A Visit to Funko Hollywood!

Funko Hollywood has countless Funko Pop! figures, 40,000 feet of photo ops!, and the chance to make your own figure! The store opened its doors on November 18, 2019. It is located at 6201 Hollywood Blvd. next to the Pantages Theater. More info is at: https://funko.com/funko-blog-home/funko-hollywood-everything-you-need-to-know.html. Many influencers and celebs have visited the store. There are so many photo ops with music, no animation or voices. It is filled with so many favorite figures that I spent about two hours there. A giant Planet Hulk figure ready to take on the Red King, one of the first photo ops, next to a large Groot figure. Some of the columns have K-Pop Demon Hunters, but the figures of Huntr/x were sold out. Next to the entrance is a Freddie Funko box where you can pose as a figure Hanging from a girder next to the ceiling was Spider-Man. This opens to a large Black Panther display complete with rocks and  the waterfall at Warrior Falls. 

The Black Panther display at Funko Hollywood, photo by the author.

It has Black Panther with Shuri and Okoye on the ledge above them standing watch. Across from them is Killmonger as a mercenary with weapons! This is right back to the cash register area. The rooms and photo ops do not have titles and labels for characters. Around the corner is the bearded Captain America with no shield. Keep going and there is a Guardians of the Galaxy room with Groot pointing the way. Next to him is Rocket Raccoon with two blasters pointed in both directions! Inside is a Thanos in the corner, with menacing lighing, and rendered as a Funko he looks friendly. To the right is Starlord iwth his mask on and holding his blaster. Then, Gamora with a rifle. The next room is Harry Potter with Hagrid standing out side.  

A large table at Hogwarts has at the end; Harry Potter and Ron Weasley in their school robes, a space for you to join them, and across from you is Hermione Granger in her school robes, they all look towards where a camera is pointing. In a corner to the left was Newt Scamander with his wand ready next to a purplish window. He is flanked by a Niffler on top of a treasure chest and on a pedestal is a pink Fwooper. I think Dobby was on the other side. The last room was DC, a can’t miss!, it has two corners; one with Batgirl lit in blue standing in a Gotham alley. Across from her is Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad (2016) complete with baseball bat with a festive Christmas tree. This all leads to a large room with Superfriends! They stand in front of the Hall of Justice lit in blue with Superman flying above them. 

Super Friends assembled!, at Funko Hollywood, author’s photo. 

To his side are Aquaman and Wonder Woman and on the other side, Batman and Robin. On the other side of the store is a Little Mermaid photo op. This is impressive with a sunken ship, Ursula in the back, and Ariel inside the breached hull with her bag of thingamabobs. Flounder floats above her and there is a great detail with the cabin at the stern filled with jellyfish! A next section behind the sunken ship is Frozen. Elsa on a icy area with a few Christmas trees next to Olaf. Anna looks out from a barn window and that end is Sven in a barn. The Disney area has Sorcerer Mickey in a grey tower. This is in front of storefronts on both sides! They have Goofy with Funko minis across from Donald at the Crown Hotel doorway. Above the Agrabah building, at a window is Aladdin and Genie, with Abu above them. To the side is Jasmine looking out of a window. Very fun! At another window ledge is Jack Skellington and Zero. Around the corner is a throne for you to take a photo op with Disney villains next to you. 

This is the Queen of Hearts and Jafar red genie behind her and on the other side, Hades with Maleficent behind him.  The past the Disney villain is wall that has the Jurassic Park jeep for you to sit in while Ian Malcolm poses without his shirt as a T-Rex is about to chomp on all of you! Continue on and there is a Stranger Things corner with the Demogorgon about to emerge from the Upside Down in a locker room! Eleven has her hand out ready to use her powers, her eyes crackle black with a bloody nose. This ends with the Game of Thrones photo op with a corrupted Viserion crawling forward from a rocky face. There is a place for you to stand by the dragon with Night King riding his skeletal horse at the top! There was a display of Lord of the Rings Funkos, but no photo ops. 

“I shot first!”, demands Greedo at Funko Hollywood, photo by the author. 

The horror section leads to Pennywise behind a sewer grate, Beetlejuice rising above a graveyard, and what struck me was the Creature from the Black Lagoon standing on some rocks. Across that section is Rick and Morty in their crashed ship. Further down the back hall is my favorite section, Star Wars! An alleyway has a Jawa trader for mini-Funkos next to R5-D4. There are racks of other Funkos. Enter the doorway to the right and you are in Chalmun’s Spaceport Cantina! Behind a counter is the Ponda Baba who later bullies Luke, the snaggletoothed Takeel, and the Ithorian, Momaw Nadon. A pair of Jawas look out above them. Across from the booth is Boba Fett with his blaster rifle. In a side booth is Greedo with his blaster on the table, you can sit opposite of him to decide if Han shot first!  Around the corner is R2-D2 and C-3PO. To the side is the landspeeder which you sit in for a photo with a pair of Stormtroopers around it with their blaster rifles!  

The other interesting part is just past the droids is The Thirteenth Doctor next to the Tardis from Doctor Who! Past her along the wall is sports and music with the MTV astronaut statue and sports figures with Michael Jordan holding a basketball. To the side video game Funkos like Pac-Man on a shelf with the Ghosts, and then a Saturday Morning room of cartoon and mascots. This includes the cereal mascots like Frankenberry and Captain Crunch sitting in a red bowl. The robot maid Rosie is with a giant Jetsons lunchpail and Marvin the Martian in his rocket ship to Mars. Kool-Aid Man is bursting from a wall with a small Green Giant at the top. Cheester Cheetah with shades on stands by a giant bag of Cheetos. Towards the front of the store there was a rotating platform with Goku from Dragonball. A highlight was the Funko Store, Freddie Funko with his crown watches in a green capsule, and across from it is Andy's room from Toy Story with a flying Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, and Bullseye. Rex is behind them and the tiny three-eyed alien ontop of a toy block. 

Pac-Man with the Ghosts with Funko Hollywood welcome sign, author’s photo. 

The Funko Store is where you can customize your own figure with Pop! Yourself! I was told that this was $40 and up. A computer screen sets up the process, you choose you gender, head and hair style and color, then clothes. I chose the special edition K-Pop Demon Hunters box and Hunter/X shirt (this was $8). I had the book accessory, more adds to the cost. Finally, your name. I asked there is no selection of color with the outfits, but there are many options otherwise. It takes about 20 minutes and pop!, there’s your figure! The photo ops have many helpful workers and if you don’t see any nearby, teh customers are also nice about taking the photos! The store has meet and greets and signings. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie had a signing in July. A Meet and greet with a signing in Octoer with the cast of Balder’s Gate 3. Check the website for hours and events. Funko Hollywood is just hours of fun, franchises of all kinds, photo ops, and a store of Funko figures to buy!  

#FunkoHollywood, #MerryMystery, #PlanetHulk, #FreddieFunko, #SpiderMan, #BlackPanther, #Shuri, #Okoye, #Killmonger, #CaptainAmerica, #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy, #RocketRaccoon, #Groot, #Thanos, #Yondu, #Starlord, #Gamora 

#WizardingWorld, #Hagrid, #HarryPotter, #RonWeasley, #HermioneGrange, #NewtScamander, #NIffler, Flooper, #Dobby, #Batgirl, #HarleyQuinn, #Superfriends, #Superman, #Aquaman, #WonderWoman, #Batman, #Robin, #LittleMermaid, #Ursula, #Ariel, #Flounder 

#SorcererMickey, #Goofy, #Donald, #Aladdin, #Genie, #Abu, #Jasmine, #JackSkellington, #Zero, #DisneyVillains, #QueenOfHearts, #Jafar, #Hades, #Maleficent, #Frozen, #Elsa, #Olaf, #Anna, #Sven, #JurassicPark, #IanMalcolm, #TRex, 

#StrangerThings, #Demogorgon, #Eleven, #GameOfThrones, #Viserion, #NightKing, #LordOfTheRings, #RickAndMorty, #StarWars, #Jawa, R5D4, #PondaBaba, #Takeel, #MomawNadon, #BobaFett, #Greedo, #R2D2, #C3PO, #Landspeeder, #Stormtroopers

#ThirteenthDoctor, #DoctorWho, #SaturdayMorning, #Frankenberry, #CaptainCrunch, #Rosie, #TheJetsons, #MarvinTheMartian, #KoolAidMan, #GreenGiant, #CheesterCheetah, #Goku, #Dragonball, #ToyStory, #BuzzLightyear, #Woody, #Jessie, #Bullseye, #FunkoStore, #FreddieFunko, #PopYourself 

Top Ten Favorite Movies for the End of 2025!

Here is favorite films for 2025! The previous list had films up to the summer and this part will cover all of the year. First, there is a backlog of movies that I have to catch up on reviews; Wicked: For Good, Rental Family, and I really want to get to Zootopia 2 which I liked a little better the second time. Also on the back burner is Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. I have not seen One Battle After Another or Hamnet. I think all of the films have expectations, what you might know, interest you, and if it exceeds them. Number one, Rental Family, this is a movie that has everything; broken families, loneliness that fills our lives now, marriage, business, growing up, growing old, laughter, and sadness. Every emotion is felt, honestly, not some Hollywood construction.

 I think it is one of Brendan Fraser’s best performances, I feel that he was changed by the filming, it is challenging since he plays three parts; father, reporter, and the character of Phillip. All of the actors are of the highest caliber, also a twist at the third act. The expectation of the unusual premise is just a step into the door of what was movie that had the joy of life. Number two, Sinners, what a phenomenon and a film. Ryan Coogler has sheen of lively jazz and the darkness of the supernatural here. Michael B. Jordan has a stunning performance as twins, Smoke and Stack. All of the cast is first rate. One scene in particular where the music is playing; musicians and dancers from across time take part with the driving, thumping notes.

There is the element of vampires, with every movie you have to understand what are the parameters of the vampire. We get introduced to the desperate Remmick (Jack O’Connell) who is on the run from Native American hunters. He gets refuge and turns a couple in a cabin. We find them later at the juke joint, they appear, but can’t cross a household without permission. Sinners is impressive as a drama with the story, acting, music, and cinematography. It is streaming now on Max. Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is number three. This feels like the culmination of del Toro’s work. Del Toro is a top world builder with film, animation, and novels. The vision for his movies is fascinating and the standout for me is Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). 

I find it is interesting that the usual del Toro actors; Doug Jones, starting with. All the way to the lead role of the Amphibian Man in The Shape of Water (2017), The Faun and the Pale Man in Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), back to Mimic (1997). Also, Ron Perlman from Cronos (1992), lead character in Hellboy (2004) and Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008), to voicing Podesta in Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022). Del Toro has both actors as leads and the actors would go out of their way to be in his movies. I think Frankenstein was del Toro’s opportunity to go without Jones and Perlman, new actors, I expect Oscar Isaac to be in del Toro’s next film. Jacob Elordi puts in a complex performance as The Creature. A direct adaptation of Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818) would not be effective, her novel stands alone, adapters should add their touches to the story. 

Number four is taken by K-Pop Demon Hunters, like Sinners, it is a sensation. Still, its dominating music, in every important concert and event so the animated film is constantly relevant. Also, that the people who made the film are still being interviewed, director and co-writer, Maggie Kang, and the speaking voices; Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo. A whole new level of celebrity. Now, the singing voices; Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami especially with Grammy noms. It will be interesting to see how all of this talent will move on until the next film. I think the promotion is perfect and really unlike any other animated film. Netflix released The Art of Demon Hunters online. The Korean creative talent, culture, and K-Pop has smashed into pop culture. 

The story of the Huntr/x trio; Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, is complex, but not to confused young audiences. Rumi struggling with her half-demon nature, hiding it from her friends. Also, the music is the best, “Golden” just can be played over and over. I hope they release two-three shorts with music until the sequel drops. Of course it is currently streaming on Netflix. The fifth spot goes to Red Sonja, only a one day theatrical release, and now on Blu Ray and pay per view. Fantasy has tended towards high fantasy with Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) than sword & sorcery like Conan the Barbarian (2011). I always love the character of Red Sonja with roots in Robert E. Howard, but becomes powerful in the comic books. Even more fascinating for me was the evolution of the character with her origin. 

Gail Simone had cast away the violated Sonja and made her strong. The film reboots Red Sonja all under the guidance of director, M.J. Bassett. She had directed Solomon Kane (2009) which was brilliant. I really hope that a third movie in the REH worlds can be made! Bassett captures the characters from Howard and others while making worlds solid, believeable. The surprise for me is Matilda Lutz, she has all of the dimensions of the character, and the convincing part is seeing her using the sword against others. Red Sonja held promise, but went beyond with Lutz's lead, the past stories, and Bassett's past film! Number six is the apex of war films, Warfare, by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza. My expectation was that Garland would encapsulate the feeling of being on a battlefield like his previous movie, Civil War (2024). 

It eliminates Hollywood war film conventions in characters and story. The cinematography by David J. Thompson is blunt, not wandering the battlefield with the typical Hollywood lens. He was a camera operator on Civil War. The leader is Erik (Will Poulter), along with sniper, Elliot Miller (Cosmo Jarvis), Ray Mendoza, communications officer (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai), the counterpart to co-writer and co-director. They are not heroes, they are people, and the Iraq opposition, is largely faceless, we don’t know their maneuvers or their stories. Warfare is honest as a war film that makes an conflict best to be avoided. It is streaming on Max now. In contrast, there is the fairy tale fantasy of Wicked: For Good, much of the fantasy is constructs, the very human element of friendship, deceit, and betrayal is there from the musical. 

The other part for me was seeing the musical after Wicked: Part I. It helped me understand the characters and story much better than the first film. I also thought Jon M. Chu would pull the story together like what he did with In the Heights (2021). Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande plus Jonathan Bailey were great with vocals and character. There were many duets in this movie musical. The threads of the L. Frank Baum novel are more entangled here with Dorothy (Bethany Weaver) and her companions. The story gets changed with the addition of the Yellow Brick Roads creation and the fate of the animals which is forgotten in the musical. I really like the changes, but I was confused about the songs if they were new or from the musical. I would have liked a reprise of “Defying Gravity”, there are hints, but nothing like that showstopper. The visuals continue to impress with the sequel. Wicked: For Good is still playing in theaters. 

Next at number eight is Fantastic Four: First Steps. My expectations are extremely low with the MCU movies.The MCU has just been a confusing web of unrealized connections and just fake CGi worlds and characters. So it was a breath of fresh air with Matt Shakman’s direction that had none of the boulder of Sisyphus baggage of the MCU. Instead, it was a story of a family, who happen to be a super family. Comics continuity was also thrown away to tell Marvel’s First Family story. Sue Storm played to perfection by Vanessa Kirby is given the spotlight as mother, hero, founder of the Future Foundation, and her upgrades to take on Galactus. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) is supportive, Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) doesn’t show off his strength, instead he’s a friend, and Joseph Quinn plays an inventive Johnny Storm. Plus there is H.E.R.B.I.E. (voiced by Matthew Wood)! An impossible situation facing the non-cloud Galactus (Ralph Ineson)! The best part is that the FF film is a tribute to Jack Kirby! Fantastic Four: First Steps is streaming on Disney+.   

We are getting closer to the end with number nine, Ballerina! The expectation was that the movie fit in the Wickverse and it did seem so with Chad Stahelski on board as producer. Then, there was director, Len Wiseman, whose films had style with the action and design. He seems to have understood the Wickverse. Ana de Armas as Eve, proved her action chomps with the Bond film, No Time to Die (2021). Here she proved herself taking on the lead as more of a protector, mythical Kikimora, instead of an assassin. I really like how it moves through the Wick movies and finally ends with a duel with the Baba Yaga himself, John Wick (Keanu Reeves). The innovative fights and Eve’s underdog battle to take on a cult army led by The Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne). It was great to see all of the key players in the Wickverse, Winston (Ian McShane), The Director (Angelica Huston), her employer, and the final appearance of Lance Reddick as Charon. It is my favorite of the Wick films since it has an awesome female lead. It is currently streaming on Starz. 

Lastly, at number ten, is Superman. There are some high expectations since this film would launch the DC Universe setting the world. James Gunn, director and writer, has superhero cred with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) for the MCU and The Suicide Squad (2021) for the DC Universe. David Cornswet’s Superman is not invincible, but very vulnerable against Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor. He is challenged by Lois Lane played by Rachel Brosnahan, who is introduced fairly late with the host of other characters. His family in Smallville, Pa (Pruitt Taylor Vince) and Ma (Neva Howell), are the backbone, down home wisdom that Clark needs. 

The government and public turns against him as well as the villain, Ultraman, who equals his power, and The Engineer (Maria Gabriela de Faria). The Justice Gang as Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Ed Gathegi’s Mr. Terrific are the world’s heroes. Mr. Terrfic is the standout. He needs all of his friends and allies to deal with Luthor’s world threat. Superman was released early on Max in September while the movie was still in theaters leaves a gap until the next DC film or show. There is a range of films from dramas, action movies, and an animated movie that are all favorite films this year!  

#FavoriteMovies2025, #RentalFamily, #BrendanFraser, #Sinners, #RyanCoogler, #MichaelBJordan, #JackOConnell, #Frankenstein, #GuillermoDelToro, #OscarIsaac, #JacobElordi, #DougJones, #RonPerlman, #KPopDemonHunters, #MaggieKang, #ArdenCho, #MayHong, #JiYoungYoo, #Ejae, #AudreyNuna, #ReiAmi

#RedSonja, #MJBassett, #MatildaLutza, #Warfare, #AlexGarland, #RayMendoza, #DavidJThompson, #WillPoulter, #CosmoJarvis, #DPharaohWoonATai, #WickedForGood, #JonMChu, #CynthiaErivo, #ArianaGrande, #BethanyWeaver, #FantasticFourFirstSteps, #MattShakman, #VanessaKirby, #PedroPascal, #EbonMossBachrach, #JosephQuinn

#MatthewWood, #RalphIneson, #Ballerina, #LenWiseman, #AnaDeArmas, #KeanuReeves, #IanMcShane, #AnjelicaHuston, #LanceRiddick, #GabrielByrne, #Superman, #JamesGunn, #DavidCornswet, #RachelBrosnahan, #NicholasHoult, #PruittTaylorVince, #NevaHowell, #GabrielaDeFaria, #NathanFillion, #IsabelaMerced, #EdGathegi

CityWalk with Wicked: For Good to Percy Jackson Billboard!

This was a long day and night journey that started with seeing Wicked: For Good, finally!, at CityWalk. It started at 12:01 p.m. I checked in with the Production Central store with the Universal Monsters on the billboard. I found a Creatures from the Black Lagoon cup for $29. Individual Universal Monsters figures, $35, kinda expensive. I great Gillman cap, $34,  which had the scaly texture. Then, ducked into Things from Another World, picked up a few comics that I haven’t been able to find. There was a great Wicked Christmas tree and seeing it also at night was fantastic. So around it was the Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood. They had the costumes of Glinda and Elphaba from Wicked: For Good. They were in a box-like display which helped deflect the light messing up photos. 

Elphaba and Glinda’s costumes from Wicked: For Good, UniversalCinema AMC at CityWalk, author’s photo.

The film was showing at the exact time so I got a ticket to the 3:20 p.m. showing. So I moved on from there to the Dodger’s Clubhouse. I didn’t find a World Series hat that fit. Then, moved on to the Universal Studios Store, I found a pressed penny machine for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. $5 for all 8 coins! It had on the machine to ask about the pennies folder, but I found that it was sold out!  I also saw a stuffie of King Kong devouring the tour tram, $24.95! I still needed to burn some time before the movie and browsed through Celebrity Authentics. I liked seeing a Necronomicon prop from Evil Dead 2 (1987), heavy price tag at $199.99!, I think the store had a 20% sale going, but still. 

The exception was Val Kilmer signed items. I saw a framed 8x10 with a Tombstone sheriff badge, it was $1,199.99! I read two comics and then was ready for Wicked: For Good. Glinda had a shimmering pink dress and crown. Elphaba basically had the same black robes and hat, I did notice the patterns on her costume, like cracks in igneous rocks. In the lounge area, they had three costumes from Hamnet; Will (Paul Mescal), Agnes (Jessie Buckley), and the Fool (Javier Marzan). I saw on display, the popcorn bucket that was a metal container that looks like the Grimmerie, $24.99. Reasonable compared to the others $50-$60! It has a lock to keep the other parts, then unfolds to two parts, finally four parts which has the spellbook. 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 billboard, photo by the author.

I saw the movie which I liked much more than the first Wicked, all of the actors turned in really good singing, there were story points that were new from the musical. Recommended! I went upstairs after the movie, there were four costumes from the live action Grinch Who Stole Christmas (2000), also props like The Book of Who. My next stop was the Funko store in Hollywood. This will be saved for a later article, but it was around two hours of fun! A number of photo ops and there was a scratch-off card at the door for 10-50% off the Merry Mystery, so try to get down to the store! 

Lastly, was my objective going to Hollywood, the season 2 Percy Jackson and the Olympians billboard. This was at Hollywood and Vine, a large section of the block was fenced off, and small groups are allowed in. The billboard cycles through its video, water and mist drizzle from it, the tentacle slaps and water slams from the billboard! This is free, no sign-ups, but I was told on Dec.10th is the last day! This is the day that the series premieres on Disney+. There was a photo op with the series title and you get a free poster! So I finished the day at 8 p.m., a total of eight hours!    

#CityWalk, #ProductionCentral, #ThingsFromAnotherWorld, #UniversalStudiosStore, #WizardingWorldOfCHarryPotter, #CelebrityAuthentics, #EvilDead2, #WickedForGood, #Glinda, #Elphaba, #Wicked2PopcornTin, #Grimmerie, #Hamnet, #Will, #PaulMescal, #Agnes, #JessieBuckley, #Fool, #JavierMarzan, #GrinchWhoStoleChristmas, #FunkoHollywood, #MerryMystery, #PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians

Librarium of Geek Veritas: Superman: Welcome to Metropolis!

The film, Superman, left a few questions that are answered in the prequel novel, Superman: Welcome to Metropolis! The young readers novel is by David Lewman who had previously wrote Before The Batman (2022). The book took place before The Batman in the same year had young Bruce Wayne meeting Edward Naughton who becomes The Riddler. Lewman is great in capturing the world of the superhero film in the book. It has a cover with David Cornswet as Superman, hovering above dark cut-outs of Metropolis. The novel is a paperback with 138 pages, a fast read. In the film, it noted that Superman made his first appearance in public three years ago. So this is Clark Kent getting his reporter job at the Daily Planet and meeting the staff.  

Clark is about to enter the Daily Planet building while it is raining. He politely waits as several people rush in to get out of the rain. Right from the start we get Clark showing those Smallville values before himself. He finally walks in using “a tiny portion of his hidden strength.” Why Clark has the appropriate strength in everyday situations? It is because he had a lifetime of refining his use of strength. A Kryptonian who just arrived on Earth like Supergirl would have to spend some time absorbing sunlight and would be awkward with all of the super abilities. He checks in with the security guard and tells the truth that he doesn’t have an appointment withe Perry White. This leads to the phrase that Clark believes in truth. “And justice. And a better tomorrow.” As a thought, ok, but I’m glad this was not used in the film. 

The security guard softens at Clark’s awkward look and tells him Perry is at the top floor. Clark, dripping wet, introduces himself to Perry and says he has his articles from Smallville Sentinel. This was the newspaper from the New Adventures of Superboy. Perry isn’t interested in small city reporters and rejects Clark. A reporter, Flores, interrupts them to tell about a toy factory attack. Perry is looking for a scoop and Clark says he will bring him one. Clark finds an alley to change into his Superman suit. His flying is accompanied by “WHOOSH!” as a sound effect. This captures the comic book sound effects, but also meant to be read aloud like a parent with a child. Superman flies to the toy factory. Toy factory? I’m thinking one of Superman’s early villains, Toy Man, who debuted in Action Comics #64 (1943), but no connection here. He uses his x-ray vision to find the egg-shaped titanium tank. 

Superman is hit by lasers and guns from the tank. This is a problem that I had with the Superman: The Animated Series, Superman wading through enemy attacks, he has super speed and could possibly deflect energy than just stand there. It does show his invulnerability which he may not know the limits at this point. The tank tries to escape, but Superman rips it apart and spills out the crew. This is his first act as a superhero. The police arrive and asks about his identity. He says, “You can call me… Superman.” So he dubs himself. I always have a problem with this since it is very selfish to name your superhero identity. I prefer Lois Lane dubbing him since it connects them. It also feels arrogant to name yourself Superman. Then, we get introduced to Lex Luthor, also bald at this point, with his henchman, Otis. This seems to be Otis with a little of the goofiness from Ned Beatty’s perfect performance in Superman the Movie (1978). The James Gunn film had him as grim and just cold. 

Luthor thinks of him as a metahuman. He says that the toy factory attack was because his competitor, Winslow Schott?, hid contraband inside of stuffed animals. Luthor is upset that Superman makes him look weak. An interesting statement about the character. Otis brings up the meta humans like Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, and he adds, Mr. Wonderful. A nice send up of the Shark Tank host.Then, gets the other names jumbled. Luthor says they inferred with his plans, but strangely has no strategy in dealing with them. Clark has changed back to his suit and takes his briefcast to a diner next to the Daily Planet. He writes the story on his laptop and here again, it would only make sense for an after action report for the military or police, but for the public, this is a selfish profile about himself. Clark submits the story to Perry White who can't believe Superman's actions. Perry calls in Flores who says he can't file the story since the police blocked off the area. Flores says that what he did hear about the tank and Superman. He tells Flores to run Clark's story. 

At a secret lab, a technician, Patel, is working on a robot body. He reports to his supervisor, Moore, about the robot passing tests of weapons used against it. Luthor enters and Moore activates Metallo. The villain was introduced in Action Comics #252 (1959). He has his bodyguard, Murphy, to attack Metallo. The robot throws Murphy, but stops when the bodyguard holds up his hands in surrender. Moore explains that Metallo didn't see Murphy as a threat and went into Vigilant mode. I wonder if Moore may be a nod to writer Alan Moore and the bodyguard's name a tribute to Superman inker, Murphy Anderson. Luthor wants to do something about the robot's brain. We move to John Corben, an assassin who is anonymous and takes out a weapon from a dumpster. He heads to the LuthorCorp garage and his target is Lex Luthor. The high tech weapon explodes and Luthor has a surgeon check on the body, alive, but damaged. Back at the Daily Planet, Perry introduces Clark to Jimmy Olsen.The photographer is impressed by Clark's story. Then, he meets Lois Lane who is suspicious of his Superman story. 

Um, Clark meets Jimmy before Lois? I do like Lois' no-nonsense personality. Their first meeting, a little delayed at chapter seven, it would be nice if they were on the scene of the toy factory attack. Jimmy is interested in the metahumans especially Hawkgirl. Does he like her to the point of ignoring other women? Perry explains that he wants Lois and Jimmy to show Clark around the office. A "young blond woman", Brianna, stops by to mention the robot trying to take over city hall. I wonder why not also introduce Cat Grant? The robot has a "human face" and Clark adds that he is a cyborg. It's strange to have Metallo make a public debut. Perry assigns the story to Lois and also has Clark and Jimmy go along with her. They arrive at city hall which is strangely empty now, if Metallo wanted to make a public display, why chase away everyone? Lois shouts her name and asks his demands. Shouldn't that be the job of the police? 

Jimmy tries to take Metallo's photo, but he crushes the camera. He is not helpless without his camera, Jimmy still has his cellphone. Metallo grabs hold of Jimmy and Lois finds that Clark is gone. Superman lands and frees Jimmy. He takes hold of Metallo's hand and uses heat vision, but his metallic body is able to resist Superman's power. During the battle, Superman asks Lois to leave, and she says she will do so if he gives her an interview. Metallo throws a fountain which just an occasion for Green Lantern, Guy Gardner, to take a drink. Hawkgirl joins him and then their team member, Mr. Terrific with his T-Spheres also arrives on the scene. Good dialogue by Lewman that Lewman that feels like the relationships from the film. So this is the first meeting with Superman and the Justice Gang so dubbed by Guy. Metallo is defeated, but he returns with Kryptonite that is also Clark's first encounter with the deadly mineral! Later, Lois and Clark interview businesses to find information on Metallo. Clark goes to Holt Industries so we see the lab of Mister Terrific's secret identity, Michael Holt. Plus, Clark returns to Smallville to talk to Ma and Pa Kent. David Lewman tells many first encounters with characters, more material with this prequel novel, with Superman: Welcome to Metropolis!  

Four T-Spheres out of Five! 

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Lorcana: Fabled Review!

 Fabled had its game store pre-release on August 29-31st. The wide release was on September 5th. This set has the chance for new players to start a game of Lorcana. It has reprint cards that are favorites like Stitch: Rock Star or Ariel: Sonic Warrior. The new characters are from A Goofy Movie and Dumbo! The puzzle cards form an image of Powerline from A Goofy Movie. I like the puzzle cards since it is like collecting trading cards back in the small kid days. It feels almost like this set looking back at old favorites, plus a few new cards, is a reboot for the Lorcana game. 

There are rare foil cards like the standard Foil cards that have a silvery surface. Next, Rainbow Foil, the card is in foil, but with three prism-like rainbow shafts that reveal themselves moving the card! Enchanted cards which has the Inkwash foiling. This is a magical pattern raised from the card and swirling around a character. This also applies to the card name which blazes in gold-like letters and the rarity symbol that flashes like a diamond. Fabled has introduced the Epic cards with frame-less artwork, a rainbow foil that passes across the card, art and text, and then surges down the embossed figure! Ravensburger continues to innovate beyond simple Foil cards!

I have gotten all of these rare foil cards and not at the level where I bought the Illumineer’s Treasury, all of the starter decks, and piles of packs. I bought the starters and maybe twenty packs. The Epic I got was Robin Hood: Capable Fighter, an Enchanted card of Beast: Gracious Prince, a Rainbow Foil of Max Goof: Rebellious Teen which came from the Emerald/Ruby deck, and a Elsa: Gloves Off Foil. The point is I think you have a good chance of getting these Foil cards with this set! If you wonder where to get started with Lorcana, missed some of the top cards from the game, or what to complete your collection of fantastic art, Lorcana: Fabled is the set to buy, check your local retailer! 

#Fabled, #Lorcana, #Ravensburger, #StitchRockStar, #ArielSonicWarrior, #AGoofyMovie, #Dumbo, #Foil, #RainbowFoil, #Enchanted, #Epic, #IllumineersTrove, #RobinHoodCapableFighter, #BeastGraciousPrince, #MaxGoofRebelliousTeen, #ElsaGlovesOff