Cream Soda by Jade Chadwick

cream soda IS BRITAIN FINALLY MAKING ITS MARK IN THE

S C I M O C , V T E , R S U M FIL ULT

C P PO

COMIC BOOK INDUSTRY?

JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS

IS THIS NEW FILM ADAPTATION WORTH IT?

Contents Features 4. The tipple taxi 12. the british comic book industry reviews 7. jem and the holograms 14. jessica jones

news and events 8. calendar 10. the news everything else 3. the pull list

Credits Cover Image: Gillen, K McKelvie, J (2014). The Wicked and the Divine. .: Image Comics. 1.

15. subscription and competition

Contents: Jade Chadwick Back Page: For the Love of the Force fan convention

THE PULL LIST Comic books are an unreliable medium. Films and TV shows have set release dates and regular scheduling, comic books however ... sometimes you get two issues a month, sometimes there’ll be 3 months between issues. The Pull List is the weekly list of comic books you should be reading and when they’ll be released.

Black Canary #6 C h e w b a c c a # 1 Invincible #124 p h oto c r e d i t D C C O M I C s

p h ot o c r e d i t D i s n e y M a r v e l c o m i c s

p h ot o c r e d i t i m a g e c o m i c s

The secret of who assembled this pack of misfits into the band that became Black Canary is revealed— and the answer is stranger than you’d ever dream! There’s a higher purpose to dropping Ditto into Dinah’s life, but will they both survive the mission they’re meant to complete?

The skilled co-pilot of the infamous Millennium Falcon, the Wookiee warrior Chewbacca. After the battle of Yavin, Chewbacca is on his own when he crash lands his ship on an Imperial occupied planet. Stranded, Chewie finds himself caught in the middle of trying to return to the rebellion.

‘ This one is big, folks. We’re going back to square one. Mark suddenly finds himself without powers. BACK HOME...but aware of everything he’s lived through. What does he change, who can he save... and how will he deal with his father now that he’s knows what’s coming?

Harley Quinn #21 M s . M a r v e l # 1 9 S e x C r i m i n a l s # 1 3 p h oto c r e d i t D C C O M I C s

p h oto c r e d i t m a r v e l C O M I C s

p h ot o c r e d i t i m a g e c o m i c s

Harley Quinn--the Joker’s on-again, off-again psychotic girlfriend -- is on a trip to California takes a dangerous turn—she stole a stone-cold killer’s gig, and he’s not taking it well! They say Hollywood has a dark side…but so does Harley Quinn!

She’s beat down basic baddies, stopped super-villains and even conquered her evil ex-crush. But now that Kamala Khan has finally found her stride as a hero, the planet’s gotta go and collide with an alternate Earth...Typical. When the world ends, where will Kamala spend her last days..?

Sex Criminals #13 might be the most pointed issue of the series to date as our leads are sidelined. Told is the story of Alix, a young woman struggling with her asexuality and her own version of her powers. Handled it all with grace, respect, and above all, a healthy dose of humor.

Meet the taxi that is also a cocktail bar, photobooth and pop-up cinema, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ...

the tipple taxi

The Tipple Taxi and The Leeds International Film Festival’s 29th Edition Welcome Centre at Trinity Leeds. Step inside the world’s smallest cinema for a free programme of five short films. Featuring a selection of the best shorts frin LIFF28, there’s a mixture of live action and animation as Audience Award winner Carpark features alongside The Missing Scarf, with narration by George Takei, Hunting for Hockney and Madam Black. Come to The Tipple Taxi cafe for rich Dark Arches coffees from Leeds’ North Star Coffee Roasters and local ales from The Northern Monk Brewery. We also have Happy Hour on cocktails from 6-pm to 8pm daily! Throughout Leeds International Film Festival this November, if you make your way to the festival welcome centre at Trinity Leeds you’ll find one of the world’s smallest cinemas in the form of a converted classic London-style taxi cab. Inside the cab will be playing a free programme of five short films on the theme of journeys, featuring a selection of the highlights from last year’s film festival. Alongside The Tipple Taxi cinema, it’s bar and cafe will be serving local treats such as coffee from Leeds’ North Star Coffee Roasters, food from Taste Bakery and beers from Northern Monk Brewery as well as The Tipple Taxi’s own speciality cocktails. Incongruously situated in the centre of Leeds Trinity shopping centre sits the Tipple Taxi, a London-black-cab-come-minature-cinema, showing 5 short films on a half-hour loop, as part of the 29th Leeds International Film Festival. The interior of the taxi is decorated with a fake grass floor, a flowery ceiling, and potted plants along the back of the seats, making for a unique and kitsch viewing experience. When the doors close, you feel miles away from the bustling shopping centre just outside – the sound quality of the films is really very PHOTO CREDIT... jade chadwick

good for such a diminutive cinema! The short films were very high quality, and covered both live action and animated storytelling to great effect. ‘Madam Black’ and ‘Hunting for Hockney’ both stood out, with the former showing an amateur photographer humorously trying to cover his accidental murder of a cat, and the latter about a road trip to David Hockney’s house on a whim of boredom. The animation in ‘The Missing Scarf’ was also noteworthy, with the colour and sound working together to masterfully demand the viewer’s attention. Sitting in the world’s smallest cinema, sipping prosecco, watching short films in a shopping centre? I’ve definitely had worse Thursday afternoons. The missing scarf (above)

hunting for hockney (left) carpark (above) madam black (below)

jade chadwick

em and the Holograms was one of a series of 80’s cartoons aimed primarily at selling toys. With other Hasbro cartoons, Transformers and GI: Joe, doing so well at the box office and Hollywood’s recent habit of churning out adaptations of everything it can, it’s quite a surprise Jem and her band haven’t been given a movie makeover sooner; however this is one adaptation that certainly hasn’t outshone its predecessor. Director Jon M. Chu, best known for directing concert “documentary” Justin Bieber: Never Say Never teamed up with Bieber’s manager, Scooter Braun, to bring the beloved cartoon smack bang into the 21st century. The film updates the original property from a story about a girl using science and technology to hide her identity whilst performing, to a story about a girl hiding behind glitter and a wig because she’s the stereotypical shy girl. All that interlaced with pop music and, for some reason, a robot. Jerrica (Aubrey Peeples) and her younger sister, Kimber (Stefanie Scott), are living with their aunt Bailey, played by an underused Molly Ringwald who might just be there to remind us about the 80’s, and foster kids Aja (Hayley Kiyoko) and Shana (Aurora Perrineau). Jerrica, or Jem, is thrust into the spotlight when her sister uploads a video of her singing to the internet. For some reason this little song stands out amongst the thousands of similar videos, Jerrica turns into Jem and becomes a worldwide superstar in a week, all with the backing of her “girl-power” band. This seems to be the Bieber effect; Braun and Chu reminding us just how easy it is to get famous after uploading some cover songs to YouTube.

Peeples, best known for drama series Nashville, does a good job at been endearing and Juliette Lewis - who is playing the big, scary record company executive, Erica, comes across vaguely scheming. Which is all that can be said for the performances in the film; no one stands out as delivering a particularly terrible or amazing performance. The most memorable person is probably the brief appearance pop star Kesha makes in the credits as the iconic leader of Jem’s rival band, The Misfits. In a vapid attempt to relate back to the source material, Jerrica and Kimber’s father has left them a robot called Synergy, although it is ,unsurprisingly, drastically from the cartoon. In this adaption Synergy, rather than been a flashy and magical computer that generates the integral holograms, is just a scavenger hunt. The robot scavenger hunt is just one subplot that seems to have been thrown in and instantly forgotten about until the last minute. Despite it’s (many) flaws, the film does have a hefty dose of fun and sparkles - with some moments that seem genuinely well intentioned. It tries to relate to the modern, social media obsessed audience - there seems to be a message about the difference between a person and their online persona, but it gets lost amongst the corny jokes and not-quite-there subplots. The film is an adaption in name only, that gets rid of the heart of the original cartoon, and seems to have missed the point about what made the cartoon so beloved in the first place. If Chu focused on making a more faithful adaption of the cartoon rather than a ‘realistic’ look into the inner workings of the music industry there might have actually been something worthwhile here.

“Making a recognizable and beloved brand and reappropriating its iconic components to service a different story works against Chu’s new movie.”

Calendar

All the dates you need to know. Keep updated with comic books, films and TV shows and when and where you can watch and buy them. Slowly but surely fall TV premieres are on and all your favourite shows are returning to our screens. After a strong start but a somewhat sleepy summer of films, as we get ever closer to Christmas the big blockbusters are coming out, and boy do we mean BIG.

JESSICA JONES All episodes were released onto Netflix 20th November.

Spectre November 6th

“What do we do now?” wonders Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux), around halfway through the new James Bond film SPECTRE, shortly after our hero (Daniel Craig) has done away with a villain in creatively gruesome style during a railway journey across the Sahara. Of course, everyone in the cinema knows the answer – as, you suspect, does Madeleine, who, less than 24 hours after meeting cinema’s premier secret agent at a snow-swathed clinic in the Austrian Alps, has jumped continents to Morocco, boarded the Tangier to Marrakesh sleeper, slipped into an ivory cocktail gown, repaired to the dining car for a Martini (neither shaken nor stirred, but dirty, FYI) and shot a couple of bad guys in the head for good measure. A Bond film’s rules might be predictable, but once its mechanisms start whirring, you can’t help but fall in step. An impossibly glamorous love scene isn’t just a good idea; it’s virtually mandated by the cosmos.

We’ve had some especially strong comic book TV shows debut in the past year, including the incredibly fun feeling of The Flash and the gritty vibe of Daredevil, but Marvel’s Jessica Jones still manages to bring a completely different, notably successful mood of its own to the table. Krysten Ritter has always been an intriguing, quirky presence and shows like Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23 proved she was perfect at the quick-witted, sardonic type. But she gives a career-best performance here, completely nailing Jessica’s rough edges – someone who always had a don’t mess with me attitude, but has now been driven to more extreme, anti-social places because of the horrible events she’s experienced. And yet someone who still can’t completely push aside her innate pull to help others in need… and has a couple of superpowers she can use in that regard, if she deems to display them.

The Hunger Games Mockingjay, Part 2 November 25th

If The Hunger Games was Battle Royale, Catching Fire was Rollerball and Mockingjay – Part 1 was Broadcast News, then everything goes a bit Quantum of Solace in this hotchpotch final instalment. MJ2 picks up exactly where its predecessor left off, with Katniss Everdeen (girl on fire Jennifer Lawrence) nursing injuries inflicted upon her by the recently retrieved but still brainwashed Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). On the plus side, there are some complex ideas about power and corruption at play, and it’s good to see this final instalment refusing to sell out either its role model heroine or its darkly dystopian sociopolitical themes. Whatever its faults, this remains light years ahead of the Insurgent/Maze Runner film franchises, which have so far failed to steal The Hunger Games’s thunder. Yet even diehard fans (among whom I count myself) may be left simultaneously longing for something more and less.

COMING NEXT MONTH...

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS December 17th

Sure there’s other films coming out in December but does anyone really care? One of cinema’s truly legendary franchises finally returns with the eagerly-awaited ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’, which sees a new generation of heroes fighting for the freedom of the galaxy. We return to George Lucas’ beloved universe to find it dramatically changed, and a new enemy has risen from the Empire’s ashes. Fresh faces Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron must unite with old warriors Luke, Han and Leia. The Dark side has awoken. But so has the Light. ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ promises a heart-stopping return to the Galaxy Far, Far Away, bringing the iconic franchise roaring back. May the Force be with you. Variety has confirmed that Star Wars: The Force Awakens has officially received a PG-13 rating from the MPAA, primarily for “sci-fi action violence.” This is pretty much the exact reason one would expect an installment in the Star Wars saga to receive such a rating. Despite being largely bloodless affairs – lightsabers and blasters conveniently cauterize wounds – the Star Wars films are still about wars at the end of the day; as a result of this they tend to rack up some fairly impressive body counts. It also puts to fears – or hopes? – that we may get a wookiee nude scene at some point in the film.

The News.

Leeds 29th International Film Festival Jade Chadwick Leeds International Film Festival returned to the city for 2 weeks this November bringing people across the North the best in new, classic and independent cinema.

A new feature to the festival this year is ‘The Tipple Taxi.’ A pop-up cinema/cocktail bar in the back of a traditional black cab that has been parked in Trinity In its 29th year, Leeds International Film Festival blew Shopping Centre. The last years event out of the water. After breaking 40,000 Tipple Taxi has been used visitors for the first time last year, director of the festival, to showcase some of the Chris Fell, was optimistic about this year “been bigger short films of the festival, and better than ever” and his optimism was proved right, including; dark comedy “we haven’t got a full estimate yet but we’ve definitely had animation ‘The Missing more people and more interest than ever before.” Scarf’ and the New Zealand short ‘Madam Black.’ Taxi With over 300 film screenings h o s t , between the 9th and 15th of November, Jenna, says the festival has everything from big “it actually wasn’t they’ve had Oscar contenders, such as Black Mass as hard to source ar e c ebrilliant and Brooklyn; to classic throwbacks ption like The Breakfast Club and Escape and curate as people to the taxi from New York, as well as everything might think, we have during the in between; anime, horror and a film festival, “people are having a lot of large selection of experimental and so much footage from fun with it, even if they go in for a bit of underground work. so many great times in joke, everyone comes away having seen something they really liked.” After working with the festival since the city, huge events Another treat for Leeds locals is a 1999, Fell is aiming to make this year’s in Roundhay Park over short film collated by Yorkshire Film films as accessible as possible “getting the years and plenty of Archive showing ‘the glory days’ of those people who are used to going to the city. “It’s all about the city over the the cinema and showing them some footage of Leeds United past century, showing how great Leeds alternative films.” The festival is doing in their hey day of the is, even in tough times” says archive this by opening 19 venues around the manager, Graham Renton, “it actually seventies.” city, from Everyman cinema in Trinity wasn’t as hard to source and curate as to bars such as Belgrave Music Hall and North Bar. people might think, we have so much footage from so many great times in the city; huge events in Roundhay Most spectacularly, Leeds Town Hall and Leeds City Park over the years and plenty of footage of Leeds Museum are being used; Apocalypse Now in Leeds United in their hey day of the seventies.” The film is still Town Hall seeming one of the hottest tickets. Other available to view for free on the Yorkshire Film Archive highlights included a 1940’s dance alongside a screening website as well as the Leeds City council website.

of Brief Encounter at Left Bank and a free screening of The Breakfast Club to commemorate the film’s 30th anniversary.

More information about the festival and details of extra screenings can be found on the Leeds Film Festival website: www.leedsfilm.com

10.

CaptainAmerica: CivilWar trailer released This past week was made even sweeter by the Captain America: Civil War trailer. Marvel debuted our first-look at the film on Thanksgiving eve, on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The trailer for Joe and Anthony Russo‘s sequel promised a fun blend of action and emotion. After the jump, the Russo brothers give their Captain America: Civil War trailer breakdown. Empire ran a great feature with the directors explaining what to expect from the battle between Tony Sark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Steve Rogers (Chris Evans). They don’t divulge too much information, only discussing the set up and the core relationships. If you’re excited for the film, it’s a great read. What does it mean to be a superhero in today’s world? That’s a question the film will, hopefully, explore. “You cannot have a character called Captain America without examining the politics of what that means, especially in this day and age,” says Joe Russo. “The heroes in this universe operate under their own auspices, not under the directive of a government, and that can cause a lot of problems. There’s a certain level of imperialism that we’re examining – what right do those that have power have to use that power, even if it’s to do good? How do you govern that kind of power?” Winter Soldier was somewhat of a two-hander with Rogers and Romanov. Because of how well that bond worked in the sequel, the Russo brothers decided to put that friendship to the test. “We thought it would be interesting to take that relationship that was so strong in Winter Soldier, and test it,” says Joe Russo. “She sees that they have made mistakes, very public mistakes and she’s trying to convince Steve that it might not be as black and white as he sees it and maybe they have some culpability, and maybe they have to accept that culpability, and then find a way to work within the system so that the Avengers aren’t disbanded.”

SUPERGIRL / THE FLASH CROSSOVER? The show was originally picked up for 13 episodes, but CBS has an option for a “back nine” to bring the season up to 22, and apparently they believe Supergirl will need the ratings boost a meeting with the Scarlet Speedster would no doubt provide. Before you settle down to enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner, we have a couple of rumors that should make fans of DC TV very happy indeed... provided they’re true, that is. Bleeding Cool reports that plans are in place for CBS to introduce the main cast of the CW’s The Flash to Supergirl for a crossover episode scheduled for next May. The show was originally picked up for 13 episodes, but CBS has an option for a “back nine” to bring the season up to 22, and apparently they believe Supergirl will need the ratings boost a meeting with the Scarlet Speedster would no doubt provide. Matt Ryan’s John Constantine will join the second season of Legends Of Tomorrow in 2017. It seems the plan is to change up the roster and missions each season, and Ryan would be brought in as a series regular for the show’s sophomore outing. Word is they are also looking to cast The Vampire Diaries’ Steven R McQueen as a new, unnamed character for season 2. Here’s the bad news. The site is backtracking a little on their report about Matt Ryan’s Constantine becoming part of Legends of Tomorrow’s second season, revealing that, “while Constantine played by Matt Ryan has indeed been discussed for the show, DC Comics themselves are the stumbling block on the character appearing in the show. I’m also hearing from another well connected source that the show is incredibly expensive and they’re not sure if they’ll go with a second season, and instead replace it with a totally different show for it.” That’s very interesting, and the prospect of an entirely different series taking Legends of Tomorrow’s place is in many ways more exciting than them stretching out that premise a little too far. image credits (clockwise from top) The Flash, (2014) The CW Supergirl, (2015) CBS Convergence, (2015) DC Comics,

11.

The British Comic Book Industry Jade Chadwick

Thoughtbubble festival is an annual comic art festival held in Leeds, and it is the biggest convention of it’s type in the UK, celebrating all forms of sequential art. The recent surge in popularity of all things comic books, means the British comic book industry can also make its mark once again, and the comic conventions are popping up in cities all around the country - Thoughtbubble sets itself apart from other conventions by focusing on comics as an art form opposed to an excuse to drag Slyvester McCoy out of the house. Whilst it is different from other comic conventions in the UK, there is still plenty of free stuff and costumes to make anyone feel welcome.This year the festival also played host to the British Comic Book Awards, general consensus may be that American companies dominate the comic book industry (DC and Marvel, just to name a couple), but the awards showcased the best and brightest in British comic books, and here wasn’t a cape or spandex underwear to be seen. The convention immediately feels different from more ‘conventional conventions,’ hosted at the Royal Armouries rather than a convention hall or a university gym and, unlike Manchester MCM convention at the beginning of the summer, there isn’t a 1000 strong queue of Harley Quinns and Deadpools, but rather a lonely Green Arrow and Batman taking shelter from the rain inside the main lobby of the museum.

“I think British comics have their own, very defined identity” Boltons Sci-fi convention, taking place the same weekend, seemed like a medium between MCM and Thoughtbubble, a handful of Wookies running inside to keep their costumes dry from the rain but not everyone was dressed up to the nines, some were just there to see Sophie Aldred, Ace companion of the 7th Doctor, only this time Slyvester McCoy had stayed home. One thing all conventions have in common however is the comradery that is instantly there amongst the attendees. The popularity of this year’s Thoughtbubble Festival compared to previous year’s, one volunteer said this was the busiest he’s seen the festival in 4 years of working it, signifies, not only that comic books are in vogue, but that the British Comic Industry does stand a chance of making an impact once again. It is unfair to say Britain has never had it’s time it the sun for comic books, The Beano and The Dandy are two of the longest running, and most iconic comic books, but they aren’t quite on a level with Batman and DC Thomson, the publishing company behind both titles, just isn’t the same as DC. Some say we’re currently experiencing another ‘British Invasion’, referring to a period of time in the 80’s when British comic book writers gained fame and notoriety working for American publishing companies. English writer, Alan Moore, V for Vendetta, Watchmen and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, is said to have had a lasting effect on the American comic industry, along with Neil Gaiman and Grant Morrison, “it wasn’t just superheroes and big guys punching stuff with them … they made it more about the story, the words,” says artist, Marc Laming who is one of the exhibitors at the festival, “they all came away from the traditional superheroes and made something much better quality, so much more relatable.” Today, the biggest names in British comic books are surely writer Kieron Gillen and artist Jamie McKelvie - best known for their work on Marvel’s Young Avengers and their own title The Wicked and the Divine, a comic that follows a pantheon of God-like musicians. Sure, WicDiv - as it is known to its loving fanbase, is technically an American publication, it is a pretty rare sight to see such a successful title by a British creative team. “It’s completely British,” says writer Kieron Gillen who answers in between signing autographs at the festival, the duo’s signing table is noticeably one of the busiest at the festival, with excited fans queuing out of the tent, “some of the characters are typically American but it’s definitely very British in the humor and just little things the characters do.” The Wicked and The Divine has been an unprecedented success, selling well over 50,000 copies in its first trade and the next in line for a TV show adaptation. “I don’t think we’re setting a bar for other British comic creators, I don’t even think we’re opening the door for them,” says artist Jamie McKelvie when asked if he thinks they’re leading the way for other Brits in the industry, “there’s plenty of Brits working in the industry, but at the end of the day comic are a traditionally American art form.” The pair are now well used to comic conventions by now, hitting the mecca of comic conventions, San Diego Comic Con this summer, “No matter how many conventions you go to, it’s hard to get used to people dressed up as your characters and hearing how much the thing you made

has affected them,” says McKelvie. Although after announcing WicDiv will be getting the TV treatment, courtesy of fellow comic book writer, Kelly Sue DeConnick (Captain Marvel, Bitch Planet), they might have to get used to seeing more people dressed up as characters from their books, “We’re sure Kelly and [Matt] will do an excellent job with it but it’s still a terrifying prospect, to see other people adapt our creation.” Gillen and McKelvie aren’t the only two Brits working in the comic book industry though; Mike Collins has been drawing for Marvel and DC since the mid-80’s. Joining a ‘second wave’ of British artists hired by American publishing companies, Collins has worked on most of DC’s biggest names; Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Flash as well as Uncanny X-Men for Marvel. “There’s plenty of fellow englishmen drawing and writing for DC and Marvel, they might not be household names but people in the comic book industry rarely are, unless it’s Stan Lee.” Nowadays, Collins is perhaps best known for all things Doctor Who, acting as the main penciller for Doctor Who magazine, as well as contributing it IDW’s Doctor Who comic, demonstrated by the flood of people dressed as an array of different Doctor’s to his table. “I live in Cardiff, I kind of have to do something to do with Doctor Who.” Collins jokes. As well has having big names from the world of comics - closing in on Gillen and McKelvie for most popular signing table of the day is Scott Synder, best known for the Batman stories he’s written - the convention plays host to many Indie comic exhibitors. New Dock Hall is impressively filled with over 200 stalls of independent publishers, artists and writers, and there’s a further 100 inside the Royal Armories main hall. It’s an impressive site and clearly visualises the fact that the British Comic Book industry is thriving rather than hiding in the shadow of America’s heroes. There’s definitely a theme in the stalls, there isn’t an abundance of superheroes and Captain America wannabes, but a lot of more horror comics, comedy and real life. Dead Canary Comics are a London based publishers who are able to fund their work through crowdfunding, their biggest title being The Frogman, a not-quite-parody of heroes such as Spider-man and Superman. “I think British comics have their own, very defined identity” says Mark Lewis, writer of The Frogman “They’re a bit darker, a bit more grown up, and they can take the piss out of themselves … and everyone else. I don’t think anyone is trying to make the next Iron Man, if Alan Moore tried to do that he wouldn’t have made Watchmen.” The festival ends with the 4th annual British Comic Awards, and, after last years Best Comic winners, McKelvie and Gillen with The Wicked and The Divine, went on to have so much success it’s a tense evening. The awards recognise the best in industry and everyone nominated is bound to go on to big things. This years Best Comic winner is From the City to the Sea by illustrator Tim Bird is a beautiful comic about the significance of people and travelling, ‘a love letter to infrastructure’ as wrote one reviewer. The variety of conventions and events around pop culture and ‘geek’ culture on offer in the UK, strengthens the notion that the British Comic industry is in anything but decline. The amount of independent creators, making what they want to create should far out shine the amount of mainstream films and TV our American counterparts are making.

13.

GOD DAMN JESSICA JONES

M a rv e l a nd Ne tflix h ave done it agai n. Aft er t he success o f Dar edev i l , t h e f i rst of t h e Ma rve l/ Ne tflix collab o r at io ns ear li er t hi s year , t he pr essure was on f or J es s ica J ones to do w ell, and she’ s do ne so w ell. The growing trend of darker, grittier superheroes is continued in this series - the first episode establishes Jessica Jones, played excellently by Breaking Bad’s Krysten Ritter, as a witty, alcoholic private detective with a don’t-give-a-fuck attitude and just a smattering of super powers. Whilst there was some skepticism that the lanky and petite Ritter could play the former superhero, those doubts are immediately dismissed when Jones throws a client threw her door (a shot for shot homage of the Alias comic the series is loosely based on) and goes onto threaten someone with her apparent ‘laser eyes.’ As the series progresses Jessica is fleshed out into a more complex character, her ‘origin’ story hinted at but never a focal point of the series, although that may be something to consider next season.

something definitely missing from Jessica Jones. Granted, it is partly due to fighting styles of the characters, but even the brawl scenes Jessica is such a fan of felt a little too sloppy; there is something to be said when two of the non powered characters, Trish Walker and Will Simpson, have one of the best fights of the series. The first Luke Cage fight scene could have been something really special, but instead it felt lackluster - although the bored look on Cage’s face was a brilliant moment - a fight with the ‘unbreakable man’ felt like it was missing something, but maybe they are just saving that something for the Luke Cage solo show said to be hitting netflix next year.

“David Tennants villainous turn as Killgrave that Whilst Avengers: Age of Ultron was meant to be a more personal story it was about a robot who wants to steals the show” destroy the world; and whilst Daredevil was meant to

There are no weak links when it comes to the characters, all of whom are satisfyingly fleshed out, with no one playing strictly comic relief; everyone has their moments, funny, dramatic and heartbreaking. Trish Walker, (played by Rachael Taylor) Patsy ‘Hellcat’ Walker to readers of the comics, acts not as the naive sidekick she could have so easily become, but friend and equal to Jessica, intent on protecting herself. Trish’s seemingly inevitable transformation into Hellcat will be one of the most anticipated moments in season two. However it’s David Tennant’s villainous turn as ‘Killgrave’ that steals the show, instantly becoming one of the best Marvel villains. Creepy from the get go, there is never a doubt about the evilness of the character, even during his brief attempt to be a hero or when we’re presented with his ‘tragic’ backstory. Tennant makes us hate the character all the way. One criticism that could be given to the show is the fight scenes. One of the big plus points of Daredevil was the incredibly choreographed fights,

signify the start of Marvel’s street level, relatable heroes, it was still about a crime lord taking over the city. The storyline in Jessica Jones seemed to be following a similar structure to Daredevil in the first episode; saving the innocent woman from prison, however the narrative takes a decidedly more personal turn Marvel hasn’t dealt with before. The series more intimately explores the trauma and post-traumatic stress that follows abuse and violence. Sure, in Iron Man 3, Tony Stark has a panic attack because he beat up some aliens - Jessica Jones follows the victim facing up to her abuser and overcoming the trauma he put her through. Without a doubt Jessica Jones is one of, if not the best of Marvel’s forays into television - but still definitely worth a watch for the non comic book fans out there. Rather than being a superhero show, it’s an excellent crime thriller that just so happens to have super powers, and is undoubtedly one of the best new shows of the year. photo credit: Netflix US

14.

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COMIC BOOK INDUSTRY?

JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS

IS THIS NEW FILM ADAPTATION WORTH IT?

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