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Even the most die-hard 007 fans know that James Bond movies don’t always hit. There’s the yellow face of You Only Live Twice, the pigeon double-take in Moonraker, the surfing in Die Another Day. But never has the franchise done worse than when a certain Louisiana police officer bumbles into the otherwise solid Live and Let Die.

Yes, I’m talking about Sheriff J.W. Pepper, a loudmouth distraction who sort of makes sense in the American-set Live and Let Die, but then he somehow also shows up in Thailand to further drag down The Man With the Golden Gun.

Modern viewers meeting the character for the first time today will likely be confused by Pepper’s shtick. But to the viewers of the early 1970s, Pepper not only hit as a funny joke, but he was very much in line with Bond’s history of pop culture Johnny-come-latelyisms.

Arguably the most hated James Bond supporting character also made a cameo in Superman 2. The Roger Moore era of the Bond series is extremely unlikely to be repeated. Moore's knowingly hammy performance and reliance on silly gags wouldn't fly with modern audiences raised on the Daniel Craig Bond movies or even the Bourne franchise. While some elements of Moore's run have aged poorly, there is a good-natured fun and spectacle to even his weakest outings.

Of course, Moore's comedy stylings as 007 weren't for everybody, with Timothy Dalton only agreeing to take over the role for The Living Daylights if he could present a more serious Bond. Moore's James Bond movie cycle produced some memorable allies and foes, including Richard Kiel's iconic henchman Jaws or General Gogol (Walter Gotell). Sadly, it also produced one of the most disliked characters in the entire franchise; Sheriff J.W. Pepper (Clifton James...

After years of speculation surrounding the Snyder Cut of Justice League, the near-mythic unrealized version of the movie has finally been confirmed for HBO Max. Not only will it bring closure for both the filmmaker and the fans, but it will also conveniently help bump up subscriber numbers and general public interest for the upcoming streaming service, which was no doubt the driving force behind the decision.

By acknowledging that the two and a half year long #ReleaseTheSnyderCut campaign was one of the major reasons why WB eventually decided to relent, the news marks one of the very few times that any studio has bowed to intense fan pressure, with the notable and completely justified exception of Sonic the Hedgehog.

The continued rise of social media and coordinated fan campaigns with their associated hashtags have given certain groups an increased sense of ownership and entitlement over properties that they hold dear,...

It's a trippy time to be alive right now. People have started to destroy their Justice League DVDs to celebrate the official release of the Snyder Cut. Zack Snyder fans have taken to social media to show just how much they hate what Joss Whedon and Warner Bros. did without the director by shooting video of themselves lighting their DVDs on fire or tossing them into the woods. It's a little weird to be destroying things that they bought, but they're at least getting their point across.

One Zack Snyder fan took his Blu-ray edition of Justice League and threw it in a fire pit. At first it looks like he's going to chicken out and retrieve the disc, which is in its package, but right where you think he's going to grab it, the fire amps up and engulfs the Warner Bros. product in flames. While this is fun...

Boxer Patrick Day (above right) died Wednesday from head injuries sustained during a match over the weekend. He was 27.

Day was box against Charles Conwell during the Super-Welterweight bout Saturday night at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago. He was knocked unconscious during the tenth round and carried out of the ring on a stretcher. The New York-native later slipped into a coma after undergoing brain surgery but never woke up. The fight was streamed on Dazn, an on-demand sports streaming service.

Promoter Lou Dibella confirmed Day’s passing via an online statement.

“He was surrounded by his family, close friends and members of his boxing team, including his mentor, friend and trainer Joe Higgins,” the statement read. “On behalf of Patrick’s family, team, and those closest to him, we are grateful for the prayers, expressions of support and outpouring of love for Pat that have been so obvious since his injury.

Archie Comics' has confirmed they will be rebooting their 1960's comic book property "The Mighty Crusaders", with a new series launch November 2017, that according to Archie Comics' CEO Jon Goldwater, aims "...to tell fun, wide screen superheroics":

"These are beloved, iconic characters and it’s time we dust them off and let them shine for what they are...

"...amazing superhero properties that deserve a bigger spotlight," said Goldwater.

"The Mighty Crusaders", was co-created by "Superman" writer Jerry Siegel in 1965, following revivals of other Archie-owned superhero characters including 'The Shield', 'Black Hood' and 'Hangman'.

The original 'Mighty Crusaders' debuted in Archie Comics' "Fly Man" #31", #32 and "33" before launching their own title. The team was revived in Archie's 'Red Circle Comics' line in 1983 and in 1992 DC Comics licensed the characters and relaunched the team.'

The Shield', a star-spangled crime-fighter was created before 'Captain America', debuting in Mlj's "Pep Comics" #1 (Jan.

Take another look @ Archie Comics' superhero character 'The Shield', a star-spangled crime-fighter created more than a year before Marvel's 'Captain America', on the news that Archie Comics are vigorously rebranding their properties for live-action:

The Shield property and other Mlj (Archie Comics) characters were licensed to DC, but are now back within the Archie Comics fold.

'The Shield' debuted in Mlj's "Pep Comics" #1 (Jan. 1940), created by writer Harry Shorten and illustrator Irv Novick...

....debuting as the comic book industry's first patriotically themed hero. 

He was soon followed by three other patriotic comic characters, from different companies including "Minute-Man" (Feb. 1941), "Captain America" (March 1941), and "Captain Battle" (May 1941).

The Shield is chemist 'Joe Higgins', son of 'Lieutenant Tom Higgins' who was slain in an explosion orchestrated by Third Reich saboteur 'Hans Fritz', while Tom was working on a chemical formula for super-strength. 

Joe finally figured out the solution,...

"The Shield', a star-spangled superhero created in the 1940's before 'Captain America', has been rebooted by Archie Comics 'Dark Circle Comics' as a female vigilante, in "The Shield" #3, available October 12, 2016, written by Adam Christopher, Chuck Wendig and illustrated by Rachel Deering, Drew Johnson, with covers by David Williams, Joe Eisma, Ron Salas and Wilfredo Torres:

"...in 'Daughter of the Revolution', Part 3, the 'Shield', captured by 'Walter Chase', receives a surprising offer-an invitation to join Chase' government organization, protecting the country as she was born to do.

"But as her new missions take her well beyond national borders, the truth slowly dawns and the Shield must face the ultimate question: does she serve the United States of America -- or its people?..."

'The Shield' was a patriotic comic book superhero created by "Mlj" (now "Archie Comics"), debuting more than a year before Marvel's 'Captain America'.

The Shield...

Maria Hill’S Constant-tutional Violations

For a place that has Matt Murdock, Jennifer Walters, Franklin Nelson, Jeryn Hogarth, Bernadette Rosenthal, Kristen McDuffie, Blake Tower, Rosalind Sharpe, Isaiah Ross, Holden Holliway, Emerson Bale, Dennis Bukowski, Grace Powell, Matt Rocks, Connie Ferrari, Justin Baldwin, Jason Sloan – Okay, >>gasp pant<< let me catch my breath here – Ebenezer Wallaby, Maria Alvarez, Maxine Lavender, William Hao, Nelson Mandella, and even some guy named Robert Ingersol (no relation); I can’t understand why the Marvel Universe doesn’t have any lawyers in it.

Now, I know you may think all of those people – and several others, I didn’t mention for fear of really padding my word count – are lawyers. Marvel may even think they’re lawyers. Trust me they’re not. Based on what I saw in Captain America: Sam Wilson #9, no one in the Marvel Universe would know what to do in a bar,...

Take a look @ Archie Comics' superhero character 'The Shield', a star-spangled crime-fighter created more than a year before Marvel's 'Captain America', on the news that Archie Comics are vigorously developing their properties for live-action:

The Shield property and other Mlj (Archie Comics) characters were licensed to DC, but are now back within the Archie Comics fold.

The Shield debuted in Mlj's "Pep Comics" #1 (Jan. 1940), created by writer Harry Shorten and illustrator Irv Novick, debuting as the comic book industry's first patriotically themed hero. 

He was soon followed by three other patriotic comic characters, from different companies including "Minute-Man" (Feb. 1941), "Captain America" (March 1941), and "Captain Battle" (May 1941).

The Shield is chemist 'Joe Higgins', son of 'Lieutenant Tom Higgins' who was slain in an explosion orchestrated by Third Reich saboteur 'Hans Fritz', while Tom was working on a chemical formula for super-strength. 

Joe finally figured out the solution,...

'The Shield' was a patriotic comic book superhero created by "Mlj" (now "Archie Comics"), appearing as a star-spangled superhero more than a year before Marvel's 'Captain America'.

The Shield property and other Mlj characters are now being published again under Archie's "Dark Circle Comics" imprint, giving some competition to Marvel's 'Steve Rogers':

The Shield debuted in Mlj's "Pep Comics" #1 (Jan. 1940), created by writer Harry Shorten and illustrator Irv Novick, debuting as the comic book industry's first patriotically themed hero. 

"He was soon followed by three other patriotic comic characters, "Minute-Man" (Feb. 1941), "Captain America" (March 1941), and "Captain Battle" (May 1941).

The Shield is chemist 'Joe Higgins', son of 'Lieutenant Tom Higgins' who was slain in an explosion orchestrated by Third Reich saboteur 'Hans Fritz', while Tom was working on a chemical formula for super-strength. 

Joe finally figured out the solution, by applying chemicals to...

'The Shield' was a patriotic comic book superhero created by "Mlj" (now "Archie Comics"), appearing almost a year and a half before 'Captain America'.

DC Entertainment now owns the Shield property and other Mlj characters and will roll them into their DC Universe line of superhero characters, giving some star-spangled competition to Marvel's 'Steve Rogers':

The Shield first appeared in Mlj's "Pep Comics" #1 (Jan. 1940), created by writer Harry Shorten and illustrator Irv Novick, debuting as the comic book industry's first patriotically themed hero. 

"He was soon followed by three other patriotic comic characters, "Minute-Man" (Feb. 1941), "Captain America" (March 1941), and "Captain Battle" (May 1941).

The Shield is chemist 'Joe Higgins', son of 'Lieutenant Tom Higgins' who was slain in an explosion orchestrated by Third Reich saboteur 'Hans Fritz', while Tom was working on a chemical formula for super-strength. 

Joe finally figured out the solution,...

Captain America: Winter Soldier hits theaters and I have to say I'm very excited to see it. The flag-waving wonder is my favorite of the Avengers and certainly one of my top five characters from Marvel Comics. Although he's the most well-known, Cap isn't the first patriotic super hero to go up against foreign spies and bad guys for the good ole U.S. of A. That privilege belongs to Mlj Comics' The Shield.

For those not up on their comic book history, Mlj became Archie Comics and continues to publish stories about the teen heartthrob from Riverdale and all his buddies to this day. The Shield preceded Captain America as the first patriotic super hero by over a year. He first appeared in issue #1 of Pep Comics which was published in January of 1940. Marvel's red, white, and blue adventurer didn't make his debut until March of 1941.

Created by Irv Novick and Harry Shorten,...

'The Shield' was a patriotic comic book superhero created by "Mlj" (now "Archie Comics"), appearing almost a year and a half before 'Captain America'.

DC Entertainment now owns the Shield property and other Mlj characters and will roll them into their DC Universe line of superhero characters, giving some star-spangled competition to Marvel's 'Steve Rogers':

The Shield first appeared in Mlj's "Pep Comics" #1 (Jan. 1940), created by writer Harry Shorten and illustrator Irv Novick, debuting as the comic book industry's first patriotically themed hero. 

"He was soon followed by three other patriotic comic characters, "Minute-Man" (Feb. 1941), "Captain America" (March 1941), and "Captain Battle" (May 1941).

The Shield is chemist 'Joe Higgins', son of 'Lieutenant Tom Higgins' who was slain in an explosion orchestrated by Third Reich saboteur 'Hans Fritz', while Tom was working on a chemical formula for super-strength. 

Joe finally figured out the solution,...

Looking back at the early days of cinema allows us not only the opportunity to see the development of our favourite medium but also discover the hidden gems which may have been forgotten.

Network Releasing are shining their own particular light on some of the lesser-known films from one of the most important studios in British cinema history. The Ealing Studios Rarities Collection Vol. 1 (out on the 8th of April) contains early works from directors such as Carol Reed and Basil Dean and we’ve got a clip and a couple of rare production images from the wonderfully named Cheer Up! for you today.

A struggling playwright hopes to market a musical comedy that he has written in collaboration with another equally penurious composer. Anxious to secure the backing of a millionaire, the two composers only succeed in making him angry — until, following a chain of misunderstandings, they finally emerge triumphant.

With four months of digital success under their belt, Archie Comics brings their superhero stable back to comic shops with the first print issue of New Crusaders, in comic shops this week. Each issue collecting the four weekly “acts” of the digital release, the comic is a response to the many requests from readers who wanted to see a traditional edition as well. Archie has done a good job of it, with several special covers and some extra bonuses not seen in the digital release.

Archie Comics superheroes have had a long and varied publishing history. They premiered in 1939, enjoyed a a re-emergence in the 60s, another in the 80s, a couple revivals that never got out of the gate, and two attempted revivals by DC Comics, the woefully underappreciated Impact imprint from the 90s (helmed by our own Mike Gold), and the more recent Red Circle line which started...

Welcome to another edition of The Pull List Comic Reviews! This week we have a shorter list, but as you know, it’s about quality, not quantity. Besides, all of your favorites are here, including a couple of surprises. As always, Warning: Spoilers Ahead.

Pull Of The Week:

Wolverine: Under The Boardwalk one-shot

Marvel Comics – $3.99 Us

Writer: Stuart Morre

Artist: Tomm Coker

Score: 8.5

About to board a plane for Alaska, Wolverine receives a mysterious text message asking him to go to Atlantic City instead. Stranger still is the reference to a man Logan hasn’t seen in 40 years, Phil De Blasio, a mafia underboss who tried to kill him last time they met. What transpired on that boardwalk all those years ago has found a way to catch up to him, much to Logan’s chagrin.

In this latest one-shot focusing on Wolverine, writer Stuart Moore crafts a mystery that...

When Disney released the first six volumes of its Animation Collections it wasn’t surprising to see Mickey and the Beanstalk or The Prince and the Pauper headlining two of the releases. After all, they represented two of the crown jewels of Disney’s short films collection. What was alarming was the omission of Mickey’s Christmas Carol, the beautifully animated take on Dickens’ seminal classic using some of the best old time Disney characters. There are a precious few animated Christmas films worthy of annual viewing. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Merry Christmas Charlie Brown are two of them and Mickey’s Christmas Carol rounds out the trio.

Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)

Directed by Burny Mattinson and written by Burny Mattinson and Tony Marino

Starring Alan Young, Wayne Allwine, Hal Smith, Will Ryan, Eddie Carroll, Patricia Parris, Dick Billingsley

Ebenezer Scrooge, ghosts of Christmas past, present and future...

6th Street Playhouse presents La Cage Aux Folles Based on The Bird Cage by Jean Poiret Book by Harvey Fierstein, with lyrics and music by Jerry Herman The 6th Street Playhouse presents Tony Award-winning musical, La Cage Aux Folles. A flamboyant, hilarious and touching story following gay couple Georges, manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment and Albin, his star attraction and partner and the escapades that ensue when Georges' son bring his fiancee and her ultra-conservative parents home to meet his "parents." Directed by Joe Higgins. Feb. 27 to March 29, 2009 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays. 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays 6th Street Playhouse - Gk Hardt Theatre 52 West 6th Street, Santa Rosa Located in historic Railroad Square Tickets: $14 to $30 General $30; Seniors (62+) $24; Youth (13 to 21) $24; Children (5 to 12) $14 - 8 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays General $22; Seniors (62+) $18; Youth (13 to 21) $18; Children (5 to 12) $14 - 8 p.m. Thursdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays...