Thanks to Entertainment Weekly’s Comic-Con special, we have two new pics of Iron Man 2. The sequel stars Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Mickey Rourke as the Russian bad guy Whiplash and Scarlett Johansson as the sleek spy Black Widow. The film opens on May 7 next year.
Brian Cronin’s excellent column for comicbookresourecs.com continues to be fascinating reading. This week it’s all about those popular creatures of the night – vampires. Read it and astound your Twilight loving friends with some fascinating trivia. Where else will you find Bob Hope, a cross dressing Frankenstein and a Japanese animated movie based on Marvel’s Tomb of Dracula?!
On a related note, Cronin’s new book, Was Superman A Spy? is a very interesting read. Like his column, but structured without the false/true clarifications, it focuses on Marvel, DC and other publishers and all the weird legends that surround their storied history. It’s comprised of new and previously published (on his CBR column) material and is a brisk, informative read that serves as an engrossing reminder of the strange and wonderful history of the comic book form. I picked up an extra copy for a friend who hasn’t read comics regularly in about fifteen years and he lapped it up. It really is a great book.
I also reviewed Cronin for the last issue of Extra Sequential about the book (starting on page 18.) Go here for my interview with Cronin and here for his latest Legends column.
There’s just not enough hours in the day, especially at Comic-Con. Marvel’s schedule below.
Marvel is proud to unveil our complete panel schedule for Comic Con International in San Diego . Sure, you’ll be visiting our booth on the convention floor (that’s booth #2429, True Believer!), but now you can enjoy the world-famous Marvel Panels! Swinging off the stands, flying onto the big screen, smashing through televisions, blasting into game consoles, and ruling the web, Marvel Entertainment is the one company where you can find the best in comics, films, animation, games and digital media. Now we’re bringing it all to San Diego for you, the fans!
“Marvel has the best fans in the world and we’re excited to provide them with the best panels in the world,” said Mike Pasciullo, Vice President of Merchandising and Communications, Marvel Entertainment Inc. “If you’ve never experienced a Marvel panel live, make sure to stop by for Q&A with your favorite creators, major announcements and, as always, big surprises!”
Please note, all guests, times and rooms are subject to change.
Thursday, July 23
1:00 – 2:00 Marvel: Mondo Marvel – From the Marvel U to the Ultimate U and everything in between, we’ve got the top talent on hand to talk about all of your favorite heroes and villains as well as make a few surprise announcements! Panelists include Jason Aaron (Wolverine: Weapon X), Dennis Calero(X Men Noir), Matt Fraction (Invincible Iron Man), Paul Tobin (Models, INC), Frank Tieri (Dark Reign: Lethal Legion), Steve Wacker (Spider-Man Editor), Jim McCann (New Avengers: The Reunion), and more as they take on all questions! Room 6DE
3:30 – 4:30 Marvel: Breaking Into the House of Ideas – Are you a writer or artist? Ever dream of working for Marvel? Do you find yourself thinking “I could do that…if I knew how!” Well, here’s your chance! Join C.B. Cebulski, Marvel’s Talent Liason, and special guests writer Jeph Loeb (Ultimatum), Marvel editor Charlie Beckerman, artist Mike Choi (X-Force), colorist Christina Strain (Runaways), and more to find out the answers on how to get your foot in the door at every level in the creative process and how to make your job MARVEL! Room 6DE
Friday, July 24
11:00 – 12:00 Marvel: X-Men – The streets have erupted in violence and the safe haven mutants thought they’d found is in turmoil. The Dark Avengers have put Daken in Wolverine’s place, and there’s an all-out war tearing through space and time with a certain red-haired green-eyed girl at the center of it. You’ve got questions & these people have answers! X-Men group Editor Axel Alonso is joined by a host of creators to lay out what’s going on and resurrect a beloved…—well, that would be telling! You need to hear it for yourself! Panelists include Matt Fraction (Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia),Craig Kyle & Chris Yost (X-Force), Marjorie Liu (Dark Wolverine), Daniel Way (Deadpool), Jason Aaron (Wolverine: Weapon X), and more for this all-new, all-DEADLY panel! Room 6DE
2:00 – 3:00 Marvel: Cup O’ Joe – This is it, Mighty Marvel fans- the no-holds-barred, anything goes, full of surprises panel you wait all year for, and it’s here! Marvel’s EEK (Editor-in-Chief) Joe Quesada takes on all questions, shocks the audience with jaw-dropping announcements, and keeps you guessing with surprise guests. You never know who will show up, but you better be here, because this is the panel that everyone will be talking about! Room 6BCF
4:30 – 5:30 Marvel Animation –The new age of Marvel animation is here! Marvel’s President of Animation Eric Rollman and General Manager of Nicktoons Network Keith Dawkins are joined by the creative minds behind the new hit series Wolverine and the X-Men, and Iron Man: Armored Adventures. Head Writers Greg Johnson (WatX), Chris Yost (IMAA), Supervising Producer Craig Kyle (WatX, IMAA), Voice Director Jamie Simone (WatX) and the voice of Wolverine, Steve Blum, discuss each series and what the future holds. Then stay tuned for a first look at Marvel Animé from acclaimed Japanese animation studio Madhouse, featuring Madhouse President Masao Maruyama (Gotham Knight, Tokyo Godfathers), and writer Warren Ellis (The Authority, Astonishing X-Men). Also expect sneak peaks at the upcoming next Marvel Animated Feature from Lionsgate. You don’t want to miss this panel! Room 6BCF
The Marvel Animation panel is linked to talent signing events at the Marvel Entertainment booth (#2429) on the convention floor. The talent behind Iron Man: Armored Adventures and Wolverine and the X-Men will be signing from 3-4pm. Masao Maruyama and Warren Ellis will be signing from 6-7pm.
5:30 – 6:30 Marvel Digital Comics…And Beyond!. Be there for the world premiere of Marvel Motion Comics! Join Joe Quesada, Dan Buckley, members of the Marvel Digital Media Group and SURPRISE GUESTS as they unveil the next phase in graphic storytelling. Also, catch the world premiere of the Marvel.com original video series, Marvel Super Heroes: What The–?! episode 4. Plus, get jacked into the rest of the digital dynamite—from Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited (the greatest collection of Marvel comics ever assembled online) to casual games, original streaming video and the future of Marvel’s ever-growing digital endeavors! Room 6DE
Saturday, July 25
10:00 – 11:00 Marvel: “Hero Up” with The Super Hero Squad Show! – Marvel’s first action-comedy series is a manic, mind-blowing, all-ages romp through the Marvel Universe. Coming to Cartoon Network in September, the animated show is loaded with superstar voice talent. Join several of the actors, previewing their characters in a live performance: including Tom Kenny (Spongebob) as Iron Man & MODOK, Charlie Adler (Cow and Chicken, Transformers features) as Dr. Doom, Steve Blum (Wolverine and the X-Men) as Wolverine, Grey DeLisle (Fairly Oddparents, Clone Wars) as Ms. Marvel, andStan “The Man” Lee as The Mayor. Supervising Producer Cort Lane (Iron Man: Armored Adventures), Matt Wayne (Justice League Unlimited), Supervising Director Mitch Schauer (Freakazoid, Angry Beavers), Exec. Producer Joe Quesada (Marvel Editor-In-Chief) & Exec. Producer Eric Rollman(President, Marvel Animation) share series secrets, a world premiere clip and a preview of THQ’s epic Super Hero Squad video game. Followed by Q&A! Room 6BCF
At 2:30pm The Super Hero Squad Show panel will be followed by a signing event at the Marvel Entertainment booth (#2429) featuring much of the cast, including Tom Kenny, Charlie Adler, Steve Blum, Mikey Kelly (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles feature), Dave Boat (Ultimate Avengers 1 & 2) and Travis Willingham (Fullmetal Alchemist).
11:30- 12:30 Activision: Ultimate Alliance 2 Room Indigo Room
11:30 – 12:30 Marvel: Dark Reign – The Cabal has taken over the Marvel Universe and forever changed it. Now, Norman Osborn has his LIST and is taking everyone down who stands in his way. What lies on the horizon? Find out here as the creators behind the madmen & women putting the Marvel Heroes through their paces answer your questions and let you in on what happens next! Join Joe Quesada, Rick Remender (Dark Reign: The List), Matt Fraction (Invincible Iron Man), Jason Aaron (Dark Reign: The List), Frank Tieri (Dark Reign: Made Men), Joe Casey (Dark Reign: Zodiac), Marvel editor Alejandro Arbona and more as they shed some light on DARK REIGN! Room 6A
4:00 – 5:00 Marvel Studios/Paramount: Iron Man 2 Movie Panel – Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment present the sequel to the blockbuster film based on the legendary Marvel Super Hero ” Iron Man. ” Directed by Jon Favreau, “Iron Man 2″ stars Robert Downey Jr. Joining Downey in the cast are Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Jon Favreau, Clark Gregg, John Slattery, Mickey Rourke and Samuel L. Jackson. Hall H
Sunday, July 26
11:00 – 12:00 Marvel: The Women of Marvel – One of the most talked about panels from last year is back! Forget Storm & She-Hulk, meet the real Ms. Marvels of the comic world! Join women from every discipline in the creative process at Marvel to hear what it’s like working as a woman in comics today and how you can join them. Say goodbye to the so-called “Boy’s Club,” these ladies are busting down the four-color ceiling! Guests include New York Times Best Selling author Marjorie Liu (Dark Wolverine), Christina Strain (World War Hulk), Colleen Coover (Marvel Adventures), Sonia Oback (X-Force), Emily Warren (Secret Invasion) and more! Room 7AB
12:45-1:45 Marvel: The Next Generation of Marvel Video Games – Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, Super Hero Squad and Iron Man 2. Join us for trailer previews, discussion and Q & A on the next wave of Marvel Games from publishers Activision, THQ, and SEGA. Writers Matt Fraction , Mark Hoffmeier, and Evan Skolnick will be on hand along with the game developers Kyle Brink, Robert Blackadder, Dan Tanguay and TQ Jefferson to discuss views on how story and design can come together to make licensed games that don’t suck. Room 6A
This is a rather impressive coup. The man who made film reviews interesting, and pop culture loving acceptable will be hosting a Radical Publishing panel at next week’s Comic-Con in San Diego. Press release below.
At SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2009, Radical Publishing will be featuring an all-star panel with top talent from both the comic and entertainment industry. Hosted by Ain’t It Cool News’ founder and head geek, Harry Knowles, the Radical Creators Panel will treat fans to a preview of upcoming Radical projects as well as the opportunity to hear some exclusive announcements on Friday, July 24th from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M. in Room 4. Guests who arrive at the panel will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a pair of passes to the Radical Event at the Hard Rock Hotel. The lucky winner will be announced at the end of the panel.
The Radical Publishing Creators Panel will include comic book legend Jim Steranko, cover artist for Radical’sHercules: The Knives of Kush; Arthur Suydam (Marvel Zombies), creator and writer for Cholly & Flytrap: Center City; Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), creator and writer of City of Dust: A Philip Khrome Story; Jimmy Palmiotti(Jonah Hex), creator and co-writer of the upcoming Radical series Time Bomb; David Hine (Civil War: X-Men), writer of FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency; Rick Remender (Punisher), creator and writer of Radical’s upcoming futuristic crime thriller The Last Days of American Crime; Nick Simmons (A&E’s Gene Simmons Family Jewels), son of rock legend Gene Simmons and creator, writer and artist of Incarnate, which debuts at Comic-Con; Zombie Studios CEO Mark Long, Nick Sagan (writer of the Idlewild trilogy) and M. Zachary Sherman (SOCOM: Seal Team Seven) of the critically acclaimed science fiction epic Shrapnel: Aristeia Rising; Sam Sarkar, creator and writer of Caliber, soon to be a major motion picture produced by Johnny Depp’s Infinitum Nihil; and Steve Pugh, writer and illustrator of the supernatural detective series Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead, based on a story by Warren Ellis.
“This is a panel that’s sure to live up to the hype,” said Radical President and Publisher Barry Levine. “We’re proud to be hosting a collection of the best in the business at our San Diego Comic-Con panel this year and we’ll be announcing some of our most exciting projects to date that will implement the new Bigger Books! Bigger Value!format. This is something you won’t want to miss.”
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