August 17, 2021

What Power Rangers In Space Might Have Been?

Sadly this is the last time I can make fun of Angel Grove.

Created from footage of Electromagnetic Sentai Megaranger, a Sentai with a video game motif, Power Rangers In Space had our heroes travelling to different planets while also defending Earth from a new threat courtesy of Dark Spectre. It would be the last show to continue from the previous show (unless you count adding “super” to the name in season two during the Neo Saban period) even though every series has been part of a small Rangers multiverse, most of which take place in the same dimension. Obviously not all of them because in the main universe the dinosaurs are still dead and the would-be Terminators never wiped out humanity. The Power Ranger multiverse is a strange place. This would also be the last season where the team would continue on with new powers, instead giving us new teams and the occasional return of an old Ranger or other character, continuing the lore but not the chain of Rangers.

However, the tale of four members of the Turbo Rangers teaming with two space aliens to travel the universe wasn’t the original idea for the show. In this video, YouTuber Este does a brief going over for the original story bible for Power Rangers Mega Rangers and what was different from Power Rangers In Space.

Continue reading →

Posted by on August 17, 2021 in History of Power Rangers and tagged , , .

Leave a comment

August 16, 2021

Chapter By Chapter> Star Trek: Prime Directive part 2 chapter 2

Chapter By Chapter features me reading one chapter of the selected book at the time and reviewing it as if I were reviewing an episode of a TV show or an issue of a comic. There will be spoilers if you haven’t read to the point I have, and if you’ve read further I ask that you don’t spoil anything further into the book. Think of it as read-along book club.

PART TWO: The Last Mission chapter 2

The flashback continues. Last chapter we were introduced to the scenario that led the Enterprise crew to their current predicament, as well as an introduction to a race we already know is about to be wiped out. That’s kind of what’s going to be in the back of my mind this whole story: waiting to get to the inevitable. In a shorter story that doesn’t bother me so much since we’re going to get back to it eventually but the longer a story is, like a three-part novel of multiple chapters, the more impatient I feel getting to the answer already. It’s not the same as a mystery since all they’re doing is telling you what led up to the in medius res moment of part 1’s seven chapters.

I’m sorry to hound on this issue but it’s been bothering me the whole time in part one and at this point I’d almost settle for a summary than having to sit through nine chapters total just to learn what happened. On the other hand, for an event so important with characters so important that wouldn’t do so I’m going to have to keep this itch scratching for the next few weeks, and that’s if I don’t end up with another hiatus this year. And I’m putting nothing past 2021 because it’s out to finish me off after 2016 didn’t get the job done!

Continue reading →

Posted by on August 16, 2021 in Enterprise: The First Adv., Television Spotlight and tagged , , , , , , , , .

1 Comment

August 15, 2021

BW Programming Note: It’s Like A Plot

It’s like someone is taking advantage of my recovery to stop me from making this comic. I suspect someone at HBO Max, and hopefully you’ll see why next week. I have the final panel done but the first three are only in rough stage because it requires me to work with a different art style to make the gag work (or as close to either as I can muster) so I want to do it right, without tracing if possible. Yet this week I was rather tired, having to see two different doctors on two separate issues (turns out I could have phoned in the second one, but that’s more explanation than I suspect you care about), which is also why I missed out on Free Comic Book Day. I hate being sick.

This week we have the next chapter of Star Trek: Prime Directive, a review of the new Fantasy Island that I didn’t know happened last week until I watched this week’s Lego Masters recording a few hours ago, and we have to talk about Tim Drake’s recent retcon. I’m sure there will be stuff to talk about the rest of the week too, and I’m going to put as much effort as I can into finishing this comic, as the 500th strip is coming up and I still don’t know what to do for it. With the year I’ve had this milestone should have been long since past but isn’t.

Have a good week, everyone! Sorry for missing the comic again. Trust me, I’m more frustrated than you. (Especially the ones who don’t care about the comic. :D)

Posted by on August 15, 2021 in Uncategorized.

Leave a comment

August 14, 2021

Saturday Night Showcase> MASK episode 1

In the 1980s toy company Kenner created the toyline MASK. (It’s an acronym.) The toys featured small action figures wearing masks that supposedly gave them superpower or weapons. They also have vehicles that could flip up weapons, extra modes for other terrain, and even flight capabilities. I actually have a few of the figures and of course I’ve reviewed the mini-comics for Free Comic Inside as well as the issues I own of the DC comics shelf run. I also looked into the IDW series that apparently didn’t pay attention to any that in favor of their own story.

Now I finally get to talk about the show since, although it’s been available on streaming services in the past, Shout Factor has the show out on home video for those of us who like physical media. As per usual they’ve posted the first episode to their official YouTube channel so tonight we get to revisit the 80s! MASK began with a five episode miniseries, like a number of shows being previewed back then, but instead of a multi-part story they had five standalone stories, which would continue into the full series.

The show follows the adventures of rich guy Matt Trakker (back when rich guys were allowed to be seen as crimefighters without being Batman or Iron Man) and the Mobile Armored Strike Kommand (I didn’t say it was a good acronym) in their battles with Miles Mayhem and the Vicious Evil Network Of Mayhem or VENOM (someone was obsessed with acronyms at Kenner). Matt also has a son named Scott, confirmed adopted in the comic but never stated in the show, and his robot pal T-Bob, who can change into a motorscooter. Admit it, you’d want one if you were a kid or maybe even now. The show had a heavier sci-fi bend than the other media surrounding the toyline so tonight watch as VENOM tries to steal a meteorite that can heal others and turn it into a weapon. Enjoy “The Deathstone”. Well, that’s not a name that screams enjoymen…you know what I mean.

Continue reading →

Posted by on August 14, 2021 in Animation Spotlight, Saturday Night Showcase, Television Spotlight and tagged , , , , , , , , , .

Leave a comment

August 13, 2021

BW Media Spotlight’s 2021 Free Comic Book Day Recommendations

Three Saturdays ago I went to my cousin’s party, the first since the lockdowns (not the first one in my family but the first I was able to attend post-surgery) and ended up so tired I spent most of it in the house on the couch despite being a warm but pleasant day.

Two Saturdays ago I went to a parade my aunt was a part of and walked around the corresponding carnival for a bit. Again, I seemed to overdo it as I haven’t had as much exercise lately.

Last Saturday I ended up in the ER with a kidney stone that I still need to pass as of this writing.

This Saturday I want to do what I didn’t get to do last Saturday…stay the @#@$ home and rest!

The problem is this Saturday is Free Comic Book Day, not the usual May given all the pandemic crap that extended into this year. As I write this it appears I may be missing out this year because I am still supposed to be recovering from a multiple mini-hernia surgery. I need to get more active to get my body working and lose some more weight but I’ve also had to drive to two doctors this week and I think that’s enough, especially since it’s going to be Tatooine out here in Connecticut this weekend. (It’s there now.) However, there are still titles I wish I could get and hope they show up either at comiXology or Drive-Thru Comics, and even if I do go I probably wouldn’t be up to the usual live tweet review or doing any interviews. (Not that I see a guest list at my comic store of choice, mind you.) So, going over the previews over at the official Free Comic Book Day website, some of which are just descriptions, I’ve picked out a few that I wish I were able to pick up. Oddly, DC has no offerings this year and given the rumors lately you’d think they’d go out of their way to get something out just to say “no, WarnerMedia isn’t going to shut us down yet, we’re still active!” but they haven’t been very good at that. So what is coming out that looks good?

Continue reading →

Posted by on August 13, 2021 in Comic Spotlight and tagged , .

Leave a comment

August 12, 2021

BW Approved Show Pitch: Play Things

Well, that’s the working title of this pitch by Rob of The Cartoon Clipshow and Rob’s Toy Bin. Rob doesn’t just review cartoons but he’s been wanting to make one. “Play Things” is the working title for is latest project. The idea of toys in a toy store coming to life isn’t a completely new idea, but any idea can have a fresh take due to characters, additional setting details, and the lore surrounding it.

In the below show pitch, Rob discusses the story behind his concept, introduces some of the main characters, and discusses what he hopes to achieve as the preliminary work continues. Does this sound like a show you’d like to check out?

Continue reading →

Posted by on August 12, 2021 in Animation Spotlight and tagged , .

Leave a comment

August 11, 2021

Getting The Best Actor (Isn’t Always The Most Famous)

No, this isn’t me slamming race-swapping this time (though I’m still against it regardless of who the “victim” is), nor am I coming down against hiring famous actors. I have my favorites, too. However, Studio execs don’t seem to realize they’re not in the marketing business but in the storytelling business. This isn’t some new phenomenon, mind you. This goes as far back as celebrity actors, even in the old black and white movie days. There is a difference I feel, though. Back then they wanted a big name actor or actress but wanted him or her for a certain role, even if they had to create it. When it comes to licensed works these days they’ll alter the character for the sake of the actor rather than find the right actor to play the part.

That isn’t a commentary on the actor or actress because I’m speaking in generalities, not anyone specific. (I only chose the above image from my image library because it matches up.) We’ve also heard of roles being created to get a certain performer into the movie because they did so well in the auditions but didn’t fit any existing role. I get the feeling the big name being on the right talk show has superseded the need of getting the right actor for the part, and this is where the marketers are failing the story.\

Continue reading →

Posted by on August 11, 2021 in Movie Spotlight and tagged , .

Leave a comment