Sony eyes Valiant series Bloodshot for the big screen according to Deadline. The comic book series starred a ruthless mob assassin set up and framed for murder. The killer goes to witness protection but is betrayed and subjected to experiments that give him super strength and healing powers but no memory of his past.
The Valiant Universe is relaunching with new issues this May. The publisher made headlines with the announcement of the first talking comic book cover. I’m sure a new Bloodshoot series is in the works. It was a huge hit in the 90’s.
Miss Piggy was shamefully denied a Best Actress Oscar (not even a nomination!) but The Muppets will get a sequel! Director James Bobin and co-writer Nicholas Stoller will return for the Disney sequel according to Variety. No word on if Jason Segel (please) or Amy Adams will return. After earning $154 million at the box office I’m sure Miss Piggy’s demands will increase – but that’s one charming pig!
The film did win an Oscar for Best Song (Man or Muppet.) I was a fan of Me Party since I’m single.
Taylor Kitsch and Lynn Collins in Disney's John Carter
I’m excited for Disney’s John Carter. Some lucky fans got be see a Q & A with director Andrew Stanton hosted by Geoff Butcher of Hero Complex. What I share with director Andrew Stanton is our early love of Edgar Rice Burroughs John Carter began with Marvel comics*. Stanton tells why the pre-teen boy in all of us can relate to John Carter of Mars.
“When you’re 10 or 11 years old, and you’ve discovered girls, but they haven’t discovered you yet, and you’re reading about this ordinary guy that’s suddenly extraordinary on another planet, he’s got the coolest best friend, the coolest pet, and he’s winning the heart of the most beautiful girl in the universe, that’s like a checklist of everything you’ve ever wanted,” Stanton told the audience.
John Carter Warlord of Mars #1 courtesy Marvel
“My gateway drug was the Marvel comics of John Carter,” Stanton said. “My friends were drawing these four-armed creatures with tusks, and I said, ‘What are those?’ And they said, ‘Those are Tharks. This is Tars Tarkas,’ and then they threw the comic book at me. … By the time I was in high school finishing [the books], my girlfriends would call them my romance novels.”
The legendary Marv Wolfman and Gil Kane created John Carter: Warlord of Mars back in 1977 for Marvel comics and ran for two years. I remember collecting these along with the Star Wars Marvel comics and my first Uncanny X-Men books.
Marvel is publishing new comics based on Edgar Rice Burroughs tales as prequels and sequels to the upcoming movie.
Astonishing X-Men #48 interior art courtesy Marvel.com
One of the most anticipated X change is Marjorie Liu and Mike Perkins taking on Astonishing X-Men with issue #48. The unique line-up includes Wolverine, Iceman, Gambit, Warbird, Karma and Northstar. The writer says she will show the characters lives away from the X-Men. Today Liu told Marvel.com how this cast of characters came together.
“They’re all in the wrong place at the wrong time, basically, but being X-Men, they’re not the types to turn away from a dangerous situation. What none of them realize, of course, is that working together will lead them into some very unfamiliar—and uncomfortable—situations
I’m excited Northstar found a home with the X-Men after Alpha Flight’s cancellation. Liu expanded on why she brought Jean-Paul back with the mutants:
Astonishing X-Men #49 preview art courtesy Marvel.com
“Northstar has so much to offer in terms of character; not just his personality, but where he is now, where he wants to be, who he might become under certain circumstances. All of which will be addressed in these first two arcs. Also, despite being a powerhouse of experience when it comes to this super hero gig, he’s also a bit unpredictable; his emotions get the better of him, sometimes, and that’s very interesting to play with when he’s under pressure.”
Marvel said the arc will be the most controversial story of the year. Liu said one character will be changed forever but she has a long-term plan in mind.
“There’s a long-term mystery playing out over the first two arcs that establishes these individual X-Men as a real team. We have fights, deaths [and] explosions, but in many ways it’s a very intimate story, and by that, I mean these characters will literally live and die based on the strength of their relationships to one another. There’s an enemy, of course, but the battle against this individual’s machinations will force the X-Men to look inward, and at each other, in ways that may be very uncomfortable, and illuminating.”
For the entire interview and more of Mike Perkins preview art here’s the Marvel.com link.
I know where I’ll be April 3rd at 8pm and I know which Marvel team I will stand with!
Earlier this week Marvel revealed new promo art and announced that more than 1,100 comic book stores are having Avengers Vs. X-Men launch parties.
I have been shopping at Zanadu Comics in Downtown Seattle since I moved to the Emerald City 14 years ago. I was thrilled when Perry told me Zanadu will stand with….The X-MEN!
Wonder Woman of Earth 2 by Jim Lee courtesy DC Comics
DC Comics New 52 will launch a Second Wave of new titles including Earth 2 by James Robinson. The Source revealed this world’s Wonder Woman designed by Jim Lee and her background by James Robinson.
“Due the events that open the saga of EARTH 2, Wonder Woman is already the last Amazon of this world and she is determined to avenge her sisters…at whatever cost,” said Earth 2 writer Robinson.
“How did Wonder Woman come to be the last of the Amazons?” asks EARTH 2 editor Pat McCallum. “It’s one of the mysteries we’ll be getting into with the series. While there will be recognizable faces and settings on EARTH 2, don’t for a moment think you’re on familiar ground. Do that, and you let your guard down…and then you’ll end up like the rest of the Amazons.”
I love Jim Lee’s art. This design is heavy on the warrior element. I will definitely check out this title.
Here’s why the Superman Hompage says today’s the day to celebrate The Man of Steel’s birthday!
“Why February 29? Editor Julie Schwartz declared that Superman’s birthday was on February 29th in a number of letter pages during the Silver Age. Supposedly this is how Superman stays looking so young, after all he only has a birthday every four years!
In 1985’s “Superman Annual #11” his birthdate is mentioned as being February 29 in an actual story. While “Time” magazine published a story in 1988 that also stated this date as being Superman’s birthday.
Oddly enough, Clark Kent celebrates his birthday on a completely different day. Clark’s celebrates his birthday on the day Jonathan and Martha Kent pulled him from the Kryptonian rocketship that landed in Smallville. This was established in “Action Comics #241″ in 1958, and was specified in “Action Comics #263” in 1973 as being celebrated on June 18th.”
Thanks to Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster for giving us a great hero. Thanks to Richard Donner and Christopher Reeve for bringing Kal-El to the big screen. Happy Birthday Superman and thanks for all the inspiration.
Wolverine and the X-Men by Jason Aaron and Nick Bradshaw is my favorite book right now and a pure joyride with action, humor and outrageous storylines.
Here’s a quick recap:
Wolverine built the Jean Grey School for young mutants after his schism with Cyclops. Kitty is pregnant – sort of. Beast and some kids are inside Kitty’s body trying to save her. Logan and Kid Omega – that brat – are in an outer space casino cheating at gambling to get money to keep the school open. There’s a nice Brood student who talks and won’t eat you. The school is being invaded by an army of Brood – the nasty kind you know and hate.
