Comics shipping 10-29-08
Mike Mignola returns to write and draw Hellboy, and Geoff Johns shares with us the Rage of the Red Lanterns. Nova continues to be entangled in “Secret Invasion,” Todd McFarlane returns to “Spawn,” and the complete Ben Edlund “Tick” is released in trade paperback. Complete list and commentary after the break.
Comics vodcast: New Krypton Special, G.I. Joe 0, Wolverine: Manifest Destiny 1
Kyle Roberts and Matt Price review New Krypton Special, G.I. Joe 0 from IDW and Wolverine: Manifest Destiny #1.
NBA Live 09 predicts Lakers win Finals; Thunder in basement
EA Sports released its predictions for the 2009-2010 NBA season, based on its NBA Live 09 software. The preseason simulation assumes no major injuries or trades.
In the simulation, the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA championship over the Miami Heat. The Thunder finish with the league’s worst record in the simulation at 23-59.
There are a few bright spots for the fictional Thunder: Russell Westbrook leads the team in assists and steals, and makes the first-team “all-rookie” team.
Kevin Durant leads the team in scoring (19.5) , and Chris Wilcox leads the team in rebounds (7.2).
– Matt Price
Jeff Smith to sign for ComicsPRO store; Amos items hit eBay for fund
Jeff Smith will sign at Flying Colors Comics in Concord, Calif., after retailer Joe Field bid $4,650 in an auction for the appearance. The auction was held on the ComicsPRO retailer forum and benefits the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Also announced by the CBLDF is a benefit auction of Tori Amos items on eBay. Full release after the break.
Neither Marvel or DC can apparently get a big event done on time
Today’s announcement of the delay of “Secret Invasion” #8 until Dec. 3, combined with the late shipping on “Final Crisis” and the replacement of the artist on the final issue, leads me to conclude that neither Marvel or DC can handle the number of events they are trying to publish back to back.
Last night, I read Marv Wolfman’s introduction to one of the “Teen Titans” archives, in which he said, during his run, he tried to mix up “big event” storylines with smaller, character-based storylines. He felt this made the book more compelling to readers, and, since he stayed on the book as the writer for 16 years, I’d give some credence to his opinion.
What do you think? Do you care if your “event books” are on time? Does late shipping screw up your enjoyment of other books in the same “universe”? Or if it’s good enough, does it matter?
– Matt Price
Monday movie quote challenge #3
“Wonderful girl. Either I’m going to kill her, or I’m beginning to like her.”
Identify who said this quote in what film in the comments!
Latest “Watchmen” teaser poster
Warner Bros. has released a new teaser poster for the upcoming “Watchmen” film, to be directed by Zack Snyder, based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.
The poster shows one of the well-known scenes from the graphic novel, the murder of the Comedian, which spurs the investigation by Rorschach into the superhero murders.
– Matt Price
Sunday night movie: 28 Days Later
Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic zombie film is online and free on Hulu for another 5 days. So, if you want to get the crap scared out of you before Halloween, fire this one up. Rated R, so, 17s and older, please. Starring Cillian Murphy.
- Matt Price
“Hulk vs. Thor” trailer released
I’m pretty sure this is what they showed at Comic-Con. I think the “Hulk vs.” DVD will be popular with fans. They showed the entire “Hulk vs. Wolverine” at Comic-Con at the same panel, and the crowd was pretty into it. “Hulk vs.” is set to come out in January.
– Matt Price
DVD review: Speed Racer – The Complete Classic Series Collection
All 52 episodes of the 1960s animated series “Speed Racer” are avail-able in one limited-edition box set. These episodes have been released in single volumes before, each with a variety of special knickknacks, so if you already own those, there’s not anything new here to justify a new purchase. But, if you don’t yet own the series, this set provides “Speed Racer” for under a buck an episode.
The series comes in an oversized “Mach 5” tin case that may not fit on your DVD shelf. Inside, the discs are in a cardboard fold-out sleeve that’s about the height of a CD case. So, packaging wise, the “Complete Classic Series” is kind of an odd fit.
“Speed Racer” is the English adaptation of the Japanese anime “Mach GoGoGo.” Speed Racer is a young hotshot driver who competes in races around the world, and often gets entangled in action-packed adventures. Racer X, Speed’s closest competitor, is secretly Speed’s brother Rex, thought dead. “Speed Racer” was one of the first cartoon series to bring anime to the United States, and while it’s certainly kid-focused and a bit dated, it’s a powerful nostalgic thrill for those of the right age.
— Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
