Coming Up: 'Cliffhanger! Cinematic Superheroes of the Serials: 1941–1952" Book from TwoMorrows
Out soon. Order from TwoMorrows Publishing.
Details:
Hold on tight as historian Christopher Irving explores the origins of the first on-screen superheroes and the comic creators and film-makers who brought them to life. Cliffhanger! touches on the early days of the film serial, to its explosion as a juvenile medium of the 1930s and ‘40s. See how the creation of characters like Superman, Captain America, Spy Smasher, and Captain Marvel dovetailed with the early film adaptations. Along the way, you’ll meet the stuntmen, directors (Spencer Bennett, William Witney, producer Sam Katzman), comic book creators (Siegel & Shuster, Simon & Kirby, Bob Kane, C.C. Beck, Frank Frazetta, Will Eisner), and actors (Buster Crabbe, George Reeves, Lorna Gray, Kane Richmond, Kirk Alyn, Dave O’Brien) who brought them to the silver screen—and how that resonates with today’s cinematic superhero universe.
New Comics Collected Editions: Captain Mar-Vell Omnibus! Spider-Man Script to Page! Silver Surfer: Return of Thanos! More!
Our picks this week. Click the links to order from Amazon.
Branded a traitor for defending the people of Earth, the space-born Kree hero Captain Mar-Vell uses his cosmic powers as our planet’s protector. And the good Captain’s legacy is strong: From his early adventures drawn by Gene Colan to his reinvention by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane to his iconic cosmic awakening under Jim Starlin, each story is presented in oversized glory in this massive Omnibus volume. Also featuring the first appearance of Carol Danvers, Rick Jones bonding with Cap by way of the cosmic Nega-Bands, war with the vicious Col. Yon-Rogg, battles with the Black Widow, Captain America and Hulk, and last, but not least, the first appearance of Thanos!
COLLECTING: Marvel Super-Heroes (1967) 12-13, Captain Marvel (1968) 1-33, Iron Man (1968) 55, material from Not Brand Echh (1967) 9
The Marvel Script To Page series is an official behind-the-scenes look at the craft of writing comic books, featuring exclusive scripts and commentary from top Marvel creators and editors.
It’s been 60 years since the spectacular Spider-Man first swung into action, and the web-slinging superhero is now a household name. Meet Peter Parker, Miles Morales, Doctor Octopus and many, many more iconic characters in selected scripts from a range of contemporary comics creators, with exclusive editorial commentary.
Kree-Skrull War II! The Silver Surfer has been manipulated into joining the conflict between the Kree and the Skrulls, and now his homeworld Zenn-La has become a target! What sacrifice must Norrin Radd make to protect his people? As the war becomes ever more complex, Shalla-Bal learns that one side has a traitor in their midst! Both empires are being manipulated by outside forces, but can the Surfer discover the truth before the bloodshed gets any worse? Then, to correct what she sees as “the great imbalance,” Death has resurrected Thanos of Titan — and he means to kill half of all living beings in the universe! Can the Surfer dissuade Thanos from this grim task, or will Drax the Destroyer and the Impossible Man get in the way?
COLLECTING: Vol. 5: Silver Surfer (1987) 24-38, Silver Surfer: The Enslavers (1990)
The most visually opulent comic strip in the history of the medium celebrates its 50th anniversary with the marriage of Prince Valiant's son. Val goes in search of a northern spice route, which leads him into adventures among the Balts, the Greeks, the Lapps, and the Chinese. A Trojan Horse deception in reverse nearly wipes out Val's expedition, and a dreamlike encounter north of Cathay involves Yeti and other strange creatures. Back in Britain, Arn's bride strikes a blow against chauvinism and liberates the women of the village of Orr to exercise their true potential. Full-color illustrations throughout.
New on Video: 'The Lady from Shanghai' Special Edition
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Order now from Amazon.
Details:
Baffling murders, fascinating plot twists and remarkable camera work all contribute to this spellbinding, time-honored film noir written, directed by and starring Orson Welles (Citizen Kane, Touch of Evil). Hired to work on a yacht belonging to the disabled husband of femme fatale Rita Hayworth (Gilda, Separate Tables), Welles plays an innocent man drawn into a dangerous web of intrigue and murder. The subject of great controversy and scandal upon its initial release, The Lady from Shanghai shocked 1948 audiences by presenting Hayworth with her flaming red hair cut short and dyed champagne blonde. Decades later, The Lady from Shanghai is considered vintage Welles, his famous hall of mirrors climax hailed as one of the greatest scenes in cinematic history.
Special Features:
- -NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Imogen Sara Smith
- -NEW Audio Commentary by Novelist and Critic Tim Lucas
- -Audio commentary by Filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich
- -A Conversation with Peter Bogdanovich: 2000 Interview (20:52)
- -Three Comments by Film Noir Historian Eddie Muller (20:14)
- -Theatrical Trailer
- -Optional English Subtitles
Pop Culture Roundup: DC Screen Projects Announced, Doctor Who Spinoffs Planned, Farewell Cindy Williams and Lisa Loring
ITEM! DC Comics has announced a slate of 10 upcoming live-action and animated projects for TV and movie theaters.
ITEM! "Doctor Who" show runner Russell T. Davies is back and has spinoff plans.
Sad News:
"Laverne and Shirley" actress Cindy Williams is dead at age 57.
Original Wednesday Addams actress Lisa Loring is dead at age 64.
New on Video: 'The Italian Job' 4K UHD
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Order now from Amazon.
Details:
Join the effortlessly cool Michael Caine (The Ipcress File, Gambit) for the ultimate British caper movie packed with fast cars, beautiful girls and swinging ’60s action. Forget about the straight and narrow. Clever con Charlie Croker (Caine) intends to go straight to the bank. Fresh from the slammer, he begins work on a heist that will either set him up for life—or send him up forever. Croker and his unruly lot of thieves take on the mob, the police and the gridlocked traffic of Turin to rob a heavily armed shipment of gold bullion in The Italian Job. Entertainment legend Noël Coward co-stars in this open-throttle corker as criminal mastermind Bridger. And Benny Hill, Raf Vallone, Tony Beckley, Rossano Brazzi and Maggie Blye add to the story’s fun and suspense as it zips from plan to robbery to escape to an ending that’s a cliffhanger in every sense of the word. Hold on tight for this crime-comedy classic written by Troy Kennedy Martin (Kelly’s Heroes), directed by Peter Collinson (The Earthling), lensed by Douglas Slocombe (Raiders of the Lost Ark) and scored by Quincy Jones (In the Heat of the Night).
Special Features:
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
- New HDR/Dolby Vision Master by Paramount Pictures – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
- Audio Commentary by Screenwriter Troy Kennedy Martin and Matthew Field, the Author of The Making of THE ITALIAN JOB
- Audio Commentary by Producer Michael Deeley and Matthew Field, the Author of Michael Caine: You’re a Big Man
- 5.1 Surround & Lossless Restored 2.0 Mono Audio
- Triple-Layered UHD100 Disc
- Optional English Subtitles
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
- New HD Master by Paramount Pictures – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
- Audio Commentary by Screenwriter Troy Kennedy Martin and Matthew Field, the Author of The Making of THE ITALIAN JOB
- Audio Commentary by Producer Michael Deeley and Matthew Field, the Author of Michael Caine: You’re a Big Man
- THE GREAT IDEA: 2002 Documentary
- THE SELF PRESERVATION SOCIETY: 2002 Making-of Documentary
- GETTA BLOOMIN’ MOVE ON: 2002 Documentary
- MINI ADVENTURES: 2009 Featurette
- The Deleted Scenes with Optional Audio Commentary by Matthew Field
- Original Theatrical and Re-Release Trailers
- 5.1 Surround & Lossless Restored 2.0 Mono Audio
- Dual-Layered BD50 Disc
- Optional English Subtitles
Pop Culture Roundup: Superhero Ads! Stones! Tomb Raider!
ITEM! See the Hulk promote breakfast cereal and 12 more fun animated superhero ads.
ITEM! Phoebe Waller-Bridge is writing a Tomb Raider series for Amazon.
ITEM! The Rolling Stones are recording a new LP.
So Long, Tom Verlaine
The great Television singer is dead at age 73.
Like may, I love the band's classic Marquee Moon LP, with its mysterious ambience and intricately woven guitar parts. I'll need to give it a listen today.
Here's an overview from The Guardian:
Verlaine, who was born Thomas Miller in Denville, New Jersey, began studying piano at an early age but switched to the saxophone after hearing a record by Stan Getz.
It was during his adolescence that he was inspired to take up the guitar after hearing the Rolling Stones’ 1966 hit 19th Nervous Breakdown.
He adopted his stage name in a reference to the French symbolist poet Paul Verlaine.
He and his school friend, Richard Hell, who shared a passion for music and poetry, moved to New York City separately and in 1972 they formed the group Neon Boys, which comprised Verlaine on guitar and vocals, Hell on bass and vocals, and Billy Ficca on drums.
The group lasted a short while then in March 1973 they reformed, calling themselves Television, and recruited Richard Lloyd as a second guitarist. Their first gig was in March 1974. In 1975, Hell left the band and they released their first single with Fred Smith replacing Hell.
Verlaine, who was the band’s lead singer and did most of the songwriting, once dated poet and musician Patti Smith when they were part of the emerging New York punk scene, and they would collaborate many times over the years.
Television released two albums, Marquee Moon and Adventure, to great critical acclaim but only modest sales. Marquee Moon is considered one of the defining releases of the punk era.
The band broke up in July 1978 but Verlaine embarked on a solo career in the 1980s and lived in England for a time.
Television reformed in 1992 releasing a self-titled third album and performed live on an irregular basis.
And here's Verlaine fronting the band on "The Old Grey Whistle Test" in 1978:
Hot Trax '73: Bowie! Mott the Hoople! Roberta Flack! More!
New music on the charts 50 years ago this week.
Picture Sleeve Parade
Pop Culture Roundup: Doctor Who! Old Records! Cavalcade of Canceled Comics TV Series! More!
ITEM! Tom Baker and Louise Jameson are reuniting for a special Doctor Who audio adventure for National Women's Day.
ITEM! You can now stream more than 385,000 78 rpm records by Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and more on YouTube.
ITEM! HBO Max has canceled DC Comics shows "Titans" and "Doom Patrol."
ITEM! Neil Young, Snoop Dogg and Beck are all set to play at Willie Nelson's 90th birthday party.
ITEM! A planned Madonna bio-pic isn't planned anymore.
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