Author: Maurice Mitchell

Superman (1978) Superman / Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve), Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) Margot Kidder, 69, the vivacious actress who played the fierce Lois Lane in Superman movies has died. Kidder’s rep, Camilla Fluxman Pines, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that she died Sunday, May 13, 2018, at her home in Livingston, Montana. She died in her sleep, but no cause of death has been announced. Margot Kidder’s best known as reporter Lois Lane in the Christopher Reeve Superman films “Superman”, “Superman II”, “Superman III” and “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace”. Director Richard Donner said it was love at first sight when…

Read a couple of letter pages that show how far comic book fans have (and haven’t) come as two fans rail on the ethnically diverse cast of characters. Back before the Internet and social media, the only way for fans to reach large groups of other fans was via the letter page. The fan would write a letter. Put it in the mail. Send it to the publishers and hope the editor decides to publish it. Comic book letter columns were also called letter columns (or lettercols), letter pages, letters of comment (LOCs), or simply letters to the editor have a…

Avengers: Infinity War (2018) – Peter Parker / Spider-Man (Tom Holland), Tony Stark / Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), Peter Quill / Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Mantis (Pom Klementieff) Walt Disney’s “Avengers: Infinity War” stayed in the number one spot for the third week. It made only 46% over its second week to make $61.8 million domestically for a box office gross of $548 million and a worldwide total of $1.607 billion. It’s hard to overstate the success of the movie. “Infinity War” now has the second largest opening in China ever behind “Monster Hunt 2”.…

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover) Hello! What have we here? The social media ban on “Solo: A Star Wars Story” has lifted and positive reactions are pouring in. I already listed a bunch of reasons the latest “Star Wars” spin-off movie will bomb. But there’s one thing I didn’t take into account. If it’s well-done then the movie will do well. Case closed. So, what do the early reactions to “Solo: A Star Wars Story” point to? Here are some of the reactions from “perfectly captures…the Star Wars franchise” to “fun”. #Solo feels surprisingly unlike…

The Incredible Hulk #716 cover by Greg Land Find out the top 10 comics featuring ethnic characters or talent this week. Batman: White Knight #8 Publisher: DC Comics Writer: Sean Murphy Artist: Sean Murphy Cover Artist: Sean Murphy Summary: In the extra-sized finale of Sean Murphy’s top-selling miniseries, Jack Napier’s suspicious seduction of Gotham City comes to its twisted conclusion! With the city on the verge of becoming an icy tomb for the… On Sale: May 9th, 2018 Price: $4.99 Buy Batman: White Knight 8& on Comixology Detective Comics #980 Publisher: DC Comics Writer: James Tynion IV Artist: Raul Fernandez,…

“Raising Dion” short film Black geek culture is facing a new renaissance with black-created movies like “Black Panther” breaking records and black superheroes getting more attention than ever before. Recently Ashley Nkadi wrote a piece for The Root entitled “A Guide to Fantasy and Science Fiction Made for Black People, by Black People” and it’s an amazing list. From short films like “The Forever Tree” and “Raising Dion” to books like “Redemption in Indigo” and comics like “Legend of the Mantamaji”, you can spend hours exploring the majesty of the culture. It’s well worth your time to read it and even better to…

Kendall and Ross Robbins with Kai Leia and Rowan Luke Robbins “Star Wars” fans name twins born on “Star Wars Day” Luke and Leia. The force will be with these kids. Always. When Kendall and Ross Robbins, fans of the movies, had twins born on May 4, 2018, they had to name them after the most famous twins in the “Star Wars” universe. They named the fraternal twins Kai Leia and Rowan Luke. The middle names are a reference to Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). Kai Leia and Rowan Luke were born at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden,…

Erik “Killmonger” Stevens, played by Michael B. Jordan, has the most tragic back-story in MCU history but it just got sadder. He grew up in the streets of Oakland California and his father was killed after the king of Wakanda, discovered he betrayed Wakanda. This left him a fatherless boy nursing a grudge and vowing revenge against the African nation. But what about his mother? We know from the movie that N’Jobu (Sterling K. Brown) falls in love with a woman in Oakland and they have a child. It’s N’Jonu’s love for Erik’s mother that makes him decide that Wakanda…

Avengers: Infinity War (2018) Thanos (Josh Brolin) No surprise. Marvel and Walt Disney’s “Avengers: Infinity War” held onto the number one spot in it’s the second weekend. It lost about 56% compared to its opening weekend to make $112.5 million for a domestic box office gross of $451 million and a worldwide total of $1.16 billion. At eleven weeks it’s the fastest movie to achieve $1 billion in movie history. The Russo Brother’s beat other Marvel movies like the previous Avengers films, “Iron Man 3” and “Black Panther”. For those keeping track here’s the list of movies that have passed…

The blockbuster success of the “Black Panther” movie has turned a spotlight on African culture and the legacy of the continent. Many are searching for unique and exciting explorations of that history. So, it’s great that a couple of entrepreneurs have created an exciting and intriguing comic book series focusing on ancient Egypt. Manuel Godoy, Comic Book Creator and Co-Publisher of Black Sands Entertainment, agreed to give us an exclusive interview about his company. Maurice Mitchell: For those aren’t familiar, please explain who you are and what inspired you to make a comic book company. Manuel Godoy: My name is Manuel Godoy…

Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – Leia (Carrie Fisher), Han Solo (Harrison Ford) Here are all the greatest lines in the “Star Wars” movies that weren’t in the script. Today is “Star Wars Day” (“May the Fourth Be With You) and we’re celebrating with a new list. The “Star Wars” movies have some classic and quotable lines. Sometimes it’s because the screenwriter spent hours or days crafting the perfect line or moment. Other times it’s a last minute decision on the set. This is a list of the greatest lines in the “Star Wars” live-action movies that weren’t…

Yesterday DC finally announced more details on its upcoming streaming service. Here’s everything we know so far. 1. DC Universe The name of the streaming service is called “DC Universe”. Not to be confused with the cinematic universe. It’s described by DC as “a first-of-its-kind, immersive digital experience designed just for DC fans. One of the many incredible things your membership will include is unlimited access to the following exclusive original series”. They haven’t clarified exactly what an “immersive digital experience” means. 2. Young Justice: Outsiders This 26 episode animated series is a follow-up to the popular Nickelodeon show that ran for two seasons.…

Rise of the Black Panther #5 cover by Brian Stelfreeze Find out the top 11 comics featuring ethnic characters or talent this week. Astonishing X-Men #11 Publisher: Marvel Comics Writer: Charles Soule Artist: Ron Garney Cover Artist: Greg Land, Leinil Francis Yu Summary: XAVIER VERSUS PROTEUS! In the penultimate issue of this high-stakes X-Men story, PROTEUS and CHARLES XAVIER face off in a psychic battle for the ages with nothing less than the fate of all free-thinking people at stake…. On Sale: May 2nd, 2018 Price: $3.99 Buy Astonishing X-Men 11& on Comixology Captain America #701 Publisher: Marvel Comics Writer:…

Black Panther (2018) – W’Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya), Okoye (Danai Gurira) “Black Panther” is a movie that has moved millions of audiences around the world, but the movie could have been even more powerful. A powerful scene with Okoye (Danai Gurira) and W’Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya) arguing in the Tribal Council Room about the future of Wakanda was cut. Director Ryan Coogler was sorry to cut it but it’s now online. Watch it below thanks to USA Today. One subplot from the film is the romance between warriors Okoye (Danai Gurira) and W’Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya). The marriage got some screen-time but culminated in a powerful…

Read on to find out everything you need to know about Goliath. In the newest trailer for “Ant-man and the Wasp” we meet Laurence Fishbourne. He talks about the “Goliath Project” and growing. Who is he and what does he have to do with the MCU? 1. Who is Goliath? Bill Foster is one of Marvel’s first major African American heroes. Dr. Bill Foster is a scientist and former researcher with Hank Pym the original Giant-Man. Foster later also becomes takes on the name “Giant-Man”. Dr. Foster was created by Stan Lee and Don Heck in The Avengers #32 (1966) .In the…

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) Hope van Dyne / The Wasp (Evangeline Lilly), Scott Lang / Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) The new trailer for “Ant-Man and the Wasp” has arrived and it’s a big deal. Marvel Studios has released the newest trailer for “Ant-Man 2”, known as “Ant-Man and the Wasp” and it’s just as fun, crazy and mind-blowing as the original. Watch it below: 1. Scott and his Daughter The movie opens with his daughter Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson) sitting in her room. She knows he’s the superhero Ant-Man and wants to help people too. In the comics, Cassie becomes…

Audiences assembled worldwide for Walt Disney’s “Avengers: Infinity War” and crushed James Cameron’s hopes for “Avengers fatigue”. The Russo brothers’ movie opened in the number one spot and broke all kinds of records. It made $258.2 million domestically and $380,000,000 internationally for a worldwide total of $630 million. Current estimates have it beating the $247.96 million opening weekend of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”. Amazingly, in just three days, “Avengers: Infinity War” has become the first movie to earn $250 mil. That’s the biggest opening weekend of all time (second to “The Force Awakens” if you adjust for inflation). So, for…

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays the villain Black Manta in the upcoming “Aquaman” movie and he says it’s his biggest role.”It was a huge role,” he told Access at CinemaCon2018. “This will be, to date, my biggest role. I’m so excited. I have a lot of fun playing quote unquote villains because I think the bad guys get to have more fun, right?” The best villains are ones that don’t see themselves that way so this is exciting.Black Manta is a DC Comics character that first appeared over 50 years ago. The character was a major player in several animated…

S.J. Clarkson is reportedly hired to direct the sequel to “Star Trek: Beyond”. She’ll be the first female director in the franchise history. Yesterday Paramount confirmed they’re working on two more movies in the “Star Trek” franchise. According to Variety, the studio has hired S. J. Clarkson to direct the next film. While details are scarce they did confirm that Chris Hemsworth will appear in the movie. He’ll be reprising his role from “Star Trek” (2009) as James Kirk’s father George. He sacrificed himself battling the rogue Romulans led by Nero. It’s rumored that the movie will be a time travel story…

Star Trek Beyond (2016) – Montgomery ‘Scotty’ Scott (Simon Pegg), Jaylah (Sofia Boutella), Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) Paramount has confirmed that they’re working on two upcoming “Star Trek” movies and a sequel to “A Quiet Place”. According to The Hollywood Reporter Paramount CEO Jim Gianopulos teased the news at CinemaCon 2018. First, Gianopulos confirmed they’re working on a sequel to the sleeper horror hit “A Quiet Place”. Considering the movie is number one at the box office it’s not a huge surprise. “If you told me five years ago that an almost silent film starring the very funny…

“The Avengers” #690 cover by Mark Brooks Find out the top 8 comics featuring ethnic characters or talent this week. This week features the grand return of Devil Dinosaur and Tony Stark. Plus, the grand ending of the Avengers “No Surrender” story arc. Check it out! The Avengers #690 Publisher: Marvel Comics Writer: Mark Waid, Al Ewing, Jim Zub Artist: Paco Medina Cover Artist: Mark Brooks Summary: “NO SURRENDER” REACHES ITS FINALE! THE AVENGERS WEEKLY EPIC CONCLUDES! The battle is over, and those left standing in the rubble have to find a way to move forward. As an era of…

Wonder Woman (2017) Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) Patty Jenkins just confirmed the rumor that “Wonder Woman 2” takes place in the 1980s. In a video shown at CinemaCon director Patty Jenkins reportedly confirmed that the “Wonder Woman” movie sequel will be a period piece set in the 80s. While she never mentioned plot elements it’s assumed the movie has Diana Prince fighting the Soviet Union. The 1980s were the height of the Cold War and it would fit the theme of her fighting a powerful enemy. In “Wonder Woman” she fought a similar nation at war against the Germans. The Russians…

Kevin Feige says we’ll find out the next slate of Marvel Studio films at San Diego Comic-Con next year. We don’t know much about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige recently spoke to Den of Geek and answered the question. “We won’t do anything until after this time next year,” Feige said. “After that, I think we’ll announce where we’re going. But we did a very big announcement in 2014 where we announced a lot of movies, and we added a few movies to it after that announcement. But it really felt important…

“Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors” – Peter Parker and Miles Morales Tom Holland accidentally confirms that Miles Morales is in the MCU and they “team up”. Holland, who plays Peter Parker / Spider-Man in Avengers: Infinity War was in an interview with Benedict Cumberbatch who plays Doctor Strange. The host Xilla “The Extraordinary Xilla” Valentine asks if we’ll ever see Miles Morales in the MCU (0:45 min). Watch the video embedded from Twitter below: I mentioned @waterpharks reply to @alicepleasancel tweet during my interview with @TomHolland1996 & #BenedictCumberbatch He proved he does indeed have lips. Oh yeah Tom explained #MilesMorales to…

Last night, at CinemaCon, the three villains for “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” were revealed as Ultimate versions of Green Goblin, the Kingpin, and The Prowler. The upcoming computer-animated movie starring Shameik Moore (“The Get Down”) as Miles Morales aka Spider-Man. Last night JoBlo announced the news via Twitter. Villains seen in the trailer: Ultimate version Green Goblin, The Prowler and Kingpin. #SpiderManIntoTheSpiderverse #CinemaCon — JoBlo.com (@joblocom) April 24, 2018 The villains aren’t a complete surprise but it is interesting to see how the movie will juggle the three villains. We know Mahershala Ali (“Moonlight”) provides the voice of Miles’ uncle Aaron Davis a burglar…

John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place” moved from number two last week back to number one despite several high-profile movies opening. It lost about 33% to make $22 million last weekend for a domestic box office gross of $132 million and a worldwide total of $207 million. The Rock’s action flick “Rampage” dropped one position to the number two spot by a hair. It lost about 41% to make $21 million for a domestic box office gross of $67 million and a worldwide total of $283 million. Warner Bros.’ “Ready Player One” dropped two spots to number six but stayed in the top…

James Cameron James Cameron is a legendary director who’s created hits like “The Terminator,” “Aliens,” “Avatar,” and “Titanic,” which have grossed billions. He’s also known as a tyrannical director who almost drowned Ed Harris and traumatized Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio while filming “The Abyss”. Here are some of the most egotistical and clueless things James Cameron has said over the years. 1. “Wait a minute, I’m going to call up William Shakespeare and ask why Romeo and Juliet had to die!” When James Cameron was asked (for the umpteenth time) why Jack didn’t just climb on the door to save himself at the end…

Thor (2011) Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) Natalie Portman used to be one of the biggest actors in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Her role as Jane Foster was inspiring to women everywhere. Then, suddenly, she disappeared. Then, just as suddenly, she was back. Whatever happened to Natalie Portman in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Why did she disappear and why did she come back? Here are all the reasons Thor’s girlfriend Jane Foster wasn’t in Thor: Ragnarok but will be in Thor: Love and Thunder. Portman Won an Oscar Natalie Portman has an interesting career. Before “Thor”, her best-known role was…

Skyward #1 cover by Lee Garbett Find out the top 19 comics featuring ethnic characters or talent this week. Booster Gold screws up Batman. Superman gets two epic celebrations. Superb is on point. 1. Action Comics #1000 Publisher: DC Comics Writer: Various Artist: Various Cover Artist: Various Summary: Celebrate 1000 issues of Action Comics with an all-star lineup of top talent as they pay tribute to the comic that started it all! From today’s explosive action to a previously unpublished tale illustrated by the legendary… On Sale: Apr 18th, 2018 Price: $7.99 Buy Action Comics 1000& on Comixology 2. Antar…

Disney just hired Victoria Mahoney (“Yelling to the Sky”) to be the second unit director on the untitled “Star Wars: Episode IX” movie. She’s the first African-American woman to direct a Star Wars film. The news was announced by Ava DuVernay on her personal Instagram account saying “Happy to share this historic news. A black woman directing stories in a galaxy far, far away”. Happy to share this historic news. A black woman directing stories in a galaxy far, far away. First unit director #JJAbrams. Second unit director @VictoriaMahoney. #StarWarsE9 #StarWars #MyPeople A post shared by Ava DuVernay (@ava) on Apr…