Eartha Kitt died today at the age of 81 from colon cancer.

Known worldwide as a self-proclaimed "sex kitten", famous for her catlike purr, Kitt was an incredibly versatile performer, winning two Emmys and nabbing a third nomination, as well as Tony and Grammy nominations, but probably best known for her role as Catwoman on the 1960’s Batman TV series, replacing Julie Newmar in 1967; and for singing the song "Santa Baby". She was once dubbed the "most exciting woman in the world" by Orson Welles– an assessment that’s hard to dispute.

She said in an interview for Harper’s Bazaar that "a gentleman who wrote [the late 1960s TV series] Batman said he wrote that character especially for me. He said, ‘You are a cat, you look like a cat, you act like a cat.’ "

If only she had eight more lives…

Clearly inspired by Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Marvel is releasing a hardcover graphic novel, Wolverine.  The press note says, “That’s right Bub, Marvel is proud to unveil Todd Nauck’s cover to Wolverine, an all-new hardcover graphic novel presenting the history of Wolverine’s life from his days as wimpy kid to just how he became one of Marvel’s deadliest heroes. In stores this April, experience the most unique look ever inside the mind of everyone’s favorite Canadian in Wolverine!”

The question must be asked: is it right to release a kid-friendly Wolverine book just weeks before the not-kid-friendly Wolverine movie opens?

In today’s edition of The New York Times, the Sports section features an article on our Original Johnson strip. George Gustines does a nice job placing Johnson in American and boxing history.  If you haven’t checked out the story from Trevor Von Eeden, it’s still running with new pages every week here at ComicMix.

Warner Premier provided us with four new images from March 3’s Wonder Woman animated feature. Wonder Woman will also be available OnDemand and Pay-Per-View as well as available for download day and date, March 3.

Wonder Woman will receive a big screen premiere at New York Comic Con on February 6, 2009 in the IGN Theater at the Javits Center. The 8:30 p.m. screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring members of the film’s cast and crew. Ticket information is forth-coming.

Here’s what you’re looking at:

Artemis (center, voiced by Rosario Dawson) takes the lead during a gathering of Amazonians. Princess Diana, later to be known as Wonder Woman, stands immediately to the right of Artemis.

Ares assumes an even more menacing figure in battle as the primary villain, voiced by Alfred Molina.

Wonder Woman gets the upper hand, er, lasso on Ares’ henchman Deimos during a thrilling action sequence.

Steve Trevor, voiced by Nathan Fillion, reacts angrily to Ares’ affront to an American icon.
 

Diablo Cody’s Jennifer’s Body, has been given a September 18, 2009 release date by Fox Atomic.  The movie, directed by Jason Reitman (Juno), stars Megan Fox (Transformers), Amanda Seyfried (Mama Mia), Adam Brody (The OC), and J.K. Simmons (Spider-Man).

The official plot synopsis follows: “When small-town high school hottie Jennifer (Megan Fox) is possessed by a hungry demon, guys who never stood a chance with her, take on new luster in the light of Jennifer’s insatiable appetite.”

The thriller’s competition that weekend will include the Matt Damon/Melanie Lynskey crime thriller The Informant and Sony Pictures’ animated adaptation of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

Depending on which report you read, Stephen Chow is Kato but will not direct The Green Hornet.  Maybe the Shaolin Soccer star will direct but not act in the Sony film, starring Seth Rogen. He may exit altogether, leaving the June 25, 2010 release without a director or co-star with production set to begin in the spring.

Moviehole was among the first to report that Chow is considering not playing Kato. “He’s blaming it on scheduling (saying he wants to film some Jack Black-Superhero film) – but that sounds like a tug,” they note.

An Associated Press story confirms that report, quoting Chow as saying, "If I direct The Green Hornet, the superhero comedy will have to be delayed for two years. The timing might not be right for a superhero comedy in two years. And I want to make a movie based on an original idea."

Stay tuned for post-holiday developments

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