Tuesday, April 6, 2010

TOY NEWS: DC COMICS...For the first time ever!

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Brand New To Funko...
Seen By Very Few...
DC Comics!



It looks like 'The Man of Steel' is going soft on us. Funko presents this SUPER squishy, SUPER cute 7" DC Comic plush…Keep the kryptonite far away from this SUPERMAN.
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BATMAN, 'The Caped Crusader', 'The Dark Knight', 'The World’s Greatest Detective' or simply 'The Bat'…Call him what you like but no matter how you cut it, this 7" DC Comic plush will still be just as adorable.
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This DC Comic character, known as FLASH, may only have one superpower…But don't be fooled this 7" super soft plush will be flying off the shelves FASTER THAN FAST !
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The Power Ring is one of the strongest weapons in the universe, and can be very dangerous…But not on the hand of this handsome 7" super soft DC Comic plush! …and so I shall shed my light over dark evil. For the dark things cannot stand the light, the light of the GREEN LANTERN!
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If you are a villain, you might want to refrain from purchasing these SUPER HEROES...
Kind, good-hearted, “regular” people…Pre-Order NOW!
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You will also be able to personalize your workspace...
Let everyone in the office know how AWESOME you are!
We are proud to be adding DC Comics to our very popular…
Computer Sitter Line!
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Batman without the Batmobile?
That’s like Noah without his Ark…
Or Hasselhoff without Knight Rider?
Come on!!! I’m trying here.
Regardless of how horrible my jokes are…
This BATMOBILE is sure to please!
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COMIC NEWS: To Save The World, One Of These X-Men Will Die

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X-FORCE #26 (FEB100564)
X-FORCE #26 FINCH VARIANT (FEB100565)
X-FORCE #26 RIP VARIANT (FEB100566)
X-FORCE #26 IRON MAN BY DESIGN VARIANT (FEB100567)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & CRAIG KYLE
Penciled by MIKE CHOI
Cover by ADI GRANOV
Variant Cover by DAVID FINCH
RIP VARIANT by JOHN CASSADAY
IRON MAN BY DESIGN VARIANT by GREG HORN
Parental Advisory …$2.99
ON-SALE---4/28/10

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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. For more information visit www.marvel.com.
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COMIC NEWS: ROBERT E. HOWARD’S HAWKS OF OUTREMER COMES TO BOOM! STUDIOS THIS JUNE!

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FIRST TIME IN COMICS

Covers by THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN artist Joe Jusko and SLAINE artist Karl Richardson!

His name is Cormac FitzGeoffrey, and he has no master.



This June BOOM! Studios brings you ROBERT E. HOWARD’S HAWKS OF OUTREMER, an epic story by CONAN creator Robert E. Howard, published in comic book form for the first time ever and featuring one of Howard's seminal characters - Cormac FitzGeoffrey!

Bestselling 28 DAYS LATER writer Michael Alan Nelson will be helming ROBERT E. HOWARD’S HAWKS OF OUTREMER along with hot newcomer artist Damian Couceiro, best known for his break-out work on BOOM!'s NOLA mini-series. The first issue of HAWKS OF OUTREMER features covers by fan-favorite THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN artist Joe Jusko and SLAINE artist Karl Richardson!

"Robert E. Howard is a master storyteller and his work just naturally makes great comics," said BOOM! Studios Managing Editor Matt Gagnon. "We here at BOOM! Studios cannot wait to bring this early Howard creation to comics for the first time ever. Cormac FitzGeoffrey is not a man to be trifled with!"

ROBERT E. HOWARD'S HAWKS OF OUTREMER features Cormac FitzGeoffrey, a wandering warrior born and bred on the battlefield, who is a renowned fighter, a ruthless adversary, and a man that is no stranger to the ways of bloodshed and violence. Cormac counts his friends on only one hand, so when he learns that his most recent liege has been murdered, nothing will stop his quest for revenge. By oath, a path of vengeance will be marked by the blood of his enemies.

"This is sword swinging, beserker action only the way Robert E. Howard and BOOM! Studios can deliver," said BOOM! Studios Marketing Director Chip Mosher. "The action is so non-stop, comic fans really to need to make sure you read ROBERT E. HOWARD’S HAWKS OF OUTREMER close to a hosipital because once you open the pages, you might just get cut!"

ROBERT E. HOWARD'S HAWKS OF OUTREMER is adapted by 28 DAYS LATER scribe Michael Alan Nelson. Interior art is by NOLA artist Damian Couceiro, with the first issue featuring covers by fan-favorite THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN artist Joe Jusko and SLAINE artist Karl Richardson with an incentive cover by Jusko. ROBERT E. HOWARD'S HAWKS OF OUTREMER is a four issue mini-series, debuting in June and carries a Diamond Code of APR100830.

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About BOOM! Studios
BOOM! Studios (www.boom-studios.com) is a unique publishing house specializing in high-profile projects across a wide variety of different genres from some of the industry's biggest talents, including Philip K. Dick's DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, The Henson Company's FARSCAPE, and the original Mark Waid series IRREDEEMABLE. BOOM! recently launched its youth imprint, BOOM Kids!, with Disney/Pixar's THE INCREDIBLES, CARS, and TOY STORY, as well as Disney's THE MUPPETS, DONALD DUCK, UNCLE SCROOGE and WALT DISNEY'S COMICS AND STORIES. This year, BOOM! Studios celebrates its fifth anniversary.
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Monday, April 5, 2010

DVD NEWS: Warner Home Video releases new animated clips & images from Ralph Bakshi's "The Lord Of The Rings Remastered Deluxe Edition"

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Warner Home Video has released 2 clips and 5 images from Ralph Bakshi's "The Lord Of The Rings Remastered Deluxe Edition" coming TOMORROW -- April 6, 2010


This original animated classic from acclaimed director Ralph Bakshi and Academy Award Winning producer Saul Zaentz has been remastered with pristine New Dolby 5.1 audio and picture quality and will be distributed as a single disc DVD and Blu-ray combo which features a Blu-ray, DVD and bonus digital copy. The film will also be available for Digital Download. This film is rated PG.



One of the great visionary animation directors of the modern era, Bakshi went to artistic extremes to meticulously bring the legendary world of J.R.R. Tolkien to animated life – adding yet another stunning title to the director’s canon of ground-breaking films. Bakshi’s animation accomplishments include Fritz the Cat, Heavy Traffic, American Pop, Wizards and Cool World.



The deluxe edition features a never-before-seen, 30-minute in-depth interview with legendary director Ralph Bakshi entitled "Forging Through The Darkness: The Ralph Bakshi Vision for The Lord Of The Rings." This special feature explores his concept for creating an illustrated film, his pioneering rotoscoping process, and inspirations for his visual storytelling.

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COMIC NEWS: WonderCon 2010 Announcements

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In case you had the misfortune of missing the Archaia panel at WonderCon yesterday, here’s a brief list of what we announced. Each will be followed by their own press release later this week.


• Red Fraggle and her puppeteer, Karen Prell, will be making a live appearance on Free Comic Book Day (May 1, 2010) at Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles to celebrate the release of Archaia’s MOUSE GUARD/FRAGGLE ROCK FCBD FLIP BOOK. They will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to perform, sign autographs and take pictures with fans!

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• Archaia will publish a new science fiction mini-series, CRITICAL MILLENNIUM, coming out in June from writer Andrew E. C. Gaska and artist Daniel Dussault. It is in Diamond Previews this month. Here’s the solicitation write-up:

One thousand years of mankind’s rise and fall in space! To avert the path all thought unavoidable, a bold group of explorers takes the first steps toward leaving Earth’s solar system. Their quest: new worlds to colonize, so that humanity may yet have yet a chance at survival. Led by philanthropist Thomm Coney, and utilizing an untried star-drive, the team is scorned by the world’s government and canonized by its citizens. And even getting off the ground, they soon realize, may be the most difficult task ahead…

In issue #1: The Future: Mission’s End… A ship on the verge of collapse, its captain maddened by the depths of space and the darkness in his heart. A glimpse into the final voyage of the Black Rabbit—humanity’s hope for survival—reveals the lonely fate of Captain Coney as he encounters a strange energy field on the edge of the universe, and the creature within—an ancient being that will stop at nothing short of his soul…

• Archaia will publish two OGNs for BERONA’S WAR, created by Anthony Coffey and Jesse Labbé, starting in July with BERONA’S WAR: FIELD GUIDE. A Preview Book will be available in comic shops in three weeks. Here is the solicitation write-up for the FIELD GUIDE:

From the minds of artists/storytellers Jesse Labbé and Anthony Coffey comes this epic tale of two adorable, fur-covered races doomed by their own escalating violence! The Ele-Alta and the Cropones wage war over the island of Berona’s most desirable piece of real estate: the land called Amity. Cute and cuddly on the outside, but ferocious to the core, these fuzzy fighters will continue their bloodshed no matter the cost!

The Berona’s War: Field Guide provides a great introduction to the world of Berona’s War, featuring maps, devious strategies, weapons, character and troop descriptions and the history of wartime events. This is the perfect primer for the upcoming Berona’s War: Fight for Amity!

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• Archaia announced the artist for LUCID, the first comic project coming out as part of their partnership with Zachary Quinto and his production company, Before the Door Pictures. The artist is 20-year-old Anna Wieszczyk (Ah-na Vy-check). Written by actor Michael McMillian (“True Blood,” “What I Like About You”), the series will launch in August, with advance copies for sale at the Archaia booth at San Diego Comic-Con in late July. LUCID is set in a world where magic exists and centers on Matthew Dee, a combat mage who serves as the U.S. President’s first line of defense!
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COMIC NEWS: Marvel Comics On-Sale 4/7/10

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Hey there True Believers, here’s your official list of comic books, collections and posters arriving in comic stores on April 7th, 2010.


For more information on any of these titles, and on upcoming mighty Marvel releases, please visit http://marvel.com/catalog/?date=2010-04-07 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:
AVENGERS: THE ORIGIN #1
CAPTAIN AMERICA/BLACK PANTHER: FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS #1
DEADPOOL & CABLE #25
DEADPOOL & CABLE #25 LIEFELD VARIANT
DEADPOOL CORPS #1
DEADPOOL CORPS #1 LIEFELD 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
DEADPOOL CORPS #1 SKETCH VARIANT
ELECTRIC ANT #1
ELECTRIC ANT #1 MACK VARIANT
IRON MAN MAGAZINE #1
IRON MAN POSTER BOOK
MARVEL ZOMBIES 5 #1
NEW AVENGERS: LUKE CAGE #1
REALM OF KINGS SON OF HULK #3
S.H.I.E.L.D. #1
S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 BLACK AND WHITE VARIANT
S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 HISTORICAL VARIANT
SPIDER-MAN: FEVER #1
STEPHEN KING'S N. #2
THOR AND THE WARRIORS FOUR #1
ULTIMATE COMICS X #2
UNCANNY X-MEN #523 (XSC)
UNCANNY X-MEN #523 FINCH VARIANT (XSC)
UNCANNY X-MEN #523 IRON MAN BY DESIGN VARIANT (XSC)
VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #7
VENGEANCE OF THE MOON KNIGHT #7 IRON MAN BY DESIGN VARIANT WOLVERINE MGC #66
WOLVERINE WEAPON X #12
WORLD WAR HULKS #1

Collections On-Sale:
BLACK WIDOW & THE MARVEL GIRLS GN-TPB
DAREDEVIL NOIR GN-TPB
EXILES ULTIMATE COLLECTION BOOK 4 TPB
IRON MAN VS. WHIPLASH TPB
IRON MAN: THE ART OF IRON MAN THE MOVIE TPB
MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 TPB
OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z VOL. 13 PREMIERE HC

*GNTLT= Amazing Spider-Man: The Gauntlet tie-in
*S= SIEGE tie-in
*XSC= X-Men: Second Coming tie-in

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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. For more information visit www.marvel.com.

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Sunday, April 4, 2010

TV REVIEW: STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS: THE BOUNTY HUNTERS

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Bounty hunters have been a part of Star Wars since A New Hope was released in 1977, with Greedo attempting to bring in Han Solo at the Mos Eisley Cantina. In 1980, The Empire Strikes Back introduced us to Boba Fett and his compatriots who were hired to track down the Millennium Falcon. Bounty hunters are part of the big Western influence on Star Wars but for people my age, when we think of bounty hunters chances are you think of Star Wars before anything else.




This season of The Clone Wars was billed as "Rise of the Bounty Hunters" but apart from the Cad Bane episodes at the beginning of the season, we haven't really that much bounty hunter action. "The Bounty Hunters" is a bit of a surprise, as there is not any bounty hunting going on in the episodes, and these bounty hunters are the most sympathetic we have seen in the the Star Wars galaxy.

Obi-Wan, Anakin and Ahsoka are investigating a clone medical facility that has disappeared over Felucia while they are attacked by vulture droids launched from a very dispenser pod. They crash land on the planet and encounter a group of farmers who have hired some bounty hunters to defend their settlement from a group of pirates who are lead by the Weequay Captain Hondo Ohnaka. The Jedi reluctantly join the bounty hunters to fight off the pirates and defend the villagers.The whole episode is a Star Wars version of The Seven Samurai, which was directed by the legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurasawa, to whom the episode is dedicated. Kurasawa's movies have been a huge influence on the whole Star Wars series. It's safe to say that Star Wars is 1/4 American Western,, 1/4 Kurasawa Samurai movie, 1/4 Flash Gordon, and a mix of World War II movies and other miscellaneous stuff for the rest. There are whole sequences and plot lines taken directly from Kurasawa's movies (The Hidden Fortress was a huge source of inspiration for both A New Hope and The Phantom Menace). What with director's influence on Star Wars, I've always wanted to see The Seven Samurai given the Star Wars treatment, and with its relative freedom to explore different narratives and tones, The Clone Wars provides a perfect venue.


The episode feels strangely like last season's "Jedi Crash" and "Defenders of the Peace" story arc, which found Anakin, Ahsoka and Aayla Secura defending a village against a Separatist attack, although narratively much tighter without the thematic complication of the pacifist villagers. The villager's in "The Bounty Hunters" are not pacifists, just kind of beat down and victimized. The episode also brings back Hondo Ohnaka and his band of pirates from last season's episode "Dooku Captured," who has apparently still managed to elude Count Dooku's revenge. Hondo has a lot of old-school pirate swagger but is not really effective as a villain, particularly with his rapid and lame retreat at the end of the episode.



The bounty hunters felt a little off as well, and not at all what we have been lead to expect from the hardened, cutthroat Star Wars bounty hunters we have been shown up until now. That being said, some of the character design on these mercenaries is pretty cool. They are lead by a female Zabrak named Sugi. There is also cool new character named Embo, who wears an armored shield on his head like a hat. These bounty hunters have a pretty cool battle against the pirates at the end of the episode, and the action is quite good.

The setting is the planet Felucia, which appeared briefly in Revenge of the Sith and was featured prominently in The Force Unleashed. The Felucians seen in this episode, are nothing like the wild and strange creatures seen in that game. I suppose the story called for cuter less ferocious aliens. Personally, I would love to see some TFU characters or references in the series. Although, the big jungle rancors were a nice nod.

Overall, "The Bounty Hunters" is a decent episode with an interesting pedigree. Unfortunately, as we get towards the end of the season, the "decent" episodes are starting to outnumber the good and great ones. Lets hope the new month delivers the promised slam bam conclusion to season two of The Clone Wars.

Patrick Garone
Creative Director
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COMIC REVIEW: Disney's Hero Squad: Ultraheroes #3 (BOOM! Studios)

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Woefully unoriginal and rather unsatisfying

Boom Studios! often gives the impression of preferring quantity over quality. No sooner did they nab the Mickey Mouse/Donald Duck stable of comics than are they churning out a plethora of related titles, including Disney's Hero Squad: Ultraheroes.

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Divided into two parts, we first find the Duck Avenger in combat with the Ink Blot over an ultrapod (a sort of infinity fractal à la Mavel Super Hero Squad). Their sparring is mind-numbingly mundane, with the requisite near-misses with subway trains, super powers which permit freezing and melting, and inane chatter.

Now perhaps some comics fans will be content to see this same sort of super-hero clash over and over again like an overweight sports fan slogging down beer and chips as he whiles away the bright summer days watching baseball games. But I for one cannot stand for such lack of creativity in comic books, which are meant to be a creative medium and not a mere repetition of tasks as if they were mimicking a factory job.

The second vignette in the first half of the book has Mickey looking at security tapes then getting captured by a Doctor Octopus doppelgänger. While reviewing the recordings, Mickey's flashlight and pile of papers shift from one side to another, further proof of Boom! releasing a speedily-produced product into marketplace.

The second half of the book is a translated reprint of a story from Europe and is far superior to the beginning of the issue. It goes to show that the Duck characters can be made fascinating and loveable when in the hands of the right craftsmen. However, as soon as this origin story of the Red Bat really gets rolling, it's abruptly cut off by the book's page number limit - extremely frustrating for a children's book. There's a good reason why kid fare like DC Super Friends have one story per issue - because the wee folk want to know the ending!

Overall, the book is a letdown from an art and writing point of view in the first half and from an editing point of view in the second half. Makes one wonder why Boom! even bothers to release individual issues instead of Trade Paperbacks right off the bat.

Part One: Good & Evil
Writer: Alessandro Ferrari
Artist: Antonello Dalena

Part Two: Origin of the Red Bat
Writer: Ivan Saidenberg
Artist: Carlos Edgard Herrero

In stores March 31, 2010

Adam Paige
Senior Reviewer
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BLACKEST NIGHT REVIEW DISCUSSION

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A few of the Post staffers got together Wednesday night to discuss Blackest Night on the release day of Blackest Night #8, the final book in the event that spanned almost a year in the DC Universe. Would the Blackest Night be a bright spot in the realm of crossover events, or would it be a black mark on DC's record? After a few technological hiccups, Chip Carroll, Jake Johnston, and I were ready to get the discussion started. (Spoilers ahead, so make sure you've read Blackest Night #8 before you read on.)

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Stacey Rader: Alright, so Blackest Night--who wants to kick it off?
Jake Johnston: I was totally satisfied, but [I] have lots of questions. The Sinestro development got swept under the carpet too fast and whatever happened to Scarecrow?
SR: True, Jake. I was wondering the same thing about Scarecrow. Overall, I was impressed at how much they accomplished and how far reaching the consequences seem to be.
Chip Carroll: I agree with the questions. I picked up all the DC books that came with the story line, but like Jake said, [I have] many questions. It was one of the better series I have read over the past few years.
JJ: Agreed. I think it really raised the bar for major crossover series. It avoided many pitfalls we've seen in the past, like spreading things too thin and contrived plots just for the sake of including every title and character.
CC: This was a way for DC to bring back some of their old heroes using comic book logic.
JJ: Johns is such a student of old school practices and characters - the end results shouldn't be too surprising considering that.
SR: Totally. Some of them I was really excited to see, like Shiara, but others, like Max Lord, not so much. Maybe it's the Wonder Woman fan in me, but I wanted her Amazonian justice to stick.
JJ: Yeah - this will become frustrating if the Blackest Night consequences just rewrite everything that other plotlines have established.
CC: The last book had a better ending than most of the other big spotlight stories. The future of DC will change.
JJ: On a technical note, I love the surprise that a gatefold page can bring, but the placement between those sequential pages was a little awkward.
SR: So true, Jake. I was afraid it was going to be an ad, so I was glad it actually had something to do with the story.
LC: I can't wait to see what happens to the [Green Lantern] Corps. There were open stories with the Corps before Blackest Night and also Sinestro Wars.
JJ: I didn't read any of the side mini series - do you guys feel you got more out of Blackest Night for having read 'em?
SR: In some ways I think it did. Blackest Night: Wonder Woman really explained why making her a Star Sapphire made sense. Other titles, like the single issue relaunches, were just fun bonus stories.
CC: The side stories were good; the Teen Titans did play a part in the overall story.
JJ: I thought that the single issue revivals were one of the best marketing ideas we've seen in a long time - and it made total sense withing the context of the dead coming back to life.
SR: I didn't really read Green Lantern before this (much to my husband's dismay), but I think I'm going to stick with it. What about you guys? Did you read Green Lantern before? And does this make you want to keep up with it going forward?
JJ: I've always been a big Green Lantern fan, and really love Johns' work on the book - it's pretty exciting to see a b-list hero having such an effect on the rest of the DCU.
CC: I've been reading Green Lantern Corps since it came out a few years back. I have always like Guy, even back in the days when Guy had his own series. Probably will not continue to read Green Lantern; I don't like Hal.
SR: I'll say this, I have always been more of a DC fan, and this cements my love of the DCU. You can tell they really planned out this event and the repercussions. Well, except Scarecrow. But Johns is not one to leave loose ends, so I imagine Scarecrow is hiding somewhere with his Yellow Lantern ring waiting for his moment.
CC: The Blackest Night story has given me faith in DC again. [I] will start reading the major story lines.
SR: One of the biggest moments for me was in the last issue of Power Girl, where Palmiotti and Gray give a lighthearted nod to Blackest Night.
JJ: It's been really interesting reading this AND Marvel's Siege at the same time. I think they're both excellent examples of what a major crossover event can be - but they're both so different. Great illustrations of the difference between the DC spirit and the Marvel spirit.
CC: I have not read any Siege. I lost hope for Marvel over a year ago. The best part of the Blackest Night series was the rings the comic stores gave out with new issues.
JJ: The rings really were a great gimmick. Way to keep it fresh, DC.
SR: Agreed. I loved getting the rings. Definitely made for some fun pictures. From what I understand they're carrying that into Brightest Day.
CC: Yes, they are carrying the rings over.
JJ: At last year's SDCC, people at the Geoff Johns panel kept asking him to do an Aquaman Rebirth book and he kept tight lipped the whole time. Now we know why he was smiling.
SR: Reading Blackest Night made me wish Geoff Johns could write every title. I even bought the issue of Tiny Titans he wrote.
CC: Hell, i loved the Smallville [episode] Absolute Justice.
MassMessage: I did too, LC. Geoff Johns can make me care about characters I didn't care about before.
JJ: With Johns' new title [as Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment], it looks like we won't be doing as much writing. I don't see his name on as many books in the new issue of Previews.
JJ: From what I hear, Blackest Night was much better organized and edited than Morrison's Final Crisis crossovers - do you guys agree?
SR: I agree. It was good up until the last part of the last issue, when in typical Grant Morrison fashion, he just kinda goes a little off topic.
JJ: Let's talk about the amazing art - I think that Reis must be the new George Perez with all those massive group scenes. I liked the way that he seemed to be channeling Neal Adams when DM takes off his mask.
SR: The art was amazing, to be sure. Nice call on the Perez connection. I loved the spectral portrayals, as well. It was cool to see what emotions drove each character.
LC: The group artwork was great. The pages were easy to follow and read. The colors mesh so well together with the colors of the rings. Even the black gave life to the pages.
SR: I have to say that's not usually my favorite style, but it worked for Blackest Night.
SR: So here's a question: What do you think Boston Brand is feeling when he says he's not supposed to be here? Sadness? Bewilderment?
CC: He was feeling lost out of place. He did not belong.
JJ: That was weird and ominous - like he knows something that's wrong and they're setting us up to find out later there'll be some serious ramifications. Perhaps Deadman will be playing a bigger part in the DCU soon.
JJ: I'll be curious to find out why not everyone, like Ralph & Sue, came back. That's definitely a storyline waiting to happen.
SR: That's a good point--I wonder if that goes back to 52? I didn't read all of it, but I do remember an issue where Ralph messed with some weird forces to bring back Sue.
CC: There are a lot of new stories lines waiting to happen. That is why there are big gaps and small holes.
JJ: I think that one of Johns' major strengths is how he's able to end every issue with a big reveal that leaves you hanging. I think that with the popularity of trade paperbacks, that kind of writing is key to keep monthly books alive.
SR: I love Larfleeze. Such great comic relief, which was total Johns--right in the middle of something awful. I'll tell you a character I'd like to see more of is Saint Walker. His Tales of the Corps story was one of the best stories I've read.
JJ: Yeah, that Saint Walker story was amazing.
SR: I am excited to see what they do with Return of Bruce Wayne, and I love the nod to Bruce not being dead. I've been a Batman fan since I read Batman and the Outsiders as a kid.
CC: I cant wait to see what happens to Black Hand.
JJ: Do you guys think we're ever going to know what the Indigo Lanterns are talking about, or is it just always gonna be mysterious and open to interpretation?
SR: That's a good question. I tend to think we may never know what they're saying, but we haven't seen the last of them.
CC: I think DC has plans in the works.
JJ: The weakest point for me was in #8 when suddenly everyone just *becomes* a white lantern - as if the book was being written by a motivational speaker. A bit trite and abrupt.
SR: The whole "I want to LIVE!" bit was a little cheesy, but I get it. I had a total geek out moment with Halo in Outsiders, when she went back to her original form as an elemental. I told my husband before all this started that she would play a part somehow.
JJ: Yeah, that's definitely a trademark of Geoff Johns and I've learned to live with it as long as the rest of what he does has substance.
CC: Yeah, that was cheesy, but remember we are reading stories of adults in brightly colored spandex.
JJ: Touche.
SR: I get the impression he's a very happy-go-lucky guy. I follow him on Twitter, and his tweets are generally silly. (Like "Aw yeah, weekend!") But I mean, how couldn't you be if you were in his shoes? The guy gets paid to write comics and go to comic shows. He's living the fan's dream.
JJ: Yeah, he's absolutely a fan first. That's key to why his stories are the way they are - it's one of us writing these characters.
SR: So is Blackest Night something you would recommend to other comic readers?
JJ: Definitely! Although, there's a lot more satisfaction from it if you're familiar with past plotlines that Geoff Johns is obviously tapping. Like when Blackest Night started out, it was almost like a sequel to Identity Crisis.
SR: True. I don't think Blackest Night is what you hand to a non-comic reader as an introduction.
CC: Yes I would recommend.
SR: Is there anything else you want to say or discuss about Blackest Night?
JJ: Wow, it seems like there should be a lot to say about a series that packs so much into just 8 issues. But we all seemed to come away with is the questions and loose threads at the end. But in this case it's a good thing and I'm really excited that DC is letting Johns use their universe as his canvas with, apparently, no restraints.
SR: Yeah, this is the first time I've come away with questions after a series and seen it as a good thing. But maybe that should be the point of series like this--to set up new stories.
JJ: Again, this is his MO - Flash Rebirth did nothing but set up questions for the new regular series. It's as if Blackest Night was a way for Johns to introduce all these new ideas and fresh starts, and now the whole DCU is gonna have to run with it. Pretty impressive undertaking.
SR: Agreed. DC put its future in Johns' hands.
JJ: and that's a good line to end - it really sums it up. Fans of Johns could tell that for a while, but now everyone knows.
SR: So true. That's how we'll end it.

And there you have it. We at Pendragon's were impressed by the scope and influence this event had on the DC universe. Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, and the rest of the writers and artists (not to mention editors, inkers, letterers, etc.) who worked on this project are to be applauded for what they achieved. Blackest Night set the standard for what a universe-wide crossover event should be, and we are all looking forward to what's in store during the Brightest Day and after.

*Special thanks to Chip Carroll and Jake Johnston for making this discussion possible.
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DVD REVIEW: Lord of the Rings - Remastered Deluxe Edition (Warner)

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The Lord of the Rings animated will be available to own on blue-ray on April 6th on. This is the classic Tolkien fantasy tale told through the eyes of animator Ralph Bakshi. The animated tale of Lord of the Rings premiered in the movie theatre in 1978. The animation was cutting edge back in the late 70’s and today it still rivals most animated movies. This version of Lord of the Rings comes with both the blu-ray and DVD disc.

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Ralph Bakshi worked on and created many animated tales during the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. Bakshi was an innovator of animated tales during these eras. He directed such classical films as; Fritz the cat, Cool World, Wizards, and Fire and Ice. This style of animation of using models to help animate scenes in the movies is still used in the art of animation today to help create the CGI in the current films.



This Lord of the Ring premiered 32 years ago on the big screen. During this time Fantasy fans of Tolkien were not disappointed with the big screen premiere. As fans of Tolkien, this was the only version fans would have until Peter Jackson retelling hit the big screen 20 years later. The Bakshi version of Lord of the Rings would be a re- imagination of the epic tale written by Tolkien.

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This blue-ray release of the animated Lord of the Rings is fantastic. Watching the Blu-ray in HD was amazing. Each scene is crisp and clean. This movie is 32 years old and on blue-ray it looks as if it was made this year. Compared to the DVD version this is much improvement. The DVD version seems blocky at time, but this is clearly cleaned up on the blu-ray version. If you still own the VHS version I would highly recommend that it is time to upgrade to the Blu-ray version. The different in watching the VHS version verses the Blu-ray version is as obvious as night and day. The dark and shadows scenes are cleaned up and are much easier to watch than on the previous release of the VHS version.

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The Lord of the Rings Animated is a classical masterpiece. The bad part is that Baskshi did not complete this trilogy. The animated version leaves more to the imagination than the newer Peter Jackson version. Don’t get me wrong the Jackson telling of this classic epic is amazing, but the Bakshi version is still better. Also check out other films by Ralph Bakshi. When the day is complete, I prefer the books to the movies any day. Look for books by J.R.R. Tolkien in your local bookstore. Tolkien did write more than just Lord of the Rings trilogy.

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Don’t watch reality television read a book

Chip Carroll
Staff Reviewer
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Saturday, April 3, 2010

COMIC NEWS: IDW Comics Debut on the iPad

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Premier publisher at the forefront of digital distribution

Store front apps available today for
IDW Comics, TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and Star Trek

Video demonstration of IDW comics on the iPad available here



IDW Publishing is proud to announce that the hugely anticipated Apple iPad will feature four IDW comics applications today at launch. Taking full advantage of the iPad’s full –screen, full-color capabilities, each IDW store front will offer the next level of reading experience to fans. The free IDW iPad comic shop apps each include a selection of comics with the initial download, and offer more comics as in-app purchases. Fans can choose apps for their favorite brands, like Star Trek, G.I. JOE and TRANSFORMERS, or download the IDW Comics app for access to all the company’s iPad releases.

Each store front app will offer readers the highest quality viewing experience, with a full-page display that showcases the eye-catching art and vivid stories. IDW has developed several new features to enhance the comics and take full advantage of the iPad’s capabilities.

“The iPad is a wonderful format for comics, as the screen size is close enough to the print size that readers can view the full page,” said IDW Director of ePublishing, Jeff Webber. “Our iPad apps are also compatible with our iPhone and iPod touch apps. So you can purchase a comic shop apps on one device, and read it on another. The apps will automatically identify which one you are using, and adjust to offer the best reading experience.”

IDW was the first comics publisher to launch its own "in app purchase" storefronts for the iPhone and iPod touch with not one, but four new comic shop applications. For fans of G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS and Star Trek, IDW has introduced new comic applications that offer full collections all in one app. The company also introduced the IDW Comics app, which collects the entire digital catalog. All IDW store front apps are powered by iVerse (http://www.iversecomics.com/).

IDW currently has over 400 individual issues available through the App Store, with more available every week. IDW comics are currently available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch through the App Store.

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

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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 comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. 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 EA Comics and 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.
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COMIC NEWS: IN THE KNOW AT THE IMAGE COMICS SHOW

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Image Comics announces exciting new projects at WonderCon 2010



Image Comics took its show on the road -- across the Bay that is -- to make big announcements at its hometown show, WonderCon. On Saturday, THE IMAGE COMICS SHOW presented a slew of ongoing and upcoming projects from Erik Larsen, Frank Cho, Jonathan Ross, men of action Joe Casey and Steve Seagle, and Richard Starkings.

EMPEROR LARSEN
Erik Larsen discussed the upcoming story arc for SAVAGE DRAGON, entitled EMPEROR DRAGON. Following the events of the DRAGON WAR, Savage Dragon remains his evil self, Emperor Kurr. Without the opposition to stop him, the ex-cop, ex-superhero makes a play to conquer the planet.

Also announced: SAVAGE DRAGON FUNNIES, a 12-issue series of backup stories that starts with May's SAVAGE DRAGON #160. A select and talented group of artists contributed short tales representing their take on the Dragonverse. Creators include Michel Fiffe, Andrew Dimitt, Kiel West, Delsante and Freire, Ulises Farinas, Chris Sanderson, Conoro Hughes, Kat Roberts, Hyendo Park, Pedro Camargo, Jason Thibodeaux, and Joe Keatinge and Deep 6 Studio.

FIFTY ON CHO
Frank Cho reported on 50 GIRLS 50, an all-new miniseries masterminded by Cho and co-writer Doug Murray (THE 'NAM). Newcomer Alex Medellin, the winner of a talent search curated by Cho and Murray, is illustrating based on designs by Cho. The series will be launching in August.

DOWNE WITH CASEY
Joe Casey announced his new one-shot, created with Chris Burnham: OFFICER DOWNE. A lone Badass With A Badge takes on the scourge of the criminal underworld, and this is one cop that'll keep coming back for more...even from beyond the grave! OFFICER DOWNE will be available in July.

ON A CRUSADE WITH SEAGLE
Steve Seagle announced the collection of THE CRUSADES, his incredible tale of an enigmatic 11th century Crusader that renders terrible justice on 21st century San Francisco. This remastered volume collects - for the first time - the macabre Vertigo series created by Seagle and artist Kelley Jones. THE CRUSADES vol. 1, collecting THE CRUSADES: URBAN DECREE and issues #1-9, will be available in July.

Also announced: FRANKIE STEIN, an adorable full-color oversized children's book drawn by Marco Cinello (SOUL KISS). Frankie Stein is just another kid, growing up the way kids do. Except Frankie has green skin, bolts in his neck, and lives in a giant castle. FRANKIE STEIN will be available Fall 2010.

ROSS ON AMERICAN TURF
Jonathan Ross made a rare American appearance and discussed his new five-issue miniseries TURF, which is drawn by Tommy Lee Edwards. Ross discussed the transition from eternally popular UK television host and long-time comics fan to comics creator. Issue #1 is available April 7, but a convention exclusive variant is available at the Image Comics booth, #407.

STARKINGS MAKES A MOVE TO THE SCREEN
Richard Starkings had huge news for the crowd: ELEPHANTMEN has been optioned for a movie! He also discussed ELEPHANTMEN #25, a special issue in which the story is told by a series of guest artists in astonishing splash pages. Artists include Dave Gibbons (WATCHMEN), Tim Sale (BATMAN: LONG HALLOWEEN), Pia Guerra (Y: THE LAST MAN), and more! ELEPHANTMEN #25 will be available later in April.

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of four major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.
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