Hey MOTU Fans!

Oh man, this is BIG… the design team at Mattel just announced the first book in their “Designed @ Mattel” series and it’s a MOTU art book!

The book shows off the fantastic art of the MOTU brand from 1981 through current day. It’s packed with never-before-seen Mattel concept art, behind-the-scenes notes, posters, oil paintings, and a whole lot more from across the brand. All that MOTU art from over the years is mighty sweet, but the book also premiers concept art from new projects, like a proposed live action film!

It’s a soft-cover edition, limited to only 1,000 numbered copies. Each one comes with a numbered cover ribbon and an embossed seal. The first place they’ll be available is San Diego Comic-Con. Purchases will be limited to two per guest, per wait in line. And get this… you can even have your copy signed by the Mattel artists at the show!

If any units remain after the show they may be sold on Mattycollector.com, but honestly, we expect to sell out at SDCC. Be sure to come by the MattyCollector.com booth early for your chance to own a piece of MOTU history!

—Matty

From G4, Blair Butler has a look inside Warren Ellis’s new Avatar series, Captain Swing and the Electrical Pirates of Cindery Island. I’ve been a wee bit obsessed with this title–because I mean, the title! What’s an Electrical Pirate?

Well, the preview doesn’t really answer that question, but it still looks cool.

The Bullets came into Thursday evening’s game against The Onion playing some of their best softball of the year, coming off back-to-back gutty wins over High Times and Vanity Fair.  Vastly improved defense, with a focus on making routine plays, cutting of balls in the alley and hitting the cut-off man, has been the biggest reason for the Bullets’ strong play this summer, a marked improvement over last year’s inconsistent play.  Fortunately for The Onion, the 2009 edition of the DC Bullets still has a little of 2008 left in it.

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So have you heard about this yet? As if relaunching the Ultimate line, and relaunching it at a more expensive price point, weren’t anathema enough to the original conception of the line as the low threshold, starter comics for new readers that don’t do all the dumb things that the past decade’s worth of superhero comics did, yesterday Marvel announced that the first issues of the new Ultimate line would have something called  “Foliogram” covers. If you’re not going to click on the link, here’s a snippet from Marvel’s press release:

Part foil, part hologram, these reflective covers will jump at you from shelves! Watch as Spider-Man’s webbing catches the light! Examine the intricate technology of Tony Stark! And, yes, that’s Captain America’s shield shining back at you!

“This is Marvel doing the nineties right,” explained David Gabriel, Marvel Comics Senior Vice President of Sales & Circulation. “We’re taking two of the most popular cover treatments of all time—foil and holograms—to create an all new kind of cover, as a ‘thank-you’ to fans who’ve been demanding this kind of variant! Retailers and fans don’t need to worry. We’re only doing this on a limited basis. You won’t see one on Ms Marvel #46 or Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers #4. We’re using them to mark very special occasions…such as the launch of Ultimate Comics line.”

People have been demanding this kind of variant? Really? Who are you, people who demanded Foliogram covers? Stand up, raise your hands, so we can heap scorn on you.

After reading the news, shaking my head sadly and sighing over and over, I got to thinking about cover enhancements in general, and realized that though I started reading comics around 1991 or so, I didn’t actually have all that many of the crazier enhanced covers that the decade produced.

So I broke out the longboxes to see what  shameful examples of enhanced covers I had lurking in my own personal collection.

Meet me after the jump to find out!

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I’m particularly happy that it’s Friday this week–I’ve got an exciting weekend planned. To kick things off right, though, here are some stories from around the web.

Splash Page is speculating about Twitter rumors that Nathan Fillion and Rainn Wilson had a meeting with DC Comics.

Daryl Cagle‘s been posting videos from the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists Convention. This one’s an interview with Mikhaela Reid and Jen Sorenson, two female editorial cartoonists.

More dirt on the terrible idea know as The Crow remake, which maybe isn’t so much a remake? Um, what?

To celebrate the release of The Nobody, Jeff Lemire has some lovely art and linkage over at Standard Attrition.

Since Neil Gaiman is off to accept his Newbery Medal for The Graveyard Book today, check out video of him reading from the book on his tour.

Finally, if you have a spare $20,000 or so, you can get a second-tier Twilight star at your party. No Robert Pattinson or Kristen Stewart, sadly.

I love San Diego Comic Con.

Seriously.

Like just about everyone in this business, my address is well known to FedEx, UPS and DHL, and in the weeks leading up to SDCC, I feel like the delivery people are my extended family, because I see them so often. Usually, it’s just the latest comic that a publisher wants hyped (for the record, DC sends individual issues in manila envelopes via UPS that are not weatherproof and it’s been raining here lately – mangled, wet copy of North 40, anyone?), a box of comics, or sometimes more, and sometimes…well, there was one time a publisher sent a cigar box loaded full of little chatchkis to promote an upcoming book, including a small vial of white power. Yeah – that was neat. In any event, pretty soon I’m going to start offering them coffee and asking them how their kids are.

Case in point – today, my poor beleaguered FedEx Ground delivery person dropped off this box: (more…)

Between this and Peter Bagge, Seattle is getting hit fast and furious with comics talent this weekend!

Scott Allie, Dark Horse editor and writer of Solomon Kane, will be hitting DreamStands Comics in Seattle from 4 to 6 pm TODAY!

Not only will you have the opportunity to get signed copies of his work, but you’ll be able to take a look at his upcoming project, Exurbia.

If you’re 21 and older, here’s your chance to hobnob with some pros:

Mark Waid, EiC of BOOM! Studios, is inviting all comic con attendees to celebrate the company’s fourth anniversary by hosting the BOOM! Studios Drink Up.

According to the BOOM! blog:

For those not in the know, a “Drink Up” is just like a “Meet Up” but with people drinking. This will be a gathering of friends and fans, so make plans to stop by see what’s happening!

The event needs no tickets or RSVPs, and will take place from 9pm until the wee hours of the morning at the Manchester Hyatt Grand Lobby Bar.

The New York Post has reported that two superheroes have done a Very Bad Thing.

Police officers from the NYPD apparently arrested Superman and Batman in Times Square yesterday, after the Man of Steel allegedly “freaked out” and punched an officer in the face. If this is true, what was not reported is that they are still finding parts of the officer in several adjoining counties.

Jokes aside, what apparently happened is Maksim Katsnelson of the Bronx (Superman) and his friend Frank Frisoli (Batman) decided to dress up as superheroes in Times Square. For fun, obviously. But when the NYPD asked for licenses for them to perform in costume in public (!!), Katsnelson apparently threw the first punch, yelling “I’m not getting arrested.”

My favorite quote of all this:

“The Man of Steel didn’t go down with just two officers, it took seven officers!” witness Ryan McCormick said. “He was putting up a good fight. Little kids were like, ‘Mommy, it’s Superman!’”

Guess this can’t be good for Superman’s mayoral campaign for DC, eh?

[Image via the NY Post]

…And Sinestro-hater don’t know how to act.

Harry Knowles of Ain’t It Cool News has found some fresh pulp from the rumor mill: JT — why yes that would be Justin Timberlake — has performed a screen test for the role of Green Lantern.

While of course that casting isn’t set in stone, it’s certainly a new name, after people like Bradley Cooper, Chris Pine, Nathan Fillion, and Brian Austin Green have been tossed around the Marc Guggenheim-penned space opera.

What say you, readers? Does this Rock Your Body? Or is time to Cry Me a River?

Raven Gregory has told us that Zenescope Entertainment is planning a nationwide signing tour this summer to promote series such as Escape from Wonderland and Grimm Fairy Tales!

Raven Gregory, Daniel Leister and Nei Ruffino have reported that they will offer promotional items to any retailers interested in bringing them out to their store.

Zenescope is also planning an Ultimate Grimm-Wonderland signing for a limited number of store locations across the U.S., including the entire Wonderland creative team of Raven Gregory, Daniel Leister and Nei Ruffino as well as Grimm Fairy Tales writers Ralph Tedesco and Joe Brusha and Grimm Fairy Tales & Wonderland cover artist Eric Basaldua.

According to Raven and company, this on a first come, first serve basis.  For more information, e-mail jsibel@zenescope.com.

Today the official website for Comic Con International posted a list of the 2009 exclusives for the show.  This is NOT a complete list yet, so far it’s only four pages long,  but starts as a good guide to how much money you will need to bring with you to the con and what lines you will want to stand in first.

There are still several key companies like NECA, Mezco, Kotobukiya, BifBangPow, Underground Toys and others missing from the list.  I’m sure new items will be updated over the next 2 weeks as we count down to the biggest pop culture convention of the year!

You can see the Official SDCC exclusives list here.

To see some of the other Con exclusives not on the list yet, you can click here.

Well, here’s some good news for a change!

Wizard has announced that it has promoted Mike Cotton to Editor of the magazine, and Andy Serwin to Features Editor. Meanwhile, former Vertigo editor Casey Seijas has moved from MTV as the magazine’s new managing editor.

“Mike has built strong relationships with both creators and fans of comics,” said Shamus in a written statement. “His promotion is a testament to how well he connects with Wizard readers and how respected he is in the comics industry.”

Now, this gives off some wildly mixed messages here — while Wizard has been doing extensive layoffs (as well as a rickety online merchandising arm), Shamus has also bought the Toronto Comicon as well as launching a new FunFare magazine, aimed at toys for younger children.

Peter Bagge, author of Everyone is Stupid Except for Me and Other Astute Observations, will be hitting the Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery in Seattle this Saturday!

From 7-9pm, the Gallery will show off some original artwork by Bagge, as he signs his new book. Following the event, the party will move on to next door neighbor Jules Maes Saloon, featuring Bagge’s “power pop combo” Can You Imagine?

Benefit supports Hasbro Children’s Hospital and Bradley Hospital

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (July 9, 2009) – On August 3, fans of the G.I. JOE brand will have an early opportunity to see their favorite action heroes come to life at a special charity premiere of G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra, hosted by Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS). Hasbro is underwriting the entire evening’s festivities, with 100 percent of ticket sales benefiting Hasbro Children’s Hospital and Bradley Hospital.  Tickets are on sale now.

“This charity premiere gives Rhode Islanders and G.I. JOE fans the unique opportunity to not only watch their heroes on the big screen, but also to play a part in being a hero themselves by supporting two hospitals that provide vital care to children in our community,” said Brian Goldner, president and chief executive officer of Hasbro, Inc. and producer of G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra.  “I am thrilled that we have been able to provide Rhode Islanders with the opportunity to see the film before the rest of the world. After all, this is the birthplace of the G.I. JOE saga!”

Hasbro has a long history of supporting programs that help children triumph over critical life obstacles through its community relations programs – including national and international philanthropic partnerships, cause marketing initiatives, and Team Hasbro, the company’s employee volunteer program. All funds raised at the premiere will support programs and services at the two dedicated pediatric hospitals in Rhode Island – Hasbro Children’s Hospital, ranked among the top 30 children’s hospitals in the country by Parents magazine, and Bradley Hospital, the nation’s first psychiatric hospital devoted exclusively to children and adolescents.

According to Goldner, leveraging one of Hasbro’s most iconic and recognizable brands to lead this fundraising effort makes sense for the children who count G.I. JOE action figures among their favorite toys, as well as fans who are eager to see the G.I. JOE story take to the big screen.

“G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra brings to life the tales of heroism and bravery that have been synonymous with the G.I. JOE brand since its launch 45 years ago,” said Goldner. “Hasbro is thrilled to work with Paramount Pictures and director Stephen Sommers to create a film that brings together G.I. JOE fans of all ages to experience this legendary saga.”

G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra will appear in theaters nationwide on August 7, 2009.

In addition to the premiere party and advance screening of G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra, those purchasing tickets will receive a unique gift pack of G.I. JOE products and other Hasbro collectibles. Fans will also have a chance to meet some of the actors from the movie.

The evening will feature a preshow party at the Showcase Cinemas in Warwick, R.I., beginning at 6:15 p.m. with the movie screening at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available now for $75 and can be purchased by calling (401) 727-5637. (more…)

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!

The judge presiding over the Siegel Superman trials has set December 1, 2009 as the start date for the apportionment phase, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for November 9. But that doesn’t mean the case will be dormant until then.

Citing the difficulties evident in determining the fair market value of the Superman properties, the judge has provided for the appointment of a special master/court-appointed expert to issue a report before the trial. The parties have until July 31 to make a joint stipulation as to who this master/expert should be.

As the court indicates, the appointment of a special master is appropriate in cases that involve accounting issues and other complex matters that could be difficult for a judge to resolve effectively.

In other news, Variety reports a statement from the Siegels’ lawyer, Marc Toberoff. Besides conceding the fair market value issue was always going to be a difficult one to win, Toberoff states that this phase pales before the larger accounting issues and particularly the imminent reversion of the remaining 50% of the Superman copyright to the Shuster heir in 2013. In addition, Toberoff asserts that “the Court pointedly ruled that if Warner Bros. does not start production on another Superman film by 2011, the Siegels will be able to sue to recover their damages.”

As I noted earlier, claims by the parties in a case should be read with care. DC/Warner Bros. celebrated a clear victory, but the opinion was actually more nuanced–the judge did not so much pronounce the movie licenses as clear fair market value deals as conclude, with evident frustration, that he did have enough information to rule otherwise.

Similarly, while the judge does indeed note that the plaintiffs “plaintiffs could bring an accounting action at that time to recoup the damages then realized for the Superman film agreement’s failure to contain a reversion clause,” technically that’s no so much a formal ruling as dicta. Whether such a lawsuit would succeed or be cost effective remains an open question, as is evident from the judge’s discussion of the “challenged” state of the Superman property and the relatively limited value of a shared copyright.

The judge also hedges the assertion that the remainder of the Superman copyright will revert to the Shuster estate in 2013. While the potential is there for a Siegel-Shuster partnership of considerable value, the judge also notes that “it is by no means a foregone conclusion that the Shuster estate will be
successful in terminating the grant to the Superman material published in Action Comics No. 1,” given the difficulty in “successfully navigating the formalistic and complex termination provisions in
the 1976 Copyright Act.”

As I indicated last night, the judge continues to exert pressure for a settlement in subtle but recognizable ways, but each side also continues to press its claims in what is at base an extremely complex set of circumstances. While the Siegels have an incentive to settle the case early to avoid the possibility of a judicially determined low valuation, they also have clear incentives not just to get judicial validation of their financial claim, but to use the appeals process to–at the very least–run out the clock until 2013. Likewise, Warner Bros. should be concerned that the next phase may not be lacking in data that the judge could use against it, even as it no doubt is equally convinced that an appeal could result in its favor.

If I had to make a prediction, I’d say that one thing is certain–anything could happen.

Joss Whedon might not be directing a new Buffy movie, but he will be directing the season 2 premiere of Dollhouse.
From Chicago Now:

Fox is pushing back the second season premiere of Joss Whedon’s “Dollhouse” by one week this fall. The premiere now will air at 8 p.m. Sept. 25, the network announced Wednesday.

It’ll probably be worth the wait: series creator Joss Whedon will write and direct the episode.

You know you’re thrilled.

Also, there will be a Dollhouse panel at San Diego Comic Con where attendees can see the episode, and attend a Q&A with Whedon and series star and co-producer Eliza Dushku.

What do you call a story about grandfathers, comas, legacies, and mysteries?

Perhaps Sin Titulo is the only good name for it.

Though you might not have heard of it, Cameron Stewart, the artist behind Seaguy and the Apocalipstix, has been setting Twitter aflame with his neo-noir webcomic, as part of the ambitious Transmission X crew. With Sin Titulo, Stewart has charted out the course for Alex MacKay, a lowly fact-checker who begins to fall deeper and deeper into a mystery linked by his late grandfather and a mysterious woman in sunglasses. Cameron was kind enough to answer a few questions for Newsarama as a primer for his work.

David Pepose: Well, first and foremost, I have to ask — what inspired this story for you? It seems like such a hodge-podge of different genres, yet it all seems to work.

Cameron Stewart: When I first decided that I was going to do a comic of my own, I started with an entirely different premise – I was intending to write a pulpy action adventure series, and I attempted to sit down and script the entire story from beginning to end. I found this much more difficult than I’d anticipated, and I became crippled by the pressure of wanting every early scene to cleverly pay off later, every line of dialogue to have multiple layers of meaning, and so it became really unenjoyable to try to write this way. I shelved that idea (I’ll probably revisit it at some point in the future) and decided that I was instead going to try working on something that was more open, more stream-of-consciousness, something that allowed me to feel free to explore different plotlines as and when I thought of them.  I wanted to do something fluid and dreamlike and so the first page of the comic (which has since developed into a significant part of the story) is taken from an actual dream that I’d had.

Around this time I’d also found out that my grandfather had passed away, and had been dead for almost a month and I’d not known about it.   I felt terrible and guilty and so I thought it might be a form of self-therapy to incorporate that event into the story.  From there it’s developed naturally into a mystery story based on my interest in that genre. It’s been described by various sources as a stylistic mashup of Raymond Chandler, David Lynch, Haruki Murakami and “Lost,” all of whom I’m a fan.

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By Jimmy Palmiotti

Hey crew, I know it’s been a couple of weeks since the last mess of madness from me, but like everything, life and work come first. I have, for the past week and a half, been in New York to attend the Wizard World Philly show and to see some friends and family while around town. Its been a great trip for me, but like all good things, it has its price… and that’s me needing to catch up with my work. Want to get a few announcements out of the way first.

In passing at the Philly show, Dan DiDio mentioned that Justin and I are working on a brand new 128-page JONAH HEX graphic novel hardcover. Well, that’s true and we are almost at the half way stage, writing-wise, and looking forward to getting our featured artist working any day now. Online, Dan also announced that we will be lucky enough to have one of the original creators of the Jonah Hex character working with us… and that is, for the uneducated, Tony De Zuniga… one of the most talented artists in the business as well as being an all around awesome guy. Nothing makes us happier than having the chance to work with a living legend like Tony and I can’t tell you how excited we are to be given this opportunity. Tony has become a fine art painter of late and hasn’t done that much comic work other than an issue of Hex a few years back and some side projects. Well, that’s all going to change with this hardcover…think about it, 128 pages is equal to about almost 6 issues of work… a half a year of any book.  Stay tuned right here for some sneak peeks coming soon. If you want to check out the man himself, here is a pretty cool clip of Tony being interviewed about Hex and his other creation Black Orchid

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