Comic Book Kingdom

Justice League: Doom

2011-12-04T10:56:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the trailer for Justice League: Doom?
If you haven't, here it is....

What make this so amazing is that for this film, they got the band back together!

You have Kevin Conroy as Batman, Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman, Michael Rosenbaum as the The Flash, Carl Lumbly as Martian Manhunter and Superman: The Animated Series' Tim Daly as Superman and instead George Newbern which I'm kinda on the fence about.

Also they wont be having John Stewart's GL, but they will have Nathan Fillion as Hal Jordan.

And one thing that makes me VERY happy is that Phil Bourassa (Young Justice) is doing the character designs.

Another X-Men First Class Trailer

2011-04-20T16:34:00.001-04:00

Here's the new trailer for X-Men: First Class.
I'm telling you, I hated this idea at first but I am getting more and more interested with each trailer I see.
You get to see Caleb Landry Jones as Banshee in this one.
I really wished they had stayed with the music from the first trailer though (Methodic Doubt and Kopius Few, "Half The Man") ....

The Latest Captain America Trailer

2011-04-04T13:17:00.003-04:00

If you haven't seen the latest Captain America: The First Avenger trailer , here it is.

This is another movie that I was kinda worried about.
The previews are helping, but there's still something that's off that I can't put my finger on.
One thing that's not off is the CGI Steve Rogers at the beginning of the film.
(Garbage can lid shield....great!)
That blew me away.
Nicely done.

But I can sum up the coolest part of the trailer is three words....
Tommy.
Lee.
Jones.

New Green Lantern Film Footage

2011-04-04T10:56:00.003-04:00

At WonderCon this weekend, Ryan Reynolds (Green Lantern/Hal Jordan) and Blake Lively (Carol Ferris) showed up with ten minutes of new Green Lantern footage.
It seems the internet community was underwhelmed by the last footage and Warner Bros. is trying to fix that.
I have to admit, I was less than happy with the first shots I saw, but seeing the costume in action, it looks better.
I still don't like the "organic" Power Ring Battery, but hey, I'm Silver Age and I still want Green Arrow beardless, Flash's costume to explode out of his ring and Wonder Woman to look like Wonder Woman.
Maybe I am too focused on looks....

Anyway, here is four minutes of the ten minutes of footage that WB released online (you get to hear Hal recite the oath!)....

The New NEW Wonder Woman Costume

2011-03-30T19:34:00.001-04:00

After the internet comic book community went fool on them, the makers of the new Wonder Woman TV show have changed the costume slightly.
Still looks hideous to me.

The New Wonder Woman Costume

2011-03-18T20:44:00.001-04:00

LOOK!
It's the new Wonder Woman costume.

Meh.

The Amazing Spider-Man Isn’t Entirely A Reboot....Huh?

2011-02-20T19:51:00.002-05:00

"But I thought it was a reboot...."

Okay...I'm confused....

I thought the new Spider Man flick was a reboot.
According to Marvel Executive producer Avi Arad it isn't....

"It's not a comeback. You have to look at it this way: Do you want to know more about The Amazing Spider-Man? This movie is going to tell stories that you didn't see in movies 1, 2, and 3."

THIS Spider Man has mechanical webshooters, a new costume, is dating Gwen Stacy, J. Jonah Jameson and Mary Jane Watson aren't in it....?

But it's not a reboot?

Wait a minute... at the beginning Peter Parker wakes up and Gwen is in the shower.....

New Thor Trailer

2011-02-18T19:55:00.001-05:00

Just in time to get my mind off the Wonder Woman TV series, we have the new Thor trailer with lots more Destroyer goodness and more shots of Thor and Loki.
You know, I really WANT this one and Cap to do well.

So I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Adrianne Palicki = Wonder Woman?

2011-02-18T16:39:00.003-05:00

Well the new Wonder Woman for David E. Kelley's remake (reboot?) of Wonder Woman has been announced and I am less than over-whelmed.
Adrianne Palicki (Friday Night Lights) will be donning the satin tights and fighting for our rights as the Amazon Princess.
Well....I was hoping for someone that looked like Wonder Woman.
You know Tom Welling does look like Kal-El, even in the first episode before he got all bulked up he could have passed for Superboy at least.
I don't see WW when I look at Palicki.
At all.
Okay, maybe I'm just kinda upset that Sarah Lancaster (Chuck) didn't get it.

I liked the idea of her taking over the Lynda Carter mantle.
And we all know this Wonder Woman is gonna be judged by her standard just like Brandon Routh was judged by Christopher Reeve.
I thought Sarah looked more like LC and I could see her being war-like one minute and compassionate the next.
Oh well.
Anyway, like everything thing else I will give Mr. Kelly and Ms. Palicki the benefit of the doubt and wait until I actually see the show.
And maybe Adrianne can dye her hair jet black and hit the gym (hard) before shooting starts.

New Spider Man Costume

2011-02-17T22:40:00.003-05:00

Does it remind anyone else of Spider-Man 2099?

X-Men First Class Trailer

2011-02-10T20:54:00.000-05:00

And going back to the upcoming Marvel comics movies...here is the trailer for X-Men: First Class
Starring James McAvoy as Professor Charles Xavier, Michael Fassbender as Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto, Kevin Bacon as Sebastian Shaw and January Jones as Emma Frost / White Queen.

Henry Cavill, The Man of Steel

2011-02-10T18:38:00.000-05:00

Since I have been doing so much with the upcoming Marvel movies, here is Henry Cavill, the British actor that will be the Man of Steel in Superman: Man of Steel.
Zack Snyder is directing and the film will be released in theaters in December 2012.

Captain America and Thor Trailers

2011-02-07T21:14:00.000-05:00

In case you missed the Super Bowl.
(The Steelers lost)
Here are the trailers for Captain America: The First Avenger...

And Thor...

X-Men: First Class

2010-10-01T10:17:00.001-04:00

Yes we all know Thor is coming out on May 6, 2011 and we are looking forward to it.

Ditto for Captain America: The First Avenger, also set for 2011, on July 22nd.
I still think Marvel missed the boat here, it should have been July 4th.

One film I haven't mentioned here is X-Men: First Class.
Matthew Vaughn is directing and the film is set for release on June 3, 2011 and it is supposed to be the first of three films.

Here is the plot synopsis:
"Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-Men."

The "Big Bad" for the film is supposed to be the Hellfire Club (which could be interesting).

Here's the cast rundown so far....

James McAvoy as Professor Charles Xavier (Laurence Belcher as a young Charles Xavier).
Michael Fassbender as Erik Lensherr / Magneto (Bill Milner as a young Erik Lensherr.)
Kevin Bacon as Sebastian Shaw
January Jones as Emma Frost / White Queen
Rose Byrne as Moira MacTaggert
Nicholas Hoult as Hank McCoy / Beast
Jennifer Lawrence as Raven Darkholme / Mystique (Morgan Lily as a young Raven Darkholme).
Oliver Platt as "The Man in Black"
Zoë Kravitz as Angel Salvadore
Caleb Landry Jones as Sean Cassidy / Banshee
Lucas Till as Alex Summers / Havok
Edi Gathegi as Armando Muñoz / Darwin
Jason Flemyng as Azazel
Álex González as Riptide / Janos Quested
Tony Rich as Thomas

So from looking at this, Marvel is going WAY off the reservation with this one.
And people complain about Smallville.

Looking at the info available on the film, I have to quote multiple Star Wars characters and say, "I've got a bad feeling about this."
Something about it just looks wrong.
Nothing I can really put my finger on.
Maybe going too far from the books I grew up with?

Why do I keep thinking it shouldn't be called X-Men: First Class, it should be called X-Men: We Really Want This Movie To Do Good So We're Gonna Get A Younger Cast and Rip Off Twilight

And if this is First Class...where's Angel,Ice-Man and Jean Grey?

People keep saying this is a Silver Age adaptation.
No it's not.
Sebastian Shaw, White Queen, Moira MacTaggert, Mystique and most of the others in this film weren't around in the Silver Age.

But hey, I could be totally wrong and the movie could be great.

Smallville Season 10

2010-09-23T10:54:00.002-04:00

For all it's up and downs, I have hung in there with Smallville and it finally looks like that it's paying off.
Hey, it only took ten years.
I loved last season (season 9), and this final season could be even better.
I say "could" because I have seen Smallville really fumble the ball more than once.

Yeah I know that Smallville goes way off Superman canon, but a long time ago I accepted this as an alternate reality Superman story, so I really dont have a problem with the show.

But this season looks promising with a ton of guest stars including...

Michael Shanks as Hawkman
Sahar Biniaz as Hawkgirl
Bradley Stryke as Deadshot
The return of Aquaman (Alan Ritchson)
The return of Kara/Supergirl (Laura Vandervoort)
Erica Cerra (as Isis?)
Darkseid (?)
Lex Luthor (?)
A great "stunt cast" with Terri Hatcher as Lois Lane's mother

...and many more.

And I'm guessing we will finally get to see Clark put on the red and blue suit, probably in the last few seconds of the series finale.

Smallville Season 10, posted to http://comic-kingdom.blogspot.com/ on September 23rd, 2010

Upcoming Marvel Movies - Thor

2010-09-01T11:56:00.002-04:00

I can't really single one out, but out of all the upcoming Marvel movies, I may be looking forward to Thor the most.
Don't get me wrong, I want The Avengers movie and the Captain America: The First Avenger movies both to be awesome, but Thor, I think will be trickier to pull off.
I got to see the Thor trailer online before it got yanked, and I thought it was really good.

It looks like they are going with the Jack Kirby and Walt Simonson vision with the huge cathedrals and almost a sci fi / fantasy look.
Which I think is great.

And they are going with helmets!
I know that seems like a minor point, but Thor really needs to wear the helmet at least a few times.
It's like Cap without his shield.

I think the cast looks amazing....

Chris Hemsworth looks like he dove into his role as Thor, beefing up and adopting a "Mike Tyson" like fighting style for the Son of Odin.
Great!
I really didn’t want to see Thor fighting like Bruce Lee.

The more I look at Tom Hiddleston as Loki, the more I like him.
He has that "I look like a nice guy, but you can see the evil behind my eyes" look that Loki needs.
And Tom has said in interviews that he has adopted a ballet like fighting style, which is a perfect counter-point to Thor's "smash-mouth" style.

Natalie Portman as Jane Foster...well…I hate to sound bad, but Jane Foster was the least of my worries about this film.
Changing her from a nurse to a scientist is okay I guess.

Anthony Hopkins as Odin, looking at it, who else could you have gotten?
Well maybe Brian Blessed, who I think was actually considered at one point.

Jaimie Alexander as Sif, see, this is the female character that worried me.
Maybe because in the Walt Simonson run, she played such an important part.
Jamie was one of few girls on her Colleyville, Texas, high-school wrestling team, so we have the combat training halfway done already!

Then we have The Warriors Three with Joshua Dallas as Fandral, Tadanobu Asano as Hogun and Ray Stevenson as Volstagg.
Good choices all, but I really can't wait to see what Stevenson does with Volstagg.

Idris Elba as Heimdall has caused some Internet controversy.
A Norse deity being played by a black actor?
I really won’t know how I feel till I see what he does with the role.
If he's a great Heimdall, more power to him.

Rene Russo as The wife of Odin, Frigga.
I don’t recall too much about her in the comics, so I'm open to seeing what she can do.

Kat Dennings as Darcy.
She's supposed to be a co-worker of Jane Foster, I guess created just for the movie.
I know my first response was "Why?"

Of course, our hero Clark Gregg will be in it as S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Phil Coulson.
It wouldn’t be the same without "The Glue of the Marvel Cinematic Universe" there.

American-Canadian stage, film and television actor, Colm Feore will be playing Ymir.
I'm interested in seeing how that plays out.

Looks like they hit all the high points...but where's Balder?

The Green Lantern Costume

2010-07-16T20:33:00.004-04:00

Well maybe I have time to complain about another costume.
This is Ryan Reynolds in the costume for the upcoming "Green Lantern" film.

Why is it so hard just to use the comic book version?
It's one of the best designed costumes ever, but they have to change it.

Okay, I do like the way they did the mask.
But what's up with the green veins?

The Green Lantern Costume, posted to http://comic-kingdom.blogspot.com/ on July 16th, 2010

Thursday = Thor's Day

2010-07-15T19:35:00.005-04:00

Since it's Thursday and I was complaining so much about costumes last time....

Here's Thor...

Thor and Odin...

Thor, Odin and Loki....

(BTW, click on the images for full size)

Wonder Woman and Captain America

2010-07-05T14:36:00.005-04:00

This is a tale of two costumes.
One I like… one I do not.

This is the costume design for Captain America: The First Avenger.

Do I like it?
Yes.
It conveys Cap in real life, but keeps the comic book flavor.
Yeah it's got an Ultimates look to it and even a nod to the 40s serial.
But it looks practical and functional.

Now to Wonder Woman’s new costume.

Do I like it?
No.
Didn't they try almost this same design back in the nineties when Artemis took over as Wonder Woman?
And what really hurts my feelings is that it’s designed by one of my favorite artists, Jim Lee.
She looks like an eighties aerobics teacher.
With Superboy's old jacket.

It’s funny that over at the DC Universe Blog, people are ripping it to shreds in the comments.
These would be DC fans too.

Could DC have done better?
Yes?
How?
DC, let me introduce you to Josh McMahon and his redone WW costume.

Now I like this much better.
Functional, fairly practical and it keeps the flavor of the old uniform at least.
And it looks Greek.

Wonder Woman and Captain America, posted to http://comic-kingdom.blogspot.com/ on July 5th, 2010

Superman in Smallville

2010-05-21T12:21:00.004-04:00

Well I was going to start this out by presenting the opening clip for the Smallville season 9 finale last week.
But when I went to YouTube to get it, I was given the customary :

"This video contains content from Warner Bros. Entertainment, who has blocked it on copyright grounds."

Way to promote the show guys!
Seeing what was possibly one of the best Smallville openings ever wouldn't bring in any fans would it?
I mean, they were stealing the whole show right?
Not just giving a teaser that would maybe get more people to watch, or catch up on what they have missed to get to this point.

Now that I'm done with my tirade, I have to admit, the opening of the season finale was as "squee-worthy" as Absolute Justice.
If you recorded it and can do a high quality stop, frame by frame, you actually get to see The Man of Steel himself save a plane.

Over at the IMDb Smallville message board, SaintSpidey67-El posted a stop frame image captured from the plane save (click on the picture for the full size version)...

So thanks to SaintSpidey67-El for making like Superman and saving the day!

The Jonah Hex Movie Trailer

2010-05-01T14:28:00.003-04:00

Well for better or for worse, here's the Jonah Hex movie trailer from the film starring Josh Brolin as Jonah Hex, John Malkovich, Michael Fassbender and Megan Fox.
And let's not forget Will Arnett and my man Lance Reddick (from Fringe!) ...

The Punisher - Marvel Comics Movies

2010-04-22T13:07:00.005-04:00

Frank Castle, The Punisher, was created by Gerry Conway, John Romita, Sr. and Ross Andru.
When he was created (February 1974), he was unique in comic book characters at the time, because he was REALLY a vigilante.
The Punisher didn't just tie the bad guys up so the cops would find them later, he would "punish" them by any means he saw fit.
Of course this was not as unique as some people thought.
For example, early in his career, Batman maimed and killed criminals, and even used guns.
And although I can't find any back up info, I believe the original Hangman from MLJ Comics played judge, jury and executioner as well.
But the Punisher brought this style of crime fighting back into vogue.

The Punisher has been the subject of three movies...

The Punisher (1989)
The first was the straight to video "The Punisher" (1989) starring Dolph Lundgren and Louis Gossett, Jr..
I have to admit, I rented this movie when it came out and watched it in a room full of comic book fans.
We made it about half way through it.
Now though, the film has gathered somewhat of a cult following and it actually may not be as bad as I remember.
I haven't tested that theory though.
The Punisher (2004)

The second movie was 2004's The Punisher.
This film had a higher budget and starred Thomas Jane, John Travolta, Will Patton and Rebecca Romijn.
The movie got mainly negative reviews from critics, but pulled in enough money for Marvel to start work on a sequel titled The Punisher 2, which later was changed to Punisher: War Zone.
Punisher: War Zone (2008)

In 2008, Punisher: War Zone, became the third reboot of the series, and Ray Stevenson became the third man to portray The Punisher.
Like the other films, critics were not in love with the movie, but fans seem to have embraced it even though on it's opening weekend, it only managed to place 8th at the box office.
Critics called it "joyless".
But the hero of the movie is The Punisher.
It's not gonna be a happy go lucky film.
The critics did seem to like Ray Stevenson's performance, but there are whispered rumors of another sequel from Marvel.

Does Mary Jane run past the Punisher in Spiderman 2?
You decide......

Marvel Comics Movies-Fantastic Four

2010-04-04T11:57:00.004-04:00

The first superhero team created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, The Fantastic Four appeared in The Fantastic Four #1 November 1961.
As much of a family as they were a superhero team, the FF caught on fast and soon became one of Marvel Comic's top sellers.
Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben never went the secret identity route, but embraced their fame and celebrity status.
And their fame with readers sent The Fantastic Four, or "The Greatest Comics Magazine in the World!!" as Marvel said into all kinds of media, including movies.

The Fantastic Four (1994)
The first Fantastic Four movie as sadly just an exercise to allow the producers to secure the copyrights to the property.
It was The Fantastic Four, made in 1994.
The film was produced by B-Movie legend Roger Corman and Bernd Eichinger.
Even though the film was made just to hold onto the copyright and never intended for release, the actors and crew were never told that.
The film starred Alex Hyde-White as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic, Rebecca Staab as Sue Storm / The Invisible Woman, Michael Bailey Smith as Ben Grimm and Jay Underwood as Johnny Storm / The Human Torch. Although Michael Bailey Smith played Ben Grimm, Carl Ciarfalio was under the make-up as The Thing.
Corman made the film for under 2 million dollars.
As far as bad movies go, Wizard Magazine ranks this film as better (worse) than Batman & Robin, Steel, Virus and Red Sonja.
The best way to find this movie is bootleg copies.

The Fantastic Four (2005)
The franchise got a major reboot with The Fantastic Four (2005).
This movie was made for $100 million and grossed over $330 million worldwide.
It starred Ioan Gruffudd as Dr. Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic, Jessica Alba as Susan Storm / Invisible Woman, Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm / The Thing and Chris Evans as Johnny Storm / Human Torch.
Julian McMahon portrayed a sort of "Ultimates" version of Dr. Doom.
The critics didn't love this movie, but I liked it.
Except for the way they did Dr.Doom.
It wasn't the greatest superhero movie ever made by any means, but I still don't think it was the worst.
And the movie performed well enough for a sequel.
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
The FF returned in 2007 with Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
The original cast returned with the addition of Doug Jones as the body of the Silver Surfer, and Laurence Fishburne as his voice.
Some critics liked the sequel better than the original.
But the film didn't pull in enough to go ahead and green light a third movie.
Fantastic Four Reboot?

Fantastic Four Reboot
20th Century Fox has announced plans to overhaul the Fantastic Four film franchise with a new movie produced by Akiva Goldsman and scripted by Michael Green.
This came right after the news of the proposed merger with Disney.
Akiva Goldsman won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the 2001 film, A Beautiful Mind.
But he also did Lost in Space, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin.
He's currently working on Jonah Hex and the movie adaptation of Teen Titans.
Television and film writer, as well as a comic book scripter, Michael Green has worked on the upcoming Green Lantern movie, the NBC TV series Heroes, Everwood, Jack and Bobby, Smallville, Kings and Snoops.

Chycho.com - Analysis and discussion about the world we live in.

2009-09-07T18:04:00.000-04:00

Chycho.com - Analysis and discussion about the world we live in.:

"One of the most important contributions the United States of America has made to modern civilization is the creation and the popularization of the comic book genre. It is widely accepted that the present form of comic books, in which word balloons are used, began in New York in 1896 with ‘The Yellow Kid’. This simple comic about a “snaggle-toothed child with a goofy grin” was the genesis of what has become a multibillion-dollar sector of commerce."

Marvel to be bought by Disney in £2.5bn deal - Telegraph

2009-09-01T15:11:00.001-04:00

Marvel to be bought by Disney in £2.5bn deal - Telegraph:

"Marvel Entertainment, the comics colossus which has given the world such superheroes as Spider-Man and Iron Man, is to be bought by Disney in a deal worth £2.5 billion ($4bn)."

Comic Book Fans and Comic Con

2009-07-26T13:33:00.002-04:00

Comic Book and movie news is pouring out of Comic-Con so fast you can hardly handle it.
Man...I remember when Comic-Con wasn't that big of a deal.
Then again I remember our local comic book convention here in NC in Charlotte where I got to actually meet and talk to people like John Byrne and Dave Sim.
But Comic-Con now seems to be a national event.
That's not bad mind you, I think its great the industry is getting that much press.
I just kinda miss the old intimate days when you could actually sit down with a writer or artist and talk.
You got things like Dave Sim drawing me a picture of Cerebus the Aardvark(I think for about 20 bucks), not really liking it and drawing me another for free, letting me keep both of them.
Or Mike Zeck talking about Spider-Man getting a new costume in "The Secret Wars" and then saying "Ooops...I shouldn't have said that.".
Then proceeding to draw me a pic of Spidey in the new all black suit, but refusing to date it because he didn't want to get in trouble with Marvel.

Can the average reader get that kind of one on one relationship at a huge event like Comic-Con now?
Now instead of people like Byrne and Sim, you get Peter Jackson, Denzel Washington, Robert Downey Jr., Cameron Diaz, Megan Fox and Josh Brolin.
I love that they want to interact with the fans as best they can, but can you see actually bumping into Peter Jackson in a hallway and having a 30 minute discussion on the state of comics today?
I hope for the sake of today's comic book readers you can.

NYPD Arrests Superman While Batman Bears Witness - Asylum.com

2009-07-15T16:07:00.001-04:00

NYPD Arrests Superman While Batman Bears Witness - Asylum.com:

"About a month and a half ago, New York City closed a section of Times Square to traffic -- partly to create a more kid-friendly environment. Little did they know that this new outdoor space would provide the backdrop for a disturbingly violent encounter between New York City's finest and DC comics' World's Finest.

Maskim Katsnelson and Frank Frisoli are street entertainers who perform as Superman and Batman, respectively. They were doing an interpretive dance to the theme from the Superman movies last week, when cops confronted the two about not having a permit to play amplified music."

Upcoming Comic Book Movies, Part 1

2009-05-26T13:17:00.002-04:00

Since the hype over Wolverine has died down, I wonder how the mediocre performance of it and Watchmen will affect upcoming comic book movies?
Here is the current list of upcoming movies that are coming out.

First up, Marvel.....

Iron Man II (2010)
Expect more of the same as far as ticket sales go. I can't really see the second film flopping with all the hype the first one got.

Spider-Man 4 (2011)
Scares me.
After Spiderman 3, I'm afraid this film will have an uphill battle.

The First Avenger: Captain America (2011)
Can Marvel sustain two comic book movies in one year?
Hey, it IS Cap.

Thor (2011)
Okay, how about 3 movies in one year?
Will the public be "comic booked out"?

The Avengers (2012)
Okay, Marvel waits a year. Depending on how 2011 goes, this could be THE movie, or a big loss.

Deadpool (????)
It looks like the "Merc with a Mouth" is headed for the big screen.
As it stands right now, Ryan Reynolds is attached to the project.

Of course this isnt taking into account the alledged reboots of Daredevil, Fantastic Four and Blade.

Wolverine Is Still Hanging In There

2009-05-18T14:38:00.002-04:00

Those are NOT can openers......

Wolverine is still fighting at the box office.
It did have that second week drop I feared it would have, but that was because of Star Trek.
This weekend saw Wolvie drop down to third place behind the debuting Angels & Demons and Star Trek.
Wolverine still managed to pull in a $151.1 million three week total though.

As for the "X-Men Origins: Wolverine"video game, it's kinda like the movie as in I have heard anything from "awesome" to "don't bother".
From what I have heard, the game is very brutal.
Pretty much like what would happen if Wolverine really was allowed to cut loose on someone.
Cut being the operative word.

I'm kinda glad they treat the game this way though.
I know I've complained a lot about dark versus light in superheroes, but Wolverine is one hero that needs to be dark.
Woverine stunning people with his claws doesn't work.
Its like the Punisher with rubber bullets or a stun gun.

I hate to say this, but maybe "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" could have stood to be a little darker.

Wolverine Versus Star Trek

2009-05-11T10:35:00.002-04:00

I kind of avoided all the opening weekend Wolverine buzz (maybe not to jinx it like I seem to have Watchmen) but going into the second week I think it's okay to talk now.
I saw Star Trek this weekend and loved it.
(before you start, I watched Star Trek back in it's first run on TV, watched Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, couldn't handle Enterprise, watched all the movies and no I do not know Klingon, I just like Star Trek)
Anyway, despite the fact that I loved the Star Trek movie and its getting mostly favorable reviews, Wolverine still out grossed it in it's first week.

Star Trek pulled in $76.5 million this weekend, and Wolverine pulled in $85 last weekend.
Wolverine dropped to $27 million in it’s second weekend and I dont see that big of a drop for Star Trek coming up.
So Star Trek may out perform Wolvie in the long run.

Just in case you want a little Star Trek/X-Men goodness mixed together, head over to Sir Jorge's blog and take a look at Spock versus Wolverine where the above picture came from.
Appropriate no?

Gotta admit though, Wolverine versus Sylar..now there's a fight I'd like to see.

The Michelle Obama Comic Sold Out?

2009-04-30T09:26:00.002-04:00

The Female Force comic book biography of first lady Michelle Obama sold out Wednesday?
It's going into a second printing?
Yeah, I may sound a bit confused because I am.
Okay I saw the novelty in Spiderman and The President.
I got that.
But a comic book about the First Lady?
To be fair though, the Female Force books about Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sarah Palin sold out too.
And now the company that makes the books, Bluewater Productions, is going to put out books about Caroline Kennedy, Princess Diana and Condoleezza Rice.

I'm sorry, but these books look like the old hand out books they used to give away free at community events.
Who is buying these books?
Why are they buying these books?

Okay I can see the role model thing and that's cool.
But they sold out.
Are parents and grandparents buying the books for kids?

I'm starting to buy the Illuminati mind control thing.

Megan Fox in Jonah Hex

2009-04-28T14:11:00.003-04:00

Since everything seems to be covered in gloom and doom at the moment, I thought this would be a good time to lighten the mood and post a couple of pictures of Megan Fox on the Jonah Hex set.

Feel better yet?

Jonah Hex is of course based on the DC Comic, and will star Josh Brolin as Jonah Hex, John Malkovich as Quentin Turnbull and Megan Fox as Leila.
Filming just started this month.

Free Comic Book Day

2009-04-22T12:08:00.003-04:00

Free Comic Book Day is fast approaching.
In case you didnt know, Free Comic Book Day is an annual promotional effort by the comic book industry to help bring new readers into independent comic book stores.
And this year they have some star power backing them up.

Check out this FCBD PSA by Hugh Jackman (with a bonus Wolverine Trailer of course)

For more info, you can go to the FCBD website here:
http://www.freecomicbookday.com/

Superman is Real?

2009-04-10T17:32:00.002-04:00

If you follow my blogs you know how much I like weird.
Well ladies and gentlemen, this is probably the pinnacle...

The Myth of Superman
By Neil Gaiman & Adam Rogers

About a decade ago, Alvin Schwartz, who wrote Superman comic strips in the 1940s and ‘50s, published one of the great Odd Books of our time. In An Unlikely Prophet, reissued in paperback this spring, Schwartz writes that Superman is real. He is a tulpa, a Tibetan word for a being brought to life through thought and willpower. Schwartz also says a Hawaiian kahuna told him that Superman once traveled 2,000 years back in time to keep the island chain from being destroyed by volcanic activity. Maybe it happened, maybe it didn’t, but it does sound like a job for Superman – all in a day’s work for a guy who can squeeze coal into diamonds. Schwartz then tells of his own encounter with Superman in a New York taxi, when he learned firsthand that Superman’s cape is, in fact, more than mere fabric.

Full story here:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.06/myth.html

You know I mentioned before about people dressing up as superheroes.
Well what if they don't have to?
Remember this?
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\09\21\story_21-9-2007_pg9_9

Spiderman / Venom Spinoff

2009-04-08T23:43:00.002-04:00

Writers confirm a Spider-Man Venom spinoff is in the works

Sony is officially moving forward with its Spider-Man spinoff movie focusing on Venom and has hired Zombieland writing team Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese to pen the script, the writers told a group of reporters.

"We had a really great relationship with Sony on [Zombieland], and so that was a nice in for us there," Reese said in a group interview. "It gave us a leg up."

The duo is already working on the script, but they are sworn to secrecy on the details. "We're under strict orders on Venom," Wernick said. "We can't talk about it. It's just super secret."
http://scifiwire.com/2009/04/writers-confirm-a-spider-.php

Attention Comic Book Writers

2009-03-30T17:13:00.000-04:00

Think you have the next great idea for a comic book in your head?
Having trouble getting it out of your head and onto paper?
Paper?
Sorry, that was so "Silver Age" of me.
Well if you are having those problems and live in or near Los Angeles, California, this may be your answer.....

David Seidman (comics writer, consultant, and publicist) is having a seminar at Blankspaces to teach you how to get your work out there.
David was one of the founders of Disney Comics, and as the company's senior editor, he specialized in discovering new talent.
He has taught comic book writing at UCLA, marketed comics and graphic novels for Claypool Comics and NBM Publishing.

You can learn more about the seminar and his follow up course on Comic Book and Graphic Novel Writing here.

But hurry, the Seminar is on April 1.

Thai 'Spiderman' to the rescue

2009-03-27T13:47:00.003-04:00

After I made my comments the other day about people dressing up as heroes, it did my heart good to see this.....

Thai 'Spider-Man' to the rescue

An unusual disguise has helped a Bangkok fireman rescue an eight-year-old boy who had climbed on to a third-floor window ledge, Thai police say.
The firefighter dressed up as the comic book superhero Spider-Man in order to coax the boy, who is autistic, from his dangerous perch.
Police said teachers had alerted the fire station after the boy began crying and climbed out of a classroom window.
It was reportedly his first day at the special needs school.
Efforts by the teachers to persuade the pupil to come back inside had failed.
But a remark by his mother about his passion for comic superheroes prompted fireman Somchai Yoosabai to rush back to the station, where he kept a Spider-Man costume in his locker.
The sight of Mr Somchai dressed as Spider-Man and holding a glass of juice for him, brought a big smile to the boy's face, and he promptly threw himself into the arms of his "superhero", police said.
Mr Somchai normally uses the costume to liven up fire drills in schools.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7961208.stm

I'm really glad they explained that last bit, because I was thinking, "Okay, why does this guy have a Spiderman costume in his locker?".

Zatanna Zatara

2009-03-27T10:15:00.004-04:00

Zatanna by Ed Benes

Zatanna Zatara was created by Gardner Fox and Murphy Anderson back in Hawkman #4 (October-November 1964).
Zatanna is the daughter of the Golden Age character, magician Giovanni Zatara.
The character seems to be fairly popular despite not having attained superstar status.
I'm guessing like Black Canary, the fishnets have something to do with it.
That and her shadowy relationship with Batman.....
Besides Smallville, Zatanna has shown up in Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League Unlimited.
Back in 2005, screenwriter Hadley Davis proposed an action-comedy starring a teen-aged Zatanna, but nothing ever came of it.

For more on Serinda Swan, the beautiful young lady that played Zatanna on Smallville, go here:
http://themostbeautifulwomen.blogspot.com/2009/03/serinda-swan.html

One Extreme Or The Other.....

2009-03-23T20:19:00.001-04:00

It doesn't have to go this far...

As I kinda feared, Watchmen opened well, but the box office dropped suddenly.
Is this the death knell of comic book movies?
Hardly.
You cannot compare Watchmen to say Batman or Iron Man or Spiderman.
I don't think you will see product tie-ins like with the "colorful" superheroes.
Can you imagine a Rorschach Happy Meal?
Or a Comedian dress up set?
Nope, kids aren't supposed to emulate the Watchmen.
It's an adult story.
But Batman, The Hulk, Wolverine, now there are your commercial tie ins.
I think the movie industry had better think twice before "darkening" the more popular heroes.
The Dark Knight was just about as far as Hollywood needs to go and stay profitable.

Actually I keep wondering if we may be looking at a backlash soon.
I watch "Batman: The Brave and The Bold" and I love it.
It's not the dark brooding Batman. It's the 50s and 60s detective with gadgets.
But he's still bad.
They show a lighter Batman, but I don't get it confused with the Dark Knight.
BTW, I absolutely loved Batman: The Animated Series and I think both cartoons work, just on different levels.

Maybe we are making our heroes too dark.
Some of course, it suits.
But a darker, edgier Fantastic Four?
Heck, lets just get Frank Miller to do the Power Puff Girls.
Lets make it all so dark and bloody and gory that you really can't tell the heroes from the bad guys without a scorecard.

We need the dark avengers like Bats and the Punisher.
But we also need the "boy scouts".
I know I seem to keep harping on this, but I feel pretty strongly about it.

Maybe I'm schizophrenic since I liked Watchmen and The Rocketeer.
I like Batman AND Superman.

But there has to be a middle ground.
And no it's not Joel Schumacher's Batman & Robin.

Real Life Super Villains and Heroes...Kinda

2009-03-17T12:58:00.002-04:00

Ever wonder why crazy people can't put on costumes and go out and fight crime?
You know...like Batman.
It seems like everyone you hear about that dresses up as a comic book character picks a super villain.

Case in point:

Gunman Dressed As The Joker Shot By Police
A soldier dressed and wearing face-paint like Batman villain The Joker was shot and killed by police in the Shenandoah National Park after he pointed a loaded shotgun at them after a chase, an FBI affidavit says.
Army Spc. Christopher Lanum, a suspect in the stabbing of a fellow soldier at Fort Eustis, was killed hours after the attack when officers attempted to stop the minivan he was driving, according to court documents filed Wednesday that first disclosed the weekend shooting.
full story here
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/12/national/main4863064.shtml

But on a better note, we may have a real life "Spider-Man":

Paraplegic Man Suffers Spider Bite, Walks Again
He has been confined to a wheelchair for 20 years. Now a paraplegic man is walking again, and his doctors call it a miracle. CBS13 went to Manteca to find out how a spider bite helped get him back on his feet.
http://cbs13.com/local/Paraplegic.Man.Suffers.2.958151.html

But even this story doesnt have a happy ending.....

The story of a paraplegic who man is walking for the first time in 20 years, has taken a new twist.
David Blancarte, the Modesto man possibly being considered as a medical marvel after he was able to walk following a spider bite, is in jail.
http://cbs13.com/watercooler/Paraplegic.Man.Suffers.2.960606.html

::sigh::

To quote Bonnie Tyler:

"Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where's the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and turn and dream
of what I need..."

Fantastic Four Reboot

2009-03-15T14:19:00.002-04:00

I heard about this in a really cool way.....
Jessica Alba told me.....LOL
No.
Really.
She did.

Exclusive: Fantastic Four is Getting the Boot...a Reboot that is

IESB's has heard word around town is Fantastic Four over at 20th Century Fox is gearing up for a reboot.
With Daredevil already getting the once over and Planet of the Apes also in the running for a new start with a prequel in the works Fantastic Four is joining the reboot gang.
The two films previously released never really caught on with the fans and the studio is reportedly looking to completely retool, recast and recrew the franchise. This means no Tim Story, no Iaon, no Julian (thank the maker, he never sat well with me as Dr. Doom), no Chris, no Chiklis and no Jessica.
You can read the full article here

Of course I'm sad Jessica won't be in it.
But I had already read that Chris Evans said there wouldn't be a sequel.
At least with him in it.

But how is rebooting a movie that soon after the original gonna work out?
Fantastic Four came out in 2005.
4: Rise of the Silver Surfer came out in 2007.

The Hulk came out in 2003, but it was a single movie with no sequel and they didnt release the "reboot" till 2008.
I don't know, maybe they waited long enough.
I wish them luck.
Even though I really didn't have a problem with the first two movies other than the way they did Doom

I Watched The Watchmen

2009-03-09T13:14:00.000-04:00

Yes I saw Watchmen this weekend.
And despite the negative reviews I have read, I really liked it.
Usually I dont know if I love a movie till I see it a few times.
And I'll probably watch it again.

It's not over the top action, although there are some REALLY good action sequences.
What impressed me the most was the storyline and the way the actors played off each other.
I didnt see a weak performance.
The movie didnt drag at all for me.
One of the big "Kiss of Death" moments in a movie is if I look at my watch and go " Geez...still another hour left?"
In this one I glanced at my watch and went "Geez...an hour has gone by already?"

Watchmen did well in it's opening weekend, pulling in a three-day total of $55.7 million.
It also pulled in $27.5 million overseas giving it a total overall worldwide gross to $83.2 million.

As far as it being almost frame by frame with the book....
So what?
Look at "Wanted".
It was Wanted in name only.
This IS the Watchmen brought to life.

One word of warning though, please...PLEASE do not even try to make a sequel.
I know how Hollywood is.
This is a one shot stand alone movie.

Watchmen Reviews

2009-03-06T12:51:00.001-05:00

The reviews of the Watchmen are rolling in and.....

"Watchmen" is a bore. Sad to say, the much-anticipated adaptation of the world's most celebrated graphic novel is long, dull and sinks under the weight of its reverence for the original. "
http://www.washingtonpost.com/

"From first frame to last, "Watchmen" holds you in its thrall. Director Zack Snyder ("300") is in full command of the tangled and challenging material, laying out the serpentine mythology in a way that will please the book's rabid fans who have been waiting and dreading this movie, while revealing to newcomers why Time magazine ranked it as one of the 100 best novels."
http://www.mercurynews.com/

"Director Zack Snyder is beginning to look like the best thing to happen to the action movie in this decade. His previous film, "300," took the battle of Thermopylae and re-created it, combining stylized visuals with a feeling for history, culture and character. His new picture, "Watchmen," follows in the same vein, but goes deeper, achieving a psychological sophistication that "The Dark Knight" aimed for but didn't quite reach."
http://www.sfgate.com/

And that's just a few of the reviews.
From what I have read, the film critics seem fairly evenly split.
I guess box office and fans of the book will decide it's future.

Even if the film is horrible, expect the first week to open like gangbusters.
If it's bad, the second week's box office will drop like a rock.
But wih the economy the way it is, the box office may not be a very good benchmark.
So the only thing you can do is go see it yourself and see if it lives up to the hype.
Or the book.

Iron Man 2 Casting

2009-02-19T12:56:00.004-05:00

The first rumors for Iron Man 2 really got my attention.
Apart from the regular cast, Mickey Rourke as the Crimson Dynamo and Emily Blunt as the Black Widow?
Wow!
But now Mickey's camp is saying no to Iron Man 2, and Emily Blunt cant do it because of scheduale conflicts.
AND...now Samuel L. Jackson is a maybe because Marvel is lowballing him?

Okay, the Nick Fury they are using is the Ultimates Nick Fury which is physically based on Jackson.
They need him.
Had they not done this, I'd say pull David Hasselhoff up and go with the *ahem* comic book version of Fury.
C'mon, I actually liked The Hoff in the old Nick Fury TV movie.
Can you see the over the top Hoff snarling and getting up in Stark's face with the stogie clenched in his teeth?

And the Black Widow.
How long have I waited for a Widow movie?
Since her and DD were going steady a long time ago.
Emily Blunt I think would have been good.
But now they are talking about Scarlett Johansson?
Can Scarlett pull off sexy, sleek, dark and mysterious?
Will she wear the catsuit with the low slung belt and the Widow Bites?
The best Widow I have seen so far wasn't even in a Marvel movie, it was in NBC's Chuck.
Check out the episode "Chuck Versus the Seduction".
Melinda Clarke (Lady Heather from CSI) plays a red haired, Russian female spy known as the Black Widow.
????
Yep, and her name was Sasha Banacheck.
Sasha....Tasha.....
Even the hairstyle was right.

President Obama, Spiderman, Marvel Comics and iTunes

2009-02-13T12:08:00.003-05:00

The Incredible Alex Ross' Obama-Man

President Obama hasn't had a chance to really help the nations economy yet, but he sure has helped the sales of comic books.
His appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #583 boosted that comic to it's highest sales in almost 15 years.
That issue has gone through an unprecedented(that was almost a pun)5 printings and sold over 300,000 copies.
His appearance in Erik Larsen’s Savage Dragon #137 is going into it's fourth printing and the President is scheduled to appear in Youngblood #8 where he re-instates the Youngblood program.
Next up, Obama joins the JLA...no wait, that's a joke.
I think.
(Though what I wouldn't give to see a drawing by Jim Lee of Obama dressed as Captain America and Joe Biden as the Falcon perched on a rooftop)

And in other non-Obama related comic book news, Marvel comics is going to release "motion comic books" on iTunes.
What are "motion comic books"?
Well this is from Marvel's website....

"Ask yourself this, if the pages of Marvel Comics could move, what would they look like? Wonder no more, True Believers!
Remaining true to the heritage of panel-by-panel graphic storytelling, boasting groundbreaking graphics, sensational soundscapes and, of course, the explosiveness of the Mighty Marvel Universe, here comes the all-new, all-awesome Marvel Motion!
Watch and hear your favorite comics, authors and artists come alive. You've never seen Marvel move like this.
Marvel Motion—GET YOUR MOVE ON!"

I don't know if I like the idea but I love the hype!
It reminds me of the 60s Marvel Comics style.
The only thing missing is "Excelsior!" at the end.

For more info you can check out Marvel's website here
http://www.marvel.com/motion_comics

Comic Books Online

2009-02-08T12:05:00.001-05:00

Just a few things from around the web....

Have you been to AIBQ?
With over 642 comics online, it looks to be a comic book collectors dream.
I havent tried it yet, but it looks like you click on the catalog link, click on the comic you want and BANG you download it.
If you want to check it out, the link is here.

And talk about comic books going mainstream, MSNBC has an article titled "9 comic book characters to watch in 2009".
It's a cool little slideshow with Wolverine heading up the list followed by Batman, Supergirl and so on.
The link is here

And similar to the above AIBQ, there is ComicBookDB.com, which is kinda like the IMDb, except for comic books.
Very nice page layouts and well worth a look.
You can access it here

So there, I didn't complain about Fox or The Watchmen or the media calling us geeks.
I just gave out free stuff.

Superhero Top Ten. Who's More Popular? Superman...Batman?

2009-02-03T13:27:00.001-05:00

Back in the old days, all we had to determine comic book superhero popularity was sales.
Now we have the Interweb!
And I tell you, doing some research on who is the most popular comic book character is a little strange.

1. Batman
Of course with the awesome movie and dying (what..twice recently?) I figured this would happen.
2. Robin
Robin? The Boy Hostage? He hasn't even been in a good movie. Unless you count the amazing "Grayson" fan film.
3. Spiderman
Even Obama couldnt help Spidey get up over Bats.
4. Superman
Superman Returns....meh
5. Iron Man
The movie rocked, no question.
6. X-Men
Through ups and downs, bad and good, I've always considered The X-Men to be Marvel's flagship.
7. The Incredible Hulk
Second movie was decent. And the Hulk stirs that "Forget logic, I just wanna pound something" feeling we all get from time to time.
8. Wolverine
He goes anywhere from maniac with razor sharp blades to Byronic hero. And he has a movie coming out.
9. Watchmen
I really expected them to be higher.
10. Wonder Woman
One of DC comics Trinity. And if they EVER finally make a movie.......

Notice that with the exception of Robin, and maybe Wonder Woman, all of these have movie tie ins?

The Middleman

2009-01-30T16:11:00.002-05:00

And I know I just made a post, but I have to add this.....
I LOVE The Middleman!
In case you didn't get to see it (like I didn't) back during the summer, you can catch it online at the watch TV online sites.
I don't know how this program could be more perfect.
Maybe a bigger budget for special effects, but that's about it.
The inside jokes for comic book fans fly fast (really fast!) and hard.
Javier Grillo-Marxuach deserves an " I'm not worthy" if I ever get to met him.
The Middleman, his sidekick and Middleman in training, Wendy Watson (notice the classic double consonant name), Ida, Lacey Thornfield, Noser, Sensei Ping (a martial arts master that wears a Luchador mask) all fantastic.
My only problem with the series is that so far there has been no movement from ABC for a second season.
Can we not fix that?
Do yourself a favor and watch it.
But be ready to hit the pause and rewind a lot.

My favorite exchange so far (I haven't seen all the episodes yet) .......

THE MIDDLEMAN: Well. You ever read comic books?
WENDY: Yeah. I think Jughead’s a real hoot. Powers, Fell, Astro City, The Spirit, X-Man – old school, not ultimate -- Mouse Guard and The Flash.
THE MIDDLEMAN: Barry Allen or Wally West?
WENDY: Do you want me to leave?

Michelle Obama Comic

2009-01-30T15:09:00.002-05:00

Obama was in a comic with Spiderman.
He was also in a comic with Savage Dragon.
Now, his wife, the First Lady, gets her own comic.
The company that put out the Senator Hillary Clinton and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin comics Bluewater Productions (The 10th Muse, Mike Miller's Imaginaries) ,will be putting out a Michelle Obama comic in April. And no she won't be fighting Dr.Doom or Magneto, the book will be about her life from her early years on the South Side through the 2008 presidential campaign and election day.
You can learn more about the comic at Bluewater Productions'website here:
http://www.bluewaterprod.com/news/Announcing_Michelle-Obama.php

Barack Obama, Savage Dragon and Spiderman

2009-01-27T11:33:00.001-05:00

The Barack Obama / Spiderman issue sold like hotcakes.
(Is that even a viable reference anymore?)
But not everyone is overjoyed with Marvel Comics success.
Savage Dragon also had a cross over with The President, and Eric Larson (the creator of Savage Dragon) is a little miffed at Marvel for what he sees as stealing his thunder.
You can see what Eric has to say about the situation here.
And Marvel made a rebuttal here.

I understand the book is a huge seller.
But does it remind anyone else of the Hostess ads they used to run in the old comic books?
If you want an example of what I mean, head over to Seanbaby's page where I think he has ALL of the old Hostess ads reprinted.

But if the Obama / Spiderman issue is such gold....what's next?
Maybe DC comics can revive "Prez" and instead of Prez Rickard they could have.....
Nah, they'd never go for it.

Batman, Joker, Iron Man and the Oscars

2009-01-22T14:44:00.003-05:00

As expected Heath Ledger got a supporting-actor Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the Joker in "The Dark Knight".
But The Batman got shut out of other top categories like best picture and director.
Oddly, Robert Downey Jr. is in the running against Heath Ledger, not for Iron Man, but for his supporting role in "Tropic Thunder".
I'm really gonna have to watch that.

"The Dark Knight" did get Oscar nominations, but they were for catagories like Achievement in art direction, Achievement in cinematography, Achievement in film editing, Achievement in makeup, Achievement in sound editing, Achievement in sound mixing, Achievement in visual effects

“Iron Man” actually racked up a couple of nominations, Achievement in sound editing and Achievement in visual effects

“Wanted” which is kinda sorta a comic book movie (well not really), got a nomination for Achievement in sound editing.

Obama, Spiderman and Batman

2009-01-19T11:40:00.002-05:00

With the sales of the Obama/Spiderman book doing so well and "The Dark Knight" raking in awards, 2009 looks like it's off to a good start for the comic book industry.

Amazing Spider-Man #583 with President Obama and Spiderman sold out, so another run is scheduled to hit comic book stores on Wednesday.
The Jan. 21 issue will have a variant cover.

The Dark Knight has already garnered tons of awards and nominations. Now everyone is looking at the Oscars and waiting.
On January 23rd, The Dark Knight will be re-released to stir up even more Oscar buzz.
Could the late Heath Ledger get an Oscar nomination? He's already won a posthumous Golden Globe award for his portrayal of the Joker.
A comic book movie getting an Oscar?
Even if that doesn't pan out, there's Iron Man in the special effects catagory.
Comic book movies (plural this time) getting Oscars?
And let's not forget Wolverine is hosting the show.

I checked out Grant Morrison's website (I like Grant. He is one person I would really LOVE to sit down and talk to) and Grant not only raved about The Dark Knight, but he said he thinks the movie screen is the future of Super Heroes.

I have to agree with him, but I'm biased because I can't actually say there has been a comic book based movie I have hated.
Okay, not counting the Superman movies after 2, and the dread Joel Schumacher Batman Forever.
And the Dolph Lundgren Punisher.
Okay. I've liked MOST of the Comic Book Movies.
What scares me is that if The Dark Knight does well in the Oscars, the movie studios will just start tossing out Super Hero movies left and right.

But here is my question.
Who is going to create the first all original superhero, make a movie and turn that character into an icon?
A non comic book based superhero that captures the imagination and reaches the Spiderman, Batman, Superman level?

Marvel Team-Up: Spiderman and Obama!

2009-01-14T12:35:00.001-05:00

Well Stephen Colbert has done it.
And if you're old enough, you'll remember the whole SNL cast did it once.
So why not have President-elect Barack Obama meet Spiderman?

Swinging into action, Obama featured in `Amazing Spider-Man' comic book
KALAMAZOO -- As the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama nears, Marvel Comics' announcement of the release of a special Obama issue of ``Amazing Spider-Man'' has intensified excitement over the event for a certain segment of his supporters: comic-book fans.
``Amazing Spider-Man # 583,'' to be released nationwide today, will include interior pages and a variant cover featuring the soon-to-be-president, according to the announcement about the issue on Marvel Comics' Web site.
``It's my understanding that Obama is a comic-book fan, so it's not surprising to me that the comic industry is willing to embrace him,'' said Josh Hall, assistant manager and longtime employee at Fanfare Sports & Entertainment, 4415 S. Westnedge Ave.
http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/features-4/1231948249300740.xml&coll=7

Thor Lives!

2009-01-07T17:28:00.003-05:00

I had to post this because it's just too good to pass up.....

Burglar scared off by man dressed as Thor after New Year party

A construction firm manager returning from New Year's Eve fancy dress party scared off a burglar by charging at him dressed as the Norse god Thor.
Six-foot tall Torvald Alexander, 38, was wearing a red cape and the thunder god's silver-winged helmet when he spotted the raider in his front room rifling through a desk.
Mr Alexander, who runs building firm Alexander & Summers in Edinburgh, Scotland, said the burglar threw himself out of a first floor window of his £350,000 home in the Inverleith area of the city after being caught red handed.
Mr Alexander said: "As soon as he saw me his eyes went wide with terror.
"He looked like he had had a few drinks and decided to do a late night break in, but he hadn't counted on the God of Thunder living here."
He added: "I had just got back from a fancy dress New Year's party and because I have a Norwegian name I decided to go as Thor.
"It took ages making the cape, helmet and breast plate, and I must admit it was a bit chilly walking home, but when I saw that guy I just went mad and charged at him, my cape flying behind me.
"I think if I had had Thor's hammer with me I might have scared him to death."

Full story here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/4059789/Burglar-scared-off-by-man-dressed-as-Thor-after-New-Year-party.html

With the Thor movie in the works, Marvel couldn't buy publicity this good.

Aurora

2009-01-06T14:53:00.003-05:00

I really loved the beautiful and messed up Aurora (Jeanne-Marie Beaubier) when she first appeared in X-Men #120 as a member of Alpha Flight.
Heck, I liked Alpha Flight in general when they first showed up.
I even had an" Alpha Flight Auxillary Member" bumper stiucker on my car.
Anyway, Aurora was the twin sister of Northstar (Jean-Paul Beaubier) and the former girlfriend of Sasquatch (Walter Langkowski).
She was plagued with dissociative identity disorder and also being retconned to be half-human, half-elf. But as for the latter, she got better.
Aurora can fly REALLY fast (theoretically approaching light-speed) and has super human speed and reflexes.
Still not fast enough to touch the Silver Age Flash, but Jeanne-Marie is way cuter.
As usual with Marvel characters she has had her mental state pounded to oblivion, been abused, used etc.
Is there a happy comic character anymore?
I mean not counting the crazy ones.......

Watchmen Update and "Geeks"

2008-12-29T18:34:00.002-05:00

Here's another update on the ongoing Fox versus Warner Bros. " Watchmen" case.

LOS ANGELES — Who’s watching the “Watchmen”? Come March 6, it may not be moviegoers.
A federal judge, having ruled last week that 20th Century Fox has distribution rights to “Watchmen,” an eagerly anticipated superhero movie shot by Warner Brothers, said he was inclined to decide after a hearing scheduled for Jan. 20 whether the release of the film should be blocked.
At a morning conference, lawyers for both studios heard the judge, Gary A. Feess, elaborate on his ruling, issued last Wednesday, that Fox owned an interest in “Watchmen,” a film Warner was preparing to release on March 6, in association with Legendary Pictures and Paramount Pictures.
Full story here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/business/media/30watchmen.html

You know I really wish these articles would stop referring to Comic Book Movie fans as "Geeks".
I mean really, did ONLY geeks go to the fourth highest grossing movie of all time "The Dark Knight"?
It grossed $996,826,853.
Or Spider-Man 3? $890,871,626 gross. Or Spider-Man, $850,000,605.
That's just the comic book movies.
Let's not forget that out of the top twenty highest grossing movies of all time, 19 of them were Science Fiction, Fantasy or Animated.
So just a few "Geeks" with tons of money are going to these films, or lots of ::gasp:: "ORDINARY" people are going to them!

Watchmen Judge to Rule in Favor of Fox

2008-12-27T15:40:00.000-05:00

I'm in the "just shaking my head" mode now that I found this article at Wired......

Christmas Bombshell: Watchmen Judge to Rule in Favor of Fox
By John Scott Lewinski
If the lawyers at 20th Century Fox really wanted to kill Watchmen when they filed a copyright claim against the Warner Bros. production, they got the perfect ammunition as a Christmas gift Wednesday from a federal judge in Los Angeles.
The New York Times is reporting that U.S. District Court Judge Gary A. Feess will soon rule in favor of Fox -- granting the studio a copyright claim to the movie franchise, which had been in development at several Hollywood studios over the years before Warner Bros. finally got the job done with director Zack Snyder.
http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2008/12/christmas-bombs.html

I read awhile back about a possible boycott of Fox if this action goes through. And yeah I may be small potatoes here compaired to the big Comic sites, but I'm ready to jump onto that bandwagon with them.
I'm really looking forward to this movie and I would hate to see some petty legal action like this stop it's release.

According to the L.A. Times, the release date might just get pushed back.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2008/12/watchmen-ruling.html

Of course Warner could always settle.....
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003925125&imw=Y

But one thing Fox needs to realize. The people that they are ticking off here are the notorious "fanboys" (And I don't use that term in a derogatory fashion).
They were raised on and embrace the idea of fighting against what they conceive as evil.
In the old days it was bad guys with guns, but now the bad guys hide behind governments and corporations.

Fan Made Thundercats Trailer

2008-12-23T13:56:00.001-05:00

If you havent seen this yet, then you need to check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb50GMmY5nk
It's a fan made trailer for a Thundercats Movie.
The film uses footage of Brad Pitt, Vin Diesel, Gigi Edgley and Hugh Jackman.
Okay, it's no " Batman: Dead End" but I still think it's very good.
And I might actually like Vin Diesel as Panthro.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

2008-12-16T12:09:00.001-05:00

X-Men Origins: Wolverine seems to be getting the big PR push now.
The trailer is online now ( you can see it here) and next years release (May 1st, 2009) seems to be going full steam.
At least Fox hopes so.
X-Men Origins: Magneto has been put on hold until they see how well the Wolverine movie does.
I like the main cast.....
Hugh Jackman as Logan / Wolverine (of course), Liev Schreiber as Victor Creed / Sabretooth ( Okay, I thought Tyler Mane was an impressive visual Sabretooth, but could he pull off a whole movie?), Danny Huston as William Stryker (Not Brian Cox from the original movie. I guess the CGI would have been too time consuming), Lynn Collins as Kayla Silver Fox ( I would have preferred Michelle Monaghan but that didn't work out), Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson / Deadpool (I'm the one person on the Internet that likes Ryan Reynolds), Taylor Kitsch as Remy LeBeau / Gambit ( Don't know a lot about Taylor but his Gambit looks good in the trailer), Kevin Durand as Frederick J. Dukes / The Blob (is that CGI or makeup? Either way it looks good).
So without actually seeing the movie, I'll have to just go with how it looks visually.
And visually it looks really good.

Atom Eve

2008-12-09T16:04:00.002-05:00

Atom Eve (Samantha Eve Wilkins) is a comic book superheroine, who appears in the comic book Invincible (by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Cory Walker), published by Image Comics.
Her first appearance was in Invincible #1 (January 2003).
A member of the Teen Team and a former classmate of Mark Grayson (Invincible), Atom Eve was created by the government to be a weapon.
Okay, I know that plot line has been kinda run into the ground in comics, but her twist is that she was saved from the project by switching her with a still born infant and having her raised by parents that didn't know their little bundle of joy had powers.
That and Atom Eve has a really cool super power. She is able to manipulate matter at the sub-atomic level by sheer will power.
Talk about mastering " The Secret".
She can manipulate organic matter (not animal life, that keeps her from just turning you into granite if you mess with her) and inorganic matter. She can alter a Hostess Twinkie so that it has the nutritional value of raw broccoli. And she can recreate her clothes into anything she wishes. Eve can also create force fields and fly.

Batman...R.I.P?

2008-11-29T19:51:00.003-05:00

First Captain America and now this?
You know I really like Grant Morrison, I read both his fiction and non fiction.
But this.....

Holy reincarnation, Batman!
Scots writer Grant Morrison killed off Bruce Wayne in the tellingly titled Batman RIP - but death is rarely the end for comic book heroes
Gillian Harris
Grant Morrison is enjoying a spell of notoriety. Following the publication of last week’s Batman comic, he is guaranteed a place in the superhero hall of fame as the man who killed the caped crusader.
The writer’s announcement that he planned to dispose of Batman sparked a frenzy of speculation and chat room buzz over what sort of grisly fate would befall the legendary hero. Rumours abounded that his loyal sidekick Robin would go over to the dark side and destroy him.
Full story here:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article5257656.ece

So does Nightwing inherit the cape and cowl?
What's gonna happen to the Joker?
After Cap died Stephen Colbert got his shield, who gets the batarang?
(I think Colbert would push for the Batmobile)

Green Lantern, Arisia

2008-11-15T15:38:00.002-05:00

Out of all the Green Lanterns, Arisia is probably one of the most popular.
She was created by Mike W. Barr for the Tales of the Green Lantern Corps miniseries in 1981.
Her name Arisia is taken from the Lensman novels by E.E. Smith (Lots of people believe the Green Lantern Corps was patterned after the Lensman series).
With her golden-yellow skin, hair and eyes, and pointed, elven ears, she was certainly one of the most attractive Green Lanterns.
Well next to Kilowog at least.
Arisia had a huge crush on Green Lantern Hal Jordan (which didn't hurt her appeal any, since Hal is still one of the most popular Lanterns ever).
And of course as happens to many super heroines, she died.
But she came back!
No one dies forever in comic books except Bucky and Uncle Ben.
(Wait....Bucky's alive.....oh well).
Anyway, Arisia is back to her inter-galactic ring slinging and all is right with the world.
At least in the DC Universe.

Arana, Marvel Comics

2008-11-05T16:33:00.001-05:00

Art by Mark Brooks

Araña is a superheroine in the Marvel Universe created by Fiona Avery and Mark Brooks.
Unlike the accidental creation of Spiderman, Anya Corazon was recruited by a mystical clan called the Spider Society to act as their agent, a Hunter.
Arana's abilities include enhanced strength (able to lift 3 tons) , speed, and agility (she can jump over 25 feet) .
Like Spiderman, she has the ability to cling to walls and she had a spider-like exoskelton around her body which enhanced these abilities.
I say "had" because Doomsday Man ripped her exoskeleton out.
Ouch.
To me, Arana's main claim to fame is having one of the most realistic "super hero costumes".
Big goggle-eyed sunglasses, red and blue sneakers, blue track pants, red backpack and red gloves with pockets.

Comic Book Video Game: "Spider-Man: Web of Shadows"

2008-10-21T11:34:00.001-04:00

The Spider-Man: Web of Shadows video game will be coming out tomorrow (October 22).
The game will come in three versions, a full-3D action game for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows, and Wii, a 2.5D sidescrolling action game for PlayStation Portable, and a 2.5D side-scroller for the Nintendo DS.
It looks like they've covered all the bases with this release.

GAME PREVIEW: "Spider-Man: Web of Shadows"
by Erik Amaya, Contributing Writer

“Spider-Man: Web of Shadows,” the new action game from Activision developed by Shaba / Treyarch and based on the Marvel Comics superhero, is scheduled for release October 22. Last week, CBR News got a hands-on first look at the game, which will be available on most console platforms, Nintendo DS and PC.

Like “The Incredible Hulk” released earlier this year as well as previous Spider-Man games, “Web of Shadows” continues the tradition of free-roaming action around an eight-square mile chunk of Manhattan. Missions are accessible at player’s discretion, and roaming mobs allow for a quick fight. Also, being a Spider-Man game, traveling around town is best accomplished with web slinging. Shaba’s mission statement in this game: take fluidity of motion and bring it to an action game.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=18309

Argent, DC Comics

2008-10-13T11:30:00.001-04:00

Argent is a DC Comics female superhero.
Her first appearance was in the second series of the Teen Titans comics in issue #1.
She remained a regular member of that team until the events of Graduation Day when Nightwing disbanded the Titans.
Her powers are...well imagine a Green Lantern without needing the ring, and the creations aren't green, they're silver.
Argent made an appearance in Season 5 of the Teen Titans cartoon.
In the cartoon, Argent fired crimson energy beams which kinda blows the whole "Argent" thing but hey.

Angelic Bounty Hunter Angela

2008-10-06T10:58:00.002-04:00

Greg Capullo

Angelic bounty hunter Angela is a character in Todd McFarlane's Spawn comic book series.
Even though Spawn was created by McFarlane, Angela was created for the series by Neil Gaiman. This (of course) later led to a legal battle between McFarlane and Gaiman over the rights to her.
Currently the rights to the character are split 50/50 between McFarlane and Gaiman.

Angela is an angel who acts opposite Spawn as a bounty hunter working for Heaven.
She attempted to kill Spawn the first time they met (in Spawn #9), but he managed to defeat her despite the fact that she had greater fighting experience.

Angela has made appearances in other Spawn projects including the 1997 Spawn live action movie (Played by Laura Stepp. During the business party, a woman in a green dress is seen, wearing earrings bearing the Spawn emblem). She also appeared in the animated HBO series Todd McFarlane's Spawn and the Shadows of Spawn manga series.

She also had her own 3 issue mini series, written by Neil Gaiman and appeared in her own one shot comic as well.

Besides Spawn, Angela has crossed over with Glory (she's kinda like Wonder Woman in the Image universe) and Aria (Kildare meets Angela in London at the end of the 19th century).

The Other Andromeda (Marvel Comics)

2008-09-26T10:45:00.001-04:00

Andromeda, by John Buscema

DC Comics isn't the only brand that has an Andromeda. Marvel Comics has one too.
But this one has blue skin and is the daughter of Attuma, one of Prince Namor's ( The Sub-Mariner) enemies.
Despite being a super villain's daughter, she rose above this and became a superhero herself. Fed up with her fathers male chauvinist attitude, Andromeda defected from the ranks of Attuma's legions and joined Atlantis.
Okay, Namor was a chauvinist too, but he wasn't as bad as Attuma.
Andromeda even joined The Defenders.
And died there.
It's okay, Dr. Strange brought her back to life.
Kinda.
And later on, she even got to beat Attuma in one on one combat.

Laurel Gand / Andromeda

2008-09-19T12:01:00.001-04:00

Laurel Gand, sometimes known as Andromeda, is a character in the future of the DC Comics universe, and a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes.
She was created as a replacement for Supergirl in post-Crisis on Infinite Earths Legion continuity, because they killed Supergirl.
Andromeda was also inspired by elements of Superman's supposed descendant Laurel Kent, who was revealed to be a Manhunter android in the post-Crisis, pre-Zero Hour continuity.
She was in Superman: The Animated Series, in the episode "New Kids In Town".

I like the costume and all, but all these future time lines and alternate reality superheroes are kinda confusing to me.
Oh for the Silver Age days, when all we had to contend with was Earth 2.
I keep thinking that if Marvel and DC keep going, the entire Earth will be populated with super beings and they'll be no one else left to rescue.

American Dream, Marvel Comics

2008-09-15T09:48:00.001-04:00

Artwork by Ron Frenz & Brett Breeding

American Dream, aka Shannon Carter, is a character featured in Marvel Comics MC2 series A-Next.
Her costume is very similar to that of Captain America and like him she has an indestructible metal shield.
She appeared as a civilian in A-Next no. 1, and was named as "Shannon" in A-Next no.3, it was not until A-Next no. 4 that she appeared in costume, as a prospective team member.

American Dream is the daughter of S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Sharon Carter. Shannon Carter grew up idolizing Captain America and was hired by Edwin Jarvis as a tour guide for the Avengers Headquarters, at that time functioning only as a museum. When the new Avengers team was formed, she was determined to join.
She wears a costume based on Captain America's and although she is a non-powered human, American Dream is in peak physical condition and is a skilled martial artist. She has disc weapons similar to Ricochet's and has superb aim. She now also carries a version of Captain America's shield, which she uses both defensively and offensively to great effect and her fighting skills are matched by her leadership ability.
After joining the team as the "American Dream", Shannon soon proved herself to be an effective Avenger, and when the team saved the original Avengers from a dark parallel world, Captain America himself judged her worthy to wield the shield of the alternate Captain. She also proved to be an important character in defeating Galactus in the Last Planet Standing limited series. She along with Stinger and Spider-Girl shrink themselves and took down Galactus from the inside. They survived the iminante explosion by shrinking to microscopic size.

Carter is the leader of the "Dream Team" comprising herself, Bluestreak, Crimson Curse and Freebooter. All members of the Dream Team became members of the new Avengers team in A-Next no. 4. American Dream is also an ally of Spider-Girl, Earth Sentry, Blacklight, Coal Tiger, Argo and Captain America.

American Dream has fought against the Sons of the Serpent, Seth, the Revengers, Fatal Force and Loki.

American Dream's own five-part mini-series began in May 2008. The first issue was a sell out.

You know I could have sworn I saw a sketch YEARS ago of a woman in a Captain America costume called " American Dream". There was also a female Vision character called " Vision of Loveliness". It seems like they were done by John Byrne, but I could be wrong.

Technorati Tags: American Dream Shannon Carter S.H.I.E.L.D. Captain America book comics marvel female superheroes characters comic books super hero

Amber, DNAgents

2008-09-09T15:35:00.002-04:00

Amber was a member of the DNAgents that could project disks of electromagnetic energy as shields, weapons or stand on them to fly.
She was very outgoing socially and curious.
DNAgents was a comic book created by writer Mark Evanier and artist Will Meugniot and published by Eclipse Comics in 1983.
I never really got into the DNAgents, I think they reminded me too much of the Teen Titans.
That was proved out in the Teen Titans when the DNAgents " kinda" met the Titans.
I say kinda because the team the Titans fought was called the "ReCombatants". It was one of those crossover teams like the Squadron Supreme/JLA parallel team that fought the Avengers.
If you notice, in most shots, Rainbow ( tall, slender, waist length multicolored hair, bare midriff, thigh high boots) is presented in the front, while Amber is in the background there somewhere.
Wonder why.......?
Well anyway, now, Amber gets her own entry without a Rainbow in sight.

Comic Book Blogs

2008-09-06T21:56:00.002-04:00

Normally I don't do this, but I ran across several comic book related blogs today I really wanted to bring to everyones attention.
Some are funny, some are informative, some are both.
So yes this post is mainly just links.
Okay...it IS just links.
But GOOD links!

http://absorbascon.blogspot.com/
http://againwiththecomics.blogspot.com/
http://batfatty.livejournal.com/
http://bearcity.blogspot.com/
http://www.readaboutcomics.com/
http://comicsatemybrain.blogspot.com/
http://doctor-k100.blogspot.com/

.....Enjoy!

The Spirit (2008)

2008-09-05T12:06:00.000-04:00

The Spirit, also known as Will Eisner's The Spirit, is an upcoming 2008 American film adaptation based on the newspaper strip of the same name created by Will Eisner. Batfilm, OddLot, and Lionsgate are set to produce. Frank Miller wrote and directed the film, which stars Gabriel Macht as The Spirit and Samuel L. Jackson as his nemesis, The Octopus. Filming began in October 2007, with release scheduled for Christmas Day, 2008.

I saw the trailer for this last night and really liked it. Of course it looks like Sin City, but I liked that too.
Only two things bother me, the Spirit is all in black, not blue and they show the Octopus.

Of course they mention Gabriel Macht and Samuel L. Jackson, but the film has a fairly large amount of female talent.....
Scarlett Johansson as Silken Floss, Eva Mendes as Sand Saref, Sarah Paulson as Dr. Ellen Dolan, Jaime King as Lorelei Rox, Paz Vega as Plaster of Paris and Meeghan Holaway as Holly.

You know I always wondered if Daredevils female "entanglements" weren't inspired by The Spirit......

Cher / Catwoman and Johnny Depp / Riddler ?

2008-08-30T13:03:00.000-04:00

Back in the day, yes I could see Cher as Catwoman.

Johnny Depp as Riddler and Fred Weller as the Joker? Priceless.

Cher / Catwoman and Johnny Depp / Riddler ?

If you believed all those tabloid rumours about Cher as Catwoman and Johnny Depp as the Riddler in the next Christopher Nolan Batman film might be a bit spurious, Dark Knight studio Warner Bros have confirmed that you are absolutely right.
Cher will not be turning back time to become the Catwoman.
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_212168421.shtml

How about Fred Weller as the Joker, Angelina Jolie as Catwoman and Johnny Depp as the Riddler?
Find a Penguin and you could just remake the 1960's movie!

No decision on another Batman and more news....

2008-08-30T10:52:00.002-04:00

No decision on another Batman

Following the massive global success of 'The Dark Knight' and many casting rumours, one of the makers of the blockbuster has commented on whether there will be another 'Batman' film.
The Hollywood Reporter says that 'The Dark Knight' director Christopher Nolan is currently on holidays and no decision will be made until his return.
http://www.rte.ie/arts/2008/0828/thedarknight.html

Christian Bale will not face charges over alleged assault
Dark Knight star to avoid charges after Crown Prosecution Service finds 'insufficient evidence' to lead to prospect of conviction
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/aug/14/christian.bale

Morgan Freeman: His darkest night
There was something strange about the way Morgan Freeman ended up in hospital this week, and it wasn't just the revelation that the Oscar-winning actor, a motor-racing fanatic with a fleet of expensive supercars, had sustained a selection of "serious" injuries by crashing a beaten-up 1997 Nissan Maxima.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/news/morgan-freeman-his-darkest-night-888291.html

Watchmen, part 7

2008-08-28T17:48:00.000-04:00

Another movie poster for the Watchmen, this one featuring Nite Owl.
I hope they get to use these posters......

Doomsday for Watchmen?

2008-08-25T22:19:00.000-04:00

Doomsday for Watchmen?

Who will watch Watchmen? Nobody, if 20th Century Fox gets its way.

After a major court victory, the studio has announced a bid to block the release of Warner Bros.' anticipated adaptation of the seminal graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.
Fox originally tried to develop the project more than a decade ago, but didn't manage to get the film off the drawing board. The studio claims Warners never properly acquired the rights to Watchmen, and, in a major twist, instead of seeking a share of the would-be blockbuster's box-office gross, Fox is seeking to kill the flick entirely before it unspools in theaters March 6.

Cue the agonized cries of fanboys everywhere.

A federal judge in Los Angeles agreed with Fox lawyers that there's enough evidence to keep the lawsuit going forward—and keep the film's release in limbo.
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b24472_doomsday_watchmen.html

Watchmen, part 6

2008-08-25T14:34:00.001-04:00

Some very cool posters for the upcoming Watchmen movie, this one featuring the Comedian.

Watchmen, part 5

2008-08-20T13:44:00.000-04:00

Ozymandias (Adrian Veidt) is a character appearing in the comic book limited series Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, published by DC Comics.

Named Ozymandias in the manner of Ramesses II, he is a modified version of the character Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt from Charlton Comics.

His name recalls the famous poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley, which takes as its theme the fleeting nature of empire.
Matthew Goode plays Veidt in the upcoming film.
During earlier pre-production and attempts to make the film, Tom Cruise and Jude Law (a fan of the comic) both expressed interest in playing the role, but they left the project after several delays and budget costs.

The Dark Knight Continues Box-Office Reign - The Dark Knight, Movie News : People.com

2008-08-10T16:38:00.001-04:00

The Dark Knight Continues Box-Office Reign - The Dark Knight, Movie News : People.com:

"One month into his game Batman is still ruling the box-office.

The Dark Knight remained No. 1 at the cineplex for the fourth straight weekend, grossing $26 million and bringing its total take to $441.5 million – and making it the third top-grossing film of all time, surpassing the previous third-ranked Shrek 2, reports Variety."

Two more Batman 3 rumors...

2008-08-09T16:23:00.003-04:00

Two more Batman 3 rumors...

Fred Weller (In Plain Sight) as the Joker?

Amy Adams (Enchanted) as Catwoman?

I guess these rumors will just keep rolling till actual casting is announced.
But you gotta admit...looking at that one picture of Fred Weller, then looking at the comic book version of the Joker.....

Watchmen, part 4

2008-08-07T12:22:00.004-04:00

Silk Spectre is the name shared by a mother and daughter fictional superheroine pair who are central characters in the Watchmen.
They are often said to be modified versions of the character Nightshade from Charlton Comics; however, Alan Moore has stated that he found Nightshade "boring," and that Silk Spectre was modeled on characters such as the Phantom Lady and Black Canary.
Malin Åkerman and Carla Gugino will be portraying Laurie Juspeczyk and Sally Jupiter respectively in the upcoming film.

Malin Åkerman

Carla Gugino

Watchmen, part 3

2008-07-31T19:15:00.001-04:00

Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Grey's Anatomy, Supernatural) will portray The Comedian (Edward Morgan Blake) in the Watchmen film.
The character is loosely based on G. Gordon Liddy.
His alter-ego, Edward Blake is a play on the name of movie director Blake Edwards. The character design is said to have been based on actor Burt Reynolds.

Original TV 'Catwoman': Angelina Jolie Would Be Perfect in the Part

2008-07-31T13:05:00.004-04:00

Original TV 'Catwoman': Angelina Jolie Would Be Perfect in the Part

Julie Newmar, who starred as the Catwoman in the original "Batman" TV series, thinks Angelina Jolie "would own the part," she tells the New York Daily News.
The actress, 74, said that her industry friends tell her Jolie has made "inquiries about the role. I can understand how it would pique her interest. Catwoman is Batman's one true love.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,393521,00.html

All I can say is....YES!

Watchmen, part 2

2008-07-05T12:52:00.003-04:00

Patrick Wilson is portraying the second Nite Owl, Dan Dreiberg, in the upcoming Watchmen film.

Stephen McHattie will portray the elder Nite Owl, Hollis Mason.

John Cusack, who is an admitted fan of the graphic novel, expressed great interest in playing the role.

Watchmen, Part 1

2008-06-05T09:04:00.001-04:00

Watchmen is a 2009 film adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' twelve-issue Hugo Award-winning comic book limited series Watchmen, directed by Zack Snyder. The film stars Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley, Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Matthew Goode, Stephen McHattie and Carla Gugino. Set in 1985, the film follows a group of former vigilantes as war begins to break out between the United States and the Soviet Union. The film began shooting in Vancouver in September 2007 for release on March 6, 2009.Like his previous film 300, Snyder closely modeled his storyboards on the comic, but unlike that film, he chose not to shoot all the film using chroma key.

Following the novel's 1986 publication, the film adaptation was mired in development hell. Producer Lawrence Gordon began developing the project at 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. with producer Joel Silver and director Terry Gilliam, the latter eventually deeming the complex novel unfilmable. During the 2000s, Gordon and Lloyd Levin collaborated with Universal Studios and Paramount Pictures to produce a script by David Hayter (who set it in modern times). Darren Aronofsky and Paul Greengrass were attached to Paramount's project, before it was canceled over budget disputes. The project returned to Warner, where Snyder was hired to direct in 2006. Fox is now suing Gordon for failing to pay a buy-out in 1991, which enabled him to develop the film at the other studios.

A DVD based on elements of the Watchmen universe will be released; it will include an animated adaptation of the comic Tales of the Black Freighter within the story, starring Gerard Butler, and the documentary Under the Hood, detailing the older generation of superheroes from the film's back-story. An extended edition of the film, with Tales of the Black Freighter edited in a manner reminiscent of the comic, is also possible.

'Iron Man' up to $252.3 million

2008-05-26T11:14:00.002-04:00

'Iron Man' up to $252.3 million - Story @ Comics2Film.com:

"Marvel's 'Iron Man' movie continues to show legs of...well...iron. In the film's fourth week of release it's still holding strong as the #3 movie, collecting another $20.1 million. The four-week domestic total now stands at $252.3. By comparison, the highly-anticipated sequel 'Prince Caspian' was in the #2 spot and earned $23 million in its second week."

Why comic books scared us so

2008-05-12T09:50:00.001-04:00

Public Arts : Why comic books scared us so (2008-05-10):

"In his 1953 novel 'Fahrenheit 451,' named after the temperature at which paper catches on fire, Ray Bradbury painted a picture of a society beset by book-burning. In his vision, the censors didn't bother to throw comic books on the pyre because they just weren't worth worrying about.

Not so in mid-century America. For more than a decade, countless parents and teenagers made bonfires of comic books, reducing everyone from Captain Marvel to Archie to ashes."

Comic books dominate this action-packed summer

2008-04-28T08:40:00.003-04:00

Comic books dominate this action-packed summer

The Tartan has a list of this summers movies, and the important comic book based movies such as Iron Man, May 2 and The Dark Knight, July 18.
I left off Speed Racer, even though it has been a comic and looks really wild.
The full write up is here:
http://www.thetartan.org/2008/4/28/pillbox/summer_movies

Comic books draw the serious to the seriously twisted

2008-04-21T09:49:00.001-04:00

Comic books draw the serious to the seriously twisted

Sunday, April 20, 2008
BY ALLISON STEELE
Star-Ledger Staff
NEW YORK -- Some came for autographs, or to catch a glimpse of a legendary comic book artist. Others were there to browse the seemingly endless rows of tables piled with graphic novels and shelves filled with Japanese anime figurines. Plenty of fans flocked to the New York Comic Con in midtown Manhattan yesterday for a chance to dress up like Luke Skywalker or Obi-Wan Kenobi.

For Steve Vincent and Mike McLaughlin, owners of a Forked River, Ocean County, comic book company, this weekend's three-day convention was a chance to catch up with old friends and sell a few comics.
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-10/1208666170124310.xml&coll=1

Steve Gerber, Marshall Rogers, Dave Stevens

2008-04-10T07:47:00.000-04:00

Steve Gerber, Marshall Rogers, Dave Stevens.

So far this year we've lost 3 greats. Although these names may not be as familiar to some as the writers and artists now, these men made a great impact on me, and the generation that grew up with their stories.

What I remember......

Steve Gerber, Howard the Duck (forget the movie, read the first few books in the series) , Man-Thing, Omega the Unknown, Foolkiller ( " You're a FOOL! BLAM!, Punisher fans take note.) , Tales of the Zombie ( the only comic that actually spooked me) , The Defenders ( misfit heroes, way before everyone was a mutant at Marvel) , and the Guardians of the Galaxy ( Starhawk, the first hero that I recall that had REAL identity issues.)
Gerber's writing was escape, that still had threads of the real world intertwined.

Marshall Rogers, Daughters of the Dragon ( A Black and white comic. Get your hands on them and just look at the artwork) Batman ( Bringing more realism to the art, while keeping the " Dark Knight" before Miller) and Manhunter ( I really LOVED the back up stories in Detective Comics, again the artwork was amazing)

Dave Stevens, His pin-up style and glamour art illustrations, especially Bettie Page. Wow. And The Rocketeer,(okay, you CAN see that movie, I loved it too)His art had this realistic look, while still maintaining fantasy.

I really hope these are all we lose. Because these 3 were too much.

Marshall Rogers (January 22, 1950 – March 25, 2007)

2008-03-29T14:02:00.004-04:00

This is just getting ridiculous....and very sad.
Marshall was always one of my favorites.

Marshall Rogers (January 22, 1950 – March 25, 2007) was an American comic-book artist best-known for his work at Marvel and DC Comics and DC Comics in the 1970s, particularly as was one of the key illustrators of the character Batman. In addition, Rogers also illustrated one of the first graphic novels, Detectives Inc.

Marshall Rogers studied architectural drawing, and his work was characterized by the depiction of characters with relatively human proportions rather than exaggerated musculature, and by detailed rendering of buildings and structures.

Some of his first comic-book work appeared in the black-and-white magazine The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu, where he worked with writer Chris Claremont on a story featuring the "Iron Fist" supporting characters Misty Knight and Colleen Wing as the Daughters of the Dragon. He eschewed the grey wash that was used in other black-and-white comics stories in favour of applying screentone.

With writer Steve Englehart, Rogers penciled an acclaimed run on the character Batman in Detective Comics #471-476 (Aug. 1977 - April 1978), providing one of the definitive interpretations that went on to influence the 1989 movie Batman and be adapted for the 1990s animated series, considered a definitive interpretation of the darker mooded Batman. The two also did a sequel miniseries, Batman: Dark Detective, and had worked together on other series, such as The Silver Surfer. Their first Batman run was collected in the trade paperbacks Batman: Strange Apparitions and Batman: Dark Detective.

He had also done independent work at Eclipse Comics and others. This included the first Coyote series with Englehart, and his own Capt. Quick and the Foozle.

Rogers was found dead from a heart attack in his home by his son on March 25, 2007.

Hugh Jackman teams with Virgin for new comic books | Entertainment | People | Reuters

2008-03-26T12:11:00.001-04:00

Hugh Jackman teams with Virgin for new comic books Entertainment People Reuters:

"LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Hugh Jackman, who plays the mutant Wolverine in the 'X-Men' action movies, is pairing with Virgin Comics to create a comic book series called 'Nowhere Man,' Virgin said on Tuesday.
The series, a futuristic science-fiction odyssey set in an era when men have traded their privacy for safety and security, will be written by Jackman and Marc Guggenheim, who wrote Marvel comics' 'Wolverine' series and 'Amazing Spider-Man.'"

Dave Stevens (July 29, 1955 – March 10, 2008)

2008-03-13T09:38:00.001-04:00

Dave Stevens (July 29, 1955 – March 10, 2008) was an American illustrator and comics artist. He is most famous for creating The Rocketeer comic book and film character and for his pin-up style "glamour art" illustrations, especially of model Bettie Page. He was the first to win Comic-Con International's Russ Manning Award in 1982.

Stevens was born July 29, 1955 in Lynwood, California, but grew up in Portland, Oregon. His family relocated to San Diego, where he attended San Diego City College for two years.

His first professional comic work was inking Russ Manning's pencils for the Tarzan newspaper comic strip and two European Tarzan graphic novels 1975 (he later assisted Manning on the Star Wars newspaper strip. He began doing occasional comic book work, including providing illustrations for fanzines (inking drawings by comic book veteran Jack Kirby among them.) as well as creating the Aurora feature for Japan's Sanrio Publishing.

Starting in 1977, he drew storyboards for Hanna-Barbara animated TV shows, including Super Friends and The Godzilla Power Hour where he worked with comics and animation veteran, Doug Wildey. For the rest of the decade, he continued to work in animation and film, joining illustrators William Stout and Richard Hescox's art studio on La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles, working on projects such as storyboards for the Raiders of the Lost Ark film and pop singer Michael Jackson's Thriller video.

1982 saw the release of the first comics featuring Stevens' signature character and title, the Rocketeer. Those stories first appeared as a back-up in issue #'s 2 and 3 of a Pacific Comics effort from Mike Grell called Starslayer. The feature later moved to the anthology title Pacific Presents and then in 1984 became a comic book bearing the lead's name. The first adventure was collected in a single volume by Eclipse Comics . The second story was collected by Dark Horse as The Rocketeer: Cliff's New York Adventure .

The Rocketeer was a throwback adventure story set in a pulp fiction-informed 1930s pulp fiction with allusions to heroes like Doc Savage and the Shadow about a down-on-his-luck pilot named Cliff Secord that finds a mysterious rocket pack. Despite its erratic publishing history, Rocketeer proved to be one of the first successful features to emerge from the burgeoning independent comics movement. Influenced by golden age comic book artists such as Will Eisner, Lou Fine, Reed Crandall, Maurice Whitman, Frank Frazetta and Wally Wood, Stevens, along with other non-mainstream artists such as Steve Rude and Jaime Hernandez was widely recognized as one of the finest artist's of his generation.

Stevens began developing a Rocketeer film proposal in 1985 and sold the rights to the Walt Disney Company, which produced the 1991 film The Rocketeer. The Rocketeer was directed by Joe Johnston and starring Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin and Timothy Dalton to a mixture of highly positive and lukewarm reviews, and a disappointing box office take. Stevens himself co-wrote the screenplay and was a hands-on co-producer of the film.

Comic Book Adaptations Ruining Franchises

2008-03-03T13:09:00.001-05:00

New University Online:

"Comic Book Adaptations Ruining Franchises
By Allison Izon
Comic books seem like easy targets for movie treatments. The storyboards, setting and costumes are already laid out for you, and an established fan base already exists. So, it is not surprising that there are about 20 movies based on comic books in various stages of production this year. As you read this article, someone somewhere in Hollywood is out there trying to make “Ant-Man” into a film (the amount of excitement that you would feel for this film is directly proportional to how long you’ve waited in line for a Star Wars film).

So what is it that separates films like “Sin City” from “Daredevil” ? “Batman Begins” from “Catwoman” ? “X2” from “X3” ?Comic Book Adaptations Ruining Franchises

Book talks about when comic books were under attack: review

2008-02-27T09:50:00.001-05:00

Book talks about when comic books were under attack: review
"The Ten-Cent Plague"
By David Hajdu (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

Hey, Kids! Dad was an abusive drunk, mom had a public boyfriend and angelic, blond-haired little Lucy hated them all.

So she shot dad, planted the gun, lied her face off in court, and the judge gave mom and paramour Stevie the hot squat. The last panels in the story "Orphan" show Mom and Stevie dying in the electric chair (separately) and one happy Lucy.

All this and more for a dime. Shock Stories, Entertainment Comics Group, April/May, 1954.

There were worse comics out there, dripping with crime, gore, sex and terror and leading to state and local censorship laws, church and school-inspired book burnings, thuggish youth posses policing malt shop magazine racks and televised U.S. Senate hearings.

Even "Archie" comics fed school yard pyres under codes that, evenly applied, would have torched some of the world's great literature.
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5h7za_462FHUE_kvN5snJKdC47zPw

Why Do Comic Book Readers Exist?

2008-02-17T17:31:00.000-05:00

Why Do Comic Book Readers Exist?:

The main challenge of self publishers in the comic book industry is to understand that the art component is but a piece of the action. Currently, the perspective most self publishers, and even established ones have is a focus on products alone and not marketing. These publishers and creators believe that all that is required to sell a comic book is a product."

Steve Gerber Dead at 60.

2008-02-12T12:50:00.000-05:00

Stephen Ross "Steve" Gerber (born 20 September 1947, St. Louis, Missouri - died 10 February 2008, Las Vegas, Nevada) was an American comic book writer best known as co-creator of the satiric Marvel Comics character Howard the Duck.

Other major works include Man-Thing, Omega the Unknown, The Phantom Zone, Void Indigo, Shanna the She-Devil, Tales of the Zombie, Marvel Spotlight: Son of Satan, Defenders, Marvel Presents: Guardians of the Galaxy, Foolkiller, The Legion of Night, Nevada, Sludge, A. Bizarro, and Hard Time, as well as long runs on Sub-Mariner and Daredevil.

He was among the 1970s wave of writers such as Steve Englehart, Don McGregor and Doug Moench who took often minor characters and helped create a writerly Renaissance. At the time of his death, he was writing Countdown to Mystery: Doctor Fate for DC Comics, having briefly worked with a version of the character in 1983.

He was also known for including lengthy text pages in the midst of a comic book story, such as in Man-Thing, Howard the Duck, Son of Satan, Defenders, and his graphic novel, Stewart the Rat.

In 2007, Gerber was diagnosed with an early stage of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and attempted to get on a waiting list for a lung transplant, while continuing to work. On February 10, 2008, Gerber died in a Las Vegas hospital from complications stemming from his condition.

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Speed Racer Lines-Up Big Tie-Ins - ComingSoon.net

2008-01-26T20:34:00.000-05:00

Speed Racer Lines-Up Big Tie-Ins - ComingSoon.net:

"Speed Racer Lines-Up Big Tie-Ins
Source: Variety January 26, 2008

Warner Bros.' Speed Racer, opening in theaters on May 9, is targeting a G rating, reports Variety. Because of this, the studio has been able to enlist a lengthy lineup of promotional partners that will pony up at least $80 million in additional marketing support around the film.

That kind of backing from brands like General Mills, McDonald's, Target, Mattel, Lego, Topps and Esurance, among others, will create the 'noise' needed to gets audiences interested in the film, producer Joel Silver says.

'You have to open big,' he says. 'You have to let them know you're out there. The only way to make a lot of noise is to have people shout from the rooftops. ('Speed Racer') was an opportunity to do something we've never done before.'"

Marvel Comics

2008-01-16T10:27:00.000-05:00

Marvel Comics is an American comic book company owned by Marvel Publishing, Inc., a division of Marvel Entertainment, Inc.

Marvel counts among its characters such well-known properties as Spider-Man, the X-Men and their member Wolverine, the Fantastic Four, The Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, Daredevil, Ghost Rider and many others. Most of Marvel's fictional characters are depicted as inhabiting a single shared world; this continuity is known as the Marvel Universe.

The comic book arm of the company was founded in 1939 as Timely Publications and was generally known as Atlas Comics in the 1950s. Marvel's modern incarnation dates from the early 1960s, with the launching of Fantastic Four and other superhero titles created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and others. Marvel has since become one of the largest American comics companies, along with DC Comics.

technorati tags: publishing comic book, iron man comic book, comic book publish, comic book publishing companies, comic book publishing company, comic book publisher, comic book publishers, comic, comics, spiderman comic book, hulk comic books

DC Comics

2008-01-13T11:36:00.001-05:00

DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company. A subsidiary of Warner Bros. Entertainment (part of Time Warner) since 1969, DC is one of the world's largest English language publisher of comic books. DC Comics produces material featuring a large number of well-known characters, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and their teammates in the Justice League, who are among the medium's most popular and influential.

DC Comics was founded as National Allied Publications in 1934 by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson. The initials "DC" were originally an abbreviation for the company's popular title Detective Comics, and later became the official name. DC has been successively headquartered at different areas of New York City, including: 432 Fourth Avenue; 480 and later 575 Lexington Avenue; 909 Third Avenue; 75 Rockefeller Plaza; 666 Fifth Avenue; and 1325 Avenue of the Americas. DC moved to 1700 Broadway in the mid-1990s, relocating there with Warner Bros. Entertainment's Mad, which had moved from 485 Madison Avenue.

The corporation is an amalgamation of several companies. National Allied Publications was founded by Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1934 to publish New Fun: The Big Comic Magazine #1 (Feb. 1935), later known as More Fun. This groundbreaking comic book was the first such periodical consisting solely of original material rather than reprints of newspaper comic strips. Retitled New Fun after the first issue, it was a tabloid-sized, 10-inch by 15-inch, 36-page magazine with a paper, non-glossy cover. Issue #6 (Oct. 1935) brought the comic book debut of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the future creators of Superman, who began their careers with the musketeer swashbuckler "Henri Duval" and, under the pseudonyms "Leger and Reuths", the supernatural crimefighting adventures of "Doctor Occult".( Doctor Occult is the earliest character created by DC Comics still currently in use in its shared universe fiction.) Wheeler-Nicholson added a second magazine, New Comics, which premiered with a Dec. 1935 cover date and at a size close to what would become comic books' standard size during the period fans and historians call the Golden Age, with slightly larger dimensions than today's. That title evolved into Adventure Comics, which continued through issue #503 in 1983, becoming one of the longest-running comic book series.

His third and final title was Detective Comics, advertised with a cover illustration dated Dec. 1936, but eventually premiering three months late, with a March 1937 cover date. The themed anthology series would become a sensation with the introduction of Batman in issue #27 (May 1939). By then, however, Wheeler-Nicholson was gone. In 1937, in debt to printing-plant owner and magazine distributor Harry Donenfeld — who was as well a pulp-magazine publisher and a principal in the magazine distributorship Independent News — Wheeler-Nicholson was compelled to take Donenfeld on as a partner in order to publish Detective #1. Detective Comics, Inc. was formed, with Wheeler-Nicholson and Jack S. Liebowitz, Donenfeld's accountant, listed as owners. Major Wheeler-Nicholson remained for a year, but cash-flow problems continued, and he was forced out. Shortly afterward, Detective Comics Inc. purchased the remains of National Allied, also known as Nicholson Publishing, at a bankruptcy auction.

Detective Comics Inc. shortly launched a fourth title, Action Comics, the premiere of which introduced Superman (a character with which Wheeler-Nicholson was not directly involved; editor Vin Sullivan chose to run the feature after Sheldon Mayer rescued it from the slush pile). Action Comics #1 (June 1938), the first comic book to feature the new character archetype soon to be called superheroes, proved a major sales hit and ushered in the period fans and historians call Golden Age of comic books. The company quickly introduced such other popular characters as Sandman and Batman.

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