ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction

The guys over at Red 5 Comics have done it again!

What have they done?

They've perfectly catered to our undying thirst for Zombie-related material!

Kevin Grevioux (the creator of Underworld) and Red 5 Comics are teaming up to create a 6 bi-monthly release of this new horror-action series. I think that SuperHeroHype's article say's it best:

"Air-dropped into the deadliest hot zones, the walking dead of "ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction" indiscriminately infect every last warring insurgent -- on either side of the conflict. Specifically engineered to be photosensitive, once enemy infection becomes complete by dawn the originals and newly created zombies dissolve as a means to control widespread and accidental zombification. This allowed live soldiers to enter and safely occupy the now-combatant-free territory. However, this plan takes a deadly turn when one of the U.S. zombies, dubbed -- Zombie Zero -- fails to dissolve at the expected time, and begins to wreak havoc in the Middle East by creating others like him. This leads the U.S. military brass to send in a special operative to quietly take out Zombie Zero and his minions before their existence becomes known to the rest of the world."

Look for these to hit shelves in July sometime! For more information, you should probably check out either SuperHeroHype's article, or browse for more information on other Red 5 stuff at their site!

Who here plays Hero Clix?

I'm a personal fan of the Marvel series of HeroClix, though WizKids produces three separate 'Clix' lines: DC, Marvel and Indy. I've been playing for a few years now, and when a new series comes out a friend of mine and myself find our ways back to the old comic shop to purchase a brick - to later sort through them meticulously and select our new team members draft-style. Marvel Comics and WizKids have announced a new collaboration for the upcoming release of the newest Marvel series of HeroClix: Secret Invasion.

The Secret Invasion themed release will, of course, primarily focus on the recent events occurring in the Marvel Universe, where not long ago we discovered that Skrulls may have been infiltrating our world for a long time now. Skrulls, of course, have the technology and ability to assume the shape of other beings, and have used this ability to wreak havoc amongst earth's heroes. No one can trust each other as the struggle to protect Earth's inhabitants is waged amongst the heroes of our planet.

In a push to expose customers in game stores to the comic book world, Marvel and WizKids have teamed up to produce cross-promotional material and packaging for this new set. The displays for the sale of HeroClix boosters will also sell pamphlet comics to coincide with this new release.

The thing I'm wondering about is what the exclusive figure will be with purchases of a brick, because I already know that most of the figures in this series will be crazy strong as it is!

The Triumphant Return of Earthworm Jim

You may have already heard this, but the magnificent Earthworm Jim looks to be suiting up once again. Interplay Entertainment Corporation has announced a partnership with MR. Doug TenAppel. Doug TenAppel created the popular character for a video game in 1994, and it went on to become a massive success with 3 video games and a fun-filled animated series with 23 episodes in 1995 and 1996.

The story revolves around an earthworm who, unexpectedly, has a super suit fall on him one day. The suit enabled him to become the inter-galactical crime-fighter (kinda) feared by villains everywhere. With such memorable baddies as Evil the Cat and Professor Monkey-For-A-Head, Jim had his work cut out for him.

I personally remember drawing Earthworm Jim portraits on half the papers in my binder in elementary school. You can bet I'm pretty excited for what's to come from Jim's galaxy. Look to the future to bring a new animated television series, a new video game and even a feature film!

Stan Lee and Virgin Comics Ultimate Team-Up!

Mr. Stan 'The Man' Lee has opted to form a partnership with the guys over at Virgin Comics! Their mission? To create a new universe of superheroes, unlinked to anything out there in the market. Stan has, in his time, created or had a hand in creating some of, if not THE most, memorable characters in comics history. Spider-man, the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk, Iron Man... all of these and many many more fall under Stan's imagination.

"What a dream assignment!" enthused the always-ebullient Lee. "I can't wait to start pitting my newest, most exciting superheroes against comicdom's most powerful, diabolical super villains and then have the fun of tossing them into far-out, thrill-a-minute adventures to challenge the readers' imagination! And who better to share in the fun, creating wondrous new worlds without limit, than the incredibly talented and dedicated guys at Virgin Comics!"

Hold onto your hats, everyone, this is gonna be one hell of a thrill ride.

The comic series is due out sometime in 2009, so look forward to seeing more and more news about the project in the months to come! Our friends at Comixology has more to say on the matter, so head on over at this link here!

'The fate of superheroes'

Thane Burnett (who writes for the Toronto Sun and from whom my local paper occasionally posts articles) wrote a particularly intriguing article this last Saturday. The article was called 'The fate of superheroes', with the sub-text reading: 'A boy grows up and his childhood champions are banished to the basement'.

The article unfolds, telling about Thane's experience recently with - under the request of his son - repainting and refinishing his child's room. The room had at one point been a homage to the comic book era his child grew up on. "A swinging Spider-man and a flying Superman, whose red cape wrapped around the walls and ended where (his son's) head would hit the pillow each night." All of this on a background of white fluffy clouds on sky blue. And on the roof, Thane tells of how he even wrote a storyline to read in big bold letters. The story told of how a villain stole all the humor in the world, and how his son would have the last laugh.

Firstly I just want to say that this man, Thane, is a father who should receive an award of some kind. A man who put honest thought and care into the decor of his son's room in order to entice imagination. To encourage a strong and healthy childhood by providing for his son what every child needs - a hero.

However it was not to last. Thane tells how his son, at age 10, tells his father he's embarrassed to have his friends over from school. When asked why, Thane discovers that his son does not want to show his friends who he shares his room with.

Alright so here I am going to just pause and speak my mind. If Mr. Burnett should read this I mean absolutely no harm, just my own personal thoughts.

What kind of 10 year old wants something like that covered up. Who are his friends that would come over and see those walls and NOT be impressed with how 'cool' those heroes are. They are 10 year-olds. And how do you grow out of that kind of phase that young? Alright, I will admit that my youth was filled with comic books and fiction of almost every kind (Name it - sci-fi, fantasy, horror, mystery, what have you). My imagination was cultured through my parents' insistence of summer-reading programs. By the time I was 10, I was neck-deep in comic books to read and so were my friends at school.

Even the 'cool kids' in my grade hung out with each other at recess playing 'Power Rangers' - (I was Jason for the record. Every time) - and Animorphs (Totally got to be Tobias). There was nothing to be ashamed about our imaginations, which were almost at their peak of strength. Superheroes are the one thing I don't understand. They are nearly timeless. Perhaps you may throw out your old comic books, but once you've read the origin of Batman, you will carry that knowledge with you the rest of your days.

I walked past a junior high school a couple weeks back during lunch hour. As almost anyone will tell you, Junior High is the hell of grade school. Where the young have decided that segmentation of groups is quite alright, and the stereotypes come out to play. Where the 'cool' kids hang out in the park, while the 'nerds' chill in the library or computer lab. You'll never guess what I heard.

You see, there were these four kids 'chillin' by the fences, experimenting with swear words I deemed still too out of their league. But you know what they were saying?

"Man, that new Batman movie is gonna be the f***in sh*t man. Like f**k. I'm gonna go see that on the first f***in day."

Dollars to donuts (yeah I said it) that the kids hanging out in the library are saying the exact same thing and that the kids in the computer lab are probably even looking up movie set photos and reading up on Batman lore. Perhaps they will run across each other in line for the movie. Perhaps a nod of acceptance will be in order from both parties as they realize that a common interest provides common ground and equality.

The fact of the matter is that no child should be embarrassed for their love of super heroes and comic books and the strong use of their imagination. What type of friends are they who curb your enthusiasm when it comes to using your mind for your enjoyment?

I digress.

To sum up this post I just want to tip my hat to Mr. Burnett for a truly insightful article this past Saturday, and wish to say that I admire your strength and resolve to please your child as you unwillingly painted over your work. But I also encourage you to continue calling your son 'Superman', because he always will be to you and guaranteed he will always remember that kryptonite = bad. An imagination is healthy, and one should hang on to it as long as possible.

Death Note Live Action Movie

Not many people nowadays can say they have never heard of Death Note. The popular manga title has stirred up controversy almost all over the world, with incidences popping up once in a while about a child carrying a notebook with severe death threats and some even acting on them. The story itself, however, is fantastic. A cunning cat-and-mouse detective vs. misunderstood serial murdering (and self proclaimed) hero.

The catch?

How about writing a name inside a death god's notebook, including form of death, and the person who's namesake was written suffers the death along with it. To the 'T'. This manga title has reached ICv2's top 50 Manga Properties List, and also has an anime television show currently aired during Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block.

The live action version of this film will debut in over 300 theaters in America, with a two-night special event beginning on May 20th. A theater list is available over at the FathomEvents Website. Unfortunately the film is only available in the United States and not Canada, however I have faith that we will be able to view it soon enough.

I honestly can't wait to see how well it translates to the silver screen in live action.

Eisner Nominees now Online!

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards nominees have been officially listed for 2008!

For those who don't know, the Eisner Awards are dished out to deserving winners every year at the San Diego Comic Convention (Tommy and I have our tickets purchased and as of tonight will have the hotel and flight officially booked - a word to the wise, next year do not procrastinate as we have. Hotels are... tough... to find). The Eisner Awards have been kicking around for roughly 2 decades now but honestly, this one seems to have a fair turnout from all producers, with nobody really having a majority seating among nominees.

I'll draw your attention to Red 5 Comics (who I am, as you may have noticed, a big - nay - large fan) who hauled 2 nominations this year for Atomic Robo! Best Limited Series and Best Coloring - two noteworthy categories.

For the full article on nominees and the event, feel free to visit CBR News. You'll find anything else of note there!

Create Your Very Own Hero!

Allow me to introduce you to Captain Awesome! He's really awesome! What are his powers you ask? His powers are AWESOME! However I have not yet decided what his powers are!

He does, however, have swords and brass knuckles. And a utility belt.

You are now completely baffled I see, yet - by reading the title - by now you no doubt surmise the topic of this post. Yes, I did create this fancy little hero. All the detail you see here, all the stunning equipment features, the colors, everything was done in a completely painless and extremely addictive process.

This fine character was brought to you by the good people of Under Ground Online. Besides many other cool time-busters on their site, they have a hero creator. Whether you play Dungeons and Dragons or just wish to create a visual guide of some of your favorite characters from books, etc., the Hero Machine V2.5 is the way to go! In relatively no time at all I have created over 10 characters. And I still want to make more.

The program is flash driven and requires no downloading for the program (It's all online), short of the latest version of flash! It also features an easy print feature so you can show off your creation to your friends, and be the envy of all your questing buddies when the DM gives you bonus experience for that really swanky character portrait!

So get out there and create for yourself the superhero you've always wanted to be! Be imaginative! Goliath!? commands it!

Comic Book Movie Adaptation #___

Hack/Slash, the growing-in-popularity comic by Todd Seeley and Stefano Caselli is one of the newest announcements for a movie adaptation.

According to Variety, Rogue Pictures acquired the rights to the series in 2006, and recently have tagged on a screenwriter and director. Justin Marks (who is also working on a Street Fighter film), is set to pen the adaptation, while Todd Lincoln will make his directing debut with the film.

The comic itself tells the story of one Cassie Hack, an orphaned child of a 'slasher', who has grown up to become a tough-as-nails (and attractive) young woman who travels across America in search of slasher murderers in order to do away with them with vigilante justice. And a baseball bat.

Female heroics on the scale of Buffy, minus the vampires.

Still, at one point there was a rumor going around that actress Megan Fox was to be approached for the role, which is A-OK in my books! Look for production on this film to begin later this year!

Atomic Robo Volume 1

If you were to enter a comic book store at this very moment, you'd be pretty hard pressed to actually find the first few issues of Atomic Robo. They're sold out.

But never fear! The Atomic Robo Trade Paper Back (Volume 1) is hear! Compiled together and coming out in June this year are the first 6 issues of Red 5's incredibly successful series. But what is Atomic Robo you ask (for those who do not know...)?

Well in these issues you will see Atomic Robo (a robot), do battle with Nazis, giant ants, clockwork mummies, walking pyramids, Mars, cyborgs and his nemesis, Baron von Helsingard. Yes you heard me right... Nazis. This guy is like a robot version of Indiana Jones.

Red 5 Comics is fast becoming one of my favorite producers of comics, with Atomic Robo being a favorite on that list if only for the artwork - which is fantastic. Look for the first volume of the TPB to come out in June, complete with new stories, concept art, pin-ups and more. If you're looking for me, I'll be at the local comic store picking myself up a copy!

For other works by Red 5 comics, you might want to check out our previous article, Afterburn.

Kevin Colden: Fishtown

"It disturbs me no more to find men base, unjust, or selfish than to see apes mischievous, wolves savage, or the vulture ravenous." - Jean-Paul Sartre

Kevin Colden is a New York based web comic artist who has spent the last 3 years working on a gritty tale known simply as Fishtown (NSFW). Part of the Act-I-Vate online anthology, Colden has been working on this project since early 2005.

The story unfolds slowly as four teenage misfits are interviewed about their involvement in the disappearance and murder of their friend Jesse. A frightening, graphic account of the events is compounded by the calm, non-caring demeanor of the teens. Drugs, sex, self-mutilation; all part of the daily lives of these teens.

The fact that it is fiction does not help as you realize how real these events can be. Close to home, it resembles the murder of Edmonton's Nina Courtepatte, 13, on a local golf course by five low-life mallrats.

Fishtown will be released in book-form late this year by IDW Publishing.

UPDATED: 04/10/2008 - A correction on the post: There were five officially charged in the Courtepatte case, not the previously stated four.  Thanks anonymous for the keen eye!

Blatant Production

At first I assumed, based on the general nature of Blatant Comics and their previous productions, that the news I am to share today was - in fact - one steaming mass of april fool's goodness. Far too often I am strung along on an idea that is just too good to be true, and this story definitely seemed one of those moments.

'Last Blood', the most recent publication from Blatant (and currently in it's fourth issue - the first issue of which actually debuted on Free Comic Book Day in 2007), has been optioned to Benderspink. This production company has numerous comic book based projects on the go, including the much anticipated Y: The Last Man.

The story itself has everything a healthy, growing and imaginative guy needs: a tale of zombies facing off against vampires who are trying to protect the remnants of the human race as they struggle to survive following the zombie apocalypse. Can it GET any better!?

I know! Too good to be true, right!?

Well unless Variety is into April Fools jokes as well in their publications, then this is no joke! Be prepared to see a Last Blood movie in theaters in the future!

Last Blood is written by Bobby and Chris Crosby, and is illustrated by Owen Gieni.

To find out how you (yes, YOU) could actually survive a zombie apocalypse, check out one of our earlier posts, 'Z is for Zombie', and you can even prepare yourself further by purchasing the must have reference guide!

Bookoff to Payoff

The Anime News Network has reported that popular used-bookstore chain, "Bookoff Corporation" has opted to pay numerous creators' associations 100 million yen (approximately 1 million dollars US) in order to address mounting complaints. The growing used-book industry has begun to take a certain toll in new book sales, to the discomfort of creators.

Bookoff currently has hundred of stores in Japan and numerous others overseas, and clocked roughly 460 million dollars this last fiscal year. Their primary specialization are manga, books, CDs, DVDs and video games.

This marks the first specific offer of payment to any of these organizations from bookstores.

If you wish to read the rest of this article, just follow this link!

Gonzo to take a cue from Radiohead

Fans of Radiohead's new album may recall the unique 'pay-what-you-think-it's-worth' strategy the band took back in October. For those who missed it, essentially it was an open-pricing model where a person was prompted to input whatever dollar amount (British pounds, actually) that they felt the album was worth.

The release prompted over 1.2 million downloads, and while Radiohead refused to release sales numbers, analysts estimated they earned approximately $5 per download.

Since this time, other artists including Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor and poetic rapper Saul Williams have used this method to some degree of success.

Gonzo Animation Studio's parent company GDH has announced today that they will be releasing two anime series using the same open-pricing method as the bands. The Tower of Druaga and Blassreiter will have episodes available to download in full on the Crunchyroll website on the same day as they air on Japanese TV. The price you pay will be up to you!

While GDH is just testing the waters at this time, the company should be applauded for it's foresight into the future of digital media. Many companies are beginning to realize that the old pricing methods are quickly becoming obsolete. Rather than fight it, many are striving to find new and creative ways to get the content to the fans while still maintaining a healthy profit.

While the open-pricing model may not be the final solution, it is certainly a step in the right direction and I'm glad to see companies willing to try it out.