Kilowog In The Green Lantern Movie

The comicbookmovie.com site has posted this pic of Kilowog from the upcoming Green Lantern movie. This gets me even more excited for the movie. Kilowog is one of my favorite Lanterns, and it looks like they are doing a bang up job of bringing him to the screen. Just the fact that we’ll see him is awesome. And this now brings up the possibility that we’ll see even more Lanterns in the movie. I wonder who else we’ll get a look at? I can’t wait.

Supergirl Returns To Smallville, Other Visitors Expected

Smallville may be coming to a close when next season ends, but it looks like the show will be getting a big send off. Superman’s home town will have many visitors as former cast members return, and new characters stop by for a visit. One highly anticipated visitor will be Laura Vandervoort, who again will fly into Smallville as Kara (aka Supergirl).

“I’m not going to be able to say too much but [the episode] definitely [has] a lot of Clark and Kara discovering their past and what she’s found while she’s been away for the year about their family,” said Vandervoort. “People have always wondered why Clark can’t fly and that’s going to be kind of discovered in this episode. It’ll be good. It”ll be the usual banter between [Clark and Kara] as well.”

The first episode of the tenth season will have an unusual returnee. John Schneider will reprise his role as Jonathan Kent in an episode titled “Lazarus.” He is also expected to return in at least one more episode during the season. I think that Schneider was great in the role of Pa Kent, and I was very disappointed to see him killed off during season five. The title might hold a hint to how they’ll orchestrate his come back, that is if you’re a big fan of the Batman comic books, but that’s just speculation for now. I wonder if this will be a straight-up-honest return, or if there’ll be twist to the newly returned Jonathan Kent? I also wonder if he’ll be back for good, or if he’ll return to the beyond by season’s end?

And while there is a lot of good news, there’s also some disappointing news. Michael Rosenbaum has previously stated that he will not reprise his role as Lex Luthor. He left the show at the end of the seventh season. And another actor played Lex in a brief appearance during season eight, where Lex was apparently killed in a n explosion. However, it was later hinted that Lex was still alive.

The actor of steel himself, Tom Welling, told MTV News that he’s a cheerleader for Rosenbaum’s return. “I want to see Lex [Luthor],”Welling told said. “I want to see him come back. In the show, he’s still alive. He’s just not around. But I want to see Michael [Rosenbaum] and I want to see Lex Luthor. I want to know how that relationship really turns out. Because that’s the big relationship that I believe propelled Clark to become Superman.”

I agree that the relationship between Clark and Lex was one of the most interesting things about the earlier seasons of Smallville. And Rosenbaum was great in the role. Lex should be back for the final season. And he should be in the last episode. It wouldn’t be hard for them to write up an explanation that uses plastic surgery or a clone as a reason for another actor to play Lex for the final season, but it wouldn’t be the same. I hope that Rosenbaum will have a change of heart and will come back for one final season.

Among other rumored guests, Sahar Biniaz is said to be appearing as Hawkman’s long lost love Shayera, also known as Hawkgirl, who was referenced in the episode Absolute Justice. And Michael Shanks will be back to reprise his role as Carter Hall/Hawkman. Geoff Johns hinted in his Twitter feed that Darkseid and the forces could appear in the tenth season. Blue Beetle, the Jaime Reyes version, is said to appear in an episode alongside Booster Gold. And Bradley Stryker is rumored to appear as Floyd Lawton, known in the DC Universe as the assassin Deadshot.

It looks like Smallville is pulling out all the stops for its final season, and is going to go out with a bang.

The 10th season of Smallville will debut on Friday, September 24.

DCU Online Trailer

Batman:Year One and All Star Superman Movies

If you’re running out today to buy the latest Warner Brothers/DC Comcis direct-to-DVD animated movie, Batman: Under the Red Hood, then there is big news for you coming out of Comic Con International. Under the Red Hood had its premiere at the mega comic book and media convention, and it was followed by a panel discussion after the screening. During this panel it was confirmed that Superman/Batman: Apocalypse will be out this September, although that is old news at this point. However, that was followed by the news that All Star Superman, the highly acclaimed story by Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely, will be made into an animated film. And if that isn’t enough, producer Bruce Timm announced that the iconic Batman: Year One storyline by Frank Miller and artist David Mazzucchelli will be made into a feature-length animated film in the near future.

All Star Superman is a story that has received much love from comic book fans, and it could make for an excellent movie. However, I wonder  what the art direction of the movie will be. If they try to create character designs based off of Quietly’s art from the comic books, like it was done with the Ed McGuiness art on Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, then I have some reservations about this movie. I have not been a fan of Quietly’s work, and I don’t know if it will translate well to animation. To me his people can seem “puffy” and I’m not big on his look. Still, it’ll be interesting to see how this one develops.

On the other hand, I think that Batman: Year One is huge news. This is one the most celebrated storys in the history of comic books, and most definitely one of the top three Batman stories, ever. Year One helped to revitalize Batman, it helped make a star out of Frank Miller, and it helped to change the look of the comic book landscape. If they’re doing adaptations, then I would have preferred to see this one first over a couple that they did before it. Batman: Year One is one of my all-time favorites, and I can’t wait to see it animated.

Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters Video Game

Green Lantern Movie In EW

Fanboys can get a glimpse of the brightest day when they pick up the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly. EW is giving a behind-the -scenes look at the making of next summer’s Green Lantern movie starring Ryan Reynolds.

Reynolds will be playing Hal Jordan, a cocky test pilot who becomes an intergalactic superhero when he puts on the cosmic power ring. While he has experience in the superhero realm from his role as Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, playing Green Lantern involved some major challenges, like getting hurled through the air on a wire at up to 60 feet per second to create the illusion of flight. “The first time you do it, you’re seriously considering an adult diaper,” Reynolds says. Even with the roles unique challenges, he couldn’t resist the chance to play the beloved DC Comics hero, whose power ring can conjure virtually anything he can dream up. “Will and imagination are his superpowers,” Reynolds says. “We need a circus of Timothy Learys to think of things Hal would invent with his ring.”

Judging by the cover, we’ll get a sneak peek at Green Lantern, plus other geek projects, like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Thor, Tron: Legacy, The Walking Dead. And what’s that about a new Buffy!? Grab the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, flying to stands on July 16.

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse Animated Movie

I am always eager to see what is next in line for the direct-to-DVD animated movies that Marvel and DC have been doing. And while I’m waiting for Batman: Under the Red Hood to get here, I’m already being teased by DC next project. Thier next movie will be Superman/Batman:Apocalypse. This story will adapt the Supergirl storyline from Jeph Loeb’s run on Superman/Batman. And what could be better than Superman and Batman teaming up? Tim Daly and Kevin Conroy are returning to their voice acting roles as Superman and Batman, along with  Summer Glau (Serenity) providing the voice of Supergirl.

And continuing the line-up of DC Showcase shorts to accompany the movie will be a Green Arrow story.

Here is the full press release:

THE END IS NEAR!
WORLD’S FINEST WAGE WAR WITH DARKSEID IN ALL-NEW DC UNIVERSE ANIMATED ORIGNAL MOVIE SUPERMAN/BATMAN: APOCALYPSE AVAILABLE FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO SEPTEMBER 28, 2010!

Andre Braugher, Summer Glau, Ed Asner join popular voices Kevin Conroy & Tim Daly; New DC Showcase  GREEN ARROW on Special Edition Blu-ray & 2-Disc Special Edition DVD

To save an earthbound Kryptonian, the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight unite once again – this time to battle the powerful forces of Darkseid – in Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, the ninth entry in the popular, ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movies coming September 28, 2010 from Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation. The highly anticipated, full-length film will be distributed by Warner Home Video as a Special Edition Blu-Ray™ and 2-Disc Special Edition DVD as well as single disc DVD. The film will also be available On Demand and for Download.

Fan favorites Tim Daly (Private Practice) and Kevin Conroy (China Beach) return to their seminal roles as Superman and Batman, respectively. The celebrity-laden guest cast is headed by Andre Braugher (Men of a Certain Age) as the daunting Darkseid. Sci-Fi heroine Summer Glau (Serenity/Firefly, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) provides the voice of Supergirl, and seven-time Emmy Award winner Ed Asner (Up) reprises his Superman: The Animated Series/Justice League role as Granny Goodness.

Based on the DC Comics series/graphic novel Superman/Batman: Supergirl by Jeph Loeb, Michael Turner & Peter Steigerwald, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is produced by animation legend Bruce Timm and directed by Lauren Montgomery (Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths) from a script by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Tab Murphy (Gorillas in the Mist).

After a spaceship splashes down in Gotham City Harbor, Batman and Superman encounter a mysterious Kryptonian with powers as great as those of the Man of Steel. The Kryptonian is soon revealed to be Kara, cousin of Superman, who takes her under his wing to educate her about the ways of Earth. However, the villainous Darkseid has other plans. Seeing an opportunity to finally defeat Superman, Darkseid abducts and gains control of Kara, utilizing the powerful Kryptonian to do his bidding. It’s up to Batman and Superman to save Kara, but they’ll have to take the fight to Darkseid within his hostile world – where unknown, deadly threats lurk around every corner, including a brainwashed Kryptonian able to match Superman blow-for-blow.

In addition to the feature film, the Superman/Batman: Apocalypse Special Edition Blu-Ray™ and 2-Disc Special Edition DVD include the third DC Showcase animated short, Green Arrow. Screenwriter Greg Weisman’s story finds Oliver Queen at the Star City International Airport to pick up his girlfriend, only to be forced into action as Green Arrow to protect the 10-year-old Princess of Vlatava from his old nemesis Merlyn the Magnificent and the League of Assassins. The short features the voices of Neal McDonough (Desperate Housewives) and Malcolm McDowell (Entourage). Bruce Timm is executive producer.

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse 2-Disc Special Edition DVD features more than 1 1/2 hours of exciting extra content, including:

• Feature film (est. 75 min)
• DC Showcase: Green Arrow (10 min)
• Sneak Peak at the Next DC Universe Animated Original Movie (10 min)
• Featurette: Supergirl: The Last Daughter of Krypton – A comprehensive look at The Maiden of Might from her introduction in the classic age of comics to her death in the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event to her appearance on Smallville and beyond.
• 2 bonus episodes from animated television series handpicked by Bruce Timm

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse Special Edition Blu-Ray™ will include more than 2 1/2 hours of intriguing bonus features, starting with all of the content available on the 2-Disc Special Edition DVD and adding:

• All-New Featurette: The New Gods. A primer on the wealth of material and stories contained in the New Gods series, along with a deeper understanding of why these characters – and especially Darkseid – are so memorable and important to the DC pantheon.
• All-New Featurette Pods
• Orion – The mightiest warrior on either New Genesis or Apokolips, Orion follows an almost Shakespearean arc culminating in the slaying of his father, Darkseid. This mini-featurette shines a light on this classically tragic character.
• Mister Miracle – This mini-featurette focuses on the greatest escape artist the universe has ever known and how he was traded in a peace effort to be raised by Darkseid, the enemy of all New Genesis.
• 2 additional bonus TV series episodes handpicked by Bruce Timm
• Digital copy on disc of the feature film

“Great things happen when powerful entities come together, and the partnership of Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation is proud to continue this popular film series by once again uniting the two most popular characters in the DC Universe in a story that truly tests their strength, trust, loyalty, ingenuity and heroism,” said Matt Bierman, Senior Vice President Production, Warner Premiere.

“It is a testament to the larger-than-life nature of Jeph Loeb’s blockbuster storylines that two of the first nine DC Universe movies are based on his work,” said Geoff Johns, Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment. “Superman/Batman: Apocalypse lets us see Superman and Batman in action side-by-side again, but this time along with Supergirl and one of DC’s greatest villains, Darkseid.”

“Just as Superman and Batman stand atop the DC canon of characters, so do the respective seminal voices of Tim Daly and Kevin Conroy in the hearts and minds of fans. Superman/Batman: Apocalypse will no doubt please comic-centric and mainstream audiences alike – particularly in the performances of Daly and Conroy opposite dynamic actors like Andre Braugher and Ed Asner, and fanboy favorite Summer Glau,” said Amit Desai, WHV Vice President of Family, Animation & Partner Brands.

To tell the truth, I thought that Superman/Batman: Public Enemies was only a so-so movie. It was alright, but  I wasn’t really swept away by it. And because of that I would almost rather see them do a different movie next, before going back to the Superman/Batman comics for another movie. And after Public Enemies and the upcoming Under the Red Hood, I would like to see them do another orignal story, like they did with Crisis on Two Earths, rather than adapting another comic book story.

Still, I love comic books. And I love animation. So, this is a movie that I have to check out. Original or adaptation, these animated movies have been good over all, and I’m always looking forward to the next one.

DC Comics Go Digital

Comic book publisher, DC Comics, is partnering with ComiXology and the PlayStation®Network for two separate digital comics distribution deals, which launched on June 23. In addition, a DC Comics App for the iPhone®, iPad® and iPod® Touch is available allowing consumers an easy way to access DC Comics’ content. The announcement was made by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution.

“At DC Comics, it has been a top priority that DC forges a meaningful, forward-looking digital strategy,” said Jim Lee, Co-Publisher, DC Comics. “As both a comic book creator and Co-Publisher, it was incredibly important that our plan includes not only creator incentive payments, but also an innovative component that supports comic shop owners. We see digital as an opportunity to grow our entire business.”

Both the ComiXology and the PlayStation Network Digital Comics launch offerings will include classic titles from DC Comics, Vertigo and WildStorm, such as Batman: Hush, Green Lantern: Rebirth, Fables: Legends in Exiles and Planetary: All Over the World and Other Stories. Both programs will share a tiered pricing format, with digital comics priced from $.99 to $2.99 per issue. The Justice League: Generation Lost mini-series will be available through both platforms on the same day that each issue’s print edition goes on-sale, and both the digital and print editions are priced at $2.99. Several comics will be available for free with the launch, including the first installment of the ZUDA series Bayou and select stories from Batman: Black & White.

To further promote the announcement, DC Comics is offering a free 10-page preview of the 700th issue of Superman available through both platforms on the day that the issue is going on sale in comic book stores. The 10 page story is a prelude to writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Eddy Barrows’ highly anticipated Grounded storyline that will be published in Superman which will examine how Superman sees America, and how America sees Superman.

“’Grounded is a major turning point in the history of Superman,” said Dan DiDio, Co-Publisher of DC Comics. “This storyline has the potential to generate national headlines and bring new readers the series.”

The ComiXology program will launch with over 100 issues, from DC Comics, Vertigo and WildStorm, including the first issue of All Star Superman. Beginning with launch, one issue of Neil Gaiman’s critically acclaimed Sandman will be available digitally exclusively through ComiXology each week and over 100 additional issues from the company’s diverse imprints will be made available through the ComiXology program each month.

The digital comics, priced from $.99 to $2.99 per issue, will be available through:

•                DC Comics app for the iPhone®, iPad® and iPod® Touch;

•                DC Comics-branded storefront, located in the Comics by comiXology app for the iPhone®, iPad® and iPod® Touch;

•                DC Comics-branded storefront on the web at Comics.comiXology.com.

•                www.dccomics.com, later this year.

“Once readers download an issue, they will be able to read it on all DC Comics-branded Comics by comiXology-supported platforms,” said David Steinberger, CEO of ComiXology. “DC’s taking a bold approach to platform convergence, and we’re thrilled to be their solution of choice.”

Staying true to ComiXology’s support of comic retailers, DC’s partnership with ComiXology also includes a first-of-its-kind Retailer Affiliate Program, which will collect a portion of digital revenues to be invested back to and on behalf of comic book retailers in a variety of initiatives.

“The ComicsPRO Board of Directors is looking forward to continuing our dialog with DC Comics to figure out how their digital strategy can lead to new customers for storefront retailers,” said Joe Field, owner/operator of Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff, an Eisner-Award winning comic book shop in Concord, California. “We’re pleased to be part of this important conversation about the future of the comics business.”

The PlayStation® program will launch with over 80 issues from DC Comics, Vertigo and WildStorm, including the first 25 issues of Superman/Batman. Comic book titles based on videogame properties, including Free Realms, God of War and Resistance, will be made available digitally exclusively on PlayStation®Store for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. Over 50 additional issues will be made available each month, priced from $0.99 to $2.99 per issue, available through PlayStation Network.

“With the PlayStation Network digital comics available for all PSP models, the user is able to explore a huge range of more than 1600 comics and we look forward to working with DC Comics to continue to add even more titles,” said Susan Panico, senior director, PlayStation Network, Sony Computer Entertainment America. “PlayStation Network is the premiere entertainment destination and we are excited to provide users with exclusive content and continue to expand our growing library of comics.”

DC Comics is working with Warner Bros. Digital Distribution to leverage its global digital platform expertise and key partner relationships with companies such as Apple, Microsoft and other online distributors. Through these efforts WBDD will help DC Comics grow their digital publishing business.

“We’re very pleased to be working with the exceptionally talented team at DC Comics to help bring digital comics to consumers,” said Thomas Gewecke, President of Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. “This innovative offering breaks new ground, and makes some truly great works available in digital form for the first time.”

“Today’s launch provides an additional opportunity to convert new readers and recapture lapsed readers while serving existing fans,” said John Rood, Executive Vice President, DC Entertainment. “We look forward to working with our partners in the industry—the creators, the retailers and the fans—as we experiment with our digital strategy, in a manner that remains additive to our traditional business models.”

Live-Action Blue Beetle Test Shots

Geoff Johns, the acclaimed comic book writer, and now Chief Creative Officer for DC Entertainment, revealed on DC’s blog The Source, that there has been test footage shot for a live action Blue Beetle TV series. The Jaime Reyes version of Blue Beetle is to be showcased on the new show, and test footage of the character’s transformation into the scarab hero will be shown at the San Diego Comic-Con. Until then Johns presented some screen shots on the blog.

Granted, they’re screen tests, and the actual designs and quality of the finished show might differ from this test set-up, but this is something to get you excited about the prospect of a new super-hero TV show.

Warner Brothers Developing More DC Movies

While it seems that Marvel has been getting all of the head lines concerning comic books being adapted into movies, Warner Brothers continues to develop projects for their DC Comics properties. Barry Meyer, chairman and CEO of Warner Brothers, revealed to investors that they were close to giving The Flash movie a green-light. And while there aren’t any details at this early point in development, Meyer has said that other super hero properties are in the works. Christopher Nolan is reported to be directing Batman 3 for a July 20, 2012 release, and he will produce a new Superman movie, rumored to be titled The Man of Steel, for the 2012 holiday season. David Goyer, who teamed with Nolan as a writer on Batman Begins and The Dark Knight will be a writer on both upcoming films. Meyer also revealed that the studio is planning films based on Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Mad Magazine characters.

There’s not much to go by at this point, but plenty to be excited about. Another movie in the Batman franchise will be highly anticipated. Superman Returns was a disappointment for most people, but having the team of Nolan and Goyer on the project gives me a lot of hope for the next Superman movie. Wonder Woman could be the next big thing if its handled well, but Auqaman is a bit of a head scratcher for me. There is a huge upside for Warner Brothers if they can make a profitable movie from one of their below marquee characters, but can they pull it off? It seems that comic book writers and editors have trouble figuring out what to do with the character, that Aquaman solo titles don’t seem to fair well for too long. And he has become an easy target for jokes about his low status and lameness in the super hero world. It could be interesting to see what they do with the movie. I hope that they come up with a good idea, and really put some time into developing a solid script.