Here is just one example from the new Aniboom competition, in which creative types download a bunch of pages and effects and get to work on creating their own Marvel motion comics. Prizes include cash and 50 12 month subscriptions. Check out more videos here and get involved yourself if you feel suitably challenged and/or inspired.
See The Marvel Offices
There’s a short, but nifty video right here in which Marvel head honcho Joe Quesada gives a casual tour of the offices including their walls of covers, and licensed products, digital studio and a rather unimpressive kitchen. It’s one of the newest videos on Slate.com’s Cubez series.
The Super Hero Squad
Marvel’s new animated series with kid-friendly versions of their characters has now debuted on the Cartoon Network. Below are the details, including the impressive voice talent involved.
On Monday, September 14, The Super Hero Squad Show makes its Marvel-ous debut on the Cartoon Network with an action-packed sneak peak you can’t miss! Experience the adventures of Iron Man, Captain America , Thor, Silver Surfer, Wolverine, Storm and all your favorite Marvel Heroes like never before! The greatest heroes in the universe unite against the deadliest villains in an exciting, family friendly Super Hero team up unlike any in history! The Super Hero Squad unites to protect Super Hero City for VillainVille, as they must stop Dr. Doom and his allies from gathering pieces of the powerful Infinity Sword, or the bad guys will rule the universe! Luckily, the City is filled with Marvel Super Hero guest-stars to help out in a pinch. These brave heroes totally deliver the action – but with plenty of humor on the side as they “Hero Up!” to save the day.
The Super Hero Squad Show features superstar talent playing the roles of the series’ memorable characters, including:
Tom Kenny (Spongebob)
Charlie Adler (Transformers 1 & 2)
Steve Blum (Wolverine and the X-Men, Hulk Vs.)
Grey DeLisle (Fairly Oddparents and The Replacements).
And when it comes to guest-stars, The Super Hero Squad Show features the greatest characters—and talent—including:
Wayne Knight (Seinfeld)
LeVar Burton (Reading Rainbow, Star Trek: The Next Generation)
Michelle Trachtenberg (Gossip Girl, 17 Again, Buffy)
Greg Grunberg (Heroes)
Lena Headey (Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles, 300)
Adrian Pasdar (Heroes)
Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galatica)
Jennifer Morrison (House)
Tamera Mowry (Twitches and Sister, Sister)
Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street films)
Stan Lee as the Mayor of Super Hero City .
Ultimate Alliance 2 Launch Trailer
A sequel to the excellent Ultimate Alliance game starring a bunch of Marvel characters, Ultimate Alliance 2 hits shelves on September 15. Here’s a new trailer, (with a catchy song) showing plenty of in-game graphics and some of what made the first game so memorable – excellent cut scenes. The game is based on the awesome Civil War series from 2006-7 which had Iron Man and Captain America on opposing sides of the Superhero Registration Act. Now that Disney has engulfed Marvel, hopefully we’ll get an entire movie made like this.
Marvel/Disney Deal Reactions
I won’t harp on about this, as the geekosphere is still in a tizzy about the just announced deal that has Disney buying Marvel for $4 billion. However, there’s some interesting reactions to be found from comic book pros at CBR, Newsarama and Broken Frontier. My initial thought over this whole thing was somewhere between a mix of panic, distrust and cautious optimism. However, with a fresh day comes new tidbits, from the sites above, such as the fact that Disney will leave Marvel well alone and won’t interfere, so we won’t see Wolvie offering hugs instead of claws to the gut. Disney are impressed by the way Marvel operate and don’t want to mess with that. Disney are approaching this in the same way they did when they bought Pixar and Jim Henson’s company.
Hopefully more kids will see comics now. It wasn’t that long ago that I saw a spinner rack at Target. Those days may return. Disney want that young male demographic and Hannah Montana ain’t doing that. With their theme parks, retail outlets and whatnot, Marvel could get a presence outside of comic shops like they haven’t had in years.
Apparently Robert Iger, the man who made the announcement yesterday, and the head of Disney is Jerry Iger’s nephew. Jerry Iger founded the famous Eisner & Iger comic book production house in the 1930s, so hopefully that respect for comics rubs off on Bob.
Of course, Disney may not be pushing Marvel’s more mature comics and may just focus on the all-ages stuff like Marvel Adventures, but then again Disney have their hands in many pies. They were once responsible for signing Insane Clown Posse through their Hollywood Records and via Touchstone Pictures are releasing Bruce Willis’ new film, Surrogates.
Of course, a CGI X-Men film is possible too, though perhaps not until the deal with 20th Century Fox is over, and BOOM! Studios hold the keys to Disney comics, so Marvel won’t be making them. Only time will tell, but I don’t think we’ll be seeing the Disney logo on Dark Avengers. It may just be a brave new future and give Marvel some financial stability and freedom. DC Comics has been owned by Warner Bros. for the last 3 decades and they’ve profited greatly from it.
Anyway, that’s enough of that. Now here’s a few great covers from this week’s new Marvel releases. For the full list, see the link below the pics.
Disney Buys Marvel!
I know – what?! Well, it’s not April Fool’s Day and CBR and Newsarama are reporting it. The rather boring press release below doesn’t really reveal a lot, but I think it’s a good thing, as long as Joe Quesada still remains in charge and X-Men won’t be filled with princesses and singing animals. I’m sure Marvel will have plenty to say about this in the coming days, and I can already sense fanboys in a spin. The loose link is that Disney characters have been in comics for decades, and Mickey Mouse and pals are now being published by BOOM! Studios, and they’re making the Surrogates film based on the Top Shelf comic. Still – wow. DC Comics is owned by Warner Bros. and now this. The two largest English speaking comic book publishers on the planet are now owned by multi-national corporations. Is that a good thing? Check out Disney CEO Robert A. Iger’s official video announcement here.
Worldwide leader in family entertainment agrees to acquire Marvel and its portfolio of over 5,000 characters
Acquisition highlights Disney’s strategic focus on quality branded content, technological innovation and international expansion to build long-term shareholder value.
Building on its strategy of delivering quality branded content to people around the world, The Walt DisneyCompany (DIS) has agreed to acquire Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (MVL) in a stock and cash transaction, the companies announced today.
Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney on August 28, 2009, Marvel shareholders would receive a total of $30 per share in cash plus approximately 0.745 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own. At closing, the amount of cash and stock will be adjusted if necessary so that the total value of the Disney stock issued as merger consideration based on its trading value at that time is not less than 40% of the total merger consideration.
Based on the closing price of Disney stock on Friday, August 28, the transaction value is $50 per Marvel share or approximately $4 billion.
“This transaction combines Marvel’s strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney’s creative skills, unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximizes the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories,” said Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. “Ike Perlmutter and his team have done an impressive job of nurturing these properties and have created significant value. We are pleased to bring this talent and these great assets to Disney.”
“We believe that adding Marvel to Disney’s unique portfolio of brands provides significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation,” Iger said.
“Disney is the perfect home for Marvel’s fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses,” said Ike Perlmutter, Marvel’s Chief Executive Officer. “This is an unparalleled opportunity for Marvel to build upon its vibrant brand and character properties by accessing Disney’s tremendous global organization and infrastructure around the world.”
Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Marvel including its more than 5,000 Marvel characters. Mr. Perlmutter will oversee the Marvel properties, and will work directly with Disney’s global lines of business to build and further integrate Marvel’s properties.
The Boards of Directors of Disney and Marvel have each approved the transaction, which is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, certain non-United States merger control regulations, effectiveness of a registration statement with respect to Disney shares issued in the transaction and other customary closing conditions. The agreement will require the approval of Marvel shareholders. Marvel was advised on the transaction by BofA Merrill Lynch.
100 Wolverines
Some would say 100 Logans just isn’t enough, and they may be right with art like this. The Hero Initiative aids comic creators in financial crisis and as they”ve done with similar projects with Spidey and Hulk, they’re now unveiling 100 different Wolverine covers created by a who’s who of comic artists to raise funds. Press release below, as well as covers by Nick Bradshaw, Josh Medors, Brandon Peterson and David Finch doing what looks like a great Simon Bisley impression. Awesome stuff.
In the last two years, The Hero Initiative, the charity dedicated to helping older comic creators in medical or financial need, has enlisted the aid of 100 top-flight artists to create The Ultimate Spider-Man #100 Project and The Hulk 100 Project, collections of 100 original covers featuring great Marvel characters. This year, Hero reprises the program with Marvel’s most popular mutant.
Marvel Comics has generously donated 100 blank-covered cardstock copies of the new Wolverine: Weapon X #1 to Hero. The call has gone out to create The Wolverine 100 Project, and dozens of artists are putting pen to paper. Artists involved include well-known stars such as Neal Adams, J. Scott Campbell, Frank Cho, Gene Colan, Ron Garney, Dale Keown, Adam Kubert, Leinil Yu, and John Romita Sr. and Jr.
“Fasten your seat belts. From what I’ve seen, this is the craziest 100 project to date,” said Hero Initiative Board member Brian Pulido. “The artists are very good at what they do and what they do is very awesome! They are pulling out all stops to deliver the goods on Marvel’s marauding mutant. You won’t be disappointed.”
“Marvel fully supports the Hero Initiative and its mission, and is proud to offer one of our premier characters in Wolverine to help their efforts,” said Marvel Publisher Dan Buckley. “The amazing outpouring of support and creativity we see from the artists in this is a wonder to behold as well.”
All 100 original Wolverine covers will be published in a book slated for release in November 2009, and a public viewing of all covers will be scheduled as well.
In conjunction with the official announcement of The Wolverine 100 Project, Marvel.com is also hosting a 5-minute informational video on the Hero Initiative. The video can be viewed here.
Marvel Pics Galore
Below is the J. Scott Campbell cover to Amazing Spider-Man #601 which is released on August 9 and is the kick-off of Mary Jane Month. The issue is written by Mark Waid and also includes a 6 page story written by Brian Bendis with art by Joe Quesada. That’s special. Also on sale in early August is the second printing of Deadpool: Merc With A Mouth #1, by Victor Gischler and Bong Dazo. Lastly here’s 3 X-Men related covers from this week’s comics.
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.
Marvel 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 Trust, Dark 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
Wonton Fusion
Wonton Soup 2 from the delightful Oni Press is out now. For a huge preview, go here or for a mere random taste, see below. The 192 page black and white digest comes from the mind of James Stokoe and follows intergalactic chef Johnny Boyo and his desire to become intergalactic trucker Johnny Boyo. Looks unique, as does Fusion #2, which is an entirely different broth. It’s a Top Cow/Marvel x-over with a gaggle of costumed characters such as the Mighty Avengers and Cyberforce. It’s written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning with glossy art by Tyler Kirkham, and arrives next week.
Captain America Returns?
Two and a half years ago Marvel killed Captain America, AKA Steve Rogers in #25 of his title, and received mainstream attention,with Marvel head honcho Joe Quesada doing his bit to promote the issue on radio and TV. Now he’s back, maybe. In Rogers’ place, his one time sidekick Bucky Barnes stepped up as the new Cap, with a new costume, and writer Ed Brubaker really made it work. So, do we really need Steve Rogers back? According to an article in the Daily News that’s exactly what we’re getting anyway. Reborn is a new 5 ish mini that Marvel have kept shrouded in secrecy, much like they did with his death, and will be the triumphant return of Captain America. But which Captain America? Steve Rogers? Joe Q doesn’t mention his name in the interview. What he does say is it will be the return of the “original Captain America.” Some may see that as Isaiah Bradley, who was introduced in 2003’s Truth: Red, White and Black mini-series as the African American test subject of the Super Soldier formula and has hardly been seen since. Also controversial is Marvel’ decision to release Captain America #600 (not the return issue BTW) today, on a Monday, instead of the usual Wednesday, without Marvel giving retailers enough info to order the issue in advance. Below are a few pages from the landmark 600th issue, courtesy of Joe Q’s new Cup O’ Joe series, which has just moved from MySpace to CBR.
UPDATED: Nope, Steve Rogers is coming back in Reborn #1, which arrives on July 1. From Marvel’s fresh off the press, press release:
It was the shot heard ‘round the world. Following the most shocking and controversial event in comic book history – the assassination of Captain America in the pages of Captain America #25 – neither the heroes of the Marvel Universe nor the rest of the world have quite come to grips with this most traumatic of losses. From the moment he was taken from us until today, one fact has proven to be true: the world still needs Captain America . And now, the time has come! At long last, the legend, the hero, is back. Steve Rogers makes his triumphant return from the grave in the publishing event of the year: Captain America Reborn, a five part series from Marvel Comics beginning this July.
Perty Pics
Below are some covers of Marvel’s goodies on sale now, as well as some of Radical’s releases due in August, including the sci-fi epic Shrapnel TPB and both covers of Hercules: Knives of Kush #2. Perty, no?
Marvel’s Strange Tales
I love a good anthology, and like DC’s Bizarro World book from a few years ago, we now have one from Marvel, with indie creators tackling superhero icons. Strange Tales debuts in September as part of Marvel’s mature MAX line, and includes Peter Bagge’s much delayed The Incorrigible Hulk story. Press release below.
Marvel Comics is proud to announce the release of Strange Tales MAX #1 (of 3) in September 2009, featuring the most acclaimed creators in independent comics today! This landmark three issue limited series, overflowing with 48 pages of all new stories, features your favorite Marvel heroes—from Spider-Man to the Hulk—like you’ve never seem them before! Paul Pope, Peter Bagge, Molly Crabapple & John Leavitt, Junko Mizuno, Dash Shaw, James Kochalka, Johnny Ryan, Michael Kupperman, Nick Bertozzi, Nicholas Gurewich, Jason and more unite for the all-new Strange Tales MAX!
Just what does Peter Bagge have planned in “The Incorrigible Hulk”, a story so incredible that we had to serialize it over all three issues? Will Spider-Man make it out alive of Jason’s thrilling story? This first issue comes wrapped in a marvel-ous cover by Paul Pope and Jose Villarubia!
“Flat out, this is the apex of human artistic achievement. This is it. The end. The crowning result of tens of millions of years of evolution, right here, in three packed-to-the-gills issues,” said Editor John Barber. “The philosophy of the book was to have these creators from ‘indy’ or ‘alternative’ or “literary” or ‘art’ comics come in and do what they do best. I think Marvel readers will really dig seeing radically different versions of their favorite characters, and the fans of these cartoonists will get to see the creators work in a milieu they never thought they’d get to see. It’s win-win. It’s really the best of both worlds.”
Editor Jody LeHeup added, “This book is a metric ton of solid gold awesome. The talent we’ve got lined up are without hyperbole some of the greatest creative minds working in comics today. I mean, who wouldn’t want to read a Spider-Man story by Jason? Or an Iron man story by Tony Millionaire? Or anything by any of the contributors we’ve got attached to the project? I’ve been reading independent comics my whole life and I’ve always wanted to see what those creators could do with Marvel characters if they were given free reign to tell their stories. Well, now that vision’s becoming a reality and I can’t tell you what an incredibly special thing it is to see the final result. If you’re a fan of comics of any school, do yourself a favor and pick this up.”
Now’s your chance to experience the Marvel Universe through the eyes of the best and brightest indie talents! Don’t miss Strange Tales MAX #1 in stores this fall!
Marvel This Week
As always, there’s a bunch of new comics coming out from the House of Ideas on Wednesday (in America at least). Here’s a look at but some of them. The ones with the prettiest covers of course. For the full list of releases, see the link below.
comicbookjesus 