Fantastic Universes

"High School Is Hell" Writer: Jordie Bellaire Artist: Dan Mora Color Artist: Raul Angulo Letterer: Ed Dukeshire Published by BOOM! Studios Review by James Stone Official Synopsis: "This is the Buffy Summers you know, who wants what every average teenager wants: friends at her new school, decent grades, and to escape her imposed destiny as the next in a long line of vampire slayers, tasked with defending the world against the forces of evil... only this time around, her world looks a lot more like the one outside your window." Volume One collects the first four issues of the new series Buffy the Vampire Slayer published by BOOM! studios. If, like me, you were a fan of the TV series, then you will feel very much at home with this book. The creators have picked up the Joss Whedon characters from the 90's TV series and dropped them in the world of today. Issue one feels very much like episode one from the TV series as we meet Buffy, Willow, Xand...

SUBMITTED FOR YOUR APPROVAL… The Twilight Zone , a television series that shows no signs of letting up, is still going strong 60 years since it first debuted on CBS in 1959.   Created by the already popular writer Rod Serling, the show became a series with an infinite lifespan. The Twilight Zone is now 60 years young and still has a massive appeal to those who love a bit of twisted, comedic, moralistic and, at times horrifying, science fiction.   I have been a fan of this show for many years, from the original to the latest version by Jordan Peele. It was probably in the 1980’s that I first came across this show and I was amazed.   Back then, just a teenager, I thought black and white shows were old and ‘fuddy duddy’ (as my kids would say nowadays).   That was until my late mam (who was always there when I found my love for various things as a youngster) turned on the tv and an episode of the TZ was showing. I always remember the first episode I...

"Two Peas In A Pot" Writers: Ed Kuehnel & Matt Entin ( @SBP_Comics ) Artist: Dan Schkade Color Artist: Marissa Louise Letterer: A Larger World Studios Review by James Stone Official Synopsis: "When a disgruntled pro wrestler declares himself 'galactic champ of the universe' a planet of alien wrestlers views it as an act of war" If the events of issue 1 & 2 were not bonkers enough for you then this issue certainly dials it up an extra level. When our big bad, Manifest Destiny, arrives in this issue his presence is felt the most by Dick Drasin. Dick appears to be the Vince Mcmahon of the wrestling world and its hilarious how, even when being threatened by a group of over sized muscle heads he is all business. Never cowering in fear or worried about his life, his only concern is who gets the merchandise rights to the big fight. The story in this issues flows really well and credit has to given to the writers Ed Kuehnel and Matt E...

“Darkness On The Edge Of Town" Director: Carol Banker Writers: Erin Maher and Kay Reindl Starring: Crystal Reed, Virginia Madsen, Will Patton, Derek Mears, Andy Bean, Henderson Wade, Maria Sten, Jeryl Prescott, Jennifer Beals, Elle Graham, Ian Ziering, Selena Anduze, Al Mitchell, Steve Wilcox and Given Sharp. Review by Steve J. Ray They say that there is nothing to fear, but fear itself... yet this episode of Swamp Thing is terrifying. The story revolves around fear, and what could be more scary than not being able to trust the evidence of your own eyes? When seeing is NOT believing? This episode has real bite and, when compared to the three great instalments that came before, it really is up to scratch. Scary Monsters And Super Freaks There's no denying that poor old Abby has seen her fair share of horror in this series, but as a doctor, the threat in this episode could be her greatest nightmare.  As always Crystal Reed delivers an outstanding perfor...

"The Show Must Go On: Doctor Who S.A. - The Musical" Book by Steve J. Ray, lyrics by Nicholas Peat Doctor Who S.A. created by J.R. Southall, based on and inspired by Doctor Who , created by Sidney Newman and Verity Lambert. Banner image artwork by Angel Feliciano . Scrolling through Facebook can sometimes uncover forgotten treasures from the past. Many years ago, shortly after Doctor Who returned to T.V. screens after a nine year hiatus, some friends and I created a fan group, where we'd talk about the latest episodes, and about Doctor Who in general. One of the group members, J.R. Southall (who has since gone on to become a successful writer, editor and journalist) came up with the concept of, what if an American network had purchased the rights to the show, and made it their way? Of course we were sure the BBC would have insisted on having a British lead, but everything else would be pure Americana, including the tone of the series, and the Doctor...