Category: Comics

Neil Gaiman Gets Into Games in Wayward Manor

Fall is going to be an awesome season for Neil Gaiman fans. He’s returning to Sandman in Sandman: Overture and he has a game coming out. Wayward Manor is a serialized game being developed by Gaiman and The Odd Gentlemen. It will be available for Windows and Mac OS (and possibly more platforms). To fund the game, Gaiman and company have set up a Kickstarter-like page that allows you to pre-order the game and pay additional money for bonuses. The goodies include wallpapers, the soundtrack, an art book, naming a character in the game, and having dinner with Gaiman himself.

I could describe the game, but it’s better you hear it from Gaiman. Check out his description of Wayward Manor below:

While there have been several Kickstarter videogame projects that have failed to acquire funding, many successful ones were headed up by people or companies that are respected and beloved. As an author, Gaiman is both, so it’s a fairly safe bet that his fans will provide the funding that The Odd Gentlemen needs to launch the game.

What do you think of Wayward Manor? Are you excited for it? Will you fund the project? Do you think Gaiman’s reputation in the nerd world will lead to a successful funding campaign? Share your wayward thoughts in the comments section (please!).

Coffee Talk #596: Your Favorite Comic-Con 2013 Happenings

Comic-Con 2013 — or as it’s known in some circles, Nerd Heaven — is over! There were tons and tons of geeky announcements, trailers, and news bits. Some of the highlights include:

  •  Man of Steel 2 being a Superman/Batman movie
  • The Avengers 2 being an Age of Ultron movie
  • A lengthy and awesome Kick-Ass 2 trailer
  •  Lots of information on X-Men: Days of Future Past

    • …more

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, A-Rod’s unfortunate (not really) quadriceps injury, your favorite summer fruit, or slogging your way through mediocre coffee beans, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Comic-Con 2013 — or as it’s known in some circles, Nerd Heaven — is over! There were tons and tons of geeky announcements, trailers, and news bits. Some of the highlights include:

  •  Man of Steel 2 being a Superman/Batman movie
  • The Avengers 2 being an Age of Ultron movie
  • A lengthy and awesome Kick-Ass 2 trailer
  •  Lots of information on X-Men: Days of Future Past
  •  Sweet details on The Amazing Spider-Man 2
  •  More footage from Thor 2
  •  More footage from Captain America 2
  •  The first glimpse of WWE Batista as Drax in the Guardians of the Galaxy movie
  •  The trailer for Cosmos, a new version of the excellent Carl Sagan show hosted by Neil de Grasse Tyson
  •  Updates on A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones season 4

What got your inner nerd fired up at Comic-Con 2013? What got you worried?

As for me, I was totally jazzed by the return of Cosmos and I loved the Kick-Ass 2 clip. I really didn’t like Joss Whedon strongly hinting that Hank Pym will not be part of Ultron’s origin in The Avengers 2. Yeah, there are ways to write around that like altering Ultron’s origin so that it’s an accidental creation by Tony Stark or S.H.I.E.L.D., but as a longtime comic-book nerd, I can’t buy that. The identities of Ultron and Hank Pym are tied together. Yes, I understand that it frees up The Avengers 2 and the upcoming Ant-Man movie, but it just…feels wrong.

Now it’s your turn! Fire away with your Comic-Con 2013 thoughts in the comments section (please!).

Scribblenauts Unmasked With Geoff Johns and Jim Lee

Here’s a Comic-Con 2013 clip of Scribblenauts Unmasked featuring DC Comics chief creative officer Geoff Johns and co-publisher Jim Lee. The two comic-book legends go over the character creation process in the game and spout some dorky (in that awesome nerd way) zingers. In addition to an adventure set in the DC Universe featuring numerous towns and characters from the comic books, the game’s character creation system features thousands of DCU heroes and villains. You can mix and match physical attributes and superpowers from well-known characters and obscure ones. For fanboys, the character creation system is a dream come true.

As a comic-book nerd, fan of the Scribblenauts series, and fan of developer 5th Cell, I’m super (get it?!?) looking forward to Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure. How about you?

Amazing Spider-Man 2 Electro Teaser (Jamie Foxx)

Below is the Comic-Con 2013 teaser trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man 2. You get to see Electro, played by Jamie Foxx, in all of his alternate-current and direct-current glory. Hopefully there will be more Spidey 2 footage unveiled at the show. For now, check out the clip and let me know what you think of the movie version of Electro Continue reading “Amazing Spider-Man 2 Electro Teaser (Jamie Foxx)”

Neil Gaiman Returns With New Sandman Story in October

DC Entertainment is sprucing up its Vertigo line in a big way, which includes Neil Gaiman’s first new Sandman story in more than a decade. The influential and groundbreaking series dazzled readers around the world, but sadly ended in 1996. Sandman: Overture is a six-issue miniseries that kicks off on October 30, 2013 and will be published on a bimonthly basis. Artwork will be done by JH Williams III, known for his striking work on Chase, Promethea, Batwoman, and Detective Comics. Here’s a press release quote with Gaiman’s thoughts on the new book:

This is the one story that we never got to tell. In Sandman #1 Morpheus is captured somehow. Later on in the series, you learn he was returning from somewhere far, far away — but we never got to the story of what he was doing and what had happened. This is our chance to tell that story, and J.H. Williams III is drawing it. It’s the most beautiful thing in the world.

I’m so, so psyched for this book. I loved the Sandman comics. The “Season of Mists” storyline is one of my all-time favorites. Gaiman is one of the most imaginative and captivating comic-book writers in the world and I’m thrilled that he’s coming back for another run with Morpheus. I have high (like Mount Olympus high) hopes for the new book.

How about you? Are excited for Neil Gaiman’s return to Sandman?

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DC Comics Adding Two Interactive Features to Digital Books

DC Comics is adding two features that aim to enhance the digital comic book experience. The features fall under the DC² brand and initially come in two varieties. The first feature is similar to what Marvel uses in its “Infinite” line, while the second adds a Choose Your Own Adventure element. TechCrunch has a bunch of details from DC Comics co-publisher Jim Lee. Here’s the skinny on the interactive features:

There’s DC², which adds dynamic layers to a panel. Readers can swipe through multiple elements (like word balloons) and images within a single panel, giving the writer and artist an opportunity to pack more story and content into a given space and, in Lee’s words, “explore and bend the rules of traditional storytelling.”

And here’s the deal on the Choose Your Own Adventure-style elements:

Then there’s DC² Multiverse, which allows readers to shape the story of the comic. It’s more about exploring the characters and subplots that you’re interested in. For example, Lee said that at one point in the Batman: Arkham Origins comic, Batman and Catwoman are standing back-to-back in a fight, and the reader can choose which character that they want to follow for the next section of the story. At another point, you can choose which weapons you want the heroes to equip themselves with.

I’m curious to check out these new features, but I’m not sure how much I’ll enjoy them. What I love most about digital comics is that I can download them straight away instead of going to a store and I can store thousands of books on my tablets. Marvel Infinite comics were amusing to me — more of a cute diversion than something I’d actively seek out. DC² sounds like an enhanced version of Marvel Infinite, but also something that could be entertaining in the hands of creative writers and artists.

DC² Multiverse sounds like it could be fun too, but the first thing that popped into my head was writers thinking, “Man, what a pain in the ass this is.” Comic book writers are used to writing linear stories. While I’m sure some scribes will enjoy the possibilities that interactivity offers, I’m also sure that some of them will struggle to use the gimmick in an entertaining way.

There’s some neat potential with these interactive features and I’m willing to give them a shot. However, I’m guessing that they won’t be for me — at least initially. As writers and artists wrap their heads around the gimmicks and use them in creative ways, perhaps they’ll hook me in the future.

What do you think of DC Comics’ DC² features? Are you interested in checking them out? Or are they too gimmicky for your tastes?

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Coffee Talk #586: Villains With Villainous Names

[Seinfeld Mode] Did you ever notice that some comic book, movie, and television bad guys have names that make it completely obvious that they’re bad guys? [/Seinfeld Mode] What’s up with that? Are these guys and gals predestined to be evildoers? Or did they legally change their names while sufferings delusions of grandeur (see Hellwig, Jim). Star Wars is especially guilty of this, particularly The Clone Wars cartoons. Look at some of the villains that threatened the universe a long time ago in a galaxy far far away: General Whorm Loathsom, Savage Opress, Moralo Eval, Cad Bane, etc. There might as well be a Star Wars baddie name Evel McEvelson.

One of my favorite villains with a villainous name is…more

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the lead-up to the French Open, the end of the frauds known as the NY Knicks, or Lady Gaga in Machete Kills, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

[Seinfeld Mode] Did you ever notice that some comic book, movie, and television bad guys have names that make it completely obvious that they’re bad guys? [/Seinfeld Mode] What’s up with that? Are these guys and gals predestined to be evildoers? Or did they legally change their names while sufferings delusions of grandeur (see Hellwig, Jim). Star Wars is especially guilty of this, particularly The Clone Wars cartoons. Look at some of the villains that threatened the universe a long time ago in a galaxy far far away: General Whorm Loathsom, Savage Opress, Moralo Eval, Cad Bane, etc. There might as well be a Star Wars baddie name Evel McEvelson.

One of my favorite villains with a villainous name is Thaal Sinestro. Once the greatest Green Lantern in the universe, Sinestro betrayed the Green Lantern Corps, fought them as a rebel, and eventually formed the menacing Sinestro Corps. Did the Guardians of the Universe not see this one coming? Dude’s name is Sinestro! The word “sinister” is part of his frickin’ name. It would be one thing if Connie Congeniality betrayed the Guardians and the Corps, but the guy with sinister in his name? Of course he was going to go turncoat.

Yes, I realize that some of these guys have evil names in order to help younger readers and viewers figure out that they’re evil. But what about the people they fight, backstab, etc.? Shouldn’t they know better? In the immortal words of Chaz Michael Michaels, it’s “mind bottling.”

Anyway, who are some of you favorite villains with villainous names? Kindly leave your choices in the comments section!

Kingdom Come Live-Action Trailer (Fan Film)

Kingdom Come is one of my all-time favorite comic books. Mark Waid wrote a spectacular story that was complemented by Alex Ross’ unforgettable art. Many consider it the pinnacle of both mens’ careers. With all of that in mind, I was curious when a fellow fanboy (thanks Dan!) sent me a link to this Kingdom Come fan film trailer. While some of the costumes aren’t the best, the tone is spot-on and some of the scenes look just like the comic book panels.

Ideally, I would love an animated movie based on Kingdom Come, since Ross’ painted art could mimicked. However, I was impressed with Andrew List’s live-action trailer. Kindly give it a watch and let me know what you think (please!).

Ireland Basinger Baldwin as Wonder Woman?

Casting Wonder Woman has always been tricky. You need a lady that brings beauty and physicality to the table. The easiest solution would be to go back in time and capture a young Lucy Lawless to play Diana Amazon princess. In a recent RPad.TV Google+ chat, RPadholic tokz suggested that Ireland Basinger Baldwin should dye her hair black and play Wonder Woman. At 6’2″, she definitely has presence and a physical trainer could help her get in Amazonian shape (I think she’s pretty perfect IRL, but Wonder Woman should be chiseled). Most people agree that she’s a beautiful girl. If she inherited any acting skills from her parents (Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger), then she’d be great for the role, don’t you agree?

Check out more photos of Ireland Basinger Baldwin below and leave a comment with your thoughts on her portraying Wonder Woman.

Random Thoughts on Iron Man 3

After an action-packed ensemble adventure in The Avengers, Iron Man gets the stage to himself once more in Iron Man 3. The movie is definitely fun, but not as good as the first two Iron Man movies or The Avengers. Director Shane Black adds more humor and snark while retaining the awesome mech-fueled action of his predecessor, Jon Favreau. Unfortunately, his storytelling isn’t as tight and his movie doesn’t have as much heart. Here are some random spoiler-free thoughts on Iron Man 3.

When Did Jon Favreau Get Old?!? — The first thing that caught my attention in Iron Man 3 has nothing to do with the quality of the movie. Seconds after the opening credits, I was shocked to see how old Jon Favreau looks. I knew he was getting larger, but his face was a harsh reminder of my own mortality. He’ll always be that fresh-faced newbie Angeleno in Swingers to me. I can’t believe that movie is as old as McKayla Maroney. Gah.

Jokey Jokesters — My friend Paul and I agreed that this movie had much more humor than its predecessors. The first two had funny moments, but the jokes were interspersed with a little bit of drama and lots of action. The gags in Iron Man 3 are more frequent and felt forced or excessive at times. Especially when…

…Tony Stark is Being a Dick — While Robert Downey, Jr. was expectedly excellent, some of the material he was working with had an unusual tone. The previous movies did a wonderful job of establishing Stark as a narcissistic and womanizing genius that has substance issues and a growing conscience. For some reason, this movie unveiled his dickish side. It lead to some funny exchanges, but seemed out of character. Stark can be stubborn, self righteous, and overzealous — both in the movies and the comics — but there are moments in Iron Man 3 where he’s unusually cruel. Even though Downey delivered the lines with aplomb, the meanness felt out of place.

Mandarin Surprise — When I found out that one of the Iron Man 3’s protagonists was the Mandarin, I was worried. The character works in comics, but is a bit too ridiculous for movies. The movie version of Mandarin was not at all what I was expecting and it totally worked. Keep in mind that I usually hate major deviations from the source material (Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, for example), so I was shocked by how delighted I was with movie Mandarin. Of course it helps that a master thespian like Ben Kingsley completely owned the role.

Executive Mocking Continues — I love how the Iron Man movies poke fun at real-life executives. In Iron Man 2, Sam Rockwell showed qualities of Microsoft Bill Gates and Apple Steve Jobs while playing Justin Hammer. In this film, Guy Pearce takes several cues from Virgin Group Richard Branson. I’m looking forward to Iron Man 4, when Tony Stark will battle a Mark Zuckerberg pastiche, complete with a menacing hoodie powered by Extremis.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Abs — While I vehemently disagree with People Magazine crowning Ms. Paltrow as the most beautiful woman in the world (she wasn’t even the most beautiful woman in Iron Man 2), she’s still a lovely creature that takes exquisite care of her body. Borrowing a page from Padme Amidala’s playbook, Paltrow’s Pepper Potts shows a lot of skin during the movie’s climax. Her stomach looked marvelous and made me dream of what it would be like to eat sushi off of it. It was so yummy that I probably missed some cool tech sequences while I was mesmerized by Gwyneth’s abs.

No Dual Villains — One of the reasons I enjoyed Iron Man 2 so much is that it had separate villains for Iron Man and Tony Stark. I enjoyed that Whiplash menaced the superhero Iron Man, while Justin Hammer threatened businessman and technologist Tony Stark. This is a layered and complex hero, and I loved that the second movie had antagonists for different facets of the character. With that in mind, I was disappointed that the third movie didn’t do the same.

Pacing and Surprise — Iron Man 3 flows at a consistent but predictable pace. The first two movies did a better job of using humor, action, and drama to mix things up. While this movie isn’t paced poorly by any means, it just feels very by-the-numbers. That’s all on Shane Black, who simply isn’t as good at dealing with Iron Man as Jon Favreau was.

Bottom Line — Iron Man 3 is definitely entertaining and enjoyable. It has bigger and better action than the first two movies, but as a whole I don’t think it’s as good. The actors are better than ever in these roles, but the direction and writing have taken a dip. A few of my friends and a few critics have said that Iron Man 3 is the best in the series and the best Marvel movie to date. While I enjoyed it, I completely disagree with that assessment. After seeing Iron Man and Iron Man 2 in theaters, I wanted to see it again. After the Iron Man 3 screening, I’m content to wait for the Blu-ray.