What's New in Home Video & Pop Culture - December 2, 2025

By Mike Spring

on December 2, 2025

What’s New in Home Video & Pop Culture – December 2nd, 2025

The fourth quarter onslaught continues with a host of new releases, including plenty of high-profile titles! Our Annual Home Video Holiday Gift Guide is just a week or two away, but there are some great gift ideas in this week’s column. Check it all out below!

In This Week’s Column:

The Long Walk (Blu-ray + Digital)
The Roses (Blu-ray + Digital)
The Killer (4K Ultra HD)
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Ultimate Collector’s Edition IconArt with SteelBook (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
Scarface: Ultimate Collector’s Edition IconArt with SteelBook (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
Yellowstone: The Complete Series (DVD)
Pride & Prejudice: 20th Anniversary Edition (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
The Americas (4K Ultra HD)
Laurel & Hardy: The Definitive Restorations – Volume 1 (DVD)
The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake (Graphic Novel)
F.A.R.M. System: Rage (Graphic Novel)

The Long Walk (Blu-ray + Digital)

Official Synopsis:

In the near future, where America has become a police state, one hundred boys are selected to enter an annual contest where the winner will be awarded whatever he wants for the rest of his life. The game is simple – maintain a steady walking pace of four miles per hour without stopping. Three warnings, and you’re out – permanently.

The Movie:

The Long Walk is an absolutely beautiful story about friendship… that is marred by an unnecessary reliance on gore that detracted from the story rather than enhanced it.

Way back in the day, I was a rabid Stephen King fan. I stopped reading him years ago, but in my teenage years I devoured every book of his from his first one through Dreamcatcher, which was the last one I read. His collection of four novellas called The Bachman Books was one of my favorite works of his, largely because it contained The Long Walk, which I absolutely loved. So I was excited for the movie version to come out, and also curious how the filmmakers would translate a story to film that largely involved people walking for most of its running time.

Director Francis Lawrence (Constantine, The Hunger Games movies) is a director I really like, so I had high hopes for it. And what he delivered is a very effective, very moving film about friendship and capitalism that I mostly really enjoyed. But man, it pushes the envelope. Honestly, the film could have easily been PG-13 except for two things: an absolute flood of F-bombs and scenes that are much more gory than they need to be. I know that the story is trying to show the futility of these men marching in a dystopic America where food is scarce and money is scarcer. I can also recognize that the brutality of the violence is meant to reflect that reality. But man, after about the seventh time of watching someone’s face disintegrate on close-up, it just gets exhausting. And it feels unnecessary to me; like I said, I found it more distracting more than doing anything to enhance what is already a pretty bleak story.

Ultimately, I still really enjoyed The Long Walk. With incredible performances by the two lead actors, Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson (who has ‘breakout star’ written all over him), the friendship story outweighs the bad in the film. But it should have been 4 1/2 stars in my book, and instead it was only 3 1/2. And that’s a bummer.

The Bonus Features:

Ever Onward: Making The Long Walk – A multi-part documentary broken up into five chapters: Walk or Die, Raring to Rip, Another Time/Another Place, Adjustments Are Key, and Fulfilment.
Trailers

Digital Copy Included: Yes

The Roses (Blu-ray + Digital)

Official Synopsis:

Life seems easy for a picture-perfect couple. But behind the façade of their supposed ideal marriage, a storm is brewing. Soon, a tinderbox of fierce competition and hidden resentment ignites in this wonderfully wry, dark comedy.

The Movie:

Few movie trailers have made me want to watch a movie less than the trailer for The Roses did. Why would I want to watch two married people who hate each other try and destroy each other for two hours? It looked awful and I had no desire to watch it.

But my review copy beckoned, so I sat down to view this new take on an old tale starring Benedict Cumberbacth and Olivia Colman. The first thing I noticed when the credits started was that it was directed by Jay Roach, he of the Austin Powers movies, so that gave me some hope. And over the next 100 minutes, I was completely won over by the film. (Hey, no one is more surprised than me!)

First off, the performances by Cumberbatch and Colman are both outstanding; nuanced and deep, they don’t go for rom-com tropes. The script is sharp, as well, and there are some truly unexpected moments as well as some witty dialogue. But the film also spends a good amount of its running time showing the couple happy and in love, and then showing how their marriage starts to deteriorate, so by the time we get to them fighting with each other, it feels earned and like there are stakes, not like it’s just a trumped up conflict to fuel a movie.

The movie has a few flaws; the quirky group of friends surrounding the couple feels like it’s out of the Hollywood 101 playbook, and Kate McKinnon just does that thing that Kate McKinnon does (although Andy Samberg is refreshing.) Still, none of that was enough to sink the movie, and in the end I enjoyed it so much more than I expected to.

The Bonus Features:

The Roses: An Inside Look
A House to Fight For
Comedy Gold
Bloopers

Digital Copy Included: Yes

The Killer (4K Ultra HD)

Official Synopsis:

A Hong Kong hitman (Chow Yun-Fat, Hard Boiled) accidentally blinds an innocent woman during a hit. He is determined to get her surgery to help her regain her sight but he needs to complete one more hit first. He completes the job but then is ambushed as he tries to escape: someone wants him dead. Meanwhile a resourceful, unorthodox police detective is hot on his trail.

The Movie:

Shout Factory continues their amazing series of releases focusing on seminal Asian action cinema this week with a new Collector’s Edition of The Killer, John Woo’s incredible action opera.

Between Hard Boiled and The Killer, John Woo and Chow Yun-Fat rewrote the book on Asian action filmmaking, launching a whole new era in the genre that bled over into Hollywood filmmaking in the 1990s. The Killer sees Chow Yun-Fat as an assassin with at least enough of a moral center to try and do right by a woman he accidentally blinded, but there are a lot of things conspiring against him as he tries to help her. The result is an explosive action movie that’s filmed beautifully, features amazing fight choreography, and that never lets up in intensity from the first scene to the last.

As with Hard Boiled, which came out last month, The Killer comes in a beautifully packaged 4K Ultra HD release that includes the movie on both 4K and Blu-ray with copious extra features, packaged in a hardcover slipcase and an illustrated collector’s booklet. It’s the kind of packaging that makes physical media collectors such as myself drool. More releases like this please, studios!

The 4K Video/Audio:

The 4K Ultra HD presentation of The Killer was probably completed at the same time as Hard Boiled; the films look very similar in terms of quality. This is a film that’s been around for a few decades now, but it looks and sounds greatly improved here over previous releases. Image clarity is clean and crisp, and the print is largely free of any blemishes or dirt, and that’s what you would hope for in a catalog title. The surround soundtrack isn’t the most nuanced ever, but it kicks into high gear during the action scenes and will have you ducking for cover when gunshots start flying. The bass channel also gives everything an explosive feel, which fits the film nicely. Overall, this is another very strong effort.

The Bonus Features:

Audio Commentary with Director John Woo and Film Journalist Drew Tayler
Audio Commentary with Critic and Author David West
Audio Commentary with Director John Woo and Producer Terence Chang (Recorded by the Criterion Collection)
The Hero of Heroic Bloodshed: A John Woo Documentary—Feature Length Documentary on the Cinema of Hong Kong’s Iconic Director, Featuring New Interviews with John Woo, Stuntman Bruce Law, Producer Michael Colleary, Writer Mike Werb, Producer Lori Tilkin de
A Bullet Ballet: Interview with Director John Woo
My Kind of Hero: Interview with Producer Terence Chang
Editing the Killer: Interview with Editor David Wu
Hong Kong Confidential: Inside The Killer with Author Grady Hendrix
Deleted and Extended Scenes
Trailers
Image Gallery

Digital Copy Included: No

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Ultimate Collector’s Edition IconArt with SteelBook (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)

Official Synopsis:

This Amazon Exclusive IconArt Giftset includes an exclusive Five Night’s at Freddy’s licensed metal poster, Numbered Certificate of Authenticity, and Exclusive Steelbook that houses the 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and Digital copies of Five Nights at Freddy’s. The producers of M3GAN and The Black Phone bring the terrifying horror game phenomenon to life as a blood-chilling film. Recently fired and desperate for work so that he can keep custody of his little sister, Mike agrees to take a position as a night security guard at an abandoned theme restaurant: Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria. But Mike soon discovers that nothing at Freddy’s is what it seems. Mike’s nights at Freddy’s will lead him into unexplainable encounters with the supernatural and drag him into the black heart of an unspeakable nightmare.

The Movie:

It feels like it was about five or six years ago that Five Night’s at Freddy’s was at the height of its popularity. A creepy video game that captured the attention of tweens and teens everywhere, the game was a massive hit and spawned merchandise, t-shirts, action figures and more. Fast forward to 2023 and suddenly there’s a movie, which felt like it was coming out about three years too late.

Well, color me surprised, but the film was a monster hit at the box office. Even more surprising, I enjoyed it way more than I expected to. I’m cursorily familiar with the game; I know the basic gist of what it’s about and that’s about it, so I went into the movie not knowing much. It stars Josh Hutcherson as a down-on-his-luck guy who has a personal history that haunts him. He takes a job as a security guard at an abandoned Chuck E. Cheese-style restaurant, where the animatronics may have taken on a life of their own.

The film goes in some directions I didn’t expect, but overall, I found it rather enjoyable. It’s not overly scary, nor is it a masterpiece, but it feels different from a lot of recent horror fare and Hutcherson admirably carries the film on his shoulders. The good thing about Five Nights at Freddy’s is that it works whether you’re a fan of the game or not. My teenagers loved it, and they both know the game better than I do, but I also enjoyed it quite a bit.

This week, Universal gears up for both the holidays and the impending release of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 with the new Five Nights at Freddy’s: Ultimate Collector’s Edition that’s an Amazon Exclusive. This awesome limited edition (and numbered) box set includes the film on 4K Ultra HD (with a Blu-ray disc and digital copy included) in a box that includes a sharp Steelbook case for the film as well as a metal display poster (if you’re familiar with Displates, it looks like one of those, just a touch smaller.) It’s a great package for collectors and fans, and it will also make a nice gift for the FNAF fan in your life!

The 4K Video/Audio:

Five Nights at Freddy’s comes to home video on 4K Ultra HD (as well as Blu-ray and DVD), and it looks and sounds very good in the premium format. The color saturation is quite vibrant, image clarity is sharp, and shadow delineation is very strong, helpful in a film that takes features endless nighttime scenes and dark moments. The surround soundtrack isn’t the most immersive ever, but it does a great job of maximizing what it has to work with and extending the sounds of Freddy Fazbear’s haunted restaurant into your living room.

The Bonus Features:

Five Nights at Freddy’s: From Game to Big Screen
Killer Animatronics
Five Nights in Three Dimensions

Digital Copy Included: Yes

Scarface: Ultimate Collector’s Edition IconArt with SteelBook (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)

Official Synopsis:

This Amazon Exclusive IconArt Giftset includes an exclusive Scarface licensed metal poster, Numbered Certificate of Authenticity, and Exclusive Steelbook that houses the 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and Digital copies of Scarface. In the spring of 1980, the port at Mariel Harbor was opened, and thousands set sail for the United States. They came in search of the American Dream. One of them found it on the sun-washed avenues of Miami…wealth, power and passion beyond his wildest dreams. He was Tony Montana. The world will remember him by another name…Scarface. Starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana along with Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Robert Loggia, Scarface has become a cultural phenomenon brilliantly directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone.

The Movie:

Much like Five Nights at Freddy’s above, Universal has also created an Ultimate Collector’s Series release that will appeal to a different demographic of movie fans: Scarface.

While the pop culture zeitgeist of the early 2000s surrounding Scarface (when it seemed like every rapper on the planet was wearing Scarface apparel) has wound down a bit, the film still has a big fan base, and this new box set aims to cater to those fans. It once again delivers the film on 4K Ultra HD (also with a Blu-ray disc and a digital copy) in a nice, oversized box that includes a metal display poster. The box itself is sharp, and the metal poster looks great, giving us fairly restrained key art rather than a coked-up Tony Montana shooting up his mansion. I appreciate Universal’s restraint here.

As for the film itself, I like Scarface, largely on the strength of the direction by Brian de Palma, of whom I’m a big fan. It’s not one of my favorite films of his or Al Pacino’s, but upon repeat viewings it’s moved up from a movie that I find just okay to a movie I do truly enjoy, flaws and all. What I do love is the new Ultimate Collector’s series, and I hope Universal continues to bring us more of them.

The 4K Video/Audio:

Scarface on 4K Ultra HD presentation does offer up some audiovisual upgrade, but it’s not a wholly new revelation in terms of A/V quality or anything like that. Image clarity is nice and sharp and the print is free of any blemishes or artifacts, and that’s what you would hope for. The color saturation is solid, with some moments where real vibrancy shines through. The surround soundtrack focuses mostly on music and dialogue for large portions of the film, both of which sound great. Then, when the action kicks in, the satellite speakers add some punch and the bass channel comes thumping in to anchor everything. By and large, it’s a very good A/V outing.

The Bonus Features:

Scarface 35^th Anniversary Reunion
The Scarface Phenomenon
The World of Tony Montana
The Rebirth
The Acting
The Creating
Deleted Scenes
Scarface: The TV Version
The Making of Scarface: The Video Game

Digital Copy Included: Yes

Yellowstone: The Complete Series (DVD)

Official Synopsis:

Starring Academy Award winner Kevin Costner and created by Taylor Sheridan, Yellowstone is the epic saga of the Dutton family, owners of the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the U.S., as they fight to protect their legacy against land developers, political enemies, and threats from within. Across five gripping seasons, this bold, uncompromising portrait of family, loyalty, and power unfolds with intense drama, unforgettable characters, and sweeping Western landscapes. Includes all 53 episodes and over 19 hours of special features, with interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and more.

The Movie:

I’m a huge fan of Kevin Costner, and even though he isn’t the box office star he once was, I actually think he’s moved into a more interesting phase of his career, one where he’s become such a value-added player that he instantly makes every project he’s in better. So he’d been chugging along in supporting film roles for the past decade or so, and then — Bam! — along came Yellowstone. A massive hit that is not a movie, but a TV series. Hey, I’ll take success for Kevin Costner wherever he can get it!

A drama that deals with money and politics in the ranch lands of Montana and the family that runs it all, it’s Costner’s first starring role on a TV series, and it went on to become a true juggernaut, with huge ratings, immeasurable buzz, and several spin-off series. (I’ve actually lost count at this point, but I know we’re up to at least three, maybe four.)

Now, while I’m not as die-hard a fan as some people are, there’s no denying that Costner is terrific in it. I was a little surprised that it became as popular as it did, as it really takes a while to get interesting in my opinion, but there’s something about this show that really resonated with people. For my money, I like it quite a bit, even if I’m not the most die-hard fan the show has.

If you’ve been hearing all the buzz but haven’t dipped your toes in the water yet, Paramount/CBS has collected the entire series into a nice box set that’s available on either DVD or Blu-ray (we only received the DVD for review, sadly) for you to get in on the goods. It gives you every episode as well as a collection of bonus features, and it’s everything you need to become a Yellowstone fan supreme.

The Bonus Features:

Taylor Sheridan & Kevin Costner on Yellowstone
Working The Yellowstone: Production Design
Working The Yellowstone: Special Effects
Cowboy Camp
Only Devils Left – Making Yellowstone: Season 2
Working The Yellowstone: Fight Choreography
Yellowstone Tin Type Photography Behind The Scenes
Meaner Than Evil: Making Yellowstone: Season 3
Working The Yellowstone: Director Stephan Kay
Working The Yellowstone: SFX Supervisor Garry Elmendorf
Opening Pandora’s Box: Making Yellowstone: Season 4
Bloodline: Yellowstone Origins
Working The Yellowstone: Making It All Happen
Season 4: Back To The Bunkhouse
Behind the Story (Episodes 1–8)
Stories from the Bunkhouse (Episodes 1–8)
Undeniable Passion: Beth & Rip / Monica & Kayce
Musical Crosscurrents with Composers Brian Tyler & Breton Vivian
Giving Everything to This Land: Yellowstone Returns
Inside Yellowstone: Season 5
Yellowstone: Inside the Phenomenon
Inside the Real Yellowstone Ranch
Redemption: A Season of Change
Moments in Time with Photographer Emerson Miller
The Heartbeat of Yellowstone: Chief Joseph Ranch
Stories from the Bunkhouse
Desire Is All You Need
The Apocalypse of Change
Three Fifty-Three
Counting Coup
Give The World Away
Life Is A Promise; Ranch Retrospective; Wheeler of Misfortune
Deleted Scenes
Character Spots

Digital Copy Included: No

Pride & Prejudice: 20th Anniversary Edition (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)

Official Synopsis:

Keira Knightley shines as Elizabeth Bennet in this stunning adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic tale of romance in Georgian England. As one of five wealthy sisters pressured by their parents to get married, Elizabeth, despite being courted by several worthy suitors, finds herself inexplicably drawn to the egotistical young Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen). Donald Sutherland, Brenda Blethyn, Jena Malone, Rosamund Pike, and Judi Dench co-star. 129 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English. Special collector’s edition includes a 42-page book featuring photographs and information about the film’s production.

The Movie:

I’ve never kept it a secret that period dramas have really never been my thing. I can watch them and there are even some I’m a big fan of, but they’re few and far between. It’s just not a genre that gets me excited, and I don’t typically go out of my way for them.

Now, this isn’t where I shout, “BUT I LOVE PRIDE AND PREJUDICE!” from the rooftops. But I will say that Joe Wright’s 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel is certainly one of the better movies in the genre. With a winning cast that includes Keira Knightley at the height of her powers, along with Matthew Macfadyen, Judi Dench, Donald Sutherland, and Rosamund Pike (who I’ve always been a huge fan of), the film overcomes its period trappings and is instead just an effective romance that transcends any particular era.

This week, Universal releases a 20^th Anniversary Edition of Pride & Prejudice in a box set format that’s different from the aforementioned Ultimate Collector’s Series. While it still comes in a slightly oversized box (this one is about the side of a larger paperback book, maybe), it skips the metal poster (probably wise, based on the presumed demographic for the film) and instead includes a 42-page book about the making of the movie that will appeal to the more literary fans of the film. It’s a cool collector’s edition and will make a great gift for fans of the movie or the novel.

The 4K Video/Audio:

Pride & Prejudice is a medium-budgeted period drama from just 20 years ago, so it’s the kind of movie that benefits from a 4K upgrade but doesn’t feel completely transformed. You’ll notice brighter colors, a sharper picture, and good contrasts, and overall it looks very pleasing to the eye. There is a relatively active soundtrack (mostly making sure the dialogue is clear and the music sounds good) that also offers some ambient surround activity to help fill in the soundfield. It’s hard to complain about any of those things.

The Bonus Features:

Conversations With the Cast
Jane Austen: Ahead of Her Time
A Bennett Family Portrait
HBO First Look
The Politics of 18^th Century Dating
The Stately Homes of Pride & Prejudice
Audio Commentary with Director Joe Wright

Digital Copy Included: Yes

The Americas (4K Ultra HD)

Official Synopsis:

The Americas explores the extraordinary worlds and wildlife of North and South America lands full of wonder and inspiring moments alongside the creatures that call them home. This incomparable series showcases The Americas using cutting-edge technology to uncover never-before-seen behaviors and highlight extraordinary, untold wildlife stories that will resonate deeply with audiences around the world. Five years in the making and filmed across 180 expeditions, this groundbreaking series reveals the spectacular landscapes of Earth’s most diverse landmass the only one to stretch from pole to pole. With unprecedented scale and ambition, The Americas delivers remarkable world firsts: new species, intimate courtship rituals, dramatic deep-sea hunts, and some of nature’s strangest stories including a frog that appears to defy death every day.

The Movie:

Everyone remembers the global phenomenon that was the BBC’s Planet Earth. There have been any number of nature documentaries that take you all over the globe, and it’s fascinating to see what wildlife and scenery looks like in places that are as foreign to you as the moon.

The Americas, narrated by no less than Tom Hanks, takes a Planet Earth-esque approach to wildlife in the North and South American continents, so there’s no worry that the show is relegated to just the United States. It reaches all the way into Canada and stretches down to the furthest tips of South America, which is much more inhospitable than one might imagine. Throughout the course of 10 episodes, we get to see every kind of animal you can imagine – bears, whales, lizards, alligators, insects, crabs, etc. – in its daily life. Many times, we’re seeing things that have never been captured on film before, and what really makes the show shine is the cinematography, which is absolutely breathtaking. You will absolutely wonder how the filmmakers got some of the footage that they did.

10 episodes feels like a lot in a binge-type setting; personally, I’d recommend spacing the show out a bit, mixing episodes among Stranger Things and 90 Day Fiancée, or whatever else you’re watching these days. However you choose to digest it, though, you will enjoy it greatly.

The 4K Video/Audio:

You know how all of the 4K demo channels you find on new TVs or streaming services are always filled with wildlife and nature videos instead of blockbuster movies? Yeah, well, there’s a reason for that: because they look spectacular. Such is the case with The Americas, which is the kind of programming that feels like it was the reason 4K was invented. It’s no exaggeration to say that it feels like you’re out in the wilds with the animals on screen because the picture quality is so crisp and clear and bright and colors are so vivid. It’s truly amazing.

The Bonus Features:

The Making of The Americas

Digital Copy Included: No

Laurel & Hardy: The Definitive Restorations – Volume 1 (DVD)

Official Synopsis:

Stan and Ollie look and sound better than ever! New 2K and 4K digital restorations from original 35mm nitrate, Laurel and Hardy’s classic comedies are here in the best quality since their first release! Two features and 17 shorts, including the legendary pie-fight silent film “The Battle of the Century,” making it’s video debut and nearly complete for the first time in over 90 years! Feature Films: “Sons of the Desert” and “Way Out West” Classic Short Subjects: “Berth Marks,” “The Battle of the Century” (with new music track by Donald Sosin),”Brats,” “Busy Bodies,” “The Chimp,” “Come Clean,” “County Hospital,” “Helpmates,” “Hog Wild,” “Me and My Pal,” “Midnight Patrol,” “The Music Box,” “One Good Turn,” “Scram!,” “Their First Mistake,” “Towed in a Hole,” and “Twice Two.” Restorations by Jeff Joseph/SabuCat in conjunction with the UCLA Film & Television Archive and the Library of Congress. Using careful photochemical and digital techniques, these classic films are restored to pristine condition. In these stunning new transfers, they look and sound as beautiful as they did when they were first released.

The Movie:

Last month, I reviewed Laurel & Hardy: Definitive Restorations Volume 2, a new Blu-ray release that offered up a half dozen or so remastered Laurel and Hardy films and I was blown away by it. While the Blu-ray version of Volume 1 is long out of print, I was able to get a DVD copy of the first volume for review, and since the second volume is so good, I thought it was worth mentioning the first volume as well.

Like Volume 2, Kit Parker Films’ Laurel & Hardy: Definitive Restorations Volume 1 has brought us a new collection of Laurel & Hardy comedy shorts that is nothing short of phenomenal. It is once again an unbelievably well-curated collection that features incredible picture quality, tons of extra features, and hours of total content.

First off, we get two feature films: Way Out West (1937) and Sons of the Desert (1933). Then there are an additional 17 short films included, all of which have been remastered in 2K from original photographic elements, resulting in some truly stunning picture quality for films that are almost a literal century old. Even though this set is on DVD and not Blu-ray like the Volume 2 that I reviewed, the picture quality is extremely impressive.

Then there are the hours of extra features, which include audio commentary tracks, a massive photo archive, alternate soundtracks, and much more. Both of these volumes are absolute must-haves for Laurel & Hardy fans!

The Bonus Features:

2,500 rare photos, posters and studio files
Commentaries by Randy Skretvedt and Richard W. Bann
Film and audio interviews with L&H co-workers
Alternate soundtracks, music tracks, trailers

Digital Copy Included: No

The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake (Graphic Novel)

Official Synopsis:

For fans of The Blues Brothers and classic mystery capers, a 1990s set graphic novel about a young detective, a runaway orphan, and a jailbreak that uncovers long lost secrets and legendary soul.

The Blues Brothers – The Escape of Joliet Jake: It’s 1997, almost two decades after the events in THE BLUES BROTHERS film and Chicago law enforcement is once again in pursuit of the notorious musical criminal, Jake Blues, after a mysterious jailbreak. On the case is Robert, an up and coming detective, whose world is turned upside down… While investigating, Robert receives a little help from Elwood Blues, and an unlikely partnership forms between Robert and Wolfie, an orphan from the Blues Brother’s alma-mater, St. Helen’s of the Blessed Shroud. Together, they unravel a web of mysteries tied to Blues Brothers adventures with Jake and Elwood that we’ve never seen before! Get back to the heart of recidivist mischief, soul and bombastic chases. Sink your teeth into a new Blues Brothers adventure.

The Book:

I’m a big fan of The Blues Brothers. I mean, I know that’s not exactly a bold statement, as the movie was a massive hit back in 1980. But I also feel like it’s not a movie people talk about all that much anymore, and I still love it. So I was excited to read the new The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake graphic novel that’s written by Luke Pisano (son of John Belushi’s wife, Judy Belushi Pisano), Stella Aykroyd (daughter of Dan Aykroyd), and James Werner. With two people involved who are invested in carrying on the legacy of The Blues Brothers, I was pretty sure the franchise would be in good hands.

And I was right. The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake is a rollicking graphic novel that is set almost 20 years after the events of the movie, and it kicks off when Jake Blues is kidnapped… from inside a prison. The story captures all of the zaniness of the movie while also staying true to its roots in the blues music world. There are a lot of references back to the film, and die-hard fans will see some characters they’ll recognize.

Artist Felipe Sobreiro was the perfect choice for the book. His style is bold and colorful with a mix of realism and cartoonish vibes that results in great likeness of characters in a highly stylized way. It’s honestly the only kind of artwork I could see working for a project like this, and I was caught up in simply staring at each page and soaking up the visuals.

Dan Aykroyd pens a new intro for the book, giving it his stamp of approval, and it’s hard to argue with that. With little new in the way of The Blues Brothers material for fans, this is a great new way to revisit a classic and beloved property!

The Specs:

Publisher: Z2 Comics
Format: Hardcover or Softcover
Page Count: 136 pages
Cover Price: $34.99 (Hardcover) / $24.00 (Softcover)

F.A.R.M. System: Rage (Graphic Novel)

Official Synopsis:

When superpowers aren’t enough…some heroes look for a boost to give them the competitive edge. Award-winning graphic novelist Rich Koslowski continues his striking work of superhero satire!

Rich Koslowski’s original graphic novel F.A.R.M. System pulled back the curtain on the superhero community to reveal a satirical blend of pro sports and show business, filled with heroes and hustlers alike. Now, the shocking sequel, F.A.R.M. System: Rage, explores the intersection of superpowers, performance-enhancing drugs, and American politics.

The F.A.R.M. System’s founder, Alexander Ellison, is under heavy attack…from the hero Armor Man and his team of high-priced attorneys! They’re accusing him of illegally enhancing his clients with a controversial designer drug called the Boost—a “super-steroid” that can amplify superhuman abilities to truly unimaginable levels. While Alex faces the fight of his life in the courtroom, the court of public opinion will decide whether one of Alex’s most promising recruits will become…the next president of the United States.

The Book:

I’ve been a fan of Rich Kozlowski ever since he started publishing The Three Geeks way back in the 1990s. While I still miss that comic book series, I’ve really enjoyed all of his stand-alone graphic novels. Now he’s created F.A.R.M. System, which somehow I missed the first volume of. But that’s okay! Because I just jumped right into this second graphic novel and knew everything I needed to know within about the first three pages of reading.

Kozlowski has always operated best in the world of satire; not necessarily laugh-out-loud satire (although his books are often quite humorous), but works that deconstruct other genres or famous figures, such as Mickey Mouse and Elvis Presley. Now, for the first time, he’s turned his attention to the world of superheroes (and professional sports and capitalism along with that), by introducing us to a world in which superheroes vie for high profile gigs on A-list super teams, and the lengths to which they’ll go in order to achieve their dreams.

Not only does Kozlowski skewer several superhero tropes, but he also takes apart the sports industrial complex and the idea of drafts, rookies, contracts, and the like. But on top of all that, you still get some good superhero action and characters that are well-developed. If you have the means to pick up both F.A.R.M. System graphic novels, I would obviously start with the first one and then come back for Rage, but even if you just grab the new one, you’re in for a treat!

The Specs: