Famous Monsters Of Filmland » Comics

Max Landis’ “THE DEATH AND RETURN OF SUPERMAN”

Justin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:46:37 +0000

For anyone who missed it when DC comics decided to get rid of, and then re-animate Superman back in 1992, we have a hilarious re-telling of the tale from Max Landis, writer behind current box office champ CHRONICLE (and son of screen icon John Landis). In this video short, Landis recounts (over footage of his friends acting out) what has gone down as one of the comic world’s biggest gimmick blunders, and most successful marketing coups. He even manages to slip in a CHRONICLE plug. Enjoy!

WARNING: NSFW (Contains adult language and other fun stuff)

Image: DC

Topps Makes New “MARS ATTACKS” Cards Official

Justin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:42:32 +0000

We reported on IDW and Topps teaming up on a new series of MARS ATTACKS comics a week ago, spilling the beans on plans for 55 covers and the release of a new set of trading cards (also included all of the original cards for you to enjoy). Today Topps makes it official with the following (lengthy) press release. Also included is a shot of the packaging for the new collectible traders.

Since its initial release in 1962, MARS ATTACKS has made an indelible impression on pop culture, inspiring legions of fans around the world. Now, Topps is proud to announce MARS ATTACKS’ triumphant return to its trading card roots. Coinciding this summer with the landmark half-century milestone the company is pulling out all the stops for collectors to re-connect with the cult classic while ushering in a whole new generation of fans.

The commemorative trading card set, currently in development for release in July, is a cornerstone of the 50^th anniversary campaign. In addition to reprinting the 55 iconic cards which comprised theoriginal series, Topps is adding 25 never-before-seen subjects.

Ten cards, painted by Jason Edmiston, are based on storyboarded sketches from original series pencillers Wally Wood and Bob Powell that did not originally appear in the 1962 card set. Edmiston’s finished works pay homage to the pulp sci-fi style of Norm Saunders, the master painter who first gave MARS ATTACKS its signature look. Fifteen all-new cards are provided by Eisner award-winning comic book artist John McCrea, the acclaimed illustrator of IDW’s forthcoming MARS ATTACKS comic book series. McCrea is known to comics fans as the co-creator of Hitman (in collaboration with writer Garth Ennis), among numerous other high-profile assignments. His new, powerful imagery for the card set will provide fans with added insights to the comics as well as to the all-new MARS ATTACKS universe.

A variety of extra inserts are also designed to add collectibility and fun: limited edition multi-colored parallels and 3D lenticulars will be randomly included in packs. And, for the very first time, Topps will be including MARS ATTACKS sketch cards in boxes. Many talented artists are on board to provide their one-of-a-kind hand-rendered sketch art.

The original MARS ATTACKS series enjoys the distinction of being the most sought after and valuable non-sport trading card set of all time. Its legacy status has earned the new series Topps’ full “Heritage style” treatment. In order to preserve the product’s retro sensibility, all cards will be printed on thick, old fashioned card stock. Similarly, the design treatments for the display box and wrapper mimic the now-classic 1962 packaging.

“CONAN #1″ Variant Cover Unveiled

Justin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:54:19 +0000

CONAN #1 arrives on February 8, 2012 from Dark Horse comics. The book, featuring a main run cover by Massimo Carnevale, was written by Brian Wood with art by Becky Cloonan, and color by Dave Stewart. Below is Becky Cloonan’s variant cover.

Synopsis (courtesy Dark Horse Comics):
In this sweeping adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s fan-favorite “Queen of the Black Coast,” Conan turns his back on the civilized world and takes to the high seas alongside the pirate queen Bêlit, setting the stage for an epic of romance, terror, and swashbuckling. This is Conan as you’ve never seen him, with the combination of one of Robert E. Howard’s greatest tales and the most dynamic creative team in comics!

Click on the thumbnail for full image…

IDW Infests Comic Shelves For a Second Time

Holly — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:09:05 +0000

In comics, crossover events are usually associated with Marvel and DC as an excuse to have their respective superhero pantheons battle it out in new-and-exciting combinations. Last year, IDW said to themselves, why should Marvel and DC have all the fun? They proceeded to throw hordes of zombies at their own roster of comic book properties—which include heavyweights like Transformers, Ghostbusters, and G.I. Joe—in an event dubbed INFESTATION.

The success of the venture has led them to a sequel of sorts… albeit with a Lovecraftian bent. Now, like any comic fan, I have weaknesses. Gambit is one. Werewolves are another. But perhaps my most ridiculous, gushing, garishly biased fangirling involves one Mr. H.P. Lovecraft. IDW could probably sell me a comic about the Dunwich Horror stampeding over My Little Ponies. And yet… when presented with the preview of IDW’s new crossover, INFESTATION 2, the first issue of which comes out today, I can’t help but feel that even people unfamiliar with the Old Ones are going to be caught up in their horrifying plague.

The premise here is that a scourge of Lovecraftian monsters have freed themselves from the minds of mankind thanks to rabid fan speculation and nerds in Cthulhu suits. A secret society called Oblivion, fearful of this very event, poisoned Lovecraft and caused him to die of colon cancer [three cheers for historical accuracy!], but his death did nothing to prevent the coming Lovecraftalypse.

What this means for the rest of us is that Lovecraft monsters are about to terrorize the Transformers. Shoggoths will confront COBRA. Mi-Go will meddle with—are you prepared for this?—the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Tentacles crawling all over your childhood obsessions! That right there will be worth the price of every IDW issue until the crossover ends. And until then, we get snarky combat dialogue courtesy of Duane Swierczynski and giant Shoggoth-like eyeball worms as portrayed by David Messina. What’s not to love?

Also released today: Steve Niles’ 30 DAYS OF NIGHT #4, a continuation of Alice Blood’s FBI investigation into the existence of vampires (also artist Sam Kieth’s final issue); GODZILLA: KINGDOM OF MONSTERS #11, in which the world has been laid to waste by the King and his many foes; and TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #6, so far featuring word-gems like ‘holy guacamole’, ‘cripes’, and the French phenomenon known as ‘parkour’. Vocabulary lesson taken, dudes. Thanks.

New “MARS ATTACKS” Comics Landing With 55 Covers!

Justin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:03:40 +0000

IDW and Topps have announced a new series of MARS ATTACKS comic series launching this June, with CHEW writer John Layman and artist John (HITMAN) McCrea are teaming up on the effort. Collectors will delight in the 55 collectible covers, one based on each card in Topps’ original 1962 MARS ATTACKS series. A new set of cards bearing the new images will also be released.

“I’m a huge fan of MARS ATTACKS from a long way back. I own about half the original card set from 1962 and have a pretty big collection of collectibles and doodads,” Layman said in a press release. “It’s always been a dream of mine to destroy the Earth and inflict huge degrees of suffering on the rest of humanity. With this series, I finally get my chance.”

2012 marks the 50th anniversary of MARS ATTACKS, so keep your eyes open for a number of related product launches throughout the year.

Step back in time and take a look at the entire original run of MARS ATTACKS cards from Topps!

Trackers Earth and Dark Horse Team Up, Train Kids to Fight Monsters

Holly — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:12:26 +0000

Attention all Monster Kids with kids of their own: you now have the opportunity to give your son or daughter the kind of fantasy camp training you could only dream about while reading comics in your bedroom. That’s right… Trackers Earth has officially partnered with Dark Horse Comics and Mike Mignola to bring you a HELLBOY-THEMED SUMMER CAMP.

Are they kidding?

Apparently not. Check out the press release:

January 23, MILWAUKIE, OR—Do you or someone you know have a penchant for the supernatural? Do you like spending time in the great outdoors? Are you between the ages of 9 and 17? Will you be in Portland, Oregon, from July 16 to July 20? If so, Trackers Earth has the ultimate summer-camp experience for you!

Dark Horse Comics is proud to announce a partnership with Trackers Earth offering officially licensed B.P.R.D. and Hellboy camps, made possible through the generous permission of Mike Mignola, creator of B.P.R.D. and Hellboy.

“Trackers Earth is part of what makes Portland such an interesting place to live, and the most fun place in the country to raise a kid. This year my 6-year-old did Trackers camps focusing on forest ninja skills and stealth archery, and attended a school of magic. I wish he were old enough for B.P.R.D. camp, and I can’t wait to participate myself,” said B.P.R.D. editor Scott Allie.

Trackers Earth is looking for a few good recruits that have got what it takes to join an elite team of paranormal investigators combating the forces of darkness from all across the globe. They immerse you in tactical training of all forms, including survival skills in any environment (both earthly and non), martial arts and self-defense specific to preternatural entities, hand-to-hand weaponry (foam swords, bows, and more) and forensic investigation. All these are key skills that every agent must have; plus, you will be steeped in the history of the Bureau and the legacy of paranormal research.

The B.P.R.D. Training Camp includes:

• Tactical training
• Survival in any environment
• Martial arts and self-defense specific to preternatural entities
• Hand-to-hand weaponry (foam swords, bows, and more)
• Investigation and forensics
• Folklore and mythology
• Potions and charms 101
• Telepathy training
• Gadgets of the occult: EMF detectors, polarized lenses, and other paranormal investigative gear
• Comparative analogy and physiology of monsters
• Construction of your own quality foam swords and training weapons
• Meeting with the artists of the comic book that documents the adventures of the B.P.R.D.
• Bureau history and paranormal research

Wow. Where was the B.P.R.D. when I was forced to sing kumbaya with a bunch of creepy ten year olds in Southeastern Tennessee? Oh, right—the whole HELLBOY thing was just Mike Mignola’s brain embryo back then. Modern kids have all the fun.

Check out more details at the Trackers website: http://trackerspdx.com/youth/summer-camp/day/hellboy-camp.php

DC and Warner Join Forces To Fight African Hunger

Justin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:45:58 +0000

Join DC Comics and Warner Bros. in helping combat the hunger epidemic in Africa. Take a look at their mission statement and video below, then head over to www.joinwecanbeheroes.or g and join the fight.

From the We Can Be Heroes website:
Countries in the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya) are facing the worst drought in 60 years, causing a severe hunger crisis. According to the U.S. government, the crisis is unlike any other in terms of displacement, death and starvation of the population. More than 13 million people are in need of critical assistance. In Somalia alone, more than 250,000 people face starvation. Hundreds of thousands have fled to refugee camps seeking help. The situation is so critical that the United Nations officially declared famine for the first time in 21 years.

Humanitarian aid organizations are on the ground working to provide much needed relief to the drought and famine-stricken areas. But they need more help. They need our help.

Join the Justice League and DC Entertainment in raising awareness and funds for three nonprofit partners, Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps, who are delivering aid where it is needed most. DC Entertainment will match donations 100%, and 50% of the purchase price from We Can Be Heroes products will go to saving lives.

Preview: “THE STRANGE CASE OF MR. HYDE” Trade Paperback

Justin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:12:54 +0000

Dark Horse Comics is sharing a preview of their new trade paperback compilation of THE STRANGE CASE OF MR. HYDE, coming out on February 22. The Victorian mystery is written by Cole Haddon, with art by M.S. Corley.

Synopsis (courtesy Dark Horse):
“Sometimes good police work just isn’t enough, as Inspector Thomas Adye of Scotland Yard finds out when he’s assigned to the Jack the Ripper case. He’ll need the guidance of imprisoned madman and amoral _libertine Dr. Henry Jekyll, whose mind-splitting serum Jack might be using to commit his bloody murders. With London’s two greatest monsters pitted against one another, will Adye–and his soul-survive intact?”

Enjoy the cover and first six pages!

Steve Niles to Team Up With Artist Menton3 on THE NOSFERATU WARS

Holly — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:10:19 +0000

If you’ve been reading this site recently, you know that we’re a bit crazy for MONOCYTE, IDW’s current bizarre feast of sci-fi horror by Menton3 and Kasra Ghanbari. You also know that we love us some 30 DAYS OF NIGHT and CRIMINAL MACABRE, two fabulous ongoing series courtesy of horror maven Steve Niles. So FM is incredibly happy to report that Niles and Menton3 plan to collaborate on a new project that will have monster fans everywhere drooling into their vials of fake blood.

The project? THE NOSFERATU WARS. That’s right, the writer who originally conceived of 30 DAYS OF NIGHT because he “hated vampires” is about to destroy mainstream conceptions of wimpy vampirism once again, and he’s enlisted the aid of the visionary Menton3 to help him do it.

Says Niles, “I’ve been waiting for years for an artist like Menton3 to come along. He’s an original. He gets it. I couldn’t be more excited to be working with him and I hope NOSFERATU WARS is the first of many dark, twisted projects we do together.”

The promotional images, including this new exclusive, look predictably amazing. Put us on the excited-enough-to-pee-ourselves list, please.

DC Introduces Six New Titles, Including China Miéville’s DIAL H

Holly — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:35:38 +0000

It was only a matter of time, really, for HAWK AND DOVE.

The painfully mediocre title will be one of six books that DC is canceling to make room for a ‘new wave’ of comics added to their New 52 roster. The other sacrifices are O.M.A.C, BLACKHAWKS, MISTER TERRIFIC, STATIC SHOCK, and MEN OF WAR. Fortunately, none of these are the wonderful worlds of monstrous mayhem praised in our previous article. Jeff Lemire even plans to bring his Frankenstein character into the eighth and final issue of MEN OF WAR, giving monster kids an extra reason to buy it.

On another bright side, one of the replacements in store at DC will be DIAL H, helmed by China Miéville (KRAKEN, IRONSIDE, THE CITY & THE CITY)—one of the best science fiction/fantasy writers working today—in his comics debut, with art by Mateus Santoluoco. It should be fascinating to watch how Miéville’s Lovecraftian ‘weird fiction’ sensibilities affect the world of superpowers.

The planned cover for DIAL H #1 by Brian Bolland. Creeped out yet?

The other new titles? BATMAN INCORPORATED (which should make a bunch of Grant Morrison fans happy), EARTH 2, WORLD’S FINEST, G.I. COMBAT, and THE RAVAGERS.

For more details on DC’s ‘New Wave’, visit their blog.

In horror comics news, 30 DAYS OF NIGHT creator Steve Niles will have a few new projects to announce on Monday, one of which may involve artist Menton3, who is currently blowing our minds with IDW’s MONOCYTE. That should be a combo to wait for.