It's Still a Marvel Movie World

The big surprise at the weekend box office wasn't that "Iron Man" came out on top again, but that "Speed Racer" debuted in a distant third place. Best known as an anime TV series, the film version of "Speed Racer" is heavily influenced by manga, with the argument and the proof summed up well by the folks at Frames Per Second. ... Marvel's plans to crossover its characters as a setup for its planned "Avengers" pic appear to be further along that previously thought, with eagle-eyed fans spotting what could be Captain America's shield in an "Iron Man" workshop scene. Rumors are that another Cap setup will be worked into "The Incredible Hulk," which already is rumored to have Robert Downey Jr. playing Stark in a cameo. ... The Toronto Star's Paul Corupe looks back at the time when Marvel's movies weren't so spectacular, with yours truly filling in some of the details.

NON-MARVEL MOVIE NEWS: In non-Marvel comics movie news, Platinum Studios and Top Cow are teaming up with Arclight Films to take another stab at a "Witchblade" movie. Property had previously been in development as a pair of pics a few years back, and prior to that was a live-action skein on TNT that is coming to DVD in July. Most recently, an anime version was produced in Japan. ... E! Online is only the most recent to wonder where all the DC movies are. ... Producer Joel Silver is trying to answer that question, telling Ain't It Cool News that he's close to making a "Sgt. Rock" movie, based on the classic DC war comic, with Guy Ritchie directing. ... He may not don the Man of Steel's cape again until next year, but Brandon Routh has signed on to star in "Dead of Night," based on the Italian P.I. comicbook "Dylan Dog" for Hyde Entertainment and Platinum Studios. ... The Guardian says moviegoers will soon be treated to the cinema's first French superhero, "Vendome."

FROM COMICS TO CANNES (WITH CLINT!): Writer J. Michael Straczynski was on hand at last weekend's Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, ostensibly to talk about his upcoming work for DC on "The Brave and the Bold." Instead, the creator of "Babylon 5" talked more about his movie work, including "The Changeling," the Clint Eastwood-directed pic showing shortly at Cannes that JMS wrote. "I'm the first comics guy to have a film at the Cannes Film Festival," he told fans with a smile. 

EISNER EVENT: Storyopolis in Studio City has set a special one-night exhibit honoring the works of Will Eisner on May 28. Event is held in conjunction with the Assn. of Booksellers for Children and The Denis Kitchen Art Agency, and is timed to coincide with the trade show Book Expo America. Details on the event can be found here.

'Spirit' an early gift - News for 5/7/08

Lionsgate has moved up the release of "Will Eisner's The Spirit" to Dec. 25 from Jan. 16. This seems to be a vote of confidence for the film, which is Frank Miller's solo directorial debut, as it moves the film squarely into holiday season and even Oscar eligibility. ... CAA has signed on to represent the estate of "Spirit" creator Will Eisner and his extensive catalog of graphic novels. ... Lionsgate has optioned another comics property, this time it's Victor Carungi's "Pencilneck," published by Paper Street Comics.

SUPERHERO MOVIE MANIA: The success of "Iron Man" has resulted in some title changes at Marvel Studios, where Kevin Feige is now president and David Maisel continues as chairman. ... "Superman Returns" star Brandon Routh tells IGN he expects to begin shooting the sequel in early 2009. 

LIVE COMICS EVENTS: Longtime comics journo and commentator Blair Marnell is back with a new site and project called "Comics on Comics."  The main attraction is a video podcast in which three standup comics and one comicbook creator discuss the comics news of the week a la Bill Maher's "Real Time" or "Politically Incorrect." The first show will be recorded tonight at 7 at Meltdown in Hollywood, featuring comics scribe Brian Lynch (Angel: After the Fall) and comedians Chris Mancini, Ken Cosby and Pat Evans. The public is invited to attend the free event. ... The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture in Santa Fe opens what sounds like a fascinating exhibit called "Comic Art Indigene" on the influence of comics on American Indian artists. A preview is set for Saturday, with opening day Sunday, May 11. ... A theatrical performance of Alan Moore's epic poem, "The Mirror of Love," is set for June 12 and 14 at the Armory Ballroom in Macon, Ga. Jose Villarrubia, who took the photographs for the Top Shelf book, will be signing at both perfs. ... The BEAT covers the debut of the "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy" exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York over a trilogy of posts.

SCREENINGS: The Los Angeles Film Festival will be bookended by comic flicks, with "Wanted" opening the fest on June 19 and "Hellboy 2: The Golden Army" closing it on June 29. ... Anime fans will want to take note of some upcoming special screening: the live-action version of "Death Note" is set to screen at more than 300 theaters nationwide, including 20 in the L.A. area, on May 20 and 21. The anime film "Bleach: The Movie — Memories of Nobody" will screen in similar fashion on June 11-12. Details, including specific venues and tickets, available at Fathom Events.

SUPERMAN FANS PROTEST: With the huge success of "Iron Man" and the subsequent announcement of release dates for a bunch of Marvel movies through 2011 has a lot of fans wondering how DC Comics and its parent company Warner Bros. have fallen so far behind in the comics movie derby. If Marvel can do "Iron Man," why can't DC/WB do something similar with say, The Flash or Green Lantern? Even with "The Dark Knight," for which everyone seems to have sky-high expectations, fans are down on DC movies. One site, www.savesuperman.com has started a petition and campaign aimed at convincing WB to completely reboot the Superman film franchise rather than proceed with another outing from director Bryan Singer and star Brandon Routh. A separate petition also is pushing "Smallville" star Tom Welling to play the Man of Steel. Taking a cue from the WGA's pencil tactic, fans also are contributing money to a campaign called "Stop the Monkey Business," which will send 6-inch stuffed monkeys to WB execs Alan Horn and Jeff Robinov. Monkeys go out with a sign that includes the sender's choice of a Superman logo or "Welling for Superman."

COMICS PROJECTS: Here's our annual update on Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine, direct via email from writer and "Lost" exec producer Damon Lindelof: "Marvel has all the issues through five.  I'm completing six by Memorial Day." ... EW continues to be a big venue for promoting comics, with Marvel releasing the first look at new Spider-Man villain Anti-Venom and DC serving up a preview of Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones' Final Crisis, complete with Morrison's original script. ... Danny Simmons (older brother of Run DMC's Rev Run and Def Jam mogul Russell Simmons) has adapted his 2003 novel "Three Days as the Crow Files" into a graphic novel titled "'85," published by Simon & Schuster. Blogger Michael A. Gonzeles reports on the duo's recent signing at Forbidden Planet and some interesting background on the duo and their project here.  ... Image Comics says Jason Howard and Robert Kirkman's Astounding Wolf-Man series is going monthly, starting in June. ... The May contenders are up over at Zuda Comics. April's winner is "Melody," by Ilias Kyriazis of Athens, Greece. ... Across the pond, AAM Markosia will debut its new series Lazarus: Immortal Coils at this weekend's Bristol Comic Expo. ... DC Comics is teaming up with children's book publisher Stone Arch to create illustrated chapter books for kids starring Superman and Batman. ... Radical Comics is changing the name of its Steve Niles sci-fi series from Khrome to City of Dust, after Marc Patten of Destination Entertainment informed the company he had a series by that name.

CON FUND RAISER: The Hero Initiative's Hulk #1 Project is coming to Emerald City Comic Con this weekend. The project, similar to last year's Ultimate Spider-Man #100 Project, features 100 copies of the recent Hulk #1 comic with special covers featuring original art from some of the industry's top talents. The books will be auctioned off The first 50 of 100 covers will be on display at the con, where the org also is auctioning lunch with DC exec editor Dan Didio.

COMICS TECH: Dennis Budd and Joe Caramagna have signed a deal for Platinum Studios to create mobile phone content based on their indy comic "Model Operandi." ... Hands-On Mobile is creating the phone content, including games, for Marvel's "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk." ... Archaia Studios Press has begun releasing its series Artesia on free download service Wowio. The publisher plans to put more of its books on the site, which has a nice selection of free comics to read.

Free Comic Book Day is back

It's that time of year again: Free comics! This is the seventh year for the promotional event, for which comics shops across the country will be giving away this Saturday a whole bunch of free samplers. As always, it coincides with the opening weekend release of a big comicbook movie, in this case "Iron Man." (For some reason, Marvel has a lot more sway in getting the event tied to its movies, rather than say DC's "The Dark Knight.")

This year's sampling includes 10 "gold books" from the top publishers — Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Archie, Virgin, etc. — that every participating store will carry. There also will be more than 30 "silver books" from a wider array of publishers. This year's giveaways also includes a couple of collectible game miniatures, which is the first non-comics item to be officially included in the promotion.

But perhaps the most fun aspect of FCBD is the opportunity for stores everywhere to stage signings and events. The most interesting is at Atomic Comics in Mesa, Ariz., where all seven Image Comics founders will be signing Saturday afternoon. Closer to Hollywood, writer J.M. DeMatteis of Justice League International and Abadazad fame will make a rare West Coast appearance at Meltdown Comics' Hollywood location on Sunset. Golden Apple Comics has a full day of events planned, including appearances by Top Cow creators. Manhattan Beach's Comic Bug will have a large crowd of pros and plans a special screening of "The Rocketeer" featuring screenwriters Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo in honor of the character's creator, Dave Stevens, who died a few months back.

If you're looking for a participating comic shop, head over to the event's site or the Comic Shop Locator Service, available online or by calling 1-800-COMIC-BOOK.

'Iron Man' week news update for 4/29/08

Variety's top critic Todd McCarthy gives the film good marks. So does Anne Thompson and the AP. ... More behind-the-scenes footage on MySpace with director Jon Favreau. ... Project Rooftop artists redesign Iron Man. ... Speculation appears to be moving into guessing the opening weekend gross. My guess is in the $60 million to $70 million range, but some are going as high as $100 million. That seems like a lot, but past Marvel movies such as "X-Men" and "Spider-Man" have a record of defying even high expectations.

BATMAN'S ON DECK: A new trailer for "The Dark Knight" is coming to reward the patient among us. ... A new round of very cool looking posters for "The Dark Knight" also are making the rounds. While reaction has generally been positive, a lot of folks are noticing how similar the new posters are to the ones made for "Batman Returns" in 1992, and College Humor.com pretty successfully fools folks into thinking that the trailer to the new film is eerily similar to that for the first Tim Burton "Batman" in 1989. The real Burton trailer is here. ... Speaking of "Batman Returns," the film looked absolutely fantastic when I caught it the other night on HBO in HD ...

MORE COMICS AND MOVIE STUFF: Heritage Auctions has a rather extensive group of Golden Age and Silver Age comics, including Action Comics #1, Detective Comics #1, Detective Comics #27 and Marvel Comics #1, up for grabs in its next auction, set for May 22-23. ... A comics fan and student journalist wonders if it might be a good idea for Hollywood to rein in its comic book obsession just a little bit. ... Comics artist John Cassaday tells Portfolio.com that he plans to start making films in the next couple of years. ... Actor Mekhi Phifer's Facilitator Films shingle has optioned the comic book series "Hunter's Moon" from its author, novelist James L. White, and publisher Boom! Studios. ... Universal has picked up "Resurrection," a comics series by "Eli Stone" creator Marc Guggenheim and published by Oni Press. ... Michigan comics shop owner David Pirkola was critically injured last week during a robbery of his store in Grand Rapids. ... Fishbowl LA reports on the graphic novel panel held Sunday at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.

AWARDS STUFF: Nominations are being taken for the Friends of Lulu Awards. ... And the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award also is looking for nominees.

 

Comics Party Comes West — News for 4/23/08

Now that the East Coast party known as New York Comic-Con is done, the nation's ongoing celebration of comics comes back west, where the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books sets aside for the first time a section called The Comix Strip that spotlights the art form. Exhibitors include Image Comics, Boom! Studios and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Three panels are planned: "Comics: Superheroes of the Stage and Screen" is Saturday at 10 a.m., with "Heroes" exec producer Jeph Loeb, "Hellboy" creator Mike Mignola and "30 Days of Night" creator Steve Niles; "Reading Manga: A Japanese Phenomenon Comes to America" will be held Saturday at 3 p.m., with Liza Coppola of Viz Media, Lillian Diaz Przybyl of TOKYOPOP, and manga expert Frederik Schodt; and "Graphic Novels: Every Picture Tells a Story" on Sunday at 3 p.m.  with moderator Deborah Vankin, "The PLAIN Janes" writer Cecil Castellucci, "Love and Rockets" co-creator Jaime Hernandez, and "Peepshow" creator Joe Matt. Check out the official site for The Comix Strip for details on times places and tickets (likely all sold out). ... The following weekend not only features Free Comic Book Day, but on Sunday, May 4, the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention returns to the Shrine Expo Center with special guest Stan Lee, who's promoting his new book "Election Daze," original "Speed Racer" voice actress Corinne Orr and "Gumby" creator Art Clokey.

COMICS TO FILM: Frank Miller's been talking a lot as he promotes his upcoming solo directing debut on "The Spirit." Miller says he's written "Sin City 2," which he expects to be part of a trilogy, and he wants to direct a film adaptation of "Hard Boiled," which he wrote for Geof Darrow back around 1990. ... The Los Angeles Times' "Scriptland" column also talks to Miller about the explosion in films based on graphic novels, including the following fascinating hook: "In a faddish frenzy, no fewer than 22 film projects born of graphic novels or comics have been announced in the last six weeks." ... New posters have surfaced for "The Spirit" — head here if you missed the teaser trailer — and "Wanted," pictured below.

CHALLENGE VIDEO: Platinum Studios has put together a promo video for its annual Comic Book Challenge competition. Check it out below. Submissions open May 1, with judging set again for Comic-Con Intl. in San Diego.

MORE MARVEL NEWS: Fellow Variety blogger Anne Thompson reports midnight screenings are planned for the release of "Iron Man" next week, even as the studio attempts to tamp down possibly overhyped expectations for the pic. ... Marvel has lured Ira Rubenstein away from Sony Pictures to head up its growing online and digital ambitions. Formerly exec VP of Sony Pictures Digital, Rubenstein will oversee all the company's online sites, including Marvel Digital Comics and MarvelKids.com. ... Eric Rollman has been promoted to president of Marvel Animation. Rollman's previous title with the company was exec VP home entertainment and TV production. ... Marvel's plans for a theme park in the United Arab Emirates has switched developers as the company signs with Tatweer.

NYCC news hangover

CON WIPEOUT: Expect things to be quiet the next few days as the industry recovers from New York Comic-Con, which is being hailed as a smashing success across the comics blogosphere. ... The con's official blog estimates attendance as at least 64,000, a pretty big jump from the 49,000 who showed up last year. ... Sci fi site IO9 has a gushing report on the panel and preview of Marvel's "Incredible Hulk" movie. ... IO9 also reports on the new trailer for "The Dark Knight" previewed at the show. ... Boom! Studios announced a deal with the Jim Henson Co. to produce a series of miniseries based on the cult-favorite sci-fi show "Farscape." ... "Heroes" star Milo Ventimiglia's previously mentioned comicbook project with Devil's Due is titled "Rest." Variety's Marc Graser writes the four-issue series "will revolve around the dangers of staying awake as a man is drawn into a conspiracy between a malevolent pharmaceutical company and the U.S. government." ... Tom Spurgeon at Comics Reporter offers a fascinating list of 50 notes and observations from the con floor. ... Midway Games has confirmed that its next version of "Mortal Kombat" will pit the videogame's famed fighters against the heroes and villains of the DC Universe.

COMICS IN FILM: CHUD reports Joel Silver saying at this weekend's "Speed Racer" junket that WB's troubled "Justice League" movie is being tabled. ... Jennifer Garner's Vandalia Films banner is developing the Oni Press series "Three Days in Europe" as a feature in conjunction with Hugh Jackman's Seed Productions. The actors would star as a couple who face danger on what was to be a romantic vacation.

NYCC: BET does 'Panther' toon; T'POP adds color

Black Entertainment Television has set an animated series based on Marvel's "The Black Panther." The Panther was the first black superhero, first appearing in 1966's Fantastic Four #52, by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. He's been an on-again, off-again member of the The Avengers, and starred in two solo comic series in the past decade. Here's the PR description:

THE BLACK PANTHER – From Marvel Comics®, who brought the world Spider-Man, X-Men, the Fantastic Four and Iron Man, comes a primetime animated series featuring the first Black superhero. A wise and just African warrior king. A technologically advanced superhero with a proud past. BET presents THE BLACK PANTHER. PREMIERING Q1 2009

In other news, TOKYOPOP has announced a new graphic novel line, called — shockingly — TOKYOPOP Graphic Novels, that will bring full-color GNs from around the world to the U.S. The line will launch next February. Full PR details, including launch titles, in the jump.

Manga Giant Extends Publishing Portfolio
with Launch of Colorful New Line of International Books

TOKYOPOP GRAPHIC NOVELS

The Best In Color Graphic Novels From Around The Globe—Now Available For The First Time Ever In North America!

New York Comic-Con, New York (April 19, 2008)― Leading manga publisher and youth-oriented brand TOKYOPOP is pleased to unveil the latest addition to its rapidly growing publishing family - TOKYOPOP Graphic Novels. For years, European and Asian publishers have produced captivating, inspiring, and stunning full-color graphic novels that have not found a home on North American shores—until now. Beginning in February 2009, TOKYOPOP will cross the color barrier to publish a truly unique selection of rich, inventive, and stunningly original full-color graphic novels from some of the world’s most talented artists and writers.

According to TOKYOPOP Publisher Mike Kiley, "The new TOKYOPOP Graphic Novels line represents a natural evolution for us as we continue to offer the coolest stuff on the planet to readers around the world. Our launch titles have been selected to build a bridge between the manga and graphic novel audiences. This is a major initiative for us and we will not only be announcing more acquisitions in the near future but will also have some very exciting news about original TOKYOPOP projects that will appear in this new oversized format."

In a word from TOKYOPOP Senior Editor Bryce Coleman, "There has been a wealth of truly amazing stuff published around the world, and I think people are going to be amazed at the diverse line up we're coming out with in these graphic novels. From the gorgeous, painterly work of up-and-coming star, Benjamin, to the rich, animation-like epic world of Luuna, these books will all be as stunning to look at as they will be satisfying to read."

About the Launch Titles:

ORANGE (February 2009)

By: Benjamin

Licensed from Xiao Pan (China)

$14.99; 1 volume; 128 pp; 7.228" x 10"

A heartbreaking tale of a young woman attempting to understand the bewildering world around her… The luscious art of Benjamin heightens the intensity of this profoundly moving tale of sorrow and loss.

PIXIE (February 2009)

By: Mathieu Mariolle and Aurore

Licensed from Delcourt (France).

$12.99; 3 volumes, 112 pp; 7.228" x 10"

Pixie embarks on captivating adventures far and wide in this ethereal and mesmerizing fantastic voyage that stretches the limits of imagination.

LUUNA (March 2009)

By: Didier Crisse, Nicolas Keramidas

Licensed from Soleil (France).

$12.99; 3 volumes, 112 pp; 7.228" x 10

On the night of her initiation into her North American Indian tribe, young Luuna discovers she must confront an ancient curse that will change her forever. This haunting coming-of-age story is filled with deep pathos and stunning artwork that brings an unforgettable legend to life.

About TOKYOPOP

Founded by multi-cultural media visionary Stu Levy,TOKYOPOP is hailed as a leading youth-oriented entertainment brand and an innovator of manga creation, with a revolutionary artistic vision that transcends countless platforms. From the introduction of the first-ever extensive manga publishing program in North America, to the development of its manga-originated intellectual properties into film, television and digital entertainment, TOKYOPOP has changed the way teens experience pop culture. The company’s global reach has expanded to Europe and Asia, with offices in the UK and Germany and partnerships in Australia and China, in addition to its original Los Angeles and Tokyo operations. With millions of fans logging onto the new social networking site www.TOKYOPOP.com, reading its books, which are licensed in more than 40 countries and 30 languages, and watching its DVDs and television programs, TOKYOPOP’s award-winning catalogue of licensed and original properties has made the company a visionary in an ever-growing teen entertainment marketplace. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for additional information.

NYCC: Stan Lee flies to Virgin

Stan Lee has signed on with Virgin Comics to create and oversee as editor a new line of superhero comics.

According to the L.A. Times, Lee will write one title himself and describes the project thusly:

"It will be a team of 10 heroes and they will be dealing with personality conflicts, personal problems and chemistry within the team," Lee said in an interview this week. "I'm going to get started working on it right away and I'm very excited about doing something that will be fresh and breaking new ground. I can't give away the details or the names yet, but I have some exciting things in mind."

NYCC: Gordon Lee case is dismissed

At a benefit reading for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, writer Neil Gaiman surprised the crowd with news that a Georgia judge has  dismissed the criminal case against retailer Gordon Lee. Lee had been charged with distributing materials harmful to a minor and local prosecutors aggressively pressed the case against him, and had promised to proceed with the case despite a mistrial. The judge's dismissal ends the case against Lee. The fund, which defended Lee, reportedly spent more than $100,000 on the case.

Variety View on Comics for 4/10/08

COMICS ON FILM: "Punisher War Zone" director Lexi Alexander writes on her blog that the film's release has been pushed back to Dec. 5. ...  Rogue has tapped Justin Marks to adapt "Hack/Slash," published by Devil's Due. ... A New Zealand newspaper reports  that country may end up hosting George Miller and his "Justice League" movie after the production was denied a tax break in Australia. ... Missed that the Euro-comic "XIII" will be turned into an NBC miniseries starring Val Kilmer and Stephen Dorff.

COMICS NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Kick-Ass writer Mark Millar and Ex Machina artist Tony Harris will team up on War Heroes. Coming from Image, the series gets a preview in Wizard #200 Platinum. (Yes, it appears that there is more than one edition of Wizard #200.) ... ... Singer Tori Amos is spearheading Comic Book Tattoo, a 480-page color anthology of comics stories inspired by her songs. Book (art pictured) features an intro from Neil Gaiman, whose Sandman comics Amos has long been a fan of, and will be out in July from Image Comics. ... Platinum Studios  has signed with the Villard imprint of Random House to publish the graphic novel version of Unique, a three-issue comicbook series that's in development at Disney as a feature film. ... Top Cow is going back to press on Witchblade #116, which kicked off the run by writer Ron Marz and artist Stjepan Sejic. ... DC Comics  will publish a hardcover edition of Watchmen in October that will fit in format and price between the perennial selling paperback edition and the deluxe Absolute edition. ...  Boom! Studios'  experiments with free online publication continues with Giant Monster, currently available in  its entirety on Comic Book Resources. ... Similarly, the sold out Cemetery Blues #1 from Image Shadowline can be read for free at the Image site.

EVENTS: David A. Lewis, writer of such religious-themed comics as "The Lone and Level Sands," and his publisher, Archaia Studios Press, are hosting a three-day symposium called "Graven Images: Religion in Comic Books and Graphic Novels" for April 11-13 at Boston University. ... British comicbook icon Dan Dare is at the center of a new exhibit at the Science Museum in London called "Dan Dare & the Birth of Hi-Tech Britain," running from April 25-Oct. 25. The hero's current publisher, Virgin Comics, plans to catch up Americans with a panel at the New York Comic-Con  featuring Garth Ennis, writer of the current Virgin series; Peter Hampson, son of "Dan Dare" creator Frank Hampson; and Virgin marketing VP Larry Lieberman.

HELPING OUT: The Major Spoilers podcast is raising funds PBS-style all month for The Hero Initiative. ... Hero also is teaming up with Comix Experience for a one-day Comic Book Boot Camp on making comics that includes face time with the likes of Top Cow chief Matt Hawkins, former Batman writer and editor Denny O'Neil and X-Men writer Chris Claremont. Camp is set for April 17 in New York.

AWARDS UPDATES: The Lulu Awards, given out each year by The Friends of Lulu org, will be presented at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art Festival on June 7 in New York. Org, which encourages women and girls to read and create comics, previously handed out its honors at Comic-Con Intl. in San Diego. ... The noms for the Joe Shuster Canadian Comic Book Creator Awards have been announced. ... The Diamond Gem Awards winners have been announced, with DC being named the major comicbook publisher of the year. IDW won small publisher of the year; VIZ got the manga nod; and Red 5 was tapped as top new publisher. ... And voting is underway for England's Eagle Awards.

Variety View on Comics for 4/8/08

Let's try something a little different and see what happens ...

COMICS IN FILM: The Ventura County Star writes about Sparky Greene, a Malibu writer and producer who’s trying to jump-start a new superhero universe through comics only to find that in the comics market it’s a lot harder than it looks (h/t to The Beat) … Boom! Studios continues to rise, with its comic “North Wind” optioned to Davis Entertainment … Ving Rhames, Radha Mitchell and Rosamund Pike have joined the cast of “The Surrogates,” a Disney feature film based on the Top Shelf graphic novel and starring Bruce Willis. … Something is coming for the new Frank Miller film of “Will Eisner’s The Spirit.” A Facebook widget is counting down to something — likely the planned unveiling of the teaser trailer and poster at the New York Comic-Con — and some poster images and photos are starting to leak out.

TV: With WB’s “The Batman” animated series wrapped up, the next DC toon series is “The Brave and the Bold,” which will feature Batman teaming up with other DCU denizens in each episode.

BUSINESS: The judge in the Superman copyright lawsuit has ordered the heirs of Jerry Siegel and DC/WB to spend 60 days working on a settlement. If none is reached, trial is set to begin Nov. 4. ... Platinum Studios, which recently went public, has filed its 2007 financial reports.

PEOPLE: Boom! Studios has hired Wendy Williams as its new general manager. Williams formerly worked at Universal in TV development, production and distribution. She also has worked as an independent producer and consultant, most recently as co-producer on Sci Fi’s “Eureka” series. She also is a VP in the Producers Guild and an executive member of Women in Film. ... Former Wildstorm editor Scott Dunbier has joined IDW as special projects editor.

COMICS PUBLISHING: Former Eurythmics rocker Dave Stewart’s “Zombie Broadway” has debuted as a 56-page special from Virgin Comics, which published last year Stewart’s previous comics effort, “Walk In.” An animated trailer can be seen here. … Troma Films character The Toxic Avenger will guest star in issue #45 of Batton Lash’s “Supernatural Law” series, due out in June. … The Hero Initiative and Marvel announces a tribute book coming in June in honor of artist Mike Weiringo, who died unexpectedly of heart failure last year at age 44. … Howard Chaykin’s classic series “American Flagg!” returns to print in July from Image and Dynamite in a newly re-colored hardcover collection of the series’ first 14 issues plus a new Chaykin story. The content will be split into two softcover volumes, the first of which will come out in September. … Writer Joe Casey and artist Andy Suriano’s new series about a magician, “Charlatan Ball,” will be published in June by Image. … IDW will publish an official sequel to last summer’s “Transformers” movie in the five-issue comicbook series “Transformers: The Reign of Starscream.”

BEYOND COMICS: A fan-made trailer for “Kick-Ass,” the new Icon comic from Mark Millar and John Romita Jr., is making the rounds online. Click on the video above to see it. … Captain Action Partners is working on bringing back the toy sensation of yesteryear, tapping classic DC and Captain Action artist Murphy Anderson to create new packaging art. … Alan C. Martin, co-creator of the comic “Tank Girl,” has written a new novel from Titan Press starring the character. “Tank Girl” also was turned into a film in 1995 that starred Lori Petty and was directed by Rachel Talalay.

CONVENTIONS: The Bristol International Comics Expo in England is set for May 10-11 with a guest list that should please any fan of 1980s comics, including Jim Shooter, Walter and Louise Simonson, Jim Starlin, Dave Gibbons, Mike Carey, Alan Davis and more. … L. Neil Smith, Mike Baron, Scott Bieser and Jen Zach will appear at Majesticon this Sunday in Denver. … An exclusive variant edition of The Uncanny X-Men #497 featuring a cover by Marko Djurdjevic will be given out at the sixth annual Emerald City Comic-Con, set for May 10-11 in Seattle.

'Comic Foundry' is the new must-read comics mag

I can't remember the last time I picked up a magazine and, flipping through it, instantly knew I wanted to read every last article within it. But that was truly the case with the second issue of Comic Foundry, which editor in chief and art director Tim Leong has expanded from its first issue and web origins into a gorgeous, full-color, modern and very smart guide to everything comics fans are into. That includes everything from fashion and videogames, to cool toys, celebrity interviews and humorous pieces such as a Goddamn All-Star Batman drinking game. But the overriding emphasis is on comics and the folks who make comics, all captured with a slick, modern and fun look.

This is essential reading, and has the potential to be the voice of today's comics scene, the way The Comics Journal was in the 1970s and 1980s and Wizard was in the 1990s. While blogs and web-zines are great and all, I have missed having a magazine like this around that's both fun to read and goes into more depth than most blogs go into. I have rarely if ever plugged anything like this in the more than four years since this blog began, so take that as a sign of how impressed I am and look for a copy of this mag when it comes out this week.

'Superman' ruling rocks comics world

By now, news of last week’s ruling that restores to the heirs of Jerry Siegel part of the copyright to Superman has spread far and wide. (Variety's report focuses on the Siegels' attorney, Marc Toboroff, and his antagonistic relationship with WB.)  It’s impossible to not want to comment on this case, given the stature of the Siegel and Shuster in comicbook history and the implications it may have for one of the most popular characters in the world.

I could prattle on about the fascinating details for pages, but will refrain as many others have already done so better than I could and apologize even so for the length of this post. I confess to having read the judge’s full ruling, available from Jeff Trexler’s comprehensive site, more than once and will probably go over it again. It also has sent me back to Gerard Jones’ excellent book, “Men of Tomorrow,” which recounts in detail the origins of DC Comics, Superman and the entire comicbook industry and is highly recommended.

The real issue is what does this mean for Superman? The copyright that was reclaimed by the Siegels was only to the Superman material in Action Comics #1. Which may not seem too significant given the thousands of issues published since, except that that story establishes a heck of a lot about Superman, including his origin as an alien child sent from a dying planet, that he wears tights and a cape, his alter-ego of Clark Kent, Clark’s employment as a newspaper reporter, his faux mild-mannered behavior as Clark, the odd love triangle with beautiful reporter Lois, and powers including invulnerability, super speed, super strength and the ability to leap long distances through the air. That’s a lot, but not all of what we’ve come to know as the Superman mythos. There’s no Jimmy Olsen, flight powers, Fortress of Solitude, Perry White, Kryptonite, Lex Luthor, Brainiac or General Zod. (The Superboy mythos, including Smallville, the Kents and Lana Lang is part of a separate case the Siegels have filed.)

In the short term, the ruling seems like it won’t have much of an impact even if it is upheld on the inevitable appeal. The real impact would likely be behind the scenes as attorneys try to assign dollar values to the elements each party can claim ownership to since the copyright reverted in 1999. This would result in a massive and long overdue payday for the Siegels, especially given this ruling has opened the door for making WB account for its earnings from the character in other media. That means the studio would be on the hook for tens of millions of dollars to the Siegels for “Superman Returns,” various animated projects like “Justice League: The New Frontier,” the upcoming “Justice League of America” movie and any sequels to “Superman Returns.”

But given this complex situation, it's hard to imagine the character being significantly altered or departing DC/WB for another studio or publisher. Extricating the Action #1 elements from the rest of the Superman mythos and one side proceeding without the other appears practically impossible for either party. And since I also can’t imagine the Siegels have the interest at this point in creative control over the character’s comics or movies, DC and WB likely will be free to continue to do what they’ve been doing, with the only difference being that they will have to pay for the privilege of using someone else’s character.

What’s been disappointing in all this is that WB could have easily done more to help the Siegels and the Shusters — and could have done so while Jerry and Joe were still alive — not to mention avoided this hugely expensive legal dispute. WB bought DC in the late 1960s and was therefore free of the long history between DC founder Harry Donenfeld and the artists. Would it have been so hard to share with Siegel and Shuster a meaningful portion of the billions — yes, billions — Superman has brought in for the company? Yes, WB did in 1975 restore their credit, provide medical insurance and pay a small annual stipend to Siegel and Shuster, but the amounts involved were less than a pittance for so large a company.

The few fans who have been railing on message boards against the ruling out of fear it might affect the comics they buy should be ashamed of themselves for excusing the greed of a corporation that has done everything in its power to avoid compensating in any meaningful financial way the Siegels and Shusters. That the copyright act under which the Siegels were able to reclaim their copyright — as well as all subsequent revisions to said laws — was written to protect large companies’ interests in long-standing copyrights is a welcome irony in an otherwise tragic tale.

What this means for other characters has yet to be seen, but it’s certainly not a doom and gloom situation. The circumstances of the creation of the Action Comics #1 tale separate it from those of most other classic superheroes — particularly the Marvel ones, which appear to have been mostly created under conditions that qualify under the law as work for hire and are generally exempt from this kind of legal action.

This ruling also should serve as a cautionary tale for both creators and publishers: for creators to protect their rights to avoid losing control of their stories and characters, and for publishers to remember to treat fairly the creative talents that make your success possible.

'Superhero' boycott, 'Chuck' gets a comic, 'Ronin' hires scribe, and more!

Random comics stuff from around the web:

* The Weinstein Co.'s "Superhero Movie," the latest parody flick from the makers of "The Naked Gun" and "Scary Movie," was targeted for a boycott by fans upset with changes the studio made to "Fanboys." The fans protested changing the plot of the film, which revolved around a group of boys trying to see "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" early because one of them was sick with cancer, to remove the cancer plot. Studio has announced it will release both the original and edited versions of "Fanboys."

* Speaking of "Superhero Movie," it's given me a chance to consider the worst superhero movies of all time over at Metromix.com.

* The NBC series "Chuck" is coming to comics in a six-issue miniseries from DC, written by the show's co-exec producer Peter Johnson and series writer Zev Borow.

* AICN reports director Matthew Vaughn, who helmed Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess's "Stardust" and slated to do "Thor" for Marvel, also is developing "Kick-Ass," based on the comic by Mark Millar ("Wanted") and John Romita Jr.

* Joby Harold has been hired to adapt Frank Miller's "Ronin" for the screen. Seems a shame to not see them going back to the script Miller himself wrote about 10 years ago back.

* In an interview with Newsarama, writer and artist Mike Allred says the script for a movie based on his Madman series is getting a final polish and is getting close to a green light.

* And finally, here's a look at the trailer for Marvel's next DVD animated feature, the kid-oriented "Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow," due out this summer.

Jackman goes 'Nowhere' with Virgin

Finally coming up for air from a big project, we find that Hugh Jackman has signed with Virgin Comics to create a comic called "Nowhere Man" — no relation to the Epic series of the same name Marvel published a few years back — that the actor and his producing partners hope will eventually be turned into videogames and a movie. Since Jackman's not a director, this falls under the purview of the Virgin Voices line instead of Director's Cut.

Working with Jackman on the book is Marc Guggenheim, creator of the TV skein "Eli Stone" and an increasingly prolific writer of comicbooks. Guggenheim has even written a number of stories for Marvel starring Wolverine, who Jackman played in three "X-Men" pics and in the upcoming "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" solo pic.

Full PR from Virgin in the jump.

HUGH JACKMAN TO CREATE COMIC BOOK SERIES NOWHERE MAN WITH VIRGIN COMICS

Wolverine actor teams with Wolverine author Marc Guggenheim for Sci Fi thriller

New York, March 25, 2008---Superstar actor Hugh Jackman, already portraying a comic book character in 20th Century Fox's upcoming Wolverine, is now teaming with Hollywood scribe Marc Guggenheim and publisher Virgin Comics to create the original comic series Nowhere Man. Story details are being kept under wraps but Virgin officials describe the story as a Sci Fi odyssey set in a groundbreaking vision of the future in which mankind has traded privacy for safety. “I’ve had so much fun in the graphic novel world with the X-MEN franchise that I wanted to get even more involved,” said Jackman about the project. “I am so excited to work with Virgin and Marc and create a compelling character and story that hopefully will also make it to the big screen." Virgin will team with Seed Productions, Jackman’s production company with producer John Palermo, to create the comic series and then take it into film and other areas. Added Palermo: “Seed is thrilled to be in business with Virgin Comics and Marc Guggenheim on this innovative project.  From working on the X-MEN films, we have studied the thought and artistry that go into every issue of a graphic novel series and cannot wait to dive in ourselves.”

Marc Guggenheim, who will pen the original series, is no stranger to comics. He has previously authored comics on Marvel’s Wolverine series as well as the best-selling Amazing Spider-Man. Guggenheim has also most recently seen his creative work succeed on the small screen. His Eli Stone is currently running on ABC television to strong reviews.

“Virgin Comics is focused on pairing the best comic book talents with icons in the entertainment industry to develop original stories,” said Sharad Devarajan, Virgin Comics CEO. "Hugh Jackman and Marc Guggenheim working together on Nowhere Man is a perfect combination that promises a great story for everyone.”

Added Gotham Chopra, Virgin Comics Chief Creative Officer who will oversee the development of the series with Amanda Schweitzer of Jackman’s Seed Productions: “we’re already up and running on the creative side of things and having a lot of fun. We believe that our new partnership with the team at Seed on Nowhere Man is the start of something big.”

About Virgin Comics
Virgin Comics is a character entertainment company creating original stories and epic myths for worldwide audiences.   The company was founded in November 2005 by Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Enterprises Ltd., alongside author Deepak Chopra, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and entrepreneurs Sharad Devarajan, Gotham Chopra and Suresh Seetharaman.  Virgin is developing new stories with acclaimed filmmakers, actors and musicians including John Woo, Guy Ritchie, Terry Gilliam, Dave Stewart, Ed Burns, Nicolas Cage, Duran Duran, Sachin Tendulkar and others.  Feature films based on Virgin Comics’ characters are also in the works, including an animated feature The Secrets of the Seven Sounds, Guy Ritchie's Gamekeeper (with Warner Bros and producer Joel Silver) and Virulents with FOX, directed by John Moore (The Omen, Max Payne).    Virgin Comics also formed a joint venture with NBC-Universal to create new science fiction properties for graphic novels and television with the SCIFI Channel.  The first title in this series, The Stranded, premiered in January 2008.  www.VirginComics.com

About Seed Productions
Seed Productions - the company founded and run by Hugh Jackman, Deborra-lee Furness, and John Palermo - is a film, television, and theater production company with offices in Los Angeles and Sydney.  Seed's first film, DECEPTION, will be released by Fox on April 25.  Seed is currently in production on WOLVERINE, a spin-off of the popular X-MEN film series.  Seed's television show AN AUSSIE GOES BARMY has been a major hit in Australia and spawned two subsequent series - AN AUSSIE GOES BOLLY and AN AUSSIE GOES CALYPSO.  Seed has numerous projects in development in both the US and Australia. 

Updates: BEA; George convicted; Haven; Oz events

* Book Expo America returns to Los Angeles this year and plans a full day of comics programming, one of which I'm set to moderate, on Saturday, May 31. GalleyCat has details on the event.

* Comics shop owner and convention organizer Michael George has been found guilty in the 1990 murder of his wife by a jury in Michigan.

* Archaia Studios Press is now selling hard copies of its comics through an online store at Indie Press Revolution, as well as electronic versions in pdf format at Drive Thru Comics.

* Haven Distribution is the new name for Cold Cut Distribution, one of the few direct-market alternatives to Diamond for non-exclusive publishers. Company was purchased recently by Rogue Wolf Entertainment and relocated to Chicago.

* Oz publisher Gestalt Comics has planned some noteworthy comics events are set Down Under, with launch parties for “Waldo’s Hawaiian Holiday,” director Alex Cox’s graphic novel sequel to “Repo Man,” set for April 4 at Brunswick Bound in Melbourne and April 11 at Planet Books in Perth. They also have an exhibit called “Art of the Graphic Novel” set for April 10-May 18 at the Heathcote Museum and Gallery in the metro Perth area.

'Buck Rogers's' future is Dynamite

The New Jersey-based publisher has picked up the rights to do both new comics and reprint editions of the classic space-faring adventurer from the heirs of creator John Flint Dille. While a regular writer and interior artist have yet to be named, fan favorite artists Alex Ross and John Cassaday are contributing character designs and covers.

Full press release follows:

Dynamite Entertainment to Launch Buck Rogers Comics Series!

March 11th, 2008 Runnemede, NJ -- For almost 80 years, more than any other, the name Buck Rogers has simply meant “The Future”. And now that future is coming to you from Dynamite Entertainment!

Before caped heroes were leaping tall buildings, Buck was spanning the stars . . . and the centuries.  A man accidentally thrust into an extraordinary future, Buck is science fiction’s first superstar and one of our culture’s most enduring icons.  In its original version, Buck Rogers ran as a comic strip continuously for 38 years in over 400 newspapers.  True to his adventurous reputation, Buck is also known for his star turns in radio, movie serials, and television series. And now, comics and more from Dynamite Entertainment!

Flint Dille, a prominent animation and videogame creator as well as the grandson of Buck’s originator, John Flint Dille, oversees the Buck Rogers franchise. “My family and I have always considered the Buck legacy a sort of ‘sacred trust’,” Dille says, “and we are absolutely confident that this collaboration with Dynamite honors that trust.”

Nick Barrucci, Publisher and President of Dynamite Entertainment, is very enthusiastic to be working on one of his “dream projects since childhood,” and to be working with Flint and his family legacy in that process.  Barrucci proudly confirms that fan favorites, Alex Ross and John Cassaday, will be integral to Dynamite’s Buck launch, with both Alex and John providing character designs, Alex providing a cover to issue #1, and John serving as regular series cover artist starting with issue #1.  “Dynamite’s job right now,” Barrucci says, “is to find the writer and the artist who share my and my team’s respect and affection for Buck Rogers, and who can help bring Buck, once again, into an exciting new future.”

Dynamite’s agreement with the Dille Estate allows for the creation of Buck Rogers comics, collections, including classic material, comics-based fine art prints, posters, action figures, trading cards, statues, and other high-end collectibles. Look for promotional art and announcements at www.dynamiteentertainment.com in the coming weeks and at San Diego ComiCon this summer.

ABOUT DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT:

“DYNAMITE consistently places more titles in the Top 100 than most non-Marvel, non-DC publishers.”

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT was founded in 2004 and is home to several bestselling comic book titles and properties. Beginning with their ARMY OF DARKNESS comic book series -- launching as the #1 independent comic in July of '04, and recently ranked as the #1 selling Independent Horror comic -- and continuing with their bestselling RED SONJA series -- issue #0 alone selling over 240,000 copies and ongoing issues and one-shots consistently ranked among the bestselling titles in unit sales and dollar volume outside of Marvel and DC Comics -- DYNAMITE successfully places more titles in the Top 100 than most non-Marvel, non-DC publishers. DYNAMITE's monthly BATTLESTAR GALACTICA series debuted with an impressive 175,000 copies in initial orders sold for the introductory #0 issue, and was featured in the pages of
TV Guide. Additionally, the introductory HIGHLANDER #0 debuted with over 100,000 copies pre-sold and was featured in a follow-up article in TV Guide as well.

Dynamite has worked with Alex Ross to launch Project Superpowers as the #4 best selling comic in January of ’08, launching as the only non-Marvel/non-DC superhero genre title entering the top 5 comics published.  Dynamite joined Marvel Comic whose titles placed 9 out of the 10 top 10 titles for January ’08.

DYNAMITE has also released CLASSIC BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, XENA, DARKMAN VS.ARMY OF DARKNESS, PAINKILLER JANE, THE LONE RANGER, SAVAGE TALES, JUNGLE GIRL and THE BOYS -- and has more on the horizon!

For updated information on Dynamite Entertainment and their titles, please visit the Dynamite website at www.dynamiteentertainment.com

'Rocketeer' creator Stevens dies

Dave Stevens, the writer and artist who is best known for creating "The Rocketeer," has died after a battle with leukemia. He was 52.

As usual, Mark Evanier has all the details on Stevens' life and art at his blog, including info on Stevens' work in animation. Stevens' page at the IMDB shows few film credits, but  the projects Stevens worked out were some of the most influential of their times, including Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

The movie version of "The Rocketeer," made by Disney, never made as big a splash as other comicbook pics despite being a well-reviewed film with good performances by Billy Campbell and young Jennifer Connolly. Having recently caught a bit of the 1991 film a few weeks back, it holds up quite well as an updated version of the pulpy 1930s action-adventure stories that inspired Stevens.

Stevens also was a prominent "good girl" artist, whose pinup illustrations of Bettie Page played a big role in maintaining her legend.

Marvel prepares for its close up

Marvel's keeping busy in advance of "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk," the first films based on its characters that the company is producing itself. The Los Angeles Times sums up the changes in the company's strategy, its plans and the risks that come with them. 

Meanwhile, former Disney and Sony exec Geoffrey Ammer has signed on as prexy of worldwide marketing and home video. He'll oversee ad, publicity and promo campaigns for both Marvel's self-produced pics and the properties licensed to other studios.

And, while doing press for "The Grand," screenwriter Zak Penn talks a bit about the proposed "Avengers" movie and says it's a ways off and will come after solo movies establish each of the group's heroes.

News bits: Fincher, Foo Fighters, Wolverine, JLA

David Fincher has signed on to direct an adaptation of Charles Burns' graphic novel "Black Hole," from a screenplay by the "Beowulf" team of Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary. Fincher also has been long attached to adapting "Torso," a true-crime comic about Eliot Ness by Brian Bendis and Marc Andreyko.

Foo Fighters have sued Marvel, claiming the band's music was used without permission in the trailer for the upcoming "Wolverine and the X-Men" animated series.

Even more casting on "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," with former hobbit and "Lost" castaway Dominic Monaghan set to play Barnell, a.k.a. Beak, from Grant Morrison's "New X-Men" run and Daniel Henney to play Agent Zero.

While the "Justice League of America" movie is on hold, reports have it