Author Archives: Brett

2011 The Year of Green Lantern

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Official Press Release

Warner Bros. Consumer Products announced today a landmark year ahead for DC Comics and master toy licensee Mattel, led by programs in support of summer 2011’s Green Lantern from Warner Bros. Pictures. Under the terms of their ongoing strategic alliance, Mattel is granted unprecedented access to the complete breadth and scope of the DC Comics vault of characters, including Green Lantern and thousands of world-famous heroes and villains, such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Joker and The Riddler. Mattel will also continue its successful lines based on Batman: The Brave and the Bold and DC Super Friends, and is in the process of developing an all-new line to support Young Justice.

“The sheer volume of the DC Comics property portfolio lends itself to an incredible array of consumer offerings,” said Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “As master licensee, Mattel has consistently created innovative products that are true to the spirit of the DC Comics heroes and villains from which they are inspired. We look forward to seeing the results of the next wave of property collaborations.”

Green Lantern is set to light up movie screens around the world in summer 2011. Bringing the enduringly popular DC Super Hero to the big screen for the first time, Green Lantern stars Ryan Reynolds in the title role as the newest member of the Green Lantern Corps. Each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him superpowers, but when a new enemy threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate, and the fate of Earth, lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan.

“The Green Lantern film has an incredibly wide merchandise appeal,” said Donald De Line, Producer, Green Lantern. “The potential is there for amazing toys and merchandise because Green Lantern’s ring can create anything the imagination can conjure. From space stations and vehicles to alien action figures, the possibilities are just endless.”

Mattel is launching a rich and comprehensive line of products based on the film for both kids and adult fans alike. The multi-category toy line includes Basic and Deluxe Action Figures, Figure/Vehicles, Role Play, Playsets, Games, Puzzles and Vehicles. Additionally, each Action Figure toy comes complete with a Green Lantern ring in order for kids to feel as if they, too, have been “chosen” to be a Green Lantern. The Deluxe Action Figures have a special feature that allows kids to truly replicate the elements in the film, and come with accessories that unfold into completely different items for unlimited hours of play.

“Mattel’s Green Lantern toy program is going to introduce Green Lanterns like Hal Jordan and Kilowog to new fans everywhere,” said DC Entertainment chief creative officer and Green Lantern co-producer Geoff Johns. “It is going to be amazing to watch the world discover the Green Lantern mythology.”

In order to fully realize the potential array of Green Lantern offerings, Mattel is supporting the film across key Mattel Brands such as Hot Wheels(R), Tyco(R) R/C and UNO(R). Collectors will also be pleased to discover that Mattel is releasing a Green Lantern “Movie Masters(R)” line of highly detailed figures based on the film, which are sculpted by the “Four Horseman” design team. Mattel’s Green Lantern product lines hit retail in summer 2011.

“We have a fantastic global partnership with WBCP and we’re thrilled to be working with them on the release of their next super hero blockbuster film. The beauty of Green Lantern is that he is an inspirational super hero with a rich, unmatched heritage that will appeal to boys of all ages. Adult collectors will be attracted to our highly detailed line of action figures and boys will be attracted to our playsets, role-play toys and vehicles because of the innovation infused throughout the entire line,” said Tim Kilpin, general manager, Mattel Brands.

Mattel is also rolling out products inspired by Young Justice, which will premiere on Cartoon Network during the 2010-2011 season. This all-new series is produced by Warner Bros. Animation and is based on characters from DC Comics. Featuring a team of teenage heroes, the show brings the popular comic to the small screen with favorites including Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Superboy, Miss Martian and Artemis. Product offerings from Mattel include figures, playsets and other show-inspired lines.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold fans can prepare for the release of “Total Armor” toys based on the popular Warner Bros. Animation series airing on Cartoon Network. “Total Armor” means Batman and his allies will be equipped with additional, new weaponry and high-tech gadgets. For example, “Magma Armor” Batman will feature a detachable water blaster with storage tanks. “Tank Blaster” Batman comes with industrial armor styling and a massive cannon with multiple projectiles. Even the “Total Armor” Batmobile is getting upgraded with armored plates and two projectile-firing launchers. Additionally, all figures and vehicles will still have sockets in order to increase the customization ability by kids. Mattel will also offer Role Play items including the Telescoping Battle Sword and Batman’s Utility Belt. Items in the “Total Armor” line will be available in spring 2011.

Mattel and Fisher-Price are continuing to experience tremendous success with the popular Super Friends line of products created for boys ages three to eight. Building on a successful 2009, Fisher-Price has developed new motorized vehicles, figures and playsets, including the all-new Imaginext(R) Joker’s Fun House and building sets from Trio(TM). The Fisher-Price Smart Cycle(R)– a stationary bike, learning center and arcade game system — will offer Batman and Green Lantern titles. The iXL(TM)Learning System, a 6-in-1 portable smart device, will feature the Batman: The Brave and the Bold(TM)software title. These products will be available this fall. Additionally the Power Wheels(R) brand is in on the Super Friends action with the Batman(TM), Lil’Quad(TM) and Batman(TM) Lights & Sounds Trike ride-on vehicles, which are available now.

Preview – Your First Look At X-Men #1!

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Official Press Release

Your First Look At X-Men #1!

Marvel is proud to present your first look at X-Men #1 from the red-hot creative team of Victor Gischler and Paco Medina. In the first X-Men #1 in almost 20 years, Marvel’s mighty mutants enter the Heroic Age to face a deadly new threat in a battle that will drastically alter the ENTIRE Marvel Universe! With new faces being brought into the fold and an all-star new creative team, fans cannot miss the “Curse of the Mutants” in the all-new X-Men #1!

X-MEN #1 (MAY100628)
X-MEN #1 ROMITA JR VARIANT (MAY100630)
X-MEN #1 MEDINA VARIANT (MAY100632)
X-MEN #1 DJURDJEVIC VARIANT (MAY100633)
X-MEN #1 BLANK VARIANT (MAY100629)
Written by VICTOR GISCHLER
Penciled by PACO MEDINA
Cover by ADI GRANOV
Variant Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.
Variant Cover by PACO MEDINA
Variant Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC

Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC—6/17/10, On-sale—7/8/10

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Review – Shrapnel: Hubris #1

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I’m still fairly new to Radical’s line of comic books.  They definitely stand out with their packaging and art.  For $4.99 you get 64 pages of high quality product.  Shrapnel: Hubris is the follow up to Shrapnel: Aristeia Rising. Written Nick  Sagan and Clinnette Minnis with art by Concept Art House, the story follows the last free colony in the solar system as they’re besieged from orbit.

The last free colony in the Solar System has yet to fall, but how long can it withstand the siege? Under constant barrage from orbit and kept from replenishing much-needed supplies by a planetary blockade, the colonists of Venus find themselves in desperate circumstances. But unwilling to let their stand be in vain, the surprise hero of the war—notorious ex-marine Vijaya “Sam” Narayan—must reverse their fortunes before time runs out once and for all.

While I really enjoyed the first issue, I can’t help but feel I was missing something not having read the first series.  Even missing that, the science fiction war setting is a nice change of pace focusing on relationships and interactions between characters instead of mindless action.

Radical prides itself on producing quality product and this series definitely falls into that category.

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Weekly Roundup

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It was a short week for us as we took a much needed vacation.  But that made us think, do super heroes (or villains) take vacations?  And if they do, where do they go?  When we got back we quickly caught up with a lot of previews and reviews.  Here’s the week that was.

batman and robin on vacation

Weekly Reviews

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A pretty light week for books.  Here’s the reviews for this weeks comics.

Monthly Comics

Avengers Prime #1 – It’s moments after the end of Siege and Thor, Iron Man, and Steve Rogers must deal with the aftermath.  But before they can get to that they’re dragged through a portal to one of the nine realms.  This has potential for being a great series that focuses on the heart of the Avengers.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Brightest Day #3 – DC continues to up the mystery of the returned heroes and villains as all the various story lines continue to move forward.  So far so good.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Captain America/Black Panther: Flags of Our Fathers #3 – The four issue mini series continues as the Nazis mount their offensive against Wakanda and the Howling Commandos attack the Nazis.  A fantastic mini series that you should definitely pick up.  It throws off the pc shackles and says what needs to be said in a great piece of retro Marvel history.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8 Overall: 8.5

Demo #5 – Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan continue their slice of life story telling involving people with different abilities.  The limited series has been nothing but top notch and this issue is no exception.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.5

Frankencastle #17 – We’re in transition to the next chapter of Frank Castle’s life as an undead version of the Punisher.  He’s looking to take revenge on those who’ve wronged him bringing the series more in line with the Punisher we know and love.  The Monster Squad is still part of the picture and we can expect for the classic Punisher to be coming along at some point, but for now this will do, even though it feels like a goofy knock off.

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.25

Irredeemable #14 – The team is captured as this issue focuses on Gil and a bit more about his past.  Mark Waid continues to brilliantly deconstruct the super hero mythos.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8 Overall: 8

iZombie #2 – When this series debuted I felt it was quirky, odd and fun.  The second issue keeps that up as the vampire killer mystery continues and Gwen must deal with the memories flooding to her from her latest meal.  This is a very entertaining series that has a great sense of what it is.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75

The Thanos Imperative #1 – Realm of Kings was overall pretty blah.  However, we needed it to get where we’re at for The Thanos Imperative.  The cancerverse has started to inch into our world and it’s first mission is to snuff out Death’s avatar.  It’s a great concept and brings back the epic feel of previous Marvel cosmic epics.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75

Vengeance of the Moon Knight #9 – This is definitely the weakest issue in a while as Moon Knight teams up with Spider-Man to take on Sandman.  The art seems off, the dialogue, just everything.  I feel like they just through something together to just hold us over until the next issue where Moon Knight’s role with the Secret Avengers is explored.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5

“Comic Book Literacy” Wins “Best Documentary” At The Phoenix Comicon Film Festival

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Official Press Release

“COMIC BOOK LITERACY” WINS “BEST DOCUMENTARY” AT THE PHOENIX COMICON FILM FESTIVAL
Film Festival helps spread the word about comics and reading

PHOENIX, AZ – The independent feature film “Comic Book Literacy” won the “Best Documentary” award at the Phoenix Comicon Film Festival over Memorial Day weekend.  The film features interviews with comic book creators, educators and scholars and delves into the topic of using comic books to promote literacy and education.

The film screened early in the festival, which was a part of the tenth annual Phoenix Comicon, and helped to set the stage for one of the convention’s primary themes.  The convention partnered with “Kids Need to Read,” a non-profit organization that works to create a culture of reading for children by providing inspiring books to under-funded schools, libraries, and literacy programs across the United States.  Together the two groups produced multiple events throughout the convention to raise funds for the charity.

“We’re very pleased to have been honored by the festival with the ‘Best Documentary’ award,” said Todd Kent, the film’s director, “But we’re even more excited to have been a part of an event like this that promotes literacy and the idea that comics can play a big part in getting kids excited about reading.”

In addition to the Phoenix Comicon, the film premiered earlier this year at Chicago’s C2E2, was an official selection of the Karibukai Animation Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico and there are plans to screen throughout 2010 & 2011 at film festivals, comic book conventions and other events.  Kent said, “We’re continuing to work towards our goal of having comic books accepted in schools, libraries and lesson plans across the country and events like these are a big part of raising awareness about the positive aspects of the medium.”

For more information about the film, upcoming screenings, and updates go to: www.ComicBookLiteracy.com

Comic Books a Children’s Interest?

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Public defender John Spurling needed to ask a judge if comic books count as a children’s interest in arguing against a vague condition for a 36 year old man who pleaded guilty to sexting a teen.

Michael Anthony Nielsen must follow several special conditions that are tied to his probation.  These include that he must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, he has to stay 100 yards away from an area where children congregate, he is prohibited from living within a quarter mile of any elementary school, he is subject to search and seizure at any time by law officials and he can’t possess materials related to children’s interests.

His lawyer Spurling felt that last condition was a bit too vague stating:

“I think I noted my objection to (the conditions),” Spurling said outside of the courtroom. “I’m not sure how people are expected to comply with probation terms when they are rather on the vague side.”

“So if you possess comic books, are you in violation of probation?” Nielsen asked.

I’m going to speak for the rest of the comic community to say yes, just so this creep isn’t found in one our stores….

Holy Busted Batman

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If you walk down Hollywood Boulevard you’d come across a bevy of costumed characters.  Complaints have increased about these street performers soliciting money from tourists.  Legally they can accept tips, but not ask for them.

Batman, alias Tony Tomey, was singled out and taken away in handcuffs after police monitored a group of six superheroes on Wednesday afternoon.

Joe McQueen who dresses as the Incredible Hulk was dismayed over the arrest.

I knew this day was going to come, eventually.

Elmo, Mr Incredible and Chewbacca have all been arrested for various legal infringements in recent years.  In 2007 another Batman impersonator was arrested for disorderly conduct after demanding to use a portable lavatory union workers had for a picket.  In 2009 Spider-Man was arrested after he allegedly assaulted a man on the boulevard.

In 2007 and 2009 there wasn’t a Batman or Spider-Man movie forcing the crime fighters to take to the streets to make money and adding to their bitterness.

Review – Sparta U.S.A. #4

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Sparta U.S.A. has been the fantastic series that came out of nowhere.  I’ve been waiting for a crack in it’s excellence and the fourth issue seems to deliver that, though only so slightly.

Sparta U.S.A. #4, written by David Lapham and art by Johnny Timmons, is a mix of politics, philosophy and football and the fourth issue shifts it’s focus from Godfrey McLaine to football star Johnny Franks.  And most of the issue seems to rush numerous plot points in an effort to move the story along.  In a six issue series there’s a lot to move in and I can’t help but think it might of helped to expand it a few issues to allow better pacing for some of the crucial events that occur here.

I’m still not quite sure what to expect in the final two issues, but I’m hooked.  This is a very unique series and I can’t wait to see where it ends up.  I’ve enjoyed what’s come so far, let’s see if it scores a touchdown in the end.

Plot: As I said above the series is pretty dense and the pacing so far has been excellent, up to this issue.  There’s just so many plot developments and little time given to some of them, that the issue comes off as choppy.  But, it’s a key issue moving those plots forward.  Overall, I imagine that read as a trade paperback this issue will make a lot more sense, but in of itself, it’s a bit hard to make sense of everything.  Rating: 7

Art: Timmons’ art is still solid and fitting of the various different plot’s needs.  It’s consistent and hasn’t wavered one way or another for all four issues.  Rating: 8

Overall Rating: Definitely the weakest issue of the series but a vital one.  There’s only two more issues to go and where I thought it was going is definitely not what reality is.  I’m on the edge of my seat in anticipation to see the end game.  Overall rating: 7.5

Recommendation: Read

Page count: 22 pages of story    Price: $2.99     Release: Wednesday 6/3/2010

DC and Wildstorm provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.

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