NewsOK Comics Podcast: Reviews of Archie 603, Blackest Night 5, Superman Secret Origin 3, World’s Finest 2 and Image United 1
Kyle Roberts and Matt Price flash back to the 1990s with Image United No. 1. We also take a look at Clark Kent’s first day at the Daily Planet, a Guardian-Robin team up by Sterling Gates, Archie’s second marriage, and the blockbuster hit of the year, Blackest Night.
Assassin’s Creed 2 tops GameFly Top 10 list
The GameFly Top 10 List reflects gamers’ choice from more than 6,000 titles for the Wii, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and PSP consoles.
Most Popular Games Cross-Platform:
1 Assassin’s Creed 2 PS3, Xbox 360 Action Adventure Ubisoft
2 Left 4 Dead 2 Xbox 360 Shooter Electronic Arts
3 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 PS3, Xbox 360 Shooter Activision
4 Dragon Age: Origins PS3, Xbox 360 RPG Electronic Arts
5 Borderlands PS3, Xbox 360 Shooter Take Two
6 New Super Mario Bros. Wii Wii Action Adventure Nintendo
7 Saboteur PS3, Xbox 360 Action Adventure Electronic Arts
8 God of War Collection PS3 Action Adventure Sony Computer Entertainment
9 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves PS3 Action Adventure Sony Computer Entertainment
10 James Cameron’s Avatar: The Game PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, PSP Games Action Adventure Ubisoft
More top 10 lists after the break.
Monday movie quote challenge #55
“In the common tongue it reads, ‘One Ring to Rule Them All. One Ring to Find Them. One Ring to Bring Them All and In The Darkness Bind Them.’”
Identify who said the above quote in what film in the comments!
DVD review: Life on Mars series 2
After an accident in 2006, Sam (John Simm, “Doctor Who”) finds himself a Manchester police detective in 1973, his modern sensibilities often putting him in conflict with his boss, the brash detective chief inspector Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister).
In the first series, Sam’s time displacement was his primary concern. By the second series, Sam has become more at home in 1973, and while he has conflicts with Hunt and with brutish co-worker Ray Carling (Dean Andrews), the police officers of 1973 have grown to give Sam a grudging respect. (Of course, they don’t know he’s from the future — his often unusual ways are believed to be a by-product of his being a transfer from Hyde.)
Annie Cartwright (Liz White) becomes the first female detective inspector in Manchester in series 2, and is a key contributor to solving cases. Her willingness to listen to Sam and her ability to handle the often-churlish attitudes of the precinct are among her best qualities.
Whether Sam is truly in 1973, or in a delusion caused by his coma, is played close to the vest by series creators Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan and Ashley Pharoah, making viewers wait until the very end for a resolution. Overall, “Life on Mars” Series 2 is an excellent conclusion to a top-notch series.
Extras include a 45-minute documentary, “The Return of Life on Mars;” a 30-minute reflection on the last episode, “The End of Life on Mars,” behind-the-scenes footage and a tour of the sets.
— Matthew Price
Oklahoma kids in finals of Peanuts Photo Contest
Even without Kristin Chenoweth, it looks like Oklahomans could put on a pretty good remake of “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
Three Oklahomans are among the finalists in the Peanuts Photo Contest, which seeks look-alikes for the Peanuts comic strip characters in honor of the strip’s 60th anniversary.
Haley Bussell
“Peanuts” was created by Charles Schulz and is among the most successful comic strips of all time. The characters, including Charlie Brown and Snoopy, are known around the world.
At www.peanutsphotocontest.com, Oklahoman Haley Bussell, 8, of Broken Arrow is a finalist in the “Peppermint Patty” category.
“I just immediately thought of Haley, because she looks like Peppermint Patty!” said her mom, Kelley Bussell. “I just got a picture of her and sent it in!”
A finalist as Peppermint Patty’s pal, Marcie, is Moore resident Lindsay Riggs, 9.
Lindsay Riggs
“When I saw the picture of Marcie … I said, oh my gosh, Lindsay does look like her!” said her mom, Jamie Riggs.
And rounding out the state finalists is Wyatt Tilley of Ponca City, competing to be the look-alike of good ol’ Charlie Brown. Wyatt is six months old.
“His dad started calling him Charlie when he was born. He says he looks like a Charlie Brown,” said Wyatt’s mom, Denise Tilley. “Had we seen him before naming him, he would be named Charlie. So now his nickname is Charlie.”
Fans can vote online at www.peanutsphotocontest. com until Dec. 4. The grand prize is an all-expense-paid trip for four to Cedar Fair amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio, home of Planet Snoopy.
Wyatt Tilley
The contest, which benefits Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org), attracted entrants from all over the country, with California and New York submitting the most potential look-a-likes. Oklahoma’s three finalists tied with New York and California for the state the most-represented in the finals. Illinois followed with two, and 18 other states and the District of Columbia had one. Charlie Brown received the most entries as a look-alike, followed by Linus, Snoopy and Sally.
Celebrity judges Jill Schulz (daughter of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz), country music performers Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, “Supernanny” Jo Frost, “America’s Next Top Model” judge and fashion photographer Nigel Barker, and KTLA news anchor Victoria Recano selected the 30 finalists.
by Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
It’s Black Friday!
If you have the time and cash (like our friend Richie Rich, pictured above), go visit your local comic shop today. Black Friday is often seen as about high-ticket items, electronics and the newest doodads, but your local comic shop owner could use a pre-Christmas boost as well.
- Matt Price
Happy Thanksgiving!
With Spider-Man returning to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade this year, other Marvel characters share their ideas for parade balloons in this Marvel Super Heroes: What The?! episode. Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
Auction offers first chance to see Avatar
Charity Buzz has a holiday auction going on to raise funds for MUSE Elementary, an educational organization which helps children realize their full potential through academic excellence, personal responsibility, global consciousness and environmental awareness. Among the items up for bid are four tickets to the Los Angeles premiere of “Avatar,” directed by James Cameron.
Charitybuzz provided the following info on some of the packages up for bid:
· Meet Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at the Capitol in Sacramento, CA: Don’t miss this rare opportunity
to meet the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his office.
The “Terminator” will be available for a meet & greet and photos!
· Attend the LA Premiere of “Avatar” as VIPs on Dec. 16! Includes Celebrity-studded After Party, Hotel, Limo & In-Room Makeover: After 15 years as a concept and 4 years of production, James Cameron, the Oscar-winning director of “Titanic,” brings the world of “Avatar” to the big screen.
Stay in Beverly Hills for the night, attend the premiere, see all the celebrities at the after-party!
· Win a Walk-On Role in an Upcoming Donners’ Co. Film, Producer of “X-Men” and Director of the “Lethal Weapon” Series: Find yourself on the set of an upcoming film from Donners’ Company, the producers who brought you “X-Men” 1-3, with a non-speaking walk-on role.
· Spend the Day on the Set with Hugh Jackman: Hang with superstar Hugh Jackman for a day on the set of his new upcoming movie.
· A Private Tour of Weta Workshop in New Zealand – Where Middle Earth Was Brought to Life in The Lord of the Rings: Experience a fantasy setting in person by visiting Middle Earth…or at least the facility that brought it to life.
For more information, visit http://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/avatar.
The auctions close on Dec. 10.
Best comics of the 00′s chosen by AV Club
The AV Club runs down its best comics of the 2000s in an article that’s sure to start lots of debate. I’m working on by best of 2009 list right now, and will probably try to put together a best-of-decade list myself sometime after that. The AV list is good, but no Scott Pilgrim? (As many people are saying.) To me that comic DEFINES comics in the 00′s. Click through to see the full list, and feel free to leave your comments — or nominations — here.
- Matt Price
World’s Finest #2 previewed at DC’s Source blog
This Wednesday brings the second issue of the DC Comics miniseries “World’s Finest,” teaming heroes from the Superman and Batman families. Tulsa-born writer Sterling Gates writes this miniseries, with a rotating cast of artists. Issue No. 2, drawn by Ramon Bachs and Rodney Ramos, is previewed today on DC Comics’ Source blog. This issue will feature a team-up of The Guardian, and the new Robin, Damian Wayne. They’ll face off against Superman villain Parasite and Batman foe Mr. Freeze.
The first issue of “World’s Finest” has been well-reviewed, and indicates Gates was a good choice for a team-up series. The third issue, by the “Supergirl” creative team of Gates and artist Jamal Igle, is set for Dec. 23 release and features Supergirl teaming up with the new Batgirl.
- Matt Price
