There’s no mention of where the writers got this info from, but it’s an interesting read nonetheless. Essentially it’s what Bryan Singer’s plans were for the sequel to Superman Returns. It certainly seems much more action packed and features Brainiac and removes (if harshly) the whole bad idea of Superman’s son, but I’m still glad this film wasn’t made. Read the article here.
Also on the net are more costume concepts from another Supes film attempt, this time for the J.J Abrams version, though they may have carried over to Singer’s film too in the early stages. Steve Johnson released those Nic Cage/Tim Burton costume test pics a while ago and now you can see them and more recent ones at his Facebook page.
This is something I’ve been meaning to review for a while. We talked about it on our Extra Sequential podcast a few weeks ago, in episode 15, but I thought it might be worth an extra mention as we come close to Christmas, as it is a great present for the fanboy or girl in your life. For comics newbies, it’s not that acceessible. That is to say, if you don’t know who Grant Morrison is, then this won’t convince you of his awesomeness. Produced by the fine folks at SequArt, who are known for their insightful literary criticism of comics, this 80 minute documentary did surprise me in at least 2 ways. Firstly, I was sure they’d need to put subtitles on the film as every other time I’ve seen Morrison talk in his thick Scottish accent it was barely decipherable. Maybe he’s softened now that he’s spending more time in America, but it was fine and his casual revelations were easy and entertaining to take in. Secondly, he’s not as weird as I thought. He’s one of those creators, like Alan Moore, whose work is often examined and criticized, because we expect so much of him. Like Moore, he shares an interest in magic, but Morrison seems more public and approachable. When he discusses his dealings with the subject thanks to an influential uncle it just seems matter-of-fact. He also talks about his drug use (but no cocaine) and the strange visions that he experienced, and usually worked into his scripts on Vertigo series The Invisibles.
Of course, there’s many interviews with his fellow creators who aren’t shy on praise, including Frank Quitely, Phil Jimenez, Dan DiDio and many more. Though they’re not always revealing, they at least show Morrison’s down to earth nature and reinforce the fact that he is loved by critics, fans and fellow professionals.
It’s only $34 at Amazon bundled with the unsuprisingly more slick Secret Origin doco on DC Comics, which make perfect companion pieces, especially as most of Morrison’s work has been with DC in the last 20 years. It was Morison’s dynamite run on JLA for DC in the ’90s that cemented my love of comics and from that to WE3 to Seaguy to All Star Superman to a stint on X-Men for Marvel he’s shown that he’s a capable scribe of big ideas.
Talking about his upbringing, his love life, his artistic skills and the respect he has for the storytelling power of superheroes is all fascinating stuff. Unfortunately there are no interviews with loved ones, but the man himself is revealing and honest enough to paint a real self-portrait.
Director Patrick Meaney does a grand job of keeping it visually interesting and although it can divulge into a series of talking heads at times, generous use of the man’s comics work, and convention footage, make sure the visuals stay as interesting as the subject himself. The back cover of the DVD states that it contains, “mind bombs, psychedlic ideas and transgressive concepts,” which sums up Morrison’s work aptly. Of all the possible creators the film makers could have chosen Morrison is in the top 5 most obvious ones for he’s led an interesting and highly creative life. Their next film is on writer Warren Ellis and although I’m less familiar with his work, I’ll be sure to grab it too.
On a related note if you like behind the scenes on creative types, Chronicle Books is releasing Art Work in April which has looks at the notepads and journals from creators from many fields, such as Wes Anderson and Will Self.
61 mins. It’s Christmas time! Well, almost. Mladen and I throw out a few suggestions for present buying. Let’s call it our Generous Geek Goodies Giving Guidelines. Or something. We also yak about the manga 2001 Nights, two titles from GG studio and a lesser known character from the creator of Conan.
No Two-Face or Joker in The Dark Knight Rises, Tron: Legacy soundtrack is now available, the trailer for Transformers 3, Anthrax’s Scott Ian is writing The Demon for DC Comics, superheroes become samurai in Marvel’s 5 Ronin mini-series due in March.
17:20 WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING
Twilight: Eclipse, Hard Candy, the original Spartacus film, Kull: The Hate Witch #1 from Robert E. Howard, manga 2001 Nights from Viz Media, A Skeleton Story and The One from Italian publisher GG Studio.
42:34 GEEK CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Mladen and I give you some guidelines for Christmas purchases. If you want to buy something for the fanboy/fangirl in your life, or if you’re a fanboy/girl who wants to get something for the comics curious person in your life, then have we got some great tips for you?! Yes, yes we do.
Yes, it’s pretty bland and the character’s name/film title is miniscule, but fans already know what the film version of Thor looks like. I’d expect the posters that are released closer to the May 6, 2011 release date to play up the fantasy angle and the Marvel angle. Really this one-sheet could be of any action movie, but as directed by Kenneth Branagh and tying in to the Iron Man/Avengers film continuity we know it won’t be.
The trailer has also just been released. Some of the footage has been seen in the Comic-Con footage form July this year, but it also shows Thor’s winged helmet, his hammer Mjolnir and the evil Destroyer in action. Oh, and it’s 3D too. Looks pretty awesome.
The 2:30 long teaser for the third (and now Megan Fox-less) Transformers film has just been released. Apparently Soundwave is in it. Yay! The trailer doesn’t show much, apart from the 1969 moon landing and a probably ancient Transformer. I recall they used a similar NASA approach to the teaser for the first film.
Also, just been released is this teaser for the follow-up to the best comic video game ever, Batman: Arkham Asylum. Again, it doesn’t reveal a lot, apart from some brief Jason Bourne styled beatings. Both the TF film and Batman: Arkham City are out next year.
DC tried a similar approach in the ’90s with an alternate universe tale where the Justice League existed in feudal Japan. It kind of worked. Now it’s Marvel’s turn. Of the 5, Wolvie, Punisher and Psylocke make the most sense to become samurai.
Marvel’s Deadliest Heroes Are The 5 RONIN
Wolverine. Psylocke. The Punisher. Hulk. Deadpool. Five of Marvel’s deadliest heroes will come to the fore this March for a series unlike any other in 5 RONIN. Bound together by the same fate, yet alone in their existence, they are forced to walk the lonely path of the masterless samurai in the violent and tumultuous world of feudal Japan.
Crafted by acclaimed writer Peter Milligan and a rotating cast of today’s hottest artists, 5 RONIN #1-5 is a month-long event with covers from some of the biggest names in the industry. To celebrate the release of this series, retailers will have the opportunity to order two different covers per issue – one by superstar artist David Aja and one by another industry favorite.
“What would the ultimate samurai super hero epic look like? The answer is 5 RONIN” explains Editor Sebastian Girner. “When we came up with the idea of taking our biggest heroes and setting them in this time period, writer Peter Milligan and the amazingly talented cast of artists immediately jumped on board. This is easily one of the most beautiful comics you will read this year.”
Each of the 5 seeks revenge, but against whom? And what powerful secret connects these lone warriors? 5 RONIN will examine the true face of Marvel’s most solitary characters against a majestic — and bloodstained — backdrop.
Firstly, the delightful all-ages book Owly is returning in February.
Top Shelf is proud to announce that the all-new OWLY picture book by Andy Runton is in the current Diamond Previews and available for pre-ordering! This 40-page full-color hardcover picture book (with a dust jacket) is published by Simon & Schuster under license from Top Shelf, and we’re all very excited to add this new dimension to the Owly Universe!
Owly and Wormy want butterflies! But when they come home from Mrs. Raccoon’s nursery with a milkweed plant that’s supposed to attract some fluttering friends, what they get instead are chubby, green bugs! But green bugs are not butterflies! Will butterflies ever come to the forest? Only time will tell… Bold, graphic, and full of fun, this wordless storybook gives all-ages readers the wings they need to start reading on their own, and a firm footing on the idea of metamorphosis as they watch old friends become new friends.
Secondly, their offering for Free Comic Book Day next year consists of 3 new all-ages tales.
And while we’re celebrating the all-new OWLY picture book, here’s a sneak peak at this year’s 2011 FREE COMIC BOOK DAY book, the TOP SHELF KIDS CLUB – 2011, featuring not one, but SIX all-ages tales! In this FCBD edition, we’ll not only present three adventures from our established all-ages series OWLY by Andy Runton, JOHNNY BOO by James Kochalka, and KORGI by Christian Slade; but we’ll also feature three all-new stories from three brand new all-ages series debuting in 2011: OKIE DOKIE DONUTS by Chris Eliopoulos, PIRATE PENGUIN VS NINJA CHICKEN by Ray Friesen, and UPSIDE DOWN by Jess Smart Smiley. Perfect for everyone in the family. With a great cover by Chris Eliopoulos this time around to boot!
I loved the alternate universe multi-series that was Age of Apocalypse back in the heyday of the ’90s. Marvel gave us an alternate world where Magneto replaced the dead Professor X as leader of the X-Men, Wolverine had one arm and Cyclops was a bad guy not to be messed with. More recently we’ve had the more grounded House of M story which showed a world without mutants. Next up is Age of X. Below are two covers for the series which launches on January 26. That’s Australia Day! Read more about the series with an interview with Mike Carey at CBR and discover some redesigns of classic X-Men too.
Your First Look At All-New Covers To AGE OF X: ALPHA
Marvel is pleased to present your first look at two all-new covers to Age of X: Alpha #1 from superstar artists Chris Bachalo and Olivier Coipel! Mutankind’s Final war starts here! In a world where the X-Men never existed, the survival of mutantkind rests on the shoulders of the few remaining mutants who are on their last leg. Who are they and at what length will they go to keep their kind alive? Get your answers to these questions and more in Age Of X: Alpha #1! Keep your eyes peeled this week for another Age of X Historical Log inside select Marvel Comics. Be sure to head out to your local comic shop to find the next clue you will need to unravel the mystery that is Age of X.
AGE OF X: ALPHA #1 (NOV100514)
AGE OF X: ALPHA #1 COIPEL VARIANT (NOV10515)
Written by MIKE CAREY
Pencils by MIRCO PIERFEDERICI, PAUL DAVIDSON, GABRIEL HERNANDEZ WALTA, HARVEY TOLIBAO & CARLO BARBERI
DC has always had an interesting history when compared to Marvel. Celebrating their 75th anniversary this year, though they’ve kept it quite low key, is this new documentary from the producers of the excellent Spellbound doco. Written and directed by Mac Carter and narrated by Green Lantern actor Ryan Reynolds, this 90 minute look at the publisher’s past and present is entertaining. There are better books out there that offer more exhaustive examinations, including the recent mammoth tome written by Paul Levitz, but considering this is a film made by the very subject it’s about, it was always going to be a cheery look rather than a dirty expose.
It’s no surprise that it’s the best looking doco of its kind, with plenty of pretty pictures from comics new and old and interviewees in professionally lit environments. Speaking of interviewees, the producers have lined up some rather impressive names including the expected writers and artists such as Neil Gaiman, Mark Waid, Len Wein, Louise Simonson, Gerard Jones, Jim Lee, and Dwayne McDuffie, Vertigo editor Karen Berger, designer Chip Kidd fans, head honcho Dan DiDio and fans at San Diego Comic-Con.
Many would expect this to be a glowing account of the awesomeness of DC, but it’s surprisingly frank at times. It does skip over the legal battle between Superman and Captain Marvel, and dismisses Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson’s exit from the company he helped build, but it also has Neal Adams calling Jay Garrick, the original Flash “stupid” and stating that the DC offices in the ‘70s were filled with hippies “ whose hair was longer than their careers.” Classic.
Denny O’Neill, the writer whose output with Adams gave DC a more realistic edge in their ‘70s Green Lantern/Green Arrow tales admits that in the decade previous DC were floundering when compared to Marvel’s much more fresh titles, with Spider-Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four and more exploding from the shelves. While Batman and Superman were still having zany sci-fi adventures, a relic from the harsh Comics Code form the ‘50s, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and co. were creating a new age of superheroes.
I did chuckle at two Wonder Woman anecdotes when O’Neill admitted, “boy did I screw that up” when referring to the depowering/white suit karate phase of the Amazonian’s life and hearing that her TV series ‘ theme tune had lyrics such as, “in your satin tights, fightin’ for your rights.” Seeing all the mania that existed over the past few decades during the TV and film adventures of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman around the world is great too, as is some of the merchandise surrounding those characters. Plus footage of actual events such as comic book burning in the ‘50s and news footage of Superman’s death in 1992 never gets old, and this is also the first time I’ve seen actual interviews with Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Superman’s creators.
Two other things I did learn however are that Frank Miller is 1 of 7 kids and Neil Gaiman almost gave up his dream of writing comics after a disbelieving career counsellor suggested accountancy instead. Yes, not revolutionary facts, but having read books on DC’s history before, most of the info that Secret Origin presents, I was already aware of. I did still enjoy it though as a well presented documentary on a fascinating few decades of DC Comics and newbies will find a lot of great trivia amongst all the great visuals.
Unfortunately there are no extras, not even trailers for DC’s existing animated films, which all the other DC films have, and the trailer below makes it seem like it’s mainly made up of TV and cartoon adaptations, which it isn’t.
The latest issue of the Australian version of film mag Empire has just been released (look for the Tintin cover, which was used by the UK edition previously ) and inside is a 4 page article on the next film from the great British comedy duo of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. They’ve appeared in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz and as the Thompson twins in December 2011’s Tintin film. Before that however (April, 2011 in fact) is Paul, a film starring the pair as geeks who discover an alien who’s been on earth for decades. That alien is voiced by Seth Rogen and the film is directed by Superbad’s Greg Mottola.
Well, the thing that stood out for me in the article was that the pair, obvious fanboys, are sporting the kinds of shirts you’d see at Comic Con. On the left is Frost with a Project Superpowers shirt from the Dynamite series, while Pegg wears a Daniel Clowes design, which is very good timing as his The Death-Ray tale is being published by Drawn and Quarterly next year.
As mentioned on Comics Alliance, English professor Dr Andy Kunka has recently discovered the truth behind the term, “graphic novel.” The name and form has often been attributed to legendary creator Will Eisner’s 1978 A Contract With God, but Kunka shows that’s not the case. It’s a long read, but a very interesting one for those keen on comics history.
I just stumbled across this, but it looks like a fantastic opportunity. The One 80 Project is a chance for creative types to get their work out there, for a chance to become a TV show to be shown on MTV. You have until Jan 14 next year to create a 180 second film to show the potential of a 1 hour drama. You must be an Australian resident, and an expert panel as well as the public will vote on all entries, and $5000 cash will go to the best entrant from a tertiary student.
Sadly, master of the deadpan delivery Leslie Nielsen passed away recently. His most recent films weren’t fantastic, certainly, but he gave the world some great comedy moments on film and TV. Empire have picked their fave Nielsen quotes and most of them made me chuckle out loud, thanks to the actor’s great work with the writing/directing team of Jim Abrahams and Jerry and David Zucker.
The list goes from 1980’s Airplane! (also known as Flying High) to 2003’s Scary Movie 3. His line from Airplane as Dr. Rumack is often repeated (“Don’t call me Shirley”), but he delivered more gold throughout his career, most noteably as Frank Drebin in the short-lived Police Squad TV series and the three Naked Gun films that spun out of the show. Catch the list here and see some merry snippets below.
Frank Drebin: We’re sorry to bother you at such a time like this, Mrs. Twice. We would have come earlier, but your husband wasn’t dead then.
Mr. V: That was nice work. You took a big chance doing that. Frank Drebin: Well, you take a big chance getting up in the morning, crossing the street, or sticking your face in a fan.
Frank Drebin: Jane, since I’ve met you, I’ve noticed things that I never knew were there before… birds singing, dew glistening on a newly formed leaf, stoplights.
Frank Drebin: This is Frank Drebin, Police Squad. Throw down your guns, and come on out with your hands up. Or come on out, then throw down your guns, whichever way you wanna do it. Just remember the two key elements here: one, guns to be thrown down; two, come on out!
Frank Drebin: Well… We shot a lot of people together. It’s been great. But today I retire, so if I do any shooting now, it’ll have to be within the confines of my own home. Hopefully, an intruder and not an in-law, like at my bachelor party.
Google the title of this post and you’ll see more than a few people who’d like to see Marvel’s half human, half vamp hero stake Edward Cullen and co. I actually just watched the most recent Twilight flick and though it looks better than the previous 2 instalments, it’s still rather dull. At least it makes fun of the fad surrounding it, with Edward looking at Jacob’s (Taylor Lautner) six pack and asking, “Does he ever wear a shirt?” and with Jacob mentioning Edward’s cold blooded vamp veins and stating, “I’m hotter than you.”
Another writer having some fun at Twilight’s expense is Mark Millar. In the first 3 pages of last week’s Ultimate Comics Avengers 3 #4, with art by Steve Dillon, Blade is stuck in a sewer and, having just been bitten by new vamp Captain America, starts hallucinating about two lovers staring meaningfully at one another in “Twilight Falls.” “Stella” asks “Edgar” to stare at her. “Intensely?” he asks. “As intensely as you dare,” she pouts. Ah, great stuff.
Below the classic demotivational poster is a taste of pop culture parody delight from those great opening pages.
comicbookjesus 