Top 10 Countdown: April 27, 2019

10. Our Last Night - Bury The Hatchet
Last week: NEW!


9. I Prevail - Bow Down
Last week: 10.


8. With Confidence - Icarus
Last week: 4.


7. State Champs - Criminal
Last week: NEW!


6. The Interrupters - Gave You Everything
Last week: 7.


5. Fever 333 - One Of Us
Last week: 6.


4. Beartooth - You Never Know
Last week: 5.


3. I Don't Know How But They Found Me - Choke
Last week: 1.


2. The Story So Far - Proper Dose
Last week: 3.


1. As It Is - The Fire, The Dark
Last week: 2.

Special: The Curse Of La Llorona, Little, Alita: Battle Angel Mini-Reviews

The Curse Of La Llorona:

Synopsis: In 1970s Los Angeles, La Llorona is stalking the night -- and the children. Ignoring the eerie warning of a troubled mother suspected of child endangerment, a social worker and her own small kids are soon drawn into a frightening supernatural realm. Their only hope to survive La Llorona's deadly wrath may be a disillusioned priest and the mysticism he practices to keep evil at bay, on the fringes where fear and faith collide.

My thoughts: Overall this was a fine movie, but just fine. The acting was stellar enough, I was especially surprised at the children's abilities but this movie lacked a creepy factor instead deciding to rely on a string of jump scares to "scare" the audience. I may be the type to fall for them but most aren't and those people will likely be disappointed especially when they realize this film DOES take place in the Conjuring Universe of films.

Final verdict: 3 loose connections to The Conjuring Universe out of 5.

Little:

Synopsis: Marsai Martin (TV's Black-ish) stars in and executive produces Universal Pictures' LITTLE, a comedy from producer Will Packer (Girls Trip, Ride Along and Think Like a Man series) based on an idea the young actress pitched. Directed by Tina Gordon (Peeples), the film tells the story of a woman who-when the pressures of adulthood become too much to bear-gets the chance to relive the carefree life of her younger self.

My thoughts: Here's another film that wasn't bad by any stretch, but didn't realize it's full potential. Regina Hall fresh off her Oscar win is only part of a memorable cast that adds even more heart to the film than the script could've put in. But here's the problem: This is a comedy but I didn't find it funny. Had they of just not tried to be funny this would've been a better movie but unfortunately they tried and failed big time. Here's hoping the next time someone tries to pull a body swap comedy they can manage to find and balance the heart and laughs.

Final verdict: 3 bitchy bosses out of 5.

Alita: Battle Angel:

Synopsis: From visionary filmmakers James Cameron (AVATAR) and Robert Rodriguez (SIN CITY), comes ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, an epic adventure of hope and empowerment. When Alita (Rosa Salazar) awakens with no memory of who she is in a future world she does not recognize, she is taken in by Ido (Christoph Waltz), a compassionate doctor who realizes that somewhere in this abandoned cyborg shell is the heart and soul of a young woman with an extraordinary past. As Alita learns to navigate her new life and the treacherous streets of Iron City, Ido tries to shield her from her mysterious history while her street-smart new friend Hugo (Keean Johnson) offers instead to help trigger her memories. But it is only when the deadly and corrupt forces that run the city come after Alita that she discovers a clue to her past - she has unique fighting abilities that those in power will stop at nothing to control. If she can stay out of their grasp, she could be the key to saving her friends, her family and the world she's grown to love.

My thoughts: Again, not a perfect movie but most of Alita's flaws can be overlooked thanks to the beautiful special effects you're treated to. The movie is a little longer than it needs to as well but at least that gives us a bit longer to spend in this world since the box office numbers are not pointing to a sequel.

Final verdict: 4 murderball games out of 5.

Top 10 Countdown: April 20, 2019

10. I Prevail - Bow Down
Last week: NEW!


9. With Confidence - Without Me (Paquerette)
Last week: 5.


8. The Damned Things - Cells
Last week: 8.


7. The Interrupters - Gave You Everything
Last week: 8.


6. Fever 333 - One Of Us
Last week: 7.


5. Beartooth - You Never Know
Last week: 6.


4. With Confidence - Icarus
Last week: 1.


3. The Story So Far - Proper Dose
Last week: 4.


2. As It Is - The Fire, The Dark
Last week: 3.


1. I Don't Know How But They Found Me - Choke
Last week: 2.

Special: Free Comic Book Day 2019 Rankings

51. FCBD 2019 LADY MECHANIKA
BENITEZ PRODUCTIONS
Introduce new readers to this steampunk bestseller, which has been remarkably successful with female readers, art enthusiasts, and customers who are new to comics. Includes the original 14-page one-shot introducing Lady Mechanika, a young woman in Victorian England with mechanical limbs and no memory of how she got them, searching desperately for the secrets to her past, plus excerpts from available or upcoming Lady Mechanika comics.
Rating: Teen

50. FCBD 2019 LITTLE LULU WORLDS BEST COMIC BOOK

DRAWN & QUARTERLY

(W) John Stanley (A/CA) John Stanley

This FCBD give your customers one of the best comics in the history of the medium, Marge's Little Lulu by John Stanley and created by Majorie Henderson Buell. Lulu Moppet is an outspoken and brazen young girl who doesn't follow any rules-a protofeminist who is more relevant than ever. Generations of comics readers have adored Stanley's timeless, hilarious cartooning and new readers of all ages will be won over by this full-color issue that will kick off D+Q's landmark hardcover reissue series!

Rating: All-Ages

49. FCBD 2019 13TH DOCTOR

TITAN COMICS

 (W) Jody Houser (A) Giorgia Sposito (CA) Photo, Will Brooks

Jump aboard the TARDIS with Jodie Whittaker's Doctor and her companions on Free Comic Book Day! A perfect introduction to the hit new series from Eisner-nominated comics writer Jody Houser, where readers leap through time and space in fun, fast-paced adventures!

Rating: All-Ages

48. FCBD 2019 CRISTIANO RONALDO STRIKER FORCE 7 FCBD SPECIAL

GRAPHIC POP

The world's biggest superstar is now becoming the world's next big superhero! Cristiano Ronaldo stars in his first superhero project based on the animated series in production.  Led by Cristiano, a motley crew of super-powered agents from around the world must protect the Earth from annihilation - provided Cristiano can teach them how to work as a team! They're here to save the Earth - but who's going to save them from each other!?

Rating: All-Ages

47. FCBD 2019 GO FISH

ARCANA STUDIO

Alex the Parrotfish is off to the undersea city of New Corralton in search of fame and fortune (or at least a decent job). Before he's through, he'll face down hungry sharks, rude bureaucrat fish, and a shocking threat to the whole reef! How will Alex make it out in one piece? Find out in this all-new comic of GO FISH!

Rating: All-Ages

46. FCBD 2019 ZAGOR THE ALIEN SAGA

EPICENTER COMICS

(W) Guido Nolitta (A) Gallieno Ferri (CA) Michele Rubini

When Zagor's archnemesis, professor Hellingen mysteriously disappears from a scientific military base Skylab, Zagor is bracing himself for a crisis of colossal magnitude. Still, nothing prepares him for what comes next.

Rating; Teen

45. FCBD 2019 DISNEY DESCENDANTS DIZZY NEW FORTUNE

TOKYOPOP

(W) Jason Muell (A/CA) Natsuki Minami

A full-color, manga-style graphic novel telling a brand-new story in the world of Disney Descendants, starring Dizzy, the granddaughter of Lady Tremaine, and featuring a host of Villain Kids from the Isle of the Lost! This is the first chapter of Disney Descendants: Dizzy's New Fortune.

Rating: All-Ages

44. FCBD 2019 VAMPIRELLA 50TH ANNIVERSARY

DYNAMIC ENTERTAINMENT

(W) Christopher Preist

July 2019 is the 50th anniversary of Vampirella, and to celebrate, Dynamite is relaunching the title that very month, with a very special preview to come in this year's FCBD special, Vampirella #0!  Featuring work by legendary Vampirella creator Forrest J. Ackerman along with legends in the own right, Mark Texiera, Ty Templeton and Bruce Timm, Vampirella #0 will also unveil our lights-out new creative team as they present the prologue to a story so big, we had to hold it for Vampi's birthday!

Reprint Material 

Rating: Teen

43. FCBD 2019 DRAGONFLY AND DRAGONFLYMAN

AHOY COMICS

(W) Tom Peye, Stuart Moore, Hunt Emerson (A) Russell Braun, June Brigman, Roy Richardson, Hunt Emerson (CA) Jamal Igle

All new! From the hit series THE WRONG EARTH: On gritty Earth-Omega, Dragonfly prowls the darkness for his evil prey; on sun-splashed Earth-Alpha, Dragonflyman protects the status quo! PLUS! A tale of space hero CAPTAIN GINGER when he was a kitten! AND! Edgar Allan Poe battles the Black Cat!

Rating: Teen

42. FCBD 2019 GRUMBLE VS THE GOON

ALBATROSS FUNNYBOOKS

(W) Eric Powell, Rafer Roberts (A) Mike Norton (A/CA) Eric Powell

From the pages of Grumble, Tala and Eddie think it might be a good idea to go dimension hopping when they find death incarnate hot on their heels. Unfortunately, things go from bad to worse when they land in the world of The Goon. And Franky, the newly appointed dog catcher, don't like talkin' mutts that give him the sass!

Rating: Teen

41. FCBD 2019 STARBURNS PRESENTS

STARBURNS INDUSTRIES PRESS

(W) Ed Kuehnel, Matt Entin, Josh Fadem, C. W. Cooke, A.C. Medina, Mina Elwell (A) Dan Schkade, Kit Wallis, Trevor Richardson (A/CA) Kelly Williams

Starburns sure has some strangeness on the horizon! Is that a beer-swilling Sasquatch behind the wheel of a vintage Corvette, burning rubber on the dusty highway? And are those lights in the sky actually war-mongering aliens from Planet Wrestletopia itching for a grudge match against the people of Earth? No! To the left of those other lights, see? It's the Starship Gryffen, fleeing a galactic Federation promising a Utopia enforced by clandestine fascism. And that spark of fire in the distance? Don't mind that, it's just Cherry, the devil's prankster granddaughter. And because it isn't really a sneak peak of Starburns Industries Press without some quirky comedy, Josh Fadem of 30 Rock fame offers a sneak-peek of his humor tome, A Whole New Set of Problems!

Rating: Teen

40. FCBD 2019 TREASURY OF BRITISH COMICS PRESENTS FUNNY PAGES

REBELLION / 2000AD

(A) Ken Reid, Leo Baxendale, Robert Nixon, Reg Parlett, Trevor Metfalfe, Steve Bright, Mike Lacey, Martin Baxendale, Sid Burgeon, Gordon Hogg

It's time to put the funny back in funny pages! This Free Comic Book Day, the Treasury of British Comics presents a stack of silliness in a folio of frivolous foolishness with a trove of classic cartoon characters! Infant delinquent Sweeney Toddler commits crimes from the crib! Just when you thought it was safe to parody Steven Spielberg shark films, along comes the terror from the depths, GUMS! Martha's Monster Make-Up and Faceache strips are both a scream! The egg-straordinary adventures of super-zeroes Birdman and Chicken are sure to get you clucking; You can count on Deadley Hedley The Vampire Detective to be up to your neck in laughs when he joins a stake-out at a monster Christmas Party! A bounty of belly-laughs for kids of all ages!

Rating: All-Ages

39. FCBD 2019 KINOS JOURNEY BEAUTIFUL WORLD SAMPLER

VERTICAL COMICS

(W) Keiichi Sigsawa (CA) Iruka Shiomiya

Kino's Journey is about a character named Kino who travels around the world with a talking motorcycle named Hermes. Kino travels to many mystical worlds, each with its unique customs and people.  Kino's policy is to only stay three days in every town without exception, saying it's enough time to learn about the each place and moving on to explore the next new place.

Rating: Teen

38. FCBD 2019 MY FAVORITE THING IS MONSTERS (MR)

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

(W) Emil Ferris (A/CA) Emil Ferris

Emil Ferris's runaway smash hit My Favorite Thing Is Monsters has been the graphic novel event of the decade and for this year's Free Comic Book Day, Ferris has delivered something truly special: an all-new, 16-page Monsters story exclusive to FCBD readers. Additionally, Our Favorite Thing Is My Favorite Thing Is Monsters features two other Ferris short stories never before collected: a six-page autobiographical story about the harrowing circumstances that led to the creation of My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, as well as a five-page "how to" strip appropriately titled, "How To Draw a Monster"! This will certainly be the prestige book of FCBD 2019! 

Rating: Mature

37. FCBD 2019 LUMBERJANES SHAPE OF FRIENDSHIP

BOOM! STUDIOS

(W) Lilah Sturges, Kelly Thompson (A) Polterink, Savanna Ganucheau (CA) Alexa Sharpe

When the Lumberjanes discover the hiding place of a group of magical creatures called Pookas, they think they've found new friends. But what they don't know is that the Pookas are tired of hiding, and they've found the perfect way to join the outside world...by impersonating the 'Janes themselves and taking over Camp! To reclaim their identities, the 'Janes will have to work together to remember who they really are...and to help another group of friends accept themselves, too, in a story about looking inside yourself and learning to love who you meet there.

Rating: All-Ages

36. FCBD 2019 MALIKA - FIRE & FROST

YOUNEEK STUDIOS

(W) Roye Okupe (A) Raphael Kazeem (A/CA) Sunkanmi Akinboye

Following years of moving in the shadows, Malika's past forces her out of hiding. After receiving a mysterious vision, Malika journeys to Egypt, where she must simultaneously do battle with the past and the presents as she tries to retrieve the FireFrost stone, a relic that holds the combined power of two ancient dragons, from the hands of an absolute evil!

Rating: Teen

35. FCBD 2019 CAPTAIN CANUCK EQUILIBRIUM SHIFT #1

CHAPTERHOUSE PUBLISHING, INC

(W) Keith Morris, Various (A) Various (CA) Rob Brunette

The world was saved as its hero fell. Who will pick up the pieces?

Michael Evans, the charismatic and genius leader of Equilibrium, has tasked himself to protect the world and rebuild it in the wake of the global attack from the Borealis. But without the aid of his brother Tom, who's heroic sacrifice saved the world, is Michael in any condition to handle the weight of the world on his own? Enter a new Captain Canuck, but just who is behind the mask? Find out in this FCBD issue of Captain Canuck! This FCBD issue will give readers access to Michael's Equilibrium logs for an overview of the world as it is now and how it came to this point. Also, providing a sneak peak to new happenings and heroes that will come to the forefront! Your perfect jumping on point to the adventures taking place in Captain Canuck Season 5: Equilibrium Shift!

Rating: Teen

34. FCBD 2019 DARK HORSE STRANGER THINGS & BLACK HAMMER

DARK HORSE

(W) Jeff Lemire, Ray Fawkes, Jody Houser (A) David Rubin, Ibrahim Moustafa (CA) Chun Lo

Tales from two diverse worlds!

In Stranger Things, Eleven and the Demogorgon have disappeared from Hawkins, IN. Steve and Nancy try to cheer Mike up, encouraging him to get the adventuring party back together again.

Then, in the world of the Eisner Award-winning Black Hammer series, Madame Dragonfly takes the reader on an EC-style tour through her mysterious Cabin of Horrors to witness two groups of brand-new Black Hammer heroes from the past!

Rating: Teen

33. FCBD 2019 LUCY & ANDY NEANDERTHAL BIG & BOLDER

RANDOM HOUSE BOOKS YOUNG READER

(W) Jeffrey Brown (A/CA) Jeffrey Brown

When a meteor hits nearby, Lucy & Andy can't help but go investigate, and chaos ensues once the kids realize that it definitely has magical powers. Enjoy this Free Comic Book Day exclusive story full of pranks, animal hijinks, and tons of jokes, and then prepare to meet some other amazing graphic novel characters as well! 

Rating: All-Ages

32. FCBD 2019 ROBOTECH

TITAN COMICS

(W) Simon Furman, Brenden Fletcher (A) Sarah Stone (A/CA) Hendry Prasetya

The radical reimagining of beloved sci-fi anime Robotech gears up for a brand new event, and bestselling writer Brenden Fletcher joins the superstar creative team alongside Simon Furman (Transformers) and artist Hendry Prasetya (Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers)! Free Comic Book Day is the perfect place to jump aboard the SDF-1!

Rating: Teen

31. FCBD 2019 BOBS BURGERS

DYNAMIC ENTERTAINMENT

Join the Belcher family for the 2019 Free Comic Book Day Bob's Burger Comic book! Brought to you by the producers and animators of the hit TV show and features all your favorite characters; Bob, Linda, Tina, Gene & Louise.

Reprint Material

Rating: All-Ages

30. FCBD 2019 WELCOME TO WHEDONVERSE

BOOM! STUDIOS

(W) Greg Pak, Jordie Bellaire (A) Ethan Young, Dan Mora, Serg Acu?a (CA) Greg Smallwood

The perfect jumping-on point for the Whedonverse with all new stories from the worlds of BOOM! Studios' hit series Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Firefly.

First, Captain Malcolm Reynolds and his first mate Zoe Alleyne Washburne have a bond that was forged in blood during the war that shaped the 'Verse...but when the awful secret at the core of that bond is finally revealed and they're called to answer, the people who love them are left to pick up the pieces. And in the second exclusive story, there's something evil lurking under Sunnydale High School, namely a gateway to a hell dimension that's been foretold to destroy the world as we know it. Buffy and the gang have mostly got it under control...as long as everything stays exactly as it is, and we mean zero new plot points, no new characters, and absolutely no twists, turns, or misunderstood prophecies. Easy peasy! 

Rating: Teen

29. FCBD 2019 H1 IGNITION #1

HUMANOIDS INC

(W) Mark Waid, Kwanza Osajyefo, Carla Speed McNeil (A) Philippe Briones (CA) Yanick Paquette

The new Humanoids H1 Universe starts here! Don't miss the introduction to this exciting imprint with an original story brought to you by Mark Waid, Kwanza Osajefyo, Yanick Paquette, Carla Speed McNeil and Phil Briones. Plus: a sneak peek at the first six original series: Ignited, Omni, Strangelands, The Big Country, Meyer, and Nicnevin & The Bloody Queen. Explosive cover by Yanick Paquette!

Rating: All-Ages

28. FCBD 2019 HOPE #1 

SOURCE POINT PRESS

(W) Dirk Manning (A) K. Lynn Smith

Unbeknownst to her husband and daughter, Julie Lavelle secretly moonlights as a beloved costumed "ultra" known to the public as Hope. However, when a family outing takes an unexpected turn, she quickly learns how everything can change in an instant. Acclaimed creators Dirk Manning (Nightmare World) and K. Lynn Smith (Plume) present the full first issue of a new superhero series unlike any other.

Rating: Teen

27. FCBD 2019 A SHEETS STORY

LION FORGE

(W) Brenna Thummler (A/CA) Brenna Thummler

An all new original story that takes place after the events of Sheets by Brenna Thummler. When Marjorie Glatt goes to her grandmother's to celebrate Mother's Day, Marjorie can think only of getting her ears pierced. All the girls in seventh grade have their ears pierced. But Wendell, Marjorie's ghost friend who roams the human world as a sheet, doesn't want Marjorie to change herself just to fit in.

Rating: All-Ages

26. FCBD 2019 ANIMOSITY TALES

AFTERSHOCK COMICS

(W) Marguerite Bennett (A) Elton Thomasi (A/CA) Rafael De Latorre

A tale from the world of ANIMOSITY... On the day known as the Wake, the Animals rose up -- they began thinking, talking, and taking revenge. This Free Comic Book Day, we bring you the intertwined tales of three lives and a date with destiny amid a black comedy apocalypse...

Rating: Teen

25. FCBD 2019 GILLBERT FCBD ED

PAPERCUTZ

(W) Art Baltazar (A/CA) Art Baltazar

Young Gillbert is the prince of the  underwater world of Atlanticus. Together with his  best friend Sherbert and mysterious new friend Anne Phibian, Gillbert is curious to find out where all the messages in a bottle are coming from! Created by Tiny Titans' Art Baltazar. 

Rating: All-Ages

24. FCBD 2019 PUNCHLINE #1 FCBD ED

ANTARCTIC PRESS

(W) Bill Williams (A) Matthew Weldon

Mel was a cloaked super-powered representative of a superhuman group entrusted with protecting all Mankind. After being forced to retire, Mel meets Jessie, who agrees to take her place as a costumed heroine. Mel becomes a mentor to the new cape in town as Jessie joyously engages the role of heroine, meeting the other super-types in the big city of Seaholm and beyond.

Rating: Teen

23. FCBD 2019 CASPERS SPOOKVILLE

AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY PRODUCTIONS

Casper the friendly ghost, the friendliest ghost you know! Join Casper, Hot Stuff, Wendy, the Ghostly Trio, Spooky, Nightmare, and more as this all-star cast of characters tackle magical adventures and tickle your funny bone. Casper's Spooksville FCBD Edition is the perfect introduction for fans of all ages to the entire Casper cast and leads directly to the first official issue of the new monthly series in stores this April! Eisner Award-winning artist Eric Shanower beautifully illustrates the new series and takes you on a voyage to discover the joy of Casper with brand new stories and classic tales that celebrate the Harvey heritage!

Rating: All-Ages

22. FCBD 2019 STREET FIGHTER SAKURA VS KARIN

UDON ENTERTAINMENT INC

(W) Ken Siu-Chong (A/CA) Omar Dogan

They've been adversaries since high school, but now Sakura and Karin's rivalry enters a new arena - the arcade! Martial arts meets e-sports as two of Street Fighter's fan-favorite femmes battle it out through both jabs and joysticks! It's all-new action in UDON's newest Free Comic Book Day adventure!

Rating: Teen

21. FCBD 2019 MINECRAFT & INCREDIBLES 2 ED

DARK HORSE COMICS

(W) Cavan Scott, Hope Larson (A) Kawaii Creative Studio, Meredith Gran (CA) Cassie Anderson

Presenting two stories that are fun for all ages, are you ready? First, in the world of Minecraft a heartless Griefer runs rampant, but she discovers her actions end up having real world consequences. Then, in Disney/Pixar's Incredibles 2, Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl are ready for a date night, but when someone is up to no good, Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack are determined that this villain will not ruin their parents' night off!

Rating: All Ages

20. FCBD 2019 DARK AGE AFTERBURN ONE SHOT

RED 5 COMICS

(W) Don Handfield, Scott Chitwood (A) Rod Thornton, Leonardo Rodrigues

In 2019, a gray haze descends on planet earth and reduces every known metal to worthless piles of rust. With no technology remaining, humanity reverts to a violent feudal system ruled by knights of wood, stone and plastic, this is the new Dark Age. Also included is the return of Afterburn, soon to be a major motion picture! After a solar flare wipes out half the earth, Jake and his treasure hunters raid what's left behind. Post-apocalyptic mayhem is unleashed in Russia in this original short story.

Rating: Teen

19. FCBD 2019 KODANSHA COMICS ALL AGES SAMPLER

KODANSHA COMICS

(W) Various (A) Various (CA) Clamp

This all-ages sampler features a much-anticipated preview of the classic Cardcaptor Sakura: Collector's Edition by CLAMP, plus the US premiere of Witch Hat Atelier, by renowned Marvel and DC variant cover illustrator Kamome Shirahama. and the adventure about the "magic" of reading, Magus of the Library by Mitsu Izumi!

Rating: Teen

18. FCBD 2019 BLOODSHOT SPECIAL

VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT LLC

(W) Tim Seeley, Dan Abnett (A) Tomas Giorello, Juan Jose Ryp (CA) Daniel Brereton

Prepare yourself as the most ambitious moment in Valiant's history launches forward with two original stories, exclusive to Free Comic Book Day 2019! Before Sony's live-action Bloodshot blockbuster film takes movie theaters around the globe by storm in 2020, discover a breathtaking new tale of Valiant's brutal one-man army from superstar writer Tim Seeley (Nightwing, Batman Eternal) and groundbreaking artist Tomás Giorello (X-O Manowar)! Then, the 41st century dawns anew with a pulse-pounding prologue to Fallen World, a shocking new event series starring Rai - the formidable protector of a future Earth - by acclaimed comic creator Dan Abnett (Guardians of the Galaxy) and incendiary artist Juan José Ryp (Britannia) that launches just days before Free Comic Book Day!

Rating: Teen

17. FCBD 2019 DEAR JUSTICE LEAGUE SPECIAL EDITION

DC

The greatest Super Heroes in the DC universe, the Justice League, answer mail from their biggest fans--kids! Courtesy of Michael Northrop, the New York Times bestselling author of TombQuest, and artist Gustavo Duarte, DC's iconic Super Heroes find time to answer questions both big and small when they are not busy saving the world. Their honest and humorous responses will surprise and delight readers of any age, as it turns out that being a superhero is not too different from being a kid. This FCBD special edition features two chapters starring Superman and Hawkgirl from DC Zoom's upcoming original graphic novel, DEAR JUSTICE LEAGUE. This title measures 5.5" x 8".

Rating: All Ages

16. FCBD 2019 MY HERO ACADEMIA & PROMISED NEVERLAND

VIZ MEDIA LLC

(W) Kaiu Shirai, Kouhei Horikoshi, Posuka Demizu (A/CA) Kaiu Shirai, Kouhei Horikoshi

My Hero Academia: What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called "Quirks"? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless? The Promised Neverland: Life at Grace Field House is good for Emma and her fellow orphans. While the daily studying and exams they have to take are tough, their loving caretaker provides them with delicious food and plenty of playtime. But perhaps not everything is as it seems...

Rating: Teen

15. FCBD 2019 BLASTOSAURUS ANNUAL #1

GOLDEN APPLE BOOKS

(W) Richard Fairgray, Paul Eiding (A/CA) Richard Fairgray

One year since his arrival in Freak Out City, Blasto has touched the lives of the weirdos, mutants and misfits who reside there in too many ways to count. Now, they gather to honor his Dinoversary and tell tales of their encounters with their 6 foot Triceratops hero. From stopping vampires trying to knock over a blood bank, to the great circus train robbery of 2019, Blasto's seen it all. Three new stories from the Blastosaurus mythology that are sure to delight kids all around the world.

Rating: All-Ages

14. FCBD 2019 INTERCEPTOR #1

VAULT COMICS

(W) Donny Cates (A) Dylan Burnett (CA) Daniel Warren Johnson

Poli has a mech suit and a mission. Weep has machine guns and a temper. Together they lead a band of freedom fighters on a planet populated exclusively by blood-sucking vampires. A planet called Earth. Donny Cates (Venom, God Country) and Dylan Burnett (Cosmic Ghost Rider, X-Force) bring you neon-drenched, blood-soaked, all-out vampire warfare. #DeathBeforeUndead

Rating: Mature

13. FCBD 2019 GHOST HOG #1

ONI PRESS INC.

(W) Joey Weiser (A/CA) Joey Weiser

A new graphic novel from the Eisner Award-nominated creator of MERMIN that deftly navigates loss, vengeance, and acceptance! Truff is the ghost of a young boar, fueled by fury towards the hunter who shot her down. She has a lot to learn about her new afterlife, and thankfully the forest spirits Claude and Stanley are there to guide her! However, they soon find that her parents, along with their fellow animal villagers, have been kidnapped by the malicious mountain demon Mava! Truff wants to help, but... the hunter is finally within her grasp, and if she lets him go, she may never get her revenge!

Reprint Material

Rating: All-Ages

12. FCBD 2019 STAR WARS ADVENTURES DROID HUNTERS

IDW PUBLISHING

(W) Cavan Scott (A/CA) Derek Charm

The stars have aligned: This year, Free Comic Book Day coincides with Star Wars Day! Han and Chewie race against pirates in a search for one of three identical droids that contain the location of a legendary treasure. But what our favorite smugglers don't know is the other two droids are booby trapped! Trickery and double-crosses abound in this original story set before A New Hope! May the Fourth be with you!

Rating: Teen

11. FCBD 2019 WOLFIE MONSTER & BIG BAD PIZZA BATTLE

GRAPHIX

(W) Joey Ellis (A/CA) Joey Ellis

Three monster brothers get into trouble in a wacky adventure to save their failing pizza parlor!

Monster brothers Wolfie, Jackson, and Roy are in for some serious competition when the gigantic corporation, Happy Leaf, moves into their hometown of Oak Hollow and wants to buy their pizza parlor. But not all is on the up-and-up when they discover the villainous CEO, Lord Mudpant, wants more than to just sell people his addictive products. Can the boys set aside their squabbles long enough to thwart Mudpant's nefarious plans?!

Rating: All-Ages

10. FCBD 2019 SCOUT COMICS PRESENTS MIDNIGHT SKY

SCOUT COMICS

(W) James Pruett (A/CA) Scott Van Domelen

What would you do if you discover your son isn't really your son? He may look like him, act like him, but deep down in your soul you just know...that he's been replaced. Then your worst fears are realized when the light hits his face just right and you accidentally see his true appearance for yourself. But he isn't the only one you discover; your neighbor, your friend, even your husband. Do you scream? Do you run? Or do you fight back? And how can your daughter be the best and, perhaps, last hope for mankind? Enter the dystopian world of the Midnight Sky. Also: a special prequel to Long Live Pro Wrestling, an original story of Gutt Ghost, and previews of four upcoming 2019 Scout Comics titles: Devilreaux, Red Winter, Dust, and Snow White Zombie Apocalypse.

Rating: Teen

9. FCBD 2019 AVENGERS

MARVEL COMICS

Free Comic Book Day 2019 is the perfect chance to dive deep into the Marvel Universe with new stories and exciting adventures alongside some of Marvel's most acclaimed creators - and this year, Marvel is bringing you the biggest and boldest stories yet! FCBD AVENGERS #1 features a story by industry superstars Jason Aaron and Stefano Caselli that sets the stage of the main Avengers series just in time for Marvel's highly anticipated movie Avengers: Endgame, while an all-new thrilling 10-page tale from Gerry Duggan and Mike Deodato creates one of the most unique, dynamic, and deadly versions of the Avengers ever- the Savage Avengers!

8. FCBD 2019 SPAWN #1

IMAGE COMICS

(W) Todd McFarlane (CA) Francesco Mattina

Relive the historical launch of one of the most successful comic book series of all-time this FCBD

with a reprint of SPAWN #1 featuring a new, exclusive cover by Francesco Mattina. Longtime readers of this record-breaking, iconic series following anti-hero Al Simmons will enjoy a nostalgic look back at the issue that started it all. And new readers will have a chance to embark on the SPAWN adventure in time for the release of the film adaptation starring Jamie Foxx, Jeremy Renner, and directed by Todd McFarlane himself.

Reprint Material

Rating: Teen

7. FCBD 2019 POKEMON I CHOSE YOU & POKEMON ADVENTURES

VIZ MEDIA LLC

(W) Ryo Takamisaki, Hidenori Kusaka (A/CA) Ryo Takamisaki, Mato

Pokémon: I Choose You!: When Ash Ketchum oversleeps on his 10th birthday, he ends up with a stubborn Pikachu instead of the first partner Pokémon he wanted! But after a rocky start, Ash and Pikachu become close friends and true partners-and when they catch a rare glimpse of the Legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh in flight, they make plans to seek it out together.

Pokémon Adventures: Red doesn't just want to train Pokémon, he wants to be their friend too. Bulbasaur and Poliwhirl seem game. But independent Pikachu won't be so easy to win over!

Reprint Material

Rating: All-Ages

6. FCBD 2019 RIVERDALE SEASON 3 SPECIAL

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS

(W) Micol Ostow (A) Andre Szymanowicz (A/CA) Thomas Pitilli

See where it all begins in this brand new story based on the smash-hit CW series Riverdale! Micol Ostow (Riverdale: The Day Before) and Thomas Pitilli (Archie) bring fans into the world with a never-before-seen tale that presents all-new drama and intrigue set between episodes of the show! Plus, get a sneak peek at Scholastic's original Riverdale novels coming soon to comic shops.

Rating: Teen

5. FCBD 2019 DEADLY CLASS KILLER SET (ONE-SHOT)

IMAGE COMICS

(W) Rick Remender (A/CA) Wes Craig

It's not Summer Break yet! FCBD fans will be treated with a special one-shot standalone Deadly Class story. Readers of the ongoing comic series by Rick Remender and Wes Craig, viewers excited about SYFY channel's adaptation from Executive Producers the Russo Brothers (directors of Avengers: Infinity War), and new readers alike, will enjoy entering the world of King's Dominion School for the Deadly Arts, where the world's top crime families send the next generation of assassins to be trained. Murder is an art. Killing is a craft. At Kings Dominion School for the Deadly Arts, the dagger in your back isn't always metaphorical.

Rating: Mature

4. FCBD 2019 UNDER THE MOON A CATWOMAN TALE SPECIAL EDITION

DC

When fifteen-year-old Selina Kyle becomes homeless, she must confront questions of who she is and who she will become. From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Myracle (ttfn, ttyl) and artist Isaac Goodhart, comes a story about a teenage Catwoman as she struggles to find her own identity while living on the streets of Gotham City. This FCBD special edition features a chapter from DC Ink's upcoming original graphic novel, UNDER THE MOON: A CATWOMAN TALE plus a sneak peek at TEEN TITANS: RAVEN, another DC Ink graphic novel by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kami Garcia and artist Gabriel Picolo.

3. FCBD 2019 SPIDER-MAN

MARVEL COMICS

(W) Tom Taylor, Saladin Ahmed, Donny Cates (A) Cory Smith, Ryan Stegman

Everyone knows Miles Morales, who rose to fame in Marvel's acclaimed animated sensation Into The Spider-Verse - and with a second feature film arriving this year, Peter Parker will once again suit up to save the world with his web-slinging super powers! In a special FCBD story, creators Tom Taylor, Saladin Ahmed, and Cory Smith take these superstar heroes of the Spider-Verse in a shocking new direction, with a story that will build to one of Marvel's most fantastic and epic tales later this year! And prepare for absolute terror within the pages of FCBD, as an original Venom story by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman sets the stage for what will become one of the most fearsome events in the Marvel Universe... Nearly a year after the epic red-hot arc of the Red Goblin, Venom's dynamic creative team is bringing you a story that's been brewing since classic Spider-Man tales like Amazing Spider-Man #252, The Spectacular Spider-Man #90, Marvel Team-Up #141 - a saga so big and so absolutely action-packed, it will deliver the most dramatic story in all of FCBD history! Fans will be well aware by the summer of 2019 that "everyone is a target"...and the 1st Saturday in May, Marvel invites you to experience the threat for yourself! 

Rating: Teen

2. FCBD 2019 THE TICK

NEW ENGLAND COMICS

(W) Ian Nichols (A) Ian Nichols

The Tick is back for his 10th Free Comic Book Day featuring an ALL NEW story by Ian Nichols! The Tick has always been one of the most popular FCBD comics! Dave has the largest collection of Tick & Arthur memorabilia in the world---except the most rarest "items" of all....Tick & Arthur themselves! Featuring the return of the fan favorite Tick Cycle with its legendary "unnecessary rockets"! The Tick is one of the most successful and longest-running independent comics ever! SPOOOOOOOOOOOON!

Rating: All-Ages

1. FCBD 2019 TMNT CASUALTY OF WAR

IDW PUBLISHING

(W) Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz (A/CA) Dave Watcher

The road to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' 100th issue begins! New York City has just erupted into war as Splinter battles Karai for control of the Foot Clan with the Turtles caught in the middle! Find out how the Turtles got to this point as they battle some of their fiercest foes in this special FCBD offering!

Rating: Teen

Top 10 Countdown: April 13, 2019

10. Simple Creatures - Strange Love
Last week: 10.


9. The Interrupters - Gave You Everything
Last week: NEW!


8. The Damned Things - Cells
Last week: 9.


7. Fever 333 - One Of Us
Last week: 8.


6. Beartooth - You Never Know
Last week: 7.


5. With Confidence - Without Me (Paquerette)
Last week: 5.


4. The Story So Far - Proper Dose
Last week: 4.


3. As It Is - The Fire, The Dark
Last week: 3.


2. I Don't Know How But They Found Me - Choke
Last week: 2.


1. With Confidence - Icarus
Last week: 1.

Special: Shazam!, Pet Sematary, Fyre Mini-Reviews

Shazam!:

Synopsis: We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson's (Asher Angel) case, by shouting out one word--SHAZAM!--this streetwise 14-year-old foster kid can turn into the adult Super Hero Shazam (Zachary Levi), courtesy of an ancient wizard. Still a kid at heart--inside a ripped, godlike body--Shazam revels in this adult version of himself by doing what any teen would do with superpowers: have fun with them! Can he fly? Does he have X-ray vision? Can he shoot lightning out of his hands? Can he skip his social studies test? Shazam sets out to test the limits of his abilities with the joyful recklessness of a child. But he'll need to master these powers quickly in order to fight the deadly forces of evil controlled by Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Strong).

My thoughts: A throwback to the 80's family films that had a tinge of darkness, a lot of action and adventure and even more heart. Reminiscent of films like The Goonies and Labyrinth, Shazam! hits all the right notes and is a fun film for folks of all ages. The DCEU might not be the shared universe they envisioned but as long as they continue pumping out quality films I'm all for it.

Final Verdict: 5 Super-powered teens out of 5.

Pet Sematary:

Synopsis: Based on the seminal horror novel by Stephen King, Pet Sematary follows Dr. Louis Creed (Jason Clarke), who, after relocating with his wife Rachel (Amy Seimetz) and their two young children from Boston to rural Maine, discovers a mysterious burial ground hidden deep in the woods near the family's new home. When tragedy strikes, Louis turns to his unusual neighbor, Jud Crandall (John Lithgow), setting off a perilous chain reaction that unleashes an unfathomable evil with horrific consequences.

My thoughts: A throwback to the 80's original. Ha! See what I did there. Now I never seen the original so I can't say what did or didn't work with it and how this one improved upon it. All I can tell you is this movie had thrills and probably the best executed jump scares I've seen in a film in a long time. However, horror films need to be more than scares for me to enjoy them and this didn't offer much of a plot apart from what was explained in the synopsis above. That being said my fiance loved this flick and she's a big horror fan so I guess if you're into the scares this one is right up your alley.

Final Verdict: 3 creepy John Lithgow's out of 5.

Fyre:

Synopsis: An exclusive behind the scenes look at the infamous unraveling of the Fyre music festival. Created by Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule, Fyre was promoted as a luxury music festival on a private island in the Bahamas featuring bikini-clad supermodels, A-List musical performances and posh amenities. Guests arrived to discover the reality was far from the promises.

My thoughts: At this point everyone knows the story, everyone's seen this or the other Fyre doc so there's not much else for me to say. I found this documentary entertaining but at the end of the day apart from some of the island stories from workers there was nothing new here for me. If you weren't on social media when the Fyre Fest actually happened it's a worthwhile watch and you'll likely get a lot out of it but there wasn't a ton here for me.

Final Verdict: 3 "you-know-whats" for water out of 5.

Top 10 Countdown: April 6, 2019

10. Simple Creatures - Strange Love
Last week: NEW!


9. The Damned Things - Cells
Last week: NEW!


8. Fever 333 - One Of Us
Last week: 9.


7. Beartooth - You Never Know
Last week: 8.


6. Green Day - Youngblood
Last week: 2.


5. With Confidence - Without Me (Paquerette)
Last week: 7.


4. The Story So Far - Proper Dose
Last week: 5.


3. As It Is - The Fire, The Dark
Last week: 4.


2. I Don't Know How But They Found Me - Choke
Last week: 3.


1. With Confidence - Icarus
Last week: 1.

Special: Captain Marvel, Us, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part Mini-Reviews

First up we have some housecleaning to take care of... Drum roll please! Congrats to Chuck as it is (surprisingly) this years victor in the What TV Show Should I Watch Next March Madness poll. It beat 2nd place Lucifer by only 2 votes. Anyways on to this week's special.

Captain Marvel:

Synopsis: The story follows Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. Set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

My thoughts: The theme of this mini-review is critically praised films that audiences don't quite agree on. And in the case of our first film, I have no idea Captain Marvel is a fun hit of 90's nostalgia in a modern day superhero flick. Brie Larson is amazing and gives us all hope for the next wave of Avengers movies even if RDJ and company don't make it out of Endgame. Not to mention Goose's amazing performance which should make him a shoe-in for Best Supporting Cator at the Oscars this year. Hopefully Carol takes a starring role in Endgame and leads the future Avengers teams.

Final verdict: 5 Flerkens out of 5.

Us:

Synopsis: Haunted by an unexplainable and unresolved trauma from her past and compounded by a string of eerie coincidences, Adelaide feels her paranoia elevate to high-alert as she grows increasingly certain that something bad is going to befall her family. After spending a tense beach day with their friends, the Tylers (Emmy winner Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker, Cali Sheldon, Noelle Sheldon), Adelaide and her family return to their vacation home. When darkness falls, the Wilsons discover the silhouette of four figures holding hands as they stand in the driveway. Us pits an endearing American family against a terrifying and uncanny opponent: doppelgängers of themselves.

My thoughts: This film, like Peele's previous effort, was a critical darling. Unfortunately, unlike Get Out, the public isn't nearly as enthused and sorry Jordan, I'm in the latter group. The film had it's moments but it was mostly slow moving with a hook that you can see coming from a mile away. At the end of the day Us is just fine, and that's a disappointing result given the hype that surrounded this movie but sometimes hype can drive expectations too high and that's what happened here. I'll still be looking forward to his next film nonetheless.

Final verdict: 3 doppelgangers out of 5.

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part:

Synopsis: The much-anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed, global box office phenomenon that started it all, "The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part," reunites the heroes of Bricksburg in an all new action-packed adventure to save their beloved city. It's been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are now facing a huge new threat: LEGO DUPLO invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than it can be rebuilt. The battle to defeat the invaders and restore harmony to the LEGO universe will take Emmet (Chris Pratt), Lucy (Elizabeth Banks), Batman (Will Arnett) and their friends to faraway, unexplored worlds, including a strange galaxy where everything is a musical. It will test their courage, creativity and Master Building skills, and reveal just how special they really are.

My thoughts: Not as strong as the original or the Lego Batman film but certainly better that Ninjago. It's much of the same for our heroes in this sequel as they must fight evil all the while learning about family and love through live action cut scenes. The downside is this film is a little convoluted and the laugh factor isn't nearly as high but the visuals are still impressive enough to save it. Although I gave the original film 4/5 as well this is a much lower 4.

Final verdict: 4 Master Builders out of 5.