2 Upcoming Marvel Crossovers That Sound Promising

Marvel recently announced two crossovers. One is intra-compnay as Marvel's parent corp. (Disney) owns the rights via Fox and the other is an inter-company deal with Marvel and Dynmaite. What are these crossovers? Let's discuss...

In a crossover that continues a trend, this August, the Predator will appear again in, "Predator Kills the Marvel Universe." The comics featuring various Predators going up against Wolverine and Black Panther have been shockingly great (a Spider-Man one just started too), hence, it all culminating in a Predator (or Predators) trying to kill all the Marvel heroes should be quite a wild ride. Between this and the upcoming, "Predator: Badlands," movie due in November, we've got a lot of Predator goodness this year!

Another crossover that comes a bit more out of left field is how, "Gargoyles," will be having a crossover with the Fantastic Four in a special comic due this October (with a preview for Free Comic Book Day). Simply titled, "Gargoyles/Fantastic Four," it will be a one-shot special created in a partnership between Dynamite (who currently has the publishing rights to, "Gargoyles," comics) and Marvel (who, obviously, owns the Fantastic Four). I don't think anyone would have predicted such a random grouping but it could be fun! I mean, between the Predator further attacking Marvel's characters and the Gargoyles meeting the Fantastic Four, 2025 is shaping up to have some intriguing crossovers!

McCrispy Strips and Creamy Chili Dipping Sauce--A Review

McDonald's is in the process of rolling-out their release of McCrispy Chicken Strips and a new, "Creamy Chili Dipping Sauce." It has already launched in multiple locations and should be available everywhere by April 29th. I saw a big sign about how it was available now here in Saint Louis when I pulled up to McDonald's yesterday, so I got a pack of four to try and the new dipping sauce. I liked it!

The tenders were quite good. They aren't that crispy despite the name, funnily enough. They are pretty delicious, however. These don't just taste like big nuggets, but have a good flavor profile with a bit of seasoning I was pretty into. As for the Creamy Chili, I've got to be honest and tell you it tastes almost exactly like Freddy's Fry Sauce. This, however, is not a bad thing as I am extremely fond of Freddy's Fry Sauce. The tenders dipped in the Creamy Chili is a real treat for the tastebuds. These tenders mixed with the chili sauce might be my favorite, "Temporary," menu item since the Sweet and Spicy Jam. If your McDonald's is selling these now, go try some! Otherwise, if you have to wait until the 29th, go get some then!

5 out of 5 Stars (for the tenders and sauce).

eBay Now Offers, "Seamless," Grading by PSA

PSA is a big grading company who are making major moves in 2025. They plan to start grading comics (as I've discussed) and now have an intriguing partnership with eBay. If you buy a, "Raw," card for $250 or more from someone, you can have it shipped directly to PSA--as long as it is not autographed. You don't need a PSA account or anything, as it can all happen within eBay for you, the buyer of the card. Your ungraded card that you bought goes to PSA, gets graded, and then is shipped to you.

One interesting wrinkle is that any card that passes PSA grading will be considered a final sale and not eligible for return. What happens if you buy a card that the seller promises is going to grade wonderfully if you send it to PSA, and once graded, it receives a mediocre score? That would be a bit messy, for sure. That concern aside, this is a snazzy feature that makes it easier for folks who are buying an expensive card with the intention of getting it graded to have it just go directly to PSA without a bunch of steps in between. 

The price point of $250 means only the most notable cards will have this service utilized, but one wonders, with successful results, will that number go down? Will other companies try to partner with eBay as well--CGC with grading comics, for example, in an effort to combat PSA? It will be interesting to see how this all develops.

The Official, "Oblivion," Remaster Was Announced and Released Today

Elder Scrolls Games have a lot of fans. Many folks (myself included) adored the 3rd in the series back in 2002, "Morrowind," while the fourth, "Oblivion," came out in 2006 and has numerous fans and the most recent came out in 2011--"Skyrim," and was pretty popular as well. In what was technically a massive surprise if it hadn't been such a badly kept secret, a total remaster/reworking of, "Oblivion," was announced and promptly released today by Bethesda on PS5, Xbox, and PC. There is still that mod in the works too, so you could basically play two totally different and, "New," versions of, "Oblivion," this year if you wanted.

Early buzz for this remake is positive. It looks good, even if a little muddy and muted. I'm going to be honest and let you all know that while I loved, "Morrowind," and quite liked what I played of, "Skyrim," I randomly enough never played, "Oblivion." I'm not sure why, I was perhaps a bit busy in 2006, seeing as I graduated high school and went off to college that year. I did play video-games somewhat during my initial collegiate time, however, but while I dabbled in, "Dead Rising," and, "Hitman: Blood Money," a good deal, I just never tried, "Oblivion," and therefore can't offer any opinions on the original's quality or if this remaster compares favorably. It is available for, "Free," on Xbox's Gamepass, however, so perhaps I should give it a try sometime in the near future? The question is what other game from my backlog I've been meaning to play that I'll need to delete first to have the memory space, however!

Earth Day 2025

It's April 22nd, 2025. Hence, today is Earth Day. Originating in 1970 as a nationwide demonstration, the goal was to raise awareness about environmental issues and to mobilize public support for environmental protection. Earth Day started as a protest for our planet and its health, in other words. A lot has changed since 1970 for the better and lately for the worse. With efforts being made in the United States to gut the EPA, quit tracking climate change, loosen regulations, and so forth, our Earth continues to be mistreated. Plus, ever since we developed the ability to outright destroy our planet within a day's span of time, thanks to Nuclear Missiles, we've been on the edge of disaster perpetually, if you think about it.

Earth Day is about celebrating our planet and recognizing we need to protect it--generally from ourselves. Whether it is something as simple as not littering and conserving water or something as complex as a major corporation trying to have a zero (or negative) carbon footprint, we all can do our part for Earth. Everybody we know of lives here (besides a handful of astronauts in space), after all, so I'd say we owe Earth some respect.

Music Monday: Sad Songs to Make You Happy

Sometimes a sad song weirdly just makes you feel happy. Something about the soulful and sorrowful tune has a paradoxical result of the listener feeling better. I thought I would highlight some songs that always make me happy (even if the songs themselves are the opposite) and might do the same for you.

Anthony Hamilton is one of those music artists who has been around for decades, putting out lots of great songs. "Coming From Where I'm From," is a longtime favorite of mine, with, "Charlene," being another older tune that still is a treat to hear that you can bop your head to, despite how sad both pieces are.

John Waite's 1984 hit, "Missing You," is clever as the song breaks down all the ways he misses a love, but then insists that he isn't missing them at all. It gives the whole song a bit of a vibe of a clever little twisted and depressed joke.

I made a post back in 2021 about greatly enjoying the piece, "Like I Want You," by Giveon. The man's voice is amazing, and this song shows how wild his vocals are; he sounds like the reverb has been turned all the way up, but it is just him! Despite the longing and sorrow in the song, it always makes me smile just hearing his amazing voice.

Joshua Malilay's song, "Warm Body (Demo)," is incredibly minimalistic with just a guitar and him singing about a relationship that fell apart. It just works and makes me feel chill, however.

I randomly stumbled upon the song "Drugs You Should Try It," by Jordan Bratton, some time ago. It is, wildly enough, a cover of a trippy Travis Scott song, but I adore his version. This lush and orchestral take gives everything a deep and introspective feeling.

Kacey Musgraves makes amazing songs, and one quite sad one is, "Justified." It was my song of the year in 2021, and I still adore it. She's just such great singer and lyricist.

To touch upon another cover, Tony Bennett's version of, "Fly Me to the Moon," takes a song that can actually come across as quite peppy, but by slowing the song down and giving his voice a sense of forlorn longing this happy little ditty suddenly becomes a bit sad, and my favorite version of this piece.

Mary J. Blige has a massive discography, but one of my favorite songs by her is the downtrodden, "Rainy Dayz," featuring Ja Rule. It's about how much those literal and metaphorical rainy days just suck. Sometimes you just have to get through a storm to enjoy better times!

Let's end on a big one. Should you read my blog regularly, you'll know I am a huge fan of Kendrick Lamar. One of my favorite songs by him is also incredibly depressing when you listen to the lyrical content--"Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe." It's all about fighting your inner doubts, negative self-talk, and how hard that can be. The kernel of hope in the song makes it extra special, however.

Enjoy the Various Holidays!

Today, multiple holidays occur that are both official and relatively unofficial. It is Easter, we are in the midst of Passover, it is 4/20, and today is National Cold Brew Day! That is a lot of events that overlap, without a doubt. Between Jesus returning from the dead, the Hebrews escaping enslavement, a lot of cannabis enjoyment, and deliciously cold coffee, there is something for everyone to like about today--and safely engage in, be it prayer, weed, or coffee. Have a good one, ya'll.

April 2025 Pieces of Assorted News and General Interest

April showers are supposed to bring May flowers, so I will say we are due for a ton of flowers this May at the rate the month has been going where I live. While I'm rained in I thought sharing some interesting links would be fun/spread some metaphorical sunshine.

Superman Day just occurred on April 18th. It commemorates the first appearance of Superman in, "Action Comics, "#1 which was published on the 18th of April way back in 1938. I continue to look forward to the upcoming, "Superman," movie this July, and I was excited to see it will have some cool McFarlane-branded toys--that Mr. Terrific is snazzy!

A game called, "Tempest Rising," was supposed to have a special edition version that could be played a week early. A mistake was made, however, and all versions of the game let everyone play right away, basically moving the release date up a week! The developer, to their credit, just let things roll and has promised those who bought the pricier special edition will get extra features. This goes to show how silly these delayed releases can be. I'm not referring to Early Access games, of course, just when a game is done but the full-on release is staggered for no other reason than to make money.

"Speed Racer," is a manga that has had many adaptations from anime to that one zany live-action flick by the Wachowskis that was maybe underappreciated for how quirky it was. Now, there will be a Western take on the series in an interesting new twist. Mad Cave is publishing it with David Pepsoe writing and Davide Tinto on art, so between a quality publisher and great creative team, I'm intrigued.

A, "Full," trailer dropped for, "Fantastic Four: First Steps," and I liked it. There was a cool retro-futurustic vibe and the cast all seem to have great chemistry. I also appreciated it wasn't overly-quippy as some Marvel trailers (or movies, admittedly) can be. There was no attempt to undercut the danger posed by Galactus (who we see a shadow and the feet of) via a joke.

The NHL Playoffs begin today, with many thinking the odds are stacked against the Blues getting to (let alone winning) the Stanley Cup. That said, Saint Louis has its latest good luck charm yet, and possibly the weirdest in some time, Jobu. A fanciful homage to the movie, "Major League," Jobu appeared one day in the locker room out of nowhere (so the story goes) and since then the Saint Louis Blues have been (generally) playing fantastically. Whether it is the song, "Gloria," or Jobu, if the Blues are winning let's not question the superstitions helping them do it.

"Sinners," is a new movie by the talented Director Ryan Coogler and is getting glowing reviews. It also had an intriguing contract clause where, after 25 years, the rights to, "Sinners," will go to Coogler, himself. This is a rare occurrence for a studio flick, and one wonders if it'll start a trend.

Tariffs being on-and-off-and-on-and-off and so forth has played havoc with the economy. Everything could go up in price, and businesses could close. It is already happening as, "Renowned board game maker and publisher Greater Than Games has laid off staff and suspended operations," as a result of tariffs. Many may shrug at a board game company shutting down, but it is just one example of how things could rapidly get worse and snowball into a massive mess.

Finally, over at The Comics Journal, they broke down all the Diamond Comics Distributors bankruptcy drama so far in superb detail, thanks to writer Brigid Alverson. I've blogged about this fiasco off-and-on but Alverson summarizes everything expertly.

Flashback Friday: "American Carnage," Remains Disturbingly Topical

White nationalism running amock. Politicians stoking racial fires with hateful ideology. Government agents struggling to do their job amid everything falling apart. This was all in a comic from 2019? Yep, "American Carnage," was one of the last great Vertigo books (before the brand assumably returns from the dead soon) and I think of it often. d. emerson eddy over at Comicsbeat thinks it was great too, having recently spotlit the 9-issue series in their, "Classic Comic Compendium." It is quite unfortunate something that could be considered older/a classic is only now even more topical, but so is life.

The plot of, "American Carnage," follows an undercover FBI agent who infiltrates a white supremacist group with disturbingly close ties to a charismatic businessman running for congress. I loved the series so much I considered it one of the best comics of 2019 and discussed it a great deal in an interview with the writer, and friend of the blog, Bryan Edward Hill. Between Hill's writing and Leandro Fernandez stellar artwork, "American Carnage," is a pointed shot of noir that hits you like an ice-cold glass of your favorite adult beverage (if you drink)--burning on the way down and sitting in the pit of your stomach with sharp intensity as you take it in.

What's scary is how many people believe such things...

It upsets me to no end that, "American Carnage," remains as topical as ever in 2025 as it was in 2019. It also makes it all the more of a good reason to read the series if you haven't. Besides being a stellar story full of gorgeous artwork, it serves as a stark warning of where our nation is and could still be heading.

PS Plus Prices Are Increasing in Other Countries...Could America be Next?

Oftentimes, companies will test something out in one country before implementing it in others. Netflix tried cracking down on password sharing in various regions before bringing it to North America, to give one example. Hence, hearing that PlayStation Plus is raising its price in other countries makes me nervous. Before too long, we could see Sony decide to raise the cost of PS Plus here too, with nary an extra, "Benefit," for us as a result. No matter the reason (tariffs, inflation, etc.), prices will go up, and eventually these increases will hit everyone. Fun times, eh?

"Holy Lacrimony," is Twisted, Hilarous, a Little Raunchy, and Another DeForge Masterpiece

Michael DeForge is a comic creator who stands out. His art, his tone, style, stories, they all have that vibe. In the same way where when you see a Wes Anderson movie you just know it's by him, a DeForge comic is just so...DeForge. What does that mean, however? Generally, a DeForge comic is funny, weird, has surreal art, and is just a hoot to read. "Holy Lacrimony," is a new comic by DeForge (published by Drawn and Quarterly) and it is unquestionably a treat.

"Holy Lacrimony," starts with a vaguely-popular musician named Jackie being abducted by aliens who are a huge fan of his work. They don't like his music, but they're fascinated with him because he is the saddest person in the World. These aliens don't understand sorrow, and out of everybody on Earth, somehow Jackie is the most depressed--and these aliens love it. Jackie has mixed feelings about this for sure and the half of the book that involves him on their spaceship doing, "Performances," of his sadness contains some of DeForge's amazing surreal artwork running wild. Shapes twist, and turn, and are trippy as can be. A sexual moment between Jackie and an alien is as erotic as it is disorienting, and the whole chunk of the book in space is a treat--I loved the running gag of the aliens encouraging Jackie to, "Get your bearings," for no other reason than it is a statement I use too. This is only half the book, however.

It isn't too much of a spoiler to reveal halfway through the book Jackie ends up back on Earth (the back of the book discusses this). He's plopped back on his home planet with nary a goodbye and a whole lot of stuff he needs to process. The book then shifts to more, "Grounded," art as Jackie forms a support group for survivors of alien abductions--a group full of people he can't quite determine the sanity and/or truthfulness of. This half of the book is less wild in DeForge's drawing but brings a ton of snarky humor--after all, in a group full of people who claim to have seen aliens what right does anybody have to say someone else is off their rocker or making shit up?

"Holy Lacrimony," is a Michael DeForge comic that feels like another perfect Michael DeForge comic. That sounds infuriatingly vague and specific at the same time, but that's the best way to describe the masterful creations of DeForge. He's a creator in a league of his own whose work over the years has only gotten better, sharper, and more delightful to consume. You should definitely read, "Holy Lacrimony," and enmesh yourself in its bizarre vibe. If you find it overwhelming you can always set it down for a few minutes to get your bearings. Heh.

5 out of 5 Stars.

The Dust is Settling and Alliance Entertainment Will Own Diamond After All

About a week ago I wrote about how Diamond's attempt to sell the majority of its assets to Alliance Entertainment had hit a snag--namely, Diamond Comic Distributors itself wanted to accept another bid from a joint party that was lower but (allegedly) offered more cash upfront--Universal Distribution and Ad Populum. Lawsuits were filed and it looked like a huge mess was forming. Well, the dust has settled a bit with lawyers talking, and judges ruling, so it appears that Alliance has been confirmed as the, "Winner," of the bankruptcy with plans to have the sale finalized/closed on April 25th. 

Not too long after the 25th, AEnt. takes over everything and things should be a mix of business as usual with improvements theoretically made to Diamond's business as well. Now, it has been no secret AEnt. is more interested in the opportunities the Direct Market provides for selling a variety of items along with comics than in the comic biz itself. A lot of this purchase was about toys, games, clothes, and so forth with comics just being an element AEnt. doesn't mind falling into, so to speak. A number of comic publishers moved away from Diamond, but I hope those who stayed with the company in some capacity (as their sole distributor or one of the options) are able to survive/function once all is said and done.

Tropical 7-UP is Like a Slap of Mango to the Face--in a Good Way

I had the chance to try Tropical 7-UP (the zero-calorie iteration) the other day. It's the latest promotional flavor out there (after initially being a Kroger exclusive) and I'm a sucker for gimmick sodas, of course, so I had to get some. When Samii and I tried it we noticed it tasted heavily of mango and had a hint of peach (peaches aren't tropical either, but whatever) with 7-UP. What's interesting is that compared to its closest competitor (Sprite), 7-UP has always had a lighter and gentler taste. That isn't the case with the Tropical iteration, as the mango flavor comes right up and makes its presence known. Hence, Tropical 7-UP almost reminds me of Sprite more than regular 7-UP, as weird as that sounds--and it's not a bad thing!

If you've ever thought 7-UP tasted a bit too, "Weak," then you'll probably quite like this new Tropical 7-UP as it isn't scared to throw the tropical tastes at you. I enjoyed drinking it and find it evokes the flavors of Summer in a pleasant way. It's worth trying, in other words.

4 out of 5 Stars.

Quad Con Saint Charles Was Great Today!

I went to the Quad Con in Saint Charles today and had a great deal of fun! There were an immense number of vendors selling everything from comics, to toys, video-games, their own creations, and more! I saw a number of my awesome friends from John of Bigfoot Comics to Spike from Lost in Space Toys and Collectibles and the good folks of Tatetot Comics.

As I explored the show I ran into Bruce Reynolds (who always has fantastic stuff) and Tom Milster--both fantastic gents. Larry of Bugs Comics and Games had a ton of comics on offer as well. Magnitude 10 Comics was in attendance and had a slew of really neat comics for sale--they're always a pleasure to chat with. I also had a chance to catch up with Ria Leso, who had recently published the second issue of, "The Sleepless Ones." I'd highly encourage you to check her work out! 

I had so much fun at Quad Con and am happy I was able to attend today. It brings me great joy that the Saint Louis/Saint Charles region is lucky enough to have so many delightful conventions during the year--you know I'm already pumped for the next Quad Con in Saint Charles on October 19th!

"I Don't Know How to Draw a Tree," is a Beautiful and Introspective Comic

"I Don't Know How to Draw a Tree," is a new graphic novel by Carmen José. Published by the good folks over at Rotopol, it is as gorgeous as it is thoughtful. Soft, gentle watercolor illustrations of trees intermingle with stark and sharp line art of humans and other objects in a delicate dance with poetic text complimenting everything. José ponders life, how we connect with others, and how we represent the World in a variety of ways--with trees serving as a spectacular metaphor. As José observes in one of my favorite passages that I'll share in the formatting she uses:

our branches

our arms

our body trunks

our limbs

and our roots

our differences

our connections

we can learn

to let us be and live

in our complexities 

so we can grow

in all directions and forms

It's a beautiful book visually and in its text. We can learn a lot from trees, as José thoughtfully imparts. I really enjoyed how the watercolors washed over me (no pun intended) and the words stuck in my mind.

"I Don't Know How to Draw a Tree," is a fantastic comic and I would highly recommend anyone who enjoys gorgeous art and/or insightful poetry check it out. Rotopol and the authors who publish through it always put out spectacular works and this is yet another stellar comic!

5 out of 5 Stars.

Flashback Friday: The, "Mass Effect," Games Handled Morality in a Clever Way

A lot of video-games with, "Choices," like to brag about how you can be good or evil. The thing is, being good means you're the nicest, sweetest person ever who only hurts villains. Then, being evil means you are over-the-top hilariously mean for no reason. It's like when a game shows you a puppy and you can adopt it and love it forever or kick it as hard as possible; the so-called choices are just two extremes. Plus, a lot of data shows, that if players can choose to be evil or nice, most just select to be pleasant. Being a baddie can cause folks to feel guilt--it isn't a real puppy they kicked, but we've still got that darn empathy. That is why when I think of a game that handled morality in a clever fashion I often think of the, "Mass Effect," series.

In the, "Mass Effect," trilogy you play Commander Shepard (there was a later game with a new cast but nobody liked it and it removed the morality system). Shepard can be male or female and have a variety of backgrounds you select, and there are plenty of choices in the game, but they aren't good versus evil! In a clever twist, you can be a renegade or a paragon. No matter how you play, "Mass Effect," you are the commander of a ship who wants to save the Universe. The question is if you'll do it while behaving like a gun-ho renegade who throws rules out the window because the ends justify the means or as a by-the-books and ethical paragon who sees the best in even in the worst people. Throughout the, "Mass Effect," series you always are the, "Good guy," but whether you're kind of a dick or pleasant to interact with is up to the player. You would think this theoretically constrains player agency, but it works extremely well.

If players will rarely choose to be evil, why not have a game where they're objectively good but can go about saving the Universe by means they deem required (guns a-blazing) or while trying to use calm reasoning and dialogue when it is at least an option? It results in the, "Mass Effect," games having extremely different possible plots (a lot of characters can live or die along the way/be romanced/etc.) but the end result is that you're going to try to save the Universe from whatever is threatening everybody in each game. I'd argue the renegade and paragon system is a rare example of a morality system done extremely well with more nuance than we normally see. It is something other games could learn from.

Regardless of Misleading Reports the Dire Wolf is NOT Back From Extinction

Do you know how sometimes the media will latch onto a story that sounds exciting even if it isn't true? For example, your Disney VHS tapes are not worth a fortune, they're worth 50 cents each. A new incidence of, "Hey, this wild story isn't what it seems," has occurred with the so-called announcement that the Dire Wolf is no longer extinct. Two things have resulted from this...

1. Every single damn person in the comments on Facebook for any articles about this is saying, "This sounds like Jurassic Park."

2. People are ignoring these aren't actually dire wolves, like, at all.

The biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences says they've made new Dire Wolves thanks to genetic engineering but this is false. "What Colossal has produced is a gray wolf with dire wolf-like characteristics," Nic Rawlence, an associate professor and co-director of the Otago Palaeogenetics Laboratory at the University of Otago has said. They continue, "This is not a de-extincted dire wolf, rather it's a 'hybrid.'" This is a regular wolf that has some dire wolf genetics inserted into it, in other words. If doing some genetic engineering counts as making something no longer extinct, then I suppose if we make a bird with 1% T-Rex DNA we can claim we brought a T-Rex back?

Colossal Biosciences has engaged in very carefully managing the media to hype up how they altered a handful of genetics in regular wolves to make them look a bit more like the extinct Dire Wolf. Basically, these pups “...seem optimistically 1/100,000th dire wolf.” This is an interesting example of using genetic modification and it could help with a variety of species that are at risk of going extinct. To say we brought back the extinct Dire Wolf is easily, easily disputed, however. So please, quit quoting, "Jurassic Park," in the comment section anytime you see a piece about these so-called Dire Wolves.

The Director of the, "Werewolf by Night," Special is Writing a Comic Now Too

I loved the, "Werewolf by Night," Special that hit streaming in 2022. The director of that awesome mini-movie, Michael Giacchino, will now be writing a one-shot comic starring none other than our beloved Jack Russel (his civilian name) in the new comic, "Werewolf by Night: Blood Moon Rise," which will feature him going up against Dracula. David Messina will be providing artwork and the vibe is meant to evoke the classic run from the 1970s. That sounds fun to me and I do hope we get more WWBN in the Marvel Multiverse of movies/shows as well at some point. One can dream.

Update: Diamond Comic Distributors Wants to Accept a Different Bid, Alliance is Suing; it's Madness!

It all seemed so straightforward. Diamond Comic Distributors was selling all of its assets as a part of its bankruptcy. It was thought various parties might scoop up an assortment of the company's pieces, but Alliance Entertainment was ready to buy almost everything (minus Diamond UK), submitted a hefty bid, and looked to be the new owner of Diamond in the near future. AEnt was more interested in the opportunities the direct market provided for a variety of entertainment items besides comics, but was happy to handle that too and everything was going to be a smooth transfer of power...until it wasn't.

Diamond wants to accept a combined bid from Universal Distribution and Ad Populum. They are two companies who want all of the assets and will split it up amongst themselves, with possibly more cash upfront but a smaller bid. AEnt says it is the rightful bidding winner and is now suing Diamond. It is a huge old mess with lots of lawyers. As Heidi MacDonald at Comicsbeat observed, all Hell has broken loose. Nobody liked Diamond when it was solvent but now in bankruptcy, everybody wants a piece--or all the pieces but at a good price. Multiple hearings are planned in the future so eventually, we'll see if Alliance Entertainment comes out on top or if Universal Distribution and Ad Populum scoop Diamond up.

The, "Santos Sisters," Volume 1 Collection is Joyful, Undiluted Fun

The, "Santos Sisters," are a clever pastiche. The art style is reminiscent of vintage Archie/Sabrina/etc. strips but the jokes carry a much more modern sensibility, plus there is a bunch of gentle prodding and joking about superhero comic conceits. Created by the duo of Greg & Fake, "Santos Sisters," has been self-published, had issues released by Floating World Comics, and much of their adventures (so far) have now been collected in a snazzy hardcover printed by Fantagraphics (who sent me a copy for the purposes of review when I reached out and asked for one). I greatly enjoyed reading the adventures of sisters Ambar and Alana, that's for sure!

One reason, "Santos Sisters," works so well is the clever mish-mash of nostalgic and modern vibes. There are riffs on classic comedy tropes (for example, one unveiled villain complains about the, "Meddling," sisters in a homage to Scooby-Doo), the art looks straight out of vintage funny books but with a nice modern sheen, and the problems of today are tackled but always with a nice lighthearted and fun tone--a stalker ex-girlfriend is more hilarious than scary with her 8-ball themed explosives in one strip. "Santos Sisters," works as its own standalone piece, but is even more superb when examined as a comic for those who love comics and silly fun. 

Little in-jokes, such as a newscaster named "Rob Liefeldteeth," bump up against anthropomorphic robbers riding jet skis straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon or a character quite similar to Conan the Barbian. That isn't to say the comic is at all childish or only dedicated to gazing in the past. The grown-up story beats cleverly contrast with the other elements. A lot of raunchy jokes take place, for sure! As I said, there is a mix of old-school vintage style melting into some edgy and sharp humor.  This comic is perfect for GenX or Millenial readers, in essence, so I ate it up.

"Santos Sisters," is a fantastic comic and I am very pleased to have this hardcover collection that I can revisit and enjoy whenever I need a strong shot of fun with no downer, "Ironic," chaser. This comic is intentionally joyful, fun, sex-positive, wacky, and full of clever homages and in-jokes. It's a real treat to read and I hope we get plenty more, "Santos Sisters," comics in the years to come!

5 out of 5 Stars.

We Saw the Easter Bunny Today!

Clarkson and I always love visiting the Saint Louis Carousel at Faust Park. We often go so he can enjoy a ride and they know us pretty well there. The other day an employee mentioned a fun event with the Easter Bunny that was free to attend so we went and had a great time thanks to the event's sponsor/organizer, Gallia Wealth Management Group. It was really fun!

There were doughnuts, coffee, candy, goodie bags, activities, a big Easter Bunny, and unlimited free carousel rides. The event was geared towards families with children or adults with special needs so Gallia had headphones/earmuffs ready for anyone with sensory sensitivities as well--a smart example of planning ahead! We had some family friends join us too and everyone loved getting pictures with the Easter Bunny and riding the carousel. Clarkson gave the Easter Bunny big hugs and was eager to take a picture as can be seen above--a great time was had by all! Thanks to GWMG for holding this event!

The Next Saint Charles Quad Con is Only a Week Away!

I always have a lot of fun at Quad Con when it takes place in Saint Charles. Located at the Steel Shop Event Center, it is always jam-packed with comics, collectibles, toys, unique art creations, games, cosplay, and more! Every time I go to Quad Con I see people I enjoy running into and I always meet someone new and really cool too. I've got my calendar marked for a week from now as April 13th is the next Quad Con that occurs locally! Running from 10AM to 4PM at the aforementioned Steel Shop Event Center (49 Lawrence Street), this latest Quad Con is sure to be as fun (or it could even be more fun) as the previous events I've had the pleasure of attending.

Clarkson and I Attended a Fun Autism Awareness Event!

Autism Awareness Day was this recent April 2nd, but many places held events this weekend in honor of the occasion. I took Clarkson to one today and it was lovely! Held by, "Simply Delightful Events by Kay," this Autism Awareness Day event was in the event center space of Renaissance Saint Louis Airport Hotel and completely free--they just requested folks register in advance. It ran from Noon to 4PM. Clarkson and I arrived a bit after 1PM and didn't stay too long as after a bit he requested on his talker to visit his Aunt who lived nearby, but while we were there it was really fun!

There was free food ranging from hotdogs and meatballs with plenty of chip selections to some sweet treats like cupcakes. A number of local resources had set up tables--many we were familiar with such as First Steps, Easter Seals Midwest, and some others that were great to meet such as Blueprint4 and Team Central Gymnastics Academy with their, "HUGS," classes. We also met AB Spectrum, who offer Autism diagnosis services and ABA therapy for kiddos ages 1 through 6. A DJ was spinning a lot of popular songs and a number of people present were enjoying dancing around. There was a sensory area with a lot of fun toys and tables with chairs to sit and eat your food or just relax at. I got a picture of Clarkson in front of a lovely balloon display too:

This Autism Awareness Day event was really neat and I appreciate that the company known as Simply Delightful Events by Kay put it on! They can create and run all kinds of fun parties/events ranging in theme so I'll keep them in mind if we ever need to throw a big party!

“Robocop is America's Godzilla,” Makes Sense the More You Think About It

A friend of mine named Sarah Diaz posted on Facebook, "RoboCop is America's Godzilla franchise. Discuss." It immediately got me thinking about how she had a point. I mean, at the most basic level they represent the hubris of humankind--Godzilla is born from our nuclear weaponry and Robocop is a corporation thinking they can build the perfect law enforcement officer out of machinery and a tiny bit of humanity. It works at multiple levels, however. Both alternatively protect and terrify their home regions (Japan/America--specifically Detroit) and both are looked at as monstrous to a degree but have a kind heart buried within their off-putting demeanor. Each franchise is deeply rooted in its home nation's worries and fears (Godzilla is a physical representation of the impact of WWII on Japan, in essence, and Robocop's movies showcase capitalism and law enforcement with no checks or balances). It all makes a shocking amount of sense.

The metaphor isn't perfect as Robocop has never gone to a Robocop Island/Monster Island but just as Godzilla has had crossovers with other characters (King Kong is a big example) Robocop has done so as well--at least in comic-books (Robocop/Terminator is notable and wacky). Godzilla and Robocop are looked at with a mix of awe and trepidation. They represent each nation's anxieties about just how bad things could get. One is a big more horror-leaning (Godzilla) and Robocop definitely has satirical and self-aware elements, but the tones aren't that different in the end--they both are worst-case scenarios that we pray turn out better than our country's history would indicate. I want to thank my friend Sarah for inspiring all these thoughts and giving me material for my blog--it is definitely a lot to chew on.

Film Friday: "The Naked Gun," Has a Sequel on the Way

"The Naked Gun," and its sequels were a spoof of serious police movies. For some time parody movies were all the rage with older ones like, "Airplane," eventually giving us, "Scary Movie," and all of its spin-offs. Some satirical flicks have been great and some were little more than derivative, "Let's reference a bunch of movies at once," experiences. The, "Naked Gun," franchise hasn't had a movie in decades and the original star, Leslie Nielsen, has passed. However, it is back with a new legacy sequel featuring none other than Liam Neeson and directed by Akiva Schaffer--a solid choice too. The movie is simply titled, "The Naked Gun."

Neeson being our new star is a clever joke, as Neeson started out in drama, did action movies later in his career, and now is making a flick that will joke about it. There is a teaser for the new movie that doesn't reveal too much beyond a silly action scene and a pretty sharp joke about one unfortunate former casting choice in the series (O.J. Simpson as Nordberg before all the legal troubles).  Here's the teaser trailer:

This newest iteration of, "The Naked Gun," will be in theaters on August 1st. I look forward to it (hopefully) being a good time.

Val Kimer Has Passed

Val Kilmer died this most recent Tuesday at the age of 65 due to complications from pneumonia. He was a fantastic actor. He is one of a small number of folks to portray Batman, he was a hoot in, "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," amazed folks in, "Tombstone," and the original, "Top Gun." Whether in, "Heat," or doing voice-over work for animated properties, Kilmer was a great talent. 

Kilmer developed throat cancer in 2015 and treatment rendered it difficult for him to eat or speak, but that didn't stop him from making a fascinating autobio film, "Val," in 2020. His last film appearance was a brief but impactful role in, "Top Gun: Maverick," in 2022, which had his voice digitally fine-tuned. He was a superb actor and by many accounts a lovely person in general (although at times it was rumored he was hard to work with on films, hence him kinda-quitting/kinda-being-fired from portraying Batman again back when George Clooney replaced him, to give one example).

My favorite role with Kilmer has to be the absurd aforementioned comedy, "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang." Pitch black in tone while also being hilarious, it features Robert Downey Junior as well and it is a treat to see Kilmer and Junior on screen together being uproarious. It's a strange little flick that shows off how much range Kilmer could have when allowed to let loose. Val Kilmer was a great talent. He will be missed.

Switch 2 Details Have Been Announced--The Good, Bad, and Pricey

The Switch 2 was announced earlier this year, but we were informed that more details would be forthcoming. Today, we learned a lot more. Due for release on June 5th, the Switch 2 has some cool elements! It will feature an open-world Mario Kart game at launch ("Mario Kart World,") plus a number of 3rd-party titles as it'll have a lot more tech. It will also have a degree of backward compatibility with original Switch games (some will even be enhanced). Plus, there is a camera you can use to video-chat with friends you're playing online with! There are issues already, however. You see, the battery life will be sucky, a number of games will not work on the new console, and then there is the price of the Switch 2 and its games. 

A Switch 2 is going to cost $450 (it could even be more with inflation from tariffs), and some games will be $70-$80 for digital copies, and up to $90 for a physical one. The backward compatibility will have games cost extra if you want any enhancements. The camera will cost extra too. Nintendo is, in essence, squeezing fans for every dollar that they can. In the old days, Nintendo could say, "We're known for slightly cheaper and less powerful but very fun consoles!" Now, they can state, "Screw you, pay me for this tech!" There are pluses and minuses to the Switch 2 news, clearly.

It is exciting that the Switch 2 is coming out soon, but is also discouraging how it will be expensive. Then again, I think that is a trend that will continue with future consoles due to general inflation and how unsteady the economic and political landscape can be. I do wonder if the Switch 2 is different enough that folks will feel it is worth the cost. Will people look at their somewhat similar Switch and say, "Eh, this is good enough," and pass on the Switch 2 until the price drops? Will it be a big hit and sell like hotcakes even if it is slightly more of the same--but with more power and features? I don't know, but I'll be watching what happens with great interest.