Ultimate DC!

Newsarama and DC's own blog The Source have announced a new project from DC that is essentially Marvel's Ultimate imprint done right. The upcoming Earth One series will start off with retelling the origins of Superman and Batman free of existing continuity. Of course, DC tried this once before with their All-Star titles, with differing results, (Superman = great, Batman = not so great) but the difference this time is that they will be done in graphic novel format. I think this is perfect.
The whole point of these reboots is to tell stories with recognizable characters, but make them accessible to new readers or casual readers by jettisoning the 70 plus years of mind bending continuity loops. The problem has always been the actual physical accessibility of doing them in the monthly floppy issue format: casual readers don't want to read it in monthly installments, nor do they want to get shafted on, say, issue 3 when Diamond decides to not ship that month's issue. With the graphic novel format, you can entice new readers with the single contained story anyone can read without knowing the results of any of the myriad of crisisi.
I think its a great idea, and if executed properly, could be a new dawn for the comic book industry. JMS and Geoff Johns are slated to write the first two, so here is hoping it will be a success. Now, lets take bets on how long it takes for Dan Didio to get greedy and start the Earth One MEGA CROSS-OVER EVENT! NOTHING BE THE SAME AGAIN!

Thor the Movie: Update!

Kat Dennings, who played Norah in something called Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, has just been added to the cast of Thor, according to Marvel.com. No word yet on who she is going to play, but if I had to make a guess based on looks alone, I would say Hela.

Do you see a resemblance?
That's just my guess.

More Thor Movie News!

Another Asgardian has been cast! Heimdall, the guardian of the Bifrost bridge, will be played by Idris Elba. Known for his work on "The Wire" and as Jim's nemesis Charles Miner on "The Office". A great actor and another great addition to what I believe is shaping up to be a fantastic cast.

Why I Stopped Watching Smallville in Season 3

I'll let Topless Robot provide the commentary on this ridiculousness:
Wow.

Thor Movie update!

The Warriors Three have been cast for the upcoming Kenneth Branagh Thor film. This is great for two reasons: 1) the got some great actors to play 'The Three' and 2) 'The Three' will be in the movie!
Fandral: The dashing fellow in green will be played by Stuart Townsend, perhaps best known as Dorian Gray from League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Hogun: The grim guy with the horns will be played by Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano. He has been in primarily Japanese films, but he looks the part.

Volstagg: The big fellow in pink will be played by Ray Stevenson, a.k.a. The Punisher from Punisher: War Zone! This should be quite a turn for him, playing the giant, jolly fellow. I wonder if they will use a fat suit, or put Stevenson on the diet of his life?

This news gives me hope for this movie, because casting these characters suggests a good amount of attention will be focused on Asgard. So far, from only looking at the casting, I think that Branagh really gets it. I will keep you updated as I hear more.

Cool Sketch

Stumbled across this awesome sketch of Beta Ray Bill by John Lang. Very cool! Check out the link to see more of his stuff.

Not Good Eats...?

Is it just me, or does the guy on the cover of MERC #1 look like a cyberpunk Alton Brown?

This is also the last time I will be mentioning MERC on my blog.

RoboCop!

Check out the story on Newsarama.com to get the full scoop on the January return of RoboCop. Heck yes!
Dynamite Comics brings the part man, part machine, all cop back to comics.


In other news, I have begun organizing my comic collection which had been sadly neglected recently, so look for more news on that as I go through the horrors of the longboxes. As I find interesting titles and tid-bits I had forgotten about, I'll share them here with you lucky people. I started collecting when I was about 11, so I find myself wondering what the hell I was thinking when I bought some of these gems throughout the 90's.

Thor movie gets an AllFather!

Odin's beard! None other than Sir Anthony Hopkins has been cast as Odin, father of Thor and stepfather to Loki.
Just slap a beard on him!
I can't wait to see how this movie works out. I will keep you updated!

The Fates: They Laugh at Me

In a maddening twist of fate, the Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter TPB hits today and I STILL HAVEN'T READ ISSUE #3! Moving 2000 miles the month it comes out to a state with zero comic book stores will do that to you, as I am about 3 months behind on my comics. As you may guess, it is pretty difficult to maintain a comics blog with no new comics to read. I am currently taking steps to rectify this multitude of problems. So, if you haven't read Godhunter (like myself, to some extent) go get this trade and let the awesome wash over you.

News Links

It's good to see Mike Mignola, creator of Hellboy, getting back to comics full time. Very excited for the Amazing Screw-on Head collection!

Never read Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead? You can read the first issue here for free, but be warned, once you do you'll want to go out and buy the rest. AMC is looking to make it into a series, which would be awesome.

Purchased Superman/Batman: Public Enemies DVD. It was quite good. Once again Bruce Timm and legendary voice director Andrea Romano deliver a great animated movie. It doesn't hurt that Kevin Conroy and Tim Daly reprise their roles as Batman and Superman respectively, which fans of the DCAU should be psyched about. (Which I am.) I cheaped out and bought the non-special edition DVD, and it really is bare of special features. Some very interesting cameo appearances, as well as Levarr Burton as Black Lightning, which is awesome.

Dark Princesses and December Solicits

I found this gem over at Comic Alliance, its sort of a What If?: Dark Reign met Disney Princesses. My favorite by far is the "Savage Pocahontas." That movie would have way better than the original.

BRB favorite Kieron Gillen has posted Marvel's December solicits in which he is the author of THREE titles that month! It's like my birthday! (Wow, my birthday IS in December!) December's titles will include the finale of the Ares mini-series, S.W.O.R.D. #2 and Thor # 605.
December is gonna be awesome!