February 2020 Archives   21 February 2020 Xena Comics: Read First Chapter of Xena: Warrior Princess: Road Warrior There is no doubt that Xena is a force to be reckoned with. The Chakram-throwing warrior has faced off with formidable foes and even the gods themselves. What better way to celebrate her badassery than a trade paperback of Xena: Warrior Princess: Road Warrior, her recent series from Dynamite. Written by Vita Ayala (Black Panther, Shuri, Wonder Woman, The Wilds), the run features art by Olympia Sweetman, Vasco Georgiev, Jordi Perez, and Erica D’Urso. Cover art for the 128-page book comes from artist David Mack. Read the synopsis from the publisher below: Xena: Warrior Princess: Road Warrior She has outwitted gods, defeated massive armies and found redemption through conquering insurmountable tasks. In a time of ancient gods, warlords and kings…a land in turmoil called out for a hero! She was XENA, a mighty princess forged in the heat of battle! In this all-new series, writer VITA AYALA (Black Panther, Shuri, Wonder Woman, The Wilds) and artist OLYMPIA SWEETMAN throw Xena and her companion Gabrielle headfirst into a mysterious adventure. Can Xena discover the secrets of a village full of super-strong children, before jealous and petty GODS get involved? Xena: Warrior Princess: Road Warrior is set to hit stores on Wednesday February 19. Head to your favorite local comic shop to secure your copy, and check out Dynamite’s website to order online. The Beat received the entire first chapter of the book. Read it here for free!     21 February 2020 Sideshow Gods: Five More Top TV Spin-Offs Including Xena: NZ Herald 20-02-20 The New Zealand Herald took a look at some of the best spinoffs and of course, Xena: Warrior Princess is listed because it was a spectacular spinoff from it's parent Hercules. SIDESHOW GODS: FIVE MORE TOP TV SPIN-OFFS New Zealand Herald 20 February 2020 SETTING ASIDE the endless NCIS, Law & Order and Chicago iterations, here are some other great spin-offs with slightly more organic origins. XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS (1995-2001) Cast in this New Zealand-shot series at the last minute, Lucy Lawless went on to become a queer icon thanks to her steely, textured and hilarious portrayal of a bad girl trying to do good. The show ended up surpassing its parent series, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, both in quality and cultural significance. Source: Printed Edition, NZ HERALD 20 February 2020     14 February 2020 Xena The Immortal Series by Redhawk and Joseph Connell Xena Immortal Series Redhawk created the genre of Xena - the immortal Only One, then Oktoberfest - Immortal Series 2 and The Breaking Read those first and then read A Feast of All Souls by Joseph Connell Joseph picks up the story where Redhawk left off - Xena coming back to Gabrielle after Callisto (still a God) kills the immortal Xena. Xena finds a way to return after many centuries but without a memory of her former life - this story reveals what happens. There is also extreme danger to Gabrielle, who herself is an immortal and a bacchae! One of my favourite series and this installment is fantastic! A Great read - Xippy Award Winner - Awarded: 15 October 1999     10 February 2020 10 TV Shows That Should Get a Reboot List Including Xena In a time when reboots abound from film to television, there are a few noticeable titles missing. The reboot of Charmed upgraded the story of witch sisters to fit a modern, intersectional audience. Roswell, New Mexico took inspiration from the original teen show but is back with the dream team that brought fans The Vampire Diaries. Not all reboots evoke nostalgia. Rather, they make the franchise their own, like Netflix's The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, turning the bright and sunny Sabrina the Teenage Witch into a gritty horror show. While the trend lasts, here are 10 shows that should get a reboot. #5 XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS The spinoff of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys had its own successful run of six seasons. Thankfully, visual and special effects improved with advanced technology, which would make a reboot of the adventure dramedy even better. It's hard to step into the shoes of the legendary Lucy Lawless, but another fine actress out there could take on the mantle. Also, the show wouldn't have to beat around the bush for so long regarding the nature of Xena and Gabrielle's relationship. It's time for the queer representation the fans deserve. Read More     7 February 2020 From the Fanfic Archives: October 16, 1998 - The Stranger In Your Eyes by Sword'n'Quill On October 16, 1998 I welcomed a new bard to the Bard's Corner. She would become a dear friend. I would like to welcome a new talent to the Xenaverse. Her name is Sword’n’Quill and she has produced a stunning piece of fanfic - an epic tale (I'm a sucker for a good long story). Check it out - I highly recommend it! It has become one of my favourites! Added The Stranger In Your Eyes (Alt) by Sword'n'Quill     5 February 2020 Xena FanFic - Not As Long As I'm Around by T. Novan and a Bard Brunch Report by Joseph Connell Xena FanFic (from the Archives - January 2000) The following story by T. Novan is an absolute beauty. It's a Uber with a twist - it's Xena an immortal (a vampire) who mourns the death of her Gabrielle until she finds the reincarnated Gabrielle in a most unlikely place. A fantastic read. Added Not As Long As I'm Around by T. Novan Added report by Joseph Connell on the Bard Brunch     5 February 2020 Rolling Stone Magazine Lists Xena As One of TV's Best Spinoffs Well this is a first (not that Xena was listed as one TV's Best Spinoffs in Rolling Stone). We all know Xena was the best spinoff but I was alerted to this article by Renee herself! I'm not sure of the date of the article but that will be forthcoming. Thanks Renee!   View this post on Instagram Check it out, Pac-Ren friends and Xenites. #rollingstonemagazine Best TV Spin off XENA ???????? A post shared by Renee O'Connor (@realreneeoconnor) on Feb 2, 2020 at 1:14pm PST     1 February 2020 Fanfic Audio: Southern Comfort: You've Never Been Nowhere by C.L. Bactad (Narrated by Bongo Bear) SOUTHERN COMFORT: YOU’VE NEVER BEEN NOWHERE by C.L. Bactad and narrated by Bongo Bear Click here to listen to the story Lunacy's FanFic Review: A sequel to CL Bactad's Mel/Janice uber piece SOUTHERN COMFORT. This new tale finds private eye Janice Covington trying to keep busy with work while distracted with the memory of a certain Southerner when as fate would have it - the Southerner returns...with company ;-) This story like the first one has the feel of some of those classic private eye films from the Bogie era. A fun read with good potential. [unfinished] - 5 pgs., 1/20/99     Read More Archives