The Mix : What are people talking about today?

Marvel Announces Marvelman’s Return in June

After announcing the acquisition of the British hero Marvelman last summer, Marvel Comics finally has scheduled their initial offerings. In a press release, the company said they would be celebrate the rich history and reprint material from the beginning.

Once Fawcett ceased publishing Captain Marvel stories in the 1950s, the British publisher of the comics chose to convert the hero, supporting cast, and villains into original characters under the similar name Marvelman. Under the guidance of artist Mick Anglo, the characters lasted until the 1960s then vanished. Dez Skinn resurrected the character for Warrior magazine and has been a source of fascination ever since.

Here’s the release:

Marvel is proud to announce the return of Marvelman to shelves everywhere with the release of Marvelman Classic Primer #1 in June! Who is the mysterious Marvelman? And just why is he one of the most enduring super heroes of all time? The answers arrives in this commemorative one-shot featuring interviews with creator Mick Anglo, superstar Neil Gaiman and more who contributed to this character’s history over the years! Plus, get all-new pin ups of key Marvelman characters by superstar artists Mike Perkins, Doug Braithwaite, Miguel Angel Sepulveda, Jae Lee, Khoi Pham and Ben Oliver! This landmark issue features two covers—one with the timeless art of Mick Anglo and another with the now-iconic rendition of Marvelman by Marvel Editor-In-Chief—and superstar artist—Joe Quesada!

Then, in July, thrill to the debut of Marvelman Family’s Finest #1, a new ongoing series reprinting Marvelman’s greatest adventures for the first time in the US! Plus, no comics fan can miss Marvelman Classic Vol.1 Premiere HC, reprinting Marvelman’s earliest adventures in chronological order!

Now’s your chance to learn just why Marvelman is one of the most important characters in comic book history—it all begins in Marvelman Classic Primer #1, this June!

MARVELMAN CLASSIC PRIMER #1
Written by JOHN RHETT THOMAS
Cover by JOE QUESADA
Variant by MICK ANGLO
Rated A …$3.99

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Chris Evans cast as Captain America

Variety reports that square-jawed lady-killer Chris Evans will be under the winged-mask of Captain America for Marvel’s upcoming The First Avenger: Captain America, set to hit theaters next summer.

Also noted from Variety: Evan’s deal looks to be for at least three pictures, not including the already mentioned “Avengers” film set to come out in 2012. Evans will be hurling his shield next to Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, as well as Edward Norton’s green skinned goliath, the Hulk.

The First Avenger: Captain America also has cast the neo-hating turned neo-nazi, Hugo Weaving as the villainous Red Skull.

Of course, comic book fans should not be surprised by Mr. Evan’s turn as a hero, given his lengthy comic book twinged resumé. Starring first as the hot headed Johnny Storm in the less-than-beloved pair of Fantastic Four pictures, Evans will also debut as the alliterated Lucas Lee in the upcoming Scott Pilgrim flick, as well as the jacked-mouth hacker Jake Jensen in the forthcoming Losers movie coming out this April.

So, ComicMix fans, what do you think? Does Evans belong wielding the shield? Where do you think Stan Lee will cameo in the Cap film? Do you think Ben Grimm will enjoy a quieter Baxter building while Johnny get’s a little patriotic? Tell us what you think, soldier!

The Health Care Bill And The Comics Industry

So after more than 100 years, the House passed a health
care reform bill. As of this writing, our president is going to sign the thing
into law tomorrow and then the Senate has to affirm some changes.

And then every paranoid, fear-filled right-winger who
doesn’t know the difference between a communist, a socialist, and a Nazi will
moan about the world coming to an end. Republicans don’t like the word
“democrat,” and in their world a majority doesn’t rule the day, so court
challenges will abound.

Since ComicMix
is a comics-oriented website, it might be a good idea to address how all this
affects the comics world. But in order to do that, I’ve got to try to explain what’s
going on.

A lot of the good stuff doesn’t kick in until 2014, but
there’s a lot of good stuff that starts this year. No more pre-existing
condition exclusions, and a special program will help adults with pre-existing
conditions get coverage until the full program kicks in. No more getting
dropped by your insurer when you get sick. No more lifetime coverage limits.
The annual cap dwindles and is eliminated entirely in 2014. Kids can stay on
their parents’ insurance until they’re 26. That’s only fair, since they’re
living in the basement anyway. Small businesses will get tax credits of up to
50 percent of premium costs.

For the 65+ crowd, they’ll get $250 towards closing the
“donut hole” in their prescription drug coverage (right now, seniors have to cover
everything between $2,700.01 and $6,200), and Medicare’s preventive benefits
now come with a free visit with your primary care doctor every year.

Mind you I’m not totally thrilled with this bill, but I
agree with Congressman Denis Kusinich: it’s a lot better than nothing, and it’s
a good start. Sadly, a lot of people will die between 2010 and 2014. And it
will make the insurance companies all the more wealthy because everybody will
have to have private care insurance. Yeah, I know, there’s supposed to be a
safety net but it’s based upon family income and not family situation: if
you’re making a living today but have incurred massive debt due to previous
health costs, you’re still screwed. I’m not crazy about any law that forces
everybody to give money to big business whether they want to or not, but I’ve
long felt that same way about our seat belt laws. People should have the
freedom to do what isn’t necessarily best for them, as long as it doesn’t
affect others.

Getting back to goring the ox of fabled Comicsdom… (more…)

The Point Radio: PSYCH According To James Roday

WE’RE BAAAACK! A massive rain and windstorm took out our power and internet for nearly a week, but we’ve bounced right into our pop culture routine with a look at the best episodes of USA Network’s PSYCH, at least according to series star James Roday. And will The Human Torch really become Captain America, plus Marvel covers IRON MAN in a cool new way!

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And be sure to stay on The Point via iTunes - ComicMix, RSS, MyPodcast.Com or Podbean!

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Don’t forget that you can now enjoy THE POINT 24 hours a Day – 7 Days a week!. Updates on all parts of pop culture, special programming by some of your favorite personalities and the biggest variety of contemporary music on the net – plus there is a great round of new programs on the air including classic radio each night at 12mid (Eastern) on RETRO RADIO COMICMIX’s Mark Wheatley hitting the FREQUENCY every Saturday ay 9pm and even the Editor-In-Chief of COMICMIX, Mike Gold, with his daily WEIRD SCENES and two full hours of insanity every Sunday (7pm ET) with WEIRD SOUNDS!

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US Torchwood To Play It Straight?

john-barrowman-torchwood-6667910There’s a report in Entertainment Weekly that the U.S. version of Torchwood – should it get picked up – will have a Captain Jack with more narrowed sexual interests. That does not please Captain Jack himself, actor John Barrowman.

Digital Spy reports the current Desperate Housewives guest-star “The last thing I would want would be for Jack to become this
heterosexual, straight hero. He’s an omnisexual guy. He likes men,
women, aliens, whatever. I think we should continue going down that
route.” He went on to say that if this is the case, it would foster a “big discussion” between creator Russell T Davies and his producing partner Julie Gardner. Davies, who is also an executive producer of the series, is a well-known gay and lesbian rights advocate, as is Barrowman. The actor did not say he wouldn’t be available for the series, nor did he say he’d resurrect the role if asked. Since the pilot is still in the script stage, nobody’s asked. However, Barrowman notes both Davies and Gardner said “there will be no Torchwood without John Barrowman as Captain Jack.”

So it might come down to which the Fox network wants more: Torchwood with a straight Captain Jack, or Torchwood without John Barrowman.

However, Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat told the British newspaper The Guardian “I imagine that kids would love to see Captain Jack meet the new Doctor.”

But if that happens, it won’t happen this season.

star-wars-galactic-heroes-3608741

‘Star Wars: Galactic Heroes’ to become animated series

star-wars-galactic-heroes-3608741

Lucasfilm Ltd. is in pre-production on a series based on the Star Wars: Galactic Heroes, a line of Star Wars toys aimed at younger kids. According to IESB, the series is reportedly operating under the working title Squishies, and there is a director on board.  There is currently no word about any network deal, nor is there any word on what era of Star Wars history will be covered.

Any bets that they were inspired by the success of Marvel’s Super Hero Squad?

Monday Mix-Up: When ‘Watchmen’ Met ‘WALL-E”

WALL*E’S JOURNAL: October 12th, 2085:

This planet is afraid of me. I have seen its true face.

The streets are extended gutters and the accumulated filth will foam up and all the politicians will look down and shout “Clean up!”…

…and I’ll look up and make some cute little robot sound.

Don’t tell me they didn’t have a choice.

Human Torch Cast As Captain America?

According to the Hollywood

Reporter, Chris Evans has been offered the lead in The First Avenger: Captain America. Evans is perhaps best known in these circles as Johnny Storm, a.k.a. The Human Torch, in the two Fantastic Four movies.

Evans would be signing for what has been reported to be a nine picture deal: at least two sequels and appearance(s) in The Avengers movie(s) as well as in other Marvel superhero films. Nice steady work for an actor who isn’t afraid to get typecast.

The First Avenger is to be directed by Joe “Wolfman” Johnston; Hugo Weaving (Lord of the Rings, V For Vendetta) has been cast as The Red Skull. The movie is presently set for a July 22, 2011 release, with The Avengers following on May 4, 2012.

There’s probably no chance of a cross-over, as Marvel’s doing a complete reboot on The Fantastic Four movie franchise.

Neither Marvel Films nor Evans’ people have confirmed or denied as of yet this weekend.

ComicMix crew at Lunacon this weekend

ComicMixers Amy Goldschlager, Bob Greenberger, Glenn Hauman, Kim Kindya, Aaron Rosenberg, and Jen Rosenberg (at least!) will be at Lunacon, taking place this weekend at the Rye Town Hilton in Rye, New York.

Come on down and say hi. If you don’t see us at a panel or at halftime during the Masquerade, you’ll find us in the bar…