CAPTAIN TRIPPS AND THE DARK MAN

Announced months ago by author Stephen King, Marvel Comics this weekend at WizardWorld Philly announced the comic book adaptation of The Stand. Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacaso (sp? he wrote Marvel's "4" title about the Fantastic Four) with art by Mike Perkins, Marvel E-I-C Joe Quesada held back the number of issues the comic adaptation would run.

Considering the book itself (the unabridged version, at least) clocks in at well over a 1000 pages, it is hard to see the adaptation being anything less than 12 issues. Even the ABC television miniseries was an 8 hour event and that left out a lot from the book. With King being fully involved in the project as he has been with Marvel's adaptation/expansion of his Dark Tower series, it seems that the book will be given a lot of room to tell its story.

The refusal of Marvel to lock-down a finite number of issues seems keyed to the business end of things, however. It's not easy to get a casual comics fan to commit to an ongoing series that extends over more than a year, especially when they know the book will be collected eventually in a handsome hardcover package. Throw in the rising cost of gas and the difficulty of finding a comic shop in this direct market only comics-world, and you have a recipe for a tough sell - even for a writer as popular as King and a book as popular as The Stand.

Either way, it is something that I am sure many King fans are excited about, and certainly, anyone who has picked up the Dark Tower adaptations knows how good and good-looking those books have been. I look forward to the project myself, and just point out Marvel's strange secrecy on the issue number as a point of curiosity.

At right: feast your eyes on a small black and white piece by series artist Mike Perkins!

THEY'RE BAAAAAACK!!!!!

Tomorrow's Headlines, Today: "NERDS GO ON WILDING (ON INTERNET) WITH 3 SUPER-POWERED GEEK ANNOUNCEMENTS TO 'MELT YER FACE!'"

Barry Allen as the Flash! In the DCU . . .

Ian McKellen as Gandalf! In The Hobbit . . .

Venom as Anti-Venom (The Cure? The Antidote?)! In the Marvel U and Amazing Spider-man . . .

HULK IT OUT!

The ongoing trials and tribulations of the Incredible Hulk's film career continue. The latest enemy the Green Goliath faces is not the Abomination or MODOK, but rather hostile media outlets, hellbent on kicking up controversy that may not even exist.

In the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly, the magazine features an article on the much-reported ongoing battle between Marvel Studios and The Incredible Hulk film's star and screenwriter, Edward Norton.

Known for his dedication and Howard Roark-like determination to fight for what he believes in (Google American History X and Tony Kaye!), Norton (so it's been reported) is locking horns with Marvel over the final cut of the film, which is due in theaters this June. While Marvel is looking for a fast-paced, action-packed commercial film to wash the taste of the previous box office disappointment that was Ang Lee's Hulk film from fans's mouths, Norton is advocating a more balanced picture that would come in somewhere over 2 hours and include more pathos for the character of Bruce Banner. According to the article and quotes from director Louis Letterier, things on the set were splendid until Marvel came in to dictate cuts to the director and Norton (who, besides re-writing the original Zach Penn script, is also an un-credited producer on the film.)

Norton has thus far refused to comment on the situation, and has not promoted the film at all, adding fuel to the speculation fire that there is a genuine controversy over the cut of the film. Finally, after months of EW gunning for an interview, Norton's people gave them a 257 word statement from the actor.

After professing his love for the character since childhood, the actor goes on to say: "Every good movie gets forged through collaboration, and different ideas among people who are all committed and respect the validity of each other's opinions is the heart of filmmaking. Regrettably, our healthy process, which is and should be a private matter, was misrepresented publicly as a 'dispute,' seized on by people looking for a good story, and has been distorted to such a degree that it risks distracting from the film itself, which Marvel, Universal and I refuse to let happen."

Unfortunately, by looking at the article this statement appears in and the chatter on geek-message boards across the web, the distraction has already happened, and it isn't going away. The damage might already be done.

With Marvel's Iron Man only a mere two weeks away, the marketing machine for Hulk should be in full swing. But as of this date, there has only been a single trailer premiered on cable, with no TV spots following it, and beside news of the reported controversy between Marvel and Norton, no press on the film itself.

With such a stellar cast (including Tim Roth, Liv Tyler, and William Hurt), a proven action director in Letterier (The Transporter), and the power of a star like Norton behind this franchise relaunch, The Incredible Hulk should be a favorite in the coming summer box-office numbers game. Instead, fans are worried, Universal and theater owners seem spooked, and there is talk circulating that the Hulk is jinxed when it comes to the big screen.

Read the article and Norton's statement to EW here.

above left: the latest poster for the film, showcasing a more familiar feel for fans of the 70s Hulk TV show.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

As much as Millar is annoying these days with all the comments he is constantly making, and the fact that I thought the first issue of his and Hitch's run on the FF was shite, I do have to admit that I enjoyed the first issue of Kick-Ass.

So, with art that looks like it is going to rival Romita, Jr.'s work on that title, I will most likely be getting this . . . .



go visit artist Tommy Lee Edwards!

THE BUMBLE?

Tim Roth is certainly scary as the Abomination in the upcoming Incredible Hulk flick from Marvel Films and Ed Norton. Now if Norton and Marvel can just work out their differences and finish a cut of the film that they can agree on.



Norton's well known for being "particular" about the film's he is involved in (from American History X - where he went so far as to recut the film, causing director Tony Kaye to pull his name from the picture - to The Italian Job, in which he was so vocal about his displeasure with the final cut of that film that he practically guaranteed its box-office failure.) Since Marvel allowed Norton to virtually dictate the film to them on paper by letting him re-write the original script and supposedly promising the actor unprecedented say in the final cut, Marvel has basically painted themselves into a corner.

However, I am not sure that's a bad thing. Norton has a very high degree of expertise in the industry, is meticulous, and really has a mastery of his craft. Marvel could do worse than let someone like that influence the route this picture takes.

Go here for the trailer in HD.

NUCAP = NEW COKE? YOU DECIDE!!

As a follow-up to my last post, Marvel Comics' big 10.11.07 announcement was the re-emergence, re-design and re-introduction of the recently deceased Captain America (see Captain America, Vol. IV, #25 for all the lurid details.)

Alex Ross designed the new look which incorporates the design of Cap's original triangular shield, as well as arming the NuCap with a gun and knife. Marvel's staying mum on who is taking up the mantle of the Sentinel of Liberty, but with Ed Brubaker writing, I am pretty confident it will be a fun ride.

As for the new costume, the verdict is still out for me. I like the general idea of a more urban combat-looking costume. It's more functional, less "costum-y." The metallic effect, while it works great with Ross's paints, is going to be hard for many artists to pull off without it looking cheesy.

Ross used a similar technique for the re-design of DC DC Comics' Citizen Steel (formerly Commander Steel) in that company's JSA title.

In that book, Dale Eaglesham and Ruy Jose, have done an admirable job of keeping Ross's metallic design while still staying true to their own style of art. I credit the colorist here too, but I don't have an issue handy to see who that is.

One colorist that comes to mind who's always done an admirable job with metal surfaces is Laura Depuy - certainly over John Cassiday's pencils on the character Danger in Astonishing X-Men.

I'm confident in Steve Epting's abilities as penciller and painter to stay true to Ross's redesign, it's just that with the way Marvel handles it big events, you just know that NuCap is going to be appearing in every title from Iron Fist and New Avengers to Moon Knight and Ghost Rider. With that wide range of artists handling the appearance of the difficult to nail effects of the costume, readers are going to get a lot of less than stellar interpretations of the new duds.

Whatever the eventual treatment of the costume is, there are going to be many purists who can't stand the idea of a NuCap in a new outfit. Personally, I have really been enjoying the storyline of Cap's death and the aftermath. Besides World War Hulk, its the best thing Marvel is doing right now. Also, I am not a diehard Cap fan, so the changes effect me that much less.

One of the first Cap stories I read and loved, however, was Mark Gruenwald's 12 or 14 part story that started with Steve Rogers quitting as Cap and a new more ruthless person taking over the roll. So, I'm already partial to NuCap stories.

And anyway, this is comics and the original Cap, Steve Rogers, will be back from the dead soon or later.

My money's on sooner.

images courtesy of Marvel Comics via Newsarama

MARVEL, MARVEL, MARVEL

Here's the teaser poster for Jon Favreau's Iron Man :





















And here's a teaser image for a big announcement Marvel Comics is making on October 11th, 2007, apparently :
Can you tease a date?

This is another perfect example of Marvel's insistence to make everything they do overblown. World War Hulk (and Planet Hulk leading up to it) has been a great storyline with little or no hype to it before it was released. The much bally-hooed Civil War on the other hand was screamed about everywhere possible, and for the most part was a major disappointment. Spidey's current One More Day storyline is super-duper hyped, but with only one issue of the 4-parter out so far, I will reserve judgment. Suffice it to say that first issue was no great shakes.

Anyway, that's my dig at Marvel this week - come back later in the week for a dig at DC!

We try to be equal opportunity in our hating here at TTHQ . . .

MARVEL GOES OLD SKOOL ON YO' ASS!

The first three covers for Marvel Comics' upcoming Spider-man uber-ever, One More Day. The covers are by series artist and E-I-C Joe Quesada. A fourth mystery cover will be revealed later.

The story marks a major turning point in the life of Peter Parker and will reset the Spider-man franchise for Marvel. After this cross-over, Marvel will only produce Amazing Spider-man as a core 616 Marvel Spidey title, eschewing Sensational and Friendly Neighborhood.

The catch? Marvel will be producing and putting Amazing on the shelves three times a month - with three super-star (sort of) creative teams, including artists Phil Jimenez and Steve McNiven and writers Bob Gale and Zeb Wells.

SURFER FLIES SOLO; THOR GETS DIRECTED

So, reports in the LA Times today state that the Silver Surfer will be spinning off into his own film. With Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer only a couple of days away, it looks like the studio behind the summer blockbuster are putting the cart before the horse, but who knows. The report also states that J. Michael Strazynski (Amazing Spider-man; Silver Surfer: Requim) will be turning in the first script.

More importantly though, the same article reports that Marvel is going forward with a planned Thor film and links director Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake; Stardust) to the production. I loved Layer Cake and the previews of Stardust look amazing, so if there is any truth to this rumor, I am definitely on board. As long as Thor gets to lay the smackdown on some Frost Giants!

BRING DA'NOISE!

Luke Cage=Soon to be kicking yo ass, be'yatch!

Oh yeah! Don't forget to head over to FOG! to read my first of a year's worth of weekly columns on the DC comics series Countdown! Read The Countdown Rundown!

I AM IRON MAN!

From Man to Iron Man . . .
The Red & Gold as revealed by Entertainment Weekly and obviously based on Adi Granov artwork/conceptions

My Favorite Blogs!

Here's a new semi-regular feature - I will showcase someone else's much better and more entertaining blog/website. That way, those of you who read my blog will actually get something entertaining for your time.

The first of these that I want to point you all too is the Comics Should Be Good blog over at Comic Book Resources. A great blog, but the best feature there is Brian Cronin's weekly "Comic Book Urban Legends," where Cronin debunks or confirms famous, interesting, infamous, and downright bizarre comic book industry lore and rumor.

This week the feature is celebrating its 100th posting, so check out Brian's very first Urban Legend, plus a number of creator-penned legends. Then head back every Friday for more mysterious geekiness revealed as phooey or cold hard fact!

Hot Comic Pick!

Marvel Comics' NOVA:

Spinning out of the epic (and far better maxi-series than Civil War) Annihilation blockbuster, the new NOVA series stars the original Marvel Nova, Richard Rider. The results of the Annihalation Wave war have left most of the universe in shambles, and planets throughout the universe are still calling for Nova Corps assistance.

Problem is, Rider is the only Corps member. All grown-up, better at his job then ever, and invested not only with the cumulative powers of the Nova Corp, but also bonded to the Xandian Worldmind (the all encompassing historical database of the Corps and the Xandian people), Rider has his plate full.

Great action from writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning with explosive artwork from Sean Chen, this series promises to be a sci-fi, space-faring hit. Reminiscent of the classic days of Hal Jordan's Green Lantern Corps days, this is sure to be a winner for any fan of Farscape, Serenity or Battlestar Galactica!

But can Ed Norton do this??

He's going to play the Hulk in the next movie from Marvel Films, but can even Ed Norton do this??