Again one of movie trailers making a Super Bowl appearance is the movie adaption of ‘Ghost in the Shell’. Based on the manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow. The first series was serialized in 1989. Ghost in the Shell is a story about a counter-cyberterrorist organization Public Security Section 9, led by Major Motoko Kusanagi. The story takes place in Japan in the mid-21 century.
A big controversy erupted with the casting of Scarlet Johansson in the lead role. To many it was another example of Hollywood’s white washing. Producer Steven Paul in a statement to Buzzfeed back in June 30th, 2016, hope that fans will be “very, very happy” with the film.
I think everybody is going to end up being really happy with it. They’re going to be very, very happy with it when they see what we’ve actually done with it, and I don’t think anybody’s going to be disappointed.
I love Scarlet Johansson and she has proven over and over again that she can do action. I am hoping that the people over Marvel finally get off their ass and make a ‘Black Widow’ movie
Netflix continues to bring new and original content for us to feast on. Not just from North America but from around the world. Blame is a original anime film from the award winning creator Tsutomu NIhei and director Hiroyuki Seshita.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF., July 25, 2016 – Netflix, the world’s leading Internet television network today announced, together with Polygon Pictures, a groundbreaking deal for the anime original film Blame!, to premiere exclusively on Netflix globally.
Blame! is set in the distant future where what’s left of the human race resides within the Megastructure, a vast and dangerous labyrinth that has grown wild and out of control. Thrown into this world is the mysterious Killy, a strange individual who is on a quest to bring civilization back from the brink of oblivion.
First appearing as a manga from 1997 to 2003, the much-awaited animated film adaptation of Blame! will be available as a Netflix original twenty years since its initial run.
The film sees yet another creative collaboration following the success of sci-fi anime series Knights of Sidonia, between the award-winning creator of the original manga, Tsutomu Nihei and director Hiroyuki Seshita, who also brought us the thrilling, fast-paced suspense of AJIN: Demi-Human, which is also available on Netflix globally. Blame!, Knights of Sidonia, and AJIN: Demi-Human manga are all available in print from Vertical Comics and digitally via Kodansha Comics.
“We’re incredibly delighted to work with Polygon Pictures in bringing the latest Netflix original anime, Blame!, to fans worldwide,” said David Lee, Vice President, International Originals at Netflix. “We look forward to bringing the best of original anime to our members and continuing to work with the top creators in the industry.”
“We are super excited to be able to deliver the long awaited anime adaptation of Blame! as a Netflix original anime,” said Shuzo John Shiota, President and CEO of Polygon Pictures. “I’ve seen some initial footage and it is truly groundbreaking, especially in HDR format. I can’t wait for fans around the world to experience this!”
Blame! is set to be the latest addition to the exciting slate of Netflix originals exclusively available to a global audience. In addition, Netflix is planning to release both Blame! and Knights of Sidonia in the cutting-edge, high dynamic range (HDR) format. This marks another milestone for the anime industry as the service continues to deliver innovative programming to entertainment fans worldwide.
Seeing a music video like this just reminds me that all over the world there are people that just love the geek/nerd culture. This music video created by Mr.TVCow was shot a the Comic Con Russian 2015. Yes there are many such videos around the net. This interesting to me for the simple fact that is you were not informed that is was from Russia you would have no idea. Geeks/nerds are all the same no matter where from. So check out some great work done my these cosplayers.
A couple of weekends ago my son and I spent it at the the 4th Edmonton Expo. The Edmonton Expo has grow from 14,000 to a estimated 50,000 in those 4 short years. I don’t know about you but that is HUGE.
This year as I was making my way around the convention I came abound a display of a collage of some superhero toys. Toys smashed together to create something odd but amazing art work also.
I talked to Darren Havelock the creator/artist behind these pieces of art.
Darren said:
What these are, are model kits that I customize. These are commercial produced model kits that I buy and cut them up and break them down. Combine them with other things like dollar store items or Halloween items. To create fairly unique items.
Darren went on to tell me that he created these pieces and others just for the love of the art. While everyone was trying to sell merchandise, Darren just wanted to show people his work.
You can hear more of my interview with Darren in my upcoming The Pop Culture Cafe Podcast later in the week.
Once again with creative writing and great art, Zenescope has created another interesting story updating old characters and placing them in the present. Zenescope has slowly been moving their characters to more of a real world(yes I know it is comics) and away from the magical realm of their earlier stories.
Each story now flows into a world where magic and the occult are present. Van Helsing Vs Dracula keeps the movement going forward.
Van Helsing is living the live or in this case her job as a vampire killer. Pat Shand has again written a character that speaks and thinks like we do. Sometime serious and other times using humor to remove tension. As her father before her, her Nemesis is Dracula. Besides follow in the family business, Van Helsing has vengeance on her mind because Dracula turned her father and she was forced to kill him.
When a friend calls, Harker asking for help for his infected girlfriend, Mina. Van Helsing sets of with her boyfriend. Now her boyfriend happens to be Hades. Hades has something going on behind Van Helsing’s back. Ummmmm what could it be? Hades and Harker don’t see eye to eye and it builds some extra tension in the room. Both Van Helsing and Hades have a different method of finding out what is effecting Mina. Looking forward to see how Pat writes this coming conflict.
The art work of Michele Bandini is great. Clean and with hints of Anime influence in his art style. Michele does a great job of mixing North American and Anime. The two things that caught my attention were two simple things. First our heroine is not wearing high heels. Finally someone give us a practically foot wear. I have a hard time believing that woman would wear high heels to battle. Second is one small thing, Van Helsing drooling as she sleeps in the arms of Hardes. Not the most attractive thing but it makes the character more real to me. If only Van Helsing outfit would become more battle particle.
Hey Van Helsing is hot for 200 years old but fish net stockings to fight vampires, really?
Van Helsing Vs Dracula is a very entertaining read and well worth your money.
I give Van Helsing VS Dracula 4 pops out of 5.
Remember comics are to be enjoyed. Not destroyed.
LLAP/POBS
John G M Burke
Oh one small thing guys. You missed a arm Harkers glass on page 5, first panel. But hey I just a nerd.
Welcome back to another exciting look at the world of Cosplay. Again I have found so hot, cute and down right great pieces of Cosplayers and their amazing work. So have a look. I am sure you will love it.
