DETAILS EMERGE ON DC'S RELAUNCH

From Comic Book Resources by Kiel Phegley

Today, it became official: DC Comics will relaunch the majority of its publishing line this September with a wave of new #1 issues starting with "Justice League" by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee. The news comes on the heels of weeks of rumors and speculation about the fate of the DC Universe line and draws even more questions about what else may lay around the bend.

After speaking with multiple sources throughout the industry on the condition of anonymity, CBR News has learned some of the salient details of DC's September roster, starting with the perhaps telling news that the publisher plans to launch a full 52 monthly titles with #1 issues across the month with 13 new titles shipping each week. The number holds some significance for longtime DC readers as 52 is the number of parallel earths making up DC's multiverse, and CBR has confirmed that the #1 launches will be accompanied by a major reboot of continuity with many pieces of DC's current status quo being rewritten and undone including character relationships and even the existence of some cast members.

Included in the 52 series will be:

* A new title starring Superman written by Grant Morrison.
* Birds of Prey #1 - This new ongoing series will not feature the work of longtime "BoP" writer Gail Simone. In fact, many tried and true approaches to books will be getting a second look at DC in September.
* Teen Titans #1 - The new start for the teen team will be written by "Red Robin" scribe Fabian Nicieza.
* Justice Society of America #1 - Only one of a number of current titles that will welcome a creative team shift, the future of the original superhero team will apparently not involve current writer Marc Guggenheim.
* Wonder Woman #1 - Don't expect the recent changes from writer J. Michael Straczynski to stick when the Amazing Amazon sees another new #1 hit.
* Green Lantern #1 - Even with a new #1, Green Lantern remains in Johns' hands, and readers can expect the effects of major crossovers like "Blackest Night" to stay in place moving forward.
* Hawkman #1 - While fans have known a "Hawkman" series by James Robinson has been in the works since the writer mentioned it on a panel at New York Comic Con, Johnston has been reporting the rumor that the book will be drawn by "Batman & Robin" and "Outsiders" artist Philip Tan.
* Aquaman #1 - No surprises here. The already announced series featuring the sea king by Johns and Ivan Reis will be part of the relaunch wave.

The other seismic shakeup that remains unconfirmed is whether long-standing titles "Action Comics" and "Detective Comics" would also renumber with brand new first issues. However, at this time, CBR has found no confirmation one way or the other on the fate of those titles. And DC Comics offered no comment on the above information.

What has been said by many sources is that a number of the new titles will feature new characters or characters in non-traditional roles. However, the total number of titles changed or launched new shouldn't shift the overall output of DC's line too much as CBR sales analyst John Mayo explained, "By my count, there were 59 DC Universe titles in the June solicitations, not counting the DC Retroactive titles, 'DC Universe Online Legends' or 'Doc Savage' and 'The Spirit.' Subtracting out titles with more than one issue in June reduces the number by three leaving 56 titles in the DC Universe.

"52 new #1s is close enough to not make a huge difference. To me, this

is the normal fluctuation of the number of titles from month to month."

Will "Action Comics" #904 be the highest consecutively numbered superhero comic ever?

Of course, while all the changes will doubtlessly stir discussion and debate within fan communities, a more practical question remains: will it work? The comics market has been extremely soft in the past few years of the Great Recession, and there is little precedence to compare such a line-wide relaunch to.

"If they are doing something where they're shaking up continuity and starting over from there, that has been shown to have an effect [n sales]," said comics sales historian John Jackson Miller of Comichron.com. Miller spoke with CBR News before official word of the new #1s came out. "If you want to go back to 'Crisis On Infinite Earths,' we did see some attention coming to titles that hadn't had it before. Although, some of that attention did not come from 'Crisis.' We talk about a big renumbering there, but like with 'Superman' going back to #1 – that didn't happen because of 'Crisis.' That happened because John Byrne had done 'Man of Steel.' That's a completely separate reboot. Did Superman sales improve? Yeah they did, but would they have improved that much if John had just taken over existing Superman continuity and not rebooted the series? That's a question we'll never have an answer to.

"If we're talking about a full-scale continuity reboot, then we're getting into the territory of 'Heroes Reborn'...those numbers improved on the first issues and then by the third and fourth issues were back to where they had been before. There are some reasons behind that, which also get into the element of not just continuity but also renumbering, but it was a pure reboot in the sense that those characters left their previous existence. It's different than something like the Ultimate Universe, which was a reboot that ran concurrent with the regular Marvel Universe."

Of course, the comics market is in a different place today than it was in 1996 when Lee last took a role in rebuilding a major superhero franchise wholesale with "Heroes Reborn," and although there will be some similarities, the new DC relaunch is both a vastly different beast in terms of sheer comics and in terms of the in-story continuity elements at play. Retailer Mike Malve, owner of Arizona's Atomic Comics chain, explained before the news broke that for his part "I applaud them if they do do #1s. And everybody is going to be against me saying this, but I applaud them because as a business, they're hurting so bad – as we all are. Look at the numbers. They're selling 40,000 or 60,000 of a book that three years ago was at 80,000. These days, they're not hitting those numbers, and we're not gaining a lot of new customers right now. We're trying to hold on to what we've got.

"I think this is a good thing for the industry. I just hope that if they do this, they should have an advertising plan and a marketing plan to get new readers and not just expect us to do it," Malve added. "I want these stories to be friendly for new readers, because that's one of the things I felt about the Point-1 initiative at Marvel. I didn't think those stories were new reader-friendly at all."

Malve did say that downsides exist to such an aggressive publishing change at the retail level, saying "If they're all coming out at once, it would hurt the books. You'd have to order certain books a little less than 'Batman' or 'Superman.' But if they do it right, they'd tier it over a couple of months, which is what I'm hoping they'd do. They should launch with their three big ones – Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman – in that first month, and then do their other books after. I don't know. DC hasn't released anything yet, so we don't know. But it would hurt if they all came at once because [new readers] would all come in that one week or that one month, and then we'd never see them again.

"'Flashpoint' has a lot of people talking. The alternate reality things have always done well in comics," he noted of the current impact of both DC and Marvel's latest "event comics" pushes. "'Fear Itself' did so much more than I thought it would sales-wise. All the tie-ins are doing great so far...Same thing should be happening for 'Flashpoint' coming up. With all these tiles coming out, I think it's just going to grow."

The road to the relaunch runs through August 31's "Flashpoint" #5.

Another major factor in the relaunch will be the reader reaction to renumbering of titles. While launching an older property with a new #1 has been a fashionable publishing move in recent years, the play remains hotly debated online. Recently in his Talk To The Hat column on CBR, Marvel's SVP of Publishing Tom Brevoort made the argument that despite some fan outcry, #1s do draw more new readers to comics. However, Miller explained that those numbers may skew quite a bit over time.



"Retailers ordered almost twice as many 'Fantastic Four' Vol. 2 #1s," the sales analyst explained again using "Heroes Reborn" as a comparison point. "And that was great. But what happened is that by the time you got down to issue #3 or 4, you had sales back down to what they were beforehand. The group of people that came in to buy the extra copies of the new issue #1 is to some degree collectors who just want that #1 and then to a second degree the new issue grazers. How many of those grazers come in depend on who the talent is and what the promotion is. And the downside there is that every jumping on point is a jumping off point...One of the risks you run when you do a reboot of long-running series with a new #1, yeah you're going to get a boost. But the slide that follows that is going to be a much steeper one than you had beforehand. How steep it is depends on how much brand loyalty there is for that title – how many people are willing to say, 'I will stick with Batman no matter what the number is.'

"The problem is, I think people realize that it doesn't so much matter what the number is. The new issue #1 gets you that boost when it comes out, and that's great. But there are a couple of things I think we've seen with that. The things that make a new issue #1 sell well with the person on the street work just as well in the ongoing series. Exhibit A of this is Jim Lee on 'Batman.' They could have started his run as 'Batman: Hush' #1, and it would have done great. But they put it in as 'Batman' #608, and retailers who were already ordering 'Batman' every month looked at Jim Lee, and the sales ended up being much higher. The highest issue was #611 which came after retailers caught on. And what happened when it ended? Jim Lee went away, and 'Batman' sales on the regular series stayed much higher than they were before. There was a lingering effect that stayed there."

Whether or not DC's gamble will pay off in the long terms depends on many factors – not the least of which is critical reception to the creative efforts put forth by the writers and artists behind their new line. Malve for one has faith that at least DC's first new book will be able to carry that burden well. "I had people come in for the death of the Human Torch that aren't regular comic book fans that are coming in still," he said. "If anybody can do something like that, Geoff Johns can."

DC Comics Unleashes A New Universe Of Superhero Titles

By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY

DC Comics has a new strategy to be No. 1 in comic books: all-new No. 1s.

Starting this summer, the publisher will re-number its entire DC Universe of titles, revamping famous characters such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and others from its 76-year history for a more modern and diverse 21st century.

The first book to be released under this new era: Justice League No. 1, out Aug. 31, a series by writer Geoff Johns and artist Jim Lee that reunites the famous lineup of Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Wonder Woman and Aquaman.

Johns promises a focus on the interpersonal relationships within DC's trademark superteam. "What's the human aspect behind all these costumes?" he says. "That's what I wanted to explore."

In September, more than 50 more first issues will debut, introducing readers to stories that are grounded in each character's specific legend but also reflect today's real-world themes and events. Lee spearheaded the redesign of more than 50 costumes to make characters more identifiable and accessible to comic fans new and old.

"We looked at what was going on in the marketplace and felt we really want to inject new life in our characters and line," says Dan DiDio, who co-publishes DC with Lee. "This was a chance to start, not at the beginning, but at a point where our characters are younger and the stories are being told for today's audience."

In an even more important move in the competitive comics industry, DC is making issues of all the renumbered titles available digitally via apps and a DC website the same day they arrive in comic shops. It marks the first time a major comics publisher has done so with its popular superhero titles.

The company has come in second to Marvel every year since 2002 in market share, according to Diamond Comic Distributors.

While the two companies are making millions off movie adaptations of their comic books, print sales for both have dropped in recent years, as new technology gives readers many more options.

"We're allowing people who have never bought a comic book in their lives to download them on portable media devices and take a look," Lee says. "Having the ability to give people access to these comics with one button click means we're going to get a lot of new readers."

He says what makes this plan so ambitious is that it's not just about changes in characters or costumes but setting the stage for how comic books will be consumed in the future.

"We're trying to set the table for the DC Universe's future success and health."

KISS Sound Check Playing "Beth" And Two Song Fan Clip From Raley Field, Sacramento

Hope Productions hosts legendary rock band KISS for charity concert at Raley Field.

Geek of the Week: Jill Pantozzi

From Crazy 4 Comic Con by Tony B Kim

I’ve been a big fan of Jill Pantozzi, aka: @TheNerdyBird, since I started blogging and Tweeting about all things geeky. She generous with her nerd knowledge and is an inspiration to many. Thanks Jill for accepting the crown of Geek of the Week!



How old were you when your mutant powers started manifesting (when did you become a nerd)?

Well, I’ve always said I was a geek from birth. My mom and brothers were into Star Trek, Doctor Who etc. so I grew up around “nerdy” things. I also can attribute another big part of my nerdom to my mom. I dressed as Supergirl for Halloween in Kindergarten. We actually talked about this just the other day. Neither of us can remember whose idea it was to buy the “costume” which was actually pajamas. But yeah, it’s safe to say, early on.

Growing up, were you more misfit or mainstream? If you were a nerd growing up, did it hurt or help you?

I think I fell somewhere in between. I was friends with pretty much every group in school but I was never an outcast, nor was I popular. I didn’t actually know I was a “nerd” until around middle school when I started talking with a fellow classmate about some of my favorite things that he also happened to be into and another student told us we were weird. I never considered liking sci-fi or supeheroes weird but that’s when I realized other people did. I might have kept it more to myself after that but I eventually grew to embrace what I was and love it for what it truly is, something positive.

Clearly there has been a shift in our culture, where nerds and geeks are more accepted. What/who do you think significantly contributed to that?

I think the latest round of comic book movies was one of the biggest contributors. The X-Men films and Batman Begins specifically. These were things a lot of people had always appreciated but their mainstream success drew a lot of other people to them that might not have otherwise. Besides films, I think the internet was the other big factor. With so many people out there blogging about the geeky things they loved it was hard for the public to not take notice and realize hey, maybe this stuff isn’t so bad after all.

Galactus is nearing planet Earth and you can only take 3 items with you on your escape pod- what would they be?

Ok, since you said items I’m going to take family, friends and pets off the table because they’d be the most obvious answer. I’d take the two props I own from the film Return to Oz and my personalized Adam Hughes sketch of Zatanna. No way in hell am I letting those get destroyed. Before I left I’d leave a note telling Galactus what a jerk he is.

Now to get political… Ninjas, Pirates, Zombies, or Vampires- which are better and why?



Vampires will always top my list. Baring any recent adaptations that have caused people to hate vampires, they remain perpetually awesome. I mean, they’re just the most interesting. They drink blood to survive and can create an army while remaining powerful and intelligent. If I had to go with second place I’d say Ninjas because there’s one behind you right now.



Star Trek villain, Q has decided to grant you love from your secret celebrity or fictional character nerd crush. Who do you ask for and why?

First, let me say, I adore Q. Second, this is so easy to answer it’s laughable. The answer is Batman. The true embodiment of Bruce Wayne from the comic books. That would be….I….he…I’ll be right back….Ok, all better. Instead of trying to explain further, I direct you to a list I once wrote for Topless Robot, 14 Reasons Why Batman’s My Dream Man.

Doc Brown has traveled back from the future to tell you that you attained your dream job, what is it?

Aww, Doc! I hope that he’d tell me I was hosting a show on a major network where I got to talk about comics, video games, movies and pop-culture and interview those responsible for/involved in them.

The nerdiest thing I ever did or owned or experienced (and no one knows about) was…

…that time I got hit on by a Klingon at the Star Trek Experience restaurant in Las Vegas. He complimented me on my smooth forehead and told me I was pretty for a “terran girl.” Yup. That happened.

After finding a Yellow Lantern Ring, you decide to use its powers to kidnap your favorite role model/hero to spend an evening of intellectually stimulating conversation. Who would you nab and what would you talk about?

I think I’m gonna have to go with Milla Jovovich on this one. Ever since The Fifth Element I’ve adored her. She’s an amazing woman and has accomplished so much in her life. I’d love to talk about her start in acting/modeling when she was very young and how that affected her, who her inspirations are, what were the biggest challenges she faced and what advice she could give me for my career. I’d also ask her to design me a rocking outfit and spend a good amount of time having her teach me how to kick ass like she does.

Clearly you blog and Twitter like the Borg, why do it and what has it meant to you? What advice would you give to someone interested in doing the same?
Are you saying resistance is futile when it comes to reading my work? Cuz, awesome! Regardless, my blogging and Twitter are two different animals. I blog because I enjoy writing. It just so happens that I chose to write about something I was passionate about, which helps. And for anyone looking to work in this realm, make sure you really love it because just like any job, you’ll have bad days but those bad days are easier when you enjoy it more than just in passing. I’ve had so much fun blogging on my own site and writing for others and the people it has allowed me to meet and sometimes become friends with.

The same can be said for Twitter. I’ve made so many great friends on there it’s ridiculous. Not just people in other states or countries but people who are in my own backyard I never would have met otherwise. Like I said, Twitter is different than blogging because it holds a lot more random thoughts and hopefully jokes that people find amusing. It’s a way for me to promote my work sure, but it’s also a way to keep connected with friends and fans and that’s invaluable. The most important thing to remember for both is – be yourself. Cliché I know, but seriously, who you are will make you stand out from the crowd so don’t hide it.

The final question in which the fate of the multiverse hangs in the balance… San Diego Comic Con or New York Comic Con? Why, what, and how do you do it?

Oh boy. Are you really asking me to choose between the biggest con there is and my hometown show? Don’t put that kind of pressure on me. I have loyalty to NYCC for sure but I think it’s still finding its legs. Give it a few more years and some more space and it will be the best show around. I’ve only been to SDCC twice but it’s a monster of a convention. So much fun but so crazy and exhausting. There’s really nothing like it. The most important thing to remember about big shows like these two are make a list of what you want to do and expect that you won’t get to do half of it. Besides that, hang out with your friends, act silly and take the opportunity to meet people you’ve never met before and see things you’ve never experienced.
Thanks Jill for taking the time to share your story with us! CRAZY readers, here is where you can read more of her nerdy and prolific work on the web:

“Has Boobs, Reads Comics”: TheNerdyBird.com
New Tumblr: The Bird and The Bat
One of Wired.com’s Sexiest Geeks of 2010.
Newsarama weekly column ”Hey, That’s My Cape!“
She also contribute to MTV Splash Page, Publishers Weekly Comics Week and Topless Robot.
Twitter: @TheNerdyBird
Facebook fan page

“Has Boobs, Reads Comics”: TheNerdyBird.com, and Jill's Podcast with Alan Kistler, Crazy Sexy Geeks are featured here on Godmera's Fandom.

WARNER BROS. PLANNING HAWKMAN MOVIE - DOES IT TIE INTO JUSTICE LEAGUE (2013)?

From Bleeding Cool.com and CosmicBookNews.com

Warner Bros. is in the process of hiring writers to pen a Hawkman movie -- with the Carter Hall version, most likely.

There is a published logline which gives a brief description of what they are looking for:

Part INDIANA JONES/DA VINCI CODE, part GHOST tentpole about the fictional superhero that appears in D.C. Comic books. He used archaic weaponry and large, artificial wings attached to a harness made of the Nth metal that allows flight. Most incarnations of Hawkman work closely with a partner/romantic interest named Hawkgirl or Hawkwoman in his fight against supervillains. Based on the DC comic.

Fans of Smallville will recognize the character of Carter Hall, as that was the Hawkman present in the JSA episodes portrayed by Michael Shanks, who I felt did a wonderful job.

In the comics, Hall is the reincarnated Prince Khufu who is an archaeologist (hence the Indiana Jones reference above), that regains his memories and becomes Hawkman, based on the Egyptian god Horus. Similarly, the love of his life, Chay-Ara, regains her memories and becomes Hawkgirl, an archaeologist by the name of Shiera Saunders.

Interestingly enough, as Hall was a founding member of the JSA, he also was a member of the Justice League of America for a time.

Warner Bros. Studio President Jeff Robinov has stated there to be a Justice Leaguemovie coming in 2013 with a new Batman and Superman (maybe even a new GL). Could the Hawkman movie be tieing into that?

Or could we first see Hawkman in action in the 2013 Justice League movie with a Hawman movie spinning off that?

Regardless if it has ties to the JL movie or not, hopefully this new Hawkman movie -- isn't one for the birds.

"Abbott & Costello Meet the Justice Society of America" By Jim Beard

This was written back when DC Comics was publishing a series called Starman, in which a young man named Jack Knight was learning to cope with the legacy of his father, Ted, who ran around in the 1940s as the super-hero Starman. Jack was a dealer in pop culture and Ted, well, Ted was aging more and more every day...

  

  

 "These old movie posters bring back a lot of memories..." Ted Knight, former costumed adventurer, dedicated astronomer and scientist.

"Do they?" Jack, his son.

Ted straightened up from leaning over his son’s work, watched as Jack bagged and boarded the past. He cocked his thumb at one of the posters. “’Mark of Zorro.' I suppose that one might have inspired a lot of people to...do what we did. But I never heard of that happening."

His son smiled, pulled tape from a rubber-bottomed dispenser. "You'd probably be surprised..."

"We were in a movie once. When I say 'we,' I mean the JSA, of course…" Ted's eyes suddenly widened, looking around his son's antique shop as if to find his old comrades standing there next to him.

"I know, Dad."

"We weren't in it much, the film, after all was said and done..."

"Yeah, I know, Dad. We've..."

 Ted's attention wandered around the room, floor to walls to ceiling. "Heh, silly thing, to be sure. They called it—“

Jack picked up and slammed down the tape dispenser. "Dad, I KNOW!  'Abbott and Costello Meet the Justice Society of America,’ 1947, directed by Charles Barton...err, Lamont - he did two of the best A&Cs in my humble opinion - starred Alan Ladd as GL, no surprise, Evelyn Ankers as Black Canary, go figure, Michael Ansara as Vandal Savage..."

"Our Alan didn't want to be in it. He had his eye on television, didn't want to be recognized...I suppose my own role in it was considered pretty minor, hmmm?"

"Dad, Evelyn Ankers kissed you, on the mouth. For that, I should kiss you on the mouth..."

"Jack!"

Animation flooded Jack's frame, waved his arms, made him pace the wood slat floor, ticking off fingers. "I've got the one-sheet, three half-sheets, four of the six lobby cards, a freakin' beautiful publicity kit. Maltin's gives it a break, uh...two and a half stars? Video Hound craps on it..."

"There were little...statuettes of us all, given away at the New York premiere." Ted murmured, paused, his attention off the leash. "Got a whole box of them...somewhere..."

"WHAT?!?"

Eyes met, young and old, as if for the first time ever. The older man sighed.

"Yes, Jack. I didn't know what to do with them, I..."

"No, no, no, no, Dad. PLEASE don't tell me you...I thought they were just another collector's rumor, like Doom Patrol Megos, or Opal City Viewmasters..."

"They're in the..."

"Warehouse. They're in the warehouse. I should've known...That goddamned warehouse of yours."

Moving to his son, stopping short of touching his shoulder, Ted's face became a mask of confusion. "Your mother understood these times better than I. I...I can't grasp these...forces that come over you."

Jack sat down heavily on a stool, faux sobs mock-wracking his body.

"It's not a bad story, you know."

"...what?"

Ted scooted a wooden crate over to Jack, bumping through tape, sheets of cardboard, plastic bags, and old movie barkers. "About how we filmed it. How it ended up just being myself, Al, Rex Tyler, and I think Terry...after an initial meeting with Lou Costello went very, very badly. Do you want to hear this, Jack?"

Jack managed a smile. "Tell me."

"Well, Barton took Lou..."

"Lamont."

"Yes, Lamont! He took Lou aside and...Jack? If I...if I give you the figurines...you wouldn't sell them, would you?"

Another managed smile. "Tell me the story, Dad."

"Well..."

Characters (c) DC Comics. Story (c) Jim Beard.

Happy Memorial Day

Remembering those who paid for our freedom, have a safe and happy one.

Have Gil Gerard Guest Star On The Big Bang Theory

Don't you think it's time Gil Gerard (a.k.a. the actor who played Buck Rogers) should have a turn as a guest on The Big Bang Theory? Join up and perhaps we can somehow make this idea a reality! Any positive and creative suggestions and comments are welcome! Go to the Facebook page and click the like button - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Have-Gil-Gerard-Guest-Star-on-The-Big-Bang-Theory/155293211203017

THE HOTTEST CHARITY AUCTION ON EARTH OPENS AT 4PM TODAY!

MINI & KISS: THE HOTTEST CHARITY AUCTION

Take a break from rocking and rolling all nite and partying every day this holiday weekend, just long enough to bid on one of the four KISS-inspired, custom-painted and autographed MINI Countryman. The proceeds will go to UNICEF to help children in Japan and emergency efforts around the world.

What you'll be bidding on:

Any of the four officially authorized, KISS-inspired, custom=painted, autographed MINI Countryman vehicles.

Who you'll be helping:

MINI and KISS have joined forces in support of UNICEF to help children in Japan and emergency efforts around the world. Proceeds from this auction will be donated to these causes.

http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=miniandkiss_auction

You can also motor like a rockstar with the KISS-inspired vehicle wraps, shown here on MINI Coopers S Countryman with matching side designs and KISS autographed boot wrap. Available for every MINI model, color and year. MINI and KISS have joined forces in support of UNICEF to raise money for children in Japan and emergency efforts around the world. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to this cause.

MINI Motoring Graphics are made out of the most durable and tear-resistant vinyl available. All graphics can be easily removed at any time, leaving no residue or damage to your vehicle. MINI Motoring Graphics highly recommends you have our top-quality vinyl graphics professionally installed.

To order the MINI KISS wraps, please call 1-877-236-4431

Crazy Sexy Geeks: The Podcast!

Fri, 27 May 2011

Crazy Sexy Geeks Podcast 01 - Flashpoint and Torchwood!

Jill Pantozzi and Alan Kistler discuss FLASHPOINT, the newest crossover from DC Comics showcasing a new alternate timeline, and the new trailer for TORCHWOOD: MIRACLE DAY. The episode wraps up with the first of many regular discussions on geeky dating.

Also check out the Crazy Sexy Geeks: The Series! YouTube video channel here.

AVENGERS (2012) MOVIE: ANOTHER BIG VILLAIN - COSMIC FANS TAKE NOTE!

From CosmicBookNews.com by Matt McGloin

Spoilers, ahoy!

Holy Cats and Dogs!

We've already know that Loki is supposed to be the villain in the Avengers, that he gets a hold of the cosmic cube, and summons an alien invasion force (Kree or Skrulls).

Now, Latino Review states there is another "Big" villain - and it's THANOS!

They state it as fact, too.

It does fit with what we have seen in Thor, as the post-credit scene showed Loki controlling Erik Selvig as Nick Fury revealed the cosmic cube.

Also, the Infinity Gauntlet was shown as a treasure in Odin's treasure chamber -- and was first revealed at last year's San Diego Comic Con.

Wow!

Just what role is Thanos going to play? And what the heck is the Infinity Gauntlet?

Well, if you read the comics (we do!) you know Thanos is the Mad Titan who's love for Death (yes, an actual entity) is matched by none (who would love death, anyway?!). Thanos acquires the six Infinity Gems and when combined -- they give him control over all time, space, reality, power, mind and soul.

In essence, Thanos is the king of the entire Universe -- or god! Thanos ends up killing off half the population of the Universe as a way to show his love for Death.

Yeah, the guy is a powerhouse, like none other -- and I can't see the Avengers even standing a chance!

I could see Loki bringing the Kree or Skrulls to Asgard/Midgard and during the attack, the Infinity Gauntlet somehow gets out of Odin's treasure chamber, which might have acted as a shield from prying eyes (Thanos). Once it's out of the chamber, Thanos takes notice and heads for Asgard and Earth!

Maybe, this is a set up for "Avengers 2" -- as the Avengers would need some heavy hitters to help out.

Marvel Studios President and Producer, Kevin Feige, did mention a Guardians of the Galaxy movie!

Also interestingly enough, Marvel has put their recent cosmic line on "hiatus." Could they be re-launching the line to follow the Avengers movie in 2012?

The Avengers hits May 4th, 2012 and is directed by Joss Whedon, starring Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk, Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye.

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Kirby Genesis

From Heroes Realm

The Kirby Event of the new millennium begins here, brought to you by the best-selling and award-winning creators of MARVELS! The Pioneer 10 space probe carried a message to the stars. Now an answer's on the way - but not one we expected! When it arrives, the lives of three ordinary people - and the entire world - will be changed forever. Featuring Captain Victory, Silver Star and more of Jack Kirby's greatest concepts, including characters never before seen in comics form! Kurt Busiek (Astro City) and Alex Ross (Kingdom Come) team up for their first full collaboration since 1994, with finished art (from Alex's layouts) by Jack Herbert (Black Terror). Don't miss this tantalizing prelude to KIRBY: GENESIS - a bold, explosive adventure debuting a universe of wild Kirby creations! This is the beginning. This is THE Genesis! This 32 page book will features a 12-page original story as well as tons of bonus materials!

Written by Kurt Busiek
Drawn by Alex Ross & Jackson Herbert
Cover by Alex Ross

Cover Price $1.00

Release Date 5/25/2011

Beauty3 By Jeff Candela

Please check out the song "Beauty3" by my friend Jeff Candela, dedicated to his mom.

DC Announces Date For Expensive “Bombshell Announcements”

From Newsarama.com
Well, at least we now know when DC is planning to release info about the big changes expected to their DC Universe line following the conclusion of Flashpoint. The LA Times has announced that both Geoff Johns and Jim Lee will be appearing at its “Hero Complex Film Festival” on June 11th to drop “bombshell announcements about the future of Superman and the entire DC Universe.” Tickets for the event, which also includes a double feature of Superman The Movie and Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut, along with a Q&A with Donner, cost $45, meaning that – let’s face it – most of us will be following along on the internet.


Update...
From BleedingCool.com

A few weeks ago, Bleeding Cool told you that DC Comics was bringing you something called Dark. And illustrated it with a black rectangle. Because I had no other image to show.
I still don’t. But I do have the first title for whatever Dark may be.
Justice League Dark.
This is post-Flashpoint, folks.
We’re talking an A-list creative team as well.
But whatever Dark is, it won’t stop at Justice League Dark. What’s next?
Just no one mention Dark Avengers, Dark X-Men or Dark Wolverine though okay? Keep it schtum.

 From CosmicBookNews.com

We heard the news earlier that Johns and Lee are set to make a big announcement come June, and that Superman is tied to that.
Over at Bleeding Cool, they have been getting some info on DC going "Dark."
Now, their current info is that post-Flashpoint there will be a "Justice League Dark" with some pretty hefty names attached, though presently unknown.
Lee and Johns?
No idea.
I think it's safe to say that something big happens with Flashpoint, as DC has solicited only FP #5 for the last week of August - and Johns is keeping mum on what happens post-fp.
Just how big?
Assuming Bleeding Cool is correct and we are getting a "Justice League Dark" - could the entire DCU be going "Dark."
Dark Superman, Dark(er) Batman, Dark Flash? Or Superman Dark, Batman Dark(er) and Flash Dark --as Marvel already coined "Dark" before their titles, I suppose, would be more correct.
Anwyay...
Maybe some of the alternate versions of heroes that are currently "living" in Flashpoint survive and make their way to the "regular" DCU -- and, maybe, some of the "regular" heroes, don't.
We'll find out sooner -- or later...

From The Brightest Day The Blackest Night

Amazing New Concept Art For Green Lantern Revealed

From ComicBookMovie.com


In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, a small but powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. A brotherhood of warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him superpowers. But when a new enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan.

Here's some really amazing concept art for you guys for the upcoming superhero movie Green Lantern. All of the images come from the book Constructing Green Lantern: From Page To Screen and by the looks of some of these pictures, it's definitely a must have for any fan of the comics or movie.  


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Green Lantern the movie hits theaters June 17th and the book Constructing Green Lantern: From Page To Sceen is availabe on May 31.