WoT TV Series

After a long legal battle that took forever, a Wheel of Time adaptation is in the works. Harriet McDougal, widow of writer Robert Jordan, announced that Wheel of Time TV series is indeed in the works.

One of the most recognizable and popular fantasy series of all time, Wheel of Time is a massive epic that tells the story of Rand Al’ Thor, the Dragon Reborn, and his quest to stop the Dark One. No word yet on who got the series or when it will be shown, but with a sprawling cast of characters and Rand going mad halfway through the story, I am hopeful it will be as good (if not better) as HBO’s Game of Thrones.

In fact, this announcement coming so soon after it was announced Game of Thrones is ending may be a sign, but that could just be me. I just hope whoever gets it don’t screw it up. 

Comics this week

Justice League #49- The "Darkseid War" is one of the best JL story ever and as we are now one issue from its conclusion, writer Geoff Johns is setting things up. As a setup issue, this was one eventful issue. The Justice League and Crime Syndicate come together, Lex Luthor uses his new godlike powers to try to stop Mobius, Mister Miracle and Big Barda has a “moment” that will changed everything in their relationship, Grail return to the battlefield with her mother, and Superwoman’s baby finally arrives. A lot happen in this issue, almost too much, but considering how great this story is, an average issue is to be expected.

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #6- I admit; I only intend to collect Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur till the end of the first story arc. Now that it arrived, I have to say I’m in a mind to continue with this series. Writers Brandon Montclare and Amy Reeder put together a charming tale of a budding super mad scientist with a pet red dinosaurs, and now they are going to add in the Inhuman element into the story. I don’t know. Wacky inventions, dinosaurs, disapproving parents, and now superpowers. This series is just so promising... 

Ms. Marvel #6- Ms. Marvel has been a fun series, but this issue is just laugh out loud funny. Writer G. Willow Wilson gives artist Nico Leon a lot of chances to tickle our funny bone this issue and he do not disappoint. A page with dinosaurs, a giant Kamala, countless regular-sized Kamala, and Loki on a floating cloud? It was hilarious! More, more, more! 

Straight Fight

It is set. The Bukit Batok by-election on 7 May will be a straight fight between People’s Action Party’s (PAP) Murali Pillai and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan. No other candidates will be contesting. 

However I don't think it will make any difference. I know the PAP do not have the best track record in by-elections but I will be very surprise if the PAP lose this one. Before David Ong had to resign due to his affair, he won the Bukit Batok seat handsomely with over 70% of the votes in the 2015 General Election. It's hard to imagined the SDP overcoming that number even with the "by-election effect".

Yes, Chee Soon Juan has a chance but it's a slim one and I think everyone knows it. Guess we'll find out on 7 May. 

For The By-Election

With the by-election of Bukit Batok set, the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) has unveiled their tried-and-tested method of buying getting votes; upgrading! 

To the surprise of no one, PAP candidate Murali Pillai announced the government's upgrading plans for the ward just in time for the by-election. As per usual, the opposition criticized this move by PAP. Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam defended the plans on Tuesday (26 April) saying that the criticism by the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) was just “bluster”.

Honestly, I don't know why the PAP even bother. Everyone in Singapore knows the upgrading plans were tried to the by-election. Would there be plans for upgrading for Bukit Batok if there was no by-election? To say "highly unlikely" is being generous. So why bother denying an accepted fact. Especially when there's no need for it! 

Simply put, Singaporeans accept the fact that the PAP will give them "goodies" for their votes. Yes, I agree with the people who say that such a move by the PAP is using public money to forward the PAP agenda but since when has that matter? To most Singaporeans (and almost every member of the PAP), the Singapore government and the PAP is one and the same.

So the PAP is using the upgrading issue to get vote? Get use to it. It's par for course in Singapore.

Death Of A Legend

This is a bad year for music. After the death of David Bowie, another music legend has died. Prince Rogers Nelson, better known to the world as Prince, was found dead at his home on Thursday in Minneapolis. He was 57.

David Bowie was before my time, but Price; he was a genius. "When Doves Cry" is one of my favorite songs of all time and I was firmly in Prince’s camp during the Michael Jackson/Prince debate. The singer was so talented he sometimes played all the instruments in his albums and usually combined rock, funk, soul, and other genres in his music. That’s greatness for you.

Now no news about the cause of death has come out but I have to wonder if Prince knew the end was coming. He has been fiercely protective of his privacy in the past but recently that has changed. He reportedly hosted several late-night jam sessions, had released four albums in the last 18 months, had been touring and recording non-stop right up until his death, announced he was writing a memoir titled "The Beautiful Ones," and even released some tracks from his famed music library "The Vault”.

Much like Bowie, it now looks like Prince wanted to give the world everything he got before going. R.I.P Prince. You will be missed. 

Comics this week

Astro City #34- Okay, I will admit it. After the great setup in #33, this issue ended the Steel jack story arc on a whimper instead of a bang. In some ways, I felt that writer Kurt Busiek and artist Brent Anderson were trying too hard for a happy ending for the ex-bruiser but in other ways, I could understand why they did it. You just want to root for the hard lucked Steeljack and the ending will bring a smile to anyone’s lips. Another notch in this great series.

Gutter Magic #4- After 4 issues of running through a gauntlet of opponents, Cinder got an offer from the Morgue that may be too good to pass up. He did however and though I initially thought it wasn’t in keeping with his character, the final page of this miniseries showed me otherwise. That last page also makes me think writer Rich Douek intend to continue the journey of Cinder and Blacktooth in the future. A satisfying conclusion to the series with the promise of more good things to come; there are worse endings. Buy it. 

Live-Action Pokémon

Remember Pokémon Apokélypse? A 2010 short film directed by Kial Natale and produced by Dylan Innes and Lee Majdoub, it's a fan-made live-action film based on the Pokémon franchise. Well, it seems that 6 years after the release of that short film, Nintendo is getting into the action.

Entertainment sites had said that Nintendo is trying to get a live Pokémon movie off the ground and several Hollywood studios like Legendary Entertainment, Warner Bros., and Sony were interested. No word yet on whose getting it or even who is the target audience for the live-action movie (would kids with their cartoons want to see a live movie?), but it's an interesting idea to say the least.

Of course the history of turning games to movies is filled with losers and disasters, but with Assassin Creed and Warcraft on the horizon, I guess it make sense for Nintendo to give this a try. I just hope they don't screw it up.