The Comics Fan

So long. Farewell. Outta here.

2008-12-15T11:36:00.000-08:00

I'm putting this blog to bed. Maybe at some point, I'll revive it on another platform linked to Gazette.com. But for now, it's gone. I expect my Comics Fan column in The Gazette to continue, though. So if anyone out there has comments, suggestions for stories, etc., you can send them to bill.radford@gazette.com.

Dark times

2008-12-12T11:50:00.000-08:00

I talked with Joe Quesada, Marvel's editor-in-chief, this week about Marvel's plans for 2009.

The Marvel Universe, struck first by a civil war, then a Skrull invasion and now in the control of bad guys like Norman Osborn as part of "Dark Reign," has not been a happy place for some time.

Quesada acknowledges that, but says there will be light amid the darkness. And besides, he says, drama is fueled by conflict.

"If everything were happy-go-lucky and hunky dory and everything was rays of sunshine, while it might make people feel comfortable on the inside, there'd be no reason to buy our books."

"Dark Reign," "Final Crisis"

2008-12-11T10:14:00.000-08:00

Two key books out this week, "Final Crisis" No. 5, continuing DC's big event, and "Secret Invasion: Dark Reign," an epilogue to Marvel's just concluded big event.

I found "Final Crisis," as in some past issues, to be choppy and hard to follow. I'll try a second read and see if it holds together better.

"Dark Reign" explores the secret gathering of villains brought together by Norman Osborn in the final page of "Secret Invasion." It's the bad-guy version of the Illuminati, and pretty interesting. Emma Frost is the most intriguing member of this secret inner cabinet, since she's been both villainess and heroine. I liked the art, with one exception. I agree with the posters over at Newsarama who found the depiction of Namor disconcerting; looks like he's balding, out of shape and in need of a shave, not a very impressive presence.

"Final Crisis" preview

2008-12-09T12:21:00.001-08:00

Can't wait for this week's "Final Crisis" No. 5? Newsarama has a preview of the first several pages. Good stuff, even if it does look more like an issue of "Green Lantern" than "Final Crisis."

"Dark Reign"

2008-12-05T11:58:00.000-08:00

Now that "Secret Invasion" has wrapped up, Marvel has pulled the cloak of secrecy from "Dark Reign." Seems that Norman Osborn and other select baddies are now running things in the Marvel U. And Tony "Iron Man" Stark is on the outside looking in - and on the run, it seems.

So, yet another status quo for the Marvel Universe. Certainly, things are never dull, and I find the new status for Iron Man to be intriguing - and likely to make him a bit less arrogant. I have trouble believing it would be acceptable for Norman, Dr. Doom and the others to be handed the keys to the kingdom, though. Also: Too many Avengers. Mighty Avengers. New Avengers. And now Dark Avengers?

"Secret Invasion" No. 8

2008-12-04T11:29:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm not sure I'm going to leave the office and brave the slick streets for my comics fix today, even though "Secret Invasion" No. 8 arrives. If you're in the same boat, but can't wait to see what happens, wander over to Newsarama and check out the review of the final issue, where you'll also find a link to a New York Times item that reveals the twist ending. I'm scheduled to talk with Marvel's Joe Quesada next week about where the Marvel U goes from here.

DC in '09

2008-12-03T11:05:00.000-08:00

I talked this morning with DC executive editor Dan DiDio about what's coming up in 2009. Looks like DC's biggest guns, Batman and Superman, will be MIA. Batman, of course, vanished at the end of "Batman R.I.P" last week; Bruce Wayne's ultimate fate will be revealed in "Final Crisis" No. 6 in January, DiDio said. Superman, meanwhile, will be leaving Earth for a journey through space and vacating the pages of "Action Comics."

DiDio cleared up one thing for me. With the events of "Final Crisis" happening apart from the monthly books, there may have been a little confusion about the timing of story lines. "Final Crisis," he said, happens after "Batman R.I.P." The effects of "Final Crisis" will be felt throughout the DCU in the first half of next year, but not all in the same month, as in the year-ahead jump that followed "Infinite Crisis."

More on DC's plans in Sunday's Comics Fan.

"New Krypton" takes a turn

2008-12-01T11:17:00.000-08:00

Caught up on my comics reading over the weekend, including "Superman" No. 682, with the latest chapter in the "New Krypton" story line. Things took a shocking turn this time around as a group of Kryptonians rounded up a bunch of Superman's villains and dispatched them to the Phantom Zone (not so bad) while coldly killing a bunch of police officers in the process (very bad.) Supergirl's mom is among those with no sympathy for us Earthlings.

Pretty compelling stuff. And we get to see a really angry Superman. I'm eager to see where this goes next.

"Batman R.I.P," one more time

2008-11-28T11:55:00.000-08:00

So I have mixed feelings about this week's end of "Batman R.I.P." The bad guys leaving Batman alone to suffer his last moments buried alive, instead of just finishing the job - or at least keeping an eye on the grave? Come on. .... And then Batman suddenly seems back to his old self instead of his tortured, somewhat crazed "backup" identity. What's up with that? And does anyone REALLY think Bruce/Batman aren't coming back at some point?

But at least Grant Morrison makes clear his respect for the Dark Knight, who always seems to be one step ahead of the villains. I loved the psychological aspects of the story and Batman's insight into his own inner health, or lack thereof, and how the story tied into Bats' quest in "52."

"Batman R.I.P"

2008-11-25T12:28:00.001-08:00

"Batman" No. 681, the final chapter of "Batman R.I.P.," arrives tomorrow. Newsarama has a preview. I'll be talking next week with DC executive editor Dan DiDio about the storyline and where things go from here.

This and that

2008-11-20T07:48:00.000-08:00

Haven't gotten to the comic book store this week; I'm laid up for a few days after surgery (which I'll be writing about in the Life section.) So to occupy the hours, I've been grabbing graphic novels off the bookshelf pretty much at random to re-read. So far this week, my reading has included Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Strikes Again" (I'll never be able to get over the treatment of poor Dick Grayson); "Planetary: The Fourth Man" (loved that series); and the first hardcover collection of Alan Moore's "Top 10" (a wonderful "Hill Street Blues" meets a totally superpowered world vibe.)

Did you catch "Heroes" on Monday night? It had a scene at a comic book shop called Sam's Comics, no doubt named for axed producer Jeph Loeb's late son, Sam. And a cute line by Hiro about all the changes in comic books lately: Captain America's dead! Hulk's red!

Holiday cheer

2008-11-17T13:27:00.000-08:00

This Sunday's Comics Fan is my annual comic book gift guide. After I handed it in, I l came across the Wireless catalog, which has a few cool comic-book related items. Such as: a Wonder Woman limited edition figure, part of a series commemorating the first appearances of classic DC characters; the "DC Vault," packed with "top-quality reproduction memorabilia" (I had written about the "Marvel Vault" last year, but now there's the DC version, too); and "Batman: Murder at Wayne Mansion," a book that's apparently a murder mystery that the reader can solve with the help of maps, new clippings, forensic samples and other clues. Check them all out at www.thewirelesscatalog.com.

Doomsday's coming

2008-11-14T09:30:00.000-08:00

I only caught the last few minutes of last night's "Smallville," but judging from the wrap-up and the previews after, I better not miss next week's episode, which looks to feature the return of Lana and the full-on introduction of Doomsday. Meanwhile, Doomsday is at the center of things in this week's "Action Comics." Coincidence or clever timing? I dunno.

"Kingdom Come Special"

2008-11-13T11:20:00.000-08:00

Small stack of comics this week from Bargain Comics.

"Justice Society of American Kingdom Come Special: Superman" was a must for me because it features the art of Alex Ross. It's a treat to see his work on interiors as opposed to just covers. Ross also wrote the story - which I can't comment on because I haven't had time to really read it yet. I've only breezed through it to admire the art. The special ties into the Gog storyline in JSA which, I have to say, is really going on too long.

"Detective Comics" No. 850 wraps up the "Heart of Hush" story. I still don't see how this whole thing has been a "Batman R.I.P" tie-in. There's a defining moment between Batman and Catwoman near the end that would be essential for all Bat-fans, except for the fact that it's washed away in the very next panel. You've been warned.

"Batman: Cacophony"

2008-11-10T12:22:00.000-08:00

DC sent me an advance copy of issue No. 1 of "Batman: Cacophony," written by Kevin Smith and featuring the return of the bizarre masked killer known as Onomatopoeia. In the first issue, Onomatopoeia frees the Joker from Arkham Asylum. I've got to say, Smith's take on Joker as a sexual deviant left me a little queasy. Joker's goal, it appears, is not just to kill Batman but to "defile his carcass sexually." Joker also drops his drawers in an anticipated reward for his rescuer. Amusing, perhaps, but out of character. I kept thinking, "Joker and Onomatopoeia Make a Porno." (Smith's "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" recently arrived in theaters.)

I did, however, really like the art by Smith's buddy, Walt Flanagan. And the story overall was entertaining.

No "Graysons"

2008-11-07T08:37:00.001-08:00

Looks like Dick Grayson's not headed to the small screen after all. Variety reports that plans for "The Graysons," which would have focused on Dick's days before he became Robin the Boy Wonder, have been scrapped. The CW had committed to a pilot, but Variety says that a Warner Bros. Pictures Group exec nixed the project. I had my doubts about the idea anyway. It's not like "Smallville," where Clark has time to figure out his powers and his destiny. Dick's destiny was transformed the second his parents were killed and Batman took him under his wing.

A milestone for DC

2008-11-05T11:49:00.001-08:00

I talked with DC executive editor Dan DiDio yesterday about some fresh blood for the DC universe: namely, the introduction soon into the DCU of characters from the Milestone Comics of the '90s - characters such as Icon, Hardware and Static Shock. Next year, the old Archie Comics superheroes will also find DC their home.

Icon and Hardware will be showing up in "Justice League of America" (written by Milestone co-founder Dwayne McDuffie) while it looks like Static Shock will be joining the Teen Titans. I asked DiDio if the hope is that reader demand will lead to these characters once again starring in their own series.

"Absolutely," he said. "I'm going to see which ones break out, but when you have characters like Icon, Hardware and Static, you'd be surprised if they didn't have series."

Look for more in Sunday's Comics Fan in The Gazette.

Marvel biz

2008-11-04T07:18:00.000-08:00

I start my day reading the business wire (hey, it's my job) and found this of interest to comics fans this morning from The Associated Press:

Strong box office revenue for film 'Iron Man' helped boost Marvel Entertainment Inc.'s third-quarter earnings by 39 percent, and the licensing and comic-book publishing company on Tuesday also raised its 2008 forecast.
But 2009 will prove a different picture.
Marvel expects only "modest" performance next year, partly due to "Iron Man: revenue shifting to 2008 and no 2009 summer feature films slated for release. It also cited less expected Spider-Man-related revenue and the slowing economy's effect on the retailers who sell its character-driven merchandise.

(And this factoid, for those of us who like to read our comics, not just see them up on the big screen:)

Publishing sales slipped 3 percent to $34 million, as lower trade paperback sales and custom publishing weren't totally offset by higher sales of traditional comics.

"Rage of the Red Lanterns"

2008-10-31T11:01:00.001-07:00

I confess, I didn't completely understand this week's "Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns." But I still enjoyed it, just as I continue to enjoy Geoff Johns' expansion of the Green Lantern mythology. (The Green Lantern Corps are kind of becoming the Rainbow Corps, what with the introduction of the Red Lanterns , Blue Lanterns and others.)

I also liked Shane Davis' art, but what I was really struck by was the coloring (appropriate, considering the title.) As a poster on Newsarama noted, it really pops off the page. I could do without the Red Lanterns constantly projectile-vomiting blood, though. Nasty business, there.

"The Avengers," movie style

2008-10-28T16:47:00.000-07:00

Well, it's a ways away (2011), but I'm already getting psyched about Marvel Studio's "The Avengers." That's cuz Marvel confirmed today that "Iron Man" star Robert Downey Jr. will indeed reprise his role not just in an "Iron Man" sequel or two, but for "The Avengers" as well. Don Cheadle, who is replacing Terrence Howard in "Iron Man 2," will also be around for "The Avengers," and "Iron Man" director Jon Favreau will executive produce.

Up, up and away

2008-10-28T15:24:00.001-07:00

With Marvel's comics apparently headed for a standard $3.99 price point, rumor king Rich Johnston has an interesting look at the increase in comic book prices over the years compared to the rate of inflation in his latest Lying in the Gutters column. He starts with 1977, when the price was 30 cents. I perhaps shouldn't admit this, but I'm old enough that I can remember when comics went from 12 cents to 15 cents, and then a quarter.

A Flashy "Funky"

2008-10-27T10:19:00.000-07:00

Did you catch "Funky Winkerbean" in Sunday's comics section of The Gazette? It was a cool homage to a classic "Flash" cover by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson.

"Crisis" vs. "Invasion"

2008-10-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Issue No. 4 of DC's "Final Crisis" and issue No. 7 of Marvel's "Secret Invasion" both arrived in stores yesterday, offering the opportunity for sort of an instant head-to-head comparison of the two big events. I give the edge, at least as far as these issues, to "Final Crisis." For one thing, I'm more partial to the art by J.G. Jones and Carlos Pachecho than to Leinil Yu's work on "Secret Invasion." And while "Final Crisis" seemed disjointed for the first issue or two, it has gained traction and plunged us into a dark world where, as promised, evil has won. "Secret Invasion" has been intriguing from the start, but this issue was just one big fight scene.

Black Panther(ess)

2008-10-21T16:19:00.000-07:00

Who's this? Marvel's got a new Black Panther in the works and this time he's a she.

We've already got a new Captain America running around in the Marvel U. Now a new Black Panther? I dunno. DC tried this before: a new Green Arrow, a new Green Lantern and so on. And it seems few have stuck over the years.

"Y: The Last Man"

2008-10-20T15:10:00.000-07:00

I spent my Sunday afternoon reading Volume One of "Y: The Last Man Deluxe Edition," a hardcover collection of the first 10 issues of "Y: The Last Man." The series came to an end earlier this year, and it was nice to revisit its beginnings. It's a riveting read by Brian K. Vaughan, and the end of each chapter will have you immediately zooming toward the next. It'll be a definite for this year's comic book gift guide.

"Joker"

2008-10-16T07:38:00.000-07:00

DC this week sent me a review copy of "Joker," a hardcover graphic novel written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Lee Bermejo and Mick Gray. It's a dark and disturbing street-level story, with the Joker more reminiscent of Heath Ledger's Joker in "The Dark Knight" than some past portrayals in the comics - a little darker perhaps and less madcap. Some other villains have had a bit of a makeover, too, most notably Killer Croc. And Gotham City has never looked seedier.

Batman makes only a cameo, pretty much. This is the Joker's story - or actually, Jonny Frost's story. Frost is a low-level thug who becomes the Joker's right-hand man, a job that becomes more than he bargained for. We see the Joker through his eyes - although we also learn a lot about the Joker's power and unpredictability by seeing how other bad guys, like the Penguin, fear him.

Howard out, Cheadle in?

2008-10-14T12:47:00.001-07:00

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Don Cheadle will be replacing Terrence Howard in "Iron Man 2." He'll be playing Tony Stark's buddy, Jim Rhodes, the future War Machine. Expect the role to be beefed up from the first movie, the article says.

Amazing no more

2008-10-13T15:21:00.000-07:00

Mark and Bill, the self-professed comic book geeks on this season of "The Amazing Race," came in last at the end of last night's episode. Which means the race is over for them. They were doomed when they failed to read one of the clues completely, and took a taxi to one of the challenges rather than going by foot. Maybe if the instructions had been in comic book form. ....

"Smallville" vs. "Survivor"

2008-10-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

I found myself watching "Survivor" last night and tuning to "Smallville" only during the "Survivor" commercial breaks. So with Lex and Lana and Lionel gone from "Smallville," I guess I may be, too, though I'm still curious about the new Doomsday. Looks like last night's episode featured Maxima and her kiss of death, and a new understanding of their relationship between Clark and Chloe. If you "Smallville" fans out there think I'm bailing out too soon, let me know.

"The Avengers: Earth's Mighiest Heroes"

2008-10-08T11:53:00.000-07:00

More Marvel heroes are headed for the small screen in cartoon form. Here's the press release from Marvel:

Further strengthening its robust animation slate, Marvel Animation, a division of Marvel Entertainment, announced today the production of an all new animated series, THE AVENGERS: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Production on 26 half-hour episodes is already underway using the production services of Film Roman, producer of the Simpsons and King of the Hill.

The new series, expected to be available for broadcast in 2011, continues on Marvel’s already impressive television line-up which includes the all-new Wolverine and the X-Men and Iron Man: Armored Adventures series that will both debut on Nicktoons in 2009. Marvel Animation will also debut the all-new series Marvel Super Hero Squad and The Black Panther next year.

THE AVENGERS: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is an all-new property featuring some of Marvel’s all-time favorite characters including Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Giant Man and Wasp. When the planet is threatened by Super Villains, time traveling conquerors, alien invaders, mythical monsters and mad robots bent on the total destruction of humanity, when forces of evil are so overwhelming that no single hero has the power to save the world, when there is no hope left…the Avengers assemble!

The Avengers are the best of the best in the Marvel Universe and the greatest heroes who take on the most unbeatable foes. These are the heroes who hold back the storm, and the fate of the world rests on their shoulders.

"The addition of THE AVENGERS: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to our quickly expanding animation slate continues our plan to complement each of our tentpole live action features with an animated series," said Eric Rollman, President of Animation. "This new ensemble series tracks perfectly with our highly anticipated ‘road to the Avengers’ strategy which includes some of Marvel’s biggest and most beloved characters, and which kicks off with two Avengers’ themed feature films in summer 2011.”

"Action" No. 870

2008-10-08T07:35:00.000-07:00

A major development in Superman's life in "Action Comics" No. 870, out today. I won't spoil it, but you can head over to Newsarama or, surprisingly, the New York Daily News, which broke the news. The development, though, probably isn't much of a surprise for long-time fans, and the cover offers a pretty strong clue.

A super "Supergirl"

2008-10-06T13:58:00.000-07:00

I haven't read "Supergirl" in some time, but I picked up last week's issue No. 34 in anticipation of the upcoming "New Krypton" story line, which will encompass "Supergirl" as well as "Superman" and "Action Comics."

This issue also introduced the new creative team of writer Sterling Gates and artist Jamai Igle. It was a fun issue, with Kara coping with a scathing article titled "Why the World Does Not Need a Supergirl" and establishing a new civilian identity with a connection to a long-lived Superman supporting character. And, as a newspaper guy, I loved the cover, showing Supergirl ripping through the front page of The Daily Planet.

"Batman R.I.P" - Chapter Five

2008-10-03T15:37:00.000-07:00

After waiting til Friday to get the week's new comics, there wasn't much there: Just two titles in my hold file at Bargain Comics. But at least one was "Batman" No. 680, the latest chapter in Grant Morrison's "Batman R.I.P." story line. It continues to be a feverish, nightmarish story; I've never seen the Joker as creepy as he is in this chapter. Still not quite sure what's going on, other than Batman's mind is basically being ground into dust. I suppose it's a little silly to expect a happy ending out of a story titled "Batman R.I.P.," but I don't want to see our favorite caped crusader sent out to pasture, or worse, with his mind destroyed.

Noooooooo!

2008-10-01T11:18:00.001-07:00

Hello from Bargain Comics,
Unfortunately we are not recieving any new books today. There was shipping delay and as a result we did not receive any books today.
We expect some items tomorrow and we will have everything in stock by Friday.
We apologize for the inconvenience.

"The Graysons"

2008-10-01T08:31:00.001-07:00

Variety reports that the CW is considering a series based on Robin the boy wonder's "pre-Caped Crusader days."

"Just as 'Smallville' focused on Clark Kent in the years before he became Superman, 'The Graysons' will follow the world of Dick 'DJ' Grayson before he takes on the iconic Robin identity and aligns himself with Batman," Variety writes.

Two of the executive producers of "Smallville" (including Kelly Souders, who I interviewed recently about the latest season of "Smallville) are among those behind the show.

The show promises a modern "original take" on the character of Dick Grayson. So does that mean he won't be part of The Flying Graysons circus family? At any rate, I'm curious but dubious. Clark Kent before he became Superman is special because he's from another world and he's learning about his powers. What's going to set Dick, oh, I mean, DJ, apart? I could see a miniseries on the origin of Robin - that'd be cool - but a whole series that's set even BEFORE the origin?

"The Amazing Race"

2008-09-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

I watched the opening episode of the latest season of "The Amazing Race" with special interest last night. One of the teams is a pair of comic book geeks, Mark and Bill. They used the word geek, by the way. At least they're not wearing superhero outfits or anything. And they did fine in last night's challenge, though they were a bit slow on the long climb down the massive rope ladder.

Building a universe one movie at a time

2008-09-26T11:51:00.000-07:00

The latest Wizard magazine has an interesting article on Marvel Studios' effort to build a Marvel movie universe, with characters overlapping into various films and leading into an Avengers movie. Well-known examples include Samuel L. Jackson's cameo as Nick Fury in the "Iron Man" movie and Robert Downey Jr.'s appearance in "The Incredible Hulk." What I didn't know is Marvel Comics' key role in the effort, such as the fact that Marvel writer Brian Bendis was called upon to write Jackson's cameo.

Speaking of Marvel movies, "Iron Man" is released on DVD on Tuesday.

End of the line for Minx

2008-09-25T11:17:00.000-07:00

Well, that's too bad. Newsarama reports that DC Comics is ending its Minx imprint as of January. Minx's line of graphic novels was aimed at teen girls who have been voracious readers of Japanese manga comics. The imprint had a pretty high level launch, but I guess it never caught on. Maybe because of readers like my teen daughter. She likes to read, but I tried to get her to read "The P.L.A.I.N. Janes," the first book in the line, and she basically gave it a glance and nothing more.

Spider-Man the musical

2008-09-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

The Associated Press reports that the long-discussed Spider-Man musical might make its way onto Broadway next year.

"The Internet has been abuzz about the web slinger's possible leap to the stage since last year, with casting call notices sparking fervent chatter," The AP says. "A move to Broadway would put Marvel in the company of Walt Disney Co., which has been very successful in extending brands such as 'Mary Poppins,' 'The Little Mermaid' and 'The Lion King' into theatrical productions."

Johns on "New Krypton"

2008-09-22T11:22:00.001-07:00

I talked this morning with Geoff Johns, writer of "Action Comics," about the upcoming New Krypton story line that will encompass "Action," "Superman" and "Supergirl." The story, feature the sudden appearance of 100,000 Kryptonians on Earth, spins largely out of the current Braniac story line in "Action."

So Superman will no longer be the last son of Krypton. Far from it, in fact. So does that make less notable, less distinctive?

"If anything, it's going to make him more distinctive," Johns said. Just because you're from Krypton, just because you can fly, doesn't make you Superman, he said. The story will contrast Superman, and his Earth upbringing, against all these other Kryptonians.

Look for more on New Krypton in a future Comics Fan.

"All Star Superman"

2008-09-19T10:43:00.000-07:00

DC's "All Star Superman" came to an end this week with issue No. 12. The series truly has been all star, with an imaginative, wistful story by Grant Morrison, distinct, detailed pencils by Frank Quitely and stunning colors by Jamie Grant. And it came out more on time than "All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder," which started before "All Star Superman" and has yet to end.

Embrace Change

2008-09-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

Well, that's pretty wild. The Marvel P.R. machine has shifted into overdrive, including a TV commercial last night on ESPN-2 with the Skrulls from Marvel's big-event "Secret Invasion" pushing their message of "embrace change." If you missed it, like me, visit http://www.mtv.com/ and look for the ad at the Comic Book Movies Blog under the News category. There's also another video, and some more Skrull propaganda, at http://www.embracechange.org/.

"Dark Reign"

2008-09-16T11:14:00.000-07:00

Marvel has posted its soliciations for December, but there's not as much info there as usual. That's because of "Dark Reign," the mysterious aftermath to "Secret Invasion." So a lot of the blurbs read like this: "These solicits are classified until the release of Secret Invasion #8."

Digital comics

2008-09-16T09:44:00.000-07:00

Marvel is launching two new comic book series, but you won't be able to pick them up at your friendly neighborhood comic book shop. They're created exclusively for the Web and available only through Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited. Here's the press release:

NEW YORK, NY - For the first time ever, Marvel Entertainment is creating comic book series exclusively for the web as it launches all-new Iron Man and Incredible Hulk series this Fall that will only be available via its online subscription service, Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.

Already featuring more than 5,000 comic books from Marvel’s illustrious archives, Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited will now enable fans to enjoy two digitally-exclusive tales featuring the untold stories of Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk, which tie directly into movie continuity. The series are being produced under the guidance of Marvel Studios, the creative force behind this summer’s blockbuster feature films that grossed more than $800 million combined at the global box office.

Iron Man: Fast Friends brings insight into the bond between Tony Stark/Iron Man and his best friend, Jim “Rhodey” Rhodes. Weaving in and out of the events in the feature film, the digital comic series explores the kinship of the two through the eyes of Rhodey. Featuring original storylines by Paul Tobin, with art by Ronan Cliquet and covers by Dave Bullock, the weekly series launches September 17, 2008, in advance of the September 30 DVD release of the Iron Man feature film.

Incredible Hulk: The Fury Files follows S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury as he finds out why it's a bad idea to make Bruce Banner angry. Written by Frank Tieri, with art by Salva Espin and covers by Steve Lieber, the weekly series will launch on October 8, leading up to the October 21 release of The Incredible Hulk on DVD. The series picks up when Nick Fury receives intel that Thunderbolt Ross's Super Soldier program has finally produced an unstoppable warrior. A hands-on guy, Fury wants see this "hulk" for himself. So he does...and that's when stuff starts breaking.

“We are incredibly excited to launch these compelling new comic book series exclusively for Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited,” said Dan Buckley, President, Marvel Publishing. “Spinning out of two of this summer’s biggest blockbuster films, the new Iron Man and Incredible Hulk series feature original, untold stories presented in a unique digital format. The series will serve as a terrific complement to continuity of the films, and will undoubtedly engage all the new Iron Man and Hulk fans out there who want more of Iron Man and Hulk. I can think of no better way to get more people involved with Marvel Comics.”
In addition, these exclusive Iron Man and Incredible Hulk comics represent the premier releases in a continuing slate of comics available only to subscribers of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited. Digital-only exclusives will be published regularly on Wednesdays at the pace of three or more comics per month. Upcoming titles include top Marvel characters and creative teams, fan-favorite holiday-themed specials, explorations into science fiction, martial arts and Westerns genres and so much more.

Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited subscribers already gain access to an ever-growing library of Marvel comics featuring an enormous array of titles from every era of Marvel’s celebrated publishing history. Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited is curated by Marvel editors, and serves as an ultimate digital comic Internet destination, allowing unparalleled access to thousands of titles from Marvel’s historic comic book archives. From the first issues of Amazing Spider-Man, The X-Men, Incredible Hulk, Fantastic Four and other favorites, to unforgettable recent storylines, mini-series and special issues. The Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited site presents each digital comic in the highest-resolution available.

$40K and counting

2008-09-12T14:29:00.001-07:00

My Comics Fan column on Brad Meltzer and his new novel, "The Book of Lies," as well as his effort to save the Cleveland home where a young Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster dreamed up Superman, is this Sunday. Over at Newsarama, Michael Sangiacomo reports that the effort to preserve the Superman house, which includes an online auction all this month, has raised about $40,000 so far.

"G.I. Joe" No. 0

2008-09-11T11:37:00.001-07:00

I talked today with Andy Schmidt, editor of the upcoming line of G.I. Joe comics from IDW Publishing. Coincidentally enough, I was at Bargain Comics yesterday and ran into Jonboy Meyers, a local comic book artist who I profiled many months ago. Why is that a coincidence? Because Jonboy provides one of the covers for "G.I. Joe" No. 0, which comes out next month and serves as a preview of the new line.

"All Star" obscenities

2008-09-11T08:02:00.000-07:00

So have you been following the "All Star" furor? Newsarama and others have reported that DC Comics asked comic book shop owners to destroy any copies of "All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder" No. 10 and that replacement copies would be coming soon. Seems that the dialogue was sprinkled with profanity that was supposed to be blocked by black bars, but the black bars weren't dark enough and the offending words could be seen.

What the .....? Why put the words in there to begin with if they were going to be blacked out? Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. Either keep the words in there and make it an adult comic, or just don't go there at all.

Meanwhile, of course, many of the copies destined for destruction are instead showing up on eBay. ....

"Fringe" the TV show

2008-09-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

I watched "Fringe" last night, so I understand the role of the comic book a bit better. Looks like the comic will be shedding light on the past of Walter Bishop and the mysterious William Bell.

The show has some roots in "The X-Files," but what about comic book influences? Seems a bit reminiscent of Warren Ellis' "Planetary," to me.

"Fringe" the comic

2008-09-09T07:40:00.000-07:00

"Fringe" debuts tonight on Fox. But there's also "Fringe" the comic book, a six-issue miniseries from DC's WildStorm. The first issue features two stories, the first delving into the past of Walter Bishop, a key character on the show. The back story has to do with an experiment in which people's minds and bodies are switched; fairly well-worn plot there, including a good guy waking up in a bad guy's body.

"New Ways to Die"

2008-09-05T09:55:00.000-07:00

After the events of "Brand New Day" (in which Peter and MJ's marriage was magically wiped away), I only stuck with "Amazing Spider-Man" for a few issues before drifting away. I've returned, though, for the current "New Ways to Die" storyline. For one thing, it has brought back artist John Romita Jr. Plus, I'm always a sucker for the hero against impossible odds kind of thing, and this has Spidey up against the Thunderbolts and Menace and who knows what else. And then there's the new Anti-Venom vs. Venom. All in all, a rollicking good time.

The Siegel and Shuster Society

2008-09-03T10:47:00.000-07:00

Want to help fix up the childhood home of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel and get some cool stuff in return, like a walk-on role on TV's "Heroes" or a Superman T-shirt signed by Siegel? The Siegel and Shuster Society, started by writer Brad Meltzer (who I'm scheduled to interview this weekend), is holding a month-long online auction, with the funds going to repair the former Siegel home in Cleveland. The home is featured in Meltzer's new novel, "The Book of Lies," which came out this week and mixes some Superman fact into the fiction.

To learn more, go to www.ordinarypeoplechangetheworld.com.

Meltzer, by the way, will be in Colorado next week, with a book-signing at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Tattered Cover in Highlands Ranch, 9315 Dorchester St.

Chemistry? What chemistry?

2008-09-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

I received this e-mail in response to my Comics Fan column Sunday on "Smallville." The story had a quote from producer Kelly Souders about the chemistry between Clark (Tom Welling) and Lois Lane (Erica Durance). This reader couldn't disagree more. Any Erica fans out there? Or other Erica haters?

"Anyone who has actually watched the show is painfully aware that Erica Durance has absolutely no chemistry with her co-star, Tom Welling, nor can she act. ...

"The real Lois Lane is always a well educated woman who earns her way into the Daily Planet under a legitimate and experienced editor like Perry White. Erica Durance’s character in no way resembles the real Lois Lane, since her “Lois” is portrayed as an uneducated (without even a high school diploma) bimbo who writes tabloid crap and who was hired by the fake-editor/cloned-brother of Lex Luthor because he liked her looks and she later slept with her boss for favored treatment in return. No real Superman and Lois Lane fan want to see the future Superman end up with this pathetic character and I should know since I have been reading the adventures of Superman for over fifty years. This Not-Lois is an insult to the legend and the producers of Smallville should be ashamed of trying to shove her horrible character down our throats."

"Last Will and Testament"

2008-08-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

A pretty good stack of comics yesterday from Bargain Comics. At the top of my pile: "DC Universe: Last Will and Testament," with novelist Brad Meltzer checking in on various corners of the DC Universe before an against-the-odds battle.

That battle presumably is the one being waged in "Final Crisis," though, interestingly, there's no "Final Crisis" logo on the cover. As such, it's kind of perplexing as to where this fits into "Final Crisis." "Last Will" features Batman, for example, and he was taken prisoner early in "Final Crisis" before anyone even knew a crisis existed. Disparities with Superman, Green Lantern and others are also evident. Just as with "Countdown to Final Crisis," there doesn't seem to be any editorial hand smoothing out the wrinkles.

If you can get past all that, though, there are a lot of nice character bits throughout. The main story covers Geo-Force's vendetta against Deadshot, and while I've never really paid attention to Geo-Force, Meltzer made me care.

Another one bites the dust?

2008-08-26T11:18:00.000-07:00

Virgin Comics no more? That seems to be the case, according to a report by Publishers Weekly. Virgin confirms a closing of its New York offices, with a planned move to Los Angeles as it restructures and concentrates on "core activities." Guess the question is what those core activities are.

"Smallville," season eight

2008-08-22T11:07:00.000-07:00

I talked yesterday afternoon with Kelly Souders, one of four "Smallville" executive producers who are in charge of the show now that creators Al Gough and Miles Millar are gone. "Smallville" heads into its eighth season next month and some reports have said it will be the last season. Souders, though, says that's premature. "We are doing our best, everyone's working really hard, in hopes that it isn't the last season," she says.

Souders and her fellow showrunners have their work cut out for them, though, what with Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor) and Kristin Kreuk (Lana Lang) gone from the cast. (Though Kristin will be back for a handful of episodes at some point.) To help fill the void, Justin Hartley will be back as a regular in his role as Oliver Queen/Green Arrow.

"He's just fascinating to play against Clark," Souders says. Clark is super-powered; Oliver isn't. And they have some very different attitudes on crimefighting. Remind anyone of the Superman-Batman relationship?

I'll have more on "Smallville" in a future Comics Fan.

"Legion of 3 Worlds"

2008-08-21T12:11:00.000-07:00

As a longtime Legion of Super-Heroes fan, I was eager to pick up this week's first issue of "Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds." The issue was spent mostly setting up the miniseries, bringing the tormented Superboy Prime (or is that Superman Prime?) to the future, having the Legion call on Superman and assembling the bad guys (an expanded Legion of Super-Villains) and the good (the Legion of Super-Heroes of three parallel worlds, as promised in the title.) The three Legions have all been part of continuity and, even though I've kind of lost track of all the changes over the years, it will still be interesting to watch them interact. Fine art by George Perez and Scott Koblish, and some fun retro moments from writer Geoff Johns.

"Watchmen" running time

2008-08-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

Well, that's just silly. Newsarama reports that a group of fans calling themselves the Minutemen have started an online petition to "respectfully demand" that Warner Bros. allow a three-hour running time for its upcoming "Watchmen." The argument is that the multilayered story needs such time, and fans worry that Warner Bros. is pressuring director Zack Snyder to trim the current running time of 2 hours, 50 minutes.

Since the fans haven't, like, actually seen the whole film, I don't know how anybody other than Snyder and his team can know how long the film should be so that it is coherent and faithful to the classic comics work by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. For studio execs worried that a long running time might deter moviegoers, though, Newsarama does point out that "Titanic," the top grossing movie of all time, ran about 3 1/2 hours. But then, "Titanic" wasn't an R-rated movie based on a revered-to-fans but obscure-to-many graphic novel.

Alfred, we hardly knew you!

2008-08-18T16:16:00.000-07:00

DC Comics posted its solicitations for November today. There'll be two issues of "Batman" that month: a special story narrated by faithful butler Alfred "in his last hours." Does that mean Alfred's one of the victims of the current "Batman R.I.P." story? Sounds like it, though I suppose this tale could be set in the future, with Alfred looking back.

Bad times for Bats

2008-08-15T07:18:00.000-07:00

Got to the comic book store a day late this week. Top of my reading pile: "Batman" No. 679, the latest chapter in Grant Morrison's "Batman R.I.P" story line, and issue No. 5 of Marvel's "Secret Invasion."

I'm totally caught up in "Batman R.I.P," a dark, feverish nightmare of a story that finds Batman totally wacked out, Nightwing held in Arkham Asylum, Alfred being clubbed every issue by the bad guys and Commissioner Gordon facing deadly danger. I have NO idea where this is headed. (Only down side is that folks trying to get into the comics after seeing "The Dark Knight" are going to be SOOO lost.)

"Secret Invasion" moved along this issue after sort of treading water, I thought, last time. At least the good guys are finally making their push. I agree with readers who are complaining that some key role by Captain America and Thor was set up by the last page of last issue, but not followed up on at all this time. What's up with that?

"The Last Days of Krypton" in paperback

2008-08-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

The latest issue of Anderzone, which keeps readers informed on the doings of local writer Kevin J. Anderson, reports that his "The Last Days of Krypton" will be released in paperback on Aug. 26. The book has a new "lenticular" cover that apparently gives it a cool 3-D look. Anderson, meanwhile, has delivered the final manuscript for "Batman/Superman: First Encounter." Look for that book next May.

"Dark Knight" rules box office again

2008-08-11T14:45:00.000-07:00

The final box office numbers are in for the weekend. "The Dark Knight" occupied the No. 1 spot for the fourth straight weekend, raking in $26.1 million and boosting the film's domestic gross $441.6 million, The Associated Press reports. That means "The Dark Knight" is behind only "Titanic" and the original "Star Wars" in terms of the all-time domestic box office charts.

Teen comics club forming

2008-08-08T13:22:00.000-07:00

Interested in getting a comic-book club up and running? An informational meeting on forming a comics club for teens is planned for 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Teen Center at the East Library.

The goal of the first meeting is to get an idea of what teens would like out of such a club, said Kristen Baldwin, teen services librarian with the Pikes Peak Library District. Her vision, though, is to have some kind of comics-related program each month, likely on Saturdays and perhaps moving from branch to branch. For more information, e-mail kbaldwin@ppld.org

"Final Crisis" No. 3

2008-08-07T13:20:00.000-07:00

"Final Crisis" No. 3 arrived yesterday. As always, writer Grant Morrison is brimming with ideas, many of them riveting. But the book continues to be kind of choppy. I frankly didn't understand much of what was going on in the first half. One thing was clear by the end of issue No. 3, though: Things are grim, grim, grim in the DCU, with Martian Manhunter dead, Batman held captive, Superman almost losing Lois, Green Lantern being hauled away, Wonder Woman transformed into ... I don't know what, but it's not pretty.

"Final Crisis" has been billed as the day evil won, and that day has arrived. What's interesting is that in both "Final Crisis" and "Secret Invasion," Marvel's rival major event, the heroes appear to have lost the war before it even began, thanks to planning by the dark gods in "Final Crisis" and the Skrulls in "Secret Invasion." I'm following "Secret Invasion" a lot easier, but I'm probably more on the edge of my seat with "Crisis."

Marvel money

2008-08-05T07:40:00.000-07:00

Marvel Entertainment reported its second-quarter earnings today. Though it said its profit was up 61 percent compared to the second quarter of last year, that was still below analysts' expectations. While the figures included "pre-sales" of the movies "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk," they didn't include actual revenue from success at the box office. Earnings from the publishing sector were down a bit; Marvel attributed that to the big success in the second quarter of 2007 of items such as "The Death of Captain America" and "Civil War" trade paperbacks. It also noted, though, the "rising costs for talent and paper."

"Ex Machina Deluxe Edition"

2008-08-04T13:13:00.000-07:00

I hid inside from the heat during the weekend and read. I was going to start Brad Meltzer's "The Book of Lies," but instead turned to "Ex Machina Deluxe Edition," a hardcover collection of the first 11 issues of WildStorm's "Ex Machina." (Interestingly, it has an introduction by ... Brad Meltzer!)

"Ex Machina" is written by Brian K. Vaughan ("Y: The Last Man") and is a compelling, adult mix of big-city politics and superheroics. (It's about a superhero turned mayor, and no, it's not Green Arrow.) I had read the first few issues before, but it was a pleasure to revisit them. The art, by Tony Harris, is wonderful, with his characters distinctly rendered and vividly coming to life.

"Hawkman Special"

2008-07-31T15:12:00.001-07:00

Newsarama has an interview with writer/artist Jim Starlin on next week's "Hawkman Special." He tells Newsarama that he has been asked by DC to clean up "the mess" that is Hawkman's past. Don't get me wrong, Starlin's work is typically good to great. But I agree with the readers who are questioning his latest mission, since Geoff Johns did a heroic job of making sense of Hawkman's convoluted past a few years ago.

"The Book of Lies"

2008-07-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

I received an advance copy today of Brad Meltzer's "The Book of Lies." A key element in the novel, which is scheduled for release Sept. 2, is the real-life slaying of Mitch Siegel, father of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel. In his acknowledgments, Meltzer thanks Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster "for building something that has meant more to me than any other art form."

Meltzer, by the way, just won an Eisner at the San Diego Comic-Con International. He and artist Gene Ha won the Eisner for "best single issue" for their story, "Walls," in an issue of "Justice League of America." Congrats.

The DCU grows

2008-07-28T07:47:00.001-07:00

Another San Diego Comic-Con has come and gone. I spent the weekend catching up on the latest news through Newsarama and others. The biggest announcements seemed to come out of DC, such as:

The DC Universe is growing. DC has acquired the rights to the old Archie superheroes; they'll be showing up in "The Brave and the Bold." And, more exciting, the old Milestone characters (once published by DC, though part of a separate company) are returning, and this time will be part of the DCU.

Neil Gaiman on Batman! Only a two-part story, apparently, but still ... Neil Gaiman on Batman!

Geoff Johns is writing an episode of "Smallville" that will introduce the Legion of Super-Heroes. With Lex and Lana gone for the most part, I'm having trouble being excited at all about the upcoming season of "Smallville," but I'll at least be checking out this episode.

Speaking of Johns, he and Ethan Van Sciver will be reunited for "Flash: Rebirth," which will help reintroduce the long-gone Barry Allen to the DCU. I have mixed feelings about the return of Barry, who died decades ago in "Crisis on Infinite Earths," but the dynamic duo of Johns and Van Sciver give me some reassurance.

King and Marvel, together again

2008-07-25T08:51:00.000-07:00

The relationship between Marvel and Stephen King just keeps getting stronger. Marvel, in a partnership with Scribner and Simon & Schuster Digital and CBS Mobile, today announced a series of 25 video episodes, beginning Monday, adapting a not-yet published story by King. The comic book style series, drawn by Alex Maleev and adapted by “Eli Stone” co-creator Marc Guggenheim, will be for viewing on the small, small screen – mobile phones – and on the Web.
The story, “N,” the tale of a psychiatrist who develops the same mysterious and deadly obsession as his patient, will be included in a collection of King short stories, “Just After Sunset,” coming in November. The video episodes will become the basis of a comic book miniseries in 2009. For more information, check out http://www.nishere.com/.

Dark Horse in Hollywood

2008-07-24T13:14:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles Times ran a nice story the other day by Geoff Boucher on the growth of Dark Horse Comics, exploring how founder Mike Richardson has gone from unnamed "comic book guy" to a major player in Hollywood. Look for the story in Sunday's Gazette in the Life section.

The next best thing to being there

2008-07-23T15:01:00.000-07:00

The San Diego Comic-Con International gets under way in earnest tomorrow and, alas, I won't be there. But Bargain Comics' Mike Coco and I were talking about the fact that with all the Web sites offering reports and feeds from San Diego this year, it's almost like being there - minus the enormous crowds and $8 hotdogs. I'll be keeping an eye on Newsarama, Comic Book Resources and Entertainment Weekly. Some interesting news already coming out of the convention, such as a deal between Boom Studios and Disney/Pixar for comics stemming from "The Incredibles" and other Pixax movies.

Who will watch "Watchmen?"

2008-07-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

Comic fans checking out "The Dark Knight" will get a thrill even before the movie comes on screen, with a trailer for "Watchmen," based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The "Watchmen" movie is also this week's cover story in Entertainment Weekly, part of a package devoted to the San Diego Comic-Con International. Director Zack Snyder certainly seems devoted to a faithful adaptation. EW, though, calls it "the riskiest superhero movie ever," with a relatively little-known cast and a source that, while revered by comic book fans and hailed by critics outside of comic book circles, is probably not known to the average person.

"The Dark Knight" delivers

2008-07-21T07:39:00.001-07:00

Yes, it is that good - and that dark.

And yes, Heath Ledger deserves an Oscar nomination.

I saw "The Dark Knight" Sunday afternoon on Imax, the big, big screen. And while I'm not yet ready to join those proclaiming it as the greatest superhero movie of all time, it is fantastic.

It starts with an action-filled sequence and rarely lets go. There was only a time or two during the 2 1/2 hours that I found myself looking at my watch. Ledger truly is compelling as the Joker; you can't take your eyes off him when he's onscreen. But everyone else does a fine job, as well.

It reminded me - but only in one way, really - of Tim Burton's second Batman movie, "Batman Returns," with featured both Penguin and Catwoman. Just as "The Dark Knight" boasts both the Joker and Two Face. In each case, there's the risk of Batman playing second fiddle to the bad guys. But "The Dark Knight" is still Batman's story as he struggles with how far he should go in his war on crime. Some moviegoers, though, may be surprised to find out it is also Harvey Dent's story, who serves as Gotham's White Knight to Batman's Dark Knight.

The action sequences really are pulse-pounding, but the emotional undercurrents are never forgotten. And while I read some reviews that suggested there's no humor at all to lighten the darkness just a bit, that isn't true. It is serious stuff, though.

Early numbers put the weekend box office at about $155 million, fueling Hollywood's biggest weekend ever.

Bad, Barbie, bad

2008-07-18T12:49:00.000-07:00

Newsarama earlier this week reported on a controversy involving Mattel's upcoming Black Canary Barbie doll, and today has an interview with artist Amanda Conner, who designed the Canary outfit for DC's "Birds of Prey." Seems a British religious group has slammed the Black Canary doll - dressed in motorcycle jacket and fishnet stockings - as "filth." The doll is part of a fall line that will feature other DC heroines as well, including Batgirl and Supergirl.

Goobye, again, to Martian Manhunter

2008-07-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

Since I was out of town last week, I had two weeks of comics to pick up at Bargain Comics yesterday. At the top of my reading pile when I got home was "Secret Invasion" No. 4. I found it kind of disappointing. The idea, it seems, was to provide an overview of the Skrull invasion and show how, in the Skrulls' eyes, anyway, the war is already over. My problem is that not much happened.

I was more struck by "Final Crisis: Requiem," in which DC's heroes, and we readers, got a chance to say goodbye to J'onn J'onnz, the Martian Manhunter. The story by Peter Tomasi was pretty heartbreaking, but ultimately uplifting. I wasn't prepared for the expanded scene of the Manhunter's death (he was killed in one panel in "Final Crisis" No. 1). It was good, I guess, to see that J'onn fought to the end, but it was grim, bloody and tough to read.

"The Dark Knight" dazzles

2008-07-17T09:16:00.000-07:00

Well, the first showing of "The Dark Knight" is just hours away, and the excitement seems to be building to incredible levels, spurred by some totally rave reviews.

Count The Gazette's Brandon Fibbs as among those dazzled by the film.

The most eagerly anticipated popcorn blockbuster of the summer is, in fact, one of the greatest crime epics ever made," he writes in his review.

It's a dark movie, he warns, but not a dull one. "It is a pulse pounding, adrenaline fueled, exhilarating experience."

Look for the entire review in Friday's Go!

Box office kings

2008-07-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

Superheroes continue to rule in movie theaters. "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" was No. 1 at the box office during the weekend, raking in nearly $36 million. At No. 2 was "Hancock," with roughly $33 million.

Next weekend, it's a safe bet that Batman will take the crown with "The Dark Knight." I saw a couple of rave reviews on the wires today, with both commenting that this is the darkest and most grown-up Bat movie yet.

Stan Lee's new book

2008-07-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

Still in Santa Monica. If I had been here last week, I could have been among the crowd to line up outside the Santa Monica Public Library to meet Stan "The Man" Lee. The legendary Marvel Comics creator was at the library to sign copies of his new book. It's not a comic book project this time, but a photo book, with Stan's goofy captions accompanying photos of Barack Obama, John McCain, Hillary Clinton and others.

"If you're a fan of mine, you have to have a sense of humor," Stan told the Santa Monica Daily Press.

Breakfast with Batman

2008-07-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

We interrupt this vacation with this important Bat announcement. ...

So I'm on vacation in Santa Monica this week. This morning I sat 3 feet or so from Batman himself. No, not Christian Bale, but Michael Keaton, from Tim Burton's "Batman." He was having breakfast at Amelia's, the cafe next to our motel here on Main Street.

One of my first stops here, of course, was Hi De Ho Comics on Santa Monica Blvd. Not the nicest comic book shop I've been in, but filled to the rafters with cool stuff, and lots and lots of wooden boxes with back issues.

Oscar nominee?

2008-07-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

Oscar buzz is already surrounding the late Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker in "The Dark Knight." Actor Gary Oldman (James Gordon in the movie) tells David Germain of The Associated Press: “Whatever Heath channeled into, he’s found something quite extraordinary. It’s arguably one of the greatest screen villains I think I’ve ever seen.”

Look for the entire AP story in Sunday's Life section. While you're reading, I'll be jetting off to California. And I won't be near a computer probably, so this blog will likely go dark for the next week and a half.

"Fantastic Four: True Story"

2008-07-02T12:11:00.001-07:00

I heard back today from Paul Cornell, writer of the upcoming "Fantastic Four: True Story." Since he lives in the U.K., I went the e-mail interview route instead of by phone.

The Marvel miniseries finds the FF interacting with figures from classic literature. But it's not a dry "Fantastic Four meets Classics Illustrated," Cornell assures.

"If you're after audacious fun on a widescreen, with a love of the FF and a love of fiction, give this a go," he wrote. "It gets quite grim and gritty as we go, but there's always a joy to it, I think."

More on "True Story" in a future Comics Fan.

Moviegoers wanted "Wanted"

2008-06-30T14:28:00.001-07:00

Another comic book movie hits it big, even if most people won't know that it's a comic book movie. "Wanted," based on the comic by Mark Millar, netted $51.1 million during the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. that's just a few million shy of the opening weekend box office for "The Incredible Hulk." "Wanted" still only came in second during the weekend, though; Pixar's "Wall-E" was No. 1 with $62.5 million in ticket sales.

Heath Ledger's finest?

2008-06-27T15:57:00.000-07:00

Heath Ledger has been touted as an amazing presence in the upcoming "The Dark Knight." David Germain of the Associated Press, who saw a press screening of the movie Thursday night, has this to say:

"The buzz over Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker in 'The Dark Knight' for the last several months was justified. With his final full film role, Ledger delivers what may be remembered as the finest performance of his career."

"Final Crisis" No. 2

2008-06-26T12:01:00.000-07:00

Took home a BIG stack of comics yesterday from Bargain Comics. At the top of the pile: "Final Crisis" No. 2.

I liked the second issue of DC's big event better than the first, and I'm starting to get a sense of what's going on. Still kind of hard to follow though, and the pacing is off for me. Like the first issue, this issue began with an extended sequence - this one in Japan. So sort of a leisurely start, but then bam! the story lurches ahead in bits and pieces.

Still pretty pictures, though. And it's not like I'm not intrigued. Wish I'd read Grant Morrison's "Mister Miracle" books; maybe then, I'd be a bit more plugged in.

"Superpowers"

2008-06-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

A copy of "Superpowers," a new novel by David Schwartz, landed on my desk yesterday. It's about a group of college friends who after a night of partying discover they have superpowers and form a crime-fighting group. I've got a vacation coming up in a couple of weeks, so maybe I'll have time to read it then. Publishers Weekly calls it an "eager-to-please but unsatisfying debut" by Schwartz. But I found some online critic who touts it as poignant and emotionally hard-hitting. We'll see....

"Old Man Logan"

2008-06-20T11:38:00.001-07:00

The cover of this week's "Wolverine" No. 66 touts it as the greatest Wolverine story ever. I don't know about that, but the issue - which starts Mark Millar's "Old Man Logan" storyline - is pretty awesome. Drenched in a Mad Max, post-apocalyptic atmosphere, the story is set 50 years or so into the future, a dark time when the superheroes are gone and evil has taken over. (Maybe they ran into DC's "Final Crisis," touted as the day evil won.) Wolverine has settled down, a struggling farmer with a wife and kids, and apparently hasn't popped his claws in all that time. In the opening chapter, he suffers a pretty bad beating, thanks to the grandchildren of Bruce "Hulk" Banner. Wolverine's old buddy Hawkeye is also around, and ready to take Logan on an epic road trip in future chapters.

"Old Man Logan" reunites Millar with artist Steve McNiven, and as with "Civil War," they again make a great team.

"Captain America: White"

2008-06-17T14:15:00.000-07:00

I talked today with writer Jeph Loeb, who is reunited with artist Tim Sale for "Captain America: White," an upcoming miniseries from Marvel. Though it won't launch until late this year, a special issue No. 0 will arrive in comic book shops next month, just to get you revved up for the actual series. The "zero" issue will feature a 17-page origin of Bucky, Cap's sidekick during the war years, plus some special features.

Loeb and Sale, of course, have done other Marvel "color books," including "Spider-Man: Blue," "Daredevil: Yellow" and "Hulk: Gray." The colors have double meaning: "Spider-Man: Blue," for example, refers to the blue in Spidey's costume and the blue mood he's in. Loeb wouldn't explain the meaning behind "Captain America: White," but says it will become clear in the first issue.

I'll have more on Loeb and Cap in a future Comics Fan.

Dixon and DC

2008-06-16T11:04:00.000-07:00

Talk about burning bridges. Writer Chuck Dixon has left DC, and some of the reasons may be right here.

Some Hulk-sized hopes

2008-06-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

The Wall Street Journal had a story today on Marvel Studios and the hopes for this weekend's release of "The Incredible Hulk." AP moved a similar story. Seems no one is expecting "Hulk" to rival the roaring success of "Iron Man." The question is whether the studio's first smash hit is followed by a more modest hit or a flop.

Here's an interesting figure from the Wall Street Journal story: "With an estimated $200 million in movie profits, however, 'Iron Man' will make more for Marvel than the company's 16 previous films combined, according to analysts. All 16 were made with studio partners who paid for them."

Back on the big screen

2008-06-12T11:13:00.000-07:00

So is "The Incredible Hulk" truly incredible? Apparently not, according to a wealth of reviewers. But there does seem to be consensus that it is better than Ang Lee's "Hulk." The Washington Post calls the new movie "a classic comic-book hero quest that, while not entirely novel, hews to its own rules and conventions with dignity and artfulness." McClatchy Newspapers ranks it "somewhere between the painful 'Daredevil' and the amazing 'Iron Man.' ” "Green, lean and mean, 'The Incredible Hulk' is a thrill-oriented reboot of the superhero franchise that should have action fans cheering," the Star Tribune declares.

Happy birthday, Skaar

2008-06-11T08:22:00.000-07:00

Cute. ... First issue of "Skaar, Son of Hulk" is out today.

"Batman Gotham Knight"

2008-06-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

I talked today with Alan Burnett, who has been working on Batman in various animated incarnations since 1991 - or even longer, if you count "Super Friends." His latest project is "Batman Gotham Knight," an animated adventure coming out on DVD next month. It features six interlocking stories illustrated by Japanese animators, so expect a new look for Gotham City and the Dark Knight. Burnett was story editor and also wrote the last chapter, which features Deadshot. It was an opportunity Burnett relished.

"One villain you could never put on Saturday morning or in children's programs was Deadshot, because this guy is an assassin who uses bullets," he explained. "We thought since we're going after a little older audience here that we could finally be able to use Deadshot."

I'll have more on "Gotham Knight" in a future Comics Fan.

Morrison on "Final Crisis"

2008-06-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

Well, that explains that. Newsarama, in an interview with writer Grant Morrison, asks about disconnects between his "Final Crisis" and a couple of series intended to lead into "Final Crisis," namely "Countdown" and "Death of the New Gods." Seems that Grant had his first issue written before these other series even got going. I still think some editors could have stepped in and tried to make it all mesh together better.

"Comic Books Unbound"

2008-06-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

Anybody get Starz? "Comic Books Unbound," examining comic books' growing power in Hollywood, airs Tuesday night on Starz. I watched a DVD screener of the show last night. It's interesting enough, charting the history of comics in movies since the days of the old Superman movie serials. Among those interviewed: Stan Lee, director Guillermo Del Toro, producer Michael Uslan and Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige. Also a couple of my favorite all-time artists, Neal Adams and Jim Steranko. Guess Frank Miller is reclusive; there was a lot of talk about him as far as his Batman work, "Sin City," his upcoming "Spirit" movie, etc., but he didn't appear himself.

A worthy week

2008-06-06T11:08:00.000-07:00

Been digging through this week's stack of comics ...

"Final Crisis" is being savaged on the forums at Comicon.com. I didn't think it was THAT bad. But I do see it as another event that is for already established DC fans, vs. something that could draw in new fans. They'd just be lost .... And how come Superman doesn't seem to remember that he was in "Death of the New Gods?"

"Kick-Ass" is becoming my guilty pleasure. Issue No. 4 came out this week. Profane, violent, funny.

Damage is no longer so ... damaged. Check out "Justice Society."

Nice start to "Trinity." Though I'm not clear why Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman decided to meet in public in their "civilian" identities rather than meeting on the moon or whatever. More relaxing?

A victim of "Final Crisis"

2008-06-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

I talked this morning with DC executive editor Dan DiDio about "Final Crisis," the subject of this Sunday's Comics Fan column. I asked about the death in issue No. 1 of Martian Manhunter, who for some reason has always been a favorite of mine.

The series, DiDio said, needed an event in the opening issue that brought "a sense of urgency and matter." And the Martian Manhunter took the hit.

"Martian Manhunter, to us, symbolized the start of the Silver Age," DiDio said. "He was one of the characters that really heralded a new generation of heroes."

This being comics, of course, Martian Manhunter could always come back some day. For now, look for "Final Crisis: Requiem" in July, which looks back on his life.

"The Stand" revisited

2008-06-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

As announced during the weekend at WizardWorld in Philadelphia, and detailed in a press release sent today, Marvel will publish a comic-book adaptation of Stephen King's "The Stand."

"There's nothing more interesting - and more fun - than seeing an old work take on new life in a new medium," King says in the press release.

"The Stand" was published 30 years ago and I'm a big fan. But I'm not that excited about a comic book version; if I want to revist the story, I'll just pull it off the shelf and read it again. I'd be more interested in seeing new comic book stories spin out of "The Stand." Then again, if it gets more King fans into comics, that's a good thing.

"Final Crisis," "X-Men" and more

2008-05-29T13:51:00.001-07:00

A big haul at Bargain Comics today. But with the two-hour "Lost" season finale tonight, I probably won't get through my stack of comics until the weekend. Today saw the release of "Final Crisis" No. 1. It's NOT getting good reviews (check out Newsarama and Comic Book Resources), but we'll see. Also at the top of the stack: Chapter 2 in the "Batman R.I.P." story line. I peeked at the last page and it is not looking good for one of Batman's supporting cast. Also "Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men," ending the acclaimed run by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday. And "All-Star Superman" No. 11.

"Iron Man" rules

2008-05-27T12:59:00.000-07:00

So, I finally saw "Iron Man." Good stuff. Maybe not my favorite comic book movie of all time, but certainly up there. I found Robert Downey Jr. to be perfect as fast-talking, womanizing, casual genius Tony Stark. Some of my favorite scenes involved him alone in his lab, working on the latest Iron Man armor and talking to his robotic assistants. I also enjoyed his difficulty - and ultimately, his enjoyment - in flying.

Strain on the wallet

2008-05-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

Newsarama has an interesting study 0f how much this year's big comics events - Marvel's "Secret Invasion" and DC's "Final Crisis" - will cost you if you buy ALL the tie-ins (which I'm certainly not). The tally for "Secret Invasion" is more than $300 while the "Final Crisis" bill is a bit over $100. That's because "Final Crisis," for the most part, isn't spilling into regular books the way "Secret Invasion" is, though "Final Crisis" does have some special tie-in series.