Harley Quinn Smith joins the cast of Supergirl!

Looks like an episode of Supergirl is getting a double hitter from the Smith family this season. Not only does she get the amazing Kevin Smith, director of the movies Mallrats, Clerks, Dogma and so many more, but also he has brought his beautiful daughter Harley Quinn Smith on set to be part of the cast.

 

While Kevin is having a blast helping to produce episode 9, that he so lovingly calls “Supergirl lives” after a story he wrote called “Superman lives”, he decided that a little more ‘oomph’ was needed and brought in his beautiful daughter Harley Quinn Smith. If you are a fan of the Smith then you know its not the first time he has brought his mini me to the stage. You can find her in several of his movies like when she played a baby version of him in Jay and Silent Bob strikes back, and will be appearing in the Mallrats TV series.

 

It has not come to light yet what role she will be playing in Supergirl but I’m sure it doesn’t matter really, just seeing her there is going to be awesome. ^_^

Kickstarter Spotlight: Pet Squadron: Defenders Of Humanity

Pet Squadron: Defenders of Humanity is a comic book project that just launched yesterday on Kickstarter.

This campaign is for the creation and printing of the book. While I can’t comment on the story, the premise sounds interesting and will certainly appeal to dog and pet lovers in general. Like I have said before now and then, we need something out of the norm from our standing comics that we read. This could be that comic for you. The pledge tiers are good but just be aware that when you pledge that the expected date to receive your reward (if the Kickstarter campaign is successful) isn’t until Nov. 2017. I point this out so writer Braiden Cox doesn’t get any unnecessary emails from people about how long it’s taking to get their reward. The art style is interesting as well I’m curious to see the complete comic and what they come up with for the cover.

 

 

 

If this project has sparked your interest check out the Kickstarter here this project has until Dec.1st, 2017 9:02 Pm EDT to reach it’s $4000.00 goal. Hopefully, if all goes well I will be able to review the comic once it’s completed.

Follow writer Braiden Cox  publishing house  Braydoxian Studios  on Facebook

Facebook Page for Pet Squadron

Braiden’s personal Facebook Page

My Town Is Getting It’s First Comic-Con (Update #1 11/17/2016)

When I heard that the town I live in (Orillia Ontario, Canada) was getting its first comic-con, I was shocked. It’s a small retirement town that’s  a tourist destination in the summer and relatively quiet in the winter. I usually travel the hour and a half to Toronto for Fanexpo and Toronto Comic-con, but to find out I could attend one not 5 minutes from my place got me excited.

My local comic shop Dr.Comics and more specifically the store owner Carmine De Santo is putting on the event. Needless to say, I’m very excited for this comic con. The first Orillia Comic-con is going to take place Sunday, May 21st, 2017 at the Geneva Event Centre. Tickets are currently on sale now at early bird prices. The cost will up December 2016.

Here are the first four guest announcements.

 FABIAN NICIEZA- Creator of Deadpool, Domino & X-Force

 

MARK BAGLEY- Creator of Carnage, Venom & Spider-Girl

 

 

BOB LAYTON – Marvel Legend Artist & Co-Founder of Valiant

 

 

LEONARD KIRK – Marvel & DC Legend Artist

 

 

Updated guest Nov.17th 2016 

Ty Templeton- Legendary Canadian artist is known for his work on Superman, Batman, and TV associated comics like ‘Ren and Stimpy’ and ‘The Simpsons’.

Skatronixxx is proudly sponsoring the Con by helping get the word out about it. I will be updating as information is released and I will be at the con enjoying the event and conducting interviews with some of the guests.

I’ve been told that these announcements are just a taste of what’s to come and with a strong start I can’t wait to find out who else will be there!

For prices, packages and info click here

Follow Orillia comic- con on Facebook

You can also stay tuned to Skatronixxx.com for details as well.

 

 

 

Dear SJW’s, Please Leave Frank Cho And Milo Manara Alone

 

Frank Cho is under attack again by SJW’s and other types of professionally offended people. He took the time to share a gift from Milo Manara at Lucca Comics and Games in Italy on his Facebook page. It was a gesture of thanks to Cho for defending the legendary artist back when his variant cover for Spider-Woman #1 (2014) was pulled by Marvel due to the unwarranted outrage from the SJW/PC community. The gift was another exotic drawing of Spider -Woman.

This sparked outrage from the regular bloggers and sites that do this on a constant basis, starting up the conversation again that happened two years ago. It’s important to point out that Cho simply posted him receiving the picture from Manara. Cho obviously respects and admires Manara’s work and was honoured to receive original art from him. It’s a huge compliment to Cho. In no way did he plaster the image over the internet to spark controversy.

If your not a fan of Cho then why do you follow his Facebook account or his website? Whether you think it’s right or not he has a big fanbase, he chose to share with his followers period. So choosing to report this as something it’s not is just irresponsible and simply looking for an easy target for views or converts to your ideology. With the exception of Cho’s short time on wonder woman and a few variants for some other DC titles recently, he has been doing less work for the big 2 and working more with smaller publishers.

The common thread that I have read on sites complaining about  Manara and Cho is that they have the right to create whatever they want but do not think marvel and dc should hire them cause it gives them mainstream attention.

I hate to point out the obvious to the professionally offended, but that’s the point of variant cover artists. Marvel and DC hire artists who have a following that will purchase their comic just for that particular artists cover, in the hope that, they may attract new readers to a title they wouldn’t be able to reach. Marvel and DC are huge companies who need to make profits to appease shareholders, like any other publicly traded business. Also in saying that it’s not ok for Marvel and DC to support these artists you are saying that it’s ok for small publishers to support them because not as many people will see it. You either believe they have the right to make a living and be published anywhere they will be accepted, or you don’t because plenty of people read independent publishers comics. If it’s offensive in your eyes why do you think it’s ok for some people to see it, just not a lot of people?

A lot of variants never see the shelf in a comic book store. If anyone has ever looked at a diamond preview catalogue, there is usually a small to extremely high minimum order of the series to get a few copies of the variant. For example, to get one copy of a particular variant, the shop needs to order a hundred regular cover versions of an issue to receive one variant cover. The ratios are different for every artists and company, but I have seen that one before. If you think shops are ordering hundreds of copies of a single issue, you’re crazy. Very few shops can do that. There are also variants that you can order without a minimum order as well. So the argument that the “offensive” cover can still be seen in public is not valid. I would also again like to point out it’s your choice to be offended about anything. Yes, that’s right I said being offended is a choice.

It’s also worth mentioning that despite the subject of their art, do people not realise the time and skill required to draw like Manara and Cho do? So when you attack these artists or any others, you are affecting their ability to make a living off their art. While I’m sure it’s not a massive hit to them, other artists careers and families can be dramatically affected. Think about what you are doing to just feel better about yourself, it’s disgusting and is the most extreme douchebaggery in my opinion.

This may sound stupid, but it’s worth repeating till the SJW’s get it. Comics aren’t real. Again that means they are fictional characters. There is nothing realistic about their anatomy and never has been, have we forgotten the 90’s already? If you think people are so impressionable why are there not protests and calls to arms over other forms of media who do far worse things at least in the eyes of the PC/SJW movement? Please explain that to me. Let’s just pick on comics cause it’s easier and certainly more convenient. God forbid you have to come up with actual credible arguments and well thought out opinions instead of being offended for the sake of well, being offended.

Just because someone draws provocative or erotic pictures of women does not make them sexist. I have been reading that Cho is someone who is a sexist cause of the way he talks, yet I have not seen one quote of this alleged sexism on any of these complaining blogs.

YouTube contributor Maddox released this video shortly after the initial outrage of the Spider-Woman variant back in 2014. It’s on point and worth sharing again

 

 

Despite people denying this is not about censorship, it is. You have the right to not like something but don’t go making a crusade against a person. Please get a life. Spending your time being offended again is a choice grow up. All you have to do is not support the person, but by talking about them regularly (for no valid reason), you are in turn giving them more exposure than Marvel and DC ever could. Calm your rage and use some common sense before you create something out of nothing.

Cho and Manara are not contributing to sexism nor are they demeaning women. If you think male characters are portrayed accurately in comics you’re an idiot because, they are usually good looking muscular guys. You don’t hear anyone complaining about that now do you? Could it be that the average person realises this is exaggerated fiction and not reality and is for entertainment? For a movement that’s all about equality, it’s pretty one-sided and biased.

Doctor Strange Takes $86 Million in Overseas Opening Weekend

Doctor Strange doesn’t open in America until Friday 4th November, however after rave reviews from the critics, Benedict Cumberbatch‘s debut in the Marvel Universe took in a small fortune with the overseas market. The film opened in 33 territories, including the UK, parts of Europe, Mexico, Hong Kong and Korea, taking an amazing $86 million. Unsurprisingly, it was the top grossing film in nearly all markets.

The film, that has been praised for its breathtaking visuals, did particularly well with the IMAX market. Many fans have recommended fans see the movie in IMAX or 4D to get the full impact of the special effects (shout out to the good folks at The Geek Asylum Facebook group who were awesome at sharing their reviews with me on this subject!).

The film will be opening across more big markets across the week; as well as the US, the Doctor will be in for audiences in China, Brazil, Japan and Russia. If it does as well i those areas, it will be one of the biggest successes Marvel has had. Disney has commented that even prior to the American release, Doctor Strange has opened ahead of Ant-Man, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Not a bad performance for a lesser known character.

Doctor Strange tells the origin story of talented-but-arrogant surgeon Stephen Strange, whose life is changed following an accident. He goes on a journey to heal himself, and unlocks his magical potential. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock), Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Tilda Swinton (We Need To Talk About Kevin), Mads Mikkelson (Hannibal) and Rachel McAdams (Mean Girls).

Doctor Strange is in UK cinemas now and will be released in the USA on 4th November

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Gotham S3 E7 Mad City: Red Queen

After Mad Hatter shot Valerie Vale in the stomach this episode opens with Jim waiting for Valerie to wake up. Valerie breaks up with Jim since she truly believes he loves Lee. Jim really is nothing but trouble to the women he loves.

Mad Hatter is looking for a way to enhance his blood virus and meets with a scientist. He gets his hand on a dangerous psychotropic drug calls Red Queen and immediately uses it on its creator.

Nygma and his new lady love are together after 12 hours of being together. Realizing its so late, he asks her to dinner and kisses her before heading off to see Penguin. He tells Penguin he is in love which shocks and disgusts him because he loves him.

The Hatter goes to find Alice’s corpse, so can use her blood. At the Wayne Manor Bruce is cooking up a feast, clearly someone important is coming over, it is Cat after all. Bruce is heading toward becoming Batman slowly but surely.

Jim heads in to help find Tetch but is rebuffed because he doesn’t want to be a cop. Penguin is preparing for a party and wants to have Nygma his plus one, but of course Nygma has his date.

Barnes is in his office when he is told that the virus has been tested and just gets more vicious as it gestates.Mad Hatter is preparing his sister’s blood for use in poisoning the city.

Lee is talking to Mario is upset about Jim and the Hatter’s interaction with Lee. Just then Jim comes in with a gift for Vale and sees them talking. Lee tries to get Jim to tell her he really wanted to save her, but of course Jim is afraid.

Penguin heads to the library to glean knowledge and meet Nygma’s lady love. Penguin tells her that Nygma went to Arkham in hopes of scaring her off. She seems scared but also quickly seems to brush it off. Something is up with this Kristen Kringle clone.

The Hatter appears in the hospital and leads him on a dash before using Red Queen on him. Penguin is at his party smug that he scared off Nygma’s love when he bumps into Hatter who obviously he does not know.

Jim is feeling the effects of the drug and sees Babsy in elevator worker attire. Jim tries to escape but he is in for a bumpy ride. He meets Bruce at the GCPD and sees Penguin in a war sequence. He soon sees Bruce again and sees everyone that has died because of him. Wearing a Gordon mask Bruce shoots him in the stomach and pushes him off the ledge.

Barnes and Bullock are interrogating a scientist when Barnes goes off the rail. They figure out that the Hatter is going to poison the Founder’s dinner where all the higher ups will be.

Gordon is back in the elevator and has a humorous encounter with Babsy. He is now at home in a 50’s style home with a dream of Lee and what his kids would look like. Of course this happiness won’t last long because Jim is quite the mess.

He ends up in a padded cell with Babsy and she stabs him in the neck. Jim certainly doesn’t want Lee, I’m sure of it, she is a little too nice.

Bruce is sitting in front of a cold dinner with no Cat to enjoy it with. When Alfred comes to clean up she appears. Bruce is hurt that she was late and asks her why, she tells him this is all weird for her and he agrees.

Penguin is at the party talking to the leader of the Court of Owls gushing about Nygma and his actions. She tells him the Court will be in contact in due time, she then vanishes. Suddenly the Hatter comes in cause chaos and force them toast. Just then Barnes and co jump in and Barnes brutally strikes the Hatter. He can tell Alice’s blood has infected him.

Jim has hit the final floor of his trip and is about to face who he really is. She hands him the exit key and he soon ends up in the street with a man dropping Red Queen on the floor. It turns out it his father and he tells him to get in his car.

He and his dad have a talk and Jim lets his words flow. Jim is afraid he destroys everyone, but his father tells him if he was doing good by everyone he’d drop the lone wolf persona. He tells him to look in his ring for the truth as Jim wakes up.

Nygma is talking to Isabella at the manor and telling her about his crime. She is unfazed by this since she has read all about it. Penguin pops in hoping to see Nygma but sees him with Isabella. His plan didn’t go over as he would have wanted, now did it?

Jim looks through his father’s mementos and finds his ring. Jim goes to the GCPD and Barnes tells him they locked up Tetch in Arkham. Jim is calm and asks for his job back. Barnes without a second thought welcomes him back. The leader of the court of owls meets with her commander  and it might just be Jim’s father.

With all that happened in this episode, the next episode looks to be even wilder. Cannot wait to figure out more about Isabella,  Barnes’ blood infection and what will happen because of it.This show certainly just gets better and better.

Star Trek: the Next Generation and Aliens Crossover

Have you ever wondered what it would be like should the Trek crew ever encounter the bad arse Aliens from the movie? Ya, neither have I, but not that I think of it, imagine how Data would respond to the giant double-mouthed, black beast in his face.

Well, it was announced that Dark Horse comics and IDW, would be incorporating a new set of comics combining the Next Generation with Aliens. Holy cow, mind blown. The series is hoping to be released in April of 2017 (my birthday month,) with writer Scott and David Tipton and J.K. Woodward for illustration. I don’t know about you, but I love the crossover comics. So I may be first in line when this bad boy comes out. ^_^

New Guardians of the Galaxy Wallpaper Available Now!

Last week, the internet went crazy for the sneak peek and new poster that James Gunn released for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy vol 2. To celebrate, geek site ComicBookMovie.com have designed some fab new wallpapers for your desktop or mobile device.

You might want Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and Drax (Dave Bautista)

or Gamora (Zoe Salanda):

ah, who are we kidding? You’re going to want Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Groot (Vin Diesel):

You’re only human, after all!

Guardians of the Galaxy vol 2 is due for release 28th April in the U.K. and 5th May in the US.

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Doctor Strange Gets Great Early Reviews

Doctor Strange news has been a bit thin on the ground in the the run up to its release. Benedict Cumberbatch‘s debut into the Marvel universe was released in the U.K. this week, and will open Stateside next weekend, however critics are already talking about it… and they really like it!

Currently, the film is at 93% on review compendium Rotten Tomatoes, denoting similar quality to other MCU favourites Avengers Assemble (92%), Guardians of the Galaxy (91%) and Iron Man (94%). The site, which forms an aggregate score based on both reviewer and audience opinion, has always found Marvel films to rate higher than DC films, where latest outings such as Suicide Squad floundered with a score of 26%.

The reviews are very complimentary about the tone of the movie:

“Yes, Doctor Strange will change the tone of Marvel movies going forward, and that’s a very good thing.”

                            – Rich Cline, Contactmusic.com

the visuals:

“Visually, this is Inception dialled up to eleven, a world-bending, shape-shifting and time-distorting Escher painting filled with heroes and villains duelling over the possibility of immortality.”

                     -Tom Glasson, Concrete Playground

and the leading man:

“Cumberbatch fits Doctor Strange like a pair of snap-tight surgical gloves, in yet another MCU triumph. Beautifully designed, brilliantly executed.”

                                – James Mottram, Total Film

It certainly looks like Marvel Studios might have another hit on their hands, and I’ll be interested to see where it enters the box office charts after its first major weekend. Will the fans love it as much as the critics?

If you’ve seen Doctor Strange and want to share your thoughts, why not tweet us @skatronixxx or leave a comment below?

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We Interview Writer of Inheritance James D Schumacher III

Photo By Martin Aguirre, www.orangedogimages.com

James D. Schumacher III is a screenplay writer, director, producer and most recently comic book writer, whose award-winning comic Inheritance is about to be distributed in the UK for the first time. I got the chance to talk to James about his very personal comic and his new partnership with WP Comics.

Inheritance has received high praise and awards since it’s release, for those who are not familiar with the book and it’s personal connection to you could you please give our readers a summary of what inheritance is all about?

Inheritance is a multi-generational story of a family struggling to cope with an insidious family curse, one that brings about the scourge of a long deceased relative who’s hell-bent on eradication of the remaining members of his family. Inheritance originated from the deep pain of watching my mother struggle to beat the horrors of the disease called cancer. Since I was a child she’s been fighting a constant battle with it, and seeing that from a young age, and knowing that your mother was not invincible as you had initially perceived altered my view of the world. 

I spent a majority of my life struggling to understand why this would occur to my mother. It was a battle with my personal demons that inspired Inheritance. On June 6th, 2009 my mother called me over to her house, and this proved to be the most heartbreaking and thought-provoking moment of my life. She looked at me directly in the eyes and told me she was going to die soon, which was at odds with the clean bill of health the doctors had given her after a recent struggle in the hospital a month prior. I was sceptical and did the only thing I knew I could do, deny it and tell her she was going to be okay. My reliance upon my mother was absolute, not in the fashion of financial support, but the emotional support and encouragement she provided me, that kept me driving directly into my dream. 

During this moment of introspection and skepticism , we had the most amazing conversation we’ve ever had before. We opened up to each other in ways very few parents and children do. She kept telling me she wishes she could be there to see me succeed, to hold my children, to see me become the man she knew I would always become. My father arrived home from work, and that moment, my only true regret is that I told her I was going to leave her. As I stood in the door, she asked me “No matter how hard it gets, do not quit writing and do not quit filmmaking.” and I told her I would, and I left this last conversation I had with my mother, unaware that it would be the last. 

I’ve struggled with that for a long time. Inheritance is birthed from that moment of skepticism  and that inundating sadness and that nagging regret that plagues me to this day. I wanted to give audiences a story about real people, real emotions, and heartbreak but combined with my mother and I’s shared love of all things horror. 

Do you feel inheritance will bring a personal sense of coming to terms with the passing of your mother when the series is completed or is it that as time goes on you discover more that you need to express and deal with?

Undoubtedly. All of my work is a form of exorcism. Therapy to be more exact. Inheritance tackles head on this pain. Pain that has brought me to my knees numerous times. With each and every word, every rough sketch, every line of ink, it brings me closer to the freedom from the pain. I find that my work is fueled by pain. So with every completed issue of Inheritance, I am able to extend my mother’s influence, help her dreams and desires to help people reach more and more people than she was able to her in a lifetime. Time may pass, but the pain will never truly subside. There will be days where I have kids, where Inheritance sells to another cancer survivor, that I wish she were still here to see this. 

There never will exist a time where this pain is gone even after the entire arc of Inheritance has been told, but as the years grow further from when she and I last talked, it will become my armour, my driving force. I hate the phrase time heals all wounds, it doesn’t, it just makes it easier to cope with the void that was left in the wake. 

Aside from the personal goals you have for Inheritance and the relatability to the readers do you hope this inspires people to create and share their tragedies whether in comics, art, movies, etc? Seeing as this process has helped you so much.

It is not selling out every comic that means the world to me. Albeit that is incredible, but it is the people that stand at my booth and discuss their experiences. Whether it’s pain from losing a loved one, or having a loved one in the grips of cancer or if they are fighting the disease. That is the greatest thing for me. It makes every ounce of blood, sweat and tears worth it. People tend to close themselves off when pain overwhelms them; I know I did and by openly talking about, being honest with others about what the pain did to me, what it did to my life and my body, gives almost a sense of permission to people to open about it. 

The accolades are incredible. Seeing every book sell is amazing. Seeing other people connect to me is heart-warming. Watching people open up about their lives to not only myself, but their loved ones is humbling. 

Comic books are a visual medium. Your original artist decided to leave the project, and you have recently found a new artist (who will be announced later this fall) how important is the artwork to you and has it been hard trying to find someone who understands the emotion and vision you have in your head?

I’m sure if you ask any creator out there and they will say second only to story and script, the artwork is the most pivotal portion of the comic book. The writer lays the foundation and the superstructure of the story, and it’s the artist’s job to come in and shore up the foundation and bring the walls and facade up. The artwork is the first thing a potential reader and fan notices, and it is the make or break moment for the comic book. I work as the creator, which means when I work with an artist I send them the rough sketch of a page, (Fancy words for stick figures) it outlines character placements, panel set ups and what occurs in the gutters. My background before comic books was filmmaking in all stages. 

The style I’m going for in Inheritance is a very grounded, cinematic feel and tone. This approach pushes an artist to their breaking point, and beyond, because instead of doing fancy explosions or people flying, they’re focusing on real emotions and terrifying horror that relies upon stillness over gore, these specific focuses forces an artist to think outside of the realm of what is deemed possible. So after the first artist quit, I wanted to take my time to find the right artist. It was daunting to search out someone who had the same sentimentalities, passion and vision that I have. 

So after pouring through a litany of amazing artists who in their own styles are incredible, whose styles don’t mesh well with my vision, I found the right person. It’s absolutely exciting to see the next evolutionary leap for Inheritance that this artist brings, and that’s not to say that the previous artwork is not great, but it doesn’t truly match up with the vision that I have been creating. This new artwork is literally pulled directly out of my head, and I am absolutely humbled that an artist like this would want to work on this book and bring this story of real people, real emotions in a horror setting to life. 

Inheritance Is about the be distributed in the UK for the first time by WP Comics how did that partnership happen?

After the original publisher had dropped Inheritance out of the blue after it had sold out every print run and every comic con and was their most successful title against their own publisher owned titles, it hit me hard. I’ve been an entrepreneur, as most filmmakers and comic creators naturally are, so I decided that I would not bring the book to another indie publisher. I did not want a repeat of that, fool me one shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. I was doing a lot of the legwork as it was, reaching out to press, retailers and fans, so I thought to myself why am I giving a percentage to a publisher for doing what I am already doing?

So I decided I would release Inheritance through my own company. Rusty Gilligan has proven to be a huge inspiration, and he was also collateral damage when that same publisher dropped his series at the same time. I talked to him and let him know my plans, and he encouraged it. I’ve been able to expand Inheritance into retail stores in multiple states like Black Cat Comics (Salt Lake City, Utah) and Kevin Smith’s, The Secret Stash (Red Bank, New Jersey) just to name a few, and I knew the next step was to begin to move Inheritance internationally. During its time at the old publisher, Inheritance sold throughout the world in numerous countries, which was fantastic. 

Rusty Connected me to the publisher WP Comics out of the UK and instead of signing the book to them, I negotiated a distribution agreement with them to bring Inheritance to all of their comic cons, stores and digital retail outlets in European countries. Partnerships are important in comics and film, and this brings together two groups of immensely talented people hell-bent on crafting amazing stories with amazing artwork, as opposed to selling poorly thrown together comics. I’ve Seen enough of those. I am excited about this partnership and where my quest for world domination will lead me. 

What does 2017 look like for you?  Any new projects or appearances?

2017 looks amazing! It’s going to be an insanely busy year, with the release of Inheritance: The Binding of Three issue #2 coming early 2017 as well as the physical release of the first trade paperback for Inheritance in stores across the country. I am unbelievably excited to bring the fans the brand new artwork for Inheritance. It’s unlike anything people are expecting. I’ll be attending various comic cons; I will be listing them on my website, www.schumacher3.com I will also be collecting more tattoos, so that should be amazing as well.

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