Pop Artifact! Joker Halloween costume

Pop Culture Roundup Oct. 19, 2007

View an unaired version of the "Gilligan's Island" opening.

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Naomi Watts will star in a remake of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds."

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From Jon's Random Acts of Geekery: "Godzilla Comics They Never Made."

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Dial B for Blog celebrates "Dark Shadows."

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Brilliant cartoonist Sergio Aragonés talks about his new scripting jobs at DC Comics: A Bat Lash mini-series and the ongoing Spirit title.

Educational comics

Pop Artifact! Yogi Bear Halloween costume

Pop Culture Roundup Oct. 18, 2007

No kung-fu grip, but he's got a wide stance: It's the Sen. Larry Craig action figure.

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The BBC profiles Asterix artist Albert Uderzo.

"Asterix is bearing up well after nearly 50 years, he is still awaited by the readers," he says. "We are getting closer to bringing him back to life in a new album", although he later admits that he's still looking for an idea for the next story.

"That's become a lot more difficult for me now - after 33 albums to find an idea is not that easy. If I don't have any more then I am not just going to do an album just for the money. I will stop."


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Mmmmm... Dalek cookies!

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Newsarama checks in with legendary comics artist John Romita.

NRAMA: Steve Ditko, of course, created the Spider-Man visual. But you really refined the "licensing" Spider-Man image. When anyone from sneaker companies to Fruit Roll-Ups submits Spider-Man art to Marvel for product, they often get notes back to change it to be in tune with "your" version, especially in the eyes. Do you ever think about the impact of that? Your stamp is in grocery stores and Wal-Marts from Tucson to Tokyo.

JR: Yeah. I devised-partly as art director and partly as a matter of practical concern-a very rigid, but very sensible simplification of the Spider-Man costume. There was an arrangement of the webbing and the way the body was done that would make it simple, and make it transfer to other forms and other media. We really needed it for he syndicated Spider-Man strip that ran in the newspapers. I started that in '77, and the strip ran at usually less than two inches high. Today, I think it's even smaller. One of the things I had to do was make the Spider-Man costume so simple that it could reduce to less than two inches, and still maintain its clarity. That's one of the necessities of a syndicated newspaper strip. But it also made it easier to translate Spider-Man on to other products as well. It was a very concerted effort to get that right.


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A "Wolverine" solo film is set for May 2009 release.

"Wolverine" is expected to feature many other mutants -- some new to the film franchise and some from one or more of the three "X-Men" films. Liev Schreiber is reportedly in final talks to take on the role of a younger version of nemesis William Stryker, played by Brian Cox in "X2."

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Universal Studios has backed out of a planned Barbarella film by director Robert Rodriquez.

Universal Studios has backed out of backing the movie, whose budget the source pegged at nearly $100 million, because Mr. Rodriguez has insisted on casting his new fiancé, Rose McGowan, in the lead role, famously played by Jane Fonda in the 1968 original directed by Ms. Fonda’s then-husband, Roger Vadim.

The movie depicts a futuristic astronaut who travels the galaxy, seductively conquering everything in her path. More famous names floated for the part included Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry and Jessica Alba.

“It’s sort of embarrassing for everyone involved,” the source said. “No one thinks Rose can carry the movie, but Robert won’t listen.”

Upcoming DVDs - sneak previews

Gunsmoke: The Second Season Vol. 1

This three-disk set is out Jan. 8 and available for pre-order now from Amazon.



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Ford At Fox - The Collection

This 21-disk monster features the great director's best-known works. It's out Dec. 4 and available for pre-order now from Amazon.

Contents include:

Disc 1: WHAT PRICE GLORY Disc 2: MY DARLING CLEMENTINE Disc 3: HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY Disc 4: TOBACCO ROAD Disc 5: GRAPES OF WRATH Disc 6: DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK Disc 7: WEE WILLIE WINKIE Disc 8: YOUNG MR. LINCOLN Disc 9: PRISONER ON SHARK ISLAND Disc 10: STEAMBOAT AROUND THE BEND Disc 11: WORLD MOVES ON Disc 12: PILGRIMAGE/BORN RECKLESS Disc 13: DOCTOR BULL/JUDGE PRIEST Disc 14: FOUR MEN AND A PRAYER/SEAS BENEATH Disc 15: WHEN WILLIE COMES HOME/UP THE RIVER Disc 16: FOUR SONS Disc 17: THREE BAD MEN/HANGMAN'S HOUSE Disc 18: JUST PALS Disc 19: BECOMING JOHN FORD DOCUMENTARY Disc 20: THE IRON HORSE SPECIAL EDITION UK VERSION DISC 1 Disc 21: THE IRON HORSE US VERSION

Also on the Ford front:

John Ford's Silent Epics (Just Pals / Four Sons / The Iron Horse / Hangman's House / Bad Men)

This five-disk set is also out Dec. 4 and is available for pre-order now from Amazon.

John Ford's American Comedies (Steamboat Around the Bend / Judge Priest / Doctor Bull / When Willie Comes Marching Home / Up the River / What Price Glory)

A four-disk set, also out Dec. 4. You can pre-order it here.

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Criterion Collection: Two-Lane Blacktop

This cult road flick co-starring singer James Taylor and Beach Boy Dennis Wilson is out on two disks Dec. 11. You can pre-order it here.

Here' the rundown from Criterion:

Drag racing east from L.A. in a souped-up '55 Chevy are the wayward Driver and Mechanic (singer/songwriter James Taylor and the Beach Boys' Dennis Wilson, in their only acting roles), accompanied by a tagalong Girl (Laurie Bird). Along the way, they meet Warren Oates's Pontiac GTO-driving wanderer and challenge him to a cross-country race—the prize: their cars' pink slips. Yet no summary can do justice to the existential punch of Two-Lane Blacktop. Maverick director Monte Hellman’s stripped-down narrative, gorgeous widescreen compositions, and sophisticated look at American male obsession make this one of the artistic high points of 1970s cinema, and possibly the greatest road movie ever made.

Special Features
- New, restored high-definition digital transfer supervised and approved by director Monte Hellman
- Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack
- Two audio commentaries; one by Hellman and filmmaker Allison Anders, and one by screenwriter Rudy Wurlitzer and author David Meyer
- New interviews with Hellman, star James Taylor, musician Kris Kristofferson, producer Michael Laughlin, and production manager Walter Coblenz
- Rare, never-before-seen screen-test outtakes
- Performance and Image: a look at the restoration of a '55 Chevy from the movie and the film's locations today
- Color Me Gone: photos and publicity from Two-Lane Blacktop
- Original theatrical trailer
- PLUS: Rudy Wurlitzer's screenplay, reprinted specially for this release; new essays by Kent Jones, appreciations by Richard Linklater and Tom Waits; and a reprint of the 1970 Rolling Stone article "On Route 66, Filming Two-Lane Blacktop."




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The Mod Squad - Season 1 Volume 1

Groovy! This four-disk set is out Dec. 18 and is available for pre-order now. No details yet, but I presume it includes plenty of cool clothes, Peggy Lipton and sticking it to the Man. What can be bad about that?

Educational comics

New and upcoming action figures Oct. 18, 2007

Complete List of Marvel Legends Action Figures
Complete List of DC Direct Action Figures

Here's a look at action figures available via your local comics shop or via the TIP!-supporting links below:

DC Direct Action Figures

DC Direct New Gods Figures
--Darkseid
--Lightray
--Mister Miracle
--Orion

DC Direct Matt Wagner Trinity Action Figures
--Superman
--Wonder Woman
--Batman
--Ras Al Ghul

DC Armory Action Figures
--Aquaman
--Batman
--Flamebird
--Nightwing

Superman Last Son Action Figures
--Last Son Superman
--Ursa
--Bizarro
--Zod

Shazam Action Figures
--Dr. Sivana
--Captain Marvel Jr.
--Mary Marvel
--Billy Batson and Hoppy
--Captain Marvel

Superman Vs. Doomsday
Doomsday
Lex Luthor and Robot
Solar Suit Superman
Superman

Batman and Son
Batman
Ninja Man-Bat
Robin and Daimin
The Joker

DC Direct Reactivated Action Figures
--Batman
--Wonder Woman
--Lobo
--Superman

DC 13-inch Figures
Green Lantern
Martian Manhunter
Nightwing
Classic Batman
Batgirl gray costume
Batgirl black costume

Elseworlds Action Figures Series 3
--Supergirl
--Batgirl
--Nightstar
--Kingdom Come Aquaman
--Red Son Green Lantern

First Appearance Series 4
--Blue Beetle translucent
--Blue Beetle
--Brave New World Atom
--Warlord
--Brave New World Martian Manhunter
--Brave New World Aquaman

Infinite Crisis Action Figures Series 1
--Powergirl
--Omac
--Mongul
--Earth Prime Superboy
--Alexander Luthor

JSA Action Figures
--Mr. Terrific
--Hawkgirl
--Dr. Midnite
--Hourman
--Golden Age Atom 2-pack

DC Direct Wonder Woman Series 1 Action Figures
--Wonder Woman
--Agent Diana Prince
--Circe
--Donna Troy as Wonder Woman

DC Direct New Frontier Series 2 Action Figures
--Batman
--Dr. Fate
--The Flash
--Martian Manhunter

Fantastic Four Rise of the Silver Surfer action figures
Battle Stretch Mr. Fantastic
Fire Blast Human Torch
Raging Thing
Force Field Invisible Woman
Silver Surfer
Lightning Attack Dr. Doom
Blast-off Human Torch
Super Strength Thing

Hanna Barbera Series 3 Action Figures
--Fred Flintstone Quittin' Time
--Twinkle Toes Fred Flintstone
--Great Grape Ape
--Huckleberry Hound
--The Jetsons
--Secret Squirrel
--Snagglepuss

McFarlane Lost series 3 action figures
--Sayid
--Desmond
--Claire
--Ben/Henry

Marvel Legends Action Figures

Hasbro Marvel Legends Fantastic Four Action Figures
--Mr. Fantastic
--Invisible Woman
--The Thing
--Human Torch
--Silver Surfer
--Dr. Doom
--Mole Man
--Sub-Mariner

Hasbro Marvel Legends Spider-Man Action Figures
--Sandman
--Venom
--Spider-Man (black costume)
--New Goblin
--Mary Jane
--Green Goblin
--Dr. Octopus

Hasbro Marvel Legends Figures Series 3
--Bucky Barnes
--First appearance Captain America
--Marvel Girl Rachel Grey
--Heroes for Hire Black Knight
--Hydra Soldier
--X-3 Colossus
--Astonishing X-Men Cyclops
--Danger

Hasbro Marvel Legends Series 4
--Nova
--Astonishing X-Men Beast
--Black Bolt
--Tigra
--First-appearance Daredevil
--Punisher

Hasbro Marvel Legends Icons 12-inch Action Figures
Series 4
--Cyclops
--Magneto

Marvel Legends Masterworks Sets
--Spider-Man Vs. Green Goblin
--Fantastic Four Vs. Mole Man
--Hulk Vs. The Thing
--Galactus Vs. Everybody

Marvel Select Figures

Best of Marvel Select Figures
--Grey Hulk
--Thanos
--Ultimate Spider-Man
--Green Goblin
--Mephisto

Marvel Sideshow Toys Figures
--Venom
--Black costume Spider-Man
--Spider-Man
--White Queen
--White Queen Exclusive

Pop Artifact! Spider-Man Halloween costume

Pop Culture Roundup Oct. 17, 2007

Via Bat Blog: Build your own paper models of the Batmobile!

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The Beat has an encouraging update on comics legend Marie Severin, who suffered a stroke last weekend.

Irene Vartanoff wrote to tell me that she spoke to Marie today, and she is in good spirits and making jokes. Marie has suffered some speech impairment and will be in the hospital for at least a few more days.

We're thinking of you, Marie!

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The Los Angeles Times talks to George Lucas about his upcoming Star Wars TV series.

There is a caveat, though: The proposed series doesn't have anyone named Luke or Anakin in it, a story path that Lucas concedes is "taking chances" as far as connecting with an audience expecting the familiar mythology.

"The Skywalkers aren't in it, and it's about minor characters," Lucas said in an interview. "It has nothing to do with Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader or any of those people. It's completely different. But it's a good idea, and it's going to be a lot of fun to do."


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TwoMorrows Publishing, which brings us the excellent Alter Ego, Jack Kirby Collector and more, is now publishing a Lego-themed mag, BrickJournal. Download a free sample issue here.

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The Sex Pistols' Anarchy in the UK plus newly recorded versions of that album's title tune and "Pretty Vacant" are now available on iTunes.

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Marvel Comics January 2008 solicitations were posted here yesterday. A highlight is the upcoming Iron Man Omnibus. I love these Omnibus collections. They offer more bang for the buck than the Marvel Masterworks series: The artwork is presented in a larger format, plus you get all the original letters pages and pinups. You can't read them in the bathtub, though. They're too darn heavy and big.

DC Comics January 2008 solicitations are up, too, along with DC Direct solicitations.

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TV alert:

"Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who," premieres commercial free on VH1 Saturday, November 3 at 9pm and will be simulcast on VH1 Classic and will run commercial free on MHD: Music High-Definition, MTV Network's high-definition music channel.

Spanning over four decades, the film tells the unfolding story of The Who and how they have straddled the rock world for forty years, in a tale as gripping in adventure, life and personality as the searing power of their music.

The film features all-new, never-before-seen interviews with Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and others, rare and recently discovered concert footage, artist profiles and more, all in 5.1 Surround Sound.

"Amazing Journey: Six Quick Ones," a sister project and a second feature film, made up of six integrated parts will be available on VH1Classic.com beginning Tuesday, November 6.

DVD: All-New Superfriends Hour Season One Vol. 1

This two-disk set collects episodes from the 1977-78 Super Friends show. It's out Jan. 8 and is available for pre-order now from Amazon.

Here are details from Warner Bros.:

Originally airing on ABC, the All-New Super Friends Hour was a huge ratings success for the network and an instant fan favorite. Featuring the World's Greatest Super Heroes, the show also introduced a slew of new characters including Zan and Jayna (aka The Wonder Twins), and their space monkey Gleek. With their iconic exclamation "Wonder Twin Powers Activate!," the twins would touch fists in a burst of light transforming Jayna into the shape of any animal and Zan into any form of water imaginable. The cartoon series also featured guest stars Black Vulcan, Apache Chief, Hawkman and Hawkgirl. The 32 cartoon episodes follow the Super Friends as they confront their old foes and new villains such as the Hydronoids and Dr. Cranum in their quest to protect mankind.

DVD special features include:

  • "One Dimensional Goodness: The Super Friends and the Good Old Days" - In the 1970s one of the last bastions for conservative programming was the Saturday morning cartoon. This documentary examines how this trend made its way into the world of the Super Friends, and includes a comparison of the characters' treatment in future television incarnations of the Justice League as well as their appearance in comic books.
  • "Origins of the Guest Stars" - Hawkman, Hawkgirl, the Atom, and Green Lantern made their first animated appearances on Super Friends during this season. Show writers and producers discuss the introduction of these beloved characters to the line-up and their DC Comics origins. Also featured will be the classic rogues gallery associated with each of these iconic heroes.



Rubble Collections 1 and 2 collect loads of garage rock nuggets

First there were Nuggets... Then record-collecting types started cobbling together compilations of cool garage/pysch tunes under other names, like Rubble--20 collective volumes of which are available in these two import boxset, available for pre-order now from Amazon.

Click the titles to see the tracklists.

The Rubble Collection, Vol. 1-10

The Rubble Collection, Vol. 11-20


Educational comics