Happy Birthday Bear McCreary!

 Happy Birthday Bear McCreary! He has just produced his multi-media project, The Singularity, as an album, graphic novel, and concert! McCreary composed four seasons of the Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009) series. Also, the television film that followed the Battlestar Pegasus in Battlestar Galactica: Razor (2007). Another sci fi series, Eureka, (2007-2012) featured McCreary’s music. McCreary created music for another franchise, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008-2009), one of my favorite spinoffs. He also composed the music for the spin off show, Caprica (2009-2010). McCreary went to superhero territory with season one of the Human Target (2010) series. It was a series based on the DC comic book by Len Wein and Carmine Infantino. Another series that was notable with Bear McCreary’s music was the horror show, Walking Dead (2010-2022). 

                            Bear McCreary and Serj Tankian at The Singularity signing at Eye for Sound, 2024, author’s photo. 

McCreary composed music for another superhero show, but an original hero in The Cape (2011). In 2012, McCreary returned to compose another tv movie, Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome. One of the early films composed by McCreary was the fantasy horror comedy, Knights of Badassdom (2013). Next, he was the composter of the series, Constantine (2014-2015). The sci fi show, Defiance (2013-2015) featured McCreary’s music. Next, McCreary also composed music for the historical fantasy series, Da Vinci’s Demons (2013-2015). He began composing music for the Marvel show, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013-2020). In 2014, McCreary composed music for action movie, Everly. McCreary was the music composer for the pirate series, Black Sails (2014-2017). Outlander (2014-2024) is another long running series that has McCreary’s iconic music. McCreary was back in the horror realm with the movie, The Forest (2016). He also composed music for the horror movie, 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016). 

A horror comedy, Happy Death Day (2017) featured McCreary’s music. McCreary continued the music in the follow up sci fi horror of The Cloverfield Paradox (2018). In 2019, McCreary returned to compose music for the horror sequel, Happy Death Day 2 U. A stunning composition for me is McCreary’s score for Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) which wove in Akira Ifukube themes and had Serj Tankian’s rendition of Blue Oyster Cult’s “Godzilla.” The dystopian sci fi show, See (2019-2022) had music by McCreary. Then, McCreary composed music for the horror adaptation, Fantasy Island (2020). Ava (2020), the action movie, also had McCreary music. He composed music for the sci fi tv series, Snowpiercer (2020). A horror comedy, Freaky (2020) had music composed by McCreary. In 2021, McCreary began composing music for the adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation. Next, McCreary composed music for the historical drama, The Serpent Queen (2022). Another great series composed by McCreary is The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. One of my favorite horror films, The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) had music by McCreary. The music of Bear McCreary contains worlds! Happy Birthday Bear McCreary! 

#BearMcCreary, #TheSingularity, #BattlestarGalactica, #BattlestarGalacticaRazor, #Eureka, #TerminatorTheSarahConnorChronicles, #Caprica, #HumanTarget, #WalkingDead, #TheCape, #BattlestarGalacticaBloodAndChrome, #KnightsOfGadassdom, #Constantine, #Defiance, 

#DaVincisDemons, #AgentsOfSHIELD, #Everly, #BlackSails, #Outlander, #TheForest, #10CloverfieldLane, #HappyDeathDay, #CloverfieldParadox, #HappyDeathDay2U, #GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters, #See, #FantasyIsland, #Ava, #Snowpiercer, #Freaky, #Foundation, #TheSerpentQueen, #TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower, #TheLastVoyageOfTheDemeter 

Dave Barclay Signing at Dark Delicacies!

Dark Delicacies was the host for another incredible signing, this time with puppeteer and storyteller, Dave Barclay! The signing was tied to Barclay’s new book, My Life with Animatronics: Movies, Puppets and Beyond. Check out more info at: https://www.davebarclay.com/. There will be copies at Dark Delicacies, if not you can find them at: https://coolwatersprods.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=2791. Coolwaters Productions had some great photos, the book, and a poster of his film, Mauldrix. I think I’m still reeling after Barcaly told me his first job at 19 was Empire Strikes Back (1980)! He was assistant puppeteer for Yoda! 

       Dave Barclay at the busy and fun signing at Dark Delicacies!, photo by the author. 

I’m just thinking of a CV that lists Star Wars as your first job. He had a Darth Vader marionette for Mark Hamill and brought it to Elstree Studio that introduced him to Stuart Freeborn. From Dagobah to Thra with Dark Crystal (1982), then puppeteering Jabba the Hutt in Return of the Jedi (1983)! There was also Sir Didymus from Labyrinth (1986). He explained to me at the signing that the book is written from photos, diagrams, and notes that give a peek in to some fantastic films. All leading to the production of his own film, Mauldrix, which is not yet released. It looks like the classic Frosty the Snowman (1969) special, magic, and fairy tales. I would love to crowdfund any part of the project so everyone can see it! Upcoming is there a Retiring Sale, 25% off on March 2nd, Sunday! 

#DarkDelicacies, #DaveBarclay, #MyLifeWithAnimatronics, #EmpireStrikesBack, #DarkCrystal, #ReturnOfTheJedi, #Labyrinth, #Mauldrix 

Paddington in Peru Review!

Paddington Bear has his greatest adventure that takes his family, the Browns, to his former home Peru! Paddington in Peru is the third movie in the Paddington films. There is also a television show, The Adventures of Paddington, that started in 2019. It is based on the long running book series that started with A Bear Called Paddington (1958) by Thomas Bond. It is the first film directed by Dougal Wilson who has previously directed music videos and videos on the boxer, John Lewis. The story is by Paul King who co-wrote and directed the first two Paddington movies. He had also directed Wonka (2023). The other writer is Simon Farnaby who co-wrote Paddington 2 (2017). 

Mark Burton also contributed to the story and is also the co-screenwriter. The other screenwriters, Jon Foster and James Lamont, created The Adventures of Paddington show. Brief re:cap - Paddington had a British geographer who finds the bears in Peru. He gives his hat to the one he calls Pastuzo and invites them to London. Pastuzo gives his red hat to his nephew, young Paddington loses his parents and Uncle Pastuzo in an earthquake, and Aunt Lucy goes to the Home for Retired Bears. She sends her nephew to London with a note, “Please look after this bear. Thank you.” Mary Brown takes interest of the bear and the family takes him in naming him after the station. Mrs. Bird, the housekeeper, also likes Paddington. 

He tries to find the explorer that found the bears in Peru. Mary takes Paddington to the owner of an antique shop, Samuel Gruber, who leads them to teh Geographers’ Guild. He lost his membership for refusing to bring back one of the bears. Paddington finds a family with the Browns. In Paddington 2 (2017), he is set up for stealing a rare pop-up book of London, his present to Aunt Lucy, at Gruber’s shop. The actual thief is a neighbor of the Browns, would be actor, Phoenix Buchanan. Paddington is sent to prison, accidentally turning the prison uniforms pink!, and makes an ally with the chef, Knuckles McGinty. Paddington is freed and Buchanan sentenced to prison. This story doesn’t require knowledge of the other movies or books, but there are nice touches to them in it. 

The film begins “A few bear years ago…” with a blue sky and below it is a jungle with red flowers like his hat. The lil’ bear that is Paddington (Ben Whishaw who also narrates the tale) sees an orange hanging from a branch and crawls out to it. Whishaw has voiced the part for all of the movies and television series. Paddington falls into a river and swept away. A paw reaches down and pulls Paddington up. It is Aunt Lucyk (Imelda Staunton). She tells him, “If you ever get lost just roar.” At the Paddington railway staton, he is in a photo booth, Paddington has to struggle to get a coin into the machine. He takes awkward photos and spills out the coins! We find the other family members, Mary Brown (Emily Mortimer) is painting the family on a couch. Mortimer played Jane Banks in Mary Poppins Returns (2018). Sally Hawkins played the part in the previous two movies.

Mrs. Brown is kind, but is not ready to have anyone leave the nest. One of which is her daughter, Judy (Madeleine Harris), who is ready to leave for college. Harris reprises the part and has also starred in the Man Down comedy show. Her role is to record her experiences for journalism classes. Her brother, Jonathan (Samuel Joslin) is more comfortable at home, gaming in his room using his inventions to stay in his chair. Joslin also returns as Jonathan and had starred as Thomas in the real life dramatic film, The Impossible (2012). Henry Brown (Hugh Bonneville) is comfortable working in insurance. Bonneville is back as the father and he is also known as Robert Grantham in Downton Abbey. The new boss, Madison (Hayley Atwell) has arrived and she shakes Henry with her daredevil motto,  “Embrace the risk! Atwell played Evelyn Robin in the film about another bear in  Christopher Robin (2018). I noticed out of the theaters that I had a smile ear to ear, the film left me with a feeling of joy, and realized we need more films like Paddington in Peru. 

Five Marmalade Sandwiches out of Five! 

#PaddingtonInPeru, #DougalWilson, #PaulKing, #SimonFarnaby, #MarkBurton, #JonFoster, #JamesLamont, #BenWhishaw, #HughBonneville, #EmilyMortimer, #MadeleineHarris, #SamuelJoslin, #AntonioBanderas, #CarlaTous, #OliviaColman, JulieWalters, #JimBroadbent, #HayleyAtwell, #ImeldaStaunton 

Love Hurts Review!

Love Hurts is a light movie with a Valentine’s Day setting, light on romance, funny, and heavy on action! The film rests on the charm and energy of lead, Ke Huy Quan, he has of course a background as stunt coordinator for the Hong Kong sci fi picture, The Avenging Fist (2001). It has the power of Hong Kong action movies on the John Wick scale. The stunt coordinator is Can Aydin who was the assistant fight coordinator of The Fall Guy (2024). The film is directed by Jonathan Eusebio, his first time directing a movie, he was second unit director for the action comedy, Violent Night (2022). It is written by Matthew Murray who co-wrote the horror film, Sheltered (2010) with Josh Stoddard, the writer of the martial arts series, Warrior. 

The other part of the writing team includes Luke Passmore who also wrote the superhero thriller, Archenemy (2020). Love Hurts has a Valentine’s Day theme, but strangely, there is no “Love Hurts” song by Nazareth or any of the artists, Roy Orbison, Cher, or Joan Jett, who sung or covered it! ‘We see a mysterious woman get off a bus and sees a bench ad for real estate agent, Marvin Gable (Quan). Quan is known for his Academy Award winning performance as  Waymond Wang in Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022). This film rests on his likeability and martial arts skill. He has emphasized that he did all of the fighting, but not all of the stunts. This is his first lead role. I wonder why there is no last name change, no mention of his parents in the film. She takes a sharpie to draw a mustache on the ad. 

At home, Marvin shows his prowess in the kitchen baking cookies and there are dynamic shots of him pouring vegetables from the pov of a pot. The domestic life given martial arts action! He puts on his bike helmet to ride through a perfect suburbia. At Emerald Springs, we see his realtor sign for Marvin and its tagline, “I want to find a home for you.” A kind and helpful realotor. Next to it is his rival, Jeff Zaks (Drew Scott), with his tagline, “Fighting for you.” Scott is a co-host with his twin brother of the Property Brothers show so this is a twist for him. Marvin also notices a moustache on his sign so rubs it off blaming Jeff. Then, the couple, the Reebers, drive up to see the house. Chet (Adam Hurtig) and Sherry (Stephanie Sy) represent the married relationship for the film. Hurtig was in another holiday themed comedy, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024). Sy was Sugarplum in Violent Night. Marvin shows them around the house and gives them his spiel mentioning having the freedom to help them find their new house. 

Marvin arrives at the office, busy with workers, and offers them heart shaped cookies. It is decorated with heart decorations, but not in the Valentine’s Day spirit is Marvin’s assistant, Ashley (Lio Tipton), and she threatens to quit. Riddle of Fire (2023) starred Tipton. Marvin finds in his mail, a Valentine’s Day card that read, “With Love”, and finds in it, “I’m Back!” This causes him to panic and he takes the card to his office with frosted windows. Once, he enters Marvin is knocked out. The tolerance of pain varies, but this is the spirit of marital arts comedies. Marvin wakes up at his desk with a knife through his left hand! His tormentor is Raven (Mustafa Shakir) who had written a book of poetry that was also on the desk. who was sent by Knuckles. Shakir was Monte Jackson in Ghosted (2023), an action comedy. 

Raven is looking for Rose and says, “You watched her breathe her last breath.” Marvin manages to free himself from the knife and fight Raven, a whirling fight with Raven using throwing knives, but the fight is hidden by the windows. Ashley checks on her boss who through a crack in the door explains that he was doing high intensity yoga. Marvin returns to the fight and manages to knock out Raven, but slides a pillow so he can softly land on the floor. He doesn’t restrain the assassin, but instead heads out to meet with the owner, Cliff. The actor may be a surprise cameo so I won’t spoil it. Cliff wears a cowboy hat and presents Marvin with a Realtor of the Year plaque. Marvin asks to borrow Cliff’s car and outside in a jeep, are two more dangerous men. Otis (André Eriksen) and King (Marshawn Lynch). Eriksen starred in Violet Night. Lynch was in the comedy, Bottoms (2023), he is credited in the film as Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch! 

Otis’ wife has kicked him out of the house again. He has the broken relationship and King tries to give him advice. These are the basic relationships and Valentine’s Day connection of the film. The two assassins with one comic relief makes me think of Anthony Anderson’s henchman, Maurice, in the Jet Li film, Romeo Must Die (2000). There are similiarities with this movie’s plot. At a video store complete with martial arts film titles is the big boss, Knuckles (Daniel Wu), in the American Born Chinese show (which also starred Quan), Wu played The Monkey King. Knuckles orders his assistant, Merlow (Cam Gigandet) to get Otis and King to follow Marvin. Gigandet was in the action movie, 72 Hours (2024). Outside, Merlow contacts them and adds that Rose has the money. Marvin enters his house and eyes an amethyst heart on a mantle. Marvin faces Otis and King and their fight is frantic with the plaque thrown into a microwave and Marvin’s face shoved into a refrigerator. 

Marvin’s fighting style uses improvised items like Jackie Chan in movies like Rumble in the Bronx (1995). The film is also similar to the John Cusack action comedy, Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) which had an assassin in the suburbs. Marvin knocks out Otis and manages to get outside. King follows, but is tased by Rose Carlisle (Ariana DeBose). Keira was played by DeBose in the comedy action movie, Argylle (2024). 

Four Cookies out of Five! 

#LoveHurts, #JonathanEusebio, #MatthewMurray, #LukePassmore, #JoshStoddard, #KeHuyQuan, #ArianaDeBose, #LioTipton, #MustafaShakir, #MarshawnLynch, #AndreEriksen, #RhysDarby, #CamGigandet, #DanielWu, #AdamHurtig, #StephanieSy  

Bram Stoker’s Dracula Starring Bela Lugosi GN signing!

Today was the signing of Bram Stoker’s Dracula Starring Bela Lugosi at Dark Delicacies! The  event was attended by Lynne Lugosi Sparks, the granddaughter and CEO of Lugosi Enterprises, also author, Robert Napton, and artist, El Garing, the team that also worked on Mary Shelley’s Franksenstein Starring Boris Karloff. The graphic novel was published in 2020, but any signing were delayed at that time. Dark Delicacies, I was told, is closing in April so I hope everyone can get down to one of the best stores for all things that are horror and fantastic! It will be online sales from that point, but one of the joys is just wandering the shelves.  

    The Dark Delicacies signing with Lynne Lugosi Sparks, Robert Napton, and El Garing!, author’s photo.

Dark Delicacies is located at 822 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, a block away from Porto’s Bakery and Cafe. Check out more information, the store, and future signings at: https://www.darkdel.com. Remember to get a 30th anniversary t-shirt! There is a table towards the back of the store and it was great to see again Robert Napton and El Garing. Napton pointed out El Garing’s excellent depiction of wolves in the graphic novel. He also said that the Legendary Comics adaptations are based on novels. The others in the Universal Studios stable are also Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame (1831), The Invisible Man (1897) by H.G. Wells, and The Phantom of the Opera (1910) written by Gaston Leroux. 

Lon Chaney played Quasimodo in the 1923 silent film. The Phantom was made into the 1925 silent classic starring Lon Chaney. Claude Rains starred as Dr. Jack Griffin in the 1933 James Whale film. The two Lon Chaney figures are more tragic than horrifying and made into Disney film and musical. Chaney Entertainment Inc. represents the works of Ron Chaney and Ron Chaney, Jr. It was great to talk to Lynne Lugosi Sparks about the powerful eyes that Bela Lugosi brought to the role. She also mentioned that there is no statue or presence of Lugosi at the Dark Universe section of the Epic Universe theme park. There should be a plaque of Lugosi, Karloff, and the other legends that helped make the films and save Universal Studios. 

It could be integrated into the park’s story as busts captured by monster hunters, replica handprints, footprints, and signatures like those were at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They could include actors and filmmakers for current films. The graphic novel is a perfect synethsis of Bram Stoker’s novel and the likeness of Bela Lugosi. It features an introduction by Lynne Lugosi Sparks and her father, Bela Lugosi, Jr. The construction of the novel was through letters and newspaper articles. 

The graphic novel follows this starting with Jonathan Harker’s letter to Mina Murray. The style is a discovery of pieces of a narrative that was used in the 19th century. There is a shadow of Dracula above Jonathan as he reads the count’s letter. Then, the carriage driver has the unmistakable eyes of Bela Lugosi which is a brilliant addition to the story. Signed copies might be at Dark Delicacies! A must read graphic novel and Dark Delicacies is the store you must visit!  

#DarkDelicacies, #BramStokersDraculaStarringBelaLugosi, #LynneLugosiSparks, #RobertNapton, #ElGaring 

New Gods #2 Review!

A prophecy of a child is revealed, a powerful threat is introduced, and we get more of the New Gods and Darkseid’s Elite assembled in New Gods #2! Re:cap - New Gods #1!; Darkseid has died! Metron from The Source has learned of the prophecy of a child. He brings the prophecy to Highfather. There will be dark forces that may be lead by a successor to Darkseid. The child of prophecy will be born on Earth and Highfather looks for his champion, Orion. Highfather contacts Orion to give him his mission. Orion travels to Glendale, California to tell Scott Free, Mister Miracle, about the mission. To kill the child and he wants Mister Miracle to escape with the child and gives him seven days. 

Kollambur, India. A father, Kiran, runs with Mira, his wife, and infant child. A squad of soldiers is chasing them. The mysterious Mr. Lord, Maxwell Lord, wants the child. Lord was the businessman who formed the Justice League, but ultimately he is discoverd to be a mastermind villain. He was introduced in Justice League #1 (1987). Kiran is shot in the leg and he gives the child, Kamal, to Mira. Kamal is the male form of Kamalā meaning lotus connected to the goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi. The child cries for his father and then “Shall Come Hence The Last Avatar Made”, his power emerges! Kamal rises, a white stripe on his face and in a white uniform, his power coursing, and destroys the soldiers! 

Nimit Malavia is the cover artist which has a swirl of color, Mister Miracle standing, below him is Big Barda and a column of two people and above him is the face of Orion in his helmet! “The Falling Sky Part 2” continues written by Ram V, Evan Cagle as artist, and Jesse Lonergan as guest artist for the first four pages. It opens to The Machynoterum, a planet-like body with tech similar to the Death Star, in the Breach-Beyond Expanse, this looks like a black planet eclipsed by the sun. There is a leader, Karok Ator, a massive man-like figure, body half covered with black splotches. He is attended by strange aliens. He walks, thinking is a scavenger, there is a parasite called The Nyctosphyx in his blood. Very surreal, a deadly opponent past physical threats. He is told about the New Gods whom we see in a series of curved panels across two pages. Some beastly form, an Estarix, walks in brought by the scouts. 

He faces Karok Ator in an arena. We get the thoughts from Himon in his account, The Prometheus Codex. He says the Source had emerged from a darkness, “the opposite to existence”! Fiery letters are seen, then the fall of New Genesis, and the hordes of Apokalips invade. Highfather is troubled by the dream. Then, his eye widens in a closeup, his failure. Of course, it could be the actions he has taken rather than trying stop one. We see Highfather in white robe with his hands out as we hear that Izaya is told to pray. He wakes up screaming, it carries out the balcony where Lightray hears him. The hulkish Akala to comfort him like a baby. The words, it seems like Himon, say that that the gods might be given a miracle and we see the closed eyes of Scott Free. 

He puts on the mask of Mister Miracle and we see his letter to his wife. Scott writes about the endless traps he faced on Apokalips. He kept going because of Barda. We see Barda alseep as he leaves with the light at the doorway, nice image. He walks into the room of his baby daughter, Olivia, he looks at her Liv Free. Yeah, this is a perfect name to add to the Kirby New God canon. He has spent time making the decision, but knows that Orion is right, he can’t be the husband and father for Barda and Olivia. We see Day 1, where Orion fights the Parademons which is behind a closeup of Mister Miracle holding the hand of his daughter, the artwork is stunning! Day 2, the image continues. 

Day 3, Orion has his Astro-Harness, glowing bands of light that almost look like a Tron lightcycle! Mister Miracle asks Barda forgiveness and then turns covered in shadow! The next page is a massive panel from Scott’s perspective with large letters of Big Barda towering over him in her armor with Olivia cradled on her arm, awesome! Barda has always been a favorite. I think the closest in looks is rugby star Ilona Maher, powerful and beautiful. I think the trio would be like Alana, Marko, and their daughter, Hazel in the sci fi comic series, Saga. Scott is stunned, while Barda tells him his brother, Orion's fault, talked him into doing something dumb. Which is leaving his wife and child behind, not really Orion, but Scott doesn’t realize that his family will share every danger with him. Olivia laughs as Scott tries to explain that Orion’s mission to kill a child. 

Barda says the details can wait, she is always decisive, Scott is quick to escape traps, but not his family. He was thinking Oberon could help find the child. He is the small person assistant to Mister Miracle from his circus days. He first appeared in Mister Miracle #1 (1971). Scott wonders if his wife is mad and he has diaper duty forever, funny! We see a crowded street in Kanataka in the southwest of India. Capturing the business of the streets and signs is not only brilliant in artwork, but also colorist, Francesco Segala. This is especially seen in the next panel that has different people in the crowd, but popping in full color, is a man, Kiran with a cane and bag. He walks into a hotel room with Mira sitting and she says Kamal’s fever broke. We see him asleep under a fan. Kiran has brought medicine that he had paid anonymously.  

Mira says she is afraid and we see Kamal using his power and further back we see his parents. Kiran says three years after they lost their baby, Neel, he found the baby at the Krishnaraja temple. He holds Mira’s waist and touches the side of Kamal. Outside of the hotel, an agent, Mr. Wells, report to Lord. We have an overhead shot of the agents in a crowd. They have tracked the movements of Kiran and are waiting for the family to reach a less crowded area. We see Lord in front of a red screen analyzing the scene, his shadow projects on an empty panel! Behind him is a shadowy man in a hat who knows the child channeled the Source! A closeup of Maxwell Lord’s face as he tells his visitor that his father killed himself because his work was corrupted. He says it is human nature to take divine things and “pull them apart.” His visitor is in a black cowboy hat, Serifan! He is a member of a group, another favorite, introduced in Forever People #1 (1971)! 

Lord tells Serifan that he was in a coma, a hand reaches out to touch his forehead while he was in a hospital bed. He was driven to find the child from that point, restored, he shows his own forehead. Lord has the omega symbol! Apokolips, we see the craters of the firepits that pock mark the planet. We see Mantis, now declaring himself overlord. His first appearance was in Forever People #2 (1971). The Hunger Dogs, survivors, are growing in number. Kanto is opposing DeSaad and Granny Goodness is his ally. The assassin, Kanto, first appeared in Mister Miracle #7 (1972). The former advisor for Darkseid, DeSaad was also introduced in Forever People #2. Granny, debuting in Mister Miracle #2, is the leader of the Female Furies. Metron is there and tells him that Darkseid is dead and Highfather has sent Orion after the child. A chessmaster setting his pieces into motion. The New Gods #2 has set up the players of this prophecy that has the New Gods pivotal in the fate of the universe! 

Five Mobius Chairs out of Five! 

#TheFallingSkyPart2, #RamV, #EvanCagle, #JesseLongergan, #NimitMalavia, #MisterMiracle, #BigBarda, #OliviaFree, #Orion, #Highfather, #Lightray, #Akala,  #KarokAtor 

Absolute Wonder Woman #4 Review!

Absolute Wonder Woman #4 has Diana's penultimate battle dealing wth her lost arm, another Wonder Woman cast member, and exploring Circe's character! Diana was begun her battle against the Tetracide, “The Four Killer”, and it has taken her arm! She also runs into Barbara Minerva, from the Natural History Museum, and who knows she is Wonder Woman! We found from the Wild Isle that Diana made the sacrifice to return Steve Trevor and this was her right arm! She has fashioned a cyborg arm, but will need her full power to take on the Tetracide! Interior artist, Hayden Sherman, provides the art for the regular cover. It has Wonder Woman burying her Athena Blade into the Tetracide with fighter jets streaking underneath her and even further down is a ferris wheel and buildings, incredible perspective! 

“The Last Amazon Part 4” is by Kelly Thompson and Sherman. We get the present, NOw, of Gateway City, Wonder Woman’s tv announcement to the people of Gateway City. On a clip board is a list, “I’m going out to help. Stay here. Effect is temporary stay home. Watch news.” This shown by a taller woman to another shorter woman, then she walks out. I love the intros of new characters central to the Wonder Woman mythos. I expect Hippolyta or some Amazon to appear in the last issue. She is about to walk out when the other woman brings the clipboard and they hug. She turns to walk out and her eyes seem to bulge. The woman behind her has tiny dots for her eyes, a fun effect like early comic strips. 

She is stunned at Wonder Woman, the Tetracide behind them, and Steve Trevor who knows Etta. This is Etta Candy, she is just a Wonder Woman main stay, introduced in Sensation Comics #2 (1942). Thanks Kelly Thompson for making her a black woman like Tom King’s Wonder Woman, and essential to the story. Etta seems like a fellow soldier who knows Steve Trevor. The other woman, her sister Gia, panics that she can hear them and then the Tetracide’s death song. This is her first appearance. Wonder Woman says she cast a proEtective spell around the building. Steve makes introductions and explains that Diana had saved him in hell. 

Also, she had asked him if he knew any witch and this leads to Gia Candy! I really like expanding the supporting cast especially Etta Candy’s family. Diana had used up ingredients to cast the spell to deafen the city. She needs her powerful arm which Diana explains to Gia as she empties her bag with some vials and tubes. Etta says to Steve she teased him about Diana that she was everything he described and then she says he “undersold” Diana, Steve responds, “Told you.” Just funny. Gia is confused about her list, the “skin of Prometheus” and Diana says the ingredients that was difficult to find in hell with her mother are common on Earth. Black walnut, Yucca root, and Althea root are a few, living plants. 

We have an interesting scene with Gia searching around her store with a line showing her path! There’s always something interesting with Sherman’s art. Diana has three final ingredients; Hemlock, Morning Glory, and Datura, a poisonous part of the nightshade family. Closeup of Gia opening a safe, then her hands as she puts on a glove, and takes out a tray of the deadly plants. Then, she asks Gia for a safe place because there will be blood. Etta, Gia, and Steve are peeking in as Diana prepares the spell. Etta says Steve volunteered them to give blood. Diana is holding herself within a circlec calling on Hecate, the goddess of magic. She says distorted words of the spell and a lightning bolt strikes her! Then, we get the two page credits which is just epic! 

This flashes back to the Wild Isle in hell, Circe runs out of the cave, and collapses. We hear a voice in black balloon speaking about her visions. Sherman provides some interesting panel designs her shapes, swirling in different scenes. The voice says Circe is her most beloved, but Circe sees herself trapped in hell and forced to raise a child. The voice, a goddess, says that there is a game, and that it requires sacrifice. Circe hears that the voice has seen that only she could raise the child to be the hero. Then, her love would transform her, eventually she would betray the voice in the future. Circe is told to finally look at her, Hecate, a white figure with six arms and in armor! Circe returns to her home and has seen in her visions of the suffering of Diana and that it would be left alone. 

Diana, as a young girl, tells Circe that she had a bad dream. Circe explains that this is when she made Diana’s lasso of love and magic. She called it ys Sacrifice. It is great to see what Circe is going through as a foster mother. Circe gets in bed to comfort her daughter and we see around them the demon beasties are also alseep.Gateway City, Now, Diana says some words, thanks Hecate, and then rises with her new, glowing arm! She thanks the others and Etta notes that she has blood on her face. Diana wipes her face and looks at the note for Gia. She asks if Etta was going to leave even if it would be dangerous and Etta replies, that it was “the right thing to do.” 

Etta says she was a detetive and is now a private investigator. Diana tells her that she does the same work, but for herself. Etta says her words are hopeful. Before leaving, Wonder Woman tells them that the protective spell will be gone, and then that she hopes to see them again. Then she sees the buildings burning next to the pier with the ferris wheel. A splash page of the Tetracide tentacles looming over the city street! Wonder Woman thinks that she should lure the Tetracide back to the beach. Wonder Woman is flying with Pegasus behind her. Her narration says that from the tentacles tha the Tetracide has stopped the “Death of Fear” and is looking for people who are within their homes! 

Diana over the sea casts a spell and the Athena Blade rises. A very Lady of the Lake image. She takes out a glass bottle with red liquid to lure the Tetracide to the beach. Closeup as Diana says, “Be what it most craves” and then smashes the bottle on a building. This unleashes a shock of words almost filling up the page, an image of the ferris wheel is behind it. Diana casts a spell on the Athena Blade wth Pegaus by her side, she lugs the blade with the Tetracide like a cloud next to the pier. Wonder Woman leaps up saying “Half the battle is choosing the right weapon.” She is flying up the Athena Blade now the size of skyscraper! She gets Pegasus to breathe his flame breath as Wonder Woman brings the Athena blade down! Absolute Wonder Woman #4 is epic with the restoration of Diana's arm with the help of Gia Candy, every issue has been fantastic, and she returns to the battle against the Tetracide! 

Five Athena Blades out of Five! 

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