ends up becoming their friend! The show has received critical acclaim for its characters, cultural references, art direction, soundtrack, humor, and themes. It often touched upon more difficult concepts, such as war, genocide, imperialism, totalitarianism, indoctrination, and free choice. Albert Kim will act as showrunner, executive producer and writer on the series, with Rideback's Dan Lin and Lindsey Liberatore executive producing, along with Michael Goi. Roseanne Liang is co-executive producer. Goi, Roseanne Liang, Jabbar Raisani and Jet Wilkinson are directing. There's no official release date for the live-action reboot of Avatar: The Last Airbender, but you can watch the entire original series on Netflix.Featured image via Netflix Live Action Aang And Ozai Battle Gives Us A First Look At The Netflix Reboot |
| No Way Home Oscars Chances – Could Spider-Man Win an Academy Award? Posted: 04 Feb 2022 01:37 PM PST The votes for the Academy Awards are in. Members of the filmmaking industry have cast their ballots ahead of the nominations being revealed later this month, with the ceremony taking place on March 27th, 2022. While some films are locks, others remain up in the air. The No Way Home Oscars chances are a hot topic of conversation, with many believing that it deserves a nod for Best Picture and Best Actor for Tom Holland. It probably won’t happen, but that doesn’t mean the film is any less great. A Brief History Of Superhero Flicks Like No Way Home At The OscarsThe individuals who get to vote on Oscar nominations are those working in or retired from the filmmaking industry. There are thousands of voters, which means that films need to be accessible to be considered. So, genre films that have a niche audience are often ignored. This includes genres like horror films and superhero movies. Meanwhile, things like period pieces and biopics are often beloved at the ceremonies. Biases have developed within the Academy, and it’s clear each year when nominations are announced to reveal some serious snubs and surprises. That doesn’t mean that incredible films are always left out, but it also doesn’t mean that the “best” film always wins. And that’s because “Best” is subjective. Now, superhero films and comic book adaptations aren’t always snubbed. I mean, Suicide Squad won an Oscar. Suicide Squad! And a lot of them earn nominations for technical awards like Visual Effects or Sound, as Spider-Man did in 2002. But the competitive awards, like Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor/Actress rarely see nominations unless the nominees behind the movie are long overdue for a win (like Joaquin Pheonix for Joker.)  Image via Sony Pictures. Superhero Films Bring Joy, Not TrophiesWe’ve all watched a film and walked away knowing that it was bure Oscar Bait. These are movies that are put together as if for nothing but the purpose of winning awards. They’re often released late in the year, are filled with all-star actors, and are usually either period pieces or dramatic re-tellings of world events. That doesn’t mean that they’re all bad movies, but they’re not intended to be loved by all. Some examples include American Sniper, The King’s Speech, The Post, and half the War movies made in the last few decades. More often than not, these Oscar Bait films are sad. They force us to walk out of the theater and feel a little bit more cynical than we were when we walked in. Dramatic, tragic pieces ensure that even the most sheltered and privileged Oscar voters must reflect on their humanity. Superhero films can be bummers, too. We all cried in No Way Home, so that means it gets Oscars love, right? Nope. Superhero films and other comic book adaptations are often rooted in whimsy, adventure, and joyful inspiration. Not the stuff that makes the average Oscar voter (a white 63-year-old man) weep.  1917, a brilliant Oscar Bait movie. Image via Universal Pictures. What Are the Odds of Spider-Man Being Nominated?We won’t know if No Way Home is making it to the Oscars until the nominations are released. Though, some key precursors ahead of the nominations help to reveal what the odds are. No Way Home has failed to make its mark at many precursors, including the Producers Guild of America. This significantly decreases the odds of No Way Home earning like Best Picture, Best Actor, and so on. The chances of nominations for Best Visual Effects or Sound are still there, but these aren’t the awards that people think of when you hear “Oscar-Winning.” Awards-worthy or not, even haters of the superhero genre can’t deny that No Way Home did the one thing that no other movie could do this year. It got people back to the theater by the masses, and it deserves some recognition for it.  Image via Sony Pictures Does No Way Home Need Oscars for Tom Holland to Be Validated?Academy Award nominations are exciting for fans and filmmakers alike. They ensure that more people recognize the hard work that goes into creating new cinema and are a fun way for us to praise the visionaries behind it all. But there are other ways of judging the success of a film. A recent interview that Tom Holland did with Kevin McCarthy led to the pair speaking about superhero film representation at big awards shows. McCarthy claims that No Way Home is a masterpiece that deserves a Best Picture nomination and one for Best Actor. Tom Holland recognizes that nominations would be an honor, but that superhero films don’t look for awards as validation. Instead, they look towards the fan reaction. And with $1.74 billion worldwide (and counting) it’s clear that Spider-Man is pretty loved. Check out the interview for Holland’s full response. Spider-Man: No Way Home Is Currently in Theaters.Let us know if you think that Spider-Man: No Way Home deserves nominations at the Oscars in categories like Best Picture or Best Actor. Do you think that the genre is unfairly snubbed at the Academy Awards, or are you fine knowing that it has all of the validation it needs? Drop your thoughts in the comments! Featured image via Sony Pictures Releasing. No Way Home Oscars Chances – Could Spider-Man Win an Academy Award? |
| Stephen King Billy Summers TV Show Coming From Bad Robot Posted: 04 Feb 2022 10:43 AM PST The Stephen King novel Billy Summers is the latest of the author’s works to become the basis for an adaptation into a TV series. A dream team of TV creators has assembled Avengers-style to bring the recent book to live action. It’s still in the early stages, but we can also still get excited by talking about it, as we are wont to do. The Source Material Is a Slight Deviation from Stephen King’s Usual WorkLongtime readers of the beloved Comic Years mainstay Pop Culture Free Time will recall that I’ve talked about Stephen King’s Billy Summers before. To be exact, it was one of the highlights of my August 2021 Free Time. As I mentioned then, while King is practically synonymous with all things spooky, he doesn’t write just horror. His On Writing, for instance, is just what it says–an author talking about his writing process. That might seem like cheating for me to mention it, since it’s a non-fiction book, but he’s also written several non-horror fiction stories.  11/22/63, image via Hulu These include 11/22/63, The Dark Tower series, and The Green Mile. While there are some disturbing elements in all, including the astounding horror of a public assassination in the former, you’d be hard-pressed to describe any of the stories as a straight-up horror book. I mean, I would. You might do that to Mr. Jingles, but I’m built different. Further, King has talked and written at length about his first influences. There is, of course, the early 20th century horror that King and others mined for inspiration in works like Creepshow. In addition to that and sci-fi, the other biggest influence for King is crime fiction. Unsurprisingly then, King has tried his hand at writing his own crime fiction. Inspired by classic pulp fiction, for example, he wrote a trilogy for imprint Hard Case Crime. The set comprises The Colorado Kid, Joyland, and Later. In addition to these works, he also wrote the detective-focused Bill Hodges trilogy, which you might know better as the Mr. Mercedes books. And then there’s Billy Summers. What to Expect from the New Stephen King TV SeriesThe title character is a veteran of Iraq–a Marine sniper–turned hitman. He’s the kind of guy who lives by a code, in that he only kills truly bad guys. However, he’s getting tired of the game by the time we meet him. Then mobster Nick Majarian convinces him to take on one last job. Despite the obvious cliché (see below), Billy still has enough hope to think he can pull it off. It’s a long job that will see him have to move into a new town and assume a cover identity. Specifically, he’s pretending to be an author. While he bides his time waiting for his target to appear, he pretend-works on his great American novel. He’s not just pretending, though. In fact, Billy’s actually writing a thinly-veiled account of what he experienced in Iraq. So, yes, King writes two stories at once–the crime novel and the war story inside it. Then he expands Billy’s story, placing it in a world where it shares space with parts of King’s other tales. And then, it becomes something other than that. It’s probably too soon since the book’s release to call it a magnum opus. But it is a staggeringly good novel, a shining example of work by an author who’s too often discounted as just a genre writer. And now it’s (maybe) going to be a TV series. Billy Summers Limited TV Series Is a Bad Robot ProductionJJ Abrams and his Bad Robot Productions will be taking on the work of adapting Billy Summers with Stephen King, as Deadline reported. Bad Robot, of course, is no stranger to King’s work. In fact, they’ve previously handled adaptations of 11/22/63 and Castle Rock for Hulu, as well as Lisey’s Story on Apple TV.  Alabamian Andre Holland on Castle Rock, image via Hulu It’s unclear at this point what role, if any, Abrams himself might have in the production. All we know now is that Ed Zwick and Marshall Hershkovitz will be adapting the book to a limited series format. They haven’t decided on the run’s size just yet, but they’re planning on something in the range of six to ten episodes. Zwick has directed such movies as Glory, Legends of the Fall, and his last film, 2018’s Trial By Fire. He’s also worked extensively in television, writing for shows like the 80s classic thirtysomething and Nashville. In addition, he’s served as a producer on shows like the 90s classic My So-Called Life and a creator on shows that include Once and Again. He co-created the last show, as well as thirtysomething and other shows, with longtime partner Herskovitz. Herskovitz has worked most often as a producer, but he has also directed a couple of movies (1993’s Jack the Bear, for instance). With Zwick, he has been a cowriter on their shows, as well as the Pittsburgh-set movie Love and Other Drugs, which starred Anne Hathaway and a scarf keeper. The Bad Robot team has begun working to put together a package for the series. As Deadline writes, “The package will be shopped shortly to high-end cable networks and streamers.” We will, of course, keep you updated once there’s more substantial information. Are you looking forward to seeing the Stephen King’s Billy Summers become a TV series? Who do you picture as the world-weary Summers himself? Let us know in these comments or on our social media. featured image via Scribner Stephen King Billy Summers TV Show Coming From Bad Robot |
| Reacher On Prime Video Is An Fun Enough Crime Thriller – Review Posted: 04 Feb 2022 08:50 AM PST Reacher on Prime Video is a brand-new series based on best-selling novels. The drama features a badass soldier hero who gets caught up in the local corruption of a small town in America. The Reacher premiere episode does a great job of establishing the setting, lead character and the story. While also separating itself from the other live-action iterations of this franchise. Check out my review of the new series based on the Jack Reacher books to see if this new show is worth your time. Please note: this Reacher series premiere review will contain spoilers for the episode and its ending. What Is Reacher on Prime Video? Image via Prime Video. The Reacher premiere episode sees Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher, a mysterious man strolling through a small town in Georgia, only for the local cops to arrest him for murder. The titular main character is the appeal of this show. And the show itself comes from the best-selling novel series from Lee Child. The series has currently 26 novels published, all featuring the main character of Jack Reacher. Child's story sees the character as an amazingly skilled military man who leaves the army and roams the nation, picking up odd jobs and solving crimes. He is an avenging angel, getting caught up in others' business while helping people and kicking butt. It's a very commercial story, something that Child himself admits to regularly. The character of Reacher himself is unique. Unlike a James Bond, or other hero tropes, Reacher is almost always reluctant to get involved. He is a hero who dabbles in the grey when it comes to the brutality with which he dispenses his enemies. A strong silent type whose allure is his many flaws. At least, in one iteration. The Reacher TV Series Is Not the First Live-Action Version Image via Prime Video. Two of Child's novels became a successful movie franchise with Tom Cruise playing Reacher. Cruise played the character in a very grumpy type of demeanour. The movies themselves were great for their riveting story and layered drama coupled with incredible action sequences. Of course, because Tom Cruise was a part of it. So the Reacher premiere episode had to do a lot to invest audiences, given its' not the first time we see the character in live-action. Reacher on Prime Video stars Alan Ritchson as Reacher. Ritchson is a very different actor and person compared to Cruise. The differences in physicality, stature and their takes on the character, are just as different. While I don't focus on these differences too much in this Reacher series premiere review, it's still worth noting. The Reacher Premiere Episode Review Is All About the Main Character Image via Prime Video. The premiere episode of Reacher starts great! Ritchson plays the character as brooding and physically intimidating person arrested for a small-town murder. While he's cleared almost immediately, the lead detective recruits his former Military investigator skills to help with the case. It's a flimsy premise that is the biggest thing that sticks out of this show so far. Even though the detective asks for Reacher's help, he also instructs his subordinates not to answer his questions, but then also lets them answer. Why Reacher sticks around despite never wanting to, doesn’t get fully addressed. Until the end of the premiere episode at least, when you discover the murder victim is his brother. But despite these inconsistencies, Reacher on Prime Video is still an engaging watch. The story is interesting enough to keep watching the episode. It's a strong premiere, I'll give it that. Ritchson's Reacher is a bit more charming, while also a lot more wooden. Ritchson (Titans) does a great job of blending the stoic nature of Reacher, with the confidence of a man with his background. But when he does break a bit, it almost feels out of character. Reacher Series Premiere Spoiler Review Image via Prime Video. On the whole, Reacher works as a compelling crime thriller that keeps you guessing. The character works as a wrench thrown into the works of the criminal element of the show that the good guys are trying to find. But it's not without its flaws. It's a show that's a little careless at times. The first scene has a police officer realizing that there's no trace of Reacher online. She comments that the only proof that Reacher exists, is that he's sitting in the interrogation room. Followed immediately by superior rambling off all of Reacher's military achievements and personal life details. So, they clearly have his records and proof of his existence. Reacher on Prime Video warrants a watch. It's a light and breezy crime thriller that doesn't get too serious. And when the action hits, it's very exciting. The story is simple enough to follow along, and the characters are interesting and have enough chemistry to keep watching. Reacher is available on Prime Video starting February 4, 2022.Are you excited for another Reacher live-action adaptation? Let me know what you thought about the Cruise-version after this, in the comments below. Featured image via Prime Video. Reacher On Prime Video Is An Fun Enough Crime Thriller – Review |
| An 8-Year-Old Boy Hides Self-Published Comic In Library Posted: 04 Feb 2022 04:14 AM PST When comics first appeared during the platinum and golden ages of comics, they were a hit. They were creative, told an engaging story, and featured characters whose stories readers couldn’t get enough of. Names such as Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Frank Miller became household names. While new comic book authors are popping up all the time, there’s one who you might want to keep your eye on: Dillon Helbig. This intrepid 8-year-old boy hides self-published comic in the library and the internet can not get enough! What Happened When This 8-Year-Old Boy Hides His Self-Published Comic In His Local Library? Image via screengrab Dillon Helbig, who lives in Boise, Idaho, was visiting his local library when he decided that he wanted to give his self-published comic a little boost and leave it at the library. He told Good Morning America, “I wanted to put my book in the library center since I was 5, and I always had a love for books and libraries. I’ve been going to libraries a lot since I was a baby. I wanted people to read it.” Can I get a box of tissues please? Helbig wrote an 81-page comic titled The Adventures of Dillon Helbig’s Crismis, which is a Christmas adventure story that he wrote and illustrated using colored pencils. His author name is “Dillon His Self.” When his mom found out that her son had purposefully left his comic behind, she called the library branch and told them that it was a gift. Alex Hartman, the branch manager at the library, processed his book and catalogued it under graphic novels. Now, according to The Washington Post, there’s a 55-person waitlist! Pursuing your dreams always comes with challenges and it’s heartening to see Helbig inspiring others. Hartman told The Post:
Helbig’s mother echoed the same sentiments. She said:
Is The Adventures of Dillon Helbig’s Crismis the end of the line for this young comic book author? Of course not! He’s created a “Dog Man series” and his next book is going to be called The Jacket Eating Closet, which is based on a true story that’s been in the works since kindergarten. Ada County Library gave Helbig its first Whoodini Award for Best Young Novelist, a category the library created for him. Seems like there’s a lot to look forward to for Dillon Helbig! I’ll keep his name in mind and look forward to seeing what else he creates! Watch this adorable short interview with “Dillon His Self” below: The Adventures of Dillon Helbig’s Crismis by “Dillon His Self” is available for checkout at the Ada County Library in Boise, Idaho.Hopefully they’ll be digitized versions soon so readers across the country can read it too! What do you think of this creative Idaho boy who hides self-published comic in library? Do you want to read the comic too? Are you excited about his upcoming works too? Let us know in the comments below! Featured image via ABC7 New York An 8-Year-Old Boy Hides Self-Published Comic In Library |
| Foundation On Apple TV+ Reveals Season 2 First Look And New Cast Additions Posted: 03 Feb 2022 11:21 PM PST The Foundation series is one of the best science fiction novels of all time. And Foundation on Apple TV+ is one of the best sci-fi TV shows of all time. The source material comes from Isaac Asimov who many consider to be one of the greatest writers of the genre in history. Foundation season 1 gave us an epic story set in a futuristic universe where an Empire rules the known galaxy in a fascist albeit ordered way. One cataclysmic incident sets into motion events that will reverberate through the generations in this story. And season 1 is seemingly only giving us a glimpse into those events. With the Foundation season 2 first look revealed, fans are getting even more insight into this brand new world. Along with new additions to the Foundation season 2 cast, and how these new characters will continue the compelling and time-spanning story.
What The Holy Heck Is Foundation On Apple TV+? Image via Apple TV+ Foundation is one of those amazingly dense TV shows that makes me question my intelligence. It's so heavy in its world-building and storytelling that one needs to take a step back to process it all. This is why Foundation on Apple TV+ released episodes every week back in 2021. The scope and breadth of the series is vast. Based on a novel series by Isaac Asimov, the universe of Foundation is extensive. Originally a few collected short stories became a trilogy of books from 1951 to 1953. Later, Asimov developed sequels and prequels to his stories, for a total of seven books in the series. Many consider the Foundation series to be one of the most acclaimed works of science fiction, even winning a Hugo Award for 'Best All-Time Series' in 1966. The entire idea of Foundation comes from a psychohistorian named Hari Seldon who predicts the eventual downfall of the current ruling force in the extended galaxy, The Empire. Using a new basis of mathematics, he discovers that Empire will fall eventually fall, resulting in 30,000 years of a new kind of dark ages, after which, a new Empire will arise. The Math Of The Foundation Universe Image via Apple TV+ He does this by using math to predict the behaviours of large populations. Knowing the fall to be unstoppable, Seldon (Jared Harris) also proposes a solution: creating a database of all of the universe's collected knowledge and history, to mitigate the Dark Ages from 30,000 years to a mere 1,000 years. The generation to rise after the dark ages, can use that knowledge to rebuilt society faster than through natural evolution. But as with anything, questioning the power of a fascist authority is never a good idea. And this is sort of the crux of the conflict in season 1. And the Foundation season 2 first look seems to continue this back and forth between the academic and the Empire. Foundation Season 1 Showcased A Sprawling Universe Image via Apple TV+ The above is only just a a surface level description of what the larger story of Foundation is. With a plethora of characters in their own corners of the universe, Foundation is a larger concept than the traditional sci-fi or even regular fictional story. After having their Empire questioned, the Emperor (Lee Pace) banishes Seldon and his disciples to the far corners of the galaxy. Their goal: to create, curate and maintain this database of society for future generations. This database is the Foundation. However, the journey to achieve this goal is an adventure in and of itself. Seldon recruits mathematical prodigy Gaal Dornick (Lou Llobell) in his efforts, and she ends up becoming even more instrumental to the future of the universe than she could ever have imagined. But what's confounding, is that the first look of Foundation season 2 features Seldon, who died in season 1. The image released shows Pace's Empire, in what looks like a heated argument with Seldon himself. Seldon was murdered during the journey to establish the Foundation, only to return as a form of conscious-ness transferred hologram to communicate with Gaal and the survivors of the Foundation. So seeing him returned, and with Empire, potentially teases a flashback to unseen events of season 1? Given the complexity of Foundation on Apple TV+, there may be another explanation that is just as credible. Foundation Season 2 Cast Is Massive And Impressive Image via Apple TV+ Given the massive story, the ensemble cast of characters was just as massive. And now, it looks like the Foundation season 2 cast is growing along with the story. In the newest reveal, the show announced multiple actors joining the season 2 cast. The new additions are Isabella Laughland, Kulvinder Ghir, Sandra Yi Sencindiver, Ella-Rae Smith, Dimitri Leonidas, Ben Daniels, Holt McCallany, Mikael Persbrandt, Rachel House and Nimrat Kaur. What is most interesting, are the characters these actors will be playing in the show. Laughland and Ghir play clerics of churches in the series, sure to add conflict to the existing faith versus politics dichotomy that the series explores. Sencindiver and Smith take on rules within the political landscape of Foundation, clearly either working as allies or rivals to the Empire's rule. Leonidas and Daniels play new characters appearing as a trader and general. McCallany joining the Foundation season 2 cast as the Warden of Terminus, where the Foundation rests, is the most interesting. Seeing how Salvor Hardin (Leah Harvey) was the Warden of Terminus during all of season 1. But with how that season ended, it makes sense that other Wardens would arise due to her absence. Of all of the new cast of season 2 of Foundation it's Kaur's that's the most interesting. Kaur plays Yanna Seldon, sharing the same last name as Hari. The press release doesn't give any other details, but it's definitely the most intriguing connection. Is she related to Hari? The way the story jumps from multiple time periods and generations, any explanation is possible at this time. Foundation Season 2 First Look And Cast Is Exciting Image via Apple TV+ At a time when deeply moving and broad shows and movies are constantly getting cancelled, this is good news. The reveal of the Foundation season 2 first look confirms the show's production status which should alleviate many fans' concerns about the status of the show. With a lot happening in season 1, season 2 will have to adapt the additional Asimov stories into its series. Hopefully, the new season will explain many of the hanging plot threads of season 1. Not that I'm complaining at all. Foundation season 2 is coming soon on Apple TV+.What do you think of the new Foundation season 2 first look? Are you curious about Seldon and Empire squaring off, despite what happened in season 1? Let me know your theories in the comments below. Featured image via Apple TV+. Foundation On Apple TV+ Reveals Season 2 First Look And New Cast Additions |
| The Afterparty Premiere Episodes Satirize The Typical Murder-Mystery With An Awesome Cast Posted: 03 Feb 2022 07:04 PM PST Apple TV+ is totally stepping up their game with their original content. After the massive success of Ted Lasso and The Morning Show, their latest is a more all-out comedy series with a great cast. The Afterparty premiere episodes introduce a satirical take on the whodunnit genre of mysteries. With a unique premise, the first three episodes of the show are pretty hilarious, while also engaging on a more suspenseful level. The Afterparty on Apple TV+ also uses its unique premise to get pretty damn creative with its episodic storytelling approach. And it helps that The Afterparty cast is full of a lot of amazing comedic talent. Check out my review of The Afterparty premiere episodes. The Premiere Episodes Of The Afterparty Showcases A Unique Premise Image via Apple TV+. The Afterparty is an original Apple TV+ series that is basically a satirical spin on the murder-mystery genre. It's similar to how the 21 Jump Street franchise from the same creators was an homage to the traditional action slash buddy cop genre of movies. The show begins when a murder ruins a high school reunion after-party, making everyone at the party a suspect. The twist here is that the person who's murdered was a popular pop artist, and all the suspects are people he knew back in high school before he was such a famous celebrity. When the detectives arrive on the scene, all these former & current friends, acquaintances, love interests and rivals are sequestered until the murderer is found. The best part of The Afterparty premiere episodes is that the show is a comedy that ranges from the ridiculous and insane, to the very well-crafted joke here and there. But regardless, it's all pretty great! It's also interesting as this series seems like one of those inspired by the recent success of Knives Out. Which also subverted the classic murder mystery. While the upcoming Death On The Nile is a more straightforward entry into the genre. The Afterparty on Apple TV+ Comes From Phil Lord & Christopher Miller Image via Apple TV+. Despite The Afterparty cast that brings together so many amazing actors together, it's the behind-the-camera talent that originally piqued my interest. The Apple TV+ original series comes from the mind of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the geniuses behind Into The Spider-Verse, The Mitchells Vs. The Machines, America: The Motion Picture, and so many more. The producing-writing-directing duo has made a name for themselves for creating innovative and hilarious original content. They’ve worked on movies and TV shows that have gone on to become classics in their respective genres. The Afterparty on Apple TV+ is a joint venture between the two, while still being a solo project for Christopher Miller. Miller created, writes and directs many of the episodes in the series. But despite that distinction, The Afterparty premiere episodes have trademark Miler-Lord aspects that definitely make it a show to watch out for. The only thing more interesting than the creators is The Afterparty cast. The Cast Of The Afterparty Is A Whole Lot Of Comedic Talent In One Place Image via Apple TV+. The Apple TV+ series has an awesome number of comedians in its cast. The Afterparty cast features Tiffany Haddish as the detective in charge of the murder investigation. Haddish brings her usual in-your-face personality to the role, playing a character that definitely has an arc of her own that the audience isn't aware of in the premiere episodes. Leading The Afterparty cast after Haddish is Sam Richardson (Veep, The Tomorrow War) who seems to be playing the de-facto lead of the series. The story starts as Richardson's Aniq comes to his high school reunion hoping to rekindle a long-lost love. However, as the night turns from okay to worse, Aniq becomes the prime suspect, given his rivalry with the victim. The cast continues its awesomeness with the likes of Zoe Chao, Aniq's crush, her ex-husband played by Ike Barinholtz (Suicide Squad), and Aniq's best friend played by Ben Schwartz (Parks & Recreation). Rounding out The Afterparty cast are Tiya Sircar (Star Wars Rebels), Ilana Glazer, Kelvin Yu and more. Even the murder victim himself is the always funny Dave Franco, who plays a douchey pop-star who everyone has a motive to kill complicating things even further. The Afterparty Premiere Episodes Have A Cool Concept Image via Apple TV+. If all of this wasn't enough for you to check out The Afterparty on Apple TV+, how about a genre mashup? While the show's premise is a comedic spin on the murder-mystery genre, each episode does something a little different. Each episode is seemingly from the perspective of each member of the cast. It's similar to how The Last Duel did it, but a lot less serious. The first of the three premiere episodes is a regular episode from the perspective of Aniq. The other two have a lot more fun with the show. Episode two follows Brett (Barinholtz), a dude-bro jealous ex-husband who is the hero of his own action movie. Therefore, you guessed it, his version of events that of a cool-guy action movie. But the best of The Afterparty premiere episodes is from the perspective of Yasper (Shwartz), and it's a full-on musical! It's all these reasons why The Afterparty premiere episodes are a lot of fun. It's not perfect, with some huge plot holes. I do question the competence of Haddish's detective, the fun stuff overwhelms those criticisms. The premiere episodes of The Afterparty are now streaming on Apple TV+. With a new episode releasing weekly.What did you think of this new Apple TV+ series? Let me know in the comments below. Featured image via Apple TV+. The Afterparty Premiere Episodes Satirize The Typical Murder-Mystery With An Awesome Cast |
| Al Madrigal Latino Superhero Comic Focuses On Mayan History, Culture Posted: 03 Feb 2022 11:11 AM PST Al Madrigal, who is a Daily Show alumnus and stand-up comedian, is now a comic book writer! He’s partnered with artist Carlo Barberi and the creative platform AWA (Artists, Writers & Artisans) to publish Primos, a new series centered on Latin American characters that spans literal (outer) space and time. So, what details do we know about Al Madrigal writes Latino superhero comic? Check it out below! What Are The Details Of Al Madrigal Writing Latino Superhero Comic? Image via AWA The seeds for writing a comic book were first planted when he did a comic book podcast with Axel Alonso, who was the editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics at the time. He told The Hollywood Reporter:
As mentioned before, the comic itself is titled Primos and will focus on Ricky Pascal, a seemingly ordinary teenager from the Los Angeles neighborhood of Boyle Heights who discovers that he, along with two distant cousins, are direct firstborn descendants of the ancient Mayan emperor Janaab. They are tasked with saving the world from Janaab's vengeful younger brother, Kan. Diversity And Representation In Comics Continues To Be At The Forefront Image via Flickr from Gage Skidmore So why the focus on Mayan history and culture? Madrigal said that he ultimately wanted to write a story where he could explore DNA and ancestry. He also talked about how the comic was an opportunity to look at the history of Latinx societies and what they’ve gone through (colonialism, war, disease) which would allow him to “sort of comment on what's happening with Latinos today and how we're still villainized in this country.” I’ve also talked about this extensively before, but representation in all media matters. Madrigal understands this too, which is one of the reasons why they’re publishing both English and Spanish versions of Primos. He said:
The comic industry has been improving in terms of creating more diverse and representative content, but there’s always more we can do. Madrigal’s new series is an important step for comic creators everywhere and I’m excited to read Primos and see what else he comes up with. There’s no release date for Primos but follow Comic Years to get all the latest updates!Are you excited that Al Madrigal writes a Latino superhero comic? Let us know in the comments below! Featured image via Wikimedia Commons from Sachyn Mital Al Madrigal Latino Superhero Comic Focuses On Mayan History, Culture |
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