Pop Artifacts! Batman trading cards



Vintage DC Comics house ad



Pop Culture Roundup Nov. 8, 2006

A documentary on the late Clash singer Joe Strummer will premiere at next year's Sundance Film Festival.

"The Future is Unwritten," Julien Temple's new film...includes interviews with such Strummer disciples as Bono, actors Johnny Depp and John Cusack, members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Clash, old friends and those who squatted with him in condemned buildings in London before the Clash took off.

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Preparing to get married? Neat-o Coolville has some good advice.



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The New York Times talks about the "Lost" break.

After little more than a month of thrills and twists that have some fans feeling that the show is at its best ever, “Lost” is disappearing into the wilderness.

After tonight’s episode, only the sixth of the still-young fall television season, ABC will take “Lost” off the air for 13 weeks. The show will return on Feb. 7 for a run of 16 or 17 new episodes that will carry viewers into late May.

But the midyear split season is a scheduling gambit that could have enormous consequences not only for ABC, but also for the entire genre of serialized television drama, testing whether audiences are loyal enough to expensive, complex shows to weather long midseason interruptions.

Review: "Batman: Face the Face"



Batman has been "grim'n'gritty" for a solid 20 years now--ever since Frank Miller presented a darker than dark Caped Crusader in the "Dark Knight Returns" in 1986.

What started as fresh approach to Batman--post-modernly bringing him back to his 1930s roots as a ruthless vigilante--soon became the defacto take on the character. Miller's Batman appeared initially in "mature readers" comics available only in the direct market. But eventually, this darker Dark Knight was present in every comic Batman appeared in, even those originally aimed at the then "mass" market of 10-12 year-old readers.

Every writer who handled the character blindly imitated Miller. And why not? Miller sold lots of comics. He became famous. He wrote and, eventually, even directed movies. He made loads and loads of money. He's still making it in fact, mainly by performing the same simple hat trick over and over again: Making comic books, which are supposed to be for kids after all, ironic and "dark."

Eventually, Batman became even more of a cartoon than he was in the Adam West TV show days. Unsmiling, grimacing, nasty. Maybe this Batman was novel during the four-issue run of Miller's original "Dark Knight" series, but it soon became apparent--to many longtime fans of the character, anyway--that he really wasn't too compelling. He was predictable. Cardboard. And, most significantly, lacking in humanity and heroic qualities.

The original Batman writers--Bill Finger, Gardner Fox and others--realized this 50 years ago. That's why the original Batman didn't remain a sour-pussed, gun-toting vigilante for long. It's hard to like a guy with no sense of humor, with no emotions other than anger. The Batman of the mid to late 1940s was still plenty tough and his villains sinister. But he'd still take time to crack a smile or joke once in a while.

But the dark Batman comics have kept selling, nevertheless, as superhero comics will. Many superhero fans tend to be undescriminating, reflex buyers. So long as it says "Batman" on the cover, they'll keep buying it.

But, finally, DC Comics has decided that, hey, maybe it's time to tone down the darkness in Batman a bit and bring in a little more humanity. He's been the Punisher too long. The reasons for this change aren't clear. Batman, after all, continues to sell plenty of comics in today's small market. But maybe the marketing folks figured a shakeup of some sort might help the books sell even better.

The decision to change the character coincides with DC's big "Infinite Crisis" crossover series of last year. After a universes-altering cataclysm, the universe the DC characters inhabit has changed and we rejoin Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and other key characters after a year of mystery. They've been missing during that time and we don't know what they've been up to. But they're slightly different and obviously entering new chapters of their lives. In short, they've been subtly "rebooted."

"Batman: Face the Face" collects the first story arc featuring this new Batman and he is a bit different. The change isn't terribly dramatic, but this Batman shows a tad more compassion and emotion than we've seen in recent years. He's less of a jerk, but still not a person you'd want to mess with.

The template Robinson and DC's other writers and editors are reportedly using for with this new Batman is the 1970s take on the character by writer Denny O'Neill and writer Neal Adams. Creatively, this makes a lot of sense. O'Neill and Adams gave Batman new life, bringing back his toughness and mystery and doing away with the campy softness of the 1960s. Their Batman was compelling, multi-faceted and, above all, heroic. He's a helluva lot more interesting that Frank Miller's Batman, too. So this is a good move over all.

That's not to say this story, written by James Robinson with art by Leonard Kirk and Don Kramer, is without darkness. A mystery about an unknown vigilante who's killing off some of Batman's lower-tier villains, it's at times gruesomely violent. Gunshot wounds that easily could've been hinted at off-panel are shown in full.

And while Batman's nature has brightened a bit, the colors of the artwork are still ludicrously dark. Sure, Batman comes out at night. But if there are no daylight scenes in the story, there's no contrast to make those nighttime scenes dramatic. There's not a daytime moment in the book. Nearly all the gutters between panels are black, too, instead of white. Most absurd is page 88, where the colors are so dark you can barely make out the images. It's like word balloons on a black page--silly stuff that should've been caught by the book's editor.

Still, the pitting of Batman against a vigilante without mercy is a great way to set up this new paradigm for the character: We see how he differs from just an angry guy with a gun. Batman is about justice, not revenge.

Robinson's script is solid, albeit not offering too many surprises. And it hangs together well in collected form. The art, likewise, is well done, although lacking in originality and character. Superhero comics today may be at their most pedestrian artwise than they have been since the the early Golden Age. The genre could use a visual shakeup and artists who aren't afraid to let their own styles and creativity show through.

See the Best Batman Sites on the Web.

"Lost" preview Nov. 8, 2006: "I Do"

See a video teaser for tonight's show.

Read ABC teaser copy about tonight's show. Spoilers may apply.

Read about what happened last week, including This is Pop Culture's roundup of clues and observations.

See the Best "Lost" Sites on the Web.

And come back here tomorrow for a roundup of clues and observations from tonight's show.

New comics Nov. 8, 2006

See complete lists:
DC Archives
DC Showcase
DC Trade Paperbacks
Marvel Masterworks
Marvel Essentials
Marvel Trade Paperbacks
Upcoming Trade Paperbacks - Graphic Novels


Comics shipping Nov. 8, 2006

DARK HORSE COMICS

SEP060014 ESCAPISTS #5 (OF 6) $2.99
JUN060020 MUSEUM OF TERROR VOL 3 TP $13.95
SEP060011 SAMURAI HEAVEN & EARTH VOL 2 #1 (OF 5) $2.99
AUG060060 STAR WARS DARK TIMES #1 (OF 5) $2.99
MAY060042 TRIGUN MAXIMUM VOL 10 TP $9.95

DC COMICS

SEP068078 100 BULLETS VOL 1 FIRST SHOT LAST CALL TP NEW PTG $9.99
SEP060212 52 WEEK #27 $2.50
AUG060168 BATMAN #658 $2.99
SEP060195 BATMAN AND THE MAD MONK #4 (OF 6) $3.50
SEP060257 BATMAN STRIKES #27 $2.25
AUG060265 CAPTAIN ATOM ARMAGEDDON TP $19.99
SEP060262 CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #7 $2.25
SEP060224 FIRESTORM THE NUCLEAR MAN #31 $2.99
SEP060286 GEN 13 #2 $2.99
SEP060287 GEN 13 VAR EDITION #2 $2.99
SEP060230 GREEN ARROW #68 $2.99
JUL060165 GREEN LANTERN #14 (RES) $2.99
SEP060233 JLA CLASSIFIED #29 $2.99
SEP060238 MARTIAN MANHUNTER #4 (OF 8) $2.99
AUG060174 NIGHTWING RENEGADE TP $14.99
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MAR060355 OYAYUBIHIME INFINITY VOL 1 $9.99
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SEP060250 TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED #2 (OF 8) $3.99
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IMAGE COMICS

APR061768 BEST OF CURSE O/T SPAWN TP $16.99
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JUL061706 INVINCIBLE #36 (RES) $2.99
APR061789 JACK STAFF #12 $3.50
JUN061720 PVP #29 $2.99
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MARVEL COMICS

SEP062081 AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL #2 $2.99
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SEP062095 AVENGERS EARTHS MIGHTIEST HEROES II #1 (OF 8) $3.99
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SEP062112 FRANKLIN RICHARDS HAPPY FRANKSGIVING $2.99
SEP062175 HEROES REBORN IRON MAN TP $29.99
JUL068383 MAGICIAN APPRENTICE #3 (OF 12) $2.99
SEP062123 MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #18 $2.99
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SEP062148 WOLVERINE ORIGINS #8 $2.99
SEP062149 WOLVERINE POSTER MAGAZINE $4.99
SEP062172 X-MEN FAIRY TALES TP $10.99

WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT

SEP062956 TOYFARE HOLIDAY BUYERS GUIDE CVR #113 $4.99

COMICS

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MAGAZINES

SEP063683 BACK ISSUE #19 $6.95
AUG063709 JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR #47 $9.95

RELATED MERCHANDISE

AUG060001 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2006 PI
AUG060002 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2006 EXTRAS PI
APR042954 MODERN MASTERS VOL 3 BRUCE TIMM SC $14.95

Pop Artifacts! Batman trading cards



Vintage DC Comics house ad

Don't forget to vote!



Today!

Pop Culture Roundup Nov. 7, 2006

Booksteve has some cool house ads from Gold Key and Whitman comics.

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Robby Reed of Dial B for Blog unmasks! And he's taking a blogging break until next spring, sadly. Take it easy, Rob, and thanks again for designing my blog logo for me!

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Deal alert: Amazon is offering 50 percent off on HBO-related DVDs, including season sets of "The Sopranos," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Six Feet Under" and such.

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"Casino Royale" is getting good early reviews.

"It's a terrific debut," wrote the Daily Telegraph's Sinclair McKay, summing up a weekend of praise from British newspapers eager to get their reviews out early.

"From the very start, he steps with full assuredness into Sean Connery's old handmade shoes."

The Times' Wendy Ide appears to take a swipe at some of Craig's five predecessors in the role by concluding her review: "His main asset quickly becomes evident. He can act."


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Deal alert: Also discounted now at Amazon, a whole range of "Doctor Who" DVDs.

DVD new releases Nov. 7, 2006

Cars (Widescreen Edition)

The West Wing - The Complete Seventh Season

The Sopranos - Season 6, Part 1

M*A*S*H - Season Eleven (Collector's Edition)

Beverly Hills, 90210 - The Complete First Season

JAG (Judge Advocate General) - The Complete Second Season

Police Squad! The Complete Series

James Bond Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1 (10 pc) (The Man with the Golden Gun / Goldfinger / The World Is Not Enough / Diamonds Are Forever / The Living Daylights)

James Bond Ultimate Collection, Vol. 2 (10 pc) (A View to a Kill / Thunderball / Die Another Day / The Spy Who Loved Me / License to Kill)

Doctor Who - The Hand of Fear (Episode 87)

She-Ra: Princess of Power - Season 1, Vol. 1

Doctor Who - The Mark of the Rani (Episode 140)

The Marlon Brando Collection (Julius Caesar / Mutiny on the Bounty 1962 / Reflections in a Golden Eye / The Teahouse of the August Moon / The Formula )

Harvey Toons - The Complete Collection

Lassie Come Home/Son of Lassie/Courage of Lassie

Edward R. Murrow - The Best of Person to Person

The Best of Carson, Volume 1

Doctor Who - The Complete First Season, Vol. 1

Doctor Who - The Complete First Season, Vol. 2

Doctor Who - The Complete First Season, Vol. 3

Doctor Who - The Complete First Season, Vol. 4

Francis Ford Coppola Presents William S. Burroughs' The Junky's Christmas



More upcoming DVD releases

New CD releases Nov. 7, 2006

The Road to Escondido by J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton

The Studio Albums 1967-1968 by The Bee Gees

Sinatra: Vegas (Box Set, 4CD/1DVD) by Frank Sinatra

Peel Sessions 1991-2004 by PJ Harvey

Surfer's Choice by Dick Dale & the Del-Tones

Sings for Soulful Lovers/Seven Letters by Ben E. King

This American Life: Stories of Hope & Fear by American Life: Stories of Hope & Fear

Produced by George Martin: Highlights of 50 Years by Various Artists

Hey Jude by Wilson Pickett

Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong by Louis Armstrong

Disney: Music Behind the Magic by Disney: Music Behind the Magic

More upcoming CDs

Don't forget to vote!



Tomorrow!

Pop Artifact! Batman trading cards

Vintage DC Comics House Ad

Pop Culture Roundup Nov. 6, 2006

A Wonder Woman Day to raise money for women's sheleters in Portland, Ore., was a rousing success, reports the Beat.

The free all-ages event, organized by best-selling author Andy Mangels, included a trio of comic book artists signing Wonder Woman comics, as well as a silent art auction with over 100 of the world’s top artists contributing original art, plus raffles, costumes, rare memorabilia, and more. In the aftermath of the event, the total amount raised was determined, with 100% of all monies going to two of Portland’s most protective women and children’s shelters — Raphael House and Bradley-Angel House. The total raised was $15,405.33!

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Deal alert: Amazon has Paul McCartney's new live concert DVD available for 40 percent off: $14. 99.

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The Groovy Age of Horrow recalls the 1970s series of Vampirella paperback novels. Penned by Ron Goulart, the books included:

Vampirella, No. 1 : Bloodstalk
Vampirella No. 2: On Alien Wings
Vampirella, No. 3 : Deadwalk
Vampirella No. 4: Blood Wedding
Vampirella No. 5: Deathgame
Vampirella No. 6: Snakegod


Click the links to check for available used copies via Amazon.

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Marvel Comics has announced the release "The Incredible Hulk" in theaters June 27, 2008. It looks this film is a "do-over" rather than a sequel to the poor, and poorly performing previous "Hulk" movie.

Directed by top rising star Louis Leterrier (Transporter 2, Unleashed), The Incredible Hulk will return to the roots of the long-running comic series, combining a well-developed storyline with incredible action and fun. Zak Penn, who previously collaborated with Marvel on X2 and this summer's smash hit X-Men: The Last Stand, is writing the script. The project is being produced by Avi Arad, Kevin Feige and Gale Anne Hurd and will be executive produced by Michael Helfant, David Womark, and Ari Arad. Marvel Studios is currently casting the project.

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Electric Tiki is planning an animated-style "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" figure. Probably the closest thing we'll get to the once-planned "Buffy" cartoon series.



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A soundtrack album of Murray Gold's music for the new "Doctor Who" series is out Dec. 4 in the UK.

...the album will feature Murray Gold's version of the Doctor Who theme, plus many of his various incidental scores from Series 1 and 2.

The Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon contributes a version of Song for Ten (from last year's Christmas special) and Love Don't Roam, which will feature in the Runaway Bride.

Also included is the much-requested Doomsday - the song that played during Rose's trip to Bad Wolf Bay in Episode 13 of Series 2.

Other tracks include Cassandra's Waltz, Harriet Jones, Prime Minister, plus the themes specially created for the Doctor and Rose.


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Let's face it, the cover design for IDW's new collection of "Dick Tracy" comic strips looks more than a little like the distinctive design artist Seth and Fantagraphics came up with for the series of "Peanuts" reprints. Comics212.net ain't happy about it.



New "Heroes" cast pic



See the Best Heroes Sites on the Web.

Upcoming items from TwoMorrows Publishing


ALTER EGO 64

Alter Ego 64 focuses on the Fabulous Fawcett Favorites-and Filchock,
too! Featuring: A previously-unpublished cover painting by DON NEWTON,
of Captain Marvel Jr. and Captain Nazi! ROY THOMAS’ special
issue-by-issue analysis and appreciation of OTTO BINDER and C.C. BECK’s
1943-45 four-color "The Monster Society of Evil!" serial featuring Mr.
Mind, Dr. Sivana-all that and World War II! Film model-maker ROGER
DICKEN’s theory that Captain Marvel was modeled after German
heavyweight
boxer MAX SCHMELING! Plus a special double-size FCA (Fawcett Collectors
of America) section with MARC SWAYZE, EMILIO SQUEGLIO, C.C. BECK, MAC
RABOY, et al.-hosted by P.C. HAMERLINCK! Also, JIM AMASH interviews
MARTIN FILCHOCK, Golden Age artist for Centaur comics (Mighty Man,
Fire-Man, Owl, Electric Ray, et al.)! Plus MICHAEL T. GILBERT and Mr.
Monster’s Comic Crypt-and MORE! Edited by ROY THOMAS.

The 100 page (plus cover), saddle-stitched 8 1/2" x 11" magazine with a
full color cover and black-and-white interiors retails for $6.95 in the
U.S. and ships 10 January 2007.

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BACK ISSUE 20

Now with COLOR! In Back Issue 20, peek behind the masks of many of your
favorite heroes in this Secret Identities issue, as we explore the
histories of four characters with unusual alter egos: Firestorm, Moon
Knight, the Question, and the "real-life" super-hero the Human Fly!
STEVE ENGLEHART and SAL BUSCEMA talk "Pro2Pro" about their Captain
America collaboration, and JERRY ORDWAY is spotlighted in a
career-spanning interview. Plus: a roundtable of Superman writers and
artists reveal the scoop on Clark Kent, featuring artwork by and
commentary from BILL SIENKIEWICZ, KEVIN NOWLAN, DOUG MOENCH, DENYS
COWAN, DENNY O’NEIL, AL MILGROM, GERRY CONWAY, FRANK ROBBINS, CARY
BATES, ELLIOT S! MAGGIN, PAT BRODERICK, JIM SHOOTER, and many others.
BONUS: a Superman and Clark Kent COLOR art gallery, with ultra-rare art
by CURT SWAN and others, and a Shazam! cover by Ordway, re-creating the
classic "Spider-Man No More" cover from Amazing Spider-Man #50! Edited
by MICHAEL EURY.

The 104 page with color section and cover, saddle-stitched 8 1/2" x 11"
magazine with a full color cover and black-and-white interiors retails
for $6.95 in the U.S. and ships 17 January 2007.

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ROUGH STUFF 3

The industry’s buzzing about TwoMorrows’ groundbreaking new mag, ROUGH
STUFF, celebrating the ART of creating comics! In issue 3, editor (and
top pro inker) BOB McLEOD presents more NEVER-BEFORE PUBLISHED penciled
pages, preliminary sketches, detailed layouts, and unused inked
versions
of art from throughout comics history! First up is a new, heavily
illustrated interview with JOHN ROMITA, JR. on his career, from his
early work on Iron Man, through to his current groundbreaking art on
Marvel’s ETERNALS revamp with Neil Gaiman! Then, we present extensive
galleries of unseen work by top artists P. CRAIG RUSSELL, MIKE ALLRED,
and YANICK PAQUETTE, who contribute commentaries on pencils, sketches,
and more from some of their most well-known comics work-examining what
went right and wrong with it, and giving background information to put
it all into historical perspective. Also: A pencil art spotlight on one
of the most talented creators in comics today, LEE WEEKS! A
retrospective art gallery on legendary Marvel Comics artist Big JOHN
BUSCEMA! Plus: Before-and-after comparisons revealing how images
changed
from initial concept to published version, and more, all behind a new
ROMITA JR. "Spider-Man" cover!

The 100 page with cover, saddle-stitched 8 1/2" x 11" magazine with a
full color cover and black-and-white interiors retails for $6.95 in the
U.S. and ships 24 January 2007.

OFFERED AGAIN

ROUGH STUFF 1
edited by Bob MCLEOD

HOW TO CREATE COMICS FROM SCRIPT TO PRINT TPB
by Danny FINGEROTH and Mike MANLEY

HOW TO DRAW COMICS FROM SCRIPT TO PRINT DVD
by Danny FINGEROTH and Mike MANLEY

KRYPTON COMPANION
by Michael EURY

COMING SOON


BLUE BEETLE COMPANION
by Christopher IRVING
Ships 21 February 2007

128 page Trade Paperback - by Christopher Irving
The Blue Beetle debuted in 1939, rivaling such icons as Superman and Batman for longevity in comics, but not in popularity until his recent death and resurrection as a result of DC Comics’ hit Infinite Crisis series. Now, Comic Book Artist magazine’s Christopher Irving explores the history and uncovers the secrets lurking under the cover of the character’s comics in The Blue Beetle Companion! Follow his 60+ years of evolution—from the world of Fox Comics to an in-depth history of Charlton Comics—all the way to the hall of today’s DC Comics. Find out what really happened to infamous Golden Age publisher Victor Fox, and get an in-depth look at the Blue Beetle radio show and Jack “King” Kirby’s Blue Beetle comic strip. Also, presented for the first time since 1939: the first appearance of The Blue Beetle from Mystery Men Comics #1! Featuring interviews with Will Eisner, Joe Simon, Joe Gill, Roy Thomas, Geoff Johns, Cully Hamner, Keith Giffen, Len Wein, and others, plus never-before-seen Blue Beetle designs by Alex Ross and Alan Weiss, as well as artwork by Will Eisner, Charles Nicholas, Steve Ditko, Kevin Maguire, and more! It also features an introduction by Tom DeHaven, the acclaimed author of the novel It’s Superman! and Derby Dugan’s Depression Funnies. Featuring a new cover by current Blue Beetle artist Cully Hamner, this is the ultimate look at one of comicdom’s longest-living heroes!


MODERN MASTERS VOLUME 11: CHARLES VESS
by Chris IRVING and Eric NOLEN-WEATHINGTON
Ships 21 February 2007

Enchanting—that is the best word to describe the artwork of Charles Vess. Whether with his book illustrations, his paintings, or his comic book stories, Vess’ work has enchanted readers for years. The winner of two World Fantasy Awards (one with Neil Gaiman for Best Short Story for Sandman #19; the second for Best Artist for Gaiman’s novel, Stardust, which will be a major motion picture in early 2007) and two Eisner Awards, Charles Vess has proven himself to be one of the greatest fantasy artists of our time. Chris Irving and Eric Nolen-Weathington are proud to present an in-depth look into Vess’ career and creative process in this latest volume of the Modern Masters series. This 120-page book features a career-spanning interview with tons of art, including many rare and unpublished pieces, a large gallery, and an 8-page color section on this true Modern Master: Charles Vess!



ALTER EGO 65
edited by Roy THOMAS - "Nick CARDY"
Ships 14 February 2007