Author: Rick Marshall

First Look: ‘Doctor Who’ Minimates and Mattel’s ‘Infinite Heroes’ DC Lineup!

First Look: ‘Doctor Who’ Minimates and Mattel’s ‘Infinite Heroes’ DC Lineup!

  • News
  • February 19, 2008

There were a number of big announcements this past week at Toy Fair, but two that really caught our attention should make fans of Doctor Who and the DC Universe very happy.

First up is the announcement that a line of Doctor Who Minimates have finally been approved for production by Underground Toys! Minimates fans will soon be able to add figures to their collection based on David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor, Martha Jones and, by the looks of the figure designs, an army of Cybermen, too.

We have a trio of larger images of the Doctor Who designs posted after the jump, but be sure to check out today’s edition of ComicMix Radio (Live at 2:00 PM EST) for an interview with Underground Toys about the details of the line — specifically, when you can expect to see the Doctor Who Minimates on shelves, which characters you can expect to find and how they’re getting distributed.

The second half of today’s ComicMix Radio podcast features an interview with Mattel about their recently announced "Infinite Heroes" line of 3.75-inch figures based on the DC Universe. This is the one that has comics fans and toy collectors talking all over the ‘Net, and we’ll have pictures of the roster of "Infinite Heroes" figures on display in Mattel’s showroom — as well as more more details about the line — available here on ComicMix at 2 PM EST today.

So be sure to check out today’s edition of ComicMix Radio, our thrice-weekly podcast, for more on both announcements!

Now for more  images of the Doctor Who Minimates designs…

 

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ComicMix at Toy Fair: Mezco’s Hellboy II, Heroes and Warriors

ComicMix at Toy Fair: Mezco’s Hellboy II, Heroes and Warriors

  • News
  • February 19, 2008

I was already looking forward to Hellboy II: The Golden Army, but after seeing Mezco Toyz’ lineup of figures based on the film, it looks like I’ll be buying a ticket and making a little more room on the "geek shelf" (as my friends call it).

New, old and in-production films and television series inspired the bulk of Mezco’s lineup for Toy Fair ’08, with products based on Hellboy II and Heroes occupying the lion’s share of the booth. And while it’s not exactly comics-related, I wanted to let go with a big ol’ fist pump when I saw the 9-inch figures based on the film The Warriors lined up on one of the booth’s display shelves.

Several of the figures Mezco had on display weren’t available for photography, as they were either still awaiting approval by the licensors. Here are some of the highlights of those that were camera-ready, though:

 

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ComicMix TV: Toy Fair ’08 Preview

ComicMix TV: Toy Fair ’08 Preview

ComicMix comes to you from Toy Fair this week, in the heart of New York City… and we have video!

Okay, so it’s not exactly the "heart" of the city. It’s more like the "elbow-region," way over on the Western side of the island where the subways don’t dare to travel. But the point here is that there are toys — lots of them.

We’ve already shown you the comics-inspired dolls of Tonner, a heap of Incredible Hulk and Iron Man branded toys, and Dark Horse Comics’ Will Eisner-designed Spirit statues. Now we have a short video preview of what’s to come from our Toy Fair coverage, hosted by our intrepid ComicMix host, Matt Raub.

Be sure to check back throughout the week for a look at highlights from our tours of the DC Direct and Mattel showrooms!

ComicMix at Toy Fair: Eisner’s ‘Spirit’ Meets Conan at Dark Horse

ComicMix at Toy Fair: Eisner’s ‘Spirit’ Meets Conan at Dark Horse

  • News
  • February 18, 2008

There was quite a bit to see at the Dark Horse Comics booth during this year’s Toy Fair, from statues based on Doctor Who and The Dark Crystal to busts based on Robert E. Howard’s Conan universe and various other products inspired by comics.

Most notable of the bunch, however, were a pair of statues based on the title character of Will Eisner’s The Spirit comics. With a Frank Miller-helmed film based on the character scheduled to hit theaters early next year, Dark Horse Comics’ statues are based on the original Eisner design for the character — literally.

According to DH’s Vice President of Product Development, the statues are based on sketches Eisner made in the event that a 3-D sculpture was ever made of the character. Dark Horse acquired the sketches from the Eisner Estate after the creator’s passing, and had the statues made from teh sketched designs.

"The statues aren’t just in the Eisner style," explained Scroggy, "but actually designed by Eisner."

Dark Horse also had a few busts from its upcoming "Savage Sword Collection" of products based on the work of Conan creator Robert E. Howard. The design of the busts will be based on recent covers of each character’s current Dark Horse Comics series.

In the spirit (pun totally intended) of letting a picture speak a thousand words, we’ve put together the following gallery of highlights from the Dark Horse booth.

 

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ComicMix at Toy Fair ’08: A Bulk of ‘Incredible Hulk’

ComicMix at Toy Fair ’08: A Bulk of ‘Incredible Hulk’

  • News
  • February 17, 2008

Hulk and Iron Man have had their share of dust-ups throughout Marvel history, from the days of the old gray armor to the recent "World War Hulk" story arc. More often than not, though, the Green Goliath whips Tony Stark’s pampered playboy butt.

With both characters expecting big things from live-action films this year, Toy Fair 2008 was shaping up to be another battle of epic proportions — at least on the licensing front.

Unfortunately, this battle between the two Marvel heavyweights ended up more lop-sided than most, with Incredible Hulk products popping up in just about every other booth at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center while the guy in the metal suit was yesterday’s news.

Along with yo-yos and radio-controlled planes (Why would Hulk have a plane? Because he can, puny human.) the big green guy was also spotted on puzzles, bop-bags and — my personal favorite — a puffy backpack that allows you to walk around all day with hulk’s massive arms wrapped around your neck in a gamma-fueled sleeper hold. 

 

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ComicMix at Toy Fair ’08: Tonner Does DC and Spider-Man

ComicMix at Toy Fair ’08: Tonner Does DC and Spider-Man

  • News
  • February 17, 2008

In the first of a series of reports from Toy Fair 2008 in New York, ComicMix checks out the comics-inspired dolls of the Tonner booth, featuring characters from Spider-Man 3 and a cast of DC superheroes and villains.

 

[Gallery After the Jump]

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Screenwriter Removes Name From ‘Punisher: War Zone’

Screenwriter Removes Name From ‘Punisher: War Zone’

  • News
  • February 17, 2008

Kurt Sutter, co-producer and writer for the television series The Shield, has requested that his name be formally removed from the screenwriting credits for Punisher: War Zone.

Sutter claims that, after rewriting a script by Nick Santora for the film, his script was later rewritten and changed to such a degree that he no longer feels his name should be included in the film’s credits.

In Sutter’s post about the decision, he explains that the only piece of his script to appear in the film is the set piece in which Jigsaw, the villain of the film, earns his nickname. Sutter adds that his original vision for the film — a a departure from what he saw as standard comic-book adaptations — is quite different from the actual story used in production.

The other reason I removed my name is because I didn’t want credit. My pitch, my vision, for the Punisher franchise was something much different. I tried to rip Frank Castle from the comic book world and place him in the real streets of NYC. Castle is the only superhero without powers. He’s a tortured, highly skilled soldier with a really bad anger problem. I always felt we should see Frank in some place uber-real and gritty. I threw away the first draft written by Nick Santora and did a page one rewrite. I changed the locations, the characters, the story. I dropped Frank in a real New York City with real villians, real cops, real relationships. To me, the Punisher deserved more than the usual comic book redress. It shouldn’t just follow the feature superhero formula.

Sutter also acknowledges previous Punisher actor Thomas Jane’s disdain for his script, writing, "I’m not saying my draft was perfect or even good for that matter. God knows, Thomas Jane wasn’t fond of it."

It’s also worth noting that Sutter followed up his initial announcement with another post the following day — an apology of sorts — stating that his decision should not be interpreted as a negative assessment of the Punisher: War Zone film or its working script.

Punisher: War Zone is scheduled for a Sept. 12, 2008, release.

 

Warren Simons on ‘Invincible Iron Man’

Warren Simons on ‘Invincible Iron Man’

  • News
  • February 16, 2008

Marvel’s new Invincible Iron Man series kicks off this May right about the same time Tony Stark and Co. hit theaters in the live-action Iron Man film.

Over at Marvel.com, series editor Warren Simons explains the connection between the new title and the film, as well as the reasons behind the choice of Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca as the Invincible Iron Man creative team.

Warren Simons: We’re aiming to provide a kick-ass entry point into the Marvel Universe for fans of the film, while also telling great stories for already established Iron Man and Marvel fans. With INVINCIBLE, we’re focusing on Tony as a super hero, and downplaying the espionage angle and Tony’s role as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Civil War? Never happened.

Even so, the art looks beautiful and Fraction can spin a fun tech-driven tale. This one could be worth keeping an eye on.

 

Geoff Johns on Seeding the Stories of ‘Sinestro Corps War’

Geoff Johns on Seeding the Stories of ‘Sinestro Corps War’

  • News
  • February 16, 2008

In this interview with Publishers Weekly, Geoff Johns reflects on DC’s under-the-radar yet phenomenally successful crossover event The Sinestro Corps War, which unfolded in the pages of Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps and various other series and tie-ins.

According to Johns, who served as the primary architect for the event, the desire to keep the story centralized among a small number of titles was key to its popularity among readers.

Johns also explains how he approached many of the Sinestro Corps‘ main characters, and touches on the advantages of being able to seed stories that he knows he’ll be around to tell a year down the road.

"I’m trying to pioneer a way of letting people know that there’s a big story here," Johns said. "I know every single broad project and story line I’m working on at DC through 2010. I like plotting far ahead, because I can let things sit in my brain and grow and change, and I can have little things pay off. There’s actually a mention of ‘The Blackest Night’ in Green Lantern #6 [from mid-2006]. It’s much more satisfying for me to work that way."

The first collected, hardcover volume of The Sinestro Corps War is currently available, with the next volume available in June.

 

Guillermo del Toro on ‘The Hobbit’ Films, Returning Cast

Guillermo del Toro on ‘The Hobbit’ Films, Returning Cast

  • News
  • February 16, 2008

Guillermo del Toro, the rumored favorite to helm an upcoming set of films based upon J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, said his presence behind the camera is still uncertain, but if he does take the job, he hopes to bring some of the cast from the Lord of the Rings film trilogy with him.

Empire spoke with del Toro about the possibility of him directing The Hobbit, what he’d like to do with the film(s) and, of course, that massive lawsuit.

“Since that news broke, I have not exchanged a single phone call with my lawyer or my manager or anyone. They talk about it and I have received some emails, but, as far as I’m concerned, until I’m on board I should not worry about it. I read about it, but there’s nothing I can do about it."

The popular director also said he’d like to bring back the actors who portrayed certain characters appearing in both the Lord of the Rings story as well as The Hobbit, such as Andy Serkis (Gollum) and Ian McKellen (Gandalf).

Oh, and Tolkien fans take note: There was no mention of Hugo Weaving reprising his role as Elrond. Interesting.

 

(via CS.N)

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