DC Comics regained the public’s attention — and the lead in market share — with a publicized revamp of its superhero line, but not all of the year’s best comics involved capes and tights.

The following are 2011′s best 10 periodical comic books.

1. “Detective Comics 871-881,” Scott Snyder, Jock and Franco Francavilla.

The new Batman, Dick Grayson, is put to the test as a series of brutal murders puts him up against one of Gotham City’s oldest evils.

In the second story, “Hungry City,” the corpse of a killer whale is found in an upscale Gotham City bank, sparking a deadly new mystery.

Snyder’s opus, which includes the mystery of Commissioner Gordon’s son, is a candidate for best Batman tale of the current decade. DC was suitably impressed with Snyder, tabbing him as the writer of its relaunched “Batman” title.

2. “Criminal: The Last of the Innocent,” Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips.

Brubaker (“Captain America”) is one of comics’ finest writers, and this is among his best books, a mixture of noir and nostalgia that’s part twisted take on “Archie”-style characters, part dark secrets and murder. Artist Phillips creates compelling stories in two completely different styles for “Innocent.” Riley Richards seems as if he had it all, marrying the hottest girl in town and moving on to the big city. But now, he can’t forget his simpler life in Brookview. He’s willing to do anything to roll back the clock — including murder.

3. “The Red Wing,” Jonathan Hickman, Nick Pitarra.

Hickman (“Fantastic Four”) writes a story of fighter pilots in the future who fight their battles not only in the air, but also through time. Art by Pitarra.

4. “Action Comics,” Grant Morrison, Rags Morales

In Morrison’s much-hyped revamp of “Action Comics,” a young, brash Superman goes about his business in work boots and blue jeans, rustling up corporate criminals and raising the ire of everyone from the police and military to Lex Luthor, a brash industrialist who doesn’t much cotton to the idea of a superhuman.

Superman’s a bit arrogant, but very much easy to root for, as he attempts to stand up to bullies of all stripes.

5. “Daredevil,” Mark Waid, Pablo Rivera, Marcos Martin.

Writer Waid and artists Rivera and Martin brought Daredevil back to his swashbuckling past in the 2011 relaunch of “Daredevil.” Waid also shows the keen legal mind of Matt Murdock, the blind lawyer who is Daredevil. Murdock tries to keep his legal and vigilante worlds separate, despite his secret identity being somewhat known.

6. “Who Is Jake Ellis?,” Nathan Edmondson, Tonci Zonjic.

The collection of this 5-issue miniseries features former spy Jon Moore, now a mercenary. He’s able to escape capture in part because of the voice in his head — the voice of Jake Ellis. But who is Jake Ellis? He’s a man only Jon can see, providing information on safe escapes and possible threats. The mystery of Ellis, and Jon’s quest to discover the secrets behind it, are what writer Edmondson and artist Zonjic have laid out in this fast-paced espionage thriller from Image Comics.

7. “The Rocketeer Adventures,” various creators.

Dave Stevens created the Rocketeer in the early 1980s, a tribute to the serials of the 1930s and 1940s as pilot Cliff Secord finds a jet pack that allows him to race through the air. He, his mentor Peavy and girlfriend Betty (modeled after Bettie Page) starred in several adventures by Stevens and a 1991 motion picture. Stevens died in 2008, but IDW brought back his character The Rocketeer in 2011, with an anthology series that in part benefits hairy cell leukemia research.

That would be reason enough to buy “The Rocketeer Adventures,” but the all-star lineup of creators has made a book that’s one of the year’s best. Kurt Busiek, Mark Waid, Jonathon Ross, Mike Allred, John Cassaday, Darwyn Cooke, Bruce Timm, Kyle Baker, Gene Ha, Michael Wm. Kaluta and Chris Weston contribute to this lovely taste of 1930s-style adventures.

8. “Animal Man,” Jeff Lemire, Travel Foreman, Dan Green.

Writer Lemire joins artists Foreman and Green for DC’s revamp of “Animal Man,” which became one of the breakout hits of the New 52. Lemire is channeling Morrison’s take on the character, so readers of the 1980s Buddy Baker will find much to enjoy. The art’s a little different from the DC norm, but conveys the story’s mix of domesticity and dread.

9. “The Sixth Gun,” Cullen Bunn, Brian Hurtt.

An Oni Press Western with supernatural horror elements, “The Sixth Gun” follows the path of six cursed guns during the darkest days of the Civil War. Bunn and Hurtt are the creative team.

10. “American Vampire,” Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque

Also written by Snyder, “American Vampire” follows the exploits of a new breed of “American Vampire” that has the ability to feed in the sun. The 1880s outlaw Skinner Sweet and 1920s actress Pearl Jones make their way to Las Vegas circa 1935; later the series follows Pearl and her husband into the World War II era.

- Matt Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
Click here for the best graphic novels of 2011.

Former “New Teen Titans” artist Eduardo Barreto has died at age 57, Comic Book Resources is reporting.

The artist worked with Marv Wolfman on the popular “New Teen Titans” series starting in the mid-1980s.

He was also an artist for the “Judge Parker” newspaper strip from 2006-2010 and the “Phantom” Sunday strip.

Barreto, who was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, contracted meningitis in 2010.

Comics writer and critic Rob Vollmar, of Chickasha, said Barreto had versatility and a deft artistic touch.

“Eduardo Barreto was an artist who brought style and impact to the books that he drew,” Vollmar said. “He was able to retain the sexiness that George Perez had brought to the Teen Titans revival of the late-70s while making the figures more organic and less posed. Though he was probably best known for his superhero work, Barreto was capable of much more, as evidenced by his collaboration with Ande Parks on ‘Union Station.’ It is a shame to see talented artists like Barreto go so young.”

George Perez shared the following comment on the George Perez facebook fan page:

“I was totally stunned to learn of the death of former TITANS artist Eduardo Barreto, at the incredibly young age of 57 (which is the same age as me),” Perez wrote. “Eduardo was probably second only to me in the number of issues of THE NEW TEEN TITANS drawn during its initial run. He was an exceptional draftsman and, as I learned in my only meeting with him during a convention, a very nice gentleman. My condolences to his family, friends, and fans.”

Barreto was closely associated with DC Comics for much of his career, and was the artist on publications including “Action Comics” and “Atari Force.”

Oni Press, for whom Barreto drew “Union Station” and “The Long Haul,” released the following statement.

All of us at Oni Press were saddened to have learned of the passing of our friend and colleague, Eduardo Barreto. It was our absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to collaborate with this great artist. Eduardo fit the classic model of a working illustrator, and he particularly loved the wide variety of comics that he read growing up in Uruguay. He had a pronounced passion for space operas and horse operas alike, and though he made his name drawing iconic characters like Superman and the Teen Titans, his art truly shined when he was let loose to play with heroes whose abilities—and foibles—were far more human. Those who worked with him remember as a true professional, and everyone who met him could instantly call him a friend. Eduardo Barreto leaves behind a tremendous body of work, as well as a legion of fans, all of whom will miss him dearly. We join them in extending our deepest condolences to his family for their loss.

- Matt Price

IDW’s reprint series of “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” begins in “Classic G.I. Joe vol. 1″  with issues 1-10 from the original Marvel Comics run.

This introduces Duke, Scarlett, Snake Eyes and several others from the original Joe counter-terrorism military team.   Issue #2, which features the first appearance of the freelance operative Kwinn, became notable in collecting circles for its relative rarity — the “G.I. Joe effect” became a collecting term for a second issue becoming more collectible than the first.

The stories are enjoyable, if dated, especially for those who were young Joe fans at the time.  The foundation set by writer Larry Hama here kicked off one of the most successful comic-book tie-ins to a toy line ever created.

Doomwar 1-6
Collected this May, “Doomwar” features Doctor Doom going to all-out war with the Black Panther’s Wakanda, fomenting a revolution from malcontents inside the nation.   Doom has his eyes on the nation’s vibranium, a rare, indestructible metal that Doom also believes to have mystic properties.   The Panther escapes the country just in time, but must leave his wife, Storm of the X-Men, behind.   With help from the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, T’Challa must regain control of his country, ideally without killing his own countrymen, and thwart Doom’s plan.  A well-done, action-based story by Jonathan Maberry and Scot Eaton.

Resurrection: The Insurgent Edition
This value-priced collection includes issues 1-6, plus the 2008 Annual of Oni Press’ “Resurrection.” Marc Guggenheim and artists David Dumeer and Douglas Dabbs create an interesting tale that’s reminiscent in some ways of “The Walking Dead.”    Ten years after an alien invasion and subsequent domination of earth, the aliens have left.   With mankind taking tentative steps to reclaim the planet, how does society rebuild?  Definitely worth picking up, especially for the price (the collection is just $6).

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011:  1,024.  Still to go:  987.

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.

1. “Supergirl” (DC Comics). Tulsa native Sterling Gates brought his run on “Supergirl” to a close in 2010. With artist Jamal Igle, Gates imbued Kryptonian teen Kara with a personality and soul that went far beyond her super-abilities. Supergirl dealt with the death of her society, betrayal from a friend, and the constant struggle to live up to her family crest. In 2010, Supergirl learned that, like those of us without superpowers, she couldn’t simply run from her problems and her pain but had to face up to them.

2. “Chew” (Image Comics). Cibopathic detective Tony Chu gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats. In this near-future, the Food and Drug Administration has become the most powerful law-enforcement group on the planet, after a bird flu led to the banning of chicken. Chu faces off against his ex-partner, gets a new girlfriend and deals with a family Thanksgiving before the possible end of the world is threatened at year’s end.

3. “Demo” Vol. 2 (DC Comics/Vertigo). Writer Brian Wood and artist Becky Cloonan revived their series “Demo,” first published at AiT-Planet Lar, for DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint in 2010. “Demo” is made up of short stories of young people with unnatural powers, but it’s done in a different way than something like the “X-Men.” “Demo” looks at young people at a turning point in their lives, with an unusual ability often serving as a metaphor. From romance to dark horror, each of the six issues of “Demo” is like a short film unto itself.

4. “American Vampire” (DC Comics/Vertigo). Writers Stephen King and Scott Snyder reveal the stories of 1880s outlaw Skinner Sweet and 1920s actress Pearl Jones, who become the first of a new breed of “American Vampire,” who have the ability to feed in the sun. Brazil-born artist Rafael Albuquerque (“Blue Beetle,” “Mondo Urbano”) is a future star.

5. “Captain America” (Marvel Comics). The new Captain America faces off against Baron Zemo and must face the crimes of his past, when he was the brainwashed Winter Soldier, in this series from Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice.

6. “Invincible Iron Man” (Marvel Comics). Tony Stark became a fugitive as the former Green Goblin became the top cop in the Marvel Universe, then put himself in a coma to prevent Norman Osborn from finding out his secrets. When Tony is finally revived, he has no memory of his past few years. This new Tony starts a new company, builds a new suit of armor, and wants to make the world a cleaner, freer place. But enemies old and new stand in his way. Writer Matt Fraction, with artist Salvador Larocca, continues to make “Invincible Iron Man” a techno-thriller for the 21st century.

7. “The Walking Dead” (Image Comics). Robert Kirkman’s zombie epic continued its successful run at Image Comics even as it was adapted for television by Frank Darabont. Kirkman, with artist Charlie Adlard, kept “The Walking Dead” one of the most consistent — and consistently surprising — comic books on the stands. Rick Grimes continues to test his limits as he seeks safety for his group of companions. But will the group still have the temperament to merge with a society?

8. “Stumptown” (Oni Press). Private detective Dex has a problem with gambling and owes about $18,000 to a casino. But if she can find the granddaughter of the casino’s executive, she may be able to get out of debt. Unfortunately, it doesn’t end up being that simple. This one is by Greg Rucka and Matthew Southworth.

9. “Ex Machina” (DC Comics/WildStorm). Brian K. Vaughan (“Y: The Last Man”) brought his story of Mitchell Hundred, the superpowered mayor of New York, to a conclusion in 2010. The remarkably consistent series, which mixed action and politics, was drawn throughout the run by Tony Harris (“Starman”).

10. “King City” (Tokyopop/Image). Brandon Graham has created an original, funny sci-fi tale with “King City,” in which 20-something Joe, a “cat master,” and his cat return to his hometown of King City. Joe’s cat, Earthing J. Catingsworth III, can transform into virtually any tool after being injected with “Cat-Juice.” The futuristic city of spies and mobsters is jam-packed with visual details and developed characters.

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

Here are my selections for the best 10 graphic novels of 2010. I’ve limited the list to stories that first appeared in a graphic novel format, as opposed to collections of periodically released comic books.

Next week, return for the top 10 periodical comics of 2010.

1. “The Outfit” by Darwyn Cooke (IDW).

IDW released the second adaptation of Richard Stark’s “Parker” novels by Cooke (“Justice League: The New Frontier).

When the syndicate gets wind that Parker has survived, they send someone after him. But Parker decides to take matters into his own hands and hit the Outfit himself.

Cooke perfectly translates the world of the “Parker” books into illustrated fiction.

2. “Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour” by Bryan Lee O’Malley (Oni Press).

Scott Pilgrim received a lot of hype this year for the film directed by Edgar Wright, but he also finished his story in the world of graphic novels this year, with O’Malley giving just the right touch to the final stanza of the 20-something slacker who found love.

3. “X’ed Out” by Charles Burns (Pantheon).

The “Black Hole” creator shows a “Tintin” influence in his latest sci-fi/horror epic. The first of several planned installments, “X’ed Out” follows Doug, a young man who wakes up with a head injury who can’t remember his past except in disjointed flashbacks.

4. “Acme Novelty Library #20/Lint” by Chris Ware (Drawn and Quarterly).

As part of his ongoing “Rusty Brown” storyline, Ware introduces us to Jordan Wellington Lint. Each page provides a glimpse at Lint’s internal life year by year, as he grows into a privileged businessman.

5. “Bodyworld” by Dash Shaw (Pantheon).

Dash Shaw creates a trippy, futuristic tale set after the second Civil War where a new drug allows the user to feel the reactions of others.

6. “Meanwhile” by Jason Shiga (Abrams).

An all-ages graphic novel with a story that can branch in multiple directions, “Meanwhile” is innovative in form and charming in content.

7. “Market Day” by James Sturm (Drawn and Quarterly).

Economic forces disrupt the career and life of an Eastern European rug-maker in a graphic novel by James Sturm set a century ago, with relevance today.

8. “Grandville Mon Amour” by Bryan Talbot (Dark Horse).

In an alternate 19th century where Britain lost the Napoleonic War, LeBrock is a detective in a world of talking animals. LeBrock attempts to recapture a former British patriot turned killer, and finds a conspiracy that goes deep into the government.

9. “Return of the Dapper Men” by Jim McCann and Janet K. Lee (Archaia Entertainment).

An art nouveau fantasy with elements of steampunk features 314 “dapper men” who fall from the sky to restart the world of Anorev.

10. “Picture This: The Near-Sighted Monkey Book” by Lynda Barry (Drawn and Quarterly).

A sequel of sorts to “What It Is,” “Picture This” is an examination of drawing and artwork with elements of memoir and a how-to book. Anyone can draw, and should, the book posits, to express our feelings, to deal with our emotions or just to have fun.

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

Scott Pilgrim Blu-ray

Edgar Wright adapts Bryan Lee O’Malley’s six-volume graphic novel series into “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” a hyperactive romance with layers upon layers of influences.

The film stars Michael Cera as the titular Scott Pilgrim, a 20-something Toronto slacker who plays bass in the band Sex Bob-omb. Scott is dating Knives Chau (Emily Wong), 17, to the dismay of his friends; Scott hasn’t gotten over his bad breakup with Envy Adams (Brie Larson), who has rocketed to rock stardom since their breakup.

Scott’s trying to use his relationship with Knives to dull the pain of his breakup. The film takes a turn for the surreal as Scott falls for Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a delivery girl using the subspace pathways in Scott’s head as a shortcut. In order to date Ramona, Scott discovers he must defeat Ramona’s seven evil exes.

The battle sequences draw influences from video games, anime, graphic novels and more. Each fight teaches Scott something about himself, but will it be enough to face Ramona’s final evil ex?

Excellent in supporting roles are Kieran Culkin as Scott’s gay roommate, Wallace Wells, and Anna Kendrick as Scott’s sister, Stacey, who plays something of a Jiminy Cricket to Scott’s Pinocchio. The music, including songs composed by Beck, accentuates the film’s caffeinated humor.

Scott’s labors of Hercules are a meld of 1980s and 1990s influences from “Battle of the Planets” to “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”; watching the four audio commentaries gives insight into the film’s many layers and visual metaphors.

Blu-ray extras: featurettes, preproduction footage, Scott Pilgrim animation for Adult Swim, deleted scenes, music videos and more.

— Matthew Price

Paul Levitz with his book, "75 Years of DC Comics."

WORD BALLOONS

With Black Friday upon us, those with comic book fans in their lives might be considering what items relating to the hobby would make good holiday gifts. There are several items, from archival reprints to art books and histories, that might make good selections.

2010 marks the 75th anniversary of DC Comics, so several items are available celebrating that landmark. Paul Levitz has written the enormous “75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking” ($200) from Taschen, recounting the company’s history with lots of beautifully presented art. The hardcover book “DC Comics Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle” ($50) takes fans on a chronological tour through important events in DC Comics’ publishing history.

For those who may be fans primarily of DC Comics’ artwork, “DC Comics: The 75th Anniversary Poster Book” ($40) provides a look at some of DC’s greatest covers, which can be pulled out as posters if desired.

Another DC Comics-related book of interest is “Icons: The DC Comics & Wildstorm Art of Jim Lee” ($39.95), which recounts the post-Marvel comics art of the DC Comics co-publisher, who has drawn story lines including “Superman: For Tomorrow” and “Batman: Hush.” Fans of classic comics may want to try out “Shazam!: The Golden Age of the World’s Mightiest Mortal” ($35), which looks back at the phenomenon of Captain Marvel from comics’ Golden Age.

Aspiring comic book artists might be interested in “Stan Lee’s How to Draw Comics” ($24.99), which covers essential elements in comic book creating, or “Bryan Hitch’s Ultimate Comics Studio” ($24.99), which shows the techniques of the popular comic book penciller.

If your comic fan’s taste runs more toward the indie, Oni Press has released a complete box set of all of the “Scott Pilgrim” graphic novels. Called “Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Box Set” ($72), this slipcased collection contains all six of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s “Pilgrim” graphic novels, in which a slacker must defeat all of his new girlfriend’s evil exes.

Marvel Comics fans may enjoy “Marvel Avengers: The Ultimate Character Guide” ($16.99), which gives a rundown on the various characters that were part of “The Avengers” over the years.

- Matt Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Cartoonist Jarrett Williams grew up watching wrestling, and that fandom has inspired his first full-length graphic novel.

Williams, who wrote and drew the Web comic “Lunar Boy,” is the creator of the graphic novel “Super Pro K.O.,” which features wrestler Joe Somiano’s first day at the SPKO wrestling company.

The cover to Super Pro K.O.

“He comes into this company thinking it’s going to be super easy, but of course it’s not; that’s not the case at all,” Williams said. “He has to deal with all these crazy wrestlers (and) the politics backstage.”

The manga-influenced “Super Pro K.O.” has a wild cast of characters, including the luchador El Heroe; the second-generation star Mr. Awesomeness 2; and the world champ, the somewhat deranged King Crown.

“I’m from a generation of cartoonists that were influenced by so much, from Western comics (to) Japanese comics, and so I think ‘Super Pro K.O.’ is just like a hybrid of all those things,” Williams said. “It’s definitely an action story.”

Growing up, Williams said he watched wrestling Saturday mornings, including World Championship Wrestling and Mid-South Wrestling.

“And then as I got older, of course, I was a big fan of like the Monday Night Wars,” Williams said, referring to period in the 1990s that included World Wrestling Entertainment, WCW and Extreme Championship Wrestling competing for viewership.

“And so now it’s just crazy that I’m actually doing a comic about these things,” he said.

Williams said he’s surprised at the number of wrestling fans who have come up to him at conventions to talk about the sport.

“Since I’ve been doing this comic, a lot of people have been coming out of the woodwork, like, ‘Oh man, I’m a fan, too, and this is my favorite wrestler, and this is my favorite angle,’ and I love that,” Williams said.

“Super Pro K.O.” Vol. 1 is available from Oni Press.

- By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, starring Michael Cera and based on the graphic novels by Bryan Lee O’Malley, opens in theaters this week.

In “Scott Pilgrim,” the title character, a Toronto 23-year old bassist, discovers he must defeat his new girlfriend’s seven evil exes in order to date her.

Knuckleheads by Brian Winkeler and Robert Wilson IV

Excellent in supporting roles are Kieran Culkin as Scott’s gay roommate Wallace Wells and Anna Kendrick as Scott’s sister, Stacey. Ellen Wong is fantastic in her first feature film role as the high schoolgirl friend, Knives Chau. The music, including songs composed by Beck, is excellent throughout.

Rifftrax on Aug. 19

Rifftrax live event taking place at theaters throughout the country (and three in Oklahoma) on Aug. 19. There will be an encore presentation on Aug. 24.

The former “Mystery Science Theater 3000″ stars Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett will reunite on the big screen to live-riff the 1936 cult classic that warns of the dangers of marijuana. Audiences will also receive free digital items after the event.

Local Knuckleheads

Oklahoma comics creators Brian Winkeler and Robert Wilson IV are the creators of “Knuckleheads,” a “sitcomic” that explores what happens when a slacker is granted access to a superpowerful weapon.  It’s Green Lantern mixed with the Big Bang theory, according to Winkeler, who writes the series.

Reviews
Matt Price and Kyle Roberts review Emerald Warriors #1, Archie and Friends #146, Incredible Hulk #611 and X-Men #2.

Michael Cera in "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World"

“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” is a high-energy romantic comedy for the attention-deficit generation, and while it has its share of flaws, it’s entertaining and funny throughout.

Directed by Edgar Wright (“Shaun of the Dead”), “Scott Pilgrim” stars Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim, “Rating: Awesome” a text box informs us. Scott is the 23-year-old slacker bassist of Toronto band Sex Bob-omb, who is dating a high schooler, much to the dismay of his friends. Scott’s still distressed over a previous bad breakup and is using the relatively simple relationship his “fake high school girlfriend” provides to attempt to heal.

But then, as the movie begins to get all the more surreal, Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), an Amazon.ca delivery person, begins appearing in Scott’s dreams. Scott falls for her, but to date her, he must defeat her seven evil exes.

The movie then becomes even more frenzied, as Wright uses techniques from video games, anime and even Bollywood musicals to create hyperactive action sequences. Wright also pulls several techniques directly from the graphic novels on which “Scott Pilgrim” is based, a six-volume set by Canadian Bryan O’Malley.

Scott uses skill and guile to combat the exes, each time learning more about his girlfriend and himself. But will what he’s learned be enough when he must face Ramona’s final evil ex?

Excellent in supporting roles are Kieran Culkin as Scott’s gay roommate Wallace Wells and Anna Kendrick as Scott’s sister, Stacey. Ellen Wong is fantastic in her first feature film role as the high school girlfriend, Knives Chau. The music, including songs composed by Beck, is excellent throughout.

The main problem with “Scott Pilgrim” is that the film is so frantic that it’s hard to get a feel for the relationship at the heart of it. Without much time to develop, the reason for all these battles kind of gets lost in the shuffle. Cera is a slightly different Scott Pilgrim from the books, but he makes the character his own. Perhaps anticipating some amount of comparison, Wright has a character mention in a crowd scene that the comics are better. And that’s true — the graphic novels on which “Scott Pilgrim” is based are transcendent, whereas the movie is simply entertaining and visually inventive. Nonetheless, “Pilgrim” is a fun movie with many great moments and certainly never bores its audience.

- By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Scott Pilgrim promotion: Found via io9, this great Atlanta promo of Jason Schwartzman and Michael Cera doing the weather at the Atlanta Fox affiliate.  Really funny stuff!

“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” opens on Aug. 13. It’s based on the series of Oni Press graphic novels by Bryan O’Malley; Cera stars as Scott Pilgrim.

- Matt Price

I read “Super Pro K.O.” today to prepare for an interview with the writer/artist Jarrett Williams, and I definitely recommend it.  It mixes a manga style with wrestling tropes, and as Annette mentioned  to me, it reminded her of Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out.  I think that’s an interesting mix of influences that turns into a compelling debut graphic novel!

Here’s how Oni describes the book:

Joe Somiano is late to his first match in Super Pro K.O.!, and has no clue what awaits him in the rowdy ring! A seasoned sumo wrestler, a jolly luchador, a flambouyant tag team, suspicious executives, and a drunken Heavyweight Champion all stand between him and the superstardom that is his destiny. If the huge egos, clothesline take-downs, and broken chairs across the head don’t squash Joe’s dreams, he may just come out on top. But if he’s going to take home the champion’s belt, he’ll need to bring his best moves against the likes of S.P.K.O.! stars Tomahawk Slamson, Yoko No-No, Mr. Awesomeness 2, and many more in this grand slamma jamma event of a graphic novel!

You can check out a preview of the book at Oni’s web site, and stay tuned to Nerdage for an interview with Jarrett Williams!

- Matt Price

More than 150 participating stores have “Scott Pilgrim” vol. 6 on sale today.  It’s a fantastic finish to what has been an amazing story.  It’s filled with humor, emotion and growth.   I think “Scott Pilgrim” will go down as one of the finest comic-book series of the ’00s, and I recommend it highly.   One of the hardest things to do in comics – perhaps because of their typically ongoing nature – is to completely nail an ending, and I think Bryan O’Malley does that here.

- Matt Price

I really dig the international trailer for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. “Scott, if your life had a face, I would punch it.” Really hope this movie lives up to the hype. The books are fantastic, and the trailers so far have me pumped.  The film stars Michael Cera and opens on Aug. 13.

- Matt Price

New Scott Pilgrim vs the World trailer, starring Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim. Directed by Edgar Wright. How fantastic does this look?

You can also see the original teaser trailer here.

- Matt Price

A quick note to let people know that slashfilm has posted the Scott Pilgrim vs. the World teaser trailer.  Scott Pilgrim is now a trending topic on twitter, so it seems that many people are excited about the upcoming Edgar Wright film.  The film, starring Michael Cera, is based on the Oni Press graphic novel series.   Apple also has the trailer online. EDIT: The trailer is now embedded below, via YouTube.

- Matt Price

Oni Press has announced the title and release date of the final Scott Pilgrim volume: Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour will be released on July 20.

That is a Tuesday, and typically comics come out on Wednesday, so does Oni have some kind of special Tuesday release plan for comic shops? I hope so.  That could be a lot of fun.     Check out the full release from Oni below:

Six years, five volumes, and 1,000 pages. Now the long anticipated finale to Bryan Lee O’Malley’s hit Oni Press graphic novel series has finally arrived. On Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 comic shops and bookstores across North America will celebrate the release of SCOTT PILGRIM VOL. 6: SCOTT PILGRIM’S FINEST HOUR.

“It’s been quite a ride, and I couldn’t have gotten here without the support of the fans and the retailers,” said O’Malley. “It feels great to be in the home stretch, and I think this is going to be the best Scott Pilgrim book ever!”

Bryan Lee O’Malley and the SCOTT PILGRIM series have both been honored with multiple awards including the Harvey, Doug Wright, Joe Shuster, and National Cartoonists Society Reuben awards, in addition to being named Entertainment Weekly and Wizard Magazine’s Independent Comic of the Year. Series Editor and Oni Press Editor-in-Chief James Lucas Jones gave additional praise to O’Malley, “it’s been an honor working with Bryan over the years. He’s got such a unique voice and I’ve been fortunate to witness him develop a style unlike anyone working in the industry today; a style that I feel will influence many future generations of comic professionals. I’m so proud that Oni has been a part of that.”

Oni Press will be rolling out a series of event announcements in the weeks and months leading up to the release, including Bryan Lee O’Malley signings at this year’s sold out San Diego Comic Con. Oni Press Publisher Joe Nozemack said about the works, “I’m convinced that Scott Pilgrim will go down as one of those series that changed comics forever. When I’m out and see someone wearing a Scott Pilgrim t-shirt or sitting in a cafe reading one of the books, I get so excited about comics entering the mainstream and to know that Oni Press’ books are helping lead the way, it’s an indescribable feeling. I can’t wait to see the reaction to the final volume!”

Bryan Lee O’Malley’s SCOTT PILGRIM VOL. 6: SCOTT PILGRIM’S FINEST HOUR, is published by Oni Press and features 248 pages of evil-ex butt-kicking in the easily digestible digest format for the low, low price of $11.99. Available at your local comic shop or bookstore Tuesday, July 20th, 2010.

Scottpilgrimthemovie.com shares the first look at the teaser movie poster for the film based on the series of graphic novels by Bryan Lee O’Malley.   Via twitter, O’Malley said the Scott Pilgrim Vol. 6 graphic novel’s full cover, title and release date will be announced Friday.

- Matt Price

Slashfilm has the first official photos from “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World,” based on the Bryan O’Malley graphic novels from Oni Press.  More discussion and info at The Beat and MTV Splash Page. I love the graphic novels – I named them the decade’s best, recently – so I’m really looking forward to this film.

- Matt Price

LOS ANGELES — Gabriel Macht moved from the square-jawed hero of “The Spirit” to another comic-book based role, that of U.N. operative Robert Pryce in “Whiteout,” in theaters now.

“I’ve always been a comic book movie fan,” Macht said at the press conference for “Whiteout” held recently in Los Angeles. “I started reading comics, based on some of the opportunities I’ve gotten in film, and I have a huge respect for illustrators and writers in the comic world. If they’re amazing, it’s a great entertainment. I have a strong appreciation for comics.”

Macht also was excited to be an action figure, which he was turned into based on his role in “The Spirit,” directed by Frank Miller and based on Will Eisner’s comics.

“It’s an incredible moment in your life,” Macht said of having a figure based on him. “If you grew up watching movies and looking at action heroes, you think, ‘Oh, man, maybe I’ll be one of those, one day.’”

While he thought his figure “looked a bit like William Sadler,” another family member had no trouble identifying the “Spirit” star from his action figure visage.

“I’ve been showing my daughter, who’s 2, my action figure,” Macht said. “I’m like, “Who’s that?,” and she looks and says, ‘Daddy.’”

While much of “Whiteout,” which concerns a murder in Antarctica, was shot in below-zero temperatures in Manitoba, Macht said he surprisingly had more problems with heat while filming “Whiteout.”

“The challenges that we came up against were when we shot in the studio,” Macht said. “We were in 80 degree weather, in late spring, early summer, and we were having to wear extreme weather gear. It was probably the hottest set I’ve ever been on, so I was sweating bullets and probably lost 35 pounds, by the end of the movie.”

From Tuesday’s The Oklahoman

The icy wasteland of Antarctica practically becomes a character in “Whiteout,” the mystery thriller based on the graphic novel by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber.

The “Whiteout” of the title refers to a potentially deadly snowstorm that prevents visibility and can strand even an experienced resident of Antarctica.

Kate Beckinsale (“Underworld”) stars as U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko, who is nearing the end of her two-year term as the law-enforcement officer of this inhospitable land.

But when a body is found between the U.S. base of Amundsen-Scott and the Russian Vostok base, Carrie is drawn into a mystery. She must race the clock to solve the crime before months of darkness descend upon the South Pole.

Examination of the body by the base’s doctor, Dr. John Fury (Tom Skerritt), reveals it to be that of a geologist named Weiss, who had been studying meteorites in a remote area.

His injuries lead Carrie to believe his death was a murder.

After getting a message from one of Weiss’ colleagues, Carrie makes her way to the Vostok base, along with a pilot, Delfy (played by Columbus Short).

Like the terrain, Carrie’s demeanor can become icy. Even after two years, she hasn’t resolved in her mind the events that brought her to Antarctica. She’s also not quick to trust, questioning the appearance of United Nations investigator Robert Pryce (Gabriel Macht) at the Vostok base.

Despite mysterious attacks, Carrie crisscrosses the dangerous land looking for clues that will lead her to the killer.

Where the movie is at its most successful is bringing home the raw danger of the frigid cold.

Unfortunately, the mystery doesn’t completely hang together, and the villains aren’t given a chance to attain much depth.

Movie Review

“Whiteout”|

R/ 1:46/ 2 stars

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Gabriel Macht, Columbus Short, Alex O’Loughlin, Shawn Doyle.

(Violence, grisly images, brief strong language and some nudity.)

— Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

LOS ANGELES — A U.S. Marshal investigating a murder at the bottom of the world is the premise of “Whiteout,” the graphic novel by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber, which was adapted into a motion picture starring Kate Beckinsale.

The comic-book limited series “Whiteout” from Oni Press was a big success in late 1990s. The sequel, “Whiteout: Melt,” nabbed the Eisner Award for best limited series.

At the press conference for the film “Whiteout,” Rucka said it’s an honor to see his creation make the jump to the silver screen, as a lot of comic books and graphic novels never make that jump.

“I’m still in awed shock that it made it this far, honestly,” Rucka said. “Steve Lieber and I created a comic to tell the story we wanted to tell. … All you can really be is incredibly flattered that this idea that you created in one format, because that was the format that you were working in, is something that somebody wants to take the time and the effort to translate.”

This month, Rucka’s moving from the icy wasteland of “Whiteout” to the heated action of “The Hunt for Reactron.”

The four-part crossover between “Action Comics” and “Supergirl” follows the “Codename: Patriot” storyline and features Supergirl, Nightwing and Flamebird on the hunt for Reactron, the villain who killed Supergirl’s father, Zor-El.

Supergirl and Flamebird, best friends in childhood, have been at odds since Zor-El’s death. But both want the man who killed Zor-El brought to justice. This Nightwing isn’t Dick Grayson, but is Chris Kent, Superman’s adopted son.

Rucka is co-writing the crossover with “Supergirl” writer Sterling Gates, a University of Oklahoma graduate.

“Sterling is fantastic, he’s a great collaborator,” Rucka said at the “Whiteout” film junket. “I’m loving writing with Sterling. He and I are doing two issues of ‘Action’ (and) two issues of ‘Supergirl’ together.”

The crossover begins in Wednesday’s “Action Comics” 881 and continues in “Supergirl” 45, on sale Sept. 23. The story concludes in October’s issues of “Action Comics” and “Supergirl.”

- By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

LOS ANGELES

At news conferences in Los Angeles, where it was ironically warmer than usual, Beckinsale said the weather gave the cast and crew something to bond over.

Gabriel Macht as Robert Pryce in Warner Bros. Pictures and Dark Castle Entertainment's action thriller "Whiteout," a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

“There’s something about it being so extreme … there’s something very bonding about it,” Beckinsale said. “It turned out to be a mutual point of contact where everybody could complain about it.”

Beckinsale plays U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko, stationed at the Amundsen-Scott base near the South Pole in Antarctica. She’s trying to track down a killer as six months of winter near at the station.

While the film couldn’t be shot in Antarctica, a frozen lake outside Gimli, Manitoba, doubled for the location. And temperatures there were below zero almost the entire time during filming.

Beckinsale said the level of cold outside Gimli was a shock to her system the first day of filming there.

“That very first day coming out of the trailer, I was worried that I wasn’t going to be able to speak at all, (or) say a line, ever,” she said. “Because my whole throat closed on that first breath.”

The South Pole was reconstructed on four feet of ice atop the lake.

“We really worked hard to make it feel like you were there,” producer Joel Silver said.

Kate Beckinsale as Carrie Stetko in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Dark Castle Entertainment's action thriller "Whiteout," a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

Beckinsale has done action before, in the “Underworld” series and in “Van Helsing.” But she said the cold made shooting the action sequences even more difficult.

“It was a lot more intense actually, because we were all worried we were going to die of hypothermia every other second,” she said. “It’s a woman in an extreme situation with

extreme weather.”

The film is based on the Oni Press graphic novel by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber. Beckinsale said she’s not the comic-book reader of her family, but she respects the medium.

“I married a comic-book fan; I know what a comic-book fan is. So, I couldn’t say I was one. I used to get comics, but my husband … it’s a whole different world,” she said. “And my daughter’s into comic books. … They will go to the comic store together. I just can’t compete with their level of obsession. But I respect it, I marry it, and I live with it.”

Her husband, Len Wiseman, directed the first two of the three “Underworld” films. Rumors came out last month of a possible second trilogy, but Beckinsale denied she’d signed on.

“Three whole more?” she said. “I don’t think my daughter needs to see my bottom in rubber for another 10 years.”

By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Check out the trailer to Whiteout, directed by Dominic Sena and set for release on Sept. 11, 2009. The film stars Kate Beckinsale and is based on the Greg Rucka-Steve Lieber graphic novel from Oni Press.

SAN DIEGO — Oni Press announced a new miniseries to be co-written by Rashida Jones (The Office, Parks and Recreation).  Frenemy of the State, co-written by Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir, will follow an heiress who is working for the CIA.  Jones co-created the series and will co-write with  Nunzio DeFilippis (Past Lies), and Christina Weir (Past Lies).

Other Oni notes:

* Greg Rucka’s long-awaited “Stumptown” is scheduled to premiere in October.

* Polly & the Pirates will return, still written by Ted Naifeh, but with new artist Robbi Rodriguez (Stephen Colbert’s Tek Jansen, Maintenance)

* Jamie S. Rich is creating a new graphic novel, called “Spell Checkers,” described as “Mean Girls with Magic.”

* The “Damned” creative team of Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt will create a supernatural Western called “6th Gun.”

* A new historical fiction graphic novel called “Petrograd” will explore the death of Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin.

Video blog from Edgar Wright on the training the actors are doing on “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.” Wright points out this film has three things that are difficult to do by themselves — music, action, and comedy — and “Scott Pilgrim” attempts them all.

- Matt Price

I think Andi Watson is one of the great, underrated comic-book creators of the past decade.   For a while there, it was if he was writing comics just for me: the screwball-inspired newspaper comedy “Slow News Day,” the superhero relationship drama “Love Fights,” and “Little Star,” possibly the best graphic novel ever written about parenting.   All of those were written and drawn by Watson, who moved from a manga-influenced style in his first comics, “Samurai Jam” and “Skeleton Key,” to a more European-influenced design in “Geisha,” which came out from Oni Press.

You can see a recent project of Watson’s, “Great Uncle George’s Will,” at Tor.com.

 I talked to Andi in 2001, as he was working on “Slow News Day” and “Breakfast After Noon,” an Eisner-nominated tale of unemployment.

Nearly everyone has had to deal with losing a job. Andi Watson, writer/artist of “Geisha,” explores the life of a suddenly out-of-work couple in the Eisner-nominated “Breakfast After Noon.”

Rob and Louise are engaged to be married when they both lose their jobs at a British factory.

“Breakfast After Noon” follows the different reactions they have to being laid off and the pressure it puts on their relationship.

While Louise returns to school, Rob refuses to give up on getting his job back – until the company shuts down.

“It’s about the decline of the manufacturing industry, the effect of unemployment on a life, love, work, money and social change,” Watson said.

“I started with the desire to try and capture what it feels like and what happens to someone without a job,” he said. “There is a stigma attached; there is an effect on self-esteem. … Most people want to work. It goes beyond the financial and into the moral. Most of us want to feel we’re of use to the world, we do something – being on the dole is not easy. People who say that usually haven’t been unemployed.”

The 308-page graphic novel “Breakfast After Noon” is available for $19.95 from Oni Press.

Another project of Watson’s is the screwball comedy “Slow News Day.”

“Slow News Day” follows California reporter Katharine Washington to her new job at a regional newspaper in England, the Wheatstone Mercury. The Mercury is undergoing changes, which have left it with one full-time reporter, Owen Holmes.

“Together they cover all the strange little stories that you see in local newspapers: school football teams, injured turkeys, lost hamsters,” Watson said. “It’s about the differences in the U.S. and U.K., personal and professional relationships, success, ambition, and parents and children.”

Watson said the idea for “Slow News Day” stemmed from his love of 1930s comedies.

“Slow News Day” is a six-issue miniseries from Slave Labor Graphics. The first issue is now available.

Watson, who has been nominated for two Eisner awards, broke into comics with “Samurai Jam,” a skateboarding comic.

Watson was the writer of Dark Horse’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” for two years.

“Company-controlled stuff is, as the name says, company-controlled,” Watson said. “It’s not like there’s one boss; there are several all with differing views of what the franchise is and how it should be translated into comics.

“With my own projects I do things exactly how I want them to be done. It’s my personal vision and is in my control from writing through to coloring the covers,” Watson said. “That’s one of the great things about doing your own comics; it’s your story, and no one can tell you if it’s right or wrong.”

– Matthew Price
From the July 27, 2001, issue of The Oklahoman

Michael Cera stars in the upcoming film adaptation of the graphic novel ” Scott Pilgrim.” Matt Price and Kyle Roberts discuss the graphic novel series and film.

Oni Press booth at Comic-Con International.

Over at Newsarama, get a full rundown of the Oni Press panel at Comic-Con International. Oni is one of my favorite publishers, on a personal note, and I’m excited about their lineup. From the article:

(Oni’s James Lucas) Jones also said Oni is working on a “new floppy comics initiative” that will debut next spring with several color monthly series. Those series include Stumptown, the Greg Rucka-written private investigator series that was announced in San Diego last year; Resurrection, which ends its black and white run with issue #6 and starts up again next year in color; and a new title called Bad Medicine by Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir. Jones said the initiative would include a few other books they weren’t ready to announce.

A few comics that aren’t out yet from Oni are already in the process of becoming movies: “Billy Smoke,” written by B. Clay Moore, and the fantasy-comedy “The Return of King Doug.”

– Matt Price