Thomas Kowalski - The Spectrum

“Invincible” parodies and satirizes the usual plot points and story beats of a stereotypical blockbuster superhero story, like those that involve saving the world from an alien invasion.

Photo: Courtesy of Amazon Studios

ARTS

‘Invincible’ turns superhero fiction on its head with ambitious first season

By Thomas Kowalski | May 6, 2021

“Invincible” may appear run-of-the-mill at first glance, but its first episode makes it clear that this isn’t an average superhero show.

Most people have heard of this series thanks to the well-known TV adaptation of the same name, which follows a ragtag group of survivors of the zombie apocalypse as they venture across the U.S.

Photo: Courtesy of Image Comics

ARTS

10 must-read comic books for beginners

By Thomas Kowalski | May 3, 2021

Comic books and graphic novels are some of the most adapted forms of media today, but the medium remains a rather niche form of entertainment.

Rachel Jennetti says Aurora Orientem Productions’ initial success could be attributed to their smaller team, when compared to most other productions.

Photo: Courtesy of Aurora Orientem Productions

FEATURES

‘Aurora Orientem Productions’ brings the film industry to students

By Thomas Kowalski | Apr. 27, 2021

“Yeet, defeat, repeat.” That is the motto of Aurora Orientem Productions, a small local film production company founded by junior media study major Rachel Jennetti.

“Freaks and Geeks” is late 1990s television at its finest, as it follows Lindsay, a high schooler who is trying to escape her “goody-two-shoes” reputation by hanging out with the troubled “freaks” at school.

Photo: Chris Haston/NBC

FEATURES

Nine underrated shows that can be binged in a weekend

By Thomas Kowalski | Apr. 21, 2021

Before clocking in a fourth re-watch of “The Office,” why not try something new and check out this list of underrated series that can be binged in under a weekend?

After years of anticipation, this flick finally pits the titular titans against each other for the first time since the 1962 Japanese film, “King Kong vs. Godzilla.”

Photo: Courtesy of Legendary Pictures

ARTS

Godzilla vs. Kong knows exactly what kind of movie it is

By Thomas Kowalski | Apr. 6, 2021

Movie buffs hoping to catch a giant gorilla punch a radioactive, skyscraper-sized lizard in the face, all while desecrating entire cities, will find themselves right at home watching “Godzilla vs. Kong.

UBCon spectators gathered in 2017 for the Cosplay Dating Game event. The 2021 event will be fully remote, over Discord.

ARTS

UBCon prepares for its virtual return

By Thomas Kowalski | Mar. 31, 2021

For over 30 years, UBCon has been an annual staple of the Buffalo community, bringing dozens of Western New York vendors and thousands of attendees to UB’s North Campus.

After an unplanned hiatus lasting nearly a year and a half, Marvel is back in the game with the release of “WandaVision,” a reality-bending, mind-warping mystery/drama disguised as different sitcoms through the ages.

Photo: Courtesy of Marvel

ARTS

‘WandaVision’ brings a breath of fresh air to the MCU

By Thomas Kowalski | Mar. 1, 2021

When “WandaVision” was announced in April 2019, fans did not expect the “Twin Peaks”-esque show to create more questions than answers.