The Year in Review....

.... courtesy of Conan O'Brien.

"Challenge of the Superfriends" South Park Parody

Merry Christmas from Chewbacca!

Merry Christmas from "Saturday Night Live"

• SNL Christmas song
• Rudolph parody
• Charlie Brown Christmas parody
• Christmas at the White House

Ghost Rider Revealed

Footage of Nicolas Cage as Ghost Rider (now scheduled for February 2007, instead of Summer 2006) can be seen here. (Click on "The Rider Revealed")
Anothe clip showcasing the speicla effects can be see here.

I don't know if the movie will be any good, but if sure looks cool!

Always Be Cobbling!

On last week's Saturday Night Live, 12-time host Alec Baldwin spoofed his infamous cameo from Glenngarry Glenn Ross, transplanting the real estate office to Santa's workshop. Classic skit for fans of the movie.

More on DC's "One Year Later" Jump

UPDATE: Keep checking for creator interview links being added daily.

On Monday, DC released info (very little) on their March releases, which is the first month of the One Year Later jump after Infinite Crisis. Below are some of the more interesting tidbits, along with a few more creator interview links:

Batman Family

• Batman/Detective 8-part crossover by writer James Robinson: Who is the mysterious vigilante who’s been keeping Gotham free of crime? And what is his relationship with the new police commisioner? Who’s responsible for the murder of another Gotham villain? And what fateful decision must Batman make that could change his relationship with Robin forever?
• Catwoman: Why is Selina Kyle no longer Catwoman? For that matter, why is she no longer named Selina Kyle? (The rumor here is she is now Selina Wayne and pregnant with Bruce’s child. Writer Will Pfeifer only adds fuel to the fire here.)
• Nightwing: why is Nightwing hiding out in New York City?
• Robin: Why is the Boy Wonder wanted for murder?

Superman Family

• Superman/Action 8-part crossover, “Up, Up and Away!” written by Kurt Busiek and Geoff Johns: Metropolis prepares to bid farewell to a hero! Who’s tagged Clark Kent as a target?
• Supergirl: Kara and Power Girl have become the dynamic duo of the bottle city of Kandor as the new Flamebird and Nightwing!

And in the rest of the DC Universe….

• Infinite Crisis #6: What worlds live? Which hero dies?
  
• OMAC Project Special: the legacy of Brother Eye rains down on earth, threatening exposure of a hero’s greatest secret and the dawning of a world war!
• Blue Beetle #1: the mystical Blue Beetle scarab has chosen its new guardian! But supernatural powers can be a blessing or a curse, and when it comes to the powers of the Scarab, you don’t get one without the other.
• Green Arrow: Ollie Queen is the newly elected mayor of Star City, fighting the good fight on the streets and through the system! Judd Winick campaigns here.
• JSA: The JSA has been torn asunder! Former JSA writer Paul Levitz begins a 5 part story (with flashback) that has the heroes picking up the pieces of their lives as they face of against one of their deadliest enemies!
• Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes: What’s Supergirl’s secret. Mark Waid keeps you guessing here.
• The Outsiders: The Outsiders are finished. Done. No team by that name exists. Unless they’re coming for you… Writer Judd Winick takes us inside the Outsiders.
• Teen Titans: A new year of exciting adventures begins with the “new” Teen Titans, the bizarre Doom Patrol and the mysterious and secretive Titans East!

Let the speculation continue...

See all of DC's March releases, including mini-series, trade paperbacks, Vertigo, Wildstorm and more here.

Teen Titans Go!

Cartoon Network has announced that this season is the final for the Teen Titans. The last few episodes of the season will air in January.

With the end of the series, the characters appear to be freed up to appear elsewhere. Robin will reportedly join his senior partner on the 4th season of the WB's The Batman, beginning in Fall 2006.

Coming up even sooner is the appearance of Cyborg on Smallville. According to Kryptonsite, the unofficial Smallville news site, Victor Stone will be returned to life in cyborg form by Lex Luthor. This epsiode is scheduled to air February 16.

New episodes of Smallville return on January 12. On the 100th episode, airing Janauary 26, a character will die. A teaser trailer shows Clark at a funeral. This of course, references Jor-El's prophecy that someone close to him would die. Who will it be? Kryptonsite's poll has the obvious choices of Jonathan (dead in the movies) and Chloe (made up for the show) as the leading contenders.

We shall see....

You're Really Super, Superman

Rumors are swirling that Superman Returns producers are concerned about Brandon Routh's "super-package" and will be adding some digital shrinkage so as not to offend. Not helping matters is the rumor that openly gay director Bryan Singer cast Routh just because of how good he looks in the suit. I just hope the guy can act.

A much better Bryan Singer-Superman story is that he is working on a documentary about the history of Superman to be completed for theatrical and TV release before the opening of Superman Returns. It will then either be included on the Superman Returns DVD or released on its own. Now, that's a story I like.

Blade TV pilot promo airs

Spike TV aired the first promo for its Blade TV pilot movie during the Video Game Awards this week. spinning off from the movie trilogy written by David Goyer, the pilot movie is co-written by Goyer and his JSA co-writer Geoff Johns (Flash, Teen Titans, Infinite Crisis)

Kirk "Sticky" Jones plays the title character. Goyer, who directed the third Blade movie, is the pilot's (and planned series') executive producer.

More Trailers

Some new trailers have popped online in the last few weeks. check them out:

• Curious George (2nd trailer) - February 2006
• V for Vendetta (2nd trailer) - March 17
• Ice Age 2 - opens March 31, 2006
• Poseidon - opens May 2006 - remake of the Poseidon Adventure
• Mission: Impossible 3 - May 5, 2006
• The Da Vinci Code - May 19, 2006
• Miami Vice - Summer 2006 - Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx as Crockett and Tubbs

Details about the DCU One Year Later Starting to Emerge

On Monday, DC releases their comics solicitations for March, which you can see here. While descriptions and artwork are still vague, we now know a little bit more about what the new status quo will be in the DC Universe post-Infinite Crisis, as the storylines jump ahead to "One Year Later (OYL)". Some teaser info has been provided by the new creators as well. For instance:

• Kurt Busiek on Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis
• Adam Beechen on Robin here and here
• Artwork for new Blue Beetle by Cully Hamner
• Greg Rucka on Checkmate and Supergirl
• Bruce Jones on Nightwing
• Bill Willingham on Shadowpact
• Walt Simonson and Howard Chaykin on Hawkgirl

Justice League Season 1 DVD set due in March

Finally! Details here.

Batman Beyond Season 1 DVD set will also be released on March 21, 2006. Mark your calendars!

X3 character Photo Gallery

See head-shots of many of the characters who will be in X-Men 3 here.

New Superman Returns pics

Click the pic to see more

X3 Teaser Trailer Now Available Online

Kelsey Grammer as the Beast in X3

The X-Men 3 ("X3") debuts online later today here. Meanwhile, here's a first look at Kelsey Grammer as the Beast in X3

Not everyody wants to watch the Watchmen

One of the few negative reviews of Alan Moore's graphic novel classic, Watchmen

DC Superheroes get U.S. Postage stamp set

DC Superheroes get U.S. Postage stamp set next year. Details here.

Trailer for "Pirates" Sequel

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest opens July 7.

DC: One Year Later

An article in the most recent issue of Wizard magazine, followed by confirmation by head DCU honcho Dan DiDio and creator interviews, have revealed some of the changes to the DCU following Infinite Crisis, and the "One Year Later" jump in April:

• Batman/Detective - An 8 issue story that sets up July's Bat-shakeup. Written by James Robinson, art by Don Kramer and Andy Clarke.
  
• Superman/Action Comics: An 8-issue story leading into a major Super-event in June. Written by Geoff Johns and Kurt Busiek. Art by Pete Woods.

DiDio says about the above: “We have planned stories to help re-establish Superman and Batman in the post-Crisis DC Universe. What follows each of these arcs? Let’s save that for another day.”

• Blue Beetle: Written by Keith Giffen and John Rogers, art by Cully Hamner. But before the series starts, the scarab pops up in Infinite Crisis #3. Giffen talks a little bit about the new series here.
  
• Supergirl: Written by Greg Rucka. Ian Churchill remains on art. Rucka reveals very little here.
  
• Wonder Woman: No writer mentioned. Art by Terry Dodson.
  

The four mini-series that led to Infinite Crisis spin into ongoing series One Year Later:

• Spinning out of The OMAC Project comes Greg Rucka’s Checkmate, with art by Jesus Saiz. DiDio says, “Look for a lot of familiar faces, meta and non-meta, to fill the chessboard.”
• From Day of Vengeance comes Shadowpact, with both story and art by Bill Willingham.
• Villains United writer Gail Simone returns with Secret Six with a new six and new secrets.
• From the pages of the Rann/Thanagar War and Green Lantern Corps Recharge, Kyle Rayner gets a new series, Ion, written by his creator, writer Ron Marz, who offers his thoughts here.
  

As for Batman sidekicks -- Nightwing will be written by Vigilante writer Bruce Jones and Robin by Justice League Unlimited’s Adam Beechen. DiDio: “As for who is in the costumes … that’s still open for discussion.”

The Legion of Superheroes get a new member in the renamed Supergirl and the Legion of Superheroes.

Speaking of renamed series, Aquaman becomes Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis. And Hawkman becomes Hawkgirl. That’s the title of the book that changes, not the hero (I assume, anyway!)

And though a new Batwoman series is rumored, there's been no confirmation from DC about the title or who will be behind the mask of the title character. Learn more about the Golden, Silver and Bronze Age history of Batwoman here.

Peanut Butter Jelly Time!

Wanna see some movie trailers?

December

• King Kong
• The Producers
• Fun with Dick and Jane
• The Matador

January

• Underworld: Evolution

February

• Curious George
• The Pink Panther
• Firewall

March

• V for Vendetta
• Pulse

July

• Monster House

"Superman Returns" teaser trailer to air during Smallville

UPDATED: See the trailer here.

The Teen of Steel will meet the Man of Steel this week. During tomorrow night's Smallville (8 pm ET on the WB), the first Superman Returns teaser trailer will air.

The teaser trailer will also be included in front of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which opens Friday.

News from DC's Retailer Meeting

DC held a meeting for retailers in Canda over the weekend. Here is some of the news revealed:

• As noted from the early February solicit information, Wonder Woman, Flash, Gotham Central and Batman: Gotham Knights will be cancelled.
• More info on the weekly 52* series: Each issue will contain 20 pages of stories with back-ups. Issues #2-#11 will feature a 10-part “History of the DCU” story. Focusing on the DCU's minor characters, there will be six stories throughout the run. It will cost no more than $2.99 and launches in the second week of May.
• Hawkman changes to Hawkgirl with issue #50 as part of “One Year Later…”
• June and July 2006 will see one new major series launch each week; and in July – one new major high-profile creative team launch.
• Batman/Spirit will ship in June, with the new ongoing Darwyn Cooke Spirit series starting in June.
• Supeboy from Earth-Prime is apparently getting a new costume.

Hmmm...

Aquaman Swims to WB

Smallville's Alfred Gough and Miles Millar are set to produce a pilot for a weekly series featuring the early years of the underwater-breathing, oft-maligned hero.

According to Variety, the show, however, is NOT a spinoff of Smallville, where the character recently made an appearance. Alan Ritchin, who played Arthru (AC) Curry, will not be playing the role for the pilot/series.

Infinite Implications

DC's solicitations for February hit Monday at 5pm, but some sneaky internet folks got a sneak peek at them. Of course, Infinite Crisis continues to impact the entire DCU. First, let's look at the solicitation and Perez cover for Infinite Crisis #5 (of 7):

IC #5 solicit info: "The DCU shakes apart as Superman of Earth 2 finally confronts our Superman. Meanwhile, heroes are disappearing throughout the DC Universe, a transformed villain returns, and the mystics of every world and dimension seek help from the very Spirit that is destroying them."

Here's some other intriguing info from the February solicitations, mostly tying into Infinite Crisis in some way:

• Gotham Central, Gotham Knights and WONDER WOMAN(?!) cancelled after Feb. issues.
• No issue of Flash
• Superman books: 3-part history of Earth-2 Superman through Crisis on Infinite Earths
• Supergirl solicit: "There can only be one true Supergirl, and there's only one person who can help Kara win that title: Superman! They've thrown down before, but now Superman has to stop Supergirl, even if it means the most unexpected death of all! Don't miss this special issue guest-starring Batman and Wonder Woman!"
• Infinite Crisis Secret Files: "Don't miss this important side chapter of the INFINITE CRISIS saga! Superman of Earth-2, his wife, Lois Lane of Earth-2, Alex Luthor of Earth-3 and Superboy from Earth Prime: the last survivors of CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS. What happened to them after CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS is finally revealed here for the first time by one of the masterminds behind that landmark event: writer Marv Wolfman! Learn what these heroes have been doing, how they have changed, and how their reappearance will force the DCU's heroes to reexamine themselves."
• JSA solicit: "Legendary JSA writer Paul Levitz makes his stellar return to the DCU with superstar artist George Perez for an important chapter of INFINITE CRISIS in a story featuring the members of original JSA: Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman!"
• Legion of Superheroes solicit references the team being the "greatest heroes of the multiverse."

Hmmmm.....

Keep Away!

Try not to get addicted to this game.

Yoda Gets Down

Wolfman Howls at DC Again

At Wizard World Texas' "Infinite Crisis Counseling" panel this past Friday, Dan DiDio, recently promoted to Senior Vice President — Executive Editor, DC Universe, announced that Marv Wolfman, the chief architect of Crisis on Infinite Earths (with artist/co-plotter Gerorge Perez) 20 years ago is celebrating the anniversary with a return to the characters that he and Perez created even before that: "Marv is co-writing a couple of issues of Teen Titans with Geoff (Johns) and he's co-writing the Teen Titans Annual with Geoff."

DiDio also noted the Perez has a lot of work lined up with DC and that Wolfman has several pitches in with the publisher.

Other tidbits from the panel:

• Many DCU titles will be ending by the time Infinite Crisis is over, and "50 to 75 percent" of the remaining titles will have new creative teams
• 52, the weekly comic that fills the gap between Infinite Crisis and "One Year Later," starts in May, two weeks after the last issue of Infinite Crisis
• Zero Hour will be covered in Infinite Crisis, but Hypertime will not.
• The positive response to Jason Todd's return as the Red Hood in Batman indicates that he will be around awhile. How he has returned and how it ties into "The Death in the Family," the story where he was seemingly killed, will be the focus of the upcoming Batman Annual
• Blue Beetle Ted Kord, killed in Countdown to Infinite Crisis, will remain dead
• Speculation that Jim Corrigan, the corrupt cop from Gotham Central, will become the new Spectre is likely correct. Corrigan was the name of the original name of Spectre's human host . He was replaced by fallen hero Hal Jordan in recent years, but the Spectre is currently without a human host since Jordan returned to the mantle of Green Lantern

Read full coverage of the panel here.

Whoa!

Sandman Confirmed for Spider-Man 3

Thomas Haden Church as Flint Marko aka The Sandman

Revisiting "Crisis on Infinite Earths"

With DC’s Infinite Crisis now in full swing, the original series upon which it is based, 1985's Crisis on Infinite Earths (COIE) is back in the spotlight as well.

In the latest issue of Wizard, COIE creators, writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Perez, provide DVD-style commentary for the series, providing page-by-page, panel-by-panel insights into their work and influences. The issue is out now and probably worth checking out just for that, but you can get a taste for free. Wizard's website has extra commentary that didn't make it into the current issue. You can check out the extras here and here.

Wolfman talks more about the impact of Crisis, and his upcoming Secret files project for DC that bridges the the past Crisis with the current one, in an interview at Newsarama. Here's what he says about the new project:

All I'll say is it answers nearly all the questions that have been asked about DC continuity for the past 20 years and more. So it's somewhat crucial to the entire Infinite Crisis series. And it provides a link between George and my story and this one. Let me say that Dan Didio, Geoff Johns and Eddie Berganza have been wonderful to work with, especially Geoff who not only was great and helpful in many, many ways to numerous to fully detail, but he also very patiently had to keep explaining things to me so I didn't screw up some of the very carefully worked ideas they had come up with.

I'm re-reading COIE now, and after reading Marv's recent Crisis novel, and the first issue of infinite Criris, it's like I'm reading the story for the first time. The story and art are still phenomenal. For further proof that Perez is still the master, check out his covers for Infinite Crisis:

Issue #1
Issue #2
Issue #3
Issue #4

Issue #2 hits comic stores next week.

Infinite Crisis #4

Here's the gorgeous George Perez cover to January's Infinite Crisis #4, an homage to the cover of the first issue of it predecessor, Crisis on Infinite Earths. If you can't see the pic below (or if you just want to see it bigger), just click on the header above.

For the rest of DC's books in January, click here.

Watchmen named one of Time's All-time Novels

This week Time magazine released its list of the Top 100 novels released since 1923. Named to the list -- the Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons' graphic novel materpiece Watchmen.

From the article:

Told with ruthless psychological realism, in fugal, overlapping plotlines and gorgeous, cinematic panels rich with repeating motifs, Watchmen is a heart-pounding, heartbreaking read and a watershed in the evolution of a young medium.

If you haven't read it, you can't call yourself a comic book fan.

Bring Your Heroes Home

Tomorrow is a big day of superheroes on DVD fans, especially Batman fans. Look for:

• Batman Begins arrives in one - and two-disc versions.
• The four previous Batman movies are available as individual two-disc sets, or as an eight-disc collection
• The direct-to DVD animated Batman vs. Dracula debuts (it will also premiere on Cartoon Network this Saturday at 7 pm)
• Batman - The Complete 1943 Movie Serial Collection -- the second Batman movie serial from the 1940s
• The Adventures of Superman Complete First Season (the 1950s George Reeves live-action show)

In December, the next sets of the animated Batman and Superman series from the 1990s arrive, and in Janurry, look for The Flash: The Complete TV Series, The Adventrues of Superman Complete Second Season, and Lois and Clark: The Complte Second Season.

Cheese-Eating Surrender Monkeys!

Find this and other words and phrases coined by The Simpsons here.

Infinite Crisis: Before and After

DC has now definitely stated the Infinite Crisis is a direct sequel to the 20-year-old Crisis on Infinite Earths. But how are they linked? In an awesome surprise announcement, Marv Wolfman will provide that answer.

Wolfman joins his Crisis collaborator George Perez on the Infinite Crisis team. Perez is providing alternate covers (with Jim Lee) for the 7-issue series. And Wolfman will explore the link between the crises in Infinite Crisis Secret Files, scheduled for February. Executive Editor Dan DiDio explains:

“It pulls the curtain back on the DCU and explains so much about what’s going on, as well as what’s been going on in the DCU since the original Crisis, and clearly shows how the two are connected. It’s also probably one of the most ambitious stories told in a Secret Files, ever. Not only does it address Crisis on Infinite Earths and Infinite Crisis, it also explains some of the anomalies in the DC Universe itself.”

With a page count of 40-48 pages, the Secret Files will utilize a number of artists, each depicting a different time period of the DCU's 20-year post-Crisis history.

With Wolfman showing what leads up to the Infinite Crisis, who's handling what comes after it?

The weekly series 52* will explore that "One Year Later" gap that happend in between issues of the Crisis and in all DCU titles afterward. The superstar writing team for this ambitious 52-issue weekly series is Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid -- and Keith Giffen.

Giffen, who popularized or created many of the characters getting treated so roughly in the events leading up to Infinite Crisis (Max Lord, Blue Beetle, Rocket Red), is the guy who will be providing the consistency between all 52 issues with plot and and breakdowns. A year-long weekly comic is extremely ambuitious, but Giffen says the team is up to the challenge:

I was a little concerned at first, filling 52 issues of a comic, which is basically about four years worth of monthly comic book time, that we might have a little bit of trouble. But after having sat down with this creative team, now my concern is, we might have to cut some stuff out!

I mean, you sit there and Grant Morrison alone cobbles up enough ideas to fill months and months and months of books and storylines, and you combine it with the other guys involved -- I mean, c'mon. It's astonishing that so many people are going, "aw, they'll never pull it off." Because I'm looking at the people involved and I'm saying, "how can we not pull this off? And how can it not be something incredible?"

J.G. Jones will be providing covers. Interior artists have not yet been announced, nor has the price of each weekly issue.

Infinite Issues!

As if an 80-page Countdown and 4 six-issue mini-series (not to mention a 4-issue mini within a mini, and a 4-issue JLA arc) were not enough set-up for the 7-issue Infinite Crisis, the stories told in those mini-series will continue in one-shot specials scheduled to appear throughout the run of Infinite Crisis.

As the recently concluded Days of Vengeance and The OMAC Project demonstrate, the stories didn’t exactly end with their final issues. Not only will they continue in Infinite Crisis, but DC has announced 32-page one-shots for each of the four mini-series that will not only resolve the storylines, but demonstrate exactly how they will tie into Infinite Crisis.

For readers who like to collect stories in trade format, this could present a problem. Trade paperbacks of all 4 mini-series have already been announced for November and December, so they will be out before these specials hit. So what does that mean? DiDio told Newsarama he isn't worrying about that:

"Yeah, the guys in Collected Editions want to kill me. Thing is, I’m approaching this story the same way we approached things before there were collected editions to worry about ... I’m worried about doing the best comics, and I figure it can be collected as things move forward. These are good problems to have though. I want to make sure that everyone is excited about what’s coming out at that moment, and we’ll make sure that everything of importance is collected somewhere down the line. Honestly, we did give this a lot of thought, but in the end, I didn’t want collected editions driving the way the story will be told.”

The OMAC Project trade paperback, will not only include the 6-issue main story, but also the 80-page Countdown to Infinite Crisis and the final part of the "Sacrifice' story from Wonder Woman, where the heroine killed Max Lord (a reprint of tht issue contained a brief recap of what happend in the first 3 parts of Sacrifice, and presumably what will be included as well.). For $14.99, this TPB, which appears in November, is a great deal.

But now, you learn that the story continues in another book -- where will that be collected -- as part of the Infinite Crisis collection?

Guess we'll have to see. Since I'm not patient enought to wait for trade on this massive story, i guess it;s irrleavant to me. I'll be buying the individual issues AND the eventual collections. DC has got me!

Here's the info on the TPBs of the other three series:

• Day of Vengeance
• Villains United
• Rann/Thanagar War

Crisis Counseling: One More Time

Adapted from reports on Comic Book Resources....

Two weeks ago, Wizard held its first WizardWorld convention in Boston. While not a major event in terms of news or announcements, a few tidbits about DC, Infinite Crisis, and what happens next were revealed. DC Executive VP Dan DiDio called the convention his “last chance to be vague, lie, and beat around the bush” before Infinite Crisis #1 hit stores.

Here’s a round-up of some of the noteworthy comments from a few different panels:

• Infinite Crisis is not a reboot; it will not restart continuity
• Infinite Crisis is a direct sequel to Crisis on Infinite Earths. Marv Wolfman, writer of the original Crisis is writing a Secret Files special that will show exactly how they are connected, explaining some of the inconsistencies that have cropped up in continuity in the last 20 years
• The origins of Jason Todd’s return are related to Infinite Crisis, but will be dealt with in Batman, rather than in the mini-series.
• Infinite Crisis is about what happens when the pillars of the DCU – Superman, Batman, and Wonder woman—stop holding the universe up
• “You can’t have a Crisis without a Psycho Pirate or a dead Flash” This quote from DiDio has been interpreted as meaning that either Barry Allen (a dead Flash) will be appearing or that one of the currently alive Flashes (Wally West, Jay Garrick or Kid Flash Bart Allen) will die. Psycho Pirate, a major character from the original Crisis is currently appearing in the JSA: Classified arc dealing with Power Girl’s origin. The Pirate’s words and action in that story reference the original Crisis.
• DiDio would not comment on whether the new Crisis will see a return to multiple earths, though many recent storylines seem to be hinting at that, most prominently, the aforementioned JSA: Classified arc.
• In reference to writer Mark Waid’s recent comment that the DCU, including Batman, will “lightening up” after the Crisis, DiDio said that Batman is a central part of the events up to and including Infinite Crisis. As a result, Batman would be doing a lot of self-examination before he'll be able to move forward.
• After the series, there will be new series, cancelled series, new costumes and new characters. When write Greg Rucka commented that anything can and will be changed, DiDio responded: "It's as though these characters all exist on multiple Earths!"

For more on what DiDio, Rucka and others from DC had to say in Boston click here, here, and here

Zod for President

General Zod for President

Looking Back on "Identity Crisis"

This Wednesday, DC's long-awaited Infinite Crisis #1 hits comic shops. While the plans for this mega-crossover, considered a sequel to 1985-86's Crisis on Infinite Earths, were in the works for months and even years, the first sign that things were changing in the DCU that readers saw was last year's Identity Crisis.

Identity Crisis was not always supposed to be the start of the countdown to Infinite Crisis, as author Brad Meltzer recalls in a recent interview conducted to coincide with the hardcover release of the controversial seven-part story where the JLA reveals a secret past.

"When I started Identity Crisis, it was supposed to be a small, emotional story. That's it," Meltzer says. "Those were literally the words they said to me. And the key word (was) small."

It wasn't until Meltzer was done writing the story and shared the scripts with DC Vice President/Executive Editor Dan DiDio and Infinite Crisis writer Geoff Johns that Identity Crisis became part of a much larger storyline. Meltzer recalls how excited DiDio was when he read the scripts, and how eager he was to use various elements-- the JLA's decision to erase Batman's memories, the resurgence of certain villains-- in the other titles.

References to the events of Identity Crisis were reflected in most DCU titles, and dealt with directly in Flash and JLA, both of which were written by Infinite Crisis writer Geoff Johns (JLA was co-written by OC scribe Allan Heinberg).

Some of the books directly setting up Infinite Crisis also reference those events, such as the 80-page Countdown to Infinite Crisis, the mini-series The OMAC Project (revealing the depth of Batman's paranoia, more relevant now that we know the reason for it) and Villains United, which reveals the super-villain community organizing for protection now the the JLA's secret of mind-wiping villains has been revealed). Even Days of Vengeance, the magic-based mini-series, has the mystery killer from Identity Crisis as the catalyst of that story.

But Meltzer notes one important thing in his interview that sets his book apart from what has come since -- it's the only story that's completely self-contained. I don't completely agree with that.

While the mystery from issue 1 is resolved by the end, there are several plot points that are NOT wrapped up in the book, most notably, how much do Batman and Superman now know about the JLA's secret and who is Captain Boomerang's son's mother? The answers are revealed, but not within the pages of Identity Crisis. You have to read subsequent issues of Batman, Adventures of Superman, JLA and Flash to learn those answers (and I haven't read all of them yet myself).

That said, however, Identity Crisis is a great read for DC superhero fans and worth the $25 price tag for the hardcover (a cheaper softcover version is likely at least a year away). In additon to great art by penciller Rags Morales and inker Michael Bair, it offers mysteries, secrets and a look at super-heroes' real weaknesses. And it ain't kryptonite.

DC's Dark Days over soon?

DC-exclusive writer Mark Waid recently talked to the website, Monitor Duty about his comics writing experience. It's a great interview (mostly focused on Superman: Birthright, the "new" Superman origin, out this week in trade paperback) , but the most interesting comment he made was regarding the DCU after Infinite Crisis, which debuts in October, when asked about the increased "darkening" of the DC universe:

When we’re on the other side of the CRISIS, those days are GONE. Just gone. We’re sick to death of heroes who are not heroes, we’re sick to death of darkness. Not that there’s no room, not that Batman should act like Adam West, but that won’t be the overall feeling. After all this stuff, after everything shakes down, we’re done with heroes being dicks. No more we screwed each other and now we must pay the consequences. No, we’re super-heroes and that’s what we do. Batman’s broken. Through no ONE person’s fault, but he’s a dick now. And we’ve been told we can fix that.

He also talks about the popularity of comic-book movies, his favorite comic-book movie, the upcoming Superman Returns, writing the Legion and continuity.

MJ confirms Spidey 3 Villians

Apparently confirming what had been rumored for awhile, actress Kirsten Dunst (Mary Jane Watson) recently told reporters that Thomas Haden Church will play Sandman and Topher Grace is Venom in Spider-Man 3, due in theatres May 4, 2007. The film begins shooting in January. The actress has yet to see the script.

Another villian rumored to be in the sequel is the Hobgoblin, with Harry Osborn (James Franco) taking over the goblin glider from his father Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin, played by Willem Dafoe. Franco dodges that question here.

Behind the scenes of Justice League Unlimited

Dwayne McDuffie, writer/producer/story editor for Justice League Unlimited, recently talked to the Comics Foundry website about his work on the animated series featuring virtually every character in the DC Comics universe.

He talks a lot about what it's like writing for the show, the challenge of season-long arcs, shout-outs to fanboys, restricted characters (this season, Aquaman is off-limits) and who the audience for the show is:

We know who the demographic is. It’s kids. A lot of older viewers watch. I know everybody thinks it’s only grownups that watch Justice League and they do. But the amount of kids who watch Justice League watch Teen Titans, another show I work on that is more obviously aimed at children. You know, there will be some stuff that kids won’t get, but man, Superman just picked up that whole building.

Great article for fans of the show.

We just saw four new episodes that featured the introduction of Hawkman, a new look for Supergirl and obscure characters Warlord and the Viking Prince, not to mention the introduction of the bad-guy version of the League -- the Legion of Doom, fronted by Gorilla Grodd. We don't know when the next episodes are coming, but we do know they feature Deadman, the Seven Soldiers of Victory, the Flash's Rogues Gallery and more! Stay toon-ed!

Forest Whitaker picks up his "Shield"

Actor/director/producer Forest Whitaker has joined the cast of The Shield for its fifth season, scheduled to debut in January. According to the Hollywood Reporter:

Whitaker will play Detective Jon Kavanaugh, an ambitious newcomer to the Los Angeles Police Department's Internal Affairs division who is tasked with investigating rogue cop Mackey, played by series star Michael Chiklis, and the strike force he leads.

Series creator Shawn Ryan said the Whitaker's character "will present the biggest danger to Vic and his team in the history of the series so far."

Last season's big-name guest star Glenn Close was nominated for an Emmy for her turn as Capt. Monica Rawlings.

Miss him by THAT Much

Actor Don Adams dead at 82

Infinite Crisis #1 Preview Pages

Click the pic to see more preview pages:

Animated/Comic-Related DVD Releases

Well, let's just call this what it really is, my DVD wish list (along with Batman Begins and Revenge of the Sith from the previous list):

October
4 – Cinderella Special Edition
18 – Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology (special editions of Burton/Schumacher Batman movies)
18 - Adventures of Superman Vol 1 (1950s TV series)
18 – Batman vs. Dracula (Direct-to-DVD, based on current animated series)
25 – Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 3

December
6- Batman: The Animated Series Vol. 4 (I also still need Vol. 3)
6 - Superman: The Animated Series Vol. 2
6 – Star Wars: Clone Wars Vol. 2

DVD Release Schedule for Summer Movies

With the end of the summer movie season comes the wait for those movies to hit DVD. As expected, most will hit before Christmas. Here’s the schedule, subject to change:

October
18 - Batman Begins
25 - Bewitched

November
1- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
8- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
15 - Madagascar
15 - Stealth
22- War of the Worlds
29 – Mr. & Mrs. Smith

December
6- Fantastic Four
27 – Dark Water
TBA - The Dukes of Hazzard

Early 2006
The Wedding Crashers
The 40-Year Old Virgin

The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

From the producers of Chicken Run comes Wallace and Gromit and the Curse of the Were Rabbit. Opening October 7th, here's the trailer.

Spoiling your Comics

Because some comic fans are tired of all the crossovers that DC (Countdown to Infinite Crisis) and Marvel (House of M) are foisting on us, they have banded together to create "Spoilt!" a blog that reveals the major plotlines of all the comics that you can't afford to buy, but need to read to keep up with crossovers. So save a few bucks and enjoy!

"Paperback Believer"

This is just too cool for words -- a mixing of the Beatles' "Paperback Writer" and the Monkees' "I'm a Believer" in a song/video called "Paperback Believer."

Miller Covers Robin

This week, issue #2 of Frank Miller and Jim Lee's All-Star Batman & Robin the Boy Wonder comes out. Last week, DC unveiled an alternate cover by Frank Miller, seen here:

Family Guy Direct-to-DVD Clip

Tonight begins the second season of Family Guy's second shot on Fox. And more Family Guy is on the way. At the end of the month, look for the direct-to-DVD movie: Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin - The Untold Story. This new, unrated movie focuses on Stewie's quest for his real father. See a clip here.

More Sin for Your Home

Sin City was released on a bare-bones, single disc DVD a few weeks ago, but as expected a deluxe, two-disc version is coming out in December. Check the specs out here. One highlight: an entire Sin City graphic novel!

In addition to the orginal theatrical cut, the collection will include an extended 147 minute version. Some of the other extras include:

• commentary track with director Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller
• commentary track with Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino
• commentary track featuring Austin, TX crowd reaction
• 15 Minute Film School featurette
• Movie in High-Speed Green Screen feature
• 17 un-interupted minutes of Tarantino's segment
• footage from the Sin City cast/crew party.
• 10 minute Cooking School with Robert Rodriquez

Spacey as Luthor

Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor in Superman Returns

Katrina Wakes up the Media

One of the few postivie things to come out of the Hurricane Katrina disasters is that the news media seems to have woken up from the funk it has been in for the past four years. As this article indicates, rookie NBC news anchor Brian Williams star has risen as a result.

See Williams' barely contained anger at government's handling of the sitiuation during his interview with Jon Stewart on the Daily Show last Thursday.

Ultimate Spider-Man Video Game Trailer

This trailer for the new video game based on the Ultimate Spder-Man comic, includes lots of clips for the game but also gives a brief comics history of Spider-Man, leading up to the creation of the Ultimate Spider-Man series. Even if you have no interest in the game, the trailer is worth a look.

Here's the offical site:

Music Notes: Links and Licks

Here's some music-related links of interest, including interviews, obituaries and new releases streaming online:

• Paul McCartney's new album, Chaos And Creation In The Backyard, his 20th solo album, is streaming online here. (Note: there's an annoying voice-over that pops up every other minute that says "sneak peek"). The album hits stores this week. in related new, Paul has officially "sold out."
  

• Bring me no more blues: Last week, blues artist R.L. Burnside passed away. Last night, we lost another: Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown has died in Texas, where he relocated following his evacuation from his New Orleans home in the wake of Katrina. He was 81.
  

• You might be able to hear the new Dandy Warhols album, Odditorium Or Warlords Of Mars here, though I had some problems. The album is also released this Tuesday.

• Here's a new Brian Wilson interview. Hear him talk about Smile, the Beach Boys then and now and the Beatles.

• Way more Ray: The spotlight continues to shine on the late Ray Charles following the success of his Oscar-winning bio-pic. On the heels of last year's triple-platinum-selling duets album, Genius Loves Company, the soon-to-be platinum Ray soundtrack and the gold hits collection, The Very Best of Ray Charles, come two new collections in honor of what would have been the singer's 75th birthday. On Sept. 20, Rhino releases duets collection Genius and Friends and the,146-track boxed set, Pure Genius -- The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1952-1959), which includes never-before-released rehearsal tracks.

Superman Returns Teaser Trailer?

Stumbled on this through a message board, but it looks legit. Check it out!

Superman Returns Teaser Trailer

OK, after reading a little more, it's probably fake, but still it has new footage, most of which apparently came from http://www.bluetights.net/

Newsweek spotlights Superman Returns

The new issue of Newsweek features an article on next summer's Superman Returns, and includes a new photo of Brandon Routh as Superman, seen here:

DC Animated Updates

Both Justice League Unlimited and The Batman will have their season premieres on Saturday, September 17.

Justice League Unlimited begins its new season at 10 pm on Cartoon Network with two episodes. Debuting that night are:

• "We Are Legion" -- Lex Luthor escapes from a maximum security prison, only to be invited to join Grodd's unstoppable Legion of Doom.
  
• "Shadow of the Hawk" -- Batman is suspicious of Shayera's new boyfriend, a mysterious archeologist with sinister ties to her Thanagarian past.

Read about other upoming episodes of Justice League Unlimited here.

Several hours earlier, Kids WB! will be premiering the third season of The Batman, and featuring the debut of Batgirl, seen here:

In November, the new season of Teen Titans will premiere on Cartoon Network, including a two-parter spotlighting Beast Boy and the Doom Patrol.

One Man Stars Wars Show

Charles Ross, a Canadian actor, has developed a one-man show of the orignal Star Wars trilogy, which he has been performing since 2001 By himself on a stage with no props, he recreates the entire original trilogy. It has to be seen to be believed, so check out a clip here.

He also performs one-man Lord of the Rings trilogy. A clip from that show is available at the same link.

How Do You Tullamore Dew, part 2

Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

Happy Blog Anniversary -- Anybody Here?

This week marks the 1-year anniversary of this blog, as seen here.

Activity has been pretty light lately because nothing interesting has come up in the pop culture in the dead zone of August -- no movies, TV, or DVD of note hae popped up, and comic convention season is over, so no more comic news.

With the fall comes a new movie and TV season and the release of holiday-timed DVDs. In comics, DC's Infinite Crisis starts in October, as does Marvel's big Spidey crossover, the Other. Until then, not much.

As for TV, Smallville starts on Sept. 21; I'm watching Lost now, so I'll probably start writing about that. I'm not sure what other TV shows I'll cover, but I'm sure post-Labor Day, the topics will start popping up again. I may even start writing more about music.

So until then, Happy Labor Day!

Marvel Announces new Daredevil Team

At Marvel, the only two characters I'm interested in are Spider-Man and Daredevil. At the moment, the only Marvel trades I buy are Daredevil and Ultimate Spider-Man, both written by Brian Michael Bendis.

Earlier this year, Bendis announced that he and artist Alex Maleev will be leaving Daredevil soon (they will work together on a new Spider-Woman series), and speculation had begun on the next creative team. Most of that speculation centered on recent Marvel exclusives, writer Ed Brubarker and artist Michael Lark (who worked together on DC's Gotham Central), but until this weekend, no one knew for sure.

At WizardWorld Chicago on Friday, Bendis confirmed that Brubaker/Lark are indeed the next Daredevil team. From the Marvel Knights panel report at Newsarama:

Brubaker and Lark take over the series in February ’06. Quesada acknowledged it was one of the worst kept secrets in comics, but that they couldn’t think of anyone else other than Brubaker and Lark to take over the series. He added Brubaker’s pitch contains enough material for at least 2 years worth of stories. Bendis touched on something he said in his own Q&A earlier that day that his last story arc “The Murdock Papers” ends rather uniquely and would only work if the writer that followed him on DD agreed to pick up on some elements from that story, and the Brubaker was up to the task and his first story arc will follow-up on it as well as kick off his own run.

Brubaker give his own take on the transition here.

I love Brubaker's Gotham Central stories (the curent arc, his last, is co-written with Greg Rucka) and his Sleeper series for Wildstorm, and Lark is a great, gritty street crime artist, so it looks like I will keep buying Daredevil trades.

And Bendis isn't leaving Ultimate Spider-Man anytime soon either.

It's a shame I've lost complete interest in the regular version of Spider-Man. Maybe "The Other" storyline will bring me back. There's a panel on that today. Plus, another favorite writer, Peter David, is doing a new Spider-Man title, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (which unfortunately kicks off as part of "The Other" crossover), so maybe I'll be buying that in trade as well.

Good News for DC: Jeph Loeb, Michael Turner Exclusive to Marvel

At last month’s Comic-Con in San Diego, DC had the biggest spotlight (biggest news being the exclusivity of Mark Waid and his Brave and the Bold series), while Marvel was pretty low-key. The situation was reversed at this weekend’s WizardWorld Chicago, with very little new DCU information, but lots of announcements and teases from Marvel.

The biggest Marvel news to affect DC fans is probably the signing of writer Jeph Loeb and artist Michael Turner to exclusive contracts. Loeb is the current writer of Superman/Batman, and it’s just launched spin-off Supergirl. Loeb is already on his previously announced final arc on Superman/Batman, and has stated that his Marvel contract allows him to take the Supergirl series to a point where it will be easier to hand off to another writer.

Turner has mostly drawn covers for DC for the past two years, most notably Identity Crisis, as well as a perpetually late arc of Superman/Batman (the one that introduced the new Supergirl, actually). He also wrote a Superman story arc about a year ago.

Frankly, as a major DC fan, I’m not sorry to see either go. While many of Loeb’s stories are fun, they mostly too convoluted with little resolution at the end of stories. His Batman: Hush arc was entertaining as a parade of Batman’s greatest villain, but the story was a little weak (though it did open the door to the current return of Jason Todd). And Turner, he’s pretty much a cheesecake artist who draws figures out of proportion. The Identity Crisis covers should have been by series artist Rags Morales, and when the collection comes out with a choice of covers by the two artists, I’m getting the Morales version.

Their Marvel projects have yet to be announced.

So Marvel’s happy and so am I. And I’m sure Loeb will be back to DC at some point.

Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997

Coming in October to DVD: Special editions of all four previous Batman movie. While all four were previously released on DVD, they were bare-bones editons, and not the highest quality. These new ones are PACKED with special features, including commentaries from directors Tim Burton on the first two and Joel Schumacher on the final two.

I've always held out on buying the first two Batman movies on DVD, knowing that SOMEDAY there would be special editions. That day arrives n October. But now with so much time passed and a GREAT Batman movie made since then, I'm not as excited as I once would have been.

No way am I buying the whole set, but I might get the first two,. I wouldn't mind renting the third, if the specal edition is available for rent.

Read all about the special editions here.

Oh, and Batman Begins will be on DVD in October as well.

The 52 Weeks After Infinite Crisis

At WizardWorld Philadelphia and the San Diego Comic-Con, DC Executive Editor Dan DiDio said that during the Infinite Crisis (after issue 5 of 7), the DCU timeline and all of the books will jump ahead to "One Year Later."

As revealed in the new issue of Wizard, and now expanded on at Newsarama, DiDio explains how we will find out what happens during that year: a 52-issue weekly comic, tentatively called 52:

“The story of 52 begins the week after Infinite Crisis concludes and runs weekly thereafter,” DiDio told Newsarama. “It answers most of the outstanding questions from the missing year, but more importantly it sets the tone for our world and the direction of the DC Universe for the years to come. With each issue one week passes, and yes, we plan to show the change in time as the series progresses. We get to show how the life of the DC Universe changes over the course of a year, in real time."

Price, page count and creative teams are yet to be revealed. The book will debut in May 2006, followng the conclusion of Infinite Crisis.

Major Superman Returns Plot Spoilers?

Though not confirmed as true, some major plot spoilers for Superman Returns have shown up online.

Click here to read, but be warned, there is at least one major plot element contained.

The original site that posted this removed it at the request of Warner Brothers.

Blade TV Series coming Next June

This week, writer/director/producer David Goyer told the SciFiWire that he's producing an hour-long action series based on the Blade movie trilogy (for which he wrote all three screenplays, and directed the final installment) for Spike TV, set to debut in June 2006.

He said the that the series will be "different" than the movies and not star Wesley Snipes. Goyer is co-writing the pilot with fellow comics writer Geoff Johns (the two teamed on the JSA comic series).13 episodes have been ordered.

Goyer, who wrote the screenplay for Batman Begins, is also executive producer on a new SF series debuting in the fall for CBS called Threshold. In addition, Goyer is curently developing The Flash as a movie for Warner Bros. He is set to write and direct this latest DC superhero to hit the big screen.

Finally, Goyer recently "had a meeting" with Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan about a sequel to this summer's supehero hit. He would say no more on that subject.

Its a nice time to be David Goyer.

Official Superman Returns Shield Logo

SDCC Comic-Con: Ghost Rider Teaser poster

Ghost Rider starring Nicolas Cage opens on August 4, 2006.

UPDATED: Smallville Season 5 News!

At the 2005 Television Critics Association press tour this week, Smallville star Tom Welling revealed a few cool guest stars/characters for the upcoming season of Smallville, which begins on Thursday, September 29 at 8 pm (new day)

In an episode, currently titled "Aqua" and due to air in October, Lex hires a swim coach, a 19-year-old named A.C. (as in Arthur Curry). Sound familiar? It should -- he's Aquaman!

The same episode introduces a new recurring character, Prof. Milton Fine, to be played by Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel cast member James "Spike" Marsters. Milton Fine is the name of the character who evolved into Brainiac in the Byrne-revamp of Superman.

Here's how The WB describes the character:

"Possessed of a vast, superior knowledge limited only by his hubris and emotions, Brainiac comes to earth armed with a secret about Clark's biological family and the truth about Krypton's demise. Brainiac's presence in Smallville will have a devastating effect on Clark and Lex's already deteriorating friendship."

Another cool guest shot this season, John (Jonathan Kent) Schneider's former Dukes of Hazzard co-star, Tom Wopat, will pop by as a childhood friend of Jonathan's who is now a senator.

Additional information on Season 5 can be found here.

Coming this Fall.....

Two cool movies are deubting in theatres this November that should be of intetrest to (both) readers of this site...

Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash in I Walk the Line.

Natalie Portman in the movie adaptaion of Alan Moore's V for Vendetta comic book mini-series.

Deaths in the Family

This week, two pop culture icons passed away.

First was longtime Batman artist Jim Aparo, who had worked on various Batman titles, starting with The Brave and the Bold, since the early 70s steadily throughout the 90s. He was the artist for one of the most famous Batman storylines in the past 25 years, "A Death in the Family," the storyline that featured the second Robin Jason Todd being murdered by the Joker, after readers voted to kill the character off in a phone poll.

The second pop culture death this week was that of James "Scotty" Doohan from the original Star Trek series and the first seven Star Trek movies, as well as a memorable guest spot on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Rest in peace guys. Thanks for the good times.

SDCC Day 3: Bryan Singer Talks Superman Returns

Possibly the biggest panel of this year’s convention was the Superman Returns panel featuring director Bryan Singer, who showed three minutes of well-received footage and answered a lot of fan’s questions.

You can read a description of the footage here. No word on if and when the footage will pop on the net, but I’ll post a link as soon as I find out.

The panel is covered here and here. You can also hear audio of a follow-up interview with Singer here, where among other things the notes that Noel Neill and Jack Larson (Lois and Jimmy from the 1950s series) cameo. It take a few minutes to download, but is well worht it. I listened as I typed this up.

Here are some highlights from the Q&A:

The main character: Superman is three people, according to Singer. Clark on the farm, raised by the Kents, the bumbling Metropolis reporter, and Kal El, Last Son of Krypton.

Story: Essentially, it’s a love story between Clark and Lois, what happens when old boyfriend returns

Influences: Singer noted that he didn’t have a favorite Superman comic or era, but his influences on the film include artist Alex Ross, the 40s Fleischer cartoons and the 50s TV series featuring George Reeves. And of course, the first Superman movie. The movie will evoke the 40s film era as well.

Relation to previous films: the new movie springs from the first Reeve film, with vague reference to the second, but ignores the third and fourth altogether.

Relation to Smallville: The producers of the movie and the series worked together not to step on each other’s toes in terms of plots and characters. There will be no direct contradiction, but nor will there be any references.

Casting: He wanted an unknown in the lead, like Richard Donner did with Christopher Reeve, so that viewers won’t have any preconceived notions, and can see Brandon Routh as Superman. Unused Marlon Brando as Jor-El footage shot by Donner will be used. Singer asked for some suspension of disbelief regarding the ages of the characters in relation to the previous movies, because they need young actors who can do a series of movies.

Luthor: Kevin Spacey’s Luthor will have some of the humor of Gene Hackman's version, but will also reflect some of the darker elements seen in Michael Rosenbaum’s portrayal in Smallville.

Music: John Ottman, who Singer has worked with on his previous films will be providing the score., although the classic John Williams theme will be used as well.

Today's USA Today also covered the panel.

SDCC DC Day 3: Superman

Not a lot of new stuff was announced at the Superman panel, just writer Greg Rucka reiterating how important the current “Sacrifice” storyline is, not only to Superman, but to the lead-up to October's Infinite Crisis. Jeph Loeb talked a little about Superman/Batman and Supergirl. And Mark Verheiden talked Superman

Adventures of Superman: Rucka will resolve the issue of Lois’ shooting, something he has planned from the beginning. He notes that “Sacrifice” is related to it as well. He will also bring back Ruin, the villain that has been plaguing superman in this book. Ruin was recently revealed to be Superman’s childhood friend, former president Pete Ross. He will also revolve the Mxyztplk story, which was pushed back due to “Sacrifice.”

Superman: Superboy visits in issue #220, dealing with what recently happened in the Teen Titans/Outsiders crossover. John Henry Irons and the Eradicator also return. The following issue is a light-hearted one featuring Bizarro. Verheiden will be exploring the Clark/Lois relationship and will touch on her shooting as well. He noted that Lois is Superman’s connection to Earth, so if they are having problems, that affect how Superman relates to the rest of the planet.

Supergirl: the first three issues feature the Girl of Steel meeting up with Power Girl and the JSA, Superboy and the Teen Titans, and the Outsiders. She may also get a love interest. And Krypto hates her.

Superman/Batman: Loeb will deal with Luthor as he concludes his run on the title. Last seen in Superman/Batman as a crazed supervillain in armor, he is now of course appearing as cool calculating, business-suited self in Villains United and throughout other related DC titles. Loeb will explain the seeming disparity. Whether Luthor knows Superman’s identity and his role in the DCU will also be explored.

More Superman: Look for more Superman projects by next year near the release of the movie, similar to what’s happening to Batman now.

Ties to other media: when asked if or how the comics would reflect the movie or the Smallville TV series, line editor Eddie Berganza that nothing specific would change, though he mentioned how Birthright brought back the idea of Lex and Clark being friends in Smallville, as is reflected in the TV series.

Read more about the panel, and see some images, like the one above, from October’s Superman books here.

SDCC DC Day 3: Waid, the Brave & the Bold

One of the biggest announcements of the convention is that writer Mark Waid (Flash, JLA, Kingdom Come) has signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. Not only will he continue to write Legion of Superheroes, but he will also be launching a new Brave and the Bold series, featuring team-ups between the DCU’s heroes (not just Batman). Waid will also be taking an editorial consultant role, similar to those of Geoff Johns and Grant Morrison. No other Waid projects were announced.

On what to expect from the new Brave and the Bold series, Waid told Newsarama:

“… we’ll do story arcs generally spelled by one or two shorter stories in between if the need suits. As complete stories, the ideas is to build in as many characters as possible, so it’s not six issues of Batman and Green Arrow, for example – that would be a little predictable. The fun of it, of course, is finding the plot devices that would allow you to have, say, Batman and Green Lantern in issue #1, and then Green Lantern and, hypothetically speaking, Supergirl in issue #2, and Supergirl and Hawkman in issue #3, or whatever – and find the plot batons, if you will, that you can hand off to keep the story going while moving the characters in and out as needed.”

It’s worth checking out the article for more on Waid’s thoughts on the book and the types of team-ups, he’d like to see.

SDCC: DC Day 2 – Crisis Counseling

This report is edited from the coverage provided by Comic Book Resources.
As he did at WizardWorld Philadelphia, DC VP – Editorial, Dan DiDio, presided over the “Crisis Counseling” panel, where he answered questions and dropped hints about the lead-up to this fall’s Infinite Crisis. Also on the panel were writers Greg Rucka (The OMAC Project) and Geoff Johns (Infinite Crisis), editor Steve Wacker (Rann/Thanagar War) and Vice President of DC Marketing Bob Wayne.

There was very little news revealed here, but here are a few highlights:

“Sacrifice”: Rucka said that the 4-part "Sacrifice" running in this month’s Superman titles and Wonder Woman, is essential to understanding the next issue of The OMAC Project (#4). He then seemed to contradict himself by saying that it wasn’t the intention to make "Sacrifice" essential reading for The OMAC Project , and that the minis were constructed to stand alone. Huh?

Why the Infinite Crisis?: DidDio said that DC wanted to do something to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Crisis on Infinite Earths. Rucka clarified that another purpose was to define what it means to be a hero. “If it’s easy,” he said, “it’s not heroism.”

“One Year Later”: DiDio said a unifying effect hits the DC Universe in issue #5 of Infinite Crisis (February 2006). In March, issue #6 and all DCU titles will jump ahead one year in their storylines. Characters and settings will be drastically different, but there will be no immediate explanations. DC President Paul Levitz only approved the “One Year Later” concept if two years worth of stories could be told from it, with ideas that would take them through 2008. Unlike Crisis on Infinite Earths, everyone will remember the events of Infinite Crisis.

Seven Soldiers: DiDio confirmed that Grant Morrisons’s Seven Soldiers project fits into the overall DCU plan, but would not elaborate on how.

Keith Giffen: Rucka retold the story he talked about the Batman panel, regarding Giffen’s approval with what he did with his Justice League characters, specifically, Max Lord killing Blue Beetle. DiDio added that Giffen is working on several DCU projects including one related to Infinite Crisis.

No restarted #1 issues: DiDio assured fans that they will not re-start series at #1, noting that titles such as Batman, Detective Comics and Action Comics deserve their high numbers.

Countdown: Everyone who dismissed Blue Beetle in Countdown regrets not helping him, notably J’onn J’onnz, who was said to be under a lot of stress at the time.

Suicide Squad: Everyone at DC is fan of John Ostrander’s run on the Suicide Squad, but they will not be reviving the title for awhile, as they are in the midst of revamping their villains and want them to remain bad guys for awhile.

Batman: Nobody in the panel would answer when asked if the events of "War Games" and "OMAC" would cause Batman to doubt himself. Similarly, no one would answer anything about the relationship between Batman and Nightwing, as any answer would give too much away. There are still problems between Batman and Hal Jordan. Batman appears in Green Lantern #10.

SDCC: DC Day 2 – The New Teen Titans 25th Anniversary

This report is edited from the coverage provided by Newsarama. At that link you will find a lot more anecdotes about the cartoon and the Wolfman/Perez series and is a highly recommended read.

Attending the panel was New Teen Titans writer/co-creator Marv Wolman and his editor Barb Kesel, Silver Age Titans artist Nick Cardy, current Teen Titans writer Geoff Johns, and producer on the Teen Titans cartoon, Glen Murakami. Kesel hosted the panel, and began by asking each panelist to tell a Titans anecdote and to name their favorite Titans. Both Johns and Murakami also cited the influence of Wolfman/Perez.

Some highlights:

Donna Troy: Wolfman wrote the first origin of Donna Troy in 1971, well before he started on the New Teen Titans in 1980. He wrote at least two more origin stories for her since then. Donna plays a prominent role in the upcoming Infinite Crisis, but Johns would not reveal whether she would serve with the Outsiders or the Titans upon her return.

Omen: Like Donna, Lilith was also “killed” during Graduation Day, but she will be back in Teen Titans #26, on sale next week.

Future comic plans: Johns, as usual revealed very little about what’s coming up saying only that there will be a membership change following Infinite Crisis; before that there will be appearances by the Red Hood (#29), Nightwing (#31-32) and the Doom Patrol. The Titans East will also appear, though it was not clear if he meant in the current Titans book, or in their own title.

Games: the long-awaited New Teen Titans graphic novel, started and shelved by Wolfman and Perez years ago, was announced last year that it will be completed and published. Wolfman could not say, however when it will be finished. He said it is the best Titans Perez has ever drawn.

Toon Robin: As expected, Murakami would not answer who is under Robin’s mask, though Wolfman reminded him it had to be Dick Grayson because they showed him as Nightwing in the future.

Toon guest stars: Batman will not appear on the series, nor will Wonder Girl. The Doom Patrol and Kid Flash, however, will appear, among other guest stars.For more guest stars from the comics, check the pic below:

SDCC: DC Day 2 – The Batman, Plus!

Following the JLU panel was a panel dedicated to the new animated series The Batman, which included discussion of a another superhero.

This information is compiled from the report on Comics Continuum and supplemented with info from the Toon Zone forums.

Here are some highlights

Superman direct-to-video movie: The biggest piece of news at the panel was the announcement of an animated Superman direct-to-video feature. Although it will be produced by the same team that works on The Batman, the movie will primarily feature the Timm designs from Superman: The Animated Series, though not a direct sequel. Some of that series voice cast will also return. It is a stand-alone movie meant as a companion piece to next summer’s movie. It will be released in the Spring, ahead of the movie. The story resembles the Seven Labors of Hercules, and involves him having to rescue someone important to him.

Batman vs. Dracula: the first act of the direct-to- video movie based on the new animated series was shown, featuring the Batman fighting the Joker and the Penguin, and the resurrection of Dracula in Gotham. The video is scheduled for release around Halloween.

Next season: The new season of The Batman will have a new theme song and include Commissioner Gordon (who shows up in this season’s finale) and Batgirl, and villains Poison Ivy, Maxie Zeus, Gearhead and Hugo Strange. Harley Quinn will not be appearing. Hush may appear at some point. Batman will also have a more powerful Batmobile.

SDCC: DC Day 2 – Justice League Unlimited

This report is based on what appears on Comics Continuum and in the forums of Toon Zone.

The Justice League Unlimited panel consisted of Bruce Timm, Dwayne McDuffie, James Tucker, Shaun McLaughlin, and story editor Matt Wayne. The presentation included a widescreen showing of the next-to-last episode of this season, “Divided We Fall,” which airs on Cartoon Network tonight.

Then a clip of the opening moments of next season was shown…..

It starts with Luthor escaping prison with help from Gorilla Grodd, who then reveals to him…. The Legion of Doom!

Some other highlights from the panel:

Legion of Doom: the clip reveals at least two dozen villains, both new to the show and already established. Timm noted that just as the Justice League expanded their ranks, the villains decided to do the same thing.

Season structure: Like Cadmus this season, the Legion will be part of the overall season arc. Some episodes will focus on them, others will just touch on them. And there will be unrelated stand-alone episodes.

Guest-stars: Look for members of the Outsiders, Warlord, Deadman and the Legion of Superheroes.

Shayera/John Stewart/Vixen relationship: The producers are complicating the love triangle even further by adding a young archaeologist named Carter Hall to the mix.

Hero spotlights: One episode will focus on the Seven Soldiers of Victory; another on Stargirl.

“Epilogue”: the story that was used for this season’s finale was once considered for a Batman Beyond direct-to-video movie involving Catwoman.

Bat-embargo: Still in effect, the show can’t use any characters from the Batman universe (due to the movies and new, unrelated cartoon), including villains and supporting cast. This likely means that classic Legion of Doom members the Scarecrow and the Riddler will not be on the new team. Apparently there is not yet a Superman embargo, since Luthor will be part of the new season.

DVD: No news on DVD release plans. There was talk of a direct-to video JLU movie, but nothing is happening with that right now.

Season premiere: Nothing was mentioned about when the new season will begin airing. There are no completed episodes available yet.

Alex Ross on "Justice"

While waiting for some more news from San Diego Comic-Con, check this out.

Superstar comics painter Alex Ross, known for his photo-realistic superhero artwork (Kingdom Come, Marvels) is launching a new ongoing, bi-monthly Justice League series in August called Justice.

Plotted and painted by Ross, the series is written by Jim Krueger and pencilled by Dougie Braithwaite. Ross talked about the out-of-continuity series, inspired by the Challenge of the Superfriends (JLA vs. the Legion of Doom) cartoon from the 70s, to Newsarama in a series of interviews, then shared some of his concept drawings for the villians.

Alex Ross Justice interview Part 1

Alex Ross Justice interview Part 2

Legion of Doom concept art

San Diego Comic-Con: DC Day 1 – Batman

This post is edited from the coverage that appears on Comic Book Resources, The Pulse and Comics Continuum.

For more quotes, including how Lee likes working on All Star Batman and Robin with Frank Miller and what Rucka thinks of Batman Begins, check the links above.

Not a whole lot happened at the San Diego Batman panel, and most of the session was Q&A. Panelists included Bob Schreck (Editor), Bill Willingham (writer, Robin, Fables), Greg Rucka (writer, Gotham Central, The OMAC Project), Joey Cavileri (Editor), and a late-coming Jim Lee (All-Star Batman & Robin).

Some news and quotes:

Gotham Central: Greg Rucka announced that issue #37 is a stand-alone issue with his Whiteout collaborator Steve Lieber, an Infinite Crisis tie-in featuring Captain Marvel. Rucka has the book planned out through issue 40.

Jason Todd: No comment. Writer Judd Winick, who has returned Jason Todd in Batman, was not present at the panel and no one else wanted to touch that controversial subject.

War Crimes: One of the goals of this follow-up to War Games is to get past the grim n’ gritty Batman, and develop him into someone beyond that. The Joker appears in the story and has a defining “Joker-esque” moment, according to Willingham.

Batman/Fables crossover: Willingham said he has an idea for a Bigbie Wolf/Batman story but doesn’t know what to do with it because of Infinite Crisis.

“One Year Later”: No one thinks any comics will get new Number #1 issues as a result of Infinite Crisis, much to the audience’s relief.

Batman’s successor: Rucka said, “Bruce Wayne will be Batman until the day he dies. But if it had to be anyone else, then it's Tim Drake. After Identity Crisis, it's a no-brainer.”

The OMAC Project: When Rucka was asked if he was not a fan of Keith Giffen and his era of the Justice League (Max Lord was revealed to be an evil mastermind, and killed Blue Beetle in Countdown to Infinite Crisis, which is followed up in The OMAC Project), he said he was afraid that not only fans but Giffen himself would think that. Giffen heard this and called ruvka to assure him he wasn’t offended and said that Max would do that, and “KILL ‘EM ALL!” Of issue, #6, Rucka says: “Batman goes to great lengths to address errors in judgment he may have made" Sasha will be around after the min-series, though she will have gone through some “life changes.”A new Checkmate series may spin out of The OMAC Project.

All-Star Batman and Robin: the non-continuity, iconic version being presented in this more accessible title, allows for a little more freedom in the regular titles. Jim Lee claims to have just finished drawing issue 5.

Future plans: Rucka loves Harvey Dent and he should be appearing in a project he’s working on. He also has an idea for a project called "Gotham Plus 20", which involves Batman looking for a successor after he has a stroke.

Upcoming projects: a Legends of the Dark Knight 3-issue arc by Will Pfeiffer and Chris Weston, and a double-sized issue written by Eddie Campbell (From Hell) and drawn by Bart Sears. Also announced was Batman: Year 100, a prestige format 4-issue mini-series starting in early 2006 written and drawn by Paul Pope.