Another week down… now, only about a month and a half behind. Sigh.

All Star Western #7 – Hex heads to New Orleans and deals with anti-immigrant terrorists.  Along the way he meets up with Nighthawk and Cinnamon who also have a back-up feature.  The issue is pretty good, though there’s a bunch that’s not explained like his recovery.  Still, it’s a transition to a new story arc.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8 Overall: 7.75

Aquaman #7 – Some characters from Arthur’s past are coming into play as we get to see Black Manta and further explore the mystery of Atlantis.  The series continues to be solid with great art and some solid storytelling.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25

Astonishing X-Men #48 – And there’s the story I’ve been looking for in this series.  Some of Wolverine’s side is still getting settled in NYC when all hell breaks loose (shocker).  And is that who I think it is at the end?  I don’t want to spoil it, but it’s awesome.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

the Avengers #24.1 – The Vision returns and learns about everything he’s missed in a simple story that hints to new readers as to what they’ve missed and some of the major players out there.  It’s a solid stand alone story that does what it needs to, hits you at an emotional level.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8 Overall: 8.25

Avengers Vs. X-Men #0 – A story about Wanda and a story about Hope.  As far as getting me interested in this event it fails in every way.  To explain to new readers what’s up, it does an ok job.

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Avenging Spider-Man #5 – Cap and Spidey have a moment in this solid issue dedicated to Joe Simon.  The story is simple, but touching at the same time and Spider-Man is his usual entertaining chatty self.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Batman: The Dark Knight #7 – The White Rabbit was an  interesting twist, but it’s the usual Batman fights Bane, but a very much less interesting Bane from what we saw in Secret Six.  Talk about taking a character a few steps back.

Story: 6 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.75

Captain America & Bucky #628 – The battle with Adam III comes to an end.  The story is ok, but really it made me think how a real world campaign to help Veterans featuring Captain America would be great.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

Daken: Dark Wolverine #23 – Is that the end of Daken?  This final issue is really great at times, the story only has minor issues and the same with the art, but Daken is the best when he reflects on himself in an almost poetic way.  Such a shame such an interesting character never found the audience he deserved.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.75

Daredevil #10 – A solid ending as Daredevil fights Mole Man and deals with the damage done.  Mark Waid continues to impress in the series that deserves all the buzz and kudos it receives.  Just fantastic in so many ways.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75

FF #16 – The prologue to Hickman’s epic story is ok, but it’s those last few pages that made me giggle.  I got chills seeing it and can’t wait to see what happens next.

Story: 7 Art: 6.75 Overall: 7

the Flash #7 – The Flash has to deal with his actions and make things right.  That includes a pseudo time travel story (already?) and some there’s some movement in his personal life.  The story is ok, not quite the quality we’ve seen.

Story: 7.25 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.25

Green Lantern: New Guardians #7 – We get the origin of the Angel and the team starts to come together.  The story is pretty blah.  Why this series exists?  No idea really….

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.75

I, Vampire #7 – The second part of the Rise of Vampires crossover is so much better than the first.  The art, the writing, Joshua Hale Fialkov knocks it out of the park as expected.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Justice League Dark #7 – So, why isn’t Batman more involved in this crossover?  The first issue of the Rise of the Vampires crossover with I, Vampire makes a point a few times how messed up the team is and how not in sync they are.  It fits the tone of the series, which just doesn’t click at all for me.  Once this crossover is done, I’m done with the series.

Story: 6 Art: 7 Overall: 6

The Mighty Thor #12 – Thor is back!  It took WAY too long, but he’s finally back.  I might not have enjoyed the entire story arc, but that last page of this issue got me choked up quite a bit.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7 Overall: 7.5

Moon Knight #11 – The series heads to it’s conclusion as Moon Knight takes on Madam Masque to get back the Ultron head.  There’s tons of action and all kinds of crazy, but I have to say it’s a bit dissapointing to finally see under Masque’s mask.  That was a great mystery I liked seeing continue…. oh well.

Story: 7 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7.25

The New Avengers #23 – It’s Skaar vs. Osborn’s Avengers in the final chapter in that story.  There’s some fantastic art here and story telling like the Iron Fist vs. Gorgon fight.  Overall, a quick but solid issue.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7.75

The New Deadwardians #1 – One of Vertigo’s buzzed about new series comes off like PBS Masterpiece theater mashed together with Law & Order and a zombie/vampire story.  It’s an interesting blend that has me interested enough to come back for the second issue.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Teen Titans #7 – The team saves Superboy and we meet a new bad guy named Harvest who looks like a rip-off from Hellboy 2.  The story has it’s moments but overall, the series isn’t quite doing it for me.

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #8 – Mousers!!!! So very very very excited.  The series is awesome for new and old fans of any iteration of the Turtles.  So fantastic and highly recommended.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

The Twelve #11 – The team takes on Dynamic Man.  There’s something retro about it.  The story is ok, but nothing to blow me away and the fact it’s taken this long to read, just makes it more frustrating.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7

Ultimate Comics The Ultimates #8 – The President makes a dramatic decision to take on the escalating threats as the Hulk smashes his way around.  All hell is breaking loose and I have no idea where things are going from here.  Things usually end from this.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Uncanny X-Force #23 – The story… bad.  The art… bad.  What the hell happened to this once excellent series?

Story: 6 Art: 6 Overall: 6

The Walking Dead #95 – Rick and his team finally get to see the other town and that ending was one hell of a punch.  Where will things go from here?  I can’t wait and see!

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

X-Men: Legacy #264 – Now that’s an interesting story.  Weapon Omega shows up with Mimic and things get a bit interesting.  The art is up a notch and so is the story.  Hopefully it stays this way for a bit.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

THE RENOWNED ANIMATED MOVIE CLASSIC

ARRIVES ON DVD FOR THE FIRST TIME!

 

The Smurfs^™ and the Magic Flute

HITS U.S HOME ENTERTAINMENT SHELVES NATIONWIDE

 

OWN IT ON DVD AUGUST 14, 2012 FROM FABULOUS FILMS

               Distributed by Shout! Factory

 

Smurf fans rejoice! On August 14, 2012, the original full-length animated feature The Smurfs and the Magic Flute will finally debut on DVD for the first time in the U.S. from Fabulous Films. Based on the original comic book story by the same name, this beloved animated movie classic debuted in U.S theaters in 1983 and has remained a fan favorite for more than twenty-five years. Delivering wholesome family entertainment, The Smurfs and the Magic Flute DVD also features bonus content including an image gallery, animated menus, a glossary of Smurf terms, The Smurf Story, a character guide, and an About the Smurfs and the Magic Flute featurette. A must-have for Smurfs fans, collectors, animation enthusiasts and a new generation of kids, this collectible DVD is priced to own at $14.93 SRP and available for pre-order now. 

 

In The Smurfs and the Magic Flute, a magical flute is just what Court Jester Peewit needs to play delightful tunes that make everyone in the kingdom dance — until the dancing turns dangerous. Sir Johan tries in vain to recover the musical instrument, but a thief named McCreep beats him to it, intending to use the flute to steal gold from the King’s subjects. It’s the Smurfs to the rescue when Papa Smurf devises a plan to create a second magical flute, and Peewit and Sir Johan go on a great adventure to find McCreep, win the musical duel and save the kingdom!

 

DVD Bonus Content

Image Gallery

Glossary of Smurf terms

The Smurf Story

Character Guide

About The Smurfs and the Magic Flute

Animated Menus

 

Technical Information

The Smurfs and the Magic Flute DVD

Street Date: August 14, 2012

Running Time: 71 min.

Aspect Ratio: 4 x 3

Audio: stereo

Rating: Rated G

 

About the Smurfs

The story of the Smurfs – a property created by Peyo – started in 1958 with the creation of comic books which were later brought to the big screen and on television. Over the years, the little blue characters haven’t just limited themselves to the page and the screen. The Smurfs have inspired records and CDs that have sold millions of copies, entire collections of figurines and toys, and many more products. In all, more than 3,000 derived products have been produced and leading brands and companies have spread their messages worldwide with the help of the Smurfs. A multitude of new projects appear regularly, thus making the success of the Smurfs planetary!