DC’s Stars of the Screen

Bleeding Cool managed to get a draft of the back-on-again live action Wonder Woman TV show by David E. Kelley, creator of Ally McBeal. The more I read of it, the queasier I got. Please let this be a really early April Fool’s joke. See their major spoiler free analysis here and a snippet below.

Well, this Wonder Woman:

Identifies with ET the Extra Terrestrial when his movie comes on TV.

Really loves planes. Like really.

Pines for Steve like Carrie for Big.

Wants to belong and be “among” people, not just “with” them.

Sings along to the radio in multiple scenes – but nothing with a hairbrush in front of the mirror just yet.

Doesn’t like being “marketed, commercialized, merchandised”, though she is – there’s a joke about Wonder Woman tie-in dolls having their costumes redesigned that seems to reference the recent makeover for the comics.

When she’s Diana Prince she’s a mousey Miley Stewart, when she’s Diana Themiscyra she’s the Hanna Montana of businesswomen, and when she’s Wonder Woman she’s Wonder Woman – which is precisely twice in the whole episode.

Is a capitalist.

Puts on her PJs for an ice-cream filled sleepover with best friend Myndi.

CBR has an interview with Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti, the producers of the new Young Justice cartoon, that I really want to be shown here in Oz. I like the choice of characters and the Teen Titans as a black ops team working for the JLA approach.

Here’s a just released video, that’s supposed to be a trailer but looks like an in-game cinematic. Not that it matters, it’s awesome, with a future Batman and Lex teaming up. Sort of. Titled In Lex We Trust it’s from the new DC Universe Online game from Sony.

Finally in DC news, the publisher is teaming up with the Hero Initiative , a great company that all us fanboys should support. Details and snazzy art of the project below.

The Hero Initiative, a charity dedicated to helping comic creators in medical or financial need, most proudly announces their new partnership in the Justice League Of America #50 project with DC Comics. This is the first collaboration with DC comics ever and Hero is chomping at the bit to pull the collection together. The call has gone out and dozens of artists are putting pen to paper. DC has generously donated 100 blank-covered cardstock copies of Justice League Of America #50 to Hero, and work is being created by well-known stars such as Jim Lee, Alex Ross, George Perez, Jason Bone, Jim Valentino, and many many more.

“It’s an honor to participate, not only because this is the first time DC Comics is collaborating with Hero Initiative, but because Hero Initiative is such an important organization to our community” said Jim Lee, artist and Co-Publisher of DC Comics.

“We’re thrilled to be working in new ways with DC Comics, and showcasing some of the greatest artists and greatest characters in the world,” said Hero Initiative President Jim McLauchlin. “And of course, sales of the covers and the collected book will go toward helping many other comic creators in need.”

All 100 original Justice League Of America covers will be published in a book slated for release in 2011, and a public viewing of all covers will be scheduled as well.

The Frontiersman Survey

I’m blessed to write for comics site Broken Frontier. Last year we launched a digital mag, chock full of interviews, reviews, previews and articles, which can be read on your computer, or iPad. Now we’re doing a survey to see what our readers think, so if you have a few minutes to spare go here to tick a few boxes.

Secret Identity Music Video

Nerdcore duo Kirby Krackle have just released an animated music video for the song Secret Identity from their second album, E For Everyone. Check it out below, and Kirby Krackle’s site here. The clip is from Betsy Lee who also created their Up,Up, Down, Down video. If you like toe tapping music filled with clever comics and pop culture references, Kirby Krackle are the only way to go.

Kenner’s Super Powers Toys

Since we were in the mood for reminiscing in our last Extra Sequential podcast, I thought I’d direct your attention to this short, but flashback worthy article at Newsarama about the awesome Super Powers figures based on a heap of DC Comics characters in the mid ’80s. I loved these toys as a kid, and they helped form my awareness of comics (as they had mini-comics inside). Ah, good times.

Go here for a site I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that talks about the unproduced fourth wave and more, with enticing pics.

Henry Cavill is Superman

This photo is set to be plastered all over the geekosphere, as Brit actor Henry Cavill has just officially been cast as Superman in the latest reboot. Non-American actors are doing well in superhero roles these days. Brit Andrew Garfield is Spider-Man, Brit Christian Bale is Batman and Aussie Chris Hemsworth is Thor.

Cavill is known primarily for his role in TV’s The Tudors, and the 6’1″ actor certainly looks like he could portray the Man of Steel on screen and as he’s only 27 he could play the part for a sequel or two (and maybe even the Justice League film!).

Director Zack Snyder’s (300, Watchmen) film is set for a December 2012 release.

Arrested Development via Peanuts

I just finished watching all 3 awesome seasons of Arrested Development, and I ran across this great pic online that reimagines the cast as characters from Peanuts. See more of artist Bill Mudron’s work here.

100 Scenes by Tim Gaze

A while ago I reviewed Australian artist Tim Gaze’s book, noology, after seeing his work in the wonderful Abstract Comics: The Anthology collection from Fantagraphics. Now Gaze has a new book out called 100 Scenes, which is best described below.

His latest work 100 Scenes is a contemporary resurrection of the Surrealist form known as “decalcomania”as pioneered in the 1930s by Oscar Dominguez and often used by Max Ernst. A resident of the Adelaide Hills town of Mt. Barker, Gaze is a prolific “visual poet” and inventor of his own brand of “glitch poetry”, a form of visual poetry with a similar sensibility to glitch music. In addition to making sound poetry and free form electronic music, Gaze has contributed to a number of small press poetry and art publications, and was recently included in an exhibition of asemic writing in Russia.

100 Scenes is a 106 page comic and can be bought as aPDF right here, with a print publisher/distributor currently in the works.

Proposed Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art

Working with architects does have its advantages, I must say. In the myriad links I get sent daily, sometimes something blog worthy like this will crop up. It’s an article about a proposed museum dedicated to comics and cartoons in a huge space in Manhattan. It looks great, and is not to be confused with the current MoCCA in New York. I hope it gets made. Here’s the original article.

Comic or rather”graphic novel” fanatics will soon get to share their love with liked minded fellows and no I don’t mean Comic-Con. The proposed Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art MoCCA will sited on a 14000sq ft lot in Manhattan’s lower east side near the Williamsburg Bridge from Brooklyn and seeks to be a hub for the most comprehensive comic and cartoon art collection. The design proposal lists spaces for gallery, classrooms, café, retail, theater, lecture hall, IT/computer lab, offices, archives, workshops, library, conference and convention center and the idea to have a fully immersive environment. The project has been conceptualized by architects Reid Nystrom and Alessandro Ortiz and I can’t wait to see it take shape.

Read True Grit Comic for Free

A prequel comic to the new True Grit film from the Coen Brothers starring Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon can be read for free at comiXology right now. It’s black and white and not a bad way to promote the film. There’s no credits in the Paramount commissioned comic itself but according to Bleeding Cool, it’s written by Dan Light and Ben Read with art by Christian Wildgoose. It’s also available in 7 languages.

Extra Sequential Podcast #25-1986

69 mins. It’s our 25th podcast and we celebrate the occasion by looking at the 25th anniversary of the year 1986, and what a year it was. We talk about the comics of the time plus power ballads, being born, multiple Sheens, the popularity of the high-five, and the shock of seeing Transformers dying.

LISTEN TO IT BELOW, DOWNLOAD IT HERE, ON ITUNES OR MIXCLOUD

1:32 NEWS

Death of the Comics Code and the upcoming doco about it, death of the powerful comics magazine Wizard and Shaun Tan’s Oscar nomination.

11:22 WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING

Arrested Development, and the whacky shenanigans of Axe Cop Vol. 1 TPB.

21:30 1986-THE YEAR THAT WAS

We kick off with the year’s Top Ten grossing films, talk about dying Transformers, Steve Guttenberg, and then get to comics of the time.

John Byrne’s Superman: Man of Steel that revamped and streamlined Clark and co.

Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, that showed an aged Bruce Wayne putting on the cowl once more in a mad future that put Batman back into the darkness, where he belongs.

Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

The British Invasion that saw English creators (such as Grant Morrison and Neil Gaiman) getting huge success in America, particularly DC Comics.

The rise of the independent publisher such as Dark Horse Comics and Slave Labor Graphics.

Art Spiegelman’s Pulitzer Prize winning Maus.

The formation of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

A few long running characters debuted including Booster Gold, Kilowog, Sodam Yat, Apocalypse and Eddie Brock (Venom).

For non-superheroes, 1986 saw the debut of Dylan Dog, Tintin and Alph-Art, Golgo 13, Area 88, Lone Wolf and Cub, Crying Freeman and Spirit of Wonder.

Axe Cop Mania

I’ve known about the sheer delightful insanity of webcomic Axe Cop for a while now, but only recently read the Dark Horse TPB collecting the first few dozen episodes in a wonderful 120 page collection. I yakked about it gleefully in our most recent Extra Sequential podcast (which will be up soon), but seeing as the series just celebrated its 1 year anniversary, it’s worthing mentioning and recommending.

As it’s written by 5 year old Malachai and drawn by his 29 year old brother Ethan (Chumble Spuzz) you know it’s going to be chock full of wild, rambling adventure, and it sure is. The Axe Cop TPB is the funniest comic I have ever read, bar none and beyond the zany stories, it’s filled with the delightful Ask Axe Cop features and intros from Ethan about how he works with his brother and just how crazy the huge success of the series is.

If you’re familiar with Axe Cop (if not, you should be!) then you’ll get a kick out of this great short, Australian made fan film. It’s amusing how it reminds me of Sin City with the earnest narration, but obviously with a much greater sense of fun. How awesome it would be to see a live action or cartoon Axe Cop on the small screen.

There’s also an interview at Newsarama, primarily with Ethan about March’s upcoming Axe Cop mini-series, Bad Guy Earth, but younger Malachai chimes in at the start:

Malachai: That’s all! Answer is never, never, never, never, never!

Nrama: Um, what was the question?

Ethan: You’ll never know.

Final Fantastic Four Teaser and Preview

Since this week’s death in FF the team have been in the news, and will continue to be on fans’ minds, with the release of next month’s final issue. Teaser for said issue below, but don’t worry, Marvel’s First Family will return in the new FF series by Jonathan Hickman and Steve Epting on March 23. If you don’t want to know which member of the FF died, don’t scroll down – whatever you do!

FANTASTIC FOUR #588 – The Final Issue!

FANTASTIC FOUR #588 (DEC100592)

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN

Penciled by NICK DRAGOTTA

Cover by ALAN DAVIS

Rated A …$3.99

FOC – 1/31/11, On Sale 2/23/11

Your First Look at the FINAL ISSUE OF FANTASTIC FOUR!

The end of the Fantastic Four is here! Huge choices that dramatically impact the Marvel Universe are made this February in Fantastic Four #588, from the superstar creative team of Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta and Mark Brooks! Following up on the sold-out hit Fantastic Four #587, Marvel is pleased to present your first look at the FINAL issue of the long-standing series, guest starring all your favorite Marvel heroes! But the story isn’t over yet because where one door closes, another opens. It’s now up to Reed, Sue, and Ben to make life-changing decisions of their own volition that set them on a course destined to change the Marvel Universe in Johnny’s honor!

“The reaction from fans and retailers to Fantastic Four #587 was overwhelming and we’re excited to show fans, who have been chomping at the bit, to see what’s next!” exclaims SVP of Sales, David Gabriel. “It may be the end of the series, but it’s the beginning of something much bigger.”

Say your final farewells to the Fantastic Four, this February in Fantastic Four #588!

FANTASTIC FOUR #588 (DEC100592)

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN

Penciled by NICK DRAGOTTA & MARK BROOKS

Cover by ALAN DAVIS

Rated A …$3.99

FOC – 1/31/11, On Sale 2/23/11

Win an iPad From DC Comics

If you’re a U.S resident, you have until Jan 31 to enter the sweepstakes for an iPad, customised with an original Batman sketch from Jim Lee. Go here to enter.

Emma #1 Preview

It’s great to see gallery artist Janet Lee getting more comics work in her unusual layered style, as seen in one of last year’s best OGNs Return of the Dapper Men. Details and perty pics below.

Your First Look At Janet Lee’s Mesmerizing Pages of Emma #1

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Emma #1 from New York Times best-selling writer Nancy Butler (Sense & Sensibility) and rising star artist Janet K. Lee (Return of the Dapper Men)! This March, delve into the world of nineteenth century courtship courtesy of a Rita Award-winning author and the illustrator whose work Newsarama.com calls “truly breathtaking.” Local matchmaker Emma Woodhouse can make anyone the perfect pair – provided she can stop the men folk from falling for her first! Find out how one upstanding young woman comes to find herself stuck in a love triangle as big as an English village, only in Emma #1!

EMMA #1 (JAN110685)

Written by NANCY BUTLER

Art and Cover by JANET K. LEE

Rated A… $3.99

FOC – 2/7/11, On Sale – 3/2/11

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