Tom Welling: Nerdage’s #2 actor with geek appeal
Tom Welling (AP)
Tom Welling, who for 10 years played Clark Kent on the TV series “Smallville,” comes in at No. 2 on Nerdage’s list of actors with geek appeal.
“Smallville” concluded after its 10th season in May.
He has also worked as a producer and director, executive producing the show “Hellcats” and co-executive producing “Smallville.” He directed seven episodes of “Smallville” during its run.
There was some controversy over no iconic shot of Tom Welling in full Superman regalia in the finale of “Smallville,” but producers told The Hollywood Reporter that such a shot wasn’t needed.
While Welling’s future projects haven’t been announced, he told the Los Angeles Times in May that he was ready for the next stage of his life.
“I feel so grateful. But I also know it’s time to move on.”
- Matt Price
Click past the cut for more Tom Welling and Smallville images.
DC Comics announces relaunch of Action Comics, Superman
Action Comics #1 (2011)
DC Comics is relaunching the book that introduced Superman back in 1938.
Grant Morrison and Rags Morales create the renumbered “Action Comics” #1, a new issue that, according to DC, “will set in motion the history of the DC Universe as Superman defends a world that doesn’t trust their first Super Hero.”
Superman #1 (2011)
George Perez writes the relaunched “Superman” #1, which will be illustrated by Jesus Merinao.
“What is Superman’s startling new status quo? How does it affect his friends, loved ones and his job at The Daily Planet?” DC asks in describing the series.
Two other characters with Superman ties will also be relaunched: Supergirl and Superboy.
“Supergirl” #1 is by writers Michael Green and Mike Johnson (“Smallville”) with art by Mahmud Asrar.
“Supergirl’s got the unpredictable behavior of a teenager, the same powers as Superman and none of his affection for the people of Earth,” is how DC describes its “new take on the teenager from Krypton.”
“Superboy” #1 will be written by Scott Lobdell with art by R.B. Silva and Rob Lean. DC’s description: “They thought he was just a failed experiment, grown from a combination of Kryptonian and human DNA. But when the scope of his stunning powers was revealed, he became a deadly weapon.”
- Matt Price
Brandon Routh: Nerdage’s #8 actor with geek appeal
Brandon Routh in "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World"
Despite no longer being Warner Bros.’ Superman, actor Brandon Routh still had a strong showing in Nerdage’s actors with geek appeal, coming in at No. 8.
Routh appeared in two comic-book based films in the past year: Edgar Wright’s “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” and Kevin Munroe’s “Dylan Dog: Dead of Night.”
- Matt Price
Click past the cut for more images of Brandon Routh, including images from “Dylan Dog.”
Yuri Lowenthal: Nerdage’s #9 actor with geek appeal
Yuri Lowenthal
The cool-as-ice Yuri Lowenthal comes in at No. 9 on Nerdage’s list of actors with geek appeal.
The versatile live-action and voice actor Yuri Lowenthal voiced the animated Superman in “Legion of Super-Heroes.” Adding to his superhero resume, he portrayed Iceman in the recent “Wolverine and the X-Men” animated series and voices Mister Miracle on “Batman: The Brave and the Bold.” Lowenthal voiced Ben Tennyson aka Ben 10 in “Ben 10: Alien Force” and “Ben 10: Ultimate Alien.” He’s reprising his Iceman role in the upcoming “Ultimate Spider-Man” series, according to IMDB.
Lowenthal is a well-known anime voice over artist, with credits including “Naruto,” “Code Geass,” ”Gurren Lagann,” and “Naruto Shippuden.”
He voiced the Prince of Persia character in video games that inspired the Jake Gyllenhaal film.
In live-action television in 2009, he appeared in a two-part series of episodes in “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.”
With wife Tara Platt, he’s written a book on voice-over called “Voice-Over Voice Actor: What It’s Like Behind the Mic.”
This weekend, you can catch Lowenthal and Platt at the Lillian Theatre in Hollywood in a performance of “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
You can follow Yuri Lowenthal on twitter or check out a recent audio interview with him at KPCC.
- Matt Price
Superman’s fight against the KKK and more examined in “War, Politics and Superheroes”
War, Politics and Superheroes by Marc DiPaolo
What’s Superman’s stance on the death penalty? Who might Spider-Man vote for? Marc DiPaolo, assistant professor of English and film at Oklahoma City University, has examined the political leanings, often subtextual, of comic-book superheroes.
“War, Politics, and Superheroes: Ethics and Propaganda in Comics and Film” was released by McFarland and Co. last month.
Hot Toys’ Christopher Reeve Superman: The Movie figure looks authentic, fantastic
As a big fan of Christopher Reeve’s Superman, I’m thrilled with the representation in this upcoming Hot Toys release, set for late 2011. I can practically hear the John Williams theme in my head.
Based on Superman: The Movie, this Christopher Reeve Superman figure features 30 points of articulation. It stands 30 cm tall and features three pairs of interchangeable hands.
A movie-style Fortress of Solitude stand and a nameplate with the movie logo also comes with the figure. A portion of the sales will be donated to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation by Hot Toys Limited.
More info at Comics Alliance; click past the cut for more images.
- Matt Price
Thor, Herc and John Carter among heroes of comic-book challenge catch-up post
Here’s an abbreviated rundown of several comics I’ve read over the past 2 weeks, but haven’t had time to post about.
Herc 1-2 – Fred Van Lente and Greg Pak are writing a street-level Herc in a fish out of water type tale that should appeal to fans of the “Thor” movie. Artist Neil Edwards has a touch of classic John Byrne to him. It’s a good mix of action and humor that I hope finds an audience.
Amy Adams: Nerdage’s #25 actress with geek appeal
Amy Adams (AP)
The three-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams was selected by Zack Snyder to play Lois Lane in his upcoming reboot of the Superman films, titled “Man of Steel.”
While Adams’ selection may have surprised some, she’s certainly got a successful resume – in addition to the Oscar nominations for “Junebug,” “Doubt” and “The Fighter,” Adams has appeared in crowd-pleasers like “Enchanted” and “Julia and Julia.” In addition to her 2012 duties with “Man of Steel,” she’ll appear in “The Muppets” later this year.
David O. Russell, who directed Adams in “The Fighter,” said the actress has a mix of toughness and sensitivity.
“Amy’s very fierce,” he said. “… but Amy also brings a great deal of emotion in her eyes, so you have that great cocktail that I find so interesting, of the two.”
- Matt Price
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- Amy Adams (AP)
“Superman” Henry Cavill engaged
"Superman" actor Henry Cavill
The Belfast Telegraph reports that Henry Cavill, who will play Clark Kent, aka Superman, in Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” reboot of the Superman film property, is engaged.
Actor Jackie Cooper, Perry White in “Superman” films, dead at 88
Jackie Cooper as Perry White
KTLA in Los Angeles is reporting the death of actor Jackie Cooper, the child actor who later became a Navy pilot, and who is perhaps best-known for his role as Clark Kent’s gruff editor Perry White in the “Superman” films of the 1970s and 1980s. He was 88.
With Christopher Reeve (Superman/Clark Kent), Margot Kidder (Lois Lane) and Marc McClure (Jimmy Olsen), is one of only four performers to appear in all four “Superman” films of that era.
He was the youngest-ever actor nominated for an Oscar for best actor – he was nominated at age 9 for the film “Skippy.”
His Perry White performances help to ground the Superman films – especially the first, when the newspaperman snaps and growls at his reporters to chase the Superman story.
Cooper retired from acting in 1989.
- Matt Price
