This is the sort of deal I’ve been hoping to see out of the major publishers for a while now and it’s no surprise that Marvel is the first on the boat.  It was announced last week that, starting in March, the will be offering some of their best selling and most important titles for the low, low price of a single dollar. This would be even bigger news if they were also placing these issues in grocery stores, gas stations or anywhere else kids would be able to get their hands on them where they wouldn’t normally go to a comic book store. It launches in March, here’s the official details:

Marvel is proud to announce the all-new Marvel’s Greatest Comics imprint, spotlighting Marvel’s most-acclaimed series with new printings of these must-read issues priced at only one dollar each! This bold new venture, launching in March 2010, offers a perfect jumping on point for new readers as well as provides retailers with a great low cost first chapter to some of the hottest selling MarvelCollected editions. And to really get things going, the first title from this line, Invincible Iron Man #1, is free! “We’re proud of the books Marvel publishes and now not only are we giving retailers a great way to promote our top collections, but also giving consumers a chance to sample some of our top comics, maybe for the first time and at an unbeatable price,” said David Gabriel, Marvel Senior Vice-President of Sales & Circulation. “Marvel’s Greatest Comics represents one of the best values in comics today and with Free Comic Book Day only months after the initial launch, retailers will want to be well stocked.” Retailers can check upcoming editions of the Marvel Mailer or with Diamond Customer Service to find out how they can qualify for the free copies. The titles launching in March, at one per week, are: March 3: INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1 March 10: CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 March 17: WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ #1 March 24: THOR #1 March 31: PUNISHER MAX #1 Stay tuned for more details on Marvel’s Greatest Comics at www.marvel.com!

Now DC, Image, and Dark Horse get on the ball and get this going we might be one step closer to having a comics readership that lasts at least another generation.

I’m sure many have you been following these “clues” that have been released with regards to Iron Man 2. Prior to today, two news clippings had been released. The first with the word “Secret” highlighted, the second with “Stark” highlighted. Now this third one (courtesy of CHUD) has the word “Confession” highlighted. Kind of seems to me at this point that those speculating this has something to do with his alcoholism and the “Demon in a Bottle” story line may be leaning in the right decision…

Also, Entertainment Tonight will be showing “the first scenes from Iron Man 2” tomorrow (Wednesday, December 16) on their show. But in the mean time, they showed some quick snippets of these scenes on their promo. It’s not much, but it’s something. You can view the promo below the “clue”.

Last week, an Iron Man 2 “clue” started floating around the interwebs that got a lot of Iron Man fans riled up. “What does it mean? What’s it going to unveil? etc.” Well, today, Screen Rant debuted a second “clue” for the film:

I am kind of thinking these “clues” aren’t going to lead to any huge reveal or anything… but we will just have to wait and see! Any ideas what these may mean?

Comingsoon.net recently interviewed Bryce Dallas Howard and the topic of Spider-Man 4 came up and her role as Gwen Stacy. Here’s what she had to say:

Q: Will your character Gwen have a big role in “Spider-Man 4?”

Bryce Dallas Howard: Oh goodness! I don’t know. I mean, it was really made clear to me when we all did “Spider-Man 3” that it was entirely possible that a character could come back or a character could not and this could be just a specific plotline to that film because there’s so many stories in the comic book series and you want to pack as much in as possible so it’s truly up to Sam, up to, you know, the writers and the people who have done such an amazing job protecting that franchise and choosing the best storylines for audiences and I’m a fan first. I had an incredible time working with them but more than anything what I want is for that franchise to just continue to kick butt and to really appease the really really really loyal fans, so, including myself.

I can’t decide how I feel about it if she is indeed not going to be in Spider-Man 4. I love the character, but she obviously isn’t as big of a part in the Spider-Man movie continuity as she is in the comics. I would like to see the death of Captain Stacy play out and that dynamic, but we have a long way to go in the development of Peter and Gwen for that to happen with the appropriate emotional impact. Not to say Raimi couldn’t do it justice changing some things up, but, just like with all of these casting rumors and news stories, we will just have to wait and see.

What do all of you think? Should the Gwen and Captain Stacy story ark be played out in the Spider-Man movie on some level?

Almost two weeks ago, Yahoo! Movies revealed the first official poster for Iron Man 2. Now, Apple has revealed the second poster for the film featuring Mickey Rourke as the villain, Whiplash! Click below for a high-res version!

Iron Man 2 is due out May 7, 2010!

Looks like we might have some good, developing news/rumor with regards to the Deadpool movie, courtesy CHUD:

The Deadpool movie has been slowly, quietly been percolating over at Fox, and recent days may have seen some important developments. While nothing is official just yet, it looks like Fox could be hiring Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the writers of Zombieland, to script the adventures of the Merc With A Mouth. I did my due diligence and asked around but couldn’t get a solid confirmation, so regard this one as a strong rumor.

Of course, as awesome as this would be, it is stressed to just be a rumor at this point. But I can’t help -being the Deadpool fan I am- to be a little excited about this!

More to come, I’m sure!

This weekend David Mack will come to Salt Lake City as part of the SLC Main Library’s “Literary Luminaries” showcase on Saturday. His finer works are currently on display in their gallery, and he’ll be on hand from 2-3PM to talk to the crowd. But before then, City Weekly‘s own Gavin Sheehan got a quick interview with the man about his work on both Kabuki and Daredevil, plus talking about his art style and approach.  A read definitely worth checking out.

Gavin’s Undergound interview with David Mack

Gavin: The artistic styling and even writing are very different to that of traditional comics. What made you want to design it out this way?

David: I start with the story first. I’m a writer first. Then I find a way to use the art as a tool of the story. I try to choose the visual approach that best fits with each individual story. I like to design a new look and storytelling style for each project. I like that comic books and graphic novels are a limber and fertile enough of a medium to do this each time. When it is done best, the art and story are indistinguishable from one another.

Gavin: Something that sets you a part from most current artists is that you don’t really do computer graphic design, you do actual artistic pieces. What made you go in that direction when most everything is being done digitally to some degree these days?

David: Its just my natural approach. I don’t have anything against a computer design approach. I respect what people are doing with it. And I may try it some time for a specific project. But so far I haven’t felt the urge to do so, and I like working with my hands, and that approach seemed right for the stories I was doing. But I bet there will be a story some day that may make me want to experiment with it. Alex Maleev is doing a great job with it on his Daredevil work and his new Spider-Woman series with Brian Bendis. That said, I never get tired of making art with my hands and the handmade approach of dealing with 3D materials.

The heroic Thor and his villainous brother Loki are two of the most powerful people in the universe—so when these siblings fight, Asgard and Midgard are in a lot of trouble! This Saturday at 7:30pm Eastern on Cartoon Network, The Super Hero Squad Show sends the Squaddies into the center of Villainville and Asgard itself—has Loki’s scheming finally paid off? “Hero Up” with Battlestar Galactica and Burn Notice star Tricia Helfer as she voices guest-star Sif for the most action-packed family-friendly show in the universe! Heimdall, Reptil, M.O.D.OK. and more guest star in this mighty Marvel adventure!

Plus, don’t miss the new Marvel Super Hero Squad series, jam-packed with your favorite Marvel heroes and all-ages action, in comic shops now!

Tune into the Cartoon Network at 7:30 PM on Saturday to “Hero Up!” with your favorite characters in the Marvel Universe—or any other—in an all-new episode of The Super Hero Squad Show!

To learn more about The Super Hero Squad Show, please visit www.superherosquad.com and www.marvel.com!

This news comes to us from splashpage.mtv.com who were talking to Jeremy Renner. No clue who he is? He was the star of the indie flick The Hurt Locker. I never saw it either, I had every intention and heard nothing but how great it was, but I’m a drunk and it didnt sound like the kind of movie I would enjoy hammered. Itd make me cry, and oil tears are a bitch to clean up. What the fucks my point? That there are rumors that Hawkeye will show up not only in the Avengers but maybe a “set-up” cameo of Hawkeye in Thor.

“The Marvel guys are really smart. They’re reall cool,” Renner told MTV News. “My buddy Zak Penn is writing ‘Avengers,’ but that’s not for years away. The only reason this even came up is because they’re thinking about a little cameo of [Clint] as Hawkeye in there. It’s the only reason why I talked to those guys about it.”

Theres a lot more here but the long and short of it is that maybe there will be Hawkeye. Honestly I think it would be cool but man, the list of people in Thor is huge!!! Why add more?

Yahoo! Movies has revealed the first movie poster for Iron Man 2! Enjoy!