“New Krypton” preview at Newsarama
Newsarama has a preview of the “New Krypton” special, written by Geoff Johns, James Robinson and Tulsa’s Sterling Gates. In the preview, Clark and friends attend the funeral of Pa Kent, in a Gary Frank sequence that’s very Christopher Reeve-esque.
– Matt Price
Myspace has “Kull” preview
Shoot on over to MySpace Comic Books for an early look at Dark Horse’s “Kull,” set for a November release. Joining “Conan” and “Solomon Kane” in Dark Horse’s Robert E. Howard lineup, “Kull” will be written by Arvid Nelson and drawn by Will Conrad.
– Matt Price
No Betty Brant in Spidey 4?
Elizabeth Banks, who played J. Jonah Jameson’s secretary Betty Brant in “Spider-Man” 1-3, tells CHUD that she’s “the last person they call” in regards to the Spider-Man films.
She says she was originally given the Betty Brant role as kind of a “consolation prize” for losing out on the Mary Jane role, but now does the films as “kind of a favor,” though she doesn’t think the producers see it that way.
Given Banks’ high profile, and the possibility of Kirsten Dunst not returning as Mary Jane, who else would like to see Peter Parker get a chance to date Betty Brant? She’s a major character in the comics, and Elizabeth Banks could certainly carry a larger role. Banks also has comic-book cred: She’s producing “The Surrogates,” based on the Top Shelf graphic novel. She co-stars in Kevin Smith’s ”Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” scheduled for a Halloween release.
– Matt Price
Marvel announces “Super Hero Squad” one-shot
Marvel has announced what those promo pictures recently sent out are for — the “Super Hero Squad: Hero Up!” one-shot. Based on the action figure line, the one-shot will be written by Paul Tobin and drawn by Marcelo DiChiara and Chris Sotomayor. Still no word on who the red guy is.
From Marvel:
Marvel is proud to announce that SUPER HERO SQUAD: HERO UP! One-Shot will be released in January 2009, based on the successful Hasbro action figure line featuring Marvel’s greatest heroes & villains. Written by fan favorite scribe Paul Tobin (Marvel Adventures: Super Heroes) and featuring art by the can’t-miss team of Marcelo DiChiara & Chris Sotomayor, this extra-sized one-shot features all your favorite Marvel characters. Experience the Marvel Universe like never before, as the heroes & villains of Super Hero City clash in epic confrontations! Take a stroll down to the Xavier Institute, past the FF’s Baxter Building…but don’t stray too far, because dastardly Doctor Doom’s domain is the next block over…! Plus, learn more about your favorite heroes with bios and more! This issue ships with two covers-one featuring the heroes of SSH and the other featuring the villains!
Monday movie quote challenge #2
“I have a dance to go to at school. It’s a very important dance — we’re being graded on it for gym.”
Identify who said this quote in what film in the comments!
Sunday night movie: The Madness of King George
Nigel Hawthorne in a classic performance.
“Prometheus” solicitation revealed
Newsarama has the solicitation for the newest comic by Tulsa’s Sterling Gates. Gates is writing the new adventure of Justice League villain Prometheus:
FACES OF EVIL: PROMETHEUS #1
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Federico Dalbochio
Cover by Mauro Cascioli
It’s an all-new prelude to the upcoming, all-new JUSTICE LEAGUE #1! Prometheus once defeated the Justice League single-handedly, and with his latest lethal crime spree, he’s moved to the top of the heroes’ Most Wanted list. But what grave crimes has he committed, and what will he do to prevent capture? Learn the real face of evil that is Prometheus!
On sale January 14 • 32 pg, one shot, FC, $2.99 US
Comics podcast: X-Men: Worlds Apart 1, Jimmy Olsen special, Uncanny X-Men 503
Kyle Roberts and Matt Price discuss this week’s comics, including James Robinson’s Jimmy Olsen special, X-Men Worlds Apart 1 and Uncanny X-Men 503.
Steve Niles on “The Lost Ones”
WORD BALLOONS
A horror writer goes to other worlds with the help of four intriguing artists.
Microsoft, through Zune Arts, has released a graphic novel written by Steve Niles (“30 Days of Night”), with each of four chapters drawn by a different innovative artist. “The Lost Ones” is an intergalactic adventure starring four explorers.
Niles, who is known mostly for his horror comics, said “The Lost Ones” was very different from what he usually is offered.
Graffiti artist “Dr. Revolt,” graphic artist Gary Panter, fashion designer Kime Buzzelli and design studio Morning Breath created the art for “The Lost Ones.” Fans can download the graphic novel at www.zune-arts.net/lost.
Panter, who was born in Oklahoma, was the Emmy-winning set designer for “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” and is the creator of punk rock cartoon character Jimbo.
“They really did want to get people who don’t normally work together all working together,” Niles said. “I absolutely froze up when I heard they got Gary Panter. I’m a huge fan, and because of what I do, I’m kind of the horror guy, there really wasn’t much of a chance of me and Panter ever working together.”
Niles said he tried to repeat certain motifs, so fans could compare the artistry.
“Part of the fun is seeing how each of four artists will handle similar material,” Niles said.
Niles said the creative constraints on “The Lost Ones” were few.
“I wasn’t interested in writing something where the characters were holding up Zunes and saying ‘Buy Zune!’ ” Niles said. “It wasn’t that kind of promotion. It was about promoting the spirit.”
Niles said he picked the concepts of a science-fiction, time-travel story, and Zune Arts went along with it.
“You don’t get invited to be experimental very often, and this was an opportunity to do that,” Niles said.
– Matthew Price
Assistant Features Editor
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
Video game review: Eagle Eye
THE NEXT LEVEL
Gamers can get Shia LaBeouf on their mobile phone, with the mobile version of the recent film “Eagle Eye.”
The film has been transformed into a side-scrolling adventure in which gamers take on the roles of Jerry Shaw (played by LaBeouf in the film) and Rachel Holloman (Michelle Monaghan). In the film, Jerry and Rachel are strangers thrown together after each receives a mysterious phone call. With their lives and families threatened, Jerry and Rachel face dangerous situations, as they are tracked by an organization with control over technology.
In the mobile “Eagle Eye” game, players must use the two characters in tandem to clear screens and solve puzzles. Jerry can jump higher, and use his strength to activate levers. Rachel, meanwhile, can crawl through smaller spaces. Working generally in tandem, that means the gamer often must switch back and forth from Jerry to Rachel to clear an objective. There are also minigames of computer hacking and lock picking, which are nice changes of pace from the regular adventure. In other levels, gamers can also take on the role of government agent Zoe. “Eagle Eye” has some fun moments for a mobile game, though it doesn’t bring a lot of innovation.
The game was developed by Magmic Games, Inc. and published by Paramount Digital Entertainment. The game is available for Windows Mobile and BlackBerry.
– Matthew Price
Assistant Features Editor
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
