That's one heckuva Superman collection



More here.

New Captain America photo on Empire mag

Chris Evans as Captain America covers the newest issue of Empire magazine. There's a tiny pic of him in costume, too.

John Barry: As pop as the Beatles

The Guardian profiles the legendary James Bond-soundtracker, John Barry, who passed away over the weekend:

And John Barry was pop, as pop as the Beatles, and as representative of mid-60s London as anyone. He shared a flat with Michael Caine, married Jane Birkin, and owned a pad in super-hip Cadogan Square.

He said he could put on a suit and walk towards the gentlemen's clubs of St James's, or a pair of blue jeans and head into Chelsea. Though he was from the old, pre-Beatles world of arrangers and producers, he rose to the challenge of the new order and got better and better.

There's an obituary here.

British actor cast as next Superman

Henry Cavill, probably best known for playing the brother-in-law to Henry VIII in "The Tudors," will play Superman in a Zach Snyder-directed film set for December 2012, Variety reports.

"In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and I am honored to be a part of his return to the big screen," Snyder said in a statement. "I also join Warner Bros., Legendary and the producers in saying how excited we are about the casting of Henry. He is the perfect choice to don the cape and S shield."

Beatles "time-travel comedy" in the works

The idea of Beatles and time travel appeals to me, but this premise seems a tad dense and mean-spirited:

The script, penned by Chris McCoy, centers on the discovery of a time machine by two die-hard Beatles fans, who travel back in time to prevent John Lennon from meeting Yoko Ono, who they blame for the break-up of the Fab Four.

Personally, I think it would be cool to see the Beatles doing the time traveling.

New Charlie's Angels TV show cast

Here are names and details of ABC's new Charlie's Angels:

Minka Kelly (Friday Night Lights and The Roommate) as Marisa, a former U.S. Marine, a weapons expert trained in all forms of hand-to-hand combat, and a neat freak.

Rachael Taylor (Transformers) as Abby, the youngest and sassiest of the Angels. The beautiful and privileged daughter of a notorious Wall Street crook, she is an expert con artist herself, as well as a Krav Maga expert.

Annie Ilonzeh (General Hospital) as Kate, a very smart and very athletic ex-cop and a master of martial arts. She is the most serious of our 3 Angels but also knows how to let her hair down and have a great time.

New pop culture books

The Harvard Psychedelic Club: How Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, Huston Smith, and Andrew Weil Killed the Fifties and Ushered in a New Age for America
The Harvard Psychedelic Club: How Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, Huston Smith, and Andrew Weil Killed the Fifties and Ushered in a New Age for America

Art of Vampirella HC
Art of Vampirella HC

The Record Players: DJ Revolutionaries
The Record Players: DJ Revolutionaries

Whedonistas: A Celebration of the Worlds of Joss Whedon by the Women Who Love Them
Whedonistas: A Celebration of the Worlds of Joss Whedon by the Women Who Love Them

Quest For The Spark #1 (Bone)
Quest For The Spark #1 (Bone)

The Mighty Thor Omnibus, Vol. 1
The Mighty Thor Omnibus, Vol. 1 

McQueen's Machines: The Cars and Bikes of a Hollywood Icon
McQueen's Machines: The Cars and Bikes of a Hollywood Icon

Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica

The Cover Art of Blue Note Records: The Collection
The Cover Art of Blue Note Records: The Collection

The Gospel According to Bob Dylan: The Old, Old Story of Modern Times (Gospel According to...)
The Gospel According to Bob Dylan: The Old, Old Story of Modern Times (Gospel According to...)

Bossa Nova
Bossa Nova

Owly cartoonist plans children's book

Andy Runton is publishing a more traditional children's book featuring his delightful Owly and Wormy comics characters.

“Owly and Wormy: Friends All Aflutter,” which will mark the Owly's full-color debut, finds the titular pictogram-speaking animals hoping to meet new friends but discovering something unexpected along the way. The forty-page picture book “Owly and Wormy” will be published by Simon & Schuster under license from Top Shelf Productions," and Top Shelf will release the next “Owly” graphic novel in October.

Full-length Shaun the Sheep movie on the way

My family has enjoyed the short adventures of this Wallace & Gromit-associated character.

From NME:

Aardman Animations have started work on a new feature film starring Wallace & Gromit character Shaun The Sheep. Shaun has been the star of his own BBC chidren's TV show since 2007. Writers at Aardman have now started developing a script for a full-length film, which they hope will be ready by 2013 or 2014.

Captain Canuck movie in the works?

I remember picking up the first issue of this mag in 1975, thinking what IS this? Finding a superhero title not published by DC or Marvel on my local spinner rack was unheard of.

Movie details:

Captain Canuck is the Canadian superhero launched in 1975 as a comic book by Comely and, after the second issue, by fellow artist George Freeman. The Captain Canuck franchise has been optioned many times over the years as a possible TV series or movie.

Now Comely says he has deal with an unnamed Canadian movie producer to be unveiled as early as next week that will give his Captain Canuck character long-sought big screen treatment.

Boom! Studio's classic Disney comics for March 2011

MICKEY MOUSE #307
Written by Floyd Gottfredson, art by Bill Wright, Floyd Gottfredson
The celebration of 70 years of Walt Disney's Comics continues here with some of the greatest classic Mickey Mouse stories ever told! This month, experience master Disney artist Bill Wright's "Jungle Magic," an epic globetrotting adventure not printed in the US since 1948! Also features the short "Trade Secret" from the inimitable Floyd Gottfredson that was last published in 1932!

Mickey Mouse and The Orbiting Nightmare
MICKEY MOUSE AND THE ORBITING NIGHTMARE TPWritten by Casty and Marv Wolfman, art by Casty, Gene Colan and Jack Bradbury.
Even the sky isn't the limit in these two hilarious new adventures by modern Mickey master Casty! In "The Orbiting Nightmare," Mickey Mouse's trip to a space hotel turns dangerous when a mysterious villain arrives with world-threatening plans! Then, in "Menace from the Future," Mickey must outwit a time-traveler sent to stop the future ruler of the world -- Goofy! Also features short stories from Marv Wolfman, Gene Colan, and Jack Bradbury!


MICKEY MOUSE: THE ATOMBRELLA AND THE RHYMING MAN
Written by Bill Walsh, art by Floyd Gottfredson
A beautiful squarebound prestige format one-shot featuring a lost Disney classic, back in print for the first time since 1948! Danger is afoot as our diminutive mouse hero confronts one of his most memorable foes in this treasured tale! Featuring the debut of one of Mickey's archenemies, The Rhyming Man, it's an unforgettable masterpiece from premiere Mickey writer Bill Walsh and uncontested artistic legend Floyd Gottfredson! It's an event that will not be collected into trade later.

UNCLE SCROOGE #402
Written and art by Carl Barks, cover by Marco Rota.
The 70th Anniversary Celebration of Walt Disney's Comics rolls on as we present another timeless tale from the Disney comics vault with Scrooge McDuck starring in "The Fabulous Philosopher's Stone!" For the first time in over 14 years, fans can experience Scrooge and the gang as they embark on a journey to find a fantastic, fabled stone capable of turning regular objects into gold -- but not without a few side effects.

WALT DISNEY'S COMICS & STORIES #718
Written by Branko Collin, Marc Middelhuis, Paul Hoogma, Wilfred Ottenheijm, art by Van Horn, Paul Murry, Bas Heymans, cover by William Van Horn.
The ce lebration of 70 years of Walt Disney's Comics continues with an entire issue of stories never before seen in the United States! Donald finds himself on a Jurassic jaunt in William Van Horn's "Just in Time," while Gyro's inventions spin out of control in "The Invented Inventor!" And how could we forget "Proof Positive," a rare 1964 Paul Murry story new to our shores?

 Walt Disney's Comics and Stories Archives Volume 1
WALT DISNEY'S COMICS & STORIES ARCHIVES VOLUME 1 TPWritten by Floyd Gottfredson and Ted Osborne, art by Gottfredson and Al Taliaferro.
Presenting a prestige collection of archival Disney comics -- the first issues of Walt Disney's Comics And Stories! Laugh at Donald's misadventures in Al Taliaferro's earliest Duck stories. Then thrill to Mickey's epic battle with Peg-Leg Pete in Floyd Gottfredson's "Island in the Sky," Floyd Gottfredson's personal favorite Mouse adventure! All the original comics and supporting features are here, too, wrapped up in a classic package!

160 pages, $14.99.

Sarah Michelle Gellar to return to TV in new suspense series

CBS has ordered a pilot of "Ringer" starring the former "Buffy" actress. I hope this works out. SMG is a talented, fun-to-watch actress and hasn't been able to generate the big screen career she deserves. Now it looks like we'll get a chance to see her in two roles on one show!

According to producer Peter Traugott:

“It’s a thriller, for sure. It’s an edgy thriller about redemption and about revenge. There’s a point of view of two twin sisters who grew apart over a tragedy in their past. And one now seeks redemption and the other one seeks revenge. The sister who is seeking redemption has had a much more troubled life. When her fancy pants sister disappears, she takes over her life. She’s living the life of her more successful sister only to come to find out that her life is equally as fraught with danger and complication. Her sister dies in a boating accident. The other sister takes on her persona, only to come to find out that they have a hit out on her.”

New comics Jan. 26, 2011

Stuff I'll buy:

FANTASTIC FOUR #587 I think scripter Jonathan Hickman has been doing a fabulous job on this title, making us care about the characters and playing with some very cool sci-fi concepts. The feel hearkens back to the Lee-Kirby era, a true sci-fi adventure book. Could be the best run on this title since the John Byrne days of the 1980s. But, that said, the recent storyline leads up to the "death" of one of the core characters. I'm not saying who. It's been spoiled all over the Web today. But I'm disappointed that Hickman would do this in the first place. The death of characters is so overdone in comics. If it's an iconic property like the FF, you can almost be certain the "dead" character will be back. I tend to dump titles when they do stuff like this, but I'll hang in for at least this issue to see where Hickman goes with it. Give me new stories, not tired gimmicks.

WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #715 Hurray! This title, now published by Boom!, is back to reprinting classic Duck tales by the likes of Carl Barks and others rather than the continuing storylines Boom! favored when it took over the Disney comics license. Those just didn't do much for me. My kids, who are big fans of Donald and Uncle Scrooge, didn't care for them either.

AVENGERS #9 I'm not sure how I feel about this book. Coming to it just recently, I'm not even sure I understand what's doing on. But I do know that I love John Romita Jr.'s art (and the story does seem good).

Things I may try:

SHAZAM #1 I'll leaf through this one, doubt I'll get hooked. I think DC made a mistake canceling its for-kids Shazam title. A light tone is best for this character, but most creators who've worked on him since the 70s Captain Marvel revival don't get that.

Collected editions of note:

Batman vs. The Undead
Batman vs. The Undead

Saga of the Swamp Thing Book 4
Saga of the Swamp Thing Book 4

What if?: Classic - Volume 7 (What If Classics)
What if?: Classic - Volume 7 (What If Classics)