The Mix : What are people talking about today?

DC, Onli-Lion Forge Back Comicbook United Fund for Retailers

DC, Oni-Lion Forge Back Comicbook United Fund for Retailers

April 21, 2020 – BURBANK and ST. LOUIS  – Comic book retailers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis have a new dedicated relief fund designed to provide financial assistance to comic shops and their employees. Led and managed by the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc), the formation of the COMICBOOK UNITED FUND has galvanized the comics world, including Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group and DC, who made the joint announcement today.

Last year, Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group recognized the need for long-term solutions to help comic book stores following a series of debilitating natural disasters, such as Hurricane Harvey, and introduced the “Forge Fund” providing monetary support for comic retailers and their employees during times of hardship. To date, $100,000 has been donated to the Forge Fund which is operated by Binc, and the company continues to donate five percent of proceeds from ongoing select titles.

Now, during this new crisis facing comic book retailers, DC has announced it is donating $250,000 to Binc for the shared vision of also supporting comic shops and their teams in need. Together, the two donations are being rolled up into the new COMICBOOK UNITED FUND. The goal will be to provide one location for fans, creators, comic industry partners and executives to make contributions to support comic book shops and their employees. A dedicated link has been established at https://secure.donationpay.org/bincfoundation/ComicBookUnited.php.

Diamond Distributors Contradicts Part Of DC Comics Rollout Message Concerning Alternate Distributors Headed By Midtown Comics & Discount Comic Book Service (DCBS)!Many groups and individuals are already participating. DC Chief Creative Officer and Publisher Jim Lee is auctioning 60 original sketches of DC characters in 60 days on eBay. In addition, a coalition of artists, authors, comics creators and other supporters have joined forces to raise money for the COMICBOOK UNITED FUND and The Binc Foundation through more than 600 auctions on Twitter at @Creators4Comics.

“The comic industry has a long history of banding together to protect and promote the art form we all love. We hope that this incredible action from DC will inspire a new wave of generosity and support for the great number of individuals and shops struggling through these times,” said James Lucas Jones, President and Publisher of Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group. “Comics is an expansive community that still feels like a close-knit family, and these efforts feel like we are helping family members.”

“If this pandemic has taught us anything it’s how precious and fragile the things that bring us happiness are, so we must protect the lifeblood of our industry,” Lee said. “Oni-Lion Forge saw the need for this type of relief before there was a crisis, which is why DC is proud to now stand alongside them in this time of need for our retailers.”

“Little did we know when we launched the Forge Fund that the world would be plunged into such a dreadful pandemic, but here we are, and happy there was a starting point for relief,” said Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group Chairman David Steward II. “Binc and DC are powerful allies who we admire, commend and feel bonded to through this effort. This is an epic team-up in the grand comic book tradition and we look forward to welcoming more publishers to this effort over the coming days and weeks.”

“We are grateful and humbled to work with industry leaders Oni-Lion Forge and DC. By working together to create the Comicbook United Fund, Oni-Lion Forge and DC are demonstrating their dedication to comic retailers across the nation,” said Pam French, Binc Executive Director. “Binc is honored to help carry out their philanthropic vision. The outpouring of support and innovative ideas we’ve seen from across the industry has been inspiring and gives us great hope for the future.”

Managing the COMICBOOK UNITED FUND is an extension of the mission of the Book Industry Charitable Foundation, which was created in 1996 to provide financial assistance and charitable programs to the wider bookseller community. Since its inception, the Binc Foundation has awarded over $7 million to more than 7,800 families. Fans can also donate directly to the COMICBOOK UNITED FUND here.

Bob Ross Lives on in Loot Crate Offering

Bob Ross Lives on in Loot Crate Offering

Los Angeles, CA – For almost four decades, Bob Ross has been teaching home viewers how to paint oil landscapes and “happy little trees” on his TV show The Joy of Painting. Now you can chill out and celebrate the life and legacy of Bob Ross (and his iconic perm) with the announcement of Loot Launcher’s limited-edition Bob Ross Happy Little Crate. This Loot Launcher special collaboration with Bob Ross Inc. will contain six exclusive items you can’t find anywhere else: a plush, blanket, apron, pillow, stress ball and magnet set!

“Bob Ross Inc. is thrilled to work with Loot Create on the Bob Ross Happy Little Crate and bring the joy of Bob Ross to fans of television’s favorite painter through these happy little exclusives,” said Sarah Strohl, Executive Assistant at Bob Ross Inc.

The Bob Ross Happy Little Crate will ship in the summer of 2020 and will contain six exclusive items. Each crate will cost $49.95 plus shipping and handling. Supporters will only be charged once the project has met or exceeded its goal of 3,000 backers by May 15.

Remember – “You can do anything you want to do. This is your world.”

REVIEW: Underwater

REVIEW: Underwater

Kristen Stewart’s Underwater DVD Details UnveiledListening to the audio commentary to Underwater, you can hear director William Eubank gush about the set design, the costumes, the creature effects, the title sequence, and so on, and you realize it’s about all that and not the story and characters. Any time you take your eye off the story and characters, you’re in trouble.

Underwater, out now from 20th Century Home Entertainment, is a complete misfire of a horror thriller, effectively remaking Alien and setting it under the sea. It wastes an engaging enough cast anchored by Kristen Stewart, looking as fetching in her underwear as Sigourney Weaver did, and never builds enough original suspense to be worth sitting through.

She plays Norah, a mechanical engineer deep down in a corporate mining facility and of course, the corporation has ignored warnings of strange sightings, leaving the small crew vulnerable. So of course, things go wrong, one after the other, and the crew is winnowed until its just her and Jessica Henwick versus the sea creatures.

Ho hum. You know what’s coming, you don’t care when it arrives, and know how it’s going to end so you’re watching out of sluggishness, not interest.

There’re sparks of interest here and there, mostly why you remain rooted in your seat, hoping for better. The crew is led by Vincent Cassel and his French accent, complete with the always watchable T. J. Miller, and rounded out with John Gallagher Jr., Mamoudou Athie, Gunner Wright. Whatever is revealed about the characters is just enough, in the Eubanks’ mind, as he wants to keep moving the story forward, forgetting we need to be invested in the characters. One of the extended scenes visually reveals things about the crew which begs for more but it’s cut, he says, to keep the story going.

If only the story had a direction that was fresh, new, and compelling. Blame goes to the script by Brian Duffield and Adam Cozad and Producers Peter Chernin, Tonia Davis, Jenno Topping who have all produced far better stories and should know better.

Stewart is an interesting actor to watch, but her film choices leave you wondering. What attracted her to such a flimsy story? It’s a waste of her skills. And while it’s always nice to see Henwick get work, she needs meatier roles.

The movie could not be reviewed on disc due to the Covid-19 protocols and was watched digitally. On MoviesAnywhere.com, the high definition edition looks good, capturing the subtle shades of the murky sea, the grubby interiors, and so on. The audio track sounds fine on a computer and a soundbar. The digital edition also comes with the Special Features you will also find on disc.

There are extended or deleted scenes, with and without commentary by Eubank, Associate Producer Jared Purrington, and Phil Gawthorne. — Call the Mover Extended Scene (1:30); Crew Suit Up Extended (1:44); Gantry Exit Extended (2:30), Baby Clinger Extended (1:35); Midway Station Extended (1:43); Ocean Floor Walk Extended (5:35); Rock Garden (:48); and Smith Departure Extended (1:01).

The trio can also optionally be heard on Alternate Ending (2:55), Real Bunny Montage (3:25); Making Underwater, in three parts: Design (17:54), Production (19:50), and Creatures & Visual Effects (19:56); Audio Commentary with Eubank, Purrington, and Gawthorne.

 

Harley Quinn The Complete First Season hits DVD June 2

Harley Quinn The Complete First Season hits DVD June 2

BURBANK, CA – Harley Quinn premiered on DC UNIVERSE this past November to rave reviews from critics and fans alike. Now, fans can enjoy the non-stop laughs and excitement of the adult animated action-comedy series as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment gets set to release Harley Quinn: The Complete First Season. Available on DVD June 2, 2020, for $24.98, the set features all 13 half-hour episodes.

Harley Quinn has finally broken things off once and for all with the Joker and attempts to make it on her own as the criminal Queenpin of Gotham City. With the help of Poison Ivy and a ragtag crew of DC castoffs, Harley tries to earn a seat at the biggest table in villainy – the Legion of the Doom. She’s got her eyes on the prize and nothing can stop her, except maybe Batman and Commissioner Gordon or her jealous, deranged ex. But don’t worry – she’s got this. Or does she? So strap in for this non-stop, demented thrill ride!

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, and based on the characters from DC, Harley Quinn: The Complete First Season boasts an all-star voice cast including Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory) as Harley Quinn, Lake Bell (Bless This Mess), Jason Alexander (Seinfeld),  Tony Hale (VEEP), J.B. Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Alan Tudyk (Doom Patrol), Ron Funches (Powerless), Wanda Sykes (Not Normal), Christopher Meloni (Law and Order: SVU), Diedrich Bader (American Housewife) and many others.

“Fans can’t get enough Harley Quinn and we are thrilled to release Harley Quinn: The Complete First Season for them to embark on the character’s latest crazy antics,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Senior Vice President, Originals, Animation and Family Marketing. “With adult humor and new animated action, the release is timed to coincide with the series’ season two premiere.”

13 HALF-HOUR EPISODES

  1. Til Death Do Us Part
  2. A High Bar
  3. So You Need A Crew?
  4. Finding Mr. Right
  5. Being Harley Quinn
  6. You’re A Damn Good Cop, Jim Gordon
  7. The Line
  8. L.O.D.R.S.V.P
  9. A Seat At The Table
  10. Bensonhurst
  11. Harley Quinn Highway
  12. Devil’s Snare
  13. The Final Joke

BASICS

Street Date: June 2, 2020

Order Due Date: April 28, 2020

Run Time:  Feature: Approx.286 minutes

Price: $24.98 SRP

Audio: English 5.1 Surround

Subtitles: English and Français

Rated TV-MA, for mature audiences only

Dearth of Summer Blockbusters Cured by Jaws 45th Anniv. Disc

Universal City, California, April 17, 2020 – In 1975, acclaimed director Steven Spielberg created the first-ever summer blockbuster film and his first big hit, JAWS, the iconic and terrifying action-thriller that still makes audiences afraid to go in the water. Winner of three Academy Awards®, including Best Original Score, JAWS has become a cinematic touchstone for generations of moviegoers and one of the greatest and most influential films of all time. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment celebrates with the JAWS 45TH ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION available on 4K Ultra HD for the first time ever on June 2, 2020. This limited edition Combo Pack with lenticular packaging includes a 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital code of the film along with over three hours of bonus features and a 44-page booklet with introductions, rare photos, storyboards and more from the archives. Dive into hours of bonus features including the making of JAWS, deleted scenes, outtakes from the set and much more! JAWS 45TH ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION retains all the exhilarating suspense and thrills that made it an instant classic that continues to captivate audiences around the world, making this a must-own for everyone’s movie library.

Directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, JAWS set the standard for edge-of-your-seat suspense, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon. When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town’s chief of police (Roy Scheider), a young marine biologist (Richard Dreyfuss) and a grizzled shark hunter (Robert Shaw) embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again. Featuring an unforgettable score by John Williams that evokes pure terror, JAWS remains one of the most influential and gripping adventures in motion picture history.

BONUS FEATURES ON 4K ULTRA HD and BLU-RAYTM:

  • The Making of JAWS
  • The Shark Is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy of JAWS
  • JAWS: The Restoration
  • Deleted Scenes and Outtakes
  • From the Set
  • Theatrical Trailer

ADDITIONAL BONUS FEATURES On BLU-RAYTM:

  • Storyboards
  • Production Photos
  • Marketing JAWS
  • JAWS Phenomenon

JAWS 45TH ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION will be available on 4K Ultra HD combo pack, which includes 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, & Digital Code.

  • 4K Ultra HD is the ultimate movie watching experience. 4K Ultra HD features the combination of 4K resolution for four times sharper picture than HD, the color brilliance of High Dynamic Range (HDR) with immersive audio delivering a multidimensional sound experience.
    • JAWS 45TH ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION 4K Ultra HD is available with HDR10+™, providing a premium HDR picture quality. HDR10+ transforms your movie-watching experience with incredible brightness and contrast for each scene, delivering brighter brights and deepest darks.
  • Blu-ray unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
  • Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.
  • The Movies Anywhere Digital App simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-rayTM and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere.  Movies Anywhere is available only in the United States.

CAST & FILMMAKERS

Cast: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton
Directed By: Steven Spielberg
Produced By: Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown
Music By: John Williams
Based on the Novel By: Peter Benchley
Screenplay By: Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb

TECHNICAL INFORMATION 4K:

Street Date: June 2, 2020
Selection Number: 61211208 (US) / 61211231 (CDN)
Layers:  BD-100
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 2.35:1 Widescreen
Rating: PG
Subtitles: English, French Canadian, Latin American Spanish
Video: 2160p UHD Dolby Vision/HDR10+/HDR 10
Languages/Sound: Dolby Atmos, English DTS Digital Surround 2.0 Mono, Dolby Digital 2.0 ; French European DTS-HD High Resolution Audio 7.1 ; Latin American Spanish DTS Digital Surround 5.1
Run Time: 2 hours 4 minutes

Mondo Releases BATS Posters, Catwoman Action Figure

Today Mondo falls back into Gotham City with a celebration of all things BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES. Kicking things off are a couple of brand new posters by Phantom City Creative for the episodes “Dreams in Darkness” and “Harley’s Holiday.” Full disclosure: Mondo originally planned on having their second BATMAN: THE ANIMTATED SERIES x Phantom City Creative gallery show in May, but given the state of things, they’ve instead decided to pivot and release the posters created for that show in a series of online drops over the coming months.

Nobody has a grip on this iconic series quite like Phantom City Creative (PCC). Six years, dozens of posters, a gallery show, and a vinyl box set later… this still remains one of Mondo’s favorite artist/property pairings ever. PCC still have so much to say and plenty of episodes to spotlight… and this is just the beginning, Mondo can’t wait to share what else is cooking in the Bat-kitchen.

Posters go on sale at 11 am (CT) via THE DROP. Be sure to keep an eye on Mondo’s social media channels for any updates and on sale info.

DREAMS IN DARKNESS

“Episodes featuring the Scarecrow always allowed for some great surrealist imagery because of his fear toxin, and Dreams in Darkness features the best hallucination sequence of all. There’s an amazing sequence where Batman hallucinates each of his villains morphing from one to the next. It’s nightmarish stuff, and I wanted the poster to emulate that, ” said Phantom City Creative.

Dreams In Darkness by Phantom City Creative

18″ x 24″ Screenprinted Poster, Edition of 250 (regular), 125 (variant)

Printed by DL Screenprinting.

Expected to Ship in May 2020.

Ships to Addresses in the US, Japan, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, & US Military Bases.

Regular – $45

Variant – $65

HARLEY’S HOLIDAY

“Harley Quinn is a fan favorite, and this episode is one of her best. Finally deemed “sane” by the doctor’s at Arkham, Harley is free to enjoy her life. But after a small misunderstanding in a store, her day spirals out of control and causes havoc for Gotham. With this poster, I took inspiration from vintage travel posters, but instead of idyllic vistas and scenery we see the wreckage caused by one little mixup,” said Phantom City Creative.

Harley’s Holiday by Phantom City Creative

18″ x 24″ Screenprinted Poster, Edition of 250 (regular), 125 (variant)

Printed by DL Screenprinting.

Expected to Ship in May 2020.

Ships to Addresses in the US, Japan, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, & US Military Bases.

Regular – $45

Variety – $65

Based on the seminal BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, the Catwoman 1/6 Scale Figure stays true to the animated classic. Sculpted to match the iconic style of the show with a paint scheme evoking the bold, graphic look of an animated cel. Designed by Joe Allard, sculpted by Ramirez Studios, and painted by Jason Wires Productions, the figure features packaging designed by Brent Ashe with art by Phantom City Creative. Catwoman comes fully equipped to slink into your collection, and maybe take something from it…

Figure Includes:

– Regular Head

– Smirking Head

– Sneering Head

– 5 pairs of hands

– Isis the Cat (sitting)

– Coiled Whip

– Flexible Whip

– Spy Camera

– Bat Cuffs

– Large Diamond

– Bag of Loot

– Jeweled Necklace

– Approx. 30 points of articulation

Mondo Exclusive includes an unmasked Selina Kyle head, and a lounging Isis the Cat!

The figure goes on sale Thursday, April 16 at 11 am (CT) via mondoshop.com. Be sure to keep an eye on Mondo’s social media channels for any updates and on sale info.

Catwoman 1/6 Scale Figure (Mondo Exclusive)

Features an unmasked Selina Kyle head and a lounging Isis the Cat.

Approx. 11.5″ in height, Approx 3lbs, Materials: PVC, ABS. Artists: Ramirez Studios, Joe Allard, Jason Wires Productions, Brent Ashe, Phantom City Creative.

Expected to Ship by June 2020. Ships Worldwide.

$165

The Hunt Targets Homes for Streaming in May, Disc in June

Universal City, California, April 15, 2020 – Who is the hunter and who is the hunted? Decide for yourself! From producer Jason Blum (The Invisible Man, Halloween), director Craig Zobel (Z for Zachariah, The Leftovers) and writers Damon Lindelof (Watchmen, The Leftovers) and Nick Cuse (Maniac, Watchmen) comes a “clever, gory, often very funny” (Ty Burr, The Boston Globe) film that has “all the makings of a cult classic” (Forbes), as THE HUNT arrives on Digital May 26, 2020 and on Blu-ray™ and DVD June 9, 2020 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Featuring “a seriously cool action performance” (William Bibbiani, The Wrap) from Betty Gilpin (Glow), THE HUNT includes behind-the-scenes featurettes on the making of this suspenseful thriller.

Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don’t know where they are, or how they got there. They don’t know they’ve been chosen… for a very specific purpose … THE HUNT.

In this subversive satire, a group of elites gather for the very first time at a remote Manor House to hunt ordinary Americans for sport. But the elites’ master plan is about to be derailed because one of The Hunted, Crystal (Gilpin), knows The Hunters’ game better than they do. She turns the tables on the killers, picking them off one by one as she makes her way toward the mysterious woman (two-time Oscar® winner Hilary Swank, Million Dollar Baby) at the center of it all.

THE HUNT features an outstanding supporting cast including Emma Roberts (“American Horror Story”), Ike Barinholtz (Blockers), Justin Hartley (This is Us) and Ethan Suplee (My Name is Earl). The theatrical version of the film is currently available for early viewing on a wide variety of popular on-demand services as a premium rental offering.

BONUS FEATURES on BLU-RAYTM, DVD AND DIGITAL:

  • CRAFTING THE HUNT – Filmmakers and cast discuss how costumes and props were used to highlight the political commentary of this slaughterous thriller.
  • DEATH SCENE BREAKDOWNS – THE HUNT’s talented special effects and make-up teams give you an inside look on how they carried out some of the goriest death sequences.
  • ATHENA VS CRYSTAL: HUNTER OR HUNTED? – Go behind the scenes to check out the intense training and choreography actresses Betty Gilpin and Hilary Swank had to master in order to execute this epic fight scene.

THE HUNT will be available on Blu-rayTM, DVD and Digital.

  • Blu-rayTM unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
  • Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.

MOVIES ANYWHERE is the digital app that simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-rayTM and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. MOVIES ANYWHERE is only available in the United States.

FILMMAKERS:
Cast: Ike Barinholtz, Betty Gilpin, Justin Hartley, Glenn Howerton, Emma Roberts, Ethan Suplee, and Hilary Swank
Costume Designer: David Tabbert
Edited By: Jane Rizzo
Production Designer: Matthew Munn
Director of Photography: Darren Tiernan
Executive Producers: Craig Zobel, Nick Cuse, Steven R. Molen, Couper Samuelson, Jeanette Volturno
Produced By: Jason Blum, Damon Lindelof p.g.a.
Written By: Nick Cuse, Damon Lindelof
Directed By: Craig Zobel

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY:
Street Date: June 9, 2020
Selection Number: 61201639 (US) / 61201862 (CDN)
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 16:9 2:39.1
Rating: Rated R for some strong bloody violence and language throughout
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, French Canadian and Latin American Spanish Subtitles
Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, English Dolby Digital 2.0, French Canadian and Latin American Spanish DTS Digital Surround 5.1
Run Time: 1:29:55

REVIEW: V the Final Battle

Once upon a time, when there were just three major networks, the schedules would be filled with glossy, interesting, high-concept miniseries, usually aired during the vital November, February, and May sweeps periods when the ratings were used to set advertising rates. This is what gave us great concepts like ABC’s Roots or, in 1983, V.

Metro subways and bus stations were plastered that spring with red-suited people, wearing sunglasses and big smiles, wrapping their arms around ordinary folk and we were assured: “The Visitors are our Friends”.  A few weeks later, they were replaced with replicas but now a spray-painted V covered them and we got a hint of the Visitors’ true, reptilian nature.

The V miniseries, wonderfully written and directed by Ken Johnson (he of Incredible Hulk fame) was a taut two-night affair that presented the aliens coming to Earth and befriending us before their true intentions were revealed and a resistance movement began. Johnson carefully varied both the humans and aliens so there were differing perspectives and allegiances. The show turned Marc Singer into a star and introduced the world to Robert Englund.

The May ratings were a smash, so NBC ordered a sequel entitled V: The Final Battle, a three-part epic for May 1983 that is now available on Blu-ray for the first time from Warner Archive.

Johnson was once more the mastermind although he and the network began to clash over the creative direction and he left the production.

The overall plan is that the aliens need the world’s water and are befriending humanity in an attempt to gain converts to their cause or a cowed populace who will not stand in their way. In their human disguises, they beguile, bribe, and seduce many to their cause, manipulating the media, and steadily taking control city by city.

The action in both miniseries is limited to Los Angeles, letting the novels and DC Comics adaptation (which I edited for a stretch), see what was happening elsewhere. The rebellion is led by TV reporter Mike Donovan (Marc Singer) and Juliet Parrish (Faye Grant), more or less opposed by Diana (Jane Badler) and John (Richard Herd). The sequel continues where we left off but there are new complications. First, Diana’s failure to secure the planet according to schedule means her superior, Pamela (Sarah Douglas), arrives to take charge. Joining the rebels are CIA operatives Ham Tyler (Michael Ironside) and his burly sidekick Chris Farber (Mickey Jones).

Teen Robin Maxwell (Blair Tefkin) was impregnated by the Visitor Brian (Peter Nelson) during the first miniseries so of course, she will be giving birth here. The crossbreeding, ordered by Diana, resulted in hybrid fraternal twins, a reptilian boy with blue eyes, and a human girl with a forked tongue. When Parrish, a doctor, conducts an autopsy, she discovers a strain of bacteria that killed the boy and could be turned into a weapon, dubbed Red Dust, to repel the invaders.

It’s all very good for its day, with some strong acting, good makeup, and a fast-paced story. The V phenomenon was nicely continued here.

Sadly, NBC decided to follow it with a disastrous weekly series the following season. In the hands of Dan Blatt and Robert Singer, they were making it up as they went along, ignoring internal logic or, you know, science.

Anyway, the two-disc Blu-ray looks good with a fine, If not perfect, transfer, retaining its broadcast 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix is perfectly adequate. There are no special features included beyond network teasers.

REVIEW: Hilo: All the Pieces Fit

Hilo: All the Pieces Fit
By Judd Winick
210 pages/RH Graphic/$13.99

Receiving the sixth volume of a continuing series to review can be a daunting task if you have not read the previous five, especially if there is no recap section preceding the story (a complaint I have about most series).

That said, this volume, wrapping the initial storyline takes a little time to get one’s feet wet then you are propelled through the action, figuring things out along the way. Credit to Judd Winick for being adept at doing this so by the end, you’re not just accustomed to the characters but emotionally invested in the team of protagonists trying to protect the world.

The series kicked off in 2015 so readers of this mid-grade series can grow up with the characters and if they’ve outgrown it after this volume, they will be satisfied. And for those who are just finding it, be assured volume seven and a new story arrives in 2021.

Hilo is an android built to resemble an elementary school student and drops from the sky onto Earth. He was befriended by D.J. and Gina and over the course of the series, they learn about him and his extradimensional origins as well as the threat presented by Razorwark. What does this red-armored being want with Hilo and Earth?

This volume has the first in-person confrontation between Hilo and Razorwark with the fate of the world at stake. Gina finds herself playing a significant role as magic comes into this mostly SF story and there’s a heroic sacrifice that will no doubt require tissues for the younger readers.

Winick, no stranger to graphic storytelling, evolves the status quo so the end of book six leaves everyone different from book one, which is a good thing. His writing is breezy and his open, cartoony style is filled with kinetic motion and letting big moments take whole pages. It becomes a quick-paced read after the first 30 or so pages as we build momentum.

There’s a lot to recommend in this all-ages series, but you must start with book one.

 

Reimagined The Invisible Man Appears at Home in June

THE INVISIBLE MAN, an intense, modern-day psychological thriller, becomes available to own for the first time on Digital May 12, 2020 and on 4K UHD, Blu-ray™ and DVD on May 26, 2020 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. From iconic producer Jason Blum (Halloween, Split, Get Out, Us) and director Leigh Whannel (Saw, Insidious, Upgrade), this psychological thriller modernizes Universal’s shapeshifting, classic monster against a backdrop of an empowered woman facing her tormentor. “A cutting, contemporary work of socially conscious horror” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone), THE INVISIBLE MAN comes home with never-before-seen bonus content.

THE INVISIBLE MAN follows a modern tale of obsession inspired by Universal’s classic monster character. Cecilia Kass (Elisabeth Moss) slowly begins to rebuild her life after the death of her abusive ex-boyfriend (Oliver Jackson-Cohen). But before long, she begins to question whether or not he is truly gone. In addition to the feature, THE INVISIBLE MAN delivers up twenty minutes of exclusive bonus content, including a chance to better get acquainted with the film’s leading actress: Elisabeth Moss, feature commentary with the writer/director and deleted scenes you won’t want to miss.

Hailed as ‘Certified Fresh’ on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 91%, THE INVISIBLE MAN stars two-time Emmy®-winner and two-time Golden Globe®-winner Elisabeth Moss (Us, The Handmaid’s Tale). Accompanying Moss is SAG®-winner Aldis Hodge (Black Mirror, Straight Outta Compton), Oliver Jackson-Cohen (The Haunting of Hill House), Storm Reid (Don’t Let Go, Euphoria). The theatrical version of the film is currently available for early viewing on a wide variety of popular on-demand services as a premium rental offering.

BONUS FEATURES on BLU-RAYTM, 4K ULTRA HD and DVD:

  • DELETED SCENES
  • MOSS MANIFESTED – Elisabeth Moss describes the physical and emotional challenges she faced while portraying Cecilia, a woman whose truth is constantly questioned by those around her.
  • DIRECTOR’S JOURNEY WITH LEIGH WHANNELL – Director Leigh Whannell acts as tour guide through principal photography, from day 1 to day 40.
  • THE PLAYERS – Filmmakers and cast provide an in-depth analysis of each character and how they interact with the unseen terror of THE INVISIBLE MAN.
  • TIMELESS TERROR – A behind the scenes look at how writer/director Leigh Whannell re-imagined this iconic character through the lens of modern technology and socially relatable themes.
  • FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH WRITER/DIRECTOR LEIGH WHANNELL

THE INVISIBLE MAN will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-rayTM, DVD and Digital.

  • 4K Ultra HD is the ultimate movie watching experience. 4K Ultra HD features the combination of 4K resolution for four times sharper picture than HD, the color brilliance of High Dynamic Range (HDR) with immersive audio delivering a multidimensional sound experience.
  • Blu-rayTM unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
  • Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.
  • MOVIES ANYWHERE is the digital app that simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-rayTM and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. MOVIES ANYWHERE is only available in the United States. For more information, visit https://moviesanywhere.com.

FILMMAKERS
Cast: Elisabeth Moss, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Harriet Dyer, Michael Dorman and Oliver Jackson-Cohen
Casting By: Terri Taylor C.S.A, Sarah Domeier Lindo C.S.A, Nikki Barrett C.S.A, C.G.A
Costume Designer: Emily Seresin
Music By: Benjamin Wallfisch
Edited By: Andy Canny
Production Designer: Alex Holmes
Director of Photography: Stefan Duscio A.C.S.
Executive Producers: Leigh Whannell, Couper Samuelson, Beatriz Sequeira, Jeanette Volturno, Rosemary Blight, Ben Grant
Produced By: Jason Blum p.g.a, Kyle Du Fresne p.g.a.
Screenplay and Screen Story By: Leigh Whannell
Directed By: Leigh Whannell

TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD:
Street Date: May 26, 2020
Selection Number: 61210164 (US) / 61210163 (CDN)
Layers: DVD 9
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 16:9 2.39:1
Rating: Rated R for some strong bloody violence and language
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, French Canadian and Latin American Spanish
Sound: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French Canadian (Dolby Digital 5.1) and Latin American Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Run Time: 2:04:20

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY:

Street Date: May 26, 2020
Selection Number: 61210711 (US) / 61210712 (CDN)
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 16:9 2:39.1
Rating: Rated R for some strong bloody violence and language
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, French Canadian and Latin American Spanish
Sound: English (Dolby Atmos), French Canadian (Dolby Digital 5.1) and Latin American Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Run Time: 2:04:12

TECHNICAL INFORMATION 4K ULTRA HD:
Street Date: May 26, 2020
Selection Number: 61210161 (US) / 61210160 (CDN)
Layers: BD-100
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 16:9 2.39:1
Rating: Rated R for some strong bloody violence and language
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, French Canadian and Latin American Spanish
Sound: English (Dolby Atmos), French Canadian (Dolby Digital 5.1), and Latin American Spanish (Dolby Digital Plus 7.1)
Run Time: 2:04:12