'Return' to theaters for 40th anniversary of 'Jedi'
Midweek notes include a look Independent Bookstore Day, The Flash trailer #2 with Michael Keaton, and more!
‘Return’ to theaters for ‘Jedi’
The original “Star Wars” trilogy came to a close in 1983 with “Return of the Jedi.” For the 40th anniversary, the film will return to theaters from April 28 until May 4. This is the first official re-release of the film in theaters in 26 years, following the 1997 theatrical re-release of the special edition.
Artist Matt Ferguson created the new poster commemorating “Return of the Jedi”’s theatrical re-introduction for the 40th anniversary.
The film features Luke Skywalker’s final confrontation with Darth Vader as the New Republic continues its offensive against the Galactic Empire.
Marvel Comics has also gotten in on the 40th-anniversary celebration for the film as well, with “Jabba’s Palace” and “Ewoks” comics being released in recent weeks.
Grifter One-Shot
From time to time I am invited onto the Source Material Podcast with my pals Dean Compton and Jesse Starcher. This week, we jumped into the WildStorm Universe to discuss former spy Grifter's solo “One Shot” escapade from 1995. The “Unspoken Issues” series on this podcast focuses on comic-book issues from the 1990s and does come with a language warning. It’s linked above on YouTube and available on podcast host platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, and more.
Flash/Keaton trailer
The Flash - Official Trailer 2
DC Comics and Warner Bros. encourage you to watch worlds collide in trailer 2 for “The Flash.”
Set for a June 16 release, the Warner Bros. film is directed by Andy Muschietti (the “IT” films, “Mama”) and stars Ezra Miller.
Longtime superhero film fans will likely get a jolt from the extended appearance of Michael Keaton as Batman in the second “The Flash” trailer. Keaton played Bruce Wayne/Batman in 1989’s “Batman” and 1992’s “Batman Returns.
Independent Bookstore Day
Reminder that over the weekend, several local (OKC metro area) shops will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of Independent Bookstore Day.
Get a “passport” at the participating stores: Best of Books in Edmond, Deer Clan Books in Bethany, ExcitedBull Books & Collections in Norman, Full Circle Bookstore in OKC, Green Feather Book Company in Norman, Literati Press Bookshop in the Paseo, and Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman.
Over the weekend of April 29-30, for every three shops you visit, you will be entered to win a raffle prize. If you fill all seven slots on the passport, you’ll get an extra entry into the drawing. No purchase is necessary to get your passport stamped, but you'll likely find some great books at these locations. Raffle winners will be contacted the week after the Bookstore Crawl.
Matthew Price, matthew@matthewlprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman.