Articles by karl-cramer
Thu Jul 17, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
E3 2008: New 'Spider-Man: Web of Shadows' Gameplay Footage
Activision videogame proves that a Spidey versus Vulture battle can be cool
Even Sam Raimi would be hard-pressed to choreograph a great fight between Spider-Man and the Vulture. I mean, c’mon. Adriane Toomes is an old man who dresses like a carrion-eating bird. He’s not one of Spidey’s A-list bad guys.
After watching Activision's latest footage for the Spider-Man: Web of Shadows videogame, I believe a man can fly… and fight! The battle highlighted developer Shaba Games promise to bring Spider-Man’s mid-air battles to life.
Also note Peter Parker giving in to his dark side and letting the black costume take control. The balance between the classic and black costumes is supposed to be a major point of the game.
Video of the gameplay is posted after the jump.
Continue reading E3 2008: New 'Spider-Man: Web of Shadows' Gameplay Footage ›
Wed Jul 16, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
E3 2008: More on 'Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 Fusion'
Sequel for Marvel Ultimate Alliance (and Wolverine) officially announced
Consider it the worst kept secret since Spider-Man’s secret identity. (Well, before One More Day.) Through stock reports and other PR events, Activision had pretty much said that a sequel to Marvel: Ultimate Alliance was on the way.
As we reported earlier today, they revealed the official name at Activision’s E3 press conference: Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 Fusion. The subtitle comes from the heroes now combining their abilities for “an astonishing number of powers.” The demonstration teased Iron Man’s laser beams and the Invisible Woman’s forcefield building up to something but they stopped before showing the result. In the original MUA, when two characters attacked the same enemy, a bonus would be added for performing the combo. A “+2 to damage” sort of thing. The new system is more along the lines of the Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer videogame adaptation, where the Human Torch filled Invisible Woman’s force bubble with fire so she could hurl it as a bomb.
As for as the storyline, Activision didn’t confirm the rumors that it revolved around the Civil War story from the comics (despite Brian Bendis' saying as much in our recent interview with him). If anything, the footage shown made it seem like Latveria was attacking the world.
The series has been an odd mixture of the Ultimate and classic Marvel universes, but Wolverine was shown now wearing his yellow uniform from Astonishing X-Men, as seen in the video posted after the jump.
Continue reading E3 2008: More on 'Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 Fusion' ›
Wed Jul 16, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
E3 2008: PS2 'LEGO Batman' Bundle Announced
If you're a comic book and LEGO fan looking for a game system, Sony has a deal for you!
Is there anyone who wants a PlayStation 2 that hasn’t gotten one at this point? Well, the answer must be "yes" because, to the embarrassment of the next-gen game systems, people are still buying the PS2 in greater numbers than its online, Blu-Ray PlayStation 3 brethren. Not surprising when you consider the latter is a $400-500 purchase.
If you’re not billionaire Bruce Wayne, and you're quite happy with regular DVDs and keeping your gaming largely offline, then you might want to consider Sony’s upcoming LEGO Batman bundle for the PlayStation 2, announced at the recent E3 technology convention. For $149.99 you get the latest model of the PS2, LEGO Batman, and a DVD of Justice League: The New Frontier. It's a package that seems geared specifically for the comic fan.
Even LEGO Catwoman would consider that a steal.
Tue Jul 15, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
E3 2008: 'DC Universe Online' Premieres
Jim Lee presents the first video of the DC Comics-based MMO
The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is the annual event where the videogame industry tries to outdo each other by dazzling the press with the best games coming down the pipe. After exciting the crowd with big exclusive titles like Resistance 2 and Little Big Planet, Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA) President & CEO Jack Tretton brought out Jim Lee to talk about DC Universe Online.
All those years of comic convention showmanship paid off when Lee played off an earlier joke by Tretton that this was the stage where Jack Palance did his one-armed pushups at the Oscars -- by doing a set himself before taking the microphone. (And thanks, Jim, for breaking the stereotype of the out-of-shape comic fan to a mass audience.)
Lee went on to discuss how his role as Creative Director for the project fulfilled his 12-year-old fantasies of comics and videogames.
"This is really a dream project for me," said Lee. "When I was a kid, my parents wanted me to become a doctor and follow in my father's footsteps. Meanwhile, I wanted to read comic books, and even started my own comic book line. As far as my other obsession? I remain an avid gamer today. Hooked on MMOs and even started playing Everquest on launch day. I was the first Paladin to get Fire Avenger."
Pausing while the crowd of videogame journalists laughed, he added, "No, it sounded cool at the time!"
Explaining that DC Universe Online will allow PlayStation 3 and PC gamers to become actively involved in the DC Comics world, Lee asked the crowd to imagine being a hero or a villain alongside the likes of Superman, Batman, or the Joker.
Then he introduced the first footage of the game, which I've posted after the jump.
Tue Jul 15, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
E3 2008: Mortal Kombat Vs DC Universe Gameplay
Midway releases the first video of comics versus videogame character crossover
The 2008 Electronic Entertainment Expo is underway. Just to start us off right, Midway released the first gameplay footage from the upcoming Mortal Kombat Vs DC Universe videogame. Since we've seen the Mortal Kombatants before, the video wisely focused on the DC Comics characters. Superman, Batman, Catwoman, and Flash were shown in some exciting footage using their unique abilities. For instance, the Flash smashed his enemy through several walls while going through rooms in a few seconds.
But the Mortal Kombat characters got the last laugh as the final moment shown was Scorpion unmasking to perform his famous fire fatality on the Scarlet Speedster. Mercifully, the camera cut away before that happened. Flashes always seem to die in these multiverse crossovers, don't they?
See the video for yourself below:
Sat Jul 12, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
New 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Videogame Announced
'Buffy' game announced for the Nintendo DS
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer television show simply will not die. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 is a runaway hit for Dark Horse Comics, while merchandise is still selling at cons, the DVDs are perrenial sellers and they're still coming out with Buffy videogames.
That's right. Publisher 505 Games has announced Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Sacrifice for the Nintendo DS. A mixture of first- and third-person gameplay as players take on the role of Buffy as she attempts to seal the re-opened Hellmouth. This is Buffy's first incarnation on the Nintendo DS.
“Buffy’s return to videogames is great for long-time fans of the franchise and we hope the huge market reach of the Nintendo DS will help to create new fans too,” proclaimed Rowan Tafler, Global Brand Manager for 505 Games.
In a shocking Buffy-like twist, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Sacrifice will be available exclusively throughout Europe on Nintendo DS during November 2008. Fans across the pond are still waiting to hear details on a North American release. Betcha Giles is lording that one over everyone.
Expect to come across Spike, Angel, the Master, the First Evil, Caleb and, of course, the Scooby Gang. The story is penned by series writer Rob Deshotel.
As an uber-geeky Buffy fan and gamer, I have to wonder where this story takes place. Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds games were considered Buffyverse canon, especially since they featured participation from the actors and Joss Whedon, but other entries are questionable. The screenshots seems like it takes place during Season Seven, but the story description makes it sound like it takes place between the finale and the comic book.
Yeah, I know -- even Xander would look at me and say, "What a nerd."
More screenshots are posted after the jump.
Continue reading New 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Videogame Announced ›
Wed Jul 9, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
The Flash Added To The DC Comics Network
John Wesley Shipp's 'The Flash' is the latest superhero TV series on Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace
It wasn't that long ago we told you that Xbox LIVE added a DC Comics Network channel to its lineup of videos for download on the Xbox 360 gaming console. Well, they're not wasting any time adding more programming. They've added The Flash to the lineup of superhero television shows.
1990's The Flash
All that quality was expensive, though, so CBS canceled it after one season when it failed to become a runaway hit. But the show lived on in reruns on the SCI-FI Channel and on DVD.
Visit the official page to see some great previews of each episode -- especially episode #12, if you want to see Mark Hamill hamming it up as the Trickster.
Keep 'em coming boys. Maybe you'll be the ones that will finally distribute episodes of the Adam West Batman series from the '60s.
Mon Jul 7, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Jo Chen's Comic Art Cover for 'Fable II'
Popular comic cover artist does the box art for one of 2008's most-anticipated games
Microsoft recently dropped some details for Fable II, one of their big games for holiday 2008. Pre-order bonus games, collectible figurines, making-of discs, yadda yadda yadda... But what's cool for fans of Jo Chen's amazing comic cover art (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Runaways) is that she did the box art for Fable II. (A larger version of the image is posted after the jump.)
Of course, this isn't totally surprising since she received considerable acclaim for doing the cover art for the original Fable.
So what I want to know is, why haven't game makers discovered the likes of Alex Ross, Adam Hughes, and J.G. Jones for videogame covers? Instead, they seem content to stick with dreck made by art students with access to Photoshop. *sigh*
Sun Jul 6, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
The Question Spotted... at Wimbledon?
Faceless suit-wearers spotted throughout the U.K.
The online edition of the British newspaper The Daily Mail is reporting sightings throughout the country of faceless, well-dressed people at events like Wimbledon.
Comic fans might suspect that DC Comics' The Question, investigator of social corruption, has crossed over to our universe. Not really, but we really wish that would happen.
Instead it's creative marketing from car manufacturer Lotus.
That is, unless car manufacturers are up to something evil... Hmm.
Thu Jul 3, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Xbox LIVE Adds DC Comics Network
Xbox adds a host of DC related features to its online service
As if Dark Knight, Wanted, Hulk, and Iron Man gamerpics weren't enough, the Xbox LIVE online video game service has announced a plethora of DC Comics content for your Xbox 360.
The DC Comics Network will be a one-stop shopping location on the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace for superhero media to play on your Xbox 360 game system. To celebrate the launch, they're offering stellar gamerpics of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, and the DC Swirl. (Gamerpics are pictures attached to your Xbox online profile to represent you when playing other gamers.) Imagine evil gamers quaking in fear when they find they're going to play against the Justice League. Cheaters are a superstitious and cowardly lot.
After p0wning bad guys, relax with all the superhero digital downloads you can buy for a reasonable price.
- Batman: The Animated Series
- Batman Beyond
- Superman: The Fleischer Cartoons
- Super Friends
- The Adventures of Batman
- Aquaman
And coming July 8th, Batman: Gotham Knight, the Batman direct-to-DVD animated feature will also be available for download. (Click here for our ComicMix review of Batman: Gotham Knight.) An exclusive clip is available right now for the Xbox.
Haven't bought an Xbox 360 yet? If you're considering it, multiple leaks have all but confirmed that a price drop to $299.99 for the system (the one with the hard drive to download video content) will be coming in mid-July.
Thu Jul 3, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
'DC Universe Online' Wants To Be Your MySpace Friend
The DC comics-based MMO premieres on MySpace
Just last week, Jim Lee dropped some details on Sony Online Entertainment's MMO videogame based on DC Comics. We made a wish that screenshots would be soon to follow.
Well, consider that wish granted!
This week's batch of DC comics featured links to a MySpace page showcasing the first public images of the much-discussed game.
If you're eagerly anticipating the upcoming PC and PlayStation 3 game, then head on over to www.myspace.com/dcuo for tons o' details on DC Universe Online.
In addition to screenshots (which we've posted after the jump) the site also features developer interviews, Jim Lee concept art, wallpapers, and buddy icons. You might also want to add the social networking page to your Friends List because Sony is sponsoring contests for anyone who makes the game one of their "Top Friends."
But will DC Universe Online comment on my page about that time we got drunk and went to McDonald's at 2:00 AM? Good times.... good times.
Continue reading 'DC Universe Online' Wants To Be Your MySpace Friend ›
Tue Jul 1, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Interview: Hugh Sterbakov on 'Freshmen' and the 'Summer Vacation Special'
Series writer talks superheroes in school, on summer vacation and beyond...
When Freshmen was first solicited by its publisher Top Cow, the series was promoted as "The adventures of college freshmen with extraordinary powers."
And while many writers might respond by rolling their eyes, smirking and claiming that their characters were a bit more serious and tackled deeper social issues, Freshmen creators Seth Green and Hugh Sterbakov embrace that tagline for their popular series. When the series kicked off, their heroes were naive college freshmen making the same mistakes any other freshmen might, but on a much larger, action-packed scale.
Majoring in outrageous situations with a minor in young adult drama, the original Freshmen: Introduction to Superpowers miniseries passed its first semester with honors. The second volume, Freshmen II: Fundamental of Fear, is currently wrapping up -- soon to be followed by a Freshmen: Summer Vacation Special in July.
While actor, writer and producer Seth Green gets a lot of the spotlight because of his involvement with movies, the Family Guy TV series and co-creating Robot Chicken, co-writer Hugh Sterbakov is very much the heart and soul of the series.
COMICMIX: For new readers who haven't studied the Freshmen curriculum, what do they need to know for the test? Let's hear the CliffsNotes version of the series...
HUGH STERBAKOV: It's a whole dramatic and comedic saga with a crapload of characters and relationships, but if we're cramming, I'd say that a bunch of college freshmen have been given superpowers by the explosion of a special machine, and the powers are based on whatever they were thinking at that moment.
So one guy can burp at anyone and make them drunk, one girl can make everyone fall in love with her, another guy is totally sticky, that dude can talk to plants, this girl can jump into people's minds... and they're (sort of) led by a comic book geek who didn't get any powers and a talking beaver obsessed with building dams.
Continue reading Interview: Hugh Sterbakov on 'Freshmen' and the 'Summer Vacation Special' ›
Mon Jun 30, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Joss Whedon Teases 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog'
Joss Whedon's superhero musical is coming to the 'Net... soon
With all the superhero movies coming out this year, we almost forgot about Joss Whedon's Doctor Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog project. Well, the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer hasn't. He's been hard at work along with Niel Patrick Harris and Nathan Fillion. The superhero musical is done and details about its debut have been announced on Whedonesque along with a trailer. Find out which of your friends has the biggest monitor and bring the over the popcorn.
We've posted the info about the project's debut below, and the video trailer is posted after the jump.
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog" will be streamed, LIVE (that part’s not true), FREE (sadly, that part is) right on Drhorrible.com, in mid-July. Specifically:
ACT ONE (Wheee!) will go up Tuesday July 15th.
ACT TWO (OMG!) will go up Thursday July 17th.
ACT THREE (Denouement!) will go up Saturday July 19th.
All acts will stay up until midnight Sunday July 20th. Then they will vanish into the night, like a phantom (but not THE Phantom – that’s still playing. Like, everywhere.)
Continue reading Joss Whedon Teases 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog' ›
Mon Jun 30, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Take Your Picture With The Incredible Hulk
Soda website features digital version of boardwalk cut-out photo op
I just found a website that I'm having a lot of fun with. HulkOutWithVault.com is promotional tie-in between The Incredible Hulk movie and green energy drink soda Vault. It's the digital equivalent of boardwalk cutouts. Upload a photo with a face into one of four Hulk movie backgrounds, then send them to your friends for all to enjoy.
Since ComicMix Managing Editor Rick Marshall tirelessly works to make sure my posts are decipherable, and graciously contributed his image to one of the Wizard World Chicago 2008 photo galleries, I decided to use him as my demo.
The image posted here is Rick partying with the ol' Jade Giant himself. More pictures are posted after the jump.
Continue reading Take Your Picture With The Incredible Hulk ›
Sat Jun 28, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
'DC Universe Online' Details Revealed
Jim Lee drops info on the 'DC Universe Online' videogame
I would like to take credit for getting Sony's DC Universe Online to move forward back when I posted about the job opening at the development house responsible for the game. I would like to imagine that a ComicMix reader swooped in and kicked the project into high gear. I would like that, indeed.
But the reality is that the upcoming PlayStation 3 and PC MMO game was coming along just fine without my help. As evidenced by Jim Lee talking the project up with U.K. publication Edge magazine. Since I don't live in the U.K., we have to give the Eurogamer.net website thanks for posting the details for the rest of the world.
Superstar comic artist and DCUO executive creative director Jim Lee described the game as "kick-ass hybrid between a traditional MMO and a first-person action console game". Instead of stepping into the role of Batman or Wonder Woman, you'll create your own hero that will interact with the DC superheroes. Imagine foiling a plot by Lex Luthor to kill Superman. Or finding Green Lantern's lost power battery. Or you could be a villain and fight the Justice League.
As for "realms," in the vernacular of MMOs, expect to play in Metropolis or Gotham City. Other locations may be announced down the road.
Player-on-player combat will be limited to arenas but can evolve into boss battles. That works quite nicely with comic book traditions. Two heroes fight due to a misunderstanding, then team-up against a common foe.
Speaking of crossovers, expect some to occur between the game and the comics.
"We can tie-in future DC tentpole events and translate the stories for the gaming world, and have them occur simultaneously," said Lee. "The possibilities are numerous and very exciting."
What would be more exciting is if Sony Online Entertainment decides to release some images next month at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. Stay tuned.
