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’24: Cold Warriors’ One-Shot Coming This Month From IDW

Even though the writer’s strike has forced some shows, such as Fox’s blockbuster franchise hit 24, to play the waiting game for new episodes until next season, that doesn’t mean Jack Bauer fans are going to be left with no way to get their fix. Fortunately, the folks at IDW are stepping up and releasing an all-new 48-page one-shot comic based on the show called 24: Cold Warriors.

The comic, written by Beau Smith with art by Steve Bryant, centers on Jack Bauer (of course) and Chloe O’Brian who are stranded at a remote communications station in Alaska during a huge snowstorm. Unfortunately, snow is the least of their concerns once they discover a plot by terrorists, who are led by a Russian agent from jack’s past, which threatens to bring down all wireless comunications in the U.S.

Both IDW and Fox are excited about being able to release this new 24 adventure while fans wait for new episodes until next season. "Our partnership with IDW has been very gratifying for our division as well as for fans of the show," said Virginia King, Vice President of U.S. Licensing for Fox. "The quality of the writing, the creation of original story arcs, and top-drawer illustrations are all superb and do justice to a powerful show. The graphic novels have helped fill the void as fans await the return of the show to broadcast."

24: Cold Warriors lands at your local comic shop later this month.

 

 

On This Day: Academy Awards Announced

In the spirit of the impending most-watched award show in history, we remember that today in 1929, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced its very first Award winners. The Academy itself was founded two years previously and the ceremony itself took place in May of that year. Can you imagine knowing the Oscar wins before the event itself? What the hell would be the point? I mean aside from seeing all the fabulous dresses and hoping that somebody famous trips and falls bigtime? How were you supposed to bet and gamble on your faves if they already announced the winners? Glad they changed that policy, sheesh. C’mon, Ellen Page, c’mon Juno, Mama wants a new pair of shoes…

‘Hulk’ Issue #2 Preview Hits the Net

redhulksmall-4145246Over at USA Today they’ve posted an exclusive preview of Hulk #2, which smashes into comic book stores this Wednesday. Among the less-subtle differences you might notice with this preview is the color of your favorite raging behemouth. Yes, he’s red. That’s not an illusion.

The Red Hulk story, a murder mystery written by Ultimates 3 and Heroes scribe Jeph Loeb, with art by Ed McGuinness, centers on the identity of the Red Hulk, who might be Bruce Banner but is definitely many times more savage than the green version. 

According to Loeb: "I wanted to bring a danger back to the book. The Red Hulk is the kind of Hulk we haven’t seen before — a thinking, calculating, brutal weapon-toting kind of Hulk."
 
"In many ways," continued Loeb, "the Red Hulk speaks to the worst in us so when the Green Hulk comes back, it will remind us of the best in us." Loeb doesn’t reveal much more detail about the Red Hulk or the story in the article, but does let fans know that come issue #4, the green Hulk will be back and ready to smash once more.
 

 

New ‘Wolverine’ Set Photos Hit the Net

Previously, I told you about the first "official" pic from the upcoming X-Men Origins: Wolverine film. Now, there’s a couple more pics to share with you. Sure, they don’t show all that much. But still, I’m excited for the new movie, so what the heck? Over at XMenFilms.net they’ve posted a couple pics supposedly snapped by a sneaky photog on the New Zealand set of the film.

According to the site, one photo is of an abandoned cement storage warehouse with extra lighting for night shooting. The other is of more night shooting on top of a large cement water tank which might be for an extensive action sequence or fight scene.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine claws its way into theaters May 1st, 2009.

Check out the new full-size photos after the jump. (more…)

Toy Fair ’08: NECA Toys Announces New ‘Harry Potter’ Lineup

According to ComingSoon, NECA Toys has announced they will be expanding their already extensive lineup of Harry Potter inspired toys to include many all-new figures. Later this year, the company will release a two-pack of 7" figures of Harry as he appears in the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets film.

In addition, NECA will also release an original Dumbledore figure based on the late Richard Harris’ characterization and more figures in their 7" line such as the Wesley Twins, Fred and George and Mad-Eye Moody. They will also debut other Potter-related toys and gifts including a snow globe of Harry on his Quidditch broom.

These releases will also serve as the kick-off to their action figures line leading up to the release of  Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which hits theaters on November 21st.

 

Toy Fair ’08: New Playmates ‘Star Trek’ Toy Line Confirmed

According to Toy News International, Playmates Toys has confirmed they will be launching a collectable line-up of all new toys based on director J.J. Abrams highly-anticipated new Star Trek film. The new line-up will include three scales of life-like, fully-articulated action figures, a set of special 12" scale collector figures, a realistic U.S.S. Enterprise and other vehicles.

The line will also feature basic role play toys and deluxe versions with advanced electronic features, intricate playsets that are compatible with the action figures and more. According to Pat Linden, Sr. Director of Boys Marketing at the company:

“We are proud to represent Star Trek, an important entertainment event, with highly-detailed and intricately designed new toys,”With a full line of figures, vehicles, playsets and role-play toys, fans of all ages can relive their favorite moments from the feature film again and again.”

 
The new Star Trek toys will hit store shelves in spring of 2009.
 

Exec. Producer Gains on Wrapping ‘Watchmen’

Recently, we told you about director Zack Snyder answering fan’s questions about the new Watchmen film. Now, another update has been posted over at the film’s official site. This time around, Executive Producer Herb Gains has dropped an update sharing his thoughts about the project now that principal photography on the movie is close to being finished.

According to Gains:

"The combination of modern-day technology and the level of artistic ability of so many people has made the Watchmen experience second to none. The spirit behind the making of this film was nothing short of total pleasure and love. The one thing that remains for me is the anticipation and excitement of seeing the finished product, knowing that we’ve all worked on something very special."

The film, which features Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley, Matthew Goode, Billy Crudup, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Malin Akerman, Carla Gugino, Stephen McHattie and Matt Frewer hits theaters March 6, 2009. 

Toy Fair ’08: Mattel Unleashes ‘Infinite Heroes’ Toy Line

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According to Action Figure Insider, toy powerhouse Mattel has "done the impossible" and announced a new line of action figures called Infinite Heroes inspired by some of DC comics most well-known characters. The list of upcoming figures, which will reportetly come in both themed 3-pack and single figure versions, includes Batman, Shazam!, Power Girl, Hawkman, Super Girl, and Black Canary.

Other heroes reporting for duty include Black Adam, Hush, Hal Jordan and Green Arrow and both the Jay Garrick and Wally West Flash characters. The set of figures will also include some Gotham policemen and even a Comissioner Gordon figure, just so you can have the most well-rounded lineup possible.

Check back here later for all of the photos from the ComicMix tour of Mattel’s showroom!

Toy Fair ’08: Hasbro Unveils New ‘Indiana Jones’ Toy Line

A few days ago we told you about the trailer. Now, Hasbro recently went live with a new site showcasing its upcoming line of action figures, and other toys, inspired by the next chapter of the Indiana Jones saga: Indiana Jones and the Kingdowm of the Crystal Skull. Pictures of the new line first started to appear last week and Hasbro has already added to the site, so we expect to see a lot more before Toy Fair is finished on Wednesday. 

Some of the new toys include several different Indiana Jones figures, a Marian figure (complete with deadly frying pan), the Indiana Jones SFX whip with realistic sound and the Lost Temple of Akator playset.

Check them out here.

 

Inkwell Awards Celebrate Underappreciated Art of Inking

Of all the artificial divisions of labor that modern assembly-line comics have spawned, inking is probably the least understood and most maligned, containing elements of both specialized artistic crafting and production talent. Most laypeople and casual comics readers still regard inking as merely the latter, a form of "tracing" requiring little more than a steady hand and an eye towards deadlines. 

Long considered one of the "top three" storytelling skills, inking has been rendered (pun intended) such a relative afterthought that one major company no longer includes inkers in their Previews solicitations.

Long-time inking advocate Bob Almond is out to change all that.  Bob writes the regular "Inkblots" column for SKETCH Magazine, where the idea germinated, and he’s now set up a website with categories, voting instructions and other information about the awards.  It even has a pretty good definition of what inking is, for those who haven’t been exposed to the craft in all its complexity.

Voting is open to all, begins April 1 and runs through the end of May.  Bob suggests that interested participants check the credit boxes of their favorite comics, as well as the somewhat cumbersome Comic Book DB, for eligible names, and "Maybe one year we will be able to put a complete inker database together." I can certainly suggest a few nominees for anyone coming up short!