“Green Lantern: The Animated Series” will be among the properties promoted by Warner Bros. Television at New York Comic-Con next weekend.  Stars and producers of Nikita, Green Lantern: The Animated Series and MAD will appear on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16.

The world premiere of the first episode of “Green Lantern: The Animated Series” (coming soon to Cartoon Network) will be presented by Bruce Timm during the show’s panel session.

Click past the cut for the full Warner Bros. Television schedule at NYCC.

- Matt Price

Here is the complete WBTV and WBA New York Comic Con schedule:

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

10:30–11:30 a.m. Green Lantern: The Animated Series World Premiere Screening and Conversation with Bruce Timm — World-renowned producer, artist, animator and Comic Con favorite Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series) will be on hand to unveil Green Lantern: The Animated Series, his latest television project from Warner Bros. Animation, coming soon to Cartoon Network. New York Comic Con attendees will be treated to the world premiere screening of this all-new CG action-adventure animated series, and will take part in a moderated Q&A with an animation icon. Room 1A10

1:30–2:00 p.m. Green Lantern: The Animated Series Signing at the DC Comics booth #1254

2:45–3:45 p.m. Nikita Special Video Presentation and Q&A — Nikita returns to NYCC with series stars Maggie Q (Mission: Impossible 3), Shane West (ER) and Lyndsy Fonseca (Kick-Ass) joining producer Albert Kim to reveal classified video and information. The second season finds Nikita and Michael on the run with a black box containing the government’s darkest secrets. Leading the hunt for them is Alex … and she knows all of Nikita’s tricks. From Wonderland Sound and Vision in association with Warner Bros. Television, Nikita airs Fridays at 8/7c on The CW. Become a fan of the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nikita and follow The CW on Twitter @CW_network. IGN Theater

5:30–6:00 p.m. Nikita Signing at the DC Comics booth #1254

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. MAD Signing at the DC Comics booth #1254

12:15–1:15 p.m. MAD Special Video Presentation and Q&A — MAD is more than just the best-selling humor magazine in the nation — it’s also the inspiration for the hit animated series from Warner Bros. Animation, now in its second season on Cartoon Network. Find out what’s happening with the Usual Gang of Idiots in this panel featuring MAD Magazine editor John Ficarra, art director Sam Viviano and MAD series producer Kevin Shinick. MAD airs Mondays at 8:45/7:45c on Cartoon Network. Room 1A24

The beautiful art of “Batwoman” was a highlight of the third week of DC Comics’ The New 52, which also featured new launches for “Batman and Robin” and “Green Lantern.”

BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
Bruce Wayne and his son Damian Wayne are Batman and Robin, working together for the first time.  But Damian thinks his father isn’t giving him enough credit.  Bruce, meanwhile, tries to move on from his past.  A good first issue that sets up a new mystery and a new dynamic.   It’s written by Peter Tomasi with art by Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray.   We also discussed it on this week’s podcast.

BATWOMAN #1
The rather fantastic “Detective Comics” run starring Kate Kane, aka Batwoman, is followed up with a rather fine first issue by J.H. Williams and W. Haden Blackman.  Greg Rucka, who wrote those “Detective” issues, isn’t around for this relaunch, but Williams appears to be hewing pretty closely to what worked in that run.   Batwoman has a new protege, and is on the hunt for a kidnapper.  She’s also started a relationship with Detective Maggie Sawyer (formerly of the “Superman” books).    While this isn’t a complete fresh start, it should be easy enough to follow for new fans, and the art is simply gorgeous.

DEATHSTROKE #1
The master assassin Deathstroke is reintroduced by writer Kyle Higgins and artists Joe Bennett and Art Thibert.   If you’re going to have a Deathstroke series, my tastes run more toward Steve Erwin, but this does what it sets out to do, which is reintroduce Deathstroke as a villainous, mercenary tough guy.   It’s a little bit one-note, but that could be intentional, as DC introduces this character to new readers.

DEMON KNIGHTS #1
Paul Cornell writes of the Demon Etrigan and those who assist him, including Madame Xanadu.  Set during medieval times, the roster of characters includes Vandal Savage and Shining Knight.  Diogenes Neves provides the art for what could be this week’s sleeper hit.   Not a lot of plot so far – Mordru appears to be up to something bad – but it’s a rollicking adventure that’s a different flavor than most mainstream comics.

FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #1
This oddball X-Files-esque title brings back theGrant Morrison/Doug Mahnke version of Frankenstein, written by Jeff Lemire, who just wrote Frankenstein’s “Flashpoint” mini.   Frankenstein’s Monster is an agent of the Super Human Advanced Defense Executive, as are the Creature Commandos.  They go in when things get weird.   In this issue, monsters have taken over a small town, and Frankenstein and the Commandos must go rescue Frankenstein’s bride and figure out how the monsters got there.  The highlight of the book is the strange world of S.H.A.D.E., including Frankenstein’s boss, Father Time.  Silver Age Atom fans will be glad to discover Ray Palmer making an appearance.  Alberto Ponticelli provides the art.   This book is goofy but fun, and is worth picking up if you can find a copy.

GREEN LANTERN #1
Geoff Johns had the difficult job of making a Green Lantern #1 that would be accessible to someone who was brand-new to the series, and be satisfying to someone who had followed the entire run.  I think he basically nailed it.  With Sinestro rejoining the Green Lantern Corps and Hal Jordan somewhat rudderless on Earth, it’s a new status quo that is easily understandable.   The well-written and well-drawn first issue should keep Green Lantern among DC’s most successful comics.  We also discussed it on this week’s podcast.

GRIFTER #1
Cole Cash is, well, a grifter who gets caught in an alien con, basically.    Nathan Edmondson is a talented writer, so this could all come together.   But for the first issue, those who liked the WildC.A.T.s backstory that previously informed Grifter will be faced with a mostly blank slate, whereas those who have no prior knowledge might not get enough to sink their teeth into.  CAFU is the artist.

LEGION LOST #1
Fabian Nicieza and Pete Woods (both of whom I generally like) create a somewhat jumbled first issue featuring the futuristic Legion characters lost in modern times.

MISTER TERRIFIC #1
Without the JSA in this New 52 world, Michael Holt is a superhero on his own.   Written by Eric Wallace with art by Gianluca Gugliotta and Wayne Faucher, “Mister Terrific” #1 doesn’t do a whole lot to grab the reader or indicate why this character is one we should be following.    The dialogue is kind of clunky and the story didn’t really grab me.  The cover was nice, and Power Girl fans may want to note a supporting character who bears some resemblance to the former superheroine.

RED LANTERNS #1
Peter Milligan and Ed Benes are the creative team for “Red Lanterns” #1, which follows the events of “War of the Green Lanterns.”  Atrocitus seeks a new goal for his corps, which is wavering after Atrocitus was denied his revenge against Krona.   I’m not sure I want to follow a book with this much blood-vomit on a regular basis, though Milligan’s a good writer, so it could be worth keeping an eye on.

RESURRECTION MAN #1
This might have been my personal favorite of this week’s #1s, partially at least because of fondness for the old series. Writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning have written a lot of good comics, and Fernando Dagnino is a solid choice on the art.   Mitch Shelley is back.  Each time he dies and returns, he has a new superpower.  There’s a mysterious organization that may be angels that appear to have it out for Mitch and his tendency not to die.  Great dialogue and word imagery from Abnett and Lanning.   Fans also get a new look at the Body Doubles, villains from the original run.

SUICIDE SQUAD #1
This is getting mixed reviews, I think because of the now-thin Amanda Waller and the somewhat weird/slutty new costume of Harley Quinn, but it worked as a first issue for me.  It sets up the core premise and examines the characters.   It’s written by Adam Glass with art by Federico Dallocchio and others.

SUPERBOY #1
Scott Lobdell writes and R.B. Silva draws a really dense issue that appears to be a new origin for the Boy of Steel.  Honestly, for something like this I’d probably rather be a new reader coming in, because I have no idea how this fits in with the Reign of the Supermen or anything else, or if it even does.  It’s OK for what it is, but I wasn’t able to clear the decks enough of what I knew going in for it to totally work for me.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,438. Still to go: 573.

Blake Lively in "Green Lantern."

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — “Gossip Girl” star Blake Lively pilots a jet and runs an aircraft company in “Green Lantern,” so she’s more than a damsel in distress.

Carol Ferris is the love interest of Ryan Reynolds’ Hal Jordan, who becomes Earth’s Green Lantern. But Lively, promoting the film at a recent news conference, said her character goes beyond a typical girlfriend role.

“As a female, I grew up watching these comic films, and I’ve never seen a character like this, where the woman is equal to the man,” she said. “She’s also a fighter pilot; she runs the company that he works for. And I thought it was really cool that, here’s this superhero, but she’s a bit of a real-life hero in her own right. She has the strength and the power of the men that surround her, but she also is able to balance the femininity and be the heart for the man that she loves.”

The character of Ferris was created by writer John Broome and artist Gil Kane and first appeared in the comic book “Showcase” No. 22 in 1959, the same issue that introduced Hal Jordan. Some of Lively’s other characters also have literary antecedents — “Gossip Girl” and “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” were both adapted from books.

Lively, 23, who plays Serena van der Woodsen on “Gossip Girl,” said working on the show gave her opportunities to get more involved in fashion.

“Once I was on ‘Gossip Girl,’ and once I lived in New York, those two combined just blew open the opportunities that I had to borrow the most beautiful clothes in the world,” she said. “So I just feel like I’m getting to play dress-up every day. It’s definitely an added bonus to this job to get to wear the beautiful clothes that I wear. The sad part is giving them back.”

She said her sense of style comes from her mother.

“Fashion’s always been something that I’ve appreciated. My mom would always make clothes for me, growing up. She’s an amazing interior decorator,” she said. “So I look at it in the same way; it’s that element of design, mixing different patterns and colors and textures.”

In 2010, Lively starred with Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner and Ben Affleck in “The Town,” directed by Affleck. Coming up next for her is “Hick,” with Alec Baldwin and Juliette Lewis, set for release next year, and she will soon start production on Oliver Stone’s “Savages.”

“Green Lantern” producer Don De Line said Lively found an appealing way of bonding with the cast and crew.

“One night we were on a night shoot out in the swamp somewhere, and Blake was off that night,” De Line said. “We were all kind of getting to know each other — it was the beginning of the shoot — and all of the sudden we see this woman walking across the swamp, and she’s got baskets on her arms, and it’s three in the morning, and she’s looking like a million bucks. She had made cupcakes and brownies and baked all these things and brought them out for the group. It was really extraordinary.”

Lively said she had a secret agenda in providing sweets.

“It was just a way to sabotage Ryan,” Lively said. “I’m the girl; I’m supposed to look better. So I tried to sabotage him with cupcakes and smiles.”

By Matthew Price
From Sunday’s The Oklahoman
Travel and accommodations provided by Warner Bros. Pictures.

JUNKFOODCLOTHING.COM GREEN LANTERN T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY

Leave a comment on our video this week for a chance to win a cool Green Lantern T-Shirt from Junkfoodclothing.com, a $32 value!   Here’s the question: If you had a Green Lantern ring, what weapon or other item would you create?  Kyle and I will choose the most creative answer to win.

Green Lantern T-shirt, Junk Food, $32; www.junkfoodclothing.com

CROWE MAY PLAY JOR-EL

Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe is in negotiations to play the role of Jor-El in “Man of Steel,” Variety is reporting.

Zack Snyder is directing the film for Warner Bros., which stars Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent.   Jor-El, played by Marlon Brando in 1978′s “Superman,” is Superman’s father on the planet Krypton.

RYAN REYNOLDS DIDN’T GET TO WEAR SUPERHERO SUIT, EXACTLY

Green Lantern doesn’t have to worry about dry cleaning his superhero suit.

“In the mythology of the film, the suit is made of pure energy,” said Ryan Reynolds, who plays Green Lantern. “So there’s no actual suit, because that would burn. What I’m wearing is a motion-capture suit, with tracking marks and tracking dots and those sorts of things. It was a little bizarre. I sort of looked like a crash test dummy who lost his Volvo.”

The suit became especially difficult to wear as filming continued into August in New Orleans, he said.

But Reynolds said he was impressed when he first saw the suit in motion in test footage about six weeks into shooting.

“It was just incredible to see that thing in motion and moving around,” he said.

VALIANT COMICS PLANS COHERENT, INTERCONNECTED UNIVERSE

New Valiant Comics executive editor Warren Simons said some of the company’s “most beloved characters” will be key to the relaunch.

“There are a number of great characters worthy of the spotlight, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Archer & Armstrong, Eternal Warrior, Rai, Ninjak and Shadowman, to name a few,” he said.

He said the coherent Valiant Universe will be among the selling points for the new line.

“Jim Shooter, Barry Windsor-Smith, Bob Layton and all the talented writers and artists who first introduced the Valiant characters built a three-dimensional universe that readers could dive into headfirst,” he said. “They did this with a set of great ideas that we intend to honor and update. Chief among these is a coherent universe with strong interconnectivity and clear continuity.”

REVIEW FILE: Kirby Genesis #1, Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies #1, Alpha Flight #1
Comics read in 2011: 791 Still to go: 1220

Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Unlike another superhero from DC Comics, Green Lantern doesn’t get to duck into a phone booth and open his shirt to reveal his superhero costume beneath.

“In the mythology of the film, the suit is made of pure energy,” said Ryan Reynolds, who plays Green Lantern. “So there’s no actual suit, because that would burn. What I’m wearing is a motion-capture suit, with tracking marks and tracking dots and those sorts of things. It was a little bizarre. I sort of looked like a crash test dummy who lost his Volvo.”

The suit became especially difficult to wear as filming continued into August in New Orleans, he said.

But Reynolds said he was impressed when he first saw the suit in motion in test footage about six weeks into shooting.

“It was just incredible to see that thing in motion and moving around,” he said.

Reynolds does a lot of moving around in “Green Lantern,” including doing acrobatic maneuvers high in the air.

“My third day of shooting, they fired me up in the air a couple of hundred feet, 60 feet a second … it was just a mind-boggling experience,” he said.

Ryan Reynolds in "Green Lantern."

“Right when you arc at the very top of this ride, I’ll call it, you’re weightless for a couple of seconds. … there’s a cameraman right above me,” he said.

Reynolds dealt with his weightlessness in an unusual way.

“Somewhere in the back of my subconscious, I’d scream out ’80s sitcom characters,” he said. “I’d yell, ‘Alan Thicke! Judith Light!’ And we’d go back down.”

Director Martin Campbell (“Goldeneye,” “Casino Royale”) helped push Reynolds through the often-difficult filming.

“Martin Campbell is notorious for pushing everyone. You’ll have done a stunt you can’t believe you’ve completed — you’ll literally want them to show you the film back so you can put it on your epitaph — and then Martin will come up to you and say, ‘Let’s do it again, full speed.’”

Reynolds said just as he faced his fears on this and other films, Hal Jordan also must overcome fear to become Green Lantern.

“Hal Jordan’s not fearless; it’s his humanity, and his availability to overcome fear, that separates him from the other Green Lanterns and gives him that little extra something, I think,” Reynolds said. “For me, it is, each time I take a role — you’re always nervous about it at the beginning. And you’re always afraid, what if, what if that, what if this … Every time I take a role I’m somewhat terrified at the beginning, but when I get into it and I start working, that’s a big win for me. It really is stepping forward in spite of whatever fears I’ve created for myself and going forward anyway.”

Reynolds’ Hal Jordan is the first Earthman to join the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic peacekeeping force. Each Green Lantern wears a ring that can create anything the Lantern can imagine. Reynolds said he wasn’t immersed in Green Lantern lore before landing the role.

“I knew that it was a guy who was bestowed a ring by a dying alien and became a superhero — that was about it,” Reynolds said.

Once he got the role, he went in search of comic book material to inform his performance.

“I wanted to distill the essence of what it is that the fanboys loved about this guy, and make sure that we get that on screen, first and foremost,” he said. “There’s a reason they fell in love with this character to begin with.”

Mark Strong in "Green Lantern"

While he didn’t read every comic in the 70-year history of Green Lantern — “or I would have looked like Howard Hughes by the time I emerged out of my bedroom,” he said — he did want to make sure the film accurately portrayed Hal Jordan’s origins.

“It was a film that wasn’t being too precious about everything, and it was really true to the comic books, and it had a somewhat lighthearted tone when dealing with serious issues,” Reynolds said. “So for me, I describe it like we’ve ripped it right out of the pages of the comic book.”

And the many years of comic book stories created around the character would allow for even more exploration if this movie is successful, Reynolds said.

“That was one of the reasons I was so excited about this mythology: this character, the history, it’s like 70 years old,” said Reynolds. “There are so many different worlds and stories you can tell in this universe.”

- By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
Travel and accommodations provided by Warner Bros. Pictures

“Green Lantern” introduces a new comic-book superhero to the cinematic pantheon, and while at points the hero is flying high, overall the film can’t maintain that altitude.

Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) is a test pilot for Ferris Aircraft. Carol Ferris (Blake Lively), Hal’s wingman and onetime girlfriend, is being trained to take over the company.

Hal is following in the footsteps of his father, also a pilot, who died in a training accident.

Hal is supposed to be the best, most fearless pilot around, but he also has a knack for running from responsibility.

When a dying alien that’s a member of the intergalactic peace force, the Green Lantern Corps, must quickly find a replacement, his ring seeks out Hal, the earthman who seems to best exemplify the spirit of the Corps.

Whisked away to Oa for training by a bevy of aliens including Tomar-Re, Kilowog and Sinestro (Mark Strong), Hal thinks he might not be up to the task. Returning to Earth, he considers quitting.

Meanwhile, an old friend of Hal’s, xenobiologist Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard), has been asked to examine the alien’s body. He’s the son of a senator (Tim Robbins) who also has ties to Ferris Aircraft.

What the government doesn’t know is that Abin Sur had been partially infected with the fear-being Parallax, and now Hector’s infected as well.

Hal must prove to the Corps he has the right stuff, especially once Parallax sets his sights on Earth.

The film is a mix of different summer hits — “Top Gun,” “Independence Day,” and even a bit of “Star Wars.” Unfortunately that’s true for both the positive and negative aspects.

The Green Lantern’s planet of Oa is beautifully rendered, and the alien species that make up the Corps are immaculately designed.

However, the film runs into pacing and editing problems once Hal returns to Earth.

Despite quite a bit of exposition throughout the film, there are places where it’s not clear why or how Hal has gone from one scene to another. Furthermore, parts of the film’s conclusion seem to come together too easily.

Still, for Green Lantern fans, seeing the world of Oa, Green Lantern Corps trainer Kilowog, and Hal Jordan reciting the Green Lantern Oath will cover over some of the film’s flaws. Reynolds is a charming Green Lantern, and Strong is a driven Sinestro, both of whom would be good to see in films again if “Green Lantern” does well.

Given that at one time, the plan was to make “Green Lantern” as a Jack Black comedy vehicle, Warner Bros. and director Martin Campbell (“Casino Royale”) deserve credit for delivering a film that stays true to the conception and spirit of the DC Comics character.

– Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Mark Strong as Sinestro in "Green Lantern."

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — London-born actor Mark Strong (“Sherlock Holmes”) portrays the magenta-hued militaristic point man of the spacebound police force the Green Lantern Corps in the movie “Green Lantern,” which opens Friday.

The film, based on the DC Comics series, features the first Earthman to join the Corps. Cocky test pilot Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) finds himself at the forefront of intergalactic peril when a dying alien gives him a ring and lantern that give him the power to create anything he can imagine.

Sinestro, as played by Strong, doesn’t think the Earthman can cut it.

“He’s a kind of military commander, and he’s kind of a hard taskmaster,” Strong said at a news conference for the film. “He doesn’t believe the humans have the right to be Lanterns. So he’s very strict, and very arrogant, and a great character to play.”

Sinestro has a long history in the comic books. Created by writer John Broome and artist Gil Kane, Sinestro first appeared in 1961′s “Green Lantern” No. 7. Strong wasn’t aware of the history before the film, however.

“When I read the comics originally, I knew nothing about Green Lantern,” Strong said.

But Strong said his physical look as relating to the comic-book character played into his casting.

“I heard that (director) Martin (Campbell) wanted me to play him because I look like Sinestro,” Strong said. “I’ve never quite known how to take that, whether it’s a compliment or not. But when I saw the way he looked, and the iconic imagery of it, I just thought that it would be amazing. And I’m glad we stuck to the comics, the way he is in the comics. He was great fun to play.”

The visual look for the original character was based on David Niven; Hal Jordan was visually based on Paul Newman.

Even though Strong may have resembled the alien without makeup and prosthetics, he still had to go through a painstaking process including glue and appliances to become Sinestro.

“I didn’t have it quite as bad as Peter (Sarsgaard, who plays Hector Hammond), but we did share experiences of getting addicted to that glue,” he said. “It was the end of the day that was the worst. ‘Bye, bye, great day everyone,’ and then you spend about an hour taking it off.”

While those who have read the comics know something of the future of the Sinestro character, Strong said in the film “Green Lantern,” Sinestro’s a leader and a man of strong beliefs.

“In this one, he’s a hero,” Strong said. “He’s the head of the Green Lanterns. He believes in the corps more than anything else.”

- By Matthew Price
From Wednesday’s The Oklahoman
Travel and accommodations paid for by Warner Bros.

JAMES MARSDEN WOULD LIKE TO RETURN FOR X-MEN 4

Oklahoma-born James Marsden, who played Cyclops in X-Men 1-3, said he’d love to return for a fourth film with the original cast, in an interview with Movieline.

‘It would be great to get Hugh [Jackman] and Famke [Janssen] and Patrick [Stewart] and Ian [McKellan] and Halle [Berry] and everybody back together again to do another installment, our next chapter,” Marsden told Movieline.

OKLAHOMA’S GATES GETS NEW PROJECT

University of Oklahoma graduate and former “Supergirl” writer Sterling Gates is joined by Rob Liefeld, one of the most popular artists of the 1990s, for the “Hawk and Dove” relaunch from DC Comics in September.

Liefeld worked on the late 1980s “Hawk and Dove” miniseries written by Barbara and Karl Kesel.

He was a popular Marvel artist on “New Mutants” and “X-Force” before co-founding Image Comics, where he created “Youngblood” and dozens of other characters and titles.

TOY MUSEUM CELEBRATES GREEN LANTERN

The Toy & Action Figure Museum, 111 S Chickasaw St. in Pauls Valley, is celebrating the release with a weekend-long event starting Saturday, June 11.

And DC Comics announced a brand-new “Green Lantern” No. 1 comic for September, written by Geoff Johns, the company’s chief creative officer, who has been involved in the film adaptation.

Fans who dress as any Green Lantern will receive free admission to the Toy & Action Figure Museum from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. If you can’t swing an entire costume, wearing green will get you $1 off museum admission.

The museum has a new Green Lantern display and will have giveaways of items related to the upcoming film.

REVIEW FILE: Echo 30, Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager 1, Ghost Rider 0.1
Comics read in 2011: 772. Still to go: 1239.

Green Lantern toys are on display at the Toy & Action Figure Museum in Pauls Valley.

Green Lantern, an intergalactic peace officer who stars in comic books from DC Comics, has probably his highest profile ever this month.

Ryan Reynolds will star as Hal Jordan, Earth’s defender in the Green Lantern Corps, in the movie “Green Lantern” opening Friday, June 17.

The Toy & Action Figure Museum, 111 S Chickasaw St. in Pauls Valley, is celebrating the release with a weekend-long event starting Saturday, June 11.

And DC Comics announced a brand-new “Green Lantern” No. 1 comic for September, written by Geoff Johns, the company’s chief creative officer, who has been involved in the film adaptation.

“It’s building off the Green Lantern stories I’ve done since ‘Rebirth,’”Johns told The Associated Press about the series, which features art by Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy. “Taking it in a very new direction that we’ve never seen in ‘Green Lantern’ before.”

Green Lantern first appeared in the 1940s as Alan Scott. This first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell. He first appeared in July 1940′s All-American Comics No. 16, and he had a magically powered Green Lantern ring.

“Of all the Green Lanterns, he really stands out,” said Kevin Stark, curator of the Toy & Action Figure Museum. “He’s got the cape, he’s got the red shirt. He’s really totally different from all the Green Lanterns.”

After superheroes fell out of favor in the late 1940s and early 1950s, Green Lantern disappeared from comic book racks.

But the concept would return, this time with a science fiction tinge.

Hal Jordan first appeared in “Showcase” No. 22 in October 1959 as part of the so-called “Silver Age” revamp of the DC Comics characters. Hal Jordan, a test pilot, became Green Lantern when a dying

Green Lantern in "Showcase" No. 22

alien selected Jordan to replace him as a member of the Green Lantern Corps.

“I do like the Hal Jordan Green Lantern a lot also,” Stark said. “I like the whole concept of this space police force. Having a lot of characters … where they carry a theme throughout the costume, the costumes are variations on a theme, I really like that. I think that’s cool.”

There have been other Green Lanterns featured in DC Comics through the years, including Kyle Rayner, Guy Gardner and John Stewart, all of whom still appear in the comics and will be involved in new series in September. “Green Lantern Corps,” featuring Guy Gardner and John Stewart will be written by Peter J. Tomasi and illustrated by Fernando Pasarin and Scott Hanna. “Green Lantern: The New Guardians,” starring Kyle Rayner will be written by Tony Bedard and illustrated by Tyler Kirkham and Batt.

Fans who dress as any Green Lantern will receive free admission to the Toy & Action Figure Museum from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. If you can’t swing an entire costume, wearing green will get you $1 off museum admission.

The museum has a new Green Lantern display and will have giveaways of items related to the upcoming film.

For more information, go to www.actionfiguremuseum.com.

- By Matthew Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

The DC Source blog and the Associated Press report that Geoff Johns, DC Comics’ chief creative officer, will remain at the helm of the “Green Lantern” title when the title is relaunched in September.

“It’s building off the Green Lantern stories I’ve done since ‘Rebirth,’” he told The Associated Press about the series, which is set to start in September and features art by Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy. “Taking it in a very new direction that we’ve never seen in ‘Green Lantern’ before.”

The character of Green Lantern will be featured in the Ryan Reynolds movie opening June 17.  Johns, who was heavily involved with the Green Lantern film, may have an opportunity to snare new fans of the character with this relaunch.

Three other Green Lantern books will launch in September:

“Green Lantern: The New Guardians,” starring Kyle Rayner. That’s written by Tony Bedard and illustrated by Tyler Kirkham and Batt.

“Red Lanterns,” featuring Atrocitus and his fellow Red Lantern Corps members. It’s written by Peter Milligan with art by Ed Benes and Rob Hunter.

“Green Lantern Corps,” featuring Guy Gardner and John Stewart.  It’s written by Peter J. Tomasi and illustrated by Fernando Pasarin and Scott Hanna.

Johns hasn’t revealed exactly where Hal Jordan will be in all of this, though Jordan is part of the relaunched “Justice League” that Johns is also writing.

- Matt Price

Ryan Reynolds (AP)

Actor Ryan Reynolds comes in at No. 11 in Nerdage’s list of actors with geek appeal.   The actor appears as Hal Jordan, aka Green Lantern, in the upcoming DC Comics superhero film.

He’s also attached to the comic-based films “RIPD” and “Deadpool.”   In August, he’ll appear with Jason Bateman in the body-switching comedy “The Change-Up.”

Green Lantern will be released June 17. Click past the cut for a promotional image of Reynolds as the superhero.

- Matt Price

With Green Lantern sporting a milk mustache, the ad reads, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. See what milk’s protein can do for your muscles at LanternWorthy.com.”

The ad appears in DC Comics released today, Wednesday, May 25.

You can see what milk’s protein can do for your muscles at Facebook.com/BodyByMilk. You can also see if you have what it takes to join the Green Lantern Corps at www.LanternWorthy.com.

- Matt Price

CHRIS HEMSWORTH STARS IN THOR, READIES FOR THE AVENGERS

“Thor” star Chris Hemsworth talks getting ready for the Avengers and a possible Thor sequel.

Chris Hemsworth (AP)

“I had such an amazing time … can’t wait for Avengers, and the idea of doing more of them is incredibly exciting. I really do love the character, and I’m excited to see what other directions we could take it,” Hemsworth said in a phone interview.”I’ve hung out with Chris Evans a few times, and talked about the film and how excited we are, and the same with Downey, I’ve bumped into him at a couple of events,” he said. “We’ve all seen these characters come to life individually, and now to mesh it all together is going to be a fun ride.”

NEW GREEN LANTERN TRAILER

Warner Bros. has released a new trailer for “Green Lantern,” opening June 17 and starring Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, chosen to be a Green Lantern, a member of an intergalactic peacekeeping force. Warner Bros. seems to be upping the epic feel for this one, as you get a sense of Hal Jordan as the newest member of this awesome peacekeeping force.

Speaking of Green Lantern, he’ll have a comic book featured in Saturday’s

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

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, ComicsPRO trade organization president and owner of Flying Colors Comics and Other Cool Stuff.

Field said about 2.7 million comics will be available for giveaway Saturday. Retailers have given away more than 25 million comics since the first giveaway in 2002. More than a dozen stores in the Oklahoma City area are participating.

REVIEW FILE: Axe Cop 3, Fear Itself 2.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 594  Still to go: 1417

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.

Field said about 2.7 million comics will be available for giveaway Saturday. Retailers have given away more than 25 million comics since the first giveaway in 2002. More than a dozen stores in the Oklahoma City area are

Joe Field

participating.

“My hope is that this comics ‘holiday’ inspires more people of all ages and interests to support their local comic shops,” Field said in a recent interview. “I hope FCBD can inspire all of us who work in comics and everyone who loves comics to use FCBD as a launchpad for introducing thousands more readers to the sublime wonders of comics!”

Free Comic Book Day 2011 will be celebrated in 40 countries around the world this year. Field estimated between 300,000 to 500,000 people visit comic shops each year on Free Comic Book Day. Field is also the president of ComicsPRO, the direct-market trade organization for comic shops. More information about the organization is available at www.comicspro.org.

This year, many of the characters starring in summer films also will star in Free Comic Book Day offerings. Thor and Captain America co-star in “Captain America/Thor: The Mighty Fighting Avengers.” The comic book is by the creative team of the critically acclaimed “Thor: The Mighty Avenger,” writer Roger Langdridge and artist Chris Samnee. It features a time-traveling Captain America from World War II thrown into King Arthur’s Court, where he meets up with Thor, also displaced in time.

Green Lantern also is getting in on the action this year with the “Green Lantern Flashpoint Edition.” It reprints “Green Lantern” No. 30, part of the “Secret Origin” of Green Lantern. The issue also will include a sneak peek at

Green Lantern Flashpoint edition

Flashpoint, DC Comics’ summer event by writer Geoff Johns and artist Andy Kubert.

Though his film is a year away, Spider-Man also has a Free Comic Book Day title, “Amazing Spider-Man” Free Comic Book Day edition, by Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos.

DC Comics’ second Free Comic Book Day title features comics based on the animated television programs “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” and “Young Justice.”

If superheroes aren’t your thing, other comics available will feature Archie Comics’ Betty and Veronica; the Smurfs and Geronimo Stilton; Kung-Fu Panda; Mickey Mouse and more.

For more information about Free Comic Book Day, or to find a participating store near you, visit www.freecomicbookday.com.

- By Matthew Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Warner Bros. has released a new trailer for “Green Lantern,” opening June 17 and starring Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, chosen to be a Green Lantern, a member of an intergalactic peacekeeping force.

Want to get fired up for Green Lantern in advance? DC Comics has selected a Green Lantern comic to give away this Saturday, May 7th as part of Free Comic Book Day.

Warner Bros says: Get ready for the movie by learning how Hal first discovered his ring of power in this exclusive reprint of Green Lantern #30, backed with a bonus all-new collectible Flashpoint story, this summer’s hottest comic book story!

Find a comic shop near you at www.freecomicbookday.com.

- Matt Price
Click past the cut for images.

Footage of the “Green Lantern” film, starring Ryan Reynolds, made its debut at this weekend’s WonderCon in San Francisco. What do you think of the extended footage? The film opens in June.

- Matt Price

CRY HAVOK

The X-Men Movies facebook page recently revealed Lucas Till as Havok in the upcoming film “X-Men: First Class.”  Two promotional posters for X-Men: First Class, featuring Professor X and Magneto, were also recently released, and Matt and Kyle didn’t really like them. X-Men First Class comes out June 3.

MEET WILL SMITH

Will Smith will reprise his role as Agent J in the third in the blockbuster film series “Men in Black,” based on the comic-book series. Smith is teaming up with leading charity auction site charitybuzz.com for an exclusive Men in Black III Charity Auction.

Two fans will have the opportunity to hang out with Will Smith on the set of Men in Black III in New York City this spring and take pictures with Smith and director Barry Sonnenfeld.

Bidding is open through March 23rd at charitybuzz at http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/256619.

Proceeds from the auction benefit Telluride Academy.

Fans attending on Friday, April 1st, the first day of WonderCon in San Francisco, will be treated to a special “Green Lantern” talent signing and panel featuring the stars of the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures feature film: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and Peter Sarsgaard. The signing begins at 4 p.m., followed by the panel discussion at 5.

The highly anticipated “Green Lantern” movie, in theatres on June 17, 2011, will be the first live-action feature film to star the popular DC Comics character. The film relates the origin story of alter ego Hal Jordan (Reynolds), a test pilot and the first human chosen to wear the ring that provides him his superpowers.

Friday evening, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. will also premiere of the Blu-ray and DVD feature “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights” on Friday evening followed by a panel discussion featuring filmmakers and voice cast members. Panelists will also take part in an autograph session on Saturday. Also on Friday, DC Comics will host a panel about the Green Lantern comic books and the 2011 War of the Green Lanterns crossover event. The DC booth will host Green Lantern-themed signings and giveaways throughout the weekend.

WBIE and DCE will showcase “Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters,” an action-adventure videogame that will be available in conjunction with the theatrical release of “Green Lantern” throughout the Con. Fans will also be able to get an advance look at the Green Lantern toy line from Mattel, inspired by the upcoming film.

Review file includes Time Bomb TPB, (Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, Paul Gulacy); JURASSIC PARK: THE DEVILS IN THE DESERT #3 (John Byrne, Ronda Pattison) VENOM #1 (Rick Remender, Tony Moore, Danny Miki) Grim Ghost #1
(Stephen Susco, Kelley Jones)  SIGIL #1 (Mike Carey, Leonard Kik, Ed Tadeo) and ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #155 (Brian Michael Bendis, Chris Samnee)

Comics read in 2011: 374. Still to go:  1637.

Comic Book Resources and Warner Home Video and DC Entertainment have shared the first official trailer for “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights.”  “Emerald Knights” is the next direct to DVD feature featuring DC Universe

Nathan Fillion (AP)

characters, and is set for a June 7 release.  The vocal talent for this movie is pretty cool: Nathan Fillion, Elisabeth Moss, Henry Rollins, Jason Isaacs and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.  Nathan Fillion, of course, was used in the popular fan-made “Green Lantern” trailer prior to the announcement of Ryan Reynolds playing the part of Hal Jordan.  So fans who want to see how Fillion would approach the character should check this one out.

- Matt Price

SPIDER-MAN GETS ‘AMAZING’

Sony has revealed official title of the new Spider-Man film: “The Amazing Spider-Man.”  The costume of Andrew Garfield in the Spider-Man movie reboot was also recently revealed, and you can check it out at the site: http://www.theamazingspiderman-movie.com/.

GREEN LANTERN GAME TRAILER RELEASED

Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters is an action-adventure title that is scheduled for release in conjunction with the Green Lantern movie releasing this summer.

The game will be available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and Nintendo DS.

Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters is inspired by the feature film, which stars Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan.  In the game, players will be able to wield the Green Lantern ring to restore intergalactic order.

THOR, CAP TOYS

Chris Hemsworth, who plays “Thor” in the upcoming film, and Chris Evans, who plays Captain America, recently visited Hasbro’s showroom at Toy Fair in New York.   The “Thor” line is set to debut March 1, and the Captain America toys hit the shelves on May 16.   The “Thor” movie releases May 6, and Captain America: First Avenger hits on July 22.

REVIEWS

Matt and Kyle review Amazing Spider-Man 654.1, Jennifer Blood #1, Silver Surfer #1 and more.

The Amazing Spider-Man “Point 1″ issue, featuring Venom, is one of the highlights of this week’s comic-book releases.

“Amazing Spider-Man” 654.1 is the first full mission of the new Venom, who is in fact (POSSIBLE SPOILER) Peter Parker’s longtime friend (and sometime nemesis) Flash Thompson.   The government is using the Venom symbiote to make Flash a James Bond-style secret agent.  But can he maintain control of the creature?  Dan Slott writes and Humberto Ramos draws.  This continues the recent trend of “Amazing Spider-Man” being pretty darn good. If there’s a criticism, it’s that for a “jumping on” issue, Peter Parker is barely in the issue.

More comics from this week and the recent past I read this week:

“Jennifer Blood” #1 from Dynamite is by Garth Ennis and Adriano Batista.   Jennifer is a homemaker, mother and wife by day, and a ruthless vigilante by night.  Plenty of violence in the Garth Ennis tradition, though the humor and intensity comes closer to “Hitman” than “Preacher.”   Still, plenty of blood and violence, so it’s not for the squeamish.  But it’s  a solid comic that should appeal to Ennis’ fans.

Greg Pak and Stephen Segovia bring back the skyrider of the spaceways in “Silver Surfer” #1, the latest miniseries to feature the character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.   Pak has a good handle on Norrin Radd, who in the aftermath of “Chaos War” finds Galactus a star to feed on.  Returning to Earth, the Surfer is pulled into what seems to be a small conflict.  But it quickly escalates, and ends up leaving the Surfer in a precarious position.

In Hulk #30, Ed McGuinness comes on for a guest shot as the Green Hulk and Red Hulk battle Xemnu.  Jeff Parker gets in some pretty funny dialogue as the Impossible Man merges the Red and Green Hulks into the “Composite Hulk” to fight Xemnu and his minions.  It’s a pretty silly issue, but fun, and should please McGuinness fans especially.

The Incredible Hulks #621-622 by Greg Pak and Paul Pelletier (with a cover by Carlo P0agulayan) is a follow up to “Chaos War,” in which the Hulk challenges Zeus.  It’s “Clash of the Titans” Hulk-style as Banner attempts to get redress for his Hulk “family” but instead ends up getting beaten down by Zeus.

Heroes for Hire #2-3 feature Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning writing sort of a modern “Marvel Team-Up” in which Misty Knight calls in various heroes to stop certain situations.  Misty herself, unbeknownst to the heroes, is under the control of the Puppet Master.   The roster of street-level type heroes involved include Paladin, Silver Sable, Satana, Ghost Rider, Moon Knight and Iron Fist.  Abnett and Lanning have done more to make Paladin interesting than I thought anyone would ever have attempted.   This book may be flying under the radar, but it’s one to take a look at.  Art by Brad Walker.

John Byrne writes and draws Jurassic Park: Devils in the Desert #1-2 for IDW and shows himself to still be a master craftsman.   In a small Texas town, a rancher is missing after his cattle have been mutilated.  When the authorities find the rancher’s horse alongside his mangled body, they’re sure no animal they’re familiar with could have caused the carnage.   The FBI come in to investigate, but shortly it’s clear what the culprits are – modern-day dinosaurs.  The series captures the adventure of the “Jurassic Park” books and films; I’m excited to see where it goes.

The Jim Shooter revamp of the Gold Key characters has been kind of up and down, but as the books go on they seem to be hitting their groove.  Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom has been the weakest of the line, but with issue 4 it seems to be finding its groove, with Roger Robinson on art.  This wraps up the first arc on the series, as Solar must battle the army of Moloch the Devourer, who was created from the mind of the horrific writer Pickerel.  Mighty Samson #2 features Samson travels from N’Yark to Jerz, seeking the return of two girls captured as slaves.  The Queen of Jerz, Terra, is impressed by Samson’s strength, and asks him to rule Jerz with her.  He declines, though he’s obviously attracted.   He declines, but she gives him the girls anyway.   Art is by Patrick Oliffe, whose storytelling is dynamic yet clear.    Bill Reinhold and Mike Manley provide the art for Magnus, Robot Fighter #3, in which Magnus attempts to shut down underground robot/human fights being broadcast from a secret location.    This  standalone issue nonetheless continues to build the relationships among Magnus and the supporting cast, and shows the book starting to hit its stride.   The problem with all of these books is that as infrequently as they come out, it’s difficult to maintain interest in the story.  But each series seems to be improving as it goes.

Orson Scott Card’s Formic Wars: Burning Earth #1 is a prequel to the “Ender’s Game” novels, exclusively in comics.  It tells the story of what happened when the insectlike Formics first attacked humanity.  The earth’s fate may rest with a small band of asteroid miners.   The issue is co-written by Card and Aaron Johnston with art by Giancarlo Caracuzzo.  It’s a good setup issue and should be enjoyable for those who like space-war style science fiction.

In Green Lantern #62, Hal Jordan and the various Lanterns attempt to stop Krona from gathering the entities, but when they fail, Hal is called to task by the Justice League.  Art is by Doug Mahnke.  Clearly setting up “War of the Green Lanterns,” this issue does a lot of putting pieces into place.

Uncanny X-Force #5 features the aftermath of the team’s choice to kill the young Apocalypse.  New depths are revealed of the mercenary Deadpool as the team debates their mission.   This issue, illustrated by Esad Ribic, focuses on Fantomex,  who visits “the World”, where he was created.  Discovering that ‘the World” is growing by itself, Fantomex discovers someone has meddled with it.  But as that happens, he’s attacked by Deathlok versions of the Avengers.  Between this and the recent arc on “Weapon X,” X-readers are getting a good dose of the cybernetic future soldier.

Avengers Academy #9 shows how Christos Gage and Mike McKone continue to create a book that’s just as good as the mainline “Avengers” series.  After the kids track down and beat the Hood, Tigra wants them kicked out of school.   Hank Pym tells her to reconsider, but tells the kids to take a couple days off and visit their parents.   Finesse, who believes the Taskmaster may be her true father, blackmails Quicksilver into helping her track him down.   With both Taskmaster and Finesse having the ability to copy others’ movements, the battle between them is very evenly matched.   When Finesse finally confronts the Taskmaster about his possible parentage, Gage gives the character an interesting twist that adds emotional depth.

Comics read in 2011: 268.  Still to go: 1743

DC Comics' 2011 Free Comic Book Day comic book

DC Comics has announced via its Source blog what its comic book for Free Comic Book Day 2011 will be: A Green Lantern special edition also featuring a preview of the new series “Flashpoint.”  Both will be written by Geoff Johns.

Ivan Reis is the artist for the “Green Lantern” story, which reprints “Green Lantern” #30.   Andy Kubert is the artist on the “Flashpoint” preview.   Free Comic Book Day is May 7, 2011.   The “Green Lantern” film is set for a June 17 release.

- Matt Price

GREEN LANTERN, GREEN HORNET GET NEW TRAILERS

The first trailer for Ryan Reynolds’ “Green Lantern” and the latest for Seth Rogen’s “Green Hornet” hit the internet recently.  Which “green” movie are you more excited for?

Ryan Reynolds (AP)

CHRISTIAN BALE SAYS BATMAN 3 IS HIS LAST

At junket for “The Fighter” in Los Angeles, “The Dark Knight Rises” star Christian Bale tells E News Online that he expects the upcoming film will be the last time he portrays the Dark Knight, unless “Chris (Nolan) says different.”

“The Dark Knight Rises” would wrap the planned Bat-trilogy, and Nolan has previously said he plans on stepping aside from the Batman world after the third film.   Bale was deferential to Nolan in multiple interviews for “The Fighter,” saying he only knows what Christopher Nolan has told him.

LOOKING FOR CLARK

Deadline reports Warner Bros. has begun looking for an actor to portray Superman in the “Man of Steel” reboot. The studio isn’t seeking a major star for the role.  The age range, according to Deadline, will be around 28-32. “Watchmen” star Matthew Goode could be on Zack Snyder’s short list. Movienewz reports the 6-2 Goode is a candidate to play Clark Kent.  Goode played Ozymandias, aka Adrian Veidt, the smartest man in the world, in Snyder’s “Watchmen” adaptation.   Anne Hathaway, star of “Love and Other Drugs” has been kicked around as a possible Lois Lane.

REVIEW FILE
Kyle and Matt review The Traveler, Uncanny X-Force #2, Teen Titans #89 and Amazing Spider-Man  #649.

Ryan Reynolds (AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Can life get much better for Ryan Reynolds? After all, he’s married to Scarlett Johansson.

Oh, yes it can. People magazine has bestowed its “sexiest man alive” title on the 34-year-old actor.

Reynolds is about to star on-screen as the Green Lantern. The Canadian native told People: “The sexiest thing about Canadians is that there’s an inherent ability to be self-deprecating. That has served me well in my career and personal life.”

It’s the 25th anniversary of People’s first sexiest man — Mel Gibson. Others given the title include John F. Kennedy Jr., Harrison Ford and Richard Gere. George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp have won it twice.

People announced its 2010 list on Wednesday.

Did y0u watch the trailer for “Green Lantern” yet?  I thought it had a good mix of action and humor, and the effects look good.  I’m looking forward to this movie all the more.   Ryan Reynolds stars as Hal Jordan in “Green Lantern,’ set for release on June 17, 2011.  Trailer hosted at Apple.

Share your thoughts in the comments and vote in the poll!

View This Poll

Entertainment Tonight will have a first look at Green Lantern footage on Tuesday – they’ve posted some excerpts on the internet, with the first look at Kilowog, as well as footage of Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan and Green Lantern, and some shots of Blake Lively as well. What do you think? Are you more excited for the Green Lantern film?

- Matt Price

Green Lantern in "Legends of the Super-Heroes"

Warner Archive has released the “Legends of the Super Heroes” 2-part series on DVD.   This show, which starred Adam West and Burt Ward, is a fairly horrific representation of DC’s comic-book heroes, but to some degree it must be seen to be believed.  Here’s the description:

Heroes and villains of DC Comics square off in the two-part, live-action, made-for-TV (with a laugh track!) smackdowns of Legends of the Super Heroes. The Challenge: Batman and Robin (Adam West and Burt Ward of the live-action Batman TV series) lead The Flash, Green Lantern and more JLA members against The Riddler (Frank Gorshin reprising his TV role), Mordru, Weather Wizard and other Doom-dealers. The Legion’s ultimate gambit: trick the heroes into downing a diabolical depowering drink! The Roast: Poking fun beats swapping punches when celebrity host Ed McMahon emcees a rowdy rave-up. Who knew DC Super Heroes and villains packed as much verbal wit as physical grit when not locked in mortal combat? These Legends will leave you laughing.

Warner Archive puts out some really esoteric stuff, and it’s great if you’re into the more oddball stuff gathered in the Warner coffers.  “Legend of the Super-Heroes” certainly applies.  Newsarama has a clip, to give you an idea of the quality of the print, as well as the quality of the programming.

- Matt Price

At the Comic-Con panel for “Green Lantern,” star Ryan Reynolds recited the Green Lantern oath for a young fan. Reynolds also talks about the energy of Comic-Con and his take on Hal Jordan in this clip. Blake Lively talks about Carol Ferris’ role as someone who both loves, and eventually will battle, Hal Jordan. Other good news from the panel – Kilowog will appear in the Green Lantern film.

- Matt Price

Green Lantern

Ryan Reynolds shared something that may have given him an edge in his “Green Lantern” auditions in Saturday’s press conference about the film.

“There was a Cinderella element to it,” said Reynolds.

An effects house built a lifecast based on an actor’s face in order to make the Green Lantern mask for the tryouts.

“The effects house that was asked to make the Green Lantern mask had no idea who was auditioning, but they arbitrarily chose my head from the vast catalogue of actors’ heads to build the mask around,” Reynolds said.

When he did his screen test, Reynolds said that helped his mask fit a little better on him than it would have on, say, Regis Philbin.  While I’m sure Reynolds had other advantages over Reege, it’s funny that the mask was made to in fact fit Reynolds’ face.

- Matt Price

Comic-Con International is going strong in San Diego this week. Scheduled to make appearances at the convention Saturday are a trio of upcoming superhero stars: Ryan Reynolds (“Green Lantern”), Chris Hemsworth (“Thor”) and Chris Evans (“Captain America”).

But as much as Hollywood has become a key part of Comic-Con, it’s still the largest comics-focused gathering in the United States. More than 125,000 are expected to pack the San Diego Convention Center this week. Comics publishers from Archie to Marvel to DC and more have events and panels scheduled.

Though he’s 87, Stan Lee is Comic-Con royalty. The co-creator of “Spider-Man,” “Fantastic Four” and more had events and panels scheduled with publishers including Marvel, Boom Studios, Archie Comics and Viz Media.

At 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Archie Comics will present “Stan Lee Comics Debuts,” where Lee will speak about his new line of comics from Archie, “Stan Lee Comics,” including “The Super Seven” announced earlier this year.

Two indie comics hits will be in the spotlight at Comic-Con. The Image Comics series “The Walking Dead” is becoming an AMC series in October, and the graphic novel series “Scott Pilgrim” has been adapted as an Edgar Wright film, set for August release. “The Walking Dead” booth at Comic-Con re-creates a scene from the pilot episode.

Also scheduled for Comic-Con:

• DC Comics is expected to talk about upcoming “Batman” projects including “Bruce Wayne: The Road Home” and “Batman: The Return.”

• Indie publisher Top Shelf Comix has 14 creators on hand at Comic-Con, including James Kochalka, Andy Runton (“Owly”) and Nate Powell (“Swallow Me Whole”).

• Radical Publishing is hosting talent including Jimmy Palmiotti (“Jonah Hex,” “Time Bomb”) and Rick Remender (“The Last Days of American Crime”).

• Artist Rob Liefeld, creator of Cable, Deadpool and Youngblood, was scheduled to host a master session on creating iconic characters. The original art from this session will be auctioned Saturday night at the art auction for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

- by Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

• In addition to multiple “Scott Pilgrim” events, Oni Press will host Jarrett Williams, creator of “Super Pro K.O.!” Vol. 1.

In this week’s Planet 46 Comics Podcast, Kyle Roberts and Matt Price review the comics The Man with the Getaway Face, Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine 2, Batman 701, Booster Gold 34 and X-Men Second Coming 2.
We take a look at Green Lantern’s new costume, the arrest of a Hollywood Superman, and the fate of Edward Norton as the Hulk. Also, Kyle bites it.