Marvel Comics Announces Star Wars: Han Solo #1

Marvel Comics Announces Star Wars: Han Solo #1

Han Solo has always been a special character in the Star Wars universe. An exemplar of the appeal of the films, his gritty hero with a heart was part of the glue that held the Original Trilogy together. Fans of the not-so-scruffy looking nerf herder, worried about how his role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens would affect his role in the galaxy, have little to fear. It appears there is plenty of new Solo to enjoy .

News of the smuggler’s anthology film is certainly welcome, but it also comes with a caveat. Although the standalone film will explore his early years, another actor will portray the rebel leader rather than Harrison Ford . Han Solo fans won’t have to worry about casting, though, for Marvel’s latest addition to his backstory.

Today, the House of Ideas announced a five-issue story arc titled Star Wars: Han Solo. The first issue is due out this June. The new series was written by Marjorie Liu (Dark Wolverine) and features artwork by Mark Brooks ( Cable & Deadpool ), with cover art by Lee Bermejo (Suiciders). Apparently, the first issue will address the legendary figure’s continuing role in the rebellion, although they don’t specify exactly where in the original trilogy this takes place (it looks to be between A New Hopeand Empire Strikes Back). Here’s Marvel’s description:

“Han Solo has finally entered his ship into the Dragon Void Run – an infamous high-stakes race across the stars. You know, the race Han has dreamt of winning. Only there’s a catch – his entry into this legendary race is a top-secret undercover mission for Princess Leia and the Rebellion! Will he keep his mind on the mission? More importantly – can he manage to pull it off while still maintaining his lead in the race?!”

Here is the cover for issue #1 and a sneak peak at the new miniseries:

Fans curious to find out more about Han Solo’s life will be excited for all the upcoming adventures featuring the character. With a rumored cameo in the upcoming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and his standalone, Lucasfilm is slowly filling us in on the mystery and history of our favorite scoundrel. Solo’s upcoming comic book looks as though it showcases the fascinating and somewhat unexplored period following Star Wars: A New Hope. And this adventure appears to delve into Solo’s early transition from smuggler to rebel hero, as well as his evolving relationship with Princess Leia Organa.

Since Disney and Lucasfilm officially declared the Expanded Universe non-canon , it’s been curious to see which aspects of its lore will be made canon. The EU offered a great deal of background information on the venerable General. Books like the Han Solo Adventures and Han Solo Trilogy novels detailed his younger days, including adventures with Lando and how he met Chewbacca. Works like the Legacy comic book series also explored Solo’s later life with Leia and his children. And even though aspects of the EU have been loosely adapted, such as the Jacen/Ben Solo connection , much of the smuggler’s history has now been made a blank slate. As more materials emerge involving his life, fans will either thrill at the inclusion of old material or enjoyably debate the reason certain aspects of the EU made it in or failed to.

Of course, knowing how sneaky Lucasfilm is about releasing concurrent materials, Star Wars: Han Solo could also contain a nugget or two of information which will tie into the upcoming films . Even if it doesn’t tie in directly (which it likely will, at least to a degree), any Han Solo is good Han Solo.

Star Wars: Han Solo#1 arrives in June.

Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens is now in theaters, followed by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on December 16th, 2016, Star Wars: Episode VIII on December 15th, 2017, and the Han Solo Star Wars Anthology film on May 25th, 2018. Star Wars: Episode IX is expected to reach theaters in 2019, followed by the third Star Wars Anthology film in 2020.

Source: Marvel

Source : Screenrant

5 Surprising Beauty Uses for Coconut Oil

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Cuticle softener

Get double duty from your new DIY coconut oil lip balm case and say goodbye to ragged cuticles. Using your finger, swipe a small amount of the oil onto each of your cuticles and allow it to sink in. The coconut oil will strengthen your nails and hydrate the delicate cuticle skin, making your hands look more youthful. 

Watch the video: 3 Steps to Beautiful Nails  

Next: Under-eye cream

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Lip balm

Chapped lips don't stand a chance against ultra-hydrating coconut oil. Scoop some into a spare contact lens holder and throw it in your purse so you can dab it on with your finger throughout the day. Feeling fancy? It's easy to create your own pretty package. Start out with this plastic pot or thisaluminum tin, both available onAmazon.com.

Next: Cuticle softener

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Body oil

As a solid, coconut oil's creamy texture makes it the perfect light moisturizer to slather all over. Apply a quarter sized amount right after you get out of the shower so it can sink into your warm skin. The light tropical scent that lingers after it's applied. Add in a few drops of peppermint or lavender oil for a massage mix. 

You May Also Like: Highest Rated Organic Coconut Oils on Amazon.com

Next: Lip balm

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Hair mask

Coconut oil is a creamy solid at room temperature, and turns to liquid when heated to 76°F. While in the shower, melt your coconut oil by running the jar under the warm water. Then, after shampooing, apply a generous amount of the oil to wet strands and twist hair into a bun. Let it sit for at least five minutes before rinsing to add moisture and shine back into limp locks.

Next: Body oil

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Go nuts for coconut oil

by Chelsea Burns

You may have already made the switch to coconut oil in the kitchen, but did you know you can also swap out some of your beauty products for the wonder oil? This do-it-all ingredient can be used to moisturize skin and remove makeup, but that's just the beginning. Here are all the ways you can incorporate coconut oil into your beauty routine (until we discover more!).

Next: Hair mask

Virgin Coconut Oil More Effective than Drugs in Combating Stress and Depression

Article Originally Published Here

Is it time for a new paradigm in mental health?  Are non-drugs, like virgin coconut oil, a safter and more effective alternative to stress and depression?

A new study conducted in Malaysia looked at the effects of consuming high-antioxidant virgin coconut oil on mental health.

Published in the journal Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine and believed to be the first study of its kind, researchers evaluated the anti-stress and antioxidant effects of virgin coconut oil in mice with stress-induced injuries. The title of the study is "Antistress and antioxidant effects of virgin coconut oil in vivo."

The researchers performed several stress tests on groups of mice. Control groups included untreated mice and mice not subjected to stress, and virgin coconut oil was compared to a commonly prescribed psychiatric drug, Diazepam.

Their results were quite impressive, and suggest that using a high quality virgin coconut oil can rival antidepressant drugs without the dangerous side effects. The researchers attributed the success in treatment to the unique mixture of medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil, rich in saturated fats, and to the antioxidants present in higher grade, less processed virgin coconut oils.

While we do not endorse the supposed "science" behind psychiatric drugs, which attempts to measure such things as "neurotransmitters" and "biochemical profiles" as true indicators of mental health that can be altered by chemical drugs, it is encouraging to see researchers consider natural foods as alternatives, given the fact that they do not have all the serious side effects that psychiatric drugs do.

One of the more interesting tests conducted in this study was a measurement of "immobility time" after a forced swim test. The researchers found that the untreated mice had a longer immobility time than mice treated with virgin coconut oil. They attributed this to the high medium-chain fatty acid content of coconut oil, which is known to produce thermogenesis and increased energy.

One area where virgin coconut oil (VCO) really outperformed the drug Diazepam was in the area of oxidation and elimination of free radicals. This is something that can be measured with lipid peroxidation (MDA) and antioxidant enzyme SOD levels. Stress is known to increase oxidation and the creation of free radicals, leading to neuronal cell damage and death. Antioxidants, on the other hand, reverse this trend and help prevent further neuronal damage.

The researchers found:

VCO was able to reduce lipid peroxidation and increase the activity of SOD in the serum of mice undergoing the forced swim test and the brains of mice subjected to chronic cold restraint. It was previously reported that VCO is rich in polyphenols and these antioxidants may contribute to the increased levels of antioxidant enzymes, which subsequently reduce lipid peroxidation and inflammation in VCO-treated mice. Restoration of antioxidant levels in the brain may help prevent further neuronal damage and avoid subsequent depletion of monoamines, including DA. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the potential of VCO in preventing exercise- and chronic cold restraint stress-induced damage and restoring the antioxidant balance. This promising antistress activity may be attributed to the polyphenols and medium-chain fatty acids present in VCO.

It is high time for a new paradigm in mental health. Drugs are not the solution to stress and depression. Non-drug alternatives are not only safer, but can be more effective than pharmaceutical drugs as well.

Reference

Antistress and antioxidant effects of virgin coconut oil in vivo.  Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine – Jan 2015; 9(1): 39–42. Full Study.