The Monitor Tapes for Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
First look at Hawkman in Smallville
Geoff Johns’ two-parter “Society” and “Legends” (now reported as a two-hour episode opposed to the two episodes as originally planned), featuring the Justice Society of America (or JSA for short), has a lot of DC fans excited. This week TV Guide revealed the first JSA member in full costume, Michael Shanks as Carter Hall/Hawkman that’s already starting controversy amongst fans.
Well, we’ve all complained for years about the lack of costumes in Smallville, now it looks like we may complain about a costume being too accurate! Michael Shanks (of Stargate SG1 fame) is set to don the Nth Metal wing harness of Hawkman, the multiple-times reincarnated alien Thangarian.
On the plus side, it is an accurate Hawkman costume (I know I said it may be too accurate), but possibly this means we’ll have more costumed super-types (Clark, I’m looking in your direction). Plus, it may look better on screen with the actor moving around (I really didn’t like the Batman costume or the Tumbler until I saw it on the screen in Batman Begins). And if we’re lucky (and judging by the TV Guide interview with Shanks), we’ll get an Ollie/Carter throw-down possibly resulting in some Bwa-Ha-HAs!
Really though, the whole reason to watch Smallville is an exercise in “waiting for something cool to happen”, i.e. waiting for Superman to well, be Super, and stuff from the comics. Really though, Hawkman in his Hawkman gear and the JSA is one of those cool things, even if his outfit looks a bit goofy.
All that remains to be seen is how the other members (Brent Stait Kent Nelson/Doctor Fate), Britt Irvin Courtney Whitmore/Stargirl) will appear. Will they have comic-accurate costumes as well?
For the full interview, check out TV Guide online at- tvguidemagazine.com
Photo via TV Guide
Superman Returns Directors Cut petition
Love it or hate it, Superman Returns (despite the absentee dad stalker parts) was both a decent Superman movie and an homage to the original films (not counting 3 and 4). Ignoring the Land Barron Lex Luthor and the love triangle, the first time I watched it gave me that sense of wonder I had watching the original first two movies.
Superman Returns The Bryan Singer Cut Trailer
“>Superman Returns Director’s Cut Trailer
(As far as I can tell, it’s not an official trailer, rather a fan made trailer with the cut-out footage. If I’m wrong let me know and I’ll update it)
Additional bonus footage can be found via the link below-
Superman Returns is by far no perfect Superman movie (though I’d say that about the originals as well), but SR did feel like something was missing, especially the part with his trip to the remains of Krypton. Whenever given a choice, I always opt for the directors cut (or extended version with bonus material). Seeing as I’ve still not bought SR, I’d defiantly go out and buy it on the release day if it becomes available in an extended director’s cut.
Quote-
“Do you want help us?
We are trying to compile companies to ask for Warner Bros who realizes a special editing of Superman Returns that includes all the filmed content.
You can leave you signature in : www.SupermanReturnsTheBryanSingerCut.com.”
Click the link to see what’s included in the extended edition- DVD/ Blue Ray Contents
http://elhombredeacero.iespana.es/SRTBSC_Contenidos.html
If you want to see it too, click on the link below that will take you to the website to petition the studio for the release. I’m a bit pessimistic about the petition, but it can’t really hurt, can it?
DC’s February Blackest Night solicitations highlights
Monday saw the release of DC Comics solicitations for the month of February 2010*, available for pre-order in next weeks (11/25/2009) December Previews. Check out DC Comics website for all February solicitations and pre-order via Previews at your local comic book retailer.
All Blackest Night book covers (and some solicitations) are blacked out as spoilers for BN must be included.
BLACKEST NIGHT #7 (OF 8 ) TOP SECRET
Written by Geoff Johns; Art and cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert; Variant cover by Rodolfo Migliari; Sketch variant cover by Ivan Reis
As Nekron continues to wage war on life throughout the universe, Hal Jordan discovers the grim, true mission behind the villain’s return. But the truth is so cosmically abysmal that it threatens to expose a secret that could tear the very universe asunder. You can’t miss this stunning, penultimate issue to the year’s biggest event
BLACKEST NIGHT: WONDER WOMAN #3 (OF 3) TOP SECRET
Written by Greg Rucka; Art by Nicola Scott; Cover by Greg Horn; Variant cover by Ryan Sook
Following closely to the events of BLACKEST NIGHT, this miniseries event concludes as the Amazonian Princess comes to terms with who she is and what her role is in the world. But will her acceptance make her more appetizing to the Black Lantern hordes – or could that emotion be their undoing?
GREEN LANTERN #51 TOP SECRET
Written by Geoff Johns; Art and cover by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy; Variant cover by Greg Horn
The most epic battle in BLACKEST NIGHT yet comes to a shocking conclusion as Hal Jordan makes the ultimate move to take on the Black Lantern Spectre. But what price comes with the unleashing of Parallax? And what does this mean for the future of the emotional spectrum’s avatars?
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #45 TOP SECRET
Written by Peter J. Tomasi; Art and cover by Patrick Gleason & Rebecca Buchman; Variant cover by Greg Horn
The battle for the Green Lantern Battery on Oa comes to a bloody end as the new front in the War of Light emerges!
STARRING BLACK LANTERN SUPERBOY #7 (ADVENTURE COMICS #7) TOP SECRET
Written by Tony Bedard; Art by Travis Moore; Covers by Francis Manapul
TOP SECRET!
BLACK LANTERN GREEN ARROW #30 TOP SECRET
Written by JT KRUL; Art by WILL CONRAD; Cover by GREG HORN; Variant cover by MIKE GRELL
TOP SECRET!
BLACKEST NIGHT: THE FLASH #3 (OF 3)
Written by Geoff Johns; Art and cover by Scott Kolins; Variant cover by Francis Manapul
It’s a case of the chicken-or-the-egg as Barry Allen takes on the Black Lantern Reverse-Flash and seeks answers to the very nature of Professor Zoom’s impending resurrection. Plus, the Rogues witness an act so horrifying that it changes one of their own forever.
BLACKEST NIGHT: JSA #3 (OF 3)
Written by James Robinson; Art and cover by Eddy Barrows & Nei Ruffino ; Variant cover by Gene Ha
The bloodthirsty combat in Manhattan reaches its stunning conclusion here! Earth-2 Superman returns to prove that the true legacy of the Justice Society of America is death. Can our heroes rise up to defeat their dead mentors, role models and villains? And can even the third- smartest man in the world, Mr. Terrific, devise a way to destroy them – or will Manhattan and the world perish under Nekron’s might?
* Release dates are subject to change, check with your local retailer or Diamond Comics ship list for shipping and availability.
DC Universe The Color of Fear: Romat-Ru and Karu-Sil Figures now available! + Wave 11 to be offered on Mattycollector.com
Online ordering went live this Monday for the Sinestro Corps two-pack of Romat-Ru and Karu-Sil. Origianaly plannes as the first of the last two DCU figue 2-packs. According to actionfigurepics.com, Mattel says the orders have been strong for the figures. I’d imagine it’s due to the figures themselves (especially for Green Lantern fans) as they’re more popular visible characters as opposed to previous offerings.
Also announced, DC Universe Wave 11 will be available on Mattycollector.com sometime after the holidays. Wave 11 will be sold as a case of eight figures including both versions of Steppenwolf.
Good news for DC fans, especially with the current Wave 10 Wal-Mart Exclusive “Unavailability” and impossible to find anywhere Wave 11 (and virtually nonexistent Target exclusive Public Enemies line) . Don’t get me wrong, I’ve at least seen Wave 10 come out and hit my local area (and sold before even getting a glimpse of the figures with the exception of Power Girl and Morrison JLA Era Batman), but they’re impossible to find just like previous releases. Seriously, how difficult should it be to get a damned Robotman figure?
According to Mattel the Wave 11 figures were to be heavily ordered with wide-spread availability. Unfortunately as with previous waves, they’ve barely had time to breath before being bought up by collectors and ebay resellers. As a matter of fact, it’s probably easier to find the figures on ebay and pay the $20-$30 plus shipping if you’re willing to part with 2 to 3 times the price (though you may find the figure loose without the Build-a-Figure part for half that).
Most of the goodness of the DCU figures is the random characters slipped into the line that are not Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman. I’ve been collecting DC Direct and DC Classics (when I can find them) for years now, but the difficulty in finding the figures is starting to kill my interest in DC Figures. Between the cost of plastic resulting in almost $20 pricing on DC Direct and the inability to find the DC Classics line, it’s really killing my interests in figures, despite my love of all things DC.
With the upcoming online availability of Wave 11, hopefully this will help fans wanting the figures by having the ability to purchase them for their collections. Also, some Toys r’ Us are test-marketing pre-pays on the DCU figures not unlike pre-paying for a video game before release. Hopefully this will expand to all TrU’s and possibly lead into larger orders.
For more info on DC Comics, news, previews and more, check out dccomics.com for up to date info on your favorite DC, Vertigo, Wildstorm books and more.
Thanks for reading!
Mandroid