NYSQ Comic Con at Home Quick Hit the Boys

The Boys is an American superhero web television series based on the comic book of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Developed by Eric Kripke for Amazon, it follows the eponymous team of vigilantes as they fight back against superpowered individuals who abuse their abilities. The series premiered on July 26, 2019. Ahead of the premiere, Amazon renewed The Boys for a second season, which is set to premiere on September 4, 2020 The Boys is set in a universe where superpowered individuals are recognized as heroes by the general public and owned by powerful corporation Vought International, which markets and monetizes them. Outside of their heroic personas, most are arrogant and corrupt. The series primarily focuses on two groups: the Seven, Vought International's premier superhero team, and the titular Boys, vigilantes looking to keep the corrupted heroes under control. The Boys are led by Billy Butcher, who despises all superpowered people, and the Seven are led by the egotistical and unstable Homelander. As a conflict ensues between the two groups, the series also follows the new members of each team: Hughie Campbell of the Boys, who joins the vigilantes after his girlfriend is killed by one of the Seven; and Annie January / Starlight of the Seven, a young and hopeful heroine forced to face the truth about the heroes she admires.

San Diego Comic-Con International is a non-profit multi-genre entertainment and comic book convention held annually in San Diego, California, United States since 1970, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The name, as given on its website, is Comic-Con International: San Diego; but it is commonly known simply as Comic-Con or the San Diego Comic-Con or "SDCC".

 

It was founded as the Golden State Comic Book Convention in 1970 by a group of San Diegans that included Shel Dorf, Richard Alf, Ken Krueger, and Mike Towry; later, it was called the "San Diego Comic Book Convention". It is a four-day event (Thursday–Sunday) held during the summer (in July since 2003) at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego. On the Wednesday evening prior to the official opening, professionals, exhibitors, and pre-registered guests for all four days can attend a pre-event "Preview Night" to give attendees the opportunity to walk the exhibit hall and see what will be available during the convention.

NYSQ Comic Con at Home Quick Hit the New Mutants

San Diego Comic-Con International is a non-profit multi-genre entertainment and comic book convention held annually in San Diego, California, United States since 1970, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The name, as given on its website, is Comic-Con International: San Diego; but it is commonly known simply as Comic-Con or the San Diego Comic-Con or "SDCC".

 

It was founded as the Golden State Comic Book Convention in 1970 by a group of San Diegans that included Shel Dorf, Richard Alf, Ken Krueger, and Mike Towry; later, it was called the "San Diego Comic Book Convention". It is a four-day event (Thursday–Sunday) held during the summer (in July since 2003) at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego. On the Wednesday evening prior to the official opening, professionals, exhibitors, and pre-registered guests for all four days can attend a pre-event "Preview Night" to give attendees the opportunity to walk the exhibit hall and see what will be available during the convention.

Five young mutants, just discovering their abilities while held in a secret facility against their will, fight to escape their past sins and save themselves. Based off the Demon Bear Saga which is the New Mutant’s defining comic arc, written by Chris Claremont with art by Bill Sienkiewicz. The movie was supposed to come out in April 2018, but the film went into massive reshoots and was repeatedly delayed by Fox. Once Disney acquired Fox, they decided to go with director Josh Boone’s original version of the movie and after watching this trailer, I think they made the right decision. The movie is getting released on April 3rd 2020 and has since been rescheduled for August of 2020

 

Written and directed by Josh Boone and starring Anya Taylor-Joy as Illyana Rasputin / Magik: A Russian mutant with sorcery powers, who "uses teleportation discs to travel". She is the sister of Colossus. Maisie Williams as Rahne Sinclair / Wolfsbane: A Scottish mutant "struggling to reconcile her religious beliefs with her power to turn into a wolf". Charlie Heaton as Sam Guthrie / Cannonball: An American mutant "who can propel himself into the air and is invulnerable while doing so" Henry Zaga as Roberto da Costa / Sunspot: A Brazilian mutant "with the ability to manipulate solar energy". Blu Hunt as Danielle Moonstar / Mirage: A Native American mutant "who has the power to create illusions drawn from the fears and desires of a person's mind". Alice Braga as Cecilia Reyes: A mentor to the group, and a medical doctor "who has the ability to generate a protective bio-field around herself".

Today's Lunchtime Reading West Coast Avengers #21 Lost in Space-Time Part 5: Time for Every Purpose Under Heaven!

West Coast Avengers #21 Lost in Space-Time Part 5: Time for Every Purpose Under Heaven!

 Published:

June 1st 1987

Writer: Steve Englehart Penciler: Al Milgrom Cover Artist: Joe Sinnott

In Egypt, 2940 BC, the evil Rama-Tut has shot the Avengers with a paralyzing ray. Somehow, despite their costumes and varied appearances, he can't tell the difference between them and Egyptians native to that time and just accuses them of being rebel slaves. Confident they will die from his weapon, he has them taken to a nearby temple for burial. The temple they arrive at happens to be one dedicated to Khonshu. While they lie paralyzed on the temple floor, the feverish Hawkeye has a vision in which he comes face-to-face with Khonshu, who explains that he aims for vengeance against Rama-Tut and will use the Avengers as his agents, that his hypnotic influence kept Rama from recognizing them as non-natives.

Hawkeye pleads his case for some extra divine intervention. He wants to return to his own time, but Khonshu's methods can't be too direct. Instead, Khonshu agrees to help deliver a message to someone from their time that can help. The Avengers come to and Hawkeye's fever breaks, his burns even mysteriously healed. Clint voices his thanks to a nearby statue of Khonshu just before the temple's blind priests enter the room to offer their help in their god's mission against the Pharaoh.

In 1876, Mockingbird is starting to shake off the effects of Phantom Rider's potion just as Rawhide Kid and Two-Gun Kid catch up with their trail. When Bobbi's alone, Two-Gun confronts her dressed as Hawkeye, hoping to jostle her memories.

She fights him at first, but one more look at the arrowhead necklace she's wearing brings it all flooding back. She rides off with Rawhide and Two-Gun wanting to kill Phantom Rider for what he did to her.

In 1776, Carlotta Valdez's funeral ends with her parents and chaperone deciding to return to Mexico along with her bible. Seventy years later, 1847, Ciudad, Corazon, a young Isabel Ramirez enters the local mission wanting to read the bible on the altar. The padre forbids peasant hands from touching it, but she sneaks a look anyway. When she finds the English note inside, she's hit with a vision that prompts her to steal the bible back for her own family.

And in the present day, Moon Knight is hit with a sudden vision of Khonshu that drives him to have Frenchie fly him to California as soon as possible.

At Avengers Compound, Hank and Espirita put the finishing touches on a new robotic creation, Rover, a flying mini-vehicle with an AI of a talking dog, a solution that Hank hopes will make up for his previous mistakes in creating killer robots.

He also tests out his new, more practical application for Pym Particles, shrinking and storing inanimate objects like tools and weapons rather than hazardously to his own body. With these new innovations, Hank Pym is ready to return to adventuring, not as a costumed superhero, but as plainclothed Doctor Pym. He and Bonita share a passionate kiss to celebrate his new lease on life.

And back in New Mexico, Dominus wonders if he's truly seen to the end of the Avengers.

Smallville Season 2 Retrospective

Smallville

The Best Superhero TV Show Ever

One thing I constantly do when watching other shows and movies is notice when there was an actor who was on Smallville in what I’m watching. Those around me probably get annoyed, but I don’t care. I can usually list the episode in which they were in as well. Some of these actors acted in previous incarnations of the Superman story, some would be in the movies later, and some were just getting their careers started. A few of these people include: Cobie Smulders, Richard Moll, Teri Hatcher, Dave Bautista, Adrianne Palicki, Dean Cain, Carrie Fisher, Amy Adams, Lizzy Caplan, Margot Kidder, Rutger Hauer, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Christopher Reeve, Michael McKean, Michael Ironside, and Helen Slater. The list goes on, but you get the point. The casting on this show was amazing. The way they incorporated the former Superman stars into the show as new characters while paying homage…bravo.

Season 2

From the beginning of the season, we can see the solid friendship between Clark and Lex is slightly beginning to fray. They were able so slow play this dynamic over the course of 6 seasons, from best friends to enemies, which obviously could not be done in a movie. As their friendship slowly begins to unravel, I found myself hoping they could work things out although knowing they eventually they won’t.

In the first episode, “Vortex”, Lex helps Clark find his dad, but during this time Clark is able to see the lies Lex is telling him. By the end of the episode, however, not only has Clark forgiven Lex, but convinces Jonathan that he isn’t such a bad guy.

In this season Clark develops new abilities, learns to share his secret with more trustworthy people, finds that there is more than one kind of meteor rock, and discovers the kawatche cave. The cave was a huge part of the show for years to come, but they spent the most time on them in season 2. In this cave, on the cave walls, is the story of Naman. This story is a Native American interpretation of Clark’s place on this Earth. Whoever came up with this storyline is a genius. There are many different takes on the story from each character that explains their point of view to the story.

There still are a few Freak of the Week episodes, but every show has at least a background plot that fuels the overall plotline. I think the most interesting episode is #17 (Rosetta). Guest starring Christopher Reeve as Dr. Virgil Swann, Clark learns about his true origins from Krypton. A close second and third are the final two episodes of the season (Calling and Exodus). This is the first time we hear the voice of Jor-El, played brilliantly by Terrance Stamp (Zod, from the Superman movies).

Season 2 is definitely the season that switched gears for this show. You should really watch every episode to get the full character development and plot development. Lana evolves as a more independent woman, though she’s only 16, we get to see both sides of Lex and sympathize with him, the Kent’s ongoing support and guidance of Clark, and of course, Clark slowly becoming the person he is meant to be.

Avatar the Last Airbender Book1 Episode 9 and 16 Breakdown and Review

Episode 9 The Waterbending Scroll

Aang grows frantic over the fact that he must master all elements to defeat the Fire Lord in less than a year, so Katara begins teaching Aang waterbending, despite her limited training. But waterbending comes naturally for Aang, much to Katara's frustration. Later, while in town to buy supplies, Katara finds a waterbending scroll at a store run by pirates, which she steals. Katara struggles to learn the technique in the scroll, while Aang picks them up quickly, further frustrating Katara. Meanwhile, Zuko runs into the pirates and agrees to help them find Aang and the scroll. They soon find and capture Aang, Katara, and Sokka. But Sokka turns the pirates against Zuko, and the three escape in the ensuing fight, with Aang and Katara using their newly developed waterbending skills.

Episode 16 The Deserter

Team Avatar travel into a Fire Nation town, which is hosting a festival of Fire Nation culture. Unfortunately, Aang's identity is discovered, but a strange man, Chey, helps the gang escape. Chey tells the trio about "the deserter", a man named Jeong Jeong who is the first man to desert the Fire Nation army and live. More importantly, he is a powerful firebending master who is not allied with the Fire Nation. However, Jeong Jeong initially refuses to teach Aang because he is still haunted by his failure to teach self-control to a previous student, Admiral Zhao. It is only when Avatar Roku intervenes that Jeong Jeong consents to teach Aang. Aang, unfortunately, demonstrates difficulties with the hard discipline required for safe firebending, and accidentally burns Katara. This leads Katara to the realization that she can use her waterbending to heal, but Aang nevertheless comes to regard firebending as dangerous and vows never to firebend again. Meanwhile, Aang is tracked down by Admiral Zhao. He fights Aang, but Aang is able to escape him by using Zhao’s lack of self-control against him and causes Zhao to burn his own ships. Aang is burned during his fight with Zhao but is healed by Katara.

Book One: Water is the first season of Avatar: The Last Airbender, an American animated television series produced by Nickelodeon Studios. The first season premiered on Nickelodeon on February 21, 2005 and It consisted of 20 episodes. The series starred Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack DeSena, Dante Basco, Dee Bradley Baker, Mako Iwamatsu, and Jason Isaacs as the main character voices.

The season revolves around the protagonist Aang and his friends Katara and Sokka going on a journey to the North Pole to find a Waterbending master to teach Aang and Katara. The Fire Nation is waging a seemingly endless war against the Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribes, following the long-ago disappearance of the Air Nomads. Aang, the current Avatar, must master the four elements (Air, Water, Earth, and Fire) to end the war. Along the way, Aang and his friends are chased by various pursuers: banished Fire Nation Prince Zuko, along with his uncle and former general Iroh, and Admiral Zhao of the Fire Navy.

Smallville Season 1 Retrospective

Smallville:

The Best Superhero TV Show Ever

I have never denied my love for Smallville. Not only do I believe that it is the best superhero TV Show of all time, but I think it ranks among the best shows of any kind. This starts, obviously before Clark Kent becomes Superman and takes you on a journey through the early struggles of both developing his powers along with developing his character and relationships. In this multi-part series, I will address why I think the creators, Gough and Millar, did such a good job. Starting with:

Season 1

The pilot episode sets the stage for any series, and this one really nailed it. We see that a young Clark Kent, a freshman in high school, already has and uses some of his powers, such as super speed, but does not know exactly where they came from. In this episode we also see that Clark is already feeling the effects of Kryptonite, although he does not know why. Lana Lang wears a “meteor rock” necklace made from the meteorite that killed her parents, and Clark is weakened by it.

This season is the stage setter for the seasons that followed. It seems apparent that they were not sure if they would be renewed immediately, as season 1 earned the “Freak of the Week” reputation. This simply means that every week’s episode had another person infected by Kryptonite (they called it “meteor rock” until late season 2) and turns evil. Some temporarily and some not.

Clark develops and gets used to the news that he is from another planet and his developing powers as he grows older. For instance, in this season he is completely unaware that he can be shot and not die. However, he does bruise from the shots although they heal quickly. The main focus is on his relationships, both with his parents and with his friends. These are crucial in setting up what is to come. In this we see why he has the morals he does and why he always looks for the best solution with no loss of life. Culminating with a cliff hanger season finale.

The show is excellently cast. Every actor perfectly suited for their role. John Schneider, a favorite of mine from the Dukes of Hazzard, played Jonathan Kent so well, I wanted to be a better father. Michael Rosenbaum played the best Lex Luthor I have ever seen. He took the role and played the subtleties beautifully as a confident businessman, to a slightly insecure friend, and a best friend and older brother type to Clark. Lana Lang is adorably played by Kristin Kreuk, who moves through quite an arc on the first season, starting as the popular cheerleader to the girl next door looking for purpose. Chloe Sullivan, played by Allison Mack, is the Lois Lane type of friend for Clark’s high school years.

Of course, Tom Welling plays Clark Kent. He develops this character so perfectly through the entire run of the show, I don’t think calling him the best Clark Kent is saying too much. He may not be the best Superman, but that is only because he didn’t play Superman.

If you are planning to watch this show, you definitely need to start at the beginning, and this season sets the table for all that is to come. The series opening scene foreshadows events that don’t happen until season 6. It is just so well thought out, I recommend it to everyone.

Avatar the Last Airbender Winter Solstice Breakdown and Review

Episode 7 Winter Solstice Part 1

Part 1: The Spirit World: Aang finds himself in a small Earth Kingdom village that is being attacked by Hei Bai, a monster from the Spirit World. The village believes that Aang can make peace with the spirit, since the Avatar is said to be the bridge between the Physical and the Spirit World. Aang unsuccessfully tries to calm the monster, which kidnaps Sokka in the process of attacking the village. Aang pursues him, but he is knocked out and ends up in the Spirit World, from which he cannot be seen or heard. While there, he is told that Avatar Roku has a message for him on the Winter Solstice. After returning, Aang proceeds to calm the attacking spirit, restoring peace to the village. Elsewhere, Iroh gets captured by Earth Kingdom soldiers while bathing in a hot spring. The soldiers plan to take him to the Earth Kingdom capital, Ba Sing Se, to face justice, but Iroh proves to be an immensely formidable firebender, even when restrained. Zuko eventually catches up with the soldiers to help free him, forgoing his chase for the Avatar for a time.

Episode 8 Winter Solstice Part 2

Part 2: Avatar Roku: Aang, Katara, and Sokka travel to a temple on an island in the Fire Nation, so that Aang may receive a message from the previous Avatar, Roku. The three bypass a blockade led by Zhao; Zuko pursues them through the blockade, despite being banished from the Fire Nation. At the temple, they discover that the Fire Sages are no longer loyal to the Avatar, but to the Firelord, the leader of the Fire Nation. The sages attack, but one proves to still be loyal to the Avatar and leads them to the temple sanctuary. Aang manages to enter the sanctuary after narrowly escaping capture. Zhao arrives, intending to apprehend both Zuko and Aang. Avatar Roku appears to Aang and informs him about a comet that enhances the power of firebenders, which will return in just under a year and give the Fire Nation the power to finish the war with a brutal assault; Aang must master all four elements and defeat the Firelord before the return of the comet. Roku's spirit manifests inside Aang's body, repelling Zhao's forces with a staggering display of bending that destroys the temple as Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Zuko escape.

Book One: Water is the first season of Avatar: The Last Airbender, an American animated television series produced by Nickelodeon Studios. The first season premiered on Nickelodeon on February 21, 2005 and It consisted of 20 episodes. The series starred Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack DeSena, Dante Basco, Dee Bradley Baker, Mako Iwamatsu, and Jason Isaacs as the main character voices.

The season revolves around the protagonist Aang and his friends Katara and Sokka going on a journey to the North Pole to find a Waterbending master to teach Aang and Katara. The Fire Nation is waging a seemingly endless war against the Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribes, following the long-ago disappearance of the Air Nomads. Aang, the current Avatar, must master the four elements (Air, Water, Earth, and Fire) to end the war. Along the way, Aang and his friends are chased by various pursuers: banished Fire Nation Prince Zuko, along with his uncle and former general Iroh, and Admiral Zhao of the Fire Navy.