I Called it!

Ultimates 3 #1 shipped to comic book shops yesterday, and the response has been mixed. I myself, knowing full well before I read it that it would be way different than Millar-Hitch Ulitmates, found it to be passable. I was neither disappointed, nor doing round house kicks of joy. I just kind of sat there. Overall, I would say that the Internet has been split on the subject.



Over at Mark Millar's board, he had nothing but nice things to say about the first issue (but how sincere was he really?). The rest of the members of Millar's board were as previously mentioned, mixed in their reactions.

Brian Bendis's board was pretty negative towards the first issue, and that's to be expected. The catch phrase for the last couple months over there has been "I'll give it a shot, but I'm not expecting much." Well, they gave it a shot, and it jumped up and bit em' in the ass apparently.

Like I said, I was neither angry nor jumping for joy after reading this. It was just there. But I do have to say that I called the whole "WTF is with the coloring?" problem months back. That has been the single thing that everyone seems to agree on: Joe Mad's beautiful art is being colored with jello and other muddy materials of some nature. The coloring kills the pencils! Kills them!

So stay tuned for more reactions from around the interwebs, and I'll see if I can dig up some more creator's thoughts on the first issue.

What if Civil War had ended....."Differently?"

Well, we have a chance to see what some other writers had up their sleeves in What If....Civil War, set to hit shelves in late December. The One Shot has two bookend pieces written by Ed Brubaker and pencilled/painted by Mark Djurdjevic. In between, two seperate "possible scenarios" get a chance to play out. The first is written by Kevin Grevioux (New Warriors), and drawn by Gustavo. That story explains what could have happened if all the heroes would have fallen on Cap's Side of the issue. The second story is written by Chris Gage and drawn by Harvey Talibao. This portion examines what might have occurred if Iron Man's side had lost the war.

Check out some Preview Art Below, and count the days until December 19th, when this special one shot hits the stands.....

.

Newsarama made an "uh oh".......

These Fantastic Four pages (SPOILER ALERT, I WARN YOU NOW), pencilled by Bryan Hitch were posted very briefly at Newsarama before they were pulled earlier today. So, here they are for all to see. Hopefully they last longer at my site than they did their's (as always, click to view a larger version)...........


.

.

.

Second Test Trailer Is Done......

......and next time I update with something it should be real movie footage! That most likely won't be until early December, because one of the guys working on the movie with me has another acting gig until then, so he's booked (or something like that). So take a look at the new trailer, which has a slightly different slant than the first one. Less fight, more fright........Yeah, that was lame..........
.

10 days and a trailer to show for it........

Another long delay. Sorry.

Here's the trailer I compiled after a couple hours of test shooting for the zombie movie my friends and I are making. It is inspired by Robert Kirkman's Walking Dead series.

To clarify something before you watch, none of this footage will be in the real movie (which should be obvious seeing as nobody looks like a zombie). We just needed to put something together in order to have something to show people when they're asking questions about the project, and when we're trying to cast people. Enjoy........
.

Ta-Rollin the Interwbs at the Speed of Light.......

Yes, I'm back with more. Unfortunately, I have had to neglect the blog again for a short period, so like so many comics these days I'm delayed.
.
Luckily, not a single person is banking on me to finish something, so hey, I guess I have no expectations.
.
Speaking of late books, check out Frank Cho's apology about his slowness on Mighty Avengers, and an update of sorts about how far Mark Bagley is on his Mighty Avengers run..

Also, Ed Brubaker is breakin' out the comic book candor once again, so take a look and find out a couple things about his creator owned titles, and the like..

What does Ron Marz have to say about the future of the Ion entity? .

Ethan Van Sciver Con sketches because I look out for your best interests.
.
Rags Morales begs you to bear with him and Peter Tomasi on their upcoming Nightwing run (the cover he speaks about is below).
.
.

Oh, and no, the Countdown Solicits (shown below) for January are most definitely correct.

COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS #17-13

Story by Paul Dini
Story consultant Keith Giffen
Scripts by Tony Bedard
Art by Pete Woods and Tom Derenick
Covers by Woods

It's all-out war as the Challengers find Ray Palmer — and so does everyone else! The fate of a universe hangs in the balance, as heroes and villains from across the multiverse face betrayal and death with Earth as their battlefield!Plus, more DC Villains origin backup stories, including Harley Quinn!

I retire. Bye.

Brace Yourself, This Might Hurt..........

Rob Liefeld, creator of such classics as Youngblood, and X-Force riffs on the writer of Watchmen, and V For Vendetta: Alan Moore.

Sit back, grab some popcorn, and maybe a screw driver, because after you read half the article you'll realize that maybe a screw driver to the temple might be less painful.

So now that you've read it, check out these wonderful responses from Liefeld himself.

Now, if you're still on the fence, then I can't help you. The hypocrisy of Liefeld's argument is astonishing. He rags on Moore for breaking relationships with companies, and he himself had a terrible divorce with Image in the 90's, and on other occasions he's had issues with Marvel.

If I could, I would draw a picture of a pot calling a kettle black. However, I know that when I lack talent or proper information in an area, or on a topic, I just avoid doing that thing at all. Take that for what you will Rob "Anatomically Sound" Liefeld.

Shiny Like the 1990's.......

Cap trailer from the desks at Marvel, keep an eye out for the classic Rob Liefeld Cap armor in there as you watch.........

Batman Frank Miller Style

While searching for cringe worthy videos today for this very blog, I stumbled upon this masterpiece which I'd only heard of and never saw for myself......

Podcast-ilicious

Well, I've been involved in a couple new episodes of the Clobberin' Time Podcast recently, so check those out by clicking on the corresponding link below. For your convenience there is a short description for the episode (straight from the acme comics blog) below each link......

August 24th Episode

• A new Clobberin Time podcast is on the air! Clobberin Time is the in-your-face comic/pop-culture radio show in Bloomington IL, originally heard on WESN 88.1 FM on Thursday nights at 8pm. This week: Christopher claims that he bought nine comics this week and that they were all awesome. Jim and Rick debate the merits of the magnificent Nine.

September 5th Episode

• A new Clobberin Time podcast is on the air! Clobberin Time is the in-your-face comic/pop-culture radio show in Bloomington IL, originally heard on WESN 88.1 FM on Thursday nights at 8pm. This week: a discussion of the weirdest things sold at a comic shop, Jim Lee butting in line at the bar, Power Man vs Iron Fist: a debate, and a Miracleman idea.

September 14th Episode

• A new Clobberin Time podcast is on the air! Clobberin Time is the in-your-face comic/pop-culture radio show in Bloomington IL, originally heard on WESN 88.1 FM on Thursday nights at 8pm. This week: Jim gives us all a peek at the behind-the-scenes world of comic production and distribution. Also a bit of talk about Iron Giant, Amazing Stories, and Countdown…with a Crab Mask?

September 28th Episode

• A new Clobberin Time podcast is on the air! Clobberin Time is the in-your-face comic/pop-culture radio show in Bloomington IL, originally heard on WESN 88.1 FM on Thursday nights at 8pm. This week: Rick gets depressed about his social theory of comics, the group discusses the Grant Morrissons Batman, and Jim shares a recipe for a unique culinary delight.

Besides that, I also have some comic book gossip/what have you. This time it involves Ed Brubaker, and his run on Batman a couple years back. Here's his impression of the run, as seen in this message board post.

Brubaker also had this to say about Jeph Loeb.

Cool Your Jets......

What does Tim Bradstreet, Punisher artist extraordinaire have to say about the upcoming sequel to the Thomas Jane Punisher movie? Well, check it out for yourself on his message board.


.
If there's anyone to listen to about this film, it's Bradstreet. He did lots of work on the first film, and from what I've heard, he'll be back for some more this time around. Oh, and that script review mentioned can be found here.

Overall, the guy seemed to start off with a positive review, but don't stop reading before you get to page 2........

While viewing Rags (Identity Crisis) Morales's message board over at the comic bloc, I spotted this wonderful little piece of jerkiness. I also was happy to find Morales's logical and level headed rebuttal.

The last tidbit for today is this zombie-fied Leonard Kirk Hulk cover, which will be the variant cover to Hulk #111, which he is also doing the interiors for.......



That is all for now.

I Smell Sequel........

Recently over on his website, Peter David (writer of "stuff") posted a picture of himself wearing the classic Blade Runner jacket. As you'll see in the picture below, Mr. David has shed a ton of weight. So when compared to Harrison Ford............



.
.........I say, since Ford's too busy with some stupid indy flick, Indiana Jones 7 or somethin', they should get David to sign on for a sequel. I can smell the boat loads of opening weekend cash from here.

Bust-in' out, and Approval From the King

Well, as seen yesterday, this is Alex Maleev's concept drawing for the upcoming Spider-Woman series.........

.

.

Here's what Frank Cho had to say when Maleev posted the pic on Cho's board.........
.
"Nice rack! Bravo, Alex. Bravo. However, I get the sneaky feeling that Marvel
will make him reduce the bustline..."

.
So, here is the new, bust line reduced (on the left vs. the original on the right, according to Maleev), Spider-Woman........

.

.

Well, I guess that's reduced. However, I think anything approved by Frank Cho should just be left alone.

Eight Legged News (sic) from the Interwebs

Alex Maleev Spider Woman concept sketch, as found at his message board.......
.

.
This series has been a long time in the making. First it was supposed to happen in 2006, then no later than the beginning of 2007, and now it looks like more of a 2008 launch. For those uninformed as to what I'm talking about, Brian Bendis, and his Daredevil partner in crime (Alex Maleev) are working on a Spider-Woman solo series. This is the first piece of art I've seen since the whole thing was announced, so the status of it is a bit clearer, but there is still no official launch date.
.
Also, what does Dan Slott have planned for Spider-Man post One More Day?

Good Day!

Which One Should I Go With Today?

"Choices Choices.........."

.

.

"Oooooooo! Nazis........my favorites!........but it just doesn't seem right."

.

"Bitchin' helmet.........but it just isn't going to put across the message I want."

.

.

"I sense good in this one, he won't do, not nearly evil enough."

.

.

"Nah, too flip floppy. I want to inspire fear, not laughter."

.

.

"There really is no answer to 'which evil bastard should I be today?' Eh, might as well just be all of em' rolled into one."

Entertainment in the Mighty Marvel Manner.......

Brian Bendis posted this over on the Jinxworld forums, and I just thought you might like to watch it for yourself.........



Happy Thanksgiving to all.

It was wonderful how they incorporated the Back to the Future theme in there as well, and I liked the robocop cameo at about one minute and thirty seconds in.

It's still better than Elektra.

Miller Time!

George Miller, it has been confirmed, will direct the JLA movie for Warner Brothers! The same man who brought you the Mad Max films, and the excusable Happy Feet will be directing the first ever live action coupling of the JLA........oh, wait, I forgot about these guys.......

.

That's beside the point though. I'm getting more and more excited for this film by the day.

On a different note, Marvel is hitting us up with another big event soon! This time it's called Secret Invasion, and it will be written by Brian Bendis. Check out the awesome trailer for the upcoming event.

That's all I got for now! More later, I promise.

THUNDERSTICKS!

Well, apparently if you're in attendance at tonight's Triple A Baseball "Bricktown Showdown," you'll have a shot at getting your very own set of Spider-Man Thundersticks (the most annoying giveaway in sports stadium history), adorned with the design below.......



Check out ESPN2 at 8 PM eastern tonight, and you might hear an ESPN analyst trying to speak intelligently about comics.

Marvel's press release really stresses the "burgeoning relationship with Triple A baseball," so lets hope that the deal is very fruitful. Comic Book/Triple A baseball fans UNITE!

On another note, Marvel is having a Halloween costume contest this year. Here's the ad for it, and for more info, check out this link.............



It's okay, I'm creeped out by that ad too.

Secret (Zombie) Wars!?!?!?

Nah, not really, but I do have some Marvel Zombies news.

Check out the all new Art Suydam cover (an homage to Secret Wars #8) for the Marvel Zombies: The Covers HC........

.

.

Yep, that's the cover to the book about covers from a series which is famous for it's covers. That's completely confusing (at best) to me.

.

You can own your very own 104 page zombie cover bonanza for only $19.99 on October 24th!

33% Off Sale!

Three days of bloggin' for the price of one! Can't beat that deal!

First off I got a preview of the upcoming Wolverine Annual, written by crime novelist Gregg Hurwitz, and drawn by Marcelo Frusin.........







Gritty, with lots of growling and gritting of the teeth. Sounds like the 90's.

Now check out this little tidbit I picked up at Sean (Marvel Zombies) Phillips's blog.......



Yum........Marvel Flesh.

On another note, Cap has been dead now for a couple months, but that doesn't keep his books from sellin' out. Captain America The Chosen #1 (brought to you by First Blood writer David Morrell and Mitch Breitweiser) has sold out at Diamond and is going back to press for a second print. Check out the cover (from one of Breitweiser's interior pages) for the second printing.......



Along my journey through the blogosphere, I found Stuart Immonen's website. Here's a nice little picture of Stuart drawing some Ultimate Spider-Man stuff, and an answer to a question that he gets all the time......



Before I go, I would like to show you some more Tony Daniel artwork. This time, it's a commission he did featuring Thor......



His Batman stuff is going to be awesome! Awesome I tell you!

Runnin' Runnin'.........

Whew! It's been one brain bustingly crazy day for me. So, I am going to skip the pleasantries and head straight into the preview of Runaways #28......

.

Although this book is way late shipping wise, I do have to say that this looks like one of the best issues yet. Not only does Joss Whedon provide the script, but the ever improving Michael Ryan does the art!
.

I've been scoping the interwebs lately for some cool blogs done by comic book creators, and I stumbled upon one today! That blog happens to belong to upcoming Punisher War Journal artist Cory Walker. Mr. Walker does a sketch each day and posts em' to his blog. Today's sketch happens to be of the recently deceased "happy new god" Lightray.

.

.

Besides that, I also came across Mark Brooks's Deviant Art page, which he updates pretty frequently. A couple days back he posted the pencils-inks-finished product of his Ultimates Saga cover. Check it out below (click to view a larger version)........

.

.

On another note, Baltimore Comic-Con was this last weekend. lots of big stuff was announced, but it was one of the smaller projects that caught my eye. That project happens to be the relaunch of X-Force. I have nothing really to go by other than the Clayton Crain cover (for the first issue) below, but from this image, I have this strange feeling that we might have a hit on our hands (if nothing else, it will have Wolverine.........oh........maybe that isn't so great).

.

.

I have lost my will to blog for the night......