Astro Boy Prequel Anime Announced

ANN reports that an anime adaptation of the prequel to Astro Boy has been announced. Titled "Astro The Beginning", it depicts the events prior to the fateful day Dr. Tenma's son Tobio is killed in a car accident, leading to the creation of Astro Boy.

Created by 'God of Manga' Osamu Tezuka, and is one of the earliest known Anime series ever produced, Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom in Japan) is of the title character, a child robot created in the likeness of his creator's son. Armed with various weapons and abilities, Astro defends Earth against various threats and disasters, while also dealing with the discrimination of his kind by the human race.

Why Disney Sucks in Video Games

Earlier, Disney chose to close its gaming division, effectively cancelling the popular Disney Infinity game altogether, to the dismay of fans. A business analyst explains the closure.

Looking back, the article was spot on as Disney really has no idea how to make a really good game for players to dig in and play and is focused entirely on just making a quick buck (as any megalomaniac corporation would). And when you look at the Disney games in the past that were REALLY good, it's because they are developed by a company that knows a thing or two on making them. Capcom developed Ducktales that is an instant classic; and of course Square-Enix did Kingdom Hearts.

Latest X-Men Movie Earns Low in US Theaters

A lot of news sites like this one is making headlines that X-Men: Apocalypse earned $26.4 million on Friday in the US and is expected to have an estimated earnings total of $90 million by Monday.

Est. US earnings - $90 million
Est current Global earnings - $110 million
Est. Production Cost (sans marketing & distribution) - $180 million

Conventional wisdom states that the movie must earn more than double its production cost to break even (to cover marketing, et al), before it actually starts to profit. At the rate this is going, and with comparisons to Deadpool, it's not looking good for the franchise.

The call for FOX to re-negotiate with Marvel the same way Sony did for Spider-Man is getting louder.

Meanwhile, Olivia Munn, who plays Psylocke in the film, is begging to be added to the upcoming X-Force film with Deadpool.

As much as I enjoy Olivia Munn from her days as a host on Attack of The Show, she's saying this because she knows how screwed up she was when she turned down the role as Deadpool's girlfriend and went for the role of Psylocke instead. Now she desperately wants to get hired for a Deadpool role because of how much a big hit that movie is compared to X-Men: Apocalypse.

First a gay Cap, now a Hydra Cap

It's only just yesterday that #GiveCaptainAmericaABoyfriend was trending on social media and other mainstream sites. And now all that changed quickly with the recent release of Steve Rogers: Captain America #1, which reveals that Steve Rogers has been a sleeper agent for Hydra since the very beginning. And that rustled a lot of feathers for everyone.

Now let me be clear that this is THE Steve Rogers from main Marvel continuity, otherwise known as Earth-616. He's not a clone or an imposter or anything of the sort. He is the Steve Rogers co-created by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon since the 1940's, now revealed to be an undercover agent for Hydra, one of the most notorious organizations in the Marvel universe. Or if you never read the comics, they're the villain team Coulson took on in Agents of SHIELD and Coulson's team seems to have ultimately won when all of Hydra's bases were destroyed.

Whether you're a die-hard comic book fan or just among the general public, Captain America has always been the icon of American Patriotism - "Truth, Justice, and the American Way", so to speak. Yes that's a line for Superman, but the same also applies to Captain America, perhaps in many more ways than Superman's. And to reveal that Rogers has been on the side of the villains from the very beginning, and the fact that the issue was released just as Memorial Day in the US is around the corner, then you got everybody all riled up. Now #SayNoToHYDRACap is trending on social media that it not only trumps yesterday's call to make Steve Rogers gay, but also kind squashed any hype for DC's Rebirth event, but that's another story.

Obviously all of this is part of a marketing effort to get people to pick up the comic and know what's going on. In my case, their tactic worked. As I was shopping for some groceries earlier today, I decided to go and grab the issue and read it myself.

Full Disclosure, I haven't spent time reading Marvel after the Secret Wars event, and only read a few issues of Spider-Man and Iron Man from the All-New All-Different line of Marvel comics. So I missed out a lot of what happened in between. I haven't even gotten into the backstory behind the Civil War II event that is going on now, which I will discuss about later.

Thankfully the first issue doesn't ask you to read back issues to what happened prior to this and only asks you at least know who Captain America is. Not a problem since the recent Civil War movie has placed Cap on the map, so a lot of people know him already, as are the other supporting cast like Maria Hill, Sharon Carter, and Sam Wilson aka Falcon.

Now obviously, outlets like Entertainment Weekly and Yahoo have already spoiled the plot of Captain America #1, so I don't need to tell you that. There are a couple of key things on the issue when I read it: First, Hydra in this series is actually in a middle of an internal struggle for who controls the organization. On one hand, we have the Red Skull - longtime enemy of Cap. The other is another archenemy of his, Baron Zemo, which I assume you've already seen in the Civil War movie, just without his signature hood.

Second, the way Hyrda operates now is far different than they were decades ago, as Rogers notes it. Now Hydra's operations are akin to that of real-life extremists like the Daesh or the Taliban. This is something that not just disturbs Rogers, but Zemo as well.

Third, in addition for control of Hydra, Skull and Zemo are also fighting for control of Kobik. If you recall the Cosmic Cube from the first Captain America movie, it's the very same, except it's somehow sentient and is responsible for not only making Captain America young again, it also grants him his powers back. This is the only part of the issue where you may need to go read some backstories to see what's going on. But for the moment, Kobik is but a McGuffin in this plot.

That being said, it got me to think that maybe, just maybe, Kobik has somehow altered Cap's memory of him as a child and getting a false reminder that he was inspired by Hydra. Having memories altered is not uncommon in Marvel. Rogers did confess that ever since he became young again, he felt some strange changes in him. So that could be a factor. However, it is way too early to tell as this is just the first issue, and I can expect this arc to be ongoing for several months.

On that note, because of this 'revelation' that Cap is a Hydra agent, he will not likely get involved in the ongoing Civil War II event between Team Iron Man, and Team Captain Marvel. I also forgot to mention there are actually TWO Captain Americas currently in Earth-616: one is Steve Rogers, and the other is Sam Wilson. So I am suspecting that, aside from a marketing ploy, it is also to help push Wilson as the de facto Captain America, much the same way Jane Foster is pushed as the new Thor, and Laura Kinney as the new Wolverine.

So I'm not shocked at all by this revelation. This is something that happens a lot in comics and eventually it all goes back to the status quo. The only thing I didn't like in this issue is simply the writing. This is most especially when Zemo does his dialogues, as it makes him sound like he's in a 1960s cartoon. Red Skull too, though he can be forgiven because he's from the 1940s as well, and with the Axis forces at that time.

Does this make me buy more issues of Cap? Only out of curiosity. But I'm not gonna invest that deep, to be honest. So to anyone who got "triggered" by the revelation, you really shouldn't, but Marvel got you there. So kudos to Marvel for hyping this one up, regardless of its direction.

Disney Premiere List June 2016

Includes Disney and their sister networks (credits to Toon Zone). Also premiere dates for the final four episodes of Wander Over Yonder.

Best Friends Whenever on Disney Channel
(No new episodes in June)

Bizaardvark on Disney Channel
Fri Jun 24 - 9:45 - 101 - First

Bunk'd on Disney Channel
(No new episodes in June)

Girl Meets World on Disney Channel
Fri Jun 3 - 8:30 - 301 - Girl Meets High School, Part 1
Sun Jun 5 - 8:30 - 302 - Girl Meets High School, Part 2
Fri Jun 10 - 8:30 - 304 - Girl Meets Permanent Record
Fri Jun 17 - 8:30 - 303 - Girl Meets Jexica
Fri Jun 24 - 7:30 - 305 - Girl Meets Triangle

K.C. Undercover on Disney Channel
Sun Jun 19 - 8:00 - 211 - The Love Jinx

Liv & Maddie on Disney Channel
Sun Jun 5 - 8:00 - 319 - Skyvolt-A-Rooney
Sun Jun 19 - 8:30 - 320 - Californi-A-Rooney

Stuck in the Middle on Disney Channel
Fri Jun 3 - 8:00 - 109 - Stuck With My Sister's Boyfriend
Fri Jun 10 - 8:00 - 111 - Stuck With a Winner
Fri Jun 17 - 8:00 - 112 - Stuck With No Rules

Disney Channel Original Movies on Disney Channel
Fri Jun 24 - 8:00 - DCOM - Adventures in Babysitting

Backstage on Disney Channel
(originally aired on The Family Channel)
Fri Jun 3 - 9:00 - 109 - Sotto Voce
Fri Jun 10 - 9:00 - 110 - The Understudy
Fri Jun 17 - 9:00 - 111 - Lose Yourself

Mako Mermaids on Disney Channel
(originally debuted on Netflix)
TBA

Avengers: Ultron Revolution on Disney XD
(No new episodes in June)

Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything on Disney XD
(No new episodes in June)

Guardians of the Galaxy on Disney XD
Sun Jun 26 - 113 - Fox On the Run

Kirby Buckets on Disney XD
Mon Jun 20 - 7:30 - 119 - Call of Doodie
Mon Jun 27 - 7:30 - 121 - Tunnel Babies

Lab Rats: Elite Force on Disney XD
(No new episodes in June)

Pickle and Peanut on Disney XD
Mon Jun 20 - 9:00 - 117 - Bats / Sewer Shark
Mon Jun 27 - 9:00 - 118 - Movie Camp Out / Busted Arm

Star vs. the Forces of Evil on Disney XD
(No new episodes in June)

Star Wars Rebels on Disney XD
(No new episodes in June)

The 7D on Disney XD
(No new episodes in June)

Ultimate Spider-Man vs the Sinister 6 on Disney XD
Sun Jun 12 - 9:00 am - 410 - The Sinister 6, Part 1
Sun Jun 19 - 9:00 am - 411 - The Sinister 6, Part 2
Sun Jun 26 - 9:00 am - 412 - Agent Web

Walk the Prank on Disney XD
Mon Jun 20 - 8:00 - 105 - Adventures in Babysitting
Mon Jun 27 - 8:00 - 106 - LOL the Vote

Wander Over Yonder on Disney XD
Mon Jun 6 - 8:00 - 219 - The Search for Captain Tim / The Heebie Jeebies
Mon Jun 13 - 8:30 - 220 - The Sick Day / The Sky Guy
Mon Jun 20 - 8:30 - 221 - The Robomechabotron / The Flower
Mon Jun 27 - 8:30 - 222 - The End of the Galaxy

Goldie & Bear on Disney Junior
TBA

Micky Mouse Clubhouse on Disney Junior
TBA

Sofia the First on Disney Junior
TBA

Nick Premiere List June 2016

June Premieres for Nickelodeon and its sister networks (Credits to Toon Zone):

Nickelodeon
All in with Cam Newton
Friday, June 3rd-8:00 pm (Series Premiere)

Bella and the Bulldogs
Saturday, June 4th-9:00 pm "Tailgating"

Blaze and the Monster Machines
Thursday, June 2nd-1:30 pm "Race to Eagle Rock"

School of Rock
Saturday, June 4th-8:30 pm "Freddy Fights for His Right to Party"

Shimmer and Shine
Wednesday, June 15th-TBA (Season Premiere)

The Other Kingdom
Sunday, June 5th-7:00 pm "Love Hurts"
Sunday, June 5th-7:30 pm "You Can't Go Home Again"
Friday, June 10th-TBA "You Can"
Friday, June 17th-TBA "Cliff Anger"
Friday, June 17th-TBA "The Campaign"
Friday, June 24th-TBA "The Great Escape"
Friday, June 24th-TBA "Hidden in Plain Sight"

The Thundermans
Saturday, June 4th-8:00 pm "Dog Day After-School"


Nick Jr.
Teletubbies
Wednesday, June 1st-8:00 am "Babies"
Thursday, June 2nd-8:00 am "Bubbles"
Friday, June 3rd-8:00 am "Puddles"


Nicktoons
Chase Champion
Wednesday, June 1st-6:30 pm "Dragon; Teleport; Power Suit
Thursday, June 2nd-6:30 pm "Power Punch; Gork

Top Ten Trick Shots
Friday, June 3rd-9:00 pm TBA


TeenNick
TeenNick Top 10
Friday, June 3rd-9:00 pm


TV Land
Impastor
Sunday, June 26th-TBA (Season Premiere)

Lopez
Wednesday, June 1st-10:00 pm "George Needs Vegas"
Wednesday, June 8th-10:00 pm "Fear and Loving on the Way to Las Vegas"
Wednesday, June 15th-10:00 pm "George Goes All In"

The Jim Gaffigan Show
Sunday June 19th-TBA (Season Premiere)

The Soul Man
Wednesday, June 1st-10:30 pm "White Trash"
Wednesday, June 8th-10:30 pm "Numb and Number"
Wednesday, June 15th-10:30 pm "Boyce Don't Cry"


Specials
Henry Danger/The Thundermans Crossover TBA
    

CN Premiere List June 2016 (UPDATE 5/31)

UPDATED Schedule

The Amazing World of Gumball
Thu June 02 - 5:00pm - 429 - The Point
Thu June 09 - 5:00pm - 430 - The Scam

Clarence
Thu June 02 - 5:30pm -224 - Jeff's Secret

Lego Ninjago: Master of Spinjitzu: SkyBound
Thu June 09 - 7:00pm- 601- Infamous

The PowerPuff Girls
Thu June 09 - 6:00pm- 119- Snow Month

Pokémon the Series: XYZ
Sat June 04 - 7:00am - 1916 - Master Class Choices
Sat June 18 - 7:00am -1917 - A Electrifying Rage

Regular Show
Thu June 02 - 7:30pm - 733 - Pop's Favorite Planet
Thu June 02 - 7:45pm - 734 - Pam I Am [SPECIAL TIME]
Thur June 09 - 7:30pm - 735 - Lame Lockdown

Steven Universe
Thu June 02 - 7:00pm - 305 - Hit the Diamond

Uncle Grandpa
Sat June 4 - 11:30am - 320 - Except for Cooper
Sat June 11 - 11:30am- 321- In the Clouds

Cartoon Network website release:
Peanuts(Online)
Fri June 03 - 3:00am-121- Like Skates on Ice/Tennis/A Litte Nap/World of Mouth/ Good Dog
Fri June 10- 3:00am -126 - Snoopy the Superstar/Show Dog/ Train Your Dog /A Pretty Picture /Leave Me in Peace 

---------
ORIGINAL POST
Tentative schedule of premieres for CN for June (credits to Toon Zone). Expect updates:

The Amazing World of Gumball
Thu June 02 - 5:00pm - 429 - The Point

Clarence
Thu May 26 - 5:30pm -224 - Jeff's Secret

Pokémon the Series: XYZ
Sat June 04 - 7:00am - 1916 - Master Class Choices

Regular Show
Thu June 02 - 7:30pm - 733 - Pop's Favorite Planet
Thu June 02 - 7:45pm - 734 - Pam I Am [SPECIAL TIME]

Steven Universe
Thu June 02 - 7:00pm - 305 - Hit the Diamond

Uncle Grandpa
Sat June 4 - 11:30am - 320 - Except for Cooper"