Breaking up is hard to do? Not for George Lucas

Back away from the trilogy, Lucas!

When Star Wars was released in 1977, who could have foretold that it would launch a massive franchise or that it would be re-released in various formats, each time with more alterations. A vanguard in high technology film making, Lucas’ ILM studio would progress to the point where not only the plot and effects but even an actor’s performance could be altered to fit the director’s whim.

But with this ability to reshape his previous films, Lucas has earned the ire of the very fan base that made him such a success to begin with… and he’s done with it.

A stormtrooper no more?

George Lucas has heard the criticism over the changes he’s made over the years to his “Star Wars” movies. He just doesn’t really much care.Since Lucas first retouched the space opera saga for a theater relaunch in 1997, he has made a number of tweaks to the films. Those changes include having Darth Vader yell “Nooo!” when attacking Emperor Palpatine in “Return of The Jedi,” and having the alien Greedo shoot at Han Solo first before Solo shoots and kills him; in the original film, Solo shoots him without coming under assault.

“On the Internet, all those same guys that are complaining I made a change are completely changing the movie,” Lucas tells the New York Times in a new profile, referring to YouTube fans who have re-cut his films in retaliation for the small changes he has made. “I’m saying: ‘Fine. But my movie, with my name on it, that says I did it, needs to be the way I want it.’”

Combine that experience with the cool reception the three “Star Wars” prequel films received in the late 90s and early 2000s, and Lucas says he’s done making new films in the canon.

“Why would I make any more,” Lucas says, “when everybody yells at you all the time and says what a terrible person you are?”

Still, Lucas is producing an animated “Star Wars” show, “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” and is planning a live-action show, as well.
(More at the Huffington Post along with some info on the excellent Tuskagee airmen film, Red Tails)

What I find interesting is that he is so dismissive of fans yet continues to develop new Star Wars projects… just not movies. How is that so different?

This week at your comic shop – 1/18/2012

For the complete list of this week’s comics, click here.

Not sure where your local comic shop is? Try comicshoplocator.com!

(note: all information including ad copy is from the publisher)

If you can’t make it to the shop, just click on any of the images below to be taken to an online retailer. I don’t get any referrals for these sales, I’m just doing my bit to spread the word on some neat products.

Amazing Spider-Man #678

Amazing Spider-Man #678By: Dan Slott, Humberto Ramos
NEW YORK CITY IS DESTROYED BECAUSE OF SPIDER-MAN!
A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE LEAVES SPIDER-MAN WITH 12 HOURS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO STOP IT FROM HAPPENING.
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Thunder Agents Vol. 2 #3 (of 6)

Thunder Agents Vol. 2 #3 (of 6)
By: Nick Spencer, Wesley Craig, Frazer Irving
The team is rocked by the death of one of their own. They won’t have much time to mourn, though, as a face from the past thought long gone returns! Plus, NoMan is forced to answer for the sins of his past…
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Uncanny X-Men #5

Uncanny X-Men #5
By: Kieron Gillen, Carlos Pacheco
THE X-MEN INVESTIGATE A NEW MARVEL UNIVERSE AREA CALLED TABULA RASA!
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Batman #5 (Black & White Variant Cover Edition)

Batman #5 (Black & White Variant Cover Edition)
By: Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo
Deep beneath Gotham City lies the Court of Owls’ deadliest trap – and Batman has fallen right into it! Can he escape, or will he perish in a maze of nightmare? Enter the labyrinth, Batman – if you dare!
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Wally Wood Strange Worlds Of Science Fiction HC

Wally Wood Strange Worlds Of Science Fiction HC
(W/A) Wallace Wood Tales from the Crypt and Weird Science publisher Bill Gaines called Daredevil, THUNDER Agents, and Mars Attacks co-creator, Wally Wood ‘the greatest Science Fiction artist of all time.’ Strange Worlds collects rare 1950s Wood sci-fi comics Strange Worlds, Space Detective, Capt. Science, covers, and more.
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Dead Mans Run #1

Dead Mans Run #1
By: Greg Pak, Tony Parker
From acclaimed ‘Hulk’ writer Greg Pak, legendary ‘Walking Dead’ producer Gale Anne Hurd, and Tony Parker, artist of the Eisner-nominated ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep’, comes the biggest blockbuster series of the new year – DEAD MAN’S RUN! Hell is a prison from which none escape. That’s not a metaphor. It’s a concrete reality surrounded by razor wire and gun towers in the middle of the California desert. But today, a young cartographer named Sam Tinker begins an epic battle against the mysterious Warden and all the horrors of her domain, in a desperate attempt to rescue his sister Juniper–the only innocent in Hell! Get ready for an insane supernatural action-packed thriller, as Aspen Comics proudly presents its newest hit series, DEAD MAN’S RUN!
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Back Issue #54

Back Issue #54
Now in Full-Color! Back-Issue #54 gives equal time to ‘Liberated Ladies,’ eyeing the female characters that broke barriers in the Bronze Age: Big Barda, Valkyrie, Ms. Marvel, Phoenix, Savage She-Hulk, and the sword-wielding Starfire. Plus, a ‘Pro2Pro’ interview with creators Jill Thompson, Gail Simone, and Barbara Kesel. Featuring art and/or commentary by John Byrne, George Perez, Jack Kirby, Mike Vosburg, and more, with a bombastic Big Barda cover by Bruce Timm!
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Uncanny X-Force #20

Uncanny X-Force #20
By: Rick Remender, Robbi Rodriguez, Rafael Gramp
THE TRIAL OF FANTOMEX BEGINS! PART 1 OF 4
THE X-FORCE TEAM JOURNEY TO OTHERWORLD!
GUEST STARRING CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND THE CAPTAIN BRITAIN CORPS!
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War of the Green Lanterns Aftermath HC

War of the Green Lanterns Aftermath HC

By: Bedard, Peter J. Tomasi , Scott Kolins, Miguel Sepulveda, Tyler Kirkham, Batt, Ransom Getty, Andy Smith, Ron Frenz, John Dell, Chris Batista, Daniel Hdr, Kieth Champagne, Scott Kolins, Joe Prado, Dave Johnson
In the aftermath of ‘War of the Green Lanterns,’ The Green Lantern Corps must pull themselves together in order to resume policing the universe. But the Green Lanterns find that doing so is more difficult than they ever imagined.

This title collects
Green Lantern Corps #61-63, Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #11-13, War of the Green Lanterns: Aftermath #1-2
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New Mutants #36

New Mutants #36
By: Dan Abnett, David Lopez, Leo Fernandez
FINAL CHAPTER OF THE ARC GUEST STARRING BLINK!
THE NEW MUTANTS AND BLINK FACE OFF AGAINST THE DISKHORD, THE CHAOS-SOWING METAL BAND!
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Kirby Genesis Dragonsbane #1

Kirby Genesis Dragonsbane #1
Covers: Alex Ross, Jack Herbert (1-in-10) Writer: Robert Rodi Artist: Fritz Casas Written by Robert Rodi (THOR: FOR ASGARD, THOR & LOKI: BLOOD BROTHERS). Drawn by Fritz Casas (QUEEN SONJA). Cover by Alex Ross. Spinning out of the epochal events of KIRBY: GENESIS comes the saga of Sigurd Dragonsbane, the greatest champion in all Valhalla. Since time immemorial tales of his adventures have resounded throughout the halls of gods and men alike. But what happens when Sigurd and his colleagues-wise Balduur, rakish Honir, and caustic Heimdall-discover that Valhalla isn’t the only mythic realm?…And that all the others are now conjoined into one vast magical landscape? Why, they set out to explore it, of course-and to rescue a princess beset by dragons. But all isn’t as it seems in these newly unified Mythlands, and Sigurd’s latest exploit could be his last! Based on character concepts and designs by Jack Kirby, DRAGONSBANE draws back the curtain on the astonishing mythical underpinnings of the Kirby universe.
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Green Lantern Corps #5

Green Lantern Corps #5
By: Peter J. Tomasi, Fernando Pasarin, Andy Kubert
Guy Gardner must assemble a strike force to invade the genocidal Keeper’s dimension and rescue his imprisoned teammates, John Stewart and Vandor! And Guy’s recruits are the nastiest Green Lanterns to ever put on a ring! Don’t miss the spectacular art by rising star Fernando Pasarin!
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Famous Monsters Art Collection Vol. 02

Famous Monsters Art Collection Vol. 02
Hot on the heels of it predecessor, Famous Monsters is proud to present the second installment in its Dark Arts series. Collecting more of the world’s best horror, sci-fi, and fantasy artists, Volume 2 is loaded with artistic heavyweights like Neville Page, Sanjulian, Wayne Barlow, and Aaron Sims!
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Moon Knight #9

Moon Knight #9
By: Brian Michael Bendis, Alex Maleev
MOON KNIGHT THROWS DOWN WITH THE KINGPIN OF LOS ANGELES! ï THE BATTLE FOR LA’S SOUL CLAIMS A LIFE – ONE THAT WILL BE FELT THROUGHOUT THE MARVEL U, ALL THE WAY TO AVENGERS TOWER! BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS AND ALEX MALEEV CONTINUE THE ADVENTURES OF MARVEL’S PSYCHE-SPLITTING SUPERSTAR!
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Classic Marvel Figure Coll Mag #164 Classic Captain Marvel

Classic Marvel Figure Coll Mag #164 Classic Captain Marvel
These fully-authorized, hand-painted lead figurines are sculpted by master craftsmen and based on original pieces of Marvel artwork. Each 3 1/2″ figurine is individually numbered, comes stamped with the Marvel official logo, and comes packaged in its own box. The accompanying 16-page magazine provides a detailed history and background on the featured character, including exclusive images and interviews. The fabulous characters featured this month are Captain Marvel (#164) and Photon (#165).
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Swamp Thing #1 By Paquette T-Shirt

Swamp Thing #1 By Paquette T-Shirt
The most popular bayou inhabitant gets their own attire this month with two great new shirt offerings. Swamp Thing #1 T-shirt features the art of Yanick Paquette screenprinted in full-color on a black shirt while the Swamp Thing Logo Tee feature the logo imprinted in color on a pine green garment. Enjoy the muck!!
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Legion Of Super Heroes #5

Legion Of Super Heroes #5
Legendary artist Walter Simonson comes on board for an ambitious single-issue story that walks you through a day in the life of the Legion, checking in with every single member along the way! It’s a race against time to find the meaning of Dream Girl’s predawn vision before its secret can catch the team by surprise!
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DC Superhero Figure Coll Mag #98 Animal Man

DC Superhero Figure Coll Mag #98 Animal Man
The ultimate collection for comics fans, the DC Superhero Collection Figurine Magazine brings together DC Comics’ greatest heroes and villains! Official figurines of the characters, both good and evil, are cast in lead, individually hand-painted and numbered to form an authentic collector’s edition. Each comes with a 20-page magazine providing detailed history and background on the featured characters, including exclusive images and interviews. Choose this month from Animal Man (#98) and Superboy (#99).

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Marvel Firsts 1970s TPB Vol. 01

Marvel Firsts 1970s TPB Vol. 01
When the swingin’ seventies exploded on the scene in all of their grandiose glory, Marvel comics was there to welcome them with a host of new characters and titles!

Assembled in one volume for the first time are the fabulous first issues of dozens of marvel’s seventies stalwarts – including the likes of Dracula, Man-Thing, Luke Cage, and Tigra – not to mention such solo breakouts as the Black Widow and the Beast.

Westerns, war, sci-fi, super heroes, monsters and mutants – all these and more are here at your fingertips, reprinted for your reading pleasure!?

This title collects
Amazing Adventures (1970) #1, #11, #18, Savage Tales (1971) #1, Marvel Spotlight (1971) #1-2, #5, Marvel Feature (1971) #1, Marvel Premiere #1: Tomb Of Dracula #1, Hero For Hire #1, Combat Kelly & The Deadly Dozen #1, Outlaw Kid (1970) #10, Gunhawks #1, The Cat #1: Shanna The She-Devil (1972) #1, Monster Of Frankenstein #1.
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Steve Canyon HC Vol. 01 1947-1948

Steve Canyon HC Vol. 01 1947-1948
By: Milton Caniff
Steve Canyon like you’ve never seen it before-reproduced directly from Milton Caniff’s personal set of syndicate proofs!

For the first time: the definitive edition of the Steve Canyon newspaper strip by Milton Caniff featuring every Sunday in color and the daily strips in their original, uncropped versions.

Caniff quit Terry and the Pirates in 1946 to begin Steve Canyon and it became his biggest-selling work. Forever known as the Rembrandt of the Comic Strip, Caniff is at the absolute peak of his artistic prowess in these strips.

Your passport is stamped for Adventure, Intrigue, and Danger on your expedition to exotic locales with your pilot, the one and only Steve Canyon! The Caniff women are also on display, as Steve Canyon Volume 1 features steely yet sexy ‘Copper’ Calhoun; the beautiful schemer, Delta; that modern-day Mata Hari, Madame Lynx; Dr. Deen Wilderness, who is as capable as she is lovely; plus Captain Shark, Convoy, and the footloose Fancy.

Edited and designed by Dean Mullaney, with historical essays by Bruce Canwell, Steve Canyon is presented in a matching hardcover set to the Library of American Comics’s Eisner Award-winning Terry and the Pirates. Everyone who enjoyed Terry won’t want to miss this sequel in which the horizons are truly unlimited!
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Legion Of Monsters #4 (of 4)

Legion Of Monsters #4 (of 4)

By: Dennis Hopeless, Juan Doe
ELSA BLOODSTONE AND THE LEGION DISCOVER THE TRUE MONSTER!
THE WORLD IS AT STAKE AS THE TEAM FACES AN UNKILLABLE ENEMY!
HORROR, HUMOR, HEART, BLOOD, AND GUTS!
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Elephantmen HC Vol. 00

Elephantmen HC Vol. 00
By: Richard Starkings, Moritat, Boo Cook, Axel Medellin, Ladrönn
Collecting the sold out WAR TOYS trade paperback, now in full color for the first time, and the sequel, ENEMY SPECIES, this highly anticipated ELEPHANTMEN, VOL. 0 is packed with extras, including MORITAT and BOO COOK sketchbooks and unseen work by LADRÖNN, MARIAN CHURCHLAND, MARLEY ZARCONE and a new prologue by AXEL MEDELLIN!

This title collects
Elephantmen: War Toys, Yvette one-shot, #34-35

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Avengers #21

Avengers #21
By: Brian Michael Bendis, Daniel AcuÃ
STORM IS NOW AN AVENGER! HOW CAN THE AVENGERS BATTLE THE COMBINED FORCES OF HYDRA, AIM, THE HAND, AND H.A.M.M.E.R. UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF NORMAN OSBORN?
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Daredevil #8

Daredevil #8
By: Mark Waid, Paolo Rivera
SPIDER-MAN AND DAREDEVIL TEAM UP – PART TWO! PICKING UP WHERE ASM #677 LEFT OFF, THE NEXT GREAT LOVE TRIANGLE OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE CONTINUES!
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Defenders Tournament Of Heroes #1

Defenders Tournament Of Heroes #1
By: David Anthony Kraft, Sal Buscema, John Romita
Who wants to be a Defender for a Day?
When the gregarious Dollar Bill takes out an ad for new Defenders, heroes from all walks of life heed the call! The real Defenders are swamped – but they might just need all the extra muscle to defeat the hordes of villains that have come out of the woodwork! o Collecting DEFENDERS (1972) #62-65.
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Invincible Iron Man #512

Invincible Iron Man #512
By: Matt Fraction, Salvador Larroca
CAN TONY STARK BE TRUSTED TO PILOT THE IRON MAN?
THE WAVE OF SUPER VILLAIN ATTACKS BY REINVENTED CLASSIC ROGUES CONTINUES!
BETHANY CABE ON THE HUNT FOR SPYMASTER!
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Tentapuss Vinyl Figure - Pink Version

Tentapuss Vinyl Figure – Pink Version
Just what you wanted, more Tentapuss! Everybody’s favorite mutant cyclopes kitty w/ tentacles is making the transition to a 5″ vinyl figure! Available in 3 very limited colorways – pink on green vinyl, yellow on green vinyl and an ultra limited unpainted green vinyl figure.
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