Friday, July 22, 2022

Bleeding Fool

Bleeding Fool

Top Gun: Maverick Passes Avengers as 9th Biggest Domestic Film in History

Posted: 22 Jul 2022 04:45 AM PDT

 

Paramount's supersonic blockbuster "Top Gun: Maverick" has grossed $623.8 million in North America, passing "The Avengers" ($623.3 million) to become the ninth-highest grossing movie in domestic box office history. Industry experts believe the movie has enough gas in its tank to eventually pass the titles in seventh and eighth place, "Titanic" with $659 million and "Jurassic World" with $653 million.

For those counting, the top six slots belong to "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" ($936.6 million), "Avengers: Endgame" ($858.3 million), "Spider-Man: No Way Home" ($804.7 million), "Avatar" ($760 million), "Black Panther" ($700 million) and "Avengers: Infinity War" ($678 million). However, it's unlikely that Maverick and crew will be able to mix and mingle in this company — at least in its initial box office run.

With another $620 million internationally, "Top Gun: Maverick" has generated a mammoth $1.24 billion at the global box office. On worldwide charts, the popular action sequel ranks among the top 20 biggest films of all time. The "Top Gun" follow-up is the first movie this year, and only second in the COVID era after "Spider-Man: No Way Home," to hit the coveted billion-dollar mark. It's also the only Cruise-led tentpole to ever smash that benchmark.

 

via Variety

The post Top Gun: Maverick Passes Avengers as 9th Biggest Domestic Film in History appeared first on Bleeding Fool.

When Writers Write for Reflections (or the Audacity of Common Sense)

Posted: 21 Jul 2022 03:25 PM PDT

Maybe a theme for my stuff with Bleeding Fool is to show how audacious common sense can be. I’d rather folks be upset with me than with one another; let me be the villain that unites all the heroes.

 

 

I know a current issue is writers putting too much of their own thoughts and feelings into their characters, but artists are no less culpable there. Legs go nowhere by themselves and torsos go nowhere without legs. Writers gotta write about what they know, but when they limit their life experiences they end up repeating themselves at best. Older artists, the sorts who have experienced art outside of comics, often keep boxes and boxes of old Nat Geos and architectural magazines, as on-hand reference and study guides for where their knowledge lacked. Writers who want to be convincing need to entertain more than what they believe in too.

 

But I think today even the reboots are archaic, because everyone has their own personal continuity of the characters anyway from what books they could afford over the years. Like here’s a ton of pieces, make whatever puzzle you want of it. Everybody hates fan-fiction, we’ve been joking that writers of the last 20 or 30 years are redoing their favorite stories, but really the pubs are pushing all readers to fan-fic any sense from the output. And, as uncredited co-authors, readers want their own thoughts and feelings represented and prioritized or there will be hell to pay buddy.

 

Everyone could be cool about fellow indie creators finding some fanfare and leave the pissing contests to the cowboys who don’t have deadlines in their lives. Everybody in the USA would prefer getting defensive over the thoughts and feelings of others, instead of putting *any* iota of thought or feeling into what they themselves say or do in this life. There is a giant leap between the state of being a helpless passenger that Maynard sang about, and being a mindless voyeur.

 

Let your work or the collection of what you support or cultivate in life do your talking for you, but know that creating for fame or fortune or just for rent money is different from creating for yourself. And if there’s no interest for it, that is not a crime or a sin, because nobody’s thoughts or feelings can be the priority or responsibility of anyone else, not in a free society. When I most needed help I was rendered completely invisible to everyone I have ever known, and I survived without. So don’t be an adolescent insisting that your survival depends on being loved. It does not.

 

 

If free speech encompasses freedom of expression, that still does not guarantee either an audience or acceptance, and that’s alright, because mandating acceptance of a given thing is not what self-determination or self-reliance is about. After 9/11, people were more prone to vote *against* someone than for someone explicitly. That got normalized into status quo, so now we see it seeped into creative industries. Which is weird, because who needs marketing anymore, when everything is defined by its competition rather than its own merit or mettle? More often than not, books flop not because of political, religious or social beliefs per se, but because of the lack in interest by thoughts and feelings competing for dominance. And that’s alright, because in accordance with a free market it means the audiences were allowed to decide for themselves what they wanted to support or not. Not everything is personal. There is a whole universe beyond our respective groins.

 

I was telling Chris, the editorial master of chains here, how making new enemies and twisting knives is “a terrible way to solve problems,” as it’s done nothing but create problems in the DC that adults refer to. If we have no principles or convictions then we have no foundation to build from, no matter your pursuits of happiness. But if your principles or convictions leave a backdoor for contradictions, then your foundation is as unstable as the law of the jungle, where the lack of reason defines all standards for the world around it. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder and justice is blind, then law and order are not about what feels good for anyone, not in theory. None should have the ability to force others into liking or disliking what they do, and if there’s not some objective standard of law and order for us all to abide by then there is no canvas to flesh our livelihoods from. I am free to write these words or not, Bleeding Fool is free to publish these words or not, and you are free to read these words or not, with none of us making that decision for any other as we would hate for those decisions to be made on our own behalf, against our free will.

 

Define and refine what you create and what you collect as befitting what’s in your mind’s eye or the heart on your snot-covered sleeve, but trust others could or should do no less. Nobody thinks of consequences in this society, only rewards. The people who need you in their lives could probably use a soldier more than a trophy hunter anyhow. If you genuinely want to create or collect or cultivate for the benefit or entertainment of others then do the work, and leave the reviews to chumps. But if you’re in it for yourself, don’t be shocked and awed when none are falling over themselves to shake your hand.

 

Be shocked they tracked you down to this lesbian bar in the first place.

 

The post When Writers Write for Reflections (or the Audacity of Common Sense) appeared first on Bleeding Fool.

Hugh Jackman Joins Cast of Hulu’s Adult Animated Series “Koala Man”

Posted: 21 Jul 2022 01:15 PM PDT

 

Hugh Jackman has joined the voice cast of the upcoming Hulu adult animated comedy series "Koala Man," according to Variety.

 

The series — which was ordered at Hulu in March 2021 — was created by Michael Cusack, who also voices the title character. Cusack, who previously made the “Rick & Morty” April Fool’s Day project “Bushworld Adventures.” The new series is also executive produced with “Rick and Morty” co-creator Justin Roiland and “Central Park” writers Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit. 

 

The show follows Kevin (Cusack) and his not-so-secret identity, whose only superpower is a burning passion for following rules and snuffing out petty crime in the town of Dapto. Though it may seem like any other Australian suburb, forces of evil both cosmic and man-made lie in wait to pounce on unsuspecting Daptonians. On a quest to clean up his hometown, and often roping his frustrated family into his adventures, Koala Man stands at the ready. He'll do whatever it takes to defeat villainous masterminds, supernatural horrors, or worse: jerks who don't take their rubbish bins down on the proper days.

 

Jackman will star as Big Greg, the most well-liked man in Dapto and head of the Town Council. Per the character description, Big Greg has only known success. Formerly the host of "Fishing Big with Big Greg," Australia's third most popular fishing show, Big Greg has ridden his celebrity into a trusted position in Dapto. As Kevin's direct supervisor, Big Greg makes Kevin feel inadequate as a provider and a man. To add insult to injury, Daptonians constantly credit Big Greg for Koala Man's work saving the town.

 

“Koala Man” will have an eight-episode first season debuting on Hulu, though the release date has not yet been announced.

 

The post Hugh Jackman Joins Cast of Hulu’s Adult Animated Series "Koala Man” appeared first on Bleeding Fool.

More on that ‘Walking Dead’ Spin-Off that follows Negan & Maggie

Posted: 21 Jul 2022 10:55 AM PDT

 

Jeffrey Dean Morgan has shared a photo of his first script for Isle of the Dead, implying that production may soon begin. Isle of the Dead is an upcoming spinoff of The Walking Dead, the long-running zombie apocalypse drama that originally premiered on AMC in 2010. Although the main branch of the series is ending with its final batch of episodes from season 11 coming later this year, the universe will live on in a variety of spin-offs, including the anthology series Tales of the Walking Dead and the currently untitled Daryl Dixon spinoff alongside Isle.

 

Isle of the Dead will follow the story of Negan (Morgan) and Maggie (Lauren Cohan), who have formed a reluctant truce in the final season of The Walking Dead after Negan killed Maggie’s partner, Glen. The show will follow their journey to the zombie-infested shores of the island of Manhattan. So far, not much is known about the additional characters that will be populating this new series except for the fact that Friday Night Lights star Gaius Charles has joined the main cast as the complicated protector Izaak.

 

On his Instagram, Morgan posted an image of the front page of his script for episode 1 of Isle of the Dead. His caption reads “Here we go. Xxjd… and a shelf full of sonics” (referencing the fact that the second photo in his gallery depicts… a shelf full of Sonics). Although the script page doesn’t reveal an official episode title, it does show that the episode was written by showrunner Eric Jorné and is being directed by Loren Yaconelli, who has previously directed five episodes of the spinoff series The Walking Dead: World Beyond and one 2022 episode of The Walking Dead proper.

 

 

via Screen Rant

The post More on that ‘Walking Dead’ Spin-Off that follows Negan & Maggie appeared first on Bleeding Fool.

Will The CW Ever Learn? Live Action Powerpuff Girls Series Still in Development

Posted: 21 Jul 2022 08:25 AM PDT

 

Out of all of the projects that have been in the works at The CW over the years, none have had buzz stench quite like Powerpuff. The project, which would serve as a live-action adaptation of the beloved Cartoon Network animated series The Powerpuff Girls, has undergone some specific developments in the past few years, after its originally-filmed pilot episode was deemed “a little too campy.”

 

While updates around Powerpuff have been scarce as of late, reports have indicated that the show is still in development at The CW — something that was recently corroborated by TVLine. In the outlet’s reporting about new Powerpuff Girls and Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends animated series being in the works, they confirm that Powerpuff remains “in active development.”

 

“The reason you do pilots is because, sometimes things miss, and this was just a miss,” The CW president Mark Pedowitz previously said of the series. “We believe in the cast completely. We believe in Diablo [Cody] and Heather [Regnier], the writers. We believe in the auspices of Greg Berlanti and Warner [Bros. TV] studios.”

 

“In this case, the pilot didn’t work,” Pedowitz continued. “But because we see there’s enough elements in there, we wanted to give it another shot. So that’s why we didn’t want to go forward with what we had. Tonally, it might’ve felt a little too campy. It didn’t feel as rooted in reality as it might’ve felt. But again, you learn things when you test things out. And so in this case, we felt, let’s take a step back and go back to the drawing board.”

 

It was WAY TOO WOKE, ya’ll. Stick to the animated classic.

via ComicBook.com

The post Will The CW Ever Learn? Live Action Powerpuff Girls Series Still in Development appeared first on Bleeding Fool.

Media Blames Thor 4’s Failure on Being Insufficiently Gay

Posted: 21 Jul 2022 06:15 AM PDT

 

Well, it looks like the Marvel movieverse is catching up with the financial results of at least a few DC movieverse entries, which started strong upon their debuts, then took a considerable dive at the box office soon after. Forbes acknowledged the plummet in grosses, even as they took the side of wokeness by not honestly discussing the causes for the financial declines:

 

Walt Disney's Thor: Love and Thunder is the top movie at the domestic box office yet again, earning $13.8 million on Friday. However, that's a brutal 80% drop for the Chris Hemsworth/Natalie Portman sequel from its $69.5 million. In terms of MCU movies, that's behind only the 82% drop for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness after a $91 million Friday. It's on par with Black Widow (-79%) last July and Eternals (-75%) this past November. Alas, we're likely looking at a $45 million weekend and a $233 million ten-day total, still solid by most rational standards but a record (for Marvel) 68% second-weekend plunge. With any luck, it'll barely avoid the $100 million losers club (after a $144 million opening weekend). It should be over/under $500 million worldwide by tomorrow.

 

Yup, that’s pretty steep for a drop, but too bad they won’t even so much as question whether the woke LGBT pandering had anything to do with this, and apparently, they’re using the foreign gross as an attempt to deflect from the domestic failure. All without making clear China banned the movie over the very issues Disney doesn’t seem to have qualms about employing in western releases. And on that note, it’s fascinating how, among those who panned the movie, Polygon’s doing so because the woke website’s writer feels it didn’t go far enough on the homosexuality themes:

 

More than any other Marvel Cinematic Universe film, Thor: Love and Thunder arrived with a certain level of queer expectation. Some fans hoped the second film from Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi would bring considerably more of what the previous film did well — not just in terms of wit and color, but also an expansion of Ragnarok's rich subtext, a surprising amount of which can be read as queer. In Hollywood, blockbuster success is typically rewarded with creative freedom. Queer audiences could understandably infer that Ragnarok awarded Waititi and his collaborators a stack of chips that could be cashed in, at least partially, on the queerer story he says he wants.

Waititi and the film's cast leaned into that reading on the Love and Thunder press tour, eagerly replying to fans who ask "How gay is it?" with quotes like "So gay." But in the finished movie, it's hard to see this queerness taken seriously. The most explicitly gay relationship is between fictional rock aliens that are all male and reproduce by holding hands over a lava pit. While that isn't nothing — especially in the current political environment, where the very suggestion of something other than heteronormativity sends a reactionary media apparatus into a tizzy — it's also cowardice. It's a way to queer up a story without including actual queer people. (Valkyrie, an established bisexual character, does some flirting, but doesn't really get a story of her own.)

[…] This is a disservice to queer people on both sides of Disney's pop culture empire — its audience and its creators alike. The former group is left adrift when the company line rejects entirely understandable queer readings of its films, like Pixar's Luca. The latter group can also feel trapped in a Sisyphean struggle. As Owl House creator Dana Terrace said last spring, creators working to widen the inclusivity of Disney's offerings are naturally frustrated, knowing their efforts are effectively burnishing Disney's reputation but that the company can still burn them at any time.

 

So for Polygon’s panderers, the issue is not whether the action was poor and the comedy heavy-handed, it’s just dissatisfaction over what they believe is an insufficient emphasis on homosexuality. Even though what’s described is already troubling enough. Of course, as any realist familiar with how these propagandists work knows, they’ll never be satisfied until Thor himself is changed entirely to homosexual, and any and all of his lovers like Sif are kicked out of the picture. Needless to say, “some fans hoped” is also insulting as it implies all, rather than some vocal minority that only cares about their ideological standings and forcing it upon the creation in focus. And “creative freedom” in today’s mainstream Hollywood? Don’t make me laugh. They certainly don’t respect conservative-leaning values as ingredients for storytelling.

 

 

Interestingly enough, Collider opined this latest Thor movie entry should be the last, in addition noting something about how the thunder deity’s experienced certain loss of family/friends in these past movie entries:

 

But for as much as the fourth chapter shows that Thor and his exploits still have a withstanding likability and endless story potential for the future, I argue that Love and Thunder should be the final word in Hemsworth's tenure as the space Viking for how it fulfills his most interpersonal needs for family.

Over the past 11 years, Thor has faced ancient evils, megalomaniacal titans and otherworldly terrors of every description on his travels, but what has persisted throughout each of his films is how much he values family and the tremendous grief he endured upon losing all of his loved ones. From even the first film Thor (2011), the Asgardian prince is surrounded by loved ones and is portrayed as an eager youth with an arrogant invincibility unafraid of death, taking the lives of those around him immortally for granted.

With each passing film, after losing his mother, father, countless friends, girlfriend, fellow Avengers, kingdom and his adopted brother, Thor's character development came to be defined by how much he loved and lost practically everyone he has ever cared about and how he chooses to remedy it. Grief has shaped how Thor occupies his own stories and has coped with loss in his own ways through rage, depression and vengeance. In Love and Thunder, Thor denies acknowledging his pain and closed himself off from love of any kind out of fear of further loss and heartbreak.

The ending of each of Thor's stories take something he loves away from him and present him greater pain to add to his grief, but while Love and Thunder still ends with the loss of Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), it is the first time that tragedy gifts Thor with an opportunity for new love.

 

Judging from what the 4th movie emphasizes, that’s surely a perfect reason for bringing the Thor film series to an end, before they really pull something atrocious and insulting to the intellect in another installment, which is certainly possible, judging from where they’ve been going lately. I’d be a lot happier if the audiences who’ve been attending these films would read the 1962-2002 Thor comics instead. Walt Simonson’s mid-80s run is a lot more engaging, and no live action movie should substitute for the source material in every way.

 

So, here’s a sign the Marvel movie franchise is declining, and deservedly so, seeing how they’ve become far more obsessed with foisting political agendas upon the audience than actually entertaining them. If the Thor films end after this, that’ll be a blessing and a great mercy.

 

 

Originally published here.

The post Media Blames Thor 4’s Failure on Being Insufficiently Gay appeared first on Bleeding Fool.

Overstreet Launching Comics Collection Management Platform with Price Guide

Posted: 20 Jul 2022 06:35 PM PDT

 

The long-awaited online incarnation of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, the primary authority on comic book pricing, launches today along with a whole host of additional features — Introducing Overstreet Access.

 

Overstreet Access is the ultimate evolution of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. Part price guide, part collection management platform, and 100% online, Overstreet Access marries the best of all worlds to provide subscribers with Price Guide values, personalized collection management, extensive search capabilities, a robust comic database, and more. As subscribers catalog their collections, they can leverage the Overstreet Access one-of-a-kind gap list technology to identify missing issues, create want lists, and match their lists with stock at local comic bookstores to complete their collection. The extensive search capabilities allow users to search by story arc, characters, publishers, contributors, titles and more.

 

Gemstone Publishing, best known as the home of the Guide, was founded by Geppi Family Enterprises President, Chairman and CEO, Steve Geppi, as a conduit for his efforts to preserve and promote the history and valuation of the comic book medium. "Since its debut in 1970, the Guide has been a work in progress, constantly evolving to meet the growing needs of comic book collectors and dealers," says Geppi, "Bob Overstreet's guiding principal has been an unwavering commitment to getting it right. Now we see this dedication taken to the next level with Overstreet Access. It's trite to say, "I'm excited to announce…" but I am genuinely very excited this day is here, and I think those who use it will be as well!"

 

Overstreet Access serves as the premier collection-management platform, allowing users to catalog and manage their comics through developing a series of "Collections," which function as digital long boxes. One highly anticipated feature is the creation of a "gap list." Once a collection is established, subscribers can opt to generate a Gap List and see which titles are needed to complete series, story arcs, creator runs, or title sets in their collections. They can then decide which missing issues they wish to add to their Want List. Members will also be able to tether their account to local comics shop to find missing titles.

 

 

In addition to collection management, Overstreet Access provides an extensive database with hundreds of thousands of comic book titles and a robust search engine that gives users the capability to perform micro-searches using specific criteria including publisher, title, story arc, characters, creators, and more. Each search returns detailed information including Overstreet Price Guide valuation, additional variant covers, and number of characters featured in the issue. This allows users to quickly and easily locate any titles they want to add to their digital collection or create "Want List" of titles they hope to track down.

 

Overstreet Access is releasing during San Diego Comic Con with demos available at the PREVIEWSworld Booth (#2401) at the convention. The subscription-based service will offer three tiers – Bronze, Silver, and Gold – with each tier allowing users to catalog larger collections and access specialized editorial content.

 

Check out the new platform at www.overstreetaccess.com.

The post Overstreet Launching Comics Collection Management Platform with Price Guide appeared first on Bleeding Fool.

Watch: Trailer Drops for ‘Game of Thrones’ Spin-Off ‘House of the Dragon’

Posted: 20 Jul 2022 03:15 PM PDT

 

HBO has released its official trailer for its Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon.

 

Below is the first full look at the new show, which chronicles a civil war that ripped apart Westeros 150 years before the events in the original series and stars Emma D'Arcy, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke and Paddy Considine. 

 

YouTube Video

 

The series is based on author Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire book series and its companion materials and is set primarily in Westeros during a time of great political upheaval.

 

"House of the Dragon has been in development for several years (though the title has changed a couple of times during that process)," Martin wrote on his blog in response to news of the series pickup announced in 2019. "It was actually the first concept I pitched to HBO when we started talking about a successor show, way back in the summer of 2016."

 

House of the Dragon premieres Aug. 21.

The post Watch: Trailer Drops for ‘Game of Thrones’ Spin-Off ‘House of the Dragon’ appeared first on Bleeding Fool.

Indie Comics Showcase #188: Magnus, Trumps, & Scarlet Huntress

Posted: 20 Jul 2022 01:15 PM PDT

 

 

Welcome back to another installment of Indie Comics Showcase, the weekly blog where we signal boost a few truly independent comics that are currently crowdfunding their projects, crowdsourcing their funding in some way, or just completely self-publishing on their own. Every little bit of support for these creators matters, from a single dollar pledge to the twenty-five dollar bundle, and of course the higher tiers are usually fun too! Even if you can’t back a campaign or buy a book, you can share or tweet about these projects to your friends and followers. 

 

On Indie Comics Showcase, we interview the creators, show off some art, and tell you how you can check out the product for yourself. Below we have some outstanding crowdfunding campaigns this week for you to learn about, enjoy, and hopefully support by backing one or more of them! Thanks for checking these out and for being the best part of Indie Comics Showcase. Let's jump in!

 

MAGNUS
by Frederick Littles

Check out the crowdfunding campaign here!

 

Chris Braly: Welcome to Indie Comics Showcase, Frederick, tell me about your comic Magnus!

Frederick Littles: Magnus is a full color comic book that’s been described as Black Panther meet Invincible in world were drama, action, and intergalactic coolness collide. It's the story of a lost prince who must reclaim his birthright and save two worlds before losing everything he loves. Volume 1 (Issues 1 – 3) consists of roughly 70-80 pages. 

 

 

CB: What inspired you to publish this, and gave you the original idea?

FL: The idea came about as a result of our desire to create inclusionary worlds with compelling stories. Moreover, an issue that interests me greatly is that of those who feel marginalized and underrepresented in society. Africa's history is rife with fascinating stories that have yet to be told, despite the lack of documentation (i.e., comics, movies, television). In 2018, Black Panther opened my eyes to the possibilities of telling such stories. My research into Yoruba mythology has led me to look for ways to bridge the cultural difference. I decided to self-publish after seeing the indie comic movement that came about with crowdfunding and specifically, Stranger Comics, Black Sands Entertainment, Godhood Comics, and Kingwood Comics among countless others are an example and an inspiration.

 

 

CB: What type of comics reader is this aimed at?

FL: It's a PG-13 intergalactic super-hero comic. Because of the violence in the book, I’m hesitant to call it a “all ages” title. Parents should read the book first and decide whether it’s appropriate for their children, in my opinion.

 

 

CB: What can you tell me about your style and creative process?

FL: I start by writing out a basic plot and character arc. After that, I write until I am unable to write any longer. When I get an idea, I write it down in a rough form, jotting down notes as they come to mind. When I write, I become a monster akin to the one created by Dr. Victor Frankenstein. You never know what you’re going to get out of this creative space.

 

 

CB: Can you give a shout out to your creative team? What’s it like working with them?

FL: For me, working with Bruno Abdias, King Bolo, Devin Arscott, Rom Silva, Ferran Delgado, and Godhood Comics on this project has been an absolute joy.  When we let our imaginations run wild, we’ve come up with a slew of new ideas. In the past few months, I’ve worked with some of the most talented artists and writers I’ve ever encountered. It’s a blessing in disguise to be able to work with some of the best people in the business.

 

 

CB: That’s a big team. How far along is the book at this stage?

FL: The first issue is nearly complete. All but the last ten are being worked on by the artists and colorists. Our letterer will finish up Issue #1 after we send it to them. Issue #1 would have taken seven months to produce. Issue #2 and #3 are in the pre-production phase.

 

 

CB: Can you tell me what you’ve been learning from self-publishing and crowdfunding?

FL: It’s a lot of hard work, but the payoff is satisfying. Despite a few bruises and bumps in the road, we’re on the verge of funding, and I owe a debt of gratitude to each and every backer who has put their faith in me to deliver on that promise. Crowdfunding, in my opinion, is the most natural community experience because it allows you to help other indies while also benefiting yourself. It’s all about the people. Sending out positive vibes and receiving positive vibes is what it’s all about.  

 

 

CB: You mentioned issues #2 and #3, what can you tell us about your plans for this comics universe?

FL: We are building a Magnus universe one character at a time. We have multiple characters and crossovers we hope to introduce in the future. Wise Acre Comics will introduce the world to the following intellectual properties within the next few years: Akoma, Aegis Dawn, Crisis, Aura, The Meadows, and The First Kings.

 

 

CB: Looks great! I wish you success. Frederick. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers before we sign off?

FL: My heartfelt thanks to all those involved in the production and promotion of this work. The best advice I can give future creators is to be humble and fearless about making mistakes. One of my favorite quotations from the goat, Michael Jordan, is here for your reading pleasure "I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

 

Check out Magnus #1 here!

 

_________

TRUMPS #3
by Roland Mann

Check out the Trumps campaign page here!

 

Chris Braly: Welcome back to another edition of Indie Comics Showcase, Roland! Tell me about TRUMPS, one of a bundle of comics you’re offering on your latest campaign!

Roland Mann: Yes, this issue is 22 pages of full color, and it’s issue #3, but issues #1 and #2 are also available.

In a sci-fi world called THE DECK, four kingdom fight to be the ultimate power: Diamonds, Clubs, Spades, and Hearts. Only one kingdom can ever be the kingdom of power. That kingdom is called TRUMPS. The Clubs have decided they should be Trumps and have set out to destroy the Diamonds to get it…but the Diamond army has something to say about it. But what of the Spades and Hearts? The Spades have taken control of Heart City and are running it like the mob…but a young Heart Jack would like to break free of their control, regardless of which suit is Trumps!

 

 

CB: Clever. Where did this idea come from?

RM: I play a lot of cards with my family, it’s pretty much the thing we do when we get together. It’s a great way to enjoy family, sitting around the table playing, talking, and laughing. While playing once, I got this wacky idea that the suits were actually kingdoms at war and we (the players) were controlling the outcome by our game… it just kinda grew from that and became the story it is. I wanted to do it with Silverline Comics because it’s right at home there.

 

 

CB: What sort of comic readers will get the most enjoyment from this?

RM: People who like action/drama/sci-fi/superheroes. One reader of issue #1 told me it reminded them of Game of Thrones without all the sex (it’s a PG-13 comic) and with cool sci-fi elements

CB: Tell me how you’ve developed your writing style and creative process, Roland.

RM: While I can write using either method, I’m a fan of the plot-first method of writing (sometimes called Marvel method). I like to give good descriptions to the artist, but then let them visualize it and bring it to life. In my experience, they are almost always better at bringing it to life visually than what I could do if I broke it down into panel by panel. When I was an editor at Malibu and Marvel, I worked with writers of both styles, and I grew to really favor the plot-first method.

 

 

CB: Who’s on the creative team for TRUMPS?

RM: Quinton Bedwell provided the line art for Trumps #3. Funny story, Quinton and I started a project together nearly a decade ago…it didn’t go anywhere. We reconnected a couple of years ago and I really love what he’s done this issue. Mickey Clausen is the colorist and he makes Quinton’s art just pop! These guys make ME look really good!

 

 

CB: Is the book complete and ready to go? How far along is the book? What’s your workflow like?

RM: All of the line art is done. About half the comic still needs to be lettered, and there are just a few pages left to color. One of the variant covers still needs ink and color…but all this should be done by the time the campaign closes. Everything is pretty streamlined what with all the work being digital. Mickey can have the page when Quinton finishes almost instantly…and then I can get it from Mickey the same way.

 

 

CB: You’ve been in the indie publishing game for a while with Silverline. What have you learned from your experiences?

RM: I’ve learned that making the comic is the easiest part of self-publishing. The most difficult thing is getting people to be aware that it even exists and is available. Man, but is that tough!

 

 

CB: Are there any more stories to tell in this comic’s universe?

RM: Honestly, this was a one-story project for me. However, the reception for the first issue is making me rethink it. And while I don’t have anything specifically in mind at the moment, there are germs of ideas bouncing around in the back of my brain. I should probably plan to play some more card games with my family, right? haha

 

 

CB: Haha! Great. Thanks for the chat. Anything else you want to share Roland?

RM: Yes! This is Silverline’s 19th crowdfunder. Anyone considering backing should do so with confidence, knowing that we’ve successfully funded and shipped 18 others ON TIME!

CB: Thanks Roland!

Check out the Trumps campaign page here!

 

_________

SCARLET HUNTRESS: RECKONING
by Sean Forney

Check out the campaign page here!

 

Chris Braly: Welcome to Indie Comics Showcase, Sean. What can you tell us about your latest campaign for Scarlet Huntress?

Sean Forney: The Scarlet Huntress is a modern day descendant of the fabled Red Riding Hood, hunting werewolves and seeking revenger for her mother’s murder. This is the fifth issue in the series and wraps up the first story arc in a 48 page full color comic book.

 

 

CB: Cool! What inspired this character and made you decide to self-publish?

SF: We created the Scarlet Huntress character and story back in 2003, first for a anthology comic. She was created based on a mix of our favorite characters, concepts, and fandoms. We self-published the first full comic in 2006 and have continued to self-publish her adventures. We chose to self-publish at first as a way to break into the industry and continued to do so based on a few factors. The main factor being time. Stephanie is a full time educator and Sean is a full time comic book artist and illustrator. We work on Scarlet Huntress books as we have time in between our other work.

 

 

CB: What age comic reader is this series aimed at?

SF: Scarlet Huntress is aimed at teens to adults who are fans of action, adventure, and horror comics.

 

 

CB: How did you develop your creative style?

SF: I’ve been working as a colorist, penciler, and cover artist in the comic book industry for 20 years for a variety of clients including Coffin Comics, Dynamite, Counterpoint Comics, Upperdeck, and Zenescope. Stephanie Forney, my co-creator, writer, letterer, and production is a full time educator, artist, and writer. She’s written Scarlet Huntress since the start in 2003. The rest of the production team is Jacob Bear, an inker on one of the covers and Matt Horak, our variant cover artist

 

 

CB: You’re no stranger to crowdfunding. What have you been learningthrough this process?

SF: This is our 5th Kickstarter and this time we are utilizing the things we have learned along the way. We are using the various printers we have used previously for the books and any stretch goals and extra fun stuff. We have learned some new ways to cross-promote the projects with some fellow creators by offering a print that backers can only get if they back our two campaigns.

 

 

CB: What are your plans beyond this campaign?

SF: We setting up the next story arc in this issue and working on developing the future stories in the Scarlet Huntress universe.

CB: The pages look great and I like the concept. Anything else you would like to share with our readers before we sign off?

SF: We hope you take a look at the project and support and share the campaign. We greatly appreciate all of the support everyone has shown our book so far.

 

YouTube Video

Check out the campaign page here!

 

_________

 

That’s it for this installment. If you’re a creator ramping up your own campaign or have a comic available for purchase online and you want to be featured in our weekly column, click here. And follow Indie Comics Showcase on Twitter at @Indie_Comics and reach out to them for more eyes on YOUR crowdfunding comic project. Until next time, support indie comics!

 

 

 

 

The post Indie Comics Showcase #188: Magnus, Trumps, & Scarlet Huntress appeared first on Bleeding Fool.

Netflix Loses a Million Subscribers Last Quarter; Investors Call it Good News

Posted: 20 Jul 2022 08:25 AM PDT

 

According to Netflix’s second-quarter financial report, it lost 970,000 customers. The company has lost the most subscribers in its 25-year existence, and while that amount is significant, it is also less than half the 2-million subscriber loss the company had forecast in April, which stunned Wall Street and the streaming sector.

 

In fact, a large portion of Netflix’s Q2 report appeared to be an effort to reassure investors and the media industry that the company has learned from the news from April, when the company announced a 200,000 subscriber loss. This news caused their stock to plunge 37 percent in a day, resulting in multiple rounds of layoffs and budget cuts. The research even predicts a 1 million subscriber increase in the third quarter, which is the bit of positive news they’re clinging to.

 

Breitbart news’ Andy Ng reports there are still big challenges ahead:

 

While Netflix shareholders breathed a temporary sigh of relief on Tuesday, the company still faces tremendous challenges ahead in retaining subscribers — its sole revenue stream, for now. Competing streaming services including HBO Max, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video are aggressively looking to siphon away consumers at a time when households are cutting back on expenses in the face of skyrocketing inflation and a likely recession.

Things are so dire for Netflix that the company is working on an ad-supported version of its service that is expected to be cheaper than any of its current subscription offerings — a move that Netflix executives had resisted for years.

 

Last month, Netflix let go of 300 employees in an effort to cut spending, which came after a previous layoff of another 150 staffers. At the same time they’ve been cutting back new programming and cutting the budgets on other shows. But none of these moves have seemed to help.

 

The company recently dropped an estimated $200 million on the tepidly received action movie The Gray Man, starring Ryan Gosling, and spent a reported $30 million per episode on the fourth season of Stranger Things.

In recent months, employee morale has plummeted, especially among those whose compensation is largely based on stock options.

Netflix's financial outlook is so grim that billionaire hedge fund investor Bill Ackman recently dumped his fund's 3.1 million Netflix shares at a loss estimated at more than $400 million.

With its aggressively woke content, including programming from Barack and Michelle Obama, Netflix has alienated large swaths of its subscriber base who have grown increasingly fed up with the streamer's progressive moralizing.

 

Something, something woke, something, something broke.

The post Netflix Loses a Million Subscribers Last Quarter; Investors Call it Good News appeared first on Bleeding Fool.
at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

guest post needed

Hi I hope you're doing well. I'm reaching out to discuss the possibility of publishing articles on your website. Along with guest ...