Marvel plans John Byrne Fantastic Four Omnibus

Looking forward to this one. A lot. Byrne's run on Fantastic Four was top notch. The best this series got after the Lee/Kirby years. It'll be fun to have these tales collected in a big, honking, over-sized book.

Here's what we know about this upcoming release so far:

Fantastic Four by John Byrne Omnibus - Volume 1

Not since the days of Lee and Kirby had a creator so perfectly captured the intense mood, cosmic style and classic sense of adventure of Marvel's First Family. Fresh off an earthshattering run as penciler on Uncanny X-Men, John Byrne proved his writing talent was every bit the equal of his art as he pulled double-duty on Fantastic Four, launching them into realms of imagination and wonder into which few creators before had dared to travel. From the four corners of the globe to the farthest reaches of space to the deepest depths of the Negative Zone, the FF face off against foes old and new - including the Dr. Doom, Galactus and Annihilus!
1084 pages

Amazon lists a release date of Nov. 16, 2011, however these dates don't always jibe with reality. They also have a pre-order price of $68.64, a savings of $31.35 over the $99.99 cover price.

Whole lotta Marvel Comics-based TV shows coming to Netflix streaming

Starting today and continuing through the fall, Netflix will be adding nearly every TV adaptation of Marvel Comics' characters to its streaming service.

Of most interest to me are the primitively animated, but really cool 1960s Marvel 'toons. These were created using art and stories straight from the comics. Tricky camera work made the pictures move, sort of. I wonder if this means those toons will finally be available domestically on DVD?

Here's the lineup and schedule of shows:

Coming April 29

* The Incredible Hulk (1996-97)
* Spider-Man Unlimited (1999-2001)
* Iron Man: Extremis – Marvel Knights Animation (2010)
* Astonishing X-Men: Gifted – Marvel Knights Animation (2010)
* Spider-Woman: Agent of the S.W.O.R.D. – Marvel Knights Animation (2010)
* Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes (2006)
* Silver Surfer (1998)
* Black Panther – Marvel Knights Animation (2010)
* Iron Man: Armored Adventures Season 1 (2009)



Coming throughout the summer

* Marvel Action Hour: Iron Man (1994-96)
* The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! Season 1 (2010)
* X-Men Evolution (2000-3)
* X-Men (1992-7)
* Spider-Man (1994-‘98)
* Spider-Man (1967-‘68)
* Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends (1981)
* Spider-Man (1981-‘82)


Coming in the fall

* Iron Man (1966)
* Thor (1966)
* Captain America (1966)
* Hulk (1966)
* Sub-Mariner (1966)

New Green Lantern movie poster and banner

More of the Corps:


BBC launches script-to-screen Doctor Who contest for kids

From the press release:

BBC Learning, Doctor Who Confidential and Doctor Who, announce that the highly anticipated Script to Screen competition is now officially open for entries.

This exciting competition will give one lucky team of primary school children the chance to write their own Doctor Who mini-adventure starring the eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith, which will be filmed and then televised on Doctor Who Confidential.

Matt Smith, said: "I'm delighted to support Script to Screen because I'm very passionate about creative writing and believe it is a great skill to nurture. I'd absolutely love to write a Doctor Who script at some point in the future but it's going to be impossible to compete with Steven Moffat who is simply a genius and his creativity knows no bounds!

"It will be interesting to see what ideas the children come up with for me – I could finally be defeated by a new enemy, or I could be exiled to a distant galaxy – who knows – that's the beauty of a child's imagination!"

To win this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, primary school children aged 9-11 years old are encouraged to collaborate on a three-minute script that takes the resident Time Lord on a new quest travelling through space and time inside the TARDIS.

As part of the ultimate prize, the lucky winners will travel to the BBC's studios in Cardiff where they will see their script brought to life by the Doctor Who team. Doctor Who Confidential will also be on hand to take viewers behind the scenes to show how the script gets developed from paper to TV screen – from the first script meeting, a cast read-through, and on-set filming, all the way to the final edit.

A host of specially created learning resources are now available online at the BBC Learning website to help guide teachers and pupils through the process. The Doctor and his companions, Amy and Rory, present a series of online videos, which challenge children to a range of tasks to help equip them with the necessary writing skills needed to prepare a short script for TV. These include writing Amy's blog, writing instructions to help Rory land the TARDIS, and writing a report about a new planet.

The site also includes specially produced videos with expert advice for young script writers about character, stage directions and how to pull together a stand out script with memorable characters from members of the Doctor Who team, including BAFTA winner and lead writer of Doctor Who, Steven Moffat.

Children can be as creative and imaginative as they like in order to put together a story that's filled with all the excitement and adventure of the popular BBC One sci-fi drama. The action packed script must be set in the TARDIS and feature the eleventh Doctor. It can include one of four fearsome aliens from the show: Ood, Judoon, Cyberman or Weeping Angel; and/or a brand new human character (a contemporary figure or a historical character) to test the wits of The Doctor.

The winning script will be chosen by Steven Moffat; Saul Nassé, Controller of BBC Learning; and executive producers of Doctor Who, Piers Wenger and Beth Willis.

Full details of how to enter the competition are available on bbc.co.uk/teachers.

Track details for McCartney and McCartney II reissues

Paul McCartney's "one-man-band" albums, McCartney (1970) and McCartney II (1980) will be out in several different formats June 13. They follow last year's re-release of Band on the Run in the latest McCartney reissue campaign.


From the press release:
Heralded as one of the most beloved solo debuts of all time, McCartney, the smash # 1 album, originally released April of 1970, yielded the timeless tracks "Every Night" and "Junk" along with the immortal classic "Maybe I'm Amazed." McCartney II originally issued in May of 1980 was McCartney's return to solo work after nine years touring and having released several massively successful albums with Wings. Reaching #1 in the UK, and #3 in the U.S., the album produced enduring classics such as "Coming Up," "Waterfalls," & "Temporary Secretary."

Paul personally supervised all aspects of these two reissues. The remastering work was done at Abbey Road using the same team who recently remastered the complete Beatles' catalogue.

Both McCartney and McCartney II will be available in a variety of formats originating with the single disc digitally remastered Standard Edition version of each album. (Only digital version is available in USA only)

McCartney will also be made available as a 2-disc (2 CD) Special Edition featuring the original remastered album plus seven bonus audio tracks including the previously unreleased outtakes "Suicide" and "Don't Cry Baby" plus a rare live 1979 recording of "Maybe I'm Amazed". For collectors, the reissue will additionally be made available as a lavishly packaged 3 disc (2 CD, 1 DVD) Deluxe Edition which includes an exclusive bonus DVD featuring rare and previously unseen footage, an extraordinary 128-page hard bound book containing many exclusive and unpublished photos by Paul and Linda McCartney, original album artwork, downloadable hi-res audio versions of the remastered album and bonus audio tracks, an illustrated history of the making of the album, and expanded track by track information for the two audio discs as well as detailed historical information on the film content.

McCartney II will also be made available as a 2-disc (2 CD) Special Edition featuring the original remastered album plus eight bonus tracks including B-Sides and alternative versions. The bonus audio CD includes the #1 hit "Coming Up (Live At Glasgow, 1979)" and holiday perennial "Wonderful Christmastime."

The lovingly packaged 4 disc (3 CD, 1 DVD) Deluxe Edition of McCartney II not only includes an exclusive bonus DVD featuring rare and previously unseen footage (including performances of 'Coming Up' and the new video for the unreleased track 'Blue Sway') but includes an additional eight rare bonus audio tracks exclusive to this edition. Additionally, the McCartney II deluxe edition contains an extraordinary 128-page hard bound book featuring many previously unpublished photos by Linda McCartney, original album and single artwork, downloadable hi-res audio versions of the remastered album, an illustrated history of the making of the album, and expanded track by track information for all three audio discs plus detailed historical information on the film content.

Both original remastered albums and bonus audio content will also be issued as 2 disc 180gm audiophile vinyl editions which will come with an MP3 download of all included audio. Lastly, the special and deluxe versions of McCartney and McCartney II will be made available digitally worldwide.

MCCARTNEY TRACKLIST:

CD 1 - Remastered Album
1. The Lovely Linda
2. That Would Be Something
3. Valentine Day
4. Every Night
5. Hot As Sun / Glasses
6. Junk
7. Man We Was Lonely
8. Oo You
9. Momma Miss America
10. Teddy Boy
11 Singalong Junk
12. Maybe I'm Amazed
13. Kreen-Akrore

CD 2 - Bonus Audio Tracks
1. Suicide [Out-take]
2. Maybe I'm Amazed [From One Hand Clapping]
3. Every Night [Live At Glasgow, 1979]
4. Hot As Sun [Live At Glasgow, 1979]
5. Maybe '’m Amazed [Live At Glasgow, 1979]
6. Don't Cry Baby [Out-take]
7. Women Kind (Demo) [Mono]

DVD - Bonus Film
1. The Album Story
2. The Beach
3. Maybe I'm Amazed Music Video
4. Suicide [from One Hand Clapping]
5. Every Night [Live at Concert for the People of Kampuchea]
6. Hot As Sun [Live at Concert for the People of Kampuchea]
7. Junk [MTV Unplugged]
8. That Would Be Something [MTV Unplugged]

MCCARTNEY II TRACKLIST:

CD 1 – Remastered Album
1. Coming Up
2. Temporary Secretary
3. On The Way
4. Waterfalls
5. Nobody Knows
6. Front Parlour
7. Summer’s Day Song
8. Frozen Jap
9. Bogey Music
10. Darkroom
11 One Of These Days

CD 2 – Bonus Audio 1
1. Blue Sway [With Richard Niles Orchestration]
2. Coming Up [Live At Glasgow, 1979]
3. Check My Machine [Edit]
4. Bogey Wobble
5. Secret Friend
6. Mr H Atom / You Know I'll Get you Baby
7. Wonderful Christmastime [Edited Version]
8. All You Horse Riders/Blue Sway

CD 3 - Bonus Audio 2 (DELUXE 3 CD – 1 DVD EDITION ONLY)
1. Coming Up [Full Length Version]
2. Front Parlour [Full Length Version]
3. Frozen Jap [Full Length Version]
4. Darkroom [Full Length Version]
5. Check My Machine [Full Length Version]
6. Wonderful Christmastime [Full Length Version]
7. Summer's Day Song [Original without vocals]
8. Waterfalls [DJ Edit]

DVD – Bonus Film
1. Meet Paul McCartney
2. Coming Up Music Video
3. Waterfalls Music Video
4. Wonderful Christmastime Music Video
5. Coming Up [Live at Concert for the People of Kampuchea]
6. 'Coming Up' [taken from a rehearsal session at Lower Gate Farm, 1979]
7. Making the Coming Up Music Video
8. Blue Sway 

New Thor TV spot

Kryptonian villains planned for Superman movie reboot

The upcoming "Superman: Man of Steel" film, directed by Zach Snyder and starring Henry Cavill ("The Tudors") as Superman and Amy Adams as Lois Lane, will feature Kryptonian/Phantom Zone denizens General Zod and Faora among its villains.

German actress Antje Traue will play Faore ("Pandorium") and Michael Shannon ("Boardwalk Empire") will play Zod.

New Kate Bush video: Deeper Understanding

New Green Lantern movie posters: Sinestro and Kilowog


Production begins on Marvel's Avengers movie

From the press release (April 26):

Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated movie “Marvel’s The Avengers,” directed by Joss Whedon (“Serenity”) from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey Jr. (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”) returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth (“Thor”) as Thor, Chris Evans (“Captain America: The First Avenger”) as Captain America, Jeremy Renner (“Thor,” “The Hurt Locker”) as Hawkeye, Mark Ruffalo (“The Kids Are Alright”) as Hulk, Scarlett Johansson (“Iron Man 2”) as Black Widow, Clark Gregg (“Iron Man,” “Thor”) as Agent Phil Coulson, and Samuel L. Jackson (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”) as Nick Fury. Set for release in the US on May 4, 2012, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is the first feature to be fully owned, marketed and distributed by Disney, which acquired Marvel in 2009.

Continuing the epic big-screen adventures started in “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” and “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Marvel’s The Avengers” is the Super Hero team up of a lifetime. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as SHIELD, finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster.

Based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series, first published in 1963, “Marvel’s The Avengers” brings together the mightiest Super Hero characters as they all assemble together on screen for the first time. The star studded cast of Super Heroes will be joined by Cobie Smulders (“How I Met Your Mother) as Agent Maria Hill of SHIELD, as well as Tom Hiddleston (“Wallander”) and Stellan SkarsgÃ¥rd (“Angels & Demons,” “Mamma Mia!”) who will both reprise their respective roles as Loki and Professor Erik Selvig from the upcoming MarvelStudios’ feature “Thor.”

“Marvel’s The Avengers” is being produced by Marvel Studios’ President, Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Louis D’Esposito, Patty Whitcher, and Jon Favreau. Marvel Studios’ Jeremy Latcham and Victoria Alonso will co-produce.

New comics April 27, 2011

Items I'll buy:


DC COMICS PRESENTS NIGHT FORCE #1 I have fond memories of this Marv Wolfman/Gene Colan horror/suspense title.


DETECTIVE COMICS #876 Great art and a chilling storyline in the only Bat-book I've followed in several years.

Showcase Presents: Green Lantern, Vol. 5
Showcase Presents: Green Lantern, Vol. 5 Into the Adams/O'Neil years, looks like.

DOCTOR WHO ONGOING VOL 2 #4 Not terribly impressed by art or story in this arc, but I think this is the end. If the next storyline isn't better...

Genius, Isolated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth
Genius, Isolated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth Interested to take a peek at this one.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #659


AVENGERS #12 POINT ONE


MIGHTY THOR #1 Curious about maybe hopping on, as I've heard good stuff about the creative team.


WALT DISNEYS COMICS & STORIES #718

Other items of note:

Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom Volume 1 TP
Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom Volume 1 TP

Eerie Archives Volume 7
Eerie Archives Volume 7

Turok, Son of Stone Archives Volume 8
Turok, Son of Stone Archives Volume 8


ACTION COMICS #900

Marvel Masterworks - The Fantastic Four - Volume 6
Marvel Masterworks - The Fantastic Four - Volume 6

Sensational She-Hulk, Vol. 1
Sensational She-Hulk, Vol. 1

X-Men - Volume 2 Omnibus
X-Men - Volume 2 Omnibus

X-ray Specs singer Polly Styrene dies

Via NME:

Poly Styrene, former singer with X-Ray Spex, has died of cancer aged 53.

The punk icon, real name Marian Joan Elliott-Said, revealed that she was suffering from the illness in February this year.

X-Ray Spex formed in 1976 in London and released one studio album, 1978's 'Germ Free Adolescents'. Poly went on to have a solo career and her latest solo album, 'Generation Indigo', was released on March 28 this year.

Captain America fan film: The Fighting Avenger

A whole lotta' Thor movie toys

For all your Thor needs:

Disney Marvel Universe Thor Action Figure -- 4'' H
Disney Marvel Universe Thor Action Figure -- 4'' H

Thor Lightning Hammer
Thor Lightning Hammer

Thor Basic Helmet
Thor Basic Helmet

Diamond Select Toys Marvel Select: Thor (Movie Version) Action Figure
Diamond Select Toys Marvel Select: Thor (Movie Version) Action Figure

Thor Movie 4 Inch Series 1 Action Figure Lightning Clash Thor
Thor Movie 4 Inch Series 1 Action Figure Lightning Clash Thor

Super Hero Authentic Thor Hammer
Super Hero Authentic Thor Hammer

Thor Hero Action Figure
Thor Hero Action Figure

Thor Movie 4 Inch Series 1 Action Figure Battle Hammer Thor
Thor Movie 4 Inch Series 1 Action Figure Battle Hammer Thor

Thor Movie 4 Inch Series 1 Action Figure Sword Spike Thor
Thor Movie 4 Inch Series 1 Action Figure Sword Spike Thor

Officially Licensed Marvel Thor Lord of Asgard Helmet Prop Replica Life Size Limited Edition
Officially Licensed Marvel Thor Lord of Asgard Helmet Prop Replica Life Size Limited Edition

Thor Electronic Feature Action Figure
Thor Electronic Feature Action Figure

Thor Toddler Muscle Costume,Toddler: 3T-4T
Thor Toddler Muscle Costume,Toddler: 3T-4T

Thor Movie 4 Inch Series 1 Action Figure Shield Bash Marvels Odin
Thor Movie 4 Inch Series 1 Action Figure Shield Bash Marvels Odin

Thor Movie 4 Inch Series 1 Action Figure Secret Strike Loki
Thor Movie 4 Inch Series 1 Action Figure Secret Strike Loki

Thor Movie 4 Inch Series 1 Action Figure Invasion Frost Giant
Thor Movie 4 Inch Series 1 Action Figure Invasion Frost Giant

Thor Deluxe Action Figures Frost Giant 1
Thor Deluxe Action Figures Frost Giant 1

Thor Sword And Shield
Thor Sword And Shield

Funko Thor Pop
Funko Thor Pop

Marvel Minimates Series 33 Mini Figure 2Pack Thor & Loki
Marvel Minimates Series 33 Mini Figure 2Pack Thor & Loki


Thor Foam Sword 1
Thor Foam Sword 1

Thor Destroyer Action Figure W2
Thor Destroyer Action Figure W2

Marvel Super Hero Squad Movie Pack With Thor Loki And Destroyer
Marvel Super Hero Squad Movie Pack With Thor Loki And Destroyer

Thor Deluxe Action Figures Thor
Thor Deluxe Action Figures Thor

Thor Hero Action Figure
Thor Hero Action Figure

Funko Thor Wacky Wobbler
Funko Thor Wacky Wobbler

Thor Movie Exclusive Minimates Mini Figure 2Pack Lady Sif Volstagg
Thor Movie Exclusive Minimates Mini Figure 2Pack Lady Sif Volstagg

 Marvel Minimates: Loki and Odin
Marvel Minimates: Loki and Odin

Thor Movie Exclusive Minimates Mini Figure 2Pack Civilian Thor Asgardian Guard
Thor Movie Exclusive Minimates Mini Figure 2Pack Civilian Thor Asgardian Guard

Thor Movie Exclusive Minimates Mini Figure 2Pack Jane Foster Frost Giant
Thor Movie Exclusive Minimates Mini Figure 2Pack Jane Foster Frost Giant

Marvel Minimates Thor The Mighty Avenger Selvig
Marvel Minimates Thor The Mighty Avenger Selvig

Funko Loki Pop
Funko Loki Pop