Didn’t get what you want for Christmas? Snuggle up with your favorite psychotic super-villian, mutant terrorist, femme fatale or Time Lord.
As I search for the latest news of the world in my cold condo I came across these plushy gift ideas courtesy the Buzzfeed the gave me a cuddly feeling – or was that the heat kicking on?
Deviantartist misscoffee makes these cute versions of comic book and sci-fi icons and sells on etsy.
I’m particularly fond of the 4th Doctor.
While I was home in North Carolina for the holidays I looked into my boxes of old comics and reread some classics that I want to share with you.
New Mutants Annual #2 and X-Men #10 are fantastic tales by Chris Claremont, Alan Davis and Art Adams from 1986 that brought Psylocke, Longshot, Mojo and Spiral into the X-Men universe.
Created by Ann Nocenti and Art Adams – Mojo was the ruler/producer Mojoverse where beings were addicted to his gladiator reality game shows. Longshot was his star warrior turned rebel who escaped to Earth.
Betsy Braddock, before she became a psychic ninja, was Captain Britain’s sister. Betsy was a telepath blinded by an enemy then abducted by Mojo and given bionic eyes. Always searching for the next big thing to keep ratings up, Mojo saw the mutants as his next superstars. Betsy and Longshot would be the bait.
In New Mutants Annual #2 is first time Betsy is referred to as Psylocke. Mojo used Betsy to lure the New Mutants and in X-Men Annual #10 Longshot to ensnare the X-Men into becoming unwilling stars of his latest productions. The X-Men are transformed into the X-Babies, Captain Britain is reduced to childhood and we get a glimpse of what might have been when the New Mutants gear up in their graduation uniforms that would have made them officially the new X-Men.
The scripts are definitely a change of pace with a twisted fairy tale feel. Alan Davis (New Mutants) and Arthur Adams (X-Men) provide stunning artwork. Longshot had a long run on the X-Men and is now on X-Factor. This issue is back when Elizabeth still looked British, wore her pink suit and a butterfly effect appeared when she used her telepathy. Spiral, Mojo’s six armed sorceress went on to join the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Mojo and the X-Babies have returned to plague the X-Men but these books are when the twisted fun began.
I’m counting down my 12 most geek-tastic reasons to love 2012 starting with 007’s return to the big screen.
James Bond returns in Skyfall! Daniel Craig renews his license to kill with director Sam Mendes. The plot description is Bond’s loyalty to M is tested when her past comes back to haunt her and MI6 is under attack.
Oscar Winner Javier Bardem is playing the villain. Oscar Winner Ralph Fiennes is playing a secretive role – perhaps a secondary villain or member of MI6? Albert Finney is on board. Perhaps the figure from M’s past?
Berenice Marlohe is a Bond girl named Severin. Naomie Harris plays an MI6 field agent named Eve but rumors persist that her character will become Miss Moneypenny.
Q – the MI6 weapons master – is making his first appearance in a Daniel Craig 007 film. The inventor will be played by Ben Wishaw.
As a lifelong Bond fan I’m thrilled to have a new film but to have such a stellar cast. John Logan (Gladiator) worked on the with script with longtime 007 screenwriters Neil Purvis and Robert Wade. The production will film in Scotland, Istanbul, Shanghai and are currently in London. Duntrune Castle, Scotland is said to be where the film’s climatic showdown with the villain will take place.
Producer Michael G. Wilson compared Skyfall to Goldfinger with a 60’s era sense of adventure. 2012 marks the 50th Anniversary of the James Bond film series. Skyfall opens November 9, 2012 in the U.S. Thanks to MI6 for production details.
Tom Hardy tells The Mirror one of the biggest challenge of playing the villain Bane in The Dark Knight Rises is not being a nice guy.
“It’s such an amazing cast to work alongside, they are all so talented,” Hardy told The Mirror. “I loved being able to play a baddie and, coming from East Sheen in South-West London, that doesn’t come easily to me. I actually had to work on not being very nice. I’m genuinely a nice guy.”
Thanks to Comic Book Resources and their comic reel for the story.
If you want to see Tom Hardy as a nice guy but tough competitor check out one of the best movies of the year Warrior.
David E. Kelley’s NBC Wonder Woman pilot didn’t make it on air but the costume will in an episode of Kelley’s Harry’s Law.
Erica Durance of Smallville will dons the star-spangled outfit in this first look from NBC. Thanks to Spinoff Online for the scoop.
Durance’s Lois Lane donned a similar costume in an episode from final season of Smallville. The Harry’s Law episode airs January 11th. As posted earlier, Durance is playing a troubled woman who retreats into the persona and costume of the Amazon warrior.
Hollywood, get this woman in a series or movie!
Superboy + Wonder Girl + New Year’s Eve +New York City. You’re expecting a kiss?
No smack on the lips here just a smackdown.
Teen Titans #4 features a titanic clash between the super teens while Red Robin assembles other metahumans evade and uncover the secret organization hunting them.
Scott Lobdell and Brett Booth continue the thrill ride with bombastic action and often hilarious team bonding.
Like real kids this age, the book has endearing and frustrating growing pains and mood swings but the style takes me back to Lobdell and Booth’s 90’s work. This teenage dream/nightmare is a fun ride.
As I look back by my favorite geek experiences of 2011 I have to share a major highlight from Emerald City Comicon 2011 in Seattle. My first stop was waiting in line to meet and get a sketch from the amazing Jim Cheung. Characters kept popping into my head as I got closer in line and my time to request a sketch. When I arrived – Mystique popped into my head and she was my request. I have it framed now as you walk in my condo.
I had several Young Avengers and New Avengers: Illuminati issues autographed and I picked up his stunning promo piece for The Heroic Age. It was an honor to meet and know that such a superstar could be such a great fan friendly guy.
Will The Avengers movie feature an old school Marvel Super Villain Team-Up?
We know that Thor’s half-brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is the main foe of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. And he has a secret army. Is the God of Mischief teaming up with the Red Skull?
MovieWeb caught on to what might be a big giveaway via a toy description. NECA’s HeroClix releases their Avengers line in 2012. The product description for retailers below does make you suspect the Captain America arch-enemy is helping Loki take on the super team:
“Charging straight out of theaters and onto your tabletop, Marvel’s the Avengers Movie HeroClix set features heroes like Captain America and Thor as they battle the villainy of the Red Skull and Loki! Each Counter-Top display includes standard one-figure boosters as well as new three-figure “Team Packs”! Team Packs are designed with strong thematic undertones – play a Hydra force or defend freedom with a S.H.I.E.L.D. team pack!”
If you remember in the climatic fight of Captain America: The First Avenger the Red Skull was transported into another realm via the Tesseract. Could the enemy have landed in Asgard or the realm of the Frost Giants?
Hugo Weaving was perfect as the Red Skull. Seeing Weaving and Huddleston together would be chilling and thrilling. I just hope the Red Skull (along with Sin, Crossbones and the Winter Soldier) are part of a modern-day Captain America 2.