Green Lantern: First Flight Comp

Hal JordanI’ll get to see this when it debuts at Comic-Con next month. Yay for me! The Green Lantern animated movie,  is the fifth direct-to-DVD film from Warner Bros. and DC, and stars everyone’s favourite ring slinger Hal Jordan as he learns to become an interstellar peacekeeper and meets Sinestro, Kilowog, Boodikka, the Guardians and the rest of the gang. It looks like quite the space faring adventure. You can enter the Sweepstakes here (if you’re a U.S resident) for the chance to win a host of goodies, including a Playstation 3, a 40″ LCD HDTV and a bunch of other cool goodies. The Facebook page also has news updates, interviews, and more. The film debuts on single and double disc DVD and Blu-ray on July 28.

Hal Jordan and Sinestro

Cap’s Covered

There’s a fair amount of hype about the return of Steve Rogers, AKA Captain America this week. In Captain America Reborn #1, writer Ed Brubaker and artist Bryan Hitch (The Ultimates) present Rogers’ return as classic enemy Red Skull makes nefarious plans. The covers of the first issue are truly striking, as you can see below, with covers by Bryan Hitch, Joe Quesada, Alex Ross and John Cassaday.

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FF On iTunes & Cap For Free

FF World's Greatest HeroesThe 2006-debuting Fantastic Four cartoon wasn’t bad from what I saw. With an anime flavour and heaps of guest stars, it was pretty light and enjoyable. Now you can download the entire season (6.45 gbs) for just under $20 on iTunes, or you can watch episodes for free on Marvel.com here.

While you’re surfing, you may also like to check out the 8 page Captain America Reborn: Prelude, which sets the stage for the return of Steve Rogers in this week’s Captain America Reborn. It’s free from Marvel’s Digital Comics Unlimited, and is an exclusive one-shot written by series writer Ed Brubaker with art by Luke Ross. You can also check out the Reborn Hub, which feature more Cap-related freebies, such as comics and a trailer.

 

Captain America Reborn: Prelude

Selling Webcomic Merchandise

God Is Cute!How does it work exactly, and what’s the best way to go about it? Using James (American Elf) Kochalka’s God Is Cute! t-shirt (and He is) as the example, Joey Manley from the Comic Space blog is conducting  a month long experiment on how to produce revenue from merchandise.

It’s a pretty insightful read and worth your time if you’re currently a web comic-er or would like to be, with its comparisons between Google AdSense, Facebook and Project Wonderful. Go here for the first post, and follow the rest here.

Superman/Batman In September

Up next from DC’s awesome animated movies is Green Lantern: First Flight, which comes out next month. Then only a few weeks after that we get the previously announced Superman/Batman: Public Enemies DVD, based on Jeph Loeb’s and Ed McGuiness’ first 6 issues of the ongoing series. There’s also an interesting behind-the-scenes feature about the film here.

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SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO ON SEPT. 29, 2009

The World’s Greatest Super Heroes become America’s most wanted criminals – and are hunted by friends and foes alike – in Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, the sixth entry in the popular DVD series of DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movies. A co-production of Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, the full-length animated film will be distributed by Warner Home Video on September 29, 2009.Superman/Batman: Public Enemies will be available as a Special Edition 2-disc version on DVD and Blu-Ray Hi-Def for US$24.98 (SRP) and US$29.99 (SRP), respectively, as well as single disc DVD for US$19.98 (SRP) and On Demand. Order due date for all versions is August 25, 2009.

Public Enemies SupermanSuperman/Batman: Public Enemies is based on the popular Jeph Loeb/Ed McGuinness comic series/graphic novel. Animation legend Bruce Timm (Superman Doomsday, Green Lantern) is executive producer. Michael Goguen (Justice League: The New Frontier) is supervising producer. Sam Liu (The Batman) is directing a script written by Stan Berkowitz (Justice League: The New Frontier).

In the film, United States President Lex Luthor uses the oncoming trajectory of a Kryptonite asteroid to frame Superman and declare a $1 billion bounty on the heads of the Man of Steel and his “partner in crime,” Batman. Heroes and villains alike launch a relentless pursuit of Superman and Batman, who must unite – and recruit help – to stave off the action-packed onslaught, stop the asteroid, and uncover Luthor’s devious plot to take command of far more than North America.

Public Enemies BatmanThe movie reunites the lead voices of Superman, Batman and Lex Luthor from the landmark Superman: The Animated Series and Batman: The Animated Series. Tim Daly (Private Practice), Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League) and Clancy Brown (The Shawshank Redemption) reprise their roles as Superman, Batman and Lex Luthor, respectively.

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies – 2 Disc Special Edition version will have more than three hours of incredible bonus features, including:

Featurettes:
The Blackest Night: Inside the DC Comics Event: Behind-the-scenes of BLACKEST NIGHT, the epic DC Super Hero event in which the dead shall rise.

A Test of Minds: Superman and Batman featurette with Jeph Loeb, giving viewers a fresh and revitalized look at the team-up of Superman and Batman working together despite their often competitive and challenging relationship.

“Dinner with DC: With Special Guest Kevin Conroy”: Reprising his role from Batman: The Animated Series, Kevin Conroy joins the crew for dinner to discuss their creative approach and what the Superman/Batman team-up means. The evening will be hosted by Voice Director Andrea Romano, Producer Bruce Timm and DC’s Gregory Noveck.

Extended Sneak Peak at Next DCU Film.

Digital Copy Download.

Widescreen (1.78:1)

Two Episodes of Justice League Unlimited hand-picked by animation legend Bruce Timm.

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Blu-Ray versions will have more than three-and-a-half hours of bonus materials, including all the great extras from the 2-disc Special Edition as well as two additional episodes of Justice League Unlimited and two episodes from Justice League, both personally selected by fan-favorite Bruce Timm.

Michael Jackson Tribute Comic

Darren G. Davis at Bluewater Productions knows when he’s on a good thing. His weekly blog (though it hasn’t been lately) is always painfully honest about the workings of the comics industry and the frustrations he feels as an indie publisher. Branching out to make comics based on Oprah Winfrey, Princess Diana, Barack Obama, and even his dog Bo has garnered him some mainstream attention though, and he keeps churning them out, as this quick release reveals.

TRIBUTE: MICHAEL JACKSON, KING OF POP COMIC BOOK OFFERS LASTING REMEMBRANCE FOR FANS FROM BLUEWATER

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To millions he was the King of Pop; one of the world’s most cherished entertainers and a celebrated international icon. With his untimely passing, Michael Jackson left an extraordinary and tragic legacy. Bluewater Productions is paying tribute in October to his memory and legacy with a special collectors edition biography comic.

The newest addition to the publisher’s critically acclaimed biography library will trace Jackson’s rise as a musical prodigy with the “Jackson 5” through last Thursdays sad end. The book will feature highlights from his storied career and cover his enigmatic private life.

“Michael Jackson’s music served as the soundtrack to countless lives…including mine,” said Bluewater president Darren G. Davis, “His influence on our culture has been profound.”

“TRIBUTE: Michael Jackson, King of Pop,” features a wraparound cover and foreword by “The Official Michael Jackson Fan Club’s” Giuseppe Mazzola. Mazzola was also Jackson’s personal friend.  The issue is being written by Wey-Yuih Loh, (Political Power: Colin Powell” and “Political Power: Joe Biden) and illustrated by Giovanni Timpano (Vincent Price Presents). Noted cover artist Vinnie Tartamella will also provide an alternate wraparound cover.

“This is a celebration of his life and what he meant to a legion of fans,” Davis said. “Although the book won’t shy away from some of his personal troubles, we try to tell a balanced story that shows Jackson as a musical genius, an unparalleled superstar and as a complex person.”  

Michael Jackson Comic ADavis noted that he initially waffled at producing a tribute comic, but after receiving dozens of emails and phone calls he knew it was the proper way to show respect and give fans a lasting remembrance.

In recent months, Bluewater has become one of the leading producers of biography comics. Launched earlier this year, Bluewater’s “Female Force” has featured influential women such as Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Princess Diana, Sarah Palin and Oprah Winfrey. A follow-up series, “Political Power” launching in July is set to turn the spotlight on politicians like Colin Powell, Barack Obama, and Al Gore.

Bluewater’s biography titles have drawn considerable media attention, including features on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and “Live with Regis and Kelly.” It has also been featured in such periodicals as People Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today and thousands of blogs and other media outlets.

To find a comic book store near you, go to the comic shop locator, www.comicshoplocator.com. “Female Force” books are also available on Amazon.com, where they have been ranked among the site’s top 300 books.

Cheap Archaia TPBs

Archaia are back and to celebrate they’re releasing collections of some of their series for only $9.95. The Engineer: Konstrukt is the first one and it’s a great way to start. For a look at the unique sci-fi series, go here.

ARCHAIA UNVEILS NEW QUARTERLY $9.95 HARDCOVER PROGRAM

BEGINS WITH THE AUGUST RELEASE OF ‘THE ENGINEER: KONSTRUKT’


The_Engineer_HCIn a focused effort to give new readers an opportunity to discover Archaia’s unique library of titles, the publisher announced today a program to offer one new hardcover every quarter for the recession-friendly price of $9.95. Kicking off the venture will be the Vol. 1 hardcover collection of the acclaimed science-fiction thriller mini-series, The Engineer: Konstrukt, which will be available this August. 
 
Keeping with Archaia’s tradition of publishing high-quality, high-concept titles, The Engineer: Konstrukt, co-created by Brian Churilla and Jeremy Shepherd, tells the story of a reluctant hero who frantically races to defeat an ancient creature eating away at the very fabric of space and time. To do so, he must travel across dimensions and put together the scattered pieces of the Konstrukt, an old-world technology that allows the user to manipulate reality itself.
 
Dave Baxter from Broken Frontier says, “The Engineer: Konstrukt is yet another out-of-the-park homerun hit for Archaia…the story is very, very fun [and] wholly entertaining.”  
 
“In the great tradition that [Publisher] Mark [Smylie] started back in 2002, Archaia is still fully committed to bringing our fans the best quality product from cover to cover. And now with the $9.95 quarterly hardcovers, we are providing the best product for the best value,” boasted PJ Bickett, Archaia President. “We are very fortunate that scheduling allowed us to start this program with The Engineer. Churilla and Shepherd are an amazing team and the book is just pure entertainment from start to finish!”
 
Archaia plans to release the next $9.95 hardcover in the fourth quarter of 2009. That title will be announced at a later date. 
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Old School Cartoons Competition

Those nice people at Madman Australia distribute a bunch of cool manga, anime, foreign films and 1980s cartoons, and I don’t think I need to tell you that the ’80s was the best decade of animated entertainment ever. To celebrate Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen they’re now holding a competition, with a very impressive swag, including collections of Transformers, He-Man, M.A.S.K, She-Ra and more. Go here for the rules (Australian and New Zealand residents only). It’s one of those 25 words or less deals, and the comp ends on July 31.

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Blood: The Last Vampire Trailer

This live action film, based on the anime released in 2000, has already been seen in Japan and the UK and will be released in North American cinemas on July 10. It doesn’t look like it’s getting an Aussie theatrical release. Oh well.

Driven By Lemons Preview

Joshua Cotter came to fame with his OGN Skyscrapers of the Midwest and has a new book coming out in September from AdHouse Books. Basically, it’s a journal, which I’m always intrigued by. AdHouse describes it thusly;

“Up the stream of consciousness without a paddle.” — From the creator who brought you Skyscrapers of the Midwest comes a sketchbook replica of recent multimedia explorations in intuitive narrative. Won’t you be his neighbor?

Below are a few pages from the 104 page book.

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Extra Sequential #3

Our farewell, or “see you later” issue, before we move to print in January has finally landed. It’s 40 pages of goodness including the obligatory perty pages and reviews. There’s also interviews with sci-fi author Robin Parrish, Brian Cronin from comicbookresources on his new book, Was Superman A Spy? and Wolfgang Bylsma from very successful indie publisher, Gestalt. Check it out below or here.

View this document on Scribd

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Comics On Comics With Don Murphy

The Comics on Comics crew are really getting the big names these days for their amusing and casual pop culture love-ins. Details, and a classy trailer for the event,  below.

Comics on Comics Live w/ Transformers Executive Producer Don Murphy this Saturday June 27 @ Meltdown Comics in Hollywood!
Autobots, Rollout! On Saturday, June 27, it’s Comics on Comics vs.Transformers at Meltdown Comics!
 
Host Juan-Manuel Rocha welcomes mega-producer Don Murphy(TransformersTransformers: Revenge of the FallenShoot ‘Em Up), animation and video game writer/producer Flint Dille (GI JoeTransformers), along with comedians Tom Franck (Comics and Comics), Asterios Kokkinos(Cracked MagazineNPR’s Marketplace) and Claude Stewart (Comics UnleashedLast Comic Standing) as they explore The Transformers’ cultural impact and social significance, the movie adaptations, and all things giant robot!
 
The taping begins at 8pm and admission is FREE! Be sure to show up early to grab a good seat!
 
You can RSVP for this event on facebook or you can find us online here.
 
Meltdown Comics is located at 7522 Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles.
 
For general inquiries, please email press@comicsoncomics.com.
 
About Comics on Comics:
 
Comics on Comics is a WebTV series where “The Greatest Comic Minds Meet The Greatest Minds In Comics.” The show, which gathers three professional comedians and one comic book creator for a round-table discussion of the latest comic book news, is hosted by Juan-Manuel Rocha and is taped in front of a live audience.Comics on Comics is produced and distributed by Retcon Media.

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Marvel Goodies

Here’s two free comics for you, from Marvel. Press release below, plus a few nifty covers of issues going on sale tomorrow. If you want to see Marvel’s full list, click the link at the bottom.

AgentsOfAtlas_01Marvel is proud to announce the debut of Agents of Atlas #0 today, available free to all fans courtesy of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited! Collecting three new-reader friendly short stories from Secret Invasion: Who Do You TrustDark Reign: New Nation and Agents of Atlas #7, all written by critically-acclaimed scribe Jeff Parker, you’ll get the answers to your questions! Who are the Agents of Atlas? What role did they play in Secret Invasion? What’s their new mission during Dark Reign? And just what’s it like to take a peek inside the mind of the enigmatic Mr. Lao? Find out here.

Plus, we’ve made Agents of Atlas #1 live on Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited—and it’s free to check out! Find out why Kevin T Brown of ComicsBulletin.com raves, “I’m going to be recommending this book to everyone I know. It looks like Marvel has struck gold once again” You can check it out here.

If you haven’t checked out one the years most acclaimed new series, now’s your chance—don’t miss Agents of Atlas #0 and Agents of Atlas #1 for free courtesy of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited at www.marvel.com/digitalcomics

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Supanova 2009

Last year was the first time the Supanova Pop Culture Expo visited the sunny shores of Perth, Western Australia. Apparently we broke Melbourne’s attendance and surprised everyone with how many geeks were hidden in the Perth suburbs.

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This year we can show ’em again. Held once more at the Claremont Showgrounds on July 3-5 there’ll be a few anime voice actors as well as Karl Urban (Star Trek, The Lord of the Rings), Jake Lloyd (Anakin from Episode 1), and Gil Billingham from Twilight. Honestly though, the big one for fanboys will be Dave Gibbons – artist on Watchmen. They’ll also be premiering the Wonder Woman animated feature (a premiere for Oz at least) and the Watchmen Motion Comic, which I’ve seen and is way cooler than you may think. The schedule for the screenings, signings and panels can be found here, which includes the details of the original Battlestar Galactica trio reunion. Of course, there’ll be heaps of vendors too selling DVDs, shirts, toys, games and comics, naturally, including our two main local shops – Comic Zone and Quality Comics, who I’ve been assured will have heaps of tasty specials for sale. If that ain’t enough info for ya, here’s the programme. See you there!