July 25, 2008
Categories: Comics . Tags: He-Man, San Diego Comic-Con . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 1 Comment
My Comic-Con Article
$75 for a 5 day pass for the Con is pretty good, especially considering all the freebies you get. Plus making new friends, seeing premieres and meeting favourite creators could be considered priceless. I may not get to see all the screenings and panels I’ve paid for, but I won’t be too disheartened if I don’t. I can’t be bothered queuing for ages. I came all this way for more than that. I’d much rather spend the time talking to people and discovering new books, especially of the indie variety. From what I’ve seen already, there’s a treasure trove of talented creators and genuinely exciting companies out there, hidden just below the surface and those kind of people have the time and willingness to speak freely about what they do and why they do it.
Saying all that, I have managed to hand out a few cards today, declaring my blog, and my work on Sight. When people see my title, “Pop Culture Ambassador,” it certainly kick starts a conversation. Well, I had to call myself something. Helping my cause is an article in the 2008 Comic-Con Souvenir Book. Oh yeah! Entitled, “Insider Slogans,” it’s a light-hearted piece I submitted a few months ago. I had to write a short bio too. This is what I came up with: Kris “Speedo” Bather lives and works in Perth, Western Australia, the most isolated city in the world. He is not socially awkward, except when talking to girls.
It’s on page 60, in between other articles celebrating 75 years of comics including one on DC Comics’ founder, Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson (someone should make a movie of that guy’s life) and one on the 75th anniversary of pulp adventurer, Doc Savage. That’s pretty good company to be in. Due to space limits, my entire article wasn’t published, but all that’s omitted are a few more amusing slogans. You can read the original article below. Feel free to giggle.
Comic books are now at the age where adult diapers become necessary. If they were people they could complain about “this generation” and their skimpy clothes, obscene music and new fangled gadgets while picking hair out of their ears and lifting their pants up past their navels. But comics are still cool. Old, yes, but still cool. Our beloved artform is ageing gracefully, like a French film star. What was once considered a trash medium and disposable entertainment is now mature, respected and sought after. From factory pop to live jazz, and it only took the better part of a century. Of course in the eyes of fans sequential art has always been close to our heart, but our cries for respect have only recently been heard. Not that we needed them of course. Comics may not be as popular as film or TV but they are certainly more surprising, experimental and creative. Free from constraining decisions-by-committee and intimidating budgets, comics are able to risk more than any other medium. In what other form can you create and destroy entire worlds so easily?
But for me, the best part of comics is the growing fan base. Like a supermodel at a party who has the satisfaction of knowing she’s the best looking person there, I find quiet pride knowing that I am the geekiest person in any room. A smile at fellow customers at the LCS, or a nod at that guy you just saw with the Aquaman shirt. I like those moments of simple connectivity. We’re just one step away from a secret handshake. We could go one step further and wear hoods and sacrifice virgins, but then there would be none of us left.
But the very thing that feeds us can also be our death. We can’t afford to roll our eyes when one of our unwise friends makes yet another “underwear on the outside” joke but not show them what comics are all about. Take every opportunity you can. No-one wakes up in the morning and decides, “From now on I will litter my room with imported action figures and dedicate 40% of my wage to TPBs!” It takes someone to show us the ropes. Be that someone. Walking into a comics shop can be a daunting experience. “Where do I start?” “Is this suitable for my children?” “Why is that guy wearing a bathrobe?” There are so many questions.
However, after saying all that, I must say I love a good insider joke. If you’ve just joined the fanboy/girl fraternity, most of the following will make no sense, but if you’re a funny book veteran, please feel free to laugh out loud (and explain why to the confused person next to you) So, here are just some of my suggestions for insider slogans that will get you knowing smiles from your fellow fans. Feel free to make these into bumper stickers, t-shirts or regrettable tattoos.
If you’re a geek, then these are from my heart to yours.
I collect comic books, action figures and women’s phone numbers. All three are fictional.
All my pets are Super.
I gave myself a hernia trying to lift Mjolnir.
Lost. 1 Invisible Jet.
Thwip, snikt and bamf are my three favourite sounds.
I stole this shirt from the future.
My comics and my bed sheets are both wrapped in plastic.
The internet – where every voice can be heard and mocked in equal measure.
No, it’s not a speech impediment. I speak backwards for magical reasons.
I jumped into toxic waste for super powers. Now I’m sterile and balding.
I hang out on rooftops with girls in leather. Don’t judge me.
My utility belt is on its last notch.
It wasn’t me. It was my clone.
I’m a shape shifter, but my pants don’t agree with my shape.
I’m a D-List character in an A-List world.
Please give generously-victim of unpopular retcon.
I would be Mint except for the stain. Guess where!
My mask is not to conceal my identity. It is because I am repugnant and frighten children.
I have my own theme song. Can’t you hear it?
I was bitten by a radioactive spider. Now I eat through a tube.
I have issues. But I’m running out of boxes.
I’m a walking stereotype.Yes, I’m a girl who reads comics. No, I won’t be your wife.
Full-time fanboy. Part-time model.
I’m the Ultimate version.
I have super hearing. What are you saying about me?
Will explain multiverse for food.
In an alternate universe I am witty, rugged and urbane. Unfortunately the fans voted for me.
I wait for the Trade. Don’t hate me.
There are 51 other versions of this shirt.
I just discovered my origin. I’m adopted.
I’m the Skrull version of Brad Pitt.
I chose my dying aunt over my supermodel wife. Please slap me.
T.G.I.W. Thank God It’s Wednesday.
Thursday at the Con
I’m not ashamed to say I left the Perth winter behind to visit the sun drenched shores of San Diego. From what I’ve seen thus far, it’s a nice place. Compared to the often surly staff at LAX, I’m glad to say everyone here is in a nice mood, which is also good news for all the Con vendors. You can’t move very far within the sprawling Centre without knocking into someone and I wasn’t the only one juggling multiple bags today. I’m glad I don’t have any kids. I’d easily sell them all for more goodies. Everything any fanboy or girl could ever want is here. I firstly visited one (of three) clothing outlets. I could’ve easily blown my entire fortune just on shirts. Stuff I’d never find in Oz is all around me. I picked up two shirts (Kingdom Come Superman, and a Green Lantern) a Batman belt buckle (to make my look mean-I might need two) and a Superman hoodie. Throughout my walking investigations, I also picked up 7 TPBs and almost managed to bump into TV Hulk/man mountain Lou Ferrigno and saw everyone’s favourite 80s guy, Corey Feldman doing obligatory autographs for Lost Boys: The Tribe. I saw new Astonishing X-men artist Simone Bianchi next and picked up a print. Well, I assume it was him. It’s hard to tell what these artists actually look like sometimes. It’s not like their plastered on billboards and constantly on TV. I tried to engage him in conversation but he doesn’t speak English. This isn’t the first time this has happened. When I tried to buy my “medium” hoodie, the shop guy thought I said, “Canadian.” Eventually, I saw a familiar face, of sorts. 30 Days of Night artist Ben Templesmith recognised my accent when I was in-line for a signing. I tried to meet him at Perth’s Supanova, but never got the chance. We talked briefly about Perth, where he grew up and how quickly it’s changing. He now lives in America, which is good sense since his career is on fire. I got him to sign my 30 Days: Dust to Dust freebie, which was handed to me by a scary looking she-vamp, and Image Comics’ Dead Space, which looks great. It could very well be this year’s Gears of War – a game franchise that builds into something more. I saw game play footage and it reminded me of Gears, crossed with the scares of Doom 3. It’s released on PS3, XBOX 360 and PC DVD on October 21, followed a week later by Downfall, a tie-in animated prequel DVD. While we’re talking games, I also saw Ghostbusters, the new game that is effectively no. 3 on the film series, with all the original movie cast reprising their roles. The next-gen visuals look great. So does Lego Batman and DC Universe On-Line. With Jim Lee as art director, they had an excuse to put up massive posters of his glorious work all around the booth. I wonder what they’ll do with them all after the Con ends? Some thankful DC employee will give them a nice home, I’m sure.
I haven’t even attended any panels yet, but my 15 minute power nap took longer than that. Next year, I’ll have to arrive at least a day earlier to allow my jetlagged body time to catch up. There’s so much to see and so little time. My main priority is just buying rare comicy stuff, since I won’t be able to do that back in Perth. What a well programmed consumer I am! Below are some photos taken today. Today’s themes are Star Wars and gaming, including a gaggle of Ghostbusters.
I Have Arrived!
Phew. After 22 hours in the air and 14 hours waiting to get in the air, I have finally landed in San Diego. LAX was not what I expected. A bit dingy and not much to do, but they did have Starbucks – and The Killing Joke for sale at the book store. Anyway, here’s a few things I have learnt since flying here from Tokyo:
Charlie Sheen’s character in Two and a Half Men reads comics.
P is for Pooh (a Duty Free t-shirt)
My body hates me. I’m having coffee and scrambled eggs at 1am.
Narita Airport in Tokyo is huge. It took me almost 10 mins in the shuttle bus to flit between terminals. They also accept $US. All hail the mighty greenback!
The novelty of international travel is temporary at best.
Jetlag makes live jazz and Alvin and the Chipmunks’ music seem equally cool.
So, I’m at the YMCA now. The room is -interesting. I’m starting to teach the rats and cockraoches tricks. Then on my last day I’ll put them in a cage and take bets from my fellow nerds. Nah, it’s not that bad. A bed and a window with a view of sunlight are luxuries after 3 days of seeing neither. Wendy’s, NBC and 7-11 are all near me. I can’t believe I’m actually in America. Wow.
So, last night was the Preview Night for the Con. Massive, truly massive. The line was the biggest group of people I’ve ever seen. If it wasn’t for the quips (“Use your super-speed, you’ll get there faster,” and, “Don’t look back dude. You’ll get nauseous.”) I mighta thought I was witnessing a re-enactment from Exodus. It moved very quickly though and it took me longer to get to the end that I did staying in it. All TPBs are half-price here, and that’s without any sale prices. I just bought an adorable Petey Parker exclusive figure, a Titans Companion 2 book and a Bizarro World HC, all for under $45. I also got a big bag of promo freebies. I’ve made friends. The accent helps and two new friends have already visited Perth.
I’ve also showed my Supes tat to 3 hotel staff as I waited for the regular free bus to the Con just outisde my door. So far, so good. My mobile and Mac’s internet don’t work though, so I’m using the hotel’s PC. How humiliating. At least it works. I’m going to have lunch now. Well, I can’t really call it that. Such terms became meaningless, as I’d usually be asleep now.
Marvel & DC Solicits
Oh, how I love Previews – the monthly catalogue of all things comic-related, that informs us what’s coming 2 months from now. I’ll be at the San Diego Comic-Con when the new issue hits my LCS, but at least I can check out The Big Two’s goodies on-line. Marvel zombies – go here. DC die-hards go here, and check out their new site too. Looks like they’re focusing on Batman and Watchmen. No surprise there. Both cinematic adaptations are the talk of the town at the moment. They’ve also given themselves a new slogan – “The World’s Greatest Superheroes.” Just don’t tell Marvel EIC Joe Quesada that.
A few things that caught my eye from DC Comics are below, including Batman Confidential #22 by The Simpsons and Eli Stone writer, Andrew Kreisberg with art by Scott McDaniel and perty covers by Stephane Roux. It’s the start of a four ish story arc, detailing the first time Batman bought Joker into the custody of the Gotham City cops. I think that may very well be Superman editor Mike Carlin in the background.
There’s also the TPB of the long-delayed, much-hyped JLA/Avengers x-over from Kurt Busiek and George Perez. It’s a great tale for veterans and novices alike, with its detailed pencils and massive cast of characters.
From Marvel, the one-shot, Thor: The Truth of History by writer/artist Alan Davis has the Norse god and his friends travlling to ancient Egypt. Judging by the costume on the cover it looks like an adventure set in the hammer thrower’s early career.
Lastly, there’s She-Hulk #34. Not one of my usuals, but I’m a fan of PAD’s writing. The green glamazon’s title has a history of offering quirky tales and this looks like it could be fun. Writer Peter David, penciller Vincenzo Cucca and cover artist Mike Deodata Jr. launch a new arc, with the Lady Liberators, ie, Invisible Woman, Valkyrie and Thundra, helping the Hulk’s cousin in her new role as bounty-hunter. Watch out fellas!
Tokyo
Well, I’ve arrived safey at Naruto, I mean, Narita airport in Tokyo, after a 10 hour flight from Perth. It wasn’t really that bad. I spoke to a guy who just sold his Mt Hawthorn house for a cool $1.2 million and divides his time between the US, Perth and Japan. The youngest millionaire I’ve ever met. Infact, the only one. I managed to get some sleep during the flight and every time I woke up a different movie was showing. I thought I’d struggle to kill 6 hours at Narita, but so far, so good. I have my Starbucks, so I’m a happy man. There a number of us Aussies looking lost, so we just follow each other, like a group of brain-hungry zombies. Everyone at the airport speaks English and is very nice. I even had a free taste of scotch from a duty free shop. I’ll sleep well tonight!
I also saw a guy raeding the Buffy spin-off, Fray TPB and met another guy who once met my fave Superman actor, Christopher Reeve backstage when he was doing a play. Thank you Lord. I see the signs! I’ve managed to meet and have a few laughs with fellow passengers and hopefully I’ll make more on the way to LA, the finally, San Diego for Comic-Con.
The adventure continues…
Have I Got a Story For You!
Yes, indeedy. Check the new Stories page for occasional updates as and when I get my act together and get back in to creative writing with more disciplined passion. To kick things off, here’s one of my faves from a couple of years ago. Excerpt below, with the full short story on the new Stories page. If you laugh, let me know! By the way, you’re supposed to. It’s a comedy. So, here is, “Sorry, Captain Freedom’s Already Taken.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the winner of “Search For A Super Hero” – Tad Adams!” Tad lunged on to the stage groin first, like a well-endowed ballet dancer. This grand entrance certainly got the ladies’ attention. But psychiatrists recommended children under five be moved back a row.
The crowd gasped with wonder at their new hero’s turquoise body stocking. It was tight.
And shiny.
But mostly tight.
And with good reason. Tad had a body to die for.
Hans, Gunther and Erik had in fact paid that price. Three Swiss mountaineers who od’ed on steroids. Tad found the bodies and took the parts he liked. The rest he left for the wild she-goats.
“Hello good citizens!!” Tad boomed. He had a deep voice, like a burp in a wind tunnel.
For the continuation of Tad’s adventures, go here.
Read Deadpool for Free
Everyone’s favourite quip throwing mercenary returns to the pages of Marvel Comics in September in a new series from writer Daniel Way and artist Paco Medina. Before that, though be sure to head over to Marvel’s new Digital Comics Unlimited site, because they’re letting you read Deadpool Saga #0 for free. It will tell you everything you need to know about this wise-cracking, quick-healing anti-hero.
You don’t find such generosity in massive conglomerates these days, so make the most of it. Wade Wilson AKA Deadpool has had some pretty big names working on his series over the years, such as Joe Kelly and Ed McGuiness and the fans seem to hunger for more adventures of the “merc with a mouth.” Deadpool – he’s just like Wolverine, but twice as ugly, and with a sense of humour.
Deadpool has been around since the heady comic book days of the 1990s and has only grown in popularity. He certainly stands out from the typical superhero crowd. Ryan Reynolds will be playing the character in next year’s X-Men spin-off, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, though how close he’ll stay to his comic book equivalent is anyone’s guess at this stage.
Rambo Review
I was looking forward to this. My previous attempts to rent it were thwarted as other bloodthirsty patrons beat me to it. But it lived up to the hype. At just shy of 90 minutes, it is short in length (and plot) but makes up for it with more blood and vengeance than the Punisher in an abbatoir.
John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) is a Vietnam veteran and hardcore soldier, trained to kill with reckless abandon and creative use of vicious implements. Since his last cinematic outing in 1988’s Rambo 3, he has been carving out an existence in Thailand catching snakes. He lives alone and is as surly as ever. A group of well-meaning Christians come along and eventually entice him into taking them on his boat to the Burmese border to help villagers in need. In the opening scenes we see actual footage of the atrocities there that will stir your conscience and wait for Rambo to exact vengeance.
I’ve always been a fan of Sly. More than an actor (though with Rocky and Rambo to his credit, his impression on pop culture can not be denied) he always tries to lift his films above mere action flicks. As the writer and director on many of his own features, he is a league above Seagal and Van Damme. Here, he brings up notions of identity and convinces some mercenaries in rescuing the missionaries from Burmese rebels, that “this is who we are.” Welcome the bloodlust inside you, don’t deny it is the heart warming message of this slaughter. But you can’t help but cheer Sly and the merc caricatures on as they shoot, slice and explode an endless parade of baddies. I was smiling all the way. The violence is over the top but with bullets and knives that size, blood will spill freely. And that’s exactly what it does. Not recommended for those with a weak stomach, Rambo will otherwise entertain. Sly looks considerably older than he did in his previous revamp, Rocky Balboa, and runs and leaps less. Then again, there’s no need for such activity if you have a gun and a snarl bigger than any prison could hold. The guy still looks like a mountain. There is also a fair bit of crudeness, in the foul language and brief nudity, so be warned. This is Rambo, however, not Indiana Jones. He’s never been a family friendly character, but for a good night in where you want to find yourself cheering and laughing at some brutal punishment, check it out. Then have a shower and prepare for Rambo 5, coming in 2009.
Comic-Con: It Is On!
How I have dreamed of this day. Sunday. No, I mean the day I would fly to the majestic US, the home of one of my favourite things – yep, comics. This year will be my first year in the States to attend the huge Comic-Con, the be-all and end-all of geeky conventions. Despite the name, it offers more than just comics, but also the latest announcements and previews of TV, animation, gaming and films. Last year, there were 125 000 attendees and this year they had to turn people away. The talk is that it will be going to Las Vegas in the next few years, as San Diego’s facilities are barely accommodating the yearly influx of fanboys and girls. I will attempt to do my usual comics news and reviews while I’m away from home, as well as report on my escapades in a new place while there. Most of it will involve shopping, as a menagerie of vendors let loose on funky Con exclusives that can be found nowhere else, because they’re exclusives. Uh, yeah.
It goes from Wed to Sun and I will be there for the whole time, (and a week afterwards) taking in all the panels and drooling on various goodies, and possibly, some celebrities. I’ll also be posting reports for Sight too. The flight on Tuesday night is over twenty hours long, with stop-overs in Tokyo and L.A, so please be patient if I don’t post for the first day (or two) but check back regularly for all the latest, greatest and nerdiest. In the mean-time you can download the free Con magazine. I hope to make many new friends, which I’m sure won’t be a problem with my crazy “Ossie” accent, and hopefully avoid getting lost. If I do, I’ll just follow the throng of costumed fans, though I will try to avoid Jokers dressed in straight jackets and any He-Men wearing animal skin underwear.
Astonishing X-Men Pics
Here’s a look at the second and third covers from the new Astonishing X-men penciller, Argentine Simone Bianchi. Issue #26 features a stylised design of one of my favourite X-guys, Beast, and #27’s black and white art features the fave of many others, Wolvie doing his thing in front of Scott Summers AKA Cyclops. The new creative team’s debut, #25, with acclaimed writer Warren Ellis sold out quickly, so keep an eye out for these covers on the 13th of August and the 17th of September respectively. Below those two pics are the Terry Dodson cover and a few preview interior pages from the first issue of Secret Invasion: X-Men. The four ish mini is written by Mike Carey with art by Cary Nord and follows the X-dudes as they beat up the Skrull army currently invading the Marvel Universe.
The Dark Knight Review
After 2005’s Batman Begins many had high hopes for the sequel. Usually in superhero films, the follow-up is better. After all that nasty exposition and the obligatory origin story is dealt with, the film-makers can then move on to expanding the cast of characters and ramping up the action. That is certainly what happens here. The Dark Knight sets the tone well early on. Don’t expect any information to bring you up to speed however. If you haven’t seen Begins, then do so before seeing this. It will help.
Batman (Christian Bale) has been fighting crime for some time now with aid from his English butler, Alfred (Michael Caine), Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and daring new District Attorney, Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart). As always his only love, Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is also in the wings, though she is fond of the more stable Dent than playboy Bruce Wayne and his crime-fighting ways. Director Christopher Nolan returns to this Batman screen re-invention with a skill gained from his indie cinema days. Co-written with David Goyer and Nolan’s brother, Jonathan, The Dark Knight is not a typical superhero film, like Iron Man, but is far more concerned with raising morality issues rather than having the good guy beat up the bad guy. As Harvey Dent gains the public’s trust and becomes the enemy of Gotham’s crime bosses, Bruce Wayne begins to think that perhaps he can give up his nocturnal adventuring for good and let Dent tackle crime the legal way. The right way. Of course, we don’t want that to happen as we want to see Bats do what he does best – exact justice on Gotham’s crims, but we also want to see Bruce and Rachel re-ignite their love and live happily ever after. For anyone who knows Batman the outcome is obvious, but seeing Bruce Wayne understand that he needs help in his war and could conceivably hand over the reins to another is a good take. It’s not entirely new, however. Both Superman’s and Spider-Mans’ second films also toyed with the idea of retiring their superhero alter-egos, and did, temporarily. At times the film reminded me of Bourne’s fighting scenes, Law and Order’s courtoom dramas and MI:3’s daring rescues, especially the great Hong Kong sequence. And with the nifty vehicles, like the new Bat Pod and hi-tech gadgets from Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), it is also similar to a Bond film. But Nolan makes it all seem part of a cohesive whole. There are also some genuine laughs and gasps along the way, mostly due to the Clown Prince of Crime and his amusing/horrifying ways. So, what about the Joker? Fellow Aussie Heath Ledger has certainly got everyone talking and makes a startling entrance. Is he great? Sure. Oscar-worthy? No. He loses himself in the role, like no other he’s played, but he’s not this year’s best actor and to give him a win out of sentimentality would be a mistake. The rest of the ensemble do a splendid job. Maggie Gyllenhaal is superior to Katie Holmes’ outing as Dawes in the first film and both Caine and Freeman add sparkling wit.
At two and a half hours, is it too long? Definitely, but I don’t see how the film-makers could’ve cut any scenes, with the story they are portraying. If I was forced, I’d say the entire Two-Face arc could’ve been left on the cutting room floor though, as the classic villain deserves his own film, not the cameo he has here. His transformation from golden boy Dent to corrupt Two-Face is similar to his comics origin, but with a twist that works well in this cinematic context. I was disappointed that Eckhart sounds the same as Dent and Two-Face however. Apart from the physical transformation, there is no real sense of any permanent inner change with the character, post-scarring, but his limited screen time means that such conflict can not really be dealt with.
As a comics purist I was happy to finally see Batman with haunting white eyes for the first time on-screen. It always irks me seeing black make-up on the actor’s face under the cowl. Is Bruce Wayne going to apply foundation every time he dons the mask? The Joker seen here is also the most faithful one, with a genius level intellect yet an unstable, unpredictable mind and an origin that not even he’s sure of. The film’s end is a surprise (though not the only one) and takes the franchise down an interesting path, though possibly one with limited potential. For fans of dark, mature takes on superheroes this is recommended. If you’d like more Batman/Joker inter-play, follow Nolan’s example and read The Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland, the best interpretation of their relationship ever created. The Dark Knight may be too scary for the younger crowd though. There is no blood on-screen, but plenty of madness, corpses and flinching moments. With the notions of sacrifice, honour and integrity all mentioned, for adults there will be plenty of discussion after you leave the cinema.
Watchmen Trailer
Just released, the Watchmen trailer has already divided the comic fan community. Directed by Zack Snyder, who after directing 300 is no stranger to comic book films, it looks to be …interesting. Watchmen is to comics what Citizen Kane is to cinema. It lifted the standards and re-invented the conventions. After Watchmen, nothing in comics was really ever the same. It came along at just the right time – the original 12 issues were published between 1986 and 87 and, along with the Pulitzer winning Maus and the Batman re-inventing The Dark Knight Returns, showed the world what sequential art could be. Comics grew up after these three books and started to see, and promote themselves as adult literature, as respected as any other form of entertainment. Written by the reclusive genius Alan Moore and drawn with great realism by Dave Gibbons these two deconstructed the very idea of the superhero. Originally they wanted to use DC’s stable of underused characters they acquired from Charlton comics, such as the Blue Beetle and The Question. DC wouldn’t let them so they created their own archetypes such as the Comedian, Nite-Owl and Silk Spectre. The trailer looks cool, especially in the opening shots of Dr Manhattan’s origin, but the CGI appears dodgy later on. Watchmen has almost been made into a film for the last 20 years, with directors such as Terry Gilliam and Paul Greengrass attached to the project over the years. It is perhaps the most difficult comic story to adapt to cinema and Moore is not supportive of it being attempted. As a comic, it is great and deep and resonant, but it possibly only works in that format. I doubt non-comics readers will “get it” and by the looks of it some of it has been altered to make it seem more like a standard suoperhero tale, but Watchmen is so much more than that. I guess we’ll see for ourselves about this time next year.
DC on Your PC (oh, and Marvel too)
This is a good year for gamers. The biggest gaming con E3 recently showed new footage including the inspired Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe game, which has you beating up MK characters as Superman, Batman, Flash, Catwoman and many others. It’s coming to the XBOX 360 and PS3 in November. Any chance to play as DC characters is great in my book, which will become even more intense with the DC Universe Online game. The trailer is great and a hi-res version can be seen here. Unfortunately it’s only for PS3 and PC players. Hopefully it will eventually make its way to the XBOX too. A release date has yet to be announced. Switching comic book companies, Marvel were set to launch their own MMO too, but it has since been canceled. Oh, what might have been… Marvel zombies can rest assured in the knowledge that the famous web-swinger will score yet another game though. Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is coming in October for all consoles. Fighting as Spidey is always a treat with the aerial gymnastics and swinging through cities with utter freedom. There’s nothing like it.
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