Monthly Archive: August 2020

Los Angeles, CA – Producer and CEO of Wanderwell Entertainment Tara Ansley (TRAGEDY GIRLS, ST. AGATHA, BEAST BEAST) and entrepreneur Abhi Goel are excited to announce they have acquired the FANGORIA™, STARLOG™, and GOREZONE™ brands. All brands will live under the FANGORIA™ umbrella and develop projects based on the legacy publication’s 40+-year-old archive of work and history, with an eye on inclusivity and championing forward-thinking creators.

Ansley & Goel negotiated the deal with movie producer Dallas Sonnier who acquired and resurrected FANGORIA™ as a print publication in 2018 and built the brand into a robust horror movie studio, book publisher, and podcast network through his Texas-based CINESTATE. FANGORIA™ Magazine, with its current editorial team under the stewardship of Editor-In-Chief Phil Nobile Jr. and Managing Editor Meredith Borders, will continue to publish as a print quarterly. FANGORIA™ Studios, FANGORIA™ Podcast Network, FANGORIA™ Digital, STARLOG™ Digital, and GOREZONE™ Digital will launch in 2021 with FANGORIA™ Studios producing and distributing both narrative and non-fiction projects in television, film, and digital content across all platforms.

Starlog Press debuted in 1976 with Starlog magazine, which rapidly became the premier American magazine to cover the fantastic. It spun off Fangoria in 1979 which quickly eclipsed Famous Monsters of Filmland as the Go To publication for classic and contemporary horror film and fiction. Other magazines through the years included Future Life, Cinemagic, and Comics Scene. Several notable writers and editors worked on staff including novelist Ed Naha, art director Howard Cruse, and writer/editors Robert Greenberger, Eddie Berganza, and Mike McAvennie.

“These brands have been a foundational force in genre entertainment for decades, and have inspired, influenced, and shaped generations of filmmakers, writers, actors, and fans – ourselves included,” said Ansley. “We will continue to honor FANGORIA™’s unparalleled legacy as we propel a future wave of talent and storytellers with an invigorating production and editorial slate that showcases the array of talent representative of our expansive community.”

“It has been an awesome ride! I am so proud of the work my team and I did rebuilding this legendary brand and securing our place in horror history. I wish Tara & Abhi much success as they take FANGORIA™ to even greater heights,” added Sonnier.

Goel projects revolutionary times ahead for the company. “We are thrilled to take a fresh approach while still paying homage to the nail-biting stories we grew up on. There could not be a better time to propel these brands to exciting, culturally diverse new heights,” said Goel. “Not only are we forging into tantalizing new territories, but we are paving the way for global creators to share their varied heritages and perspectives in never-before-seen storylines that will leave genre fans hungry for more.”

Fans tuning in to the DC FanDome Hall of Heroes received unexpected and welcome news today, courtesy of a surprise panel announcing the return of Milestone to DC publishing.

Moderator Marc Bernardin and DC Publisher and Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee were joined by Milestone partner/producer Reggie Hudlin and Milestone co-founder Denys Cowan, along with Phil LaMarr, the iconic voice of the Static Shock animated series.

The panelists discussed the origins and history of this groundbreaking imprint, the indelible impact, and legacy of Milestone co-founder, Dwayne McDuffie. Hudlin also discussed plans to create multimedia opportunities spotlighting Milestone characters, including feature films, animated movies and podcasts

Milestone’s return to publishing will be led by an all-new Static Shock digital comic series scheduled for February 2021. Future offerings will include a Static Shock original graphic novel written by Hudlin with art by Kyle Baker, plus the return of Milestone heroes Icon & Rocket, also written by Hudlin with art by Cowan and more to be announced.

But fans won’t have to wait until February to experience or rediscover Milestone, as Lee announced several publishing initiatives for 2020. Beginning in September through February 2021, DC will digitize classic stories from the Milestone library and make them available for purchase at Comixology, Amazon Kindle, Apple, and other participating digital retailers. A list of titles will be announced shortly, and more titles will be added as they are remastered for a digital format.

During DC FanDome: Explore the Multiverse on September 12, fans will also have a chance to be introduced to these characters and stories. Milestone Returns #0, a 17-page sampler, will be available to read free for 24 hours. Written by Reggie Hudlin with Greg Pak and cover by Denys Cowan and Chris Sotomayor, the sampler will introduce and re-introduce fans to Milestone characters such as Static Shock, Icon, Rocket, Duo, and others. The sampler features art by an incredible lineup of Talent, including Cowan, Jim Lee, Ryan Benjamin, Khoi Pham, Scott Hanna, Bill Sienkiewicz, Don Ho, Alex Sinclair, and Deron Bennett.
In addition, the following titles from the Milestone library will also be available to read free for 24 hours during the event:

• Static Shock (2011 – 2012) #1
• Static Shock (2011 – 2012) #2
• Xombi #1
• Xombi #2
• Hardware: The Man in the Machine (2010)
• Icon: A Hero’s Welcome (1996)
• Icon Vol. 2: The Mothership Connection (2010)

Today’s Legacy of the Bat panel in DC FanDome’s Hall of Heroes contained great
topics and panelists in a celebration of the Dark Knight’s heritage and the impact he’s
had on his allies as they continue to do their part to protect Gotham City.

DC ended months of speculation regarding Batman’s upcoming comic book adventures,
confirming that award-winning screenwriter John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Guerrilla,
American Crime) and artist Nick Derington (Doom Patrol, Batman Universe, Mister
Miracle) will team up for a four-issue miniseries scheduled for January 2021, featuring
a version of the Caped Crusader different from what many fans know and existing
alongside the current Batman run by James Tynion IV and Jorge Jimenez.

During his conversation with DC Publisher and Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee, Ridley
revealed a breathtaking piece of key art for his version of Batman by artist LADRÖNN.
The writer also provided further credence to fan speculation that this Batman definitely
will not be Bruce Wayne:

“I think it’s a pretty safe bet that if I’m writing Batman, it’s probably a little better than a
47% chance he’s going to be a person of color,” said Ridley.

In addition, Ridley raised additional curiosity when he revealed his series will focus on
the family of Lucius Fox, head of Wayne Enterprises. “But he [Fox] has a family and this
is a family that has secrets, has kept secrets from one another,” said Ridley. “It’s a little
bit different dynamic than the Batman that we’ve always seen.”

While this will be the first time Ridley has written a series featuring Batman, he’s no
stranger to comic book writing, nor to DC. In 2004, he wrote The Authority: Human on
the Inside (with artist Ben Oliver) and contributed an arc to the 2005 series, The Razor’s
Edge: Warblade (with legendary artist Simon Bisley). Most recently, Ridley also
collaborated with artist Georges Jeanty on the groundbreaking limited series The
American Way (2006) and its sequel, The American Way: Those Above and Those
Below (2017).

Burbank, CA (August 18, 2020) – Warner Bros. Home Entertainment brings consumers the opportunity to own more fan-favorite programming from the past several decades from the Warner Archive Collection. In September, five new TV and Animation titles will be released via Warner Archive including Prodigal Son: The Complete First Season, Harley Quinn: The Complete First and Second Season, Genesis II / Planet Earth – 2 Film Collection, Mom: The Complete Third Season and Riverdale: The Complete Fourth Season.

More details on all titles are included below.

PRODIGAL SON: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON

Available on Blu-Ray^TM and DVD September 8, 2020

Year: 2019-2020
Run Time:  880:00
Subtitles: English SDH
Sound Quality: DTS HD-Master Audio 5.1 – English
Aspect Ratio: 2.0:1, 16 X 9 FULL FRAME
Product Color: COLOR
BD Disc Configuration: BD 50 (4)
DVD Disc Configuration: DVD 9 (4)

Criminal psychologist Malcolm Bright (Tom Payne) knows how killers think and how their minds work. Why? His father is “The Surgeon,” a serial killer who has taken the lives of more than 20 people. He works with NYPD detective Gil Arroyo (Lou Diamond Phillips); Detective Dani Powell (Aurora Perrineau), a headstrong cop; Dr. Edrisa Tanaka (Keiko Agena), an off-center coroner; and Detective JT Tarmel (Frank Harts), who questions whether Bright is a psychopath himself. But Bright’s best resource is his homicidal yet oddly loving father, Dr. Martin Whitly (Michael Sheen). As he helps track down dangerous criminals, Bright also battles his own demons – and it doesn’t help that his mother, former leading socialite Jessica Whitly (Bellamy Young), has an opinion on every aspect of his life. Thankfully, he has the support of his annoyingly normal sister, Ainsley (Halston Sage), a TV journalist. Malcolm Bright isn’t a serial killer, he was just raised by one.

MOM: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON

Available on DVD September 15, 2020

Year:  2019-2020
Run Time: 411:00
Subtitles: English SDH
Sound Quality: DOLBY DIGITAL SURROUND 5.1 – English
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1, 16 X 9 Widescreen
Product Color:  COLOR
Disc Configuration: DVD9 (2)

Anna Faris and Emmy® and Oscar® winner* Allison Janney star in this hilarious and heart-wrenching comedy from executive producer Chuck Lorre (The Big Bang Theory). Christy (Faris) is still sober and has her life mostly back on track, though she’s continually tested by her mother, Bonnie (Janney). Together, the two work to overcome their mistakes and build a better future. Now, Christy is well on her way to becoming a lawyer, while Bonnie is in a healthy romantic relationship and has just married Adam (William Fichtner). Through it all, they rely on their support system from AA, including the wise Marjorie (Mimi Kennedy); the wealthy and sometimes misguided Jill (Jaime Pressly); the overly emotional Wendy (Beth Hall); and Bonnie’s foster sister, Tammy (Kristen Johnston), who was recently released from prison. Collectively, they help each other stay sober in the face of whatever life throws at them.

RIVERDALE: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON

Available on DVD September 22, 2020

Run Time: 805:00
Subtitles: English SDH
Sound Quality: DOLBY DIGITAL SURROUND 5.1 – English
Aspect Ratio: ORIGINAL ASPECT RATIO – 1.78:1, 16 X 9 FULL FRAME
Product Color: COLOR
Disc Configuration: DVD9 (4)

The fourth season of Riverdale begins with a farewell to Fred Andrews (Luke Perry). As Independence Day approaches, Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) receives a phone call that will forever change his life. Through an emotional journey, with support from his girlfriend, Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes), and best friends Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) and Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse), Archie and the citizens of Riverdale grieve the loss of the town’s heart and soul. Our story continues with senior year at Riverdale High, which means varsity football games, cheerleading, back-to-school parties and college applications. But it also means bittersweet moments, like the first last day of high school. In the meantime, Archie honors his father and develops a deeper connection with his mother, Betty uncovers more about her mother and sister, Veronica goes unsupervised while her parents spend time in jail, and Jughead turns more to writing.

GENESIS II / PLANET EARTH – 2 FILM COLLECTION

Available on Blu-ray^TM September 29, 2020

Year:  1973-1974, NEW 2020 1080p masters!
Run Time:  148:00
Subtitles: English SDH
Sound Quality: DTS HD-Master Audio 2.0 – English, MONO – English
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1, 4 X 3 FULL FRAME
Product Color:  COLOR
Disc Configuration: BD 50 (1)

“My name is Dylan Hunt. My story begins the day on which I died.” So begins this sci-fi saga from visionary creator Gene Roddenberry (Star Trek). Genesis II follows NASA scientist Dylan Hunt (Alex Cord), who’s buried in his own suspended-animation machine at NASA’s underground Carlsbad complex following an earthquake. Revived in the terrifying 22nd century by the pacifists of PAX, descendants of his fellow scientists, he learns of The Great Conflict, a third and final world war that destroyed everything he knew. As an agent of PAX, Dylan seeks to spread the message of science and peace throughout this savage and strange new world called Earth. In Genesis II, he encounters the Tyranians, a mutant, militaristic neighboring civilization. In Planet Earth, Dylan (now played by John Saxon) journeys to the Confederacy, where a despotic matriarchy enslaves all males.

CULVER CITY, CA  – Amazon Prime Video announced: “Welcome to the Blumhouse”, a program of eight unsettling, genre movies produced by Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Television and Amazon Studios. Sharing the spine-tingling suspense that’s a Blumhouse signature, each film presents a distinctive vision and unique perspective on common themes centered around family and love as redemptive or destructive forces. This slate marks the first ever program of Amazon Original movies on Prime Video that are thematically connected. The films showcase exciting up-and-coming talent, alongside established actors in exceptional and shocking new roles. “Welcome to the Blumhouse” will launch in October, timed for the Halloween season, on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Amazon Prime Video will launch the initial slate of four films as double features starting with The Lie directed by acclaimed writer/director Veena Sud (The Killing, 7 Seconds) and Black Box directed by up-and-coming writer/director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr. (Born with It), both premiering on October 6. Launching the following week on October 13 is Evil Eye, from talented young directors Elan Dassani and Rajeev Dassani (A Day’s Work, Jinn) and executive produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Quantico, White Tiger), and Nocturne written and directed by filmmaker Zu Quirke (Zugzwang, Ghosting) making her feature film debut. The latter four films will launch in 2021.

“We are excited to launch ‘Welcome to the Blumhouse’ with this exhilarating and provocative slate of original films for the first time ever on Prime Video. This collection from diverse and emerging filmmakers was a thrill to put together with our wonderful partners at Blumhouse Television,” said Julie Rapaport, Co-Head of Movies for Amazon Studios. “These chilling stories have something for everyone – ready to fright and delight genre fans and newcomers alike – and we are excited to share them with our global Prime Video customers.”

“We’re beyond excited that the visions of these talented filmmakers will finally be seen by genre fans around the world, especially during this time when people are seeking to escape and be entertained. And we love the innovative idea of programming like the classic drive-in or repertory theater experience,” said Marci Wiseman and Jeremy Gold, co-presidents Blumhouse Television. “Amazon have been incredible partners, linking arms and supporting the creative visions throughout the process of making these films.”

The Lie is written and directed by Veena Sud, and stars Mireille Enos (The Killing), Peter Sarsgaard (An Education) and Joey King (The Kissing Booth 2, The Act). When their teenaged daughter confesses to impulsively killing her best friend, two desperate parents attempt to cover up the horrific crime, leading them into a complicated web of lies and deception. Produced by Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Christopher Tricarico, and Jason Blum. Executive produced by Howard Green, Kim Hodgert, Jeanette Volturno, Couper Samuelson and Aaron Barnett.

Directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr. (Born With It) and script by Osei-Kuffour Jr. and Stephen Herman, Black Box stars Mamoudou Athie (Jurassic World 3, The Circle), Phylicia Rashad (Creed), Amanda Christine (Colony), Tosin Morohunfola (The Chi, The 24th), Charmaine Bingwa (Trees of Peace, Little Sista), and Troy James (The Flash, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark). After losing his wife and his memory in a car accident, a single father undergoes an agonizing experimental treatment that causes him to question who he really is. Executive produced by Jason Blum, Jay Ellis, Aaron Bergman, Lisa Bruce, Marci Wiseman, Jeremy Gold, Mynette Louie and William Marks.

Based off the award-winning, best-selling Audible Original production from writer Madhuri Shekar, Evil Eye is directed by Elan Dassani and Rajeev Dassani, and stars Sarita Choudhury (Mississippi Masala, Lady in the Water), Sunita Mani (GLOW), Omar Maskati (Unbelievable), and Bernard White (Silicon Valley). A seemingly perfect romance turns into a nightmare when a mother becomes convinced her daughter’s new boyfriend has a dark connection to her own past. Executive produced by Jason Blum, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Lisa Bruce, Marci Wiseman, Jeremy Gold, Guy Stodel, Anjula Acharia, Emilia Lapenta and Kate Navin.

Nocturne is written and directed by Zu Quirke in her breakout feature debut. Starring Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria, The Handmaid’s Tale, Player’s Table), Madison Iseman (Jumanji: The Next Level, Annabelle Comes Home), Jacques Colimon (The Society) and Ivan Shaw (Insecure, Casual). Inside the halls of an elite arts academy, a timid music student begins to outshine her more accomplished and outgoing twin sister when she discovers a mysterious notebook belonging to a recently deceased classmate. Executive produced by Jason Blum, Lisa Bruce, Marci Wiseman, Jeremy Gold, Matthew Myers and Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly.