Dora Reads is the book blog of a Bookish Rebel, focussed on the nerdy side of life, and providing passionate support of the Diversity Movement in all things bookish.
Mental health advocacy and Queer views abound!
Reading is awesome - and we're gonna spread it to EVERYONE! :)
It's that time of year where loads of superhero-type trailers etc. are released due to the nerd convention that is San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC).
So, since I've never stepped foot in the USA, I, like plenty of other nerds around the world, have been using the interwebs to keep up with the latest comics-related happenings.
This week's comics wrap-up is my highlights - in no way could I possibly cover all of the stuff being revealed, released, and generally yammered about, in the world of panels and capes right now!
Lots of stuff for you this week! The big companies always release lots of goodies @ San Diego Comic Con (SDCC,) so we've got some fab new trailers: a selection of which I've given you here.
There's also some other stuff that I've come across in my comics-y web-wanderings, as per usual :)
Marvel's Agents of Shield will be back soon! ...With Ghost Rider.
Yeah... I'm hoping this will work but... yeah... it's an interesting choice.
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Also in the category of 'oh God, please don't have taken this a series too far' is the up-coming series of Arrow.
I love Arrow. Like, really love it - but we've already come to several natural endings to this series. So please forgive me for being a little wary of this latest continuation.
Single Issues
This week I wrote a mini-review of The Sun Dragon's Song #1 by Joyce Chng and Kim Miranda (UK - US.)
It's a beautiful book, and a great start to the series. The artwork is truly incredible.
TV Trailers Here's Netflix's trailer for their adaptation of Marvel's Luke Cage:
Looks pretty cool. Unfortunately, I still don't have Netflix.
And before everyone starts going 'it's only x-pounds per month' let me remind you that I don't have a lot of money. And the money I do have goes on books.
Luckily, since I live in my parents' house, I mooch off of their Sky+ a lot ;)
Graphic Novels
This week I read Vertigo's First Offenses (UK - US) which is more an anthology of single issues than a graphic novel, but I'm totally putting it in this section (because I feel like it dammit!)
So, like I said, this is made up of single issues. 5 series starters from Vertigo's versatile range of devil-may-care comics:
The Invisibles #1
Fables #1
Preacher #1
Sandman Mystery Theatre #1
Lucifer #1
My favourites had to be... Preacher #1 and Lucifer #1.
Both are kind of based in subverted religious iconography - so I really don't know what that says about me! But they were pretty damned good, and I may read more of these series in the future.
All in all, a good little selection - and it really shows the quality of the Vertigo imprint :)
Other Stuff
I've just finished an excellent essay collection - Last Night, A Superhero Saved My Life (UK - US) - edited by Liesa Mignona, about how superheroes make a difference to every-day life. It's great.
Even for us unlucky folks who may very well never make it to the holiest of nerd-pilgrimage sites which isSan Diego Comic Con (SDCC,)(dude, it's expensive!) this uber-celebration of geekery is important for all of us who love the nerdy-stuffs!
And, due to the magic of the interwebs (particularly YouTube) we can share in the goodies that are the interviews, announcements, and reveals of the event.
(And there's loads of them! Yay!)
This week's wrap-up is a look at some of the awesome things coming out SDCC - not all of it though, because, dude, I'm human!
So here are my picks of the fresh vids and news of SDCC, as well as the usuals from my week faffing around the medium of comics.
Film Trailers
Second Doctor Strange trailer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
(Still can't get over Benedict Cumberbatch & that accent though.
Like when Martin Freeman was putting on a Yank accent in Captain America: Civil War.
Reckon they'll end up in a movie together? With their awkward American accents and everything... lol!)
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This teaser-type-trailer for Suicide Squad was actually released last week - but I only saw it this week, so it counts under this week's wrap-up. Because I said so. ;)
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The trailer many people were waiting for was for Wonder Woman:
I have to ask though... is that supposed to be WW1 or WW2? Because there are parts that kind of look like both to me...
Anyway, this looks like it could be pretty cool... or not. Let's hope for cool ;)
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There was also footage released of the upcoming Justice League movie.
I'm really not sure about this one... for several reasons that it would take too long to go into here but which start with Ben Affleck and the Batman costume, and move through various niggling points from there.
But what you gonna do? DC man, DC.
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And last but not least, we have the character-focussed Suicide Squad trailers which've been released over the past week, featuring Deadshot, Harley Quinn, and The Joker:
DEADSHOT
HARLEY
THE JOKER
TV Trailers
I love this trailer for Legion. Legion is an X-men character who really hasn't been explored all that much - but has so much potential.
I'm glad FX have decided to pick this up. (Though of course, I still mourn the loss of the 'Marvel's Agent Carter' series.)
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There are SPOILERS for the most recent series of Gotham in this next vid - a show-reel of the craziness we went through last series, and a glimpse of the next series to come.
If you don't watch Gotham then why the hell not?! Seriously. Go think about your life choices ;) (and then watch it.)
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There are also SPOILERS for the previous series of Arrow in this next vid:
Much as it pains me to say this - and it does pain me, of all the DC series this is one of my faves, and I'd even put it ahead of some Marvel properties (Gasp!) - I think this series has more than run its course.
I may be wrong - and lord knows I'd be happy to be - but it feels like we've actually come to not one but two natural endings over the course of the last 4 series, and now we're trying to reinvigorate something which maybe should've just been let be. #JustSaying
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Annnnnddd this vid has SPOILERS for the previous season of The Flash:
Fans: Barry, don't do the thing.
Characters: Barry, why did you even TRY to do the thing?
The forces of good storytelling: Barry, please don't do the thing, please!
Everyone: FOR GOD'S SAKE BARRY, DON'T DO THE THING.
Barry: ...Guys? ...I did the thing...
Hopefully they can fix this, and not make it too irritating while they're doing it *buries fangirling head in hands* - we live in hope.
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Some SPOILERS in this vid too, for the previous series of DC's Legends of Tomorrow:
Oh my gosh, this looks like it's going to be so GOOD! :)
One of my favourite things about Legends is that it's essentially the dregs of a bunch of DC shows cobbled together. It really shouldn't work. BUT GOD IT DOES.
*Brief interlude for me to hop about like the insane fangirl that I am*
Seriously, whoever decided to take a chance on this wacky beauty of a show - well done!
Other Stuff
I found this interview with G Willow Wilson (Ms. Marvel writer) uber-interesting - check it out:
This includes a discussion of Millar's repertoire with regards to people of colour (PoC) and female characters, as well as his track-record when it comes to inclusions of rape in storylines.
There are some very interesting points made. I don't agree with all of them, but, then, when do I ever?
I certainly understand the trepidation over Millar's potential plans with this latest character, but also think that Millar has a reputation as a boundary-pusher. No, I don't always agree with his decisions (no way, no how!) but do I think we need boundary-pushers in comics? Hell yes!
Likewise, though, we need people like Stephanie Tran to question the decisions those boundary-pushers make, and explore the repercussions of the representations they decide to portray.
So yes, I understand the trepidation and worry about what Millar may or may not do with a black female Kick-Ass, but personally I reserve judgement until we've had a chance to see what Millar actually comes up with.
Never say I don't provide you guys with variety. :)
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UK people can see a documentary - we Brits do love a good docky-wocky ;) - on 'Britain's Favourite Superhero' on Channel 4 @ 7.30pm on Saturday, 30th July.
It features Stan Lee. You have to love Stan Lee. It's the rules.
You may or may not have seen this trailer before - apparently it's been floating around for a fair few months, but I've only just got around to it/realised it was a thing so... my blog, my wrap-up, my rules ;)
It's DC, so lord knows where we could end up eventually plot-wise, but the whole 'devil-leaving-hell' thing looks pretty interesting.
Graphic Novels
This week I read Grumpy Cat Volume 1 (UK - USA ) (which collects the Misadventures of Grumpy Cat and Pokey! #1-3) - it's freaking adorable! My review will be up in early February.
Starve, Vol 1 (UK - USA)- a fantastic graphic novel about a gritty reality show, with some truly beautiful artwork - was released on Tuesday, and you can check out my review of it here.
The Suicide Squad trailer hit! (Stand by for minor fangirl moment: ohmygod!canyouseeitcanyouseetheawesomenesscanyouseeit?!?!?!OHMYGOD!!!NBFIURGHIWOR!!!! - ok, I think that's over.)
It looks pretty damn good. Jared Leto's joker man, Jared Leto's joker.
TV Trailers
Agent Carter is back, back, back! Loving the flamingo. Loving Peggy. Loving Jarvis. What's not to love?! (I will always love Peggy Carter. Always.)
Graphic Novels
My review of the graphic novel STARVE Vol 1 (UK - USA) (which I mentioned last week) was posted on Tuesday. You can read my review here.
Single Issues
Pretty Deadly #1 (UK - US) is a kind of western/cowboys type deal-y, only with a sort of supernatural element bunged in for luck (it's probably better than I'm making it sound.) There's a bunch of gore and a few naked ladies, so, y'know, it ain't one for the kids.
I thought the artwork was pretty damn good, and the story seemed to have some potential. It did take a while to get into, and the story wasn't really in full swing by the end of the issue - so probably one to read as a series-starter, rather than anything else.
Film
I reviewed Constantine (2005) on Monday - an uber-great film based on the Hellblazer graphic novels. You can read my review here.
I don't actually watch Daredevil (I don't have Netflix, dammit!) but this trailer looks pretty damned cool.
Film Trailers
This week gave us a triple dose of teasers from the incredible, impossible, Deadpool. I love Deadpool. I know I say that a lot - but it's no less true!!!!!
Film
My very first popcorn review was on suitably comic-based fare.
Batman (1989) (UK - USA) was the first of the run of Batman films, previous to Christopher Nolan's more recent Dark Knight trilogy (UK - US.)
This week I read STARVE Volume 1 (UK - US) - and oh boy, is it a doozy! Hard to summarise, but basically - wow. Never looking at chefs and reality shows the same way again!
Keep an eye out for my full review, which will be with you within the next week or two my lovely people!
I also read Adulthood is a Myth: A 'Sarah's Scribbles' Collection (UK - US)- my review for that will be posted in February (I know, I know, that feels like a million years away - but this is what happens when I read eARCs people; I loved it, I can tell you that!)
Other Stuff
I reviewed the non-fiction book Death, Disability and the Superhero by Jose Alaniz (UK - USA).
This is a study of the representation of death and disability in superhero comics (as the title implies >.< ) and you can read my full review here.
Some more Legends of Tomorrow-y goodness in preview of the spin-off series from The Flash and Arrow. Still looking good at the moment! Fingers crossed!
Movie Trailers
And then you have the Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice trailer. Which... it looks mad as a box of frogs, doesn't it?
Jesse Eisenberg is pretty cool. I live in hope for the rest. Honestly, I do - I hope it manages to pull the cat out of the bag.
Maybe though, just maybe, DC needs to calm down, and stop eating food that's past its expiration date. Then everything will be fine. (Nods and smiles reassuringly.)
Graphic Novels Sons of the Devil Volume 1 by Brian Buccellato (US link) is a gritty noir-ish graphic novel with intrigue and mystery.
A sinister cult falls apart in California in 1989. In the present, the troubled Travis is looking for answers about his past - answers that may end up affecting his life and those around him. It's really awesome. (Check out my full review for more.)
Single Issues
Moon Knight #1 (2006-2009) (US link) is a moody and atmospheric issue featuring one of Marvel's less well-known characters. The Moon Knight has a devoted fan following, but not much press outside the comic world.
There's a beautiful sadness to this issue - and a real setting-up for the rest of the series. It's pretty good, and is one for anyone who likes the darker, vigilante-type, superheroes (Daredevil, 'The Dark Knight' incarnation of Batman, etc.)
