Comic Book Resources and others are reporting the death of classic comics artist John Severin.  The Marvel and EC artist, known for titles including “Two-Fisted Tales” and “The Incredible Hulk” was 90.  Severin was also a major contributor to “Cracked” and “MAD.”

Comics professionals responded to the news on Twitter.

“It was one of the highlights of my career to write pages he drew in Iron Fist,” wrote Ed Brubaker. “He was still great, still working, at 90.”

Artist Tony Moore related his childhood memories of Severin, and encouraged everyone to read the artist’s work on EC and MAD.

“Severin was one of my earliest favorites, picking up his stuff in Cracked as a kid,” wrote Tony Moore. “I’m so close to his work, i feel like i’ve lost family.”

“Astronaut Dad” artist Brent Schoonover also shared his reaction.

“RIP John Severin.  I’ll always have a stack of MAD magazines that you worked on and made me laugh like crazy,” Schoonover wrote.

A statement from the family has been released at The Beat.

- Matt Price

Kyle Roberts talks to Matt Price from the ComicsPRO meeting in Dallas. Expected topics of discussion include the Image Comics resurgence, including “Thief of Thieves”; the new Smallville comic book series; and the Marvel Comics Avengers vs. X-Men comics.

DALLAS — How will the rest of the comics market strike back?

That was one of the questions being asked around tables and in small groups at an informal meet-and-greet prior to the kickoff of the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting.

Since last year’s ComicsPRO meeting, DC Comics has shaken up the sales charts with its Sept. 2011 relaunch.  In January, 5 months into the relaunch, DC Comics claimed all 10 of the top 10 comics in Diamond Comic Distributors monthly sales charts.

Because the comics market is often reactive, some retailers at the meeting openly wondered how DC’s competition might react to DC’s 2011 moves.

In early 2012, one company already seems to be shaking things up: Image Comics.  Retailers reported very strong sales for the Image title “Fatale” and also for “Thief of Thieves,” released in comic shops today.

“Thief of Thieves” is co-written by Robert Kirkman and Nick Spencer.   Kirkman is the co-creator of “The Walking Dead” comic-book series, which has had great success adapted for television on AMC.  Some have suggested there’s a “Walking Dead” spillover effect that’s helping the entire Image line, especially those properties tied to Kirkman.

There was also talk about Marvel’s upcoming “Avengers vs. X-Men” promotion, and the promotional idea allowing stores to sign up as supporting the Avengers or the X-Men.

At last year’s preview night, stores said some of the major problems facing the market were generating excitement, late-shipping books, and the still-lagging economy.  This year, many of those problems have been addressed.  While the economy overall is still recovering, DC’s relaunch helped generate excitement and prove that a major publisher could stick to a largely on-time schedule.    Retailers remain interested in DC’s upcoming plans, including those about DC Comics’ just-announced “Before Watchmen” program. Many retailers are curious about how the series will be marketed in comic-book stores.

Thursday at the meeting will be a day of programming from DC Comics; other sponsors will share their programming on Friday and Saturday, in addition to retail-focused discussion and programming.   The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund will hold the First Annual Retailer Auction, at the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting at 9 p.m. Friday.

With even more stores expected to attend the meeting than last year, it’s up to the gathered sponsors to get these decision-makers on board with their upcoming projects.  With many stores feeling on firmer footing than in 2011, they’re actively looking for the new product or title that will get more people in the door and their money in the register.

- Matt Price

Marvel has released a preview of April’s “Avengers vs. X-Men,” written by an all-star cast of Marvel writers with art by John Romita Jr., Adam Kubert and Olivier Copiel.

Here’s how Marvel describes the series, which goes on sale April 3.

This April, prepare for the biggest super hero war in comics history as Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Avengers Vs. X-Men #1! From the powerhouse creative team of Brian Michael Bendis, Jason Aaron, Matt Fraction, Jonathan Hickman, Ed Brubaker, John Romita Jr., Adam Kubert and Olivier Copiel comes a groundbreaking event pitting Earth’s Mightiest against the X-Men with the entire Marvel Universe at stake. Cyclops and his team believe the arrival of the Phoenix Force will save mutantkind, but Captain America is convinced it will destroy the world! But who is right? Don’t miss out on all the action in Avengers Vs. X-Men #1 in comic shops worldwide and on the Marvel Comics app this April!

This 12-issue series will feature many of Marvel’s most popular characters, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm and Magneto.

Click past the cut for the full 7-page preview!

- Matt Price

Sony has just released a new trailer for this summer’s “Amazing Spider-Man,” starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. Rhys Ifans’ Lizard also makes an appearance in the new trailer. Marc Webb directs the film, which is set for a July 3 release. I think this shows a little more what type of humor and action to expect in the reboot. What do you think?

- Matt Price
Click past the cut for more images.

Marvel has released a teaser for what it calls “the next big Spider-Man epic.”  Part one of  “Ends of the Earth” begins in Amazing Spider-Man #682, by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli.

Here’s how Marvel describes the issue:  The Sinister Six, led by the vengeful Doctor Octopus, is back and they’re looking for revenge! Can Spider-Man & Earth’s Mightiest save the world before Doc Ock’s explosive endgame is revealed?

“Amazing Spider-Man” #682 s set for a March 21 release.

- Matt Price

Marvel Comics’ vampire hunter makes his way to animation with the new series “Blade,” debuting Friday on the G4 network.

Harold Perrineau (who played Michael Dawson on “Lost”) is the voice of Eric Brooks, also known as “Blade” in the anime series based on the Marvel Comics character.

Blade’s mother was bitten by a vampire while pregnant; this gave her son both vampire strength and a thirst for blood. Blade fights his inner desires while tracking vampires across the globe. His origins make him invulnerable to sunlight, unlike other vampires, who call him the “Daywalker.” In the new series, Blade tracks the vampire organization Existence across Asia while seeking the villain Deacon Frost.

Blade the vampire hunter was first introduced in 1973 in “Tomb of Dracula” No. 10, written by Marv Wolfman and drawn by Gene Colan. The “Tomb of Dracula” series remains one of the longest-running horror series in Marvel Comics’ history. The entire run of “Tomb of Dracula” as well as the stories from “Dracula Lives” and the black-and-white “Tomb of Dracula” magazine have been reprinted by Marvel in black and white as “The Essential Tomb of Dracula” Vols. 1-4 and in color as the “Tomb of Dracula” omnibus 1-4. Three paperback volumes in color collect the series through issue 31.

The character reached his greatest prominence in the late 1990s, when actor Wesley Snipes originated the role in live action.

Moore writer Mel Odom wrote the novelization of the 1998 “Blade” film.

“In the 1970s, when Marv Wolfman first created Blade … Blade was definitely from the streets — Afro, wraparound sunglasses, goatee, and militant – in dress and in speech, loud and threatening. He was the kind of guy an average person would see on the street and turn and walk away,” Odom said. “The idea of a street-smart black man changed between the 1970s and the 1990s, when the movie came out. Blade became more urbanized, more metrosexual, and his wardrobe definitely got an upgrade. Blade as presented by Wesley Snipes became a commanding figure, a hero with weight and presence and substance. The kind of guy that was a born leader, not an outsider.”

Odom says both versions of Blade were meant to be an ideal, and spoke for young people reshaping their destinies.

“In the 1970s, Blade was a survivor, a man who’d taken all the bad things that had happened to him and found the strength to keep going,” Odom said. “In the 1990s, that was played down and Blade was shown as ‘upwardly mobile,’ a man who could be anything he wanted to be.”

Following three films, “Blade” came to television for a single season on SPIKE, as the network’s first scripted drama. The show’s executive producer was David Goyer (“Blade: Trinity”). Popular comic-book writer Geoff Johns (“Green Lantern: Rebirth”) was a consulting producer on the show and wrote four of the series’ scripts. The series, which aired in 2006, saw rapper Kirk “Sticky Fingaz” Jones replace Snipes in the title role.

At the 2011 Comic-Con International, Marvel’s CEO Joe Quesada stated, as reported by Comic Book Resources, that the film rights to “Blade” had reverted to Marvel Studios.

In the comics, Blade was most recently seen in the X-Men storyline “Curse of the Mutants,” by Victor Gischler and Paco Medina. In “Curse,” now out in paperback, Blade teams with the X-Men to put a stop to Dracula’s successor.

“Blade” is the final of the four planned Marvel original anime series, following “Iron Man,” “Wolverine” and “X-Men.” G4 reports that since debuting in October, as a part of G4′s Friday night lineup, “X-Men” has reached more than 1.2 million total unique viewers.

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

Stan Lee, co-creator of characters including Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four, turns 89 today. Stan Lee is so intertwined with growing up with comics for me that I can’t really picture the industry without him.  Reading “Marvel Tales” reprints of Lee and Steve Ditko’s “Amazing Spider-Man” comics helped turn me into a fan of the whole Marvel Universe.

Back on Lee’s 85th birthday in 2007, I wrote a list of the top 85 Stan Lee comics.  You can check it out here.

Last year, I added three more for his 88th birthday.

This year, let me add one more to the list.  It’s an issue I had as a “Marvel Tales” edition.  “Amazing Spider-Man” No. 34, featuring the return of Kraven the Hunter, as Kraven stalks Spider-Man on the streets of New York.

I’ve met Stan Lee a few times — and interviewed him back in 2007 for a Hero Initiative project — and have always found him to be a great ambassador for comics.   (The article ran on my birthday, coincidentally enough.)

While who deserves credit for what in the early days of the Marvel Bullpen of the Silver Age of Comics will no doubt be debated by historians in the future, Stan Lee’s impact on the comic-book field is nonetheless enormous, and comics fans owe “The Man” a debt of gratitude.

- Matt Price

With Disney prepping a “John Carter” film for March release, Marvel Comics continues its collaboration with the Edgar Rice Burroughs estate to adapt the “John Carter” novels into the graphic fiction format.

“John Carter: The Gods Of Mars” No. 1 will be released in comic shops in March, from the creative team of writer Sam Humphries (“Sacrifice”) and artist Ramon Perez (“Jim Henson’s Tale Of Sand”).

“’Gods of Mars’ is going to be a blast — tons of action and intrigue in a fantastic environment,” said Humphries in a news release.

In the novels, John Carter is an American Civil War veteran transported to Mars, called Barsoom by those who live there. Carter debuted in 1912 in All-Story Magazine.

- Matt Price
From Wednesday’s The Oklahoman

Batman mixes with Charles Dickens in this year’s graphic novel “Batman: Noel,” but that’s not the only time the classic “A Christmas Carol” has been remixed into comics. English author Charles Dickens’ novella, first published in 1843, features the transformation of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge after he is visited one Christmas Eve by the ghost of his business partner, Jacob Marley, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.

More than a century after the original was published, George R. Lipscomb and Henry Kiefer were the creative team for the 1948 adaptation of the story in “Classics Illustrated” No. 53, an abridged but faithful version of the classic.

Doug Moench (“Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu”) joined a team of artists for “Marvel Classic Comics” No. 36, which brought a slightly more Marvelized feel to the Dickens classic in 1978.

In 1967, a group of teenage superheroes starred in a version of the story, reprinted in the collection “DC Universe Christmas.” In “Teen Titans” No. 13, by writer Bob Haney and artist Nick Cardy, The Teen Titans — made up of teen superhero sidekicks Robin, Wonder Girl, Aqualad and Kid Flash — encounter the hardhearted Ebenezer Scrounge and his put-upon employee Bob Ratchet. When Scrounge’s business partner Jacob Farley escapes from prison, seeking revenge, the Titans see a chance to put their knowledge of Dickens to use. The dialogue is particularly dated, but the artwork of Cardy is charming throughout.

Mike W. Barr and the Outsiders visited the theme in the 1980s with “The Outsiders” No. 5, cover-dated March 1986 but on sale during the 1985 Christmas season. (The story was reprinted a year later in “Adventures of the Outsiders” No. 43.)

The Outsiders — Geo-Force, Black Lightning, Halo, Katana, Looker and Metamorpho — use their powers to re-create the Dickens classic story of three ghosts in an attempt to convince gangland accountant Eben Mudge to testify against his boss. The story is drawn by longtime “Batman” artist Jim Aparo, who had previously drawn “Batman and the Outsiders.”

In Marvel Comics’ 2004 Holiday Special, Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson steps into a Scrooge-like role in a story by writer Tom DeFalco and artist Takeshi Miyazawa, “Jonah’s Holiday Carol.” The grumpy Jameson is visited by visions of Marvel heroes to rethink his stance on holiday spirit.

In 2009, Rod Espinosa (“Courageous Princes”) released a version of “A Christmas Carol” — with Scrooge as a woman — online. It can be read free at www.antarctic-press.com/html/version_01/viewgallery.php?id=994 or downloaded for $2.99 at comixology.com. Espinosa’s manga-style art makes for an energetic adaptation.

Also in 2009, the Ghostbusters found themselves called in by wealthy Woodrow Wainwright Fraser III, who has been haunted by the spirits each Christmas Eve who seek to make him change his ways. Fraser, however, has resisted their entreaties and now calls on the Ghostbusters to get rid of these specters. An interesting take on the story, with a few fun twists, the “Ghostbusters: Past, Present and Future” one-shot is collected in the “Haunted Holidays” trade paperback from IDW.

Writer Jim McCann created a twist on the classic with “Zombies Christmas Carol,” from Marvel Comics, released in hardcover in September. The book is illustrated by David Baldeon. In “Zombies,” the poor are being struck down by a plague called “The Hungry Death,” which fills its undead victims with a hunger for human flesh. The miserly Ebenezer Scrooge may be the last hope to discover where this horror began as he is visited by three Ghosts of Christmas: Past, Present and Future.

While details vary, comics have found many ways to bring the classic to different audiences, showing how anyone can be transformed at Christmas, through the intervention of the supernatural or even superheroes. The popular text, in the public domain and available through sources including Gutenberg.org, will no doubt continue to be inspirational for readers and future creators.

- By Matthew Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
Comics read for this article:  “Batman: Noel”; “Classics Illustrated” #53; “Marvel Classic Comics” #36; “The Outsiders” #5; “Marvel Comics 2004 Holiday Special”; Rod Espinosa’s “A Christmas Carol”; “Ghostbusters: Past, Present and Future”; “Zombies Christmas Carol” #1-2.
Comics read in 2011: 1990. Still to go: 21

Spider-Man is tracking down the reptile-man Stegron in this Christmas tale from Len Wein and Ross Andru.

Stegron was once Vincent Stegron, lab assistant to Dr. Curt Connors.  But, ironically given his surname, he’s transformed into a dinosaur-man after injecting himself with dinosaur DNA.   He manages to re-form dinosaurs from skeletons in a museum using a ray he’s invented.  He can then command these dinosaurs to battle Spider-Man. (These are some out-there powers.)

When Spidey goes to Dr. Curt Connors for help, it turns out that Stegron has already been there – and triggered Curt Connors’ transformation into the Spidey foe the Lizard.

Spider-Man must stop Stegron’s plans, rescue Curt’s son, and stop the Lizard without hurting Connors.   He can’t do it without putting a crimp in Peter Parker’s Christmas plans, however.

With reconstituted dinosaurs, a Manhattan snowstorm and a wedding proposal, “Amazing Spider-Man” #166 is pretty out there, but a fun holiday issue nonetheless, especially for those with 1970s Marvel nostalgia.  (I guess a wedding proposal and a snowstorm aren’t that odd for the Christmas season.  But the reconstituted dinosaurs, definitely unusual.)

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1977. Still to go: 34.

The raid on the Abbottabad compound in Pakistan that captured Osama bin Laden is described by GQ as “the brief, bloody confrontation that changed the world in minutes.”

To visualize that confrontation, GQ invited Marvel Comics writer Matt Fraction to create an original comic book depicting the May 2 raid on the hideout by U.S. Navy SEALs. Fraction and Fox also provide online annotations.

“The original editorial directive was to tell the story from OBL’s perspective but, aside from not caring to get inside the man’s head, the more I researched that night, the more in awe I became of the DEVGRU/Seal operators who performed the raid — and the more I decided their story demanded telling, too,” Fraction writes in one annotation.

Fraction writes in the notes of how much he was impressed by the SEALs’ dedication and fortitude.

“You think your workday started badly today? These guys snuck a couple hundred kilometers into Pakistan and then had to crash their helicopter, regroup, then storm Osama bin Laden’s compound.”

The comic, called “For God and Country,” is available online at www.gq.com/news-politics/newsmakers/201112/osama-bin-laden-death-comic.

It’s not the only comic that’s focused on the raid — the original graphic novel “Code Word: Geronimo,” from IDW Publishing, follows SEAL Team 6 on its mission into Pakistan. That book is written by retired Marine Capt. Dale Dye and Julia Dewey Dye, PhD. For more information, go to www.codewordgeronimo.com.

“We thought the graphic novel just might be the best early venue to keep young people’s attention focused on this outstanding mission,” Dale Dye said. “Julia and I wanted to find a way to shine some well-deserved light on the men and women in both the intelligence and special operations communities that worked so hard to make it happen.”

The heroes Fraction writes about are more often of the superpowered variety, primarily for Marvel Comics. The Eisner-award-winning writer currently writes “Invincible Iron Man” for the publisher and previously wrote “The Immortal Iron Fist” and “Uncanny X-Men.”

His latest book for Marvel, “The Defenders,” is on sale Wednesday. “The Defenders” features heroes including the Hulk, Silver Surfer and Doctor Strange. The mysticist Doctor Strange, who has been in development for a movie feature from Marvel, will be more physical in this new series, Fraction told USA Today.

“There’s a real, almost “X-Files” paranoia edge to him. He’s almost physical, too. Not like he’s going to be catching airplanes that fall out of the sky, but I’m getting him into scraps. He’s also an expert of martial arts, and the idea of him doing those crazy Steve Ditko finger wiggles in the middle of kung-fu moves was exciting to me.”

- By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Marvel has released a preview of “Defenders” #2, by Matt Fraction, Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson.

Here’s how Marvel describes the issue:

A dangerous secret lies deep within the Marvel Universe, and the only ones who can protect us against its calamitous consequences are… THE DEFENDERS! The team of Doctor Strange, Namor, Silver Surfer, Iron Fist & Red She Hulk must race to stop the Breaker of Worlds from unleashing terror across the Marvel Universe in Defenders #2. From the critically acclaimed creative team of Matt Fraction & Terry Dodson, one of the Marvel Universe’s biggest secrets is about to be uncovered, and you can only find the answer HERE!

Click past the cut for the full preview!

- Matt Price

Marvel has sent out a preview of “Scarlet Spider” No. 1 by Chris Yost and Ryan Stegman.   In the book, Kaine – the all-new Scarlet Spider – finds himself on the run in Texas after saving New York City during Spider-Island.

Kaine is a failed clone of Peter Parker who first appeared in the 1990s “Clone Saga.”

“Scarlet Spider is a book that can deal with a character much like Peter Parker but at darker, more difficult place in his life,” said Stephen Wacker, Marvel Senior Editor, in a news release. “The violent choices he’s made through years of struggle—the sins of youth, so to speak—have come at a brutal cost. He may hope that the things he’s done will be left to the dusty, yellowed pages of history, but someone ALWAYS remembers who you used to be.”

“Scarlet Spider” No. 1 is on sale Jan. 4.

- Matt Price
Click past the cut for the full preview.

Marvel Comics has released a preview of “Uncanny X-Men” No. 3, which will go on sale Dec. 28.

Here’s how Marvel describes the issue: THE CELESTIALS HAVE ARRIVED! In your first look at Uncanny X-Men #3, from the team of Kieron Gillen, Carlos Pacheco, Paco Diaz, & Rodney Buchemi, Cyclops and his Extinction Team must protect mankind not only from Mr. Sinister…but the world ending space gods! Sinister’s quest for supremacy has doomed the entire world and it’s all crumbling down around the feet of the X-Men. Are the Children of the Atom finally spread too thin? Find out this December in Uncanny X-Men #3!

“Uncanny X-Men” #3 is written by Kieron Gillen with pencils by Carlos Pacheco, Paco Diaz and Rodney Buchemi.

Click past the cut for the full preview.

- Matt Price

"Conan the Barbarian" No. 1, written by Roy Thomas, from Marvel Comics

Missouri-born comic book writer and editor Roy Thomas broke into comics in the mid-1960s, and went on to write some of the comic industry’s best-known characters, from the Avengers to the X-Men to Batman. But among his best-loved works are his comic-book adaptations of the Robert E. Howard pulp tales of Conan the Barbarian. The success of the Marvel Comics Conan led to the Arnold Schwarzenegger films of the 1980s, which had some involvement from Thomas.

“Conan” remains a popular property — the latest film, “Conan the Barbarian,” starring Jason Momoa, was released on DVD this week, and the Thomas-written 12-issue series “Conan: Road of Kings” is currently being released by Dark Horse Comics.

Robert E. Howard, the author and creator of “Conan,” launched the character in the 1932 issue of the pulp magazine “Weird Tales.” Howard was born in Peaster, Texas, in 1906 and lived in Texas and western Oklahoma as a youth before settling in Cross Plains, Texas, in 1919.

Marvel Comics introduced its version of Conan in 1970, written by Thomas and drawn by Barry Windsor-Smith. Marvel Comics, headed up by editor Stan Lee, had plenty of success with superhero characters like Spider-Man in the late 1960s, but Thomas and others thought the company should tackle other genres as well.

“I felt we needed to branch out and do other fields, and our readers wanted us to as well, and were telling us that in

Roy Thomas. Photo credit: Alan Waite, 2007.

letters,” Thomas said in a recent telephone interview. “Stan and I decided we should go after a sword and sorcery hero of the Conan variety, and luckily we ended up with Conan, which was the best thing that could have happened either to us, to me personally, to Marvel Comics, or for that matter, given how things have gone since then, to the Robert E. Howard estate and to Conan.”

Thomas’ first artist on “Conan the Barbarian” was Windsor-Smith, but he wasn’t the first choice for the book. The London-born artist had been in the U.S. working for Marvel, but legal requirements had moved him back to the U.K. Since he was a relatively new artist, he was available more cheaply than Thomas’ first choice, artist John Buscema.

“The publisher wanted to get back the little bit of money he was paying for the rights,” Thomas said. Given the budget, Thomas “wanted somebody who I thought would really throw himself into it and have some enthusiasm for it.” He thought Windsor-Smith would have that enthusiasm.

After a few hiccups in the first issue, Thomas and Windsor-Smith became a popular team, turning out a successful run of award-winning comics. Conan’s fantasy world came to visual life via Windsor-Smith’s art, with Thomas capably adapting Howard tales and creating new adventures. In 1971, the comic book won the Academy of Comic Book Arts Awards’ Best Continuing Feature.

Two hardcover archives featuring the stories of Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith were released in 2010.

Buscema later followed Windsor-Smith for a long run on “Conan.” Thomas would go on to write more than 200 comics featuring Conan.

Twenty-one softcover volumes of the “Chronicles of Conan,” reprinting Marvel Comics “Conan” series, have been released, with a 22nd set for December release. Ten volumes of the black-and-white “Savage Sword of Conan” reprint Marvel’s black-and-white magazine series featuring the barbarian.

“The Conan the Barbarian comic book and also the Savage Sword of Conan black and white magazine that I launched were quite important to the company,” Thomas said. “They were two of the big moneymakers. I think Conan probably made as much money, in terms of just selling comic-books, as any other character for about a decade in there.”

Matt and Kyle take a look at the Kindle Fire’s options for comics; the Avengers release new posters; and Roy Thomas talks about Conan the Barbarian in this week’s comics podcast.

FIRE AWAY
The Kindle Fire offers comics via graphic novel sales on Amazon.com and the comiXology app that comes pre-installed on the tablet. The comiXology reader links to any existing comiXology account. Its reader is preferable to the Fire’s native browser for comics, which will feature several DC graphic novels.

NEW AVENGERS POSTER

A brand new banner featuring the core four members of “The Avengers” — Captain America, Bruce Banner, Iron Man and Thor, from left to right — has premiered over at Yahoo Movies.

http://movies.yahoo.com/photos/movie-stills/gallery/3403/the-avengers-stills#info

CONAN GIVEAWAY

Lionsgate Home Entertainment is  releasing  Conan the Barbarian on 3D/2D Blu-ray Combo Pack, 2D   Blu-ray Disc, and DVD this November 22nd. Starring Jason Momoa, Rachel   Nichols, Stephen Lang, Rose McGowan, and Ron Perlman, this 2011  re-make  includes audio commentaries, The Conan Legacy  featurette, a making-of  and more. Longtime “Conan” comics writer appears on the special features for the film.

We have a copy of the  Conan the Phenomenon: The Legacy  of Robert E. Howard Fantasy  Icon hardcover art history book as well as the Conan the Barbarian the Blu-ray Combo Pack to give away.  For a chance to win, answer our question of the day:  Which Conan is your favorite?  The character from the books?  Arnold from the films?  The Barry Windsor-Smith or John Buscema version from the comics?  The more recent version from the Dark Horse Comics?  Or Jason Momoa in the new film?

ROY THOMAS

Speaking of Conan, I talked to Roy Thomas, who brought Conan to Marvel Comics in the 1970s and has been writing “Road of Kings” for Dark Horse.  He talked about the early days of the Conan comic.

He said he was hoping to expand Marvel’s reach beyond superheroes into sword and sorcery, and licensing Conan was a home run. The new “Conan the Barbarian” is out on DVD and Blu-ray today. Look for more of the interview with Thomas in Friday’s Weekend Look.

WINNER WINNER ROBOT CHICKEN DINNER

We’ve chosen our winner for the Robot Chicken season 5 DVD  —  the DVD goes to MovieHunter1888.

REVIEW FILE: Justice League 3, Captain America #4, Fear Itself 7.3, Avengers #19, Batman #3
Comics read in 2011: 1,748. Still to go: 263

Marvel Comics from the 1960s and 1970s made up the majority of my comic-book reading over the past two weeks, led by the “Captain Marvel” series from that era.  I read 69 comics total in the past two weeks of my 2,011 in 2011 comic-book challenge.  I am attempting to read 2,011 comic books in the calendar year.   With almost 89 percent of the year over, I’ve read 1,725 comics, or almost 86 percent of the total comics I need to read.  I’ve got 286 comics to go.  Click past the cut for the full breakdowns of comics read.

I read almost entirely Marvel Comics in the past two weeks, as far as comics that got logged on the blog.

Marvel Comics: 67
DC Comics: 2

The 1970s were just ahead of the 1960s for the most-read decade.

1960s: 31
1970s: 32
2000s: 1
2010s: 5

Year to date:

Marvel extended its lead.

Marvel Comics: 776
DC Comics: 465
Dark Horse: 141
Image Comics: 65
Boom! Studios: 52
Valiant Comics: 47
Malibu: 39
Eclipse Comics: 23
Dynamite: 20
Sirius: 17
NOW Comics: 12
Oni Press: 12
IDW: 13
Pen and Ink: 7
Prize: 7
Broadway: 6
Radical: 4
Archie: 4
Archaia: 4
NBM: 3
Atlas: 2
Harvey: 2
Abstract: 1
Bluewater: 1
Triumphant: 1
Pacific: 1

The 2000s remain in the lead for most-read decade.

1940-1949: 1
1950-1959: 8
1960-1969: 56
1970-1979: 153
1980-1989: 255
1990-1999: 291
2000-2009: 507
2010-present: 454

- Matt Price

Yahoo Movies debuted a banner featuring Chris Evans as Captain America, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk, Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man and Chris Hemsworth as Thor, for the upcoming film “The Avengers,” set for a May 4, 2012 release.  The film is directed by Joss Whedon.

The Avengers who haven’t had their own solo movies as yet, plus one villain, are found on a second banner via Moviefone.  Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury,Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow round out the second banner, which can be seen at Moviefone or by clicking past the cut.

- Matt Price

The 1960s-1970s “Captain Marvel” series was introduced at a time when most of what Marvel launched became a huge hit. But despite being created by Stan Lee, Captain Marvel floundered quite a bit before finding some critical success at the pen of Jim Starlin, who gave the hero “cosmic awareness” and made him the protector of the universe.

Captain Mar-Vell was originally an alien military officer of the Kree assigned to spy on Earth who finds himself having feelings for Earth people.

Introduced in Marvel Super-Heroes #12 by Stan Lee and Gene Colan, the Captain went through a variety of writers, artists and situations in the first 15 issues of his title.   Most of the time, he’s in conflict with his superior, Yon-Rogg, who assigns Mar-Vell to tasks he hopes will kill him.  This is because Yon-Rogg is in love with Una, Mar-Vell’s girlfriend serving on the same ship.  Meanwhile, on Earth, Mar-Vell, who is going by the secret identity of Dr. Walter Lawson, is drawn into a love triangle with Carol Danvers, who works on the rocket base he’s investigating.  With Captain Marvel (as the earthlings come to call Mar-Vell when he’s in his Kree uniform), Carol and Walter, it’s a love triangle; adding Una and Yon-Rogg makes it a fairly complicated love pentagon.  Along the way, Captain Marvel’s  mission and powers seem to undergo some type of change every few issues.

Writer Archie Goodwin attempted to make sense of all that had gone before in issue 16, clearing the decks for Roy Thomas and Gil Kane to revamp the series with Oct. 1969′s issue #17.   This issue found Captain Marvel sharing atoms with former Hulk and Captain America sidekick Rick Jones — only one could exist in the regular universe at any one time, with the other being exiled to the Negative Zone.   This was reminiscent in some ways of the Fawcett Captain Marvel, in which the young Billy Batson gave way to an adult Captain Marvel, only Thomas’ version gave the whole thing a very Marvel Comics twist.    The new costume was a definite improvement, but the new series only lasted through issue #21 before going on hiatus.

After a 2-year hiatus, Captain Marvel returns in some fairly forgettable issues (drawn by Wayne Boring and Gil Kane) before Jim Starlin arrives on the scene as the penciller of issue #25.    Starlin’s run really gets going when, in issue #29, Captain Marvel is given new powers, a slightly new look, blond hair and the title “protector of the universe.”

The new protector is quickly thrown into the Thanos War.  Thanos, introduced in Iron Man #55, is intent on getting the Cosmic Cube and becoming the ruler of the universe.    He bombs his own planet, Titan, wiping out millions before coming to earth in search of the cube.  It’s up to Captain Marvel, the Avengers and other assorted allies to put an end to Thanos’ plan.  It’s a story that reads a bit like a rough draft to the later “Infinity Gauntlet,” but it’s Captain Marvel at his best in the storyline, which concludes with issue #33.

Issues read:  Marvel Super-Heroes #12, Iron Man #55, Captain Marvel Vol. 1 #1-33.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011:  1,696. Still to go:  315.

X-Men and Power Pack #1 (2005)

The 2005 miniseries “X-Men and Power Pack,” written by Marc Sumerak, started off with a Halloween-themed issue, as the Power kids are heading to a Halloween party, with young Jack dressed as one of his favorite heroes, Wolverine.

Jack is sure he’s going to win the costume contest – but when that doesn’t look likely, he takes his frustration out on little sister Katie.  Katie gets upset and runs into the woods.   Older siblings Julie and Alex make Jack come with them to look for her.  (The four siblings together are “Power Pack,” who were granted superpowers during an alien encounter.)

Meanwhile, in the woods, Katie meets the real Wolverine – who she initially thinks is Jack, causing a brief skirmish.   Wolverine is there tracking one of his enemies, and eventually it’ll take Wolverine and Power Pack working together to save the day.

Manga-style art by the Japanese illustration team of GuriHiru is well-done throughout.    This issue kicked off a series of all-ages miniseries featuring Power Pack teamed up with various Marvel heroes.   As a Halloween tale, it’s good – there’s no direct spooky or supernatural threat, but there are costumes and scary things in the woods.  And as an all-ages comic and the beginning of the modern all-ages Power Pack, it’s a charming read.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,656.  Still to go: 355.

Marvel Adventures Spider-Man vol. 1 #20

Two creators I consider personal favorites — writer Peter David and artist Mike Norton — teamed up for the 2006 Halloween tale “Monster Mash” in Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #20.

It’s the night of the Halloween dance, and Peter Parker’s planning on skipping it.  Instead, he heads out on patrol, where Hawkeye is stopping a robbery in progress.   But there, they accidentally open a shipping container that inside holds what appears to be Frankenstein’s monster.

Hawkeye and Spidey attempt to capture the monster before too much mayhem ensues — and Peter might end up at that dance, after all.

This is a fresh, fun story that is great for anyone with even a passing familiarity with Spider-Man.  It hits on the themes that make the character great, teams him up with the brash Avenger Hawkeye, making for witty dialogue and exciting action, and the entire proceedings have a sense of fun.  Add the Halloween theme, and “Marvel Adventures Spider-Man” #20 is well worth an All Hallows Eve read.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,655.  Still to go:  356.

Marvel Comics’ top-tier team of superheroes stars in “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes,” which features Thor, Iron Man and Captain America, among others.

With “The Avengers” set to come to theaters in 2012, it’s a nice bit of multimedia synergy — but it’s a well-done animated series, as well, culling bits from both the classic and “Ultimate” lines of Marvel Comics, as well as the cinematic universe, to create a hybrid that takes the best of all worlds.

In the third volume, the Avengers face the Masters of Evil, a group of Avengers foes gathered by Captain America’s enemy, Baron Zemo. Though the Avengers appear to be down for the count after Zemo attacks their mansion, Zemo hasn’t accounted for the bowman Hawkeye or the Wakandan king Black Panther, two Avengers who weren’t there at the time.

The second episode on the set, “459,” brings the Kree warrior Captain Mar-Vell into the “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” continuity, as an alien sentry comes to Earth as a harbinger of interstellar war.

A three-part storyline features the time-traveling dictator Kang the Conqueror and is reminiscent of the great Kang storylines from the Avengers comics.

And in “Widow’s Sting,” Hawkeye and Mockingbird are on the trail of the apparent double-agent the Black Widow.

Eric Loomis brings a Robert Downey Jr.-esque flair to the brash, sarcastic Iron Man, and veteran voice actor Fred Tatasciore returns as the Hulk after playing the character in direct-to-DVD films and video games. Brian Bloom (“As the World Turns”) voices the heroic Captain America, while Rick Wasserman (“24”) plays the Norse god of thunder, Thor.

There’s some anime influence, but “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” animation style is probably somewhere between Marvel’s more traditional superhero style and a full-on anime production. It’s similar in look to the recent “Wolverine and the X-Men” as far as art style is concerned. Former “X-Force” comics writer Christopher Yost is the series’ head writer and story editor, and wrote the “Masters of Evil” episode included in this collection.

— Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Chris Hemsworth in "Thor." (Mark Fellman/Marvel Studios)

The Hollywood Reporter states Disney’s Lone Ranger will be released on May 31, 2013.  As part of the shuffle, “Thor 2″ will move from July 26, 2013 to Nov. 15, 2013.

Taking the spot previously held by “Thor 2,” “Phineas and Ferb” will hit theaters on July 26, 2013.

According to THR,  budget negotiations caused the “Lone Ranger” to miss its original autumn start date.   Johnny Depp will star as Tonto in the film, which is to be directed by Gore Verbinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.

Nerdage favorite Don Payne is on board to write “Thor 2.”  Patty Jenkins is in talks to direct.

- Matt Price

Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr in "The Avengers."

Get your first extended look at Marvel’s “The Avengers” with a new trailer released today at Apple.

The film, directed by Joss Whedon, stars Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye.

- Matt Price

Jack Kirby, who had co-created the Black Panther in the pages of Fantastic Four, returned to write and draw the character in a 1977 series.

The series is quite different from what fans had grown to expect with Don McGregor’s “Jungle Action.”  This “Black Panther” wasn’t about social relevance, it was about fast-paced action, with the Panther initially teaming up with a little person named Mr. Little who seeks strange artifacts.   It’s Black Panther as a jovial Indiana Jones, as he seeks the artifact known as “King Solomon’s Frog,” which allows time travel.

The first seven or so issues work pretty well, though the dialogue is of course offbeat throughout.   In issues #8-13, the Panther faces Kiber the Cruel, who has kidnapped a relative of T’Challa’s.   Issue #12 ends with a cliffhanger, which writers Jim Shooter and Ed Hannigan wrap up in an issue #13 that completes the story, but barely feels like part of the preceding 12 issues.  Jerry Bingham’s art is more realistic – and probably more typical for Marvel art of the time – but vastly different from Kirby’s science fictional plateaus.

Kirby’s “Black Panther” was later homaged and referenced in Christopher Priest’s “Black Panther” run.  “Black Panther” issues 1-13 were collected in “Black Panther by Jack Kirby” vols. 1 and 2 in 2005 and 2006.

Other issues read recently:
Secret Avengers 16, 17
Writer Warren Ellis takes the reins of “Secret Avengers” and creates adventure stories that might appeal to fans of Ellis’ “Planetary.”  It’s not as metatextual, but it does feature dynamic adventurers facing strange, hidden threats.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,475.  Still to go: 536.

Stan Lee (AP)

Charitybuzz is providing comics fans some rare opportunities to meet with the people behind their favorite comics.

A fan can win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy a lunch date with Stan “The Man” Lee along with POW! Entertainment co-founder Gill Champion in LA.  The lucky diner will also get to take home two autographed comics.

Bidding is open through October 19 at http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/281204 with proceeds going to Communities in School of Los Angeles.

Lee, former publisher of Marvel Comics, co-created a laundry list of characters including Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk and the X-Men.

Own a Commemorative Marvel Encyclopedia Signed by Stan Lee

Another way to get a Stan Lee autograph is to bid on a Marvel Encyclopedia offered by Charitybuzz.  A copy of the Marvel Encyclopedia, signed by Stan Lee, is up for bid through October 5 at http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/272716. The book contains new artwork, stats and histories for Spider-Man, the Hulk, Wolverine and more. Proceeds benefit the Young Story Tellers Foundation.

Lunch at Archie Comics Headquarters in NY with the CEO

Two Archie Comics fans could meet the CEO of the company in a special Charitybuzz auction.

Nancy Silberkleit, the CEO of Archie Comics, will meet with the auction winners in New York at the comic book company’s headquarters.   Bidding goes through October 5 at http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/283815 with proceeds going to the Plastic Pollution Coalition.

- Matt Price
Click past the cut to find out more about the charities involved.

About the charities

Communities in Schools of Los Angeles is empowering students to stay in school and achieve in life. Their mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

Young Story Tellers Foundation develops literacy through the art of storytelling. Using group exercises and one-on-one mentoring, they provide underserved children in the public school system an opportunity to write stories and see them brought to life through performance.

Plastic Pollution Coalition is an organization seeking to put plastic pollution at the forefront of global social, environmental and political discourse.

Hugh Jackman (AP)

Splash Page reports that “The Wolverine” filming has been delayed until next year.

While promoting “Real Steel,” Jackman confirmed he’ll be shooting “Les Miserables” next, which will push the filming of “The Wolverine” into 2012.

The film has had a bumpy road, already losing director Darren Aronofsky.   James Mangold (“3:10 to Yuma”) is the director scheduled to helm the project.

- Matt Price

Christopher Priest wrote the definitive “Black Panther” run, starting as part of the “Marvel Knights” line in 1998.   Though most of the book isn’t available in collections, it’s well-worth tracking down the entire run. 

Black Panther 1-62 ran from 1998 through 2003, with all but two issues written by Christopher Priest (formerly Jim Owlsley).

The first 12 issues are almost a Tom Clancy novel with an African king as the star.  With artists Mark Texiera on issues 1-6 and Joe Jusko, Mike Manley and Mark Bright on issues 7-12.

The Black Panther is an Avenger, but he’s not exactly a superhero.  The Black Panther is T’Challa, the king of the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda.   He wears the costume of the Black Panther as the head of the Panther Clan in his land.

In “The Client,” issues 1-6, the Panther arrives in New York City to investigate the murder of a young girl who had been the beneficiary of a Wakandan charity.   What he discovers is that he’s been lured away from his nation in order for his enemies to orchestrate a coup.

Everett K. Ross is a government attache assigned to be the Black Panther’s handler while he’s in the U.S.  What’s intended to be a four-day mission ends up keeping Ross at the Black Panther’s side for the majority of Priest’s run.

The series begins with a lot of “Pulp Fiction”-style out-of-sequence storytelling, but as the series continues, it lessens, though doesn’t go away entirely.

Priest’s Black Panther is always three steps of his enemies; he’s a bit of a Marvel Batman.

The series later creates a Kirby homage that appears at first to be humorous, or even taking shots at the Kirby-era comics; but by the time it’s over, Priest has created a heartbreaking tale tying in the Kirby era.

Sal Velluto and Bob Almond provide fantastic artwork for the majority of the series middle run.   In issue #50, a new Panther is introduced.  Except for issues #57 and #58, a two-part story written by J. Torres, this new Panther is the focus of the remainder of the series, as he’s aided by T’Challa in what’s much more of a crime fiction arc than the previous issues of the series.

“Black Panther” is a smart, political thriller that offers many rewards to those who navigate the entire run.  Complex yet funny throughout, “Black Panther” is one of the underrated gems of Marvel Comics’ recent history.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,427.  Still to go: 584.

Marvel has sent out the above teaser for October’s “Fear Itself” #7.    What do you think?

“Behold! The Mighty!” says Marvel’s release. “Assembling in Fear Itself #7, out next month!”

- Matt Price