DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH

Rob Leave a Comment

DC Entertainment’s line wide titles relaunch, REBIRTH, starts this month with the DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH SPECIAL, written by Geoff Johns with an all-star roster of some of the greatest artists in the game – Gary Frank, Ivan Reis, Ethan Van Sciver and Phil Jimenez! This 80 page blockbuster, priced at $2.99, sets the stage for an all-new universe of epic superhero storytelling beginning in June, featuring the characters and titles that have made DC Comics a favorite of fans for 80 years!

 

image

In June, fans will see the first of 17 titles that will ship twice monthly, also at a new lower price of $2.99, beginning with a series of “REBIRTH” themed one-shots. Today, DCE is revealing for the first time the variant cover images that will be available for fans when these books go on sale:

 

image

Batman: Rebirth #1

On-Sale June 1

Written by Scott Snyder and Tom King

Art by Mikel Janin

Standard Cover by Mikel Janin

Variant Cover by Howard Porter

image

 

image

Superman: Rebirth #1

On-Sale June 1

Written by Peter J. Tomasi and Pat Gleason

Art by Doug Mahnke

Standard Cover by Doug Mahnke

Variant Cover by Andy Park

 

image

image

Green Arrow: Rebirth #1

On-Sale June 1

Written by Ben Percy

Art by Otto Schmidt and Juan Ferreyra

Standard Cover by Juan Ferreyra

Variant Cover by Steve Skroce

 

image

image

Green Lanterns: Rebirth #1

On-Sale June 1

Written by Sam Humphries

Art by Ethan Van Sciver

Standard Cover by Ethan Van Sciver

Variant Cover by Alex Garner

 

LION FORGE COMICS AND STONE VILLAGE PARTNER ON ANDRE THE GIANT BIOPIC

Rob Leave a Comment

image

Los Angeles, CA – Lion Forge Comics and producers Scott Steindorff and Dylan Russellhave partnered to develop a feature film about the life of legendary pro wrestler Andre “the Giant” Roussimoff, based on the authorized graphic novel biography published last year,Andre the Giant: Closer to Heaven. Roussimoff’s daughter Robin Christensen-Roussimoff will consult on the film and assigned the exclusive rights for the biography to the producers.
 

image

“Andre the Giant rode the wave of the rse of wrestling in America, while suffering from the painful health condition of gigantism; there’s an Elephant Man story here,” Steindorff said.   

Lion Forge CEO David Steward II agreed, saying, “As a lifelong wrestling fan, I can say with conviction that no one was bigger than Andre. His presence and charisma were so powerful, and you could tell there was much more to him under the surface of his ring persona. It’s been an amazing experience telling that story in the book with Robin’s help. With all the spectacle, action, and emotion there on the page, a feature film just made perfect sense.”

Written by Eisner Award-nominated writer Brandon Easton and illustrated byDenis Medri, Andre the Giant: Closer to Heavenwas nominated for the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity and three Glyph Awards. It recounts the famed wrestler’s life from his earliest days working on the family farm in France along with the rise of professional wrestling itself, from a global circuit of underground matches to the global phenomenon it is today, due in large part to Andre the Giant’s celebrity. It is being republished in a new edition this month.    

Steward and Lion Forge CCO Carl Reed will produce with Steindorff and Russell of Stone Village Productions, with Joel Falderon as a co-producer and Barry Alexander as an associate producer. Jimmy Thomas will executive produce.

“I’m really excited to watch this story come to life on the big screen,” Robin Christensen-Roussimoff said. “It’s been a labor of love for everyone involved, and we’re really looking forward to making it available to a larger audience.”

ABOUT LION FORGE

Lion Forge is a St. Louis-based new media company that revitalizes licensed franchises and develops exciting on-trend original properties through comic book publishing. Drawing on a diverse roster of talent from book publishing, print comics, animation, mobile apps, marketing, retail development, and brand management, Lion Forge titles are carefully curated and brought to market with focused attention and support. Committed to diversity in the entertainment field, and the comics industry in particular, Lion Forge aims to employ a wide array of staff and creators that reflect the makeup of our world and bring fresh voices to our titles. For more information, please visit lionforge.com or the Lion Forge Facebook (facebook.com/LionForge) and Twitter (twitter.com/lionforge) pages.

ABOUT STONE VILLAGE PRODUCTIONS

Stone Village Productions (“SVP”) is an independent, privately owned media finance and production company led by Producer and 18 year industry veteran Scott Steindorff and co-founder Dylan Russell.  The company specializes in the production of commercial, studio quality television and film content.  SVP has a premiere slate of commercial intellectual property and projects in development with A-level talent involved.  Drawing on its past experience to attract A-level stars to its content, SVP populates its television and films with renowned actors.  Past television success includes the syndicated NBC series “Las Vegas” which starred James Caan and Josh Duhamel and the Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning HBO mini-series “Empire Falls” which starred Paul Newman, Ed Harris, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Helen Hunt, Joanne Woodward and Robin Wright.  Recent films include The Weinstein Company film “Jane Got a Gun” starring Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton, and Ewan McGregor; the Open Road film “Chef” starring Jon Favreau, Scarlett Johansson, Sofia Vergara, and Robert Downey Jr., the Lionsgate film “Lincoln Lawyer” starring Matthew McConaughey;  and the Lionsgate film “Gimme Shelter” starring Vanessa Hudgens, Rosario Dawson and Brendan Fraser.

My thoughts: today’s product of WWE since after Wrestlemania 32

Julian Cannon Leave a Comment

While Wrestlemania 32 gave us some fantastic moments, I think most would agree the ending left us feeling underwhelmed and disappointed, a sour note in an otherwise very solid show. I for one had went to sleep that night feeling very deflated, and quite frankly pissed off that they would so blatantly ignore the fans wishes, just to get the title on the good looking, muscular, Samoan dude. Everything was going to remain the same, Raw was going to kick off with a 20 minute Authority promo, and conclude with Reigns beating every member of the League Of Nations while Cole screams, “Roman Reigns has overcome all the odds tonight!” It felt like WWE had no plans on changing the product, being content with their current stagnant state, despite the outcry of smarks and casuals alike, for change.

Until… Well, the next night.. 

The Raw after Wrestlemania felt fresh, the focus on young stars was a welcome change of pace, and something just felt different, it didn’t feel like an average Raw, it started with Shane being put in charge and ended with AJ Styles becoming the Number 1 Contender in an incredible Fatal Four Way, with 4 of the best workers in the business. However, I still wasn’t convinced, Shane’s tenure in charge seemed like a one-week thing, and this focus on the younger and more ‘IWC friendly’ guys may just have been to please the crowd the night after Mania, who they knew, if they gave them the same old stuff, would crap all over it, their fear of which was apparent through the commentators’ “boo the people they normally cheer” shtick. My skepticism seemed warranted given what we’d seen in the past. 

Boy was I wrong! 

The weeks that followed have kept with this theme of intriguing storyline development, new stars being built in the likes of Apollo Crews, Baron Corbin, Enzo and Cass etc, and overall simply a better product. The card for Payback looks amazing, I’m looking forward to pretty much every match, the build has been fantastic, every match has been given meaning, purpose, and most importantly air time to build organically, little to none of it seems shoe-horned in, and there are two major plots which could give us a massive indication on the companies direction for the foreseeable future . The introduction of Anderson and Gallows has made for some compelling television, and an aura of mystic surrounds their inevitable eligance. Though it seems set up for Balor to join forces with Gallows and Anderson to turn on AJ, they could just as easily throw us a curve-ball, which hasn’t been felt in a very long time. Vince’s decision on Sunday, will shape the company for the next while at least, I can’t see it being as cut and dry as him picking one or the other, the possibilities are endless, which is very exciting.

Ratings…DO NOT PANIC! 

Yes, the ratings have been fairly poor, but that should be expected, the new talent needs to be given time to settle in and get over with the casual audience. These guys are mostly unknown to casual fans, so when the guys they’ve known to be the stars aren’t on the show, they won’t tune in for a while, which is exactly why this opportunity needs to be taken, while a lot of your money and ratings draws are out, to enhance the new guys, and give them time to establish themselves with a new audience. Don’t go rushing back to the old guys in a panic because the ratings have dropped, it would completely derail all the good things that have been done since Wrestlemania. 

Potential For Change: 

I refer back to the title, the sense of change is looming, the opportunity to usher in a new era in WWE is very much in the companies hands, this Sunday, is a huge night for the WWE and professional wrestling in general, you can give back to us fans, and make us once again proud to call ourselves wrestling fans, the feeling of unpredictability once so synonymous with professional wrestling, feels like it’s slowly creeping it’s way back. The potential for two, company altering swerves, is here, my skepticism though not fully gone, is fading, don’t disappoint WWE. 

My Thoughts for today on The Walking Dead: Cliffhangers

Julian Cannon Leave a Comment

The problem isn’t cliffhangers as cliffhangers. It’s that this particular cliffhanger worked against the scene, rather than for it.

   
Look at the previous major cliffhangers:Rick being told something in secret adds mystery. If I hadn’t gotten into the show after playing the Telltale game, it would have been a really intriguing one.

After the farm falls, Rick has a different view of leadership, we see the prison that may become their new home, and Andrea met some lady with a cape and a freakin’ katana. I couldn’t wait to start season 3!

After the prison falls, they have survived their first major enemy, but their home is lost again and the group has scattered. I really looked forward to seeing how they met back up and how the group would change on this new arc

The group is reunited in the Termites’ prison. It’s their darkest moment, but seeing familiar faces, Rick is thinking “it’s US, of course we’ll make it out of this”. Awesome, pumped for the escape.

Alexandria may be falling, Rick’s group is using good-old zombie guts to escape. Then, the boy gets scared and says “Mommy?” I couldn’t wait to see the panic as the walker herd turned on them while they were surrounded and had nowhere to go. …the payoff was a total cop-out (what, did the walkers just not hear him?), but the cliffhanger itself did its job.

Negan attacking…someone. What I’m excited about in the next arc is seeing Rick dealing with his biggest defeat. They essentially just got conquered. This is the main attraction of the next arc, but the cliffhanger detracts from it in two ways: first, it lessens the impact of Rick’s despair because we don’t see who he lost; second, it puts the main focus of the premier on “who died?” rather than “how will they deal with their new warlord?”

  
If they were worried about the gore, there would have been better ways. They could have shown the first hit, then cut to the reaction of each of the others as we only hear the impact of the bat.

If they were worried about ratings……..they need new marketers.

follow me on twitter @julianexcalibur 

Ghostbusters series 2 from Diamond select toys

Rob Leave a Comment

image

New Ghostbusters Figures Hit Stores, New Pre-Orders Begin!

This week, the second series of Ghostbusters Select Action Figures ships to comic shops from Diamond Select Toys, with Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler and Dana Barrett joining the previously released Ray Stanz, Winston Zeddemore and Louis Tully. Based on the original 1984 Ghostbusters film, each of these 7” scale figures will come packaged with a piece of the rooftop temple diorama from the climactic scene, which will be spread across all 15 releases in the line. And once you have Series 2 in your hands, you’ll be able to pre-order Series 3!

Ghostbusters Select Series 3, featuring Slimer, Janine, and Quitting Time Ray will ship later this summer, and pre-orders are open for all three figures starting this week. As with Series 2, each will come with a diorama piece at comic shops and specialty stores, as well as accessories: Ray will come with his ghostbusting gear; Janine will come with a phone, buzzer and takeout containers; and Slimer will come with two interchangeable faces, one of them stuffed with hot dogs!

Series 4, featuring Gozer, Walter Peck and Slimed Peter will follow later on this year, and Series 5 with Terror Dog, Library Ghost and Taxi Driver Ghost will ship in early 2017. All 15 figures will be required to build the rooftop diorama, and those diorama parts will only be available with the Select versions of the figures, in the larger, specialty market-exclusive packaging, with spine artwork.

image

Diamond Select Toys will also offer products based on the new 2016 Ghostbusters movie, including Minimates mini-figures, banks, vehicles and kitchenware. The first assortment of Minimates is available for pre-order now.

Find your nearest comic shop at comicshoplocator.com!

Mega man 41inches tall pre-order from BBTS

Rob Leave a Comment

image

Mega Man, also called Rockman, joins Sentinel’s 4INCH-NEL figure lineup! He’s insanely posable, about 4″ (10cm tall), and he comes with two sets of hands (one pair fisted and one pair with fingers outspread), interchangeable facial expressions, the Mega Buster, and a stand with a posable arm for airborne action! 

image

Includes:
-Mega Man figure
-Optional hand part (left, right)
-Mega buster
-Expression part
-Base
Product Number: SNT10120 
Shipping Weight: 0.70 pounds

image

image

“The Final Days of Superman” Have Begun The Last Son of Krypton Searches for Members of His “Super-League” to Continue his Fight for Truth and Justice Death waits for no man—not even a Superman.

Rob Leave a Comment

image

“The Final Days of Superman” Have Begun
The Last Son of Krypton Searches for Members of His “Super-League” to Continue his Fight for Truth and Justice

Death waits for no man—not even a Superman.

image

The devastating effects of Apokolips’ fire pits in JUSTICE LEAGUE: DARKSEID WAR, the A.R.G.U.S. Kryptonite chamber from “Savage Dawn” in SUPERMAN, and his battle with the would-be god Rao in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA all combine in a perfect storm of death for the Man of Steel. Determined to protect humanity, despite his impending death, Superman embarks on a quest to seek heroes from across the DC Universe to continue his role as humanity’s protector.

image

DC Entertainment proudly presents “The Final Days of Superman.” Writer Peter J. Tomasi architects this epic saga, encompassing all four Super-titles in

image

April and May.

SUPERMAN #51 AND #52
(Art by Mikel Janin)

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #31 AND #32
(Issue #31 art by Doug Mahnke and Jaime Mendoza issue #32 art by Doug Mahnke, Jaime Mendoza & Christian Alamy)

ACTION COMICS #51 AND #52
(Issue #51 art by Paul Pelletier, issue #52 art by Scot Eaton and Dale Eaglesham)

SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #28 AND #29
(Art by Jorge Jimenez)

image

“The Final Days of Superman” saga sets the stage for the DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH launch beginning on May 25, which will result in new identities, new costumes and…even more Supermen?!

image

SUPERMAN #51 debuts Part One of the eight-part epic, “This Mortal Coil.” Superman seeks out his closest friends, including Lana Lang and Lois Lane, to let them know his end is drawing near. Meanwhile, at a secret installation in China’s Shanxi Province, the mysterious Dr. Omen performs strange experiments in order to create China’s very own Super-Man. While in Metropolis, an on-the-run parolee falls victim to a strange accident giving him incredible powers, and now he’s calling himself Superman! Check out the debut of this incredible story at your local comics retailer now!

image

Part Two continues in BATMAN/SUPERMAN #31’s “Dark Discovery,” available now. Superman invades Gotham City to inform Batman that he’s dying—and to enlist the help of the World’s Greatest Detective in locating his cousin Supergirl, who’s mysteriously gone missing. In the process, the World’s Finest heroes must defeat the monsters of the Chinese Zodiac.

image

Check out this sneak preview of ACTION COMICS #51 featuring “Dazed and Confused,” the third chapter in this explosive arc, available Wednesday, April 20. With Batman’s help, Superman is on his cousin’s trail—but he can’t believe where it’s led him or who she’s teamed with in the Man of Steel’s absence! Dr. Omen reveals more secrets of her experiments as she receives a crucial component—Superman’s blood!

Hasbro Studios and Sony Music Entertainment Release Transformers Roll Out Album

Rob Leave a Comment

image

Digital Rock Album Features Original Hit Tracks from ‘Bush’ and ‘Mount Holly’

BURBANK, Calif. – April 15, 2016 – Today Hasbro Studios, the Los Angeles-based entertainment division of Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) and Sony Music Entertainment announce the release of Transformers Roll Out, an alt-rock tribute to the wildly popular hit Hasbro Transformers franchise.

image

Transformers Roll Out heralds the global pop-cultureTransformers phenomenon, featuring a collection of hit original songs inspired by the Hasbro Transformersfranchise from leading established and up-and-coming alternative, rock and alt-pop artists, morphing together to create an epic portfolio of hard-hitting tunes that truly embodies the soul of the HasbroTransformers brand. The album includes tracks from the chart topping rock band ‘Bush’ and front man Gavin Rossdale, lending powerhouse vocals in “This House is on Fire,” as well as up-and-coming alt-rock group Mount Holly, who provided the album’s lead title track “Roll Out.” Transformers Roll Out is being released on Sony Music’s RED Associated labels and is available for digital purchase now at iTunes: http://smarturl.it/ROiT

“Growing up, I was (and still am) a huge fan of theTransformers franchise. It was an amazing experience working with Hasbro to produce this album and to contribute the title song Roll Out,” said album producer and Mount Holly lead guitarist Nick Perri. “The album embodies the action-packed high energy vibe thatTransformers is known for and also brings in some outer world ambience and emotionally driven songs as well. All of the artists were thrilled to deliver on the mission.”

“The release of Transformers Roll Out demonstrates the pop culture power of the Transformers franchise,” said Hasbro Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer Stephen Davis. “With generations of audiences celebrating the brand across television, film, digital entertainment, consumer products and now music, this could not be a more exciting time for Hasbro and Transformers. This unique project truly delivers on the More Than Meets the Eye brand promise.”

Artists contributing to Transformers Roll Out include:

·         Mount Holly (“Roll Out”)

·         Bush (“This House is on Fire”)

·         Crash Kings (“Gigantik”)

·         MEW (“Count to Ten”)

·         Elle Rae (“Into the Fire”)

·         SPURS (“Exiled”)

·         Jameson Burt (“Just a Spark”)

·         Ours (“Stronger”)

·         Darby™ (“Modern Man”)

·         Born Cages (“Our Revolution”)

Transformers Roll Out is available on all major digital providers and the limited edition CD and vinyl is for sale exclusively through FYE stores.     

ABOUT HASBRO

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global company committed to Creating the World’s Best Play Experiences, by leveraging its beloved brands, including LITTLEST PET SHOP, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MONOPOLY, MY LITTLE PONY, NERF, PLAY-DOH and TRANSFORMERS, and premier partner brands. From toys and games, television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and consumer product licensing, Hasbro fulfills the fundamental need for play and connection with children and families around the world. The Company’s Hasbro Studios and its film label, ALLSPARK PICTURES, create entertainment brand-driven storytelling across mediums, including television, film, digital and more. Through the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews) and Instagram (@Hasbro).

About Sony Music Entertainment

Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a current roster that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre, including Arista Nashville, Beach Street Records, Bystorm Entertainment, Columbia Nashville, Columbia Records, Day 1, Descendant Records, Epic Records, Essential Records, Essential Worship, Fo Yo Soul Recordings, Kemosabe Records, Legacy Recordings, MASTERWORKS, Polo Grounds, RCA Inspiration, RCA Nashville, RCA Records, Reunion Records, Sony Classical, Sony Music Latin, Star Time International, Syco Music, Vested in Culture and Volcano. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.