Wonder Woman on DVD

Two days before Watchmen hits the cinema, DC’s best loved heroine hits the small screen. Wonder Woman, the new animated film from Warner Bros. and DC Comics, after their excellent Superman/Doomsday and Justice League: The New Frontier animated films, arrives into man’s world on March 3. Keri Russel (MI: 3) stars as WW herself, with Nathan Fillion (Serenity) as pilot Steve Trevor and Virginia Madsen (Firewall) as Hippolyta, WW’s mother. It looks like a faithful set up for the Amazon princess and has some great features, such as a sneak peek at DC’s next animated film, Green Lantern: First Flight. Below is the official trailer and a clip of two Amazonians in some gladiator action.

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It had a spectacular reaction at WonderCon this week and looks like making new fans when it hits DVD and Blu-Ray on March 3.

February 27, 2009
Categories: Cartoons, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Sing While You’re Swinging

This has been in the works for a while now, due in no small part to the mega-success of the films of Marvel’s most famous character. Fanboys are already up in arms about what they see as a travesty, but I think it’s a good idea. What is that idea? Spider-Man on Broadway. It’s happening. Tickets go on sale in June. It sounds like a more faithful adaptation than the dodgy Superman musical from three decades ago, and it has some stellar talent involved, namely half of U2! If I was a U.S resident, my curiosity would drive me to see it for myself. It’s a bold move and will hopefully bring in new fans to the comic book medium, or at least get fanboys out of the house – as long as they don’t picket the theatre. I can hear it now – “Spidey’s a swinger, not a singer!” Press release below.

Webheads, get ready to experience the exploits of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man in an entirely new, exciting way when “Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark” opens on Broadway!

Mark your calendars now, thwippers, “Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark” opens on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at Broadway’s Hilton Theatre, 213 West 42nd Street. And some lucky Broadway goers will get to see the show when preview performances begin Saturday, January 16, 2010.

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Stay tuned to Marvel.com to find out about your chance to purchase tickets to “Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark” before they go on sale to the general public!

Of course a show starring Spider-Man deserves all-star talent and “Turn Off the Dark” has it in spades! Tony® Award-winner Julie Taymor (“The Lion King,” “Across The Universe”) is not only directing the musical, but she shares writing credits with Glen Berger. Oh, but there’s more! Bono and The Edge, 22-time Grammy® Award-winning members of the legendary band U2 are creating new music and lyrics for the show!

The principal creative and design team for “Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark” includes Daniel Ezralow, Choreographer (“Across the Universe,” “The Green Bird”); George Tsypin, Sets (“The Magic Flute,” “The Little Mermaid”); Eiko Ishioka, Costumes (Academy Award® for “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” Tony Award® nomination for “M. Butterfly,” the opening ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics); Donald Holder, Lighting (Tony® Awards for “The Lion King,” “South Pacific”); Jonathan Deans, Sound (“Fosse,” The Beatles “LOVE” by Cirque du Soleil, “Young Frankenstein,” “Ragtime”); and Teese Gohl, Musical Supervisor (“Across the Universe,” “Frida”). Additional members of the “Spider-Man” creative team will be announced at a later date.

Drawing from over 40 years of Marvel comic books for inspiration, “Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark” spins a new take on the mythic tale of a young man propelled from a modest rowhouse in Queens to the sky-scraping spire of the Chrysler Building, the bustling offices of the Daily Bugle, through the dizzying canyons of Manhattan, to new vistas never before seen.

The musical follows the story of teenager Peter Parker, whose unremarkable life is turned upside-down-literally-when he’s bitten by a genetically altered spider and wakes up the next morning clinging to his bedroom ceiling. This bullied science-geek-suddenly endowed with astonishing powers-soon learns, however, that with great power comes great responsibility as villains test not only his physical strength but also his strength of character.

Spider-Man’s battles will hurtle the audience through an origin story both recognizable and unexpected-yielding new characters as well as familiar faces-until a final surprising confrontation casts a startling new light on this hero’s journey.

Casting for “Spider-Man” will be announced soon.

Group tickets now on sale. Single tickets will go on sale June, 2009. For more information about group tickets, visit the “Spider-Man” website atwww.SpidermanOnBroadway.com or by calling 1-800-Broadway.

February 25, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Liefeld, Obama & Youngblood Team-Up

securedownload-1Now I know writer/artist Rob Liefeld can be a controversial figure, but I’ve never really figured out why. I mean, his legacy can’t be ignored. He co-created Deadpool and Cable and helped build (along with his fellow Image founders) an exciting way of looking at comics as a mass media form of entertainment, and the building blocks of a larger media empire. Of course, Spawn creator Todd McFarlane is the leading light in that regard, but Liefeld’s output, though irregular, always garners attention. Now he returns to his signature creation, with the most popular man in comics today – the new U.S President himself. Official press release below.

 

THE NEW ERA OF YOUNGBLOOD BEGINS TOMORROW COURTESY OF SERIES CREATOR ROB LIEFELD AND PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA!
The future of Youngblood starts now as Rob Liefeld returns!

The bold new era of YOUNGBLOOD begins tomorrow as series creator Rob Liefeld takes the reins and reveals President Barack Obama’s shocking lineup of the long-running superhero team!

“Since YOUNGBLOOD’s very first issue back in 1992, the series has always had a real world, political connection by taking on such issues as the first Iraq war and really exploring just what it would mean to be a government sanctioned superteam,” Liefeld said. “Bringing Obama into the picture is a necessary extension of YOUNGBLOOD’s history and I couldn’t imagine a better way to start my full-time return to the series.”

YOUNGBLOOD began the Image revolution in early 1992 and was the first creator-owned comic book to sell over a million copies right out of the gate by bringing a whole new perspective to what superhero comics were capable of. Rob’s creations took the medium by storm by influencing an entire generation of creators and, most recently, Brett Ratner as the famed director behind such blockbuster films as Rush Hour and X3 announced he will be taking the property to new heights by kick-starting the YOUNGBLOOD film franchise. Tomorrow’s issue not only features a six-page back up story setting up Rob Liefeld’s full-time return to the series with May’s YOUNGBLOOD #9, but also an already much coveted variant cover featuring our nation’s 44th President.

YOUNGBLOOD #8, a 32-page full color comic book for $2.99, will be in-stores tomorrow.

February 25, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 1 Comment

Isis Oasis

Official press release below regarding one of Bluewater’s most successful titles.

IsisBLUEWATER’S “LEGEND OF ISIS” ONGOING SERIES STARTS IN JUNE. This June Bluewater’s flagship title “Legend of Isis” will launch a new ongoing series. The series will begin just as Isis’ life is getting back to normal when a mysterious package arrives at her doorstep, leading her toward a battle with the gruesome Scarab Queen! The series will also be the launching pad for the upcoming Bluewater series “Tony & Cleo”. The 1st arc of the “Legend of Isis” series will be written by AE Stueve and drawn by Ivan Barriga.

Also coming soon will be the release of the “Legend of Isis” trade paperback featuring the popular and sold out “Dogs of War” storyline. This trade is scheduled to street in April. One of the hottest selling characters of 2002 from IMAGE COMICS comes home to Bluewater Productions. Trapped 5,000 years out of time, the would-be Egyptian Goddess, Isis, must adjust to her new life in 21st century Los Angeles. Using her mystical staff and some help from a few new friends, Isis will protect those around her from evil that may threaten their world. But how can she protect a world that she doesn’t fully understand? “I tried to take a classic approach to Isis, telling pulp style stories that would appeal to anyone who likes comics”, said writer AE Stueve. “Legend of Isis” has also been optioned by Paramount Pictures and will soon be a feature film!

February 24, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Irredeemable Trailer

 

Official press release below about writer Mark Waid’s (Kingdom Come) latest project with BOOM! Studios. See below for a few preview pages too.

BOOM! Studios is proud to premiere the trailer to IRREDEEMABLE, Mark Waid’s hotly anticipated new ongoing superhero series that debuts this April.

The trailer for IRREDEEMABLE can be found on YouTube right now and was cut by Craig Kennedy at CK Creative. You can see the trailer here, or below.



Adding to the excitement of this premiere, BOOM Studios is also offering a sneak preview of the first 7 pages of IRREDEEMABLE #1, stoking the fires on what will be the direct market event of the year.

“Here is potentially the biggest independent title of this year,” said retailer Ed Greenberg of Collector’s Paradise in Winnetka, California. “This will be the BOYS of this year, on a much more serious level. This will be the WANTED of this year, and the KICK-ASS and the PAX ROMANA of this year.”

Mark Waid’s IRREDEEMABLE launches this April and will feature variant covers by John Cassaday (ASTONISHING X-MEN, PLANETARY) and Barry Kitson (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) in a 75/25 split with a 1-in-50 incentive cover signed by Mark Waid. IRREDEEMABLE sports interior art is by Peter Krause, who is best known for his run on POWER OF SHAZAM. Issue #1 will also feature a special afterword by Grant Morrison.  IRREDEEMABLE is currently available for pre-order from the Diamond Previews Catalog with an order code of FEB094134.

“In superhero comics, pretty much everyone who’s called upon to put on a cape is, at heart, emotionally equipped for the job. I reject that premise,” said  series  writer  and  BOOM!  Studios  Editor-in-Chief  Mark Waid. “IRREDEEMABLE is, in a way, my third and most complex chapter on the cost of superheroics – a pulp adventure tale of horror exploring how the lessons we learn about right and wrong as children can become warped and twisted when challenged by the realities of the adult world.” 

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February 23, 2009
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Remake Preview

 

adremake721AdHouse Books is a great publisher that not enough people are aware of. One of their latest books appears to be another in their diverse array of unusual tales.

Remake, by newbie creator Lemar Abrams is a 144 page black and white Original Graphic Novel centering on Max Guy, a bread pudding lover and robotic action hero. Wearing its Manga influences proudly the book is available to order from your local comic shop and is released in May.

You can see a preview below, or on May 2’s Free Comic Book Day. There’s also more artwork and an interview with Abrams right here.

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February 22, 2009
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Get To Know Your DC Characters

Now that Final Crisis has wrapped, DC Comics’ next epic is Blackest Night which centres on the ever growing universe of characters, and alien races, and different coloured power rings, that writer Geoff Johns has been creating over the last few years. Green Lantern ain’t the only powerful hue in the DC Universe these days. Lately, DC has been running brief back-up tales in some of their select titles this month, with tie-ins to Blackest Night. These handy short stories also give summarised origins of certain characters. For a full list of these Origins & Omens titles, see below, or go here to see them all for yourself.

Origins & Omens

February 20, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Mr. Stuffins Returns

Now I’ve never heard of this series about the secret agent teddy bear, but apparently his debut two years ago was quite popular. Now he’s back in a 3 ish mini, starting in April. Official press release below.

MR. STUFFINS IS BACK!
MY TEDDY BEAR’S A SECRET AGENT!
With covers by MOUSE GUARD’S David Peterson

mstuffins_001aMr. Stuffins returns featuring covers by MOUSE GUARD”s David Peterson! Written by EUREKA creator Andrew Cosby and EUREKA staff writer Johanna Stokes, MR. STUFFINS is a tale of intrigue and suspense, and all before bedtime! For fans of TOY STORY and BURN NOTICE, MR. STUFFINS will have you wondering if your toy’s kung fu grip is for real!

David Petersen of MOUSE GUARD acclaim will be supplying all the A covers for the entire three issue run. MR. STUFFINS #1 will be shipping this April.

MR. STUFFINS follows the saga of a talking teddy bear that has been accidentally implanted with a chip, granting him the skills of the deadliest secret agents and mercenaries on the planet! Mr. Stuffins has to protect his new owner, Zachary, as evil forces hunt Mr. Stuffins down to steal his powers. Can this super-secret teddy bear save the day?

The original first issue of MR. STUFFINS shipped nearly two years ago, in April of 2007. All over the country, the original sold out at convention after convention as fans asked the question, “When will issue #2 come out?” Unfortunately, a second issue didn’t follow. “It’s totally my fault, I’ll take the blame,” said BOOM! co-founder Ross Richie. “That year BOOM! really started to boom, and we grew out of control. Thankfully, Mark Waid came in as Editor-in-Chief in 2008 and helped us correct problems like this and get an infrastructure.” Now the bear is back in a completely re-drawn and re-colored first issue with all new art from Axel Medellin, on-time and on-schedule!

The first B cover features a re-colored version of the Joe Abraham original. The B covers for issues 2 and 3 are by Matt Cossin, who worked on METAL HURLANT.

“I’m thrilled to return to the story of MR. STUFFINS,” said MR. STUFFINS co-writer Andrew Cosby. “One of the reasons why EUREKA is so successful is due to its ability to blend the absurd with the realistic, turning the campy into a vehicle for entertainment and, if there’s time, maybe a serious message or two. MR. STUFFINS also scratches that itch!”

MR. STUFFINS #1 (New Edition) features two variant covers in a 50/50 split by David Petersen, Joe Abraham with a Diamond Order Code of FEB094133 and ships this April.

February 20, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Another New Marvel Toon

Hot on the heels of the upcoming Marvel Super Hero Squad cartoon, comes news of another new toon. However this one will be web-only at http://www.marvel.com. Check out the press release below, and the Christian Bale inspired teaser here.

Introducing “Marvel Super Heroes: What The–?!”-an all-new, all-original video series from Marvel.com.

Conceived in the tradition of comic book satires done in the mighty Marvel manner-including NOT BRAND ECHH and, of course, WHAT THE–?!-the first episode launches on Marvel.com (www.marvel.com) in early spring.

Wish the series was here already? Then check out the teaser trailer right now  and watch what happens when a hapless A.I.M. agent messes with M.O.D.O.K.’s scene! ‘Nuff said!

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February 19, 2009
Categories: Cartoons, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 1 Comment

IDW’s PDFs

I interviewed Eric Reichert for the first issue of Extra Sequential, regarding Eagle One Media’snew Street Fighter animated comics. Now, IDW is wisely getting in on the action and making some of their impressive titles available as downloadable PDFs through the company. Official press release below.

IDW Publishing, known for its wide array of comic books and graphic novels, has partnered with Eagle One Media to start a comprehensive backlist on the Web. Featuring a range of books from the Eisner-nominated artist and co-creator of 30 Days of Night, Ben Templesmith, to the Presidential Material: Barack Obama and McCain comics, to work by acclaimed artist Ashley Wood, each title will be available for download as a PDF for a minimal $1.99 fee.

250_gomtpbEagle One Media’s President, Eric Reichert, is excited about this new relationship. “Being able to work in partnership with IDW to make a significant number of their comics available for download to fans worldwide is a great opportunity for us. We’ve simplified the process so that comic fans can easily and quickly download complete PDF-style issues to their computer. They can also print the issues and save them to more than one computer if needed.

“Plus, with a sales price below the printed books, we give fans the opportunity to discover and try out comics which they may not have had access to in the past, in an innovative format. IDW joins our growing list of publishers who have made their comics and graphic novels available in our retail download store at: http://www.eagleonemedia.com.”

Chris Ryall, IDW’s Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, added “I love seeing our comics expand into areas that allow readers to sample books that are new or unfamiliar to them. Eagle One’s formatting is clean, quick, and easy for anyone who wants to read comics on their computer, and when you consider that you can download an entire issue of the 72-page Doomed magazine for $2, a great value, too.”

This pairing ushers in a brand-new platform for fans to enjoy IDW’s extensive backlist, with titles to appeal to a wide array of fans. Currently available for download are Blood-Stained Sword, Cobb, CVO, D’Airain Aventure, Doomed, Everybody’s Dead, Grumpy Old Monsters, Igor, Lore, Lost & Found, Pirat Tales, Presidential Material, ShadowPlay, Singularity 7, Snaked, and Zombies!: Feast. This already impressive backlist will be frequently updated at Eagleonemedia.com.

February 19, 2009
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

I Watched Watchmen – Now What?

Now this is a good idea DC! A hearty pat on the back from me to you. Watchmen opens next month in cinemas everywhere, but it’s really only fanboys that know, and revere, the classic 12 issue series from Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Many cinema goers won’t necessarily have any idea of the film’s roots as a classic revolutionary epic. Official press release below regrading a wise incentive that will hopefully change that.

DC COMICS ANNOUNCES “AFTER WATCHMEN, WHAT’S NEXT?” PROGRAM

watchmen_poster2The excitement surrounding the upcoming WATCHMEN feature film has brought new readers to the graphic novel format. Now that they’ve read WATCHMEN, where do they go next? Help point them in the right direction with DC Comics’ “AFTER WATCHMEN, WHAT’S NEXT?” program. 

DC Comics has developed a marketing campaign that spotlights several award-winning, best-selling titles from our various imprints. Each book reflects an aspect of WATCHMEN’s broad appeal — including other works by Alan Moore, science fiction tales, post-modern super hero action and sophisticated titles for mature readers — and is a great entry point for both new fans just discovering graphic novels and established readers looking to try something new.

The program is supported by an extensive marketing campaign including five promotionally-priced reprint Specials which are rush solicited below. 

The marketing campaign includes:

Five “AFTER WATCHMEN, WHAT’S NEXT?” Specials featuring a cover price of just $1.00:

• SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING #21 SPECIAL EDITION 
• TRANSMETROPOLITAN #1 SPECIAL EDITION 
• PLANETARY #1 SPECIAL EDITION 
• PREACHER #1 SPECIAL 
• IDENTITY CRISIS #1 SPECIAL 

Please see below for more information on these Specials. 

Print:
• 32-page booklet to be given away at conventions, comics shops and book stores
• House ads in the DC Universe, Vertigo and WildStorm titles
• Editorial page promotions in Vertigo: On the Ledge, DC Nation and WildStorm Stormfront columns
• Trade ads

Online:
• E-mail Blasts
• National Consumer Online Banner Advertising Campaign
• Retailer Tools on DC Comics retailer page on diamondcomics.com
• Checklist, Header Card, Shelf Talker and Bag Slick
• Bag Stuffer for DC Retailer page for Direct Market retailers

Identity Crisis #1Social Networking:
• AFTER WATCHMEN, WHAT’S NEXT? MySpace Group
• AFTER WATCHMEN, WHAT’S NEXT? Facebook Group

Conventions:
• Ad pages in Convention Program Guides
• 32-page Booklet distribution at DC booth
• Bookmark distribution at DC booth

DCCOMICS.COM:
• Website at www.readwatchmen.com
• Showcase titles on the homepages of DC, WildStorm and Vertigo throughout February, March and April to capture new WATCHMEN readers
• Articles on DC, Vertigo and WildStorm homepages

Co-op:
• Co-op Movie Slide
• Co-op Ad Slick

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DC COMICS RUSH SOLICITS FIVE “AFTER WATCHMEN, WHAT’S NEXT?” SPECIALS

Tying into the new “After Watchmen, What’s Next?” program, DC rush solicits five key titles priced at just $1.00 each! 

These titles will arrive in stores weekly beginning March 11, and prominently feature the “After Watchmen, What’s Next?” branding and trade dress. Each is offered to all Diamond retailers at a special “C” discount code of 60% off. 

Retailers may order these issues by contacting their Diamond Customer Service Representative or DC Sales Representative, or by email atreorders@diamondcomics.com. 

The “AFTER WATCHMEN, WHAT’S NEXT?” Specials are:

SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING #21 SPECIAL EDITION (JAN098009)
Written by Alan Moore
Art by Stephen Bissette & John Totleben
Cover by Tom Yeates
On sale March 11; 32 pg, FC, $1.00 US • MATURE READERS
Final Order Cutoff date: February 19

TRANSMETROPOLITAN #1 SPECIAL EDITION (JAN098010)
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by Darick Robertson & Jerome K. Moore
Cover by Geof Darrow
On sale March 18; 32 pg, FC, $1.00 US • MATURE READERS
Final Order Cutoff date: February 26

PLANETARY #1 SPECIAL EDITION (JAN098011)
Written by Warren Ellis
Art and cover by John Cassaday
On sale March 25; 32 pg, FC, $1.00 US
Final Order Cutoff date: March 5

PREACHER #1 SPECIAL EDITION (JAN098012)
Written by Garth Ennis
Art by Steve Dillon
Cover by Glenn Fabry
On sale April 1; 48 pg, FC, $1.00 US • MATURE READERS
Final Order Cutoff date: March 12

IDENTITY CRISIS #1 SPECIAL EDITION (JAN098013)
Written by Brad Meltzer
Art by Rags Morales & Michael Bair
Cover by Michael Turner
On sale April 8; 48 pg, FC, $1.00 US
Final Order Cutoff date: March 19

February 18, 2009
Categories: Comics, Movies, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 2 Comments

Christian Bale Parodies

Man, poor Bale. The English born actor’s recent tirade on the set of the new Terminator flick has already been lampooned on Family Guy in an upcoming episode, as well as in the teaser for the new Marvel Super Heroes: What The?!. The series looks like a more upmarket Robot Chicken, with ‘animated’ action figures. The trailer has big-faced baddie M.O.D.O.K shouting at an A.I.M agent. It’s not as funny as the Family Guy one. Hopefully the series will be, but there’s no details about it as yet. In related news the upcoming kid’s toon, Marvel Super Hero Squad has 26 episodes heading to the Cartoon Network later this year.

February 18, 2009
Categories: Cartoons, Movies, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 4 Comments

Groom Lake #1 Review

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My latest review is up at Broken Frontier. It’s all about a unique four issue mini-series from IDW Publishing that centres on UFOs, government cover ups and all that craziness.

Written by Chris Ryall, with art by Perth lad done good, Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night) it doesn’t take itself too seriously.

The first issue is released in March, but for people who find The X-Files too serious and Men In Black not gory enough, this is the book for you!

Check out my full review here.

February 17, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, Reviews . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Comic Art Exhibition

It really is a small world after all. Today at lunch, I nipped into the recently re-opened Quality Comics and happened to meet a fellow comics fan who’s just started the first comic book art gallery in Western Australia. Way to go, I say. Details are below the awesome Howard Porter JLA art. It opens this weekend and runs until March 22. Check it out if you’re a local, as we need to encourage such bold endeavours, to show people that comics really are art.

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February 17, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

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