Tom Speelman
polygon.com
Lansing, IL, United States
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Past articles by Tom:
Junji Ito does Lovecraft better than Lovecraft in Sensor
Now out in an English translation from Viz Media’s Signature imprint, the latest book from Junji Ito (creator of Uzumaki, The Enigma of Amigara Fault) is Sensor, a cosmic horror tale about a cult in a village that’s covered in hair. Here’s our review on why it’s one of the best manga to read right now. → Read More
Junji Ito thinks the world has gotten scarier, but not as scary as his manga
Fresh off winning two 2021 Eisner awards, Uzumaki writer and artist Junji Ito sat down with Viz Media to talk about his new manga Sensor, a horror tale about alien hair and volcanoes. The interview gets into his childhood fears and current fears about coronavirus. → Read More
Viz Media to make the Inuyasha manga available digitally before the Inuyasha sequel
Manga readers can catch up on Rumiko Takahashi’s original manga before the premiere of Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon, its anime sequel — and more news about Chainsaw Man, One Punch Man, Beastars, Junji Ito and more from the Official Viz Media panel at New York Comic Con 2020. → Read More
Marvel and DC don’t put politics in comics in the same way
A pro-Trump Superman? An anti-Trump Lois Lane? An “apolitical” Captain America? Marvel Comics and DC Comics can’t avoid political messages, but in walking the line between left and right politics, they try. → Read More
X-Men comics experts debate the way to put mutants in Marvel movies
A Marvel X-Men movie or Disney Plus show? Who should direct the new X-Men movie? Four X-pert comics writers discuss how Marvel Studios should bring the Marvel Comics mutants into the MCU. → Read More
5 X-Men stories that could bring mutants to the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Will Kevin Feige bring the X-Men into the MCU? Here are five of the best X-Men comic stories, from Chris Claremont to Jonathan Hickman’s new Dawn of X run, that could make sense to mine. → Read More
Disney+: The Potential Downside to the Streaming Service
Despite its extensive library, there may be some potential downsides to Disney+. → Read More
Every must-read graphic novel coming out this fall
Who says summer reading ends in September? Don’t miss Raina Telgemeier’s latest, Harley Quinn’s new origin story, retired hitmen, and more. → Read More
What Disney+ Should Do With The Muppets
Instead of trying to reinvent the Muppet wheel with a Disney+ miniseries, the streaming service should give fans what they want: The Muppet Show. → Read More
Powers of X #2 raises more questions about the X-Men’s past and future
Jonathan Hickman is setting the Marvel Universe up for an epic inversion. Spoiler alert: Magneto and Professor X know about Moira’s powers, Apocalypse is leading the resistance against Nimrod, and the Phalanx have arrived. What does it mean when considering the glossary pages and House of X #2? → Read More
How the DuckTales Reboot Built Upon Quack Pack With Huey, Dewey & Louie
Long indistinguishable, except for the color of their shirts and caps, Huey, Dewey and Louie received personality makeovers on DuckTales. → Read More
DuckTales: Donald's Cousin, Gladstone Gander, Explained
Disney's DuckTales reboot reintroduces the unnaturally lucky Gladstone Gander. But how, exactly, is he related to Scrooge and Donald? → Read More
How Darkwing Duck Became Part of DuckTales Continuity
Despite a widespread belief, Darkwing Duck and DuckTales never existed in the same universe. That is, until Disney's DuckTales reboot. → Read More
How Disney's DuckTales Changed Webby Vanderquack
Introduced in the original DuckTales as a cutesy tag-along, Webby Vanderquack was reimagined for Disney's 2017 reboot. → Read More
My Hero Academia: A Guide to Season 4's New Characters
My Hero Academia returns in October with a fourth season, a new status quo, and new heroes and villains. We break them down. → Read More
How Disney's DuckTales Reboot Changed Flintheart Glomgold
Once a relatively minor Scrooge McDuck rival, Flintheart Glomgold became a major foe in the original DuckTales and in the Disney reboot. → Read More
How Disney's New DuckTales Changes the Beagle Boys
Ma Beagle and the Beagle Boys are back in Disney's new DuckTales. But how has the reboot changed them? → Read More
What Marvel’s WandaVision series might adapt from the comics
Marvel’s enormous Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 4 timeline includes a new Disney Plus series for the studio. WandaVision will expand on the characters of the Scarlet Witch and the Vision — even though the Vision is dead. We take a loot at their Marvel Comics history for clues as to how that might work. → Read More
What happened when Spider-Man lost his secret identity in the comics?
Spider-Man: Far From Home featured a post-credits scene in which The Daily Bugle releases Peter Parker’s secret identity. While it’s unclear what the ramifications will be in the MCU, there’s been one instance in The Amazing Spider-Man comics in which Peter’s identity was revealed. It didn’t end well. → Read More
The fascist subtext of Attack on Titan can’t go overlooked
As Hajime Isayama’s Attack on Titan manga reaches its apex, so do its fascist, anti-Semitic, and imperialist themes. The series, a cultural phenomenon in its own right, is colored in season 3 by its creator’s nationalistic beliefs. → Read More