Next week, IDW Publishing will celebrate its 20th anniversary at San Diego Comic-Con with sensational booth appearances by such fan-favorite talents as George Takei, Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodríguez, Kim Dwinell, Magdalene Visaggio, B. Dave Walters, Stan Sakai, Walter Simonson, Delilah S. Dawson, Kevin Eastman, Sam Maggs, Rod Fergusson, the cast of Wynonna Earp, and so many, many more!
Our complete list of booth guests, panels, and show exclusives can be found below. Be sure to visit Booth #2729 for IDW’s coolest Comic-Con signings and swag!
Of special note, IDW is now taking Comic-Con preorders on special They Called Us Enemy items: the Hardcover and Signed & Numbered Hardcover editions, to be picked up at Booth #2729 during show hours. A stunning graphic memoir recounting actor/author/activist George Takei‘s childhood imprisoned at American concentration camps during World War II, this gripping tale of courage, country, loyalty, and love – by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker – allows readers to experience the forces that shaped an American icon… and America itself. (And don’t miss the They Called Us Enemy signings and panels – see below for details!)
BOOTH #2729 SIGNING SCHEDULE
Wednesday July 17th Preview Night
6:00 – 7:00 Ragnarök – Walter Simonson
(*Convention exclusives available!)
7:00 – 9:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz, Bobby Curnow
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)(*Convention exclusives available!)
Thursday July 18th
10:15 – 11:00 Rick & Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons – Jim Zub
11:00 – 12:00 Dungeons & Dragons: A Darkened Wish – B. Dave Walters
11:00 – 12:00 Surfside Girls – Kim Dwinell
(*Book debut!)
11:00 – 12:00 Red Panda & Moon Bear – Jarod Rosello
(*Book debut!)
12:00 – 1:00 Clyde – Jim Benton
12:00 – 1:00 V-Wars – Jonathan Maberry
12:00 – 1:00 X-Files – Sam “Mister Sam” Shearon
1:00 – 2:00 Star Trek: Year Five – Brandon Easton, Jim McCann, Jody Houser, Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, J.J. Lendl
(*Convention exclusives available!)
1:00 – 2:00 Coin-Op Comics – Maria & Peter Hoey
2:00 – 3:00 Ragnarök – Walter Simonson
(*Convention exclusives available!)
2:00 – 3:00 Ghost Tree – Bobby Curnow
3:00 – 4:30 Locke & Key – Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodriguez
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)
(*Convention exclusives available!)
4:00 – 5:00 Highwayman – Koren Shadmi
4:00 – 5:00 Limbo Lounge – Dave Calver
5:00 – 6:00 From Hell – Eddie Campbell
5:00 – 6:00 Transformers – John Barber, Fico Ossio
6:00 – 7:00 Transformers/Ghostbusters – Erik Burnham
(*Convention exclusives available!)
6:00 – 7:00 Gears of War – Creator Rod Fergusson, Narrative Director Bonnie Jean Mah
Friday July 19th
10:00 – 11:00 Clyde – Jim Benton
10:00 – 11:00 Johnny Boo – James Kochalka
10:00 – 11:00 Star Wars Adventures – Delilah Dawson, Chris “Doc” Wyatt, Kevin Burke
(*Convention exclusives available!)
11:00 – 12:00 Star Trek – Mike Johnson, J.K. Woodward, Scott Tipton
11:00 – 12:00 Surfside Girls – Kim Dwinell
(*Book debut!)
11:00 – 12:00 Penny Nichols – M.K. Reed, Greg Means
12:00 – 1:30 They Called Us Enemy – George Takei, Harmony Becker, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
(*Convention exclusives available!)
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)
2:00 – 3:00 Star Wars Adventures – Chris Fenoglio, Cavan Scott, Arie Kaplan, John Barber, Derek Charm, Tony Fleecs, Michael Moreci, Mauricet
(*Convention exclusives available!)
2:00 – 3:00 Highwayman – Koren Shadmi
3:00 – 4:00 Usagi Yojimbo & Ragnarök – Stan Sakai & Walter Simonson
(*Convention exclusives available!)
3:00 – 4:00 Canto – David M. Booher, Drew Zucker
(*Convention exclusives available!)
4:00 – 5:00 Locke & Key – Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodriguez
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)
(*Convention exclusives available!)
4:00 – 5:00 Road of Bones – Rich Douek
5:00 – 6:30 Wynonna Earp – Melanie Scrofano, Katherine Barrell, Chantel Riley, Greg Lawson, Emily Andras, Beau Smith
(*Convention exclusives available!)
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)
Saturday July 20th
10:00 – 11:30 Wynonna Earp – Melanie Scrofano, Katherine Barrell, Chantel Riley, Greg Lawson, Michael Eklund, Emily Andras, Beau Smith
(*Convention exclusives available!)
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)
11:00 – 12:00 Sh*t My President Says – Shannon Wheeler
11:00 – 12:00God is Disappointed in You, Apocrypha Now! – Mark Russell
11:00 – 12:00 Gumballs – Erin Nations
12:00 – 1:00 Ragnarök – Walter Simonson
(*Convention exclusives available!)
12:00 – 1:00 Star Pig – Delilah Dawson
(*Convention exclusives available!)
12:00 – 1:00 Sonic The Hedgehog – Jennifer Hernandez, Caleb Goellner
1:00 – 2:00 Locke & Key – Gabriel Rodriguez
(*Convention exclusives available!)
1:00 – 2:00 Marilyn Manor – Magdalene Visaggio
1:00 – 2:00 October Faction – Steve Niles
2:00 – 4:00 They Called Us Enemy – George Takei, Harmony Becker, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
(*Convention exclusives available!)
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)
4:00 – 5:00 Ghostbusters – Erik Burnham, Keith Dallas, Cavan Scott
(*Convention exclusives available!)
4:00 – 5:00 Johnny Boo – James Kochalka
5:00 – 6:00 Transformers – John Barber, Fico Ossio, Mairghread Scott, Brendan Cahill
5:00 – 6:00 Care Bears – Agnes Garbowska
(*Convention exclusives available!)
6:00 – 7:00 Transformers: Galaxies – Tyler Bleszinski
(*Get a free signed promo poster!)
6:00 – 7:00 Marvel Action: Captain Marvel – Sam Maggs
(*Get a free signed promo poster!)
6:00 – 7:00 Marvel Action: Spider-Man – Fico Ossio
6:00 – 7:00 Eve Stranger – Philip Bond
6:00 – 7:00 Red Panda & Moon Bear – Jarod Rosello
(*Book debut!)
Sunday July 21st
10:00 – 11:00 Sons of Chaos – Chris Jaymes
(*Book debut!)
10:00 – 11:00 Usagi Yojimbo – Stan Sakai
(*Convention exclusives available!)
11:00 – 12:00 Locke & Key – Gabriel Rodriguez
(*Convention exclusives available!)
11:00 – 12:00Night Moves – V.J. & Justin Boyd
12:00 – 2:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz, Bobby Curnow
(*Ticketed signing, see employee for details)
(*Convention exclusives available!)
1:00 – 2:00 My Little Pony – Sara Richard, Tony Fleecs, Thom Zahler
2:00 – 3:00 Goosebumps – Jen Vaughn, Denton Tipton, Chris Fenoglio, Jeremy Lambert
2:00 – 3:00 Canto – David M. Booher, Drew Zucker
(*Convention exclusives available!)
3:00 – 4:00 Sonic The Hedgehog – Jennifer Hernandez, Evan Stanley
(*Convention exclusives available!)
The Top Shelf section of the booth will be filled all weekend with more great creators, too!
And for the kids, enjoy surprise visits on Saturday and Sunday by Cheer Bear and Grumpy Bear of Care Bear: Unlock the Magic fame!
PANEL SCHEDULE
IDW Publishing: The Next 20 Years
Thursday, 7/18/19, 12:00p.m. – 1:00p.m.
Room: 9
The past is prologue! IDW’s 20th anniversary celebrations lead here—as we set the course for the next 20 years of comics and more! IDW Editor in Chief John Barber leads a lively panel looking behind-the-scenes at what’s coming next and how we’re getting there, featuring New York Times bestselling author Delilah Dawson, Surfside Girls’ Kim Dwinell, and more favorites—plus top secret guests talking mind-blowing new projects. All this and a no-holds-barred Q&A!
IDW Games: Other People’s (Intellectual) Property
Thursday, 7/18/19, 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m.
Room: 9
Pop culture is virtually built upon the foundation of intellectual properties, and geek fandom loves to delve deep into the lore of the fictional worlds that we love. So how do companies get the chance to create products with other people’s I.P.s, and what does it take to make sure a product is going to please die-hard fans? Join Jerry Bennington and Spencer Reeve (IDW Publishing), and David Preti and Geoff Skinner (CMON Limited), as they discuss creating games and merchandise based on beloved I.P.s like Batman The Animated Series, God of War, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Bloodborne, and Dragon Ball Z.
Star Trek: Year Five – The Writer’s Room
Thursday, 7/18/19, 11:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.
Room: 28DE
Step into the Writer’s Room of the critically acclaimed Star Trek: Year Five comic series! Join series writers Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Jody Houser, Brandon Easton, and Jim McCann as they discuss their collaboration on the first issues of the series and the wild places the Enterprise will go on its way back home.
IDW & Hasbro: Transformers – A Bold New Universe
Thursday, 7/18/19, 10:00a.m. – 11:00a.m.
Room: 29AB
Celebrating 35 years of everyone’s favorite Robots in Disguise, IDW Publishing and Hasbro are proud to present a bold new universe with the launch of multiple new TRANSFORMERS titles! Join artist Livio Ramondelli (Transformers: Galaxies, Optimus Prime), writer Tyler Bleszinski (Transformers: Galaxies, Vox Media), Hasbro’s Michael Kelly (VP, Global Publishing), Erik Burnham (Transformers/Ghostbusters), and a few surprise guests as they talk about what’s new in Transformers comics, announce upcoming projects, and talk about how to make the next 35 years of TRANSFORMERS great! This More Than Meets the Eye panel is moderated by IDW Transformers editor David Mariotte.
Creating for Change: Tackling Big Issues with Great Books
Friday, 7/19/2019, 4:00p.m. – 5:00p.m.
Room: 4
In this exciting era of comics storytelling, marginalized communities, voices, and topics are being brought to the attention of audiences everywhere. Join creators Marc Andreyko (Love is Love), Harmony Becker (Himawari Share, They Called Us Enemy), Regine Sawyer (Women in Comics NYC Collective),and additional guests for a thoughtful discussion on the utility of sequential storytelling for stimulating meaningful debate, and dare we hope… change. Moderated by They Called Us Enemy co-author, Justin Eisinger.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Road to 100
Friday, 7/19/19, 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m.
Room: 23ABC
Join moderator Patrick Ehlers as he talks with TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, writer Tom Waltz and editor Bobby Curnow as they share behind-the-scenes stories about the creation of the longest running TMNT comic ever! The team will also share advance looks at the upcoming issues leading to the monumental milestone #100 issue which comes out this fall in addition to other news from IDW Publishing’s TMNT line!
Spotlight on Joe Hill & Gabe Rodriguez: Locke & Key Spectacular
Friday, 7/19/19, 12:00p.m. – 1:00p.m.
Room: 32AB
Locke & Key co-creators Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez re-unite to discuss the series’ impact, the all-new con-exclusive Locke & Key comic, the coming Netflix streaming series, and the (strong) likelihood of even more new L&K comics, too! Come join the authors and moderator/Locke & Key editor/IDW CCO Chris Ryall for a celebration of the landmark series in all its forms!
IDW Presents: Spotlight on Walter Simonson & Stan Sakai
Saturday, 7/20/19, 10:00a.m. – 11:00a.m.
Room: 23ABC
Two industry legends for one low price! Walter Simonson and Stan Sakai need no introduction, but Scott Dunbier will give them one anyway! Come for the latest news on their creator-owned masterworks Ragnarök and Usagi Yojimbo, stay for fascinating tales of comic industry lore, Norse legends and feudal Japan! A must-see panel for any fan of these two talented, and longstanding artists. LATE ADDITION ADDED BONUS: The equally legendary Louise “Weezie” Simonson will be joining the fun!
IDW & Oni Press: Rick & Morty vs Dungeons & Dragons
Saturday, 7/20/19, 12:00p.m. – 1:00p.m.
Room: 25ABC
Oni Press, IDW, and Dungeons & Dragons are busting out the twenty-sided die for a second roll at Rick and Morty™vs. Dungeons & Dragons II: Painscape this fall, and we’re giving Comic Con attendees an exclusive sneak peak! The world’s greatest role-playing game returns to plague the world’s most dysfunctional animated family in the newly announced second series! Fan-favorite dice-dependent writer Jim Zub is joined by editor Chase Marotz, and Wizards of the Coast game designer Nathan Stewart for a full hour guaranteed to be more fun than any line for convention exclusives!
George Takei: They Called Us Enemy
Saturday, 7/20/19, 1:00p.m. – 2:00p.m.
Room: 25ABC
In his brand-new graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy, the beloved actor, author, and activist George Takei revisits his haunting childhood in American concentration camps, as one of 120,000 Japanese Americans imprisoned by the U.S. government during World War II. Experience the forces that shaped an American icon — and America itself — in this gripping tale of courage, country, loyalty, and love. You’ll hear firsthand from George Takei, as well as his co-authors Justin Eisinger and Steven Scott and artist Harmony Becker, about this dark chapter of our nation’s history, its impact on Takei’s astonishing life, and its urgent relevance for today’s world.
SYFY and IDW Entertainment: Wynonna Earp
Saturday, 7/20/19, 5:00p.m. – 5:50p.m.
Room: Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Saddle up, Earpers! SYFY’s hit series and the 2018 People’s Choice Award Winner for Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show is back. Just because a mind-blowing season finale put an end to Bulshar and the Earp curse, doesn’t mean Wynonna’s done kicking demon-ass or putting up one hell of a fight to rescue Waverly from the Garden of Eden. Join the cast and creators of the award-winning series based on the IDW Publishing comic book created by Beau Smith, as they tease the upcoming 4th season and look back at the show’s most hell-raising moments.
IDW: Comics for Kids!
Sunday, 7/21/19, 10:30a.m. – 11:30a.m.
Room: 23ABC
Ever wonder what it takes to make an all-ages comic? Ever want to try your hand at making your own? Join Kim Dwinell (Surfside Girls), James Kochalka (Johnny Boo), Sam Maggs (Marvel Action: Captain Marvel, My Little Pony), Jarod Roselló (Red Panda & Moon Bear), Evan Stanley (Sonic the Hedgehog), and IDW Publishing for a behind-the-scenes look at how your favorite comics are made! It’s sure to be a morning full of fun activities, secret surprises, and much, much more! And bonus: a free comic for every kid in attendance!
IDW Publishing: Artist’s Editions & More!
Sunday, 7/21/19, 3:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.
Room: 32AB
Accept no substitutes! The one and only Artist’s Edition panel is here! The format pioneered by Scott Dunbier has blossomed into its own industry, with gorgeous original art books on shelves worldwide. But for the info on the Real McCoy, this is the place to be! Join Scott and a special guest or two, for inside info, and announcements of upcoming Artist’s Editions, Artisan Editions…and more!
IDW CONVENTION EXCLUSIVES
Only available for pick up at IDW’s SDCC booth #2729 throughout the convention!
COMICS
Canto #1
New cover by Drew Zucker
$10 each, Limited to 250 copies (*Limit 1 per person)
Care Bears #1, Con variant
Logo-free Cover by Agnes Garbowska
$5 each, Limited to 500 copies
GI Joe Real American Hero #264, Con Silent Master Variants
Toy Packaging Cover of Snake-Eyes, 5 different designs
$25 each, Limited to 100 copies each day
Each day, we will release 100 copies of one of the different Silent Master variants featuring the various toy packaging artwork of everyone’s favorite Ninja, Snake Eyes! Come back each day to build the set!
Locke & Key: Nailed It one-shot, Con variant
New Cover by Gabriel Rodriguez
$5 each, Limited to 1000 copies
Locke & Key: Nailed It one-shot, Deluxe Con variant
Logo-free Premium Cover by Gabriel Rodriguez
$10 each, Limited to 500 copies
Sonic Tangle & Whisper #1, Con variant
New Cover by Evan Stanley
$10 each, Limited to 500 copies
Star Pig #1, Con variant
Spot-Color Cover by Francesco Gaston
$10 each, Limited to 250 copies
Star Trek Year Five #1, Con variant
Negative Painted Cover by Greg Hildebrandt
$10 each, Limited to 500 copies
Star Wars Adventures #23, Con variant
Logo-free Cover by Tony Fleecs
$10, Limited to 500 copies
TMNT #93, Con variant
Blue Line Cover by Kevin Eastman
$10 each, Limited to 500 copies
***JUST ANNOUNCED***
TMNT #95, Surprise Reveal Con Variant
Cover by Dave Wachter
$100 each, Limited to 200 copies (*Limit 1 per person)
Due to the recent storyline in TMNT: City At War, we have created a unique “Spoiler Reveal” variant of TMNT #95 to commemorate the newest Turtle, Jennika! We’re bringing 200 copies of this book and limiting it to 1 per person. Not listed on the CCI Exclusives page, but find it at our booth #2729!
Transformers/Ghostbusters #1, Con variant
New Cover by Dan Schoening
$10 each, Limited to 500 copies
Usagi Yojimbo #1, Launch Tour variant
New Cover by Stan Sakai
$10 each, Limited to 150 copies
Wraith #7, Con variant
Photo Cover from NOS4A2 TV show
$10 each, Limited to 500 copies
BUNDLES
Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary Bundle Pack, 4 diff one-shots
New covers by Dan Schoening
$40 each, Limited to 500 packs
Pick up all 4 of our Ghostbusters 35th anniversary one-shot comic, each with a new “Movie-Poster” themed cover by Ghostbusters artist Dan Schoening!
GI Joe Silent Master Variant Ultimate Bundle, 10 comics in 1 bundle
Various artists & Toy Packaging art
$200 each, Limited to 50 bundles
Instead of coming each day to pick up the ultra-rare Silent Master Variant comic for that day, get all 5 regular Silent Master Variant comics (featuring various Snake Eyes Toy Packaging art) and get a BONUS 6th cover of Snake Eyes that is ONLY available in this bundle! We include 4 rare GI Joe variants from the past year, to make this the bundle you MUST own at the convention!
TMNT 35TH Anniversary Bundle, Box set plus free variants
Covers by Kevin Eastman
$50 each, Limited to 100 bundles
Celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by getting the 35th Anniversary Box Set of key reprints of Mirage TMNT #1-4 plus the Raphael one-shot! As a bonus, we are including THREE free Kevin Eastman TMNT variants from the last few years at NO additional charge!
Usagi Yojimbo & Ragnarok 2-pack, Connecting Virgin Variants
New covers by Walter Simonson & Stan Sakai
$20 per pack, Limited to 500 packs
Here’s your chance to own 2 limited edition variant comic books featuring a spectacular jam image of creators Stan Sakai and Walter Simonson drawing each others’ signature characters, all colored by Laura Martin! These 2 virgin comic books have color artwork on the front, and the inked version on the back! Grab them both and meet the creators during the show!
Wynonna Earp Deluxe Pack
$20, Limited to 150 packs
Pick up a Wynonna Earp Deluxe pack, containing a recent Convention photo variant, a RARE limited giveaway photo variant, and several bonus comics featuring photo covers of your favorite Wynonna Earp cast members!
TRADES / HARDCOVERS
Godzilla Kingdom of Monsters TP, Con variant
Sketch Cover by Alex Ross
$20, Limited to 250 copies
Legendary painter Alex Ross provides a con-exclusive sketch cover to this trade paperback! This trade paperback of Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters, by Eric Powell, is just in time for the newest release of Godzilla: King of Monsters in movie theaters, and the 55th anniversary of Godzilla!
Star Trek vs. Transformers TP, Con variant
Animation Cel Cover by Derek Charm
$20 each, Limited to 250 copies
Surfside Girls Volume 2, Show debut
Cover by Kim Dwinell
$15, 100 copies at the show
They Called Us Enemy Hardcover Edition, First release at SDCC!
Cover by Harmony Becker $30 each, 300 copies at the show
Get the hardcover version of George Takei’s gripping memoir, They Called Us Enemy, detailing his childhood where his family was sent to a Japanese American interment camp during World War II.
Available for Preorder – Click Here!
They Called Us Enemy Signed and Numbered Hardcover Edition, First release at SDCC!
Cover by Harmony Becker
$75 each, 300 copies at the show
Get a special signed and numbered hardcover version of George Takei’s gripping memoir, They Called Us Enemy, detailing his childhood where his family was sent to a Japanese American interment camp during World War II. This Signed and Numbered edition comes with a bound-in signature plate signed by the entire creative team, including George Takei!
Available for Preorder – Click Here!
Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection HC, Signed/Numbered variant
Cover by Tom Scioli
$40 each, Limited to 200 copies
This special deluxe release hardcover collects the entire Transformers vs. GI Joe storyline written and drawn by visionary creator Tom Scioli, and comes with a bound-in signature plate, which is signed by Scioli and numbered to a scarce run of 200 copies.
Walter Simonson Star Wars Artist Edition, Con Foil Stamp variant
Cover by Walter Simonson
$125 each, Limited to 100 copies
This special Artist Edition, with a foil stamped cover by creator Walter Simonson, contains a wonderful run of Star Wars comics in the early 1980s that comics legends Walter Simonson and Tom Palmer collaborated on, before the release of The Empire Strikes Back.
MERCHANDISE
Locke & Key Logo & Emblem Enamel Pin Set
Crafted by Israel Skelton
$20, Limited to 100 sets
Locke & Key Replica Keys, 5 re-issued designs
Crafted by Israel Skelton
$26 each, Limited to 100 per design
Ragnarok & Usagi Yojimbo Jam Lithograph
$20 each, limited to 250 copies
Own the 24” by 18” lithograph featuring a spectacular jam image of creators Stan Sakai and Walter Simonson drawing each others’ signature characters, all colored by Laura Martin! Each lithograph will come with a poster tube, and you can get it double signed at our booth during the convention!
Zombicide TMNT pack #1, Con variant
Designed by CMON Games
$25 each, Limited to 1500
It’s an outbreak of high-flying, Zombie-killing, ninja action as the TMNT invade CMON’s hit board game, Zombicide! This SDCC exclusive pack #1 contains 4 characters from TMNT done in the iconic Zombicide style! Also, you can get pack #2 exclusively at the CMON Games booth #4928.
Jon M. Chu’s Wicked, the long-awaited cinematic adaptation of the Broadway musical, soars as a dazzling spectacle that captivates audiences with its lush visuals, heartfelt performances, and rich storytelling. The film, the first in a two-part series, delves into the origins of Elphaba and Glinda, exploring their unlikely friendship and the events that transform them into the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda) lead the cast with exceptional performances. Erivo’s powerful vocals and nuanced portrayal of Elphaba’s internal struggles bring depth to the character. Grande, in her most notable film role to date, is both hilarious and heartfelt as Glinda, perfectly capturing her charm and comedic timing. Supporting performances by Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero), Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible), and Jeff Goldblum (the Wizard) add layers to the narrative, enriching the world of Oz with compelling subplots.
Chu, known for his work on Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights, brings his signature style to Wicked, blending vibrant visuals with emotional resonance. The production design by Nathan Crowley is stunning, vividly rendering Oz with grandeur, from the Emerald City to Shiz University. Paul Tazewell’s costume design is equally striking, updating the Broadway look with cinematic flair. The score, by Stephen Schwartz and John Powell, retains iconic musical numbers like “Defying Gravity” while incorporating new arrangements that heighten their cinematic impact.
Critics have hailed Wicked as one of the best musical-to-film adaptations in decades, rivaling Chicago and Mamma Mia. Chu’s decision to split the adaptation into two parts allows for a deeper exploration of the story, giving audiences time to connect with the characters and their journeys. Fans of the Broadway show will appreciate its faithfulness to the source material, while newcomers will be enchanted by its universal themes of acceptance, ambition, and friendship.
With Wicked, Jon M. Chu has delivered a masterpiece that sets a new standard for musical adaptations. The film is a visual and emotional triumph, showcasing unforgettable performances and a meticulously crafted world. Whether you’re a fan of the original musical or new to the story, Wicked is a must-see cinematic event.
Rating: 3.5/5
Devara Part 1 dives deep into the heart of coastal India, merging high-stakes action with rich, emotional storytelling. Directed by Koratala Siva, this movie delivers both visually arresting cinematography and a gritty, dramatic narrative that examines the impact of power, loyalty, and revenge. The film stars Jr. NTR as Devara, alongside Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor, both in pivotal roles. With its mix of action, suspense, and drama, Devara has quickly become a must-watch on Netflix.
The film is set in a fictional coastal region, where Devara, played by Jr. NTR, emerges as a man caught in the crossfire of a world rife with ambition and betrayal. The narrative pivots around land issues and the power struggles within the community, which expose Devara’s journey from a common man to a feared figure within his circle. Saif Ali Khan’s antagonist is a complex and calculated character whose machinations add depth to the storyline, setting the stage for a high-stakes conflict with Devara.
The film uses classic Bollywood tropes of revenge and honor but explores them through a modern lens. Devara’s journey is marked by his raw emotional drive and relentless courage, and the character’s depth makes him a gripping protagonist. Janhvi Kapoor adds a softer, more vulnerable counterbalance as Devara’s love interest, providing relief amid the film’s intensity.
Jr. NTR shines in the title role, embodying Devara with both intensity and vulnerability. His transformation into this hardened figure is subtle and believable, allowing viewers to empathize with his struggles. Saif Ali Khan, as the antagonist, is charismatic yet menacing, bringing layers to his role that make him much more than a standard villain. Janhvi Kapoor, while not the primary focus, delivers a grounded performance, effectively conveying the emotional depth needed in a film as intense as this.
One of the strongest elements of Devara Part 1 is its cinematography. Siva and his team bring the coastal setting to life, with expansive shots that capture the rugged beauty of the region. Each scene is meticulously crafted to capture the landscape’s natural colors and textures, lending authenticity to the story. The high-quality production value, along with the tight pacing and impressive action sequences, ensures that the audience remains engaged from start to finish.
Korotala Siva’s direction keeps the narrative’s emotional core intact while focusing on action and drama. The way he layers tension and reveals character motives adds a degree of realism rarely seen in mainstream cinema.
At its core, Devara is about the moral complexities that arise when survival and loyalty collide. It tackles themes of power, corruption, and revenge, all within a tightly woven plot that never strays too far from the human element. The film also dives into social issues, shedding light on the systemic corruption affecting the lives of ordinary people in coastal India. Devara’s journey is one of self-discovery and confrontation with societal norms, and this depth keeps the film compelling beyond its action sequences.
The film also sets up exciting possibilities for Devara Part 2, hinting at an even deeper exploration of these themes, as the stakes rise and alliances shift.
Devara Part 1 combines strong performances, beautiful cinematography, and a gripping storyline. While it does lean on some familiar tropes, the story’s authenticity and Siva’s nuanced direction make it a worthwhile watch. The movie’s pacing, engaging plot twists, and character-driven drama make it hard to turn away.
Rating: 4.3/5 Devara Part 1 is a compelling drama that balances action and emotion, making it a standout in Netflix’s lineup. It’s perfect for viewers looking for a powerful storyline mixed with well-executed action. Highly recommended for fans of Bollywood cinema and anyone who appreciates stories with moral complexity.
Trigger Warning: Discussions of sexual assault and rape.
In a lot of ways Buffy the Vampire Slayer was more than just a TV show…it was a feeling.
No. But it did change the way heroines were written and showed the world how awesome and self-aware supernatural comedies could be. In the mid-’90s to early ‘00s, Buffy influenced everything from fashion trends to the way we speak. The linguistic feature of speakers ending declarative sentences in an upward inflection (like everything is a question). This phenomenon, known as ‘upspeak’, became popular in the mid-90s to the horror of many a boomer.
Buffy was progressive in many ways for its time. A strong (yet at times, admirably vulnerable) relatable heroine. Buffy was cool, independent, and brimming with quippy comebacks. Buffy’s creator, Joss Whedon, may have turned out to be the bad guy but he did create an admirable main character and immerse us in her world. Buffy was one of the first primetime network shows to have a gay main character and a lesbian relationship. Lesbian-identified Willow Rosenberg ushered in a new age of sapphic style that helped generations of queer young people come out.
Throughout the show, Buffy has not one but two hot, badass vampire boyfriends. What’s not to love?
Well, as it turns out; a lot of stuff. Like many shows from that era, Buffy doesn’t always adhere to the morals and values of 2024. I am, and have pretty much always been, a Buffy obsessive (to varying degrees). Even I can admit the main cast wasn’t exactly diverse. There are of course insensitive comments and jokes that wouldn’t fly today, but what I want to focus on is the show’s treatment of sexual assault.
In Western culture, rape is seen as one of the worst that can happen to a woman, perhaps even worse than death. Throughout the series, Buffy (and her female comrades) is assaulted numerous times and threatened with rape even more.
Season 1 Episode 6 – The Pack
In probably one of the weirdest plots, an early ‘monster of the week’ episode. Buffy’s closest male friend is possessed by the spirit of a hyena on a class zoo trip (it happens).
To a lot of modern fans; Xander is the archetypal ‘toxic nice guy’. Identifies as a feminist but regularly slut shames his female friends and has different rules of conduct for them than he does for himself. Regularly treats his romantic partners as less than or infantilizes them. Xander’s questionable behavior aside, this is the first episode where his true nature perhaps shines through.
Up until this point he had been attracted to Buffy. The slayer’s disinterest in anything other than friendship had caused him to act petulant and snidey in ways only a teenage boy can. As loathe as I am to compliment Nicholas Brendon (‘Xander’) the complete personality shift he embodies for possessed Xander is laudable. He’s confident, cruel, and highly sexual. Even vampiric some might say.
Possessed Xander’s newfound animalistic urges lead him to attack Buffy with a strength that matches her own supernatural strength. In an uncomfortable scene, he pins her to a vending machine and tells her: “The more I scare you…(SNIFFS)…the better you smell.”
Buffy escapes by knocking Xander unconscious and remarks to Willow that Xander “tried his hand at felony sexual assault”. It could be argued that Buffy is making light of her trauma by joking about it. However, at the end of the episode, Xander pretends he remembers nothing about his possession but then admits to Giles that he does.
Other more popular recurring characters are forgiven for their horrific behavior due to their lack of souls (being vampires). However, the show never makes clear exactly what a soul is and how it affects a person’s intrinsic goodness. It is unclear what happened to Xander’s soul during his brief possession but the instance is never brought up again.
Season 2 Episode 20 – Go Fish
Yet another ‘monster of the week’ episode; the school’s swim team gets turned into sea monsters (again, it happens). Buffy goes on a date with a member of the swim team when she turns down his advances he locks his car door stopping her escape. When he tries to touch her she breaks his nose on the steering wheel. Buffy is blamed by the school for the way she dresses, almost every woman has heard that at least once!
The episode culminates with Buffy being thrown into a sewer with the monstrous swim team by the evil coach. The coach remarks that ‘his boys have already eaten “but boys have other needs”. Threatening our 17-year-old heroin with gang rape. Buffy of course jokes about her predicament and is saved in the nick of time.
It could be speculated that as Buffy is a metaphor in itself that the writers were trying to make a statement about how female victims of young male sports stars are treated.
Season 6 Episode 1 & 2 – Bargaining
Season 6 is extremely controversial within the Buffy fandom. Arguably the most polarising of the seasons. Whether you love it or hate it (I love it, just putting that out there) everyone agrees it’s the darkest season. Fittingly the season opens with Buffy being brought back from the dead and digging herself out of her own grave.
A gang of heavily pierced demons is attacking the town and is torturing the Buffybot (a replacement robot for the erstwhile slayer obviously). The head demon refers to Buffybot as “nothing but a toy, a pretty toy” in a sinister and arguably sexual way before we see her being torn limb from bionic limb.
If that’s not bad enough the head demon threatens Buffy’s friends (Xander, Anya, Tara, and Willow) by saying; “we’re just gonna hold you down and enjoy ourselves for a few hours”. He also brags about his gang’s “anatomical incompatibilities that tend to tear up little girls”. The blatant and graphic threat of gang rape disturbed a lot of fans. Was this a sign of things to come with the new direction the show was going in?
Season 6 Episode 19 – Seeing Red
And here we are. We couldn’t talk about the most controversial season of Buffy without discussing its most controversial episode. Seeing Red has fan favorite Spike (vampire) attempting to rape Buffy in her own bathroom after she is injured while vampire slaying.
Throughout most of season 6 Buffy and Spike kindled a sexual relationship. Despite the writers prefacing the two as a metaphor for a toxic relationship, the couple are championed by fans to this day.
The scene itself is horrific. I can recall watching it when it was aired at the age of 12 hesitantly through my mum’s plants it was that awful. On a recent rewatch I committed myself to watching it again thinking it can’t be as bad as I remember, despite always fast-forwarding that bit on my videos (yes, I’m that old). It was as bad as I remembered.
The scene was heavily choreographed with alternating close-ups of Buffy and Spike (separately) to inspire the audience’s empathy with each character. Along with the being so brightly lit, the scene is extremely disorienting. The choice of lighting makes the actors look all too human.
Encouraging empathy for both victim and perpetrator during a rape scene is an interesting premise. Personally, I liked how multilayered and complex Buffy and Spike’s relationship was for what was billed as a teen drama. But I, like many, was traumatized by this scene. James Marsters, who played Spike, calls shooting the scene; “the darkest professional day of my life” (Marsters J, 2024) and sends him to therapy. Buffy herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar (Gellar S, 2024) is quoted as saying that she skips that particular episode while watching with her young family.
Many conspiracies were discussed after the airing of the episode. Many thought that it was creator Joss Whedon’s way of getting the audience to hate Spike. Whedon made no secret about hating Spike and had to be talked into making the series regular due to his popularity. As tempting as it is to blame Whedon, he was barely involved in the show at the time.
It is commendable that Marsters (outing myself as a fangirl here) is willing to honestly talk about how the episode affected him personally and the fanbase. Unfortunately, the show failed to properly address Buffy’s trauma. Despite showing her having PTSD-like flashbacks to the attempted rape when seeing Spike again in Season 7.
To me, Buffy has always embodied everything that is great about being a woman. She’s strong, resilient, and unapologetically feminine. Her story is one of triumph against all odds while still staying true to herself and empowering her friends along the way. As Buffy is a feminine story perhaps it is appropriate that it shows the unfortunate side of being a female presenting person. Women are assaulted regularly and usually by close friends someone they are on a date with or someone they’ve had a sexual relationship with. Many have argued that the handling of these scenes was clumsy or even irresponsible. This may be true but having someone as inspiring as Buffy Summers overcome and thrive after an assault could prove that anyone can and make victims feel less alone.
Buffy is, as always, a source of strength for many.
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