Pop Culture Roundup Aug. 13, 2007

The BBC has a number of comics-related TV documentaries in the works. Hopefully we'll see some of these stateside ('specially the Ditko program):

BBC Four is set to explore the wonderful world of comic books in a new three-part series celebrating one the of most powerful achievements of British popular culture – the classic comic strips generations of us have grown up with over the past 70 years.

From the Beano to Bunty, Commando to Viz, The Eagle to 2000AD, British comics have captivated generations from the Thirties to the present day.

Narrated by comedy writer Armando Iannucci (The Thick Of It), Comics Britannia will feature comics legends who wrote and drew the original strips, comics experts and a range of celebrity fans who re-live their favourite comic strip moments and characters.

Bash Street Kids, Dennis the Menace, Roy of The Rovers, Fat Slags, Watchmen, V for Vendetta and many more are brought to life using a special graphics style that allows the audience literally to step inside the comics.

Comics Britannia forms the centrepiece of BBC Four's comics season which also includes a one-off film, In Search Of Steve Ditko, which sees Jonathan Ross go in search of his hero – comic book legend, Steve Ditko.

Other programmes within the season include Adam West's Batman series and Modesty Blaise.


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Comics artist Mike Wieringo died yesterday of a sudden heart attack.

Wieringo did work on DC Comics' The Flash and Adventures of Superman titles and may be best known for his lengthy run on Marvel's Fantastic Four with writer Mark Waid.

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DC Direct plans a line of action figures inspired by DC's Showcase Presents reprints books. The first batch will include a Carmine Infantino Batgirl, Curt Swan Superman, Joe Kubert Hawkman and Jonah Hex (I guess we don't know which artist's rendition of Jonah we'll be getting).

At this time, yet subject to change, the Superman and Hawkman figures will include extra alternate heads. The Curt Swan Superman will sport heads representing Red Kryptonite transformations (a lion, etc.) and the Kubert Hawkman will feature both his pre and post-“honor wings” looks. The talented Karen Palinko has sculpted all four debut figures.

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A diverse group of musicians provide tunes the soundtrack of "I'm Not There," the upcoming Bob Dylan bio-pic. Here's the track list:

All Along The Watchtower --Eddie Vedder & The Million Dollar Bashers
As I Went Out One Morning--Mira Billotte
Ballad Of A Thin Man--Stephen Malkmus & The Million Dollar Bashers
Billy--Los Lobos
Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window--The Hold Steady
Can't Leave Her Behind--Stephen Malkmus & Lee Ranaldo
Cold Irons Bound--Tom Verlaine & The Million Dollar Bashers
Dark Eyes--Iron & Wine & Calexico
Fourth Time Around--Yo La Tengo
Goin' To Acapulco--Jim James & Calexico
Highway 61 Revisited--Karen O & The Million Dollar Bashers
I Wanna Be Your Lover--Yo La Tengo
I'm Not There--Bob Dylan
I'm Not There--Sonic Youth
Just Like A Woman--Charlotte Gainsbourg & Calexico
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues--Ramblin' Jack Elliot
Knockin' On Heaven's Door--Antony & The Johnsons
The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll--Mason Jennings
Maggie's Farm--Stephen Malkmus & The Million Dollar Bashers
Mama You've Been On My Mind--Jack Johnson
The Man In The Long Black Coat--Mark Lanegan
Moonshiner--Bob Forrest
One More Cup Of Coffee--Roger McGuinn & Calexico
Pressing On--John Doe
Ring Them Bells--Sufjan Stevens
Señor (Tales Of Yankee Power)--Willie Nelson & Calexico
Simple Twist Of Fate--Jeff Tweedy
Stuck Inside Of Mobile With Memphis Blues Again--Cat Power
The Times They Are A Changin'--Mason Jennings
Tombstone Blues--Richie Havens
When The Ship Comes In--Marcus Carl Franklin
Wicked Messenger--The Black Keys
You Ain't Goin 'Nowhere--Glen Hansard & Markta Irglov

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Asterix fans will want to take a gander at this Obilex Pez dispenser.

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