Carnage U.S.A.

Gee Marvel, that’s a pretty hardcore title, but I guess Carnage (think a red, even more psycho version of Venom) is a hardcore character.

CARNAGE U.S.A. – POPULATION DIE!

It’ a whole new meaning for “red state” as Carnage’s  maniacal reign of terror continues, courtesy of the critically acclaimed creative team of Zeb Wells and Clayton Crain, in Carnage USA #1 (of 5)! With Carnage leaving a wake of  bloodshed and lunacy throughout the nation, Spider-Man and the Avengers must go on a brutal hunt to capture Cletus Kasaday before the American heartland falls under his mass-murdering spell.

Buckle in and prepare for a violence packed adventure as Carnage, joined by a symbiote army, continues his vengeance fueled comeback. Destined to be the most mind-blowing cross country tour fans have ever taken, Carnage U.S.A. wants YOU this December!

For more, check out Marvel.com!

CARNAGE U.S.A. #1 (of 5)

Written by ZEB WELLS

Pencils and Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN

Rated T+ …$3.99

ON SALE THIS DECEMBER!

June 16, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, Comics, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

FF #6 Preview

Text-free preview pages below from July’s issue of the re-invented Fantastic Four series, featuring the return of Black Bolt; leader of the Inhumans (who live on the moon) and possessor of a great superpower (destructive speech, so he’s pretty much always silent).

BLACK BOLT RETURNS IN FF#6!

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at FF #6, from Marvel Architect Jonathan Hickman and artist Greg Tocchini! King Black Bolt makes his triumphant return to the Marvel Universe as the War Of The Four Cities continues! But what are the circumstances surrounding his mysterious return, and how will it turn the tides of the FF’s intense battle? Will someone stand in the way of King Black Bolt’s return to the throne? Cover your ears as the King of the Inhumans makes his vicious return to royalty, only in July’s FF #6!

FF #6 (MAY110658)

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN

Pencils by GREG TOCCHINI

Cover by MARK BAGLEY

Rated T+…$2.99

FOC—6/20/11, On Sale—7/27/11

June 15, 2011
Categories: Comic Art . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Avengers Promo Poster

The Joss Whedon directed The Avengers film opens next year. All we know is the cast and actors, but now we have a better idea of what the team members will look like, thanks to a promotional poster at the Licensing Expo 2011. Iron Man, Thor and Black Widow we’ve already seen on the big screen and their costumes don’t look much changed. Cap’s duds look modernised as is to be expected, and Hawkeye looks much cooler than he did in his bland Thor cameo. Hulk looks like every other time we’ve seen him. These may very well not be their final looks however.

June 14, 2011
Categories: Comics, Movies, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Official Info on Those 52 New DC Series

And jaded fanboys and girls everywhere poured over the new September solicitations from DC Comics with great interest, but greater cynicism. We’ve known all the creative teams and titles for a few days now, but this is the first time all the official information has been revealed for the 52 superhero relaunches. Check them all out right here with cover images and some minor details about the new directions. If you want to find out just why, “Aquaman has renounced the throne of Atlantis,” “Driven by inner demons, Ollie Queen travels the world and brings outlaws to justice…by breaking every law,”or  why the Demon Etrigan leads a band of warriors, “in the Dark Ages of the DC Universe,” then you’ll have to buy a few of these new #1s come September.

Apart from the obvious superhero choices, seeing Martian Manhunter as part of the Stormwatch team, the return of Resurrection Man (he gets a different power each time he returns to life) and John Constantine hanging out with Deadman and Zatanna in Justice League Dark, there are some unexpected turns in this massive, headline getting plan. Let’s really hope it works.

June 14, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Extra Sequential Podcast #44-X-Men

95 mins. Yes, it’s our longest episode ever, but with good reason. It’s our X-Men special, in which we focus on the films, the cartoons and some forgotten TV appearances. Joined by Mat from popular podcast, Sequelcast we discuss the highs, lows and more of the merry mutants. Also, Jake Busey’s teeth, Paul Hogan and a heap of useless X-Men trivia to impress your friends.

LISTEN TO IT BELOW, DOWNLOAD IT HERE OR ON ITUNES

 

0:54 NEWS

Kevin Smith’s comic book shop reality show

Writer Mark Millar is done with Marvel

The cancellation of Northlanders

8 clips from the Green Lantern film released online

Yes, more DC relaunches including new Action Comics and the controversial return of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl

14:48 WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING

Shade, The Changing Man Vol. 1. He’s like Doctor Who!

Flashpoint’s Abin Sur: The Green Lantern #1. Yes, it’s an alternate world but it’s a good set up for next month’s film.

Sanctum. Don’t watch it.

Starship Troopers prequel comic.

Chris Claremont’s and Frank Miller’s classic Wolverine.

21:35 THEME-X-MEN

1989’s Pryde of the X-Men animated pilot, starring an Australian Wolverine

The much loved ‘90s cartoon

The live action Generation X TV movie

X-Men Evolution, and Wolverine and the X-Men

Astonishing X-Men motion comic

Wolverine anime

The X-Men trilogy

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

X-Men: First Class

June 12, 2011
Categories: Cartoons, Comics, Movies, News, Podcast, Reviews . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

X-Futurama

This is definitely worth sharing – a great mash-up of Matt Groening’s Futurama cartoon with a multitude of characters from the X-Men, by Carl Broaddus.

Don’t worry, I can’t name them all either.

 

June 12, 2011
Categories: Art, Cartoons, Comics . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Vault Contest

If you haven’t ordered this 3 ish mini yet, I suggest that you do. It’s a well crafted adventure from Image and is released next month. Official details below about a new contest on The Vault’s Facebook page.

WIN A $100 AMAZON GIFT CARD WHEN YOU SHARE THE VAULT

If you’re a Facebook fan of THE VAULT, you could easily win a $100 Amazon gift card. All you have to do is help spread the word on www.facebook.com/TheVaultComic that THE VAULT #1, goes on sale July 27th. If it sounds too easy, it’s because it is.

To enter the drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card:

1)      Go to the official The Vault fan page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thevaultcomic.

2)      To be entered in the drawing, make sure to both comment and share on your Facebook wall a post from The Vault’s Facebook wall.

3)      You can enter in the drawing, up to four times, by both commenting and sharing on your Facebook wall four separate posts on The Vault’s Facebook wall.

4)      On June 29th, a winner will be randomly selected from all of the entered drawings.

THE VAULT, from writer Sam Sarkar (Caliber: First Canon of Justice) and artist Garrie Gastonny (Warren Ellis’ Supergod, Caliber), is about a small team of treasure hunters struggling to excavate a dangerous and legendary treasure pit before a massive storm hits. They believe are prepared against nature’s fury, but nothing can prepare them for what they are about to unleash.

THE VAULT #1 (1 of 3), a 32-page full color comic book from IMAGE COMICS, will be on sale in stores July 27th for $3.50 and is available to order in the June 2011 edition of Diamond Previews (Diamond Order Code: JUN110501).

June 12, 2011
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Superman Loses His Undies

No, it wasn’t a wild party, but the last announcement of DC’s 52 superhero title relaunch is now finalised, with the decades running series Action Comics getting a new debut issue. In fact, AC is the longest running comic ever, having premiered in 1938. Scotttish writer Grant Morrison (Batman Incorporated, All Star Superman) and artist Rags Morales (Identity Crisis) are the new creative team on the series, which sees Kal-El get some new (underwear-free) duds.

No, that’s not it. That’s just a teaser image. This is it. Unfortunately.

That art is by George Perez, giving us the first reveal of the new costume, which I don’t like. The segmented armour look just seems unnecessary and how is he supposed to fit those boots under his Clark Kent clothes? Perez will be writing the second Supes title, simply called Superman, with art by Jesus Merino.

Also, Supergirl and Superboy get new looks. Here they are, with the official info about their new series.

Supergirl’s got the unpredictable behavior of a teenager, the same powers as Superman and none of his affection for the people of Earth. Writers Michael Green and Mike Johnson (Smallville, SUPERMAN/BATMAN) will team up with artist Mahmud Asrar to give a new take on the teenager from Krypton in SUPERGIRL #1.

They thought he was just a failed experiment, grown from a combination of Kryptonian and human DNA. But when the scope of his stunning powers was revealed, he became a deadly weapon. SUPERBOY #1 will be written by Scott Lobdell with art by R.B. Silva and Rob Lean.

Now, Supergirl’s costume I actually don’t mind – the top half at least, but the almost- bare legs look awkward. Superboy now looks more like the evil Cyborg Superman, which would go with their new weapon motif.

I don’t know how many of these I’ll actually pick up come September, but Morrison and Morales on Action Comics seems like a fair bet.

June 11, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Fear Itself #4 Preview

Marvel’s yearly cross-overs have always been more epic than DC’s, and Fear Itself is a prime example of that, though DC’s current Flashpoint mini-series (the 2nd ish of which is now out) is getting grander in scope.

Below is a text-free preview of July’s instalment of Fear Itself, and if you’ve read last week’s 3rd issue, you’ll see the first bold steps of Steve Rogers reclaiming the Captain America mantle (just in time for his film in July), due to Bucky’s cybernetic arm being ripped off, possibly leading to his death. Oh, and The Thing looks set to join Hulk in being possessed by an evil Norse god. Yep, epic.

Your First Look At FEAR ITSELF #4!

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Fear Itself #4 (of 7) from the chart-topping team of Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen! The unthinkable has happened—Sin has dealt a crushing blow to Bucky Barnes, aka Captain America, unleashing her full fury on the Marvel Universe! With his country in flames, Steve Rogers enters the trenches, forcing the biggest decision of his entire life. And as the Marvel Universe hangs in the balance, Thor must finally confront the Serpent himself. Can the God of Thunder overcome the God of Fear, or will the Serpent prove that he is the one, true All-Father? The stakes have never been higher as the comic blockbuster event of the summer continues this July, only in Fear Itself #4 (of 7)!

FEAR ITSELF #4 (of 7) (MAY110572)

FEAR ITSELF #4 (of 7) IMMONEN VARIANT (MAY110573)

FEAR ITSELF #4 (of 7) DODSON VARIANT (MAY110574)

Written by MATT FRACTION

Penciled by STUART IMMONEN

Cover by STEVE McNIVEN

Variant Cover by STUART IMMONEN

Variant Cover by TERRY DODSON

Rated T+…$3.99

FOC—6/13/11, On Sale 7/20/11

 

June 10, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, Comics . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 2 Comments

Uncanny X-Men Ending

Looks like DC’s not the only one with finishing long running series on the brain. Take it away, Marvel.

X-MEN: SCHISM Brings UNCANNY X-MEN To An End!

All things must come an end…even for the X-Men, and this October fans will bear witness the end of an era as Uncanny X-Men #544 concludes the long running series. It’s all come to this! Years in the making, the seeds of dissent finally bear fruit as the events of X-Men Schism tear the X-Men and the Marvel Universe apart! When the dust settles, the state of mutantkind will irreparably be changed forever. Don’t miss the historic final issue of the longest running X-Men title this October, in Uncanny X-Men #544!

UNCANNY X-MEN #544

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Pencils and Cover by GREG LAND

Rated T+…$3.99

ON SALE THIS OCTOBER!

X-MEN: SCHISM #1 ON SALE – 7/13/11

June 9, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, Comics, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Gestalt Goodies in August

In this month’s issue of the Previews catalogue (that comic shops, and customers order from) is half a page of upcoming Original Graphic Novels from Perth publisher Gestalt. It’s always good to see local creators get an international audience. Check out their new comics below, which include The Deep (from Star Wars: Invasion writer Tom Taylor), and place your orders at your local comic shop now.

Bad Island from Earthworm Jim creator Doug TenNapel, and classic Gumby tales from artist Art Adams look good too.

June 9, 2011
Categories: Comics, New To Comics? . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Essex County Film

This is good news as this is one of those comics that deserves a wider audience. Official details below.

Variety broke the news this morning that Academy-Award-winning visual effects designer John Dykstra (Star Wars, Spider-Man 2, X-Men: First Class) plans to direct a film based on Tales From the Farm, the award-winning first volume of Jeff Lemire’s much-acclaimed Essex County trilogy!

The film, currently using the working title “Super Zero,” is adapted from Jeff Lemire’s graphic novel by John Carr, and will be produced by Steven Gilder and Alec Chorches as well as Top Shelf Productions. Jeff had this to say: “I’m excited about the news and optimistic that John Dykstra will make an entertaining film that stays true to the heart of Essex County.”

Tales From the Farm is the story of Lester, a 10-year-old boy coping with the death of his parents while isolated on his uncle’s farm, escaping into fantasy games with retired hockey pro Jimmy Lebeuf. The book memorably launched the Essex County trilogy by winning the American Library Association’s prestigious Alex Award (and instantly selling out its first printing). Essex County would go on to win the Doug Wright Award, the Joe Shuster Award, and a top 5 spot (and the People’s Choice Award) on Canada Reads’ Essential Canadian Novels of the Decade. Originally published in three parts, it’s now available as a single 512-page volume.

You can meet Jeff in person at his summer convention appearances: he’ll be in the Top Shelf booth at both the Calgary Entertainment Expo (June 17-19) and the San Diego Comic-Con (July 21-24). Hope to see you all there!

See a hefty preview of Essex County here and an interview with Lemire here about his work writing the upcoming Animal Man, and Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE titles for DC’s massive relaunch in September.

June 9, 2011
Categories: Comics, Movies, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Last Week’s Winners

It’s all Image! Yep, these 2 comics are worthy of your time and a quick review, and both are out now.

Who Is Jake Ellis? #4. The penultimate issue of this series that is just dying to be made into a film is just as entertaining as the ones before it. Writer Nathan Edmondson (The Light, Olympus) and artist Tonci Zonjic (Daredevil) started things very mysteriously with the first issue and have been peeling away the layers like craftsmen with each subsequent issue. Traditionally, debut issues sell very well, driven by curiosity, but then drop off with the instalments that follow. This, however, is a series that rewards loyalty and it’s quite refreshing to be caught in its grip. Jon Moore and Jake Ellis (who always appears in monochrome) is part of former CIA analyst Moore’s mind. The pair’s aim in this ish is to break in to the facility in Morocco that birthed their unusual partnership, when Ellis reveals that he has had memories – and emotions. Just when you think this series has unveiled all the surprises it needs, out pops another one. Great stuff, and Zonjic’s art is always gorgeous to look at. His superb use of colour and simple lines is like nothing else on the stands at the moment, though I guess Francesca Francavilla’s art comes close. Who Is Jake Ellis? is also currently being serialized in Clint magazine, and shirts are now available too! Cool. See a preview of this issue here.

Shinku #1. I remember seeing black and white preview pages for this ages ago and being eager for the finished product. Now, this creator owned series from writer Ron Marz and artist Lee Moder is out. Part 1 of Throne of Blood, there’s certainly plenty of the latter in these pages. If you like your vampire action more in the throbbing vein of Kill Bill and less like Twilight, grab this. It starts with Davis, a newcomer to Tokyo who gets lucky at a nightclub, when a (very forward) woman bares her…fangs. Davis is rescued by a motorcyclist in a cool crimson suit (yep, Shinku) and is opened up to her tough secret world of vamp killing by bloody means. Within her cool hideout Shinku reveals that she’s the last of her samurai clan (complete with a nifty sepia flashback) before we see her nemesis who has had enough of her actions. This is a mature comic, so be warned. It’s a simple story, of the kind that’s been told many times – outsider becomes embroiled in an ancient war, yet it does work here and Marz and Moder’s bold take is worthy of attention.

There’s an interview with Moder here.

 

June 8, 2011
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, Reviews . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

It’s All About Green Lantern

With the live action film just days away from its June 19 debut, Warner Bros. have unveiled an unprecedented 8 clips from the film. Most are over a minute long and aren’t heavy on the action. I must say, seeing these clips doesn’t fill me with extreme confidence though. Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively really lack chemistry, but I’m happy that he says, “By the power of Greyskull,” in his attempt to state the GL oath (that’s from the He-Man cartoon for those of you who aren’t Gen Xers) and his ring constructs certainly look diverse. In the first clip Reynolds and Likely couldn’t call each other Highball and Sapphire more, though perhaps the latter is a nod to Lively’s Carol Ferris’ transformation into Star Sapphire in a sequel. I must also say that the Earth bound scenes (in what is the reverse of Thor’s film) seem to be the lowlights.

The tie-in videogame is available now. Below is the latest trailer, plus the official description.

Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters is set in the universe of the film with an original story by award-winning comic book writer Marv Wolfman.  Players will take flight across the universe to planets Oa, Zamaron and Biot, and utilize an arsenal of constructs to restore intergalactic order by wielding the ultimate weapon: the Green Lantern Power Ring.  Gamers playing the Xbox 360 or PS3 versions will also have the option to join forces with a friend to play as Hal Jordan or Sinestro to battle the Manhunters.

The Nintendo 3DS version of the game is designed specifically to take advantage of the system’s stereoscopic 3D capabilities and deliver multi-plane graphics that delve players further into the Green Lantern universe.

In addition, players on Xbox 360 and PlayStation®3 system will be given the option to play in anaglyphic 3D with technology that is compatible with high definition TV sets and visible to players wearing the 3D glasses that will be available for the video game.  Fans can also enjoy the game in stereoscopic 3D when playing on any 3D HDTV while wearing active shutter glasses that are compatible with the television.

Also now available is the Green Lantern: Emerald Knights animated anthology film, on BluRay and DVD. This one – I am excited for. See the latest clip below, spotlighting Hal and Arisia in space.

GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD KNIGHTS, the 11th film in the popular series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies, is AVAILABLE TODAY — JUNE 7, 2011 — from Warner Home Video on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand and for Download.

Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, and distributed by Warner Home Video, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights weaves six legendary stories of the Green Lantern Corps’ rich mythology around preparations for an attack by an ancient enemy. As the battle approaches, Hal Jordan (voiced by Castle’s Nathan Fillion) mentors Arisia (Mad Men’s Elisabeth Moss) in the history of the Green Lantern Corps, telling tales of Avra (the first Green Lantern) and several of Hal’s comrades – including Kilowog, Abin Sur, Laira and Mogo. In the end, Arisia must rise to the occasion to help Hal, Sinestro and the entire Green Lantern Corps save the universe from the destructive forces of Krona.

June 8, 2011
Categories: Movies, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 2 Comments

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