Tag Archives: watchmen

Review: The Flash #22

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The Flash #22 is a rush of speed lines from artist Howard Porter as The Flash and Batman travel through time and the Speed Force and come to the conclusion (with us readers) that “The Button” is a prologue to the upcoming “Doomsday Clock”. Joshua Williamson and his sometimes co-writer Tom King barely scratched the surface on the cause of the rewriting of the history of the DC Universe. It will be up to Geoff Johns and Gary Frank to tell the story  the Watchmen characters’ connection to the DC continuity. But “The Button” was still a pretty fun ride, especially with the interactions between Batman and Thomas Wayne, who is Batman in the Flashpoint Universe, and there is even at a glimpse at the Justice Society before Williamson, Porter, and colorist Hi-Fi snatch it away.

“The Button” has been like a cool teaser trailer that has some emotional resonance. The Flash #22 starts with a physical and verbal back and forth between The Flash and Reverse Flash until Reverse Flash dies yet again after boasting about being a constant point in a shifting sea of time and space. This seems like a replay of what happened in the first part of “The Button”, but Williamson and Porter throw in the new wrinkle of the return of Jay Garrick in a powerful splash page that reminded me of the winged helmet showing up in the Season 1 finale of The Flash TV show. It a powerful glimpse of hope that is yanked away and probably yet another plot thread that will be explored in “Doomsday Clock” so hence the fact that The Flash #22 seems like yet another teaser for a bigger, upcoming story. There is a running plot thread between the disappearance of the Justice Society, the death of Reverse Flash, and the Watchmen characters that could be really interesting to see play out in the fall. But, for now, it’s nice to see the DC Universe add even more elements from its past to the DC Rebirth universe as Williamson realizes the intergenerational legacy of heroism is one of its greatest strengths, especially where The Flash is concerned.

But The Flash #22 does have some emotional heft between it as Joshua Williamson realizes the connection between the post-Flashpoint/DC Rebirth versions of Barry Allen and Batman. What sets them apart from the other characters in the DC Universe is that they’ve had an opportunity to speak and interact with people who they’ve loved after they were taken from them thanks to the events of Flashpoint and “The Button”. Barry is kind of the perfect person for Batman to talk to after having an extended conversation with his father in previous issues. They have both seen some crazy things and understand how difficult it is to process. The fact that Thomas Wayne wants Bruce to move on with his life and not be Batman is just a major character beat for Batman in general, and Williamson and Porter leave his reaction to these words ambiguous closing on a moody nine panel grid. Hopefully, either Tom King in Batman, Geoff Johns in “Doomsday Clock”, or yet another writer builds upon this powerful moment.

With art that is constantly in motion by Howard Porter along with some nostalgic imagery, The Flash #22 is a suitable end to a storyline that’s only job was getting readers excited for a storyline down the road. However, Joshua Williamson and Porter make time to show Batman and Barry Allen’s personal reactions to this crazy journey so it’s not all sizzle and no steak. “The Button” crossover also shows the care that the Powers that Be at DC Comics are taking to restore and rebuild their history and continuity via the vehicle of relatively self-contained crossovers and slow burn mystery thrillers instead of making Superman a fascist or something.

Story: Joshua Williamson Art: Howard Porter Colors: Hi-fi
Story: 8.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

Geoff Johns Gives the Scoop on Watchmen, Superman, and Doomsday Clock

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With the finale chapter of “The Button” hitting shelves this Wednesday, writer Geoff Johns is lifting the veil as to what’s next for the DC Universe and Watchmen. It all comes full circle this November with Doomsday Clock.

The standalone miniseries will be written by Johns with art by Gary Frank and continues the mystery that began in DC Universe Rebirth Special #1.

As we can see with the teaser it blends together Superman, the classic Watchmen clock (without the blood) and Superman’s nemesis Doomsday is invoked in the title. That character appeared in the first Rebirth arc of Action Comics. At the end of that arc, the mysterious Oz had captured Doomsday and the Oz seems to be tied into Watchmen somehow. Interestingly, the story doesn’t involve Doomsday though.

Johns says this is “Watchmen colliding with the DC Universe” and sets up a Doctor Manhattan/Superman story exploring a character who has lost his humanity and an alien who embodies humanity.

The story is focused on the miniseries without tie-ins or crossovers, but it will impact the entire DC Universe and “affect everything moving forward and everything that has come before.”

Johns had been working on the story for some time but was influenced by the recent US Presidential election, but it’s more than about that. Johns will explore the attitude of people and the extremes that seem to be everywhere as well as the anger and frustration. Rebirth brought back hope to the DC Universe and the concept is whether Watchmen’s grime can infect it.

How far can Superman fall? We’re going to find out in Doomsday Clock.

Review: Batman #21

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Batman #21 is a strange prologue to “The Button” storyline that will connect Watchmen  to the DC Comic Universe as writer Tom King, artist Jason Fabok, and colorist Brad Anderson open the comic with Batman watching a hockey playoff game and spend most of its running time having him get the crap beaten out of him by the Reverse Flash. The beauty of Batman #21 definitely comes in its subtext more than its text as the fight between the resilient Batman and Eobard Thawne could symbolize the pain DC readers, old and new, felt during the New 52. Happiness and family are good things, but this crossover doubles down on darkness to start out even if the constant use of the smiley face button and the nine-panel grid gets a bit repetitive. Yes, we know it’s an homage to Watchmen, let’s move onto two of DC’s greatest detectives investigating a universe spanning

From his work on Justice League and Batman and Robin Eternal, Jason Fabok has demonstrated that he has the clean lines of superhero action and musculature down to a science. He can draw Batman’s jawline, The Flash/Reverse Flash’s lightning, and a double page splash without distracting from the reading experience. To this firm foundation, Fabok adds plenty of punishment as Batman is no match for The Reverse Flash, and Anderson shows that his black can barely handle Eobard’s yellow. He does use his ingenuity to get a few licks in until The Flash is back to save the day. (Or does he.) The blood flying off Batman’s body as he takes a beating from Reverse Flash reminds readers of his humanity, in light of a possible divine presence getting involved with the DC Universe.

Batman #21 is a less of a part one of an epic crossover mystery than an extended mood poem by Tom King and Jason Fabok on how dark and grisly the DC Universe has gotten. The cutting between a hockey fight and an interpersonal fight was used way back in Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy, but they take it into a melodramatic extreme with death instead of a few minutes in the penalty box. It’s also a nod to Watchmen where the seemingly unrelated pirate comic that pops up is thematically connected to the events of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ seminal graphic novel. Basically, Dr. Manhattan or characters from the Watchmen universe are going to destroy the denizens of the DC Universe. This is exhibited in the final few pages where one of the most powerful supervillains, Reverse Flash, is turned into a slavering mess.

Except Batman #21 is really just a tasty appetizer before the (hopefully) feast that is “The Button” storyline. It’s a great tapas plate, but leaves you wanting a juicy steak, like some actual Watchmen characters and not just an exercise in formalism with the nine panel grid with each panel elapsing exactly a second or teases about the Legion of Superheroes and Crisis on Infinite Earths. The presence of the Smiley Button is a constant teaser as Reverse Flash and Batman play with it and with audience expectations before ending on an slightly satisfactory cliffhanger and whetting your appetite for the next installment in The Flash.

Despite having bone breaking art from Jason Fabok and Brad Anderson, Batman #21 is more of a prologue than a part one. However, on a pure craft level, it is a wonderful demonstration of how comics can speed up or slow down time with a single minute stretched over many pages just like how Dr. Manhattan sees the world. Hopefully, King and company will continue to put their own variations on these old themes and not be content to play dive bar covers of classics past.

Story: Tom King Art: Jason Fabok Colors: Brad Anderson
Story: 7.5 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.7 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Underrated: The Watchmen Movie

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This is a column that focuses on something or some things from the comic book sphere of influence that may not get the credit and recognition it deserves. Whether that’s a list of comic book movies, ongoing comics, or a set of stories featuring a certain character. The columns may take the form of a bullet pointed list, or a slightly longer thinkpiece – there’s really no formula for this other than whether the things being covered are Underrated in some way. This week: The Zack Snyder directed Watchmen movie.

 

With the upcoming crossover taking place in issues of Batman and The Flash, coupled with the news that there would be an R-Rated animated version of the comic coming soon, I thought it was an ideal time to turn back and have another look at Zack Snyder’s adaptation. I’ll try and keep this as spoiler free as possible for those who haven’t read the comics or seen the movie – but honestly if you haven’t read the comic at this point, then why the hell not?

When talking about the movie, there are three different versions of the same flick that I’ll be referring too: the Theatrical Cut which was 162 minutes in length, the Directors Cut coming in at 186 minutes, and the Ultimate Cut which clocks in at 215 minutes. The Theatrical Cut is the version that everybody saw first in the cinema, and for a great may people it is the only version they have seen. It has been a long time since I watched that version, but I can recall when watching it that it was a good movie, but it wasn’t as great as it could be. Watchmen‘s director, Zack Snyder, had a very tough task ahead of him when he was charged with bringing Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s miniseries to the silver screen. Watchmen has been hailed by many people as one of the greatest graphic novels of all time; it’s a story that is near and dear to the hearts many a comic fan. Adapting the full story, and doing it well enough to meet the expectation of thousands of comic fans whilst at the same time appealing to those non-comic fans who had never read Watchmen, would have been nigh on impossible; even the Ultimate Cut is still missing at least two entire plot lines from the original comics, and that comes in at three and a half hours.

Although what was released to theaters was still a very good movie; the casting choices were fantastic (Jackie Earle Haley’s Rorschach was more than I could have ever hoped for), and the choices that were made when writing the script kept the movie as faithful to the source material as possible. Indeed, many scenes in the movie reflect certain panels almost exactly. The change to the ending I understand; to have the original  ending included, without adding perhaps an extra thirty minutes of screen time to build the subplot that would be needed to have the ending from the comics make sense, would have taken away from the story as a whole. The movie’s ending worked very well for what it was, and while ultimately the same result was achieved, it was done so in a more believable method for cinema audiences. It wasn’t the same as the comics, no, but the movies are a different medium than the comics and face more constraints in terms of run time and budget. The version released to theaters was version of the movie that the studio, producers and directors felt was best suited to a theatrical release.

But when Watchmen was initially released, it wasn’t complete. It was a good movie, and the story told was coherent enough (especially for those of us who were familiar with the comics), but it did feel like something was missing.

That something missing largely disappeared wen the Directors Cut was released; the additional forty plus minutes of footage that really added to the film, and thanks to the extra run time it told a story that echoed the source material more than the Theatrical Cut did. Glimpses of one of the missing subplots were shown, and the movie felt much more complete; but when the Ultimate Cut was released which included the previously separately released animated Tales Of The Black Freighter woven into the extended Directors Cut, well then the movie took shape. The Ultimate Cut is still flawed, but it’s as great an adaptation as we can ever expect.

Unfortunately, however, the Ultimate Cut hasn’t been seen by as many people as the Theatrical Cut, which is a shame because the Ultimate Cut is as faithful a movie adaptation as we’ll ever see, and stands head and shoulder above the Theatrical Cut in terms of quality. Watchmen was a movie that had huge expectations heaped upon it, and when it appeared theatrically it never quite lived up to those expectations, the Ultimate Cut comes very, very close; although the Ultimate Cut is an outstanding movie, it has done little to elevate Watchmen‘s stature in terms of being talked about as a great movie; making this a surprisingly underrated gem.

 

Watchmen Getting the R-rated Animated Film Treatment

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Warner Bros. A-List Community is a way for Warner Bros. to get feedback on packaging, viewing habits, interests, and more from a wide-ranging amount of topics including movies, television, comics, and more. Once in a while, they hint at new projects being worked on and this past week’s survey is a prime example.

In a survey where you can “Tell us what you think of a new animated movie” the company asked a range of questions about Marvel and DC Comics films both live and animated with an eventual emphasis on Watchmen, the classic comic series by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, and John Higgins published by DC Comics in 1986 and 1987.

But, the “possible” turned to “definite” with this text:

That pretty much spells it out that Warner Bros. and DC Comics is working on a new animated Watchmen animated film along the lines of their successful other animated films which have riffed on DC properties.

What’s really interesting is questions were focused on how “faithful” the animated film would be to the source material, a criticism levied towards the 2009 film. That 2009 film also had an animated companion piece that adapted the “Tales of the Black Freighter” comic within Watchmen into an animated film. A motion comic of Watchmen was also released in 2009.

It should be no surprise that a new adaptation is being worked on as the Watchmen characters are currently being tied into the DC Comics “Rebirth” storyline and it is unknown how closely they’ll be involved in the future, just that they’re involved in some aspect.

Watchmen is controversial, not just due to the content, but how creators Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons have been treated regarding the property. A “reversion” clause was added to the work for hire contract so that if the characters aren’t used for a period of time, the rights will revert to the two creators. By keeping the comic in print in graphic novel form the rights have not reverted. Moore has used the word “swindle” to describe the situation.

It is unknown when the film might be released.

Underrated: Six Comic Book Movies

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This is a column that focuses on something or some things from the comic book sphere of influence that may not get the credit and recognition it deserves. Whether that’s a list of comic book movies, ongoing comics, or a set of stories featuring a certain character. The columns may take the form of a bullet pointed list, or a slightly longer thinkpiece – there’s really no formula for this other than whether the things being covered are Underrated in some way. This week: Six Comic Book Movies.

You’ve probably noticed that I’ve written an entire column about some movies, but I’m doing something a little different this week and we’re having a brief overview of six comic book movies, although we’re not ruling out revisiting some of these movies in a longer column down the road.

A few things before we start; firstly, these comic book movies may have been well received when released, but may never have garnered as much attention as they deserved. Secondly, some of these movies I’m probably viewing with the rose tinted glasses of nostalgia, and as I haven’t seen many of them in years be prepared for some potentially foolish claims. Thirdly, this isn’t a complete, or inclusive, list and it is completely subjective. Lastly, I am aware that at least two of these movies are borderline comic book movies, but this is my list and I’m including them anyway.

  • phantom-movie-posterThe Phantom (1996)
    This is probably one of the only comic book movie on this list with an actual spandex bodysuit in it, and Billy Zane does admirably well in the roll. I haven’t seen this movie since the 90’s, but not for lack of trying – it is very tough to track down for a reasonable price. The Phantom is a hugely enjoyable movie, so long as you take it for what it is (Guardians of the Galaxy, it is not), you can’t fail to not enjoy it. But do yourself a favour and skip the two part mini series released in 2010.
  • Batman Forever (1995)
    Joel Shumacker ruined the Batman movie franchise with Batman and Robin, that’s no lie, but before he did that he madeBatman Forever. I still enjoy this flick to this day. It echoes the Adam West TV show of the 1960’s, updating the camp foolishness of that time into a slightly more modern and darker time, bridging the gap expertly between Tim Burton’s films and the TV show. The movie stars because of its villains; Tommy Lee Jones’ Two Face and Jim Carry’s excellent portrayal of the Riddler.  No, the film isn’t the best batman movie out there, but it isn’t as bad as Shumacker’s other offering.
  • Watchmen (2009)
    Watchmen did have some success, there’s no denying that. But the true brilliance of the movie lies with the version that has the animated Black Freighter edited in to the live action movie. Although it clocks in at around four hours long, this version trumps the theatrical version significantly. If you haven’t, and you have the time, give the full version a try.p8022770_p_v8_aa
  • Solomon Kane (2009)
    Originally character created by Robert E Howard (if that name doesn’t ring a bell, you may recognize another of Howard’s creations: Conan) Solomon Kane originally appeared in 1928 in pulp magazine Weird Tales, but has since then starred in several comics through the 70’s and 80’s, and three miniseries published by Dynamite in the last ten years or so. Solomon Kane is probably one of the best films on this list; starring James Purefoy, the film (intended as the first of a trilogy, but it does stand alone) is a dark action adventure that perfectly encapsulates the characters pulp roots.
  • Fantastic Four (2005)
    Say what you want about the new Fantastic Four movie (and people have, and loudly, voiced opinions – even myself), the first one wasn’t horrible. It was actually quite good, all things considered. The main downfall of the movie lies in the conflict throughout. I was happy just watching the F4 simply be themselves and felt that the Dr. Doom final conflict was shoehorned in to a comedy movie because the superhero movie need A Big Final Conflict. The movie would have been far stronger had they used Doom to set up the second movie; have the first movie be more about the the-crow-salvation-movie-postercharacters finding themselves and maybe foiling a more mundane threat to New York City. This isn’t a great movie, but it certainly isn’t as bad as the sequel.
  • The Crow: Salvation (2000)
    Sequels to the 1994 The Crow movie generally range from absolute tripe, to just a little bit above bad. The reason for this is that they all try to follow the same formula. Well, Salvation is no different, but something here clicks. As far as sequels to the original movie go this is the best of the bunch, but that’s ultimately not really saying much. Not the best Crow movie out there, but if you’re a fan of the first movie it’s worth a rent.

There we have it – six underrated comic book movies. Are there other comic book movies out there that are, for whatever reason, underrated and under-appreciated?

Absolutely.

Because of that, expect a sequel to this Underrated at some point in the future. In the meantime, if you do get a chance to look for Solomon Kane do it; it’s probably one of the easier movies to track down (with it being on Netflix) and is well worth your time.

New Diamond Select Toys in Previews: Watchmen, Ghostbusters and the Iron Giant!

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November is a huge month for Diamond Select Toys, as pre-orders open on a wide variety of 2017 items, including a new selection of Vinimates vinyl figures, from several brand-new licenses! Vinimates from Watchmen, Iron Giant, Forbidden Planet, Alien, Beetlejuice and Caddyshack all make their bow this month, plus more new items from Batman, Ghostbusters, Marvel Comics, X-Files and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2! Pre-order through your local comic shop, or order online through your favorite retailer!

Alien Vinimates Big Chap Vinyl Figure

A Diamond Select Toys Release! In space, no one can hear you scream with delight at the newest Alien Vinimates vinyl figure! This time, DST is revisiting the original 1979 film, to capture the original “Big Chap” Alien in the Minimates block-figure style. This 4-inch vinyl figure features an articulated neck, so you can customize his pose, and comes packaged in a full-color window box. (Item #NOV162418, SRP: $9.99)

alienbigchapvinimates

Batman The Animated Series Batgirl Resin Bust

A Diamond Select Toys Release! Gotham City just got even more dangerous… for criminals! Joining DST’s epic line of resin busts based on Batman: The Animated Series, this bust of Barbara Gordon’s alter ego captures Batgirl as she appeared in the early seasons of the show. Measuring approximately 5 inches tall, this bust is in scale to other pieces in the series, and sits atop a pedestal base inspired by Gotham’s art-deco architecture. Packaged in a numbered, full-color box with a numbered certificate of authenticity, this bust is limited to just 3,000 pieces. Sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item #NOV162439, SRP: $59.99)

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Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile Phone Vinyl Bank

A Diamond Select Toys Release! Your personal Batcave is almost complete, but no Batcave is complete without a bright red telephone! This life-sized vinyl bank, based directly on the red phone seen in the Batmobile on the Batman Classic TV Series, may not connect you with Commissioner Gordon, but it will hold your loose change, thanks to a slot in the top and an access door in the base! Use it to save up for that Batmobile you’ve always wanted! Packaged in a full-color window box. (Item #NOV162443, SRP: $29.99)

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Beetlejuice Vinimates Vinyl Figures

A Diamond Select Toys Release! He’s the ghost with the most! The spastic spectre with a knack for tormenting the living captured our hearts in Tim Burton’s feature film Beetlejuice, and now Betelgeuse and his bride-to-be Lydia are Vinimates vinyl figures! Each 4-inch figure strikes a pose from the film, and has an articulated neck for further poses. Sculpted in the block-figure style, each figure comes packaged in a full-color window box.

Betelgeuse Vinyl Figure (Item #NOV162425, SRP: $9.99)

Lydia Vinyl Figure (Item #NOV162426, SRP: $9.99)

beetlejuicevinimatesbeetlejuice beetlejuicevinimateslydia

Caddyshack Vinimates Vinyl Figures

A Diamond Select Toys Release! For years, fans of Caddyshack have been told they’ll get nothing and like it, but now they’re here – the first-ever collectible figures based on the classic comedy film! Wild and crazy Al Czervik and stuffy Judge Elihu Smails each measure about 4 inches tall, are sculpted in the block-figure style, and have poseable heads. Each comes packaged in a full-color window box.

Al Czervik Vinyl Figure (Item #NOV162419, SRP: $9.99)

Judge Smails Vinyl Figure (Item #NOV162420, SRP: $9.99)

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DC Gallery New Batman Adventures Poison Ivy PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys Release! It’s time for another dose of poison! Based on her drastically different appearance in the fourth season of Batman: The Animated Series (titled New Batman Adventures), this all-new PVC figure of Poison Ivy shows off her darker, more dangerous look! With pale skin and a dark green outfit, this 9” scale PVC figure is in scale to all Gallery and Femme Fatales PVC figures, posing on a diorama base. The piece features detailed sculpting and paint applications, and comes packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item #NOV162440, SRP: $45.00)

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Forbidden Planet Vinimates Robby the Robot Vinyl Figure

A Diamond Select Toys Release! From the Forbidden Planet comes one of the most advanced robots of all time: Robby the Robot! A triumph of engineering when he made his acting debut in the 1957 sci-fi classic, Robby went on to become one one of Hollywood’s most famous robot actors, and now he’s the newest 4-inch Vinimates vinyl figure! Sculpted in the block-figure style, Robby comes packaged in a full-color window box. (Item #NOV162421, SRP: $9.99)

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Ghostbusters Select Action Figures Series 5 Asst.

A Diamond Select Toys Release! Anybody seen any ghosts? The hit toy line based on the horror-comedy classic movie Ghostbusters is back with a fifth series of action figures, and this series is spectrally delicious! Series 5 unleashes three spirits from the original 1984 movie: the Library Ghost, the Taxi Driver Zombie and a Terror Dog! Each 7-inch scale figure features up to 16 points of articulation, as well as character-specific accessories: the Library Ghost comes with a stack of books, the Taxi Driver comes with a steering wheel and the Terror Dog comes with interchangeable horns so it can be either Zuul or Vinz Clortho! Plus, each figure comes with a piece of the rooftop diorama – these are the last three figures you need to complete the whole shebang! Packaged in the trademark Select display packaging, with side panel artwork for shelf reference. Sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios! (Item #NOV162416, SRP: $24.99/ea.)

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Iron Giant Vinimates Vinyl Figure

A Diamond Select Toys Release! The Iron Giant is not of this earth, and he is definitely not a gun, but he is the next Vinimates vinyl figure from DST! With his hands on his hips, the Iron Giant strikes a heroic pose straight out of the classic animated film, and his articulated neck allows you to further customize that pose. Measuring approximately 4 inches tall, the Iron Giant is sculpted in the Minimates block-figure style, and comes packaged in a full-color window box. (Item #NOV162417, SRP: $9.99)

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Marvel Gallery Jessica Jones as Jewel PVC Diorama

A Diamond Select Toys Release! Before she was a hard-boiled detective and the star of her own TV show, Jessica Jones was Jewel, an up-and-coming superhero, part-time Avenger and full-time fashion plate! This 9-inch scale PVC diorama of Jewel depicts the superheroine with her purple hair and white jumpsuit, blowing a kiss of purple stars. In scale to all Gallery and Femme Fatales PVC figures, Jewel comes packaged in a full-color widow box, and features a detailed sculpt and paint applications. Sculpted by Alejandro Pereira. (Item #NOV162441, SRP: $45.00)

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Marvel Minimates Series 71 Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Asst.

A Diamond Select Toys release! The greatest mix-tape in the galaxy is back! The unlikely team of misfits known as Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is coming back to our solar system with a new movie, and DST is marking the occasion with a new assortment of Minimates based on the film! Four new two-packs capture the main cast in 2-inch mini-figure form: Starlord pairs with Yondu, Gamora with Rocket and Groot, and two comic-shop-exclusive sets feature Ego with Ayesha and Taserface with Mantis. Each Minimate features up to 14 points of articulation and fully interchangeable parts, and each 2-pack comes in a full-color window box. You’re welcome! (Item #NOV162442, SRP: $9.99/ea.)

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Watchmen Vinimates Vinyl Figures

A Diamond Select Toys Release! Who watched the Watchmen? We all did, because it was one of the most epic superhero films of all time! Now, the Vinimates vinyl figure format takes on characters from the film, capturing Rorschach, Nite Owl and the Comedian as 4-inch figures! Sculpted in the block figure style, each figure features an articulated neck for customizing their movie-inspired poses, and each comes packaged in a full-color window box.

Rorschach Vinyl Figure (Item #NOV162422, SRP: $9.99)

Nite Owl Vinyl Figure (Item #NOV162423, SRP: $9.99)

Comedian Vinyl Figure (Item #NOV162424, SRP: $9.99)

watchmenvinimatescomedian watchmenvinimatesowl watchmenvinimatesrorschach

X-Files Flukeman Vinyl bust bank

A Diamond Select Toys Release! From out of the sewer comes the Flukeman! One of the most iconic creatures from the X-Files TV series, this grotesque misstep in evolution is now the place where you put all of your spare change! A coin slot on the back allows the coins to go in, and you’ll be less tempted to open up the base and make a withdrawal when you look at the horrific face of the Flukeman. This 8-inch vinyl bank features detailed paint applications and comes packaged in a clear polybag. Sculpted by Eli Livingston! (Item #NOV162444, SRP: $22.99)

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DC Comics Deck-building Game Crossover Pack 4: Watchmen Out Now

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DC Comics Deck-building Game Crossover Pack 4 Watchmen1986’s Watchmen is one of the most celebrated stories in the history of comics. And now that world is available as a new Crossover Pack for the DC Comics Deck-Building Game. This expanded Crossover pack includes Hidden Roles, Villainous Machinations, Challenge Cards, Mastermind Plots, plus new main deck cards and new oversized Super Hero cards.

This Watchmen set adds a new element to deck-building games: Hidden Roles! As in the original story, one of the members of the team has their own ideas on the best way to solve the world’s problems. The Villain must work towards his or her secret plot while not making it too obvious. “Loyal” players will strive to overcome various challenges, though the “Villain” of the story can disguise his or her intentions by helping with these challenges as well. Should the Mastermind Plot become hatched, the Loyal players will certainly have their work cut out for them…

It adds yet another way to enjoy the DC Comics Deck-Building Game with a new mechanic that you can choose when you’d like and with set you’d like.

You’ll need a base game to use it, and we’ll have our review soon.

Facebook Fandom Spotlight: Comic Based Movies

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It’s Monday and that means a brand new Facebook Fandom spotlight where I look at the statistic of Facebook users when it comes to some part of geek fandom. With so much buzz recently about comic book movies and casting, I thought it might be interesting to look at various comic-based movies and how they did individually and as a series when it comes to gender.

The first thing that stands out to me is that both Catwoman and Elektra have women as the majority of their “likes.” Men in Black as a franchise does well, but though it shows women as a majority, they are most likely just under 50% due to Facebook’s returning fuzzy results with large numbers such as this.

But, what also stands out is Superman Returns being split exactly 50/50 when it comes to men and women. Director Bryan Singer has spoken about how he wanted a movie that would appeal to women as well as men, and it looks like he achieved that according to these numbers.

Many movies on this list came out well before Facebook existed, but overall the results are interesting to me.

Constantine which will soon be a television series does shockingly well when it comes to gender, with 45% women, and the recently rumored Fantastic Four casting had me interested in those results, which was some of the worst when it came to women with 16.67% for the franchise.

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