Tag Archives: the jungle book

Captain America: Civil War Repeats, While Marvel Crosses $10 Billion

Posted on by

Captain America Civil WarCaptain America: Civil War sat at the top of the box office again with an estimated $72.6 million. That’s about a 59% drop which is similar to Avengers: Age of Ultron. So far the film has earned $295.9 million domestically. The film also earned $84.2 million making its international earnings an even $645 million. That puts it at $940.9 million worldwide and currently sitting in second behind Zootopia for the top earner of 2016. The film will easily pass $1 billion making it the first film in 2016 to do so.

Captain America: Civil War‘s performance along with the other films comprising the 13 films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has pushed Marvel to having earned over $10 billion worldwide.

In second place was The Jungle Book which earned an estimated $17.8 million in its fifth week. Following that were two new films Money Monster which earned an estimated $15 million and The Darkness which earned $5.2 million.

In other comic film news, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was #14 earning $535,500 to bring its domestic total to $328.2 million and worldwide total to $868.8 million.

Even though it’s out on DVD and digital Deadpool added $200,000 to its total to bring its domestic total to $362.5 million and worldwide to $762.4 million.

This coming week should be interesting as X-Men: Apocalypse opens internationally (except for China and Japan) and Neighbors 2 opens domestically.

Captain America: Civil War Comes in First. Falls Short of $200 Million Projections.

Posted on by

Captain America Civil WarCaptain America: Civil War came in first place this past weekend, bringing in an estimated $181.79 million (some studios claim it brought in $186 million) at the domestic box office. The film did very well scoring the fifth largest opening of all-time and the third largest for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Captain America franchise is a successful one when it comes to openings as this represents a 91.3% increase over the opening for Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

It’s not shocking the massive haul over the weekend, but some projections and estimates had the film opening with over $200 million in its first three days. It’d have been the fourth film to do so. Now, should this falling short be considered a failure? Only if you claimed a superhero film from a rival publishing company fell short and failed. Not doing so would be a bit hypocritical after all.

The film scored an “A” Cinemascore and currently 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, which should bode well for its earnings for some time, but on May 20 X-Men: Apocalypse opens, so the film may run into some stiff competition in just a few weeks that’ll potentially take a lot of wind out of its sails.

The film opened last week internationally and so far has earned $496.6 million in those markets, giving it a worldwide total of $678.4 million. That international total is already more than Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Iron Man 2, Ant-Man, Thor: The Dark World, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

A big question will be if this film will be more like the two previous Avengers films which averaged $1.462 billion or more like previous Captain America films. The Winter Soldier earned $714.4 million (a number Civil War will likely top this week), and Captain America: The First Avenger earned $370.6 million. Most likely the film will be somewhere in between the two franchises. But, since the film is more like Avengers 2.5, if it doesn’t cross $1 billion should it be considered a failure? The film also has a budget more like an Avengers film with a reported $250 million. That one will be determined by talking heads repeating corporate talking points most likely.

There are other “comic adaptations” still in the theater…

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice rounded out the top ten after seven weeks. The film added an estimated $1 million to its total to bring its domestic total to $327.3 million and its worldwide total to $865.5 million. It currently sits in second for the year as far as worldwide grosses.

Even though it’s available for digital download and the blu-ray/dvd releases this week, Deadpool added an estimated $230,000 to its domestic total to bring it to $362.2 million. The film has earned $762 million worldwide and was passed by The Jungle Book this week in worldwide totals. It currently ranks fourth and Captain America: Civil War ranks fifth.

Jungle Book Dominates While Captain America: Civil War Explodes

Posted on by

The Jungle Book 2016The Jungle Book continues to dominate the domestic box office. It remained in the top spot for the third week in a row adding an estimated $42.4 million to its total bringing the domestic earnings to $252.1 million.

The film had very little competition in new films. Keanu was the highest profile and came in third earning an estimated $9.4 million. Mother’s Day came in fourth earning an estimated $8.3 million. Ratchet & Clank just clanked coming in seventh with $4.8 million.

When it comes to comic films…

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was in ninth adding an estimated $3.8 million to bring its domestic total to $325.1 million. The film has earned $862.9 million worldwide so far. Deadpool continues to bring in the cash adding $440,000 to its domestic total to bring that to $361.8 million. That film has earned $761.2 million worldwide.

Captain America: Civil War opened in international markets to bring in an estimated $200.2 million. That’s just shy of Avengers: Age of Ultron‘s $201.2 million. The film was #1 in all the territories that it opened except Japan. The film opens up this week domestically as well as expands internationally. We’ll see what records the film can break when that happens.

Jungle Book Repeats in First While the Huntsman Swings and Misses

Posted on by

The Jungle Book 2016The Jungle Book was the top of the box office for the second weekend in a row earning an estimated additional $60.8 million bringing its domestic total to $191.5 million after two weeks.

The film easily defeated the competition with second place going to The Huntsman: Winter’s War which earned an estimated $20.1 million. That is just 36% of its predecessor Snow White and the Huntsman. The film did bring in $100.2 million worldwide.

A few other new films failed to break into the top ten.

In more comic related film news, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was in sixth place adding $5.52 million to its domestic total and $319.5 million. The film has brought its worldwide total up to $851.6 million.

With the DVD/Blu-Ray/Digital release looming Deadpool still continues to earn adding $685,000 to its domestic total coming in 15th. The film’s total domestic earning is $361.1 million and worldwide it stands at $760.2 million.

The Jungle Book Crushes the Competition with Over $103 million Weekend

Posted on by

The Jungle Book 2016The Jungle Book opened in first place this past weekend with an estimated $103.6 million this weekend, the third film to open with over $100 million this year. Internationally the film brought in $136.1 million to bring its total to an estimated $290.9 million so far.

In a distant second was Barbershop: The Next Cut which also opened up this weekend. That film earned an estimated $20.2 million, slightly lower than Barbershop 2‘s $24.2 million.

Last weekend’s champ The Boss dropped to third and earned an estimated $10.2 million and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice came in fourth with an estimated $9 million.

This weekend also saw the opening of Criminal which earned an estimated $5.9 million to come in sixth.

In other comic news Deadpool was #14 with an estimated $960,000 to bring its domestic total to $360.1 million and worldwide total to $758.6 million. Batman v Superman is now up to $827.3 million. Batman v Superman has based Spider-Man to be the eighth highest grossing comic adaptation while Deadpool is currently in twelfth.

Review: The Jungle Book Call of the Wild #5

Posted on by

gftjb005There have been a few notable successes thus far in the publication history of Zenescope with its Grimm Fairy Tales imprint, and their foray into the Jungle Book has more or less been one of them.  Although the sequel miniseries to the original was not as well conceived as the original, it was still an entertaining entry.  The question was therefore about the third of the series, whether it would equal the quality of the first series or that of the second.  For the first four issue of the end of the trilogy it seemed as though it would be treading somewhere between the two, and with the conclusion to the series it remains there.

The conclusion to the story here follows Mowgli as she returns to the island after being captured by pirates.  The pirates are after her, as she is a prized bounty that will fetch a hefty prize.  After returning to the island she realizes what it is exactly that she needed to unite the tribes against.  It was not the rumbling of the volcano, but rather the presence of man, now in hot pursuit to find her.  There are some surprising moments here, but nothing which elevates the story to the next level.

Part of the problem with this issue and this series is the lack of an underlying moral, or specifically that the moral was introduced too late and not expanded upon enough to make an impact.  Certainly in this setting the message of man’s destructive effect on nature could have been elaborated on in great detail, but instead this message is mostly left untouched except as a rallying call for the animals to work together.  As the end of the trilogy there are still unanswered questions, and this suggests that in true Grimm Fairy Tales style that this is not so much of a trilogy as just the start of the story.  There are likely to be a sequence of one-shots to follow, as well as a followup series, seeing as there are still a lot of unanswered questions.  As it stands the series and this issue were noteworthy enough, but they also represent a bit of a missed opportunity.

Story: Mark L. Miller Art: Michele Bandini and Luca Claretti
Story: 8.4 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy

Review: The Jungle Book Fall of The Wild #4

Posted on by

fotw004aTo say that this series got complicated after the last issue would be an understatement.  Although the stories have been deep at times of the four children marooned on this island and raised to lead their animal clans, there has always been an unanswered question.  How did the children arrive there?  And where did they come from?  And even maybe where were they supposed to be heading?  The first series focused on the consuming nature of revenge, and the second series focused on more general concepts like loyalty, but the third seems to be tying together two different angles, that peace is a necessity or it will destroy all, but also to answer how this series fits within the bigger universe.  After all this is a “Grimm Fairy Tales Presents …” title, and so far in fourteen issues there has been no sign of Sela or other denizens of Myst.

This issue picks up near where the last left off, with Mowgli abducted by some unknown assailant (seemingly a pirate) who has been playing a role behind the scenes on the island for a while.  While other go to rescue her, the animals of the island continue their fighting, not realizing that it will destroy them all if they cannot band together.  A hasty rescue is conducted for Mowgli (which does not make much sense in an actual timeline), but the heroes and pirates are thrown together.  There are some clever aspects to the characterizations of the characters here, specifically the island humans talking in their animal languages, which was handled well from a technical standpoint as well.

What this issue comes down to though is the launchpad for the final issue.  It is there that readers and fans of these series will finally get a payoff, both what the link to the larger universe entails as well as to see if the residents of the island can find a way to live together peacefully or if violence will consume them all.  As it stands what the series needed was a lead-in to these big reveals and that is what this issue manages in an effective manner.  This is a series where the second to last issue will not be remembered as much as the last, but with this setup it is only for the creative team to bring out the fireworks in the final issue.

Story: Mark L. Miller Art: Michele Bandini
Story: 8.7 Art: 8.7 Overall: 8.7 Recommendation: Buy

 

Review: Grimm Fairy Tales Presents the Jungle Book: Fall of the Wild #2

Posted on by

fotw02covWhat made the original series in this trilogy so compelling was that it used animals as allegories for the actions of humans.  The humans were of course also there, the four orphans that had grown to adulthood having been raised by the different groups of animals.  This same dynamic was mostly missing in the second series, which while fun was still mostly just an adventure story that was set on Kipling Island.  With this third series, it seems as though some of the deeper allegories of the first series are back.

It of course depends on how much is read into the underlying themes of the story, but at least one theme is clear – war.  it does not focus on war as does many comics by showing some of the heroics therein but rather focuses on war as a destroyer of all, that in war there are no such things as victors, only losers that gained relatively more.  This is an interesting enough theme unto itself, but there are others at play here as well – greed (by way of gluttony), the natural order of the world, and the willingness to die for an ideal.  While there are underlying themes to what is transpiring within, there are also entertaining moments of action.  These are focused at first on the battle between the lions and the elephants, but then this action moves in a completely different direction straight into an unlikely scenario for the cliffhanger ending.  It is there that some warning is due for the quality of this series.  Parts of it seem like the first in the trilogy while other parts seem like the second series and it is still hard to discern exactly which way this series is going.

This issue ends up accomplishing its goals and proves that the creative team deserves some more respect for what they have accomplished before.  After all none of the Jungle Tales series has thus far been a disappointment, or if yes, only in relation to one another.  This issue seems to have the story line on track much more to what the first series was than the second, and despite the somewhat absurd premise for the the third issue, it would seem that the momentum will carry on there as well.

Story: Mark L. Miller Art: Luca Claretti
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Zenescope in May 2012

Posted on by

Call of Wonderland #1

The Jabberwocky has been defeated.  The Queen of Hearts is dead and Wonderland is in a state of chaos with no ruler on the throne.  Enter the Red Knight who is determined to destroy all of Wonderland and the world at large by unleashing a deadly ancient force long thought to be gone.  Meanwhile on earth, a literary student researching Lovecraft will discover a long forgotten secret that could save or damn us all.  Don’t miss out on this incredible mini-series that sets the stage for the future of Wonderland! Featuring covers by Zenescope superstar artist Anthony Spay and long time Wonderland fan favorite Rich Bonk.

32 pages, $3.99

 

Alice in Wonderland #6

The end of the beginning is here as Alice finally confronts the ruler of Wonderland and faces off against her greatest fear.  With the fate of both Wonderland and earth at stake, will Alice find a way to defeat madness in its purest form or will she fall to victim to the Jabberwocky’s sinister machinations.  The final chapter is here in this oversized issue.  Includes over an unbelievable tri-fold Last Supper Tea Party cover by Zenescope artist Anthony Spay!

40 pages, Cover A – $5.99, Cover B – $4.99

 

Charmed #22

Magic gangs fight for control against government forces seriously out of their depth. Even with Piper, Phoebe, and Paige on the case, there is little they can do without their own magic. Overwhelmed and outnumbered, the side of good must hang all their hope on the single most powerful witch in the world.

32 pages, $3.50

 

Grimm Fairy Tales Omnibus

Start reading from the very beginning of Zenescope Entertainment’s longest running series with this massive collection. Experience the uniquely twisted fairy tales from the minds of Joe Brusha and Ralph Tedesco. Follow the heroine Sela as she uses the classic tales of old to lead modern day men and women to the right choices while combating the lure of evil. Collecting issues #1-50 of the hit independent series.

1000+ pages, $59.99

 

 

Grimm Fairy Tales Oversized Special: Cosplay One-Shot

When Baba Yaga gives a writer the unusual power to control those he writes about, the incredible gift proves to have consequences far worse than he could have imagined. Meanwhile Baba Yaga has long sought control over the nexus and Earth itself and she may have finally found the one item that will reveal the secrets of the universe to her. One which will allow her to stay one step ahead of all her enemies. This issue features some of the top cosplay ladies in the industry and takes place during one of the biggest conventions in the Southwest: The Phoenix Comicon!

48 pages, $4.99

 

Grimm Fairy Tales # 73

Sela sets off in search of the Tomb of Death and finds herself joined by an unlikely ally who is also searching for a way to redeem herself from the failings of her past.  But will this new ally be enough to help Sela defeat the dreaded black ghost knights who guard the swamplands that lead to the Tomb?  Meanwhile, Alicia, Baba Yaga, Venus, and the Goblin Queen begin the final stage of their mysterious plans to rule the four realms and the very nexus itself.  The final count down to the Grimm Fairy Tales 75 begins here.  Don’t miss out!

32 pages, $2.99

 

 

Grimm Fairy Tales Myths and Legends #17

As the race to recruit the false bloods on earth begins to heat up, Baba Yaga and the Sea Witch join forces in order to unleash a powerful being who could not only tip the balance in the battle between the forces of good and evil but may very well threaten all life on Earth.  It is a being known only as…HELIOS. Featuring the very first appearance of a brand new villain whose existence will change the Grimm Universe forever.

32 pages, $2.99

 

Jurassic Strike Force 5 TPB

Awakened from his 65 million year hibernation, the evil alien overlord Zalex is ready to resume his conquest of the universe and he’s starting with the earth. Backed by his army of evil, mutated Dino-soldiers there’s nothing that can stop him….nothing but Jurassic Strike Force! Don’t miss the first adventures of the team in the first original series under Zenescope’s Silver Dragon Books imprint.

176 pages, $9.99

 

Myths and Legends Volume 3 TBP

Zenescope’s entire Beauty and the Beast story arc is collected together for the first time!  When Edward finally moved away from his abusive home life, he thought he had escaped the cycle of violence that was his life.  But when his younger brother dies, Edward must come back to the one place where he thought he would never return.  Now as Edward faces the monster who ruined his life, he will learn that sometimes the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.  This unbelievable trade paperback collects Grimm Myths and Legends issues 12 through 15 and Grimm Fairy Tales issues 13 and 14.

176 pages, $15.99

 

Grimm Fairy Tales presents The Jungle Book #3

Issue 3 begins right where issue two left off as Mowglii is dealing with a harsh truth and remembering how things once here. She later finds herself in the clutches of the enemy. But, through chaos, may just find an opportunity to escape. All eyes are on Mowglii as she struggles through the trials she is faced with.

32 pages, $2.99

 

The Waking Dreams End #2

The hit series that redefined the zombie genre continues…  Vanessa and her partner continue their search for the serial killer who has found a way to beat “the Waking” as the body count continues to rise. Meanwhile, Madison continues to stalk Vanessa from the shadows with a message from beyond. From the writer and creator of FLY and the Theater comes a new chapter in the horror tale that never sleeps.

32 pages, $3.99

Zenescope in April 2012

Posted on by

Grimm Fairy Tales presents Alice In Wonderland Issue #4

Raven Gregory (W) Robert Gill (A) Jason Embury (C)
Cover A By  Stjepan Sejic

The Queen of Spades stands fully revealed as the grand manipulator behind the events of Alice’s escape from the Jabberwocky.  But what are her intentions?  The answer is revealed and it will set Alice on a path to insanity from which she may never return. Elsewhere the armies of Wonderland are closing in on Alice and in order to prevent the madness of Wonderland from escaping into our world, Alice will have to lead an army of her own against the very creature she fears the most.  Zenescope’s twisted version of Wonderland continues!  Follow us back down the rabbit hole!!

Charmed Issue #20

Paul Ruditis (W) Dean Kotz (A)
Cover: David Seidman

With Magic School’s doors no longer open, Knox Academy is one of the few places on Earth that can provide a safe haven for those in need. Piper, Phoebe, and Paige must team with the staff to protect themselves and their friends from the government’s modern day witch hunt that has deemed anyone like them to be the enemy.

Grimm Fairy Tales # 72

Written By Raven Gregory
Cover A By Mike Capprotti

Sela’s journey to find the place known only as the tomb of Death leads her to a small town that may hold the secrets to its location.  There she learns the truth of the temple that was once the training grounds for the knights of the realm and the tragic tale of their corruption and downfall at the hands of the Dark One’s minion, the evil Winter Witch.

Grimm Fairy Tales April Fools’ Edition #3

Written By Ralph Tedesco
Cover A By Anthony Spay

The sophomoric yet hilarious foray into the Grimm Fairy Tales universe makes a return!  The first two editions left most fans wanting more and left others’ wondering if we’d completely lost our minds.  But we’re back at it yet again so read at your own risk! Some of your favorite stories from the Grimm Fairy Tales Universe are completely re-lettered to create brand new story-lines that will have you laughing out loud.  Grimm Fairy Tales once again gets the “Mystery Science Theater 3000” treatment and you don’t want to miss the fun!

Grimm Fairy Tales presents THE JUNGLE BOOK #2

Written By Mark Miller
Cover A By Mike DeBalfo

Shere Kahn prepares to strike at the very heart of the wolf clan beginning with his most hated rival and Mowglii’s surrogate mother, mother wolf. Meanwhile Mowglii’s wanderings bring her face to face with one of the most ferocious creatures in the jungle, the vicious bear Baloo.  And her first encounter with the beast may very well prove to be her last.

Grimm Fairy Tales Myths & Legends #16

Written By Raven Gregory
Cover A By Stjepan Sejic

Samantha, Baba Yaga, the Dark One and The Sea Witch… What do these four powerful beings have in common?  Each are searching for falsebloods who dwell on earth in preparation of a war that looms on the horizon.  And what part will the rogue Beast play in the final end game?  The seeds are planted and secrets are revealed in this not to be missed issue!  From the creative minds behind the Wonderland trilogy and Dream Eater saga comes the story that sets the stage for the next evolution of the Grimm universe.

The Waking: Dreams End #1

Written By Raven Gregory
Artwork By Novo Malgapo

The HIT series that redefines the Zombie genre returns!  Years have passed since the events of The Waking took place.  Murder has become practically extinct in a world armed with the knowledge that those who are murdered will return from the dead to take the lives of those guilty…  But within a new world comes a new kind of killer.  And he must be stopped!  From the writer and creator of the Wonderland trilogy and Fly comes a return to the horror that never sleeps.

Grimm Different Seasons TPB Volume 2

Written By: Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco and Raven Gregory

Zenescope’s Grimm Fairy Tales continues the tradition of re-inventing classic stories with terrifying twists. This 2nd volume of Grimm Fairy Tales Different Seasons trade paperback collects some of the series most popular one-shots. Included are the 2011 Holiday Edition, 2011 Halloween Edition, 2008 original Grimm Fairy Tales Annual and the 2009 Grimm Fairy Tales Annual.

Jurassic Strike Force 5 #5

Written By Joe Brusha
Cover By Ciao Cacau

The evil alien overlord Zalex’s secret weapon has been revealed and Rex and the rest of the Strike Force really have their hands full. Will they be able to defeat such a formidable foe?

« Older Entries