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We're back with the next 5 volumes of Invincible and cover volumes 6 through 10. Invincible is an interesting series because it's able to navigate accelerated storytelling with seeding things that don't pay off until volumes later. It's a good combination that both continually rewards the reader while also giving them something to look forward to. 

In these 5 volumes, Mark is really coming into his own as a hero. It's like a combination of Spider-Man and Superboy with all the real-world problems that come with that. Trying to manage his grades in college and his love life while also being a hero, clearly is taking a toll. It doesn't help that Nolan pops back up and we see what he's been up to. Gotta say, when it comes to trash fathers, Nolan isn't at the top of the list yet but he's rapidly climbing. 

There's a lot to cover so give this episode a listen. We'll be back soon with volumes 11 - 15. Also later in March we'll be discussing the first 3 episodes of the animated series coming to Amazon Video. So stay tuned. 

Issues:

* Volume 6: A Different World

* Volume 7: Three's Company

* Volume 8: My Favorite Martian

* Volume 9: Out of this World

* Volume 10: Who's the Boss?

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"Coming 2 America" is a reset but not a redo 

Thirty years later and we've returned to Zamunda just in time for Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and Princess Lisa's (Shari Headly) anniversary and the King Jaffe (James Earl Jones) to tell his son - from his sick bed - that he has  a son who must be found. Not because it's terrible that this son's grown up outside the family, but because the country's antiquated laws demand a male heir to secure the throne. Never mind the fact Akeem and Lisa have three fierce and talented daughters, Princess Tinashe (Akiley Love), Omma (Bella Murphy), and their oldest, Meeka (KiKi Layne).

Akiley Love, Bella Murphy, Shari Headley, Eddie Murphy, and KiKi Layne star in COMING 2 AMERICA Photo: Quantrell D. Colbert © 2020 Paramount Pictures

After his father's passing now King Akeem and his trusted aid Semmi (Arsenio Hall) rush back to Queens in search of his long-lost son, Lavelle played by Jermaine Fowler. If it feels like a familiar starting point (with a twist), it's absolutely supposed to. 

Tradition, Tropes, and Wasted Opportunities 

The jokes are so "inside" this time around and it feels like Prince Akeem, despite having three children, has been frozen in amber since his wedding. "Coming 2 America" is almost immediately hampered by its seriously shallow narrative. Despite a cast chocked full of talent, little effort's made to dig into the multitude of characters, new and old. Thankfully, it's still obvious that Zamunda is a kingdom out of time; this afrofuturistic country is bright, whimsical, and has little "connection" to the reality on Continent. 

It's clear, no effort's ever made to get into why Zamundan woman are still so disenfranchised after 30 years. So expect Princess Lisa and her magnificent daughters spend the majority of this romp sidelined. It's sadly indicative of a trend that never ends every time the film runs up on an issue even slightly serious.  

The comedic bits and blending of homages and cameos (of which you'll be tripping over by the end) do a serviceable job building a story to vibe with and enjoy. But the inexplicable rushing and decision not to subvert a single trope to make new "inside" jokes makes for a good time. 

But it could've been a new classic...

Listen as Ro and Phenom discuss "Coming 2 America" and then get that crew together for that watch party.   

"Coming 2 America" premieres on Amazon Prime Video March 5, 2021

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Time for the second Mailbag of 2021. We tackle listener emails and some of the latest news items. Like Gina Carano throwing away a Disney bag for *checks notes* a Ben Shapiro project? When Disney writes your apology note for you and tells you "Just shut up and read this and stop being a bigot online", you should probably listen. Then again, no one has ever accused Carano as being smart.

We're also hopeful (Hope is a lie, we know), that this will be the last time we need to talk about about the "SnyderCut". We're so tired of it and ready for it to be over. And WB/DC Films must be too cause they just announced another wave of vaporware projects like a Superman film produced by JJ Abrams and written by Ta-Nehisi Coates and a new Latina Supergirl (Sasha Calle) appearing in The Flash movie. We're calling these vaporware projects because we're still waiting on any progress updates on New Gods (announced in 2018) and while the claims are its shooting soon, the Rock was attached to Black Adam back in 2007 and Marvel put out 3 whole phases and we haven't even seen Johnson even try on the suit yet. We've been hurt and lied to before. We don't believe anything until there's a trailer. And even then....(Hi New Mutants). 

Anyway, strap in and give it a listen. We'll be back next month. Also stay tuned as we'll be back even sooner for the return of The Flash on CW.

As a note, a couple of emails came in after we recorded so we will read those during next month's mailbag.

 

 

Kriss and Dpalm record the Mailbag at the end of every month. If you want to send in your own questions and thoughts, email us: [email protected]

 

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Raya and the Last Dragon is another hit for Disney. There are a lot of things to like about this film but the first thing that will catch everyone's eye will obviously be the visuals. Disney really isn't playing fair on the animation side when it comes to piecing together very real-like animations. For their first Southeast Asian animated feature, Disney went super vibrant with the colors and a world that really pulls you in from the beginning. The character animations are smooth and very life-like. This makes the fight scenes between characters pretty intense for an animated film.

Overall the cast works really well. Awkwafina voices the dragon Sisu and while she can be hit or miss for some people, works really well in this role. Also it's great that Kelly Marie Tran can officially be called a Disney princess for her lead role as Raya. The entire cast does a great job together and help bring these characters to life. The only real downside to any of this is the lack of actual Southeast Asian representation in the cast. For a film that is as good as this, it really is an unfortunate oversight on the Disney side and I hope Disney looks to do better in their future films. 

Kids are obviously going to love Raya and the Last Dragon. It has dragons in it. But what about the adults? Well, this is another animated film that sits perfectly as an entertaining film for kids while being an enjoyable satisfaction for adults as well. Sitting at just under 2 hours, this is a rather long animated feature but doesn't feel like it. Sure, it's a bit heavy handed on the messaging but aren't all Disney films? It also keeps the long Disney tradition of hitting the audience in the gut emotionally early and often. Let's just say, Disney hasn't met a parent they haven't wanted to kill or separate from their child. Someone there clearly needs a hug.

Raya and the Last Dragon is definitely a film to check out. Disney clearly saw some promising numbers with the release of Mulan on their Disney+ premium since they're also releasing this film there as well (as well as theaters that can be open). Considering the runtime, its probably definitely worth it if you have kids and need a couple hours of time to yourself. 

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Now that we've got the introductions out of the way, our characters are rubbing up against each other and the lines of morality they've been crossing since season one. While Ryan is succumbing to her Kryptonite bullet wound because she doesn't want to admit any weakness, Luke's alliance with Alice and Mary's connection to Hamilton Dynamics continues to put Ryan in danger and push her to compromise her ethics both in and out of the Batsuit. 

Meanwhile, Jacob and Crowphie (yup, you read that right) somehow manage to flout the law while self-righteously lecturing everyone on their lack of morals. Both of them are supposedly doing this for Kate but they're actually avoiding taking any responsibility for their past and current actions. 

And finally, Alice tracks down Ocean and she really, really, means to kill him but like any good CW drama ... it's complicated. We discuss this, fight sex, Ryan's lack of edges, and more in this week's podcast. 

 

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Shatara Michelle Ford’s directorial feature debut “Test Pattern” is a definite conversation starter, potentially divisive ones. This 82 minute drama centers Renesah (Brittany S. Hall) in the aftermath of a night out with her friend Amber (Gail Bean) that ended with her waking up in the bed of a man not her live-in boyfriend Evan (Will Brill). 

The audience's perception of Renesha and Evan's relationship through witnessing a meet-cute in a bar that morphs into an awkward encounter at a grocery store that leads to a first date. This pair of opposites (Renesha is outgoing, high-achieving executive and Evan is a laid-back but charming tattoo artist) come together quickly but seem to connect deeply. A quick time-lapse shows this evolution via subtle changes; a new tattoo for her, a new mustache for him coupled with in-story flashbacks (from her) to pivotal moments. 

All of this emotional building runs beneath the creeping horror of realizing the opening scene showing Renesha sitting on the side of a bed in a darkly lit room precariously holding a glass of water but visibly blurry and muddled is leading up to exactly what you think it is, her rape. Don't worry, "Test Pattern" isn't about to show her violation. 

The Trauma's in the Details 

Thankfully, Ford focuses on Renesha attempting to work through both her feelings and a staggering number of roadblocks to being able to preserve the proof of her assault and report her rape to the police. Her boyfriend Evan struggles with being supportive, understanding and controlling his mounting fury. Watching this unraveling in the context of a soul crushing slow burn turns the volume up on hurt simmering between the two. 

There's an exacting attention to the detail in this narrative. Watching this couple try to navigate a system that feels purposely design to discourage will absolutely try your patience. It may even leave you wondering about some of Ford's choices. But by the midway point, it'll  be clear testing the audience is absolutely deliberate. 

"Test Pattern" is built on a breadth of interconnected (and deeply emotional) issues like being frustrated, demoralized, repeatedly re-victimized, and dejected.

Between cinematographer Ludovica Isidori and music by Rob Rusli sonic and visual contributions, Ford's script and the strength of Hall and Brill's performances tackling the shortfalls of the medical and criminal justice system on sexual assault victims and how it can expose the cracks in even seemingly idyllic relationship lead to a highly impactful story. Buckle up because this slow-burn relies heavily on body language, inference and (an inevitable) lack of resolution. 

Listen to the crew work through the highs and lows of "Test Pattern" 

By now you know, Ro is notorious (I accept this moniker) for suggesting films outside Kriss and Phenom's wheelhouse. We're still in a whole pandemy but that didn't stop her from suggesting the crew tackle a serious film while on the edge of exhaustion.

The end result is, a conversation that questioned some narrative choices while diving into the complexity of trying to figure out what being supportive to someone in the midst of trauma might actually look like. 

Now playing in virtual cinemas.

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"But what is grief if not love persevering?"

So now the WandaVision writers are just showing off. Of course that's been try this whole series but episode 8 really drives it home (Maybe even too much). If you had any doubt that this show was about Wanda's grief (How could it not be?), this episode really erases all of that. It also really drives home the fact that with its Disney+ shows, Marvel is really trying to meld the way they tell stories in their comic book world with their visual projects. And I'm not talking about the storylines but rather how they tell the stories. This episode takes us all the way back to Age of Ultron when Wanda & Pietro talk about the flashing red light on a Stark munition, waiting for it to go off. It goes back to why Wanda and Pietro survived the Hydra experiments with the mind stone (Not enough people are talking about what we saw there). And it's all tied to chaos magic and the fact that Wanda is an untrained, natural witch with powers she (and no one else) understands. 

We have thoughts, theories and most importantly, a deep appreciation for whatever comes next. Honestly, we don't believe some of the most out there and wild theories but at the same time, we also don't put anything past Marvel either. So, we're preparing for anything in episode 9. 

To those worried that there's too much to wrap up in the last episode, remember, this is a comic book being told as a TV show. As long as the MCU is around, there is no end to this story, just the next chapter. We're really excited to see where this goes.

 

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Well there you have it. It's been Agatha all along. Gotta love how Marvel has masterfully put together WandaVision. Even when you have a pretty good idea of what's coming, it's still rewarding to see how they pull it all together and reward both those that expect it and those that don't. Also even if you always thought that Agnes was Agatha Harkness, it's still pretty amazing to think that Marvel not only put Agatha Harkness in the MCU but is clearly going full witchcraft.

Oh and if that wasn't enough, they don't slow roll Monica's powers and really go there. The only question now is if she's going to be called Photon or Spectrum. It's also looking like Wanda is subconsciously trying to use Monica to pull herself out. The minute it looked like Monica was making some progress, Agatha shows up and pulls Wanda away. Next episode gotta be Wanda & Monica vs Agatha and her familiar right?

We have a lot to talk about this episode. Some of the things we discuss:

* The commercials are really coming into more focus as being important. First the "Yo Magic" commercial might give some insight into what Agatha is up to along with the "Nexus" commercial this episode

* It doesn't seem like the book in Agatha's basement is the Darkhold or the Book of Cagliostro (the Book the Ancient One was using in Doctor Strange). We do have an idea of what book it is and it could be just as terrifying

* There's been a lot of Man-Thing references in the MCU and if they're really moving towards the Nexus of All Realities we're getting even more. If this is part of a long game to getting a Man-Thing movie/series...bravo

* The fact that this episode takes time to show use Acting Director Hayward being up to something lets us know it came be any good

Only two more episodes left. There's so many different directions this could go. All of them bad (in a good way) and we can't wait.

 

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This feels like a long time coming. It's actually quite amazing that it's taken us this long to cover Barry Allen. We're slowly making our way through the original seven members of the Justice League (Martian Manhunter is the only remaining member left and we'll cover him soon). There's a few reasons why it's taken us such a long time to cover the character that practically launched the Silver Age of comics.

First, we're Wally West fans. There's a reason why Wally West was the second character we ever covered on the Character Corner. And rightly so. Most of what everyone knows of the Flash came from Wally's time (The Speed Force was created during Mark Waid's great Wally West run). Related to this, the second reason it has taken us this long is because Barry Allen for so long represented more of a Legend in the DC Universe than anything else. His first appearance kicked off the start of the Silver Age and his death not only saved the DC Universe but also arguably kicked off the Bronze Age. His sacrifice set the bar and tone for so many characters, not just Wally. He also for the longest time the promise of a hero passing his mantle and legacy to his protege. And honestly, the best Barry Allen stories and the ones people really think of that define the character, all came after his return from death after two decades. 

But before we get into Barry, we start with Jay Garrick, the Golden Age Flash. We'll also be covering some of the other members of the Flash family in part 2. Consider these episodes the primer for later this year when we do a deep dive Comic Book Book Club into Josh Williamson's run on the Flash that really brings home and ties together the legacy of Barry Allen.

Issues:

* Jay Garrick

* Flash Comics #1 - First Appearance of Jay Garrick The Golden Age Flash

* All Star Comics #3 - First Appearance of the Justice Society of America (Jay was founding member and Chairman)

* Barry Allen

* Showcase #4 - First appearance of Barry Allen the Silver Age Flash

* Flash #110 - First Appearance of Wally West as Kid Flash

* Flash #123 - Flash of Two Worlds (Barry & Jay meet for the first time)

* The Original Rogues (We covered Flash Rogues on this episode)

* Captain Cold - Showcase #8 

* Mirror Master (Sam Scudder)- The Flash #105 

* Gorilla Grodd - The Flash #106 

* Pied Piper (Hartley Rathaway) - The Flash #106 

* Weather Wizard (Mark Mardon) - The Flash #110 

* Trickster James Jesse - The Flash #113 

* Captain Boomerang - The Flash #117

* The Top (Roscoe Dillon) - The Flash #122

* Abra Kadabra - The Flash #128 

* Heat Wave - The Flash #140

* The Golden Glider (Lisa Snart) - The Flash #250

* Rainbow Raider - The Flash #286

* The Flash #139 - First appearance of Eobard Thawne, the Reverse Flash/Professor Zoom

* The Flash #275 - The death of Iris Allen

* The Flash #282 - 283 - Thawne revealed as Iris' murderer

* The Flash #324 - Barry kills Thawne when Thawne tries to kill his new fiance

* The Flash #340 - 350 - Trial of  the Flash. #350 ends with Iris being revealed to be from the 30th century and still alive, Barry goes off with Iris to live in the 30th century

* Crisis on Infinite Earths

* The Wally West Years (Check our Wally West Character Corner & the Update)

* Final Crisis #2 - The real return of Barry Allen

* The Flash The Rebirth - Six Issue mini-series.

Ro & Kriss are back to review and discuss the last three episodes of season 2 of Snowpiercer. As usual, Layton is showing how out of his depth he is when it comes to being in charge of Snowpiercer. Part of that could be that there really hasn't been any time for Layton or the people of Snowpiercer to catch their breath since the war to take the train. But it's also because Layton is hard headed and doesn't want to listen to anyone, particularly women. Melanie tried to help him and tell him that he needs to keep Ruth in the loop and to not lie to her but he then immediately goes about shutting Ruth out. That leads to her to go to Zarah and well, she's a whole ass Lakeith right now (for that reference listen to our Judas & the Black Messiah review). 

There's a lot of moving parts going on and while Layton thinks he's on top of it all, it's clear he's being outmaneuvered. He's also not listening to Bess who he made train Detective about the fact that there are clearly dangerous Wilford loyalists on Snowpiercer. Again, more proof that Layton doesn't listen to women. Or at least, not the right ones. 

We're enjoying this season so far but we do have some gripes. We don't think they needed to go as far as they did with Wilford and Audrey. It was pretty reckless and unnecessary. Also this season is oddly paced. Like the last season of The Expanse, this season is focusing more on politics (which is really relevant) but the episodes feel more conducive to watching in 2 or 3 episode chunks versus episode by episode. 

Listen as Ro & Kriss discuss these episodes and then join us after the next three to discuss those.

 

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