Pop links: Vintage Tonight Show; Portman cast in Thor; New comic art books; vintage Broome/Infantino sci fi!
See a 1963 episode of "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson.
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Marvel Studios says Natalie Portman will play Jane Foster in its upcoming Thor film.
Portman will star opposite Chris Hemsworth who will play Thor and Tom Hiddleston who will play the villain Loki. Kenneth Branagh will direct the film.
Principal photography for the film is set for early 2010. The film will be released in the US on May 20, 2011 and distributed by Paramount Pictures.
This epic adventure spans the Marvel Universe; from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
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IDW Publishing plans a series of books written and designed by comics scholar Craig Yoe, including volumes based on cartoonists Steve Ditko and Milt Gross, both set for release this fall.
The Art of Ditko is a large-format book featuring artist Steve Dikto. It will include little-seen stories and original artwork, an introduction by Stan Lee and essays by Jerry Robinson, John Romita and P. Craig Russell.
The Complete Milt Gross Life Story and Comic Books spotlights the ground-breaking Jewish cartoonist. Yoe! Books will reprint every one of his rare comic-book tales, plus offering a career-spanning biography based on interviews with those who knew and worked with him. The book will sport an introduction by Mad magazine's Al Jaffee.
Yoe's most recent book, Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman's Co-Creator Joe Schuster, was released in April.
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Check out some Captain Comic stories by John Broome and Carmine Infantino.
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Marvel Studios says Natalie Portman will play Jane Foster in its upcoming Thor film.
Portman will star opposite Chris Hemsworth who will play Thor and Tom Hiddleston who will play the villain Loki. Kenneth Branagh will direct the film.
Principal photography for the film is set for early 2010. The film will be released in the US on May 20, 2011 and distributed by Paramount Pictures.
This epic adventure spans the Marvel Universe; from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
-----
IDW Publishing plans a series of books written and designed by comics scholar Craig Yoe, including volumes based on cartoonists Steve Ditko and Milt Gross, both set for release this fall.
The Art of Ditko is a large-format book featuring artist Steve Dikto. It will include little-seen stories and original artwork, an introduction by Stan Lee and essays by Jerry Robinson, John Romita and P. Craig Russell.
The Complete Milt Gross Life Story and Comic Books spotlights the ground-breaking Jewish cartoonist. Yoe! Books will reprint every one of his rare comic-book tales, plus offering a career-spanning biography based on interviews with those who knew and worked with him. The book will sport an introduction by Mad magazine's Al Jaffee.
Yoe's most recent book, Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman's Co-Creator Joe Schuster, was released in April.
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Check out some Captain Comic stories by John Broome and Carmine Infantino.
CD new releases: Dead Weather! Potter soundtrack! Neil Young remasters!
New releases of note this week. If any of these items are of interest to you, please consider clicking the titles and ordering them from Amazon, as part of the proceeds help support this site!
Horehound by The Dead Weather
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
After the Gold Rush by Neil Young
Harvest by Neil Young
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Neil Young by Neil Young
Horehound by The Dead Weather
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
After the Gold Rush by Neil Young
Harvest by Neil Young
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Neil Young by Neil Young
DVD new releases July 14, 2009: Mad Men! Bewitched! Cheap Trick! Classic commercials!
New releases of note this week. If any of these items are of interest to you, please consider clicking the titles and ordering them from Amazon, as part of the proceeds help support this site!
Mad Men: Season 2
Bewitched: The Complete Eighth Season
Cheap Trick: Every Trick In The Book
1,001 Classic Commercials Collection
Mad Men: Season 2
Bewitched: The Complete Eighth Season
Cheap Trick: Every Trick In The Book
1,001 Classic Commercials Collection
Pop links: Ryan Reynolds to play Green Lantern; Terry Gilliams talks Kurtzman; Beatles remaster mini-documentaries previewed;
Ryan Reynolds, who played Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, will star as Green Lantern in an upcoming feature film, Variety reports.
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Monty Python's Terry Gilliam talks about his one-time mentor, cartoonist (and Mad Magazine creator) Harvey Kurtzman.
In many ways Harvey was one of the godparents of Monty Python. All the smart people loved Harvey’s work; the dumb people didn’t. It was the same with Python. Still, I remember when he came over here in the late Sixties. Monty Python’s Flying Circus had just started, so I dragged Harvey down to Terry Jones’s house to watch it. Harvey didn’t like it, or understand it. The show didn’t click with him at all. It was one of those wonderfully disappointing moments when you really want to impress your teacher, and phoo! He didn’t get it.
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See a clip from "The Making of Revolver," one of the mini-documentaries that will be included on the upcoming Beatles CD remasters. You also can see a clip from the "Making of Sgt. Pepper" mini doc at Amazon (scroll down a bit, it's on the right-hand side of the page.)
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Monty Python's Terry Gilliam talks about his one-time mentor, cartoonist (and Mad Magazine creator) Harvey Kurtzman.
In many ways Harvey was one of the godparents of Monty Python. All the smart people loved Harvey’s work; the dumb people didn’t. It was the same with Python. Still, I remember when he came over here in the late Sixties. Monty Python’s Flying Circus had just started, so I dragged Harvey down to Terry Jones’s house to watch it. Harvey didn’t like it, or understand it. The show didn’t click with him at all. It was one of those wonderfully disappointing moments when you really want to impress your teacher, and phoo! He didn’t get it.
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See a clip from "The Making of Revolver," one of the mini-documentaries that will be included on the upcoming Beatles CD remasters. You also can see a clip from the "Making of Sgt. Pepper" mini doc at Amazon (scroll down a bit, it's on the right-hand side of the page.)
Superman TV show pics
A random assortment of recently found images. Note: As pointed out by one of our readers, this first one depicts That first pic shows Kirk Alyn as Clark Kent, and is from one of the pre-TV Superman movie serials.
Beatles remastered box sets now on sale at Amazon!
Amazon is now selling the stereo and mono Beatles remasters box sets.
Beatles in Mono limited edition box set
Beatles in Stereo box set
More info on these here.
Beatles in Mono limited edition box set
Beatles in Stereo box set
More info on these here.
Pop links: Owly movie! Basil Wolverton! Marx play sets! Mort Meskin!
An animated short based on cartoonist Andy Runton's delightful Owly stories is set to debut at the San Diego Comicon this month.
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Read a Powerhouse Pepper tale by the great Basil Wolverton.
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Read a couple of Basil Wolverton-illustrated horror tales!
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Plaid Stallions presents a 1975 Marx Play Set catalog.
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Read two issues of The Golden Lad, illustrated by the great Mort Meskin.
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Read a Powerhouse Pepper tale by the great Basil Wolverton.
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Read a couple of Basil Wolverton-illustrated horror tales!
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Plaid Stallions presents a 1975 Marx Play Set catalog.
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Read two issues of The Golden Lad, illustrated by the great Mort Meskin.
New pictures, details on Beatles remasters box sets
UPDATE: These boxes are now on sale at Amazon! Click the links or ads below to pre-order!
Capitol/EMI have released these new photos and details on the upcoming Beatles stereo and mono remastered box sets. The sets, and the individually available stereo albums are all out Sept. 9.
The Beatles (stereo box set)
U.S. MSRP: $259.98. Dimensions: 12"x6"x3".
Remastered albums in stereo -- 14 titles on 16 CDs) and one DVD with all 13 mini-documentaries. Each CD includes a unique album mini-documentary embedded in QuickTime, except "Past Masters, Vols. 1 & 2'".
Description:
* Hard black glossy lift top with magnet clasp
* CDs packaged with replicated original UK album art, including expanded booklets containing original and newly written liner notes and rare photos
* The stereo albums have been remastered by Guy Massey, Steve Rooke, Sam Okell with Paul Hicks and Sean Magee
* Additional historical notes by Kevin Howlett and Mike Heatley
* Additional recording notes by Allan Rouse and Kevin Howlett
Contents:
* "Please Please Me" (CD debut in stereo)
* "With The Beatles" (CD debut in stereo)
* "A Hard Day's Night" (CD debut in stereo)
* "Beatles For Sale" (CD debut in stereo)
* "Help!"
* "Rubber Soul"
* "Revolver"
* "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (also includes 1987 notes, updated, and new intro by Paul McCartney)
* "Magical Mystery Tour"
* "The Beatles" aka "The White Album"
* "Yellow Submarine" (also includes original U.S. liner notes)
* "Abbey Road"
* "Let It Be"
* "Past Masters, Vols. 1 & 2" (contains new liner notes written by Kevin Howlett)
The Beatles In Mono (mono box set - limited edition)
Remastered albums in mono (11 titles on 12 CDs) and an essay written by Kevin Howlett.
U.S. MSRP: $298.98. Dimensions: 5.75"x5.38"x2.63"
Description:
* Hard white glossy slip box
* Limited edition
* CDs in 'mini LP' sleeves (replica artwork, sleeves and gatefolds)
* The mono mixes have been remastered by Paul Hicks, Sean Magee with Guy Massey and Steve Rooke
Contents:
* "Please Please Me"
* "With The Beatles"
* "A Hard Day's Night
* "Beatles For Sale"
* "Help!" (CD also includes original 1965 stereo mix) -- mono mix CD debut
* "Rubber Soul" (CD also include original 1965 stereo mix) -- mono mix CD debut
* "Revolver" -- mono mix CD debut
* "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" -- mono mix CD debut
* "Magical Mystery Tour" -- mono mix CD debut
* "The Beatles" -- mono mix CD debut aka "The White Album"
* "Mono Masters"
Word is, from those who have heard 'em, that these remasters are phenomenally good, allowing us to hear the Fabs as never before, and much better than the CDs released in the late 1980s.
Do you need the mono box? I know I do. Why? Well, up until the late 1960s, mono is how most folks heard the Beatles. And the band itself spent much more time on mono mixes than they did with stereo. I have some mono releases on original vinyl and others via "needle-drop" CDs that have circulated among the Beatles bootleg community. I actually greatly prefer the mono versions of Sgt. Pepper and "The White Album" over the stereo versions. The mixes sound vastly different than those in stereo--if you've listened to the Beatles a lot, you can't help noticing the difference. And, to me, the mono mixes sound warmer, punchier and more direct than those in stereo.
Anyway, start saving your pennies. I know I am.
Capitol/EMI have released these new photos and details on the upcoming Beatles stereo and mono remastered box sets. The sets, and the individually available stereo albums are all out Sept. 9.
The Beatles (stereo box set)
U.S. MSRP: $259.98. Dimensions: 12"x6"x3".
Remastered albums in stereo -- 14 titles on 16 CDs) and one DVD with all 13 mini-documentaries. Each CD includes a unique album mini-documentary embedded in QuickTime, except "Past Masters, Vols. 1 & 2'".
Description:
* Hard black glossy lift top with magnet clasp
* CDs packaged with replicated original UK album art, including expanded booklets containing original and newly written liner notes and rare photos
* The stereo albums have been remastered by Guy Massey, Steve Rooke, Sam Okell with Paul Hicks and Sean Magee
* Additional historical notes by Kevin Howlett and Mike Heatley
* Additional recording notes by Allan Rouse and Kevin Howlett
Contents:
* "Please Please Me" (CD debut in stereo)
* "With The Beatles" (CD debut in stereo)
* "A Hard Day's Night" (CD debut in stereo)
* "Beatles For Sale" (CD debut in stereo)
* "Help!"
* "Rubber Soul"
* "Revolver"
* "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (also includes 1987 notes, updated, and new intro by Paul McCartney)
* "Magical Mystery Tour"
* "The Beatles" aka "The White Album"
* "Yellow Submarine" (also includes original U.S. liner notes)
* "Abbey Road"
* "Let It Be"
* "Past Masters, Vols. 1 & 2" (contains new liner notes written by Kevin Howlett)
The Beatles In Mono (mono box set - limited edition)
Remastered albums in mono (11 titles on 12 CDs) and an essay written by Kevin Howlett.
U.S. MSRP: $298.98. Dimensions: 5.75"x5.38"x2.63"
Description:
* Hard white glossy slip box
* Limited edition
* CDs in 'mini LP' sleeves (replica artwork, sleeves and gatefolds)
* The mono mixes have been remastered by Paul Hicks, Sean Magee with Guy Massey and Steve Rooke
Contents:
* "Please Please Me"
* "With The Beatles"
* "A Hard Day's Night
* "Beatles For Sale"
* "Help!" (CD also includes original 1965 stereo mix) -- mono mix CD debut
* "Rubber Soul" (CD also include original 1965 stereo mix) -- mono mix CD debut
* "Revolver" -- mono mix CD debut
* "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" -- mono mix CD debut
* "Magical Mystery Tour" -- mono mix CD debut
* "The Beatles" -- mono mix CD debut aka "The White Album"
* "Mono Masters"
Word is, from those who have heard 'em, that these remasters are phenomenally good, allowing us to hear the Fabs as never before, and much better than the CDs released in the late 1980s.
Do you need the mono box? I know I do. Why? Well, up until the late 1960s, mono is how most folks heard the Beatles. And the band itself spent much more time on mono mixes than they did with stereo. I have some mono releases on original vinyl and others via "needle-drop" CDs that have circulated among the Beatles bootleg community. I actually greatly prefer the mono versions of Sgt. Pepper and "The White Album" over the stereo versions. The mixes sound vastly different than those in stereo--if you've listened to the Beatles a lot, you can't help noticing the difference. And, to me, the mono mixes sound warmer, punchier and more direct than those in stereo.
Anyway, start saving your pennies. I know I am.
Watch Spidey!
See episode 15 of the animated 1967 Spider-Man series!
Watch episode 19 of the 1970s Japanese Spider-Man live-action show!
Watch episode 19 of the 1970s Japanese Spider-Man live-action show!
Pop links: Jerry Siegel; Superman cameo in Green Lantern film?; Hollies home move movies; Bat Cycle sold!; Hear Jack White's Dead Weather! more!
A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate and re-opening of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel's boyhood home will take place during a Cleveland comic book convention this weekend.
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In other Siegel-related news, attorney Brian Cronin analyzes a recent court decision in the ongoing legal battles between Siegel's heir and DC Comics/Time Warner.
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More Superman: Will the Man of Steel have a cameo in the upcoming Green Lantern movie?
Marc Guggenheim told MTV Splash Page that rumors about the movie would feature a guest spot from Clark Kent to establish a "universe," just like Robert Downey Jr.'s appearance in last year's Hulk movie, could still turn out to be true depending on the editing room:
Honestly, it changes on a daily basis. Whatever information I gave you today would be obsolete in a week, and maybe come back again in two weeks... I will say, all the Easter Eggs and the cameos that I put in, I couldn't even begin to predict at this point which ones will stay and which ones will go. I'll be as interested as anyone else to see what we end up keeping and losing by the time the picture is actually locked… and that's pretty far away from now.
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See home movies made by the Hollies back in their 1960s heyday:
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The original Bat Cycle sold for $29,500 on eBay. Lots more pics of it here.
According to the auction, the bike itself was designed and assembled by Kustomotive for the original 1966 Batman feature film and made subsequent appearances in the television series from the '60s. The seller notes that this Batcycle was based on a 250cc Yamaha Catalina with a custom sidecar featuring a removable go kart for Robin that was powered by its own 50cc engine. While it's clear that the Batcycle wasn't exactly a barnburner, it sure makes up for its lack of power with style.
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The new album by Jack White's Dead Weather is streaming online here.
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Who wouldn't want to be in the Clark Kent Fan Club?
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Read two vintage sci-fi tales illustrated by the great Gil Kane:
The Last Horse on Earth
"Terra" of the Spaceways
-----
In other Siegel-related news, attorney Brian Cronin analyzes a recent court decision in the ongoing legal battles between Siegel's heir and DC Comics/Time Warner.
-----
More Superman: Will the Man of Steel have a cameo in the upcoming Green Lantern movie?
Marc Guggenheim told MTV Splash Page that rumors about the movie would feature a guest spot from Clark Kent to establish a "universe," just like Robert Downey Jr.'s appearance in last year's Hulk movie, could still turn out to be true depending on the editing room:
Honestly, it changes on a daily basis. Whatever information I gave you today would be obsolete in a week, and maybe come back again in two weeks... I will say, all the Easter Eggs and the cameos that I put in, I couldn't even begin to predict at this point which ones will stay and which ones will go. I'll be as interested as anyone else to see what we end up keeping and losing by the time the picture is actually locked… and that's pretty far away from now.
-----
See home movies made by the Hollies back in their 1960s heyday:
------
The original Bat Cycle sold for $29,500 on eBay. Lots more pics of it here.
According to the auction, the bike itself was designed and assembled by Kustomotive for the original 1966 Batman feature film and made subsequent appearances in the television series from the '60s. The seller notes that this Batcycle was based on a 250cc Yamaha Catalina with a custom sidecar featuring a removable go kart for Robin that was powered by its own 50cc engine. While it's clear that the Batcycle wasn't exactly a barnburner, it sure makes up for its lack of power with style.
-----
The new album by Jack White's Dead Weather is streaming online here.
-----
Who wouldn't want to be in the Clark Kent Fan Club?
-----
Read two vintage sci-fi tales illustrated by the great Gil Kane:
The Last Horse on Earth
"Terra" of the Spaceways
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