Geek Culture Reviews

Previewing Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Willow SC... " NO MORE SUNNYDALE. NO MORE SCOOBY GANG. NO MORE... WILLOW? After everything - and everyone - she lost to the Hellmouth, Willow is leaving Sunnydale behind for a new world that promises 'to help you prioritize your true self.' But Willow soon learns that all is not as it seems, and if your true self isn't what this place thinks it should be... well, don't worry, they'll help you get there. By any means necessary. Collects the complete Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow #1-5." Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Willow SC is heading to stores on 5th May, 2021. Can't wait? Then check out the official preview pages below...

Rob reviews Star Wars: Darth Vader #11... After being left broken and defeated on Mustafar, we join Darth Vader as he heads to Exegol to confront his Master...Emperor Palpatine.  To say that Vader has been through a lot is a serious understatement. The Sith Lord has seen himself being ambushed by Assassin Droids, being hunted by Ochi of Beeston, to then replacing his suit with bits of scrap. Why? Well, Vader knows what his Master is up to and plans to put a stop to it. This then leads to the mysterious Sith planet, Exegol as Vader confronts the Emperor.  It's an interesting take on the two Sith Lords as we see Vader and Palpatine go toe-to-toe with each other. The last time Vader and Palpatine met, Vader was left in ruins on Mustafar. This time around he's not only re-connected with the Force but he's also got the Summa-Verminoth - a Force-sensitive Space Squid'. Naturally, Palpatine has his gigantic monsters and we're treated to a Godzilla Vs. Kong batt...

Rob reviews The Knights of Heliopolis... The Knights of Heliopolis is a reinterpretation of Alexander Dumas ' Man in the Iron Mask.  Alejandro Jodorowsky takes the classic French revolutionary tale and twists it into an alternative dimension filled with some amazing fantasy work.  "In a monastery in the North of Spain hides the sacred temple of The  Knights  of  Heliopolis : an assembly of immortal alchemists cut off from the world. As disciple Seventeen prepares to complete his training and join the order, his master Fulcanelli reveals to the other  knights  the terrible secret of his origins - Seventeen is the hidden son of King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. Will the young heir claim the throne or remain in the shadows, faithful to the millennial precepts of Alchemy?" The Knights of Heliopolis features   quite the cast of characters.  Alejandro Jodorowsky brings each character to life and the writer uses these to explore ...

Rob reviews Cyberpunk 2077: You Have My Word #1... CD Projekt Red's sci-fi Action-RPG, Cyberpunk 2077 has received quite a lot of bad press since its release. From data breaches to the game not living up to consumer expectations, you'd be forgiven to believe that we've been transported to the games hacker-centric world.  Regardless of how you feel about the game (I think it's amazing - even with its current flaws), the Cyberpunk 2077 world is incredibly unique and has so much potential. Much like 2000 AD's own Mega-City 1, Cyberpunk 2077 's Night City is a living, breathing network of criminal gangs, corporate greed and rampant use of cybernetics. If you have the skills Night City is your playground, if your not...well... This new tale of Night City comes from Bartosz Sztybor - CD Projekt Red's narrative manager. It's an interesting take on the Cyberpunk 2077 world that moves away from the happenings of both V and Johnny Silverh...

Rob reviews BRZRKR #2... We're back in the ultra-violent world of Keanu Reeves and Matt Kindt's tale of the immortal BRZRKR . The opening issue gave us a great action-packed thrill-ride that played most of its cards close to its chest. This time out it seems that nearly all the cards are laid on the table as B opens up on his origins.  Yes, BRZRKR #2 is an origin tale, and it's one that's filled with more gratuitous violence and an incredibly cringe-worthy sex scene... Leading on from last time, we know that B is both immortal and he was born 80,000 years ago. You'd think being alive for 80,000 years you'd have a few stories to tell. Well, it turns out that B has one - and it's one that he's told countless times.  As the story progresses we learn that he is a child born out of the necessity to save his ancestors from their foes. It's an interesting story as we see a young B go from innocent child to bloodthirsty menace wit...

Previewing 2000 AD Presents All Star Judge Dredd - Free Comic Book Day #1... " 2000 AD Presents All-Star Judge Dredd is a thrill-powered showcase of the past and shocking present of the iconic lawman of the future! Witness the birth of the world of Judge Dredd in an incendiary preview of upcoming prequel graphic novel Dreadnoughts by Michael Carroll with art by Watchmen's John Higgins . Fan-favourite Judge Hershey travels to the ends of the earth to dispense her own brand of justice in long-anticipated blockbuster spin-off, Hershey: Disease by Rob Williams (Suicide Squad) and Simon Fraser (Doctor Who). Along-side these teases for Fall 2021 epics enjoy a bone-rattling all new stand-alone Dredd caper from elite writer Al Ewing (Immortal Hulk, Marvel's Empyre) and Caspar Wijngaard (Star Wars, Home Sick Pilots)!" 2000 AD Presents All-Star Judge Dredd is heading to participating stores on Free Comic Book Day which is happening on 14th August, 2021.  You ca...

Rob reviews 2000 AD Prog 2229... After last weeks ending to both Sláine and Chorus and the Ring, we've got two openings in the program... Due to this Prog 2229 sees the welcomed  return of another Visions of Deadworld tale, and a one-off Future Shocks . The rest of the Prog is made up of the usual suspects; Judge Dredd goes toe-to-boot with the SJS, there's more horror in Thistlebone , and fantasy meets comedy of errors in Feral and Foe II .  Judge Dredd: A Penitent Man - Part 5  Ashers on the run from the SJS, Dredds on their tale, and inbetween them are two very different sets of droids. Whilst the SJS tangle with Asher's workmates, Dredd contends with an SJS Mechanismo.  ' A Penitent Man ' has been an interesting tale that's (as I keep saying) has dived into a show of how shifty the SJS can be. With clandestine activities such as the 'Welcome Wagon' what else does the SJS have up it's sleeve?  Naturally Ken Niemand continues to wea...

Previewing My Little Pony/Transformers II... 80's icons collide as IDW gives a second series to its My Little Pony/Transformers crossover. It a bizzare crossover which feels very much like Archie Vs. Predator. It shouldn't exist but it does...anyway check out the "cosmic preview" below. "While using a modified Spacebridge to bring magic to Cybertron, the Decepticons end up unleashing a more powerful evil from Equestria than they ever could’ve imagined—looks like the only way out of this one is to team up! More ponies, more bots, and more magical mayhem as two worlds collide in the return of this hit crossover event!" My Little Pony/Transformers II #1 is heading to stores on 28th April, 2021.  If you can't wait 24 hours then check out the preview below...

Rob reviews Firefly: Brand New 'Verse #2... Remember last time when I said that Firefly: Brand New 'Verse #1 was steeped in nostalgia? Well, it's more the same this time as well.  Issue #2 picks up where #1 left off. The crew have discovered that their 'salvage' just so happens to be living, they set off to keep the being out of the hands of the Blue Sun. This then causes yet another trip to nostalgia land as Zoe calls on both Simon and Kaylee for help.  It's nice to see Kaylee and Simon back. Writer, Josh Lee Gordon has so far used the right amount of familiarity to not only move the plot forward but also enhance his cast of original characters. This is further helped by the fact that Serenity's new crew are just as diverse and engaging as their TV show brethren. Naturally, Kaylee is the real star of ' Brand New 'Verse #2 '. It was great to see 'the heart of Serenity' back in familiar surroundings - yes I may be a bit biase...

Previewing Star Wars: Darth Vader #11... ' EXEGOL UNLEASHED! As punishment for his rebellion, DARTH VADER was broken by THE EMPEROR, his limbs shattered, forbidden to use THE FORCE. But after surviving OCHI OF BESTOON, THE EYE OF WEBBISH BOGG and the horrors of THE RED NEBULA, Vader stands on the verge of uncovering the Emperor’s greatest secrets. But will the revelations on EXEGOL empower Vader — or his master? And what new doom awaits LUKE SKYWALKER as a result?" Star Wars: Darth Vader #11 is heading to stores on 28th April, 2021. Can't wait? Then check out the official preview pages below...

Rob reviews Blade Runner Origins #3... "2009...A Tyrell Corporation scientist is DEAD - the victim of an apparent suicide. But when LAPD Detective Cal is called in to investigate, he uncovers secret documents revealing a new kind of replicant and a conspiracy that could change the world." Bladerunner Origins #3 kicks off shortly after the crash that ended issue #2. With Marcus and his mysterious Replicant saviour now missing, Tyrell summons Ilora Sthal to explain what happened - and it's not looking good!  Meanwhile, we catch up to Marcus and his "saviour" who happens to be someone from the characters past. It's a pretty big revel and is one that's bound to have a lot of ramifications moving forward. Naturally, Marcus has his suspicions and doubts but blindly follows the Replicant into the unknown. We next catch up with Moreaux and Effie as they're hiding in one of Moreaux' safe houses. There's some nice to and fro as ...

Previewing Happy Hour #6... Peter Milligan and Michael Montenat's tale of illegal sadness is coming to its conclusion.  "In the near-future America where sadness is illegal, the odyssey of miserabilist fugitives Jerry and Kim comes to an off-beat end." Happy Hour #6 is heading to stores this Wednesday, 28th April 2021.  Can't wait? Check out the official preview pages below...