Fresh off their debut at the Big Apple Comic Convention, the Concrete Immortalz team, led by graffiti artist/designer Phetus, will be appearing at the Multiversal Group Show at the American Legion on December 6th.
Phetus, Mr. DEN and Rodolfo Ledesma will have designer vinyl toys and original canvases on display and promotional copies of the Concrete Immortalz comic books available to attendees. On hand will be two mash-up canvases featuring the graffiti and fine art of Phetus mixed with comic penciling and inking by Eisner Nominated artist, Rodolfo Ledesma along with a designer vinyl of The Wall Lord by Phetus and Mr. DEN, painted by hand onto a custom body.
"We broke some ground crossing our design work into the realm of comic books and we'll be flipping it the other way around, mashing our comic work into our art displays featured in the Multiversal Show" says Phetus.
Concrete Immortalz is Elite Gudz' flagship comic title, featuring authentic and legendary graffiti artists from the '70s and '80s to the present day.
Alongside the sci-fi/super-hero storyline laced with conspiracy theories and parallels to real world current events, Concrete Immortalz features tags and throw-ups by Cope2, KET, Cap, SKUF and many other Immortalz.
For more information on the Concrete Immortalz and to view the entire first issue online, visit concreteimmortalz.com & elitegudz.com
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LAW & ORDER, SEX & THE CITY STAR CHRIS NOTH VOICES ‘GOOD’ LEX LUTHOR IN JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON TWO EARTHS
Chris Noth (Law & Order, Sex and the City) is the voice of Lex Luthor in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, the next DC Universe animated original movie. The film will be distributed February 23, 2010 by Warner Home Video. (Photo courtesy of Gary Miereanu)
If Sex In the City fans were confused over their see-saw love affair with Chris Noth’s Mr. Big, comics fans will endure an equal amount of trepidation over Noth’s latest performance – as the voice of a “good” Lex Luthor – in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, an all-new DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movie coming February 23, 2010 from Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation.
In Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, a “good” Lex Luthor arrives from an alternate universe to recruit the Justice League to help save his Earth from the Crime Syndicate, a gang of villainous characters with virtually identical super powers to the Justice League. What ensues is the ultimate battle of good versus evil in a war that threatens both planets and, through a diabolical plan launched by Owlman, puts the balance of all existence in peril.
A “good” Lex Luthor recruits the Justice League to come to his alternate Earth and battle their evil opposites in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, the next DC Universe animated original movie. The film will be distributed February 23, 2010 by Warner Home Video.
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths is an original story from award-winning animation/comics writer Dwayne McDuffie (Justice League). Bruce Timm (Superman Doomsday) is executive producer, and Lauren Montgomery (Wonder Woman, Green Lantern: First Flight) and Sam Liu (Superman/Batman: Public Enemies) are co-directors. The full-length animated film will be distributed by Warner Home Video as a Special Edition 2-disc version on DVD and Blu-Ray™ Hi-Def, as well as single disc DVD, and On Demand and Download.
Lex Luthor prepares for battle against the Crime Syndicate – an evil version of the Justice League – in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, the next DC Universe animated original movie. The film will be distributed February 23, 2010 by Warner Home Video.
Noth has had a lengthy television presence as both Mr. Big in Sex and the City and as Mike Logan in Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He can currently be seen starring opposite Julianna Margulies in the CBS drama The Good Wife. Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths represents Noth’s inaugural dip into the animated pool.
In Los Angeles to record his 100-plus lines as Lex Luthor, Noth took time during the marathon session to discuss his first animated role. Without further ado …
QUESTION:
You’ve had an extensive career in a number of acting mediums – is this really your first animation voiceover experience?
CHRIS NOTH:
I think I did about three lines of Mike Logan on Family Guy. That was a quick little gig. The character (Stewie) on the show carries a picture of Mike Logan in his wallet, so I was very flattered by that. But that was just a few lines – so Lex is pretty much my first real animated role.
QUESTION:
In that case, can you describe what your first “actual” animation voiceover experience was like?
CHRIS NOTH:
I felt I had an instinct for it, and it was a lot of fun. It's an interesting technique and, like any medium, whether you're doing radio or certain kinds of narrative voiceovers for stage or movies, it has its own sort of rules and performance values. I think the choices had to be bold and succinct and clear. To me, it appears that super heroes have to be powerful, but it also has to be real. You have to make bold choices and go all the way through with them. That’s true with a lot of acting anyway. But with animation, it seems to me there’s nothing coy about it. The acting has its own subtleties. So you have to find that balance. And as long as you go with that instinct, it's a blast.
QUESTION:
Did you take a different approach to this Lex Luthor – a good guy Lex – than you would’ve taken with a typically villainous Lex?
CHRIS NOTH:
I was extremely excited to be playing the ultimate villain from my youth. I remember how Gene Hackman portayed Lex Luthor with such great delight in the films, and I thought I’d be getting that Lex. So I was surprised to see that in this script, Lex is actually on the right side of the law. It required a whole new thinking on my part on how to approach him. I mean, he's a super hero who's in this very complex, parallel universe. He's actually trying to save all of reality from being destroyed. So I just took that adjustment and said, “Wow, I need to get up to date on my super heroes.” I'm guess I'm a little bit retro. (he laughs)
QUESTION:
Do you feel any special significance to be joining the canon of actors – Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey, Michael Rosenbaum, Clancy Brown – to have brought Lex Luthor to life?
CHRIS NOTH:
Initially when I heard about the role, I thought about that great tradition of actors associated with Lex. And I really feel honored to be a part of that group. But this is a complete departure from those performances. This time, Lex is on the right side of the law. He's worlds away from the old Lex.
QUESTION:
You’ve done your share of Shakespeare. Can you characterize Lex within the context of some of the great literary or stage heroes/villains?
CHRIS NOTH:
Not this Lex. I find super heroes to be more archetypes of values of courage and fortitude and things like that. It’s interesting to me that the new world of animation, compared to when I was growing up, is so much more diverse in its characters. There’s so many more of them, and it’s a much more complicated world. The old comic books that I grew up on had these characters that were in many ways Shakespearean. They were very big with their evilness in the same vein as Richard III in Shakespeare. Those characters relished being bad, and that's always fun to play.
QUESTION:
How did you find working alone in a sound booth versus playing off other actors?
CHRIS NOTH:
It presented a different challenge in the same way that a radio play is different from being on stage, and being on stage is different than being in the movies, and the movies are different than being on a TV series. They all have different values that are fun to explore and to take a crack at. So I found it challenging and interesting to jump into that world.
QUESTION:
Did it get easier when Bruce Davison joined you at the microphone?
CHRIS NOTH:
That was even more fun because I know Bruce and it's always more fun to work off another person. Sandy Meisner, the great acting teacher, used to say that what you do doesn't depend on you. It depends on the other fellow. In other words, they make you respond. So when Bruce came in, there was a new kind of energy that I sort of relished. I didn't have that many scenes with him, but he was a lot of fun and I think he made a great President.
QUESTION:
As you are new to animation voiceovers, you’re also new to the direction involved. How did you find Andrea Romano's direction?
CHRIS NOTH:
(Animation) is very quick, it's to the point, and very on message, and you have to just go with it. Andrea was extremely helpful to me to get some of the tone and in knowing what you have to keep in mind with what's happening to the character in the scene. Whether it's an intimate scene or there's a lot of action, she keeps you on point. So she's a very good field marshal.
For more information, images and updates, please visit the film’s official website at www.JUSTICELEAGUECRISIS.com.
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Marvel is proud to unveil both interconnecting Hulk Santa Variant covers from superstar artist Ed McGuinness, exclusively on Hulk #18 and Fall of The Hulks Gamma!
Retailers, please see this week’s Marvel Mailer for a special holiday offer regarding both Hulk Santa Variant covers.
HULK #18 (OCT090512)
HULK #18 MCGUINNESS VARIANT (OCT090513)
HULK #18 MCGUINNESS SANTA VARIANT (SEP098250)
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils & Cover by WHILCE PORTACIO
Variant Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Santa Variant Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Rated T+ …$3.99
On-Sale—12/16/09
FALL OF THE HULKS GAMMA (OCT090516)
FALL OF THE HULKS GAMMA ROMITA JR VARIANT (OCT090518)
FALL OF THE HULKS GAMMA MCGUINNESS SANTA VARIANT (SEP098263)
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils by JOHN ROMITA JR.
Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Variant Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.
Santa Variant by ED MCGUINNESS
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC—12/3/09, On-Sale—12/23/09
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Marvel is excited to present the Astonishing X-Men Behind The Scenes Video #3.
Get a behind the scenes look at the chart-topping Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic with this all new video! Based on the acclaimed story by superstars Joss Whedon (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) and John Cassaday (Captain America), the X-Men are faced with a mysterious new villain and a possible cure for the mutant gene! Now Cyclops, Wolverine and all your favorite mutants must face the greatest threats of their lives and, before it’s all done, experience one of the most jaw-dropping moments in Marvel history!
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Marvel Also Anticipates Completing the Disney Merger on December 31, 2009
Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: MVL), a global character-based entertainment and licensing company celebrating the 70th anniversary of its founding in 1939, announced today that it has set December 31, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. EST as the date for its special meeting of stockholders. At the special meeting, stockholders will consider and vote on the adoption of the Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into by Marvel and The Walt Disney Company (“Disney”), which provides for a merger in which Marvel will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Disney. Stockholders who owned Marvel common stock at the close of business on November 23, 2009 are entitled to vote at the special meeting.
Assuming shareholder adoption of the Agreement and Plan of Merger at the special meeting, Marvel anticipates that the merger will be completed on December 31, 2009.
The special meeting will be held at the offices of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, 75 East 55th Street, New York, New York.
Important Merger Information and Additional Information:
This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. In connection with the proposed transaction, Disney filed a definitive proxy statement/prospectus with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424 on December 2, 2009 (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”). Investors are urged to read the Proxy Statement/Prospectus regarding the proposed transaction, because it contains important information. You may obtain copies of all documents filed with the SEC regarding this transaction, including the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, free of charge at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to The Walt Disney Company, 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521-9722, Attention: Shareholder Services or by directing a request to Marvel’s proxy solicitor, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., 105 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016 or by calling Mackenzie Partners, Inc. at (800) 322-2885 (toll free) or (212) 929-5500 (call collect).
Disney, Marvel, their respective directors and certain of their executive officers may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Marvel is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Information about the directors and executive officers of Disney is set forth in its definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on January 16, 2009.
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the anticipated time of completion of Marvel’s merger with Disney. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as Marvel’s inability to obtain the vote necessary to approve the merger, possible termination of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, potential regulatory impediments to completion of the merger and other risks disclosed in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
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Paint-by-Numbers MediocrityA Hollywood movie has a predictable lifecycle. It hits theatres before becoming available on DVD. After awhile, the DVD’s go on sale and the movie winds up on cable television. Consumers decide how they want to experience the movie and can choose to save money by simply waiting for it to change formats. Comic books are beginning to follow a similar lifecycle: single issues for $3.99, a usually cheaper trade paperback, perhaps a digital copy for $1.
Here we have a four-issue limited series, Legion: Prophets, which is the prequel to the movie Legion to be released in January 2010. Bottom line on top: this comic book deserves, at best, to be featured as a motion comic on the Legion movie DVD, or to be picked up for a quarter at some future comic book convention. It exemplifies much that is currently amiss with the comic book industry.
Although the first issue had some promise, the second is truly a waste of time. Limited series are all the rage these days (presumably because they allow publishers to release an issue with a #1 on the cover and they’re easily collected) but you typically have a couple issues in the middle of the run where nothing of great importance happens and fight scenes take up double or triple the space they need to.
This release bulges with a bloated seven-page battle between a topless prostitute with a sword and some sort of demonic zombie. The art is often lazy and unrealistic. Does Jose Holder lack talent? Hopefully not - some panels have a nice energy to them but overall the finished product looks rushed and ill-planned.
The geisha sequences are interspersed with dialogue between angels preparing for battle but so little information is given we’re not sure what’s behind the goings-on. The speech bubbles are unbelievably short, often with only a few short sentences. Page 4 contains a blockbuster 47 words. Slim pickings indeed. And two people get writing credit for this issue?
To price this comic at $3.99 is downright exploitative, almost criminal. IDW Publishing could permanently displace Image Comics as the fourth largest comic book publisher but not if they’re gonna churn out low-grade stuff like this. Anyone with an interest in apocalyptic or magical storylines would be better to check out Jeff Lemire’s warm artwork in Sweet Tooth ($2.99 from Vertigo) or Mike Carey’s savorous writing in The Unwritten (also $2.99 from Vertigo).
4/10
In stores December 2, 2010
Adam Paige
Senior Reviewer
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The Farce Is Strong With This Never-Before Seen “Family Guy” Adventure, Arriving On Two-Disc Blu-ray And DVD December 22 From Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Fully Loaded With Hilarious Bonus Material Including Deleted Scenes, Commentaries, Behind-The-Scenes Featurettes, A Pop-Up Video Feature And More!
A long time ago, in a Cineplex not too far away, one of the greatest movies was unleashed upon the universe. It’s a dark time for the rebellion but the future has never been brighter for “Family Guy” and Star Wars fans when “Family Guy: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side” arrives exclusively on two-disc Blu-ray (BD) with Digital Copy and DVD December 22 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. The second DVD premiere feature from the creators of “Family Guy” after 2005’s enormously popular Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story, and a follow-up to the 2008 Star Wars spoof “Blue Harvest,” this time around the Griffin clan packs light saber sharp wit as they parody the classic sequel The Empire Strikes Back. Luke (Chris), Leia (Lois), Han Solo (Peter) and Chewbacca (Brian) have evaded the dreaded Imperial Starfleet led by the cunning, conniving and curiously short evil lord Darth Vader (Stewie), setting up a new secret base on the remote ice world of Hoth. With the rebellion in trouble, young Skywalker must take the advice of his late, and rather lascivious, mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (Herbert) and learn the ways of the “farce” under Jedi Master Yoda (Carl) to save the galaxy once and for all. “Family Guy” proves that even in the far reaches of space, the dark side can be much lighter!
BD and DVD features bonus materials smoother than a Colt 45 including commentary with deleted scenes, making-of featurettes, animatics and a pop-up video feature. The “Family Guy” Something, Something, Something, Dark Side” BD includes Digital Copy will be available for a suggested retail price of $29.99 U.S / $32.99 Canada and the DVD will be available for $22.98 U.S / $25.98 Canada. Prebook is November 25.
“Family Guy: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side” Synopsis
The story of The Empire Strikes Back is retold. Darth Vader (Stewie) is hunting the rebel
Luke Skywalker (Chris) and his troops relentlessly across the galaxy. On the ice planet Hoth, Luke has a vision of his late mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (Herbert), telling him to go to the Dagobah system to learn the ways of the Force under Jedi Master Yoda (Carl). Meanwhile Princess Leia (Lois) finds herself taking a shine to the scruffy pilot Han Solo (Peter) and, against all odds, the two soon fall in love. But an encounter with Han’s old friend Lando Calrissian (Mort) lands them in the clutches of the Empire. Envisioning this, Luke chooses to forgo his Jedi training to save his friends. It all comes to a head in a climactic confrontation with Darth Vader himself…
Two-Disc Blu-ray With Digital Copy Specs:
The “Family Guy: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side” BD is presented in full screen 4x3 aspect ratio featuring English 5.1 Dolby Surround, Line 21, English for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, English, Spanish, and French stereo and subtitles. Special features include:
• Digital Copy
• Audio Commentary
• Deleted Scenes
• Behind-The-Scenes Featurette – “The Dark Side of Poster Art”
• Animatics
• Pop-Up Video
DVD Specs:
The “Family Guy: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side” DVD is presented in full screen aspect ratio featuring English 5.1 Dolby Surround, Line 21, English for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, English, Spanish, French, and Brazilian stereo and subtitles. Special features include all those listed above except Digital Copy.
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PREPARE FOR THE FINAL SHOWDOWN
Top Cow Productions, Inc. announced today that the sixth issue of the second season of Impaler will be cancelled with Impaler #5 and Impaler #6 combining into a single issue set for a release in early January.
International Horror Guild-nominated writer William Harms will be concluding the second season of Impaler in this action-packed showdown between the vampire hordes and Vlad, Victor, Wagner, and his soldiers in Washington, DC. Along the way, Victor must fight for his life and come to grips with his new destiny. As with the previous four issues, the over-sized finale issue will be painted by Matt Timson
”Impaler has been incredibly well-received critically, with both William and Matt pouring blood, sweat, and tears into each issue,” explained Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik, “When we looked at the end of this second arc, we realized that it serviced the story better to combine these last two issues into a single over-sized installment. While it will delay the release of issue #5, the reading experience and the value for fans will be richer for it.”
The six-part story line will be collected in a second trade in the spring of 2010, and the series will go on hiatus after Issue #5, which closes out the story arc.
The new over-sized issue #5 will carry a cover price of $4.99, a full dollar less than the combined cost of the previously solicited two single issues.
“The story is masterfully plotted to crescendo in each issue, teasing and tempting the reader to come back for more…this is a great read,” says Ain’t It Cool News.
“Writer William Harms gives us what might be the freshest reinterpretation of the vampire mythos in years,” says Metro (Toronto), “…the impending bloodfest over the coming issues promises to be spectacular.” 4 Stars (out of 4).
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Warner Home Video to Distribute on February 16, 2010
The Halo universe expands into anime this spring via Halo Legends, a DVD anthology of episodic films based within the popular game’s mythology produced by 343 Industries, a unit within Microsoft Game Studios. One of the key orchestrators of Halo’s morphing from interactive entertainment to on-screen magic is Frank O'Connor, the Halo franchise development director.
Warner Home Video will distribute Halo Legends as a Special Edition 2-disc version on DVD and Blu-Ray™, as well as single disc DVD and available On Demand and Digital Download. The new street date is February 16, 2010.
Born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, O’Connor is renowned throughout the gaming industry for his insightful expertise and innovative direction working with Halo. After a long career as a journalist for several gaming publications, O’Connor has parlayed a keen sense of the gaming industry – and a devout love for the games therein – into a career as a creator of content and story lines for the worldwide phenomenon that is Halo.
For Halo Legends, O’Connor worked directly with Japanese screenwriters on each of the seven stories – spread over eight episodic installments – that include all the elements familiar to Halo fans. Exploring the origin and historical events of the Halo universe and its intriguing characters. Halo Legends has been created in the same breakthrough format as The Animatrix and Batman Gotham Knight with each individual episode imagined by a cutting-edge, renowned Japanese anime director/animator.
Most of the individual episodes fall within Halo’s 26th Century mythology as the battle between humanity and aliens rages on in an attempt to protect Earth and mankind’s ever-dwindling collection of space colonies. The dramatic, action-packed stories feature characters and locales familiar to Halo fans, and episodes range in length between 10 and 17 minutes – resulting in nearly two hours of animated adventures.
O’Connor took a few moments from his busy schedule to discuss the exciting production and offer a glimpse behind the scenes in the creation of Halo Legends.
QUESTION:
Halo Legends not only shifts from interactive game to animated film, but also to a variety of anime styles. Was there any worry that going anime would make the production unrecognizable as a Halo brand?
FRANK O’CONNOR:
The Halo brand is strong enough to survive and even thrive through interpretation. Halo iconography is recognizable in virtually any form. When you look at a Warthog that’s drawn by a Japanese artist or a Spartan that’s animated in a way you’ve never seen it before, it’s still intrinsically Halo. The brand really lends itself to comics and animation beautifully. It withstands all sorts of interpretation and is still recognizable Halo, rather than just diluting and becoming generic sci-fi.
The wonderful thing about a completely immersive world like Halo is that it’s not just the visuals that are instantly recognizable. There are so many elements involved in playing the game, including the audio, the music, the sound effects – it’s all part of the experience. When you’ve played these games for six or seven years, and you hear a Warthog engine, you instantly recognize it. So in an episode as distinctly different visually as “The Duel,” it may take a while before you actually see that energy sword and it’s apparent that this is Halo, but the sounds might bring you into this story much earlier as being from the Halo universe.
This is a world that people come to know with great, detailed intimacy. You might’ve watched Star Wars 20 times, but Halo fans have played the game hundreds and hundreds of times. Most of our mid-level players, say those at Level 33, have logged more than 2,000 games just on Halo 3. If you’re a Level 50 player, that number goes up geometrically.
QUESTION:
How did you decide which stories to tell in Halo Legends?
FRANK O’CONNOR:
There are really two driving forces behind our creative development. First, there were things we were curious about. We wanted to investigate what shaped the Elite civilization, their solidifying of the Covenant, and their place in it. The second, but equal part of the equation was that we wanted to provide backstory about what fans are curious about. Our story for “The Package” fits that neatly – fans want to see more about the Spartans, and they wanted to see them fighting in a group. Normally you see one Spartan in battle – the question came up, “What happens when you have that force multiplier?”
We came up with dozens of topics, but these were the hot button stories. For “The Babysitter,” we were interested in the rivalry between the ODSTs and the Spartans, so we wanted to put them together and see what happened. “The Duel” gave us the chance to delve into the pure civilization and the futile aspects of that society. We used “The Package” to present a story that not only featured the Master Chief but had multiple Spartans fighting together.
QUESTION:
Can you give a quick breakdown of what fans can expect in the other Halo Legends stories?
“Prototype” is very Japanese in style as we worked with Bones and director Yasushi Muraki – both the studio and Muraki are huge in Japan right now. He has created an anime sub-genre called Muraki Circus, which features a lot of flying, mecha fighting, weapons, explosions, dog-fighting – and that fit perfectly with the creation of a Halo prototype weapon. Still, we really wanted to make it a human story, so we worked with Muraki to blend those two ideas. Ultimately, it’s the introduction of a prototype of Spartan equipment that’s never been employed, and played out in the very pure anime style of Muraki Circus.
The Halo universe is big and expansive, and “Origins” gave us the chance to take Halo newbies through that universe one step at a time. At the same time, for Halo fans, we wanted to go really deep and show them things they’ve imagined but never seen before. Part I of “Origins” is the forerunner of civilization, and the advent of the flood threat that led to the creation of the Halos. “Origins Part 2” deals with the current Halo universe and everything from the advancement of human space travel to contemporary Halo fiction.
“Odd One Out” is just flat out fun. We worked with Toei Animation to create an episode that Halo fans and responsible parents could show their kids. It’s all fun, lots of parody and no gunfire, along the way poking fun at all the macho archetypes that inhabit the Halo universe.
You’re going to have to see “Homecoming” – it’s about Spartan origins, and it’s just too spoiler-filled to describe it. I will say this, though – it’s got the cutest poster of any of the stories, and that’s ironic because it’s a really dark story.
QUESTION:
How did you balance giving the Japanese artists balance specific instructions vs. creative freedom?
FRANK O’CONNOR:
We didn’t try to control their every pen stroke. There were some things that needed to be maintained – a Warthog has to look like a Warthog. But we gave them a lot of creative freedom. “Prototype” is an excellent example in that the actual prototype is an entirely brand new piece of Spartan equipment. I think the Japanese artists had a good time trying to create new inventions, and for the most part we embraced those creations. There were a few things we rejected or simply worked with the artists until we had them just right. We gave very loose descriptions, mostly emotional threads rather than pinpoint direction. But in many cases, we simply said, “Here’s some goalposts, but we want your interpretation.” In most cases, they exceeded our wildest expectations.
QUESTION:
Why go with anime over animation?
FRANK O’CONNOR:
The funny thing is that the question these days is “What is anime?” It has expanded in so many directions. But still, there’s a distinct way anime deals with the narrative in animation, exploring ideas and ambitious techniques that we don’t often do in western animation. That was one of the things that drew us to anime.
The other difference is that there aren’t that many outfits (in the U.S.) that can produce shorts or an anthology of shorts in the way we saw this project playing out, and yet Japan has a very rich pool of talent and studios that are perfectly suited to this type of production. And we were anxious to work with those talented artists and studios. We made a wish list of the studios and pretty much got everyone we wanted.
QUESTION:
Were there any artists that wanted to work no Halo Legends as badly as you wanted to work with them?
FRANK O’CONNOR:
Shinji Aramaki is sort of a central figure – he works well with everyone. There’s no ego there – he’s a nice collaborative force. We worked closely with Aramaki on “The Package,” and with Aramaki and Bones on “Prototype.” The great part is that he’s a huge Halo fan – he has completed the game on “Legendary” difficulty, which most people haven’t done – let alone a legendary Japanese director. He’d always wanted to work on a Halo project, so he was already well versed on the fiction and was excited about the opportunity.
QUESTION:
How much of a learning curve was there for the anime studios in getting fully vested in the Halo universe?
FRANK O’CONNOR:
Some of the studios had to learn Halo from scratch, so we educated them in the universe and they took that and ran with it – and they became genuine, passionate fans. I’ve spent a significant amount of time in Japan, going over the game, the artwork, the concept art. A lot of the artists were playing the game at the same time, so I played with them. We felt it was important that they were very understanding of the game. As we went along, every single overseas team had someone on their staff that became their resident Halo nerd, their internal expert.
QUESTION:
Does Halo Legends have an overall theme that unites all seven stories?
FRANK O’CONNOR:
These episodes don’t have a rigid super arc beyond the theme of artistic interpretation. The individual pieces are made up of a lot of very universal story themes. It’s the idea of a hero’s journey – every single episode features a heroic archetype. There are the more traditional Achilles and Ulysses types, the clever ones that succeed through craft and guile and wit. Sacrifice and heroism are general themes, but that’s germane to the game of Halo. There’s not much time for romance when you’re shooting at everything. Ultimately, the episodes are like the game in that you’re putting yourself in the shoes of a hero and his or her journey.
QUESTION:
Halo is a very interactive experience. Why will fans embrace the opportunity to sit and watch rather than interact and play?
FRANK O’CONNOR:
Halo Legends does the reverse. I think we have a lot of players that probably don’t fully understand the narrative of the fiction. A lot of people don’t stop and smell the roses while playing – mainly because it’s easy to miss the narrative when you’re surrounded by explosions and Banshees. This gives fans a chance to enjoy Halo in a completely different experience – to sit down on a couch and take in the story without worrying about being shot or how much health you have left. For anyone interested in a preview I suggest they log into to Halo Waypoint on Xbox LIVE to see preview episodes of Halo Legends running through early next year every Saturday.
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Universal Studios Home Entertainment GIVES CONSUMERS ULTIMATE CONTROL AND FLEXIBILITY WITH Revolutionary New Blu-ray™ hi-def and DVD “Flipper” Discs BEGINNING With the Releases of
The Bourne Identity
The Bourne Supremacy
The Bourne Ultimatum
Industry-Changing Dual-Format Technology Features Both Blu-ray™ and DVD Versions on One Disc
In a move that is poised to elevate the Blu-ray™ Hi-Def format and provide consumers with the ultimate in convenience and viewing flexibility, Universal Studios Home Entertainment (USHE) announced the introduction of groundbreaking dual-format discs containing both Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD versions of some of Hollywood’s most iconic films. An industry first, the new “flipper” discs will launch on January 19, 2010 with the blockbuster superspy thrillers The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, starring Matt Damon, premiering as individually packaged Blu-ray™ discs.
For the first time ever, consumers will have the ability to choose between Blu-ray™ and DVD formats, simply by flipping a single disc. With complete utility in one convenient package, the revolutionary medium can be used on any DVD or Blu-ray™ compatible player, game platform or computer, making it ideal for anyone planning to upgrade to Blu-ray™ at a future date as well as current owners of both Blu-ray™ and DVD systems. Each side of Universal’s flipper discs includes the entire movie as well as all available bonus features, with the Blu-ray™ side featuring exciting BD exclusives such as U-Control and BD-Live™.
“Universal’s flipper discs are the perfect way for consumers to future-proof their collections while still enjoying their favorite movies on all their existing DVD players,” said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. “The flipper disc offers an easy way for viewers to convert to Blu-ray now or at any time in the future, confident in the fact they will be able to experience their home entertainment purchases in the highest quality picture and sound when they do.”
The release will mark the first time the Bourne trilogy, one of the highest grossing action movie franchises in history, is available individually in Blu-ray’s™ renowned perfect picture and purest digital sound. Each film is accompanied by an array of exciting bonus features that plunge viewers deeper in to the shadowy world of international espionage, including top-secret files, challenging strategy games, fascinating filmmakers and actor profiles, commentary, deleted scenes and Universal’s renowned BD-Live™ functionality.
Riddled with deception, intrigue and high-octane thrills, each chapter of the globe-hopping search for Jason Bourne’s true identity raises the stakes another lethal notch as the undercover killer settles old scores and uncovers new secrets. A commanding roster of acclaimed actors accompanies Damon on his quest, including Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles, Franka Potente, Joan Allen, David Strathairn and Albert Finney.
CONTENT OVERVIEW & SYNOPSES:
THE BOURNE IDENTITY
FILM SYNOPSIS:
After being pulled from the sea with two bullets in his back, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) awakens on a fishing boat with no memory of his involvement in a top-secret, black ops arm of the CIA called Treadstone. The only clue to his identity is the number of a Swiss bank account in which he discovers an array of passports and weapons, as well as a fortune in cash. As he struggles to regain his memory, his former employers dub him a rogue agent and target him for termination. When an equally deadly assassin codenamed “Professor” (Clive Owen) is sent to dispose of him, Bourne rediscovers his extraordinary survival skills, including hand-to-hand combat, martial arts and multiple languages and begins to understand who he really is. As he struggles to unlock the secret of his own identity, Bourne has to deal with his past in order to ensure his own future.
BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE:
§ Exclusive U-Control: Universal’s exclusive signature feature U-Control allows viewers to delve into the making of the film with the click of the remote without ever leaving the movie. While you watch the movie, immerse yourself in the character dossiers and location analyses, and explore the technology behind the spy gadgets through visuals and 3-D animations.
o Picture in Picture
o Bourne Orientation
o Bourne Card Battle Strategy Game
o Treadstone Files: Includes interactive Character Dossiers, Agent Status info and GPS features.
• BD-Live™: Blu-ray™ and Playstation3 players with an Internet connection can access exclusive interactive applications that allow viewers to communicate with friends and family while watching the film:
o My Scenes Sharing: Share your favorite clips with friends through BD-Live™ Internet discussions.
o Bourne Card Battle Strategy Game.
• Additional extras:
o My Scenes
o The Ludlum Identity: An extraordinary portrait of the best-selling author through archival interviews with friends, colleagues, family members and Ludlum himself.
o The Ludlum Supremacy: Who is Jason Bourne? A revealing look at how Bourne was born.
o The Ludlum Ultimatum: A fascinating examination of the Bourne character and his enduring audience appeal.
o The Birth of the Bourne Identity
o Deleted and Extended Scenes (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Alternate Opening and Ending: With an introduction by producer Frank Marshall, screenwriter Tony Gilroy and actor Brian Cox. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o The Bourne Mastermind: Robert Ludlum: A fascinating new look at the late Robert Ludlum, the bestselling novelist who created the “Bourne” trilogy. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Access Granted: An exclusive interview with screenwriter Tony Gilroy on the challenges of adapting Ludlum's 500-page book for the screen. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o From Identity to Supremacy – Jason & Marie: This feature includes exclusive interviews with Matt Damon and Franka Potente which explore the making of The Bourne Identity - and build a bridge to the spectacular sequel, The Bourne Supremacy. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o The Bourne Diagnosis: Insights into the causes and effects of Jason Bourne’s struggle with amnesia from a UCLA psychologist. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Cloak and Dagger: In this feature, CIA liaison officer Chase Brandon delivers a detailed, real-world analysis of the making of a super-spy. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Inside a Fight Sequence: Join Matt Damon on the set as he and the film’s Stunt Choreographer map out the explosive action-packed U.S. Embassy fight sequence. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Moby “Extreme Ways” Music Video (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Feature Commentary with Director Doug Liman (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
THE BOURNE SUPREMACY
FILM SYNOPSIS:
When his lover is murdered and he is framed for the assassination of a fellow agent, Jason Bourne finds himself on the run again. But as he closes in on his girlfriend’s killers, he realizes his former handlers are back on his trail. After his fingerprints are found at the scene of a murder in Berlin, an ambitious CIA operative (Joan Allen) becomes determined to stop him once and for all. Haunted by debilitating fragmented memories as he navigates the labyrinth of international espionage, Bourne (Matt Damon) must outwit, outmaneuver and outmuscle some of the most powerful forces in the world just to survive.
BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE:
§ Exclusive U-Control: Universal’s exclusive signature feature U-Control allows viewers to delve into the making of the film with the click of the remote without ever leaving the movie. While you watch the movie, immerse yourself in the character dossiers and location analyses, and explore the technology behind the spy gadgets through visuals and 3-D animations.
o Picture in Picture
o Bourne Orientation
o Bourne Card Battle Strategy Game
o Bourne Dossier
• BD-Live™: Blu-ray™ and Playstation3 players with an Internet connection can access exclusive interactive applications that allow viewers to communicate with friends and family while watching the film:
o My Scenes Sharing: Share your favorite clips with friends through BD-Live™ Internet discussions.
o Bourne Card Battle Strategy Game.
• Additional extras:
o My Scenes
o Scoring with John Powell: A special look at creating the pulse-pounding score for the movie. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o The Bourne Mastermind: Robert Ludlum: A fascinating new look at the late Robert Ludlum, the bestselling novelist who created the “Bourne” trilogy.
o The Bourne Diagnosis Part Two: Insights into the causes and effects of Jason Bourne’s struggle with amnesia from a UCLA psychologist.
o Feature Commentary with Paul Greengrass (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Explosive Deleted Scenes (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Matching Identities: Casting – See what it took to land a key role in this major action hit. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Keeping It Real – A look at the edgy and kinetic visual style the filmmakers brought to Supremacy. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Blowing Things Up – Virtual isn’t always better. See how some of the film’s most awesome pyrotechnical sequences were created—without digital effects. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o On the Move with Jason Bourne – Travel the globe to visit the film’s exotic locations from India to Berlin to Moscow. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Bourne to Be Wild: Fight Training – Matt Damon didn’t become a lethal weapon overnight. Witness the action as the star and the movie’s fight trainer perfect the film’s thrilling hand-to-hand combat scenes! (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Crash Cam: Racing Through the Streets of Moscow – Experience how stunt coordinators meticulously planned and executed the movie’s stunning, high-speed chase sequence. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o The Go-Mobile Revs Up the Action – Feel the rush of being in the driver’s seat with this revolutionary new vehicle used to capture Matt Damon’s high-speed exploits in the film’s jaw-dropping car chase sequences! (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Anatomy of a Scene: The Explosive Bridge Chase Scene – Step onto the set and experience the tension and intense preparation as the filmmaking team plans and shoots one of the movie’s most demanding, dangerous and thrilling action scenes. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
FILM SYNOPSIS:
All he wanted was to disappear. Instead, Jason Bourne (Damon) is now hunted by the people who made him what he is. Having lost his memory and the one person he loved, Bourne has only one objective: to go back to the beginning and find out who he was. Now, Bourne will hunt down his past in order to find a future. He must travel from Moscow, Paris and London to Tangier and New York City as he continues his quest to uncover the truth behind his mysterious past—all the while trying to outwit a new generation of highly-trained assassins as well as the relentless CIA operatives who will stop at nothing to prevent him from learning his true identity.
BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE:
§ Exclusive U-Control: Universal’s exclusive signature feature U-Control allows viewers to delve into the making of the film with the click of the remote without ever leaving the movie. While you watch the movie, immerse yourself in the character dossiers and location analyses, and explore the technology behind the spy gadgets through visuals and 3-D animations.
o Picture in Picture
o Bourne Orientation
o Be Bourne Spy Training – Viewers test their skills to see if they’ve got what it takes to be a covert operative.
o Bourne Card Battle Strategy Game
o Blackbriar Files: While you watch the movie, immerse yourself in the character dossiers and location analyses, and explore the technology behind the spy gadgets through visuals and 3D animations.
• BD-Live™: Blu-ray™ and Playstation3 players with an Internet connection can access exclusive interactive applications that allow viewers to communicate with friends and family while watching the film:
o My Scenes Sharing: Share your favorite clips with friends through BD-Live™ Internet discussions.
o Bourne Card Battle Strategy Game.
• Additional extras:
o My Scenes
o Man on the Move: Jason Bourne – From Berlin to Tangier, see how the film’s exotic locations influenced the filmmaking process. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Rooftop Pursuit – Discover how state-of-the-art technology was used to film the incredible Tangier rooftop chase scene! (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Planning the Punches – Matt Damon reveals his complex and rigorous fight training. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Driving School – Join Matt Damon behind the wheel as he trains for the New York car chase scene. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o New York Chase – An insider’s view on how the film’s heart-stopping chase sequences were filmed. (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Feature Commentary with Director Paul Greengrass (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
o Deleted Scenes (Available on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD)
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Matty took time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions.
1) With the DC Universe constantly expanding and taking on new properties like the Milestone Universe & Red Circle comics, is there a chance we’ll see action figures based on these characters? Does your current agreement with DC Comics include new characters? Or is this something that needs to be discussed with DC Comics?
Not at this time. Our license agreement is only for the DC Universe proper, not Red Circle and Milestone characters.
2) On DC Universe Classics female figures, Four Horsemen’s original sculpts seem to have the correct female muscle tone, but when they go to product, a lot of muscle is missing. Power Girl was a step up from previous female figures, but Katma Tui is a step backwards. She’s too skinny and her legs don’t seem to support her own weight. Meanwhile, MOTU Teela has perfect muscle tone. Can you tell us what happens from sculpt to production that makes this happen? And will this be fixed with the female figures going forward?
A lot of this has to do with the tooling process. We’ll pass this comment onto design and see what we can do about address future female. We do aim to please!
3) Some fans may feel on various message boards concerning action figures they see several fans clamoring for a reboot of (insert action figure line here). Some popular examples include Thundercats, Bravestarr, and Silverhawk. Yet they feel there's no real way to have a direct impact and to show Mattel how much fan desire there is for their favorite line. Would you consider researching and possibly offering a public, official, Mattel "petition" so to speak through mattycollector.com where you provide a link for fans to officially and accurately ascribe some form of credentials to something so the company can get an actual raw number from direct fan interest as one means of determining if acquiring a license is viable?
We actually can not comment on the acquisition of new properties. We love reading comments on fan boards, though!
4) Which MOTU/POP and DC Comics character, which has not yet appeared, is especially popular in your company? Whom would you like to see as a figure?
Buzz Off, Man-E-Face and Spikor are pretty popular around here. In the POP world, Frosta, Catra and the Star Sisters would be great. For DCU, Legion of Superheroes, WWII characters and Kamandi are personal favorites of Toy Guru!
At the end of the day, tooling availability, spreading out A list characters and licensor approvals all come into play with character selection. Just because our design team likes a figure, does not guarantee it makes it into the line. We also look A LOT at fan requests online for inspiration!
5) What happened to the Proto-Suit Dark Knight figure? Is this line going to continue?
Survival Suit Bruce Wayne has just moved to December. The figures will pick up from there one per month on Mattycollector.com. Shipping issues prevented him from going on sale in November as planned. This was a last minute change.
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