How the Transformers Almost Became…Muffy and the Mysterians?

 

When Marvel Comics adapted the Transformers for a Western audience, the toy line narrowly avoided a kid-friendly, all-ages makeover. I look at the murky, odd early years of the Transformers at CBR.

Justice League Unlimited's Comics-Accurate Suicide Squad (But Don't Call Them That)

A single, iconic episode of Justice League Unlimited showcased the Suicide Squad's potential as headliners years before the films. I revisit it this week for CBR.

The Unrepentant Transformers Fan Service of Dreamwave's The War Within

 

In 2002, Dreamwave paired a fan-favorite writer and a popular online artist to craft a new chapter in Transformers lore. I revisit Simon Furman's return to the Transformers and the debut of Don Figueroa this week at CBR.

Efficient and Divine: Gene Kendall's New Novel Series

 

Quick-witted and clean-cut Mason Mackay has something dark within. Struggling to accept his sinister urges, Mason must choose between those he loves and those who deserve brutal justice.

 

Gene Kendall here, shilling my latest releases. If I don't, who will? I believe I've mentioned earlier that I've had a few short stories published on the Saturday Evening Post website, and there's also a free short story available if you join my mailing list. But while short stories are likely better suited for contemporary attention spans, I personally favor full-length novels. Foolishly, I continue to peruse the monthly Amazon Prime releases of mysteries and thrillers. I say this because the description always intrigues, the early pages grab my attention (Murder! Mayhem! Betrayal!) , and the stories then proceed to fall off a cliff.

 

What if that didn't happen? What if a contemporary mystery/thriller delivered on its promise?

The goal of Efficient and Divine is to play off the modern-day tropes of the genre while also remaining true to what once made these stories so compelling in the days of loveable drunks like Raymond Chandler. No cookie-cutter characters, no contrived "save the cat" moments to make the lead likeable despite his flaws, no cheap handwaving at the end to assure readers that everything's going to be okay. Conversely, I didn't want the story to remain steeped in nihilism, either. The characters aren't saints, but I'd like to view them as believably human. This means they react as, well, humans would react in these situations, something that's seemingly a rarity in contemporary fiction.

 

The two novels in the series are on Amazon (one is pre-order and the other is out today) -- free for all Kindle Unlimited subscribers. The second is available for preorder and goes on sale on May 5. Is this a ridiculously long novel I've split up for the purposes of padding out releases? Nope! The novels take place years apart (one before the pandemic, and the other "today"), and have separate themes, tones, and character arcs. I'm releasing them a month apart, frankly, for the novelty of it. Why wait years for the next installment when it's already in the drawer?

 

Here's the official blurb for the opening novel, Efficient and Divine: Almost Heaven…

 

Is there a demon hiding inside Mason Mackay? The world sees only a witty, handsome filmmaker. But one interview subject brings out something dark, something truly unspeakable, buried deep in Mason’s subconscious. Within hours, the interview subject is dead. The evidence points to Mason—and he can’t honestly say the police are wrong.

 

Forced to face the secrets of his past, Mason finds himself at odds with a retired FBI agent with cryptic motives. Meanwhile, a mysterious family is offering Mason not only answers, but acceptance of even his darkest urges. What lies buried within Mason must be exposed…for good or ill.

 

The novel's official release is today, but you might still be able to download free preview ARCs at Booksirens and Prolific Works. The audiobook is also coming soon, narrated by the great Brian L. Knutson, who did a fantastic job on my novel Black Hat Blues and my NYPD Blue guidebook. If you check it out, I hope you leave a review, tell a friend, and all of these things you're always begged to do. Mostly, I just hope you enjoy. (But, seriously, reviews are nice.)

The '90s Super Mario Film Could've Been VERY Different

 

I'm revisiting an abandoned 1991 draft for the live-action Super Mario Bros. film at CBR this week. Imagine a Mario film that isn't a dingy dystopian nightmare!

Cobra Commander's Shocking Link to a Horror Icon

 

Larry Hama has revealed a surprising link between G. I. Joe's nemesis Cobra Commander and a modern horror icon. I write about it this week at CBR.

Before Avatar. Before Titanic. James Cameron's...X-Men?

 

This week at CBR, I examine a screenplay for what would've been the James Cameron produced X-Men film of the early 1990s. The way it gets the X-Men so right and Magneto so wrong is pretty interesting. Also, I'm continuing my look at the classic TV ads for the G. I. Joe comic over at Gentlemen of Leisure. Let me know what you think...

Save the Cat - Gene Kendall's New Story at the Saturday Evening Post

 

The stray cat hangs around like it belongs in the family. And maybe it does.

Check out my new short story at this link and let me know your thoughts!

Japan's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Nintendo Port Did WHAT to April O'Neil?

 

Japan's first attempt at localizing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles created a bizarre change to the mythology that still amuses fans. I revisit the confusion this week at CBR.

The Question and Huntress' Iconic Justice League Unlimited 'Double Date'

 

The Huntress left a lasting impression on Justice League Unlimited, even though her origin is consistently a headache. I revisit it this week at CBR.

Did a Marvel/Image Crossover Title Establish Critical X-Men Lore?

 

A long-running X-Men mystery surrounding Mr. Sinister's most evil plots had an unexpected resolution in Jim Lee's WildC.A.T.S/X-Men crossover. I look at the odd Easter egg this week at CBR.

The '80s Nostalgia Overload of ThunderCats and Battle of the Planets

The early '00s revival of '80s properties produced two wildly contradictory crossovers between ThunderCats and Battle of the Planets. I look at both this week at CBR.

Frank Miller's Abandoned RoboCop 3 Was - A Love Story?

 

I'm looking back at Frank Miller's original plans for RoboCop 3 this week at CBR. The jetpack is there, but so is one strange love story we never saw in the film.

Morph's Noble X-Men: The Animated Series Exit Radically Differed from Comics Lore

 

One controversial (and quickly disavowed) comic had a shocking farewell to the cult-favorite metamorphing animated X-Man. I look back at both exits this week at CBR.

Nintendo's Oddest Lost Media - King Koopa's Kool Kartoons

 

At CBR this week, I'm detailing everything known about the strangest bit of Nintendo history -- King Koopa's Kool Kartoons. If you're an '80s fan of Sunbow's G. I. Joe or Transformers, I think you'll find something rather interesting here, as well.

When G. I. Joe Faced the Transformers - Yet Again

 

This week at CBR, I revisit the 2004 Devil's Due G. I. Joe/Transformers crossover. Cyborg Dreadnoks and the accidental debut of a Decepticon Titan!

How the Justice League Celebrates Christmas – With or Without Batman

 

I revisit the honest Christmas special this year -- the DCAU Justice League episode "Comfort and Joy." And there's a fun tie-in issue that works as a sequel, as well.

The Odd Link Between Batman: The Animated Series and a Forgotten ‘80s Ad Campaign

 

Batman: The Animated Series is a pop culture mainstay today, but this week at CBR I revisit had a series of department store ads from 1988 that played a role in getting the show on the air.