Monthly Archives: February 2017
Swamp Thing Explained
Not only was the monstrous DC hero Swamp Thing included in the roster for the 2017 fighting game Injustice 2, he's now got his own live-action series on the DC Universe streaming app. Now, more than ever, it's important to familiarize yourself with Swamp Thing.
Luckily, we're here to help. Here's everything you need to know about the roots of this character (pun intended) and the role he plays in the larger DCU.
Note: This story has been updated to reflect the latest news about the Swamp Thing TV show. Read our Swamp Thing series premiere review.
Swamp Thing: The Basics
Quest for a Free Zelda Pin at Barnes and Noble Bookstores
Starting next week, Barnes & Noble will run a special event across select stores to celebrate the upcoming release of Dark Horse's hardcover art book The Legend of Zelda: Arts and Artifacts.
According to Dark Horse's announcement, participants will receive a map that will direct them around the bookstore as they answer various trivia questions, and those who are able complete the event will receive a Triforce pin and photo opportunity as a reward.
The Legend of Zelda: Arts and Artifacts Barnes & Nobel event map
Battlefield 1 Winter Update Raises Class Level Cap
Battlefield 1's Winter Update will increase class ranks, bring back combat ribbons, and more, developer DICE has announced.
There will now be 20 different combat ribbons to collect, which "are designed to promote good teamplay and playing the objective," according to DICE. Each ribbon will award players with 300 XP. The Winter Update will also increase class ranks from 10 to 50, awarding players with a Battlepack every 10 levels, unlockable dog tags, and "some extra nice Class flair in the kill card" after achieving rank 50.
In addition, Elite Codices are now available for eight of the primary weapons in the game. After getting 500 more kills with a particular weapon, players will be awarded 25,000 bonus XP and an Elite Codex.
New Actor Takes Over R2-D2 Role in The Last Jedi
Actor Jimmy Vee succeeds the late Kenny Baker in the role of droid R2-D2 in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Vee announced in a statement today.
Variety reports that Vee actually performed some of R2-D2's scenes in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, although final credit went to Baker, who had played the beloved droid in the previous six Star Wars films. Baker died in August 2016.
Today's official statement confirms reports of Vee's involvement in The Last Jedi that go all the way back to September 2015.
Vaughn to Play ’80s Wrestling Star in The Rock’s Paige Movie
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's WWE Paige movie has added another cast member.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Vince Vaughn (Hacksaw Ridge) is the latest to join Fighting With My Family, and is set to star as a famous 1980s wrestling star. Johnson took to Instagram to share the news, saying Vaughn's character is someone "who I know all too well and those of you who follow wrestling history know well too," and "who squandered his money and opportunities."
"One bad decision after another, but these days he owns his past actions and does everything he can to give back to the wrestling business he loves," Johnson said.
Deathstroke Battles the Teen Titans in ‘The Lazarus Contract’
Deathstroke looks to be intent on reclaiming his mantle as the number one threat to the Teen Titans. This week DC revealed that this rivalry will be rekindled in a new crossover storyline called "The Lazarus Contract."
As revealed by Comics Alliance, "The Lazarus Contract" will play out in four comics shipping in May - Titans #11, Teen Titans #8, Deathstroke #19 and Teen Titans Annual: The Lazarus Contract #1. All four issues will feature covers from artist Mike McKone that combine to form one giant montage of Titans vs. Deathstroke goodness. Check it out below:
The Lazarus Contract cover montage by Mike McKone. (DC Comics)
Feud: See the Trailer for Ryan Murphy’s Next FX Series
FX has released a new trailer for Ryan Murphy's latest limited series, Feud.
The footage promptly features some of the show's main characters, including Joan Crawford (Jessica Lange) and Bette Davis (Susan Sarandon), as well as a brief plot synopsis and a look at the show's stunning cinematography, and set and costume design. Check out the trailer below.
Feud tells the story of the well-known rivalry between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford during their collaboration on the Oscar-nominated thriller, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, and what actually happened between the two actresses after the cameras stopped rolling.
The series also stars Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stanley Tucci, and Alfred Molina. It premieres on Sunday, March 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX.
Batwoman’s New Comic Takes Her to ‘A Gorgeous Hive of Scum and Villainy’
With Batwoman: Rebirth #1 hitting stores tomorrow and setting up the solo adventures of Kate Kane in a brand new series, we talked to writer Marguerite Bennett about what to expect about the comic she's making with co-writer James Tynion IV and artist Steve Epting.
When DC Rebirth launched last year, Detective Comics saw Batman bring on Batwoman to be the co-leader of a black-ops team featuring Gotham’s next generation of heroes. The first story arc “Rise of the Batmen” wound up being incredibly personal to Batwoman as she found out her father was behind the latest evil plot to take down Gotham.
There was also the “Night of the Monster Men” crossover that, at its conclusion, left giant monster bodies piled up on the streets of Gotham, bodies containing the dangerous “Monster Venom” chemical that can be used to make even more monsters. Batwoman’s new series picks up on this thread as Batwoman must find out who is behind the new monster drug trade. The series will also flash back to the “lost years” in her life between when she was kicked out of the military for being a lesbian and when she first became Batwoman.
Superstore Renewed for Season 3
Superstore, the workplace comedy series starring America Ferrera, has been renewed by NBC for a third season.
Season 3 will span 22 episodes and serves as the second show among NBC's comedy lineup to get an early renewal. Just last month the network announced that The Good Place will be back with a 13-episode second season.
Colton Dunn, Ben Feldman, America Ferrera and Lauren Ash in Superstore
NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke expressed the networks pride in the show, calling Superstore "one of the smartest and funniest comedies" currently on television. "Through the show's expertly drawn characters, our producers and cast do a remarkable job touching on many issues in which audiences can relate," Salke said. "To its credit, not only does Superstore make us laugh, but it makes us think as well."
Live-Action Mulan Gets a Director
Disney may have found the director for its upcoming live-action remake of Mulan.
Variety reports that Niki Caro (Whale Rider, The Zookeeper's Wife) is in talks to helm the film.
Jurassic World and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes co-writers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver are working on the screenplay for Mulan, based on a spec script by Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin. Disney has fast-tracked production, with Mulan set to open in theaters on November 2, 2018.
Disney's next upcoming live-action film is Beauty and the Beast, which opens March 17.