Bits and Pieces…

Today is a day in the office and there’s a fair bit to get through (and by a ‘fair bit’, I mean… loads) so while I try and get my head round that, have some quick thoughts on some bits and pieces that I’ve been reading and watching.

‘Event Horizon: Dark Descent #1’ – Ward, Jones, Martin’ (ID Dark)

In 2040, the Starship Event Horizon disappeared on its maiden voyage to Proxima Centauri.

Seven years later, it reappeared, its crew all dead.

This is the story of what happened…

I love ‘Event Horizon’ (you knew that already though) and had more or less got used to the idea that not only will we never see the full directors cut, there’s pretty much no more story left to tell. The ending is pretty final ;o)

Well, luckily, Christian Ward had other ideas and has taken the tale back to way before Dr. Weir boarded the ‘Lewis & Clark’ to go on a rescue mission. I had no idea this comic was a thing so when I saw it in Forbidden Planet, I was all over it. And…

Famous last words, and all that, but I’m going to try and stick this one in single issues rather than wait for the trade. This is very much a set-up issue but there’s a lot of interesting stuff being set up here. Yep, we know where it’s going but the chance to see an entirely new cast deal with what waits for them outside our dimension… And especially when you see what they’re bringing with them… I think this story is going to be a good one, it certainly looks very promising.

‘Conan the Barbarian #23’ – Zub, Dagnino, Rodriguez (Titan, Heroic Signatures)

Conan reunites with an old friend and is about to make a new enemy, all in the heart of darkest Stygia…

I’m not a big fan of variant covers (I’m not that kind of collector) but look at this one, isn’t it great? I’ve never seen an evil wizard so clearly enjoying what he does ;o)

I’m not a 100% sure about how the confrontation played out after an initial read; I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt this time, the chemo regime has messed with my head a little bit , and see how it stands up after another read.

For now though, the build up is worth sticking around for and and the last couple of panels promise big things for #24 and that was enough for me last night. I’ll see you for #24.

‘Red Sonja’ (2025)

Captured, chained and forced to fight for survival, Red Sonja must battle her way through the blood-soaked pits of a tyrant's empire while rallying an army of outcasts to reclaim her freedom and take down Draygan and his ruthless bride, Dark Annisia.

You all know that I’ll watch anything with zombies in it and the same goes for fantasy films as well. It may take me a while but I always get there in the end ;o)

I’m no scholar of the Hyborian Age (and the extra tales and characters that have been placed in it) so can’t really comment on accuracy etc like others have. I do enjoy a decent tale well told though and ‘Red Sonja’ delivered on that score. I wasn’t sure that it would but Matilda Lutz really becomes Red Sonja, over the course of the film, and there are a few little ‘twists’ that are obvious but still handled well. Most importantly for me though, there are some decent moments of spectacle that kept things ticking over nicely. I’m not sure how often I’d re-watch ‘Red Sonja’ but it did what it needed to and I’m happy with that.