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Friday, July 25

SDCC: Disney renews deal with Stan Lee

July 24th, 2008
Author Kevin Melrose

Stan Lee

Disney has renewed its first-look deal with Stan Lee’s POW Entertainment.

As part of the two-year agreement, which covers TV, movies, games and other media, Disney has greenlit Time Jumper for distribution across multiple platforms.

The project revolves around an agent of a secret government organization called H.U.N.T. — Heroes United, Noble and True — who has a cell phone that doubles as a time machine. When his brother is lost in time, the agent must find him before a criminal cartel does.

Disney Interactive Media Group’s Disney Online and Disney Publishing Worldwide also will develop their own content based on Time Jumper. A comic is planned, too.

Lee set up three other projects with Disney in April: Blaze, Nick Ratchet and Tigress.

 
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SDCC: Wildstorm gets Mirror’s Edge comic

July 24th, 2008
Author Kevin Melrose

Mirror's Edge

Wildstorm moved further into licensed comics as Electronic Arts announced today at Comic-Con that the DC imprint will produce a limited series based on the upcoming Mirror’s Edge video game.

The first-person action-adventure game features moves inspired by parkour and free running as the playable character Faith moves through a mirrored city, trafficking packages for the criminal underworld while trying to free her sister from a corrupt government.

The six-issue miniseries is written by Rhianna Pratchett, who wrote the game’s script, and illustrated by Matthew Dow Smith. The book will introduce Faith and her fellow “Runners.”

The first issue is being distributed at Comic-Con.

Related: The Los Angeles Times looks at EA’s first comic-book miniseries Dead Space, which launched in March.

 
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Comic-Con: the story so far

July 24th, 2008
Author Kevin Melrose

Comic-Con

Although Wednesday morning began with a flurry of movie options, the big news from Comic-Con International’s “Day 0″ came from comics publishers. And curiously, two of the announcements involved crime fiction.

DC Comics teased next summer’s launch of Vertigo Crime, a “subimprint” devoted to mystery and crime stories. The line, headed by Will Dennis, will debut with titles from 100 Bullets writer Brian Azzarello and Scottish crime novelist Ian Rankin. More details are expected today.

Not to be outdone, IDW Publishing opened Preview Night with a press conference announcing that Darwyn Cooke (DC: The New Frontier) will adapt Richard Stark’s first four Parker novels as a series of graphic novels. The first title is expected in late 2009.

Going in a decidedly different direction, BOOM! Studios announced a deal for it to produce a line of comics and graphic novels based on Disney/Pixar and Muppet properties. The first title, a four-issue Incredibles series, will be written by Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid and debut next year. Cooke will provide the cover art.

Other convention-related announcements:

• Wildstorm has acquired the comics rights to Summit Entertainment’s upcoming action-thriller Push. The DC imprint will release a six-issue prequel, by Marc Bernardin, Adam Freeman and Bruno Redondo, with covers by Jock.

• Cartoon Network will produce animated movies based on Phil Hester’s Firebreather and Mike Avon Oeming and Bryan Glass’ The Mice Templar, both from Image. The cable network also is adapting Chuck Dixon’s IDW title The Vanishers as a live-action film.

• Writer Ed Brubaker (Captain America, Criminal) has teamed with White Rock Lake Productions to produce Angel of Death, a live-action series for Crackle.com, Sony Picture Entertainment’s online-video network. The weekly crime/revenge series will debut next year.

• Warner Bros. will release a pair of downloadable Watchmen video games, with more installments possible.

• And that flurry of movie news? Warner Bros. snapped up the rights to Rob Liefeld’s forthcoming Capeshooters, for Bryan Singer to produce. Hancock director Peter Berg will develop Hercules: The Thracian Wars, based on the Radical Publishing miniseries. Jenna Dewan and Luke Goss will star in an adaptation of Top Cow’s The Magdalena. And Summit grabbed Virgin Comics’ one-shot The Leaves.

You can follow our complete Comic-Con coverage here.

 
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More DC Universe Online screenshots

July 23rd, 2008
Author Kevin Melrose

Green Lantern vs. Sinestro, from "DC Universe Online"

Just in time for Comic-Con, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Sony Online Entertainment have released a slew of screenshots for DC Universe Online, the upcoming massively multiplayer online game. Convention attendees will be able to test-drive the game as part of effort by the producers to gather feedback.

Related: Jim Lee discusses the game

 
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Watchmen games will be downloadable

July 23rd, 2008
Author Kevin Melrose

Watchmen

Instead of producing a traditional video game tie-in, Warner Bros. is producing downloadable games based on its Watchmen adaptation.

Variety reports that Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will publish at least two game episodes, the first hitting around the time of the movie’s release in March, and the second near the DVD launch:

WBIE execs said that by producing shorter downloadable games, rather than a full-priced disc version, they’ll have more flexibility to produce high-quality titles on a tight production schedule of just more than a year.

If successful, Warner Bros. could produce additional installments, and follow the model for future films.

The likely M-rated Watchmen game is being made by Danish developer Deadline Games, and will be available for download on PCs, Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360.

Related: MTV.com has previewed the game

 
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The Lightning Round

July 23rd, 2008
Author Chris Mautner

Spirit

Sam Thielman notes DC has completed its run of Eisner’s The Spirit, and takes a look at the history of the character.

– Chris Arrant looks at The Foundation.

– The LA Times is blogging about comics, though they seem to be mainly focusing on the movie spin-offs.

Being Batman ain’t cheap.

Here’s a video interview with Gary Panter.

And here’s one with Wendy Pini.

– Tim O’Shea talks with Bob Greenberger about The Essential Batman Encyclopedia.

Take a look at the JLU Question figure.

– Looks like they might be doing a The Dark Knight video game after all.

“The Secret Origin of Omake!!!”

Compiled by JK and Chris.

 
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Screenshots revealed for Wanted game

July 22nd, 2008
Author Kevin Melrose

From the "Wanted" video game

Gameinfowire.com has screenshots from the Wanted video game, due later this year from Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

The third-person action game, which picks up where the movie leaves off, features moves like “curving bullets” and “Assassin Time.”

 
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MK vs. DCU hands on report from E3

July 17th, 2008
Author JK Parkin

Flash belts Sonya

Mike Schramm at Joystiq got the chance to play a little bit of Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe during the big E3 event this week:

The game looks really nice so far, but “so far” is the operative phrase there — the game is far from done. There are only six fighters in the game we played: Flash, Superman and Batman represent the comic book side, while Scorpion, Sub-zero, and Sonya are in from the MK series. Catwoman, Sheng Tsung, Captain Marvel, and Liu Kang have been announced as well, but Lebaron told us that Midway probably won’t have your favorite character Zatanna in the game — he says they’re sticking pretty mainstream with their character choices for now. And unfortunately, they don’t have full access to the DC Universe. “We can’t do Bizarro as an alternate costume to Superman,” he said as an example, “there are licensing things to deal with.” But the benefit there is that by sticking to the mainstream DC superheroes, they can make sure to get all the standard moves in there, and a few more.

Character shots for Catwoman, Flash, Sonya Blade and Sheng Tsung can be found after the jump.

(more…)

 
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San Diego Bound: Dark Horse, Pop Candy and more!

July 16th, 2008
Author JK Parkin

I should have done one of these yesterday, but I didn’t and now I’m paying for it. So this one is going to be extra long. In this addition: a Pop Candy meet-up, Entertainment Weekly’s awesome panel schedule, Dark Horse signing schedule with extra Whedon, Electronic Arts, 007, Michael Golden, the BBC, free WiFi, Knight Rider and much more!

As always, you can send me your con activities any time between now and when it starts, and I’ll post them here.

*****

The Comic-Con website says the show will offer free WiFi this year, sponsored by the movie Eagle Eye:

Free Wi-Fi at Comic-Con!
Dreamworks Pictures’ Eagle Eye, starring Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan, is proud to be the official sponsor of Comic-Con Free Wi-Fi. Be sure to see Eagle Eye, in theaters September 26th.

Free Wi-Fi is available in all areas of the Convention Center except the Exhibit Hall.

*****

Attack of the Pop Candy Meetup!

Whitney Matheson at USA Today’s Pop Candy blog is hosting a meetup in San Diego on the Saturday of the con. You can find more details on the meetup — as well as the really sweet promotional artwork Keith Simmons painted (pictured above — over on Pop Candy.

(more…)

 
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Wanted: The Game due later this year

July 16th, 2008
Author JK Parkin

Wanted

So why was there no video game to tie in with the release of the Wanted film? Dunno if there’s a good answer to that question, beside “It just wasn’t ready yet.” Per a press release today, Universal does have a game in production — and have since early 2007 — that’s due later this year.

You can check out the complete release after the jump.

(more…)

 
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Quick hits from E3

July 16th, 2008
Author JK Parkin

The Joker

E3, the big video game show, is going on in L.A. this week (which is why we’ve had new trailers over the last few days). Here’s a quick rundown of news and tidbits from the show:

– Joystiq has a report up from the Activision panel at E3, which included licensed games for Wolverine:Origins, Quantum of Solace and the next Transformers movie, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows and the second Ultimate Alliances game, Fusion:

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Fusion. The “fusion” is a mixture of character’s powers for even better powers. Cue trailer. Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Wolverine, Spider-man. “An astonishing number of powers.” Iron Man starts to combine his laser beams with the Invisible Woman’s forcefield. But we don’t see what happens next … and it’s going to kill us not to know.

– ComicMix covers the premiere of DC Universe Online. Jim Lee attended and spoke about his love for video games:

“When I was a kid, my parents wanted me to become a doctor and follow in my father’s footsteps. Meanwhile, I wanted to read comic books, and even started my own comic book line. As far as my other obsession? I remain an avid gamer today. Hooked on MMOs and even started playing Everquest on launch day. I was the first Paladin to get Fire Avenger.”

– MTV reports on Sony’s God of War III announcement. (Wohoo!)

– And speaking of Sony, they also announced a Playstation 2 bundle that would include Lego Batman and the New Frontier DVD. And even though the PS3 is out, they still plan to release 130 games in 2008.

You can find video of the Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony press conferences, as well as a whole lot more content, on the official E3 website.

 
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DC Universe Online trailer

July 15th, 2008
Author JK Parkin

Like the Ultimate Alliance 2 trailer I posted earlier, this is coming out of the big E3 video game show in New York Los Angeles. Unlike the Ultimate Alliance trailer, this has a lot more to it …

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Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2: Fusion trailer

July 15th, 2008
Author JK Parkin

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Lego Batman site is now up

July 15th, 2008
Author Chris Mautner

Batman and Robin

With trailers and gee-gaws galore. Here’s what the press release had to say:

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is pleased to announce the launch of the official LEGO Batman: The Videogame website and the brand new game trailer!

The LEGO Batman: The Videogame website is a portal to the heart of Gotham City. Choose your side — Hero or Villain — as you explore the streets of Gotham and uncover the city’s secrets. Visitors will find a collection of screenshots and videos, as well information on many of Gotham’s notorious criminals and brave heroes. Dig a little further and you will find all-new and exclusive downloads, such as customizable wallpapers, desktop widgets and screensavers.

 
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San Diego Bound: Mattel, Capcom, Hiro Mashima and more

July 14th, 2008
Author JK Parkin

We’re just a little more than a week away from the San Diego Comic-Con. Last night the meters measuring how many badges they had left were getting dangerously close to being sold out, so I imagine they’ll be gone soon.

Also, the official signing schedule is up … these are the signings that the con arranges and puts in the special autograph area, so it doesn’t include all the signings they’ll be having at booths on the floor.

If you’re a creator, publisher, company or any other entity that’s exhibiting at the San Diego Comic-Con, there’s still time to send in your update. I’ll likely be doing these reports right up until the show starts. So send’em on over.

*****

Lobo

Mattel will have several folks signing at their booth during the convention, including Keith Giffen, who will be signing the exclusive Lobo figure they’ll have at the show:

–Four Horsemen (Jim Preziosi, Eric “Cornboy” Mayse, Eric Treadaway and Chris Dahlberg) - Famous action figure sculptors, responsible for Mattel’s DC Universe Classics and Masters of the Universe action figures (Thursday – Saturday, 1 p.m.)
–Keith Giffen - Appearing courtesy of DC Comics, creator of “Lobo” (Thursday and Friday, 2 p.m.)
–Frank Varela – Mattel Graphic/Concept artist (Thursday and Saturday, 11 a.m.)
–Emiliano Santalucia - Cover artist on the recent Masters of the Universe animated series (Thursday and Saturday, 3 p.m.)
–Brandt Peters and Kathie Olivias - Husband/Wife team, VW Bus Artists (Friday, 3 p.m.)
–Greg Smikins - VW Bus Artist (Saturday, 2 p.m.)
–Mattel Executives - Available for interviews regarding Hot Wheels® and much more (throughout show)

(more…)

 
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Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe trailer

July 13th, 2008
Author JK Parkin

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MK vs. DCU screen shots: Now with more Catwoman

July 8th, 2008
Author JK Parkin

Mortal Kombat vs. DCU

Via joystiq come several new screen shots from the upcoming Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe game … which will include Catwoman, as shown above.

 
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More Ivy, Bruce Wayne from LEGO Batman

July 8th, 2008
Author Kevin Melrose

Poison Ivy and Bruce Wayne, from "LEGO Batman: The Video Game"

EW.com had the first glimpse last week of Poison Ivy and Bruce Wayne from the upcoming LEGO Batman: The Video Game, but now Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has released screenshots of both characters. GayGamer has more.

The game is set to debut in September.

 
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Zero Punctuation takes on Webcomics

July 3rd, 2008
Author Chris Mautner

If you were to ask me who my favorite critic of the moment was, I’d probably answer Yahtzee Crowshaw, the snarky, rapid-fire voice and wacom tablet behind Zero Punctuation, a weekly animated video that viciously dissects various video games.

This being a comic book blog, I haven’t had much opportunity or cause to link to any of Yahtzee’s hilariously insightful videos. Now I finally do, as he takes to task the “plague” of gaming Webcomics that currently sprawl across the Internet. Merriment at the expense of others ensues.

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