Comics As ‘Top-Level’ Category For New iPad
March 14, 2010 by tcgames · Leave a Comment
The new bookstore for the iPad (see “Is iPad a Gamechanger?”) will include comics and graphic novels as one of 20 “top-level” categories, according to the blog on AppSlice, a new tool for browsing and finding apps. Manga will be included as a sub-category within the comics and graphic novel category, along with others. The 20 top-level categories will include around 150 sub-categories over-all.
This represents a significant improvement in the merchandising of digital comics as compared to the current sales through Apple’s app store, which will make comics easier to find for readers using the new device.
Darkstorm Comics’ “I, Frankenstein” Headed To Big-Screen
April 16, 2009 by tcgames · Leave a Comment
The first issue hasn’t hit stores yet, but Darkstorm Comic’s “I, Frankenstein” has been optioned for the big-screen according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The upcoming series brings together classic monster characters, including Frankenstein’s Monster, the Invisible Man, Dracula and the Hunchback of Notre Dame, in a contemporary film noir setting. The Monster has evolved, learned how to control his anger and now acts as a private investigator. Dracula, meanwhile, is a kingpin of crime, and the Invisible Man is a secret operative.
Kevin Grevioux and Patrick Tatopoulos, who have both worked on the “Underworld” movies, will bring the project to the screen for Death Ray Films. Grevioux will adapt the story into a screenplay with Tatapoulos making his directing debut on the film.
“It’s a Raymond Chandler-esque monster mash where the rogues don’t pack pistols, they’ve got claws and fangs,” said Ryan Turek, who is assisting in the development of the movie.
Death Ray hopes to launch a franchise with the property.
Alan Moore’s Bestiary of Fictional Worlds
April 15, 2009 by tcgames · Leave a Comment
SPOILER WARNING: The following contains some spoilers for "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century."
This Spring sees the publication of the first part of “The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century,” the first volume of Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s ambitious and singular adventure series that unites virtually all the characters from adventure fiction interacting together in a single world.
While the previous volumes were published by Wildstorm — an imprint of DC Comics, with whom Moore has had a contentious relationship for decades — “Century” is published by Top Shelf Productions, who previously released Moore and Melinda Gebbie’s “Lost Girls.” “Century” also comes in a different format than previous editions of “League,” with each installment being 72 pages long and released months apart.
In this first part of an in-depth two-part interview, CBR News talked to Alan Moore about the increasingly elaborate game the book plays with Literature, the intricacies of tracking all fiction in a single continuity, how the fictional world runs in parallel with our world, and the increasingly thin line between them.
Mark Bomback To Adapt ‘The Umbrella Academy’ For Film
April 8, 2009 by tcgames · Leave a Comment
Mark Bomback has been tapped to adapt The Umbrella Academy, the Dark Horse superhero comic created by My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way and set up at Universal, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Dark Horse’s Mike Richardson is producing.
The Umbrella Academy is a group of disbanded superheroes who reunite after the death of their adoptive father, Sir Reginald Hargreeves, an alien disguised as a wealthy entrepreneur. Hargreeves collected the members of the group shortly after their birth and trained them to save the world, and, after his death, they carry on his plan.
"Farscape" #1 Goes Back to Press for a Third Printing
Official Press Release
Just in time for the 10th anniversary of FARSCAPE, BOOM! Studios announced today a third printing of the FARSCAPE #1 comic book.
“We were blown away by the reaction to the first printing of FARSCAPE #1,” said Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid. “So when we went to a second print, we were pretty darn happy. We cannot believe that we have sold completely out of all of that now!”
“Marketing and Sales Director Chip Mosher and I couldn’t believe our eyes,” said BOOM! co-founder Ross Richie. “It’s clear that the FARSCAPE fans have spoken, and the Direct Market retailers have listened!”
Diamond Comics Distributors will make the third printing of FARSCAPE #1 available on April 8th. At that time the third printing’s code will open for orders, and a Diamond Daily article will also run alerting retailers to its availability. The third printing of FARSCAPE #1 has an expected in-store date of April 29th.
The first printing of FARSCAPE #1 was released on Christmas Eve 2008 and sold out in a record five days. The fourth and final issue of the miniseries will be appearing on stands very soon.
The FARSCAPE comic series is written by FARSCAPE television series creator Rockne S. O’Bannon with script by Keith R.A. DeCandido, interior art by Tommy Patterson and cover art by fan-favorites Dennis Calero and Joseph Corroney.
Picking up directly where the television miniseries FARSCAPE: THE PEACEKEEPER WARS left off, fans can look forward to show creator O’Bannon steering their favorite characters into new and original stories, keeping with the existing canon – and then extending it!
Debuting on the SCI-FI Channel in 1998, FARSCAPE follows the adventures of astronaut John Crichton, who has a freak accident during an experimental space mission that catapults him across a thousand galaxies to an alien battlefield. Suddenly, he’s trapped among alien creatures wielding deadly technology – a battle that 20th century sci-fi pop culture never prepared him for. Hunted by a merciless military race, Crichton begins his quest for home from a distant galaxy.
Exclusive First Look: Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash 2
March 18, 2009 by tcgames · Leave a Comment
This just in from slashfilm…DC Comics has provided us with an exclusive first look at the new Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash comic book series from WildStorm. Click on the image above to enlarge to really high resolution. More details on the comic follow after the jump.
FREDDY VS. JASON VS. ASH: THE NIGHTMARE WARRIORS #1
Written by Jeff Katz and James Kuhoric
Art by Jason Craig
Covers by Arthur Suydam
Beneath the bloody waters of Crystal Lake, an immortal evil wakes and begins anew the cycle of grueling violence. Six months after the events of FREDDY VS. JASON VS. ASH, a power-hungry government bureaucrat unleashes the denizens of the Necronomicon including the banished spirit of the Springwood Slasher, Freddy Krueger. But Ash Williams has checked his monster-hunting past at the door. A Chosen One no more, he thinks that a life of domestic bliss and retail tending is his true calling until the ghosts of the past show up to punch his clock again.
The original creative team behind WildStorm and Dynamite Entertainment¹s FREDDY VS. JASON VS. ASH proudly presents the bloody sequel to the sold-out smash horror crossover event! Featuring a triptych cover by Arthur Suydam (Marvel Zombies) to match the triptych cover from the original miniseries. Co-published with Dynamite Entertainment.
On sale June 24 – 1 of 6 – 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US – MATURE READERS
The Complete Rocketeer by Dave Stevens Coming from IDW
March 2, 2009 by tcgames · Leave a Comment
ComicNews.info has an announcement about one of my favorite neo-pulp heroes…The Rocketeer…
IDW Publishing is proud to announce the upcoming release of The Complete Rocketeer by Dave Stevens, collecting the classic series in its entirety for the first time ever.
After more than a decade out of print, The Rocketeer makes a triumphant return to stores this October with a comprehensive hardcover edition featuring artwork digitally re-mastered from Stevens’ own lovingly maintained collection of originals, and all-new coloring by Laura Martin, the Eisner-Award-winning colorist handpicked by Stevens himself.
The Rocketeer, a rollicking tribute to pulp novels and Saturday morning matinee serials, follows the high-flying adventures of stunt pilot Cliff Secord and his girlfriend Betty, after Cliff finds a mysterious jet pack and takes to the sky. The graphic novel went on to become a much-loved major motion picture directed by Joe Johnston.
In addition to the mass-market hardcover, a very special deluxe edition is planned. Presented in a larger format, the deluxe edition will be filled with behind-the-scenes material, a treasure of additional pages featuring previously unpublished Rocketeer designs, preliminaries, and sketches by Dave Stevens, many taken from his personal sketchbooks.
“It is an honor to work on The Rocketeer,” said IDW Special Projects editor Scott Dunbier, “I’ve been a fan of Dave Stevens and The Rocketeer since I first read it in the early 80s. It was a dream of Dave’s to see his creation return to the shelves in a complete collection. We are dedicated to making this the definitive edition, a book Dave would have been proud of.” This October The Rocketeer will fly once more. Read more
DVD Details Released for Animated ‘Green Lantern: First Flight’
February 28, 2009 by tcgames · Leave a Comment
ComicNews.info has a ton of information on the new animated Green Lantern: First Flight movie coming this summer to a home theater near you…
The fabric of intergalactic justice is threatened – until Hal Jordan arrives for his initial mission – in the animated Green Lantern: First Flight, the fifth entry in the popular DVD series of DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movies. A co-production of Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, the illuminated hero’s first-ever full-length animated film is set for release by Warner Home Video on July 28, 2009. Green Lantern: First Flight will be available as a special edition 2-disc version on DVD and Blu-Ray™ Hi-Def for $29.98 (SRP) and $34.99 (SRP), respectively, as well as single disc DVD for $19.98 (SRP). Order due date for all versions is June 23, 2009.
Acclaimed actor Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) fills the lead voice of Hal Jordan aka Green Lantern. Meloni is joined by fellow Emmy Award nominee Victor Garber (Milk, Titanic) as the villainous Sinestro, Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) as the voice of Boodikka, and Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs) as Kilowog.
Produced by animation legend Bruce Timm, Green Lantern: First Flight is helmed by heralded director Lauren Montgomery (Wonder Woman, Superman Doomsday) and scripted by four-time Emmy Award-winning writer Alan Burnett (The Batman).
Green Lantern: First Flight finds Hal Jordan recruited to join the Green Lantern Corps and placed under the supervision of respected senior Lantern Sinestro. The earthling soon discovers his mentor is actually the central figure in a secret conspiracy that threatens the philosophies, traditions and hierarchy of the entire Green Lantern Corps. Hal must quickly hone his newfound powers and combat the treasonous Lanterns within the ranks to maintain order in the universe.
Green Lantern: First Flight – 2 Disc Special Edition versions will include incredible bonus features such as: Read more
Marvel, Perlmutter, Lee and Arad Sued For $750 Million
January 27, 2009 by tcgames · Leave a Comment
Shareholders of an ill-fated Stan Lee venture are seeking more than $750 million in profits from films and other works based on Marvel comic characters such as “Spider-Man,”"X-Men” and “Iron Man.”
The lawsuit was filed Monday in a Manhattan federal court on behalf of shareholders of Stan Lee Media Inc. Defendants include Lee, his partner Arthur Lieberman, Marvel Entertainment Inc. and its chairman Isaac Perlmutter, and former Marvel Studios president Avi Arad.
The suit names four shareholders who live in Florida, California and Canada. Their lawyer, Martin Garbus, said the suit is aimed at reclaiming money for all Stan Lee Media Inc. shareholders.
The lawsuit claims profits from Lee’s comic creations belong to the company, which emerged from bankruptcy in 2006. The suit claims Lee, Marvel and others have violated Stan Lee Media’s copyright interests and that the firm is due profits from all properties, including blockbuster films that were made after 1998 and based on Lee’s creations.
The lawsuit’s allegations were immediately rebuffed, with Marvel issuing a statement that said the lawsuit is filled with “ridiculous claims.”
Lee’s attorney, Mark W. Williams, said: “We look forward to a positive resolution for Stan Lee and his family.”
Marvel also claimed the lawsuit features claims that have been pursued in previous cases.
Garbus said Monday’s suit differs in that it names Lee, Arad and Perlmutter. “It’s a very different lawsuit,” Garbus said. “It’s different money.”
He said he suspects that Lee, who once sued Marvel over profits from his creations, entered into an agreement that deprived Stan Lee Media of the windfall from blockbuster movies such as the “Spider-Man” and “X-Men” trilogies.
“He made a deal,” Garbus said of Lee’s confidential settlement that led to his reconciliation with Marvel. “That money should have gone to the corporation.”
Source: ComingSoon.net
Captain America, Daredevil Comic And Film News
January 21, 2009 by tcgames · Leave a Comment
Ed Brubaker, who writes Captain America and Daredevil comic books for Marvel, told reporters to expect a big shock in the upcoming 50th issue of the Captain America series he writes. Leading up to that, the stories of the new Captain, Bucky and Sharon Carter (who killed Steve Rogers while brainwashed) will get complicated. Brubaker also has news about the coming Captain America movie, as well as other Marvel films he may be involved with.
“Lots of big stuff is coming,” Brubaker said in a group interview last week in Universal City, Calif. “This summer’s going to be really exciting, big stuff with Captain America coming up. Currently in the storyline, Bucky is sort of the new Cap, and he’s being faced with this horrifying past as the Winter Soldier. So that’s all sort of coming to a head. We’ll have a whole issue soon devoted to Sharon Carter and her memories of the day that Captain America died and starting to see things from a different perspective, actually; maybe learn some new mysteries.”
In the Daredevil universe, a familiar villain will return. “Kingpin’s about to come back to town, and it’s not going to be pretty,” Brubaker said. “I just saw some pages this morning from an issue that’s all the Kingpin, that’s a solo issue about the Kingpin in Spain.”
Brubaker added that he’s also busy starting a new comic-book series. “[I] just launched a new book called Incognito that is about a guy who’s like sort of a pulp villain living in witness protection,” he said. “That’s a huge sellout nationwide, actually, and we’re going back to print on that. I’m [still] writing Captain America. Daredevil, just finishing up a big storyline in that, and a couple special projects for this coming summer that I can’t talk about yet. Really big Marvel stuff, not crossovers, but big Marvel stuff. You’ll like it if you read comics.”
As more Marvel movies go into development, Brubaker expects to be involved in a Captain America film as well. “I think I’m going to,” he said. “I’ve talked to the Marvel Studios guys, and I think I’m going to be part of the brain trust on that, like they had for Iron Man. They’ve talked to me about it already. I talk to those guys a lot.”
As for the rumored Daredevil movie reboot, Brubaker is not in the loop. “I mean, I’ll be involved if they want me to be, but no,” he said. “I’ll be involved in any of that stuff they want me to be. I’m just trying to weasel my way in on as much of it as I can.”
The movie Brubaker really wants to see is Iron Fist, which was one of Marvel’s earliest movie proposals in a version Kirk Wong would have directed, starring Ray Park. Lately, Iron Fist has been on the back burner with director Steve Carr.
“I’m really, really pressuring them to do an Iron Fist movie, because I think that would just be awesome,” Brubaker said. “With our take on it, it’d be great, I think. They’re interested, so we’ll see. I’m hopefully going to meet with them tomorrow and just try to push them some more. They’re interested in it. Marvel Studios has a lot of plans, though, so I’m just trying to sort of get my way in as soon as I can.”
Source: Scifi Wire
