Universal Studios Fan Fest Nights, Day One!

 Universal Studios Fan Fest Nights kicked off its the first day of the event for the Universal Parks and it was incredible! Here are some highlights and also some tips if you plan to go. It began on April 25 and will run to May 18th, check the Universal Studios website for tickets and availability, there are a number of days that are sold out. There are a number of ticket options After 2 p.m. Day/Night, Early Access, Universal Express, and Express Unlimited. I didn’t wait longer than 20 minutes or so, didn’t use any benefits from the Express pass, and would go with General Admission. 

Cosplay is encouraged, I saw a few One Piece cosplayers, some Star Trek uniforms. The most number of coplayers were for Back to the Future which was basically an orange vest, that’s it, I saw a Marty in radiation suit, and some with the rainbow hats from Back to the Future II. It was like a comic convention in a way, but no cosplay contests, or signings. I haven’t been to Super Nintendo World, but missed the 5:30 p.m. closing time and it would reopen for the start of Fan Fest at 7 p.m. I was told that Dungeons & Dragons: The Secrets of Waterdeep was open and walked over there. It was at Stage 12 which was a walk around Transformers: The Ride-3D. 

Beauty is not in the eyes of this Beholder!, Dungeons & Dragons: The Secrets of Waterdeep, Universal Fan Fest Nights, photo by the author. 

The queue has groups enter Waterdeep so the time for my group was 6:54, just before Fan Fest opening. You enter the building and are separated on two sides. An introduction is shown about Waterdeep, this is the well known setting of D&D for Forgotten Worlds, also Harpers are the group that you join. Merch ideas: Harpers pins and cloaks. Your quest is to take on the Beholder, giant, floating head with multiple eyestalks that shoot beams, named Xanathar. Another room has a Tiefling who represents the Rogues and Fighters. The side I was in was led by a Dwarf, he reminds me of Elwood from the early Dungeons & Dragons (2000) movie; bald head and red beard. He is the guide for Clerics and Wizards. 

Then, a Elf with long hair has someone activate a sphere on the shelf of weapons. In one room is a Mimic, what looks like a treasure chest, opens to reveal a slobbering, toothy monster! Next is the impressive Xanathar that was built with the help of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop! It sends out a yellow Disentegrate ray, but is put to sleep. There isn’t too much for the Harpers to do, just move from room to room. The Rogues could go behind some boxes and touch panels on the wall to set up a magical shield to block the Beholder’s rays. The Fighters could pull on a net that would free the Tiefling. The Clerics could just stretch out with their hands to heal the Dwarf. Finally, the Wizards can reach out to use magic against the Behonlder.

Yoshi meet and greet!, Super Nintendo World, author’s photo. 

In terms of merch, there was a cup, and t-shirt. There could be dice special for the Fan Fest, miniatures, and even rulebooks. It didn’t seem there was a tie-in to the role-playing game. Also, books like the Young Adventurer’s Collection like Beasts & Behemoths (2020) by Jim Zub. Next was Super Nintendo World, my first time there, there is walk through the tunnel of strobe lights. I like the look of the world, kinda contained like Toon Town, colorful. I kept looking for Yoshi’s Adventure, but the only ride is Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. I took the single rider line which was a climb up steps. It did have a good overview of the land. The ride itself is in a kart vehicle, you get a hat like a golfer’s visor, then there is a visor that looks like a welder’s visor on the kart that snaps onto the hat. It is so complicated that I lost my glasses on the ride, but the ride ops were able to find them. 

You drive the kart with a wheel that turns right or left, on top is triggers that shoot targets that appear on the visor. My weapon was pointed downwards where there were few targets. The kart moves, it doesn’t feel like a race, more a shoot-`em up like Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. It is ok, there isn’t a sense of fun like Astro Blasters, a little interactivity with animatronics and mini-volcanos. I would have like a racetrack and tunnels or something that passes overhead. I went to the meet and greet with Princess Peach. Next to it was the meet and greet for Yoshi! He was in a parade at Universal Studios Japan, but this is the first time meeting him in person! There was a scavenger hunt with a paper hat, kinda like the Burger King crown, find Yoshi’s eggs around Mushroom Kingdom. I didn’t understand where was the hat and just left kinda bored. 

Flux Capacitor Patty Melt, Mel’s Diner, photo by the author. 

The First Roll Tavern was at the Jurassic Cafe location, it had theming with backdrops, I was really interested in the Gelatinous Cube. It was a blue raspberry gummy dessert with candy bones and weapons. Waited in line, ordered, and then a little while later was an announcement that they ran out of food. Got a refund, disappointment, it really wasn’t bad for a first event night. I would recommend first thing if you go, find the food items that you might want to try, the First Roll Tavern sold out in the first hour. It may change over time, but I would still make it a priority if you are interested. Still hungry, I went to Mel’s Drive-in to get the Outtatime Cookie, but it was sold out. It had candy flame trail, license plate, and grey chocolate malt. Maybe next time. I did get the Flux Capacitor Patty Melt. Beef patty, onions, and the sourdough has the flux capactior mark on top. 

Next, I went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, it was unusual since the entrance was very dark. I don’t think you might find it, if you didn’t already know its location. The other unusual part was that it was kinda empty. I really wanted to go to Three Broomsticks and try the Toad in the Hole; Vegan Yorkshire pudding with plant based sausage. I thought it was reservation only which I couldn’t get to work as well as mobile ordering on the app. Still, guests just walked in so this may be an exception for going early. The area that divides into the alleyway and the path to Hogwarts had the Niffler. The lil’ beastie from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) has a platypus beak and black fur like an otter. He was in a box with a beaded necklace around him and the rest of cart had boxes. 

Marty McFly and Marvin Berry and the Starlighters perform at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance, Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley, author’s photo. 

There is a show with its keeper getting the necklace free, funny. Other magical creatures, a baby pink dragon and an Occamy were not there. There was a castle projection show, Hogworts Forever, but I only caught the end. Kinda bored and left even though I brought along my wand. The tram takes you down to Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley. Kinda cold ride down at night so I recommend dress warmly. Doc Brown on the video screens invites you to Hill Valley and caustions you not to disrup the time continuum. You walk into Hill Valley and are welcomed by the Lyon Estates sign which promises homes that will become the McFly house. Then, you enter the courtyard square that was used to film Back to the Future (1985). This may be part of a VIP tour, but this was the square from the film come to life, with games, popcorn, and your favorite characters wandering the square! 

Crew manning the bridge of the Enterprise-D that was used in Star Trek: Picard!, photo by the author. 

Another meet and greet was Elphaba from Wicked, long wait, but worth it since there’s a good chat with Elphaba. One of the best meet and greets of the night for me. I didn’t see Glinda. I moved on to Star Trek: Red Alert! This was in the Minion Land area. I was told that this was the worst experience at Fan Fest, but it was one of my favorites. You are at Starfleet Spaceport Los Angeles. You are at the Starfleet Museum and tour the Enterprise-D. The latest version of the Starfleet Museum over Athan Prime was in the Star Trek: Picard episode, "The Bounty" (2023). There are controls of a shuttle as it goes to warp. Then, an officer shows you view outside of the spaceport, she explains that it is containment field that protects you from space, but an entity appears and disrupts the tour! This leads to Sickbay where the doctor tries to analyze the anamoly. 

Next, the Engineering Room, where there is the cool, pulsing engine. Two crewmembers try to find out what is happening with the anamoly. Then, the ship goes into red alert and you are evacuated to the turbolift. After some mishaps with the ship malfunctions, this opens to the bridge!, this is the bridge that was used in Star Trek: Picard. The anamoly says that like itself, the crew and guests are “born from the stars.” Love the story! The cast were the best at getting the style of Star Trek and superior to Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas which closed in 2008. I did ride the attraction, Klingon: Encounter, but Red Alert is a better experience. I always saw Klingons at conventions and events, were they drive away by Tribbles? I wasn’t in time for the One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen maybe next time. There are some bumps for the first night of Universal Studios Fan Fest Night, but it is too much fun if you are fan of any of the franchises.  

#UniversalStudiosFanFestNights, #Wicked, #OnePiece, #JujutsuKaisen, #WizardingWorldOfHarryPotter, #Niffler, #StarTrekRedAlert, #BackToTheFuture, #DestinationHillValley, #SuperNintendoWorld, #Yoshi, #DungeonsAndDragons, #TheSecretsOfWaterdeep 

Summer of Superman Special #1 Review!

 DC Comics in time for Superman Day has released the Summer of Superman Special #1 wtih the writing teams that will take the direction of the new Superman titles! This is part of the All In titles that forms the DC Universe after the defeat of Darkseid in All In Special #1 (2024). Jorge Jimenez, interior artist, provides the cover which has Superman in his classic heroic pose. The background is separated in four, Lois with the young Jon Kent and his father with Krypto flying in Metropolis. On the right is groom and bride, Lana Lang and John Henry Irons. Love the parallel of the two groups with blue skies. On the bottom is young Clark Kent as Lana Lang races forward all in yellow. Then, on the right, in red, is Zod blank eyes, maybe controlled by a device on his brow, and a space station. 

“The Past, The Present, and The Future” is divided into three chapters and an epilogue. “Chapter One” set in Smallville, “Years ago”, is written by Mark Waid. He is the writer of Action Comics with issue #1087 and artist, Skylar Patridge. This moves from the Kent Farm to a large panel of Lana Lang, in her yellow cheerleader sweater and classic headband. She asks what is on his mind. Young Clark Kent with glasses Very funny. replies that she looks sweater! The narration by the older Superman notes that he can still smell her perfume, first crush, and that summer they turned 16. He notes that she was the “sweetheart of Smallville”, in panels showing her volunteering with the V.A. happily pushing the wheelchir of an elderly man. 

She helps run a bake sale with two lil’ kids and teaches Sunday school. What I think really strikes Clark is somehow who gives so much of themselves, like himself as hero, and eventually someone who fights the good fight like Lois. Lana eyes him through a lock opf red hair and though best friends, Clark narrates that he wanted to be more than friends, sorry Clark, you will be trapped in a place more unescaple than the Phantom Zone, the Friend Zone! Clark in narration says that Lana was the one and that he wanted her to know “all the secrets” of his life. Closeup as we see Clark lower his glasses. Then, he hears something, smoke in downtown Smallville, we get a closeup through the lens of Clark’s glasses of the powerful villain, Validus, great shot!  

He makes the excuse to Lana that he had too many pancakes and needs some antacid. A streak of red and then a closeup of Clark using his fingers to make a supersonic whistle! Then, we get a splash page of Superboy as Krypto comes streaking up behind him. Superboy was a Golden Age addition to the Super Family with More Fun Comics #101 (1945). Krypto made his debut in Adventure Comics #210 (1955). Superboy has been dealt with kid gloves in the modern DC, but it looks like he has returned with the Legion of Super-Heroes of the 30th century. They take on the mindless giant, Validus, part of the Fatal Five that took on the Legion in Adventure Comics #352 (1967). Great design, Validus is massive, cables on his rms, and a brain cover that sparks over what would be his eyes and nose. 

Krypto swoops around him at super speed almost a red cage, but then Superboy slams into him with his boots! In the fields Superboy descends to try to talk reason into Validus. Instead, Validus hits him with a lightning blast from his face, slams him down, but both are thrown into a temporal portal. A full page shows them falling while there is pictures of a cave man, International Space Station, atomic blast, and Doomsday! So glimpses of history. Another page shows the first meeting with Batman, while the battle continues, the Daily Planet, and then Superboy sees something. Superman with Lois Lane whom he realizes is his wife, and Jon Kent back in the Super Sons days. Closeup as Superman kisses Lois, and then Superboy’s face as he realizes the woman who is his destiny. I love a concrete moment when Lois knows he is destined for Lois. The next falling thorugh history is through the life of Superman. 

Validus punches his back from behind, both figures highlighted in pink, and then Superboy winds up for a punch in rage. Instead, Validus fades with the super punch, and the portal. In narration, the event has become a mystery without explanation, the memory is starting to fade for Superboy. Clark returns to see Lana who smiles at him. He admits that he is in a bit of a daze, and says he will be back to normal. She says “Normal is good” and for Clark to never change. This section has everything, a moment with young Clark and Lana, a supervillain with a mystery, and a wedding! “Chapter Two” continues with the Smallville of “Today.” It is written by Dan Slott who is the writer of Superman: Unlimited with artist, Rafael Alburquerque. The story is again set in Smallville without Metropolis which is where Steelworks is located and also Team Steel with his neice, Natasha Irons. 

 Preparations are getting ready for the wedding. Joanathan Kent sits saying his knees tell him a storm is coming, Clark tells his father that he had Lois have super senses. Lois became Superwoman in Superman #19 (2024) written by Williamson. She detects some trouble, overhearing Lana wanting to postpone the wedding! Lois tells Clark about it and he says it is job for Lana’s super friend. Nice nod to the classic Superman line and the cartoon. Clark talks to Lana and she brings up all of the problems, they are superheroes now?, including turning into an Insect Queen, a nice mention of her super identity in Superboy #124 (1965)! Clark says marrying Lois was the best thing that happened to him and wants this for Lana and John Henry. They are interrupted by another portal and the giant, clawed foot of Validus! 

He has brought the storm of the century so John Henry and Natalie shift into their super suits as Steel, they should have separate identities. Natalie was not really in the background so just suddenly appeared. I think putting the focus on Ma and Pa Kent may take away from Natalie. Lana as the energy powered Superwoman blasts Validus with Steel slamming down his kinetic hammer! She regained her Superwoman powers in Steelworks #3 (2024).  Lois and Clark go into action with a large image of Superman and Superwoman along with yellow speed lines! Superman reaches out to punch Validus along with Superwoman’s flying punch, strange, he could take on Validus as Superboy anyone of the heroes could probably match the supervillain, but now there is a team of five! Steel tells Team Steel and Lois’ Superwoman that they should take care of “people, pets, and livestock” and they can rebuild the rest. A large horizontal two pager has Superman slamming into Validus. Steel smashes his kinetic hammer into the engine of an eighteen wheeler truck! 

Superwoman uses her super breath to counter one of the tornadoes. Lana also as Superwoman for the first time tries to draw in all of the lightning! Since the focus on Lana for the wedding, I’m not certain why Lois, Natalie, and Lana have to take a back seat to Superman and Steel taking action and giving orders. I think Lana could discharge the energy to eliminate the storms. Superman again tries to calm down Validus shouting at him. He doesn’t try the exact same words calmly he used as Superboy? Superman is distracted by Pa Kent and then is struck by Validus’ lightning blast. Heading to the storm cellar, Ma Kent walks down the steps, Pa Kent ries to close the door, but the winds whip him away! He is drawn to a tornado, but Superwoman Lois saves him! Superman sees that the tornadoes have left Smallville and then punches Validus, yawn, until he fades away with a bolt of lightning. A connection with lightning, Lightning Lord? Maybe the time shifts are from another Legion villain, Time Trapper? A team up of the Legion of Super-Villains? 

Superman returns to see some of the destroyed buildings of Smallville. He tells the Super Family that they are amazing. Natalie asks what caused teh tornadoes. Superman says that Validus is not to blame, then it gets a bit lecture-y with if they make changes and listen to scientists, they can save the planet. Clark Kent and Lois back in civilian clothes asks John Henry that Steelworks will entirely fund the reconstruction of Smallville. I think it also needs a tech upgrade to detect storms and other threats. Buildings that can resist damage. Lana says they will hold the wedding in Smallville. This wraps up with Chapter Three with art finishes by Belen Ortega. The writer is Joshua Williamson who currently writes the Superman title with art by Dan Mora, Eddy Barrows, and Eber Ferriera. “Chapter Three” has the nine panel grid; doves fly, guests take their seats, and closeup of John Henry straightening his tie. 

His kinetic hammer by some flowers, closeup of Clark setting his glasses on his face, and Pete Ross, best friends with Clark, with his son, Clark. Extreme closeup of the ring placed on Lana’s finger, the priest, and the ring on John Henry’s finger. Another Smallville summer with the kissing of the bride in a large two page spread with John Henry's mother to the side. Superman’s narration goes over the summers helping out Pa Kent. There is clapping by all fo the audience including Pete and his son, probably some other cameos. The party continues, Lana throws the bouquet, it looks like it is headed towards Natalie! John Henry and Lana wave goodbye on the back of a Just Married truck. Lois is by the side of Clark. Later, Superman is hauling a massive device, talking with Mr. Terrific. He is a hero who first appeared in Spectre #54 (1997). Mr. Terrific is one of the most intelligent persons on Earth, his t-mask is a communciation deivce and ctonrls the roboitc T-Spheres akin to Brainiac-Five. 

He wonders if Kal-El’s rocket caused the anamoly or if the anamoly brought the rocket and Validus. The mystery that will lead to whoever is controlling this dark future. Superan has a containment grid from Steelworks that can contain Validus. Mr. Terrific activates the device to serve as a gateway for the time ruptures. Superman reaches into the gateway to pull out Validus, but also gets slammed away. They have also brought along the telepathic Omen, she is a character who was introduced in Teen Titans #25 (1970). Currently, she has teamed up with Power Girl. The containment grid restrains Validus as Omen probes his mind. Validus shouts a warning before he disapears. Omen has found he just felt emotions and he wasn't trying to kill Superman, Validus was running away! A glimpse of the future is in the Epilogue with art by Mora, something has killed the future of the 30th century! Some great stories and art are in the Summer of Superman Special #1 with the mystery set up to be explored in the Superman titles! 

Four Tornadoes out of Five! 

#SummerOfSupermanSpecial, #AllIn, #ThePastThePresentTheFuture, #MarkWaid, #ActionComics, #SkylerPatridge, #DanSlott, #SupermanUnlimited, #JoshuaWilliamson, #Superman, #JorgeJimenez, #DanMora 

Superman Day at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour!

Superman Day, yesterday, Friday, April 18th was celebrated at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour! In fact, the crowds from opening were busy and I was told that this was more busy than Batman Day! This may have been due to the upcoming James Gunn movie, but there were many guests that were excited about the character. The photo ops, special comics, and merch were all open to the public at the store. There was a large photo op just past the security check in of the Daily Planet, Superman, and a phone booth! Around the corner was a recreation of the Action Comics #1 cover with you posing as Superman! They had the free Superman comics with purchases so I eagerly bought the Golden Age-Sized Edition of Action Comics #1 ($9.99) and Summer of Superman Special #1 ($5.99). The free comics were Superman: For All Seasons #1 and All-Star Superman #1.

Daily Planet photo op at Warner Bros. Studio Tour, photo by the author..

Throughout the day were sketches by artists. The first one was Scott Koblish, then Dustin Nguyen, and finally Jon Bogdanove! I was able to get a sandwich next to the store before the Dustin Nguyen sketch. I really like catching with Bogdanove, we chatted about Otto Binder while he sketched Supergirl for a fan, and I noted the book of Supergirl’s creator, Otto Binder: the Life and Work of a Comic Book and Sciece Fiction Visionary (2016) by Bill Schelly, recommended! He said he was “cautiously optimistic” about the new Superman film. I think Bogdanove is a great storyteller and artist. Afterwards, I charged up my phone before the tour. The tour was great once you check in you get a bagged copy of All-Star Superman #1!  The tour guide was Sam and she showed us all of the Superman sets like Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. 

    The lair and costume of Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) for Superman Day, at the Steven J. Rosw Theater, author’s photo. 

Also, some locations for Madame Web which was kinda joke on the tour, but still one of my favorites. Finally, the tram stop was at the Steven J. Ross Theater used for screenings. Inside were the costumes of Superman: The Movie (1978). Christopher Reeve’s Superman was the first display. Next to it was a Daily Planet headline prop, “Superman Super Again!”, the signage noted that it was from the original film, but it was actually from Superman III (1983). Then, Lois Lane’s costume worn by Margot Kidder, this her orangish suit that she wore during the helicopter rescue! There was a recreation of Lex Luthor’s underground lair. In the center was the costume worn by Gene Hackman, his black, striped suit complete with yellow shirt and flower. On the other side was Clark Kent’s suit and hat from Superman III (1983). 

The Jor-El (Marlon Brando) costume from Superman: The Movie (1978), photo by the author. 

Then, the costume worn by Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, with dark jacket, red striped shirt, and Nikon camera. I noted that there was a table for Jim Lee. I was able to get the Superman Day badge signed by him. It was about time for Lee to go to the film presentation, still he said he would do anything to support a fan of the Dodgers, I was wearing my cap. There was a presentation with TCM host Ben Mankiewicz and Lee. Also saw Cory Jandreau who is a host on Screen Rant. Very happy to talk with fans. It was a line for the trams to take a short ride to DC Universe: The Exhibit. New is the costumes from the upcoming Superman film. A line was formed to get pictures in front of them, but I went past it to see the display at the end with the costume from Superman II and Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman costume. 

Superman (2025) costumes of David Cornswet’s Superman and Lex Luthor’s suit worn by Nicholas Hoult, DC Universe: The Exhibit, author’s photo. 

In between them was Jor-El’s costume worn by Marlon Brando. The employee said to use flash to highlight the costume’s reflectiveness. The Batman costume and Batmobile have been moved and the Tumbler from Batman Begins. Something that was new to me for this visit was activating the Batsignal which projects on the opposite wall! The Superman costumes starts with Lois Lane’s costume worn by Rachel Brosnahan, blue vest, pants, and necklace. Then, David Cornswet’s outfit as Clark Kent, gray suit, pants, and purple tie, no glasses on the manequin. On the other side of the S shield is Superman’s uniform, light blue suit, chest shield and gold belt, red boots and cape. It was nice to see the patterns on this suit. Finally, Lex Luthor’s dark suit worn by Nicholas Hoult, the jacket has cube patterns, dark tie, and pants. I think this is part of the regular tour and replaced Game of Thrones. An impressive day and night at Warner Bros. Studio Tour, I went 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., but even tired, it was all fun. 

#SupermanDay, #WBTourHollywood, #GoldenAgeSizedEditionOfActionComics, #SummerOfSupermanSpecial, #SupermanForAllSeasons, #AllStarSuperman, #ScottKoblish, #DustinNguyen, #JonBogdanove, #LoisAndClarkTheNewAdventuresOfSuperman

#ChristopherReeve, #SupermanIII, #LoisLane, #MargotKidder, #GeneHackman, #LexLuthor, #MarcMcClure, #JimmyOlsen, #BenMankiewicz, #CoryJandreau, #DCUniverseTheExhibit, #SupermanII, #Superman, #RachelBrosnahan, #NicholasHoult  

Born Again: An Evening with David Mack!

Daredevil: Born Again is a sensation revitalizing the streaming show and on Friday, April 11, David Mack spoke about working on the series! The talk was held at the Ahmanson Auditorium located at the ArtCenter College of Design, Hillside Campus in Padadena. It was hosted by Humanities & Sciences Professor Michael Dooley. Mack spoke abut his first comic book that he read, around nine years old, Daredevil by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson. He said, “I read it and it blew my mind.” Miller had started writing and art on the title with Daredevil #168 (1981) with Janson inks. The issue introduced Elektra and led to the death of Elektra in #181 (1982). They are probably one of the best creative teams on comics. Miller finished his run on #191 (1983). 

Born Again: An evening with David Mack, Michael Dooley and David Mack, photo by the author. 

Mack also brought up The Daredevil Chronicles (1982) which was a comic book sized collection of interviews and checklist. This was the best way to get an overview of the series up to that point, the Omnibus and other trade hardbacks are too expensive, this was $1.50. Other issues covered the Fantastic Four, X-Men, The Avengers, and Spider-Man. He also mentioned one of the essentials of comic books, Comics and Sequential Art (1985) by Will Eisner. The creator of The Spirit, Eisner is one of the pioneers of comic books as an art form, and created designs with panels and brought a noir sensibility to comics. Mack mentioned the Eisner Awards, the industry’s highest honor, named after him and started in 1988. In 1991, the ceremonies for the awards began at San Diego Comic con. I also recommend Eisner Award winner, Scott McCloud for his Understanding Comics (1993) book. Also, recommended is McCloud’s Making Comics (2006). 

Dooley and Mack also talked about How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way (1984) by Stan Lee and John Buscema. It set many young readers with ambition to make comics. I found the Buscema art to be fascinating and broke down foreshortening and perspective. Mack attended the Northern Kentucky University and was working on his comic book, Kabuki, as his senior thesis! Mack explained that the series is about “crime stories in Japan through the lens of a Japanese ghost story.” This was eventually published as a one shot in 1994 by Caliber Press, then the limited series, Kabuki: Circle of Blood (1995). 1996 started with the Kabuki Color Special #1 that also had art by Joe Quesada and Rick Mays. Image Comics began publishing the comic with Kabuki: Reflections which began in 1998 and over the years lasted until #15 (2009). There was also Kabuki: Agents Scarab (1999-2001) written by Mack with art by Rick Mays. This year, Dark Horse published The Complete Kabuki: 30th Anniversary. 

    Michael Dooley and David Mack in conversation, author’s photo. 

Mack joined the Daredevil title with issue #9 (1999). This was under the Marvel Knights imprint. David Mack was asked by Marvel editor, Quesada, to “create a brand new character for the story.” He did so with the following issue #10 (2000), the first appearance of Echo, the female assassin. Since she is not part of the “audible world”,  Mack said, “Echo percieves so much of the world visually. Interesting artisically and also a great contrast to Daredevil. Mack was best friends with Brian Michael Bendis who was the co-writer and artist of the Torso (1998-1999) limited series. He joined Mack with Daredevil #16 (2001). In 2016, Bendis had Mack paint the covers for the Marvel NOW series, Jessica Jones, he had said, “I want this cover to be like no other comic out there.” David Mack’s artwork was collected in the The Marvel Art of David Mack (2024). Imaginary Forces forked on the opening credits for the Jessica Jones series. Creative Director Michelle Doughery was asked, “make it like David Mack did it.” Mack recieved an e-mail from Quesada to work on the title sequence and helped design it. 

    David Mack and on screen, Michael Shaw, photo by the author. 

He was also asked to make a pitch for the end titles of Captain America: The Winter Soldier and was drawing on the plane for the pitch! The sequences was one of five pitches and it won out. The deisgns were very much in the style of Jim Steranko who was a mentor for Mack. Entering the talk was Michael Shaw, via computer, the production designer of Daredevil: Born Again. He was also the production designer for Orange is the New Black and Billions. Shaw introduced the character of Muse whose artwork for the series was supplied by Mack, a “super talented painter who paints with blood.” He joked about worrying about Mack turning into Muse. Shaw said it was a “unique experience designing for a blind man.” He added, “He has lots of windows and views he will never see.” Then, scenes were shown of the Kingpin’s mayoral office, Shaw explained that he wanted “Kingpin as uncomfortable as possible” since he was in a place that was new for him. ere were excellent questions at the Q&A and during the comic book trades that Mack had available to sign! The Daredevil: Born Again talk was insightful into David Mack’s artwork and also the show from Michael Shaw’s perspective! 

#DaredevilBornAgain, #DavidMack, #MichaelShaw,#MichaelDooley, #Daredevil, #FrankMiller, #KlausJanson, #TheDaredevilChronicles, #WillEisner, ##UnderstandingComics, #MakingComics, #ScottMcCloud, #HowToDrawcomicsTheMarvelWay, #StanLee, #JohnBuscema, #Kabuki 

#KabukiCirlceOfBlood, #KabukiColorSpecial, #JoeQuesada, #RickMays, #KabukiReflections, #KabukiAgentsScarabe, #TheCompleteKabuki30thAnniversary, BrianMichaelBendis, #JessicaJones, #TheMarvelArtOfDavidMack, #CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier

Re:tro Re:view - Daredevil: Born Again, “Resurrection”!

Daredevil: Born Again returns on Disney+ returning the hero back, beaten, but not broken! Born Again was storyline in Daredevil #227-233 by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli. The episode title is interesting since the show has literally been resurrected from cancellation from Netflix which ran from 2015 to 2018. The limited series is executive produced by series creator, Drew Goddard. The episode is directed by Marc Jobst and written by Erik Oleson. Jobst was a director for two episodes of the original show. Oleson was the showrunner for the third season of Daredevil. The series began streaming on March 4th at Disney+. It opens to a distorted scream, an exposion with a body falling in the shape of a crucifix. We see that it is the face of Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox). He last appeared as Daredevil in the premiere episode of Echo. There is the sound of water and next to him is the flaming debris in the darkness. The imagery of falling into hell is great. 

Then, there is water rushing out of a sewer tube, terrible sound effect it is like a babbling brook, not something from a city pipe. Matt is unconscious face wet from the rain. He pulls himself from the muck. Darkness. In the daylight, we see Matt’s bloody face on a NY street. It is distorted with a blurry man walking up to him. He tries to pick up a plastic bag, but Matt grabs his arm, and whispers, “Father Lantom. Clinton Church.” Matt’s arm drops as he fades back into unconsciousness. Water noise as we a blurry crucifix, Matt’s bloody face is underneath it. A nun is squeezing water from a towel. A distant voice of Father Lantom reassuring Sister Maggie. She wants to call 911 and Lantom answers that he is a vigilante and will be arrested. Sister Maggie about to call when Lantom admits that Matt is Jack Murdock’s son. She hangs up and then asks for wire cutters to remove his suit. 

Matt flashes back to moments with Elektra (Elodie Yung). Elektra was not part of the Born Again story, but this is probably to explain her absence since Yung is now on the Cleaning Lady. They kiss. Darkness and roaring sounds. Matt struggles to waken, asks where is he, and Sister Maggie (Joanne Whalley) answers St. Agnes. The actress reprised her role as Sorsha in the Willow series. Sister Maggie first appeared in Daredevil #229 (1985), the third issue of the Born Again storyline. Perfect casting, the right amount of gentleness and toughness, the character is essential to the story since she has the religious side of Matt Murdock and his father, a boxer, had his fighting aspect. He checks his right ear. The nun responds to his question that he was there several weeks. Matt asks about Elektra. Matt’s torso is wrapped in bandages, but he forces himself to stand while the nun tries to get him to rest. He tries to get out of bed and falls on his back! 

He repeats, “I can’t see!”, flashing back to when he was blinded as a boy. We see Matt looking up surrounded by darkness. Father Lantom (Peter McRobbie) talks to Matt when he regains consciousness. The character has been around since the first episode. He says the nuns know his identity, but Sister Maggie had them swear to keep the secret safe. Matt says Elektra was with him during the building collapse. Father Lantom says no one was seen gerting out of the building. Matt urns blocking out view of Father Lantom. The next day we see kids wonder if Matt is dead and then one asks what happened. Matt replies, “Life.” They are sent away by Sister Maggie (Joanne Whalley). Sister Maggie had taken care of him since he was blinded as a boy and calls him the “Devil of Hell’s Kitchen.” She knows he was Daredevil and asks if he is really blind. Matt says his accident gave him sharpened senses, now he is deaf in his right ear, and can’t walk to the bathroom. 

She says he is well enough to leave(!?), asks if there is someone she can call, but he says, “There’s no one.” Not exactly charitable to kick out such a wounded person and her son. Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) is on the phone as she reaches apartment 6A. She was the office manager for Nelson and Murdock, it closed, and now she is a reporter for the New York Bulletin. A step up for the character, she was a down and out adult actress and exchanged Matt’s identity for drugs in the Born Again comic. Woll starred in the bio drama, Queen of the Ring (2024). Karen sees Matt who takes out his mask and says, “I’m Daredevil”, a flashback, current, she opens his closet to find the chest with his costume. he says she has been to an Indian restaurant. He can smell the curry, but she didn’t order anything, just a drink. Matt tells her that she is uncomfortable since he can hear her heartbeat, Karen says it is humiliating. A terrible reaction to a superhero reveal. In the comics, Karen learned of his identity in Daredevil #57 (1969). 

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