Category: Comics

Rumor: Disney to Buy Hasbro

Since purchasing Lucasfilm wasn’t enough, here’s a rumor that’s both exciting and terrifying: Disney is in talks to buy Hasbro. In addition to being one of the largest toy companies in the world, Hasbro has the rights to Transformers, G.I. Joe, Dungeons and Dragons, Nerf, Magic: The Gathering, and more. Here’s the story from MTV Geek:

We have it on good authority that serious discussions are happening at the highest levels of both Disney and Hasbro to fold the largest toy and game company on the planet into the Mouse.

From what we’re told, these are still just discussions at this point, but serious enough that something could be announced at any time and create ripples throughout the entertainment industry.

While the crossover potential would be amazing, that’s perhaps too much geek power for any one company to have. Imagine a single entity controlling all the beloved characters from Disney movies, Pixar films, Star Wars, Transformers (not the crap movie, but the awesome toys/cartoon), G.I. Joe, Marvel Comics, D&D, and more?!? On one hand, it would be awesome that an entertainment company with a track record of hands-off reverence would be controlling these properties. On the other hand, it’s a bit terrifying that one company would singlehandedly control almost everything most of us loved as a kid.

What do you think of the Disney-buying-Hasbro rumor?

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Bryan Singer to Direct X-Men: Days of Future Past

Marvel has announced that Bryan Singer will direct the upcoming mutant movie X-Men: Days of Future Past. (Presumably) based on one of the most popular storylines from the Chris Claremont era, Days of Future Past is a time-jumping tale that has the X-Men trying to prevent an alternate (and sucky) future where mutants are hunted by the government and placed in internment camps. X-Men fans should be delighted by the return of Singer; many felt that the movies he directed (X-Men and X2) were the best of the bunch. At the time of its release, many critics felt that X-Men was the best superhero movie to date.

The next few years should be busy for Marvel’s mutants. The Wolverine is set for a July 2013 release, while Days of Future Past is slated for July 2014. As a fan of the books, I’m really look forward to Singer’s take on the Claremont classic.

How about you? Are excited about Bryan Singer directing X-Men: Days of Future Past?

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Iron Man 3 Trailer: Tony Stark’s Darkest Hour

The new Iron Man 3 trailer is out and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it! Called “Tony Stark’s Darkest Hour,” this trailer shows off some of the tribulations Tony Stark/Iron Man will be facing in the movie and teases his new villain: The Mandarin. Played by the outstanding Ben Kingsley, The Mandarin is one of Iron Man’s most powerful foes. In addition to his keen intellect and deadly martial arts skills, The Mandarin has ten rings that allow him to do a variety of things: elemental blasts, psionic energy manipulation, gravity control, disintegration beams, etc.

He’s also Chinese…and Ben Kingsley is not. As talented as Kingsley is, it’s weird that a Chinese villain with a Chinese name will be played by a British man of Indian descent. Changing the race of Nick Fury or The Kingpin is one thing, since those characters aren’t tied to specific ethnicities, but this guy’s name is The Mandarin…and it’s because of his Chinese background, not because he hurls tiny oranges at Iron Man.

Anyway, when you have chance, check out the clip and let me know what you think (please!).

Ecko Unlimited Batman Arkham City Threads Available Now!

Ecko Unlimited has unveiled its limited edition Batman Arkham City threads. The crown jewel of the collection is the full-zip Batman hoodie pictured above. In addition to Batman clothes, the line includes t-shirts that feature Joker, Penguin, Catwoman, and Harley Quinn. The t-shirts list for $19.50, while the hoodie runs for $149.50. The shirts are available on Amazon if you’d like to support this site. The thing to do, of course, is to wear the Batman hoodie and randomly spout, “I’m Batman!” in the style of How It Should Have Ended.

Any of you going to pick any Ecko Unlimited Batman threads?

Lady Nightwing is Hot!!!

As many of you know, Nighting is my favorite comic-book character. A friend of mine sent me a Facebook message showing a friend’s photos. The pictures are of cosplayer Linda Le as Lady Nightwing. All I can say is, “Wow!” and also, “I’m in love.” Hit the break for more photos and let me know what you think (please). If you like them, be sure to give Linda props on her Facebook page. Continue reading “Lady Nightwing is Hot!!!”

Cameron/Tyler Winklevoss to Play Batman?

Once upon a time (2007), Armie Hammer was set to play Batman in a Justice League movie. Unfortunately, that project died. The role was supposed to launch Hammer to stardom. Instead, he’d have to wait until The Social Network in which he impressed critics and fans alike as Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. After that blockbuster hit, praise for his work in Mirror, Mirror, and a starring role in The Lone Ranger, Hammer might get a second chance to play Batman. According to MovieHole:

The studio need a new guy to guard the cave now that Christian Bale has hung up the cowl. And with plans to reintroduce a younger take on the character in the upcoming “Justice League” movie, a draft of which has been completed by Will Beale, the studio has Hammer atop of their list of potentials. It’s really, when you think about it, a no-brainer. Thus, I wasn’t much surprised when informed this morning that he’s in with a good chance to play the part in the superhero tag-team movie.

It’s a win win, really. Hammer apparently wears the suit smartly, has already rehearsed for the gig before, but more so, is a much bigger star than he was three or four years ago.

Hammer is a big, strapping dude that has a naturally deep voice. He looks the part. He has played rich people and heroes. I think he can pull off Batman (without sounding like he has marbled in his mouth).

What do you think of the possibility of Armie Hammer playing Batman in the upcoming Justice League movie?

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Emily Blunt To Play Ms. Marvel in Avengers 2?

Super sexy Emily Blunt is rumored to be in the running for the role of Carol Danvers/Ms. Marvel in The Avengers 2. Once a C-lister in the Marvel Universe, Ms. Marvel has been a major player since the “House of M” storyline. She has been a big part of the New Avengers and Mighty Avengers series. Sadly, she has gotten rid of her ridiculous swimsuit-like costume to coincide with her name change to Captain Marvel. As for Blunt, here’s more from iO9:

Emily Blunt, who famously missed out on the role of Black Widow in Iron Man 2 — insofar as any Emily Blunt casting decision is really capable of attaining fame — is reportedly back in contention for a major role. Specifically, she is rumored to be one of two main contenders for the part of Carol Danvers, better known as Ms. Marvel.

I’m a big fan of Blunt. She’s beautiful, smart, talented, and environmentally conscious. That said, I haven’t seen any of her performances where she hasn’t used her native British accent. Carol Danvers is very much an “american pie” type of character. She’s a former United States Air Force officer that has also served with S.H.I.E.L.D. It would be strange to hear her with a British accent. Blunt certainly has the presence for the character and for all I know she has a dynamite American accent from her extensive studies. However, I’m sure that that average male moviegoer doesn’t give a rat’s ass since she’s so pretty.

What do you think of the possibility of Emily Blunt playing Carol Danvers/Ms. Marvel? Me likey.

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Coffee Talk #522: On Lorne Lanning and Alan Moore

The other day, I was reading this excellent GI Biz interview with Oddworld Inhabitants’ Lorne Lanning. As many of you know, I’m a big fan of Lanning and his company’s games. It was great hearing him talk about games after a hiatus from the business. It was awesome to hear that he appears to be stubborn as ever and that he’s still thinking about ways to empower videogame creators. Here’s a clip from the interview:

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 exciting last day of the MLB regular season, T-Mobile USA merging with MetroPCS, or waiting for Thai NanoSIMs, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

The other day, I was reading this excellent GI Biz interview with Oddworld Inhabitants’ Lorne Lanning. As many of you know, I’m a big fan of Lanning and his company’s games. It was great hearing him talk about games after a hiatus from the business. It was awesome to hear that he appears to be stubborn as ever and that he’s still thinking about ways to empower videogame creators. Here’s a clip from the interview:

Rather than having to have 1.5 million units in the opening week or suffer death, now if we have 50,000 sales and we’re still in business. People are still employed and we’re able to keep making content. When we released box product we would get 20 percent of the revenue. After that 20 percent paid back the entire development budget, if it was still selling at $60 we would start seeing $7 a unit. Because of the bricks and mortar, the plastic, the manufacturing, the gas involved in taking games to the store, the store itself and all those extra costs — not one of those costs makes a better game for the player.

If you’re the gamer, where do you want the money of the game you’re buying to go? I want it going to help make more games. But the majority of that money is not going to games in the boxed product market.

The tone of Lanning’s comments reminded me of someone, but I couldn’t place my finger on it right away. The feeling I got from this interview was that this is a man that loves videogames and loves the creative process, but is fed up with the videogame business. Then it hit me. Lorne Lanning is just like comic-book scribe Alan Moore! Like Lanning, Moore loves the comic-book medium and the creative process, but has often been frustrated with the business of comics. Here’s a Moore quote from Bill Baker’s Alan Moore Spells it Out:

I love the comics medium. I pretty much detest the comics industry. Give it another 15 months, I’ll probably be pulling out of mainstream, commercial comics.

Although Moore is best known for his works published by DC Comics, he had numerous conflicts with the publishing giant and found more freedom with smaller, independent publishers. Similarly, Lanning has had numerous clashes with big videogame publishers. He believes that digital distribution will give him the creative freedom he wasn’t able to enjoy with Microsoft and EA.

Lanning and Moore are both supremely creative individuals that aren’t cut out to deal with the establishments in their respective businesses. They both recognize that the suits take advantage of the creatives and that there must be a better way. Through smaller publishers, Moore found a way that allowed him to make money and create freely. Hopefully digital distribution will enable Lanning and Oddworld Inhabitants to thrive once more. The videogame business would be better and more fun with a flourishing Oddworld Inhabitants.

Random Thoughts on The Dark Knight Returns Part I

Based on one of the most critically acclaimed Batman stories of all time, The Dark Knight Returns Part I is the latest in a long line of high-quality animated features from DC Comics. Animating a beloved and respected book like The Dark Knight Returns was a huge risk. No matter what, some comic book fans will have a problem with the adaptation. Fanboys are just wired that way. While it’s not perfect, The Dark Knight Returns Part I is a superior animated movie that succeeds more than it fails. Here are some random thoughts on the latest Bats Blu-ray.

Story: For the most part, Frank Miller’s grim-and-gritty story is intact. This is a dark tale of an over-the-hill Batman that comes out of retirement. The world has changed and he’s unsure if his methods are still effective. The script does a good job at creating a bleak (bleaker?) Gotham City and showing Batman’s vulnerabilities. Of course some liberties were taken in translating it to an animated feature. The tone is all there and some parts of the narrative actually work better. The clips from the newscasts and talk shows are much more vibrant. They felt too static to me in print and are much more effective with voice acting.

Speaking of which, the voice acting is quality and helps bring the story to life. Some fans will have an issue with Robocop Peter Weller playing Batman, simply because he’s not Kevin Conroy. If you can get past that then you’ll enjoy a good portrayal of Batman. The supporting cast is great too. I enjoyed the actors that played Carrie Kelly/Robin, Alfred Pennyworth, and Commissioner Jim Gordon.

As a big fan of the book, I’m happy with the script for The Dark Knight Returns Part I.

Animation: It took a while for me to get used to the movie’s art style. Frank Miller’s pencils and Klaus Janson’s inks gave the book a distinct look. It felt artistically dirty, if that makes any sense. The movie looks a bit too clean and loses the semi-abstract feel of the comics. The lines are too straight and everything feels a bit too bright. It’s technically well done, but very different from the source material. After 20 minutes or so, I got used to the art style and appreciated it, but wasn’t completely sold on it.

On the plus side, the animation does a great job of showing how brutal and intimidating Batman can be. The fight scenes are excellent. You really get a feel of the bone-crushing impact of the punches thrown. You can almost taste the fear villains have for Batman.

The mutants, especially the leader, benefitted from the translation to animation. In the comics, they always looked borderline silly to me. In animated form, they looked more intimidating and less ridiculous.

While the art was good, I wanted something grungier, though I understand that the masses probably prefer the techniques used in the movie.

Value: With a run time of 76 minutes, The Dark Knight Returns Part I is inline with other DC animated features. However, I would have preferred getting the whole thing at once. I understand the economics of it all, but from a storytelling standpoint it would have been more enjoyable as a whole. As it stands, the cliffhanger isn’t that dramatic, though I wonder if newcomers will feel that way. As a fan of the comics, I was all, “Wait…I want the rest of it!” which is both good and bad. I’m looking forward to the next installment, but feel somewhat shortchanged by this one.

Conclusion: The Dark Knight Returns Part I is true to the source material in terms of story and a bit different in terms of art style. I was mostly happy with the movie, putting it up there with my favorite comic-book animated-features, though behind the outstanding Batman: Under the Red Hood. I recommend it, but caution fans of the comics to be prepared for the visual changes.

I know that some of you have watched this movie. Kindly share your thoughts on The Dark Knight Returns Part I in the comments section.