Alitha Martinez

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Cowboy Bebop–Sci-fi, future noir, space western is the best streaming series yet

Filed under: Comics & Books, Retro Fix, Sci-Fi Café, TV — Leave a comment

December 6, 2021

Review by C.J. Bunce

The new Netflix series Cowboy Bebop, an adaptation of the 1999-2001 anime series, is so good, so well-written, so jazz-filled, stylish, cool, and sexy that you won’t deny it’s the best streaming series yet. It’s not only the best science fiction series in years, but also solid noir, solid space Western, peppered with martial arts action. If you loved the space life of Firefly, the dark future Earth noir of Altered Carbon and Blade Runner, and the lived-in future realism of Alien and Outland, you’re in for some great television. Funny dialogue, actors inhabiting their characters, cool noir vibe, the drudgery of life as a space pilot and exploits of a space bounty hunter. It’s as good as TV gets. It’s as good as sci-fi and space westerns get.

But what’s the best part? The music? The style? The characters? The lived-in sci-fi world? The dog? Or the year’s coolest borg character?

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CW releases better look at Riverdale series, Archie & the Gang, and murder

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December 23, 2016

In the latest ads for CW’s new teen series Riverdale, the live-action series looks even more like an updated Twin Peaks than in the initial teaser trailer. CW’s television adaptation of the 75-year-old Archie Comics characters and hometown is only weeks away. More and more we’re thinking the series has the look and feel of the Archie Comics’ recent successful expanded universe in its Afterlife with Archie and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina series. Let’s face it–if the new television series really were to look like the monthly comic book, which has run relatively unchanged for its 75-year span, it would basically be a remake of Happy Days.

However CW’s Riverdale turns out, our fingers remain crossed that we’ll see the infamous Sabrina drop in as a guest star or that the writers will find a way to incorporate at least a good Halloween episode. Zombies, anyone? Another classic franchise family, Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, are getting their own update next year when Dynamite Comics releases a new monthly series adaptation with a noir, true crime twist: Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys: The Big Lie. The common theme seems to be bringing back the classics, but trying to spin them in a way to make them appeal to current audiences, which is nothing really new as adaptations go.

The first full-length trailer and a second teaser for Riverdale were both released this week. Every classic property should get the CW teen soap opera treatment like Riverdale and Smallville and all the great DC Comics series currently running. The shows may not be entirely loyal to the source materials, but you can bank on some interesting characters and well-told stories ahead.

Check out this first extended trailer for Riverdale:

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First look–Riverdale, CW’s teen Twin Peaks series gets a teaser, plus new comic tie-ins coming

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November 29, 2016

In the first trailer for CW’s Riverdale, the live-action series looks more like an updated Twin Peaks than the classic comic book. But what a way to make an update! How will we know if Riverdale is a success? CW’s television adaptation of the nearly 80-year-old Archie Comics universe is only weeks away. Yet if you look back on your favorite teen television shows you may find writers and casting agents have been pulling from the Archie playbook before. Just take a look back at Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Who was a better Jughead than Xander? And did you ever see the original best frenemies Betty and Veronica in the love-hate relationship of Buffy and Faith? What about the dynamic of the leads in CW’s previous successful teen-driven, comic book series Smallville? Will Archie Comics’ own tried and tested formula prove to make Riverdale a keeper?

However CW’s Riverdale turns out, our fingers are crossed that we’ll see the infamous Sabrina drop in as a guest star or that the writers will find a way to incorporate at least a good Halloween episode banking on the success of the publisher’s recent Afterlife With Archie series. What sure-fire way to please a current audience than delivering a zombie episode?

The first teaser for Riverdale dropped this week. Although it doesn’t give us much, we get a look at the characters and a glimpse of the creepy tone of the show–a very CW teen-focused looking series. These kinds of shows have proven to be CW’s niche realm, along with its recent success with superheroes in its five DC Comics series: Arrow, The Flash, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, iZombie, and Supergirl.

Check out this first teaser for Riverdale:

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Josie and the Pussycats get new monthly series with plenty of variant covers

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September 21, 2016

Next week Riverdale’s most famous band is getting back together.

Archie Comics is releasing a new Josie and the Pussycats monthly series. Much like its release of its hit Betty & Veronica series this summer, Josie & Co. is getting a premiere with plenty of cover variants with works by J. Scott Campbell, Derek Charm, Colleen Coover, Veronica Fish, Francesco Francavilla, Jessica Garvey, Robert Hack with Steve Downer, Gisele Lagace with Shouri, Alitha Martinez with Kelly Fitzpatrick, Wally McNair, Sam Payne, and Marguerite Sauvage. The standard cover was drawn by Audrey Mok. Andre Szymanowicz is providing the colors. Archie Comics will also release a blank sketch cover version.

Marguerite Bennett and Cameron Deordio are scripting the series.

Josie, Valerie, and Melody make their current debut after Afterlife With Archie’s dark look at the band in the haunted parallel universe of that title’s October issue. Plus, the CW Network has its own new Archie series premiering in only a few weeks–Riverdale stars K.J. Apa as Archie, Cole Sprouse as Jughead, Camila Mendes as Veronica, Lili Reinhart as Betty, Ross Butler as Reggie, Casey Cott as Kevin, and Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom. And of course, the band is in the series as well, with Josie played by Ashleigh Murray, Valerie is played by Hayleau Law, and Melody is played by Asha Brom. Luke Perry, Lochlyn Munro, and Madchen Amick will also star in the series.

While you’re waiting for the TV series, check out these covers to Josie and the Pussycats:

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Adam Hughes to take on writing and artistic duties in new Betty & Veronica series

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May 25, 2016

What if every comic book cover artist also created the artwork inside the cover? It’s a rare thing. Cover artists tend to get discovered and begin churning out great cover work for a good rate and find less time for interior work. Once in a while Alex Ross will take on a labor of love and work the interiors as with the Masks and earlier works like Kingdom Come and Justice. Same with Frank Cho, as he did with a surprise Savage Wolverine series a few years ago and Mike Mayhew with his The Star Wars series after his cover work became more and more popular.

Adam Hughes is well known for his cover work, especially his DC Comics women renderings. His Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan mini-series, a rare event featuring his own interiors, was probably the high point of the series. This summer fans of his artwork and classic Archie Comics characters are in for another rare treat.

Hughes will be scripting and illustrating interiors for a new Betty & Veronica series. Best friends and classic rivals Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge will be at each other again, this time over the fate of Riverdale’s hangout, Pop’s Chocklit Shoppe. Hughes has said he is attempting to make the characters timely and relevant. It shouldn’t be too hard, as the duo is certainly timeless as seen in the updates–and retro inspired designs–of the characters on the variety of covers. The standard cover will be by Hughes, featuring the two girls in his distinct style. Thirteen covers will be supplied by women comic book artists. And none of them chose the look of the gals from the classic series.

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