Addams Family Trailer, My Thoughts

Sing along with me now: They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky, they're altogether ooky, the Addams Family!

In 1938, cartoonist Charles Addams introduced...the Addams Family. A series of one-panel gag strips that appeared in the pages of The New Yorker, the Addams Family were bunch of wealthy aristocrats who had a taste for the macabre. They were used as a way to satire the "ideal" American family. Addams would continue to produce strips with his creepy creations until his death in 1988. During his life, Addams produced 150 strips starring the kooky family.

However, it would be about 30 years later when the family shot to fame thanks to the original TV series, which lasted two years and ran for 64 episodes from 1964-1966. This series was the one that gave the characters their names and some of the characterizations that have lasted to this day. It's also spawned an iconic theme song that has been associated with the Family to this day, composed by the late Vic Mizzy. It also added Cousin Itt to the family. It's true! Cousin Itt was a new character that was created for this series, and he managed to stick around for other incarnations. Charles Addams would himself add Itt to the family in his strips, too.

Most of the cast of this series would reunite for the 1977 TV movie Halloween with the New Addams Family. However, most of my generation's first exposure to the Addams Family was thanks to the 1991 movie and its really good 1993 sequel. This version of the Addams Family also got a cartoon series in 1992. Fun fact: John Astin reprised his role as Gomez for this cartoon.

The Family are now making their big return to the silver screen in a CGI-animated film from MGM and United Artists! This is not their first foray into animation, though. They appeared in an episode of The New Scooby-Doo Movies in 1972, got an animated series in 1973 (which made some changes to various elements), and the previously-mentioned animated series in 1992.

So, with that out of the way, let's take a look at the trailer for this new Addams Family film!

I love the showing of all different kids of families, including LGBT+ families. Every one is different, and they all are valid. Awesome.

That's kind of a thing with the Addams Family. They're odd, they're macabre, but they are a loving family.

Now THAT is a security system!

Oscar Isaac channeling his inner Raul Julia. I can dig it.

Awww. It's nice when a loving couple find their dream home.

I love that the designs of the characters here are drawing from Charles Addams himself.

Nice to see them going back to the source.

Appropriate a film with this family come out in October.

Gomez has no problem with having a splitting headache...as long as it's administered with an axe.

Heh heh, Pennywise reference. Also digging Charlize Theron's Morticia.

Is...is Morticia a sentient bug colony in a...somewhat-human skin? Explains a lot, actually.

I like this take on the classic theme.

Heh heh, kick your father.

This Wednesday seems like a mix of the 60s series and 90s films versions of the character. The deadpan nature and taste for torture of the 90s version and the headless doll from the 60s version.

The Addams Family do not compromise when they play board games. They go all out, and all you can do is enjoy the ride.

I wonder if this is meant to hint that Pugsley will have the knock for invention like his 60s incarnation.

Wow. Her braids have nooses on the ends. That's a rather macabre detail. But that's the Addams Family for you.

Well, I have to say, I think this movie will be a ton of fun. I loved the two Addams Family movies of the early 90s, and I had some real chuckles watching this trailer. I hope we get to see some of the classic Addams satire in this film.

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Justice League Task Force #1 (June 1993)

Over its 60+ year history, the Justice League has seen many a roster change. Some of those changes can be broken down into certain eras, like the "Satellite Era", "Detroit Era", and the Justice League International Era. The JLI is one of my personal favorite incarnations of the Justice League.

Also, like many other a comic, the Justice League would get its fair share of spinoff books. In the early 1990s, the Justice League would not only have a main title, but it would also have several spinoffs: Justice League Europe (which focused on a Justice League team based in France), and Justice League Quarterly (a series published four times a year that focused on short stories starring various Justice League members). In 1993, a third spin-off would debut: Justice League Task Force.

Justice League Task Force was rather unique as it was a team with a very fluid roster. This was due to the team's purpose. You see, because of the variety of missions this group would undertake, the JLTF would call in different heroes for each mission. In fact, only two characters we meet here will be part of the team throughout its run.

The series would last 37 issues, until 1996. The writers would be as fluid as the team's roster, with Mark Waid, Peter David, Denny O'Neil, and Christopher Priest all having penned adventures for the team. The artists were a bit more stable, with Sal Velluto penciling most of the series.

There was also a video game of the same name released in 1995, but it was not based on this comic series. Instead, it used a more classic version of the League. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, etc. Funny enough, Martian Manhunter was intended to be in the game, but was cut due to the memory limitations of the SNES and Genesis (Mega Drive for all you non-North Americans out there). I think I remember playing this game back in the day. Rented it from a video store.

So with that out of the way, let's take a look at Justice League Task Force #1!

The cover is...interesting. It's a wraparound Sal Velluto piece. We get to see the members of the team and an idea of what they can do. Aquaman swims, Flash runs, and Nightwing flips. Also, we get the heads in the background like...why is Martin looking at me? And who are you talking to, Miss Bowen? What's with the pose the Martian Manhunter is doing? And why is Cindy Reynolds posing like that? The cover is also the first appearance of her second costume. It definitely looks like something Cindy just threw on one day and decided to fight crime in. Also, gotta keep it 90s with the jacket.

"The Tyranny Gun!"
Writer: David Michelinie
Penciler: Sal Velluto
Inker: Jeff Albrecht
Colorist: Glenn Whitmore
Letterer: Bob Pinaha
Editors: Brian Augustyn, Ruben Diaz
Executive Editor: Dick Giordano

The story begins with the Martian Manhunter bursting into a Canadian warehouse like a boss.

The Manhunter had been tracking the men inside this building for nearly a month. The men were part of a terrorist group that wanted to force Quebec to secede from Canada, and this warehouse was a front they used for weapons distribution. A trio of men try to shoot at J'onn with a machine gun mounted on a jeep, but get a forklift for their troubles. The leader has the owners of the warehouse hostage, and forces them to tell J'onn that he already fled. The Martian Manhunter seemingly flies away. The leader thanks them and prepares to shoot them. Can't have any witnesses that can identify him, after all. However, the leader seems to be unaware of something.

J'onn J'onzz has telepathy. He has Martian Vision. He could tell that dude was still there. The owners try to convince J'onn that they were innocent in this whole thing. He believes them, as his investigations of them showed that. He'll stick around and discuss it with the authorities.

The scene then shifts to a little island in the Caribbean known as Sanobel Island. It's a peaceful little island. Nice beaches, friendly people, plenty of places to go to have a good time. We focus on a herd of cows. Plain ol' cows, just grazing, not bothering anybody. You know, being cows. But then a strange noise is heard. It grows louder and stronger until it liquefies the cows and the grass they grazed on. Heck of a way to make a milkshake!

A group of jeeps drive up, accompanied by a flying bargain basement Iron Man. The jeeps contain a group of resistance fighters. The cows were liquefied by a new weapon provided by a man known as Count Jeremy Glass. The resistance fighters are led by a man known as Captain Rafael Sierra. He and his group are fighting a man named Enrique Ramos, who's known for being a brutal dictator.

Rafael is shocked by the destructiveness of the weapon. You see, Captain Sierra is a bit of an idealist. He wants to free his home from Ramos, but fears using this weapon will make him no better than the dictator he's fighting. His younger brother Pablo suggests that all they have to do is threaten to use it, and maybe that will make this whole war end. Rafael hopes so, but Count Glass thinks that Sierra is a dreamer...and he's going to be the wake-up call.

We shift scenes next to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. We meet Hannibal Martin, a government worker who had big ambitions. What's his ambition? The French ambassadorship. You see, Martin considers himself a bit of a foodie. As such, he dreams of being in a place with a reputation for fine cuisine. So, France. His assistant Mari Bowes reminds him he's on a diet, and warns him not to get his hopes too high about it.

Martin isn't worried, though. After all, the Foreign Office would not be calling him in if he wasn't getting the job he dreamed of for so long. Once he and Bowes arrive, he's filled in on his new assignment. Remember Sierra and his rebels? Well, it turns out that Sanobel Island is a very important ally of the USA. American interests demand that the rebellion against Ramos be crushed. They want to send the Justice League in, but...that could be rather politically awkward. Ramos is not a fan of dissent.

As such, they had another idea. They want to send in a special group of Justice Leaguers to quietly take down the rebels. A Justice League Task Force, if you will. Heh heh, I'm funny. Martin wonders why they're telling him about this. Well, that's simple. He's going to be the man in charge of this project. He's surprised by this, and tries to turn it down. However, the Foreign Office forces him to accept by hinting that turning down this assignment will hurt his chances of getting that French ambassadorship he wants so badly.

Martin is understandably furious. He's not really a fan of the superhero scene, but he's got to do this if he wants his dream job. So, he's going to give them exactly what they want. And if the superheroes in his Justice League Task Force have a problem with it, well...Martin is in no mood to be sympathetic towards them.

Back on Sanobel Island, Count Glass explains the weapon's workings to Rafael Sierra.

Sierra is worried about the weapons' effects. It could kill innocent bystanders if there's no way to narrow the death beam and make it more precise. Glass sneers at this, saying that you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs. This is war, and innocents are going to die, whether Sierra likes it or not. A man rides up to him on a motorbike, announcing government soldiers were on their way.

The government forces and soldiers engage fire. But Count Glass has another weapon: His bargain basement Iron Man named Blitz. The armored man flies up and drives away the government forces with his armor's weaponry. Blitz is feeling pretty proud of himself, but Glass reminds him that without that armor, he's just some dumb lug.

The Martian Manhunter heads home to upstate New York. Martin comes by to visit him. The wannabe-ambassador is putting together a Justice League Task Force, and he wants the Manhunter to help put this team together. Millions of lives are at stake. The scene then shifts to London two nights later. The Battersea Power Station is rocked by an explosion. Who can find the perpetrators?

Why, Justice League Europe! Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)! Power Girl! Flash (Wally West)! Dr. Light (Kimiyo Hoshi)! Elongated Man! Aquaman! and Crimson Fox (Constance and Vivian D'Aramis, likely Vivian as she tended to like the superhero life more)! They battle a rat monster, and easily dispatch it. They return to their castle headquarters, and get contacted by Martin. He tells them about the task force, and recruits Aquaman and the Flash. Wally is suspicious, but Orin convinces him that they have to go where they're needed.

The next day, we go to Manhattan's East Side. There, one Cynthia "Cindy" Reynolds, aka the illusion-casting metahuman known as Gypsy, is walking down a street in her original vagabond costume. Her outfit is getting some jeers from passersby. She sees an outfit in a clothing store, and decides that maybe it's time for a new look.

Problem is, our dear vagabond doesn't exactly have a lot of cash at the moment. But that's never stopped her. Shortly, she decides to have a little fun by posing as a mannequin. And for some reason, she uses her powers to give herself green skin. The mannequin next to her has blue skin, which is also odd. Anyway, one of the store-goers turns out to be a disguised J'onn J'onnz. She and the Martian Manhunter are old friends, as they were in the Justice League together during its Detroit days. He wants her for this special League mission.

Reynolds is reluctant, as her stint with the League ended in tragedy. You see, the Detroit Era of the Justice League ended with a villain named Professor Ivo killing two of that group's members. She was able to escape and return home, but then another supervillain, Despero, killed her parents. She would then join a group of heroes known as the Conglomerate, but it didn't work out. J'onn sympathizes, and he's offering her a way to make a living...and maybe a bit of stability. Reynolds admits he has a point...and then asks if there's a signing bonus.

Later, we go to the United Nations building. The four heroes are gathered. Martin tried to contact Batman, but the Dark Knight basically ignored his Bat-Phone. He thought it was a robocaller. He hates robocallers. But someone else has arrived in his place.

Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na! Night-wiiiiiiing!

He heard that this group needed someone with his particular set of skills. Thank Alfred for that. Martin is not so sure. Aquaman protests, as Nightwing isn't a League member. In fact, he's a Titan. This has Aquaman unsure about Nightwing's loyalties. Flash tries to defend him, which makes sense. This Flash is Wally West. He and Dick are old friends, and have worked together a lot in the past. J'onn does admit he does have a rep for grandstanding. It's a bit odd. I imagined Dick Grayson would be rather respected by many other superheroes, considering how long he's done it.

Despite this, Martin wants him on board anyway. If he can't have the Bat, he'll take the next best thing. His next announcement is going to shock the heroes: The mission Martin is sending them on is going to be protecting the dictator of Sanobel Island. They have to help him crush the rebels that re fighting to free their country from him. You can bet that'll go over well with the heroes.

This issue was not that bad, in my opinion. As a first issue, it does its job. It sets up the new team and their purpose. It also sets up a storyline that has the potential to be rather intriguing in my opinion. This is a mission that is going to force the heroes to go against something that's in their nature. How would they adapt to this? I also have to admit, I was rather amused by Martin in a bizarre way. He comes off as your typical ambitious bureaucrat, so he would make a potentially good antagonist for our heroes.

I do have a couple complaints. One is this. You see, on occasion, the comic has arranged the panels to make the reader read across two pages instead of one. It throws me off. The second is how Cindy was colored through some of the comic. I showed it in one of the panels. Why is she pink?! I mean, the cover of the comic gave her a more realistic skin tone, so why is she pink in the actual story?! Also, the idea of recruiting colorful powerhouse superheroes to do a reverse Bay of Pigs invasion is rather silly.

The art here is perfectly fine. There's worse out there. Could afford to go a bit easier on the cross-hatching, though. For the 90s, it's decent.

If you want to read this yourself, I recommend hunting down the 2018 trade paperback Justice League Task Force Vol. 1: The Purification Plague. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, spread it around! And if you want to give this blog some extra support, please drop a tip in my Digital Tip Jar! See you next time, when the Secret Wars rage on...

RAD Announcement Trailer, My Thoughts

For the last nearly twenty years, Double Fine Productions have been creating video games. My first exposure to them was with the games Brutal Legend , Costume Quest, and Iron Brigade (I played it back when it was called Trenched). I loved those games. I don't think anyone talks about those games much. A real shame.

Well, one of their newest offerings is coming to the Nintendo Switch: RAD. It tells the tale of a teenager who must travel a radioactive wasteland (Get it? Rad? Radiation?) and restore life to it. The game is a action roguelike, which usually means randomly-generated levels and permanent death of the player character. I have played a roguelike based on Doom, and I have found that rather fun. So, let's see what RAD brings to the table!

Hi, Lee!

That's great and all, but when are you guys bringing Iron Brigade, Brutal Legend, and Costume Quest to the Switch?

He didn't spoil anything, he just said the game is rad. Well, considering that I have enjoyed some of their games in the past, I can believe it.

This is the 5,834,623rd game to use the Unreal Engine.

...how do you destroy the world twice?!

Eh, I've seen worse-looking front porches where I live.

Hey, Scully the Skeleton! Get up off your bony non-existent butt and help clean this mess up! Lazy bag of bones!

Does Rad here have seeds in his shoes? Is he like Johnny Appleseed? I do hope we can customize the player character. Maybe have articles of clothing give out different bonuses?

Liking the soundtrack so far.

Tubular to the max, strange voice!

When in doubt, whack it with a bat! That's how it's done in the post-apocalyptic world.

The character can mutate into different forms, huh? I can see possibilities with that. Different forms having different abilities would be great for exploration and combat.

Snake head is awesome.

Okay, the whole laying eggs and hatching bugs with the player character's head...that seems wrong in so many ways.

Really liking the look of the game.

Well, this game seems like a lot of fun! I think I will give this a shot! I like the idea of the mutations, and travelling around trying to bring new life to a nearly-dead world. I have enjoyed the fan-made Doom roguelike, so I think I'll give this a try. I hope there's a demo.

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Joker Trailer, My Thoughts

One of DC Comics' most iconic supervillains is returning to live-action film! This time, it will be Joaquin Phoenix donning the makeup of...the Joker! Yes, the Joker is getting his own live-action movie!

This film is rather unique as it will not be a part of the DC Extended Universe. Indeed, Joker is intended to be the first in a series of films that focus on various characters from the DC Universe, but are all intended to be their own separate thing. Basically, this is DC taking their "Elseworlds" concept to film. I will give my thought on that later. But for right now. Let's take a look at this trailer!

The year is 1981. Ronald Reagan is sworn in as the 40th President of the United States, beginning his first of two terms. The first DeLorean rolls off the production lines in Northern Ireland. Future Captain America Chris Evans is born. Bill Haley of the Comets dies. Jenette Kahn becomes president of DC Comics. Superman meets Spider-Man and Batman meets the Increidble Hulk. Basically, it was a big year.

Meet Arthur Fleck, wannabe stand-up comedian. He's going to have One. Bad. Day. Based on that look on his face. He should talk to someone about it. I've heard theories his name is meant to be a nod to Ben Affleck (A. Fleck. Get it?), but I think it's a coincidence.

Gray skies are going to clear up...put on a happy face...

So, he's reduced to being an ad. To be fair, I can imagine twirling signs like that takes some skill.

Now that's just not cricket.

Did...did he also get kicked in the nards? I'm guessing this is Arthur's one bad day.

Is it just me, or is there something messed up with Joaquin Phoenix's arm and shoulder there?

Future Harley Quinn?

Welcome to Arkham State Hospital, Art! You're going to be living there!

"I swear to God, if that guy doesn't shut up about the worms in his brain..."

I like the idea of the Joker being portrayed as this tragic figure, slowly going mad not necessarily because of a single bad day, but because of the world around him.

Seeing the people in his makeup facing off against the cops is interesting. I would love it if this film deconstructed the idea of people admiring the Joker while glossing over the fact that the guy is a major villain.

I have to admit, Joaquin's Joker look is really cool. He's still a bad guy, though.

This is...interesting. I have to admit, a part of me is wondering what the point of this movie is. After all, it's a movie focusing on a DC character...that is not connected to the DC Extended Universe. Why do this? But then again, what's the point of making any movie, am I right? I think there is an interesting film here. I like that there was no grand speeches about chaos. He's just a man going mad, convinced the world is a gigantic joke.

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5th Anniversary!

Today, we celebrate a special occasion here on this blog! Today, we celebrate the blog's 5th Anniversary!

I started this blog on my 30th birthday out of boredom. Back then, I never imagined that I'd still be writing in this blog after 5 years and over 650 entries. Life is funny like that.

As I have said in the past, one of my inspirations was the long-passed blog known as Dave's Long Box. His blog lasted four years and got over 550 entries. I'm still chugging along and after five years, and I think I'll make it towards 700 entries before I know it.

I want to thank everyone who has read and supported this blog over the last five years, and I hope that you all continue to read and support this blog in the future. I still have some stuff in the works. I have another comic review on the way, and I am working on the latest entry in my Text Play through the fan game Pokémon Mega Adventure. Once I am done with that game, I have a couple more Pokémon fan games in mind. I also wouldn't mind

As for the future? Well, honestly...I want to just keep chugging along on this blog. I will be continuing my look at the Secret Wars miniseries throughout the year. I am excited for Avengers: Endgame, and Shazam! looks pretty good. I can't wait to write about those.

Thanks again to all of you out there who enjoyed this blog! I hope you all continue to support it in the future!

Cadence of Hyrule Trailer, My Thoughts

In 2018, Canadian game studio Brace Yourself Games brought their game Crypt of the NecroDancer to the Nintendo Switch after it traveled to computers, PS4, Vita, and Xbox One. A roguelike rhythm game, it told the tale of Cadence, the daughter of a treasure hunter who goes on a quest to find him.

Evidently, Cadence's search has taken her to the magical land of Hyrule. That's right, we got a crossover! Crossovers have always been rather popular in video games since the first time Marvel's X-Men brawled with Capcom's Street Fighter crew. And now, Cadence will be dancing her way to Hyrule in...Cadence of Hyrule. Title says all you need to know. Let's take a look at the trailer!

By the way, you may have noticed the blog got a minor bit of a facelift. Yeah, fifth anniversary is coming, so I want to play with the blog's look a bit.

Ohhh, Cadence should've taken that left turn at Albuquerque.

I do like the graphical style. It feels like it could have been a mainline Zelda game from back in the day. Everything has a Link to the Past-vibe to it.

Kind of weird seeing gears in Hyrule.

I think they've got some nods to other Zelda games here. That gear machine may be a nod to Breath of the Wild, the wolf may be a nod to Twilight Princess, I would not be surprised if that was the case.

OH MY GOD, THAT'S TAL TAL HEIGHTS! Makes sense that song would be here, as there is a Link's Awakening remake in the works. I love this remix! They need to release this as a single!

You can play as Link...AND Zelda?! Sweet!

Zelda's got a spear! Neat! I wonder if she can still use magic! She traditionally is depicted as a magic user.

I love seeing the Bokogoblins dance!

Armos Knights Rock! That is all.

This game...I'm getting this! I am SOOOO getting this! I want this game! Hurry it up and put it out already! Give it to me! I want to see this done with other games! I want a Mario one! I want a StarFox one! I want a Yoshi one! Give these to me!

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April Fool's Day

Hope everyone had a good April Fool's Day today, and didn't get pranked too badly!