Yearly Archive: 2008

ComicMix at Toy Fair: Mezco’s Hellboy II, Heroes and Warriors

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  • February 19, 2008

I was already looking forward to Hellboy II: The Golden Army, but after seeing Mezco Toyz’ lineup of figures based on the film, it looks like I’ll be buying a ticket and making a little more room on the "geek shelf" (as my friends call it).

New, old and in-production films and television series inspired the bulk of Mezco’s lineup for Toy Fair ’08, with products based on Hellboy II and Heroes occupying the lion’s share of the booth. And while it’s not exactly comics-related, I wanted to let go with a big ol’ fist pump when I saw the 9-inch figures based on the film The Warriors lined up on one of the booth’s display shelves.

Several of the figures Mezco had on display weren’t available for photography, as they were either still awaiting approval by the licensors. Here are some of the highlights of those that were camera-ready, though:

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ComicMix TV: Toy Fair ’08 Preview

ComicMix comes to you from Toy Fair this week, in the heart of New York City… and we have video!

Okay, so it’s not exactly the "heart" of the city. It’s more like the "elbow-region," way over on the Western side of the island where the subways don’t dare to travel. But the point here is that there are toys — lots of them.

We’ve already shown you the comics-inspired dolls of Tonner, a heap of Incredible Hulk and Iron Man branded toys, and Dark Horse Comics’ Will Eisner-designed Spirit statues. Now we have a short video preview of what’s to come from our Toy Fair coverage, hosted by our intrepid ComicMix host, Matt Raub.

Be sure to check back throughout the week for a look at highlights from our tours of the DC Direct and Mattel showrooms!

Nighty Knight Rider, by Dennis O’Neil

  • News
  • February 19, 2008

Once again, the other day, I found myself wishing I’d spent less of my youth with, as folks might have said back then, my nose buried in some silly book and more time in the company of hammers, saws, wrenches. You know. Manly stuff. Tools. The reason was, something in the bathtub wasn’t working and we had to call the plumber, who is one of the nicest guys I know and might be the best plumber in Rockland County New York, and we had a chat while the water was running to accomplish something arcane and, well, plumberish. If I hadn’t wasted my youth, maybe I could tell you what.

 
Anyway: because he knows what I did and sometimes still do to earn money, we discussed movies and television. He’s of the opinion that nobody in the media has any new ideas.
 
I didn’t argue, and I won’t. With a few reservations, and looking at the evidence, I agree, kind of.
 
Of course, one could assert that there are no new ideas, an assertion borne out by the fact that treatise after treatise has demonstrated that there are only seven plots, or five, or eleven – some very finite number, in any case. But even given that near = truism, there doesn’t seem to be a lot that’s genuinely fresh around these days.
 
For instance: As I type this, I’m about two hours away from experiencing the latest incarnation of Knight Rider. Twenty-plus years ago, this saga of a young man and his talking car launched the career of David Hasselhoff, who later became world-famous as the tanned and buff father figure to a lot of equally tanned and buff, but younger, lifeguards. This is the latest of a seemingly endless catalogue of old films and TV shows revamped for the Twenty First Century. Some I’ve liked; the remake of the old Glenn Ford western, 3:10 to Yuma, was, by any reasonable criterion, a good movie. Others…well…
 

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ComicMix at Toy Fair: Eisner’s ‘Spirit’ Meets Conan at Dark Horse

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  • February 18, 2008

There was quite a bit to see at the Dark Horse Comics booth during this year’s Toy Fair, from statues based on Doctor Who and The Dark Crystal to busts based on Robert E. Howard’s Conan universe and various other products inspired by comics.

Most notable of the bunch, however, were a pair of statues based on the title character of Will Eisner’s The Spirit comics. With a Frank Miller-helmed film based on the character scheduled to hit theaters early next year, Dark Horse Comics’ statues are based on the original Eisner design for the character — literally.

According to DH’s Vice President of Product Development, the statues are based on sketches Eisner made in the event that a 3-D sculpture was ever made of the character. Dark Horse acquired the sketches from the Eisner Estate after the creator’s passing, and had the statues made from teh sketched designs.

"The statues aren’t just in the Eisner style," explained Scroggy, "but actually designed by Eisner."

Dark Horse also had a few busts from its upcoming "Savage Sword Collection" of products based on the work of Conan creator Robert E. Howard. The design of the busts will be based on recent covers of each character’s current Dark Horse Comics series.

In the spirit (pun totally intended) of letting a picture speak a thousand words, we’ve put together the following gallery of highlights from the Dark Horse booth.

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’24: Cold Warriors’ One-Shot Coming This Month From IDW

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  • February 18, 2008

Even though the writer’s strike has forced some shows, such as Fox’s blockbuster franchise hit 24, to play the waiting game for new episodes until next season, that doesn’t mean Jack Bauer fans are going to be left with no way to get their fix. Fortunately, the folks at IDW are stepping up and releasing an all-new 48-page one-shot comic based on the show called 24: Cold Warriors.

The comic, written by Beau Smith with art by Steve Bryant, centers on Jack Bauer (of course) and Chloe O’Brian who are stranded at a remote communications station in Alaska during a huge snowstorm. Unfortunately, snow is the least of their concerns once they discover a plot by terrorists, who are led by a Russian agent from jack’s past, which threatens to bring down all wireless comunications in the U.S.

Both IDW and Fox are excited about being able to release this new 24 adventure while fans wait for new episodes until next season. "Our partnership with IDW has been very gratifying for our division as well as for fans of the show," said Virginia King, Vice President of U.S. Licensing for Fox. "The quality of the writing, the creation of original story arcs, and top-drawer illustrations are all superb and do justice to a powerful show. The graphic novels have helped fill the void as fans await the return of the show to broadcast."

24: Cold Warriors lands at your local comic shop later this month.

 

 

On This Day: Academy Awards Announced

  • News
  • February 18, 2008

In the spirit of the impending most-watched award show in history, we remember that today in 1929, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced its very first Award winners. The Academy itself was founded two years previously and the ceremony itself took place in May of that year. Can you imagine knowing the Oscar wins before the event itself? What the hell would be the point? I mean aside from seeing all the fabulous dresses and hoping that somebody famous trips and falls bigtime? How were you supposed to bet and gamble on your faves if they already announced the winners? Glad they changed that policy, sheesh. C’mon, Ellen Page, c’mon Juno, Mama wants a new pair of shoes…

‘Hulk’ Issue #2 Preview Hits the Net

  • Uncategorized
  • February 18, 2008

redhulksmall-4145246Over at USA Today they’ve posted an exclusive preview of Hulk #2, which smashes into comic book stores this Wednesday. Among the less-subtle differences you might notice with this preview is the color of your favorite raging behemouth. Yes, he’s red. That’s not an illusion.

The Red Hulk story, a murder mystery written by Ultimates 3 and Heroes scribe Jeph Loeb, with art by Ed McGuinness, centers on the identity of the Red Hulk, who might be Bruce Banner but is definitely many times more savage than the green version. 

According to Loeb: "I wanted to bring a danger back to the book. The Red Hulk is the kind of Hulk we haven’t seen before — a thinking, calculating, brutal weapon-toting kind of Hulk."
 
"In many ways," continued Loeb, "the Red Hulk speaks to the worst in us so when the Green Hulk comes back, it will remind us of the best in us." Loeb doesn’t reveal much more detail about the Red Hulk or the story in the article, but does let fans know that come issue #4, the green Hulk will be back and ready to smash once more.
 

 

New ‘Wolverine’ Set Photos Hit the Net

  • News
  • February 18, 2008

Previously, I told you about the first "official" pic from the upcoming X-Men Origins: Wolverine film. Now, there’s a couple more pics to share with you. Sure, they don’t show all that much. But still, I’m excited for the new movie, so what the heck? Over at XMenFilms.net they’ve posted a couple pics supposedly snapped by a sneaky photog on the New Zealand set of the film.

According to the site, one photo is of an abandoned cement storage warehouse with extra lighting for night shooting. The other is of more night shooting on top of a large cement water tank which might be for an extensive action sequence or fight scene.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine claws its way into theaters May 1st, 2009.

Check out the new full-size photos after the jump. (more…)

Toy Fair ’08: NECA Toys Announces New ‘Harry Potter’ Lineup

  • News
  • February 18, 2008

According to ComingSoon, NECA Toys has announced they will be expanding their already extensive lineup of Harry Potter inspired toys to include many all-new figures. Later this year, the company will release a two-pack of 7" figures of Harry as he appears in the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets film.

In addition, NECA will also release an original Dumbledore figure based on the late Richard Harris’ characterization and more figures in their 7" line such as the Wesley Twins, Fred and George and Mad-Eye Moody. They will also debut other Potter-related toys and gifts including a snow globe of Harry on his Quidditch broom.

These releases will also serve as the kick-off to their action figures line leading up to the release of  Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which hits theaters on November 21st.

 

Toy Fair ’08: New Playmates ‘Star Trek’ Toy Line Confirmed

  • News
  • February 18, 2008

According to Toy News International, Playmates Toys has confirmed they will be launching a collectable line-up of all new toys based on director J.J. Abrams highly-anticipated new Star Trek film. The new line-up will include three scales of life-like, fully-articulated action figures, a set of special 12" scale collector figures, a realistic U.S.S. Enterprise and other vehicles.

The line will also feature basic role play toys and deluxe versions with advanced electronic features, intricate playsets that are compatible with the action figures and more. According to Pat Linden, Sr. Director of Boys Marketing at the company:

“We are proud to represent Star Trek, an important entertainment event, with highly-detailed and intricately designed new toys,”With a full line of figures, vehicles, playsets and role-play toys, fans of all ages can relive their favorite moments from the feature film again and again.”

 
The new Star Trek toys will hit store shelves in spring of 2009.
 

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