Comic Books

[HaemishM]

I actually liked Austen's run on Uncanny. Sure, there was a lot of soap opera shit, but the stuff he did with Juggernaut was just top-notch.

[Velorath]

There is also District X which features Bishop, who now patrols the mutant disctrict know as Mutant Town I believe, Emma Frost, which focuses on her back story and has probably been canceled, Cable and Deadpool, Mytique, and Fabian and Liefeld are getting ready to do another X-Force.

The big problem I have with the X-books though with the possible exception of Astonishing which seems to be doing well, is that the writers have pretty much been told to undo a lot of Morrison's work.  Austen has gone on record as saying it wasn't his idea to bring Xorn back, I think Claremont was told to bring Magneto back, and they were pretty much all told that the X-men had to get back into spandex costumes.  I"m not a big fan of Austen or Claremont's current work, but I don't think that they should be told what to write to this extent.  If Morrison hadn't had that clause in his contract that prevented his work from being fucked with, I'm sure the editors and higer-ups would have found a way to screw his stuff up too.

X-Statix is actually pretty good.  When it started off in X-Force (having no connection to the previous X-Force and just using the title and numbering) it was probably one of the best comics out there.  It started to lose it's edge after a while, especially when Marvel made them change their 3 part story that was supposed to feature Princess Di coming back from the dead and the issues were quickly and poorly rewritten.

It also seems like all comics have a totally fucked up period which makes you think "WTF?". Clone saga for spiderman, death of superman (and splitting and rebirth)... Didn't the Xmen have a long series where they got stuck in the past or something? I seem to recall people bitching about the continuity becoming stupid back in highschool (late 80s / early 90s).

If you have the spare time one day read this.  This is a 35 part look at all the behind the scenes shit that went on that turned the clone saga from just a possibly bad idea into a crap storyline that lumbered on for months and months after it was supposed to end because sales were up.  It's an example of the old saying about too many cooks, as just about every person who worked at Marvel at the time had some sort of input on the storyline.

[Alluvian]

A decent sized piece of me actually enjoyed the whole clone saga.  Hell, I personally think they should have just exposed reily as the clone and left him to do his scarlet spider thing.  It has been pretty fun going back and reading the scarlet spider stuff.  I have not read the amazing or the spectactular stuff where most of the story was though.  That stuff may very well suck ass.  The ending of it was abit too complete.  Maybe that is just because I happened to like reily, oh well.  I suppose him degenerating was the only way after all the stupid misdirection to be sure of who was really who.  The one thing that really seemed to ring true in the "100 ways to end the clone saga" spoof was that marvel was really sick of the entire thing by then and just wanted to put every shred of it behind them.  The overly convenient ending where all the new characters all suddenly died was abit too compartmentalized for me.

Going back and reading it at once is very differnt than slagging through it for 2-3 freaking YEARS though.  I can imagine that time for subscribers probably sucked ass.  That and most of the major stories were split up in 4-5 parters that spread across all 4 of the comics being produced at that time.  So following the story would have been expensive as well.

[HaemishM]

The Clone Saga, what little I read of it, highlights a major problem Marvel had and is starting to repeat. Too many books for one character/team. I mean 4 Spidey books, ALL written by the same guy? 4-part stories with each part being written and drawn by a different artist/writer team? WAAAAAYYYY too many cooks in that kitchen. X-Men has had that problem a lot, and I'm hoping they don't continue to overextend themselves with the new run of stuff. Both Marvel and DC seem to be repeating the mistakes of "take any book that has succeeded and spin it off or make tons of special one-shot issues/series until the market is flooded with books." X-Men, JLA, Spider-Man and Wolverine have been the biggest guilty parties of this.

[Alluvian]

The other trend I see is in the Ultimate versions of these books, at least spiderman.  And that is to write for TPB format.  The Ultimate spiderman books are obviously designed for TPBs.  The arcs are conveniently always 6 or 7 issues long and then rather quickly stuck in TPB format.  Any gaps between arcs that don't form their own arc are ALSO 6-7 issues long.  There is a reason I am collecting Ultimate Spiderman in TPB format.

[stray]

I'm kind of a noob with BT, and I've only used it when directed towards a link. Where's a good place to start getting comics? Is it safe to follow links from Google or what?

I don't mind paying when I can, but for most part, I'm just trying to catch up on series/storylines. I just want to read them, not collect them. I've been catching up as best as I can by buying compilations/graphic novels (which saves a little money, but still, I've probably spent around $500 in the past 2 months). So far, the only cheaper things I've purchased is Astonishing X-Men and Wanted, since with those, I can at least start with issue number 1.

I agree that Comics are too expensive. At least for what little you get out of them. Sorta like Albums I guess (which would be more reasonably priced if they were around $5 cheaper). The only difference I guess is that CD's don't rise in value over time like comics will (Then again, I doubt the graphics novels -- or "TPB's" -- I'm buying hold much value either).

BTW: What's "TPB" stand for?

[Alluvian]

TPB is 'Trade Paper Back'.

And I don't know this site's policy about giving links to BT sites.

[Velorath]

There are a few good deals around though as far as price goes.  Most notably Marvels Essential collections, which you can find for around 10-15 bucks and collect 24 issues in B&W.  Also some places with give you discounts for pre-ordering comics.  I get my new comics at G-mart.com for example which gives me a 35% discount when I pre-order them three months in advance.

The other trend I see is in the Ultimate versions of these books, at least spiderman. And that is to write for TPB format. The Ultimate spiderman books are obviously designed for TPBs. The arcs are conveniently always 6 or 7 issues long and then rather quickly stuck in TPB format. Any gaps between arcs that don't form their own arc are ALSO 6-7 issues long. There is a reason I am collecting Ultimate Spiderman in TPB format.

Yeah, "paced for the trade" is a big tlhing in comics right now, not just the Ultimate books.  Bendis is usually the most guilty of this but just about everybody is doing it now.  You'll almost never find a stand-alone issue these days and arcs less than 6 issues long are rare also.  These days it seems that the TPB comes out the month after the storyline ends.  I guess the idea is that since trades are sold in book stores, there's a larger potential audience they can reach compared to the momthlies being sold in comic book stores.  They're increasingly trying to reach that books store market, having seen how much money kids these days spend on Manga there.

[Velorath]

Speaking of Bendis the first 23 pages of the 48 page Avengers #500 is now online here.  This is the first part of his "Avengers Disassembled" storyline which is supposed to result in a restart of the Avengers, and seems like an interesting read so far.

Edit:  Milehighcomics.com also has a 22 pg. preview of  Iron Man #86 which is a tie-in to the storyline (as are just about all the Avengers related comics and some of the Spider-man comics).  Plenty of other previews there at http://www.milehighcomics.com/firstlook/marvel/ also.

[daveNYC]

Edit:  Milehighcomics.com also has a 22 pg. preview of  Iron Man #86...

Isn't that about the same length as the actual comic?

[Velorath]

Edit:  Milehighcomics.com also has a 22 pg. preview of  Iron Man #86...

Isn't that about the same length as the actual comic?

I think so.  Marvel seems to be showing off a lot of their comics right now (although District X is the only X-book being previewed from the looks of it).  Looks like they've got 20 full issues being shown at milehighcomics.  I guess maybe they figure that it's not really much different than people flipping through the book in a comic book store.  The print is kind of a pain to read at times though on the computer.

[stray]

And I don't know this site's policy about giving links to BT sites.

Yeah, probably not a good idea. I'll probably figure it out.

Anyways...Unless someone else wants to start another thread:
 
Anyone see Spidey 2 yet? I just got back myself. I really liked the first one, but it doesn't compare. I'm not sure any other comic book adaptation does either. I'd say it's worth watching in a theater instead of waiting. Molina is always great in whatever he does, but it's the director that really stands out in Part 2, much more so than Part 1. Doc Oc is a such perfect fit for Sam Raimi. Defoe rocks, but the Goblin just wasn't that scary.

I heard that they're already filming Part 3. We all know how Harry Osborne turns out, but I hope he doesn't include some stupid shit like say..Vulture or Electro into the films. I think the only guy left worth seeing (under Raimi's direction at least) would be Eddie Brock.

[Alluvian]

[ETA]New spidey 2 thread has been made here:
http://www.f13.net/forums/viewtopic.php?p=15434#15434
[/ETA]

Well, they setup Johnah's son and Curt Conners as well.  They could develop manwolf or the lizardman.  Plus doc can always come back as could the original green goblin.

The third will for SURE have Green Goblin number 2.  That is a lock.  It could setup lizardman for a possible fourth movie or even go ahead and put lizardman in the third if they want a second villian.  I would not mind just spiderman vs harry osborne but I think the suits will want another villian to set the movie apart from the first one.  Even though the harry green goblin has different motivations than daddy goblin.

Oh, I forgot to say the movie floored me.  I totally loved it.  They just NAILED peter parker again and all the awkward problems that spiderman has.  I was waiting for the line "There is no WAY [insert hero] has to go through this!".  They never used it, but you could sure feel it in the elevator scene.  Oh god that scene killed me.  The movie is hilarious in it's own subtle way while at the same time being dark.  Great job balancing parker and spiderman screentime.  I don't think either one got left out overly much.  Not for this stage in his life.  Awesome film.  Blows the first one away IMO, and as a spiderman fanboi that is saying a lot.

Lets put our hopes on the new batman kicking ass now.



On the topic of mile high, they had the current spiderman in full on their site as well.  I am not sure if it is even in stores yet.  It wasn't back when I saw it.  They are introducing some characters who are after parker (not spiderman) and have some ties to gwen stacy's past.

[stray]

Fantastic Four in 2005

So, did anyone ever see that last one? I doubt anything could get worse than that, but I'm not sure if the FF would make a good film even with the best of intentions. Out of all the Marvel franchises, I'd say it's probably the easiest to fuck up. Even a Sub-Mariner film would have a better chance at not coming off too corny.

The reason why I mention it is some casting choices were announced this week. All of them seem pretty poor (except Chiklis). No word yet on who will be playing Dr. Doom. Also, for some reason, the guy who brought us "Barbershop" was given the job to direct.

Ioan Gruffudd ("Horatio Hornblower," 'King Arthur') will fill the elastipants of Reed Richards, Michael Chiklis ("The Shield") will be everyone's ever-lovin,' blue-eyed Thing, and Chris Evans ('Not Another Teen Movie,' 'The Perfect Score,' 'Cellular') will be Johnny Storm. Still uncast is the role of Sue Richards, although supposedly, Jessica Alba ("Dark Angel," 'Honey') is the lead contender. The other two frontrunners for the part are Keri Russel ("Felicity") and Rachel McAdams ('Mean Girls' and 'The Notebook'), who I believe Beaks interviewed recently and hinted at being up for the part.

[Velorath]

Fantastic Four in 2005

So, did anyone ever see that last one? I doubt anything could get worse than that, but I'm not sure if the FF would make a good film even with the best of intentions. Out of all the Marvel franchises, I'd say it's probably the easiest to fuck up. Even a Sub-Mariner film would have a better chance at not coming off too corny.

The reason why I mention it is some casting choices were announced this week. All of them seem pretty poor (except Chiklis). No word yet on who will be playing Dr. Doom. Also, for some reason, the guy who brought us "Barbershop" was given the job to direct.

Ioan Gruffudd ("Horatio Hornblower," 'King Arthur') will fill the elastipants of Reed Richards, Michael Chiklis ("The Shield") will be everyone's ever-lovin,' blue-eyed Thing, and Chris Evans ('Not Another Teen Movie,' 'The Perfect Score,' 'Cellular') will be Johnny Storm. Still uncast is the role of Sue Richards, although supposedly, Jessica Alba ("Dark Angel," 'Honey') is the lead contender. The other two frontrunners for the part are Keri Russel ("Felicity") and Rachel McAdams ('Mean Girls' and 'The Notebook'), who I believe Beaks interviewed recently and hinted at being up for the part.

I realize that FF #1 was pretty much the beginning of the Silver Age of comics and when Marvel started to become the big name in comics...  but I've just never given a fuck about the Fantastic Four.  I can see why they'd go with a director with experience in comedy though since there's no way the average person is going to take any character who calls himself Mr. Fantastic seriously.  I mean fuck, if I were making that movie it would just be 15 minutes of Ben Grimm beating the hell out of Reed for getting stuck with the pussy magnet code-name of The Thing, while Reed calls himself Mr. Fan-Fucking-Tastic.  Way to rub it in Richards!  Anyhow, the Fantastic Four movie excites me about as much as Elektra, ranking higher than Namor but below even Man-Thing or Iron Fist.

[stray]

Anyhow, the Fantastic Four movie excites me about as much as Elektra, ranking higher than Namor but below even Man-Thing or Iron Fist.

For years, I thought the Sub-Mariner was the most unappealing comic book character ever. Then, when I read "Marvels" recently, and caught up with some other stories, I saw something in him that I never considered before -- A dark side. He's pissed, stuck on vengeance, confused, alone, extremely powerful, and largely misunderstood by everyone else, including other heroes. Those are the same reasons why the Silver Surfer has been my favorite.

I think a movie can work. There's lots of room for cool eye candy, the backdrop is part fantasy/part sci-fi, in an environment which is rarely used in films (aquatic), and if they stick with his original story, it'll be about revenge...Which always works IMO. The other thing going for it is that (supposedly) the guy behind the Harry Potter movies is directing.

I liked the Daredevil movie, I really dig Jennifer Garner, but I'm not sure about Elektra. I said the same thing when I first heard about Kill Bill as well, but I changed my mind the minute I saw it. Not that I even expect Elektra to resemble anything like that, but as long as it isn't China O'Brien or Barb-Wire, I guess it can't be that disappointing.

Man-Thing. I dunno. I think I'd rather watch "Anaconda 2". Besides, John Carpenter pretty much did the same thing already (Swamp Thing will always hold a special place in my heart, thanks mainly to the wonderfully "gifted" Adrienne Barbeau and my first exposure to boobies-on-screen).

As for Iron Fist...Well, at least they're using a decent Chinese/Kung-Fu director. Who knows?

Then there's Ghost Rider. Rumor is that it's Nic Cage (as Blaze) and the guy who directed Daredevil. That doesn't sound bad, but I remember a while back that Depp/Burton were going to do it, but it never panned out. It's a shame because those two together can do no wrong.

[HaemishM]

Nic Cage has been tapped for Ghost Rider for years, but it never seems to get off the ground. And for fuck's sake, keep Tim Burton the fuck away from my goddamn comics. No-talent creepy clown shoes motherfucker assmunch screwed up my childhood favorite "Planet of the Apes" and tries to make Superman transparent, he can go eat a fat bag of cocks and die.

As for a Fantastic Four movie, anyone have a link or a line on where I can BitTorrent a copy of the Roger Corman Fantastic Four movie online? It's supposedly out there, but I've yet to be able to find it.

Chiklis is a great cast as The Thing, but I don't know the others well enough to comment. I always thought Paul Walker would make a good Human Torch/Johnny Storm.

[daveNYC]

I wouldn't mind an Elektra movie.  Of course, my only exposure to Elektra in the comics was that mini-series with The Hand, The Beast, the Beast's milk, and the 'two dollar whore' bit.

I suspect the movie will be nothing like it.

[Velorath]

DC just released their October solicits and there are a few interesting books coming out that month.  Kurt Busiek takes over on JLA, Hal Jordan may be returning as Green Lantern in the Rebirth mini, but of particular note, George Romero has a comic book coming out:

TOE TAGS FEATURING GEORGE ROMERO #1
Written by George Romero
Art by Tommy Castillo & Rodney Ramos
Cover by Bernie Wrightson
Cult movie writer/director George Romero helps kick off TOE TAGS, a series of miniseries featuring the work of a number of creative luminaries from a variety of media! Best known for his trio of zombie films - Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, and Day of the Dead - Romero launches TOE TAGS with an all-new horror classic for comics: the 6-part "The Death of Death," featuring bloodcurdling art by Tommy Castillo (DETECTIVE COMICS) & Rodney Ramos (GREEN LANTERN).
Overnight, the world has been turned upside down, and zombies rule the day! It's up to a college professor named Hoffman, his assistant Damien Cross, and his gal Judy to figure out exactly how and why the undead have taken over. But even if they do get to the bottom of the plague, is it too late to save the world?
On sale Oct 20 o 32 pg, FC, $2.95 US o Mature Readers Edited by Bob Schreck

[stray]

TOE TAGS FEATURING GEORGE ROMERO #1
Written by George Romero
Art by Tommy Castillo & Rodney Ramos
Cover by Bernie Wrightson

Cool...I recently picked up the Dawn of the Dead comics too, which are pretty good (but aren't written by Romero). This should be more what I had in mind.

[HaemishM]

They are DEFINITELY bringing back Hal Jordan as the Green Lantern.

Which I think is the height of ripping people off, personally, because despite my objections to his turn as Parallax, I think he went out on a good enough note. Bringing him back as the Spectre was stupid, but bringing him back as GL with such a good, strong lead on GL now as Kyle Rayner is the height of absurdity.

[Velorath]

And it looks like Jessica Alba is going to be playing Sue Storm in the FF movie.

[stray]

TOE TAGS FEATURING GEORGE ROMERO #1
Written by George Romero
Art by Tommy Castillo & Rodney Ramos
Cover by Bernie Wrightson

Something else worth adding: Land of the Dead

Huge huge news for George Romero fans! It's finally official, after years and years and years of waiting, George Romero's fourth and final zombie flick, now called Land of the Dead, is going to happen!...

In Romero's new pic, the zombies having taken over the world and those left alive are confined to a walled-in city that keeps out the corpse corps. Anarchy rules the streets, with the wealthy insulated and living in fortified skyscrapers. Drama revolves around a group of scavengers who must thwart an attempt to overthrow the city while the dead are evolving from brainless slow-moving creatures into more advanced creatures...

Oh, one more bit of movie news (sorry 'bout that, I know this is the comic thread and all): WTF?

Jack Black has closed his deal. He will be playing Green Lantern in a film that has been described as a “zany comedy version a la THE MASK.” All rights to the DC comic have been worked out as well, so you can expect to start hearing more about this project in the months ahead.

As I understand it, DC Comics tried desperately to dodge this bullet, but ultimately, they don’t have the right to veto something if Warner Bros. really wants to make it happen. This is the problem with the way DC’s deal with their corporate overlords is structured. Their hands are tied. As much as they are aware of the problem with this approach to the material, they just have to sit back and watch it happen along with fans of the character and the rich mythology that has been established over the long run of the various GREEN LANTERN titles.

Wow...Pretty fucked up idea, but..Well, it sounds kinda funny. If Jack Black's doing it, they might as well get Spike Jonze too.

[Velorath]

Something else worth adding: Land of the Dead

Huge huge news for George Romero fans! It's finally official, after years and years and years of waiting, George Romero's fourth and final zombie flick, now called Land of the Dead, is going to happen!...

In Romero's new pic, the zombies having taken over the world and those left alive are confined to a walled-in city that keeps out the corpse corps. Anarchy rules the streets, with the wealthy insulated and living in fortified skyscrapers. Drama revolves around a group of scavengers who must thwart an attempt to overthrow the city while the dead are evolving from brainless slow-moving creatures into more advanced creatures...

Oh, one more bit of movie news (sorry 'bout that, I know this is the comic thread and all): WTF?

Jack Black has closed his deal. He will be playing Green Lantern in a film that has been described as a “zany comedy version a la THE MASK.” All rights to the DC comic have been worked out as well, so you can expect to start hearing more about this project in the months ahead.

As I understand it, DC Comics tried desperately to dodge this bullet, but ultimately, they don’t have the right to veto something if Warner Bros. really wants to make it happen. This is the problem with the way DC’s deal with their corporate overlords is structured. Their hands are tied. As much as they are aware of the problem with this approach to the material, they just have to sit back and watch it happen along with fans of the character and the rich mythology that has been established over the long run of the various GREEN LANTERN titles.

Wow...Pretty fucked up idea, but..Well, it sounds kinda funny. If Jack Black's doing it, they might as well get Spike Jonze too.

I'm not a big Jack Black fan, but if nothing else this at least sounds a million times better than Catwoman, and probably better than how Superman will end up as well.  No matter how they went about doing a GL movie, they would have pissed of the majority of the fans anyway as soon as they decided on which GL they would use.  I mean fuck it seems that the time for DC to have been thinking about GL fans was back when they made Hal insane and a murderer.  I'm not expecting great things from this movie, but on the off chance that it's done right it could end up being one of the better comic book movies out there.

As for Romero's new movie goes, it will be interesting to see if he's still got it in him.  Times have changed since the last of the Dead moives came out, and with the comment in there about the dead evolving I'm curious to see if he's moving toward the current trend of fast moving zombies or if he's going somewhere else altogether with this.  Anyhow as long as he doesn't decide to base it on a video game this should at the very least end up watchable.

[daveNYC]

The zombies would have to do something new; six people in a mall vs. 1000 zombies is scary, x000 people in a fortified city vs. x0000 zombies who have problems with ladders isn't.

[stray]

I mean fuck it seems that the time for DC to have been thinking about GL fans was back when they made Hal insane and a murderer.  I'm not expecting great things from this movie, but on the off chance that it's done right it could end up being one of the better comic book movies out there.

Who is "Kyle Rayner"? I've seen his name mentioned a few times here and there, that he'd been the only GL that Black could possibly fit.

[Velorath]

Who is "Kyle Rayner"? I've seen his name mentioned a few times here and there, that he'd been the only GL that Black could possibly fit.

Kyle Rayner took over as GL after Hal went crazy and killed all the other GL's.   He's an artist, which is supposed to make him a little more imaginative when it comes to making things with the ring.  He's younger and in better physical shape than Black so I can only imagine Black as being a new character which is fairly easy to do with the Green Lantern concept since there are already multiple Green Lanterns out there.

[stray]

Kyle Rayner took over as GL after Hal went crazy and killed all the other GL's. He's an artist, which is supposed to make him a little more imaginative when it comes to making things with the ring.

Ahh, OK then. Not much a Lantern fan I guess (I bought quite a few when I was a kid, like I did with Iron Man, but I don't remember shit. I know more about him from the cartoons). Maybe I'll check some issues out, just to see what all the fans at AICN are frothing at the mouths for....Sounds like a good way to catch up with DC anyway, as everything I've bought is either Indie or Marvel (Besides Batman). What issues have the evil Hal Jordan story arc (or is there a TPB out?)?

[Velorath]

Ahh, OK then. Not much a Lantern fan I guess (I bought quite a few when I was a kid, like I did with Iron Man, but I don't remember shit. I know more about him from the cartoons). Maybe I'll check some issues out, just to see what all the fans at AICN are frothing at the mouths for....Sounds like a good way to catch up with DC anyway, as everything I've bought is either Indie or Marvel (Besides Batman). What issues have the evil Hal Jordan story arc (or is there a TPB out?)?

The story is currently collected as Green Lantern: A New Dawn.  Come October it will be reprinted as Green Lantern: Emerald Twilight/New Dawn, to coincide with the Green Lantern: Rebirth mini.  You might also want to pick up Final Night which has Hal sacrificing himself to reignite the sun.

And getting back to comic book movies, it looks like WB is getting the team that did X2 to work on Superman.

Details on SUPERMAN RETURNS, which is what Team Singer and WB seem to be calling it, are few and far between. But one source, that proved to me today to be quite close to some Warner exec that strikes an amazing resemblence to Lex Luthor himself, hinted to me that this film does not throw the Donner films away and allegedly somehow has something to do with their timeline and history!!! So... from the title, all we're left with is... he must have left, and now he's back. Does that refer to the child of Krypton's absence from theaters, Metropolis, our Planet or what? Will 3 & 4 be canon or merely tragedies? If he's returning, one can assume that he went somewhere, and now feels the need to be back... but why? Where'd he go? Why's he back? I can say though... SUPERMAN RETURNS will not be an Origin Story. We're not going to walk through all that molasses for the umpteenth time, waiting for Kal-El to do something or become Superman again!

The confirmed details are: Bryan Singer, Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris are on board. It will not be an origin story. And something regarding the Christopher Reeve films and that universe has something to do with this. (though that last one is a shady detail... My source heard that, but when they did... there was no elaboration for the how, what, when, where or why of it.)

[stray]

The story is currently collected as Green Lantern: A New Dawn.  Come October it will be reprinted as Green Lantern: Emerald Twilight/New Dawn, to coincide with the Green Lantern: Rebirth mini.

Wait, so "New Dawn" is the exact same thing as "Emerald Twilight", right? I won't be getting anything different if I wait?

And getting back to comic book movies, it looks like WB is getting the team that did X2 to work on Superman.

Details on SUPERMAN RETURNS, which is what Team Singer and WB seem to be calling it, are few and far between. But one source, that proved to me today to be quite close to some Warner exec that strikes an amazing resemblence to Lex Luthor himself, hinted to me that this film does not throw the Donner films away and allegedly somehow has something to do with their timeline and history!!! So... from the title, all we're left with is... he must have left, and now he's back. Does that refer to the child of Krypton's absence from theaters, Metropolis, our Planet or what? Will 3 & 4 be canon or merely tragedies? If he's returning, one can assume that he went somewhere, and now feels the need to be back... but why? Where'd he go? Why's he back? I can say though... SUPERMAN RETURNS will not be an Origin Story. We're not going to walk through all that molasses for the umpteenth time, waiting for Kal-El to do something or become Superman again!

The confirmed details are: Bryan Singer, Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris are on board. It will not be an origin story. And something regarding the Christopher Reeve films and that universe has something to do with this. (though that last one is a shady detail... My source heard that, but when they did... there was no elaboration for the how, what, when, where or why of it.)

That's cool. The title "Superman Returns" sounds like a much more exciting concept than another origin rehash..It sounds fucking great, in fact. Hey, maybe they'll use John Williams for the score again too. I'm surprised that Singer has signed on for this though (not only cuz of X-Men, but he's working on a remake of Logan's Run as well)..Figured he'd want to move to something smaller for a while, but I have no doubt he'll do it justice.

In related X-Men news:

Caught this late, but hell, I should be playing Jesse Custer, not this guy ;) Seriously.

Marsden Talks Cyclops and the Preacher

"I'm still kind of going through my deal, but we're supposed to shoot in August," Marsden said. "Very, very big following and some of the best writing I've ever read. Really dark, very dark, not for everybody. It challenges the kind of conventional religion and things like that. A very cynical piece, but some very brilliant writing. Right now we're kind of trying to figure out how to go in August, but I don't know for sure yet because we're not finished with everything. So, when the movie gets made, hopefully I will be playing Preacher. If it gets made, it will go before X-Men 3."

Maybe I can still audition for Arseface.

EDIT: Heh, I did manage to find this, from some old pre-production work

[Velorath]

Wait, so "New Dawn" is the exact same thing as "Emerald Twilight", right? I won't be getting anything different if I wait?

I'm not sure if any extra material is being put in the October version or not but they both seem to have a 192 page count so it will probably be the same collection with a new cover and title.  The story used to be collected in 2 tpbs though.  Emerald Twilight was the 3 pt. story of Hal going crazy, and New Dawn was the first few issues of Kyle learning how to use his new powers.  The tpb I linked to contains both those stories and a couple other issues I think (issues 148-155 I believe is what's collected).

If you want to check out some later stories, I've heard that "Emerald Knights" (which is a story about Hal and Kyle)  or the "Power of Ion" (about Kyle becoming omnipotent and calling himself Ion) might be good choices.

Caught this late, but hell, I should be playing Jesse Custer, not this guy ;) Seriously.

Marsden Talks Cyclops and the Preacher

"I'm still kind of going through my deal, but we're supposed to shoot in August," Marsden said. "Very, very big following and some of the best writing I've ever read. Really dark, very dark, not for everybody. It challenges the kind of conventional religion and things like that. A very cynical piece, but some very brilliant writing. Right now we're kind of trying to figure out how to go in August, but I don't know for sure yet because we're not finished with everything. So, when the movie gets made, hopefully I will be playing Preacher. If it gets made, it will go before X-Men 3."

Maybe I can still audition for Arseface.

Not much I can say about this one.  I just don't really see Preacher working as a movie, but maybe they'll prove me wrong.

[HaemishM]

Oh, one more bit of movie news (sorry 'bout that, I know this is the comic thread and all): WTF?

Jack Black has closed his deal. He will be playing Green Lantern in a film that has been described as a “zany comedy version a la THE MASK.” All rights to the DC comic have been worked out as well, so you can expect to start hearing more about this project in the months ahead.

As I understand it, DC Comics tried desperately to dodge this bullet, but ultimately, they don’t have the right to veto something if Warner Bros. really wants to make it happen. This is the problem with the way DC’s deal with their corporate overlords is structured. Their hands are tied. As much as they are aware of the problem with this approach to the material, they just have to sit back and watch it happen along with fans of the character and the rich mythology that has been established over the long run of the various GREEN LANTERN titles.

Wow...Pretty fucked up idea, but..Well, it sounds kinda funny. If Jack Black's doing it, they might as well get Spike Jonze too.

WHAT THE EVERLOVING HOLY MONKEY FUCK BULLSHIT IS THAT?!@!!

Jack Black has no right to ever portray a superhero who is not The Creeper, Ambush Bug or fucking 'Mazing Man. Green Lantern... I mean... what the fuck? Do the pigfucking furries Warner Bros. calls executives even read the fucking comics?

[Fargull]

Only comic I am reading these days is the Astonishing X-men being written by Josh Whedon.

Oh.. and of course the COH comic.

[Paelos]

I mean... what the fuck? Do the pigfucking furries Warner Bros. calls executives even read the fucking comics?

My boss told me something about investments once. You never have to see a soybean to know how to make a fortune trading them on the market. The important thing is never the medium, its understanding the forces at play that make you money.

I guarantee they've never read page one of a comic, but that won't stop them from reducing the medium to a formula and making fat stacks of cash.

[HaemishM]

I guarantee they've never read page one of a comic, but that won't stop them from reducing the medium to a formula and making fat stacks of cash.

I'm hoping the dropping of that "Catwoman" turd will convince these nutsacks to find other employment.