Author Archive: Laurence Boyce
Laurence Boyce is a film journalist who likes Bond, Batman and Doctor Who (just to prove the things he enjoys things that don't just start with a 'B'). He is also a film programmer for various film festivals in the UK and abroad.
Doctor Who: Dalek Combat Training Manual by Richard Atkinson and Mike Tucker (book review).
What would the Doctor be without the Daleks? Most likely a footnote in TV history, a forgotten SF show that a couple of people fondly remember whilst the rest of us wallow in a big budget reboot of ‘Blake’s 7’. It’s easy to forget that it was the Daleks who captured the imagination of a […]
The Marvel Art Of Mondo Poster Book (artbook review).
Originally, a small store in the basement of a Texan cinema, the legendary Alamo Drafthouse, ‘Mondo’ is now a worldwide boutique store in which artists from across the world give their own unique spin on pop culture. Unsurprisingly, the comicbook world is a popular source of inspiration for Mondo’s selection of memorabilia with screen prints […]
Beyond Kuiper: The Galactic Alliance by Matt Medney and John Connelly (book review).
As ‘Beyond Kuiper: The Galactic Alliance’ is written by Matt Medney, the current CEO of the legendary ‘Heavy Metal’ magazine, alongside aerospace engineer John Connelly, it does boast some impressive credentials. The first is what is intended to be a series of epic sci-fi adventures, Medney and Connelly throw every sci-fi cliché against the wall […]
What If?: The Complete Collection Volume 4 (graphic novel review).
In the modern era of comicbooks, alternate realities are ten a penny. Whether it be Elseworlds, DC Black Labels or Ultimate Marvel Universes, the past few years have seen plenty of opportunities for writers to explore different incarnations and storylines for characters out of traditional continuity. Even within the realms of continuity, there are multiple […]
Aliens Vs. Predator: The Original Comic Series (30th Anniversary Edition) (graphic novel review).
Ever since a xenomorph skull turned up in the background of ‘Predator 2’ (a most underrated film I might add), the fates of the ‘Alien’ and ‘Predator’ franchises have been intertwined. But it’s easy to forget that the first inkling of an idea for ‘Alien Vs. Predator’ crossover was actually seen in a Dark Horse […]
The Perry Bible Fellowship Almanack – 10th Anniversary Edition by Nicholas Gurewitch (book review).
If long running comic strips like ‘Peanuts’, ‘Doonesbury’, ‘Calvin And Hobbes, et al are akin to sit-coms then one panel cartoons are more the equivalent of sketch shows. While the former will often provide plenty of self-contained laughs, they also rely on recurring characters, their recognisable traits and the occasional long running story. The latter […]
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Script Book by Jess Harrold (book review).
Insomniac Games’ ‘Spider-Man’ has been one of the most well received computer games of the past few years and has gone on to be one of the bestselling ‘super-hero’ titles in history. A vast and sprawling open world game, it gives players the opportunity to take the mantle of Peter Parker, swing through the streets […]
Death’s Head: Freelance Peacekeeping Agent by Simon Furman, Walt Simonson and Ferg Handley (graphic novel review).
Those of a certain age might remember Marvel UK’s late 80s attempt to create a series of ‘American format’ comic franchises. There was ‘Dragon’s Claws’ – a futuristic mash-up of The Dirty Dozen and Rollerball; ‘The Sleeze Brothers’ – two future private detectives with more than a hint of ‘The Blues Brothers’ and ‘The Knights […]
Star Wars Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker (film review).
It truly was a long time ago and a galaxy far, far away when ‘Star Wars’ was seen as not much more than a risky venture doomed to box office failure. But, in 1977, Fox executives thought just that. Director George Lucas, seen as someone who was rebelling against the traditional modes of Hollywood film-making, […]
Marvel Platinum: The Definitive Ant Man And The Wasp (graphic novel review).
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the characters Ant Man and the Wasp have become something of a symbol of light relief. The epic and heavy events of ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ contrasting with the subsequent and relatively comedic and intimate Ant Man and the Wasp. This latest Marvel Platinum collection shows the insect-monikered duo in a […]
