Pop links: DC sues Batman model maker! Paul McCartney on Letterman!

DC Comics is suing a guy who makes amazing resin models based on actors/characters from the 1960s Batman TV series. Wouldn't it be cheaper/better to hire him?



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Visit Beatles Blog Daily for video of Paul McCartney's visit/performance on "The Late Show with David Letterman" last night.

First look: Iron Man 2, plus Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow

From Entertainment Weekly:





Pulp picture parade






Dark Horse Comics October 2009 soliciations

Items of interest from Dark Horse set for release this October. Click the title links to order discounted books from Amazon.


CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST 60TH ANNIVERSARY
Written and art by various.
Since making his spooktacular cartoon debut in "The Friendly Ghost," Casper has become one of the most enduring and best-loved characters in the world. Now, in celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of Casper's comics debut, Dark Horse is proud to announce the publication of a special hardcover facsimile edition of not one, but two full-length, complete Casper comic books in sparklingly restored full color! Beginning with Archer St. John's 1949 first issue of Casper the Friendly Ghost, this sixtieth-anniversary edition continues with Harvey Comics' premier edition of Casper from 1952. You'll thrill as timid Casper -- defying his fellow ghosts' dictum that ghosts must scare people -- makes friends with a host of cute kids and furry animals in two tales that will touch your heart and tickle your funny bone!
80 pages, $9.95, in stores on Nov. 25.


THE CHRONICLES OF KULL VOLUME 1: A KING COMES RIDING AND OTHER STORIES
Written by Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway and Len Wein, art by Marie Severin, John Severin, Bernie Wrightson, Ross Andru and Wally Wood.
The Chronicles of Kull Volume 1: A King Comes Riding and Other Stories kicks off Dark Horse's newest addition to its popular Robert E. Howard reprint line. Presenting every color Kull comic from the 1970s and '80s chronologically for the first time ever, volume 1 features color Kull stories from Creatures on the Loose! #10, Monsters on the Prowl #16, and Kull the Conqueror #1 to #9. The writing talents of legendary creators Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway, and Len Wein and the stunning visuals of Marie Severin, John Severin, and Bernie Wrightson are on display in such thrilling tales as The Skull of Silence, Night of the Red Slayers, and The Forbidden Swamp! See how Robert E. Howard's Kull stories were interpreted over three decades ago in comics.
200 pages, $18.95, in stores on Dec. 16.


THE CHRONICLES OF SOLOMON KANE
Written by Roy Thomas and Ralph Macchio, art by Howard Chaykin, Steve Carr, Bret Blevins, Mike Mignola, John Bogdanove, John Ridgeway and Al Williamson.
Continuing in the vein of the successful Chronicles of Conan collection series, Dark Horse is expanding its Robert E. Howard reprint line by presenting all of the original 1970s and 1980s Marvel color comic books featuring Solomon Kane in one awesome volume! This trade paperback features the landmark stories The Mark of Kane and Fangs of the Gorilla God, by Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin, and the entire Sword of Solomon Kane miniseries, by Ralph Macchio and a host of talented artists -- including Mike Mignola, Al Williamson, Bret Blevins, John Ridgeway, and others! From the French countryside to the Black Forest in Germany, from England to Africa -- follow Robert E. Howard's solemn, driven Puritan, Solomon Kane, as he cuts a path of vengeance across the globe!
This beautiful 200-page tome includes meticulously recolored Kane adventures from Marvel Premiere #33 and #34, and the entire six-issue Sword of Solomon Kane series from the mid-1980s.
208 pages, $18.95, in stores on Dec. 16.


DRAWING DOWN THE MOON: THE ART OF CHARLES VESS
Written and art by Charles Vess.
Verdant fairy forests. Whispering mountains. The fallen towers of ancient kings. Spirit-filled lakes. The distant strains of elven bards. For over thirty years, the fantasy art of Charles Vess has been acclaimed worldwide, his rich palette, striking compositions, and lavish detail second to none in the field. Vess has been the illustrator of choice for countless publishers and writers, including Neil Gaiman, Susanna Clark, and George R. R. Martin. Embodying the timeless approach of the golden age of illustration, Vess's work is both breathtakingly singular and yet recalls an era when paint and brush were the vessels that carried readers of all ages to distant lands, bygone ages, and realms of the imagination.
Forward by Susanna Clarke, best-selling author of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
200 pages, $39.95, in stores on Dec. 16.


EERIE ARCHIVES VOLUME 3
Written and art by various.
Cousin Eerie is back with dozens more blood-chilling tales of terror and the macabre! Dark Horse Comics continues its groundbreaking archival reprint series, and this third installment of Eerie Archives is the spookiest yet! Eerie magazine was a newsstand fan favorite for years, but the original issues have long since been expensive and hard to find. Reprinted in its original size, this collection of classic horror storytelling and astonishing artwork from such luminaries as Jeff Jones, Wallace Wood, Tom Sutton, and Gene Colan is a fine addition to any horror fan's library.
Featuring stories written by Archie Goodwin, Russ Jones, Johnny Craig and others!
240 pages, black and white, $49.95, in stores on Dec. 23.


ELECTROPOLIS
Written and art by Dean Motter.
Menlo Park is a reprogrammed janitor robot working as a private eye on the neon streets of Electra City, a town designed to generate and conduct massive amounts of electricity. Sixteen years after the apparent suicide of his human partner atop the world's tallest tower, a blond femme fatale gives Menlo some new information about the cause of death. As Menlo and his assistant, Anesta, reopen the case, their journey takes them from Electra's high society to its dark underbelly.
Clues from zeppelin pilots and shadowy architects alike reveal a connection between Menlo's partner's death, a mysterious object called the Astrolabe, and the origins of the city itself.
152 pages, $14.95, in stores on Dec. 2.


TARZAN ARCHIVES: THE JESSE MARSH YEARS VOLUME 4
Written by Gaylord DuBois, art by Jesse March.
In the late 1940s, Dell Publishing assembled a new comics team that would leave an indelible impression on millions of young readers. For the next nineteen years, Jesse Marsh -- an "artist's artist" -- and Gaylord DuBois created an absorbing jungle world for Edgar Rice Burroughs's most famous character. The realism and consistent quality in their collaboration remain influential to countless comics artists today.
232 pages, $49.95, in stores on Dec. 9.

Pop links: Superman strip continues in USA Today; psychedelic Harvey Comics; Sergeo Aragones joins Bart Simpson Comics; Vintage Tonight Show

The Superman strip from DC's Wednesday Comics continues in today's issue of USA Today. The second issue of the full Wednesday Comics is in comic book shops today as well.

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Check out a psychedelic-era tale from Harvey Comics' Bunny.



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The awesome Sergio Aragones will become a regular featured artist for Bongo's Bart Simpson Comics beginning with issue 50, out Oct. 28.

“I have been a Simpsons fan from the very beginning,” says Sergio Aragonés. “I watch the show, read the comics, and collect everything that has come out, so imagine the pleasure to now be writing and drawing my favorite family…I couldn’t be happier!”

Bill Morrison, Bongo Comics Creative Director, says, “We’ve put some of the funniest characters ever created in the hands of the world’s funniest cartoonist. This is unprecedented in the world of humor comics, and it may result in more comedy than the average reader can safely handle. I predict it’ll be just like that movie The Perfect Storm, only hilarious.”

“Sergio’s the best,” says Matt Groening, Bongo Comics founder and publisher, “and it’s an honor to work with him.”




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See "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" from Dec. 15, 1963.

Upcoming harcover collect Joe Simon and Jack Kirby's Newsboy Legion

All I know so far is from this Amazon listing. Details:

The Newsboy Legion Vol. 1 Featuring Joe Simon & Jack Kirby
$49.99, $34.21 at Amazon.
Out March 9, 2010
360 pages, hardcover

I'm assuming this will be similar to the upcoming Simon/Kirby Sandman volume and the Kirby Fourth World omnibi.



New comics July 14, 2009: New Creepy! Dr. Who! Incredibles! Batman! Captain Britain! Thing! Wednesday Comics!

Items of interest this week. Click the linked title to pre-order discounted items from Amazon.


CREEPY COMICS #1 Dark Horse's revival of the classic Warren horror anthology, with new stories by today's creators. I'll give it a skim and see how it looks.


BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #2 The second issue of Paul Dini's new Dick Grayson-as-Batman book. I thought the first ish was all right, no great shakes. But I may hang in for at least the first storyline to see how I like it.


WEDNESDAY COMICS #2 This I'll definitely get. While I may not ultimately enjoy all the anthologized stories at the conclusion of its 12-week run, I love the format and the whole idea. There are some great creators at work here on fun characters and the art looks spectacular in the huge, tabloid pages.


ESSENTIAL MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE Vol. 3 Another big, black-and-white slab of not-so-classic-but-fun tales featuring the Thing and guests.


AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #599 70S DECADE VARIANT Ok, Marvel is getting just stupid in its attempts to milk its famed Obama cover for all it's worth.


CAPTAIN BRITAIN MOORE/DAVIS OMNIBUS I'm not a Captain Britain fan, so this isn't something I'd get. Should includes lots of lovely Alan Davis art.


DOCTOR WHO #1 The debut of IDW's new, ongoing Doctor Who series. I'll give it a skim. Done well, a monthly Doctor Who series is something I might enjoy quite a bit.

INCREDIBLES: FAMILY MATTERS #4 The concluding issue of this fun, Mark Waid-scripted mini. My kids like it.

Pulp picture parade








Pop links: Vintage Tonight Show; Portman cast in Thor; New comic art books; vintage Broome/Infantino sci fi!

See a 1963 episode of "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson.

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Marvel Studios says Natalie Portman will play Jane Foster in its upcoming Thor film.

Portman will star opposite Chris Hemsworth who will play Thor and Tom Hiddleston who will play the villain Loki. Kenneth Branagh will direct the film.

Principal photography for the film is set for early 2010. The film will be released in the US on May 20, 2011 and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

This epic adventure spans the Marvel Universe; from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.


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IDW Publishing plans a series of books written and designed by comics scholar Craig Yoe, including volumes based on cartoonists Steve Ditko and Milt Gross, both set for release this fall.

The Art of Ditko is a large-format book featuring artist Steve Dikto. It will include little-seen stories and original artwork, an introduction by Stan Lee and essays by Jerry Robinson, John Romita and P. Craig Russell.

The Complete Milt Gross Life Story and Comic Books spotlights the ground-breaking Jewish cartoonist. Yoe! Books will reprint every one of his rare comic-book tales, plus offering a career-spanning biography based on interviews with those who knew and worked with him. The book will sport an introduction by Mad magazine's Al Jaffee.

Yoe's most recent book, Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman's Co-Creator Joe Schuster, was released in April.


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Check out some Captain Comic stories by John Broome and Carmine Infantino.

CD new releases: Dead Weather! Potter soundtrack! Neil Young remasters!

New releases of note this week. If any of these items are of interest to you, please consider clicking the titles and ordering them from Amazon, as part of the proceeds help support this site!


Horehound by The Dead Weather


Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince


After the Gold Rush by Neil Young


Harvest by Neil Young


Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere by Neil Young & Crazy Horse


Neil Young by Neil Young

DVD new releases July 14, 2009: Mad Men! Bewitched! Cheap Trick! Classic commercials!

New releases of note this week. If any of these items are of interest to you, please consider clicking the titles and ordering them from Amazon, as part of the proceeds help support this site!


Mad Men: Season 2


Bewitched: The Complete Eighth Season


Cheap Trick: Every Trick In The Book


1,001 Classic Commercials Collection

Pulp picture parade








Pop links: Ryan Reynolds to play Green Lantern; Terry Gilliams talks Kurtzman; Beatles remaster mini-documentaries previewed;

Ryan Reynolds, who played Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, will star as Green Lantern in an upcoming feature film, Variety reports.

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Monty Python's Terry Gilliam talks about his one-time mentor, cartoonist (and Mad Magazine creator) Harvey Kurtzman.

In many ways Harvey was one of the godparents of Monty Python. All the smart people loved Harvey’s work; the dumb people didn’t. It was the same with Python. Still, I remember when he came over here in the late Sixties. Monty Python’s Flying Circus had just started, so I dragged Harvey down to Terry Jones’s house to watch it. Harvey didn’t like it, or understand it. The show didn’t click with him at all. It was one of those wonderfully disappointing moments when you really want to impress your teacher, and phoo! He didn’t get it.



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See a clip from "The Making of Revolver," one of the mini-documentaries that will be included on the upcoming Beatles CD remasters. You also can see a clip from the "Making of Sgt. Pepper" mini doc at Amazon (scroll down a bit, it's on the right-hand side of the page.)