Opening on June 18 is this long in development film based on DC Comics’ Jonah Hex. It stars Josh Brolin as the titular scarred bounty hunter, Megan Fox with a Southern accent and John Malkovich as the baddie. Hex has had very little promotion and the trailer makes it seem like a bland revenge film rather than the great combination of the Western and horror genres that it purports to be.
Iron Man/Thor FCBD Preview
This Saturday is FCBD. Yep, Free Comic Book Day. It’s been growing for the last few years, with the majority of publishers putting out a sample of their wares. It’s a great opportunity for comic newbies to get an entry into the wonderful world of sequential art, and for fanboys and girls across the world to see what’s new, if your local shop is participating that is. Now, here’s a preview of Marvel’s FCBD offering, starring two of their new cinematic heroes.
Your First Look At Free Comic Book Day’s IRON MAN/THOR
Marvel is proud to unveil your first look at Iron Man/Thor, Marvel’s hotly anticipated Free Comic Book Day (May 1st) special from award-winning creators Matt Fraction and John Romita Jr. With the Heroic Age in full swing, Iron Man and Thor find themselves pitted against an enemy unlike any they’ve fought before! And, don’t forget, Iron Man/Thor is totally free this Saturday in celebration of Free Comic Book Dayat your local comic retailer!
“It’s exciting to see two of our most popular heroes paired with two of our top creators for Free Comic Book Day,” said David Gabriel, Senior Vice President of Sales & Circulation. “Marvel is proud to be part of this annual event– kudos to all the retailers who make this event happen year after year with outstanding success.”
Marvel encourages all comic book fans to check out the great offerings from all over the industry on Saturday, May 1st, as the historic Free Comic Book Day arrives at your local comic shop! For more information on FCBD, please visit www.freecomicbookday.com
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2010: IRON MAN/THOR
Written by MATT FRACTION
Penciled by JOHN ROMITA JR.
Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.
RATED A…FREE!
IN STORES THIS SATURDAY!
Batman: Under the Red Hood Trailer and Pics
They keep cranking them out, but they keep getting better. Thanks DC! Details below about July’s animated film based on the resurrection of Jason Todd, the second Robin.
GOTHAM CITY MEETS A NEW VIGILANTE WITH A MYSTERIOUS, VIOLENT TWIST IN
BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD STELLAR VOICE CAST FEATURES BRUCE GREENWOOD, JENSEN ACKLES & NEIL PATRICK HARRIS IN
ALL-NEW DC UNIVERSE ANIMATED ORIGINAL MOVIE FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO ON JULY 27, 2010
SPECIAL EDITION BLU-RAY AND 2-DISC SPECIAL EDITION DVD INCLUDE DC SHOWCASE SHORT, JONAH HEX
Batman confronts new enemies, old foes and painful memories when a powerful vigilante with a penchant for violence comes to Gotham City in the intense graphic-novel-come-to-life Batman: Under the Red Hood, the next entry in the popular ongoing series of DC UNIVERSE Animated Original PG-13 Movies coming July 27, 2010 from Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation. The full-length film will be distributed by Warner Home Video as a Special Edition version on Blu-Ray™ and 2 disc DVD for $29.99 (SRP) and $24.98 (SRP), respectively, as well as single disc DVD for $19.98 (SRP). The film will also be available On Demand and for Download.
The stellar voice cast has Bruce Greenwood (Captain Pike in the 2009 blockbuster Star Trek) donning the famed cowl as the voice of Batman. Supernatural star Jensen Ackles is Red Hood, and Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) voices Nightwing. John DiMaggio (Futurama) and Jason Issacs (the Harry Potterfilms) round out the main cast as The Joker and Ra’s Al Ghul, respectively.
Batman: Under the Red Hood is scripted by award-winning comics writer Judd Winick and based on his popular 2005 comics storyline and subsequent comics graphic novel of the same name. Animation guru Bruce Timm returns as executive producer, as he has for all eight DC Universe animated original movies. Director is Brandon Vietti, who served as co-director of Superman Doomsday and was responsible for the first one-third of that film, including the fatal battle between the two title characters.
In Batman: Under the Red Hood, Batman faces his ultimate challenge as the mysterious Red Hood takes Gotham City by firestorm. One part vigilante, one part criminal kingpin, Red Hood begins cleaning up Gotham with the efficiency of Batman, but without following the same ethical code. Killing is an option. And when The Joker falls in the balance between the two, hard truths are revealed and old wounds are reopened.
Fans will be treated to an incredible package of DC Universe storytelling as the Special Edition Blu-Ray and 2-Disc Special Edition DVD include the second animated short in the all-new DC Showcase series – which features the popular DC Comics character, Jonah Hex. The short is scripted by renowned author Joe Lansdale and stars the voices of Thomas Jane (Hung), Linda Hamilton (The Terminator), Michelle Trachtenberg (Mercy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Michael Rooker (Days of Thunder).
Batman: Under the Red Hood – 2 Disc Special Edition DVD will have more than two hours of fascinating bonus features, including:
- Featurette – Robin’s Story – It was decided it was time to add a fresh face into the story mix, which turned out to be Dick Grayson, aka Robin. This is the story of Dick Grayson and how he transformed into Robin, with Batman as his father-figure role model.
- Extended Sneak Peek at the next DC UNIVERSE Animated Original PG-13 Movie.
- Widescreen (1.78:1)
- Two title-themed episodes from of Warner Bros. Animation’s 20-year history of Batman television series, hand-picked by animation legend Bruce Timm.
Batman: Under the Red Hood Special Edition Blu-Ray will have more than three hours of bonus materials, including all the great extras from the 2-disc Special Edition DVD as well as:
- Featurette: Death in the House of Batman – The story of how DC Comics heard the fans’ cry that the new Robin was not going to fit the cape, and how the Boy Wonder was scheduled to die.
- Two additional bonus Batman-themed episodes personally selected by Bruce Timm
- Digital copy
“Batman: Under the Red Hood is another terrific entry in the groundbreaking series of DC Universe animated movies, a shining representation of the adult storytelling that comics-turned-to-film has to offer, and further evidence of the combined creative power within the collaboration of DC Entertainment, Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video,” said Matt Bierman, Senior Vice President Production, Warner Premiere.
“Judd Winick’s and Doug Mahnke’s story of a Robin gone wrong introduced Batman’s most personal enemy to date. It’s unbelievably cool to see it brought to life like this,” said Geoff Johns, Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment.
“With each exciting new chapter of the DC UNIVERSE films, fans have come to expect more – and Batman: Under the Red Hood delivers with an action-packed tale of mystery and emotional struggle brought to animated life by an outstanding filmmaking crew and voiced by the all-star talents of Bruce Greenwood, Jensen Ackles, Neil Patrick Harris and John Dimaggio,” said Amit Desai, WHV Vice President of Family, Animation & Partner Brand Marketing.
“In his feature length solo directorial debut, Brandon Vietti has brought this dark, psychological thriller to the screen with all the action and emotion of a great Batman story,” said Sam Register, Executive Vice President, Warner Bros. Animation.”
Free Mobile Comics Mag Debuts
This really is exciting, and now I get to share it. I’ve been writing for comics site Broken Frontier for a while now, and the last few months have seen it brought to another level (thanks to my fellow BFers who are a lot more technically minded than me) and now we’ve just unleashed the FIRST free comics magazine for mobile devices. The press release is below, but fear not – if you’re like me and have yet to step into the iPad world, you can still grab the PDF from the Broken Frontier site.
On a related note, I recently interviewed writer extraordinaire Jonathan Hickman (The Nightly News, Fantastic Four, Shield) for the mag. It was my first ever phone interview and we talked for almost an hour. It was pretty awesome, I gotta say and he’s a very interesting guy. Well, my article stemming from that interview can now be read in the digital pages of the brand new, first issue of The Frontiersman. Oh yeah.
Broken Frontier Launches The Frontiersman, the First Mobile Comics Magazine Free magazine debuts on iPad, goes weekly on May 4
Premier comic book news site Broken Frontier (www.brokenfrontier.com) proudly unveils The Frontiersman, the world’s first digital comics magazine for mobile devices. The magazine makes its debut on iPad with The Frontiersman #1, with new issues to be released weekly on Tuesdays as of May 4, 2010.
“We’re thrilled to offer comic fans a new way to experience the richness and diversity of the comics industry,” Broken Frontier’s Editor in Chief Frederik Hautain says. The Frontiersman will act as a digital companion to the main Broken Frontier website, where readers will still find their daily dose of comics news, reviews, blogging, previews and columns.
“BF isn’t going anywhere, on the contrary,” Hautain clarifies. “What we’re doing, is presenting our more in-depth articles and interviews in a format that allows you to enjoy them at your leisure without getting lost amid the boatloads of content that the web throws at you every day.”
The Frontiersman magazine app is available for free via iTunes. While the magazine can be optimally enjoyed on iPad, it can also be downloaded free of charge in PDF on the Broken Frontier website. The Frontiersman is developed in association withNetlash, the web development partner of Broken Frontier.
The first issue features interviews with Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr. on Kick-Ass, Paul Gravett on Tove Jansson’s Moominexhibition, and Jonathan Hickman on S.H.I.E.L.D., its history and political relevance. The Frontiersman #1 also dives into the storied history of The Green Hornet and spotlights this week’s top comics.
The Frontiersman, Exploring the Comics Universe. Go mobile and download The Frontiersman #1 right now on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/frontiersman/id368550228?mt=8) or as a PDF at www.brokenfrontier.com.
Nathan Edmondson and Brett Weldele Interview
Writer Nathan Edmondson (Olympus) and artist Brett Weldele (The Surrogates) have just launched a spectacular mini-series form Image called The Light. It’s a great new concept with suitably creepy and dramatic visuals. You can read my interview with the creative duo at Broken Frontier here.
Hotwire TPB and Last Days of American Crime
These are two series from Radical that demand “Must Buy” stamped boldly on their covers. The Hotwire TPB is out on April 28, as is the second print of The Last Days of American Crime #1. Steve Pugh’s Hotwire is an awesome, and visually stunning addition to the realms of great sci-fi, and Last Days does the same for hard edged urban crime tales. Last Days #2 and Aladdin: Legacy of the Lost #3 are also out on April 28, and certainly purchase worthy.
Like City of Dust, I also collected all the individual issues of Hotwire, but having it in a collected form on high quality paper, with a cover gallery and extras means that it can be easily shown off to mates, as well it should.
Below is the official description of the Hotwire TPB and the cover of the 2nd print of Last Days #1.
In the near future, the living and the dead share the same space. Known as “Blue Lights,” the dead are mostly harmless, roaming the streets as mindless drones. But when the Blue Lights start showing up as ghostly weapons of mass destruction, Metro Police has only one person for the job: She’s Alice Hotwire, Detective Exorcist. She’s the best there is at reining in the Blue Light beat…and she’s the only one who can save the city from certain destruction.
Written/ illustrated by Steve Pugh and based on a story by legendary creator Warren Ellis, this four-issue miniseries is collected for the first time as a trade paperback in a special “director’s cut” edition that includes creator notes and early character designs that evolved into the Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead series. This trade paperback edition also contains newly remastered tales from Alice Hotwire’s past, featuring never-before-seen pages written by Warren Ellis (Planetary, Transmetropolitan) and amazing newly painted artwork. Also included is an extensive gallery showcasing the evolution of the character, Alice Hotwire, a spotlight gallery of artwork from celebrated artists Steve Pugh, Stjepan Sejic (Witchblade), Jelena Kevic Djurdjevic (The Immortal Iron Fist) and Garry Leach (Judge Dredd, Marvelman) as well as an in-depth interview with co-creator Steve Pugh.
Superman Web Series
Up now at the new and improved Broken Frontier is my interview with film director Steven LaMorte, all about his new 12 part web series focused on Superman. Check out the interview here.
Young Justice Cartoon
Awesome! The DC toons just keep getting better, and prove that there’s an animated series out there for everyone (thank you Batman: The Brave and the Bold!). Now this Justice League Junior series was teased a while ago, and here we have the first official pic showing the cast. There’s the expected Superboy, Robin, Kid Flash and Miss Martian. Artemis and Aqualad are the characters who are most obviously altered, with Artemis (who in the comics temporarily replaced Wonder Woman) and now seems to be similar to Arrowette or Speedy, as a female archer, and Aqualad who is now African American. The subtle costume changes look great too. There was a Young Justice comic last decade, with most of this cast in its pages and with the dynamics between the sidekicks and plenty of action, this could be one to watch – whenever it appears.
Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds Trailer
The trailer for the latest pop culture beat-em-up has just been released. It will be released next year on the PS3 and XBOX 360 and features an assortment of superheroes as well characters from Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Darkstalkers and more.
New Iron Man 2 Pics
In just over 2 weeks Iron Man 2 hits cinema screens. Oh yeah! Marvel have released some new pics, and you can see the entire gallery right here. Below are a few of the new pics, including Nick Fury, Justin Hammer and Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow and of course Robert Downey Jr. doing his thing.
Atomic Robo #4.2 Review
It’s about time the Atomic Robo writer got some grander opportunities. Of course, everyone and their grandma loves Robo for its refreshing mix of humour and action in a very aware pop culture package. It’s the kind of quirkiness that geeks like me find irresistible. Now, Brian Clevinger is writing an all-ages mini focused on The Infinity Gauntlet saga for Marvel. Nice one.
So, back to Robo. The old robot adventurer is really Red 5’s flagship character, as he should be. Instead of an ongoing series, Clevinger and artist Scott Wegener have wisely chosen to create a series of mini-series, of which this is the fourth, with the subtitle Atomic Robo and the Revenge of the Vampire Dimension. Last month’s first issue had Robo interviewing two candidates for an Action Scientist position, filled with the usual great dialogue such as:
Bernard: What were you doing in a volcano?
Robo: Action geology.
and an attack on Tesladyne Industries’ base by the titular “vampires.” This second issue (set in 1999) is fittingly titled Big in Japan, in which Robo meets Japan’s version of his team, the Science Team Super Five! It’s not long after the introductions that a few nasties invade Tokyo Bay and the Science Team must go out on their first real mission with all the energy, dramatic posing and primary coloured costume wearing of the Power Rangers parody that they are. Then a rather…crabby former colleague of the Science Team’s leader shows his face and Robo comes to the rescue.
With a subtle Star Wars reference, a Mecha Robo and photocopiers as weapons, this is yet another winner in this series. It’s not as funny as previous entries, but there’s still two more issues to go (and presumably more of the vampires, as they don’t show up here). Wegener’s timing and spot on expressions are chuckle worthy as always. He and Clevinger really are a great duo, with an eye on reliable fun at all times, and show yet again that Robo is a witty and accessible series; the kind of book that both jaded fanboys and comic book newbies need.
Iron Man Extremis Motion Comic
First it was Spider-Woman’s turn, then the Astonishing X-Men. Now, it’s the cinematic golden boy Tony Stark who gets the motion comic treatment, and I must say, this could be the best one yet. The trailer is below, as is the official synopsis.
IRON MAN: EXTREMIS Motion Comic On Sale NOW!
Marvel Knights Animation is proud to announce their newest motion comic epic: Iron Man: Extremis, is on-sale now! Now you can experience the groundbreaking motion comic, adapting the critically-acclaimed storyline by superstars Warren Ellis and Adi Granov, on iTunes, Xbox LIVE, Microsoft Zune and PlayStation®Network with an extra-sized, nearly 20 minute long debut episode! Tony Stark redefines Iron Man’s mission for the 21st century, setting the Armored Avenger on a new direction that’ll alter his life forever…if he can find a way to defeat an unstoppable force fueled by the powerful bio-engineered Extremis super-soldier serum! Each of the six episodes is only $1.99 for Standard Definition or $2.99 for HD and will be released every two weeks through June.
“Iron Man Extremis is an incredible piece of storytelling by Warren Ellis and Adi Granov. The Extremis motion comic takes their creative brilliance and seamlessly shapes it into a unique new experience within the digital animation realm,” says Ruwan Jayatilleke, lead creative and producer for Marvel motion comics. “Having the opportunity to work on Warren and Adi’s story while extending Marvel’s commitment to this new entertainment space has been hands-down phenomenal!”
The worldwide leader in bringing super heroes to life, Marvel redefined the motion comic medium with their first two releases—Spider-Woman (from Brian Bendis & Alex Maleev) and Astonishing X-Men (from Joss Whedon & John Cassaday). Staying true to their source material, Marvel Motion Comics utilize each story’s original art and scripts while adding seamless motion, dynamic voice acting, and stunning special effects to deliver a whole new way to experience some of the greatest storylines in Marvel Comics’ history.
Don’t miss the first episode of Iron Man: Extremis, on-sale now through iTunes, Xbox LIVE, Microsoft Zune and PlayStation®Network! For more information, and a first look at the groundbreaking motion comic, head over to http://www.marvel.com/extremis
Please note that Iron Man: Extremis is intended for mature audiences only.
Megan Gale on Justice League Film
Thankfully, the George Miller-helmed JLA film to be filmed here in Australia is no more. Casting a bunch of unknown twenty somethings perhaps looked good on paper, but the chosen models and former TV stars didn’t display the kind of power that DC’s oldest superheroes demanded for their first big screen adventure. Plus, wouldn’t Warner Bros. ideally want an American behind the lens? I mean, with the news that Buffy and Serenity creator Joss Whedon is polishing Captain America’s screenplay, and directing The Avengers film, instead of Frenchman Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk, Clash of the Titans) it makes sense that America gets somewhat patriotic and protective of their superhero teams.
Well, model/actress Megan Gale (now appearing in Aussie film I Love You Too) talks about her brief experience in the Wonder Woman role from a couple of years ago, in Perth’s The Sunday Times mag, STE. This is what she had to say:
“I was cast in a George Miller film to play Wonder Woman and that was potentially going to be a great stepping stone. Playing an iconic character in a Warner Bros. film with George Miller directing, you go maybe not straight to the top of the class, but a fair way up. And then when the project got shelved it was like, ahem, back to the bottom rung.”
When asked on any updates on the JLA film, Gale said, “It’s hibernating at the moment. There were so many reasons that film didn’t get made, but who knows, it may come to life again.” I usually don’t put film news on this blog, as there are so many other sites that do, but I figured this little tidbit in a weekend magazine in the world’s most isolated city may go unnoticed, so there.
The Calling: Cthulhu Chronicles Begins
One of BOOM! Studios earliest concepts gets a new ongoing in July. The nonsensical teaser image below was released this week, but now seems to make a tad more sense. I love the simple design, but I can’t be the only one who doesn’t get what the text (assumedly an acronym?) means. I’m sure BOOM! will reveal more though.
And now here’s the official skinny from BOOM! about their new horror title.
At C2E2 today, BOOM! Studios announced a brand new ongoing horror series, THE CALLING: CTHULHU CHRONICLES, debuting this July from writers Michael Alan Nelson (FALL OF CTHULHU, 28 DAYS LATER) and Johanna Stokes (DEATH VALLEY, SAVAGE BROTHERS.) An all-new ongoing Lovecraft-inspired supernatural horror series with a decidedly modern spin, THE CALLING: CTHULHU CHRONICLES marks the return to the Cthulhu mythos that BOOM! built its reputation on with bestselling titles like FALL OF CTHULHU and CTHULHU TALES.
“If you are a fan of Lovecraft, if you worship Cthulhu, if you love horror, don’t miss this book,” said BOOM! Studios Marketing Director Chip Mosher. “This is BOOM! at its best, returning to our horror roots with a great new title that is guaranteed to creep you out… and drive you mad!”
Joining Nelson and Stokes, THE CALLING: CTHULHU CHRONICLES features covers by 2010 Eisner Award-nominee and CRIMINAL Co-Conspirator Sean Phillips along with hot newcomer Federico Piatti, and rising star Christopher Possenti on interior art.
In THE CALLING: CTHULHU CHRONICLES a cruise ship comes to port with hundreds aboard dead. But why? Clayton Diggs is a pharmaceuticals salesman who discovers his sister has committed herself to an insane asylum. She’s checked herself in, fearing she’ll hurt herself or someone else. And she’s afraid that something is out there… All across the world, moves are made, hands are being dealt, and momentum is shifting, while ordinary people in an ordinary world find themselves drawn by fate to see darkness and despair unlike anything they ever could imagine. Meanwhile, a cult sets their plan in motion, believing that there is a great one sleeping that will hear THE CALLING.
BOOM! Studios’ THE CALLING: CTHULHU CHRONICLES, a new ongoing horror series, debuts this July.
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