Have a few minutes to kill? Well then, go here and make your own toy. Below is mine, and is not a reflection of anything about me, I must say. Apart from the lack of hair. Toy Story 3 opens on June 18.
X-Men #1 Preview
The last time there was an X-Men #1 it was 1991 and it sold over a million copies. Will it happen again? Nope. Here’s a text-free preview anyway.
Your First Look At X-Men #1!
Marvel is proud to present your first look at X-Men #1 from the red-hot creative team of Victor Gischler and Paco Medina. In the first X-Men #1 in almost 20 years, Marvel’s mighty mutants enter the Heroic Age to face a deadly new threat in a battle that will drastically alter the ENTIRE Marvel Universe! With new faces being brought into the fold and an all-star new creative team, fans cannot miss the “Curse of the Mutants” in the all-newX-Men #1!
X-MEN #1 (MAY100628)
X-MEN #1 ROMITA JR VARIANT (MAY100630)
X-MEN #1 MEDINA VARIANT (MAY100632)
X-MEN #1 DJURDJEVIC VARIANT (MAY100633)
X-MEN #1 BLANK VARIANT (MAY100629)
Written by VICTOR GISCHLER
Penciled by PACO MEDINA
Cover by ADI GRANOV
Variant Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.
Variant Cover by PACO MEDINA
Variant Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC—6/17/10, On-sale—7/8/10
Scott Pilgrim vs The World Clip
The recent MTV Movie Awards showed some exclusive clips for upcoming films. Of most interest to comic books fans is the one below from the Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) directed adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Oni Press comic. It opens August 13. Here we see Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim fighting the new Capatin America, Chris Evans. It is on!
New The Expendables Trailer
Sure, there’s The A-Team and The Losers, but The Expendables look like the toughest bunch of action stars, because they’ve been filling those shoes for decades. It’s directed by Sylvester Stallone and co-written by him, and opens on August 12. I love the fact that this trailer reveals very little and sells the film purely with a bunch of very famous surnames. Awesome.
Free Kekkaishi Anime Download
Press release below which should be of interest to U.S anime fans.
VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES FREE KEKKAISHI DOWNLOAD EPISODE
Special Promotion To Celebrate the Domestic Broadcast Launch of the Shonen Sunday Animated Series
VIZ Media invites fans to explore the demon-battling action adventure of popular Shonen Sunday KEKKAISHI anime series with a FREE Download-to-Own (DTO) episode starting today through VIZ Media partners iTunes, Xbox Live’s Zune Marketplace, PlayStation®Network and Amazon Video on Demand. KEKKAISHI Episode 1 will be available for free download through June 17th to celebrate the recent domestic broadcast launch of KEKKAISHI on Adult Swim.
KEKKAISHI is based on the hit manga series by Yellow Tanabe (also published in North America by VIZ Media). A story of mystical forces powerful in the region known as Karasumori. For over 400 years, it has been the duty of a clan of “kekkaishi”—barrier masters—to guard this land and exterminate the supernatural creatures that are drawn to it night after night.
Yoshimori Sumimura is a junior high school student at Karasumori Academy, which is built upon the Karasumori grounds. By night, Yoshimori follows the tradition passed down through generations and fulfills his destiny as the twenty-second “kekkaishi” of the Sumimura clan. But by day, Yoshimori’s got other demons to contend with, like an obsession with cake making and a seriously crotchety grandfather! Yoshimori’s pretty neighbor, childhood friend and rival, Tokine Yukimura, is also a “kekkaishi,” but their families are caught up in a feud over who is the true practitioner of the art. Protecting ordinary people from the ever-present danger of the Karasumori grounds, Yoshimori will continue to grow stronger as he battles the forces of evil again tonight!
For more information on the KEKKAISHI anime and manga series (both rated “T” for Teens), please visit www.ShonenSunday.com or www.viz.com.
Build a Bundle Magazine Sale
Details below about a great offer from the fine folks at TwoMorrows Publishing.
TWOMORROWS LETS CUSTOMERS “BUILD-A-BUNDLE” WITH HALF-PRICE MAGAZINES!
TwoMorrows Publishing, publisher of award-winning books and magazines about comics history and appreciation and LEGO®, is letting customers create customized bundles of magazines at 50% off, as part of their Half-Price “Build-A-Bundle” Sale, now through June 30, 2010.
“We’ve offered Bundles of our mags in the past, but always on complete runs,” said publisher John Morrow. “Now our readers can pick and choose the individual issues they’re missing, and complete their collections while saving serious cash. There’s more than 200 different issues on sale, and for about the price of the Digital Edition of one of our mags, they can get the print version—and in many cases, they’ll get a Digital Edition thrown in for free.”
The Half-Price “Build-A-Bundle” Sale includes these magazines:
Back Issue! #1-34
Jack Kirby Collector #23-52
Draw! #4-17
Alter Ego #2-86
Rough Stuff! #1-12
Write Now! #1-20
Comic Book Artist #9-25
BrickJournal #2-5
plus other miscellaneous humor and one-shot magazines, all at 50% off cover price. The only magazine-related items excluded from this sale are subscriptions, and the most recent and upcoming issues of each magazine, which are all still on sale at 15% off. As a bonus, a selection of books are also offered at 50% off during the sale period.
This sale is only valid for orders placed at www.twomorrows.com through the end of June, and does not include shipping costs. Sale items can be found in the “Magazines” category listed atop the TwoMorrows’ home page.
Since 1994, TwoMorrows has been celebrating the art and history of comics and LEGO, with its line of award-winning books and magazines, including Roy Thomas’ Alter Ego, which is again nominated for an Eisner Award this year.
Torchwood Comic
Doctor Who and Torchwood fans, this one’s for you. Torchwood #1 goes on sale August 10. Official details below.
Tommy Lee Edwards and John Barrowman team up for Titan’s new Torchwood comic!
Titan Publishing is pleased to announce the launch of Torchwood comic, based on the hit BBC America show.
Acclaimed artist Tommy Lee Edwards, currently working with outspoken TV personality Jonathan Ross on the hit comic series ‘Turf’, has teamed up with John Barrowman (Torchwood’s Captain Jack) and his sister and frequent coworker Carole E. Barrowman, to produce ‘Captain Jack and the Selkie’.
‘Captain Jack and the Selkie’ is one of two original Torchwood stories in issue #1 and sees Jack facing a deadly threat on a remote Scottish island, where people are disappearing one by one. To his horror, Jack starts to suspect he may know who, or rather what, is responsible.
Barrowman is overjoyed to have worked with Edwards, who he describes as one of his favorite artists. The pair began their collaboration when Barrowman and his sister Carole came across a poster of Captain Jack at the 2008 San Diego Comic Con.
“Tommy and Trevor had drawn a brilliant poster of my face super-imposed over the Face of Boe, which I think is the best piece of Captain Jack art I’ve seen,” said Barrowman. “The four of us hit it off immediately and I asked if they’d ever be interested in working with us on a Captain Jack project. They thought about it for, oh, about 30 seconds, and so ‘Captain Jack and the Selkie’ was born!”
The second story is part one of a special five-part story written by Torchwood TV script editor Gary Russell. Entitled ‘Broken’, the story sees Captain Jack, Gwen and Ian to get trapped in a cosmic hotel, while an old villain from the TV series returns.
Artwork for ‘Broken’ is provided by Adrian Salmon, whose work includes The Cybermen for Doctor Who Magazine and Judge Karyn for the Judge Dredd Megazine.
Two collectible covers will be available for each issue – an art cover and a picture cover. British comic book artist Ian Churchill, whose work includes Superman for DC Comics and Avengers, Deadpool, and X-Men for Marvel, has drawn the art cover for issue #1. An alternate art cover, also drawn by Churchill, will be available exclusively at this year’s San Diego Comic Con.
Captain America’s Film Costume
OK, so now the actual look of Cap’s film costume has shown up on-line, and yes, they do look like some artistic wizardry put to standard licensed superhero poses, but with Chris Evans in the suit and Joe Johnston (Jurasic Park 3, The Wolfman) directing, this might just be yet another awesome film in Marvel’s cinematic array. The costume looks unsurprisingly like The Ultimates version, and there’ll also be a different WWII version in the film too. Look for it when Steve Rogers flings his shield on July 22 2011, with Hugo Weaving as baddie The Red Skull. Sidekick Bucky, love interest Peggy Carter and Samuel L. Jackson as superspy Nick Fury will also show up. See more costume pics here.
Changing Ways Out Now
Official press release below about Gestalt’s latest, and first full colour, offering, from writer/artist Justin Randall. It’s a great looking book, and it’s fantastic to see local talent so…talented.
Welcome to Grey Oaks
Justin Randall, artist on 30 Days of Night: Eben & Stella invites us into the beautifully disturbing town of Grey Oaks with the release of Changing Ways: Book One.
Changing Ways conveys the intimacy and heartache of a family struggling to survive in a world that’s falling apart.
Randall was focused on delivering a story that people could relate to from the outset.
“I wanted to create a story that, despite the cataclysmic events going on in the outside world, you could really just focus on the intimate moments of a small family,” he said.
Synopsis:
David Barrot, a retired Corrections Officer, moved to Grey Oaks after the tragic death of his son, Cale.
With wife Lucy and daughter Jessie, the Barrot family bought a farm on the outskirts of town and began their new life, putting aside all the dark events of their past.
Unfortunately for them, the dark just won’t leave David alone.
The first sightings started months ago, igniting rumours of disease and infection. Newspapers reported unusual lesions appearing on livestock and stories of strange side effects spread quickly. Perhaps it was inevitable that the people of Grey Oaks would be next.
These are their Changing Ways.
Justin Randall is a Lecturer in Digital Illustration for Curtin University in Western Australia, and an internationally published graphic novelist and commercial artist. He has worked on franchises such as 30 Days of Night and Silent Hill and produced artwork for video games, book covers and journals.
Changing Ways is distributed by Diamond Comics in the USA with an RRP of $17.95
Marvel Promotes Joe Quesada To CCO
Official press release below about Joe Quesada’s well deserved promotion.
MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT PROMOTES JOE QUESADA TO CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER
Marvel Entertainment, LLC announced today that it has promoted Joe Quesada to Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Entertainment. In this new role, Mr. Quesada will work alongside Alan Fine, Executive Vice President, Office of the President and Chairman of Marvel Studios’ Creative Committee, to ensure that all portrayals of Marvel’s characters and storytelling remain true to the essence of Marvel’s rich history. Additionally, Mr. Quesada will provide creative oversight of all areas of Marvel’s business including theatrical, television, publishing, animation and games, while also actively participating in all story and script development for Marvel’s films and animation. Prior to this promotion, Mr. Quesada held the role of Chief Creative Officer & Editor-In-Chief, Marvel Animation & Publishing and oversaw the creative aspects of Marvel Comics and Marvel Animation. The announcement was made today by Mr. Fine, to whom Mr. Quesada will report.
Mr. Fine stated, “I am excited to have Joe join me as Marvel Entertainment enters the next chapter in our history. Joe has already played an instrumental role as Editor-in-Chief in changing the face of the comic book industry with bold new ventures and an unprecedented penetration of the mainstream consciousness. His love and passion for Marvel, along with his experience guiding publishing for the last decade, will be invaluable as we bring our characters to life in new media.”
“I am honored to take this new position at Marvel Entertainment and work with Alan to bring the rich history of Marvel to a brand new audience” said Mr. Quesada. “Together with the incredible talent here at Marvel, in all our divisions, I look forward to making Marvel an even bigger part of the entertainment industry and showing why we’ve been an industry leader for over 70 years.”
Mr. Quesada will also continue to serve as Editor-In-Chief, Marvel Publishing, where over the past decade he has helped usher in bold new imprints such as Marvel Knights, the Ultimate Universe and Marvel MAX. During his tenure, Marvel received acclaim for its Heroes special to commemorate the events of September 11, 2001; the groundbreaking Death of Captain America storyline; and President Obama’s historic team up with Spider-Man. Mr. Quesada is also one of the industry’s most popular artists, providing cover and interior art to blockbusters such as Amazing Spider-Man, Daredevil, Invincible Iron Man and more.
Marvel, Capcom and More Marvel
Feast your eyes on a bunch of Marvel previews, and official details, below. First up is Steve Rogers in his new Capatin America duds, and mini-series.
Your First Look At STEVE ROGERS: SUPER-SOLDIER #1
Marvel is proud to present your first look at Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier #1, from award-winning scribe Ed Brubaker and red-hot artist Dale Eaglesham. In this sequel to the chart-topping Captain America : Reborn, Steve Rogers must face dark secrets from his past that threaten the future of the entire world. No fan can afford to miss this landmark limited series with far-reaching consequences for the Marvel Universe!
STEVE ROGERS: SUPER SOLDIER #1 (of 4) (MAY100612)
STEVE ROGERS: SUPER SOLDIER #1 (of 4) FINCH VARIANT (MAR10829)
STEVE ROGERS: SUPER SOLDIER #1 (of 4) SKETCH VARIANT (MAR10830)
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by DALE EAGLESHAM
Cover by CARLOS PACHECO
Variant Cover by DAVID FINCH
Sketch Variant by DAVID FINCH
Rated T …$3.99
FOC – 6/17/10, On Sale – 7/8/10
Next year’s Marvel vs Capcom 3 game has just unveiled 8 new screenshots. See them all, plus commentary here.
Lastly, here’s 3 great covers from the multitude of new Marvel comics this week. See the full list under the pics.
Supanova Perth
For the third time, the Claremont Showgrounds in Western Australia will be filled with a happy assortment of proud geeks. The weekend of June 26-27 will be the time for pop culture goodness. This year, Perth has the honour of celebrities such as Eliza Dushku (Buffy, Dollhouse), Lou Ferrigno (TV’s Hulk), Tom Taylor and Colin Wilson (Star Wars: Invasion), Justin Randall (Changing Ways) and many more. Check out all the info and see the mag right here.
On a related note, artist Shaun Tan (The Arrival) is speaking at the Subiaco Library on Friday June 11 , but you have to book. I’ll be there! Info here.
Plus, Gestalt Comics’ excellent books, The Example and Rombies can now be ordered from the latest issue of the Previews catalogue. Yep, it’s a good time to be a Perth geek.
Second Scott Pilgrim Trailer
Scott Pilrim vs The World, based on the excellent and offbeat series from Oni Press hits cinema screens with its zany tale of love, battles with ex-boyfriends and gaming on August 13. The brand new second trailer is below. That is all.
Radical’s Earp
Official details below about the new mini-series, Earp: Saints for Sinners coming soon from Radical Publishing.
EARP: SAINTS FOR SINNERS
Creators MATT CIRULNICK & DAVID MANPEARL
Writer M. ZACHARY SHERMAN
Artist MACK CHATER & MARTIN MONTIEL
Colorist KYUSHIK SHIN
Cover BORKUR EIRIKSSON
32 pages, FC, $1.00
From Matt Cirulnick and David Manpearl comes a modern-day reimagining of the classic western hero, Wyatt Earp, in a special $1.00 issue #0 preview of the upcoming, 3-issue miniseries.
In a world where the American economy has all but collapsed to the levels of the Great Depression, infamous bandits roam the country and the law is as corrupt as the criminals its sworn to stop. Yet one lawman remains a steadfast moral compass for the people: WYATT EARP. Earp has collared more most-wanted men than anyone in history – but after a violent assignment claims the life of his brother, Wyatt sets out to forge a simple life in the only boomtown left: Las Vegas. With gorgeous women and free-flowing money on endless tap, Sin City attracts more people than a modern gold rush. Though Earp no longer wears a U.S. Marshall’s badge, his past is about to catch up to him. With nearly everything to lose, Earp will have to beat the odds stacked against him in order to bring old-fashioned justice to Sin City.
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