Author: Glenn Hauman

After twenty-two years, Rene Russo is coming back to properties based on comics.

She’s joining the cast of Marvel Entertainment’s film Thor, taking on the role of Thor and Loki’s mom, Frigga, the Queen of Asgard (Odin’s wife). Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the movie also stars Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and Natalie Portman as Jane Foster.

Wait a minute– back to comics?

Yes, Rene Russo’s first acting job was in the 1987 ABC series, Sable, based on Jon Sable Freelance by Mike Grell, playing the role of Eden Kendall, complete with 80s hair. If you’ve never seen it before, well– why should we suffer alone? Take a look for yourself. First, here’s the credits:

Second, we have part one of the pilot.

After that, I’m amazed she came back, I wouldn’t think twenty-two years would be enough time away.

The comic series is much much better. But don’t take our word for it, you can read the latest series, Jon Sable Freelance: Ashes Of Eden, either online here or on sale now from IDW, or you can order the trades of the original series. They make wonderful Christmas presents.

Roy Edward Disney, the son and nephew of The Walt Disney Company co-founders Roy O. Disney and Walt Disney, respectively, passed away yesterday after a yearlong battle with stomach cancer at the age of 79. 

Roy E. Disney joined the Disney Company in 1953 and worked there 56+ years, eventually serving as Vice Chairman of its board of directors and chairman of Disney Animation from 1984-2003.  Most recently he held the title of director emeritus and consultant.  As the head of Disney Animation, Mr. Disney was credited with guiding the studio into a new golden age of animation with feature films such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King.

Roy E. Disney was also a passionate defender of the company and its direction, leading a shareholder revolt not once but twice against the company and its board when he and others believed that Disney had lost its bearings.  The first revolt was in 1984 when he fought to have Ron Miller (Walt’s son-in-law) removed, and again from 2003 to 2005 when he had Michael Eisner booted– ironic, as Disney helped to bring Eisner into the company following Miller’s exit.  Eisner led the company together with Frank Wells until 1994 when Wells died in a helicopter crash.

At the time of Disney’s death, he owned over 16 million shares of the company, which made him the second largest single shareholder. With his passing and the completion of the Marvel merger, Issac Perlmutter will become the second largest individual shareholder. Steve Jobs is the largest.

Six quickies:

• Get your Christmas Bond marathon started early: YouTube is running all of the 1967 version of Casino Royale.
• How the Muppets made us all Bergman experts.
• Steve Bunche chases hairy, so to speak. He also shows the original ad for the book, to which all I can say is “Who put those words into Spider-Woman’s mouth?”
• Kate Beaton explains early science fiction.
• The birthplace of fandom is found.
• The Morgan Freeman chain of command. For what it’s worth, I think COO of Wayne Enterprises should be in there in the second tier.
• The best (and best-selling) graphic novels of the year, from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Anything else? Consider this an open thread.