Tony DiGerolamo, creator of Superfrat and contributor to Blog@, has announced that the superpowered fraternity webcomic will be teaming up with Men Are Better Than Women author Dick Masterson.

“We’re really excited to be working with Dick,” said DiGerolamo in a release.  “Wait a minute, that didn’t come out right.” Now he knows how Batman feels.

The special is due out October 12, and fans can pre-order signed copies. For more information, visit www.superfrat.com or www.menarebetterthanwomen.com.

Did you read Blackest Night #3 this week? Did you see this ad?

In addition to hyping the new Justice League of America creative team of James Robinson and Mark Bagley, it looks like it fills in all those silhouettes on the previously released image.

It looks like they didn’t quite play fair with those silhouettes, as the characters are drawn at random sizes, so as to make them difficult to identify, but who cares, they’re filled-out now. So is that the line-up? Or just characters appearing in the issue? My guess is the former, if they went to the trouble of obscuring the characters when initially releasing the image in the first place.

If so, it’s a pretty interesting line-up, seemingly chucking the roster and its changes from the Brad Meltzer-to-Dwayne McDuffie run on the title completely in favor of an (almost) all-new team drawing from three sources: Robinson’s Justice League: Cry For Justice series, Robinson’s Superman and the original New Teen Titans line-up.

But are they worthy of Justice League membership? We’ll take a closer look at that cover image, and then I’ll discuss my (admittedly arbitrary) criteria for Justice League worthiness, after the jump.
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Topless Robot has found some amusing animated features on YouTube — namely, some ’60s-influenced cartoons of the Marvel Zombies:

No lie, that Colonel America one freaks me out a little.

By Jimmy Palmiotti

No dirt here, just sunshine.

I have been very busy these past few weeks and writing this piece for the good people at Newsarama has to always come second to my work… so I hope you all can understand my situation. Believe me, if I could dictate it, it would be that much easier. Anyway, a lot has happened in the last few weeks with the big two companies I happen to be working for… that is the Marvel/Disney deal, and DC Entertainment. I declined to add to the wall of comments that were out there the past few weeks till I got to speak to friends and read what was written online and get a better grasp on what is going on. These are all my opinions and not facts, but I will try to relieve some fans and freelancers of some worries… I am doing this also to help me get some peace from having my phone ringing every 20 minutes from people freaking out here and there. So here goes… and I will say this now… I look at both of these things in a positive light. Also included are delayed movie reviews.

MARVEL/DISNEY: I think this is a good thing. Simply because Joe Quesada and I were working at Marvel when they were in Chapter 11 and saw a lot of people lose their jobs and worry about things that were not the content of the books. And with us doing the Marvel Knights line at the time, it was added pressure for everyone. I look at this deal and I see a fantastic future for the characters and the creators to expand and grow with the company. Doesn’t Disney own a few studios and TV channels? Well… I am guessing they now have over 5,000 characters to pick from and develop some cool shows and games and so on and they will need guys like me to help out at some point… at the very least, they will make more work for everyone. I personally don’t worry about the content of the books because my friends Dan Buckley and Joe are there overseeing things, and from what I hear, that isn’t going to change anything to the negative one bit. Not only that… all those silly fears about not getting original art back and so on are just silly and completely untrue from everything I hear. Dan and Joe understand the company, the business and especially what freelancers needs and fears are and I know these two personally… to be stand up guys that fight for whatever rights might be in peril. Honestly, nothing is going to change on that end… it’s business as usual with our guys in charge of the books and characters and with that info, I am totally relaxed and look forward to the new cool things coming down the road, and hope I can be part of it. Really… I see this as a good thing all around and am surprised at others that can’t see that. I am excited for all my friends at Marvel Comics, and you should be too!

DC ENTERTAINMENT: The good news is that a guy I have known and worked with for years, Paul Levitz, is going back to doing what he always loved doing since day one, and that is writing comic books. Anyone that knows Paul on any level or have dealt with him in business, knows and understands how much he loves the DC characters and understands that he has always had a better grasp on the bigger picture of publishing than most, and that I always admired. I personally have found him to be open, honest and very giving each and every time we have met or spoken. For the past 10 years, DC comics have let me create, expand on and have fun with their characters and have allowed me to share in their success. This year alone, we have in development two past projects we created, Warner Brothers is shooting a Jonah Hex movie, a book Justin and I have been lucky enough to write for almost 50 issues, and we have been involved with writing the Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe video game. How cool is that?

Honestly, it’s a place I still feel I can pitch a wild concept to, whether it’s the DCU, Vertigo or Wildstorm and it will get a fair shake. This is all possible under Paul’s watch and I personally thank him for it.

Now, the forming of DC Entertainment is a good thing in my eyes and I will explain why in a few weeks… at this stage I know only what I read, and it seems cool… but I will have a better-formed opinion over time… so till then I wait .

THE QUICK AND THE REVIEWED: Catch up…

EXTRACT: If you saw the commercial, you saw most of what’s good in this movie. It never gathered any pace to me and by the time it was over, it felt like my time would have been better spent elsewhere. Some good bits, but overall, not enough story here for my tastes. Will be a fun cable movie at some point, unless an uncut version hits, then maybe it will have a bit more edge.

MUTANT CRONICLES: I know this is a renter, but I enjoyed it. After a shaky start and riddled with too much CGI, it got going after the war scene and reminded me of a video game in a lot of ways… and for a change, I enjoyed that. Thomas Jane is the star in this one and he was great as usual. He is a natural to me in so many ways… and comes across as the “hero” on every level here.  It’s a B-movie all the way…to be clear, but it’s a fun silly one. It’s worth the rent.

INGLORIOUS BASTERDS: If you haven’t seen this yet, you are nuts. I loved it on so many levels, and it’s just wonderful madness. Great cast and great story make this an instant classic for me. Can’t wait for the uncut version… there will be one, right? Honest, Nazis are the best bad guys. They are just so easy to hate. This was a great movie to watch while Justin and I were working on TIME BOMB for Radical Comics.

G.I. JOE: Candy store of silly action made for a light movie viewing. Was it horrible? No. Was it good? No. It was exactly what you would guess it was. Over-the-top action, horrible story and decent actors on speed. Made for kids and teens, as you figured. I was never a G.I. Joe collector as a kid… I had an Action Jackson doll that I would throw under trucks on Flatbush Avenue… you know, for the goof.

FUNNY PEOPLE: Funny movie that is 2/3 wonderful. That’s 1/3 more than most of this summer’s movies. If you like the cast, you will like the film. If you hate Sandler, why bother? Again, this movie had a trailer that gave away just about everything, which was a shame. Trailers should be more teaser than explainers.

500 DAYS OF SUMMER: Cute overall… the male character was written like a cartoon, the female character dead-on, and the storytelling and format was excellent and clever. I left with a good feeling, but now weeks later, can’t remember much.

HALLOWEEN 2: Didn’t see it because I am hoping Rob Zombie goes back to doing his own films and stops doing this. Wasn’t Halloween enough? Why go back? Rob…you only have one life, my talented friend… go do what’s in your heart and create your own legacy… you got it in you. This coming from a place of love… because I do love Rob’s films. Oh… and yeah, I will try to catch this later this week, lol.

And now, some preview Power Girl pages from issue #5. Till next time…

- Jimmy P

Whatever you think of the President, this ought to make you laugh.

(Counting down to “Obama vs. Star Wars” comic starting now. 3…2…1…)

Unable to hit New York and ask for a tour of Marvel? Well, Slate‘s got your back, as Marvel EiC Joe Quesada took them around for a look at the House of Ideas:

Pretty cool, eh? I kinda chuckled at the restroom signs in spite of myself.

Since discovering the work of Jason in the New York Public Library (see my thoughts on his book I Killed Adolf Hitler several weeks ago), I’ve been anxious to get my hands on another of his comics. After reading The Last Musketeer, I’m now looking forward to a third Jason comic.

The Last Musketeer tells of Athos, last of the fabled three musketeers (one deceased, one retired), and his efforts to save the world from Martian invasion. Like my previous exposure to his work, I find it hard to talk about without spoiling too much of the story. Jason’s books are entirely plot-driven, yet delivered with a dry, morose humor that gives the narrative an offbeat tone. Coupled with his ear for snappy dialogue, Jason’s plots become surprising romps that mash up divergent adventure clichés.

After an initial attack on France, Athos finds two Martian scouts, slays one and forces the other to take him to Mars where he can prevent further attacks. Falling in with a small band of rebels who disagree with the antagonist stance taken by Mars’ leadership, Athos fights to discover the secret leader of the Martian revolution and to destroy the ultimate weapon aimed at his home world. Science-fiction has a long history of swashbuckling, romantic adventurers, heroes of the Flash Gordon/Han Solo mold. Athos’ origins in the older world adventurism of Alexandre Dumas seem no impediment to fitting the character comfortably into this outer space romp.

All told, Jason’s books, including The Last Musketeer, are pure escapist fun romps. Having so many of them available at my library, a great resource for discovering new comics (and books, and music, and…) and saving cash, is just perfect. I’ll be looking for more of Jason’s comics, and hopefully more readers will also check his stuff out. You may even be able to borrow it from the local library.

Yotsuba v. Yotsuba: What impact can a change in North American publisher have on a manga series? Check out this neat blog post comparing the original ADV Manga version of Yotsuba&! Vol. 4 with the new Yen Press version of the same volume, which was released this Wednesday.  (Via The Beat)

“Since it’s extra long, that means the other 30-odd pages are all stacks of rectangles, pages of them”: In the midst of his weekly excoriation of new comic books, Tucker Stone brings up an interesting point about the bland, static page and panel design you see in certain comics:

Because if you want interesting panel design, or you want interesting drawings, or you just would prefer—you know, comics that are trying to live up to something, as opposed to this safe ass pudding school—you can’t read these things. They don’t have it on a regular enough basis to make it any more reliable than a lottery ticket, and very few of them are drawn by somebody half as interesting as Goran Parlov. But if you just want to read something on a computer—or a PSP, or an iPhone—it’s pretty clear that DC & Marvel are getting you ready for it. All they have to do is give up completely, and they’re more than halfway there.

Damn. I never thought about that before, but he’s right, isn’t he? For more positive remarks from a member of the Stone family, check out Nina Stone’s glowing review of the latest Achewood collection.

Oh good, I’m not the only one who can’t seem to come to terms with a $4 Marvel comic: Here’s Vom Marlowe blogging at the The Hooded Utilitarian about checking out a recent copy of X-Men: Legacy out of curiosity the other day:

I picked it up and read it over coffee at the Squid Cafe, and I was….disappointed. First of all, this sucker cost me four bucks. It’s full of ads for cheesecake statues and Spiderman toothbrush holders. There’s a large excerpt in the back for some other comic. All of which is fine, except—there’s only twenty two pages of comic. For four dollars! That’s seventeen cents per page.

Well, it seemed a bit steep to me, considering I can get nearly two hundred pages of manga for 8.95 (or 5.37 if I have my Borders coupon).

This is the 600th installment of Linkarama@Newsarama: In his monthly look at Marvel’s periodical sales, Paul O’Brien brings up an interesting point about the dodgy math involved with anniversary issues that aren’t really anniversary issues:

And it gets better – because for August, Marvel solicited both HULK #13 and INCREDIBLE HULK #601. So apparently INCREDIBLE HULK #600 is the first issue of a new title which also doubles as HULK #12A. And that means the numbering of the new series is based on including issues of two completely other titles that are still being published.

So even if they’d got the maths right, this would still be perhaps the most artificial “anniversary” issue in history. And of course, on one level, that’s trivial. But anniversary issues generally sell rather well, because they’ve got an aura of significance about them. If you make a complete joke of them, as Marvel are doing with INCREDIBLE HULK, then in the long run that’ll undermine their drawing power.

Ha ha ha! “In the long run!” Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha! Like they’ve ever thought about “the long run” over the course of the last 70 years!

Got a few minutes?: Then you really ought to check out Tom Spurgeon’s long, extremely well-thought out (and entertaining) thoughts on Disney buying Marvel and DC’s restructuring.

Don’t click on this link if you’re feint of heart: At Comics Alliance, Laura Hudson presents the “The 21 Awesomest Superhero Mods for My Little Pony.” They are all completely terrifying, as is the Jack Kirby Mighty Mugg.

Part four of Jaia’s debut in which she discusses how food can make you a meanie.

Find out more about her adventures here on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or at ComicsByEgg.com. 

Sunday afternoon (after, fittingly, a one-day rain delay), the DC Bullets played their final softball games of the 2009 summer. As the fourth and final seed in the New York Media Softball League playoff bracket, not much was expected of the Bullets, and indeed, the first tilt against regular season (and eventual playoff) champion Wall St. Journal didn’t go well for the comic book makers. In the fifth, SS Adam Schlagman (2-4, run, 2 RBI) singled home Mike Lorah (2-3, run); SCF Doug Harrison (2-2, RBI) drove in RF Brian Cunningham (2-4, run) in the sixth, after Brian’s long triple to left; and in the seventh, Schlagman drove 3B Adam Staffaroni (1-2, run) home one batter before CF Andrew Arnold (2-4, run, 3 RBI, HR) crushed a long home run to drive in three more. DC’s six-run total was topped by Wall St. Journal’s eight-run fourth inning alone, as the 18-6 final tally sent the Bullets to the “consolation” game to play the loser of the High Times-BusinessWeek game.

With BusinessWeek’s triumph over the Bonghitters, the Bullets still had to match up against the 2008 NYMSL champions in the consolation game. Having split the regular season series at a game apiece and knowing it would be their final softball game of the summer, both teams were prepared to have some fun and give their best efforts. The Bullets won the coin toss to be the home team.

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Yes, there’s another new version of “Armor Wars” headed to the stands this week (more on that below), which shouldn’t be confused with the new Iron Man: Armor Wars miniseries. What other comics are due in shops this week, and can any of their titles be made into terrible puns? Join me after the jump to find out!

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I spent Sunday at the Brooklyn Book Festival running around from panel to panel, trying to catch all the wonderful, talented people reading and talking about their books. I missed most of the comics panels, but I did make sure to make it to the Act-I-Vate collective panel.

Dean Haspiel and the rest of the crew have created a smorgasbord of comics with every imaginable option available on the web, in a pretty simple, readable format. Their most significant contribution has probably been proving that giving away comics for free on the Web doesn’t prevent print sales. Jeff Newelt, “Minister of Hype,” noted “We learned a lot of our marketing from crack dealers–give ‘em that first bit for free.”

Comics creators are rather different from other media consumers–I don’t know if people who download free music also buy an album, or people who read free journalism on the Web buy the print paper, etc. Still, the model has worked for Act-I-Vate–none of them are getting rich off the site, but they are drawing attention, getting print deals for books that start on the Web, and most of all, spreading the gospel of comics, whether it’s pulling in new creators or convincing new readers to check out this awesome free webcomic.

Molly Crabapple called it “The coolest way to learn comics,” and it was pointed out that webcomics are international–they can be accessed from anywhere one has Internet access. They’re portable, you can pick them up where you left off very easily, and of course, they’re free.

It’s not a business model that is going to make creators rich anytime soon, but the Act-I-Vators seem to be happy with what they’ve created, both the website and more importantly, the cameraderie–the “collective” part of the equation. Comics as real community and as outreach–I like it.

When you see papers like the Sun, boy does the line between fact and fabrication get thin.

Especially when they post an “article” (with the word “advertisement” written in small letters at the top) proclaiming “Robots to replace humans.” Now, double-check to make sure the word “gullible” isn’t written on the ceiling — okay, now that we’ve confirmed that’s not the case, I think we can all agree, it’s just an ad.

Interesting enough, this ad is online — occasionally magazines and newspapers do have these sort of “promarticles” hidden away in their pages, but I’ve never seen it online. I personally love the “top secret agency” known as M.I.T.:

The incredible leak from top secret agency, M.I.T. will see the development and sale to the public of mechanical representations of humans – called ‘surrogates’ – which are operated through mind control.

The Sun has learnt the UK population will be cajoled by a huge public marketing campaign into purchasing their own surrogate and a special operating device – called a ‘Stim Chair’ – that they attach themselves to in the safety of their own home.

The mind pattern impulses sent through diodes on the ‘Stim Chair’ then activate the individual ‘surrogates’ who take to the streets to tackle the day-to-day grind of the individual.

It’s kind of a sad indictment of journalism, but then again, it is the Sun we’re talking about, here. The Surrogates film is due out next Friday.

That is, when the doll happens to be Soulless.

OrbitBooks.net has posted their new book, Soulless, including some Manga-influenced promotional work by “Bloodlust and Darkness” artist Sarah Vaughn. The book is a steampunk/paranormal novel with vampires and werewolves.

If you go online, you can play Vaughn’s online Flash game, which allows you to dress up a woman in period-style clothing. Whatever, haters, I’m secure enough to play.

According to some hush-hush (and by hush-hush I’m sure you can guess who) sources, Vaughn also has some work with her former teacher, Newsarama’s own Troy Brownfield, coming down the pike.

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!

Ready for the next wave of DC Universe Classics?

Well, Mattel has graciously sent over some pictures of the latest figures, which will ship in the Spring of 2010. You can pre-order the whole set or individually at Entertainment Earth, and see more images after the cut!

Mary Marvel:

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but this time, to DVD.  Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths is coming Spring of next year, and I could not be happier.

An original story from award-winning animation/comics writer Dwayne
McDuffie (Justice League) rooted in DC Comics’ popular canon of
“Crisis” stories.

Bruce Timm (Superman Doomsday, Green Lantern) is executive producer.
Lauren Montgomery (Wonder Woman, Green Lantern) and Sam Liu
(Superman/Batman: Public Enemies) are co-directors.

In Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, a “good” Lex Luthor arrives
from an alternate universe to recruit the Justice League to help save
his Earth from the Crime Syndicate, a gang of villainous characters
with virtually identical super powers to the Justice League. What
ensues is the ultimate battle of good versus evil in a war that
threatens both planets and, through a diabolical plan launched by
Owlman, puts the balance of all existence in peril.

All-star voice cast led by Mark Harmon (NCIS) as Superman, James Woods
(Ghosts of Mississippi) as Owlman, Chris Noth (Sex and the City, Law &
Order) as Lex Luthor, William Baldwin (Dirty Sexy Money) as Batman,
Gina Torres (Serenity, Firefly) as Super Woman and Bruce Davison
(X-Men) as the President.

Oh MY yes. The art style looks amazing and that Owlman is top-notch. The voice cast looks impressive as well and I can’t wait to see further additions to it later on.

Now only if we can get that “Judas Contract” up and running…

I’m broke, but I’ve lucked into copies of The Nobody and Filthy Rich, so hope to have reviews of those sometime this week. Also last week’s DMZ, which was excellent, and The Unwritten, which was so as well.

In the meantime, this week: Air, Manhunter (well, Streets of Gotham, but who’m I kidding: Manhunter), and if the pitch I sent out this week gets accepted, maybe some remastered Tank Girl goodness.

Things I own and you should buy this week if you don’t have ‘em already: Dean Haspiel & Jonathan Ames’ The Alcoholic softcover out this week. Because it’s funny, and painful, and worth reading over again.

Since I gave you a pitch for a book, you know it’s your turn to reciprocate…

Deadline Hollywood has reported that Inglorious Basterds star Christopher Waltz, has been cast as the villain Chudnofsky in Michel Gondry’s The Green Hornet opposite Seth Rogen. Some may have been dissappointed by Cage’s exodus from the project, but I loved Waltz in Basterds and I think could bring the proper amount of spice and possible cartoony malevolence the movie needs. This is just the kind of break an actor like him needs.

What do you readers think of the new casting call?