The superheroes that endure, like Batman and Superman, are modern stand-ins for the old gods. Every culture has its own skyfather like Zeus, so we get Superman. And there’s always a god of the underworld like Hades or Pluto or the characters you get in Celtic culture or voodoo: Batman takes that role. Aquaman is the old Neptune and Flash is Mercury, the messenger of the gods. Those that persist are the ones who are simply those ideas in new clothes. They still mean so much to people and exist in symbolic dramas that teach us how to live.

There really is little as inspiring about the superhero genre these days as listening to Grant Morrison describe them, is there? The above is from an interview promoting Supergods, his upcoming prose book about superheroes and their importance in the world we live in, due out next month. I really can’t wait.

Monday brought news of Lucy Punch starring in the Powers pilot for FX as Deena Pilgrim, and it looks like now we have a Christian Walker: Deadline is reporting that actor Jason Patric is set to star in the male lead role.

Patric, who just turned 45 this past Friday, was last seen on screen in another comic book adaptation, the 2010 feature film version of Vertigo title The Losers. As Deadline notes, this would be his first regular TV series gig if Powers gets picked up, but last year he starred in an HBO comedy pilot called Tilda.

Christian Walker has been the main focus of the Powers series since the beginning, a homicide detective with a long (very, very long) and colorful past. Patric joins Punch, plus Bailee Madison (Calista) and Charles S. Dutton (Captain Cross) in the cast. Powers co-creator Brian Michael Bendis recently told Newsarama that the pilot should be filming in a few weeks.

Wish that Fox has picked up the TV version of IDW’s Locke & Key? Going to San Diego Comic-Con? Then you’re in for a potential treat, as IDW will be screening the entire pilot at the con as part of its Locke & Key panel on Friday morning. Deadline Hollywood broke the news, noting that the screening comes from IDW themselves, and not producers 20th Century Fox. The studio is said to have loved the pilot, however, and started looking for another home for the show (Syfy is potentially in the mix); could this screening end up selling some potential new network on picking up the show for a try-out? Keep your fingers crossed.

The answer? The intended story.

The original solicitation for Superman #712:

Meet Los Angeles’s newest super hero in the latest Chapter of “Grounded”: Sharif! But Sharif discovers that in today’s current cultural climate, some people don’t want his help – they just want him gone. Can Superman aid Sharif and quell a prejudiced public, or are there some problems too big even for the Man of Steel to solve?

That was a story written by J. Michael Straczynski and Chris Roberson, part of the long-delayed “Grounded” arc, originally solicited for June 8. DC sent out a media release late yesterday that states:

Please note the new contents for SUPERMAN #712, now written by Kurt Busiek with art by Rick Leonardi, a cover by Carlos Pacheco and Jesus Merino and a variant cover by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau.

This fill in issue contains a lost classic, Lost Boy: A Tale of Krypto the Superdog, set shortly after Superboy died in Infinite Crisis and Superman went missing.

DC Comics determined that the previously solicited story did not work within the “Grounded” storyline. However, Chris Roberson, will be back for the final two issues of Superman’s year long walk across America. As we near the conclusion, catch up with Superman next month as he makes stops in Portland and Newberg, OR.

SUPERMAN #712 is scheduled to arrive in stores on June 22.

Hmm. Well, that’s cool that the Busiek story is finally seeing the light of day and hey, Krypto! Who doesn’t love Krypto? But what happens to the Sharif story now? According to DC’s website, Superman #713 has Superboy and Supergirl meeting up with Clark in Portland, #714 in Seattle for his last stop. Does that mean the original #712 is canned for good? Here’s the cover  for the new Superman #712:

The intended story revolved around a non-white hero coming into contact with prejudice in America. With all the flack DC has gotten recently for its patriotism (or lack thereof), is it any wonder this story got pulled at the last second? Roberson spoke with Newsarama back in March about the character Sharif:

I didn’t create Sharif so much as I salvaged him from the back issue bins. The defender of Los Angeles is a character who appeared as a teenager in the pages of the Superman titles back in the early ’90s (and drawn by none other than Curt Swan, as it happens!), but we’re meeting him here a few years later, when he’s taken on a new costumed identity in his new hometown.

Like Superman, Sharif is a character with powers and abilities far beyond those of normal folks, who came to this country as a child and grew up dedicating himself to Truth, Justice, and the American Way. But the fact that he comes not from an alien world but from another country here on Earth complicates matters for him, and he quickly learns that some people have a different idea of what “The American Way” is all about.

I have no idea whether the Busiek/Krypto story has been altered since it was first intended to be released but this is a questionable move to say the least. Will the missing “Grounded” piece affect that story at all? I’m betting not since it’s been so all over the place for the last few issues anyway. And that’s not a slight to Roberson, it’s just, what do you expect when you’re working from an outline? Any way you slice it, fans are not going to be happy about this move.

So the Krypto story was originally solicited for Superman #659. If we go by those numbers that means we should see the Sharif story in Superman #765, right? Oh wait, make that Superman #51…

What I really wanted to title this column was, Etsy Made Me Do It: Game of Mother F’n Thrones. Because, well, that’s how good it is. Once a week I sift through the millions of Etsy listings to find the best in geek chic for Blog@ readers. Last week, in honor of the film, I shined the Emerald light on you with Green Lantern crafts. This week I’m busting with Game of Thrones giddyness post-finale (don’t worry,  no spoilers). In all honesty, for a show/book series with such a devoted following I thought I’d find a lot more items then I did. Anyway, I still found some fun ones, here they are for your sword-wielding, armor-wearing pleasure.

What girl wouldn’t want to be Khaleesi after watching Game of Thrones Jason Momoa for more than five minutes? Unfortunately that title belongs to Daenerys Targaryen and not myself but I can fantasize all I want while wearing this Khaleesi Copper Pendant. Also available in aluminum or brass from user spiffingjewelry for $24.

So, I’ve yet to read the George. R.R. Martin books the HBO series is based on but…apparently winter is coming…sometime…eventually. That’s why I got a kick out of this Winter Is Coming shirt from user CutItUp. Available in several colors and sizes, $15. Or perhaps you are ready to swear your loyalty to the Night’s Watch. In that case, you might want this seller’s Night’s Watch Oath shirt for $20.

Show your house allegiance by flying the House Targaryen banner! User valchiria created this gorgeous piece with brocades and red gems. Other houses to come but this one will cost you a pretty penny, $150.

Somehow I always manage to find these. It’s a Daenerys Targaryan fleece doll! Eight inches tall from user SKULLbunz for $25. A perfect likeness to actress Emilia Clarke, don’t you think?

I can’t even believe this exists. It’s a Severed Horse Head Catnip Toy. I love cats and I love horses, this is hysterical but I couldn’t bring myself to buy it. User bixbies writes, “Your cat will love waking up next to this horse head.” One of my top 5 least favorite parts of the HBO series thankyouverymuch! If you’re so inclined, it’s $7.

In all fairness, while these were fun to find and look at, HBO has done a pretty good job at creating merchandise for the show themselves. Check it out. I’ll take one dragon egg necklace, please. (Seriously Etsy users, get crackin’ on more GoT stuff!)

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!

The Comics Code may be dead, but it seems as if DC Comics may have accidentally created its successor. Image Comics has announced today that, beginning with next month’s titles, they will be adopting DC’s ratings system on their own books. Publisher Eric Stephenson explained,

Retailers have been asking us to more clearly define which audiences our various comics are aimed at for some time, and we’re pleased to finally comply with those requests. It’s been nearly a decade since the comics industry began the process of abandoning the Comics Code Authority, but during that time there hasn’t been one consistent rating system. The system DC employs is by far the clearest, so it makes sense to go with that.

DC’s system, unveiled in January to replace the defunct Comics Code Authority seal, runs along similar lines to videogame ratings:

E – EVERYONE (all ages, may contain minimal violence)

T – TEEN (12 and up, may contain mild violence or mild profanity)

T+ – TEEN PLUS (16 and up, may contain moderate violence, moderate profanity use and suggestive themes )

M – MATURE (18 and up, may contain nudity, profanity, excessive violence and other content not suitable for minors)

How long before other publishers adopt the same system, and it becomes the new norm for retailers and publishers?

TALES OF MR. RHEE is from . . .
Dirk Manning (Writer)
Josh Ross (Artist)
Austin McKinley (Colors)
Jim Reddington (Letters)
Image Comics/Shadowline (Publisher/Overlord)

I’m amused seeing people complaining that the Associated Press article about tomorrow’s Ultimate Spider-Man #160 “spoils” the comic. I’d say more before the fold, but I’m worried that people might think that I’m spoiling the spoiler. (more…)

The (first) 52 titles have been announced, alongside their creative teams and price points, so we’re all done with the DC relaunch discussions for awhile, right? I mean, what else needs to be said…? Oh, yeah, that’s right: What is it going to be called? (more…)

Following several parody teasers, and Jenna Busch’s set visit up now on the Newsarama home page, why not check out the newly released, official, full-length, Muppetational trailer for The Muppets?

Looks like a ton of fun for all involved (especially Chris Cooper!). The Muppets is scheduled to hit theaters November 23, 2011.

Warner Bros. isn’t letting a not-so-successful weekend at the box office hold them back from promoting their next big Green Lantern project. Here’s our first promo trailer for the new animated series.

The official website is now up as well. The series is centered around, who else? Hal Jordan. But in the clip we get looks at Salaak, the Guardians, Kilowog and…I couldn’t make out who the last one was. Regardless I’m really wondering how the series is going to do now that the film didn’t hit as big as they would have liked. Although, this show is obviously aimed at a entirely different demographic so you never know.

I saw a preview of the series at New York Comic Con last year and it’s definitely different than any of the other Warner Bros. animated series. It’s 3-D computer generated animation which puts me off a bit because I’m such a fan of their classic techniques but I’ll watch it regardless because there’s going to be Red Lanterns. Bruce Timm also mentioned the inspiration for the animation on the series was from Pixar’s The Incredibles and that he wasn’t worried about the success or failure of the film affecting the television show. You can read more details from the panel here.

The series will premiere on Cartoon Network later this year and stars Josh Keaton as Hal, Michael Clark Duncan as Kilowog (same as in the live-action film), Richard Green as Sinestro and Robert Englund as Hector Hammond.

TALES OF MR. RHEE is from . . .
Dirk Manning (Writer)
Josh Ross (Artist)
Austin McKinley (Colors)
Jim Reddington (Letters)
Image Comics/Shadowline (Publisher/Overlord)

One of the most successful “genre” screenwriters is looking to adapt one of the most critically acclaimed series of the past decade to TV, Deadline reports.

David S. Goyer, who has credits from Dark City to Blade to The Dark Knight, is attached to write and produce a 100 Bullets series for Showtime. Goyer’s most recent TV work was ABC’s FlashForward, which ran for one season. Given the series’ status as a Vertigo/DC property, Warner Bros. TV is producing.

100 Bullets spanned 100 issues from 1999 to 2009, all by writer Brian Azzarello and artist Eduardo Risso (currently working on the Flashpoint tie-in Batman: Knight of Vengeance). There have been light rumors of a 100 Bullets TV series in the past, and work had started on a video game adaptation, which has been stalled in development hell for years.

The Powers casting news keeps coming, with Deadline revealing Monday that British actress Lucy Punch has been cast as female lead Deena Pilgrim in the FX pilot.

Punch, 33, is probably best known to genre fans from her role in Edgar Wright’s 2007 film Hot Fuzz. Mostly seen in comedic roles, Punch has past US TV experience as part of the ensemble cast of the short-lived CBS sitcom The Class, and is co-starring in Bad Teacher, out this coming Friday. In February, Battlestar Galactica’s Katee Sackhoff made her interest in the role public via Twitter; a month later she was announced as the female lead in the A&E pilot Longmire.

Punch joins Bailee Madison, cast as Calista last week, and Charles S. Dutton as Captain Cross — the first cast announcement, made back in May. The role of male lead Christian Walker, Pilgrim’s homicide detective partner, has yet to be cast, though it was reported in March that FX was interested in Friday Night Lights and Super 8 star Kyle Chandler for the role.

Last week, Brian Michael Bendis, co-creator of the Powers comic book series and an executive producer on the television series, told Newsarama that the pilot should be filming in a few weeks.

A thought occurred to me while reading David Brothers’ latest Digital Comics column over at Comics Alliance: Why do I think of digital comics as impulse buys?

I have bought my fair share of comics from ComiXology, as well as Marvel and DC’s individual apps, so it’s not like I don’t really use digital comics – but, for whatever reason, I think of them as some kind of “Well, I didn’t want this enough to buy it when I was at the store, but I’m kind of curious about it, and it’s only $1.99, so what’s the harm” way. It’s not intentional, and I know it’s not even vaguely intelligent, but it’s there: For some reason, digital comics seem less valuable or worthwhile than print comics, and so they’re something I tend to buy in addition to my regular store visit, not instead of.

(For example: I didn’t buy the recent Static Shock book at the store, but I did buy it through the DC app – for exactly the same price. I have no idea why, other than the fact that somehow, it seemed less of a big deal to do so.)

Am I alone in that? I wonder if, instead of print readers switching predominantly to digital (as has been discussed in the past, often in a “oh noes, we hope this doesn’t happen!” sense), the majority of customers in the current Direct Market set-up are going to remain firmly print, with digital becoming a parallel, second market. And so, I put it to you, dear readers: Do you buy digital comics – Please note the word “buy,” there; I’m not interested in your pirating habits – and if so, do you buy them in addition to, or instead of, print comics from the store? And, depending on your answer, why or why not?

Mention of Andy Diggle’s new Marvel project over in the latest Talk To The Hat column at CBR made me wonder about the way in which Marvel tends to view writers when it comes to exclusive contracts. Diggle’s new project, Six Guns, which Tom Brevoort describes as “a contemporary action-adventure thriller set within the Marvel Universe — along the lines of something like Andy’s ‘The Losers,’ but with a bit more of a super-heroic bent to it,” sounds – not to put too fine a point on it – like an Andy Diggle comic, something he’d be so much more comfortable writing than, say, Daredevil or Thunderbolts. That’s not to say that Diggle can’t write well outside his comfort zone (Hey, I liked his Adam Strange series from years back), but looking at his body of work to date, there’s not a lot that immediately says “Sign me up for an exclusive contract and put me on superhero books where I will turn your tortured blind superheroes into demon-possessed murderers,” is there? (more…)

If Bleeding Cool is to be believed, Marvel Comics is planning on returning to the newsstands in a big way – but, this time, it’s the newsstands of stores like Barnes and Nobles and Hastings:

I understand that they are launching a massive amount of new ongoing titles for this market, that will anthologize existing material and flood the growing market. The titles I have so far are Marvel Adventures, Marvel Chronicles, Marvel Classics, Marvel Essentials, Marvel Family, Marvel Heroes, Marvel Icons, Marvel Initiative, Marvel Knights, Marvel Legends, Marvel Milestones, Marvel Power, Marvel Redux, Marvel Select, Marvel Silver, Marvel Spotlight, Marvel Techno and Marvel Wonders.

Firstly: That has to be a list of potential titles, right? That’s eighteen different titles, and no matter how many comics bookstores can shift, I doubt the market is really ready for eighteen different reprint series, especially ones with such similar names (Am I the only person that thinks that “Marvel Classics,” “Marvel Essentials” and “Marvel Milestones” all pretty much sound like three different titles for the same idea?).

Secondly: Rich suggests that each series will cost around $3.99 and reprint two “regular” issues, which seems like good value for money, but does make me wonder what issues will be reprinted, and how far behind the regular books they’ll run – Because, at what point is something close enough to the “new” stuff and cheap enough that readers upset about the $3.99 price point per regular issue make the jump to waiting 6 months, say, for the half-price reprints?

Thirdly: Marvel Techno is a terrible, terrible title, and I really hope that someone makes them realize that before it launches, if it ever launches.

It’s an interesting idea, though, and it’ll be fascinating to see if this attempt to grow the industry is as successful, more successful, or completely separated from DC’s attempt to use digital as the new newsstand. Here’s hoping for an official announcement soon, and a fun few months as all of these new programs get started…

Update, Monday: Box Office Mojo has updated their estimate to $53.2 million for the weekend.

Update, Sunday: Looks like the negative reviews (and/or possible poor word of mouth) might have ended up hurting Green Lantern after all, with estimates placing the film at $52.7 million for the weekend according to Box Office Mojo, behind this year’s openings of both X-Men: First Class ($55.1m) and Thor ($65.7m).

According to Deadline.com, that’s a 21 percent drop from Friday to Saturday. Deadline goes on to speculate the reasons behind Green Lantern‘s performance, even mentioning co-producer — and superstar comic book writer/DC chief creative officer — Geoff Johns, saying, “he’s respected but also controversial in some quarters.” The site surmises that “the problem sounds like it was filmmaking by committee,” and that director Martin Campbell is the likely studio scapegoat.

Green Lantern‘s get a tough rough ahead, with Cars 2 opening next weekend, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon a few days after that. A similar performance to Watchmen, also based on a DC Comic, could be seen as a potential worst case scenario — that movie opened with $55.m, making one-fifth of its ultimate gross on its opening day, and more than half of its cumulative total in its first weekend, for a sum of $107.5m domestic.

X-Men: First Class came in at No. 4 for the weekend, bringing in $11.5m for a $119.9m total. In its seventh week of release, Thor slipped out of the top 10, coming in at No. 11 with $1.1m added to a $176.1m total.

Original Story: Bad reviews — culminating in a dismal 24 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes — didn’t keep Green Lantern from achieving at the box office on its first day of release, ending up with a $21.6 million Friday according to Box Office Mojo.

That puts it on track for a $60m opening weekend, better than X-Men: First Class ($55.1m) but below Thor ($65.7m). Speaking of X-Men: First Class, it’s hanging tough at No. 4 after Friday, and Thor — on its way out of theaters at this point — has slipped to No. 12.

Given Green Lantern’s massive budget — rumored to be as high as $300 million including marketing — the true test for the film will be how it holds over into its second weekend, where it’ll be up against Pixar’s Cars 2.

We’ll update with weekend studio estimates on Sunday. Want plenty more Green Lantern coverage? Head over here.

Maybe I’m showing off my own fanboy nature a little bit too much here, but: Yes please. I’m not a massive Trekkie/Trekker, but I really liked the JJ Abrams reboot, and tend to like IDW’s Trek comics for the most part (Especially underrated, weirdly enough, are the John Byrne series. Who knew?), so the idea of a continuation of the movie written by Mike Johnson under the careful eye of movie screenwriter Bob Orci seems like a very good one indeed, even if I’m unsure about the idea of the storylines adapting episodes of the original television series.

It does make me wonder, though: Is Star Trek the oldest comics adaptation outside of Disney still running? There were plenty of cross-media comics before Trek, of course, but does Trek outlast all of them? I’m trying to work out if things like The Lone Ranger or Warlord of Mars count, considering their lengthy hiatuses, unlike Trek, which has been fairly continuously published in comics since, when, the late 1960s? Help me out in the comments here, please: What comic adaptations are older than Trek, but still being published?

It goes against conventional comic wisdom, I know, but I really, really like the Superman/Lois Lane marriage, and it makes me a little sad knowing that it’s likely disappearing come September. It might dump the classic love triangle aspect of the mythos – Clark loves Lois, but Lois loves Superman… who is actually Clark Is Your Mind Blown Yet etc. – but, for me, it replaces it with something that’s worth more: A Superman who’s not continually lying to the woman he’s in love with. (more…)