Disney’s Hero Squad: Ultraheroes #4
Writers: Alessandro Ferrari & Ivan Saidenberg
Artists: Antonello Dalena & Carlos Edgard Herrero
Colorist: Mike Cossin
Letterer: Jose Masasocal, Jr.
Boom! Studios
Price: $2.99
Released: April 28, 2010

When we last left the Ultraheroes, they were involved in a conflict with Emil Eagle and the Sinister 7 over Ultrapods, 6 devices that will create the Ultramachine, a weapon of immense power. Also, the Sinister 7 captured Mickey and were holding him along with the previously captured Scrooge McDuck and the Beagle Boys. The Sinister 7 offer their prisoners in exchange for the 3 Ultrapods that the heroes have, and they have no choice but to fly their and surrender their Ultrapods. This is a very interesting tale that has the good guys facing incredible odds. One of the Ultraheroes even betrays the team!! Also, we learn that there is a 7th Ultrapod hidden in the last place anyone would think to look for it. Despite it being an “all ages” book, the first story was very engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the cliffhanger ending definitely has me interested in reading the next issue.

Preacher’s Kid
DVD Edition
Directed by Stan Foster
Starring Andre Butler, Carlos Davis, Letoya Luckett, Tank, Tammy Townsend
Warner Home Video
Release Date: May 4, 2010

Preacher’s Kid is the story of Angie King, a small-town girl whose life revolves around church, taking care of her father, and serving God. Angie (played by Letoya Luckett) is a gifted singer who has dreams of joining a traveling gospel play. Her stern father (Baywatch‘s GregAllan Williams), the bishop of her church, forbids it. Angie joins the play anyway, but gets a lot more than what she bargained for, including a romance with co-star/R&B singer Devlin Mitchell (portrayed by Durrell “Tank” Babbs). Angie quickly comes to realize that all that glitters is not gold in the world of gospel stage plays. Angie is overwhelmed by the betrayal, sex, and other vices that are present on the tour bus and the hotel rooms. Angie begins to realize that many of the things she needed were at home. Can she make it back home? Will her father accept her back home? This is the dilemma that Angie faces over the course of the film.

In addition to their franchise and tentpole films such as Spider-Man, Avengers, and Iron Man, Marvel is looking to develop some of their lesser-known characters for movies with lower budgets in the $20-$40 million range. Currently, Marvel is taking meetings with directors regarding B-list characters such as Luke Cage, Dazzler, Ka-Zar, Doctor Strange, and Power Pack.

I am hugely in favor of this idea. First of all, there is a greater chance of one of my favorite heroes, Luke Cage, reaching the big screen or being in a direct-to-DVD film. Lower budgets mean lower financial risks and an opportunity to take chances. Ka-Zar could be a really graphic action-adventure film. Luke Cage could have some Blaxploitation elements in the film. Heck, Dazzler could be set in the 70s disco era and be awesomely cheesy. As much as I love these characters, I am a realist. None of these characters mentioned really have the name recognition to headline their own big budget, tentpole films. The only property that I don’t want to see take this route is Power Pack. I still dream of seeing a Disney/Pixar animated Power Pack film, but I understand if they go the low-budget route.