Be Nice Challenge

I'm stealing this one from the Crunk & Disorderly folks, but um, I think it goes well enough with my theme to claim.

The Winna gets a cookie by the way.

James Jean Or "Today's Eyegasm kids..."

Just some work by James Jean, a guy who paints comic book covers. I'm amazed at his process, and craftsmanship.

"Shazam!" Or "Golmer Pyle's favorite comic book get's a movie."

Despite being in development for well-over a year, I thought it was still important to give the Shazam! movie some shine.

For those with no clue who this Superman look-a-like is, I'll provide a brief synopsis:

Captain Marvel, was created to tap the adolescent fantasy of being Superman. By speaking the name of the wizard, Shazam, child reporter (& orphan), Billy Batson was transformed by a bolt of lightning into the white caped superheroe we know today. He was imbued with the powers of 7 Gods: Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury. Oh, and the names of all these Gods spelled out Shazam. I know Solomon wasn't a God, but what can you do, it was the 40's.

Despite being what some have labeled a retarded Superman, the character actually outsold Superman in the 40's. Further, Captain Marvel's spinoff characters, Mary Marvel, and Captain Marvel Jr., inspired Supergirl and Superboy respectively. Captain Marvel Jr. was Elvis's favorite comic, and the inspiration for his hairstyle.

Oh, and Captain Marvel was flying back when Superman could only leap tall buildings.

Tired of being disgraced by a ripoff of their original character, the owners of Superman, DC Comics, sued the owner of Captain Marvel at the time, Fawcett, and eventually won the rights to the character. In the meantime the character was stuck in limbo, another company by the name of Marvel Comics created their own Captain Marvel character, and took all the rights to use the name in any titles or advertising.

So now, anything starring the original Captain Marvel has the name "Shazam!" tagged on the cover.

Ok, enough of that stuff. The movie is scheduled for release next year, with the script focusing on young Billy Batson's strained friendship after receiving super powers. You know, it's that whole "how will our friendship survive now that we aren't on the same level" thing. It's rumored that Jake Gyllenhall may play Captain Marvel, but talks are currently surrounding The Rock, and Brandon Molale. Actor, Fred MacMurray, was the original inspiration for the character. Personally, I'm leaning towards The Rock. Dakota Fanning can play Billy Batson for all I care ;).

Here's some Youtube goodness on the character:

Captain Marvel Vs. Superman


Some Captain Marvel 70's Nostalgia


And some photoshop coloring on the comic today

We3 Movie In Development Or "The Incredible Journey Meets The Terminator"

Angry Films, a production company who's last comic adaptation was The League of Extraordinary Gentlement, are in discussion to work on a lesser known comic property, WE3. There was interest in the property by New Line Cinema, originally reported by Variety, but I guess that fell through.

Murphy also told us about a comic-based project that Angry Films is developing and hoping to get a director on soon, that being their movie based on Grant Morrison's mini-series WE3. "He wrote the comic and the script and it's the most insane mash-up in the history of movies if we pull it off. It's 'The Incredible Journey' meets 'Terminator.' Basically, the animals have been experimented on by the government and they're put into these combat suits, and then they escape and want to go home, and the government's like, 'They're heavily armed. Get them!' It's very cool.

Yeah, it may seem a little weird, but if done right, how can cyborg animal assassins not be cool? I myself, have not read the original comic, but I am a big fan of the writer, Grant Morrison. There's something about British writers, probably the access to strong liquor. Anyway, here's a review by a fellow blogger here. He's a bit wordy, but does a good job.

Marvel Movies In Development Or "Your Pocket's have fair warning now."

Marvel Entertainment, the parent company of Marvel Comics, has many of it's properties in development. Including a Spider-Man Musical, with musical score courtesy of Bono of U2.

Taken from Superherohype.

Licensed Marvel Character Feature Film Line-Up
Wolverine, Fox - Director engaged (Gavin Hood)
Punisher 2, Lionsgate - Director (Lexi Alexander) and lead actor engaged (Ray Stevenson)

Film Projects Being Developed by Marvel - partial list
Iron Man, Marvel - Completed principal photography; May 2, 2008 release
The Incredible Hulk, Marvel - Commenced principal photography; June 13, 2008 release
Ant-Man, Marvel - Writer (Edward Wright, Joe Cornish) and director (Edgar Wright) engaged
Captain America, Marvel - Writer engaged (David Self)
Nick Fury, Marvel - Writer engaged (Andrew Marlowe)
Thor, Marvel - Writer engaged (Mark Protosevich)
The Avengers, Marvel - Writer engaged (Zak Penn)

Marvel Character Animated TV Projects"Spider-Man," Sony - In development; US distribution agreement with Kids' WB
"Wolverine and the X-Men," First Serve Toonz (India) - 26, 30 minute episodes in development
"Iron Man," Method Films (France) 26, 30 minute episodes in development

Marvel Character Animated Direct-to-DVD Projects
Doctor Strange, Lionsgate - August 14, 2007 release
Teen Avengers, Lionsgate - Targeted July 2008 release
Hulk Smash, Lionsgate - Targeted October 2008 release

Marvel Character Live Stage Projects
"Spider-Man the Musical," Hello Entertainment/David Garfinkle, Martin McCallum, Marvel Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment - In development/opening date to be determined; Julie Taymor director; music & lyrics by U2's Bono and The Edge

Marvel 2008 Video Game Releases (Release dates controlled by Publishing partner)"Iron Man," Sega - Targeted 2008
"The Incredible Hulk," Sega - Targeted 2008

Shoes that Transform Or "Damn I'm late on this one."

Apparently Nike has designed a pair of shoes that Transform either into Optimus Prime, or Megatron. Who knew?

Well, I guess Nappy Afro did.

They don't look too comfy, but I'm sure they're great fun, and add to your cross training performance.

Notice that Megatron is sporting his own shoe.

Holy Head Cheese Batman, Joker's on the Loose Or "Batman Begins...His marketing scheme"

In anticipation of The Dark Knight, the sequel to Batman Begins, Warner Bros. and DC Comics has started a huge teaser viral campaign promoting it. Using the main villain, The Joker, fans during the San Diego Comicon were "recruited" to join The Joker's gang through a website whysoserious. Fans who showed up outside the convention center were dressed in the classic Joker Gang make-up, got to chase Batman & Robin, and have their pictures uploaded to the whysoserious site, which now has the official address of rent-a-clown.

A personal account of the event can be found here.

Next, the number 1-800-395-9646 was written across the sky, where fans were further lead on a wild goose chase. You go through random clues to get a movie teaser. I'm a spoil sport, so here it is.




Finally, here's a teaser trailer to the movie.