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Troy Johnson, Founder of AALBC.com is interviewed by Darryl Jenkins
Troy Johnson, Founder of AALBC.com is interviewed by Darryl Jenkins Troy Johnson Article Troy Johnson, Founder of AALBC.com is interviewed by Darryl Jenkins on Winbrook Pride TV. http://tinyurl.com/2...
Rappers Delight – Jay Z’s new book and the RZA interviewed
Rappers Delight – Jay Z’s new book and the RZA interviewed Troy Johnson Article “My life after childhood has two main stories: the story of the hustler and the story of the rapper, and the two ov...
What Was The Last Book You Read? The Celebrity Edition
What Was The Last Book You Read? The Celebrity Edition Troy Johnson Article Over the years we've published hundreds of interviews with celebrities. Each one is usually asked, what is now know as the...
Karen Steffans Interviewed by AALBC.com
Karen Steffans Interviewed by AALBC.com Troy Johnson Article Karrine Steffans is the author of the New York Times bestsellering books The Vixen Diaries (2007) and the wildly sucessful and scandelous...
She is Global, an Artist, a Movement—Malaika Adero is “Global I Aam”
She is Global, an Artist, a Movement—Malaika Adero is “Global I Aam” Patrick A. Howell Article
Can I Get An Amen?
Can I Get An Amen? Ruth C. Taylor Article This article was originally published on now defunct, but historically significant, The Black World Today website and is shared here for archival purposes....
Anita Diggs
Anita Diggs Troy Johnson Article Anita Diggs is the author of three novels: A Mighty Love, A Meeting in the Ladies Room and The Other Side of the Game. She has worked as a Senior Editor...
Advertising Online
Advertising Online Troy Johnson Article Advertising Online: Is this the Wave of the Future for Selling Black Books? by Leah Mullen Denise Turney got her start selling books over the intern...
Getting in Dialogue
Getting in Dialogue Troy Johnson Article INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS Interested in being interviewed or having your project considered for DIALOGUE? Mail your biographical sketch and a detailed de...
Journalists Roundtable, Oct. 6, 2015
Journalists Roundtable, Oct. 6, 2015 Richard Prince Article Photos: by Sharon Farmer/sfphotoworks Our October roundtable changed topics quickly in response to news the previous day of the res...
Novel Writing Workshops
Novel Writing Workshops Troy Johnson Article Novel Writing Workshop AALBC.com's Novel Writing Workshop (8 Sessions Online) Enjoy a writing workshop from the convenience of your own home! Get ...
More Poetry!/Less Jam!
More Poetry!/Less Jam! Tara Betts Article More Poetry!/Less Jam! by Tara Betts Bruce George’s outgoing voicemail message at Phat Farm states "Don’t leave a message unless it&rsq...
September Newsletter: Recommended Reads, the MS Book Festival, and More
September Newsletter: Recommended Reads, the MS Book Festival, and More Troy Johnson Article Recommended Reads N. K. Jemisin the Only Writer to Win the Best Novel Hugo Award in three Consecutive Yea...
Hilarious New Novel From Award-winning Playwright David Lamb
Hilarious New Novel From Award-winning Playwright David Lamb Troy Johnson Article What’s worth fighting for the heart or the wallet? From the Creator of Platanos Y Collard Greens, David Lamb’s Ama...
New Books February 2017, Book Reviews, Events, and More
New Books February 2017, Book Reviews, Events, and More Troy Johnson Article New Books Coming Out February 2017 Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson A timely and powerful story about a teen gir...
Walter Dean Myers: More Than an Outstanding Writer
Walter Dean Myers: More Than an Outstanding Writer Troy Johnson Article by Wade Hudson I was stunned when I heard that Walter Dean Myers had made his transition. During the 25 plus years that my w...
New Novel Explores What Our World Would Be Like if the South Won the Civil War
New Novel Explores What Our World Would Be Like if the South Won the Civil War Troy Johnson Article Lex Ramsay has crafted a captivating alternative history novel, Southern Republic, that bring...
Gloria Naylor Discusses Her Novel The Men of Brewster Place on Barnesandnoble.com
Gloria Naylor Discusses Her Novel The Men of Brewster Place on Barnesandnoble.com Gloria Naylor Article Moderator: Welcome, Gloria Naylor! Thank you for taking the time to join us online this evening...
Take Your Pleasure Where You Find It<em> (2nd review)</em>
Take Your Pleasure Where You Find It (2nd review) Thumper Article I am usually excited when I get to read a new J. D. Mason novel. Over the years, she has become one of my favorite authors. When I ...
Aesop’s Fables (84 Fables)
Aesop’s Fables (84 Fables) Aesop Article This Text Is part of the PUBLIC DOMAIN BOOKS OF KNOWN HERITAGE Aesop: Fables, George Fyler Townsend translation, project Gutenberg The Cock and the Pearl...
Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters by Barack Obama - Book Review
Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters by Barack Obama - Book Review Troy Johnson Article "Of Thee I Sing is basically a baker’s dozen of brief biographies of important figures in American hist...
Dark Matter II
Dark Matter II Troy Johnson Article The Call for submission has ended DARK MATTER II : Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora Edited by Sheree R. Thomas GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION...
Ghost Boys, a Powerful New Novel, for Young Readers, from Jewell Parker Rhodes
Ghost Boys, a Powerful New Novel, for Young Readers, from Jewell Parker Rhodes Troy Johnson Article The #1 Kids’ Indie Next Pick A heartbreaking and powerful story about a black boy killed by a po...
New Reviews by one of AALBC.com's Favorite Reviewers - Thumper
New Reviews by one of AALBC.com's Favorite Reviewers - Thumper Troy Johnson Article Thumper went on hiatus for a couple of years, to complete another graduate degree. He is working his way back slowl...
Colin Channer On His Novel, Satisfy My Soul
Colin Channer On His Novel, Satisfy My Soul Colin Channer Article What is SATISFY MY SOUL saying about the American experience? That the destruction of African gods has shaped the destiny of...
Celebrating the Best in Black Literature (May 31, 2016 Newsletter)
Celebrating the Best in Black Literature (May 31, 2016 Newsletter) Troy Johnson Article Subscribe to AALBC.com’s eNewsletter Books to be Published in June Summer will heat up with some great new ...
Chester Himes
Chester Himes Michael Marsh Article Long before becoming a famous novelist, Chester Himes was a budding criminal. But his life changed after he was arrested in Chicago. His approach to his fir...
Notes on “Quotes” from An American Marriage
Notes on “Quotes” from An American Marriage Tayari Jones Article “But home isn’t where you land; home is where you launch. You can’t pick your home any more than you can choose your...
Victoria Christopher Murray Celebrates a Writing Career Spanning 20 Years and 27 Novels!
Victoria Christopher Murray Celebrates a Writing Career Spanning 20 Years and 27 Novels! Troy Johnson Article “In 1997, I self-published my first novel, Temptation. I sold 9,000 copies in 6 months,...
Introducing Delaney Diamond, USA Today Bestselling Author
Introducing Delaney Diamond, USA Today Bestselling Author Troy Johnson Article Delaney Diamond is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sweet, sensual, passionate romance novels and is the manager ...
Dwayne Alexander Smith on Winning the 2015 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work—Debut Author
Dwayne Alexander Smith on Winning the 2015 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work—Debut Author Dwayne Alexander Smith Article When I reached the podium, after the applause had faded, the fir...
The Gilded Six-Bits, A Short Story
The Gilded Six-Bits, A Short Story Zora Neale Hurston Article A screening of the film The Gilded Six-Bits was held July 29, 2010 as part of the AALBC.com Brownstones Series in Harlem, New York. B...
A Profile of the Late Hugh Holton
A Profile of the Late Hugh Holton Michael Marsh Article Hugh Holton, passed May 18, 2001 at age 54, just eight days after his eighth novel, The Devil’s Shadow Books Behind the Ba...
SECRETS World Premieres, September 16 at 8:00 p.m. on BET
SECRETS World Premieres, September 16 at 8:00 p.m. on BET Troy Johnson Article One Man’s Lustful Affair, A Brother's Jealousy and A Wife’s Suspicions Collide and Unravel a Once Perfect Home in Debu...
April 18, 2017 Newsletter: New Books, Vote for Your Favorite Author, and More
April 18, 2017 Newsletter: New Books, Vote for Your Favorite Author, and More Troy Johnson Article AALBC.com Congratulates all the Winners of Pulitzer Prizes in the Letters and Drama Categories Fict...
The Top 7 American Writers of the 20th Century
The Top 7 American Writers of the 20th Century Troy Johnson Article [caption id="attachment_948" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="AALBC.com Founder, Troy Johnson on James Baldwin"][/caption] ...
Who Was Frank Yerby?
Who Was Frank Yerby? Eugene Stovall Article Frank Garvin Yerby (September 5, 1916 — November 29, 1991) Frank Yerby was an African American writer who gave the world a body of ...
Black Writers Dominate the 2017 Pulitzer Prizes
Black Writers Dominate the 2017 Pulitzer Prizes Troy Johnson Article Back in January of this year, I took the time to try to figure out how many Black writers have won Pulitzer Prizes in the six ...
Terrific Books Coming in May, Beyond Adichie, and More!
Terrific Books Coming in May, Beyond Adichie, and More! Troy Johnson Article Terrific New Books Coming in May Former U.S. Poet Laureate, Rita Dove will publish a collection of her poetry from the 30...
Happy New Year From AALBC.com’s Troy Johnson
Happy New Year From AALBC.com’s Troy Johnson Troy Johnson Article 2013, what a year! With so many great new books and films last year, there was a lot to celebrate. We also extended our reach through...
W. Paul Coates Literarian Award Acceptance Speech from the 2024 National Book Awards
W. Paul Coates Literarian Award Acceptance Speech from the 2024 National Book Awards W. Paul Coates Article Watch a Video of Walter Mosleys’s Introduction and Paul Coates Acceptance Speech. ...
Anthony Anderson Expounds on Everything from Watts to New Orleans to His New Movie
Anthony Anderson Expounds on Everything from Watts to New Orleans to His New Movie Kam Williams Article Anthony Anderson was born in Compton, California on August 15, 1970, and attended t...
Reading Tony Martin Matters
Reading Tony Martin Matters Rhone Fraser Article In my interview with Paul Coates about his 2024 Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, he made the point that the works of Tony Martin sh...
Mary Monroe’s New Book, REMEMBRANCE, "A Cozy Holiday Read!"
Mary Monroe’s New Book, REMEMBRANCE, "A Cozy Holiday Read!" Troy Johnson Article It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Kensington’s got you covered when it comes to cozy holiday reads! In t...
October Bestsellers, Award Winning Books, New Bookstores and More
October Bestsellers, Award Winning Books, New Bookstores and More Troy Johnson Article Bestselling Books September/October 2017 The fiction category was dominated by Sadeqa Johnson’s novel Second ...
Bestselling Books, The Top 25 Black-Owned Sites, New Books, and More
Bestselling Books, The Top 25 Black-Owned Sites, New Books, and More Troy Johnson Article Bestselling Books July – August 2017 Fiction titles outsold all other genres this period, led by the stren...
May 2017 Newsletter: Bestselling Books, New Books, Author Info, and Much More
May 2017 Newsletter: Bestselling Books, New Books, Author Info, and Much More Troy Johnson Article Our May Newsletter is Generously Sponsored by Amistad Bestselling Books Bestselling Books: M...
The Cartel series is back...and more deadly than ever.
The Cartel series is back...and more deadly than ever. Troy Johnson Article Ashley & JaQuavis are New York Times bestselling authors of over 30 novels. They are the youngest Black writers to ...
Anita Hemmings, the First Black Student to Attend Vassar College
Anita Hemmings, the First Black Student to Attend Vassar College Troy Johnson Article Karin Tanabe’s gripping new historical novel, The Gilded Years (Washington Square Press, June 7, 2016) is based o...
Marc Lacy Releases Curse of the Whiskey House
Marc Lacy Releases Curse of the Whiskey House Troy Johnson Article Curse of The Whiskey House made AALBC.com Best Sellers List for May/June 2015! Curse of the Whiskey House The highly anticipat...
Jane Addams Book Award Winner Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jane Addams Book Award Winner Jewell Parker Rhodes Troy Johnson Article ABOUT JEWELL PARKER RHODES Jewell Parker Rhodes is the Piper Endowed Chair and founding artistic director of the Virginia G. P...
Unpublished Stories From Octavia Butler Available for the First Time
Unpublished Stories From Octavia Butler Available for the First Time Troy Johnson Article Octavia E. Butler (1947–2006) was a bestselling and award-winning author, considered one of the best scie...
Join Effort to Make “Forever an Ex” a Best-Selling Book
Join Effort to Make “Forever an Ex” a Best-Selling Book Troy Johnson Article Join the National Initiative to Propel Victoria Christopher Murray’s new novel, Forever an Ex, to Best-seller Status. Ab...
March 26th 2013 – eNewsletter Highlights
March 26th 2013 – eNewsletter Highlights Troy Johnson Article Read Our Complete eNewsletter AALBC.com mourns the passing of Nigerian novelist and poet Chinua Achebe (November 16, 1930 — March ...
February 28th 2013 - eNewsletter Highlights
February 28th 2013 - eNewsletter Highlights Troy Johnson Article Our monthly eNewsletter contains information about books and films by or about people of African descent. Authors You Should Know ...
AALBC.com eNewsletter - September 20th 2012 - Issue #194
AALBC.com eNewsletter - September 20th 2012 - Issue #194 Troy Johnson Article Subscribe to this eNewsletter Read our eNewsletter Archives Read Our eNewsletter on Your Kindle AALBC.com's 25 Best Se...
An Author You Should Know: Lalita Tademy
An Author You Should Know: Lalita Tademy Troy Johnson Article [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="559" caption="Lalita Tademy (Photo Credit © InMenlo LLC, 2010)"][/caption] Recently a visitor ...
Broadway’s The Color Purple Empowers Many
Broadway’s The Color Purple Empowers Many Jamie Walker Article New York: Ever since its debut on Broadway, Alice Walker’s compelling narrative-turned-musical, ’The Color Purple,&rs...
Dealing With Writer's Block: Eight Things To Do While You're Waiting In Limbo
Dealing With Writer's Block: Eight Things To Do While You're Waiting In Limbo Jamie Walker Article Having writer’s block is no laughing manner. Some w...
Women’s Fiction and Diversity
Women’s Fiction and Diversity Renee Swindle Article Renee SwindleI’ve been reading what the publishing industry has dubbed “women’s fiction” since books by autho...
Thumper’s Picks
Thumper’s Picks Thumper Article It’s been a while but I’m back with a whole new set of books that I have fallen in love with, passed around, and will sing the praises of at the drop of ...
Genesis Press Inc.
Genesis Press Inc. Troy Johnson Article Genesis Press Inc. is the home of Indigo Romance, the nation's leading line of African-American romance novels. Genesis is a pioneer in publishing dive...
Need Inspiration to Write? Begin Within
Need Inspiration to Write? Begin Within Troy Johnson Article Need Inspiration to Write? Begin Within by Leah Mullen It was a beautifully cool late summer evening, and I was walking down M...
Publishers Indemnity Insurance: What is it, and how do you get it?
Publishers Indemnity Insurance: What is it, and how do you get it? Troy Johnson Article "One of the key components necessary for self-published authors to get their book into Bla...
Sample Manuscript Critique #1 - AALBC.com Manscript Critique Service
Sample Manuscript Critique #1 - AALBC.com Manscript Critique Service Troy Johnson Article Sample Critique #1 Here is what an in depth examination of your manuscript or book will look like using A...
Sample Manuscript Critique #2 - AALBC.com Manscript Critique Service
Sample Manuscript Critique #2 - AALBC.com Manscript Critique Service Troy Johnson Article Sample Critique #2 Here is what an in depth examination of your manuscript or book will look like using A...
The Music Moguls Who Bled Millions from a Black Legend
The Music Moguls Who Bled Millions from a Black Legend Reclamation Project Article Originally Published by the NOI Research Group The recent death of the great Rock & Roll pioneer Chuck Berr...
Two Years Ago - Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passion
Two Years Ago - Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passion Troy Johnson Article Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passionby Tanangachi Mfuni, Amsterdam News Sta...
Hyena Women and Other Strange Tales of Social Chaos
Hyena Women and Other Strange Tales of Social Chaos L. E. Rainey Article Several years ago I watched a documentary about a pride of lions and a pack of hyenas living in the African savannah. By e...
Macavelli Press
Macavelli Press Troy Johnson Article Macavelli is currently reviewing manuscripts: Macavelli Press Mission Statement http://www.macavellipress.com More than fifty thousand books are publ...
Child’s Play: A Poem
Child’s Play: A Poem Frederick K. Foote, Jr. Article Another young Black man knocked unconscious, lying motionless on the fake grass His fellow players move around him in hushed groups radiating fea...
Garvey & Garveyism is Back in Print / 100 Anniversary of UNIA
Garvey & Garveyism is Back in Print / 100 Anniversary of UNIA Troy Johnson Article Garvey and Garveyism, a well known classic that has been out of print for more than 3 decades, is essential for read...
My Friend and Publishing Leader Manie Barron Passed away Saturday
My Friend and Publishing Leader Manie Barron Passed away Saturday Troy Johnson Article [caption id="attachment_334" align="alignnone" width="478" caption="Emanuel Joseph Barron (December 7, 1955 to J...
African Rhytms: The Autobiography of Randy Weston - Read This Book
African Rhytms: The Autobiography of Randy Weston - Read This Book Troy Johnson Article [caption id="attachment_316" align="alignnone" width="572" caption="Randy Weston performs at the Brooklyn Museu...
Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passion
Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passion Troy Johnson Article Black New Yorkers: Booklover hopes to profit from his passionby TANANGACHI MFUNIAmsterdam News StaffSeptember 28 - O...
“The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain”
“The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain” Langston Hughes Article One of the most promising of the young Negro poets said to me once, “I want to be a poet—not a Negro poet,” meanin...
The Blair Bamboozle: A Fiction Writer’s Encounter With Jayson Blair
The Blair Bamboozle: A Fiction Writer’s Encounter With Jayson Blair Brian Egeston Article Burning Down My Masters’ House: My Life at th...
A Reaction to the Opinion, “Watched Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song for the first time. It was really bad.”
A Reaction to the Opinion, “Watched Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song for the first time. It was really bad.” W. Paul Coates Article Maybe, but I do agree with you on the acting; not much there to crow abo...
Simon & Schuster Gives Racist Troll $250K Book Deal, But Boycotting Them Makes No Sense
Simon & Schuster Gives Racist Troll $250K Book Deal, But Boycotting Them Makes No Sense Troy Johnson Article Editor’s Note: Subsequent to the publication of the article, a video of Milo making commen...
Spike’s New Film is Bad, Kickstarter Funding is Worse
Spike’s New Film is Bad, Kickstarter Funding is Worse Troy Johnson Article AALBC.com’s movie critic, Kam Williams, is my friend. He is one of the most easy going guys I know. He has reviewed thousa...
Gift of Revelation’s Author Explains his Penchant for Spirituality and how he Overcame Challenges to Produce a Popular Line of Religious Fiction
Gift of Revelation’s Author Explains his Penchant for Spirituality and how he Overcame Challenges to Produce a Popular Line of Religious Fiction Robert Fleming Article Q. Where have you been after ...
Prince Among Slaves - Abdul Rahman Sori’s Story
Prince Among Slaves - Abdul Rahman Sori’s Story Troy Johnson Article With the recent popularity of the film 12 Years a Slave and focus on Solomon Northup’s the tragic story story, we tend to forget ...
AALBC.com eNewsletter – October 11th 2012 – Issue #195
AALBC.com eNewsletter – October 11th 2012 – Issue #195 Troy Johnson Article Subscribe to this eNewsletter Read our eNewsletter Archives Read Our eNewsletter on Your Kindle By Troy Johnson Authors...
For Black History Month: Research & Share Your Family History
For Black History Month: Research & Share Your Family History Troy Johnson Article [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640"] Troy Johnson's Maternal Father Rev. Freeman Foster his 2nd Wife Hazel ...
An Author You Should Know: Annette Gordon-Reed
An Author You Should Know: Annette Gordon-Reed Troy Johnson Article [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Annette Gordon-Reed, American historian and legal scholar"][/caption] Hist...
Russell Simmons Hosts Book Party for CNN’s Soledad O’Brien
Russell Simmons Hosts Book Party for CNN’s Soledad O’Brien Troy Johnson Article [caption id="attachment_199" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="photograph Steve Fenn/CNN"][/caption] Over the...
Mother’s Day Stories
Mother’s Day Stories Troy Johnson Article Mother’s Day Stories: A Lifetime of Appreciation in a Few Words The Defenders Online http://tinyurl.com/troy-mom I have a tribute to my mom here along wi...
State of the Black Union 2008
State of the Black Union 2008 Kam Williams Article Obama’s Conspicuous Absence Overshadows Annual Gathering State of the Black Union 2008 by Kam Williams Senator Barack Obama...
James Brown “Godfather of Soul” Dies at 73 (1933–2006)
James Brown “Godfather of Soul” Dies at 73 (1933–2006) Jamie Walker Article Photo Source: http://www.funky-stuff.com Atlanta, GA James Brown, the legendary ’Godfather of Soul...
Can Black People Go 5 Minutes Without Music?
Can Black People Go 5 Minutes Without Music? Troy Johnson Article ...or rather why do we have to blast the music during every gathering? Having been back in Harlem now for about 4 years -- after bein...
Clinton as Vice President Would be a Disaster for Obama
Clinton as Vice President Would be a Disaster for Obama Gwen Richardson Article As Senator Barack Obama wrapped up the Democratic nomination on Tuesday, Senator Hillary Clinton and h...
Come On, Jesse: Don’t Hate The Playa, Hate The Game!
Come On, Jesse: Don’t Hate The Playa, Hate The Game! Anthony Asadullah Samad Article Jesse Jackson, Sr.’s “;live mike” comments about Barack Obama reminds us that there&r...
Ivan Van Sertima: My Historical Guide and Mentor
Ivan Van Sertima: My Historical Guide and Mentor Joel A. Freeman Article My interest in Black history was launched in earnest about 42+ years ago in 1980 when some Black pro athletes asked me questio...
Gentle Pen Editorial Services
Gentle Pen Editorial Services Troy Johnson Article http://www.gentlepen.com Behind Every Good Writer is a Great Editor! A good story is crafted with solid writing. A great book is well edit...
National Book Awards Honors IBPA Members’ Impact
National Book Awards Honors IBPA Members’ Impact Troy Johnson Article This article was originally published in the April 2025 issue of the IBPA Independent magazine, the magazine for members of the I...
AAFCA Honored MOONLIGHT as Top Film & QUEEN SUGAR as the Top TV Show
AAFCA Honored MOONLIGHT as Top Film & QUEEN SUGAR as the Top TV Show Troy Johnson Article FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION (AAFCA) HONORED MOONLIGHT AS THE TOP ...
Black Books Galore! AALBC.com's November 2016 eNewsletter
Black Books Galore! AALBC.com's November 2016 eNewsletter Troy Johnson Article Picador USA – Our eNewsletter Sponsor for November Read one of the year’s most highly lauded – and highly provocative...
Donald Trump is a Negger
Donald Trump is a Negger AALBC Staff Writer Article It’s not a typo. Donald Trump used a pick-up artist’s strategy to win the presidency. For those of you who don’t know much abo...
7 Award Winning Books You Will Definitely Enjoy
7 Award Winning Books You Will Definitely Enjoy Troy Johnson Article [caption id="attachment_2853" align="alignright" width="140"] Ernest J. Gaines[/caption] The following seven books are all winn...
Get On Up - A New James Brown Movie Coming!
Get On Up - A New James Brown Movie Coming! Troy Johnson Article I just learned about this up coming film from my online buddy, CD Burns, an hour ago. After watching the trailer, I figured I’d shar...