Trailers for Suicide Squad AND Doctor Strange

Okay so this week has graced us with not one, but two new trailers for Super Hero films released this year. We've gotten our third trailer for Suicide Squad, pumped up as ever, and our first look at the Doctor Strange movie. So Marvel and DC at the helm, lets see what we've got to look forward to.

For those unaware, Suicide Squad is a story of villains. Imagine a world of Super heroes out there saving the day, now imagine the governments of that world when they too want to save the day, but with a less than lawful tactic. Thus Task Force X is created, AKA the Suicide Squad. Essentially villains of the DC Universe that  are locked up but show great potential are given a chance to take on a covert mission in exchange for a decreased sentence. The kicker is that the missions themselves are extremely dangerous and if they stray too far from the objective they will have their nanite-bombed heads exploded.

Right off the bat we see our shady characters, each a unique and deplorable being. All the while the government is rightly addressing the dangers of Superman, a hero not on their leash. And then we hear the Joker laugh, albeit after he had his lung punctured by the sounds of it. We then see some guns, some muscle, and some sex appeal - for those of you who were wondering if they would tone down the erotica that surrounds Harley Quinn, not on your life. Also, for the first time in any of the trailers her accent is heavily Brooklyn, a common trait of the character.

Very little is seen of the character known as Slipknot, but on the line "you escape, you die" we do see him grapnel away. I think its a fair estimate that he will be the first to die, and likely via 'head-boom'. We do see a lot more of El Diablo and his pyromancy, I do think he will also get offed, although much later in the film.

The blood really starts rushing when the Ballroom Blitz begins to play and we now know that this will be a pure action fest and treat for the senses. It's also looking as if two characters featured in the trailers, Joker and Enchantress, are not a part of the team itself and are likely the threat that needs to be neutralised. I imagine Enchantress is the threat and Joker is an unexpected inconvenience. Many are seeing his burnt appearance in this trailer and comparing it to the Joker written in DC's "Batman: Endgame" which is a truly terrifying depiction of the character, much as he is in the precursor; "Batman: Death of the Family".

There's a lot more batman to be seen, riding on the... "success" of Batman vs Superman a little. What looks to be the most interesting aspect however, much like in the comics,is the way the characters are towards each other. Unlikely companions, everyone - just look at how Deadshot and El Diablo speak to each other.

Ultimately it is almost here, a lot to be excited for, I can't wait. One big reason I'm excited is that for some reason Captain Boomerang here is holding a stuffed pig, and I have to find out why.

Moving on. For those unfamiliar, Doctor Strange is a Marvel property, so this is our first real look at a Phase 3 hero. The overall premise of this character is "what if Robert Downey Jr's Tony Stark was worse with technology but knew magic and shi-" and that's kind of a treat. Comic books tend to dwell within 3 universes, one is real and everyday, the second is cosmic and spans galaxies, the third is magic and the unknown. This will be Marvel's first real peek into the latter. Doctor Strange himself begins as an egotistical and famed surgeon who has his life ruined by a car accident when excessive nerve damage renders him useless as a doctor. After this incident he travels the world looking for an alternative treatment, and instead finds his destiny leads elsewhere. So lets take a look.

Right away we see the car accident so we know that like all other movies in the Marvel line, this will be an origin story. What does stand out more than it should for me is the american accent being performed by who I'm pretty bloody certain must be Cumberbatch. I'm not sure I like it myself, it sounds a bit Tom Waits-ey; "I don't believe in fairytales about chakras, or energy, or belief..."

Then there's a bald Tilda Swinton, a punch that could 'knock the life out of you' (heh), and we're on the ride! After this the spectacles goes berserk, like Inception on crack. It looks incredible and it truly feels like we're going to be witnessing a whole world come to life, hidden within the one we already know.

There is a brief look at Mads Mikkelsen with his starry eyes as he plays with the kaleidescope floor boards, Swinton has the thumb strength of a small-bald-white hulk, the city is collapsing and closing in on itself, and Benedict begins his quest for knowledge.  Judging from all of this it looks to me like we have only seen the first couple scenes, and if this is anything to go by we have a very exciting, almost drug riddled, journey to go on.

What do you think of these trailers? Is the year of the Super Hero off to a good start or is the genre due for the axe? Regardless we're going to make the most of it for now, so chins up high and hopes for the best!

Just not too hopeful, or else you get let down. Like when you wait three years to watch an off-shore orphan fight a somewhat richer orphan.


Written by Corey McMillan

Five Childrens Cartoons You Can Still Enjoy as an Adult.

Many people have become more and more cynical as they have aged, refusing to enjoy the things they once did without a care in the world.
So stop caring, and watch some God damn cartoons.
Within the past couple years, cartoons have become more aimed towards a more mature audience as well as appealing to children simultaneously. This has started a new age of cartoons that I absolutely love and can’t wait to enjoy more of, and I hope you will too. So here are some cartoons that you, presumably an adult, should check out if you haven't already.

1. Over the Garden Wall

This slightly unnerving miniseries is an addition to Cartoon Network’s channel, featuring two half-brothers who take a walk, and find themselves lost in the woods trying to find their way home having many adventures on their way, and meeting some interesting characters. It features creepy strangers, songs, and a touching story of brotherly love. Amongst the episodes you can find hints at loss, fear, and sibling conflicts which overall make it an interestingly tense watch. Watch if you like your cartoon both unassumingly cute and yet also very creepy and mysterious.

2. Gravity Falls

In a similar kind of family vibe to Over the Garden Wall, Gravity Falls is a series on Disney Channel about a brother and sister who get sent to live with their uncle in Gravity Falls for the summer. They soon discover the town is full of weird mysteries and get into all kinds of weird dilemmas. The show has some great themes in it, ranging from adolescent troubles, to sibling fighting, to dealing with becoming older, and is a great watch for whether you are having those troubles, or have already been through them yourself. Watch if you like protagonists with an odd family, conspiracy theories, and a story full of surprises you won't see coming.

3. Avatar: The Last Airbender & The Legend of Korra

Much unlike the live action movie (Which we will never speak of again), Avatar: The Last Airbender is a show that you won’t want to stop watching once you get into it. The show stars a young boy who is on a journey of discovery and training, all to become the master of the four elements and defeat the great threat that is trying to conquer the world. The journey the show takes you on is one that deals with war, love, and even death, topics very serious for a show on Nickelodeon. It’s brilliant to see one boy overcome all these problems with, as cheesy as it sounds, a little help from his friends.
The Legend of Korra, successor to Avatar: The Last Airbender, is aimed at even more mature audiences, despite also being aired on Nickelodeon. The main character starts off at the age of 17, and journeys through hardships we’ve all been through at that age. Wanting to be stronger, be independent, and relationship struggles. It’s a great show for dealing with more mature topics, as the show becomes more and more mature as the character ages and the series goes on. Watch if you want a series that ages with its audience and develops more over time, and features a whole lot of badass martial arts.

4. We Bare Bears

A Cartoon Network series that features a cute, cuddly trio of brothers who seek to deal with their average everyday life as bears in the modern world. The show deals with the fact that the bears are essentially loners and outcasts, living in a cave in the city, and trying to make friends and survive. It’s an upbeat show despite this, and every episode is as unique as the last, and deals with young-adult complications and interesting topics that would appeal to adults as well as children. Watch if you like comedy that you don't see coming, stories of brothers in awkward situations, and bears.

5. Stephen Universe

This Cartoon network show is a story about a young boy who lives in a universe where there is a group of people called the Crystal Gems. He himself is ‘half-gem’, being half human and half crystal gem, he goes on adventures with the gems to protect the world from gems from other planets. Still keeping up? It sounds a little confusing, but the show does a great job of getting you into the world and grasping at all of the lore, whilst also touching on tough subjects for a younger audience, such as parental loss, wanting to grow up, and having to keep secrets from those you love. This show is perhaps one of the least mature on this list, in terms of appearance and some subjects in the show, however I would still recommend giving it a try.

In conclusion, if you haven't heard of these shows (as presumably an adult) or you haven't thought to give them a try, we recommend a double take if you've seen something you like. After all, whose to say you can't enjoy good cartoons regardless of whether you're a child or an adult. Presumably.

Written by Vicky Tomblin

Cosplay - An Introduction

With comic book conventions on the rise, and superhero films hitting the big screen with more and more frequency, plus Japanese culture being devoured daily in formats such as anime and manga it is no wonder that the culture of Cosplay is becoming wide spread amongst our society.

But what is Cosplay I hear you ask? Well, it’s a bit more than just dressing up like you would for a student night out let me tell you! The word ‘cosplay’ itself is a contraction, meaning ‘Costume Roleplay’, and those who embark on this cultural celebration of characters are a in a bit deeper than you’d think.

Cosplay is the recreation of a character; most probably your favourite from current media, or a childhood hero, but it’s someone you probably want to emulate, whether it’s because you look like them and you can get other con-goers to do a double take, or you like the mentality behind their depiction, or you simply like the way they look. However, no matter who you choose to become dedicated Cosplayers go to a lot of trouble to make sure that the accuracy is top notch!

A good example here would be the of the character Harley Quinn, a favourite amongst the Cosplay community whether you’re new to it or seasoned. Now, Harley has been part of the DC universe for many a page and has quite the following, but as a Cosplayer choosing her as your subject there are a lot of things to consider beyond the colours red and black. Which version of her outfit are you going to recreate? Are you going to make it from scratch or buy similar items and adapt them? What does her hair look like in this version? Can you use your own hair? Do you need a wig? Is the wig the correct shade and does it tie up easily without showing the netting underneath? Do you need to dye the wig? What does her makeup look like? These are all perfect examples of the types of questions that Cosplayers go through just when beginning their Cosplay, but that’s not it! (P.S: Many residents of Gotham frequent Comic-Con!)

Once you've answered all those questions and stayed up until stupid o’clock in the morning scrolling through eBay looking for the perfect pair of gloves, you then have to start think about your attitude. Why is that important you ask? Let me set a scene, imagine walking around comic con and admiring all those around you in Cosplay and then you see her, she’s perfect, never before in your life have you seen someone so accurate, they look as though they’ve just walked out of the comics, you go over to them and politely ask for a photo so you have proof of this perfection but instead of adopting the cute-yet-crazy mannerisms of Harley she instead looks frumpy and awkward, not very Harley-esque, and it ruins the illusion a little no? Therefore attitude is key, if your character stands up straight with their hands on hips, then that’s what you do; if they cross their arms and adjust their glasses, then that’s what you do. Once you’re in that outfit you emulate the characters attitude, some people even go as far as to mimic the way they walk, the way they speak, or the way they gesticulate, it all adds to the illusion of becoming someone else.

However being the perfect mimic isn’t the only reason people Cosplay, in fact there are many more reasons as to ‘why’ people Cosplay to the point where accuracy isn’t the biggest factor (unless you’re competing in competitions and then it really is all about the accuracy as that’s what the scoring system is based on, but that’s a story for another day). I went to the Cosplay community and asked a few members, who come from all walks of life and have been Cosplaying for a variety of years, why they enjoy what they do and the overlying result was confidence. Cosplay gives people confidence in the way look and feel, it helps them make friends in the community, it encourages them to improve in their arts and crafts, it gives them the confidence to step away from themselves for a day and become someone else, it makes them try new and exciting things that they may not attempt otherwise. Cosplay is also a shield from all the negativity that life throws at us, it gives us an escape to be someone else, to have someone else's backstory for a day, you could be the Queen of Arendelle for a day, a Villain, a Hero, a kid, a boy, a cat, a Pokémon, anyone or anything you can think of, and believe me I’ve seen some weird and wonderful ones.

So that’s it? Be accurate and confidence will come along with it? Partly, but that’s not nearly half of the main reason why we get up at 5am to transform ourselves into someone else, the reason why we do this is simple. IT’S FUN! We enjoy what we do and how we get there and no we’re not asking you to come along on our journey but if you do there’s no telling who you might meet, where you might go, and what you might do! Cosplaying is an adventure in itself and if you get to be Batman whilst you do it then that’s even better!

Written by Siobhan Hill

RIP PS2

On March 31st 2016 the servers for the Playstation 2 were shut down, thus marking the final death of the console. The following is what two of our writers had to say.

I have taken it upon myself present an obituary of the ever beloved PlayStation 2. However, as you will no doubt discover whilst reading through this solemn piece of prose, there are those living amongst us who hold this device in small regard and think nothing of its passing. Think of this as an accumulation of our collective thoughts. Undying, yearning devotion transposed against sheer, palpable, apathy. I present to you two minds, born alike in fair standing and stead, whose experiences have led them on treacherous paths.

Smee
I met my wife in on Christmas Day in the dying month of the prosperous, optimistic year of 2000. We were introduced by my parents who, as is our tradition, had wrapped her in pretty ribbons and colourful paper and left her below a plastic tree. I was ten years old and completely unprepared to deal with meeting the most wonderful being I had ever – and will ever – meet. We played all sorts of games, fondling her shiny buttons, molesting her sleek indentations with my grubby fingers. The things I did with that CD tray, she really helped me understand who I was and who I could become. Without her I wouldn't be the well-adjusted gentleman you see today.
When things eventually got dull I admit we did begin to invest in some accessories. We got the vibrating pads and experimented with filming ourselves, well, doing it. I could tell she loved it, I could tell that every new facet of our lives that we shared together brought us closer. That every kink I explored with her was a new adventure, one that mere processors and electric chirps could never replicate. The eyetoy was an interesting time for us, I was never really into it, but she really loved it. It slipped right in and she was so excited. This was the first time that she could see me, the first time that I became as real for her as she was to me. It was magical.
The best feeling though was knowing we were not alone, that there were millions of people out there who felt exactly the same way we did. That we didn’t have to slip out into seedy realms of filth and disrepute, but share our feelings, share our cravings directly with one another. For my love, my one true desire, could reach out beyond the screen and transport us both into the loves and lives of everyone else with an internet connection. I remained loyal though, always keeping her warm at night, keeping her light shining bright. I even left the eyetoy on, so that she would always be able to keep an eye on me. We were always together, even if we didn’t play as much as we did, we were forever bonded. Connected, but not by wires but by something deeper, our souls were one.
Her death was inevitable. We both knew it was coming. When they stopped producing activities for her we knew the end was nigh, but we held on. Nostalgia was always our strongest force and I was willing to fight, but she wasn't. The fight had gone. She slipped into a deep, dark void which I couldn’t fetch her from. Crash had become a shadow of his former self, Spyro too had abandoned us. The golden age was fading into the new, one of a much deeper darkness and cold, soulless silver.

Ol’ 2 Belts
Taken out back and shot. Hopefully this opening line will provide a brief glimpse on my thoughts on the aforementioned situation. That of course being the quick, painless demise of the sleek and slender Mistress known as the PlayStation 2. It was an unusually tepid Thursday morning on the 31st of March 2016, I arose from an unwary slumber and robotically prepared my nutritious morning feast of coffee and cigarettes. I smacked at switches and knobs until life poured into The Obsidian Obelisk before me. I wiped the gristle from my eyes, the snot from my beard, and opened Microsoft Edge. Thus beginning my morning routine of searching for a glimmer of hope in the cesspit of internet chatter. As smoke furled from my nose and floated carelessly towards the screen, I noticed something most unexpected: The once Great Leviathan of my teenage years had been dragged outside and summarily executed. With the tone set, my reaction to this news is undoubtedly questionable. To be blunt, my choice in vernacular in regard to its demise should shed sufficient light upon this enquiry. Do not regard this as a hero’s exit. The PS2 shall not be dining in the halls of its fathers. It will lie upon the garbage heap, cast aside, waiting to be forgotten.

I’m sure any and all opinions of this circumstance fall somewhere in between that of our two compatriots. Though we can be sure that Sony won’t shed many tears at its departure, the oncoming shitstorm that Modular Upgrades will provoke shall definitely give Sony plenty of reasons to cry.

Written by Matt Jones & Joseph Michael

BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE - Now a Motion Picture!

This is a spoiler free article.

2016 will be remembered as a historic year for fans of DC comics, and most especially for fans of The Batman. We have already witnessed the long awaited release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which has finally kick-started the DC Cinematic Universe. A universe that will continue in August with the release of Suicide Squad, featuring the big screen return of The Joker and, perhaps more importantly, the big screen debut of the fan favourite, Harley Quinn. In between these mammoth releases, however, comes arguably the most exciting project from DC this year. A film which fans, including myself, have anticipated and craved for many years. A film which is adapted from what is regarded by many as one of the greatest graphic novels ever made. This summer sees the release of Batman: The Killing Joke.

Originally written by Alan Moore (Watchmen) and illustrated by Brian Bolland, The Killing Joke was published in 1988 coming off the heels of Frank Miller’s seminal works, The Dark Knight Returns (1986) and Batman: Year One (1987).  The story provides a potential origin for The Joker who had previously been presented as an absolute with no real, concrete backstory. In this incarnation, The Joker was once a failed comedian and family man who was pushed to insanity after one bad day, resulting in the character having a more tragic angle and more similarities to the Dark Knight himself, mirroring Bruce Wayne’s journey into Batman. Usually adding an air of tragedy to a villain lessens their ability to intimidate, however, this does not apply to The Killing Joke as The Joker has never been more horrific or psychotic than he is here. The Joker’s actions in the story are motivated by a need to prove that one bad day can drive the sanest man alive into madness.

The film adaptation is to be released this summer in the line of DC Universe Original Animated Movies, which have been released every year since 2007 starting with Superman: Doomsday and have included successful adaptations of The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One. Most of the projects under this banner have been produced by the co-creator of Batman: The Animated Series/BTAS (1992-1995), Bruce Timm, who has designed these animated projects to be geared towards adult audiences with every film receiving a PG-13 rating. However, rumours are circulating that The Killing Joke may be the first film in this line to receive an R-rating due to it’s dark subject matter, which will be a first for Batman in animation and is something that should happen in order to not only accurately capture the seriousness of the graphic novel, but also the seriousness and darkness of Batman’s world in general. This is something that should have happened years ago and now with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice receiving an R-rating for the directors cut, it looks like Batman films are finally beginning to take the dive into a more adult tone.

The project has been very tight lipped up until the past couple of weeks where we have received confirmation that Bruce Timm will be reuniting with actors Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill, who have been the definitive voices for Batman and The Joker respectively since they were cast in BTAS. Also among the cast are Tara Strong reprising her role as Batgirl from The New Batman Adventures (1997) and Ray Wise taking on the role of Commissioner Gordon after animated series alumni, Bob Hastings sadly passed away two years ago. The fact that the people behind the celebrated BTAS are reuniting together again makes this project even more special and adds a certain weight and credibility to the film that it may not have had otherwise.

Bruce Timm and company have revealed that a prologue has been added featuring Barbara Gordon/Batgirl in her prime, which is a very smart idea considering her emotional and pivotal role in the original story. Watching Conroy and Hamill speak of the roles they have essayed for 25 years behind the scenes really drives home how important it was to get them to come back for this particular project. The two have a great history of voicing Batman and The Joker, just as the characters themselves have in the pages of the comics and on film.

So far from what ingredients we’ve seen go into this project, it looks like it’s going to be a recipe for success: The Master of DC animation Bruce Timm is producing, Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are returning, Barbara Gordon’s extended role and maybe even an R-rating - This has the potential to be not only the best DC comic book film of the year but the greatest of all time. For myself, and I’m sure countless Batman fans who have wanted to see their favourite hero and villain on screen in arguably their darkest incarnations, this summer cannot come fast enough.

Written by Kieran Bharj.