Articles by karl-cramer
Tue Jul 29, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
SDCC: Mortal Kombat Versus DC Universe Explained
Comic-Con video explains "How will any character be challenge against Superman?"
The biggest North American comic convention wraps up another show. The hall is closed and the lights are off. But the videos from the show floor live on.
Way back when Mortal Kombat Versus DC Universe was first announced fans worried that Superman would be a horribly unbalanced character. A veteran reader of many Silver Banshee attacks Superman storylines, I speculated that since the Mortal Kombat universe was steeped in magic, this would explain how Sub-Zero could freeze Superman or Scorpion could set him on fire. Turns out I was right.
Midway has released the video shown (seen below) at San Diego Comic-Con where creator Ed Boon explained to fans how his guys can beat up their guys. And it looks amazing! The video also explains new in-fight mechanics: close combat and free fall combat. Also in the video were fights featuring Batman, Flash, and Catwoman.
No word yet if the villain from the Superman Returns movie shows up: A rock. A really big rock.
Fri Jul 25, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Watchmen Comic Gets Animated on iTunes
Warner Premiere debuts Motion Comics with Watchmen
Creators have been struggling with how to bring comics into the digital age: CD-ROMs, subscription based services like Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited, or for free on the web like ComicMix.
A full-page ad in the most recent issue of Entertainment Weekly magazine gave readers a link to download the premiere episode of Watchmen Motion Comics for free on iTunes. Motion Comics is Warner Premiere’s new videos of comic books animated with full audio.
In many ways, it’s like those old Marvel cartoons where they took comic art and moved mouths and use limited animation to move cut-out pieces of art. But this time, they’re using modern digital manipulation technologies. The effect is weird, but it works. It’s Dave Gibbons’ art, but it’s moving.
Fri Jul 25, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Go to Comic-Con On Your Xbox
Xbox LIVE takes you to the comic convention from the comfort of your living room.
The best way to experience the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con is to be there. The second best is to constantly refresh ComicMix.com. But the third might be to fire up your game console.
The Xbox 360’s online video service offered excellent coverage of last year’s Comic-Con. Not only did they show footage premiered at the con, they also offered daily wrap-ups, interviews with comic creators, and videos of entire panels. I didn’t fly out to California, but I saw J. Michael Straczynski’s Babylon 5 panel as if I had a front row seat.
To borrow a phrase from one of their upcoming games, this year the coverage will be “bigger, badder, and more bad ass.” Xbox LIVE has partnered with Warner Bros. and DC Comics to show a weekend’s worth of footage. For free! Hosting the events will Larry Hyrb, better known by his Gamertag as Major Nelson, the public face of Xbox LIVE. To start things off right, the service reposted their daily wrap-ups from last year.
Now if they could just figure out how to download a convention T-shirt, I’d be set.
Sun Jul 20, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Comic Books You Can Hear
GraphicAudio offers superhero audio books
You make no excuses that you’re a superhero fan. You buy your weekly stack of comics. You watch the blockbuster movies. You tune in to the TV shows. How can you possibly cram more superhero adventure in your life? Audiobooks. You can listen to comics while commuting, driving, or walking. (We’re not going to list exercising. We’re talking about fanboys here, after all.)
I just happened on GraphicAudio.net and figured it was worth mentioning here, as the company offers DC Comics based audio adventures and the tagline “A movie in your mind.” The recordings feature full cast, special effects, and musical score. They’re available as an audio CD, an MP3 CD, or as a digital download. They even adapt massive events like 52 and Infinite Crisis.
There are currently seven recordings available:
- 52: Part 1
- 52: Part 2
- Batman: The Stone King
- Infinite Crisis: Part 1
- Infinite Crisis: Part 2
- JLA: Exterminators
- Superman: The Never Ending Battle
While I lightly mocked fans who buy these, I have to confess, I own the BBC audio adaptations of Batman: Knightfall and The Death and Life of Superman. And I loved them. Anyone know how to convert cassettes into MP3s?
Sat Jul 19, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Spider-Man Musical Casting Call
NYC open casting call for Spider-Man musical on July 28
Remember a year ago there we’re all these crazy news stories that producers were working on a Spider-Man Broadway musical? Julie Taymor directing. Music by Bono and the Edge from U2. A plot that revolves around a Spider Goddess. Yeah, that one.
Well, it looks like it’s going forward. Playbill reported that a reading of the story was scheduled to take place on July 12-13. And now an open casting call has been announced for July 28 at New York City’s Knitting Factory. They’re auditioning three roles:
- Peter Parker: male, age 16-20's, great rock voice, nerdy with understated sex appeal and a good sense of humor.
- Mary Jane: female, age 16-20’s, girl next door, strong pop/rock singing voice.
- Spider Goddess: female, age 25-35, rock vocals. Sinead O'Connor-type with a Middle Eastern /Bulgarian/Greek/ twist. Foreign, world music types are great, foreign accents are great. All ethnicities will be considered.
Think you have what it takes? Bring headshot, resume, and sheet music of 16 bars of a pop/rock song that shows your range. For more info e-mail: spidermancasting [at] gmail [dot] com
Fri Jul 18, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
E3 2008: 'DC Universe Online' Playable at SDCC
More news about DC Universe Online, including the first time the public can play it!
On the Cheap Ass Gamer E3 podcast, Robert “Shipwreck” Goode found out some great news from a PR rep for DC Universe Online, the highly anticipated comic book based MMO role-playing game. The game will be demonstrated at San Diego Comic-Con and the public can play it!
He also got some hands-on time with DCUO and reported it departs from the usual point-and-click play of MMOs like World of Warcraft. Playing more like a traditional PlayStation 3 game, he described it as an "action MMO."
Over at Massively.com, a gaming website devoted to all things MMO, they talked with the developer dynamic duo of SOE-Austin VP of development John Blakely and DCOU Creative Director Chris Cao.
Some of the highlights from that article include:
- The storyline will explain why all these new heroes (you guys) start popping up.
- One PvP battleground is the "Tomb of Isis," which forces everyone to eventually team-up when a very angry Black Adam finds opponents fighting around his wife’s grave.
- The SDCC demo will be the “Brainiac Attacks!” event.
- Another event scenario will be “Thanagarians Invade.” Expect regularly released events, much like Warcaft holidays.
- They still haven’t finalized the business model (the cited reason why Microsoft canceled Marvel Universe Online). Play for free after buying the retail copy? A monthly fee? In-game ads plastered all over Metropolis? It’s anyone’s guess at this point.
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.
