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Recommended:
The Thanos Imperitive #4 (of 6)
The all-star alliance of sci-fi heroes strike! Silver Surfer, Quasar and Nova lead a make-or-break attack against the undying Lord of the Cancerverse forces! It's either total victory or utter defeat! Meanwhile, in the Cancerverse itself, Star-Lord's rag-tag team learns whether attempting to make a deal with Thanos was the smartest choice they ever made-or the worst decision of their entire lives! It's more star-blasting adventure from the minds of Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, with art by Miguel Angel Sepulveda!
Batman #703
Batman and Robin #14
Batman: Odyssey #3 (of 6)
Daredevil #510
Punisher Max: Hot Rods of Death #1
Red Robin #16
The Thanos Imperitive #4 (of 6)
On
sale September 9th is Neal Adams latest issue of Batman: Odyssey!
Issue #3 looks to be as unexpected and bizarre like the previous issues, but hey, this is Neal Adams were talkin' about here!
In the third chapter Bruce Wayne and Alfred strategize the next steps on The Dark Knight's odyssey…but appearances by both The Riddler and Talia al Ghul might spoil their plans!
Click
the image to the left or here
to see the preview!
Bonus!
And at the end of the preview I threw in a few preview pencilled pages
of issue #4 as well!
Ongoing Batman Beyond Series Announced
DC
Comics has just announced that an ongoing Batman Beyond comic series will
be launched immediately after the current limited series is over.
This is no surprise as the current mini is just fantastic. Not only that but it has proved very popular, thus motivating DC to make the move to an ongoing.
Whether the same creative team will remain onboard remains to be seen (left: limited series art shown).
Stay tuned to WCH as more news rolls in about this exciting announcement!
Yes,
you've probably heard that an Iron Fist movie has been on various movie
studio's agenga on and off for well over a decade now. Actor Ray Parkes
(Darth Maul from Star Wars fame) was attached at one point to star. Now
it looks like things are a bit more promising to bring Iron Fist to the
big screen... Marvel Studios is moving forward on a live action feature
hiring screenwriter Rich Wilkes (original XXX film) to draft a movie based
on the Marvel martial arts expert.
While X-Men, Spider-Man, Ghost Rider, Fantastic Four and a handful of others remain at other studios, Marvel has recaptured rights to many wayward properties and they are hitting the reset button on a bunch of them. Marvel recently began work on Dr. Strange, hiring Conan scribes Thomas Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer to generate a film from a superhero property that four studios tried to crack over the years. Both Iron Fist and Dr. Strange will be distributed by Disney.
Marvel Studios has four more films under the preexisting distribution deal with Paramount, and those will include Thor, The First Avenger: Captain America, and Iron Man 3. The final film will likely be the Joss Whedon-directed The Avengers, though Marvel is separately working on the youth-oriented Runaways and Ant-Man.
The
Iron Fist comic book mythology was created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane
in the 1970s, when the popularity of martial arts films was on the rise.
Iron Fist, aka Danny Rand, plunged his hands through a dragon's molten
heart -- turning his fists into indestructible weapons.
No
actor has been cast for the title role yet, however an overwhelming fanboy
choice (and rumour at this point) seems to be Scott Adkins (The Bourne
Ultimatum, Body Double to Ryan Reynolds in X-Men Origins: Wolverine).
Adkins (right) is a fully trained martial artist and kickboxer since the
age of 14. Scott's first leading role in Isaac Florentine's "Ninja"
was released theatrically in Malaysia on Oct.29, 2009. Hey, lighten his
hair and he looks like he'd make a fine Danny Rand/Iron Fist to me!
Conan: The Frazetta Cover Series
The
fifth installment in Conan: The Frazetta Cover Series is still on sale
and if you haven't been following this it's quite a treat. Although it
may seem these are 're-packaged Dark Horse reprints' (they are) but each
one sports classic Frank Frazetta Conan artwork. Plus if you've missed
out on some of those great Conan comic stories from Dark Horse this special
series is a good chance to take in a whole 'story arc' in one sitting.
Issue #5 features both Frank Frazetta's tense, dramatic Man-Ape painting and an adaptation of Robert E. Howard's "Rogues in the House"-as interpreted by Timothy Truman, artists Cary Nord and Tomás Giorello, and colorist Richard Isanove. A longtime Howard favorite, this seminal Conan story first appeared in Weird Tales in 1934, and Frazetta's Man-Ape piece is one of his few Conan paintings to make a direct reference to one of Howard's works. Our favorite barbarian has been living as a thief for some time, and his crimes are catching up with him. Becoming enmeshed in the plans of a treacherous nobleman and a dark priest, Conan finds himself making some strange allies in order to free himself from the labyrinthine, booby-trapped halls in the Red Priest's stronghold. Stalked by a mysterious, hulking horror that's grown out of control, Conan and the nobleman make a wary alliance with the Red Priest himself!
Issue #6 goes on sale November 3rd and features Frank Frazetta's iconic Conan cover painting, The Indomitable, and an expansion on Robert E. Howard's "Hand of Nergal" story fragment. Writer Timothy Truman is joined by Tomás Giorello on pencils and José Villarrubia on colors in this exploration into the horrors of Howard's Hyborian world. With zombies, a demonic army, an unearthly behemoth, a sorcerer, and a young witch on his hands, Conan is tasked not only with saving a beautiful princess--but saving his entire world from the evil god Nergal.
By the way the current Conan: The Cimmerian series is ending with issue #24 (November), then in December comes 'Robert E. Howard’s Savage Sword'. This new series will showcase even more Robert E. Howard’s work.
Savage Sword will be an 80-page perfect bound series and will feature the exploits of well-known heroes like Conan and Solomon Kane while also aiming a well-deserved and long-overdue spotlight on some of Howard’s more obscure but no less exciting characters, including Dark Agnes, El Borak, Bran Mak Morn and Sailor Steve Costigan. While Savage Sword will premiere all new comic tales featuring Howard’s creations, it will also feature recolored reprint material as well as plenty of bonus content. A can’t-miss item for fans of action and adventure!
2011
and beyond looks like it will be an exciting time for Conan fans.
Have you heard about this little film underway due
for release in 2011?
Title:
JLA (vol. 1) #43
Released: July 2000
Writer: Mark Waid
Artists: Howard Porter (pencils) Drew Geraci (inks)
Cover Artist: Howard Porter
Story Title: "Tower of Babel" (part 1 of 4)
The start of the decade was the beginning of a strong outlook for the comic book industry. The market crash of the nineties seemed to be well behind us and there seemed to be a move away from "ultra-dark " storylines that permeated the late 80's and 90's.
Thus began the era of “de-compressed storytelling” -- where story arcs and character developments would seem to drag on for issues on end. Although this technique resulted in many sophisticated storylines, it was a frustrating scenario in my opinion -- one that continues to this day in comics, which can result in a loss of enjoyment of a title if momentum is lost partway through an ever-evolving and convoluting story arc.
Anyways, one storyline that really didn't suffer from either of those prediciments was "Tower of Babel" from the pages of JLA -- a popular Justice League title which ran from the late 90's thru to the early 2000's. First helmed by writer Grant Morrison, then by Mark Waid. And Waid's the one who put out this fantastic story "Tower of Babel" on the must read map. A story about how Batman's "protective measures if any of my super-hero buddies ever went bad" plan comes back to bite him in the a**. Whether you're a Batman fan or a Justice League fan, or hey even both, you'd love this one!
Story
Synopsis for "Tower of Babel":
(Source: DC Wikia)
"Ra's al Ghul and the League of Assassins launch a multi-pronged simultaneous strike on all members of the Justice League of America. The strike consists of a multitude of bafflingly ingenious attacks that reveal a close knowledge of the leaguers personal lives and vulnerabilities. The JLA is also at the same time forced to deal with an attack against the language centers of all humanity, as Ghul broadcasts a signal worldwide rendering the written language scrambled into unreadable nonsense to the human brain, and throwing the world's governmental facilities and hospitals into chaos.
As the rest of the League falls, Batman, the only physically unaffected member realizes Ra's' plan too late. After the robbery of his parents' graves, Batman had been searching for their bodies; al Ghul, of course, had stolen them as a distraction. When Batman invades his lair, Ra's threatens to drop the corpses into a Lazarus Pit, which would (theoretically) revive them. Meanwhile, in the outside world, Ra's' plan steps up when the second phase of his attack comes into play, scrambling not only the written word, but the spoken word as well.
The other League members manage to together recover from their injuries, and protect their ears from the onslaught, and Batman is forced to reveal the nature of the attacks to them. Worried that one or all of them could go rogue at any time, he had developed contingency plans to put them all out of commission. Talia al Ghul had broken into the Batcave and stolen the files off of his computer, which was how the League of Assassins gained their intel. As the effects of Red Kryptonite wear off, Superman is able to destroy the machine that is causing the chaos. Finally, Ra's also reveals that he is about to release a deadly nerve agent, and spark a war between two atomic nations. As Superman and Batman, and later a restored Aquaman and Martian Manhunter move on Ra's' base, the Flash, Green Lantern, Plastic Man and Wonder Woman are able to prevent the release of the toxin barely in time.
Because of Batman's plans used against the JLA, they're forced to bring his continued membership to a vote. The vote ends in a thin but decisive majority decision on Batman's removal from the team (Wonder Woman, Plastic Man and Aquaman for expulsion, Flash, Green Lantern and J'onn against, with Superman casting the deciding expulsive vote). Already knowing how the vote would turn out, Batman leaves before they can give him their decision. This does not surprise Superman."
From
Wildstorm Comics comes Assassin's Creed: The Fall which is based on the
hit, historical fantasy/sci-fi Assassin's Creed video game!
This will be a stunning 3-issue series written and illustrated by acclaimed creators Karl Kerschl (The Flash, Teen Titans: Year One) and Cameron Stewart (Batman & Robin).
Assassin's Creed: The Fall follows 19th century Russian assassin Nikolai Orelov as he strives to claim an artifact of immense power from the hands of the Templars, leading to a climactic and violent showdown with the ruthless Tsar Alexander III aboard a speeding train!
Meanwhile, in modern times, a troubled young drifter copes with unsettling visions of a possible past life – visions that have irreversible consequences for the present. Assassin's Creed: The Fall is an exciting new chapter in the popular series that no fan will want to miss!
Assassin's
Creed: The Fall launches November 10, 2010. Add the series to your pull-list
today!
Recommended:
Punisher Max #1: Happy Ending (One-Shot)
Written
by PETER MILLIGAN
Pencils & Cover by JUAN JOSE RHYP
Nothing like this has ever happened to Joe before. When a quarrel with
his wife makes him seek comfort through the doors of the 'Happy Ending'
massage parlor, the mild-mannered accountant enters a whole different
world. An exotic world of life and death decisions, a world where a beautiful
woman is fleeing from a vicious mob boss, and everyone is fleeing from
Frank Castle.
Astonishing
X-Men #35
Batman #702
Detective Comics #868
Justice League of America #48
Legion of Super-Heroes #4
Punisher Max #1: Happy Ending (One-Shot)
Superman/Batman #75
Time Masters: Vanishing Point #2 (of 6)
Wonder Woman #602
As
rumoured for a while, it can now be confirmed that Karl Urban (Star Trek/Pathfinder)
has been officially cast as Judge Dredd by producers Andrew Macdonald
and Allon Reich of the new film -- which is roughly slated for a late
2011 release.
Director
Pete Travis (Vantage Point) will begin shooting Judge Dredd in Johannesburg,
South Africa with the same people who made Neill Blomkamp's District 9
later this year.
This Judge Dredd movie will apparently remain faithful to the source material. “The main thing about Dredd is that it’s a fantastic comic that was completely messed up 20 years ago," said Macdonald. "Our idea is to make a very hard, R-rated, gritty, realistic movie of Dredd in Megacity, so we’ve got to get the tone right. He’s not going to take off his helmet. His bike is going to feel real. He’s going to hit people and it’s going to feel real."
Judge Dredd has been featured in the British sci-fi anthology 2000 A.D. since 1977. Dredd is an American law enforcement officer in a violent city of the future where uniformed Judges play the role of police, judge, jury and executioner.
Famous comic artists such as Brian Bolland and Simon Bisley are just a few who've been attached to the long-standing character in comics.
To
your right is movie concept art by comic artist Jock, who has been hired
as the film's concept artist.
DC Comics Documentary Coming to DVD
Now
when has a comic book company ever done this... coming to a DVD store
near you on November 9th is 'Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics'. Narrated
by Ryan Reynolds, this documentary will chronicle the history of DC Comics
as a company right from its inception to today.
Here's the press release...
Warner Bros. Pictures presents an enthralling examination of the creative forces behind the World’s Greatest Super Heroes in Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics, an all-new documentary that takes viewers behind the scenes of the iconic company with unprecedented access to the Warner Bros. and DC Comics archives. Narrated by Ryan Reynolds, Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics will be distributed by Warner Home Video on November 9, 2010 on DVD for $24.98 (SRP). Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics will also be available On Demand and for Download.
Behind the amazing tales of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and a host of other well-known characters is the equally impressive story of the challenges, creativity and triumphs of the company that brought those characters to life. Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics is both a celebration of the best writers and artists in comics and a thoughtful exploration of 75 years of DC Comics history.
Produced by the Academy Award-nominated team behind Spellbound (Feature Documentary), Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics combines excerpts from comics, films and television series with the insight of some of history’s most influential comic book creators and editors, among them Neal Adams, Karen Berger, Mike Carlin, Dan DiDio, Neil Gaiman, Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, Paul Levitz, Dwayne McDuffie, Grant Morrison, Dennis O’Neil, Paul Pope, Louise Simonson, Mark Waid, Len Wein, and Marv Wolfman.
Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics is written and directed by Mac Carter. Jeffrey Blitz (Spellbound, The Office) served as executive producer. Producer is Gregory Noveck and co-producer is Ivan Cohen. Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics is produced by Sean Welch and Janet Eckholm.
“From
the bans to the breakthroughs, from humble pulp beginnings to the literary
rise of the graphic novel, the story of DC Comics holds a mirror to an
ever-evolving enterprise and the society reflected in its comic book pages,”
said Diane Nelson, President, DC Entertainment. “It’s a true
American story – Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics is a riveting,
exciting, surprising revelation of that fascinating history and the men
and women who forged it.”
Come
this October, the Batman universe is going to get a whole lot different.
If you think there's been some big changes lately wait until you see what's
coming up!
As you can see by the image to your left, that is Bruce and he is back this October and with a modified outfit. Yes, love it or hate it the yellow oval is back. Bruce Wayne's official return in October will be in the aptly named 'Batman: The Return' One Shot by Grant Morrison, David Finch and Scott Williams. That will lead into two brand new Batman series in November: 'Batman: The Dark Knight' by David Finch and Scott Williams, and 'Batman Inc.' by Grant Morrison and Yanick Paquette.
In 'Batman: The Dark Knight' Finch will concentrate on the street level crime scene, while still adhering to Bat-continuity in other titles. We're talking dark, gritty stuff here -- what you can only expect from David Finch.
In 'Batman Inc.' Grant Morrison will incorporate (literally) the Batman universe. There'll be an army of 'Batmen' operating around the world... one example is 'Knight' in England (from the forthcoming Knight & Squire series) and El Gaucho, the Argentinian hero.
Here's some other tidbits...
- Dick Grayson, who's been filling in for Bruce for a while now, will be part of this team in Batman Inc.; will he go back to being Nightwing? Unlikely. Most likely... he'll continue to wear his current Bat duds or adopt something similar.
- In total, 11 people (including Bruce) will make up 'Batman Inc.' Bruce, Dick, Knight, El Gaucho and seven others.
- Now what about Robin/Damien Wayne? You can bet due to his popularity he'll be around, but expect him to gravitate more towards the Teen Titans book.
- Red Robin? No word on his status. But considering he has his own ongoing series and involvement in the upcoming 'The Road Home' (a series of one-shots depicting the story of Bruce Wayn'e return on sale October 6th) -- he'll likely stay staus quo, costume and all.
- Expect an appearance, or an ongoing role, for Man-Bat.
- The first 12 issues of Batman Inc. will be team-ups with Batman and different characters as he travels the world "training people".
That's about all I got right now on the bat-front. Personally I'm looking forward to the Bat-books later this year. And as for the return of the yellow oval I welcome it. A ton of great stories were told decades ago while he wore that and there's no reason why it can't happen again. Remember that's a heavily armored area of Batman's costume... he wants bad guys to concentrate aiming bullets there rather than his face! ...Yup, Bats even said that once himself.
Neal
Adams has drawn the cover to November's issue of Back Issue -- a recreation
of his famous 1970's Green Lantern/Green Arrow cover.
If you love the nostalgic era of the 70's and 80's, Back Issue is right up your alley. Seriously folks... the best comic magazine ever published.
Twomorrow's Publishing solicitation reads as follows...
"Now shipping 8 times a year, with 16 color pages each issue! In BACK ISSUE #45 (84 pages with 16-page COLOR section, $7.95), we feature “Odd Couples,” headlined by an in-depth look at DENNY O’NEIL and NEAL ADAMS’ award-winning, groundbreaking Green Lantern/Green Arrow—plus an examination of the real-life events that inspired these relevant stories. The unusual pairing of one of Marvel’s hottest writers of the ’70s with DC’s Justice League of America is explored in an exclusive interview with STEVE ENGLEHART. Also: Daredevil and Black Widow, Power Man and Iron Fist, Vision and Scarlet Witch, Cloak and Dagger, and… Aquaman and Deadman (?!). With art by and/or commentary from TERRY AUSTIN, GENE COLAN, GERRY CONWAY, DENYS COWAN, DICK DILLIN, RICHARD HOWELL, RICK LEONARDI, STEVE SKEATES, and more. And a glorious recreation of the cover of Green Lantern #76 by NEAL ADAMS! Edited by MICHAEL EURY."
84
pages - on sale November 2010.
Coming
to a DVD store near you on November 9th... I'll let the press release
do the talking...
Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video have expanded the realm of superhero storytelling beyond the popular DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movies with the introduction of the DC Showcase, a series of animated shorts featuring characters from the celebrated DC Comics vault. On November 9, 2010, Warner Home Video will distribute the DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection, the first quartet of animated adventures featuring the never-before-seen Superman/Shazam! The Return of Black Adam, as a Special Edition Blu-Ray™ for $29.99 (SRP) and single disc DVD for $19.98 (SRP).
DC Showcase animated shorts initially appeared as special bonus content on the 2010 slate of DC Universe Animated Original Movies. The 10 to 12-minute films include The Spectre, Jonah Hex and Green Arrow. All three titles will be presented in extended formats along with the first-ever release of Superman/Shazam! The Return of Black Adam.
In Superman/Shazam! The Return of Black Adam, Clark Kent’s latest interview subject is street kid Billy Batson. What Clark doesn’t know is that Billy is more than a feisty kid with a lot of heart – he has been chosen by an ancient wizard to represent the good of man as the World’s Mightiest Mortal just by invoking the name of the wizard, "Shazam!" Billy's powers come none-too-soon, as he also discovers he's being pursued by a centuries' old, murderous villain, Black Adam – a foe so powerful, even Superman can’t stop him alone. The all-star cast of Superman/Shazam! The Return of Black Adam is led by Jerry O’Connell (Crossing Jordan) as Captain Marvel, George Newbern reprising his Justice League role as Superman, Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy) as Black Adam and two-time Emmy Award® winner James Garner (8 Simple Rules) as The Wizard.
Bruce Timm (Superman Doomsday) is executive producer and Joaquim Dos Santos (Justice League, Avatar: The Last Airbender) is director of the first series of DC Showcase titles. Michael Jelenic (Wonder Woman) wrote the 22-minute script.
Other shorts included on the DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection:
-The Spectre – A detective story with an ethereal twist featuring an otherworldly character. The short is written by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), and the voice cast includes Gary Cole (Entourage) and Alyssa Milano (Charmed).
-Jonah Hex – The tough-as-nails bounty hunter always gets his man - until someone else gets to him first - in this case a murderous madam who wants to steal more than just his bounty from Jonah Hex. Based on a story from the award-winning Jonah Hex comic series, and scripted by world-renowned author Joe Lansdale. The voice cast is led by Thomas Jane (Hung), Linda Hamilton (The Terminator), Michelle Trachtenberg (Mercy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Michael Rooker (Days of Thunder).
-Green Arrow – At the Star City International Airport to pick up his girlfriend, Oliver Queen is forced into action as Green Arrow to protect the 10-year-old Princess of Vlatava from his old nemesis Merlyn the Magnificent and the League of Assassins. Greg Weisman (Young Justice) pens this action-packed tale, which features the voices of Neal McDonough (Desperate Housewives) as the title character and Malcolm McDowell (Entourage) as his foe.
“The DC Showcase once again combines the respective creative talents of DC Comics, Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video to provide fans with vivid, new experiences alongside characters from within the vast resources of DC Comics,” said Matt Bierman, Senior Vice President Production, Warner Premiere.
“The DC Showcase allows us to expand the DC Universe with short stories based on intriguing characters – from a 1940s comics sensation like The Spectre to a creation of the 1970s like Jonah Hex – just begging to be presented to a very worthy fan base,” said Geoff Johns, Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment.
“Whereas DC Universe films have given fans the broad strokes of superhero entertainment, we know devout comics fans will enjoy seeing the characters in the DC Showcase come to animated life – some for the very first time – and we believe this presentation will open a window for new viewers to experience these unique, textured heroes and villains,” said Amit Desai, WHV Vice President of Family, Animation & Sports Marketing.
DC
Showcase Original Shorts Collection 1-Disc Special Edition DVD features
more than 1 hour of exciting extra content, including:
• Four animation shorts (est. 62 min)
• Four additional bonus TV series episodes handpicked by Bruce Timm
DC
Showcase Original Shorts Collection Blu-Ray™ features more than
2 1/2 hours of exciting extra content, including:
• Four animation shorts (est. 62 min)
• Commentaries by renowned writers Steve Niles, Joe Lansdale, Greg
Weisman and Michael Jelenic
• Four additional bonus TV series episodes handpicked by Bruce Timm
• Digital copy online of the shorts
Raw
Studios, which is run by Thomas Jane and Timothy Bradstreet, has announced
the revival of the '80s sci-fi anthology Alien Worlds.
The former Pacific Books property is now in the hands of Raw. Comic pros Bruce Jones and Richard Corben are planned to contribute to the book. Expect more legendary writers and artists to be announced soon.
"I was with Pacific Books in the '80s and back then we thought bringing back to comics something that hadn't been around for 20 years - a science fiction adult-oriented non-superhero anthology done with the illustrated approach," said writer Bruce Jones.
A
revival of the horror anthology Twisted Tales is also planned.
Alien Worlds and Twisted Tales were quality produced comics. Back in the 80's when the direct market was emerging these two titles really pushed the bar in terms of its graphic content while producing riveting art and stories. This was truly comic book science fiction and horror at its best. Let's hope Raw Studios can catch lightning in the bottle again!
The Joker by Lee Bermejo Black & White Statue
Solicited
now and on sale March 2, 2011 is the latest in the line of beautiful Batman:
Black & White statues... this time it's the Joker from fan-favorite
artist Lee Bermejo! This statue is based on his art from the critically
acclaimed 2008 hardcover graphic novel "Joker" by Brian Azzarello,
with art by Lee Bermejo and Mick Gray.
The hardcover graphic novel's depiction of the Joker was disturbingly similar to the Joker from the movie The Dark Knight -- and it;s interesting to note that the concept for the novel was brought up well before the movie was. Azzarello and Bermejo do a excellent job of depicting other characters as well with such a realistic and grounded style that you'd swear you were reading a sequel to The Dark Knight. If you saw the Penguin, Killer Croc and the Riddler in "Joker" you know what I'm talking about! The graphic novel should still be available so ask your retailer.
This statue measures approximately 7" high x 5.75" wide x 5.75" deep, is painted in monochromatic tones, features a Bat-logo-shaped base and is packaged in a black and white box.
Click to the left or here to see a larger version and another view of the statue!
Curious Comics Langford: Now Open!
Victoria's
premier comic shop Curious
Comics Hillside location has relocated to Langford -- and the new
store is now open!
Curious
Comics Langford location is located at 844 Goldstream Avenue, Victoria
BC.
(The Hillside location is now closed).
Click the image to your left for a larger image, and a map of the new location. And be sure to visit the Curious Comics Blog for updates!
Congrats CC on the new location, and here's to hopefully a whole new crowd of new comic readers out on the West Shore!
You
gotta see this to believe it.... GameTrailer.com has Just released a new
trailer to the hotly anticipated DC Universe Online Game (to be released
this November) -- a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG)
set in the DC Universe.
Players will embark on heroic or villainous story-driven adventures penned by famous DC writers including Geoff Johns and Marv Wolfman. Gameplay is optimized for both the PS3 computer entertainment system and PC.
The CGI is incredible, and this looks more like a trailer for a CGI Justice League movie!
Click the image or here (after you grab some popcorn) to see the action-packed "Who Do You Trust" trailer!
Just
released is a new image of Christopher Hemswoth as Thor!
Yes, he's not in his costume in this one, but here we get our first look
at how perfect this guy is to play the God of Thunder!
Thor hits theaters May 6, 2011 and is directed by the acclaimed Kenneth Branagh.
Thor will span the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is the mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth), a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war.
Thor is cast down to Earth by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and is forced to live among humans. A beautiful, young scientist, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), has a profound effect on Thor, as she ultimately becomes his first love. It's while here on Earth that Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
Click to the left or here to see the Thor-sized version! Plus previously released images!
Now
more images of Jason Mamoa as Conan!
Directed by Marcus Nispel, Conan is smack in the middle of filming right now in Bulgaria.
An early 2011 release is anticipated.
Jason Mamoa, of Stargate: Atlantis fame, looks like he will be one bad-a** Conan!
Click to the left or here to see the two pics Crom-sized!
Activision Announces James Bond: Bloodstone
Can't
wait until the next Bond movie (while we all wait until the studio recovers
from some financial problems)? Well, Activision has just announced a new
Bond video game that's in the works -- 'James Bond: Bloodstone'. What's
interesting about this is that it'll feature the voices of Daniel Craig
and Judi Dench! Bloodstone features an epic, original story developed
by screenwriter Bruce Feirstein.
Click to the left or here for the teaser trailer and some cool screenshots!
And check out the official press release below...
Santa Monica, CA – July 16, 2010...
"Grammy and BRIT award winning artist Joss Stone is set to debut as the newest Bond girl in Activision Publishing, Inc.’s James Bond 007: Blood Stone, an original Bond experience from screenwriter Bruce Feirstein. In addition to stepping into a leading role, Stone will create original music for the game, luring players into an explosive third-person action adventure where they will unravel an international conspiracy across exotic locales and experience full-throttle, behind-the-wheel action on land and sea while using the most high tech gadgetry known to James Bond 007, the world’s most skilled secret agent.
James Bond 007: Blood Stone captures the cinematic intensity of a Bond film by immersing players in an intriguing conspiracy that will require them to think and act like James Bond,” said David Pokress, Head of Marketing for Licensed Properties, Activision Publishing. “In addition, the game will feature a diverse array of multi-player modes and debut strategic objective-based gameplay that will allow Xbox 360, PS3 and PC players to battle as teams of spies and mercenaries through authentic Bond locales.”
James Bond 007: Blood Stone features the likeness and voice talent of Daniel Craig, Joss Stone and Judi Dench and features an epic, original story developed by screenwriter Bruce Feirstein.
Players can engage in cover-based firefights, lethal hand-to-hand combat and speed their way through explosive adrenaline-fueled driving sequences as they embark on a global chase leading to action on land and sea through Athens, Istanbul, Monaco and Bangkok.
Gamers can also feel what it is like to be a 00 agent, as they take the battle online in several robust 16-person multi-player modes that require skill, teamwork and strategy as players compete in matches that will have spies battling mercenaries.
Joss
Stone provides an original musical track to the game titled, “I’ll
Take it All” written and performed by her and Dave Stewart of the
Eurythmics. The song will be featured exclusively in James Bond 007: Blood
Stone.
The
James Bond 007: Blood Stone video game is being developed by critically
acclaimed developer Bizarre Creations for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3,
and Windows PC under license from EON Productions Ltd and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Studios Inc. The NDS platform is being developed by n-Space."
David Finch to Write & Draw Batman: The Dark Knight
Wow.
Wow. Wow. What a way to start a day... waking up to some huge Batman news!
Months ago when artist David Finch left Marvel to join DC, it was no secret he wanted to draw Batman, but whatever or if anything was being planned was really up in the air...
Now it can be officially announced... starting this November David Finch will write and draw a new ongoing series titled 'Batman: The Dark Knight'!
If you can’t wait until November, check out 'Batman: The Return' come October, a one-shot featuring Finch’s pencils and words by Morrison!
David Finch said the following to DC...
“I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’ve wanted to draw Batman for a very, very long time. Batman and his world embody everything that I love about Superhero comics, and I could not be happier that I’ve gotten this opportunity!
Maybe the greatest thing about Batman is his versatility as a character. He can be so many things to so many people. For me though, the Neal Adams, Denny O’Neil issues from the early 70’s are the most definitive. That work casts a very long shadow over every Batman book that has come out since, and I think its a testament to it’s strength that close to 40 years later it remains modern and vital. Batman is at his best with his hands dirty, chasing the worst of the worst with everything on the line. He’s a detective, first and foremost. But he’s also the enforcer. Nobody gets away with crime under Batman’s watch, and he makes sure they think twice before they step over the line again.
The Dark Knight takes Batman outside what he knows, into a world of demonology, dark arts, and mystery. He’s the ultimate detective, faster, stronger and smarter than any villian, but now he faces creatures to whom logic and mortality don’t apply.
I want Dark Knight to be true to Batman’s street level, crime fighter roots. He’ll face a rogues gallery that we’re all familiar with, but this book will take him on a darker path where he’ll be stretched to his physical and psychological limits.”
Decades ago there were a bunch of artists I liked seeing drawing comics. These days, there's really only a handfull whom grab my attention. And one of those is David Finch (Mike Deodato and Robert de la Torre are my other faves). His dark, emotive and highly detailed pencils are so suited to Batman, he was pretty well born to do it.
I really hope Finch can keep up with a monthly schedule (however no confirmation whether it's monthly or not anyways). My guess is someone else is inking and usually that works out just fine!
Batman: The Dark Knight #1 goes on sale this November!
Click to the left or here for a page in progress from issue #1!
Batman:
Odyssey #1
Story & Art: Neal Adams
(inking associate: Michael Golden pg. 19-20)
Cover Art: Neal Adams
Color: Continuity Studios
Well, it’s finally here – ‘Batman: Odyssey’, the first issue of a 12-issue limited series (divided into two six-issue volumes) written and drawn by the legendary Neal Adams. To say “legendary” would really be an understatement… especially in terms of the Dark Knight. Neal Adams drew a lot of the Batman art back in the late 1960’s and, along with fellow writer Dennis O’Neil and inker Dick Giordano, was largely responsible for bringing Batman (and Robin) out of the campy era that so permeated the 1960’s. In fact if it wasn’t for fellas like them we may not have a “Dark” Knight, nor movies such as Batman Begins and The Dark Knight (Adams and O'Neil did create the character Ra’s al Ghul after all). Neal and his pals put a level of realism and sophistication into Batman comics back then that made them really stand out next to the traditional DC super-hero fare. These stories hold up very well to this day to say the least.
Neal Adams is one of the few artists out there who have always paid great attention to anatomy and dynamic panel layouts. To have a character who actually looks like they’re talking has always been pretty rare in comics. Adams nails it as a character will pop out from the page with whatever emotional response they are displaying.
I have obviously admired the art of Neal Adams. As a kid in the 70’s seeing back issues of Batman like this blew me away because – well, it blew away the art in all the other bat books at that time! It was such a “step-up” and invoked such realism and grittiness that suited Batman… perfectly.
Anyways, I eagerly anticipated reading this issue (as you can tell from my words so far). Batman: Odyssey is written by Adams himself which is a first (for Adams writing Batman) to the best of my knowledge. Adams pencils and inks with the help of Michael Golden on inks for a couple of pages. This will be the theme throughout the series as Adams, with obviously a huge workload, has enlisted many industry talents to lend a hand on inking pages here and there (rumour has it that Jim Lee and Frank Miller may perform some inking chores down the line). The issue has Batman in a non-continuity story (with Dick as Robin) at first explaining to Dick his early career as Batman. This part is pretty cool as Adams really gets it in terms of the need to have Bruce be a bit of a stumbling idiot when he first puts on the suit. I mean to get used to that costume, to be able to fight in it, and that cowl – let’s just say “oops”. I won’t get into the whole gun thing (as many of you have seen from any previews), but for a pro like Neal Adams - it’s no surprise as to the fact it’s not what it seems and to why it’s in the story. It’s all explained. I loved the inclusion of Batman’s “Bond-like” gadgets (do we see a Batman Begins influence here or vice versa? – I think so). Judging first issues is always tough as there is usually a lot of set-up and no momentum has started at such an early stage. This is definitely the case here. There’s a head-scratching segment with two (?) Man-Bats along with an abrupt ending that I think really would’ve worked better given another page or two. Like I said, a very “set-uppy” issue, and whether Adams can connect with the Bat-mythos writing-wise as well as Dennis O’Neil used to remains to be seen.
As for the art, Neal Adams hasn’t seemed to lost his touch over the years. Honestly I have always preferred someone else inking his work. Adams does seem to be a little heavy on his line-work, as the pages inked by Michael Golden really tighten up Adams’ pencils nicely, and it seems a little less scratchy. The dynamic layouts and emotion on character’s faces, which he is known for, is of course a treat to behold. But, really it’s all classic Adams more or less; I’m not gonna get too picky about that.
I’m not sure where Adams is going with this story, but he knows his stuff - and I just don’t mean artwork-wise. I trust Adams will deliver a fine series, and that he has something special and profound – maybe even something unconventional - up his sleeve to bring to the Bat-table.
Grade:
B+
The
time has finally come... the best Batman artist ever, Neal Adams, has
returned to draw (and even write this time around) Batman! Batman Odyssey
#1 (of 6) is now on sale.
Adams has just revealed his cover art to issue #4 which hits stores in October.
Each issue will be written and pencilled by Neal Adams. A rotating team of inkers will be brought in to work on many issues as well. Of course as you can see Adams is doing full art for the covers.
Come early 2011, Adams will launch Batman: Odyssey "volume 2" another round of six issues.
For the first six issues, In this electrifying new story, The Dark Knight faces a series of seemingly unrelated challenges as villains and allies old and new push him to his limits like never before. After Batman discovers a dark and mysterious matrix being superimposed over his life, what sort of life-changing voyage must he embark on to escape from this powerful and insidious force? Be here to find out as Adams writes and illustrates his next masterpiece Batman tale!
Click the image or here for a look at the covers for the first three issues as well and a bit of preview art!
The
latest image of Jason Mamoa as Conan has just come in. This is the first
pic of him in action.
Directed by Marcus Nispel, Conan is smack in the middle of filming right now in Bulgaria.
An early 2011 release is anticipated.
Jason Mamoa, of Stargate: Atlantis fame, looks like he will be one bad-a** Conan!
Click to the left or here to see a larger version of the image, and more!
Mike Mignola to Return to Hellboy
Some
exciting news for Hellboy and Mike Mignola fans...
Mike Mignola has announced his plans to return to illustrated issues of his popular Hellboy title!
The writer and artist spoke to The List about his intention to draw the comic after a lengthy hiatus.
"I really enjoy collaborating, so it's been very easy to spend years without drawing my own comics," said Mignola.
"But I don't want to be just a writer; I want to get back to drawing the comic. And this place we are with Hellboy, wrapping up the storyline, is the natural place for me to step back in, although I'll continue to co-write [B.P.R.D. and the other tie-in titles].
"I've known for years what this next period of Hellboy will be. It will be a brand new chapter. The Storm will be an ending of everything we've read about Hellboy up until now. It's going to be a clean slate when I jump in."
Other
than covers, merchandising material and the occasional short piece, Mignola
has not illustrated Hellboy since 2006.
Already
on sale is Superman #700. And critical acclaim is coming in faster than
a speeding bullet. Writer J. Michael Straczynski hit it outta the park
with the beginning of his "Grounded" arc. Eddy Barrows debuted
as regular Superman artist for his segment in this over-sized issue.
Also included is a story by the man who actually killed Superman, Dan Jurgens! Dan does the art as well (see left). Wow.
Then, James Robinson brings his epic run on the title to a close with a touching story featuring art by Benard Chang that brings Superman back to Earth after his time on New Krypton.
I haven't enjoyed a comic like this in a while... simply a steller job by all the talent involved - bravo.
Get issue #700 while you can and then strap yourself in for possibly the most groundbreaking Superman story arc in years...hey, maybe decades!
Click
to the left or here
to see the powerful art of Dan Jurgens!
(along with a shot of the cover to issue #700 by Gary Frank).
Amazing New Batman Fan Film Surfaces Online
A
new Batman fan film has popped up online called "Batman: City of
Scars." Made by filmaker Aaron Schoenke on HD cameras on a budget
of $27,000, City of Scars follows Batman as he pursues the Joker -- who
has just murdered the parents of a young boy. What ensues is a tale of
tragedy and a Batman questioning his morality.
Although, to some degree, this 30-minute film suffers from the same "fanfilm/homemade movie look" along with some bad acting which plagues other fan films, it is overall very impressive. City of Scars maintains a gritty look much like the acclaimed fanfilm "Batman: Dead End" which debuted years back.
Batman's outfit is done very well, the Jokers make-up...pretty spot-on, and check out Scarface and a nutso Harley Quinn!
The ending itself is worth sitting thru the 30 minutes... Batman brooding atop gargoyles in the rain.... obviously the filmmaker knew how to push fanboy's buttons here.
Very, very cool.
Click the image or click here to watch the whole 30 minute film!
Smallville: Season 9 DVd Set Announced
Warner
Home Video has announced 6-disc DVD and 4-disc Blu-ray releases of Smallville:
The Complete Ninth Season.
The release date is September 7.
Extras will include Cast/Creator Commentaries on 2 episodes, unaired scenes, and featurettes ("Kneel Before Zod", "Justice for All").
Although this series was lacking midway through its life, Smallville really picked up steam in its eighth and ninth seasons.
Great planet, Earth is. So great that other survivors of Planet Krypton wouldn’t mind making it home and taking control. But fellow Kryptonian Clark Kent has a warning for Zod and his followers who cross the line, especially if they seek to enlist Lois Lane in their schemes: I will destroy you all! Hearts grow fonder (Clark & Lois) and dangers grow stronger (Clark vs. warriors of Zod) in this 21-Episode Season 9 Collection. Plus, unexpected characters from DC Comics lore add exciting new layers to the adventures of the man who will become Superman. Among them: the shape-shifting Wonder Twins, magical Zantanna, and Justice Society of America’s Dr. Fate, Hawkman and Stargirl. May justice prevail – and Earth survive!
Click the image or here for a closer look at the DVD artwork!
News
has just come in that legendary illustrator Al Williamson has passed away
at the age of 79.
There is not enough space here to mention the amount or contribution Williamson made to the industry. Al was well known for his work on early comic strips of Flash Gordon. And just name a few more, he worked on the old Classics Illustrated series, Tarzan, Star Wars (comics and strips) and many western and sci-fi comics.
What I remember most about his work was the realism he brought out in the characters and the scenery around them. His style became so synonomous with science fiction, that many other professionals emulated to capture, however never came close -- Williamson's art was just that superb.
Thanks for the memories Al Williamson.
Lucasfilm
has just announced the release of Season Two on DVD of the acclaimed Star
Wars: The Clone Wars! The DVD set will be coming to DVD stores on October
26, 2010.
As usual, I'll let the press release do the talking...
"From Lucasfilm Ltd. and Warner Home Video, Four-Disc Set Includes All 22 Action-Packed Episodes, Extensive Behind-The-Scenes Materials and a Blu-ray Exclusive -- Jedi Temple Archives.
The Force is back and better than ever -- in Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season Two, coming to DVD and high-definition Blu-ray Disc October 26 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Warner Home Video. Featuring cutting-edge animation and a host of special bonus materials, the comprehensive collection explores the farthest reaches of "a galaxy far, far away" with all-new adventures set against the spectacular backdrop of the Star Wars universe.
Relive all 22 Season Two episodes -- featuring bounty hunters, space pirates, giant monsters, mind-controlling brain worms and the return of Boba Fett! -- and then dig deeper with the ultimate look behind the scenes of the hit TV series. Bonus features include a look inside the Lucasfilm vaults, with featurette interviews along with Director and Artist commentaries on each disc. In addition, The Complete Season Two will include a 64-page production journal with concept designs, original sketches and notes from Supervising Director Dave Filoni. And exclusive to the Blu-ray disc, The Jedi Temple Archives provides in-depth access to an extensive database of creative materials.
"Everything's improved since the first season -- the stories, the animation, everything," said Filoni. "It's bigger and better, and it's going to look great in high-definition. We're all just so proud of the series, and I think it shows; we're bursting to share our production secrets, so the features are just full of fun insights from behind the scenes. As a fan, this is what I'd want."
Created and executive produced by George Lucas, the first-ever TV production from Lucasfilm Animation explores the tumultuous time between Episodes II and III, expanding the scope of Star Wars beyond anything seen in the feature films. With the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance, the heroes of the Republic -- including the valiant Jedi Knights and their loyal clone troopers -- fight bravely to repel the attacks of the evil Separatists and their droid army. With fierce battles, expanded storylines and ground-breaking animation, this is a Star Wars adventure that is bigger, bolder, and more intense than ever before!
Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season Two will be available October 26 for the suggested retail price of $44.98 for DVD and $59.99 for Blu-ray.
Special
Features:
Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season Two is presented in widescreen
with English, Spanish and French 5.1 DTS audio and English, French and
Spanish subtitles. Bonus features include:
•
Behind-The-Scenes Featurettes on each disc
• Attack of the Zillo Beast
• Magic of the Holocron
• Return to Geonosis
• Creating Mandalore
• 64-page production journal that includes early sketches, artist
notes and concept art from Season Two of Star Wars: The Clone Wars
•Blu-ray Exclusive -- The Jedi Temple Archives
?An extensive database exploring special effects footage, early concept
art, 3-D character and object turnarounds and early animation. The Archives
is a rare look at the assets in various stages of creation for The Clone
Wars, with a wealth of surprises and never-before seen moments sprinkled
throughout."
Wednesday Comics Collection HC
Remember
last summer when DC published that cool and innovative 12-issue weekly
tabloid newspaper style comic? Well, hard to believe it's almost been
a year since it's release -- and the hardcover collection is now available.
This collection features a tour de force of comics goodness which will
set you back $50 US.
This 11" x 17" oversized hardcover edition collects the entire critically acclaimed anthology series that reinvented the classic weekly newspaper comics section. It features 16-different stories starring the World's Greatest Super Heroes including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and the Flash, as well as lesser known characters including Metamorpho and Metal Men written and Illustrated by the comic industry's top talents including including Neil Gaiman (THE SANDMAN), Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo (JOKER), Dave Gibbons (WATCHMEN) Eduardo Risso (100 BULLETS), Joe Kubert (SGT. ROCK) and Paul Pope (BATMAN: YEAR ONE HUNDRED).
The full list of featured stories and creators is as follows:
BATMAN, by the Eisner Award-winning 100 BULLETS team of writer Brian Azzarello and artist Eduardo Risso
ADAM STRANGE, by writer/artist Paul Pope (BATMAN: YEAR 100) METAMORPHO, written by New York Times best-selling writer Neil Gaiman with Art by Eisner Award-winner Michael Allred (Madman)
THE DEMON AND CATWOMAN, written by Walter Simonson (Thor, MANHUNTER) with Art by famed DC cover artist Brian Stelfreeze
DEADMAN, written by Dave Bullock and Vinton Heuck, Art by Dave Bullock
KAMANDI, written by Dave Gibbons (WATCHMEN, GREEN LANTERN CORPS) with Art by Ryan Sook (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, ARKHAM ASYLUM: LIVING HELL)
SUPERMAN, written by John Arcudi (The Mask) with Art by Lee Bermejo (JOKER)
WONDER WOMAN, written and illustrated by Ben Caldwell (Dare Detectives)
GREEN LANTERN, written by Kurt Busiek (TRINITY, ASTRO CITY) with Art by Joe Quiñones (TEEN TITANS GO!)
TEEN TITANS, written by Eddie Berganza with Art by Sean Galloway
SUPERGIRL, written by Jimmy Palmiotti (JONAH HEX) with Art by Amanda Conner (POWER GIRL)
HAWKMAN, written and illustrated by Kyle Baker (PLASTIC MAN, Special Forces)
SGT. ROCK, written by Adam Kubert (SUPERMAN: LAST SON), ilustrated by legendary comics artist Joe Kubert
THE FLASH, written by Karl Kerschl (TEEN TITANS YEAR ONE, THE FLASH: THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE) and Brenden Fletcher, illustrated by Karl Kerschl
METAL MEN, written by Dan DiDio with Art by Ian Churchill (SUPERGIRL)
An
intriguing new show has been picked up by NBC for the 2010/2011 tv season...
a superhero series titled "The Cape".
Starring David Lyons (ER) and Summer Glau. Glau as you may or may not know has starred in shows such as 'Firefly' and 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles', so hopefully we see another but-kicking role for her!
The series follows a cop who's framed and left for dead, only to return to action as a masked hero.
NBC has revealed the synopsis for the series as follows...
"From the visionary team of Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun comes an imaginative adventure about a dad who would do anything to protect his family.
Officer Vince Faraday was a good cop trying to clean up a corrupt city. Framed for murder and left for dead, he suddenly found himself separated from his wife and son and forced into hiding. Now, inspired by his son's favorite comic book hero, he's taking the law into his own hands, and playing a deadly game of chess with the powerful kingpin who framed him. With the hope of one day reuniting with his family, The Cape is sending a loud message to all criminals... run."
Click the image above or here for the trailer for the show!
Ever
since this project was announced late last year, details were far and
few between -- but now it looks like things are moving forward...
I'll let the Press Release do the talking...
Reliance
BIG Pictures, together with IM Global, the international sales company
that Reliance acquired only last week, will finance DNA’s 3D production
of JUDGE DREDD, a $45 million film adaptation of the iconic 2000 AD comic-book
character created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra.
Filming will take place over the fourth quarter of 2010 in Johannesburg.
JUDGE DREDD is being made by the writer/producer partnership behind The Beach, 28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later, Sunshine, and Never Let Me Go. Alex Garland, Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich will produce a script written by Garland.
Pete Travis, director of Omagh, Vantage Point, and Endgame will direct. Wagner will be a creative consultant on the film.
DNA has engaged Michael Murphy (District 9) as South African co-producer.
Jason Kingsley and Chris Kingsley, owners of Rebellion/2000 AD, will co-produce.
Said John Wagner: 'Alex Garland’s script is faithful to the original concept that made Judge Dredd a favourite bad-ass hero. It’s a high-octane slay ride through the dark underbelly of the vast future city. A fan pleaser. With their track record, I have every faith in Alex Garland, Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich.'
Said Alex Garland: 'I grew up reading Judge Dredd. The incredible writers and artists of 2000 AD were formative influences on me. Andrew, Allon and I have developed this adaptation of Judge Dredd with an emphasis on adrenaline and realism, but with all the scale and spectacle of Mega-City One. We think Pete’s propulsive, edgy style is a perfect match for the project.'
The
deal was negotiated on behalf of Reliance by IM Global CEO Stuart Ford
assisted by attorneys Strook and Strook with DNA principals Macdonald
and Reich, DNA head of business affairs Jo Smith, and Miles Ketley of
Wiggin & Co. Ford’s IM Global will handle international sales
on the project.
Andy Diggle To Write New Graphic Novel
DC's
Vertigo imprint has just announced two more titles to the ever growing
list of excellent crime/mystery graphic novels. And one of these will
be writtten by master scribe Andy Diggle -- the brilliant fella behind
The Losers and Marvel's current Daredevil story arc!
In "Rat Catcher" by Andy Diggle (The Losers) and artist Victor Ibanez, an FBI agent and a notorious mob hitman become involved in a thriller with a twist that keeps the action moving and the characters playing a high stakes game of cat and mouse.
In "Noche Roja", a timely and explosive mystery by Simon Oliver and artist Jason Latour, the murders of young women just South of the Mexican border hide a deeper, darker corruption that retired private investigator Jack Cohen becomes determined to expose if it’s the last thing he ever does. Which it may be.
Look for these two original graphic novels with covers by Lee Bermejo in 2011!
And speaking of The Losers you did see the movie right? Sorta the A-team meets James Bond. It was fantastic! It's still in theaters -- check it out!
Oh yeah... and a new trade collection of The Losers has been announced by Vertigo (which collects issues #13-32 of the hit series).
New G.I. Joe Animated Series Announced
Coming
to TV this fall will be a new GI Joe animated series!
"G.I. Joe Renegades" will premiere in the fall on the Hub network, a partnership between Hasbro and the Discovery Channel.
26 episodes will be a part of the first season, with a 2 part pilot and the 7th & 8th episodes focusing on Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow.
The series is essentially "G.I. Joe Year One".
Here a few more tidbits we can expect from the show...
-
The team is on the run from Cobra.
- We will learn where the characters got their nicknames.
- Cobra Commander will wear his distinctive mask.
- Destro's mask has a purpose.
- The core team consists of characters with distinctive personalities.
- The animation is traditional 2D with extensive focus on light and shadow.
The backgrounds appear to have a watercolor look.
- The stories are not written for kids, but the series will not use bullets
or any traditional weaponry.
- The toy line will launch in Fall 2011.
Coming
this October from Titan books is the hardcover 'Icons: The DC Comics &
Wildstorm Art of Jim Lee'.
Clocking in at 304 pages this edition will feature a brand new Legion of Super-Heroes story written by Paul Levitz and Jim Lee!
One of the most successful and popular artists to work in comics, Jim Lee is revered by fans worldwide thanks to his hyper-dynamic artwork and innovative character and costume design.
Now, his work on Batman and Superman — not to mention his legion of WildStorm heroes including WildC.A.T.s, Divine Right and Deathblow — is celebrated in this beautiful hardback, which includes an exclusive interview with Jim Lee, a tour of his studio and hundreds of full-colour illustrations and pencils spanning his entire career!
Check out page 336 of the May Previews catalogue, and order this beauty today!
New Teen Titans: Games - Cover Art Unveiled
Although
not officially solicited, the cover art to the long-anticipated Teen Titans
hardcover graphic novel has turned up! (sorry, biggest image I got).
What the heck is this "Games" you ask? Well 23 years ago during their Titans heyday writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Perez began an original New Teen Titans graphic novel, but the project was derailed. Marv Wolfman stated the reason for the delay: "It was a couple of things. We plotted it way back in 1987, and George drew approximately 80 pages. I think at that particular point, having come off drawing the Titans for so long and being on time for all that time, when most people couldn't even do a book for a year, he had been on it for five or six years and he missed one issue in that entire time, and that was planned... I think it was just a bit of Titans overload, and I think George was also beginning Wonder Woman, so he really needed a break from the Titans."
The New Teen Titans: Games will take place out of current continuity of course. The book's timeline will be firmly established as a "lost story" taking place during Wolfman and Perez's 80's run.
Anyways, a few months back DC officially announced that the graphic novel will be available later this year.
The New Teen Titans: Games original hardcover graphic novel goes on sale November 10, 2010; I'd expect official solicitation for Games sometime this summer. Stay tuned!
As
some of you may have heard... long-time industry pro and comic artist
Dick Giordano passed away this past Saturday March 27 at the age of 77
after a battle with leukemia.
For
decades, Dick Giordano was best known as one of the most established artists
in the industry. He also was the executive editor of DC in the late 1960's.
Giordano then went on to ink much of Neal Adams Batman and Green Lantern
work in the late 60's and early 70's -- offering up the best line work,
which would mesh with any penciller, ever to grace a comic book page.
In the 1980's Giordano inked many comics including Batman, Justice League, Wonder Woman, and the famed Crisis on Infinite Earths limited series. Although he went into semi-retirement in the 90's, he still did the occasional project. His last work can be seen in a very recent issue of Jonah Hex (issue #51) where he did interior art and cover.
I
always feel a sense of loss when a long-time comic professional passes,
as many of their comic work was such a big part of my life growing up.
I remember my first introduction to Batman in comics form was back in
1976 when I received a gift from my grandparents -- a Superman/Batman
Hardcover 'Annual'. This was a UK edition that had reprints of Batman
tales from the early/mid seventies. And Dick Giordano's credits were all
over the inside (he mainly inked over Irv Novick's pencils back then).
And from then on that was it for me -- I voraciously became a Batman and
DC comic reader until this very day. As I followed comics through the
seventies and eighties it was rare that you didn't see Giordano's name
inside a DC comic -- whether it was Batman or Superman he either inked
it, pencilled it or both! I could always tell when Giordano inked a comic
without even looking at the credits; his art was that distinguishable.
Dick Giordano's art style to me was always synonymous with DC super-heroes. Although I considered Neal Adams being able to do the "best Batman" -- those comics came before my time. So rather I quite literally grew up with the likes of Dick Giordano drawing my favorite characters. As I navigated my way through life from a kid into my teenage years never really feeling I fit in all the time, I was always able to 'escape' into a comic book. And who drew most of those books? You got it... Mr. Giordano. Thanks for the memories.
Back
in 2005, TwoMorrows Publishing was finalizing another one of their fine
'artist biography' books -- this time about legendary comic artist Jim
Aparo. However before it could be barely solicited, the famed Batman artist
passed away that same year. Not surprisingly the book was put on hiatus
due to the request of the Aparo estate. Now five years later TwoMorrows
has announced that the bio book will be available come early 2011.
Although
not solicited yet, 'The Brave and Bold Art of Jim Aparo' will be 128 pages
in length. The book will feature articles and artwork from Jim's career
drawing such characters as Batman, Spectre, Aquaman and much more.
The description for 'The Brave and Bold Art of Jim Aparo' reads as follows...
"For a generation of comic-book readers, Jim Aparo is considered the greatest Batman artist of them all. Aparo - with his strong, dynamic style, well-grounded in realism - together with Batman made a team worthy of the title, The Brave and the Bold. Now, Scott Beatty (writer of Batman and The DC Comics Encyclopedia) along with Eric Nolen-Weathington (editor/designer of the Modern Masters book series) turn the Bat Signal onto the life and work of one of comics' finest: Jim Aparo. From his time in the world of advertising art, through the heyday of the '70s, and beyond the death of Robin, Aparo's career is finally given the attention it so richly deserves."
Ever
wonder about the extent of Luke Skywalker's Jedi training with Yoda in
the movie The Empire Strikes Back? What we saw in the film was only a
small portion of Luke's training. Now for the first time Luke's training
under the tutelage of Master Yoda is revealed in the latest Star Wars
Adventures (volume 3) "Star Wars Adventures: Luke Skywalker and the
Treasure of the Dragonsnakes."
In this story, witness a never-before-seen part of that training as Luke is given the task of finding-and retrieving-an object guarded by the deadliest creatures on the swamp world of Dagobah: the monstrous dragonsnakes!
These digest-sized comic adventures from Dark Horse have been a real treat for Star Wars fans young and old. And this latest one is the best yet!
Written by Tom Taylor, with art by Daxiong (never heard of him but the art is fantastic!).
This latest volume of Star Wars Adventures should still be available.
Archive
News:
Batman:
Odyssey #1 Review
Batman: Odyssey
New
Image of Mamoa as Conan
Mike
Mignola to Return to Hellboy
Superman
#700 Hits the Mark!
Amazing
New Batman Fan Film
Smallville:
Season 9 DVD
Al
Williamson R.I.P.
Clone
Wars: Season 2 DVD
Wednesday
Comics HC
Enter
'The Cape'
Judge
Dredd Movie is Official
Diggle
To Write New Graphic Novel
New G.I. Joe Animated Series
Icons:
The Art of Jim Lee
First
Pic of Hemsworth as Thor
Titans
Graphic Novel Cover
Remembering
Dick Giordano
Aparo
Book Set for 2011
Dagobah
Training Revealed
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