Viz Media has announced that a live-action DVD for Death Note, called Death Note L: Change the WorLd, will be released this month.

The film, based on the manga series by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, will show how L spent the last 23 days of his life, as he battles a bio-terrorism group and rescues two children who have been living on their own.

The DVD is set to cost $24.92, and will be available on August 18.

Thursday afternoon, the DC Bullets matched up against Air America in a non-league softball game. Though the DC squad’s bats again struggled to push runs across the plate, outstanding glove work continues to keep the team in games.

After a lead-off single by Air America in the first, SS Adam Schlagman cut off a grounder that seemed headed into center field. The Captain stepped on second and threw through to first base where Nel Yomtov (2-3) squeezed the throw to complete the twin-killing. Air America’s three-hitter then scorched a rocket toward right field, but CNap, Christine Napolitano (2-3), made a spectacular short-hop pick and got the out at first. With two amazing defensive plays, the Bullets looked to capitalize on the momentum and take an early lead.

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This isn’t the first source I’d normally go to for Hollywood casting news, but the Toronto Star is reporting that the cast of Futurama has reached a deal with the producers to come back to the show when it returns to TV!

The Star has learned exclusively that the voice cast of Futurama has just signed a new contract…The compromise agreement, with the studio paying more and the actors accepting less, comes after the announcement of a 26-episode pick-up here by Comedy Central.

My Guess? The cast sent in Hypnotoad, and he got things done.

Update: It’s been confirmed, by individual actors, Hollywood Reporter, and Variety. WIN!

Coming March 2010!

Shown here via Entertainment Earth is Wave 3 of the “Blackest Night” action figures. The set includes Carol Ferris Star Sapphire, Green Lantern Arisia, Orange Lantern Larfleeze with Glomulus, and Black Lantern Aquaman.

The Star Sapphire figure stands 6.75″ high, the Arisia figure stands at 6.5″ high, Larfleeze with Glomulus figures stand at 7.25″ high and 2.375″ respectively, and Black Lantern Aquaman measures at  6.75″.

Each figure features multiple points of articulation and includes a display base and lantern accessories.

The designs are top notch and it’s great to see Arisia get her own figure. I have a plethora of GL toys and I’m sure these will be a perfection addition to mine or any collection.

With only one issue left until oblivion, David Lapham’s Young Liars #17 this week was one of those issues that could easily have suffered from the need to cram a lot of exposition, explanation and plot into a single issue.

Instead, it was an issue full of revelations, great character moments and intriguing clues as to what’s come before, and what’s to come next. Seeming to answer some huge questions while leaving some of the biggest questions of the book open for #18, this month’s Young Liars was a single-issue embodiment of so much of what was great about the series—and it did all of this, because of Lapham’s plans already having been put in place, without ever feeling too cramped or forced. The last six issues of this series should be collected and handed out to every writer of every B-level superhero book on the planet so that when cancellation eventually comes to them, they’ll have studied how to handle it right.

Lapham, as per usual, sat down with Blog@Newsarama to discuss the issue, the end of the series, and whether a confessed liar is to be believed when he admits to horrible, horrible acts. (more…)

OhNoTheyDidn’t has an interesting post up with some concept art for a game called… Epic Mickey.

What does that mean? This sort of epic, postapocalyptic, steampunk lookin’ thing:

And this awesome take on an old friend:

This game — if it’s coming out at all — is apparently in production for the Wii. And if messed-up looking Goofy isn’t hardcore enough for you, I don’t know what is.

Warner Bros. has taken someone to court over 2 million stolen DVDs for the Dark Knight.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. Home Video has filed a $10 million complaint against IWMB, Inc., who they said agreed to destroy 2 million surplus copies of the Dark Knight.

Instead, WB alleges, the company gave the disks to a third party, who began selling these copies on the street.

Yowza… this is the sort of embezzlement/misappopriation scheme that would even make Bruce Wayne blush. And he steals military weapons on a regular basis.

I really like Wednesday Comics. Actually, check that. “Like” might not be strong enough a word. I love Wednesday Comics. No, I lust—wait, wait, that’s too strong a word. Let’s stick with love. I love Wednesday Comics.

Part of it is the simple fact that it’s there every week, which is the same thing I liked about 52 and Trinity—the comforting knowledge that no matter what the vagaries of comic book scheduling, I could count on at least one comic featuring my favorite DC heroes every Wednesday.

The other, greater part of that is that Wednesday Comics is chockfull of some of my all-time favorite comics artists, many of them doing great work.

That it’s also a project that offers a unique reading experience, that it prioritizes art and tone over plot and script (but not to the detriment of the story), that it prioritizes comics as a reading experience over comics as collectibles, that it emphasizes serial comics over trade collections to the extent that it’s difficult to even imagine a latter version of the former and that it’s a damn good value doesn’t hurt any either.

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How did I not know about this site already? Since the financial crisis blew up in my face, I’ve been giving myself a crash course in economics. I listen to NPR’s Planet Money podcast regularly, and wade through wonky articles by people far smarter than me about subjects that I used to avoid like the plague. Fiscal policy is no longer a phrase that makes me run for the hills, but instead makes me dig in and want to learn more. (Yes, I’m a nerd. Shut up.)

And so when the venerable Ana Marie Cox tweeted about Ecocomics, I was shocked that I hadn’t discovered this blog yet. Combining, yes, economics and comics blogging with a healthy dose of snark, Ecocomics may be my new favorite blog.

Sample post titles: What are the Recession Proof Industries in Comic Books?

1) Purple pants manufacturers. The Hulk will always need them. And for the Hulk, 1 pair equals 1 use. He is a market unto himself.

[snip]

Silk Cuts. John Constantine’s personal brand of tobacco will never go out of business.

There’s also a post about health care in the Marvel universe, and one about the economics of Incognito‘s flying car. You know you want to know. Come on. Join me in combining two forms of epic geekery…

(psst. they’re also on Twitter.)

Dash Shaw (Bottomless Belly Button, Body World) wrote his first essay on comics in a contribution to the comics art mag, Comics Comics, with a look at a book of prep work for an animated movie, Groundwork for Evangelion: 1.0, that turned into a debate over comics and cinema.

It’s interesting to note that Shaw begins his essay with a plea to “go easy” on him, the same plea he used at the start of BBB. A superstar cartoonist, like himself, doesn’t really need to ask that, does he?

So, the overview of the book, which is wonderfully detailed, leads to a discussion on whether or not comics should share any of the vision of film. Quoting from Chris Ware, who comes out completely against comics sharing anything with film, Shaw follows up with his own view.

Here is a Chris Ware quote from Shaw’s piece:

I don’t like to think of my work as “cinematic.” A movie is passive — you’re watching it, taking it in. Where a comic strip, it’s completely active: you have to read it, search it for meaning, for the connection with your entire experience and your memory. Yes, you do have the illusion of watching something happen in a comic strip — but if it’s done well, it comes alive on the page like a novel. A novel is the most interactive thing ever created.

Dash Shaw concludes that “cinematic” comics can be seen in a positive, not passive, way and that cinema is “one of many modern languages that comics can react to.”

I think it’s too much to come out so against film as Ware does but, this is Chris Ware, and I’m happy to “go easy” on him. His vision has gotten him where he is. And of course, his way is only one of so many ways of making comics.

Warner Bros. has announced that Jeff Junge is their new senior vice president for business management of Warner Bros. Entertainment Group.

You’re probably saying: whowhathuhwhat? Don’t worry, I got you covered.

Junge was part of the team that helped DC with its acquisition of Midway’s game library — including franchises like Mortal Kombat and SpyHunter — as well as TT Games, the masterminds behind the Lego Batman game. (This means that, yes, if they so chose, we could have a regular TV series of Batman whupping up on Sub-Zero if they so chose.)

Yet they mention something really interesting in the press release, that makes Junge even more of an important figure — that he facilitated WB’s investment in OnLive, a videogame on demand service that will debut in the fall. Now this — THIS — is a big deal, because it could certainly horn in on businesses like Blockbuster, which allows for easy and cheaper one-stop-shopping for movies and games, and Gamefly, which is generally more expensive but more user friendly than Blockbuster. If you’re only planning on playing a game for a brief period, like if friends are over, this could be a game-changer.

“Jeff is a tremendous asset to the Studio and has been a key contributor to the success of many of the Company’s major initiatives,” said Kevin Tsujihara, president of Warner Entertainment, in a release. “He is a strategic thinker, has exceptional insight into the deal making process and is a tireless worker. Jeff’s expertise will be critical as we continue to expand our business and explore new opportunities.”

If you like what you’ve read so far (c’mon, how can you not?) totally check out more super cute comics at:www.sosuperduper.com!

MTV reports that Marvel could be crowning the King of Wakanda sooner than we think.

Lost actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje says he is currently in early discussions with Marvel about possibly playing the lead role for T’Challa.

“We’re talking to Marvel about ‘Black Panther,’” Akinnuoye-Agbaje said. “This is the first round, so you know, hopefully they’ll look at ‘G.I. Joe’ and see the potential. But it’s about time we have a black superhero, isn’t it?”

Obviously, this sort of thing could fall apart at any moment, as there have been rumors in the past of actors ranging from Chiwetel Ejiofor to Djimon Honsou (who will now play the voice of the character in the BET animated series) to Wesley Snipes in the works for years, but it’s an interesting lead.

In this epic recession, it’s good to know that at least Stark Industries is hiring!

This viral website for the upcoming Iron Man 2 film is up and running, complete with a napkin note from Tony himself, reminding prospective applicants that “we no longer make weapons!”

You can sign up here, but be warned — there are some pretty tough questions on this application, including “What term describes the superposition of two or more waves resulting in a new wave pattern?”

SCI FI Wire spoke with the producers of Smallville, and they have confirmed that Kal-El will be wearing a Superman costume in Season Nine, even if it isn’t quite like the one we know and love.

According to their report, this costume will be black and silver, not unlike what Clark wore upon his resurrection in the comics during “Reign of the Supermen.”

“Up until now Clark has seen himself as human, and he’s seen his Kryptonian identity as something to hide,” producer Brian Peterson told SCI FI. “This year he’s embracing his Kryptonian identity and seeing himself solely as a hero, almost to the detriment of living as a human. It’s really the pendulum swinging a little too far in the other direction as he finds his ground and balance between the two identities. He’s really going to be pulled back into being Clark Kent by the realization that he loves Lois Lane. It’s the crux of the year, his burgeoning love for Lois and the love triangle of Clark loves Lois, but Lois loves Superman.”

Sounds interesting. What say you, Rama readers?

You’ve probably already seen the image to the right already, which DC released at San Diego, revealing a couple of characters who will be appearing in James Robinson and Mark Bagley’s upcoming run on Justice League of America. Between Donna Troy on the right and Dick “Batman” Grayson is Mon-El, who’s been keeping the Superman monthly comic warm for Superman while the Man of Steel’s off starring in World of New Krypton.

As you can see, Mon’s got a new, more Superman-like costume, complete with an S-shield and belt to hold up the underpants he is now wearing over his tights. (Will he be changing his name to SuperMon? I hope he’s changing his name to SuperMon…!)

Here’s another look at his new costume, which Alex Segura posted on DC’s The Source blog last weekend:

I like it. You know who  it reminds me of?

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Yesterday, Summit Entertainment took another step to piss off fangirls nationwide. They announced that Bryce Dallas Howard (best known to comic fans as Spider-Man 3‘s Gwen Stacy, or perhaps as Ron Howard’s daughter) would be replacing Rachelle Lefevre as Victoria, the one of the series’ baddest vampires, for Eclipse, the third movie in the series. Since Summit already sped on to make New Moon and Eclipse without Catherine Hardwicke, the director of the first film, I wasn’t too surprised that the reason given was “scheduling conflicts.”

Now, though, Lefevre’s statement seems to imply that there was something else behind her bump:

“I was stunned by Summit’s decision to recast the role of Victoria for Eclipse. I was fully committed to the Twilight saga, and to the portrayal of Victoria. I turned down several other film opportunities and, in accordance with my contractual rights, accepted only roles that would involve very short shooting schedules. My commitment to Barney’s Version is only ten days. Summit picked up my option for Eclipse. Although the production schedule for Eclipse is over three months long, Summit said they had a conflict during those ten days and would not accommodate me. Given the length of filming for Eclipse, never did I fathom I would lose the role over a 10 day overlap. I was happy with my contract with Summit and was fully prepared to continue to honor it. Summit chose simply to recast the part. I am greatly saddened that I will not get to complete my portrayal of Victoria for the Twilight audience. This is a story, a theatrical journey and a character that I truly love and about which I am very passionate. I will be forever grateful to the fan support and loyalty I’ve received since being cast for this role, and I am hurt deeply by Summit’s surprising decision to move on without me. I wish the cast and crew of Eclipse only the very best.“

Twilight is hardly Shakespeare, and I don’t have a problem with movies being a commercial product per se, but I don’t like the rush to capitalize on the success of the first film making subsequent ones suffer. This seems to be less of a scheduling conflict on Lefevre’s part and more of a calculated decision by the studio–is Howard that much more bankable a name than someone who’s already built the part through two films and will thus have fan loyalty?

Judging from her brief screen time in the first film, it certainly wasn’t Lefevre’s acting or looks that hurt her–who can forget the last shot of her walking down the stairs, shaking her mane of hair loose with a look on her face that needs no words to tell us that Bella is in deep trouble? The directors stuck with Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black despite obvious physical differences between him and his character–several inches in height, for a start–so why dump Lefevre just in time for the movie where she gets her biggest scene?

Update: Thursday 7/30 1245 Eastern: The Plot thickens. Over on SciFiWire, they have an interesting rebuttal from Summit, claiming, well, that it’s all her fault to begin with.

Here’s Summit’s reply:

Ms. Lefevre’s representatives were advised as early as April that THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE was expected to start shooting in early August.If Ms. Lefevre was, as she describes “passionate,” about being part of THE TWILIGHT SAGA, we feel that she and her representatives would have included us in her decision to work on another film that would conflict with the shooting schedule of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE.

It was not until July 20th that Summit was first informed of Ms. Lefevre’s commitment to BARNEY’S VERSION, a commitment we have since been advised she accepted in early June. Summit had acted in good faith that she would be available to fulfill her obligations both in terms of rehearsals and shooting availability for THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE. We feel that her choice to withhold her scheduling conflict information from us can be viewed as a lack of cooperative spirit which affected the entire production.

Furthermore Ms. Lefevre took a role in the other film that places her in Europe during the required rehearsal time, and at least ten days of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE’s principal photography. This period is essential for both rehearsal time with the cast, and for filming at key locations that are only available during the initial part of production.

Contrary to Ms. Lefevre’s statement, it is simply untrue that the Studio dismissed her over a ten day overlap. It is not about a ten day overlap, but instead about the fact that THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE is an ensemble production that has to accommodate the schedules of numerous actors while respecting the established creative vision of the filmmaker and most importantly the story.

If all that is factual, Summit may actually have a case for being “right” this time.

Jim Ottaviani has carved a nice niche for himself in the niche-ridden comics industry. Working with talented artists such as Zander and Kevin Cannon, Anne Timmons and Bernie Mireault (among others), Ottaviani has been writing science-based comics for nearly ten years now. I’ve requested several that I’ve yet to read from the New York Public Library, and the first title to be fulfilled was Ottaviani’s biography of Danish physicist Niels Bohr and his role in the development of the atomic bomb. Titled Suspended in Language: Niels Bohr’s Life, Discoveries, and the Century He Shaped, the book is a detailed walk-through of Bohr’s atomic discoveries and a revealing look at the philosophies and politics that later drove the man when his research led to the deadliest weapon in the world.

Suspended in Language manages to be both more interesting and more impenetrable than other Ottaviani books I’ve read. Bohr’s research and theories could, I felt, be presented a little more clearly, reinforced more often and, perhaps, possibly, illustrated in more representational terms. Overall, as a non-scientist, I found the theories often too technical and abstract to comprehend. Ottaviani does, despite allowing my eyes to glaze over occasionally, try to reinforce several key elements that come back to play a role in the ongoing physics revolution of the time, particularly the theories that play key roles in the development of weapons during World War II. He wasn’t as successful as I’d have liked, but there was an effort made to accommodate readers who simply don’t grasp the full implications of the principle of complementarity.

Leland Purvis provides the illustrations, and he does a good job keeping all the scientists physically unique. Sure, Albert Einstein is a cartoonist’s dream, but Werner Heisenberg and Otto Frisch probably don’t inspire the same type of caricature. Fortunately, Purvis is up to the challenge. Purvis also switches the camera angle frequently, keeping the scientific debates lively and engaging, and he mixes in mathematical and chemical formulae throughout the pages to accentuate the discourse and provide visual variety. The lively, loose line work also gives plenty of life to the pages.

So, overall, it can be a little tedious at time if you’re not scientifically inclined, but Ottaviani’s telling an important story here. Beyond the scientific value of Niels Bohr’s discoveries and theories, his role in unlocking the atom and attempts at influencing the policies of FDR and Churchill throughout the 1940s and 50s makes Bohr one of the most influential men of the past hundred years. It’s very fortunate that readers can learn about these social and scientific break-throughs in engaging, smartly written and well-drawn books like Jim Ottaviani and Leland Purvis’s Suspended in Language, which you can hopefully find in your local library.

The comics writing talents of Eric Trautmann (JSA vs Kobra: Engines of Faith) and Brandon Jerwa (Battlestar Galactica) have created a webcomic, Wide Awake, that is now on its way to becoming a movie. Wide Awake got its debut as a short story, “Behind The Wall of Sleep,” in Image Comics‘ Popgun Vol. 2 anthology.

Here is the official press release:

Do-Over Productions has just announced that they have optioned the film rights to Wide Awake, the extraordinary webcomic written by Eric Trautmann and Brandon Jerwa, with art by Mirco Pierfederici and art direction by David Messina. As described in the press release from Do-Over, Wide Awake is the story of Amanda Carter, a young woman whose dreams of terrifying monsters are much more than just figments of her unconscious mind. If she doesn’t defeat them before she wakes up, the horrors from her dreams get loose in the physical world and she must deal with them there.

Trautmann and Jerwa co-created the series which premiered a sample chapter on Free Comic Book Day and was originally scheduled to commence weekly chapters later this summer. This new deal may possibly alter that schedule some. Jarrod Feliciano and Mirjana Novkovic will produce and write the film adaptation. They are repped by attorney Bianca Bezdek-Goodloe. Do-Over Productions is currently in production of the crime drama Fallen Moon, directed by Peter Medak and produced by Feliciano, Novkovic, Valerie McCaffrey, and co-produced by Roger Pugliese. Eric Trautmann can be found at his web site: www.eric-trautmann.com. Brandon Jerwa can be found online at www.brandonjerwa.com.

Having read the first chapter, I have to say this webcomic packs a sly punch. The lead character, Amanda Carter, is someone who could grow on us. The idea here that your worst nightmares would like to stay for coffee is pretty cool.

First off, this Saturday I’ll be headed for this:

If you’re in New York, you too should check it out.

You don’t have to be in NY to read NYC Graphic Novelists’ profile on A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge creator Josh Neufeld. And if you haven’t read A.D. yet, um, it’s free and on the Web. Read it.

Finally, for iGoogle users, you can now get a constantly-updated iGoogle theme with the best of Oni Press’s creators’ work. Currently, it includes the work of Chris Mitten (Wasteland), Chynna Clugston (Blue Monday), Chris Schweizer (The Crogan Adventures), Lars Brown (North World), & Brandon Graham (Multiple Warheads). You know you want it.