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

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


New Spider-Man coming; Batman 3 cast grows; Jennifer Lawrence gets blue in X-Men First Class

ARCHIE GIVEAWAY
Find out the winner of the Archie Comics AllPosters.com giveaway in this week’s Planet 46 Comics video.

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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

Wolverine-Anime-

The anime version of Wolverine

series, IRON MAN and WOLVERINE, at its WonderCon panel in San Francisco.Adrian Pasdar (Heroes, Castle, Profit) will lend his voice to the character of Tony Stark in IRON MAN, an all-new series which sees Stark travel to Japan and battle the evil Zodiac Organization.

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.


Milo Ventimiglia, Adrian Pasdar to voice Wolverine, Iron Man in G4 series

Milo Ventimiglia

Milo Ventimiglia (AP)

Update from Wondercon: Marvel Television Announces Adrian Pasdar and Milo Ventimiglia for Iron Man and Wolverine Anime Series To Air On G4 July 2011

Marvel’s Head of Television Jeph Loeb announced casting for two of the company’s much anticipated anime series, IRON MAN and WOLVERINE, at its WonderCon panel today in San Francisco to the delight of fans in attendance. Both series will premiere on G4 in July 2011.

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Iron Man 3: Director Shane Black in final negotiations

Robert Downey Jr in Iron Man 2

Robert Downey Jr in "Iron Man 2."

Shane Black, who directed Robert Downey Jr. in “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang” is in final negotiations to re-team with the actor and direct “Iron Man 3.”  (via Deadline and BAM)

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Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans provide Thor-Captain America team-up at Golden Globes

Chris Hemsworth (left) and Chris Evans at the Golden Globe Awards. (NBC)

Despite what was a pretty rough Golden Globe Awards ceremony, Marvel’s superheroes came through looking pretty good last night.

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Best comic-book series of 2010

Detectives, zombies and superheroes highlighted the best in periodical comic books in 2010. While most comics are eventually collected in graphic novels, the monthly periodical comic still drives most traffic in comic book stores.

The following are 2010′s best 10 periodical comic books.

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Batman 3 in Asia; Iron Man 3 loses Jon Favreau; Mighty Samson debuts

Jon Favreau won’t direct Iron Man 3

Hero Complex, in an interview with Jon Favreau, announced that the director won’t return for Iron Man 3.

Jon Favreau confirmed via Twitter that he was directing Disney’s “Magic Kingdom” rather than the third film in the “Iron Man” series.   There doesn’t appear to be any hard feelings; Favreau wished Marvel the best via Twitter, and of course Disney is now Marvel’s parent company.

Comic Book Rock

In Weekend Look,  Matt Price talks to musician Ray Wall about his comic-book themed songs that feature the Fantastic Four, the X-Men and the Watchmen. You can check out his music at www.myspace.com/raywallband.

Mighty Samson

DARK KNIGHT IN ASIA

According to Hero Complex, Christopher Nolan is in Asia scouting locations for filming his third “Batman” film, “The Dark Knight Rises.”   Nolan’s film “Inception” received a Golden Globe nominations Other comic-book properties receiving nominations include the comic-based movie “Red” and comic-book based TV show “The Walking Dead.”

REVIEW FILE:

Supergirl 59 – the last issue by Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle.

John Byrne’s Next Men 1 – Revisiting the critically acclaimed 1990s series.

Amazing Spider-Man 650 – Spidey is saved by Lady Gaga — sort of.

Mighty Samson 1 – the latest Gold Key revival from Jim Shooter.


Jon Favreau says good-bye to Iron Man 3

Jon Favreau

Jon Favreau

Jon Favreau confirmed via Twitter that he was stepping away from the Iron Man franchise, as first reported by the Hero Complex.   He’ll instead direct Disney’s “The Magic Kingdom,” about vacationers who get stuck inside Disneyland after close as the park comes to life.

“It’s true,” he said via Twitter. “I’m directing ‘Magic Kingdom,’ not ‘Iron Man 3.’ I’ve had a great run with Marvel and wish them the best.”

I spoke to Favreau prior to both “Iron Man” films and he had great affection for the property, the cast and the team at Marvel.  While in some ways it’s too bad we won’t see his take on the Mandarin in “Iron Man 3,” he seems happy with his decision, and the success of “Iron Man” seems to have put him in a position where he can do the kinds of films he wants to do.   This won’t derail “Iron Man 3″ – while we may see a different take, there’s no way Marvel won’t follow up on what’s been a hugely successful franchise.  Ultimately, I imagine Marvel will hire someone with whom Robert Downey Jr. is comfortable, and who can handle the humor and action inherent in the series — Todd Phillips? Ben Stiller?  Who do you want to see take on the reins of the “Iron Man” franchise?

- Matt Price


Kick-Ass 2 released; Iron Man 3 date set; Stan Lee’s Soldier Zero hits stands

Iron Man 3 gets release date

Stan-Lee

Stan Lee (AP)

According to Marvel.com, “Iron Man 3″ will release on May 3, 2013.   This appearance will follow Iron Man’s appearance in “The Avengers,” which will release May 4, 2012.

Elect a Legion leader

Fans can vote for who they think should lead the Legion of Super-Heroes by placing a vote at LegionElection.com.

Matt and Kyle review Kick-Ass 2 #1, Hulk #26, Stan Lee’s Soldier Zero #1 and Supergirl #57.