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…)

On Keith Olberman’s news show, Countdown on MSNBC, Olberman portrays Fox chief Rupert Murdoch with a pirate accent whenever reading quotes from the Chairman of News Corp. It’s a less than flattering portrayal of the Australian born businessman, playing up his Aussie roots rather than, say, anything nefarious about the man.

Well…maybe not.

According to an upcoming wrongful termination suit to be filed this week, Roger Friendman, who was fired for reviewing Wolverine after downloading an illegal copy off of the internet, claims that the film was on the web in the first place due to Murdoch.

As reported by the Daily News’ Rush & Molloy, Friedman’s attorney Martin Garbus said that Murdoch asked the studio to make him a copy of the unfinished film and, “Apparently, someone made another copy for themselves,” says Garbus.

Nikki Finke offered up her own version of the rumor, reporting that “Murdoch was anxious to bring the film on board his yacht and asked 20th Century Fox to make a copy for him. But then Murdoch had outside people do it, and that’s how the film leaked onto the web.” Although Finke noted that sources have told her that Murdoch saw a rough cut on the Fox lot moths before the film appeared online.

While Friedman was (very) publically fired over the Wolverine review and resultant flap, another angle on his firing says that it had more to do with Scientology and less to do with a pirated copy of Wolverine.

As Rush & Molloy report, Fox News’ Roger Ailes was under pressure to fire Friedman by Kelly Preston, Tom Cruise and other members of the Church of Scientology due to his columns and reports critical of Scientology. Reportedly, Cruise made Friedman’s firing a condition of agreeing to co-star in the upcoming Wichita with Cameron Diaz.

Both Preston and Crusise’s attorneys have denied Friedman’s claims, pointing out that Friedman was fired days after his Wolverine review.

So yeah – all those changes in Superman’s world and Batman’s world, huh? Mon-el, Dick as Batman, Chris back as Nightwing, Superwoman, Batwoman, Red Robin, Superboy and more. You’d think that these two “families” of heroes would at least get a chance to recognize the changes in the other, wouldn’t you?

Well, you’d be right. In this quick preview of today’s Dan DiDio: 20 Answers and 1 Question, we’ve got the scoop on the World’s Finest miniseries. Here’s the excerpt:

Newsarama: Dan, the Batman books will be going through their expansion in June and July, which will pretty well cover the Batman Family in Gotham, and with Red Robin, around the world. But what about in regards to the rest of the DC Universe? When and where will we see Dick interacting with the rest of the DC Universe as Batman? When you’re talking about story potential, it seems that there’s tremendous potential the first time Batman walks into the JLA’s meeting room, and everyone’s left wondering for a minute as to who this guy in the cape and ears is…

Dan DiDio: There’s a good chance that Dick Grayson as Batman will be appearing in Justice League towards the latter part of the year, which will be a fun moment, especially with the changes that are in store for the League as the year progresses. On top of that, we’re also doing a four-part miniseries for the back half of the year called World’s Finest where the changes in Batman’s world meet up with all the changes in Superman’s world. It won’t be a head-to-head Superman/Batman meeting, but everything that’s happening in those books right now will meet up.

Check back later today with the mothership for the full “20 Answers,” which covers Batman, news on the Red Circle expansion, and much more.

We’ve been following DC’s releases of teaser images for its upcoming J. Michael Straczynski-helmed revival of the Red Circle characters, with both The Shield and Inferno, and today, it’s time for one of the more iconic heroes from the line: The Hangman.

The initial design work below is by J.G. Jones, while the DC Blog, The Source, has the cover to The Hangman’s issue by Jesus Saiz.

While “The Hangman” has been a popular name for characters since his introduction (both Marvel and DC have characters with the same name), this Hangman is a fairly vengeful hero (you rarely name yourself after an executioner if you don’t follow through with it). If you think it would be hard to have a character going by the name “Hangman” without having a violence-riddled origin story, you’re right. Brother of John Dickering (The Comet), Bob Dickering was kidnapped by gangsters, thinking that he was The Comet. John came to rescue and was killed, and Bob swore vengeance against all criminals and took on the name “The Hangman.”

And yep – DC is promising a look at The Web later today.

In case you missed it on the mothership earlier this morning, at this weekend’s “Mondo Marvel” panel at the FX International show, June’s Amazing Spider-Man #600 (that’s an “American Son” teaser on the left – it’s the storyline that leads to #600) will clock in at about 104 pages of all new material (60 pages from Dan Slott and John Romita Jr., Stan Lee and the full compliment of web-heads) for $4.99.

As the report from the panel reads:

The next question concerned the upcoming “Spider-Man: American Son” and what creators would be involved in that story. Jim said that no one on the panel was involved, but that he did have some knowledge about the story. He confirmed that it is a Dark Reign tie-in, heavily involving the Iron Patriot and Norman Osborn, as well as a new hero for Spider-Man’s world. It’s going to be a five part story, starting with Amazing Spider-Man #595 and leading up to #600. The panel reminded readers to remember that in the world of the Dark Reign, new heroes don’t necessarily mean good guys. Issue #600 of Amazing Spider-Man will be a huge, massive issue. According to the panel, Marvel is doing something that no one has done before, which is to do a super-sized issue that has a 60-page lead story written by Dan Slott and drawn by John Romita, Jr. In addition to that, there will be numerous 5-page stories by the rest of the Spider-Man writers. Then, also, there will be a 10-page story from Stan Lee himself. It will be a 104-page comic of all new material for only $4.99, and the story will thrust Spider-Man into his next year. And for those who have been wondering, “American Son” will answer the question of how Spider-Man reacts to having his greatest nemesis running the country.

Spider-Man readers, you are on notice. You’ve got a little over a month to whip those noodle arms into shape.

This has not been Photoshopped.

In front – Marvel’s Free Comic Book Day The Avengers book. Behind it, DC’s Free Comic Book Day Blackest Night #0.

Marvel’s book measures roughly 9 and 3/8″ by 6 and 1/8″. DC’s, is standard comic book size at 10″ by 6 and 1/2″. For comparison’s sake, Marvel’s trim size isn’t as small as promotional comics that would come with action figures. In fact, it’s towards a digest size, but a little bigger.

It’s hard to fault anyone here – Free Comic Book Day calls on publishers to provide comics (in The Avengers case, by top creators, Brian Bendis and Jim Cheung) at minimal cost to retailers, and in this economy and market, everyone is looking to minimize costs.

What will be interesting to watch though, will be the reaction to the new trim by fans. Yes, there will be those who will fret that it won’t fit in a bag, but at the same time…the different size isn’t entirely unattractive.

As someone who grew up in the country, I grew up drinking milk. Not milk, but MILK, as in, go up the road to the farm, pay the lady whose husband was still out in the fields at 6:00 pm, and get the bottles of milk that were filled about 15 minutes earlier from the big tank, which itself was filled, earlier in the day, from the cows.

When we’d later drink the milk, you always had to shake it, otherwise, you’d only pour the cream off the top. My father had heart bypass surgery when he was 49, but I don’t think that’s connected.

All of that said, I grew up drinking what would now be considered whole milk – something that’s nearly illegal in the supermarkets of today – and I never, ever had a milk mustache that was as thick and clingy as the ones in the “Got Milk?” ads.

Which, by the way, Hugh Jackman has done for Wolverine. (more…)

Disclaimer – I don’t think about this stuff all that much, but this one stuck me as odd. And no, that’s really not Black Canary’s hand talking a la Cartman’s in South Park with Ben Affleck.

Quick – name the one thing that characterized Marvel’s Hank Pym for years – decades even.

Right the first time – he hit his wife, Janet Pym. In anger. It was a pretty horrible thing when it happened, and its echoes got worse and worse. In his (limited) defense – he did have mental problems. But yet – that domestic abuse reverberated, and was often used as the short-hand characterization for Hank, while being the “thing she had to get over” or otherwise motivation for some of Janet’s stories and character development.

That was in the early ‘80s.

Fast forward to the next century. Last week, as a matter of fact, Justice League of America #31. Fourth page. Black Canary sucker punches her husband in the face in front of a witness (Green Lantern). Now let’s break this down a little more – she’s a trained martial artist – one of the deadliest in the world. He’s a man in prime physical condition who is knocked down by the hit. When he tries to joke it off, she threatens him with “Don’t make me smack you again.”

Her reason for hitting him? “Embarrassing me.”

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Opening dates for hundred million dollar-plus films are very important things, and studios must take many, many things into consideration when it comes to scheduling their opening dates. Production schedules and actor availability must be checked and rechecked.

And, apparently, in the case of Paramount scheduling Transformers 3, triple-checking with your director.

Yesterday, Newsarama reported that Paramount had scheduled the release of Transformers 3 for July 1, 2011.

It’s starting to look like the guy who was supposed to triple check that date with director Michael Bay was out as the news from the studio was being finalized. According to Michael Bay, posting on his official website, he agreed to Transformers 3 hitting July of 2012, not 2011.

Bay wrote:

“I said I was taking off a year from Transformers. Paramount made a mistake in dating Transformers 3 – they asked me on the phone – I said yes to July 4 – but for 2012 – whoops! Not 2011!!! That would mean I would have to start prep in September. No way. My brain needs a break from fighting robots.

Michael”

As far as casting for Marvel’s big-screen version of Thor (directed by Kenneth Branagh) goes, it’s still wide open.

Or is it?

Last week, we reported that True Blood’s Alexander Skarsgård was spotted having lunch with Branagh, and since, Josh Harnett has been bandied about as a possibility for either Loki or Thor.

Now, Nikki Finke, who has a pretty respectable batting average for the Hollywood rumor scene, says that there’s a strong push to cast an unknown as Thor, but that a handful of actors – along with Hartnett – are being tested for the role. The actors named by Finke include: Charlie Hunnam (Sons Of Anarchy), Tom Hiddleston (HBO’s The Gathering Storm), Skarsgard, Liam Hemsworth and a Swedish-American actor, Joel Kinnaman.

And a highlight of Finke’s casting rumors – Natalie Portman being cast as the female lead. Whether that means Sif or someone else is unknown.

Related: Blog@’s Asgardians Casting Call

Ah, the promotional tour for the last project. Is there any better time to start dropping hints about the next project in order to let fans know that stars are still working?

Nope.

The latest case in point, while promoting the DVD release of Cadillac Records, Columbus Short told Blackfilm.com that he will be playing the role of Pooch in the film adaptation of Vertigo’s The Losers. Jeffrey Dean Morgan (he of Watchmen Comedian fame) will be playing Clay.

Sylvain White is directing the film based on a script by James Vanderbilt (after a first pass by Peter Berg). Joel Silver’s Dark Castle Entertainment is financing the film, with Silver, Akiva Goldsman and Kerry Foster named as producers. Given the story, the film will be an ensemble piece.

An acclaimed series, The Losers was published under DC’s vertigo imprint and told the story of an elite CIA black ops team that is set up and marked for death by its handlers. The team barely survives the attack, and set out to get even against those who wished them dead. Clay is the leader of the team, with the other members going by the names Roque, Jensen, Cougar, Aisha and Pooch.

 And of course, there’s nothing geeky about using a homophone (words spelled differently, but sound the same – yes, your English teacher is ashamed you forgot) to “re-name” your brand…

In a move that will further embolden its critics who claim that Sci Fi is far more “Fi” than “Sci,” and sometimes not “Sci Fi” at all, the network has announced that it will be changing its official name from “Sci Fi” to SyFy – in order not to seem so geek-oriented. David Howe will make the announcement at a network upfront today in New York.

From TV Week:

“The name Sci Fi has been associated with geeks and dysfunctional, antisocial boys in their basements with video games and stuff like that, as opposed to the general public and the female audience in particular,” said TV historian Tim Brooks, who helped launch Sci Fi Channel when he worked at USA Network.

Mr. Brooks said that when people who say they don’t like science fiction enjoy a film like “Star Wars,” they don’t think it’s science fiction; they think it’s a good movie.

“We spent a lot of time in the ’90s trying to distance the network from science fiction, which is largely why it’s called Sci Fi,” Mr. Brooks said. “It’s somewhat cooler and better than the name ‘Science Fiction.’ But even the name Sci Fi is limiting.”

Mr. Howe said going to Syfy will make a difference.

Though 2008 was the network’s best year ever, the network’s management had the feeling that the name was holding it back. 300 possibilities were considered before “SyFy” was selected. The changeover to the new name is slated to take place July 7th, in conjunction with the debut of the network’s new series, Warehouse 13.

Looking to spin off his success with genre films into something bigger and longer lasting, Variety has announced that Watchmen co-writer David Hayter has joined forced with producer Benedict Carver to form Dark Hero Studios, “a company that will generate film, TV, Internet and vidgame projects in the action, sci-fi and horror genres” – this last according to the trade.

While Hayter will be making his directorial debut shortly with the werewolf film, Slaughter’s Road through Carver’s Crystal Sky Productions, the Dark Hero slate willkick off with Demonology, written by Hayter. Later projects will focus on graphic novel, comic book, and videogame properties, as well as original scripts for film treatment. Sarah Freudeman will be Dark Hero’s director of development.

Hayter described Demonology (based on his experiences at an international high school in Japan) as “It’s about an American kid who goes to one of these schools in Belgium, but it brings my own horrible experiences of school to life.”

Hayter also has writing credits for X-Men, X2, and The Scorpion King.

via: Variety

Headed to San Francisco for Wonder Con next weekend? Have experience writing? Looking to make a bit of money?

Can you see where this is going?

Newsarama is looking for a few writers to help with the lifting on covering panels at Wonder Con. Responsibilities would include covering panels and writing up what happened in a clear and coherent manner. Writing experience is a must. This is a paid position.

If you’re interested and are looking for the adventure of covering comic book, movie and television panels, please write Matt Brady a note at mbrady@imaginova.com

Thanks!

Watching the casting news and rumors for upcoming Marvel films is not for the faint of heart.

Or those who get motion sick easily.

According to New York Magazine’s Vulture column, Mickey Rourke isn’t looking like a lock for Iron Man 2. “Right now, we’re not doing Iron Man 2,” he told the column. Rourke was slated to appear as the film version of the comic book villain Whiplash – or the Crimson Dynamo.

For those keeping track at home, Rourke’s (as of now) departure from the film is the latest for the film, as Terrence Howard was replaced by Don Cheadle, and Samuel L. Jackson has hinted strongly that he will not be appearing in any future Marvel films as Nick Fury due to Marvel not bringing enough money to the table. The last time Rourke was in the news with Iron Man 2 was last month, when the odds-on favorite for the Best Actor Oscar reportedly turned down Marvel’s “lowball” offer of $250,000, according to Variety.

Most recently, Scarlett Johannson has been rumored to be joining the cast as the Black Widow, replacing Emily Blunt, who was at one time reported to be filling the role. Blunt withdrew from consideration, it should be noted, due to other work.

In more news of what’s apparently becoming the elephant in the room in regards to Marvel movies, Variety reported last night that Marvel Studios has offered Mickey Rourke $250,000 to play the “main villain” in Iron Man 2 – as the trade describes is, “a lowball opening offer” (emphasis on “opening,” as by all reports, Rourke has not walked from discussions.
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As Grant Morrison fans know, the writer is somewhat fond of the idea of travel back and forth between the real world and that which we create. He’s met characters from The Invisibles and other works, and has famously (or notoriously) inserted himself into comic projects he’s written, such as The Invisibles (he modeled King Mob after himself) and Animal Man. So – Grant Morrison writes DC’s Mr. Miracle, both as part of 7 Soldiers and Final Crisis, and what happens?

Apparently, we get a Mr. Miracle television series on Discovery Channel, with some advertising that’s…well, if not out and out a nod to classic Mr. Miracle iconography, it’s certainly evocative of it.

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Perhaps one of the most revered science fiction epics looks to be coming to the big screen, as Variety reported that Columbia has won the rights to Issac Asimov’s Foundation, and has tapped Roland Emmerich to direct. The film will be produced by Emmerich and Michael Wimer, his partner at his Centropolis production house.

The story of Foundation dates back to 1942, where a series of eight short stories by the master appeared. Asimov later developed the stories into a trilogy of novels (which collected and expanded upon the original stories): Foundation, Foundation and Empire and Second Foundation, published in 1951, 1952 and 1953, respectively. Asimov returned to the world in 1982 with Foundation’s Edge, and Foundation and Earth in 1983, and then wrote two prequels, Prelude to Foundation and Forward the Foundation in 1988 and 1993, respectively. Asimov later expanded the novels to connect to his other works, creating a coherent timeline from I, Robot to Foundation and Earth.

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more awesome than this.

That is all.

Okay, so the headline does elicit a “duh” from comic readers, but still, it bears repeating.

If you’ve already made your way through your holiday gift copy of Jess…er, Douglas Wolk’s Reading Comics, and are still jonesing for some literate comic book thinking and criticism, check out Michael Chabon’s latest book, Maps and Legends: reading and Writing Along the Borderlands, his first nonfiction book, which collects his essays on a variety of subjects, including a loving look at Howard Chaykin’s American Flagg! – “The Killer Hook: Howard Chaykin’s American Flagg!” – a version of the introduction he supplied for Dynamic Forces’ recent collection of issues #1-#14 of American Flagg!. It’s good, good stuff, and encapsulates in a way I’ll never be able to, why Flagg! is just so damn good, and should be recognized as the foundation (or at the very least, one of the pillars) that modern comics stand on, and why Chaykin should be a household name both within and without comics.

Also in Maps and Legends: a version of his Eisner 2004 Keynote in which he spoke about kid’s comics (and the way that everyone seems to get them wrong), his “Thoughts on the Death of Will Eisner,” “Fan Fictions: On Sherlock Holmes” and many more on subjects very familiar to comic book and genre fans. Topping it all off, or rather, covering it all up, a gorgeous Jordan Crane cover – or three covers, each showing a part of the scene (and the reason why the book is shrink-wrapped in your local Barnes & Noble).

A few more thoughts about Maps and Legends, which I can’t wait to read slowly:

1) It fits solidly in the category of what Alan Moore talked about with his ABC line of books way back when, of being a beautiful little object. Hold Maps and Legends in your hand, and tell me it just doesn’t feel…right.

2) I know I’m not the only one, but I’m tickled by the notion that someone who might come to this book due to Chabon’s literary prestige may come away from it with a hankering to find some American Flagg!. Normally, I hate the term “ambassador to comics,” but I think it applies here.

3) I still think (and some of this is colored by having met him) that Chabon does the high-wire act really well. Where many can come off with an amazingly condescending attitude towards comics and fans when they talk about them to an outside audience, Chabon comes across as your really smart friend who just digs comics, and isn’t ashamed about it.

4) This has nothing to do with Maps and Legends, but I will never, ever give up my autographed copy of Kavalier and Clay. Ever.

5) And while I’m off topic, I love how Chabon includes comic folk in his other works, like Chaykin and Mike Mignola providing spot illustrations for the McSweeny’s collections he edited, and getting Gary Gianni to do the same for Gentlemen of the Road.

6) Finally – Maps and Legends published by McSweeny’s, so the print run isn’t huge – and given that it’s an essay collection, orders probably weren’t that large either. It’s been out since May, so I’d recommend grabbing it when you see it.