Hey y’all. Today, we’ve got a metric ton of news, including announcement
from Disney Investors Day and the Video Game Awards. Before we get to any of
that, I want to take a moment to discuss the state of this blog. I pour a lot of
my money into this site, whether it be maintaining the site or buying the
comics, games, etc. that form the backbone of posts. Honestly, it’s at an
unsustainable level. I have so many big ideas and plans for what this can be,
but I can’t get there yet. Not without some help, that is.
That’s where you come in, dear reader. I am humbly asking
that if you enjoy the work I do here, you consider donating some money to the cause
of improving it. For this, I have set up both a Patreon
and Ko-fi, depending on if
you would prefer to support monthly or just once. I understand that not
everyone has spare money, especially during the holiday season amidst an
ongoing global pandemic. If you cannot afford to donate (or just don’t want
to), no posts will be gated behind that. But if you can, please consider it.
Also, read this post. There’s so much news and I wouldn’t want you to miss any of it. We’ll start with DC news, then head to the VGAs, and finally, cover the absurd amount of Disney news
First Batwoman Season 2 Trailer
This looks cool. I am a fan of what the first season of this show provided (After the first few episodes) but was worried when Ruby Rose announced she was stepping away from it. She did a phenomenal job as Kate Kane. Not to mention, losing your protagonist after one season would be the death of most shows. When Javica Leslie was announced, I was intrigued. When she was first shown in her new costume, I decided I would give it a shot. After watching this trailer, I am all the way in and looking forward to. Also, my favorite aspect of the Bat family is their vehicular choices and there is a cool new batmobile.
Teen Titans Academy
Spinning out of Future State: Titans, we are getting a new Teen Titans series. Nightwing, Starfire, Raven, and several other former-Teen Titans are starting a school for young heroes. Given that it has the same creative team as the aforementioned miniseries and promises to show one character become Red X, this seems to be the backstory to the Future State story. Whether those events come to pass or are prevented is yet to be seen. I am looking forward to this and plan on picking it up if the miniseries is good.
Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez Taking Over Justice League?
The above image (By Marquez and colorist Tamra Bonvillain) was put up on Bendis’ social media, the implication being that this team would be on the series going forward. While the past year or so of Bendis’ work has fallen flat, seeing him reunite with his former Miles Morales: The Ultimate Spider-Man partner gives me hope that Justice League can return to greatness after a half decade of being mediocre or downright bad. Plus, I will read almost anything Marquez draws.
Phillip Kennedy Johnson on Superman and Action Comics
My experience with Johnson is limited. From my experience, he
is a mediocre writer. Having said that, I already planned to give his Future
State Superman series a try prior to his official start as head of Superman. The
fact basically every third issue has a different art team worries me. I like
when teams have long tenures together, even if that means a planned rotation
liked on Amazing Spider-Man. At least the artists whose names I
recognize are good.
James Tynion and Guillem March Launch Joker Ongoing Series
The more does not need more Joker. And yet, here is more. And
its an extra big $0-page, $4.99 comic with backup stories about Punchline and
Bluebird. *Yawn* Tynion and March are excellent creators and have worked together
to great effect in the past. I just wish they do literally anything else. Let
March draw Batman!
Mariko Tamaki Becomes First Female Ongoing Writer of Detective Comics
Tamaki and Dan Mora are moving onto Detective Comics following
their Future State: Dark Detective miniseries. That is the Future State
story for which I am most excited. Tamaki will likely take a more humanized
approach than Batman writers tend to, especially this century. Of course, she
will be helped quite a bit by the presence of Mora, whose art would instantly improve
almost any series it adorned. Also, it is kind of unbelievable this series has
never had a female ongoing writer. There have been over 1000 issues. And yet, it
is completely believable because this is still comics.
Geoffrey Thorne and Tom Raney Takeover Green Lantern
With Grant Morrison and Liam
Sharpe finishing their story soon, there was room for a new Green Lantern
series. Who stars in the series is unknown, although Thorne and Raney are
collaborating on a Future State story about John Stewart. I expect him to
remain near or at the forefront of this new series and that is an almost guaranteed
pick up for me.
Sephiroth in Smash
Hot Take: Sephiroth, like Final Fantasy VII, is not
that cool. There are much less interesting characters that could have been
chosen though. We will see his move list--and probably Sephiroth-Kirby—this
week, so we will know more about him then. It is nice to have more Final
Fantasy representation, but it should have been from a different entry. Oh
well.
Perfect Dark
Dragon Age
So, they are rebooting a series with three installments? That
is an odd move but if this one is actually good (Note: I have only played Origins),
I will be satisfied. The world they built in prior games was interesting so
hopefully they can continue that going forward. Of course, no one has liked the
last several games Bioware has released so hope is low but there is a chance
for this one.
Ark 2 and Ark Animated Series
I have never play Ark: Survival Evolved. A lot of
people, including my roommate, like it. So, what do you do when making the sequel
to a hit video game? Cast Vin Diesel and develop an accompanying television
series. Sure, why not. Neither this trailer not the one for the series look
very good, but the cast is impressive, and it has dinosaurs, so there is a
small chance I will check it out.
Returnal
Returnal seems like a cool 3D bullet hell game with
an intriguing premise. That is about all we know thus far. Housemarque is
really good at those types of games so seeing them create one with this size
budget is exciting. Plus, it is coming in March, which is real soon. Early 2021
is shaping up to be excellent for games.
Scarlet Nexus
This game still looks cool. I have no idea what this game is
about. Clearly, we are meant to see this as Anime Devil May Cry with a hint of Evangelion. If that is all
it is, cool. If it is something more, also cool. All I know is I need this game
ASAP.
Mass Effect
They are soft rebooting Mass Effect again. Like the Dragon Age games, I have only played the first in this series. It was fine. I do plan on picking up the remastered trilogy at some point though. Maybe after playing those, I will have a different opinion. If I do, my excitement over seeing alleged Best Girl Liara will significantly increase.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
I hate that this is on Disney+. I really would love a
fantastic adaptation of these books. This could be that. Chances are, it will
look more like the Christopher Columbus films. Those were positively fine,
which is seemingly Disney’s goal with existing brands. Good luck to everyone
making this. At the very least, it has a cool logo.
Finally, Disney Acknowledges A Classic
Based on one of Disney’s most underrated films, The Princess
and the Frog, this is a musical-comedy series starring Tiana, obviously. While
it will not be set in New Orleans, I hope it keeps the jazz stylings of its
predecessor. The music in that film is phenomenal and would standout among
other Disney television series.
We are being inundated with even more Star Wars
There is so much Star Wars content in the near future, which
is saying something when one considers the franchise has been producing a
near-endless stream of stories since Timothy Zahn’s first Thrawn Trilogy. While
various publishing arms of Disney continue to churn out books and comics, the
film side of the business is getting involved. At their investor’s
presentation, Disney announced 11 new tv series and movies to be released over
the next several years. Of those, there are 4 notable and interesting
installments:
Rogue Squadron
This a feature film being directed by Patty Jenkins,
presumably based on the old video games. Those games were cool; they had some
really cool dogfights. There was not too much revealed beyond that, but I trust
Jenkins to make a good film with cool dogfights.
Ahsoka
Unfortunately, this will be a live action show starring
Rosario Dawson. It is merely on this list because it is notable, even though it
is regrettable. This show will presumably introduce Sabine Wren, Ezra Bridger,
and Grand Admiral Thrawn to live action. What a shame.
Obi-Wan
We have known about this one for quite some time. Ewan
McGregor is back. And surprisingly, so is Hayden Christensen. Because this is
set between the first two trilogies, it is unclear what role he will play, but
it is interesting. Also notable is that Deborah Chow is running this show. I am
excited to see what her vision of Star Wars is after the glimpses we got when
she directed two of The Mandalorian’s best episodes.
The Acolyte
This is a High Republic-era mystery show run by Leslye
Headland. I have no experience with her prior work but people like what she has
done. More importantly, it is not set immediately after or before the
original films. I could not be more tired of that timeframe. Tell a new
story. Please. Disney removed everything from canon a decade ago and has
preceded to almost nothing with it. The High Republic cross-media stuff is
their first shot. Let us hope it is good.
Indiana Jones #5 Is Coming
James Mangold continues his quest to become the ultimate Dad Movie director. Along for the ride is a returning Harrison Ford, who will turn 80 the month the movie releases. I do not know how anyone could be excited for this. Mangold is a good director and Ford is a quality actor, but the Indy days should be far behind him. There was a successful handoff to Shia LeBouf last time out, but it seems that is just going to be ignored in favor of someone that could not do stunts 12 years ago and certainly cannot now. I just hope they do not conjure another son played by Chris Pratt.
Legally Distinct Squirrel Girl Is Coming
I do not know why Flora & Ulysses is not a Squirrel Girl movie. It is about a comic book fan and her squirrel sidekick. It is not even an original IP. The existence of this is just baffling but it sounds fun so I might give it a go when it releases.
Marvel Is Trying To Conquer TV Again
Immediately following the successful of The Avengers,
the MCU expanded to ABC with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter,
and the Defender shows on Netflix. That was deemed a failure, even if it should
not have been. Now, the MCU is back on the small screen with 10 new series. There
was also news about almost every MCU movie of the next few years. Like Star
Wars, it is too much, but there are some things coming that stand out as
interesting.
WandaVision
This show is fascinating. It seems to be so different from
everything Marvel Studios has made up to this point. It is by far the MCU TV
series for which I am most excited. It will probably be weirdly sexless and
unromantic like every MCU film since Iron Man 3 but allowing this group
to flesh out these two underserved characters has me hopeful. Also, do not
forget that I will be covering the series on release day similar how I am
currently covering The Mandalorian.
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
Why is this not just the next Captain America movie? It
looks like those movies, it sounds like those movies, and it stars the same
actors. Presumably, this series ends with a “Sam Wilson will return in Captain
America: [Insert Subtitle]” card. Otherwise, what is the point? Anyway, I like
the Cap movie and these actors, so I will likely check out the first episode.
Might even write about it.
Xoxhitl Gomez is America Chavez
America Chavez is dope. There is no other way to put it. She
will be appearing in the upcoming Spider-Man movie with
everyone else with a pulse. One of the most exciting aspects of these shows
is the emphasis they are putting on diversity both in front and behind the
camera. America was at the forefront of a similar movement in the Marvel comics
a decade ago and it is cool to see her once again potentially leading the way.
There’s Definitely A Young Avengers Movie Coming
In the wake of the Avengers Disassembled comic story, a
group of young heroes banded together to fill gap left by the Avengers. There have
been several iterations on the concept with different characters in the 15
years since. With the casting of Ms. Marvel, America Chavez, and Kate Bishop,
and the recasting of Kathryn Newton as Cassie Lang, it seems inevitable. Not to
mention the rumors of Loki ending with a teen version of the titular
character, and the fact WandaVision could easily introduce their children.
I originally predicted this years ago at this point. It only
made sense with the air of “finality” around the last two Avengers movies. Now
the question is whether they go with the modern name for the group, Champions,
or brand recognizability, Young Avengers.
Jon Watts Is Directing Fantastic Four
Could there have been a less inspiring pick to direct this
one? Yes, Watts is part of the Marvel Studios family, but he does not make
particularly unique or interesting movies. Spider-Man: Homecoming is of middling
quality and the sequel is a disaster. Someone with the ability to create high
concept science fiction should have been at the helm. Get Alex Garland on the
phone!
Raya and the Last Dragon Gets The WB Treatment
Raya will release March 5th both in
theaters and on Disney+. Unlike the HBO Max plan, Raya will not be
included with the subscription, you will have to pay extra. Most likely $30 as
Disney is using the same terminology they used for the release of Mulan this
year. I will probably wait for this to actually come to Disney+ before considering
seeing it. Also, it apparently stars Kelly Marie Tran and Awkafina so that is
neat.
As always, feel free to give
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