Special: Catwoman: Hunted, Scream, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania Mini-Reviews

Catwoman: Hunted

Synopsis: Follows Catwoman in an attempt to steal a priceless jewel. This puts her squarely in the crosshairs of both a powerful consortium of villains, Interpol and Batwoman.

My thoughts: A strong voice cast leads this excellent addition to the DC Animated Movie Universe as Catwoman finally gets a full length feature. Teaming up with Batwoman to take on an array of enemies such as Black Mask, Tobias Whale, Cheetah among others. There is never a moment to rest in this globetrotting romp that sees Catwoman and friends traverse the globe to take down a group of cartels and hopefully complete the mission alive so her record can be expunged. The animation is great which was a problem I've had with the last few DCAU movies. The fight scenes are well choregraphed and although there was one scene that was forced in to appease horny teenage boys by the time the end credits hit I had mostly forgotten about it.

Final verdict: 4 cat eye emeralds out of 5.

Scream

Synopsis: Twenty-five years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, Calif., a new killer dons the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town's deadly past.

My thoughts: The Ghostface killer is back baby and tormenting little Woodsboro again. Returning from the original trilogy are stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette as well as the OG Ghostface himself Skeet Ulrich and Deputy Judy from the previous installment. And like that previous instalment we get a new group of kids he terrorizes. Melissa Barrera and Jack Quaid headline the newcomers who must stop Ghostface before more blood is shed in extremely meta ways and they succeed. Scream, the fifth film in the franchise continues to do what it does best and is yet still evolving as this is by far the goriest of Scream films yet. Let's just hope we don't need to wait over 10 years for the next installment of this franchise.

Final verdict: 5 Ghostface killers out of 5.

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania

Synopsis: Drac and the pack are back, like you've never seen them before in Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. Reunite with your favorite monsters for an all-new adventure that presents Drac with his most terrifying task yet. When Van Helsing's mysterious invention, the 'Monsterfication Ray," goes haywire, Drac and his monster pals are all transformed into humans, and Johnny becomes a monster! In their new mismatched bodies, Drac, stripped of his powers, and an exuberant Johnny, loving life as a monster, must team up and race across the globe to find a cure before it's too late, and before they drive each other crazy. With help from Mavis and the hilariously human Drac Pack, the heat is on to find a way to switch themselves back before their transformations become permanent.

My thoughts: I didn't notice until the end credits that Adam Sandler and Kevin James roles were recast so kudos to the new voice actors for that. Neither have a long resume of good roles but reading this script they knew enough to stay away. The Hotel Transylvania films have gotten progressively worse since their inception and they do nothing to correct the course in Transformania. This franchise is beyond clutching at full length straws as they'll need to do something epic to get back into the good graces of movie watching public or else fade into the TV Animated Sitcom realm in which it's already dabbled in.

Final verdict: 3 recast monsters out of 5.

Special: Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Red Notice, Injustice Mini-Reviews

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Synopsis: When a single mother and her two children move to a new town, they soon discover they have a connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.

My thoughts: Afterlife is certainly more kid friendly then it's predecessors were at the time they came out. Of course with VFX improvements it's no longer that scary so I'm not condemning you for having your kids watch the original films. On that same note like Shazam, this isn't just a love letter to Ivan Reitman's original films but the 80's family adventure film scene as a whole. Ivan's son, Jason Reitman of Juno fame, takes the directors chair this time around and he's basically the perfect person for the job but the film definitely could've used some trimming in the middle but the opening set up and the conclusion specifically are well executed and the cast is extremely charming all around. 

Final verdict: 4 homicidal mini-pufts out of 5.

Red Notice

Synopsis: In the world of international crime, an Interpol agent attempts to hunt down and capture the world's most wanted art thief.

My thoughts: More style than substance is found in Red Notice. It's clear that Netflix backed a brinks truck up to the 3 stars houses in order to get them to sign on, but style only goes so far. The chemistry found between Reynolds and Johnson works well enough and Gadot knows how to play a mysterious femme fatale perfectly but the script leaves a lot to be desired and the epic twist could be spotted a mile away, and by that I mean very early in the movies runtime. The ending also sets up for a sequel which I feel will happen just as name recognition alone would lead to suggest. It's not all doom and gloom though. The locations they hit are breathtaking and what fight chorography we have is enjoyable but I expected more of it expecially given the around the world heist premise starring Deadpool, The Rock and Wonder Woman.  

Final verdict: 3.5 buddy comedies out of 5.

Injustice

Synopsis: On an alternate earth, the Joker tricks Superman into killing Lois Lane, sending Superman down a path of destruction.

My thoughts: I think we've had enough of evil Superman in the DC Animated Universe. Supes had enough people on his side in this flick that they could've pushed the dictator role home but instead they just wanted to push the Superman violent content instead. Given that this is a DC Animated movie I do expect quite a bit of violence but would it kill them to spread the killings around? The animation was cool and from what I recall it mostly stuck to the original book before skipping to the end to wrap things up. That unfortunately means no sequel is likely so my wishlist will be flushed down the proverbial toilet. Not the worst DC animated movie this year, but not the best either. It's been a while since I was wowed by one. Maybe 2022 will be the year.

Final verdict: 3.5 dead superheroes out of 5.

Special: Cruella, Batman: The Long Halloween Part 1, Gunpowder Milkshake Mini-Reviews

Cruella:

Synopsis: Emma Stone stars in Disney's "Cruella," an all-new live-action feature film about the rebellious early days of one of cinemas most notorious - and notoriously fashionable - villains, the legendary Cruella de Vil. "Cruella," which is set in 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, follows a young grifter named Estella, a clever and creative girl determined to make a name for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets. One day, Estella's flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman, a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly haute. But their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, fashionable and revenge-bent Cruella.

My thoughts: I shall continue to shout from the rooftops that if Disney wants to reimagine their classics flip the perspective to give us something different. Cruella does just that and although not as well done as Maleficent it's certainly a step above some of the other films they made this way. Positioning Emma Stone's Cruella as a Anarchist Punk in 70's London blowing up the mainstream fashion world is a genius move Disney should be commended with but everything else about this movie could've used some attention to get it from good or okay to great.

Final verdict: 4 fashion windows out of 5.

Batman: The Long Halloween Part 1:

Synopsis: It's a dark time in Gotham City. Held hostage by the powerful Falcone crime family, the city is rife with crime and corruption. Adding to the chaos is the mysterious Holiday killer, who has been targeting the underworld and leaving a trail of terror... and body bags. Batman, Lieutenant Gordon and D.A. Harvey Dent race against the calendar as it advances toward the next ill-fated holiday. Based on the critically acclaimed graphic novel, Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One begins a twisted chain of events that will forever change the Dark Knight.

My thoughts: Batman's greatest detective story comes to film in this DC Animated Film. So far so good as part 1 highlights Batman's failures as a detective as well as his inability to keep his secret identity concealed from Selina and ends at the perfect point. If Part 2 is just as good this will easily best The Dark Knight Returns as the best 2 parter DC Animated Movie.

Final verdict: 4 Holiday murders out of 5.

Gunpowder Milkshake:

Synopsis: Sam was only 12 years old when her mother Scarlet, an elite assassin, was forced to abandon her. Sam was raised by The Firm, the ruthless crime syndicate her mother worked for. Now, 15 years later, Sam has followed in her mother’s footsteps and grown into a fierce hit-woman. She uses her “talents” to clean up The Firm’s most dangerous messes. She’s as efficient as she is loyal. But when a high-risk job goes wrong, Sam must choose between serving The Firm and protecting the life of an innocent 8-year-old girl -- Emily. With a target on her back, Sam has only one chance to survive: Reunite with her mother and her lethal associates: The Librarians. These three generations of women must now learn to trust each other, stand up to The Firm and their army of henchmen, and raise hell against those who could take everything from them.

My thoughts: Shoot 'Em Up from the female perspective. Gunpowder Milkshake may sound 50% sweet but it's anything but. It's nearly 2 hours of blood, explosions and overall mayhem. Karen Gillan continues to prove herself to be a legitimate action star following roles in ensemble flicks such as Jumanji and Guardians Of The Galaxy. Love that they let women go out and be the center of a flick like this.

Final verdict: 4 bloody diners out of 5.

Special: The Suicide Squad, Luca, Breaking News In Yuba County Mini-Reviews

The Suicide Squad:

Synopsis: Welcome to hell--a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out--even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today's do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone's favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn, the Squad is on a search-and-destroy mission with only Colonel Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave...and Amanda Waller's government techies in their ears, tracking their every movement. And as always, one wrong move and they're dead (whether at the hands of their opponents, a teammate, or Waller herself). If anyone's laying down bets, the smart money is against them--all of them.

My thoughts: I actually enojyed David Ayer's previous adaptation of the Suicide Squad to the big screen it had it's issues but was an enjoyable romp. James Gunn's turn in the directors chair brings back fan favourites Harley Quinn, Rick Flagg Jr and Captain Boomerang to pair with a new cast of characters lead by Bloodsport. Gunn did a fantastic job turning expectations on it's head throughout the film and giving us reason to care about these characters even more than this DC fanboy did before. R-Rated gore, language and even a nude man's penis shows that comic book movies can be anything you want it to be.

Final verdict: 5 bags of dicks for liberty out of 5.

Luca:

Synopsis: Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, Disney and Pixar's original feature film "Luca" is a coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides. Luca (voice of Jacob Tremblay) shares these adventures with his newfound best friend, Alberto (voice of Jack Dylan Grazer), but all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held secret: they are sea monsters from another world just below the water's surface.

My thoughts: Pixar gives us a beautiful picture with a story full of heart and hope. I feel like that can be copy and pasted into any of their pictures. Luca doesn't try nearly as hard as last year's Soul but executes it better. It shoots straight for your emotions, sometimes too much as it gets caught up in the attempt to make you feel something rather than just try to move the story forward. Overall a super fun Italian romp with sea monsters getting their land legs.

Final verdict: 4 stupido's out of 5.

Breaking News In Yuba County:

Synopsis: A woman takes advantage of her growing celebrity status when the police and the public think her dead husband is just missing.

My thoughts: This one is hard to pin down as it's a bit of a quirky comedy that knows it's quirky and throws itself into that fully. In the end though it seems to get lost in itself and ends up looking like a parody of a better movie. The script had some good dialogue and the performances by the ensemble was strong but this group of actresses deserved a better end product.

Final verdict: 3 ignored wives out of 5.

Special: Justice Society: World War II, The Woman In The Window, Coming 2 America Mini-Reviews

Justice Society: World War II:

Synopsis: The Justice Society of America, a group of heroes aiding the allies in World War 2, makes an ally from the future who sends them on a history-changing adventure.

My thoughts: As was my issue with Man Of Tomorrow I find this art style very distracting but since this is 2 movies in a row in this universe (and more to come seemingly teased) I'll just have to get used to it. Other than that this was a fun romp through World War II which they surprisingly haven't tackled yet in an animated movie. DC has kept most upcoming titles under wraps which leads me to believe they'll have a big roll out at the upcoming Fandome of this new universe and what we can expect to come out of it since we thus far only have confirmation of Superman and now The Flash in Earth One anyways. The Earth 2 heroes were fun as I really liked their take on Black Canary but it was disappointing to see so many heroes die in the end so we can't have more adventures with them. And hey, Hourman got a hot second in the spotlight. Good for him.

Final verdict: 3.5 Nazi's out of 5.

The Woman In The Window:

Synopsis: Anna Fox (Amy Adams) is an agoraphobic child psychologist who finds herself keeping tabs on the picture perfect family across the street through the windows of her New York City brownstone. Her life is turned upside down when she inadvertently witnesses a brutal crime. Based on the gripping, best-selling novel and adapted by Tracy Letts, shocking secrets are revealed and nothing and no one are what they seem in this suspenseful psychological thriller.

My thoughts: For how they could of mailed in this simple premise I must commend them for trying at the very least. That being said they could've done way better with the cast they assembled. Some twists were predictable, some not so much and some characters they give very little reason for them to exist in this world. You won't feel like you wasted time watching this flick, but you also shouldn't feel the need to go out of your way to give it a watch either.

Final verdict: 3 twists out of 5.

Coming 2 America:

Synopsis: Set in the lush and royal country of Zamunda, newly-crowned King Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his trusted confidante Semmi(Arsenio Hall) embark on an all-new hilarious adventure that has them traversing the globe from their great African nation to the borough of Queens, New York – where it all began.

My thoughts: I'm not sure if we necessarily needed a sequel to Coming To America but I was excited to give it a chance. Unfortunately I felt it to be a little redundant. I liked that they gave us a glimpse at characters from the original we knew and loved but they just kinda retreaded certain elements from the first and gave us a family sitcome type set up we're seeing more and more now a days with old family sitcoms being rebooted and updated and honestly Coming 2 America shouldn't feel like this even though it does.  

Final verdict: 3.5 Foreign Royalty out of 5.

Special: Batman: Soul Of The Dragon, Palmer, Downfalls High Mini-Reviews

Batman: Soul Of The Dragon:

Synopsis: Set in the midst of the swinging 1970s, this Elseworlds adventure finds Bruce Wayne training under a master sensei. It is here that Bruce, along with other elite students, is forged in the fire of the martial arts discipline. The lifelong bonds they form will be put to the test when a deadly menace arises from their past. It will take the combined efforts of Batman and world-renowned martial artists Richard Dragon, Ben Turner and Lady Shiva to battle the monsters of this world and beyond!

My thoughts: The story was interesting enough and I'm glad they made certain elements non canonical, like Richard Dragon being Asian since that makes a lot of sense. But they went a little too far with the 70's vibes since the score made it seem like this was a Blaxploitation film in some instances before flipping to bad pornography. The visuals were top notch which we've mostly become accustomed to with the DC Animated Universe films. The voice acting was strong and I wouldn't mind seeing a sequel seeing where this movie ended however I fully expect this to be a one and done project. 

Final verdict: 3.5 magic swords out of 5.

Palmer:

Synopsis: Former high school football star Eddie Palmer went from hometown hero to convicted felon, earning himself 12 years in a state penitentiary. He returns home to Louisiana, where he moves back in with Vivian, the grandmother who raised him. While trying to keep his head down and rebuild a quiet life for himself, Palmer is haunted by memories of his glory days and the suspicious eyes of his small town community. Things become more complicated when Vivian’s hard-living neighbor Shelly disappears on a prolonged bender, leaving her precocious and unique 7-year-old son Sam, often the target of bullying, in Palmer’s reluctant care. In time, Palmer is drawn into a more hopeful world as he forges a connection with Sam through their shared experience of being made to feel different by those around them. Life improves for Palmer, and a romance develops between him and Sam’s teacher Maggie. An inspiring and unexpected journey unfolds for the three of them, but soon Palmer’s past threatens to tear apart this new life.

My thoughts: Palmer has strong acting across the board even if the story was a little too cookie cutter for my tastes it was an enjoyable emotional ride as Justin Timberlake returns to acting for the first time in a long time and he enjoyed chewing the scenery of this flick from start to end.

Final verdict: 3.5 flying fairies out of 5.

Downfalls High:

Synopsis: When reserved and lonely teenager Fenix (Chase Hudson) meets popular high school girl Scarlett (Sydney Sweeney), the two form a bond that shapes the rest of his life. A musical drama featuring the music of Machine Gun Kelly.

My thoughts: If you've seen my top albums of 2020 list you'll see that I really enjoyed Machine Gun Kelly's album Tickets To My Downfall quite a bit and although the whole album gets a playthrough in this movie I feel it would've been better served if they changed the songs order to fit the narrative. There we're also some point where MGK just didn't need to be front and center and he was. I did enjoy some of the new arrangements for the songs which made this a little better than just listening to the album playlist on YouTube. That being said the acting was stale as lots of the performers inexperience showed.

Final verdict: 3 bloody valentines out of 5.

Special: 2020 In Review: Best Movies of 2020

70. Tesla

69. The Grudge

68. Artemis Fowl

67. The Last Days Of American Crime

66. Capone

65. The Turning

64. Miss Americana

63. Escape From Pretoria

62. Body Cam

61. Impractical Jokers: The Movie

60. Hubie Halloween

59. Dolittle

58. Fantasy Island

57. Bloodshot

56. The Midnight Sky

55. Batman: Death In The Family

54. Vampires Vs. The Bronx

53. The Willoughbys

52. Get Duked!

51. Trolls: World Tour

50. Coffee & Kareem

49. Greyhound

48. Project Power

47. Stargirl

46. Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons: The Movie

45. The Christmas Chronicles 2

44. Scoob!

43. The Speed Cubers

42. Spenser Confidential

41. The One And Only Ivan

40. Superman: Red Son

39. The New Mutants

38. Godmothered

37. The Call Of The Wild

36. Underwater

35. The Gentlemen

34. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

33. The Invisible Man

32. Bill & Ted Face The Music

31. Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made

30. My Spy

29. Soul

28. The Hunt

27. Mulan

26. Superman: Man Of Tomorrow

25. The Banker

24. Secret Society Of Second Born Royals

23. The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On The Run

22. Beastie Boys Story

21. Phineas And Ferb The Movie: Candace Against The Universe

20. The Lovebirds

19. 7500

18. The King Of Staten Island

17. Palm Springs

16. Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm

15. The Way Back

14. Extraction

13. Wonder Woman 1984

12. Bad Boys For Life

11. Safety

10. Netflix Vs. The World

9. Da 5 Bloods

8. Justice League Dark: Apokolips War

7. Freaky

6. Magic Camp

5. Becky

4. The Trial Of The Chicago 7

3. Sonic The Hedgehog

2. Onward

1. Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn

Special: Dolittle, Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons: The Movie, The Last Days Of American Crime Mini-Reviews

Dolittle:

Synopsis: Dr. John Dolittle lives in solitude behind the high walls of his lush manor in 19th-century England. His only companionship comes from an array of exotic animals that he speaks to on a daily basis. But when young Queen Victoria becomes gravely ill, the eccentric doctor and his furry friends embark on an epic adventure to a mythical island to find the cure.

My thoughts: Not nearly as bad as the critics made it out to be but still not great. I liked the idea of setting it in the past to further differentiate it from the popular Eddie Murphy versions from the 90's. It's humorous enough to be considered a successful family movie however it was all the bizarre dialogue and the generic plot that will leave this is the forgotten pile where you look back on it in 5 years and forget that it even happened until someone mentioned it and you go "oh yeah that was a thing".

Final verdict: 3 talking animals out of 5.

Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons: The Movie:

Synopsis: The assassin Deathstroke tries to save his family from the wrath of H.I.V.E. and the murderous Jackal.

My thoughts: You'll notice a step down in art style from the usual DC animated films standard, and yes I realize I said that about Superman: Man Of Tomorrow as well but that was an artistic choice they made that I just wasn't a fan of. Deathstroke: Knights & Demons started off as a series of shorts they cancelled half way through then decided to release the already released shorts and added on the end they were planning. So all that was a way of saying the art had a much smaller budget and therefore was less impressive. There was also the choppy nature of the first half of the film since they were originally episodic format. It wasn't all bad though, the action sequences were great and it was nice to finally peak behind the curtain at Slade Wilson's family life which made the story an interesting one to follow.

Final verdict: 3.5 assassins out of 5.

The Last Days Of American Crime:

Synopsis: In the not-too-distant future, two men and a woman plan the heist of the century before, as a final response to terrorism and crime, the U.S. government plans to broadcast a signal making it impossible for anyone to knowingly commit unlawful acts

My thoughts: This movie is too long for it's own good. Clocking in at 2.5 hours, the premise was interesting enough but the movie is simply a middle aged MMA Walmart brand wearing dude's wet dream. Full of sex, double crosses and tough guy moments. Don't waste your time on this and remove it from your Netflix Watchlist. 

Final verdict: 2 wannabee gangsters out of 5.

Special: The One And Only Ivan, Get Duked!, Justice League Dark: Apokolips War Mini-Reviews

The One And Only Ivan:

Synopsis: While trapped in a cage at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, a gorilla named Ivan teams up with a caring elephant named Stella to piece together his mysterious past and hatch a cunning escape from their shared captivity.

My thoughts: Disney dips it's toes into the darker themes at play but fails to take advantage of it and instead simply brushes it off as a small component in the overall story arch where as if they focused on that as the main component it would have made the story a lot more compelling. The live action actors do a fantastic job of interacting with the CGI animals and the voice actors do well also. The emotional climax of the story pays off in a big way and have tissues nearby as you may require them. Not Disney's best offering but if Disney+ can shoot out quality like this even once a month the subscription is definitely worth it. 

Final verdict: 3.5 mall circuses out of 5.

Get Duked!:

Synopsis: Dean, Duncan and DJ Beatroot are teenage pals from Glasgow who embark on the character-building camping trip -- based on a real-life program -- known as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, where foraging, teamwork and orienteering are the order of the day. Eager to cut loose and smoke weed in the Scottish Highlands, the trio finds themselves paired with straight-laced Ian, a fellow camper determined to play by the rules. After veering off-path into remote farmland that's worlds away from their urban comfort zone, the boys find themselves hunted down by a shadowy force hell-bent on extinguishing their futures. From writer-director Ninian Doff comes an anarchic satire of generational politics, hip-hop loving farmers and hallucinogenic rabbit droppings that pits the youth of tomorrow against the status quo of yesterday.

My thoughts: The script is sound and the laughs and thrills are real. Get Duked! mostly suffers through acting problems due to it's inexperienced cast and a certain level of predictability involved in a supposedly off-the-wall bonkers movie.

Final verdict: 3 farmer parties out of 5.

Justice League Dark: Apokolips War:

Synopsis: The world's greatest Super Heroes square off once-and-for-all against the despotic Darkseid – with the fate of all humanity hanging in the balance – in Justice League Dark: Apokolips War, the next entry in the popular series of DC Universe Movies.

My thoughts: DC decided to make their own version of Infinity War and Endgame rolled up into one and it works. It's brutal, dark with lots of twists and turns. The negative was the obvious elephant in the room: DC just wanted an excuse to reboot the DC Animated Universe (or end it all together) so they fabricated this movie in order to do it, which is pretty bittersweet as I've enjoyed this incarnation that has spanned 15 main line titles since 2013 Flashpoint.

Final verdict:4 magic incantations out of 5.

Special: Superman: Man Of Tomorrow, The Turning, Netflix Vs. The World Mini-Reviews

Superman: Man Of Tomorrow:

Synopsis: The Daily Planet hires an intern named Clark Kent. As Clark begins his training, he must go above and beyond the call of his regular duties to defend the city of Metropolis from the likes of Lobo and Parasite.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed the story Man Of Tomorrow had to tell. It was paced well opening up with a showdown between Lobo and Superman before realizing as the movie went on that the big threat was still yet to come and the two men must put their differences aside if they're to be victorious. My main issue with this movie is the art style they used which was very Archer-esque. Now I've never really seen Archer probably because I'm not drawn to the art but since it's a comedy I kept expecting comedic bits to happen in this film which of course never happened. 

Final verdict: 3.5 parasites out of 5.

The Turning:

Synopsis: For more than 100 years, a deeply haunting tale has been passed down to terrify audiences. Next February, DreamWorks Pictures' THE TURNING takes us to a mysterious estate in the Maine countryside, where newly appointed nanny Kate is charged with the care of two disturbed orphans, Flora and Miles. Quickly though, she discovers that both the children and the house are harboring dark secrets and things may not be as they appear.

My thoughts: I knew nothing of "The Turn Of The Screw" before seeing this film, I understand there are several adaptations of this, many of which are acclaimed... This one was not, and I can see why. The cast was strong enough but the script and plot were a mess. They also announce random characters just to move the plot along and they're never seen again. That being said the highlight was the cinematography as director Floria Sigismondi certainly has an eye for a beautiful shot.

Final verdict: 3 adaptations out of 5.

Netflix Vs. The World:

Synopsis: The story of how a tiny, broke Silicon Valley startup slew giants of the movie rental world, warded off Amazon and forced movie making and distribution into the digital age.

My thoughts: Easily the best documentary I've watched this year, ironically it's now streaming on Amazon Prime if you're interested. This doc tells the story of upstart Netflix that was trying to rent DVD's by mail that no one was interested in before becoming the leading streaming service in the world and defeating the mighty Blockbuster that at one point was a billion dollar company.  

Final verdict: 4 DVD rentals out of 5.

Special: The Lovebirds, The Way Back, Superman: Red Son Mini-Reviews

The Lovebirds:

Synopsis: A couple (Issa Rae & Kumail Nanjiani) experiences a defining moment in their relationship when they are unintentionally embroiled in a murder mystery. As their journey to clear their names takes them from one extreme-- and hilarious -- circumstance to the next, they must figure out how they, and their relationship, can survive the night.

My thoughts: The lovebirds is thoroughly ridiculous and so far out there it makes it hard to enjoy. That being said Kumail and Issa have such chemistry and poise that it's hard to pay attention to anything in the background of the film and enjoy the often hilarious ride they take you on that all the other problems fall by the wayside. This also continues director Michael Showalter's hot streak as the up and coming comedy director despite only 3 credits to date they've all been solid.

Final verdict: 4 unicorn hoodies out of 5.

The Way Back:

Synopsis: Back in high school, Jack Cunningham (Ben Affleck) had everything going for him. A basketball phenom, he could have punched his ticket to college or even the pros, but, instead, he chose to walk away from the game, forfeiting his future. Jack's glory days are long gone... but, as it turns out, not forgotten. Years later, he gets the chance to take back his life when he is asked to coach the struggling basketball team at his alma mater. Jack reluctantly accepts, surprising no one more than himself, and as the boys start to come together as a team and win, he may get his last shot at redemption.

My thoughts: Full disclosure: I enjoy sport dramas and have seen loved ones struggling with alcoholism. Therefore this movie hit me hard. Ben Affleck is back and he's been open with his own struggle with alcoholism which gives this movie a more real feeling despite still being overwhelmed by the normal cliches found in this genre.

Final verdict: 4 AA meetings out of 5.

Superman: Red Son:

Synopsis: After Krypton is destroyed, Kal-El's ship crash lands in the Soviet Union, where he's raised to combat the Communist ideology as Russia's greatest protector: Superman. But as Russia's hero begins to create chaos around the world on behalf of the Soviets, international forces must step in to save the world.

My thoughts: I've praised Warner Brothers and their animation department that has done amazing things with not only the DC Animated Universe but also the one offs like Red Son. The animation is once again stunning however I'm not as on board with the liberties they took with the source material. No, they didn't really change the story thankfully but they changed the tone. The Red Son film is overly simplified by avoiding calling out the political parties on their shit and instead simply takes a "unite against the bigger threat" stance while adding more brutality (the latter of which I didn't mind).

Final verdict: 3.5 comrades out of 5.

Special: Stargirl, Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn, Miss Americana Mini-Reviews

Stargirl:

Synopsis: Leo Borlock is an average student at Mica High School. He gets decent grades, is a member of the school's marching band and has always been content flying under the radar. But all that changes when he meets Stargirl Caraway, a confident and colorful new student with a penchant for the ukulele, who stands out in a crowd. She is kind, finds magic in the mundane and touches the lives of others with the simplest of gestures. Her eccentricities and infectious personality charm Leo and the student body, and she quickly goes from being ignored and ridiculed to accepted and praised, then back again, sending Leo on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

My thoughts: Disney used this as a starring vehicle for Grace Vanderwaal who won one of those reality talent shows so she was a known commodity for most but not me and that inexperience shines through at times but the chemistry between the cast works well. The movie overall was good as it would rank somewhere in the middle of John Hughes filmography which is clearly the feeling Disney was going for.

Final verdict: 3.5 ukuleles out of 5.

Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn:

Synopsis: You ever hear the one about the cop, the songbird, the psycho and the mafia princess? "Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)" is a twisted tale told by Harley herself, as only Harley can tell it. When Gotham's most nefariously narcissistic villain, Roman Sionis, and his zealous right-hand, Zsasz, put a target on a young girl named Cass, the city is turned upside down looking for her. Harley, Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya's paths collide, and the unlikely foursome have no choice but to team up to take Roman down.

My thoughts: I was on the borderline with my rating for this one as I was comparing it to Sonic and in the end I went with the higher one here as I just kept remembering how much fun this flick was. From the off the wall set pieces to colourful costumes to go along with slick action choreography and jokes for days to go along with the bone crushing assaults all the while backlit by a fantastic cast. These birds are worth your time.

Final verdict: 5 oversized mallets out of 5.

Miss Americana:

Synopsis: Miss Americana is a raw and emotionally revealing look at one of the most iconic artists of our time during a transformational period in her life as she learns to embrace her role not only as a songwriter and performer, but as a woman harnessing the full power of her voice.

My thoughts: I like most Taylor Swift music so I was interested in this doc however I don't follow the media around her so most of the negative stuff that came up about her in the film I had just learned so I felt a bit out of the loop. Overall it tells the story well enough through Taylor's eyes but I like docs that actually show several points of views which we don't get here. Only Taylor and the media through past broadcasts. Overall it was fine but not sure it's something I'd revisit.

Final verdict: 3 political stances out of 5.

Special: Aladdin, The Last Laugh, Reign Of The Supermen Mini-Reviews

Aladdin:

Synopsis: A street rat frees a genie from a lamp, granting all of his wishes and transforming himself into a charming prince in order to marry a beautiful princess. But soon, an evil sorcerer becomes hell-bent on securing the lamp for his own sinister purposes.

My thoughts: Aladdin was quite the spectacle to experience. Will Smith did great as his own version of the Genie (RIP RW). Aladdin and Jasmine (Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott respectively) had great chemistry and did extremely well. I expected a bit of Guy Ritchie flair that was not included and I really wish they did away with Jafar's creepy wedding to Jasmine that makes zero sense but all in all my complaints are minimal as Disney added enough to not make this feel like a simple retelling of the classic story (a la Cinderella and Beauty & The Beast) even if they didn't do a complete 180 like Maleficent that remains the gold standard of Disney live-action remakes.

Final verdict: 5 lion-shaped caves out of 5.

The Last Laugh:

Synopsis: When retired talent manager Al Hart is reunited with his first client, Buddy Green, a comic who quit show business 50 years ago, he convinces Buddy to escape their retirement community and hit the road for a cross-country comedy tour.

My thoughts: The last laugh appears to have happened before the film starts since there is very little that is actually funny in this movie. Near the end they pivot to a sweet endearing angle and it would've worked had Chase and Dreyfuss or the writers give us a single reason to care. In the end we get a senior citizen buddy comedy that relies on viagara/erection jokes to get by. Perhaps the target audience, old men who feel like their life passed them by, would find something of value in this film, but where I'm sitting I just don't see it. Ask me again in 40 years I guess?

Final verdict: 2 creepy old men out of 5.

Reign Of The Supermen:

Synopsis: It's been months since the unfathomable death of Superman, and the world is still shaken when four Super Heroes arrive in Metropolis, all battling to be the reincarnation of the Man of Steel. Even Metropolis isn't big enough for these brawlers, it's only a matter of time until dark forces make their moves from the shadows

My thought: Part two of the Death of Superman storyline is just as good as the first even if they didn't stray too far from the storyline everyone knows and loves but they give us enough easter eggs to get excited about the future of the DCAU even if they started skirting away from it more and more in every passing year I'd rather have this then just a barrage of Batman and Justice League films every few months.

Final verdict: 4 clones out of 5.

Special: Batman Vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Screwball, See You Yesterday Mini-Reviews

Batman Vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:

Synopsis: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles go to Gotham City and discover that the Foot Clan is working with the League of Assassins to reign terror over Gotham. Batman then teams up with the Turtles while investigating to save Gotham from the newfound alliance.

My thoughts: I had previously read the comic book series and worried it would be a near identical adaptation but it was changed enough while keeping the core story in tact that it was enjoyable for me without being too much of a retread. Overall the movie was strong but I wasn't a fan of the animation style so it's hard for me to call this a perfect movie. I will say that DC and Nickelodeon did a great job balancing this flick so it appeals to DCAU fans while still being kid friendly enough for the Nickelodeon fans.

Final verdict: 4 cartoon crossovers out of 5.

Screwball:

Synopsis: Recounting the high-profile doping scandal that rocked Major League Baseball, director Billy Corben (Cocaine Cowboys) takes us into the surreal Miami underworld that provided performance-enhancing drugs to Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez and other star players. They say South Florida is a sunny place for shady people and this is certainly true of steroid peddler Anthony Bosch and his most notorious client, Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees. While Bosch's medical credentials may be lacking, his storytelling skills are first rate as he hilariously details the rise and fall of his "health clinic", including mob connections, financial chicanery, his cocaine habit, and Rodriguez's eccentric behavior. The documentary plays like a madcap Floridian crime comedy in the vein of Elmore Leonard or the Coen Brothers while it raises serious questions about the ethics of professional sports. Powerful interests would be happy to let this story slip from memory, but Screwball makes it unforgettable.

My thoughts: You normally wouldn't rave over the storytelling of a documentary but you have to for Screwball. They have the real life people recounting their stories while children dressed like them act it out. It's a riot. It's compelling and it's incredibly interesting even if you only have passing knowledge of steroids in baseball.

Final verdict: 4 anti-aging clinics out of 5.

See You Yesterday:

Synopsis: High school best friends and science prodigies C.J. and Sebastian spend every spare minute working on their latest homemade invention: backpacks that enable time travel. But when C.J.'s older brother Calvin dies after an encounter with police officers, the young duo decide to put their unfinished tech to use in a desperate bid to save Calvin. From director Stefon Bristol and producer Spike Lee comes See You Yesterday, a sci-fi adventure grounded in familial love, cultural divides and the universal urge to change the wrongs of the past.

My thoughts: A nice modern day time travel tale. I'll be up front in saying sci-fi is not my cup of tea so this was a harder sell but as far as these things go this was fine even if it was a tad predictable the powerfulness of the story made up for that.

Final verdict: 3 time travelling backpacks out of 5.

Special: Justice League Vs. The Fatal Five, The Hustle, Hellboy Mini-Reviews

Justice League Vs. The Fatal Five

Synopsis: The Justice League faces a powerful new threat, the Fatal Five. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman seek answers as the time-traveling trio of Mano, Persuader and Tharok terrorize Metropolis in search of budding Green Lantern. This may drastically change the destiny of the universe.

My thoughts: This is a really good introduction to the Legion of Superheroes into the DCAU of movies. Now this is technically not canon to the shared universe but it's a starting point for people so they can put them in the mainline series and not miss a beat. The writing was strong and the JLU style animation is always welcomed as is the voice of our main cast. DC could've done better but not that much better as this is a pretty good movie overall.

Final verdict: 4 teenagers from the 31st century out of 5.

The Hustle:

Synopsis: Rebel Wilson and Anne Hathaway have winning chemistry as a pair of con artists plying their trade in a stunning seaside town in the south of France. Josephine Chesterfield (Hathaway) is a glamorous, seductive Brit with a sprawling home in Beaumont-sur-Mer and a penchant for defrauding gullible wealthy men from all corners of the world. Into her well-ordered, meticulously moneyed world bursts Penny Rust (Wilson), an Aussie who is as free-form and fun-loving as Josephine is calculated and cunning. Where Penny amasses wads of cash by ripping off her marks in neighborhood bars, Josephine fills her safe with massive diamonds after ensnaring her prey in glitzy casinos. Despite their different methods, both are masters of the art of the fleece so they con the men that have wronged women. Wilson's talent for physicality and Hathaway's withering wit are a combustible combination as the pair of scammers pull out all the stops to swindle a naive tech billionaire (Alex Sharp).

My thoughts: It wasn't completely unwatchable, but it was completely un-funny and even though Anne Hathaway deserves better she did nothing to redeem this movie either. It's a stinker.

Final verdict: 2 gender-swaped remakes out of 5.

Hellboy:

Synopsis: Hellboy is back, and he's on fire. From the pages of Mike Mignola's seminal work, this action packed story sees the legendary half-demon superhero (David Harbour, "Stranger Things") called to the English countryside to battle a trio of rampaging giants. There he discovers The Blood Queen, Nimue (Milla Jovovich, Resident Evil series), a resurrected ancient sorceress thirsting to avenge a past betrayal. Suddenly caught in a clash between the supernatural and the human, Hellboy is now hell-bent on stopping Nimue without triggering the end of the world.

My thoughts: It doesn't touch the animated or Del Toro films. But it didn't need to in order to be good, but it didn't quite reach that either. It seems this movie was made due to the success of R rated superhero movies lately and they decided to give Hellboy that treatment except with a low budget it all just kind've looked forced and mildly cringy. This movie is a big ol' meh at it's core.

Final verdict: 3 demons out of 5.

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