Category: Books

Richard Castle’s Derrick Storm Is Back

courtesy Marvel.com

  Private Detective and Secret Agent Derrick Storm may be dead on the ABC series Castle but the creation of writer Richard Castle (played by Nathan Fillion) lives on in Marvel comics. Richard Castle’s Deadly Storm was an original graphic novel and adaptation of the first Derrick Storm adventure by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Brian Michael Bendis.

DeConnick and Bendis bring Derrick back this October with Richard Castle’s Storm Season an original graphic novel. I asked DeConnick about this project at Emerald City Comicon last March and she told me she was just working on it before coming down to the booth.

  Comic Book Resources posted a new interview with DeConnick about reteaming with Bendis and what Castle fans can expect from the new story.

  “I learn so much from Brian professionally, it’s a real privilege for me. Also, he gets really, really uncomfortable when people say nice things about him — like toe-fist uncomfortable — so as his dear friend, I feel obliged to go on at some length not only about his talent and generosity, but also about what an incredible father and family man he is and how his lovely bald head is shaped just so that it reflects the light and shines like the work of a intern who just found the lens flare button in Photoshop.

Also, I wish he would he would wear a bike helmet. That part is real.

  As for how it feels to return to do “Storm Season” — it’s awesome. I am super-proud of this book and this team and incredibly grateful to both Brian and to Andrew Marlowe [creator and show runner of “Castle“] for the opportunity.

  This new project is reader friendly for Castle television fans or anyone to jump in.

“Entirely. If you read “Deadly Storm,” I expect you’ll have more fun as you’ll catch a few Easter Eggs and you’ll have more context for a few of the references, but if you didn’t read “Deadly Storm” — even if for some insane reason you don’t watch “Castle” (Why? Why would you not watch “Castle?” You know it stars Nathan Fillion, don’t you?) you won’t be at sea. No prior knowledge is required.”

 Emanuela Lupacchino (X-Factor) is the artist on this new graphic novel.

  Back to costumed heroics – DeConnick’s new Captain Marvel series debuts in June.

  By Editor

Who Will Play Finnick in Catching Fire

 

Taylor Kitsch as John Carter photo by Frank Connor courtesy Disney Enterprises

 The race to play a key character in the next The Hunger Games movie is heating up with a Marvel super hero in the running. Taylor Kitsch (Gambit, John Carter) Armie Hammer (The Lone Ranger, The Social Network) and Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy) are in the running for the role of Finnick Odair in Catching Fire according to E Online.

  In the novels Odair is a champion from District 4 (I think is the Pacific Northwest) who won the Hunger Games when he was 14. The 24-year-old is famous for fighting with his trident and net – a symbol of his district and wearing very little in the arena. Odair has many lovers in the Capitol.

  An earlier rumor surfaced that Robert Pattison (Twilight) was up for the role but it was denied.

  Kitsch would be a great fit for the role but I’m going for my earlier pick: Ryan Kwanten of True Blood.

By Editor

 

Thanks to Dark Horizons.

Star Trek and Doctor Who Make It So!

Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 courtesy IDW Publishing

  It’s a stellar week to be a geek! Doctor Who, Star Trek: The Next Generation. Two sci-fi great franchises that will taste great together in a brand new 8 part comic book series.

  The Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) makes it so with Captain Picard and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise when the their most feared enemies form an unholy alliance.  Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 beams into comic book shops this week courtesy IDW Publishing. 

  Fan-favorite villains the Borg and the Cybermen team up so Doctor Who, Amy Pond and Rory join forces with Jean-Luc Picard and crew to save humanity. Scot and David Tipton (Star Trek: Infestation) and Doctor Who writer Tony Lee collaborate to bring these two universes together.

  Are you excited? If you’re like me you might be already dreaming up sequels: The Master and renegade Klingons, Davros and the Gorn, The Silence and Sela the Romulan or how about the time traveling Devidians from the Time’s Arrow two-parter? I’d suggest The Weeping Angels but those stone cold aliens ain’t teaming up with anyone!

Batman Incorporated #2 Variant Reveals Talia Al Ghul

Batman Incorporated #2 courtesy DC Comics

  I’m still reeling from Batman Incorporated #1 by Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham. The New 52 Second Wave relaunch stars Bruce and Damian Wayne and the global franchising of Batman. This series a family dynamic from hell. Leviathan is a sinister cabal ready to strike at the New Bat World Order. And the head of the evil organization is Damian’s murderous mama, Talia Al Ghul.

DC Comics revealed this stunning variant for #2 by Cameron Stewart featuring the daughter of Ra’s Al Ghul.

  Fans have speculated Marion Cotillard will be revealed as Talia in The Dark Knight Rises. If so, it’s the best kept secret so far. We know Liam Neeson is reprising his role as Ra’s Al Ghul – at least in flashback – in Christopher Nolan’s final Batman film.

 But Talia is definitely back in this comic book!

  By Editor

Brian Wood Takes Over Two X-Men Books

X-Men preview art by David Lopez courtesy Marvel, a Comic Book Resources exclusive

  Brian Wood is taking over two X-Men titles in June. Wood kicked off 2012 with his Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha and Omega limited series. If that series is an indicator of what he has planned for X-Men and Ultimate Comics: X-Men then prepare your mind to be mutated.

  My big question for Wood when I met him at Emerald City Comicon was is his plan was to keep Storm as team of X-Men. He responded with a cool “yes, you kind of have to keep her.”

  Fans asked Wood plenty of questions on X-Position on Comic Book Resources, which featured new art from his two X series.

 When asked about Storm’s team’s mission:

“The mission statement is to really play up the fact they are a “security team” — really take that to an elevated level they aren’t really at now.  I made them mobile, global, and with a mission mandate that will see them doing less of what Victor was doing and more along the lines of something like “The Authority” or “Planetary” — investigating weird stuff that has a tendency to go epic and cause a lot of property damage.  And it involves a lot of gray area morality, Storm and the rest of them out in the field having to make decisions on the spot without the benefit of consulting with Scott first.  Well, perhaps it’s a blessing to not have to consult with Scott?”

Wood went to confirm Warpath is out, Pixie is in, and he’s created new bad guys.

Ultimate Comics: X-Men preview art by Paco Medina courtesy Marvel, a Comic Book Resources exclusive

 Over to the Ultimate-verse:

  Personally, I love Kitty Pryde/The Shroud in Ultimate Comics X-Men and Wood promised the addition the Ultimate Jean Grey aka Karen Grant.

  “Absolutely, and in a major, major way.  But not for a while.  This trajectory I’ve put Kitty and her team on needs to play out a bit, and once we’re past the “Divided We Fall” event and are into the next phase of the story, Jean’ll be back.  And she’ll be coming back to a very different America and a very different Kitty Pryde.”

For the entire Q & A plus more images here’s the link.

By Editor

Top 5 Picks for 5/30/12

Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 courtesy IDW Publishing

America’s Got Powers #2 Super teens compete in the world’s biggest reality game show. A kid who thought he’d only be comic relief has the chance to be the ultimate hero. This is an action packed cautionary tale that skewers our obsession with youth, reality television and media manipulation.

Batman Annual #1 Forget Ar-NULD – this Mr. Freeze is not joke. The ice-cold criminal makes his New 52 debut. How it he connected to the of Court of Owls? Is Freeze an ally or a target for assassination.

Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who Assimilation #1 Two of the biggest science fiction franchises together! The Captain Picard and crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise and Doctor Who join forces when Borg and Cybermen form an unholy alliance threatening the galaxy.

Wolverine and the X-Men #11 Will the Red Hulk turn Iceman into crushed ice? Kid Gladiator takes on the Avengers! Which side will Logan’s students choose in the war between Avengers and X-Men? They better choose quick. Gladiator and the Shiar Death Commandos are headed for Earth.

X-Men Legacy #267 Rogue vs She-Hulk was just a warm up! When Avengers showed up at the Jean Grey School to put the students under house arrest it didn’t sit well with the X-Men. I love Rogue but can she defeat Iron Man?

Happy Birthday Ian Fleming & Bond Girls in Cannes

 

courtesy 007.com

  On this day in 1908 James Bond creator Ian Fleming was born in London.

  Skyfall Bond girl Berenice Marlohe was joined by Carole Bouquet (For Your Eyes Only) and Martine Beswick (From Russia, With Love and Thunderball) appeared at the Cannes Film Festival to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the James Bond film series. Bouquet played Melina Havelock on For Your Eyes Only opposite Roger Moore. She still looks stunning. This photo and red carpet footage of Marlohe and Beswick is courtesy 007.com.

  I’m still not sure if Severine (Marlohe’s character) is a heroine, villainess of perhaps a bad girl that goes good after sleeping with James Bond (Daniel Craig.) 


  Doesn’t it seem like the Cannes Film Festival would be an exciting location for a James Bond story? I recommend Never Dream of Dying by Raymond Benson setting in Cannes and Corsica. It was final part of The Union Trilogy. Bond’s fling with a scandalous actress leads him to her producer husband, an ally in a terrorist attack by the Union. 

By Editor

The Dark Knight Rises Spot Feels Like Gangs of Gotham

   

courtesy Warner Brothers

  It looks like The Dark Knight Rises will have a “Gangs of Gotham City” vibe to it. The latest commercial for Christopher Nolan’s Batman finale is out – thanks to Spinoff Online. Nolan has been reported saving he was inspired by A Tale of Two Cities.

 There are moments when it feels as if Batman wins the police to his side while Bane has his army (are they his terrorists or a recruits from Gotham’s underbelly?)

  In the scene when the bridges blow it makes me think perhaps the new film will be partly inspired by No Man’s Land. In that Batman crossover a massive earthquake hits Gotham City – the government declares it a no man’s land and the gangs carve up their terrorities in the remains. Bane acted as an agent of Lex Luthor in the storyline.

Here’s the latest ad below:

  Here’s a link to No Man’s Land Volume One if you’re interested in reading that classic crossover.

By Editor