Tag: martial arts

IDW brings Cobra Kai from the dojo to comic stores…

cobra Kai

Great news for Karate Kid fans, from a recent press release by IDW Publishing…

IDW Publishing brings the lifelong rivalry between Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence out of the dojo and into comic book stores with an all-new Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues miniseries, slated for release in Fall 2019.

In collaboration with Overbrook Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television, IDW will develop new stories set within the continuity of the YouTube Premium original series, based on iconic characters from the cultural touchstone Karate Kid film series.

The Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues comic book series will be written by Denton J. Tipton (The X-Files) and illustrated by Kagan McLeod (Infinite Kung Fu). The first issue, slated to debut in October, will feature cover artwork by McLeod, as well as photos of the beloved cast and other iconic surprises.

Starting with “Johnny’s Story” Part 1 (of 4) in October, readers will see The Karate Kid movie in a whole new light in this retelling through the eyes of Johnny Lawrence, two-time All Valley Tournament champion. When the new kid makes moves on the girl that broke Johnny’s heart, he vows to settle the score and win back his love… or so goes the story Sensei Lawrence tells his students nearly 35 years later.

Cobra Kai debuted on YouTube Premium on May 2, 2018, reigniting the 30-year rivalry between Daniel LaRusso (played by Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), whose legendary conflict at the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament was the climax of the beloved film, The Karate Kid. Their fates intertwined, the successful Daniel and redemption-seeking Johnny collide as they set forth teaching the next generation of “karate kids.”

“I saw The Karate Kid for the first time during a lock-in at the Y. The skeleton costumes captured my attention, while the Miyagi-isms pulled me into the story. And like everyone else at the time, I caught Karate Kid fever. Fast-forward 35 years, and being just a small part of the franchise has made me feel young and inspired all over again,” says Tipton.

“Cobra Kai has been a revelation to new and longtime fans alike,” says IDW Sr. Director of Licensing & Business Development, Eric Moss. “With its complex, layered characters and perfect blend of nostalgia and freshness, it begs for more stories—and IDW is honored to enter the ring. The action and philosophies of martial arts are tailor-made for comics, and, just like a bonsai, we look forward to firmly planting our roots in that world and branching off into wondrous new directions.”

The five-issue Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues miniseries is set for comic stories and popular comic stores this October. Consult your comic shop sensei for preorders.

Short Science Fiction Film – Temple (by Nguyen-Anh Nguyen)

Temple

  • Director: Nguyen-Anh Nguyen
  • Actors: Osric Chau & Yue Qi
  • Sound design, Musical Score: Cult Nation & Kannibalen Records
  • Time: 9:14 Release: Released on Vimeo February 29, 2015, premiered in 2015
  • Notes: For more info, visit thefilmeffect.com/temple

Synopsis :

“2045 A.D. A new genetic disease is causing humans to reject their own organs. Cybernetic enhancements are the only means to survive. One desperate man is forced to steal cybernetic implants to save an innocent life.

Personal Thoughts:

A beautiful combination of great VFX, sound, scripting, and editing.

The story content itself is a reinvention of several dystopian concepts left from the past 80s/90s era of sci-fi urban cyberpunk fiction. One being the idea of the failures of genetic enhancement, though in this setting the enhancements are necessary for survival. I can only wonder what kind of genetic diseases could lead to this sort of necessity. Another being the idea where technology wins and surpasses humanity, as we see not only the boost of tech in humans but in vehicles and city development as well. The “filthy air” and “flood” are hints and perhaps warnings towards continued harm to our global environments.

Then we have a major theme and moral dilemma for the sake of drama. Our main character and narrator cares little for the opponent, as we have little back story from him other than his want to survive and fight back. He takes no joy in the fight, as he must save another he cares for from dying. In this cruel world, we ponder his moral judgement in the choice of who lives and who dies, based on his martial arts skills. Yet here we are, and can hope for a happy end beyond the nine minutes shown.

The martial arts action is great though not as necessary I think to the overall story. We have a feeling we know who the winner will be and that may deescalate where the overall tension goes. Yet, the brutality and gore result does heighten the gritty mood and shock of the violence this world brings. There is a high degree of nihilism we get from the feeling where “we all have to become monsters.”

The music is very captivating, with elevated electronica mixed with ambiance and tension. The audio set mood feels established for the grit and futuristic noir. The visuals of deep colors and grainy filters used with timed depth of field techniques feel suitable, feels modern to this era of indie filmmaking. These are good things. Together with the great editing and cinematography present, I can envision a full movie worthwhile for independent audiences looking for hard-sci combined with meaningful action sequences.

Overall, a great watch that serves enough as a standalone tale leaving much open. This would be a great prologue to a large story where perhaps the woman is the main protagonist, and perhaps a more cheerful ending. I can hope someday for that bigger story.

– Orion T