Tagged: Superman

Bruce Timm offers New Insights

Bruce Timm offers New Insights

  • News
  • February 19, 2010

Executive producer Bruce Timm offers new perspective on the creation of Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, the latest entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe animated original movies,  and The Spectre, the inaugural DC Showcase animated short, in an all-new Q&A with the guru of super hero animation provided to ComicMix by Warner Home Video.

The full-length animated Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths on February 23 as a Special Edition 2-disc version on DVD and Blu-ray, as well as single disc DVD, and On Demand and Download. We will be reviewing this on Sunday.

Timm, the executive producer has been the creative force behind many of Warner Bros. Animation’s modern-day successes, elevating DC Comics’ canon of super heroes to new heights of animated popularity and introducing generations of new fans to the characters via landmark television series and made-for-DVD films. The latter task includes the creation of the current series of DC Universe animated original movies, which have drawn critical acclaim and further whetted the public’s appetite for comic book entertainment.

Question: What excites you about Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths?

Bruce Timm: In a weird kind of way, this is a return to my favorite show Justice League Unlimited. The original script was intended to be the bridge story between Justice League and Justice League Unlimited to explain how we went from seven heroes to more than 50 super heroes. We loved the story and the script, and it floated around here for years while we tried to figure out what to do with it – it was considered for a comic, but fortunately that got shot down. Then we took a look at it and, with just a few slight tweaks, we jumped at the chance to make it a DC Universe movie.

Question: What sets it apart from the TV version of Justice League?

Bruce Timm: It’s a very satisfying, grand scale adventure movie with a big cast of interesting, quirky characters. It’s amazing how much it feels like a great episode of Justice League Unlimited as a big, epic film with slightly different visual stylings. That’s a good thing.

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Happy Valentine’s Day from Comicmix!

Happy Valentine’s Day from Comicmix!

  • News
  • February 14, 2010

We’re feeling extra ooey-gooey today. In celebration of this love-filled day, we wish you and your better half have a lovely St. Valentine’s day. May your love be like those who taught us how to love.

To Peter and Mary Jane, for those non-Mephisto years…

To Lois and Clark, for Superman I and II, the Donner cut.

To Reed and Sue, when Reed isn’t tweaking the ultimate nulifier.

To Ollie and Dinah, when Ollie isn’t firing his arrow elsewhere…

To Sue and Ralph, til death do they part. Wait. Eww…

To Scott and Jean, because face it, Wolverine didn’t stand a chance.

To Mark Grayson and Eve, for still being cute.

To Bruce and Talia, or Selina if Talia’s not paying attention.

To Steve and Sharon, time bullets be damned.

To Tony and Pepper, we know it didn’t happen in the comics, but… c’mon already!

To you Comicmix fans… for always being there to comment to us when we’re blue…

And… to my own Valentine… Kathy ‘Zatanna’ Fishman… For making me the luckiest Unshaven Comic around. Love you sweetie!

Chris Nolan to Assist Superman Reboot

Chris Nolan to Assist Superman Reboot

  • News
  • February 13, 2010

According to sources at Deadline Hollywood, Chris Nolan, director of Batman Begins, and The Dark Knight, has been tapped by Warner Brothers to “Godfather” the reboot of the Superman franchise. While it’s known now that Nolan, his brother Jonah, and David Goyer are presently working on the script for their next Batman film… Warner Brothers appears to want Nolan to help guide the next Superman film for the studio, to help bring back the fans that exited after Bryan Singer’s Donner-esque Superman Returns. Nolan is thought to be able to help give birth to a darker (“more mature”) version to DC’s flagship character for the big screen.

Warner Brothers wants a fresh take on the Kryptonian super star, hopefully shedding the production nightmares attached like a yoke on the neck of the franchise as a whole. Lest us nerds forget Kevin Smith’s penned draft featuring giant spiders, and a Jay and Silent Bob cameo… to the countless other scripts that turned up on the internet prior to Singer’s Returns, which ranged from the insanely bad to completely ludicrous. It’s hoped that Nolan, who brought the Bat-franchise out of the land of nipples and neon, can lend his hand to crafting a Superman movie that draws from the comics in the same way his Batman did from books like Frank Miller’s Year One, and Alan Moore’s Killing Joke.

But, is all this movement for nothing? According to attorney Marc Toberoff (representing the families of Superman’s creators Siegel and Schuster) the rights to Big Blue will come back to the families in 2013. This puts a stigma on DC and the WB to get production moving by 2011, or they may be forced to come crawling to the families to get the license back. And with Nolan currently putting the finishing touches on his newest non-comic flick, Inception, and the aforementioned third Batman film to be directed…it seems like his dance card is filling up fast.

So, let’s turn it out towards you Comicmix fans. What do you want to see in a Superman movie reboot? What books should Nolan be using for inspiration? Is it time for a new franchise villain to debut? Let us know what you think below!

Captain America Goes Rogue!

Captain America Goes Rogue!

  • News
  • February 12, 2010

Though covered point-by-point by Marvel’s EIC here, faithful followers of Ed Brubaker’s amazing run in the pages of Captain America
saw a wee bit of controversy spring up and out of the pages of issue #602 recently.

For those not in the know (*SPOILER ALERT*) the issue in question features the current Cap, Bucky Barnes, and former Cap Sidekick, Sam Wilson (Falcon) on an undercover mission in Idaho. As they make their way through the state that’s truly ‘More Than Just Potatoes‘, they happen to come across a group of protestors. Bucky makes a comment that the rally appears to be an “Anti-Tax thing”, and Sam remarks that he (“A black man from Harlem”) wouldn’t fit it with “a bunch of angry white folks.” And, due largely to a tight deadline, and slight error on the letterer’s part… the rally signs declared things like “Tea Bag Libs Before They Tea Bag You!” and “Stop the Socialists!”… This in turn ruffled the feathers of members in Nationwide Tea Party Coalition; and the anger-inducing Kool-Aid was thus passed out for the national media circus.

As explained by Joe Quesada, this wasn’t an intentional jab at a political entity, rather, it was a simple mistake. As the books’ deadline loomed, the editor noted missing slogans on the final press ready art. Marvel asked the letterer to quickly photoshop in some slogans to make it in before deadline. Quickly googling protest signs to add a ‘layer of reality’ to the book led to the aforementioned slogans being dumped into the artwork, which was quickly green-lit for the presses. When the error was eventually caught, Marvel apologized, and fixed the art files; ensuring reprints of the issue, as well the eventual printing of the trade paperback, would not perpetuate the mistake. This of course did not stop ‘Tea Drinker’ Warner Todd Huston from starting a flame war. Of course it didn’t.

But, gentle Comicmixers… this begs the question to be asked. While both Ed Brubaker and Marvel Comics have made it clear they opt to stay away from being overtly political in their books… what if they decided not to be. Comic books, especially of the Marvel or DC sort, are fiction. Doesn’t fiction (even starring widely recognized figures like Captain America and Superman) have the right to be as political as they want to be? While Joey Q. made the admission of guilt, and has done his job to quell the issues raised by the Hulk-like Tea Party Gang… What could they do, if the next issue did feature the Tea Party? What it Sam Wilson decided to join the Black Panthers? What if Bucky decided he was a Socialist (I mean they did save his butt from obliteration, no?)… The question really is: what right does any group have to say when it comes to works of fiction, comic or not?

Consider this an invitation to tell us how you feel.

Now I’m an Avenger Too… Part 2

Now I’m an Avenger Too… Part 2

  • News
  • February 9, 2010

“I fight for truth, justice, and the American way. But I only fight for the Democratic Party. The Republicans? Well, there’s Superman Red for that!”

“No, no worries. I’m perfect for the team! Powers? Take your pick! I mean, it’s been a few years since I’ve been useful relevant popular a good decision around, but hey! I’m still ‘the Big Blue Boy Scout’! I can’t wait to zzzap us a few meta-human baddies!”

“Who the hell is Kang?”

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

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

  • News
  • February 5, 2010

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.

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Crazy Sexy Geeks FAQ 1 – Kryptonite

  • Uncategorized
  • February 4, 2010
Crazy Sexy Geeks FAQs answer questions for beginner geeks and old fanboys alike. Ever wonder about how Kryptonite works against Superman? Did you know there are different TYPES of Kryptonite? Jennifer Ewing and Alan Kistler reveal all in this quick video. PLEASE NOTE: We do not own the music track, "Clockwork TARDIS" by Murray Gold.
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Irredeemable #10: Boy, Mark Waid must’ve hated ‘Action Comics’ #442

Irredeemable #10: Boy, Mark Waid must’ve hated ‘Action Comics’ #442

  • News
  • January 28, 2010

Warning: We’re discussing Irredeemable #10, out in stores this week, and we’re probably going to spoil a minor plot point. You might want to read it first before you go any further.

Based on part of Irredeemable #10, I can tell that Mark Waid read Action Comics #442 at a very impressionable age– specifically “The Midnight Murder Show” written by Cary Bates, with art by Curt Swan and Kurt Schaffenberger.

And he was struck by the sheer implausibilty of it all. And re-reading it, I can’t blame him.

Let me recap the plot a bit: Late night talk show host Johnny Nevada, host of GBS’s “The Midnight Show” has been kidnapped by the psychotic and trigger-happy “Touch” McCoy and his henchman, Louie, because all criminal henchmen in Superman stories are named Louie. 

Nevada is being held for ransom of ten million dollars. (In 1974, that was enough to stun a TV network– in 2004, ABC spent more than that on the pilot of Lost, and today, there are pilots rumored to cost fifty million dollars. My, how times change.)

To catch the kidnapper, Superman hatches a plan to goad the kidnapper into shooting, which he will be able to hear with his super-hearing. So Superman goes on The Midnight Show and goads Touch into shooting his .45
at Carso– er, Nevada, which Superman will hear fire from across the
city, and can get there before the bullet travels the distance to hit
Nevada.

All well and good, except that Superman has forgotten that a .45 caliber bullet travels at 800 feet per second. In a 20 foot room, it will take 1/40th of a second. 

In
that time, the sound of the gunshot will only travel 28 feet. It’s not
going to matter if he’s faster than a speeding bullet if he can’t hear
it before it hits the target.

We won’t even get
into the argument of how Superman knew how far away the shot was or the
exact direction to fly off in– suffice it to say that it’s a
completely implausible story.

I mean, really– TV networks caring about the hosts of their late-night talk shows?

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DC Rings in the Brightest Day with More Rings!

DC Rings in the Brightest Day with More Rings!

  • News
  • January 27, 2010

Rabid DC fans flocked to their local android dungeons to get their pudgy fingers on the infinitely collectable ‘Blackest Night’ promo rings. Soon thereafter the DC Nationites (Nationals? Nation-Zombies?) could create their very own rainbow brigade, all for the price of a new comic. Sure not every DC loyalist subscribed to every book that came with a ring… but hey, who doesn’t need an extra copy of Superman/Batman? I used mine to sop up a glass of water I let slip at lunch the other day!

Not to be outdone by their own promotion, DC decided it wasn’t too short a time to go right back to the well. Coming in April, packed with ‘Brightest Day’ bannered Green Lantern #53 and The Flash #1 comes … more promo rings! The Flash comes with a newly minted in plastic Barry Allen ring. Green Lantern comes packed with yet another promo Green Lantern ring. Seriously… did they mint one for every living, dead, and legacy GL Corpsmen?

Your local comic emporium will have to order a minimum of 10 issues of each of the crimson and ivy hued heroes with the February previews issue. So, make sure to start whining now, so you can have yet another hunk of plastic to show off to your girlfriend mother.

An open letter to Jeph Loeb

An open letter to Jeph Loeb

  • News
  • January 19, 2010

When
I first saw your name, sir, it had been attached to one of the best
“young” Batman books to ever hit my shelf. Then you delivered to me a Superman For All Seasons. And to find your run on the Challengers of the Unknown?
Oy, how awesome it was! When friends would name drop their favorite
creators, I was quick to say your name. I mean, for Rao’s sake… you
helped create Teen Wolf, and to a much lesser degree, Teen Wolf Too!
And as the decade began, you gave us Dark Victory. I remember finishing
the series with just the slightest hint of bitter aftertaste in my
throat. Had you “gone to the well” too quickly, to deliver something
too much like The Long Halloween? Nay. Nay I said.

Without fail, the hype machine forced my young and malleable mind to commit to Batman: Hush.
And why not? It had Jim Lee! Drawing every Bat Villain! Superman and
Batman Fighting!  A possible Jason Todd resurrection! Catwoman’s boobs!
Man, you sure got me. I bought every issue with mindless fervor. One
year later… the mystery ended, and there it was again, Jeph. That
strange… bitter taste… telling me something didn’t sit quite right
in my gut. But hey, the sales figures said otherwise, right?

Not long after that, the hype machine whispered in my ear again.

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