"Sin City" DVD art revealed

Here are the different covers for the bare bones (just the movie, no extras) release of the movie, due out Aug. 16. A double, expanded, version comes out later on.

More "Doctor Who" updates

From the BBC:

Jane Tranter, BBC Controller of Drama Commissioning, confirmed last night that a third series of Doctor Who - plus a second Christmas special - has been commissioned.

Tranter also confirmed that Billie Piper, who plays the Doctor's companion Rose Tyler, would feature in every episode of series two including the Christmas special.

Filming of the Christmas special and second series with Casanova star David Tennant - who plays the tenth Doctor - is due to begin next month.

The current series concludes on BBC ONE on Saturday (18 June) at 7.00pm.

Interview with new "Doctor Who" scribe

From the BBC:

The final episode of the current series of Doctor Who is on BBC ONE on Saturday (18 June) at 7.00pm.

Here, Russell T Davies - award-winning writer and executive producer of Doctor Who - gives an exclusive insight into the Christmas 2005 episode and reveals why 'pigeon-holing' in his early career as a writer in children's television made the transition into adult television difficult.

Q: Were you surprised by the reaction to the new series?

RTD: The honest to God truth is I was shocked. The weird thing is, it's everything we hoped for. In January we were all sitting there hoping millions of people would watch; hoping that people would love it.

It's such a rare thing for everything to fit into place especially when all the signs were there. Friends of mine would say to me this is such a risk, because it's niche and there's no science fiction in primetime plus it's an old show, its days have gone etc etc.

There were so many things mitigating against it. If we were in Los Angeles there would be 15 shows like it running at once. No-one's made anything like this in this country and we've pulled it off.

Science fiction can be very bland, homogenized and steeped in American culture, and to make this British has been fantastic.

I think as a kid watching the series you can feel a sense of ownership and that's made a massive difference.

Russell on his versatility as a writer

RTD: One of the things that makes me laugh is when I read something which says 'gay writer of Second Coming, Casanova and Queer as Folk has made family viewing an event'.

It just shows that anyone can write anything. All that pigeon-holing that goes on is nonsense. No writer should ever sit there and think – I'll only write gay things.

I used to work in children's television and it was harder to move from children's telly and break into adult television. I was a young writer and no-one knew my name. People would just sit there and say, but you’ve only done children's.

I knew I could write anything. I knew I could do adult drama, but everyone pigeon-holes everyone.

What I love about Doctor Who is that it has come full circle, it's for adults and children; it's doing everything I like doing.

Q: What's your view on the seeming lack of family drama on television?

RTD: Cinema leads the way with films like Toy Story – the script is full of intelligence, it's clever, witty and so much fun, and at the heart of it is a great plot.

I have sat with a group of 15 people watching Finding Nemo on a Sunday morning – one member of the group was five and another 55, and when you see things like that happening you know that the myth that family drama doesn't exist anymore is simply not true.

We were told, Julie (Gardner) and I, to be careful aiming for a family audience because it doesn't exist anymore.

I absolutely didn't believe it, that's why we built Doctor Who to be an event every single week.

There's something big and different so everyone can come together to watch it, not just kids, and not just adults – genuine family viewing really.

It sort of follows Hollywood's example, you might be cynical about Hollywood, but they tend to be ahead of the game.

Q: Is it true that the Daleks are coming back in the final episode?

RTD: Yes. It's true. Having given them a conscience in one episode, the Daleks are back as these great, murderous monsters they were created to be. It's like Doctor Who as it always was. And it’s exciting.

Q: What else can you reveal about the content of the final episode?

RTD: There are Dalek armies, a war, space ship and gun fire. For all the hardware and macho side of it, the final episode is the most emotional we have told yet.

The story we have been telling over the 12 weeks all comes to a head and it shows how much the Doctor means to Rose, Rose means to the Doctor and Captain Jack means to them both.

There's an army of 500,000 Daleks with six ordinary human beings left in the world to fight them off.

It tells my favourite story, which is about the heroism and bravery of ordinary people up against an almighty threat.

There's reference to almost every single previous episode, but anyone can watch it and still enjoy it even if they haven’t been following the whole series.

Q: Is there anything at all you can reveal about the Christmas episode?

RTD: Well it's an hour-long episode which is something we've never done before.

It will be a great, Christmas adventure that's really big in scale. It will be Christmassy, there's nothing I like more than a Christmas Special set at Christmas!

There's a big story in it for Rose as well as a massive threat to the Earth going on beneath the surface so Christmas as usual!

Q: Have you been inundated with celebrities wanting to be involved in the second series?

RTD: Yes, there have been a lot names coming through to our casting director. We're currently drawing up a list. But I couldn't possibly name names.

Q: How nervous or excited are you about the second series?

RTD: Very excited because David (Tennant) is like a whole new lease of life. I think one of dangers of success sometimes is that one can get too complacent.

Putting David at the helm means we're all reinvigorated because we have got to be just as good, if not better just for him.

So it's actually very exciting, but at the same time scary. It's back to square one for us so that's always a good place to be I think.

You have to put pressure on yourself really, because you have over seven million viewers who love this show, so you mustn't let them down now. We have got to deliver even more surprises for them, and I'm absolutely confident we can do it!

Q: Can you share anything about the content of the new series?

RTD: We have the Cybermen!

We're also going to alien planets which we didn't do in the first series because I wanted to be confident of the design and now I feel sure. We also have the best design and SFX team in the world.

The series will remain connected to the Earth because I think that's important.

There will be a couple of old faces, and lots of new faces.

Trips into history with us going back to the 1700s at one point... that's all I can say at this stage I am afraid.

Modern Arf!

News about this Fantagraphics book release somehow slipped by me. Sounds like fun:

Modern Arf

Modern Arf is the first in a series of volumes in which the award-winning artist and editor, Craig Yoe, explores the unholy marriage of Modern Art and the Funnies in a bombastic and entertaining way.

The first blast features material created just for this book as well as classic material by Rube Goldberg, Jack Kirby, Hy Mayer, Winsor McCay, and Patrick McDonnell at the zenith of their wacky, surreal, and innovative best.

Patrick McDonnell rarely draws outside popular daily strip Mutts, but for the first volume of Arf he has contributed an exclusive four page strip of of surreal comics. They're fun, they're cool, they're wordless, and they're sublime.

Jack Kirby's story, "The Fourth Dimension is a Many Splattered Thing," reprinted from the original art, is Kirby at his most surreal, surely informed by cubism and certainly the inspiration for Steve Ditko's later work on the exotic 1960s comic, Dr. Strange. It is published here for the first time since its original publication in the mid 1950s.

Hy Mayer, a forgotten cartoon surrealist, is represented with an astonishing series of mind-blowing "worm's eye views." It's M.C. Escher meets Charles Schulz! Antonio Rubino is an early 20th century Italian cartooning master, whose breathtaking work was infused by cubism, futurism and art deco. Modern Arf will present a rich sampling of his work, including bookplates, paintings, and comics.

Did you know Salvador Dalí drew comics? You'll be able to see them in this first volume of Modern Arf accompanying an essay exploring his influence on comics, his animated cartoon, and examples of comic artists such as Steranko and Crepax who paid homage to the Spanish surrealist. Modern Arf is stunningly designed in an oversized format to give justice to the incredible art collected between its covers. The Arf series will delight both comic and fine art lovers. Both will be sure to exclaim, "I don't know much about Arf, but this is what I like!" 120 pages black-and-white illustrations throughout and 48 pages in full color, 9" x 12".

Pop Artifact! Batman TV series soundtrack album



More bat music.

Vintage house ad DC Comics house ad

RKO horror classics boxed up

Coming in a DVD set Oct. 4: The Val LawtonHorror Collection.

The five disk set includes the director's RKO films:
1. The Cat People/Curse of the Cat People.
2. I Walked With a Zombie/Body Snatcher.
3. Isle of the Dead/Bedlam.
4. The Leopard Man/The Ghost Ship.
5. The Seventh Victim.

Separate disks will be available of The Cat People/Curse of the Cat People, I Walked With a Zombie/Body Snatcher and Isle of the Dead/Bedlam.

According to the Digital Bits:

Extras will include audio commentary with Greg Mank and Simone Simon on Cat People and Curse of the Cat People, commentary with Kim Newman and Steve Jones on I Walked With a Zombie, commentary with Steve Haberman and Robert Wise on The Body Snatcher, commentary with Tom Weaver on Bedlam and commentary with Steve Haberman on The Seventh Victim, along with the Shadows in the Dark: The Val Lewton Legacy documentary (on the life and films of the famous RKO Radio Pictures producer - the documentary is exclusive to the box set) and theatrical trailers.

"X-Men 3" teaser poster revealed

They haven't even started making the thing yet, but here's the first "X-Men 3"-related image.

Hey, kid! This ain't a library!!

ICv2 reports on the phenomenon of the "hidden manga reader." No, it's not a new super villain, but free-loading "browsers" who plop down and read entire books in the store:

The availability of comfortable reading space and easy access to big manga selections have long attracted readers to big box bookstores such as Borders and Barnes and Noble. The theory of these retailers is that consumers that come to sample will also buy, but there's definitely a subset of visitors to such stores that read the complete manga volume in the store and don't purchase it. Now there's at least some evidence that the problem has been recognized and is being addressed; Shojo Beat contributing editor Eric Searlemen told attendees at a BEA panel that a Borders store he frequented, on Union Square in San Francisco, had begun packaging all its manga titles in plastic, regardless of content.

The real Princess Leia

Actually, the kid's name is spelled Leah--but she's an actual princess. In Norway.

Reuters reports:

Norwegian Princess Leah's name was inspired by a character in a "Star Wars" movie, the mother of the infant princess was quoted as saying on Thursday.

"I must admit that I have always been a big 'Star Wars' fan, and Princess Leia has always been the most beautiful in the whole world," Princess Martha Louise said in an interview with the Norwegian daily Aftenposten.

Princess Leah, born on April 8 this year and fifth in line to the Norwegian throne, was due to be baptised on Thursday.

More new "Doctor Who" planned

From the BBC:

Dr Who fans will be delighted to hear
that the Time Lord will be returning for a third series.
Just days before the current run of the sci-fi show is due to end, its
makers have revealed that there are at least two more series to come.
On Saturday, Christopher Eccleston will make his final appearance as
the Doctor with David Tennant set to take over.
In addition to two more series, there will also be Christmas specials
for 2005 and 2006, the show's makers said.

That means Dr Who fans have a total of 28 more episodes to look forward
to when the current series ends.
Billie Piper will continue playing Rose until at least the end of
series two.


More Doctor Who.

Batman #11 cover up for bid

Oh to be rich: Heritage Auctions is selling the great Jerry Robinson's cover to Batman #11, starting bid $100,000. The pic depicts the Caped Crusader socking Robinson's creation, The Joker.

Pop Artifact! Batman Vs. the Fearsom Foursome paperback

Vintage DC Comics house ad

Secrets revealed at "Lost" confab

Ok, no big secrets, but spoilers nonetheless. Don't read the full Los Angeles Times account if you wanna stay entirely in the dark.

"Serenity" star rumored for "Wonder Woman"

Angel and Buffy News reports on rumors that actress Morena Baccarin, who appeared in "Wonder Woman" director Joss Whedon's "Firefly" TV series and the upcoming big screen spin-off of that show "Serenity," may be interested in portraying the amazon.

Happy birthday Neal Adams!

Cassette culture

At the NPR site, read the introduction to Sonic Youth guitarist/singer Thurston Moore's new book "Mix Tape: The Art of Cassette Culture":

...I made what I thought was the most killer hardcore tape ever. I wrote 'H' on one side, and 'C' on the other. That night, while we were in bed, and after Kim had fallen asleep, I put the cassette on our stereo cassette player, dragged one of the little speakers over to the bed, and listened to the tape at ultra-low thrash volume. I was in a state of humming bliss. This music had every cell and fiber in my body on heavy sizzle mode. It was sweet.

"Firefly" returns to the air this summer

Reruns of Joss Whedon's sci-fi series will air on the Sci Fi Channel starting in July in anticipation of Whedon's big screen "Serenity" film, which is based on the show. "Firefly" is available on DVD too.

Listening to the golden age of comics

The Golden Age of Comic Books, maintained by William Jourdain (who also created the wonderful Golden Age of Batman site), now features podcasts in its blog section.

The second offering features a history of Golden Age Batman artist (and creator of the Joker) Jerry Robinson and an interview with former Marvel Comics scribe/editor Roy Thomas.

"Civilian" has 10 questions about comic books

Jennifer Brummett, staff writer for the Advocate Messenger in Danville, Ky., wrote a column listing stuff that befuddles her about comic books.

Here's her top 10 with my attempts to answer:

1. Why do the bios give the height and weight of the heroes and heroines, as well as, in most cases, hair and eye color? For Halloween costume production? Filmmaking purposes?

Um, cuz fans like to think of these characters as real. Ridiculous amounts of detail goes toward that purpose, as does an insane obsession with "continuity." Comic books, particularly those focusing on superheroes, are set in self-contained fictional worlds, which fans insist must function according to their own internal logic. If a writer contradicts something that happened in a comic way back in 1972, no doubt some fan will get uptight and post some nasty comment about it on his blog. Unless whatever happened back then was negated by the Crisis on Infinite Earths, of course.

2. Why are most of the "cats," whether at DC or Marvel, women?

Because who wants to see a guy in a skin-tight catsuit? Come on!

3. Why hasn't there been a major motion picture done on Dr. Strange? I mean, yeah, there was the 1978 television flick called "Dr. Strange." How many people saw that?

A Doctor Strange movie...cool...

4. Why does the Wonder Woman movie I've been hearing about for the last 10 years or so keep getting stalled? Now, Joss Whedon is attached to direct such a flick. We'll see how long that lasts. Where's the love for the ladies in the limelight? ("Elektra," mind you, was a spin-off of "Daredevil.")

Because it's taken 20 years for the nostaligia factor to kick in. The Lynda Carter TV series, which was ridiculous and silly back in the 70s is now campy and cool. Comic book films don't get made by or at the behest of comic book fans, they get made by folks in Hollywood after the marketing department says its ok to go ahead. The Wonder Woman film isn't being made so much because she's a comic book character (although that helps a lot in the post "Spider-Man" movie climate), but because she was a TV character. Many more people are familiar with her in that context. We're getting a "Dukes of Hazzard" movie, a "Bewitched" movie, etc. So it was only matter of time before they got to her.

5. Why would a creator name a comic book character Umbra? Or Element Lad? Holly Go-Nightly? Abomination? Kang? Soldier X? Thunderbolt Ross? How do they come up with these, ummm, unusual names?

Drugs? Desperation? Dreaded Deadline Doom?

6. Horror movies have crossed the Pacific, as has anime. Could manga be next?

Manga is already kicking the American comics industry's ass in in sales. Go to Barnes and Noble and look at how many manga books are stocked compared to superhero reprints. Kids are loving the manga.

7. Comic Book Legal Defense Fund? Huh?

Comic books have a long history of being singled out as targets for prudes, censors and other types of Republicans. Check out the history of the 1950s juvenille delinquency hearings, the comics code, etc. The CBLD is an effort to give creators and comic book shops some legal protection should they come under attack.

8. Who makes the time for something like this - http://www.uky.edu/Projects/Chemcomics/? Oh. My.

That...is...so...cool! I'm gonna add a link to to that on my Web site.

9. Do superheroes and superheroines sweat? Hey, there's a whole lotta skin-tight hero-wear going on in the comic books. Is it comfortable?

It's all about unstable molecules, baby.

10. I keep reading about a film featuring Batman versus Superman - like, for years and years I've been reading this. Why is this interesting? I mean, Batman doesn't have any super powers, per se - just cool equipment, an extensive knowledge of the martial arts, and know-how about detective processes. Superman, coming from another planet, does have superpowers - flying, super-strength, enormous speed. Wouldn't he whip Batman's butt?

Brains trump brawn every time. Brains and kryptonite.

Pop Artifact! Batman 1966 movie poster

Vintage DC Comics house ad

New CD releases of note

June 14

The 101'ers (Joe Strummer's pre-Clash band) Elgin Avenue Breakdown (Revisited)
Ry Cooder Chavez Ravine
Miles Davis 'Round About Midnight: Legacy Edition
Ian Dury New Boots & Panties
Brian Eno Another Day on Earth
The Everly Brothers Too Good to Be True: 18 Unreleased 1950s Sessions
Connie Francis Gold
Stevie Wonder A Time 2 Love
OST Batman Begins
OST Bewitched
DVD Paul McCartney in Red Square

June 21

Jonathan Edwards Have a Good Time for Me
Juan Garcia Esquivel Sights and Sounds of
Chris Hillman The Other Side
Julie London Yummy, Yummy, Yummy
The Ventures Alive Five-O: The Anthology
VA Heaven Must Have Sent You: The Holland/Dozier/Holland Anthology
OST Herbie Fully Loaded
OST Six Feet Under: Everything Ends

Making of a new Bat logo

Designer John Spencer tells how he created the new "Batman Begins" bat symbol:

Mr Spencer, who prefers not to reveal how much he was paid for the work, said: "I spent about two weeks looking at the original logo.

"At first I thought it couldn't be bettered, but the more I looked at it the more I thought it looked like a half eaten apple core. There wasn't a straight line in it."

He added: "It was a pretty hectic time." He spent a lot of time going back and forth to Sheperton Studios to check what he was doing was acceptable.

"We finally agreed on a design that has a lot of straight lines. It's much more angular and aggressive than the original, which I think reflects the film."


Pink Feud

You've probably heard the Pink Floyd is reuniting for one of those "Live 8" concerts, and it's surprising news to anyone who's followed the history of the group.

These guys--particularly bassinst Roger Waters and guitarist Dave Gilmour--really, really have a hard time getting along.

The Independent has a detailed look at one of rock's greatest feuds:

As the new millennium got under way, Gilmour, self-confessedly inarticulate, explained why he still didn't talk to Waters. "Roger's a prick," he said.

Undercutting Waters' old gripes about meaningless stadium rock concerts done for the money, Gilmour appeared in 2001 at the South Bank Meltdown Festival. Three years later, Nick Mason, the only other surviving original Floyd member, published his own version of Floyd history, Inside Out.

Mason, a self-confessed mediator, wrote in his book of the band's early approach to relationships: "We had a style - if there's a problem, ignore it." No change there, then. Typically, neither Gilmour nor Waters originally wanted the book published. Perhaps he should have called it I Used To Be In Pink Floyd, But Now I'm Alright.

This week's new DVD releases

June 14


The Joan Crawford Collection (Humoresque; Mildred Pierce; Possessed; Women; The Damned Don't Cry)


The Bette Davis Collection (Dark Victory; The Letter; Mr. Skeffington; Now, Voyager; The Star)


Casino Special Edition

Northern Exposure Complete Third Season

Another "Batman Begins" review

From USA Today:

...Batman 5 (* * ½ out of four) reverses the order of Mike Tyson's weekend bout: The early going - say, an hour - is spent in a fatigued daze. A few powerful jabs eventually punch things up.
...The movie finally improves (and starts showing a sense of humor) back home in Gotham. Bruce returns to don the duds and start going mobile in his famous wheels. It's all to fight a nefarious municipal scheme that, among other things, gives Gary Oldman, who is one of many welcome and familiar character actors, a rare chance to play a good guy.

Two more things to note: No fan of cult director Christopher Nolan is going to regard this respectable effort as anything but a comedown from 2001's Memento. And since the previous Batman movies, we've had the potent Spider-Man duo, which impressively gave us "lively" and "brooding" at the same time.

Pop Artifact! Batman movie serial poster

Vintage DC Comics house ad

And now this special message...

Early Dr. Seuss works coming

Checker Book Publishing Group is pleased to announce the launch of a new series… Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss)! These collections will reprint the good doctor’s illustrations from early in his career, before his children’s books became world famous.

Geisel’s short stories, essays, and cartoons appeared in national publications such as Judge, Liberty, and PM, and he also created a myriad of advertising illustrations for various companies. Geisel also illustrated a wide variety of other print publications, calendars, and joke books such as “The Pocket Book of Boners”. Geisel’s illustrations turned this book into a national bestseller, and one of his advertising campaigns even proved to be so popular with the public that in 1929, a book collecting some of his advertisement designs was published.

Checker has collected dozens upon dozens of Geisel’s illustrations and has undertaken to restore these iconic cartoons of this world-famous artist. Under the nom-de-plume “Dr. Seuss”, Geisel has sold over 500 million books worldwide and continues to inspire generations of fans both young and old.

Checker’s
first volume of “Theodor Seuss Geisel: Early Works” is slated for August 2005 publication. Volume 2 is scheduled for November 2005, with Volume 3 following in Spring 2006. All of the books in the series will have a high-quality hardcover format, dust jacket and black and white illustrations.

Asterix smacks Mickey Mouse

That super-strength potion must work: An Asterix theme park is raking in the dough while Euro Disney struggles, says this report.

Whereas Euro Disney has struggled financially since its launch in the early 1990s despite attracting some 13-million visitors a year from all over the globe, the smaller Asterix park, opened in 1989, has turned in a profit since 1999 and that with a mainly French clientele.

..."We have the advantage of not being too in debt, and also of dealing with completely different volumes," the director of Asterix park, Alain Trouve, told AFP. With its two million visitors a year, 85 percent of which are French, the park registered almost €67-million in turnover in 2004 and again turned in a profit.

Euro Disney on the other hand has already had to restructure its finances twice as it struggles to service a €2.4-billion debt.

Trouve links the Asterix park's success to the Asterix comic book characters who are anchored in French popular culture and a rigorous management of the park which only opens for 160 days a year.

"The idea was to bring the characters on the page alive as well as their spirit. To find the humour, convivality and the strength of the characters and to put that all in a park," he said.


More on Parc Asterix.

Asterix books.

Batman and his "comic book roots"

The prevalent angle newspapers are using when reporting on "Batman Begins" is that the film "returns the hero to his comic book roots."

But what are those roots? Batman has been many things in comic books over the years: A grim-faced crimefighter (1930s), smiling adventurer (1940s), spacefarer and time traveler (1950s, 60s), back-to-basics crimefighter-man-of-the-people (1970s) and--currently--a humorless psychotic ninja.

Reports indicate the film lifts a lot of its inspiration from Frank Miller's "Batman Year One" with a dollop of Denny O'Neill and Neal Adams' bronze age run (it features Ras Al Ghul, after all).

I guess that's all fine. But the gist of these articles is that the comics offer the "real" Batman, whereas, current comics actually seem to be more confused than Hollywood about what to do with the poor guy.

For 20 years, the comics have been pretty much retreads of and variations on Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns," itself originally a one-off "imaginary tale" that took a "what if" look at one of the Caped Crusader's possible futures. The take has gotten pretty old. Any shred of humanity or humor the character held is pretty much gone.

A recent bright spot, though, is the "Dark Detective" mini-series DC is currently running. Featuring script and art from the classic Steven Englehart-Marshall Rogers team of the late 1970s, it's the best-of-all-worlds take on the character. This Batman is tough, dark, but feeling. He cracks the occasional joke and smile. He has a love life.

Englehart draws much of his inspiration from the late 40s Batman, when the character was lightening up from his grim beginnings but not ready to blast off into space quite yet. O'Neill and Adams took much the same approach when they handled the character in the early 70s.

I don't know for sure which Batman "Batman Begins" features, but if he's anything close to this one, that's great. He's a Batman I'd like to see a lot more of.

Summer means Slurpees

The beverage (I guess you'd call it a beverage...) is celebrating its 40th anniversary says this press release:

7-Eleven, Inc. has launched a month-long celebration of Slurpee's 40th birthday on July 11, 2005. To celebrate this iconic brand, 7-Eleven is introducing retro Slurpee cups and flavors in participating 7-Eleven® stores nationwide, airing original Slurpee radio spots from the 1960s, and offering prizes and promotions as part of the Slurpee Summer Prize Fest, including free music downloads and the chance to win one of four MINI Cooper convertibles.
Today, Slurpee is one of America's most recognized brands, but when Slurpee was introduced in 1965 it was a groundbreaking concept that took America by storm. Still served at a chilling 28 degrees, Slurpee enjoys worldwide popularity and is available in 14 countries and U.S. territories.

"A lot has changed since 1965, but not Slurpee. It's the ultimate retro drink, still cool even after 40 years," said Kevin Cooper, 7-Eleven category manager for Slurpee and fountain. "That's why we decided to have some fun this summer with some of the crazy '60s Slurpee flavors like Blue Blunder Berry and Gully Washer."

"Slurpee is truly an iconic American brand," said Wendy Liebmann, founder and president, WSL Strategic Retail. "Slurpee was one of the defining icons of American pop culture in the 1960s. Forty years later, it still resonates with a broad base of consumers who see it as their big chilly drink of choice."

Starting today, 7-Eleven customers can slurp Blue Blunder Berry in June and Gully Washer during July, two retro flavors developed by The Coca- Cola Company. Four color-changing Slurpee mugs feature graphics representing the decades of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Tinted bright blue, yellow, orange or green, the 38-ounce refillable mugs dramatically change colors when a cold Slurpee hits the mug, designed to fit any car cup holder. Retailing for $2.49, the price includes the mug, one Slurpee fill-up and free Wonka candy.

All Slurpee customers will be winners during the Slurpee Summer Prize Fest. Throughout June and July, 7-Eleven is giving away one free music download on all standard Slurpee cups. Last but not least, 7-Eleven is giving away four grand prize MINI Cooper convertibles, one for each decade of the Slurpee's 40 years of popularity and each painted a bright Slurpee color. Customers can register to win at participating 7-Eleven stores nationwide or online at http://www.slurpee.com .

"We decided to celebrate Slurpee's birthday by giving our customers a gift -- Slurpees, music and convertibles seemed like a natural fit," said Cooper. "Slurpee lovers can collect both music and cups during the celebration, and if they're really lucky, they might win a car!"


That's all very nice. But what we really want are Slurpee superhero cups!



The fine art of DVD tie-ins

It's summer blockbuster season and, since all summer blockbusters these days seem to be based on past movies and TV shows, that means it's also a big season for DVD releases.

The Hollywood Reporter provides a rundown of things we can expect:

"Batman Begins" yields the release of Volume 3 of "Batman -- The Animated Series" and the TV movie "Return to the Batcave," a look back at the Adam West-Burt Ward series. Notably, though, Universal (which owns the rights) has yet again blown an opportunity to release the 1960s Batman series on home video. They didn't do it on tape back when the Tim Burton flick came out, and they couldn't get it together for this new movie either.

As a tie-in to the upcoming Steven Spielberg adaptation, a couple of DVD documentaries focus on the hysteria provoked by the "War of the Worlds."

The original, Japanese version of "Dark Water" is coming out June 21, dovetailing with the release of the Jennifer Connelly version.

And the complete 1990s "Fantastic Four" cartoon is coming out July 5, to tie-in with the release of the quartet's new live-action feature, which opens the same day.

Pop Artifact! Tarzan ice cream packaging





Discovered at Hake's Auctions.

Vintage house ad

And now this special message...

More spookiness: 8 Hammer Horror flicks on DVD

Coming from Universal Sept. 6: The Hammer Horror Series featuring eight flicks on 2 DVDs.

Included: "Brides of Dracula," "The Curse of the Werewolf," "The Phantom of the Opera (1962)," "Paranoiac," "Kiss of the Vampire," "Nightmare," "Night Creatures" and "The Evil of Frankenstein."

DVD collects Bela Lugosi's best

Collected on just one disk from Universal: "Murders in the Rue Morgue," "The Black Cat (1934)," "The Raven," "The Invisible Ray" and "Black Friday." It's out Sept. 6.

Marvel Legends 10 variants

Here are fresh pics of the variant Cyclops and Angel figures that are part of the upcoming Marvel Legend series 10 action figures.



Dark Horse Comics September: Joe Kubert's Tarzan! New Dracula from Marv Wolfman/Gene Colan!

Great, great news!!!



TARZAN: THE JOE KUBERT YEARS VOLUME 1 HC
JOE KUBERT (W/A)
On sale October 26, HC, 200pg, FC, 6 1/4" x 10 1/4", $49.95


Few artists can capture visceral action sequences and the dynamic human
form like Joe Kubert, and his expressive talents are fully realized in
his 1970s Tarzan comics. This beautiful archive collection—with an
introduction by Kubert and color restoration based off of Tatjana Wood’s
original colors—is a must-have for fans of timeless adventure tales and
Joe Kubert’s undeniable intensity and skill. Beginning with this first
volume, Dark Horse’s hardcover series reprints Kubert’s entire Tarzan
work. Join us on these primal adventures, as Tarzan discovers the
pleasures and perils of the African wilds … and the many dangers posed by both
man and beast! Joe Kubert’s Tarzan, Volume One, reprints issues 207
through 214 of the 1970s run, featuring "Origin of the Ape Man" (a bold
adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ first Tarzan novel), "Jungle Tales of
Tarzan," and other stories inspired by Burroughs’ books—all written and
drawn by the legendary Joe Kubert!

THE CURSE OF DRACULA TPB
MARV WOLFMAN (W), GENE COLAN (A), and DAVE STEWART (C)
On sale October 12, SC, 80pg, FC, 7" x 10", $9.95


In the 1970s, writer Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan created seventy
issues of terrifying tales in the classic Marvel series The Tomb of
Dracula. Now, Wolfman and Colan are together again, offering a fresh take
on the most enduring character in horror fiction and catapulting the
Lord of the Dead back into comics stardom.

A mysterious and persuasive figure is moving amongst the circles of San
Francisco’s political elite. When Jonathan Van Helsing and his team of
vampire hunters come to town investigating a string of grisly murders
and stumble into a virtual pit of blood-soaked horrors, they know it’s
only a matter of time before they come face to face with the master of
the dark!

Other September offerings from Dark Horse:

AEON FLUX #2 of (4)
MIKE KENNEDY (W) and TIMOTHY GREEN II (A)
On sale September 21, FC, 32pg, $2.99

Family ties can prove useful, especially when Aeon Flux is pulling the
strings. Though she keeps her secret agent activity hidden from her
sister, Una Flux, Aeon is not above using her sister’s love-struck
infatuation with a government scientist to her advantage. A little
intervention and subtle matchmaking and everyone benefits, including Aeon’s eager
young protégé, Sithandra. While her drawn out acrobatic training may
seem to be a complete waste of time, there is much she can learn from
Aeon’s experience … and vice versa …

THE ART OF COMIC-BOOK INKING 2ND EDITION TPB
GARY MARTIN (W) and VARIOUS (A)
On sale October 26, SC, 192 plus 8 art boards, 8 1/2" x 11", $24.95

Gary Martin’s two volumes of The Art of Comic-Book Inking have become
the industry-standard manuals for aspiring inkers seeking to take their
work to the next level or for working professionals looking to broaden
their skills base. Now, these two textbooks have been combined into a
single value-priced volume and expanded with new material, including
three additional blue-lined art boards featuring pencil art by master
comics illustrators Jack Kirby, John Buscema, and Gil Kane. Gain insights
into the techniques, tools, and approaches of some of the finest
delineators in comics today, including Terry Austin, Mark Farmer, Scott
Williams, Alex Garner, and many more. When putting pen or brush to paper, no
tool is more helpful than The Art of Comic-Book Inking.

• Includes eight full-sized blue-lined art boards featuring pencil art
by some of the top illustrators in the comics industry, present and
past, to use for practice and/or to use as samples to show to editors and
publishers

BERSERK VOLUME 9 TPB
KENTARO MIURA (W/A)
On sale October 12, SC, 240pg, b&w, 5" x 7", $13.95


Griffith, charismatic leader of the elite mercenary Band of the Hawk,
has seen better days. His fearless champion, Guts, has left the Band,
defeating Griffith in personal combat as his ticket out. With his
judgment clouded by this unthinkable humiliation, Griffith eases his pain in
the arms of the daughter of Midland’s king. But the King doesn’t take
kindly to an employee picking the royal flowers, and the next stop for
Griffith is the dungeon and the torture rack! Without Griffith and Guts,
the Hawks become easy prey for Midland’s army, and the AWOL Guts may be
the only answer to the Hawks’—and Griffith’s—lethal problems.

BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #105: DUET (one-shot)
HIROAKI SAMURA (W/A)
On sale September 14, b&w, 32pg, $2.99

The feud between the Ittö-ryü and the Mugai-ryü heats up as Anotsu
renews his quest for revenge. Still reeling from the Mugai-ryü surprise
attack that wiped out most of his troops, Anotsu rallies his surviving
followers and sets a new plan of attack in motion. Manji finally meets
with Habaki Kagamura, leader of the shadowy Mugai-ryü, and they sit down
to discuss Manji’s past, his connection to Habaki, and the kessen-chu
bloodworms that grant him immortality. Intrigue and surprises in another
tense installment from Hiroaki Samura!

B.P.R.D.: THE BLACK FLAME #2 (of 6)
MIKE MIGNOLA (W), JOHN ARCUDI (W), GUY DAVIS (P/I), and DAVE STEWART (C)
On sale Septmeber 28, FC, 32pg, $2.99

Abe Sapien tries to settle into a desk job as the Bureau for Paranormal
Research and Defense’s war against the frog monsters escalates. But
while Roger leads the Bureau’s military units from victory to victory, the
Nazi head of a major U.S. corporation puts his best scientists to work
harnessing the power of the frogmen, and preparing for the return of a
bizarre villain from the Bureau’s secret past—The Black Flame.

CHOSEN TPB
MARK MILLAR (W) and PETER GROSS (A)
On sale October 12, SC, 72pg, FC, 7" x 10", $9.95

Imagine you’re twelve years old and suddenly discover that you are the
returned Jesus Christ. You can turn water into wine, make the crippled
walk, and perhaps even raise the dead. What do you and your family do,
and how does it affect you knowing that you’re destined to grow up and
take part in a conflict that people have been waiting almost two
thousand years for? Chosen has been described in the British press as
Spider-Man meets The Book of Revelation. SFX magazine describes it as Harry
Potter for Christian fundamentalists.

CLASSIC COMIC BOOK CHARACTER: BONE
On sale October 12, 5" tall, fully-painted, packaged in a litho-printed
full-color tin box and included is a vintage-style pinback button, and
booklet about the character and his creator, limited to 750 pieces,
$49.95

Inspired by the "Syroco" statues of the 1940’s, Dark Horse’s series of
"Classic Comic" statues have been a huge success. Sculpted with flair
and grace at Yoe! Studios, nearly 50 statues have been produced thus
far, with many selling out.

CRAVAN HC
MIKE RICHARDSON (W) and RICK GEARY (W/A)

On sale October 26, HC, 72pg, b&w, 6" x 9", $14.95

This is a true story about the most interesting person you’ve never
heard of: Arthur Cravan, major figure in pre-WWI cutting-edge art circles,
was among the greatest mysterious figures of the Twentieth Century. A
self-confessed thief, forger, and con artist, he used a roster of
assumed names and false identities. He was known, at various times, as a
novelist, poet, painter, art critic, lecturer, publisher, and French Boxing
Champion. Always a rebellious, restless spirit, this dedicated
rule-breaker was a political radical whose friendship with Leon Trotsky earned
him the surveillance of the U.S. government—even through his
immigration to Mexico with his wife, the poet Mina Loy. In 1918, at the age of
thirty-one, the fascinating physical giant vanished without a trace,
and—despite several supposed sightings over the years—was never seen again.
Is it possible that he became the mysterious, reclusive novelist B.
Traven, who wrote The Treasure of the Sierra Madre?

CONAN #20
KURT BUSIEK (W), CARY NORD (P), DAVE STEWART (C), and JOSÉ LADRONN (Cover)
On sale September 21, FC, 32pg, $2.99


The critically acclaimed, best-selling Conan series begins its highly
anticipated adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s "The Tower of the
Elephant," one of the most popular Conan tales of all time.

A bar fight in the City of Thieves yields far more than expected when
Conan learns of the fabled and impregnable Tower of the Elephant.
Determined to rob it, Conan sets out on a quest that will involve new
comrades, sudden death, horrifying creatures, and gruesome unsettling fates
for both gods and men.

CONAN: THE GOD IN THE BOWL AND OTHER STORIES TPB
KURT BUSIEK (W), CARY NORD (P) , THOMAS YEATES (I), and DAVE STEWART (C)
On sale September 28, SC, 124pg, FC, 7" x 10", $15.95


The critically acclaimed and award-winning creative team behind the
runaway hit revival are back with a brand new adaptation of one of Conan
creator Robert E. Howard’s best-known tales.

Award-winning writer Kurt Busiek and artists Cary Nord and Dave Stewart
render the glorious suspense of Howard’s beloved "The God in the Bowl"
in all its terrifying detail, as well as introducing not only Conan’s
most famed adversary, Thoth-amon, but a new female foil to Conan’s
exploits—Janissa, the Widowmaker, bound by a pact to a witch who has
sinister plans for Conan.

DAMN NATION TPB
ANDREW COSBY (W) and J. ALEXANDER (A)
On sale October 12, SC, 104pg, FC, 6" x 9", $12.95


From the creator of UPN’s Haunted and the Sci-Fi network original
series Eureka comes one of the most ambitious and horrifying tales ever
committed to the comics page!

Writer Andrew Cosby has imagined a United States shut off from the
world by concrete barricades and barbed wire—not because of what might get
in, but what might get out. A vampire plague has spread from sea to
shining sea and when a small holdout of scientists trapped outside of
Buffalo, N.Y. discover a cure, it’s up to a Special Ops team from the
President's current offices in London to go in and get it. Yet, not everyone
in the world wants to see America back in the saddle again …

DARK HORSE DELUXE STATIONERY SETS AND JOURNALS
On sale November 16

  • Tara McPherson’s Lonely Heart Stationery Set, 8 letter sheets, 6
    envelopes, 5 3/4" x 8 3/4", $4.99
  • Jim Flora Musick Shoppe Stationery Set, 8 letter sheets, 6 envelopes, 5
    3/4" x 8 3/4", $4.99
  • Jim Flora Journal, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2" spiral bound journals, 128 pages,
    $9.99

FAVOLE: STONE TEARS BOOK 1 TPB
VICTORIA FRANCÉS (W/A)
On sale October 12, SC, 48pg, FC, 6 11/16" x 10 1/4", $12.95


Victoria Francés creates in her first book a gothic romantic fantasy
reminiscent of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, filled with tales of
vampires, magic, and the undying spirit of lovers which reaches across the
centuries.

Lushly illustrated, Favole: Stone Tears is the first book in an ongoing
series by an emerging new talent in the illustration field.

THE FOG TPB
SCOTT ALLIE (W) and TODD HERMAN (A)
On sale October 26, SC, 88pg, FC, 5 1/4" x 7 1/2", $6.95

This October, John Carpenter brings one of his most original nightmares
back to the big screen with a remake of The Fog, starring Smallville’s
Superboy Tom Welling. Carpenter and director Rupert Wainwright
(Stigmata) team with Dark Horse Comics to flesh out the story of doomed
travelers and the supernatural devastation of a small coastal town, in this
original graphic novel.

Scott Allie, writer of The Devil’s Footprints and Star Wars: Empire
worked with the director to craft a bizarre story about a Chinese curse
and a town plunged into a walking-dead nightmare. A group of Shanghai
traders have come to America hoping to escape a string of weird deaths at
the claws of unseen monsters. The arrival of a strange yet familiar fog
reveals that the curse has found them, but even they don’t know what
that has to do with a pyromaniac refugee from the Civil War, the
disappearance of one of their sons, or the terrible change coming over the
Americans in this small seaside town.

FRANK MILLER’S SIN CITY LIBRARY I HC
FRANK MILLER (W/A/)
On sale October 26, 4 hardcovers w/slipcase, 840pg, b&w w/spot color,
9" x 12", $150.00

A collector’s dream! Sin City fans the world over are clamoring for
oversized archival editions of the legendary noir series from Frank
Miller, and Dark Horse is rising to the occasion! In the tradition of the EC
Library, these deluxe hardcovers measure 9" x 12", are printed on
high-quality paper stock, and collect each original series along with the
color series covers. The four hardcover volumes of set I are packaged in
a handsomely designed slipcase—a long-awaited addition to the
bookshelves of discriminating comics fans.

This slipcase holds volumes one through four of Sin City, the
hard-boiled stories that started it all! Never before seen at this size, the
now-infamous Marv, Dwight, Gail, Miho, Hartigan, Nancy, and the Yellow
Bastard will transport you to Sin City and show you the bloody lives they
lead … bloody by choice or by circumstance.

THE GOON: FANCY PANTS EDITION HCERIC POWELL (W/A)
On sale October 12, HC, 184pg, FC, 7" x 10", $24.95

This volume collects the essential stories of the Eisner-Award winning
Goon, presenting his life in chronological order for the first
time—along with a boxcar-load of extras—all in a handsomely designed (and
handsomely priced) signed hardcover. Chronicling the histories of the Zombie
Priest, Buzzard, Labrazio, and of course, Goon and Franky, this
collection is the perfect introduction to the entire Goon mythos. Eric Powell
personally arranged the stories (spanning three publishers and nearly
ten years) so that the life of the Goon could be read as one complete
story. This hardcover is a must-have for every serious fan of the Goon,
containing a comprehensive sketchbook and a three-page,
never-before-seen Buzzard story.

THE GOON #14
ERIC POWELL (W/A)
On sale September 21, FC, 32pg, $2.99


It’s well known that a nameless man known to some as the Zombie Priest
came to the Goon’s burg to build a gang from the dead. But why? Who is
he? Where did he come from? What are the origins of his mysterious
power? Why has he set loose a plague of zombies? Could it be from emotional
problems? Was he breastfed for too long? Was he potty trained too
quickly? Would he be a nicer fella if a nice lady friend baked him a cake?
All this and more revealed in this startling tell-all issue!

HELLSING: IMPURE SOULS ANIME MANGA TPB
KOHTA HIRANO (W/A)
On sale October 26, SC, 160pg, FC, 5" x 7", $14.95


A secret war brews in the night—a war where humanity is only a pawn.
The Hellsing Organization deploys in the shadows to protect the mortal
world. But now, artificially spawned vampires have appeared, forcing
Hellsing to call in their ultimate weapon—the rogue vampire, Alucard!

We present Hellsing: Impure Souls Anime Manga, adapted from the popular
anime series, now in book form for your sustained joy and dread.

HOT STUFF KEYCHAINS
* On sale September 14, Hot Stuff "Heart" Keychain, $4.99
* On sale September 14, Hot Stuff "Mmmm!" Keychain, $4.99

Hot Stuff returns with more mischief! Imported from France and sculpted
of the highest quality by Demons and Merveilles, this Harvey Comics
character continues to bring praise from customers. Dark Horse is pleased
to offer two new Hot Stuff keychains to our line.

JACK HIGHTOWER TPB
WILL VINTON (W), ANDREW WIESE (W), and FABIO LAGUNA (A)
On sale October 12, SC, 136pg, FC, 7" x 10", $12.95


Secret agent Jack Hightower was at the height of his career when
something BIG happened. Now the world-class uber-operative and infamous
ladies man is seeing things from a whole new perspective … a very, very
different perspective, to say the least.

Tall, daring, and handsome, Jack had it all—a stellar career, beautiful
women, and more power and influence than he could shake a supermodel
at. But despite it all, Jack longed for one thing that eluded him—the
capture of his long-time archnemesis, Dr. Litigious Savant. On the fateful
night when Jack’s dream of cornering the elusive Savant is realized,
things go terribly, dreadfully wrong, and Jack gets cut down to size by
one of the doctor’s insidious inventions … the size of your average
action figure, to be exact.

JINGLE BELLE ORNAMENT
On sale November 16, 4 7/8" tall, fully painted polyresin, packaged in
full-color window box, $14.99



LITTLE LULU: LETTERS TO SANTA TPB
JOHN STANLEY (W) and IRVING TRIPP (A)
On sale October 12, SC, 200pg, b&w, 6" x 9", $9.95


For eight-year-old Lulu Moppet, nothing is impossible—even if the
results of her efforts are impossibly imperfect. Need to quell the fury of a
rambunctious two-year-old? Lulu’s got a hilarious fairy tale brewing in
her brain that'll do just the trick. Father needs his best suit taken
to the tailor? Lulu can handle it—so long as Pop doesn't mind if she
makes a few unplanned—and wholly unpredictable!—stops along the way. Have
a wayward ghost in your house who needs a new home? Lulu's your girl!

OH MY GODDESS VOLUME 1 TPB
KOSUKE FUJISHIMA (W/A)
On sale October 12, SC, 192pg, b&w, 5" x 7", $10.95


Alone in his dorm on a Saturday night, Nekomi Tech’s Keiichi Morisato
dials a wrong number that will change his life forever—reaching the
Goddess Technical Help Line. Granted one wish by the charming young goddess
Belldandy—a wish for anything in the world—Keiichi wishes she would
stay with him always! Complications are bound to ensue from this; the
immediate first being the new couple getting tossed out of the dorm—it’s
males only!

As the hapless student and his mysterious "foreign beauty" ride around
looking for a new place to stay—risking the different dangers of
seeking shelter with an otaku convinced Belldandy is an imaginary woman, and
a Zen priest convinced she’s a sinister witch—Keiichi’s still got his
classes on Monday morning! How is his new "exchange student" companion
going to be received on the N.I.T. campus? A little too well for normal
life to ever return …

REVELATIONS #2 (of 6)
PAUL JENKINS (W), HUMBERTO RAMOS (P/Cover), and LEONARDO OLEA (C)
On sale September 28, FC, 32pg, $2.99


Detective Charlie Northern delves deeper into the secret workings of
the Vatican as he tries to unravel the strange death of a highly
influential cardinal, only to discover that someone is trying to sabotage his
investigation. Luckily, Northern finds an ace up his sleeve—lawyer and
Vatican insider Lucille Pellicica who has taken an interest in him. Yet,
in underground catacombs, ancient rituals are being acted out, hidden
in the darkness from Northern’s prying eyes.

Don’t miss as one of the most original mysteries in comics takes shape
at the hands of fan-favorite creative team Paul Jenkins and Humberto
Ramos!

ROCCO VARGAS: WALKING WITH MONSTERS HC
DANIEL TORRES (W/A)
On sale September 7, HC, 48pg, FC, 8 3/4" x 11 3/4", $14.95


Shape-shifting robots! An interstellar conspiracy! Who can be trusted?
Rocco Vargas betrayed! In the world of the future, the solar-system’s
most renowned science-fiction writer is but the alter-ego of the
galaxy’s greatest adventurer, the suave swashbuckler Rocco Vargas. Coming to
the aid of embattled shape-changing "biomecs," Rocco finds himself at
the center of mayhem on Mars, with the fate of the mecs—and his own
freedom—hanging in the balance. Created by legendary cartoonist Daniel
Torres, Rocco Vargas is stylish, rousing graphic fiction that is sure to be
all the rage on the most exclusive space stations and off-world
colonies.

ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE ORNAMENT SET
On sale November 16, Rocky stands 3" tall, Bullwinkle is 4 7/8" tall,
fully painted polyresin, packaged in full-color window box, $19.99


RON ENGLISH’S RABBBIT SOFT VINYL FIGURE
On sale September 28, 9" tall,
soft vinyl figure, packaged in a full color window box, $17.99

SAMURAI: HEAVEN AND EARTH TPB
RON MARZ (W), LUKE ROSS (A), and JASON KEITH (C)
On sale October 26, SC, 120pg, FC, 6" x 9", $14.95


Beginning in feudal Japan of 1704, Samurai: Heaven & Earth follows
Shiro, a lone samurai warrior sworn to be reunited with the love of his
life who has been spirited away by his enemies. His pursuit of Yoshiko
will carry him farther than he could have imagined —-from his native Japan
to the sprawling empire of China, across Europe, and finally to Paris
itself. There, in the fabled halls of King Louis XIV’s Versailles, he
must cross blades with the greatest swordsmen ever known if he is to
reclaim his love.

Ron Marz and artist Luke Ross, fresh off their triumphant finale on
Green Lantern, have turned their skills to a historical epic in the
tradition of Lone Wolf and Cub and Alexandre Dumas’ The Three Musketeers.
Joined by Eisner-nominated colorist Jason Keith, they have produced a
lushly illustrated tale of devotion and high adventure.

SAMURAI EXECUTIONER VOLUME 8 TPB
KAZUO KOIKE (W) and GOSEKI KOJIMA (A)
On sale November 30, SC, 304pg, b&w, 4" x 6", $9.95


Spring is a season of rebirth, or new life springing forth, a time of
cherished blooming and delightful scents. But for Kubikira Asa, there is
no spring delight. The Edo-era samurai crime drama by Lone Wolf and Cub
creators Koike and Kojima continues down its path of heinous crime and
diligent, bloody justice.

Spring may come to the innocent, but to those condemned to lose their
heads to Asa’s sword, it will be their last.

SERENITY #3 (of 3)
JOSS WHEDON (W), BRETT MATTHEWS (W), WILL CONRAD (P), LAURA MARTIN (C),
LEINIL YU (Cover), JOSHUA MIDDLETON (Cover), and SEAN PHILLIPS (Cover)
On sale September 7, FC, 32pg, $2.99


Just looking to earn themselves a little bit of peace on the edges of
the galaxy, the crew of the ship Serenity have landed themselves in a
big, fat trap. Now, it’s up to this motley bunch of mercenaries and
fugitives to fight their way free from the grips of a nasty bunch of
covert-operatives known as the Blue Gloves. Get ready for hot action in the
cold reaches of space as Joss Whedon and Brett Matthews deliver the
brain-exploding conclusion to this comic prequel of Whedon’s Serenity
feature-film—the uber-anticipated follow-up to his cult-hit TV show Firefly.

SIN CITY PLAYING CARDS
On sale August 17, pack includes 52 plastic coated cards, plus two
jokers, $4.99


Comics legend Frank Miller lent his distinctive noir style to a deck of
cards that will prove a winner every time! The back of each card
features an illustration of Nancy in all her glory, and memorable images from
the town without pity decorate each and every card. Pack includes 52
plastic coated cards and two jokers.

STAR WARS: EMPIRE #37
"The Wrong Side of the War" part 2 (of 5)
WELLES HARTLEY (W), DAVIDÉ FABBRI (P), CHRISTIAN DALLA VECCHIA (I),
DAVIDÉ FABBRI (C), DAVID MICHAEL BECK (Cover)
On sale September 7, FC, 32pg, $2.99


In his new post as prison guard at the Imperial base on Kalist IV, Lt.
Janek Sunber is forced to weigh what he knows he should do against what
he can do when he comes up against the corrupt status quo.

But conflict with his fellow officers is just the tip of the iceberg
when it comes to challenges facing the young lieutenant. Unbeknownst to
the Empire, the Rebels have infiltrated the base!

STAR WARS: REPUBLIC #81
"The Hidden Enemy" part 1 (of 3)
JOHN OSTRANDER (W), JAN DUURSEMA (P/Cover), DAN PARSONS (I), and BRAD ANDERSON (C)
On sale September 28, FC, 32pg, $2.99


The first issue of a three-part story that begins during the events of
Revenge of the Sith, and reveals a battle that was not shown in that
film!

The Separatist attack on the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyyk demands a
strong response from the Republic, and Jedi Masters Luminara Unduli and
Quinlan Vos arrive with their clone armies. But there may be more
behind the Separatist attack—and more to the Wookiee’s defense—than the Jedi
know.

Old friends, new enemies, and lots of action!

STAR WARS: X-WING—ROGUE LEADER #1 (of 3)
HADEN BLACKMAN (W), TOMÁS GIORELLO (P), MICHAEL ATIYEH (C), and GARY
ERSKINE (Cover)
On sale September 21, FC, 32pg, $2.99


In the wake of the death of the Emperor and the destruction of the
Death Star II, a group of Rebel pilots are looking forward to some
well-deserved R & R. Instead, they run into a deadly attack by vengeful
Imperials that changes the course of all of their lives.

Rev up your engines—it’s time for the Rogue Squadron to fly again! Join
Luke Skywalker, Wedge Antilles, and the rest of the Rogues on a mission
that will define them as heroes not just of the Rebellion, but as
heroes for the whole galaxy!

SUPER MANGA BLAST! #56
MOHIRO KITOH (W/A), MAKOTO KOBAYASHI (W/A), KENICHI SONODA (W/A), and
HIROYUKI UTATANE (A) with TOSHIYA TAKEDA (W)
On sale September 28, b&w, 128pg, $5.99


Animals unbound! Makoto Kobayashi presents his first extended What’s
Michael? story line in a demented, Planet of the Apes-style send-up that
pits three astronauts against a world of fickle, feline captors! As
things get weirder in Shadow Star, a clandestine Japanese agency takes
further steps to secure control over powerful, teenage Dragon Bearers.
Androids attack in Cannon God Exaxxion! With the Exaxxion base defenses
breached, Kenichi Sonoda’s sci-fi heroes face a deadly Riofaldian
assault. Seraphic Feather’s meta-human heroes have their hands full, with
enigmatic aliens, super-powered terrorists, and a lunar shuttle that’s
falling apart around them!

USAGI YOJIMBO #87
STAN SAKAI (W/A)
On sale September 28, FC, 32pg, $2.99


GOLD! The slaves laboring in Lord Sanada’s illegal mine—including
rabbit ronin Usagi Yojimbo and Geishu bodyguard Tomoe Ame—finally hit pay
dirt. But they are at the mercy of the vicious "blood princess" Noriko,
who has something horrible in store for them, and all of the other
slaves …

Meanwhile, the young page Motokazu arrives at the "plague-quarantined"
village. Even if he discovers Sanada’s illicit operation, what can one
child do against an army of deadly samurai? Will Geishu Lord Noriyuki
act on his misgivings before it is too late?! Find out in part five of
"The Treasure of the Mother of Mountains," the latest adventure from
world-renowned creator Stan Sakai!

WETA COLLECTIBLES: KONG
Weta Collectibles of New Zealand, a division of Weta Workshop and Dark
Horse Comics, Inc. continue Weta’s program of licensed consumer
products based on Universal Pictures’ December 14th release of King Kong.
* Kong: Jack & Denham’s Ravine Struggle statue, 11.5" long, 9.8" wide, 12.5" tall, fully painted, limited edition, $200.00
* Kong: Venatosaur Attack statue, 23.5" long, 8.5" wide, 12.5" tall, fully painted, limited edition, $200.00
* Kong: Skull Island Natives statue, 7.8" long, 8.6" wide, 11.8" tall, fully painted, limited edition, $200.00
* Kong: Venatosaur Bust, 15.5" long, 6" wide, 17" tall, fully painted, limited edition, $225.00
* Kong: Kong Skull, 6" long, 3" wide, 3.5" tall (excluding base), fully painted, limited edition, $30.00

WETA COLLECTIBLES: NARNIA
Weta Collectibles of New Zealand, a division of Weta Workshop and Dark
Horse Comics, Inc. continue Weta’s program of licensed consumer
products based on Disney's December 9th release of The Chronicles of Narnia:
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.
* Narnia: White Witch’s Castle Environment statue, TBD, fully painted, limited edition, $150.00
* Narnia: General Otmin Statue, 7.5" long, 9" wide, 14" tall, fully painted, limited edition, $150.00
* Narnia: Orieus Statue, 11.5" long, 6" wide, 17" tall, fully painted, limited edition, $175.00
* Narnia: Satyr Design Maquette, 5.5" long, 7" wide, 12.5" tall, fully painted, limited edition, $150.00

YOU DESERVED IT TPB
BOB FINGERMAN (W/A)
On sale October 12, SC, 88pg, FC, 6" x 9", $9.95


Is Bob Fingerman a cynical misanthrope or a disappointed humanitarian?
Dare we suggest maybe both? In You Deserved It, the sensitive creator
of the acclaimed graphic novel Beg the Question accesses his darker
side, serving up this caustic collection of comical cautionary chronicles.
What Beg the Question was to sex and romance, You Deserved It is to
wanton violence and social wrongness.

From Otis Goes Hollywood, the epic saga of a homicidally puritanical
meat packer with dreams of making it big in Hollywood, to Missing Pieces,
a yarn about the extracurricular activities of paramedics, to Buying
Bologna, about a guy who just really, really loves his luncheon meat, to
Yiffy Situation, a fuzzy fable about fornicating Furries, You Deserved
It serves up enough yarns to make one hilariously misanthropic sweater,
all in living—and dying—color!

Pop Artifact! Major Matt Mason Space Ship Case







Vintage DC Comics house ad

And now this special message...

Third "Asterix" film planned

"Asterix and the Olympic Games" brings back Gerard Depardieu as Obelix and will feature Jean-Claude Van Damme as Roman athlete Cornedurus.

Here are details from the French site Allocine, translated rather amusingly using Babelfish:

Explosive casting for Astérix with the Olympic Games!

The third adapted cinematographic shutter of the famous comic strips of Albert Uderzo and Rene Goscinny will accomodate Alain Delon in the role of the Emperor Jules César.

Other taking part of size (and muscles) in the adventure: the Belgian actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, who will lend his silhouette bodybuildée to the Roman athlete Cornedurus.

The information collected by AFP this Wednesday June 8 near the editions Albert Rene. The contract to launch the project was signed by Albert Uderzo, Jerome Seydoux, owner of Pathé, and the company of production the Small Queen, directed by Thomas Langmann.

So, there you have it!

Katie Holmes as Wonder Woman

She can put up with Tom Cruise, so perhaps she has the heroic powers needed to pull off starring as the amazon princess on the big screen.

From The San Francisco Examiner:

"I was part of the majority of girls that loved ‘Wonder Woman,'" Katie told reporters. She's got some experience in reprising comic-book roles. Her latest film, "Batman Begins," in which she plays Bruce Wayne's "lady friend," opens next week.

Making of the EC Comics documentary

IGN Filmforce is featuring a production diary of Chip Selby's documentary film "Tales from the Crypt: From Comic Books to Television."

The film itself features interviews with Jack Davis, Al Williamson, Jack Kamen, Marie Severin and other EC greats. It's available here.

Papercutz plans Zorro comic, graphic novel

From the press release:

ZORRO Graphic Novel #1
Don MCGREGOR*Sidney LIMA

An epic Zorro adventure, featuring deadly battles with fierce new
foes and intense romance with a mysterious beauty, all set against
the savage landscape of the untamed wilds of the Old West. Zorro is
risking all to find safe haven for Eulalia Bandini, a woman who dared
defied the all-powerful Capitan Monasterio to save him. But no matter
how far north Zorro and Eulalia ride, Monasterio and his men are not
far behind. To complicate matters, Zorro stops to save Thierry and
Amelie Besson, a middle-aged mapmaker and his wife, from the clutches
of the cadaverous Ripklaw. But Ripklaw and his master, Lucifer Trapp,
are as relentless in their quest to kill Zorro's new friends, as
Monasterio is to capture Eulalia! Discover the shocking reason why
Trapp wants Besson dead! See the romantic tension increase between
Zorro and Eulalia when she discovers Zorro's most-guarded secret! See
Zorro battling all along the breath-taking yet deadly beauty of
Mother Nature! It all builds to a stunning climax in which Zorro
battles Ripklaw to the death on an ice bridge, while an earthquake
threatens to kill everyone! Plus: a preview of the next Zorro graphic
novel from Papercutz.

5x 7 ½", 96pp., full color graphic novel, paperback, $7.95.

Also in collector's edition hardcover: $12.95.

ZORRO #4
Don McGREGOR*Sidney LIMA
"Drownings!" Part One of Three

Perfect jumping on point for new readers with an all-new story!

Near the Yellowstone River, a young couple, Malena Fellini and Burt
Douglas, are on the run in a field of huge buffalo. A gunshot rips
the air and one of the gigantic bison they are running past spurts
blood! LOCKSPUR has taken aim, and the killing of the huge buffalo,
crashing at the young lovers' feet is only a taunting message that he
intends to take one of them alive! Meanwhile, Zorro and Eulalia
Bandini are BURIED ALIVE when they plunge into an icy chasm that
threatens to become their glacial coffin! It's non-stop action,
featuring one of the greatest heroes of all-time, in a special low-
priced issue! Be sure to have enough in stock for when "The Legend of
Zorro," starring Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones is
released!

Monthly comic book, 24 pp., full color, ONLY 99 CENTS.

Vintage DC Comics house ad

"Sopranos" not winding up?

According to E!:

Despite creator David Chase's claims that the upcoming sixth season of the show would be the last for his gang of merry mobsters, the Sopranos mastermind appears to have left the door open for a possible seventh season.

More Sopranos.

New "Bewitched" pics posted

Latino Review has a whole bunch of shots from the upcoming film.



Classics Illustrated "War of the Worlds" reprint planned

According to ICv2:

Jack Lake Productions, a Canadian publisher, is publishing a special 50th Anniversary Edition of Classics Illustrated #124 War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. The 48-page full color book has been painstakingly recreated to do full justice to Lou Cameron's excellent artwork, which made this comic, first published in 1955, one of the favorites of the entire series.

A hardcover edition of the book will be available for $14.99 ($19.99 CDN), and a soft cover version will sell for $9.99 ($12.99 CDN).

"Emergency!," "Adam-12" DVD art revealed

The first seasons of each show are out Aug. 23.



Rhino boxes up the 90s

It's never too early to get nostalgic, I guess. Here's the track list for Rhino Records Whatever: The '90s Pop Culture Box, out July 26.

Disc one:
"U Can't Touch This," M.C. Hammer
"Nothing Compares 2 U," Sinead O'Connor
"No Myth," Michael Penn
"Ladies First," Queen Latifah featuring Monie Love
"Ball and Chain," Social Distortion
"Birdhouse in Your Soul," They Might Be Giants
"Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns," Mother Love Bone
"Here's Where the Story Ends," the Sundays
"Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)," C & C Music Factory
"Groove Is in the Heart," Deee-Lite
"Right Here, Right Now," Jesus Jones
"New Jack Hustler (Nino's Theme)," Ice-T
"I Touch Myself," Divinyls
"Unbelievable," EMF
"Hard To Handle," the Black Crowes
"O.P.P.," Naughty By Nature
"Walking in Memphis," Marc Cohn
"It's So Hard To Say Goodbye to Yesterday," Boyz II Men

Disc two:
"Silent Lucidity," Queensryche
"Into the Drink," Mudhoney
"Girlfriend," Matthew Sweet
"I'm Too Sexy," Right Said Fred (R*S*F*)
"Calling All Angels," Jane Siberry with k.d. lang
"Only Shallow," My Bloody Valentine
"It's a Shame About Ray," the Lemonheads
"Baby Got Back," Sir Mix-A-Lot
"They Want EFX," DAS EFX
"Jump," Kris Kross
"Walk," Pantera
"N.W.O.," Ministry
"S***list," L7
"Absynthe," the Gits
"Coattail Rider," Supersuckers
"Runaway Train," Soul Asylum
"Little Miss Can't Be Wrong," Spin Doctors
"Dizz Knee Land," dada
"Nearly Lost You," Screaming Trees

Disc three:
"Under the Bridge," Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Unsung," Helmet
"Jump Around," House Of Pain
"Free Your Mind," En Vogue
"Rump Shaker," Wreckx-N-Effect
"Informer," Snow
"Connected," Stereo MC's
"Detachable Penis," King Missile
"Freak Me," Silk
"Ordinary World," Duran Duran
"If I Can't Change Your Mind," Sugar
"Three Little Pigs," Green Jelly
"Start Choppin," Dinosaur Jr
"The Devil's Chasing Me," the Reverend Horton Heat
"Gone to the Moon," Fastbacks
"My Name Is Mud," Primus
"What's Up," 4 Non Blondes

Disc four:
"Thunder Kiss '65," White Zombie
"Whoomp! (There It Is)," Tag Team
"Broken Hearted Savior," Big Head Todd and the Monsters
"Trust Me," Guru with N'Dea Davenport
"Here Comes," Velocity Girl
"Gepetto," Belly
"Eye to Eye," the Muffs
"Gentlemen," Afghan Whigs
"Leafy Incline," Tad
"Dream All Day," the Posies
"Hey Jealousy," Gin Blossoms
"My Sister," the Juliana Hatfield Three
"Whatta Man," Salt-N-Pepa
"Back & Forth," Aaliyah
"If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)," Me'Shell NdegéOcello
"Freedom of '76," Ween
"Cut Your Hair," Pavement
"God," Tori Amos
"MMM MMM MMM MMM," Crash Test Dummies
"Possession," Sarah McLachlan

Disc five:
"Shine," Collective Soul
"Far Behind," Candlebox
"You Gotta Be," Des'ree
"Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon," Urge Overkill
"She Don't Use Jelly," the Flaming Lips
"m.i.a.," 7 Year Bitch
"21st Century (Digital Boy)," Bad Religion
"Sugar Free Jazz," Soul Coughing
"Mockingbirds," Grant Lee Buffalo
"What's the Frequency, Kenneth?," R.E.M.
"Revolve," Melvins
"Buddy Holly," Weezer
"Here and Now," Letters To Cleo
"Good," Better Than Ezra
"Run-Around," Blues Traveler
"I'll Be There for You (Theme From "Friends")," the Rembrandts
"Tomorrow," Silverchair
"Not a Pretty Girl," Ani DiFranco
"Carnival," Natalie Merchant

Disc six:
"Wonderwall," Oasis
"Birthday Cake," Cibo Matto
"Cumbersome," Seven Mary Three
"One of Us," Joan Osborne
"Caught by the Fuzz," Supergrass
"Sweet 69," Babes In Toyland
"Breakfast at Tiffany's," Deep Blue Something
"Photograph," the Verve Pipe
"In the Meantime," Spacehog
"Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check," Busta Rhymes featuring Rampage The Last Boy Scout
"Who Will Save Your Soul," Jewel
"Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand," Primitive Radio Gods
"Cybele's Reverie," Stereolab
"Capri Pants," Bikini Kill
"What I Got," Sublime
"Kung Fu," Ash
"Virtual Insanity," Jamiroquai
"Naked Eye," Luscious Jackson
"Outtasite (Outta Mind)," Wilco

Disc seven:
"itszoweezee (hot)," De La Soul
"LoveFool," the Cardigans
"Radiation Vibe," Fountains Of Wayne
"The Impression That I Get," the Mighty Mighty Bosstones
"Turn It On," Sleater-Kinney
"Bitch," Meredith Brooks
"MMMBop," Hanson
"Brian Wilson" (live), Barenaked Ladies
"Brick," Ben Folds Five
"Sex and Candy," Marcy Playground
"Walking on the Sun," Smash Mouth
"Tubthumping," Chumbawamba
"6 Underground," Sneaker Pimps
"Lullaby," Shawn Mullins
"Slide," Goo Goo Dolls
"Kiss Me," Sixpence None The Richer
"Steal My Sunshine," LEN
"What It's Like," Everlast
"Natural Blues," Moby

According to Billboard:

The box -- which will be adorned with a bag of coffee beans and a thermal wrap sporting faux corporate logos -- will include an 84-page book with 1990s timeline, track-by-track commentary and photographs to put the music in context. Music critics Jim DeRogatis and Joel Stein contribute essays to the book, which also includes an interview with Sub Pop president/co-founder Jonathan Poneman.