ComicMix

Now I'm an Avenger Too...

Marc Alan Fishman — Tue, 9 Feb 2010 08:23:00 EST

"So there I was, about to embark on an amazing journey through time, when my bat-phone rang."

"Bruce? It's Steve. Rogers. Captain America? Oh come on! Kurt and George made us fight a ton back in JLA/Avengers! Say, listen... I heard you got your Bucky to fill in for a while? Good. Let me tell you about this opportunity we have over here at the House of Ideas..."

"Long story short? Sorry Grant... I don't want to see how many creepy perverts you've got stored throughout time. I got a posh gig at a new mansion in New York. Bats-out!"

'Terminator' rights sold at auction

Glenn Hauman — Tue, 9 Feb 2010 06:34:00 EST

From Nikki Finke (of course): The auction for the Terminator movie rights just ended after a marathon bidding session today. Halcyon Holding Corp accepted the $29.5 million bid from, of all parties, the debtholder which pushed it into bankruptcy, Santa Barbara-based hedge fund Pacificor. Halcyon will receive $5 million for every Terminator movie made from now on, as well as keeps the revenue streams from the movies Terminator 3 and 4. An arrangement also was made that the sale now wipes out the debt Halcyon owed Pacificor. The deal is subject to approval by the bankruptcy court.

It was not made clear how this affects the comic rights.

The Point Radio: Walter Koenig Delivers 'Inalienable', Taylor Lautner stretches for new role

Mike Raub — Mon, 8 Feb 2010 12:25:00 EST

STAR TREK's beloved Chekov has a new film project with a ton of familiar faces and a compelling story to boot. Walter Koenig tells us the facts behind INALIENABLE plus Taylor Lautner is playing Stretch Armstrong, Olivia Munn has bad ass lawyers and Namor on the big screen - really!

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Review: 'Amelia' on Blu-ray

Robert Greenberger — Mon, 8 Feb 2010 07:58:00 EST

America loved Amelia Earhart, as much for her pioneering work in the sky, but for being a woman of accomplishment at a time women were still getting used to having the right to vote. She was celebrated in book, story, and song up to her disappearance over the Pacific Ocean in 1937. Since then, her story has been told and retold numerous times and the woman herself has been portrayed by the likes of Rosalind Russell, Diane Keaton, and Jane Lynch. On Star Trek: Voyager she was portrayed by Sharon Lawrence and most recently, Amy Adams displayed her as a plucky, ready-for-action woman in Night at the Museum 2.

But, until Hilary Swank was cast as Amelia in the recent Mira Nair film, it had been some time before her story had been explored on screen. It’s a shame that the movie wasn’t a better, more engaging product. Swank is picture perfect as Earhart and Richard Gere was well cast as her husband G.P. Putnam.

The movie, out now on DVD from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, is solemn and sucks the joy out of flying and doesn’t really let us into Earhart’s mind. Instead, the movie goes through the motions but the motivations and emotions are all kept at a distance. Structurally, her fateful final flight is intercut throughout which is a nice concept but really interrupts the flow of the film itself.

While she goes from passenger on her maiden trip over the Atlantic to full-fledged pilot on her next outing, we never see her train or work at aeronautics. Meantime, the plans she takes up grow more sophisticated and no doubt more challenging. The movie does a better job showing how Putnam, already a successful publisher, reaps a tidy sum from endorsement deals. He says it’s to invest in her career but it’s told, not shown, violating one of the storytelling rues Also, her affair with Gene Vidal (Ewan McGregor) is present but we never understand how she recoils her feelings for both men and why she ultimately chooses to stay with Putnam. The movie also addresses the rumor of her affair with navigator Fred Noonan (Christopher Eccleston with a horrible American accent).

What makes the DVD worth checking out, though, are the archival Movietone film clips showing us the real media frenzy around Lady Lindy. The Blu-ray disc has plenty of these and they’re worth checking out. Also, the nearly 14 minutes of deleted scenes actually answers some of the questions above, making one wonder about how this was edited. There is also the by-the-numbers Making Amelia; The Power of Amelia Earhart which has everyone discuss the pilot’s significance; The Plane Behind the Legend, a nice piece on the final plane in her life; and Re-constructing the Planes of Amelia, which is for the model makers in the audience. The two-disc set comes with the requisite digital copy.

The video transfer is particularly crisp and a joy to watch, make one want to soar along with Amelia, something the film itself fails to do.

Continue reading Review: 'Amelia' on Blu-ray ›

In honor of the event of the day...

Glenn Hauman — Sun, 7 Feb 2010 06:33:00 EST

Photo by Lisa Padilla.

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Autobots don't ask... don't tell.

Marc Alan Fishman — Sat, 6 Feb 2010 07:52:00 EST

I watched the Transformers growing up... and frankly, it never occurred to me what was going on. I mean, the signs were all there. The whole “fake war” over “energon”? C'mon people. How stupid was I? To believe that they were always at war with one another... Seriously! Look at the dang opening to the show. I counted no less than 7,423,209 shots of laser fire, and not one Autobot or Decepticon even gets so much as a scratch. They all just role play whilst the sexual tension builds on the battlefield.

Yeah. I said it. Sexual tension. Think about it. As long as there has been a Transformers television show, there has been the on-again off-again banter between them. The “hatred”. The “battles”. All this time, it was all just foreplay. It turns out Optimus Prime was in love with Megatron. No wonder no one gave two spark plugs about Arcee!

Need proof? Check out these deleted scenes filmed on location during the taping of the hit 1980's television show.

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths gets big-screen Premieres on Two Coasts

Robert Greenberger — Fri, 5 Feb 2010 18:13:00 EST

Warner Home Video, Newsarama.com and The Paley Center for Media proudly present the bi-coastal World Premieres of Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, the highly anticipated next entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe animated original PG-13 movies, in New York on February 16 and in Beverly Hills on February 18. Filmmakers and members of the voice cast are expected to attend both events.

On February 16, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths will screen at The Paley Center in New York City (25 West 52nd Street) with a media interviews starting at 5:30 p.m. and screening commencing at 6:30 p.m. A panel discussion with filmmakers and voice cast will follow the screening.

On February 18, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths will screen at The Paley Center in Beverly Hills (465 North Beverly Drive) with media interviews starting at 6:00 p.m. and screening commencing at 7:00 p.m. A panel discussion with filmmakers and voice cast will follow the screening.

Media wishing to attend the premieres must RSVP via email to WHVRSVP@gmail.com.

A limited number of free tickets are available for the general public. Fans in New York City wishing to receive free tickets to the NY event on Feb. 16 must RSVP via email to justiceleagueNY@newsarama.com. Fans in the Los Angeles area wishing to receive free tickets to the Beverly Hills event on Feb. 18 must RSVP via email to justiceleagueLA@newsarama.com. Tickets to both events will be distributed on a “first come, first served” basis.

In Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, a “good” Lex Luthor arrives from an alternate universe to recruit the Justice League to help save his Earth from the Crime Syndicate, a gang of villainous characters with virtually identical super powers to the Justice League. What ensues is the ultimate battle of good versus evil in a war that threatens both planets and, through a diabolical plan launched by Owlman, puts the balance of all existence in peril.

A star-studded cast provides the voices behind the super heroes and villains, led by Mark Harmon (NCIS) as Superman, James Woods (Mississippi Burning) as Owlman, Chris Noth (Law & Order, Sex and the City) as Lex Luthor, William Baldwin (Dirty Sexy Money) as Batman, Gina Torres (Firefly/Serenity) as Superwoman and Bruce Davison (X-Men) as President Wilson. Other cast members include Josh Keaton (The Spectacular Spider-Man) as The Flash, Vanessa Marshall (Grim & Evil) as Wonder Woman and Jonathan Adams (Bones) as Martian Manhunter.

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths is an original story from award-winning animation/comics writer Dwayne McDuffie (Justice League). Animation legend Bruce Timm (Superman Doomsday) is executive producer, and Lauren Montgomery (Wonder Woman, Green Lantern: First Flight) and Sam Liu (Superman/Batman: Public Enemies) are co-directors.

Continue reading Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths gets big-screen Premieres on Two Coasts ›

Review: 'Civil War Adventure'

Robert Greenberger — Fri, 5 Feb 2010 13:38:00 EST

Civil War Adventure
By Chuck Dixon & Gary Kwapisz
History Graphics Press, 144 pages. $14.95

The graphic novel as memoir and teaching tool has become accepted in schools and libraries and there is a growing need for well-researched material. Thankfully, Chuck Dixon knows his history and how to do research. He’s displayed this in a rich career, covering all the eras. Here, he’s partnered with veteran artist Gary Kwapisz to produce the first in a line of Civil War graphic novels.

The first volume was recently released and makes for good, solid reading. There are seven stories in this inaugural collection, spanning the length of the war, along with single page features on terminology, weaponry and personalities. The book smartly opens with a timeline of the Battle Between the States, placing each story contained in context. On the other hand, the stories appear in a jumbled order that makes little sense.

If anything, there appears to be a preference for stories told from the point of view of the seseches, that is, the Confederacy. Their passion certainly outweighed their level of preparedness and organization. If anything. Both North and South were comprised of militias and armies that were loosely organized and commanded so sometimes it’s hard to keep track of the squads.

Dixon keeps things personal, largely following a father and son both leaving their farm to go to war, to protect a way of life that was largely unsustainable. They crop up in several stories and we’re promised more about them in subsequent volumes. Wisely, many of his stories are taken from journals and letters written during the war and lend a voice of authenticity to the book.

The stories are light on ideology so there’s little about why the Union split in two, nothing about states’ rights or even much about the slavery issue. These are the men, largely uneducated, who are fighting for freedom on the front lines, far from the news and politicians.

Kwapisz provides the majority of the artwork and is a strong storyteller. Some of his characters border on the exaggerated and backgrounds could be more detailed here and there but overall, he does a commendable job with differentiating his players and battlefields. Silvestre and Enrique Villagran each contribute art for a story, providing a little visual variety.

The volume is a nice, if jumbled, package and promises more to come. While not to be considered a sole source for readers, it certainly helps bring some of the history to life. These two have formed their own company and I wish them well so other historic times can be explored in compelling ways.

Continue reading Review: 'Civil War Adventure' ›

The Point Radio: Billy Zane Dives Into 'The Deep End'

Mike Raub — Fri, 5 Feb 2010 12:17:00 EST

The Man Who Was The Phantom now handles the law in a different arena. Billy Zane is one of the stars of the new ABC series THE DEEP END. Billy, and co-star Tina Majorino, fill us in on why they chose to return to TV on this midseason show. And no matter what you read, AVATAR is not the #1 movie of all tine. We've got the numbers to prove it!

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Review: 'Planet Hulk' on DVD

Robert Greenberger — Fri, 5 Feb 2010 10:49:00 EST

When Greg Pak received his dream assignment, writing the Hulk, he was handed a few notions that Marvel’s editorial team conjured up, starting with exiling him from Earth. From there, Pak spun the Planet Hulk epic which was the first the jade-jawed giant was allowed to cut loose in years.

Exiled to space by the Illuminati, the Hulk crashed on an alien world and suddenly was surrounded with assorted aliens who could give as well as he could. Enslaved, he suddenly was an underdog, just another mongrel to fight for the rulers’ pleasure in the gladiator games. Seeing no Banner and all-Hulk helped make this a standout adventure.

Yeah, its Spartacus to a degree, but seeing the Hulk in chains then in armor was cool. It made sense to ship him off Earth to spare humanity and we all knew he’d be back and there’d be some serious payback involved. But first, he had to survive.

The story was engaging and ripe for adaptation as part of Marvel Animation’s series of animated features for Lionsgate Home Entertainment. The highly promoted event arrived in stores this week. In 81 brisk minutes, the story is boiled down by Greg Johnson and streamlined, bringing this to a satisfying closing point (and leaving room to finish the adaptation in a sequel).

On the other hand, Johnson spoils Pak’s work by writing flat characters and providing everyone with stilted and trite dialogue. For legal reasons, the Silver Surfer couldn’t be used and rather than drop the moment, he’s replaced with Beta Ray Bill but also means there’s a flashback setting up Bill that doesn’t add anything to the tale and tells us nothing about Bill. It’s pretty but pointless, taking away from the main story.

The animation from Sam Liu and his team is superior to last year’s Hulk Vs. effort but could have added a little more texture and detail to the various aliens and architecture. The Hulk looks pretty ferocious and proportional for a gladiator. There are some nice subtle touches, especially in the final scene.

Overall, this feature may well be the best of the Marvel films but all fairly pale in comparison with the superior Warner Premiere efforts culled from the DC Universe.

The two-disc DVD comes with a digital copy and a ton of bonuses. There’s an informative A Whole World of Hulk, making of featurette; Let the Smashing Commence! which gives Pak his due along with penciller Aaron Lopresti; commentary from Liu, character designer Philip Bourassa and key painter Steve Nicodemus. We’re also shown the opening to 2011’s Tales of Asgard, which actually looks even better. The Wolverine segment from Hulk Vs. is repurposed along with the motion comics for Spider-Woman and Astonishing X-Men along with music videos and too many trailers.

Continue reading Review: 'Planet Hulk' on DVD ›

'Merlin' appears on SyFy in April

Glenn Hauman — Fri, 5 Feb 2010 08:44:00 EST

Syfy picked up the basic cable rights for all 26 episodes of the series Merlin, including the US TV premiere of season two which has never before been seen in America. Syfy will premiere the series this April.

The series featured the adventures of young Merlin and Arthur, who is being groomed by his father Uther Pendragon to one day become king of England. Season one aired on NBC last summer and seasons one and two aired on BBC One in the UK during 2008-09. BBC is moving forward with a third season, slated to air in September.

'Human Target' tv show finally references the comics-- and not in a way you'd expect

Glenn Hauman — Fri, 5 Feb 2010 06:39:00 EST

Okay, so Christopher Chance is sent to a monastery to find the person he's supposed to protect. And, well, you'll see...

And yes, of course he knows all of this, he's Jimmy Olsen.

Darth Vader and Snoop Dogg selling sneakers together in Times Square

Glenn Hauman — Thu, 4 Feb 2010 17:34:00 EST

Lily Tomlin was right. No matter how cynical you get, it's impossible to keep up.

Yes, it's been one of those days. Why do you ask?

More on the 'iPad: will it save the world... or destroy it?' debates

Glenn Hauman — Thu, 4 Feb 2010 15:40:00 EST

I always notice these things when I'm on five different deadlines and really shouldn't be distracted, but when Dirk Deppey says I've missed the point entirely, as he does here, replying to my comments here-- well, it catches my attention.

Dirk says: It [the iPad] has to be cheap enough to appeal to the general public, building a large enough pool of potential customers to once again make selling comics to a mass audience feasible — otherwise you’re just trading one limited, stagnant marketplace for another, selling primarily to a fraction of the same customer base that you already had. Which is what I think will happen with the iPad as presently designed and marketed, for reasons already outlined. ... Here’s the thing about Google’s strategy: Because it’s both open source and backed by one of the largest tech corporations on Earth, they can make a strong appeal to manufacturers, not only for their operating system’s lack of licensing costs but also because it comes with an already-functioning apps store that sells across multiple hardware platforms, guaranteeing (to the extent that anyone can) a thriving online marketplace for one’s customers. This in turn offers creators and publishers a potential for mass-market ubiquity that Apple will never, ever be able to match.

In order:

The iPhone came out less than three years ago and Apple has sold 33.75 million iPhones sold by the end of 4Q09. That's a mass market platform, certainly a larger number than the number of people walking in to comics stores. For a point of comparison, Time Warner Cable has less than 25 million cable subscribers.

An even bigger sales platform is the iTunes Store, which has been the number one music vendor in the US for almost two years straight, which has sold over 9 billion songs, over 1 billion HD TV episodes, and downloaded over 2 billion apps, while traditional stores like Sam Goody and Tower Records have pretty much gone bye-bye. I wouldn't exactly call that a "limited marketplace".

We already have reports that iPhone editions of some comics from major publishers have been outselling print editions of the books, and that's on a platform that's not optimal for reading comics.

If there's a problem with the platform, it's the problem of getting lost amidst the huge amounts of stuff other people are putting out.

Dirk, if you're willing to bet against Apple, which is also "one of the largest tech companies on Earth", more power to you-- I remember the Newton too. But don't be surprised if these new distribution methods and platforms turn your local comic shop into the 21st century equivalent of Record World.*

*For the youngsters: once upon a time, CDs (remember them?) used to be as big as your head, and they would have so much music on them that they turned black. And when you turned them over, there was more music on the other side!

'Watchmen 2: The Smell Of Fear' (and other potential titles)

Glenn Hauman — Thu, 4 Feb 2010 07:13:00 EST

All right, let's get them all out of the way...

ALAN AND DAVE'S BOGUS JOURNEY
WATCHMEN 2: THE QUICKENING
BLUE HARVEST
WATCHMEN: THE SALLY JUPITER CHRONICLES
BRIDE OF NITE-OWL
WATCHMEN 2: THE LEGEND OF CURLY'S GOLD
COMEDIAN'S LITTLE DIVIDEND
WATCHMEN 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO
ERNEST SAVES WATCHMEN
WATCHMEN 2: THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES
FROM RORSCHACH WITH LOVE
THE WATCHMEN ALWAYS RING TWICE
I STILL KNOW WHAT YOU WATCHED LAST SUMMER
WATCHMEN 2: WATCH HARDER
NIGHT OWL AND SILK SPECTRE ESCAPE GUANTANAMO BAY
WATCHMEN 2: BIGGER, BLUER, AND STILL UNCUT
OZYMANDIAS AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM
WATCHMEN VS. GHIDRA
SON OF WATCHMEN
THE CHARLTON MENACE
WATCHMEN 2: THE AZURE ARMY
THE ROAD TO KARNAK
WATCHMEN 28 WEEKS LATER
THE WATCHMEN STRIKE BACK
WATCHMEN 2: THE SECRET OF THE OZY
A VERY WATCHMEN CHRISTMAS
WATCHMEN, TOO!
THE WATCHMEN SUPREMACY
TO DAN DREIBERG, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, SALLY JUPITER
DIAL W FOR WATCHMEN
And finally, WATCHMEN: WE DID BLUE CGI PEOPLE FIRST, WHERE'S OUR OSCAR NOMINATION?

In case you haven't heard, Rich Johnston is talking about the disturbing possibility that there will be Watchmen spinoffs now that Paul Levitz is gone. And in case you want to know how bad this could get, let's give you a reminder:

Special thanks to Marc Alan Fishman for the art and @miss_sarah_s for extra titles. And if we missed any titles, please add them in the comments.