Geek Culture Reviews

“More human than human” is our motto… It’s been a while since I re-read Titan Comics Blade Runner prequel, Blade Runner Origins. With the comic publisher recently sending me a copy of Blade Runner 2039: Vol.1: Luv to review, I thought it’s best to jump in from the beginning and experience the whole series in preparation.   I’ve previously reviewed the first volume of Blade Runner: Origins, which you can check out here . As such I won’t be recapping previous events aside from a few flashbacks.  Taking place in the immediate aftermath of Effie’s assassination by Ilora Stahl, NYPD Detective Cal Moreaux finds himself teaming up with a Replicant who’s conscious is that of the deceased Tyrell Corp researcher, Dr. Lydia Kine. Now known as Asa, Kine and Cal must work together to track down a rogue Nexus 5 Replicant who’s “awakening” those Replicants deemed to be past their use by date. With the threat of a Replicant uprising, and Ilora Stahl, Cal gets dragged into the seedy underbelly of 2009

Three spine-chilling tales, eight creators, and a whole lot of blood… Marvel seem to be on a “thing” at the moment with their ‘Black, White &…” series of comics. From Darth Vader, to Wolverine, it seems that no franchise is safe from getting the black and white treatment. The latest star to feature is the ominous Xenomorph whose horror themed ascetic perfectly goes with the Black, White & Blood style. Much in the same vein as previous outings, Alien: Black, White & Blood #1 features three self contained stories that’s each been created by a different creative team - with one single narrative taking place across each of the respective issues. For the Xenomorph this cross-issue strip comes from Colin Kelly, Jackson Lanzig who along with Michael Dowling a nd Chris Sotomayor bring us ‘ Uptopia ’.  Taking place in the far reaches of space, “ Utopia ” follows a group of ordinary folks who’ve renounced war and violence for a more peaceful way of life. As their vessel (which r

The duo aren’t just tackling the big screen… With Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman set to slash and dice their way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe this Summer, their comic book counterparts are ready to join forces this May!  Titled Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII, the three part mini-series will see the creative team of Joe Kelly and Adam Kubert take the (fr)enemies on their next dangerous encounter.  The mysterious Delta believes in change. Change is good. But as he sets his sights on Deadpool, and Wolverine is caught up in the plot, is the third time really the charm, or the curse? Get ready for WWIII to erupt on the scene with the wildest duo in comics from legends Joe Kelly (Deadpool, Uncanny X-Men) and Adam Kubert (Wolverine, Uncanny X-Men)! “There were so many factors that made me say yes to writing this book,” said Kelly . “Adam Kubert was number one. I worked with Adam during my early Marvel career and have been a fan of his ever since – both as an artist and a human. So, wor

Titan Comics and Hard Case Crime bring Joanna Tan back for one more adventure… “We’re thrilled to bring Gun Honey back in a brand-new high-octane international crime thriller. The stakes are higher, the dangers deadlier, and the line between friend and foe more elusive than ever. Writing Gun Honey is like a Hollywood screenwriter’s dream: you can go to any location in the world, film in Versailles or the Gobi Desert, build the most extravagant sets, have an unlimited budget, and not worry about the stunts being too dangerous.” said writer Charles Ardai.  Gun Honey: Collision Course is scheduled to be released by Titan Comic on 24th May.  But for now why not check out a sneak preview of what’s to come? 

Marvel releases Alien: Black, White & Blood #1 this Wednesday, and we’ve got the official preview below…  ‘ THE ALIEN UNIVERSE AS ONLY MARVEL COULD IMAGINE IT! Black, white, red—and GREEN! Marvel Comics and 20th Century Studios present a kill-fest of an anthology in chest-rending artistic detail! Superstars Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing (CAPTAIN AMERICA: SENTINEL OF LIBERTY, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY) and brilliant artist Michael Dowling (BLACK CAT, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) kick off a generations-spanning story that will continue through all four issues! Fan-favorite writer Ryan Cady explores the limits of compassion in “Maternal Instincts.” And rising stars Stephanie Phillips and Marcelo Ferreira bring you “The Hunt,” a tale of guts, glory and the most exhilarating of games…’ Alien: Black, White & Blood #1 is set to hit comic book stores this Wednesday (21st February)

Rob takes a trip to Deadworld with 2000 AD writer Kek-W… ‘ The Fall of Deadworld: Redemption ’ made its return to the 2000 AD Prog this week. While the battle for Sector 13 and the wider city rumbles on, I spoke to curator of chaos, Kek-W about Deadworld past, and more importantly, its future. Looking back, what first attracted you to writing what’s essentially the Dark Judges origin  story? KW - Well, the first four DREAMS OF DEADWORLD stories that Dave and I did were well received,  so rather than just doing more of the same - stories that showcased the individual Dark Judges - I pitched the idea of telling the back-story of how the four of them destroyed an entire world. How did that happen, how might it work? I figured it was a landscape ripe with dramatic story-telling potential. 'Ripe' being the operative word! (laughs) I also thought it might be interesting to focus in on a ordinary family, to see and experience the collapse of civilization  from their point of view and

You all remember the Eagle right? When Alan Holloway and Ed Doyle initially announced they were planning Falcon I was a bit sceptical. While the A3 tabloid style comic book was a hit back in the mediums golden era, would it be a design that holds up in 2024? While the likes of Sentinel and The77 reign supreme in capturing the very essence of what made up the youth reading of their respective communities, can Falcon recreate the excitement that came with reading The Eagle back in day? And more importantly, was my initial scepticism proved to be wrong? While I’m far too young to remember the initial outings of The Eagle, working in a charity shop I’ve experienced gawping through the publications first three annuals (no they didn’t come home with me). Even with some of the writing being a little stuffy in places I could easily see why the publication was quite a hit back in the day. It even surprised me that my Dad used to read The Eagle too! (Apparently he was a big Dan Dare fan! Wh

ComicScene set to publish ‘Tara Togs - The Silence of Unicorns’ graphic novel… Our friends over at ComicScene.org have teamed up with former Oor Wullie artist Stephen White to bring the 68-page graphic novel, Tara Togs - The Silence of Unicorns to life. Partly funded by Creative Scotland, White who goes under the pen name of Stef has been inspired by the likes of TinTin, Indiana Jones, and Lara Croft in creating his Edinburgh based tale.  Stref said today “ The project took three years to complete, mostly as a covid lockdown project, in between my current ongoing work for Viz Comic.   Tara dreams of becoming a professional photographer and her knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time lands her smack-bang in the middle of a gang of ruthless criminals and their plot to steal a valuable piece of art.    Armed only with her quick wits and unfailing bravery, she sets out to bring the gang to justice.  She manages to make a few friends on her adventure that can lend a helping