Articles by karl-cramer
Thu Oct 30, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Crisis on Infinite Mortal Kombat
Midway releases a story based trailer for 'Mortal Kombat Versus DC Universe'
We’ve seen a lot of cool gameplay footage showing the combat, villainous fatalities, and heroic brutalities for Midway’s upcoming Mortal Kombat Versus DC Universe. But we’ve only heard scattered reports about the story, which was massaged by comic writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray. Well an official trailer has been released.
It bears a striking similarity to DC Comics’ Crisis on Infinite Earths and Infinite Crisis. Mysterious force is causing two universes to merge. Champions and villains team-up to protect their reality but try to figure out what is going on. But really, is there any other way to do an inter-company crossover without the corny ‘pretending they’ve lived in the same universe all along’ route? “I’ve heard of you. Surprised we haven’t crossed paths before.”
Superman addresses the power difference problem some fans questioned. After getting kicked by Scorpion he mutters distastefully, “Magic.”
Also a nice sequence showing Superman laying the smack down on Chinese thunder god Raiden. Best watch your mouth Thor, unless you want some of that.
Fri Oct 17, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Reader Poll: The Economy and Comics
Tell us what you're buying, fanboy
Sat Oct 11, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Will Spider-Man Be the Most Expensive Musical Ever?
Broadway's Spider-Man musical budget is fatter then the Kingpin.
Remember back in July when we told you about the Spider-Man musical? The one with the questionable plot device involving a Spider Goddess spinning Peter Parker’s story. Oh yeeaaah, that one.
Michael Riedel, the Broadway beat reporter for the New York Post is reporting that the budget has swelled to $40 million, for now, with a weekly running cost of $1 million per week of its run. To break even, the show would have to become one of the longest running shows in history.
The show is in one of New York City’s largest theaters, a score written by U2’s Bono, and brought to life by an army of designers.
Director Julie Taymor, who rose to fame for Disney’s Lion King musical, has a spotty track record. The story reports that investors are becoming worried. It doesn’t help that in this economy, theater attendance is expected to dip.
Is your Spider Sense tingling, Peter?
Fri Oct 10, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Unintentionally Funny: 'Spider-Man: Web of Shadows' TGS Trailer
The Tokyo Game Show trailer for Spidey's new game has us yelling, "No, don't do it!"
The Tokyo Game Show that starts this weekend is one of the biggest videogame conventions in the world. The ComicMix staff is watching to see what comic game news is announced, but Activision’s Spider-Man: Web of Shadows trailer released at the show made me laugh. Though I don’t think that was the publisher’s intent.
A dejected Spider-Man walks across a rooftop, ignoring chaos around him, while sad music plays. As he approaches the edge, he breaks into a run to jump off. If I didn’t know better, I’d say hard luck Peter Parker got dumped by Mary Jane and finally decided to end it all. “No, Spidey! You have so much to live for!”
Watch the video for yourself and tell me I’m wrong.
Thu Oct 9, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Guitar Hero: ComicMix Edition
ComicMix creates the ultimate music game for comic fans. Activision, do it!
Gaming website Kotaku recently reported that Stan Bush wanted his song “The Touch” from the classic, animated Transformers: The Movie in Guitar Hero or Rock Band music videogames. We couldn’t agree more. It’s a rockin’ song that we’d love to play on our fake plastic instruments with our friends.
But why stop with one Transformers song? ComicMix is all about “all types of fantastic media, from comic books television and movies to video games and more.” So Activision and EA, we humbly submit… Scratch that. We demand you make a ComicMix edition of your games for the nerdcore rocker audience.
Our setlist is below. Yeah, we know it’s heavy on Superman. But rockers love the Last Son of Krypton. Send the royalty checks to our offshore PayPal account.
· “Superman” by 3 Doors Down
· “Spider-Man” by The Ramones
· “Godzilla” by Blue Oyster Cult
· “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues” by The Spin Doctors
· “Catch Me Now I’m Falling (This Is Captain America Calling)” by The Kinks
· “Thundercats Intro”
· “I Am Superman” by R.E.M.
· “Buffy Theme” by Nerf Herder
· “Star Wars Imperial March (Leviathan Remix)” by Rage Against the Machine
· “Batdance” by Prince
· TMNT II “Ninja Rap” by Vanilla Ice
· “Crank Dat/Superman” by Soulja Boy
· “Flash” by Queen
It goes without saying, we want reader suggestions in the comments below.
Thu Oct 9, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Mortal Kombat Versus DC Universe Kollector's Konundrum
Which edition of MKvsDC should you get?
We’ve talked about Midway’s upcoming Mortal Kombat Versus DC Universe fighting game plenty. Consider it a done deal that we want to play Green Lantern fighting Sub-Zero. So the only question that remains is to get the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 version.
Not so fast. A Kollector’s Edition has been announced. For an extra $10 you get a removable Alex Ross alternate cover, making of videos, and a 16-page comic book.
“But wait. There’s more,” as the cheesy infomercial announcers say. Pre-order at Gamestop and get a lithograph of The Joker finishing off Scorpion in the Batcave.
“We’re not done yet!” Another wrinkle in the mix is that the PS3 version will have a neat exclusive for comic book fans: a digital version of the Kollector’s Edition comic book viewable on your game system.
Mortal Kombat Versus DC Universe is scheduled to ship for release on November 10th.
Sat Sep 27, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Doctor Consultation for Iron Man
So how sound is the medical drama of Iron Man? We ask a real doctor.
With the imminent release of Iron Man on DVD next week, the mainstream public is more aware of the saga of Tony Stark than ever before. When my in-laws start asking me about how accurate the movie was to the comics (because I’m “that” relative who still reads funny books), you know it’s become part of the cultural landscape.
While talking about the movie with my old college roommate, I remembered something. He’s a doctor! The goofy guy I watched The Simpsons with, shot with paintballs, and took to his first strip club went on to become a respectable member of society. So I asked him how medically sound is the story of Tony Stark suffering a coronary injury due to his own weapons and becoming Iron Man to atone for his sins. Specifically, the Iron Man movie.
Dr. Ken Nizza is a board-certified internist in the state of Pennsylvania. He doesn’t read as many comics as your average ComicMix reader, but he had an unofficial education in college when I stuck issues in his text books. He would also like to note that he has more foreign policy experience then Sarah Palin.
ComicMix: Is shrapnel lodged in your chest getting closer to your heart exist a possible medical condition?
Dr. Nizza: I could definitely classify having large pieces of metal lodged in one's chest as being a "medical condition". If they were moving towards the heart ("embolizing", in the biz), I would even go so far as to call this a "worsening medical condition".
CMix: Would you recommend a powerful magnet to keep it from getting closer as a treatment option?
Dr. N: Well, assuming that one had a powerful enough magnet, the shrapnel was not in the proximity of any vital organs, and the patient had good enough insurance... then no, this is still a really stupid idea. To illustrate this point, let's imagine actual magnets as used in medical diagnosis: the MRI machine. An MRI has in it a large electromagnet that is powerful enough to align all the hydrogen in the water molecules of the body.
If one were to pass a patient with some sort of metal through an MRI machine, the metal in question would rocket out of the patient's body like a bullet towards the machine's magnet, leading to a) a very unhappy/broken multimillion dollar piece of medical instrumentation, b) a very unhappy hospital administrator and c) a very unhappy/dead patient. Keep a mop handy.
It would be easier to have a cardiothoracic surgical team perform an exploratory thoracotomy. And yes, this is the only time an "exploratory thoracotomy" can be considered the easier option.
CMix: Would it be possible to have a metal tube big enough to fit Gwenyth Paltrow's entire hand directly in your chest?
Dr. N: For one to breath, the chest cavity has to be completely airtight. When you inhale, the diaphragm flattens and the space inside the chest expands. Because of the vacuum generated ("negative pressure" in the biz), the lungs are stretched and, in turn air is pulled down to fill the space. To exhale, the diaphragm relaxes, the lungs snap back into place, and air is expelled. With a large, gaping hole in the middle of the chest that's exposed to the outside world, this entire process is somewhat less effective in that it doesn't work at all even a little bit. Think "sucking chest wound".
Fri Sep 19, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Avi Arad's Next Project: Mass Effect
The former Marvel head honcho turns from comics to games
Avi Arad is widely credited as one of the linchpins that turned Marvel around from the edge of bankruptcy to multimedia superhero powerhouse it is today. The former CEO and founder of Marvel Studios, the production company responsible for the Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk movies, left in 1996 to form his own production company.
Variety is reporting that Avi Arad Productions has optioned the rights to Mass Effect. The sci-fi RPG was a huge critical and commercial success. It even gained some notoriety when FOX News blew a possible lesbian relationship in the game out of proportion. The story centers around Commander Shepard, one of the first humans allowed to join a multispecies, intergalactic police force known as the Spectres. He discovers one of their greatest members has gone rogue. (Shades of Green Lantern, wouldn’t you say?)
Mass Effect is owned by BioWare, a developer best known for epic RPG games with rich stories. Mass Effect was released for the Xbox 360 by Microsoft Games and PC by Electronic Arts. It is considered the first part of a bigger trilogy. Novels based on Mass Effect proved popular. Hopefully with Arad’s connections we’ll see a Mass Effect comic book too.
Watch the trailer below if you have any doubts that this sci-fi story wouldn’t be great comic.
Thu Sep 18, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Rumor Control: Jimmy Palmiotti Playable Character in 'Mortal Kombat Versus DC Universe'
The Giant Bomb gaming website podcast discusses a rumor about the comic creator's cameo
One of the podcasts I listen to on a regular basis is The Giant Bombcast, the podcast of the Giant Bomb videogame website. Because I’m a hybrid comic and game fan, I paid special attention when they discussed the final lineup for the upcoming Mortal Kombat Versus DC Universe fighting videogame.
(If you haven’t heard: Baraka, Batman, Catwoman, Darkseid, Deathstroke, Flash, Green Lantern, Jax, Joker, Kano, Kitana, Lex Luthor, Liu Kang, Raiden, Scorpion, Shang Tsung, Shao Khan, Shazam, Sonya, Sub Zero, Superman, Wonderwoman.)
But I almost swerved off the road when they said that there was a rumor that comic writer and inker Jimmy Palmiotti, who is helping to write the story of the game, might make a cameo. Fighting in the style of MK classic character Johnny Cage.
If true, I fully expect Jimmy to pull off Johnny’s crotch punch move.
Listen for yourself at the 1:17:18 mark.
But I got the story from the man himself.
[Laughs] It was a joke that Ed Boon made. Now I wonder if they have to add it? [Laughs]
Thu Sep 18, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
'Sam & Max' Coming To Nintendo Wii October 7th
The Eisner award winning webcomic based game comes to consoles
Way back in April, we were excited when we learned that Sam & Max, the wickedly funny PC adventure game based on the long-time indie comic and Eisner winning webcomic, was making its way to home gaming systems. The point n’ click nature of the game made it a perfect fit for the Nintendo Wii controller.
Telltale Games has been pretty mum on the subject since. Maybe because they were busy launching their newest episodic game based on the Strongbad web cartoon.
But now they’ve announced that the Sam & Max Season One will be coming to the Nintendo Wii on October 7th. Not only that, but if you preorder the title from Gamestop, you’ll receive an exclusive CD with more bonus content then an anamorphic dog detective can shake a psychotic rabbit thing at: behind-the-scenes featurettes, trailers, artwork, music, and desktop wallpapers. The game will retail in North America for $29.99.
See the official trailer below.
Wed Sep 17, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
LEGO Batman Happy Meals
McDonald's kids meals features toys based on the upcoming Batman game
September 23rd, hurry up and get here already. All we ever seem to do is build up anticipation for the LEGO Batman videogame (coming to every now-gen game system). To forget about my lack Batman brick bashing I went to McDonald’s for a healthy salad. Really. I swear.
But what do I see spotlighted like the Batsignal, but Happy Meal toys based on LEGO Batman. I can’t escape their cute, grim visages. Offered toys include Batman with Batarang, Robin with Grappling Hook, the Batboat, the Joker Helicopter, Mister Freeze with Ice Blast, the Batmobile, the Penguin Submarine, and the Joker Surprise.
“Is this for your boy or girl?”
“Uhhh… My boy. Yes, my son. Whom I have at home. Waiting for his Happy Meal. By the way, which toy am I getting?”
See the McDonald’s promo page for the LEGO Batman Happy Meals here.
Sat Sep 13, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Get Committed To Arkham Asylum Contest
Contest for 'Batman: Arkham Asylum' puts you in the game; also screenshot gallery
Remember the comic miniseries Arkham Asylum: Living Hell where a regular guy gets sent to the madhouse for Batman’s criminally insane enemies?Well, now that could be you. Gamestop is sponsoring a contest where your likeness will be put in the Batman: Arkham Asylum game. You'll get to co-star with Mark Hammil who was recently announced as reprising his voice acting role as the Joker for the game.
The winner will have to patient because Batman: Arkham Asylum doesn’t come out until August 2009, but you can hold yourself over with these amazing screenshots seen below and after the jump that were posted for a short time on developer Rocksteady Games' website.
Tue Sep 9, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Tech Report: E-Ink and Comic Covers
New Esquire magazine opens interesting possibilities for comics
A few months back I had heard that Esquire magazine was going to celebrate their 75 anniversary with an experimental electronic ink technology. Basically batteries are sewn into the cover that power a flexible LCD screen. I was interested but wanted to see how it came out. Well, issues are hitting the stands now. Take a look at the video below:
The “animation” is limited. Kind of like web page banner ads, not television. (Yet.) But the first thing that sprang to my mind was how long before a comic company puts out a special edition comic featuring this? Back issues bins are overstocked with prismatic, die-cut, hologram, lenticular special editions from the 90’s. Collectors may have been burned but those suckers sold for the publishers.
What comic covers that come to my mind immediately are an Iron Man cover with lots of parts lighting up. Or the Batmobile with motion blur background. Or seeing that star field effect seen with Donna Troy, Alexander Luthor, Captain Marvel and other cosmic characters actually twinkling.
The only drawback is that the batteries only last 90 days. But hey, put an E-ink comic cover in a comic shop front window and see how fast they’d sell anyway.
Wed Sep 3, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Review: Invincible the Series
Does animating the Invincible comic itself work?
During the 2008 San Diego Comic Con, MTV New Media debuted their new animated series based on Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker’s Invincible comic. Published by Image Comics, Invincible tells the story of Mark Grayson, a young man who inherits his father’s superpowers. It’s been released through various outlets: iTunes, Xbox, Amazon, MTV2, MTV.com, and MTV Mobile.
Instead of creating brand new animation, the series has decided to use the latest editing techniques to “animate” Cory Walker’s actual comic book art. Just use existing comic art and let the camera to give the illusion of movement. To younger viewers this may seem innovative, but it’s been done as far back as the Marvel Comics based cartoons from the 1960’s. It was used again, very artistically by MTV, when they brought The Maxx to television. Even more recently The Watchmen has been done in this style.
While the story and art deserve all the critical praise that the Invincible comic has received over the years, Invincible the Series’ biggest stumbling block is its editing. The MTV produced show has the same pacing as MTV’s promo spots, wildly kinetic with lots of flashing graphics and texts. Never let the eye settle for minute. This is fine for 15-second ad, but watching a full show like that is taxing.
In a one step forward, two steps back move, the show decided to include the actual word balloons from the comic. But instead of letting people read it, the text has a subtle shake to it. To emphasize energy, I guess. While nothing sits still on the screen, you would expect the parts you want people to read to be motionless.
A good way to judge an animated show’s sound is to close your eyes and listen. Does the soundtrack still create images of the action? In Invincible’s case, the answer is yes, but barely. The voice acting and sound effects are serviceable. They don’t do anything cringe worthy, but neither do they stand out. No Kevin Conroy or John Di Maggio here.
If the production calmed down, this could’ve been a great show that brought quality comic books to video formats. But as it is, I couldn’t stand watching this for more than a few episodes. And like I said, I’m a fan. Imagine the effect to someone who’s browsing MTV2 late at night.
Watch the first episode for yourself below. Let me know if you think I’m right or wrong in the comments section.
Wed Sep 3, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Free Multiplayer Expansion for 'The Incredible Hulk' Videogame
New add-on brings online multiplayer to Hulk game
Remember The Incredible Hulk videogame? Based on this summer’s movie, the game received solid reviews but the bulk of its sales happened around the movie’s release. Hulk smashed New York City, but we’ve forgotten about him since then. But what if Hulk was fighting another Hulk?
Maybe it was a feature that didn’t make it in time for the street date. Maybe it’s hype for the game as we near The Incredible Hulk movie’s DVD release. But Sega has released a Hulk Multiplayer Expansion Pack. For free!
This multiplayer expansion pack for The Incredible Hulk adds additional online, two-player missions that will test the speed, strength, and skill of even the biggest Super Hero fan. The missions take place in one of 5 large arenas, each one a dynamic and fully destructible environment packed with non-stop action and ruthless enemies.
Hulk can fight Hulk, or grey Hulk, or Maestro, or even Hulkbuster Iron Man. The PlayStation 3 version has an exclusive Green Scar version, while the Xbox 360 has Hulk’s Mr. Fixit persona. Now we can really find out who is the strongest there is.
