What’s New in Home Video & Pop Culture – September 23rd, 2025 – The Last of Us, Batman, Materialists, Watson, Graphic Novels, & More!

What’s New in Home Video & Pop Culture – September 23rd, 2025

This week, I’m adding a little bit of a format change to my column. Each release will now include an “Official Synopsis” section that will allow me to give you the official description of the title I’m reviewing. This way, I can spend less time trying to find ways to summarize the plot of a release and more time sharing what I thought of said project. This also allows me to move my Wrap-Up section back into the main body of the review. I think this will make the entire column a little more streamlined and easier to read. (Plus, if you already know what a project is about, you can skip the synopsis and get right to the opinions!) 

This is actually the format I’ve used for a long time in my review writing career, but had gotten away from in recent years. I think it fits better with the What’s New in Home Video & Pop Culture column as I’ve structured it. Hope you dig the changes!

In This Week’s Column:

• The Last of Us: The Complete Second Season (4K Ultra HD Steelbook)
• Materialists (Blu-ray)
• Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires (4K Ultra HD + Digital)
• Watson: Season One (DVD)
• Peking Opera Blues (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)
• Ghost Killer (Blu-ray)
• Unicorns (Blu-ray)
• More Weight: A Salem Story (Graphic Novel)
• The Comic Book History of the Cocktail: Five Centuries of Mixing Drinks and Carrying On (Graphic Novel)
• Spoops: The Little Spirits of Halloween (Book)
• Screwing Sinatra (Book)
• Psychic Investigators, Evil Exterminators (Graphic Novel)

The Last of Us: The Complete Second Season (4K Ultra HD Steelbook)

The Official Synopsis:

Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. Living amongst a thriving community of survivors has allowed them peace and stability, despite the constant threat of the infected and other, more desperate survivors. When a violent event disrupts that peace, Ellie embarks on a relentless journey to carry out justice and find closure. As she hunts those responsible one by one, she is confronted with the devastating physical and emotional repercussions of her actions.

The Movie: 

It’s hard to discuss The Last of Us: The Complete Second Season without delving into spoilers, but I’m going to give it my best shot. Let me start with this: I absolutely LOVED Season Two. I might even have liked it better than Season One, which surprised me. If I have one complaint, it’s that we only got seven episodes instead of nine like the first season, and I wanted more!

Season Two picks up five years after the events of Season One. Joel and Ellie are living safe and sound in Colorado, but they’re estranged. It’s that estrangement that drives the emotional core of the season even if the action moves outside the confines of Jackson after the second episode. (By the way, the second episode is one of the most incredible episodes of television I’ve seen in a long time. Truly amazing stuff.)

This season balances out the action and the plot and the characters and the drama and the horror perfectly, and I was incredibly impressed by it. I love Isabela Merced, and her addition to the cast as Dina, Ellie’s best friend, is a real value-add to the show. As usual, there’s no shortage of new characters — some of whom come and some of whom go — but this season feels like a perfect continuation of last season. I can’t wait for Season Three!

The 4K Video/Audio:

Much like the first season on 4K Ultra HD, The Last of Us: The Complete Second Season has been released looks and sounds stellar. The show has an impressive budget and every episode looks like a movie; that quality comes through in 4K. Image resolution is impeccable and colors are deeply saturated, when they’re allowed to be. Meaning, even though the show sometimes takes on a more monochromatic look, there are bursts of color that seem to pop off the screen. There are also a particularly high number of nighttime scenes this season, and strong shadow delineation means we never lose sight of the action. The surround soundtrack really brings the world of The Last of Us to life, using all of the channels regularly to either create atmosphere or bring pounding action scenes to life. It’s a terrific A/V presentation of each episode.

The Bonus Features: 

• Ellie’s Ultimate Revenge (Exclusive to 4K)
• Beneath the Surface: The Visual FX (Exclusive to 4K)
• Growing the World of The Last of Us
• Welcome to Jackson Set Tour
• Joel’s Journey to Season 2
• Ellie’s Journey to Season 2
• Q&A with Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey
• Battle of Jackson, Deconstructed
• Open Book: Isabela Merced & Young Mazino
• Mushroom Taste Test
• Four Character Featurettes:
• Seven Making Of Featurettes (one for each episode)

Digital Copy Included: No

Materialists (Blu-ray)

The Official Synopsis:

A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker (Dakota Johnson) finds herself torn between the perfect match (Pedro Pascal) and her imperfect ex (Chris Evans). From Academy Award-nominee Celine Song (Past Lives), this sharp, sexy New York romance exposes the ugly truth of modern dating – and how the chase can cost us what matters most.

The Movie: 

Is Materialists a drama or a comedy? The trailer certainly made it seem like a rom-com, and the idea of a romantic comedy with Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal seems like an enticing and fun time. If this movie had been released in 2001, it would have been a 90-minute laugh-along with a meet-cute and a happy ending. 

But, as written and directed by Celine Song, who’s previous critically acclaimed film was most definitely a drama, Materialists is both a comedy and a drama and yet not quite either. It’s too serious to be a comedy, but it doesn’t quite feel like what you think of as a dramedy, either. Somehow, it’s its own unique film type. In fact, it’s pretty representative of today’s society; at the heart of the movie is the idea of if we should marry for love or money, and it seems reflective of a society where nothing is as simple as just marrying the person you love anymore. 

The cast is game, and all three of the leads shine in their roles, even if I am not 100% sure that the roles spotlighted their true talents as well as they could. But it’s hard to argue that Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans would make for a difficult choice for any woman, and Dakota Johnson plays the part of a modern woman torn by indecision quite effectively. Ultimately, Materialists isn’t a bad film but it’s not a great film, either. It’s worth a watch and will make you think, but I can’t help wondering if a good old-fashioned rom-com might have been a better — or at least more enjoyable — end product. 

The Bonus Features: 

• Audio commentary with Celine Song
• The Math of Modern Dating: Making Materialists
• Composer Deep Dive with Japanese Breakfast
• Six collectible postcards with behind-the-scenes photography

Digital Copy Included: No

Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires (4K Ultra HD + Digital)

The Official Synopsis:

In a bold reimagining of the Batman legend set in the Aztec empire; a young Aztec boy escapes to Tenochtitlán after his father is murdered by Spanish conquistadors. There; he trains in the temple of the bat god Tzinacan; and develops weaponry to avenge his father’s death. Along the way; he encounters familiar figures like Jaguar Woman and the conquistador Hernán Cortés.

The Movie: 

DC Comics has been throwing Batman into what they call “Elseworlds” situations for decades. These “What If?” Scenarios (to borrow from DC’s marvelous competition) explore what might have happened had Batman been a crusader in another time period or location or in a science fiction setting or mashed up with a literary classic or whatever. You name it, they’ve done it. 

Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires puts Batman into the MesoAmerican era during the age of exploration, and we see a young Aztec man whose family is murdered by Spanish Conquistadors. Taking up the mantle of a bat god in order to gain justice, we see him become a caped crusader in the world of ancient Aztecs. Throughout the course of the story, we also see other characters become versions of some of Batman’s notable supporting cast, although I won’t say who as I don’t want to spoil the fun. 

The film falls in line with most of DC’s Animated Universe offerings of the past few years. I found a lot of DC’s early animated movies to be really great, and it feels like they’ve settled into a somewhat homogenized rhythm over the past few years. Aztec Batman is perfectly good, but it never elevates past good to become truly exciting or memorable. Still, hardcore Batman fans will likely enjoy it. (And don’t forget to watch through the mid-credits for a bonus scene that’s pretty cool!)

The 4K Video/Audio:

As would be expected by now — since DC has done a good number of animated movies in 4K at this point — the film looks and sounds great, as an animated movie should on 4K. Blacks are deep and solid and image clarity is sharp, while colors are vibrant and fit the feel of the movie well. The surround soundtrack also bolsters the presentation, with a generous spreading out of surround effects through each satellite speaker. Music is full and powerful, and the low end bass channel gives a nice underlying oomph. It’s a very strong A/V presentation overall.

The Bonus Features: 

• The Battle Cry of Aztec Batman 
• The Batman Mythology and Aztec Inspiration

Digital Copy Included: Yes

Watson: Season One (DVD)

The Official Synopsis:

Watson is a medical show with a strong investigative spine, featuring a modern version of one of history’s greatest detectives as he turns his attention from solving crimes to solving medical mysteries. WATSON takes place six months after the death of the titular character’s friend and partner Sherlock Holmes at the hands of Moriarty. Dr. John Watson resumes his medical career as the head of a clinic dedicated to treating rare disorders. Watson’s old life isn’t done with him, though — Moriarty and Watson are set to write their own chapter of a story that has fascinated audiences for more than a century.

The Show: 

I have to wonder why — besides the obvious reasons that familiar I.P. (Intellectual Property) usually leads to higher ratings — this show was made as Watson, rather than just as a medical drama with a new character at the helm. Sure, the idea of a modern-day Dr. John Watson continuing in his medicine practice after the death of Sherlock Holmes sounds like it could be intriguing. But instead, what we end up with is a pretty standard medical procedural drama that occasionally mixes some mystery in, and that borrows entirely too heavily from House, M.D. I’ve seen several other reviews compare the two shows and I wanted to avoid doing so, but, well, honestly, it’s pretty impossible not to see the similarities. 

Morris Chestnut is an actor I like, and he does a good job here, especially considering the incredible amounts of heavily medical-termed dialogue he has to spout out at a rapid-fire pace. The supporting cast is perfectly fine, even though every single one of them looks like a supermodel, which is pretty different from any medical practice I’ve ever been to in real life. I’m not really a medical TV show kind of guy, so while I was hoping for more mystery and less medicine, I got more medicine and less mystery, and the show just isn’t quite my cup of tea in terms of something I’m going to be a big fan of. Is it perfectly serviceable and even enjoyable to watch? Ultimately, yes. I’m sure that based on how popular most procedurals are, it’s not going to go away anytime soon and many people will enjoy it. 

The Bonus Features: 

• My Dear Watson
• Creating the World of Watson
• Deleted scenes
• Gag Reel

Digital Copy Included: No

Peking Opera Blues (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)

The Official Synopsis:

Set in chaotic 1920’s China, when warlords fought each other for power while Sun Yat-Sen’s underground movement tried to establish a democratic republic, Peking Opera Blues tells the story of three young women and two young men who are thrown together. One young woman grabs a box of jewels during the looting when one warlord takes Peking. A deserting soldier joins her, but the jewels end up at the Peking Opera. Here we meet the daughter of the head of the troupe, who dreams of being an actress. But even female roles are played by men in the opera. Soon, the daughter of the currently ruling warlord and a male agent of the democratic underground are involved. It’s a genre-blending smash hit from legendary Hong Kong director Tsui Hark!

The Movie: 

At first glance, one might be mistaken into thinking that Peking Opera Blues is a melodrama. After all, the 4K disc’s cover art features three women in colorful period costumes and a colorful trade dress with fanciful cursive writing. There’s nothing on the cover to indicate that this actually an action film from legendary director Tsui Hark. 

The film is really a blend of genres; action is at its core, but so is comedy and some drama as well, all while there is a historical context and some sociopolitical undertones as well. Its’s a heady mix that can be a bit overwhelming at times, but luckily the action is always present to bring things back around. On the surface, I enjoyed this movie because I love action films and there are some exceptional action sequences to be found here. On a deeper level, I don’t know that I really connected with the story or characters that much — or even knew exactly what was happening and why 100% of the time — but ultimately I found it more enjoyable than not. 

The new 4K Ultra HD release from Shout Factory gives the visually ambitious movie its due, and as a film that’s probably more of a niche movie than a widely known hit, fans should be excited for this one. 

The 4K Video/Audio:

Peking Opera Blues is about to turn 40 years old next month, so it’s not like the 4K transfer makes it suddenly look brand new, but you’ll find little to complain about overall. The filming style leans towards a softer image, so it’s not always going to blow you away with ultra sharp clarity, but you do get bright colors and good contrasts. The surround soundtrack suffers a bit from the source material — at least the original audio track, I don’t believe in English dubs —  as it sounds a bit muddled at times and not as clear or immersive as you might want from a 4K release. I suspect this was the best that could be gotten from the source material, however, as Shout Factory isn’t known for shoddy audio work. 

The Bonus Features: 

• Audio Commentary with Film Critic James Mudge
• An Operatic Achievement: Interview With Cinematographer Ray Wong
• Hong Kong Confidential: Inside Peking Opera Blues with Author Grady Hendrix
• Peking Provocations: Interview with Author and Critic David West on the Cinema Of Tsui Hark
• Peking History Blues: Professor Lars Laamann on the Setting and Time of a Tsui Hark Masterpiece
• Theatrical Trailer
• Image Gallery
• Archival Interview with Actor Sally Yeh
• Archival Interview with Composer James Wong

Digital Copy Included: No

Ghost Killer (Blu-ray)

The Official Synopsis:

When college student Fumika (Akari Takaishi) stumbles upon the bullet that ended hitman Kudo’s (Masanori Mimoto) life, his vengeful spirit takes hold of her body. Now possessed by a ruthless assassin’s rage and skills, she becomes an unstoppable force, hunting down those responsible for his death. As the body count rises, the line between Fumika and Kudo begins to blur. From the action director of Baby Assassins, One-Percent Warrior, and Bad City, Ghost Killer delivers a furious tale of supernatural revenge.

The Movie: 

You don’t see a lot of action movies these days with a new premise or something you haven’t seen before, but I honestly can’t remember ever seeing a movie before where a female college student’s body is possessed by the spirit of a male hitman who then goes on a revenge spree. (Or really, anything even close to it.) But that’s what I got from Ghost Killer, and honestly, I’m here for it. 

I’m a big fan of Asian action films, but so many of them are either overly dramatic or period epics, and what I typically want is stuff that’s a little more fast-paced and modern. Well, in that, Ghost Killer delivers in spades. The movie is fast paced and features some extensive action scenes, all while giving us enough character development to be interesting without getting bogged down in too many details. Akari Takaishi is sharp in the lead role and has some great action chops, and there are some pretty great action sequences. 

I had seen the filmmakers’ previous Baby Assassins movies and enjoyed them, so I suspected I was in for a good time, and that’s exactly what Ghost Killer delivers. 

The Bonus Features: 

• Making Of
• Trailers

Digital Copy Included: No

Unicorns (Blu-ray)

The Official Synopsis:

Co-directed by BAFTA-nominated Sally El Hosaini (The Swimmers) and BIFA-winning filmmaker/actor James Krishna Floyd, Unicorns tells the story of a cross-cultural romance about a single father from Essex, England, who works as an auto mechanic and a British Indian drag queen living a double life. The film stars Ben Hardy (Bohemian Rhapsody) as Luke, who is forced to rethink his sexual identity when he unexpectedly falls in love with Aysha, played by Jason Patel in his feature film debut. Unicorns was featured at the Toronto International Film Festival, The BFI London Film Festival, the Palm Springs Film Festival and won Best of Fest at the BFI Flare London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival. With cinematography by David Raedeker (The Souvenir) and brought to life by the acclaimed producing teams behind The Kids Are All Right and Brokeback Mountain, Unicorns is an unforgettable romance.

The Movie: 

Ben Hardy and newcomer Jason Patel deliver powerful performances in Unicorns, a heavy-duty drama with LGBTQ+ themes that will stick with audiences who are open to movies that make you think. (And of course, there’s a segment of the population that won’t give this movie a minute of their time because of its subject matter, but that’s their loss.)

Ben Hardy’s Luke is a mechanic who is not satisfied in life; he ends up in an Asian nightclub and is drawn to the musical act, a drag queen named Aysha. When he realizes she is not what he perceived her to be, he recoils, but when they meet up again and start to get to know each other, Luke has to try and understand his feelings, feelings that go against everything he’s believed about himself for his entire life. Likewise, Aysha is trying to navigate their home life with a traditional family and their outer life. 

There’s a lot of visual symbolism to go along with the deeper themes of the movie, and while it’s more dramatic fare than what I’m usually drawn to, the performances by Hardy and Patel are outstanding and the movie pulls you into its orbit as it goes along. Unicorns doesn’t make things easy for the characters or the audience, and I have to respect that.

The Bonus Features: 

• Trailers

Digital Copy Included: No

More Weight: A Salem Story (Graphic Novel)

The Official Synopsis:

“Every word is an accusation…and every whisper kills.” This staggering graphic novel explores the infamous Salem witch trials and the long shadows they cast more than 300 years later. In Salem, Massachusetts, 1692 is a year of terror. When accusations of witchcraft plunge the community into paranoia and death, curmudgeonly farmer Giles Corey and his great-souled wife Martha are forced to confront their troubled pasts, fighting to hold onto their principles even at the cost of their lives. In the 1860s, famed writers Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow stroll the streets of Salem together, reflecting on their own dark connections to those wicked days. Today, graphic novelist Ben Wickey wrestles with the complex legacy of “the Witch City” and what it shows us about the best and worst of humanity. Based on true events, set in three centuries, and hand-drawn over a decade, More Weight is a stunning visual symphony — a unique and profound inquiry into the infamous Salem witch trials and the long shadows they still cast on us all

The Book: 

There’s something incredibly satisfying about receiving a graphic novel to review called More Weight and having it be the size of a phone book. (Kids, go Google what a phone book is and then come back; I’ll be waiting.) Yes, this is an incredibly weighty graphic novel, and I mean that in terms of the sheer size of it and in terms of the story itself. 

Writer/artist Ben Wicker has apparently been toiling away at this book for over 10 years, which is pretty remarkable — but it shows. The minute you pick up more weight, you can tell this isn’t your average graphic novel. Taking place in three different time periods — the 1600s, the 1800s, and modern day — the story is dense and layered, but also fascinating and thought provoking. This isn’t a light read, this is the kind of book you study; it literally comes with a couple dozen pages of footnotes in the back to provide historical context. 

But that doesn’t mean it’s unenjoyable. Wickey’s artwork is incredibly detailed and layered, and the story — which does occasionally get bogged down in some slower or denser moments from time to time — will largely keep you interested. It’s like reading a history book, a slice of life comic, and a philosophical text all at once, with gorgeous pictures to accompany it all. 

More Weight: A Salem Story is an impressive book. Seriously, go find it and just pick it up to see how hefty it is, then glance through it and see if you aren’t instantly curious to see how it all plays out. The effort is worth it. 

The Specs: 

• Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
• Format: Softcover
• Page Count: 532 pages
• Cover Price: $39.99

The Comic Book History of the Cocktail: Five Centuries of Mixing Drinks and Carrying On (Graphic Novel)

The Official Synopsis:

A graphic novel history of the cocktail—from prehistoric wassail to our current boozy renaissance—featuring 20 recipes by drinks historian, Daily Beast columnist, and award-winning author David Wondrich. There’s no better writer to tell the colorful history of cocktails than David Wondrich, widely considered to be one of the world’s foremost authorities on cocktails and a driving force behind the early-twenty-first-century revival in the classic American art of mixing drinks. In The Comic Book Story of the Cocktail, Wondrich teams up with comics artist Dean Kotz to trace the evolution of the cocktail. Beginning with the ancient days of wassail and hypocras (mixed drinks based on wine and beer), they narrate a tumultuous and vibrant history that stretches through the Age of Exploration, the boozier parts of the Enlightenment and America’s hurly-burly nineteenth century, to the Disco years, the Cosmo years, and the modern Cocktail Revolution.  Kotz’s intricate, masterful drawings illustrate stories that have never been properly told and introduce key characters who haven’t yet received their due. Nearly thirty recipes round out this spirited account, featuring accurate versions of old classics and a generous selection of secret weapons from the mixologist’s vest pocket. So, settle in with your libation of choice and prepare to meet the good, the bad, and the boozy in this lively and jam-packed tale.

The Book: 

It never dawned on me that there is a history to the art of making cocktails. Which seems silly, I suppose, but I just sort of assumed people kind of just made most drinks up. Who knew there was historical context to the drinks you order on a Friday night?

Well, David Wondrich does. He (alongside artist Kyle Hotz) would like you to know that these drinks just happening is simply not the case. The Comic Book History of the Cocktail is an incredibly detailed graphic novel that goes back to ancient times and details how alcohol evolved from its most basic form to the lavish cocktails we can order at fancy restaurants today. 

Interspersed with the history lesson are illustrated recipes for some of the more famous and complex cocktails in the world, giving the book a little added flair. But the real attraction is the story itself: there are stand-alone additions mixed in as well, such as two-page explanations of things like how alcohol is made, and then we follow its progression through history for the rest of the book. 

Kyle Hotz is the perfect artist for the book, with a style that is at times light and breezy and at times more dense and detailed, but always nicely appropriate for the era being discussed. I’m not sure that as somebody who’s not much of a drinker I needed the book to go into quite as much detail as it does, but I’d rather get more bang for my buck than less, so I’m not complaining. 

The Specs: 

• Publisher: Ten Speed Graphic
• Format: Hardcover
• Page Count: 176 pages
• Cover Price: $29.99

Spoops: The Little Spirits of Halloween (Book)

The Official Synopsis:

Discover the whimsical magic behind Halloween in this timeless new illustrated fable for the whole family! Who changes the leaves? Summons the autumn winds? Wakes ghosts and spirits to haunt houses and chill the air? Why, Spoops, of course! They hatch from the smallest gourds in your local pumpkin patch at the start of every fall, then tend to your town to ensure everything is just right for Halloween. In this story, young Holly Hollowell loves Halloween more than anything, but her dentist parents are totally against any event that promotes tooth-rotting sweets. While other kids trick-or-treat, Holly watches sadly from her window…until the Spoops arrive to turn things around! With their magical help, Holly can finally show her parents the true spirit of Halloween: not the candy, but the joy of expressing yourself, unleashing your imagination, and letting your spooky side soar! Presented in rhyming verse that recalls Dr. Seuss and “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” along with nostalgic illustrations in black, white, and orange, Spoops is an instantly timeless classic that places Halloween right alongside other beloved holidays. It’s a clever trick and a lovable treat that the whole family will treasure.

The Book: 

Is Spoops a kids’ book for an grown-ups or a grown-up book for kids? I’m not entirely sure, and — if I’m being honest — I don’t really care, because it’s a lot of fun for everyone in my opinion. 

The book is styled as a children’s book, a la Dr. Seuss or any typical rhyming book that you might find in the kids section of the library. This one tells the story of a little girl who’s obsessed with Halloween but her dentist parents can’t abide it, so they forbid her to participate. But the Spoops — the little spirits of Halloween — hear Emily’s wish to revel in the joy of Halloween to life and come to her aid. 

Now, while it’s written in rhyme and is geared for younger readers, it’s also 72 pages long. Which might not sound like a lot, but it’s pretty lengthy in reality. This isn’t a book you’re going to read your kid in five minutes before bedtime; it might take a couple of nights. A book I thought I would breeze through in five minutes instead took me a surprisingly long time to read. I can see where Halloween-loving adults will want to read it just for themselves and have a great time with it. In part because it’s cleverly written and a lot of fun, and in part because the black, white, and orange artwork by Laurie A. Conley is just outstanding. Once you see this book in person, there’s no way you won’t want it to be on your shelf so you can pull it out every October. 

The Specs: 

• Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
• Format: Hardcover
• Page Count: 72 pages
• Cover Price: $14.99

Screwing Sinatra (Book)

The Official Synopsis:

Join the Rat Pack in this stylish crime-thriller novel that showcases the glitz, glamor, and grime of Las Vegas’ early years from the author who captures the atmosphere of Sin City’s heyday like no other! It’s 1960, and Frank Sinatra, the king of showbiz, is conspiring with Jack Kennedy and gangster Sam Giancana to steal the presidential election. Then, in a mind-blowing twist, Sinatra’s perfect world comes crashing down on him as he is betrayed by JFK and finds himself in the crosshairs of a mob assassin! The latest in P Moss’ string of historical crime fiction, Screwing Sinatra focuses on one of the most celebrated performers in pop culture and his connections to the mob and political power. Immerse yourself in the golden age of Las Vegas when the stars that made it the center of the entertainment world ruled the Strip! Perfect for fans of mid-century American music, crime, politics, and celebrities.

The Book: 

I haven’t read a lot of historical fiction, but it’s always a genre that’s interested me, so I was excited to get P. Moss’s new novel, Screwing Sinatra for review. The story sees Frank Sinatra — yes, the singer — getting mixed up in a plot to steal the election and the target of a mafia hitman. 

There area lot of things I liked about the book. First of all, at a brisk 192 pages, this isn’t a George R. R. Martin tome; it’s breezy and fast paced, but lengthy enough to make it worth the cover price. Second, while it’s obviously fiction (that is nonetheless clearly inspired by some of the real events in Sinatra’s life, like his publicly accepted ties to the mob and JFK), the fact that the main character is somebody we all know about and can picture and hear in our heads makes it easier to go along for the ride than if this were just another generic private eye novel. 

Moss’s writing style is crisp and jaunty, and he captures the feeling of 1960s Las Vegas well, without it coming across as a caricature. We know this plot is made up of mostly fictional events based on real people and happenings, so I like that it doesn’t get so outlandish that it pulls the reader out of things. All in all, Screwing Sinatra is a fun read that is worth tracking down. 

The Specs: 

• Publisher: IDW Publishing
• Format: Softcover
• Page Count: 192 pages
• Cover Price: $15.99

Psychic Investigators, Evil Exterminators (Graphic Novel)

The Official Synopsis:

If there’s something strange in your middle school…call these kids! High energy and huge emotions combine in this thrilling and fast-paced graphic novel about searching for ghosts and making connections. Gabriel Navarro can see ghosts. At least, that’s what he’s always believed, but after his beloved tía dies, he can’t seem to reach her. Feeling alone and lost, he stumbles into a mysterious encounter on a school field trip and suddenly finds himself the new best friend and business partner of his eccentric classmate Clementine. Together, they form Psychic Investigators, Evil Exterminators—Rustin Middle School’s first ghost-hunting organization! Their mission statement? To prove once and for all that Gabe is a psychic and ghosts are real. But first, they’ll need to actually find some ghosts…which, despite Clem’s flawless business plan, is not easy. For Clem, the search is the thrill of a lifetime, but for Gabe, it hits a little closer to home. Can they keep their partnership together long enough to make a real connection to the world beyond? Graphic novelist KT Healey makes a stunning debut with a rip-roaring ghost-hunting adventure packed with color, charm, zany antics, and tender feelings.

The Book: 

I have reviewed no small amount of movies and books made for young audiences in my time, and I always try to approach them from the viewpoint of the target audience. For example, I can’t watch a Curious George movie and compare it to Casablanca; I have to accept that it’s about a monkey (albeit a beloved monkey) and a man in a yellow hat. So do I think kids will like KT Healey’s new young readers graphic novel, Psychic Investigators, Evil Exterminators? Absolutely. Did I personally, as an adult man, care for it? Not really. 

Clearly, kids will enjoy the supernatural aspect of the book coupled with the fact that it’s a graphic novel about young kids like them with bright and colorful artwork. It also has an emotional core to it that’s subtle enough to be picked up on without beating readers over the head with it. For me, though, the art style is so cartoony and over-the-top that I found it distracting, and the dialogue and story are written in a way that I think adult readers will find a little annoying, even while their younger children will probably find it incredibly appealing. 

So don’t think I’m knocking Psychic Investigators, Evil Exterminators; it’s a good book for who it’s written for, it’s just that my inner child couldn’t make that leap. 

The Specs: 

• Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
• Format: Softcover
• Page Count: 208 pages
• Cover Price: $14.99