Secret origins are fun
I miss the days when comic books would spend an issue telling the back story of how the latest villain of the week became the villain of the week. It was fun to discover how that person was wronged or what led him down the path to evil, and best of all it was all revealed in a single issue. After reading Blue Beetle #32, those good ol’ days are back again.
Dynamite Entertainment has announced it will release a chase cover to The Death Defying Devil #1 by John Romita Sr.
Admired by generations of comic books fans and creators alike, John Romita Sr. is best known for his legendary work on Marvel Comics’ Daredevil and The Amazing Spider-Man from the late 1960′s to early 1970′s. In the 1970′s he served as Marvel Comics’ art director, where he had a major role in defining the look of Marvel Comics and in designing new characters such as Punisher and Wolverine. In 2002 John Romita Sr. was inducted into the Comic Book Hall of Fame. John Romita Sr’s cover for The Death Defying ‘Devil #1 continues Dynamite’s exciting presentation of Project Superpowers expanded universe chase covers by legendary talent; also available is the new Black Terror series with chase covers by George Tuska and John Romita, Sr.
This is a 1 in 15 cover, so you better hope your local comic shop orders plenty for you to get this one.
Take the jump to see the full Romita cover, plus covers by Alex Ross and John Cassaday.
If you are a long time reader of comic books, you’ve seen Wally West grow from kid sidekick to a member of the Teen Titans to taking over the role of The Flash (and yet Batman is still the same age…) With a character that has some involvement in many of the DCU’s greatest stories, it is interesting to see those tales from his perspective. And when your powers are suddenly fading, it’s a time to reflect on those friends around you. Yes Wally West, this is your life.
When Victor Gorelick joined Archie Comics 50 years ago as an art assistant, he probably had little idea that he would move through the company as a production coordinator, art director, and finally reaching the Editor-in-Chief position.
I love Indiana Jones. Love the first three movies, the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles on television, and the comic books. Just listen to the Major Spoilers Podcast about all things Indy, and it is clear nothing did more in my formative years than Dr. Jones cracking the whip, cracking wise, and cracking the heads of Nazis.
While I liked Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, I didn’t care for Mutt Williams (aka Shia LaDoof) one bit. And the very hint that there might be a Mutt Williams franchise based off of this has me sick to my stomach. Perhaps the word has filtered to Mr. Lucas, because there’s a buzz that a fifth Indiana Jones movie might become a reality.
Harrison Ford said Friday that momentum is building for a fifth movie in the “Indiana Jones“Â franchise and that George Lucas is already cooking up a suitable plot for a heroic senior citizen with a penchant for whips and fedoras.
“It’s crazy but great,” the 66-year-old Ford said. “George is in think mode right now.”
Think wisely, Mr. Lucas. Think wisely. Keep Mutt Williams as far away from the next story as possible.
Bluewater Productions has announced a partnership with William Shatner to develop four comic titles based on his sci-fi novels. The books included in the deal are The TekWar Chronicles, Quest for Tomorrow, Man O’ War and a yet unnamed titles Shatner is creating exclusively for Bluewater.
“Mr. Shatner is a savvy businessman and a creative mastermind. We’re honored to be partnering with him and are confident our efforts will create comic books both his fans and ours will embrace,†said Bluewater publisher Darren G. Davis in a prepared statement.
Of all the titles announced, audiences are probably most familiar with the TekWar series, first adapted by Marvel in the ’90′s, and then as a television series for the Sci-Fi Channel that ran from 1994-1996.
The books showcase a hard-boiled private eye story set in the 22nd century. The plot revolves around an ex-policeman protagonist whose quest is to track down a missing scientist whose invention could win the war against the insidious computerized drug known as “Tek.”
TekWar Chronicles will be an on-going series, while the other three will be made into mini-series.
The four books will launch under the “William Shatner Presents” banner in the first quarter of 2009.
Or – “Didn’t I Just DO One Of These?”
I can’t tell if it’s a function of my tendency to be at least a week behind in my reviews (with my current schedules, I don’t usually buy my comics until Sunday afternoon, when I’m working) but it seems like I’ve been reviewing a lot of Buffy lately. The good news is, it’s hardly a chore, as the book is humming like a well-oiled humming-thing-covered-in-oil, giving us drama, intrigue, some nice dialogue, and not skimping on the ol’ fighty-fighty, something that many comic books lately are eschewing in favor of all-singing, all-dancing, green-skinned alien flashbacks. (No, I don’t mean “Betty and Veronica.”) The story of Buffy going back to the future has lit a new flame under the leader of the Slayers, as she’s forced to come face-to-face with her own legacy, and see the real impact she will have had on the world… As with any reality check, the slap in the face is complimentary with the service.
File this under Rumors We Hope are True. According to Deadline Hollywood Daily, Both Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire are returning for a fourth and possibly fifth installment of the Spider-Man franchise from Marvel and Sony.
It’s been a difficult road trying to get any news on if the two would bring their talents back for another installment, so the studio is contemplating shooting a fifth movie at the same time as number four just so the studio has a flick ready and waiting in the wings.
Sony is taking its time officially hiring the movie’s villain since principal photography doesn’t start on Spider-Man 4 until next fall because of the recently postponed May 2011 release. I am told, however, that “once you find out who the villain is, you’ll know who’s playing it.” That should lead to speculation that Dylan Baker’s character of Dr. Curt Connors will ultimately turn into The Lizard as he did in the comic books.
I think it’s about time Connors got his moment in the sun, but would that be a villain that could carry two movies back to back, or would we see the eventual pairing of all past villains into a watered down form of the Sinister Six?
In an ongoing attempt to draw more readers to online versions of comic books, Marvel is allowing anyone to head over to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited and read Terry Moore and Humberto Ramos’ first issue of the Runaways for free.
The Runaways are back in Los Angeles and trying to keep their status on the down-low, but L.A. isn’t the same city they left it, especially when the sins of their parents come back to haunt them. And if things couldn’t be more dangerous, the few remaining survivors of Karolina’s alien race have come to Earth…and they’re targeting the Runaways themselves for extinction.
You can view the first issue for free right here.
And take the jump to get a peek at the cover to issue #2 arriving this month.
This week on the Major Spoiler Podcast, we discussed comic book themed courses at various universities, and the books being used in them. A new book by Thomas J. McLean looks like it could be a great text to add to future comic to film adaptation courses.
Mutant Cinema: The X-Men Trilogy from Comics to Screen is the definitive unauthorized study of the popular movie saga, including:
• The history of X-Men comic books;
• Previous adaptations, including early cartoon appearances, the successful 1990s animated series, and initial attempts to bring the mutants to the big screen;
• The development process for each film, including behind-the-scenes stories, interviews with the screenwriters, and details on omitted scenes and storylines;
• Detailed scene-by-scene examinations of each film and the comic book stories that infuse every aspect of the movies;
• Critical and fan receptions of each film, plus box office performances;
• What the future may hold for the franchise; and
• Tips on some essential X-Men reading.
Mutant Cinema is available now through various online retailers.
via Sequart
Press Release
Owners of Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch devices have been downloading millions of games, utilities, books, and tools from Apple’s recently launched iTunes App Store. Starting later this year millions of iPhone/iPod Touch owners will have the opportunity to download digital comics from established industry professionals and studios, as well as new and rising comic book stars through iVerse Media.
Yes it is time for a shameless plug for the Major Spoilers Podcast. We’re pushing our way to 2,000 downloads per episode, and as soon as we pass that mark on a regular basis, you’ll be seeing even more great things from the Major Spoilers Gang of Idiots.
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Good advice Morpheus, take his challenge and listen to the Major Spoilers Podcast today, then tell your friends and get them to listen too. Heck, force them to subscribe to the show and they’ll thank you for it.
via Shameless Plug