Tuesday, June 29, 2010

New Look for Wonder Woman




Well, it beats the heck out of that white women's lib pantsuit she wore for a while in the '70s. Wonder Woman debuts a new costume in the landmark 600th issue of her comic book, in stores this week.

As explained by DC Comics, the revised costume for the legendary heroine (part of "The Big Three" with Superman and Batman) was created by superstar artist and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee. The new-look Wonder Woman appears in a story written by Babylon 5 creator and now critically acclaimed comics writer J. Michael Straczynski (Spider-Man, Thor, Fantatic Four, Brave and the Bold, Superman) and artists Don Kramer and Michael Babinski. 

"Suppose you woke up one morning, or turned a corner, and suddenly the life you had been leading up to that moment…was not the life you were leading," Straczynski wrote on the DC Comics Blog page, The Source (thank you, Jack Kirby for that). "Suppose someone went back in time and changed one thing, and it changed your life to the point that you had little or no memory of what life had been like before the change happened. What would you do to get it back? Should you get it back? Who did it? And maybe more important…why did they do it?"

And there's the thrust of Wonder Woman's new direction under JMS, as he's called by his legion of fans. He explains the destruction of the fabled Paradise Island while further exploring the link between the (Greek) Gods and the Amazons and also comes up with a new origin for Diana, the Amazon Princess. She's now more entrenched in "man's world."  A child of two cultures?  Sounds more like Superman than her years of being the "stranger in a strange land." Can you say new timeline?

Really, it's like the reboot of Star Trek last year.

"She has little or no memory of the other timeline. She knows only what she’s been told by those who raised her," JMS said on the blog. "On the run, hunted, she must try to survive, help the other refugee Amazons escape the army that is still after them, discover who destroyed Paradise Island and why…and if the timeline can be corrected or not. She also does not yet have access to her full powers, but will be gaining them as she goes. Along the way, she will face a range of enemies — human and otherwise — who we have not seen before."

While Wonder Woman's iconic costume - the most U.S. flag-inspired outfit this side of Captain America - has changed a bit over the years - skirt at first, then trunks, variations on the eagle outline, etc. - it hasn't been altered all that much since her first appearance in 1941. 

How will this fly with longtime fans and all that licensing? Probably just fine. Batman's had a variety of looks -with yellow circle, without, different utlility belts - and sells on everything from t-shirts to coffee mugs and more. "

JMS wrote, "This is Wonder Woman reborn, literally and metaphorically: fast, elegant, tough, smart…the savior of her people, their guardian and protector…avenging the fall of Paradise Island, searching to discover why."

The special issue includes an introduction from TV's Wonder Woman of the '70s, Lynda Carter, and stories superstar comics writers such as Geoff Johns (DC's COO now) and Gail Simone and artists such as Phil Jimenez and Adam Hughes.

Pick up Wonder Woman #600 at your local comic shop and while you're at it, check out Superman #700 and Batman #700, too.

Superman-Batman 'Apocalypse' Due in September

DC Entertainment has announced the release of Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, a direct-to-video animated film due September 28, 2010.

Superman/Batman, Vol. 2: SupergirlThe story will be drawn from the Superman-Batman comics "Supergirl" story arc and graphic novel, written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by the late Michael Turner (Witchblade, Fathom).  This will make it a sequel to 2009’s Superman/Batman: Public Enemies.

Fan favorites Tim Daly and Kevin Conroy will again voice Superman and Batman respectively while Summer Glau (Sarah Connor Chronicles, Firefly, Serenity) will be the voice of Supergirl. The release will also include a short featuring Green Arrow, voiced by Neil McDonough.

The plot follows the comics story, as we see the arrival of Supergirl on earth, then in steps the lord of the planet Apokolips (note they've changed the spelling for the film title), Jack Kirby creation, Darkseid. This will mark the DC big bad's first appearance in one of the PG-13 releases, though he turned up several times in Superman the Animated Series and in Justice League and also appeared in a version of the Super-Friends in the '80s.

Just as the Public Enemies DVD/Blu-Ray's style was based on the art of Ed McGuinness,  from the looks of the cover (from MTV) it appears Apocalypse will draw from the illustrations of the late Turner.

DC's next animated release is Batman: Under the Red Hood DC’s next animated film, will be released on July 27 and features the voices of Bruce Greenwood, Jensen Ackles, Neil Patrick Harris and John DiMaggio.  In development is Green Lantern: Emerald Allies a sequel to Green Lantern: First Flight, possibly for next spring while said to be in the works, but not confirmed is a variation on Frank Miller’s Batman: Year OneThe last DC Animated release was Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths.

Green Lantern Movie Panel Coming to Comic-Con 2010



Comic-Con 2010 in San Diego will go green with a Green Lantern panel, Warner Bros. has confirmed, though the date and time have yet to be announced.

According to Comic Book Movie, director Martin Campbell (Mask of Zorro, Legend of ZorroCasino Royale) has been shooting the 2011 feature in New Orleans and while the panelists are still unknown it's likely Campbell will take part, along with the film's stars such as Ryan Reynolds, who plays Hal Jordan/Green Lantern and Mark Strong as a pre-villain Sinestro. 

Will there be giveaway green rings, plus posters and other items?  It's likely. Will people go nuts for it all?  It's guaranteed. 

In related news, DC Entertainment, whose next direct-to-video animated release is  Batman: Under the Red Hood, is planning Green Lantern: Emerald Knights.

It's not known if the Emerald Knights story will be based on the '90s mini-series in Green Lantern comics and graphic novel  by writers Ron Marz and Chuck Dixon, where a younger Hal Jordan finds himself in the future, meeting the lone Green Lantern at that time in the DC Universe, Kyle Rayner.  

The animated feature's development has been confirmed by DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns, who launched the Green Lantern revival with his mini-series, Rebirth. It's possible Emerald Knights could see release next spring, alongside the live-action film, which is set to hit theaters at the time.

Last year, Green Lantern: First Flight was released to much critical acclaim, though it seems only good, not super sales. 

As far as more comic book films at Comic-Con, also look for Marvel Studios offering presentation of Thor and Captain America, which are also both due next year in theaters, plus showcases of the Green Hornet from Sony and TRON: Legacy from Disney.

Comic-Con International is set for July 22-25, 2010 at the San Diego Convention Center. 


Monday, June 28, 2010

'Kick-Ass' on DVD, Blu-Ray August 3


Lionsgate will release Kick-Ass as a Blu-ray Disc Combo Pack and as a DVD stand-alone August 3. The very r-rated film from earlier this year (parents, this is not for kiddies, no way)  is based on the comic book series and graphic novel by edgy writer Mark Millar and artist Jonn Romita Jr.

The film, co-written and directed by Matthew Vaughn (who's guiding the upcoming X-Men: First Class), follows the adventures of the title character, a teenager who decides to be super-hero in the real world (well, a variation on the real world).

The movie stars Aaron Johnson (Nowhere Boy) as Kick-Ass, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad) as the Red Mist and Mark Strong (Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes and next year's Green Lantern) as the mob boss villain. Almost stealing the fim is ChloĆ« Grace Moretz (Diary of a Wimpy Kid), who plays Hit Girl the daughter of Big Daddy, played by the ever-dependable as a nut job Nicolas Cage (the upcoming Sorcerer's Apprentice). 

DVD special features include audio commentary, art archives and the featurette "It's On! The Comic Book Origin of Kick-Ass." The Blu-ray disc offers the same special features plus a documentary-length "making-of" and a feature-length "Ass-Kicking Bonus View Mode."  

Kick-Ass (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack + Digital Copy)The Blu's Metamenu Remote, powered by BD Touch, allows iPhone OS and Android users to personalize things with the free app. Through the BD-Live connection, viewers can select menus using gestures, find scenes by dialogue, and discover details about the actors and more. With headphones, they also can select to listen in alternate language tracks, or enjoy other synchronized content including portions of the "Ass-Kicking Bonus View" (which users can take "to go" on their mobile device). 

Suggested retail price is $39.99 for the Blu-ray Combo Pack and $29.95 for regular DVD. Visit "Kick-Ass" on Facebook here.