Well, we all saw that comin’
For anyone who can pick up and read Previews, I don’t think it came as any surprise that this issue featured the death of a character a lot of readers, including the title character himself, had fallen in love with. Unlike other comic book deaths, this one was turned out to be extremely brutal, and the method in how it happened makes this a huge milestone for the series.
What’s missing from some of the super hero comics out there? A huge smack down drag out fight that spans an entire issue? No, as there have been a few titles recently that feature this kind of action (Power Girl). A villain that is much stronger than the hero? Again, it’s been done in other titles. The notion that the hero may finally be out-powered with his life on the line? It’s a comic book, and when the title character is fighting it out for his life, there is little chance he’s going to die, but in the case of Invincible #62, one gets the feeling that Mark Grayson is in real jeopardy.
Conquest: Part One
After the Earth shattering events of the previous issue, Mark and the rest of the survivor’s have been tasked with cleaning up in the aftermath. There’s a lot of rebuilding to do, but sometimes the weight of the world are too much to bear.
Tonight on the Major Spoilers Podcast, the crew will be talking Fan Films. Joining the crew on the show are Dr. Peter Coogan and author Clive Young, as everyone runs down some of their favorites. To get you in the mood, we’re presenting a selection of some of the films we’ll discuss on tonight’s show.
Here’s the official version of Grayson straight from the source by the friendly folks at Untamed Cinema.
This week on the Major Spoilers Podcast, the crew is sitting down to discuss what’s good and bad about the fan film.
Who would swing off a six-story building for a homemade Spider-Man movie? Why would newlyweds spend $20,000 on a Star Wars film from which they can never profit? How did three nobodies blow Steven Spielberg’s mind with an Indiana Jones flick they made as teens in the Eighties?
They’re all part of the Fan Film revolution–an underground movement where backyard filmmakers are breaking the law to create unauthorized movies starring Batman, James Bond, Captain Kirk, Harry Potter and other classic characters. Regular people are making movies that the fans want to see–and which copyrights and common sense would never allow.
To help out with the discussion, the crew is welcoming Dr. Peter Coogan back to the show, as well as author Clive Young, who’s written Homemade Hollywood, a book all about fans behind the camera.
You’ve probably seen films like Batman: Dead End, a Kevin Rubio’s Troops, but what about Grayson, Ryan vs. Dorkman, or the hundreds of other fan flicks floating about on YouTube? What do you like or hate about fan films?
As always, the Major Spoilers Podcast is nothing without comments from great readers and listeners like you. You can use the comment section below, drop us a voice mail by calling (785) 727-1939, or record your comments and send it as an MP3 file in an email to podcast@majorspoilers.com.
We really want to include a lot of voice mails in our episodes. Here’s your chance to be heard on the show! Give us a shout out about fan films, the state of the comic book industry, or anything else that might be on your mind. Only the most awesome comments (good or bad) make it on the show, so get your stuff to us right away!
We record the new show Tuesday night, so make sure you have your contribution to us by 5:00 PM CST Tuesday evening.
Image Comics has sent Major Spoilers a sneak peek of issues arriving next week (December 10, 2008). Take the jump for I Kill Giants #6, Invincible #56, Savage Dragon #152, and PX! 2: In The Service of the Queen.
Averting one of the biggest mistakes that could ever happen, the CW has announced it is scrapping plans to develop the Graysons television series featuring Dick “DJ” Grayson. The brains behind the decsion? Warner Bros. Pictures Group Jeff Robinov. Of course he’s also the brains that approved the plan in the first place, but I’ll give him credit for coming to his senses.
“The studio has opted not to go forward with the development of ‘The Graysons’ at this time as the concept doesn’t fit the current strategy for the Batman franchise,” the studio said in a statement. “Warner Bros. Television is currently working on several replacement options for the CW.”
Considering the success of The Dark Knight, and the new direction Warner is taking with its superhero franchise, it makes sense to pull the plug now. Other reasons include Christopher Nolan being uncomfortable with a Bat-themed television story as he felt it could impact the movie. Well duh. Had the television series gone forward with the crap ladden premise we all learned about a couple of weeks ago, it could have. But if anyone thinks a well done television series that is faithful to the characters wouldn’t boost movie attendance, there’s something wrong. Of course the total wiping of the Bat-family of titles could have also played a part in everything going on too.
We’ll never know what would have been as the CW never even got around to the script writing stage, so don’t expect some iTunes pilot release down the road in the “what might have been” category. Variety reports Warner Bros. TV is now looking for a new franchise to develop for the CW. If you want something set in the Batman universe, might I suggest G.C.P.D?
It’s your kids, Marty! Something has to be done about your kids!
If you’ve been following my reviews for a while, you know I love stories involving time travel. There’s something about being in time well past your years and seeing how far we, as a society, have come. Jumping on a cosmic treadmill, hopping in a DeLorean, tripping around in a time sphere, or using a time jumping scooter would be the ultimate in doing what you want, when you want. But what of those other time travelers? Those that don’t jump in time, but live through it, would that be the life you would want to lead?
He’s not heavy, he’s my brother
Ah family. You can’t pick your family members – unless you belong to some weird cult – and regardless of what happens, they are still family. That’s the issue facing Mark Grayson as he attempts to deal with the fallout from the previous chapter.
I know this is short notice, but on the next Major Spoilers Podcast, we’ll be reviewing the first Omnibus of Invincible from Image Comics.
Mark Grayson is just like most everyone else his age. The only major difference being that his dad is the most powerful superhero on the planet! And, Mark seems to be inheriting his father’s powers! See Mark thwart super-villains, alien invasions and all sorts of craziness, as he gets the hang of all this super-heroing stuff.
I know many of you have read the series, so the question for you is, what do you tell someone to convince them they should pick up this collection? Put your comments below, and we may read them on the show.