DVD News: Further Details on Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

Warner Home Video has released further details on the upcoming Superman/Batman: Public Enemies DVD.


Synopsis: A desperate solution for a troubled country: Lex Luthor for President with the Justice League in the service of the government. Only Batman and Superman stand against the new regime – and their disloyalty proves to be exactly what Luthor intended. Using their outcast status to instigate a scandal against Superman, Luthor finally tastes a victory in his vendetta against The Man of Steel. From Executive Producer Bruce Timm and voiced by the cast from both hit Batman and Superman animated TV series including Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly and Clancy Brown, this DC Universe Original Animated Movie of Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness’s popular graphic novel seethes with political intrigue and action-packed battles between heroes all believing they’re on the right side of the law.

STANDARD EDITION

Aspect Ratio: 16 X 9 LETTERBOX
Sound Quality: Dolby Surround 5.1 - English
Stereo - Spanish
DVD Features: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Animated Movie (runtime 75 min)
Rating: PG-13
MSRP: $19.98
Street Date: 9/29/09

BLU-RAY

Aspect Ratio: 16 X 9 LETTERBOX
Sound Quality: Stereo - Spanish
DVD Features: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Animated Movie (runtime 75 min)
Rating: PG-13
MSRP: $29.99
Street Date: 9/29/09

SPECIAL EDITION

Aspect Ratio: 16 X 9 LETTERBOX
Sound Quality: Dolby Surround 5.1 - English
Stereo - Spanish
DVD Features: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Animated Movie (runtime 75 min)
Rating: PG-13
MSRP: $24.98
Street Date: 9/29/09
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Comic Review: Toy Story: The Mysterious Stranger #2 (Boom! Kids) Review by Adam P.

Some Good Clean Fun With The Toy Story Gang

Comics and movies have long had an intertwined relationship, with some printed tales becoming Hollywood blockbusters and other movies seeing themselves adapted into comic book format. Among these, Boom! Studios has embarked on an ambitious publishing scheme for many Disney/Pixar properties, launching them first as limited series to gauge demand under their Boom! Kids imprint. No fewer than four Pixar movies are currently in the middle of four issue limited series, among them The Incredibles, Cars, Finding Nemo and Toy Story. Monsters Inc. and Wall-E will likely follow in the months to come.

Different publishers have followed different methods of bringing movies to the comic book medium. Some publish adaptations of the films. Others publish issues that are exact copies of television episodes. Here, thankfully, Boom! Kids is creating brand-new stories that reflect the spirit and feel of their originals, and Toy Story: The Mysterious Stranger #2 is no exception.




Expectations must be kept in mind, however. This is pretty much what Toy Story would look and feel like if it had been made into a comic book rather than a movie. By nature, comic books are more slowly paced than motion pictures, so someone who appreciates movies for their frenetic pacing could be disappointed by the transition. Along the same lines, the book would have special appeal to younger readers who loved the film and would like to see more stories with their favourite characters.

This issue is a self-contained tale where the toy residents of young Andy's room accidentally break his science fair project and decide to send a tactical team to the school in the middle of the night to fix it before the fair begins the next morning. Dan Jolley's writing is excellent. There are laugh-out-loud bits and clever lessons to be learnt. He gives the five major characters fairly equal space which enables a nice sense of camaraderie to develop. Never does the reader feel that the material is condescending or preachy, but that the writer really believes in these characters and cares for them. Chris Moreno's art is cute and effective but sometimes gets sketchy and weak on the backgrounds, although this is much more forgivable in a kid's title such as this.

Recommended for young readers, Toy Story fans, and anyone looking for a slice of some lighthearted toy-related suburban relief from our crazy world.

7.5/10

In stores July 1

Adam P.
Review Co-Editor

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Comic Review: Doctor Who Classics Series 2 #8 (IDW Publishing) Review by Adam P.

The Doctor Encounters the Stockbridge Horror

One of the major developments in comics in the last while has been the advent of modern colouring. Comparing the current realism and detail in comic colouring with older books is absolutely astounding. Various publishers have started to release reprints with the colouring re-done according to modern methods. IDW Publishing is spear-heading this trend with reprints from their various properties (which used to belong to other publishers), such as G.I. Joe, Transformers, Star Trek and Doctor Who. Doctor Who Classics Series 2 #8 continues to reprint re-coloured tales from the Marvel UK Doctor Who series from the early 1980's.




The tale contained in this issue was originally published in three weekly instalments, so the plot has more cliff hangers and punches than we've come to expect from a typical 20-some page yarn. We find the fifth doctor (played by the blond Peter Davidson) in Stockbridge, England, taking it easy with a little rest and relaxation. Anyone familiar with the doctor’s history knows that this won't last long...

The doctor is suddenly taken aback by his malfunctioning time machine (the TARDIS) which inexplicably shows up buried in limestone. Before he can solve the mystery, a sudden brush fire attracts his attention and he meets an unknown foe who generates massive fear and trembling within his soul. The doctor escapes to space, but the being manages to break into the TARDIS, and begins to chase the doctor. Heck, even Spider-man manages to make a one-panel appearance. Meanwhile, the planet Gallifrey has intercepted an emergency signal from the doctor, and sends the artificial being known as Shayde to investigate and assist. To say the issue leaves the reader wondering what happens next is an understatement.

As is typical from multi-issue Doctor Who arcs of the period, the opening chapter leaves a large amount of questions unanswered, tantalizing the reader with clues that make little sense at the time, but that will be masterfully resolved in future chapters. It's simply old-fashioned storytelling at a breakneck speed. For anyone who finds waiting for the next chapter too excruciating long, they can always tide themselves over with the excellent three trade paperbacks IDW has already issued.

Doctor Who stories are great fun in that the doctor is constantly in real peril, and the reader has little idea how he will get himself out of the sticky cosmic situations he always manages to finds himself in. It's sci-fi, but with a down-to-earth touch at the same time.

The main negative here is that Steve Parkhouse is a better writer than artist. His work is less detailed and enthralling than that of Dave Gibbons (of Watchmen fame), which graced earlier issues in the series. Still, I would recommend this book for those both familiar and unfamiliar with the fifth doctor.

8.0/10

In Stores July 1

Adam P.
Review Co-Editor
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Toy News: Who Is The Half-Blood Prince?

NECA's ready for year six with all-new 7" and 3 3/4" Harry Potter figures!


Just in time for the July 15 release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in theaters, NECA presents two new lines of figures based on the movie!

It's Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts, and aside from the rising power of Voldemort, the mysterious potion book that once belonged to the Half-Blood Prince, the shady doings of Draco Malfoy, private lessons from Dumbledore and the occasional Death Eater, our hero has to deal with having a crush on his best friend Ron Weasley's sister, Ginny. It's a wonder he manages to keep his grades up and still have time to be captain of the quidditch team.

NECA is proud to unveil these two new lines of Harry Potter action figures, the first based on the new movie and the next step in the life story of the wizard who changed the face of magic forever. Available in 7" and 3 3/4" sizes, each having a figure exclusive to its series, these are our best and most exciting Harry Potter figures yet!

Harry Potter in Cave Scene Outfit (7" & 3 3/4") - After he and Dumbledore learn what it's going to take to defeat Voldemort once and for all, they travel to a seaside cave to find a Horcrux and wind up doing battle with Inferi. Nothing's ever simple. Figure includes a magic wand and display stand.


Ginny Weasley in School Outfit (7" & 3 3/4") - Ron's younger sister, Harry's love interest and a pure-blood witch to boot, Ginny has no shortage of roles to play in Dumbledore's Army, which, incidentally, she named. Figure includes a magic wand and display stand.


Draco Malfoy in School Outfit (7" & 3 3/4") - He may or may not be a Death Eater, but Draco Malfoy, like his father before him, is definitely up to no good. Dumbledore had best tread lightly. Figure includes a magic wand and display stand.


Mad-Eye Moody (7" only) - Alastor Moody, nicknamed Mad-Eye because, well, he's got a crazy eye patch, is a veteran of the first wizarding war and a powerful ally in the Order of the Phoenix. But just be careful because that mad eye of his, like everything else at Hogwarts, is magical. Figure includes staff and display stand.


Lord Voldemort (3 3/4" only) - In the world of Harry Potter, Voldemort is the root of all evil, and more than that, he's almost impossible to defeat. Will Harry be up to the task? Maybe, but even the best victories come at a heavy price. Figure includes wand and display stand.

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Comic Review: Finding Nemo Reef Rescue #1 (BOOM! Kids) Review by Oliver C.

Finding Nemo, Reef Rescue #1 out of 4 (BOOM! Kids)

This one is for the kids.

I’m starting to think that maybe if I was 5 years old, I would’ve liked this comic better. There are two ways to look at this book: It’s a comic or it’s a kid comic. From my point of view comparing this to the comics I read every day, it was awful and boring. But you have to remember the fact that it was written for kids.




I saw the movie Finding Nemo, and I liked it. This comic has all the same main characters, including the cute little turtle named Bert. It’s full of fun and surprisingly it made me laugh once or twice. Since this is only the first out of four comics the main conflict is introduced but NOT resolved. If you read this comic you will have to read the other three to find out what happens. The comic is true to the movie, but only as true as it could get.

The coral is sick and Nemo and his father Marlin accompanied by Dory, go embark on an adventure to find out what is making the coral ill and to make it better again. The most excitement in this comic is Dory constantly popping up from behind them and frightening Nemo and his father. Unless you are trying to find a fun comic to read to your children or if you are extremely obsessed with Finding Nemo, I suggest finding something else. I think this would be great to introduce your children to comics, or help them along the way to reading the big titles.

This comic is funny, but no more exciting than giving your grandmother a sponge bath only to find out that she invited a few of her friends over to get cleaned as well. And you’re all alone to do it yourself too. Like I said: If you are looking for a comic for your child/children this is great. But if you want something exciting and not 5-year-old-exciting then please, buy something else. I recommend this to kids.

7.5 Out of 10

On Sale July 1st

Review by: Oliver Copeland

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Marvel Announces CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN: PRELUDE Exclusive To Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited

Read what happens before the biggest story of the summer begins!

Captain America Reborn: Prelude

Eight-Page Prelude Exclusive to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited Available for Free June 30, 2009



Marvel is proud to announce that fans can now get a look at the exclusive prequel to Captain America: Reborn #1 courtesy of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited at www.marvel.com/reborn. Captain America Reborn: Prelude, from Eisner-winning scribe Ed Brubaker and fan favorite artist Luke Ross, reveals just what happens before the hotly anticipated Captain America: Reborn #1 hits stores tomorrow! The entire world knows of the tragic event that transpired in Captain America #25, when Steve Rogers, the man who fought as our nation's Sentinel of liberty for over 70 years, was brutally gunned down on the steps of a New York courthouse. But now, miraculously, there may be a way to save Steve Rogers and the key could lie in the hands of the daughter of his greatest enemy. How does the Red Skull's femme fatale offspring play into all of this? What does she know about the assassination of the world’s greatest hero? And will this information save our greatest icon or doom him forever? Find out now in the eight-page Captain America Reborn: Prelude, free to all readers at www.marvel.com/reborn

Plus, don’t miss an exclusive preview of Captain America Reborn #1 at www.marvel.com/reborn one day before Steve Rogers makes his triumphant return to the Marvel Universe!

For fans of Captain America and those wanting to own a part of this historic moment in Marvel history, visit your local comic book retailer on July 1, 2009 to purchase Captain America Reborn #1. To learn more about this landmark event and get a jumpstart with Captain America Reborn: Prelude, go to www.marvel.com/reborn for the exclusive digital comics and a free preview of the series!

And if you want even more exciting adventures of Captain America, Iron Man and all your favorite Marvel heroes, sign up for Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited at www.marvel/digitalcomics. Subscription rates start as low as $4.99/month, making it affordable to new readers and longtime fans!


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THOR: DEFINING MOMENTS Concludes JMS' Historic Run With THOR This September

One of most acclaimed comic runs of the decade concludes this September as award-winning scribe J. Michael Straczynski brings his historic Thor story to a stunning conclusion!


Thor: Defining Moments Giant-Size #1, from JMS and Young Guns ‘09 artist Marko Djurdjevic, is an action-packed conclusion to the Eisner-nominated epic that IGN.Com calls “The best Marvel comic on the stands.” As the final curtain falls, will Thor’s closest allies save him from the machinations of Loki? What does Dr Doom have planned? And just who will rule Asgard? JMS delivers the Thor finale that no Marvel fan, new or old, can afford to miss.

“It's been a terrific run, and a lot of fun,” said JMS. “Warren Simons and Dan Buckley are to be thanked in particular for giving me the room to play and the freedom to just tell stories, a rarity in this business. Creatively, Thor was a high-water experience for me.”

Thor editor Warren Simons added, “We’re extremely proud of the extraordinary work J. Michael Straczynski has completed on Thor over the last two years. Along with Olivier Coipel and Marko Djurdjevic, JMS seamlessly reintroduced Thor and the other Asgardians into the Marvel Universe, returning the God of Thunder to his rightful place as one of Marvel’s greatest icons. From the brilliant set-up of Asgardians living side-by-side with salt-of-the-earth folks in rural Oklahoma, to the current storyline featuring Asgard divided, JMS deftly wove great humor with great action, and the combination has made Thor a critical and commercial success. We couldn’t be happier with his work, and we continue to look forward to working with him in the future.”

This September, JMS will leave your jaws on the floor in Thor: Defining Moments Giant-Size #1, as his award-winning run concludes!

THOR: DEFINING MOMENTS GIANT-SIZE #1 (JUL090554)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils and Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
RATED T+…$4.99
FOC—9/10/09, On-Sale—9/30/09


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2009 Harvey Award Nominees Announced!

The 2009 Harvey Awards Nominees have been announced with the release of the final ballot, presented by the Executive Committees of the Harvey Awards and the Baltimore Comic-Con. Named in honor of the late Harvey Kurtzman, one of the industry's most innovative talents, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art. They will be presented October 10, 2009 in Baltimore, MD, in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con.


Nominations for the Harvey Awards are selected exclusively by creators - those who write, draw, ink, letter, color, design, edit or are otherwise involved in a creative capacity in the comics field. They are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. Professionals who participate will be joining nearly 2,000 other comics professionals in honoring the outstanding comics achievements of 2008. Thank you to all that have already participated by submitting a nomination ballot.

Final ballots are due to the Harvey Awards by Friday, August 28, 2009. Full details for submission of completed ballots can be found on the final ballot. Voting is open to anyone professionally involved in a creative capacity within the comics field. Final ballots are available for download at www.harveyawards.org. Those without Internet access may request that paper ballots be sent to them via mail or fax by calling the Baltimore Comic-Con (410-526-7410) or e-mailing baltimorecomicccon@yahoo.com.

This will be the fourth year for the Harvey Awards in Baltimore, MD. Our Master of Ceremonies this year will be Scott Kurtz (www.pvponline.com). Look for more details soon on how you can attend the Harvey Awards dinner.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held October 10-11, 2009. The ceremony and banquet for the 2008 Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, October 10.

Without further delay, the 2008 Harvey Award Nominees:


BEST WRITER

Kyle Baker, NAT TURNER, Abrams books
Ed Brubaker, CAPTAIN AMERICA, Marvel Comics
John Gallagher, BUZZBOY, Sky Dog Comics
Jeff Kinney, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Amulet Books
Grant Morrison, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, DC Comics

BEST ARTIST

Gabriel Ba, UMBRELLA ACADEMY, Dark Horse Comics
Kyle Baker, NAT TURNER, Abrams Books
Jimmy Gownley, AMELIA RULES, Renaissance Press
Jason Kruse, WORLD OF QUEST, Yen Press
Frank Quitely, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, DC Comics

BEST CARTOONIST

Lar deSouza, LEAST I COULD DO, www.leasticoulddo.com
John Gallagher, BUZZBOY, Sky Dog Comics
Al Jaffee, TALL TALES, Abrams Books
Jeff Kinney, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Amulet Books
Thom Zahler, LOVE & CAPES, Maerkle Press

BEST LETTERER

Jimmy Gownley, AMELIA RULES, Renaissance Press
Rob Leigh, THE SPIRIT, DC Comics
Doug Sherwood, LOCAL, Oni Press
John Workman, MARVEL 1985, Marvel Comics
Thom Zahler, BUZZBOY, Sky Dog Comics

BEST INKER

Rich Faber, BUZZBOY, Sky Dog Comics
Jamie Grant, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, DC Comics
Jeff Kinney, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Amulet Books
Mark Morales, THOR, Marvel Comics
Ryan Winn, THE DARKNESS, Image Comics

BEST COLORIST

Frank Cammuso, OTTO'S ORANGE DAY, Raw Junior, LLC
Jamie Grant, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, DC Comics
Laura Martin, THOR, Marvel Comics
Wil Quintana, THE MICE TEMPLAR, Image Comics
Dave Stewart, UMBRELLA ACADEMY, Dark Horse Comics

BEST COVER ARTIST

Frank Cho, BUZZBOY: SIDEKICKS RULE!#3, Sky Dog Press
James Jean, FABLES, Vertigo Comics
Jay Lynch, MINDSHAFT #23, Mindshaft Publishing
Ken Rocafort, PILOT SEASON: CORE #1, Top Cow
Alex Ross, JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA, DC Comics

BEST NEW SERIES

THE DREAMER, IDW
ECHO, Abstract Studios
HIGH MOON, www.zudacomics.com
NIGHT OWLS, www.zudacomics.com
SUPERTRON, www.zudacomics.com

BEST CONTINUING OR LIMITED SERIES

ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, DC Comics
CAPTAIN AMERICA, Marvel Comics
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Amulet Books
MICE TEMPLAR, Image Comics
UMBRELLA ACADEMY, Dark Horse Comics

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL OR JOURNALISTIC PRESENTATION

DRAW!, edited by Mike Manley, Twomorrows Publishing
HOW TO MAKE WEBCOMICS, Brad Guigar, Dave Kellett,
Scott Kurtz, and Kris Straub, Image Comics
KIRBY: KING OF COMICS, Mark Evanier, Abrams Books
SCORCHY SMITH AND THE ART OF NOEL SICKLES,
edited by Dean Mullaney, IDW
WORDLESS BOOKS: THE ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVELS,
edited by David A. Berona, Abrams Books

BEST SYNDICATED STRIP OR PANEL

BREWSTER ROCKIT: SPACE GUY!, Tim Rickard, Tribune Media Services
GET FUZZY, Darby Conley, United Features Syndicate
MUTTS, Patrick McDonnell, King Features Syndicate
THE NORM, Michael Jantze, Uclick Gocomics
PEARLS BEFORE SWINE, Stephan Pastis, United Features Syndicate

BEST ANTHOLOGY

COMIC BOOK TATTOO, edited by Rantz Hoseley, Image Comics
FLIGHT VOLUME 5, edited by Kazu Kibuishi, Villard
MOME VOLUME 10, edited by Eric Reynolds, Fantagraphics Books
PIXU #1, edited by Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon, Self-Published
POPGUN VOLUME 2, edited by Joe Keatinge and Mark Andrew Smith,
Image Comics

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM - ORIGINAL

BOTTOMLESS BELLY BUTTON, Fantagraphics Books
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES, Amulet Books
ESSEX COUNTY: THE COUNTRY NURSE, Top Shelf
SKIM, Groundwood Books
TOO COOL TO BE FORGOTTEN, Top Shelf
WORLD OF QUEST: VOL. 2, Yen Press

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM - PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED

AMELIA RULES!: FUNNY STORIES, Renaissance Press
M, Abrams Books
NAT TURNER, Abrams Books
THE MICE TEMPLAR: VOL. 1, Image Comics
QUEEN AND COUNTRY: VOLUME 3, Oni Press
SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST (HARDCOVER), Adhouse Books

BEST SINGLE ISSUE OR STORY

ACME NOVELTY LIBRARY #19, Self-Published
FIRST BORN: AFTERMATH #1, Top Cow
LOVE AND ROCKETS, VOL. 3 #1, Fantagraphics Books
M, Abrams Books
NASCAR HEROES #5, NASCAR Comics
NAT TURNER, Abrams Books
THE AMAZING REMARKABLE MONSIEUR LEOTARD, First Second
Y: THE LAST MAN #60, Vertigo Comics

BEST DOMESTIC REPRINT PROJECT

ASTOUNDING SPACE THRILLS, IDW
COMPLETE PEANUTS, Fantagraphics Books
COMPLETE TERRY AND THE PIRATES, IDW
SCORCHY SMITH AND THE ART OF NOEL SICKLES, IDW
WACKY PACKAGES, Abrams Books

BEST AMERICAN EDITION OF FOREIGN MATERIAL

GUS AND HIS GANG, First Second
POCKET FULL OF RAIN, Fantagraphics Books
RED COLORED ELEGY, Drawn and Quarterly
SOLANIN, Viz
WITCHBLADE TAKERU MANGA #'s 11 & 12, Top Cow

BEST ON-LINE COMICS WORK

BLACK CHERRY BOMBSHELLS, Tony Trovarello and
John Zito, www.zudacomics.com
HIGH MOON, Scott O. Brown, www.zudacomics.com
LEAST I COULD DO, Lar deSouza and Ryan Sohmer, www.leasticoulddo.com
NIGHT OWLS, Bobby & Peter Timony, www.zudacomics.com
PVP, Scott Kurtz, www.pvponline.com

SPECIAL AWARD FOR HUMOR IN COMICS

Lar deSouza, LEAST I COULD DO, www.leasticoulddo.com
John Gallagher, BUZZBOY, Sky Dog Comics
Al Jaffee, TALL TALES, Abrams Books
Jeff Kinney, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Amulet Books
David Malki, WONDERMARK, www.wondermark.com

SPECIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION

COMPLETE LOCAL: HARDCOVER EDITION, Ryan Kelly and
Brian Wood, Oni Press
KIRBY: KING OF COMICS, Mark Evanier, Abrams Books
QUEEN AND COUNTRY: VOLUME 3, Greg Rucka, Mike Norton,
Steve Rolston, and Chris Samnee, Oni Press
TALL TALES, Al Jaffee, Abrams Books
WONDERMARK, VOL. 1: BEARDS OF OUR FOREFATHERS,
David Malki, Dark Horse Comics

BEST NEW TALENT

Matt Cassan, NASCAR: HEROES, nascar comics
Bryan J.L. Glass, THE MICE TEMPLAR, image books
Laura Innes, THE DREAMER, Idw
Tim Sievert, THAT SALTY AIR, top shelf
Bobby Timony, NIGHT OWLS, www.zudacomics.com

Congratulations to all the nominees! If you know a nominee, please pass on the good news!

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