Ever scroll through Instagram and stumble across some amazing artwork by an artist that you’ve never heard of? That’s happened to me. When I thought about it, I realized that I’m probably not the only one. So every month, I’m going to start highlighting 10 (or more) artists that I think are pretty phenomenal. Every name is a link to their page, so follow and support folks!

1. Annie Wu

For those of you who were unaware, September 15, 2018 was officially Batman Day. The fifth annual holiday of DC and Batman fans. (For those of you Marvel fans who haven’t stopped playing Spider-Man PS4 since it dropped last week, take a break and check out some of what went on today).  On top of the comic book sales, toys and even special treats for kids it was also the day that DC Comics launched it’s new streaming service DC Universe. (Not to be confused with the DC gaming app DC Universe Online). The service has been teased for months. Mostly to promote several new original series,TITANS, Doom Patrol and the one I’m personally waiting for Young Justice: Outsiders. 

DC Universe didn’t launch any of those  shows today. But it did

The summer is over! If you are relaxing into the end of your Labor Day holiday or if you’ve just gotten home from the repast after Aretha’s funeral (may she rest in glorious peace), I will offer you a few things to binge watch this week while you wait for the fall shows to return. I even have some comic book suggestions. Also, I talk a little bit about the Madden/Jacksonville shooting, how 3 black teens in science persevered after online trolls tried to keep them out of a NASA competition, and how amazing it would be if Wesley Snipes actually returns as BLADE. And there are a couple of comics coming out that I’m going to ask everyone to pre-order. Please listen, comment and subscribe! You can listen below or find theblerdgurl podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play and Soundcloud  And also, check below for links to some of the stuff I talk about in this episode.

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Now if you’re a die-hard fan of the original Teen Titans animated series that aired on Cartoon Network starting in 2003 and you will accept nothing else, this is going to be hard for you. (Well actually, the post-credits scene was made for you, but you’ve got to watch the whole movie first). For those of you who watch the current animated series and think it’s a hoot, you’re gonna LOVE this movie. And if you were like me, a geek who watched the original, didn’t really care that the animation style changed between 2003 and 2013, and are a fan of puns and random acts of song, then you are really gonna have some fun. (mild spoilers ahead)

A LOT happened at San Diego Comic Con this year. I’m still wrapping my head around everything and I’m working on a highlight post. But I think my biggest thrill was getting invited to a special screening of Alita Battle Angel on Friday, July 20 at the Regal Theater at Horton Plaza in San Diego. At the event, a premiere screening of the new trailer was unveiled. Along with 18 minutes of footage from the film. Plus, both producer Johnathan landau and Director Robert Rodriguez were on hand to talk about their process of making the film along with stars Rosa Salazar (Alita) and Keean Johnson (Hugo). For a full description of what went down at he screening, including how they included the creator of the original manga (called GNNM in Japan) Yukito Kishiro,  read this post.  Then today, at 8am PST/11 am EST, the Alita team dropped the trailer worldwide along with a Q&A including James Cameron. Did you miss it? Well click below to watch.

Check out my latest podcast! I talk about what I’m going to be up to at San Diego Comic Con this week, how Apple keeps breaking laptops and how China has a real-life SKYNET. PLUS, it’s the last in the series of my interviews with the cast of Luke Cage Season 2. This week, I talk to show runner Cheo Hodari Coker about the changes made to Luke Cage, how he got Danny Rand to not be annoying and how he really feels about all those folks who criticized S1 for respectability politics. Listen below, or tune in on Stitcher, iTunes, Google Play and Soundcloud.

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If you’re in the US, I hope you’re enjoying your holiday weekend and staying cool and if you’re not here with us, I hope you’re having fun. Wherever you are I hope you’ve finished watching Luke Cage Season 2 because this episode I’m talking to two of the stars of the show. Simone Missick, who plays Misty Knight and her real-life husband Dorian Missick who has also been acting for years, (remember Lucky Number Slevin?), who plays Dontrell “Cockroach” Hamilton. One of Luke Cage’s enemies this season.

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For those of you who follow this blog, you’ll remember I wrote about the comicbook Ricanstruction: Reminiscing & Rebuilding Puerto Rico by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez. The proceeds from the sale of that comic went towards Hurricane Maria relief in Puerto and teamed his original character La Boriqueña with Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, Aquaman, The Flash, Harley Quinn, and many other DC classic characters, (with permission from DC COMICS). Now Miranda-Rodriguez is back with the second full trade of his creator owned work, La Boriqueña #2.