“Hunger Games,” “John Carter” among anticipated films in early 2012
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) in THE HUNGER GAMES.
Winter/Spring movie preview
From late-opening Oscar hopefuls and long-shelved comedies to 3-D blockbuster rereleases to fledgling action franchises, the crowded cinematic calendar for early 2012 offers a wide array of choices. Films scheduled for release include “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace 3-D,” “The Woman in Black,” “Safe House,” “The Vow,” “John Carter” and “The Hunger Games.”
BY BRANDY MCDONNELL and MATTHEW PRICE
Entertainment Writers
For film fans, the long winter and spring months can be the most confusing of the year.
Late-opening Oscar hopefuls and long-shelved comedies, 3-D blockbuster rereleases and fledgling action franchises getting a jump on the summer tent-pole season all share the crowded slate. Plus, Hollywood makes room for plenty of romance for Valentine’s Day, family-friendly fare for spring break and environmentally conscious documentaries for Earth Day.
From Daniel Radcliffe’s first post-Harry Potter role in “The Woman in Black” to Pixar Animation whiz Andrew Stanton’s live-action adaptation of Edward Rice Burrough’s “John Carter,” the cinematic calendar for the first few months of 2012 has its potential bright spots. But none is burning quite so fiercely as “The Hunger Games,” the feverishly anticipated first big-screen treatment for the popular post-apocalyptic young-adult book series.
Remember, moviegoers, Hollywood often shuffles release dates for their films, so check your local movie listings before heading out to the theater.
Watchmen prequels, X-Men First Class part 2, and Avengers Super Bowl spot teaser on the new format Planet 46 Comics show
Watchmen prequels, X-Men First Class sequel, and Avengers assemble this week on the comics podcast.
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Planet 46 Comics: Miranda Kerr’s Wonder Woman costume; Crow reboot; Green Arrow on TV
On the Planet 46 Comics show: Supermodel Miranda Kerr is Wonder Woman, “The Crow” reboot gets a director, and a Green Arrow show is on the way.
DC’s new logo; Popeye’s return; Amazing Spider-Man press conference on Planet 46 Comics
Matt Price and Kyle Roberts discuss the new DC Comics logo, Popeye making it back into comics, and an Amazing Spider-Man press conference in Tokyo on the Planet 46 Comics show.
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Dark Horse’s Mike Richardson to keynote ComicsPRO meeting
Mike Richardson of Dark Horse.
The sixth annual ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting is set for next week in Dallas, as comic-book specialty retailers from across the country congregate to meet with vendors and suppliers, and plan objectives for the upcoming year.
The 2012 keynote speaker is Mike Richardson, president of Dark Horse Comics, president of Dark Horse Entertainment and owner of the retail store chain Things From Another World. (more…)
Happy Groundhog Day 2012!
Bill Murray in "Groundhog Day."
I try to celebrate Groundhog Day — also my birthday — with a viewing of “Groundhog Day,” with Bill Murray, whenever possible.
In the film, Phil Connors (Murray), a Pittsburgh weatherman, finds himself reliving Feb. 2 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania,over and over again. Except for him, no one remembers living the previous day.
For my review of the film, and to check out the trailer, read my 2011 post on the holiday.
- Matt Price
Lone Ranger cake marks birthday
Happy Groundhog Day and happy birthday to me — we celebrated by giving away a Lone Ranger cake at my store, Speeding Bullet Comics. The second issue of Dynamite’s new “Lone Ranger” comic is out this week.
See previous comic-related cakes decorated by my wife, Annette Price, here and here.
- Matt Price
Happy 20th anniversary, Image Comics!
Congratulations to Image Comics on its 20th anniversary. The company, formed Feb. 1, 1992, was a key part of my teenage comic-book reading, and is still a vibrant and exciting company many years after the skeptics assumed they’d be long-gone. The company also should be commended for its work in promoting creator-owned comics.
- Matt Price
“Before Watchmen” prequels announced
DC Comics’ much-rumored “major news” was announced today on DC Comics’ Source blog, as a series of prequels to the best-selling graphic novel “Watchmen” were announced.
“It’s our responsibility as publishers to find new ways to keep all of our characters relevant,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee in a news release. “After twenty five years, the Watchmen are classic characters whose time has come for new stories to be told. We sought out the best writers and artists in the industry to build on the complex mythology of the original.”
“Before Watchmen” includes:
- RORSCHACH (4 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: Lee Bermejo
- MINUTEMEN (6 issues) – Writer/Artist: Darwyn Cooke
- COMEDIAN (6 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: J.G. Jones
- DR. MANHATTAN (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artist: Adam Hughes
- NITE OWL (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artists: Andy and Joe Kubert
- OZYMANDIAS (6 issues) – Writer: Len Wein. Artist: Jae Lee
- SILK SPECTRE (4 issues) – Writer: Darwyn Cooke. Artist: Amanda Conner
The series will be released weekly, with a back-up story in each issue from original series editor Len Wein, called “Curse of the Crimson Corsair.” The art for this story will be by original series colorist John Higgins.
There will also be a final epilogue issue.
Dave Gibbons shared his thoughts at the Source blog.
“The original series of WATCHMEN is the complete story that Alan Moore and I wanted to tell. However, I appreciate DC’s reasons for this initiative and the wish of the artists and writers involved to pay tribute to our work. May these new additions have the success they desire,” said Dave Gibbons, WATCHMEN co-creator and original series artist.
Alan Moore, the writer of “Watchmen,” reacted about as may have been expected, to the New York Times:
“I tend to take this latest development as a kind of eager confirmation that they are still apparently dependent on ideas that I had 25 years ago.”
The reclusive Moore no longer deals with DC Comics and has largely sequestered himself from the industry, with the exception of his “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” graphic novels released through Top Shelf.
- Matt Price
Amazing Spider-Man #682 teaser looks to the “Ends of the Earth”
Marvel has released a teaser for what it calls “the next big Spider-Man epic.” Part one of “Ends of the Earth” begins in Amazing Spider-Man #682, by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli.
Here’s how Marvel describes the issue: The Sinister Six, led by the vengeful Doctor Octopus, is back and they’re looking for revenge! Can Spider-Man & Earth’s Mightiest save the world before Doc Ock’s explosive endgame is revealed?
“Amazing Spider-Man” #682 s set for a March 21 release.
- Matt Price
