Chicago Tribune:
Someone should tell "Fantastic Four" that it's live action and not a cartoon. The performances and effects again seem fit for Saturday morning TV. And "Surfer" again heaps on a helping of hokey lines. (One of many: After Mr. Fantastic stretches his body so he can dance, Johnny says, "The guy really knows how to loosen up.")
Desert News:
The movie plays out like a particularly unfunny, dysfunctional family sitcom and features even less action than its predecessor.
Detroit News:
As sequels go, it's better than the original. As action sequences go, its final flurry is the best so far this summer. And as far as movie surprises, it may be the biggest of the year so far.
St. Paul Star Tribune:
The target audience appears to be Cartoon Network fans. Anyone outside that category is likely to find "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" a dull slog no avalanche of razzle-dazzle digital hooey can camouflage. It's not even entertaining camp.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
With so many superhero movies aspiring to mythic significance, it’s easy to forget that comic books were originally a low-brow, disposable form of entertainment. Of the many superhero franchises that have invaded the
multiplex — “X-Men,” “Spider-Man,” “Superman,” “Batman” — “Fantastic Four” is the least artful. But for young boys or old comic-book collectors, it might also be the most fun.
Pop Culture Roundup June 14, 2007
Maybe it should be "Fantastic Bore," says the Associated Press.
Amid all the vapid dialogue and visual fireworks, the performances seem like afterthoughts, particularly those of Gruffudd and Alba, who could use a snap of the fingers by fiery Johnny to light a spark of personality within them.
------------------
Meanwhile...
A projectionist at a Memphis theater chain has lost his job after writing an unauthorized early review of "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" for the Web site Ain't It Cool News.
-------------------
Blake Bell has more details about a TV documentary on comics artist Steve Ditko to air on the BBC at an undetermined date. Hopefully we'll be able to see it State-side too.
--------------------
"Lost" producer Carlton Cuse says the "Bad Twin" novel spin-off and the Nikki and Paulo characters were missteps.
"We buried them alive," Cuse said of Nikki and Paulo. "OK, you guys don't like Nikki and Paulo, there."
--------------------
Posters on the DC Archives Message Board weigh in on the new Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 1, which came out yesterday. Reviews seems mostly good, though there are some mixed feelings about the lightweight "newsprint-style" DC used. My copy is on order at Amazon and I'm hoping it'll ship soon.
----------------------
Remember those "Polaris submarines" you could order from comic books? Assembled, they look like this.
Amid all the vapid dialogue and visual fireworks, the performances seem like afterthoughts, particularly those of Gruffudd and Alba, who could use a snap of the fingers by fiery Johnny to light a spark of personality within them.
------------------
Meanwhile...
A projectionist at a Memphis theater chain has lost his job after writing an unauthorized early review of "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" for the Web site Ain't It Cool News.
-------------------
Blake Bell has more details about a TV documentary on comics artist Steve Ditko to air on the BBC at an undetermined date. Hopefully we'll be able to see it State-side too.
--------------------
"Lost" producer Carlton Cuse says the "Bad Twin" novel spin-off and the Nikki and Paulo characters were missteps.
"We buried them alive," Cuse said of Nikki and Paulo. "OK, you guys don't like Nikki and Paulo, there."
--------------------
Posters on the DC Archives Message Board weigh in on the new Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 1, which came out yesterday. Reviews seems mostly good, though there are some mixed feelings about the lightweight "newsprint-style" DC used. My copy is on order at Amazon and I'm hoping it'll ship soon.
----------------------
Remember those "Polaris submarines" you could order from comic books? Assembled, they look like this.
New and upcoming action figures June 14, 2007
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer action figures, see below
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
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
52 Weeks
Animal Man
Batwoman
Booster Gold
Supernova
DC Direct Reactivated Action Figures
--Batman
--Wonder Woman
--Lobo
--Superman
DC 13-inch Figures
Green Lantern
Lex Luthor
Martian Manhunter
Catwoman
Nightwing
Classic Batman
Batgirl gray costume
Batgirl black costume
Elseworlds Action Figures Series 2
--Red Son Batman
--Red Son President Superman
--Kingdom Come Jade
--Kingdom Come Spectre and Norman McKay
--Gotham By Gaslight Batman
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 2 action figures
--Crash site box set
--Sawyer
--Jin
--Sayid
--Desmond
--Sun
--Mr. Eko
McFarlane Lost series 3 action figures
--Sayid
--Desmond
--Claire
--Ben/Henry
Marvel Figure Factory Sets
--Angel
--Beast
--Black Costume Spider-Man
--Deadpool
--Invisible Woman
--Silver Surfer
Marvel Legends Action Figures
Hasbro Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 2
--Wolverine
--She-Hulk
--Yellow Jacket
--Quick Silver
--Lord Asgard Thor
--Magneto Xorn
--X3 Jean Grey
--First Appearance Storm
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 Icons 12-inch Action Figures
--The Punisher
--Doctor Doom
--The Human Torch
--The Silver Surfer
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 Culture Roundup June 13, 2007
TV's Mr. Wizard has passed away.
Don Herbert, who unlocked the wonders of science for youngsters of the 1950s and ’60s as television’s Mr. Wizard, died yesterday at his home in the Bell Canyon section of Los Angeles. He was 89.
...Mr. Herbert held no advanced degree in science, he used household items in his TV lab, and his assistants were boys and girls. But he became an influential showman-science teacher on his half-hour “Watch Mr. Wizard” programs, which ran on NBC from 1951 to 1965.
----------------
A Silver Surfer spin-off from the new Fantastic Four film (opening this weekend) is planned.
Fox has already put a feature spinoff into development that will star the enigmatic Surfer, with J. Michael Straczynski currently crafting the screenplay.
...A longtime writer of television science fiction on "The Twilight Zone" and "Babylon 5," Straczynski has also spent much of the last few years writing for Marvel Comics on properties like "Amazing Spider-Man" and "Thor" (also in development with a Mark Protosevich screenplay and "Layer Cake's" Matthew Vaughn reportedly negotiating to direct). Straczynski recently penned 15 issues of Fantastic Four for Marvel, and the first issue of his "Silver Surfer: Requiem" series just published last month, with three more in the works.
--------------------
William Hurt will play the Green Goliath-hunting Gen. "Thunderbolt" Ross in the new "Incredible Hulk" film.
---------------------
Learn the secret origin of the Shadow's assistant Burbank.
---------------------
Batman and guns: Silver Age Comics investigates.
Don Herbert, who unlocked the wonders of science for youngsters of the 1950s and ’60s as television’s Mr. Wizard, died yesterday at his home in the Bell Canyon section of Los Angeles. He was 89.
...Mr. Herbert held no advanced degree in science, he used household items in his TV lab, and his assistants were boys and girls. But he became an influential showman-science teacher on his half-hour “Watch Mr. Wizard” programs, which ran on NBC from 1951 to 1965.
----------------
A Silver Surfer spin-off from the new Fantastic Four film (opening this weekend) is planned.
Fox has already put a feature spinoff into development that will star the enigmatic Surfer, with J. Michael Straczynski currently crafting the screenplay.
...A longtime writer of television science fiction on "The Twilight Zone" and "Babylon 5," Straczynski has also spent much of the last few years writing for Marvel Comics on properties like "Amazing Spider-Man" and "Thor" (also in development with a Mark Protosevich screenplay and "Layer Cake's" Matthew Vaughn reportedly negotiating to direct). Straczynski recently penned 15 issues of Fantastic Four for Marvel, and the first issue of his "Silver Surfer: Requiem" series just published last month, with three more in the works.
--------------------
William Hurt will play the Green Goliath-hunting Gen. "Thunderbolt" Ross in the new "Incredible Hulk" film.
---------------------
Learn the secret origin of the Shadow's assistant Burbank.
---------------------
Batman and guns: Silver Age Comics investigates.
New comics June 13, 2007
Click links to order discounted graphic novels from Amazon.
See complete lists:
DC Archives
DC Showcase
DC Trade Paperbacks
Marvel Masterworks
Marvel Essentials
Marvel Trade Paperbacks
Upcoming Trade Paperbacks - Graphic Novels
Comics shipping June 13, 2007
DARK HORSE COMICS
APR070030 BPRD GARDEN OF SOULS #4 (OF 5) $2.99
FEB070076 CONAN & THE MIDNIGHT GOD #4 (OF 5) $2.99
OCT060052 OH MY GODDESS VOL 5 TP RTL $10.95
APR070040 STAR WARS LEGACY #13 $2.99
APR070047 STAR WARS REBELLION #7 $2.99
DC COMICS
FEB070329 ALAN MOORE WILD WORLDS TP $19.99
APR070163 BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #6 $2.99
JUN060159 BATMAN FACE THE FACE TP $14.99
APR070224 BATMAN STRIKES #34 $2.25
APR070228 CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #14 $2.25
APR070181 COUNTDOWN 46 $2.99
MAR070239 EMMA VOL 4 $9.99
APR070248 GEN 13 #9 $2.99
APR070203 GREEN ARROW #75 $3.50
APR070193 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #13 $2.99
APR070246 GRIFTER MIDNIGHTER #4 (OF 6) $2.99
APR070206 HAWKGIRL #65 $2.99
JAN070303 JACK KIRBYS FOURTH WORLD OMNIBUS VOL 1 HC $49.99
APR070204 JLA CLASSIFIED #39 $2.99
APR070201 JUSTICE COVER A #12 (OF 12) $3.99
APR070202 JUSTICE COVER B #12 (OF 12) $3.99
FEB078188 MAD WAR ON BUSH $9.99
MAR070242 MOON CHILD VOL 7 $9.99
SEP058101 PREACHER VOL 8 ALL HELLS A COMING TP $17.99
MAR070243 SEIMADEN VOL 9 $9.99
MAR070221 SHOWCASE PRESENTS THE ATOM VOL 1 TP $16.99
APR070251 STORMWATCH PHD #8 $2.99
APR070174 SUPERMAN BATMAN #36 $2.99
MAR070246 TENJHO TENGE VOL 14 $9.99
MAR070240 TOWER OF THE FUTURE VOL 7 $9.99
FEB070295 TRIALS OF SHAZAM #7 (OF 12) $2.99
IMAGE COMICS
MAR071840 ELEPHANTMEN PILOT $2.99
APR071917 HERO BY NIGHT #4 (OF 4) $2.99
MAR071848 NOBLE CAUSES #30 $3.50
MAR071851 PVP #34 $2.99
APR071859 SAM NOIR VOL 1 RONIN DETECTIVE TP $15.99
JAN071947 TRUE STORY SWEAR TO GOD IMAGE ED #6 $2.99
FEB078067 WALKING DEAD VOL 2 HC LTD SGN ED $59.99
MARVEL COMICS
APR072287 AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL #9 $2.99
APR072380 AVENGERS ART ADAMS POSTER $6.99
FEB072434 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE HC $29.99
APR072290 AVENGERS CLASSIC #1 $3.99
APR072310 BLADE #10 $2.99
APR072335 CABLE DEADPOOL #41 $2.99
SEP052008 ESSENTIAL MARVEL TWO IN ONE VOL 1 TP $16.99
APR072340 EXILES #95 $2.99
MAR072057 FALLEN SON DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA SPIDER-MAN $2.99
APR072374 FANTASTIC FOUR VISIONARIES JOHN BYRNE VOL 7 TP $24.99
APR072298 FRANKLIN RICHARDS WORLD BE WARNED #1 $2.99
APR072281 FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #21 $2.99
APR072349 KABUKI REFLECTIONS #8 $5.99
APR072315 MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #25 $2.99
APR072276 MARVEL ILLUSTRATED TREASURE ISLAND #1 (OF 6) $2.99
APR072385 MARVEL TALES FLIP MAGAZINE #25 $4.99
APR072318 MYSTIC ARCANA MAGIK $2.99
APR072322 NEW AVENGERS #31 CWI $2.99
APR072337 NEW X-MEN #39 $2.99
APR072324 NOVA #3 CWI $2.99
APR072326 PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #8 CWI $2.99
FEB072182 RED PROPHET TALES OF ALVIN MAKER #8 (OF 12) $2.99
APR072332 SUB-MARINER #1 (OF 6) CWI $2.99
APR072375 WHAT IF EVENT HORIZON TP $16.99
APR072302 WORLD WAR HULK #1 (OF 5) WWH $3.99
APR072303 WORLD WAR HULK ROMITA JR VAR #1 (OF 5) $3.99
WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT
APR073256 TOYFARE TRANSFORMER MOVIE TOYS CVR #120 $4.99
MAY073103 WORLD WAR HULK #1 FINCH CVR CGC 9.8 ED PI
COMICS
MAR073154 ARCHIE & FRIENDS #110 $2.25
MAR073155 ARCHIE DIGEST #235 $2.49
MAR073161 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #152 $3.69
MAR073085 BLACK DIAMOND #1 (OF 6) $2.95
MAY073772 BLACK GHOST APPLE FACTORY $5.00
MAY062772 BUMPERBOY & LOUD LOUD MOUNTAIN GN $8.95
MAR073054 DAVE SIM COLLECTED LETTERS VOL 2 $22.00
APR074049 INDIA AUTHENTIC KAALI #2 $2.99
MAY073770 INTO THE DUST #1 $2.99
MAY073484 LIFE AND TIMES OF SCROOGE MCDUCK TP 2ND PTG $17.99
MAR073170 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ARCHIVES VOL 3 TP $7.49
APR073894 TALES FROM THE CRYPT #1 $3.95
MAR073088 THUNDERHEAD UNDERGROUND FALLS GN (RES) $14.95
APR073769 TRANSFORMERS MOVIE ADAPTATION #2 (OF 4) $3.99
MAY073475 VOGELEIN OLD GHOSTS GN $12.95
FEB073104 WONDERLAND #4 $3.50
RELATED MERCHANDISE
STAR17719 BEACHBUM BERRYS INTOXICA $10.95
See complete lists:
DC Archives
DC Showcase
DC Trade Paperbacks
Marvel Masterworks
Marvel Essentials
Marvel Trade Paperbacks
Upcoming Trade Paperbacks - Graphic Novels
Comics shipping June 13, 2007
DARK HORSE COMICS
APR070030 BPRD GARDEN OF SOULS #4 (OF 5) $2.99
FEB070076 CONAN & THE MIDNIGHT GOD #4 (OF 5) $2.99
OCT060052 OH MY GODDESS VOL 5 TP RTL $10.95
APR070040 STAR WARS LEGACY #13 $2.99
APR070047 STAR WARS REBELLION #7 $2.99
DC COMICS
FEB070329 ALAN MOORE WILD WORLDS TP $19.99
APR070163 BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #6 $2.99
JUN060159 BATMAN FACE THE FACE TP $14.99
APR070224 BATMAN STRIKES #34 $2.25
APR070228 CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #14 $2.25
APR070181 COUNTDOWN 46 $2.99
MAR070239 EMMA VOL 4 $9.99
APR070248 GEN 13 #9 $2.99
APR070203 GREEN ARROW #75 $3.50
APR070193 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #13 $2.99
APR070246 GRIFTER MIDNIGHTER #4 (OF 6) $2.99
APR070206 HAWKGIRL #65 $2.99
JAN070303 JACK KIRBYS FOURTH WORLD OMNIBUS VOL 1 HC $49.99
APR070204 JLA CLASSIFIED #39 $2.99
APR070201 JUSTICE COVER A #12 (OF 12) $3.99
APR070202 JUSTICE COVER B #12 (OF 12) $3.99
FEB078188 MAD WAR ON BUSH $9.99
MAR070242 MOON CHILD VOL 7 $9.99
SEP058101 PREACHER VOL 8 ALL HELLS A COMING TP $17.99
MAR070243 SEIMADEN VOL 9 $9.99
MAR070221 SHOWCASE PRESENTS THE ATOM VOL 1 TP $16.99
APR070251 STORMWATCH PHD #8 $2.99
APR070174 SUPERMAN BATMAN #36 $2.99
MAR070246 TENJHO TENGE VOL 14 $9.99
MAR070240 TOWER OF THE FUTURE VOL 7 $9.99
FEB070295 TRIALS OF SHAZAM #7 (OF 12) $2.99
IMAGE COMICS
MAR071840 ELEPHANTMEN PILOT $2.99
APR071917 HERO BY NIGHT #4 (OF 4) $2.99
MAR071848 NOBLE CAUSES #30 $3.50
MAR071851 PVP #34 $2.99
APR071859 SAM NOIR VOL 1 RONIN DETECTIVE TP $15.99
JAN071947 TRUE STORY SWEAR TO GOD IMAGE ED #6 $2.99
FEB078067 WALKING DEAD VOL 2 HC LTD SGN ED $59.99
MARVEL COMICS
APR072287 AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL #9 $2.99
APR072380 AVENGERS ART ADAMS POSTER $6.99
FEB072434 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE HC $29.99
APR072290 AVENGERS CLASSIC #1 $3.99
APR072310 BLADE #10 $2.99
APR072335 CABLE DEADPOOL #41 $2.99
SEP052008 ESSENTIAL MARVEL TWO IN ONE VOL 1 TP $16.99
APR072340 EXILES #95 $2.99
MAR072057 FALLEN SON DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA SPIDER-MAN $2.99
APR072374 FANTASTIC FOUR VISIONARIES JOHN BYRNE VOL 7 TP $24.99
APR072298 FRANKLIN RICHARDS WORLD BE WARNED #1 $2.99
APR072281 FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #21 $2.99
APR072349 KABUKI REFLECTIONS #8 $5.99
APR072315 MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #25 $2.99
APR072276 MARVEL ILLUSTRATED TREASURE ISLAND #1 (OF 6) $2.99
APR072385 MARVEL TALES FLIP MAGAZINE #25 $4.99
APR072318 MYSTIC ARCANA MAGIK $2.99
APR072322 NEW AVENGERS #31 CWI $2.99
APR072337 NEW X-MEN #39 $2.99
APR072324 NOVA #3 CWI $2.99
APR072326 PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #8 CWI $2.99
FEB072182 RED PROPHET TALES OF ALVIN MAKER #8 (OF 12) $2.99
APR072332 SUB-MARINER #1 (OF 6) CWI $2.99
APR072375 WHAT IF EVENT HORIZON TP $16.99
APR072302 WORLD WAR HULK #1 (OF 5) WWH $3.99
APR072303 WORLD WAR HULK ROMITA JR VAR #1 (OF 5) $3.99
WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT
APR073256 TOYFARE TRANSFORMER MOVIE TOYS CVR #120 $4.99
MAY073103 WORLD WAR HULK #1 FINCH CVR CGC 9.8 ED PI
COMICS
MAR073154 ARCHIE & FRIENDS #110 $2.25
MAR073155 ARCHIE DIGEST #235 $2.49
MAR073161 BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #152 $3.69
MAR073085 BLACK DIAMOND #1 (OF 6) $2.95
MAY073772 BLACK GHOST APPLE FACTORY $5.00
MAY062772 BUMPERBOY & LOUD LOUD MOUNTAIN GN $8.95
MAR073054 DAVE SIM COLLECTED LETTERS VOL 2 $22.00
APR074049 INDIA AUTHENTIC KAALI #2 $2.99
MAY073770 INTO THE DUST #1 $2.99
MAY073484 LIFE AND TIMES OF SCROOGE MCDUCK TP 2ND PTG $17.99
MAR073170 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ARCHIVES VOL 3 TP $7.49
APR073894 TALES FROM THE CRYPT #1 $3.95
MAR073088 THUNDERHEAD UNDERGROUND FALLS GN (RES) $14.95
APR073769 TRANSFORMERS MOVIE ADAPTATION #2 (OF 4) $3.99
MAY073475 VOGELEIN OLD GHOSTS GN $12.95
FEB073104 WONDERLAND #4 $3.50
RELATED MERCHANDISE
STAR17719 BEACHBUM BERRYS INTOXICA $10.95
Pop Culture Roundup June 12, 2007
Booksteve checks out Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's 1978 Silver Surfer graphic novel.
------------------
Hear a behind-the-scenes "Doctor Who" documentary on the BBC.
------------------
Details on the revamped, "Finding Nemo"-themed submarine ride at Disneyland.
When the "Submarine Voyage" ride reopens Monday at Disneyland, it will have a new story line, shiny new coral reefs and something not envisioned when it debuted in 1959—an alternate experience for disabled visitors.
I'm more a "Captain" than "finding" Nemo guy, but making the attraction more accessible is a good move.
------------------
Tomorrow's comics today: See the big list of what's in shops tomorrow.
-------------------
Johnny Cash Radio, a weekly streaming audio program featuring music and interviews, begins tomorrow on the late singer's official site.
--------------------
It worked for Buffy: Rob Thomas, creator of "Veronica Mars" says he's in talks with DC Comics about a possible series based on the TV show.
--------------------
Booksteve examines the origins of Marvel Comics' Inhumans.
---------------------
There's a mystery afoot on Dial B for Burbank.
------------------
Hear a behind-the-scenes "Doctor Who" documentary on the BBC.
------------------
Details on the revamped, "Finding Nemo"-themed submarine ride at Disneyland.
When the "Submarine Voyage" ride reopens Monday at Disneyland, it will have a new story line, shiny new coral reefs and something not envisioned when it debuted in 1959—an alternate experience for disabled visitors.
I'm more a "Captain" than "finding" Nemo guy, but making the attraction more accessible is a good move.
------------------
Tomorrow's comics today: See the big list of what's in shops tomorrow.
-------------------
Johnny Cash Radio, a weekly streaming audio program featuring music and interviews, begins tomorrow on the late singer's official site.
--------------------
It worked for Buffy: Rob Thomas, creator of "Veronica Mars" says he's in talks with DC Comics about a possible series based on the TV show.
--------------------
Booksteve examines the origins of Marvel Comics' Inhumans.
---------------------
There's a mystery afoot on Dial B for Burbank.
DVD new releases June 12, 2007
Deadwood - The Complete Third Season
Ghost Rider - Extended Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Ghost Rider (Widescreen Edition)
The Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Mysteries: Season Two
Welcome Back, Kotter - The Complete First Season
Diagnosis Murder - The Second Season
Hellboy: Blood and Iron (Animated)
Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet Built
What's Happening Now!! - The Complete First Season
The Jeeves Collection (Thank You, Jeeves! / Step Lively, Jeeves!)
CD new releases June 12, 2007
Traveling Wilburys Deluxe Edition by The Traveling Wilburys
Traveling Wilburys by The Traveling Wilburys
Vol. 2-Singles 1960-63 by James Brown
The Salvation Blues by Mark Olson
More upcoming CD releases
Traveling Wilburys by The Traveling Wilburys
Vol. 2-Singles 1960-63 by James Brown
The Salvation Blues by Mark Olson
More upcoming CD releases
Pop Culture Roundup June 11, 2007
Looks like Supergirl is paying a visit to "Smallville" next season.
--------------------
Innocent Bystander reviews the Jack Kirby documentary that's packaged with the exended DVD version of the first Fantastic Four movie.
It's a PBS/Ken Burns quality film, a paean to a man who was, as someone puts it in the documentary, the top artist in comic books for three decades (I'd extend that to four, actually: 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s).
--------------------
Innocent Bystander reviews the Jack Kirby documentary that's packaged with the exended DVD version of the first Fantastic Four movie.
It's a PBS/Ken Burns quality film, a paean to a man who was, as someone puts it in the documentary, the top artist in comic books for three decades (I'd extend that to four, actually: 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s).
Pop Culture Roundup June 8, 2007
Don't look for Sean Connery in the next Indiana Jones film.
"I get asked the question so often, I thought it best to make an announcement," the 76-year-old actor said. "I thought long and hard about it, and if anything could have pulled me out of retirement, it would have been an Indiana Jones film. I love working with [director] Steven [Spielberg] and [producer] George [Lucas], and it goes without saying that it is an honor to have Harrison [Ford] as my son. But in the end, retirement is just too damned much fun."
-----------------
Comics historian and Steve Ditko expert Blake Bell has details on the upcoming "Amazing Fantasy Omnibus" from Marvel, which collect a whole mess of monster comics from the publisher's pre-superhero days. You can pre-order the book now from Amazon: Regular edition or variant cover.
------------------
A 40th anniversary eidtion of Pink Floyd's debut album Piper at the Gates of Dawn is due out Aug. 28.
The packaging, designed by Storm Thorgerson, resembles a cloth-covered book, and holds 3 CD discs, along with a 12-page reproduction Syd Barrett notebook.
CD Contents
Discs 1 and 2 will contain the full 'Piper' album, represented in both stereo and mono versions. Both have been newly remastered by James Guthrie.
Disc 3 includes bonus tracks, including the following: all the Pink Floyd singles from 1967, ('Arnold Layne', 'See Emily Play', and 'Apples And Oranges'), plus the B sides 'Candy And A Current Bun' and 'Paintbox'.
Other tracks are a version of 'Interstellar Overdrive' - Take 2 of the original recording sessions, previously only available on an EP in France - and the 1967 stereo version of 'Apples And Oranges'.
"I get asked the question so often, I thought it best to make an announcement," the 76-year-old actor said. "I thought long and hard about it, and if anything could have pulled me out of retirement, it would have been an Indiana Jones film. I love working with [director] Steven [Spielberg] and [producer] George [Lucas], and it goes without saying that it is an honor to have Harrison [Ford] as my son. But in the end, retirement is just too damned much fun."
-----------------
Comics historian and Steve Ditko expert Blake Bell has details on the upcoming "Amazing Fantasy Omnibus" from Marvel, which collect a whole mess of monster comics from the publisher's pre-superhero days. You can pre-order the book now from Amazon: Regular edition or variant cover.
------------------
A 40th anniversary eidtion of Pink Floyd's debut album Piper at the Gates of Dawn is due out Aug. 28.
The packaging, designed by Storm Thorgerson, resembles a cloth-covered book, and holds 3 CD discs, along with a 12-page reproduction Syd Barrett notebook.
CD Contents
Discs 1 and 2 will contain the full 'Piper' album, represented in both stereo and mono versions. Both have been newly remastered by James Guthrie.
Disc 3 includes bonus tracks, including the following: all the Pink Floyd singles from 1967, ('Arnold Layne', 'See Emily Play', and 'Apples And Oranges'), plus the B sides 'Candy And A Current Bun' and 'Paintbox'.
Other tracks are a version of 'Interstellar Overdrive' - Take 2 of the original recording sessions, previously only available on an EP in France - and the 1967 stereo version of 'Apples And Oranges'.
Pop Culture Roundup June 7, 2007
Via BoingBoing: An online archive featuring issues of famed counterculture satirical newspaper, The Realist
----------------
Stan Lee and Disney are joining forces.
Under the multiyear agreement, the studio gets first shot at films, TV shows, books and video games devised by the 84-year-old Lee and his company, POW! Entertainment.
-----------------
On Bat Blog: A 1960s toothpaste ad featuring Batman's butler Alfred (Alan Napier).
-----------------
The Comics Continuum has some pics from the Sci Fi Channel's upcoming Flash Gordon series.
------------------
Dial B for Burbank profiles Shadow pulp cover artist Graves Gladney.
-------------------
Hasbro's fourth series of Marvel Legends action figures will include First Appearance Daredevil, First Appearance Storm, Nova, The Punisher, Silver Samurai, Age Of Apocalypse Sunfire, Tigra, each packaged with a chunk of an Age Of Apocalypse Nemesis "build a figure." See a complete list of Marvel Legends Action Figures, with pictures.
----------------
Stan Lee and Disney are joining forces.
Under the multiyear agreement, the studio gets first shot at films, TV shows, books and video games devised by the 84-year-old Lee and his company, POW! Entertainment.
-----------------
On Bat Blog: A 1960s toothpaste ad featuring Batman's butler Alfred (Alan Napier).
-----------------
The Comics Continuum has some pics from the Sci Fi Channel's upcoming Flash Gordon series.
------------------
Dial B for Burbank profiles Shadow pulp cover artist Graves Gladney.
-------------------
Hasbro's fourth series of Marvel Legends action figures will include First Appearance Daredevil, First Appearance Storm, Nova, The Punisher, Silver Samurai, Age Of Apocalypse Sunfire, Tigra, each packaged with a chunk of an Age Of Apocalypse Nemesis "build a figure." See a complete list of Marvel Legends Action Figures, with pictures.
Augusts comics solicitations--other highlights
GROO 25TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
MARK EVANIER (W), SERGIO ARAGONES (A), and TOM LUTH (C) On sale Aug. 1 FC, 56 pages $5.99 Celebrate twenty-five years of the world's stupidest barbarian doing stupid and barbaric things! After a brief hiatus, the Champion of Cheese Dip is back to battle the menace of "The Plague," an all-new story by the same guys responsible for all the Groo stories for the last quarter-century, Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier. Also, thrill to The Groo Alphabet, a primer of that hero's friends and foes (mostly foes), followed by a special illustrated text story by Sergio and Mark on how this comic came to be and why it just won't go away. Plus other silly features.
HARVEY COMICS CLASSICS VOL 2 RICHIE RICH TP
SID JACOBSON (W), WARREN KREMER (W), STEVE MUFFATTI (A), and ERNIE COLON (A) On sale Oct. 17 SC, 7x10, 480 pages, FC $19.95 Move over Uncle Scrooge! The richest character in comic book history is about to get his due. Harvey Comics' original creation Richie Rich, the Poor Little Rich Boy, represented the fantasies of every comic book-loving kid growing up in the 1960s and 70s. Now, Dark Horse is delighted to present the ultimate tribute to the boy who has everything - and we mean everything! This mega compilation of the essential Richie collects his earliest and most substantial stories for the first time ever. Created by Sid Jacbson and Warren Kremer as a back-up feature in Little Dot comics in 1953, Richie Rich went on to become Harvey's biggest moneymaker, appearing in over fifty different spinoff titles over the next forty years. In addition to the magnificent comic art of Warren Kremer, Richie was also drawn by animation great Steve Muffatti and comics legend Ernie Colon. Contains over one hundred of the very best of The Poor Little Rich Boy, from the beginning of the series in 1953 through the classic years of the mid-1960s. Editor/designer Leslie Cabarga has reproduced the classic comics from crisp black-and-white printer's proofs and original artwork from the old Harvey archives, along with sixty-four pages of color meticulously restored from the original comic book pages. The book also includes a comprehensive introduction by Jerry Beck.
ADVENTURES OF LITTLE ARCHIE VOL 1 TP
by Bob Bolling Some of the best and earliest Little Archie stories are compiled in this special volume. Bob Bolling is considered by many comic book collectors to be Archie Comics' equivalent of "the duck man," Carl Barks. It's easy to see why: his classic tales are epic in scope, as Little Archie deals with Martian invaders, secret spies, pirates, freewheeling uncles, gorillas on the loose, and more! (JUL042624) SC, 7x10, FC SRP: $10.95
LOST IN SPACE VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SOUL TP
by Mumy, Dutkiewicz, & Severin The Robinsons, TV's first family in space, finally reach their target destination - Alpha Centauri - in this 40th anniversary special graphic novel, written by original LIS cast member Bill (Will Robinson) Mumy, which completes and collects the original 12-part storyline, first serialized in the Innovation comic book series from1992-1993! Features several text pieces, including a foreword by Stan Lee, an introduction by Sheila Matthews Allen (Irwin Allen's widow), retrospectives by Bill Mumy and Michal Dutkiewicz, and an interview with TV and movie producer & director Kevin Burns, plus additional photos and interior art by John Severin. Edited by George (Radioactive Man, I Dream of Jeannie) Broderick, Jr. and lettered by Thom (Love & Capes) Zahler. Now at a new lower price! SC, 7x10, 360pgs, FC SRP: $24.95
COMPLETE PEANUTS VOL 8 1965-1966 HC
by Charles M. Schulz It's the mid-1960s, one of Schulz's peak periods of creativity. Snoopy has become the strip's dominant personality, and this volume marks two milestones for the character: the first of many "dogfights" with the nefarious Red Baron, and the launch of his writing career ("It was a dark and stormy night..."). Two new characters - the first two from outside the strip's regular little neighborhood - make their bows. Roy (who befriends Charlie Brown and then Linus at summer camp) won't have a lasting impact, but upon his return from camp he regales a friend of his with tales of the strange kids he met, and she has to go check them out for herself. Her name... Peppermint Patty! (C: 1-0-0) NOTE: Available only in the United States, Canada, and U.S. Territories. HC, 8.5x7, 344pgs, B&W SRP: $28.95
TALES FROM THE CRYPT VOL 1 GHOULS GONE WILD GN
by Petrucha, McGregor, Exes, Murase, & Various Over fifty years have passed since the last issue of the comic that inspired a hit HBO TV series was published, and Papercutz is proud to revive this frightful franchise filled with thrills, chills all laced with dark humor! It just goes to show you can't keep an old Ghoul down! Each issue will feature four new tales of undead lunacy, written and drawn by today's best comic book and graphic novel creators, and introduced by the original pun-spouting Crypt Keeper himself. Includes stories not seen in the comic books! Also available is the collector's edition hardcover! SOFTCOVER - SC, 5x7, 112pgs, FC SRP: $7.95
MISS FURY TP
by Tarpe Mills Tarpe Mill's fabulous costumed female hero is seen once again for the first time in almost a decade. This volume features 160 pages reprinted from the rare and expensive Timely comics using the Theakstonizing process for sharp reproduction. This volume also features a foreword by noted comics historian, Trina Robbins. (C: 0-1-2) RES. from Previews Vol. XVI #11 (NOV063822) SC, 160pgs, B&W SRP: $25.00
ALTER EGO
This issue of Alter Ego spotlights the great Canadian comic books and features a fabulous cover by George Freeman, from a layout by Jack Kirby! Inside is the milestone 1970s book by Michael Hirsh & Patrick Loubert on Canada's 1940s Golden Age - back in print after three decades, with rare art of such heroes as Mr. Monster, Nelvana of the Northern Lights, The Penguin, Thunderfist, The Dreamer, The Brain, Johnny Canuck, and more! Plus: Jim Amash interviews Al Schutzer, Golden Age writer of Superman, John Wayne, Hopalong Cassidy, Straight Arrow, and others - lavishly illustrated by Bob Powell, Fred Meagher, the Joe Shuster Studio, and more; brand new Invaders drawings by John Byrne, Mike Grell, Ernie Chan, Ron Lim, Chris Ivy, Benito Gallego, and others; and there's FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America) with Marc Swayze, C.C. Beck, Michael T. Gilbert, Mr. Monster, and so much more! Edited by Roy Thomas. (Twomorrows Publishing) Magazine, 100pgs, B&W SRP: $6.95
DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 9
The pulps' legendary superman battles evil in two exciting adventures by Lester Dent writing as Kenneth Robeson. In "The Majii" (1935), a living dead man lures Doc Savage into an Aladdin's cavern of horror. Then, "The Golden Man" tests the scientific wizardry of the Man of Bronze, exposing deep secrets of Doc Savage's strange origins. These classic pulp thrillers are reproduced with the original color pulp covers by Walter Baumhofer and Emery Clarke, interior illustrations by Paul Orban and historical articles by pulp historian Will Murray. (Sanctum Productions) (C: 0-1-2) SC, 7x10, B&W SRP: $12.95
JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR #49
Strap on your armor for this issue of The Jack Kirby Collector, which spotlights some of Kirby's greatest warriors such as Thor, Sgt. Fury, The Challengers of the Unknown, The Losers, and others! Included is a rare Kirby interview (where Jack conveys the real-life horrors he went through on the battlefields of World War II), a new interview with Jerry Ordway, Mark Evanier's regular column, a look at hidden messages in Bill Everett's Thor inks, an interview with Seven Soldiers writer Grant Morrison on his Kirby-inspired work, Kirby pencil art galleries, a complete 1950s Kirby story, an amazing Kirby wraparound Thor cover inked by Jerry Ordway, and more! Edited by John Morrow. (Twomorrows Publishing) (C: 0-1-2) Tabloid, 84pgs, B&W SRP: $9.95
SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 10
"Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow Knows!" The legendary supersleuth returns in two action-packed pulp thrillers by Walter B. Gibson. The Voodoo Master returns from the grave and launches a series of terrorist attacks to enslave in "The City of Doom." Then, the Dark Avenger battles the master of disguise known only as Five Face. Will "The Fifth Face" be the face of death? In a special bonus feature, The Shadow battles a million-year-old Neanderthal in a "lost" radio script by Hugo Award-winning science fiction author, Alfred Bester. This instant collector's item leads off with a classic cover by George Rozen, and also includes all of the original interior art by acclaimed illustrators Tom Lovell and Earl Mayan, plus historical commentary on the origins of super-villains and DC's Vandal Savage by popular culture historians Will Murray and Anthony Tollin. (Sanctum Productions) (C: 0-1-2) SC, 144pgs, B&W SRP: $12.95
SQUA TRONT #12
by Various Squa Tront, the EC magazine, returns with a brand-new 64-page extravaganza! Included are unpublished interviews with Harvey Kurtzman and Jack Kamen. Publisher Lyle Stuart talks about his days as EC's business manager. Writer Larry Siegel reminisces about Harvey Kurtzman, MAD and Humbug. Plus, never-before-seen art by Jack Davis, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kamen, and Wallace Wood! Also, a feature on EC's rarest publication, The Profit! Cover painting by Johnny Craig. SC, 8x11, 64pgs, B&W SRP: $9.95
New and upcoming action figures June 6, 2007
DC Direct New Frontier action figures, see below
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
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
52 Weeks
Animal Man
Batwoman
Booster Gold
Supernova
DC Direct Reactivated Action Figures
--Batman
--Wonder Woman
--Lobo
--Superman
DC 13-inch Figures
Green Lantern
Lex Luthor
Martian Manhunter
Catwoman
Nightwing
Classic Batman
Batgirl gray costume
Batgirl black costume
Elseworlds Action Figures Series 2
--Red Son Batman
--Red Son President Superman
--Kingdom Come Jade
--Kingdom Come Spectre and Norman McKay
--Gotham By Gaslight Batman
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
Silver Surfer
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 2 action figures
--Crash site box set
--Sawyer
--Jin
--Sayid
--Desmond
--Sun
--Mr. Eko
McFarlane Lost series 3 action figures
--Sayid
--Desmond
--Claire
--Ben/Henry
Marvel Figure Factory Sets
--Angel
--Beast
--Black Costume Spider-Man
--Deadpool
--Invisible Woman
--Silver Surfer
Marvel Legends Action Figures
Hasbro Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 2
--Wolverine
--She-Hulk
--Yellow Jacket
--Quick Silver
--Lord Asgard Thor
--Magneto Xorn
--X3 Jean Grey
--First Appearance Storm
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 Icons 12-inch Action Figures
--The Punisher
--Doctor Doom
--The Human Torch
--The Silver Surfer
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 Culture Roundup June 6, 2007
Comics scribe/TV scripter Paul Dini chats with comics artist Adam Hughes.
---------------
A Q&A with "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" scripter Don Payne.
----------------
Comics scripters Gardner Fox and George Gladir have been honored for their contributions to the medium's history. From the press release:
Gardner Fox and George Gladir have been selected to receive the 2007 Bill
Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing. The choice was made
unanimously by a blue-ribbon committee chaired by writer and historian Mark
Evanier.
The Bill Finger Award was instituted in 2005 under the supervision of comic
book legend Jerry Robinson. The awards committee is charged each year with
selecting two recipients, one living and one deceased.
"Each year, we ask ourselves who, among all the fine writers who’ve
contributed to comics has a body of work out there deserving of greater
recognition, " Evanier notes. "Gladir and Fox not only have that but both men
laid down important groundwork on which other writers could and did build .
. Just like Bill Finger did.”
Gardner Fox received a law degree in 1935 but instead opted for comics,
writing his first stories in 1938 for the pre-Batman Detective Comics. He
was also the first writer after Bill Finger to contribute to Batman’s
adventures and was responsible for several components of the character’s
mythology. Perhaps more notably, he created or co-created a bevy of
important characters in comics’ so-called “Golden Age,” including The Flash,
Hawkman, The Sandman, Starman, and Doctor Fate, and he launched what some
call the first-ever superhero team, The Justice Society of America. In the
late fifties and sixties, he worked on the revivals of most of those
features, including the Justice League of America, and also co-created new
characters such as Adam Strange. In his amazing career, he wrote an
estimated 4,000 comic book scripts and also found time to author more than
100 novels, many of them under other names. Fox passed away in 1986.
George Gladir has been a full-time comic book writer since 1959, when he got
his first assignment from Archie Comics. At first he wrote mainly one-page
gags for Archie’s Joke Book, but he quickly went on to write stories for the
many Archie titles, including Archie’s Madhouse, the book in which he
created “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” drawn by the legendary Dan DeCarlo. In
the early 1960s, he simultaneously started writing for Cracked Magazine,
MAD’s most successful competitor. He became Cracked’s head writer, and over
the next 30 years wrote some 2,000 pages for the magazine, many of them
illustrated by Hall of Famer John Severin. In addition to still writing for
Archie, George recently co-created (with Stan Goldberg) Cindy and Her Obasan
a fantasy adventure about an American 10-year-old and her Japanese fairy
godmother.
The Bill Finger Award remembers William Finger (1914-1974), who was the
first and, some say, most important writer of Batman. Many have called him
the "unsung hero" of the character and have hailed his work not only on that
character but on dozens of others, primarily for DC Comics.
In addition to Evanier, this year's blue-ribbon selection committee included
writer/historian Jim Amash, comics and animation writer Paul Dini, writer
Tony Isabella, and writer/editor Marv Wolfman.
The Finger Award falls under the auspices of Comic-Con International: San Diego and is administered by Jackie Estrada. The awards will be presented during the Eisner Awards ceremony at this summer's Comic-Con on Friday, July 27.
----------------
A biopic on EC Comics/Mad magazine publisher William C. Gaines is planned.
"Ghoulishly Yours, William M. Gaines"...will revolve around the banding together of an anti-establishment group of comic book creators, led by a reluctant Gaines, as they produce their controversial yet hugely popular line of comic books like "Crypt," which later led Gaines to face Senate subcommittee hearings over accusations of perpetuating juvenile delinquency.
------------------
Dial B for Burbank spotlights Shadow pulp illustrator Edd Cartier.
-------------------
A series of Marvel Legends action figures from the latest Spider-Man film is planned.
---------------
A Q&A with "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" scripter Don Payne.
----------------
Comics scripters Gardner Fox and George Gladir have been honored for their contributions to the medium's history. From the press release:
Gardner Fox and George Gladir have been selected to receive the 2007 Bill
Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing. The choice was made
unanimously by a blue-ribbon committee chaired by writer and historian Mark
Evanier.
The Bill Finger Award was instituted in 2005 under the supervision of comic
book legend Jerry Robinson. The awards committee is charged each year with
selecting two recipients, one living and one deceased.
"Each year, we ask ourselves who, among all the fine writers who’ve
contributed to comics has a body of work out there deserving of greater
recognition, " Evanier notes. "Gladir and Fox not only have that but both men
laid down important groundwork on which other writers could and did build .
. Just like Bill Finger did.”
Gardner Fox received a law degree in 1935 but instead opted for comics,
writing his first stories in 1938 for the pre-Batman Detective Comics. He
was also the first writer after Bill Finger to contribute to Batman’s
adventures and was responsible for several components of the character’s
mythology. Perhaps more notably, he created or co-created a bevy of
important characters in comics’ so-called “Golden Age,” including The Flash,
Hawkman, The Sandman, Starman, and Doctor Fate, and he launched what some
call the first-ever superhero team, The Justice Society of America. In the
late fifties and sixties, he worked on the revivals of most of those
features, including the Justice League of America, and also co-created new
characters such as Adam Strange. In his amazing career, he wrote an
estimated 4,000 comic book scripts and also found time to author more than
100 novels, many of them under other names. Fox passed away in 1986.
George Gladir has been a full-time comic book writer since 1959, when he got
his first assignment from Archie Comics. At first he wrote mainly one-page
gags for Archie’s Joke Book, but he quickly went on to write stories for the
many Archie titles, including Archie’s Madhouse, the book in which he
created “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” drawn by the legendary Dan DeCarlo. In
the early 1960s, he simultaneously started writing for Cracked Magazine,
MAD’s most successful competitor. He became Cracked’s head writer, and over
the next 30 years wrote some 2,000 pages for the magazine, many of them
illustrated by Hall of Famer John Severin. In addition to still writing for
Archie, George recently co-created (with Stan Goldberg) Cindy and Her Obasan
a fantasy adventure about an American 10-year-old and her Japanese fairy
godmother.
The Bill Finger Award remembers William Finger (1914-1974), who was the
first and, some say, most important writer of Batman. Many have called him
the "unsung hero" of the character and have hailed his work not only on that
character but on dozens of others, primarily for DC Comics.
In addition to Evanier, this year's blue-ribbon selection committee included
writer/historian Jim Amash, comics and animation writer Paul Dini, writer
Tony Isabella, and writer/editor Marv Wolfman.
The Finger Award falls under the auspices of Comic-Con International: San Diego and is administered by Jackie Estrada. The awards will be presented during the Eisner Awards ceremony at this summer's Comic-Con on Friday, July 27.
----------------
A biopic on EC Comics/Mad magazine publisher William C. Gaines is planned.
"Ghoulishly Yours, William M. Gaines"...will revolve around the banding together of an anti-establishment group of comic book creators, led by a reluctant Gaines, as they produce their controversial yet hugely popular line of comic books like "Crypt," which later led Gaines to face Senate subcommittee hearings over accusations of perpetuating juvenile delinquency.
------------------
Dial B for Burbank spotlights Shadow pulp illustrator Edd Cartier.
-------------------
A series of Marvel Legends action figures from the latest Spider-Man film is planned.
Lost season 3 DVD now available for pre-order
You can pre-order the third season of "Lost" on DVD now from Amazon for $38.99.
Not too much info on the seven-disk set, yet, but extras will include:
* Audio commentaries.
* A one-on-one with Matthew Fox.
* A featurette on The Others.
* A documentary chronicling 24 hours in production.
* Never before seen flashbacks.
* Behind the scenes looks at 10 episodes.
* Deleted scenes.
* Bloopers.
Not too much info on the seven-disk set, yet, but extras will include:
* Audio commentaries.
* A one-on-one with Matthew Fox.
* A featurette on The Others.
* A documentary chronicling 24 hours in production.
* Never before seen flashbacks.
* Behind the scenes looks at 10 episodes.
* Deleted scenes.
* Bloopers.
CD: Dusty Springfield The Complete BBC Sessions
This 22-track CD collects all the tracks Dusty recorded especially for BBC radio appearances. It's available for pre-order from Amazon now.
The track list includes:
1. Swahili Papa (Bbc Russ Conway Show 26/7/62)
2. Dear John (Bbc Russ Conway Show 26/7/62)
3. Say I Won't Be There (Bbc Ken Dodd Show 14/7/63)
4. La Bamba Bbc Top Gear 16/7/64
5. Tossin' And Turnin (Bbc Top Gear 16/7/64)
6. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself (Bbc Top Gear 16/7/64)
7. I Can't Hear You (No More) (Bbc Top Gear 10/11/64)
8. Wishin' And Hopin (Bbc Top Gear 10/11/64)
9. Losing You (Bbc Top Gear 10/11/64)
10. I Can't Hear You (No More) (Bbc Saturday Club 5/7/65)
11. In The Middle Of Nowhere (Bbc Saturday Club 5/7/65)
12. Mockingbird (Bbc Saturday Club 5/7/65)
13. Little By Little (Bbc Saturday Club 24/1/66)
14. Uptight (Everything's Alright) (Bbc Saturday Club 24/1/66)
15. Chained To A Memory (Bbc Saturday Club 24/1/66)
16. We're Doing Fine (Bbc Saturday Club 12/4/66)
17. Every Ounce Of Strength (Bbc Saturday Club 12/4/66)
18. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (Bbc Saturday Club 12/4/66)
19. Good Lovin (Bbc Saturday Club 12/4/66)
20. To Love Somebody (Bbc Dlt 5/1/70)
21. Son Of A Preacher Man (Bbc Dlt 5/1/70)
22. (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher & Higher (Bbc Dlt 5/1/70)
The track list includes:
1. Swahili Papa (Bbc Russ Conway Show 26/7/62)
2. Dear John (Bbc Russ Conway Show 26/7/62)
3. Say I Won't Be There (Bbc Ken Dodd Show 14/7/63)
4. La Bamba Bbc Top Gear 16/7/64
5. Tossin' And Turnin (Bbc Top Gear 16/7/64)
6. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself (Bbc Top Gear 16/7/64)
7. I Can't Hear You (No More) (Bbc Top Gear 10/11/64)
8. Wishin' And Hopin (Bbc Top Gear 10/11/64)
9. Losing You (Bbc Top Gear 10/11/64)
10. I Can't Hear You (No More) (Bbc Saturday Club 5/7/65)
11. In The Middle Of Nowhere (Bbc Saturday Club 5/7/65)
12. Mockingbird (Bbc Saturday Club 5/7/65)
13. Little By Little (Bbc Saturday Club 24/1/66)
14. Uptight (Everything's Alright) (Bbc Saturday Club 24/1/66)
15. Chained To A Memory (Bbc Saturday Club 24/1/66)
16. We're Doing Fine (Bbc Saturday Club 12/4/66)
17. Every Ounce Of Strength (Bbc Saturday Club 12/4/66)
18. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (Bbc Saturday Club 12/4/66)
19. Good Lovin (Bbc Saturday Club 12/4/66)
20. To Love Somebody (Bbc Dlt 5/1/70)
21. Son Of A Preacher Man (Bbc Dlt 5/1/70)
22. (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher & Higher (Bbc Dlt 5/1/70)
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