The Hollywood Reporter’s Heatvision Blog is reporting that Disney has struck a deal with Paramount to release “The Avengers” and “Iron Man 3” and they have established a date for the release of the third Iron Man film.

May 3, 2013 is the date you need to write in your calendars.

Though they’ll be paying Paramount a boatload of cash for the right to distribute these films, it makes a lot of sense for Disney, since they own Marvel.  It must really bite at them to see another film company profiting so handsomely from the release of what is now their intellectual property.

Despite the deal, Paramount will still be distributing Captain America and Thor.

This shows a lot about how grown up Paramount and Disney can be and makes me wonder why Fox  and Sony won’t play ball.  It would be to all of our benefit to see Marvel Studios handling all of the other Marvel properties and they can build up a single movie universe out of it (like the fans want). I mean, I would love to see Peter swing by the Baxter Building and get advice from Johnny Storm, and see Nick Fury face off against the Punisher, and Charles Xavier, Reed Richards and Tony Stark hanging out with Dr. Strange and casting the Hulk into space, or whatever.

Fox, Sony, and Lionsgate could still make a killing with their licenses, but give the Marvel movies a life of their own and the potential to be greater than they are.

Click here to read the full report from The Hollywood Reporter.

What do you guys think?  Would it be better for Marvel to have control of all of their properties back?  What would you like to see on film if it could happen?

First we got news that David E Kelley would be developing a Wonder Woman series (which we can only hope has a unisex bathroom on the Watchtower).  I guess because remakes of 80s shows are doing well (Hawaii Five-0), and to celebrate the merger of Marvel and Disney, ABC, not to be outdone, is going back to the well with an Incredible Hulk series.

I’m really, really confused.

We’ve had three different Hulks since 2003 (Mark Ruffalo, Ed Norton, and Eric Bana), but most people still think fondly of Bill Bixby.  Since I doubt Ruffalo will take a TV gig (although I would watch religiously if he did!), that means an average of a different Hulk once every 2 years.

I want to see this happen.  It could be soooooo great.  But doing a show where a CG Hulk smashes things every week is going to get really expensive.  Does ABC have the stomach for this?  Or will they go with a huge bodybuilder to play the Hulk?  Or a pro wrestler?

And given ABC (Disney’s) ownership of the Marvel rights, how likely will we be to see various other Marvel characters showing up?

According to this press release… ahhem, independent news story from ABC News, while Hulk has a “Showrunner wanted” placard around it, they are also looking at several other properties for TV development, including the already announced Cloak and Dagger for ABC Family:

Marvel began narrowing its list of possible TV adaptations in May with a presentation on the Disney lot. Executives presented ABC suits with a list of titles they identified as possible series:

• “Heroes for Hire” (focusing on ex-con Luke Cage offering to take on bad guys for a price);

• “The Eternals” (a race of superpowered beings live amid humanity in secret, inspiring legends);

• “Agents of Atlas, Alter Ego” (private investigator Jessica Jones takes on cases involving superhumans);

• “Moon Knight, the Red Hood” (a low-rent criminal discovers a cloak that gives him superpowers);

• “Ka-Zar” (a Tarzan-type and his saber-toothed tiger must journey to the concrete jungle to seek justice);

• “Daughters of the Dragon” (a dynamic female duo, one with a bionic arm and the other a granddaughter of a samurai, open a private-detective agency); and

• “The Punisher” (one man wages a war on crime; already adapted as two feature films).

Supposedly The Punisher is also on a list for possible cable development.  Unfortunately, it looks like ABC lacks an appropriately themed cable network, and since ABC Family and Lifetime look like bad fits… unfortunately, the words “FX” were not in the mix, as having a hard-boiled Punisher show a la The Shield would be epic, and FX is owned by Fox.  AMC has also shown major promise with Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and now Walking Dead, and being owned by Cablevision rather than a major entertainment company, might be a great place to go.  Perchance to dream?

What we could really hope for is a good Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, etc show.  I’m still crossing my fingers for that one.

But we’ll get the Hulk.  This has the potential to be great.  It also has the potential to be terrible.  What do you think? What should ABC do?  What should they avoid?  (Red Hulk storylines?)

I await comments on the next Geek Show Podcast from Hulk super-fan Shannon Barnson.

As the news came flooding out of the New York Comic Con this past weekend my laptop exploded from all the digital comic book announcements, my computer has been replaced and the highlights I can remember are here!

Boom Studios announced a pairing with mydigitalcomics.com

Saying:

“BOOM! Studios is always looking to further our commitment to getting our comics and graphic novels into the hands of fans everywhere ,” said BOOM! Studios Marketing Director Chip Mosher. “This new agreement with MyDigitalComics only shows how strong the commitment to our fans is. BOOM! Studios publishes some of the most diverse comics out there, and the addition of MyDigitalComics shows that we have the most diverse options for new and old fans alike to experience our comics digitally.”

Boom is also working with iVerse media to make comics available on the SONY PSP.

Comixology and DC released four one shot comics to promote the release of the new Bruce Willis action flick RED .  I suggest you read the original 3 issue Warren Ellis story first.

DC also gave us a FREE look at 8 different Bat titles with Bruce Wayne-The Road Home Sampler

Marvel slipped a day and date title into the mix this week. Ultimate Thor #1 came out on Wednesday with the huge price tag of $3.99! If that’s the future of digital comics I say chop down more trees.
You can download the first four issues of The Punisher (2001) in the comixology app but not in the Marvel app???? Different content available from the same publisher on different apps? Welcome to the current mess that is digital comics.

UPDATE

Comixology explained this saying,

“the reason why The Punisher is in the Comics by comiXology app and not Marvel is that it is a 17+ rated comic and Marvel only has 12+.”

Makes sense to me thanks for the clarification!

Stan Lee is lending his name to yet another project. “The Seekers” digital comic series is just a concept right now and the MTV Geek website Will hold a contest to find artists to do the work. Win a job!

The fine folks at Darkhorse read my last column and decided to straighten their game plan out announcing a single app! They have a few FREE apps available for a short time check DARKHORSE.COM
That makes it Digital comics 0 Clobber-Tron 1 !

Fun little free thingy of the week!
By far the wackiest app to be featured in the ITunes store this week is Clown Commandos Well drawn comics books with sound effects on most of the screens to tap on. Hear gun shots and clown horns! Zany and free! I have no idea who this appeals to……….besides me.

That’s it for this week,  see you next time!

It seems as though the comics industry has been listening to fans and industry observers and are dropping the prices of their books. AOL-owned Comics Alliance broke the story that Marvel and DC would both be dropping the prices of their monthly titles from $3.99 to $2.99.

They quoted Dan Didio as saying that with the price, readers were “increasingly reluctant to sample new titles [and] long term fans [were] beginning to abandon titles and characters that they’d collected for years.”

Similarly, Marvel came to the same conclusion with different data, citing their online apps for helping them reduce the prices.

This is great news for everyone, and particularly great news for my pocket book.  I’m certain to buy more books now, and that’s good news for DC, Marvel, and retailers.

Attached below is DC’s Press Release about the situation:

DC COMICS DROPs prices on $3.99 titles

MOVES TO $2.99 price point for ongoing COMIC BOOK series

New York, October 7, 2010– Beginning January 2011, DC Comics will implement a line-wide pricing adjustment, lowering the prices of all standard length 32-page ongoing comic book titles currently priced at $3.99 to $2.99, it was announced today by DC Comics Co-Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio.

“Today’s announcement re-affirms DC Comics’ commitment to both our core fans and to comic book store retailers,” said Jim Lee, DC Comics Co-Publisher. “For the long term health of the industry, we are willing to take a financial risk so that readers who love our medium do not abandon the art form.”

“As Co-Publishers, we listened to our fans and to our partners in the retail community who told us that a $3.99 price point for 32 pages was too expensive. Fans were becoming increasingly reluctant to sample new titles and long term fans were beginning to abandon titles and characters that they’d collected for years.” said Dan DiDio, DC Comics Co-Publisher. “We needed a progressive pricing strategy that supports our existing business model and, more importantly, allows this creative industry to thrive for years to come.”

With the exceptions of oversized comic books, like annuals and specials, we are committed to a $2.99 price point.” When taking into account mini-series, annuals and specials, more than 80% of DC’s comic books will be priced at $2.99.

As of January, the following titles standard length ongoing titles, previously priced at $3.99 for 32 pages/22 story pages, will be priced at $2.99 with 32 pages/20 story pages:

American Vampire; Batman: The Dark Knight; Batman Incorporated; Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors; JSA All-Stars.

As of January, the following licensed titles, previously priced at $3.99, will be priced at $2.99: Gears of War; God of War Kane & Lynch; Ratchet & Clank.

As of January, the following ongoing titles previously priced at $3.99 for 40 pages/30 story pages including co-features, will no longer include co-features and will be priced at $2.99 for 32 pages/ 20 story pages: Action Comics; Adventure Comics; Batman: Streets of Gotham; Detective Comics; Doc Savage; Justice League of America; Legion of Super-Heroes; The Spirit.

In January, five books are $3.99 for 40 pages/30 story pages: Batman: Europa # 1 First Wave # 6 DCU: Legacies # 9 Weird Worlds # 1 World of Warcraft: Curse of the Worgen

The following oversized anniversary issue will be $4.99 for 48 pages/38 story pages: Hellblazer # 275

“Fans of our co-features should stay tuned. Some of these characters will find a new platform,” said Dan DiDio. “Going forward, mini-series and special events may feature a different price point and page count to best allow writers and artists the flexibility of format and story pages they need to tell their stories best.”

It seems there are some shake ups and questions happening in the Fox camp regarding some of their Marvel properties. And the media hype for Thor has begun.

First, Robert Schwentke (Red) has removed himself from the running to direct Wolverine 2. David Slade (30 Days of Night, Twilight: Eclipse) was the only other major candidate in the running so it should be a lock. But wait, there’s more. Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler, Requiem for a Dream), fresh off the rumors for a Preacher movie, now has his name in the hat. Hugh Jackman supposedly gets the final word on the director and he reportedly enjoyed working with Aronofsky on The Fountain, so take that for what it’s worth.

Fox’s other recent news is that Robert Rodriguez’s attachment to the Deadpool spin-off is not as secure as was previously reported. Apparently his scheduling conflicts from Spy Kids 4 may be a deal breaker. Am I the only one thinking both Rodriguez and Ryan Reynolds probably aren’t going to be part of this movie, if it even happens?

In less controversial Marvel movie news, the media machine has started in earnest for May 2011’s Thor. The November 2010 issue of Empire magazine has a Thor cover and what seems to be a pretty extensive first look at this highly anticipated movie. I’m not a regular reader of this British magazine but, since the issue also has stories on Mark Ruffalo (and his recent casting as Hulk/Banner), Let Me In, and Drew Struzan (amazing poster artist), I might have to find a copy.

Gwen Stacy?

The Hollywood reporter announced that Emma Stone is joining the cast of the Spider-Man movie re-launch from Columbia Pictures. Earlier this week she made big nerd news as Roboshinobi’s 3rd most attractive female. Did anybody expect her to be cast as a blonde? I like her enough not to care what color her hair is. She can act. Sound off below!

Do you like Deadpool but he’s just not violent or crazy enough for you? Marvel has the answer, Deadpool Max.

In the same vein as Marvel’s other recent Max books, this issue has more violence, more sex, more graphic pictures and situations, and more swears. If you’re looking for those things in your comics this one does it passably well. If you don’t have some deep-seated need to see an undercover agent subjecting himself to anal rape and beatings to maintain his cover then this title is probably as unnecessary for you as it is for me.

I don’t want to deride the writer, David Lapham, but Deadpool Max #1 just seems to have no purpose. Deadpool is an awesomely violent, psychotic character and he’s very fun. This book actually seems to take some focus away from Deadpool, and instead focuses on the weird depravity of those around him. Wade Wilson does show up occasionally, and is even vital to the plot sometimes, but mostly his segments seem like non-sequiturs. Instead the story focuses on Deadpool’s undercover handler, Bob. Without counting I would say the title character has somewhere between six and twelve lines the entire book.

Contrary to the regular Marvel universe, where Deadpool is tolerated and entertaining but full of foibles, this “Merc with a Mouth” has an almost legendary status. He’s unstable, but his history with the military as a one-man army or stealth assassin is almost like a tall tale: “[The Yakuza] tattoo his image on the dicks of their soldiers so they never forget to be vigilant.”

The story about a two man team (Deadpool and Bob) taking down Hammerhead’s crime syndicate has some good elements; but the details feel deliberately shocking, like so many other parts of the Max line. Everything from making the imprint of a key in human shit to having Hammerhead’s servant staff wear only bikinis (men and women) could have been done cleaner and applied to a more mainstream title. This is not to say I’m opposed to sadomasochistic homosexuality in my comics. I’m a fan of any element needed to tell a story. I’m not a fan of finding an over the top offensive element and then writing a story around it.

For everything the story didn’t do for me, the art tried to make up for it. Kyle Baker’s art shines in this comic. I’ve always enjoyed art that doesn’t force outlines. The inking is very subtle, with plenty of soft lines that seem to create more natural bodies and backgrounds. Hammerhead is especially well done as he fills the scene in all of his panels. The chief villain seems a little darker and more defined, whereas his henchmen or other minor characters blend in to the background like you see in movies.

My two favorite panels are both of Deadpool. The first is Wilson slaughtering mobsters and it feels like a shot from a ’70s exploitation film, a la Machete. The second is Deadpool as an Asian demon (see Yakuza quote above).

Being that I’m reviewing the book, I guess I should give it a rating. I’d like to give two out of five regenerated limbs because it feels so unnecesary and forced. But I’m going to give it a third because I’d like to have a copy without the dialogue and just look at the pictures. If you’ve been a fan the Marvel Max series of books and all the depraved sex, f-bombs, etc. that it entails you’ll probably enjoy this one. If you don’t need to see a naked cop in an abusive relationship just skip it.

What happens when a hard ass inner city cop goes to prison and has to face all the criminals he’s put away over the years? Jason Aaron has twisted this plot device around in an interesting and sadistic way.

Just as he was trying to sort out his life and atone for his sins Logan finds himself in hell. Now he’s fending off hoards of enemies whose deaths he was responsible for. While he suffers in hell demonic spirits are inhabiting his body on earth, tracking his loved ones and sending them down to meet him.

The interweaving story of Wolverine’s current girlfriend Malita, and his former lover Mystique joining together to save him is starting to take off. The odd pairing and love triangle aspect of these two working together almost turns into a brawl as Malita tries to contact the X-men to help. Luckily for Malita the Ghost Rider and the Son of Satan show up just in time to offer help and add to the uncomfortable situations being presented by Aaron and artist Renato Guedes.

I’ve been accustomed to seeing Guedes pencil Superman and I didn’t know if his Wolverine would look mean enough. He does, and then some. Set in hell Guedes really captures the gruesome look of the underworld and his depiction of Satan looks like a creature from the Spawn universe. A lot of his art tends to look better as the color pallet gets lighter because his lines are so thin. The color choices here by Matt Wilson compliment the story telling well, and I’m eagerly awaiting the next issue.

If you missed the first issue ask for it at your local comic shop, as I’m sure a second printing is on the way.

Story JASON AARON
Cover Jae Lee
Pencils RENATO GUEDES
$3.99
in shops 10/06/10

AllPosters.com has launched a brand line of 30×40 Marvel Giclees today, and they will be giving one away this week through Big Shiny Robot! They asked us to make this video to accompany the contest.

The giclees are gorgeous and worth about $100.

In order to win one of these, we want you to let us know in the comments below what it is you love about Marvel comics. (You can get a second chance of winning by joining in on the discussion in our forums and our facebook.)

The contest will run through October 1st, and a winner will be announced on October 4th. In the meantime, browse and drool over which one you’d love to have hanging in your house.

And be sure to spread the word!

Captain America has been a staple of Marvel comics for nearly 70 years. The story of Steve Rogers and an experimental Super Soldier Serum is well known. What is less well-known is that Cap wasn’t always Steve Rogers. When his frozen body was discovered by The Avengers it was revealed he had been frozen since the end of World War II. So who was wearing the costume in the 1950’s and 60’s? Turns out it was several people, including Jeff Mace.

Captain America: Patriot #1 presented the story of Daily Bugle reporter Jeff Mace, moonlighting as a costumed hero, The Patriot, fighting alongside the All-Winner’s Squad in Boston when he finds the current Captain America dead. This led to Mace donning the red, white and blue tights himself.

Patriot #2 opens with a nice retro Daily Bugle page to get readers up to speed on Jeff Mace and Miss Patriot, his friend and former partner. This is a great trick to create a sense of timing for the story, essential considering the design of the book. Not only is the story set in a specific time, but it’s meant to recall Marvel’s Golden Age of comics. Mitch Breitweiser’s art is very much a throwback to the bygone era of Marvel’s superho books. It’s a refreshing yet rarely seen style with some drawbacks. Facial details seem to take a backseat, which is exacerbated by the thick lines and inks. Many times the characters’ eyes get lost, even in close ups.

Questionable art decisions aside, Mace as Captain America, fighting a team of Russian superheroes with the All-Winners Squad is a good time. The crux of the plot is that no one outside the squad (and it’s FBI handler, Betsy Ross) knows the original Cap is dead. Everyone is working together to maintain the symbol of Captain America while still keeping him an active hero on the streets.

Karl Kesel is an excellent writer and this story has many great elements. It’s no easy task to capture the Golden Age feel of superhero books and still make it entertaining for modern readers. The story captures the camp and action, but also the drama and human side of  Captain America. The touching last appearance of The Patriot is striking in the context of the current debate in Washington regarding  “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” The foreshadowing of McCarthyism, which will likely be featured in part three, seemed like a treat specifically for history nerds. And in case anyone has forgotten that Namor is a dick, this will remind you.

This comic is great as a self-contained story that leaves the reader wanting more. Unfortunately, being such a short series, it is difficult to build a relationship with the characters. This lack of emotional connection steals some of the glory of the last page. With an expectation of a “new” villain for part three this miniseries is really taking shape.

This book is getting four out of five shields. It’s tempting to take one away because of the art flaws, but it gets a reprieve because the retro look fits.

And don’t forget our CONTEST: Win a Marvel Giclee!