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.

Matt Price and Kyle Roberts discuss the new DC Comics logo, Popeye making it back into comics, and an Amazing Spider-Man press conference in Tokyo on the Planet 46 Comics show.

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

Todd DeZago creates a fun, touching Christmas tale in “Marvel Adventures Spider-Man” No. 46, an issue of the all-ages series first released in 2008.

In “Silent Nights,” drawn by Roberto Castro (behind a cool cover by Francis Tsai) Spidey is battling the cold, and trying to come up with a great present for Aunt May.   Last year, she broke a ceramic decoration she had shared with her late husband, Peter’s Uncle Ben.  Peter would like to replace it, but it runs $100, and he’s significantly short.

He tries to scare up a photo assignment from Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson, but Jameson’s got nothing for him.  Then Spider-Man hears there’s a burglar going around dressed as Santa Claus, and figures nabbing him might be good for some Bugle photos.   The mishaps and adventures that follow make for an exciting tale with a heartwarming twist.   DeZago does a good job capturing the feeling of the young Peter Parker here in a recommended holiday tale.

- Matt Price

Comics read in 2011:  2011!  Still to go: 0!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Fans get to see more about The Dark Knight Rises and The Amazing Spider-Man, and Matt and Kyle reveal some of their favorite comics of 2011.

SPIDEY PICS
The Amazing Spider-Man, Marc Webb’s film reboot of the Spider-Man property, is set to release July 3, 2012. In the meantime, the official site has revealed more photos from the film, which will star Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
Theamazingspiderman.com is the film’s official site.

BATMAN TRAILER, PICS
The second “The Dark Knight Rises” trailer has been officially released online. The third film in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, “The Dark Knight Rises” stars Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway and Tom Hardy, and is set to be released July 20, 2012. New pictures also reveal closer looks at Batman and Bane.

FAVORITE COMICS OF THE YEAR
Matt and Kyle talk about some of their favorite comics of the year, including X-Men Schism and Astonishing Spider-Man and Wolverine for Kyle, and Batman: The Black Mirror and Criminal: Last of the Innocents for Matt.

REVIEW FILE: Activity #1, Near Death #4, Justice League #4
Criminal: Last of the Innocent #1 reviewed here.
For 2011 count: Detective Comics 871-881; Criminal: Last of the Innocent 2-6.

Comics read in 2011: 2009 Still to go: 2.

Peter Parker’s been assigned to take photos of the local Polar Bear club on Christmas Eve, as they plan a quick swim in the frigid temperatures.  But they’re interrupted by a disturbance in the sand — the Sandman is back!  Peter changes to Spidey to track the villain down, but Sandman slips through his grasp.

Spidey still hopes to make his date, so he swings by to warn the Fantastic Four that the Sandman is back.  But the only hero on hand is the somewhat Scroogelike Johnny Storm, who isn’t feeling in the Christmas spirit.

Still, Spidey joins Johnny, dressed in some swingin’ ’70s threads, to search for the Sandman.  The pair stop to help make some citizens’ Christmases more merry along the way, by averting a traffic accident and stopping an attempted robbery.

They eventually catch up with the Sandman, and there’s a Christmas twist of sorts to the tale’s final third. Johnny eventually comes around on the season, as well.

Roy Thomas and Ross Andru are the creative team for a charming first issue.  The series, featuring Spider-Man teaming with various Marvel superheroes, ran through issue No. 150 in 1985.  Trivia note: The woman who Johnny and Spider-Man save from a mugging was later revealed to be Misty Knight, later girlfriend to Iron Fist and a private detective in the Marvel Universe.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1981. Still to go: 30

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.

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 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.

A new era begins in “Ultimate Comics Spider-Man” #1 as Brian Michael Bendis, Sara Pichelli and Justin Ponsor begin the origin of Miles Morales’ Spider-Man.

The new Spidey, a multiracial New York teen, gets a full intro in this new series, as fans meet his parents and his uncle, and get some idea what makes this kid tick.  If you’ve never read an Ultimate comic before or haven’t tried one in years, that’s OK – this is a fresh start with an exciting new character.

I hate to get too much into spoilers, because I really think you should just pick up the book.   But in short, Miles Morales is a bright teenager given an opportunity at a new school.    He’s not sure he deserves the opportunity, but his Uncle Aaron encourages him to go for it.  However, his Uncle Aaron may not always make the right choices – he’s mixed up in something involving the Osborn family, and that rarely goes well.

The origin begins here, but Miles’ journey is just beginning.   Sara Pichelli is an excellent find; she’s differentiates characters well and makes the world real and lived-in.

Bendis introduces us to these characters, and you can’t help but root for them.  Miles seems like a real kid; his parents like actual parents.  Miles and his family are facing familiar problems and doing their best to make their way in the world.  I’m very much looking forward to following Miles’ journey towards becoming Spider-Man.

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

Matt Price and Kyle Roberts discuss Wolverine 2 filming news, the release of the New 52 DC Comics relaunch trailer, and the new Conan the Barbarian film in this week’s Planet 46 Comics Podcast.

WOLVERINE HEADS TO CANADA

The Vancouver Sun reports Hugh Jackman and the cast of Wolverine 2 will be heading to Vancouver in November to film the sequel.

Filming is set to take place Nov. 11 to March 1, 2012 at Canadian Motion Picture Park in Burnaby, where scenes from Twilight, Supernatural and Fantastic Four were filmed. The director of the film — which may still be called “The Wolverine” — is James Mangold (“Walk the Line,” “Knight and Day,” “3:10 to Yuma”).

Another superhero is set to be in Vancouver shortly: The new Superman movie Man of Steel, starring Henry Cavill, will be in Vancouver from Sept. 21 to Jan. 21. Man of Steel will be directed by Zack Snyder.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Hugh+Jackman+heads+Vancouver+film+Wolverine/5269632/story.html#ixzz1VOehNlko

NEW 52 TRAILER HITS NET
The “New 52″ initiative from DC Comics nears release. The first issue of the New 52, Justice League 1 by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, will be released on Aug. 31. The first trailer for the relaunch of DC’s superhero properties has been released at Hero Complex.
The trailer/commercial includes art from Justice League No. 1, written by Geoff Johns and drawn by Jim Lee; Action Comics No. 1, written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Rags Morales; Batman No. 1 written by Scott Snyder and drawn by Greg Capullo; Wonder Woman No. 1 written by Brian Azzarello and drawn by Cliff Chiang; and Aquaman No. 1, written by Johns with art by Ivan Reis.

CONAN HITS THEATERS
Lionsgate, Nu Image and Paradox Entertainment are behind the latest “Conan the Barbarian” film, reviving the pulp character created by Robert E. Howard in the early 1930′s in Cross Plains, Texas. The $90-million, 3-D movie stars Jason Momoa as the title character.
Read all about Conan’s history in the pulp magazines and comics in Weekend Look and at the Nerdage blog.

REVIEW FILE: Venom 6, Batman Retroactive: The 1990s, X-Men Schism 3
Comics read in 2011: 1,195. Still to go: 816.

Following the departure of writer/artist Todd McFarlane from the simply-titled “Spider-Man,” launched in 1990, Erik Larsen provided a six-issue tale reuniting the Sinister Six Spider-Man villains.  (Larsen had provided a one-issue fill-in with No. 15; Larsen’s run began after an ‘Infinity Gauntlet’ tie-in with No. 17 written by Ann Nocenti.)

Larsen, who had also followed McFarlane on “Amazing Spider-Man,” wrote and drew the Sinister Six tale in “Spider-Man” #18-23, which tried to provide some insight into the Peter Parker-Mary Jane Watson marriage at the same time as throwing all kinds of friends and foes at Spidey.

Doctor Octopus regroups Mysterio, the Hobgoblin, the Vulture, and Electro, along with Sandman, who had gone straight at the time.

The story kicks off with Spider-Man and Ghost Rider battling a cyborg.  Doc Ock is retreiving adamantium arms that should make him invincible, he believes.  He rounds up the Six and forces them to work with him.   The Hulk shows up and battles Ock, who is able to handle even the Hulk’s strength with his adamantium arms. (Meta: This irritated Hulk writer Peter David, as I recall.)

Before the arc is out, Doc Ock will gather ultradimensional weapons, Spider-Man will become a cyborg, guest-stars will include the Fantastic Four, Nova, Deathlok, Solo and Sleepwalker.   It all comes together at the end, though it’s a lot of characters to keep up with.   Following this, Larsen co-founded Image Comics, where he created the Savage Dragon, so maybe he was just getting all the Marvel characters out of his system.   Larsen had a good feel for Spidey, and if some of the references are a bit dated now, it was still neat to see Spider-Man and Mary Jane behaving like a regular couple.   Larsen lost his home in a fire during the creation of this series, as well, so its to his credit he was able to complete the arc, even though some of the issues had to be reconfigured to pull it off.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,179  Still to go: 832.

Marvel Comics has revealed the above variant for “Ultimate Comics Spider-Man” No. 1, shipping on Sept. 7.    Artist Sara Pichelli provides an unmasked Miles Morales on the cover of the relaunched Ultimate Comics Spider-Man title, written by Brian Michael Bendis.

Morales, the new Spider-Man in the Ultimate universe, is a half-black, half-Hispanic teenager.

“He’s younger than Peter Parker, he’s coming from a completely different background, a completely different world view,” Bendis said in a recent Associated Press interview.  “It’s Peter Parker’s death that inspires this kid to step up.”

The Ultimate universe Peter Parker died in “Ultimate Comics Spider-Man” No. 160.

- Matt Price

Scene from "The Amazing Spider-Man."

“The Amazing Spider-Man” won’t be released until next July 3, but Sony has already scheduled a sequel, Entertainment Weekly reports.

The date of May 2, 2014 has been selected for “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.”

No further information was provided, but it is likely Andrew Garfield would return in the lead role of Spider-Man.

The first Saturday in May is Free Comic Book Day, in which comic book shops and participating locations around the world will give away comics to customers and visitors.

Free Comic Book Day was created by Concord, Calif., comic book retailer Joe Field, owner of Flying Colors Comics and Other Cool Stuff.
“I love the way Hollywood has increased the awareness of the First Saturday in May as the international holiday for

Joe Field

comic books with Free Comic Book Day,” Field said. “With the release of The Amazing Spider-Man in 2012, representing a new silver screen take on the wondrous wall-crawler, I know this will give an extra lift the Free Comic Book Day. FCBD: This time it’s AMAZING!”

Field is the president of ComicsPRO, the comic-book retailer trade organization.

The first Free Comic Book Day in 2002 was timed to the release of the first “Spider-Man” movie starring Tobey Maguire. Free Comic Book Day moved in 2004 to time its release with “Spider-Man 2” before returning to the first Saturday in May. “Spider-Man 3” was also released on Free Comic Book Day weekend in May 2007. Other superhero films to be released on the first Saturday in May include “Iron Man” 1 and 2, and this year’s “Thor.” “Avengers” is set for the first weekend in May of 2012, and “Iron Man 3” is penciled in for that weekend of 2013.

- Matt Price

The new Spider-Man will be featured in "Ultimate Comics Spider-Man" No. 1, on sale in September.

Marvel Comics introduced a new Spider-Man in the pages of “Ultimate Fallout” No. 4, which went on sale Wednesday.

Peter Parker died in the pages of “Ultimate Spider-Man” No. 160, in June. His replacement has a new suit and a different background.

Miles Morales is a half-black, half-Hispanic American teenager who was inspired to do good after the death of Parker at the hands of the Green Goblin.

Eric Neal, of Second Chance Books and Comics in Warr Acres, said having a minority character become a well-known superhero could help attract new fans to the imprint.

“I can definitely appreciate the idea that there aren’t enough ethnic superheroes, especially major ones, running around,” he said.

The Ultimates imprint is separate from Marvel’s bigger universe; the original Marvel Universe Peter Parker continues his adventures in “The Amazing Spider- Man,” published twice a month.

“Ultimate Spider-Man” No. 1 debuted in 2000 and “Ultimate Spider-Man” is among Marvel Comics’ best-selling trade paperback collections.

“The idea is to create a small Marvel universe,” writer Brian Michael Bendis said in a 2001 interview with The Oklahoman. “If you present an honest portrayal of teenage characters, (teenagers) will want to read it.”

Bendis has scripted every issue of Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man since its debut.

Morales, Bendis tells The Associated Press, is nothing like his predecessor.

“He’s younger than Peter Parker, he’s coming from a completely different background, a completely different world view,” Bendis said. “It’s Peter Parker’s death that inspires this kid to step up.”

Neal said some longtime readers of “Ultimate Spider-Man” will miss their Peter Parker but thinks the change will attract new readers to the book.

“I think it’s probably a positive thing, all things considered,” he said.

“Morales’ adventures will be fleshed out in the coming months with a new “Ultimate Spider-Man” No. 1 in September. It will be illustrated by Sara Pichelli.

Bendis is excited about the possibilities that Morales brings.

“I’m now sitting with a pile of legitimately new Spider-Man stories to tell, and that is the best news a writer could have,” he said.

Marc DiPaolo, author of the book “War, Politics and Superheroes,” agrees that the new character could bring new fans into the fold.

“If Morales is well-written, believable and has an interesting personality, he could be a wonderful role model and a long-overdue superhero for black and Hispanic comic book readers to relate to,” said DiPaolo, who is an assistant professor of English and film at Oklahoma City University. “He also has the potential to add some much-needed diversity to the comic book world.”

Local comics writer and critic Rob Vollmar said he appreciates the attempt at diversity from Marvel but thinks mainstream comics have further to go.

“While we can appreciate nods at diversity that major companies like Marvel and DC might make toward underrepresented groups, the greater issue is diversity among the creators and, ultimately, the readership of these books. Is creating a non-Anglo Spider-Man an achievement or a gimmick?” the Norman-based Vollmar said.

“The stories that unfold from this creative decision will answer that question. More importantly, when will the day come that a woman or a person of color would be given creative control of a core book like this without needing a news release to crow the achievement? That will be more indicative that the core culture of mainstream comics has changed.”

Marvel editor-in-chief Axel Alonso told The Associated Press that making Spider-Man a black character is not a publicity effort but is reflective of an industry keeping pace with modern society.

“This was a conscious decision. Here at Marvel, we pride ourselves on reflecting the real world in all its diversity,” Alonso said.

Superman and Spider-Man both have big news this week, and Oklahoma writer Sterling Gates is tabbed to write “Captain Victory,” based on the Jack Kirby character, from Dynamite.

FIRST LOOK AT SUPERMAN

Warner Bros. has revealed a first look at Henry Cavill as Superman. He’ll play Clark Kent, aka Superman, in Zack Snyder’s film reboot of Superman, titled “Man of Steel.”
The costume has a beveled appearance and may not include the red shorts so familiar to Superman, also missing from the updated comics costume this fall. The costume appears to show some Jim Lee influence, as well as sort of a 1940s look. It also wouldn’t look out of place alongside Snyder’s “Watchmen” costumes.
The movie, set for a June 14, 2013 release, also will star Amy Adams as Lois Lane and Laurence Fishburne as Perry White. The evil General Zod will be played by Michael Shannon. Clark Kent’s adoptive parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent, will be played by Diane Lane and Kevin Costner.

NEW SPIDEY
Marvel Comics introduces a new Spider-Man in the pages of “Ultimate Fallout” No. 4, on sale now.
Miles Morales is a half-black, half-Hispanic American teenager inspired to do good after the death of Peter Parker at the hands of the Green Goblin.
A new “Ultimate Spider-Man” No. 1, starring Morales, will release in September.

GATES TO WRITE “CAPTAIN VICTORY”
University of Oklahoma graduate Sterling Gates, who was born in Tulsa, will take on the writing reins of “Kirby Genesis: Captain Victory.” “Captain Victory” was first published by Pacific Comics from 1981-1984.
“Captain Victory and His Galactic Rangers was one of the first books Jack Kirby wrote and drew outside of DC Comics and Marvel — making it one of the first creator-owned books in comic history — and I’m exceptionally proud to be continuing Victory’s story,” Gates said in a news release. “Fans of Kirby’s original Pacific Comics series will recognize these classic Kirby characters and concepts, but we’re going to be doing our best to present the Rangers in a bold and exciting way for today’s audience.”

REVIEW FILE: G.I. Joe #4, The Infinite #1, Severed #1, Ultimate Fallout #4
Comics read in 2011: 1,133 Still to go: 878

- Matt Price

Nerdage reached out to Oklahoma City University’s Marc DiPaolo, author of the book “War, Politics, and Superheroes,” for his take on the new Spider-Man in “Ultimate Spider-Man.”   POSSIBLE SPOILER: Miles Morales takes on the role of Spider-Man in “Ultimate Fallout” #4, on sale now.

Here’s what DiPaolo had to say:

If Morales is well-written, believable, and has an interesting personality, he could be a wonderful role model and a long-overdue superhero for black and Hispanic comic book readers to relate to. He also has the potential to add some much-needed diversity to the comic book world. He will more likely draw new readers to comics than win over old readers, though, because current comic book fans tend to be entrenched in their views of what their heroes should look and act like and are resistant to change.

No doubt conservative comic book fans will complain that this move by Marvel represents political correctness run amok, but the same complaint was leveled at the Justice League cartoon in 2000 when it included nontraditional cast members like the pseudo-Hispanic Hawkgirl and black Green Lantern John Stewart. And, as anyone who actually watched the series knows, they wound up being the two most compelling characters.

Significantly, Miles Morales is not replacing Peter Parker in the main Marvel Universe, nor is he going to be the Spider-Man in the fourth Spider-Man movie. He is replacing Peter Parker in the somewhat-high-profile comic book Ultimate Spider-Man. In a way, this move by Marvel is a win-win. Fans of Peter Parker won’t lament that he is “gone” altogether and Morales will not have to compete directly with the ghost of Peter the way that, say, the black Iron Man (James Rhodes) has to compete with the white Iron Man (Tony Stark) for comic book and movie screen time or the black Green Lantern (John Stewart) has to compete with the white Green Lantern (Hal Jordan).

In a way, Morales may be Marvel’s apology for the character of Darwin in X-Men: First Class. That character was a much-anticipated bi-racial mutant who had very little screen time and no personality to speak of and he was killed right away. I think it is a safe bet that Ultimate Spider-Man writer Brian Michael Bendis will give Morales more respect than that, especially since Bendis has already proven capable of writing strong, likable black characters, like Luke Cage. Of course, if Miles winds up being a really big hit, his fans might one day want to see him be the Spider-Man featured in a $200 million movie adaptation and not Parker.

It might seem a little cheesy “changing the race” of an established character instead of inventing a new, multiracial hero from whole-cloth, but new black and mixed-race characters are created almost every year and they rarely “take off,” so this kind of move is needed to create the necessary buzz to generate sales and to make a non-white character into an A-list superhero automatically.

This bit from my book might also be of interest:

One of the few successful transformations of a traditional white character into a black one was the refitting of white, cigar-chomping, eye-patch-wearing World War II veteran Nick Fury into the bald, black, eye-patch-wearing Samuel L. Jackson, founder of the 21st century incarnation of the Avengers and director of S.H.I.E.L.D. The characterization seemed to have “taken” because the new Nick Fury was part of the justification for the creating of a parallel Marvel Universe called the Ultimate Universe, and he was featured as a supporting player in two enormously popular comic books, The Ultimates by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch and Ultimate Spider-Man by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. The fact that Samuel L. Jackson consented to play the character that was now drawn to look exactly like him in the Iron Man and Avengers films helped the change stick. If Jackson had been less popular with comic book readers, or the black Nick Fury had not been drawn to look like an already famous black man, the alteration might not have been as successful.

- Marc DiPaolo
Assistant Professor of Film and English at Oklahoma City University
Author of War, Politics, and Superheroes.

“Ultimate Fallout” #4, which goes on sale tomorrow, will introduce a new Spider-Man to the Ultimate Comics universe.   You can read more about the specific details at NewsOK’s main site. (Warning: Spoilers.)

Also, check back Friday for more local and retailer reaction to the new Spider-Man.  Today, I talked to Dan Nash of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman to get his take. (Full disclosure: I am a co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics.)

“One of the reasons Spider-Man has such broad appeal is he can be anyone underneath that mask,” he said.

“It’s so easy to identify with him. As a reader, you can imagine him young or old, any ethnicity, any religion. He’s able to save the day, yet he still has to overcome the same day-to-day problems as everyone else. Who doesn’t like to read about themselves?”

What do you think about the new Spider-Man?  Share your thoughts in the comments below, or e-mail me at mprice (AT) opubco.com!

- Matt Price

Marvel’s latest teaser for the new Ultimate Spider-Man starts to hint at the identity of the new person behind the mask.

“Ultimate Fallout” #4 is on sale 8/3/2011.

- Matt Price

With six days to go until the debut of the new Ultimate Spider-Man in “Ultimate Fallout” #4, Marvel has sent out another teaser image promoting the release.

- Matt Price

Marvel Comics sent out a teaser image promoting the debut of the new Ultimate Spider-Man in “Ultimate Fallout” #4, set for release next week.  Are you excited about the new Spider-Man?  Have you started following the Ultimate Universe more closely since the Death of Spider-Man storyline?

- Matt Price

Via FirstShowing.net, here’s a look at the teaser poster for “The Amazing Spider-Man,” the Spider-Man movie reboot directed by Marc Webb and starring Andrew Garfield.

There’s not much to the poster – I guess fitting the definition of “teaser” — but it, along with the trailer released Wednesday, is starting to prime the pump for an onslaught of Spider-Man hype and merchandise.

What do you think of the new poster?  And are you ready for the Spider-Man reboot?

- Matt Price

With Comic-Con looming, trailers and premieres abound!

SPIDEY TRAILER

Set to debut in front of “Captain America: The First Avenger” and at Comic-Con International in San Diego, the teaser trailer for “The Amazing Spider-Man,” the reboot directed by Marc Webb and starring Andrew Garfield, has made its way online via Movie-List.com.

ALSO A BAT-TRAILER

After being shown on “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2,” the teaser trailer for Christopher Nolan’s conclusion of his Bat-trilogy is also on the ‘Net.

QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Do you prefer the Amazing Spider-Man or Dark Knight Rises trailer?

COMIC-CON!
Lots is happening at Comic-Con, which kicks off with a preview night tonight.
DC Comics will feature “The New 52” at Comic-Con, the upcoming historic renumbering of the entire DC line of superhero comic books with 52 first issues. Marvel has panels on the comic-book series “Amazing Spider-Man” and “X-Men,” among others.

CAPTAIN AMERICA!

“Captain America: The First Avenger” premiered in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, with stars Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Dominic Cooper and Samuel L. Jackson in attendance.

REVIEW FILE: Daredevil 1, Misadventures of Adam West 1
Comics read in 2011: 1,026 Still to go: 985

Set to debut in front of “Captain America: The First Avenger” and at Comic-Con International in San Diego, the teaser trailer for “The Amazing Spider-Man,” the reboot directed by Marc Webb and starring Andrew Garfield, has made its way online via Movie-List.com.

Based on just the teaser, it seems to take a little darker tone than the Sam Raimi films.

Sony has a Hall H panel at Comic-Con International on Friday with director Marc Webb and stars of the film.

The film is set to open on July 3, 2012, and stars Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen, Sally Field and C. Thomas Howell.

- Matt Price
Source: Spinoff Online

Kyle and Matt take a look at the poster for “The Dark Knight Rises” and discuss the box office potential of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” Part 2. We also discuss the upcoming “Amazing Spider-Man” and what’s to come at Comic-Con International.
Review File: Captain America 1, X-Men Schism 1, The Red Wing 1
Comics read in 2011: 979 Still to go: 1,032.

Entertainment Weekly offers a look at Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man as part of the magazine’s Comic-Con preview.  Garfield stars in “The Amazing Spider-Man,” set for release in 2012.

Director Marc Webb says of the reboot: “Ultimately what this movie is about is a kid who grows up looking for his father and finds himself. And that’s a Spider-Man story we haven’t seen before.”

- Matt Price
Click past the cut for more Spidey images.

With 75 comic books read in the past two weeks, my total for the year is 938.  My goal is to get to 2,011 comic-books read in 2011.   With 52 percent of the year over, I’m almost 47 percent done with my challenge.   The largest percentage of my reading for the past 2 weeks was Spider-Man comics of the early 1970s.  Click past the cut for breakdowns.

Marvel Comics was the most-read company, with the aforementioned Amazing Spider-Man, as well as G.I. Joe comics from the 1980s.

Marvel: 48
Malibu: 10
Prize: 7
Archaia: 4
DC: 2
Harvey: 2
IDW: 1
Boom!: 1

The 1970s were the most-read decade of the past two weeks; the 1980s through present were relatively evenly spread.

1940s: 1
1950s: 7
1960s: 2
1970s: 24
1980s: 10
1990s: 10
2000s: 10
2010s: 11

Year to date breakdowns:

Marvel Comics remains in the lead, crossing 500 comics read.  It’s followed by DC Comics and Image.

Marvel Comics: 515

DC Comics: 118

Image Comics: 59

Valiant Comics: 47

Malibu: 39

Dark Horse: 36

Eclipse Comics: 23

Dynamite: 20

Sirius: 17

NOW Comics: 12

IDW: 9

Pen and Ink: 7

Prize: 7

Broadway: 6

Radical: 4

Archie: 4

Archaia: 4

NBM: 3

Atlas: 2

Harvey: 2

Abstract: 1

Boom!: 1

Triumphant: 1

Pacific: 1

The 2000s remain in the lead for most-read decade.  The 1990s hold onto second place, followed by the 2010s.   The 1980s are in fourth.

1940-1949: 1

1950-1959: 7

1960-1969: 25

1970-1979: 108

1980-1989: 179

1990-1999: 198

2000-2009: 229

2010-present: 191

- Matt Price

The fifth volume of “Essential Spider-Man” contains the final issues that Stan Lee scripted as part of his regular run, including the famous “drug issues,” which were released without Comics Code Approval.

Lee’s issues leading up to issue 100 are still much-remembered, featuring the emotional death of Captain George Stacy, the return of the Green Goblin, and the drug problem of Harry Osborn.

Roy Thomas takes over for issues #101-104, before Lee returns for issues #105-110.

Gerry Conway, later best known as the man who killed Gwen Stacy (fictionally speaking) takes over from #111 to 113, where the volume ends.

Pencillers are primarily John Romita Sr. and Gil Kane.

This volume includes Spidey with six arms, the first appearance of Morbius the Vampire, a series with Spidey visiting Ka-Zar in the Savage Land (along with a bikini-clad Gwen Stacy) and the somewhat unfortunate Gibbon.   Doctor Octopus returns twice, and Alistair Smythe’s Spider-Slayer makes an appearance as well.

This 24-issue mix of soap opera, adventure and superheroics at the tail end of the Silver Age still makes enjoyable reading, despite some dated moments, looking at it from 40 years hence.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 938. Still to go:  1073

Marvel has announced that Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, will come to a tragic end in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #160, the final issue of the “Death of Spider-Man” arc, which ships to comic book stores on Wednesday.    The “Ultimate Comics” line is a modernized version of the Marvel Comics universe started in 2000.

“Ten years ago, Brian Bendis and Mark Millar changed the way people saw super heroes with the birth of the Ultimate Universe. With ‘Death of Spider-Man’ the two have done it again, creating a story just as big, and something that would really resonate with fans.” said Mark Paniccia, Marvel Senior Editor, in a news release. “But Peter’s death doesn’t signal the end of their larger plan—it’s the start of one of the most ambitious stories you’ve ever read in comics.”

Ultimate Spider-Man #1 debuted in 2000; “Ultimate Spider-Man” is among Marvel Comics’ best-selling trade paperback collections.

“We’ve never seen a world without Spider-Man, a world without Peter Parker, so his death is a significant event for the Ultimate Comics Universe and we’re going to see how quickly it changes everything. Readers are in for something very new…and surprising because everything that happens in Ultimate Spider-Man #160 and Ultimate Comics Fallout sets the stage for even bigger stories,” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Entertainment Editor In Chief, in a news release.

The story continues in July’s “Ultimate Comics Fallout,” which will debut a new Spider-Man.

“Ultimate Spider-Man” #160 goes on sale Wednesday in a protective black polybag.

- Matt Price