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DC release details of Watchmen prequel

3 Feb

The biggest comic book news of the last 25 years. Say hello to Alan Moore’s worst nightmare, ladies and gentlemen—Before Watchmen.

In 1986, Alan Moore crafted his opus, Watchmen, in which he boldly brought superheroes into a real-world context. What he created was nothing short of one of the most important works of fiction analyzing the nature of man in the last 25 years. In short—it was and is arguably the greatest and smartest comic book ever made.

And now, against Moore’s better judgment, there’s going to be a sequel. Well, let’s strike that from the record. There’s going to be a prequel. Many people at DC have wanted this for a very long time, and perhaps none more than co-publishers, Dan Didio and Jim Lee. Their reason for the prequel is simple:

“It’s our responsibility as publishers to find new ways to keep all of our characters relevant. After twenty five years, the Watchmen are classic characters whose time has come for new stories to be told. We sought out the best writers and artists in the industry to build on the complex mythology of the original.”

Now, before we get into the ever-popular “Should a prequel even happen” debate, let’s talk turkey. Namely, what will the prequel consist of and who will be making them. Thankfully, DC hooked us up with the details. Here’s your breakdown.

Before Watchmen includes:

RORSCHACH (4 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: Lee Bermejo
MINUTEMEN (6 issues) – Writer/Artist: Darwyn Cooke
COMEDIAN (6 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: J.G. Jones
DR. MANHATTAN (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artist: Adam Hughes
NITE OWL (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artists: Andy and Joe Kubert
OZYMANDIAS (6 issues) – Writer: Len Wein. Artist: Jae Lee
SILK SPECTRE (4 issues) – Writer: Darwyn Cooke. Artist: Amanda Conner

Each week, a new issue will be released and will feature a two-page backup story called CURSE OF THE CRIMSON CORSAIR, written by original series editor Len Wein with art by original series colorist John Higgins. There will also be a single issue, BEFORE WATCHMEN: EPILOGUE, featuring the work of various writers and artists, and a CRIMSON CORSAIR story by Wein and Higgins.

That’s a veritable who’s who of DC’s finest. Especially surprising is the inclusion of former Watchmen editor Len Wein. It’s a real boon to the prequel that anyone from the original be involved. As for Watchmen’s co-creator and artist, Dave Gibbons, he at least gave the prequel his blessing. Well, sort of, anyway:

“The original series of Watchmen is the complete story that Alan Moore and I wanted to tell. However, I appreciate DC’s reasons for this initiative and the wish of the artists and writers involved to pay tribute to our work. May these new additions have the success they desire.”

Bit of a mixed bag there, honestly. That’s sort of like saying, “I can’t stop you from doing this thing you totally shouldn’t do. Oh, well. I hope you don’t #@*! it up.”

You’d be hard pressed, though, to find anyone who couldn’t see the potential here. After all, the world has changed quite a bit since 1986. At the very least, if Azzarello can nail Rorschach’s voice, it’ll be worth the price of admission.

DC previews ‘Superman: Earth One’ volume 2

8 Jan

DC Comics has released a preview of Superman: Earth One – Volume Two.

The publisher has announced that the follow-up to J Michael Straczynski and Shane Davis’s bestselling graphic novel will be released in 2012.

“The overwhelming success of volume one of Superman: Earth One – 37 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels – meant we had to ensure that Volume Two was even better,” Straczynski told The Source.

“Thematically, if Volume One was about Clark figuring out where he belongs, then Volume Two is about Superman trying to figure out where he belongs in all this, even as the world does the same at their end. How far can he push his power before he becomes something other than what he intended to become?

© DC Comics

“In the midst of all this Clark gets his first apartment, becoming entangled with a beautiful woman next door, Lois starts trying to figure out what it is about Clark that doesn’t add up, and a new and terrifyingly strong version of the Parasite is born from what was previously a serial killer.

“Volume Two is about power: its use and abuse, and its place in the world, to be used for good or for evil.”

DC revealed earlier in the week that Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s Batman: Earth One graphic novel would also debut this year.

The ‘Earth One’ series was originally announced in 2009, intended as a European-style story serialised in a series of original graphic novels.

Straczynski abandoned his work on DC’s monthly series last year to focus on Superman: Earth One.

Specific release dates for the two volumes have yet to be announced.

Concept Art : Sci-Fi Propaganda Posters ! Part 6/6

25 Sep

click to enlarge :

First picture of Henry Cavill As Superman :

4 Aug

Julia Ormond Could Play Superman’s Mother in ‘Superman:Man of Steel’

24 Jun

Just a week ago, it was revealed that producer Christopher Nolan and director Zack Snyder had picked Russell Crowe to play Jor-El, also known as Superman’s biological pop, in Man of Steel. Now comes word that they’re close to locking in the superhero’s real mother, too, with Julia Ormond in talks to play Lara Lor-Van in the new movie.

You might recall that Jor-El and Lara launch young Kal-El (the boy who will fly to Earth and grow up to become Clark Kent/Superman (Henry Cavill) under the parenting of Jonathan (Kevin Costner) and Martha (Diane Lane) Kent. Given how much secrecy there is about the plot written by David Goyer, it’s not known whether one or both of Superman’s real parents will stay in contact with him as Marlon Brando’s Jor-El does via data crystals in Richard Donner’s 1978 take on the story.

If she signs, Ormond will join a cast that already includes Costner, Lane, Cavill, Michael Shannon as villain Lex Luthor, Amy Adams as Lois Lane and Antje Traue as the evil Faora.

Ormond, who was last seen in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, will next crop up in My Week with Marilyn, playing Vivian Leigh.

Man of Steel is set to begin shooting in August ready for a December, 2012 release date.

FILM REVIEW : Green Lantern

21 Jun

Release Date: 17 June
12A * 114 minutes
Distributor: Warner Bros Entertainment
Director: Martin Campbell
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Temuera Morrison

He’s fought bad guys across the galaxy, saved the world umpteen times, and even came back from the dead. And now, finally, Hal Jordan has got his own film. Hurrah!

For those new to Green Lantern, Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) is a wily test pilot who loses his job after blowing a big contract for his boss and ex-squeeze Carol Ferris (Blake Lively). The Green Lanterns are a kind of intergalactic police force who wield the green energy of willpower via their power rings. When one of their number, Abin Sur (Temuera Morrison) crashes into Earth after an encounter with Parallax, an ancient entity that feeds on fear, his ring chooses Jordan as the ailing alien’s replacement. With Parallax threatening Earth, Hal must conquer his fears and embrace his role as Green Lantern before it’s too late.

A lively mix of universe-spanning space opera, Top Gun-style fighter-pilot fun and all-action super-heroics, Green Lantern is largely a success, although it has its flaws. The script never really sizzles, the dialogue is bland in places, and Reynolds’s one-liners don’t zing the way they should. Some of the supporting cast are underused, especially Tim Robbins as the pompous senator, and Ferris devolves from kick-ass fighter ace at the start to simpering love interest by the end.

But fear not, Green Lantern is without doubt an enjoyable experience. For the record, the suit looks fantastic, and Ryan Reynolds is a charismatic Hal Jordan. As one of the few actors who could make a handsome superhero who always gets the girl likeable, he’s superb casting. The villains of the piece are a mixed bag: Parallax is an amorphous CGI cloud, but Peter Sarsgaard is fantastic as scientist Hector Hammond – left an ET Elephant Man by a brush with Parallax – who almost overshadows the lead.

The space sequences make good use of 3D, and Oa, the Green Lantern home world, has a satisfying solidity to it. It’s spectacular in scope, and yet the action sequences are kept tightly under control, complementing the plot rather than dominating proceedings. While it doesn’t reach the heady heights of Iron Man, it’s nevertheless a solid big screen introduction to Hal Jordan and the rest of his green team, and a worthy addition to DC’s movie universe.

Rating 7/10

source:sfx.co.uk
by:rpower

Smallville – Finale Episode Preview

13 May

NBC Passes On New ‘Wonder Woman’

13 May

NBC hasn’t officially announced its schedule for the 2011-12 season but it looks like “Wonder Woman” will not be part of the Peacock’s line-up.

As previously reported, David E. Kelley’s “Wonder Woman” has been receiving a mixed response following limited screenings with some viewers being left disappointed by the attempt to revive the show.

NBC was also disappointed it seems and Entertainment Weekly is reporting that the network has passed on the option to send the pilot to series.

Based on a script by “Ally McBeal” writer David E. Kelley, the new series would have given the DC character three identities that would complicate her life as a hero as well as her love life. In the comics, Diana Prince was the civilian identity of Wonder Woman. In this adaptation though, Diana was also known as Diana Themyscira, the chief executive officer of Themyscira Industries.

And just to complicate things, Diana will have a love interest for each of her identities.

Since it was announced, “Wonder Woman” has seen a noticeable backlash both from fans of the original comics and fans of the Lynda Carter series. Amongst the elements being criticized is Adrienne Palicki’s costume.

Kelley’s series featured the controversial #600 costume, which received a lot of negative feedback from fans of the comics. The outfit also came with a whole new timeline and origin for the character and the resulting criticism helped attract readers to the comic series.

Following a similar backlash when Palicki’s costume was unveiled, the outfit was re-designed and official statements insisted that shorts would come into the series eventually.

It is unclear if the pilot episode will be released in some form or another like the failed CW pilot for DC’s “Aquaman.”

Green Lantern Trailer (2011) Official Trailer 2

5 May

Smallville Trailer : Lex Luthor Returns !

24 Apr

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