Movie Review: The War of the Worlds (1953)

The Martian Flying Machines

Movie Review: The War of the Worlds (1953) directed by Byron Haskin It is the mid-Twentieth Century, and what appears to be a meteor lands near a small town in rural California. Among the people that come to see the object is Dr. Clayton Forrester (Gene Barry), a physicist from the Pacific Institute who’d been fishing… Continue reading Movie Review: The War of the Worlds (1953)

Comic Book Review: 2000 A.D. Progs 2206-2209

Comic Book Review: 2000 A.D. Progs 2206-2209 edited by Tharg Over the years, the long-running British speculative fiction comic paper 2000 AD has strayed from its original demographic of British schoolboys somewhat. As in, it’s got a lot more “not safe for school” content. As a way of allowing younger readers to enjoy a taste,… Continue reading Comic Book Review: 2000 A.D. Progs 2206-2209

Book Review: Valhalla: Absent Without Leave

Book Review: Valhalla: Absent Without Leave by Lee Gold Robin “Grima” Johnson didn’t die of cancer, which was something of a surprise, considering it kept coming back. But when an earthquake hit California and made the hospital she was in start to collapse, Robin rose from her bed of pain and worked to save lives.… Continue reading Book Review: Valhalla: Absent Without Leave

Movie Review: The Lost Boys (1987)

Movie Review: The Lost Boys (1987) directed by Joel Schumacher Santa Carla has the unofficial nickname of “The Murder Capital of the World.” Sure, the brightly colored boardwalk attracts people to this small Pacific Coast city, but all those “Missing” posters lend an eerie air to the place. And if you’re on edge, then any of… Continue reading Movie Review: The Lost Boys (1987)

Manga Review: Magical Angel Creamy Mami and the Spoiled Princess 1

Manga Review: Magical Angel Creamy Mami and the Spoiled Princess 1 by Emi Mitsuki A few years ago, when small talent agency Parthenon Productions was just starting out, Megumi Ayase was their breakout star. Company manager Shingo Tachibana led her to believe that they’d work together to make Parthenon a success. And they did. But… Continue reading Manga Review: Magical Angel Creamy Mami and the Spoiled Princess 1

Comic Book Review: Showcase Presents: Justice League of America Volume 2

Comic Book Review: Showcase Presents Justice League of America Volume 2 edited by Julius Schwartz The Justice League of America debuted in The Brave and the Bold #28 (March 1960.) It was a retread of the Golden Age Justice Society of America, teaming up several of DC Comics’ superhero characters to promote all of them.… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Showcase Presents: Justice League of America Volume 2

Book Review: World’s Best Science Fiction: Third Series

Book Review: World’s Best Science Fiction: Third Series edited by Donald A. Wollheim and Terry Carr (also printed as “World’s Best Science Fiction 1967”) The introduction to this volume of science fiction stories from 1966 mentions that there was a tendency to longer stories in the field, perhaps because many of the ideas required more… Continue reading Book Review: World’s Best Science Fiction: Third Series

Manga Review: Flying Witch 1

Manga Review: Flying Witch 1 by Chihiro Ishizuka In witch culture, their offspring are considered adults at age 15, and go off to learn their trade. But in modern times, the field is falling out of favor, so many young witches wind up just living as ordinary people. So Makoto Kowata’s parents strongly suggest that… Continue reading Manga Review: Flying Witch 1

Comic Book Review: Judge Dredd Megazine #427

Cover by Nick Percival

Comic Book Review: Judge Dredd Megazine #427 edited by Matt Smith It’s time for another issue of this 2000 AD spinoff monthly. “He Sees You When You’re Sleeping” art by Agustin Padilla, script by Rory McConville, is a mainline Judge Dredd story. It parodies the “toy of the year” frenzy in which a hot new… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Judge Dredd Megazine #427

Movie Review: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

"Aunt Witch" is fast on the uptake.

Movie Review: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006) directed by Mamoru Hosoda Makoto thinks of herself as an ordinary high school girl, neither brainy or stupid, neither athletic or clumsy, usually good luck slightly outweighing the bad. She also enjoys hanging out with her buddies Koutaro (a serious lad who wants to be a doctor… Continue reading Movie Review: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time