10th annual Free Comic Book Day is Saturday
For the 10th year, comic book shops and participating locations around the world will give away comics to customers and visitors. This Saturday marks the 10th celebration of Free Comic Book Day. Characters such as Spider-Man, Thor, Green Lantern and the Smurfs star in special comics, sold at low cost to stores, to be given away free on this special day.
Free Comic Book Day was created by Concord, Calif., comic book retailer Joe Field, owner of Flying Colors Comics and Other Cool Stuff.
Joss Whedon starts filming “The Avengers”
In a letter posted at Whedonesque on April 24, director Joss Whedon confirms that the “Avengers” start date is today, Monday, April 25.
Whedon writes:
Joss Whedon (AP)
Anyhoo, it should be a fun day, followed by the eighty thousand other fun days it will take to finish this. I’ll be checking in from time to time, if there’s news or I crave attention (i.e. am awake) . None of it will be Avengers news — I have some very denty pillows to remind of that — but I may have tidbits.
The Avengers stars Chris Evans as Captain America, Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, and Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk. Jeremy Renner will appear in The Avengers as Hawkeye.
- Matt Price
Black Widow, Hawkeye among Marvel movie hopes; Stan Lee talks Marvel and Disney in D23 magazine
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The May issue of D23 magazine will feature information of interest to Marvel fans, according to information provided by D23.
In “What a MARVELous World!,” Stan Lee talks about his excitement to be working with Disney Imagineers.
“It’s great for Marvel to have access to Disney’s brains, because they’re pretty smart, and it’s great for Disney to have all these characters, with their built-in audience,” Lee is quoted as saying. “It’s one of the wisest things that either company could have done.”
The article also looks at Stan’s history, and ahead to the future of the Marvel Comics film properties.
According to IGN, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige indicates in the summer D23 issue that sequels are on the way for Thor and Captain America, and Marvel hopes to spin out more heroes, besides.
Kevin Feige
“Thor will go off into a new adventure, and Captain America will continue to explore the modern world in another film of his own. We hope that holds true for the characters appearing in that film — Black Widow, Hawkeye, and the spy organization, S.H.I.E.L.D. —all of whom are more than worthy and capable of carrying their own films. And, we’ve got a lot of other characters we’re prepping and getting ready for film debuts: the world of martial arts, these great cosmic space fantasies, Dr. Strange, and the magic side of the Marvel Universe. There are many, many stories to be mined.”
- Matt Price
Steve Rogers’ return as Captain America; Milo Ventimiglia cast as animated Wolverine; Neil Gaiman writes Doctor Who
STEVE ROGERS TO RETURN AS CAPTAIN AMERICA
Marvel has announced Steve Rogers’ return as Captain America in “Captain America” No. 1, the first issue of an all-new ongoing series premiering in July. The writer is Ed Brubaker, joined by artist Steve McNiven.
“Captain America and Bucky,” another series from Brubaker and Marvel, will pick up the “Captain America” numbering with No. 620.
FORMER ‘HEROES’ TO VOICE IRON MAN, WOLVERINE
Marvel’s Head of Television Jeph Loeb announced casting for two of the company’s much anticipated anime
The anime version of Wolverine
Milo Ventimiglia (Gilmore Girls, Rocky Balboa, Heroes), takes on the title role in WOLVERINE, as Logan claws his way through Japan’s criminal underworld.
“Adrian and Milo are perfect as Iron Man and Wolverine,” said Loeb. “It’s extremely exciting to see these talented guys take on two of the most iconic Super Hero roles of all time.”
DOCTOR WHO RETURNS TO AMERICA ON APRIL 23Doctor Who delivered record ratings in 2010 and now returns to BBC AMERICA on April 23 for the first block of the new 13 episode season, which opens in with a two-parter set in the U.S.
The premiere episode is written by Neil Gaiman (The Sandman). Doctor Who premieres Saturday, April 23, at 9/8c.
REVIEW FILE: Axe Cop #2, Nonplayer #1, Fear Itself #1, Superman/Batman Annual #5
Comics read in 2011: 532. Still to go: 1479.
Steve Rogers returns as Captain America in new #1 issue in July
Marvel has announced Steve Rogers’ return as Captain America in “Captain America” No. 1, the first issue of an all-new ongoing series premiering in July. The writer is Ed Brubaker, who has written one of the great Captain America runs of all-time over the past several years. He’ll be joined by artist Steve McNiven, who drew “Civil War,” one of the best-selling comics of the past decade.
Essential Captain America vol. 2 features Kirby, Steranko, Colan
The second “Essential” volume in the Captain America line collects “Captain America” 103-126, all written by Stan Lee.
Essential Captain America vol. 6 features shift in direction
The sixth volume in “Essential Captain America” contains one of the biggest shifts in tone in the history of the series, as Jack Kirby’s breakneck, action-packed, often off-kilter adventures, co-featuring the Falcon, give way to an introspective series where Cap ponders his origins, mostly without the help of his longtime partner.
Captain America trailer launches; Zack Snyder talks Superman’s national origin; Firebreather on DVD; FF #1 comic review
Captain America: The First Avenger movie trailer
Paramount has released the first full trailer for “Captain America: The First Avenger” starring Chris Evans as Captain America, Tommy Lee Jones as Col. Phillips and Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter. Hugo Weaving plays the villainous Red Skull. 
This trailer gives us more of a look at the origins of Captain America, who was originally 4F teen Steve Rogers in Brooklyn during the Great Depression and the early days of World War II. This looks like the film will hew relatively closely to the comic-book origins, which I’m glad to see.
Captain America is my favorite Marvel character, and so far, it looks like Marvel and Paramount won’t disappoint with this one – but what do you think?
- Matt Price
Entertainment Tonight Captain America preview
Check out the Entertainment Tonight preview of “Captain America: The First Avenger” above, providing a little more of a look at young Steve Rogers before the Super-Soldier Serum turns him into Captain America, Sentinel of Liberty. Chris Evans and Hayley Atwell star in the film, to be released July 22.
