Frank Frazette comic book PSAs

Visit Booksteve's blog to see a couple of Frank Frazetta-illustrated comic book public service announcements.

So long Dick Giordano

I join the chorus of comics fans saying farewell to the great artist/inker/editor who passed away Saturday.One of the first Batman comics I ever purchased featured this great Giordano cover.

Iron Man 2 movie poster

Official Harry Potter site goes live

Check out the official Harry Potter site for quizzes, news and trivia about the character.

Also new online: Check out a site previewing Universal Studios' upcoming Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction.

Marvel preview new S.H.I.E.L.D.

 Check out 10 pages from Marvel's new S.H.I.E.L.D. series scripted by Jonathan Hickman with art by Dustin Weaver. Hickman has made the Fantastic Four fun to read again, so this may be worth a look.

Super cool/cute Marvel Comics t-shirts

Via Comics Alliance: These are awesome.

New comics March 24, 2010

DARK HORSE COMICS


OCT090113 OH MY GODDESS RTL TP VOL 14 $10.99

DC COMICS

JAN100242 BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #10 $3.99
JAN100318 BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #15 $2.50
DEC090291 DEKA KYOSHI VOL 02 $9.99
JAN100234 GREEN LANTERN #52 (BLACKEST NIGHT) $2.99

JAN100279 JUSTICE LEAGUE THE RISE OF ARSENAL #1 (OF 4) $3.99
JAN100272 POWER GIRL #10 $2.99
JAN100258 SUPERMAN #698 $2.99
JAN100261 SUPERMAN BATMAN #70 $2.99
JAN100321 TINY TITANS #26 $2.50
JAN100341 VICTORIAN UNDEAD #5 (OF 6) $2.99
JAN100327 WILDCATS #21 $2.99

IMAGE COMICS

JAN100415 HAUNT #6 $2.99
JAN100416 HAUNT TP VOL 01 $9.99
FEB092429 PVP #45 $3.50

MARVEL COMICS

JAN100556 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #626 $2.99
JAN100510 AVENGERS INITIATIVE #34 SIEGE $2.99

JAN100600 BREAKING INTO COMICS THE MARVEL WAY #2 (OF 2) $3.99
JAN100570 CAPTAIN AMERICA #604 $3.99

JAN100653 CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN PREM HC DM QUESADA VAR ED $24.99

JAN100544 DEADPOOL #21 $2.99
JAN100543 DEADPOOL CORPS RANK AND FOUL #1 $3.99
JAN100685 DEADPOOL SUICIDE KINGS TP $19.99

JAN100582 FALL OF HULKS RED HULK #3 (OF 4) FOH $3.99

JAN100586 MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #61 $2.99
JAN100595 MARVELS PROJECT #7 (OF 8) $3.99
DEC098378 MARVELS PROJECT #7 (OF 8) EPTING VAR (PP #905) $3.99
JAN100509 MIGHTY AVENGERS #35 SIEGE $2.99

JAN100508 NEW AVENGERS #63 SIEGE $3.99
JAN100560 PETER PARKER #1 (OF 5) $3.99
JAN100541 PRELUDE TO DEADPOOL CORPS #4 (OF 5) $2.99
JAN100669 RIFTWAR PREM HC $24.99

JAN100592 SECRET WARRIORS #14 $2.99
JAN100527 STAND SOUL SURVIVORS #5 (OF 5) $3.99
JAN100536 TALES OF THE DRAGON GUARD #2 (OF 3) $5.99
JAN100513 THOR #608 SIEGE $2.99
JAN100563 THOR MGC #1 $1.00
JAN100514 THUNDERBOLTS #142 SIEGE $2.99
JAN100656 ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN PREM HC WORLD ACCORDING $24.99
JAN100613 UNCANNY X-MEN #522 $3.99
JAN100628 X-FACTOR #203 $2.99
JAN100686 X-FORCE TP VOL 03 NOT FORGOTTEN $14.99
JAN100612 X-MEN ORIGINS NIGHTCRAWLER #1 $3.99


*********

COMICS

JAN101010 ANGEL SPECIAL LORNE (ONE SHOT) $7.99
JAN100727 ARCHIE #607 $2.50
JAN100731 ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #207 $3.99
JAN100726 ARCHIE WEDDING TP ARCHIE IN WILL YOU MARRY ME $14.95
JAN100988 A-TEAM SHOTGUN WEDDING #2 $3.99
DEC090745 CARS #3 $2.99
JAN100827 DONALD DUCK AND FRIENDS #352 $2.99

JAN101128 FAIRY IDOL KANON GN VOL 03 (OF 4) $7.99
JAN100796 FUTURAMA COMICS #48 $2.99
JAN100974 GI JOE #16 $3.99
JAN100700 GLAMOURPUSS #12 $3.00
DEC090753 INCREDIBLES #7 $2.99
JAN101075 POSSESSIONS GN VOL 01 UNCLEAN GETAWAY $5.99
NOV090749 PS238 #43 $2.99
DEC090798 QUEEN SONJA #5 $2.99
FEB100834 ROBERT JORDAN WHEEL OF TIME #1 $3.99
JAN101037 SONG OF SAYA #2 $3.99
OCT090715 SOULFIRE VOLUME TWO #3 GREEN CVR $2.99
OCT090714 SOULFIRE VOLUME TWO #3 TO CVR $2.99
DEC090928 SPARROW HC VOL 15 PUSHEAD $11.99
JAN101005 STAR TREK DS9 FOOLS GOLD #4 $3.99
JAN100995 TANK GIRL ROYAL ESCAPE #1 (OF 4) $3.99
JAN100969 TRANSFORMERS LAST STAND O/T WRECKERS #3 $3.99
JAN100845 WALL-E #4 $2.99
JAN100844 WALL-E TP VOL 01 RECHARGE $9.99

Marvel Comics solicitations June 2010

Highlights:

MARVELMAN CLASSIC PRIMER #1
Written by JOHN RHETT THOMAS
Cover by JOE QUESADA
Variant by MICK ANGLO
MARVELMAN COMES TO MARVEL! Who is the mysterious Marvelman? The answer to that question is one of the most mysterious in comics lore. Created in 1954 by writer/artist Mick Anglo, the character enjoyed a long run in the British comics market as one of its most powerful heroes. A few decades later, the character was revived with a dark, moody, deconstructionist bent, and produced one of the most important works of comic art in the medium's history. But now, miracle of miracles, Marvel has stepped up to the plate to deliver on the promise of Anglo's incredible characters. The MARVELMAN PRIMER will help readers unfamiliar with that character get up to speed on the past, present and future of Marvelman stories. We'll check in with Mick Anglo, Neil Gaiman and others who contributed to this character’s history over the years. It was the news that swept the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con and the Marvelman Primer explains why! Featuring six all-new pinups of key Marvelman characters by superstar artists Mike Perkins, Doug Braithwaite, Miguel Angel Sepulveda, Jae Lee, Khoi Pham and Ben Oliver!
32 PGS./One-Shot/Rated A …$3.99

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE 1940S NEWSPAPER STRIP #1 (of 3)
Written by KARL KESEL
Pencilled by KARL KESEL
Cover by BUTCH GUICE
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Uncovered at last: The 1940’s daily newspaper comic strip starring Captain America that you never knew about! Travel with us through the mists of time to the tumultuous days of World War II, when skinny Steve Rogers was transformed into the star-spangled, shield-slinging Super Soldier! And what is a classic Cap adventure without the two-fisted might of his wise-cracking, jaw-jacking sidekick Bucky? Plus: Rampaging robots! Secret underground cities! Dangerous dames and femme fatales! No-good Nazis that deserve a sock to the kisser! All brought to you by acclaimed writer/artist Karl Kesel! Buy U.S. war bonds…and this!
32 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: DAREDEVIL VOL. 1 TPB
Written by STAN LEE
Pencilled by WALLACE WOOD with BILL EVERETT & JOE ORLANDO
Cover by BILL EVERETT & DEAN WHITE
Born to a past-his-prime prizefighter, Matt Murdock's luck always ran a step behind his good intentions. When a daring act to save a man’s life results in an accident that blinds young Murdock, he finds that the same accident has enhanced his remaining sense to super-human levels. After his father’s murder those powers make him Daredevil, the protector of the New York’s mean streets. Launched in 1964, Stan Lee and Bill Everett’s Daredevil debut was as gritty as they came, a tale of murder and sacrifice tempered with the desire to protect the downtrodden. Matt Murdock was someone different, and you’ll see just why in his inaugural Marvel Masterworks! Featuring the first appearances of core characters like Foggy Nelson and Karen Page, as well as classic villains like the Owl, the Purple Man, Stilt-Man and Electro, and guest-appearances by the Fantastic Four and the Sub-Mariner, they’re classics as only Stan Lee made them! With artwork by the incomparable Wallace Wood and Joe Orlando, I dare you not to reserve your copy today! Collecting DAREDEVIL #1-11.

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 12 HC
Written by STAN LEE & GERRY CONWAY
Pencilled by JOHN ROMITA with GIL KANE
Cover by JOHN ROMITA
The tension-torn adventures of comics’ most put-upon super hero, the Amazing Spider-Man, continue in another round of Marvel Masterworks classics! Stan Lee kicks it off with one of his craziest creations of all time, the Gibbon. And when that bestial baddy teams up with the vengeful Kraven the Hunter—well, it’s enough excitement to give a hero an ulcer—and it does! Then, words between Peter’s lovely gal Gwen and Aunt May push his doting aunt out of his life and into the arms of—an octopus! Doc Ock returns to do in Spidey, but with Hammerhead, the only gangster with more steel in his dome than in his gun, waging a turf war to take over the city it’s open season on spiders! Always a man of the people, Spidey uncovers the machinations of a mayoral candidate who’s not quite what he seems. Let’s just say there’s no doubt Richard Raleigh put the “action” in political action, alright? And topping it off comes a knuckle-busting, knock-down, drag-out fight between Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk that’s one for the ages! Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #110-120.

Deal alert: Complete Twilight Zone on DVD for $111.99

Today only at Amazon you can buy all five seasons of the "Twilight Zone" on DVD for $111.99, regularly $299.99.

NPR profiles Jackie Wilson

Mr. Excitement gets profiled as part of NPR's "50 Great Voices" series. Here he is performing one of his signature hits:

DC Comics June 2010 solicitations

Highlights:

SUPERMAN #700
On sale JUNE 23 • 56 pg, FC $4.99 US
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI, JAMES ROBINSON & DAN JURGENS • Art by EDDY BARROWS, BENARD CHANG, DAN JURGENS & J.P. MAYER • Cover by GARY FRANK • 1:25 “DC 75th Anniversary” variant cover by Eduardo Risso • 1:75 “DC 75th Anniversary” variant black and white cover by Eduardo Risso
DC Comics proudly presents the 700th issue of SUPERMAN, a 56-page extravaganza full of tales celebrating the Man of Steel’s past, present and future! First up is a story by the man who actually killed Superman, Dan Jurgens! Then, James Robinson brings his epic run on the title to a close with a touching story featuring art by Benard Chang that brings Superman back to Earth after his time on New Krypton. Finally, we preview the exciting new SUPERMAN ongoing creative team as J. Michael Straczynski and Eddy Barrows provide a story that sets the stage for an explosive, all-new direction for The Man of Steel! (Seriously! Wait till you read this!)
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.

BATMAN #700
On sale JUNE 9 • 56 pg, FC, $4.99 US
Written by GRANT MORRISON • Art by TONY DANIEL, ANDY KUBERT & FRANK QUITELY
Cover by DAVID FINCH • 1:25 “DC 75th Anniversary” variant cover by MIKE MIGNOLA
1:75 “DC 75th Anniversary” variant black and white cover by MIKE MIGNOLA
Grant Morrison returns to BATMAN with this oversized special! And he’s brought an all-star roster of artists along with him including Andy Kubert, Tony Daniel and Frank Quitely to celebrate this milestone 700th issue featuring stories spotlighting each of the Batmen from different eras – Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne. You won’t want to miss this blockbuster story that paves the way for the return of Bruce Wayne and sports mind-boggling covers by superstars David Finch (BRIGHTEST DAY) and Mike Mignola (BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT, Hellboy)!

WONDER WOMAN #600
On sale JUNE 30 • 56 pg, FC, $4.99 US
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI, GEOFF JOHNS, GAIL SIMONE & others Art by GEORGE PÉREZ, PHIL JIMENEZ, JOE MADUREIRA & others • Cover by GEORGE PÉREZ
1:25 “DC 75th Anniversary” variant cover by ADAM HUGHES • 1:75 “DC 75th Anniversary” variant black and white cover by ADAM HUGHES
You’re invited to the gala celebration featuring WONDER WOMAN talent from the past and present to commemorate this landmark issue! Renumbered to reflect Wonder Woman’s starring role in 600 issues, this book features the industry’s top talent – including Geoff Johns, Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Gail Simone, Joe Madureira and more! Plus, readers won’t want to miss a chance to check out the exciting, all-new direction for the Wonder Woman universe as new ongoing writer J. Michael Straczynski (SUPERMAN, BRAVE AND THE BOLD, Amazing Spider-Man) provides a story of his own!

BATMAN BEYOND #1
On sale JUNE 30 • 1 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by ADAM BEECHEN • Art by RYAN BENJAMIN • Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
1:25 variant cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
Terry McGinnis – the Batman of the future – and an elderly Bruce Wayne – the original Batman – are the sworn protectors of Neo-Gotham. But when someone targets The Dark Knight’s old foes, the new Batman must begin a case that reaches back into Bruce Wayne’s past and puts Terry’s future directly in danger!
Don’t miss the long-awaited return of the popular Batman Beyond franchise in this 6-issue adventure from Emmy Award-nominated animation writer Adam Beechen (Batman: The Brave and the Bold) and artist Ryan Benjamin (BATMAN & THE OUTSIDERS). And be sure to check out the SUPERMAN/BATMAN ANNUAL #4 from writer Paul Levitz and artist Renato Guedes starring the Batman Beyond characters!

DC COMICS CLASSICS LIBRARY: THE BATMAN ANNUALS VOL. 2 HC
On sale AUGUST 25 • 336 pg, FC, $39.99 US
Writer/Artists: Various • Cover by DICK SPRANG
Batman’s 80-Page Giant Annuals issues #4-7 are collected in this volume including “The Secret Marriage of Batman and Batwoman,” “The Phantom of the Batcave,” “The First Batman,” plus appearances by Giant Batman, Rip Van Batman, Zebra Batman, Merman Batman and more.

SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SGT. ROCK VOL. 3 TP
On sale JULY 21 • 496 pg, B&W, $19.99 US
Written by ROBERT KANIGHER • Art and cover by JOE KUBERT
War is hell — and no one knows that better than Sgt. Rock and Easy Company. Collecting stories from OUR ARMY AT WAR #149-163, 165-172 and 174-180.

SUPERMAN VS. MUHAMMAD ALI FACSIMILE EDITION HC
Advance-solicited • On sale November 10 • Facsimile edition: 80 pg, 10” x 13.25”, FC, $39.99 US
Written by DENNIS O’NEIL & NEAL ADAMS • Art by NEAL ADAMS, DICK GIORDANO & TERRY AUSTIN
Cover by NEAL ADAMS
The legendary science fiction epic that brought together The Man of Steel and The Greatest is back in two spectacular hardcover editions!
In 1978, an alien race called the Scrubb demands that Earth’s greatest champion battle their world’s own greatest fighter. Both Superman and Muhammad Ali step forward — and to determine who is truly Earth’s greatest fighter, Superman temporarily loses his powers and faces Ali in the ring. Ultimately, the duo must work together to defeat the Scrubb, with Ali taking on their champion while Superman battles their space-armada.
The facsimile edition hardcover reprints this hard–to–find title at its original size of approximately 10” wide by 13.25” high!


SUPERMAN VS. MUHAMMAD ALI DELUXE EDITION HC
Advance-solicited • On sale November 10 • Deluxe edition: 96 pg, 7.0625” x 10.875”, FC, $19.99 US
Written by DENNIS O’NEIL & NEAL ADAMS • Art by NEAL ADAMS, DICK GIORDANO & TERRY AUSTIN
Cover by NEAL ADAMS
The legendary science fiction epic that brought together The Man of Steel and The Greatest is back in two spectacular hardcover editions!
In 1978, an alien race called the Scrubb demands that Earth’s greatest champion battle their world’s own greatest fighter. Both Superman and Muhammad Ali step forward — and to determine who is truly Earth’s greatest fighter, Superman temporarily loses his powers and faces Ali in the ring. Ultimately, the duo must work together to defeat the Scrubb, with Ali taking on their champion while Superman battles their space-armada.
The deluxe edition hardcover is printed at 7.0625” x 10.875” and features a new cover by Neal Adams, previously unpublished artwork and more!

SUPERMAN VS. MUHAMMAD ALI STATUE
BASED ON THE ART OF NEAL ADAMS • SCULPTED BY JACK MATHEWS
“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!”
It’s the Man of Steel versus the man known as “The Greatest of All Time” in this statue that features Superman taking on Muhammad Ali.
Based on the cover art of the original 1978 tabloid version of the book “All-New Collectors' Edition: Superman vs. Muhammad Ali,” this classic scene of the two greats squaring off against one another is available in 3-D form for the first time.
The release of this statue coincides with the reprinting of the story in two hardcover editions. (See page 102 for more information on the books.) All three products are officially licensed by Muhammad Ali Enterprises.
This hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain statue includes a logo base, measures approximately 9.25” high x 9.625” wide x 6.5” deep and is packaged in a 4-color box with a 4-color Certificate of Authenticity.

UK hero Marvelman returns via Marvel Comics

Years of legal headaches over the character are apparently resolved. From the press release:

Marvel is proud to announce the return of Marvelman to shelves everywhere with the release of Marvelman Classic Primer #1 in June! Who is the mysterious Marvelman? And just why is he one of the most enduring super heroes of all time? The answers arrives in this commemorative one-shot featuring interviews with creator Mick Anglo, superstar Neil Gaiman and more who contributed to this character’s history over the years! Plus, get all-new pin ups of key Marvelman characters by superstar artists Mike Perkins, Doug Braithwaite, Miguel Angel Sepulveda, Jae Lee, Khoi Pham and Ben Oliver! This landmark issue features two covers—one with the timeless art of Mick Anglo and another with the now-iconic rendition of Marvelman by Marvel Editor-In-Chief—and superstar artist—Joe Quesada!

Then, in July, thrill to the debut of Marvelman Family’s Finest #1, a new ongoing series reprinting Marvelman’s greatest adventures for the first time in the US! Plus, no comics fan can miss Marvelman Classic Vol.1 Premiere HC, reprinting Marvelman’s earliest adventures in chronological order!

Now’s your chance to learn just why Marvelman is one of the most important characters in comic book history—it all begins in Marvelman Classic Primer #1, this June!

CD new releases March 23, 2010: She & Him, Goldfrapp, Elvis Presley On Stage, The Who Greatest Hits Live, The Bird and Bee, Chuck Berry, Paul Revere and the Raiders, 13th Floor Elevators

DVD new releases March 23, 2010: Blind Side, Mad Men Season 3, T.A.M.I. Show, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Men Who Stare at Goats, Days of Heaven,

Human Torch cast as Captain America

This screws up an FF/Captain America movie crossover:

Chris Evans will play Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America.

...Evans played Johnny Storm, the flame-covered superhero known as the Human Torch in Fox's "Fantastic Four" movies.

NPR interviews, previews She & Him

Listen to an interview and the entire new album by the delightful duo of M. Ward and Zooey DeSchanel here.

New Doctor Who season 5 trailer

Cool! Peter Pan/Power Records store display

I'm a longtime Power Records fan (had most of their DC and Marvel Comics-based albums), but have never seen this:

New BBC series places Sherlock Holmes in modern day

Not terribly excited by this prospect, although the casting of Martin Freeman (excellent in the British version of "The Office") bodes well.

The new show, Sherlock, will star Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes and his sidekick Dr Watson will be played by Martin Freeman.

The series, which began filming this month, has been written by Steven Moffat, the writer of Doctor Who and the actor and novelist Mark Gatiss, star of The League of Gentlemen.