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SDCC: Superman: Man of Tomorrow panel

  • News
  • July 25, 2008

supermanshield-2894030DC Comics ran their first panel of the show on Thursday morning with DC: Superman: Man of Tomorrow.  The panel was moderated by editor Matt Idelson and featured writers Geoff Johns, James Robinson, and Sterling Gates along with artists Jamal Igle and Renato Guedes (who was provided with a translator, yet never spoke).

Johns kicked off the panel by asking how many in the crowd were reading Action Comics to a strong, but noticeably short of unanimous, ovation.  He then continued to explain that what they’re trying to do right now in the books is to create a cohesive universe for Superman so they can “start telling big excellent stories”.

As an example of a big excellent story Johns went on to explain the upcoming “New Krypton” story arc.  Coming out of the current Brainiac story Kandor will be restored to full size on Earth.  “100,000 Kryptonians come to Earth and say, cool this is New Krypton, and Superman’s like, ‘no it ain’t.’” said Johns.

The panel then turned towards the role of Supergirl in the upcoming stories. Gates expressed a desire to turn the book from a “B”-list title to a more marquee title.  Igle said of Gates’ first issue, “I was surprised at how good his script was.  I had to go back and read it twice.”

Johns went on to discuss the return of Cat Grant to the Superman titles and the relationship between her and Supergirl.  He said that one of the first thing she would do is publish an article called “Why the World Doesn’t Need a Supergirl.”  It was later revealed that this article would make up the first page of Gates’ run on Supergirl.

(more…)

SDCC: What if Grant Morrison Met Stan Lee?

  • News
  • July 25, 2008

stanlee-1939755Here’s a bizarre bit of "Only in San Diego." Grant Morrison and Stan Lee agreed to partner on a new superhero… Let that soak in.

We’ll see if anything comes of the planned partnership, which came about during a panel featuring the two creators at which they discussed their work with Virgin comics. They also talked up some existing work, including Morrison’s MBX animated shorts. CBR reports:

After a short delay, the panel kicked off with a quick video — an electronic press kit prepared by Virgin — giving a glimpse of Grant Morrison’s "MBX." "MBX," a series of animated shorts, will launch online later this year, and the video showed some behind-the-scenes footage of the motion capture technology and even a glimpse of the characters in action. The characters, based on Hindu mythology but re-imagined by Morrison for the 21st century, fought robots on what looked like a post-apocalyptic landscape. With their energy bows and laser whips, the fierce combatants held off the mechanized swarm. …

Stan Lee, when asked what drew him back to writing comics, said it was "the idea of coming to Virgin and working with new artists on new projects. It’s like the early days at Marvel to dream up something brand new. It’s exciting and I can’t wait to get started."

Then Lee added, "of course — to compete with someone like this," referring to Morrison, "I wouldn’t have been so eager if I had known."

SDCC: Kevin Smith to do Batman miniseries

  • News
  • July 25, 2008

From today’s DC Nation panel at San Diego, Kai Connolly and Arthur Tebbel send the news that Kevin "Silent Bob" Smith will be doing a Batman five issue miniseries.

Titled "Cacophony", it features the return of the villian Onomatopoeia from Smith’s run on Green Arrow, as well as Deadshot, Joker, Mr. Zsasz, and will be drawn by Walt Flanagan. Those familiar with Smith’s View Askewniverse will recognize that name as Smith’s longtime friend, actor and character in his film, most notably as Walt Grover the Fanboy.

Noting Smith’s, shall we say, tardiness on certain comics projects, we’ve been told that solicitations won’t happen until scripts are in hand. Nevertheless, the firstissue is expected out in November.

And with Onomatopoeia as the villian, we can safely assume that somewhere in this Batman story, we will have lots of Pow! Biff! and Sock! action. Just when we thought we were done with all of that…

SDCC: ‘Agents of Atlas’ Returns

  • Uncategorized
  • July 25, 2008

For those who gave Jeff Parker’s Agents of Atlas miniseries a shot a couple years ago, it comes as great news out of San Diego that a new ongoing A of A series is on the way.

Parker and editor Mark Pannicia shared some dirt with CBR on the new series which will show up early in 2009.

Paniccia added. "’Weird turn of events’ is something readers should get used to with this book. Jeff’s got quite a few ‘Oh &%$@#!’ moments planned."

The "Agents of Atlas" may control a global empire, but their main base of operations is currently under a California city that’s quickly becoming a Mecca for Marvel heroes. "At the moment the Agents still work from the underground city below San Francisco. But the surface there just became the home to a lot of nosy mutants!" Parker explained. "So they may find it necessary to relocate soon to function without interference."

SDCC: Geek Chic Jumps the Shark?

  • News
  • July 25, 2008

comic_con_logo-3880763There are no shortage of reminders of the lack of attention span in today’s culture, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise that there’s already some murmurings that “geek chick” has “jumped the shark.” At the very least, those are two phrases that are well beyond cliché.

The Hollywood Reporter gives some thought to the sentiment that this year’s massive Comic-Con marks the moment the tide shifts away from all things nerdy, with the ominous mention that — gasp! — Paris Hilton is doing San Diego. (No, not the whole city.)

There is talk that despite the high numbers of conventiongoers, or maybe in spite of them, Comic-Con as a measure of geek cool may have reached a tipping point.

Critics are pointing to the scheduled appearances by tabloid mainstays Paris Hilton, who will join Thursday night’s panel for Lionsgate’s “Repo! The Genetic Opera” as well as host a party, and fellow party girl Kim Kardashian, who is supposed to hit DC Comics’ party Friday night before appearing at a “Disaster Movie” panel Saturday. When Comic-Con becomes fodder for the Us Weekly crowd, has the event nuked the fridge? Folks wonder.

“This may be the 2012 of Comic-Cons,” said one comic writer-turned-screenwriter, referring to the year on the Mayan calendar that signals the end of the world.

 

Seriously, one “writer-turned-screenwriter” (whatever the hell that means) made an off the cuff remark and now the comic book renaissance is ending?

SDCC: BBC America Adds ‘Torchwood’ Season Three

  • News
  • July 25, 2008

I just got an e-mail from ComicMix‘s Chris Ullrich, who was sitting in on a panel at Comic-Con regarding the TV show Torchwood.

Chris has an update on the show that’s sure to be happy news for fans of Torchwood.

He writes:

I’m at the torchwood panel and they just announced season three was picked up by BBC America. Deal was done today.

As always, stay tuned to ComicMix for news from San Diego.

Cartoon Network Adapts Image Books

  • Uncategorized
  • July 24, 2008

One of the cool early pieces of news out of San Diego has been Cartoon Network’s development of a trio of Image properties for cartoons.

That would be Mice Templar (created and drawn by Hammer Of The Gods co-creator Mike Avon Oeming with Bryan J.L. Glass), Firebreather, and The Vanishers.

CBR has an interview with Firebreather creator Phil Hester who talked about the upcoming two-hour cartoon and the potential for an animated series.

Both Hester and Kuhn credit film producer Julia Pistor for seeing "Firebreather" through the hazards of Hollywood development to find it a home. "Originally, we were optioned by Paramount, and during that time they didn’t really do anything," said Kuhn. When the option was up, it was Pistor who contacted the creators with an offer to help. As a vice-president at Nickelodeon, Pistor has a long history of shepherding successful animation projects. She recognized "Firebreather" as something special.

The executive who had brought "Firebreather" into Paramount had unexpectedly passed away, leaving the project with no champion when the option period had passed. "She said ‘this is too good to just let die," Hester explained. "She offered to take it out herself and find a place to set it up."

I can only wonder (and hope) a Perhapanauts cartoon could soon follow, as writer Todd Dezago recently told me there had been some serious interest in that Image book as well.

ComicMix Radio: Buffy Reunion? Why Not!

  • News
  • July 24, 2008

It’s the first full day of Comic Con ’08 and we continue our Broadcasts direct from ComicMix Central on the floor of the show. From the madness, we offer:

  • David Gallaher and Steve Ellis from the award winning High Moon webcomic and how they came together to create the Zuda phenomenon
  • Marsia Powers, Mistress of Whedonoplis talks About All Things Joss including the solution to a Buffy or Angel reunion.

 Go on Press The Button or do we have to stake you?
 

And remember, you can always subscribe to ComicMix Radio podcasts via badgeitunes61x15dark-8770109 or RSS!

 

watchmen-cover-2203991

SDCC: ‘Watchmen’ the Game

  • News
  • July 24, 2008

watchmen-cover-7506366Watchmen seems to be officially the big deal of Comic-Con so far, with long lines of people forming just to watch the upcoming film’s trailer at the Warner Bros. booth and to ogle the model of the Owl Ship.

Then there’s news that a tie-in videogame is in the works. The AP has a report.

Warner Bros. announced Wednesday it will release an episodic downloadable video game developed by Deadline Games that will prequel next year’s big-screen adaptation of the “Watchmen” graphic novel pegged to the film’s March debut. Another game that will take place following the first game will be released later in 2009 at the same time as the “Watchmen” DVD.

In the games, players will be able to combat foes as the pointy-eared Nite Owl (played by Patrick Wilson in the film) and inkblot mask-wearing Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley). The mature action-brawler will be released for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC and will match the visual style of the film, which is being directed by “300” director Zach Snyder.

SDCC: Comics via Wii

  • Uncategorized
  • July 24, 2008

The electronic future of comics moves apace with the announcement that some manga titles will be distributed on Nintendo’s Wii videogame system.

At first, it looks like this will only be available in Japan, but it may develop further.

The companies, Kadokawa, Kodansha, Shueisha and Shogakukan, have formed a joint venture with a local software house that aims to be the first to bring digital comics to the hit console. The venture, called Librica, was formed in July and will deliver comics through the Wii Ware software channel to users. An Internet connection will be required to use the service.

Initially it will target the Wii but Librica said it is considering expanding the service goal to encompass the handheld DS gaming device. It will also offer other publishers the chance to join its platform when launched.

Launch timing and pricing for the service was not announced.

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