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Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is the second installment of the Puss in Boots franchise and is definitely long overdue and one we didn’t know we needed. Like the 90s cartoon theme songs, this film did not need to go this hard, but it did. This time around instead of flying through the air and playing all the local kitties, Puss is grappling with debilitating anxiety and commitment issues, all while dealing with the impermanence of life and literally facing his demons. Who knew Puss in Boots would have me leaving the theater wanting to sort my F-ing life out?
Estan cuidado spoilers por delante / spoilers ahead
Right out of the title credits (…and we won’t get into the extended Dreamworks intro – that’s for another time) the first thing you notice is an upgrade in animation. The graphics deviate from the first film some 12 years ago. At first, you don’t know what it is. But the fast-pace comic book feel gives you a familiar heart-racing feeling. With each frame dropped you realize, it’s Into the Spider-Verse! The new look really brings the storytelling element to life and elevates the folkloric experience. Watching Puss fly through the air with his sword drawn this time around feels like it’s jumping right off the page and through the screen. Aside from the new look, the movie brings us its well-known twist on folkloric storytelling with gravitas and humor. I’m talking “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” but make it Ocean’s. Jack Horner but make it Elon Musk’s Twitter.
Puss in Bargaining
The premise is simple. Puss (reprised by the iconic Antonio Banderas) is, of course, a household name in the thieving business. His ego is on 1000, and he’s wanted all over the land per yuushh. This time his days are numbered. While it’s true cats have nine lives, Puss has run out and is now on his last life. Knowing this he decides to retire to the grey havens where it is safe because he can no longer take the uncalculated risks he is known for. But whispers on the wind say that the location of the elusive wishing star has surfaced. The wishing star grants any wish to the person who finds it. The star fell to earth eons ago and has yet to be found. With Puss’s life on its last strand, he feels this is his chance to get his lives and his confidence back.
The story is solid with a band of characters all going through their own bouts of anxiety, loss, a lack of belonging, and some serious control issues. Jack Horner for one, (voiced by comedian extraordinaire John Mulaney.)
Now Jack Horner is giving – sadistic repressed boy man. The unhinged need to command more than just his destiny but all those around him is due to his childhood trauma (obviously). While he was the apple of his and his fan’s eyes as a child, the pressure to keep putting thumbs in pies and the ridicule turned him into a callous monster. While he is the keeper of the map to the wishing star, he does not care who he has to off to make sure he takes ownership of that star. Throughout the story, there are several people trying to control their situations by all means necessary. Except for newcomer Perrito (voiced by Harvey Guillén), he is really just along for the ride. (More on him soon). Even Kitty Soft Paws (Salma Hayek) who rejoins our protagonist Puss to steal her own wish. Kitty is hired to find the wishing star but obviously plans to double-cross her employer. You wonder why are Puss and Kitty not working together? You’d think she’s the one who got him to slow down and park his litter box. And she was! We learn later in the film he could not commit. (Contrary to his comment in the first Puss in Boots film).
Puss in Denial
While everyone has a right to this iron throne of the wishing star one of the people trying to change their storyline and take back control of their narrative is Goldilocks (voiced by the one and only Florence Pugh!) Goldi is running around with her adopted family – the three bears. We got Mama Bear (Oscar winning actor Olivia Coleman), Papa Bear (Ray Winstone), and Baby Bear (Samson Kayo.) They are a band of grifters, a con family if you will. Goldi is promising this wishing star is their last big job to change their lives, yet she has other ideas to get back to her “real” family. She knows her true family is out there, and she deserves to be loved by her real parents and live a normal fairytale life. When I tell you I almost cried when Goldi revealed her truth and Mama Bear, with tears in her eyes says, “if this will make you happy let’s go get your wish.” DONE. This woman said flat out you raised me, but you’re not my family – and a true mama said, your happiness is what a mama is for! My unfertilized eggs gasped. Coming to the realization of your reality and taking stock of what you have has always been a tough spot for me. Not that I am shaming my family and looking for some other family, but the idea of always looking towards the future. Being in complete disbelief that I have everything now that I need to succeed and have the life I want. What’s the saying: it’s hard to see the forest through the trees? Now, this was only the tip of the emotional iceberg in this film.
What takes The Last Wish over the top is the introduction of Puss’s true villain. Puss doesn’t just retire when he recounts all his deaths, a character arrives ready to take Puss to his final grave. Wolf, the classic big bad arrives red-eyed and ready, wielding chained sickles with skills well beyond Puss’s abilities. Plus, he has an entrance whistle that could freeze the blood in anyone’s veins. This chills Puss to his core. This mans is terrifying. I found myself with goosebumps on my forearms every time he arrived. And I kept asking myself why? This is just a cartoon fictional character. I’m watching Antonio Banderas as a cat in boots for Bast sake! Why is this character so menacing and inescapable? Why is this so close to home? When you realize through the metaphor of is all, he is the reaper – death himself… the final chapter. The one you cannot beat.
This is the day Puss learns the meaning of run.
I started to feel my heart rate rise and my breath quicken. I too have been struggling with the anxiety that comes with the thought of my final day on this earth. Death. It’s considered one of the five core fears in human existence. It’s “the fear of annihilation of ceasing to exist” – Best Self. We cannot evade death, and for me it isn’t necessarily not knowing what is on the other side. It’s facing that big bad wolf, it’s the whistle on the wind and knowing it’s coming no matter what. Whether we go to heaven or see our loved ones once again is the self-soothing part for some. But the anxiety of the end begins with the imagination of my final moments, then I lose my breath and hot tears begin to well up and fall. It’s a wild thought that I saw this right in front of my eyes in the sweet, animated face of Puss.
In my life, I have been searching for ways to handle the anxiety of it all. As the Virgo I am, I analyze and rationalize my thoughts until it no longer scares me, or at least until it makes more sense and I reach acceptance. Puss ran from it as if a crafty escape would provide the freedom of relief. But in inexplicable ways, that whistle would creep in and hood shadowed red eyes would show up. For me, it came in the form of the Third Rail Project’s production of Grand Paradise. In an immersive live theater experience, I was guided around a number of storylines based on the promise of eternal life. In one moment, I was thrust into my own wake. Yes, I was asked to lay down, given flowers as four box walls were formed around me and visitors invited to look upon my body. At that moment, I was given a chance to analyze my final chapter. A glimpse into my funeral did not hurl me into a massive panic attack. It was calm, it was surreal, a true out of body experience and one that didn’t have the answers sway – but let me peer through the veil into a universe unknown. I know that sounds epic compared to the Puss in Boots storyline, but it was one and the same. Puss was given the opportunity to truly understand and know the value of life itself and the value of the only life he has left.
Puss in Depression
Which brings me to Perrito. A small dog pretending to be a cat to make friends and get a hot meal. A loyal companion that even when cast aside finds a way to continue on and know what truly is best for those in need. An aspiring emotional support dog that teaches Puss and Kitty that running from emotions only gets you tangled in the vines. Literally, though there are a bunch of plants on his path that if you fight them become treacherous but if you let love in they give you all the support you need. Pretty on the nose if you ask me, but in moments of crisis no one really needs convoluted metaphors c’mon. He is bug-eyed and cute in unconventional ways. He has a way of cutting through the fear. He has the uncanny ability to imagine beauty, joy, and togetherness in all things. And yes, Puss in Boots gave us the quintessential TikTok of a cat with its doggie support animal, and I am here for it all.
So, Puss is walking through this labyrinth all the while pushing down and ignoring his anxieties. When those red eyes appear in the fray, Puss is hurdled into the clutches of death. At the final stretch when we’re so close to the star, Puss blacks out! He is running, just booking it. He’s trying to get away from something he knows he cannot escape. He’s hiding, he’s hyperventilating, and the hairs on his body are standing at attention. He’s gonna lose consciousness. Perrito comes running, and even he looks frazzled. He doesn’t know what to do. He just closes his eyes and lays his head on Puss’s chest. Puss pets him as his heart rate lowers, his breath regulates, and he comes back to reality. This almost made me cry. Like Toy Story 3 levels cry. It asked the question – what do we do when we are faced with our largest fears and self-soothing is not enough?
Puss in Acceptance
The wolf came to claim Puss because his only treasure was the fact that he felt invincible. That he could just figure it all out on his own and had all the time in the world. This is the crux of his issues. He could not accept death and truly appreciate his life. We only have this one life, and we cannot spend it running from death or trying to beat it. We have to see the forest, enjoy the leaves, and see how the sun shines through the canopy. One day yes, this will fade, and all we have are the memories. People are what make life worth being alive. No matter how many lives you have.
Ahh! It’s corny AF, but I care not! Puss in Boots is a teachable moment for all of us. Because even though all of the resources in the world are at our fingertips, we still find a way to ignore our needs and think we can do it all by ourselves. Now is Puss in Boots the reason I am able to get through panic attacks? No. Therapy and meditation is gonna have to come through too. But Puss in Boots telling this stories – right now brought a new level of acknowledgment to this Sh*t we’re all going through, and honestly, I’m thankful for that.
What a time we live in where our cartoon characters can give us the space to explore mental health and the importance of leaning on our community. All done with a double sickle wielding Judge Doom piercing eyes big bag villain.
You can watch Puss in Boots: The Last Wish streaming now on Peacock.
Want to get Black Nerd Problems updates sent directly to you? Sign up here! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram!
The post ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ Taught Me How to Face Death appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is the second installment of the Puss in Boots franchise and is definitely long overdue and one we didn’t know we needed. Like the 90s cartoon theme songs, this film did not need to go this hard, but it did. This time around instead of flying through the air and playing all the local kitties, Puss is grappling with debilitating anxiety and commitment issues, all while dealing with the impermanence of life and literally facing his demons. Who knew Puss in Boots would have me leaving the theater wanting to sort my F-ing life out?
Estan cuidado spoilers por delante / spoilers ahead
Right out of the title credits (…and we won’t get into the extended Dreamworks intro – that’s for another time) the first thing you notice is an upgrade in animation. The graphics deviate from the first film some 12 years ago. At first, you don’t know what it is. But the fast-pace comic book feel gives you a familiar heart-racing feeling. With each frame dropped you realize, it’s Into the Spider-Verse! The new look really brings the storytelling element to life and elevates the folkloric experience. Watching Puss fly through the air with his sword drawn this time around feels like it’s jumping right off the page and through the screen. Aside from the new look, the movie brings us its well-known twist on folkloric storytelling with gravitas and humor. I’m talking “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” but make it Ocean’s. Jack Horner but make it Elon Musk’s Twitter.
Puss in Bargaining
The premise is simple. Puss (reprised by the iconic Antonio Banderas) is, of course, a household name in the thieving business. His ego is on 1000, and he’s wanted all over the land per yuushh. This time his days are numbered. While it’s true cats have nine lives, Puss has run out and is now on his last life. Knowing this he decides to retire to the grey havens where it is safe because he can no longer take the uncalculated risks he is known for. But whispers on the wind say that the location of the elusive wishing star has surfaced. The wishing star grants any wish to the person who finds it. The star fell to earth eons ago and has yet to be found. With Puss’s life on its last strand, he feels this is his chance to get his lives and his confidence back.
The story is solid with a band of characters all going through their own bouts of anxiety, loss, a lack of belonging, and some serious control issues. Jack Horner for one, (voiced by comedian extraordinaire John Mulaney.)
Now Jack Horner is giving – sadistic repressed boy man. The unhinged need to command more than just his destiny but all those around him is due to his childhood trauma (obviously). While he was the apple of his and his fan’s eyes as a child, the pressure to keep putting thumbs in pies and the ridicule turned him into a callous monster. While he is the keeper of the map to the wishing star, he does not care who he has to off to make sure he takes ownership of that star. Throughout the story, there are several people trying to control their situations by all means necessary. Except for newcomer Perrito (voiced by Harvey Guillén), he is really just along for the ride. (More on him soon). Even Kitty Soft Paws (Salma Hayek) who rejoins our protagonist Puss to steal her own wish. Kitty is hired to find the wishing star but obviously plans to double-cross her employer. You wonder why are Puss and Kitty not working together? You’d think she’s the one who got him to slow down and park his litter box. And she was! We learn later in the film he could not commit. (Contrary to his comment in the first Puss in Boots film).
Puss in Denial
While everyone has a right to this iron throne of the wishing star one of the people trying to change their storyline and take back control of their narrative is Goldilocks (voiced by the one and only Florence Pugh!) Goldi is running around with her adopted family – the three bears. We got Mama Bear (Oscar winning actor Olivia Coleman), Papa Bear (Ray Winstone), and Baby Bear (Samson Kayo.) They are a band of grifters, a con family if you will. Goldi is promising this wishing star is their last big job to change their lives, yet she has other ideas to get back to her “real” family. She knows her true family is out there, and she deserves to be loved by her real parents and live a normal fairytale life. When I tell you I almost cried when Goldi revealed her truth and Mama Bear, with tears in her eyes says, “if this will make you happy let’s go get your wish.” DONE. This woman said flat out you raised me, but you’re not my family – and a true mama said, your happiness is what a mama is for! My unfertilized eggs gasped. Coming to the realization of your reality and taking stock of what you have has always been a tough spot for me. Not that I am shaming my family and looking for some other family, but the idea of always looking towards the future. Being in complete disbelief that I have everything now that I need to succeed and have the life I want. What’s the saying: it’s hard to see the forest through the trees? Now, this was only the tip of the emotional iceberg in this film.
What takes The Last Wish over the top is the introduction of Puss’s true villain. Puss doesn’t just retire when he recounts all his deaths, a character arrives ready to take Puss to his final grave. Wolf, the classic big bad arrives red-eyed and ready, wielding chained sickles with skills well beyond Puss’s abilities. Plus, he has an entrance whistle that could freeze the blood in anyone’s veins. This chills Puss to his core. This mans is terrifying. I found myself with goosebumps on my forearms every time he arrived. And I kept asking myself why? This is just a cartoon fictional character. I’m watching Antonio Banderas as a cat in boots for Bast sake! Why is this character so menacing and inescapable? Why is this so close to home? When you realize through the metaphor of is all, he is the reaper – death himself… the final chapter. The one you cannot beat.
This is the day Puss learns the meaning of run.
I started to feel my heart rate rise and my breath quicken. I too have been struggling with the anxiety that comes with the thought of my final day on this earth. Death. It’s considered one of the five core fears in human existence. It’s “the fear of annihilation of ceasing to exist” – Best Self. We cannot evade death, and for me it isn’t necessarily not knowing what is on the other side. It’s facing that big bad wolf, it’s the whistle on the wind and knowing it’s coming no matter what. Whether we go to heaven or see our loved ones once again is the self-soothing part for some. But the anxiety of the end begins with the imagination of my final moments, then I lose my breath and hot tears begin to well up and fall. It’s a wild thought that I saw this right in front of my eyes in the sweet, animated face of Puss.
In my life, I have been searching for ways to handle the anxiety of it all. As the Virgo I am, I analyze and rationalize my thoughts until it no longer scares me, or at least until it makes more sense and I reach acceptance. Puss ran from it as if a crafty escape would provide the freedom of relief. But in inexplicable ways, that whistle would creep in and hood shadowed red eyes would show up. For me, it came in the form of the Third Rail Project’s production of Grand Paradise. In an immersive live theater experience, I was guided around a number of storylines based on the promise of eternal life. In one moment, I was thrust into my own wake. Yes, I was asked to lay down, given flowers as four box walls were formed around me and visitors invited to look upon my body. At that moment, I was given a chance to analyze my final chapter. A glimpse into my funeral did not hurl me into a massive panic attack. It was calm, it was surreal, a true out of body experience and one that didn’t have the answers sway – but let me peer through the veil into a universe unknown. I know that sounds epic compared to the Puss in Boots storyline, but it was one and the same. Puss was given the opportunity to truly understand and know the value of life itself and the value of the only life he has left.
Puss in Depression
Which brings me to Perrito. A small dog pretending to be a cat to make friends and get a hot meal. A loyal companion that even when cast aside finds a way to continue on and know what truly is best for those in need. An aspiring emotional support dog that teaches Puss and Kitty that running from emotions only gets you tangled in the vines. Literally, though there are a bunch of plants on his path that if you fight them become treacherous but if you let love in they give you all the support you need. Pretty on the nose if you ask me, but in moments of crisis no one really needs convoluted metaphors c’mon. He is bug-eyed and cute in unconventional ways. He has a way of cutting through the fear. He has the uncanny ability to imagine beauty, joy, and togetherness in all things. And yes, Puss in Boots gave us the quintessential TikTok of a cat with its doggie support animal, and I am here for it all.
So, Puss is walking through this labyrinth all the while pushing down and ignoring his anxieties. When those red eyes appear in the fray, Puss is hurdled into the clutches of death. At the final stretch when we’re so close to the star, Puss blacks out! He is running, just booking it. He’s trying to get away from something he knows he cannot escape. He’s hiding, he’s hyperventilating, and the hairs on his body are standing at attention. He’s gonna lose consciousness. Perrito comes running, and even he looks frazzled. He doesn’t know what to do. He just closes his eyes and lays his head on Puss’s chest. Puss pets him as his heart rate lowers, his breath regulates, and he comes back to reality. This almost made me cry. Like Toy Story 3 levels cry. It asked the question – what do we do when we are faced with our largest fears and self-soothing is not enough?
Puss in Acceptance
The wolf came to claim Puss because his only treasure was the fact that he felt invincible. That he could just figure it all out on his own and had all the time in the world. This is the crux of his issues. He could not accept death and truly appreciate his life. We only have this one life, and we cannot spend it running from death or trying to beat it. We have to see the forest, enjoy the leaves, and see how the sun shines through the canopy. One day yes, this will fade, and all we have are the memories. People are what make life worth being alive. No matter how many lives you have.
Ahh! It’s corny AF, but I care not! Puss in Boots is a teachable moment for all of us. Because even though all of the resources in the world are at our fingertips, we still find a way to ignore our needs and think we can do it all by ourselves. Now is Puss in Boots the reason I am able to get through panic attacks? No. Therapy and meditation is gonna have to come through too. But Puss in Boots telling this stories – right now brought a new level of acknowledgment to this Sh*t we’re all going through, and honestly, I’m thankful for that.
What a time we live in where our cartoon characters can give us the space to explore mental health and the importance of leaning on our community. All done with a double sickle wielding Judge Doom piercing eyes big bag villain.
You can watch Puss in Boots: The Last Wish streaming now on Peacock.
Want to get Black Nerd Problems updates sent directly to you? Sign up here! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram!
The post ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ Taught Me How to Face Death appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
By Désirée Guzzetta (Dezbot)
In “HouseBroken,” a group of neighborhood pets and strays get together to have therapy sessions with Honey (Lisa Kudrow), a standard poodle with issues of her own. The animated comedy was created by Gabrielle Allan, Jennifer Crittenden, and Clea DuVall. Its humorous look at the inner lives of animals was popular enough to secure a second season, which airs on Fox networks and replays on Hulu.
Some of the gang behind “HouseBroken” came to WonderCon 2023 to share behind-the-scenes stories and a peek at the new season. The panel was attended by co-creator/co-showrunner/executive producer Crittenden, as well as director Eric Koenig, writer and co-executive producer Elliott Kalan, and star Will Forte, who voices the ancient and pervy tortoise, Shel. The cast also includes co-creator DuVall as Elsa, the Corgi; Nat Faxon as Honey’s mate, Chief, the sweet-but-somewhat-dim St. Bernard; and, Timothy Simons (everyone’s favorite punching bag, Jonah, on “Veep”) as a sassy wild raccoon.
Among the fun tidbits shared at the panel: They all learned a lot about animal anatomy (“Don’t Google tortoise anatomy – it’s disgusting!” the panelists warned the attendees). Forte shared that sloths “crap out a third of their body weight a day,” and also noted that sloths can travel 14 miles an hour when motivated.
Koenig shared that aspiring animators should study silent films, including the Mary Pickford-starring classic, “Sparrows” (1926), because silent films have to communicate a great deal through images. Koenig’s first job was with storied animators Chuck Jones and Maurice Noble, and Jones, he said, was friends with silent film giants Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton.
The Nerd Element had a chance to speak at WonderCon with all four panelists, gathering intel on upcoming guest stars and episodes and…um…animal anatomy. We also had a chance to ask Forte a couple of questions on camera about Shel and MacGruber, which you can enjoy on our YouTube channel.
The first pair we spoke with is Koenig and Kalan, who followed up on their writing and directing processes mentioned during the panel, including Koenig’s storyboarding technique. We also got a little more detail on an upcoming episode that references the “Evil Dead” horror series. In addition to “HouseBroken,” Koenig has worked on “The Simpsons” and for Disney on various projects. Kalan’s credits include writing for “Mystery Science Theater 3000” and comic books such as “Spider-Man & The X-Men,” as well as hosting podcasts including “The Flop House.”
Second up was Crittenden and Forte, who, we have to admit, we sidetracked into a discussion of which animal’s anatomy was “worse,” the duck’s or the tortoise’s. In our defense, Crittenden and Forte’s ensuing discussion is delightful. Crittenden started out writing for David Letterman, and has written for “The Simpsons,” “Seinfeld,” and “Veep.” She also shares a 2012 Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series for “Veep.”
Forte is an alum of “Saturday Night Live,” where he created memorable characters such as MacGruber (star of film and TV and blowing up real good!). Forte also co-created and starred in television series “The Last Man on Earth,” has been nominated for three Emmys, and had a starring role in the Academy Award-nominated film, “Nebraska” (2013). He also voiced Lincoln in nerd favorite “The Lego Movie (2014), and currently voices Wolf on “The Great North,” also on Fox.
Listen and watch and enjoy!
“HouseBroken” airs on Fox Sundays at 9:30 p.m. Pacific.
The post “HouseBroken” at WonderCon2023 appeared first on The Nerd Element.
Invincible, the adult animated superhero series, has become a household name ever since the release of its first season on Amazon Prime in 2021. It’s an atypical superhero origin story that follows Mark Grayson, a seemingly ordinary teenager who discovers that he, like his father Omni-Man, also has superpowers. He also discovered his father is an alien with an agenda to assimilate Earth into the Viltrum Empire. With Season 2 already fast approaching, it’s time to discuss what we could expect from the upcoming season.
But before we dive into Season 2’s expectations, let’s remember what happened in Season 1 of Invincible, which ended on a cliffhanger. In the finale episode, Omni-Man/Nolan Grayson, voiced by Spider-Man’s J.K. Simmons, seemingly abandoned his mission of assimilating Earth after severely beating Invincible/Mark Grayson, his son, who refused to help him in his mission. It also revealed why Omni-Man was systematically taking out anyone who could even come close to opposing him.
It’s worth noting that Invincible very closely adheres to its source material for the most part with only minor deviations from the comic book narrative. When the announcement of the second season came, the fans immediately reached for their graphic novels to find out exactly what would happen next. One thing’s for sure; considering that the show is produced by Amazon Studios and Skybound North, we can expect the same high-quality animation we saw in the first seasons.
Beyond that, the narrative should continue where the previous season left off; Omni-Man was last seen conquering another planet, Mark has recovered from the beatdown he received from his father, and he continues to balance his life as a high-school teenager and a superhero. His transformation to a full-fledged superhero is one of the main focuses of the comic book, so we can expect more character development, especially in terms of navigating relationships with his friends and coping with the revelation of his father’s true intentions.
Mark’s relationships with other characters, especially Amber and William, are also vital aspects of Mark’s journey in the comics. The upcoming season might explore the challenges of being a superhero teenager who also has to maintain personal relationships and appearances and how everything evolves over time. Of course, one of the biggest questions is Mark’s relationship with his father and what exactly will become of them. So, fans are also hoping to see the resolution of that particular storyline in the upcoming season.
Omni-Man did betray the Viltrumite Empire by abandoning his mission and conquering another planet instead, perhaps in an attempt to lessen his punishment. Still, the Viltrumite Empire comes into contact with Earth and its heroes. The Viltrumite Civil War is a significant plotline in the Invincible comics because it sets the stage for new alliances and more intense battles and allows Mark to confront his father’s past and the entire grim legacy of his people, the Viltrumites. Given that the show has already been renewed for Season 3, it’s likely that Season 2 will only serve as kindling for a larger narrative conflict.
However, Flaxans are most likely to be the next Big Bad, perhaps along with Omni-Man, of the upcoming season, as they appeared relatively early in the comic book series. Like most alien races in fiction, Flaxans are also looking to invade and conquer Earth, and they’re actually a credible threat to the planet and its superheroes. This invasion of Earth in the comics led to some of the most intense and action-packed scenes, and those who actually read the comic book series eagerly anticipate the introduction of the Flaxans on the screen. Likewise, the second season is also likely to introduce more new heroes now that most heroes defending Earth are dead. In fact, Omni-Man killed six Guardians of the Globe members with ease in the first episode alone.
So, we can expect the arrival or re-appearance of new characters from the source material. This also includes Allen the Alien, who was introduced in Season 1. He and Mark become close friends in the comics, so we can expect to see him in a more prominent role. The Invincible comic has a vast array of superhero characters, and though Season 1 had already introduced a few, others are yet to make their appearance. At the same time, fans hope to see Robot, Monster Girl (an obvious take on the Hulk), and Black Samson return in the second season.
In the end, we can say that Season 1 only laid the groundwork for establishing the Invincible universe, and Season 2 is expected to build the foundation for further expansion of the IPs universe. So far, the series only covered some 13 issues of the Invincible comic book series, comprised of 144 issues total, so there’s still plenty of material to adapt.
This gives creators plenty of source material to draw from to appease the demanding fandom, which has some high expectations from the upcoming Season 2. Luckily, the animated series has stayed faithful to the source material so far, meaning that the upcoming season is likely to expand the current narrative by introducing even more villains and allies while still following Mark’s ongoing character development and his evolution as Invincible. You can watch Invincible on Prime Video.
The original Power Rangers are coming back together to face Rita Repulsa once again in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always. Fans are super hype to see the crew back together again; however, it feels bittersweet in several ways. First, there’s the fairly recent passing of Jason David Frank, who played Tommy on the series, as well as the absence of Amy Jo Johnson, a.k.a. the original Pink Ranger. Johnson spoke up recently to clear the air about why she didn’t return for more Power Rangers action, saying that it wasn’t about money and telling people to mind their beeswax. Fair enough. However, Amy Jo Johnson is writing a new Power Rangers comic book series to celebrate the show’s 30th anniversary. So she’s not done with this wacky universe just yet.
As Variety reports, the Kickstarter campaign “Power Rangers: A 30th Anniversary Comic Book Celebration” hit a whopping $250K in less than 24 hours. (At the time of this post’s publication, it is now at $445K.) Now, Amy Jo Johnson is ready to team up with Boom Studios for this Power Rangers comic book. She actually came up with the idea early in the pandemic and says it will be her version of what happens in this world.
We don’t know any further details at this time but the Kickstarter currently estimates books will go out to supporters in January 2024. There’s also some really cool swag for different donation tiers. It looks like it is indeed Morphin time in more ways than one.
The post Original Pink Ranger Amy Jo Johnson Is Writing a POWER RANGERS Comic Book appeared first on Nerdist.