Flashpoint, Fear Itself and Captain America

Time for some perty pics.

Geoff Johns made Green Lantern the centre of the DC Universe for a while, and now it’s time for another superhero he resurrected to take the spotlight in May’s Flashpoint series, which launches 15 mini-series set in an alternate future, or something. The cover by Andy Kubert for Flashpoint #1 is below. DC have also released 5 new cryptic teaser images for the series.

Marvel’s next big event is similarly secretive. Here’s the Steve McNiven cover for Fear Itself #1, the first of the 7 ish mini which launches in April.

Finally, the Captain America film opens in July, but the first teaser trailer (as well as Thor’s) is being launched this Sunday during the Super Bowl, as well as a free digital tie-in comic. The grungy official poster for the film is below.

February 5, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, Movies, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Captain America and Falcon #1 Preview

Steve Rogers turns 70 this year and Marvel are celebrating with a bunch of one-shots. Preview of the first one below, including the awesome Greg Tocchini (Last Days of American Crime) connecting cover art.

Your First Look at CAPTAIN AMERICA AND FALCON #1

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Captain America and Falcon #1, from fan favorite creators Rob Williams and Rebekah A. Isaacs! Kicking off a series of five one-shots celebrating the 70 years of the Sentinel of Liberty, Captain America’s erstwhile partner Sam Wilson, must confront his past to save a boy’s future! Join Captain America and Falcon as they take on an evil far below the spires of Avengers Tower – the very streets Falcon fought to escape. When Captain America and Falcon #1 hits stands this March, fans should rush out to their comic shops to be amongst the first to grab an exclusive print featuring the connecting covers of red-hot artist Greg Tocchini! Salute the legacy of America’s super-soldier all month long as Marvel pays tribute to Captain America and those around him who have made him the man he is!

*Retailers should check the Marvel Mailer for special incentives on the below listed titles for great deals and promotions.

 

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND FALCON #1 (JAN110704)

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND FALCON #1 GATEFOLD VARIANT (JAN110705)

Written by ROB WILLIAMS

Penciled by REBEKAH A. ISAACS

Cover by GREG TOCCHINI

Gatefold Cover by GREG TOCCHINI

Rated T+ …$3.99

FOC – 2/7/11, On Sale 3/2/11

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE FIRST THIRTEEN #1 (JAN110706)

Written by KATHRYN IMMONEN

Penciled by RAMÓN PEREZ

Cover by GREG TOCCHINI

Rated T+ …$3.99

FOC – 2/7/11, On Sale 3/9/11

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND CROSSBONES #1 (JAN110707)

Written by WILLIAM HARMS

Penciled by DECLAN SHALVEY

Cover by GREG TOCCHINI

Rated T+ …$3.99

FOC – 2/7/11, On Sale 3/16/11

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BATROC #1 (JAN110708)

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Penciled by RENATO ARLEM

Cover by GREG TOCCHINI

Rated T+ …$3.99

FOC – 2/7/11, On Sale 3/23/11

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE SECRET AVENGERS #1 (JAN110709)

Written by KELLY SUE DECONNICK

Pencils & Cover by GREG TOCCHINI

Rated T+…$3.99

FOC – 2/7/11, On Sale 3/30/11

February 4, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics? . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Even More Unused Super Powers Toy Designs

Earlier this week I was reminded of this great site dedicated to the unseen future of the Super Powers action figures from the ’80s. Now even more unused designs have shown up and you can check them all out here, and man, are they whacky, but if they ever got made, they would’ve been awesome. Wonder Woman with crazy hair, Firestorm with a flaming wrench, Batman with two groin pistols and Superman with a stick! Oh yeah.

February 4, 2011
Categories: News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Intrepids From Image

Looks like Image Comics has another intriguing creation on their hands. By the cover and description, it reminds me of a fun, modern Doom Patrol or rather, The Losers. Neato. Plus, I prefer the new title for this series.

The Intrepids is a 6 ish mini and you can check out a great preview of the debut issue, plus an honest offering of the genesis of the project at the official site.

MAD SCIENTISTS ARE A GIRL’S WORST ENEMY

New Title The Intrepids Arrives in March

Mad scientists are a disease and this March, fans will meet the cure: THE INTREPIDS! Image Comics continues to promote the best new talent by introducing this six-issue miniseries by the up and coming creative team of writer Kurtis Wiebe and artist Scott Kowalchuk.

THE INTREPIDS are a collection of runaway homeless teenagers that have been taken in and cared for by an aging inventor named Dante. Applying his brilliance, he crafts marvelous technological contraptions and with his vision and help, the motley crew he has assembled agree to use his gadgets for the betterment of mankind. Together, they combat tyranny and stop madmen from bringing harm to the world!

“THE INTREPIDS is a James Bond-style action-adventure that takes mad science to new heights. It’ll be wild, it’ll be action packed and it’ll have sexy dames with rocket packs!” says Wiebe. “It’s really our best case scenario to be publishing this book with Image. They’ve been producing some of the most engaging work in comics.”

“Kurtis and I have had a lot of fun developing this book,” adds Kowalchuk. “That fun will shine through. We’re extremely proud of the series, and we hope the fans will have as good a time with it as we do!”

Originally announced with the title of RAT BASTARDS, THE INTREPIDS reverted to the series’ original name to avoid a trademark conflict with a previously published title.

THE INTREPIDS #1 (JAN110555), a 24-page full-color comic book for $2.99, will be in stores on March 2, 2011. Meet the INTREPIDS at www.theintrepids.com.

February 3, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics? . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Extra Sequential Podcast #26-Action!

74 mins. We dissect how action is portrayed in comics, and also talk about the questionable manliness of Jude Law, and the cost efficiency of choking vs lightsabers.

LISTEN TO IT BELOW, DOWNLOAD IT HERE, ON ITUNES OR MIXCLOUD

1:17 NEWS

Brit actor Henry Cavill cast as the next big screen Superman

5:30 WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING

Alternate ending of Scott Pilgrim vs the World, the classic spaghetti western Once Upon a Time in the West, Darth Vader and the Lost Command, and WE3

19:04 ACTION (IN) COMICS!

We define Subjective and Objective action and examine such things as:

Joker killing the 2nd Robin, Jason Todd

Frank Miller’s work as seen in The Dark Knight Returns and Daredevil, Alan Moore’s work in the Batgirl crippling Killing Joke

the explosion of pointless, and long, fight scenes in superhero comics in the ’90s

how motion is portrayed and the influence of manga
the importance of sound effects
and the lack of car chases in American comics

February 3, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News, Podcast, Reviews . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

DC’s Stars of the Screen

Bleeding Cool managed to get a draft of the back-on-again live action Wonder Woman TV show by David E. Kelley, creator of Ally McBeal. The more I read of it, the queasier I got. Please let this be a really early April Fool’s joke. See their major spoiler free analysis here and a snippet below.

Well, this Wonder Woman:

Identifies with ET the Extra Terrestrial when his movie comes on TV.

Really loves planes. Like really.

Pines for Steve like Carrie for Big.

Wants to belong and be “among” people, not just “with” them.

Sings along to the radio in multiple scenes – but nothing with a hairbrush in front of the mirror just yet.

Doesn’t like being “marketed, commercialized, merchandised”, though she is – there’s a joke about Wonder Woman tie-in dolls having their costumes redesigned that seems to reference the recent makeover for the comics.

When she’s Diana Prince she’s a mousey Miley Stewart, when she’s Diana Themiscyra she’s the Hanna Montana of businesswomen, and when she’s Wonder Woman she’s Wonder Woman – which is precisely twice in the whole episode.

Is a capitalist.

Puts on her PJs for an ice-cream filled sleepover with best friend Myndi.

CBR has an interview with Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti, the producers of the new Young Justice cartoon, that I really want to be shown here in Oz. I like the choice of characters and the Teen Titans as a black ops team working for the JLA approach.

Here’s a just released video, that’s supposed to be a trailer but looks like an in-game cinematic. Not that it matters, it’s awesome, with a future Batman and Lex teaming up. Sort of. Titled In Lex We Trust it’s from the new DC Universe Online game from Sony.

Finally in DC news, the publisher is teaming up with the Hero Initiative , a great company that all us fanboys should support. Details and snazzy art of the project below.

The Hero Initiative, a charity dedicated to helping comic creators in medical or financial need, most proudly announces their new partnership in the Justice League Of America #50 project with DC Comics. This is the first collaboration with DC comics ever and Hero is chomping at the bit to pull the collection together. The call has gone out and dozens of artists are putting pen to paper. DC has generously donated 100 blank-covered cardstock copies of Justice League Of America #50 to Hero, and work is being created by well-known stars such as Jim Lee, Alex Ross, George Perez, Jason Bone, Jim Valentino, and many many more.

“It’s an honor to participate, not only because this is the first time DC Comics is collaborating with Hero Initiative, but because Hero Initiative is such an important organization to our community” said Jim Lee, artist and Co-Publisher of DC Comics.

“We’re thrilled to be working in new ways with DC Comics, and showcasing some of the greatest artists and greatest characters in the world,” said Hero Initiative President Jim McLauchlin. “And of course, sales of the covers and the collected book will go toward helping many other comic creators in need.”

All 100 original Justice League Of America covers will be published in a book slated for release in 2011, and a public viewing of all covers will be scheduled as well.

February 2, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, Games, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Frontiersman Survey

I’m blessed to write for comics site Broken Frontier. Last year we launched a digital mag, chock full of interviews, reviews, previews and articles, which can be read on your computer, or iPad. Now we’re doing a survey to see what our readers think, so if you have a few minutes to spare go here to tick a few boxes.

February 1, 2011
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Secret Identity Music Video

Nerdcore duo Kirby Krackle have just released an animated music video for the song Secret Identity from their second album, E For Everyone. Check it out below, and Kirby Krackle’s site here. The clip is from Betsy Lee who also created their Up,Up, Down, Down video. If you like toe tapping music filled with clever comics and pop culture references, Kirby Krackle are the only way to go.

February 1, 2011
Categories: Music . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Kenner’s Super Powers Toys

Since we were in the mood for reminiscing in our last Extra Sequential podcast, I thought I’d direct your attention to this short, but flashback worthy article at Newsarama about the awesome Super Powers figures based on a heap of DC Comics characters in the mid ’80s. I loved these toys as a kid, and they helped form my awareness of comics (as they had mini-comics inside). Ah, good times.

Go here for a site I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that talks about the unproduced fourth wave and more, with enticing pics.

January 31, 2011
Categories: New To Comics? . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 1 Comment

Henry Cavill is Superman

This photo is set to be plastered all over the geekosphere, as Brit actor Henry Cavill has just officially been cast as Superman in the latest reboot. Non-American actors are doing well in superhero roles these days. Brit Andrew Garfield is Spider-Man, Brit Christian Bale is Batman and Aussie Chris Hemsworth is Thor.

Cavill is known primarily for his role in TV’s The Tudors, and the 6’1″ actor certainly looks like he could portray the Man of Steel on screen and as he’s only 27 he could play the part for a sequel or two (and maybe even the Justice League film!).

Director Zack Snyder’s (300, Watchmen) film is set for a December 2012 release.

January 31, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, Movies, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Arrested Development via Peanuts

I just finished watching all 3 awesome seasons of Arrested Development, and I ran across this great pic online that reimagines the cast as characters from Peanuts. See more of artist Bill Mudron’s work here.

January 30, 2011
Categories: Art . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

100 Scenes by Tim Gaze

A while ago I reviewed Australian artist Tim Gaze’s book, noology, after seeing his work in the wonderful Abstract Comics: The Anthology collection from Fantagraphics. Now Gaze has a new book out called 100 Scenes, which is best described below.

His latest work 100 Scenes is a contemporary resurrection of the Surrealist form known as “decalcomania”as pioneered in the 1930s by Oscar Dominguez and often used by Max Ernst. A resident of the Adelaide Hills town of Mt. Barker, Gaze is a prolific “visual poet” and inventor of his own brand of “glitch poetry”, a form of visual poetry with a similar sensibility to glitch music. In addition to making sound poetry and free form electronic music, Gaze has contributed to a number of small press poetry and art publications, and was recently included in an exhibition of asemic writing in Russia.

100 Scenes is a 106 page comic and can be bought as aPDF right here, with a print publisher/distributor currently in the works.

January 30, 2011
Categories: New To Comics? . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Proposed Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art

Working with architects does have its advantages, I must say. In the myriad links I get sent daily, sometimes something blog worthy like this will crop up. It’s an article about a proposed museum dedicated to comics and cartoons in a huge space in Manhattan. It looks great, and is not to be confused with the current MoCCA in New York. I hope it gets made. Here’s the original article.

Comic or rather”graphic novel” fanatics will soon get to share their love with liked minded fellows and no I don’t mean Comic-Con. The proposed Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art MoCCA will sited on a 14000sq ft lot in Manhattan’s lower east side near the Williamsburg Bridge from Brooklyn and seeks to be a hub for the most comprehensive comic and cartoon art collection. The design proposal lists spaces for gallery, classrooms, café, retail, theater, lecture hall, IT/computer lab, offices, archives, workshops, library, conference and convention center and the idea to have a fully immersive environment. The project has been conceptualized by architects Reid Nystrom and Alessandro Ortiz and I can’t wait to see it take shape.

January 30, 2011
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 5 Comments

Read True Grit Comic for Free

A prequel comic to the new True Grit film from the Coen Brothers starring Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon can be read for free at comiXology right now. It’s black and white and not a bad way to promote the film. There’s no credits in the Paramount commissioned comic itself but according to Bleeding Cool, it’s written by Dan Light and Ben Read with art by Christian Wildgoose. It’s also available in 7 languages.

January 29, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics? . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

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