Mark Millar

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TV News TV Trailers

Netflix ‘Super Crooks’ Trailer Teases Mark Millar Super-Villains Anime

During Saturday’s TUDUM online fan event, Netflix debuted the trailer for Mark Millar’s supervillain anime series, Super Crooks. Millar is known for writing comics, Kick-Ass, Kingsmen, and the Netflix Jupiter’s Legacy live-action series. “In this anime adaptation, small-time crook Johnny Bolt recruits the ultimate crew for one last heist — for real! From comic book legend

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Marvel Movie News

Marvel Zombies Live-Action Coming To MCU Says Mark Millar

A live-action version of Marvel Zombies is again rumored for the MCU, which follows the recent episode of the What If…? animated series on Disney Plus; however, the source happens to be a bit more credible. Mark Millar, the comic book creator who actually came up with the idea for Marvel Zombies and who is

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TV News

Netflix Cancels ‘Jupiter’s Legacy’; Reactions Pour In

Less than a month after its debut, it’s learned that Netflix has canceled Jupiter’s Legacy after only one season, with reactions from Mark Millar, Stephen S. DeKnight and the actors involved in the series pouring in on social media. Mark Millar, creator of the comic book series who sold his MillarWorld to Netflix in 2019

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Comic Book News

Review: Jupiter’s Legacy #3

Your father is the greatest super hero that ever lived, but you will always be in his shadow. The worst part is that he reminds you of it constantly, you will never be good enough to up hold your legacy no matter what you do! But, what if you are not the only one that loathes and resents him for his arrogance? What if there are others out there that have had enough as well, others that are willing to band together to “remove” the obstacle that has always been holding you back?

That is the premise of the third issue of Mark Millar’s brutally honest look into the dark secrets of a superhero family. It is a story that has been told countless times, being felt across the ages as son strives to become a man worthy of his father respect, but Millar puts his patented spill of brutality on that classic coming of age tale and creates something wholly unique in the process.

Known for his over the top sensationalism, Mark Millar combines with superstar artist, Frank Quitely, in order to create one of the most brutal issues I have ever read. This issue is a non-stop blitzkrieg that will shock and astound you and, most definitely, leave you wanting more! But, it is not the overtly callous actions thrust upon a supreme family that makes this such a fantastic book, it is the underlying tale of treachery and deceit that truly holds sway over the reader. It is the slow prodding by a jealous uncle, the final push of a nephew over the point of no return that will resonate far longer as a great read than just the visual destruction of a family. Not that what happens to Brandon’s poor mother or his father’s final moments at his own hands won’t be with you for a VERY long time, but it is that old morality play done with a Millarian twist that will stay with you forever!

If you haven’t been reading this book, don’t start with this issue! I beseech you to travel far and wide to find all three issues and read them in one sitting in order to fully enjoy this mesmerizing tale before it jumps ahead nine years for issue #4! But remember, you don’t have to read this book, you NEED to!

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Movie News Reviews

Movie Review: Kick-Ass 2 (2013)

A Little Less Kick, But a Bit More Heart

A Film Review of Kick-Ass 2

By: Lawrence Napoli

 

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Mark Millar’s brain child, Kick-Ass, is a comic series known for its extreme use of violence, language and adult situations that would make most standard issue comic book characters blush. It is meant to be an over the top, some would even argue “depraved,” depiction of people trying to be super-heroes in the real world which means real consequences like pain, broken bones and death combined with a very irreverent, comedic tone that makes for some hilarious moments. Then incidents like the Sandy Hook massacre happen, and it instantly causes some people to reevaluate the use of violence as entertainment which led to Jim Carrey (Colonel Stars and Stripes in Kick-Ass 2) recanting his involvement in the project soon after. Mark Millar made a public response to Carrey’s comment that expressed disappointment over his second guessing, and that this film’s title demands a certain level of violence not meant to exploit tragedies in reality. When comparing Kick-Ass 2 to the original, I find a film that is much less absurd, random and reckless with its use of violence and adult content which definitely has a positive impact on the overall quality of this movie. I am uncertain if the final cut was compiled with Carrey’s comments and real-world incidents in mind, but it certainly feels like it.

Having said that, Kick Ass 2 picks up almost exactly where the first film left off two years ago, and the artist formerly known as the Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) has got an axe to grind with Kick-Ass (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Although this plot is the primary conflict that unites every character in this film, there is a much more personal journey of discovery that is happening for Hit-Girl (Chloë Grace Mortez). She’s growing up and seems to have more than her inordinately hyper (or masochistic) desire to protect the city motivating her life. Where Kick-Ass was the title character’s focus on the classic origin story, the sequel is more interested with everyone’s secret identities and how they inspire the alter-ego-vigilantism. The story promotes a strong theme of family and coming together as a group to achieve great things from both ends of the moral spectrum, but make no mistake; violence, inappropriate humor and a healthy amount of cussing remain as the principal tools to propel the plot forward which keeps the entertainment factor fairly high for the duration of the film. Writer/director Jeff Wadlow certainly took a more tempered approach on everything from plot points to dialogue to make this movie seem less like pornography and maybe that flies in the face of the comic books, but it does make for a better fiction on film. Character arcs (though pedestrian) pay off, the violence (though graphic at times) serves a purpose and the idea of the impracticality of real-life super heroes is constant.

The action in Kick-Ass 2 is carbon-copied from the first film. It is very focused on hand to hand combat and small arms gunplay, but stunt work is fairly light and explosions are few and far between. Special and visual effects are also relegated to mostly slow motion sequences, and with a budget of only $28 million dollars, you aren’t going to be witness to a grandiose spectacle this side of The Avengers, but of course, that’s the point. Kick-Ass 2 is a very efficiently produced action adventure that needs to be stingy with fights and compensates with dialogue. We’re talking about street level violence so there’s no real need for thunder gods and hulks. While the camera gets pretty close to the aforementioned action which delivers that staccato punch to the audience, let’s be clear that as overused as the word “epic” is tossed around anything and everything conceivably “Hollywood,” it can’t be used for Kick-Ass 2 in any way.

If anyone was curious what Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been up to in his spare time since 2010, guess what? He’s been living at the gym and slamming the weights, and the proof is the absolute beastly shape he’s in for this film. It actually is somewhat curious considering that his character, Kick-Ass, isn’t really the focal point for this story, but his efforts were not in vain. His action sequences are right on mark, and his performance is actually quite sincere and charismatic. He is every bit as loveable and naive as he was in the first film, and his onscreen chemistry with his costar, Ms. Moretz pays off for both actors.

You know who wasn’t hitting the gym? Christopher Mintz-Plasse. He continues to bank on the success of pseudo-acting thanks to a little character named McLovin, and if your production ever needs a scrawny smart-ass that spouts off random humor in a squeaky voice, Mintz-Plasse is your man. I’m not taking pot shots at the guy as I’m glad things worked out for his career, but roles like the one he plays in this film: The Motherf*cker, are custom built for his brand of comedy which isn’t too far removed from Jack Ass minus the painful pranks.

The rest of the supporting cast is a mixed bag of goodness. Jim Carrey, thankfully, doesn’t deliver a full-tilt “Riddler” performance as Colonel Stars and Stripes, and although this effectively caps the potential ridiculous nature of his comedy, he is still adequate in his role as the unofficial leader of “Justice Forever” and mentor to the younger heroes. The most underrated performance is that of John Leguizamo as Javier, the Mother F-er’s bodyguard, who attempts to dissuade his crazy quest for vengeance, but winds up enabling him all the same. Leguizamo’s performance is as serious and focused as Morris Chestnut’s who plays Hit-Girl’s guardian, and both men do a satisfactory job at being fatherly figures.

This film, however, is really all about Chloë Grace Mortez as Hit-Girl. She easily kicks the most ass (no pun intended) of any individual character as a combatant, but she continues to grow as an actress that has the ability to allow her demeanor and her words do the actual talking (as opposed to her fists). Despite being the youngest member of this cast, her leadership is undeniable in every scene. She has genuine chemistry with everyone, but she is the one who sets the tone. Every actor plays off her intensity so much so that it’s very easy to forget that this young lady was born in 1997.

Kick-Ass 2 is a film that keeps the exact tone from the original which is both good and bad. Familiarity is what allows a franchise to become a brand, but the sequel is a little too familiar at times leaving me starved for some form of evolution: higher stakes or bigger spectacles. This is a must-see for fans of the original, but please make note that this film isn’t quite as brazen an experience. It’s a fun little movie that once again visits the absurd notion of super-heroes in reality that are just regular people without training, unique abilities or resources. However, that too, is the point and a message concerning the real world’s desperate need for real heroes (i.e. decent people simply doing the right thing) is quite satisfying for the audience as they exit the theatre.

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Comic Book News

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile for May 30th, 2012

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile

 

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

(A weekly quick pick of the five titles that should reside at the top of your pull list. In no particular order!)

 

I do the research, you reap the reward! Before you head out to your favorite shop today, be sure to add these books to your list of goodies! Forget that “apple a day nonsense”, this “DOC’s” prescription to good health starts with these top five titles of the week!

 

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1. The Walking Dead #98  : If I told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times, when Kirkman uses red covers â€” bad things happen! This is a biggie, folks! Do not miss this issue or YOU will have “Something To Fear”! Check out my review here!

2.  Supercrooks #3  : Mark Millar’s homage to Ocean’s Eleven — with a twist, continues here! Just as the team gets back together, they find out who their “mark” is. This ones going to be waaaay tougher than they thought! Great book!

3.  Batman Annual #1  : You think Scott Snyder has created an amazing version of Batman, wait till you get a load of his Mr. Freeze! Completely twisted with a shocking ending, Snyder throws out all you thought you knew and carves a new niche for himself in the Batman mythos! Amazing! Check out my full review here!

4.  Animal Man Annual #1  :  This is a great “down time” issue, that lets us see the first battle that teamed a Swamp Thing and an Avatar of the Red together! Creepy and engrossing, this one paves the way for the war with the Rot!

5.  X-Men Legacy #267  :   An Avengers Vs. X-Men tale that actually has a complete battle set up in a single issue â€” without roping you into buying more books! This is a great Rogue-centric tale that is all about control and when to lose it! One phrase can sum up this book â€” Rogue Smash Puny Avengers! Fantastic stuff! Don’t believe me, check out my review here!

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Comic Book News

Just What The “DOC” Ordered: A Review of CLiNT Magazine #2.1!

Just What The Doc Ordered

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

 

The All-New, Freshly Scrubbed — CLiNT!

 

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You know that feeling you get when it’s your first day back to work after a nice vacation? That “everything sucks” feeling? Well, that’s exactly how my day began. My shared cubicle seemed too small, encroaching on my very life essence. M.E. Byron Brewer cranked out a ton of reviews in my absence, making the “assistant” part of Assistant Managing Editor seem glaringly relevant! And my favorite vending machine button in the world -F5 – the one that holds the glorious goodness of my daily Snickers bar was empty. “Everything sucks” would have been my mantra for the entirety of the day, if not for the mail delivery! There, amongst solicits and previews, sat my advanced copy of the magazine that shattered the mediocrity of the day — CLiNT 2.1! The best damn magazine you will read all month!

You think Mark Millar can only create some of the most explosive, irreverent, in your face comics in the world? Well, that’s where your wrong, son! He can also bring you an informative, explosive, irreverent and in your face magazine as well! 100 pages of comics, interviews, previews and strips, await your grubby little fingers — and you won’t want to put it down!

First, you are hit with a rousing interview with Mark Millar and his ideas regarding the Supercrooks and American Jesus movies! Tons of information regarding filming locales and script direction that you will only find within the pages of CLiNT, folks! Although you won’t find any of Supercrooks director Nacho Vigalondo’s ideas in the magazine, you can head on over to clintmag.com for an exclusive interview with him! Yeah, it’s a shameless plug but you really should check it out!

Have you been drugged, kidnapped and sold to the highest bidder in a L.A.R.P.ing tournament in Kentucky? No? Than you have no excuse to have missed the premiere issues of Supercrooks and Secret Service! But if you have – sorry and welcome back – you have the chance to catch-up on two of the best books on the shelves today. That’s right, you will find the entire first issues of Supercrooks and Secret Service reprinted inside this amazing mag! Where else can you find two complete best selling comics and tons of extra goodies in one place for one low price!

Speaking of extra goodies, you will get a 4 page preview of Lenore #4: Revenge of the Creeping, the next totally insane chapter of Rex Royd, the tracking of the real-life hero Clint and tons more! But, the best part is the CliNT exclusive Death Sentence comic! This tale follows three main characters that have been infected with an STD that will grant them super powers before they die from it! Totally fresh, engaging and crazy enough to grab you and make you question your weekly pull list! This is the future of comics and you can only get it here!

This is without a doubt, THE best magazine you will pick up this month! Regardless of all the other magazines you may, “read for the articles,” this one won’t give you carpal tunnel! Plus, you can actually leave it out on the coffee table and not get weird looks from your friends! As a matter of fact, this single magazine will probably raise your coolness factor through the roof! So, beware hep-cats and daddios — there is a blast of awesomeness hitting the racks!

Remember, “everything sucks” without a CLiNT in your hand! 

Special Offer: Subscribe to “CLiNT” and Save 20%, plus get a FREE signed Dave Gibbons “The Secret Service” Art Card! Act now, only 200 available! To find out more visit – http://titanmagazines.com/t/clint/local-subscribe/
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Comic Book News

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile for May 16, 2012

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

(A weekly quick pick of the five titles that should reside at the top of your pull list. In no particular order!)

 

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I do the research, you reap the reward! Before you head out to your favorite shop today, be sure to add these books to your list of goodies! Forget that apple a day nonsense, this “DOC’s” prescription for good health starts with these top five titles of the week!

 

1.  Hardcore #1:  Kirkman brings his A game with this action/sci-fi/thriller about an assassin that can manipulate another person’s body! Part Quantum Leap, part The Bourne Identity — 100% amazing! This is the “Next Big Thing”! Check out my full review here!

2.  Danger Club #2:  Great story by Landry Q. Walker and even better art by Eric Jones — this tale of a world that has lost all it’s adult heroes will enthrall you! The future for Kid Vigilante looks bleak as he must do the unthinkable in order to save the entire world! Walker and Jones have hooked me on this sleeper hit, so get it if you can!

3.  The Secret Service #2:  The combined comic might of Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons unite on a tale of family and country! Gary’s Uncle Jack is trying to help him escape from his hell of a life. But is it better to deal with the hell you know or the one you don’t know? Another hit from the Millarverse that will have you begging for more!

4.  B.P.R.D.- Hell On Earth: The Devil’s Engine #1:  Johann Kraus has changed, Abe Sapien has been removed from action, Liz Sherman is in hiding and Hellboy is dead! Everything the B.P.R.D. has built up over the years, begins to fall all around them! And if they fall — the entire world does as well! Mike Mignola continues to break his world one piece at a time! Get on board while you can!

5.  Red Hood and the Outlaws #9:  The “Night of the Owls” storyline continues here, but it’s the first appearance of a certain Bat villain in the DCnU that makes this book so “cool!” That’s right, folks — Mr. Freeze enters the fray and all the corny “Arnie” lines can now flow freely around in your head again! Great story about the prodigal Bat-son and his team of reluctant heroes! Scott Lobdell and Kenneth Rocafort continue to make “chilling” stories month after month! So,”Chill Out!” and get this book!

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Movie News

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile for March 21st, 2012

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

(A weekly quick pick of the five titles that should reside at the top of your pull list. In no particular order!)

 

I do the research, you reap the reward! Before you head out to your favorite shop today, make sure to add these five titles to your list of goodies. Forget that apple a day nonsense, this “DOC’s” prescription to good health begins with these top five titles of the week!

 

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:988:]]1. Supercrooks #1: Mark Millar is back once again with the amazing Lenil Yu on artistic chores! What do you do if you’re a super criminal that keeps getting beaten by heroes? Move to Spain, of course! I mean, has anyone ever heard of a Captain Spain? Hell no! This book is awesome! Check out the review.

2. Ragemoor #1:  Jan Strnad and Richard Corben have converged to create an instant horror classic! Black and white, completely creepy, this is the book that will keep you up late tonight! Check out my full review here!

3. Batman #7: Scott Snyder has broken the Bat! Revelations galore in this issue and you won’t believe who Dick Grayson’s great-grandfather is! Get in now before the “Night Of The Owls” storyline hits all the Bat books starting next month!  

4. Kick-Ass 2 #7: The $#!& hits the fan in this series finale and no one emerges unscathed! Plus, there is a eight page preview of Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons The Secret Service where Mark Hamil dies!! You should have used the Force, Luke!

5. B.P.R.D. Hell On Earth: The Long Death #2 (of 3): Besides having the longest title on the list, this is one hell of a book! Raging monsters, mayhem, the Wendigo and a final battle that is completely awesome — this book has it all! Check out an advanced review here!

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Movie News

Review: Super Crooks #1

Mark Millar not only assaults us this week with the wrap up of Kick-Ass 2, he literally punches us in the face with his brand new villain-centric book — Supercrooks!

Supercrooks, is the tale of Johnny Bolt and his crew of unlucky criminals who are sick and tired of being taken down by heroes. While other cadres of villains seem to have set themselves up quite nicely over the years, forming a hierarchy, Johnny is constantly getting the shake down. When their mentor crosses the wrong people, Johnny and his ex-fiancee decide there is only one thing they can do to save him, hit the score of their lives where there are no super heroes to mess up their plans — in Spain! 

Mark Millar is constantly bringing something fresh to the genre while nodding to aspects that came before. Johnny and his crew are reminiscent of the Flash’s Rogues Gallery, and Gladiator is Captain America if he actually had balls! Not that these characters can be confined into such tight comparisons, they are quite unique unto themselves! I love how frail and pathetic Johnny and his cohorts seem to be compared to the other characters in the book. It makes them think harder, trying to out guile the hierarchy that seems to run all aspects of their world. It gives them an underdog feel that makes you root for them, and yet, you can’t help but want to see them fail miserably just so their faces get smashed yet again!

That’s exactly what you can expect from a Millar book, a cunning story with a razors edge that will draw you in and then kick you in the balls! It is pure cerebral viciousness at its finest! You won’t find another book on the racks today that will make you think, cringe, applaud and scream “Holy $#!%!” quite like Supercrooks will! Well, except for Kick-Ass that is!

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Movie News

Advanced Review: Superior #7 (of 7)

Simon Pooni was just your average boy. Smart, outgoing, captain of the basketball team, but one day his whole world changed when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. A ravaged body left him in a wheelchair, broken but not beaten. His world had been changed once already — soon it would change again!

Mark Millar gives us his all in the long awaited finale of Superior! Intense action sequences, that will rock the senses, hit you from page one. It is the undaunting barrage of earth shattering battles that will pique your interest, but it is the heart of the Simon Pooni character that will hold sway over you. A boy that has endured so much, must now make the ultimate decision — sell his immortal soul to a demon, in order to become Superior again, or watch as the world is torn asunder!

It is moving how Millar has created a character that — in every essence of his being — is a hero. He was given an average life, then it was taken away. He was given a boon to become something truly amazing, then it was taken away. Now, he has been asked to give even more of himself, so much more than even he can comprehend! The character of Simon is built from the essence of everything that is great in the world of comics. He is a nostalgic look at what came before and a glimpse of what could come again. Millar creates a pure homage to the iconic vision of Superman, while modernizing it without tarnishing it’s integrity.

It took FOREVER for this book to come out, but the wait is now over! It is a blockbuster of a finale, one that will make you think you’re watching a summer action film instead of reading a comic book! But that’s exactly what Mark Millar does on each issue he writes! He creates something that makes you ponder just how good the industry could be if half the talent — had half his talent!

As the cover says, “The gloves are finally off!” Truer words were never spoken!

“Superior” #7 provided by friend of Cosmic Book News.

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Movie News

Mark Millar: “Is the Big Two about to become the Big Three?”

supercrooks“Is the Big Two about to become the Big Three?”
 
That’s the question Mark Millar poses during his Millarworld Editorial in the pages of Kick-Ass 2 #6. And with the lineup he’s bringing to Millarworld in 2012 — he damn well has a shot!
 
According to Mr. Millar, 2012 will see some HUGE books coming out, but we’ll have to wait a little bit to get them in our hands. Patience is a virtue after all, and it will be well worth it!
 
March is when we will see not only one new series come out of the Millarworld stable — but two! First will be Supercrooks, with art by fan favorite Leinil Francis Yu. Shipping almost simultaneously will be The Secret Service, drawn by comic legend — Dave Gibbons! This book was also co-conceived by the Kick-Ass film director, Matthew Vaughn! Then in April, we will finally see the long awaited Hit-Girl series, by Kick-Ass veteran artist John Romita Jr! 
 
Around the end of summer, Millar will launch an as yet to be named book that he is calling, “a vast superhero epic, something as wide in scope as the Lord of the Rings, for a superhero audience!” Nothing can make that sound more exciting, unless you factor in that superstar artist Frank Quitely will be doing the art chores! 
 
hit-girl 2And finally in November, fans will get to see one of the most insane, brutal and disturbingly cunning books back on the shelves, as Steve McNiven draws the coolest killers around in the pages of — Nemesis 2!
 
All these artistic legends led by the crazy intelligence of one Mark Millar? Is there any doubt that the Big Two might actually have to look over their shoulder in 2012? And remember boys, the toys in the Millarworld aren’t as precious as yours! Anything goes, and it usually does, which is exactly what fans want! And I will be the first in line to get the most exciting and original books on the shelves today — Millarworld books!
 
If that wasn’t enough for you, you can travel across the pond and go to Millar’s own Kapow Comic Convention! Tickets are on sale now for this London based event that takes place on May 19th and 20th. Be sure to visit www.kapowcomicconvention.com for all the insane details!
 
Image sources: CBR