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https://blacknerdproblems.com/the-adventures-of-lion-man-review/

Creators: John Jennings, Yvette Lisa Ndlovu, Bill Campbell, Damian Duffy, David Brame / Rosarium Publishing

Last week, we here at Black Nerd Problems got to present an exclusive about the latest project from Jennings, Ndlovu, Campbell, Duffy, and Brame: The Adventures of Lion Man. If you missed the exclusive, we’ll quickly recap some of the historical context that also lives within the book proper.

Back in 1947, Orrin C. Evans created one of the world’s first Black superheroes: Lion Man, whose singular appearance was in the singular issue of All Negro Comics. As you can imagine, the late 1940’s weren’t particularly kind to the publication and the ANC team couldn’t find a distributor, so the character faded into obscurity. But as luck would have it, Lion Man re-entered the public domain in a post-Black Panther world and now the character created by Orrin C. Evans and George J. Evans Jr. gets a second life in 2025.

The Adventures of Lion Man is a fascinating cross section of anthology, celebration, and reinvention. After the opening remarks from Michael Dando about the history of the book, we immediately transition to the original Lion Man story by Evans and Evans. The foreword is short and succinct: Lion Man is American-born, college educated and has been sent to guard the “Magi Mountain” of the African Gold Coast as it contains far too much uranium. Getting to the original story imparts a true sense of gravitas to the collection, as we get to see the precursor to so much media that has since come out. The pulp nature of the story feels familiar and in line with the era, with the added catharsis of watching old white men get their comeuppance. It feels like it is a proper #1, and it does evoke a sense that there was so much more to tell. And thankfully, this book manages to tell it.

Following the original, we have three new stories. “The Lion Outside” (story credits to both John Jennings and David Brame, writing and coloring by Jennings and illustrated by Brame) takes the pulpy science element and pushes it even further. The story takes a much more fantastic approach to the character, tinkering with some of the basic story structure we just discovered. Instead of being sent to protect uranium, Daniel Dennision is the student of Dr. Steven Webson who discovered the first ever deposit of veilium which serves as the crux for of conflict between the waking and dreaming worlds. It is a story about conversation and preservation, fitting giving the themes of the original, and provides additional texture and depth to the Lion Man mythos. This section of the book reads a bit more like an illustrated novel as opposed to a comic, but it lets Jennings’ weave the narrative wonderfully and lets Brame’s art and Jennings color pop off the page.

Next up was “A Plague on the Nation” (written by Bill Campbell and Yvette Lisa Ndlovu, illustrated by David Brame, with colors by John Jennings and Alexandria Batchelor, and letters by Jeremy Marshall). The comic chooses to anchor itself in a much more grounded reality. While of course, there is still a costumed superhero during costume superhero things, this comic feels akin to its modern-day cinematic brethren, a hero intervening in an international conflict because it is the right thing to do to preserve life. And like Black Panther and like Superman (2025) (comparisons I do not make lightly), “A Plague on the Nation” emphasizes the greater good, the importance of hope and symbols, and how the fight against injustice is a worthy one as difficult as it may be.

The ending comic is “The Tower” (another team up between BLKKATZ, Jennings and Brame), which we showed preview pages for last time. and I will gladly share my favorites here.

The final story takes the character to its most fantastical variation thus far and feels like a love letter to pulp fiction, and I am fraught to discuss it it in any more detail because I think this is something that should be experienced.

The Adventures of Lion Man does something really cool really effortlessly. A presentation of what was and what could be. We see different iterations of Lion Man and Bubba (Lion Man’s side kick) through different perspectives, and see different interplays between science, history, and dreaming. The team presents such a complete reintroduction package that pays homage and paves a way forward, and then on top of all of that, manages to toss in some really cool art and bonus goodies at the end.

I think this is a very cool project, and I think this should be on everyone’s radar, as both a reminder of a history that could have been just a footnote and as a victory lap for a team of Black creatives highlighting the importance of legacy and reclamation.

The Adventures of Lion Man is out now wherever you purchase your graphic novels (although may I recommend your local bookstore).

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The post A Much Needed History Lesson and Vivid Reimagination – ‘The Adventures of Lion Man’ Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.

https://blackgirlnerds.com/6-reasons-john-stewart-might-be-the-most-worthy-green-lantern-of-them-all/

While Hal Jordan remains DC Comics’ most recognizable Green Lantern, the mantle has been passed between some of the most powerful and principled characters in the DC Universe. This isn’t all that surprising; the Green Lantern Corps has always been comprised of nothing but the best in terms of galactic heroes.

Sector-2814, which is home to Earth, has produced some of the bravest Lanterns the Corps has ever had. Some are experienced, like Hal Jordan, while others have creativity, like Kyle Rayner, who had some of the strongest and most interesting constructs ever. However, none of them were quite as game-changing as John Stewart, and in this article, we’ll provide you with six reasons why he might be the worthiest Green Lantern of them all.

He’s a Marine

Defeating a Lantern is often as easy as robbing them of their ring, in which case they would revert to their usual self. However, that’s not really the case with John Stewart; as a former U.S. Marine, John is the best of the best humanity has to offer in terms of combat readiness, which makes him an incredibly dangerous individual even without the Green Lantern Ring.

This also makes him capable of specialized combat tactics, weapons mastery, and above-average endurance and mental fortitude. Because of his qualities and background, he’s often depicted as one of the most determined Green Lanterns the Corps has ever seen, and given the fact that he now embodies the ring’s powers, beating him has become even more difficult.

Does the Right Thing

In his very first appearance, John was chosen as a backup to Guy Gardner and assumed the mantle of the Green Lantern after the latter was seriously injured. Though he initially clashed with authority and Hal Jordan, he showed determination when it came to doing the right thing. Thus, he even let a senator get shot after he found out that the politician had planned to stage his own assassination attempt to boost his numbers. Ultimately, Steward exposed the politician to be nothing more than a fraud, and that he wasn’t really in any type of danger whatsoever.

He Has the Strength of a God

Not only did he become a living Green Lantern Ring, John Stewart also absorbed the Godstorm, which gave him cosmic awareness, and gave him an endless energy supply that can never be extinguished. As he’s no longer bound by the constraints of the physical Power Ring, John’s power exceeds what his fellow Lanterns are capable of

This also grants him superhuman strength and invincibility, which he used to single-handedly defeat the Radiant Dead, physically harm a younger Darkseid with his blows, and easily survive a prolonged blast from Darkseid’s Soul Cannon, which is capable of easily killing Oans and New Gods.

He’s a Natural Leader

Unlike some of his more impulsive peers, John thrives as part of a team and often takes the lead when situations turn chaotic. Not only did he serve as the Corps’ field leader and a Justice League mainstay, but he also led the Justice League, the most iconic and powerful superheroes in DC Comics. Though this led to some conflict with the Caped Crusader, who is used to occupying that role, John proved to be better at developing battle plans, as he’s much more experienced at the theatre of war. And unlike Batman, he doesn’t just give out orders in a cold and distant fashion.

First-Hand Cultural Impact

Though he wasn’t the first human Green Lantern introduced in comics, John Stewart was the first Black Green Lantern, and one of DC’s earliest Black superheroes to take center stage. His addition to the Justice League animated series left a lasting impression. John wasn’t defined by stereotypes or relegated to the sidelines like many other Black characters. No, he was center stage, and for many, he was the first Green Lantern the audiences could actually identify with.

Respected Peer and Fan-Favorite

When it comes to being a respected peer and fan favorite, John remains unmatched, especially in the animated Justice League series, where he wasn’t just a support character, but a founding father of the League itself. He was often depicted as grounded, no-nonsense, and refreshingly human, which quickly made him a fan favorite among audiences who wanted a hero with real presence and emotion.

Bonus: Needs No Ring

Due to the discipline and focus he gained during his time as a U.S. Marine, John Stewart didn’t take long to completely master the Green Lantern Ring, making him one of the most disciplined, precise, and tactically proficient Lanterns. However, he was far from invincible, and his power ring was destroyed in a confrontation with Sinestro, who infused John with Ultraviolet Light.

Thanks to his sheer power of will, he was able to overcome Umbrax’s (Ultraviolet Corps) influence and turn his UV Lantern ring into a Green Lantern tattoo, which was burned into his finger. This turned his entire body into a power ring and his heart into the ring’s battery. The full extent of his capabilities is currently unknown.

Final Thoughts

John Stewart’s legacy as the Green Lantern goes well beyond him just wielding a Green Lantern Ring, as he actually embodies everything the Corps stands for, making him not just another Lantern, but THE Lantern — the one we hope to see in Lanterns, the upcoming Green Lantern series.

The post 6 Reasons John Stewart Might Be the Most Worthy Green Lantern of Them All appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/average-wedding-cost-according-to-data/

As of 2025, the average cost of a wedding is approximately $36,000, according to data from Zola, a wedding registry platform. When you think about all that goes into a wedding, you may understand how the figure can get so high. There’s the venue (whether you book an event space or have a party tent in a backyard), food and drink, music, photography and videography, the dress and the ring, hair and makeup, flowers, and more.

But whether you want to have a destination wedding or one at home, you’ll likely want to understand what others spend, whether the average expense accurately reflects what most people pay, and how you can develop and wrangle your own budget. SoFi shares need-to-know info to help you plan for what may just be the happiest day of your life.

Key Points

• The average wedding cost in 2025 is $36,000, with a median of $10,000, which may be a more accurate figure to work with.
• Costs vary by location; New York averages $47,000, while Utah weddings ring in at about $17,000.
• Gen Z weddings average $27,000, Millennials $38,000, and Gen X $23,000.
• Wedding costs fluctuate by month, with July to September being priciest, averaging $34,000.
• Careful planning and budgeting can help you control wedding costs, as can wise use of funding sources, such as relatives’ gifts and personal loans.

What Is the Average Cost of a Wedding?

As noted above, the average cost of a wedding ceremony and reception for 2025 was documented at $36,000, according to Zola, a wedding registry platform. However, before thinking that you need to spend that much to get hitched, keep in mind a bit of basic math about average vs. median wedding costs.

• Averages can be inflated by a few super-luxe weddings in the mix. To get the average, you add the data points and divide by the number of data points.

For instance, if eight out of 10 people spend $10,000 for their big day and two people spend $125,000 each, the average cost would be $33,000. Even though just two couples splashed out, it looks as if everyone is spending a sum of over $30,000.

• Because a few high figures can skew data, it may be more meaningful to look at the median cost. When a median is calculated, the data points are arranged from smallest to largest, and the median is the middle value for sets with an odd number of data points. When there is an even number of data points, the median is the average of the middle two.

If you use the same values as above, the median would be 10,000, because you are only looking at the middle two values when the 10 data points are arrayed from smallest to largest. In other words, the big spenders get eliminated.

So what would the current median cost of a wedding be? SoFi’s most recent research found that the median cost of a wedding is about $10,000.

Wedding costs will vary based on how elaborate the event is and the unique vendor and venue costs of the region.

And whether typical costs are closer to $10,000 or $36,000, that’s a considerable investment: a five-figure amount to pull together or to finance with, say, a personal loan.

Average Wedding Cost by State

You’ve just learned that average wedding costs may be inflated vs. median costs. However, most of the world tallies data as averages. Here, you’ll see how much an average wedding costs by state, according to the most recent data from the wedding platform The Knot. Keep in mind that if you were to use medians, the dollar amounts could be significantly lower.

The price tag associated with this fantastic celebration for the couple, their friends, and family differs by state. The variations in amounts may reflect how the cost of living by state can vary. This is where things stand as of 2025:

• Alabama: $27,000
• Alaska: Not available
• Arizona: $26,830
• Arkansas: $18,700
• California: $39,170
• Colorado: $31,130
• Connecticut: $40,300
• Delaware: $38,880
• District of Columbia: $42,480
• Florida: $32,560
• Georgia: $28,800
• Hawaii: $32,280
• Idaho: $17,380
• Illinois: $38,100
• Indiana: $24,380
• Iowa: $20,080
• Kansas: $20,000
• Kentucky: $21,680
• Louisiana: $33,240
• Maine: $36,000
• Maryland: $39,460
• Massachusetts: $45,000
• Michigan: $28,330
• Minnesota: $27,440
• Mississippi: $21,280
• Missouri: $25,040
• Montana: $20,050
• Nebraska: $20,870
• Nevada: $19,890
• New Hampshire: $36,080
• New Jersey: $54,500
• New Mexico: $22,260
• New York: $47,800
• North Carolina: $29,060
• North Dakota: $21,080
• Ohio: $28.300
• Oklahoma: $19,590
• Oregon: $23,290
• Pennsylvania: $35,310
• Rhode Island: $49,180
• South Carolina: $36,170
• South Dakota: $20,750
• Tennessee: $24,040
• Texas: $30,000
• Utah: $17,380
• Vermont: $44,720
• Virginia: $33,760
• Washington: $26,380
• West Virginia: $19,080
• Wisconsin: $28,730
• Wyoming: $16,750

Average Wedding Cost in Major U.S. Cities

In general, cities can be expensive. The cost of living can be higher because the demand is more intense.

Here, according to The Knot, is how much it costs on average to finance a wedding in some popular American cities, in descending order:

• New York City: $87,700
• Chicago: $54,190
• San Francisco: $51,500
• Boston: $51,260
• Los Angeles County: $44,740
• Philadelphia: $40,230
• Houston: $33,000
• Detroit: $32,000
• Dallas/Fort Worth: $31,580
• Denver: $31,440
• Seattle: $31,320
• Phoenix: $27,040
• Las Vegas: $22,140
• El Paso: $20,490

Average Wedding Cost by Number of Guests

If you’re curious about how the number of guests will impact your wedding costs, consider this data about getting married from The Knot. In 2025, the most recent year studied, the average number of guests at a wedding was 116, up slightly from the year prior.

Of course, just because that’s the average number of attendees doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Some people with large families and circles of friends could have twice that amount, while others might prefer an intimate ceremony with just one or two dozen guests.

In terms of cost per guest, the latest figures are $284 per person. Once again, keep in mind that these are averages, and the median cost could be significantly lower. Nevertheless, that can be a considerable sum to pay. Looking into wedding loans could be a wise move.

Average Wedding Cost by Generation

Here’s a look at how age may impact your wedding costs. The wedding cost data from the most recent year studied (2025) reveals the following:

• Average cost for Gen Z wedding: $27,000
• Average cost for millennial wedding: $38,000
• Average cost for Gen X wedding: $23,000

Notably, Gen Z weddings tend to be smaller in size than those of older couples, which could explain the lower price. In addition, Gen Xers (born between 1965 and 1980) may have lower costs since they are older and have other financial priorities than a blowout bash (such as educational costs for children from a prior marriage or a mortgage).

Average Wedding Cost by Month

The time of year during which you host your wedding can impact the cost. Interestingly, in generations past, June used to be the most popular and in-demand month for weddings. That’s a factor that can drive up costs. Now, September and October are the most popular months to get hitched.

However, there are regional differences in when people marry (for instance, a Florida February wedding will be very different from one in Maine), and many other factors impact which date you’ll pick. Here, a look at average costs by time of year to help you plan your budget well:

• January-March wedding: $32,000
• April-June wedding: $33,000
• July-September wedding: $34,000
• October-December wedding: $32,000

The Takeaway

The current average cost of a wedding in the U.S., according to the data is $36,000. However, median costs of a wedding reveal a significantly lower figure of $10,000 for the big day. Keep in mind that average costs are just that: an average made up of numerous data points. It’s not how much you will or must spend. Planning a wedding doesn’t have to be a budget breaker, and there are various ways to finance the event, including gifts from family and personal loans. Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards; a personal loan could be a wiser choice.

FAQ

What is the average cost of a wedding in the United States compared to the rest of the world?

The average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is currently $36,000, and the median is $10,000. Wedding costs in America tend to be higher than elsewhere in the world, but figures vary tremendously depending on location, wedding size, and details of the ceremony and celebration.

What is the average cost of a destination wedding?

The current average cost of a destination wedding is $39,000, although the exact price can vary depending on where the wedding takes place, travel expenses, and the size and style of the wedding.

How much should I plan to spend on a wedding with 100 guests?

Currently, the average cost per person for a wedding is $284, so a wedding for 100 guests would require a budget of $28,400.

What’s the best way to estimate the costs of a wedding?

In addition to looking at the data and talking to friends and wedding professionals, you can develop a budget and research costs for your intended ceremony, such as venue rental, flowers, music, dress, catering, and more.

Are there different ways to pay for a wedding?

Yes, there are options for financing a wedding, including savings, gifts of money from family and friends, and securing a personal loan.

This story was produced by SoFi and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

https://nerdist.com/article/shrek-5-coming-in-2026-with-original-voice-cast/

Last year, Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri hinted that Shrek 5 could be coming our way with its original voice actors reprising their roles. Now, we know that Shrek 5 is officially happening, with Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, and Cameron Diaz returning as Donkey, Shrek, and Fiona, respectively. And there’s even another new release date for Shrek 5, which was originally July 1, 2026, then pushed back to December 23, 2026. Now, according to Variety, we’re looking at a June 30, 2027 release.

Zendaya Joins Shrek 5 as Shrek’s Daughter

Shrek already has a star-studded cast, but a new Shrek movie means a new star for a new generation of viewers. And it doesn’t get any shinier than Zendaya, who is officially joining Shrek 5. Zendaya will play Shrek’s daughter in the movie. We still don’t know what Shrek 5 is about, but it looks like Shrek being a girl dad will definitely feature in the mix.

Shrek 5’s Teaser Trailer

Dreamworks Animation released a short announcement teaser (with the original date) to get fans excited about the upcoming sequel. We love the use of Smash Mouth’s “All Star,” which was prominently featured in the original Shrek film in 2001.

Not too Far, Far Away… @Shrek 5 is coming to theaters on July 1, 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz. pic.twitter.com/3j6ctXpPGu

— DreamWorks Animation (@Dreamworks) July 9, 2024

The beloved animated franchise released its last film way back in 2010. For many years, fans thought it was the end of the story. But there’s apparently more jokes to be told in the fairy-tale land of Duloc.

What Is the Release Date for Shrek 5?

The movie will come out June 30, 2027.

Originally published July 9, 2024.

The post SHREK 5 Delayed Again, Now Summer 2027 appeared first on Nerdist.