THOR 2 Cast New Villain

Kurse image courtesy Marvel.com

  Adewale Akinnouoye-Agbaje is joining the Thor sequel according to Variety. The actor will play two villain roles in Thor: The Dark World: Algrim the Strong and Kurse.

  Algrim is one of the most powerful Dark Elves ordered by King Malekith (who will be played by Doctor Who veteran Christopher Eccleston) to kill Thor. Through a series of twists and turns Algrim becomes Kurse. Magic, magma and Algrim’s intense hatred of the Odinson transform the Elf.

  You may have seen the actor in The Bourne Identity and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra but LOST devotees like myself loved him as Mr. Eko.

Kat Dennings (Two Broke Girls) will reprise her role as the science intern Darcy and will have an expanded role according to Deadline.

By Editor

Batman Incorporated #3 Worth the Wait?

Batman Incorporated #3 courtesy DC Comics

  Matches Malone is back in the underbelly of Gotham City and a new crime fighting vigilante is born in Batman Incorporated #3. This issue was delayed out of respect for the victims of the Aurora, Colorado tragedy. It was an appropriate decision. On the very first page there is a shocking act. It’s a disturbing image. As you turn the pages you see the massive scope and frightening agenda Leviathan is creating in Gotham City.

  This issue’s theme is infiltration. Bruce Wayne slips into a different identity so he can go deeper into the city’s criminal underworld to uncover the plans of Leviathan. Leviathan is immersing itself into the city, seizing control of ordinary people for a terrible purpose. In just the first three pages Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham show you just how insidious Leviathan is and how easy its agents insinuate themselves into every institution we honor and trust.

  Bruce Wayne’s journey through the underworld takes a violent twist thanks to a damsel in distress. The issue ends with the introduction of an extreme new hero that may be Batman’s only hope.

  GoatBoy and Bat Cow from the premiere issue are back. The bovine’s creepy connection to Leviathan is revealed. It’s scary how easy Leviathan is infiltrating Gotham City. It’s scarier how good Morrison and Burnham are at creating one of the most insidious Batman tales ever.

By Editor

 

 

Superman Annual Preview

 

Superman Annual #1 courtesy DC Comics

  The Man of Steel takes on the most evil alien of the Wildstorm Universe in Superman Annual #1. Helspont is a Daemonite warlord and galactic menace born in the pages of Jim Lee’s WildC.A.T.S.  In the first New 52 Annual the alien hero is abducted by aliens and is on a collision course with the Last Son of a more dastardly race..

  “We’ve heard a lot about Helspont and his intergalactic conquests – I thought it was time to see him in action! Unfortunately for Superman, the Last Son of the House of Daemon has a bite that is much worse than his bite!” new writer Scott Lobdell tells The Source.

“There is an old life rule that says you shouldn’t move in with your best friend.  You would think a guy as smart as Clark would know that hosting Jimmy would strain even his super human levels of endurance.”

  “I love that the Annual touches base with other aliens living on Earth. We get to see Starfire, Martian Manhunter, Hawkman — and the cameos don’t stop there! I think it was only fitting that we should touch base with these characters considering how much Superman’s actions in the coming months are going to effect the perception of all aliens currently visiting our planet. This is one of those Annuals that is a total game-changer!”
  “I wasn’t familiar with Pascal Alixe’s work before we started the Annual, but I am sure the industry will be standing up to take notice once this book is out. He was tasked with creating the Daemonite homeworld, and he knocked it out of the park and right out of the galaxy!”

  “In the Man of Steel’s first Annual we deal with an alien threat that has targeted the Last Son of Krypton, and we get the truth’s behind invaders that have been here for some time and are about to be eradicated by their own kind,” adds series editor Eddie Berganza. “There’s also close encounter cameos by Starfire, Hawkman and Martian Manhunter. Why should they be loyal to their adopted planet is the question raised.”

Superman Annual #1 courtesy DC Comics

  “There’s some epic art by lead artist Pascal Alixe on this and Scott Lobdell with Fabian Nicieza have crafted a story that reminds us we are not alone on Earth – but we may be soon if the alien extinction continues!”

Superman Annual #1 soars into shops August 29th.

Helpont was a 90’s creation. It’s nostalgic to see Lobdell and Nicieza working together again. The two writers kept the X-Men titles moving in the 90’s.

When I saw the cover image I immediately thought of Gerard Christopher who played Superboy in the television series.

By Editor

Doctor Who Sets the Date!

 

courtesy BBC

  It’s official! BBC America announced the new season of Doctor Who will return September 1st with 5 new episodes. It’s the final farewell of companions Amy and Rory – sigh – and the return of the Daleks and Weeping Angels – yeah!

  Here’s the official announcement including episode details.

  Lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat on the new season: “We have, I think, our biggest range of stories EVER. We’ve got the return of the Daleks AND the Weeping Angels – both of them poll-topping “Doctor Who” adversaries – in cracking new stories, we’ve got Dinosaurs on a Spaceship (it’s what you’ve always wanted), we’ve got a glorious western with a Cyborg Gunslinger, the most unusual invasion Earth story EVER, and location shooting in New York for the Pond finale.”

  In the season opener, “Asylum of the Daleks,” the Doctor is forced on an impossible mission after being kidnapped by his oldest foe – to a place even the Daleks are too terrified to enter…. the Asylum. A planetary prison confining the most terrifying and insane of their kind, the Doctor and the Ponds must find an escape route. But with Amy and Rory’s relationship in meltdown, and an army of mad Daleks closing in, it is up to the Doctor to save their lives, as well as the Pond’s marriage.”

  Here’s a new trailer:


SYNOPSES

**SPOILER WARNING**

Asylum of the Daleks – Episode 1

  Kidnapped by his oldest foe, the Doctor is forced on an impossible mission – to a place even the Daleks are too terrified to enter…. the Asylum. A planetary prison confining the most terrifying and insane of their kind, the Doctor and the Ponds must find an escape route. But with Amy and Rory’s relationship in meltdown, and an army of mad Daleks closing in, it is up to the Doctor to save their lives, as well as the Pond’s marriage.

Dinosaurs on a Spaceship – Episode 2

  An unmanned spaceship hurtles towards certain destruction – unless the Doctor can save it, and its impossible cargo…… of dinosaurs. By his side a ragtag gang of adventurers; a big game hunter, an Egyptian Queen and a surprised member of the Pond family. But little does the Doctor know there is someone else onboard who will stop at nothing to keep hold of his precious, prehistoric cargo.

A Town Called Mercy – Episode 3

  The Doctor gets a Stetson (and a gun), and finds himself the reluctant Sheriff of a Western town under siege by a relentless cyborg, who goes by the name of, the Gunslinger. But who is he and what does he want? The answer seems to lie with the mysterious, Kahler-Jex, an alien doctor (yes another one) whose initial appearance is hiding a dark secret. This episode will guest star Ben Browder (Farscape, Stargate.)

By Editor

Amazing Spider-Man’s 50th

Amazing Spider-Man #692 courtesy Marvel

  Today the 50th Anniversary issue of Amazing Spider-Man arrives in comic book stores. Marvel celebrates issue #692 with an overstuffed issue by fan favorite Spidey writer Dan Slott and artist Humberto Ramos. Slott spins a new story with a new twist on Uncle Ben’s “with great power comes great responsibility” motto.

  Spider-Man is getting a sidekick. This Anniversary issue’s introduction of Andy McGuire/Alpha moves Peter Parker forward into all new story possibilities.

Amazing Spider-Man #692 70’s Variant courtesy Marvel

  Daredevil artist Marcos Martin created variant covers celebrating Spidey’s past through the decades. I have to say this 70’s variant is my favorite because it’s one of Peter Parker’s most emotional and vulnerable moments with his (and our) beloved Gwen Stacy.

Amazing Spider-Man #692 80’s variant courtesy Marvel

  The 80’s variant is basic black and white just like the costume that defined that era. Each decade has a color theme. Happy Anniversary Spidey! Thank you Stan Lee and Steve Ditko! Thanks to Dan Slott for continuing the legacy!

By Editor

Emerald City Comicon Adds New Creator Guests

 

The ECCC Crusaderette and Crusader at ECCC 2012, photo by ComicsBlend.com

Emerald City Comicon added to their growing list of guests for the 2013 event in Seattle:

 Christos Gage (writer of Avengers Academy, X-Men Legacy, Angel and Faith)

  Mark Waid (writer of Indestructible Hulk, Daredevil, Kingdom Come, Captain America)

  Fiona Staples (artist of Saga, Northlanders, Jonah Hex, 30 Day of Night, Deep Sleeper)

  Skottie Young (writer/artist OZ, A-Babies vs. X-Babies)

  Larry Hama (writer G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Wolverine)

  Daniel Way (writer Deadpool, Punisher, Daken: Dark Wolverine, Venom, Hit-Monkey)

Showing my Mutant Pride with Emma Frost at ECCC 2012 photo by ComicsBlend.com

  These creators join previously announced guests including Peter David, Michael Golden, Mike Mignola, Brandon Peterson, James Robinson.

  Sir Patrick Stewart and Billy Dee Williams are the celebrity guests announced so far. 

  Emerald City Comicon is March 1-3 in Seattle. Tickets go on sale September 5th.

By Editor

First Look Inside All-New X-Men #1

  Brian Michael Bendis is bringing the first five X-Men into the Marvel NOW. The original mutant teenage dream arrive in our present and to them – it’s a nightmare.

 

All-New X-Men #1 interior art courtesy Marvel.com

  Stuart Immonen is the artist bringing past and present together. Today Marvel.com revealed the first interior art from All-New X-Men #1. The original Scott, Jean, Bobby, Hank and Warren arrive at the Jean Grey School and see the present day Hank aka the Beast.

All-New X-Men #1 interior art courtesy Marvel.com

 Can you imagine the look Immonen will create on Scott and Jean’s faces when they see the memorial statue of Jean on the school grounds?

By Editor

The Flash Vs. Super Rogues

The Flash Annual #1 courtesy DC Comics

  Flash fans – get ready to race to the comic book shops for the speedster’s first New 52 Annual! A team of artists joins the huge issue focusing on the iconic team of villains!

  “THE FLASH ANNUAL #1 is the culmination of the past six issues, as we finally get to see the DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 Rogues team up against the Flash,” co-writer Brian Buccellato tells THE SOURCE. “[Co-writer and artist] Francis Manapul and I are bridging the gap between the old ‘gun-toting’ Rogues that everyone remembers from previous continuity, and the new meta-powered incarnations. In the Annual, we finally reveal HOW the Rogues got their super powers and at what cost.”
 
   “We couldn’t be happier with the collection of talent we assembled to work from Francis’ layouts. Broken up into chapters, on art duties we have Marcus To, Diogenes Neves, Marcio Takara, Wes Craig, and FLASH legend Scott Kolins! We just had to offer Scott the Rogues ‘flashback chapter,’ and were delighted that he accepted. His take on ‘The Old Rogues’ is new and fresh, yet pays homage to the gang’s history. It might sound clichéd, but it’s truly everything we hoped for and more.”
 
  “While the Annual does answer a lot of questions and give context to Flash and his relationship with the DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 Rogues, it also propels the book into the next major story arc,” Buccellato continued. “We got the biggest thrill out of having Flash team up with someone unexpected in his fight versus the Rogues. I don’t want to spoil anything, but his uneasy partnership is with a former Rogue that was recently left out in the cold.”

  The Flash Annual #1 arrives August 29th.

By Editor