An Elegant Locomotive for a More Civilized Age

Kotaku reports that a special Rapi:t train began service in Japan over the weekend to help promote Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The train runs between Kansai International Airport and Namba Station, located in Osaka. You can get a glimpse from the photos below that every part of the train received a Star Wars themed makeover. 

Transformers Unmasked

Since 1984, noble Autobot Optimus Prime has been standing against the archenemy Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. During that 30+ year span, Peter Cullen and Frank Welker have breathed life into these iconic characters. These two voice-acting legends were recently at Rhode Island Comic Con for a rare east coast appearance. Here is that panel, moderated by Kirk Bozigian, toy creator for Hasbro. We feel incredibly lucky to have seen these extraordinary actors in person. Hope you enjoy.

Google Play (Comic)Books

If Google Play Books isn't your go-to app for reading comics, their recent update may change your mind. In order to better keep up with comiXology, Google Play Books have made some serious upgrades that will make things easier for readers. Notable features include:

• Vertical scrolling (in landscape view)
• Personalized recommendations
• Better organization of volumes and issues

In fact, Google Play Books feels so confident you'll love their new format that they are offering over

40 free comics, including the first issues of The Walking Dead, Saga, Jem and the Holograms, Rat Queens, and the current volume of Batman, as well as Marvel’s new Star Wars Preview. This offer ends November 19. 

The new features will roll out over the next few days for Android users, with iOS expected to follow soon after.

First Look at Arrow/Flash Crossover

Here's a first-look at the upcoming Arrow / The Flash crossover. As you can see from the image above, the two-part event will introduce the Hawks (Ciara Renee, previously seen out of costume on The Flash and Falk Hentschel) who will go on to DC's Legends of Tomorrow.

The 'Flarrow' two-parter is scheduled to air in three weeks, first on The Flash's December 1 episode titled Legends of Today, then concluding the following evening on Arrow's episode called Legends of Yesterday. The two night event is meant to pit Team Flash and Team Arrow against immortal bad-guy Vandal Savage, who is slated to be the 'big bad' on Legends.

In addition to Hawkgirl and Hawkman, Rip Hunter (played by Arthur Darvill) is expected to make his first appearance during The Flash / Arrow crossover. The show runners are calling this year a 'true two-part story' opposed to two stand-alone, team-up stories.

DC's Legends of Tomorrow will debut January 2016 on the CW.

UPDATE: Official descriptions have been released.

THE FLASH/ARROW CROSSOVER – PART 1
THE FLASH
“Legends of Today” — (8:00-9:01:00 p.m. ET) (Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)

PART ONE OF THE EPIC CROSSOVER WITH “ARROW” — In its second major crossover event with “Arrow,” Vandal Savage (guest star Casper Crump) arrives in Central City and sets his sights on Kendra Saunders (guest star Ciara Renée). After Vandal attacks Kendra and Cisco (Carlos Valdes), they turn to Barry (Grant Gustin) for help. Realizing how dangerous Vandal is, Barry takes Kendra to Star City and asks Oliver and team to hide her until he can figure out how to stop Vandal. However, things quickly go from bad to worse when a man with wings AKA Hawkman (guest star Falk Hentschel) shows up and flies off with Kendra. Meanwhile, Harrison (Tom Cavanagh) develops a serum to make Barry run faster and asks Jay (guest star Teddy Sears) to test it out. Ralph Hemecker directed the episode with story by Greg Berlanti & Andrew Kreisberg and teleplay by Aaron Helbing & Todd Helbing (#208). Original airdate 12/1/2015.

THE FLASH/ARROW CROSSOVER – PART 2
ARROW
“Legends of Yesterday” — (8:00-9:01:59 p.m. ET) (TV-PG, V) (HDTV)

PART TWO OF THE EPIC CROSSOVER WITH “THE FLASH” — Oliver (Stephen Amell) and Barry Allen (guest star Grant Gustin) take Kendra Saunders (guest star Ciara Renée) and Carter Hall (guest star Falk Henstchel) to a remote location to keep them hidden from Vandal Savage (guest star Casper Crump) while they figure out how to defeat him. Malcolm (John Barrowman) arranges a meeting between Vandal, Green Arrow and The Flash that doesn’t go as planned. Meanwhile, Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards), Thea (Willa Holland), Diggle (David Ramsey) and Laurel (Katie Cassidy) work with Team Flash to come up with a weapon powerful enough to destroy Vandal Savage. Thor Freudenthal directed the episode with story by Greg Berlanti & Marc Guggenheim and teleplay by Brian Ford Sullivan & Marc Guggenheim (#408). Original airdate 12/2/2015.

Election Day 2015

In all seriousness, U.S. Friends, be sure to get out and vote today. Vote because you can, not everyone is as fortunate to have a say in their government as you.

'Van Helsing' Coming to Syfy

There's a new generation of vampire hunter on the horizon. Next fall, Syfy will debut a reboot of Van Helsing, which is going into production January 2016. The series will center around Vanessa Helsing taking place of her famous father as 'humanity's last hope to lead an offensive to take back what has been lost.'

'The series (Van Helsing) is unique in exploring a world completely dominated by vampires, while the human characters have to learn the importance of working together to ensure their survival.' ~ Chad Oakes, Executive Producer

Set five years into our future, Vanessa has been resurrected, only to discover that vampires have taken over.

Maybe This Time There Will Be Instructions

Believe it or not, there's a Greatest American Hero reboot coming our way.

Fox has given the green-light to a pilot of the 1980s TV series that starred William Katt as the nerdy teacher who found the red pajamas, we mean suit, that gave him superpowers. The original show lasted three seasons and aired on ABC.

The reboot, being produced by the team of Phil Lord and Chris Miller (LEGO Movie), is described as 'the story of what happens when great power is not met with great responsibility.'