Comic News: Boom Studios for 9/23/09

Boom Studios has released previews of their upcoming books for 9/23/09.


FARSCAPE: GONE & BACK #3 - What does John Crichton do when he faces a new Scorpius, one who has always considered John an ally? He uses his new “friend” to find Aeryn Sun, a faceless Peacekeeper among millions, but one who can be so much more than that. More FARSCAPE adventure from the show’s creator Rockne S. O’Bannon.




MONSTERS INC. #2 - When Monsters, Inc. starts losing productivity, a new energy crisis could be in the offing for Monsteropolis! Mike and Sully soon discover that someone is scaring kids targeted for laugh energy...and frightened kids don’t have much to laugh about! If Mike and Sully can’t stop this menace, Monsters, Inc will be out of business!




MUPPET PETER PAN #1 - The timid Kermie Pan resides in the magical realm of Neverswamp, where the pushy fairy Piggytink tries to toughen him up! One night, while searching for his shadow, Kermie Pan and Piggytink encounter the Darling children, who run away to Neverswamp and encourage Kermie Pan to battle Captain Gonzo! Features A covers by Eisner-award winning MOUSE GUARD artist David Petersen!




THE MUPPET SHOW COMIC BOOK: THE TREASURE OF PEG-LEG WILSON #3 - Roger Langridge's celebrated run on THE MUPPET SHOW comic continues! Scooter learns that a cache of treasure is hidden somewhere within the theater...and when Rizzo the Rat overhears this, the news spreads like wildfire! Meanwhile, Animal's acting very strangely—he's now refined and well-mannered! And why is Kermit acting like he's too cool for school?




EUREKA VOL. 2: DORMANT GENE - Sci-Fi Channel's smash hit show returns in this new trade compiling all the issues of the critically acclaimed, fan-favorite series masterminded by the creators of the show and told completely in continuity! EUREKA creators Andrew Cosby and Jaime Paglia are joined by writer Jonathan L. Davis (THE DUKES OF HAZZARD) with a story centering on the kids of Eureka High. Can Zoe find out why all her classmates are going goth? Read this volume and find out.

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Comic News: Marvel Comics On-Sale 09/23/09

Hey there True Believers, here’s your official list of comic books, collections and posters arriving in comic stores on September 23rd, 2009.


For more information on any of these titles, and on upcoming mighty Marvel releases, please visit http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?date=2009-09-23 or contact your local comic book retailer at 1-888-comicbook. Stay tuned each week for a brand new list of Marvel releases so that you’ll never miss your favorite heroes in action!

Comics On-Sale:
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #602 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #606
ANITA BLAKE, THE LAUGHING CORPSE - NECROMANCER #5
ASTONISHING X-MEN/AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: THE GAUNTLET SKETCHBOOK
AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #28
DARK REIGN: MADE MEN ONE-SHOT (MDCU)
DARK REIGN: THE LIST - X-MEN ONE-SHOT
DARK REIGN: THE LIST - X-MEN ONE-SHOT HERO VARIANT
DARK X-MEN: THE CONFESSION ONE-SHOT
DEADPOOL #13 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
ENDER'S SHADOW: COMMAND SCHOOL #1
FANTASTIC FORCE #4
FANTASTIC FOUR #571
FANTASTIC FOUR #571 EAGLESHAM INVISIBLE WOMAN VARIANT
FANTASTIC FOUR #571 SHS VARIANT
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #18
HALO: HELLJUMPER #3
IMMORTAL WEAPONS #3
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #135
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #135 SHS VARIANT
INCREDIBLE HULK #602
INCREDIBLE HULK #602 SHS VARIANT
MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN #4
MS. MARVEL #45 (DR)
NEW AVENGERS #57
NEW AVENGERS #57 SHS VARIANT
NOVA #29
RIFTWAR #4
SPIDER-MAN MAGAZINE #8
SPIDER-WOMAN #1 (MDCU)
SPIDER-WOMAN #1 ROSS COVER (MDCU)
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #1 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #1 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
UNCANNY X-MEN #514 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
UNCANNY X-MEN #515
WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #19
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #40
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #40 BIANCHI VARIANT
WOLVERINE: OLD MAN LOGAN GIANT-SIZE #1
WOLVERINE: OLD MAN LOGAN GIANT-SIZE #1 MCGUINNESS VARIANT
WOLVERINE: OLD MAN LOGAN GIANT-SIZE #1 RIVERA VARIANT

Collections On Sale:
ASTONISHING X-MEN BY JOSS WHEDON & JOHN CASSADAY OMNIBUS HC
FANTASTIC FOUR: THE MASTER OF DOOM PREMIERE HC
GOLDEN AGE MARVEL COMICS OMNIBUS VOL. 1 HC CLASSIC COVER (DM ONLY)
GOLDEN AGE MARVEL COMICS OMNIBUS VOL. 1 HC JELENA KEVIC DJURDJEVIC COVER INCREDIBLE HERCULES: DARK REIGN PREMIERE HC
MARVEL ADVENTURES THOR AND THE AVENGERS DIGEST
MARVEL APES: THE EVOLUTION STARTS HERE TPB
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN VOL. 6 HC
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN VOL. 6 HC VARIANT
PET AVENGERS CLASSIC TPB
SAVAGE SHE-HULK TPB
THOR BY DAN JURGENS & JOHN ROMITA JR. VOL. 1 TPB
X-MEN ORIGINS HC

*DR= Dark Reign tie-in



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Toy News: eFX Boldly Goes into a New Frontier with the Addition of Star Trek Collectibles

Star Trek Joins Other Incredible Entertainment Properties to Make eFX the Premiere Producer of Officially Licensed Prop Replicas


Space was the final frontier for Capt. James T. Kirk and his crew – and now it is the next frontier for eFX Inc., which today announced that it will introduce new high-end collectibles based on the classic Star Trek films and TV series.

eFX will introduce its Star Trek collectibles, licensed from CBS Consumer Products, later this year with the Mark IX Tricorder as seen in Star Trek: First Contact – and it’s just the first of many contacts that eFX plans for fans to be able to make with the seminal science-fiction TV and movie series, which holds a special place in the hearts of eFX’s development team.

“For many of us, Star Trek was our introduction to the possibilities and promise of science-fiction storytelling, and it is an absolute honor to have been given the chance to bring Star Trek collectibles to fans,” said Bryan Ono, president of eFX Inc.

Pre-orders for the Mark IX Tricorder are expected to begin in September, and eFX will limit its production run to no more than 1,000 pieces worldwide. The Tricorders will be offered as a “Signature Edition” signed by actor Brent Spiner, who played Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation and the films it inspired.

Star Trek joins an incredible list of properties within the eFX portfolio. They include Star Wars; the original Battlestar Galactica TV series; Disney animation, live-action films and TV series; and the Muppets.

“With the addition of Star Trek to the eFX catalog, we’re very proud to be home to high-end collectibles based on some of the most classic entertainment properties and brands,” Ono said.

More details about eFX and its collectibles can be found online at www.efxcollectibles.com. Read more...

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Media News: The Chuck Jones Gallery Partners with Brickfish to Celebrate the Artist’s Birthday

Fans Asked to Reminisce About their Favorite Chuck Jones Characters


Brickfish®, The Social Media SolutionTM, and the Chuck Jones Gallery, the premier collection of Chuck Jones art and animation, today announced its “Show Your Memories with Your Favorite Chuck Jones Characters” campaign in celebration of Chuck Jones’s birthday. The campaign, located at http://www.brickfish.com/ChuckJones, asks entrants to share their stories of their favorite Chuck Jones animation characters by selecting their favorites from the ones provided. Entrants are then asked to write brief descriptions as to why they are their favorites. The Grand Prize winner, selected by a panel of judges from the Chuck Jones Gallery from the top 200 highest scoring entries, will win a trip for two to San Diego for a VIP reception at the Chuck Jones Gallery plus $5,000 to be used on the art of Chuck Jones and $1,000 cash or scholarship.

“Each year, we celebrate the life of Chuck Jones and the memorable characters he created,” said Craig Kausen, CEO of the Chuck Jones Gallery (and grandson of Chuck Jones). “This year, we thought it would be fun to leverage the power of social media to invite Chuck Jones fans to share in the celebration with us. The ‘Show Your Memories with Your Favorite Chuck Jones Characters’ campaign is our way of commemorating Chuck Jones and the footprint he left on this world.”

In addition to the Grand Prize winner, the Chuck Jones Gallery will also be giving away prizes to one Runner-up winner and to one Most Viral winner. The Runner-up winner, selected from the top 200 highest scoring entries, will receive $2,500 to be used on the art of Chuck Jones and $250 cash or scholarship. The Most Viral winner, selected from the top 200 Most Viral entries, will also receive $2,500 to be used on the art of Chuck Jones and $250 cash or scholarship.

Brickfish social media campaigns enable brands and agencies to launch online marketing campaigns that get consumers engaged in a meaningful brand dialogue throughout the social Web. Consumers create exciting, personalized brand-focused user-generated content (UGC) and then virally share the campaign and their content with their vast social networks via widgets, IM, blogs, email and more. Campaign participants interact with the brand campaign in a variety of ways that include creating, reviewing, sharing, voting upon, and watching brand-relevant content. This powerful viral marketing vehicle generates extensive brand awareness, engagement, reach and results.

“We are thrilled to team up with the Chuck Jones Gallery to help celebrate the Oscar-winning artist’s birthday,” said Nichole Goodyear, president/CEO and co-founder of Brickfish. “The ‘Show Your Memories with Your Favorite Chuck Jones Characters’ campaign is great way for the Gallery to connect with Chuck Jones fans online by asking them to share their nostalgic memories of the characters he created. From Bugs Bunny to Wile E. Coyote, Chuck Jones has developed and created many of the characters that fill childhood memories and we look forward to hearing all of the heartfelt stories.”

The “Show Your Memories with Your Favorite Chuck Jones Characters” campaign ends December 3, 2009. For complete details, visit http://www.brickfish.com/Lifestyles/ChuckJonesGalleries?tab=overview&=PR_ChuckJones. For more information about Brickfish, visit http://www.brickfish.com/Pages/Company/BFCompany.aspx. Read more...

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Montreal Comic Con Report

A Mid-Size Con Has Its Perks

Fall is already in the air in Montreal and the fans and collectors were out in force today as the Montreal Comic Con began its two-day stint at Place Bonaventure. There was a little something for everyone: graded comics, new issues at slashed prices, bargain bins, and Trade Paperbacks galore. Convention attendees could also pick up toys, figurines and t-shirts.


But the biggest draw is of course the guests. There is also a great deal of variety amongst the creators who came along to meet the fans. You have big names like Herb Trimpe (who drew the iconic first appearance of Wolverine), Mike & Laura Allred (Madman, Metamorpho in Wednesday Comics), Dale Eaglesham (JSA, Fantastic Four) and Darwyn Cooke (Richard Stark's Parker the Hunter). But you also have lesser known creators like Wes Craig (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Karl Kerschl (Flash in Wednesday Comics) as well as a whole slew of local talent, who work in both English and French. A great benefit to being at a smaller con like Montreal is hardly having to wait to meet favourite artists. At most, they're ready to say hi, chat and sign some stuff after they've finished a sketch or two.

That's a far cry from the madness of the cons from the early nineties at the height of the comic book craze when artists from Image would command long lines of adoring fans who would file past like oh so many cattle. Nowadays there's a real laid-back atmosphere. You have Mike Allred and Darwyn Cooke joking around together and Wes Craig taking lots of time to flip through the portfolio of an aspiring artist.

For those ready to pay $20 or $30 for a nice signed collectible there were some well-known names in attendance: Lou Ferrigno of Incredible Hulk fame (the guy has unbelievably large arms), the Honky Tonk Man from the WWE and Jeremy Bulloch who portrayed Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy and seemed to always have the most folk around his table at any given moment.

The con was brimming with ladies decked out in their cosplay outfits and members of the 501st Imperial Legion who dress in Star Wars attire and never hesitate to pose for a photo op. Both added nicely to the ambiance.

Overall, well worth the $10 for lots of great deals (as long as you take the time to comparison shop) and accessible and relaxed creators to meet.

Adam P.
Review Editor

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DVD Review: Transformers Season 2 Volume 1 by Adam P.

Autobots and Decepticons Continue Their Hundred Years War

Never underestimate the power of movies. Riding the wave of Transformers mania that the two feature films have spawned, Hasbro has released a 4-DVD Season 2 Part 1 box set as part of their 25th Anniversary collection. In doing so, some missing animation has been restored that was lacking in previous releases of these episodes.

The G1 Transformers are unbelievably iconic. The character designs are engraved into the memories of their fans. Optimus Prime and Megatron are such memorable and pure characterizations of most everything we conceive of as good and evil. Rarely has visual media and toys been so intertwined, encouraging the consumption of one other.




However, that's a main part of the problem with these Transformers cartoons. The G1 toys themselves are absolute classics, embodying everything great about toys and their wonder. An example is the G1 Optimus Prime, a toy masterpiece which was itself re-released as a replica for the 25th anniversary. His trailer was a mobile operations base, complete with a mini-car and a crane with guns. Just genius. But in the cartoon, his trailer literally floats onto him from off-screen when he transforms and then magically disappears again when he reaches his destination.

Similarly, many episodes here seem like convoluted attempts at providing a logical reason for such beings to exist in the first place. In a sense, alien robots in the shape of cars and airplanes is terribly unlikely, but the entire idea behind the show is that, yes these toys exist, so let's surround them with some stories.

Taken as a whole, the Autobots and Decepticons mimic the Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote, except on a planetary and sometimes cosmic scale. The Decepticons come up with some sort of crazy plan, attempt to execute it, and the Autobots manage to undo them. Sometimes you just wanna tell Megatron: “Ddude, save up three or four of your crazy plans and then put them into motion all at once”.

Despite Dinobots, Constructicons, and Insecticons thrown into the mix there is an underlying monotony to the endless Autobot/Decepticon conflict. Each episode is a different iteration of the same story. Therefore it takes a heavy emotional investment in the Transformers universe to be able to watch episode after episode of the same sort of thing. It's not like a superhero who has an entire rogues gallery; here we have essentially the same folks battling it out time after time.

The other major flaw is that these shows are truly children's programming with large logical flaws throughout. For instance, in “Enter the Nightbird” the Autobots do an unbelievably poor job of guarding a human robot and subsequently allow said robot to waltz into their very headquarters unnoticed. As well, in “Changing Gears” Starscream decides to behave terribly erratically as if he forgot to take his medication. In the same episode, Optimus Prime declares that the Autobots have to get to “the geographic centre of Africa” in less than two hours but they then proceed to drive through plains and forests to get there. The viewer is repeatedly frustrated with the Autobots' poor aiming skills and love of hand-to-hand combat. Shouldn't Optimus Prime use more military strategy instead of full-frontal daylight assaults? It's a far cry from Pixar movies which are both logically consistent and entertaining, thus having great appeal with children and adults.

In his defence, Optimus Prime is able to deliver the craziest lines with total pathos and conviction. What other cartoon character could get away with saying things like "Nevertheless, I vow to return the female ninja robot to you" or "We've got to get thru the Decpticon force field before the sun explodes" and sound like Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg address?

But as Megatron says on the first disc, "Spare me your critique!" Typically anyone purchasing this set will already have checked any reservations at the door. Those folks won't be disappointed as the DVD's themselves are well-produced, allowing you to play multi-part episodes seamlessly (a nice touch) and have crisp visuals and sound. We get the nostalgic “The Transformers Will Return After These Messages” which appeared before and after commercial breaks. And the theme song! Oh, what a theme song it was... presented here as a souped up version of the Season 1 version.

This set is for anyone who's simply hungry for as much Transformers as they can get their hands on. That is, anyone in Transformers nostalgia mode or kids who have gone ga-ga over the toys and thus don't care that the good guys have thick American accents and the bad guys have creepy metallic voices. It's amazing that the 11 hours included here were aired in a mere 44 days in Fall of 1985. In other words, lots of bang for your buck... if this is the sort of bang you're looking for.

6/10

Adam P.
Review Editor

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I.M.O: Renumbering- The Wonder Woman issue 600 campaign

I came across this little tidbit of info while reading my comics this week, which kinda took me by surprise.

According to his weekly DC Nation column, Senior V.P & Executive Editor of DC Comics Dan Didio has been having ongoing discussions with numerous Wonder Woman Fans about her importance in the DCU and the Trinity. To go along with this, some fans feel the current numbering system used for Wonder Woman’s monthly title should reflect her importance and longevity within not only the comic book community, but also the DC Universe. With both Batman and Superman closing in on Issue # 700, Wonder Woman would soon be at issue #600, if the old numbering system for her series had been maintained.

Question is: Does Wonder Woman deserve a renumbering? And if so what can we do about it?




Personally I feel it does. Not only is Wonder Woman the First Lady when it comes to the DCU, but Comics in general. She deserves the same treatment as Superman and Batman, regardless of how her continuity has changed over the years. I do see where newer fans might be at a loss when it comes to accessing her past material for the first time, but that’s why it’s up to the writers to take what they have been given over the past 68 years, and integrate it into today.

So now begs the next question: What can we do if we want to see Issue # 600 of Wonder Woman?

Well Mr. Didio has the answer. He has said that if he receives 600 postcards in support of the 600th issue renumbering, then it shall happen. So in a quest to see if something like this is possible, I have included 4 easy steps on how to set up your postcard for mailing below, and I encourage those out there who have enjoyed Wonder Woman over the years, such as me, to send one in.

Mailing Instructions:

1). Pick out a Postcard (any kind will do, just try to be tasteful)

2). On the left hand side, write the following:
600: Wonder Woman issue 45 should start renumbering at #600

3). Remember to put your signature at the bottom of the postcard in order to make it count.

4). Mail to the following:

Dan Didio
c/o DC Comics, Inc.
1700 Broadway
New York, NY 10019

And you’re done. Just buy the postage needed and drop it in the mail.

And yes I know, the question of why did Mr. Didio choose an old fashioned postcards campaign over e-mails has come across my mind also? For me, it cause of the thought and effort put behind it. I mean come on, in this digital age anyone can send an email. It’s quick, simple, and effortless. But a post card actually requires you putting in the effort in writing, purchasing a stamp, and actually mailing your response. And after all these years of entertainment, don’t you think Wonder Woman is worth the effort?

I do.

Eddie R
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