A look back… Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (1998)

david_hasselhoff_nick_fury.jpg

As fans across the nation (it already premiered overseas) await the release of the latest superhero epic, Captain America: Civil War, I thought it would be a good opportunity to look back to a simpler time when comic books were not looked upon as fodder for mega blockbusters. To a time when they were quickly forgotten TV movies of the week. To a time when the Hoff was Nick Fury.

At the time, Hasselhoff was in a position to reinvent himself, to a degree (keep in mind, this was Baywatch era Hoff) and acting as a tough-as-nails action hero sorta suits him. Even with the extremely limited resources, the TV movie is pretty good. It’s faithful to the source material (something fans complain about even in the face of the super successful feature films) down to the characters and vehicle designs. Aside from some cringe-worthy performances, the cast is pretty good too. And, it may be the headaches caused by eyestrain, but David Hasselhoff makes a picture perfect Nick Fury.

nickfury_weeks.jpg
Nick Fury by Lee Weeks

So while we sit in the comfy recliner or stadium seats tonight (or maybe later this weekend), enjoying a scintillating display of computer graphics, brilliant cinematography and high octane acting, remember that this torch was carried by so many during a time when no one… *NO ONE* cared for the silly books. And yet, some tried to do them justice. Yes… even the Hoff (and Rex Smith, too… I guess).

Captain America II: Death Too Soon (1979)

captain-america-ii-death-too-soon
I really dig comics. That probably does not come as a shock to you as my blog primarily deals with comic books (when I am not talking about outsider music, cult movies, video games or venting my spleen over Doctor Who) but I started this blog because comic book characters were becoming fashionable and I thought it would be a great opportunity to fill in the blanks for those unfamiliar with Green Arrow, Deadpool or Black Widow as they suddenly became important due to feature films, TV series or what-not.

But as some of these characters have become accepted into the current pop culture mindset, it’s important to see how far we have come. For ages, being a comic book fan meant hanging out in the dusty event rooms of suburban Howard Johnson hotels, collecting random beaten up magazines at drug stores and making shadow puppets from the light of your Captain America flashlight gun at night. Sure, there were a few attempts to bring these heroes to the small screen with the most recognized example being the Hulk starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno. But there were other less successful attempts that are largely forgotten.

So as you sit in the cinema tonight, remember this oddity, a sequel to the other film that established young Reb Brown as the star-spangled shield-winger. This movie would strangely center on social security fraud, aging drugs and Hammer Horror alum Christopher Lee as a vague terrorist. Launched from the back of his sweet van, Cap’s motorcycle would fly through the streets delivering patriotic justice and lots of back flips. The movie barely holds up as entertaining today, but at the time it was terribly exciting to see these superheroes on TV… even if my little mind could figure out they got all the details wrong.

It is almost unimaginable today that a product like this would be conceived using Marvel superheroes as the properties are now revered money-making blockbusters. But many moons ago, Captain America looked like this…

THIS WEEK AT YOUR COMIC SHOP 4/2/14

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.

PUBLISHER
TITLE, ISSUE NUMBER, PRICE IN U.S. DOLLARS (“AR” means “ask your retailer for the price”)

DC COMICS
Action Comics #30 (Aaron Kuder Regular Cover), $3.99
Aquaman And The Others #1 (Ivan Reis & Joe Prado Regular Cover), $2.99
Batman ’66 Volume 1 HC, $19.99
DC Comics Super-Villains Bizarro Action Figure, $24.95
DC Comics Super-Villains Crime Syndicate Deathstorm Action Figure, $24.95
Detective Comics #30 (Francis Manapul Regular Cover), $3.99
Earth 2 #22 (Andy Kubert Regular Cover), $2.99
Green Arrow #30, $2.99
Justice League Volume 3 Throne Of Atlantis TP, $16.99
Justice League Volume 4 The Grid HC, $24.99
Swamp Thing #30, $2.99
Wonder Woman The Art Of War By George Perez Statue, $79.95

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
Shadow Year One #8 (Of 10)(Blank Authentix Variant Cover), $3.99
Shadow Year One #8 (Of 10)(Cover A Matt Wagner), $3.99
Shadow Year One #8 (Of 10)(Cover B Alex Ross), $3.99
Shadow Year One #8 (Of 10)(Cover C Chris Samnee), $3.99
Shadow Year One #8 (Of 10)(Cover D Howard Chaykin), $3.99
Shadow Year One #8 (Of 10)(Wilfredo Torres Subscription Variant Cover), $3.99

EAGLEMOSS PUBLICATIONS
DC Batman Automobilia Figurine Collection Magazine #29 (Detective Comics #362), $20.00
DC Batman Automobilia Figurine Collection Magazine #30 (Classic TV Series Batcycle), $20.00
DC Superhero Chess Figurine Collection Magazine #54 (Ocean Master Black Pawn), $16.00
Marvel Chess Figurine Collection Magazine #3 (Wolverine White Knight), $16.00
Marvel Chess Figurine Collection Magazine #4 (Loki Black Bishop), $16.00
Star Trek The Official Starships Figurine Collection Magazine #12 (Akira Class), $20.00
Star Trek The Official Starships Figurine Collection Magazine #13 (Jem Hadar Cruiser), $20.00

IDW PUBLISHING
Rocky And Bullwinkle Classics Volume 1 Star Billing TP, $17.99

IMAGE COMICS
Black Science #5, $3.50
Elephantmen #55, $3.99

MARVEL COMICS
All-New Invaders #2 (Mukesh Singh 2nd Printing Cover), $3.99
Black Widow #5, $3.99
Captain America #19, $3.99
Captain America Winter Soldier #1 (Director’s Cut), $4.99
Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume 1 Cosmic Avengers TP, $19.99
Marvel Knights Spider-Man Fight Night TP, $16.99
Marvel’s Captain America The Winter Soldier The Art Of The Movie Slipcase HC, $49.99
Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy Prelude #1 (Of 2), $2.99
Moon Knight #2 (Declan Shalvey Regular Cover), $3.99
Spider-Man Firsts TP, $34.99
Star-Lord Tears For Heaven TP, $7.99
X-Men Age Of Apocalypse Omnibus Companion HC, $99.99

PANINI PUBLISHING
Doctor Who Magazine #471, $9.99

TOHAN CORPORATION
Hobby Japan #122 (February 2014), $16.60

TWOMORROWS PUBLISHING
Comic Book Creator #4, $8.95

UNIVERSITY PRESS OF MISSISSIPPI
Origins Of Comics From William Hogarth To Winsor McCay HC, $50.00

Videos
Doctor Who The Time Of The Doctor BD, AR
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Volume XXIX DVD, AR
Transformers Armada The Complete Series DVD, AR

Merchandise
Captain America Clean Shield Previews Exclusive Black T-Shirt LG, $16.99
Doctor Who Figurine Collection #13 Dalek Supreme, $20.00
Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver Blueprints T-Shirt MED, $19.99
Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver Blueprints T-Shirt SM, $18.99
Doctor Who TARDIS Sign Flex Magnet, $12.99
Gentle Giant Captain America On Motorcycle Statue, $459.00
Godzilla Scream City Previews Exclusive Navy T-Shirt LG, $18.99
Hanna Barbera Captain Caveman 3-Inch Action Figure, AR
Marvel Universe Action Figure Assortment 201401, AR
Star Trek Live Long And Prosper Earrings, $21.99
Star Wars Imperial Symbol Earrings, $21.99
Star Wars Kenner Zuckuss 12-Inch Action Figure, $80.00
Star Wars Rebel Symbol Earrings, $21.99


Toon Tumblers Herculoids Pint Glass, $10.99
Transformers Autobot Pixel Symbol Previews Exclusive Red T-Shirt LG, $16.99

New X-Men, Spider-Man and Captain America trailers

Next year will be a big one for comic book fans, so I thought that since many of my readers may be enjoying some well-earned time off, it would be a good idea to summarize them in one place.

X-Men Days of Future Past

XMen_DaysofFuturePast
The most ambitious and expensive of all X-Men movies, Days of Future Past reunites Bryan Singer with the merry mutants for a new interpretation of a classic story that garnered praise for the Uncanny X-Men back in the day. Set in a dark future in which Wolverine is sent back in time to his former self (replacing Kitty Pryde who performed this trick in the comic), the film picks up from First Class as mutant hysteria reaches a fever pitch. Wolverine must prevent history from taking a path that will lead to utter destruction, but needs both Professor X and Magneto to work together.

Starring: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, Ellen Page, Peter Dinklage, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart

Release date: May 23, 2014

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

amazing_spiderman_2

Continuing the adventures of Spider-Man (this time played by Andrew Garfield in a rebooted version of the web-spinning superhero), the sequel ups the ante with one half of the Sinister Six. As he struggles to protect the city and people that he loves from danger, Spider-Man will face an unparalleled threat when a trio of villains decides to end him. This story will pick up some threads from the first film involving the role of Norman Osborn’s industrial empire and its deadly experiments that led to the mutation of Peter Parker. In the sequel, we will see more dangerous freakish supervillains duke it out in NYC, Marvel Comics-style.

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Campbell Scott, Paul Giamatti

Release date: May 2, 2014

captain_america _winterSoldier

Captain America The Winter Soldier


Plucked from the pages of Marvel Comics, the second Captain America film will partly adapt the Winter Soldier, a story that rocked the foundation of the monthly comic book. It will also add depth to the cinematic Marvel Universe by introducing a new hero, the Falcon. A story about fear, war, distrust and paranoia, The Winter Soldier could be an incredibly impressive comic book movie.

Starring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Frank Grillo, Emily VanCamp, , Hayley Atwell, Robert Redford, Samuel L. Jackson

Release date: April 4, 2014

Guardians-of-the-Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy is also coming to the big screen next August (but only low-res trailers are available at this time, so I will avoid posting this on) and promises to be a unique blend of science fiction and superheroics. Based loosely on the comic book series by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, the film will feature a world-weary human soldier, a giant Tree God, a gun-happy raccoon, a green-skinned killing machine and more teaming up against impossible odds. Done correctly, this will be the runaway hit of them all as it hits so many demographics at once.

Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, Benicio del Toro, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel

Release date: August 1, 2014

This week at your comic shop – 3/20/13

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.

_____________________________________

Action Comics #18

Action Comics #18
The lead story, written by Grant Morrison with art by Rags Morales, Brad Walker, Cam Smith and Andrew Hennessy, is destined to be a milestone in The New 52 – and that’s all we can say about it for now!

Plus, in the backup story, written by Sholly Fisch with art by Chris Sprouse and Karl Story, learn how Superman’s battle against the Little Man has some very far-reaching consequences.

The new creative team of writer Andy Diggle and artist Tony S. Daniel now will make its debut in Action Comics #19.
_____________________________________

Doctor Who Ark In Space DVD

Doctor Who Ark In Space DVD
From BBC Video! The fourth Doctor’s first trip in the TARDIS brings him, Sarah Jane, and Harry Sullivan many thousand years into the future to Nerva, a space station in Earth’s orbit. Having evacuated Earth when solar activity threatened all life on the planet, a few hundred survivors have been drifting in suspended animation for thousands of years. Even more perplexing is the discovery that someone has sabotaged Nerva’s vital systems. The Doctor reactivates the systems, and one by one, the human race begins to awake from its enforced deep sleep. The future of humankind appears secure until the Doctor learns that the larvae of the Wirrn, a hostile insect race, are also aboard.
_____________________________________

Son Of Satan Previews Exclusive Blk T-Shirt

Son Of Satan Previews Exclusive Blk T-Shirt
The Son of Satan rides on this black t-shirt that features vintage Marvel Comics artwork!
_____________________________________

All New X-Men #9

All New X-Men #9
By: Brian Michael Bendis, David Marquez, Stuart Immonen
The Original Five X-Men get new costumes!

Series main-artist Stuart Immonen returns!

Mystique makes her big move.
_____________________________________

Saga #11

Saga #11
By: Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples
It’s an intergalactic family reunion, as Hazel’s parents and grandparents join forces to escape a dying world.
_____________________________________

Avengers #8

Avengers #8
By: Jonathan Hickman, Dustin Weaver
‘SYSTEM FAILURE’

The Avengers face off against the World Breaker.

Discover the imminent threat to the Avengers World.

Watch as we get our first hints as the hidden connections between the events of Avengers and New Avengers.
_____________________________________

Doctor Who Prisoners Of Time #3 (of 12)

Doctor Who Prisoners Of Time #3 (of 12)
By: David Tipton, Mike Collins, Francesco Francavilla
Our yearlong celebration of Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary continues! ‘Now listen to me!’ It’s time to fire up Bessie, as the Third Doctor takes the spotlight in this issue of a 12-part epic adventure featuring all 11 incarnations of the Doctor!

_____________________________________

Cable And X-Force #6

Cable And X-Force #6
By: Dennis Hopeless, Salvador Larroca
A new arc begins! Great jumping on point!

Cable’s team loses a member as Colossus goes to jail.
_____________________________________

It Girl & The Atomics #8

It Girl & The Atomics #8
By: Jamie S. Rich, Mike Norton, Laura Allred
‘THE WORLD IS FLAT,’ Conclusion

It Girl is trapped in the alps trying to rescue a kidnapped scientist from a slippery supervillain, a scary gangster lady, and her two giant robot sons. Is the scientist’s coveted device the secret to getting out alive?

It Girl’s just going to have to turn it on and find out!

_____________________________________

Captain America #5

Captain America #5
By: Rick Remender, John Romita, Jr.
Zola’s terrible experiments on the indigenous creatures give birth to a terrible new foe! No flesh escapes The Patchwork!

Captain America vs Jet Black, with the fate of Ian in the balance.

A young Steve Rogers must help his family to survive their worst year of the Great Depression, but how far will he go?
_____________________________________

Elephantmen #47

Elephantmen #47
By: Richard Starkings, Axel Medellin, Camille D’Errico
‘SLEEPING PARTNERS,’ Part Six Sahara must give up her baby, before it is even born.

_____________________________________

Daredevil #24

Daredevil #24
By: Mark Waid, Chris Samnee
Fateful news about someone close to Daredevil!

Will Matt be forced to abandon his Daredevil identity?
_____________________________________

Nightwing #18

Nightwing #18
By: Kyle Higgins, Roger Bonet Martinez, Juan Jose Ryp
Dick Grayson lost so much during ‘DEATH OF THE FAMILY’ that some new events are going to push him right over the edge!

Nightwing has almost no hope left until the chance for vengeance presents itself.

What decisions will he make?
_____________________________________

Indestructible Hulk #5

Indestructible Hulk #5
By: Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu
Hulk versus Attuma!

What is the secret of Lost Lemuria?

Attuma’s schemes guarantee death for all air-breathers!
_____________________________________

Legion Of Super Heroes #18

Legion Of Super Heroes #18
By: Paul Levitz, Scott Kolins, Keith Giffen
Separated and in great danger, the Legionnaires must face their greatest foes yet: the new FATAL FIVE!

Can the Legion’s newly appointed leader handle their greatest enemies?
_____________________________________

New Avengers #4

New Avengers #4
By: Jonathan Hickman, Steve Epting, Jock
‘WORLD EATER’

The Illuminati have learned that Earth is the center point for the death of the Universe.

If this is true, doesn’t that mean destroying it might save everything else?

Enter the world eater, Galactus.
_____________________________________

Justice League #18

Justice League #18
By: Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis
Cyborg takes center stage as events fall into place for next month’s massive new story arc: ‘OFF THE GRID’!

Also, Batman continues to be question the Superman/Wonder Woman alliance and Aquaman’s future with the League.

Plus: The Shazam backup story reveals the origin of Black Adam-and what it means for Billy Batson’s survival!
_____________________________________

Doctor Who Destiny Of The Daleks Audio CD Set

Doctor Who Destiny Of The Daleks Audio CD Set
Tom Baker stars as the Doctor in this four-part TV serial from 1979, in which the Daleks return to their home planet of Skaro, in search of their entombed creator Davros. The Doctor and Romana soon find themselves caught in the middle of a war between two different races. This full-cast drama includes special linking narration by a member of the original TV cast.
_____________________________________

Steed And Mrs Peel Ongoing #6

Steed And Mrs Peel Ongoing #6
By: Caleb Monroe, Lorena Carvalho
Adding a touch of class to outer spaceÖ The conclusion of our super-spies’ foray into space!

John Steed and Emma Peel have gotten entangled with an eccentric figure that is determined to see Britain lead in space, no matter the cost.

Rising star Caleb Monroe brings us a story of defending Queen & Country in Zero-G!
_____________________________________

Nova #2

Nova #2
By: Jeph Loeb, Ed McGuinness
A boy, a helmet, and an intergalactic legacy!

Sam Alexander isn’t just any 15-year old, he’s just been recruited to the Nova Corps: the Universe’s police force.

What do you get when you pair a raccoon, a green alien lady and a scared teenager? An amazingly awesome origin tale!
_____________________________________

Batwoman #18

Batwoman #18
By: J. H. Williams, Trevor McCarthy
A new story arc begins here as Batwoman adjusts to her new partner and her new role in the war on crime.

Guest-starring Batman!
_____________________________________

Savage Wolverine #3

Savage Wolverine #3
By: Frank Cho
Shanna and Wolverine are separated, and Shanna teams up with. . . Amadeus Cho?

Secrets about the island are revealed, but only bring up more questions.

And, in this issue, a hero will fall!
_____________________________________

All Crime #1

All Crime #1
By: Erik Warfield, Edward Laroche, Bruce Timm
A look into the lives of two men drawn into a friendship through a life of crime, and driven to murder over the love of a woman. Thirty-six full-color pages of crime, cars, and killings. With a cover by Bruce Timm!

“Art of Fiction are combining all of my favorite elements into one: crime, noir, pulp, and gorgeous artwork. How can you go wrong? Check out All Crime–you won’t regret it!”
-Steve Niles (30 Days of Night)

“A fantastic addition to any crime comics shelf, and I can’t wait to read the next issue!”
-Ed Brubaker (Criminal, Fatale)
_____________________________________

Outer Limits Creature Collection Alien Thetan Pvc Figure

Outer Limits Creature Collection Alien Thetan Pvc Figure
Imported from Japan! There is nothing wrong with your PREVIEWS. It’s The Outer Limits Creature Collection Series! A true masterpiece of American science-fiction television drama, The Outer Limites began broadcasting in September, 1963, and each episode featured marvelous creatures and aliens that would challenge the mind! The Outer Limits Creature Collection accurately reproduces the creatures and aiens as a 1/8 scale collectible figure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to the Outer Limits, and it starts with the Alien Thetan! Window box packaging.
_____________________________________

X-termination #1

X-termination #1
By: David Lapham, David Lopez, Ed McGuinness
THE X-TERMINATION EVENT STARTS HERE!

Joining together the teams from ASTONISHING X-MEN, AGE OF APOCALYPSE and X-TREME X-MEN, and spinning out of the pages of UNCANNY X-FORCE.

AOA Nightcrawler just wants to get home and he doesn’t care if he takes out our world to get there.

Wolverine versus Nightcrawler!
_____________________________________

Doctor Who Aztecs DVD

Doctor Who Aztecs DVD
From BBC Video! The TARDIS arrives in 15th-century Mexico inside the tomb of one-time Aztec High Priest Yetaxa. The travellers become cut off from the ship when they explore the temple outside and the tomb door closes behind them. Barbara is proclaimed by the High Priest of Knowledge, Autloc, as Yetaxa’s divine reincarnation. However, she incurs the enmity of the High Priest of Sacrifice, Tlotoxl, when – against the Doctor’s advice – she attempts to use her new-found authority to put an end to the Aztec practice of human sacrifice.

_____________________________________

Doctor Doom Bust Bank

Doctor Doom Bust Bank
A genius inventor and a sorcerer, Doctor Doom combined technology and sorcery together to fight against the Fantastic Four. Ranked as the #3 top villain in IGN’s Top 100 Villains, Doctor Doom has been well-regarded in the Marvel Comics fan community. This highly-detailed sculpt of Otto Octavius features an impeccable attention to detail and is made of roto plastic. It can be used either as a bank or a display piece.
_____________________________________

Doctor Who Reign Of Terror DVD

Doctor Who Reign Of Terror DVD
From BBC Video! The TARDIS materializes not far from Paris in 1794. The travelers become involved with an escape chain rescuing prisoners from the guillotine and get caught up in the machinations of an English undercover spy, James Stirling – alias Lemaitre, governor of the Conciergerie Prison. The Doctor, posing as a Regional Officer of the Provinces, is twice brought before the great tyrant, Robespierre himself, and has to talk himself out of trouble. Ian and Barbara, meanwhile, have a close encounter with a future ruler of France, Napoleon Bonaparte.
_____________________________________

Remender and Romita Jr. take over Captain America

Captain America has been a major hit with comic book readers since Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting reinvented the monthly series at a time when most fans had little to no interest (yours truly included). In the intervening years, even I have to admit that the quality has wavered some (especially after the comic was relaunched last year).

With the many announcements of creative team changes accompanying the mass relaunch of the Marvel Comics catalog, it is surprising to see that there are so many pleasant lineups, including Captain America. Romita Jr. is a staples of the industry who has earned acclaim from comics too numerous to name (anything from Kick Ass to Wolverine, the Punisher and more). Rick Remender has made quite a name for himself on Uncanny X-Force, Secret Avengers, Frankencastle (Punisher) and the under-rated Venom series. His unique combination of tight plotting, dark comedy and strong characterizations make him one of the luminaries of the modern Marvel bullpen.

In short, buy this series.


Marvel has already confirmed Kieron Gillen and Greg Land’s “Iron Man,” and Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic’s “Thor: God of Thunder.” Yesterday, CBR had the first word with Mark Waid and Leinil Yu on their upcoming “Indestructible Hulk” launch. Thursday saw two more pieces fall into place, as Brian Posehn, Gerry Duggan and Tony Moore dished on “Deadpool” while Matt Fraction and Mike Allred talked about “FF” and Fraction and Mark Bagley’s “Fantastic Four.”

The latest Marvel NOW! confirmation is Rick Remender and John Romita Jr. taking over “Captain America” in November. iFanboy has the first word on the series, speaking with Remender about his plans for Marvel’s Sentinel of Liberty, from creating a “Year One”-style story arc focusing on pre-super soldier serumed Steve Rogers to building up Cap’s rogues gallery with names like the Green Skull and a reinvigorated Arnim Zola, all while balancing his take on the character with the version appearing in Jonathan Hickman’s “Avengers.”

“One of the mandates I have to myself is, I don’t want to touch the World War II stuff,” Remender told iFanboy of his plans for the title’s first major story arc. “I think that that has been done, now, and it’s been done perfectly. To go back and to keep focusing on Cap in World War II at this point, again, would be following too closely to what Ed has already done. What I’m doing is spending a lot of time in the Lower East Side of Manhattan in the 20s and 30s, showing Steve grow up. The first arc is 10 issues, and it’s called ‘Dimension Z.’

“I don’t want to give away too much, but a big portion of it is Cap dealing with Arnim Zola in Dimension Z. I’m trying to take Zola and do with him, what we did with Apocalypse over in Uncanny X-Force. Where we take what’s there, re-imagine it, build a new mythology and really expand Zola, and try and build Zola into a very, very big and important character.

“The other half of it is going to be a lot of flashbacks to a young Steve Rogers growing up in Depression-era Lower East Side, and getting to know his family and his friends, and how this 98-pound weakling became such a tenacious, strong person; focus on the fiber and the integrity of who he is, and really develop that for the first time.”

Via CBR.com

Captain America: Winter Soldier and Thor: The Dark World, Ant Man revealed at SDCC

Captain America director Joe Johnston’s Winter Soldier story continues without him, Thor enters ‘the dark world’ and the Edgar Wright Ant Man movie, rumored for almost a decade, is close to becoming a reality! All this plus a look at the line-up for the Guardians of the Galaxy film.

Late breaking news from the Marvel Entertainment panel at CCI yesterday…

Via Hollywood Reporter:

If there’s two things Marvel Studios lives by, it’s putting on a show and knowing its audience.

The company behind the biggest movie of the year and the third biggest movie of all time, started off by making a reel tying the success of its movies to Hall H, Comic-Con and fandom. “In this room” read one frame, cannily tethering the company to the crowd assembled, and “thank you” read another before finally proclaiming “Phase Two Begins…” and then simply “Now.”

Guardians of the Galaxy concept art

Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige also knows the audience is hungry not only for footage, but for actual news, so he revealed the full titles of the sequels to Thor and Captain America (Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: Winter Soldier) plus unveiled the characters who would be in the Guardians of the Galaxy movie.

Captain America versus former ally Bucky, now the Winter Soldier

The Thor sequel is scheduled for release on Nov. 18, 2013 followed by the Captain America sequel on April 4, 2014.

Then Edgar Wright made a surprise appearance and showed off test footage, unfinished, of his long and still-in-development Ant-Man movie.

Hank Pym- the original Ant Man

Perhaps the topper was introducing Iron Man 3 by having Robert Downey Jr. appear unexpectedly in the back of Hall H, then to the tune of a Luther Vandross song, skip to the front of the hall and onto the stage, with occasional stops with fans along the way.

The goodwill generated was off the charts.

And it’s some goodwill that Marvel, despite Avengers’ success, actually needs to a certain extent. While Iron Man 3 will no doubt be a success, there was some bitter after-taste among the studio’s fanbase after the lackluster Iron Man 2, and the fact that after helming the first two installments, Jon Favreau wasn’t returning to direct the third. (Those duties were handed off to Shane Black, who directed Downey on Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.)

The gang assembled sold the new movie as a return to the roots of the Tony Stark character. Downey painted a picture that Black had always been involved, at least tangentially, with the Iron Man series.

He said Marvel execs watching Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was his “screen test before the screen test” and that even when making the first two films, if they had some issues, a call to Black wasn’t out of order.

Favreau, meanwhile, made it clear that even though he wasn’t directing Iron Man 3, he was cool with his role as an actor and executive producer.

“Shane made me feel very, very comfortable. As did Kevin and Robert,” Favreau said. “As far as executive producing, as opposed to directing, I feel like a proud grandfather who doesn’t have to change the diaper but gets to play with the baby.”
Iron Man 3 armor from the floor of CCI and more

Black too was on point, saying “We have Favreau. He’s back as an actor. I get to talk to him all day long…This is the same Iron Man you’ve always liked.”

How much of that subtext the crowd got is hard to tell since they were having too much fun with Downey and the gang riffing.

And of course, Marvel trotted out footage from the still in-production movie, which was not surprisingly well-received by the already primed audience.

Get to know Marvel NOW!

The comic book business is an ever-changing animal. A far cry from the pamphlets featuring ads for x-ray spex and atomic submarines that kids rolled up in their back pockets, comic books today are state of the art entertainment products that have led to some of the biggest money making feature films ever. So it should come as no surprise that things are not about to calm down or return to a simpler state any time soon.

Recently DC Comics attempted a radical move that canceled then rebooted all of their ongoing books in one fell swoop. Dubbed ‘the New 52,’ the experiment was a major success and the publisher saw profits climb higher than had been seen in a very long time. That success has plateaued, but Marvel has been watching and taking notes.

Their 12 part event series Avengers Vs. X-Men has promised some major changes (something that almost every comic does), but in this case… it’s the truth. For better or worse, this is Marvel NOW!

Via ComicBookResources:

In what will surely be seen as the publisher’s response to DC Comics’ New 52 which set it sights on new and lapsed readers with issue #1 jumping on points, Marvel NOW is being promised as an easy entry point into the classic Marvel U. Throughout October, Marvel will launch a number of brand new series — often more than one a week — with additional new series and relaunches for some classic books rolling out through February of next year. Expanding on CBR’s coverage from earlier this morning, these will include the following, announced in EW:

  • “Uncanny Avengers” by Rick Remender and John Cassaday starring a team composed of Captain America, Wolverine and others from the company’s two powerhouse franchises battling the mutant-hating Red Skull.
  • “All New X-Men” by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen realigning the mutant team in the wake of “AvX” as the original five X-Men are mysteriously brought to the present day. This title will launch in November.
  • “Avengers” by Jonathan Hickman and Jerome Opena, which is light on specific details aside from a roster of 18 heroes in a bi-weekly comic that seems to be Hickman-esque rethinking of the Avengers core mission in the vein of the writer’s “Fantastic Four” run.

Aside from the core creative changes, all books branded with the Marvel NOW banner will feature a full slate of digital bells and whistles as part of the “Marvel ReEvolution” products that have played a part in “AvX’s” launch. For example, every Marvel NOW first issue will feature AR enhanced recaps on their covers, and the books will all carry a code for a free digital download of the issue through the Marvel App.

In addition, the publisher is promising other creative shakeups outside the shuffling of their big name talent on their big name franchises. Marvel NOW books will feature new “cinematic” cover designs, and their characters will sport redesigned costumes, many shown off in a new piece by Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada, a scan of which appeared on the CBR forums in the early hours of this morning.

“It’s a bridge book…something that can delve into both worlds,” Remender told the magazine of how “Uncanny Avengers” bridges the pre and post-AvX Marvel U.

Of “All-New X-Men,” Bendis explained, “It’s not a time-travel story like ‘Back To The Future.’ It’s a time-travel story like ‘Pleasantville,'” adding “Here’s the big question that they original X-Men are gonna be faced with: ‘We’re gonna grow up, and this is what we’re going to get? That is not acceptable.'”

“It’s not hype when we say that ‘AvX’ is the culmination of a lot of stories we’ve done over the last several years,” Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso told the magazine. “Characters are redeemed or not. Characters are changed. The X-Men and the Avengers are both repositioned for the future. What better time to shake things up?” Alonso went on to draw a line between Marvel NOW and DC’s New 52, saying the titles would roll out over several months rather than in one month as, “I feel that it’s a much more humane approach for retailers and fans to tell them: ‘Look. In the months of October through February, every week you can go into a comic book store and find a few new jumping-on points for the Marvel Universe, a place you’re going to like visiting. Or revisiting.'”

Quesada commented on his image featuring the redesigned Marvel heroes, saying, “There’s a reason Sue Storm is there. And why there’s a floating robot near Hulk. We’re trying a lot of fun and new different things, we’re exposing characters who we’ve had in our toy chest for a long time.”

Bendis commented on Jean Grey’s return to the Marvel U via time travel, explaining, “It’s the one thing X-Men fans have always asked for is: They want Jean Grey back. But they want Jean Grey. Not reincarnated Jean, or the ghost of Jean. Well, you’re getting Jean back. And Jean is gonna be looking at a world that rattles her.”

Remender noted that his Red Skull will be a throwback version of the Nazi villain. “In 1943, Arnim Zola, who was this bio-fanatic engineer, recorded the Red Skull’s consciousness, and set it to wake up 70 years later. So the Red Skull [in ‘Uncanny’] is right out of 1943-44. Prime Nazi scumbag. In his mind, he’s taking that vitriol and hate and Nazi horror and methodology, and pointing it at the mutant species.”

After an amazing run, Captain America loses Ed Brubaker

When I was first getting into comics, I was attracted to the underdog, the misfit. I liked the X-Men because nothing ever went right for them. There were no successful romances. their house got blown up every month and they were often freakish mutants.

When I looked at the Captain America comic, below is an example of what I saw.


I just could not relate to it. He was very white-bread all-American and drove a van around the suburbs in full costume. It was absurd (and not in a good way). I’m not saying that there were no good stories in there, but the safe pastel image kept me from getting interested.

That all changed when the series was handed to Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting, two men who catapulted Captain America into the realm of the coolest most exciting monthly book out there. Steve Rogers was a man out of time, taken out of one war and revived into a world at war where the enemy could be anyone. What was worse, his own enemies were far more powerful and numerous than he could anticipate. Frustrated and isolated, he fought a seemingly un-winnable war against a sea of troubles. Now THIS I could sink my teeth into!

A comic book creator most commonly known for his independent projects and Scene of the Crime for Vertigo, Brubaker seemed like an odd choice for this series. It had also been relaunched not that long before he penned a new #1. But he soon showed that he was a closet Captain America fanatic and brought such vitality to the series that I was surprised it hadn’t always been this good.

To add gusto to the new high impulse tone of the book, artist Steve Epting graced each issue with eye-popping visuals like the one below.

Captain America By Steve Epting

The Ed Brubaker run ranks up there with Brian Michael Bendis’ Daredevil, Matt Fraction’s Iron Man, Dan Slott’s Amazing Spider-Man and Greg Pak’s Hulk. It’s so iconic and modern, giving the reader a feature film’s worth of entertainment in each and every issue. I’m very sad to see this era come to a close, but I am interested in what is next for both Cap and Mr. Brubaker.

Of course I am grateful that Winter Soldier is sticking around with Brubaker involved and recommend that with highest accolades.

Via

In an interview with Tom Spurgeon, Ed Brubaker confirmed he is stepping down as writer for Captain America.
Here’s an excerpt.

Now, you told me that you’re wrapping up on Captain America.

Yeah. By the time this interview comes out, I will have written my last issue.

Congratulations. And that’s… eight years on Cap?

A little less than eight years. I think I started in August or September of 2004 writing my first issue, which came out in November of that year.

So why now?

Partly, it’s the beginning of a shift from work-for-hire to books I own, instead. I hit a point with the work-for-hire stuff where I was starting to feel burned out on it. Like my tank is nearing empty on superhero comics, basically. It’s been a great job, and I think I found ways to bring my voice to it, but I have a lot of other things I want to do as a writer, too, so I’m going to try that for a while instead.

Now are you keeping Winter Soldier?

Yeah, I am. That’s going to be my only Marvel book soon. I’ll do The Winter Soldier as long as it lasts… or, I’ll do it for as long as I can. [Spurgeon laughs] Because I don’t know if it’ll last, but I’m really proud of that book and the second and third storylines on it are some of my favorite stuff I’ve done for Marvel, ever.

What do you like about it? What do you think is laudatory? Are you in that place where you can say, “I did that, and I did that very well.”

I think I got to tell a long story. In the early days, I got to create a big soap opera about Steve Rogers and Bucky and Sharon Carter and keep this thrilling adventure ride going. And each arc bled into the next. Then we did the “Death of Cap” thing and I go to really do an 18-part story that still didn’t end with Cap coming back to life yet. [laughs] I got to do some stuff that was really challenging. I got work with some great artists. Steve Epting, he probably drew 35 issues of my run in the early days. I think we developed a really great collaboration. And I always liked that kind of epic storytelling.

Don’t they team you up with a writer to transition out of these titles? Like baton pass it to them?

BRUBAKER: That’s not on purpose for this one. That was a situation with scheduling. Marvel is trying to do this thing now that with some of their better-selling books they want to get out more copies per year than 12. They want to get out 15 or 18 issues. Amazing Spider-Man’s been doing more than one a month for a while now; someone I know does Uncanny X-Men or one of those books, and that comes out 18 times a year.

I couldn’t keep up with that schedule, honestly. I knew I was getting to the end of my run. I wanted to wrap up my run earlier. And [Marvel Senior Vice President Of Publishing] Tom [Brevoort] was like, “Well, you’re going to leave a bunch of plot lines dangling… do you want to go out like that? It’ll seem like you threw up your hands and said ‘I can’t keep up with this schedule.’” I was like, “No, I don’t want to go out that way.” So we brought in Cullen Bunn to write an arc with me. I gave him a list of a bunch of stuff. “Here’s all the dangling plot threads and here’s where we need them all to be by the time I get to my last issue.” And then we figured out a storyline together.

It’s strange. I did all these issues as an uninterrupted run. Then there’s four issues co-written by someone. Then there’s a last issue. [laughs] It’s a little odd.

Brubaker’s last issue will be Captain America # 20

Via The Comics Reporter

Supreme boutique shop releases Daniel Johnston Captain America shirts

An accomplished lyricist and cult icon, Daniel Johnston started his career as a musician by simply recording his music performed in his basement on cassettes and handing them out to whoever took them. When he started getting name-dropped by Kurt Cobain, his fame began to take off. His music certainly isn’t for everyone, but even he admits that his first album was recorded during a nervous breakdown.

I had the good fortune to see Daniel Johnston in concert at a very small venue in Cambridge, MA some time ago. It was just him, an acoustic guitar and a piano. I can attest to his weirdly magical stage presence and the strength of his lyrics and musical ability. He is also obsessed with Captain America. All of his drawings depict a seemingly manic version of the character staring back at the viewer in utter confusion, usually in situations that have nothing to do with the comic book creation. Maybe he read Jack Kirby’s Mad Bomb issues and they hit home? It’s not clear exactly what any of this means to Mr. Johnston, but it is very important to him.

Finally (?) these images are making their way to the mass market.


Daniel Johnston has designed a collection of T-shirts for Supreme, the long-running skate company beloved and often repped by Odd Future, as Complex reports. The shirts are available online and in stores in New York, L.A., and London on June 14, and in Japan on June 16.

(Via Pitchfork Media)

The documentary ‘The Devil and Daniel Johnston’ details Daniel’s tragic but never dull life and is highly recommended.