Jeph Loeb:/nThe situation with /'Cap: White/' is that Tim Sale is a terrific/nillustrator. We decided we wanted to have the six issues done before/npublishing. [Sale is] hard at work at issue six right now. And I know/nit seems like a long time from now, but I know that [the series] will/nbe out before the movie.

Mark Paniccia: The move has been bumped back to what, 2015?

/nI would also ask Loeb to stop teasing us:

Paniccia couldn/'t talk about Warren/nEllis/' /"Nextwave,/" but Loeb said that Ellis and Marvel editor-in-chief/nJoe Quesada have been talking about it. /"But I/'m making that up, so I/ndon/'t know,/" quipped Loeb.

Bastard.

WALLY WEST GETTING A BACKUP CO-FEATURE IN /"FLASH/"

/nComing out of the LBCC, news that the Barry Allen /"Flash/" book - by/nGeoff Johns and Francis Manapul - will be getting a Wally West/nco-feature by Johns & Scott Kolins.  Wally will also be sporting a/nnew look coming out of Rebirth.

THE GEOFF & GRANT SHOW @ DC

No, that/'s not a new Vaudeville act coming to the Nation/'s capitol.  It is, according to Rich Johnston, the plan at DC Comics/nEntertainment where the keys to all of the big toys will be turned over/nto Grant Morrison and Geoff Johns.  Johns on Green Lantern, Flash and a/nnew core Justice League title, Morrison on Batman & Robin as well/nas on a Superman and a Wonder Woman book.  All just speculation, but/nfun nonetheless.

FANTASTIC FOUR #574
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Penciled by NEIL EDWARDS
Cover by ALAN DAVIS/n/n

NEW JLA LINE-UP REVEALED

/nSo now we have Congorilla, Donna Troy (Wonder Woman stand in), Dick/nGrayson (our new Batman), Mon-El (essentially our new Superman), Kimiyo/n(the nice Dr. Light), Green Arrow, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan, who/nreplaces John Stewart after about a year of giving him the position on/nthe JLA), The Atom (Ray Palmer), Cyborg, Starfire (the titans finally/ngot promoted) and The Guardian (Superman).

/n

Not too far from what we knew not long ago. Personally, I think this team is a nice shake-up for the DCU!

/n

BUFFY SEASON 9 ON ITS WAY

/n10 more issues to 40 for season 8, a break and then season 9! Pretty/namazing to see the series continue to have this kind of success.

/n

CASSADAY AND WAID JOIN IN THE TEASERNESS

/n

This time with a Cassaday cover of a yet to be announced Mark Waid/nseries. Man, can Waid/'s decade get any better? This guy just keeps/ngoing and going, and as of yet, I haven/'t seen him falter.

/n

 

/n

NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET REMAKE TRAILER

I generally don/'t like horror remakes - with a few exceptions - and/nI especially don/'t like them when there/'s an iconic performance like/nRobert Englund/'s Freddy Kreuger.  But I/'m morbidly curious about this/nremake.  Casting Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy is inspired, but they/'re/nalso apparently tweaking his history/origins as well.  Still, this/ntrailer gets me excited.

A Nightmare on Elm Street in HD

/n

Today/'s music brought to you by Domi and their song, Duckie.

LEVITZ STEPS DOWN, WRITING ADVENTURE COMICS

I, I just don/'t have words for this. Just, so, weird? Is that a word?

/n WB TO TAKE MORE OF AN /'ACTIVE INTEREST/' IN DC, RESTRUCTURING OCCURS

Could this be as bad as we think it sounds? Yes, probably. Well, maybe. Damnitt DC! This is too much for me right now!

/n STEWART FOLLOWING QUITELY AND TAN ON BATMAN AND ROBIN

The third artist of the series has been named, and it/'s another artist Morrison has worked with before.

/n NEAL ADAMS TALKS NEW BATMAN PROJECT, DC HAS NOTHING TO SAY

I think it/'s funny how if you have a big enough name, you can talk about anything you want to without permission.

BRUCE CAMPBELL SAYS HIS SM4 PART WILL BE /"MAJOR/"

Lord knows what that means, but here/'s hoping he reprises his past roles to reveal he is actually Mysterio.

/n KIETH GIFFEN TALKS LOBO MOVIE, HAS THE BEST ATTITUDE EVER

/"I also have high hopes for the Lobo miniseries with Sam Kieth and/nthis Anthrax guy, because if there is anybody who should be able to/nnail what Lobo’s all about, it’s a heavy metal rocker./"

/n THE IRON PATRIOT VS DOCTOR DOOM

Coming this December from Bendis, Lark & Finch, what very well may be the end of the Dark Reign.

CSBG/'S /"MOST ICONIC COVERS LIST/"

After hitting one out of the park with their recent /"Most Iconic/nPanels in Marvel History/" CSBG hist another homer with their list of/nthe /"Most Iconic Covers For.../" list which spotlights several specific/ncharacters.

/n FIRST IMAGES FROM /"CRISIS ON TWO EARTHS/" ANIMATED FLICK

DC/'s DTV animated films have - generally speaking - been a joy so/nfar.  But the next one, Crisis on Two Earths, makes me a happy camper.

/n REASON #274 WHY I LOVE BENDIS

/"BRIANMBENDIS just had my new mini greenlit. AVENGERS: CRY FOR PIZZA. every other page someone yells PIZZA!!/"

It/'s a job that Rambo and his 22-year-old hunting partner, Beau/nBrady, can/'t turn down, but they and a team of highly-skilled special/nforces kill team discover that the prey is a terror beyond their/nwildest imagination - a half-human abomination created by a renegade/nagency through a series of outlawed genetic experiments. It has man/'s/ncunning, a predator/'s savageness, and a prehistoric power that has/ntranscended the ages. And even if Rambo and Beau survive its/nunrelenting hunger for human blood, they/'ll still have to confront the/ngrim reality that it may have grown immortal./"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Asylum

“What If The Skrulls Won?”

“What If Gwen Stacy Survived The House of M?”

“What If the Heroes Lost World War Hulk?”

“What If Daredevil Died & Was Resurrected By The Hand?”

“What if Jean Grey Had Returned Instead of Colossus?"

Plans for a Static monthly were scrapped by DC last spring. Based on their actions, they never really wanted to publish the Milestone stuff, they wasted my time. We could have done a little deal for them to use Static without me having to spend so much money on lawyers.
---
So DC doesn't want to do a Static comic because Static Shock had too many guest stars. Got it. And if you knew the caliber of creators who asked to work on new Milestone comics after the announcement that they would be in the DCU, you wouldn't have bothered to write all of that.

PLEASE GOD, KILL ME NOW.  MILEY CYRUS TRIES TO WIN (STILL MYTHICAL) ROLE AS BATGIRL BY SHOWING UP AT AUDITION IN COSTUME, READING DIALOGUE SHE WROTE

Part of me is hoping I had some sort of stroke, and that this story is a resulting hallucination.  Apparently Miley Cyrus wants to be a big girl actor, and to that end she - like everyone else in Hollywood - wants in on the next Batman movie.  But the star of Hannah Montana isn't any other star, so she reportedly showed up - uninvited - at a meeting of Warner Bros execs in full Batgirl costume and began prancing around reading her own dialogue.  Note that this was NOT a scheduled audition for the role, she just showed up in costume and began reading.  Apparently she'd never heard of Sean Young (or the person generating the rumor just dropped Miley's name into an old story)

GARY OLDMAN CONFIRMS NEXT BATMAN MOVIE BEGINS FILMING NEXT YEAR

Considering that Oldman is not someone known for his sense of humor, I'm going to assume he's being honest and not goofing around.

And the word from Goyer?

KICK ASS GETTING A WARM WELCOME AT COMIC-CON

No distributor, no final issue, but it seems that the audience enjoyed it!

THE IRON PANEL

That is, the panel for Iron Man 2. This is me waiting patiently for the video from the panel to be released. plskthxbye.

MARVEL CONFIRMS (SORT OF) THE AVENGERS LINEUP

Marvel's Kevin Feige has revealed what the lineup will (probably) be for the Avengers movie.

"I think we know. I think it's going to be Iron Man and Thor, Captain America and Nick Fury. I think it's safe to assume that there will be some members of the Hulk universe in the film as well. In terms of the additional I think Black Widow, sure. The SHIELD organization for sure."

Writer Zak Penn is still doing outlines for the film, so the Hulk is still a possibility.  Let's hope "possibility" becomes "certainty" at some point soon.

JOCKS LOSERS POSTER

Cause it's neat, AND sports casting!

DC ANIMATED MAKING SHORTS, STARTING WITH "JONAH HEX"

DC's animation arm has announced that they've begun producing a series of animated shorts starring DC characters.  The shorts will initially be included on the disc releases of DC's animated features, but the idea of a collection of the shorts has been floated.  The first short will star Jonah Hex and be written by Joe R. Lansdale.

PLANET HULK TEASER TRAILER

Brought to us by, oddly enough, Capcom the trailer for the upcoming Marvel OVA version of Planet Hulk.

WARREN ELLIS WRITING REMAKE OF "EXCALIBUR"

He was allowed to announce it at SDCC, but since all of his time was taken up by Weaboo Marvel, he didn't get the chance.  But the project he calls "Untitled Arthurian Project" is apparently a remake/reimagining of Excalibur.  

MARVEL

MONDO MARVEL

In 2010, Reggie Hudlin will be writing a Cap/Black Panter mini, with Denys Cowyn on art.

Marvel announced their plans to scale back from "mega" events and focus on "family" events within series.

CUP O' JOE PANEL

Marvel will be doing original, in-continuity Spidey stories for the digital comics initiative.

Charlie Huston & Lan Medina doing a Deathlok mini under the Marvel Knights imprint.

Coming in December: World War Hulks .

"Marvelman belongs to Marvel"

MARVELMAN, WHAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW

Marvel now has Marvelman

Marvelman 101 by Robot 6

Mark Buckingham reflects on Marvelman

Joey Q talks about Marvelman

Quesada's Marvelman

X-MEN PANEL

Next mini X-Event announced:  Necrosha , a pseudo crossover between X-Force, X-Men Legacy and New Mutants.  It's apparently about raising all the dead mutants.  For reals.

Magneto returns in September in Nation X .

NOT HULK, "HULKS"

That's right, starting this fall, and if Jeph Loeb has anything to say about it, ending on 2011, Marvel will launch "World War Hulks" with Greg Pak and Loeb at the helm. Not only that, but we're also getting a red She-Hulk . She-Rulk? I dunno, but Sam thinks it's father and daughter, quite literally, if you know what we mean. Hint: Their last name is Ross. Or Elektra is getting a facelift.

COLORIST LAURA MARTIN MARVEL EXCLUSIVE

Am I the only one who finds this kind of news at least a little weird? Do other companies do this? Or is Marvel just on top of something no one else is?

DC

DC NATION PANEL

Dan DiDio gave fans the lantern shirts off his back. My favorite? "I want that shirt!" winning the orange one.

There was a tease that if Absolute: Green Lantern: Rebirth is successful there may be an Absolute: Sinestro Corps War. Personally? Get on to the war, it was the best thing in the series until Blackest Night.

There was a joke about Jesus being a Black Lantern. I think Rucka took it seriously.

DC UNIVERSE PANEL

Geoff Johns talked of a new speedster in Flash: Rebirth that will be appearing in Blackest Night, and how he will be helping build the Flash in time for Sterling Gates's "Kid Flash" ongoing. Oh, and he's writing Flash after Rebirth, but was that any surprise?  (The book will apparently be called "All-Flash)

Robinson's JLA is sounding like a super-team of sidekicks, with Mon-El, Dick Grayson and Donna Troy as the stars.

DC has acquired the rights to T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents. Sam's reactions to Robinson saying, "...the fact that one of them was a traitor...this stuff was ahead of it's time"? One name, sir: Judas.

Deathstroke will soon be the leader of the Teen Titans.

THE VERTIGO PANEL

Lots of Fables news.

IMAGE

CHO LOOKING FOR THE NEXT BIG TALEN WITH 50GIRL50

The first 6 pages of scripts will be released online for any aspiring talent to take a crack at. From there, Cho and writer Doug Murray (Jungle Girl) will decide who will be on the book going forward.

BEN McCOOL AND BEN TEMPLESMITH COOKING UP "CHOKER"

Honesty, even after reading the interview, I'm at a loss to explain what the book is about.  But the main character is named Flynn "Dick Puncher" Walker.  And really that's all I need to get me to buy it.

DARK HORSE

GERARD WAY TALKS NEXT UMBRELLA ACADEMY MINI

Still, the biggest surprise I've had yet in comics. And thankfully, it's only going to continue, this time in "Hotel Oblivion."  Way is also launching another series: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys. a

ERIC POWELL DOING DETHKLOK COMIC

After the successful (and really funny) Dethklok vs. The Goon one shot, Eric Powell will be "doing" a Metalocalypse comic.

IDW

WORLD WAR Z AUTHOR MAX BROOKS WRITING GI JOE MINI

BILL WILLINGHAM TAKING OVER ANGEL

This is, weird, but maybe not. Willingham is now setting himself up for what, 4 monthly titles?

WILLINGHAM & GENE HA ON "BACK ROADS"

Man, that Willingham guy is everywhere now.  This book, with Gene Ha on art, is about two people on the "back roads" which criss cross the various dimensions.  Currently a six issue mini, but with the potential for more.  Sounds very cool.

TRANSFORMERS GOES ONGOING

After releasing the books as a series of connected minis for the past few years, IDW is finally starting up a Transformers ongoing series.

- Chris Ryall and Alan Robinson doing a "Weekly World News" comic, featuring the bizarre creations of the defunct tabloid.

- They're doing an adaptation of Harlan Ellison's "Phoenix Without Ashes"

DYNAMITE

DYNAMITE GETS RIGHTS TO KIRBY AND SIMON'S FIGHTING AMERICAN

Because you can't keep a good Captain America copy down. Well, yeah, it wasn't a copy, it was a parody of the same character that Kirby and Simon also created, but come on. Sam has his doubts.

BOOM!

BOOM! ANNOUNCES A SET OF NEW PROPERTIES

Farscape, for one, a Coheed and Cambria front-man developed series called Killaudio, a Phil Hestor book called The Anchor, which is in the vein of the Goon and Hellboy, a new 28 Days Later book, Die Hard: Year One, new Pixar based books for Toy Story, Monsters Inc and Finding Nemo and finally, The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck.

RADICAL

Radical talked a lot about optioned properties and the direction of the company moving forward.

OTHER

LONGBOX SERVICE LAUNCHING THIS FALL

Now, with NBM, Shadowline, Silverline, Dabel Brothers, and Archaia will join Top Cow and BOOM!, it looks as though the release will be nice and beefed up. Add to that creator owned work by Richard Starkings, Jonathan Hickman, Ivan Brandon, Jamie McKelvie and Kieron Gillen, you have one intriguing service.

SHOOTER AND DARK HORSE BRINGING BACK THE GOLD KEY CHARACTERS

Now this is a bit odd, and interesting.  Dark Horse has acquired the rights to the Gold Key family of characters - including Turok, Mighty Samson, Doctor Solar, and Magnus: Robot Fighter - and has hired Jim Shooter to lead the writing team on the books.  This is interesting because Shooter's Valiant comics previously held the rights to those characters, so this will be Shooter's second time rebooting the properties.

A WHOLE SLEW OF MARVEL: ULTIMATE ALLIANCE 2 PICS & VIDS

For all those crazy gamers (like me) out there.  They also announced officially that Penance - the man formerly known as Speedball - would be a playable character.

GEOFF JOHNS WRITING A "JSA" EPISODE FOR SMALLVILLE

The episode will be called "Society" and we don't know who will be in it.

SCOTT PILGRIM VIDEO GAME ANNOUNCED

And now I need to read the series so I'll know what everyone is talking about.

OLIVIA MUNN AS EMMA FROST

Just because....

Secret Origin of the Sentry

ANSWERS TO OUR PILOT SEASON QUESTIONS?

And some damn fine answers too. In fact, he covers all of them we asked last episode, but still manages to come off as pretty smarmy regarding the "Kirkman Only" project.

SCARLET IS THE WIDOW AND WE ARE HAPPY

[Update] Apparently the pic is a fake.  I knew the costume was too faithful to the comics!

SIMON AND SCHUSTER SIGN DEAL WITH BOOM!

This is something that has been talked about for a little while now (in not so official terms), but it looks like Boom! has found a way to keep their graphic novels regularly listed in Diamond as well as getting them on the books shelves of major retailers.

SIEGEL AND SHUSTER HOUSE RIBBON CUTTING

And good feelings all around for this one. No matter what we may think of copyright, this is just too cool. It is great to see the house getting its due and finally being in condition for the public to visit. Way to go, Meltzer!

THIS IS "THE END"

A teaser image just came over the lines from Marvel, entitled "The End"

VERTIGO PUBLISHING HALLOWEEN ANTHOLOGY, NEW SERIES

Because Sam is lazy:

"This October we’re publishing our first ever Halloween Annual. This special 48-page book will contain a framing story by the regular HOM creative team, writer Matthew Sturges and artists Luca Rossi and Jose Marzan Jr. However, it will also included short stories from HELLBLAZER by Peter Milligan, Giuseppe Camuncoli and Stefano Landini and MADAME XANADU by Matt Wagner, Amy Reeder Hadley and Richard Friend as well as a special MERV PUMPKINHEAD tale (the first in over 8 years!) by Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham and Kevin Nowlan."

"What? That’s not enough?"

"You’ll also be treated to a yarn spotlighting a new monthly series!"

"In 2010 Vertigo will release I, ZOMBIE, a new ongoing series by co-creators, writer Chris Roberson (author of this Fall’s CINDERELLA and occasional contributor to HOM and JACK OF FABLES) and New York Times bestselling artist Mike Allred."

"I, ZOMBIE is the story of Gwendolyn “Gwen” Dylan, zombie girl detective. Think graveyards, ghosts, vampires and werewolves with a twist."

[Update] Whoops!  Is the "I, Zombie" name already taken ? 

FEAR AGENT IN DEVELOPMENT AT UNIVERSAL

Rick Remender's gritty space opera Fear Agent is in the early stages of development at Universal.  At this point they don't even have a screenwriter for the project. 

"NEW" SPIDER-MAN SERIES TO HIT SHELVES THIS FALL

And by "new" I mean it's Web of Spider-Man. Because that's what we all needed, 4 issues of Spider-Man a month. Marvel, you crazy.

GUGGENHEIM REVISITING 'GALACTICA 1980' FOR DYNAMITE

The famously awful series - the result of an early letter writing campaign to revive the then-canceled Battlestar Galactica - will be getting it's own reboot via TV and comic scribe Marc Guggenheim this fall. 
"The basic concept here is that my series is the official comic book adaptation of the 'Galactica 1980' series: from the parallel universe where the series wasn’t done badly ," said Guggenheim.

MARVEL'S 70TH ANNIVERSARY COVER DRESS

X-FACTOR'S NON-CONTROVERSIAL CONTROVERSY

In short, Rictor and Shatterstar kissed in X-Factor, and some people - including Perez Hilton - made a big deal about it, calling it the "first same sex kiss in mainstream comics", even though it wasn't. 

pvponline OH: Howard Stern: I don't like entertaining some of the fucking idiots who listen to our show. Ha! Ha! I feel ya, Howard.

RYAN REYNOLDS IS THE GREEN LANTERN

And Sam Bambino just decided he will not see this movie in theaters. True story. Ok maybe not, but he's gonna Downey this one for sure.

THE WEEKLY CRISIS DISSECTS THE BLACKEST NIGHT

The boys over at The Weekly Crisis are doing a bang up job prepping everyone for the Blackest Night, including synopses of the existing corps, the history of the event and even some predictions.

This week's music is These are the Days by band Saving Glory .

STAN LEE PLAYING LARRY KING

Oh man, awesome. I wonder if he'll pull of the impersonation or if he'll just play Stan Lee?

IT LIVES - THE RETURN OF THE FOIL COVERS

Sometimes, a bad idea dies.  Others it comes back to haunt us.  This time it's Marvel's announcement that the relaunch of the Ultimate Comics line will be accompanied by "Foilgram" covers, hearkening back to the good/bad old days of the early-mid 90s.   

DOES JACKSON PRINT MONEY?

He might, and Bluewater is going to find out. From there on, maybe we'll get a Spider-Man/Jackson cover variant?

KIRKMAN AND SILVERSRI BRING US THIS YEAR'S PILOT SEASON

The third year of Top Cow's innovative 'Pilot Season' program was announced, with Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri teaming to create 5 original concepts for the initiative.  Kirkman will write all 5 books while Silvestri will do designs and covers.  Fans will then vote on which of the 5 will get an ongoing series from Top Cow.  

WILLINGHAM, AN UNNAMED TITLE AND AN UNNAMED ARTIST

Am I the only one that thinks these types of things are just a bit silly? "We have something, but we can't say anything about it other than it will be there eventually." Go go gadget non-news!

[UPDATE] - We still don't know what the book is about, but we do know one of his collaborators: Marc Andryeko. 

BKV LEAVING LOST

Comic writer and Lost scribe Brian K. Vaughn is leaving the show, headed for (in the words of executive producer Damon Lindelof) "greener pastures."  And right after he appeared on Top Chef Masters with the rest of the Lost writer's room, too. 

WINICK LEAVING BATMAN, REPLACED BY TONY DANIEL

After his current arc on Batman, Judd Winick is leaving Batman, replaced by writer/artist Tony Daniel. 

COURT DECIDES IN FAVOR OF DC/WB IN SUPERMAN CASE

In this case, in favor of DC and Warner, saying they didn't violate contracts with the Siegels in regards to Superman Returns and Smallville.

PLEASENTVILLE, BIG WRITER WORKING ON DRAFT OF SPIDER-MAN 4

Gary Ross is penning a draft as we talk about this, and Toby McGuire is hoping he doesn't get sucked through another TV in this one.

 Today's music is the song Get Rich Quick by Abandoned by Heroes .

MARCIS NISPEL BRINGING CONAN BACK (OR SO IT'S BEEN SAID)

Wow, they settled all of that copyright stuff? Good. Who is Marcus Nispel? Well, a music video director. And the guy who directed the Friday the 13th remake and Pathfinder. Yeah, I don't know what to think of this myself. I need to watch me some Pathfinder.

CAP 600 HITS, MARVEL NOT IN MANYS' GOOD GRACES

Well, we'll wait to get the direct responses of the retailers we know next week, but until then some interesting initial reactions to the news.

JAMES ROBINSON AND MARK BAGLEY NEW TEAM ON JLA

Taking over for Dwayne McDuffie (after a fill in arc by Len Wein) will be James Robinson and Mark Bagley.  Their run will incorporate elements of both JL: Cry for Justice and Blackest Night. 

MARVEL ANNOUNCES DARK REIGN: THE LIST

You remember that "Iron Patriot Acts" teaser from a couple weeks back?  Well now we know what that is teasing.  Dark Reign - The List, coming in October * November, will be a series of nine semi-connected one-shots showing what happens when Norman Osborne decides to start using his power to change the world.  Specifically he asks why certain heroes are allowed to operate with impunity.  The one-shots will combine a regular writer for the character with an A-List artist.

Avengers - by Brian Bendis and Marko Djurdjevic
Uncanny X-Men - by Matt Fraction and Alan Davis
Secret Warriors - by Jonathan Hickman and Ed McGuniness
Punisher - by Rick Remender and John Romita Jr.
Daredevil - by Andy Diggle and Billy Tan
Wolverine - by Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic
Hulk - by Greg Pak and Ben Oliver
Amazing Spider-Man - by Dan Slott and Adam Kubert

That's only eight specials, but the mini-event will have one more secret entry, which Marvel can't talk about yet, even to say who is working on it. 

IT'S CON-TASTIC!

Two major cons this past weekend, Wizard World in Philly, and Heroes Con in Charlotte.  A quick wrapup of some of the announcements.

• A Dark Reign: Ares mini by Kieron Gillen and Cary Nord.

• Rick Remender writing a Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural ongoing series, chronicling the adventures of the new Sorcerer Supreme
• Mark Waid writing a Strange mini, showing how the former Sorcerer Supreme is acclimating to his new role in the universe.
• The Brian Azzarello/Rags Morales 'Doc Savage' book will "bring Savage into the DCU, though it will take place in an alternate universe where he will work and interact alongside such classic characters as Blackhawk and Will Eisner's The Spirit. The world Savage lives in will also be a blend of our modern era and the classic ‘30s pulp era he comes from ("cell phones and tommy guns" as DiDio put it)"
• Remender is also writing a one issue guest stint on Thunderbolts, in which Luke Cage and Iron Fist are pressed into Norman Osborne's service as assassins.

Bleeding Cool also has a wrap-up of some of the info we may have missed from the weekend that was. 

WILLINGHAM GOES TO THE PROSE

In this case, a 400 page novel called Peter and Max, a standalone tale in the universe. Not a bad idea at all, considering the fan base of the series. Hopefully it'll get some comic fans back into novels, at least for a bit. We tend to forget they exist.

DESIGNER CHIP KIDD TO WRITE A BATMAN STORY

Mini? Maxi? Graphic novel? Prose work? We don't really know, and it's not really official, but Kidd is excited, which is all we can ask for of a creator. That, and a kick ass story. You hear that Kidd? It'd better kick ass!!!

WORST NAME FOR A SPIDER-MAN COMIC AND A RETURN

Black Cat is back in a comic titled, wait for it, "Back in Black Cat." I'll leave the perverse thoughts to yourselves.

JEFF KATZ' AMERICAN ORIGINALS ANNOUNCES FIRST COMIC PROJECTS

Jeff Katz' new multimedia company American Originals announced it's first comic projects, published in conjunction with Top Cow. 

Vengeance Is Mine - Writer Jeff Katz, artist Thomas Nachlik. A noir-ish revenge story set in an underworld of monsters

Daybreak - Writers Gary Whitta and Brian Lynch, artist Marco Castiello. A prison break story and an homage to Escape from New York type 80s action flicks

Blastosaurus - Writer/artist Richard Fairgray. An Aussie comic, from a legally blind writer/artist, about a dinosaur who fights crime in the future. 

Comedy Deathray Anthology - Editor Scott Aukerman. An anthology specializing in a genre seen little in comics now: comedy. 

ROBOCOP COMING BACK TO COMICS

Makes sense, really, when you consider the cross media blitz we see in movie marketing. Dynamite has the license and will be going at it strong just as they have with the other properties they have rights to. Right now, all is known about it is that Rob Williams will be writing. Maybe Cassaday will do the covers! (Total rumor, but come on.)

RYAN REYNOLDS TALKS DEADPOOL

Apparently Ryan Reynolds will not only be playing Deadpool in his eponymous upcoming film, he's also writing/producing/costume designing/catering it as well.  He tells MTV that he wants the film to be very 'authentic' to the character.  Meaning the scarred face, the costume, the origin, the whole nine yards.  Which may require them to ignore the Wolverine movie.

LONGBOX DIGITAL COMICS; THE iTUNES OF COMICS WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR

It pains me to think about it too much, but I've come to the conclusion that comics as they exist now will be almost extinct in a decade.  There are just too many flaws in the current business model for it to survive.  Then there's the elephant in the room: digital distribution.  A child born today in the US could likely go their entire lives without ever having to hold a hard copy of anything in their hands. 

That's where Longbox comes in.  They want to be the iTunes of comics.  $0.99 a comic is the suggested price.  A dedicated player, as well as plug-ins for the industry standard design platforms like InDesign and Quark to make exporting easy.  They want the Longbox software on everything from the Kindle to the iPhone to Xbox Live.  If successful it would forever change the way we read comics.  But will that change be for the better?  

EVAN RACHEL WOOD IS MARY JANE WATSON...

...in the stage production of Spider-Man.  Fooled ya, didn't I.  And yes, I'd rather see her in the films than Kirsten Dunst anyway.  

ALLAN HEINBERG BACK TO YOUNG AVENGERS

Finally, he's started a new story. Who knows when it's going to be done or released, but by Job they're doing it. Hopefully he just finishes up another arc and leaves it for someone else, because this long of a time for something that could make Marvel money is ridiculous.

GEOFF JOHNS IS PRETTY MUCH STONED 24/7

Seriously after reading the man's Twitter feed, there's no way he doesn't "wake 'n bake."  All he talks about are trips to 7/11, Ghostbusters, Slurpees and snack foods.  

MARVEL SOLICITS GO GOATSE

All credit for this goes to Xerxes on the CoG boards.  This is the cover to Giant-Sized Old Man Logan. 

Today's music is brought to you by Swedish punk band, the Scams.

FIRST LOOK AT MICKEY ROURKE AS WHIPLASH

Straight from Favreau's Twitter feed, this image of Mickey Rourke as the heavy in Iron Man 2, Whiplash. 

OBAMA: HE PRINTS MONEY?

We'll see Ash, we'll see.

WHAT ABOUT THE OBAMA DOG?

Marvel thinks so. Ye gods.

MCDUFFIE FIRED FROM JLA

"Nope, it was my own doing. I was fired when "Lying in the Gutters" ran a compilation of two years or so of my answers to fans' questions on the DC Comics discussion boards. I'm told my removal had nothing to with either the quality of my work or the level of sales, rather with my revelation of behind-the-scenes creative discussions."

Wow, thanks DC.

JOHNSTON DONE WITH LITG

We know we'll see him again, but we do wonder where. Hopefully one day he'll tell us, so we may nibble at his rumor corn down the line.

JOHNSTON BEGINNING BLEEDING COOL

That was quick.  Less than a week after the final LITG, Rich Johnston's new internet home - bleedingcool.com - opened it's doors.  Featuring columns by suck luminaries as Warren Ellis, and rumor and news posts all through the week, it looks to be a hot new destination.

RAGS MORALES TO DRAW AZARELLO'S DOC SAVAGE

Straight from the Di's mouth! From the 20Qs, that is. I don't know what to think of a new Doc Savage comic, but I want it to be a lot of fun. I keep being reminded of the little missive in the back of Incognito, #1 I believe, where the guest columnist wrote about the Doc being the basis for many a hero.

[Mike] The Spirit and several other non-powered heroes - including some more pulp heroes - will be in this series, which will be called First Wave. 

PLANETARY #27 DROPS IN OCTOBER

After many moons of waiting, the coda to the sublime Planetary will be in our hot little hands. 

WHY MAGOG?

Because they told him to, that's why. And Giffen even lets on that he's enjoying the character. Although I think the guy could write an entertaining comic about a ball of string. Yes, I think Giffen is that funny.

"THE IRON PATRIOT ACTS"

CBR was sent the following teaser image from Marvel

SPECIAL CAP #600 SHIP DATE, JAMES SIME REACTS &
NEWSARAMA HAS THEIR OWN TAKE

All I have to say is I'm with James. If you're gonna plan a special event, let the shops know. If you want to have a special "first print" issue, give shops the option of ordering the second prints for that special day.

Then again, Matt Brady asks the important question, "How did this come about?"

MORE WIZARD LAY-OFFS

I guess it's time to pool their money and invest in MMA. I agree with Lucas Siegel on this one, internet killed the novelty mag.

BRIANMBENDIS

Spider-Woman has better hair, better costume, frank cho implants and a fucked up origin. Wonder Woman is a walking std farm!!

LIAM NEESON IN A-TEAM

Sweet!  The man who taught both Obi Wan and Batman is on track to play Hannibal in the A-Team flick. 

DEAR GOD, NO.  ROBERT RODRIGUEZ MAKING LIVE ACTION JETSONS FILM

Please, make the pain stop.  Do I really need to list the reasons why this would suck ten kinds of monkey ass?

Today's music is by Adandin All Hope.

"If it weren't for my mistakes, you'd be out of a job."

CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND THE MI-13 ENDS WITH #15

And one of the better books to launch out of Secret Invasion faces the chopping block.

WONDER WOMAN HITTING #600 WITH #45

Yup. As pointed out in Dan DiDio's 20 Questions, #45 of Wonder Woman will the the series's 600th. Oddly enough, DC has not plans to promote it outside people saying, "Hey! Wouldya look at that?" Is DC marketing asleep or is Marvel milking it too much?

OBAMA VS ALIENS

This time, he's showing up in Drafted: 100 Days, a one-shot taking place in Chicago before the 2008 election. Apparently, Obama is going to change some aliens' lives.

DEX-STAR THE RED LANTERN CAT

What started out as a joke is now a Red Lantern favorite of Johns. Dex-Star, named for his cat Dexter, is now a prominent player in the Rage, all thanks to a practical joke by artist Shane Davis.

KEVIN SMITH BACK ON GREEN HORNET

But not in the way you might think. He'll be working with Dynamite, licensed property publisher galore, on a comic book. As of now, Alex Ross has does some sketches for character design, but that's all we get for now! Hopefully when it's solicited Smith will already have his issues in the can.

CHRIS HEMSWORTH IS THOR

Buff and dreamy. Branaugh has found his leading man, the guy that played Kirk's dad.

 

AND TOM HIDDLESTON IS LOKI

The casting hits just keep on coming.  Brit thespian Tom Hiddleston will be donning the oversized Kirby-horns to play Loki in Brannagh's Thor film (as well as possibly the Avengers flick)

TRAILER FOR BATMAN/SUPERMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES

The Loeb/McGuiness collaboration is the next animated flick from WB Animation.

Today's song is "Now You Drink" by Domi .

FINCH ON THE SHORT CAKE

It's all part of an art exhibit called "Gag Me with Toon," which took place at Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles, CA on May 2nd. Where are your lawyers now, Hasbro?

GEOFF JOHNS ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

CBR has been collecting questions for comic writer Geoff Johns and manager to make the most of it. We get come Blackest Night and Superman: Secret Origin.

FLASH: REBIRTH BUMPED UP TO SIX ISSUES

Interesting.  The previously announced as 5 issue series will now be six issues.  Hmmm...

THE BOY IS BACK IN TOWN

Spoilers and legalese ahoy!

IRON MAIDEN FILING SUIT OVER IRON AND THE MAIDEN

Yup, you heard it right. Apparently the metal band thinks the comic is horning in on their territory. Next week: Germany sues all metal bands over everything metal including torture devices, being hard core (thank you Technoviking) and umlauts.

MORE ON THAT CAPTAIN AMERICA 600 TEASER IMAGE

The Raphael Albuquerque-drawn image now has a tag line - "Girl Without a World"

 

DE LA TORRE OFF THUNDERBOLTS, SEPULVIDA ON

Wha? Where is Torre off to? Why the replacement so soon? Why can't we get him on a book for more than a few issues? Also, Sepulvida's work is great.

BARROWS OFF ACTION, REPLACED BY JULIAN LOPEZ

Yet another case of an artist doing good work being replaced just a few issues into their run.  Rucka waxed prosaically about Eddy Barrows' work, too.  Is he headed for a higher profile book?

"LIKE FINAL CRISIS, BUT ON CRACK"

That near impossibility is how the boys over at the Weekly Crisis describe Multiversity, Grant Morrison's new project for DC.

FIRESTORM LOOKS GOOD IN BLACK

Another teaser image, this time of Ronnie Raymond/Firestorm rocking the black togs.

GREEN LANTERN FILM PUSHED BACK TO SUMMER 2011

Normally moving a release date back is a bad thing, but in this case it appears to be a vote of confidence on WB's part.  They see it more as a summer blockbuster than a film which needs a little 'protecting'.

WHO SHOULD PLAY GREEN LANTERN?

Oo! Oo! Mistah Kot-teeeaaaar! Zach Efron. That is all.

WOLVERINE SEQUEL AND DEADPOOL MOVIE CONFIRMED

The poor reviews were not enough to offset the Moneyhat the Wolverine movie is raking in.  Fox has announced plans to do a sequel to the film, as well as spinning off Deadpool (wRyan Reynolds in the lead role) into his own dilm.

FIRST IRON MAN 2 PICTURE RELEASED

Hey! There be armor in that pic! And lots of it.

WB PREPPING A LOBO FILM?!?

You know, I could see a way to make a good Lobo film.  Rather than going the over done torture porn route, you go the other way: humor.  Like a live action Itchy & Scratchy movie, so much blood and guts that it becomes funny.

COMIC SCRIPT GETS WRITER A VISIT FROM TSA

Mark Sable is writing a book for BOOM called Unthinkable.  A script for that in his luggage got him some extra screening from the TSA.  Unthinkable is the story of a thinktank put together by the CIA to brainstorm new terrorist attacks, so they can be prevented.  Looks like the TSA didn't read that last part.

WOLVERINE REVIEW

Sam Bambino and the Doctor hit the theaters this week to check the film and find any flaws. But really, they're going in expecting some severe bad-assity to ensue. Snikt, bitches.

Sam Bambino

The Funk Doctor

STAR TREK REVIEW

What?! That too? Hell yeah, that too. Sam Bambino is on a veritable spree this week. We got your bases covered so you don't have to.

Sam Bambino

Today's music is by pop-punk band Dice.

MEGAN FOX IN PERIOD HOOKER WEAR FOR JONAH HEX

I have only one word for this: YOWZA!

THE SOURCE DISHES ON THE CORPS

DC's Source blog is giving up some info on the various Corps.  These Doug Mahnke pages are apparently from this weekend's FCBD Blackest Night #0.

BLACKEST NIGHT TIDEBITS: CAUSE THEY'RE TASTY

MARK WAID TALKS TO AIN'T IT COOL NEWS

Waid is simply put one of the best interviews in comics.  He's bright, funny, and not afraid to piss people off. 

CHRISTIAN BALE WILL BE IN THE NEXT BATMAN FLICK

Confirming what most of us already knew, Bale will be back under the cowl for the next Batman movie.  Director Chris Nolan is still unsigned, but you have to assume he'll be back, too.

TWO MORE SIGN ON FOR IRON MAN 2

Clark Gregg returns as SHEILD agent Phil Coulson and Kate Mara (24, Zoom, Stone of Destiny) has been signed on for an undisclosed role. But come on, we all know she's playing Pepper's hot cousin, Cooking Potts. Right? Anyone?

WOLVERINE SCHEDULE GETS JUGGLED

Looks like Aaron and Kubert's run will start before Old Man Logan gets a chance to end! Well, makes sense. McNiven is busting out a double sized issue, and he ain't exactly quick. Good thinking Marvel!

Welcome my friends, to the show that never ends.

MARVEL HITS FX CON AND TALKS DARK REIGN

Plenty of goodness came out of this one. Hickman will be writing a Doom one-shot and Fraction is on Emma Frost.

The "Man behind the Door" will be revealed post Dark Avengers/X-Men, when Hickman will be taking control of things.

Rafa Sandoval will be the new Initiative artist starting with #26 and will bring back Dr. Sax and Johnny Guitar.

A one shot with Sentry? "There is something bigger being planned, they revealed. Something bigger than a one-shot, but smaller than an elephant."

X-Men Legacy will keep going with old school mutants.

Finally, on the Hulk, “Who knows,” McCann said, wrapping up the panel, “perhaps we’ll have a battle for the torn purple pants!”

AMERICAN WHAT?

According to signs, something points to "American Son."

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #595 (MAR092529)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #595 GRANOV VARIANT (MAR092530)
Written by JOE KELLY
Pencils & Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
Variant Cover by ADI GRANOV
Rated A ...$2.99
FOC—5/7/09, On-Sale—5/27/09

So...they're giving Harry a suit of armor?  Not a terrible idea.

QUESADA TWEETS THE SPIDEY

Purdy!

ANOTHER MARVEL SOLICIT TEASE

REBORN #1 (of 5)
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by BRYAN HITCH
50/50 Covers by BRYAN HITCH & ALEX ROSS
Variant Cover by JOHN CASSADAY
Solicit to be revealed soon
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99

This one with no description, but a Cassaday variant and being written by Brubaker? Wonder what that could be about...

WAR OF THE MARVELS

Ye gods, this soon? Really?

BLACKEST NIGHT #1 COVER COLORED, AND GL COVERS

Because I'm just that excited.

My god. If you had told me the next weekly thing was going to be any better than fair to middle'n, I would not have believed you. After seeing these preview pages, my god. So excited to see where they take this series. Click the images to see the respective posts from DC Universe: The Source.

IDW EXTENDS GI JOE MINIS

The GI Joe books are doing so well for IDW that two of the minis are being extended.  The Larry Hama-written GI Joe: Origins goes from five issue mini to ongoing series.  The 4 issue GI Joe: Cobra gets a special in September, with a continuing series of minis to follow. 

WARREN ELLIS, TAKING IN TO COSPLAY

Oh, my, god. I want to go just to see the interaction. And you just know he's gonna end up banging some hot chick in a Shion costume. Heh.

THE RAIDER NATION INVADES UNCANNY X-MEN

Yes, that's what they are called. The Raider Nation. And yes, they are as mean as they look. Hoo-boy, I can tell you stories. LitG brings us this little bit, photo reference and all!

EARTH-2 BUYS GOLDEN APPLE

Golden Apple, a comic book store that has been operated in Los Angeles, CA for the last 25 years has gone, in a sense. Current management will concentrate on another set of stores they run, with Earth-2 turning it into their second location.


WIDE AWAKE POSTER FROM ERIC TRAUTMANN AND BRANDON JERWA

NEW LOSERS CASTING NEWS

Chris Evans must not be able to get enough of the comic book movies, as it is rumored he's playing Jensen , and actor Columbus Short , who is currently shooting Whiteout is supposedly playing Pooch .

WANTED 2 GETS A DISNEY WRITER

From the "WTF is Going on Here" dept, Evan Spilliotopoulos, writer of the Lion King 1.5 and the Nutty Professor, is going to responsible for adapting a story by Chris Morgan. Balls, ladies and gentleman, big balls on whoever hired this guy.

Today's music by San Diego punk band, Critical Me.

WIDE AWAKE LAUNCHING SOON!

WIZARD PREZ GRABS BIG APPLE CON

Yeah, it's a press release, but it's an interesting one, to say the least. Wizard, who has shut down probably half its shows over the past year and a half, now owns the longest running New York comic convention. Another thing to note is the partnership being built with the east coast Video Games Expo. So while the West Coast Comic-Con International allies with Hollywood, the East is taking up the video game industry. Isn't evolution fun?

BRIAN AUSTIN GREENE AND HIS CAMPAIGN TO BE HAL

It's not the first time someone expressed interest in playing a particular super hero, and not even the first time the actor seemed to fit the character. It is the first time, however, that we've seen accompanying artwork. If there is justice in the universe, Hal Jordan will not be wearing armor any time soon. For chrissakes.

MEGAN FOX AS SHE HULK?

"The gossip mills are churning today with news that Transformers' Megan Fox could possibly be the She-Hulk in a Marvel film.

For those unfamiliar with the character, Jennifer Walters was turned into the She-Hulk after she received a blood transfusion from her cousin Bruce Banner, the Incredible Hulk. Walters, a District Attorney, was shot and dying. The only way to save her life was for Banner to transfuse his gamma-irradiated blood into her.

As a result, Walters found herself transformed into a She-Hulk. But, unlike her raging cousin, she was able to control herself in her "hulk" state.

The She-Hulk has been a member of The Fantastic Four, The Avengers and associated with several other super groups in the Marvel Universe.

What would you think of Transformer's Megan Fox as the She-Hulk? Does she fit the build? Do you think they'd have her as Jennifer Walters and do a CGI She-Hulk? "

MARVEL PREPPING A NEW BUCKY?

This image was one of several revealed by Marvel group editor Tom Brevoort in his weekly image dumps.  Marvel has also been pushing Cap #50 very hard.  Could we be getting a new Bucky, and a female one at that?  The SHIELD emblem on the belt makes me think Sharon Carter. 

FIRST LOOK AT JSA ART FROM MERINO

Sure, it looks like a set of covers, but the man can draw a pretty, and extremely detailed, picture. Here's hoping Willingham falls on the better side of things. Or at least better than Shadowpact.

Brought to you by the robot apocalypse, suddenly a better alternative.

THE ROAD TO THE BLACKEST NIGHT

I thought I couldn't get more excited about this event, but a single article recapping what, for the most part, we already knew about it sends a thrill up my leg.  The Blackest Night series itself will be 8 issues, with a number of one-shots and minis accompanying it.  They include:

Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps (Geoff Johns, Peter Tomasi): triple shipping in July, this three issue series highlights the other Corps out there, and goes into more detail on their emotions spectra.  It also features a really cool Ed Benes triptych of covers.

Blackest Night: Batman, Blackest Night: Superman & Blackest Night: Titans a trio of three issue series' starting in August.  These will show how some of the heroes deal with those closest to them rising from the grave.  Another set of these books, including Blackest Night: Wonder Woman, Blackest Night: Flash and Blackest Night: JSA will follow in November. 

DC is also teasing the cover to Blackest Night #1 on their new blog.

LITG: JOHNS & JIM LEE ON JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA

Well, that's one way to goose sales!  Now, there's no way Lee can do even six issues a year of a team book, so there will have to be other artists, but it's nice to see DC trying to make their flagship book the center of the universe again.  Lets hope that Johns at least is on it for more than one arc.   

TIM SEELEY TOTALLY RIPPED OFF?

Wow, seems like it. If you know anything about Hack/Slash it's pretty much the same character. Suck.

IRON FIST IN MARVEL ULTIMATE ALLIANCE 2

Damnitt, now I have to buy it.

http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=7250


IRON FIST GETTING IMORRTAL WEAPONS ONE-SHOTS

And somehow, only seems to become more awesome in my mind. When the series goes on "hiatus" (Really? Only a hiatus? Woo!) this July, a series of over sized one -shots covering the Immortal Weapons will start to hit. The first, about Fat Cobra, will be written by one of our favorites, Jason Aaron (Scalped, Wolverine) and artist Mico Suayan (Moon Knight, DoN: Werewolf by Night). The series will also feature backup stories written by series writer Duane S, leading into the late 2009/early 2010 run of the regular Iron Fist series.


REMENDER SIGNS MARVEL EXCLUSIVE

Who's house sign Rick "I Like Bourbon" Remender? The idea's house. Yup, Marvel grabbed another talent for themselves, or at the very least promised someone a regular paycheck.


ENTER THE DARK X-MEN...

A teaser image which set the nerds a twitter(ing).  At the ECCC Matt Fraction explained that it's not a new book, but the cover to an upcoming issue of Uncanny, which will be a part of the X-Men/Avengers crossover. 


A DC PANEL TO REMEMBER

All I can say is that this sounds like one of the oddest panels I've read about. Primarily because of Rucka's response to Waid being offered Superman and Palmiotti's to Marvel writers taking on Movie scripts. I'm just not used to writers, or anyone in comics, being this blunt.


EISNER NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

'Nuff said.


BOOM DOING 24-ISSUE "DO ROBOTS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP" SERIES .

The novel which was famously made into a movie as "Blade Runner" is coming to comics.  While the man writing the back matter (Warren Ellis) and the cover artists (Calero, Sienkiewicz, Keating, and Moritat) were announced, the actual writer and artist were not.  Strange. 


FRANK SPRINGER PASSES AWAY

Last Thursday, April 2nd, the comic artist died at the age of 79 of prostate cancer.


GARRY SHANDLING JOINS IRON MAN 2 CAST

Umm...ok.  Garry Shandling, most famous for the Larry Sanders Show, will be joining the cast of Iron Man 2.  The sequel will apparently kick off right where the last one finished: with Tony announcing "I Am Iron Man" to the crowd.  Shandling will be one of the reporters in that crowd.

IRON MAN 2 - May 7, 2010 - May 7, 2010
THOR - July 16, 2010 - June 16, 2011
THE FIRST AVENGER: CAPTAIN AMERICA - May 6, 2011 - July 22, 2011
THE AVENGERS - July 15, 2011 - May 4, 2012

This change also clears The Avengers out of direct competition with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, a galactic-weight matchup I was interested in seeing.  They also announced that Spider-Man 4 (released by Sony and not part of the Marvel Studios-Universal partnership) will hit theaters on May 6, 2011. 

ROURKE AND SCARLETT OFFICIALLY JOIN IRON MAN 2

Variety is reporting that both Mickey Rourke and Scarlett Johannson have officially signed on the dotted line for Iron Man 2.  Both are apparently playing Russians - Johannson as the Black Widow, Rourke as either Crimson Dynamo or Whiplash - in the sequel.  Rourke had previously been linked to the film, but had dropped out after he was reportedly been lowballed.  The role of Black Widow had been slated for Emily Blunt, but she had to drop out because of a prior commitment.  But all seems to have been worked out now. 

NATALIE PORTMAN TO HOLD THOR'S HAMMER?

Rumors are flying from fairly reliable sources that Natalie Portman has been cast in Kenneth Branagh's Thor film.  We don't know what role she'll play - Donald Blake's love interest?  Lady Sif?  Enchantress? - but she would be the first actor cast in the film so far. 

HARTNETT RUMORED FOR ASGARD

And wouldn't you know it? Josh Hartnett, who has been rumored to play Loki, may also be in the running to play Thor. Methinks someone is having a fan-girl wet dream.

DC'S NEXT ANIMATED FLICK: SUPERMAN/BATMAN

The next in DC and WB Animation's expanding line of DTV animated features -  Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, based on Loeb & McGuiness' opening story on the Superman/Batman series. 

BEFORE 2 CAN COME OUT, TRANSFORMERS 3 ANNOUCED

Michael Bay isn't involved, but the studios can already smell the green.

MARVEL SIGNS 10 YEAR DEAL WITH GAZILLION TO PRODUCE MMOS

There was some speculation that Marvel was going to take their games in-house the way they did their films.  This puts that kibosh on that plan.  Gazillion was, at the time this story broke, a complete unknown quantity, without even a functioning website to their name.  In the day since we've learned that the company in fact owns (wholly or partly) several existing MMO makers, including NetDevil.  First up will be an all-ages MMO based on the 'Super Hero Squad' property (think Tiny Avengers).  

SCI-FI CHANNEL CHANGES NAME TO SyFy, STILL SHOWS RAPTOR ISLAND

NBC Universal really does have a low opinion of the people who watch this channel, don't they?  They probably spent somewhere around $2M (or approximately the budget for all of their original movies for this year) for a focus group to come up with this moronic moniker.  I also have a feeling it's a transitional name, the way the Nashville Network became the National Network before becoming Spike TV a short time later.  NBCU clearly sees Sci-Fi as their young male centric network, so they'll probably name it something stupid like AXE or KROME.

Today's music is by Fatslap.

Art Adams was announced as a Marvel Exclusive.

There was plenty of new DC and Batman news about.

Angel of Death debuted.

Fraction's Uncanny/Dark Avengers crossover was announced.

Well, at least in the movie sense. Looks like Jeffery Dean Morgan is interested in the Vertigo property.

BRUBAKER'S ANGEL OF DEATH GETTING VIDEO

I'll be honest here, I have a crush on Zoe Bell. Now, she's no Renee O'Connor, but I'd pick her to kick my ass over Lucy Lawless any day.

ERIK LARSON, MILKING IT DRY

Ok ok, it's a classic, but come on. How many more of these is he going to do?

"HE LOST, THEY WON"

That is the tagline to Marvel's new house ads promoting Dark Reign.  A series of 8 posters - by the likes of Phil Noto, Sal Larocca, Adi Granov and Marko Djurjevic - depicting the Bad Guys running rampant.  Some very, very cool images there.

CRONIN ATTEMPTS FINAL CRISIS FAQ

Brian is a braver man than I for attempting to resolve some of the innumerable questions surrounding Final Crisis.  He succeeds in some sections, but the whole is just so confusing that no FAQ will ever clear it up.

"THERE IS INDEED SHITLOADS OF BLUE WANG"

In what has to be a ploy to drive Alan Moore completely fucking out of his mind, early screenings of Watchmen have revealed that Dr. Manhattan's blue meanie is pretty much everywhere in the film.  Described as "massive and circumsized" it's a departure from the depiction in the comic, in which his ding-dong was totally average (except for the whole blue thing).

JUDGE DREDD CONCEPT ART

As time goes by, it becomes a little more likely that this movie will be made. Mmmmm, Mega City. You look so delicious.

ROURKE NO LONGER FOR IRON MAN 2

I'm sure one day we'll find out why, but the rumor for now will probably contain the words "ball" and "low," although not necessarily in that order.

THOR CASTING CALL

You know what this says to me? That no one currently in Hollywood is the right fit for the Norse god. Fabio, come back. You know you can do it.

TWO OF A FLASH, OLD AND NEW

Looks like one casting rumor (Neil Patrick Harris) was pulled out of the dust bin while the other (Scott Porter), sounds completely new.

GREEN LANTERN FLICK GETS DATE; AVENGERS TO OPEN OPPOSITE HARRY POTTER

Looks like the Green Lantern film is officially moving out of development hell and into production.  Warner Bros has (already) given the film a release date: December 17, 2010.  Now a lot of things can change between now and then (not the least of which being a potential SAG strike) but the very fact that WB is already carving out a release date means the film WILL get made.  Also of note, WB has also scheduled the final Harry Potter film to open on July 15, 2011...the same weekend as the Avengers movie.  Now that would be one hell of a war. 

ACCORDING TO A LIST, NOLAN ON THIRD BATMAN

Call this a "pre-rumor." The WGA has him as the only writer on B3, but who knows. This is something that could change in a heartbeat, or paycheck, come the next couple months.

HEATH LEDGER WINS BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

So happy this happened. He deserved every inch of that statue.

DARK KNIGHT BREAKS $1 BEEEELION DOLLARS

It's the fourth film in history to do it, and this Tiger Man is in no way surprise.

THE SPIDEY MUSICAL GETS A DATE

They're really doing it.  The long rumored Spidey musical - with U2's Bono & Edge, as well as Lion King vet Julie Taymor driving it - will make it's Broadway debut on February 18, 2010.  The show will be called Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark, and is rumored to be the most expensive Broadway production of all time.  There won't be a preview run in a smaller city because of these costs.

Today's music is Curse of the Undead Trucker by Big Jeezuz Truck via Garageband.com.

DAN SLOTT ON THE 'F' WORD IN COMICS

Get your mind out of the gutter people.  Dan doesn't mean the F**K word.  No, the word he's talking about is one comic creators will kill to keep from describing their work.  That word of course is 'fun'.  Having one of your books described as 'fun' now is like the kiss of death.

GAIMAN AND ALLRED ON METAMORPHO

Teams like this have built in sales potential. Awesome choice to two fellas and a characters. Where's your question in the comic book day thread now?!

NEW NEW MUTANTS BOOK ANNOUNCED

In this week's X-Position.  All we know is that the team has a set roster, like X-Force and Astonishing

WAID TALKS 'IRREDEEMABLE'

An interesting move by BOOM and their E-I-C.  With very few exceptions (Invincible, Project Superpowers, maybe End League) straight superhero books don't flourish outside of the comfy confines of the Big Two.  But, Waid is best known for his capes-n-cowl work, even when he's deconstructing the genre.  Those two trends are somewhat in conflict, but I'm still jazzed to see what Waid has up his sleeve.

MARK WAID TV DEBUTS ON CBR

And it comes full circle. From a Kingdom Come message board to hosting Mark Waid TV. Ain't that sweet? He talks about "Iredeemable" and "The Unknown."

MARK WAID WRITING BATMAN IN SPAIN

Top this with his E-i-C duties, writing Spider-man and his own Boom! titles, this guy just doesn't stop!

MARK WAID BRINGING THE BAT TO SPAIN

Waid comes back to the DCU, to get a little quality time with the Batman.  This time he's headed for Spain, on the trail of a brainwashed Killer Croc.  Thanks to Scarecrow and Mad Hatter, Croc thinks he's the reincarnation of the mytical St. George.  Which is one of the odder conceits for a story I've ever read.

"ALAN MOORE IS A HYPOCRITE AND A LIAR"

That is the bold statement made by Don Murphy, who produced the LoEG film "adaptation".  He rips Moore a new one for his supposedly hypocritical stance on having his works adapted.  Moore takes a very hard line: the work he did is perfect as is and a film version will only ruin it.  But Murphy points out that for all of Moore's posturing, he still rakes it in on these movies, even if he still gives all of his direct compensation to the artist involved.  Murphy's best quote: "He is an old man who smokes too much hash and prays to a lizard god. Don’t buy his bullshit."

THE "GEORGE LUCAS RAPED MY CHILDHOOD" TATTOO

Darth Vader holding the severed, dripping head of George Lucas.  Now that's art!

Movies

Comics Cinema Cavalcade or  "C³"

2009

Watchmen
X-Men Origins: Wolverine

2010

Iron Man 2
Thor
Kick Ass

2011

Captain America
Avengers
Spider-Man 4
Green Lantern

Today's music is by Irish group Angel Pier and is brought to us via Garageband.com.

Zach's site. You have it twice kids, now shoo!

Shrapnel Trailer

You like DC? You like Darkest Night spoilers? You're in luck!

Diamon recently changed their benchmarks for listing books. What does this mean? Educate yourself, son!

What's better than a rumor? A rumor about Captain Britain being canceled being wrong! Woo!

What is this? Is Ms. Marvel taking a dirt nap?

Brian Reed: Over the next few issues, we'll see all of Carol's past catching up to her present. We'll understand why I've been doing these flashback stories. It has a lot to do with what the present is all about. And some very bad things happen, and Carol dies.

NRAMA: Wait. What???

Brian Reed: As of Ms. Marvel #37, as seen in Dark Avengers #1, Moonstone is Ms. Marvel. And where we go from there is a whole new, very scary place.

NRAMA: There will still be a Ms. Marvel comic book after Carol's death?

Brian Reed: There will still be a Ms. Marvel comic book and the numbering will continue forward. But Moonstone as Ms. Marvel, is the new lead character. In Issue #37, we see the baton passed.

Who knows how long this 'death' will last but I have to honest, a Moonstone/Ms.Marvel book sounds pretty cool, at least as a short term thing.

Long time DC editor Bob Schreck has been laid off.

We explore the mystery of the "Invisible Dan."

Stan Lee Media is up to all kinds of shenanigans again. This time suing Marvel AND Stan Lee over movie rights.

In more future story rumors, will Barry Allen be in Blackest Night? Well, DiDio seems to think so.

NRAMA: Will there be a central character in Blackest Night? Is is a Hal Jordan story overall, or is it a larger, more ensemble story?

Dan Didio: It’s a DC Universe story, but naturally, because of the subject matter, Hal plays front and center to everything going on, but there’re rumors that Barry Allen might play a key role in what’s going on in Blackest Night as well.

NRAMA: Rumors within the DC offices? [laughs]

Dan Didio: Even we can’t stop rumors anymore...[laughs] But given the writer of Blackest Night, and his inclinations, I have to believe that characters like Hal and Barry will be front and center.

The new Black Panther animated series will be debuting at the NYCC.

Emily Blunt seems to be set to play Natasha Romanov in the new Iron Man movie, and Sam Rockwell has talked in more detail about his character, Justin Hammer.

In other Marvel movie news, have they been low-balling actors to save money?

Kieran Culkin will be playing Scott Pilgrim.

Keanu Reeves keep on talking about playing Spike for Cowboy Bebop. I keep shaking my head.

Michael Uslan loves talking about Batman. This time, about the possible 2011 release of the Dark Knight Returns. My question is, "Who's directing?"

"Uslan will be onboard as executive producer for the 'Dark Knight' sequel, which he estimates will be theaters by 2011. As for the identity of the next round of Batman's supervillains and love interests, Uslan remains tight-lipped. 'It's one of those deals where if I told you, I'd have to kill you,' he says with a chuckle."

The Dabel Brothers are coming along with a Warriors comic book, based on the movie.

Of course, ending on a lighter note, Tom Brevoort flew to Colorado this past week to help judge an upcoming episode of Food Network Challenge, in which chefs are tasked with creating superheroes out of cake.  While there the host of the show, Keegan Gerhard, told him about a fashion show he'd attended in which one participant wore a version of the Iron Man armor made out of chocolate.

This week's music is by Vanderveen. The song is "Weekend Full of Weekends" and was found via Garage Band.com.

It's a Japanese "Watchmen" trailer. Now with more Nixon!

According to some sources, a deal between Fox and Warner Bros. over "Watchmen" is close.

Sam Rockwell and Mickey Rourke are rumored to be involved in "Iron Man 2" as Justin Hammer and Whiplash, respectively.

Even though many DC based movies seem to be out of development, Guggenheim is sure Green Lantern is still going along strong.

Bill Willingham took some time to write an editorial on "Superheroic Decadence" and hilarity ensued.

Here it is ladies and gentleman, 2008 in numbers. Well, comics at least.

Wizard has canceled two more conventions from its list this year. On the block, Dallas and Los Angeles.

Images teases some Vikings. Sam polishes up his axe and tells the Doctor to get the long boat ready.

This week, music is brought to you from Garageband.com by the band Zeptepi. The song is The End.

It's Brandon Jerwa!

In a QA with the 'Rama, Didio let slip that Willingham and Sturges will be on JAS post Johns, and Eaglesham may no be with DC any more.

The Spirit hasn't been doing to well at the box office.

The war over the Watchmen has been escalating.

Shazam looks to be dead in the water.

Jonah Hex has a director.

We have a Battle, and a teaser, for the Cowl.

Peter David teases X-Factor, reveals nothing in the process.

Bon Almagno heralds the death of the monthly format.

Popeye is entering the public domain, in the EU at least.

Marvel inadvertently reveals Diggle's next book.

This week, music is brought to you from Garageband.com by the band White Light Riot. The song is Out of Sight.

Best Single Issue

Sam - Penguin One-Shot (Jason Aaron)
Mike - Blue Beetle #25

Ongoing Title of the Year

Sam - Immortal Iron Fist
Mike - Booster Gold

Limited Series

Sam - Umbrella Academy
Mike - Transhuman

Best New Series

Sam - X-Force
Mike - Invincible Iron Man

Best Writer

Sam - Ed Brubaker
Mike - Matt Fraction

Best Penciller/Artist

Mike - Mike Deodato, Jr
Sam - Roberto de la Torre

Breakout Creator

Sam & Mike - Duane Swierczynski

Breakout Character*

Sam - Hercules
Mike - Bishop

Moment of the Year

Sam & Mike - Norman Osborne large and in charge.

The 'Countdown' Award (worst moment/book/event of the year)

Mike - New/Mighty Avengers mailing it in during Secret Invasion
Sam - The Ultimates 3

News Story of the Year

Sam & Mike - The success of comic book movies.

Best Small Publisher Title

Mike - Transhuman (Jonathan Hickman)
Sam - Necronomicon (Boom!)

Best Small Publisher

Mike - IDW (Welcome to Hoxford, Locke & Key, Transformers, GI Joe, Ghostbusters, Fallen Angel, Doctor Who)
Sam - Boom! (Cthulhu Titles, Scream Queen, Station)

Cover of the Year

Sam & Mike - X-Force: Puppies and Rainbows

Most Anticipated Title of 2009

Mike - Flash: Rebirth
Sam - Green Lantern in General

Dan DiDio sits down with Newsarama and plays 20 Questions.

Nightwing, Robin and Birds of Prey are all getting the axe just post RIP.

Marvel's digital comics will feature a movie tie in starring the Hulk and Nick Fury.

Remember that Fangoria news last week? Whoops!

I am Legion is getting printed again. This time with DDP and in pamphlet form.

The Doctor was not a fan of Ghost Boxes. That being said, Sam understands.

Who is the Iron Patriot?

Does this end up amounting to anything in the main universe, or is it another 'hey, lets tease the fans with an image from a 'What If?'

This week Rucks and Trautmann's Resist is landing. Look'n good, fellas!

Jeph Loeb is no longer a producer on Heroes.

Hulk: Gamma Corps has been canceled, but it will be folded into the Avengers cartoon.

The Preacher show is gone, but coming soon, the movie!

A Pulitzer prize winning writer is being courted to scribe the next Spider-Man film.

Terrence Howard was let go of Iron Man, now we may know part of why that happened.

Sam reads into Cho's work waaaay too much. Truly.

In a movie event, THE AVENGERS will bring together the super hero team of Marvel Comics characters for the first time ever, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk and more, as they are forced to band together to battle the biggest foe they've ever faced.

The highly anticipated sequel to IRON MAN will be released in theatres on May 7, 2010 and THE AVENGERS will be released July 15, 2011. Both films will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

"Gaiman said the current climate of Hollywood makes the idea of a "1602" movie more likely to weigh anchor.

"I think it's getting more and more likely as Marvel reclaims its film properties from all over the world," Gaiman said. "They're sort of making their own movies and putting them out through Paramount. So they're now in there with a chance."

The WB is trying to make Ninja Scroll live action for American audiences.

The Umbrella Academy has been picked up by Universal. Can I say "Way to go?" Huh, huh?

1602 is being looked at for a movie.

"Gaiman said the current climate of Hollywood makes the idea of a "1602" movie more likely to weigh anchor.

"I think it's getting more and more likely as Marvel reclaims its film properties from all over the world," Gaiman said. "They're sort of making their own movies and putting them out through Paramount. So they're now in there with a chance."

The WB is trying to make Ninja Scroll live action for American audiences.

Nolan talks about Batman and we smile a bit inside.

GB: Could you see actually yourself not making the third Batman film?

NOLAN: Well ... let me think how to put this. There are two things to be said. One is the emphasis on story. What’s the story? Is there a story that’s going to keep me emotionally invested for the couple of years that it will take to make another one? That’s the overriding question. On a more superficial level, I have to ask the question: How many good third movies in a franchise can people name? [Laughs.] At the same time, in taking on the second one, we had the challenge of trying to make a great second movie, and there haven't been too many of those either. It’s all about the story really. If the story is there, everything is possible. I hope that was a suitably slippery answer.

Christian Bale is thinking about Doctor Strange. I'm thinking he might be a little to... intense, for the roll.

Colony of Gamers, our new home!

Kirman vs Bendis, the video has landed!

Kirman promises to be on time all through 2009.

The Superman House has raised over $100k and Meltzer is thankful.

Fred Pierce, COO of Wizard Magazine, is jobless.

The Re-Animator is in Hack/Slash and suffering legal woes. Thankfully Rich Johnston has a great rundown.

Dark Horse has licensed limited edition labels for Jone's Orange Creme soda in the form of Eric Powell's 'Goon.'

Heroes almost parrots Kingdom Come? The Doctor thinks so!

Of course, he's also been watching a bit of Wolverine and the X-Men.

CBR and other press outlets got to see a good 30 minutes of the Watchmen. Lucky ducks!

A 300 sequel may be in the works, in the form a graphic novel.

Singer and Routh may not be making any new Superman, but it looks like Kevin Spacey is.

Punisher: War Zone did great justice and got itself an R.

Watch and see why!

Hey, looking for a local comic shop? CBR can help!

Colony of Gamers, our new home!

Kirman vs Bendis, the video has landed!

Kirman promises to be on time all through 2009.

The Superman House has raised over $100k and Meltzer is thankful.

Fred Pierce, COO of Wizard Magazine, is jobless.

The Re-Animator is in Hack/Slash and suffering legal woes. Thankfully Rich Johnston has a great rundown.

Dark Horse has licensed limited edition labels for Jone's Orange Creme soda in the form of Eric Powell's 'Goon.'

Heroes almost parrots Kingdom Come? The Doctor thinks so!

Of course, he's also been watching a bit of Wolverine and the X-Men.

CBR and other press outlets got to see a good 30 minutes of the Watchmen. Lucky ducks!

A 300 sequel may be in the works, in the form a graphic novel.

Singer and Routh may not be making any new Superman, but it looks like Kevin Spacey is.

Punisher: War Zone did great justice and got itself an R.

Watch and see why!

Hey, looking for a local comic shop? CBR can help!

Ratner is being considered for Conan . Ugh.

Green Lantern may be shooting next year . Woo!

Fox may try and get Batman rights to publish the DVDs in exchange to settle Watchmen issues? Maybe.

Stephen Chow directing and co-starring in Green Hornet.

Apsen and Fox deny rumors about Fox and Fathom. Well, maybe we should talk to Mr. Johnston ?

The Bambino

Secret Invasion

Doctor of the Funk

Sam of the Bambino

• "Book," by Yuichi Yokoyama, in New Engineering (PictureBox)
• "At Loose Ends," by Lewis Trondheim, in Mome #8 (Fantagraphics)
• "Mr. Wonderful," by Dan Clowes, in New York Times Sunday Magazine
  (accessible online here)
• "Town of Evening Calm," by Fumiyo Kouno, in Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms (Last Gasp)
• "Whatever Happened to Fletcher Hanks?" by Paul Karasik, in I Shall Destroy All the Civilized Planets! (Fantagraphics)
• "Young Americans," by Emile Bravo, in Mome #8 (Fantagraphics)

• Amelia Rules!#18: "Things I Cannot Change," by Jimmy Gownley (Renaissance)
• Delilah Dirk and the Treasure of Constantinople, by Tony Cliff (self-published)
• Johnny Hiro #1, by Fred Chao (AdHouse)
• Justice League of America#11: "Walls," by Brad Meltzer and Gene Ha (DC)
• Sensational Spider-Man Annual: "To Have or to Hold," by Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca (Marvel)

• The Boys, by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson (Dynamite)
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 8, by Joss Whedon, Brian K. Vaughan, Georges Jeanty, and Andy Owens (Dark Horse)
• Naoki Urasawa’s Monster, by Naoki Urasawa (Viz)
• The Spirit, by Darwyn Cooke and J. Bone (DC)
• Y: The Last Man, by Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra, and Jose Marzan, Jr. (Vertigo/DC)

• Atomic Robo, by Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener (Red 5 Comics)
• Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born, by Peter David, Robin Furth, and Jae Lee (Marvel)
• Nightly News, by Jonathan Hickman (Image)
• Parade (with Fireworks), by Michael Cavallaro (Shadowline/Image)
• The Umbrella Academy, by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá (Dark Horse)

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 8, by Joss Whedon, Brian K. Vaughan, Georges Jeanty, and Andy Owens (Dark Horse)
• Immortal Iron Fist, by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, David Aja, and others (Marvel)
• Johnny Hiro, by Fred Chao (AdHouse)
• The Infinite Horizon,by Gerry Duggan and Phil Noto (Image)
• Scalped, by Jason Aaron and R. M. Guéra (Vertigo/DC)

• Amelia Rules! and Amelia Rules! Funny Stories, by Jimmy Gownley (Renaissance)
• Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures, edited by Jeremy Barlow (Dark Horse)
• Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 andMouse Guard: Winter 1152, by David Petersen (Archaia)
• The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain, by Peter Sis (Frank Foster Books/Farrar, Straus & Giroux)
• Yotsuba&!, by Kiyohiko Azuma (ADV)

• Laika, by Nick Abadzis (First Second)
• The Mighty Skullboy Army, by Jacob Chabot (Dark Horse)
• The Annotated Northwest Passage, by Scott Chantler (Oni)
• PX! Book One: A Girl and Her Panda, by Manny Trembley and Eric A. Anderson (Shadowline/Image)
• Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow, by James Sturm and Rich Tommaso (Center for Cartoon Studies/Hyperion)

• Dwight T. Albatross’s The Goon Noir, edited by Matt Dryer (Dark Horse)
• Johnny Hiro, by Fred Chao (AdHouse)
• Lucha Libre, by Jerry Frissen, Bill, Gobi, Fabien M., Nikola Witko, Hervé Tanquelle et al. (Image)
• Perry Bible Fellowship: The Trial of Colonel Sweeto and Other Stories, by Nicholas Gurewitch (Dark Horse)
• Wonton Soup, by James Stokoe (Oni)

• Best American Comics 2007, edited by Anne Elizabeth Moore and Chris Ware (Houghton Mifflin)
• 5, by Gabriel Bá, Becky Cloonan, Fabio Moon, Vasilis Lolos, and Rafael Grampa (self-published)
• Mome, edited by Gary Groth and Eric Reynolds (Fantagraphics)
• Postcards: True Stories That Never Happened, edited by Jason Rodriguez (Villard)
• 24Seven, vol. 2, edited by Ivan Brandon (Image)

• The Abominable Charles Christopher, by Karl Kerschl,
  
  www.abominable.transmission-x.com
• Billy Dogma, Immortal, by Dean Haspiel,
  
  www.deanhaspiel.com/immortal.html
• The Process, by Joe Infurnari,
  
  www.theprocesscomic.com
• PX! By Manny Trembley and Eric A. Anderson,
  
  www.pandaxpress.com
• Sugarshock!, by Joss Whedon and Fabio Moon,
  
  myspace.com/darkhorsepresents?issuenum=1&storynum=2

• Laika, by Nick Abadzis (First Second)
• The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam, by Ann Marie Fleming (Riverhead Books/Penguin Group)
• Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow, by James Sturm and Rich Tommaso (Center for Cartoon Studies/Hyperion)
• Sentences: The Life of MF Grimm, by Percy Carey and Ronald Wimberly (Vertigo/DC)
• White Rapids,by Pascal Blanchet (Drawn & Quarterly)

• The Arrival, by Shaun Tan (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic)
• Bookhunter, by Jason Shiga (Sparkplug Books)
• Essex County, vols. 1-2: Tales from the Farm/Ghost Stories, by Jeff Lemire (Top Shelf)
• Exit Wounds, by Rutu Modan (Drawn & Quarterly)
• Percy Gloom, by Cathy Malkasian (Fantagraphics)

• Agents of Atlas Hardcover, by Jeff Parker, Leonard Kirk, and Kris Justice (Marvel)
• Gødland Celestial Edition, by Joe Casey and Tom Scioli (Image)
• James Sturm’s America: God, Gold, and Golems, by James Sturm (Drawn & Quarterly)
• Mouse Guard: Fall 1152, by David Petersen (Archaia)
• Super Spy, by Matt Kindt (Top Shelf)

• (The Complete) Dream of the Rarebit Fiend, by Winsor McCay (Ulrich Merkl)
• Complete Terry and the Pirates, vol. 1, by Milton Caniff (IDW)
• Little Sammy Sneeze,by Winsor McCay (Sunday Press)
• Popeye,vol. 2: Well Blow Me Down, by E. C. Segar (Fantagraphics)
• Sundays with Walt and Skeezix, by Frank King (Sunday Press)

• Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus, vol. 1, by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (Marvel)
• Apollo’s Song, by Osamu Tezuka (Vertical)
• The Completely MAD Don Martin, by Don Martin (Running Press)
• Daredevil Omnibus,by Frank Miller and Klaus Janson (Marvel)
• I Shall Destroy All the Civilized Planets! by Fletcher Hanks (Fantagraphics)

• The Arrival, by Shaun Tan (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic)
• Aya, by Marguerite Abouet and Clement Obrerie (Drawn & Quarterly)
• Garage Band, by Gipi (First Second)
• I Killed Adolf Hitler, by Jason (Fantagraphics)
• The Killer, by Matz and Luc Jacamon (Archaia)

• The Ice Wanderer and Other Stories, by Jiro Taniguchi (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
• MW, by Osamu Tezuka (Vertical)
• Naoki Urasawa’s Monster, by Naoki Urasawa (Viz)
• New Engineering by Yuichi Yokoyama (PictureBox)
• Tekkonkinkreet: Black & White, by Taiyo Matsumoto (Viz)
• Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms, by Fumiyo Kouno (Last Gasp)

• Ed Brubaker, Captain America, Criminal, Daredevil, Immortal Iron Fist (Marvel)
• James Sturm,Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow (Center for Cartoon Studies/Hyperion)
• Brian K. Vaughan, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Dark Horse); Ex Machina (WildStorm/DC), Y: The Last Man (Vertigo/DC),
• Joss Whedon, Astonishing X-Men (Marvel); Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Dark Horse)
• Brian Wood, DMZ, Northlanders(Vertigo/DC); Local (Oni)

• Jeff Lemire, Essex County: Tales from the Farm/Ghost Stories (Top Shelf)
• Rutu Modan, Exit Wounds (Drawn & Quarterly)
• Shaun Tan, The Arrival (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic)
• Chris Ware, Acme Novelty Library #18 (Acme Novelty)
• Fumi Yoshinaga,Flower of Life; The Moon and Sandals (Digital Manga)

• Kyle Baker, The Bakers: Babies and Kittens (Image)
• Fred Chao, Johnny Hiro (AdHouse)
• Brandon Graham, King City (Tokyopop); Multiple Warheads (Oni)
• Eric Powell, The Goon (Dark Horse)
• James Stokoe, Wonton Soup (Oni)

• Steve Epting/Butch Guice/Mike Perkins, Captain America (Marvel)
• Pia Guerra/Jose Marzan, Jr., Y: The Last Man (Vertical/DC)
• Jae Lee, Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born (Marvel)
• Takeshi Obata, Death Note, Hikaru No Go (Viz)
• Ethan Van Sciver, Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps (DC)

• Ann-Marie Fleming, The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam (Riverhead Books/Penguin Group)
• Eric Powell, The Goon: Chinatown (Dark Horse)
• Bryan Talbot, Alice in Sunderland (Dark Horse)
• Ben Templesmith, Fell (Image); 30 Days of Night: Red Snow; Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse (IDW)

• John Cassaday, Astonishing X-Men (Marvel); Lone Ranger (Dynamite)
• James Jean, Fables (Vertigo/DC); The Umbrella Academy (Dark Horse); Process Recess 2; Superior Showcase 2 (AdHouse)
• J. G. Jones, 52 (DC)
• Jae Lee, Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born (Marvel)
• Jim Lee, All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder (DC); World of Warcraft (WildStorm/DC)

• Jimmy Gownley, Amelia Rules! (Renaissance)
• Steve Hamaker, Bone, vols. 5 and 6 (Scholastic); Shazam: Monster Society of Evil (DC)
• Richard Isanove, Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born (Marvel)
• Ronda Pattison, Atomic Robo (Red 5 Comics)
• Dave Stewart, BPRD, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cut, Hellboy, Lobster Johnson, The Umbrella Academy (Dark Horse); The Spirit (DC)
• Alex Wald, Shaolin Cowboy Burlyman)

• Jared K. Fletcher, Catwoman, The Spirit (DC); Sentences: Life of MF Grimm (Vertigo/DC)
• Jimmy Gownley, Amelia Rules! (Renaissance)
• Todd Klein, Justice, Simon Dark (DC); Fables, Jack of Fables, Crossing Midnight  (Vertigo/DC); League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Black Dossier (WildStorm/DC); Nexus (Rude Dude)
• Lewis Trondheim,"At Loose Ends," Mome 7 & 8 (Fantagraphics)
• Chris Ware, Acme Novelty Library #18 (Acme Novelty)

• Chuck BB, Black Metal (artist, Oni)
• Matt Silady, The Homeless Channel (writer/artist, AiT/PlanetLar)
• Jamie Tanner, The Aviary (writer/artist, AdHouse)
• James Vining, First in Space (writer/artist, Oni)

• Comic Art #9, edited by Todd Hignite (Buenaventura Press)
• Comic Foundry, edited by Tim Leong (Comic Foundry)
• The Comics Journal, edited by Gary Groth, Michael Dean, and Kristy Valenti (Fantagraphics)
• The Comics Reporter, produced by Tom Spurgeon and Jordan Raphael (www.comicsreporter.com)
• Newsarama, produced by Matt Brady and Michael Doran (www.newsarama.com)

• The Art of P. Craig Russell, edited by Joe Pruett (Desperado)
• The Artist Within, by Greg Preston (Dark Horse)
• Manga: The Complete Guide, by Jason Thompson (Del Rey Manga)
• Meanwhile...A Biography of Milton Caniff, by R. C. Harvey (Fantagraphics)
• Reading Comics: How Graphic Novels Work and What They Mean, by Douglas Wolk (Da Capo Press)
• Understanding Manga and Anime, by Robin Brenner (Libraries Unlimited/Greenwood Publishing)

• (The Complete) Dream of the Rarebit Fiend, designed by Ulrich Merkl (Ulrich Merkl)
• Complete Terry and the Pirates, designed by Dean Mullaney (IDW)
• Heroes, vol. 1, designed by John Roshell/Comicraft (WildStorm/DC)
• Little Sammy Sneeze, designed by Philippe Ghielmetti (Sunday Press)
• Process Recess 2, designed by James Jean and Chris Pitzer (AdHouse)
• Sundays with Walt and Skeezix, designed by Chris Ware (Sunday Press)

Kevin Smith writing Batman: Cacaphony miniseries.

Johns & Van Sciver working on Flash: Rebirth.

Aronofsky directing new Robocop movie; set for 2010 release.

After Remender and Oliffe are done with their Booster Gold run, Dan Jurgens ,a href="http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080724-BoosterTeam.html">takes over as writer and artist.

Ed Brubaker creating a live-action online series for Crackle.com starring Zoe Bell - Angel of Death.

War Machine replacing Iron Man, Pak taking over.

Jeff Parker writing Agents of Atlas ongoing.

New X-Men story - Ex Infernus - announced. 5 (or 4?) issues, written by CB Cebulski; it's a sequel to Inferno.

David Mack will adapt Philip K. Dick's "Electric Ant" for Marvel, with Paul Pope providing cover artwork.

Red Sonja teaser posters. Rose McGowan in Red.

Teaser for Wolverine shown. Glimpses of Blob, Deadpool and Gambit.


DAY 2

"Image United" was announced. All six Five of the founders will trade off drawing pages of a Kirkman written mini. Final issue to come out in May of 2012.

BOOM gets Disney, Muppets, Farscape and Eureka. Waid will be writing The Incredibles (he had a head start with his most recent run on Flash :) ). Ba-zing!

New Vertigo Crime imprint.

Marvel news!

Danny Miki and Khoi Pham have signed exclusives.

Frank Cho and Art Adams will be splitting art duties on Hulk, half red, half green. Betty Ross, She-Hulk and Hulk all get DDs. Loeb will also start including mini comics written by his daughter.

Black Panther got shown off.

There was a Final Crisis Managements panel.

Morrison just finished scripting number 5.... my god.

A special Bat-panel took place with past Batman creators.

Jerry Robinson is working on a Joker project.


DAY 3

Hama on the GI Joe reboot.

IDW is putting out a Champagne/Nguyen Ghostbusters mini.

Hercules: The Thracian Wars, Caliber and yet to be published Freedom Formula from Radical have already been optioned.

Whedon talks Dollhouse.

The Greatest American Hero is making a comeback via comics through Catastrophe.

Dark Horse!

BPRD 1947 with art by Ba and Moon.

New Umbrella Academy in November.

New Serenity in 2009.

More Robert E. Howard books to be forthcoming from DH.

Wildstorm had their SDCC panel lined up with Gage and other WS creators.

The panel started with Jim Lee running late to the show. How apropos.

More video game related titles with their Gears of War, Mirror's Edge and World of Warcraft books.

More TV related comics with X-Files, Chuck and Heroes.

Lots of talk on the new direction for the universe. They worked with Morrison to determine the direction the Authority and Wildcats would take.

DnA can do 15 issues of Authority because of clever planning in their Marvel contract.

Dixon is back with DC, in a way, working on the WS title "Storming Paradise." I guess WWII stories are a dime a dozen, so this one uses an alternate history to tell its tale Ooooo, alternate history WWII! I guess we can milk this baby some more.

Funny! "John Cassaday is working on 'Planetary' #27, 'and it should be done in five years,' Abernathy said. 'He's not taking any other work until it's done. You're gonna love it.'"

The Ultimate U and Secret Invasion panels took place, some more, this time in San Diego.

The Ultimate Hulk annual will have art by Marko Djurdjevic. Sam decides this will be an Ultimate book he buys.

Loeb and Cho (who is now Marvel Exclusive) will be working on an Ultimate title together. I expect to see it in 2020, just after Ultimates 3 ends.

Oh man - "Quesada ducked under the podium when a woman asked about the conclusion for 'Ultimate Wolverine/Hulk.' Loeb handed the woman the prized flash drive, as writer Damen Lindeloff then joined the panel and apologized for the lateness. 'I will be sitting in the hall eating shit right after the panel.' He then handed Quesada the script for issue six."

From Saturday: Mark Millar will be writing another Ultimate U book.

Andy Diggle and De La Torre on Thunderbolts. Gage just a fill in, again!

War of Kings announced. When I first saw the title I assumed it would be Doom vs Namor, but no. Vulcan vs. Black Bolt, with DnA writing.

More funny - "McCann closed the panel by revealing "Skrullmageddon" and "Skrullduggery" were aborted titles for Secret Invasion."

DC: Your Universe

Archie comic heroes will be appearing in the Brave and the Bold (not the Young and the Restless) with their own origins stories. Yipee?

Milestone characters are back in the DCU, starting with Static on Teen Titans.

What follows Batman: R.I.P.? Batman: Battle for the Cowl.

Johns pretty much says he's using everybody for a Black Lantern. Someone mentions someone is dead, "Black Lantern!" Way to throw us off the scent, Johns.

Giffen continues to yuck it up - In "Ambush Bug" #2, "we see the real reason Ted Kord died," Giffen said. "Can you tell I'm making this up as I go along?" He then added that he "wanted a scene where Mary Marvel loses her virginity to Ambush Bug, and goes from the white costume to the red."

Rucka is working on two more series he "can't talk about." Damn you DiDio!


DAY 4

Johns bringing the Legion to Smallville.

New Cloak & Dagger series from comics blogger, and former assistant editor, Valerie D'Orazio.

Aliens, Predators and the intersection of both return to Dark Horse. To coincide with a whole mess of anniversaries. Some links to the previous continuities will remain.

Gaiman writing Batman. He'll be doing a 2 issue post-RIP story with Andy Kubert entitled "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?" Denny O'Neill will also be doing a post-RIP focusing on the story's effects on Gotham City.

Oh, and High Five Hollywood.

Garth Ennis is going to out Ennis himself again, in a horror book.

Also, my quote of the day: "Precious few laughs in ‘Crossed’; it's easily the most disturbing and fucked-up thing I've ever written."
Cue: everything else post Preacher Ennis has talked about writing.

No business like show business!

The Spirit is moving from 2009 to 2008. Go Miller go!

Iron Man vs. Speed Racer, who won?

Crazy as it sounds, Marvel is releasing Thor six weeks after Iron Man 2. Mark Protosevich is set to direct. He was the guy who recently directed I Am Legend. Brad Pitt as Thor? Maybe...

Cinema Blend is spreading a rumor that none other than Matt McConaughey is in the running to play (wait for it) Steve Rogers.

Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman have completed the Kick Ass screenplay.

Did you know Alias had been picked up to be made into a movie by Lionsgate? Did you know Kyle Ward is set to adapt it? No, I have no idea who he is either.

More Wolverine casting news, woooo! Tim Pocock will play a young Scott Summers.

SPECIAL NEW HAPPY FUN SEGMENT!!!

Power Levels

Who's more powerful: Dr. Strange with a hangover and bad carpal tunnel, Superman with magically induced constipation, or 35 midgets with pole chainsaws and rocket launchers that shoot alligators?

Scott is also currently writing a Star Trek the Next Generation series, Intelligence Gathering (issue #3 lands in a couple of weeks!), and will also be writing a TES based story called Mirror Images, which will be out this summer. So listen and listen good, there's comic geekery about!

DARWYN COOKE'S NEW FRONTIER AFTER-PARTY Saturday, February 23rd. 8pm to Midnight. This is an in-store I've personally wanted to throw for a long, long time now. Everyone knows that author/artist Darwyn Cooke is the star of the WonderCon show this year, with the animated adaptation his book of DC: The New Frontier being world-premiered before the public at the convention. And with an event that big, I'm sure all of you would expect no less than the Isotope to be holding the official after-party with the man of the hour himself! Come meet and have a cocktail with the man behind so many of my favorite books. Batman: Ego and Other Tales, the oh so sexily redesigned Catwoman, Superman Confidential, The Spirit relaunch... and The New Frontier. I believe we will also be having a Darwyn Cooke autographing session on Thursday the 21st eve for those of you who want to get your copies of Absolute New Frontier and Dawyn Cooke Solo issues signed up! Also, can you say "pint glass"...? Damn right you can! 21 and over, por favor.

DCs One Year Later

DCs 52

Enjoy the show and we'll see you next week with another exciting, entralling and enchanting episode!