Emerald City Comicon Programming Revealed – Local Flavor

Emerald City Comicon Exclusive by Alex Ross courtesy Emerald City Comicon

  Emerald City Comicon revealed their stellar lineup of programming for this year’s big event including more than 120 panels! I seriously need to look into cloning.

Along with top comic book creators, sci-fi movie stars and iconic voice talents, there’s a big focus on local creators, history and trends. Here are some this year’s panel with a local focus:

Seattle Superstorm: A SyFy Channel World Premiere, Friday March 30th at 4pm. An unidentified object crashes into Puget Sound followed by unusual weather and quakes. Can a military mom and scientist dad save their family and stop the Seattle Superstorm from spreading and annihilating the planet. This disaster flick stars Esai Morales (Caprica, 24) and Ona Grauer (V, Stargate Universe)

The Power Within from Northwest Press, Art by Mark Brill

  The Bad and the Bold: (LGBT Characters) Friday, March 30th 4pm Seattle’s own Charles “Zen” Christensen of Northwest Press moderates this discussion of LGBT representation in comics. What’s a postive or negative portryal of LGBT characters?   

 Northwest Noir: Seattle’s Legacy of Counterculture Comix Friday, March 30th 6pm A look at the influence of Seattle cartoonists and inspired a new comix movement and creation of local publisher Fantagraphics books. How the grunge movement elevated alternative comix. Seattle and Portland were home to 6 alternative comix publishing houses by the start of this millenia.

We Are Legion: Meet the 501st Legion Meet the all-volunteer group of Star Wars fans who make appearances all over the world raising money for charity and giving other fans the photo op of a lifetime. Learn the Legion’s origin, its relationship with Lucasfilm and how you can join.

We’re Laughing WITH You: Geek Stand Up Comedy featuring some of the funniest comedians in the Northwest. Friday, March 30th 5:30pm

 Outdoor Trek (The Indoor Edition) Friday, March 30th 5pm Hello Earth Productions of Seattle presents “This Side of Paradise” an adaptation of an Original Star Trek series episode. Spock in love. The crew break into a rousing musical number! It’s Trek boldly performed like you’re never seen before!

 

The Manhattan Projects

The Manhattan Projects #1 courtesy Image Comics

  The Manhattan Projects #1 is the book of the week for me. Jonathan Hickman (Fantastic Four, SHIELD, Ultimates) creates a tale of alternate history and true science fiction. He’s a mad scientist executing his experiment like a cold assassin.

 The premiere issue explores good and evil as a scientific genius is recruited to the top-secret Manhattan Projects. The atomic bomb is nothing compared to what’s being birthed in this eerie think tank.

 Nick Pitarra’s exaggerated style is perfect for Hickman’s high concept horror show. The art reminds me of Frank Quitely but grittier. Every panel works building the action and tension.

 The Manhattan Projects is a high concept with a razor-sharp focus on Dr. Oppenheimer. The mind bending new world gets even weirder with a dark twist. I’m excited to see where this alternative history and mystery leads.

First Look Johnny Depp as Tonto

 

The Lone Ranger and Tonto

  The first picture of Armie Hammer as the Lone Ranger and Johnny Depp as Tonto were revealed by producer Jerry Bruckerheimer via his Twitter account. Gore Verbinski is directing The Lone Ranger out May, 2013.

I’m loving these looks for the big screen. Tonto has look that reminds me of James O’Barr’s The Crow.  

  Dynamite published a great comic book starrring the Lone Ranger written by Brett Matthews with art by John Cassaday.

X-Men Wedding?

courtesy Marvel

  Who’s getting hitched in Astonishing X-Men #51? Marvel released a “Save the Date” teaser image today. Marjorie Liu (writer) and Mike Perkins (artist) and Dustin Weaver (cover artist) are the creative team on the June issue.

  The book’s lineup includes Wolverine, Iceman, Gambit, Northstar, Karma and Warbird. I think Northstar and boyfriend Kyle will be couple walking down the aisle. The two met when Jean-Paul founded his own snow sports equipment company. This was around the time the X-Men first moved to San Francisco. Jean-Paul later joined his friends in a reformed Alpha Flight. Liu announced Northstar would be part of her Astonishing line-up which focuses on the personal lives of X-Men.

Astonishing X-Men #49 preview art courtesy Marvel.com

  Marjorie Liu may be planning a same-sex wedding. In earlier interview Liu said one character will be changed forever and there’s a long term story planned. Marvel has teased this title will have the most controversial story of the year.

 Earlier this year I said Astonishing X-Men would be a title to watch for next year’s GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Comic Book. In this post Liu discusses why she wanted Northstar on the team.

 

  I could be in for a surprise – Iceman and Warbird? Bobby could fall fast for the Shiar warrior woman. Karma is a lesbian that has never had a romance in the comics. Maybe Shan and Cecelia Reyes might be hooking up? But my money is on Northstar having a happy day and Marvel having a milestone issue featuring a gay wedding.

Astonishing X-Men #50 by Mike Perkins, courtesy Marvel

 

Astonishing X-Men #48 interior art courtesy Marvel.com

 

Jim Lee’s Free Comic Book Day Cover Revealed

courtesy DC Comics

 The secret is out! Jim Lee’s cover to DC Comics The New 52 Free Comic Book Day Edition. The big three: Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman share the cover with what I assume is the mystery woman, Pandora.

 Here’s your first look at the until-now top-secret cover by DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee. The legendary artist will also be illustrating five pages for the comic book’s interior, including a four-page JUSTICE LEAGUE gatefold to accompany a brand new story by New York Times bestselling writer and DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns.

 Lee also created custom art for the Free Comic Book Day t-shirt, featuring his redesign of the JUSTICE LEAGUE for DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 in an homage to a classic piece by José Luis García-López. Free Comic Book Day is May 5th.

Prometheus Second Trailer

image courtesy Weyland Industries

  The second trailer for Prometheus debuts March 17th in a special invite-only premiere at the AMC Downtown Disney. Director Ridley Scott will be there for Q&A conducted by the film’s writer/producer and Lost show runner Damon Lindelof. The trailer will go online immediately following the event at http://youtube.com/amctheatres.  

  Here’s the AMC link where you can submit questions to Scott.

In case you missed it here’s the TED video which shows the link between Alien and Prometheus.

Deaths and New Beginnings in Avengers The Children’s Crusade Finale

 

Avengers Children's Crusade #9 courtesy Marvel

  Avengers The Children’s Crusade comes to an end with a powerful story about identity, responsibility and what it means to be a hero. The Young Avengers deal with an ironic loss after their showdown with Doctor Doom only to experience another shocker. The young heroes proved themselves to the Avengers and X-Men but the impact of their actions drives the team apart.

  This issue is an extended epilogue giving Wanda and the Young Avengers time to rethink their actions and future. I don’t think we get a complete answer about the Scarlet Witch/Doom romance and the final word on M-Day but I did enjoy how Wanda is set up for her new mission and place in the Marvel Universe.

  This series is an artistic showpiece. Jim Cheung delivered with action packed panels filled with Marvel’s greatest heroes and ultimate bad guy. This issue gives Cheung the opportunity to equally show emotion and key relationship moments for these two generations of heroes. I look forward to his AvX covers.

AvX Avengers Seize The Jean Grey School

X-Men Legacy #266 courtesy Marvel

  Marvel’s ladies in green are about to throw down as Avengers Vs X-Men hits the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning. She-Hulk and a team of Avengers arrive to “secure” the school in X-Men Legacy #266.

Christos Gage says knowing AvX was coming affected his direction for the book in a new Comics Newsarama interview.

 “I have certainly been aware that AvX was coming, and been preparing for it, but it’s not as if we’ve been solely focusing on that. I think in Uncanny, there was more of a continuity of purpose… the roster was smaller, and there was some change of focus, but the Utopia X-Men are doing more or less what they did before.

It’s been a bigger shake-up for the Grey School X-Men, and I wanted to examine that, as well as the Schism‘s effects on the characters. Over in Avengers Academy, I’ve been continuing with ongoing stories for the kids, and having a blast with the Runaways guest appearance in #27 and 28. So I think each story is its own thing, but with an awareness of where we were headed, and the character journeys will continue during AvX.”

The Avengers task force coming to the school includes She-Hulk, Falcon and Moon Knight. Gage revealed how he picked these heroes.

 “I’ll be honest, it was partly to do with who I could use in a way that made sense given where else they’re showing up and who’s off in space and so on. But of those who were available I picked these three because they work well in the context of the story. I can’t get too much into why without venturing into spoiler territory. But it’s a fun mix! She-Hulk and Frenzy have battled before… and Moon Knight vs. Gambit just sounded cool to me. I hope people enjoy reading it as much as I’m digging writing it!”

For the entire interview here’s the Comics Newsarama link.

I’m ready for Rogue to whip She-Hulk!