Eddie Campbell’s daughter, Haley, writes about the 29th Salón Internacional del Cómic de Barcelona for the Comics Journal:

With a great big block of FREE TIME marked on all of our timetables, the elder Campbell and I decided to go and be tourists. It just so happened that Busiek wanted to be a tourist, too. Park Güell, a mountain covered by a massive Gaudi-designed garden complex full of gingerbread houses, mosaic dragons and thousands of children on school trips was to be our terrible choice of destination. Halfway up that rocky peak Kurt wheezed “If I kept up this level of exercise every day, in a year’s time I will have been dead for eleven months.” Had we spent another ten minutes walking directly vertical our unfit selves would have to have been helicoptered out and our mums phoned immediately.

More con reports should be this enjoyable. Go, read.

If rumors are to be believed, not only has David E. Kelley finished making his Wonder Woman pilot, but the powers that be at NBC seem to like it:

Taking a page from Leslie Moonves’ playbook, new NBC chief Bob Greenblatt has put the fear of god into all his new underlings about keeping pilot information confidential.The biggest news out of NBC is that David E. Kelley’s WONDER WOMAN pilot has been delivered and it’s getting positive reaction.

This has to be good news for both NBC and DC Entertainment; the network had previously turned down the pilot script before changing its collective mind for some reason (I’m guessing script rewrites making it cheaper), so it had previously seemed more of an unknown as to whether the pilot would get greenlit. Now that NBC seem to be reacting favorably, it’s looking a lot more likely that we’ll get to see the results for ourselves. The question may now be whether the internet is up for the inevitable fan pummeling the show will receive, regardless of how good it actually turns out to be.

Sony President and Chairman Howard Stringer finally speaks out about their network’s breach and offers those affected a literal sense of security.

In a letter posted on the Playstation blog, Stringer apologizes to users about the breach. “As a company we — and I — apologize for the inconvenience and concern caused by this attack. Under the leadership of Kazuo Hirai, we have teams working around the clock and around the world to restore your access to those services as quickly, and as safely, as possible,” wrote Stringer.

The Playstation Network has been down since a hack on April 20 that caused over 70 million users’ secured information like names, addresses, telephone numbers, passwords and possibly credit card information, to be at risk. But users were not immediately aware of the reason they couldn’t log on to the network.

“I know some believe we should have notified our customers earlier than we did. It’s a fair question,” wrote Stringer, “As soon as we discovered the potential scope of the intrusion, we shut down the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services and hired some of the best technical experts in the field to determine what happened. I wish we could have gotten the answers we needed sooner, but forensic analysis is a complex, time-consuming process. Hackers, after all, do their best to cover their tracks, and it took some time for our experts to find those tracks and begin to identify what personal information had — or had not — been taken.”

Stringer insists that to their knowledge none of the credit card or personal information has been misused and that they are continuing to monitor the situation. But to put customers at ease, Sony is offering some security.

“We are also moving ahead with plans to help protect our customers from identity theft around the world,” wrote Stringerr, “A program for U.S. PlayStation Network and Qriocity customers that includes a $1 million identity theft insurance policy per user was launched earlier today and announcements for other regions will be coming soon.”

The security comes in the form of Debix Inc., an identity theft insurance firm in the U.S. who will use “AllClear ID Plus” for any affected customers. For time lost on the Network, Sony is offering other incentives. “As we have announced, we will be offering a ‘Welcome Back’ package to our customers once our PlayStation Network and Qriocity services are up and running. This will include, among other benefits, a month of free PlayStation Plus membership for all PSN customers, as well as an extension of subscriptions for PlayStation Plus and Music Unlimited customers to make up for time lost.”

Stringer stated that he knows this is a frustrating time for users but that the network will be up “in the coming days.” Until then, “Our investigation is ongoing, and we are upgrading our security so that if attacks like this happen again, our defenses will be even stronger,” he wrote. “We are working with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies around the world to apprehend those responsible.”

What do you think about Sony’s reaction time and resolution ideas? Have they forever lost your trust or are you willing to use the PSN again?

Your FCBD reminder: This Saturday is the very best day of the entire year (Sorry, Christmas!), but circumstances beyond my control (stupid day job) will prevent me from visiting a comic shop for Free Comic Book Day goodies. Fantagraphics’ Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse, Top Shelf’s Top Shelf Kids Club (See Chris Eliopoulas “cover” characters created by James Kochalka, Andy Runton and others!),  Drawn and Quarterly’s John Stanley’s Summer Fun, Marvel’s Captain America/Thor (By the Mighty Avenger team of Robert Langridge and Chris Samnee) and Image’s Super Dinosaur Origin Special #1 are the book’s I’m most interested in and excited abou, so let me know how they are if you pick any of ‘em up. Also, drop some cash on a trade or something while you’re there scoring freebies; I think proper Free Comic Book Day etiquette demands it. If you’re only a casual comics reader, in which case I’m surprised you’re reading this at all, you can find your nearest participating shop here.

FCBD in USA Today: America’s most copiously colored newspaper has a short feature on Free Comic Book Day in today’s edition. Yesterday, they ran a feature story on DC’s upoming Flashpoint, and, to a lesser extent, comic book publishing event/crossovers in general.

“Who would you pick, Miller or Morrison, to ‘explore’ her past?”: DC Women Kicking Ass talks about Frank Miller and Grant Morrison’s interest in a Wonder Woman comic. I’d like to see both, actually (and I’m sure DC would as well, given the fact that those are two of the most marketable names among today’s creators). I’m sure both would be a blast, although I don’t know that either would do a good job of communicating the “real” Wonder Woman that Marston and Peter created. The best Wonder Woman comics of the past decade or so have been Adam Warren’s Empowered comics,  but it would probably be redundant for him to do another comic about bondage, feminism, male-female power struggles and relationships and superheroes at this point, even if a Wonder Woman comic would give him new characters and classic designs to play with.

“Well, every so often I need to be reminded that comics are supposed to be a fun part of my life”: The Supergirl-centric Supergirl Comic Box Commentary blog lookst at Tiny Titans #39, that would be the “pink” issue, an  ideal reminder of just how much fun comics can be.

Peter David thinks Thor is better than The Incredible Hulk, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Iron Man 2 and Punisher: War Zone: On his blog, David called it “easily the best Marvel movie since ‘Iron Man’,” although I don’t think that says a whole lot. Bloggers are starting to respond to thier own viewing experiences. The Comics Journal‘s  Dan Nadel didn’t like it, while Heidi “The Beat” MacDonald and Savage Critic Brian Hibbs had more mixed feelings. I plan on seeing it in a couple hours of here, and I imagine that as long as Natalie Portman gets enough screen time, I’ll be at least mildly entertained—the ability to stare at Natalie Portman for long periods of time even made the last few Star Wars movies endurable, after all.

This sounds like a funny premise…that’s about five years too late: Writer Chad Blakely has written a graphic novel entitled Kidnapping Kevin Smith, about two comic shop employees who kidnap the director/writer/actor/comics dabbler in an attempt to force him to write a screenplay about them. Really nice Mike Allred cover image though, and a good “get,” considering Allred’s history with Smith’s intersection with comics.

“A History of Storm in Comic Covers”: Doubles as a sad commentary on the deevolution of the importance of drawing skills and design on comic book covers over the years.

And so the great dig-out of 2011 begins. I’m cutting back on the library for a little while. With all the review comics I get, some library books sprinkled in, and a few comic strip collections, and the prose books I squeeze in as often as possible, I’ve basically not read a single comic that I’ve purchased for myself since last August.

It’s gotten a bit ridiculous. I’m talking about nearly 70 books (including a few rereads, mostly for reasons that’ll become clear about two paragraphs down) piled up on my end table. They’re going to collapse one night and kill me in my sleep, I’m convinced. So it’s time to whittle that bastard pile down, come hell or high water.

So over the new few months, you’ll see some … not very timely reviews. But I’m going to get it all read, and you’ll see what I’ve been missing out on.

Young Liars v. 1: Daydream Believer
Young Liars v. 2: Maestro
Young Liars v. 3: Rock Life
Written & Illustrated by David Lapham

(more…)

In the DC Comics Universe, there are different types of magic aligned with either order or chaos. And long ago, there were also forms of magical energy that were aligned to neither of these fundamental forces. The Guardians of the Universe, near-immortal beings who created the Green Lantern Corps, believed that these random, unfocused magicks were too dangerous to leave alone. So they collected the energy and imprisoned it in the heart of a star.

Years later, the Starheart developed a mind of its own and released a piece of itself into space. It landed on Earth as a meteor and the first man to discover it carved it into a lamp. It passed through many hands over the centuries, later influencing another man to carve it into a lantern, perhaps because the Starheart sought to emulate the technology of the Guardians. After granting death to some and new life for another, the Starheart lantern decided to give a human being power, to have its own Green Lantern warrior just as the Guardians did. In one account, this was due to the lantern having merged with the soul of a dead Corps member.

Alan Scott was an ordinary man who found the Starheart lantern just before a bomb meant for him wound up killing several other people. Wishing to avenge these deaths, Alan took a piece of the lantern and made a ring, as he was instructed to by the magic force that then empowered it. Calling himself Green Lantern, Alan Scott was the first Earth-born human being to use this title, even though he was not a member of the Corps. As the Emerald Crusader of Gotham City, Alan’s ring protected him from most forms of harm while allowing him to fly, phase through solid matter, deliver blasts of energy and fire, and create physical objects he imagined. It’s major weaknesses were Alan’s own concentration, the need to recharge the ring regularly with the lantern, and that the green flame had difficult with plant-matter and especially anything made of wood.

Guarding Gotham City for years, Alan Scott also became a founding member of the Justice Society of America, history’s first superhero team. As the Golden Age of Heroes ended, Earth’s first Green Lantern retired for decades along with many of his peers. He only operated on rare occasions, such as when he decided to investigate the new vigilante Batman who appeared in Gotham years later. Soon after the modern age of heroes went into full swing, Alan Scott finally returned to the fold along with many other Golden Age heroes who still had some fire in them. Along with the surviving members of the old JSA, Alan now helps to guide and train a new generation of heroes. Over the years, he’s sported quite a few different outfits. Let’s take a look then. As usual, this column is focusing on mainstream continuity.

BIZARRE MASKED HERO

Alan Scott debuted in July, 1940 in All-American Comics #16. He was created by artist Martin Nodell and writer Bill Finger, the same writer who penned most of Batman’s early stories and came up with the Dark Kngiht’s origin. When Alan Scott first went into action, he just wore his normal clothes and was surrounded by a halo of green light and flame. After taking down the criminals who had intended to kill him with a bomb, Alan Scott decided that it didn’t need to stop there.

He could become a masked vigilante, like the ones that had been showing up in the last few years. He needed a mask to protect his identity, of course. As he considered a design, he thought to himself, “I must make myself a dreaded figure! I must make a costume that is so bizarre that once I am seen I will never be forgotten!”

Well, “bizarre” is right. Alan Scott was not exactly a fashion designer and it showed. This costume looks as if he grabbed a lot of stuff from the storage room of a theater. A swashbuckling shirt, laced boots, simple canvas pants and a high collared cape. And many different colors. For a guy called Green Lantern, green doesn’t seem to be the dominant element here. (more…)

If you’re wondering who to blame for the onslaughts of movie-related product from Marvel Comics that gave the world more than four Thor books a month last year, or multiple Captain America and oneshots in the same month a few weeks ago, former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief and current Marvel Entertainment CCO Joe Quesada has the answer for you in the latest episode of the Word Balloon podcast:

Yeah, you know, look: These are decisions that are made by our sales department, ultimately. They let us know exactly how much product that they need, and how much product they believe that retailers need in order to, you know, basically sell some books. And sometimes we do rely on the older published stuff, because there’s a lot of it out there, and sometimes we need new stuff. So, you know, this is an alchemy that I don’t partake in – You know, especially now, I don’t partake in – but basically, the sales guys, they know their stuff. So I don’t pretend to understand exactly how they do their magic, but they generally tend to be right in predicting what the audience wants.

Am I the only one who is (a) not surprised, but (b) disappointed at the news that the Sales Department are behind decisions about getting projects off the ground, instead of editorial? Also, what retailers were really asking for Thor, Thor: The Mighty Avenger, Astonishing Thor, Ultimate Comics: Thor, Thor: For Asgard and Thor: First Thunder all to be running at the same time?!?

So, today brought the surprising news that Brian Michael Bendis is relaunching Ultimate Spider-Man with a brand new series called Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man. Which shouldn’t be confused with the surprising news from two years ago that Brian Michael Bendis was relaunching Ultimate Spider-Man with a brand new series called Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man.

Even better, this new Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man series features a brand new Spider-Man! But who is he?

The first storyline is that you’re going to find out who Spider-Man is. You’re going to find out who the supporting cast is. The new status quo will introduce new characters both hero and not-hero. Spider-Man’s relationship to the world will be different than you’ve ever seen in a Spider-Man title – any Spider-Man title.

Oh, wait; that’s 2009 Bendis talking about the last Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #1. But, obviously, things are different this time around: Why else relaunch a title that was relaunched two years ago and then renumbered within the last year? Bendis explains:

With this issue, you have to understand that I’m very phobic about a cheap #1 issue. And I sat for a long time and thought about what does #1 mean? What does the new chapter in Ultimate Spider-Man mean?

No, that’s still 2009 Bendis. Sorry. I mean, this time apparently “even the most cynical comic book fanboy” will understand why it’s a new #1.

…It would be too cheap to suggest that this particular cynical comic book fanboy understands that it’s because Bendis has clearly gotten over his cheap #1 phobia, wouldn’t it?

Next Wednesday, artist Dennis Calero will host an event at the Society of Illustrators in New York featuring three huge names in comics: Joe Quesada, Walt Simonson and Jim Steranko.

Called “Drawing the Line,” the lecture will allow the artists to speak about the art of drawing as it pertains to comic books.

“When I was approached by the Society of Illustrators to put together an event,” said Calero, “I tried to think about what the mandate of the Society is, which is to promote illustration as not just a commercial function, which it is, but also as an art.”

“When the fans discuss the art of comics,” he continued, “it is often ‘reduced’ to serving the function of telling a story.  But obviously, the quality of comic illustration goes beyond just serving the needs of the story. The drawing matters.”

Calero said this is a great opportunity to talk about just that with three legendary artists, “all of who’s drawing, in my opinion, go beyond just telling the story and captivate with their artistry.”

Tickets are $15 for non-members, $10 for members and $7 for students and you must RSVP to the event. It will take place Wednesday May 11 from 7-9 p.m. at the Society of Illustrators building at 128 East 63rd St. in New York City. For more information visit the Society of Illustrators’ website.

Like her 2010 Flesh and Bone, Julia Gfrörer’s latest comic features two passionate young lovers, some supernatural circumstances and a strange sex scene.  While the previous book was set in an undetermined past and mixed the lore of witchcraft with a Gothic melodrama, her new Too Dark To See has a modern milieu. That makes the setting more immediate, and the supernatural aspects a bit scarier.

The young couple is Lauren and Jamie, and we’re first introduced to them naked on their shared mattress on the floor of their apartment, in apparent post-coital bliss, the former telling the latter that “No one has ever loved anyone more than I love you.” As they sleep, a piece of shadow in the corner of their bedroom peels itself off the wall, takes the vague shape of a woman, and crawls into their bed, seducing Jamie.

The romantic sentiment Lauren expresses is soon undercut by scenes and dialogue suggesting problems in their relationship, ranging from minor annoyances (You never do the dishes, you always interrupt me) to more serious concerns (Are you cheating on me?), and essentially revealing a real world relationship fraught with real world pleasures and problems. That, or are the shadows that have their way with the lovers somehow impact their happiness, and is it just those two, or everyone?

Questions are raised, answers are to be provided by the reader.

Gfrörer’s artwork is a rare pleasure. Her round-cornered, ever-so-slightly wobbly panels repeat with a mechanical, filmic progression—despite varying in size and layout—and are full of white, white space. She has an extremely thin, delicate line, which probably artificially inflates the amount of white space that’s there, but her artwork is anything but minimalist or abstract. The figures are highly detailed, never more so then we see close-ups of their hands at work on extremely detailed objects, like Lauren before an espresso machine at work, or making a sandwich from lovingly cross-hatched strawberry jam.

The open space, filled in by the white of the paper the art’s drawn, sharply contrasts with the few scenes set outside of the couple’s apartment, which are darker and have more details, and the visits from the shadows, which are dark, slightly furious looking patches of less-precise lines, suggesting a sort of controlled scribble. They are also somewhat see-through, so they were apparently drawn with something other than the lines of the rest of the book.

The beautiful aesthetic of the art is mirrored in the production; this is a mini-comic Gfrörer made and is selling through Etsy, and looks and feels homemade, bound with string. In both the criteria of a comic as comic and a comic as object, it’s a beautiful thing.

If you’re interested in securing a copy, here’s Gfrörer Etsy listing for the book, and here’s her website.

Jackie Cooper, best known to comic book fans as Perry White in all four Christopher Reeve-starred Superman movies, died yesterday at the age of 88.

Other than playing Perry, Cooper also directed several episodes of the late ’80s/early ’90s syndicated Superboy series. Cooper started his career as a child actor, notably as part of the Our Gang cast.

From the Join SHIELD site set up with Acura to promote Marvel’s Thor movie:

Seriously, SHIELD uses Facebook to log its visitors in? That is so beyond disappointing, I can’t even tell you. Suddenly, the Warner Bros/DC alternative-reality-game for Green Lantern seems a lot more impressive, even with the massive giveaway that the logo is one bar away from being the GL icon. I mean, come on, SHIELD. Everyone knows that Facebook is really just a CIA program:

Gotham City Sirens writer Peter Calloway on DC’s move from 22 to 20 page stories:

I think there are probably a lot of people who lament it, but in terms of storytelling I think it forces the writer to really focus in on what is actually important. A lot of times, and I’m as guilty of this as anyone, we have panels and pages between characters that are in there just because we like it and we think it’s interesting, when in the larger scheme of things it doesn’t really mean anything. I come from TV writing and that is all about limits. I think you see it with directors of movies; often their best work is when they are restrained by budgetary constrictions, or when they are not well known and can’t afford the set pieces, and they are forced to really focus on what’s important and what they can accomplish with the limited resources they have. There’s a bajillion examples of that but when people get to do whatever they want — which is what every creative person aspires to do! — generally they turn out something that’s not bad, but personal to them and it ends up not resonating the way their early stuff did.

So the long-winded way to answer your question is: I think it’s a good thing. If you have a story that you sketch out for 22 pages and you can’t get it down to 20 pages then you need to reexamine the process.

Does it make me a bad comic fan if I agree with almost all of this? I know, I know, I should probably be appalled by the very idea of losing 2 pages of comics in order to save $1 off cover price and everything, but I’m really not all that bothered (Plus, plenty of DCU books have run more than 20 pages since the official changeover in January – Look at various issues of Batman Incorporated and Brightest Day, to name just two – so it’s hardly a hard-and-fast rule), and I’ve always thought that certain constraints can bring out better work than giving creators carte blanche. But we’re four months into this brave new world of shortened stories in DC books right now, so I’m curious: Has losing two pages of story made your favorite books any worse? Have you even noticed a difference?

So, there I was, reading complaints about Marvel’s The Mighty Thor #1 on Facebook of all things, when I started wondering: What makes a good first issue of a superhero book? From what I can gather, unhappiness with the first Thor issue seems to stem from the lack of discernible forward motion – It’s a slow burn issue, definitely, with multiple threads and scattered focus. Maybe a first issue can’t afford to be that leisurely? But, standing as opposing argument to that idea, Ultimate Spider-Man #1 – and it feeling like something that wouldn’t appeal to new readers visiting the character as the result of the movie, but what I took away from it was… Am I the only person who thought that Thor seemed like a guest-star in his own comic? The first issue definitely doesn’t focus on him, with only one of the multiple threads even featuring him, and even then, he is less the center of attention than in need of rescue by Kid Loki. Shouldn’t the debut issue of any new series put its eponymous lead front and center, and demonstrate why they’re worth that attention?

I’m genuinely curious about this one – What do you think? What does a first issue of any ongoing superhero title need for you to be convinced to pick up the next one? Is there a formula that writers and artists should bear in mind, or does it depend on the title and character?

Not only to we get to see the Guardians in this new Green Lantern trailer, we get to see Kilowog speak for the first time and find out the answer to whether or not Ryan Reynolds wears underwear under his GL suit.

What can I say? That part stood out for me. We also get to see a lot more of Mark Strong as Sinestro including him kicking Hal’s butt. And Angela Bassett makes her first appearance as Dr. Amanda Waller.

Thoughts on all the new images?

“As there are any number of reviews out there that will tell you why you should avoid this book, I’ll provide a little contrast by illuminating what I liked”: Collected Editions actually finds a few things to like in  the Justice League: Rise and Fall collection, which includes The Fall of Green Arrow and the Prism-award winning Rise of Arsenal.

You know, I’ve been waiting to see these guys reappear in a new DC Comics ever since Batman Inc was first announced: “Green Arrows of the World Meet the Battling Bowman”

Reminder: Michael Dooney still draws pretty ladies very well.

The Mindless Ones‘ “Three Fools” Part 3: I linked to the first two parts of the series, so I might as well do the third as well, focusing on Grant Morrison’s version of The Joker that has appeared during his current run on the Bat-books and began, oddly enough, way back in Aztek.

New Teen Titans was apparently a great source of “Nobody’s Favorites” characters: Andrew Weiss tackles DC’s first dude named Azrael.

There seems to be some confusion regarding the definition of a “shirt”: Because if you take some time to explore Hot Chicks In Batman Shirts, you’ll find that  some of those shirts are clearly undergarments, and some of the girls aren’t even wearing shirts. It’s probably NSFW, I imagine (Via Tom Spurgeon, Your #1 Source For Photos of Attractive Women Wearing Superhero Merchandise!)

Speaking of Batman shirts…: Bully, the little stuffed bull-ogger, does some detective work that I think would make Batman proud, closely examining a Batman shirt purchased from Target. Also at Bully’s Comics Oughta Be Fun, he presents some less than masterful work from the comic book masters.

Is it gauche to linkblog back to your own blog?: Because I’m gonna do it. I have some suggestions for future issues of DC Comics Presents. How about you guys? Anything you’d like to see re-presented in DC’s $8, 100-ish page almost-trade format?

Delirium’s Party: A Little Endless Storybook
Written & Illustrated by Jill Thompson
Published by DC/Vertigo

Jill Thompson’s latest visit to the realm of Neil Gaiman’s Endless characters finds the whimsical, whirlical Delirium in the spotlight again, as Delirium decides to throw a party for her surly sister Despair.

Delirium’s Party is the result, a bringing together of all seven Endless in an effort to get a solitary grin, just a tiny little uptick of the mouth’s corner, from Despair. Thompson pretty much nails everything about the story – Delirium’s swirling, track-leaping logic arranges a perfectly wonderful and utterly grandively (her word, not mine) party. Keeping all the Endless on track, with small touches in their dialogue and in their perfectly suited gifts for Despair, Thompson captures the essence of each fundamental being. But most of all, she’s able to give the book an engaging, insistent readability, a pleasant breeziness that makes for a too-quick and entirely pleasurable reading experience.

Thompson’s watercolors and page compositions match the unexpected, yet somehow totally dream-logic reasonable, mania of Delirium’s party organizing talents. A cake with all your favorite things: bicycles, books, cupcakes, paintbrushes and action figures; the warm, psychedelic colors of Delirium’s… hair, clothes, bed… pretty much everything, really; flying pickles and ice cream cones – it’s all here. Jill Thompson’s practically born to draw this character – and yet she’s still born to draw all of her own wonderful characters too. It’s really too much talent for one person to have. How about sharing a little, Jill?

Delirium’s Party: A Little Endless Storybook is a pure blast, superduper fun, with intoxicating prose and colorfully twisted artwork. Fans of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman will want this one; it’s one of the best non-Gaiman Endless stories to date (and better than a couple of Neil’s even). Fans of Jill, of beautiful illustration, of just-plain terrific stories should definitely keep an eye open for it.

Before we know it we’ll be seeing Henry Cavill in his Superman costume but until then you can either go back and watch The Tudors to see him in action or check out the first trailer for his new film, Immortals.

I actually spoke with the cast and creators at WonderCon last month for Newsarama. Here’s what director Tarsem Singh had to say about the film, “It’s basically about immortality to put it in a nutshell. The hero [Cavill as Theseus], whose story we follow, is basically a nobody who, through his deeds, will be known forever. So his immortality is through means,” said Singh. “And then there’s Mickey [Rourke] who has the Attila the Hun policy, which is knock everything up that you can, you have many, many children and twenty generations down you might recognize your eyes and you’re immortal. The Gods by definition are immortal but they fight with each other, they can lose that too. So I just thought, the Gods were the ones that most can’t relate with but the other two I think is what natures’ fight is all about.”

Relativity Media has teamed with Archaia for an Immortals graphic novel. Archaia says it will expand upon the film’s key characters and events through a series of original tales written and illustrated by recognizable comic names like David Mack, Ron Marz, Dennis Calero and Ben Templesmith. The graphic novel will be published through Archaia’s Black Label division.

Producer of the film, Marc Canton, said he feels smart for sticking with Cavill for the role of Theseus, especially now that he’s been cast as Superman. “The truth is, we cast the sh*t out of 300 and they all emerged and now Gerry [Gerard Butler] and [Michael] Fassbender and Lena Heady, and it’s happening again here. Both Henry and Luke and Kellan Lutz and all these guys and Freida [Pinto], I mean, they’re going to explode. It’s true that when Henry, someone asked me, did I yell when I heard Henry got Superman and I went, ‘Well, I was actually the one that told Zack about him,’ so I guess I had a plan in mind.”

The Immortals trailer should be attached to Thor, opening this weekend, while the film itself debuts November 11.

When I first heard that Marvel and Stussy were teaming up for a t-shirt line, I thought, “Stussy still exists?” Then I looked at the shirts and thought, “Whoa, those are actually pretty awesome.”

The Orange County-based clothing line, which hit a crest of popularity in the mid-’90s due to association with streetwear, is actually putting out two lines of shirts — one, like the above, based on classic Marvel imagery, and another with artists providing their own interpretations of classic Marvel characters, such as Ren and Stimpy creator John K. coming up with the following:

Other artists contributing to series two include famed LA tattoo artist Mister Cartoon and noted animator Bill Plympton. The first series is available now, the second starting May 6, and a kid’s line is on the way this week. Series one shirts are $36; full details here.

Once a week I sift through the millions of Etsy listings to find the best in geek chic for Blog@ readers. Last week I showcased some snazzy geek glassware to wet your whistle, this week it’s all about the Mighty Blonde One. Marvel’s Thor hits theaters in the U.S. this Friday so in honor of the Thunder God I’ve found some items on Etsy worthy of his (or your) usage.

If you have no interest in owning a Flaming Thor Helmet there’s something wrong with you. Sure, you could potentially burn your house down but you’d look wicked awesome doing it. User MegaPlow has created this piece, complete with stand, for $400. Although he states in the listing, “I can not suggest you wear it, I recommend you never wear it, as its dangerous!” Verily.

Need a place to store a card? Try this Thor Recycled Comic ID, Bus or Metro Pass, Library Card Holder from user Japip. The comics are posted on black paper then covered in vinyl and sewn together to create this item which sells for $4.

Just imagine all the information you could fit in Thor’s head. Approximately 4GB thanks to this Thor USB Flash Drive! User Monstoes created this and several other cool USBs from vending machine toys. Sells for $29.95

Even Thor needs to wear a suit sometimes, right? When he does, I’d like to think he wears Mighty Thor’s Hammer Mjollnir Cufflinks. User TheCrossings has these made from pewter and hand paints them. $35.

I’m not sure it would be entirely fair for Thor to play golf but that doesn’t mean you can’t play golf WITH Thor. Hence, the Thor Golf Club Cover. “Sized to fit clubs from the number 1 wood to your tiny putter, made out of acrylic fiber to prevent damage and it is machine washable,” says user TraceyKnits. This one is just $29 with many other superhero and geeky characters available.

As always, bear in mind, since Etsy is a craft website and not a commercial, mass-market dealer, items are almost always one-of-a-kind or in very limited availability. When you see something you like, buy it. It may not be there the next time you surf round. (Yes, it’s a very dangerous site for your wallet.) Also, since most items are created individually, many sellers are willing to customize something specifically to suit your needs. Just ask!