NEWS: THOR - TALES OF ASGARD DVD/BLURAY

Marvel.com announced today that their latest straight-to-video, animated endeavor will be Thor: Tales of Asgard which will debut May 17, to coincide with the release of the Thor live-action film. Besides, having that incredible cover by Alex Ross of a younger version of the well-known Asgardian here is the synopsis:
Before he ever lifted his mighty hammer, there was the sword. Fantastic journeys beckon from the mysterious nine realms. Places of dark mists and fiery voids. Of winged creatures and giants in the ice. And the most alluring quest of all--the search for the legendary Lost Sword of Surtur. Hungry for adventure, Thor secretly embarks on the journey of a lifetime, joined by his loyal brother Loki, whose budding sorcery equips him with just enough magic to conjure up trouble, along with the Warriors Three--a band of boastful travelers reluctant to set sail on any adventure that might actually be dangerous. But what starts out as a harmless treasure hunt quickly turns deadly, and Thor must now prove himself worthy of the destiny he covets by saving Asgard itself.

Also, here are the specs for the DVD and Bluray/DVD combo versions:
Audio commentary with Supervising Producer Craig Kyle and Screenwriter Greg Johnson
Audio commentary with Supervising Director Gary Hartle, Animation Director Sam Liu and Character Designer Phil Bourassa
“Worthy: The Making of Thor: Tales of Asgard” featurette
"The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes!" Bonus Episode from the new hit TV series
*Special features subject to change
Year of Production: 2009
Title Copyright: Marvel, Thor, all related trademarks, service marks, character names and the distinctive likenesses thereof are proprietary to Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries and are used with permission. “THOR: TALES OF ASGARD” COPYRIGHT © 2009 Marvel Entertainment. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Type: Home Entertainment Premiere
Rating: Not Rated
Genre: Television, Animation, Action, Adventure, Children
Closed Captioned: DVD – English; Blu-Ray - English SDH
Subtitles: English
DVD Format: Widescreen
Blu-ray Format: 1080P High Definition Widescreen
Feature Run Time: 77 minutes
DVD Audio Status: 5.1 Dolby Digital and Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital
Blu-ray Audio Status: English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio

Images courtesy of IGN.com

MAY 2011 SOLICITATIONS

JUSTICE HC
Written by JIM KRUEGER and ALEX ROSS
Art by ALEX ROSS and DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Cover by ALEX ROSS
The best-selling 12-issue series illustrated by Alex Ross is now available as a single volume hardcover at DC’s standard trim size.
The villains of the Legion of Doom — led by Lex Luthor and Brainiac — band together to save the world after a shared dream that seems to be a vision of the Earth’s demise. They are confronted by the Justice League of America, who doubt their motives—and as their true plans unfold the two teams do battle.
On sale JULY 27 • 384 pg, FC, $39.99 US

THE LAST PHANTOM #10
Written by SCOTT BEATTY
Art by EDUARDO FERIGATO
Covers by ALEX ROSS (main), STEPHEN SADOWSKI (1-in-10), FABIANO NEVES (1-in-15)
“Virgin Art” Retailer incentive cover by ALEX ROSS
Finally, back in Bengali, Kit Walker returns to The Phantom's secret sanctum... THE SKULL CAVE! Haunted by the specters of the past, Kit reflects on The Phantom's legacy as the origin of The Ghost Who Walks is retold! And after learning new details of where he came from, Kit discovers secrets in the Skull Cave's darkest recesses that shed new light on The Phantom's uncertain future!
32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen +

KIRBY: GENESIS #0
32 pages FC • $1.00 • Teen +
Plot by KURT BUSIEK & ALEX ROSS
Script by KURT BUSIEK
Art by JACK HERBERT & ALEX ROSS
Cover by ALEX ROSS
“Negative Effect Art” Retailer incentive cover by ALEX ROSS
“Issue #1 Cover Sneak Peek Art” Retailer incentive cover by SEAN CHEN
“Issue #1 Cover Sneak Peek Art” Retailer incentive cover by RYAN SOOK
“Issue #1 Cover Sneak Peek Art” Retailer incentive cover by ALEX ROSS
The Kirby Event of the new millennium begins here, brought to you by the best-selling and award-winning creators of MARVELS! The Pioneer 10 space probe carried a message to the stars. Now an answer's on the way -- but not one we expected! When it arrives, the lives of three ordinary people -- and the entire world -- will be changed forever. Featuring Captain Victory, Silver Star and more of Jack Kirby's greatest concepts, including characters never before seen in comics form! Kurt Busiek (ASTRO CITY) and Alex Ross (KINGDOM COME) team up for their first full collaboration since 1994, withfinished art (from Alex's layouts) by Jack Herbert (BLACK TERROR). Don't miss this tantalizing prelude to KIRBY: GENESIS -- a bold, explosive adventure debuting a universe of wild Kirby creations!
This is the beginning.
This is THE Genesis!
This 32-page book will feature an original story as well as tons of bonus materials!

MY TWO CENTS: How much longer are they going to milk that Justice image for reprints and stuff? I mean, I know Alex Ross is busy and al but can't he throw together something for DC, please? I'm getting tired of saying how AWESOME the covers for The Last Phantom are so, just take a look. Finally, Kirby: Genesis will arrive with a preview issue #0 with that fabulous cover we've seen before.

X-RAY VISION: PAUL - THE MOVIE

Eagle-eyed reader of this blog Graeme Thurston caught actor Nick Frost wearing a Project Superpowers logo T-shirt on the trailer for Paul, a comedy about a cool and crazy alien and the people he meets on this planet with hilarious consequences. The movie also stars Simon Pegg and Seth Rogen. It's a great nod not only to all fans of Alex Ross but comics in general. Paul opens in theaters in the UK today, and the rest of the world next month.

VIDEO: MARVELS - HIDDEN ART - PART 1

NEWS: KIRBY: GENESIS BEGINS THIS MAY!

Official Press Release
KIRBY: GENESIS BEGINS THIS MAY!

You marveled at Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross' Marvels! Now, prepare to be blown away by Kirby: Genesis!

Coming this May from Dynamite, Kurt Busiek will be re-teaming with Alex Ross for Kirby: Genesis, their first full collaboration since 1993's Marvels! With Kirby: Genesis, Busiek and Ross are primed to expand on the vision of the legendary Jack Kirby with the same dynamic and unique perspective on superheroes that made Marvels such an original and successful story, allowing a new generation of comic book readers to become acquainted with the genius that is Jack Kirby!

Dynamite Entertainment is proud to announce that Alex Ross is not only co-plotting and laying out pages, but working with Kurt and Jack Herbert for special interior painted pages in the series.

The Kirby Event of the new millennium begins here, brought to you by the best-selling and award-winning creators of Marvels! The Pioneer 10 space probe carried a message to the stars. Now an answer's on the way -- but not one we expected! When it arrives, the lives of three ordinary people -- and the entire world -- will be changed forever. Featuring Captain Victory, Silver Star and more of Jack Kirby's greatest concepts, with finished art (from Alex's layouts) by Jack Herbert (Black Terror). Don't miss this tantalizing prelude to Kirby -- a bold, explosive adventure debuting a universe of wild Kirby creations! This is the beginning. This is THE Genesis!

This 32-page book with original story and art as well as additional bonus material will have a $1.00 Suggested Introductory Price!

"I'm delighted to see how the artwork's developing, from Kirby's designs to Alex's layouts to Jack Herbert's artwork. Jack's a terrific draftsman and storyteller, and he's doing a really sweet job bringing the story to life," says writer Kurt Busiek. "His work also meshes well with Alex's, which goes beyond just layout, since there are various sequences in the story where Alex is doing fully painted art, including some where Jack's line art and Alex's painting are merged together. It's a terrifically effective combination."

"Working with Jack Herbert is an absolute thrill," says legendary artist Alex Ross. "I've been so knocked out by his recent work on Black Terror, and now we will work side by side on Kirby: Genesis. I'm satisfying my desire to get inside the story more by doing some full pages, panels, layouts, and even some figures that will only be seen as paintings by me. The excitement is that much greater when you're working with such an amazing artist as Jack. His stuff is just beautiful."

"I'm very honored to be able to be part of this project. It's such a huge honor for me, who grew up seeing the King's art," says artist Jack Herbert. "Not to mention the opportunity to work with such talented Comics masters as Alex & Kurt. I hope that with this series the new generation of comic-readers fall in love with such amazing universe of characters that only the fruitful mind of Jack "The King" Kirby could create. It's gonna be a wild and unique ride, gang!"

"Alex is so excited about the project that he wants to work hand in hand with Jack to paint as many interior pages as possible, which thrilled us all to no end," says Dynamite President and Publisher Nick Barrucci. "Having Kurt and Alex together again collaborating on one of Dynamite's most important projects to date is nothing short of amazing. Alex is making time in his schedule by turning down other work to make time to ensure that every page he paints be the best it can be. Fans will be impressed with this series. Jack Kirby's memory and work will be remembered by his fans and thanks to the creative team involved, will be brought to a new generation of comics fans."

"Having worked with Alex for the last several years, on a variety of projects, has been a personal high point in my professional career," says Dynamite Editor Joe Rybandt. "Now, adding Kurt to the mix takes it up from the fantastic to the incredible. The work these two men are doing, with the able help of Jack Herbert, is unparalleled in the world of pop culture... and Kirby defines - and now re-defines - pop culture."

JUST IN: ROSS & BUSCEMA'S AVENGERS POSTER

Another great poster for the collection.
This one is a collaboration between the late comic book legend John Buscema and Alex Ross on the Avengers as they used to be in the 60's and 70's.
Although this poster is not 100% perfect due to Buscema working on it late in his life, virtually before he passed away, there are some minor problems with the scale or poses of a couple of characters but overall it's another wonderful collaboration in which Alex's work has merged with another artist's to give us an end result that perfectly merges both styles while at the same time one is highlighted by the other.

APRIL 2011 SOLICITATIONS

ACTION COMICS #900
Written by PAUL CORNELL, RICHARD DONNER, DAVID GOYER, DAMON LINDELOF and more
Art by PETE WOODS, JESUS MERINO and more
Cover by DAVID FINCH
1:5 Variant cover A by ADAM HUGHES
1:5 Variant cover B by ALEX ROSS
Superman returns to ACTION COMICS just in time for the title’s historic 900th issue, which clocks in at 100 pages! Everything Paul Cornell and Pete Woods have been building to over the last year culminates here in the ultimate Superman vs. Lex Luthor battle! But that’s not all - this story will lay the grounds for an insanely epic story coming out this summer in the pages of ACTION!
Plus, an incredible roster of guest talent help us celebrate this landmark issue, including the screenwriter of The Dark Knight, David Goyer; famed Superman: The Movie director Richard Donner; the co-creator of Lost, Damon Lindelof; and the creative team behind the hit DC UNIVERSE ONLINE game!
On sale APRIL 27 • 96 pg, FC, $5.99 US, RATED T

GREEN HORNET #15
Written by PHIL HESTER
Art by JONATHAN LAU
Covers by ALEX ROSS (main), PHIL HESTER (1-in-10) & JONATHAN LAU (1-in-15)
Tragedy and terror combine to destroy the Green Hornet family once and for all. With Kato out of commission, Green Hornet tries his hand at solo crime fighting, but a rookie mistake has tragic consequences that may force Britt Reid Jr. to give up his role as Green Hornet forever. Hayashi and Clutch Kato return from their mission against the Juuma clan in Japan, but find themselves tailed by the deadliest assassin alive, the mysterious Redhand.
32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen +


THE LAST PHANTOM #9
Written by SCOTT BEATTY
Art by EDUARDO FERIGATO
Covers by ALEX ROSS (main), STEPHEN SADOWSKI (1-in-10) & FABIANO NEVES (1-in-15)
At long last, Kit Walker returns to Africa! But the road back to Bengali is threatening at every turn! Forced to travel home by riverboat, Kit witnesses firsthand the horrors of the civil war tearing Bengali apart, as well as the insidious trade funding the violence: BLOOD DIAMONDS!
32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen +


MY TWO CENTS: Great to see that DC finally put that cover to good use. It got left over from the time when Alex was painting the regular covers for Superman and Batman (2009). It's also good to see that Green Hornet continued past the Kevin Smith's run with Alex still as the cover artist. And just when you thought the previous month's cover for The Last Phantom was the coolest ever, in comes this new one to take its crown. Can Alex Ross make a bad Phantom cover? Here's hoping the answer will always be NO.

LOOK FAMILIAR?!? CAP MOVIE POSTER

Is the Captain America movie poster (left) "borrowing" imagery from Alex Ross' work or is it just a coincidence? You decide!

NEWS: DC & HERO INITIATIVE FOR JLA #50

Official Press Release

The Hero Initiative, a charity dedicated to helping comic creators in medical or financial need, most proudly announces their new partnership in the Justice League Of America #50 project with DC Comics. This is the first collaboration with DC comics ever and Hero is chomping at the bit to pull the collection together. The call has gone out and dozens of artists are putting pen to paper. DC has generously donated 100 blank-covered cardstock copies of Justice League Of America #50 to Hero, and work is being created by well-known stars such as Jim Lee, Alex Ross, George Perez, Jason Bone, Jim Valentino, and many many more.

“It’s an honor to participate, not only because this is the first time DC Comics is collaborating with Hero Initiative, but because Hero Initiative is such an important organization to our community” said Jim Lee, artist and Co-Publisher of DC Comics.

“We’re thrilled to be working in new ways with DC Comics, and showcasing some of the greatest artists and greatest characters in the world,” said Hero Initiative President Jim McLauchlin. “And of course, sales of the covers and the collected book will go toward helping many other comic creators in need.”

All 100 original Justice League Of America covers will be published in a book slated for release in 2011, and a public viewing of all covers will be scheduled as well.

About Hero Initiative
The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.

LISTEN TO THE KINGDOM COME AUDIOBOOK

Here it is folks! For your listening pleasure, the audio files for the Kingdom Come novelization in MP3 format. It's great to hear the characters come to life in this version, the voice actors are top-notch and the only down side is that it's an abridged version, otherwise it's awesome.
Now, I have the cassettes in my collection and I've tried to convert them to digital files for a long time but the quality wasn't good enough so I truly have to thank our friend and fellow collector MA1 Chris Avery of the United States Navy for making me a copy of this audiobook in such a great quality.

DOWNLOAD PART 1
DOWNLOAD PART 2
DOWNLOAD PART 3
DOWNLOAD PART 4

NOTE: These files are uploaded on the Megaupload servers and if nobody downloads them, after 21 days they'll be erased so they're not going to be there forever. So don't procrastinate and get downloading!

Disclaimer: This audiobook is no longer in production, therefore I'm posting it here so everyone who hasn't appreciated it, can do so. I don't feel I'm breaking any laws here. I'm sharing something that people can't acquire otherwise. Thanks and please don't sue me, Time Warner Audiobooks!