Comics vodcast: X-Force/Cable Messiah War, Incredibles: Family Matters 1, The Muppet Show 1
Matt Price and Kyle Roberts discuss the kickoff of the “Messiah War” crossover and the beginning of the Boom! Kids line: Incredibles: Family Matters #1 and The Muppet Show #1. Get your Boom! Kids comics soon, as the first two issues have already sold out at the distributor, though copies may remain at local comic-book stores. Second prints are on the way.
He’s Our You – A Lost discussion with George Lang and Matt Price
In something of a blog crossover — think of those classic Justice League/Justice Society team-ups — George Lang of Staticblog and I, Matt Price of Nerdage, will share some thoughts on this week’s episode of “Lost,” “He’s Our You.” As the episode begins, Sayid has been captured by the Dharma Initiative, and Sawyer plans to save him. Plans are afoot to continue this as a regular feature if interest continues. Spoilers ahead.
A SPOILERIFFIC DISCUSSION OF “He’s Our You.”
MATT: Well, I feel like this episode wasn’t perhaps as awesome as the last two — there was simply a lot of moving pieces into place for that final shot. Still, I did notice some interesting things.
1. Sawyer’s beard coming back. 
MATT: Since Jack and crew returned to the island, Sawyer is looking more like Sawyer and less like LaFleur.
GEORGE: Kate just brings out the beard in him. Makes him all hairy and man-musky, instead of looking, ‘77 stylee, like he’s ready to sit in with America on a lovely rendition of “Ventura Highway.”
2. Kate and Juliet
MATT: Maybe they should just rock-paper-scissors?
GEORGE: Yeah, except that in Juliet’s case, it would be suture scissors. Rock-paper-scissors would be one option, but Kate’s handy with guns and rigging explosives, and Juliet, as a medical professional, probably knows how to make Kate’s death look like an accident — at least to your average or below-average Dharmanians. Juliet basically has squatter’s rights (in the “possession is 9/10ths of the law” sense, perv) on this one, but Kate’s psychology is structured toward deviancy — she can get what she wants. Plus, Kate’s a good tracker, so Juliet can’t just run away. Kate has the upper hand.
3. What happens to the timeline?
MATT: Does Sayid’s action change the timeline, or was this what was always supposed to happen? Is Ben dead in the future? Given the fact that the island brings back those it’s “not done with,” could Ben return? Could Ben be saved by Jack, since the island now has a surgeon?
GEORGE: I personally hope that Lindelof and Cuse are killing off Ben, not because he’s not a sparkling personality or a good guy, but because it messes with Space-Time Continuum(tm) and paradoxes. Sure, Ben could be saved by Jack, but we’ve been there before. I want to see the world twist because Ben Linus isn’t around making googly eyes at us.
4. Why are the castaways in 1977, anyway?
MATT: My original theory was that they were there to prevent the slaying of the Dharma Initiative. Then, I wondered if they were there to redeem Ben. I don’t know if either theory got more credence with last night’s episode.
GEORGE: I don’t know if Ben’s redemption is what anyone is looking for — I think your original theory holds water. It certainly isn’t for the 13-percent interest rates of the “stagflation” era.
5. Callbacks
MATT: Sayid being tortured while Sawyer watches recalls Sayid’s torture of Sawyer in season 1.
GEORGE: But what’s missing is 12-year-old Ben Linus pushing up his bangs to reveal that he is, in fact, The Boy Who Lived, and that Sayid’s got nothing on Tom Riddle.
6. Why the crap
MATT: Why didn’t Sayid just go along with Sawyer’s plan? Why didn’t Sawyer just come out and make up some story about what Sayid told him?
GEORGE: It’s basic lack of trust, and Sayid’s not the kind of guy to go along with something unless massive torture, or Zuleikha Robinson in knee-high boots, or both, is involved.
Captain America returns to original numbering with 600
Marvel has found a way to double its anniversary issue pleasure with “Captain America.” Issue #50 will be followed by issue #600, as the series returns to its original numbering.
While I realize this may be a cheap boost and hard to follow in the future, I’m excited! Legacy numbering returns! Ed Brubaker’s run has been simply amazing, and judging from the solicit info at Newsarama, issue 600 will be no exception.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #600
Written by ED BRUBAKER with MARK WAID, ROGER STERN & OTHERS
Pencils by BUTCH GUICE, LUKE ROSS, DALE EAGLESHAM & OTHERS
Cover by STEVE EPTING
50/50 Cover by ALEX ROSS
Where were you when Captain America died? It’s the anniversary of the day Steve Rogers was killed, a day of reflection and mourning in the Marvel U…a time to look back on the things Steve did and what he stood for… or is this issue actually the beginning of the most wicked plot twist since issue 25? Yeah, actually it’s both. Plus, contributions from Cap creators past and present, including a very special essay by Joe Simon, a classic story from Cap’s Golden Age, a full gallery of 600 Cap covers, and more anniversary shenanigans than you can shake a shield at!
104 PGS./New and Reprints/Rated T+ …$4.99
I’m pumped for it already.
- Matt Price
Yuri Lowenthal’s favorite Legion of Superheroes episodes
Yuri Lowenthal, who played Superman in the “Legion of Superheroes” animated series, told The Oklahoman about his favorite episodes.
#1 “Man of Tomorrow”: “That was my big start in that role.”
#2 “Phantoms”: “Superman finds out that he’s got this cloned, evil brother in the Phantom Zone.”
#3 “Man from the Edge of Tomorrow”: “There were several episodes where I got to play both the past Superman and the future Superman talking to each other. And they’re both very different characters. So it was really a challenge, but one of those fun challenges.”
#4 “The Substitutes:” “The Legion holds auditions, and the League of Substitute Heroes gets together after they fail the auditions.”
“Sweet Tooth” among Vertigo launches in 2009
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - DC Comics’ mature-readers line, Vertigo, will launch three new ongoing series in 2009, it was announced at the annual ComicsPRO meeting of comic-book retailers.
Vertigo’s new series in 2009 are “The Unwritten,” “Greek Street” and “Sweet Tooth.”
“The Unwritten,” set for a May release, is by the “Lucifer” creative team of Mike Carey and Peter Gross. Vertigo Executive Editor Karen Berger said “The Unwritten” was along the lines of a “classic” Vertigo series like “Sandman” and “Books of Magic.”
“It really blends the best of reality with fantasy,” Berger said.
The second series, “Greek Street,” is written by Peter Milligan (”Shade the Changing Man”).
“It does for Greek mythology what ‘Fables’ has done for fairy tales,” Berger said, referencing Bill Willingham’s series about fable characters in the real world. “It’s taking themes you find in Greek classics and reinventing them in modern times.”
The third series, announced for the first time at ComicsPRO, is “Sweet Tooth.” This series is written and drawn by Jeff Lemire (”Essex County”).
“Sweet Tooth” features a young man, born with antlers after a nuclear apocalypse, finding his way through his post-apocalyptic world after the death of his father.
Berger said the book had lots of Western elements and an indie flavor.
“We try to support new visions,” Berger said. “This is a book you can give to people who don’t read comics.”
– Matt Price
Mass Effect 2 announced
Mass Effect 2 is on the way! BioWare announced today that a sequel to the award-winning “Mass Effect,” a science-fiction game which threw the gamer into galactic politics as an elite soldier sought to recover an artifact. In “Mass Effect 2, humanity faces another crisis.
The first “Mass Effect” was brilliant, and I look forward to the sequel, set to launch in early 2010 for the PC and Xbox 360. A teaser trailer is online at www.masseffect.com.
- Matt Price
See the full release after the cut.
“Thor” possibilities include Skarsgard, Hartnett, Portman
MTV’s Splash Page blog has a roundup of some of the contenders for the upcoming “Thor” film, based on the Marvel Comic. Kenneth Branagh is set to direct, and he reportedly met with Alexander Skarsgård (”True Blood”) about the title role. Also in consideration — Josh Hartnett, possibly as Loki, and Natalie Portman. Though it doesn’t say what role Portman could play, I’m rooting for the Asgardian Sif. I suppose Thor’s Earthly love interest Jane Foster is also an option, as is possibly the villain the Enchantress.
More photos of Natalie Portman after the cut, for you to scrutinize and determine which role she best would fill. One of Josh Hartnett for the ladies, as well. (more…)
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, from the goofy Marvel character “Shamrock” from the “Contest of Champions” miniseries. If you’re a fan of the extremely violent DC Vertigo series “Preacher,” click past the cut to see what my original art idea was for this post before I thought better of it.
Four-day passes sold out at Comic-Con International
According to The Beat, four day passes for the comics’ world’s biggest annual event, Comic-Con International in San Diego, have sold out more than four months in advance.
While comics are obviously facing some fallout from the economic recession, clearly it hasn’t yet stopped the enthusiasm for Comic-Con.
- Matt Price
New “Batman: Arkham Asylum” game trailer
MTV shares a trailer for the upcoming “Batman: Arkham Asylum” video game.
