Comics podcast: Spider-Man, Speed Racer
Kyle Roberts and I discuss this week’s new comics, including Amazing Spider-Man #549, Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season Eight #11, Speed Racer Chronicles of the Racer #1 and Uncanny X-Men #495, in the weekly comics podcast.
“Wild Cards” gets spinoff site – “American Hero”
Tor Books brought the Wild Cards universe of George R. R. Martin back this month with “Inside Straight.” Now, go deeper into the world of the novel with the American Hero Web site, exploring the reality show that provides much of the plot for the novel.
From Tor Books:
Tor Books is proud to present “American Heroes,” the Wild Cards website spin-off blog featuring the characters from Inside Straight, the newest Wild Cards mosaic novel. One of the longest-running series in the shared worlds and fantasy genre, Wild Cards has the superheroes in its latest installment competing in a top reality TV show called “American Heroes.”
Now, in addition to the brand new Wild Cards website that launched in December, George R. R. Martin and the authors of Inside Straight have contributed all original narrative and scintillating “behind the scenes” material to a new “American Heroes” blog. Each week, the narrative follows the characters of Inside Straight as they compete–some surviving for another round and others getting voted off the show.
Featuring all original artwork by Mike Miller, the “American Heroes” site shows visual profiles of each character and “confessionals” from the individual superheroes.
Who are your favorite superheroes?
Working on a possible fun Nerdage idea… if you have a moment, post your favorite superheroes here, or mail a list to me at mprice@oklahoman.com . Thanks!
- Matt
“Wild Cards” returns!
Today, Tor Books relaunches the popular “Wild Cards” series with “Inside Straight.” Edited by George R. R. Martin, “Wild Cards” were a series of shared-universe anthology novels that examined a world where superheroes were real. An alien virus was released on Earth in 1946, killing 9 of every 10 exposed to it. Most of those who survive become deformed, but one in 100 is gifted with amazing powers. These “jokers” and “aces” are at the heart of the “Wild Cards” series. This was a favorite for me when they debuted in 1987, and I’m glad, 20 years later, to see the series return.
Info from Tor:
Launched in 1987, WILD CARDS is the longest-running series in the shared worlds and fantasy genre. A contemporary world of smart, complicated, and incredibly diverse superheroes is brilliantly re-imagined by this group of acclaimed fantasy writers.
Tor Books is proud to present the re-launch of this landmark series with its eighteenth volume, Inside Straight (A Tor hardcover; $24.95; January 22, 2008). Headed up by #1 New York Times bestselling author George R. R. Martin, a top-notch cast of authors introduce a new generation of young, hip, and messed-up superheroes in an interconnected storyline that spans from Egypt to Hollywood.
Meet the girl whose stuffed dragon becomes a fifty-foot, fire-breathing version of itself (and she has a whole bag full of other little stuffies …), the six-armed drummer man most likely to appear on a Rolling Stones cover, and the fox-tailed Japanese guy who uses mythology to create optical illusions.
It is 2007, and the highest rated show on television is American Hero. Earth Witch, Pop Tart, Curveball, Bugsy, and twenty-four other young superheroes—aka “aces”—battle one other in a series of tasks and stunts. On this reality show like no other, alliances form and rivalries explode, as the aces race to make it to the final showdown.
Many years ago, a DNA-altering alien virus was accidentally unleashed, killing 90 percent of those infected. Nine percent of the survivors mutated into “jokers,” tragically deformed creatures—while the other one percent, the “aces,” found themselves transformed with superpowers.
Others still carried the “wild card” within them, never knowing the day when their card would turn . . .
Now a new generation has come of age, a generation born into the world of the wild card. Computer geeks, hip-hop freaks, rock stars, and Bohemian slackers—these are the new aces for the millennium. They don’t really understand what the first generation went through—but they know that the world still needs saving and that their parents didn’t quite do the job.
As intrigue boils on and off the set of the American Hero reality show—with a few surprises, tricksters, and old friends shaking up the act—an incident in the Middle East escalates a worldwide event that will involve all the superheroes . . . no matter which side they’re on.
With cameo appearances by the first generation “aces,” INSIDE STRAIGHT is action-packed dangerous fun with an unforgettable and unpredictable cast of characters. This is only the beginning of a projected triad of volumes—so let the games begin.
In addition, Dabel is prepping a comic-book series for April. From the release:
“Wild Cards is one of those series in science fiction that many comic book fans have read, because it’s really a sci-fi take on superheroes,” explained Ernst Dabel, President of Dabel Brothers Publishing. “And that’s excellent news, because this story feels right at home in the format. It’s a great way for old fans to enjoy the story in a new way, and it’s also a wonderful introduction to the world of Wild Cards for those who’ve never had a chance to read the books before.”
– Matt Price
Image posts April solicitations
And no, it’s not all, “Hey, sailor, got a few bucks in your pocket?” solicitations.
Pervs.
Here are some highlights:
THE WALKING DEAD #50
story by Robert Kirkman, art and cover by Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn.
This book has been building up a fan base over time for a good reason — it’s a captivating read. Everything to this point is available in trades (I think) so it’s a good jumping on point.
THE PERHAPANAUTS #1
story by Todd DeZago, art and cover by Craig Rousseau
Much like “Proof” and “BPRD,” this series deals with “imaginary” creatures living in the world, fighting to keep it safe. Difference is, DeZago and Rousseau have proven over two mini-series and an annual that they can tell a good story with humor and an eye toward the future.
INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE PRIMER #1
stories by Robert Kirkman and Bruce Brown, art by Cory Walker, Jason Howard and Cliff Rathburn.
For those of you looking for a way into the Invincible Universe, look no further. The first issues of three funny and smart series are collected together for $6. For me, if it came down to getting rid of one of the Marvel, DC or Invincible Universes, I’d have to figure out if I like Batman better than Spider-Man, because Invincible is one of my top reads every month (when it comes out).
GØDLAND #23
story by Joe Casey, art and cover by Tom Scioli
Hey, you know what’s really good? GODLAND. So start reading it, you jerks.
If you’d like to see the other solicits, click here.
- Greg
Indianapolis superhero museum closes
According to an article in the Indy Star, the superhero museum operated in downtown Indianapolis by Dane Nash has closed its doors. The Web site at www.heroesmuseum.com also seems to be down.
If you want to see what it looked like in its heyday, check out this video.
This is as good of an excuse as any to remind people to check out the Action Figure Museum in Pauls Valley. Curator Kevin Stark has recently added some more exhibits to the museum, at 111 S. Chickasaw St. in Pauls Valley, and it’s worth the trip for fans of superheroes and action figures.
