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Thu May 8, 2008 — by Martha Thomases
Simone & Ajax: Leaping Lemmings!
How the duck became a duke!
In this brand-new, full-color episode of Simone & Ajax: The Case of the Maltese Duck, by Andrew Pepoy with colors by Jason MIllet, we see the story behind the duck, whose name happens to be Herriman. He's the last of his kind, and he really needs his liver.
Credits: Andrew Pepoy (Artist), Andrew Pepoy (Letterer), Andrew Pepoy (Writer), Jason Millet (Colorist), Mike Gold (Editor-In-Chief)
More: The Adventures of Simone & Ajax: The Case of the Maltese Duck
Thu May 8, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
Reviewing Jack Kirby and Stan Lee's 'Essential Thor'
Verily, there is yon review to... oh, forget it.
I don't normally post links to reviews on other comics news sites, since we have so many of our own hitting the site here every day, but I had to make an exception for Tom Spurgeon's recent review of the third volume of Marvel's Mighty Thor "Essential" collection.
Thor has never been a favorite character of mine, as his dialogue always seemed a bit hokey and he's pretty much the definition of a deus ex machina. But Spurgeon's review of the collection, which features Stan Lee and Jack Kirby doing exactly what made them legends in the industry, has me contemplating a change of heart.
He describes the collected stories' overall tone as "verily, there are asses over yon we doth must beat" repeated ad infinitum -- which is a big selling point for me.
Spurgeon goes on to summarize the collection as follows:
It's quite fun. The panels where Thor is not punching people so hard their light source changes are stuffed to the brim with either a) cool-looking Kirbyana almost always in the form of monsters and machinery, b) Volstagg, a fat coward who can bench press a bus, providing J. Wellington Wimpy-style comedy relief, or c) Thor screaming at someone about how awesome he is in preparation of punching them so hard their light source changes.
I love a well-written review, and this is certainly a great example of one. Head over to The Comics Reporter to read the rest of it.
Thu May 8, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Marvel Super Hero Squad Game Announced
Game to be published based on Marvel super-cute action figure line
Gamers, get your insulin shots ready. THQ has signed a deal to make videogames based on the too-cute Marvel Super Hero Squad toy line. You know the ones we're talking about: The two-inch, superdeformed action figures where even the grimiest anti-hero and baddest bad guy look incredibly happy. Even the Punisher is smiling.
Like the toys themselves, the game is aimed at a younger audience, but should prove popular with adult comic book fans. The first game is scheduled to come out in 2009 for multiple systems. Will one of the missions include turning Doctor Doom's frown upside down? we'll see.
Also noted in the press release linked above was that Marvel will be launching a multimedia campaign for the Marvel Super Hero Squad toy line in 2009 with a dedicated animated series and comic books to come.
Oh, and you heard it here first: I predict a crossover in 2010 with Disney, where characters from the two properties will fight, but then realize that the real enemy was cavities. Okay, maybe not... but you never know.
Thu May 8, 2008 — by Aaron Rosenberg
Happy Birthday: The Creeper
Whatever you do, don't make him laugh!
Jack Ryder’s parentage certainly predicted his future—his father was the publisher of a successful union dispatch, while his mother suffered paranoid schizophrenia and died in an institution while Jack was still a child.
Growing up, Ryder followed in his father’s footsteps and became a television news reporter. Unfortunately, Ryder had a big mouth. Normally that would be an asset, but Ryder didn’t know when to shut up, and it cost him his job.
The network didn’t fire him, but they did demote him to working network security, a job Ryder found beneath him. He got his chance to prove himself again when mobsters kidnapped a scientist named Dr. Emil Yatz. Ryder guessed that Yatz would be held at the mob boss’ mansion. The boss was holding a masquerade party that night, so Ryder cobbled together a bizarre costume and snuck in.
He found Yatz, but was seriously injured in the process, and to save him Yatz injected Ryder with the serum he’d created. The scientist also hid the device the mobsters were after by concealing half of it inside Ryder’s wound, which then healed thanks to the serum’s effects.
The device can make matter appear and disappear instantly, allowing a soldier to walk into a place in civilian clothes and then have a uniform and full weapons with the touch of a button. In Ryder’s case it let him make his strange new costume appear and disappear. Ryder used his bizarre appearance, the strength and agility the serum granted him, his unhinged disregard for personal safety, and a disquieting laugh to bring the mobsters to justice.
They dubbed him "The Creeper," and so a new—and truly bizarre—superhero was born.
Thu May 8, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
'G.I. Joe' Film Images Hit the 'Net
Knowing is half the battle, but finding new photos is 1/16 of it...
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There's no telling how long they'll be available, but it looks like the crew at ComicNerd has posted a set of 33 "leaked" cast photos from the upcoming G.I. Joe film.
The images posted include shots of The Baroness, Ripcord, Duke, Storm Shadow, Breaker, General Hawk, Destro, Heavy Duty and, of course, Snake Eyes (pictured here).
I haven't wandered around the InterWebs enough to know if this is a legitimate "leak" or just one site pulling all of the images that were scattered among a large network of sites, but it's worth checking out either way - especially for fans of the G.I. Joe properties.
See the rest of the photos over at ComicNerd.
Thu May 8, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
'The Spirit' Movie Release Date Moved Up
Consider it their Christmas gift to you...
The Cinematical crew are reporting that Lionsgate is moving up the release date for Frank Miller's adaptation of Will Eisner's The Spirit from January 16 of next year to Christmas Day (December 25), 2008.
Here's the new tale of the tape for The Spirit:
So instead of going up against Mall Cop, starring Kevin James as a wacky security guard, and the Notorious B.I.G. biopic, The Spirit will face off against Adam Sandler's Bedtime Stories, the supposedly ultra-heartwarming Marley & Me, The Tale of Despereaux, and the aftershocks of Twilight and The Day the Earth Stood Still.
Oh, and if you haven't seen the trailer for The Spirit yet that debuted at New York Comic Con, here it is:
Thu May 8, 2008 — by Mike Raub
ComicMix Radio: We May Have Hit 200, But Who is the Final Cylon?
Episode #200: It's our bicentennial broadcast!
We start our 200th broadcast with the first round of a new survey asking who that final model might be... TV and comic writer Marc Guggenheim weighs in with his theory, and then we head over to the Battlestar set to ask co-executive producer Mark Verheiden what he picked up at his comic shop this week, plus:
-- It's a Christmas Spirit in the theaters
-- Dark Horse collects Clover
-- Astounding WolfMan makes it easy to jump in!
Just as you did 199 times before, please press the button!
And remember, you can always subscribe to ComicMix Radio podcasts via 
or RSS!
Thu May 8, 2008 — by Van Jensen
The Weekly Haul: Reviews for May 8, 2008
Rounding up the latest comics issues
Simply put, a huge week in comics, with a full load of books even before we get into Skrullapalooza 2008. Though a few decent indies came out, superheroes dominated the shelves, and Marvel's superheroes especially, including a couple of big debuts.
Book of the Week: Nova #13 -- A comic has to be pretty dang good to overcome a cover like the one at right, which seems to show Nova and Silver Surfer en flagrante as Galactus serves as an interstellar peeping tom.
Despite that, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning's space book shows no Annihilation hangover, keeping the pedal all the way to the floor. Back to trying to serve as a cop of the cosmos, Nova responds to a world being destroyed by Galactus. In a great catch, Nova realizes the world is already doomed, so he focuses instead on the rescue mission (with nice allusions to FEMA and Hurricane Katrina).
As if that wasn't enough, the writing crew throws in the complicating villain Harrow, a malevolent and vague force that feeds off suffering -- a clever parallel to Galactus' appetite.
No kidding, this is one of the best superhero comics right now, and easily the most enjoyable space story in recent years.
Runners Up:
The Boys #18 -- The comic known for its raunchiness is as bellicose as ever, with a constant peppering of cursing that almost makes Deadwood seem prim and proper. While that's what the series has come to be known for, this issue surprises in how well it captures interactions among the characters in low-key ways.
Of course, there's also a lengthy scene of a floating corpse peeing all over...
The All-New Atom #23 -- Escalating craziness is the proper description for this series. Ryan is now in some sort of alternate universe, where his friends (thought to have been eaten by last issue's monster) are fending off bizarre monsters. A classic bad-to-worse issue, with lively art from Pat Olliffe and another great cliffhanger ending.
Thu May 8, 2008 — by Van Jensen
Arrests Made in Shooting of Comic Shop Owner
Two suspects in custody, another sought
Late last month, we heard the sad news that David Pirkola, owner of Apparitions Comics and Books in Kentwood, Mich., had been shot in an apparent robbery. Now, as reported by Kentwood's NBC affiliate, two men have been arrested in the shooting.
The two suspects have been in custody for about a week, with police holding their identities until now as they tried to track down a third subject, according to the station's report. I'm not sure that's right, as police are required to immediately make a public log of every arrest. It could be that the arrestees are juveniles, whose identities can legally be withheld. The article doesn't list their ages.
James Muriel-Neal Thompson and Marvin Michael-Marquis Jones are accused of shooting David Pirkola at his Kentwood comic book store on April 25. Thompson and Jones were in court more than a week ago, but police did not release their names because they're looking for a third suspect.
That man, Jevon Sawyer, is still being sought. Pirkola remains in critical condition.
Again, best wishes to Pirkola as he recovers.
Thu May 8, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Gotham's Most Wanted: Dark Knight Joker Action Figure
Heath Ledger's Joker action figure sells out everywhere
It isn't often that mainstream media picks up on toy collector news, but various news sources couldn't help notice a mania for Dark Knight action figures based on Heath Ledger's Joker.
The New York Post reported that people lined up the day they went on sale. Within minutes, the stock was sold out. The craze for the figure isn't isolated to this side of the pond, either, with similar reports coming in from the U.K.
Collectors are believed to be buying up stock, convinced the figure is a collector's item, since Ledger passed away before the film was released. The $9.99 toy is ranging from $15-50 on eBay now. As hype builds up for the movie and the buzz builds, it's anybody's guess as to how the value of the figure will be affected.
Thu May 8, 2008 — by John Ostrander
Them Bones, by John Ostrander
Tales From The O-zone #65
Oh, Your toe bone connected to your – FOOT BONE.
Your foot bone connected to your – ANKLE BONE.
Your ankle bone connected to your – LEG BONE.
Now hear the word of the Lord!
Remember that song? Dry Bones – a great African-American spiritual.Some of us remember it from the climatic episodes of The Prisoner, that great TV series starring Patrick McGoohan, the ending of which still befuddles the hell out of me. That’s alright; I like a lot of things that befuddle me – women have befuddled me a lot over the years but, dang, I like ‘em a lot!
What I like about the song is the word “connected.” It suggests we look at things in context. I can understand how, in academia, it’s useful to parse things out for study. Sometimes studying a tree can tell you a lot about a forest. However, I do wonder if we haven’t gotten too specialized in our daily lives. Special Interest Groups (SIGs) seem to have more pull in government than ordinary citizens. Their power comes from their myopia. They are not there to think of the general well-being; they are there to work for the narrow interests of one group, whether or not that benefits the whole, and sometimes despite the fact that it does not benefit the whole.
The same is especially true on the Internet. There is a niche for every conceivable group and sub-group and some groups of which I would never conceive or would want to conceive (child pornography being an example). I worry, however, about a fracturing of our vision. I’m concerned about our ability to see beyond our own narrow scope of vision and interests anymore.
Wed May 7, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
'LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel' Exhibit Report
Norman Rockwell Museum hosts Graphic Novel gallery
This weekend I had the pleasure of heading up to Stockbridge, MA, for the Comic Arts Festival and "LitGraphic: The Art of the Graphic Novel" exhibit at the Norman Rockwell Museum.
It was my first trip to the museum, and as I mentioned in my previous tease for the event, I've been kicking myself for not making the trip years ago, when I lived a much shorter distance from Stockbridge. The area surrounding the museum is a beautiful, rural landscape that was a breath of fresh air (literally) from the New York City madness.
The "LitGraphic" exhibit consisted of several rooms filled with various pieces of art from both well-known creators and some who I'll admit I had never heard of prior to seeing their work on display in Stockbridge. On the day we attended, the museum was also playing host to some of the creators whose work was featured in the exhibit, and had scheduled several signings and other events as part of a "Comic Arts Festival."
One of the first pieces of art I encountered was a series of Niko Henrichon's original, inked pages from Pride of Baghdad, including the impressive two-page "Baghdad Cityscape" spread. My less comics-savvy partner, who accompanied me on the trip, was amazed at the linework on the pages, and on several occasions when I wandered off to view other elements of the exhibit I returned to find her admiring this piece again.
Several pages of Terry Moore's Strangers in Paradise also found their way into the exhibit, with one piece in particular catching my eye. Titled "The Point Is, She Found Me," the inked two-page spread included a sequence of progressively smaller square frames within a larger scene. The frames directed the reader's eyes to a figure hidden in the bushes -- something that might have been overlooked entirely without the frames zeroing in on the small face in the scenery. It was a nice, unconventional layout that added to the story instead of distracting from it.
In a corner of the exhibit were also some sketchbooks from artist Barron Storey, showcasing his jumbled, mixed-media style of work that appeared in Neil Gaiman's Sandman: Endless Nights anthology. The display also featured a variety of dog-eared pages from his sketchbooks, including among other things, a set of small, incredibly detailed drawings of Saddam Hussein and Yassir Arafat on opposing pages. The former sketch was captioned with a single sentence: "Hussein, looking a bit like Stalin."
Continue reading 'LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel' Exhibit Report ›
Wed May 7, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
'Final Crisis' Preview Debuts
And by 'final,' we mean...
No matter how many times I hear about DC's upcoming event-to-end-all-events Final Crisis, I can't help saying its name to the tune of "The Final Countdown." Is there something wrong with me?
Moving on...
DC just sent word that EW.com has posted a five-page preview of... Wait for it...
IT'S THE FIN-AL CRI-SIS...
While that's all well and good, they've also posted a nice little drop-down Grant Morrison script for each of the pages. I dig it immensely -- especially since I didn't realize that a character was actually supposed to be looking over the shoulder of another character (and not at him) until I read it in the script.
I wonder how much stuff like that I miss every week. *sigh*
Wed May 7, 2008 — by Rick Marshall
New 'Watchmen' Set Video - Costumes
When they look good, everyone's watching the Watchmen...
Zack Snyder and the Watchmen movie crew recently delivered another video from the set of the film, providing a bigger peek at the "look" of the upcoming adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' groundbreaking graphic novel.
This time around, costume designer Michael Wilkinson takes you on a tour of the clothing that makes the men -- and women -- of Watchmen.
UPDATE: Looks like the code JoBlo provided to embed the video wasn't playing nice with our system here, but I think I've wrangled it into shape now. Apologies for the delay. - RM
(via Cinematical and JoBlo)
Wed May 7, 2008 — by Aaron Rosenberg
Happy Birthday: Freddy Freeman
He's a Marvel!
Frederic Christopher “Freddy” Freeman was born and raised in a small New England fishing village. His parents drowned in a storm, however, and Freddy was sent to live with his maternal grandfather Jacob in Fawcett City in the American Midwest. Freddy was smart, friendly and a natural athlete, and by high school he was not only a star student but also a top-notch athlete.
Then disaster struck. While fishing in Fawcett Bay, Freddy and his grandfather saw a man fall from the sky. They rescued the man, discovering too late that it was Captain Nazi, propelled into the water by one of Captain Marvel’s mighty blows. Coming to, the Nazi supervillain attacked his saviors. Captain Marvel intervened, drove Captain Nazi away, and rushed the two civilians to the hospital, but the damage was done—Jacob died and Freddy was in critical condition.
Desperate to make amends, Captain Marvel brought the injured Freddy to the wizard Shazam, who revealed that Captain Marvel could pass some of his own power along to the boy. Thus Freddy became Captain Marvel, Jr. and part of the Marvel Family.
In his mortal form, however, Freddy had a limp, a permanent reminder of what had happened to him.
More recently the wizard Shazam died and the laws of magic were rewritten. Billy Batson became Marvel, the new keeper of magic, and Freddy underwent a series of trials before becoming Shazam, the new champion of magic.
