Thursday, June 30, 2011

Bedard: DCnU BLUE BEETLE, 'Spider-Man Meets Green Lantern'


From Newsarama.com By Albert Ching
Tony Bedard is writing two new #1s for DC in September, as part of the 52 series they're launching post-Flashpoint.
One is Green Lantern: New Guardians; familiar territory for him since he's been writing Green Lantern Corps. The other is new for him, but not for DC readers: Blue Beetle, specifically the Jaime Reyes version of the character introduced during Infinite Crisis in 2006.
While some characters are getting a rather radical status quo change this fall — Barbara Gordon back as Batgirl, and have you seen those Teen Titans character designs? — Bedard tells Newsarama that Jaime will stay pretty consistent, both visually and in personality.
In an email interview with the writer, he told much more about what's coming in the new series, including the importance of a Latino superhero, and whether or not Jaime's pals in the Justice League International will be playing a role.
Newsarama: Unlike with Green Lantern: New Guardians, you're coming onto Blue Beetlefresh, and now prepping the character for maybe his biggest comic book audience yet with a new #1. What do you like about Jaime Reyes as a character? He definitely seems like one of DC's most successful new character launches in recent years, having crossed over to both Smallville and Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
Tony Bedard: Jaime is unique in the DC lineup of heroes. There's nobody else quite like him. In a way, you can describe him as Spider-Man meets Green Lantern. I mean, he's the kinda nerdy high-school kid with a wicked sense of humor and a penchant for getting in trouble who receives the ultimate cosmic weapon. But then the comparisons fall by the wayside since he's presented with a unique problem. Jaime's weapon, the scarab armor, was intended to conquer the world for an alien empire. So the thing that empowers him to do good is potentially the greatest threat to the planet. It's a great irony that presents all sorts of dramatic possibilities and conflict on every level. As a writer, Blue Beetle is an irresistible premise.
Nrama: And while some characters appear to have undergone pretty significant revamps post-Flashpoint, it looks like Blue Beetle, aside from some visual tweaks, remains pretty much untouched. Is that an accurate guess or are things not quite so simple?
Bedard: Jaime's keeping his same basic look and same basic cast. I recognize that there's a lot we want to keep about this character, especially since in its heyday Giffen & Rogers'Blue Beetle was my favorite series DC produced. Seriously, I'm intimidated by the thought of following that combo.  But there are also other things we want to play up that weren't as salient in the first Blue Beetle series. I think we kind of made it too easy on him the first time around. He had a great support system since all his friends and family knew his secret, and the armor probably became too friendly too quickly. This relaunch will intensify the threat posed by the Reach (the alien empire that created the armor) and make things considerably tougher on Jaime. That doesn't mean we'll lose the humor and fun that made the first series such a joy to read, but being the Blue Beetle shouldn't be a cakewalk, either. Finally, the first series had a fairly convoluted origin (in the midst ofInfinite Crisis, is the armor magic or not?, having to explain the two Blue Beetles before him, etc). This time, we'll have a more streamlined origin so new readers don't need a scorecard to join in the fun.
Nrama: And though Blue Beetle has been successful in many ways, there's still the fact that his last solo title was canceled because of low sales. What makes now the right time to re-introduce the character into the market in his own book?
Bedard: Aside from the overall renewed interest in DC and this big relaunch, I think Jaime's appearance on Brave & the BoldSmallville and Justice League: Generation Lostshow that the character has actually widened his audience since his original series was canceled. I think Jaime has truly come into his own as the Blue Beetle and he'll launch higher than the last time around.
Nrama: Of course, an important aspect of Blue Beetle's character is the fact that he's of Latin descent. One of the stated objectives of the DC revamp is to bring more diversity, so is special kind of responsibility handling a character like Jaime?
Bedard: I suspect one of the reasons I got the gig is because I'm Puerto Rican and I have something to say from my own personal experience about being Latino — the first point being that it's not a single monolithic community. I'm not Mexican-American like Jaime, but my sister-in-law is Mexican and we've talked and laughed about the differences in the Spanish we speak and the other little cultural differences between us. Now, I know I'm pretty darn whitebread, but Spanish was actually my first language and I didn't live in the U.S. until I was ten years old. I know what it's like to feel torn between two cultures and to try to find a balance between them. I know the shame of forgetting my mother tongue and then re-learning it years later when I waited tables at a place with Mexican dishwashers. I know the struggles my mother faced as the state director of the League of United Latin-American Citizens in Georgia, and so on. So, basically, I'm pretty sure I have a lot to say on the Latino front, but that's not the be-all end-all of this book. It's going to be a fun, fast-paced, accessible adventure regardless of your background.
Nrama: The character Blue Beetle is often associated with a more humorous take, with Jaime Reyes in particular having a sarcastic bent. What kind of tone are you looking to establish in this book?
Bedard: I want to keep Jaime's snarky sense of humor and the fun banter between him, Paco and Brenda. Jaime's sense of humor is his most endearing attribute. It's also his main defense mechanism (at least, until he gets the armor). But we'll also raise the conflict level, the sense of real danger, and the obstacles Jaime faces. Gaining the armor means that everyone around him is in danger and that if he isn't careful, Jaime might wind up effectively ending the human race. With great power comes one crazy, dangerous situation after another. This book will be fun with serious consequences.
Nrama: You've written teen characters before, like the Legion and Supergirl, but Jaime is considerably more down to Earth than them, despite the scarab and his connection to the Reach and all that. So is it fair to say that, despite the sci-fi connection, this book is in some ways a bit of a departure for you?
Bedard: When I was writing for CrossGen I did a horror series called Route 666 with a teen female protagonist. It was one of my proudest moments as a writer. I know I might get pegged as a "cosmic" guy after R.E.B.E.L.S. and Green Lantern Corps, but I'm dying to get back into some down-to-earth teen trials, tribulation and trauma. I think there will even be horror aspects to Blue Beetle. I mean, the kid has an alien weapon fused to his spine! Ick!
Nrama: And surely there will be lots of action going on, but can readers also expect to see a healthy amount of checking in with Jaime's school and family life — both important parts of the character?
Bedard: Yeah, school and family pretty much define your teen years, so they'll be a huge part of Jaime's story. And your typical Latino family has a feel and flavor all its own. It's the little things, like the way everyone wore way too much perfume and cologne, and the way you never messed with my Abuelita Conchi even though she could hardly walk, and the way my Tio Couqui fiercely looked after us when my mom was trying to raise us by herself. There's a familial tightness and a way that everybody gets all in each other's business — sometimes more than you want. If I can capture a little of that in Blue BeetleI'll be a happy camper.
Nrama: What can you say about the threats posed in this book? Jaime's connection to the Reach implies big, global-level action (and perhaps beyond), but I'm guessing Jaime will also be facing things on a more intimate level as well.
Bedard: We'll add others to Jaime's "rogues gallery" as the series progresses, but the Reach will be a major cosmic adversary while El Paso's crime boss La Dama will pose an entirely different threat at home. Others will come trying to sieze the power of the scarab, Green Lanterns will instantly register the Blue Beetle as a threat, and Jaime will always be trying to rein in the scarab, whose standard reaction to any foe is deadly force. And in the midst of all this, Jaime wouldn't mind landing his first kiss, a date to the school dance, etc.
Nrama: The bulk of Jaime's recent appearances have been in the recently wrappedJustice League: Generation Lost, and most of those characters — but not Jaime — are on the cover to Justice League International #1. Can we expect a degree of interaction between those two books?
Bedard: Jaime's going to operate on his own at first. We're reestablishing his connection to the DCU heroic community, and not everyone knows his secret as we kick things off.
Nrama: This is probably the most high-profile work yet for artist Ig Guara. It's clearly early still, but what can you say at this point about what he brings to the title?
Bedard: I think Ig is our secret weapon, and people are going to buzzing about him most of all. I adore the pages he's turned in so far — he's a great cartoonist, his action really moves on the page, and his characters are bursting with personality. I'm very, very lucky to be working with him, and my biggest concern is that others will try to steal him away once they see how hard he's rocking this book!

WALLACE SCHOOLS "MISTER TERRIFIC"

From CBR.com By Jeffrey Renaud
Veteran television writer Eric Wallace didn't need a eureka moment to realize getting a chance to tell a groundbreaking story with Michael Holt in the pages of "Mister Terrific" as part of DCU's big relaunch was an awesome opportunity.
An ultra-smart, ultra-cool black man writing about an ultra-smart, ultra-cool black superhero. All for a new generation of readers and would-be fans? What's not to love?
Beginning September 14, Wallace ("Eureka," "Titans") begins telling new adventures with Michael Holt in the character's first-ever ongoing solo series. The title features art by Roger Robinson ("The Web") and covers by superstar talent J.G. Jones.
Created by John Ostrander and Tom Mandrake, Michael Holt first appeared in "Spectre," Vol. 3 #54 in 1997. Most famously known as the third-smartest man in the DC Universe, Wallace told CBR News Mister Terrific's ranking, and conceivably who he's behind, will be explored early in the new series.
The head of a successful high-tech corporation and an institute that recruits and encourages the finest minds of the next generation to excel, Holt is also one of DCU's most eligible bachelors and Wallace plans to spend time in both of Holt's worlds. Wallace also told CBR News he is expanding Holt's supporting cast and adding some much needed villains to his list of rogues.
CBR News: First and foremost, Mister Terrific is the world's third-smartest man. To set the record straight once and for all, who is the smartest and second smartest?
Eric Wallace: I'm not telling you, but I know the answers. The real question is… does Michael know who #1 and #2 are? And yes, this is something we actually deal with early on in the series.
That's awesome. Are you a long time fan of Michael Holt? And if so, what was your introduction to the character and what do you love about him?
Of course I knew who Michael Holt/Mr. Terrific was. I'd seen him in the pages of "Justice Society of America," but I didn't know him very well. So just as when I was given the chance to rework the Tattooed Man's world and origins in "Final Crisis Aftermath: Ink,"I've taken the same from scratch approach with Michael. But don't worry. Some of the things others and myself love so much about the character are still there, especially his intelligence. However, there's now a sad and sexy side to Michael Holt that is going to give his adventures a unique spin.
As for what I love most about the character, it's his intelligence. He's the third smartest man in the world. What's that like? How does being a genius help him in his daily life? And how is it a curse? For example, Michael's best friend isn't a human being. It's science, which may or may not be a good thing. It's this conceit, plus the fact that he's rich, attractive, and single -- that give a wild, humorous, and intense spin to the series.
How did this project come about? Was it something you pitched for?
How this all came about is really an example of serendipity working overtime. I actually had approached DC with a pitch about a different character with many of the same elements that ended up in "Mister Terrific." Well, another writer who had their own awesome spin on things took that character, but DC really loved the world and concept I was pitching -- so much that they came up with the idea of putting Michael Holt into the middle of it. When I thought about what they were proposing, I just flipped. The idea had become better and stronger with Mr. Terrific at the center. So again, this whole series is what I'd call a very, very happy accident.
The solicitation tease points out right away that Mister Terrific is one of the most eligible bachelors in all of the DCU. Will you be exploring Michael's personal life as well as his superhero life in this new series?
Yes, we'll be exploring Michael's personal life in a very big way. Who Michael loves is an integral part of the overall story we'll be telling. Also, exploring Michael's love life was one of the things I wanted to do most with this book. I mean, come on. Imagine an episode of "The Bachelor" where the star isn't just rich and attractive, but he's also a bona fide superhero. It's irresistible from a storytelling point-of-view. Also, I felt that in the past readers have never really known who the man, Michael Holt, is. This series is all about answering that question.
In the cover image by J.G. Jones, Michael's look is quite different than in the past. Where's his super-cool jacket? Is this something that is explained in the new series or is this one of the many changes falling out from "Flashpoint?"
I think it was time to take the jacket off, metaphorically speaking, so we could get to know the real Mr. Terrific. But don't worry. There are cool elements to the new costume that explain why there's no jacket.
Michael has long been associated with the Justice Society of America. Will he remain a member of the team in the new book and if so, what role will the JSA play in "Mister Terrific," especially considering they don't have their own title right now."
Heh. I can't answer that one. Not without giving away a pretty huge spoiler for issue #1.
Along that same line, this series was announced under the banner, The New Justice. Is Michael a new member of the JLA?
No, as of #1, Michael is not a member of the JLA. But things change, don't they? All I can say for now is, stay tuned.
Who else is featured in the cast, superhero or otherwise? Perhaps using something like the Tardis, does Michael get to team up with Terry Sloane?
Did you get a hold of the issue #1 script? Because there may or may not be a "Doctor Who" reference in it. I'm just saying. Anyway, a whole new cast of great and diverse characters has been created to populate Michael's world. Some of them are friends. Some of them are lovers. Many of them are enemies. And one of them is a very special guest star whose identity I can't reveal yet.
OK. I know you can't give too much away just yet, but what can you tell us about your opening arc either in terms of plot details or more simply, tone?
Wow. This is so hard, because there's so much exciting stuff in the first four issues alone and I can't wait to share it with folks. But like you mentioned, I can't reveal much here. I will say this. The first story arc is called "Who is Michael Holt?" and it introduces a cool new villain who will change Michael's life forever. As for the tone and style of the book, it's action-packed, sexy, and very cosmic. Yes, you will eventually see Mr. Terrific in action in more places than just this world.
All of the DCU superheroes are believed to be altered in some way in the new DCU. Again, I know you can't say too much on that front, but does Michael still believe in "Fair Play?" And if so, does that make him a good role model for young readers?
Yes, Michael does still keep the same motto of "Fair Play," but now we'll see what that really means in terms of his relationship to his admirers and fans. Michael is a great role model for young people, because he embodies the best traits of what it means to be human. However, because he is human, he's prone to mistakes. And because he's got a big personality, he makes equally big mistakes. One mistake he makes at the end of the first story arc is going to affect Michael -- and his status as a role model -- for a long time.
Cool. DC Comics has talked openly about the diversification of the new DCU. Is that something that you take great pride in when writing a super-smart, super-talented African American superhero or do you just go about your business of telling great stories?
I can't tell you how proud I am to be writing "Mister Terrific." Bringing an intelligent, diverse hero to the reading public is a huge honor and a true delight. It's also the reason I'm having more fun on this book than anything I've ever written.
On the other hand, it's all about telling great stories at the end of the day. So I feel like with "Mister Terrific," I've got a chance to have the best of both worlds. Again, it's a great honor and I hope readers end up having as much fun reading this series as I am writing it.

DC Relaunch: The Video

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Fans Plan Protest At Comic-Con Against DC Relaunch

From CBR.com 

A cadre of fans are organizing a walk at Comic-Con International in San Diego to protest the September relaunch of DC Comics’ superhero line.

Planned for Saturday, July 23, the DC Original Protest Walk is intended to bring together disenchanted readers in a show of solidarity against the sweeping overhaul, which will see the release of 52 new No. 1 issues, as well as changes to the origins and appearances of many of the publisher’s characters.

“Are you utterly baffled, disappointed and just ANGRY to see how DC ruins your favorite character’s design and wipes decades of comic history out of the mainstream universe?” reads a message on the event’s Facebook page. “Well, you’re not alone! And why not make some noise at the biggest pop-culture event this year, where creators, artists and writers appear in person — show them how fans – the fans of the classic characters, the (nevertheless slightly changing) designs, the character’s history and personality — really feel about it!”

So far, 130 people have signaled they plan to attend the hour-long protest, which begins at 2 p.m.

BUSTED! Fact-Checking Ten MYTHS About The DCnU


From Newsarama.com by Vaneta Rogers
It's been more than a year since readers first saw a promotion for Flashpoint, but only during the last few months has information surfaced about what it all means.
And even then, it hasn't been too clear.
But one thing is sure: WhenFlashpoint ends on Aug. 31st, DC is restarting all its titles at #1 while revamping the characters and histories of its entire universe.
And in September, the DCnU begins.
What does it all mean? Fans have had plenty of guesses. But along the way, several myths have emerged that have been busted once more information surfaced.
In an effort to clear up some of the more prevalent myths while discussing what we know about the relaunch, Newsarama looks at the Top 10 Myths about the DCnU.
Click here for the ten myths.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

THE COVERS FOR DC RETROACTIVE – THE ‘80S

From DC Comics.com By David Hyde

Last week, we showed you all the covers for the 1970’s books in this summer’s RETROACTIVE series.
Today, take a look at all the covers for the 1980’s books:
DCRSM80
DC RETROACTIVE: SUPERMAN – THE ‘80s cover by Dan Jurgens, Livesay, & Carrie Strachan.
DCRWW80
DC RETROACTIVE: WONDER WOMAN – THE ‘80s cover by Rich Buckler & Kevin Colden.
DCRGL80
DC RETROACTIVE: GREEN LANTERN – THE ‘80s cover by Joe Staton & Allen Passalaqua.
DCRFL80
DC RETROACTIVE: THE FLASH – THE ‘80s cover by Greg LaRocque & Carrie Strachan.
DCJLA80
DC RETROACTIVE: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA – THE ‘80s cover by Ron Randall & Carlos Badilla.
DCRBM80
DC RETROACTIVE: BATMAN – THE ‘80s cover by Jerry Bingham & Carlos Badilla.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Final Transformers: Dark Of The Moon Trailer

Is DC Comics bringing an end to writing for the trade?

From Robot6 By Kevin Melrose
One of the most frequently criticized hallmarks of modern mainstream comics may be a thing of the past at DC Comics.
During a nearly four-hour meeting Friday in New York City, part of a nationwide push by top DC executives to sell direct market shops on the September relaunch, retailers were reportedly told that writers will no longer be expected to “write for the trade.” That means they won’t have to construct stories in, say, six-issue arcs to more easily fit the collected format.
“Writers have been told to write the story they want to write and not worry about the trade collecting,” Mike Gendreau of Modern Myths in Northampton, Mass., writes in a meticulous report to Bleeding Cool. ‘If they can tell a well-paced story in 4 issues, they’ve been told not to pad it to make it 6 issues. Editorial can worry about how it’s going to be collected.  Going forward, books will be trade-collected depending on how the story fits. If a book has a 4-issue arc followed by a 3 issue arc, the trade will collect both. If it’s 2 4-issue arcs or 3 2-issue stories, those will get collected. As a side note, DC is looking into a new trade dress to represent the New 52 and a better spine design to call out information for fans.”
Frequently lumped in with decompression, the practice of “writing for the trade” has often been the target of comics fans who accuse writers of stretching out a story that could be told in two or three issues to five or six simply to fill the trade paperback. Even veteran writer Chris Claremont, whose classic X-Men storylines sometimes bled into each other, criticized the modern tendency, telling Graphic NYC, “One problem for me, as a reader, that I see in the modern presentation of comics, is the evolution of things to trades. What you have now are five issue bursts. Why? Because everything’s going to go into trade. I find that counter-productive; I want the flexibility and luxury of being able to expand a story by an issue if it’s working well, or cut it by an issue if it’s not. I don’t want to sit there and be locked into a defined format, which would make it awful for me to be a TV writer.”

Ninja Rap With 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Co-Creator Kevin Eastman

From MTVGeek By Charles Webb
That's right—I called out The Secret of the Ooze. What are you gonna do about it?
It's been 25 years since four mutated amphibian teen martial arts practitioners crawled out of the sewers and leaped onto the comic page. Now they're coming back in a big way with a new ongoing comic from IDW, written by Tom Waltz and co-written by their co-creator Kevin Eastman. Eastman answered a few questions by e-mail about his return to the characters for which he's most known, the jumbo collected edition coming out this year, and what's next on his plate.
MTV Geek: What’s the appeal of coming back to the Turtles after all this time?
Kevin Eastman: Perfect timing really. I hadn’t drawn the Turtles in comic book form since roughly the mid nineties, and have been a longtime friend/fan of IDW and their publishing program—so when they secured the rights they called and invited me to come play I jumped at the chance—especially when I heard what Tom Waltz and Nickelodeon had in mind creatively!
Besides, I’ve always loved the Turtles and have never been “really” out of touch with them, or the fans. The TMNT fans are the best ever—I always thank them for giving me such an awesome job and a great life! I’m always doing signings, free sketches, answering fan mail—more like Facebook these days—and creatively, I’ve done a bunch of consulting for several of the entertainment projects. Also, through my company Heavy Metal, I published my TMNT Artobiography a few years back, collected the Casey Jones/RaphaelBodycount series I did with Simon Bisley after that, and more recently a “25th Anniversary TMNT Collection” of my favorite turtle tales.
The Turtles are in my blood man!
Geek: Why do you think their popularity has endured with fans after all these years?
KE: Good question! Peter Laird and I always wondered what it was that people liked in the first place, and the fact they keep finding a new audience every few years is mind blowing! I have two boys, a 10 year old and a 5 year old, each time they discovered them and claimed them as their own I’d ask what is it they like about them—it it never had anything to do with me drawing them, it was always summed up [with], “I don’t know—they’re just cool!”
Looking back now, I think it is a couple of things—they’re misfits, or mutants in this case, just trying to fit in and I think a lot of kids out there are trying to do the same fit in. But they have a great sense of family, with Master Splinter—but most of all it is the hero thing—most of us, kids of all ages, want to not only be the one to be the hero when the chips are down and have the cool ninja moves to back it up!
Geek: How has the collaboration been with co-writer Tom Waltz? What do you think he’s been bringing to the process?
KE: Tom is awesome! A huge fan of the original series, and really the pilot of this series—I’m more of a very excited co-pilot! He went all in, did serious research, and came to the table with a truckload creative and interesting concepts that in my opinion, fit perfectly into the original TMNT universe—but at the same time, turned it on its side a little bit.
Geek: The solicitation describes it as a new installment of the original series. What does that mean for the tone and kind of stories you’ll be telling?
KE: What excited me about the entire re-invention for this series was exactly THAT! The spirit and tone are very much like the original Mirage Studios comics—lots of nice dark edges and serious plot lines, tons of action, familiar characters but with several more layers of depth added in, a touch of humor, and most of all—plot options. The groundwork that is being laid down here allows for A LOT of story possibilities—I can see a hundred different directions this could go after the first four issues, and all of them are awesome!
Geek: What are some of the returning elements and characters that we’ll see in this new series?
KE: Well, I don’t want to give too much away—all the basics are there of course, the four guys (with red bandanas!), Splinter, Casey, and April—maybe they won’t all be EXACTLY how you remember them, but they’re there… it takes place in New York City…
Heh—I’m going to stop myself here, Tom will kill me if I blow any of the big surprises!
Geek: How has it been working with IDW?
KE: Terrible really, dreadful bunch of people!
Hah! Seriously, awesome—really AWESOME! Creatively, Tom is the best, a very skilled writer—who brought his A game to the Turtles and nailed it. I expect we’ll see a bunch more awesome work from him outside the TMNT’s as well. Dan is a very professional, very talented artist—who has studied the masters and loves his job. He reminds me a bit of Alex Toth in his line work—and complimented with Rhonda’s beautiful color style—this book seriously rocks!
Editorially, the best I’ve ever seen! From Ted, to Chris, Scott, Bobby, Justin and AnnaMaria—they treat me like family, and work their asses off. I hope to be doing A LOT more work with these guys in the future!
Geek: What can you tell us about the Ultimate Edition coming out this September?
KE: I think that the Holy Grail to all the original TMNT fans is having the complete collection of the first fifteen comic books that Mirage put out, issues #1 to #11, plus the four “One Issue Micro” series Peter and I put out as self-publishers. Those were the issues where we did pretty much everything—sat down and wrote the stories together—at times sharing the same studio space—so even though we might have enlisted some help from the studio arts on the later issues, it was those issues that set up the entire TMNT Universe.
After issue 11, we were running so late on the issues, due to the workload for the TV series and licensing program—we split up the writing chores, Pete would write and draw one, I’d do another—often times working with Eric Talbot, Mark Bode, or Simon Bisley, but we never got back to a “just Peter and Kevin” issue until #50. So basically this will be the first set in the series, collection the entire original stories—with a bunch of behind the scenes commentary and such, done just for this version. Awesome stuff, and just in time for Christmas!
Geek: Any big moments from the series you’d like to tease?
KE: Trust me, I’m bursting at the seams to unload on you, but I really don’t want to blow it for the fans! I will say again the true spirit of the original series is all there—from the writing style, to the art style, and the overall FEEL of it—the flow is wonderful—but there will be a few serious surprises that will get a few tongues wagging and fans a buzzing… in a GOOD WAY!
Hmm… one thing I think I can leak and not blow any secrets—and who happens to be one of my favorite new characters is Old Hob… he’s like a mutated alley cat with and eye patch that likes to fight—and that’s all I’m telling!
Geek: Do you have any other upcoming projects you’d like to talk about?
KE: I have a bunch of stuff in the works, but have put most of them aside for the moment to work on the Turtles for now, and I can’t tell you enough how much fun I am having being back in the mix—working on the comics—it has been far too long!
One project I would like to plug, is War of the Worlds: Goliath a 3D animated feature I have been working on for the past two years with my friends over at Tripod Entertainment—Joe Pearson and Leon Tan. The production was developed and produced in Malaysia, with the main animation completed in Korea—and I think it is FANTASTIC! Pop over to www.heavymetal.com and check out the production blog, you’ll find it on the main page—and the film could be released later this year!

Leonard Nimoy Talks Transformers: Dark Of The Moon

From TFW2005.com





Leonard Nimoy needs no introduction… he doesn’t say much about Transformers: Dark of the Moon… but hey! This is Leonard Nimoy… and it means pure awesomeness. 

Sunday, June 26, 2011

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (2011): INTERNATIONAL TRAILER


This trailer has me more interested in this movie, actual looks pretty cool.

DC Relaunch: Justice League – The Full Lineup

From BleedingCool.com
And there we go. The full line up for the new Justice League. Aquaman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, Flash and Cyborg we knew.

But it also seems we have Deadman, Atom, Element Woman, Firestorm, Green Arrow, Hawkman, Power Girl and Mera.    
Power Girl certainly seems to be wrapping herself up. Unless it’s Zealot. Or Black Canary. Or someone else. And maybe that Firestorm is Union.

Note Superman and Batman both have seemed to lost there "underwear" on the outside look and appear to be sporting armor (or more detail costumes). Flash seems to have a raised chest emblem like Hal. And there is still a question on a few of the  "second tier" members.



Saturday, June 25, 2011

IDW ANNOUNCES "GHOSTBUSTERS" ONGOING SERIES

Official Press Release
San Diego, CA (June 24, 2011) — IDW Publishing and Sony Pictures Consumer Products are thrilled to announce the launch of an all-new, ongoingGHOSTBUSTERS comic book series. Spinning out of IDW’s hit Infestation event, and featuring Ghostbusters: Infestation scribe Erik Burham, the ghost hunters from New York City are back with exciting new adventures starting in September. Helping Burnham bring this zany story of the dead to life will be fan-favorite artist Dan Schoening (Ghostbusters: What in Samhain Just Happened?!) and popular IDW Ghostbusters cover artist Nick Runge.
“My dream since I took over the editorial duties on IDW’s Ghostbusters comics license was to bring the boys in proton packs to monthly comics,” said series editor Tom Waltz. “We’ve had fantastic Ghostbusters one-shots and mini-series up to this point, but the incredible success of Ghostbusters: Infestation has proven that Ghostbusters fans, old and new alike, are still very hungry for ghostbusting tales. With the awesome creative team we’ve gathered to make it happen, the best is yet to come!”
In this ongoing series, psychokinetic energy is on the rise again, and business is booming for the boys. Ray is troubled by what could be a prophetic dream—is this an ill omen of an upcoming apocaplypse, or just a little indigestion? These questions and more are raised in the first issue of the all-new GHOSTBUSTERS comic series. In addition, each issue will contain two pages of exclusive behind-the-scenes extras by creator Tristan Jones(Tales of the TMNT.)
IDW will offer special retailer incentive covers, including a “Who Ya Gonna call” cover by Schoening, and a glow-in-the-dark cover. Furthermore, as part of IDW’s “Be a Ghostbuster” promotion, retailers will have the opportunity to obtain a unique variant featuring up to four personalized Ghostbusters on their cover. Fans are encouraged to reach out to their retailers to learn more about these exclusive variant covers.
GHOSTBUSTERS #1 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available in stores in September 2011. Diamond order code: JUL11 0130

SATURDAY SHOWCASE : Cool Art From deviantART

By grantgoboom - grantgoboom

By PRDart - PRDart

By Ian Areola (Joe Madureira's pencils) - iANAR

By Simon Weaner - Majora28

Friday, June 24, 2011

Thursday, June 23, 2011

New CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER Trailer

DIDIO & GIFFEN TRANSFORM "OMAC"

From CBR.com By Josie Campbell
When DC Comics made the announcement that they were relaunching and renumbering their entire comic book line, they set the Internet ablaze, with fans and professionals alike buzzing about the 52 new and revamped titles. When the relaunch hits this September, one of those new series is "OMAC" written by DC Comics Co-Publisher Dan DiDio and co-written and illustrated by longtime DCU mainstay, Keith Giffen. Centering on a character named Kevin Kho, the series follows Kho's adventures after he is transformed by the satellite Brother Eye into the superhuman One Machine Army Corp: OMAC.
If this sounds somewhat familiar to you, that's because OMAC is a concept that dates back to 1974 when Jack Kirby created the first OMAC: Buddy Blank, an average Joe who is transformed by Brother Eye into the One Man Army Corps. Readers then got a second dose of OMAC in the early 2000s during "Infinite Crisis" when villain Max Lord and Brother Eye transformed swaths of the world's population into Observational Metahuman Activity Constructs.
According to Giffen and DiDio, fans of all iterations of OMAC should be excited to see the duo's fresh take on the concept -- and judging from the banter on the phone when CBR News called to talk about the series, the creative team is pretty ecstatic about the book, too.
"The stuff is spectacular!" gushed DiDio, complimenting Giffen's artwork. "I was actually out with retailers today and I had the first issue of 'OMAC' in my hands and I showed it to everybody in black and white -- and they were all dying for it!"
Relishing "OMAC's" status as the mysterious "dark horse" of the relaunch, Giffen and DiDio emphasized that the title is a return to the fast-paced comics of yesteryear, with Giffen proclaiming with a laugh that as long as they could get readers to take a peek inside the covers, "We win!"
DiDio and Giffen then went on to dish details about their "OMAC" series, share an exclusive first look at interior art from the first issue and expand on the story goals for DC's 52 title relaunch.
CBR News: "OMAC" is one of the 52 titles coming out as part of DC's September relaunch. The OMACs themselves have featured heavily in recent DC continuity, and OMAC is a character dating back to DC's pre-Crisis era, created by Jack Kirby. Coming into this series, what do readers need to know to get into "OMAC?" Do they need to know any of the Kirby/"Infinite Crisis" concept or back-story?
Dan DiDio: What they need to know is just to pick up the first issue. I mean, with everything going on [with] all 52 books, the gameplan given to all the creative teams was to make sure every first issue read like a first issue and that nobody needed to read anything prior to the start of that. That was the way the story was crafted for "OMAC," and that's the way it's going to go forward. It's touching upon a lot of touchstones of the DC Universe, from every incarnation of OMAC. From our standpoint, we're just trying to make this thing its own book in its own right, and build in the continuity and allure around it. Does that work, Keith?
Keith Giffen: Yeah. It's a point of access. It's a number one issue. We have the mindset that "OMAC" has never been published before, so as we drop things in and introduce them, even if it's something that the hardcore comic book fans are very familiar with, we're still going to be approaching it as if you see it for the first time. Part of the reason for that is, again, we're going from number one. We're launching from this point. Also, we might tinker with it a little bit so the long term fans might hear we're using a character whose name sounds familiar, open the book and go, "Oh my God, it's nothing like it was before!" Because technically, the mindset for September is, it hasn't gone before! There is nothing before these books.
DiDio: And in this particular case, when you look at the original Kirby series, it only ran for eight issues, but it made such an impact on so many people. What we're hoping to do is take a lot of what resonated with folks from that earlier series, and then take some of the things that people reacted to when we had the OMACs featured in things like "Infinite Crisis" and beyond. But this is a concept and direction unto itself, and we're pretty excited about it. There were a lot of things that are built off of the DC Universe that take place in this book; it ties in with other series as we move forward, but it is its own book in its own right.
Giffen: One of the things that Dan and I talked about before we even began seriously working on the book was, we wanted to do the kind of comic book that, when we were younger guys, when we [bought] comics as kids, we wanted the type of comic book that made us want to do comics. Which means taking a little bit from the past, a little of the present, projecting into the future and just doing a book that, hopefully, you don't know what'll happen when you turn the page. It's a bit of a roller coaster ride.
DiDio: We have a new lead character with a new supporting cast in this book. His name is Kevin Kho, and we are following his life and his story as he is affected by "OMAC" and the events around him.
Let's talk about that lead character. Kevin Kho is a brand-new character that you guys are getting to create; he's never been used before, right?
DiDio: Exactly. And that's the fun part about it, too. The character of Kevin really fits within the concepts and the ideas of the story. It's really about a person who lives his life under a lot of control and is used to being able to have things in a very orderly fashion. Enter into his life "OMAC" and the events that occur, and basically, he loses control of his own life. A lot of the story is about his struggle to regain control, to re-establish himself as an individual again, as other events are pressing against him.
Giffen: It's very much taking somebody who is, like Dan said, the kind of guy who, when he sits down at his desk, he has to have his pens aligned a certain way and his desk blotter there. It's the equivalent of somebody kicking over his desk and saying, "I'm going to be doing this to you every day!" It's not just about this big guy OMAC smacking people around, although there is a lot of that. It is about what happens when events, which you have no control over, start dominating your life and how you deal with it.
DiDio: We think we put that at the heart of the story -- it's a theme and a concept that can resonate with so many people. Also, once you put it in a superhero setting the world, as Keith is creating it, the sense of scope and fantasy just goes beyond reach. When we look at every issue we look at something that starts in a very, very normal, quiet circumstance, a place that people can easily relate to. And then something flips into hyper-drive and the stories just take one these crazy outlandish proportions. I think that's one of the fun parts of the series.
Giffen: It's a build. You start mundane, you introduce the fantastic and you keep introducing more and more of the fantastic, layering it and layering it and layering it. By the end, you have this massive crescendo. It's kind of an internal rhythm we hope the book will adopt. In the first issue, I definitely felt as I pushed forward -- it had to top what went before. If every issue starts off with something you can recognize and by the end you're going, "What the hell -- what the hell just happened?" we won!
DiDio: I can't express enough just how crazy beautiful Keith's art is on this stuff. It is beyond all my expectations. I mean, it is really something that people should take note on what a comic should be about and what a comic should look like.
Giffen: I'm having fun, Dan! You know, that's a key element in comics, by the way, that seems to have been lost somewhere down the line. These books are supposed to be fun, not just for the people reading them but also for the people making them. If the team is really into it and having fun and bouncing ideas off of one another in a friendly, can-you-top-this [way], I think the readers respond to that and it becomes something they expect when they pick up the book. Paul [Levitz] and I definitely had it in the Legion [of Super-Heroes days], and Dan and I are working towards it in "OMAC." I think, a couple issues down the road, it will literally be him throwing curveballs at me and me tossing curveballs right back at him! We're not even sure what's going to happen!
Since you brought up art, Keith, how are you approaching drawing this character? It's obviously very influenced by Jack Kirby...
Giffen: I've always been very influenced by Jack Kirby, Gene Colan and that era of Marvel when the artists were putting so much power on the page. When I first started approaching "OMAC" I knew I wanted to get back to that. For the first time in my career ,really, I felt, "You know what? I'm going to draw this the way I doodle." There's obviously a Kirby influence to the artwork, and boy, there is nothing wrong with that, because if you are going to be influenced by somebody, you might as well be influenced by the greatest. But I put my own little touches in there, and it's just been very relaxing to do. It's not trying to fight the influences that have pretty much followed me around. It's just doing what I want to do on the page, within the confines of Dan's story of course -- I'm not going to launch off in a weird direction! [DiDio laughs] It's just trying to get the feeling of power back in the visuals.
When we were first starting, I said to Dan, "When was the last time you saw somebody get hit and there was a white explosion and the white explosion was contained by the bricks in the wall in the background?" And we realized we couldn't really remember any time that was done, so I thought, we may as well do it here, because that's the stuff I just absolutely loved when I was a kid! When it comes to drawing OMAC, I'm kind of doing it as much for myself as I am for the readers, hoping that they'll be willing to come along for the ride. I can guarantee one thing: this is not going to be a dull book! Again, by having fun -- to me that's more than half of what you want to put into the book.
"OMAC" seems like an unusual choice to be one of the first 52 titles coming out in September. For you, as the artist and writer, what really drew you to this concept?
Giffen: I have no idea. Dan called me up and said "OMAC" and I jumped at it! This is yours, Dan.
DiDio: I've always known the particular books that get Keith excited, and I'm happy he's involved in this one, and also other things down the road that really he likes to gravitate towards. For this particular case, when we looked at the big line-up of all the 52 books, we were missing that one book of transformation and beastly nature. I look at books like "Frankenstein" and I look at things like "OMAC," and it's a voice, a tonality that wasn't being reflected through the line with all the other characters. When you look at the amalgam of all the characters and titles that come out here, you want to cover as many different types of the archetypes of superhero storytelling and comic book storytelling. There was a need to do something with that giant, bestial transformation-type thing that takes place in comics, and "OMAC" seemed like the perfect character for that.
Giffen: I came onboard when Dan looked at me one day and said, "Want to do 'OMAC?'" [Dan laughs]
DiDio: I'll be very clear to say that OMAC has always been an all-time favorite character of mine, from the moment I started at DC and we pushed forward "The OMAC Project" to now, I always felt like the bits and pieces that Kirby created in the Fourth World material and all the other series have been so important to broadening the scope of the DC comics and the DC Universe, and this seemed like the right time for the character.
Giffen: I was a huge fan of the original OMAC, but to be honest with you -- I call them this all the time -- I was not a real big fan of the "blue Smurfs." That kind of OMAC. But again, if you cherry pick, you can put together something really wonderful. What drew me to "OMAC" was the vast untapped potential, the capabilities to go anywhere you want and tell any story you want, and I like the dark horse aspect of it. I like that people are looking at it as a fringe book and are wondering, "What the hell are they going to do with it?" Clearly, when you announce a "Superman" title, you pretty much have an idea of what they're going to do with a "Superman" title. I think we have it a little bit easier in that it's going to be easier to surprise people with this book.
Going along with that, "OMAC" was announced as one of the DC Edge titles. What makes "OMAC" fit into this category? Is it just that it's, well, edgier or more action-packed?
DiDio: This book is probably one of the most action-packed books we are creating. Also I think what puts it on the Edge is that you have a character in the lead who doesn't want to be OMAC, who doesn't want to be the hero. He's being forced into these circumstances. So that puts him on the fringe of how well the other, more traditional heroes are acting and behaving. He's looking to find a way to get out of the situation more so than to embrace everything that's happening to him. I think that's one of the things that puts it more on the Edge than anything else.
Giffen: Yeah, its more the tonality to this story, like you mentioned before. Does it mean it's more action-packed? All comics should be action-packed, so really that doesn't apply to just "OMAC" or our handful of other titles. The term Edge, I thought it was that these were the characters that circled the edge of the DCU. Certain fans love them, they have a cult following, God knows the professionals love them, but they've sort of been all but outside of the main DCU, and this is a chance to say, "Here's DC Edge. Just watch how we integrate these characters into the DCU right now."
Finally, you have Brother Eye and Checkmate involved, and the solicits say Kevin is being used as a pawn between them. What roles do Maxwell Lord and Checkmate play in the series?
DiDio: Well, Max Lord, right now, is the head of Checkmate, and it's a very well respected organization. He plays it behind the scenes and he plays it kind of dirty, but he's definitely been sanctioned by the government. Beyond that, Brother Eye is being hunted down as a hostile satellite and something that is a danger to all mankind. With OMAC being tied to Brother Eye, it automatically puts him on the wrong side of the law and of other people. The importance of the story is that Checkmate is hunting OMAC, and Brother Eye is gathering pieces and pawns through OMAC so that he's able to counter the attack and bring the fight back to Max Lord.
Giffen: When it comes to Checkmate, the only thing I really asked Dan was, "Would Checkmate be the group of people who put Patrick McGoohan in the Village?" And when Dan said yes, I thought, "I got 'em!" It's not going to be like this vast, huge government agency. Even though they are that, we aren't going to play it along those lines. Checkmate is a peacekeeping force, they're an espionage force, they are a law enforcement force, but we're going to sort of focus on some of the more action-packed aspects of Checkmate in "OMAC." You're not going to see them sitting around their meeting room, page after page after page, discussing what they are going to do. We're going to drop you right into the middle of the action with some Checkmate cells and Checkmate platoons and show you what they do.
DiDio: This is the fun part of my job, when I get to talk about "OMAC." I can't say enough about the chance to work with Keith -- as much as he drives me crazy!
Giffen: It's part of the job, man!
DiDio: I'll tell you right now, my first meeting with Keith -- he was the first creator I met when I joined DC Comics. I was sitting at my desk and he stuck his head in the door and said, "Run, run while you can!" I didn't pay attention to him then, but now I understand why he told me to do that! [Laughs]

Also check out Newsarama.com's interview with Giffen here.
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