Yesterday was Star Wars Day, as those like me who received multiple May the 4th Be With You e-mails would know. In honour of that, and the 30th anniversary of one of the best films ever made, (or the best as voted by the hepcats at Empire magazine) the folks at JibJab have put together a rather amusing summary of The Empire Strikes Back. As with all JibJab’s fine short videos, you can put yourself and your mates in, as seen below. Nifty.
New G.I. Joe Series
The recent G.I. Joe Resolute was an awesome animated web series/movie and much better than the embarassing live action film. Hopefully a new series, called G.I. Joe: Renegades will be of the same calibre. It was just announced at the weekend’s G.I.Joe Con. According to Animation Magazine, “the series was announced as a reboot of the classic series, with plans calling for a two-part pilot kicking off a total of 26 episodes. The series will be animated in 2D, with animation veteran Margaret Loesch serving as executive producer. The series will be aimed at a slightly older audience, with a toy line based on the new series set to debut in fall 2011.”
Aladdin: Legacy of the Lost #3 Review
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Radical’s luscious books, as is anyone who looks at them really, and with the good news that a new volume of Steve Pugh’s excellent Hotwire lands in July, I’m a happy man indeed.
And on that note, Aladdin #3 concludes another great, and great looking, entry in Radical’s line up. Written by Ian Edginton with art by Stjepan Sejic, this has been a well crafted tale. It’s the kind of series that doesn’t demand attention, in that it’s not a high concept book (like Radical’s The Last Days of American Crime) and it doesn’t resort to cheap storytelling tricks and ‘mature’ updates of a myth to generate readers. It’s simply an attractive and accessible well structured story and unfortunately that’s all too are these days.
This final issue concludes the previous two (umm..obviously) but its simplicity means that every issue can be dove into without trying to rack your brain regarding what happened in the last installment. However, for those new to this title – Aladdin is a bit of a no hoper and a thief when he discovers a magical ring, meets wise adventurer Sinbad, tries to rescue Princess Soraya from the evil wizard Qassim and finally journeys to the undreground city where he and Sinbad get betrayed by the Mantis Queen. Kind of like Star Wars in the Middle East, but not really.
Edginton has used the familiarity of the legend including the titular hero, and wish granting djinn as the first steps on a grander epic. Throwing in surprises such as the appearance of Sinbad is just a nice bonus. The attack on Sinbad’s ship opens the issue, as Aladdin gets eventual aid from the djinn in his magical ring, who has a connection to the other djinn…the one in the lamp from the first issue, which is now held by Qassim’s greedy fingers.
Where this issue differs from the previous issues is its more hectic (though never harried) pace, the introduction of a few more scary beasts, the greater use of magic and the examples of love, and the heroism or selfishness it brings.
Sejic shines as always, quite literally, with his landscapes and dazzling cities looking like they belong in a Prince of Persia film as if made by Peter Jackson. He’s one of the industry’s brightest and most consistent artists and his sense of design when it comes to characters and layouts, holds immense visual appeal.
The other thing I noticed with this issue was Edginton’s approach to dialogue. With an ancient-set story like this it could easily become a bad mix of Shakesperean talk via the mouth of Thor, but thankfully there’s nothing like that here. It somehow feels old and I don’t mean because there’s no iPhone references. Every character speaks with the kind of purpose and heroism, and villainy, that you’d expect and want from a Middle Eastern epic journey.
Pilot Season: Stealth #1 Preview
Yes, this one-shot from Top Cow’s Pilot Season series was meant to come out at the start of the year, but delays do happen. Now it’s out this week. Official description, and previews pages, below.
Pilot Season: Stealth #1
Robert Kirkman (A) Sheldon Mitchell (Cov) Marc Silvestri
From the creative minds of Image partners Robert Kirkman & Marc Silvestri!
Todd Carey is recovering from a nasty divorce, his daughter is flunking out of college and he’s just learned that his father has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Unable to really take care of himself, Todd has allowed his father to move in with him. What Todd doesn’t know, is that his father is the masked vigilante STEALTH… and has been his entire life. Stealth has many enemies and his erratic behavior could easily get him killed–and all this trouble falls squarely in Todd’s lap.
Full Color 22 pages $2.99 pilot issue
BOOM!’s Best This Week
So, suppose you went to your friendly neighbourhood comic shop on Saturday for Free Comic Book Day, to see what was what, and maybe get your kids or younger relatives into comics for the first time. Well, this week diverse indie publisher BOOM! Studios have something for your every reading requirement to keep you in the (good) habit. The final issue of Muppet King Arthur is out, as is the latest issue (#5) in their wonderfully entertaining and thankfully ongoing The Muppet Show Comic Book and Walt Disney Comics and Stories #706. See previews from these two issues below. For something that will bring the chuckles to both kids and adults, you can’t go wrong with the awesome Toy Story: The Return of Buzz Lightyear TPB, which collects the very amusing 4 issue series from Jesse Blaze Snider and Nathan Watson. Also in collected form are the first 4 issues of Roger Langridge’s The Muppet Show series.
If you’re chasing something a bit more mature, either the Nola TPB (heroine wakes up battered in a New Orleans hospital facing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and revenge on her mind), the Incorruptible TPB by Mark Waid and Jean Diaz, which is a reverse Irredeemable of sorts, following villain turned hero Max Damage, or the latest issues of 28 Days Later (#10), Irredeemable (#13) or Codebreakers (#10). There ya go! Plenty to choose from.
Arcana #1 Now Here
A print offshoot of sorts of the on-line magazine I co-created, Extra Sequential, Arcana has now been released in some comic book shops around the U.S. I got my hands on a few copies this week at my LCS in Perth, Western Australia and was so excited I just had to take a photo of it on the shelves, right next to Archie. It’s not a bad looking product, I must say and from all reports the next issue, which will be in conjunction with the team behind the great SP! Nexus magazine will be even better.
At least now I can finally add “internationally published writer” to my resume!
Inside its 80 pages, there’s interviews with creator of The Surrogates Robert Venditti, writer Marv Wolfman, superb artist David Mack and our cover feature on Aussie Star Wars: Invasion, The Authority writer Tom Taylor. If you see a copy, make sure to grab it!
The Last Days of American Crime #2 Review
In the age of Tarantino and Ritchie it’s unsurprising that this series was picked up, by producer/actor Sam Worthington, with such immediacy. With new concepts like this, Radical show that they know what it takes to make comics like the best examples of bold cinema.
The debut issue of this bi-monthly series introduced us to the world of ageing Graham Bricke who, like many others, wants to choke every opportunity they can before the U.S government broadcasts a signal throughout the nation, rendering criminal desires null and void. It’s one of those simple concepts that can be described in a sentence, yet whose potential is limitless. No wonder Hollywood are keen. Writer Rick Remender never gets bogged down by the hug scope of the idea though. There’s hints to actions outside of the happenings involving Bricke and his fellow crims, but it’s the ragtag bunch of ne’er-do-wells who are the charismatic centrepiece. The signal combined with the complete and total transfer of paper money to digital transactions ensure that the window of opportunity for Bricke and co. is becoming narrower and deadlier.
Issue 2 begins, with only 7 days left so Bricke (or Rory as he’s also known) has to move things along quickly with his new partners, safe cracker Kevin and his hacker girlfriend Shelby (who Bricke had a brief …encounter with last issue). The 3 characters are largely separated during the story, which means with only one issue left in this series, the finale is set up to be explode.
There’s no doubt that the world of American Crime is a filthy one. Rick Remender is writing the Punisher after all, so he knows a thing or two about the criminal mind, but whereas his work on that series, and Fear Agent shows a deft ability to welcome the fantastic, here he has a different agenda. From the opening pages in which members of a Mexican gang threaten a rival’s naked partner, it’s blindingly obvious that this isn’t one for the kids. Remender knows his boundaries though. There’s never a point, despite all the profanity and loose morals, that he’s puffing his chest out to show how ‘cool’ he is. He shows restraint and makes sure to give the reader a breather, and that’s something that Mark Millar could do with learning. There is a lot more violence, nudity and drug use in this issue than the debut, but there’s also the sense that Remender is ramping up his grandiose story, with the reason to the signal being given, as well as its implications on society’s freedoms.
This is a well paced tale, with Bricke as the guiding force, but the scenes involving Kevin’s run-in with some local drug dealers, his visit to his unique and wealthy family, and Shelby’s kidnapping, (along with the possibility of backstabbing) means that this is a guaranteed page turner. With a world filled with hardcore characters in the Sin City realm, and the approach of a Hollywood blockbuster, American Crime is an intoxicating, if sometimes shocking, mix.
A large part of the razzle dazzle is due to Greg Tocchini’s sizzling artwork. I’ve never seen an artist who can colour his own pencils with such verve. He has a rough approach, but one that is filled with details lesser artists wouldn’t bother with. By choosing unique angles it really does feel like a movie directed by the next big thing from the world of music videos.
This is another great entry in this series, and for a cheap 64 pager with a production and design gallery included, it’s pretty hard to pass by.
Resistance Book 1 Review
At Broken Frontier is my review of the OGN, Resistance from First Second Books. It’s a fairly solid drama about a group of kids joining the French Resistance during the dangerous days of WWII. Read my full review here.
First Thor Photo
Here’s Aussie actor Chris Hemsworth (Kirk’s Dad in Star Trek) as Marvel’s god of thunder, Thor. Looks like a very faithful representation of his current costume. On a related note, if you’re watching Iron Man 2 this weekend, make sure you stay after the credits.
Jonah Hex Trailer
Opening on June 18 is this long in development film based on DC Comics’ Jonah Hex. It stars Josh Brolin as the titular scarred bounty hunter, Megan Fox with a Southern accent and John Malkovich as the baddie. Hex has had very little promotion and the trailer makes it seem like a bland revenge film rather than the great combination of the Western and horror genres that it purports to be.
Iron Man/Thor FCBD Preview
This Saturday is FCBD. Yep, Free Comic Book Day. It’s been growing for the last few years, with the majority of publishers putting out a sample of their wares. It’s a great opportunity for comic newbies to get an entry into the wonderful world of sequential art, and for fanboys and girls across the world to see what’s new, if your local shop is participating that is. Now, here’s a preview of Marvel’s FCBD offering, starring two of their new cinematic heroes.
Your First Look At Free Comic Book Day’s IRON MAN/THOR
Marvel is proud to unveil your first look at Iron Man/Thor, Marvel’s hotly anticipated Free Comic Book Day (May 1st) special from award-winning creators Matt Fraction and John Romita Jr. With the Heroic Age in full swing, Iron Man and Thor find themselves pitted against an enemy unlike any they’ve fought before! And, don’t forget, Iron Man/Thor is totally free this Saturday in celebration of Free Comic Book Dayat your local comic retailer!
“It’s exciting to see two of our most popular heroes paired with two of our top creators for Free Comic Book Day,” said David Gabriel, Senior Vice President of Sales & Circulation. “Marvel is proud to be part of this annual event– kudos to all the retailers who make this event happen year after year with outstanding success.”
Marvel encourages all comic book fans to check out the great offerings from all over the industry on Saturday, May 1st, as the historic Free Comic Book Day arrives at your local comic shop! For more information on FCBD, please visit www.freecomicbookday.com
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2010: IRON MAN/THOR
Written by MATT FRACTION
Penciled by JOHN ROMITA JR.
Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.
RATED A…FREE!
IN STORES THIS SATURDAY!
Kick-Ass Review
I won’t necessarily say that I can’t see what all the fuss is about, because I can understand how seeing a pre-pubescent girl wielding a samurai sword, and a variety of guns while swearing can be jarring. However, I’ve read all the issues of the comic and it’s a lot more in your face on the page. What is sorely lacking from the transition to celluloid is the dark humour, and the likeable aspects of protagonist and titular vigilante Dave Lizewski.
It’s certainly a fanboy film, and comic creators Mark Millar and John Romita Jr, and film director Matthew Vaughan (Layer Cake) know their target audience well. From the Superman-like intro credits to the many scenes set in Atomic Comics, it is an experience for comic readers who can embrace the silly aspects of the superhero, with Nic Cage doing his best Adam West Batman impression, and Kick Ass hitting the streets in a green wetsuit. What is missing is the sense of fun, which does arrive too late at the film’s emotional and satisfying climax. Aaron Johnson is a fine actor, but he’s overshadowed in his own film, by baddie Mark Strong, Chloe Moretz as Hit Girl and Christopher Mintz-Plasse as the fumbling Red Mist. It’s not long into the film that Kick Ass deviates from the source material (particualarly in who dies and who lives) but with only 8 issues released in 2 years, the film makers had a lot of room to move.
It is an enjoyable film, but not as ‘out there’ as I expected. There’s no nudity or excessive swearing or intestine spilling. And that’s certainly a good thing. Any Tarantino film pushes the envelope more than this in respect to blood letting. Raising issues of family, friendship and standing up for your fellow man may get lost in all the gaudy costumes and gunplay, but don’t dismiss this film straight away. It’s not another great cross-over film with daring and artistic mass appeal like say, Sin City was, but at the same time, it does stand out more as a parody amongst the horde of comics films that have landed on cinema screens in the last few years and proves that even sequential art can be self referential rather than self reverential.
Batman: Under the Red Hood Trailer and Pics
They keep cranking them out, but they keep getting better. Thanks DC! Details below about July’s animated film based on the resurrection of Jason Todd, the second Robin.
GOTHAM CITY MEETS A NEW VIGILANTE WITH A MYSTERIOUS, VIOLENT TWIST IN
BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD STELLAR VOICE CAST FEATURES BRUCE GREENWOOD, JENSEN ACKLES & NEIL PATRICK HARRIS IN
ALL-NEW DC UNIVERSE ANIMATED ORIGINAL MOVIE FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO ON JULY 27, 2010
SPECIAL EDITION BLU-RAY AND 2-DISC SPECIAL EDITION DVD INCLUDE DC SHOWCASE SHORT, JONAH HEX
Batman confronts new enemies, old foes and painful memories when a powerful vigilante with a penchant for violence comes to Gotham City in the intense graphic-novel-come-to-life Batman: Under the Red Hood, the next entry in the popular ongoing series of DC UNIVERSE Animated Original PG-13 Movies coming July 27, 2010 from Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation. The full-length film will be distributed by Warner Home Video as a Special Edition version on Blu-Ray™ and 2 disc DVD for $29.99 (SRP) and $24.98 (SRP), respectively, as well as single disc DVD for $19.98 (SRP). The film will also be available On Demand and for Download.
The stellar voice cast has Bruce Greenwood (Captain Pike in the 2009 blockbuster Star Trek) donning the famed cowl as the voice of Batman. Supernatural star Jensen Ackles is Red Hood, and Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) voices Nightwing. John DiMaggio (Futurama) and Jason Issacs (the Harry Potterfilms) round out the main cast as The Joker and Ra’s Al Ghul, respectively.
Batman: Under the Red Hood is scripted by award-winning comics writer Judd Winick and based on his popular 2005 comics storyline and subsequent comics graphic novel of the same name. Animation guru Bruce Timm returns as executive producer, as he has for all eight DC Universe animated original movies. Director is Brandon Vietti, who served as co-director of Superman Doomsday and was responsible for the first one-third of that film, including the fatal battle between the two title characters.
In Batman: Under the Red Hood, Batman faces his ultimate challenge as the mysterious Red Hood takes Gotham City by firestorm. One part vigilante, one part criminal kingpin, Red Hood begins cleaning up Gotham with the efficiency of Batman, but without following the same ethical code. Killing is an option. And when The Joker falls in the balance between the two, hard truths are revealed and old wounds are reopened.
Fans will be treated to an incredible package of DC Universe storytelling as the Special Edition Blu-Ray and 2-Disc Special Edition DVD include the second animated short in the all-new DC Showcase series – which features the popular DC Comics character, Jonah Hex. The short is scripted by renowned author Joe Lansdale and stars the voices of Thomas Jane (Hung), Linda Hamilton (The Terminator), Michelle Trachtenberg (Mercy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Michael Rooker (Days of Thunder).
Batman: Under the Red Hood – 2 Disc Special Edition DVD will have more than two hours of fascinating bonus features, including:
- Featurette – Robin’s Story – It was decided it was time to add a fresh face into the story mix, which turned out to be Dick Grayson, aka Robin. This is the story of Dick Grayson and how he transformed into Robin, with Batman as his father-figure role model.
- Extended Sneak Peek at the next DC UNIVERSE Animated Original PG-13 Movie.
- Widescreen (1.78:1)
- Two title-themed episodes from of Warner Bros. Animation’s 20-year history of Batman television series, hand-picked by animation legend Bruce Timm.
Batman: Under the Red Hood Special Edition Blu-Ray will have more than three hours of bonus materials, including all the great extras from the 2-disc Special Edition DVD as well as:
- Featurette: Death in the House of Batman – The story of how DC Comics heard the fans’ cry that the new Robin was not going to fit the cape, and how the Boy Wonder was scheduled to die.
- Two additional bonus Batman-themed episodes personally selected by Bruce Timm
- Digital copy
“Batman: Under the Red Hood is another terrific entry in the groundbreaking series of DC Universe animated movies, a shining representation of the adult storytelling that comics-turned-to-film has to offer, and further evidence of the combined creative power within the collaboration of DC Entertainment, Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video,” said Matt Bierman, Senior Vice President Production, Warner Premiere.
“Judd Winick’s and Doug Mahnke’s story of a Robin gone wrong introduced Batman’s most personal enemy to date. It’s unbelievably cool to see it brought to life like this,” said Geoff Johns, Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment.
“With each exciting new chapter of the DC UNIVERSE films, fans have come to expect more – and Batman: Under the Red Hood delivers with an action-packed tale of mystery and emotional struggle brought to animated life by an outstanding filmmaking crew and voiced by the all-star talents of Bruce Greenwood, Jensen Ackles, Neil Patrick Harris and John Dimaggio,” said Amit Desai, WHV Vice President of Family, Animation & Partner Brand Marketing.
“In his feature length solo directorial debut, Brandon Vietti has brought this dark, psychological thriller to the screen with all the action and emotion of a great Batman story,” said Sam Register, Executive Vice President, Warner Bros. Animation.”
Shadowland Teaser
Poor Spidey. Marvel released this teaser image for a July launching mini-series, with the following info.
Shadowland: Battle For The Soul Of New York
SHADOWLAND #1 (of 5)
Written by ANDY DIGGLE
Penciled by BILLY TAN
Cover by JOHN CASSADAY
Wraparound Variant Cover by BILLY TAN
Rated T+ …$3.99
ON SALE JULY 2010
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