COMIC REVIEW: 28 Days Later # 7 (BOOM! Studios)

The story of Britain after the infected have taken over continues in BOOM! Studios' 28 Days Later #7. Michael Alan Nelson and Declan Shalvey return as writer and artist, with Tim Bradstreet and Sean Phillips on cover duty. Selena and crew are fighting to survive and find help for Derrick. In this issue, they encounter fellow survivors who send them on a hunt for supplies, but Selena and Clint find themselves on a completely different mission.




This issue was a great continuation of the first 6 issues, and I thought it fell in well with the films. It's a title that I look forward to reading to see what happens to the characters. So often in film prequels/sequel comics the stories are, shall we say, less than stellar. Not so with this title. Nelson creates a story that makes me care about the characters, more so than seeing the infected, much like Walking Dead. That's what makes a good zombie story to me, when it's more about the survivors.

If you liked the movies or if you are just a fan of a good zombie/survivor story to read, pick this up. It's another great title from BOOM!

Stacey Rader
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COMIC REVIEW: We Will Bury You (IDW)

What do you get when you mix flappers, a secret affair, and zombies? Heroes star Brea Grant, her brother Zane, and artist Kyle Strahm give us the answer in IDW's We Will Bury You. I am always up for a good zombie story, especially an anachronistic zombie story, so I was very excited to read this one. But does this zombie tale rise above the hordes of zombie titles already out there




Sometimes when you see a TV or movie personality's name on a book, it can mean that it's not so great. In this case, however, it's not true. Brea and her brother have written an interesting twist on the old zombie story by setting it against the turmoil of the Roaring 20s. Mirah, a dime-a-dance girl, is stuck married to Henry. Henry is not so fond of women, or at least he's not so keen on the value of women. And that's fine, since Mirah has another iron in the fire. On top of that, people are starting to riot in the streets, but this isn't any ordinary riot.

Ben Templesmith's cover art is a great introduction to this title, and Kyle Strahm's art complements the story. His zombies are grainy and gory, and I loved the fly that flew throughout the book. As the story progressed, the fly became more flies based on the zombie action.

This title is definitely one to watch. It's a well-written tale that I'm excited to see as it develops. Pick it up at your local comic shop, and prepare to be buried in this story.

Stacey Rader
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COMIC NEWS: Today, We Will Bury You

Zombie epidemic sweeps 1920s New York City in all-new series

Co-written by Heroes star Brea Grant and in stores now

Signing at Desert Island Comics this Friday


In 1920s New York City, life is hard — and then the zombies appear. Actress Brea Grant (Heroes, Halloween II) and her brother, Zane, weave a historical horror in We Will Bury You, available today in comic stores everywhere and in digital form for the Sony PSP tomorrow. The four-issue series follows two unlikely heroines from the margins of society as they fight to survive and battle the spreading zombie infection. Desert Island Comics in Brooklyn, NY, will host the sibling team for a signing of their first comic this Friday, February 26th at 7 p.m.

“Zane and I have been working together on music or other creative endeavors for a long time,” said Brea Grant. “We have a similar sense of the world, sense of humor and work ethic, so it just really works out.”

We Will Bury You is set during the Roaring Twenties, a time of great change for American society. The Grants add the chaos of zombies to this already challenging era to create an ingenious new horror story that offers an engaging look at the human condition.

“Besides the aesthetic of the Roaring Twenties being a great and underused environment for horror, there were a lot of big changes going on during that time period,” said Zane Grant. “The country was divided in a lot of complicated ways that are still relevant today.”

Artist Kyle Strahm provides the series’ stark images, with covers by Ben Templesmith (Wormwood), Eisner-winner Nate Powell, Trevor Hutchison (Transformers: All Hail Megatron) and Nathan Fox (DMZ).

“We wanted someone who could conceptualize both the beauty of the era and the grotesque nature of the zombies,” added Brea. “Kyle’s [We Will Bury You #1 sample art]portfolio had these amazing, scary monsters alongside futuristic images and realistic faces. Everything he draws feels a little mystical, yet bizarre. He has no trouble showing the sickening nature of what we were visualizing.”

Issue #1 debuts today, February 24th, and sets the stage for disaster, introducing the series protagonists and painting a historically accurate picture of this pivotal time. The series is available both in print and digital formats. We Will Bury You #1 on the PSP will also feature audio commentary from the Grants, discussing the process of creating such a unique story.

“Brea and Zane have crafted a compelling story with a unique take on the zombie subgenre,” commented IDW editor Denton J. Tipton. “Their shared love for the comics medium really shines through, as does their understanding of dramatic storytelling, all delivered with a distinctive voice.”


We Will Bury You #1 (of 4; $3.99; 32 page) is now available in stores. Diamond order code DEC09 0924.

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DVD NEWS: Writer Steve Niles Infuses Horror Into the Super Hero Realm with First-Ever Animated Take on "The Spectre"

Inaugural DC Showcase short appears on Blu-ray/DVD
release of Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths




Renowned horror/comics writer Steve Niles adds his special touch of terror to the first-ever animated version of The Spectre, the initial entry in the DC Showcase series of animated shorts. The Spectre is being distributed February 23 by Warner Home Video as part of the Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Blu-ray/DVD.


Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) is the screenwriter of The Spectre, which is being distributed February 23 by Warner Home Video as part of the Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Blu-ray/DVD.

From the creative forces behind the DC Universe animated original PG-13 movies, DC Showcase puts the spotlight on favorite characters from throughout the annals of DC Comics in fascinating, short-form tales sure to entertain longtime and new fans alike.

The Spectre focuses on a detective story with an ethereal twist, featuring the otherworldly character originally introduced by DC Comics in 1940. The voice cast is led by Gary Cole (Entourage) as the title character and Alyssa Milano (Charmed) as Aimee Brenner.


The Spectre makes his animated debut as the title character in the inaugural entry within the DC Showcase series of animation shorts. Gary Cole (Entourage) provides the voice of The Spectre, which is being distributed February 23 by Warner Home Video as part of the Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Blu-ray/DVD.

Niles is one of the comtemporary writers responsible for bringing horror comics back to prominence. Named by Fangoria magazine as one of it’s 13 rising talents who promise to keep us terrified for the next 25 years, Niles is currently working for seemingly all of the top American comic publishers. His current ongoing series is “Simon Dark” for DC Comics with artist Scott Hampton, and “Batman: Gotham After Midnight” with artist Kelley Jones.

In 2002, the success of his “30 Days of Night” sparked renewed interest in the horror genre, and was developed as a major motion picture with Sam Raimi producing and David Slade directing. Niles co-wrote the screenplay. The film debuted as the No. 1 movie at the domestic box office. Also in development are adaptations of Wake the Dead with director Jay Russell, and Criminal Macabre and The Lurkers.

Niles got his start in the industry when he formed his own publishing company called Arcane Comix, where he published, edited and adapted several comics and anthologies for Eclipse Comics. His adaptations include works by Clive Barker, Richard Matheson and Harlan Ellison. IDW released a hardcover and softcover collection of Niles' adaptation of Richard Matheson's “I Am Legend.”

Niles has been nominated for multiple Eisner Comic industry awards and was the recipient of two Spike TV Scream Awards for Best Horror comic and Best Comic Adaptation. He also won the Scribe Award for Best Original Novel in 2007.

Currently his graphic novel “Freaks of the Heartland” is being developed for film by David Gordon Green. Niles is also writing a major videogame property that will soon be announced.

Niles took a pause from his daily marathon writing schedule to chat about The Spectre. Here’s what he had to say …


QUESTION:
How familiar with The Spectre were you entering this project?

STEVE NILES:
My knowledge of The Spectre was fairly minimal. I had done a series called Batman Gotham County Line, where I had used a few of the supernatural characters. For that writing, I looked at Dr. Fate and Spectre, but in that case, I went with Phantom Stranger.

Within six months, I got a call from Todd Casey at Warner Bros. Animation asking if I’d be interested in writing this short, and that’s when I got really interested in him – and he does fascinate me now. I dove headfirst into all of the 1970s Spectre stuff, and the more I read, and the more I talked to Bruce Timm about the him, the more I fell in love with the character. Judge, jury, executioner. He kills. I wish I had been more into the character before because he’s perfect for me.


Detective Corrigan has a slight edge on most investigators in The Spectre, the first entry within the DC Showcase series of animation shorts. The Spectre is being distributed February 23 by Warner Home Video as part of the Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Blu-ray/DVD.

QUESTION:
So The Spectre really hits home for you?

STEVE NILES:
I have a big affection for crime and noir, and a big affection for horror, and The Spectre is the one character that I can literally combine them. He can be a detective when I need him and, then, when he gets the confession out of you, I can have him kill you. He’s very Ditko-esque, or even a kind of Rorschach. But I like The Spectre better in that, because he’s a dead guy and he’s haunted, you trust his judgment a little more. You figure he’s justified. That’s why Batman doesn’t kill – he can’t judge a living peson. But this is a guy who is dead, he knows how the system works, he understands the ramifications, so he figures he can save us all a dime … and kill them with a muscle car.

I remember as a kid reading The Spectre comic and the true fun of it was that this guy had a flair for the ironic in his retribution. There was this issue where a hairdresser gets killed by giant scissors. I loved that so much. It makes it such fun to write a character who gets to look into each bad guy, see what makes them work, and then turn that on them. It’s like he gets to give them a little taste of hell before he sends them to hell.


QUESTION:
You’ve worked in a number of mediums, but this is the first time in animation. How did that experience compare to comics, film, etc.?

STEVE NILES:
I loved it. I find it really liberating working in other people’s sandboxes. Tell me what your rules are, and I can stay there and have fun, instead of just staring at a blank piece of paper. It was fun working with Alan (Burnett) and Bruce (Timm) and bouncing ideas off them. They say “too much dialogue,” I say “Okay, cut it out.” There can be no ego in this writing. And it was probably the easiest time I’ve ever had writing something. I’ve had lots of fun writing movies and comics, but this was just plain fun. The worst part of the whole experience was that we had to lose one of the killings, but that was no big deal. And that’s as bad as it got.


A bit of romantic history flows between Detective Corrigan and Aimee Brenner in The Spectre, the inaugural entry within the DC Showcase series of animation shorts. Gary Cole (Entourage) and Alyssa Milano (Charmed) provide the voices of Detective Corrigan and Aimee Brenner, respectively. The Spectre is being distributed February 23 by Warner Home Video as part of the Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Blu-ray/DVD.

QUESTION:
“No ego”? But you must still feel a certain amount of pride to finally earn your first “written by” credit for The Spectre?

STEVE NILES:
Even 30 Days of Night was a “story by” credit and I had the “script” credit divided with three other people. This is the first time, love it or hate it, that I can watch the film and say, “That’s my freaking dialogue.” The Spectre is the most complete thing I’ve ever had go from script to screen, and that in itself is really exciting for me. Being able to see what you write actually get onto the screen is phenomenal and so hard in movies.


QUESTION:
Did you work closely with Bruce Timm on this project?

STEVE NILES:
I’ve been a fan of Bruce Timm for years, and we had never had an opportunity to meet. Ironically, I was doing last minute edits on the script on the way to Seattle for a Con and he was sitting right next to me – and that was the first time we met. He’s as big a nerd as me. We like the same comics, we both love the 70s … we’re both fans of guys like Herb Trimpe, Frank Robbins, Sal Buscema, Jack Kirby. We do the classic geek stuff, sitting around and talk about this stuff, and buying comics we’ve already bought before. Right now I’m on a major Spectre binge, buying every damn Spectre I can get my hands on. The Golden Age art looks insane, but fortunately the prices on those will keep me in check.


QUESTION:
Will viewers find Steve Niles’ fingerprints all over this script?

STEVE NILES:
There’s a lot of me in this script, and people that know me will see that quickly and throughout. If I could do a comics series called “Monsters and Muscle Cars,” I’d be a happy guy. I have a 1973 Nova that I keep running. When I’m not writing, I’m out driving in that. I love that damn car.

I also have a big love for noir, so there’s an homage to, say, speech patterns that sound like Fred MacMurray from Double Indemnity. This script offered some great opportunities to throw a lot of this stuff I love into it. As well as to take a nice swipe at Hollywood greed, which is such an easy target, but still fun. The people who know me who have seen it say “Geez, why didn’t you just put yourself into it.” I guess I should’ve just had the Spectre kill me.


QUESTION:
Did Warner Bros. ever curtail your freedom in creation?

STEVE NILES:
The funny thing is that I was going to be more restrained. I thought, “Well, I can’t rip heads off.” And they were saying, “No, come on. Let’s see what you’ve got.” I think people will be surprised at how actually scary this thing is. It’s a good little horror story.

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DVD NEWS: Gina Torres puts a sexy spin on evil as Superwoman in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

Gina Torres mixes equal parts evil, sexy and powerful of conjure the hypnotic voice of Superwoman in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, an all-new DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movie arriving TODAY, 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 puts the balance of all existence in peril. Torres plays Superwoman, the evil doppelganger to Wonder Woman and one of the leaders of the powerful Crime Syndicate.



Torres had an unanticipated assist in bringing about the powerful, yet sultry voice of Superwoman, coming into the booth in the final days of a bad flu that slightly lowered her vocal range and added a smoky sexiness to the outstanding performance. Even more impressive is her perfect match with the voice of Owlman, James Woods – considering the two actors recorded on opposite coasts, weeks apart, and have never met each other.

She is well known throughout the fanboy realm for her standout roles in Joss Whedon’s Firefly/Serenity and Angel, her performance at Cas in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, as well as 28 episodes in Cleopatra 2525. Torres has since been a mainstay across primetime television with recurring roles on 24, Alias and Standoff, in addition to guest appearances in CSI, Without a Trace, Boston Legal, Bones, Eli Stone, Pushing Daisies, Criminal Minds, Dirty Sexy Money, The Unit, FlashForward, Gossip Girl and The Vampire Diaries, to name just a few.

Torres has also spent some time in the animated world, working with Warner Bros. Animation as Vixen on Justice League.


Gina Torres (Serenity/Firefly) is the voice of Superwoman 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)

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 Blu-Ray™ and Special Edition 2-disc version DVD, as well as single disc DVD, On Demand and For Download.

Torres spent a few minutes after her recording session – and last week during the Los Angeles premiere of the film at the Paley Center for Media – to chat about her performance as Superwoman, the importance of strong female role models, the acting strengths of Whedon alums, her childhood obsession with Wonder Woman, and the fun of allowing her evil side to come out and play. Listen up … or else.


Superwoman flies into battle in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, the next DC Universe animated original movie. Gina Torres provides the voice of Superwoman. The film will be distributed February 23, 2010 by Warner Home Video.

QUESTION:
As you stepped into the sound booth to voice Superwoman, were you actually feeling wickedly sexy, delightfully cruel and ultimately powerful … or was that all just acting?

GINA TORRES
I'm so glad they called me to do Superwoman, (she laughs) because I was in the mood to get back in there and be a badass. Superwoman is one of those super heroes that knows her power, and is very comfortable in her power. And it's all cat – it's no mouse with her. She likes to bat around her prey and she really enjoys what she's doing.

In the booth, you sort of have to become this person. When you're not on stage with other actors and you're not on camera, you really get to free up your body and do all kinds of things that maybe aren't as pretty on camera. You get to have a good time getting your whole body involved in the interpretation.


QUESTION:
Have you ever had a relationship with comic books?

GINA TORRES
Do the Archies count? (laughs) I was a big Archie fan. I love Veronica – I want to look like Veronica. Betty was great, but Veronica was the girl. And that whole “Sugar, Sugar” (singing) thing was great. I'm telling my age – I'm really only 28. My sister is older (laughs). I was listening to her 45s.

I don't want to disappoint any comic book fans out there, but I'm a girl so I really wasn't reading the super hero comic books much. But it's done great things for my marriage. The husband loved the idea of me playing Superwoman. And my girlfriends said, “Well, that's just kind of you every day, isn't it?” So I’m happy.


Superwoman can’t decide whether to kiss or kill Batman in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, the next DC Universe animated original movie. Gina Torres and William Baldwin provide the voices of Superwoman and Batman, respectively. The film will be distributed February 23, 2010 by Warner Home Video.

QUESTION:
So there was no super hero role playing games when you were a kid?

GINA TORRES
I absolutely played Wonder Woman when I was a kid. I had the lasso, the whole bracelet thing, I even had my twirl down. I just knew that I was going to be taken back to Paradise Island, because that's really where I belonged. I was this small little Amazon just waiting to express myself, waiting for my true mother to come and get me. (laughs)


QUESTION:
Can you give me an idea of what Superwoman’s motivations are in this film?


GINA TORRES
Let's see. Superwoman is motivated by power and money and sex, and sex and money and power. Who can’t relate to that?


QUESTION:
Good answer. Not that Superwoman is a role model, but do you feel like women have enough super hero representation these days?

GINA TORRES
What do you mean Superwoman is not a role model? Isn't she a role model? She rules the world (laughs). She's Superwoman! (laughs). What I love about super heroes, and Superwoman in particular, is that in that comics world they're all curvaceous. There aren't really any skinny bitches in the world of comic books. They've got muscle. I like that. I appreciate that. They're strong. And it's important to have strong images of women out there, women who aren't afraid of expressing themselves, women who aren't afraid of taking chances, women who aren't afraid of their own power. Unfortunately, being a woman in society means that sometimes you have to sort of quell what is instinctually broad and magnificent and magical about you. I think a lot of people feel that way. I don't know if that's necessarily relegated to being a woman, because we're all so worried about fitting in and not sticking out. So what's great about this whole genre is that it's all about sticking out. It's all about being magnificent to the highest power.


QUESTION:
You're a terribly nice person by everyone's perception. What’s your trick for turning on the villainy in a performance?

GINA TORRES
Oh, there is no trick to capturing villainy. (laughs) The rumor is that I'm a nice person. I love that rumor. Everybody has different sides to them. Everybody has that inner villain that you want to break out and express. It's a good time going out there and letting her come out. Lock good Gina in the closet … and have evil Gina come out and play.


QUESTION:
You've been in this universe before, most notably as Vixen for Justice League. Do you have an attraction to the medium or just when the situation presents itself?

GINA TORRES
I love voiceover work. It's wonderful, it's expressive. It's a way of using a part of my instrument that I'm comfortable and familiar with. The voice is such a vital part of crafting a character. I'm so pleased that I have the kind of voice that prints well and that people want to hear. I've had friends actually say, “You know, I was in the kitchen, and the television was on and I heard you.” I love hearing that there's something familiar about my sound, and that to some people it's soothing.


Superwoman (voiced by Gina Torres) and one of her Made Men ponder what to do with a beaten Batman 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.

QUESTION:
The DC Universe animated original movies have been blessed with numerous members of the Joss Whedon alumni association – from Adam Baldwin and Nathan Fillion to David Boreanaz and James Marsters, to name just a few. Is there something about the Joss experience that lends itself to this universe?

GINA TORRES:
Joss has an attraction to a certain kind of actor. Obviously, we're all so very different in our own way. But when he's choosing a world, he really does inhabit it quite completely. I mean, it is an entire universe. It is a Whedonverse, which is why I believe he's so successful when he creates these worlds that one can get lost in. All the inhabitants in it require, without sounding self-serving, a kind of intellectual whimsy. You have to understand where you are and be true to it and at the same time let it go and let it fly and enjoy it for what it is – for the maniacal, for the fantasy, for the tragedy of it. I think all of these actors have lent themselves to these kinds of projects because we've been in that place. And so we can come here and say, “Yeah let's have fun. I know where we are and let's just go and have a good time.”


QUESTION:
You’ve got significant sci-fi fantasy experience. Is that by choice or happenstance?

GINA TORRES
I would say that I was dragged into the sci-fi genre. (laughs) I wouldn't say kicking and screaming. I actually went willingly. But it wasn't something that I sought out. I grew up in New York, born and raised, and cut my teeth in the theatre. I did a lot of off-Broadway, and some Broadway. Sci-fi was certainly not where I thought I'd be making my bread and butter for this period of time. It's been a pleasant surprise, certainly. I find that it's a niche that I'm comfortable with. What else are you going to do with a strong, almost six-foot girl? Give her a gun. Give her superpowers. (laughs) And you give her a hefty belt with things attached to it. Yeah!


QUESTION:
Can you quantify the passion of the fanboys out there?

GINA TORRES
That passion of the fanboy is immeasurable. And it is priceless. And it is necessary when you're doing these things because you don’t quite realize while you’re doing the work that you're in a bubble. And it's not until you're released into the world that you realize that you're making an impact and that you're making somebody's day brighter and someone's universe broader. It is great fun to be confronted with these guys and gals.


For more information, images and updates, please visit the film’s official website at www.JUSTICELEAGUECRISIS.com.
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COMIC NEWS: The Last Unicorn Launches at WonderCon

The six-issue miniseries of Peter S. Beagle’s enduring tale to debut with
exclusive WonderCon cover


Peter S. Beagle's acclaimed and enchanting fantasy, The Last Unicorn, has delighted fans for more than forty years. Now, IDW Publishing is pleased to launch The Last Unicorn comic book adaptation of Beagle's acclaimed novel at WonderCon, one of the country’s leading comics and pop culture conventions, held April 2nd through the 4th in San Francisco. Under the close direction of Beagle himself, writer Peter B. Gillis, illustrator Renae De Liz and her husband, colorist Ray Dillon, have all joined forces with IDW to capture the depth of this heartfelt story. Beagle will be a guest of WonderCon and host a panel to discuss his famous story. A signing at the IDW booth with an exclusive variant cover number one issue will follow.

“I’m delighted that IDW is doing this adaptation of my book,” says Beagle, “and by the real effort everyone there has made to stay true to what I wrote. Together with the creative team of Peter, Renae, and Ray, they are achieving something I honestly hadn’t believed possible and I cannot wait to debut it at WonderCon.”

The Last Unicorn was originally published in 1968 and became an instant classic, selling more than five million copies worldwide. Beagle created some of the most delightful and real characters in modern fantasy fiction, and also wrote the screenplay for the incredibly popular animated film that was adapted from his novel.

By turns darkly humorous and deeply moving, The Last Unicorn follows what may be the very last unicorn on her journey to discover what happened to the rest of her kind. The unicorn encounters a magical cast of both good and evil characters during her quest, as she explores a world transformed by the lack of unicorns, and by the selfish disillusionment of a king.


The Last Unicorn #1 (of 6, $3.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available in stores in April 2010. Diamond order code FEB10 0936.



About IDW Publishing

IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro's The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount's Star Trek; Fox's Angel; the BBC's Doctor Who; and television's #1 prime time series CBS' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; YOE Books, a partnership with YOE! Studios; and is the print publisher for ComicMix.

IDW's original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com. Read more...

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COMIC NEWS: DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES THE ODDLY COMPELLING ART OF DENIS KITCHEN OUT THIS JUNE!

Collection brings Kitchen, the artist, to the forefront

Introduction by Neil Gaiman and essay by Charles Brownstein

"I think ‘Oddly Compelling’ is a very good title for a book of Denis Kitchen's work, and describes it very well." — R. Crumb


A well-known personality in the comics world, Denis Kitchen has worn many hats: as a longtime publisher, founder of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, book author and literary and art agent. But his career as a pioneering underground comix artist has been overdue for rediscovery.

First announced for publication from his own Kitchen Sink Press over 20 years ago, but never produced, The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen is the first collection of work by the underground cartoonist and acclaimed publishing pioneer. In addition to his comix, this book features a wealth of unpublished material: paintings, covers for underground newspapers and comix, rare strips and illustrations and historic photos of Kitchen and many of his contemporaries.

Acclaimed writer Neil Gaiman provides a funny and insightful introduction and an essay by Charles Brownstein (Eisner/Miller) provides context and a career overview.

The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen finally brings Kitchen the artist to the stage. This compendium includes approximately two hundred illustrations, most unseen since their original publication in the late '60s and '70s, many not seen even by serious comix fans.

“I always thought it was rather a shame that Kitchen became a publisher and businessman to the neglect of his artistic talent …he was a gifted and exceptional artist …I think his downfall was women …the big sap!” — R. Crumb

Designed by John Lind, winner of a 2009 American Graphic Design Award for his work on Underground Classics, The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen will appeal to fans of underground comix and comics history and will allow a new generation to discover Kitchen's curious body of work.

The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen is a full color, 200 page, 9x12 hardcover priced at $34.99.

Currently offered in this month's Previews catalog with a Diamond Code of FEB100040. The book goes on sale June 9, 2010.

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TOY NEWS: STORMTROOPER SUPER SHOGUN

Super7 announces full product details and a new website for the company's first collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd.: the highly anticipated Star Wars Stormtrooper Super Shogun.


Children growing up in the 70s and 80s had their lives touched by two pop culture phenomena: the Star Wars saga and Jumbo Machinder toys (marketed in the US as Shogun Warriors). Acclaimed toy design firm Super7 has combined Star Wars characters with the towering Japanese Super Robot aesthetic to create a collectible that could only have been imagined in the past. This marks the first authentic Super Shogun produced in over twenty-five years.

The Star Wars Stormtrooper Super Shogun stands a whopping 24 inches tall, and includes all of the features that you expect from an authentic Jumbo: free rotating wheels on the bottom of his feet, and a spring-loaded Rocket Punch firing fist. Utilizing the same techniques implemented by Japanese toy manufacturers in the 1970s, the Super Shogun is constructed from durable, blow-molded polyethylene with a painted vinyl helmet. The figure is articulated at the neck and shoulders, and includes a removable, highly-detailed BlasTech E-11 laser blaster, which even features a posable stock that unfolds from below the barrel. Collectors of both Japanese and Star Wars memorabilia are sure to be impressed with the care taken to fuse the disparate concepts into one unique entity.

Packaged in a dynamically illustrated gift box, each Stormtrooper is individually serial numbered as part of this one-time limited edition production run. As a special bonus, metallic foil stickers are included to allow fans the option to customize the torso with the character name in English or in Japanese.

Star Wars collector and Lucasfilm's Head of Fan Relations Steve Sansweet says he can't wait to get his hands on one. "I collected both Shogun Warriors and Star Wars toys, and to me this is the perfect mash-up. I've been following this piece since I saw the first internal prototype, and its awesome size and cool features (a firing fist!) along with its limited availability put this high up on the must-have list."

Tom Franck, renowned Japanese toy expert and possessor of one of the largest collections of Jumbo Machinders in the world, remarked "Toys like this just aren't made anymore and it would be easy to produce a modern-era product that is similar to the original Jumbo Machinder line in name only. Throughout the prototyping and manufacturing process, Super7 has stayed true to the distinct aesthetics of the Jumbo Machinders. It is so exciting to see the return of a classic, and I cannot wait to add it to my collection."

In celebration of the impending release, a dedicated mini-website has launched at STARWARS.SUPER7.COM containing additional product specifications, photos, and more. The home page features a countdown clock highlighting the date that the first preorders will begin being accepted online. The site will be updated regularly and will serve as the headquarters for all future Super7-Lucasfilm collaborations.

OFFICIAL SUPER SHOGUN SITE







ABOUT SUPER7
Founded in 2001 as a magazine devoted to the obsessive-compulsive world of Japanese toy collecting, Super7 embarked on a mission to become the premiere outlet for information and reference for the obscure oddities of the toy universe The success of the magazine immediately led to Super7 collaborating with Japanese toy manufacturers to create exclusive toys and various special editions, evolving overtime to Super7 designing and manufacturing its own collectible toys.

Super7's philosophy is to make products- toys, books, magazines, T-shirts, and even their own retail store in San Francisco- that its collector founders would want, resulting in Super7's products being recognized by fans as original, unique, and most of all, genuine.

ABOUT LUCASFILM LTD
Lucasfilm Ltd is one of the world's leading film and entertainment companies. Founded by George Lucas in 1971, it is a privately held, fully integrated entertainment company.

In addition to its motion-picture and television production operations, the company's global activities include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, serving the digital needs of the entertainment industry for visual effects and audio post-production, LucasArts, a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems and PC; Lucasfilm Animation, and Lucas Licensing, which manages the global merchandising activities for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties Additionally, Lucas Online creates internet-based content for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties and businesses

Lucasfilm's motion-picture productions include five of the 20 biggest box-office hits of all time and have received 19 Oscars Together, the company has been honored with 41 Academy Awards and 107 Oscar nominations, while its television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards Read more...

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COMIC NEWS: Hero Initiative auction and Tom Brevoort "Trade books"

INITIATIVE AUCTIONS OFF TOM BREVOORT ‘TAKE MY TRADE’ BOOKS

Yea, verily! Almost 50 Stan Lee-signed books on eBay!

The trading is over…so let the bidding begin!


Marvel Comics Editor Tom Brevoort brought trading back into comic collecting with his yearlong “Take My Trade” program that took place on his blog at Marvel.com. Tom wanted to see if he could trade all the way up to a vaunted Fantastic Four #1 if he swung the right deals with fans…and he did! When it was all said and done, Tom decided to donate the books he traded for along the way to a worthy cause—the Hero Initiative.

Hero got Marvel founder Stan Lee—and in some cases, legendary Marvel artist John Romita as well—to autograph all the books, which will be auctioned off starting Monday, February 22, at 1 PM Eastern time. Approximately 10 books per week will be auctioned at via Hero’s eBay page at http://qurls.com?i=48837 until all 48 books are gone!

All books—including the Fantastic Four #1 as well!—have been graded by CGC, Comics Guarantee Corporation, and have encapsulated as part of their prestigious Signature Series. All books will also come with a Certificate of Meaninglessness from Brevoort, noting that they were part of “Take My Trade.”

“It was outstanding and humbling to experience the extreme generosity that comic fans showed both by taking part in this fun little trading event, and by giving far more than they asked for in return. I think that’s a testament to the power of the good work the Hero Initiative has been doing to help comics creators of years past who’ve fallen down on their luck—Marvel fans were much more motivated to participate knowing that the end goal was to give back to some of the talents that entertained us all over the years. Now my great hope is that these books generate a staggering amount of capital to continue that good work—so come on, get in there and bid, generously!” sais Brevoort.





About The Hero Initiative

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354. Read more...

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TV NEWS: Smallville Trailer and Clips

The CW has released a trailer and clips on the upcoming Smallville episode: Conspiracy




Smallville Trailer - Conspiracy



Smallville Webclip - Conspiracy

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COMIC NEWS: Marvel Comics On-Sale 2/24/10

Hey there True Believers, here’s your official list of comic books, collections and posters arriving in comic stores on February 24th, 2010.


For more information on any of these titles, and on upcoming mighty Marvel releases, please visit http://marvel.com/catalog/?date=2010-02-24 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 #622 (GNTLT)
AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #31 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (S)
AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #33 (S)
AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #33 DEADPOOL VARIANT (S)
DARK AVENGERS #13 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (S)
DARK TOWER: THE BATTLE OF JERICHO HILL #4
DARK TOWER: THE BATTLE OF JERICHO HILL #4 KURTH VARIANT
DARK WOLVERINE #82 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (S)
DARK WOLVERINE #83 (S)
DARK WOLVERINE #83 DEADPOOL VARIANT (S)
DEADPOOL #18 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
DEADPOOL #20
DEADPOOL: MERC WITH A MOUTH #7 3RD PRINTING VARIANT
ENDER'S GAME: MAZER IN PRISON SPECIAL #1
FALL OF THE HULKS: RED HULK #2
FANTASTIC FOUR #576
FANTASTIC FOUR #576 DEADPOOL VARIANT
HALO: BLOOD LINE #3
HULK #19 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (FOTHS)
INCREDIBLE HULK #606 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (FOTHS)
IRON MAN VS. WHIPLASH #4
IRON MAN: I AM IRON MAN! #2
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #60
MARVEL PREVIEWS #79 GATEFOLD COVER
MS. MARVEL #50
MS. MARVEL #50 RENAUD VARIANT
NATION X #3
NEW AVENGERS #62 (S)
OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z UPDATE #1
OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #14
REALM OF KINGS INHUMANS #4
SECRET WARRIORS #13
SECRET WARRIORS #13 DEADPOOL VARIANT
SIEGE: EMBEDDED #1 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
SPIDER-MAN: THE CLONE SAGA #6
TALES OF THE DRAGON GUARD #1
TALES OF THE DRAGON GUARD #1 VARIANT
THE MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ #4
THE MARVELS PROJECT #6 EPTING COVER
THE MARVELS PROJECT #6 MCNIVEN COVER
THE MARVELS PROJECT #6 PAREL VARIANT
THOR #607 (S)
THOR #607 DEADPOOL VARIANT (S)
THUNDERBOLTS #141 (S)
ULTIMATE COMICS ENEMY #2
X-FACTOR #202
X-FACTOR #202 DEADPOOL VARIANT
X-FORCE #24 (XN)
X-FORCE #24 CRAIN VARIANT (XN)
X-MEN FOREVER #18
X-MEN LEGACY #233 (XN)
X-MEN LEGACY #233 DEADPOOL VARIANT (XN)

Collections On-Sale:
AVENGERS: THE KORVAC SAGA PREMIERE HC
AVENGERS: THE KORVAC SAGA PREMIERE HC (DM ONLY)
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THEATER OF WAR HC
DAREDEVIL: LONE STRANGER TPB
DEADPOOL & CABLE ULTIMATE COLLECTION BOOK 1 TPB
FANTASTIC FOUR BY JONATHAN HICKMAN VOL. 1 PREMIERE HC
HALO: HELLJUMPER PREMIERE HC
IMMORTAL WEAPONS TPB
INCREDIBLE HERCULES: SACRED INVASION HC
INCREDIBLE HULK VOL. 1: SON OF BANNER PREMIERE HC
LUKE CAGE NOIR PREMIERE HC
MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN/SPIDER-MAN DIGEST
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: CAPTAIN AMERICA VOL. 1 TPB
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: CAPTAIN AMERICA VOL. 1 TPB VARIANT (DM ONLY)
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GOLDEN AGE DARING MYSTERY VOL. 2 HC
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GOLDEN AGE DARING MYSTERY VOL. 2 HC VARIANT (DM ONLY)
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 12 HC
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 12 HC VARIANT (DM ONLY)
MODELS, INC. GN-TPB
NEW AVENGERS VOL. 12: POWERLOSS PREMIERE HC
SPIDER-MAN: ANTI-VENOM TPB
ULTIMATE COMICS IRON MAN ULTIMATE COLLECTION TPB



*FOTHS= Fall of The Hulks tie-in
*GNTLT= Amazing Spider-Man: The Gauntlet tie-in
*S= SIEGE tie-in
*XN= X-Necrosha tie-in





Marvel Entertainment, LLC. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics). Marvel's strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world, including feature films, consumer products, toys, video games, animated television, direct-to-DVD and online. Read more...

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COMIC NEWS: IDW and Twentieth Century Fox L&M Partner on New Comic Book Series Based on "The A-Team"

Two Original Titles Hit Shelves This March In Advance Of Upcoming Feature Film


In anticipation of the summer movie event The A-Team, starting in March, IDW Publishing, in partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising (Fox Licensing), will launch two A-Team comic book series, entitled A-Team: Shotgun Wedding and A-Team: War Stories. The original stories penned and inked by some of the industry’s biggest names, will give fans an in-depth look at the upcoming action-adventure from Twentieth Century Fox – The A-Team – which will hit theatres June 11, 2010. Each series will be available as single issues in March and April, and collected into individual graphic novels in May.

“Like many, I was a huge fan of the original A-Team television series in the 80’s,” said A-Team comic editor and co-writer Tom Waltz. “I’m happy to report, after reading the new movie script, the updated A-Team movie has all the wit, swagger and kick-ass action of the original series, but tells a story much bigger than was possible on the show. For our comics, we’ve worked directly with the filmmakers to build a solidly action-packed foundation for a new generation of A-Team fans.”

“This comic project is the ideal collaboration between the studio, the production, the filmmakers and the publisher maximizing everyone’s talents for the best product. IDW has demonstrated their ability to bring on some of the best writers and artists in the comic book industry and work closely and effectively with all the constituents. The A-Team has a huge following and these comics, much like the upcoming film, contemporize this enormously popular action-adventure franchise and deliver fresh, compelling stories and art to the fans,” said Virginia King, Vice President U.S. Sales for Fox Licensing & Merchandising.

Taking inspiration from the eagerly anticipated feature film – The A-Team – the comic book series provides the back story for the characters in the film and documents several of the team’s first missions. War Stories features four stand-alone, bi-weekly issues that each focus on a different member of the team, offering details of their Desert Storm adventures as Army Rangers before each joins The A-Team.

Co-written by comics great Chuck Dixon (G.I. JOE) and Erik Burnham (Nanovor: Game Day), the series kicks off with Hannibal and B.A. in March, followed [A-Team: War Stories: Hannibal cover]by Face and Murdock in April. Each team member’s story will feature a different artist in order to best bring out every character’s individual personality. Hugo Petrus (Marvel Illustrated) will provide interior art for Hannibal, and Casey Maloney (G.I. JOE: Rise of Cobra) tackles B.A. in March. In April, Alberto Muriel (Legion: Prophets) revives Face, followed by Guiu Vilanova (After the Fire), who delivers Murdock. Fan-favorite artist Michael Gaydos (Alias) will provide covers for every issue.

“I was a devoted A-Team fan from the first episode and love all of these characters. Pure action and excitement,” said Chuck Dixon. “I jumped at the chance to join Erik and work on this property and it's been better than expected. The dialogue and characterizations came so naturally to me, it was scary.”

Also starting in March, A-Team: Shotgun Wedding, a bi-weekly four issue series, gives fans a taste of the team’s missions after they’ve officially formed The A-Team. This original adventure, co-plotted by the movie’s director, Joe Carnahan, and Waltz (who also handles the scripting) follows the team from frigid Alaska to sunny San Diego and onto a wedding cruise that becomes utter chaos. Artist Stephen Mooney (Angel: After the Fall) adds heat to every explosion, while John K. Snyder III offers eye-catching covers.



Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

A-Team: Shotgun Wedding #1 (of 4; $3.99; 32 pages) will be available in stores on March 10, 2010. Diamond order code JAN10 0987.

A-Team: War Stories: Hannibal ($3.99; 32 pages) will be available in stores on March 17, 2010. Diamond order code JAN10 0989.

A-Team: Shotgun Wedding #2 (of 4; $3.99; 32 pages) will be available in stores on March 24, 2010. Diamond order code JAN10 0988.

A-Team: War Stories: B.A. ($3.99; 32 pages) will be available in stores in March 2010. Diamond order code JAN10 0991.

A-Team: Shotgun Wedding #3 (of 4; $3.99; 32 pages) will be available in stores in April 2010.

A-Team: Shotgun Wedding #4 (of 4; $3.99; 32 pages) will be available in stores in April 2010.

A-Team: War Stories: Face ($3.99; 32 pages) will be available in stores in April 2010.

A-Team: War Stories: Murdock ($3.99; 32 pages) will be available in stores in April 2010.

About The A-Team
THE A-TEAM follows the exciting and daring exploits of a colorful team of former Special Forces soldiers who were set up for a crime they did not commit. Going “rogue,” they utilize their unique talents to try and clear their names and find the true culprit. THE A-TEAM in theaters only June 11, 2010.

Liam Neeson, whose many credits include the Oscar-winning “Schindler’s List” and the recent box office hit “Taken,” portrays Hannibal Smith, a master planner of inventive missions requiring split-second timing, unusual skills and a team of incredibly proficient and…eccentric soldiers; Bradley Cooper, who shot to movie superstardom in the smash comedy “The Hangover,” is Templeton “Face” Peck, who can procure anything for the Team’s unorthodox and daring activities; Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, a professional mixed martial artist and a top rated UFC light heavyweight, is B.A. Baracas, the Team’s driver and muscle; and Sharlto Copley, who stars in the surprise summer hit “District 9,” is H.M “Howling Mad” Murdock, a gifted pilot – and certified loon. Jessica Biel (“The Illusionist”) stars as Capt. Charisa Sosa, a former love interest of Face’s, but who’s now relentlessly pursuing the Team for a crime not of their doing. Patrick Wilson (“Watchmen”) is Lynch, a mysterious CIA operative who is a key player in the Team’s most explosive mission.

Joe Carnahan (“Narc,” “Smokin’ Aces”) directs from a screenplay by Skip Woods (“X-Men Origins: Wolverine”), Carnahan, and Carnahan’s writing partner Brian Bloom (writing credit not final), based on the television series “The A-Team.” The producers are Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Jules Daly, Stephen J. Cannell, Alex Young, Iain Smith, and Spike Seldin.


About IDW Publishing

IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renown for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro's The Transformers and G.I. JOE, Paramount's Star Trek; Fox's Angel; the BBC's Doctor Who; and television's #1 prime time series CBS' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studios; and is the print publisher for ComicMix.

IDW's original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.


About Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising
A recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising licenses and markets properties worldwide behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, one of the top suppliers of primetime entertainment programming to the broadcast networks. Read more...

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