DVD review: Ruby-Spears Superman
The 1988 “Superman” animated series was the first version of the character to come to television since comic-book writer/artist John Byrne’s noted revamp of the character in the 1986 “Man of Steel” miniseries. In the new “Superman” comic-book line, Byrne and writer Marv Wolfman introduced the idea of Lex Luthor as a corrupt industrialist instead of mad scientist. That characterization is followed up here, as Wolfman was the animated series’ head story editor.
Even though the Christopher Reeve film series was over by the time this series aired, after the dismal failure of 1987’s “Superman IV,” the 1988 animated series still paid homage to those films. Luthor’s assistant, Jessica Morganberry, is a version of the film’s Miss Tessmacher, and Luthor, though an industrialist, speaks in a manner consistent with Gene Hackman’s Luthor from the films. Furthermore, the theme song for the Ruby-Spears “Superman” uses a bit of the famous John Williams “Superman” score. The series calls back to Superman’s past in another way, too: The opening narration was the same as the 1950s “Adventures of Superman” television show.
Superman/Clark Kent was voiced by Tulsa-born Beau Weaver, who later voiced Mr. Fantastic in the 1990s “Fantastic Four” animated series.
Each episode of “Superman” featured an 18-minute Superman adventure followed by a 4-minute segment called “Superman’s Family Album,” which touched on his days as a youngster in Smallville.
While “Superman,” produced by Ruby-Spears, only lasted one season, it provided an intermediate step between the silliness of the “Super Friends” of the 1970s and the more modern take of the 1990s series.
— Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
In comics, Dracula ranges from spooky to silly
Vampires are as hot as ever in popular fiction, with movies such as “Twilight” and shows such as “The Vampire Diaries.” Vampires have been big in comics, too, and none more so than Dracula.
While the word “vampire” dates from the 1700s, the 1897 novel “Dracula” by Bram Stoker popularized the vampire. The book’s main character could have been partly based on former Transylvanian governor Vlad the Impaler.
IDW Publishing has created a new version of Stoker’s book (now in public domain) illustrated by Eisner-winning artist Ben Templesmith. Templesmith, who with Steve Niles created “30 Days of Night,” provides full-color illustrations for all 27 chapters of the novel.
Multiple movies have made Dracula the world’s most famous vampire. The 1931 film starring Bela Lugosi is a horror classic selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. Longtime “Dracula” fan Mike Mignola (“Hellboy”) brought his take on Dracula to Topps Comics in the 1990s, with an adaptation of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” the film by Francis Ford Coppola. Mignola also was an illustrator for the film.
The most famous adaptation of Dracula in comics is the long-running “The Tomb of Dracula” series. Gene Colan was the artist for the series’ entire run, beginning in 1972. Marv Wolfman took over as writer with issue No. 7 and stayed on through the series’ conclusion in 1979.
This series introduced Blade the vampire hunter and is one of the longest-running horror series in Marvel Comics’ history. The entire run of “Tomb of Dracula” as well as the stories from “Dracula Lives” and the black-and-white “Tomb of Dracula” magazine have been reprinted by Marvel as “The Essential Tomb of Dracula” Vols. 1-4.
DC Comics also has its version of Dracula, which faced off against Batman in the story “Batman/Dracula: Red Rain,” by Doug Moench and Kelley Jones. “Red Rain” along with the two sequels, “Batman: Bloodstorm” and “Batman: Crimson Mist,” are collected in the “Batman: Vampire” trade paperback.
In “Red Rain,” Dracula comes to Gotham City. When Batman tries to stop him, he himself is bitten, becoming a vampire.
The silliest version of a comic-book Dracula came from Dell Comics in the 1960s. In 1962, Dell adapted the Lugosi feature into a comic book, but four years later, perhaps inspired by the “Batman” TV show, Dell made Dracula into a superhero.
This Dracula was a descendant of the original Dracula, who conducts medical experiments on bats, according to Don Markstein’s “Toonopedia.” When he accidentally ingests his own chemical, he gains the power of turning himself into a bat and vows to fight crime and injustice.
Columnist Chris Sims at comicsalliance.com describes the ridiculousness of the series.
“Once in America, he sets up a ‘Dracula Cave,’ adopts the secret identity of — wait for it — Al U. Card, dedicates himself to battling the rampant scourge of zeppelin crime (which actually does sound awesome, but trust us, it’s not) and even manages to rustle up a sidekick, Fleeta, whose name is short for ‘fleidermaus,’” Sims writes. “Unsurprisingly, it lasted for only three issues before it was given the ax, though his series went for another three issues of reprints that gave the world a second chance at his mind-numbing adventures. They probably shouldn’t have bothered.”
- By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
NewsOK Comics Podcast Halloween Special
Kyle Roberts and Matt Price discuss some of the best bets for Halloween, including Tomb of Dracula, Batman: The Long Halloween, and Angel: Frankenstein.
Celebrate Halloween with the Dark Knight
Want to have a Batman Halloween? NewsOK’s Nick Tankersley will tell you how. Among his tips: Check out the Jeph Loeb-Tim Sale classic “Batman: The Long Halloween,” and sit down with the Tim Burton Batman films. Check out the full article here.
- Matt Price
Mighty Avengers #31 preview
Marvel Comics has provided a preview of “Mighty Avengers” 31, which features The Mighty Avengers, Young Avengers, New Avengers and more versus The Unspoken. From Marvel’s news release:
Red hot writers Dan Slott and Christos N. Gage, along with fan-favorite artist Sean Chen, present the epic conclusion of the Avengers battle against the ancient enemy of the Inhumans! Hank Pym, newly named the Scientist Supreme, returns to Earth, but is his genius enough to help his Avengers allies turn the tide, after a lethal toxin turns many of the Avengers into a gang of mindless barbarians?
The issue goes on sale on Nov. 18.
Vanishing Batman
Thanks to CJ for pointing out this College Humor video that explores how exactly Batman manages to vanish like that.
- Matt Price
This Is It appears to be a hit with Jackson fans
U.S. singer Lionel Richie arrives at Japan premiere of "Michael Jackson's This Is It" in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009. (AP)
Movie-ticket site Fandango reports that “Michael Jackson’s This Is It,” hitting theaters last night, represents 77% of Fandango’s daily ticket sales. Fans ranking the film on Fandango are ranking the film a “must go.”
Here’s more information from Fandango on “This Is It.”
* 45% say they plan to see the movie in the theater more than once.
* 48% claim that since Michael Jackson’s untimely passing they are more interested in his past works.
* 76% had never seen Michael Jackson perform live in concert.
* 84% plan to buy the DVD when it comes out; 77% will buy the soundtrack album.
- Matt Price
Oklahoma writer Sterling Gates creates World’s Finest team-ups
World’s Finest #1, kicking off a miniseries teaming Superman and Batman family characters, is in stores today, written by Tulsa native Sterling Gates.
At DC Comics’ official “Source” blog, Gates is called a “writer to watch.”
“Gates has made a name for himself for his tight plotting and knack for strong and precise characterization,” blogger Alex Segura writes.
Meanwhile, at Newsarama, Vaneta Rogers has an extended Q&A with Gates about the series.
“The Batman universe is so full of change right now. So is the Superman universe,” Gates tells Newsarama. “Bruce Wayne is dead and Superman has left the planet Earth to be with his own people on New Krypton. The world is suddenly without its two greatest heroes. To me, that makes it a very exciting time for the DC Universe. You’re seeing new and different characters come to the forefront and stepping up to fill the void left with Superman and Batman gone.”
Gates talked to Nerdage back in September about the project:
“Each issue focuses on a different Batman-Universe hero and villain teaming up with a different Superman-Universe hero and villain,” Gates said. “So, you’re getting four great characters coming into conflict, and you just have to sit back and watch the fireworks.”
Gates said ” World’s Finest” also has some of his “all-time favorite villains.”
“Catwoman’s in there, Mr. Freeze, Penguin, Kryptonite Man, Toyman,” he said. “It’s gonna take all of these heroes working together to rein these supervillains in!”
- Matt Price
Battlestar Galactica: The Plan comes to DVD today; contest offers dinner with Admiral
The direct-to-DVD “Battlestar Galactica: The Plan” comes to DVD and Blu-ray today, exploring the events of the series from the Cylons’ point-of-view.
It’s also a little racier than the cable series, as there are no particular restrictions on the direct-to-DVD release. (It’s still no racier than an R-rated film, however.)
Tying into the film’s release, UGO is offering fans a chance to win “Dinner with the Admiral.” The winner will receive a trip for two to Los Angeles for dinner with Edward James Olmos.
Marvel motion comics finalists named
Aniboom has announced the finalists in its Marvel motion comics contest. The motion comics chosen adapt either a Jeph Loeb-written Wolverine vs. Hulk fight or a Dan Abnett-Andy Lanning “Nova” tale.
The five finalists — from Los Angeles, New York, New Hampshire and Australia — will each receive $2,000 to expand their motion comic into a full-length story. These five, plus one additional “Wildcard” finalist, will compete for the grand prize of $10,000 and the opportunity to showcase their work across Marvel’s digital network, according to the release.
The winner will be announced Nov. 16, after a week of voting at aniboom.com.
Click past the cut to see the five finalists’ videos.
- Matt Price
