Comic News: TOP COW PR: Whilce Portacio cover for Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #3 Revealed!

A CROSSOVER WITH CONSEQUENCES

CYBERFORCE/HUNTER-KILLER #3

Final Portacio Cover Revealed for the First Time


Top Cow Productions, Inc. revealed the final colored cover for Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #3 by Whilce Portacio, Joe Weems & Sunny Gho of IFS. As Cyberforce and Hunter-Killer team members rush to destroy key secret facilities around the world, Morningstar waits for them with a deadly welcoming party. The midpoint issue of the highly anticipated summer event promises to introduce new threats as well as delve deeper into the mystery of “The Jett.”

Mark Waid (Irredeemable, Amazing Spider-Man) and Kenneth Rocafort (Astonishing Tales, Madame Mirage) are working together to bring the most dynamic crossover possible. Fans can expect Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #2 to arrive in comic book stores Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009, for the cover price of only $2.99. The issue will feature a cover by regular cover artist Kenneth Rocafort as well as Stjepan Sejic (Witchblade).

“Beyond the fact that they all just look cool together—they’re all really well-designed and visually interesting—they work really well together,” says Mark Waid, “because the Hunter-Killers are all about distrust of the government and Cyberforce is all about distrust of mega-corporations.”

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Comic Book Review: Star Trek- Romulans: Schism #1 (IDW Publishing) By Eddie R.

The Final Act begins

Star Trek- Romulans: Schism #1 begins the third and final installment of John Byrne’s Romulans saga. Along with previous appearances in “Alien spotlight” and “Romulans- Hollow Crown”, Mr. Byrne has managed to not only fill in some of the missing details of this classic Star Trek Race, but also add to the already complex mythology surrounding these formidable foes, and to certain events which are all too familiar to fellow Star Trek fans.




Taking place during the Klingon- Romulan alliance, Star Trek- Romulans: Schism opens admits a scene of rising tensions. Like a well played game of chess, the Klingons have managed to position the Romulans against the Federation in an attempt to provoke war. But even by supplying both new weapons and technology to the Romulans, along with stoking the fires of hatred towards the humans, the battle which the Klingons hope to transpire has yet to take place. One of the reasons seems to be an “anonymous player” taking out and destroying Klingon ships within Romulan borders, causing the fight to take longer than expected to get started. Another is the Romulans coming to their senses and realizing they are being used as pawns by the Klingon Empire, causing them to begin questioning their races true role in this conflict.

Now this might seem a bit complex for a tale which is based on the happenings of the Classic Star Trek episode “The Enterprise Incident”, but true to Mr. Byrne’s love of Star Trek history, and his attention to detail, I feel all of this fits seamlessly with what is already considered cannon within the Star Trek Universe. If anything, Star Trek- Romulans: Schism is a “behind the scenes” look at the aforementioned TV episode. And as a fan of the original series, I see no problems with this.

As usual, Mr. Byrne captures that TOS feel and tone with his beautifully rendered artwork, invoking a sense of both nostalgia and curiosity. In fact, it actually makes me want to revisit those old TOS episodes again just to see where this does all fit in. And to me, any book which can get me to do that is worth its weight in gold.

Writer: John Byrne
Artist: John Byrne

On sale September 16th

8.5/10

Eddie R
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Matty Answers 9/15/09

Mattel took time out their busy schedule to answer some questions.


1. Back in July last year, I asked about the possibility of a Swamp Thing DCUC Figure. You said: “Swamp Thing rides the fence since he is also a DCU character.” Has any progress been made about a possible Swamp Thing figure?

Currently Swamp Thing is a Vertigo character and does not fall under our DC Universe license.

2. It’s almost impossible to keep up with all the constant changes in comics. With storylines like Blackest Night, New Krypton, & the new Batman, how well are you able to stay on top of all of it? More to the point, will we see any of figures from some of these current storylines in the future.

We read about characters at the same time fans do, and it takes 1 to 2 years to go from concept to shelf, but we are working on getting new characters into the line up. The Color of Fear 2 pack on Mattycollector.com was concepted back during the Sinestro Corps War and is just now hitting the website.

3. In October, I asked about a Superboy figure. When I asked you this, the court case between Warner Brothers & the Siegel family was going on. You said: ” Yes, we will do “Superboy” figures, but plan to call them things like “Prime” “Superman Clone” or “Kon El” to differentiate.” Any hint on which Superboy you’re looking to do first?

We do have at least one Superboy planned for the near future, but we can’t hint yet who it is!

4. Assuming you eventually get to Prince Adam, have you given any thought to whether he would be a straight repaint of He-Man or whether he would be a completely different mold as in the 200x series?

We have made this decision but have not revealed it yet. Stay tuned!

5. Dan asks - Thanks for running the fans choice poll again. How many of the runners up from the previous poll where the Question won being slotted for future waves?

That would be telling! But they are all candidates.

6. Patrick asks - Hi Matty. Thanks for taking our questions. I was very happy to see the upcoming Adora figure and I think it is safe to say that the reaction to her has been very good. Can you give us any insight into the decision to release Adora before She-Ra?

Adora has never had a figure and we wanted to giver her her do! Read more...

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Comic News: IDW to Launch Ongoing TRANSFORMERS Series

First ongoing series in five years

Coming in November


Following the huge success of this summer’s blockbuster TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN movie, from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, in association with Hasbro, IDW Publishing is proud to launch The TRANSFORMERS, under license from Hasbro and written by the critically-acclaimed Mike Costa. This all-new ongoing series starts off with a bang by treating fans to two huge events that are so CYBERTON-shattering that the lives of the TRANSFORMERS characters will never be the same.

“We’ve pulled out all the stops for our first ongoing TRANSFORMERS series and now is a great time for the new series,” said IDW’s TRANSFORMERS editor, Andy Schmidt. “Since TRANSFORMERS #1 is the beginning of a whole new journey for TRANSFORMERS comics, it’s the perfect opportunity for new readers to get into the brand.”

Helmed by Mike Costa (G.I.JOE: COBRA) with art and covers by returning, fan-favorite artistic dynamo Don Figueroa, The TRANSFORMERS will debut in November. The ongoing series is also the launching point for two new miniseries, TRANSFORMERS: BUMBLEBEE and TRANSFORMERS: Last Stand of the Wreckers, debuting in December and January, respectively.

To help TRANSFORMERS fans rejoin the world of comics, IDW is also releasing TRANSFORMERS: Continuum, written by Schmidt himself. This special 32-page, ad-free book runs through all the fun and excitement of the last five years worth of stories that paved the way for the new journey to begin. TRANSFORMERS: Continuum will also be available in November.

The TRANSFORMERS #1 will be available in stores in November. Diamond order codes #SEP09 0852.

TRANSFORMERS Continuum will be available in stores in November. Diamond order codes #SEP09 0849.

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Comic News: SPIDER-WOMAN MOTION COMIC EPISODE 3

Marvel is proud to unveil new footage from the critically acclaimed Spider-Woman motion comic!


The New York Times Best-Selling team of Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev (Halo Uprising) continue Marvel’s first ever original motion comic as Jessica Drew shows the world why Spider-Woman is force to be reckoned with! Spider-Woman Episode 3 hits iTunes on September 16th and no True Believer can afford to miss it! Discover more at www.marvel.com/motioncomics!

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5 Quick Questions with Todd Dezago

Todd Dezago is a dynamic personality. A trained thespian and a not-so-trained juggler, he began writing comics in 1994 on the highly popular X-Factor. Todd soon found himself working on many of the X-Men and Spider-Man books and is probably best known for his quintessential run on Sensational Spider-Man and the high-adventure fantasy Tellos with pal, Mike Wieringo. He currently works on several of the Marvel Adventures books as well as his creator-owned title, The Perhapanauts, with artist, Craig Rousseau. Todd says, “Comics are fun! Read some everyday!”

He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions:




1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

Oooooo--that's tough. In mainstream comics, I'm very happy with my run on Spectacular Spider-Man with Mike (Wieringo). I'm also fiercely proud of my two creator-owned titles; Tellos--again with Mike, and The Perhapanauts with Craig Rousseau.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

Mike Wieringo. We were on the same page from the moment we first met/our first phone conversation. We had fun on whatever we worked on together and always tried to surprise one another in how we got there. I have a very similar relationship like that now with Craig on The Perhapanauts.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

Batman. And the Joker. I'm a huge Batman fan, but not entirely enchanted with what they've been doing with him over the past few years. There are many different "flavors" of Batman and I'm thinking it's time to see some of the other aspects of The Dark Knight again.

4) Who are your influences?

God...everybody I've ever read or seen. I think my stories are inspired by many of the artists I've enjoyed throughout my life as much as the writers. Though I consider them friends of mine, Mark Waid and Kurt Busiek are two of my all-time favorites. Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Denny O'Neil, Doug Moench. And not so much influences as incomparables--Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

Huh...these days it seems like so many are changed and then changed back a few years later that that question answers itself! If you don't like the way that your favorite is being portrayed these days, just wait a minute...That said, Ethan Van Sciver and I have had a major plan to update/revamp/validate Plastic Man for years, but either Ethan's too busy or DC isn't ready for it...maybe someday...

Check out Todd's Perhapanauts at http://www.perhapanauts.com/ Read more...

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Toy News: Images of DCUC Wave 12 - Webstor on sale today

Attached are images of DCUC Wave 12 figures for immediate publication. These are images of the original sculpts. Actual product may vary.


Spectre (with glow in the dark skin!)
Eclipso
Dr Mid-Nite
Iron (with real metal parts!)
Copperhead
Mary Marvel (with white chase version, image not available)
Dessad
Collect and Connect Darkseid

Wave 12 will ship in Spring of 2010.

Also, MOTUC Webstor goes on sale today on MattyCollector.com at 12:00 noon.




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DVD News: Warner Home Video puts bounty on Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Virtual Collector Card Sweepstakes

Fans Compete Online to Win PlayStation®3, 40” LCD HDTV, Blu-rays & DVDs in conjunction with Sept. 29 release of next DC Universe Animated Original Movie




Fans can further immerse themselves in the multitude of DC Super Heroes and villains in the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie by participating in the Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Virtual Collector Card Sweepstakes. Starting September 11, 2009, the sweepstakes involves an active search for special codes on the film’s Facebook and MySpace pages, Twitter updates and the film’s official website, and entrants will be eligible to win a Sony PlayStation®3, a 40-inch LCD HDTV, and a Blu-ray or DVD of the film, which will be released by Warner Home Video on Sept. 29, 2009.

Sweepstakes entry begins through an application on the Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Facebook fan page (http://apps.facebook.com/supermanbatman) and the search extends through the film’s official website, MySpace page and Twitter updates.

Entrants can find daily codes to be entered into the Facebook application. With each code, the entrant will be rewarded with one additional sweepstakes entry and two virtual collector cards. Entrants will unlock gateways to greater prizes – exclusive content from the film, including video clips, wallpaper and images – by completing
groups of card collections.

The Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Virtual Collector Card Sweepstakes features an unique interactive component amongst fans that allows entrants to trade virtual cards so they can help each other complete their collection sets and continue to advance toward unlocking the exclusive content.

Fans will appreciate the added bonus of artistic detail within the virtual collector cards themselves as each depicts a character from the 100+ DC Super Heroes and villains that appear in the film. From Superman and Batman to Captain Atom and Power Girl to Solomon Grundy, Starfire and Metallo, the Collectors Cards include 33 different characters displayed across 40 individual, beautifully-designed virtual cards. An additional 10 bonus cards depict classic graphic novel images from the DC Comics archives.

One fan will be awarded the Grand Prize package consisting of a Sony PlayStation®3, a 40-inch LCD HDTV, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies on Blu-ray, the special new edition of the Superman/Batman: Public Enemies graphic novel, and two Superman/Batman: Public Enemies DVD Maquette’s (one of Superman, one of Batman).

There will be five first prize winners who will receive the Complete DC Universe Animated Movie Collection on 2-Disc DVD or Blu-ray, including Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, Green Lantern: First Flight, Wonder Woman, Batman: Gotham Knight, Justice League: The New Frontier and Superman Doomsday; the special new edition of the Superman/Batman: Public Enemies graphic novel; and two Superman/Batman: Public Enemies DVD Maquette’s (one of Superman, one of Batman) from DC Direct.

Ten winners will receive the second prize package, which includes a standard edition Superman/Batman: Public Enemies on DVD and the special new edition of Batman/Superman: Public Enemies graphic novel.

No purchase necessary to enter. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning.

Sweepstakes begins at 12:00:01 AM Eastern Time ("ET") on September 8, 2009 and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on October 13, 2009. Sweepstakes is open to individuals who i) are legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who at time of entry reside within the 50 United States or the District of Columbia; ii) are age 13 or older;and iii) are registered users of Facebook, except for residents of Maine under 18, who are not eligible. Limit: one prize per person/household. Void where prohibited. For complete Official Rules, with prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit http://apps.facebook.com/supermanbatman/. Sponsor: Silicon Ridge, Inc. 3232 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306.

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HELP IMPROVE DC UNIVERSE DISRIBUTION AT WAL-MART

It's no big secret by now that Wal-Mart is doing a crappy job carrying DC Universe classics.
And with Wave 10 coming up, collectors are worried their local Wal-Mart won't carry them.
Here's a chance to tell Wal-Mart that you want better distribution.


Pendragon's Post has decided to start a petition to try and improve distribution with Wal-Mart.

Sign the petition & let Wal-Mart that you want better distribution.

Sign the petition here: http://www.gopetition.com/online/30617.html

PLEASE NOTE:

Mattel is not involved in this petition at all.

There is no guarantee that this petition with work, but it's better than nothing.

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