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Saturday Morning Cartoons: Ultraforce

It’s personal history time folks. This is 100% guilty pleasure from me to you. Ultraforce was the cartoon that led me to my love of comics. You see I saw this cartoon, and days later, my best friend (Unshaven Comics’ own Matt Wright) bought me issue 1 from the back issues at our local comic shop. Thinking that I’d been given a rare gem, I reveled in owning it; And soon thereafter purchased a good chunk of the Malibu comic backlog. All because of this little lost toon.

It only made it 10 or so episodes on syndicated stations. And yes, I know now that these “Original Heroes” (or “Ultras” as they were referred to) were simply allegories for far more popular characters. But hey, based on this opening sequence how could you not love it? From the “swiped directly from the X-Men Cartoon” montage of each character leaping mightily from his or her own nameplate, to the “burst from random building to show your evilness” villain rolecall… You could tell this was a masterpiece in the making. And bonus! This clip gives you a little taste of Prime, Hardcase, and Marvel’s Deathlok some evil mechanical guy!

Hooray, hooray, the first of May — it’s Free Comic Book Day today!

Yep, it’s Free Comic Book Day in comic stores all over the planet.*

To check out participating locations, in the US and around the world, where fans will be able to get a range of free comic books, including titles for kids, from sponsors go to store locator section of www.freecomicbookday.com.  Free Comic Book Day 2010 sponsors include: Ape Entertainment; Archie Comics; Archaia Studios Press; Boom! Studios; Dark Horse Comics; DC Comics; Drawn and Quarterly (D&Q); IDW Publishing; Image; Marvel; as well as C2E2; ComicCon; WizKids; Worldcolor; among others.  Some location will also feature activities and signings.

* Of course, every day is Free Comic Book Day at ComicMix, so we’re a bit jaded. Why not try a romp through Shaman’s Tears, Black Lamb, or Simone & Ajax?

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Third Nolan Batman Date Set, 2012 to be Bat-tastic

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Tip of the hat to The Hollywood Reporter for letting us know that the third installment of Chris Nolan’s Batman franchise will be hitting theaters July 20th, 2012. So long as the Mayans and Jon Cusak were wrong, and that the Earth is still in tact… consider the date iCal-able. July of course seems to be Nolan’s lucky month, as we all recall The Dark Knight was released July 18th of 2008, and his new thriller Inception will be gracing the multiplex July 16th of this year.

2012 is quickly becoming a huge year for us fanboys. In addition to Nolan’s unnamed Bat-sequel, a bevvy of heavy hitters will debut. First out of the gates will be Marvel’s Avengers assembling May 4th, 2012, followed by board-game turned blockbuster Battleship on May 25th. Shortly after that the next launch of the Starship Enterprise (in the J.J. Abrams reboot-a-verse) will be with a Star Trek sequel on June 29th. And one week later? Set your phasers to THWIP! as the Spider-Man reboot swings into place on July 3rd.

Well, there went about 100 bucks in tickets, popcorn, and milk duds.

The Point Radio: Patrick Warburton – The Voice & The Face

You probably know his voice from FAMILY GUY and THE VENTURE BROTHERS and you might know his face from RULES OF ENGAGEMENT and even SEINFELD. PATRICK WARBURTON was even THE TICK, and he’s anxious to get back to that role as he tells us here. Plus say goodbye to Michael Scott and Ron Burgundy and JONAH HEX now has super powers., Thank God it’s FREE COMIC DAY tomorrow!

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Jonah Hex Trailer Debuts on the Web

jonah-7664520Debuting on the interwebs just a few days ago (in case ya’ didn’t catch it, partner), the trailer for DC’s western wild-man, Jonah Hex, made it’s dusty digital debut. And dag-nabbit, if it ain’t a big ole pile of predictable horse puckey! After you give that link a lil’ ole’ click and watch the trailer for yourself, maybe you bounce right back here for our analysis of why it done got our britches in a bind!

First off, let’s just git this outta the way. Castin’ John Malkovich as yer’ villain these days is as inspired a choice as castin’ Matthew McConaughey in a romantic comedy. I mean, does Malkovich even get a script for pictures like this anymore, or does the director yell action, and just let him do that whole slow-quiet-evil-talking thing he does in every other movie he’s in?

Past that, how about we talk about Mr. Hex himself. Now I admit, I ain’t no historian of western tales from the funny pages, but a quick call to my friend (comic book historian) Alan Kistler proved my theory right. In his illustrious history as a comic book anti-hero, Mr. Hex ain’t never had no “bring-people-back-from-the-dead-for-a-short-period-of-time” power. And you think the folks on this movie could afford a little better makeup job for the ole’ scarface? I mean, the Dark Knight sure did a convincing job with Mr. Harvey Two-Face’s scars… and here? Jonah done look like they painted up a red vine flesh colored and glued it to Josh Brolin’s face… after letting him suffer from some major acne issues.

I seem to recall another movie that loved to play fast and loose with old west technology too. Anyone else recall that gem of a picture, Wild Wild West? Well it seems the fine folks behind Jonah Hex raided the prop closet from that nightmare, dusted it off, and are attempting to pass it off again. A dynamite launching crossbow pistol? Really? I might have been fine with the pair of gatling guns on Jonah’s horse. But where does he get all these wonderful toys? it seems Jonah’s befriended a well-to-do black man with a closet full of steam punk goodies! Perhaps Morgan Freeman wasn’t available?

Next up on the ole’ gripe list. Megan Fox. Now, I know, if a film has to suck (Transformers, I’m looking at you) the least the producers can do is toss in a little eye candy to ease the pain. And given Josh Brolin’s face in this picture, well, they coulda’ used some special effects to clone Megan a sister. But only if she was mute, cause dog-gonnit… everytime she opens her mouth to deliver a line, it saps the lightning outta my loins faster than a picture of Bea Arthur. I’m not saying Megan’s a bad actress… I’m saying she’s a terrible actress. And based solely on the trailer, I can tell she already talks to much. Where’s Megatron when you need him!?

And finally, let’s just touch quickly on the movie poster itself. Now, given my personal preference for movable type, I have to say, their choice for fonts are as ugly as my sorry ass after a night of drinking. If the bevel gets any bigger on the word HEX you might as well sell 3D glasses to the movie goers. And what in God’s good name is John Malovich holding in his hand? A dragonball? I’m all for purty special effects people, but seriously, why would Jonah be firing his pistol crossbow and hip mounted mini-gun? Malkovich is behind him! Seriously folks… this trailer has done got me in a tizzy, and I apologize for ranting and a’ railing all over this blog today. I think I’ma’ gonna’ take in the ole’ Iron Man 2 trailer now, just to settle my frazzled nerves.

New ‘Superman’ and ‘Dark Shadows’ films confirmed in IMAX press release

Warner Bros. is now so committed to getting a Superman film out the door by 2013 that it’s now showing up in press releases from partners.

IMAX, as part of their earnings statement, announced that they’ve signed a deal with Warner Bros. to release 20 films in IMAX format up to 2013. And on the list is a new Superman film.

This would seem to back up that Warner Bros. really is taking the Siegel Estate threat seriously, which states that if a movie wasn’t going to be in release by 2013 they would be in breach and owe the estate a large sum of cash.

Other Warner Bros. movies that will be released in IMAX
are: Legends of the Guardian: The Owls of Ga’Hoole 3D (September 24,
2010); Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (3D) (November 19,
2010); Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II (3D) (July 15,
2011); Happy Feet 2 (3D) (November 18, 2011); and The Hobbit (December
2013). Warner Bros. and IMAX also plan to release an additional 15 films
over the course of 2011, 2012 and 2013, including Gravity, Dark
Shadows, Fury Road
, and the third Batman movie.

Of course, as we all know, things can happen, production can get weird, and I’m sure that there are ways out of all of those clauses– but it’s still an encouraging sign.

Tonight at MoCCA: Spooky stop-motion animation

Presented by MoCCA and Small and Creepy Films
7 PM | Admission: $5 | Free
for MoCCA Members
Hosted by Aurelio Voltaire.Stop-motion
animation has been around since the very beginning of film and is still
around today. The art of manipulating rubber puppets and bringing them
to life by posing them one frame at a time on film has seen something of
a renaissance in recent history with the release of such films as
Coraline, The Fantastic Mr. Fox
and A Town Called Panic. Unlike it’s
shiny and new cousin, computer animation, stop-motion has always had a
home-made and somewhat surreal quality to it. Perhaps it is for that
reason that it is often the technique of choice for filmmakers like Tim
Burton and Henry Selick, looking to create a strange and spooky world
(Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, James and the Giant Peach).

Aurelio
Voltaire, a filmmaker firmly entrenched in the world of dark, puppet
animation takes us on a little tour of the genre on April 29th during
“Puppet Masters of the Macabre: A Night of Spooky Stop-Motion
Animation”. Voltaire will screen excerpts from his reel (including
station IDs created in the early days of MTV and The SyFy channel as
well as a few of his award-winning shorts) as well as the work of other
colleagues and luminaries of macabre animation. The screening will be
immediately followed by a panel discussion lead by Voltaire. On the
panel will be Micah Van Hove of Small and Creepy films and other
stop-motion animators and industry professionals.

For a glimpse at Voltaire’s work visit:
www.youtube.com/voltairenyc

www.smallandcreepy.com is the website
of Caroline Thompson.
(Screenwriter of Edward Scissorhands, Corpse
Bride, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Addams Family
and others)

‘Batman XXX: A Porn Parody’ Set To Debut

Biff! Pow! Bam! Not in the face!

File this under the “Well, finally!” pile, folks. After parodying basically everything else in pop culture, the adult film industry has finally parodied the Adam West Batman franchise. Batman: XXX by folks at Vivid VIdeo will hit the shelves (behind beaded curtains) in May. You can’t make this stuff up kids. Thanks to folks at iesb, here’s a little promotion from the films producers:

“The cast was just incredible,” said director, Axel Braun. “Dale DaBone
literally became Adam West, turning in one of the most electrifying
comeback performances I’ve ever seen in my 20 years in the industry,
and James Deen was just outstanding as Robin. Tori Black, who plays Catwoman,
showed us exactly why she’s the reigning Performer of the Year. This
girl is so gorgeous and talented, and her sexual energy is just
unbelievable.”

While there’s not a complete synopsis of the plot, we here at Comic Mix can imagine it now… Batman and Robin must fight the villainous Catwoman, Riddler, and Joker! There will be a villainous plot to steal some super fancy diamond! Luckily they have Batgirl along for the adventure, to help even the odds. Wait… That’s four guys to three women. This is starting to get a bit scary. Come to think of it, if this is going to be a real parody, will this mean we get Robin straddling Batman as they scale a building? And what about the Bat-Poles? Oh god. I think we might be getting sick. And if they painted right over Caesar Romero’s mustache… what in Gods name will they paint over for this film? 

Will the dynamic duo and the bat-tastic beauty defeat the clown price of the kama-sutra? Will Robin solve the Riddler’s “Ribbed for her pleasure” Rubics cube of doom? Will Alfred and Aunt Harriet make an unexpected cameo?

“Atomic marital aids to power, turbines to speed…. Let’s go!”

UPDATE: The trailer has been posted! Click here and enjoy the Bat-tastrophe.