Recommended #36 | Halloween Edition

October 31, 2019October 31, 2019 JoeRover Recommended beat saber, dc comics, gtlive, Halloween, horror stories, hush, jazza, let me explain studios, matpat, scary stories, spooky

The following are my opinion and do not reflect the opinion of any organization or person.

Here are some spooooky recommendations for Halloween. Happy tricks and treats.

I, of course, have to start off with the Halloween anthology book that I have a story in.

Hush: Anthology by Earnest Writes

Now that the shameless self promotion is out of the way, here’s the rest of the list.

Playing SPOOOOOPY Songs In Beat Saber… by Tempex

LUIGI’S MANSION 3 Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 – FULL GAME (Nintendo Switch) by GhostRobo

🎃 CARVING the 7 DEADLY SINS on Pumpkins! 👻 *spooky* by Jazza

Slumber Parties Are Witch Gatherings by Let Me Explain Studios

The Lost World | DCEASED #6 Review (FINAL ISSUE, SPOILERS) by Fortress of Solitude

FNAF VR’s DREAD-ful New Game! | Curse of Dreadbear (FNAF VR Help Wanted DLC) by GTLive

Do you have any recommendations? Tell me in the comments.

Until the next wormhole…thanks for reading.

Let’s Read #5

August 22, 2019August 17, 2019 JoeRover Let's Read, Superman: Dawnbreaker adventure, book club, book discussion, books on immigration, books on minorities, dc comics, dc icons, matt de la pena, superhero, superman

Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Peña–Chapters 17-31. I’ll try to keep spoilers to a minimum.

This last section was hard to put down. The action picked up as did the suspense. At the end of each chapter, I wanted to read more.

In this section, Clark finally asks his parents about what’s in the old barn (like any fan of Superman didn’t know). But, we do get a nice look at Clark’s reaction; we get about two or three chapters dealing with how he feels about his origins. He does think about it for the rest of the novel, but it was during these few chapters that it is really spotlighted.

We also get to see Clark’s reaction to his suit and find out how Martha was able to make it.

But, the most important part is we finally find out who’s been taking the townspeople and what they want with them. We also learn why Wesco is so interested in the craters–green meteor rocks of course, but we learn why they care about them so much.

We find out if Bryan is a friend or foe and discover the real reason Lex was in Smallville.

Finally, we see Clark get his Superman name.

These last chapters were a whirlwind of action and emotion as everything finally fell into place. I enjoyed this new telling of Clark’s youth and origin. I felt like it didn’t drastically change things, just added or filled in some holes. I felt like this story could be standalone or have pieces that carry over into other stories.

Even though I could guess at most of what was going to happen–there wasn’t really a shocking plot twist–I still found the book enjoyable and reminded me why I like the Superman stories so much. I enjoyed the investigation bits. I enjoyed the action. I enjoyed the descriptions of Clark using his powers and how it felt to him–something that you don’t hear or see much of. I would recommend this book to any Superman fan or fan of any superhero. 4.8/5

What are your thoughts on the ending? What did you think would happen once Bryan learned about Clark’s powers? Was this a good Superman story or should it be forgotten?

Until the next wormhole…thanks for reading.

Let’s Read #4

August 15, 2019August 14, 2019 JoeRover Let's Read, Superman: Dawnbreaker book club, book review, dc comics, dc icons, dc superheroes, discussion, matt de la pena, superman, Superman: Dawnbreaker

Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Peña–Chapters 8-16. I’ll try to keep spoilers to a minimum.

In these chapters the suspense and action really take over.

When Lana and Clark sneak onto some property, they get chased. It was interesting reading this part because I knew Clark wouldn’t get hurt, but I still felt the fear and worry. It shows how good of a writer Peña is.

Peña also does a great job of making you feel Clark’s panic attacks. During these chapters, he discovers new powers or discovers how strong they are. Each time he panics, you get a picture of how he feels different and isolated from everyone.

Finally, I could feel the increase in tension as the date of the voting nears. There are more protests and more violence. You really get this feeling of a semi-calm before a storm. It feels like it won’t be long before there is mass chaos.

So, what do you think? How do you think Clark will stop the violence? Will the people vote for or against the stop-and-search law that is targeting minorities? How do you think the vote outcome with affect Clark’s viewpoint of his hometown? How will this affect his journey on becoming Superman? Tell me your theories in the comments.

Until the next wormhole…thanks for reading.

Let’s Read #3

August 8, 2019July 29, 2019 JoeRover Let's Read, Superman: Dawnbreaker book club, book discussion, book review, dc comics, dc icons, matt de la pena, smallville, superheroes, superman, Superman: Dawnbreaker

Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Peña–Chapters 8-12. I’ll try to keep spoilers to a minimum.

I’ve really been enjoying how Peña balances the action with slower moments. For instance, there is the part where Clark stops some thieves then he has a brief emotional moment with his father then he’s relaxing at a party with friends. There are very few, if any, boring moments. The moments that would normally be boring are also interesting because you see more of the mystery or more of Clark’s character.

Speaking of mystery, I enjoy how the investigation part of the mystery feels like a real investigation story. For a moment, it seemed almost like I had stopped reading a fantasy/superhero story and started reading a mystery/crime novel.

I did have to sigh and roll my eyes when Clark’s super-hearing gave out just as someone was going to say something important. But, I did like how it showed that he didn’t have full control over his powers and that they could give out on him–it added some suspense.

It was also nice to see the plot of the missing people start to take the spotlight. So far, it has just been hinted at or treated as a B Plot. I like how there seems to be a connection between someone buying up farmland and the missing persons, but it still makes you wonder if they really aren’t connected–maybe there are two villains in town.

So, what do you think? Why do you think people are missing? Why does it seem to be only immigrants? Is it all connected to Clark and that he’s an alien or is that just to throw us off and the real reason is a twist? My working theory is that someone knows an alien landed in Smallville so they are rounding up any strangers to try and find the alien. Tell me your theories in the comments.

Until the next wormhole…thanks for reading.

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Let’s Read #2

August 1, 2019July 28, 2019 JoeRover Let's Read, Superman: Dawnbreaker adventure, book club, book discussion, dc comics, dc icons, fantasy, matt de la pena, review, superhero, superman, Superman: Dawnbreaker

Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Peña–Chapters 5-7. I’ll try to keep spoilers to a minimum.

Not much to say about these chapters that wouldn’t be a lot of spoilers, but I did enjoy the Smallville TV show reference where a certain billionaire almost runs Clark over with his car.

I do enjoy how hints of the plot are sprinkled throughout. You don’t feel like you’re being hit over the head. You get little clues like how Lana, the girl who knows just about everything that happens in Smallville, doesn’t know about the missing persons. That tells you that whoever is behind it has some power/money.

Also when Clark meets up with Gloria, the one who told him about the missing people, she acts as if she doesn’t remember telling him. There isn’t a moment where he straight up asks her and she says, “What are you talking about?” but she does seem confused or she wants to change the subject. Did someone get to her? Threaten her? Pay her off? Does the villain have some kind of mind-erasing power or serum?

About the only problem I have with the book, at this point, is that it is kind of slow moving. It seems like it is taking a long time for Clark to get moving. He seems concerned about the missing persons but also doesn’t seem to be doing anything about it. At times it is almost like he goes, “Oh yeah! That’s right! There are people disappearing. I should look into that.”

I think it is great that the main villain might not be a Luthor. I just hope that Bryan doesn’t pull a Lex and turn out to be the bad guy. They’ve always done it where Lex and Clark were friends and then Lex turns evil; I hope they don’t do the same with Bryan, so far he seems like a good friend to Clark.

So, what do you think? Who’s behind the missing persons? What do you think is happening to the missing people? Why is Bryan’s brother so interested in the Kent Farm? Tell me your theories in the comments.

Until the next wormhole…thanks for reading.

Consider following and turning on notifications so you know when the next update is available.

Let’s Read #1

July 25, 2019July 23, 2019 JoeRover Let's Read, Superman: Dawnbreaker book club, book discussion, dc comics, dc icons, matt de la pena, read along, superman

Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Peña–Chapters 1-4. I’ll try to keep spoilers to a minimum.

The story starts with a everyday kind of vibe with Clark meeting up with classmates in the rain. I could feel and hear the rain thanks to the description, and I like how the story starts out with just a normal day. You don’t think anything weird is happening. Even when something eventually happens, it seems easy to dismiss.

I enjoy how the story shows the thoughts of Clark. He doesn’t want to use his powers because every time he does someone gets injured. I like the portrayal of this conflict within him. He doesn’t want to use his powers; but when there’s trouble, it describes him using his powers almost like this force that takes him over. I also like how his powers are described: almost like lightning that shoots through him or a powerful force. There’s even this point where it almost sounds like it is this force that breaks a shovel and not physical strength.

Within the first four chapters you can see Clark’s struggle with his powers and hints towards the book’s plot. The story doesn’t start off slow but doesn’t throw you right into the action. It is kind of like the beginning of a roller coaster.

What are your thoughts on the book (no spoilers please)? Let’s talk in the comments section.

Consider following and turning on notifications so you know when the next update is available.

Thanks for reading!

The following are my opinion and do not reflect the opinion of any organization or person.

Movies/Film

Dark Phoenix – Final Trailer (2019) Sophie Turner, Jennifer Lawrence by IGN

Replicas

The Kid Who Would Be King

Blog Posts

“Courage is…” repost by frenchc1955

“Second episode of ‘Game of Thrones’ #season 8 #leaks online” by Michael The Blogger (The People)

“Scars #Poetry” by Carrie Ann Golden

Books/Stories

“Chapter 1-Part 1” from Ishmael by EdCowling

Da Vinci’s Turtles by GlennKoerner

“3 terrifying bedtime tales By C J Cannatelli” by Madame Raven

Podcasts/News

Discussing “The Hill to Die On” with Jake Sherman from Washington Week (audio) | PBS by Washington Week (PBS)

The Twilight Zone and What’s Making Us Happy by Pop Culture Happy Hour

“Even Greater London” by Victoriocity

Comics

Birth of The Source Wall | Justice League #22 Review by Fortress of Solitude

Massacre of New York | The War of the Realms #2 Review by Fortress of Solitude

The 70’s | Spider-Man Life Story #2 by Caped-Joel

Everything Else

Testimonial by Hadi (Gentle_Bull) by Earnest Writes

Top 10 Scary Avengers Theories by MostAmazingTop10

Hermitcraft 6: Episode 60: DON’T TELL ISKALL by Grian

Do you have any recommendations for movies, blogs, books, podcasts, comics, or randomness? Tell me in the comments.

Don’t forget to hit the Follow button so you’ll be notified of when the wormhole spits out another blog update.

Say My Name | SHAZAM! Review

April 6, 2019April 6, 2019 JoeRover Reviews billy batson, dc comics, movies, movies to watch, shazam, superhero, Zachary Levi

Holy Moly! The SHAZAM! movie is finally out, and it was awesome.

I do have to agree with other reviews that the beginning was kind of slow and awkward. If you know the origins of Shazam, the opening can be a little long; but if you don’t, you might see it as more interesting. But once Billy get’s on the subway train…heh, heh, the fun begins.

They did a really good job balancing the movie. It wasn’t too dark/serious and not too comical/silly. You had some serious, emotional moments–and some intense moments–layered with some humor.

The Shazam costume looked a lot like it does it in the comics. It almost looked like it was taken right off the page. I mean, there were some differences but not enough to really matter. I liked how they went with the bright red instead of trying to make it a dark red or muted red.

The acting was well done. The actors seemed to get along; they seemed to know their character and how they would react. Nothing seemed forced or unnatural. Zachary Levi did an excellent job of pretending to be a 14-year-old in an adult’s body. Sometimes when they have those “age shift” movies, the actor acts too silly and comes off as acting younger than the age they are supposed to be. For instance, they are supposed to be a 14-year-old but the adult actor acts more like a 6-year-old.

I did have a problem with how when Billy was Billy he was serious and kind of mopey; but when he was Shazam, he was a little more immature and kid-like. It seemed like an awkward unexplained shift. I can kind of give it a pass because he is hanging out with Freddy. When you’re hanging out with friends, especially when you’ve been on your own like Billy had been, you let loose. Plus, as Shazam, he was a powerful adult thus probably feeling more like he could let down his defenses.

All the Easter Eggs also made the movie enjoyable, like the nod to the movie Big at the toy store or the Mr. Mind reveal. Also John Glover, who played Lex Luthor’s father on Smallville, plays Sivana’s father. In the Shazam! movie, Sivana’s father is a wealthy jerk…just like Lex’s father. Sivana is a bald genius. Lex is also a bald genius.

Finally, I liked that Freddy and Billy never came up with a superhero name. They go through hundreds of names but never settle on one. It was a nice nod to the comics where Billy’s hero name is a little unclear. Is it Captain Marvel? Is it Shazam? Is it just Billy?

I had a hard time finding things wrong with it. I’d really like to see it again and use more critical thinking. I don’t think it was a perfect movie, but it was pretty close. If DC can continue this balance of serious and humor–don’t have the movies be kiddy-goofy but also don’t make them apocalyptic-gloomy either, I think their movie future will be bright. 4.98/5

Other SHAZAM! related videos–contains spoilers.

Shazam! End Credits Scene Explained (SPOILERS!) by IGN

Shazam!’s Big DC Superhero Cameo Revealed by IGN

Sparks of Rebellion is available for preorder. It releases April 19, 2019.

Joe Rover eBooks are available at many online retailers, such as Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, Walmart eBooks, and more.