Movies That Have Everything: X-Men Apocalypse STARTS FRIDAY!!!

If you can believe it, X-Men Apocalypse, the sixth flick in the Marvel mutant franchise (ninth if you count the two Wolverine movies and the recent Deadpool film) is starting this Friday. Although it's the sixth  in the X-men movie timeline, it's actually the third staring the members of X-Men: First Class which brought us younger versions of the original X-Men characters from the first three movies (confused yet?). Well rest your pretty little heads and take a gander at the the trailer below:

X-Men Apocalypse (2016 Trailer / Marvel / 20th Century Fox)

For X-Men: First Class, the film was set as a period piece in the 1960's. The sequel, X-Men: Days of Future Past took place both in the far future, but mainly in the 1970's. This time around, we get into Pittsburgh Underground's favorite era - the 1980's to defeat the world's first, and most powerful mutant, Apocalypse before he can set forth his dubious plans to take over the world.

Brian Singer is back to direct the all star cast, many of which are making return appearances in this latest installment: James McAvory (Professor Charles Xavier), Michael Fassbender (Magnetto), Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique), Nicholas Hoult (Beast), Evan Peters (Quicksilver), Lucas Till (Havok), and Rose Byrne (Moira Mactaggert) are all back with newcomers Sophie Turner (Jean Grey), Tye Sheridan (Cyclops), Kodi Smit-McPhee (Nightcrawler), Ben Hardy (Angel), Alexandra Shipp (Storm), Lana Condor (Jubilee), Olivia Munn (Psylocke), and Oscar Isaac (Apocalypse). Of course, keep your eyes peeled as always for our favorite star of them all - comics creator extraordinaire, Stan Lee to make a cameo appearance somewhere during the course of the flick. 

The gang at Pittsburgh Underground has been fairly satisfied with what a lot of folks are calling a 'course correction' for the X-Men series after somewhat negative reviews of X-Men:: The Last Stand directed by Brett Ratner (better known for the Rush Hour franchise), who took over for Brian Singer who bowed out for a break in 2006. Brian Singer has always done the X-Men justice and we love our period pieces at good ol' PU so we're excited to see how the 80's are represented in this universe. That and the addition of some fan favorites - Nightcrawler, Cyclops, Storm, and Jubilee along with our curiosity being peaked for Sophie Turner's portrayal of Jean Grey (Ms. Turner more commonly known for playing Sansa Stark of Game of Thrones) and Olivia Munn (remember her from her G4 days - she's come a long way!) as playing Psylock for the first time are reasons to get us into the theater this weekend.

As for what lies ahead for the X-Men and FOX? X-Men has been the most successful franchise not contained within the official Marvel Cinematic Universe and the only confirmed rumor is a sequel to the Ryan Reynolds spinoff, Deadpool, that's been greenlit after surprise earnings this year of $754.5 million globally. After this latest film in the series, it's anybody's guess as to where the X-Men will go next. X-Men: Apocalypse starts this Friday at a theater near you!

Comics To Rot Your Brain: Darwyn Cooke R.I.P.

Darwyn Cooke

(1962 - 2016)

Sad news in the world of comics as one of our favorite artists, award winning comic book illustrator, animator, and writer Darwyn Cooke passed away, losing his battle with lung cancer at the age of 53.

In a sea of carbon copies for the sake of 'marketable' product,  Mr. Cooke's unique and flawless work stood ahead of the pack with his animated, retro-stylings that harkened back to a more expressively dramatic time of comic book illustration coupled with an over arching feeling of joyfulness that hasn't been found within the medium of comic book art since the hey day of comic book legends such as Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, and of course the grand-daddy of them all, Will Eisner.

Although Cooke's comic book career began as far back as 1985 in a short story in New Talent Showcase #19, financial pressure forced him to switch gears landing him work as a magazine art director, and then graphic and product designer for the next 15 years.

Batman Illustrated by Darwyn Cooke

In the early 1990's Cooke returned to the comic book world, but the major publishers, enamored with the cookie-cutter and ultimately 'safe' stylings to sell their big properties expressed little interest in his work. Finally, Warner Brothers Animation had the good sense to hire him after replying to an ad placed by legendary animator, Bruce Timm known for his complete thematic reworking of the Dark Knight Detective in Batman: The Animated Series.

Selina Kyle aka Catwoman Illustrated by Darwyn Cooke

Cooke became a storyboard artist for Batman along with the ever expanding DC animated universe's list of shows including Superman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond. With his foot in the door, DC Comics finally took notice of Cooke's steller work and approached him about a project he had submitted years earlier that eventually became Batman Ego. More freelance work followed for both DC Comics and Marvel Comics from X-Force, Wolverine/Doop, and Spider-Man's Tangle Web, and his acclaimed revamp of Catwoman.

Spider-Man's Tangled Web Illustrated by Darwyn Cooke

Two of our favorite works from Mr. Cooke are both fell under the DC Comics stable, Justice League: New Frontier and the revamp of Will Eisner's: The Spirit.

Justice League: New Frontier Illustrated by Darwyn Cooke

Justice League: New Frontier - a six issue mini series that closed the gap between the end of the golden age and beginning of the silver age comics set in the 1950's that was also adapted into an animated feature in 2008 by Warner Brothers Animation.

Justice League: New Frontier (2008 Trailer / DC Entertainment)

This was a new take on the formation of the Justice League with fledgling Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, a truly Amazonian Wonder Woman (she was HUGE), a newly displaced Martian Manhunter, the known vigilante - The Batman, the King of the Seas himself - Aquaman, and of course our favorite son of Krypton, Superman joining forces for the first time to save the world.

The Spirit Illustrated by Darwyn Cooke

DC Comics also published the one shot Batman/The Spirit back in 2007 which helped spawn a newly revamped introduction of the character into the DCU along with a spin-off book featuring the Will Eisner creation with Darwyn Cooke writing and penciling (with J.Bone taking on inking duties). Mr. Cooke's vintage stylings lept of the pages as a nostalgic look back to a classic hero making crime noir both dramatic, but with an innocent twist from yesteryear that only Darwyn Cooke could create.

Future Quest Promotional Art Illustrated by Darwyn Cooke

This year he left us with a beautiful promotional image from the latest from DC Comics that reimagined the world of Hanna-Barbera cartoons into a collective universe titled Future Quest, reuniting Johnny Quest, Space Ghost, Birdman, The Herculoids, Mightor, The Galaxy Trio, Frankenstien Jr., and The Impossibles.

The image feels a bit bitter sweet as it only makes us long for one more grand adventure with Darwyn Cooke. Sadly, the final adventure is all Mr. Cooke's to explore, and we hope, to enjoy as much as we did him and his timeless work. Godspeed to our hero...

Movies That Have Everything: Captain America: Civil War STARTS TODAY!!!

It's finally here just in time for Mother's Day - the Mother of all Cap' movies! Captain America: Civil War starts TODAY rounding out the trilogy. Check out the trailer below!

Captain America: Civil War (2016 Trailer / Marvel / Walt Disney Pictures)

Based on the Marvel mini-series: Civil War from 2006-2007 written by Mark Millar (of Kick-Ass fame) and penciled by Steve McNiven (Wolverine: Old Man Logan), the basic premise stays the same as the U.S. government passes the 'Superhero Registration Act' designed to have super powered individuals act under official regulation, much like that of law enforcement.

Marvel's Civil War / Issue 1 / 2006 - 2007 

(Mark Millar, Steve McNiven, Dexter Vines, Morry Hollowell)

This also means giving up your 'secret identity' as well - not something everyone is willing to hand over. This of course causes a split with Iron Man (Robert Downy Jr.)  leading the charge on the side of government and Captain America (Chris Evans) on the side of freedom.

Team Iron Man: War Machine, Black Widow, Iron Man, Black Panther, and Vision

Along with the leaders of each faction come the followers and the roster is huge. On team Iron Man is War Machine (Don Cheadle), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Vision (Paul Bettany), and the debut of Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman).

Team Captain America: Hawkeye, Agent 13, Captain America, Falcon, the Winter Soldier, 

and (so small you can't see him), Ant-Man

On team Cap' we get Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Agent 13 (Emily Van Camp), Falcon (Anthony Mackie), and Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan).

That's not all - also returning are two wildcards: Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) who is still deciding how to use her powers after Avengers: Age of Ultron, and of course the most anticipated character to finally make his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe - Spider-Man (played for the first time by Tom Holland) who is caught in the middle, very much like his comic book counterpart.

Captain America has been one of the very best (if not THE very best) Marvel franchise to date and Captain America: Civil War is definitely one that we expect will please everyone who loves the genre and good ol' Cap as well.

Captain America: Civil War starts today at a theater near you. Also, don't forget that THIS SATURDAY is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY at your local comic book shop. What better way to 'cap' off this movie event than to hit your favorite purveyor of sequential art for great freebies and to nab some of your old favorites as well (maybe pick up a copy of Marvel's Civil War to see where it all started). The gang from Pittsburgh Underground will be hitting both this weekend - hope to see you there!

Comics To Rot Your Brain: Free Comic Book Day is THIS SATURDAY!!!

Great Caesar's Ghost!!!! It’s that time again kids! Free Comic Book Day!!! This marks the 15tth year for this annual Saturday event (and every first Saturday in May) at participating comic book stores across the country to encourage readers of all ages to grab up some free comics and READ!!!

You Know What Makes Us Feel Like A HERO? - FREE COMICS!!!

If you haven't been to a comic book store in a while (or sadly, have never experienced the wonders that await) then now’s your chance to experience it all!!! Sci-fi, westerns, super heroes, hot jungle babes, zombies, and MORE!!! It’s all in your local comic book store and this Saturday, select comics are FREE!!!

Free Comic Book Day - The Lowdown

Pittsburgh Underground recommends heading over to Duncan Comics in the North Hills (for you suburban types) or Phantom of the Attic (for you city dwellers) to nab them stacks on the racks!

What’s even better is that after you’re finished, you can go check out Captain America: Civil War at your local theater for even more comic book inspired goodness!

So zip on down to your local comic book shop for some free comics, costume contests, and MORE!!!

Check out the Free Comic Book Day Website for more info and to find a participating comic book shop near you!