We’re back! Back in the NY groove! Kind of. Sort of. More or less. It’s time for your weekly edition of Corey’s Comic Corner Etc. I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Thanksgiving dinner, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Travel Discount Tuesday, etc. Just like that we are less than 4 weeks from Christmas. I don’t know about everyone else but I'm still recovering from the food-induced coma that Thanksgiving dinner provided. I’m not even sure why It’s called dinner. I’ve been eating it for the past 4 days! We are slowly running out of ways we can prepare or fix all the leftover sides we have. On top of all the food I also managed to choke down a large popcorn while at the theater on Black Friday. A buddy and I snuck out for a late evening showing of The Menu. What a great flick and a wonderfully original idea. It’s like Top Chef meets The Dinner Party. I’d almost consider it more of a dark comedy as it takes advantage of its social commentary in the funniest way possible. There are a few shocks and a little gore but for the most part it’s just a really good thriller. Ralph Fiennes, Anya-Taylor Joy and Nichlous Hoult are fantastic in the lead roles. They each play a key role in selling the plot and it just works so well. It’s one of the movies that lingers in your mind well after leaving the theater. This is a movie that will probably be on demand soon but I highly recommend watching. I promise you will not be disappointed. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the movie as well! Drop us a comment! Do it! 

Comic Reviews

“This week I had a chance to read Orc Island #4, Doctor Strange Fall Sunrise #1, Once upon a time at the end of the world #1 and Star Wars Revelations #1”

Orc Island #4

Published by Bad Idea

Written by Joshua Dysart

Pencils by Alberto Ponticelli

Rated M for Mature

Available via pre-order only

Four weeks and four issues leads us to our final issue and climax of Orc Island. We’re down to our final one-two characters trying to escape the island with their treasures before being caught and more than likely killed by the Island's inhabitants. Will they make it off the Island? Does the grand plan even pay off? Stay tuned for what lies ahead.

First off, I have to say I was initially skeptical they would be able to wrap up this book in four issues. As I was hitting issue #2 it really seemed like there could be a lot more depth and story to tell and that it would be difficult to wrap this up in four issues. The author, however, stuck with the central story and tightly wrapped this one up as planned and it pays off. I could certainly see this being a world they could come back to at a later time but as it stands it’s a great little story that plays out almost as a fable as it concludes in the 4th and final issue. In short, if you are greedy, irresponsible and ignorant you’re more likely to end up alone and dead than rich and happy. I think that’s the central theme that plays out here. The issue also drives home the spiritual tone of the first three issues that’s been building. It has everything to do with culture and a people's belief system. It’s almost as if the author is stating that those without faith will be the most lonely on the day when they are finally judged. As we see at the end of this issue our characters are judged and get exactly what they have coming to him. Overall, I really loved this and I will probably sit down and read all four issues again as a whole. I don’t want to give up the ending but you get the idea from the start this is a perilous journey taken by thieves and murderers that ends as it should. 

Doctor Strange Fall Sunrise #1

Published by Marvel

Written by Tradd Moore

Pencils by Tradd Moore

Rated T for Teen

Available now!

From the co-writer and artist of Silver Surfer Black, Tradd Moore, comes a fresh start for the Sorcerer Supreme. Doctor Strange wakes up with no memory in a world unbeknownst to him and travels among its inhabitants, monsters and its lush surreal landscape searching for a way to make sense of it all. 

Wow! What a great 1st issue. Talk about bringing the STRANGE to Strange! Tradd Moore is off to a fantastic start with this book. First of all if you recall Silver Surfer Black you clearly remember Moore’s style of art and the way it stuck out in that series. It brought a whole new element to the word COSMIC and his artistic style is without a doubt, out of this world. He brings that trademark style now to Doctor Strange and I can’t think of a better character or series this would be suited for. While there is some dialogue much of the story is told and expressed through the art and you can’t help but get lost in the panels of this issue. It’s the perfect fit for our Sorcerer Supreme who is also just waking up on this planet with no memory or recollection of how he ended up here. In this way it’s as if the reader and Strange are both experiencing this world for the first time and it works brilliantly. If you sit back and allow yourself to slowly digest both the dialogue and the art you begin to immerse yourself in a story that starts to appear more like poetry in motion versus the simple pages of a comic book issue. Definitely worth checking this book out!

Once Upon A Time at the End of the World #1

Published by Boom

Written by Jason Aaron

Pencils by Alexandre Tefengki

Rated M for Mature

Available now!

In this end of times tale we find two survivors, Maceo and Mezzy, struggling to find their footing in this newly ravaged and spent world. While getting used to each other and trying to survive at the same time a fresh and much needed relationship is forged. In this cautionary tale we bear witness to what it’s like when our environment and resources have been reduced to ash and we are left with nothing else besides each other.

A new and original Jason Aaron book? Yes please! We’ve seen Jason easily handle some of the bigger books like Thor, Conan, etc. Now seeing him write his own original and personal story here for Boom was a no brainer for me. He’s a great writer and the tone he sets almost immediately in this book is that it will be entirely about our relationships with each other and how we must be able to slip outside our comfort zone sometimes to progress. Even when every single thing seems as though it’s set against you. The colors and art only add to this first issue and it’s a spectacle in the grandest fashion. The detail and backdrop of each panel shows the nasty and deadly environment this story unfolds in. There is a clear sense of anxiety and dread that is ever present in each panel. It’s an exciting first issue as our characters meet and learn to adjust to life together. I’m looking forward to seeing what lies ahead as it’s believed this book will run 15 issues and have 3 different artistic teams over the course of the series. It will also span the characters' lives moving forward which sounds like a pretty interesting premise to me! Definitely worth picking up! As of writing this blog I heard the first printing had sold out but the second printing is right around the corner! 

Star Wars Revelations #1

Published by Marvel

Written by Marc Guggenheim

Pencils by Paul Fry, Salvador Larroca, Emma Kubert and Justin Mason

Rated T for Teen

Available now! 

A new chapter and offering set in the universe of Star Wars. Following War of the Bounty Hunters and Crimson Reign this new series will lead us into the next phase of the Star Wars universe and a galaxy far far away. Where will the current trajectory of the Empire and the Rebellion lead them! 

With all the Star Wars books out right now you would think some of these new titles would grow stale and start to basically feel the same. That’s usually not the case though and once again we have what appears to be a winner written by Marc Guggenheim who’s no stranger to the Star Wars Universe. This book is going to set the tone for everything that will come next so it has to be bold and fresh in ways some of the other series that are set in the past or in-between prior films, etc. do not. With the first issue I can safely say that Marc has a good grasp on what is starting in this issue and it would seem it will escalate rather quickly as we move forward. There are many different plot threads that are fired off in this issue and while no major bomb is dropped there are hint’s that something big is around the corner. The art is fine like most Star Wars books. Some of the characters feel or look a little off but it’s easy enough to overlook. The issue moves at a brisk pace and never really loses steam building up the many storylines that will be unfolding. If you are a Star Wars fan you will certainly want to pick up this issue and series. If you are a casual fan it’s worth a read but you might find something more interesting elsewhere.

Movie Recommendation of the week! 

Violent Night! 

Produced by 87 North

Directed by Tommy Wirkola

Rated R

In theaters on Dec 2nd 2022

Nothing like a little action, murder and mayhem around the holidays am I right folks? Somehow I always find a way to mix in a little horror into the week! It’s my favorite if you haven’t noticed by now. This movie starring David Harbour looked like a lot of fun when I first saw the trailer at the movies a couple weeks ago. Sure, all the traditional holiday stuff is fun but it’s nice to mix a little naughty with the nice! While I haven’t heard a ton about this movie I look forward to checking it out ASAP. Is this movie on your radar? Is this something you might be interested in checking out? Love to hear your thoughts! Drop us a comment if you see it! 

That’s it for this week folks! Remember, tis the season for giving and nobody has better gifts for that pop culture geek than the folks right here at POP ROC! The “I Speak Geek” Holiday Market is coming up next Saturday, the 10th from 5pm to 9pm. In the meantime, stop in and ask for some ideas, browse what’s available and enjoy a nice mocktail or some coffee while you eat lunch. You won’t be disappointed! We’d love to discuss the blog with you in person too! Until next week POP ROC people…

Corey Newell

 “Just a guy who loves comics”

⁃ Independent blogger, dad, dork, comic nerd and pop culture lover hailing from Spencerport, NY