Why this ‘American Sikh’ Cosplays as Captain America

September 17, 2021September 17, 2021 Swara Ahmed

Animator and cosplayer Vishavjit Singh has experienced tremendous trauma in his life. He survived a genocide against Sikh people in India as a young boy, and after he and his family fled to the US, he’s constantly experienced racism and Islamophobia (despite not being Muslim) in the pre- and post-9/11 era. Despite all of this, he remains an optimist for people to treat each other better, and found through his regular cosplaying as Captain America that he could somehow achieve that. But what drew him to this initially?

Comics, Streaming2 Comments

Abubakr Ali Cast as Titular Anti-Hero for Netflix’s ‘Grendel’

September 14, 2021September 15, 2021 Swara Ahmed

Middle East and North African (MENA) and Muslim people have had scant options when it comes to the superhero genre or comic book adaptations generally. Arab and Persian people in particular have most often been vilified in popular media through the decades. But this is thankfully starting to change, such as with the Tarazi siblings on DC’s Legends of Tomorrow for Persian people, but perhaps now for Arab people with the news from Deadline that Netflix is developing a Grendel series, based on Matt Wagner’s comic series of the same name, and has cast The CW’s Katy Keene star and Abubakr Ali in the starring role!

Books, Interview, Sci Fi1 Comment

Author Katrina Olan Discusses the Making of Mecha-Centric Sci-Fi Novel, ‘Tablay’

August 27, 2021August 27, 2021 Lauren Lola

In the fall of 2019, sci-fi and comics fans in the Philippines were transported to the 22^nd century in Katrina Olan’s novel, Tablay. War has been raging for generations between the Philippine Mech Force and hostile machine life called aswangs. When a mecha pilot finds out that the enemy is creating a super weapon of drastic proportions, she and her partner must find a way to stop it before it is too late.

Cosplay, Fandom, Interview

‘Superhero Diaries’ Cast and Creator Talk New YouTube Series

July 26, 2021July 26, 2021 Jamal Michel

Superhero Diaries had its soft launch in early 2021, with advance episodes produced during the height of the pandemic. It quickly became clear that talent would need to record alone and only work together via green screen and editing and yet they were still able to put together webseries gold. With its official debut, the fantastic satire series is now able to bring actors together on-set, to parody the multiverse galaxies, in ways that could never actually happen but do.

Marvel, Movies

Marvel Taps ‘Mogul Mowgli’ Director Bassam Tariq to Direct ‘Blade’

July 19, 2021July 19, 2021 Jamal Michel

Today, Deadline broke the exclusive news that Marvel is set to choose Mogul Mowgli director Bassam Tariq to direct the new ‘Blade’ film starring Mahershala Ali. Sources close to Deadline say that while deal hasn’t been finalized, it does come at the end of a fairly long and considerate search for the film’s director. When the deal is officially inked, Tariq will become Marvel’s sixth director of color, rounding out the list of his contemporaries that include Ryan Coogler, Chloé Zhao, and Taika Waititi.

Comics, Fantasy

Bestselling Writer and Producer Mark Millar to Release ‘The Magic Order’ Sequel

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021 Jamal Michel

Bestselling writer and producer Mark Millar (Jupiter’s Legacy, Kingsman: The Secret Service) makes a triumphant return with The Magic Order 2, expanding on the the magical world he created as a live-action Netflix series in this second volume of the comic book adaptation. Olivier Coipel (Amazing Spider-Man, Thor) was recruited to draw the first volume and delivered some of the best work of his career. This time around, legendary artist Stuart Immonen (Empress, Star Wars, New Avengers) will be in the chair of the highly-anticipated sequel. The Magic Order 2 #1 will launch this October from Image Comics.

Comics, Video Games

Blizzard Announces Afua Richardson Comic Covers and ‘Overwatch’ Rewards for Their 30th Anniversary

June 24, 2021June 25, 2021 Jamal Michel

With the recent launch of Cross-Play for Overwatch across PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, Blizzard Entertainment also announced that Ashe’s Deadlock Challenge is now live across all platforms. Additionally, if gamers play and watch Overwatch from June 22 to July 5, they have the opportunity to earn sweet rewards, including the new Legendary Ashe and B.O.B. Skin.

Comics, Marvel

Marvel Celebrates Miles Morales’ 10th Anniversary with Variant Covers

June 23, 2021June 23, 2021 Adonis Gonzalez

Like most folk, I’m not too keen on reminders of my ever-increasing age. But this one, well, it’s not too bad of a milestone reminder.

Miles Morales, Marvel’s best Spider-Man, debuted nearly 10 years ago! You read that right, it’s been almost a decade since Miles inherited the Spidey title from Peter Parker and immediately one upped the kid from Queens.

Comics, Interview, Marvel

A Talk with ‘Reptil’ Writer Terry Blas about Marvel’s Shelf-Slashing New Series

May 26, 2021June 11, 2021 Adonis Gonzalez

Let’s admit it, we all went through weird, unexplainable phases as children. Some of us really loved cartoons, some of us collected Pokemon cards, and if you were like me, you were really into dinosaurs. Perhaps even a bit too much into them.

Comics, Interview, Streaming, Television

NOC Interview: Josh Duhamel Discusses His New Series, ‘Jupiter’s Legacy’

May 7, 2021May 15, 2021 Sophia Soto

Josh Duhamel stars as Sheldon Sampson, aka The Utopian, on Netflix’s Jupiter’s Legacy, which premieres on May 7. Based on the graphic novels by Mark Millar and Frank Quitely, the new superhero show spans decades and showcases the complicated dynamics of family, power, and loyalty.

Comics, Interview, Television

NOC Interview: Leslie Bibb Discusses Netflix’s ‘Jupiter’s Legacy’

May 6, 2021May 6, 2021 Sophia Soto

Leslie Bibb stars as Grace Sampson aka Lady Liberty in Netflix’s newest series, Jupiter’s Legacy. The show drops on May 7 and is based on the graphic novels by Mark Millar and Frank Quitely. The new superhero drama spans decades while showcasing the complicated dynamics of family, power, and loyalty.

Comics, Interview, Television

NOC Interview: Mike Wade and Tenika Davis Talk Netflix’s ‘Jupiter’s Legacy’

May 5, 2021May 5, 2021 Sophia Soto

Mike Wade plays Fitz Small aka The Flare and Tenika Davis portrays Petra Small aka The Flare II in Netflix’s Jupiter’s Legacy, which premieres on May 7. The new superhero series is based on the graphic novels by Mark Millar and Frank Quitely, spanning decades while showcasing the complicated dynamics of family, power, and loyalty.

Comics, Interview, Television

NOC Interview: Matt Lanter and Ben Daniels on All Things ‘Jupiter’s Legacy’

May 4, 2021May 4, 2021 Sophia Soto

Matt Lanter plays George Hutchence and Ben Daniels portrays Walter Sampson on Jupiter’s Legacy, which hits Netflix on May 7. Based on the graphic novels by Mark Millar and Frank Quitely, the new superhero show spans decades and showcases the complicated dynamics of family, power, and loyalty.

Comics, Interview, Streaming, Television

NOC Interview: Elena Kampouris, Ian Quinlan, and Andrew Horton on ‘Jupiter’s Legacy’

May 3, 2021May 15, 2021 Sophia Soto

Elena Kampouris, Andrew Horton, and Ian Quinlan are the next generation to bear their superhero parents’ legacy and extraordinary public reputations. The new superhero drama spans decades and showcases the complicated dynamics of family, power, and loyalty. Jupiter’s Legacy, which is based on the graphic novels by Mark Millar and Frank Quitely, premieres on May 7 on Netflix.

Comics, Movies, Streaming, Television

AAPI Supernatural Recommendations for Fans of Disney’s ‘So Weird’

May 3, 2021June 11, 2021 Lauren Lola

It’s been well documented that I am a fan of the ‘90’s Disney Channel original series, So Weird; a paranormal drama that balances out both the supernatural and tender-hearted moments of a grieving family. But when you’ve watched the same episodes over and over again, you can’t help but ache for something new, but with a similar vibe. To balance out the desire of also wanting to see more stories created by and starring people that look more like you can make for a grand adventure.

DC Comics, Interview, Television

A Talk With Real Life Hero Nicole Maines, aka Dreamer on ‘Supergirl’

April 27, 2021June 11, 2021 Adonis Gonzalez

The strength of a hero is not just defined by their powers. Who they are, outside of those uncomfortable looking tights, is just as important. A hero with a strong sense of character has the ability to do what’s right, and turn their long and difficult journey into a message of hope for everyone who sees them. With that being the case, Nicole Maines is just as much a superhero offscreen as she is on.

Comics, News

Image and Skybound Announce Charity Variant Covers For AAPI Heritage Month

April 8, 2021April 8, 2021 Patrick Strange

PORTLAND, Ore. 04/08/2021 — Skybound Entertainment announced today that many of their comic book releases in May will feature new variant covers honoring Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Each of these covers will be penciled by creators of Asian or AAPI heritage.

Comics

Image’s Forthcoming ‘Home’ Comic to Feature Special Series of Jacoby Salcedo Variant Covers

February 18, 2021February 19, 2021 Patrick Strange

PORTLAND, Ore. 02/18/2021 — The upcoming series Home by writer Julio Anta (Frontera) and artist Anna Wieszczyk will boast a special, collectible series of variant covers featuring artwork by the lauded Jacoby Salcedo.

Comics

Image’s ‘Home’ to Explore U.S. Immigration Policy and Border Patrol Through Superhuman Lens

January 22, 2021January 22, 2021 Patrick Strange

PORTLAND, Ore. 01/22/2021 — Debut creators Julio Anta (Frontera, forthcoming HarperCollins 2023) and Anna Wieszczyk weave a deeply grounded and heartfelt story in the forthcoming comic book Home. This five-issue miniseries will explore the real-world implications of a migrant with extraordinary powers, and will launch from Image Comics in April.

Comics, Marvel

Explore Mutantkind’s Greatest Mysteries in the ‘X-Men Legends’ Trailer

January 21, 2021January 21, 2021 Patrick Strange

Fabian Nicieza and Brett Booth kick off all-new decades-in-the-making X-Men series!

Marvel, Streaming, Television

Marvel’s ‘Behind the Mask’ Documentary Coming to Disney+

January 19, 2021May 15, 2021 Patrick Strange

New Marvel documentary special to premiere February 12, exclusively on Disney+

Comics, Martial Arts1 Comment

Meet the New Oddjob in 007 Short Film ‘A Kill From The Other Side’

January 1, 2021January 1, 2021 Edward Hong

Almost two years ago, Greg Pak took the reins of rebooting the James Bond 007 comic book series but this time, having a revisionist take on a familiar and iconic villain, first introduced in the 1959 novel Goldfinger: Oddjob. Not only was the reimagined take refreshing and very much needed, the series itself was incredibly well done with the plot moving at a brisk pace, the action fun and invigorating to read, and the rivalry/bickering between James Bond and Oddjob (now known as South Korean secret agent John Lee) extremely entertaining and amusing to read.

Comics, DC Comics, Interview

‘Red Hood’ Writer Shawn Martinbrough Talks Jason Todd’s New Arc

December 28, 2020December 29, 2020 Jamal Michel

Toward the end of 2020, it was announced that Jason Todd’s Red Hood would be seeing a new creative team take over, and to the delight of many fans, the team receiving the torch from acclaimed duo Scott Lobdell and Paolo Pantalena was none other than Shawn Martinbrough (Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive, Thief of Thieves, and Hellboy), Tony Akins (Jack of Fables, House of Mystery, and Wonder Woman), and Stefano Guadiano (The Walking Dead and Manifest Destiny). I had the pleasure of sitting down with Martinbrough to talk Jason Todd’s new future and what fans can expect from the work his team is putting together.