According to MTV’s Splash Page blog, Tulsa author S.E. Hinton will bring several projects to comic books, from Bluewater Productions.

The first project will adapt Hinton’s young adult novel “Taming of the Star Runner.”  That series is planned for early 2010.

According to the Splash Page, Hinton’s children’s book “The Puppy Sister” is set to be adapted, and Hinton

S.E. Hinton

plans to create an entirely new title for Bluewater.  Don Smith, CW Cooke, Guilherme Rafid and Yasir Fajardo will collaborate on Hinton’s projects, according to the blog.

“I grew up reading S.E. Hinton’s books, so to bring these to a graphic novel format is a dream come true for me,” said Bluewater publisher Darren G. Davis at MTV Splash Page. “The best part is getting to work with Hinton one on one. We have talked about the new title, which is on the lines of her iconic work ‘The Outsiders.’”

Hinton is one of Oklahoma’s best-known authors. It’ll be interesting to see the local response to comics based on her work.

- Matt Price

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Megan Fox (”Transformers”) is in final negotiations to join the film “Jonah Hex,” based on the DC Comics Western hero. She’s also attached to star in “Fathom,” based on Michael Turner’s aquatic hero.

“Jonah Hex” is set to begin filming in April, directed by Jimmy Hayward.  Fox will play Leila, a “gun-wielding beauty,” according to THR, and love interest to Josh Brolin’s Jonah Hex.

“Fathom” is being written by Jordan Mechner, the creator of video game “Prince of Persia.” “Fathom” was created by artist Michael Turner, who died in 2008 at age 37.   According to THR, Fox had been a fan of “Fathom” since it debuted in 1998.

This is probably the best excuse I’ll have this week to run a lot of Megan Fox photos.   I met Fox at the “Transformers” junket in 2007, and it seemed likely then that she would become a bigger star.

– Matt Price

It will be based in the storyline of the movie, which varied rather substantially from the comic, but bringing in some elements from the original series that didn’t factor into the original movie, Millar said.

Unfortunately, it will most likely be missing something that nearly everybody loved from the first film… find out what after the cut.

Entertainment Weekly talks to Zack Snyder about his adaptation of the Alan Moore-Dave Gibbons graphic novel “Watchmen.”  The cover shown is from EW’s Comic-Con preview issue.  (This is yet another sign, comic book fans — we won.)  Writer Alan Moore, however, isn’t thrilled:

“I increasingly fear that nothing good can come of almost any adaptation, and obviously that’s sweeping. There are a couple of adaptations that are perhaps as good or better than the original work. But the vast majority of them are pointless.”

I can see Moore’s argument — “Watchmen” works on its own, it sells well years after its original release. Does it need a movie? Will having a movie version mean people don’t feel they need to read the book?  It’s a situation I saw to some degree with “From Hell,” by Moore and Eddie Campbell.  My comic-book store sold the collected edition well from its original release, and sales increased through all the pre-movie hype.  After the film, sales fell off, and while we still sell some copies of the work, it’s not as many as it possibly should be, given the quality of the book.  I haven’t looked at specific numbers on these other books, but I wonder if the same could be said for “V for Vendetta,” “Sin City” or “300.”  Increasing sales up through the movie’s release, then numbers that settle below where the book was selling before the film.  In most cases, I think it’s still a win for the publisher — that surge sells more books than the slow-and-steady movement would have over a certain number of years — but is that true for “Watchmen,” a book that’s been one of the top comic store sellers since the original release in graphic novel form?

– Matt Price

DABEL BROTHERS TO ADAPT ROBERT JORDAN’S BESTSELLING
WHEEL OF TIME SERIES IN COMIC BOOK FORMAT

NEW YORK, NY – July 1, 2008 – Dabel Brothers Publishing announced today that they will adapt Robert Jordan’s bestselling Wheel of Time series, which has sold more than 14 million copies in North America alone, into comic book format. The first issue is scheduled to release in December 2008.

The Wheel of Time began in 1990 with the publication of The Eye of the World; ten more volumes have followed. The most recent four books of the series have reached #1 on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list. It is the story of a world – both our past, and our future – in which the battle between the Light and the Shadow must be fought every day; and of the people, both ordinary and extraordinary, who must fight that battle. Jordan wrote eleven volumes of the series and one prequel; he was unable to complete the twelfth and final volume before his death in 2007. That volume, A Memory of Light, will be completed by Brandon Sanderson, a writer chosen by Jordan’s widow and editor, Harriet McDougal, and published by Tor Books in 2009.

The Dabel Brothers published a comic adaptation of Jordan’s A New Spring in March 2005. In conjunction with that project, Robert Jordan provided them with extensive notes for use in further possible publications, including character descriptions and other visuals.

“I’m delighted to be working with the Dabel Brothers! Their work is splendid. Robert Jordan liked it enormously,” says Harriet McDougal.

For more information on Dabel Brothers Publishing: http://www.dabelbrothers.com.

Talk about a treat: Monday night, I got to see an advance screening of “The Incredible Hulk” and let me be the first to say, this movie smashed my expectations.

Much like Iron Man earlier this summer, The Incredible Hulk is a both a loving tribute to fans and an audience-friendly action flick. It’s not high art, but who cares when it’s this much fun?

I’m sure Matt will have plenty to say on the subject soon, but one thing that really stuck out to me was Bruce Banner’s vivid memory flashes of the Hulk’s activities — he has post-traumatic stress disorder.

It makes perfect sense, of course. He’s not a soldier. Bruce Banner is a scientist thrust into a very unhappy situation that makes wherever he is a war-zone.

Fans of the TV show, fans of the comics and fans of big-budget action movies will really enjoy this one. Coming from someone who liked Ang Lee’s earlier film, I can honestly say this is a more mainstream product that I predict will do big box office.

I think Matt and I might do some competing Top 5 lists on the best superhero movies of all time. Let us know what your favorites are in the comments.

– Greg Elwell

Press release from BOOM!:

BOOM! Studios and James L. White have attached Mekhi Phifer’s Facilitator Films to adapt the graphic novel HUNTER’S MOON as a starring vehicle for the actor, it was announced today by Phifer and BOOM! Co-founders Andrew Cosby and Ross Richie. Phifer and his Facilitator Films partner Ronnie Warner will produce the film along with Cosby and Richie, via their Boom Entertainment banner.

The graphic novel was created and written by James L. White, scribe for the Oscar-winning film RAY. The story follows a single father who takes his teenage son into the woods for a weekend of bonding. When the son is kidnapped, the father is forced to do the bidding of the captors in a desperate bid to save his son.

LAS VEGAS — Joe Rybandt of Dynamite said the long-awaited “American Flagg” reprint project will finally come out in July.  Howard Chaykin’s influential 1980s science fiction tale had some problems in production, but the remastered book with the first 14 issues as well as some new material is now set for a hardcover release.

Rybandt talked about several of Dynamite’s projects to the retailers assembled for the ComicsPRO annual meeting in Las Vegas.   “The Boys” vol. 1, from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, is now in its third printing.  Volume 2 is now in stock, and volume 3 will follow this year. 

Rybandt reiterated the involvement by painter Alex Ross in “Project Superpowers,” from Dynamite, and “Avengers/Invaders” from Marvel, being packaged by Dynamite. 

“Each issue (of Project: Superpowers) has the character work that Alex has done for the series in the background of the issues,” Rybandt said.  “Alex is as involved in every aspect of both (”Project: Superpowers”) and ”Avengers-Invaders” as anyone could possibly be. From plot to script to reviewing the pencils to providing art to reviewing the colors, the whole nine yards.”

Rybandt showed an Alex Ross cover for “Red Sonja” No. 30.  He said issues 30-34 would be “done in one” stories by rotating creative teams.   Issue No. 34 would be a one-issue story by writer Brian Reed and artist Mel Rubi, who become the regular creative team with issue No. 35. 

“Lone Ranger” will be back from Dynamite soon; issue No. 11 was resolicited for April.   Paul Pope and Sergio Cariello provide the art.   Issues 12-15 are scripted, and Dynamite is working on getting back to a monthly release schedule.   The other Lone Ranger book from Dynamite, “Lone Ranger and Tonto,” is slated to come out quarterly.

“The Man with No Name” No. 1 ships from Dynamite in May.   The series will have a 1-in-10 Arthur Sudyam variant cover.  The book is based on the Clint Eastwood films starring the Man with No Name.  The writer is Christos Gage, and the artist is Wellington Dias.  Richard Isanove provides the cover to No. 1.

– Matt Price

“The Stand” is considered by many to be Stephen King’s masterwork.  Here’s a synopsis from StephenKing.com:

One man escapes from a biological weapon facility after an accident, carrying with him the deadly virus known as Captain Tripps, a rapidly mutating flu that – in the ensuing weeks – wipes out most of the world’s population. In the aftermath, survivors choose between following an elderly black woman to Boulder or the dark man, Randall Flagg, who has set up his command post in Las Vegas. The two factions prepare for a confrontation between the forces of good and evil.

From Variety:

Plan B and producer Kevin Messick are developing the project that’s based on Charles Burns‘ graphic novel. Burns wrote and illustrated the 12-issue series that became the graphic novel over a 10-year period.

Story kicks off when a sexually transmitted “bug” is passed from teenager to teenager.

Link via Blog@Newsarama.

– Matt Price 

From industry Web site www.icv2.com:

The as yet unnamed project will be produced in collaboration with the band with heavy involvement in particular from bassist Pete Wentz and drummer Andy Hurley. Hurley, a self confessed lifelong comics fan, noted that the project provided “the opportunity to create different versions of ourselves and tell an interesting story at the same time.”

Stuntman Dick Durock performed in hundreds of television shows and movies, but he’s best-known for his role as the hulking monster Swamp Thing, which he portrayed in two movies and a television series. The television series “Swamp Thing,” based on the DC Comics character, arrived on DVD this week, with the first 22 episodes.
Originally, Durock wasn’t even supposed to play the Swamp Thing. In the initial film, producers planned to use Durock’s 6-foot-5, 215-pound frame for long shots, and have actor Ray Wise for closeups.

“They wanted a guy who could move, carrying that load of a costume,” Durock said in a phone interview.

Wise played Alec Holland, who was turned into the Swamp Thing.

Wes Craven (“Nightmare on Elm Street”) was the director on “Swamp Thing,” and he met with Durock.

In discussing the film with Craven, Durock indicated he didn’t think changing actors for the different shots would look good in the finished film.

“(Wes) said, Dick, just be prepared to do the whole thing. So that’s what occurred,” Durock said. “I think Wes had a good feeling for it, to bring out sympathy for the guy and his own failings and weaknesses and so on.”

Durock wasn’t known for his weaknesses as a stuntman, however, after landing his first job on “Lost in Space” in 1967. He’s been very busy in the science fiction genre, with spots on “Star Trek,” “Battlestar Galactica,” and “The Incredible Hulk.” In fact, while Durock wasn’t going to be the first “Swamp Thing,” he was in some ways the “first” Hulk.

“I was ‘Hulk the First,’” Durock said, referring to the two-part episode called “The First” from 1981.

“He was called Frye’s creature. And he was totally different than Lou Ferrigno’s Hulk. He was a big, skinny berserk … he was kind of a takeoff on Frankenstein’s creature.”

Frye, played by Harry Townes, was a scientist who wanted to discover the secret of life. But the monster he turns into is uncontrollable.

“He thought he could develop this guy and find out the secret of life, ergo Frankenstein. But Frye’s creature was a totally berserk nutcase,” Durock said. “Years later, in the modern Hulk’s time, he says ‘Maybe now I can correct my mistakes.’

“So he resurrects this guy, and he’s worse than it was before. It was a two-parter, and from what I understand, it was the most popular Hulk episode of all of them.”

Outside the genre, Durock appeared on shows including “B.J. and the Bear,” “Mike Hammer,” and “Starsky and Hutch,” in addition to dozens of motion pictures.

“A lot of people are just amazed about how many … things I’ve been involved in. There’s been over 700 of them in 40 years. And they say, how is that possible? You know, I think I did seven “Fall Guy” and four “Magnum,” five “A-Team” and seven “Rockford Files.” There were times when I was really working hot at Universal, I’d do two shows in one day … Credits add up in a hurry.”

Durock’s versatility and look made him even more valuable.

“I was a pretty good-size guy, made a good heavy,” Durock said. “Eventually, guys would say, why don’t we get Dick to play this thug. He only has one or two lines … and we’ll still throw him out the window or down the stairs or hit him with a car, and we don’t have to double him.”

Durock, 70, is now retired, but frequently attends conventions, where he answers questions about his career and his “Swamp Thing” experience. One he won’t answer, however, refers to the leading ladies of the “Swamp Thing” movies.

“I think most people ask me, referring to Swampy – how did you like Adrienne Barbeau compared to Heather Locklear? But you can’t answer questions like that without sticking your foot in your mouth,” Durock said.

– Matt Price

BuddyTV reports a new comic book based on the “Supernatural” TV series is launching in April.  “Supernatural,” on the CW, stars Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki as the demon-hunting Winchester brothers.

From BuddyTV:

The first issue is set to hit stores on April 23 and will pick up a few years after Origins, following a 7-year-old Sam and 11-year-old Dean as they travel with their father, John.  “Whereas the first series was more about John and his becoming a hunter, this one’s much more of a dysfunctional family story,” explains writer Peter Johnson, who’s also a co-executive producer on the TV show.

– Matt Price

From Gestalt’s site:

  “In 1994, ten years after I made REPO MAN, I became interested in the idea of a sequel. Specifically – what had happened to Otto, during his ten-year absence from Earth? And what would he make of the changes which had taken place in his absence? Otto, it would appear, has been held prisoner, in great luxury, on the planet Mars. Now he has returned to Earth, and changed his name — to Waldo,” Alex Cox says.

Waldo, recently returned from Mars, is forced to choose where his allegiance lies — his boss, Duke Mantee, or the sex goddess, Velma; money or knowledge; the past or the future; Earth – or Mars? 

A podcast with the artists about the sequel can be found at Faster Than Light.

The rest of the visit kaleidoscopes crazily by: I watch footage of Rorschach pulling Nite Owl off a bloodied Knot Top; I flip through an issue of the Black Freighter; on a laptop, I see raw CGI blocking for the Vietnam sequence; I hold a smiley face pin splattered with what looks like real human bean juice; sitting in my own personal director’s chair, I sign dozens of books and posters for cast and crew…

I don’t know that I need to explain “Watchmen” to Nerdage readers, but if so: it’s the groundbreaking graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons being adapted into a motion picture by Zack Snyder (”300″).

Quick synopsis from the “Watchmen” site:

A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, Watchmen is set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the “Doomsday Clock” – which charts the USA’s tension with the Soviet Union – is permanently set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion – a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers – Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity…but who is watching the watchmen?

– Matt Price

But enough about that, here’s the scoop — “Smallville” fan-fave Chloe will be joining the DC Universe in Superman #674.

Now, before you purists get your Spider-Man Underoos in a knot, let’s look at the long history of comic book characters who have come from outside the comic book world.

1. Jimmy Olsen — Superman’s Pal, was not created for the comic book page, but rather for the radio (or “talkie box,” if you’re 200 years old). That’s right, kids — Jimmy was not in canon to begin with.

2. Firestar – This red-headed mutant was first drawn on a cel for animation before she made it to the Marvel Universe. She appeared on “Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends,” taking the place of the Human Torch (who was tied up in legal limbo at the time).

3. Kryptonite — Superman’s greatest weakness also came from the Adventures of Superman radio show. That’s right, fellow nerds, all your base are belong to us. Nothing is what it seems. Black is white. Dogs sleep with cats. Talkies are going to ruin this business!

4. Harley Quinn — Dr. Harleen Quinzel, the femme fatale with a taste for homicidal clowns, first showed her pretty painted face in “Batman: The Animated Series,” long before getting her own series, she was working it on the small screen in one of the greatest cartoons in the history of man, ape, lizard or 8th dimensional imp. 

What am I missing? Matt, I know you’ve got some science to drop on this. Let me know in the comments or lose me forever.

– Greg Elwell

PRESS RELEASE:

Universal Pictures is bringing out the big guns for Hellboy II: The Golden Army! Check out the Hellboy II Production Site to view the FIRST shot of Hellboy with his Big Baby and send your friends a personalized holiday eCard from the big red guy himself!

A few tidbits about what you’ll find on the HBII Production Site: www.hellboymovie.com -

**NEW** HOLIDAY ECARD: Send your friends a
Holiday eCard – Hellboy Style!

- **NEW** IMAGE: First photo reveal – Hellboy with his big baby.

- NEWS: Terrific Hellboy II news hits, feature articles and early cast interviews featured on various publications.

- GALLERY: Guillermo del Toro’s amazing HBII Scrapbook- including the incredible concept art and descriptions of each image.

- HBTV: Watch Abe Sapien, live from the BRPD Headquarters as he gives you a personal welcome message to the site! You can embed Abe’s welcome video and share it on your Facebook profile as well.

- Message Board: Chat with fellow fans of Guillermo del Toro about everything Hellboy II… and don’t be surprised if you get a response from GDT himself on the message boards! Hellboy II: The Golden Army blasts into theaters July 11, 2008!

The three-issue series is a look back on the early days of the space-faring crew and it’s due out in March.

Lest you think some lesser-knowns would be in charge, Joss Whedon his own self will be writing the series with Brett Matthews. Will Conrad will provide interior art and Adam Hughes will do all three covers.

While I’m still anxiously awaiting news of a revived TV series or a movie sequel, I guess Whedon-verse comics will just have to suffice.

If you’re not reading “Buffy: Season Eight” or “Angel: After the Fall,” you’re missing out on the fun.

– Greg Elwell

The comic, written by Mark Millar, was hyped as the villain-version of “Watchmen.” How that would actually read, I do not know, but when I read the series, I didn’t feel like I was reading a visually dense literary meditation on what it means to be a villain in the world of today.

Rather, it was a great story that asked the question: What if the bad guys won?

During the series release, we also heard that Eminem (to whom the lead character Wesley bore a striking resemblance) was in talks to play star in a film version. Could Halle Berry – the visual basis for “The Fox” – be far off?

Of course neither of those two ended up in the movie, which is now due out June 27, 2008.

But neither of those previous falsehoods made any difference in my enjoyment of the comic book. Sadly, the fact that the movie is going by the name “Wanted” is a betrayal in and of itself.

Super-villains? No, they’re assassins. Anti-hero? No, Wesley is on a hero’s journey.

I like James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie, but from what I’ve seen in the trailer, I don’t particularly want to see “Wanted.”

– Greg Elwell