Picture: Tina Louise

Picture: Christopher Lee as Dracula


Random notion: How about a new Superman animated series

Seems like the Man of Steel needs some pop cultural rehabilitation. He's been overshadowed by Batman, but is/was the best-known, most-recognized superhero. A kid-oriented show, maybe a team-up affair such as the current Batman animated series, would be cool. Something that brings in all the Weisinger-era trappings: Fortress of Solitude, Bottle City of Kandor, etc., in a fun, retro way. How about a World's Finest 'toon?

Lady Gaga and Yoko team for live gig

Somehow this works. Gaga is kinda like a younger, cooler Madonna, isn't she?

Following her celebrity-filled "We Are Plastic Ono Band" concert at the Brooklyn Academy of Music earlier this year, Yoko Ono has announced the special guests -- including Lady Gaga -- to be featured at her performances at Los Angeles' Orpheum Theater on Oct. 1-2.

Neil Gaiman's Sandman TV-bound

A tricky thing to adapt for the small screen, to be sure:

“The Sandman,” the Neil Gaiman-penned comic book series considered a seminal work in the medium, is in the early stages of being developed into a TV series.

Warner Bros. TV is in the midst of acquiring television rights from sister company DC Entertainment and in talks with several writer-producers about adapting the 1990s comic. At the top of the list is Eric Kripke, creator of the CW’s horror-tinged “Supernatural.”

Follow-up to "Journey to the Center of the Earth" is revamped "Mysterious Island"

"Journey to the Center of the Earth" from a few years back was a dumb but fun flick my son and I enjoyed. Now comes a sequel of sorts, an updated, re-spun take on Verne's "Mysterious Island." This one stars "The Rock" (Dwayne Johnson) rather than Brendan Fraser. Doesn't sound tremendously promising, but who knows. Even dumb movies are fun when you watch with your family.

Seems, though, that a "serious" take on "Mysterious Island" could be pretty cool in light of the "Lost" phenomenon. Maybe some filmmaker will take it on.

Vintage Star Trek TV promo pic

Changes afoot in the Archie universe

He's been a teenager for 71 years, but not everything is the same in Archie's comic book world.

Like Booksteve, I enjoyed and was impressed by a recent storyline that saw Archie fall in love with Valerie, an African American member of Josie and the Pussycats. My daughter, a first-grader, picked out the comic at our local shop. It was a sweet, heartfelt story that made no big deal out of the central characters' races. Yet it was a big deal, because this was happening in Archie's universe, which for decades has been a pretty unchanging place.

Now, this month, comes the introduction of an openly gay character to Archie's world. This is a welcome and impressive development, too. It demonstrates a willingness, on the part of the publishers, to make Archie's universe a little more real and diverse. Not to mention more welcoming to diverse readers.

One thing remains the same though: The stories are funny, gentle and, at their basis, kind. These are comics of a tone and style that I welcome my kids reading.

The publishers also have recently introduced a magazine-format comic, in hopes of boosting sales on traditional news stands. Another welcome development. If this can get comics back out in front of the general public and away from the dead end of comic shop-only distribution, that's a great thing.

Um, what does it smell like?

Via NME:

The Sex Pistols have launched their own perfume.

The unisex scent sees the band collaborating with Paris perfume company Etat Libre d'Orange, who have licensed the group's name via their promoter Live Nation Merchandise

Vintage Star Trek TV promo pic

Discounted new comics releases Sept. 1, 2010

Click the pics to order discounted items from Amazon:

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUL100021 1 FOR DOLLAR GROO $1.00
JUL100022 1 FOR DOLLAR STAR WARS LEGACY $1.00
The Amazing Screw-On Head and Other Curious Objects
JUL100069 AMAZING SCREW ON HEAD & OTHER CURIOUS OBJECTS HC $12.14
JUL100073 BALTIMORE PLAGUE SHIPS #2 $3.50
JUL100078 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #36 LAST GLEAMING PT 1 (OF 5) JEANT $2.99
JUL100077 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #36 LAST GLEAMING PT 1 (OF 5) JO CH $2.99
APR100035 CONAN THE CIMMERIAN #23 $2.99
JUL100072 HELLBOY THE STORM #3 (OF 3) $2.99
APR100074 NGE CAMPUS APOCALYSE TP VOL 01 $10.99
FEB100088 OH MY GODDESS RTL TP VOL 15 $10.99
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Hero of the Confederacy (Star Wars: Clone Wars (Dark Horse))
MAY100057 STAR WARS CLONE WARS YR TP HERO OF CONFEDERACY $7.99
JUL100081 STAR WARS OLD REPUBLIC #3 (OF 6) $2.99
MAR100143 UMBRELLA ACADEMY POCKET WATCH & STATUE SET $129.99
Vampire Hunter D Volume 15: Dark Road Part Three (Vampire Hunter D 15)
APR100075 VAMPIRE HUNTER D NOVEL VOL 15 DARK ROAD PT 3 $9.99

DC COMICS

MAY100243 ASTRO CITY SILVER AGENT #2 (OF 2) $3.99
JUL100226 AUTHORITY #26 $2.99
Batman: Cacophony
JUN100204 BATMAN CACOPHONY TP $10.11
JUL100155 BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #48 $2.99
JUL108007 BIRDS OF PREY #1 3RD PTG (BRIGHTEST DAY) $2.99
JUL100110 BRIGHTEST DAY #9 $2.99
JUL100162 FREEDOM FIGHTERS #1 $2.99
JUL100178 JONAH HEX #59 $2.99
JUL100181 JSA ALL STARS #10 $3.99
JUL100132 OUR ARMY AT WAR #1 $3.99
JUL100179 REBELS #20 $2.99
JUL100148 RED HOOD LOST DAYS #4 (OF 6) $2.99
JUL100184 SECRET SIX #25 $2.99
JUL100159 SUPERMAN THE LAST FAMILY OF KRYPTON #2 (OF 3) $4.99
Tiny Titans: The First Rule of Pet Club#
JUN100232 TINY TITANS TP VOL 04 THE FIRST RULE OF PET CLUB $8.76
JUL100224 TOM STRONG AND THE ROBOTS OF DOOM #4 (OF 6) $3.99

IDW PUBLISHING

JUL100331 5 DAYS TO DIE #1 (OF 5) $3.99
Angel: Barbary Coast
JUL100316 ANGEL BARBARY COAST TP VOL 01 $10.11
JUN100359 BRAM STOKERS DEATH SHIP #4 $3.99
Classic G.I. Joe Volume 9 (G. I. Joe (Graphic Novels))
JUN100336 CLASSIC GI JOE TP VOL 09 $16.49
JUL100307 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #158 $3.99
JUN100331 GI JOE HEARTS AND MINDS #4 $3.99
JUL100372 J SCOTT CAMPBELLS FAIRY TALE FANTASIES 2011 CALENDAR $19.99
JUN100349 SPIKE THE DEVIL YOU KNOW #3 $3.99
JUN100352 STAR TREK MOVIE ADAPTATION #6 $3.99
JUL100348 STRANGE SCIENCE FANTASY #3 $3.99
Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers
JUN100322 TRANSFORMERS LAST STAND OF THE WRECKERS TP $13.49
JUL100369 WE WILL BURY YOU TP VOL 01 $17.99
JUN100375 WIRE HANGERS #4 $3.99
JUN100371 YOURS TRULY JACK THE RIPPER #3 $3.99

IMAGE COMICS

MAR100457 ANGELUS #5 (OF 6) $2.99
APR100460 HAUNT #9 $2.99
JUL100396 IMAGE FIRSTS DARKNESS #1 $1.00
Invincible Volume 13
JUN100417 INVINCIBLE TP VOL 13 GROWING PAINS $11.46
MAY100511 MAGDALENA (ONGOING) #3 $3.99
JUL108014 MORNING GLORIES #1 2ND PTG (PP #933) $3.99
Witchblade Volume 8
OCT090451 WITCHBLADE TP VOL 08 $10.19

MARVEL COMICS

JUN100547 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN PRESENTS BLACK CAT #3 (OF 4) $3.99
JUL100505 ASTONISHING X-MEN XENOGENESIS DIRECTORS CUT #1 $4.99
JUL100554 AVENGERS CHILDRENS CRUSADE #2 (OF 9) $3.99
JUL100537 AVENGERS THOR CAPTAIN AMERICA OFF INDEX MU #5 $3.99
JUL100561 CAPTAIN AMERICA FOREVER ALLIES #2 (OF 4) $3.99
JUN100692 DARK X-MEN TP $16.99
JUL100524 DEADPOOL PULP #1 (OF 4) $3.99
JUN100531 DEADPOOL WADE WILSONS WAR #4 (OF 4) $3.99
JUL100716 ESSENTIAL CAPTAIN AMERICA TP VOL 03 NEW PTG $19.99
Exiles Ultimate Collection - Book 5
JUN100686 EXILES ULTIMATE COLLECTION TP BOOK 05 $23.09
JUN100589 FRANKEN-CASTLE #20 $2.99
JUL100612 GORILLA MAN #3 (OF 3) $3.99
JUL100562 HAWKEYE & MOCKINGBIRD #4 $2.99
JUL100579 HERCULES TWILIGHT OF A GOD #4 (OF 4) $3.99
JUL100583 HEROIC AGE ONE MONTH TO LIVE #1 (OF 5) $2.99
JUL100542 I AM AN AVENGER #1 (OF 5) $3.99
JUL100594 INCREDIBLE HULKS #612 $3.99
JUL100659 INVADERS BY ALEX ROSS POSTER $8.99
JUL100601 IRON MAN 2 AGENTS OF SHIELD #1 $3.99
Iron Man: Extremis GN-HC With Motion Comic DVD
JUN100673 IRON MAN EXTREMIS GN HC W/ MOTION COMIC DVD $16.49
JUL100602 IRON MAN LEGACY #6 $2.99
JUL100608 MARVEL UNIVERSE VS PUNISHER #3 (OF 4) $3.99
JUL100506 MARVELMAN FAMILYS FINEST #3 (OF 6) $3.99
JUL100648 NEW MUTANTS FOREVER #2 (OF 5) $3.99
JUL100620 ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS X-MEN #1 $3.99
JUL100654 SCARLET #2 $3.95
JUN108163 SHADOWLAND #2 (OF 5) 2ND PTG TAN VAR (PP #932) $3.99
JUL100566 SHADOWLAND #3 (OF 5) SL $3.99
JUL100570 SHADOWLAND ELEKTRA #1 SL $3.99
New Avengers: Siege
JUN100659 SIEGE NEW AVENGERS PREM HC $19.79
JUN100678 SPIDER-MAN COMPLETE CLONE SAGA EPIC TP BOOK 03 $23.09
JUL100598 TASKMASTER #1 (OF 4) $3.99
JUL100615 THOR FOR ASGARD #1 (OF 6) $3.99
JUN100690 TORCH TP $19.99
JUL100629 WOLVERINE #1 $3.99
JUL100719 WOLVERINE BY JAE LEE POSTER $8.99
JUL100628 WOLVERINE ROAD TO HELL #1 $3.99
JUL100624 X-MEN CURSE OF MUTANTS SMOKE AND BLOOD #1 $3.99
JUL100611 YOUNG ALLIES #4 $2.99

**********

COMICS

JUN100832 28 DAYS LATER TP VOL 01 LONDON CALLING $9.99
JUN100834 AMORY WARS KEEPING SECRETS OF SILENT EARTH 3 #4 $3.99
JUL101038 AMULET SC VOL 03 CLOUD SEARCHERS $10.99
JUL101112 ATOMIC ROBO TP VOL 04 OTHER STRANGENESS $17.95
MAY100752 BERONAS WAR FIELD GUIDE $19.95
JUN100757 BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #207 $2.69
JUN101206 BEYOND WONDERLAND TP $17.99
MAR100893 BLACKBEARD LEGEND OF THE PYRATE KING #5 $3.99
FEB100934 BUCK ROGERS IN 25TH CENTURY DAILIES HC VOL 04 $39.99
JUN100860 CARS ADVENTURES OF TOW MATER #2 $2.99
MAY101214 CHARMED #2 A CVR HORN $3.50
MAY101215 CHARMED #2 B CVR SEIDMAN $3.50
JUL101059 CHICAGOLAND DETECTIVE AGENCY GN VOL 01 DRAINED BRAINS CAPER $6.95
MAY100843 COLD SPACE #4 $3.99
MAY100720 CRYPT OF HORROR #9 $29.95
JUN100814 DANTES DIVINE COMEDY HC $20.00
JAN100960 DARK SHADOWS COMP SERIES HC VOL 01 $49.99
JUN108154 DARKWING DUCK #1 2ND PTG $3.99
MAY100949 DEAN KOONTZ FRANKENSTEIN PRODIGAL SON VOL 2 #1 $3.99
MAR100920 DF AVENGERS #1 ROMITA JR SGN ED $29.99
MAY101005 DF NEMESIS #1 EX CVR PLUS $14.99
MAY100845 DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #14 (OF 24) $3.99
JUN101124 DREAMING COLLECTION GN (NOTE PRICE) $19.99
JUN100998 DRUNKEN DREAM & OTHER STORIES HC $24.99
MAY101070 ELEPHANT MAN GN $9.99
MAY101216 ESCAPE FROM WONDERLAND COVER GALLERY $3.99
JUN100844 FARSCAPE TP VOL 01 BEGINNING O/T END O/T BEGINNING $9.99
FEB100691 FATHOM BLUE DESCENT #1 CVR A SCOTT CLARK $2.99
FEB100692 FATHOM BLUE DESCENT #1 CVR B DAVID FINCH $2.99
MAY100719 FEMFORCE #153 $9.95
JUN100749 FRAGGLE ROCK HC VOL 01 $19.95
MAY100732 GD NHS MAIDENS OF TWILIGHT PKT MANGA TP $14.99
MAY101208 GFT INFERNO #3 (OF 5) A CVR ASRAR $2.99
MAY101209 GFT INFERNO #3 (OF 5) B CVR SHASTEEN $2.99
JUN101118 HAPPY CAFE GN VOL 04 (OF 14) $10.99
JUN100847 INCORRUPTIBLE #9 $3.99
JUL101125 JAMES BOND OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 (O/A) $16.95
APR100728 KADE RED SUN TP $14.95
JUN101120 KARAKURI ODETTE GN VOL 04 (OF 6) $10.99
JUL100917 KEVIN SMITH GREEN HORNET #7 $3.99
JUN100929 KEVIN SMITH GREEN HORNET ANNUAL #1 $5.99
JUN100927 KEVIN SMITH GREEN HORNET HC VOL 01 SINS OF THE FATHER $24.99
JUN100741 KONI WAVES PERFECT WAVE GN $19.95
JAN100908 KURASHINA SENSEIS PASSION GN VOL 03 (OF 3) $12.95
JUN101122 KYO KARA MAOH GN VOL 07 (OF 8) $10.99
NOV090806 LAND OF THE GIANTS COMP SERIES HC $49.99
JUN101092 LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME #3 (OF 3) A CVR MALEEV (RES) (MR $4.99
JUN101093 LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME #3 (OF 3) B CVR TOCCHINI (RES) ( $4.99
JUL100957 LEGENDARY TALESPINNERS GN $12.99
JUL100890 LIFE & TIMES OF SCROOGE MCDUCK HC VOL 01 (AUG090745) $24.99
JUN100738 LITTLE GREEN MEN GN $9.95
FEB100657 MECHA-NATION #1 (OF 3) CVR A SEAN GALLOWAY $3.95
MAY100747 MOUSE GUARD LEGENDS O/T GUARD #3 (OF 4) $3.50
JUN100980 PANIC X PANIC GN VOL 02 $10.99
FEB101028 PHANTOM DOUBLE SHOT #5 (OF 6) KGB NOIR $2.99
APR101016 PHANTOM GHOST WHO WALKS #12 $3.99
MAR101073 PHANTOM UNMASKED #2 (OF 2) $3.99
JUN100981 PINK INNOCENT GN VOL 02 $10.99
JUN101119 PORTRAIT OF M & N GN VOL 03 (OF 6) $10.99
MAY100988 PS238 #46 $2.99
APR100902 QUEEN SONJA #9 $2.99
JUN101090 RADICAL PREMIERE MATA HARI $1.00
JUL100940 RED SONJA WRATH OF THE GODS TP VOL 01 $19.99
JUN100769 SCOURGE #1 COVER A ERIC BATTLE $2.99
JUN100770 SCOURGE #1 COVER B MICAH GUNNELL $2.99
JUN100771 SCOURGE #1 COVER C TALENT CALDWELL $2.99
JUN101128 SILVER DIAMOND GN VOL 07 (OF 10) $10.99
MAY100954 STARGATE VALA MAL DORAN #3 $3.99
JUL101162 STITCHES GN $15.95
MAY101212 TFW MAD HATTER VS QUEEN OF HEARTS A CVR CUMMINGS $4.99
MAY101213 TFW MAD HATTER VS QUEEN OF HEARTS B CVR SHASTEEN $4.99
MAY101082 TICK NEW SERIES #5 $4.95
JUN100887 TIME MACHINE CAMPFIRE GN $9.99
JUL101129 TORCHWOOD #2 $3.99
JUL100839 TWO CENTS PLAIN HC $26.00
JUN100763 VERONICA #202 $2.99
JUN100877 WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #710 $2.99
JUN101117 WITCH OF ARTEMIS GN VOL 01 (OF 3) $10.99
JUN101107 WWE HEROES #6 $3.99
MAY100745 ZOMBIE WARRIORS GN $14.95

Discounted DVD new releases Aug. 31, 2010: Vampire Diaries, Marmaduke, Evil Dead, Best of Soul Train, Dick Barton Special Agent

click the pics to order discounted DVDs from Amazon:

The Vampire Diaries: The Complete First SeasonMarmadukeThe Evil Dead (Limited Edition) [Blu-ray]Thriller: The Complete SeriesThe Best Of Soul Train (3 DVD) Dick Barton Special Agent (British TV Series)

Paperback cover parade: Touch of Evil

Touch Of Evil (50th Anniversary Edition)

Harry Nilsson documentary due out Oct. 26

The long-delayed, long-awaited (by me, anyway) "Who is Harry Nilsson (And Why is Everybody Talkin' About Him)?" will finally be out on DVD next month.

Details:

Who is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him)? is a wildly entertaining, star-studded documentary that tells the story of one of the most talented and versatile singer-songwriters in pop music history and the man The Beatles dubbed their favorite American musician. The Grammy Award-winners Everybody s Talkin and Without You ... the quirky Coconut ( Put de lime in de coconut... )... the whimsical Me And My Arrow, and the poignant One ( ...is the loneliest number )... these recordings are all the work of Harry Nilsson. The documentary, which Ain t It Cool News said, is everything a great documentary needs to be, reveals his spirited relationship with John Lennon and close bond with Ringo Starr, as well as Harry the legendary bad boy party animal who was at the same time a devoted husband and father. Director John Scheinfeld brings added emotion and intimacy to the story with over 50 Nilsson recordings, rare or never-before-seen film clips, home movies and personal photos. To this are added compelling interviews with top music and movie personalities who knew Harry well. They include Micky Dolenz, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Al Kooper, Randy Newman, Yoko Ono, Van Dyke Parks, The Smothers Brothers, Jimmy Webb, Paul Williams, Robin Williams, Brian Wilson and many others. As film critic Leonard Maltin noted, Who Is Harry Nilsson? is a vivid portrait of a gifted man...what a great reminder of his talent. The DVD also contains 93 minutes of Bonus Material Deleted Scenes, Extended Sequences, an Alternate Ending and more.