New comics July 22, 2009

Releases of note this week. Click the links to order discounted items from Amazon.


CREEPY ARCHIVES Vol. 4 Another batch of classic horror tales from the old black-and-white Warren mags. Dark Horse should be commended for all its work getting this sort of stuff back into print.


AME COMI BLACK CANARY PVC FIGURE
AME COMI HUNTRESS PVC FIGURE Some fanboy's fantasy I'm sure.


HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE SERIES 1 ACTION FIGURES
BATMAN
BLUE DEVIL
GREEN ARROW
MANHUNTER Based on George Perez art. Not too shabby. Nothing I need, though.


SHOWCASE PRESENTS BATMAN Vol. 4 More Silver Age Batman!


SUPERMAN CHRONICLES Vol. 7 Continuing the in-color, chronological reprinting of the Golden Age Superman.


WEDNESDAY COMICS #3 I've really been enjoying this tabloid-format anthology. Great creators and lovely, huuuge art.


AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #600 A big anniversary issue. I want the Romita Sr. cover!

Marvel Comics October 2009 solicitations

Here's a look at highlights from Marvel's October offerings:


MARVEL MASTERWORKS: DOCTOR STRANGE VOL. 4 HC
Written by Roy Thomas, Gardner Fox, Stan Lee, Barry Windsor-Smith and Archie Goodwin Penciled By Gene Colan, Barry Windsor-Smith, Frank Brunner, P. Craig Russell, Jim Starlin, Sam Kweskin, Marie Severin, Herb Trimpe and Don Heck, cover by Barry Windsor-Smith.
The Master of the Mystic Arts, Dr. Stephen Strange once again descends into to the eldritch depths of adventure in this amazing collection of Marvel Masterworks! Kicked off by Roy Thomas and the incomparable art team of Gene Colan and Tom Palmer, the good doctor battles his greatest adversary, the towering cosmic presence of Eternity. Although his solo series ends, Dr. Strange's saga against the Undying Ones continues as he teams-up with Sub-Mariner and the Incredible Hulk in a storyline that lays the seeds for the dynamic Defenders! Then, Stan Lee and Barry Windsor-Smith raise the Sorcerer Supreme to new heights of otherworldly glory in the all-time classic Marvel Premiere series. Guided by Golden Age great Gardner Fox and a host of up-and-coming art talents from Frank Brunner to P. Craig Russell, Dr. Strange runs a gauntlet of Lovecraftian horrors from the depths of the ocean to the monoliths of Stonehenge in pursuit of Shuma-Gorath. Collecting Doctor Strange #180-183, Sub-Mariner #22, Incredible Hulk #126, Marvel Feature #1 and Marvel Premiere #3-8
280 pages, $54.99


MARVEL MASTERWORKS: ATLAS ERA JUNGLE ADVENTURE VOL. 1 HC
Written by Don Rico and varoius, penciled by Werner Roth, Jim Mooney, John Buscema, George Tuska, Syd Shores and Jimmy Infantino, cover by Carl Burgos.
Beginning the complete collection of Atlas' action-packed 1950s jungle adventure comics, the Marvel Masterworks venture into the oh, so attractive heart of darkness to meet Lorna, the Jungle Queen! Her jungle-faring father mauled by a lion, the seventeen-year-old Lorna embraces her unexpected new home -- becoming a fierce and stunning girl of the wild and the last word in jungle justice! Trained in the ways of the African wilderness by her mentor, M'Tuba, Lorna is joined by her ever-helpful monkey companion, Mikki, and the bold, two-fisted hunter, Greg Knight. From the murky Black Swamp to the Dead Lake, the pre-Code adventures of Lorna and her cast of characters find them pitted against vicious headhunters, voodoo priestesses, killer cavemen from the Lost City, and Agu the Giant -- a gorilla that could give King Kong a run for his money! You'll also enjoy the tale of two Lornas and stalk creatures both strange and fierce as Lorna uncovers all the mysteries of the jungle. With lush artwork by Werner Roth at his career best, forget it, this is a jungle adventure from which there's no coming back. Get ready to go wild with Atlas Era Jungle Adventures Masterworks! Collecting Lorna, The Jungle Queen #1-5 & Lorna, The Jungle Girl #6-9
248 pages, $59.99


MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 3 TPB
Written by Stan Lee, penciled by Steve Ditko, covers by Ditko and Dean White.
Teenage outcast and king of the wallflowers, Peter Parker, may have the most amazing powers in the super-hero biz, but good luck coming up with more downsides than this cat. Not only does his boss, J. Jonah Jameson consider him Public Enemy #1, he's sending not just one, but two villains after him -- Mac Gargan, the Scorpion, and the vicious Spider-Slayer. And to add insult to injury, the Human Torch one-ups him against the Beetle and the Circus of Crime offers a whole host of reasons to hate peanuts. After that anybody'd need therapy, so Spidey hits the couch, and the couch hits right back with a mysterious foe that's going to give Parker's complexes complexes! To make matters worse, the Green Goblin teams up with the Crime-Master, Aunt May finds a certain red and blue costume, and the Molten Man makes high school graduation a day to remember in Forest Hills, Queens. Top that off with a classic team-up between Lee and Ditko's greatest creations, Spidey and Dr. Strange! Collecting The Amazing Spider-Man #20-30 and Annual #2.
272 pages, $24.99


THING: PROJECT PEGASUS PREMIERE HC
Written by Ralph Macchio, John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald, penciled by Sal Buscema, John Byrne and George Perez, covers by Byrne and Perez.
Project: Pegasus hires the Ever-Lovin' Blue-Eyed One as a security chief, but what's the point if the place is already filled with super-villains in the first place? Featuring Hercules and Thundra, Deathlok and Dr. Strange, Captains America and Marvel, Man-Thing and...Classic Thing? Plus: action in Olympus and the Nexus, Hollywood and Yancy Street! New identities for three super heroes! All this and Super Hero Poker Night! What a deal! Collecting Marvel Two-in-One #42-43 & 53-58.
160 pages, $24.99.


FANTASTIC FOUR VISIONARIES: JOHN BYRNE VOL. 1 TPB (NEW PRINTING)
Written, art and cover by John Byrne.
It was the world's greatest comic magazine. Again. Not since the days of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the trailblazers of the very mythology known as the Marvel Universe, had someone so perfectly captured the intense mood, cosmic style and classic sense of adventure of Marvel's first family of heroes -- the Fantastic Four. Writer. Penciler. Inker. Visionary. John Byrne took these characters, whose powers resulted from each of them being bathed in cosmic rays during a flight into space, and launched them into realms where few creators before this had dared to go... Byrne reminded readers there was a family at the heart of this team of adventurers. . Collecting Fantastic Four 232-240.
224 pages, $24.99.


ESSENTIAL GHOST RIDER VOL. 3 TPB
Written by Michael Fleisher, Tom Defalco, Jim Shooter and Tina Chrioproces, penciled by Don Perlin, Jim Shooter, Mike Esposito, Jack Sparling, Herb Trimpe, Alan Kupperberg, Luke Mcdonnell, Ron Wilson, Bob Hall, Greg Larocque and Carmine Infantino, cover by Bob Budiansky.
The Hellfire Hero ends up fighting super-villains and super-heroes alike! Up from Hades and caught in the middle, even if Ghost Rider defeats Moondark, Water Wizard, and the Orb, there's still the Night Rider, Werewolf by Night, and the Arabian Knight waiting to fall upon him! Goblins, ghosts, gangsters, and more! Guest-starring the Thing, the Angel, and the Avengers! Collecting Ghost Rider #51-65, Marvel Two-in-One #80, Marvel Super-Heroes Fall 1992 and Avengers #214.

Video find: George Harrison sings "This Song" on German TV, 1977

Pop links: Disney, Stan Lee team for motion comic; Spider-Woman motion comic preview; Partridge Family redux; Doctor Who pics; Ditko, more!

Disney and Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment are launching a "digital motion" comic series called Time Jumper, which will be available via iTunes.

From the press release:

From the same visionary co-creator of Spider-Man, X-Men, Iron Man, The Hulk and Fantastic Four, comes a thrillingly modern tale about a young man who jumps through time and engages viewers in a multi-dimensional, multi-platform universe. Freed from the constraints of the traditional print comic book format, consumers can finally look forward to enjoying this adventure through a variety of popular media formats rolling-out over the next two years including, but not limited to, online, mobile, DVD, publishing and more.

Time Jumper will first release as a ten-part series of 5-to-8 minute digital episodes made available for retail on iTunes at www.iTunes.com/timejumper. On July 24, Time Jumper's first episode will premiere exclusively on iTunes for free, with additional episodes releasing through December 2009. Retailing for just $0.99 per episode on iTunes consumers will be able to easily download Time Jumper on their Mac, PC, iPod with video, iPhone and/or widescreen TV with Apple TV.

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Lots of pictures from filming of the new season of Doctor Who here.

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Former teen idols Sean and David Cassidy are involved in a new series for the ABC Family channel.

Nepotism is not unknown in the TV business, but with his latest project, Shaun Cassidy has taken family ties to a new extreme.

Cassidy is the 1970s teen idol who has spent the last 15 years as a television writer-producer of cult dramas with a sci-fi bent ("American Gothic," "Invasion"). Now he's turned his attention to musical comedy with ABC Family's "Ruby & the Rockits," about two middle-aged brothers, former rock gods who get reacquainted after the long-lost daughter of one of them reenters the picture. The series premieres its 10-episode run tonight.

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Check out two Steve Ditko-drawn spook stories from Ghostly Haunts #23, 1971.



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See a preview for Marvel's new Spider-Woman "motion comic."



Reminds me of those "limited-animation" Marvel Superheroes 'toons of the 60s!

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The voice of Walter Cronkite will continue to introduce the "CBS Evening News."

Vintage DC Comics house ad

DC Comics October 2009 solicitations

Here's a look at highlights from DC's October offerings:


BATMAN: THE UNSEEN #1-2
Written by Doug Moench
Art and cover by Kelley Jones
The fan-favorite Bat-team of Doug Moench and Kelley Jones reunite to introduce the newest member of Batman’s rogues gallery in this twice-monthly, 5-issue miniseries! Horrible and unexplained murders have Gotham City held captive. Bizarre deaths have been occurring throughout the city, but the perpetrator is unknown. Even when the crimes have been committed in view of witnesses, all that is seen is a glimpse of a weird, skinless “meat-man” who seems to fade away after the crimes. Gotham’s only hope is their Dark Knight Detective, but how can Batman find and fight an Invisible Man?
Issue #1 on sale October 7, issue #2 on sale October 21
1 and 2 of 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US


WORLD’S FINEST #1
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Julian Lopez
Covers by Phil Noto
After tracking down a threat to The Man of Steel – and all of Metropolis – Red Robin must team up with the new Kryptonian Nightwing to end this mysterious threat and rescue Flamebird. But is all this just a red herring to distract the heroes from an even bigger threat to Gotham City and New Krypton? Be here to find out in this 4-issue miniseries from rising star writer Sterling Gates (SUPERGIRL) and artist Julian Lopez.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers, both by Phil Noto that can be ordered separately. Cover A will feature Nightwing. Cover B will feature Red Robin. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale October 28 • 1 of 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US


DC COMICS CLASSICS LIBRARY: SHAZAM! – THE MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL HC
Written by Otto Binder
Art and cover by C.C. Beck
At last, DC Comics collects the legendary serialized story from the pages of CAPTAIN MARVEL ADVENTURES #22-46 (1943-1945). The Big Red Cheese battles foe after foe as he inches his way toward the malevolent force behind it all: the two-inch long, superintelligent worm known as Mr. Mind!
Advance-solicited; on sale December 23 • 272 pg, FC, $39.99 US


THE FLASH VS. THE ROGUES TP
Written by John Broome
Art by Carmine Infantino, Murphy Anderson and others
Cover by Ethan Van Sciver
These seminal tales from the 1960s, torn from the pages of SHOWCASE #8, THE FLASH #105, 106, 110, 113, 117, 122, 140 and 155, introduced the Scarlet Speedster’s Rogues Gallery, including Captain Cold, Mirror Master, Gorilla Grodd, the Weather Wizard, Captain Boomerang and Heat Wave — all prominently featured in FINAL CRISIS: ROGUES’ REVENGE.
Advance-solicited; on sale November 25 • 144 pg, FC, $14.99 US


ROBIN ARCHIVES VOL. 2 HC
Written by Various
Art by Jim Mooney, Win Mortimer and Sheldon Moldoff
Cover by Jim Mooney & Win Mortimer
This new ROBIN ARCHIVES collects stories from the late 1940s in which The Boy Wonder faces the Sinister Knight, declares war on Batman, travels to Rancho Fear, battles crime in Hollywood, and meets the fearsome man with the Midas touch. Features tales from STAR SPANGLED COMICS #86-105.
Advance-solicited; on sale March 31 • 256 pg, FC, $59.99 US


SHOWCASE PRESENTS: DC COMICS PRESENTS – SUPERMAN TEAM-UPS VOL. 1 TP
Written by Len Wein, Paul Levitz, Cary Bates and others
Art by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Murphy Anderson, and others
Cover by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
Superman meets DC’s greatest heroes including The Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and many more in this title collecting DC COMICS PRESENTS #1-26.
Advance-solicited; on sale November 18 • 512 pg, B&W, $17.99 US


THE SPIRIT BOOK 4 TP
Written by Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier
Art by Chad Hardin, Aluir Amancio, Wayne Faucher and Hilary Barta
Cover by Joe Kubert
Hit the pavement with Will Eisner’s immortal creation in this new volume collecting THE SPIRIT #21-25. Don’t miss Denny Colt’s efforts to trace a killer to Cambodia, as well as his battle against a terrorist who’s poisoning Central City’s food supply.
Advance-solicited; on sale November 18 • 128 pg, FC, $19.99 US

CD new releases July 21, 2009: Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hofs; Ian Hunter; Bill Frisell; Fiery Furnaces; Lorne Greene more!

New CD releases of note this week. If any of these items are of interest to you, please consider clicking the titles and ordering them from Amazon, as part of the proceeds help support this site!


Under The Covers: Vol. 2 by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs


Man Overboard by Ian Hunter


Disfarmer by Bill Frisell


I'm Going Away by The Fiery Furnaces


Story of a Heart by Benny Andersson


Chartbusters USA: Sunshine Pop by Various Artists


Wild Thing: The Songs of Chip Taylor by Various Artists


Complete United Artist Singles by Jay & The Americans


Land of 1000 Dances: All Twistin' Edition by Various Artists


L.A. Turnaround by Bert Jansch


A Rare Conundrum by Bert Jansch


The Man by Lorne Greene

DVD new releases July 21, 2009: Watchmen; Coraline; Prison Break; Wolvering and X-Men; Charlie's Angels; Lucy Show, more!

New releases of note this week. If any of these items are of interest to you, please consider clicking the titles and ordering them from Amazon, as part of the proceeds help support this site!


Watchmen (Director's Cut) (Amazon Digital Bundle + Digital Copy and BD-Live) [Blu-ray]


Watchmen (Director's Cut) (Amazon Exclusive Nite Owl Ship and Digital Bundle + Digital Copy and BD-Live) [Blu-ray]


Coraline (Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy w/ 3D) [Blu-ray]


Coraline (Two-Disc Collector's Edition w/ 3D)


Prison Break: The Final Break


Monk: Season Seven


Pushing Daisies: The Complete Second Season


Wolverine and the X-Men: Deadly Enemies


Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods


Charlie's Angels - The Complete Fourth Season


The Lucy Show: The Official First Season


Robot Chicken: Star Wars - Episode II

Pink Floyd's moon-landing jam

From The New York Times:

David Gilmour of Pink Floyd was recently asked by The Guardian what he was doing 40 years ago during Apollo 11’s flight to the Moon. Mr. Gilmour explained that the band was part of the BBC’s live coverage of the event:

We were in a BBC TV studio jamming to the landing. It was a live broadcast, and there was a panel of scientists on one side of the studio, with us on the other. I was 23.

The programming was a little looser in those days, and if a producer of a late-night programme felt like it, they would do something a bit off the wall. Funnily enough I’ve never really heard it since, but it is on YouTube. They were broadcasting the moon landing and they thought that to provide a bit of a break they would show us jamming. It was only about five minutes long. The song was called Moonhead — it’s a nice, atmospheric, spacey 12-bar blues.

A post on Mr. Gilmour’s blog identifies the YouTube video above — apparently made by a fan using a bootleg recording of the original song and television images of astronauts from a later lunar mission — as the song.

Pop links: Green Lantern First Flight preview; 40 years ago today...

See the first four minutes of the direct-to-DVD Green Lantern: First Flight film.

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

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Here's what I was watching on TV 40 years ago:

Upcoming from DC Comics: Dial H for Heroes Showcase, Perez JLA Vol. 2, Robin Archives 2, more!

Here are a few found-on-Amazon listings of upcoming DC Comics hardcovers and paperbacks. Amazon's release date for all these is April 13, 2010, although I imagine that's subject to change.

Stay tuned later today for a look at DC's October 2009 offerings.

Showcase Presents: Dial H For Hero
288 pages

Robin Archives Vol. 2
256 pages

DC Comics Classic Library: Justice League of America By George Perez Vol. 2
192 pages

The Superman Chronicles Vol. 8
168 pages

Crisis on Multiple Earths Vol. 5
176 pages

Rough Justice: The DC Comics Sketches of Alex Ross
256 pages

Upcoming DC Direct action figures

Pics of some upcoming releases:


Blackest Night Series 3
--Aquaman
--Arisia
--Larfleeze
--Star Sapphire


Batman Vs. Killer Croc Statue


Gotham City Stories Statue Part 1 - Batman


Catwoman Classic 13" Deluxe Collector Figure

Filming begins on new Doctor Who

Filming is underway for the first "Doctor Who" episodes starring Matt Smith in the title role.

The BBC provides this pic of Smith and companion Amy Pond, played by Karen Gillan:



Actress Alex Kingston, last seen in the season four two-parter "Silence in the Library" / "Forest of the Dead" also appears in early episodes from the upcoming season.

Filming on the 13-episode fifth series runs until March 2010 for broadcast next Spring.

Vintage DC Comics house ad