black-swan-review

Movie Review: Black Swan

Once upon a time, yours truly had an insatiable crush on one Natalie Portman.  I found the tempered violence crafted by Luc Besson in The Professional (1994) to be utterly ridiculous without the extremely sincere performances of Jean Reno, Gary Oldman and this 13 year old little girl who had an on-camera presence well beyond …

Movie Review: Black Swan Read More »

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Boom! Studios $1 March Amory Wars Special Edition

Press Release

BOOM! STUDIOS &
CLAUDIO SANCHEZ
MAKE IT EASIER THAN EVER
TO BREAK INTO
EPIC SCI-FI UNIVERSE OF THE
COHEED & CAMBRIA MYTHOS
WITH
THE AMORY WARS: IN KEEPING
SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH: 3 #1
$1 EDITION
COMING THIS MARCH!

JUST IN TIME FOR
THE AMORY WARS: IN KEEPING
SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH VOL. 2

January 20, 2011 – Los Angeles, CA – If you have a dollar in your pocket then you can’t miss the chance to dive into the sensational sci-fi epic from BOOM! Studios and Coheed & Cambria frontman Claudio Sanchez with THE AMORY WARS: IN KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH: 3 #1 $1 EDITION. That’s right, for only $1 you can experience all the thrilling action and excitement that makes THE AMORY WARS: IN KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH: 3 a stunning space saga like none other in comics today!

“There’s no reason you should not pick up THE AMORY WARS: IN KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH: 3 #1 $1 EDITION!,” said BOOM! Studios Marketing Director Chip Mosher. “Shake those piggy banks and scour the couch for loose change, do not pass up the chance to explore the rich and expansive story that only creative masterminds Claudio Sanchez and Peter David can bring. This could very well be the best $1 you’ll ever spend!”

If you’ve heard about the ground-breaking The Amory Wars but never had a chance to get into it, the $1 first issue is a great entry point for new readers. Claudio Kilgannon’s adventure of war and rebirth starts here, from Sanchez, Eisner Award-winner Peter David and BATMAN & ROBIN’s Chris Burnham! Hitting the shelves the same month as the second trade paperback!

THE AMORY WARS is the story of Claudio Kilgannon, son of Coheed and Cambria, the subjects of a privately developed anti-terrorist unit. The insidious Supreme Tri-mage Wilhelm Ryan, self-proclaimed ruler of Heaven’s Fence, a network of 78 planets, sets forth to decimate those that could stand in his way, including Coheed, Cambria and their children. Claudio must discover his role in this galactic turmoil and come to terms with his own growth in worlds that are always changing. THE AMORY WARS is the story behind the band Coheed and Cambria’s music, allowing fans to finally unlock the true course of events encrypted in the lyrics since the band first debuted.

THE AMORY WARS: IN KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH: 3 #1 $1 EDITION is written by Claudio Sanchez and Peter David with art by Chris Burnham. This title ships in March for the price of only $1 and carries a Diamond Code of JAN111024.

About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (www.boom-studios.com) 2009 “Best Publisher” of the year, generates a wide-ranging catalog of multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated comic books and graphic novels featuring some of the industry’s top talent, including Philip K. Dick’s DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, 20th Century Fox’s 28 DAYS LATER and DIE HARD, The Henson Company’s FARSCAPE, and the original Mark Waid series IRREDEEMABLE. This fall sees BOOM! teaming up with the legendary Stan Lee, creator of Marvel Comics’ characters Spider-Man, The Hulk, and The X-Men for a line of original superhero series, the legend’s first new superhero creations in nearly 20 years. BOOM!’s youth imprint, BOOM Kids!, is an undisputed industry leader publishing Disney/Pixar’s THE INCREDIBLES, CARS, and TOY STORY, as well as Disney’s THE MUPPETS, DONALD DUCK, UNCLE SCROOGE and WALT DISNEY’S COMICS AND STORIES. This year, BOOM! Studios celebrates its fifth anniversary.

 

About Evil Ink Comics
Evil Ink Comics is the independent publishing company of Claudio Sanchez, the lead singer of progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria, and also the creator and author of Evil Ink’s current projects, Kill Audio & The Amory Wars.

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Marvel Announces Ed McGuinness returns to HULK!

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Press Release

Ed McGuinness returns to HULK!

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at HULK #30, as superstar artist Ed McGuinness returns to the book he helped create and joins red hot writer Jeff Parker for the gamma-irradiated team-up you never thought you’d see! That’s right, the Green Goliath and the rampaging Red Hulk must put aside their differences to take on a threat so massive it’ll take the both of them to put a stop to it. The Earth will shake as the COMPOUND HULK makes its shocking debut!

“Thanks to his amazing run with Jeph Loeb, Ed’s become THE definitive Hulk artist of our time,” said Senior Editor Mark Paniccia. “HULK #30 is pure McGuinness madness, introducing new characters that are bound to be instant classics, and some Hulk villains that fans have been frothing for. All this and the Impossible Man, too.” 

Prepare for an action-packed, gamma-fueled beat down that only the combined might of two Hulks can deliver in HULK #30, on sale this February!

HULK #30 (DEC100576)

Written by JEFF PARKER

Pencils and Cover by ED McGUINNESS

T+…$3.99

FOC 1/24/11, On-Sale 2/16/11

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Preview: Do Angels Dream Of Electric Sheep?: Dust To Dust #8

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Written by Chris Roberson
Drawn by Robert Adler
SC, 24pgs, FC, SRP: $3.99
COVER: Connor Willumsen
Diamond Code: SEP100873

The can’t-miss last issue of the celebrated prequel to the Eisner-nominated series DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?! Can Charlie Victor and Malcolm Reed put an end to the renegade androids? Find out as Chris Roberson (I, ZOMBIE) closes another chapter of Philip K. Dick’s classic sci-fi world that inspired BLADE RUNNER!

On-Sale: January 19th, 2011

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Preview: Thor #619

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Written by MATT FRACTION
Pencils & Cover by PASQUAL FERRY
With Ol’ One Eye seated again on the throne of Asgard, learn ye now the story of the World Tree– the birth of spacetime itself!  Speaking of Odin… guess who’s got one eye and isn’t exactly thrilled to see young Loki again? And as the refugees of nine worlds brace for the relentless invasion by the dark gods of the Tenth World, hoping against hope they’ll live to see tomorrow, two of Asgard’s most mighty ready themselves to make the ultimate sacrifice! This is it, true believers– the last moment of daylight before the skies rip open and rain down blood… and the WORLD EATERS… next stop MIDGARD!!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 NOT FINAL COVER

On-Sale: January 19th, 2011

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Ikon of the Space-Knights: Dark ‘Knights: Return to glory!

Dark ‘Knights:

Return to glory!

 

By Byron Brewer, Managing Editor

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IKON – A IS SHE!

Rom was never one of my main books, but I always enjoyed the creation and mythos of the Spaceknights of Galador, and was glad to welcome them back to Marvel Cosmic in Annihilation.

Now, as we ready ourselves for a new era of wonderment by cosmic scribes Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning with the mini The Annihilators (which many of us hope will become an ongoing), a new character has popped in: Ikon, a new Spaceknight, who is ready to lead the Annihilators into battle against … what? The Dire Wraiths?

We will look forward to that discovery in March.

The Spaceknights are an elite group of cyborg humanoids from the planet Galador, created to battle the Dire Wraiths. The idea of the Spaceknights was invented by the Parker Brothers toy company as part of the background for their toy character of Rom, but it was developed by Marvel in Rom the comic book. While Rom is gone, Marvel retains ownership of the Spaceknight characters today.

Galador was located in a galaxy known only as “The Golden Galaxy” and was a paradisaical planet, with very advanced technology. Galadorians seem to be identical to normal humans but with longer lifespans. Two hundred years ago, the planet was ruled by a man known as “The Prime Director” and its scientists had already developed a class of angel-like warriors using genetic engineering. However, when it was discovered that the evil shapeshifters known as the Dire Wraiths were invading their galaxy, the Galadorian government decided that it would be necessary to create cyborg warriors to defend the planet from them.

The Prime Director himself asked the people of Galador to volunteer, promising them that their “humanity” (the body parts that would need to be removed to implant the Spaceknights’ armor) would be preserved frozen and later restored to them after the threat had passed. At first the Galadorians were hesitant, until a young man called Rom became the first volunteer. Inspired by his example, a total of 1,000 Galadorians underwent the process, and were transformed into Spaceknights — each superstrong and capable of space flight, but each having a different special power or weapon as well as an individual form and codename. Rom was given the Neutralizer, Galador’s most powerful weapon, to use.

The Spaceknights formed a ring around the planet and waited for the Wraith space fleet to reach them. After a great battle, the Spaceknights managed to repel them. Rom chased them back to their home, Wraithworld, but this caused the Wraiths to flee in all directions, infiltrating various other planets. Feeling responsible, Rom swore he would not reclaim his humanity until every Wraith in the Marvel U. had been defeated. Once again, the other Spaceknights followed his example.

Two hundred years later, Rom arrived on Earth. There he battled an Earth human who had been given the Firefall armor by the Wraiths, but who soon died in battle. The Wraiths tried to replicate the Spaceknight armor, which led to the creation of the uniforms used by The Rocketeers and the Torpedoes. While fighting The Hybrid, Rom was banished to Limbo with his own Neutralizer. There he met Karas, who helped him return to Earth with his Living Fire, and warned him of trouble in Galador. Rom returned to his homeworld, where he ended up facing Mentus, Terminator and Galactus; his humanity was apparently destroyed in the process. He was then returned to Earth.

Starshine arrived on Earth soon after, following Rom, whom she had fallen in love with, but was soon killed by a Wraith. She was buried in Clairton, West Virginia, where Rom had set up his operations, but was soon dug up by Brandy Clark, a local girl who had fallen in love with Rom, and magically given her armor by a Wraith Sorcerer called Doctor Dredd. She was transformed back to normal not long afterwards by The Hybrid.

Meanwhile, a second generation of Spaceknights had been created in Galador to protect the planet. However, these came to feel superior to normal Galadorians, and began to hunt them all down. The now-human Brandy was transported to Galador by The Beyonder since she wanted to be reunited with Rom after all the Dire Wraiths in the universe lost their powers. Rom arrived in time to save Brandy but not the human Galadorians; nor could he prevent the destruction of all the Spaceknights’ humanities. With help from the original Spaceknights, the evil ones were destroyed. Rom then found his humanity — left for him to claim by Galactus — and became human again, staying on Galador with Brandy to repopulate the planet. The other Spaceknights left to protect the planet from afar and continue fighting evil across space.

In Jim Starlin’s Spaceknights limited series, we see that Rom and Brandy have two sons, Balin and Tristan, who have become part of a new generation of Spaceknights. Note that these characters are named after two legendary knights, Sir Balin and Sir Tristan.

The six-issue miniseries Annihilation has the Spaceknights from the Starlin miniseries (including one of Rom’s sons) being led by Blastaar. They were featured most prominently (albeit still briefly) in issue #5. In issue #6, doubts about the Spaceknights’ survival were expressed.

In Annihilation: Conquest Prologue, Galadorian ships and Spaceknights appear over the Kree home world Hala where the former-and-to be Star-Lord, Peter Quill, has arranged for them to demonstrate a new defense program known as “A-ware.” The lead Spaceknight is known as Daystar and interfaces with the Kree computer War-net by downloading the defense program from his gauntlet. A scenario is then run but things go haywire as the Kree Sentinel robots begin attacking Kree ships in orbit. Quill attempts to get the War-net rebooted but is stopped by Daystar. It becomes apparent that the Spaceknights have been infected with the Technovirus and are under the control of The Phalanx. Quill kills one of the Galadorians during an escape attempt but the others survive. It is revealed that several of the Spaceknights’ “Crusade Missions” have been assimilated into the Phalanx having lost contact with their home world while in Kree Space. This causes the Galadorians to send a Spaceknight as a part of the efforts to get past the energy barrier surrounding Kree Space, along with surviving members of the Kree as well as representatives from Spartoi, Badoon and Rigel.

It will be interesting to hear Ikon’s story and see what faces our team of cosmic heavyhitters carrying out our beloved Guardians’ legacy. Here is hoping for a long, long string of space-based stories by DnA to follow. (Just itching to see the Annihilators take on the Brood!)

Annihilators #1 hits stores in March!

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Your First Look At X-MEN #8!

Press Release
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Marvel is pleased to present your first look at X-Men #8! From the powerhouse creative team of writer Victor Gischler and artist Chris Bachalo, comes the X-Men’s return to New York in To Serve And Protect! The X-Men and Spider-Man have teamed up to discover the mystery of the lizard-creatures wreaking havoc in Manhattan but nothing can prepare them for the surprise villain behind everything! And that’s not all! For fans of superstar artist Chris Bachalo’s stunning interiors, there will be a Bachalo Variant for X-Men #8, X-Men #9, and X-Men #10!

 

X-MEN #8 (DEC100620)

X-MEN #8 BACHALO VARIANT (NOV108287)

Written by VICTOR GISCHLER

Penciled by CHRIS BACHALO

Cover by TERRY DODSON

Variant cover by CHRIS BACHALO

Rated T+ …$3.99

FOC – 1/31/11, On-Sale – 2/23/10

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Review: Steel #1

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STEEL #1 PREVIEW

Writer: Steve Lyons

Artist: Ed Benes

Colorist: Blond

Letterer: Pat Bosseau

Cover: Alex Garner

Editor: Matt Idelson

Publisher: DC

Release Date: January 5th, 2011

 

The “Death of Superman” will be forever etched into this reviewer’s reading experience, as I fondly recall all the build-up and hype leading to the demise of the Man of Steel. I remember reading the first appearances, albeit in a second or third printing, of the raw and awesome power that is Doomsday. As a kid, I was totally awestruck seeing this unstoppable force making his way through the world’s finest, with hardly any effort.  Issue by issue, the Kryptonian assassin’s appearance would be revealed, further adding to the tensions, mystery and excitement. From there, we would be witness to a new stock of Supermen, in the form of four super-powered mysteries.

Steve Lyons has captured the magic of the original and made this all his own with Steel #1. As seen all those years ago, Doomsday has once again become the most brutal and destructive force there is.

From the outset, Lyons gives us a story narrated by John Henry Irons, a man facing terrible odds, yet defiant as he faces the evil of Doomsday, as the hero known as Steel. Without warning, similar to all those years ago, Doomsday is on a murderous rampage with nothing to stop him from completing his quest – whatever that may be. The engine of destruction has specifically targeted this man of steel – and this does not bode well for the most human of the Supermen.

As Steel fights for his life, you can not help but feel his anguish and anticipation. Lyons writes as if you are fighting side by side with the man who chose to take up the mantle of the world’s greatest hero. Lyons involves the reader as we bear witness to what fate holds for John Henry. From the perspective of his niece, who can all but watch, we share the same helpless feeling as the nightmare that is unfolding sweeps us up.

As this Doomsday is on a new mission of murder, with that, also comes new powers and abilities. Again, similar to the events of yester-year, we are given a story full of might and mystery. Lyons has given Doomsday a much needed make-over, a fresh take on a classic villain to heroes everywhere.

The art of Ed Benes compliments Lyons’ writing exceptionally well, as he gives us page after page of super-hero filled angst, battle, bloodshed, hope and despair. The pain from the punches can be felt in the pencils and colors. The strength of the two battling titans radiates forth from the panels depicting the fierce fighting. Benes and company match the emotion of the original; in turn, giving homage to both Supermen as we see with the conclusion. Very nicely done.

Steve Lyons and Ed Benes give us a fantastic start to the “Reign of Doomsday.” The story is a heart-felt one leaving you thoroughly engrossed as to what comes next. I fear for the next hero – or villain – that crosses path with this monster – for certainly it will be his or her Doomsday!

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Review: The Thanos Imperative: Devastation #1

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Writers: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning

Artist: Miguel Sepulveda

Colorist: Rain Beredo

Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna

Cover: Alex Garner

Editor: Bill Rosemann

Publisher: Marvel

Release Date: January 5th, 2011

 

With The Thanos Imperative: Devastation, Abnett and Lanning begin to distance themselves from the previous five years worth of Annihilation-era cosmic stories we all have been accustomed to. As seen in the last issue of The Thanos Imperative, Peter Quill, leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy, and Richard Rider, leader of the Nova Corps, have been seemingly wiped off the face of the Marvel U. As with the two Marvel Cosmic mainstays, for the past three years at least, Nova and Star-Lord join their respective titles, Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy, — into Oblivion.

Fan-favorite canine, Cosmo, is used to ease the changeover between the old guard and the new – or perhaps “convince” would be the better word. I can’t help but think, when Cosmo is describing the Guardians of the Galaxy to be a band of misfits that aren’t the very best, that it is more Marvel selling us as to what is to come; as if to say, “sorry these guys weren’t good enough, BUT these are.”

It almost comes off as offensive; the Guardians of the Galaxy was one of my favorite titles and a book I felt to be one of Marvel’s better reads. I only wish the top Brass agreed. As we get inundated with Marvel Studios movie tie-ins – that do not sell any better than Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy – I feel as if I am being treated like a second class reader. Marvel’s answer to more cosmic is cosmic with their popular characters (Thor, Cap, X-Men). When the Marvel Cosmic I do enjoy is proven to be a seller, we are only given IFs, something akin to a handicap or poor man’s bread. Meanwhile, across the street, the direct competition is set to premiere the biggest blockbuster of the year – a cosmic movie.

As Cosmo makes his way from Annihilator to Annihilator, the group finally comes together to repel the advances of the cowardice (ex?)-leader of the Negative Zone, Blastaar. As seen in the recent issue of Jonathan Hickman’s Fantastic Four (#586), Annihilus is back to bug our heroes. Perhaps, the rest of the story will be told there, or perhaps not as another quality Marvel Cosmic title meets it’s doom.

Speaking of the FF, we see in the recent issue of Avengers (#8), Medusa informing Mr. Fantastic, that her husband has perished.  Mr. Fantastic, the last to know of the events that went down at the creation of The Fault, as surely most were informed by Nova or perhaps by any of the Mighty Avengers or Star Jammers. However, I do not think Professor X even realizes the person he shares a life-long bond with has met her demise, as well. Can we expect The Annihilators to have a role in the next Marvel Event described as bigger than Civil War? Furthermore, will Ed Brubaker be informing Steve Rogers that his first choice of a cosmic assembler has fallen?

We are witness to flashback scenes where the original idea behind the Annihilators is revealed.  Sadly, this person shall not be a member of the Galaxy’s Mightiest; the same can be said for his fallen comrade. As the Annihilators made their way annihilating Blastaar, a sense of absence lingered – Nova and Star-Lord not being a part. The two characters that readers most heavily invested in – go out in a blue blaze of wasted glory.

In the end, we see the emergence of the team leader. Gone are the two brothers-in-arms of the Annihilation United Front. Gone is the father-daughter -and lover- team of Drax, Moondragon and Phyla-vell. Gone is the most dangerous woman in the Universe, Gamora. Gone is the Wonderful Warlock known as Adam. Rocket and Groot shall be heard from again come March – but for how long after, I do not know.

Overall, The Thanos Imperative: Devastation was a nice follow-up to the events that transpired in Imperative. Sepulveda’s art adequately brought that greatness forth required by a team of heavy hitters such as this – he will be missed. Abnett and Lanning, once again, provided us with a very enjoyable book filled with twists, turns and a great cliff-hanger – leaving you longing for more. I can’t help but feeling, with the inclusion of Nova and Star-Lord as part of the future of Marvel Cosmic, it would have been that much better.

I do feel as if Marvel passed on an opportunity with these fantastic books and characters that Andy Schmidt and Keith Giffen bestowed upon us all with Annihilation. A book that critics hail as better than Civil War; a book that didn’t get all the hype and promotion that comes with being an Editorial favorite.

Obviously, this will all come off as a bit negative – but I do look forward to The Annihilators as it does star one of my fav’s. In addition, it is being written by a team of writers that I have the utmost respect for, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning.

I just hope this time around, The Annihilators do get the full backing from the new chief; anything else would be devastating.

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Review: Avengers #8

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AVENGERS #8 PREVIEW

COVER BY:Romita Jr., Janson & White

WRITER: Brian Michael Bendis

PENCILS: John Romita Jr.

INKS: Klaus Janson

COLORED BY: Dean White with Paul Mounts

LETTERED BY: VC’s Cory Pettit

PUBLISHER: Marvel

RELEASE DATE: December 29th, 2010

 

The things that are happening in this book are not coming at us hot and heavy, but rather we, much like the Hood, are discovering realities slowly but surely. And although the pace is not near as action-packed as Secret Avengers has been of late, I like it!

In the vein of classic Avengers tales, book scribe and Marvel U. architect Brian Michael Bendis is building on some very interesting Marvel lore – some created long ago by others, some dangling threads left by himself — to weave this tale of the further adventures of the Hood and the return of – the Infinity Gauntlet!

It will be interesting to see the Hood in the world of these “new” Avengers, Steve Rogers-picked mainstays for the official “public” lineup, rather than the nitty-gritty world of Luke Cage’s band. With the power set the Hood is trying to enter, both Thor and the Red Hulk may be needed in this team in the months ahead.

The public outing – at least among the superhero set – of the Illuminati this go-round was excellent. I would think ol’ Shellhead would’ve been a bit more cautious as to how he brought the team together again, especially after it was the failure of Stark-tech that allowed the Skrulls to establish a foothold on Earth during Secret Invasion. I guess the urgency of the matter at hand, and all that.

Despite the running backup, Bendis continues to impress me with his use of threads from the past as well as picking up subplots (remember those, readers?) such as Wonder Man’s hatred of current Avengers doings. And it was a real pleasure, this issue and last, to see the prime Avengers team enjoying time together and planning on Noh-Varr’s new living arrangements. (Exactly who does live in the Tower these days? Always love those little tidbits.)

I can find no fault with the art because JRJR, aided and abetted by Mr. Janson and Mr. White, draws each and every Marvel character to perfection. His dad and John Buscema wrote the book on the Marvel Manner (literally); looks like the kid read it!

And wow, what an awesome Lockjaw! (I cannot see the teleporting pooch anymore without thinking of Cosmo’s line from Guardians of the Galaxy when the two met: “Are you God?” lol!)

Keep bringing us these classic Avengers with modern touches and this reader/reviewer will be happy. And I wonder if either Thanos or Nebula will be making appearances soon, since the Gauntlet is on the market again? Talk about a world the Hood never made!

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Indiana Jones 5: Dies in next movie! Harrison Ford Wants Death!

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“Indiana Jones 5” may see the end to everyone’s favorite archaelogist according to Showbizspy.com.

According to an “insider source” it is Harrison, himself, that wants this:

“Harrison thinks it would be good for Indy to die and pass on his hat to his son in the next one,” reveals an insider.

“George especially is resisting the notion but Steven is considering it. Funnily enough Harrison wanted the same for Han Solo in the final Star Wars but George put an end to it. This time he doesn’t have all the say though.”

Maybe in “Indiana Jones 5” they could discover the fountain of youth and we all could be happy?!