Ed Summer, the man who opened one of America’s first comic book stores and went on to a varied and significant media career, died Thursday from cancer.
A graduate of the New York University School of the Arts (his classmates included Oliver Stone, Jonathan Kaplan and Alan Arkush), Summer opened the Supersnipe Comic Book Emporium on Manhattan’s upper east side in 1971. The store was named after the Street and Smith comic book character who owned more comic books than anybody else in the world. In the late 1970s he opened a comic art gallery, also one of the first, near his store. His friend George Lucas was an investor.
Moving on to motion pictures, Ed wrote or co-wrote Conan the Barbarian (and also was associate producer), Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck cartoons for Disney, and Shinsha (a anime take on Little Nemo). He was marketing and script consultant for Star Wars: A New Hope and advised Lucasfilm Ltd on numerous projects over the years.
Summer also wrote comics for Gold Key, DC and Marvel and he wrote numerous articles for a wide variety of magazines, including Time, Skeptical Inquirer (a science magazine) and Video Watchdog. He also edited and published Walt Disney’s Uncle $crooge McDuck: His Life and Times, one of the first detailed retrospectives on the work of master storyteller Carl Barks, and was an adjunct professor at New York’s School of Visual Arts.
And that just scratches the surface of Ed’s vast media career.
A native of Buffalo New York, In 2005 Ed started the Buffalo International Film Festival, one of his proudest achievements. He told ComicMix’s Martha Thomases he did it not only to bring some tourism to his hometown, but also because there were so many fabulous old movie palaces there. The Festival continues to this day.
The countdown to the release of Batman: The Complete Television Series is at three days. Tuesday, November 11, sees the arrival of the mostly wanted DVD set for comic book fans this millennium.
In anticiaption, Warner Home Entertainment has released this clip from one of the bonus features, as Adam West recounts his favorite episode.
Our review will be appearing sometime this coming week.
Pick your favorite spot to watch—anytime and anywhere—and get ready for a fun-filled adventure with the Diamond Edition of 101 Dalmatians! Pongo, Perdita and their super-adorable puppies are in for thrills, hilarious spills and an epic action-packed adventure when they face off with Cruella De Vil, Disney’s most fabulously outrageous villainess. When Cruella dognaps all of the Dalmatian puppies in London, brave animal heroes launch a daring plan to save all puppies from Cruella’s clutches! Unleash all the excitement and suspense of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians, a beloved classic you’ll want to share with your family again and again!
Cast: Rod Taylor (Inglorious Bastards, The Birds) as Pongo, J. Pat O’Malley (The Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland) as Jasper and Betty Lou Gerson (The Fly, Cats Don’t Dance) as Cruella de Vil
Producer: Walt Disney Directors: Wolfgang Reitherman, Hamilton S. Luske and Clyde Geronimi Writers: Story by Bill Peet. Based on the book “101 Dalmatians” by Dodie Smith Release Date: February 10, 2015 (Direct Prebook: 12/16; Distributor Prebook: 12/30) Product SKUs: Digital HD & SD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, Disney Movies Anywhere & On-Demand
Ratings: G in US & Canada (bonus materials are not rated) Feature Run Time: Approximately 79 Minutes Aspect Ratio: 1:33:1 Audio: Blu-ray: 7.1 DTS-HDMA / 1.0 Dolby Digital (English); 5.1 DTS-HDHR (French) & 5.1 Dolby Digital (Spanish) Languages: English, French and Spanish Subtitles: English (ESL/SDH), French and Spanish
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) sets a new standard for accommodating Bat-fans from the uber-avid to caped-casual with the upcoming release of Batman: The Complete Television Series on November 11, 2014. The most anticipated home entertainment release of all time will be available in several distinct packaging choices with varying content and bonus materials. These offerings include multiple national physical options – most notably, the Limited Edition Blu-ray™ box set – as well as varying digital selections, and a few specialty alternatives.
“We understand the widespread demand for Batman: The Complete Television Series, and we also appreciate the varying degrees of fandom surrounding this release,” said Rosemary Markson, WBHEG Senior Vice President, TV Brand Management and Retail Marketing “To that end, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has created an option for virtually every fan’s level of interest, whether that be basking in the highly collectable Limited Edition Blu-ray set or simply enjoying this landmark series in its beautifully re-mastered exhibition on Blu-ray™, DVD or Digital HD.”
As the ultimate collector’s pièce de résistance, the Limited Edition box set (SRP $269.97) is a numbered, beautifully packaged set and spotlights all 120 episodes in spectacularly-re-mastered footage on Blu-ray™. The package comes complete with an exclusive Hot Wheels® Replica Batmobile, 44 vintage replica trading cards, the Adam West Photobook with never-before seen images from Adam West’s private archives, an extensive Episode Guide and Ultraviolet Digital Copy of all 120 episodes. Also included is more than three hours of extended content with featurettes such as “Hanging with Batman,” a true slice of life in the words of Adam West; “Holy Memorabilia, Batman!” a journey into the most sought-after collectibles through the eyes of three extraordinary collectors; “Batmania Born! – Building the World of Batman,” which explores the art and design behind the fiction; “Bats of the Round Table,” a candid conversation with Adam West and celebrity friends like director Kevin Smith, DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee, radio personality Ralph Garman and actor Phil Morris, chatting all things Bat ’66; “Inventing Batman in the words of Adam West,” a rare treat for the fans as Adam discusses his script notes on bringing Batman to life in the first and second episodes; and “Na Na Na Batman!” where some of Hollywood favorite’s stars and producers recount their favorite Batman memories. Bonus features also contain a few goodies from the archives including Burt Ward’s original screen test with Adam West, the Batgirl pilot and more!
Also coming to retail stores on November 11 are the Batman: The Complete Television Series DVD set (18 DVDs, extensive Episode Guide, more than three hours of enhanced content, SRP $199.70) and Batman: The Complete First Season DVD set (5 DVDs, SRP $39.98).
DC Entertainment has also created a limited time only offer exclusive to comic book retailers that includes the Limited Edition Blu-ray set packaged with BATMAN: THE TV STORIES HC, a hardcover Batman ’66 comic book.
Fans hoping to add the Caped Crusader’s classic TV series to their digital collection will be pleased to find a trio of options available on November 11. When purchased as a bundle, the digital version of Batman: The Complete Television Series includes all three seasons of the series in either HD or standard definition, as well as the entire slate of enhanced content features from the physical complete series offerings.
In addition, individual seasons of the landmark series will be available digitally in either HD or SD. “Batman: Season 1” offers all 34 first-season episodes; “Batman: Season 2, Part 1” and “Batman: Season 2, Part 2” offer the first and second 30 episodes of that season, respectively; and “Batman: Season 3” has the final 26 episodes of the series.
In late October, there will also be a special Direct Response promotional program seen on television that will feature a few specialty editions of the series on Blu-ray and DVD. These include: the Complete Classic Batman Collection on Blu-ray (SRP $174.95) and on DVD (SRP $149.95), both of which include over 50 hours of entertainment, starting with all 120 episodes from the landmark series; and the Classic Batman Collection (SRP $99.95), featuring 64 of your favorite original broadcast episodes fully remastered in a 12-DVD set. These sets will be available to purchase via telephone or on batmanondvd.com. All three options also come with:
Over 3 Hours of ALL NEW bonus materials (identical to Limited Edition box set)
Adam West Naked on DVD: Watch as Adam takes you behind the scenes of your favorite episodes!
The Original 1966 Batman Movie DVD starring Adam West and Burt Ward
Detailed Episode Guide
Your Own Show Script from the Episode ‘The Joker is Wild’
Warner Archive Collection brings another outstanding Warner Bros. Animation television series to Blu-rayTM with the November 18 release of Young Justice: Invasion, the thrilling second season of the popular series.
Taking this release to another level, Warner Archive Collection has added an exclusive commentary track on the series finale episodes “Summit” and “Endgame” featuring creators Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti along with voice actors Jason Spisak (Kid Flash) and Stephanie Lemelin (Artemis). The package also includes a Behind the Scenes featurette.
Young Justice: Invasion finds our heroes five years into the future – and a lot can change in five years, as our super heroes are about to find out. First, there’s some new residents to be found at Mount Justice: new team leader Nightwing, Wonder Girl, Blue Beetle, Batgirl, Bumblebee and Beast Boy. And Young Justice will need all the help it can get as an alien presence has infiltrated Earth, while certain members of the Justice League are forced to stand trial at the criminal hearing off-world. Watch as The Reach, spearheaded by the quick-talking Ambassador and backed by the muscle of Black Beetle, manipulates a trusting public while maintaining its shadowy maneuvering with The Light. This is a grand 20-episode adventure as the risks have never been greater and the conflicts never so far-reaching – and the epic finale will shatter everything you know!
With Walt Disney releasing Maleficent on disc next week, they have offered us a Bonus Clip from the special features found on the Bu-ray disc. The Angelina Jolie-starrer arrives November 4 as a combo pack containing the Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD versions o fthe liv-action retelling of the classic fairy tale. Our review will be appearing here soon.
In the better late than never department, Warner Home Entertainment is celebrating Batman’s 75th Anniversary with a variety of releases and just in the nick of time for the holidays comes a new edition of the 1989 Tim Burton adaptation that can arguably be said for kickstarting the current generation of super-hero films.
Burbank, Calif., August 14, 2014 – To help mark Warner Bros. Entertainment (WBE) and DC Entertainment’s milestone 75th anniversary of DC Comics’ popular Batman character, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) will release Batman 25th Anniversary Two-Disc Edition, a new Blu-ray™ edition debuting December 9 (at
$24.98 SRP) in the studio’s distinctive new sleek Diamond Luxe collector-style packaging. With its state-of-the-art sophisticated and durable design, the new packaging is perfect for those wishing to add this edition to their home libraries. Also included is Batman: The Birth of the Modern Blockbuster — a look at the phenomenal marketing, extensive merchandising and franchise foresight that set the template for the next 25 years of tentpole pictures. WBHE and DCE’s year-long celebration, befitting the world’s most popular super-hero, will boast new products from WBE and DC Entertainment in numerous areas – comics,
TV, Interactive Entertainment, Consumer Products and more. There is a new commemorative 75th anniversary Batman logo and an exclusive “Cape/Cowl/Create” art exhibit, featuring 20 contemporary artists’ interpretations of The Dark Knight’s iconic
cowl headpiece and cape from the new Batman: Arkham Knight video game. Various other events are taking place throughout the year.
In addition to releasing Batman 25th Anniversary Two-Disc Edition, WBHE will also feature the highly anticipated release of the 1960s Batman: The Complete Television Series for the first time ever. Other new home entertainment releases include animated films Son of Batman and Batman: Assault on Arkham.
In announcing the Batman 75th anniversary initiative in March, WB Chairman and Chief Executive Kevin Tsujihara noted, Batman is an incredibly important property with multi-generational appeal across all of the studio’s businesses and we’re proud to celebrate this milestone anniversary. From billion-dollar blockbuster films to TV, home entertainment, video games and consumer products, The Dark Knight continues to resonate with audiences worldwide and rightfully deserves his place as a global pop culture icon for the ages.”
About the Movie
In 1989, director Tim Burton breathed new life into one of the most complex and intriguing characters in popular culture. Burton cast off the 1960s camp depiction of the Dark Knight and launched for Warner Bros. one of the most popular comic book film series ever. Batman was the top-grossing movie that year and subsequently became a global phenomenon. Tim Burton’s vision and Michael Keaton’s performance as the Caped Crusader combine perfectly to capture Gotham City’s sinister atmosphere and Batman’s brooding nature. Jack Nicholson stars in a memorable performance as the maniacal Joker and Kim Basinger is Vicki Vale, the beautiful and resourceful photojournalist desired by both men.
Special Features
• Batman: The Birth of the Modern Blockbuster (NEW) Discover how the film’s phenomenal marketing, extensive merchandising and franchise foresight set the template for the next 25 years of tentpole pictures.
On the next full moon, coinciding with NYCC Super Week, you can be one of the first to see WOLVES at an exclusive fan event followed by a Q&A with writer/director David Hayter! The werewolf action-thriller stars Lucas Till (X-Men: First Class & Days of Future Past, Stoker), Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones, Conan the Barbarian), Merritt Patterson (Kid Cannabis, The Hole), Stephen McHattie (The Strain, Haunter) and John Pyper-Ferguson (The Last Ship, Alphas).
The screening will take place in Manhattan on Wednesday, October 8th at 8pm. Follow @BewareWolves on Twitter to find out how you and a guest can win passes to this special event! In order to attend, you must be 17 or older as Wolves is rated R for bloody violence throughout, and some sexuality.
Popular high school student Cayden Richards wakes from a horrific nightmare, only to realize that he’s living it… He is changing into something vicious, unpredictable and wild. Forced to hit the road after the brutal murder of his parents, Cayden tries to hunt down the truth of what he is. In the remote, mountain town of Lupine Ridge, he discovers others like him — Including the beautiful Angelina, a young woman caught between two ancient clans of “wolves”. And when he finally discovers the shocking truth behind his ancestry, Cayden realizes there is only one way to save the woman he loves… a grisly fight to the death against forces more savage than he could have ever imagined.
WOLVES Arrives on Premium VOD October 16th and in Select Cities November 14th
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy film has earned over $645 million worldwide and recently passed the $300 million mark at both the domestic and international box offices. Guardians of the Galaxy opened domestically August 1 with $94.3 million to become the biggest August debut of all time and ultimately the biggest August release ever; it’s also the highest grossing film of the year and the first to surpass $300 million in 2014 domestically. After becoming the 10th straight Marvel Studios film to open at #1, Guardians of the Galaxy occupied the top spot domestically for four of its first six weekends in release.
Synopsis:
From Marvel, the studio that launched the epic franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and Marvel’s The Avengers, comes an unlikely new team—the “Guardians of the Galaxy.” The Marvel Cinematic Universe expands into the cosmos when brash space adventurer Peter Quill steals a coveted orb and becomes the object of a relentless bounty hunt. To evade his enemies, Quill forges an uneasy truce with Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon; Groot, a tree-like humanoid; the deadly assassin Gamora; and the revenge-driven Drax. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb, he must rally his ragtag band of misfits for a desperate battle that will decide the fate of the galaxy. Featuring amazing new characters and exclusive bonus features, this must-own blockbuster will have you hooked on a feeling… of pure adrenaline!
Cast:
Chris Pratt (The Lego Movie, TV’s Parks and Recreation) as Peter Quill, Zoe Saldana (Avatar, Star Trek) as Gamora, Dave Bautista (Riddick, The Man with the Iron Fists) as Drax, Vin Diesel (Fast and the Furious series, Riddick) as Groot, Bradley Cooper (American Hustle, SilverLinings Playbook) as Rocket, Lee Pace (The Hobbit series, Lincoln) as Ronan, Michael Rooker (TV’s The Walking Dead) as Yondu Udonta, Karen Gillan (Oculus, TV’s Doctor Who) as Nebula, Djimon Hounsou (How to Train Your Dragon 2, Gladiator) as Korath, John C. Reilly (Wreck-It Ralph, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby) as Corpsman Dey, Glenn Close (TV’s Damages, Tarzan) as Nova Prime and Benicio Del Toro (Traffic, The Usual Suspects) as The Collector.
Director: James Gunn (Movie 43, Super)
Screenplay: James Gunn (Dawn of the Dead, Scooby Doo) and Nicole Perlman (Thor)
Producer: Kevin Feige, p.g.a. (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Thor: The Dark World)
Executive Producers: Nik Korda (Robin Hood, The Golden Compass), Stan Lee (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Victoria Alonso (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Thor: The Dark World), Jeremy Latcham (Marvel’s The Avengers, Iron Man 2), Alan Fine (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Thor: The Dark World), and Louis D’Esposito (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Thor: The Dark World)
Release Date: 11/18 for Digital 3D and Digital HD
12/9 Digital SD, 3D Blu-ray Combo pack (3D Blu-ray + Single Disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy), Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand
Bonus Features:
(Digital HD*, Disney Movies Anywhere, 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray)
Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes
Making-of Featurettes
Exclusive Look at “Marvel’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron”
Gag Reel
Audio Commentary
(DVD)
Exclusive Look at “Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron”
Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scene
* Digital bonus offerings will vary per retailer Ratings: PG-13; PG for CE; G for CF Feature Run Time: 121 minutes Aspect Ratio: Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray & DVD: 2:40:1 Audio: Blu-ray 3D & Blu-ray 2D = English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, French-Canadian 5.1 Dolby Digital, Latin Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital
DVD = English/Latin Spanish/French Canadian 5.1 Dolby Digital, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital Languages: English, French & Spanish Subtitles: English, French & Spanish
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – The “super fun” (Topher Gauk-Roger, CNN), visually-stunning and riotously entertaining blockbuster TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES bursts onto Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, DVD and VOD December 16, 2014 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. The film arrives three weeks early on Digital HD November 25.
In this eye-popping reimagining of the legendary heroes in a half shell, New York is under attack by the sinister Shredder, but fearless leader Leonardo, brilliant and brainy Donatello, rough and rebellious Raphael and wild and crazy Michelangelo take to the streets to defend their home with the help of intrepid reporter April O’Neil (Megan Fox) and their brilliant sensei, Splinter. Packed with jaw-dropping action and special effects and loaded with the franchise’s signature humor, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES is “fun for the whole family” (Joel Amos, Movie Fanatic). The film also stars Will Arnett, Whoopi Goldberg, and William Fichtner and features Johnny Knoxville as the voice of Leonardo and Tony Shalhoub as the voice of Splinter.
The TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray Combo Packs with Digital HD include explorations of the Turtles’ latest incarnations and their sensational appearance in 3D, an extended ending, a look at the making of the hit theme song “Shell Shocked,” along with the music video and much more. In addition, specially marked Blu-ray Combo Packs include two reversible masks featuring all four signature colors of the beloved crime-fighters. Masks are available only while supplies last and quantities are limited. Select retail outlets will also offer exclusive versions of the Blu-ray with collectible packaging, premiums and more.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Blu-ray Combo Pack
The TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English Dolby Atmos (7.1 Dolby TrueHD compatible), French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The DVD in the combo pack is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The combo pack includes access to a Digital HD copy of the film as well as the following:
Blu-ray
Feature film in high definition
Digital Reality
In Your Face! The Turtles in 3D
It Ain’t Easy Being Green
Evolutionary Mash-Up
Turtle Rock
Extended Ending
“Shell Shocked” Music Video
Making of “Shell Shocked”
DVD
Feature film in standard definition
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack
The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack includes all of the above, as well as a Blu-ray 3D presented in 1080p high definition with English Dolby Atmos (7.1 Dolby TrueHD compatible), French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.
The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack available for purchase include a Digital Version of the film that can be accessed through UltraViolet™, a way to collect, access and enjoy movies. With UltraViolet, consumers can add movies to their digital collection in the cloud, and then stream or download them—reliably and securely—to a variety of devices.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES Single-Disc DVD
The single-disc DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The disc includes the feature film in standard definition.
Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies present a Platinum Dunes production, a Gama Entertainment/Mednick Productions/Heavy Metal production of a Jonathan Liebesman film: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES. Executive produced by Denis L. Stewart, Eric Crown, Napoleon Smith III and Jason T. Reed. Produced by Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, Galen Walker, Scott Mednick and Ian Bryce. Based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman. Screenplay by Josh Appelbaum & André Nemec and Evan Daugherty. Directed by Jonathan Liebesman.
Street Date: December 16, 2014 (Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD and VOD)
November 25, 2014 (Digital)
SRP: $52.99 U.S. (Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack)
$39.99 U.S. (Blu-ray Combo Pack)
$29.99 U.S. (DVD)
U.S. Rating: PG-13 for sci-fi action violence
Canadian Rating: PG for violence
by Mike Gold and Martha Thomases
