Comic book, graphic novel and movie news that impacts nerd culture

Archive for

Second trailer for “The Avengers” is online

Marvel Studios has released a second trailer for “The Avengers,” which will be released on May 4. The superhero film stars Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America and Chris Hemsworth as Thor. Samuel L. Jackson returns as Nick Fury, Mark Ruffalo portrays Bruce Banner, aka Hulk; Jeremy Renner plays Hawkeye and Scarlett Johansson stars as Black Widow. Joss Whedon directs the film.
The film is a sequel to all the Marvel Studios films released so far, tying together elements from Iron Man 1 and 2, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger. (Though there’s a new Hulk, it will also likely connect with the Edward Norton Hulk film.)
Tom Hiddleston returns as the villainous Loki.

- Matt Price

---

Charles Martin, Don Rosencrans to appear at Norman comic store this week

There are two great indy signings at Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman this week. (Full disclosure note: I am one of the owners of Speeding Bullet.)

Both signings involve local talent from Literati Press. Charles Martin, writer of “The Wonderboy Serials” will sign copies of his book from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 29) at Speeding Bullet Comics, 614 N Porter in Norman. “The Wonderboy Serials,” by Martin and Will Weinke, is a prose novel about a lone man with extraordinary powers who is responsible for the longest sustained global peace in modern history.

Writer-artist Don Rosencrans will sign his comic book series “Welcome to Ralton” from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Friday, March 2.  Rosencrans is a Tuttle-based independent illustrator who has produced commissions for bands Planets Align and The Venditos.

More info at NewsOK.

- Matt Price

---

Production starts on “Lone Ranger” movie

Disney has announced that production has begun for the Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ motion picture “The Lone Ranger.”

Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski join Johnny Depp, who plays Tonto, and Armie Hammer, who will play John Reid, aka the Lone Ranger. “The Lone Ranger” will film exteriors and studio work in New Mexico, followed by locations in Arizona, Utah and Colorado.

Here’s how Disney describes the film:

“The Lone Ranger” is a thrilling adventure infused with action and humor, in which the famed masked hero is brought to life through new eyes. Native American spirit warrior Tonto (Johnny Depp) recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid (Armie Hammer), a man of the law, into a legend of justice—taking the audience on a runaway train of epic surprises and humorous friction as the two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight against greed and corruption.

The film is scheduled to open on May 31, 2013.

- Matt Price

 

---

Marvel reveals new Avengers one-sheet poster

Here’s the new one-sheet for “The Avengers,” starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner.   The film, directed by Joss Whedon, teams up many of Marvel’s top superheroes against an even larger threat.

- Matt Price

---

Captain Planet nears 500,000 Facebook fans

Captain Planet, the world’s first eco-superhero and star of the award-winning 1990s television series, “Captain Planet and the Planeteers,” celebrated the imminent social media milestone of 500,000 fans on Facebook recently. Hundreds of thousands of Captain Planet fans worldwide have joined forces in the new “Planeteer Movement” to put the show’s positive environmental philosophy into daily action.

Captain Planet’s co-creator and executive producer Barbara Pyle, originally from Pauls Valley, hosted a planet-wide Twitter party as well as simultaneous Planeteer Meetups in Los Angeles, New York City and even Accra, Ghana. During the event, Pyle urged the Planeteers to get their friends, family members and peers involved and to increase their social media activities for positive change.

Become a fan at http://www.facebook.com/CaptainPlanet,or check out the web site at http://www.CaptainPlanet.me or follow the group on twitter at @PlaneteerAlert.

“Twenty-plus years ago, Ted Turner and I created Captain Planet and the Planeteers to educate and motivate this next generation of global citizens,” said Pyle in a news release. “I’m happy to say that Cap has accomplished his mission, as evidenced by the now adult Planeteers who are carrying Captain Planet’s philosophy forward both personally and professionally. Understanding this Millenial generation has given me great hope for the future of the planet, and I am both inspired and humbled by them.”

Pyle added: “It’s fantastic to have a central gathering space for Captain Planet fans on Facebook — but now we’re also harnessing the immediacy and call-to-action power of Twitter with @PlaneteerAlert. We encourage all fans to join us on Twitter, be part of the conversation, and take part in tweet-ups and clean-ups in your part of the world. The Power Is Yours!”

Joining Pyle at the event were original cast members Kath Soucie (Linka) and Ed Begley, Jr. (Preston/Zoning Commissioner) as well as actor-environmentalist Efren Ramirez (Pedro of “Napoleon Dynamite”). Also in attendance were board members and volunteers from a variety of non-profits including the Environmental Media Association, the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, and the Captain Planet Foundation.

“As a longtime environmentalist, I’m proud to have been a part of this show, which raised the consciousness of so many young people, and which continues to have this galvanizing effect on people all over the globe,” said Ed Begley, Jr. in the release.

At the party, Pyle announced that the 500,000th individual to become a fan of Captain Planet on Facebook will win a treasure trove of collectible Captain Planet prizes from her own private stash.

- Matt Price

 

---

Valiant Comics to debut talking QR code cover on X-O Manowar #1

Valiant has announced a QR code-augmented, talking comic book cover, which the company describes as the world’s first.

The X-O Manowar #1 QR Voice Variant will feature this technology, which can be previewed starting this Wednesday in comic shops.

“We want fans worldwide to know that something special is happening in their local comic shop during the build-up to May 2nd and the launch of the new Valiant Universe,” said Valiant Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani in a news release.  “Valiant’s QR Voice Variant is not only a new innovation in comics and a true incentive for retailers, but an enhanced and immersive experience for fans as well. By merging elements of print and digital, we’ve hopefully created something that fans will just have to see in person!”

Both the cover and promotional poster will direct smartphone users to a video of X-O Manowar delivering a speech directly to comic fans across the world.   The new “X-O Manowar” is on sale May 2.

“From a storytelling standpoint alone, the technology we’re employing here holds enormous potential,” said Valiant Executive Editor Warren Simons in a release. “For the first time anywhere, and exclusively on the printed page, Valiant can literally give its characters a voice.”

The poster was demonstrated for retailers at the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting in Dallas. I got a chance to see it there, when I talked to Valiant’s Sales Manager Atom! Freeman, and I was impressed with the use of the technology. We use QR codes extensively here at The Oklahoman in our print product to show readers additional videos and content on NewsOK.

The QR code variant is in addition to the recently announced “pullbox variant” program for X-O Manowar #1. That’s a special variant for fans who add the comic book to their reservation lists at local comic shops.

“From the beginning, it has been Valiant’s mission to get readers into their local comic shop and talking about what makes this such an exciting medium,” said Valiant CEO Jason Kothari in a news release. “A trailblazing effort like the QR Voice poster and accompanying limited edition cover to X-O Manowar #1 not only accomplishes that, but also brings a first-of-its-kind interactive experience to print.”

- Matt Price

---

Oscar winners 2012 – the complete list

“The Artist” had a spectacular year at the Oscars, winning best picture, best director and best actor.  “Hugo” didn’t do badly either, racking up five wins.   It wasn’t one of my best years of predictions, with 16 of the 25 correct.   I enjoyed the ceremony overall, despite a few Billy Crystal cracks falling flat in the beginning.   Overall the Academy Awards show moved pretty well and had some surprises and some genuinely nice moments.

2012 Oscar Winners

Best Picture – The Artist +

Best Director – Michel Hazanavicius , The Artist +

Best Actor – Jean Dujardin, The Artist +

Best Actress – Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady

Best Supporting Actor – Christopher Plummer, Beginners +

Best Supporting Actress – Octavia Spencer, The Help +

Best Adapted Screenplay – Payne, Rash, and Faxon, The Descendants +

Best Original Screenplay – Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris +

Best Animated Film – Rango

Best Animated Short – The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore +

Best Foreign Language Film – A Separation (Iran) +

Best Documentary – Undefeated

Best Documentary Short – Saving Face +

Best Live Action Short – The Shore +

Best Art Direction – Hugo +

Best Costume – The Artist +

Best Score – The Artist +

Best Original Song – Man or Muppet, The Muppets +

Best Visual Effects – Hugo

Best Cinematography – Hugo

Best Make-up – The Iron Lady

Best Film Editing – The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Best Sound Editing – Hugo +

Best Sound Mixing – Hugo +

- Matt Price

---

Monday movie quote challenge #169

“I won’t talk! I won’t say a word!”

Identify who said the above quote in what film in the comments!

---

Matt’s last-minute Oscar predictions, 2012

With a few hours to spare, here are my picks for the winners of the 2012 Academy Awards.  I changed my mind on a few of these late, including predicting an “Artist” surge will move best actor from George Clooney to Jean Dujardin.  I sure wouldn’t be disappointed if Clooney won, however, for his fantastic performance in “The Descendants.”  In any case, here are my picks!   Enjoy the show, and you can follow NewsOK’s entertainment writers Brandy McDonnell and George Lang live-blogging the event at BAM’s Blog and Staticblog this evening.

2012 Oscar Picks

Best Picture – The Artist

Best Director – Michel Hazanavicius , The Artist

Best Actor – Jean Dujardin, The Artist

Best Actress – Viola Davis, The Help

Best Supporting Actor – Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Best Supporting Actress – Octavia Spencer, The Help

Best Adapted Screenplay – Payne, Rash, and Faxon, The Descendants

Best Original Screenplay – Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris

Best Animated Film – A Cat in Paris

Best Animated Short – The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Best Foreign Language Film – A Separation (Iran)

Best Documentary – Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory

Best Documentary Short – Saving Face

Best Live Action Short – The Shore

Best Art Direction – Hugo

Best Costume – The Artist

Best Score – The Artist

Best Original Song – Man or Muppet, The Muppets

Best Visual Effects – Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Best Cinematography – The Tree of Life

Best Make-up – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Best Film Editing – The Artist

Best Sound Editing – Hugo

Best Sound Mixing – Hugo

- Matt Price

---

Alaskan author to sign zombie, werewolf books in Oklahoma City on Saturday

---

Powered by Wordpress | WP Premium theme by WP Remix
Copyright 2007. Nerdage. All rights reserved

• Home
• RSS Feed
• About
• Newsok | A&E
• Subscribe