Reviews – Retrenders

Movie Review: Teen Titans Go! To The Movies

August 3, 2018 by Ramon Angel Leave a Comment

Written by Daiso Mike

The DC movie we do not need but what we deserve.

As I am typing this review, DC/WB just announced the Super Pets. After watching Teen Titans, this shows a possible route the studio is going towards after the many DC films with the mix reviews it had received.

The film starts off with an action introduction and speeds through the exposition of who each of the members are. The story kicks in gear when they realize the lack of attention they get in comparison to the Justice League. After watching a few trailers showcasing Batman’s gadgets, it wear Robin realize they should get a movie of there own.
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Filed Under: Comics, Movies, Reviews Tagged With: animated, animation, Batman, Beast Boy, Cyborg, Daiso, daiso mike, DC, DC Comics, Deathstroke, marvel, Mike, Raven, Robin, Slade, Starfire, Teen Titans, Teen Titans Go, Warner Bros, WB

Comic Preview: Cyber Force # 2

April 24, 2018 by Ramon Angel Leave a Comment

Story: Bryan Hill & Matt Hawkins
Art / Cover: Atilio Rojo
Letter art: Troy Peteri
Age Rating: M

Stryker must reconcile with what he’s become…and what’s been done to his daughter Carin. There’s little time for either of them, as the villain that threatens the world seeks to draft someone else to her cause: Killjoy.

Movie Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

May 14, 2017 by Ramon Angel Leave a Comment

Written by Daiso Mike

It is really hard to believe that it has been over nine years since Marvel Studios premiered with the first Iron Man. When watching the brand new studio logo at the beginning of their fifteenth film, I knew I’m in for another awesome blockbuster. Just like the first, we have new set of awesome songs (no pun) and some good comedic dialog put well in serious situations. However, I was watching the film, I begin to question certain moments throughout the film that perhaps didn’t seem right.

The Great Wall – The Official Movie Novelization

March 23, 2017 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

One of the “Wonders of the World” is the Great Wall in China. Why was this gigantic wall built? It was to keep out evil monsters that appear every 60 years. This is the big budget East/West production by Legendary Pictures directed by award-winning Zhang Yimou. “The Great Wall” stars Matt Damon as the mercenary William Garin.

In search for fame and riches, mercenary William Garin and his men find themselves in remote China. His remaining men are tired and hungry after days of being hunted down by bandits in the region. As they rest for the night, they encounter a mysterious creature. William is able to fend off the beast by cutting its talon off. William and fellow survivor Pero Tovar stumble upon the amazing gigantic structure – the Great Wall.

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Filed Under: Books, Featured, Movies, Reviews, Series Tagged With: China, dragons, fantasy, Legendary Pictures, Matt Damon, monsters, The Great Wall, Zhang Yimou

The Assignment Vol. #1

March 22, 2017 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

From the Hard Case Crime imprint, this collects the 3 issues of Walter Hill’s The Assignment. With the upcoming movie starring Sigourney Weaver and Michelle Rodriguez, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this trade paperback.

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Filed Under: Books, Comics, Featured, Movies, Reviews, Series Tagged With: crime, Frank Kitchen, Hard Case Crime, hitman, noir, Titan Comics, TPB, transgender, Walter Hill

Hekla’s Children by James Brogden

March 19, 2017 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

Four teens on a outdoor hiking trip disappear. A day later one of the teens return alive. Hekla’s Children starts out like an episode of FOX’s Bones with sci-fi/fantasy elements.

Teacher Mr. Nathan Brookes with his “Team Leftovers”: Ryan Edwards, Catharine “Scattie” Powell, Olivia Crawford and Brandon Whitehead go on a outdoor hiking test. During the hike, they find themselves in a different part of the park and seem to be transported to the past – the “Bronze Age.” One survivor Olivia Crawford reappears traumatize and without memory of what happened.

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Filed Under: Books, Featured, Reviews, Series Tagged With: BONES, Bronze Age, James Brogden, sci-fi, Titan Books

The Great Wall – The Art of the Film

February 24, 2017 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

This weekend Legendary Pictures releases one of their big films of the year into the multiplexes – The Great Wall starring Matt Damon. Suppose the Great Wall in China was not just built to defend from the human element but also “monsters.” Actor Matt Damon and the all-star Chinese cast look to defend the Great Wall and humanity from these evil beasts. Titan Books official companion guide The Great Wall – The Art of the Film takes a behind-the-scenes at the epic production.

Anno Dracula 1899 and Other Stories

February 21, 2017 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

Over the years of reviewing various novels and comics for Retrenders, I’ve enjoyed reading the many tales of Kim Newman’s vampire creation Anno Dracula and world of characters around him. “Anno Dracula 1899 and Other Stories” is a collection of short stories to get fans primed for the upcoming novel Anno Dracula 1899: Daikaiju. Not only that, Titan Comics will kick-off a brand new Anno Dracula series by author Kim Newman and art by Paul McCaffrey launching in March 2017.

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Filed Under: Books, Featured, Reviews, Series Tagged With: 1899, Anno Dracula, dark comedy, dracula, horror, Kim Newman, Titan Books

Mini Reveiw: Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

February 6, 2017 by Ramon Angel Leave a Comment

Since 2005, the Resident Evil franchise had begun to move away from the traditional survival horror genre everyone loved it for and focused more on an action/3rd person shooter type of game. Gone were the days where you walk down a corridor, with 9 bullets left in your gun, hoping a scare didn’t pop out the corner. With Resident Evil 4, 5 and 6, the guns and ammo were plenty. When they announced this game, and released the demo, I will admit that it scared me a bit. It did its job, as I didn’t want to play it after the sun went down, and it reminded me of all those scares I had playing the original and it’s sequels. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Games, Reviews Tagged With: Baker, biohazard, Capcom, E-001, Ethan, Jack, Lucas, Maruerite, Mia, molded, RE, RE7, Redfield, Resident Evil, Resident Evil 7, umbrella, Virus, Zoe, zombie

xXx: Return of Xander Cage

January 27, 2017 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

“You know how I came up with the idea of the Triple-X program? Skateboards and swimming pools.” (Augustus Gibbons)

I remember watching the first Triple-X in theaters and I had to say, I enjoyed watching the Vin Diesel popcorn flick. Bypassing Ice Cube’s xXx sequel, like Brett Ratner’s X-Men 3, Vin Diesel reprises his role as super punk-rock agent Xander Cage. I now find myself reading xXx: Return of Xander Cage – The Official Movie Novelization and just maybe watching this Fast and the Furious wannabe at the multiplexes.

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Filed Under: Books, Featured, Movies, Reviews, Series Tagged With: CIA, MI6, spies, Tim Waggoner, Triple X, Vin Diesel, Xander Cage, XXX

Batman: A Celebration of the Classic TV Series

December 15, 2016 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

I remember watching the 1960s Batman TV show with my grandfather in our living room. We would have a blast watching these reruns. Now to celebrate this iconic TV program, Titan Books has released Batman – A Celebration of the Classic TV Series.

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Filed Under: Books, Entertainment, Geeky, Reviews, Series, TV Tagged With: 1966, Adam West, Batman, Batman Classic, Batman TV series, Caped Crusader, DC Comics, Robin, WB

Star Trek: 50 Artists 50 Years

December 9, 2016 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

I remember watching this “old” Star Trek TV series as a kid. “Trek” didn’t really resonate with me until Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager TV series. Over time I went back to watch this original Star Trek series and films with the original cast. This year mark the 50th anniversary of the original Star Trek TV series and this poster size hardbound title Star Trek 50 Artists 50 Years celebrates the iconic sci-fi TV program.

The Marvel Vault – A Visual History

December 2, 2016 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

I remember as a kid in the 1980s, you were either a Marvel Comics or DC Comics fan, there was no in-between. I didn’t get serious into collecting comics until the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Marvel had an amazing staple of talents like Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, Rob Liefield, Marc Silverstri, Whilce Portacio and Jae Lee, just to name a few. Every week I had a stack of Marvel comic books and a issue was like .75 cents! If you know you have a Marvel fan this Holiday season, then The Marvel Vault – A Visual History will make a great gift item.

Feeding Hannibal: A Connoisseur’s Cookbook by Janice Poon

November 17, 2016 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

I’ve stated many times before when I watch K-Dramas, I get Korean cuisine cravings. Watching a cute petite actress eat Jjangmyun (black bean sauce noodles), Mandu (meat dumplings), Bulgogi (BBQ beef) or Dukbokki (spicy rice cakes) just makes me hungry to munch on something. Now back to the topic at hand, the NBC psycho-drama Hannibal. Question, have you seen the past 3 seasons of Hannibal? If not, go stream it somewhere! Besides the incredible acting and visual images, it was also about the deadly appetizing food on the show.

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Filed Under: Books, Entertainment, Featured, Food, Reviews, Series, TV Tagged With: cook book, cooking, eating, food stylist, Hannibal, Janice Poon, Mads Mikkelsen, NBC

The Art and Making of The Flash

November 17, 2016 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

With season 3 of The Flash under way on the CW Network, fans will enjoy the companion guide, The Art and Making of The Flash by Abbie Bernstein. Critics and fans alike may nick pick here and there, but for me it’s an enjoyable escapism. I’m a huge fan of the CW DC superhero universe and make it an appointment television to watch. One of my favorite shows is of course The Flash and The Art and Making of The Flash takes fans behind-the-scenes.

Comic Preview: Mechanism # 5

November 14, 2016 by Ramon Angel Leave a Comment

A story of the aftermath of an alien invasion and a prototype military robot who is attached to a group of survivors. If you are looking for something new, away from “The Big Two”, try your hand at this Top Cow book. I mean, who doesn’t love aliens and robots? If you don’t feel like hunting for the books, Mechanism Vol. 1 (#1-5) comes out January 2017.

The Art of Titanfall 2

November 10, 2016 by Stephen Jang 3 Comments

Video game enthusiasts and critics enjoyed playing Titanfall 1, now comes Titanfall 2. Strap-in and get ready to pilot another Titan. Titanfall 2 features new locales for battles, new weapons and new robotic mechs. The Art of Titanfall 2 goes behind-the-scenes of the making and creation of the Titans.

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Filed Under: Books, Featured, Games, Geeky, Reviews, Series Tagged With: Call of Duty, FPS, mecha, Respawn Entertainment, robots, shooter, Tianfall 2, Titan Books, video games

Cinema Alchemist, A Memoir – Roger Christian

October 19, 2016 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

Imagine yourself in 1970s Hollywood and you’re on set meeting a nobody director at the time George Lucas, who is wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and sneakers. He talks to you about this secret script named Star Wars. What would do? This was before so-called “Hollywood blockbusters”, before movie franchises, before green screens, and before SFX studios like ILM. Roger Christian accepted the gig and of course, the rest is history. Cinema Alchemist, Designing Star Wars & Alien is a memoir by Oscar-winning Roger Christian.

Kidrobot x Street Fighter V Vinyl Toy Series

October 17, 2016 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

Kidrobot is back with another Street Fighter vinyl toy series. This Street Fighter V series features some new characters and new artistic design. Vinyl Pulp host Eddie does an unboxing and review of these new 3″ art toys.

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Filed Under: Collectibles, Featured, Geeky, Reviews, Series, Shows, Toys, Vinyl Pulp Tagged With: Capcom, Ken, KidRobot, KR, Ryu, SFV, Street Fighter, toy art, unboxing, vinyl, Woot Bear

Arrow: Oliver Queen’s Dossier

October 3, 2016 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

Just in time for Arrow Season 5 on the CW Network. This companion book is Oliver Queen’s Dossier, it is Oliver’s notes and clippings on his battle to fight crime in Starling City.

Oliver gathers up newspaper clippings, government documents, images, blueprints and maps while writing down his notes and opinions on post-its. The dossier profiles allies, friends and enemies. The book also provides information on weapons and vehicles used on the show.

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Filed Under: Books, Entertainment, Featured, Reviews, Series, TV Tagged With: Arrow, CW, DC Comics, dossier, Green Arrow, nick aires, Oliver Queen

The Art of Deus Ex Universe

September 15, 2016 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

Have you played Deus Ex: Mankind Divided? Go play it! Have you read Deus Ex: Black Light? Go read it! After doing all this now you can enjoy this by Titan Books – The Art of Deus Ex Universe.

Video game journalist Paul Davies takes us to EIDOS Montreal and interviews the players – the design and art teams behind the Deus Ex universe. The artist and designers talk about the incredible world building and designing the right characters. They also talk about building the atmosphere and emotion to get players into this world. The art book contains over 300 images, art pieces, concept designs, character profiles, CGI art and sketches from Human Revolution and Mankind Divided video games.

Deus Ex: Black Light by James Swallow

September 15, 2016 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

Based on the video game series Deus Ex, this new official “canon” novel Deus Ex: Black Light bridges the gap between the end of the video game Deus Ex: Human Revolution and prequel to the new video game Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. Author James Swallow who has already penned various Deus Ex original novels starts Black Light like the first Bourne Identity, as Jason Bourne, I mean ex-cop and ex-security Adam Jensen is found at sea and has no memory of his last mission.

Our cyber “augmented” hero Adam Jensen must piece together his past and retrace his steps to find what is going on and all roads lead him back home to Detroit and his former employer Sarif Industries.

Suicide Squad – The Official Movie Novelization

September 13, 2016 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

I will stay out of the critics/fans Suicide Squad movie squabble mess. Yes, the movie had some misses, like the under-character development of various characters and the overly long 3rd act, but overall I enjoyed director David Ayer’s Suicide Squad as a just a fun summer popcorn action flick. With the hoopla surrounding the Suicide Squad movie, I was intrigued with the Suicide Squad novelization by long-time DC comic book author Marv Wolfman.

The U.S. government appoints Amanda Waller to establish Task Force X part of the A.R.G.U.S. program to use super criminals locked-up in prison for special government missions. Dr. June Moone aka Enchantress finds a way to raise his trap brother Incubus back into the world of the living. Together they have a plan to destroy and rule the world. Waller taps Colonel Rick Flag to be the liaison for this “Suicide Squad” team and assembles Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, Killer Croc, El Diablo and Slipknot to stop the Enchantress and her brother Incubus.

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Filed Under: Books, Comics, Featured, Movies, Reviews, Series Tagged With: DC Comics, DCU, Harley Quinn, Marv Wolfman, Suicide Squad, Task Force X, The Joker

ALIENS – The Set Photography

August 26, 2016 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

One of the huge blockbuster movies that made a strong impression on me growing in the 1980s was James Cameron’s ALIENS. It was scary with kick-ass action, had a memorable cast of actors and just a great science fiction storyline. With a collection of artwork, on-set location pictures and behind-the-scenes photographs, author Simon Ward takes us ALIENS fans on a journey with ALIENS – The Set Photography by Titan Books.

Tarzan on Film by Scott Tracy Griffin

August 24, 2016 by Stephen Jang Leave a Comment

Here’s a good Trivia-pursuit question, what is the longest running film franchise? The James Bond series or the Godzilla monster movies? Nope. It’s Tarzan! Tarzan on Film by Tarzan fanatic author Scott Tracy Griffin explores the over 90-plus years of Tarzan films, from the Hollywood silent film era, the animated versions, the made-for-TV films and network television runs.