After Isaiah Mustafa (the actor from the Old Spice ads) as Luke Cage comes Jevon Kearse as another Marvel superhero – X-Man/ future soldier Bishop and, man, does he look great. You can check out a behind the scenes video right here at photographer Gary Land’s site and thankfully, there’s more to come.
There’s some pretty nifty variant covers for Dark Horse’s June offerings. Below are some for Hellboy: The Fury #1, Dark Horse Presents #2 and Rage #1. See the rest here.
I’m sure these will show up on DC’s official blog soon now, but here you can find a handful of leaked September releasing debut covers, including Batwoman, Catwoman, Swamp Thing and yes, unfortunately the long running Detective Comics series. There’s also an official list of the four new Green Lantern related #1s here.
Lastly, here’s the cover for Nightwing #1 from artist Eddy Barrows. The speculation is that it’s actually the third (and resurrected) Robin Jason Todd under the mask, which could be true, especially considering his natural red hair would go with the red (instead of the usual blue) colour on this Nightwing costume. However, all I can think of after seeing this image, is Chris O’Donell from Batman and Robin.
UPDATE
Nope, it’s the original Robin, Dick Grayson who’s reclaiming his first post-Robin identity as Nightwing, meaning he’ll presumably give up the mantle of the Bat for the second time in his crimefighting career. DC have now officially posted more info about the Bat-family relaunches, including new series focusing on the African Batman, Grant Morrison’s Batman Incorporated, Jason Todd’s Red Hood and the Outlaws, and Batgirl, which sees Barbara Gordon leave the Oracle identity behind and reclaim her Batgirl one. That means DC continuity is maddeningly being rewound a few years, but at least her series will be written by Gail Simone.
Since we discussed the new He-Man/ThunderCats covention in last week’s podcast, this is good timing. I’ve wanted to get ThunderCats on DVD for ages, but it’s always been fairly pricey, considering there were a massive 65 episodes in its first season. Now we have a cheaper alternative. Official info below.
X-Men: First Class is surprisingly good. Sure, there’s some cheesy moments, but the acting is good, as is the action in the final third. Also, like any superhero movie these days, it puts the spotlight on a few little known comics characters, such as Nightcrawler’s Dad, Azazel.
White Queen, played by Mad Men’s January Jones, is another X-Men character to make her debut on the silver screen, although she has appeared on a screen before – the smaller one, as has Banshee, played by Caleb Landry Jones in First Class.
In 1996 a TV movie called Generation X was released, produced by New World Entertainment and Marvel Entertainment. Directed by Jack Sholder (Nightmare on Elm Street 2) and written by Eric Blakeney (21 Jump Street), it was based on the comic series of the same name, which debuted only 2 years earlier. That’s got to be the quickest comics-to-film turnaround ever, not including Kick Ass.
The film is often forgotten in the annals of comic adaptations, and I know why. It’s a low budget attempt, and some characters, such as Chamber and Husk were dismissed from the cast as their powers were too expensive. I do recall being excited to see the film though, as it was around the time my comics habit was forming and the X-Men where were it was at for me at the time. I collected the first 2 or 3 years of the series by Scott Lobdell and Chris Bachalo (the series ended in 2001) and its cast of largely new characters, as well as Jubilee, with new villains made for a great read.
Like in the comic, the film focused on reformed bad girl White Queen, and Irish mutant and former X-Man Banshee as teachers of a new group of powerful students. White Queen/ Emma Frost was played by Finola Hughes who appeared in the Blossom TV series, and went on to voice Superman’s Kryptonian mother in the animated series. Banshee/Sean Cassidy was played by Jeremy Ratchford who also voiced the character in the ’90s toon.
I haven’t watched it in years and it doesn’t even seem to be available anymore, but here’s a taste and a video below.
55 mins. We focus on the hottest topic, the talk of the town, the big news that has superhero comics readers everywhere yakking – the relaunch of the entire line of DC Comics’ superhero line. We attempt to gather all the tidbits released so far and chime in with our opinions. Also, leg warmers, eye patches, and our mutual affection for April O’Neil.
LISTEN TO IT BELOW, DOWNLOAD IT HERE OR ON ITUNES
1:20 NEWS
Well, there’s not really much else to talk about in DC’s shadow, apart from a new convention dedicated to He-Man and ThunderCats. Woo hoo!
5:06 WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING
Duncan Jones’ great Source Code film
The visually dazzling and epic Hellboy: The Fury #1, by Mike Mignola and Duncan Fegredo. Preview here.
The classic, detailed and violent Hard Boiled OGN from Frank Miller and Geof Darrow
The mature approach of toys in The Stuff of Legend Book 1 from Th3rd World Studios
15:15 DC Comics’ Relaunch
DC’s whole superhero line is relaunching in September, with new costumes and series for some of the world’s favourite spandex clad characters. There’s not heaps of official info released so far, but we break it down for those new to the…news.
As an added bonus, here’s the George Lucas Strikes Back trailer.
This classic work of beauty and love and faith from writer/artist Craig Thompson has been on my desert island list of comics ever since I first read it a few years ago. If you haven’t, or even if you have, August is the time to fall in love with the gorgeous tome as it’s getting new hard cover, and soft cover editions to make it even more attractive. Official details below and as a reminder, Thompson’s next book, Habibi is out on September 20.
BLANKETS fans, rejoice! One of the most beloved and best-selling books in Top Shelf’s 14-year history is getting an upgrade.
Shipping in August, and available now for pre-order, are brand-new deluxe hardcover and softcover editions of Craig Thompson’s award-winning graphic novel, BLANKETS. In addition to the gorgeous new cover design, the new BLANKETS features higher-quality paper, Smyth-sewn bindings, a spot gloss, and a slightly wider trim size.
BLANKETS is one of the most critically acclaimed graphic novels of all time, having won the Eisner, Harvey, and Ignatz Awards for Best Graphic Novel and Best Cartoonist. Wrapped in the landscape of a blustery Wisconsin winter, it explores the complex power of family and faith, the thrill of falling in love for the first time, and the coming-of-age of a remarkable young man.
If you’re one of the countless readers who love BLANKETS, get ready to fall in love all over again, or share it with friends & family. And for those who’ve never read it, now is the perfect opportunity to discover this incredible graphic novel.
Pre-order your copy now from your favorite retailer (via Diamond PREVIEWS), or direct from Top Shelf via our web site, and join us in celebrating the rebirth of Craig’s awe-inspiring book!
— Blankets HARDCOVER: (New) ISBN 978-1-60309-096-4, $39.95 (US)
— Blankets SOFTCOVER: (Original) ISBN 978-1-891830-43-3, $29.95 (US)
Here’s a text-free preview of July’s issue of Moon Knight, starring Daredevil villain, Bullseye.
Your First Look at MOON KNIGHT #3!
Marvel is pleased to present you first look at Moon Knight #3, from the Eisner-Award winning team of Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev! If you thought you had Marc Spector all figured out, guess again! The chess pieces of the Los Angeles underground continue to move as Moon Knight gets closer and closer to finding out the city’s true kingpin of crime. But could an intervention from Bullseye throw a wrench in Spector’s plans? Has Marvel’s deadliest assassin returned from the grave, and if so why is he hunting Marc’s closest ally? Find out this July, in Moon Knight #3!
MOON KNIGHT #3 (MAY110670)
MOON KNIGHT #3 I AM CAPTAIN AMERICA WILSON VARIANT (MAY110671)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils and Cover by ALEX MALEEV
I Am Captain America Variant Cover by COLIN WILSON
Parental Advisory…$3.99
FOC—6/13/11, On Sale—7/20/11
No, not this one, but the upcoming OGN from Gestalt, and writer Tom Taylor (Rombies, Star Wars) and artist James Brouwer. The pair have recently started uploading great looking preview pages on the project’s Facebook page and you can read an interview with Taylor about his past, present and future projects at The Sci-Fi Block.
Novelist Robin Parrish (The Dominion Trilogy, Offworld, Nightmare) has started updating his blog regularly again, which is good news. From posts for writers, including a TED video talk from J.J. Abrams, to an offer to reviewers and bloggers to get their hands on his upcoming novel Vigilante, and more, it’s good reading. Check out his blog right here and the Apple Gazette for Mac fans, which he has just taken over for as lead blogger.
Yes, the rumours are true. Once the current alternate reality series, Flashpoint ends, the month of September (well technically beginning at the end of August) will see a bunch of new series starring familiar characters. We’ll be talking about this in this week’s Extra Sequential podcast, but the essentials are that most current series will be relaunching with new #1 issues. It’s a controversial decision for readers and retailers, but here’s what DC’s The Source blog have to say:
This year, change is in the air at DC Comics.
On Wednesday, August 31st, DC Comics will launch a historic renumbering of the entire DC Universe line of comic books with 52 first issues, including the release of JUSTICE LEAGUE by NEW YORK TIMES bestselling writer and DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns and bestselling artist and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee. The publication of JUSTICE LEAGUE issue 1 will launch day-and-date digital publishing for all these ongoing titles, making DC Comics the first of the two major American publishers to release all of its superhero comic book titles digitally the same day as in print.
DC Comics will only publish two comic books on August 31st: the final issue of this summer’s comic book mini-series FLASHPOINT and the first issue of JUSTICE LEAGUE by Johns and Lee, two of the most distinguished and popular contemporary comic book creators, who will be collaborating for the first time. Together they will offer a contemporary take on the origin of the comic book industry’s premier superhero team.
In the hours, days and weeks to come, we’ll have more news about the other titles. Tomorrow, we’ll hear from Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee about this momentous occasion. Keep checking THE SOURCE for updates about the other first issues.
This year, make history with us.
Hmmm. The last time Lee was a regular penciller was on the ill-fated All Star Batman and Robin. Some of the costume changes (see below) are cool, and DC’s writers have been championing a Superman redesign sans undies since the must read Superman 2000 proposal in 1998, so that’s a welcome decision.
You can read a brief interview at USA Today about the relaunches here. More details will come, including if this affects the long running Action Comics and Detective Comics series, which are both getting closer to their historic 1000th issues. DC would be silly to do away with that.
I don’t really like the uniform collar that most of the characters below are wearing, but I understand why they chose 52 titles, as DC had a weekly series of that name and there are now 52 alternate earths in their continuity. Hopefully, with the continued mainstream coverage, new DC films on the way and newbie friendly #1 issues, this could be the start of something special.
Catch up on more Flashpoint facts at Bleeding Cool.
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