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.

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.

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, 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.”

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

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.

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada – March 17th, 2009 – Leading video game developer BioWare™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today officially announced Mass Effect™ 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the multi award-winning 2007 hit, Mass Effect. The Mass Effect trilogy is a masterful science fiction adventure set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life forms and mysterious uncharted planets. In this dark second chapter, Saren’s evil army of Geth soldiers has just been defeated, and humans, who are still struggling to make their mark on the galactic stage, are now faced with an even greater peril…

“We’re going to surpass the extraordinary gaming experience we brought our fans in Mass Effect by delivering intensified combat and expanded weapon options as well as increased depth of planet exploration, all while delivering a powerful, emotionally engaging story,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, General Manager and CEO, BioWare and General Manager and Vice President, EA. “Mass Effect 2 is shaping up to be an unforgettable RPG-shooter experience, taking players on a non-stop roller-coaster ride filled with stunning plot twists and no-holds-barred action.”

Mass Effect 2 is coming to PC and the Xbox 360 video game system in Early 2010.  To see the exclusive new Mass Effect 2 teaser trailer check out the website here: www.masseffect.com.

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.

While comics are obviously facing some fallout from the economic recession, clearly it hasn’t yet stopped the enthusiasm for Comic-Con.

- Matt Price

MTV shares a trailer for the upcoming “Batman: Arkham Asylum” video game.

If watching the “Watchmen” movie has left you eager to find out more about the world of the characters, there’s now a DVD option to discover the original comics.

“Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic” animates each chapter of the original series, taking the original art by Dave Gibbons and using most of the original script by Alan Moore (even though Moore isn’t credited on the DVD, as he wants no part of adaptations of his work). Like the graphic novel, and for that matter the film, it follows the masked adventurer Rorschach as he attempts to find out who is killing costumed adventurers. It is set in an alternate 1985 where Richard Nixon is still president, and a superman named Dr. Manhattan changed the course of history.

The DVD works somewhat like an audio book, with Tom Stechschulte providing the voices for all the characters. He’s pretty good at varying up his tone, but it becomes distracting when the female characters are obviously a male talking with a higher voice.

It’s not as complete as the graphic novel – the text excerpts are missing, as are some parts of the dialogue. It’s an innovative way for DC to find another way to capitalize on the success of “Watchmen” in another format, but it’s not a superior experience to reading the book.

- Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

THE NEXT LEVEL

Actor Yuri Lowenthal moves from animation to video games to live-action projects with ease. The “Prince of Persia” voice actor today guest-stars on “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” in the first part of a two-part arc.

“The character I’m playing is Christopher Garland,” Lowenthal said in a phone interview. “He’s a sonar man on a submarine. He’s also a member of the Resistance.”

The Resistance is the human resistance to Skynet in the future world on “Terminator.” Lowenthal’s two-part arc includes the episodes “Today’s The Day Part 1,” airing tonight, with the second part scheduled for next week.

“It’s in many ways a self-contained story within that world, that plays more like a movie than a TV show,” Lowenthal said. “We felt like this particular crew formed a strong bond and had something really good going on.”

Lowenthal said he enjoyed the action-packed pace of “Sarah Connor Chronicles”:

“Stuff like this is why I got into acting in the first place: running around on a submarine in the future, fighting evil robots with a plasma rifle,” he said.

Lowenthal’s also a popular video game voice actor, who has portrayed the title role in “Prince of Persia: Sands of Time,” as well as parts in “Halo 2,” “Medal of Honor 2: Rising Sun” and “Rave Master.”

“It’s all voice acting whether you’re doing an animated series or a video game, or any of those kind of jobs,” Lowenthal said. “They all have their different techniques. For video games, you’re in a booth, by yourself. Only on one or two occasions ever have I gotten to record with other actors at the same time for a video game. I guess it’s just more efficient for them to do one character at a time.”

Lowenthal said the workload on a video game voice project is faster, and can be harder on the voice, as there are multiple yells and grunts to record.

“Usually for a video game, you show up on the day of, and you get right to it,” Lowenthal said. “The director may go over some basic things with you, so you have a little context. But then you’re in there, using your imagination to create the world that they’re trying to create in their game, you have to create that for yourself.”

NEXT WEEK: Find out how Lowenthal became the voice of Superman in “Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes.”

By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

WORD BALLOONS

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – After playing a patient in need of a heart transplant in “Grey’s Anatomy,” Jeffrey Dean Morgan said he needed some bulking up to play the part of the nihilistic superhero the Comedian in “Watchmen.”

“I did two months of training just for the opening sequence, that opening fight training,” Morgan said at the press junket for “Watchmen. “It was great; it was a lot of work. I hadn’t done anything physical, I’d been lying in bed for the last two years on a TV show, so atrophy had set in.”

Morgan said the hard work was all worth it.

“When you see the final product, obviously I was duly impressed with myself,” he said, laughing. “It all paid off.”

Morgan said he was unfamiliar with “Watchmen” prior to being approached for the film, and hadn’t grown up with comics and graphic novels. In the “Watchmen” graphic novel, it’s the Comedian’s murder that sets the plot in motion, and his connections with the other characters in the film are explored via flashbacks. Morgan was sent a copy of the Alan Moore-Dave Gibbons graphic novel to see if he’d be interested in the part of the Comedian.

“I remember looking at it, I got to page 3 and threw it over my shoulder and said, ‘I’m dead already! Awesome project,’” Morgan recalled. “I called my agent … and he said, ‘Can you just keep reading, you jackass?’”

Morgan read the book, and then read it again. And again.

“I’ve read it probably 50 times,” Morgan said. “I’m a fan now. I’m certainly a fan now.”

While the Comedian is possibly the darkest character in the “Watchmen,” Morgan said he wanted to convey the character’s humanity, as well.

“In my first read, it was, you know, this guy’s horrible! He’s completely amoral and nihilistic. But every time I’d finish reading it, I’d go, ‘Maybe it’s because I’m playing him, but I like this guy!’” Morgan said. “I almost am sympathetic toward this character, so I’m trying to find that humanity. And there’s not a lot of opportunity to do it. I’ve got like two scenes to make the audience go, ‘Maybe he’s not all that bad.’”

– by Matthew Price
A version of this story ran in Friday’s The Oklahoman

Via XKCD. This is me virtually any time anybody online who isn’t a comic-book retailer starts talking about comics retail, or anybody who isn’t a journalist starts talking about journalism. Fortunately I usually just IM people to gripe rather than get into an online argument, at least.

New storylines start in “Action Comics” 875 and “Batman: Battle for the Cowl” #1, as Nightcrawler takes on a solo mission in “X-Men: Manifest Destiny – Nightcrawler.” Kyle Roberts and Matt Price share their thoughts.

Kyle Roberts and Matt Price discuss War of Kings 1, Fantastic Four Dark Reign 1, Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk 3, Superman: New Krypton 1 and Black Panther 2.

Scarlett Johansson with Bulgari necklace

MTV, among others, is reporting that Mickey Rourke has signed on to play a Russian villain in “Iron Man 2.” Meanwhile, Scarlett Johansson, who appeared in the comic adaptation “The Spirit,” also is said to have joined the cast, as the spy Black Widow. “Iron Man” was one of the big hits of 2008, starring Robert Downey Jr. as wealthy industrialist Tony Stark, who becomes the superhero Iron Man. Jon Favreau is scheduled to return as director in “Iron Man 2,” which is set for a 2010 release.

Let’s have some more pictures of Scarlett Johansson to celebrate after the break.

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas to all from Nerdage!

- Matt Price

Whether you’re spending Thanksgiving with family, friends, or the Justice Society of America, Happy Thanksgiving from us at Nerdage!

- Matt Price

Running around like the Flash (take your pick of Jay, Barry, Wally or Bart) trying to get things done today.  I do plan to have a shipping list and commentary up sometime this afternoon!  Thanks for your patience, dear Nerdage readers.

– Matt Price

Apparently Marvel thought better of having Stephen Colbert as the fictional Marvel president — or this was just a wacky swerve all along.

– Matt Price

Marvel.com has released a series of “buttons” encouraging voting (including one of the Canadian hero Wolverine, who I assume can’t vote in U.S. elections), concluding today with Captain America.

I encourage the U.S. readers of Nerdage (probably most of you?) to get out and vote today!

- Matt

Hope everyone’s Halloween is successful, and just as spooky as they want it to be.

Marvel is announcing additional online-only comics, after the success of their “Iron Man” and “Hulk” tie-ins.  I’ll probably read the “Kid Colt.” Full release after the break.

From Marvel:

Marvel Entertainment is launching more never before seen digital comic titles exclusively for Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited subscribers. The Marvel Digital Comics Exclusive titles launch with the first issue of Marvels Channel: MONSTERS, MYTHS and MARVELS: Galactus on Wednesday, October 10/22/08 at Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited [www.marvel.com/digitalcomics].      

This new digital comic initiative comes after the recent success of two exclusive digital comic tie-ins to the Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk movies. Digital-only exclusives will be published regularly on Wednesdays at the pace of three or more comics per month, adding to the ever growing collection of over 5,000 digital comics already online.

The slate of titles poised for release through the Marvel Digital Comics Exclusive program include top Marvel characters and creative teams, fan-favorite holiday-themed specials, explorations into science fiction, martial arts and Westerns genres and so much more. Here’s what’s coming:

Marvels Channel: MONSTERS, MYTHS and MARVELS

Coming up on Marvels Channel: MONSTERS, MYTHS and MARVELS: Galactus… devourer of worlds… embodiment of a cosmos… oldest being in the universe… totally made up? Join reporter Gordon Allsworth as he ventures to expose the lies and unearth the truth about the foremost foe of the Fantastic Four. Prepare for your world to be turned upside-down as experts de-bunk Galactus and explore the financial motivations for creating such a being. With limited (fake) commercial interruption, from writer Frank Tieri and artist Juan Santacruz

Halloween Special Issue

Frankenstein might be one of the most misunderstood monsters out there… so it’s just his luck when an overprotective mother temporarily blinds him, thinking he was attacking her daughter. Fortunately, Frankenstein stumbles into Jack Russell, a.k.a. Werewolf-by-Night, a friend who understands Frank’s plight. That is, until the full moon comes out… Make sure you sign-on for this special Halloween Monster Mash, from writer/artist Dean Haspiel! And make sure you check out Frankenstein and Werewolf by Night who each face-off against the Hulk in their own stories in MONSTER SIZE HULK – on sale now!

American Eagle: Just a Little Old-Fashioned Justice

Leaping out of the pages of Thunderbolts, Jason Strongbow aka American Eagle, tribal leader and former super hero, keeps the peace throughout Navajo lands. So when a super villain on the run crosses onto the rez, pursued by one of Tony Stark’s Initiative teams, Strongbow must give them all a hard lesson in down-home justice in a story from red hot scribe Jason Aaron and superstar artist Richard Isanove!

FIN FANG FOUR

There was a time when giants walked the Earth! Monstrous creatures! Products of science gone MAD!!! But what happens when some of these terrible titans try to play nice?  Find out as Googam, Elektro, Gorgilla and the purple-pantsed Fin Fang Foom himself do the unthinkable and become functioning members of society. Well, not TOO functional…creators Scott Gray and Roger Langridge welcome back Marvel’s favorite enfants terribles in five gut-busting stories sure to unleash the Marvel Monster within!

Kid Colt

Tom DeFalco saddles up for a four-part western adventure featuring the classic Marvel western hero. Wanted by the law for killing a man in cold blood, Kid Colt thunders through the Wild West with guns blazing while trying to prove his innocence.

Amazing Spider-Man

Peter Parker’s life is very involved and even with three issues a month, there’s just not enough time to touch on everything or everyone. So to help solve that, Spidey Brain Trustee Bob Gale brings you an ongoing collection of stories taking place within and around current Spidey continuity, exploring his supporting cast and missed adventures. A lot can happen to a web-head in any given day…And it’s time you found out what’s missing!

More info here.

Swimmer Michael Phelps won his eighth gold medal tonight in the 4X100 medley relay, setting a record for the most gold medals in a single Olympic Games. He set world records in 7 of the 8 races, and the one in which he didn’t — a 1/100th of a second victory over Serbia’s Milorad Cavic in the 100-meter butterfly — was a race that will live in Olympic lore.

Now that Phelps is done with his Olympic races, what’s next? Click past the cut for a few (not entirely serious) ideas.

Maybe a starring role as Namor, the Sub-Mariner in an upcoming Marvel movie?

Or might Warner Bros. convince him to play this King of the Seven Seas? (Sure, usually blond, but what’s a little bleach for a big-time Olympian?)

I like Aquaman — heck, I’m trying to help the guy get his hoodie made — but if I were Arthur Curry, I might be a little worried that the “water guy” spot in the Justice League might be about to be taken by Phelps.

– Matt Price

11:00 –12:00 Full Coverage: Making the Most of Media Coverage of Comics
Join ComicsPRO President Joe Field (Flying Colors Comics, Concord CA), newspaper writer and comic retailer Matt Price (The Oklahoman, Speeding Bullet Comics) and Diamond Comic Distributors’ Elissa Lynch (Free Comic Book Day Coordinator) as they present the ways to improve your relationships with the media to get better coverage for your store. Caution: There may be some role-playing involved! Room 22

– Matt Price

Wieringo’s Friends and Family  to Host Special Fundraising Booth at Heroes
Con

CHARLOTTE, NC — When Mike Wieringo abruptly passed away last
August, the comics industry  lost more than a great artist and creator – it lost
a friend.  Now, Mike’s  family has teamed with the Savannah College of Art
and Design to create The Mike  Wieringo Scholarship or “The ‘Ringo” to help
keep his spirit of generosity  alive.

Created by Mike’s brother Matt and his sister-in-law Suzanne, the  ‘Ringo is
designed to help provide similar help to artists at the Savannah  College of
Art and Design or SCAD.  Domestic and international students  with have a
minimum 3.0 grade point average who demonstrate financial need and  display a
serious interest in pursuing comics as a career are eligible. The  scholarship
will take effect in the artist’s second year of classes, and is  renewable for
up  to two additional years, provided the student continues to meet  the criteria.

The recipient will be chosen from three finalists  determined by the college
in a portfolio review by Matt and Suzanne Wieringo,  along with a rotating
group. The ultimate goal for the ‘Ringo is to raise enough  funds so that it can
cover a full year’s expenses at SCAD, approximately  $30,000. 

Toward this end, a table staffed by Mike’s family and  friends will be set up
in his traditional spot in Artists Alley at Heroes Con in  Charlotte, NC. 
Heroes was a big part of Mike’s life and career, and was  the industry event he
most looked forward to every year. 

The table  will raise funds through donations and the sale of remaining
copies of Mike’s  sketchbooks, copies of comics featuring Mike’s work, selected
pieces of   Mike’s original artwork, sketches by Mike’s friends in the industry
who will be  appearing at the booth, and items donated by other comic 
professionals.   Pros appearing include Jeff Parker, Rich Faber, Craig 
Rousseau, Todd Dezago, Mark Waid, Richard Case and more to be  announced.

“SCAD is one of the most impressive programs in the world to  focus on the
medium of comics,” says Jeff Parker, creator of The Interman and  Agents of
Atlas, who worked with Mike at Artamus Studios. “I’m pretty sure Mike  would
have loved to have attended such a place in his student days. It would  make an
excellent legacy for him if we can grow the Ringo scholarship into a  launch pad
for the future greats of comics.”

Despite his success on such  books as The Flash, Fantastic Four and his own
creator-owned Tellos, Mike  Wieringo never forgot what it was like to be a
struggling creator.  For  many up-and-comers, Mike served as a mentor and
friendly voice, whether it was  providing free covers, advice, or just the
encouragement to keep  going.

With your help, the Mike Wieringo Scholarship can continue to grow  and help
a new generation of creators get the training and connections they need  to
start their careers.  Mike’s talent, enthusiasm and generosity inspired  many in
the comics industry to be their best as both creators and as human  beings. 
With your help, Mike will continue to be an inspiration for  creators in
decades to come.