Black Lightning - Lawanda: The Book of Burial

Inspired by Black Lightning's (Cress Williams) return, a local preacher organizes a march of his congregation through the gang-controlled streets. Apparently the only one who realizes what a dangerous idea this is, as even his wife and daughters join the march, our hero is on the scene to save as many people as possible - although one casualty will hit close to home. Out of costume for most of the episode, the storyline centers mostly around Jefferson Pierce's family including his younger daughter (China Anne McClain) announcing plans to end her virginity and his older daughter (Nafessa Williams) testing out her new powers and making changes to her personal life as she says farewell to one girlfriend (Shein Mompremier) and meets a potential replacement (Chantal Thuy) with a love of comic books and cosplay.

The Flash - Honey, I Shrunk Team Flash

A new meta-human (Derek Mears) with the ability to shrink objects ties into fate of Barry's (Grant Gustin) new prison pal Big Sir (Bill Goldberg). Not only is the super-villain responsible for the murder which Big Sur is serving a life sentence, but he's also terrorizing Central City by shrinking objects to add to his collection. And when Cisco (Carlos Valdes) and Ralph (Devon Graye) get in his way they find themselves a fraction of their former selves. Meanwhile, Cecile's (Danielle Nicolet) pregnancy triggers some latent meta-human powers giving Joe's (Jesse L. Martin) main squeeze temporary mind-reading abilities which cause some friction between the couple.

Wonder Woman #39

Wonder Woman #39 isn't bad, but it's certainly far from a must-read. The latest issue is heavy on action featuring Wonder Woman squaring off with the murderous new incarnation of Silver Swan. Every panel of our heroine is in battle with the former friend turned crazy super-villain. Or, to put it more appropriately, playing defense and refusing to fight the tormented girl up until the point that the new villain attacks Diana's brother Jason.

Supergirl - For Good

After an attack on his life, Morgan Edge (Adrian Pasdar) declares war on Lena (Katie McGrath) who he mistakenly believes is responsible. An attempt on Lena's life only intensifies tension between the two leading Lena down a rabbit hole starting with rumored Luthor Corp technology and leading straight to Lilian Luthor (Brenda Strong). With the knowledge that Lillian plans to kill Edge, Lena struggles with the choice of standing back and doing nothing or enlisting Kara's (Melissa Benoist) help to prevent the death of the man who just tried to murder her. While she makes the right choice, it does lead to an unexpected battle at Edge's charity event featuring one of Lex Luthor's most-famous weapons.

Lucifer - 'Til Death Do Us Part

Between attempts of trying to kill Pierce (Tom Welling), Lucifer (Tom Ellis) and the the immortal help Chloe (Lauren German) with the murder of a teacher found in a wood-chipper on an otherwise quiet suburban street. Learning that the woman once cooked street drugs turns the investigation onto a Korean gang leader (Steve Suh), but despite Lucifer convincing the man to confess to various crimes he isn't their killer. Unfortunately for Pierce, this leads to one of the show's more unconventional undercover assignments as the neighborhood's new couple. Annoying his new "husband" doesn't get Lucifer any closer to finding a way to kill him, but it does serve as the beginning of a friendship between the pair. Oh, and it also catches them a killer.

ALA 2018 Cosplay Music Video (Part 2)

ALA 2018 Cosplay Music Video (Part 1)

The Toys That Made Us - Star Wars

Playing heavily on nostalgia, The Toys That Made Us take an in-depth look at some of the most popular toys of my youth. The first episode looks at the merchandising and toy line tied to the original Star Wars and creation of an entire line of 3 & 3/4-inch action figures. The look back includes interviews with the toy makers, lawyers, and executives at a little-known Cincinnati toy company that would create a brand in excess of $14 billion worldwide. For those who grew up we these toys, each episode is an intriguing look into the toys of our youth. While I don't have much interest in the Barbie episode, the Star Wars, G.I. JOE, and He-Man episodes each had something fun and interesting to offer.

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #37

Sent to investigate unauthorized resource exploration in Sector 2811, Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner get an unpleasant surprise in running into Zod, Ursa, Eradicator, and Lor-Zod who are strip-mining the undeveloped planet. Oh, and they don't intend to let a pair of Green Lanterns interfere.

Arrow - Divided / We Fall

Returning from mid-season hiatus, the first two episodes of Arrow heat-up the fight between Green Arrow (Stephen Amell) and the team led by Cayden James (Michael Emerson) who is so overconfident after fracturing Team Arrow he reveals the full roster of baddies under his control before hijacking Star City's infrastructure and holding it for ransom to the tune of $10 million a day. The episodes also reveals James' reasoning for attacking Oliver's city, although it appears the villain is blaming the wrong bow-and-arrow wielder for the death of son. Despite bending to the terrorist's demands, the latest piece of information may offer Oliver an out if it turns our he can't defeat the villain as either the mayor or its hooded vigilante.

Scooby-Doo! Team-Up #34

After getting a call from the Birds of Prey, the girls leave Shaggy and Fred behind and take Scooby-Doo to Gotham City for a team-up with Black Canary, Batgirl, and the Huntress who need the detectives' help to uncover the attacks of large mythological birds on the city.

Arisia 2018 Cosplay Showcase

The Wild Storm #11

The latest issue of The Wild Storm jumps around quite a bit, checking on various characters and the state of events. As a result, the overall plot of the comic moves only marginally forward, although several of these scattered stories do continue to develop.

Black Lightning - Lawanda: The Book of Hope

With his daughters momentarily safe Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams) considers hanging up his costume again. However, with the inept police department unable to prosecute the gangbanger kidnapper (William Catlett) followed by the man's murder of one of Pierce's former students trying to save her own daughter, Black Lightning emerges from the shadow one more time. And this time it looks like he's here to stay (at least as long as the show stays on the air). Even if the 100's reach at times borders on the ridiculous, the show does succeed in presenting a better look at street-level gang activity than either Luke Cage or Daredevil. Of course it does help not having to half-explain a bizarre cult like the Hand.

The Flash - The Elongated Knight Rises

As Barry (Grant Gustin) begins his prison stint, making a few enemies and a new friend (played by former professional wrestler Bill Goldberg), life outside Iron Heights goes on without him. Corinne Bohrer becomes the latest character to reprise her role from the 90s Flash television show where she played the Trickster's (Mark Hamill) underappreciated sidekick Prank. Presented here as the mother of the younger Trickster (Devon Graye), Prank helps her son break out of prison and unleash havoc on Central City where a new stretchy hero will have to grow a backbone and answer the call.

Will Eisner's The Spirit: The Corpse-Makers #5

Writer and artist Francesco Francavilla's five-issue mini-series comes to a close with Will Eisner's The Spirit: The Corpse-Makers #5 as the Spirit and plucky detective Lisa Marlowe work together to makes sense of the missing locales who appear to be working as a zombie army deep under the Earth to harvest a valuable resource. In a move that's not all that surprising, Francavilla offers a plausable reason (at least by comic book standards) for the zombie-like horde who are in fact drugged and hypnotized cheap labor for the excavation of crimson coal.

Supergirl - Fort Rozz

It's a girls night out, of sorts, when Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) enlists the help of Saturn Girl (Amy Jackson), Live Wire (Brit Morgan), and Psi (Yael Grobglas) to investigate the floating remains of Fort Rozz which is now (conveniently) orbiting a star which will not only drain Kara of her powers but also prevents any non-female support from taking part in the mission. If the team can keep it together long enough, their mission is to find the High Priestess (Sarah Douglas) who knows all about Reign (Odette Annable) and what is to come. Neither a solar flare which puts the ship off-course nor the sudden arrival of Reign hardly help matters. There's also Psi's attack on Imra which is initially shrugged off but seems to foreshadow possible trouble ahead.

Lucifer - All About Her

While temporarily stymied as to Pierce's (Tom Welling) real motives for insinuating himself into his life, Lucifer (Tom Ellis) works to regain Chloe's (Lauren German) trust in helping with the murder of a local surfer declaring the day "Detective Day." Lucifer may struggle with finding a way to properly butter-up his partner, and initially proves less useful to the case than Detective Douche (Kevin Alejandro) going undercover with the prime suspects, but he will get some answers from Pierce who comes clean about Lucifer's abduction, his interest in Chloe, and what he truly desires.

Super-Heroes Card Trader - Spidey Awesome Pack 2

For more super-heroes check out Super-Hero Pack 1, Pack 2, Pack 3, Pack 4, Pack 5, Wonder Woman Pack 1, Black Cat Pack 1, Lara Croft Pack 1, and Harley Quinn Pack 1, Pack 2, Pack 3, Pack 4, Pack 5, Birds of Prey Pack 1, Memorial Day Pack 1, X-Men Pack 1, and the X-Mas Mega Pack 1 and Pack 2.

Atomic Robo and the Spectre of Tomorrow #3

Things continue to be hectic at the site of the new offices of Tesladyne Industries. Lang and Abasi are trying to get the halted construction of the new Tesladyne back on schedule (realizing their boss stealing the private jet of the neighbor who forced the stoppage isn't likely to help), while Abasi is doing his best to make sure Lang doesn't kill anyone.

Powerpuff Girls: The Bureau of Bad #2

The second issue of Powerpuff Girls: The Bureau of Bad, in which various villains present their closest call to defeating the Powerpuff Girls, rolls out some C-List villains as Bianca Bikini takes center stage to describe the closest the Fashionistas have come to defeating the Powerpuff Girls. Oh, and Garbage Gary gets a turn, too. Yeah... he didn't come very close.

The Good Place - Rhonda, Diana, Jake, and Trent

Disguising his escaped humans as low-level demon workers, Michael (Ted Danson) works out the second-half of his plan while leaving the group in the Hall Of Low-Grade Crappiness not realizing the hall is about to get a new exhibit (joining the likes of the first white person with dreadlocks), this one starring animatronic versions of all four humans. And then things go to hell, in this case literally. While Chidi (William Jackson Harper) doesn't ever fit in anywhere, it's interesting to see just how easily Eleanor (Kristen Bell), Tahani (Jameela Jamil), and especially Jason (Manny Jacinto) take to their new surroundings and get along with their ball-punching, torture-loving, evil new acquaintances (which include Bell's real-life husband Dax Shepard).

Beyond - Two Zero One / Cheers, Bitch

Beyond returns for a Second Season with Holden (Burkely Duffield) attempting to live a normal life by taking a job in his father's factory and date Willa (Dilan Gwyn) - despite how her family used him and the nightmares that continue to plague him. It's nice to see Charlie (Eden Brolin) return, although it seems like her current path on digging up dirt for Yellow Jacket (Peter Kelamis) will be keeping her away from Holden for the time being. Instead we get Willa attending an awkward family dinner and still showing more chemistry with Holden's brother than her actual boyfriend.

Hostiles

Hostiles is a wagon train movie, without the wagon train. Christian Bale stars as Capt. Joseph J. Blocker, a career solider who has spent the better part of two decades fighting Native Americans in the late 19th Century. A reluctant Blocker is ordered to escort an old enemy (Wes Studi) and his family (Adam Beach, Xavier Horsechief, Q'orianka Kilcher, and Tanaya Beatty) from New Mexico to Montana and deliver them safely home after years of being prisoners of the Union Army. Along the way, the group will pick-up a woman (Rosamund Pike) whose family was brutally killed in the film's opening scene and a prisoner (Ben Foster) with a connection to Blocker's past.

After the initial attack on the Quaid farm, Hostiles falls back into a slow burn of a film as former enemies and strangers will have to rely on each other to make the dangerous trek across country. Writer/director Scott Cooper's adapted screenplay doesn't reinvent the wheel and relies mostly on strong performances to carry a rather straightforward plot that never quite succeeds in presenting Blocker and his prisoners as equals due to the vastly superior amount of time the camera spends on the former compared to the later.

PAX South 2018 Epic Video-Game Cosplayers

The Blacklist - Abraham Stern

When Reddington (James Spader) is robbed of his rare 1943 Lincoln penny by a fellow treasure seeker he sicks the FBI task force on Abraham Stern (Nathan Lane) who, like Red, wants to use the penny to find a cache of 1930s Federal Reserve notes which are worth a small fortune and that hardly anyone else believes even exists. To find the treasure the two thieves will be forced to work together... at least until they start betraying each other. Lane is a fun addition to the show's guest-stars, and his capture leaves the door open should the show's writers entice the star to return.

Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny: Hera

The latest from Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny, a series of single-issue adventures each focusing on different heroines of the Star Wars universe, centers around Phoenix Squadron's fearless leader Hera Syndulla and her contentious droid who run into some Imperial trouble while attempting to convince Fekunda Outpost to help supply the Rebellion in their fight against the Galactic Empire.

Black Lightning - The Resurrection

A D-List 70s super-hero seems an odd choice for The CW's newest show, especially knowing the show will be separate from Arrow and the other current super-hero series. Set in the corrupt town of Freeland, nine years after the super-hero's last appearance, controlled by a local gang known as the 100 led by Tobias Whale (Marvin 'Krondon' Jones III) and held together by a largely ineffectual police force, charter school principal Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams) is forced out of retirement during a pair of rough days involving a racist cop and a pair of rebellious daughters (China Anne McClain and Nafessa Williams) getting in over their heads with a gangbanger (Dabier). Black Lightning has returned.

The Flash - The Trial of The Flash

While Central City is slowly being poisoned by a new meta-human who is unknowingly radiating nuclear radiation, Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) stands trial for the murder of Clifford DeVoe (Neil Sandilands) without being able to reveal the reasons behind his obsession with the man or the fact that DeVoe is alive in another man's body (Kendrick Sampson). Unwilling to reveal his identity as the Flash, and unable to present much of a defense against a perfect frame without revealing his secret, Barry is quickly found guilty and sentenced to life without parole in the same prison where his father spent decades for a murder he didn't commit.

Supergirl - Legion of Super-Heroes

Supergirl returns from it's winter hiatus with Reign (Odette Annable) declaring brutal justice on National City, Mon-El (Chris Wood) calling in the help of Brainiac-5 (Jesse Rath) to deal with a comatose Kara (Melissa Benoist) trapped in her own mind, and the DEO desperate to stand against against the evil Kryptonian without the help of the Legion who are hesitant to take any action which may affect their future. Of course, the episode's title does give away the fact they the Legion taking some action before the closing credits roll. Given the revelation that Reign may have a few friends of her own, it looks like Kara is going to need all the help she can get.

Supergirl #17

Most of the action in Supergirl #17 comes from Supergirl's battle with the super-powered Starshame who takes a more murdery view of fighting crime than the Girl of Steel. The arrival of the DEO ends the battle prematurely, although not before Supergirl has the situation well in hand.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - Together or Not at All

"Together or Not at All" finally unites most of the time-displaced fugitive Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., if only for part of a single episode as the team will split-up yet again before the episode's end. We get more of the family turmoil between the whiny Kasius (Dominic Rains) and uppity Faulnak (Samuel Roukin) that mercifully comes to an end with death of the later. In fact, there's quite a bit of Kree-on-Kree violence as Sinara (Florence Faivre) murders Maston-Dar (Remington Hoffman) despite the fact that the other warrior could have been useful in the capture of Daisy (Chloe Bennet).

Scooby-Doo Team-Up #33

When aliens from the future arrive in need of their help, Mystery, Inc. answers the call and travels to the 31st Century to help the Legion of Super-Heroes solve the mystery of the sudden appearance of a ghost of one of the team's former members (Ferro Lad) who has returned to haunt his former friends and demand the team disband.

Los Angeles Comic Con Best Cosplay 2017

The Good Place - Best Self

"Best Self" is a transitionary episode as the series shifts focus once again. Say what you want about some of the individual episodes, the series is certainly not afraid to take unexpected turns and keep the audience guessing about what may come next. Having tricked the demons into pursuing the missing humans to the Middle Place, Michael (Ted Danson) tries to stall for time by creating a transport to the Good Place that requires each of its passengers to be the best version of themselves leading to some heartfelt revelations all around, including Michael eventually coming clean with his friends.

The Librarians and the Hidden Sanctuary

"And the Hidden Sanctuary" continues to play on the concept of another Librarian leaving the Library. After Cassandra (Lindy Booth) freezes up during a mission, she decides to follow Flynn's (Noah Wyle) lead and take a sabbatical. Choosing to visit Havenport, the self-appointed "Safest Town in America," she does her best to ignore the obvious magic in place around the town preventing harm to anyone or anything. The curiosity of a young boy (Benjamin Flores Jr.) helps reignite her curiosity and show Cassandra you can take the Librarian out of the Library but you can't take the Library out of the Librarian.

Mister Miracle #6

Completing the first-half of the twelve-issue maxi-series, Mister Miracle #6 features Mister Miracle and Big Barda fighting their way through New Genesis while discussing/arguing about home renovation. Of all the hero couples, Scott and Barda have always been the most down-to-Earth (which is hilarious because neither is human), in large part to Scott's involvement in the JLI.

I, Tonya

I, Tonya is a compelling, if flawed, look at the life and career of Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie) memorable mostly for the terrific performances of Robbie and co-star Allison Janney (as Tonya's mother). Framed as flashbacks told through a series of current interviews (which were actually shot as reference for the script) we watch a young Tonya struggle with acceptance in ice skating despite her obvious talent, her troubled relationships with her mother and husband (Sebastian Stan), and the events leading up to the attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan (Caitlin Carver).

While a bit too apologetic of Harding in an attempt to allow audiences to see her as the victim of circumstance she believes herself to be, writer Steven Rogers embraces the trashy tabloid nature of the the entire sordid affair going so far as to include Bobby Cannavale as a Hard Copy producer. Director Craig Gillespie's film isn't without its missteps including Robbie taking over the role of Tonya at 13 (seriously, was I the only one thinking of Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story at this point?) and some awkward CGI that doesn't always properly fit Robbie's face to her stunt double on the ice.

SEAL Team - Containment

Hayes (David Boreanaz) and his team are sent to the Bulgarian port city of Varna to prevent the sell of dirty bombs on the black market. Things get more complicated after stopping the terrorists prior to their arrival at the port as the SEALs discover they aren't carrying run-of-the-mill dirty bombs but far more dangerous nuclear warheads which will need to be driven (very carefully) out of the area in rickety old trucks, across even more rickety old bridges, with more terrorists on the way to recover their stolen property.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #18

Red Hood and the Outlaws #18 feels a bit like a transitionary issue that flounders a bit before teasing what is to come. The latest issue opens with the Outlaws taking down a segment of H.I.V.E. attempting to push its way into the Gotham City underworld. We also get a cameo appearance from the Creeper who apparently has some backstory tied to Artemis and who Bizarro offers a spot on the team without first discussing such a move with his teammates.

Comiket 93 Cosplay Showcase

Koshchei the Deathless #1

With the first issue of the new six-issue mini-series Hellboy creator Mike Mignola turns his attention back towards Koshchei, the cursed immortal sent to kill Hellboy by Baba Yaga in Hellboy: Darkness Calls. Opening with Hellboy and Koshchei in Hell, Koshchei the Deathless #1 takes place mostly in an extended flashback of the immortal sharing his tale including his apprenticeship under a dragon, his fame as a warrior, the tragedy of his marriage leading to death and immortality, and his first meeting with Baba Yaga.

Hendo's How-To: Teemo Hat & Gloves

Justice League Action - Eezy Freezy

"Eezy Freezy" is a bit of lighthearted fun featuring at team-up of Batman (Kevin Conroy) and Plastic Man out to capture Mr. Freeze (Peter Stormare). The short includes Plastic Man (Dana Snyder) taking on the shape of Santa's sleigh (with Santa no less) as well as a makeshift stand-in for the Bat-Cycle's front wheel after accidentally crashing into Batman. Not the most memorable of shorts, but fun nonetheless.

It's IKKiCON - 2018 New Year's Anime Cosplay Celebration

The Blacklist - Ruin

"Ruin" jumps several months into the future following the death of Tom (Ryan Eggold) and Elizabeth's (Megan Boone) lengthy recovery with flashbacks slowly filling in the series of events which led the former FBI to settle in the wilderness. Meanwhile, in the present, Liz's hermitage is invaded by a dying man in an ice storm followed by a group claiming to be planewreck survivors but in fact are members of a crime family sent to bring back the state's witness Liz is trying so hard to save.

First Look - The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

We now have our first look at Disney's take on The Nutcracker. After a quiet 2017 it looks like we'll be getting far more of Keira Knightley this year, who stars here as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Mackenzie Foy, Helen Mirren, Matthew Macfadyen, and Morgan Freeman also star. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms opens in theaters on November 2nd.

Usagi Yojimbo #165

Usagi Yojimbo #165 concludes the three-part story of "The Mouse Trap" as the thief Nezumi continues to help Usagi and Inspector Ishida's investigation into the Black Goblin Gang, the recent murders (one of which the thief was framed for), and the theft of silver, all of which seem to lead back to a mysterious master of the gang.

DRAGON CON 2017 Cosplay Showcase

Lucifer - City of Angels?

Set before the show's First Season, "City of Angels?" offers a glimpse at the various series regulars in the early days of Lucifer's (Tom Ellis) arrival on Earth long before he had become a nightclub owner or began his partnership with Chloe Decker (Lauren German). Breaking up the current arc, it seems an odd place to insert such an episode that doesn't (at least initially) add much to the season's bigger storylines. That said, there's plenty to enjoy here including the more acrimonious relationship between Lucifer and Amenadiel (D.B. Woodside) and the angel's naivete at human existence.

Powerpuff Girls: The Bureau of Bad #1

Using a concept put to great use in one of the best Batman: The Animated Series episodes ever made, Powerpuff Girls: The Bureau of Bad #1 opens with the Townsville High Villains Council gathering together to gripe about what a menace the Power Girls are and who among them is worthy to lead the group against the pint-sized heroines. If the first issue is any indication, it will take a miracle for these villains to ever reach a consensus.

It's Dallas Fan Days 2017

Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #12

Already confused about what direction to take now that the Slingers have kidnapped Cassandra Mercury as leverage to force the Scarlet Spider to turn himself in for the brutal attack on Thorne, the sudden return of Kaine (who has his own agenda in freeing the kidnapped club owner) only further complicates the situation. In the end the two Scarlet Spiders agree to work together.

The Librarians and the Graves of Time

"And the Graves of Time" brings back Nicole Noone (Sonya Walger) as Eve (Rebecca Romijn) hunts down the former Guardian and decides to help Nicole stop a group of thieves from robbing several of her graves of magical artifacts hidden in them over the centuries. With Jenkins (John Larroquette) firmly believing that Nicole harbors ill-will to both himself and the Library, and Eve and Flynn (Noah Wyle) both willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, the plot allows the character's true motivations to remain questionable up until the end when a powerful new villain is revealed (and, oddly, immediately dispensed with).

Battle of the Sexes

Battle of the Sexes works as a kind of CliffsNotes version of events leading up to the inter-gender 1973 tennis match between women's champion Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and aging men's star Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell). The script by Simon Beaufoy offers glimpses at both players' home lives, marital and emotional issues, and eventually the match itself. While Battle of the Sexes touches on the creation of the WTA and the rivalry with the men's tour, I'd have preferred more insight here and overall better framing of the historical importance of the match.

Cosplayer Christmas Gifts 2017 (That Cosplay Show)

The Top 10ish Movies of 2017

While 2017 lacked the one film to knock my socks off and earn itself a perfect score, it did turn out to be a deep year for quite a few quality films to whittle down into a single list. Here's the thing, I've got nine movies that made the cut and four equally-good movies to somehow try and fit into a single remaining slot. Rather than expand the list, break my list off one short of the magic number, or randomly pick one to include (doing a disservice to the others), I've decided to do something a bit different and give you some say in what movie rounds out the list. Here are The Top 10ish Movies of 2017.