“Oh yes! A bolt of lightning into a huge copper conductor. I thought you lived at a school?”

Identify who said the above quote in what film in the comments!

Writer/artist Terry Moore and managing editor Robyn Moore discuss "Rachel Rising" and other books from Abstract Studio at the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting in Dallas.

DALLAS — The ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting for 2012 has closed, and many attendees touched on the importance of stability.   After the tumult of the past few years, retailers seem to be refocused on improving their stores and maintaining profitability.   While some stores are looking at expansion, it seemed that the plans for some publishers’ lines were becoming tighter and more focused.

Consistency was seen as key to success; Terry Moore attributed much of his success in “Strangers in Paradise,” “Echo” and “Rachel Rising” to putting out a comic every six weeks on a consistent schedule.  The gathered retailers were extremely receptive to Moore and excited to continue working with him.

Among the reasons retailers believe the DC “New 52″ has been such a success is the consistent shipping schedule.  DC announced the vast majority of the books shipped on time, with only two slipping from their planned date (including the most recent and an upcoming issue of “Justice League”).   Those could have shipped on time, but would have involved shipping part of the story arc out of order, and it was determined by DC that pushing the books a week each would be less harmful to sales.

Image’s Eric Stephenson gave a great speech celebrating creativity and independence.

“Creativity starts with people,” Stephenson said.  “The reckless spirits who can’t stand still, the fearless minds who refuse to play it safe.  At Image Comics, we believe in creative people.  For 20 years, we’ve made a home for them. A place where they can be creative – on their own terms.”

He said Image’s safe harbor for creativity on its own terms should resonate with the direct market, where each independent store celebrates creativity on its own terms as well.

Diamond Comics reported that the direct market was up overall 1.8 percent in 2011, and 1.2 percent in the comics category.

The event was again incredibly well-run and organized; kudos to the ComicsPRO board of directors and executive director Amanda Emmert.

Short takes

- DC plans to work with retailers to market “Before Watchmen” using some of the same tools that were used with great success on “The New 52.”

- Dynamite plans an extensive sales push for “The Shadow,” including hand-drawn variants by Jae Lee (1:200) and Alex Ross (1:250).

- Avatar plans to market “C-Day” on March 14, with a reissue of “Crossed” #0 called “Get Infected.”

- DC’s Vertigo plans a free preview comic of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” graphic novel, which should be in stores in time for Free Comic Book Day.  The graphic novel will go on sale in April 2012.

- Image’s recent string of successes could very well continue in the upcoming “Glory” and “Hell, Yeah” from Joe Keatinge.   Pages from Brian K. Vaughan also looked very impressive.

- Distributor Baker and Taylor will continue its web hosting program and is rolling out an additional stocking program for ComicsPRO members.

- Boom! Studios again entertained retailers after-hours in the Boom! RV, and showed retailers art from its upcoming “Fanboys vs. Zombies” at its Saturday breakfast presentation.

- Diamond reported that the number of Free Comic Book Day comics ordered has increased in 2012, from 2.77 million in 2011 to 3.34 million so far in 2012 (with some time still available for advance reorders).

- Valiant Comics has extensive marketing plans for “X-O Manowar” No. 1, including what looks like a very cool and interactive store poster using a QR code.

- Marvel was pleased with the response for the “Avengers vs. X-Men” parties and reiterated that comic will have huge interest to Marvel fans.

- Papercutz reported that the “Ninjago” LEGO tie-in graphic novels have more than 200,000 copies in print and have been a huge phenomenon for the publisher.

- IDW reported that 2011 showed the largest sales in the company’s history. Upcoming for the publisher include a second “Rocketeer Adventures” anthology and a Steve Niles/Bernie Wrightson “Frankenstein” project.   IDW also plans an upscale Artists Edition of “Daredevil: Born Again.”

- First Second showed a copy of its upcoming “Baby’s In Black” graphic novel, which tells the story of Stu Sutcliffe and the Beatles.

- Graphitti plans an Animal Man shirt that will tie directly into the comic book, as one of the characters is wearing the shirt in an upcoming issue.

- Bonfire Agency continues to develop possible plans for retailers and national brands to interact.

- Studio 407 showed previews of its upcoming projects, including “Heroes Unlimited,” the first issue of which is slated to cost just $1.

- BioWorld showed retailers upcoming products and designs in apparel and accessories, including a TMNT backpack.

- Archaia showed off previews of its impressive hardcover line and talked about the upcoming Archaia FCBD hardcover edition.   This edition is Archaia’s highest-ever ordered FCBD comic.

- Matt Price
Click past the cut for more images from the meeting.

DC's Bob Wayne at the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting in 2012, with the ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award. Photo by Annette Price, for The Oklahoman

DALLAS — Bob Wayne, DC Entertainment’s Senior Vice President of Sales, was honored with the ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award in an afternoon ceremony.

The crowd of retailers, publishers and industry figures stood for an extended standing ovation as Wayne was named the recipient of the award, which is intended to honor those who help bring comic books to market.

“I would venture to say that no one in this room knows more about comics or the comics industry than Bob Wayne,” said ComicsPRO president Joe Field in his introduction of Wayne.   Given that executives from most of the larger comics publishers and more than 100 comic retail operations were in the room, that’s a nice compliment.

“With his 25 years at DC Comics, now DC Entertainment, we’ve seen tremendous things happen, in large part because of what Bob Wayne’s been instrumental in making happen for us,” Field said.

The other nominees for the award were Cindy Fournier of Diamond; David Gabriel of Marvel; Robert Kirkman of Image and Eric Stephenson of Image.

The 2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Memorial Award was awarded to the late Phil Seuling, who founded the direct-market method of comic-book sales.  Bill Schanes of Diamond Comics Distributors, a former customer of Seuling, accepted the award on his behalf.  Julius Schwartz of DC Comics was the other nominee in this category.

Wayne was classy, funny and at times emotional in his acceptance of the award, which is voted on by the comic book retailers who are members of ComicsPRO, the national comics retail organization.

“I’d like to thank all of the members of ComicsPRO for your continued support,” Wayne said in accepting the award. “Many of you are friends, and, I think, extended family.”

Wayne graciously thanked his bosses and co-workers through his years at DC.

He recounted his years in the industry, including starting to sell comics in 1973 at comic-book conventions.

“Yes, I know that was before some of you were born,” he said. “There’s no need to come up later and point that out to me.”

Wayne opened a comic-book store in 1980, which he ran for seven years.   He joined DC Comics in August of 1987.

“The people who placed bets 25 years ago as to how many weeks or months I’d last in corporate America … no one asked me for odds.”

In closing, Wayne gave recognition to a special family member.

“When you work in a comic shop, when you work in comics, you hear a lot of people say, ‘Oh, they still make comics?  My mother threw mine out.’  And my mother did not throw mine out.”

- Matt Price

DALLAS — Thomas Gaul of Corner Store Comics and Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim, Calif., has been elected to the board of directors of ComicsPRO, the national comic-book retailer organization.

Gaul will replace Brian Hibbs of Comix Experience in San Francisco, a founding member of the board.

ComicsPRO president Joe Field announced the election at Friday’s breakfast at the ComicsPRO annual members’ meeting.

- Matt Price

Tony Moore, the original artist of “The Walking Dead,” has filed a lawsuit against the writer, Robert Kirkman.  The two were behind what’s one of the biggest comic-book success stories of the past decade, but now find themselves on opposite sides of this lawsuit, THR reports.

Moore drew the first six issues of “The Walking Dead” before leaving and being replaced by Charlie Adlard.

Moore claims he’s owed money from “The Walking Dead.”  Kirkman’s attorney says the suit is frivolous.   The Beat has the court documents posted and more information is in the link.

“The Walking Dead” TV series on AMC, based on the comics, is currently one of cable’s top-rated series.

- Matt Price

Mike Richardson of Dark Horse.

DALLAS — Dark Horse president and publisher Mike Richardson gave the keynote address at the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting this morning, speaking to the history and possible future of comics.

“For the comics industry, changes have been a constant and necessary partner,” Richardson said, tracing the medium’s early beginnings, to the success of Superman, to the censorship of the 1950s and the efforts of Frederic Wertham.

“The comic book industry essentially muzzled itself,” he said.

Comics came back in the 1960s, but the low cover prices eventually found comics being forced out at newsstands and retail stores.   Phil Seuling’s establishment of the direct comics market saved comics, Richardson said, and directly allowed companies like Dark Horse to exist.

The Dark Horse publisher recounted his origins in comics as a retailer, leaving a good job as a commercial artist to start a comic book store, a choice that led to an intervention from several of his friends.  After a few hours, he eventually told them he’d give up his comic-book dreams — but of course, he did not.

His plans to start a comic shop came from his own difficulties buying comics, having to stake out gas stations and try to avoid being judged by other patrons.

“It came to me that there might be a better way to sell comics,” he said.

Once he started his store, he not only saw the kids, teens and young adults he expected, but also plenty of adults, he said.

“All they needed was a destination — a place to go talk comics.”

That can’t completely be replaced digitally, Richardson said, but he sees a huge opportunity to grow the comics market through a digital strategy.

“Comics specialty stores are our lifeblood,” he said. “The last thing I would want to do is harm that market.”

Richardson cited a study that there could be 1 billion tablet computers in circulation in 2016.

“Would 1 percent of tablet readers download a comic?” Richardson asked.  That could be as many as 10 million people.  If 10 percent of those samplers sought out a comic book store, that could double the size of the existing comic book market, Richardson estimates.

“If we want to grow our industry, we need to take some chances,” Richardson said.

One of those chances that need to be taken is publishing a wider variety of comics, Richardson said.

“Publishers need to create new titles that will test the time,” he said.

Going forward, Richardson said the direct market will be a key market for keeping comics vibrant.

“It was you who allowed comics to flourish when the bookstores were not interested,” he said.  He said the few thousand direct-market retailers, in a market created to solve a particular problem, have become the engine through which future market problems can be solved.

“I came to listen to what you have to say,” Richardson said.

He said he moved into comics as a career out of love, and that he loves reading, making and selling them.  And he closed by holding up a recent Dark Horse comic.

“And I love to hold them,” he said.

- Matt Price

DALLAS — DC Entertainment executives at the annual ComicsPRO meeting spoke of wanting to maintain momentum from The New 52 relaunch in 2012, as those products are released in graphic novel format. The publisher also plans for big things in 2012 from the “Watchmen” prequel and graphic novels tied to the release of “The Dark Knight Rises.”

The publisher will release six new titles as part of the “Second Wave” of The New 52, replacing six cancelled titles. Four of those titles will be released on 5/2/2012, which is a tie-in of sorts to the “52″ number.

The Free Comic Book Day 2012 book from DC will include new content tied to the New 52, including a four-page spread by Jim Lee, which was shown briefly onscreen at the meeting.

DC’s Bob Wayne said he expected “Batman, Incorporated” to be the biggest launch of the second wave, but heaped praise on another title, “Dial H,” written by novelist China Miéville.

“What I said was, it was the best proposal I had seen since Neil’s proposal for ‘Sandman,’” Wayne said, referring to the best-selling comic-book series from Neil Gaiman.

DC showed a list of quotes related to the “Before Watchmen” announcement, including Alan Moore’s statement that the idea was “completely shameless.”   DC execs said the announcement was covered across a wide swath of media.

John Cunningham of DC said the publisher had an extensive marketing plan for the “Before Watchmen” titles.

“Our goal is to build the interest in order to get people in the stores on day one,” he said.

“Before Watchmen” will also have tie-in DC Direct merchandise, including 9” resin statues of the Comedian and Rorschach.

“The Dark Knight Rises,” the last film in Christopher Nolan’s Bat-trilogy, is set for summer release, and DC’s Bob Wayne reminded retailers to be sure to have related Batman graphic novels in stock, including the new printing of “The Long Halloween,” which has a Nolan quote on the cover.

Wayne also encouraged retailers to check out the upcoming “Batman vs. Bane” graphic novel and the repackaging of the “Knightfall” trades for readers interested in Bane.  He also suggested the upcoming Chip Kidd “Death by Design” and the Geoff Johns-Gary Frank “Batman: Earth One” as good tie-ins for the summer of “Dark Knight Rises.”

- Matt Price

Kyle Roberts talks to Matt Price from the ComicsPRO meeting in Dallas. Expected topics of discussion include the Image Comics resurgence, including “Thief of Thieves”; the new Smallville comic book series; and the Marvel Comics Avengers vs. X-Men comics.

The world of the TV series “Smallville” will continue in a comic-book series from DC Comics, it was announced today.

The series, which focused on the adventures of a young Clark Kent as he learned how to deal with his origins and amazing powers, ended after 10 seasons.  It starred Tom Welling as Clark Kent.  At series’ end, Kent had donned a Superman costume and become the familiar Man of Steel.  That story will now be picked up in a new comic-book series.

According to DC Comics’ Source blog, the series will be written by former Smallville show scribe Bryan Q. Miller. The series will hit digital first, with an April 13 release, with new chapters weekly.

The online chapters will be offered in a print periodical, along with an episode guide to TV series.  The first print issue is set for a May 16 release.

“Six months after Clark Kent donned the cape and took to the skies to save Earth from Apokolips… enter Season 11!” Miller told the Source.  “New allies abound!  New enemies afoot!  And old friends return where they’re least expected!  Pere and colorist Chris Beckett have done a fantastic job of capturing the look of the show and the players, and Gary and Cat are knocking it out of the park on covers. I couldn’t be more excited to help give seasoned viewers and new readers an all-access pass to Clark’s first year in the cape.”

- Matt Price

DALLAS — How will the rest of the comics market strike back?

That was one of the questions being asked around tables and in small groups at an informal meet-and-greet prior to the kickoff of the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting.

Since last year’s ComicsPRO meeting, DC Comics has shaken up the sales charts with its Sept. 2011 relaunch.  In January, 5 months into the relaunch, DC Comics claimed all 10 of the top 10 comics in Diamond Comic Distributors monthly sales charts.

Because the comics market is often reactive, some retailers at the meeting openly wondered how DC’s competition might react to DC’s 2011 moves.

In early 2012, one company already seems to be shaking things up: Image Comics.  Retailers reported very strong sales for the Image title “Fatale” and also for “Thief of Thieves,” released in comic shops today.

“Thief of Thieves” is co-written by Robert Kirkman and Nick Spencer.   Kirkman is the co-creator of “The Walking Dead” comic-book series, which has had great success adapted for television on AMC.  Some have suggested there’s a “Walking Dead” spillover effect that’s helping the entire Image line, especially those properties tied to Kirkman.

There was also talk about Marvel’s upcoming “Avengers vs. X-Men” promotion, and the promotional idea allowing stores to sign up as supporting the Avengers or the X-Men.

At last year’s preview night, stores said some of the major problems facing the market were generating excitement, late-shipping books, and the still-lagging economy.  This year, many of those problems have been addressed.  While the economy overall is still recovering, DC’s relaunch helped generate excitement and prove that a major publisher could stick to a largely on-time schedule.    Retailers remain interested in DC’s upcoming plans, including those about DC Comics’ just-announced “Before Watchmen” program. Many retailers are curious about how the series will be marketed in comic-book stores.

Thursday at the meeting will be a day of programming from DC Comics; other sponsors will share their programming on Friday and Saturday, in addition to retail-focused discussion and programming.   The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund will hold the First Annual Retailer Auction, at the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting at 9 p.m. Friday.

With even more stores expected to attend the meeting than last year, it’s up to the gathered sponsors to get these decision-makers on board with their upcoming projects.  With many stores feeling on firmer footing than in 2011, they’re actively looking for the new product or title that will get more people in the door and their money in the register.

- Matt Price

Marvel has released a preview of April’s “Avengers vs. X-Men,” written by an all-star cast of Marvel writers with art by John Romita Jr., Adam Kubert and Olivier Copiel.

Here’s how Marvel describes the series, which goes on sale April 3.

This April, prepare for the biggest super hero war in comics history as Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Avengers Vs. X-Men #1! From the powerhouse creative team of Brian Michael Bendis, Jason Aaron, Matt Fraction, Jonathan Hickman, Ed Brubaker, John Romita Jr., Adam Kubert and Olivier Copiel comes a groundbreaking event pitting Earth’s Mightiest against the X-Men with the entire Marvel Universe at stake. Cyclops and his team believe the arrival of the Phoenix Force will save mutantkind, but Captain America is convinced it will destroy the world! But who is right? Don’t miss out on all the action in Avengers Vs. X-Men #1 in comic shops worldwide and on the Marvel Comics app this April!

This 12-issue series will feature many of Marvel’s most popular characters, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm and Magneto.

Click past the cut for the full 7-page preview!

- Matt Price

The ComicsPRO Annual Members’ Meeting kicks off tonight in Dallas with a meet-and-greet involving comic-book retailers and publishers.

Joe Field, president of ComicsPRO, posted his thoughts prior to the meeting at his store blog at Flying Colors Comics and Other Cool Stuff.

“ComicsPRO promotes advocacy, education and opportunity for our members. We work with our members— all small business owners that have challenges, costs and goals,” Field writes. “By being a ComicsPRO member retailer, we are able to band together and mitigate some of those costs, overcome some of those challenges and help each other attain the goals we seek— more professional, profitable and sustainable comic shops.”

Specific items likely to be discussed include growing the print market for comic books and looking at holiday shipping options.

“This will be our 6th annual meeting and we’ll be talking with publishers, manufacturers, distributors, and our fellow retailers in an effort to increase our profitability, share our concerns and potential solutions with our industry trading partners and learn from each other in ways that expand our vision and make each of us look at businesses with fresh eyes,” Field writes at his blog.

Retailers will likely be looking for information from DC Comics on how to maximize the “Before Watchmen” project, and Marvel will likely be asked how best to capitalize on this summer’s “Avengers” movie.

Many other publishers will be in attendance, including Baker and Taylor, Boom! Studios, Dark Horse Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, IDW Publishing, Image Comics and Papercutz, among others.

Dark Horse’s Mike Richardson will provide the meeting’s keynote address.

- Matt Price

20th Century Fox has set a release date for the Hugh Jackman “Wolverine” sequel, titled “The Wolverine.”

The film is now set for a July 23, 2013 release date, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Jackman returns as the title character, based on the Marvel Comics mutant who first appeared in “Incredible Hulk” No. 181 in 1974.  Wolverine is considered the most popular of the X-Men, and now appears in the X-Men titles, his own solo series, and Marvel’s Avengers comic books.

Jackman has starred as Wolverine in three previous “X-Men” films and in “Wolverine: Origins.”  (And, SPOILER WARNING, perhaps, has a brief, but excellent, moment in “X-Men: First Class.”)

James Mangold is the director of the film, which is said to be loosely based on the Chris Claremont-Frank Miller “Wolverine” miniseries and will be set in Japan.

- Matt Price

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.

“If you want me to keep my mouth shut, it’s gonna cost you some dough. I figure a thousand bucks is reasonable, so I want two.”

Identify who said the above quote in what film in the comments!

To celebrate the 500th episode of “The Simpsons,” which airs Feb. 19, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., in partnership with Gracie Films and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products, is making the “Simpsons” Arcade Game available for home consoles.

The game is now available for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. The game will also be available on the PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system beginning Feb. 7.

“Of all The Simpsons video games, this demented classic is my favorite,” said Matt Groening, The Simpsons Creator and Executive Producer, in a news release.

In The Simpsons Arcade Game, players take on the role of a Simpsons character to chase Smithers and Mr. Burns on an epic quest to save Maggie.

The game features four-player online and offline cooperative play as well as eight Springfield locations.

As an added bonus, fans can view classic posters made for the game back in 1991.

- Matt Price
From Monday’s The Oklahoman

This seemed like a good year for Super Bowl commercials — there weren’t nearly as many that I actively hated, and there were quite a few that I liked. When the biggest complaints seem to come from childhood icons selling out (Ferris Bueller, Voltron), well, to me that’s a big improvement over some of the past years’ rampant misogynist tendencies.

GoDaddy of course still went with titillating and lowbrow; eTrade still has the horrific talking babies; but besides that I wasn’t too disgusted by anything.

Here are my top 10 commercials for Super Bowl 46 in 2012.

1. Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood tells everybody how to come back and pull together. Loved it! Great placement at halftime, as well, tying in with the commercial’s theme. Well-done all around.

2. Avengers movie spot

“I still believe in heroes.” How cool was this? I’m already predisposed to like this movie, but I thought the commercial was a home run.

3. The Dog Strikes Back

You can argue it’s trying too hard, you can argue it’s selling out a childhood icon. And while I didn’t like it better than Vader Kid, I did laugh.

4. Kia “A Dream Car for Real Life.”

An overdose of the Sandman’s dust has a man’s dreams going over the top. Maybe the funniest commercial this year.

5. Audi vampires

Clever twist on the Twilight frenzy!

6. Chevy Apocalypse

Good way to play into the Mayan 2012 apocalypse zeitgeist with a car commercial, I thought. Ford apparently was upset about this ad; the whole thing seems so fantastical that it’s an odd choice to me of something to get worked up over.

7. Matthew’s Day Off

I’m ranking this here for memorability, even though I have mixed feelings about both the idea and execution. And no Alan Ruck? Matthew Broderick can still pull off a Ferris-like charm, though, can’t he?

8. Hyundai – Cheetah

Gets across the idea of the car being fast, and gets a little violent humor in, generally a plus for Super Bowl commercials

9. Seinfeld Acura “Transactions”

Jerry Seinfeld really wants the first Acura NSX.

10. MetLife, Everyone

I get that He-Man probably doesn’t need insurance, nor does Voltron, and I get all the sellout arguments that can and maybe should be made. But He-Man’s in a Super Bowl commercial!

Which commercials did you like most and least?

- Matt Price

If you’ve been holding out for the ultimate edition of “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” it’s available in a four-disc set that includes a 3-D Blu-ray.

This edition contains more than three hours of bonus content.

“Dark of the Moon” may be the most technically adept of the robot-fighting series, and director Michael Bay has proved himself with this film as one of the directors who has a handle on how to use 3-D filmmaking. If you’re looking for a film to show off your new 3-D television with, this could be a good choice, as the movie starts off with a strong 3-D element. Unfortunately, the plot is labyrinthine, and the film’s ending drags on for too long, overshadowing the strong beginning.

“Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” for the third time, features the conflict between two factions of an alien race of robots, the Transformers, based on the action figure line from Hasbro.

The Autobots, led by Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen), believe in working with humanity after leaving their home planet of Cybertron; the Decepticons, led by Megatron (voiced by Hugo Weaving), wish to conquer Earth and destroy the Autobots. Bay should be given credit for casting Cullen, who created the voice of Optimus Prime for the 1980s cartoon, and sticking with him for all three blockbuster films.

The beginning of “Dark of the Moon” is entertaining, as a secret weapon attempts an escape from the war on Cybertron. After the crash of the weapon, both the U.S. and Soviet space programs of the 1960s were, according to the film, in a secret race to retrieve the item from the moon.

In the present, the Decepticons appear to be out of the way, but Sam (Shia LaBeouf) discovers their plot to manipulate the humans.

Sam works with Lt. Col. William Lennox (Josh Duhamel) and the Autobots to help them rediscover their previous leader, Sentinel Prime (voiced by Leonard Nimoy).

As the Decepticons’ plot continues to unfurl, Sam finds there are multiple layers of deception at play.

Extras include a five-part documentary on the development, filming, stunts, postproduction and release of the film; a featurette on NASA; and previsualization and visual effects commentaries. There are also galleries of production art, trailers, additional featurettes and a marketing gallery. The set includes a Blu-ray 3-D edition, a Blu-ray, DVD and digital copy.

— Matthew Price
From the Jan. 27 edition of The Oklahoman

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) in THE HUNGER GAMES.

Winter/Spring movie preview

From late-opening Oscar hopefuls and long-shelved comedies to 3-D blockbuster rereleases to fledgling action franchises, the crowded cinematic calendar for early 2012 offers a wide array of choices. Films scheduled for release include “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace 3-D,” “The Woman in Black,” “Safe House,” “The Vow,” “John Carter” and “The Hunger Games.”

BY BRANDY MCDONNELL and MATTHEW PRICE
Entertainment Writers

Watchmen prequels, X-Men First Class sequel, and Avengers assemble this week on the comics podcast.

MORE ‘WATCHMEN’
DC Comics is returning to the world of its best-selling graphic novel, “Watchmen.”
The new prequels will fill out story elements occurring before the events of “Watchmen.”

“Before Watchmen” is an event with six mini-series — 35 total issues — that will serve as a prequel to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ story WATCHMEN.
Creators involved include original series editor Len Wein, as well as writer/artist Darwyn Cooke and writer J. Michael Straczynski.

QUESTION OF THE DAY
What do you think of the idea of the “Watchmen” prequels? Will you buy them? Are you excited?

X-MEN FIRST CLASS 2
Deadline reports that Fox has just closed a deal with Matthew Vaughn to come back and direct the sequel to X-Men: First Class; Bryan Singer will also be back as producer.

Most of the major characters are expected to return, including James MacAvoy as Professor X and Michael Fassbender as Magneto.

AVENGERS TEASER
Marvel will release a commercial for its “Avengers” film during the Super Bowl.
The film, starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson, is set for a May 4 release. It’s directed by Joss Whedon.

REVIEW FILE: Matt and Kyle review Winter Soldier #1, by Ed Brubaker, Butch Guice and Bettie Breitweiser; Fatale #2, by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips; and Betrayal of the Planet of the Apes #4, by Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman.

On the Planet 46 Comics show: Supermodel Miranda Kerr is Wonder Woman, “The Crow” reboot gets a director, and a Green Arrow show is on the way.

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.

Mike Richardson of Dark Horse.

The sixth annual ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting is set for next week in Dallas, as comic-book specialty retailers from across the country congregate to meet with vendors and suppliers, and plan objectives for the upcoming year.

The 2012 keynote speaker is Mike Richardson, president of Dark Horse Comics, president of Dark Horse Entertainment and owner of the retail store chain Things From Another World.

Richardson has written comics including “The Secret” and “Living With the Dead,” and through Dark Horse Entertainment has developed and produced projects for TV and film.

Richardson was a producer on “The Mask” and “Hellboy,” among others, and is a producer on the upcoming “R.I.P.D.,” starring Ryan Reynolds. Those three properties were based on Dark Horse comic books.

“He’s worked in the comic-book industry from almost every angle, so we’re looking forward to his speech and his thoughts on the future of the industry,” said Amanda Emmert, ComicsPRO’s executive director.

Though show sponsorship is closed, comic-book retailers can register right up to the official start of the meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday. (A Wednesday night meet-and-greet is available for preregistered retailers.) For information on registration, retailers can visit www.comicspro.org.

Joe Field, president of ComicsPRO, said he expected some breaking news to come out of this year’s meeting.

Joe Field

“As is the custom for comic conventions, publishers will make announcements about upcoming projects,” he said. “Unique to retailer-centric events, though, and particular to ComicsPRO, suppliers will talk about things that directly impact the business side of the comics industry. Will there be surprises?”

Suppliers attending include DC Comics, Baker and Taylor, Boom! Studios, Dark Horse Comics, Diamond Comic Distributors, Dynamite Entertainment, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, Marvel Comics and Papercutz, among others.

Field said the wide range of retailers and suppliers makes the meeting a great place to get the pulse of the comics market.

“More so than at any consumer comics/pop culture convention, the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting gives a great sense of how healthy the comics specialty market is,” he said.

Also expected to be in attendance are Todd McFarlane (“Spawn”), Terry Moore (“Strangers in Paradise”), and DC Comics co-publishers Dan Didio and Jim Lee. Well-known retailer Brian Hibbs will step down from the board of directors of ComicsPRO, and a new board member will be elected.

The 2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award will be presented at the meeting. This award honors those who work in comics, often behind the scenes, to smooth the process of moving comic books from creator to fan.

This year’s nominees are Cindy Fournier of Diamond Comic Distributors, David Gabriel of Marvel Comics, Robert Kirkman of Image Comics, Eric Stephenson of Image Comics and Bob Wayne of DC Comics.

The nominees for the 2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Memorial Award, to honor those who have passed away but whose work left a positive mark on the comics specialty retailing, are Julius Schwartz and Phil Seuling.

Those interested can follow daily updates from the meeting at comicspro.blogspot.com and blog.newsok.com/nerdage.

- Matthew Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Bill Murray in "Groundhog Day."

I try to celebrate Groundhog Day — also my birthday — with a viewing of “Groundhog Day,” with Bill Murray, whenever possible.

In the film, Phil Connors (Murray), a Pittsburgh weatherman, finds himself reliving Feb. 2 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania,over and over again.  Except for him, no one remembers living the previous day.

For my review of the film, and to check out the trailer, read my 2011 post on the holiday.

- Matt Price

Happy Groundhog Day and happy birthday to me — we celebrated by giving away a Lone Ranger cake at my store, Speeding Bullet Comics.   The second issue of Dynamite’s new “Lone Ranger” comic is out this week.

See previous comic-related cakes decorated by my wife, Annette Price, here and here.

- Matt Price

Congratulations to Image Comics on its 20th anniversary.  The company, formed Feb. 1, 1992, was a key part of my teenage comic-book reading, and is still a vibrant and exciting company many years after the skeptics assumed they’d be long-gone.  The company also should be commended for its work in promoting creator-owned comics.

- Matt Price

DC Comics’ much-rumored “major news” was announced today on DC Comics’ Source blog, as a series of prequels to the best-selling graphic novel “Watchmen” were announced.

“It’s our responsibility as publishers to find new ways to keep all of our characters relevant,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee in a news release. “After twenty five years, the Watchmen are classic characters whose time has come for new stories to be told. We sought out the best writers and artists in the industry to build on the complex mythology of the original.”

“Before Watchmen” includes:

• RORSCHACH (4 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: Lee Bermejo

• MINUTEMEN (6 issues) – Writer/Artist: Darwyn Cooke

• COMEDIAN (6 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: J.G. Jones

• DR. MANHATTAN (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artist: Adam Hughes

• NITE OWL (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artists: Andy and Joe Kubert

• OZYMANDIAS (6 issues) – Writer: Len Wein. Artist: Jae Lee

• SILK SPECTRE (4 issues) – Writer: Darwyn Cooke. Artist: Amanda Conner

The series will be released weekly, with a back-up story in each issue from original series editor Len Wein, called “Curse of the Crimson Corsair.”  The art for this story will be by original series colorist John Higgins.

There will also be a final epilogue issue.

Dave Gibbons shared his thoughts at the Source blog.

“The original series of WATCHMEN is the complete story that Alan Moore and I wanted to tell. However, I appreciate DC’s reasons for this initiative and the wish of the artists and writers involved to pay tribute to our work. May these new additions have the success they desire,” said Dave Gibbons, WATCHMEN co-creator and original series artist.

Alan Moore, the writer of “Watchmen,” reacted about as may have been expected, to the New York Times:

“I tend to take this latest development as a kind of eager confirmation that they are still apparently dependent on ideas that I had 25 years ago.”

The reclusive Moore no longer deals with DC Comics and has largely sequestered himself from the industry, with the exception of his “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” graphic novels released through Top Shelf.

- Matt Price

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

DC Comics’ Source blog has revealed Mike Choi’s variant cover for “The Flash” #6, on sale Feb. 22.

“’The Flash’ is one of my favorite books right now, so it was a real pleasure and honor to get the chance to work on a cover for the title,” Choi told The Source. “I’m good friends with both [series writers and artists] Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato, whom I’ve known pretty much my entire career, my first professional gig being the follow-up to Francis’ run on WITCHBLADE for Top Cow, with Brian being my colorist on the book, so of course this was a title I was definitely rooting for. Hopefully I’ve done just a little bit to add something to their book and its run.”

As hinted at in this variant cover to issue #6, Captain Cold returns in issue #7 of “The Flash.”

- Matt Price

“This is your life and it’s ending one minute at a time.”

Identify who said the above quote in what film in the comments!