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By Jon, August 22, 2010 11:57 pm

This weekend I’ll be venturing to the Charm City for my second ever Baltimore Comic Con. I’ll be providing a moderate amount of coverage here and through my Twitter. The only other time I attended the show, I really enjoyed myself and found myself a whole lot closer to creators than at the “corporate” shows.

Late last week a presser was sent out outlining the programming in store, while I may not be able to attend every panel I figured I’d highlight some of the more interesting ones (to me at least).

IRREDEEMABLE/INCORRUPTIBLE Panel – Mark Waid’s Harvey and Eisner nominated, best-selling, multiple sell-out IRREDEEMABLE has taken comic fans by storm since its debut, becoming one of the top-selling independent comics published today. Join Mark Waid as he takes a look back at IRREDEEMABLE’s beginnings, the future of the series, and its sister series — INCORRUPTIBLE. A not-to-be-missed panel for any fan of these books! (PSSSSST: Mark will also talk a little bit about his new BOOM! book with Stan Lee called THE TRAVELER. Don’t miss it!)

I’ve only gotten a couple of issues into Mark Waid’s Irredeemable series, and I’ve enjoyed it. More importantly I would like to hear what he has to say about not reading anymore conventional superhero comics. I just hope he stays on with Spider-Man

Spotlight on Thor– With the THOR feature film from Marvel Studios premiering in May, 2011, and his adventures featured across both the Marvel and Ultimate Universes, Thor is one of Marvel’s hottest characters. Chroniclers of the Thunder God’s adventures from the past, present, and future – Walter Simonson, John Workman, Bryan J.L. Glass, and Jonathan Hickman – join Marvel’s Vice President – Executive Editor Tom Brevoort to discuss all things Thor.

Simonson lays claim to probably some of the best Thor stories, c’mon this guy created Beta Ray Bill!

Spotlight on Todd McFarlane – From SPAWN to HAUNT, Image Comics founder and partner Todd McFarlane has been the driving force behind the biggest creator-owned titles in the industry. Join McFarlane for exclusive sneak peeks of his upcoming projects and a Q&A session that shouldn’t be missed!

Say what you will about McFarlane’s many efforts in the comics/entertainment industry, you have to respect his body of work. If only I can track down those Spider-Man foil covers!

IDW ON THE MOVE! – Join IDW Senior editor Bob Schreck, Steve Niles, Bernie Wrightson, Chris Moreno, and Stuart Sayger in this lively look at the company’s current and upcoming releases to be followed by a Q&A session.

Bernie Wrightson and Steve Niles? I’m all over this one. IDW Publishing has done quite a job positioning themselves by licensing solid properties and snapping up some quality talents.

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By Jon, July 21, 2010 11:42 pm

Captain America director Joe Johnston says that Steve Rogers will have a “different spin” [Film School Rejects]

io9 compiled a list of celebrities that actually venture onto the Con floor amidst the smelly unwashed masses. Apparently Daughtry is a huge comic nerd, who knew? [io9]

Marvel released some pretty fucking epic concept art posters for both Thor & Captain America. [Comics Beat]

DC Universe Online, the upcoming MMO from Sony/DC Comics, due this fall has some great voice talent lined up. [Comics Alliance]

MTV Splashpage got the exclusive that Max Brooks’ World War Z has been optioned and that Brad Pitt will star, in theaters in 2012. [MTV Splashpage]

Hasbro has a new 6″ Black Widow/Winter Soldier two-pack coming out and I must admit that Black Widow is kind of sexy. [Cool Toy Review]

Karl Urban might be the new Judge Dredd? I very much approve of this casting rumor. [First Showing]

The Riddler is set to be the main villain in Batman 3? I call bravo sierra on this one. [Den of Geek]

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By Jon, July 21, 2010 11:10 pm

Marvel Studios really is priming the lead up to Comic Con with yet another production still from the set of Thor. Here we see Thor in the midst of retrieving Mjolnir from its resting spot in the New Mexico desert (as we saw at the end of Iron Man 2).

Image Credit: [AICN]

Here are a couple general observations:

• Chris Hemsworth got fucking huge. It’s hard to believe that this guy was George Kirk a year ago.
• Like many other comic book experts, I too believe that Thor will not have an alter ego. In the comics, his Earthly form was that of Dr. Donald Blake who was sickly and required a cane to get around. I think I read an interview with Kenneth Branaugh where he said that there would just be Thor … and I’m okay with this
• Marvel Studios is doing a pretty good job generating buzz, and I really am hoping we’ll see the full cast of The Avengers on stage this week at San Diego Comic Con.

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By Jon, July 18, 2010 11:35 pm

/Film just posted a new set photo from Thor which ran in the print in the Los Angeles Times. One of my chief concerns in the photo of Odin, Thor, & Loki that was released last week was the lack of Loki’s trademark head wear.

News/Image Credit: [/Film]

With Kenneth Branaugh in the director’s chair I was sure that we would see Asgard presented in a grand scale, and this picture pretty much confirms my suspicions. Not only do we get to see Odin on his throne, but take a look in the foreground and you’ll see Loki looking well … more like Loki, and I am pleased.

My guess is that with all of the Asgardians in what seems to be ceremonial mode and Odin is passing judgment on his son Thor. The tone in this photograph seems ominious, and that coupled with the official synopsis my analysis seems legit.

Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment present the epic adventure, “Thor,” which spans the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is the mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth), a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and is forced to live among humans. A beautiful, young scientist, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), has a profound effect on Thor, as she ultimately becomes his first love. It’s while here on Earth that Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

Odin’s throne room look like it belongs in the 1980 classic Flash Gordon, which is a great thing. Flash Gordon had fantastic sets and production design, and as I alluded to last week Thor needs to work harder to sell the fantasy aspect in a pre-established Marvel Universe of more Earthly superheroes.

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By Jon, July 16, 2010 12:37 am

While I fully expected the movie studios to bait the frothing nerd masses in the lead up to Comic Con; I was not expecting big reveals from two of next year’s blockbusters, Thor and Green Lantern. The aesthetic for both of these films are very important because they are drastic departures from the superhero movies we’ve seen so far.

With movies like Iron Man, The Dark Knight, The X-Men Films, and Spider-Man there is a certain grounding in reality. Now Thor and his family are Asgardian Gods and as Green Lantern, Hal Jordan is part of an intergalactic police force which is based on the alien planet of Oa. These costumes should look different, because they aren’t of this world. Even though both pictures have been reposted everywhere I’ll leave them underneath the jump in case anyone wishes to remain spoiler free (that is if you consider costumes to be a spoiler)

Continue reading 'Superhero Costume Faceoff: Asgardian Gods vs. Green Lantern'»

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By Jon, May 1, 2010 1:03 am

If you haven’t seen it yet, Yahoo Movies unfurled the first official image of Chris Hemsworth as Thor, which is due in theaters in 2011. My initial reaction is positive, however I really would like to see the hemlet and Mjolnir before the final verdict is in.

It seems that the production team went with the more contemporary Thor, as he was depicted on the relaunch of the title by J. Michael Straczynski back in July 2007. Sure there are already venomous Talk Backs over at AICN, saying the suit is rubbery and that Thor shouldn’t have a beard.

Also earlier this week, Latino Review posted what they believed to be The Destroyer, one of Thor’s recurring bad guys (Which has been subsequently been removed from the Intarweb). He’s a bad guy in so much as a magical robot, but that discussion is for a later time.

I think director Kenneth Branaugh and the heads at Marvel wanted to tease the public, and land a hook while the Iron Man 2 fever is still hot.

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By Jon, November 17, 2009 2:21 am

With recent news that Marvel’s Thor will begin filming this January, there had to be more casting news popping up in the coming days. Film School Rejects is reporting via Twitter that the Warriors Three: Fandral, Hogun and Volstagg have been cast.

The casting I’m most excited about is that of Ray Stevenson. I developed a huge man crush on him with his portrayal of Titus Pullo on HBO’s Rome. I’m presuming that he’ll be taking on the roll of Volstagg, as the brash brute seems right up his alley and the other two: Stuart Townsend and Tadanobu Asano seem more likely to be Fandral and Hogun.

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By Jon, June 2, 2009 4:12 pm

Brian Blessed who played Prince Vultan of the Hawkmen who is arguably the second greatest aspect of the 1980 classic Flash Gordon (after the kick ass Queen soundtrack), has been cast as Thor’s father Odin in director Kenneth Branagh’s live action comic adaptation.

I always figured that Blessed would have made an excellent Volstagg, he of the Warrior Three, but this news makes my geek heart go pitter patter.

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By Jon, September 29, 2008 11:08 pm

Kenneth Branagh is set to direct the big screen version of Thor?!? Hopefully he won’t pull a Hamlet and take on the title role [Cinematical]

Some Hollywood asshats are making noise like they want to make a sequel to Blade Runner. [io9]

Robert Kirkman’s official message board has some pics from his appearance at Baltimore Comic Con. He was an awesome guy, and was totally worth the drive down to meet him [Kirkmania]

Britney sex tape? Do I really want to see this? Of course I do. [WWTDD]

I don’t collect 1/6th scale figures, but Hot Toys’ Mark I Iron Man suit has me reconsidering [Cool Toy Review]

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By Jon, September 16, 2007 5:03 pm

This reboot has been on my pull list since it started back up for two specific reasons: J Michael Straczynski was writing it and to see what Thor thinks of this whole Civil War thing went down. In Thor #3, we finally get to see what Thor though of the Marvel heroes’ action during the Civil War, more specifically those of Tony Stark/Iron Man.

Continue reading 'My Pull List: Thor #3'»