Who will be the new Captain America?
From Marvel:
Antihero Comics web site relaunches
A message from writer David Hopkins, who wrote the excellent “Astronaut Dad” and “Emily Edison.”
The website is finally finished. I’m now ready to take over the world with my charm, my even temperament, and my impeccable taste in comics.
I say this every year, but this next year is going to be great. Astronaut Dad Vol. 2 and Karma Incorporated Vol. 2 are scheduled for a summer release. Also, I have a few other projects in the works, which I’m very excited about.
I highly recommend “Astronaut Dad.” The first volume, out now, examines the human cost of the space race from the perspective of the families of several astronauts.
Publisher Silent Devil has a preview of “Astronaut Dad” here.
– Matt Price
No peace on earth with AVP
This is probably a little far for most Nerdage readers to travel, but for those in the NY and LA areas can have an Aliens vs. Predator Christmas.
From 20th Century Fox:
This Christmas Eve, as millions around the globe raise their voices in praise at midnight masses, New York City and Los Angeles-based fans of the iconic Alien and Predator can experience a very different take on the ritual …at special Midnight Mass-acre showings of AVP-R.
The events follow on the heels of Twentieth Century Fox servicing to press a special holiday gift: an AVP-R Christmas ornament promising that “This Christmas, there will be no peace on Earth.”
There’ll be little peace – but much fan anticipation – at the two Midnight Mass-acre locations: Hollywood’s renowned Chinese Theatre and New York’s Regal Union Square Stadium 14. The first 100 diehards in line at each Midnight Mass-acre will get a special stocking stuffer – commemorative shirts emblazoned with “I Survived Midnight Mass-acre Christmas Eve 2007.”
Opening everywhere December 25, AVP-R sees the deadly beings from the two of cinema’s scariest film franchises wage their most brutal battle ever – in our own backyard.
“AVP-R” stands for “Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem,” and it features Aliens and Predators facing off against one another in a Colorado town.
– Matt Price
Media saturation
Deadlines are coming in for everything today — Oklahoma Film Critics’ Circle voting, top 10 movies for the Oklahoman, top 10 comics and videogames for my weekly columns in the Oklahoman. It’s enjoyable in some ways, but it does make me wish that Hollywood and the video game industry spaced out their releases a little better. Video games will go weeks with no major releases, then slam everything out near the end of the year. And Hollywood tends to cluster potential award-winners in December.
Fortunately, comics don’t cluster their potential award-winners as badly. That said, Friday will be a madhouse of a release day, as everyone tries to push out inventory before the end of the year.
– Matt Price
“Hellboy II” trailer revealed
MyspaceTV is hosting a trailer for Hellboy II: The Golden Army, introduced by director Guillermo del Toro.
– Matt Price
“New Exiles” variant cover revealed
“Exiles” wrapped up its run today with #100. The story will continue in “New Exiles” No. 1 by Chris Claremont and Tom Grummett. Marvel revealed the variant cover by Michael Golden today.
Information from Marvel:
Marvel is proud to reveal legendary artist Michael Golden’s new variant cover to the highly-anticipated New Exiles #1, ushering in a new era for fan-favorite team! Written by iconic X-Men scribe Chris Claremont, with art by Tom Grummett and a standard cover by superstar Greg Land, New Exiles #1 assembles a brand new team of heroes to protect the Omniverse. With new leaders, new worlds and new adversaries, this team of Exiles are about to face their greatest threat yet—that is, if they can survive each other first!
It’s an all-new, all-different group of Exiles—let’s hope they all survive the experience in New Exiles #1, featuring stunning covers by Greg Land and Michael Golden!
I remember in one of Tom Brevoort’s editorial simulations on his blog that “Exiles” had been a remarkably stable seller throughout the run. I wonder if this relaunch means the sales had been flagging slightly.
(I also seem to remember Dave Sim saying “Cerebus” sales peaked at No. 100, and while there’s certainly little “Exiles” had in common with “Cerebus,” there could be some conventional wisdom that relaunching after No. 100 may be a way to get two semi-artificial sales spikes.)
– Matt Price
Chloe? I hardly knew her!
God, I love that stupid joke.
But enough about that, here’s the scoop — “Smallville” fan-fave Chloe will be joining the DC Universe in Superman #674.
Now, before you purists get your Spider-Man Underoos in a knot, let’s look at the long history of comic book characters who have come from outside the comic book world.
1. Jimmy Olsen — Superman’s Pal, was not created for the comic book page, but rather for the radio (or “talkie box,” if you’re 200 years old). That’s right, kids — Jimmy was not in canon to begin with.
2. Firestar – This red-headed mutant was first drawn on a cel for animation before she made it to the Marvel Universe. She appeared on “Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends,” taking the place of the Human Torch (who was tied up in legal limbo at the time).
3. Kryptonite — Superman’s greatest weakness also came from the Adventures of Superman radio show. That’s right, fellow nerds, all your base are belong to us. Nothing is what it seems. Black is white. Dogs sleep with cats. Talkies are going to ruin this business!
4. Harley Quinn — Dr. Harleen Quinzel, the femme fatale with a taste for homicidal clowns, first showed her pretty painted face in “Batman: The Animated Series,” long before getting her own series, she was working it on the small screen in one of the greatest cartoons in the history of man, ape, lizard or 8th dimensional imp.
What am I missing? Matt, I know you’ve got some science to drop on this. Let me know in the comments or lose me forever.
– Greg Elwell
“My Name is Bruce” trailer
With thanks to Russ, here’s the trailer to “My Name is Bruce.”
“My Name is Bruce” stars B-movie icon Bruce Campbell as, well, Bruce Campbell. He’s mistaken for his character Ash from the “Evil Dead” trilogy and forced to battle a real monster in Oregon, according to imdb.
“Gunslinger Born” #1 free online; sequel coming
Marvel has put the digital version of the comic book “Stephen King’s Dark Tower: Gunslinger Born” #1 up for free at marvel.com, as part of its digital comics initiative.
Stephen King fans may be aware of the sequel, the cover of which appears atop this post. It’s set for release in March. It’s a five-issue miniseries called “The Long Road Home.” Marvel has released the solicitation for the first issue:
DARK TOWER: THE LONG ROAD HOME # 1 The Story: It’s the return of the best-selling comic book series, inspired by Stephen King’s epic The Dark Tower! Gunslinger Roland Deschain has seen the death of his lover Susan Delgado. And the Big Coffin Hunters who burned her at the stake are now in pursuit of Roland and his ka-tet Cuthbert and Alain. The friends are forced to flee into the desert with the deadly posse in hot pursuit….and Roland is in a coma! Don’t miss this opening chapter starring the Gunslinger whose quest for the Dark Tower will shake the foundation of reality itself! Rated T+.
– Matt Price
“Hellboy II” launches production site
PRESS RELEASE:
Universal Pictures is bringing out the big guns for Hellboy II: The Golden Army! Check out the Hellboy II Production Site to view the FIRST shot of Hellboy with his Big Baby and send your friends a personalized holiday eCard from the big red guy himself!
A few tidbits about what you’ll find on the HBII Production Site: www.hellboymovie.com -
**NEW** HOLIDAY ECARD: Send your friends a
Holiday eCard – Hellboy Style!
- **NEW** IMAGE: First photo reveal – Hellboy with his big baby.
- NEWS: Terrific Hellboy II news hits, feature articles and early cast interviews featured on various publications.
- GALLERY: Guillermo del Toro’s amazing HBII Scrapbook- including the incredible concept art and descriptions of each image.
- HBTV: Watch Abe Sapien, live from the BRPD Headquarters as he gives you a personal welcome message to the site! You can embed Abe’s welcome video and share it on your Facebook profile as well.
- Message Board: Chat with fellow fans of Guillermo del Toro about everything Hellboy II… and don’t be surprised if you get a response from GDT himself on the message boards! Hellboy II: The Golden Army blasts into theaters July 11, 2008!
