Shannon Wheeler ‘s I Thought You Would Be Funnier can now be read for free online
Captain America and The Avengers film info
Free Comic Book Day on May 7
8: 28 WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING
Portal 2
Brightest Day #24 – John Constantine and Swamp Thing travel from Vertigo to the DC Universe
Avengers #12.1 – Spider-Woman gets captured by the evil smarty pants team, The Intelligencia. The Avengers rescue her and meet Ultron, who then vanishes. Not for newbies but great art by Bryan Hitch.
Action Comics #900 – The controversial landmark issue in which Superman renounces his American citizenship, plus some other cool tales.
The Ultimate version of Spider-Man is dying, to be replaced by someone other than Peter Parker with new duds. Here’s a look at the variant covers by Marvel head honcho Joe Quesada, with Peter walking along with his beloved Uncle Ben to the afterlife. The ish goes on sale June 22.
Marvel Unveils Joe Quesada’s “Not A Dry Eye In The House” DEATH OF SPIDER-MAN Variant Cover
Death of Spider-Man, the story that everyone from ABC to MTV and FOX News are talking about, reaches its stunning conclusion this June and, to commemorate this momentous issue, superstar Joe Quesada illustrates an all-new variant cover! This powerful piece, from Marvel’s Chief Creative Officer, arrives in two different versions—the full color Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #160 Quesada Variant and the raw, penciled version for Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #160 Quesada Sketch Variant.
It’s the biggest story in Ultimate Comics history—and it all ends in Ultimate Spider-Man #160. No fan can miss out on the story that’ll have fans around the world talking for years!
The Joss Whedon (Buffy, Firefly, Dollhouse) helmed Avengers film from Marvel has just started shooting. Here’s the first teaser image under the S.H.I.E.L.D logo showing at least 4 of the many characters in the team.
On a related note Captain America actor Chris Evans has confirmed that his film, although mainly set in WWII will have the hero also come to the modern day, while in The Avengers he’ll get a new costume (presumably like his blue suit from the Secret Avengers comic) and will spar with Iron Man’s ideology. Cool.
Lastly, here’s 2 more character posters for the June releasing Green Lantern film.
Verily I say unto thee – there be spoilers ahead! I did talk about this in the last Extra Sequential podcast, but I wanted to spotlight my ramshackle thoughts in a separate post. Forgive the unusual rambling approach.
Marvel’s classic blonde god of thunder was always going to be difficult to adapt, but now’s the time, with greater acceptance of cinematic superheroes and a great recent revival of the character in the pages of Marvel’s comics. The familiar elements of the origin are still present from his ’60s debut, primarily including Thor being the son of Odin, who in turn strips him of his power and banishes him to Earth where, as a mortal man, he can learn humility. With plenty of Norse mythology, sci-fi, fantasy and superheroics the film thankfully never goes off the rails.
Aussie Chris Hemsworth (Kirk’s Dad in the last Star Trek film) plays Thor well, as he is obviously the centre of this film, and has a worthy character arc from arrogant almost-king to sacrificial warrior. The romance with astrophysicist (originally nurse in the comics) Jane Foster played by Natalie Portman is subtle and interesting.
Kenneth Branagh directs it well and offers some surprising humour in the film’s opening and while showing Thor’s god-like antics amongst the mortals. The last film Branagh directed was 2007’s excellent Sleuth starring Jude Law and Michael Caine. Watch it! The film is at its best during the Earth bound scenes. Although Anthony Hopkins is a fierce king, Tom Hiddleston’s Loki turns evil far too easily and the Asgardian fights with the Frost Giants, though well paced are distractingly loud.
I did enjoy it, but not as much as I was hoping too. The costumes are grand and Asgard is the best fantasy environment seen on screen since The Lord of the Rings, though the ending did surprise me. I expect Thor 2 will be much better. Some pleasant moments include a flying Thor (!), Clark Gregg’s S.H.I.E.L.D Agent Coulson being as coolly entertaining as he was in both Iron Man films and Idris Elba’s Bifrost rainbow bridge guardian Heimdall remaining suitably stoic.
The post-credits scene isn’t really worth it. Nick Fury (head of S.H.I.E.L.D appears) played by Samuel L. Jackson, as he did in both Iron Mans, to reveal a powerful object that will only mean something to Captain America fans (and no, it’s not his shield). The fact that this object looks very similar to the one used by the Frost Giants only complicates matters.
However, as us fans expected to see fellow future Avenger Hawkeye in this bonus scene, it was nice to see him instead, briefly, in the film itself. Only referred to as Barton (Hawkeye’s real name is Clint Barton) the archer is played by Hurt Locker’s Jeremy Renner, as he will be in next year’s Joss Whedon led The Avengers team film.
Oh, and a few things for geeks to look out for:
A tourism billboard uses the phrase, “Journey into Mystery,” which is the name of the comic series that Thor debuted in
Stellan Skarsgard’s scientist Erik Selvig mentions that he had a friend who had breakthroughs in gamma radiation and once S.H.I.E.L.D discovered them he was never seen again (that’d be Bruce Banner AKA Hulk)
Agent Coulson upon seeing the Destroyer remarks that it might be Stark’s as he never tells him anything; Stark being Tony Stark AKA Iron Man
Thor co-creator Stan Lee in a great pickup driving cameo
The next DC animated film is an anthology centering on six different ring bearers in the Green Lantern Corps and is called Emerald Knights. It is released on June 7, just before the film starring Ryan Reynolds and directed by Martin Campbell and has a great voice cast including Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Castle) as Hal Jordan, Henry Rollins as Kilowog, Jason Isaacs as Sinestro, Arnold Vosloo (the bad guy in The Mummy) as Abin Sur, and former wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper as Bolphunga. Yep, the Green Lantern names are almost as cool as those in Star Wars.
See more images here and below is a lost of the extras included on the Blu-Ray.
– Featurette:“Only the Bravest: Tales of The Green Lantern Corps”
– Featurette: “Why Green Lantern Matters: The Talent of Geoff Johns”
– Feature Film Commentary with Dan DiDio and Geoff Johns
– Pod: “From Comic Book to Screen: Abin Sur”
– Pod: “From Comic Book to Screen: Laira Omoto“
This short pod will take a peek into Geoff John’s Green Lantern: Secret Origin book, which for the first time, showed fans what really happened to Abin Sur before he crashed landed on Earth, and passed on his ring to Hal Jordan.
– Bruce Timm’s Picks: Excerpt from “The Siege of Starro! Part One” from Batman: The Brave and The Bold, “Revenge of The Reach!” from Batman: The Brave and The Bold
– Digital Comic: Green Lantern
– Sneak Peek at upcoming DC Universe animated movie
– Sneak Peek at All-Star Superman
By now you may have seen the best image so far of the Superman costume in the final few episodes of Smallville. If not, here it is. The suit, and Lois gaining temporary superpowers, will be seen on the May 6 episode, titled Prophecy.
The official description for the finale to be aired on May 13 (in America at least) has also been released.
BE THERE AS SMALLVILLE WRAPS UP CLARK KENT’S TEN-YEAR JOURNEY IN AN EPIC TWO-HOUR SERIES FINALE – The story of Clark Kent (Tom Welling) culminates in this epic two-hour series finale as Clark takes the last step to becoming the Man of Steel. With surprise guest appearances, nods to the first few seasons of the series and Michael Rosenbaum’s return as Lex Luthor, this final episode wraps up a decade-long story following one’s man’s journey to becoming the world’s greatest superhero.
Yes, they are using the Superman Returns shield. I guess if Zack Snyder’s film was being released earlier than December next year, they’d use that instead.
DC’s The Source blog has their final artist spotlight post on Doug Mahnke. He’s been doing great work for years, particularly on Green Lantern.
Finally, Tomar-Re, voiced by Aussie Geoffrey Rush (Shine, Pirates of the Caribbean) gets his own spotlight poster for the June film, and a new TV spot has just been released with some new footage.
70 mins. We talk about Thor and bicker about the classic superhero epic Kingdom Come. Also The Big Bang Theory, Star Trek: The Next Generation and hiding Easter eggs.
Kris saw the film in unnecessary 3D and was slightly underwhelmed by the god of thunder’s cinematic adventures. The action is loud, but the romance is well handled.
35:52 FEATURE REVIEW-KINGDOM COME
We pleasantly argue about this 1996 mini-series from DC Comics by Mark Waid and Alex Ross that features a retired Superman in the future returning to teach a careless younger generation of “heroes” a thing or two about justice. Dramatic art, biblical undertones and a massive cast of well known and new characters ensue.
The previous posters for this June releasing, ’60s set prequel focused solely on Professor X and Magneto. This is the first one showing the main cast and of course, I wasn’t the only person to notice that it’s either a respectful nod, or rip-off of the classic Astonishing X-Men panel from Joss Whedon and John Cassady’s run. It’s such a great pic and has been used a lot, even on the cover of the motion comic. Hopefully the film’s promo people are aware of this.
The fact that this August-releasing prequel exists will surprise a lot of people. It stars James Franco, Brian Cox, Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) and Andy Serkis, who applied similar techniques to Gollum and King Kong. It could be a good film, but the driving Inception-like score on this first trailer is annoying.
Planet of the Apes has a new BOOM! comic out, to be sure, but there hasn’t been a film out in the franchise since Tim Burton’s version in 2001. Is there a hunger to see another one? I’m unsure, but starting afresh with this modern day prequel is a good choice, with it’s moral dilemmas and intelligent apes.
Could Warner Bros. have undone all the progress they made with those awesome 4 minutes of Green Lantern film footage shown at Wondercon? Quite possibly, and here’s how – 3 full body looks at Ryan Reynolds’ CGI costume. Will people ignore the fact that we can see his individual toes or will the lack of proper footwear be this millenium’s Bat nipples (as seen in Joel Schumacher’s late ’90s Batman films)?
The domino mask still looks wonky but I can understand why the film makers chose the approach of making the GL suit like a ring constructed body glove, rather than thousands of superhero costumes on different alien races, as it puts the film more in the sci-fi category rather than the superhero category, but it’s still not quite right.
On a positive note, Warner Bros. have chosen their new big screen General Zod wisely, as actor Michael Shannon (TV’s Boardwalk Empire) will portray the Kryptonian villain. From the few films I’ve seen him in, he exudes a confidence and creepiness rather well. The film is now officially called Man of Steel and will be released in December 2012.
59 mins. We chat about some of our fave comic book parodies, including poking fun at superheroes. Also the Star Wars episode of That ’70s Show, the beauty of modern video games and Scream 4.
Next DC animated film based on Tower of Babel JLA storyline
DC’s Retro-Active series of one-shots
Supernatural: The Anime Series to be released in July
The 4 minutes of the Green Lantern film that have been officially released
13:43 WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING
Kris – Action Comics #899 filled with Lex vs Braniac and madcap action
Who Is Jake Ellis? #3 by Nathan Edmondson and Tonci Zonjic
Undying Love #1 by Tomm Coker and Daniel Freedman. Another winner from Image Comics about a human in love with a Chinese vampire.
Mladen – Crossing Midnight Volume 1 from Mike Carey and Jim Fern about twins born just before and just after midnight. Strange abilities, greedy demons and more ensue.
The latest face-in-silhouette X-Men First Class posters released a while ago are bad. Go here and judge for yourself. Thankfully, as we all know, fans are smart and creative! Super Punch shows off some fan made posters, and an imaginary opening title video for the June-releasing film. My two faves are below, and go here to see them all, in their great ’60s era glory.
Staying on the topic of costumed mutants, CBR has an interesting interview with X-Men writer Kieron Gillen (Phonogram) here. Fans pose the questions to the scribe and the discussion ranges from the Uncanny X-Men title to Fear Itself to the upcoming Schism. It’s for X-Men fans only really, as Nightcrawler’s death, Kitty in a space suit and the similiarities between Hope and Jean Grey are all brought up.
Lastly, and not really an X-Men story, but certainly a Marvel one – here’s a preview and trailer for Marvel’s 7 part Fear Itself series by Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen.
Opening on June 17 and starring Ryan Reynolds, and now Aussie Geoffrey Rush (as the voice of Tomar Re, the Lantern who welcomes Hal in the trailer) as well as Mark Strong as Sinestro, is the Green Lantern film. I’ve had my doubts, but this new footage, just show at Wondercon has given my renewed faith in it. It looks fantastic.
40 mins. Mladen and I occupy the same space once more as we talk about 2 new Image comics debuts we liked plus Ninja Turtles, April Fool’s Day office pranks, iPad 2 queues, and animated Plastic Man.
Elephantmen: Man and Elephantman by Richard Starkings and Axel Medellin. We find it to be a good intro for new readers, love the art and its effective colour palette and just the general noir vibe of the whole tale.
The Red Blue Blur is amping up the Blu, Hmmm…that doesn’t really work, does it? Anyway, all the Superman films are coming to Blu-Ray in a complete boxed set on June 7 for $130. Of course, it’s the first two films that are the stand outs of the series, and purists like me, will be happy to know that there are Richard Donner extended cuts for both. If, again like me, you already have the impressive Superman Ultimate Collector’s Edition that came out in 2007, you may not want this, as the multitude of bonus features from that set are also here, though having these great films with superior sound and picture quality is very tempting, as is the fact that this new set also includes the never before seen alternate opening of Superman Returns, in which Superman visits Krypton, or what’s left of it. Or you could just wait until 2013 when the inevitable newer boxed set including Zack Snyder’s upcoming reboot will be included, but who can wait that long?
Collection Includes All Five Films in the Theatrical Franchise, Two Alternate Versions and 20 Hours of Bonus Features
Superman, the cultural icon and quintessential superhero, is back in a big way. In a powerhouse year marked by the theatrical releases of several major superhero films including Warner Bros.’ Green Lantern, his arrival couldn’t be more perfectly timed. Warner Home Video (WHV) is celebrating the year of the superhero with the June 7 release of Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1978-2006) on Blu-ray. For the first time, fans will be able to own one super-entertaining Blu-ray collection with all four original theatrical Superman films starring Christopher Reeve (available for the first time in high def), Superman Returns, and the two alternate versions of Superman I and Superman II.
Available now in superb hi-def, with new digital/hi-def film masters, the must-own comprehensive Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (1978-2006) on Blu-ray includes all six versions of the films in the original Superman theatrical franchise — Superman: The Movie – Original Theatrical, Superman: The Movie – Expanded Edition, Superman II – Original Theatrical, Superman II – The Richard Donner Cut, Superman III – Original Theatrical, Superman IV – Original Theatrical, plus Superman Returns. The Collection also boasts 20 hours of bonus features including the never-before-seen original opening to Superman Returns. Also included are two documentaries in hi-def, Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman and The Science of Superman, as well as You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman, deleted scenes, and much more. Fan-boys and technophiles will especially appreciate that all of the Superman films are being released with English DTS-HD-MA soundtrack for superior sound quality. Also included is Movie Cash good up to $8 off one admission ticket to see the newest Warner Bros. superhero film, Green Lantern, at participating theaters between June 17, 2011 and July 3, 2011. The eight-disc collection will be available for $129.95 SRP. Orders are due May 3, 2011.
Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology is also available On Demand and for download through online retailers including iTunes and Amazon on Demand.
About The Films
Superman: The Original Theatrical Movie (1978) and Expanded Edition (2001)
A box-office smash, an Academy AwardÒ winner and a fan favorite since it first flew into theatres in December 1978, Superman: The Movie assembles a cast and creative contingent as only a big movie can. At its heart (just as in three sequels) is Christopher Reeve’s intelligent, affectionate portrayal of a most human Man of Steel.
Variety called Superman “a wonderful, chuckling, preposterously exciting fantasy.”
The movie’s legacy soared even higher when director Richard Donner revisited this beloved adventure 22 years later and integrated eight additional minutes into the film. Enjoy more footage of the Krypton Council, a glimpse of stars of prior Superman incarnations, more of Jor-El underscoring his son’s purpose on Earth and an extended sequence inside Lex Luthor’s gauntlet of doom. Reeve, Marlon Brando (Jor-El), Gene Hackman (Luthor) and Margot Kidder (Lois Lane) give indelible performances that fuel the film’s aura of legend.
Disc #1
· Superman: The Movie, Original Theatrical
· Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler (Original Theatrical Version)
· The Making of Superman: The Movie [1978 TV special]
· Superman and the Mole-Men [1951 feature]
· Warner Bros. Cartoons
o Super-Rabbit [1943 WB cartoon]
o Snafuperman [1944 WB cartoon]
o Stupor Duck [1956 WB cartoon]
· Trailers
Disc #2
Superman: The Movie, Expanded Edition
Commentary by Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz (Extended Version)
Taking Flight: The Development of Superman
Making Superman: Filming the Legend
The Magic Behind the Cape
Screen Tests
Superman
Lois Lane with Optional Commentary
Ursa
A Selection of Restored Scenes
Additional Music Cues
Main Titles
Alternate Main Titles
The Council’s Decision
The Krypton Quake
More Mugger/Introducing Otis
Air Force One
Can You Read My Mind (Pop Version)
Music Only Track (Donner Cut)
Superman II (1980 and The Richard Donner Cut)
“I thought the original Superman was terrific entertainment,” the Chicago Sun-Times’ Roger Ebert wrote, “and so I was a little startled to discover that I liked Superman II even more.” Unwittingly released from Phantom Zone imprisonment, three super-powered Kryptonian criminals (Terence Stamp, Sarah Douglas and Jack O’Halloran) plan to enslave Earth – just when Superman (Christopher Reeve) decides to show a more romantic side to Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Gene Hackman (as Lex Luthor) also returns from the first film and with a top supporting cast, witty Richard Lester direction and visuals that astound and delight.
Superman II -The Richard Donner Cut delighted fans who, for years, had been imploring Warner Home Video to release the Donner cut. In fact, the director had already shot most of the Superman II footage during Superman: The Movie. But as production on the sequel continued, creative differences between the director and the film’s producers became irreconcilable and Donner left the project. Although Richard Lester was hired to finish production, he chose to make major changes to the film, leaving only vestiges of Donner’s original vision and concepts in the version of Superman II that was ultimately released to theaters.
Nearly thirty years later, Warner Home Video was delighted to grant the wishes of countless Superman fans. With this DVD release, Richard Donner had become the first director in history to be able to complete a film he left during production with nearly all his footage “in the can.” Adding back a substantial amount of that unused footage, the director has seen his original vision restored and brought to fruition.
Most notably, the “Donner cut” restores the Marlon Brando role, filmed for, but not included in the final theatrical release version of Superman II. The legendary Brando’s performance as Jor-El has finally been restored in key scenes that amplify the Superman lore and deepen the profound relationship between father and son.
With so many other changes, large and small, including a variety of Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) schemes to unmask Clark Kent as Superman, this Superman II proved to be an eye-opening experience and an important addition to film history.
Disc #3
· Superman II, Original Theatrical
· Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler (Original Theatrical Version)
· The Making of Superman II [1980 TV special]
· Deleted Scene
· First Flight: The Fleischer Superman Series
· Fleischer Studios’ Superman
o Superman
o The Mechanical Monsters
o Billion Dollar Limited
o The Arctic Giant
o The Bulleteers
o The Magnetic Telescope
o Electric Earthquake
o Volcano
o Terror on the Midway
· Theatrical Trailer
Disc #4
Superman II – The Richard Donner Cut
Commentary by Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz (Donner Cut)
Introduction by Richard Donner
Superman II: Restoring the Vision
Deleted Scenes
Famous Studios’ Superman
Japoteurs
Showdown
Eleventh Hour
Destruction, Inc
The Mummy Strikes
Jungle Drums
The Underground World
Secret Agent
Superman III Theatrical Version (1983)
After Superman: The Movie’s epic storytelling and Superman II’s awesome battles, how could the first two hits be topped? In Superman III, meet Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor), a half-witted computer programming natural. For him a keyboard is a weapon – and Superman faces the microelectronic menace of his life. Christopher Reeve reprises his most beloved role, deepening his character’s human side as Clark Kent reunites with old flame Lana Lang (Annette O’Toole) at a Smallville High class reunion. And when Superman becomes his own worst enemy after Kryptonite exposure, Reeve pulls off both roles with dazzling skill. Incredible visual effects abound – but above all it has heart, heroism and high-flying humor. All in superabundance.
Disc #5
· Superman III Theatrical Version
· Commentary by Iilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler
· The Making of Superman III (1983 TV Special)
· Deleted Scenes
· Theatrical Trailer
Superman IV The Quest For Peace Theatrical Version (1987)
Christopher Reeve not only dons the cape for the fourth time but also helped develop the movie’s provocative theme: nuclear disarmament. “For me, it’s the most personal of the entire series,” Reeve said. “It directly reflects what Superman should be, and should be doing.” Superman does a lot this time around. To make the world safe for nuclear arms merchants, Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) creates a new being to challenge the Man of Steel: the radiation-charged Nuclear Man (Mark Pillow). The two foes clash in an explosive extravaganza that sees Superman save the Statue of Liberty, plug a volcanic eruption of Mount Etna and rebuild the demolished Great Wall of China.
Disc #6
· Superman IV The Quest For Peace Theatrical Version
· Commentary by Mark Rosenthal
· Superman 50th Anniversary Special (1988 TV Special)
· Deleted Scenes
· Theatrical Trailer
Superman Returns (2006)
He’s back. A hero for our millennium. And not a moment too soon, because during the five years (much longer in movie-fan years!) Superman sought his home planet, things changed on his adopted planet. Nations moved on without him. Lois Lane now has a son, a fiancé and a Pulitzer for “Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman.” And Lex Luthor has a plan that will destroy millions – no, billions – of lives.
Filmmaker Bryan Singer (X-Men) gives the world the Superman it needs, honoring the legend everyone loves while taking it in a powerful new direction. Brandon Routh proves a perfect choice to wear the hero’s cape, leading a top cast that includes Kate Bosworth as Lois and Kevin Spacey as Lex. And the thrills – from a sky-grapple with a tumbling jumbo jet to a continent-convulsing showdown – redefine Wow.
Disc #7
· Superman Returns
· Requiem for Krypton: Making Superman Returns
o Pt. 1 Secret Origins and First Issues: Crystallizing Superman
o Pt. 2 The Crystal Method: Designing Superman
o Pt. 3 An Affinity for Beachfront Property: Shooting Superman- Superman on the Farm
o Pt. 4 An Affinity for Beachfront Property: Shooting Superman- Superman in the City
o Pt. 5 An Affinity for Beachfront Property: Shooting Superman- Superman in Peril
o Pt. 6 The Joy of Lex: Menacing Superman
o Pt. 7 He’s Always Around: Wrapping Superman
· Resurrecting Jor-El
· Deleted Scenes including the never-before-seen original opening to Superman Returns
· Bryan Singer’s Journals – Video production journals
· Trailers
Disc #8 Additional Bonus Material
· Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman [Hi-Def]
· You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman
o Pt. 1- Origin
o Pt. 2- Vision
o Pt. 3- Ascent
o Pt. 4- Crisis
o Pt. 5- Redemption
· The Science of Superman [Hi-Def]
· The Mythology of Superman
· The Heart of a Hero: A Tribute to Christopher Reeve
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