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Weekend Reading: DC Comics And Warner Bros.

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, DC Comics, Image Comics, Marvel Comics

Jim Lee And Rob LiefeldSo did you hear the big news? Marvel’s moving to a new office building in Manhattan!

Not to be outdone, Warner Bros. decided to shake things up with a large scale corporate shift. This interview with Diane Nelson from Comic Book Resources actually sheds very little light on the nuts and bolts of it.

And the lack of real answers has caused Tom Spurgeon to raise some questions he’d like to see answered about the situation forward-going.

Naturally, and because I sometimes can’t keep my mouth shut, I have my own take on the matter.


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Grounded: Superman’s Walking Tour Diary

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, DC Comics

Superman 701‘s been grounded. No he hasn’t been sent to his room without supper, but the Man of Steel is taking a walking tour of America. The year-long adventure, called “Grounded” began in Superman #700 but really picks up steam in #701. It’s written by J. Michael Straczynski and illustrated by Eddy Barrows. Supes will be using his cross-country hike to try to reconnect with the people of this great nation.

Naturally, he’s keeping a diary and we got our hands on some excerpts. Up, up and away…on foot.

Day 6
Batman called to laugh at me. Said even Terra-Man used a horse. Ha-ha. Prick.

Status: Facebooking an embarrassing panel of Bruce and Dick getting massages in old comic book.

Lunch: A&W’s Uncle Burger. Stupid name for a pretty good burger.


Day 9
Met another guy who wants to talk about the “brown skins.” I said he had me confused with . I don’t see skin color. I have enough trouble with Kryptonite’s colors. And don’t get me started on the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Read More | Superman Grounded

Shaun McLaughlin and Cheapjack Shakespeare

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials

Cheapjack Shakespeare 3My buddy Shaun McLaughlin was a producer at and responsible for some of their best Bruce Timm-related toons like Batman Beyond, Static, and various incarnations of Justice League. It adds up to over 400 episodes of prime animated entertainment, so he knows how to make something with mass market appeal.

He’s moved on to freelancing, pushing several projects through the development wormhole, including both an animated feature (with Omens Studios) and a live-action one. But when you’re in development, you get a lot of down time while you wait for people to make decisions, give notes, and update their social networks.

You could watch a lot of TV or surf the web or blog about your cat, but Shaun’s put his thumb-twiddling time to good use and come up with a nifty little project with his biz partner Gabriel Benson: Cheapjack Shakespeare.


Warner Bros Freezes Superman

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Movies, DC Comics

SupermanDespite the fact that JJ freaking Abrams is practically handing himself on a plate to Warner Bros. for the next Superman movie, the film giant is putting the Man of Steel on hold.

Sources are saying that the studio has halted any production with the character because of a legal dispute concerning co-creator Jerry Siegel’s heirs. Well, there’s also the fact that Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns didn’t fare as well at the box office as the execs were hoping.

With everyone and their mother (Kevin Smith, the Wachowski brothers, Mark Millar, and McG are all rumored to have thrown their hats into the ring) vying for the coveted script and directing positions, it’s considerably understandable as to why Warner Bros. needs some time to process what they’ll do with the franchise.

I say that while still feeling impatient at the same time—solve the legal problems (as if they don’t have enough money) and pick someone already! Well, as long as it isn’t McG; I fear seeing anyone from The O.C. or Charlie’s Angels casted as Lois.

Read More | io9

Sneak Peek: Josh Brolin as Jonah Hex

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Movies, DC Comics

Josh Brolin as Jonah Hex

We’ve seen Megan Fox fit into a fairly small corset for Jonah Hex; now we’ve got a better look at Josh Brolin getting into the title character’s shoes (and hat).

Deformity? Check. Bad-ass hat? Check. Scary? Check.

Read More | Rope of Silicon

JJ Abrams Wants in on Superman Movie

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: Interviews, Movies, DC Comics

JJ AbramsHey Warner Bros.—ever consider hiring JJ Abrams? You ought to know that he’s still asking for that Superman gig!

The Star Trek director and Lost co-creator had written a script for the caped crusader way back before his career took off. Despite his vast success with his Star Trek reboot, Abrams is still longing for a shot at revitalizing the Superman franchise. He recently opened up about his relationship with the superhero:

“Writing that script was a long process. It was a very passionate character for me. As a kid growing up it meant a lot to me. It would be wonderful and fun to see that brought back. I don’t know what Warners is thinking or what their plan is. It would be a blast… No one has talked to me about it. Obviously I’m sure Warner Brothers has a plan for what they want to do.”

Did you hear that, higher-ups?

Not only are Abrams fans supporting this collaboration, but apparently so is fellow filmmaker, Kevin Smith—check out the video after the jump.

Read More | MTV

Warner Restructures DC

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: DC Comics

DC Entertainment

In the wake of the $4 billion purchase of their nemesis, Warner Bros. has decided to restructure its own comic book branch.

“This is the structural iteration of what we have been trying to accomplish for a long time. We think it is important for Warner Bros. to exercise appropriate control over these properties, because they are highly valued assets of our company,” said Warner Bros. Chairman Barry Meyer.

Diane Nelson, brand manager of the Harry Potter franchise, will be in charge of restructuring the now-named DC Entertainment unit.

Most DC comics fans are surprised at this new surge of energy for the company. Considering characters like Wonder Woman, the Justice League, and the Flash have been cooped up in who-knows-where, it’s amazing to think that Warner Bros. has had DC for forty years.

Read More | LA Times

HD DVD vs. Blu-ray Paramount Denies Rumors of Defection from HD DVD

Posted by Chris Cardinal Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Some channels were reporting earlier that Paramount was looking to bail from the HD boat, enabled by a clause in their contract that cited Warner Bros. departure as grounds to themselves switch. Paramount is now denying these claims, their spokesperson saying “Paramount’s current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format.” Warner’s switch resulted in a full 70% of movies now produced by Blu-Ray studios and Blu-Ray booth folk were yesterday claiming that they’ve clearly won. But the HD people we’ve spoken to seem resolute for now, though it wouldn’t be the first time someone failed epicly even as they denied it outright

.Read More | Bloomberg News


The Min-E3 2007 Games Lineup

Posted by Chris Pereira Categories: Activision, CAPCOM, E3, Eidos, Electronic Arts, LucasArts, Microsoft, Nintendo, Nintendo DS, PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Portable/Mobile, PSP, SEGA, Take2, THQ, Ubisoft, Wii, Xbox 360

E3 logoSure, the convention is much smaller this year and all, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a ton of games to be seen. Eurogamer has posted a list of the announced lineups and then some of what you’ll be seeing at E3. Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony have been quiet on what they’ll be showing, so it looks like we’ll need to wait until their respective showings to know for sure. The event is taking place next week, so expect it to be a busy week in news.

But please, please, please, Nintendo, show me Animal Crossing Wii. Something. Anything. Please?

Read More | Eurogamer

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