PENDRAGON'S POST: Apr 24, 2009

Friday, April 24, 2009

Hasbro announces its special edition G.I. JOE figures for San Diego Comic-Con

G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA 12” BARONESS Special Edition Figure

(Adult Colletible; Approximate Retail Price: $29.99; Available through Hasbro at San Diego Comic-Con)

Just in time for the release of G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, due out on August 7th from Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment, in association with Hasbro, Hasbro introduces the first and only 12” BARONESS figure. The figure, in the likeness of BARONESS actress Sienna Miller as seen in the upcoming movie, features a soft goods trench coat and body suit as well as multiple signature weapons. The figure comes with an R. Black designed “COBRA recruiting poster” featuring BARONESS and features the “COBRA Office of Propaganda” seal of approval. The figure and poster are packaged together in a premium faux-leather box with embossed foil.

G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA 3 ¾” DESTRO 2-Pack Special Edition Figures

(Ages 4 and Up; Approximate Retail Price: $24.99; Available through Hasbro at San Diego Comic-Con)

Covertly retrieved from a G.I. JOE evidence storage facility and released by the “COBRA Office of Propaganda,” this special edition 3 ¾” DESTRO 2-Pack represents James “Destro” McCullen’s personal bound tome containing the history of the Clan McCullen. Opens to reveal two fully articulated 3 ¾” carded McCullen figures with masks and accessories as seen in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, as well as a timeline highlighting the weapons supplying escapades of each McCullen generation throughout history.

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BACKTRACK: Reviewing Web Of Spider-Man #13 by DW

'Oh really Spider-Man? Look at yourself, you're so blasted smug. Either you were always the menace I said you were, or I've managed to convince you that you're a menace... And frankly masked man, I didn't think I was that good a writer.'

An often over-looked run in both the career of writer Peter David, and the adventures of everyone's favourite wall-crawler, are the early issues of Web Of Spider-Man. Issue 13 while unlucky for some, provides a stand-alone story where David creates a suspenseful issue after one simple spider-act divides the public as to the wall-crawlers intentions, delivering some thought provoking statemets on how the 'real world' media can manipulate the slant of their stories at whim and even in the name of believability.

Yes 'Point of View' offers no fist fights with robotic armed adversaries, or alien outfits bent on revenge. With half the city believing the new black costumed 'friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man' is now a public menace after intentionally hospitalising an innocent man, Peter Parkers opponent is simply negative public opinion on a scale he's rarely encountered.

As this point of view becomes fuelled by the cities various media, Pete becomes attacked by the public everywhere he goes. Left down, enraged and inconsolable he heads for a confrontation with longtime detractor and newspaper publisher J.Jonah Jameson, in turn actually becoming the menace the public believe him to be. While investigative reporter Ben Urich starts digging behind the hype to uncover the truth of the accident, the resulting skirmish between Spider-Man and ol' J.J.J will effect how both they (and the readers) see each other forever.

Mike Harris's pencils create a 'tv documentary' feel for the art, which perfectly suits a story tailored to explore one of the constant themes of SpiderMan: the cost of been a hero. Amazingly in such an emotionally charged tale Peter David still manages to drop in laugh-out-loud moments of classic spidey-humour, in an issue well worth backtracking for.

8/10 - DW
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Wanna get your first look at Joe Quesada’s full color cover to Amazing Spider-Man #600? How about a look at Alex Maleev’s full color interiors to Spider-Woman #1?
Then head over to MySpace Comic Books (www.myspace.com/comicbooks) for all that and more in the latest MyCup o’ Joe! The Marvel EiC sits down with journalist Jim McLauchlin to talk about the new mayor of NYC in Amazing Spider-Man, reveal more about Marvel Divas and answer YOUR questions! We’ve got a first look inside Avengers: The Initiative, the covers to Hulk #14 and more!

Want your question answered by Joe Quesada? Click on www.myspace.com/comicbooks now and make your voice heard!

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Review of Justice League of America # 32 (DC Comics) By Eddie R

Power Plays.

I have to start off this review by saying I am a sucker for updated versions of the characters I have read as a kid. Usually the modern take on some of my favorite heroes and villains has been greeted with mixed results over the years. Either they have been completely redesigned, only leaving the name intact, or they have been played for their nostalgia/ camp value, which I find very awkward.

I also understand how doing this kind of “revival” is a delicate balancing act, cause you want to introduce new fans to an old character who they may never have seen or heard of before, and old fans who remember what the character was, and who might feel alienated with the updated version.

That’s why I was very optimistic as I read the current issue of Justice League of America # 32. The reintroduction of not only one, but two dark themed villains, seems to fit the current tone of change going on in this book.

As it stands, the League is disbanded, or not, depending on whose point of view you’re dealing with. There are lingering questions about power and control: Who has it? Who wants it? Who should have it? And who is able to deal with it? These questions slowly get answered as you read on. I enjoy debates such as this as they allow us, the readers, not only into the inner working of the group itself, but also allow for some great character insight, which is a refreshing change to a drawn out action scene used as filler.

On the action front, rest assured there is plenty to see. The character interaction (Dr. Light’s reaction to Firestorm’s lack of “certain expertise” will have readers either laughing or shaking their heads) and the main action sequence (I will say I did enjoy the carefully planned cameo with a certain group from the Vegan Star system) will not disappoint. The pairing of Starbreaker and Shadow Thief, against Dr. Light, seems very natural in my eyes. Together, all three characters are shown to be more powerful on a cosmic scale, feeding off each other and making those action sequences very satisfying.

All this interaction does build to a cliff hanger, which will leave readers not only in the dark, but wanting to see the light at the end of a very long tunnel.

8/10

Eddie R
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Want some new comics for your collection and want to support a charitable cause? Well, then you better jump onboard the groundbreaking comic book experience know as TAKE MY TRADE!

The brainchild of Marvel Comics Executive Editor Tom Brevoort (voted “Favorite Editor” by Wizard Magazine) and featured on Blah Blah Blog at Marvel.Com, TAKE MY TRADE allows fans to trade their comics with Brevoort so he can find a comic worthy of being traded for an original FANTASTIC FOUR #1, which will then be donated to charity via The HERO Initiative. All comics remaining at the end of this event, which continues throughout 2009, will be auctioned by The HERO Initiative to aid in the welfare of less fortunate comic book creators. As Brevoort moves closer to acquiring FF #1, time is running out to join in on the fun—and receive a Certificate of Meaninglessness, personally signed by Brevoort himself!

“We’ve come a long way, and I’m constantly impressed with the generosity shown by my Tradees in terms of the material they’ve been willing to part with,” said Brevoort. “Among the very valuable books we’ve got in the Trading Stack right this moment are FANTASTIC FOUR #48, the first appearance of the Silver Surfer and Galactus, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #129 with the first appearance of the Punisher, and just earlier this week, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #5. But we’re still a ways away from a copy of FANTASTIC FOUR #1, and there’s an ever-growing stack of swag building up in my office just waiting for a good home. The ride’s not half over yet, folks—and it won’t be a party without you!”

Do you want to be part of comic book history, True Believer? Click over to Marvel.Com and keep up with Tom Brevoort’s Take My Trade, as comic fans from all over the world come together to procure one of comics’ true treasures—Fantastic Four #1—for a charitable cause!

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The first look at the all-new Amazing Spider-Man story arc arrives with the free Spider-Man: American Son Sketchbook.

Courtesy of Marvel’s Digital Comics Unlimited, right here: http://marvel.com/digitalcomics/titles/AMAZING_SPIDER-MAN~colon~_AMERICAN_SON_SKETCHBOOK.2009.1! Fan favorite writer Joe Kelly and the stylish art team of Phil Jimenez, Paulo Siqueira, and Marco Chechetto deliver your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man in the midst of Dark Reign. Who—or what—is the American Son? What does Norman Osborn have planned for Spider-Man? This sketchbook includes all-new art, commentary by Kelly and Spider-Man Editor Steve Wacker and more! Check it out right here: http://marvel.com/digitalcomics/titles/AMAZING_SPIDER-MAN~colon~_AMERICAN_SON_SKETCHBOOK.2009.1

Retailers, please check the Marvel Mailer for special incentives on Amazing Spider-Man #595, the first chapter of “American Son”!

American Son Part 1
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #595 (MAR092529)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #595 GRANOV VARIANT (MAR092530)
Written by JOE KELLY
Pencils & Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
Variant Cover by ADI GRANOV
Rated A …$2.99
FOC—5/7/09, On-Sale—5/27/09

American Son Part 2
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #596 (APR090449)
Written by JOE KELLY
Pencils by PAULO SIQUEIRA
Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
Rated A …$2.99
FOC—5/14/09, On-Sale—6/3/09

American Son Part 3
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #597 (APR090450)
Written by JOE KELLY
Pencils by MARCO CHECHETTO
Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
Rated A …$2.99
FOC—5/21/09, On-Sale—6/10/09

American Son Part 4
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #598 (APR090451)
Written by JOE KELLY
Pencils by PAULO SIQUEIRA
Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
Rated A …$2.99
FOC—5/28/09, On-Sale—6/17/09

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Hot Toys is glad to announce our latest collectibles from our Video Game Masterpiece Series : Bio Hazard 5 – Chris Redfield (BSAA ver)

This approximate 30 cm tall fully poseble action figure comes with:

Hot Toys muscular body with over 21 points of articulation
Real fabric of BSAA uniform

Weapons:
Knife
Handgun / M92F
Machine-Gun / AK-74
Machine-Gun / SIG 556
Shotgun / Ithaca M37
Rocket Launcher / RPG-7
Hand Grenade

Accessories:
Ammo Pack / Handgun
Ammo Pack / Shotgun
Headset
Radio
PDA
Compass
Four Interchangeable posing hands with gloves
12-inch figure stand with the Bio Hazard 5 logo and Chris Redfield nameplate

Release date: Q3, 2009

Artist:
Sculpt by Kang In Ae
Head Art Directed by Yulli
Paint by JC.Hong

© Capcom Co., Ltd. 2009 All Rights Reserved.

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Hot Toys is proud to present the first-ever female collectible figure from our Video Game Masterpiece Series: Bio Hazard 5 – Sheva Almoar (BSAA ver).

This approximate 30 cm tall fully poseble action figure comes with:

Hot Toys 1/6th scale female body with over 30 points of articulation, and features Sheva’s signature tattoo
Real fabric costume including: jeans, leather-like boots plus detailed accessories – ear-rings, necklaces and armbands

Weapons:
Knife
Handgun / M92F
Machine-Gun / VZ61
Machine-Gun / AK-74
Shotgun / M3
Rifle / H&K PSG-1
Magnum / S&W M29
Hand Grenade
Shotgun / Ithaca M37

Accessories:
Ammo Pack / Handgun
Ammo Pack / Machine-Gun
Headset
Radio
Five interchangeable posing hands with gloves
12-inch figure stand with the Bio Hazard 5 logo and Sheva Alomar nameplate

Release date: Q3, 2009

Artist:
Sculpt by Hiroki Hayashi
Head Art Directed by Yulli
Paint by JC.Hong

© Capcom Co., Ltd. 2009 All Rights Reserved.