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The Darkness

[Year in Review] Top 10 Comic Book Coverage Articles in 2017

by April Carvelli December 26, 2017

written by April Carvelli

PopCultHQ has had a very productive 2017. Even though the year isn’t (officially) over, we are looking at our Top 10 Comic Book Coverage Articles in 2017 (based on views)…

#10 – Image Comics’ SAVAGE DRAGON #225 – 4 Covers Including a XXX Cover

In “The Merging of Multiple Earths,” SAVAGE DRAGON boasts a giant-sized 25th anniversary special. The Dragon is restored to his former glory as he bulks up to take on Darklord in a final battle! Mr. Glum’s devious plot to merge the multiverse comes to its cataclysmic conclusion! Savage Dragon and Malcolm Dragon join forces to save Angel Murphy and the very Earth itself!

Comics legend and Image Comics partner Erik Larsen will pushed the envelope in celebration of the company’s 25th anniversary with a sexy, sultry XXX cover by Rafael Krás not for the faint of heart (and certainly NSFW…*wink*) in SAVAGE DRAGON #225.

#9 – ZOMBIE TRAMP: EASTER SPECIAL

Cover A - Standard Cover (unlimited): Dan Mendoza

Cover C – Fuzzy Bunny variant (limited to 2000): Celor

Cover E – Sexy Bunny variant (limited to 2000): Marcelo Trom

A one-shot special of ZOMBIE TRAMP. With the Easter approaching, there’s always events and themed get-togethers. This year, Zombie Tramp is getting in on the fun at the annual Bunnyland event. But what appears like harmless, good fun quickly turns into something much more sinister. Thankfully our fave girl is on hand and welcomes the challenge. But seriously…how could a holiday go by without Janey? This is going to be one wild Easter eggs-travaganza!

#8 – [Review] WORLD READER #1 from AfterShock Comics

“Meet Sarah, an astronaut traveling from dead planet to dead planet, talking to the ghosts of the dead worlds… as she fights to discover the secret that’s killing the universe. But Death doesn’t give up its secrets so easily, and as Death hunts her from planet to planet, Sarah struggles to maintain the trust of her crew and her own sanity in the endless ocean of lives. Every world has a story, and if she can find the secret tying them all together, she can save Earth from being the next world to die.”

Worlds are dying throughout the universe, but there is someone who may be able to find the cause. Maybe they can prevent it from occurring on Earth. Her name is Sarah, a psychic astronaut gifted with the ability to commune with the dead from these lifeless planets. A sort of planet whisperer, if you will, her gift lays in her capacity to immerse herself into the realm of the dead. Spiritually/psychically embodying one of the deceased inhabitants to witness for herself whatever catastrophic events brought their undoing. But as determined as Sarah is in finding the cause of the obliteration of so many species and worlds, she’ll soon find Death is seeking her as well.

#7 – ‘THE OLD GUARD’ by Greg Rucka & Leandro Fernández

He is rapped in an immortality without explanation. THE OLD GUARD follows Andromache of Scythia—“Andy”—and her comrades as they ply their trade for those who can find—and afford—their services. Set in the 21st century where immortality is a hard secret to keep, this action-packed new series explores what happens when you live just long enough to learn that there are many fates worse than death.

#6 – ‘CHILDREN OF THE FALL from Arcana Studios

This full color, 80-page original graphic novel is a dystopian urban style drama that asks the question, “when your world is a memory, does what you do still matter?”

This is creator Wayne Young’s debut graphic novel and he will be on hand at San Diego Comic Con booth # 2515 for signings. The seeds for his first graphic novel, “Children of the Fall,” were sown while working in Taiwan on the massive KRTC Public Art Project (which showcased the talents of Ron Wood, Lutz Haufschild and Narcissus Quagliata). Inspired by a foreign landscape that shifts radically between developed and near apocalyptic, “Children of the Fall” reflects an aesthetic that bridges East and West, and follows in the narrative tradition of Mad Max, Road to Perdition and Once Upon a Time in the West. Digger Mesch, founder of Art Asylum and creator of The Other Dead, Agent 88 and Minimates toys, served as a creative consultant on the title, which also features gallery art from Dave Dorman (Star Wars), Liam Sharp (Wonder Woman) and David Mack (Kabuki.)

#5 – MIRACULOUS ADVENTURES OF LADYBUG & CAT NOIR from Action Lab

The series follows two of the greatest superheroes of Paris, Ladybug and Cat Noir, as they attempt to thwart the villainous Hawk Moth. Fans of the Miraculous television show and newcomers alike can enjoy the new stories in Miraculous Adventures of Ladybug and Cat Noir that you can’t see on TV! Readers will get action-packed scenes and learn valuable lessons.

#4 – SUNSTONE by Stjepan Šejić from Image Comics/Top Cow

The first hardcover collection of this charmingly disarming BDSM romance series SUNSTONE. Two women deal with modern themes of sex, relationships, and fetishism in this erotic romantic comedy. So beware all who enter, because, to quote a few hundred thousand readers on DeviantArt: “I’m not into BDSM…but this story? I get it.”

#3 – THE DARKNESS: 20TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION by Image Comics/Top Cow

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Image Comics and the 20th anniversary of THE DARKNESS, this special volume collects THE DARKNESS ORIGINS (Issues one through six and Preview), THE DARKNESS/BATMAN, and THE DARKNESS/SUPERMAN! This is a one-time printing in honor of the anniversaries.

#2 – REDNECK by Image Comics

The Bowmans are vampires who have quietly run the local barbecue joint in their small town for years, living off cow’s blood. Their peaceful coexistence ends as generations of hate, fear, and bad blood bubble to the surface—making it impossible to separate man from monster!

“Redneck is truly a dream come true for me as a storyteller, and to be able to tell this story on a stage as nice as Skybound and Image have given us? I don’t think it gets better than that,” said Cates. “Redneck is deeply personal for me, and I think will be for a lot of people out there as well. It’s a story about a family’s quest to turn themselves into more than the monsters they’ve always been. To find a little peace in a world that hates them. It ain’t gonna be easy, and it’s sure as hell gonna be bloody. But it might just be the best time you’ve ever had reading a book about vampires!”

#1 – PLASTIC by Image Comics

Plastic #1 - Cover A by Andrew Robinson

Plastic #1 - Cover B by Daniel Hillyard

Retired serial killer Edwyn Stoffgruppen is in love with Virginia, a girl he “met online.” Her affection quiets his vile urges. Together, they tour the back roads of America in their LTD, eating doughnuts and enjoying their healthy appetites for each other. Life is good… until a Louisiana billionaire kidnaps Virginia, forcing Edwyn to kill again in exchange for her freedom. The twist? Virginia is a sex doll.

December 26, 2017 0 comment

Preview Image Comics/Top Cow’s 7/5 Release: THE DARKNESS: 20TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION TP

by Jason Bennett June 30, 2017

written by Jason Bennett

Available this week for New Comic Book Day (NCBD) is a triple dose of The Darkness! THE DARKNESS: 20TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION TP features top creators like Garth Ennis, Marc Silvestri, Tyler Kirkham, Ron Marz and more lending their talent for this new collected work featuring The Darkness as well as a couple of other guys you may know.

Here’s a look at the cover, storyline, and preview pages for this week’s new release
from Image Comics/Top Cow on New Comic Book Day! #NCBD

~~~~~

<The 2017 Top Cow Talent Hunt is Back! Contest Details Inside!>

THE DARKNESS: 20TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION TP

Story: Garth Ennis, Jeph Loeb, Ron Marz, Scott Lobdell
Art: Clarence Lansang, David Finch, Marc Silvestri, Tyler Kirkham
Cover: Marc Silvestri
Published: July 5, 2017
Diamond ID: MAY170618

Digital : $15.99
Print: $19.99

PREVIEW PAGES

Available for pre-order NOW on AMAZON, FORBIDDEN PLANET, and at IMAGE.COM.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

ABOUT TOP COW PRODUCTIONS

Top Cow Productions, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based entertainment company founded in December 1992 by Marc Silvestri. Top Cow currently publishes its line of comic books in 21 languages in over 55 different countries.
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*** info courtesy of Top Cow Productions

June 30, 2017 0 comment

Cosplay

Cosplay Spotlight: Lee Tapscott

by April Carvelli February 28, 2017

written by April Carvelli

Lee Tapscott is an Indianapolis-based cosplayer. He started serious cosplaying in 2013 after attending the Chicago Wizard World.

His creativity and enthusiasm translates through all his costuming. My personal favorite is “The Darkness” from Legend. The costume is outstanding and the work that went into it definitely shows.

According to Lee, it took more than a few trials to make the stilts and it is still hard to walk in. As awesome as it is, he can only wear it a few hours at the most, as it gets too warm after that.

Lee Tapscott as The Darkness

His favorite costume is a Tusken Raider from Star Wars, but he has the most fun playing Gru from Despicable Me because he gets to interact and play with the fans and fellow cosplayers.

A few of his other, lesser seen favorites include Steve Rogers from Earth X, Red Skull and the Greatest American Hero.

Lee’s future plans include Birdman from Rick and Morty and Android 16 from Dragon Ball Z. I look forward to seeing both costumes.

Keep and eye out for Lee at conventions, you never know where he might pop up. You can also watch him on Facebook

February 28, 2017 0 comment

Pop Cult News

New to Redbox (10/4/16)

by Jason Bennett October 4, 2016

written by Jason Bennett

PopCultHQ brings you the latest arrivals to Redbox. This week’s new releases include The Darkness, Swiss Army Man, Love & Friendship, Into the Forest, A Bigger Splash, and Against the Wild 2: Survive the Serengeti. All these releases are Redbox Play Pass eligible (details below).

Here’s a look at each new release’s synopsis, trailer and all the details you need before renting from Redbox!

Redbox New Releases: Week of 10/4 – 10/10

The Darkness

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Run time: 1:32 min

Starring: Kevin Bacon, Radha Mitchell and David Mazouz.

During a family camping trip in the Southwest, young Michael stumbles upon five stones inscribed with cryptic symbols hidden in a desert cave. Unbeknownst to his family, the autistic child brings the rocks home with him to Los Angeles. Soon Michael begins spending all his time with a new invisible friend he calls “Jenny” and strange and increasingly dangerous things start happening around the house: faucets turn on by themselves, handprints appear out of nowhere, the wall in Michael’s room spontaneously catches fire. The evil spirits, locked away in the stones for centuries, are free to unleash havoc on the family. After fleeing their haunted home, the Taylors try to take back their lives by recruiting healer Teresa and her niece Gloria. Together, they confront the spirits, but only the strongest will survive the deadly cleansing ritual that pits the family members against the shadowy and powerful denizens of “The Darkness.”

Rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for thematic elements, some disturbing violence, brief sensuality and language.

Swiss Army Man

Run time: 1:35 min

Starring: Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe and Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Hank is stranded on a deserted island and has lost all hope of rescue. But when a dead body washes ashore, he is emboldened by the company of his new “friend” to make one last ditch effort to find his way home, to the woman of his dreams.

Rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for language and sexual material.

Love & Friendship

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Run time: 1:34 min

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny and Xavier Samuel

In the 1790s, beautiful young widow Lady Susan Vernon has come to Churchill, the estate of her in-laws, to wait out colorful rumors about her dalliances that are circulating through polite society. While there, she decides to secure a husband for herself and for her reluctant daughter Frederica. But the waters are troubled by the arrival at Churchill of the handsome, eligible Reginald DeCourcy and silly but cheerful — and very rich — Sir James Martin.

Rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for some thematic elements.

Into The Forest

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Run time: 1:41 min

Starring: Ellen Page, Evan Rachel Wood and Max Minghella

Sisters Nell and Eva live in the Pacific Northwest with their kindly father Robert. Nell is focused on her studies and Eva is training to be a dancer, but their peaceful lives are disrupted one day by what turns out to be a continent-wide blackout. At first the family bond together, trying to make the most of their difficult circumstances, but as time goes on, the challenges become more serious. In the wake of a shocking and violent confrontation that Robert has with a menacing passerby, the sisters must work together in order to survive in their increasingly treacherous new world.

Rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for a scene of violence involving rape, language and some sexuality/nudity.

A Bigger Splash

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Run time: 2:04 min

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton and Dakota Johnson

Rock star Marianne Lane and her filmmaker boyfriend Paul De Smedt are recovering from their hectic lives on the sprawling and beautiful volcanic island of Pantelleria in Italy off the coast of Tunisia. Their peaceful holiday is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Harry Hawkes, Marianne’s ex, Paul’s old friend and a successful music producer for whom the party never stops. Harry arrives with the captivating Penelope – a daughter it turns out he only recently discovered he’d fathered. As Harry’s plan to win back Marianne become apparent, Penelope tempts fate by attempting to seduce the increasingly frustrated and jealous Paul.

Rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for graphic nudity, some strong sexual content, language and brief drug use.

Against the Wild 2: Survive the Serengeti

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Run time: 1:31 min

Starring: Jeri Ryan, Ella Ballentine and

A brother and sister with minimal camping experience survive a plane crash in the remote African wilderness. Finding themselves stranded and alone with their dog in the Serengeti, the young siblings interact with the animals and adventures of their epic surroundings in a quest to make it out alive and reunite with their family.

Rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for perilous situations.

Redbox Play Pass

October 4, 2016 0 comment

Comic Previews Pop Cult News

PopCultHQ Looks at Horror Films to be Released in 2016

by Jason Bennett April 29, 2016

written by Jason Bennett

2016 still has a number of horror films being released and PopCultHQ wanted to scare up all the details of these movies. Let’s take a look at what terrifying movies we can expect this year…

Green Room – April 29

The plot follows a punk band who find themselves at the mercy of a group of neo-Nazi skinheads after witnessing a murder at a remote club in the Pacific Northwest. The film stars Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Alia Shawkat, and Patrick Stewart.

The Darkness – May 13

The film is based on what are said to be actual events about a family who visit the Grand Canyon and bring home a supernatural force that feeds off their fears and takes over their lives. The film stars Kevin Bacon, Radha Mitchell, David Mazouz, Lucy Fry, Matt Walsh, Jennifer Morrison and Parker Mack.

The Conjuring 2 – June 10

In this sequel of the horror film The Conjuring, which was released on July 19, 2013, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their roles as paranormal investigators and authors Ed and Lorraine Warren, who travel to England to investigate poltergeist activity at a council house in Enfield.

The Shallows – June 24

A young surfer named Nancy was surfing at a secluded beach when she becomes stranded on a giant rock 200 yards away from shore after an enormous great white shark attacks her and circles the giant rock. Now she must find a way back to shore without being gobbled up. The film stars Blake Lively, and Óscar Jaenada.

The Purge: Election Year – July 1

In 2025, two years after choosing not to kill Warren Grass, the man who killed his son in a drunk-driving accident, police sergeant Leo Barnes (Frank Grillo) becomes head of security for Senator Charlene Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell), the front runner in the next Presidential election due to her vow to eliminate the Purge after losing her family to sadistic murderers on Purge night 15 years earlier in 2010. The government secretly opposes Roan’s campaign against the Purge, and plot against her to keep her from destroying the Purge. On the night of what should be the final Purge, a betrayal from within the government at the hands of the New Founding Fathers of America forces Barnes and Senator Roan out onto the street where they must fight to survive the night, and come across a group of anti-Purge rebels that support Senator Roan’s campaign.

The film stars Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, Mykelti Williamson, Betty Gabriel, Edwin Hodge, Kyle Secor, Joseph Julian Soria and Liza Colón-Zayas.

Lights Out – July 22

The film, much like the original short film it was adapted upon, revolves around a supernatural entity only visible in the dark, which terrorizes a local family when a child sees it for the first time, which the sister recognizes possibly as a former childhood friend. The film stars Teresa Palmer, Gabriel Bateman and Maria Bello.

Don’t Breathe – August 26

A group of friends break into the house of a wealthy blind man, thinking they’ll get away with the perfect heist. They’re wrong. The film stars Dylan Minnette, Jane Levy, Stephen Lang, Daniel Zovatto and Sergej Onopko.

Patient Zero – September 2

After a pandemic outbreak, a mutated form of rabies results in most humans being turned into a highly intelligent new species known as “The Infected”: a human survivor, Morgan (Matt Smith), with the ability to talk with the “infected,” investigates these species and pursues “Patient Zero” to find an antidote to save humanity, including his infected wife. Aiding Morgan on the mission to find Patient Zero is CDC virologist Dr. Gina Rose (Natalie Dormer), leading the scientific research efforts, while Colonel Knox (Clive Standen) is in charge of the military front.

The film stars Matt Smith, Natalie Dormer, Stanley Tucci and Clive Standen.

Delirium – September 30

A man recently released from a mental institute inherits a mansion after his parents die. After a series of disturbing events, he comes to believe it is haunted. The film stars Topher Grace, Patricia Clarkson, and Genesis Rodriguez.

Underworld: Blood Wars – October 14

Plot is unknown as of now. The film stars Kate Beckinsale reprising her role as Selene, Theo James, Tobias Menzies, Lara Pulver, Bradley James, and Charles Dance.

Ouija 2 – October 21

A group of friends must confront their most terrifying fears when they awaken the dark powers of an ancient spirit board. The film stars Henry Thomas, Annalise Basso, Elizabeth Reaser, Lulu Wilson, and Parker Mack.

Rings – October 28

Julia is a high school student whose college boyfriend, Holt, has grown distant. Fearing they’re drifting apart, she travels to see him and finds out that he’s part of a club of college students who pass Samara’s tape between each other. Julia discovers Holt watched the cursed tape six and a half days ago, meaning that by the end of the day, he would die. The curse is what brought them back together, but it’s also what threatens to kill them. The third installment (following The Ring and The Ring Two) stars Matilda Lutz, Alex Roe and Johnny Galecki.

The Strangers 2 – December 2

Info on this film, in development on and off for over 5 years, is unavailable due to its speculatory nature.

The Bye Bye Man – December 9

Three college students move into an old, off-campus house, where they find themselves hunted by a supernatural entity called The Bye Bye Man (Doug Jones) who may be responsible for possessing various people and causing them to commit killing sprees throughout recent history. The film stars Doug Jones, Douglas Smith, Michael Trucco, Cressida Bonas, and Lucien Laviscount.

Films with Missing Info

Leatherface – Unknown release date

Prequel about teenage Leatherface who escapes from a mental hospital with three other inmates, kidnaps a young nurse and takes her on a road trip from hell. Along the way, they are pursued by an equally deranged lawman out for revenge. The film stars Sam Strike, Stephen Dorff, Vanessa Grasse and Lili Taylor.

Jeepers Creepers 3: Cathedral – Unknown Release Date, Cast, and Plot

April 29, 2016 0 comment