2026 in Film

Posted by John Klein III on December 31, 2025
Posted in: Film. Tagged: . Leave a comment

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_films_of_2026

Follow along as I see which films I’m looking forward to seeing in 2026!

January

I didn’t know there was a Greenland 1!

Primate, saw the trailer before Regretting You, and we want to see this.

Gus Van Sant is still making movies with Dead Man’s Wire.

28 Years Later The Bone Temple, I heard 28 Years Later felt like it was setting up a side-quel, and here we are. I still need to watch 28 Years Later.

The Rip has Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, so that should be fun. I still haven’t seen Air or Last Duel, so I need to get on that.

Night Patrol is Justin Long’s horror movie of the year.

Signing Tom Raymond has Mira Sorvino.

Mercy’s trailer with Chris Pratt looks interesting. Probably wait until it is streaming.

Return to Silent Hill, the third movie in the franchise! I didn’t even know there was two previous ones.

Send Help, directed by Sam Raimi, and starring Rachel McAdams, sounds super interesting.

February

Solo Mio is a Kevin James vehicle, BUT! it has Alyson Hannigan and Kim Coates, so I’m at least curious about it.

Wuthering Heights, with Margot Robbie, looks very spicy.

Goat, the Sony Animated movie, the trailer doesn’t interest me, and I’ve seen it a lot.

Crime 101 looks like the year’s first big film. Huge cast – Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Halle Berry.

I Can Only Imagine 2, we saw this trailer recently, and had no idea there was a first movie.

Scream 7, yes please! First movie we will be watching in the theaters for sure.

March

Hoppers, an animated movie with a plot very similar to Avatar, but this one looks like something to actually watch. Fun voice cast – Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, and Demetri Martin.

The Bride!, I saw the trailer and been anticipating this movie, and now I’m realizing it isn’t a December film. Strangely, been seeing a lot of trailers for March films in November. Maggie Gyllenhall wrote and directed this Bride of Frankenstein reimagining. Great cast – Christian Bale, Peter Sarsgaard, Annette Bening, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Penelope Cruz.

Reminders of Him, my wife is a huge Colleen Hoover fan, so we’ll be watching this. Regretting You was such a good movie.

The Breadwinner should be great, written and starring Nate Bargatze, with Mandy Moore, Wille Forte, Colin Jost, and Kumail Nanjiani.

Project Hail Mary with Ryan Gosling, the trailer had us asking questions, so we’ll probably watch this at some point.

Whitney Springs, a musical comedy from Trey Parker, I’m listening.

Pout Pout Fish, proving they’ll eventually make any popular children’s book into an animated movie. Good voice cast – Nick Offerman, Jordin Sparks (yes, that one), and Amy Sedaris.

The Dog Stars, directed by Ridley Scott, with a good cast – Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, and Benedict Wong.

They Will Kill You, a horror movie with both Heather Graham and Patricia Arquette.

April

Super Mario Galaxy Movie, hopefully with more Luigi, BUT! We’re getting Rosalina and Bowser Junior, so this is already a winner. We’ll definitely be watching it in theaters. Ideally, we’ll be Luigi, Rosalina, and Mario for Halloween 2026 as well.

The Drama, an A24 film, starring Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Alana Haim.

Ready or Not 2 : Here I Come, reminds me that I always wanted to see the first one. Sama Weaving is back, and joining her is Kathryn Newton, Kevin Durand, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Elijah Wood.

The Mummy, shame we don’t get more Invisible Man movies.

Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic. I like how his nephew is portraying him, that’s nice. I wonder how far into his life this movie goes?

May

Devil Wears Prada 2, feels like this was rumored for years, and now it is happening. First one came out in 2006. Most of the cast is back, and Rachel Bloom joins too!

Deep Water, a horror disaster movie has Aaron Eckhart back in movies (or in a movie on my radar finally), and Ben Kingsley.

Mortal Kombat II, I liked the first one. Hopefully more Sub Zero in this one, if that’s even possible. Did he die in the first one? I have to rewatch it.

The Sheep Detectives looks to be the second big film of the year. What a cast – Hugh Jackman, Emma Thompson, Bryan Cranston, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Regina Hall, AND PStew himself, Patrick Stewart. I believe he’s retiring in 2026 as well. He deserves a nice retirement.

Is God Is, with Vivica A. Fox and Sterling K. Brown. Nice to see the That Was Us podcasters working this year.

Poetic License, directed by Maude Apatow, and starring Leslie Mann, and Method Man.

Obsession, a horror film, a lot of those, this one has Andy Richter in it.

The Mandalorian and Grogu, John Favreau directing, so we might watch this in the theater, but we still haven’t watched season three. Dave Filoni wrote it. Pedro Pascal is of course back for it. Also starring – Sigourney Weaver (imagine?!), and Jeremy Allen White.

I Love Boosters, starring – Demi Moore, Keke Palmer, and Will Poulter.

June

Masters of the Universe, I still don’t love how it takes place on Earth, but that’s the rule apparently. Not sure if we’ll watch this in the theater. I keep forgetting Alison Brie is in this.

Animal Friends, a live action animated film, so I’m not exactly sure how that is going to work. Great cast though – Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Vince Vaughn, Eric Andre, Daniel Levy, and Aubrey Plaza.

Power Ballad, another comedy musical, and I’m here for it. Stars – Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas.

Steven Spielberg has an untitled film, which seems weird that they’ll have to test out titles this late into his career. It will be a science fiction movie. Great cast – Emily Blunt, Wyatt Russel, and Colin Firth.

Scary Movie 6, probably watch it once it is streaming, but I like how they got so many people back for this! Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Damon Wayans, Kim Waynes, and Chris Elliot, with Heidi Garner, and Cheri Oteri.

Toy Story 5, ugh, hopefully better than 4, right? Hopefully they end it right to avoid needing a sixth movie. Voice cast – Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ernie Hudson, Tony Hale, Conan O’Brien (that’s right, I’ve heard 5 was coming because Conan was talking about it), and Anna Faris having quite the year.

Supergirl! I am very excited for this!  Milly Alcock should be great, and we still don’t know who Jason Momoa is going to be, right? Lobo is the current theory.

July

Minions 3, and I believe Walker D is out of the minions business, but who knows.

Young Washington, the adventures of the first American President, but when he was young. Mary-Louise Parker being in this makes me very interested. Andy Serkis and Ben Kingsley (who is also having quite the year), also stars.

Moana, a live action remake of a beloved Disney animated movie, with Dwayne Johnson back as Maui.

The Odyssey, we’ll probably watch this in the theater, it seems epic enough to warrant it. Written and directed by Christopher Nolan. Starring a top notch cast – Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya (didn’t know she was in this), Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, CHarlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, John Leguizamo (Johnny Legs!), AND Elliot Page (whoa!!!).

Cut Off, starring, co-written, and directed by Jonah Hill. Also stars – Kristen Wiig, Bette Midler, and Natha Lane.

Evil Dead Burn, apparently the Evil Dead franchise kept going?!

Spider-Man : Brand New Day, here we go! The first of the college trilogy. I have a massive three month plan for the podcast to build up to this movie! What a cast! Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Sadie Sink (still don’t know who she is playing. Black Cat, maybe? finally?), Jon Bernthal (Punisher!), Mark Ruffalo (I thought it was a rumor, but Hulk!). Going to be great!

August

One Night Only, a sex comedy, which I can’t remember the last one of these there was. Supporting cast of Molly Ringwald and leVa Burton, so that’s very interesting.

Flowervalle Street sounds interesting, great cast – Anne Hathaway (having a super great year), Ewan and McGregor.

Coyote vs Acme, apparently it took a lot of work to get this movie out of the vault, so maybe a chance of Batgirl (I doubt it). Great cast with Will Forte, and John Cena.

Cliffhanger, Wikipedia is referring to it as a reboot, and not a remake, so that’s interesting. Good cast with Lily James and Pierce Brosnan

September

How to Rob a Bank, sounds fun (but don’t do it!), cast – Nicholas Hoult, Zoe Kravitz, John C. Reilly, and Christian Slater.

Clayface, so we’re getting two DC films this year! That is fun. I keep seeing headlines for the movie, but it still doesn’t feel real that we’re getting a Clayface movie.

Resident Evil is rebooting yet again.

Practical Magik 2, another headline film that I didn’t believe was actually being made. Of course, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are returning for it. Joining the cast is – Joey King, Xolo Mariduena, Maisie Williams, Lee Pace, Stockard Channing, and Dianne Wiest.

October

Verity, another Colleen Hoover novel is being adapted. Michael Showalter is directing, and it is a thriller, but I can only imagine the set was a fun time. Cast – Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Harnett.

The Social Reckoning, which is the name I thought my favorite film podcast, What Are You Watching? with Alex and best man, Nick, were calling it. I’ll probably watch it once it streams.

Street Fighter, which I haven’t been tracking, but once VUDU has the original movie at five dollars, I’ll get more excited. I’m just here for the Guile scenes.

November

Cat in the Hat, a movie I lose more interest in the more we see the trailer.

Archangel, I wish it was Marvel’s Archangel. Casting Jim Caviezel is pretty clever.

The Hunger Games : Sunrise on the Reaping, we’ll definitely be watching this in the theater as my wife is a huge fan of the franchise, and really liked the novel. Huge cast – Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Maya Hawke, Iris Apatow, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close, and Ralph Fiennes.

Focker-in-Law, a franchise I have yet to watch any films of, but I like Skyler Gisondo playing Ben Stiller’s son again, that’s fun casting.

Narnia : The Magician’s Nephew, I like Greta Gerwig getting to relaunch the Narnia franchise. Be nice if we get more than just three films of it. Good cast – Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep, and Carey Mulligan.

December

Violent Night 2, the first one was a lot of fun, but do we want to live in a world where every four years, Santa has yet another violent night? I guess four years is long enough. I do like the idea he is having grand adventures, but I suppose he always has. Cast – David Harbour (of course), Kristen Bell, and Joe Pantoliano (Joey Pants!).

We’re getting another Jumanji movie, and everyone is back. We have yet to watch one of these in theaters.

Avengers : Doomsday. Here we go. My plan will be to take the day off, and watch it the morning it comes out. We should do the same for Spider-Man : Brand New Day. I just don’t want to get spoiled on anything. Plus, be something to look forward to. Not like I’ll have to convince anyone, but saying it is a continuation of Walker D’s birthday celebration, should be an easy sell.

Dune : Part Three, probably market it as Dun3, right? I’ve only gotten 30 minutes into the first one, and keep falling asleep.

Angry Birds 3, 2016 and 2019 was when the other two movies comes out, and that seems like a new audience every time. Which is the problem the Trolls movies have too. Those are at least good to watch, but Walker D keeps getting older, and it becomes a harder sell to get him re-interested.

. . .

So that’s 2026 in film!

No Fall 2? They must be finding the right weekend. We love the first movie, so we’ll watch that whenever it comes out.

So, the movies we’ll definitely be watching in theaters :

February 27 – Scream 7

March 13 – Reminders of Him

April 3 – The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

June 26 – Supergirl (probably not opening weekend, as it is a day after my wife’s birthday, and she’s burned out on superhero movies

July 31 – Spider-Man : Brand New Day

September 11 – Clayface

October 2 – Verity

November 20 – The Hunger Games : Sunrise on the Reaping

December 18 – Avengers : Doomsday

Nine movies, not bad!

Marvel Solicitations March 2026

Posted by John Klein III on December 24, 2025
Posted in: Solicitations. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Before Marvel, let’s jump over to DC real fast :

https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/solicitations/14608/dc-comics-march-2026

Like Batman / Deadpool, there really isn’t a cover that I’m loving, but I’ll probably get the Power Girl and Black Cat cover. Walker D wants the David Nakayama cover.

Now to Marvel :

https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/solicitations/14616/marvel-comics-march-2026

My plan is to avoid Armageddon has long as I can.

Wonder Man 1, is a hard pass for me. Written by Gerry Duggan, so it should be good.

Daredevil 1, with Stephanie Phillips? Should be great! I love so much the corner box is back.

Sentry 1, another hard pass. I do like Paul Jenkins back with the character.

Avengers 36, I do like Storm and Captain Britain, the boy one, being on the cover.

Alias : Red Band 1, written by Sam Humphries, sounds interesting.

. . .

I’m already getting both of the Stefano Caselli connecting covers. Also, if you want it through DCBS, you have to preorder it now. Still no Kitty Pryde in any of these solicitations, which I find worrying.

. . .

Ashley Allen writing even more Moonstar?! Yes, please! We’re missing one variant cover, and I was hoping Magik would be on one of them, but I’ll go with the Su cover, of her reading Daredevil 1, that’s fun.

. . .

Generation X-23 2, I need more of a hook for this series, but it does sound like a blast.

Cyclops 2, sounds good too, Scott vs the Reavers.

. . .

I still want a pure Magik variant cover, like the Colossus shown one, but the main cover looks good.

I just love Ashley Allen having two monthly titles.

. . .

Storm : Earth’s Mightiest Mutant 2, with Marvel Rival’s Galacta’s first canon appearance!

Uncanny X-Men 25, vs The Legion of Monsters, sounds like a lot of fun.

. . .

I really wish X-MEN wasn’t shipping twice. Magik is on the main cover to 26, and hopefully is on one of the variants for 27.

. . .

Wolverine 17, now with Silver Sable, who I really like. Be nice if this was one of the issues Nightcrawler shows up in. We must never forget Uncanny Spider-Man!

Ultimate Wolverine 15, I’m tempted to stop preordering this. Ultimate Sprite is dead, and Magik is around? Maybe? I’m sure I can add it to my wishlist later. Two variant covers, so I’ll see if Sprite is on one of them, or Magik.

Ultimate Endgame 4, some heroes will fall, some villains will rise, penultimate issue. Tempted to not preorder this as well. Four variants, so maybe I’ll check for Magik covers?

Ultimates 22, so Bucky is Red Skull? That’s a hard pass for me.

Godzilla Infinity Roar 2, I do like Godzilla chocking out Galactus, that’s a cool cover. I see Fantastic Four will be in this, so maybe Magik will appear? I’ll have to check the covers.

Imperial Guardians 1, my pal Greg, will love Darkhawk being on a major team again. I like Captain Marvel being here as well. And Gamora?!

X-Men Annual 1, so this will be Volume 7 Annual 1? Fandom will have to determine that. I like Ryan Stegman becoming a writer. Three unseen variant covers, so I’ll have to see who appears on those.

. . .

Iceman Omega 1, printing the very fun Luciano Vecchio Iceman Infinity comic, that Magik appears in one panel for, and Kate Pryde is mentioned. So, I’ll be buying this. Also, hopefully this means Lovable Lockheed is close to seeing print.

. . .

Hulk : Smash Everything 4, he goes up against the mightiest heroes, so probably just the Avengers? Or could it be everybody? Issue 1 was okay.

Sorcerer Supreme 4, so they quit putting Magik on these covers, so I’m out. Odd they haven’t rebranded this series to be : Scarlet Witch : Sorcerer Supreme, probably would sell more copies.

Black Cat 8, I do like her teaming up with Venom Mary Jane. That sounds fun.

Phoenix : The Untold Story, is getting facsimiled. Such a good comic.

Planet of the Apes vs Fantastic Four 2, one of these days, the X-Men will be part of these crossovers, and Marvel is going to take so much of my money.

. . .

Comics Giveaway Day 2026 : Armageddon / X-Men 1, odd they are putting a May title in the March solicits. I wonder if I can actually preorder this from DCBS, or do I have to go to Kelly’s Comics in Great Falls? Apparently, Free Comic Book Day, is a copyrighted name, and due to the bankruptcies, two different companies have a right to the name, and they haven’t sorted that out yet, so the industry has to go with : Comics Giveaway Day, which doesn’t have the same ring to it.

It does appear that Marvel has found a way for me to get hyped for Armageddon, by placing it in the X-Men issue. Doom is apparently coming back already?! I guess in time for Doomsday.

. . .

Ultimate X-Men Omnibus V4, if I had omnibus money, even at half off, I would want this! Neither of these covers, but I love this run of Ultimate X-Men so much! Ultimate Shadowcat really becoming one of the key pillars of the Ultimate Universe (well, the first one).

. . .

ooof, none of these Age of Revelation trades sound appealing. Very much a Costco bulk situation, where you get two of what you want, and a third of something you really don’t want.

But I guess they couldn’t put Unbreakable X-Men, Binary, Omega Kids, Book of Revelation, and Expatriate X-Men into one trade as no one would buy the other ones. 😀

. . .

Okay, so my March list is :

Superman / Spider-Man, two covers

X-Men United 1, two covers (already preordered)

Moonstar 1, the Su variant

Magik Colossus 2, keep checking the variants

X-Men 26, main cover

X-Men 27, check for variants

Iceman Omega, either cover, should get the Vecchio cover, as he wrote and drew the comic

See if I can preorder the Comics Giveaway Day 2026 Armageddon / X-Men cover, if not, I’m going to Kelly’s Comics for the event. Get two copies, unless I can get Walker D to come with me.

Check for variant covers for : Ultimate Wolverine 14, Ultimate Endgame 4, X-Men Annual 1, and Godzilla Infinity Roar 2.

Seven comics, not too bad. Thankfully X-Men United is technically on another ship cycle, so I’m saving a few dollars there.

What are you interested in buying in March, dear reader?

Marvel Solicitations February 2026

Posted by John Klein III on November 21, 2025
Posted in: Solicitations. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Follow along as I see what I’ll be buying in February 2026!

https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/solicitations/14591/marvel-comics-february-2026

I love Stephanie Phillips’ Daredevil 1 leading the solicitations. Just in time for Daredevil Season 2.

I’m not sure why, but I am dreading Chip Zdarsky’s Armageddon. Probably because the X-Men titles are all ending around when it starts, so what is going to happen?

Wolverine : Weapons of Armageddon 1, like One World Under Doom, I’m going to see how long I can avoid the crossover until I need to pay attention to it.

Punisher 1, by Benjamin Percy, just makes sense.

. . .

Makes sense they wouldn’t put too much time between the next Godzilla crossover. Magik was pretty involved in the conclusion, so I’ll get the first issue to see if that continues.

. . .

It’s Jeff Meets Daredevil, such a cute idea. Daredevil really having a moment early 2026, which makes sense. I’ll be curious to see which digital comics get printed. I believe we are all caught up with Lockheed appearances.

Marc Spector : Moon Knight 1, another classic relaunch where you keep the same writer.

Black Panther Anniversary Special, I like that there is a Storm story by Murewa Ayodele.

Ultimates 21, Luke Cage and the New Avengers vs Maker’s Council, which should include Magik, but we’ve seen her as a prisoner on Ultimate Endgame 3, so I’m not sure. Plus, Ultimate Sprite is dead, so I don’t know.

Ultimate X-Men 24, the last issue, what a ride this has been! Going to make for a great omnibus.

. . .

Well, if you are going to write that Magik will be appearing, then I’ll buy it, it really is all I ask of a solictiation.

. . .

Magik is on the cover of Ultimate Endgame 3, so I’ll be there.

. . .

Cyclops 1, writer Alex Paknadel, has been making it known that this is super new reader friendly, so I like that.

. . .

I’m on board for Magik & Colossus 1! I love Ashley Allen, and German Peralta. If there are any solo Magik variant covers, those are the ones I want. But I am looking forward to giving Colossus the much needed restart that he needs.

. . .

Generation X-23 1, is a title I simply adore.

Storm : Earth’s Mightiest Mutant 1, addresses my main complaint about the previous volume, that it was too cosmic. Now she’s back on Earth, and going to a funeral. Which I’m super worried about, as Kitty Pryde hasn’t been shown to be anywhere. Would Marvel let Murewa Ayodele kill Kitty in a Storm solo series?!

Wade Wilson : Deadpool 1, written by Benjamin Percy, so we have to get a crossover at some point, right?

Uncanny X-Men 23, hopefully it isn’t Calico who is being captured!

Uncanny X-Men 24, hopefully Jubilee isn’t going to become a vampire, again.

Wolverine 15, with Alpha Flight, that’s cool!

Wolverine 16, with Alpha Flight AND Silver Sable! Hopefully Nightcrawler is here too, I love those two together. Never forget Uncanny Spider-Man!

. . .

I need that cover with Magik on it! Six variant covers, so she’s probably on a few of these. I’m surprise they are not showing off the Vecchico variant. Is that one Magik? Not double shipping, I love that.

. . .

Dungeons of Doom 2, also written by Benjamin Percy, references a mutant that Charles Xavier knew had to be kept secret. That guy is a real jerk.

Spider-Man & Wolverine 10, Logan reunites with a Mariko.

X-Men of Apocalypse 4, with Carol Danvers! and Rogue, uh oh!

The End 2099 3, I feel like I’m ready to just eBay whichever issues I need. Though I like the idea of House of M Wanda vs Post-Dark Phoenix Jean Grey.

Planet of the Apes / Fantastic Four 1, sounds like a lot of fun.

. . .

I thought January felt like a light month, but maybe 2026 is going to be kind to my wallet!

I’ll be buying :

Godzilla Infinity Roar 1

Ultimate Wolverine 14

Ultimate Endgame 3

Magik & Colossus 1

X-Men 25

5 comics, so maybe I can get a few Magik variants for both her mini, and X-Men. That’ll be nice.

What are you getting, dear reader?

Happy Birthday, Lockheed!

Posted by John Klein III on November 9, 2025
Posted in: Birthday. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Lovable Lockheed 6

(Marvel, please physically print this series)

Shadow and Flame with Magik Episode 200 – Rebecca Podos!

Posted by John Klein III on October 30, 2025
Posted in: Podcasts. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

For the big 200th episode of the podcast, I got to interview Rebecca Podos, the author of What If Kitty Pryde Stole the Phoenix Force?

Such a great book!

In fact, the Shadow and Flame with Magik 2025 Novel of the Year!

Full audio can be found here :

Spotify :

Apple Podcasts :

Marvel Solicitations January 2026

Posted by John Klein III on October 24, 2025
Posted in: Solicitations. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Follow along as I see what is coming out in January 2026 from Marvel!

https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/solicitations/14568/marvel-comics-january-2025

Iron Man 1, so lucky they are getting Carmen Carnero for this series.

Ultimate X-Men 23 going strong until The End.

Ultimate Endgame 2, no reference to Wolverine or any X-Men. Nine variant covers, so maybe one of those will have Sprite or Magik on it?

. . .

We have Ultimate Magik on the main cover of Ultimate Wolverine 13! I guess knowing this entire universe is ending, that I’ll stick to the end of it, especially if Magik is still there. No reference to The Opposition makes me worry that Sprite doesn’t make it.

. . .

X-Men of Apocalypse 3, I do appreciate they list as many characters as they do. They’re going to the Savage Land, so of course, they find Rogue there. Zabu, Magneto, Ka-Zar, and Sauron too.

Psylocke : Ninja 1, I can’t believe they are telling a retro series set during the time Betsy Braddock was in Kwannon’s body?! Just tell a present day story with Kwannon fighting ninjas! oh, but we really want Psylocke versus Elektra, and she’s Daredevil now, so that’s complicated. So, make it fun to read complicated then! This is a pass for me.

Sai : Dimensional Rivals 1, with Peach Momoko writing Sai going through the multiverse I’ll be interested to know who she meets along her journey. Different artists are attached for the different stories, so this should be fun.

Dungeons of Doom 1, is a pass for me until we know which characters are involved.

. . .

Luna Snow World Tour 1, has me with Magik being on the cover. I wonder if Karma will be in this?

. . .

X-Men V7 23, confession time – I wasn’t buying every issue of this, which is dumb, as I’m the host of a podcast that 1/3 of which is Magik focus, so I should be getting her team title. So, I’m definitely getting every issue of this going forward. I also love that Vecchio is tackling X-Men with his cover variants, so I’ll definitely be getting the Magik one. I’m sure she’ll be one of the first three to come out.
I imagine it has to be Cyclops who is left in the Age of Revelation title, as no one would care that Beast is stuck in the future. Plus, Cyclops has his ongoing starting soon.

. . .

X-Men V7 24, of course, as soon as I commit to this plan, I completely forgot that X-Men ships twice a month. I’m not that surprise that Psylocke got the second Vecchio cover. Magik has to be third, right? Or last. It is a very large team, so he’s going to be doing a lot of these covers.

. . .

Uncanny X-Men V6 22, Mutina is back!

Wolverine V8 14, guest starring Silver Sable! I’ve always liked her, so this should be great.

Inglorious X-Force 1, is a hard pass for me, but I do love how 90s this is. Cable, Meltdown, Archangel, and Hellverine – what a team!

Rogue 1, I do like Rogue getting her own ongoing, she deserves it.

Logan : Black, White & Blood 1, is a pass for me.

. . .

Sorcerer Supreme 2, this is an ongoing series?! Six variants so I wonder if we’ll get one with Magik?

. . .

The End 2099 2, I have the first issue preordered, but I am not feeling compelled to get the second one. Though I do appreciate all of the characters being listed – Nova 2099 vs AoA Wolveine, Red Hulk vs Red Hulk 2099, House of M Wanda vs Doctor Strange 2099, and Spider-Man 2099. With me buying two issues of X-Men a month, I’ll have to see what my budget is for these side series.

Hulk : Smash Everything 2, now with dinosaurs! That sounds fun.

Spider-Man & Wolverine 9, versus Arachnix, who is a Spider-theme Wolverine Which does sound fun.

. . .

Marvel Rivals : The Cities of Heaven 1, reminds me that I haven’t played Marvel Rivals in a couple weeks. Magik and Hulk oppose Luna Snow, who is starting 2026 off with two issues. Pretty impressive, and I’m on board. Hopefully Magik is on one of the two variant covers.

. . .

Spider-Boy Team-Up 1! The very best Amalgam issue of the complete run. We get introduced to Phantom Cat, a mix of Phantom Girl and Shadowcat, twice! I would say, just eBay the original, as I was able to get Spider-Boy 1 at cover price, but this one would be hassle free, and probably not cost as much for shipping. I’m tempted to get it for Walker D.

. . .

Avengers V9 34, is also issue 800! I would just switch to the bigger number, if it was up to me. Magik isn’t on the Russell Dauterman cover, so I’ll be passing on this.

Battleworld 5, ending already. First issue was pretty good. Second issue should be out soon, right?

Strange Tales 4, ends the series.

Marvel Zombies : Red Band 5, no one seems to be writing about this series, and fandom hasn’t been late with updating the character list.

. . .

No Superman / Spider-Man reprint? I wonder if that will be part of DC’s Soliciations?

No Magik & Colossus series either. Must be a February book. No scheduled Kitty Pryde appearance either.

. . .

I’m going to be buying :

Ultimate Wolverine 13, regular cover

Luna Snow : World Tour 1, regular cover

X-Men 23, regular cover

X-Men 24, probably a variant, but not the Thor cover (for some reason is an option), maybe the Vecchio Psylocke variant, if Magik isn’t on one of the other five variants. Hopefully Marvel does a decent job of showing us all of the options before DCBS stops the preorders.

Sorcerer Supreme 2, if Magik is on one of these covers

Marvel Rivals : The Cities of Heaven 1, hopefully one of the two variant covers has Magik

So, Five comics, with maybe a six? Might as well get Sorcerer Supreme 2 as six isn’t hurting my budget like 11 comics did.

What are you getting, dear reader?

. . .

I’m just now thinking that Marvel Rivals and World tour might be miniseries, but they don’t have 1 (of 5) in the title.

Marvel Solicitations December 2025

Posted by John Klein III on September 19, 2025
Posted in: Solicitations. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Let’s check out what is coming from Marvel in December 2025!

https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/solicitations/14553/marvel-comics-december-2025

Ultimate Universe : Two Years In # 1, references Guardians and Daredevil.  Magik was in the One Year In special.

Ultimate X-Men 22, final battle of Armor and Shadow King.

Ultimate Wolverine 12, there are only 13 issues, so hopefully Sprite is making it through okay, but I’m getting a bad feeling that Logan is the last of the Opposition, as he takes the fight to Eurasian Republic.

Ultimate End 1, of 5, it has all been leading to this!  Does Sprite and/or Magik make it to this event?  Neither one is on a variant cover.  I guess I’ll commit to one of the blindbags, and be satisfied with reading the digital copy.  Hopefully I can at least tell which cover I have through the blindbag, so I can catalogue it on Leage of Comic Book Geeks.  I’m JacalsIII on there, and will follow back.

Not only is the Ultimate Universe coming to a potential end, or a pivot, Age of Revelation is ending as well, so we can get excited for a brand new year, and brand new series.

Expatriate X-Men 3, of 3, Darkchild is bothering both the Amazing and Expatriate X-Men.  

Book of Revelation 3, of 3, we do see the Spirit of Philadelphia on the main cover, and Marvel has all but confirmed that is Kitty, so I’ll commit to finishing the series.

Amazing X-Men 3, of 3, this definitely seems to be the main series of the event.  No Darkchild reference, and she isn’t on the cover, but I’m getting the other two issues, so might as well complete it.

unDeadpool 3, of 3, Expatriate X-Men are referenced, so I’ll get this issue.  They’re not seen on any of the three covers, so I’ll figure out which cover later.

Carol Danvers is Binary, that probably would have sold a few extra copies back in the beginning.

Unbreakable X-Men 3, of 3, references the return of some beloved mutants, and a few less beloved, so I wonder if this is were we see Calico and Ember?

Radioactive Spider-Man 3, of 3, still not that interested, except that we know Dr. Celicia Reyes is in this series, so I’ll at least be reading it.

Cloak or Dagger 3, of 3, ugh, the Fenris Twins.

X-Vengers 3, of 3, I forgot Sam Wilson was the President during Age of Revelations.  We see the back of Dani’s head on the cover.

Longshots 3, of 3, has a very fun solicitation, stating everyone dies.  

Iron & Frost 3, of 3, Emma trying to get to Tony, so I guess we’re not getting them together the entire time?

Age of Revelation Finale, I’ll get the concluding chapter.  I wonder if this is going to be like Sins of Sinister, and all you really need are the bookends?

Meals to Astonish 1, has Storm on the cover, so I’m listening.

Here it is!  Sorcerer Supreme, with the cover I want by Devmalya Pramanik.  It definitely reads like Magik is the new Sorcerer(ess) Supreme.

Even adding Angela to Doctor Strange isn’t getting me to read Doctor Strange monthly.

The Will of Doom 1, I’ll get the J. Scott Campbell variant cover, which is odd that it isn’t listed here.  He has Magik on his cover.  

The End 2099 1, of 5, I’m tempted to pick this up as it is 2099 vs characters of the multiverse, including AoA Wolverine, Claremont/Byrne Cyclops and Jean Grey.  Spider-Man 3099 is debuting as well.  
Makes me regret not getting the Battleworld mini.

Hulk Smith Everything 1, of 5, I guess this is another one of those minis where I have to track to see if Kitty, Lockheed, and Magik show up.  I have my doubts.

X-Men of Apocalypse 2, of 4, odd this is not listed closer to the X-Men section.  They’re fighting the Original Five X-Men, so I’m not that tempted by this.

Marvel Winter Break Special 1, I can only hope we get Spring and Fall specials next year!  On the cover we get Emma Frost, Nightcrawler, Rogue, and Storm, so I’ll take a chance that Kitty and Magik will appear in this.  At least one of them should.

Marvel Zombies : Red Band 4, of 5, issue one apparently came out recently, but I can’t find any reviews of it, or which characters appeared, so I’ll have to keep checking back.

Marvel Black White, Blood and Cuts 3, of 4, Joshua Cassara did a X-Men variant cover for the first issue that I need to buy.  

Battleworld 4, of 5, still bugs me that they went with Days of Future Past Storm, but maybe she’s making references to Kate throughout this series?

Strange Tales 3, of 4, still no reference to Magik, so we’re probably safe to pass on this.

Marvel Rivals : Ignite – in Color 1, this reads like a first in print of a digital comic.  Peach Momoko writes and draws a Sai story.  Now that I can play Marvel Rivals, I’m more interested in the comics.  Magik isn’t on the cover, and I doubt she’s in the Punisher or Luna Snow story.

Predator Kills the Marvel Universe 5, of 5, AIPT doesn’t even show a cover, so that’s interesting.  Could Kitty Pryde and Dani Moonstar be one of the survivors?  Neither of them was in issue 2, so I’m less thrilled with this series.  That’s why I always use LoCG for their images.  Wolverine is the only mutant on the cover.  

.  .  .

This started feeling like an expensive month as I was finishing the X-Men section, but let’s see : 

Ultimate Wolverine 12

Ultimate End 1

Expatriate X-Men 3

Book of Revelation 3

Amazing X-Men 3

unDeadpool 3

Age of Revelation Finale

Sorcerer Supreme, the Devmalya Pramanik cover

Will of Doom 1, if there is a J. Scott Campbell cover

The End 2099 1

Marvel Winter Break Special 

Oooof!  11 issues, that might be pushing it, but if I can get everything under $50, that’ll be nice.  

What are you tempted by, dear reader?

Best X Issues of 2025 – August

Posted by John Klein III on September 3, 2025
Posted in: Retrospective. Tagged: . Leave a comment

August 28, 2025

  1. Exceptional X-Men 10 LOCKHEED!!!
  2. Infinity Paws 1
  3. Wolverine by Chris Claremont 
  4. Magik 8
  5. Giant Size House of M 1
  6. Ultimate Wolverine 7
  7. Exceptional X-Men 12
  8. Wolverine and Kitty Pryde 5
  9. Psylocke V2 6
  10. Uncanny X-Men V4 17

Compared to July 30, 2025

  1. Exceptional X-Men 10               LOCKHEED!!!
  2. Infinity Paws 1                               Lockheed in print
  3. Magik 7
  4. Giant Size House of M 1
  5. Ultimate Wolverine 7
  6. Wolverine and Kitty Pryde 4
  7. Psylocke V2 6
  8. Uncanny X-Men V4 17
  9. Exceptional X-Men 11
  10. Magik 5

Compared to June 25, 2025

  1. Exceptional X-Men 10               LOCKHEED!!!
  2. Magik 6
  3. Magik 5
  4. Exceptional X-Men 9
  5. Magik 4
  6. Exceptional X-Men 8
  7. Magik 3
  8. Exceptional X-Men 7
  9. Wolverine and Kitty Pryde 3
  10. Ultimate Wolverine 3

Compared to May 29, 2025

  1. Magik 5
  2. Exceptional X-Men 9
  3. Magik 4
  4. Exceptional X-Men 8
  5. Magik 3
  6. Exceptional X-Men 7
  7. Exceptional X-Men 6
  8. Exceptional X-Men 5
  9. Magik 2
  10. Ultimate Wolverine 3

Compared to April 30, 2025

  1. Magik 4
  2. Exceptional X-Men 8
  3. Magik 3
  4. Exceptional X-Men 7
  5. Exceptional X-Men 6
  6. Exceptional X-Men 5
  7. Magik 2
  8. Magik 1
  9. Ultimate Wolverine 3
  10. Psylocke 6

Compared to March 6, 2025

  1. Magik 3
  2. Exceptional X-Men 7
  3. Exceptional X-Men 6
  4. Exceptional X-Men 5
  5. Magik 2
  6. Magik 1
  7. Ultimate Wolverine 3
  8. X-Men 11
  9. Psylocke 4
  10. Laura Kinney : Wolverine 2

Compared to February 26, 2025

  1. Exceptional X-Men 6
  2. Exceptional X-Men 5
  3. Magik 2
  4. Magik 1
  5. X-Men 11
  6. NYX 8
  7. Laura Kinney : Wolverine 2
  8. Storm 4
  9. Avengers V9 23
  10. Ultimate Wolverine 2

Compared to January 31, 2025

1. Mystique 4
2. Exceptional X-Men 5
3. Magik 1
4. Laura Kinney : Wolverine 2
5. Psylocke 3
6. Storm 4
7. Uncanny X-Men V6 9
8. Uncanny X-Men V6

1996 in Film

Posted by John Klein III on August 26, 2025
Posted in: Film, Retrospective. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

my all time favorite film podcast, What Are You Watching?, with Alex, and his best man, Nick, are prepping for their Movies of 1996 episode.

I should mention how I only really listen to PlayStation Access’ movie podcast, Redshirt Cinema Club, and my pal, Noah’s podcast, How We Seeez It, but when you listen to the best, who needs the rest?

Which has gotten me thinking of what my favorite movies are of 1996.

I was 14 in 1996, so that might explain some of my following opinions.

So following along if you will :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_films_of_1996

January

Bio-Dome, with Paula Shore. The movie William Atherton passed on Mallrats to make, as he thought Mallrats was too cartoonish.

From Dusk till Dawn, an incredible movie by Robert Rodriguez, starring a slew of names : George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Cheech Marin, Salma Hayek (how can anyone forget her?!), Danny Trejo, and Michael Parks. First legendary movie of the year.

February

Black Sheep. The Not Tommy Boy film starring Chris Farley and David Spade. Though I may not be the biggest Tommy Boy fan either. Been forever since watching either of these movies.

We got our first Top Ten film! I love Broken Arrow. The fact that they airlifted the stars of another Top Ten film for me, Pump Up the Volume – not available to purchase on VUDU, and it has been a solid decade of me wanting to watch that movie again, and not being able to, so some rights issue must have been resolved. No one seems to have notice it is available for streaming, so it is now.

So anyway, it also John Travolta along with Christian Slate and Samantha Mathis. Famous for the trailer line that I still quote “what is worst? That this happens, or that it happens enough that there’s a name for it?”

Happy Gilmore. A movie I thought was enjoyable, until two weeks ago when my son wanted to watch it, and such an hilarious movie. My memory had it being funny, but the scenes you remember being the best ones, but the transition scenes are great too. I’m more of a Billy Madison guy, but I like this Adam Sandler flick. Such a great cast too, WAYW fave, Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Carl Weathers, Kevin Nealon, of course, Bob Barker, and Ben Stiller.

Bottle Rocket, a movie I really need to watch one of these days.

Mary Reilly, Julia Roberts’ side character to Docket Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. A movie I probably haven’t watched since 1996, and I liked it at the time, but should watch it again, as I’m sure it is even better than the attention I gave it to then. Huge cast, and yet, my memory of the film is based solely around the trailer.

The Late Shift, the movie about the first war of the Tonight Show. Since the whole Conan fiasco, I have extremely soured on Jay Leno, so I’m sure if I watch this again, I’ll be completely on Letterman’s side, but also, I’m not watching anything regarding Jay Leno.

March

Down Periscope, a movie that feels like it was constantly on Comedy Central. Kelsey Grammer’s battleship comedy. A film with a giant cast that I vaguely remember Rip Torn being in, and a scene played for laughs regarding buttons that I’m sure isn’t as funny now.

Up Close and Personal, a movie I only know for the Celina Dion song, Because You Love Me. How great is Michelle Pfeifer?!

The Birdcage with Robin Williams, I’ve seen this once, and I’m sure a lot of it went way over my head. I should rewatch it.

Fargo, a movie I kept meaning to watch again, especially once the FX show exploded. I remember the famous scenes from it, but another one I need to rewatch as I’m sure I didn’t give it enough attention.

Homeward Bound II : Lost in San Francisco. I love the first movie, I know I’ve seen this one a handful of times, it was either on TV a lot, or we kept renting it, but the first one is the one to watch.

Executive Decision with Kurt Russell and for a little bit, Steven Seagal. I liked it when it came out, but if I want to watch an Air Force One movie, I go Air Force One. Apparently, this not an Air Force One movie. oops, I need to watch this one again too.

All Dogs Go to Heaven 2, another dog sequel that doesn’t compare to the original. If the original is even good, I mostly remember a PC puzzle game that I played way too much for what it was, I’m sure.

April

Another Top Ten movie! VUDU often has it for $5, and next time it does, I’m buying it. I love this movie!

What a cast! Richard Gere (my favorite Gere), Laura Linney (always great), John Mahoney (that I still go, hey, Fraiser’s dad, the first time I see him), Alfre Woodard (pre career explosion), Edward Northon (such a career launching debut!), Andre Braugher (Allegedly. RIP Legend), and apparently Frances McDormand (having quite the year with Fargo too), and Terry O’Quinn are in it, and I can’t visualize them, but I’m sure they’re great. She’s part of the legal team, right? He’s a political person? Or Gere’s boss, perhaps?

Sabrina the Teenage Witch? They made a movie?! Apparently this was like a test pilot on Showtime. Which seems bonkers to me.

Tremors 2, I’m sure I’ve seen this. Is this where they turn into little flying bugs? Or is that III?

Fear, ooof, the movie every father should show their daughter when he believes she is dating someone who is no good. Starring Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon. I know I saw this years later, and I’m sure it was a movie my wife told me I should watch, as she really remembered the Ferris wheel scene.

James and the Giant Peach, another movie my wife told me I should watch with her. I feel like I wasn’t fully committed. On Disney Plus now. I’m surprise it wasn’t a Tim Burton movie. I just wasn’t ready for it, or maybe we had already watched a movie that day?

Kids in the Hall : Brain Candy, I love Kids in the Hall, but have I seen this? I must have.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 : The Movie, what a month for two tv shows turned movies! Like most tv shows turned movie, this just feels like a bigger episode, but that’s what we want.

Mulholland Falls, another movie that I was definitely too young to fully appreciate. I mostly remember this for Jennifer Connelly, and that Nick Nolte is in it.

May

Another all timer! light as a feather, stiff as a board. One of those movies that was just always on TV. Such a great cast, Robin Tunney, who is gorgous in this film, and paired with Empire Records, shows off her incredible range. Fairuza Balk, better here than in Waterboy, but that’s true for most people in Waterboy. sizzle sizzle, hot take! Neve Campbell, Queen!< oh yeah, Skeet Ulrich is in this too. Breckin Meyer too?! I mostly remember the ladies of the movie. Must be a young Brenda Strong too. Whatever happened to Rachel True? They made a sequel to Half Baked? Of course they did.
This is possibly my favorite witch movie, but that probably also isn’t saying much.

The Pallbearer. After watching David Schwimmer’s Kissing a Fool, and always confused why he didn’t have a bigger movie career, I’m reminded he did The Pallbearer. Then again, he was probably trying to squeeze in one movie between seasons of Friends, so his options were limited.

Of Love and Shadows. Another movie that really benefits from Jennifer Connelly being in it. Antonio Banderas is the guy in the movie.

Twister! Another movie I watched so many times, and really need to watch the sequel one of these days.

Flipper, have I seen this, or have I seen the commercials so many times, that it feels like I have.

Heaven’s Prisoners. A movie that I only know Teri Hatcher is outstanding in.

Norma Jean and Marilyn. I can’t help but think of this movie whenever Marilyn Monroe is mentioned, as this is my Marilyn movie. Unfortunately the movie that I also think of whenever Harvey Weinstein is mentioned as both Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino themselves, and their careers were damaged by him. They both really brought it for this film.

Mission Impossible, Tom Cruise in his action best, launching a very impressive franchise that I need to watch more of. I think I’ve seen 1, III, Fallout, and maybe one of the other ones?

Spy Hard, a very funny spy parody with Leslie Nielsen, that I probably only saw once.

June

Another all timer. Sometimes I get in a real mood for some pulp heroes, and watch either The Phantom or Rocketeer, or the Shadow. I bought The Phantom a few months ago on VUDU, and I just keep finding myself watching it. Such a good flick.

The Rock. Michael Bays’ Alcatraz escape / nuclear weapon movie, starring so many people! I really need to watch it again, as it has been far to long. Stars so many legends – Sean Connery, Nicholas Cage, Ed Harris, WAYW fave, Michael Biehn, John Spencer, John C. McGinley, William Forsythe, Xander Berkeley, even Jim Caviezel?! I don’t quite remember him being in this.

The Cable Guy. I run cold on a lot of Jim Carrey, and he’s a lot in this movie with Ben Stiller. Funny movie, but there’s moments when I feel like I’m done watching it.

Stealing Beauty, a great Liv Tyler film, that apparently stars other people.

Eraser, I know I’ve seen this Arnold Schwarzenegger film, but I don’t think I can distinguish it from other movies of his from the era.

Another all timer that I find myself watching these days. Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame. Has some very haunting songs, and even more haunting visuals. An odd balance of suspense with humor that stands out on a rewatch. They really captured Demi Moore’s eyes for Esmeralda.

The Nutty Professor, an Eddy Murphy movie that is funny on a first watch. He’s very impressive with everything he does, but then his future career was really hampered by this.

Striptease, I hadn’t realized Demi Moore had quite a 1996 movie! Burt Reynolds is great in this movie too.

July

Theodore Rex, Whoopi Goldberg’s dinosaur movie that I thought was a fever dream! I should try to watch this agian.

Another all timer! Like Empire Records, I watch this movie once a year. Still haven’t seen the sequel. One of my family’s few traditions, was to watch this movie over the course of the three days depicted in the movie. I can’t get my wife and son to do it, but we usually start the movie on July 4.
I still don’t get how Margaret Colin didn’t get an entire career launched from this, but it was 1996, and hard for women to launch careers unless nudity was involved. Such a huge cast with Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirsch, Vivica A. Fox, Harvey Fiersten, Brent Spiner, a very young Mae Whitman, and Harry Connick.

Phenomenon, John Travolta’s Not-Michael movie, that for whatever reason, I associate those two films together, forgetting this came out the year Broken Arrow did.

Harriet the Spy, I’m sure I’ve seen this at least once. Cute film from what I remember of it. RIP Michelle Trachtenberg.

Multiplicity, a movie I think fondly of all of the time! Michael Keaton AND Andie MacDowell, yes please! I haven’t watched it in forever. But I think about the “clone of a clone” and the results a bunch.

The Frighteners, a movie I’ve been wanting to watch since Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings epic, but never get around to watching this Michael J. Fox film. I know I watched it around when it first came out, but haven’t seen it since.

Trainspotting, a movie I’ve been wanting to watch since the sequel came out. I just love how the sequel was supposed to come out ten years after the first one, but the actors hadn’t aged that much, so they had to wait longer. Actors know how to take care of themselves.

Joe’s Apartment, a cockroach led movie starring Jerry O’Connell, that Comedy Central must have owned the rights to, as it aired a bunch, and I jumped in and out of the movie, but never seen it fully.

August

Chain Reaction with Keanu Reeves and Morgan Freeman, I know I’ve seen it once, and I feel like I get it confused with another chemical reaction movie.

Matilda, another cute movie I’ve only seen a handful of times. Starring Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, and Rhea Perlman. Now a musical on Netflix, I believe?

Escape from LA, I may have watched this? I’ve only seen Escape from New York once, or I’ve seen this.

Jack, the Robin Williams is a boy who is the size and appearance of an adult man. I want to say this was a hard watch when it first came out.

Another movie I just watched endlessly on TV. Tin Cup was $5 on VUDU, bought it immediately, watched it with my wife, and had a real “oh no, I may have oversold how great this movie was,” but then it got to the final golf section, and I know I had a great time. I hadn’t realized this was the dramatic golf movie to combat Happy Gilmore.
Such a great cast – Kevin Costner, my favorite Rene Russo movie, Cheech Marin, and my favorite Don Johnson movie.

They made a third Darkman movie?! I barely remember the first, but now I want to watch the first one again.

The Island of Dr. Moreau, the one with Val Kilmer, and Marlon Brando. A very tough watch, but I sort of want to watch it again, as is it as tough as I remember?

A Very Brady Sequel. I’ve seen this, right? Maybe just once.

The Crow : City of Angels, another one I should rewatch.

September

Bulletproof with Adam Sandler and Damon Wayans. I really do miss action comedies, we don’t get enough of these. I remember this being a blast.

The First Wives Club. Another movie that was just playing on TV all of the time! Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton are the first wives. Maggie Smith, Dan Hedaya, Elizabeth Berkley (Save by the Bell represent, yo!). I don’t quite remember Stockard Channing being in this? Is she the fourth friend? Must be a young Timothy Olyphant too. Heather Loclear is in this?! I need to rewatch this. JK Simons AND Rob Reiner?!

2 Days in the Valley, another Teri Hatcher film! I remember really digging this movie, but I bet I’ll appreciate it so much more as an adult. Quite a romp, with a lot of twists.

October

Bound, as much as I love Jennifer Tilly, I’ve never got around to watch this, always felt too adult for me, but now I’m an adult, and probably appreciate it.

D3 : The Mighty Ducks, now this is the movie for me! We tried to watch the Disney Plus show, and got maybe two episodes into it? If Bombay was more invested in the team, we would have watched more of it, but he doesn’t want to be there (and I know he will eventually want to be, I imagine), really take the sails out of the ship. D3 felt like such a conclusion to the trilogy. Though I should watch this one again, as I feel like I’ve seen it the least.

That Thing You Do! Tom Hanks 60s band movie, that I really enjoyed, and should watch again. I always liked how Ethan Embry’s character is TB Player, as in The Base Player. He wasn’t given enough things to do.

If These Walls Could Talk, I was definitely too young to fully appreciate this movie, and it deserves another watch. I remember really enjoying the sequel. HBO really was making movies I wanted to watch during this era.

Jude, a terrific Kate Winslet movie, also starring the 9th Doctor, Christopher Eccleston.

Another all timer, Sleepers, that I’m sure is going to rank high on the WAYW list, probably why they even picked 1996 was to discuss this movie even more. What a cast too! Kevin Bacon, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Jason Patric, Brad Renfo, Minnie Driver, Billy Crudup.
Such a tough, but important watch.

Swingers, the Jon Faverau and Vince Vaughn movie. Which I want to say I like this and Made, but I don’t think I gave either film their proper watches.

To Gillian on her 37th Birthday. I’m sure in 1996, I thought 37 was so far from my 14 years. Now I’m 43, and 37 feels like a lifetime ago. I’ve been wanting to watch this again, as I know Freddie Prinze Jr is in it, and I barely remember him or this film. Stars Michelle Pfeifer, and apparently Seth Green is in this as well.

November

Romeo + Juliet, I haven’t seen this one since high school. Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes as the leads. John Leguizamo (Johnny Legs!), is Paul Rudd in this?! LOST’s Harold Perrineau as Mercutio, as the best Mercutio.

Ransom, wherein Mel Gibson wants his son back! I’ve seen it once, but I just remember him shouting that over and over again. Which as a father now, I completely get.

The English Patient, I’m sure I’ve seen this in high school, and still don’t get the hype for it.

Space Jam! Boy, did that sequel really take some of the air out of the original. I’ve seen this team up of Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes so many times! I always feel like Billy Murray is in this more, and always surprised to see Wayne Knight in this.

Jingle All the Way, a fun Arnold Schwarzenegger Christmas movie, that always makes me feel sad thinking about how we should have gotten more Phil Hartman movies.

Star Trek : First Contact. The second Next Generation Movie, and eighth overall. Alfre Woodard was having quite a year as well! She’s Jonathan Frakes godmother. Possibly my favorite Star Trek Next Generation film, which probably isn’t saying much, but it has everything I want from Next Gen. Like a two part episode with a budget.

101 Dalmatians, the Glenn Close live action. Back when these felt special.

The Crucible, another high school movie I’ve seen quite a few times. This is the Daniel Day-Lewis, one of a few of his films I’ve actually watched, and Winona Ryder. I told them the truth! Devastating.

Sling Blade, I haven’t watched it, but seen enough clips.

December

If you’ve seen a movie like 10 times, that sort of makes it a favorite, right? I suppose the definition of a guilty pleasure, except, I’ll get caught watching it, and just be happy to have some company to watch it with. I won’t go as far as to write this is my favorite Sylvester Stallone movie, but maybe favorite Non-Rocky one? I’ll have to think about it. I just really like it. Maybe its the whole Poseidon Adventure, but in a tunnel nature of it? I just wrote that, but Daylight is literally just Poseidon Adventure in a Tunnel, and I flipping love Poseidon Adventure. Viggo Mortensen and Dan Heydaya are in this as well.

Jerry Maguire, wow, Tom Cruise had a very success 1996. You had me at hello.

Another movie I’m just waiting for it to be $5 on VUDU. I absolutely love Mars Attacks.

Remember when Mars Attacks Image, and we got Raphael for just a moment?

Tim Burton directed, and what a cast! Jack Nicholson, twice!, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox (also having a year!), Tom Jones, yes that one, Natalie Portman, Christina Applegate, Pam Grier, Jack Black, and Lukas Haas. And I’m sure Frank Welker must have provided the Martian voices.

Beavis and Butt-head Do America, I remembered watching this in the theater, but was it Christmas time? I’m from Yuma, Arizona, so it is desert all of the time. Great soundtrack.

My Fellow Americans, I feel like I was too young to appreciate this with Jack Lennon and James Gardner, with Dan Aykroyd.

One Fine Day, both George Clooney and Michelle Pfeifer were on a roll this year! Very cute and sweet movie. I usually hate hates or shows where bad thing after bad thing keeps happening to a character or characters, but there’s enough here to keep watching.

Scream, did this really come out the same year The Craft did?! Was Neve Campbell even ready for this much success?! Freaking love Scream! Up there with Halloween with favorite horror franchises, and Scream has so many great films to Halloween’s . . . less good ones.

Evita, still never seen this, but I like the main song from the movie. Madonna sure can sing.

I should watch a Hamlet movie one of these days.

Michael, I knew this must have came out the same year, that’s three movies with John Travolta! Plus, Andie MacDowell. William Hurt is in it, I don’t quite remember Bob Hoskins in this, I should watch it again. Joey Lauren Adams?! Richard Schiff?! I need to watch this again. Wow, Carla Gugino?!

. . .

TOP TEN

10. Daylight

9. Broken Arrow

8. Hunchback of Notre Dame

7. The Craft

6. Tin Cup

5. The Phantom

4. Independence Day

3. Sleepers

2. Primal Fear

1. Scream

Exceptional X-Men 12

Posted by John Klein III on August 23, 2025
Posted in: Review. Tagged: , , , , . 2 Comments

Writer : Eve L. Ewing

Artist : Federica Mancin

Color Artist : Nolan Woodard

Letterer : VC’s Travis Lanham

Issue opens up with Reginald James McNair III, which I like.  Not enough of us IIIs around.

We first met him all the way back in issue 4.  Famously, the issue where the students learn Kitty Pryde has murdered people, and also, Kitty was still not talking to Rogue.

Reggie can create portals, space and time portals.  One might even call them, rifts, as he’s clearly Rift from Expatriate X-Men, as part of the Age of Revelation series. 

Reggie can’t break the fourth wall. 

Poor Reggie believes he killed Kitty Pryde, not that he knows who that is. 

Not Too Far Away, we see the Students holding their own against omega mutant, Iceman. 

Bronze gets the win as she tags Iceman.

Bobby is pitch hitting as Kitty stormed off last issue.  Bobby calls Nina, they hung out in issue 4.  It really was a big issue. 

Bobby has a very awkward phone call with Nina, as why would he even bother calling someone if Kitty has only been missing an hour.  I wonder if Bobby’s favorite umbrella is yellow?

Ironheart brings Reggie, through an open window, so it isn’t breaking and entering. 

Melee is about to say Reggie is Bronze’s crush, but in a sweet recovery – she is an athlete after all, calls him Trista’s creative friend. 

Reggie and Trista now have being mutants in common, along with theater.

Ironheart states that Kitty went through one of the rifts.

Emma, being a great mentor, immediately figures out how Reggie’s rift powers work.  They even form around his forearms. 

Emma prefers to address him as, Reginald, as she’s a classy dame.

Emma refers to his rifts as, swirls, and they’re space-time portals.  His blackouts are minor bursts of time travel.

Iceman volunteers to go back in time to rescue Kitty, but Emma squashes that as Bobby and Emma are important to Kitty’s future.  Which, I don’t think Bobby and Kitty have that much time spent together outside of the Ultimate Universe, and this series.

Well, besides when they briefly dated, but not real history before that, I’m trying to remember of any times before. 

They were in the big battle in ROM 65.  Young Iceman was involving in Excalibur : XX Crossing, present day Bobby never appears in Excalibur properly.  He stands right next to Kitty during Illyana’s funeral in Uncanny X-Men 303.  They’re around each other during Scott and Jean’s wedding in X-Men V2 30.  So really, it was fun that they got romantically paired together.  Which, I was a fan of the relationship as it gave Kitty a chance to have fun.  Setting up Star Lord and Kitty’s relationship, now that I think of it.

Once it is established the students are going back in time, and to be fair, now that they fought Mister Sinister, they are officially X-Men, but it is easier to distinguish them as the students.  Bronze runs off to grab early 80s clothes.  She doesn’t grab any for Ironheart, who can’t go on the mission, but would have liked the invite. 

Emma encourages Reggie to create a rift, and the students are going back in time after Bobby tries to warn them about changing time.

As soon as the students are gone, Sentinel Dogs barge through the wall, so that isn’t great for Priti’s dance studio, but hopefully she got mutant insurance.

Reggie closes the rift, but not before a Sentinel Dog goes through the portal.

Meanwhile.  Somewhen else.  And somewhere else.  Deerfield, Illinois.

The Students land back in time, and not graciously. 

Melee makes a great comment about how Kitty Pryde clearly came from some money, but yet doesn’t have access to that money now.  Probably due to the questionable career choices.  There’s just no money in being an X-Man.

They wonder how they’re going to find Kitty without the Internet, or just asking people.  Bronze offers the phone book as an option, but Melee doesn’t know what that is.

Issue ends with Uncanny X-Men 129’s Kitty Pryde, in her all black outfit, and yellow sweater. 

Our team found Kitty . . . the wrong Kitty. 

Such a great issue!

Also, I got my tenth letter published in it, which is highly exciting for me. 

Chris Wildrick and I had to write in to show our appreciation for Lockheed returning!

Though that’s two issues in a row now that we haven’t seen or heard mention of Lockheed.

Hopefully he isn’t a clone to spy on Kitty.