Pop Culture Roundup Oct. 2, 2007
Deal alert: Amazon is offering 50 percent off of its Essential 100 Films on DVD.
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Fans of radio drama may want to check out the Quicksilver Radio Theater's production of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein: Modern Prometheus," which streams online here in two parts Oct. 11 and Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. ET. You'll be able to download podcasts here after Oct. 18.
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British screenwriter Steven Moffat, who's penned four episodes of "Doctor Who," is writing the screenplay for the upcoming Steven Spielberg/Peter Jackson Tintin films.
Kathleen Kennedy is serving as producer on the three feature films, which will be made using performance-capture technology and produced in digital 3-D. Jackson and Spielberg are each directing an installment, with the helmer of the third movie to be determined.
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Director Robert Rodriquez has reportedly cast actress (and his girlfriend) Rose McGowan as Barbarella, in his upcoming adaptation of the French comic/Jane Fonda film.
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Fans of radio drama may want to check out the Quicksilver Radio Theater's production of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein: Modern Prometheus," which streams online here in two parts Oct. 11 and Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. ET. You'll be able to download podcasts here after Oct. 18.
---------------------
British screenwriter Steven Moffat, who's penned four episodes of "Doctor Who," is writing the screenplay for the upcoming Steven Spielberg/Peter Jackson Tintin films.
Kathleen Kennedy is serving as producer on the three feature films, which will be made using performance-capture technology and produced in digital 3-D. Jackson and Spielberg are each directing an installment, with the helmer of the third movie to be determined.
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Director Robert Rodriquez has reportedly cast actress (and his girlfriend) Rose McGowan as Barbarella, in his upcoming adaptation of the French comic/Jane Fonda film.
DVD new release Oct. 2, 2007
DVD new releases Oct. 2, 2007
The Jungle Book (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Platinum Edition)
Entourage - Season 3, Part 2
Criminal Minds - The Second Season
The Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Set 5
How I Met Your Mother - Season Two
Jericho - The First Season
Caligula (Three-Disc Imperial Edition)
The War - A Film By Ken Burns and Lynn Novick
Shark - Season One
Paul Lynde Halloween Special
Bram Stoker's Dracula (Collector's Edition)
The Sarah Silverman Program - Season One
Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story
Stax/Volt Revue Live In Norway 1967
Caligula (The Unrated Edition)
Species IV - The Awakening (Unrated)
Star Trek: The Next Generation - Complete Series
Misery (Collector's Edition)
Funny Face (50th Anniversary Edition)
A Flintstone's Christmas Carol
The Unseen Beatles
Felix the Cat: The Complete 1958-1959 Series
Ramones: It's Alive 1974-1996
David Byrne: Live From Austin Texas
Welcome to Grindhouse: The Beach Girls/Coach
Welcome to Grindhouse: The Hellcats/Chain Gang Women
Christmas Television Favorites
Audrey Hepburn 5-Pack (Funny Face - SCE, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Roman Holiday, Sabrina - 1954, Paris When it Sizzles)
Grindhouse Double Feature-Don't Open the Door/Don't Look in the Basement
More upcoming DVDs
The Jungle Book (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Platinum Edition)
Entourage - Season 3, Part 2
Criminal Minds - The Second Season
The Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Set 5
How I Met Your Mother - Season Two
Jericho - The First Season
Caligula (Three-Disc Imperial Edition)
The War - A Film By Ken Burns and Lynn Novick
Shark - Season One
Paul Lynde Halloween Special
Bram Stoker's Dracula (Collector's Edition)
The Sarah Silverman Program - Season One
Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story
Stax/Volt Revue Live In Norway 1967
Caligula (The Unrated Edition)
Species IV - The Awakening (Unrated)
Star Trek: The Next Generation - Complete Series
Misery (Collector's Edition)
Funny Face (50th Anniversary Edition)
A Flintstone's Christmas Carol
The Unseen Beatles
Felix the Cat: The Complete 1958-1959 Series
Ramones: It's Alive 1974-1996
David Byrne: Live From Austin Texas
Welcome to Grindhouse: The Beach Girls/Coach
Welcome to Grindhouse: The Hellcats/Chain Gang Women
Christmas Television Favorites
Audrey Hepburn 5-Pack (Funny Face - SCE, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Roman Holiday, Sabrina - 1954, Paris When it Sizzles)
Grindhouse Double Feature-Don't Open the Door/Don't Look in the Basement
More upcoming DVDs
CD new releases Oct. 2, 2007
CD new releases Oct. 2, 2007
Revival ~ John Fogerty
Magic by Bruce Springsteen
Very Best of Mick Jagger by Mick Jagger
Mantaray by Siouxsie
Lady's Bridge by Richard Hawley
Dylan by Bob Dylan
That's Swift: From the Norman Petty Vault by Various Artists
Collector's Box 4: 1981-1982 by King Crimson
Broadsides: Songs and Ballads by Pete Seeger
Che Guevara Speaks by Che Guevara
More upcoming CDs
Revival ~ John Fogerty
Magic by Bruce Springsteen
Very Best of Mick Jagger by Mick Jagger
Mantaray by Siouxsie
Lady's Bridge by Richard Hawley
Dylan by Bob Dylan
That's Swift: From the Norman Petty Vault by Various Artists
Collector's Box 4: 1981-1982 by King Crimson
Broadsides: Songs and Ballads by Pete Seeger
Che Guevara Speaks by Che Guevara
More upcoming CDs
DC Showcase action figures unveiled
Here are the first four entries in DC Direct's new line of "Showcase Presents" action figures, which are modeled after classic comic artist's renditions of the characters. They'll be out sometime next year.
Note that no artist is specified for Jonah Hex. Also, the Carmine Infantino Batgirl doesn't seem to look much different from the Silver Age Batgirl figure that DC Direct released a few years back. The Curt Swan Superman looks pretty good, though, as well as the Kubert Hawkman. I look forward to seeing more of these.
Carmine Infantino Batgirl
Curt Swan Superman
Joe Kubert Hawkman (will come with a winged helmet head, as well)
Jonah Hex
Note that no artist is specified for Jonah Hex. Also, the Carmine Infantino Batgirl doesn't seem to look much different from the Silver Age Batgirl figure that DC Direct released a few years back. The Curt Swan Superman looks pretty good, though, as well as the Kubert Hawkman. I look forward to seeing more of these.
Carmine Infantino Batgirl
Curt Swan Superman
Joe Kubert Hawkman (will come with a winged helmet head, as well)
Jonah Hex
Upcoming comics and pop culture books
Here's some upcoming titles of interest to This is Pop Culture! fans. Click the links to pre-order any of them from Amazon.
The Complete Terry And The Pirates Volume 2: 1937-1938
Pat Ryan goes on trial for his life, Terry Lee needs all his resourcefulness to escape the twin menaces of Klang the Warlord and the master schemer, Hunter Yurk, while for the first and only time, Burma and the Dragon Lady share an adventure. IDW Publishing proudly presents The Library of American Comics reprinting of the greatest adventure strip of all time, Terry and the Pirates. This volume features more than 725 comic strips, including full-color Sundays that highlight the breathtaking work of Milton Caniff, The Rembrandt of the Comics. The second in a six-volume series edited by Dean Mullaney.
The Complete Terry And The Pirates Volume 3: 1939-1940
April Kane has come to China and Terry Lee's life will never be the same! Milton Caniff's newspaper classic shifts into high gear with stories featuring the villainous Sanjak, the outrageous Singh-Singh, and the mysterious Hu Shee. This volume features the first appearance of pivotal character Raven Sherman. Containing over 100 lovingly-restored color Sunday pages and more than 700 total comic strips.
Students for a Democratic Society: A Graphic History
By Harvey Pekar, Gary Dumm and Paul Buhle
In 1962 at a United Auto Workers’ camp in Michigan, Students for a Democratic Society held its historic convention and prepared the famous Port Huron Statement, drafted by Tom Hayden. This statement, criticizing the U.S. government’s failure to pursue international peace or address domestic inequality, became the organization’s manifesto. Its last convention was held in 1969 in Chicago, where, collapsing under the weight of its notoriety and popularity, it shattered into myriad factions. Through brilliant art and they were-there dialogue, famed graphic novelist Harvey Pekar, gifted artist Gary Dumm, and renowned historian Paul Buhle illustrate the tumultuous decade that first defined and then was defined by the men and women who gathered under the SDS banner. Students for a Democratic Society: A Graphic History captures the idealism and activism that drove a generation of young Americans to believe that even one person’s actions can help transform the world.
Dark Horse Presents: The Savage Sword of Conan
In the mid 1970s following the colossal success of Conan the Barbarian, Roy Thomas helped expand the universe of Conan to showcase further stories and the talents of some of the comics industry's best with the equally popular Savage Sword of Conan magazine. Now, for the first time in over thirty years, these primal tales, featuring Robert E. Howard's most popular character, are available in this, the first in a series of massive trade paperbacks, collecting all Savage Sword Conan stories beginning with issue one. Included in this volume are tales by Roy Thomas, featuring the breathtaking art of such legends as Barry Windsor-Smith, John Buscema, Alfredo Alcala, Jim Starlin, Al Milgrom, Pablo Marcos, Walter Simonson and more. But that's not all. Also included in this tome are Conan's few appearances in the title Savage Tales - for the complete Conan collection! 542 pages.
Kirby Five-Oh!: Celebrating 50 Years Of The "King" Of Comics
The publication that started the TwoMorrows juggernaut presents Kirby Five-Oh!, a special look at the best of everything from Jack Kirby's 50-year career in comics! The regular columnists from The Jack Kirby Collector magazine have formed a distinguished panel of experts to choose and examine: The best Kirby story published each year from 1938-1987! The best covers from each decade! Jack's 50 best unused pieces of art! His 50 best character designs! And profiles of, and commentary by, the 50 people most influenced by Kirby's work! Plus there's a 50-page gallery of Kirby's powerful raw pencil art, and a deluxe color section of photos and finished art from throughout his entire half-century oeuvre.
Superman vs. Hollywood: How Fiendish Producers, Devious Directors, and Warring Writers Grounded an American Icon
by Jake Rossen
Tinseltown's fascination with the comic icon is detailed in this book, encompassing all the behind-the-scenes machinations that helped shape Superman into a screen legend—and all the derailed projects that have vilified everyone involved. These newly uncovered stories about the odyssey of bringing the Man of Steel to the big screen include the challenge of making Superman appear to fly, and the many casting processes, which at various points had Superman being played by the likes of Bruce Jenner, Robert Redford, Sylvester Stallone, Neil Diamond, Nicolas Cage, Justin Timberlake, Keanu Reeves, and even Muhammad Ali. Based on extensive interviews with producers, screenwriters, cast members, and crew, this exposé spills the beans on all the various TV shows, from the classic The Adventures of Superman to the current hit Smallville; the various animated efforts on both the large and small screens; and the movies—from 1979's smash hit Superman: The Movie to 2006’s wildly expensive Superman Returns. Also included are the stories about the Superman movies that never made it to the screen, helmed by maverick directors Kevin Smith and Tim Burton, and featuring expenditures on scripts and sets that are even more eye-popping than the films’ special effects.
Radio Sound Effects: Who Did It and How, in the Era of Live Broadcasting
by Robert L. Mott
"a delightful mixture of amusing anecdotes with serious documentation of a little-known, but vital, aspect of early radio history...a highly readable history of the entire medium of radio"
CREEM: America's Only Rock 'N' Roll Magazine
With raw photographs of rock's greatest stars and insightful prose by the legendary rock journalists who were stars in their own right, CREEM magazine stood at the forefront of youth counterculture from 1969 to 1988 as "America's Only Rock 'n' Roll Magazine." A product of Detroit's revolutionary counterculture, CREEM cultivated an incredibly gifted staff of iconoclastic scribes, editors, photographers, and graphic artists whose work continues to resonate today, including: Lester Bangs, Dave Marsh, Richard Meltzer, Nick Tosches, and a not-so-famous Cameron Crowe. They invented a raucous new form of journalism, where the writing and photographs were as much an expression of rock 'n' roll as the music itself. CREEM embraced and abused the best and the worst of the era: MC5, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, the Faces, Lou Reed, the Stooges, T.Rex, Kiss, Mott the Hoople, the Who, the New York Dolls, Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Aerosmith, the Ramones, Cheap Trick, the Clash, and Van Halen, among many others.
Now the Mouth of the Motor City presents a retrospective of the beautiful haze that was rock's golden age—from the end of the hippie days through glam and punk and into '80s metal. Featuring the best of the magazine's vast archives of photos, illustrations, and articles, CREEM is the authentic rock 'n' roll experience—written for fanatics by fanatics.
The Complete Terry And The Pirates Volume 2: 1937-1938
Pat Ryan goes on trial for his life, Terry Lee needs all his resourcefulness to escape the twin menaces of Klang the Warlord and the master schemer, Hunter Yurk, while for the first and only time, Burma and the Dragon Lady share an adventure. IDW Publishing proudly presents The Library of American Comics reprinting of the greatest adventure strip of all time, Terry and the Pirates. This volume features more than 725 comic strips, including full-color Sundays that highlight the breathtaking work of Milton Caniff, The Rembrandt of the Comics. The second in a six-volume series edited by Dean Mullaney.
The Complete Terry And The Pirates Volume 3: 1939-1940
April Kane has come to China and Terry Lee's life will never be the same! Milton Caniff's newspaper classic shifts into high gear with stories featuring the villainous Sanjak, the outrageous Singh-Singh, and the mysterious Hu Shee. This volume features the first appearance of pivotal character Raven Sherman. Containing over 100 lovingly-restored color Sunday pages and more than 700 total comic strips.
Students for a Democratic Society: A Graphic History
By Harvey Pekar, Gary Dumm and Paul Buhle
In 1962 at a United Auto Workers’ camp in Michigan, Students for a Democratic Society held its historic convention and prepared the famous Port Huron Statement, drafted by Tom Hayden. This statement, criticizing the U.S. government’s failure to pursue international peace or address domestic inequality, became the organization’s manifesto. Its last convention was held in 1969 in Chicago, where, collapsing under the weight of its notoriety and popularity, it shattered into myriad factions. Through brilliant art and they were-there dialogue, famed graphic novelist Harvey Pekar, gifted artist Gary Dumm, and renowned historian Paul Buhle illustrate the tumultuous decade that first defined and then was defined by the men and women who gathered under the SDS banner. Students for a Democratic Society: A Graphic History captures the idealism and activism that drove a generation of young Americans to believe that even one person’s actions can help transform the world.
Dark Horse Presents: The Savage Sword of Conan
In the mid 1970s following the colossal success of Conan the Barbarian, Roy Thomas helped expand the universe of Conan to showcase further stories and the talents of some of the comics industry's best with the equally popular Savage Sword of Conan magazine. Now, for the first time in over thirty years, these primal tales, featuring Robert E. Howard's most popular character, are available in this, the first in a series of massive trade paperbacks, collecting all Savage Sword Conan stories beginning with issue one. Included in this volume are tales by Roy Thomas, featuring the breathtaking art of such legends as Barry Windsor-Smith, John Buscema, Alfredo Alcala, Jim Starlin, Al Milgrom, Pablo Marcos, Walter Simonson and more. But that's not all. Also included in this tome are Conan's few appearances in the title Savage Tales - for the complete Conan collection! 542 pages.
Kirby Five-Oh!: Celebrating 50 Years Of The "King" Of Comics
The publication that started the TwoMorrows juggernaut presents Kirby Five-Oh!, a special look at the best of everything from Jack Kirby's 50-year career in comics! The regular columnists from The Jack Kirby Collector magazine have formed a distinguished panel of experts to choose and examine: The best Kirby story published each year from 1938-1987! The best covers from each decade! Jack's 50 best unused pieces of art! His 50 best character designs! And profiles of, and commentary by, the 50 people most influenced by Kirby's work! Plus there's a 50-page gallery of Kirby's powerful raw pencil art, and a deluxe color section of photos and finished art from throughout his entire half-century oeuvre.
Superman vs. Hollywood: How Fiendish Producers, Devious Directors, and Warring Writers Grounded an American Icon
by Jake Rossen
Tinseltown's fascination with the comic icon is detailed in this book, encompassing all the behind-the-scenes machinations that helped shape Superman into a screen legend—and all the derailed projects that have vilified everyone involved. These newly uncovered stories about the odyssey of bringing the Man of Steel to the big screen include the challenge of making Superman appear to fly, and the many casting processes, which at various points had Superman being played by the likes of Bruce Jenner, Robert Redford, Sylvester Stallone, Neil Diamond, Nicolas Cage, Justin Timberlake, Keanu Reeves, and even Muhammad Ali. Based on extensive interviews with producers, screenwriters, cast members, and crew, this exposé spills the beans on all the various TV shows, from the classic The Adventures of Superman to the current hit Smallville; the various animated efforts on both the large and small screens; and the movies—from 1979's smash hit Superman: The Movie to 2006’s wildly expensive Superman Returns. Also included are the stories about the Superman movies that never made it to the screen, helmed by maverick directors Kevin Smith and Tim Burton, and featuring expenditures on scripts and sets that are even more eye-popping than the films’ special effects.
Radio Sound Effects: Who Did It and How, in the Era of Live Broadcasting
by Robert L. Mott
"a delightful mixture of amusing anecdotes with serious documentation of a little-known, but vital, aspect of early radio history...a highly readable history of the entire medium of radio"
CREEM: America's Only Rock 'N' Roll Magazine
With raw photographs of rock's greatest stars and insightful prose by the legendary rock journalists who were stars in their own right, CREEM magazine stood at the forefront of youth counterculture from 1969 to 1988 as "America's Only Rock 'n' Roll Magazine." A product of Detroit's revolutionary counterculture, CREEM cultivated an incredibly gifted staff of iconoclastic scribes, editors, photographers, and graphic artists whose work continues to resonate today, including: Lester Bangs, Dave Marsh, Richard Meltzer, Nick Tosches, and a not-so-famous Cameron Crowe. They invented a raucous new form of journalism, where the writing and photographs were as much an expression of rock 'n' roll as the music itself. CREEM embraced and abused the best and the worst of the era: MC5, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, the Faces, Lou Reed, the Stooges, T.Rex, Kiss, Mott the Hoople, the Who, the New York Dolls, Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Aerosmith, the Ramones, Cheap Trick, the Clash, and Van Halen, among many others.
Now the Mouth of the Motor City presents a retrospective of the beautiful haze that was rock's golden age—from the end of the hippie days through glam and punk and into '80s metal. Featuring the best of the magazine's vast archives of photos, illustrations, and articles, CREEM is the authentic rock 'n' roll experience—written for fanatics by fanatics.
Pop Culture Roundup Oct. 1, 2007
Want the new Radiohead album? What's it worth to you?
In Rainbows will be released as a digital download available only via the band's web site, Radiohead.com. There's no label or distribution partner to cut into the band's profits — but then there may not be any profits. Drop In Rainbows' 15 songs into the on-line checkout basket and a question mark pops up where the price would normally be. Click it, and the prompt "It's Up To You" appears. Click again and it refreshes with the words "It's Really Up To You" — and really, it is. It's the first major album whose price is determined by what individual consumers want to pay for it. And it's perfectly acceptable to pay nothing at all.
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Lois Maxwell, the original Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond films, has died at age 80.
In the late 1940s, she moved to Hollywood and won a Golden Globe for her part in a Shirley Temple comedy, “That Hagen Girl.” After returning to Britain in the mid-1950s, she acted opposite Sean Connery in the first James Bond movie, “Dr. No,” in 1962 as the secretary to M, the head of the secret service. She was 58 when she appeared in her final Bond film, “A View to a Kill” (1985).
Best James Bond Sites.
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Cool! Dalek cufflinks! (Via Boingboing)
Best Doctor Who Sites.
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Check out some awesome screen shots from the 1966 Batman film.
Best Batman Sites.
----------------------------
Must...resist...reading..."Lost" spoilers!
Best Lost Sites.
-----------------------------
See photos from tonight's episode of "Heroes."
Best Heroes Sites.
In Rainbows will be released as a digital download available only via the band's web site, Radiohead.com. There's no label or distribution partner to cut into the band's profits — but then there may not be any profits. Drop In Rainbows' 15 songs into the on-line checkout basket and a question mark pops up where the price would normally be. Click it, and the prompt "It's Up To You" appears. Click again and it refreshes with the words "It's Really Up To You" — and really, it is. It's the first major album whose price is determined by what individual consumers want to pay for it. And it's perfectly acceptable to pay nothing at all.
--------------------------
Lois Maxwell, the original Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond films, has died at age 80.
In the late 1940s, she moved to Hollywood and won a Golden Globe for her part in a Shirley Temple comedy, “That Hagen Girl.” After returning to Britain in the mid-1950s, she acted opposite Sean Connery in the first James Bond movie, “Dr. No,” in 1962 as the secretary to M, the head of the secret service. She was 58 when she appeared in her final Bond film, “A View to a Kill” (1985).
Best James Bond Sites.
---------------------------
Cool! Dalek cufflinks! (Via Boingboing)
Best Doctor Who Sites.
----------------------------
Check out some awesome screen shots from the 1966 Batman film.
Best Batman Sites.
----------------------------
Must...resist...reading..."Lost" spoilers!
Best Lost Sites.
-----------------------------
See photos from tonight's episode of "Heroes."
Best Heroes Sites.
DC Direct December 2007 solicitations
NEW TEEN TITANS: SERIES 2 ACTION FIGURES
Advance-solicited; On sale May 21, 2008 Action Figures
--DEATHSTROKE 6.75”
--TERRA 5.75”
--ROBIN 6.125”
--JERICHO 6.25”
SMALLVILLE: Series 2 ACTION FIGURES
Advance-solicited; on sale May 7, 2008
--IMPULSE 6.625”
--GREEN ARROW 6.75”
--CLARK KENT 6.75”
--AQUAMAN 6.75”
--CYBORG 6.625”
Bizarro 13” Deluxe Collector Figure
BIZARRO is the newest addition to DC Direct’s line of realistically proportioned, super-heroic 1:6 scale figures! This deluxe collector figure comes clothed in an intricate and authentically detailed fabric costume, dons a “Bizarro #1” medallion, has an extra set of hands, and includes a display stand. Includes a display stand and is packaged in a deluxe 4-color window box with a fifth panel.
Advance-solicited; on sale May 28, 2008 Collector figure $69.99 US
BATMAN VS. THE JOKER STATUE
Sculpted by Jonathan Matthews
FIRST IN A SERIES OF STATUES FEATURING BATTLES BETWEEN NOTORIOUS NEMESES! (actually, I think this is the 2nd. GL vs Sinestro was first!)
Featuring work by some of DC Direct’s premiere sculptors, this new line of statues featuring classic confrontations begins with a battle between notorious enemies Batman and The Joker.
BATMAN VS. THE JOKER is a limited-edition, hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain statue measuring approximately 14" tall x 7" wide x 8" deep. It includes a Certificate of Authenticity and is packaged in a 4-color box. This limited edition statue is manufactured to order.
Advance-solicited; on sale May 14, 2008 Statue $195.00 US
WOMEN OF THE DC UNIVERSE SERIES 2: Batwoman BUST
Designed by Terry Dodson
Sculpted by Jim Maddox
The popular WOMEN OF THE DC UNIVERSE line of cold-cast porcelain busts continues with the addition of Terry Dodson’s Batwoman bust! This crime-fighting partner of Batman appears here standing atop a gargoyle base and ready to throw the batarang clutched in her fist. This Batwoman Bust measures approximately 5.5” tall x 3.5” wide x 2.5” deep and is packaged in a 4-color box.
Advance-solicited
On sale May 7, 2008 Bust $55.00 US
See a Complete List of DC Direct Action Figures.
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